Sacrificial Lamb (To be deleted)

New World

I heard a voice calling while shaking me awake. As I opened my eyes, I saw shadows of armoured creatures looming over me.

It was indeed a terrifying sight. They were gathered around me, and though I don't see their image clearly, I know they were looking at me intensely.

Am I still alive, or is this the afterlife?

I felt my heart and its racing heartbeat assured me of my existence.

What am I supposed to do? I can't stay here. I need to get away from these people.

Driven by fear, I fled aimlessly, pursued by the relentless creatures calling out my name. I conquer the weight on my feet and desperately led myself somewhere, neither I... do not know.

As I ran, I noticed the enchanted neighbourhood around me. Field stretched endlessly, with golden wheat swaying in the wind. Far away, mountains looked really tiny. Villages appeared and disappeared like faraway stars, their lights shining as the day turned to night. Fireflies were scattered around but with a purple color of light, while sky looks like a galaxy in purple shade.

This place can't be real. How did I even get here? Who are these creatures? I tried to run as fast as I can.

Still puzzled, I recalled eating the fruit as my last moments with my family. It was given to me. I am the sacrifice that man was talking about.

Is this the destiny laid upon a sacrifice one?

Lost and disoriented, I stumbled into the depths of a dense forest, I no longer hear the voices of those creatures nor their footsteps trying to chase me.

As the relentless stream of uncertainty flooded my thoughts, a new question emerged, Where am I?

Panting, I looked around the place where my feet led me. It was surrounded by towering trees that blocked out the sky. The air was thick with the scent of earth and damp moss, and my heart pounded with fear and confusion. Suddenly, a strange howling pierced the silence, sending shivers down my spine.

Why did I run in a forest? i***t.

In the middle of agitation, I froze. My eyes scan the shadows, anticipating a sudden attack when a monstrous bird-like creatures emerge from the foliage, their sharp beaks and menacing eyes glinting in the dim light.

As the creatures lunged towards me, a figure dashed out of nowhere, wielding a gleaming sword with graceful precision. With swift movements, he fended off the birds, driving them back into the depths of the forest.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

I turned to him to thank him when his demeanour changed.

His grip tightened around my throat nailing me on a tree, and fear gripped me once again as he pressed a knife against my skin.

I trembled, struggling to loosen his grip that prevents me from breathing and finding my voice as I stared into his steely gaze, unsure if he was my saviour or an enemy.

I gasped as a faint light illuminated his face, revealing his features clearly. Half of his face was concealed by a scaled mask that looked like a dragon head. Two small horns protruded from the mask, and his ash, thick hair that is on a shoulder-length shimmered while swaying with the wind. Despite his intimidating appearance, I unexpectedly felt no fear.

As I looked into his eyes, peeking from his mask, I felt something within me that understood what he wanted to say. His flaming silver eyes seemed to interrogate me about my presence in the forest.

"You're not from here. What's your visit for?" he asks in full authority while still holding a knife pointed on my neck.

I was out of breath, "I-I was lost."

He scrutinized me, then his grip slowly loosened, and his eyes transitioned to a darker hue. In the middle of our eye contact, he suddenly pulled himself away from me.

Though I don't see his whole face, I can sense the horror on his reaction. His eyes lit up with a spark of joy. A glimmer of longing and relief in his gaze.

Then, his trembling hands was slowly reaching for my hands. I saw tears falling from the inside of his mask. Without any warning, he pulled me closer and embraced me tightly. His embrace felt familiar. My heart beats loudly, wanting to explode. I felt an undeniable connection between us. I didn't know why, but tears began to fall from my eyes uncontrollably.

Despite trembling from unknown feelings, I managed to ask him, "H-have we met before?" My heart beats incredibly strange. He step back and looked at me.

Absentmindedly, I raise my hand from the ground. A strong desire to touch his face was filling me. I saw how his eyes sparkled, hiding tears that wanted to come off.

As my hand get closer to his face, he leaned closer and kissed my forehead. It felt home. I somehow feel so safe. I closed my eyes, feeling the magical warmth he gives, "Tell me this isn't a dream..." he mumbled, now facing me. He cupped my face gently with his hands.

We were in the midst of an intense moment, locked in a gaze that seemed to transcend time itself, when a fierce wind swept through, forcing me to close my eyes while covering it with my left hand against the dust.

Amidst the howling wind, a voice called out, "Anna, come out!"

The wind started to calm down and so I slowly opened my eyes. I turned to see two armoured figures similar to what I saw earlier, closing in.

The man was gone. Was it just my imagination?

"Anna!" A voice exclaimed, and through the mist emerged someone my heart remembers.

"R-Raya?" I uttered, bewildered by the name.

Memories suddenly flooded my mind, overwhelming me with pain and confusion. I was screaming out of pain, and memories flashed on my mind when a gentle tap my shoulders.

"Anna, calm down. It's me, Raya," she said softly, soothing my turmoil.

My eyes widened the moment I saw her face. She's Raya, my best friend. How did I even forget about her?

"Let's go," I gasped when someone suddenly scooped me and carried me like a bride. "Sorry, I need to carry you so we can go back immediately... this place's dangerous." he explained.

This man's face was breathtaking. I couldn't help but notice his rugged charm. His chiseled jawline and piercing brown eyes hinted at a strength tempered by experience. His brown hair fits him perfectly. Every movement exuded confidence, his muscular frame carrying me effortlessly as we made our way back to their place.

While on our way, I felt a strange piercing eyes watching over us. Maybe those were the birds that attacked me earlier. Good thing Raya and this man found me instantly.

*****

"I'm glad you're okay." Raya said, her voice tinged with concern.

After we reached the palace, Raya invited me to have a small talk before going to bed. She explained the reason behind my memory loss.

Apparently, once you become a sacrifice by your family, you will turn into someone non-existing. Everyone who once knew you... forgets about you.

"Where are we?" I asked while we're sitting at a place with

"A kingdom in another dimension... another world. This world is called Chromalakos. See that purple palace?" she said pointing at a

"How long have you been here?"

"Six months, I suppose," she answered, "It pains me to see you here. Your family sure is evil."

"You know very well I could say that back on you." I retorted. She scoffed. "I don't understand. How did we end up here?"

"Tomorrow morning, all your questions will be answered. Training awaits, as does the selection of your weapon for the impending war."

"W-war? What do you mean?"

She sighed, "We are subjected into being pawns for a war."

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me, are you aware that you're being sacrificed?"

Why don't they just use their own people? This is crazy.

"We have no choice, Anna. Like you... I was my family's sacrifice. We need to die for this kingdom as a return for the favor asked by our family. Our fate as a sacrifice is to be a pawn during war."

"No! I can't die in this place." I said with determination.

"I know how you feel... but we need to accept it. Our fate has been decided... and we have no power to rewrite it."

Despair engulfed me. I didn't belong in this realm. I needed to escape. I wouldn't become a pawn in their war. I won't die for a kingdom I don't even know.

This is ridiculous!

"It's late. We should sleep." said Raya, then she tapped my back, trying to give comfort.

I have no choice but to go back to the room, Raya told me to use. As I lay in bed, my mind raced with plans for escape, determined to find a way out of this nightmare.

*****

A king dragged a girl with auburn curly hair, her desperate cries echoing through the corridor. As they reached a room, he flung her to the floor with a force that made her cry out in pain.

She scrambled to her knees immediately, tears streaming down her face, and faced her father. "Father, please! All my life... I have always been obedient. I never opposed your will. But please... just this once... let me love him. Let me be with the man my heart desires."

"You can't be selfish!" His voice thundered, eyes blazing with fury. "You will soon be crowned as this kingdom's queen! Think of our people. I'll let you choose anyone, any man... just not him," he growled, his words final and unyielding.

"No! I want him, father!"

Her defiance was met with a brutal slap that echoed like a gunshot. Her head snapped to the side, a fiery welt already forming on her cheek.

"He's a mortal enemy! For god's sake! He is not a good choice. The gods will be furious!" he roared, his breath coming in harsh. His face twisted into stern. "He'd only bring you curse... death."

Still on the floor, the daughter met his gaze with eyes that literally glows like a fire. "Then I'll be happy to face death... and any curse that comes with it. My heart is set, father, and I will not relent."

I didn't notice that I fell asleep. There it is again, the same nightmare I've been dreaming. What does that girl want from me? Why she keeps on appearing in my dreams!?

I looked outside and it's still dark. Silence was defeaning. Enveloped in the stillness of the night, a haunting melody suddenly whispered through the air with a powerful wind from the outside. Its hypnotic tones beckoned me to the window. Despite the tendrils of fear that coiled around my heart, I felt an irresistible pull. With trembling hands, I approached the window, unaware of the dangers lurking in the darkness outside.

There, I saw beautiful orange butterflies from the outside. They were so bright and every flap of their wings produces a fiery like effects following their every move.

In the middle of my amusement, I heard a voice whispered to my ear, "We've been waiting for you, our queen."