Arthur & Aurora

Chapter.2

Aurora's eyes glistened with tears as she wiped her flushed cheeks. Her feet, now bare and scratched, carried the scent of blood-stained earth. She ran through the dense forest, her trailing white gown swiping against branches, long orange hair undone, caressed by the night wind. The faint moonlight couldn't hide Aurora's stunning beauty, nor could the scent of pine calm her raging heart. Chessy—her friend—she hoped she was safe.

The royal soldiers were still chasing her. Aurora darted in a zig-zag pattern, dodging flaming arrows aimed at her. She couldn’t understand why she had become a fugitive. If it was because of the immortal artifacts she carried, then what exactly did they want from the necklace? Though Aurora doubted herself, the necklace acted like a compass, compelling her to follow it. To stop meant courting death.

She cried out in shock as she instinctively turned down a large well. Pressing her back against the wall, she heard the sounds of a fight above. Though she couldn't see clearly, Aurora was certain an immortal creature was among them. Incantations and explosions echoed around.

Squinting, Aurora saw a narrow white light ahead, just wide enough for one person. She crept toward it, keeping close to the well wall. Tears blurred her vision as she wiped them away. The moment she stepped through, the light vanished.

Her mouth fell open in awe, quickly closing again. Could this be the place? It was utterly different from the human world. Stepping into this dimension felt like entering Van Gogh’s The Starry Night. Aurora was inside a painting—far more mesmerizing than any landscape she'd seen before.

"Hey! Watch your step! You’re stepping on me!"

Aurora spun, trying to find the source. "Stepping on you? How? I didn’t even see you."

The dimension seemed uninhabited. Lost in this painted world, Aurora whispered, "Where are you?"

"I’m here!"

"KYAAA!" Aurora screamed, stumbling as she tripped over her gown. Before her stood a seven-meter-tall giant in tattered clothes. His eyes locked on her as he hoisted her off the ground. Breath caught in her chest.

"You are not of our kind. Where do you come from?" Aurora’s face burned red.

"Let go of me!" she yelled, biting the giant’s hand in anger.

The giant yelped in pain. "Oh no, my hand! It hurts! HAHAHAHA!" He laughed thunderously. Aurora stumbled, almost falling. The giant now lay clutching his stomach, groaning. Her waist ached, but this was a chance to escape.

"Don't run!"

Too late—Aurora bolted. She heard groans, similar to the giant's cries. She turned and—

Brukk!

She fell into a man's arms. A man? Slowly, Aurora looked up. Their eyes met. He had silver hair, sharp features, and deep blue eyes. Aurora clutched his shoulders, afraid of falling, while he held her waist to steady her. His ears were slightly elongated, like pandan leaves.

"Are you okay?" he asked in a deep voice.

"No. Sorry," she stepped back, realizing her error and glancing at the giant. She exhaled heavily, hoping he could help.

"Mind your step, Miss."

"Sorry! Can you help me with that giant?" she asked, glancing back. The giant, enraged and vengeful, approached. His bitten hand was red and swollen.

"Stay behind me," he instructed. Aurora obeyed, hiding behind him.

"Did you see a woman in a white dress pass by here?" the giant demanded, eyes scanning the dimension.

"I don’t think so," the man replied calmly.

"Oww, my foot! You stepped on me, i***t!"

Aurora looked around, finding no one else. Were other giants nearby? Fear prickled her spine.

"Pathetic creature," the man scoffed.

The giant paused, then lunged, hurling a house at them. Instantly, the man pulled Aurora’s hand, leaping to safety. She felt the tremors as birds scattered.

"You’re safe now." Aurora’s heart raced.

A gleaming sword appeared in his hand. With incredible speed, he attacked the giant. Every strike from the giant was deftly avoided.

Srakkk!

A precise thrust to the giant's left eye made him scream. His face flushed crimson. He threw a rock—not at the man, but at Aurora. She froze. The man flung his sword, quickly returning beside her, pulling her along.

Brukk!!

A loud crash announced the giant’s fall. The sword had pierced his heart. The man retrieved his sword effortlessly.

Aurora trembled. She had never witnessed such a battle before. The man killed the giant with shocking ease.

His silver gaze softened on her. He led the way, Aurora following cautiously.

"Thank you for saving me. I would have been killed otherwise," Aurora said, glancing back occasionally.

He turned, smiling faintly. "It’s nothing. I’m Xander. What’s your name?"

"Aurora."

"You’re not from the Norelia dimension. So why are you here?"

Aurora gripped her gown. How did he know? He looked human except for his pandan-shaped ears. Should she tell him she was being hunted by the royal soldiers because of the artifacts?

Taking a deep breath, she said, "I want to go to the Aethred Kingdom."

Xander raised an eyebrow. "Aethred Kingdom? Have you been there before? It’s dangerous."

Aurora shook her head. She had come this far and wouldn’t turn back. "No. I just feel I must go there."

Xander’s eyebrows lifted further, astonished. "A human like you can’t survive long in the dimensional world. You’re lucky to meet me. Your wish to go to the Aethred Kingdom is reckless. Think carefully—I can take you back."

"I can do this..."

Leaves swirled gracefully as she raised her hand. They danced around Xander, bursting like small fireworks. Aurora remembered this power emerging on her 21st birthday, fifty-one days ago. She felt connected to nature, as if the flora sang for her, becoming part of her.

Xander was impressed. "Wow, how did you do that? You’re not ordinary."

"I am ordinary. I don’t know why this power appeared."

Xander didn’t expect Aurora to possess such a gift. Only Dryat could wield it—so why her?

Nearby, a river, like a painted masterpiece in deep green, flowed rapidly. Xander approached.

He glanced back at Aurora, who watched him silently, expression unreadable yet amusing. "Come, Aurora."

She obeyed, cupping water in her hands. The cold shock made her gasp, like winter. "Is it snow season? It’s freezing." She saw no snow patterns.

"The Breaths River is naturally cold," Xander said, extending his hands filled with water. "Do you think life in this dimension is normal?"

Aurora felt challenged. "No. Life seems unnatural here, unlike the living creatures in Evandor. It’s like someone’s painting."

"Here’s a secret: drink from the Breaths River, and the hidden immortal world reveals itself. Just a sip." He offered the water.

Aurora hesitated. "I can manage myself." She tucked her hair behind her ear and drank from the river. Despite its green ink-like appearance, the water was sweet and refreshing. Astonishingly, the painted river transformed into a real one, with breathtaking surroundings.

She looked at Xander, waiting for her reaction.

"This is the true face of the Norelia dimension, Aurora."