Chapter 4

When Eleanor opened her eyes, she saw enormous tall trees in front of her. Her eyes widened as she sat on the wet ground, realizing that all the lights she had followed had vanished and the place she was in was entirely different.

Eleanor took a look around and noticed that the dark sky was gradually brightening, illuminating the forest. The smell of the plants, trees and damp ground flooded her nostrils. She tried to stand up several times as the shadow of the large trees fell over the area where she was seated, but her knees were trembling uncontrollably.

Her cream-colored gown was smeared by the dirt when she successfully stood up, and some leaves stuck to the hem of her gown as well. Eleanor walked carefully to lean against a tree and gain balance, unable to brush the dirt off.

All she wanted was to find her way back home, but how could she do that if the lights that she had been following had vanished?

Fear crept into her chest as she thought a variety of scenarios, including becoming completely lost and dying in the woods without being found. Eleanor tried to relax by breathing deeply. She was able to relax by thinking optimistically.

It won't help if I keep freaking out. I need to relax in order to think of something.

Looking back in the direction she came, she began to walk in the direction of the lightbulbs, but to her disappointment, they were nowhere to be found.

She pressed her lips together and bit them so hard they bled. She remembered she hadn't eaten anything throughout her time at the grand ball when she tasted the salty blood in her mouth.

What is this place? Why is it already dawn here when I was like, at the grand ball at nine pm?

Her head is filled with questions as she is perplexed. She then began walking quickly in the direction she had come from, half running, half walking while carrying the hem of her gown, but suddenly, her heels got stuck on the ground, causing her to lose her balance. As she began to fall, she shielded herself with both arms to prevent her head from hitting the ground.

Eleanor groaned as her body slammed into the ground. She pressed her lips together as she felt the stinging pain of her now severed ankle and the wounds on her arms. She chose to lie down and reflect on her own foolishness.

Who in their right mind would attempt to follow a light emerging from an unfamiliar forest? How stupid of you, Eleanor.

Eleanor was laying on the ground when she heard a rustle from the bushes not too far away from her that caused her to get up and glance around. Her heart began to race as she imagined a variety of nasty monsters lurking in the woods. She tried to hide behind a tree and close her eyes, terrified of what was ahead.

Eleanor heard a beast-like monster snarl from behind the rough tree. For a few minutes, she was speechless as she held her breath and covered her mouth, hoping it wouldn't notice her. Eleanor felt a horror she'd never felt before when she heard its heavy footsteps. She was now trembling and sobbing, but she was holding it together.

As it fell silent, Eleanor crept carefully to see whether the creature was still there, but to her surprise, the large beast-like creature was lifeless on the ground, blood spilling out of its heart. She had never seen anything like it before. It had dark black fur and a bear's wrinkled face, yet it possessed long, massive horns. 

A figure dressed in a long brown coat stood by it. It appears to be aware of Eleanor's presence, as it turns around to face her. Its face was covered by the shadow of the hood it was wearing.

"Oh dear, I thought no one was around," she said as she lowered the hood of her cloak and lifted its head.

Eleanor saw an elderly woman in front of her, who was staring at her with a serious expression on her face. "Perhaps you are lost, young lady?"

"I-I have no idea where I am." Eleanor stutters as she responds, her hand trembling against her gown.

"You have the appearance of being from a noble family. How did you end up here?" The elderly lady remarked softly as she walked slowly in her direction.

Noble family?

Eleanor tried to stand up, despite her legs shaking uncontrollably, because she couldn't entirely trust the elderly woman.

A wrinkled hand reached out to her, offering assistance as she struggled. "If you think I am a bad person, you're completely mistaken." Eleanor received a warm smile from her.

Eleanor stared the old woman in the eyes. After a minute of thinking, she decided to try and let the old woman help her as she sensed the woman's good intent.

She felt as if her body recovered strength as her hands touched its hands. She was able to stand up without difficulty, although her ankle and wounds were still hurting.

"The name is Asmia, and I can assure you that you can trust me." It said while staring her in the eyes. Eleanor didn't say anything, just nodded and walked alongside her through the woods. Asmia kept her eyes on their surroundings as she silently led the way.

Towards the end of the long walk, Eleanor noticed smoke emerging in the air not too far from them. As they approached the source of the smoke, Eleanor saw a rusting cabin hidden by trees. This part of the forest was filled with a variety of gorgeous plants that weren't found elsewhere in the forest or anywhere around the world that Eleanor lived in. Chickens, goats, and a variety of other odd-looking animals wander the area, which Eleanor had never seen before.

"Come," Asmia softly called her as she noticed Eleanor paused to examine her surroundings.

"Do you l-live alone?" Eleanor asked as she trailed behind her.

"Indeed." She responded as she opened the cabin door, creating a creaking sound. She indicated for her to be the first to enter.

Eleanor's stomach grumbled as she stepped inside barefoot, inhaling the aroma of freshly baked bread.

"Are you hungry?" From behind her, the elderly lady spoke. Eleanor took a look around and noticed the low light, candle-lit space that was pleasant enough to stay there.

She turned back to face the elderly woman, who was removing her cloak to uncover her long woolen shift dress.

Strange.

"Perhaps I am," she says. Her stomach grumbled again, much louder this time, as she replied shyly.

"Take a seat, and I'll have the food ready for you."

Eleanor sat on a comfortable couch and watched as the elderly lady made her way to the kitchen. The cottage appeared to be unfurnished from the exterior, yet it was lovely on the inside. It was neat and tidy, and you wouldn't think it had a second floor.

"Eat now, dear." As she placed the bread and tea on the wooden table in front of her, the elderly lady spoke. Eleanor started eating like she hadn't eaten in days.

"Thank you." After drinking the last drop of the tea, she said.

"What got you into the woods?" Asmia sat across from her on the other couch, attentively questioning her.

"I'm not really sure. All I did was follow the lights that led me deeper into the woods, but they vanished suddenly, and I couldn't find my way out." Eleanor replied honestly, her gaze fixed on Asmia.

"Are you descended from a noble bloodline?"

"No, I'm not aware of such a thing. I'm also not sure what that creature even was. I just want to return." As she spoke, her eyes were tearing up. Asmia fell silent for a while.

She sighed as she said, "I was right that you are not from this world." Eleanor was caught off guard and couldn't respond right away.

What?

She was perplexed and asked, "What do you mean?" She clutched her temples, feeling a little disoriented.

"This is not your world,"

"You are in Ceastrerion." Asmia murmured lightly so as not to startle Eleanor.

"Ceastre- what? I don’t understand at all." Because of what was going on, Eleanor felt like her head was going to burst. The information presented to her was barely convincing.

“This has occurred to you for reasons I don't understand, but I'm eager to help you find out. “

"What exactly do you mean when you say I'm not in my world? What is this world?" Eleanor could hardly believe her ears. For her, everything appears too hazy.

"This world might be very different from the one you live in. I'm not sure how to describe it, so I'll just show you."

"Please help me go back." Eleanor pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm afraid I don't know how," she said, pausing, "but you can stay here and make yourself at home while we find out how to bring you back."

"Now, if you don't mind," Asmia said, standing up, "follow me upstairs so you can change."

Eleanor did not hesitate to follow her and climbed the wooden ladder to catch up to Asmia. She discovered what appeared to be an attic on the second floor, complete with a bed and wooden chests. There is also a small window that allows light to enter the room.

"Let’s see," Asmia said. Eleanor turned to the old lady who was about to open one of the chests, "These are the clothes of my niece who was also about your age. You may use them for the time being." She made a gesture for her to get closer. Eleanor reached for the brown long-sleeved gown inside the chest.

"I shall go down so that you can change, come down after."

As Asmia descended the ladder, Eleanor watched the old lady vanish. Many things ran through her mind as she changed, including how she would figure out how to get home if the old lady's claim that she was in another world was real.

After fixing herself, she went down and noticed the old lady changing the logs in the fireplace. She went beside Asmia, assisting her in grabbing the firewood using the grabber.

"I appreciate it." Asmia sighed as she rubbed her painful back and sat down on the couch.

"Eleanor Goodway is my name. Please accept my apologies for introducing myself so late. " Looking at the lady, she expressed her sincerity.

"Is it acceptable with you if I call you Eli?"

When she heard her nickname, she was reminded of her mother, who had given her the nickname Eli.

"Of course, ma’am." She said, smiling.

"Oh dears, stop being so formal and simply call me Asmia. When someone addresses me as ma'am, I feel very elderly." With a chuckle, the old lady said.

Eleanor felt a little more at ease as she sensed Asmia's generosity and warmth, who didn't hesitate to offer her help despite the fact that she was a stranger.