Chapter 1 Himari finds herself in another world

Himari Davidson stopped at the mirror to do a once over before she left to meet her friend at the library. Her green eyes met her own in the reflection and her long brown hair framed her face giving her an ethereal look. Combined with her petite frame she looked like a fairy, at least that was what her parents had said when they were alive. She could still hear her dads voice saying he knew magic existed because how else would he have ended up with his wonderful wife and been blessed with such an amazing daughter. She felt her throat tighten and tears prick her eyes. It sometimes only felt like yesterday when she’d awoken in a hospital room to be told her parents were gone. She’d been told she was the sole survivor of the accident even the driver who had hit them had passed. Sometimes it felt like more than the five years it had been. Her phone chirped with a message bringing her out of her sad memories. She shook her head trying to dislodge the memories and read the message her best friend Aoi had sent. Aoi had sent her a message telling her she was running late. Himari sent a quick text back before heading out the door. She made it to the library and snagged them a table so they could study for their upcoming final exams. She had just finished placing her books and study material on the desk when she spotted Aoi. She waved her over to where she was sitting towards the back of the library. Aoi was out of breath when she made it to where Himari sat. Aoi said panting between each word “I’m sorry I’m late. I overslept.” Himari smiled at her friend who was the complete opposite of Himari. Aoi had short hair and was tall and lithe. Aoi was energetic and bubbly and she was also perpetually late. Himari felt lucky to have such a wonderful friend who’d been there for her always even when her parents had passed away. Other friends had stopped talking to her. It was like they didn’t know how to talk or act around her after her parents passing, but not Aoi. She’d held Himari when she’d cried and been the one to make her laugh for the first time after her parents were gone. She truly felt lucky to have her as a friend. Aoi was now seated across from Himari with her books already open. They talked a few minutes before falling into a rhythm of studying. They’d take turns asking each other about concepts they were struggling with and they would help each other figure it out with moments of silence, the only sounds coming from the scratching of their pencil on paper and the murmurs of the library around them. Himari’s neck was starting to get sore so she sat up and stretched. Her stomach grumbled letting her know it had been a while since her breakfast that morning. Time for a much needed break. Himari thought. She waited until Aoi looked up and whispered “Want to go get lunch and then a coffee? You can also stay the night and we can study at my place. I will even make your favorite for dinner.” Aoi looked at her apologetically and said “I’m sorry, Himari, I can’t. I have a date with Brad tonight. Raincheck? You know I hate missing out on your cooking, especially when you’re willing to make my favorite. Maybe after finals, so we can do the whole movies, games, glam, and shopping?” Himari said trying to not show her disappointment “Definitely. I can’t wait. Where did you meet Brad?” Aoi sent Himari an astonished look and said “Brad from our chemistry class. He sits right beside us. He and his friend Erik were part of our group in lab.” Himari thought a moment and said “Was Brad the black haired one or the blond?” Aoi said “Blond. Is that all you remember about him? So I am guessing that you didn’t notice Erik making eyes at you since you can’t remember which is which?” Himari shook her head no and said “I don’t think anyone made eyes at me.” Aoi rolled her eyes and said “Girl he stares at you during class. Erik can’t keep his eyes off you. He practically drools over you. I am pretty sure I saw him whipping drool off his chin.” Himari scrunched up her nose and said “Ew. I don’t know what’s worse. You saying he drools like a dog over me, which is a gross image or the idea of him staring at me constantly. That seems so creepy.” Aoi said “Don’t you want a boyfriend?” Himari shook her head no and said “Not right now. I want to concentrate on studying, so I can get a great paying job. Maybe even an international one, since I want to see and experience new places. Plus international jobs pay well. Maybe after that I will date.” Himari didn’t want to talk about this so she changed the subject by saying “Let’s go grab a coffee and a quick bite to eat. You can tell me all about your plans for your date and afterwards if there’s enough time before your date we will squeeze in a little more studying. Sound good?” Aoi was already gathering up her things and said “Say less. I saw a restaurant just around the corner with a coffee shop beside it. We will eat and then go to the coffee shop.” Both girls gathered their things and started towards the library exit chatting quietly when a book fell from the shelves landing beside Himari’s feet. She knelt to pick it up and scanned the book shelf looking for the empty spot it belonged but was confused to not see anywhere the book could have come from. Aoi asked her “What’s wrong?” Himari explained and Aoi said “Some jerk was probably too lazy to take it to the right shelf and just left it laying there. We can stop by the librarian’s desk on our way out. I am sure they know where it goes.” Himari nodded her agreement and stood. She kept caressing the cover of the book feeling a tug towards the book she didn’t understand and couldn’t explain. She shocked herself and Aoi when she asked to check it out instead of handing it over to the librarian like they had discussed. She shrugged at Aoi and said “It’s like you say. Sometimes fate happens and I think I am fated to read this book.” Aoi snorted and said “I don’t think its fate. I think it’s just you being my beautiful bookworm of a best friend.” Aoi and Himari headed to the restaurant Aoi had spotted on her way to the library. Once seated the girls chatted about Aois date until the food arrived then the topic changed to their classes and finals. They then headed to the coffee shop where they studied and chatted, before Aoi finally had to leave so she could make it home in time to get ready for her date. Both girls chatted and walked until they headed in opposite directions Himari waved at Aoi and called out “Don’t forget to call me and tell me all about your date.” Aoi called out “I will tell you every single juicy detail.” Each girl then started heading home. Once Himari made it home she kicked off her shoes and placed her book bag by the couch. She checked the time on her phone and decided she’d make a quick dinner since it was later than she expected. She went into the kitchen and whipped up a quick dinner. She decided instead of doom scrolling on her phone while she ate she’d start reading the book she checked out. She had to do something while she ate otherwise it just felt too lonely. She retrieved the book from her bag and sat down to eat and read. The book was a bout four heroes who lived in a world where fairies, elves, dwarves, beast people, demons, and so many more things resided. All were blessed with magic abilities. The heroes are supposed to be some of the strongest and were sent to protect the world from the demon lord who was set on taking over the world. The book was so good she had to force herself to put it down long enough to wash the dishes and go take a shower and get ready for bed. After she’d completed all this she decided she wanted to read a little more before she called it a night, so she snuggled up with the book and resumed where she’d left off. She was so absorbed in the story she didn’t notice when the book started glowing. She only noticed when she was no longer looking at the pages but green grass beneath her feet. She looked up and found herself in the scene of the book she’d been reading. This must be a dream. I must have fallen asleep and my mind decided to put me in the story. Himari thought. She watched as the heroes and the demon lord all stood on the edge of a cliff. She wondered what her mind would concoct happening next. Would the heroes and demon lord fight? Would she have to fight? She kept staring. No one was fighting. Maybe she needed to step in and do something. She spotted a branch close to her and grabbed it. She ran towards the demon lord with the branch ready to strike. She glanced at the heroes and they looked at her in shock. If this was my dream why are the heroes looking at me like they don’t know me. Himari thought. She glanced at the demon lord and realized in shock the demon lord had seen her coming and just as she was about to strike he grabbed the limb preventing it from striking him and tossed it over the ledge. Himari stumbled and fell still clutching the branch, tumbling over the edge of the cliff with it. Rocks tumbled down with her, hitting her in the head and arms. Oh I thought dreams weren’t supposed to hurt. This whole dream feels off. Himari thought. These thoughts had her wondering. Maybe if I pinch myself I will wake up. She squeezed her eyes shut and reached up and pinched her arm. Ouch definitely hurt. She opened her eyes and found she was still falling. Okay what if she wasn’t dreaming. She started to feel panic rising up in her chest. She remembered she’d read somewhere that you couldn’t tell time in dreams, so she reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. Nope. She could definitely read the numbers on the clock. So this isn’t a dream. Great. Not even five minutes in this world and she was already going to die. Just my luck. Himari thought. She hoped one of the heroes would save her. She squeezed her eyes closed expecting impact soon, but instead felt a hand grasp her wrist and then feeling arms gently settle to hold her bridal style. She looked up expecting to see the face of one of the heroes, but was instead met by the bewildered brown eyes of the Demon Lord. She thought she heard him whisper “How strange.” As her eyes fluttered closed.