Binding Fate: Betrothed to the Otherworldly Duke

Chapter 2: Down by the River

I stifled a yawn as I crawled out of my makeshift shelter and stretched my back. As I eased into the movement, a painful sting shot through my shoulders, making my breath hitch in my throat.

As I leaned further back into the stretch, something caught my eye. A few paces away from me was the corner of a patterned cloth nestled among the forest underbrush. It appeared to be a weathered wicker basket concealed beneath a quaint white and brown checkered cloth dotted with tiny, delicate blossoms. Carefully, I approached it and peeled back the fabric.

Inside, I found three vibrant red fruits, each roughly the size of an apple. My stomach growled audibly in response to the tempting sight, and I gave in to my hunger, sinking my teeth into the juicy, succulent flesh and savoring the blend of peach and plum flavors that exploded in my mouth.

The first and second fruits vanished quickly, devoured with relish. But the third fruit gave me pause. I wrestled with the decision, torn between savoring it now or saving it for later. Realizing it might be my only sustenance for the day, I gently placed it back into the basket.

"I must have been quite the sight," I muttered, looking down at my soiled clothing. Determined to cleanse myself of the grime and sweat, I made my way back to the river.

When I approached the water's edge, I noticed the river's newfound ferocity—its banks overflowing from the previous night's rain. Nearby, some town children were clutching wooden buckets, their tiny hands struggling to hold the weight. Each child deliberately kept their distance from me, casting sidelong glances and exchanging hushed whispers.

Kneeling by the river, I cautiously dipped my hands into the icy water, preparing to scrub away the remnants of my muddy odyssey. As I did so, my reflection shimmered on the water's surface, revealing a visage even more unsettling than the one I had encountered the day before.

"You've certainly seen better days," I murmured to my reflection.

Stripping off my lab coat, I carefully submerged my head and torso in the icy water. The biting cold was almost too much to endure for more than a few seconds, but I persisted, dunking my head repeatedly until the skin on my face became blissfully numb.

A face mask would be heavenly right now.

Finished with my cleansing, I rose and slipped my lab coat back on. I absently delved into the pockets, my fingers halting as they touched something familiar—crumpled papers. Carefully, I took out the first sheet and unraveled its creases. The ink was smudged and contorted by the previous day's swim. Through squinted eyes and determination, I managed to recognize a few distinct phrases: "Adjust Coordinates... m phase... power source." As the words formed in my mind, a scalding jolt of pain raced through my head.

Suddenly, the serene riverbank before me faded, and I found myself standing in a pristine, expansive chamber. Rows upon rows of high-tech computers hummed in rhythmic synchrony, their screens awash with cascading codes and matrices. In front of me, dominating the space, was a colossal metallic arch perched on an elevated platform, its presence demanding and ominous. As I drew nearer, a vivid vortex pulsating with a spectrum of colors manifested at its heart. Without warning, a potent and invisible force wrenched me from the ground, pulling me magnetically toward the swirling portal.

I blinked, and suddenly, I was back on the riverbank. A gnawing disorientation gripped me as if I had just stepped off a dizzying carnival ride. My stomach lurched threateningly as I steadied myself on the bank, fighting the rush of nausea.

What was that?

My focus was shattered as a sharp, panicked scream tore through the air. The picturesque riverside scene had morphed into utter chaos as a young boy's flailing form was caught in the river's furious currents. The other children shouted and pointed while a few dashed uphill, desperately searching for aid.