"Blink… blink…"
Scarlet stirred to warmth. A blanket rested across her shoulders, and the faint scent of fresh bread lingered in the air. For a fleeting moment, she believed she was safe.
A woman's voice whispered nearby, soft but certain. "She's awake."
Scarlet blinked again, her vision slowly adjusting to the dim glow inside a small wooden hut. Shapes sharpened into faces—a cluster of villagers gathered in the doorway. Their smiles stretched too wide, their eyes gleamed too sharp, and the comfort she had felt a heartbeat ago began to unravel.
"You're lucky we found you. You must have been quite shocked," the man at the front said. His tone carried kindness, but his eyes lingered on her clothes, her hair, her hands—measuring her, judging her from head to toe.
Scarlet pushed herself upright, her voice unsteady. "Where… am I?"
The villagers exchanged glances. One muttered under his breath, "She doesn't know." Another whispered, almost reverently, "The omen."
Scarlet's stomach tightened. The warmth of the blanket, the scent of bread—none of it mattered anymore. Something was wrong.
They gave her food, water, even a place to rest. Yet every kindness felt rehearsed, every smile stretched too wide. At night, whispers slipped through the cracks of her door—words like curse, demon, blessed.
Scarlet muttered to herself, trying to make sense of it. "What are they whispering… hmm… maybe they're worried about me. They seem like kind people. But… who are they? I don't even remember how I ended up here."
Her thoughts scrambled as she tried to piece it together. Let's see… I went to school this morning, met Angel, then we had class… then lunch…
Scarlet's eyes widened. She shot to her feet as fragments of memory crashed back—the letter, the tolling bells, the ground trembling beneath her.
"What is happening… I was with Angel and—"
Her voice broke into a desperate cry. "ANGEL… ANGEL!"
"Angel, where are you?" Scarlet burst from her room, screaming her friend's name as loud as she could. But the cottage was empty—Angel was nowhere to be found.
The villagers rushed in, alarmed by her cries.
"Child, what's wrong?" the elder asked. His voice trembled with concern, but his eyes were sharp, probing.
Scarlet's breath came fast, her words tumbling out. "Angel… she was with me! Where is she? Did you see her?"
Uneasy glances passed between the villagers. One woman muttered, "Angel?… Angel who? We found you alone, lying on the ground."
Scarlet's heart pounded, denial surging through her. "No! She's my friend! She was with me—we were in our classroom, and then suddenly the ground was shaking…"
The elderly woman stepped closer, her hand settling on Scarlet's shoulder. The touch was heavy, grounding, yet strangely comforting. "Calm down, dear child. You must have endured a difficult journey. For now, rest. You may stay here as long as you wish. Tomorrow, we'll speak of your friend. Perhaps she is somewhere nearby. Don't worry—we'll search for her."
Guided gently, Scarlet followed the woman toward a small cottage at the edge of the village. Lanterns flickered as they passed, their Aether cores dimming ever so slightly—reacting, as though unsettled by Scarlet's presence.
Scarlet sank onto the bed, trembling as she clutched the blanket tight against her chest. "Angel… where are you…" she whispered into the dim silence.
In the doorway, the old woman lingered. Her eyes watched Scarlet through the narrow gap, unreadable, as though weighing something unseen.
The next morning…
Sunlight filtered weakly through the cottage window, pale and cold. The village stirred outside—voices, footsteps, the creak of wooden carts. Scarlet blinked awake, her body heavy, her mind still tangled in fragments of memory. The whispers of curse and omen from the night before clung to her thoughts like shadows.
Scarlet woke before the village stirred. This time she was calm, silent. She sat up slowly, the blanket sliding from her shoulders. Her eyes were dry now, her breathing steady. The panic of last night had drained away, leaving something colder, sharper.
She moved toward the small window. Outside, the village looked ordinary—wooden cottages, dirt paths, smoke curling from chimneys. Yet nothing about it felt familiar.
Her thoughts churned. What might have happened? Did our school collapse? Even if that were true, we'd be in a hospital… not here. And this village… I don't remember anything like this near our hometown.
Her gaze lifted to the sky, and her breath caught. That moon… it's enormous. Four times the size of Earth's moon, and visible even in daylight.
Scarlet's voice broke into a trembling mutter. "Where is Angel…? We were at school, we had class, then lunch… then the letter, the bells, the ground shaking…" Tears welled as she pressed her forehead to the window frame. "Angel… where are you?"
Scarlet's thoughts spiraled as she clenched her fists, the cold breeze biting against her skin. Maybe we were summoned… into another world. Like in those anime, where the protagonist is chosen to save a kingdom. She shook her head, muttering bitterly, "Aaa… I must be going crazy."
But Angel's words echoed in her memory: When you get in trouble, there's no point in complaining. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow.
Scarlet straightened, her resolve hardening. She stepped out fully into the morning light. Dew clung to the grass, glittering beneath the pale glow of the enormous moon that still hung in the sky. The village looked dreamlike, unreal—as if she were walking through someone else's vision.
Yet the chill on her skin was real. The silence pressing against her ears was real. And Angel's absence was painfully, undeniably real.
Scarlet whispered to herself, almost like a vow: "If this is another world… then I'll find her. No matter what."
"Go with the flow, huh…?" Scarlet whispered, trying to mimic Angel's easy smile. "Fine. I'll go with the flow. But I'm not leaving without you."
She stepped toward the village square.
Villagers were already stirring—watering plants, carrying buckets, chatting in small groups. It looked ordinary, almost peaceful. Then a woman in her mid‑twenties, dressed in simple old‑era clothes, called out sharply:
"Hey, you—young lady with the strange clothes."
Scarlet froze as the woman approached, her tone half‑curious, half‑accusing. "You must be the one who made a scene last night. You must've been quite shocked."
Scarlet forced a small, awkward smile. "Ah… yeah. Sorry about that. I was just… confused."
The woman waved a hand dismissively. "Confused? Dear, you were screaming about earthquakes and classrooms. Anyone would've panicked." She stepped closer, hands on her hips, eyes scanning Scarlet from head to toe. "Though I've never seen clothes like yours. Must be from a faraway place."
Scarlet's heart thudded. The woman's words were casual, but her gaze was sharp—like she was trying to decide whether Scarlet was simply lost… or something else entirely.
Scarlet laughed nervously. "You could say that."
"Well, don't worry," Mira said brightly. "Since you were found without any belongings, I'll get you some proper clothes that fit. This village may be small, but we're friendly folk—we'll help however we can."
She leaned in, lowering her voice just a little. "If you're feeling better, why not come help me carry some water? It'll take your mind off things. Plus, I'll fetch you some clothes from my home."
Scarlet blinked, uncertain but willing. "Help…? Uh, sure. I don't mind."
"Good!" Mira grinned, handing her a wooden bucket. "I'm Mira Wynn, by the way. And you are?"
Scarlet hesitated, her mind racing. I can't use my real name—it's too strange here. She forced a smile. "Scarlet… umm… Scarlet Thorne."
Mira's grin widened. "Pretty name. Come on then, Scarlet. The well's this way."
Scarlet glanced around again as they walked. The village looked peaceful—sunlight warming the rooftops, children chasing each other, the smell of bread drifting from a nearby house. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if she had overreacted last night. Maybe this place wasn't dangerous. Maybe she had just been overwhelmed.
Mira's voice broke her thoughts. "Is there anything you want to ask?" she said casually.
Scarlet hesitated, then nodded. "Umm… yes. Since I only arrived yesterday, I'm not sure where I am right now. I'd like to know more about this place."
Mira slowed her pace, shifting the bucket to her other hand. Her smile was warm, almost sisterly. "Ah, a newcomer wanting the grand tour, huh? Sure, I can tell you what I know." She gestured toward the cottages and fields around them. "This place is called Elderwood Village. Small, quiet, and honestly a bit boring—unless the harvest festival is happening."
Scarlet listened intently, her grip tightening on the bucket. Elderwood Village… another world, another name. And Angel… where are you in all this?
Mira continued, "We're part of the Lunaris Territory, under the rule of the Fevialla Kingdom. Not that you'll see knights or nobles wandering around here—we're too far from the capital for that."
Scarlet blinked, her mind racing. Fevialla Kingdom? Lunaris Territory? None of those names exist back home…
Mira didn't notice her confusion. She pointed toward the distant treeline. "That forest over there is the Elderwood. Don't go in alone. It's peaceful most days, but magical beasts wander close sometimes."
Scarlet swallowed hard. "Magical… beasts?"
Mira laughed lightly, brushing it off. "Oh, don't worry. You won't see anything dangerous near the village. The hunters keep watch. And besides—" she leaned closer, lowering her voice playfully, "—you look like you could outrun a wolf if you had to."
Scarlet managed a small smile, though her mind was racing. Magical beasts… Fevialla Kingdom… Lunaris Territory… This isn't just a remote village. This is another world entirely.
Mira straightened, her tone bright and reassuring. "Anyway, Elderwood's a safe place. People here are kind, and we look out for each other. If you need food, clothes, or a place to stay, just ask. No one's going to turn you away."
Scarlet hesitated, then asked softly, "And… newcomers? Do people like me show up often?"
Mira chuckled, shaking her head. "Not very often. Travelers, merchants, mages, traders—people pass through now and then, buying and selling. But our village isn't prosperous. We're far from the capital, and sometimes demons or magical beasts attack. Still, we get help when we need it, so you don't have to worry too much."
Scarlet's grip tightened on the bucket. Demons… magical beasts… and Angel is still missing. If this really is another world, then I'll have to survive it long enough to find her.
Scarlet laughed softly as the bucket descended, the splash echoing up the stone walls. For a moment, it felt almost normal—like something she might have done back home.
Mira leaned against the well's edge, watching her with a grin. "See? Easy enough. You'll get the hang of village chores in no time."
Scarlet pulled the rope carefully, the bucket rising heavy with water. As it neared the surface, she noticed faint glimmers of light swirling within the water—tiny sparks that shimmered like stars before fading.
Mira caught her staring. "Ah, you noticed. That's Aether. Even the water here carries traces of it. We use it for everything—cooking, healing, even lighting lanterns." She gestured toward the cottages, where faintly glowing lamps flickered in the morning air. "It's what keeps life running smoothly."
Scarlet's breath caught. Aether… it's real here. Not just a word, not just a story. And Angel… if she's somewhere in this world, she must be seeing this too.
Mira handed her the filled bucket. "Come on, Scarlet Thorne. Let's get this back before the rush. Then we'll find you some proper clothes."
Scarlet nodded, clutching the bucket tightly. Her heart was pounding—not from the weight, but from the realization that she was standing in a world where magic was woven into every drop of water.
Scarlet's cheeks warmed under Mira's teasing, but her words about Angel slipped out before she could stop them.
Mira's hands paused on the bucket's handle—just for a heartbeat. It was subtle, but Scarlet noticed. That tiny hesitation carried weight, like Mira knew more than she was willing to say.
Scarlet's chest tightened. She knows something. Or at least, she's hiding something.
Mira quickly recovered, lifting the bucket with ease. "Well, if your friend's as determined as you are, I'm sure she'll turn up. People don't just vanish." Her smile was bright, but Scarlet could see the flicker of unease behind it.
Scarlet clenched her fists at her sides. Angel… if you're here somewhere, I'll find you.
Mira's cheerful tone softened into something more cautious. Adventurers come through here often. Scarlet's eyes lit up at Mira's words. Adventurers… travelers… if Angel is anywhere in this world, someone must have seen her.
Elderwood sits on the road to the Lunaris frontier, so plenty of travelers stop by. Treasure hunters, wandering mages, mercenaries… all sorts." She leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "If your friend is nearby, someone's bound to have seen her. But—" her smile faltered just slightly, "—I'd like you to stay here for a while. Get used to things first. Learn the rhythm of the village before you go chasing after adventurers."
Scarlet nodded slowly, though her heart was racing. Stay here? Learn the rhythm? But Angel… She clenched her fists around the bucket handle, forcing herself to breathe. Mira's words carried kindness, but that tiny pause earlier still lingered in Scarlet's mind.
The enormous moon hung pale and heavy above the rooftops, and Scarlet whispered to herself, "I'll go with the flow… but I won't stop searching."
Scarlet stood quietly in the warm, dim glow of Mira's home. The enchanted lanterns drifted lazily near the rafters, their light flickering as she passed beneath them—like they were reacting to her presence. The air was thick with the mingled scents of sage, lavender, and something faintly metallic, sharp enough to sting the back of her throat.
She hugged herself, listening to the soft creak of the house and the faint chime of beads as Mira disappeared behind the curtain. They really are kind people… but why do the lanterns flicker when I walk by? Why does everything feel like it's watching me?
Scarlet's gaze wandered over the dried herbs hanging from the beams, the worn wooden furniture, the faint shimmer of Aether in the lantern light. It was cozy, yet unsettling—like a place that wanted to welcome her but couldn't decide if it should.
Her thoughts whispered back to Angel. If this is another world… then where are you? Did you end up in a place like this too?
The beads chimed again as Mira's silhouette reappeared, carrying folded clothes in her arms.
Scarlet brushed the dust from her uniform, feeling the weight of Mira's gift in her hands. The garments seemed to hum faintly with life, the stitched runes glowing like veins of hidden power.
Mira grinned, her tone light but her eyes sharp. "Only those who plan on surviving wear clothes like these."
Scarlet smirked, pulling the cloak around her shoulders. "Good. That's exactly what I plan on doing from now on."
The silver rose clasp gleamed as she fastened it, catching the flicker of the enchanted lanterns above. For the first time since waking in this strange world, Scarlet felt a spark of excitement rise above her fear.
Angel… wherever you are, I'll find you. This world may be dangerous, but I'll face it head‑on.
Outside, the enormous moon still hung in the sky, pale and watchful. Scarlet stepped toward the door, her heart pounding with anticipation. She didn't know what awaited her beyond Elderwood Village—beasts, demons, or secrets whispered in the dark—but she was ready to begin.