A World Between Realms

New found friend

As Sophie took her seat at the long table, a strange sense of belonging crept over her. The setting was unfamiliar, the faces foreign, yet something about it felt... right. Around her, people chatted in low voices, some dressed in embroidered robes, others in armor that looked more ceremonial than practical.

Just as she reached for a goblet of water, a quiet voice at her side made her start.

"I'm Orlaug," said a woman who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, her presence calm and serene.

Before Sophie could reply, Orlaug placed something small and carved into her hand—a wooden amulet, warm to the touch. "This will guide you on your path," she said, her voice carrying an eerie certainty. "Look to it when the way forward is clouded."

Sophie glanced down at the object, tracing the strange, looping patterns etched into its surface. They seemed to shimmer faintly in the light. But when she looked up to ask what it meant, Orlaug was gone.

Vanished.

Confused, Sophie turned to a nearby man—an elderly attendant who looked like part of the manor staff. "Did you see a woman here just now? She was standing right next to me."

The man smiled kindly and shook his head. "Nay, fair lady. Only thee, sitting by thy lonesome."

Before Sophie could make sense of it, another voice joined her. A young woman slid into the seat beside her, flashing a friendly grin. "Hey there. Bit of a strange morning, huh? This place does that to people."

"I'm Mia," she added. "You'll get used to it. The Manor has its quirks, but I promise—it's not magic. Not exactly. Navaria doesn't work like that."

I'm Sophie, Sophie managed a small smile, still clutching the amulet in her lap.

As Mia chatted cheerfully about the Manor's oddities, Sophie's attention drifted to the food laid out in front of them. Roasted meats, golden breads, fruit glistening with honey—everything looked delicious. But despite the gnawing in her stomach, Sophie hesitated.

Lola Maria's voice echoed in her mind, clear as if she were sitting beside her.

"If you ever find yourself in the realm of spirits, never eat their food. Eat, and you'll be bound to their world forever."

Sophie's stomach growled audibly, and Mia raised an eyebrow, amused. "You okay? You look like that bread just threatened you."

Sophie forced a laugh. "It's nothing. The food smells amazing, that's all."

But her unease lingered. She thought of Lia, her best friend, and how they used to giggle at Lola Maria's stories—spirits, fair folk, enchanted realms. Now, sitting here, surrounded by beings from who-knew-where, it didn't feel like superstition anymore. It felt like survival instinct.

She turned back to Mia, noticing again how she spoke in modern English—not the archaic dialect everyone else used. "Hey, why do you talk like I do?" Sophie asked. "Everyone else sounds like they're out of a Shakespeare play."

Mia smiled. "I wondered how long it'd take you to ask that. I'm what they call a realm crosser. I came here from another world too."

Sophie blinked. "So... you're not from Navaria either?"

"Nope. Most of us at Gardwyn Manor aren't," Mia replied. "Thing is, when we cross over, we usually forget who we were. It's part of the process. This place helps us adjust. Learn the language, the customs, all of that."

Sophie leaned in, intrigued. "But you still remember?"

"Bits and pieces," Mia said with a shrug. "And the language thing—usually, we understand Navarian eventually, but speaking it takes longer. Their grammar's a nightmare."

She pointed toward another table. "See them over there? That group's from the Animus Realm. The guy in the center—his name's Randall. He used to be a wolf."

Sophie turned to watch the group, ears perking up as they chatted.

"They're speaking Animus," Mia added. "I can't follow a word, but I get the gist from body language."

"I can understand them," Sophie said quietly.

Mia paused. "Wait—you can?"

"They're talking about adjusting to being human. One of them hates shoes. Another misses the way grass feels under their paws," Sophie said, the words flowing without effort.

Mia looked stunned. "Sophie... most realm crossers lose that ability the moment they pass through a portal. Language comprehension doesn't usually survive the transition."

Sophie stared at the Animus group, then back at Mia. "But I can hear them. It's like they're speaking English."

Mia leaned in, a gleam of curiosity in her eyes. "That's rare.