Chapter 1: This feels like a dream
From a young age, Alhora had felt that she did not belong to her world. She has always thought that her world was strange as were the people in it. Even now as she is older, she yearns for a different world and has grown to despise this one.
One night she is woken up in the midst of her sleep. In her disbelief, at the foot of her bed, appears a mythical door.
She hears a voice call out:
"You've wished for a different world for so long. Now is your chance, do not hesitate."
She can't help but feel pulled towards the unique patterns and symbols engraved on this doorway. As she walks through the door, she lets out a gasp in awe at the new world that surrounds her. She seems to be in the middle of a forest.
"I must be dreaming."
Her thought is soon interrupted as she hears a voice call out to her.
"Where did you just come from?"
She turns around and sees a knight. The knight is fully covered in armored, not a flesh in sight.
"I-I don't know." Alhora answers in fear.
I'm in a strange world and anything could happen to me. She begins to wonder if the people back home have noticed that she is missing yet.
"I'm afraid you'll have to come with me." The knight responds.
Alhora is hesitant but she agreex to follow him. After some time they both reach the end of the forest. In the distance appears a castle, although beautiful, Alhora can't help but feel unsettled. There is something about this castle that calls out to her. The clouds in the sky loom over and this upsetting feel rises more and more within her with no reason.
"Before we enter, i'll have to restrain you." The knight cuffs her arms together.
He grabs her and leads her into the castle. He speaks to a couple of other knights and leads her deeper into the castle. He leads her into a large room and looks at her.
"We must kneel before the prince." He pushes Alhora down besides him as they both kneel.
"You may rise." a stern voice is heard from the distance.
The knight grabs Alhora again and lifts her up besides him. In front of them a man sits on a throne.
Alhora can't help but feel ill as she looks at the prince. She is met with his grim eyes. The prince had already been eyeing her from afar. She notices a coldness in his eyes and looks away.
"Who is this? Why do you bring them to my palace?" The prince seemed annoyed.
"Speak Knight."
"I found this woman in the forest, I saw her enter through a portal." Replied the knight. The prince then reveals a sly grin.
"Well then, you may go. I will make sure our guest is taken care of." The prince sends him off.
The knight bows before he walks off. Alhora wonders if she will ever meet the knight again as an individual approaches her soon after. They bow to her.
"Hello, I will be your butler for the rest of your stay. Allow me to take you to your room."
As they both walk off she can't help but feel the princes eyes still on her. Something doesn't feel right.
"Ah, here we are." The butler smiles at her.
"I'm sorry, I never got your name." She say as she at looks at them curiously.
She first notices the tall horns that stick out from behind their ears. Their slender arms, and the odd texture of their skin. She has never encountered such a beastly looking being before.
They give her a startled look before they begin to laugh.
"I am Alastair."
Alastair lays out a beautiful violet dress before her.
"You shall be joining the prince for dinner. You will wear this beautiful dress."
He sizes her up with a dissatisfied look.
"First bathe, you smell of the old world. The prince will not like that."
I will be back to fetch you for dinner. He leaves Alhora by herself and closes the door behind him.
She can't help but be amazed at this room. She looks around. She bathes and changes into the dress. After a while of boredom. She decides to sneak off into the castle. As she wanders around she gets lost in one of the many hallways. She begins to hear footsteps approaching and quickly hide behind a shelf.
"A portal opening on the night of a blood moon. I can't believe the Gods finally answered my calls and delivered me a sacrifice. The power that I rightly deserve will finally be mine."
Alhora instantly recognizes the princes voice. She panics in fear.
I have to get out of here!