Alan looked at the crystal in his hand, which was now cracked and dull. "It wasn't magic, at least not as you understand it. It was applied resonance theory—using the entity's own energy signature against it."
Before they could discuss it further, another tremor shook the ground, and the vortex in the sky expanded visibly.
"We can debate theory later," Marcus said urgently. "The main Rift is still growing. We need to reach the evacuation point."
They hurried into the forest, following a path that was now marked with glowing symbols etched into the trees. Alan noticed that the shadow entities seemed unable or unwilling to pass these markers.
"Warding symbols," Lyra explained, seeing his interest. "Basic protection magic, established along evacuation routes centuries ago and maintained by each generation."
As they moved deeper into the forest, the sounds of the village and the Rift faded behind them. After about twenty minutes of brisk walking, they emerged into a large clearing where dozens of villagers had gathered. Makeshift shelters were being erected, and several people were tending to those injured during the evacuation.
An elderly man with a staff similar to Marcus's approached them. "Master Raven, Lady Starcrest. We feared you had been lost." His gaze shifted to Alan, taking in his strange clothing visible beneath the cloak. "And this is?"
"A visitor who helped clear the southern road," Marcus said simply. "Elder Thorn, what is the status of the evacuation?"
"Nearly complete. We've sent scouts ahead to Ironhammer to request assistance." Elder Thorn continued to study Alan with undisguised curiosity. "Your 'visitor' has an unusual aura. Is he connected to the Rift expansion?"
Before Marcus could answer, Lyra stepped forward. "His arrival coincided with the energy surge the Academy detected. And he wields power in ways I've never seen." Her tone was not accusatory but carried clear concern.
Alan felt the weight of multiple gazes turn toward him. The villagers nearby had fallen silent, listening to the exchange.
"I'm not responsible for your Rift," he said firmly. "I'm a scientist—a physicist—from another world. I was conducting an experiment when something went wrong, and I was brought here. If anything, I'm as much a victim of these dimensional disturbances as you are."
Elder Thorn's bushy eyebrows rose. "Another world? You claim to be a traveler between realms?"
"He speaks the truth," Marcus interjected. "And his knowledge helped save many lives today. Without his intervention, the shadow entities would have claimed far more victims."
The elder considered this, then nodded slowly. "These are matters beyond a village elder's judgment. The Council and the Academy will want to investigate, of course."
"Of course," Marcus agreed smoothly. "But first, we must ensure the safety of these people. The Rift is still expanding, and this location may not remain secure for long."
As if to emphasize his point, another tremor shook the clearing, causing several of the makeshift shelters to collapse.
"Agreed," Elder Thorn said. "We'll continue to Ironhammer at first light. The mountain paths are too dangerous to navigate in darkness."
As the elder moved away to coordinate preparations, Lyra turned to Marcus and Alan. "You should know that I sent a message crystal to the Academy before the evacuation. They'll be looking for him." She nodded toward Alan.
Marcus sighed. "I expected as much. Your duty to the Academy is clear."
"As is yours to the truth, Master Raven," she replied pointedly. "This outsider's arrival, his strange powers, the Rift expansion—these cannot be coincidences."
"I never suggested they were," Marcus said. "But jumping to conclusions without understanding serves no one."
Alan looked between them, feeling the tension. "I want to understand what's happening as much as you do," he said to Lyra. "I didn't ask to be brought here, but now that I am, I want to help if I can."
Lyra studied him for a long moment. "Your method of defeating the Stalker was... effective. Unorthodox, but effective. Perhaps there is value in your perspective." She turned to leave, then paused. "But know this, outsider—if you prove to be a threat to this world, your strange powers won't protect you."
After she had gone, Alan turned to Marcus. "She doesn't trust me."
"Trust is earned slowly here, especially from those trained at the Academy," Marcus replied. "The fact that she's willing to consider your potential usefulness is actually progress."
Alan rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache. The events of the day—waking in an alien world, discovering magic was real, fighting interdimensional shadow creatures—were finally catching up to him.
"What happens now?" he asked quietly.
Marcus gestured toward a relatively secluded spot at the edge of the clearing. "Now, we rest. Tomorrow brings the journey to Ironhammer, and beyond that..." He shrugged. "The path unfolds as we walk it."
As they settled down for the night, using cloaks and blankets provided by the villagers, Alan found himself staring up at the unfamiliar stars visible through gaps in the canopy. They formed constellations he had never seen, a constant reminder of how far from home he truly was.
Yet despite the danger and uncertainty, he felt a strange sense of purpose. His knowledge—his science—had made a difference today. In this world of magic, perhaps physics could be a power all its own.
He closed his eyes, the tuning crystal still clutched in his hand. As sleep began to claim him, he could almost feel the quantum waves of this reality washing over him, through him, changing him in subtle ways he was only beginning to understand.
In the darkness above the clearing, unseen by the exhausted evacuees, a small patch of shadow detached itself from the forest canopy. Unlike the entities they had fought earlier, this one moved with purpose and intelligence, observing the sleeping humans below with particular interest in the strangely-dressed newcomer.
After watching for several minutes, the shadow silently rose higher, then streaked away toward the mountains—toward the swirling vortex that marked the growing Rift, and whatever consciousness controlled it from beyond.