After several twisting turns and narrow alleys, they finally stopped in a quiet, secluded corner of the town. The cloaked woman released Alex's arm and turned to face him, pulling down her hood with a smooth, practiced motion.
As the fabric slipped back, Alex found himself momentarily breathless. Her face was striking, delicate yet defined, with high cheekbones that gave her an air of quiet authority. Her skin was a warm, sun-kissed bronze, accentuating a pair of vivid green eyes with fierce intelligence and an unspoken depth.
They were captivating, flecked with hints of amber that seemed to catch the light, adding a mysterious, almost otherworldly sparkle to her gaze.
A cascade of dark, chestnut-brown hair fell around her shoulders in soft, natural waves, catching the breeze and framing her face perfectly. Her lips were full, with a natural rosy hue, and there was a slight upward curve at one corner, hinting at a hidden smirk or perhaps a carefully guarded secret.
A faint scar traced a line just above her left eyebrow—a small, almost imperceptible mark. However, it added a rugged, battle-hardened quality to her otherwise ethereal beauty.
She wore a simple, well-fitted tunic beneath her cloak, accentuating her lithe yet strong build, giving her an aura of capability and grace. She was beautiful, yes, but there was a sharpness in her gaze, an intensity that told Alex she was not to be underestimated.
"Surprised? Am I that pretty?" she teased, her voice low and smooth. The hint of a challenge lingering in her tone, she regarded him with a steady, piercing gaze.
Alex nodded instinctively, his eyes still lingering on her face, then quickly shook his head, snapping himself back to reality. His reaction drew a soft chuckle from the woman, her eyes gleaming with amusement and curiosity.
"Caught off guard, are we?" she asked, the hint of a smile playing on her lips. "It's been a while. I've been waiting… for you." She straightened, her gaze softening slightly as she looked him over, taking in his bewildered expression and out-of-place attire.
"I'm Kaela," she said, her voice steady yet warm, as though testing how much he understood. "And I know where you come from."
Alex's eyes widened, a fresh surge of confusion bubbling within him. "You… you do?"
Kaela nodded knowingly, crossing her arms as if waiting for him to catch up. "Yes," she replied with a slight tilt of her head. "You must be one of the people from Earth."
Alex blinked in surprise, trying to process her words. "Wait… what do you mean by that?" he asked, his voice barely steady as his curiosity bubbled.
Kaela gestured to a wooden barrel behind him, her expression shifting to something more serious. "Take a seat. This might take a while," she said, sitting on a barrel nearby.
Alex lowered himself onto the barrel, watching her intently. Kaela met his gaze, her eyes searching as if assessing how much he was ready to hear. She took a breath, her voice softening as she began.
"There's more to the True Realm than meets the eye," she started, glancing around to ensure they were alone. "And you, coming from Earth… it means a lot more than you probably realize."
Kaela leaned forward, her expression serious. "Before you go wandering around and talking to people, there's something crucial you need to understand about the True Realm. This world is… complicated. And if you're not careful, it won't take long before others figure out you're not from here."
Alex nodded, hanging onto her every word, sensing the weight behind them.
"The True Realm," she continued, "is divided into five regions. We're currently in the Middle Region, and specifically, this is the Medira Empire. The town we're in is called Avarra, a quiet place on the outskirts of the empire but bustling enough to blend in."
She paused, letting the information sink in before continuing. "The reason I didn't want you rushing into town, asking about this world or how things work, is simple. If you ask the wrong questions, people will notice. They'll realize you're not from the True Realm, which brings its own dangers. Believe me, the last thing you, the one coming from Earth, want here is attention."
Alex's brow furrowed with concern. "Why would people noticing me be a problem?"
Kaela let out a heavy sigh, a flicker of unease crossing her face. "Because," she began, her tone low and laced with caution, "it's in the prophecy."
"Prophecy?" Alex echoed his voice barely a whisper, but inwardly, his mind was reeling. The word made his nerves tighten. 'A prophecy,' he thought, swallowing hard. 'As if the Messenger, the Guide, and this True Realm weren't strange enough.'
He glanced at Kaela, whose gaze had grown distant as though recalling something ancient and foreboding. Prophecy… the word weighed heavily on him, stirring an uncomfortable feeling. Whatever he'd gotten himself into was far more than he'd bargained for.
Kaela's gaze hardened as she continued, her voice a quiet murmur that seemed to carry the weight of ancient history.
"There is a prophecy," she began, her eyes fixed on Alex with a strange intensity, "that speaks of a Supreme Emperor—one who will come from another world. This Supreme Emperor is said to hold the power to unite, to control the entire True Realm."
Alex's eyes widened as her words sank in, the idea of such a prophecy both alluring and terrifying. "A Supreme Emperor... from another world?"
Kaela nodded, her expression growing more serious. "This prophecy is a shadow that hangs over this realm's rulers. They know it would mean the end of their reign. The idea of an outsider, someone beyond their control, rising to power… terrifies them. That's why they seek to eradicate anyone who arrives here from other worlds."
Alex felt a chill crawl up his spine, his thoughts racing. "So… were there already others? People from Earth?"
Kaela nodded, her expression darkening. "Yes. Throughout history, a few others like you have crossed over from Earth. Some of them managed to build empires, defying the rulers and amassing power to stand against them—especially the more ruthless ones who held their people under oppression."
"But none of them…" Her voice trailed off, and she looked away, almost as if she were recalling a tragic memory. "None of them fulfilled the prophecy."
"How long has it been since…?" Alex asked quietly, the question lingering in the air.
"It's been a thousand years," Kaela replied, her tone solemn, "since the last one came."