"Hey, close your eyes."
While still scanning the top of the cliff, Ficky spoke in a low voice, demanding Aya shut her eyes. Aya hesitated, suspicious and afraid.
What is he planning? Is he going to turn on me?
"What? No way."
"I said close your eyes!" Ficky's voice rose, sharp and commanding.
Startled, Aya's eyes snapped shut. Almost immediately, she felt her body being pulled upward. A powerful surge, like riding a violent gust of wind, propelled her toward the summit.
For a split second, time seemed to decelerate, freezing in place. In that heartbeat of stillness, Aya peeked. She saw it clearly this time—the transformation in Ficky's face. It was undeniable. He looked like a wolf. Werewolf.
I knew it. I wasn't seeing things, she thought, quickly squeezing her eyes shut again.
So much had happened in a single day. The reality of Ficky's true form—a beast that surfaced when blood was spilled—sent a chill through her. Yet, despite the fear, he was the only person in this world she could even remotely lean on.
WHOOSH!
A sharp, cold breeze bit at her skin. Her feet finally touched solid ground. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
"Eh? Ficky?"
He was gone. Aya spun around, searching the darkness, but there was no sign of him. He had vanished again. Terror began to claw at her chest; being alone in this world at night was more than she could bear.
"Seriously!"
She looked back at the abyss and realized what had happened. Ficky had brought her up, but in his own "unusual" way. She hurried away from the cliff's edge, wandering aimlessly until a soft, yellow glow caught her eye. Tiny lights were dancing in the dark.
"I don't know why, but my feet are moving on their own. These fireflies… they're drawing me in," she whispered.
The atmosphere had shifted. The suffocating dread of the forest had been replaced by a cool, serene stillness. Following the fireflies, Aya eventually emerged from the trees to find the magnificent palace of the Aurora Kingdom looming before her.
The palace was breathtaking, surrounded by swirling clouds of fireflies. They moved in unison, as if guiding her so she wouldn't lose her way again.
"It's beautiful…"
Aya stood frozen in awe, captivated by the dancing lights. High above, a woman leaned against a palace window. She was stunning, with a gaze far softer and a smile much sweeter than anyone Aya had met so far.
Ficky said many people have magic. Are these fireflies her doing? Aya wondered.
Aya entered the palace through a back entrance and was immediately greeted by the woman she had seen—the Queen.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty… Queen," Aya stammered, the formal titles still feeling heavy on her tongue.
"Forgive you? There is no need for that. As our guest, you are free to do as you please, provided you do not harm us or the kingdom," the Queen replied warmly.
"Oh. I see. Thank you."
"I imagine you're wondering where your wolf friend is?"
Aya didn't know if the Queen was just an incredible guesser or if she could read the anxiety written all over her face. Either way, she was right.
"How did you know?"
"Because you two are usually inseparable. And your face is practically shouting the question. You're worried about him, aren't you?"
Aya didn't need to answer. Her silence spoke for her.
"Your Majesty, I have to ask… is there a way for us to go back to our world? I'm sorry if I'm being blunt, but I can't wait anymore," Aya said, deciding to get straight to the point.
"If I tell you, will you tell me something in return? What is your relationship with that wolf?"
"It's simple. We were strangers, but since we arrived here, we've formed a bond. He is my bodyguard. He's the one who will protect me and see me home safely," Aya stated without a hint of doubt.
The Queen offered a faint, knowing smile. "I see. Well, in truth, I do want to tell you. But my husband has already made a pact with the wolf, hasn't he?"
Aya waited, her heart pounding with hope. Finally, the Queen nodded. "Very well. The answer remains the same."
The Queen led Aya to the royal library. They walked through long, silent corridors, not passing a single servant. Inside, thousands of books lined the towering shelves, with some stacked in disorganized piles on the floor.
The Queen reached for a book on the highest shelf. She didn't use a ladder; instead, the book drifted down into her hand as if by its own will. The pages flipped rapidly before stopping near the end.
"Look, this is the world. Everyone knows this—the world is divided into many parts, each home to different species."
The Queen pointed to a map showing ten or more different realms.
"So many… I had no idea," Aya whispered.
"If you wish to return to your origin, you need only prepare a magic circle for transportation. However, doing so comes at a great cost."
The Queen closed the book and gestured for Aya to sit. "You were brought here by a magic circle. Someone is likely targeting you or that wolf. But using such magic to move between worlds is a gamble with your very life."
A gamble with your life. It depended on the caster's strength. If they were strong, they might only be injured. If not… death was certain.
"Is there another way?" Aya asked urgently.
The Queen saw her desperation. "There is. Go to the Adventurers' Guild. Perhaps I am late in saying this, but this world belongs to adventurers. There, you will find another path to your world."
Hope surged within Aya. She wanted to leave right then, but the Queen stopped her, noting how late it was.
"But what about Ficky?"
"If you're looking for the werewolf, don't worry. He's fine."
Aya breathed a sigh of relief. She was thrilled to finally have a lead, even if the world remained a mystery. But one thought kept spinning in her mind, more startling than anything else.
A wolf? So Ficky really is... a wolf? Werewolf!?