Morgana blinked several times. Then she noticed the five people sitting around the table. They were staring at her, eyes wide in shock.
"Hey, witch," one of them called out.
But she didn't answer. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Why? How do I even know these people?
A man with two-colored eyes and pale marks on his skin leaned forward, a faint smirk on his lips.
"Why are you standing still? We've been waiting to start the game!"
"Game?" she said, her voice barely audible. "What game?"
He frowned, his gold ring catching the dim light.
"What's wrong with you? We came to—"
Morgana cut him off, brows drawn tight.
"No time for this crap! I have to go back!"
She stepped back from the table and stormed out of the tavern. But when she pushed the door open—the world outside had changed.
The streets were dark and filthy. Thin people lay on the ground, faces pale from hunger. Merchants shouted from behind tiny stalls. The houses looked like they were falling apart.
In the distance, a group of men were beating someone. His wife threw herself over him, crying, until one of them yanked her up and threw her over his shoulder like she was nothing.
Morgana's breath caught. She ran, reckless and desperate.
"I have to get back… Why the fuck did I end up here?!"
Tears clung to her lashes, blurring the world around her. A hand—rough, scarred—grabbed her arm.
"Princess," a calm voice whispered, "you're making us worried."
Princess?
She turned to him with wet eyes and yanked her arm free.
"Get your hand off me! I have to get back!"
She pushed forward again— and suddenly a tall, fur-covered figure stepped in front of her like a wall. A beast, standing upright, eyes burning gold beneath the shadows.
"Back? where?" he growled.
Morgana froze. The air trembled around her.
"I… I have to go back and save him!"
"Save who?" The rich man's voice rose from behind, sharp with irritation.
"You okay there, Moriana?!"
Moriana?
It's... my name
My name is Moriana...
Then why does it feel like something's wrong?
She stood still, her gaze distant, lost somewhere far away. Then, in a trembling voice that barely carried through the cold air, she whispered,
"There… I was about to save him?!"
Moriana started sweating. She lowered her head into her hands, pressing her eyes shut tight.
I feel so sad… It hurts… It's heavy...
But why? Why do I feel like I've lost something important?
Tears spilled down her cheeks. No sound came out—just silent sobs, small shakes, broken breaths.
This sucks… I was about to do it… but do what?
Why am I this sad?
The rich man hurried closer behind her, boots scraping the ground.
"Hey, Moriana… pull your shit together!"
The young man dropped to his knees in front of her — the same one who had placed a steadying hand on her shoulder moments ago. His short brown hair clung to his forehead, and his blue eyes glimmered with genuine worry.
"Tell me how I can help you, Princess."
The beast stood still, frozen in disbelief, his wide eyes fixed on her.
Moriana collapsed to the ground, crying quietly.
Someone...
I'm scared.
It's… what should I do now?
If I don't—
Suddenly, a pair of thin arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind. A girl with short black hair and bright green eyes held her tightly—her body so frail that Moriana could feel the bones against her back.
"Hey, easy, Mori… you'll be fine," the girl whispered softly.
"Look, I'm right here… we're all here with you."
Moriana's breathing slowed. The tremor in her shoulders faded.
Mori?
She blinked twice, confusion settling in as her mind caught up.
That voice... that smell…
Yulia.
Moriana blinked, glancing around — her eyes darting from one face to another, behind her, beside her, then forward.
Another girl had just arrived — athletic build, wavy black hair, and a soft, calm face.
Moriana looked first at the one kneeling beside her.
"Gord."
Then behind her, at the wealthy man.
"Zarius."
Her gaze shifted to the girl who had just been hugging her.
"Yuli."
And finally, to the girl who'd just stepped closer.
"Veda…"
Vida placed a gentle hand on Moriana's shoulder.
"What do you feel, Yana?"
Moriana laid her hand over Veda's.
"I'm just… tired."
From behind, the beast's deep voice rumbled, growing louder with every word.
"Hey! I won't let you rest until you say my name like you did with the others!"
Moriana turned toward him, stared for a second — then looked at Yulia and said flatly,
"Who's this ugly beast?"