Hello Stranger...

These are the words which have always started my journey.

Whenever they appear, I know I'm about to be taken to a new world. A world of great adventure, strange people, and mysteries waiting to be unravelled.

I will admit that I am a curious man.

My curiosity has driven me to walk every world, from the tallest mountains to the darkest caves and even to the most advanced city any civilisation could offer.

I've met so many people and seen so many things. I've met people from all walks of life.

Some tales are long, others short. Some tales may be sad and others joyful.

But every story, no matter how short or long, has something to say.

Me? I'm just an observer. Not quite part of the story, but never entirely outside of it.

You could say I was just a wanderer.

I don't stay in one place for long. I've lost count of how many worlds I've visited.

But this world? This one feels different.

I can't explain why, but something about it has me hooked.

And that's when I met her.

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This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Wah! Ahhhh!"

The scream tore through the air, breaking the silence. That's what I heard as I was about to explore an ancient cave.

It was quite peaceful until there.

I was near a forest when I heard it. At first, I thought it was just the wind echoing through the trees. But when I heard it again, I realized it was a woman's voice.

Curious, I followed the sound to its source—a cave at the edge of the forest.

The entrance was dark and unwelcoming, like a gaping mouth.

I don't know why, but I started running after the voice.

"Wah! Ahhhh!"

This time, the voice sounded like a woman. I turned to where it came from and saw a cave.

A woman ran out with a monster following closely behind her.

I was curious so I followed them. I had a bad feeling about this. I wanted to help the woman. I needed to help.

As I ran, I tried to think of what I could do to help. But no matter how fast I ran, I couldn't catch up to them.

It was like the woman was running just ahead of me.

Suddenly, the floor opened below her. She fell and screamed as she fell down into darkness.

"No!"

I yelled as I jumped down after her.

"I got you!"

My hands grabbed onto hers. I pulled her up to the ledge and helped her over it.

She collapsed onto the ground, panting. She looked up at me.

"Are you okay?"

"Thank... you... for saving... me..." She responded in between gasps of breath.

She was a young woman with curly chestnut brown hair that reached to her shoulders.

Her clothing was dirty from being in the cave.

She had emerald green eyes which sparkled with life. She looked to be around her teens.

Her eyes darted towards my face, then towards my clothes and finally towards my glowing magic wand.

Thinking about it, I probably looked quite strange to her.

I have 'borrowed' most of this stuff from other worlds. But the 'Wand' I just happened to find lying around in some ruins earlier in my life.

It has a blue crystal-shaped tip and a stylish handle that looks like a device from a world which mastered the use of technology.

"Wh-Who... Who are you!?" She managed to stutter.

I looked at her, she looked terrified. Not the most pleasant of looks to start off a good conversation.

But if it helps build trust, then it was an opportunity to do just that.

So with a warm, calming, smile, I spoke to her...

"Just another curious stranger passing by..."