Cassia staggered backward, her eyes darting from the fox to the glowing forest. “Shattered the Veil? What does that mean?”


    The fox—Asterion, as he introduced himself—explained that the Veil was a magical barrier protecting Lumora from the human world. By breaking it, she had opened a fragile link between the two realms, risking chaos in both.


    “You must fix this,” Asterion said, his gaze unyielding. “The balance must be restored.”


    “But I don’t even know how I got here!” Cassia protested.


    Asterion sighed, his tail swishing. “Then you must learn quickly. Come, there is someone who can help.”The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    As they journeyed through Lumora, Cassia couldn’t help but marvel at its beauty. The creatures seemed both curious and wary of her, their glowing eyes following her every move.


    When they arrived at a grand, crystalline palace in the heart of the forest, Cassia met Alaric, a brooding and enigmatic guardian of the Veil. His presence was commanding, his deep blue eyes holding secrets that made Cassia’s heart race.


    Alaric was less than pleased to see her. “A human in Lumora? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”


    “I didn’t mean to,” Cassia replied, meeting his gaze. Despite his stern demeanor, she felt an inexplicable pull toward him.


    Alaric sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’ll need to prove you’re not here to bring ruin. There’s a trial awaiting you. Fail, and the consequences will be dire.”