CHAPTER ONE: A Guest in Another World

1

We stood on what looked like a stone paved street. Estella stepped forward, her boots clicking against the surface.

“Come on, human. Let’s go.”

“Estella, wait!”

I rushed toward her, trying to catch up.

Before us loomed a huge mansion, its exterior built from dark stone and rough-cut rock. It looked like the kind of place someone very wealthy would live — but definitely not a castle.

2

Once inside, we stepped into a cozy room that looked like it belonged in a cottage — warm lighting, wooden beams, and we couldn't help but sniff the faint scent of herbs in the air.

“Greetings, Miss Estella. Is this your friend?” asked a woman.

Yeah. “Friend,” right. We were totally friends.

“Uhm, no. He’s just a guest.” Estella replied.

“Ah, alright! Do you want me to take you to your room?”

“No, but thanks for asking, Arwen.”

“O-okay. Bye, Miss Estella!”

We moved past her and continued through a long corridor, the walls and floor were lined with stone and worn wood. The passage narrowed slightly before stopping at a small wooden door.

“Okay… we're here.”

Estella placed her hand on the door and pushed it open.

The room looked extremely cozy, just like the rest of the mansion — but this space felt a little more lived-in.

Soft golden light filtered through a small, arched window, and the stone floor was as cold as ice. Against one wall sat a modest bed with a wooden frame. Deep green blankets tucked neatly at the corners. There was a small table and chair near the window. A shelf on the far side held a few leather-bound books and another shelf held what looked like old glass potion bottles.

The air smelled faintly of lavender and old paper.

“So, Estella,” I asked. “What are we going to do now? I need to get home! I have a life!”

“Sorry, human. But the portal crystal’s run out of energy, I can’t do anything about it!”

“But– but–”

“No buts, human.”

“But Estella–”

“I said, no buts– wait a second, what’s that?”

Suddenly, we heard loud scratching at the door—

—something, or someone was trying to get in.

“Stand back!” Estella moved swiftly in front of me. She pointed her staff at the door, probably expecting to fight.

“Come in here, you beast!” Estella snapped. “Come in here and fight me!”

More intense scratching came from the other end of the door. Estella’s heart quickened, and so did mine.

“I said, come in here!” Estella growled. “Come in here, now!”

The door burst open, revealing a clawed beast with horns sprouting from the top of its head. It lunged forward ripping apart Estellas' already torn robes.

Estella recalled an incantation: “flow and flood, shape this bubble made of blood. Call the tides and shape the sea. Oh, great rain come to me! Wash this beast clean! Form water!”

The beast recoiled at the rush of water coming toward it. Then, dashed toward Estella like it was nothing.

Estella, meanwhile, was determined to make it out alive. Then, sparks flew — the impact sent her flying across the room, landing hard against the stone wall.

“Estella!” I shouted. “Are you alright?”

I went over to her crushed body, examining it carefully.

No… no, no, no, no, no…

This couldn't be happening.

There’s no way.

There’s absolutely no way.

No… I've never seen injuries like this.

What is this?

Estella was slammed against the wall, bleeding all over. From what I could see her clothes were torn, I could patch them up pretty easily. But that was the least of my worries, both of her legs were broken, her eyes were completely shut, and she wouldn't say anything.

Absolutely frozen.

I went to check her pulse. Thankfully, it was fine. She was still breathing. On the other

hand, she seemed unconscious.

I decided to take her back to the living room. Hopefully, that maid from earlier would help us.

3

When we stepped foot into the living room, Arwen, the maid from earlier, wasn't there.

Instead, there was another maid. She looked way younger than Arwen. In fact, she seemed to be about my age. The girl was wearing the exact same maid outfit as Arwen, but there were a few differences, her skirt was shorter, there were roses everywhere, and in her hair was a small hair-clip shaped like a rose.

She turned around to face us.

“Miss Estella? Oh my god!”

She looked at me.

“Is she alright?”

“Don’t worry, she’s still breathing. But…”

“Thank goodness! AHHHHH!”

The girl in front of us screamed when she saw Estella’s body, bloody and all.

“Sorry, let me take her!”

I took Estella off my back, and gave her to the woman.

She gave me a warm smile before running off.

Now that Estella was taken care of, I spent the next few minutes thinking to myself.

That was until I saw someone.

“Hello there, young man.”

The person in front of me seemed like a much older gentleman, he had a tall, slim figure, with black hair that went down to his shoulders, and crimson eyes that looked like they could kill.

“Oh, uhm, hello!”

The man didn't seem to notice how anxious I felt, as he just smiled at me.

“It’s great to meet you! You’re Estella’s acquaintance, right?”

“Yes, yes I am.”

“Oh, interesting! You don’t happen to know magic, do you?”

“No, I don’t. Why?”

“It’s nothing, darling. I just want to know more about you. Like, what’s your name, for instance.”

“Uhm, my name’s Inori, sir!”

“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Inori. My name is Cael, Lord Cael!”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Cael! I mean, Lord–”

“No need to call me that, sweetie! Now, let's go meet your friend, shall we?”

With that, the man grabbed my wrist and dragged me through the corridor and into another room.

4

Inside the room, Estella was lying on a long metal table. Said table was surrounded by strange magical equipment. The walls were embedded with crystals, and the room itself smelled like old incense and something faintly metallic.