Aurora's eyes shimmered with tears as she wiped them from her rosy young cheeks. Her feet, bare and scratched, carried the scent of blood and dirt. She sprinted through the dense forest, her trailing white gown whipping against branches. Her long orange hair, once pinned up, now streamed freely in the night breeze. The pale moonlight could not conceal Aurora's captivating beauty, nor could the pine-scented air soothe her agitated soul. Chessy—her friend—she prayed she was safe.
Behind her, the royal guards still pursued. Aurora zig-zagged to dodge flaming arrows shot in her direction. She didn't understand why she was being hunted. If it was because of the immortal-dimensional artifacts she possessed, what did they want from her necklace? Doubt gnawed at her, but the pendant pulsed like a compass, urging her onward. Stopping meant death.
Aurora cried out in alarm as she instinctively veered down into a deep well. She pressed her back against the rough stone wall and held her breath. The sounds of fighting echoed above—chanting spells and explosions rang out. She knew without seeing: immortals were battling.
Squinting, she spotted a narrow path of white light big enough for one person. She edged toward it, feeling her tears blur her vision—and brushed them away. As soon as she stepped through, the light vanished.
Aurora's jaw dropped in awe before she snapped it shut. Could this be her destination? This realm was nothing like the human world. It felt like stepping into Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night, but alive—a painted realm more vivid than any landscape canvas.
"Hey, watch your step—you're stepping on me!"
Aurora spun around, bewildered. "Stepping on you? How can I? I don't even see you."
The dimension was empty—she felt utterly lost, as if wandering in a painting she couldn't decipher.
"Where are you?" she called.
"I'm here!"
She screamed and jumped back—but tripped over her gown's hem and tumbled to the ground.
Before her stood a seven-meter-tall giant in tattered clothes, glaring down. Aurora's eyes widened, and the giant seized her, lifting her off the ground. She gasped for air.
"You're not one of us. Where do you come from?"
Aurora's face blazed; her lungs heaved.
"Le-let me go!" she stammered, glaring fiercely, and bit the giant's hand.
The giant winced and roared, "Oh no—my hand! It hurts! HAHAHA!" He burst into booming laughter. Aurora staggered, lost her balance, and fell. She winced in pain and watched the giant clutch his stomach, lying on the ground laughing. Was she a joke to him? Her hip throbbed—but wasn't this her chance to escape?
"Don't run!"
But it was too late. Aurora dashed away. She heard more roars of pain behind her. She turned a corner and…
Crash!
Aurora collided with a man—and fell into his arms. A man? She looked up at him: he returned her gaze calmly. His hair was silver and slightly long, his blue eyes framed by thick brows. His ears were pointed like pandan leaves.
"Are you okay?" his deep voice asked.
"No… I'm sorry." Aurora backed up, realizing her clumsiness and noticing the giant in the distance. She drew in a shaky breath, eyes pleading for help.
"Mind your steps, miss."
She apologized again. "Can you help me with that giant?" She looked back. The ground trembled as the giant approached, having smashed a house. His hand, bitten by Aurora earlier, was red and raw.
"Take cover behind me," he instructed. Aurora obeyed, peering from behind his back as the giant came closer.
"Did you see a woman in white pass by here?" the giant grumbled, panting. His eyes swept the uncanny realm.
"I don't think so," the man answered casually.
"Aww, my foot hurts—someone stepped on me, you fool!" Aurora turned toward the voice, but no one else was there. Were other giants lurking around? Fear ran down her spine.
"You lowly creature," the man muttered.
The giant paused, then bent over the man. Just as he turned, he flung the shattered remains of a house toward Aurora and the man. In an instant, the man grabbed Aurora's hand and teleported them far away. Birds scattered as the earth shook.
"Safe now." Aurora's heart pounded.
A gleaming sword appeared in the man's hand. He moved with incredible speed, leaping at the giant. A fierce duel ensued: the giant's fists met swift dodges from the man.
Sraakkk!
A blade pierced the giant's left eye. He shrieked with rage and threw a rock—directed at Aurora, not the man. Aurora froze. The man's eyes flashed; he tossed his sword at the giant and, with lightning speed, returned to Aurora. He seized her hand and whisked her away.
Thud!!
The giant fell, dead, with the glowing blade lodged in its heart. In one fluid motion, the man's sword vanished, returned to his hand.
Aurora trembled. She'd never witnessed such gore. And the man—how easily he'd slain a giant with supernatural strength.
He looked at her with gentle silver eyes, then walked ahead. Aurora followed silently.
"Thank you for saving me. Without you… the giant would've killed me," Aurora managed, glancing behind.
He turned and gave a small, reassuring smile. "No problem. I'm Xander. What's your name?"
"I'm Aurora." She caught her breath.
"You're not from Norelia dimension. Why are you here?"
Aurora twisted her dress. How did he know so fast? He looked human except for those pointed ears. Should she tell him about being hunted by royal soldiers for possessing those artifacts?
She swallowed her nerves. He might be trustworthy. "I want to go to the Kingdom of Avenleigh."
Xander raised an eyebrow. "Avenleigh? Have you been there? It's dangerous."
Aurora shook her head, determined. "Not yet. But I feel like I must go there."
Xander's brows furrowed with confusion. "A human like you won't last long in the dimensional world. You're lucky you met me. And your wish to go to Aethred is… reckless." He smirked, amused. "Unless you want a foolish death there. Think carefully—I'll take you back home."
"I can do this…" Aurora whispered. A swirl of leaves appeared, dancing around Xander before scattering like fireworks. She remembered that power had awakened on her 21st birthday—fifty-one days ago. She felt attuned to flora; the plants sang and became part of her.
Xander looked impressed. "Wow, how did you do that? You're not an ordinary human?"
"Of course I'm human. I don't know why these powers appeared."
Xander, too, was surprised. Only the Dryad race could wield such power. Why did Aurora have it?
Nearby, a dark-green river flowing like a painting gushed forth. Xander led her to its banks.
He looked back, smiling at Aurora's worried, curious expression. "Come, Aurora."
She sat down and cupped the water in both hands—shocked at its icy coldness. "Is it snowing? This water is freezing." She scanned the surroundings; no sign of snow.
"Yes, the Breaths River is always cold." Xander stepped closer, offering her the water in his palms. "Do you think life in this dimension is… natural?"
Aurora hesitated. "Of course not. I see no ordinary signs of life. It's like stepping into a painting from Evandor."
"It's a secret: if you drink from the Breaths River, the true nature of this immortal realm will reveal itself. Drink a little." Xander offered the water to her.
Aurora looked at him, surprised and doubtful. How could she drink from his hands? "I can drink it myself."
She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and drank from Xander's palms. Though the water looked like green ink, it tasted sweet and refreshing. Instantly, the painted river transformed into a real one, and the surroundings blossomed with breathtaking beauty. Aurora shifted her gaze to Xander, who watched her expectantly.
"This is the true face of the Norelia dimension, Aurora."