After the portal devoured me, I was hurled into silence.
When I finally landed, it was with a gasp and a thud—flat on my back in a vast, emerald forest. Sunlight spilled through the thick canopy above, casting golden flecks on the moss-covered ground. The air smelled of earth and ancient leaves. Everything was so... alive.
I sat up slowly, brushing leaves from my gown. The trees here towered like cathedral columns, their trunks thick and roots sprawling like veins across the forest floor.
I took a cautious step—and hissed as pain shot up my leg.
Looking down, I saw a thorny branch sticking from the sole of my foot.
"Wonderful," I muttered, wincing.
I hobbled over to the base of a tree and slumped onto a massive root, pulling the sharp thorn free with a grunt. Blood oozed, but nothing serious.
I whispered a quick healing prayer, focusing divine energy into my hand… but nothing happened.
"I can't use my divine blessing…" I murmured, my voice trembling slightly.
The realization stung more than the wound. I was powerless here.
I sighed, glancing around. Birds chirped overhead. Wind rustled the trees. It felt… familiar. Too familiar. A thick wave of déjà vu washed over me, and with it—emptiness.
Why does Vesper hate me? Why were my memories stripped?
Who was the man in my dream—the one who made my heart ache?
A low growl snapped me from thought.
Behind me, something moved.
I turned—slowly.
Emerging from the shadows was a massive wolf, its silver fur bristling, blue eyes glowing like frost.
I froze behind the tree, holding my breath.
No powers. No weapon. No plan.
"Higher Divine, have mercy on me," I whispered, hands clasped. "This child of yours humbly prays for safety."
The wolf's eyes narrowed.
Suddenly, its form shifted.
Bones cracked. Muscles reshaped. The beast transformed before my eyes into a man.
And what a man.
His light blue hair cascaded over broad shoulders, tousled by the breeze. His sculpted chest was mostly exposed beneath a lazily draped vest, muscles tensing as he stepped toward me. His blue eyes locked onto mine with predatory calm.
"Who are you?" he said coldly. "What are you doing in our territory?"
"I—I don't know," I stammered. "I just… woke up here."
He sniffed the air.
"You smell weird."
"…Excuse me?"
I blinked in disbelief, realizing I was staring. His physique. His clothing. The wind gently rippling through his long hair like a heroic painting—
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he quipped with a cocky grin. "I know I'm good-looking, but really now. Focus."
I flushed red, mouth agape.
"You're staring like I'm the most fascinating thing you've ever seen. And your hair—it looks like a bird built a whole kingdom in it. That dress? What even is that? Divine fashion disaster?" He mockingly while looking at up and down
"My what looks like a what?!" I gasped, scandalized. "I've been created by the Light and blessed by the higher beings—"
He burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.
"Oh really? What's next? 'I'm a fallen angel! Oooo\~ don't touch me or I'll smite you!'"
I stared at him, deeply offended.
Is this man mocking divinity?! Is this... normal here?!
"Why are you staring at me?" he said suddenly, shielding his chest. "Oh no. Don't tell me. You're lusting over me, aren't you?! Pervert! I'm too handsome and emotionally fragile for this!"
"I—I wasn't—!" I choked, utterly exasperated.
Is this man feral?!
But before I could respond, pain sliced through my mind. My knees gave way as images slammed into me like crashing waves.
---
"Ophelia, please—always remember me," a voice begged.
A man, kneeling, weeping. His eyes—like the setting sun.
"Don't forget us… They'll lie. They'll use you."
"They'll say they protect you… but they want to destroy us."
"I'll make you remember… again."
---
I gripped my skull, gasping.
What is this? A memory? A curse?
"Hey—are you okay?" the wolf-man asked, his voice suddenly serious.
But I couldn't answer. My head was splitting open, the pain unbearable. My limbs trembled.
Then—screams.
Crying. Voices. Inhuman and garbled.
"Lurkers," the man muttered grimly.
His form shimmered, shifting back into a silver wolf.
"You'll be investigated, so you're coming with me," he barked.
I couldn't protest. My body was too weak. I felt his jaw gently tug the collar of my dress and hoist me onto his back.
And then we were running.
Trees blurred past. Behind us, shadows swirled—floating creatures, weeping red tears from glowing, soulless eyes. They whispered as they chased us.
"Please… no…"
"Help…"
"Lies…"
"We're burning…"
"Hold on tighter!" he growled, howling loud enough to make the entire forest shudder.
Eventually, the Lurkers faded into the distance.
We arrived at a small village—hidden deep in the woods. Dozens of people with wolf ears and tails emerged, startled by our arrival.
They stared at me.
Whispers.
Suspicion.
"Who did you bring, Magnus?" a tall woman asked, approaching with narrowed eyes.
"She was in the forest," the man Magnu shrugged. "So I picked her up."
Picked me up?! What am i to him a puppy?
The woman—Cecil—shot daggers at me with her gaze. Her perfectly styled hair and polished look screamed jealousy. She clutched Magnus's arm like I'd committed war crimes by existing.
"You can't just bring random strangers here," she hissed.
Magnus shrugged her hand off.
"Hands off, Cecil. You're embarrassing yourself. Try some dignity—it's free."
I smothered a laugh as Cecil's face turned tomato-red. She spun on her heel and stomped away with her posse of angry tail-flickers.
Then a gray wolf sprinted toward us, shifting into a nervous young man.
"M-Magnus!" he panted. "Who's the girl?!"
"This little thing?" Magnus said, gesturing to me. "Picked her up. Like a lost kitten."
The man Zane approached me with genuine concern.
"Miss, are you okay? Did he kidnap you? Did he force you to—"
BONK.
Magnus smacked the back of his head.
"Ow!"
"I rescued her, Zane. Does it look like I'm some deranged wolf-villain?!"
Zane didn't even hesitate to respond "Yes."
Magnus threw his arms up. "Ask her! Go on!"
I opened my mouth, but Zane held up a finger.
"Actually, I'm not sure if you're saving her... or if she's saving herself from you."
Suddenly, a deep, commanding howl echoed through the trees.
Zane's eyes widened. "That's your father. He's looking for you. Again."
"…You could've led with that," Magnus said, deadpan.
"I meant to. Got distracted."
"Distracted?! With what?"
Zane grinned sheepishly.
Magnus sighed, adjusting his grip on me. "Let's go before the entire council thinks I've kidnapped a poor innocent woman."
---
He carried me into a large ceremonial hut, its walls woven with silk, glowing leaves, and lunar threads. Inside were elders—stern-faced, silver-haired, draped in ceremonial robes.
Magnus dropped to one knee, bowing his head with a hand over his heart.
I panicked.
What do I do? Kneel? Curtsy? Wing salute??
So I dropped dramatically to both knees, pressed my forehead to my hands, palms flat on the floor in perfect supplication.
Everyone stared.
Even the air froze.
"…What are you doing?" Magnus whispered.
"…Paying respect?"
"That's too much," he said, blinking. "Seriously. You look like you're praying to a turnip. Are you always this dramatic?"
Well... yes.