"Get back, Amber!" The command echoed in her ears just before pain erupted throughout her body. Amber's vision cleared, revealing the gruesome aftermath of the soldiers they had dispatched to intercept the trespassers in the forest. A scream escaped her lips as bullets tore through the wooden walls, leaving nymphs' bodies punctured and lifeless on the ground. The once pristine snow was tainted crimson by the fallen. Confusion and fear gripped Amber as she fled, haunted by the memory of her sisters' screams as they were mowed down by an unfamiliar weapon – a device that propelled metal pellets at deadly speeds. It was a devastatingly effective tool wielded by the human males who had seized their forest stronghold. In the chaos, Amber's sister had hurriedly pushed her through a mysterious deep blue pool, thrusting her into a reality that was now a terrifying blur.
Suddenly, Amber awoke, her senses assaulted by the confusion of a world where a curious bear stared at her, puzzled by the bloodstained nymph. Dazed, Amber stood frozen as her mind slowly pieced together the situation. Panic surged within her, urging her to flee. Ignoring the seeping wound in her arm, she sprinted towards the nearest building, her white hoodie concealing the growing stain of red. Unbeknownst to her, her blood marked her trail.
Alex was perplexed as the young girl collapsed before him. He acted quickly, preventing her from further harm as he carried her to a nearby lounge. His thoughts raced, wondering what had led this girl to the frigid reaches of the Northern continent. Despite his indifference to the region, his priority now was to tend to her injuries. Retrieving medical supplies, Alex's gaze shifted to the girl, her small groans urging him to hasten. His mind flickered with questions about her origin and how she ended up here.
Carefully, he unraveled her hoodie's arm, his face contorting at the sight of the gory wound. Gritting his teeth, he applied medicine, watching the wound slowly mend. An idea struck him, and he fetched clean clothes left behind by his sister. Placing them on the table, he closed the door, allowing the girl to rest as he prepared for the store's reopening.
Five hours later, as the day waned, Alex locked the door. A soft knock caught his attention, and he turned to see Amber standing hesitantly before him. Her gaze remained lowered, uncertain, as she spoke in a timid voice. "Hi, um, I'm Amber." Alex's smile was warm and welcoming, as he introduced himself. "Nice to meet you, Amber. I'm Alex."
Amber's voice trembled slightly as she continued, "Where am I, exactly?" Alex's surprise was evident; how could she not know her location? He pondered the possibilities, including the grim ones, given his knowledge of the border's smuggling activities. Choosing his words carefully, he answered, "You're in Ironshire Junction, a small border town between Eldora and Valerium. It's a crucial crossroads for trade and transportation. You stumbled into my shop about five hours ago, injured. If you're comfortable, could you share your story?"
The air was heavy with anticipation as Amber's eyes met Alex's, the beginnings of a tale yet untold.