Dahlia trudged through the thick, misty forest near the boundary between the Dark Kingdom and the Celestial Realm. The trees loomed high, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows on the ground. Her group of adventurers was nowhere to be seen.
She had lost them hours ago after helping an injured merchant they encountered. Despite her protests, the group had moved on without her. Now, she walked alone, clutching the worn map that was her only guide to the Celestial Realm.
"I can do this," she muttered, tightening her grip on the hilt of her sword. "I just need to keep moving."
The sound of snapping twigs caught her attention. She froze, heart pounding. A low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows. Slowly, she turned, and her blood ran cold.
A massive creature emerged from the underbrush, its black, glistening scales reflecting the dim light. Its eyes glowed a sickly green, and its long fangs dripped with venom that hissed as it hit the ground.
"A venom beast," she whispered, taking a step back.
The monster lunged without warning. Dahlia dodged, barely avoiding its snapping jaws. She drew her sword, the blade shimmering faintly as she channeled her magic into it.
"Come on," she said through gritted teeth. "Let's see what you've got."
The fight was brutal. The venom beast was fast, its strikes relentless. Dahlia managed to land a few blows, but it wasn't enough to bring the creature down. A swipe of its tail sent her sprawling to the ground, her sword slipping from her grasp.
The beast reared back, its fangs dripping venom as it struck. Dahlia rolled away, but not fast enough. She felt a sharp sting on her arm, followed by a searing pain that spread through her veins.
"No…" she gasped, clutching her arm as the venom took hold. Her vision blurred, and the world tilted around her. She collapsed to the ground, the last thing she saw was the beast retreating into the shadows.
"This is it…" she thought as darkness overtook her. "This is how it ends."
---
Dahlia's senses stirred before her eyes opened. The softness beneath her was unfamiliar—a bed, not the rough ground she remembered. The faint smell of herbs mixed with something sweet lingered in the air. Slowly, she opened her eyes to a warm, sunlit room.
The ceiling was high, adorned with glowing crystal lights. Shelves lined the walls, filled with bottles, scrolls, and neatly folded bandages. She realized she was lying in a small infirmary, her arm wrapped with clean, glowing bandages.
"Where… am I?" Dahlia whispered, her voice raspy.
Before she could sit up, the door creaked open, and a girl entered carrying a tray of vials. She had auburn hair tied in a loose braid, her face glowing with a mix of relief and curiosity.
"Oh, you're awake!" the girl said, hurrying to Dahlia's side. "Don't move too much yet. You've been through quite an ordeal."
"Who are you? Where am I?" Dahlia asked, her head spinning.
"My name's Yuri," the girl said, setting the tray down on a nearby table. "You're in Hectus Academy's infirmary. This is one of the finest academies in the Celestial Realm. I found you near the boundary and brought you here. That venom beast nearly got you."
"Hectus Academy…" Dahlia repeated, her heart skipping a beat. "Wait—how did I get to the Celestial Realm?"
Yuri tilted her head. "You mean you didn't know you crossed the boundary? I thought you were on your way here. You were already pretty far into the Celestial Realm when I found you."
Dahlia frowned. She must've wandered further than she thought while trying to escape the venom beast. "I didn't realize. I was just following my map."
Yuri chuckled lightly. "Well, your map didn't warn you about the beast, did it? You're lucky to be alive. That poison was no joke. It's a good thing I happened to be nearby."
"Thank you… for saving me," Dahlia said sincerely, her fingers brushing the glowing bandages. "But why did you help me? You don't even know me."
Yuri shrugged, her smile softening. "Because it's what we do here in the Celestial Realm. Besides, you looked like you needed help. That was reason enough."
Dahlia blinked, unused to such kindness from a stranger. In the Dark Kingdom, people only helped each other when there was something to gain.
Yuri leaned against the edge of the bed, crossing her arms. "You're not from around here, are you? Your aura's… different."
Dahlia tensed. "What do you mean?"
"Relax," Yuri said with a reassuring laugh. "I don't mean anything bad. You just feel… darker, I guess? Not in a bad way! More like you've been around a lot of dark magic. But it's strange because your own magic doesn't feel that way at all."
Dahlia swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. She was about to speak when Yuri stood up suddenly.
"Anyway, you need to rest. I'll bring you some food later. You'll feel better in no time," Yuri said cheerfully, heading toward the door.
"Wait," Dahlia called after her. "What happens now? Do I just… stay here?"
Yuri paused, glancing back with a teasing grin. "For now, yes. But don't worry—you're safe here. Just focus on recovering, okay?"
With that, she left, leaving Dahlia alone with her thoughts.
---
An hour passed, though it felt much longer. Dahlia couldn't stop looking around the room. The shelves were stocked with potions of every color, glowing softly in the dim light. A small window let in a breeze carrying the scent of flowers. It was nothing like the grim, shadowy halls of the Dark Kingdom.
"Is this… what the Celestial Realm is like?" she whispered to herself.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Yuri returned, carrying a bowl of steaming soup.
"I thought you might be hungry," Yuri said, setting the bowl on the table beside her.
Dahlia hesitated. "Thank you… again. I owe you my life."
"Don't mention it," Yuri said with a grin. "You'd do the same for someone else, right?"
Dahlia wasn't so sure. In the Dark Kingdom, saving someone came with expectations—debts to be repaid, alliances to be forged. But here, Yuri acted as if kindness was natural. It unsettled her.
"You said this is Hectus Academy," Dahlia said, changing the subject. "What kind of place is it?"
"It's a school for magic wielders," Yuri explained, sitting on the edge of the bed. "People come from all over the Celestial Realm to study here. We learn how to control our powers, use them for good… or for battle, if we have to."
Dahlia nodded slowly. "And you're a student here?"
"Yep! Top of my class, actually," Yuri said with a playful wink. "What about you? You're clearly not from here, but you have magic. I can feel it."
Dahlia looked away. "It's… complicated."
Yuri didn't press further, sensing her reluctance. Instead, she stood up and stretched. "Well, you'll have plenty of time to figure things out. For now, just focus on recovering. I'll check on you later."
As Yuri left the room, Dahlia lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. She had crossed into the Celestial Realm, a place she had only heard of in stories. But what awaited her here? Could she really blend in among these peo
ple, or would her true nature be discovered?
One thing was certain: her journey was far from over.