The roar of engines cut through the night as two black sedans sped down the empty highway. The city lights faded behind them, and the open road stretched out ahead, winding through hills and forests. In the first car, Kael Thompson gripped the wheel with steady hands, his eyes darting between the rearview mirror and the road. Behind them, the flashing blue and red lights of the police cars gained ground, the wail of sirens growing louder.
"Keep going," came a calm voice from the backseat. Rhea Chen, leaning back with her arms crossed, gazed out the window, her face illuminated by the occasional streetlamp. Her eyes, however, held no sign of panic, just cold calculation.
"They're gaining on us," said one of the others, a young man with dark hair, checking his gun. "How much longer can we outrun them?"
Kael didn't answer immediately, his mind racing. The police were relentless, and the gap between their cars and the pursuing force was shrinking by the second. In the second car, which trailed just behind, the remaining members of their group remained equally calm. They had been in tight spots before, and this time wasn't any different. Weapons were loaded, minds were sharp, and each one of them knew exactly what they needed to do.
But tonight was different. Betrayed by their own, hunted down like criminals — they were, but that wasn't the point — and now, the world seemed to close in around them.
"We're running out of road," Kael muttered under his breath. They were heading toward the outskirts of the city, where the lights were sparse, and the highway led into a more desolate landscape. The forest loomed ahead, and beyond it… nothing but darkness.
Suddenly, a ripple in the air ahead caught Kael's eye. The road seemed to shimmer, almost like a mirage. The trees at the horizon bent unnaturally, their forms warping in and out of focus. Rhea leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. "What the hell is that?"
Before anyone could respond, the shimmering grew brighter, a swirling vortex forming just ahead. Kael slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. Both cars were pulled into the swirling portal as if they were being sucked into a vacuum. The world around them twisted, and with a flash of blinding light, the highway, the city, and the police vanished.
---
The group found themselves in a vast courtyard. Daylight replaced the darkness of night, and the crisp, cool air hit their skin. Kael blinked against the sudden brightness, disoriented but still holding the steering wheel tightly. Around them stood towering walls of an ancient castle, a grand fountain in the center of the courtyard, its water shimmering in the sun.
"What the—" Kael muttered, his grip tightening on the wheel.
They were no longer on the outskirts of the city. They were somewhere else entirely.
Rhea was the first to move, stepping out of the car and surveying their surroundings. "This isn't possible," she said, her voice calm but laced with tension. Her eyes darted from the high walls to the intricately carved stonework of the castle, then to the trees in the distance. Everything felt out of place, foreign, yet somehow… familiar.
The doors to the castle opened, and a figure emerged. A tall man with long silver hair and piercing ruby eyes stepped forward, his long white robe adorned with gold embroidery flowing gracefully as he approached them. He exuded an aura of authority and elegance, his gaze sharp and assessing.
"Welcome," he said in a deep, resonant voice. "You've arrived sooner than expected."
Kael and the others immediately reacted, their instincts honed from years of survival. Guns were drawn, and weapons pointed at the mysterious figure. Kael stepped forward, his expression hard. "Where are we? Who the hell are you?"
The man, unphased by the show of force, raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I am Asheron, servant of the Emperor of Serys. You are in the kingdom's capital, brought here by decree of the Emperor himself."
"We didn't agree to this," Rhea added coldly, her gun still aimed directly at his chest. "Take us back."
Asheron tilted his head slightly, his ruby eyes flashing with an unreadable emotion. "I'm afraid that's not possible. You've been summoned here for a reason, and it is not a request you can refuse."
Kael's patience snapped. "Wrong answer." He raised his gun, but before he could pull the trigger, a powerful force immobilized them all. It was as if invisible chains had wrapped around their bodies, forcing them to their knees. Kael gritted his teeth, trying to fight the magic holding him down, but it was no use.
Rhea struggled as well, but her body refused to move. "What the hell is this?" she growled, her voice strained.
Asheron lowered his hands, his expression unchanging. "You're too valuable to be harmed. But if you will not cooperate willingly, I will have to ensure your compliance."
With a wave of his hand, several armored guards appeared from the castle doors, their gold-plated armor gleaming in the sunlight. They approached the group swiftly, securing their weapons and taking hold of each of them.
"You'll understand everything soon," Asheron said calmly as the guards began escorting the group toward the castle. "The Emperor has much to discuss with you. For now, rest assured that you are safe, though I cannot say the same for your world."
Kael shot him a glare, his mind racing. Rhea exchanged a glance with the others, trying to make sense of their situation. They had been betrayed once before; they wouldn't allow it to happen again. But for now, they had no choice but to follow, to survive… and to find out what exactly had brought them to this strange and dangerous world.