She stood from the sofa, her movements smooth and unhurried, like everything was already under her control. For a second, she adjusted the edge of her sleeve, then turned toward me.
"Listen carefully," she said, her voice calm but carrying quiet authority. "If fear takes over you there… you won't stay. You'll disappear from that world and return here immediately."
I looked at her, absorbing it.
"It's for your safety," she added. "I won't take unnecessary risks… not when you chose to help me."
Her words settled heavily.
I hesitated, then asked,
"And… my clothes? It's an ancient world. Will I—"
"No," she cut in gently, shaking her head. "Nothing changes. Whatever you wear here… is exactly how you'll appear there."
I glanced down briefly, then back at her.
She turned slightly, as if about to leave, but paused again—just for a moment.
"Good luck," she said, a faint, knowing smile touching her lips. "This isn't just a journey… it's your choice. Make him fall for you… and save him, if you can."
Something in my chest tightened at that.
"I'll see you in a week," she added, her tone softer now.
I held the necklace a little tighter and nodded.
"Yeah… see you..
After she vanished, I stayed sitting there for a while, the silence around me feeling heavier than before. My mind kept going over everything she had said.
After a moment, I picked up the book again.
I started reading it thoroughly this time, slowly turning each page. I didn't know which scene I would enter… and in this novel, his life journey wasn't clearly mentioned. That made everything more uncertain.
I had to understand his world's time zone.
I focused on every detail—how the scenes shifted, how time passed between events, trying to figure out the rhythm of his world.
I kept reading like that for a long time, until my eyes started to feel heavy.
Finally, I closed the book and placed it beside me.
Tomorrow… I will go.
With that thought in my mind, I lay down and slept.
I woke up excited—very, very excited to meet the villain I had admired for years.
After my office, I had dinner and went to my room. I opened my drawer to decide what to wear. Since it was a historical novel, I couldn't wear short clothes, so I chose a formal pant and a simple plain blue top.
I took out a dark formal pant and paired it with a plain blue top—half sleeves with a soft V-shaped neckline. It looked simple, neat, and comfortable.
For shoes, I picked something comfortable so I could walk easily.
I looked at myself once.
Simple… covered… and just right.
Taking a deep breath, I picked up the necklace, my fingers tightening around it for a second.
My heart started beating faster.
Now… it was time.
While looking at myself in the mirror, I felt nervous.
"Don't worry… I'll be safe," I said quietly to myself. "Reverie said if I get scared, I'll disappear and come back here."
I took a small breath, trying to steady myself.
"Fine… let's do this."
Before going, I quickly put my phone in my pocket.
"Let's see if I can even take my phone there… I'll note some details," I murmured.
Then I put the necklace around my neck.
As soon as I did, everything around me started to fade.
In the next moment… I disappeared.
I was in a forest.
It was night.
"God… why is it night?" I whispered, my voice low as I slowly looked around. The air felt cold… and unfamiliar.
My fingers immediately went to the necklace around my neck.
It wasn't just any necklace… it was large, with a circular pendant. The design looked ancient, almost like something from this world itself. At the center, a glowing number was etched into it.
I leaned closer and focused.
"3…"
My breath slowed as I understood.
"This is the time…" I murmured. "When it becomes 0… I'll go back."
For a moment, I just stood there, holding the necklace, feeling its weight… its importance.
"Fine…"
I quickly slipped the necklace under my t-shirt so it wouldn't be visible to anyone. I pressed it lightly against my chest to keep it safe.
"Can't let anyone see this…"
I checked my pocket—my phone was still there.
I took it out and turned on the flashlight as it is moonlight I can see but still I must be careful.. A soft beam cut through the darkness as I started walking carefully.
"Ishak… Raven…" I whispered to myself. "He must be somewhere near… I'm in Radias' area… I have to find him."
My steps were slow, eyes alert, scanning the forest.
The night was quiet… but I wasn't alone.
I kept walking through the dark forest, my steps slow and unsure.
Then I heard a sound.
I froze
The forest trembled under the sound of hooves, the rhythm steady and deliberate—like a hunt already in motion.
I didn't move.
Through the trees, they appeared—warriors, moving as one. Their clothing was unmistakably ancient in design: layered, practical garments built for movement and battle. Long tunics in deep green and red flowed over fitted inner wear, secured with belts and sashes that kept everything in place. Leather and metal pieces reinforced their arms and shoulders, not decorative, but functional—meant to protect in real combat.
Their swords were large, heavy, and unmistakably real.
Their eyes scanned the forest—blue, green—alert, sharp.
"Find him," one of them said. "He must be here somewhere."
My breath caught.
I pressed myself harder against the tree, staying completely still.
If they find me… I'm dead.
Slowly, I began to move back—step by careful step—trying to disappear into the forest without making a sound.
Then—
The atmosphere shifted.
He arrived.
At first, only a presence… then a figure.
Unlike the others, he wore something far more distinct.
A long, full-body coat—ancient in style—falling from head to toe. It covered him completely, leaving no part of his body exposed. Even his face was concealed—wrapped in dark fabric, with only his eyes visible through a narrow opening.
There was something unsettling about that stillness.
No visible expression.
No visible identity.
Only those eyes.
Blue.
Cold.
Focused.
The coat itself was heavy, structured, almost like ceremonial war attire—but worn as if it belonged to him in every sense. It moved with him in a controlled flow, giving him a silhouette that felt both ancient and commanding.
He carried a sword unlike the others.
Pale—almost white—etched with dark veins of black and blue that ran along its surface like something ancient and alive. It didn't look ordinary.
It looked… significant.
For a moment, everything held.
Then—
Without warning, he moved.
The air broke.
Steel flashed.
The first warrior fell.
Then another.
There was no chaos in his movements—only precision. He did not rush. Did not hesitate. Each strike was deliberate, controlled, and final, as if every motion had already been decided long before it happened.
In moments—
It was over.
The forest fell silent again.
The bodies of the warriors lay still on the ground, their presence erased as quickly as it had appeared.
I could barely breathe.
One of them remained alive.
Crawling.
Trying to escape.
The man in the long coat stepped forward.
Unhurried.
Unshaken.
He reached the man, forced him down, and sat over his chest, pinning him effortlessly to the ground—calm, composed, as if this act required no effort at all.
As if death… was simply a routine.
Fear surged through me as I stepped backward into the dense forest. A thought kept echoing in my mind—what if he saw me… what if something went wrong? My foot caught on a dry branch, and a sharp crack broke the silence.
I turned back.
His blue eyes had already seen me.
"Aaaa!" I screamed.
"Stop there! Who are you?" His voice rang through the forest—sharp, firm, and commanding.
Panic took over me. I ran as fast as I could, deeper into the forest where the moonlight was faint, hoping he wouldn't be able to see me.
Behind me, I heard fast footsteps—he was running after me.
I quickly hid behind a tree, pressing myself against it. I closed my eyes, holding my breath, listening. The footsteps came closer… then moved away.
After a moment, I exhaled slowly, my breathing heavy.
But suddenly—
A strong grip caught me from behind. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, pulling me back against him. One of his hands still held a sword—its blade already stained with blood.
My head rested against his chest.
His voice came low and dangerous.
"Tell me your identity. Who sent you? Or I will kill you."
Fear froze me. I couldn't speak.
My mind raced—What should I say? How can I explain who I am?
Reverie's words echoed in my thoughts—If danger appears, I will disappear.
I had to get out.
Still trembling, I tried to push him with my elbow, hitting his stomach. He stepped back a little, loosening his grip just enough.
In that moment, I twisted and turned, facing him—but I lost balance and stumbled forward.
He reacted quickly, catching my hand before I could fall.
My hair slipped free as the rubber band fell away, and my t-shirt shifted slightly in the movement.
Before I could steady myself, he pulled me toward him again, and this time I collided fully into his chest.
My body pressed against his, the sudden closeness making me freeze for a brief moment.
My head rested near his chest as I tried to balance myself.
My hands were still at my sides—hesitant… unsure… not holding onto anything yet.
For a moment, everything around us seemed to fade.
The forest, the wind, even the fear…
All I could feel was him.
His warmth.
His steady breathing.
And his heartbeat—strong… fast… beating close to me.
His hand at my waist held me firmly, supporting me… keeping me steady in the middle of the silence.
Then suddenly—
His sword slipped from his hand and fell to the ground with a sharp, echoing sound.
The sound cut through the quiet.
I flinched at the sudden noise, fear rushing through me again.
In that instant, instinct took over.
My hands quickly moved forward and held onto him—around his waist—gripping his clothing tightly, pulling myself closer as if seeking safety.
It was not intentional… just a reaction to fear.
To the unknown around me.
His body stiffened for a moment.
I could feel it clearly—the change in his breath… the slight shift in his heartbeat…
Faster now.
Stronger.
As if he had realized something.
His hold at my waist remained steady… but no longer forceful.
A careful, measured grip—controlled… as if he was consciously aware of the distance, even in such close proximity.
"Breathe… don't be afraid, lady…" he said softly, his voice low… calm… and composed.
"You're safe."
There was a pause.
A quiet moment stretched between us…
Neither of us moved.
Not stepping back… not holding on…
Only aware.
As a small distance came between us, I looked up and met his eyes.
In the soft moonlight, only our eyes could clearly see each other.
A quiet stillness settled in the space between us.
Then, in a calm but firm voice, he spoke,
"Who are you, lady?"
I swallowed, trying to steady my breathing.
"M… I'm just a girl… living near a village…"
My words came out broken… uneven…
"I was just passing from there… then I saw—"
Before I could finish, the sound of horse riding echoed again in the distance.
He reacted instantly.
His hand came up and gently covered my mouth, stopping my words.
In a swift movement, he turned us, shifting my position.
My back met the support of the tree, while he stood close in front of me.
His body blocked me from view, creating a shield between me and whatever was approaching.
From a distance, voices called out—
"Search here! Find him and kill him!"
But he didn't look away.
He didn't react to the sound.
His gaze remained fixed on me—steady… focused… as if everything else had faded.
As if his only concern… was to keep me hidden.
I had already seen it before—
He could kill anyone without hesitation.
Yet now…
He stood there… guarding me…
Quiet… controlled… and dangerously close...
.