Chapter One

Awakening from a state of unconsciousness, I opened my eyes to explore the unfamiliar surroundings. As I rose from the ground, I took a moment to survey my environment, rubbing my head and letting out a soft groan. I found myself encircled not only by trees and shrubs but also by a foreboding castle, overshadowed by a cloudy, crimson sky. The castle, seemingly surrounded by lava, appeared to have been in a state of decay for an extended period. A cool breeze swept through, tousling my wavy hair and causing it to fall across my face.

After brushing it aside, I pondered my location. I remembered being in my room, preparing to perform a viral ritual dance online. However, the bracelet my mother had gifted me was anything but ordinary. During the dance, it emitted a bright red glow, illuminating my entire bedroom, which piqued my curiosity. I had no inkling that it would transport me to another realm.

Experiencing pain in one of my arms, I instinctively grasped it and looked down. The bracelet was glowing intensely red and constricting around my wrist. “Aaaahhh!!!” I shouted in anguish, frantic for it to terminate. Despite my efforts to remove it, the bracelet remained firmly attached, and I was at a loss for how to free myself.

I began to search for an object that might assist in removing it. Spotting a rock behind me, I felt a surge of hope and approached it. I attempted to strike the bracelet with the rock, but it seemed impervious to any damage. Frustrated, I discarded the rock and continued my search for other potential tools.

I tried various items within reach—a stick, a tree trunk, and more—but nothing proved effective. Why won’t this thing come off?! After numerous failed attempts, I surrendered to the pain that engulfed me. Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the torment subsided.

Breathing heavily, I continued to stare at the bracelet, bewildered by its sudden malevolence. I could not recall it causing me any discomfort before; why had it chosen to do so now?

Upon hearing the caw of an eagle, I became aware of a massive shadow looming over me, prompting me to raise my gaze for further examination. To my astonishment, I initially believed it to be an eagle. However, it was not; it was a colossal, dark creature that regarded me with a menacing caw.

This sight filled me with terror, compelling me to flee immediately. The uncertainty of its intentions—whether it would kill me, consume me, or perhaps do both—left me no choice but to escape.

Glancing sideways, I made my way toward the woods, casting a quick look back. The creature cawed menacingly and swooped down in pursuit. I turned my focus back to the woods, convinced that I could evade it.

Upon entering the forest, I glanced back and gasped in disbelief. To my horror, the creature had not only followed me inside, deftly maneuvering through the trees, but it also extended its claws in an attempt to seize me. This was beyond comprehension.

Desperate, I scanned my surroundings for anything that could incapacitate the beast and grant me a moment to escape and conceal myself. My search yielded no useful items; nothing appeared capable of aiding me in this dire situation. I was left in disbelief at my inability to find a solution, yet here I remained, trapped in this predicament.

As the monster let out its final roar, my heart raced violently within my chest, and fear-induced sweat soaked my entire body. When the creature ensnared me in its claws, it gripped me with such force that I lost consciousness immediately.

Upon awakening, I found myself in a state of confusion, my vision hazy as I groaned softly. Although I was uncertain of my location, a sense of doom enveloped me. The pervasive stench of decay was overwhelming, causing discomfort in my nostrils.

Once my sight cleared, I surveyed my surroundings and discovered I was in a dimly lit room, with slivers of sunlight filtering through barred windows. The cold stone walls, the presence of cells, and the scattered hay and chains on the floor seemed to observe me, whispering among themselves. Noticing the absence of any other individuals, a distant scream of anguish resonated from my left, prompting me to investigate the sound.

What was that?

Despite my curiosity, I found myself unable to approach the source due to the chains that bound me. Upon glancing back, I realized I was shackled to the wall.

This cannot be happening…

With a furrowed brow, I shifted my gaze between the grim surroundings and the chains. Suddenly, I heard voices resembling those of monstrous beings conversing in an unfamiliar tongue, and I longed to comprehend their words.

As I focused on the chains once more, I attempted to wriggle my wrists free from the restraints, but they were far too constricting for any movement, let alone to allow my hands to become sufficiently wet to slip free. Alternating my attention between the voices and the chains, I pondered how I might escape this dire situation.

As I became aware of a crimson light emanating towards me, its sound resonated loudly enough to draw the attention of nearby voices. Clenching my teeth, I felt a sharp pain in one of my wrists, accompanied by a sensation of something crawling over me, expanding. It was my bracelet, and I could sense a throbbing pressure on my arm. What on earth was happening? I was utterly bewildered, unable to comprehend the cause of this phenomenon, yet the red light vanished instantly as footsteps approached my cell.

Upon sitting up straight, I noticed a reptilian creature halting at the cell door, baring its teeth at me. It offered nothing but a menacing growl, with saliva dripping from its mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth. Clad in black iron armor and lacking pants, its serpent-like eyes fixed on me as it slid the door open, shouting in an unfamiliar tongue.

As it advanced towards me, it raised a bloodied club overhead and struck my back, continuing to shout. I tightly shut my eyes and pressed my lips together, striving to suppress any tears as the pain became overwhelming. I longed for it all to cease, yet I recognized my utter helplessness, chained to the wall.

After enduring a prolonged assault, the creature turned and shouted again. This brought a momentary relief from the beating, but it was short-lived as another monster arrived to unchain me and escort me through the building.

Surveying my surroundings, I was uncertain of the destination these beasts had in mind. However, I firmly believed that my predicament was bound to worsen. How much worse could it possibly get?