Lin Lan sat at her desk, staring at the letter that had inexplicably floated and glowed the night before. She had tried to dismiss it as a prank, but her rational mind couldn't explain what she'd seen. She'd hardly slept, and even her morning coffee hadn't shaken her sense of unreality. Part of her wanted to laugh it off, yet every time she looked at the letter, she felt a pull—a call that echoed faintly in her heart.
Three days, the letter had said. She wondered what would happen if she ignored it, but some nagging instinct told her it wouldn't be that simple. By the third night, she was starting to question if she could indeed avoid this fate.
As she was deep in thought, a warm breeze brushed against her cheek, though her apartment windows were tightly shut. Confused, she glanced around, searching for the source of the draft, only to see a faint, shimmering portal forming in her living room. Colors swirled together, forming a mirror-like surface that seemed to ripple with energy.
Lan's pulse raced. Was this...real? She couldn't deny it anymore. This was happening, and she had to decide whether to step forward or hide from it. But deep down, she felt drawn to it—a strange, magnetic sensation, like an answer to a question she didn't even realize she'd been asking.
Taking a deep breath, Lan stepped through the portal, feeling the world shift and twist around her. She emerged in a forest bathed in the cool light of dawn. The trees were taller and older than any she'd ever seen, their bark shimmering faintly with veins of silver, their leaves whispering as though alive. The air smelled of fresh pine and something sweetly floral, foreign yet comforting.
A figure stood nearby, dressed in rich emerald robes that seemed to catch and reflect the forest's light. The woman's hair was pulled back in intricate braids, and her posture was regal and poised. Her gaze was sharp, assessing Lan with an intensity that was both disconcerting and captivating.
"You must be Lin Lan." The woman's voice was calm and controlled, her tone polite but distant.
Lan nodded, feeling suddenly self-conscious under the woman's scrutiny. "And you're… Lady Elena?"
Elena inclined her head in acknowledgment. "You're as skeptical as they said you'd be. I assume you're also reluctant?" Her voice held a hint of challenge, as if daring Lan to admit her hesitation.
Lan crossed her arms, trying to mask her unease. "Wouldn't you be, if you were suddenly told you had to marry a stranger from another world?"
A flicker of amusement passed over Elena's face, though her expression remained mostly unreadable. "Perhaps. But in my world, duty often outweighs personal desires."
There was a moment of silence as they studied each other, neither willing to be the first to break eye contact. Lan felt a surge of defiance. She was in this strange world now, but she wasn't about to let herself be intimidated.
"So," Lan said, her tone challenging. "Why exactly does this 'duty' require us to be married?"
Elena's gaze softened slightly, though her demeanor stayed formal. "There is an ancient prophecy. It speaks of two souls from different worlds who, by their union, will restore balance and prevent a coming disaster. Our realms are intertwined, but that connection is weakening. Your presence here is...not a coincidence."
Lan frowned. She had never believed in prophecies, and the whole concept seemed absurd. "But what if the prophecy is wrong? What if we're just being forced into something that doesn't make sense?"
Elena's expression turned serious. "Prophecy or not, our worlds are in danger. Our leaders believe that this union will prevent something catastrophic. And as much as I dislike the idea of fate dictating my life, I have a responsibility to my people."
Lan was about to argue further when she caught a glimpse of something in Elena's eyes—a flicker of vulnerability, as though beneath her stern exterior, there was a reluctance that matched Lan's own. She realized then that she wasn't alone in her doubts, even if Elena hid them well.
Taking a deep breath, Lan softened her tone. "Look, I didn't ask for this, and I know you didn't either. But maybe...maybe we can find a way to make this work on our terms."
Elena's gaze met hers, and for a moment, Lan thought she saw a hint of appreciation. "If that is your wish, then we'll do so. But be warned—our worlds don't wait for us to adjust. Danger is already stirring."
Before Lan could respond, a rustling sound came from nearby. She turned, heart pounding, only to see a group of armored figures emerging from the shadows of the forest. Each one held a weapon, and their eyes were fixed intently on her and Elena.
One of the soldiers stepped forward, his face set in a grim line. "Lady Elena, we received word that an intruder crossed the portal. Is this the outsider?"
Elena raised her chin, her voice firm. "This is no intruder. Lin Lan is here by invitation. Lower your weapons."
The soldiers hesitated, exchanging wary glances, but reluctantly obeyed. Lan couldn't shake the feeling that, despite Elena's authority, not everyone in this world would accept her so easily.
Elena turned back to Lan, her expression unreadable. "There are those who oppose our union and see it as a threat. You'll need to be careful, Lin Lan. In this world, alliances are as delicate as they are dangerous."
Lan took a deep breath, absorbing Elena's words. This was more than just a bizarre situation; she was now entangled in something far larger than herself. But as she looked into Elena's eyes, she saw a spark of resolve that mirrored her own.
It was then she realized that, like it or not, her life would never be the same again.