Andrew slowly turned his head toward the voice, blinking in confusion. A petite girl with long, lavender hair stood before him. She wore what looked like armor made of intricately woven leaves and silver plating, though it appeared more ceremonial than practical. Her piercing emerald eyes locked onto him, scrutinizing his every move.
"Uh… I…" Andrew's voice cracked. He cleared his throat, trying to mask his nervousness. "I have no idea where I am. Who are you?"
The girl tilted her head, her expression softening with curiosity. "You're in the Black Forest, stranger. The question is, how did you get here? No one sane would step into this cursed place willingly."
Andrew glanced around, noticing the dense, dark trees that loomed over him. Despite the beauty of the place, there was an eerie quality to it, as though the shadows themselves were alive.
"I… I don't know," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "One moment, I was… somewhere else, and then I woke up here."
The girl frowned, her grip tightening on the spear she held. "You don't look like one of the shadow fiends, but I've never seen anyone dressed like you before. What kingdom are you from?"
"Kingdom?" Andrew repeated, perplexed. He glanced down at his clothes—his tailored black shirt and slacks were a far cry from the earthy tones and intricate patterns the girl wore. "Uh, I guess you could say I'm not from around here."
Before she could press further, a low growl echoed through the forest. The girl's eyes widened, and she stepped closer to Andrew, lowering her voice. "Stay behind me. It's coming."
"What's coming?" Andrew asked, alarmed.
The question was answered by the sudden appearance of a hulking, wolf-like creature with glowing red eyes. Its fur bristled as it bared its fangs, snarling menacingly. The girl took a defensive stance, her spear glinting in the dim light.
"Don't just stand there!" she hissed at Andrew. "If you're unarmed, find a place to hide!"
Andrew's instincts kicked in, and he ducked behind a nearby tree, peeking out as the girl engaged the beast. Her movements were swift and precise, her spear striking with calculated force. Yet, despite her skill, the creature was relentless.
As he watched, a strange sensation coursed through Andrew's body—a warmth spreading from his chest to his limbs. It was as if something deep within him was awakening. Without thinking, he stepped out from behind the tree, his hands clenching into fists.
"Hey!" he shouted, drawing the creature's attention. "Over here!"
The beast turned, lunging at him. Andrew braced himself, expecting to be mauled, but instead, an unseen force erupted from his body, sending the creature flying backward. It slammed into a tree and let out a pitiful whine before scurrying off into the shadows.
The girl stared at him, wide-eyed. "What… what did you just do?"
Andrew looked down at his hands, equally bewildered. "I… I don't know. It just happened."
Before they could dwell on it, the sound of approaching footsteps drew their attention. A group of women emerged from the forest, all armed and dressed similarly to the first girl. Their leader, a tall woman with fiery red hair and a commanding presence, surveyed the scene.
"Aria, are you all right?" she asked, addressing the lavender-haired girl.
"I'm fine, Captain," Aria replied, glancing at Andrew. "But… he's not from here. And he just took down a shadow beast without a weapon."
The captain's sharp gaze fell on Andrew, her expression unreadable. "You. Who are you, and what are you doing in our forest?"
Andrew hesitated. "My name is Andrew. And like I told her, I don't know how I got here."
The women exchanged skeptical glances. The captain stepped closer, studying him intently. "Your clothes… your mannerisms… you're not like anyone from this world." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "And yet, there's something… strange about you."
Before Andrew could respond, another woman spoke up. "Captain, we need to take him to the village. If he really defeated a shadow beast, the elders will want to meet him."
The captain nodded reluctantly. "Agreed. But keep your guard up. If he tries anything, we'll take him down."
Aria gestured for Andrew to follow. "Come on. It's not safe here."
As they made their way through the forest, Andrew couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched—not just by the women but by the forest itself. The trees seemed to whisper, their branches swaying as though alive.
After what felt like hours, they arrived at a clearing. A sprawling village lay before them, its architecture a blend of nature and craftsmanship. Houses were built into massive trees, connected by rope bridges and winding staircases. The air was filled with the hum of activity as women of all ages bustled about, tending to their daily tasks.
Andrew's jaw dropped. "This is… incredible."
The captain smirked. "Welcome to Elaris, the heart of the Queendom of Avaria."
"Queendom?" Andrew repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Aria looked at him quizzically. "What else would it be? Our world has been ruled by women for centuries."
Andrew's mind raced. A world ruled by women? That explained why he hadn't seen a single man since arriving. But what would happen if they discovered his true identity? For now, he decided it was best to keep that little detail to himself.
As they led him through the village, he couldn't help but notice the curious stares he received from the villagers. Whispers followed him wherever he went, their voices a mix of awe and suspicion.
"Who is he?"
"Where did he come from?"
"Why does he look so strange?"
Andrew did his best to remain calm, but his unease grew with every passing moment. Finally, they arrived at a grand hall nestled at the base of the largest tree in the village. The captain turned to him.
"Wait here. The elders will decide what to do with you."
As she and the others entered the hall, Andrew was left alone under the watchful eyes of the villagers. He leaned against a tree, trying to process everything that had happened.
"What the hell have I gotten myself into?" he muttered.
For now, Andrew had no choice but to play along. But one thing was clear: he needed to find out how he had ended up in this strange world—and more importantly, how to survive in it without revealing his