Lost in Translation

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the glowing trees, casting a golden hue over the village. Kai stirred awake, the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds pulling him from his dreams. He blinked, disoriented for a moment, before remembering where he was. The guest quarters in Liora’s home were cozy, with walls made of woven branches and a window that offered a breathtaking view of the aurora-streaked sky.

“Morning already?” Kai muttered, rubbing his eyes. He sat up, his gaze drifting to the Horizon Shard, which rested on a small table beside his bed. The artifact glowed faintly, its carvings shimmering in the early light.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. “Kai? Are you awake?” Liora’s voice called from the other side.

“Yeah, come in,” he replied, quickly running a hand through his messy hair.

The door creaked open, and Liora stepped inside, carrying a tray of food. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit, her silver hair tied back with a ribbon. “I thought you might be hungry,” she said, setting the tray on the table. “I made breakfast.”

Kai’s stomach growled at the sight of the colorful dishes—steaming bread, fresh fruit, and a bowl of porridge topped with nuts and honey. “This looks amazing,” he said, his mouth watering. “You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

Liora smiled, her green eyes sparkling. “It’s no trouble at all. Besides, I wanted to make sure you felt welcome.”

As Kai dug into the meal, Liora sat across from him, her expression thoughtful. “How did you sleep?” she asked.

“Better than I expected,” Kai admitted between bites. “It’s so quiet here. Back home, there’s always noise—cars, people, you name it.”

Liora nodded. “It’s one of the things I love about this place. The peace, the connection to nature… it’s like the world slows down.”

Kai glanced out the window, where villagers were beginning their day. A group of children laughed as they chased each other through the square, their voices carrying on the breeze. “It’s nice,” he said softly. “But it’s also… overwhelming. Everything here is so different.”

Liora looked across at him with an encouraging smile, “I know it’s a lot to take in, but you’re not alone, Kai. Me and the villagers will help you navigate it all.”

Her smile was warm, reassuring, and for a moment, Kai felt a flicker of hope. “Thanks, Liora. I don’t know what I would have done if you didn't find me when I arrived here.”

The village square was alive with activity, the air filled with the sound of music and laughter. Villagers moved in unison, their steps fluid and graceful as they practiced the traditional dance. Kai watched from the sidelines, his arms crossed as he tried to memorize the movements.

“It’s not as hard as it looks,” Liora said, appearing at his side. She was dressed in a flowing traditional style gown like the others, the fabric shimmering with every movement. “You just have to feel the rhythm.”

Kai frowned. “Easy for you to say. You’ve been doing this your whole life.”

Liora laughed, “True, but everyone starts somewhere. Come on, I’ll show you.”

She grabbed his hand, pulling him into the circle of dancers. Kai stumbled at first, his movements awkward and out of sync. The villagers chuckled good-naturedly, their laughter making his cheeks burn.

“Relax,” Liora said, her voice calm. “Just follow my lead.”

She placed her hands on his shoulders, guiding him through the steps. Kai focused on her movements, his heart racing as he tried to keep up. Slowly, he began to find a rhythm, his body relaxing as he let the music carry him.

“See? You’re getting it,” Liora said, her smile warm.

Kai couldn’t help but smile back. “Maybe you’re right. This isn’t so bad.”

As they danced, Kai caught a glimpse of a familiar man watching from the edge of the square. The warrior’s expression was unreadable, but there was a hint of something in his eyes—curiosity, perhaps, or maybe even approval.

Kai wiped the sweat from his brow as he and Liora walked away from the square. The dance practice had left him exhausted but strangely exhilarated. “I never thought I’d enjoy dancing,” he admitted, his voice tinged with amusement.

Liora grinned. “I told you it was fun. You just needed to let go a little.”

Before Kai could realise it he fell back, a loud crash echoed through the air.  A group of villagers gathered around a broken statue behind him, their expressions horrified. Kai’s stomach dropped as he realized what had happened—he had accidentally knocked it over during the dance practice.

“I’m so sorry!” he said, rushing over. “I didn’t mean to—”

The Warrior stepped forward, his expression stern. “This statue is sacred,” he said, his voice cold. “It represents the relationship of both our worlds. And you’ve destroyed it.”

Kai's chest tightened. “I didn’t know… I didn’t mean to…”

Liora stepped between them, her eyes blazing. “Ryu, it was an accident. Kai didn’t know.”

Ryu’s gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained firm. “Ignorance is no excuse. He needs to understand the weight of his actions.”

Kai looked down, his cheeks burning with shame. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’ll fix it. I promise.” he  said before walking away avoiding eye contact with those around him.

he reached a secluded spot by a glowing pond, the water reflecting the aurora above. Kai sat on a moss-covered rock, his gaze fixed on the shimmering surface. “This place is so… magical,” he said softly. “It’s hard to believe it’s real.”

Liora sat beside him, her expression thoughtful. “It’s real, Kai. And so is the connection between our worlds.”

Kai glanced at her, his heart skipping a beat. “Do you really think I’m here for a reason? That the Horizon Shard brought me here for something important?”

Liora nodded. “I do. The shard doesn’t choose just anyone. It chose you.”

The pond was quiet, the only sound the gentle lapping of water against the shore. Kai sat on the moss-covered ground, his head in his hands. “I messed up,” he muttered, his voice filled with frustration. “I keep messing up.”

Liora sat beside him, her expression gentle. “You’re not used to this world and how could you have known about the statue, Kai. It’s natural to make mistakes.”

“But I don’t want to mess things up for you,” Kai said, his voice cracking. “I don’t want to ruin everything.”

Liora placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. “You’re not ruining anything. You’re learning. And that’s okay.”

Kai looked at her, his eyes filled with doubt. “How can you be so sure?”

“Because I believe in you,” Liora said, her voice firm. “And because I know you’re here for a reason. The Horizon Shard chose you, Kai. It saw something in you.”

Kai’s chest tightened, her words stirring something deep within him. “I just… I don’t want to let Anyone down.”

Liora smiled, her eyes soft. “You won’t. I know you won’t.”

For a moment, they sat in silence, the aurora shimmering above them. Kai felt a flicker of hope, a sense of determination growing within him. “I’ll do better,” he said, his voice steady. “I promise.”

Liora’s smile widened. “I know you will.”