When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the noise. The distant clatter of hooves on cobblestone streets, the shouts of merchants advertising their wares, and the chatter of townsfolk going about their day.
I sat up slowly, blinking against the golden sunlight streaming through a narrow window. The wooden beams above me were unfamiliar, as was the bed I was lying in—small, sturdy, and covered with a quilt that smelled faintly of lavender.
This wasn't my room.
Panic rippled through me as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. My bare feet touched cool wooden planks, and my hands—slender and pale—came into view. These weren't my hands.
I stumbled toward the small mirror hanging on the wall. The face staring back at me made my chest tighten.
White hair, unkempt but soft, fell to just above my shoulders. Violet eyes glimmered faintly in the morning light. My features were sharp but far from extraordinary, with a tiredness etched into my expression.
"Orin Lumis," I whispered, the name slipping from my lips like a forgotten memory.
I knew this face. I'd read about it in Kingdom of Eldoria, my favorite novel. Orin Lumis wasn't a hero or a villain. He wasn't even a side character. He was an extra—a background figure in a world filled with grand battles and legendary destinies.
But now, somehow, I was him.
---
The sound of voices from downstairs pulled me from my thoughts. My stomach churned with unease, but I forced myself to leave the room, descending the narrow staircase.
The main room of the house was modest but well-kept. A stone hearth crackled softly, and the scent of fresh bread and honey filled the air. At the table stood a woman with white hair tied neatly into a braid. She turned as I entered, her violet eyes brightening with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Orin," she said. Her voice was gentle, soothing in a way that felt achingly familiar. This was Evelyn Lumis, Orin's mother.
"Morning," I mumbled, sitting at the table as she placed a steaming plate of bread and eggs before me.
"You're quiet today," she remarked, taking a seat across from me. Her expression was curious but not concerned. "Did you sleep well?"
I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. What could I possibly say? That I wasn't her son? That I didn't belong here?
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a weak smile. "Just... a lot on my mind."
She nodded, her gaze softening. "It's a busy time for all of us. The market's been hectic this week, and your father's worried about getting the shipments out on time."
I looked around the room, noting the clutter of crates and sacks piled by the door. This was the Lumis family's livelihood—a small trading business in the heart of Riverrun, a bustling town nestled between two rivers.
In the novel, Riverrun had been described briefly as a thriving trade hub. But for the Lumis family, it wasn't an easy life. Orin's parents worked tirelessly to make ends meet, and their struggles were barely a footnote in the grander story of Kingdom of Eldoria.
---
After breakfast, I stepped outside to clear my head. The streets of Riverrun were alive with activity, just as I'd imagined from the book. Stone and timber buildings lined the cobblestone roads, their windows open to let in the crisp morning air. Merchants called out to passing customers, their carts overflowing with fabrics, spices, and trinkets. The twin rivers glinted in the distance, their waters teeming with fishing boats and ferries.
But seeing it all in person was overwhelming. The noise, the colors, the scents—all of it felt too real.
Leaning against the side of the house, I stared out at the bustling town, trying to make sense of my situation. How was this possible? How had I ended up here, in Orin Lumis's body, in the world of Kingdom of Eldoria?
And why him?
Orin Lumis wasn't supposed to matter. He wasn't destined for greatness. He was just an ordinary young man, struggling to survive in a kingdom on the brink of chaos.
A soft breeze ruffled my hair, and I closed my eyes, letting the sounds of Riverrun wash over me. No answers came, only the realization that this was my life now.
For better or worse, I was Orin Lumis. And if I was going to survive in this world, I'd have to do something Orin never had a chance to do.
I'd have to rewrite his story.