Chapter Text
Sweat dripped from your forehead, the sun beating down on your neck as you shovelled soil around the last gladiolus.
“There” you grunted, standing back to admire your handiwork as you wiped the damp from your brow.
It was a typical hot day in the slap bang middle of august. It was the kind of humid weather where you could literally see heat waves in the air, with clothing just constantly sticking to your back.
It wasn’t all so bad though. Staring at the rows of freshly planted flowers’, you came to like it here.
From the vivid blue skies with no clouds in sight, the wildflowers gracing the banks of the lake to the rustle of the wind in the trees from the forest... it made your aunts cottage a welcome retreat.
Your mental health was at its lowest point - the company you worked for couldn’t pay you anymore and so you became unemployed. No job meant no money. No money meant not being able to pay rent. Not being able to pay rent meant no more apartment in the bustling city you were used to.
You point out refused to move back in with your estranged Mother. Sure, you were still on speaking terms, but the thought of being around her for most of your waking days and be a victim to her constant gaslighting and smothering made you sick to your stomach.
As if luck would have it though, your aunt (who you always considered secretly to be your mother) caught word of your situation - and offered you a place to stay in her home away from home.
So here you were, spending what felt like should be your retirement days tending to the garden of your aunts’ old holiday cottage on the edge of the woods. Until you figured out where to go with your life.
Your Aunt said she would travel from the city to check up on you at the weekend over some afternoon tea. As thanks for her kindness, you planted her favourite flowers in the garden. It’s the only thing you could offer really, you were broke with no job and she had a six-figure salary.
A pitter patter of tiny feet on the ground followed by the snapping of twigs jolted you out of your musings.
You scanned your surroundings. Nobody ever came up here (unless they were renting the house) and your aunt obviously wasn’t taking any bookings for the duration of your stay.
A flash of white danced in the corner of your eye. Spinning on your heels, you see a panicked white rabbit head towards the woods...surely your eyes must be playing tricks on you for he seemed to be wearing a waistcoat.
“What the fuck!?” you exclaimed, immediately throwing the trowel??? to the floor. Lifting up your summer dress, you dash after the white rabbit.
You tried your best to catch up to the rabbit, but it was of no use. There was still a bit of distance between the two of you. The tiny pitter patter of feet was becoming drowned out by the noise of the leaves rustling in the sudden wind that picked up. The sky seemed to darken, yet there were no clouds in sight to obstruct the sun.
“Come back!” a mix of desperation and fatigue coated your words as you struggled to keep up your pace.
You didn’t know why you were so determined to follow and catch up to this rabbit…maybe you were trying to reassure yourself that you weren’t crazy…maybe it was a trick of the light and he wasn’t wearing a magenta waistcoat. Whatever your reasoning was, you couldn’t help but feel pulled into the rabbit, you were entranced.
The rabbit seemed to hear your cries of attention, and quickly pulled out a pocket watch that glinted in the sun. It seemed to be very time conscious, as if it were in a hurry…Its brows knotted together.
As if it were not pleased with the time it saw displayed on the watch, the rabbit quickly shoved it back in its pockets mid-run. It quickly turned its head to look back at you and narrowed its eyes. You swear you could make out the rabbit mouthing “run faster”, but before you knew it, the rabbit turned its head back in the direction of the forest and ran.
You were near the brink of collapsing face first into the earth with the amount of sudden cardio you inflicted on your body. Gritting your teeth through sheer determination, you gathered all the strength you could muster and burst out into a sudden sprint.
The sky seemed to further darken as the white rabbit became nothing more than a blob in the distance, until it finally disappeared into the shadows of the forest. No matter how hard you ran, it was near enough impossible to heed the rabbits’ words and catch up to it.
However, you still ran. Determined. Something was telling you to keep going. Instinct or stubbornness, you couldn’t tell.
You were getting closer, yet your anxieties started to flow through your veins. Panicking, you looked up to the skies to see what appeared to be a flash of lightning dart across, followed by a loud bang.
Shit. It was never good to be out in the open during a storm.
The shadows of the forest started to loom over you as you got closer. They called out to you…beckoning you to seek refuge amongst the trees.
BANG.
A second flash of lightning and clap of thunder quickly followed after the first.
You finally reached the forest, but you were still determined to keep going. Scanning your surroundings mid run, you were desperate to find maybe a small hideaway cabin if luck had it? Or a clearing? Despite the forest offering you warmth and a weird sense of comfort, it wasn’t the ideal place to be when there was thunder and lightning. Quite dangerous actually, and strongly advised against.
Slowing your pace until you finally halt to a stop, you run your hands through your hair in frustration as you dig your heels into the dirt, unearthing it to kick the debris in anger.
There was no sign of the white rabbit at all.
You began to bring your breathing back down to a normal pace after that sudden exertion.
Looking back towards the direction you came, you observed how dark the sky had gotten. So much so, the shadows It cast into the ground obscured your view and it was difficult to spot where on earth the cottage was.
The flashes of lightning danced in the sky above and your mind began to scramble.
Either try to navigate your way back in the dark and risk possible injury or even worse death or stay in the woods and try to find some shelter away from the trees or a possible clearing…where you could also be struck.
Your eyes began to water as you felt the stupidity of the situation you put yourself in come to fruition. Shutting them in an attempt to stop the tears from flowing, you bought your hands to your head, rubbing your temples for comfort.
From out of nowhere – a source of bright blue light illuminated against your eyelids, highlighting each vein and vessel.
Concerned, you tear your eyes open and immediately shield your view from the piercing rays of light.
The little hairs on your arms stood to attention as you felt a shiver crawl down your spine. The temperature surely must have dropped as you could visibly see your breath turning into streams of mist as you quickly inhaled and exhaled.
Whatever spectacle was taking place before you, your body was unable to move from both curiosity and fear.
Looking through the gaps of your fingers, the aura of the bright blue light started to dissipate. The mass tentacles of the lights’ rays started to form in a circular shape, expanding and twisting until it reached a similar height of your own.
You held your breath as the white rabbit re appeared before the mass of light.
Taking your hand away, you started to walk closer for a better view, moving slowly to not startle the rabbit.
The Rabbit stroked its chin as it pulled its pocket watch out again. As if entranced by the watches face, the rabbit didn’t hear you approach until your foot stepped on a fallen branch.
*SNAP*
Your body froze as your mind cursed your stupidity.
The rabbits head immediately jolted in your direction, its sharp gaze scanning the area, eyes softening when they finally landed on you.
You could make out the rabbit offering you a small smirk and a wink, before it stashed the pocket watch away and dived into the ominous blue light.
Words didn’t reach your mouth in time. Your legs had a mind of their own and you bolted after the rabbit. Your head was doubting your choices, screaming at you in alarm but it was overruled by the sheer magnetic force your body had towards the ball of light. Edging closer and closer towards the light, your vision was engulfed by a blinding white heat.
You expected pain, but there was none. You lost your sense of awareness as the light turned into pure darkness. All you could hear was the sound of the rabbits’ pocket watch ticking in your ear as you stared into oblivion.
Your body felt like it was falling. Your eyes were open and yet you could still not see.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
Tick. Tock.
The sounds of the clock slowed down. A picturesque scene of clear skies and what you could make out to be – a castle, appeared at the depths of the chasm you were falling into.
Tick.
Tock.
The clock chimed and you swear you could hear the faint sound of horses trotting.
The scene before you changed. The tendrils of darkness peeled back to reveal an ariel view of a vast kingdom beneath you. The kind of old timey kingdoms that were frequently mentioned in fairy tales.
Your eyes readjusted as you tried to take everything in. The skies were the same as the ones back home sunny and bright. The soft glow of the cheerful sun highlighting the enormous castle that was situated in the middle of the distant town.
Small streams and curved bridges ran throughout the kingdom, and as you got closer, you noticed just how populated the place was.
None of that seemed to matter at this very moment though. The kingdom lost its charm on you as your fear of heights kicked back in.
Your arms and legs began to flail about as you struggled to scream with the amount of air that was whooshing past you as you fell.
The sight of a leafy bush that started out as a dot became larger as you fell, you mentally took a deep breath as you shut your eyes again. Your hands gripped your arms as your fingernails dug into your skin. Coaxing yourself with a vast number of prayers, you were seriously hoping that this was just a simple dream. Perhaps you passed out from the heat?
Either way, you braced yourself for the impending pain from colliding with the bush…but…
Your falling started to ominously slow down just at the right time.
You opened your eyes as your legs gently swayed in the air. The leaves were slowly getting closer to you as you floated down. Whatever spell was put upon you just now, you weren’t complaining. It felt as if someone put a parachute on you at the very last vital moment.
Your feet brushed against the leaves as your upper body fell forwards, falling headfirst into the vast amount of leaves that greeted you.
“Great. After chasing a god damned rabbit, nearly being struck by lightning, falling through what seemed like a flipping portal, my stupid endeavours end up with me being stuck headfirst in a bush.” You whined. “A thorny one as well!”
Grimacing, you tried to batt the thorns away from grazing your cheeks. You kicked your legs, but it was no use. You were stuck.
“For fucks sake” you shouted. “You couldn’t make this shit up!”
You suddenly felt a strong pair of hands and the feeling of cold metal snake rap around your waist. Your body froze as you couldn’t tell if this was friend or foe. You felt the urge to slap these mysterious hands away, but you physically couldn’t move. All you could do was groan as you were pulled out.
Your vision was no longer taken up by leaves and thorns and you were placed back on your feet. You winced as you stretched your back, your spine clicking as it relieved you slightly of your pain.
A chuckle came from behind you “Well that’s no way for a beautiful lady to act now, is it?”
Your cheeks reddened as you came to realise whoever saved you, literally saw your ass sticking in the air. Luckily you remembered to put on your underwear today.
You turned around on your heels to thank your mysterious saviour. Your eyes scanned the person before you from head to toe. They were completely covered in silver armour with no dent or scratch in sight. It was extremely polished, so much so that the sun reflected off of it, casting the wearer in an ethereal glow.
Noticing your confusion, your mysterious acquaintance chuckled once more as he slowly took off his helmet.
Locks of beautiful snow-white hair cascaded downwards, grazing his high cheekbones and framing a striking pair of ruby red eyes. The rest of it was bunched together in a low ponytail that trailed off behind his back.
You have never seen such a handsome man before. You even doubted for a slight second that this was a man before you…maybe he was a god.
You continued to stare at the stranger before he forced a cough that brought you back to reality.
“Sorry” you mumbled as you blinked rapidly, shaking your head in embarrassment. “I have no idea what’s going on or where I am, one minute I was home and then I was chasing a rabbit and there was this portal thingy and the next minute I’m falling and I ---”
You quickly bring your hands over your mouth, the heat in your face rises as you realise you might have just revealed too much in front of the handsome stranger. But for some reason you couldn’t help it. Something about him was just so…bewitching.
His gaze softened as he took in your words. For once in your life, you hadn’t made a man run away at your awkwardness.
“First of all, I must say, it was quite a spectacular fall you had. Even I am envious of your perseverance and strength to recover from such event.” The stranger offered you a kind smile, and you found yourself smiling back.
His honeyed voice gave you butterflies, and a warm feeling started to coil in your stomach. Now is not the time to develop a crush you scolded to yourself.
The stranger straightened his back, and his posture took on a formal pose. “Introductions are in order. I am the knight commander of King Han’s army…”
Your eyes widened. Surely you were mishearing things – he was a knight…there was a king…You started to breath heavily as panic started to set in…you had no idea what you just got yourself into and if this was a fever dream, now would really be a great time to wake up.
“…But for a damsel in distress like yourself, you can just call me Zen”. The Knight winked.
Your eyes met Zen’s. The glint in his eyes combined with his warm smile told your instincts that this man wouldn’t cause you any harm. Now that your saviour had a name, your shoulders slumped, and you felt yourself relax again. Although, his last remark got on your nerves.
You kicked a nearby pebble out of your way and crossed your arms in slight annoyance “My name is MC and I am NOT a damsel in distress” you emphasised as your hands made air quotes.
Zen chuckled and the frown that developed on your forehead seemed to iron out. It was impossible to stay annoyed at him. He did help you regain your dignity after all. The corners of your mouth started to form into a shy smile as you ran your fingers through your hair.
Zen was about to carry on the conversation, but the sounds of hooves clashing against the earth caused you to both turn your attention to where the sound was emanating from.
As you both glanced down the road, there appeared to be an even younger man gripping the horses’ reins as it tried to walk next to the horse, sweat was dripping down his forehead. In what seemed like a battle for dominance, the young man was tugging on the horses’ reins in an effort to slow down its pace. However, once the horse laid eyes on Zen, it immediately started to gallop. The young man shrieked in horror as he struggled to hold onto the reins, his feet started to drag into the dirt as he lost control, he was hanging on for dear life by the looks of it.
“Should we do something!?” you shouted at Zen’s back. “You know…maybe move out of the way from a charging horse!?”
The horse was gaining speed, yet Zen made no effort to move. You rolled your eyes.
Zen motioned you to stay put “Don’t fear” he said calmly, the horse was mere inches from him now. “This is my horse” he carried on as he put his arm out.
As if by magic, the horse immediately came to a stop in front of him, and it nuzzled its face into its owner’s hand. The young man finally lost his grip on the reins as the horse stopped. The sudden halt caused him to fly forwards and land at your feet. Similar to yourself, he landed face first. Dirt now coated his short honey blonde locks and he groaned into the earth.
You started to bend down to help him up but Zen got their first. “-and this is my rather foolish squire, Yoosung.” Zen swiftly yanked the man to his feet.
Yoosung spat the remainders of the dirt out of his mouth. The dirt wasn’t only in his hair, but it now coated his whole outfit. He immediately caught sight of you and started to quickly brush the dirt away from his lavender tunic, revealing the emblem of a white cat.
“I thought you told me you weren’t going to get distracted and that our journey back to the palace would be swift.” Yoosung bluntly stated, he turned to shoot daggers at Zen.
Zen placed a hand on Yoosungs' shoulder, his grip tightening in frustration. “And I thought you were going to hang back with Shadowfax as I went to inspect what you described as ‘a lady falling from the sky’”.
You mused at the name Shadowfax as you stared at the horses’ pristine white fur that matched her owner’s hair very closely. You could swear you heard that name before from a certain story…
Bringing your attention back to the two men in front of you, Yoosungs' voice began to rise ““You shouldn’t be talking to strangers of this land!” Yoosungs’ eyes focused back onto you, his purple irises narrowing in frustration “she could be one of their thralls. What else falls from the sky!? This could be another one of their tricks!”
Your eyes widened in surprise as you let out one of the biggest sighs of your life “Look I have no idea what is going on and quite frankly, I’m tired. Yoosung, it’s nice to meet you but I’m not a thrall and I really can’t be bothered to explain myself again.” You snapped. You weren’t that surprised at your lashing out.
All of the running you did plus being thrown into mid-air and falling really took its toll on you. Fatigue coursed through your bones; your head felt light as you felt an impending headache.
Noticing your state, Zen approached you and once again wrapped his arms around your waist. The flames in your cheeks reignited as inhaled his scent, a mix of lavender and sweat greeted your nostrils.
You felt the weight of your body disappear as Zen lifted you and placed you onto the saddle. Normally you would really detest a random stranger picking you up, but your mind lacked conviction and you felt yourself feeling even more drowsy as time passed on. “Where are we going?” Was all you could muster amongst various yawns.
Zen mounted the horse and sat behind you, his arms securing you in place with his hands on the reins. Yoosung eyed you suspiciously as he resumed his place by the side of the horse whilst carrying Zen’s helmet.
Zen ushered soothing words to the horse and lightly flicked the reins. “We’re going to take you to the palace.” The horse started a light trot.
Your vision started to get even more blurry from fatigue as your eyelids began to slowly feel heavier, you struggled to keep them open.
“Annoyingly, Yoosung is right. I am sure you mean no harm but being under the service of King Han...” you felt Zen spit at the words ‘service’, his voice taking on more of a sneered tone at the very mention of said King. However, his honeyed voice returned back to normal as he shifted you in an attempt to stop you falling forwards. “All outsiders must be inspected. After all, there have been strange tidings in this land.”
Anxiety was near enough gone from your body after hearing his words. For now, you couldn’t care where you were, what time it was or where you were going. All you wanted to do was drift off to sleep. Exhaustion fully took over you suddenly.
Perhaps when you wake up, you’ll be back in your garden planting flowers…