The dense forest stretched in every direction, the shadows of tall trees visible under the golden light of the setting sun. Freshly scented, Keal led the way, scanning the surroundings with his sharp eyes, and Lyria walked beside Ishin, who looked at Ishin curiously.
"So... don't you remember anything?" Lyria asked, breaking the silence.
Ishin's pace slowed. He had asked himself the same question many times, but the question remained the same - fragments of memory, a bright light, and then... nothing.
"I saw a bright light coming towards me and then when I opened my eyes, I was in the middle of this forest."
Lyria frowned in curiosity. "Only a light? Isn't that strange?"
"It's true that I don't understand why I came here either."
Before she could ask any further, Keal looked at Lyria. "Lyria, give him a break. The man is already scared. Don't tease him any more."
Lyria sighed and threw up her hands. "Okay, okay. I won't ask again... for now, of course."
Ishin smiled slightly. Whatever had happened, their banter seemed to ease his worries a little.
Arriving at the village
The road widened slightly at the end, and as they moved forward a little, Ishin's breath caught in his throat.
In front of them was a village unlike any he had ever seen.
The entire village was surrounded by massive wooden walls made of thick tree trunks, with tall guard towers built around the village for protection. The village within the walls was beautiful - people working, laughing and living in harmony. But it was the diversity here that caught Ishin's attention most.
The people walked side by side with the demi-humans - creatures with animal features such as fox ears, cat tails and even horns, and the streets were lined with small wooden houses, some built into the trunks of huge trees. The fields of golden crops swayed in the breeze, and a clear river flowed through the village, reflecting the glow of lanterns hanging from the trees.
"Wow, this place is amazing," Ishin muttered, his eyes widening in surprise.
Lyria smiled. "Welcome to our village, Ishin."
Keal looked at Ishin and smiled. "You seem to have questions, don't you?"
Ishin nodded. "Yes, very many."
Ishin turned to Keal, seeing a demi-human with long rabbit-like ears. "Who is that, huh?"
Keal exchanged a knowing glance with Lyria. It was clear now - that Ishin knew nothing about this world.
Lyria held out her hands. "They are half-humans. Just like us, with a few external differences... some stronger, faster or with heightened senses, but they are still humans. Just like you and me."
Ishin nodded slowly, his curiosity about this world growing.
Hidden Basement
The three of them arrived at a small wooden house nestled among the trees.
"This is our sanctuary," Lyria said. "Come inside, Ishin. I will prepare some food."
Waiting for her to go inside, Ishin's curiosity got the best of him. He moved around, examining everything with caution. His fingers pressed against the smooth wooden walls, the scent of fresh herbs filling the air.
His foot suddenly slipped.
"Wow-!"
He stepped through a door in the floor beneath him, and he fell down, landing with a loud thud. Groaning, he pushed himself up and looked around. His breath caught in his throat.
This wasn't just any warehouse.
The dimly lit basement was filled with weapons - swords, daggers, bows - neatly arranged on shelves. Maps were taped to the walls, described with signs and notes written in an unfamiliar script. The shelves were lined with old armor and strange artifacts.
This was no ordinary house.
"What kind of place is this?" he muttered to himself.
Before he could investigate further, a sharp sound startled him.
Shh!
The sound of a sword being drawn.
Turning slowly, Ishin saw Keal staring at him, holding a sword a few inches from his face.
"You're in an unauthorized area now," Keal said, his voice dangerously low. You can't let me go."
Ishin swallowed in fear. "Don't worry, Keal.. I came here by mistake—"
Before anything could happen, Lyria came in and hit Keal on the head.
"Will you stop acting now? You're scaring him so much!"
Keal was rubbing his head, grumbling. "I was just playing a little joke on him."
"Good joke." Lyria closed her eyes before turning to Ishin. "Sorry, Ishin. "He thinks he's a warrior."
Ishin let out a breath, not realizing he was being held captive.
Decision
After a quick meal, Keal leaned back in his chair and looked at Ishin closely.
"You said you don't remember anything, but... you have to learn how to live here."
Ishin looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Lyria leaned forward. "We can train you. Fighting, hunting, survival - you'll need it if you're going to live here."
Ishin thought for a moment. He didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing he knew was that he couldn't sit around doing nothing.
"Okay," he said with determination and high hopes. "I'll learn.
"I want to."
Keal smiled. "Good answer. We'll start training tomorrow."
"Now get some rest."
That night, as Ishin lay in bed, his head was filled with a river of thoughts. This world was so different, so dangerous, and so wonderful.
But, for the first time since coming to this world... he felt like his life had a purpose.
As his eyes closed, he heard the voice again from the silence.
"Ishin..."
His eyes opened. It was the voice that had spoken to me all along.
"Who are you?" he whispered.
Silence.
Then—
"I need your help..."
A chill ran down his spine.
Something... or someone... was watching him.