Aidan sat on the bed in Kara's clinic, his wounds freshly treated. The pain had dulled slightly, but his mind remained restless. He had been dragged into this strange world without warning, and so far, he had only been fighting for survival. Now, for the first time, he had a moment to breathe, a chance to ask the questions burning in his mind.
He turned his sharp gaze toward Kara, who was organizing her medicinal supplies.
"This is a good opportunity to ask," he muttered to himself. Then, louder, "What is this place?"
Kara stopped what she was doing and looked at him with a puzzled expression. "You don't know?"
Aidan shook his head. "No. I woke up in that cursed forest after getting sucked into a strange mirror."
Kara's expression darkened slightly.
Lyria, sitting casually on a nearby table, kicked her feet back and forth. "Wait a minute, what do you mean you don't know where you are? You're acting like you just dropped in from the sky."
Aidan sighed. "That's because I did. I'm not from here."
Kara narrowed her eyes, suddenly interested. "Where do you come from, exactly?"
Aidan exhaled. He had no reason to lie. "Earth."
For a second, there was silence.
Then Lyria burst into laughter. "Earth? What the hell kind of name is that? I've never heard of a city called Earth!"
Aidan glanced at her but didn't respond. He wasn't expecting them to know his world.
However, Kara's reaction was different. She wasn't laughing. In fact, she was staring at him, eyes filled with something strange recognition.
"You said Earth?" she repeated.
"Yeah," Aidan said, his tone serious. "Do you know about it?"
Kara hesitated, then slowly nodded. "I don't. But my master does."
That caught Aidan's attention. He leaned forward. "Your master knows about Earth?"
Kara nodded again. "Yes. My master, Master Makarri spoke of a place called Earth."
Lyria looked back and forth between them, frowning. "Wait, wait, wait! What are you two talking about? What the hell is Earth? Some lost kingdom?"
Neither Aidan nor Kara answered her.
Aidan focused on Kara. "Where's your master now? I need to talk to him."
Kara shook her head. "He's not here. He left on a journey months ago. I don't know when he'll be back, maybe a month, maybe two, maybe six, maybe even a year."
Aidan's expression darkened. He had hoped for some immediate answers, but now he was stuck.
Lyria waved her hand. "Hellooo? You guys gonna explain this to me? I feel like I'm missing something."
Aidan ignored her. "Kara, you said your master knows about Earth. Does that mean there's a way back?"
Kara hesitated.
Aidan caught the hesitation immediately. "What is it?"
Kara finally sighed. "I may not know much about Earth, but I do know one thing, there's no way back."
Aidan's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Kara looked at him with sympathy. "My master told me that those who arrive here from other worlds never return."
Silence fell between them.
Aidan clenched his fists. He wasn't willing to accept that so easily.
Lyria, still confused, threw up her hands. "Alright, seriously, what is going on? Kara, how do you know about this place called Earth?"
Kara sighed. "Because Master Makarri wasn't born in this world, either. He came from Earth."
Lyria's eyes widened. "What?!"
Aidan exhaled slowly. "So it's possible. It's possible to come here from Earth."
Kara nodded. "Yes. But no one has ever gone back."
Aidan was silent. He refused to believe that there was no way home. He had been pulled into this world, which meant there had to be a way to leave.
Kara saw the determination in his eyes. "I understand how you feel," she said softly. "But for now, you should focus on surviving. My master might have more answers when he returns."
Aidan thought for a moment. "Then I'll come back when he's here."
Kara nodded. "That's your choice."
Lyria crossed her arms. "So let me get this straight. Aidan is some kind of 'otherworlder' from a place no one has ever heard of, and your master is the only guy who knows anything about it?"
Kara nodded.
Lyria let out a deep breath. "Well, damn. I didn't expect today to be this weird."
Aidan smirked slightly. "Welcome to my life."
Kara stood up and packed away the medicine. "You need rest. Stay in Velthar for now. When my master returns, I'll send word."
Aidan stood up, stretching. His body still ached, but he had no intention of staying still for long. "Fine. But I'm not just sitting around waiting."
Kara smiled faintly. "I didn't expect you to."
Lyria grinned and smacked Aidan on the back. "Alright, since you're stuck here, might as well make the most of it. Let me show you around the city!"
Aidan glanced at her. "You just want me to get into more fights, don't you?"
Lyria laughed. "I mean… maybe."
Kara shook her head. "Just don't break anything."
Aidan didn't respond. He wasn't interested in sightseeing. He needed to find a way home.
But for now, he had no choice but to move forward in this strange world.
...