Nathan's legs burned as he sprinted through the grove, the Veylgrin's snarls still echoing in his ears. The Threadstone shard had bought him some time, but his life was still in danger.
He didn't know where he was going but only that he had to get away. The air grew heavier with every step, and his chest tightened as if the very atmosphere were pressing down on him.
"Just... keep... moving," he muttered to himself, forcing his legs to keep going. But his body had other plans. His vision became blurry, and his legs became weak. He fell down due to exhaustion. Nathan tried to push himself up, but his arms gave out, and he collapsed again, his eyes closing.
The last thing he saw before everything went black was a pair of boots.
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When Nathan awoke, his head was pounding, When his vision cleared he realized that he was no longer in the grove. Instead, he was lying on a soft bed, a fireplace crackling nearby. The air smelled of smoke and something sweet, like roasted fruit.
"He's awake," a voice said, low and calm.
Nathan turned his head, wincing at the movement, and saw three figures sitting around the fire.
The first was a tall man with broad shoulders and a scar running down the side of his face. His armor was battered but well-made, and a massive sword rested against the log he was sitting on.
The second was a woman with sharp features and piercing green eyes, her hair tied back in a braid. She wore a cloak that seemed to shift colors in the firelight, and a bow was slung across her back.
The third was a young boy, looking even younger than Nathan, with blond hair and a curious expression. He was reading something from his book while waving his wand as if he was casting spells.
Where... am I?" Nathan croaked, his throat dry.
The woman leaned forward, her green eyes studying him intently. "You're lucky to be alive," she said. "We found you passed out on the edge of the Forgotten Forest. Another few minutes, and the Veylgrin would've had you for dinner."
Nathan's heart skipped a beat. "You saw it?"
The tall man chuckled. "Saw it? We chased it off. Wild beasts, those Veylgrin. Not many people survive an encounter with one."
"Who are you?" Nathan asked, pushing himself up onto his elbows. His body protested, but he ignored it, his eyes darting between the three strangers.
The woman smiled faintly. "I'm Kaela," she said, gesturing to herself. "This is Garrick"—she nodded to the tall man—"and that's Jynn." The young boy looked up from his book and gave Nathan a quick wave.
"And you," Garrick said, his voice gruff but not unkind, "are either very brave or very stupid to be wandering the Forgotten Forest alone. What's your name, kid?"
"Nathan," he said, his voice still hoarse. "And I wasn't exactly planning on being here. I just... ended up here."
Jynn raised an eyebrow. "Ended up here? You mean you're a Traveler?"
Nathan swallowed hard, his gaze falling to the Book of Threads. He didn't know who these people were or if he could trust them, but one thing was clear: he couldn't do this alone.
"I am," he said finally.
Kaela's smile turned into a frown, "You're going to tell us everything you know about how you ended up here."
"Ok, but where am I?" Nathan said.
Jynn stood and walked over to a shelf, pulling down a large, leather-bound book. He set it on the table with a thud, its cover worn but sturdy. Garrick reached into a satchel at his side and produced another book, this one smaller and wrapped in iron clasps. Even Kaela, without a word, drew a slender volume from a hidden pocket in her cloak.
Nathan stared at them, confused. "What are all these books?"
Kaela's face lights back up. "In this world, everyone is born with a book, you have one yourself." she said. "It's a record of our lives, our choices, our destinies. Most are simple things—tools for learning, for trade, for magic. But yours..." She gestured to the Book of Threads, "Yours is different."
He grabbed his book and examined it. The green cover shimmered with an otherworldly light, and the air around it seemed to hum with energy. He could feel the magic radiating from it, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Travelers' books are special," Garrick said, his voice low. "Only those from other worlds can wield them. They're tied to the threads of fate itself, and they hold power most people can't even imagine."
"But that power comes at a cost," Kaela added, her tone sharp. "Travelers are feared in this world. Their books can cause destruction on a scale that's hard to comprehend. Entire kingdoms have fallen because of them."
Nathan's heart sank. "So... people hate Travelers?"
Jynn nodded, his expression grim. "Hate is putting it lightly. Most would kill you on sight if they knew what you were. That's why you need to be careful. And why you need us."
Nathan looked down at the Book of Threads, its green glow casting strange shadows on the walls. He felt a mix of awe and dread. This book was his key to surviving in this world—but it was also a target on his back.
"What do I do now?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kaela leaned forward, her green eyes locking onto his. "You learn. You train. And you stay hidden. Because if the wrong people find out what you are, you won't live long enough to regret it."