The morning sun was warm, casting a golden light over the quiet streets. Lilith had always enjoyed the calm walk to school. Today was no different—until it was.
One moment, she was lost in thought, absentmindedly adjusting her schoolbag. The next, the world blurred around her, the familiar sights of her town twisting into something foreign. The air felt heavier, the colors sharper, and the sky… was not the sky she knew. Gone were the soft blues and clouds. Above her, a violet expanse stretched out, dotted with two glowing moons.
Lilith blinked in confusion, her feet stumbling over unfamiliar ground. Trees loomed overhead, their trunks thick and gnarled, their leaves dark and shimmering like metal.
Where am I?
Her heart raced as panic bubbled up inside her.
This is impossible.
She spun around, desperate to find something—anything—that could explain what had happened. But nothing made sense. The trees, the air, even the ground beneath her feet felt… wrong.
"This isn't real," she whispered to herself, taking a step back, her legs shaky. "This can't be real."
A low growl echoed through the trees. Lilith froze. The sound was deep, primal, sending a chill down her spine. She turned slowly, dread sinking into her chest, and saw them—huge, hulking forms moving between the trees.
The only thing she could think of for what they were were wild apes, their fur matted and eyes gleaming with hunger, emerged from the shadows.
Lilith's instincts screamed at her to run, but her legs wouldn't move. The beasts were fast, too fast. One lunged toward her, its powerful arms swinging with brute force. She barely had time to react, raising her arms in a futile attempt to protect herself.
Then, with a flash of dark motion, something collided with the ape, sending it sprawling to the ground. Lilith's breath caught as she saw him—a man, but not entirely. His skin was tanned, his dark hair falling in wild waves around his face. His ears, they weren't where they were supposed to be, they weren't even proper ears, they were animal ears on top of his head, and from behind him, a sleek black tail swayed with ease.
His eyes—sharp and glowing yellow—were filled with a predator's intensity.
The apes roared, but the man moved faster than her eyes could track. His strength was terrifying, his movements fluid and precise. Within moments, the beasts lay motionless on the forest floor.
Lilith stared, trembling from fear and confusion. The man turned, his intense gaze softening as it fell on her.
"You're safe now," he said, his voice deep and steady.
She stared at him, unable to speak.
But then she noticed something strange about herself. Her shoulders felt… heavy. And when she looked down, her heart nearly stopped. Feathers—white and silver—coming from her back. She reached behind her and touched something large and foreign. Wings. She had wings.
"W-what's happening?" she gasped, her voice trembling as her hands shook.
The man stepped closer, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed her. " I've never seen such beautiful wings, or such a pretty female for that matter"
Lilith couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her wings—massive and unwieldy—were fully extended behind her, flaring out awkwardly. Unlike him, she had no control over them.
"I-I don't understand," she stammered, feeling overwhelmed. Her legs wobbled, and she collapsed to the ground, too weak to stand.
The man was at her side in an instant, crouching down as if to steady her. "The Apes must have given you a fright, females aren't supposed to even be here, where is your tribe?."
Lilith could barely comprehend his words. She wasn't just in another world—she was something else entirely. She was no longer human.
Leo's expression softened as he watched her. "You're in shock. Don't worry, I'm going to help you." Without waiting for her response, he scooped her up with surprising gentleness, cradling her against his chest. His tail flicked slightly as he adjusted his grip. "I'm taking you to my village. We have a doctor who can look at you."
Lilith didn't have the energy to protest. She let herself sink into the warmth of his arms, her mind still spinning with everything that had happened. Her wings hung loosely, completely beyond her control, as Leo carried her deeper into the strange forest.
Before the darkness claimed her, she clung to one last thought—this was just the beginning.