Despite the evening coming I sat on plush grass among wildflower scents. The sky above me showed new colours of purple and golden for the first time. A brightly colorful bird moved and chirped near me during its dance. ".


    My body stayed upright as my hands kept working even though they trembled. The castle stood tall from its hilltop summit and its bright roof and steep towers reflected sunlight.


    I couldn''t recognise my surroundings as I studied this unfamiliar environment. The fresh air was cool to breathe and smelled of both flower and pine trees.


    I found it simple to breathe and moved freely because my chest and ribs didn''t hurt. I enjoyed painless movements as muscle stiffness left my body. I tested my hands finding them both powerful and weightless.


    My old garments vanished and were traded for a comfortable wrapped tunic with a rope belt. Leather boots hugged my feet perfectly so it seemed as if they were made just for me.


    "Sigh..."


    After small steps I stopped to view everything around me. All around me are familiar types of colourful wildflowers like daisies and violets covered the hillside creating a natural rainbow under the sun''s light. Among them, I found a different species with faint phosphorescent petals that seemed to shine on their own.


    Against the sky a colorful bird flew toward a castle seen from the distance. One wing broke solar beams into colour segments as it flew through the light. My eyes held onto that beautiful sight until it faded into the horizon yet I felt empty in its absence.


    Together the wind brought faint scents of pine and cinnamon with a mystery sweet aroma. I took deep breaths to enjoy the moment.


    Breathing the fresh wild air shocked me since my past city surroundings felt empty and stagnant. Here, every breath felt alive.


    After opening my eyes I saw a footpath going downhill. I saw that a trail ran directly in front of me and I naturally began to walk it even though I didn''t know where it would take me.


    The hammering of hooves against the ground stopped me from walking. When I looked behind me an elderly driver sat at the reins of his small horse-drawn waggon. His appearance showed many deep wrinkles while his expression stayed peaceful and caring.


    “Ho there, traveler!” he called, pulling the cart to a stop beside me. “You look a bit lost. New to these parts?”Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    I hesitated, then nodded. “You could say that. I can''t pinpoint this location or understand how I arrived until now."


    A soft laugh escaped his mouth as sunlight brightness. "Somehow the beer from The Prancing Pony made a stronger impact last night. Happens to the best of us. Climb in and I will drive to the village for you. Name’s Thom, by the way.”


    I happily got into the cart to accept Thom''s offer. Although the cart seat felt old it held up well while the wheels made gentle creaking noises through the dirt road surface.


    I studied Thom in that moment before deciding what to reveal. “This place…” I started by saying this town feels so different from my home. It feels… alive.”


    Thom showed no surprise at my statement as if my words matched exactly what he expected to hear. "New arrivals develop their connexion to Theoria when they start living here. People find their path back while living in this extraordinary land. Give it some time and you will learn to navigate the neighbourhood."


    On our way down the slope the wildflower patches transitioned to organised agricultural fields. A cloud of smoke drifted out of nearby houses while barely noticeable town noises drifted to me.


    “Welcome to Willowbrook,” Thom said as we entered the village. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”


    You could see everyone moving throughout the village. Children moved freely between homes enjoying themselves and grown-ups worked their gardens or transported basic items. During mediaeval times the villagers wore basic tunic styles made of fabric in natural colours. Even though the scene included people in everyday action there was an eternal quality to it unfolding alongside all moments in history.


    Thom stopped the cart in front of a two-storey establishment that displayed a wooden sign with The Prancing Pony written on it. The horseshoe on the inn sign appeared so real it appeared to be moving in its stall.


    "As a place to start your journey this is the right spot," said Thom as he pointed at the inn. "When you stay at The Prancing Pony inn Mara as an innkeeper will show you the right way. She naturally guides people toward their destination."


    One foot lit earth as I stepped down from the cart mixed with excitement yet uncertainty.


    Before I could thank Thom, he clapped a hand on my shoulder.


    “So, friend, what’s your name?”


    “Kaze,” I said, hesitating briefly before adding, “Kaze-Ijin.”


    Thom raised an eyebrow, his curiosity evident. “And where were you headed before you ended up here?”


    I hesitated, plucking a wildflower beside the road then started spinning it in my fingers. “That’s… a long story. I still struggle to figure this part out."


    A different fence symbol stopped me in my stride when I took my final steps toward the inn. Its carved head took the shape of a serpent as it rested against the wooden fence yet its eyes faintly emitted light through the sun.


    "What...! ?" I muttered, my whole body reacted with fear when I saw it while I struggled to explain how.


    According to Thom you will find important information at the inn. "At the inn Mara understands navigation better than anyone. She understands exactly how to lead people in the right direction."


    My two feet left the cart to stand on cobblestone streets as faint excitement mingled with nervous uncertainty.


    I spotted a surprising symbol cut into the wooden fence next to the inn before heading in its direction. A sculpted serpent figure gleamed faintly under the sun with eyes visible from both ends. The symbol on the fence made my back hairs stand up even though I couldn''t identify why.


    “Lost people pass through ''Theoria'' all the time,” Thom said, his voice drawing my attention back to him. "The place draws those who need direction and others stay to create a life here. Your path into the future will show you the direction you need to take."


    Although my stomach shifted with unease inside me my response was only a simple head movement. After his signal, Thom rode away from me at the inn exit.


    "Kaori..." Thinking of her again reminds me of everything she did for me—always helping me, always staying by my side.


    "Thank you for everything you did for me Kaori and I appreciated that; Cuz you... Are my only best friend."


    "Forever!"


    I continue, studied the entrance of the ''Prancing Pony'' with uneasy anticipation flooding my thoughts. And entered inside as my first step into this new world while taking slow breaths to calm myself.