Rex and Carl leaned against a tree, catching their breath, still reeling from the chaos of their narrow escape. The strange forest was alive with sounds—whispers of leaves, distant rustling in the underbrush, and a heavy quiet that seemed to cling to them.
Then, out of the silence, came the crackle of branches as a figure stepped out from the shadows—a frail, elderly man draped in a tattered cloak, eyes twinkling with quiet amusement.
Rex exhaled with relief, muttering, "Oh, thank god, it's just a guy."
Carl, however, jolted, clutching his chest. "Are you kidding me, old man? You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
The man only chuckled, waving a hand in casual apology. "The Goddess asked me to find you two, to help you get started." His voice was calm but held an unspoken authority that silenced Carl's protests.
"The… Goddess?" Rex repeated, stunned. Somehow, in the frenzy of everything, they'd almost forgotten the surreal meeting in the white room.
With a nod, the old man turned, gesturing for them to follow. "Come along now. You both look like you could use a rest—and some answers." He began walking ahead without a backward glance, as though certain they'd follow.
Carl shot Rex a wary look. "This guy could be dangerous, y'know."
Rex just shrugged. "So could those rabbits back there. We might as well go."
Together, they trudged after the old man, through twisting forest paths, until they reached a small, hidden cabin nestled between two ancient trees. The old man led them inside, the warmth and scent of herbs immediately washing over them. He motioned to two simple chairs at the wooden table.
"Sit," he said, bustling over to the fireplace to pour tea into a pair of clay mugs. "You've had quite a day, I can see."
They took their seats, the reality of their situation starting to sink in. After setting two cups in front of them, the old man sat opposite, eyeing them with a faint smile.
"What's your name?" Rex asked, breaking the silence. "And why did the Goddess send you to us?"
The man took a slow sip of his tea, the warmth fogging his glasses. "Ah, right to the questions, I see. You may call me Elder Caelum. I've served the Goddess a long time, and she thought you'd need help… finding your way around this world."
He set his mug down, studying their faces. "There's much for you to learn, boys. Take it in stride, now. This world is vastly different from the one you knew."
Rex and Carl exchanged a glance, then nodded, waiting.
Elder Caelum leaned back in his chair, beginning his tale. "Let me start with the lands themselves. You're in the Kingdom of Arathos , a proud and formidable place, known for its warriors and its ancient bloodlines. It's ruled by King Roderic Thorne and his family, the House of Thorne , famed across the land for their skill in battle. Arathos is one of many realms—each different, each with its own rules and customs."
Caelum's gaze grew distant, his voice lowering to a near-whisper. "To the east lies the Solmara Empire , the largest in the land, renowned for its towering spires and sun-gilded cities. It's ruled by Emperor Caeloran Althuris , a mage of nearly unmatched skill. His court is said to shine like the sun itself, guarded by the elite Dragonkin Guard , warriors rumored to be descended from dragons themselves."
"The Solmara Empire…," Carl murmured, eyes wide with fascination.
Caelum nodded, eyes gleaming with a storyteller's pride. "And to the west is their fierce rival, the Lunar Dominion . Governed by Empress Nyx Malvoris , a master of shadow magic, it's a land of silver-lit nights and mountain fortresses. Her people have an affinity with the moon, and her assassins—the Silver Cloaks —are feared throughout the realm."
Rex couldn't help but lean forward, captured by the old man's words. "What about other races? Are there… others besides humans here?"
"Oh, certainly," Caelum replied with a smile. "You'll find more than just humans in these lands. The Elves make their home in the Verdantia Kingdom , a place alive with nature's magic. Their king, Orin Leafwhisper , is said to be able to speak to the trees themselves." He took a sip of tea. "And let's not forget the Dwarves of the Drachenstein Realm , masters of metal and stone. High King Thrain Ironbeard and his kin dwell deep within the mountains, where their forges light the dark."
Carl's eyes darted between Rex and Elder Caelum, his mind racing. "And… other creatures? Like those freaky rabbits back there?"
Caelum chuckled, setting down his tea. "Ah, those are Fanghares —vicious little beasts, and a reminder not to underestimate anything here." His voice lowered, growing serious. "And there are far worse than Fanghares. The world is rife with Wyverns in the skies, Gorgons in the shadows, and Mist Lynxes that blend into the darkness."
Rex felt a shiver run down his spine. This world was far more dangerous than they'd imagined.
Elder Caelum's expression darkened slightly. "Of course, there are also Demons , though they are rarely seen these days. Long ago, they plagued the land, but powerful forces managed to seal them away. Yet some say that dark rituals are still practiced, and there are those who would seek to unleash them again."
A heavy silence fell over the cabin, and Carl gulped audibly. "So… we're really in some kind of fantasy world. With dragons and demons and… everything."
"Yes," Elder Caelum replied simply. "And it has its own rules, its own ways. Currency here is different too. You'll need solari coins for gold, lunari coins for silver, and verdite shards —green gems—for minor exchanges. As for magic, most people have an affinity to a specific type based on their lineage or training. The Solmara Empire favors Sun Magic, while the Lunar Dominion, as you might expect, wields Shadow Magic. Verdantia embraces Nature Magic, while Arathos leans towards Elemental Magic."
Carl looked down at his empty mug, absorbing the flood of information, his mind racing. "And… how do we fit into all this?"
Caelum's gaze softened as he studied them. "The Goddess didn't tell me why she sent you here. But if she chose you, then you have a purpose in this world. And whatever that purpose may be, it will require strength, knowledge, and courage."
Rex felt a strange, rising sense of excitement and dread. "So, we learn the rules of this world… and then?"
Elder Caelum shrugged with a smile. "Then, you carve your own path. But remember—dark forces lurk in these lands, and not everything is as it seems."
Rex and Carl glanced at each other, the weight of their journey settling upon them. It was no longer a question of if they could survive here; it was a question of how they'd become a part of this strange, dangerous world.
As they rose to leave, Elder Caelum offered one final piece of advice. "Trust your instincts, boys. And know that the Goddess sees more than we can imagine. You're here for a reason—find it."