Slyran

“And we hit the ground. Our legs trumbling and aching,” Isa said as she peered around the fire at the others listening. “I crawled over to Oshi, and we waited. And waited. Then, there, in front of us.” She held her thumbs and index fingers together to make a picture frame. “We saw it. The Dorrani, the winged beast snacking on its prey.” She stood up. “With a hand out to Oshi, I prepped my crossbow and took aim.” She snapped her finger. “But a twig snapped. I knew not where, but the beast roared and spun around!” She exclaimed, and Varis yelped. “It’s massive tail felling the forest around us, causing Oshi and I to flee for cover as the Dorrani bellowed.”

“Wh-what happened next?” Varis eagerly asked.

Isa chuckled. “Well, Oshi and I fled, of course.” She smiled as she sat back down on the log around the fire.

“You didn’t fight it?” Varis said sounding disappointed.

Isa’s smile broadened as she shook her head. “Oh no. That would’ve been suicide.” She chuckled. “When hunting a Dorrani, it is best to do so from the shadows. A dragon such as that would slaughter you in seconds if it were to see you.”

Slyran leaned in closer to the fire and Isa. “How’d you escape?” He asked curiously. “Those things can smell a pile of dung ten gilos out.”

Isa shuddered. “I became great friends with mud that night. Does wonders at masking one's scent.”

“Can’t go wrong with just smelling like the jungle, I guess.” He chuckled. “That’s clever thinking.”

Cailynn made a disgusted face and shook her head. “I dunno if I could do that. Gods, how long did it take to wash yourself?”

“Too long.” Isa said with a roll of her eyes as she recalled the event. “I spent days getting all the bits of dirt from my hair.”

“Madam Soza, can you tell another story?” Varis asked.

Isa thought for a second and glanced at the sky towards the two moons. She then looked at Cailynn, who met her gaze and shook her head. “It’s getting too late,” Cailynn said to Varis, who immediately pouted. “We have much to do tomorrow, Hon. Help Isa clean up camp and get ready for bed.”

The young boy pouted, though he knew not to complain. Getting up, he began to collect the tin plates and cups around the camp. Slyran smiled at Isa. “Thank you for the story,” he said, nodding to her.

The serelli returned the smile. “You are welcome. It pleases me that you all seem to enjoy much of mundanities.” Slyran gawked.

“That’s what you call mundane?” He said, blinking.

Isa’s ears wiggled as her smile broadened. “In Kazora, yes. Scary predators are as common as jabbers are here. Such an event to me is like… How does the phrase go?” She pondered for a second. “Just another Fields Day.” She chuckled, though after a moment her ears drooped.

Slyran frowned. “What’s wrong?” He asked as Cailynn doused the fire. Isa’s ears perked up again, though she didn’t respond just yet. Her eyes turned towards the children’s tent, the one in which Luna was resting.

“It bothers me that I was unable to fulfill my promise,” Isa said softly, her tail flicking anxiously. “I am also concerned about what had happened.” Her eyes returned to Slyran.

The elf’s ears also drooped as well as Cailynn’s as the woman returned to her husband’s side. “As are we,” he said, draping an arm around Cailynn. “I know you’re not a doctor, Love. But you’ve read stuff,” he said with a cringe, knowing how stupid he just sounded. “We both know she isn’t sick; the food was cooked, and she had no fever.”

Cailynn took a deep breath and turned to thank Varis, who placed the pile of dirty tins next to her to clean. Taking one of the cups, the former magister took a moment to gather her thoughts as she purged the dirty cup of any grime or stain without a word.

Slyran watched as the cup momentarily became lit with light. Steam rose from its surface as Cailynn held it with both hands. The two had known each other for nearly ninety years, and even now the man was still amazed by even the simplest of spells. Why doesn’t everyone know such magic? If he could clean a room or his clothes so easily, life would be wonderful—he needed to focus.

Cailynn finally drew in a breath and placed the now clean tin aside. “You are correct, Love. I am no physician; instead, what we really need is a psychologist.”

“Psycho-what?” Slyran said, glancing at Isa.

“She means a doctor of the mind,” Isa clarified for him.

Cailynn nodded. “I think Luna had a panic attack,” she said. “I don’t know what may have triggered it. She said she heard leaves as we entered the cave.” Isa brought her hand to her mouth, her eyes wide.

“What is it?” Slyran asked.

“The fae,” the serelli said, her ears drooping even further. “Could I have scared her?” She asked.

Cailynn shrugged as she grabbed another dirty tin and began to magically clean it. “Maybe, though she seemed unphased since we got here. I don’t know why she would’ve panicked the way she did. Even if that were the case, it would not be your fault, Isa.”

Slyran nodded. “Agreed. Such information is important for everyone to know.” Before anyone else could say anything, he held a finger up. “Question is though, could this have been the fae directly?” He cocked an eyebrow.

“That is probable,” Cailynn said, “though I think unlikely. While fae are known in these parts, there has not been any report of their activity in nearly thirty years. Many folk, especially the younger humans, are beginning to think they are a myth. The chances of us, specifically Luna, being the chosen one of their antics just seem unrealistic.”

Isa sighed. “Yes, but you are the Ashflows,” the serelli said with a smirk.

Cailynn’s head perked, and she looked at Isa. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

Isa giggled. “I feel I have known you both long enough to know that trouble always seems to follow you.”

“Back when we were swords for hire, sure,” Slyran said, “but we’re retired.”

Isa rolled her eyes. “And that means things would just stop?” She smirked.

Slyran groaned. “Fates be, I don’t wanna have this talk again.” Isa snickered.

Varis came over and said, “Camp’s clean, Momma. Anything else I need to do?” The boy sounded so professional, almost soldier-like. Slyran smiled.

“You’ll need to brush your teeth,” Cailynn said, patting his shoulder. “You did good today.”

Varis nodded slowly but then glanced towards his and his sister’s tent. “Is Luna going to be alright?” He asked.

Cailynn’s expression softened, and she smiled. “Of course, Sweetie. Come tomorrow she’ll be all bright eyed and eager as she usually is.”

The boy’s expression brightened a little. “Okay. Good night!” He hugged Cailynn before hopping over to also hug Slyran and then Isa. After stepping away from Isa he came over to Slyran, and in a mock salute he said, “See you in the morning, sir!”

Slyran felt his heart swell, and he smiled and returned the salute. “Get some rest, soldier. We have training in the morning.” As in, he, Isa, and the boy are going to go hunting.

Varis’s eyes twinkled as she nodded and began to walk back to his tent. With a deep breath, Slyran turned to the two women and said, “Speaking of things we don’t want to talk about…”

By his tone of voice, Cailynn groaned. “Must we speak of more bad things?” She asked as she placed the last tin onto the pile of clean utensils.

“It’s important,” he said. “It has to do with Lorizio.”

“Of course it does…” Cailynn muttered and Isa nodded. The serelli tutor had been looped into this discussion shortly after Lorizio visited a couple of months ago. “I told you, Slyran, Lorizio’s prediction lines up with what we’ve always seen in the past. Rusimia is posturing, besides, even if it is true. The Sovereign Right predicts the attack will happen a year from now; we have time.”

“Herbert knows,” Slyran said. “His family, at least Anora, knows what’s coming. So do the Olsons, Cailynn.” He looked at her. “The merchant guilds are aware of what’s coming as well.”

Cailynn stared at him, her face stern, though cracks began to show. She turned away. “And what is that supposed to mean? It changes nothing.”

“But it does, Cailynn,” Slyran said. “We now have two sources saying the same thing.” He was beginning to feel frustrated at his wife’s stubbornness. “Why are you so keen on not–” Before he could say something that would have him sleeping under the stars. Varis shouted.

“Mother! Father!” Isa’s ears twitched in the direction of Varis’s feet slapping dirt as he sprinted towards them. “Luna’s gone!”

“What?!” Cailynn gasped and shot up from her seat alongside Slyran.

The young boy skidded to a stop a few feet from them. His hand pointed towards their tent. “Luna’s not in the tent; I-I looked around, but I didn’t see or hear her.”

“Blasted all!” Slyran cursed. “Where could she have gone?” This was unlike their daughter. Luna running away? Absurd. The girl hardly ever left the house, let alone a book she was reading.

Isa frowned. “I think I have an idea…” She said, turning towards the north, where the dark mountain loomed overhead. She side-eyed Slyran. “Perhaps your theory on the fae might not be too far-fetched.”

----------------------------------------

Luna

The night’s darkness loomed over the world after the sun had dipped beneath the mountain’s horizon. Leaving the only source of light to be the colorful array cast down from Enora's two moons. Yet even then, the thick canopy of the Heinland forest made everything nearly pitch black. Even my elven eyes, which had usually served me well in the dark, struggled to make out the winding vines and sticks lost in the underbrush. Causing me to trip on multiple occasions as I ascended the mountain.

I moved with haste. My heart was beating heavily in my chest. Its steady pulse thundered in my ears along with the static and steady beep which grew louder and louder with every subsequent step forward. Despite the cold, sweat formed on my brow as my hands and legs shook. Visions of my nightmare flashed across my mind. The heart monitor, the television. The disheveled man in the mirror.

Why do I hear it? This can't be real.

"It isn't real." I heard myself say.

But it feels and sounds so real. The static, the beep. Am I really just in a coma?

"Don't be so foolish. You're distracting yourself; focus on what's in front of you. You heard, Isa, she said that this forest is filled with fae. You know, faeries, pixies, sprites, and alps. Beings of trickery and deception."

That doesn't make it any less horrifying.

"Just keep that piece of cold iron on you, and don't panic. That'll only get us killed."

Us? Who am I talking to? Am I talking to myself now?

"Bah, I'm really driving myself crazy now." I said out loud.

The steady beep echoed in my eardrums as I clambered up the side of the mountain trail. My legs were aching and I assumed I was about halfway there. Behind me, I could no longer see the campfire light or hear my family. I wasn't entirely sure if I was going the right way, yet part of me was confident.

Then I heard it as I clambered over a fallen tree in the path. Over the static and beeping, a distant, hollow howl akin to that of a wolf. I froze up on the log, clutching it tightly. It sounded very close.

"What are you doing? Keep moving." I said to myself, yet my body didn’t move.

There's a monster out here. A dangerous one. Mother said there were timbewolves. I thought to myself and I gulped

"Yes, there is, but standing still is only going to get me killed. It's best that I keep moving." I heard myself say, yet something didn’t sound right. What sounded like me didn’t talk like me.

"I'm going fucking crazy," I said out loud feeling in control once again. "I'm actually cracked."

As quickly as my control returned, it vanished when I heard my voice say, "Perhaps I am, but talking out loud is going to give you away. Keep moving."

Once again, I heard the howl; it sounded so unnatural. A ghostly sound mixed with scraping bark on a tree. I shivered, hopped off the log, and continued to move at a much faster pace. I whimpered nervously as the howl received a response, except this time somewhere off to my left.

"They've caught our scent.” My voice said in my mind like someone speaking into my ear. “Double it, Luna. Keep moving. We won't be able to see them within the underbrush; just don't stay in one spot too long."

My heart began to race, and I whined as I began to pump my little legs faster.

How the fuck would I know that? I never read about timberwolves. How would I know they're after me? Maybe that was like a mating call.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Just trust me, move! You don't want to die again, do you? What if you don't get a third chance?"

"Fuck me!" I whined as the path began to meander to the left, and I followed the trail. Further ahead I nearly tripped as I rounded a corner and caught myself on a branch. I panted heavily as I took a second to breathe.

"What are you doing?! Move!"

"I need a breather." I gasped. "I need to catch my breath."

"We don't have time. The pack is moving in on us as we speak."

"How do you know that? How do I know that?" I grasped the side of my head. "Where did this other voice come from?"

"As fun as it would be to try and get to know ourselves, we don't have the time. Get moving, or else you'll be turned into fertilizer."

I cursed and pushed myself forward.

"You're almost there. There are about a dozen yards left. Once you reach the clearing, that's when they'll attack. Run like hell."

"Excuse me?"

"They're laying an ambush. There are three of them. No, four. The Alpha is watching far off."

"This is definitely not me thinking this..." I said. "Wh-what if I don't go out there?" I shook. "What if I turn back?"

"You cannot do that. Not anymore. If you turn back now, the rest of the pack will converge for the kill."

"So, I'm fucked!"

"No. Stop panicking. Move to the cave. Trust me. You'll make it, and you will live. But only if you run. Now move!"

Tears streamed down my cheeks, my legs wobbled, and my heart was beating so fast I thought it'd burst. Biting my lower lip, I cried softly. "I--I don't want to die!"

"You're not going to die. Trust me."

"H-How?! Who are you? You're not me!"

"I am you; now move! They're going to kill you!"

"I shouldn't have come out here. I shouldn't have come out here!"

"For all the love there is to be, Luna Ashflow, move!"

My little heart began to thump in my ears, and my breathing became ragged, drowning out the static and beeping. I couldn't take any breaths. I couldn't breathe. I was going to die. I fucking killed myself before it even happened. Why did I walk out here? What did I hope to gain? I'm dead. I'm going to be ripped apart by fucking wolves because of some childish curiosity. I threw it away. I threw this new life away.

"DUCK NOW!"

My conscience screamed, and without thinking, I dove to the ground as a massive, looming mass lunged over me. My shoulder struck sticks and dirt as my legs flew over me as I rolled onto my back.

The ground shook and trembled as I found myself staring up at the stars. “Run, you need to run!” The little voice in my head screamed as I rolled onto my stomach and stood up shakily. I looked back, and my eyes widened with abject horror.

It was large. Probably about the size of a stallion. Its outer shell was made of thick tree bark overgrown with moss and vines. Nowhere I could see was this thing made of flesh; only wood and other organic vegetation that vaguely created the silhouette of a large wolf-like creature. Its eyes, a sickly green, I could see dripping from its makeshift maw riddled with sharp stick-like teeth was an oozing, almost undulating sap.

I'm going to die, I thought.

"Only if you stand there like an idiot. Run!"

The wooden construct of a beast raised its head and unleashed a soulless howl, and I screamed as I cupped my ears and ran for dear life. I could see the clearing up ahead, yet one more fallen log blocked my path. Behind me, I could feel the ground quake as the monster began to chase.

"It's going to pounce! Dive to the left, and immediately begin crawling forward!"

Whatever this little voice was that sounded like me, I chose to put my trust in it as I dove to the left. My belly scraped against the cold mud and unmelted snow, and my nice dress immediately became ruined as I began to army crawl. Which was perfectly timed as a second timberwolf dove through the bushes and landed right where I had just been.

"Get up and run! I'll let you know when to dodge again!"

I wailed and ran, my legs burning. I continued pumping them forward, jumping over the fallen tree. My knee scraped and gashed itself against it as I failed to clear it, and I tumbled forward. Face cracking into stone and grass. I yelled with pain.

"Get up, get up, get up!"

I moaned and crawled forward before pushing myself to my feet. On the looming cliff face before me, I could see the cave entrance, yet to my left, about one hundred feet out, the third wooden wolf broke through the tree line and began to beeline right for me. Behind me, the two other wolves began to flank around. I had nowhere to go but the cave.

"Run!"

I cried as I began to sprint as fast as my little legs could carry me. Seventy feet, fifty feet, and thirty feet. It was gaining on me. I was only about a few feet from the entrance when the little voice in my head bellowed.

"Jump!"

Like a baseball player running for home, I leaped forward into the cave entrance just as the sharp, wooden claws gouged my back. Hot, searing pain shot through me as my vision flashed white and red as I tumbled into the cave.

"Crawl, crawl! You're almost there!"

Ignoring the agonizing pain in my back, I vigorously began to pull myself over the rocky floor of the cave as the ferocious barking and howling behind me intensified as the wooden monstrosities attempted to force themselves through the entrance, which, thankfully, their wide frames were too big to fit comfortably through.

Yet that didn't mean they wouldn't try.

The sound of snapping wood caught my ears as one of them pressed and forced themselves in. I was only about ten feet or so into the cave, and I turned away and began to pull myself to my feet and limp away.

"Don't worry. They'll try to get in, but I can assure you they can't."

I moved as far from the entrance as I could, about thirty feet back, and eventually, the wolves pulled away and all fell silent, save for my whimpers and moans. As the adrenaline faded, I crumpled to my hands and knees. My dress was now soaked with blood and mud. I could feel a warm, wet trickle moving down my back and arms beneath the fabric. I pressed my head into the floor and began to cry.

Everything fell silent—the little voice in my head, the static and beeping. All vanished as I wailed; the adrenaline, the pain—all of it shook me as I sobbed. Never in my life have I felt so utterly horrified and alone.

I was a fool to come here; what was I thinking? This isn't some silly anime or anything; I have no powers. How the fuck did I survive?!

I moaned and lightly thumped my head on the floor as I sniffled and sobbed.

"You are no fool; I was the one who deceived you into coming here. This isn't whatever you just thought, nor is it fictional. This is all very, very real." The little voice returned, yet the voice that sounded like my own transitioned into something else. It sounded like a man; their tone was elegant yet emotionless.

"Do not wallow in pity or fear. You did well."

"The fuck, you mean I did well?!" I cried out, hiccupping over my voice. I wiped the tears from my eyes; my left arm felt limp. I could move it, but doing so caused great pain. "You manipulated me! I almost fucking died; I'm injured… I'm alone… I want my mom! Dad!" I screamed out as all of my pent up emotions boiled out.

The little voice fell silent for a minute. I tried to catch my breath, the pain coming from my wounds caused me to moan and whimper as I cried. After a few moments, however, I quieted down and tried to compose myself.

That’s when the voice spoke again, "You did well because you're alive. And that's all that matters." The voice fell silent once more. I could hear the sound of the static and the heart-like beep returned. The little voice came back, the once emotionless tone taking on a more calming sound. "Your family most definitely heard the noise up the mountain here; they would've checked on your tent and noticed you were gone. They'll be coming here shortly."

My heart skipped a beat. "Then they're in danger!"

"No, they are not. Your mother and father are most formidable; a small pack of timberwolves will easily be dispatched. I say this to ease your fears; you will not die here, Luna, and I do apologize for the injuries you sustained."

I sniffed and wiped my eyes. "Wh-who are you?"

"Who I am right now is entirely irrelevant; I just need you to listen to me. Though, for the sake of giving you a name, you can call me "The Master"."

I hiccupped and said, "Th-that doesn't sound ominous at all."

"I've helped you thus far, haven't I?"

Anger erupted within me. "You helped me by luring me to a pack of wolves!"

"Wolves that failed to eat you.” The voice retorted. “If you had come up here without my guidance, you would surely be little elf pieces right now."

I sniffled and nodded. "I-I can't argue with that…" I winced as the wound on my back began to throb.

"Once again, I apologize for the injuries you sustained. From what I can sense, they are not life-threatening. Your family should reach here before anything becomes dire; however, you are still capable of moving and coming to meet me again."

"Again?" I blinked. "I've never talked to you before till now." I shifted to my feet and wiped my eyes; the tears just kept fucking coming.

"Long ago, we did." The voice of the master said.

I blinked. "Are you the reason why I'm here right now? By that, I mean… alive again?"

"Answering that question is something I do not have the time or patience for. Now that I sense you're standing, I would like for you to proceed to the back of the cave. A hole should be visible that you can squeeze through."

"How about you answer my question first?" I growled.

"I refuse to answer the question because I know it'll only raise more questions. Now, please, proceed to the back of the cave."

There's no pleasing you, is there? I thought to myself.

"Do remember, I can hear your thoughts." The master responded.

Great, then that means I have no more privacy?

"For now."

Feeling as if I had no choice, I began to limp over to the hole. The cave was long, but not wide. The walls were slick with condensation, and the bases were lined with rubble and sharp stalagmites.

The cave began to shift a bit to the right, with the ceiling becoming lower as the floor began to decline. My knee, which I gashed against the log, seeped blood down my once-white stockings and into and on my boots, making each step slippery. Yet as I carefully ventured down, true to their word, a hole could be found against the back wall.

One that is just big enough to fit me and some.

"Uh…huh…" I gulped. "I-I don't have to crawl through that, do I?" I asked out loud, as a nervous shake was present in my voice. "L-Like it's going to open up to reveal a passage?" I didn't want to crawl into that tight space, even with my small frame. What if I get stuck?

"You will not get stuck." The voice replied.

I bit my lower lip and glanced down the hall; even with my improved night vision compared to my past life, I could not see what was beyond. Yet, I could hear the static and the beep of the heart monitor, which was now the loudest it had been.

Hey, voice… Master? I thought.

"Yes?"

Since you can hear my thoughts and all, do you also hear the static and beeping?

My conscience fell silent for a moment, almost as if the voice had paused to think.

"As a matter of fact, I do." The voice replied slowly.

Do you know what it is? Am I going nuts?

"This I can answer; it's your internal fears. A phobia that is being triggered. It's trying to distract you. Ignore it."

I took a deep breath, feeling a little relieved. Yet a bit of skepticism remained as I glanced at the hole. Once again, I felt as if I had no choice. Shifting my body, I climbed into the hole, my body quaking with fear once more as I began to squeeze my way through.

Thankfully, the hole wasn't that long. Only about seven or so feet I wriggled my way through before coming out the other end, yelping as I flopped into icy water. I panicked for a second but stopped when I realized it was only a few inches deep.

"Fuck, I'm soaked…" I groaned as I pushed myself to my feet and glanced around the eerie darkness. The static echoing louder along with the beep made it almost impossible to think as I gritted my teeth.

"Excellent. You're almost there. Proceed to the right; about ten paces forward, you'll hit an abnormally smooth wall." The voice instructed, and I followed.

Sure enough, as I waded out of the water and onto the smooth ground, I reached a smooth wall. Yet it wasn't entirely smooth. There were etchings on it. I couldn't make out what, though I knew it wasn't natural.

What is this? I thought. This doesn’t feel like stone… is this metal?”

"It’s a structure. An old tower that once resided here. That much, I'll say. Follow this wall to your left and keep your hand on it. Eventually, you'll find a gap."

I nodded and did as I was told.

Voice, Why did you choose me? I asked. Why not speak to Varis or my parents?

I continued down the cave, my hand grazing the smooth stone wall.

There was silence for a moment. As said, we met once before.

So why don't I remember? I thought.

I have my reasons. The voice replied as my fingers dipped into the aforementioned gap.

I stopped. Being secretive isn't best when trying to form trust, I thought.

"Again, I have my reasons, and I told you. Answering questions will only raise more questions. The less you know, the better. Believe me when I say you and I are on the same side. In a mutual relationship, you help me, and I help you."

Ah, so I'm helping you? I smirked, and I heard the voice sigh.

"Yes, you are." The voice sighed softly. "Now, press your fingers into the gap."

I hesitated for a second before taking a deep breath and shoving them through the slit in the wall. I felt them press against a metallic surface, which then sank with my fingers. A loud click echoed throughout the chamber, and soon the wall cracked and began to part. I stumbled back as pieces of stone and dust sprinkled down from above. A blueish-white light blinded me.

I shielded my eyes, and as they adjusted, I saw what looked to be a staircase, riddled with pieces of broken metal and… Bells?

Ascend the tower, and we'll meet again.

"What the fuck…" I muttered as I shifted past the broken debris of iron and copper bells, which clanged and stumbled down the steps.

As I stepped through the doorway, the chill of the cave vanished. The air became stuffy, and the static and beeping noises continued to assault my mind. Mixed in was a ticking clock which only added to the cacophony of noise.

Grabbing the railing, I began to climb my way up the dimly lit steps and gasped when the metal door behind me began to shut.

"Wait, wait, wait!" I screamed and began to run back down.

"Do not worry; you're not trapped here." The voice said, "Keep going up."

I panted nervously and whined before turning around. "I'm dreaming," I said. "This has to be a dream."

"You are not dreaming. This is all very, very real, Luna Ashflow."

I gulped as I began to climb the steps, careful not to trip over the many broken bells. "Why are there so many broken bells here?" I asked out loud.

"Failed recreations. They are harmless, as long as you don't trip on them."

"Recreating what? Church bells?" I asked as I reached the first platform of many.

"It is nothing that concerns you." Said the voice.

"So bloody secretive." I sighed as I continued up the second set of stairs.

This continued as I rounded what seemed like over a dozen stairs, the pile of shattered bells piling up more and more until finally, I reached a metal door.

I panted softly, my thighs and busted knees aching. My wounded back and arm throbbed heavily, and my head was screaming with the migraine that brought on the incessant noise that's been plaguing me.

"The door is unlocked. You can enter."

I straightened up, grabbed the metal handle, turned, and stepped inside. Warm air instantly greeted me, along with the sound of howling wind, a beautiful night sky, and two gorgeous moons. Radiance and Andoria are much larger and closer than ever before. In front of me, a massive, black bell damaged along its base due to the missing pieces I noticed hung aloft above an altar.

Yet what stood out to me was the gentle piano music I heard coming across from the other side of the altar. As the metal door shut behind me, I flinched and stepped forward, noticing the open windowpanes allowing air to flow through and revealing a gorgeous vista of rolling plains and mountains. Yet there were no ordinary mountains or planes; this wasn't Oren. This wasn't Heinmarr.

Where the fuck am I?

The pleasant piano music ceased. "Welcome to the Infinite Twilight." I heard the voice, except it was no longer in my head. Across from me, I saw a dark figure rise from behind the piano, an androgynous being draped in a black cloak from head to toe, the hood concealing most of their face, revealing only their pale mouth and chin.

Raising their arm, the sleeve fell back to reveal a delicate pale hand gesturing to the scenery before us. "My prison and home."