A Wandering Story

The lost

In a small cottage nestled between two creeks and a lush forest, a young woman named Rae lived alone. The forest, though beautiful, was her cage. Rae did not belong to this world. She was a wonder-a being out of place, caught in a cycle she did not yet fully understand.

No matter how hard she tried, nothing seemed to change. The more she reached out to help this fading world, the more powerless she felt. A quiet defeat had settled in her bones.

The cause of this ruin lay far beyond her reach. A group known as the Council of Worlds ruled with cold cruelty, passing judgment on entire realms. Those who failed to obey their strict laws faced a slow and painful death. Each world, each globe, was a vital part of the greater universe, sustaining the flow of life and magic. Now, that power was being drained away, the universe itself withering under their grip.

And yet, older forces were still at work.

Each world had its gods - beings of great strength, worshipped in temples and songs. But across the planes of existence, whispers told of three greater deities: ancient gods who could create or unmake entire realities. They walked unseen, weaving fate itself.

Some said they were only myths.
Rae was not so sure.

She passed her days trying to keep the forest safe, erecting barriers of magic around the land. But when she let her mind wander, a more profound sorrow would return - for all the beauty around her was slowly dying.

On one such day, Rae paused before an old mirror she had found and hung by the window. A stranger stared back at her - yet also, somehow, herself.
Semi-tan skin. Long, wavy, dirty-blonde hair tied back in a simple ponytail.
Glasses perched lightly on her nose, framing deep green eyes that seemed to shimmer with thoughts she dared not voice aloud.

Will anyone ever see me again? she wondered, adjusting her glasses with a small sigh.

A sudden pulse of energy broke her reverie - the warning spell on her barrier had triggered.

"Geez," Rae muttered, startled. "Next time I'm making a quieter alarm..."

Gathering her focus, she began to sing her magic, soft notes weaving into a shimmering teleportation spell. The air shimmered around her as she blinked across the forest, landing at the outer edge of her barrier.

A faint hum still echoed through the ward. Someone-or something-had tested it.

"Let's see..." Rae whispered, eyes narrowing. "Did they break through?"

She called softly to her system, the ancient network of spells and knowledge bound to her. The forest seemed to hold its breath. Rae scanned the forest edge, her heart racing. Something wasn't right - the barrier pulse had been strong.

Then she saw it.

A figure emerged between the trees, struggling to carry another person across the tangled roots.

"Oh my stars-what was I thinking?" Rae gasped, wide-eyed. Without hesitation, she sang a quick spell, pulling the pair gently closer through shimmering air.

As they drifted toward her, Rae caught her breath. The young man cradling his friend was tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp eyes and dark hair. Something about him reminded her of San, the idol from Ateez, back in her home world. Except... taller. Stronger. Could they be related? No... impossible. And yet...

"That's interesting," she murmured to herself, voice soft with curiosity.

Her thoughts vanished the moment she noticed the blood.

"Oh my stars, he's bleeding!" Rae cried. Without thinking, she rushed forward. "Hi-there's no time-I'm the owner of this place. I'll explain later. Just-please-let me heal you."