Shauna gently guided me back toward the kitchen, her hand warm against my trembling arm. Sirus had already disappeared inside, his movements a flurry of concerned energy. The kitchen was a haven of natural beauty.
"Sit, Roza. Let Sirus take a look at you," Shauna murmured, her voice laced with concern. I sank into a plush chair made of velvety rose petals, the soft texture a small comfort against my raw nerves. Sirus bustled around the room, gathering various herbs and vials from shelves overflowing with strange ingredients. He approached me with a focused expression, his eyes scanning my face and body with an intensity that made me want to squirm.
"Tell us everything, Roza," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm. "Start from the beginning." I hesitated, the memories of that day a jagged shard in my throat. The violation, the pain, the sheer terror of it all threatened to overwhelm me. But I knew I had to speak, to make sense of the chaos that had shattered my life.
"It was my birthday," I began, my voice barely a whisper. "I... I was walking home from work. And then..." I choked, unable to continue. Shauna knelt beside me, her hand squeezing mine reassuringly. "It's okay, Roza. Take your time." I closed my eyes, forcing myself to relive the nightmare, to find the words to describe the indescribable. "They... they grabbed me. smashed my face into the ground. where he pulled down my pants and panties..." My voice cracked, tears streaming down my face. Sirus's expression hardened, his eyes flashing with anger.
He gently began to examine my arms, his touch surprisingly gentle. "I tried fighting back but he kneed me in the back and sat on the backs of my legs, I couldn't even so much as defend myself, when he was done he pulled my pendant from my neck" I continued, my voice gaining strength with each word. "I screamed. I don't know what happened exactly, but... I felt a surge of power, like something inside me was reacting. Then the pendant shot out of his hands, it flew above my head and then everything went white. when I was able to see again I was here."
Sirus paused in his examination, his brow furrowed in thought. "You say you felt a surge of power? Did you see anything? Any... visions?" I shook my head, my mind still reeling from the trauma. "No, just... white light. And then I was here." He resumed his examination, carefully cleaning and bandaging the cuts and bruises that marred my skin.
"Your pendant," he said suddenly, his fingers tracing the outline of the multicolored gem around my neck. "Where did you get it?" he asked looking at it curiosity filling his eyes. "Nate gave it to me as a present, said he had been working a lot of over time and his wife agreed to get it for me".
The stinging sensation on my shoulder snapped me back to the present. Sirus dabbed at the wound with a cloth soaked in some kind of antiseptic liquid, the scent sharp and unfamiliar. I winced, my muscles tensing. "Sorry," he muttered, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Almost done. It looks worse than it is. Just a surface wound." "Easy for you to say," I huffed. "Trust me, I've seen worse. Much worse." He paused, his gaze meeting mine. "You handled yourself well there, Roza. Most people would have frozen." "I don't know what happened," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "One minute, he was... and then the pendant..." I trailed off, the memory still too raw, too violating. "The pendant reacted to you," Sirus finished, his emerald eyes gleaming with an almost unnerving intensity.
"The pendant is just a catalyst, Roza. Powerful. But it only responds to those who possess the sort of magic that make teleportation possible between dimensions." "The sort of magic?" I echoed, bewildered. "What do you mean? What are you talking about?" He sighed, setting aside the cloth and meeting my gaze directly. "I don't know exactly. But I've heard whispers, legends passed down through generations. Of people with... abilities. Powers. Dormant potential waiting to be awakened." "You think I have powers?" I scoffed, the idea ludicrous. "That's insane. I'm a hospitality worker. I make coffee. I don't shoot lightning or whatever it is you think I can do." Sirus smiled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Maybe not lightning. But something happened back there, Roza. You tell me what that was?" I shook my head, frustration bubbling inside me. "I don't know! I was scared, angry... violated. I just... screamed. And then everything went white." "And the pendant?" he pressed. "It flew out of his hand, didn't it? It protected you." I stared at him, my mind racing. Could it be possible? Could I really have some kind of... power? It sounded like something out of a fantasy novel, not my reality. "I don't understand any of this," I confessed, my voice thick with emotion. "Why is this happening to me?" Sirus placed a hand on my arm, his touch surprisingly gentle. "I don't have all the answers, Roza. But I promise you, I'll help you figure it out. We'll find out what you are, what you can do." A wave of gratitude washed over me, easing the knot of fear in my stomach. "Thank you, Sirus. I don't know what I'd do without you." He squeezed my arm, his gaze sincere. "You're welcome.
Now, let's get you fed. Shauna has something for you to eat. She led me to a small table in the corner of the room, where a bowl of steaming stew awaited. The aroma was rich and savory, making my stomach rumble in protest. "Eat," she instructed, pushing the bowl closer. "You need to regain your strength." I dug in, the stew surprisingly delicious. It was a mix of vegetables and some kind of meat I couldn't quite identify, but it was hearty and filling. "What is this?" I asked, between mouthfuls. "Rabbit," Shauna replied, matter-of-factly. "Sirus caught it this morning." I paused, momentarily losing my appetite. "Rabbit? Like, a bunny?" Shauna chuckled. "Well, what else would it be? Don't worry, it's good for you. Full of protein." I reluctantly continued eating, trying not to think about the cute, fluffy creatures I used to see in my backyard.
Sirus entered the room, his expression serious. "How are you feeling, Roza?" "Better," I said, setting down the spoon. "The stew was great. Thanks, Shauna." "You're welcome," she said, gathering the empty bowl. "I'll leave you two to talk." Sirus pulled up a chair and sat across from me. "I've been thinking," he began, his voice low. "About what happened, about your... abilities." I braced myself, knowing this conversation was inevitable. "And?" "I think we need to go see the Queen," he said, his gaze unwavering. My eyebrows shot up. "The Queen? You mean, like, royalty? A real queen?" He nodded. "Queen Lyra. She's the ruler of this land, the protector of its magic. If anyone can help you understand what's happening, it's her." "But... how do we get to her?" I asked, overwhelmed by the prospect. "I don't even know where we are." "We're in the Eldrin Forest, on the outskirts of the kingdom of Aeridor," Sirus explained. "The Queen's palace is in the capital city, Silverhaven. It's about a week's journey on foot."
A week? On foot? My stomach churned at the thought. "That's... a long way." "It is," Sirus agreed. "But it's the only way. We could try to find a Lumiflora, but they're expensive and not always reliable. Walking is safer, and it gives us time to prepare." "Prepare for what?" I asked, a sense of foreboding creeping into my voice. "For anything," he said, his eyes hardening. "The journey won't be easy. There are dangers in the forest, creatures and... other things. We need to be ready to defend ourselves." I swallowed hard, the reality of my situation sinking in. This wasn't just a strange dream or a bizarre hallucination. This was real. And it was dangerous. "Okay," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "Okay, let's go see the Queen. But... what do I even say to her? 'Hi, I'm Roza, and I think I have magic powers'? She'll think I'm crazy." Sirus chuckled, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Just be yourself, Roza. Tell her what happened. She's wise, and she'll listen. And don't worry, I'll be there with you." I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Alright. Let's do it. When do we leave?" "First light," Sirus replied. "We need to get an early start. It's best to travel during the day, when the forest is less... active." "Active?" I repeated, my heart sinking. "What does that mean?" "It means there are things that come out at night," he said, his voice grim. "Things you don't want to meet."
I didn't press him for details. I didn't think I wanted to know. "Okay," I said again, my voice stronger this time. "First light. I'll be ready." Sirus stood up, his gaze sweeping over me. "Good. Get some rest, Roza. You'll need it. And try not to worry. We'll get through this together." He turned and left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts. A week on foot, dangerous creatures, a queen with magic powers... what had I gotten myself into? I stood up and walked over to the window, peering out into the darkening forest. The trees loomed tall and imposing, their branches intertwined like skeletal fingers. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. It was a world so different from the one I knew, so alien and unfamiliar. A shiver ran down my spine, and I wrapped my arms around myself for warmth. I was scared, more scared than I had ever been in my life. But I was also determined. I had to find out what was happening to me, why I was here. And I had to find a way back home. I took a deep breath, steeling my resolve. I wouldn't let fear consume me. I would face whatever challenges lay ahead, with Sirus and Shauna by my side. We would get to the Queen, and we would find the answers I desperately needed.
Shauna came back to grab me and showed me to a spare room where I walked over to the bed, collapsing onto the soft mattress. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the fear and uncertainty. I needed to rest, to gather my strength for the journey ahead. But sleep didn't come easily. My mind was racing, replaying the events of the day, trying to make sense of the chaos. I tossed and turned, my body tense and restless. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I drifted off into a fitful slumber. But even in my dreams, the forest loomed, the creatures lurked, and the Queen awaited.
The first rays of dawn filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the forest floor. I woke with a start, my heart pounding in my chest. The dream had been vivid and unsettling, leaving me feeling drained and exhausted. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. The room was still dark, but I could hear Shauna moving around in the next room, preparing breakfast. I got out of bed and dressed in the clothes Shauna had provided, a simple tunic and trousers made of rough spun fabric. They were a little too big, but comfortable enough. I walked into the main room, where Shauna was stirring a pot over the fire. The aroma of porridge filled the air, making my stomach rumble. "Good morning," she said, turning to greet me with a warm smile. "Sleep well?" "Not really," I admitted, pulling up a chair to the table. "I had some... interesting dreams." Shauna chuckled. "The forest can do that to you. It gets into your head."
Sirus entered the room, his expression serious. He was dressed in leather armor, his sword strapped to his back. "Ready to go?" he asked, his gaze meeting mine. I nodded, taking a deep breath. "As I'll ever be." We ate a quick breakfast of porridge and dried fruit, then gathered our belongings. Sirus had packed a knapsack with supplies, including food, water, and a bedroll. He also gave me a small dagger to carry, for protection. "Do you know how to use that?" he asked, handing me the dagger. I hesitated, taking the weapon in my hand. It felt heavy and unfamiliar. "I've never held a knife before, let alone used one." Sirus sighed. "Well, try not to stab yourself. Just point it and poke." I rolled my eyes, but I appreciated his attempt at humor.
We grabbed everything and we stepped out into the forest, ready to begin our journey. The air was cool and damp, and the forest floor was covered in a thick layer of leaves. The trees towered above us, their branches forming a dense canopy that blocked out the sunlight. The only sound was the rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a bird. Sirus led the way, his pace steady and purposeful. I followed close behind, my senses on high alert. Every shadow seemed to conceal a threat, every rustle of leaves sent a shiver down my spine. "So," I said, trying to break the silence. "How long have you lived here?" "In the forest?" Sirus replied, without breaking stride. "All my life. Shauna and I were born here. Our parents were... protectors of the forest." "Protectors?" I asked, intrigued. "What does that mean?" "It means they watched over the forest, kept it safe from harm," Shauna pipped up. "From poachers, from monsters, from anything that threatened its balance." "Monsters?" I repeated, my voice barely a whisper. "You mean, like, real monsters?" Sirus nodded, his expression grim. "Real monsters. There are things in this forest that you wouldn't believe.
Things that would haunt your nightmares." I swallowed hard, my grip tightening on the dagger in my hand. "Great," I muttered. "Just great." We walked in silence for a while, the tension growing with each step. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched, that something was lurking in the shadows. Suddenly, Sirus stopped, his hand raised in a signal for us to halt.
He stood perfectly still, his eyes scanning the trees. "What is it?" I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest. "I don't know," he replied, his voice barely audible. "But something's not right. I feel... a presence." I strained my ears, listening for any sign of danger. But all I could hear was the rustling of leaves and the distant call of a bird. Then, I saw it. A flicker of movement in the trees, a shadow darting between the branches. It was gone in an instant, but I knew I had seen something. "There," I said, pointing to the spot where I had seen the shadow. "Something's there." Sirus followed my gaze, his eyes narrowing. "I see it," he said, his hand reaching for his sword. "Stay behind Shauna, Roza." He drew his sword, the steel glinting in the dim light. He took a step forward, his eyes fixed on the trees. "Show yourself," he called out, his voice strong and commanding. "I know you're there." For a moment, there was silence. Then, a figure stepped out from behind a tree, its features obscured by the shadows. It was tall and slender, with long, flowing hair that cascaded down its back.
It was dressed in a simple tunic and trousers, similar to the ones I was wearing. As it stepped into the light, I could see its face. It was young, with delicate features and piercing blue eyes. But there was something unsettling about its gaze, something cold and calculating. "Who are you?" Sirus demanded, his sword still raised. "And what do you want?" The figure smiled, a slow, deliberate smile that sent a shiver down my spine. "I am Cryro," it said, its voice soft and melodic. "And I've been waiting for you." Sirus lowered his sword slightly, his expression confused. "what do you mean waiting". "for this child, come child come with me you want to know who and what you are ill show you. you have such immense power dwelling inside you join me and I will unlock those powers and we can unlock the secrets this world has to offer." what do I do? this creature knows so much maybe he does know something about me, I go to take a step forward but Shauna stops me.
"Don't Roza, this is just a deceptive creature the thing you need to know about this world is that anything in the woods either wants to kill you or eat you to take a portion of your magic." Shauna told me pain on her face.
"Now now, don't scare the child I'm not from the woods my offer still stands take it or don't but there shall be catastrophic consequences, I'll be back in three days for your answer do come up with one by then." The creature that was once standing there started melting away turning into smoke and vanishing in the wind.
"We are going to keep going Roza, when it comes back I'll deal with it." Sirus snapped out storming off leaving me with Shauna.
"Give him sometime Roza, he is upset our parents where killed and eaten for there magic by dark fae. they died protecting us we have been alone ever since, lets catch up so where not left behind."