The transition was violent. Valerius felt his body being yanked, twisted, and stretched as if he were caught in a raging whirlpool. His lungs burned, his mind screamed for relief—and then, as suddenly as it began, it was over.
Valerius hit the ground hard, jagged rocks scraping his hands and knees. He groaned, coughing as he struggled to lift his head. Around him, the world was unrecognizable. The sky above was painted in swirling purples and fiery reds, dominated by two massive moons that loomed ominously overhead. Jagged cliffs and glowing plants dotted the rugged landscape, casting eerie shadows.
“Where… are we?” Ziraiah’s trembling voice broke through the silence. She lay a few feet away, her emerald-green eyes wide with fear as she took in the alien surroundings. Her dark, silky hair, streaked with dirt, framed her youthful face. Though her light brown complexion still radiated her natural beauty, the fear in her expression made her seem far younger.
Valerius sat up, wincing as he dusted himself off. “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore…”
Eryndor stood nearby, already on his feet, his towering 8’4” frame casting a long shadow over them. His chiseled features and dark, neatly groomed hair gave him an air of regal confidence, even in the face of the unknown. His green eyes—piercing and unyielding—scanned the horizon with quiet intensity.
“It seems, dear siblings,” Eryndor began, his deep voice calm yet authoritative, “that we have been transported far beyond the bounds of Earth. This realm… is not of our world.”
“Yeah, thanks, Captain Obvious,” Valerius muttered as he stood, brushing off his scraped knees.
Around them, thousands of people were scattered across the rocky terrain. Some sat in shock, while others argued or shouted, their panic mounting.
Then it hit them. A sharp, searing pain tore through their heads, making all three siblings clutch their temples. Valerius fell to his knees, gritting his teeth as an unfamiliar voice echoed in his mind.
“Welcome to Yilheim, young ones. I am Yelleen, and I shall be your guide.”
Valerius froze, looking around wildly. “What the hell? Who said that?”
Ziraiah whimpered, her voice barely above a whisper. “Am I… am I hearing things?”
Eryndor’s expression remained calm, though his green eyes narrowed in thought. “A voice within our minds… intriguing. Continue, unseen herald.”
For the three siblings, the voice was clear and distinct, but around them, the other Earthers seemed to react differently. They stared at glowing panels that had materialized before their eyes, their expressions ranging from confusion to terror. It seemed Yelleen’s voice was meant only for the siblings; the others were left to read her words.
“For the one million of you brought here,” Yelleen continued, her tone smooth and deliberate, “I am your guide. Your survival depends on listening to what I tell you.”
The other Earthers erupted into chaos.
“What is this place?” “Why are we here?” “Send us back!”
The siblings, however, received a far more personal message. Yelleen’s voice grew softer, almost affectionate as she addressed them directly.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“You three… I have waited for you. You are unlike the others.”
Eryndor raised an eyebrow, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. “Pray tell, what sets us apart from the masses?”
Yelleen’s tone carried a tinge of amusement. “In time, you will understand. For now, survive.”
---
The chaos among the Earthers quickly escalated. Arguments turned to shoving, and desperation gave way to violence as people scrambled to assert dominance.
“Hey, you!” a burly teenager shouted, pointing at Valerius. “You look like you know what's going on. Tell me how to get out of here!”
Valerius frowned, his green eyes narrowing. “Do I look like I have a map or something?”
The teenager advanced, flanked by two others. “Don’t play smart with me. You three look so calm--- you know something! spill it!”
Before Valerius could respond, Eryndor stepped forward, his imposing frame cutting an intimidating figure. His calm, authoritative voice carried across the tension.
“I would strongly advise against such folly,” he said smoothly, his tone almost polite. “My brother may lack sophistication, but his fists are far from forgiving.”
The teenager hesitated, clearly unnerved by Eryndor’s height and composed demeanor. But one of his friends, fueled by anger, lunged at Valerius.
Reacting instinctively, Valerius sidestepped the attack and delivered a solid punch to the attacker’s gut. The teenager crumpled to the ground, wheezing.
“Still wanna try me?” Valerius asked, a cocky grin tugging at his lips.
The other two backed off, dragging their friend with them. Eryndor smirked faintly, his green eyes glinting in the alien moonlight. “Crude, yet effective. Though, dear brother, I must urge you to refine your technique. Precision is the hallmark of a true warrior.”
Valerius rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, thanks for the lecture.”
---
The siblings moved away from the chaotic crowd, seeking refuge in a rocky outcrop. As the alien moons bathed the land in an eerie glow, they managed to gather enough materials to build a small fire. The warmth brought little comfort, as the foreign landscape seemed to watch them in silence.
A low, guttural growl shattered the quiet. Ziraiah froze, clutching Valerius’s arm. “Did… did you hear that?”
Eryndor’s eyes scanned the darkness. “We are not alone.”
From the shadows emerged a massive, wolf-like creature. Its jet-black fur seemed to drink in the light, and its glowing red eyes burned with predatory intent. Spikes jutted from its back, glinting like obsidian.
“That… does not look friendly,” Valerius muttered, gripping a nearby branch.
The wolf snarled and lunged at Ziraiah. Eryndor moved with blinding speed, shoving her out of the way and taking the brunt of the attack. The force knocked him back, but he stood firm, his broad shoulders bracing against the onslaught.
“Valerius! Ziraiah! Move!” he commanded, his voice sharp and unwavering.
Valerius swung the branch with all his strength, but it splintered uselessly against the wolf’s side. “This is bad,” he muttered. “Really bad.”
Eryndor grabbed a jagged rock and slammed it into the wolf’s head. The creature howled in pain, staggering back. Valerius tackled it from the side, pinning it down with all his weight.
Ziraiah, trembling but determined, grabbed another rock and bashed the wolf repeatedly until it stopped moving. Bloodied and exhausted, the siblings collapsed onto the ground.
“That,” Valerius panted, “was insane.”
Eryndor adjusted his jacket, his green eyes calm despite the ordeal. “Insane, yes. But necessary. Strength and unity are paramount in this world.”
---
Later that night, the siblings sat around the fire, their exhaustion evident. The adrenaline from the wolf attack had faded, leaving them in heavy silence.
Eryndor leaned back against a rock, his piercing green eyes reflecting the flames. After a long pause, he spoke.
“So, Ziraiah,” he said with a faint smirk, “how long do you plan on retaining that facial decoration?”
Ziraiah blinked, then groaned as realization hit her. “Damn you, Val!” she yelled, tackling her brother.
Eryndor watched with mild amusement as Ziraiah pummeled Valerius with her fists. “This,” he remarked dryly, “is unbecoming of a lady.”
When Ziraiah finally tired herself out, she sat on Valerius’s chest, tears welling in her eyes. “Are we never gonna see Mom again? Are we stuck here, Val?”
Valerius’s grin faded. He pulled her into a tight embrace. “Everything will work out. I promise.”
Eryndor, watching them, clenched his fists. “I will protect you,” he thought. “I must.”
As Ziraiah drifted off to sleep, Eryndor stood watch over them, his resolve stronger than ever.
---