The world that opened in front of my eyes the very next moment was oddly identical to the one I was used to living in, yet it wasn’t the place that I knew. At this moment, no doubt could shatter me. The truth was before my eyes. Closer than ever, the one who helped me couldn’t be anyone else than the ruler of the Underworld.

A cold wave of shivers embraced my body as his hands grasped tightly onto mine. Moments passed before our eyes, yet I did not move. His loud voice broke up the silence, echoing into the vast forest. 

‘How are you alive?’

Rapidly blinking, I found myself jolting. I tried to retreat my hands from his, but that only made him hold my hands even tighter. 

‘I am alive, indeed —.’

Only when I replied, did he let go of my hands. A loud sight left his lips as he passed his fingers through his hair. He muttered something I could not understand, as he circled around me. In that short minute, his eyes looked back at me several times, yet I could not understand how he felt.

‘I have to admit it, human, you’re impressive for you have fooled me. Go back now to your world and return only when it’s time for you to meet me. You shall not defy death.’ His left hand pointed out towards the barrier, signing me to go back again.

As I looked back, to where the crowd of commoners was gathered a few moments earlier, I could not gather the strength to face them again. I risked my throne to come and gather help from this place, I would not leave without achieving my goal.

‘I know it’s selfish of me to ask you, but could you listen to my reason for coming here?’

He clenched his fist as he refused to make eye contact with me. The sound of the leaves that broke under his feet filled the silence.

‘There is nothing for me to listen to, human. You’re trapped here, alive. Do you think going back to your world is easy?’

‘Then help me. This is why I —.’

Suddenly, he stopped walking around in circles and approached me. As he grabbed me by my chin and slowly lifted my face, we were bound to make eye contact once again. His eyes did not shine under the moonlight, they stared coldly onto mine, ready to swallow me.

‘Aren’t you scared? In the presence of death?’

‘I need to save my Empire, for that I won’t be scared, even in this circumstance.’

His hand let go of my chin as he frowned his brows. A loud sigh followed by a soft curse informed me of his displeasure. 

‘This is why I hate humans. You’re always thinking so highly of you, to the point where you’re not able to know of your own limits. Do you truly think you can save an Empire? Why? Why would you think so?’

I quickly stood my ground with my reply: ‘I am the future Empress of this Empire. I was born to accomplish a Prophecy. This is why I am able to think I can do it.’

He turned his back to me.

‘You can’t change the course of history. No matter how much you try, this isn’t something a human can do. I won’t help you. Grab onto the chance that I’ve given to you before it’s too late. A human won’t be able to live in a world dominated by ghosts, so return to your world.’

As if he vanished in thin air, the moment he finished those words, he couldn’t be seen anymore. In the darkness of the forest, I remained alone.

Why is he so stubborn not to help me? After all, wouldn’t he be curious on how a human managed to enter his realm?

The Forest of Wishes was almost the same as the one in our world, knowing this fact, I smiled. I couldn’t get lost. Yet, curiosity got the best of me.

I approached the barrier that separated the two lands, and I looked over to the place I came from.

‘Would I be able to go into my world alone?’

Without giving me a moment to think of an answer, I stepped forward. Moments passed yet nothing changed. The wind’s breeze passed through me, yet, other than that, there wasn’t any chance.

I opened my eyes disappointed. If I can’t go back on my own, then what’s left for me to do? It’s not like he’ll be willing to cooperate with me, not after our encounter.

Looming in the distance, I could not predict the danger of this world. A small glimpse of light was my only hope in finding out where he had disappeared.  Following a path that looked familiar, I began my journey.

Even in the Underworld, there must be a ghost, someone I may know that could help me. I’m not sure how much time had passed, but the Forest did not seem to end. 

Pitter…

… Patter

I clenched my fist — was I truly that unlucky to be caught in the rain? For a short moment, I almost cussed out, but, the moment I raised my head to look at the sky, my legs collapsed, and I fell to the ground.

No matter how much I begged, I remained frozen on the ground, under the eyes of a creature I couldn’t name.

Was this what he meant when he said he wished me to get out alive?