Chapter 1: Awakening

Stella Laurel was an office worker in her mid-thirties, leading a tiring yet mundane life in the bustling city. She had always been fascinated by nature and the outdoors, but her job kept her confined to the concrete walls of her office building, slaving away every second of her time working in front of a terminal. Little did she know that her life was about to take an extraordinary turn.

One fateful day, as Stella was leaving work, a strange, shimmering portal suddenly appeared before her. Without warning, she was pulled into the portal and found herself in a completely different dimension. The moment Stella passed through the threshold of the portal, she felt a powerful surge of energy coursing through her body. It was as if she was being pulled, stretched, and compressed all at once. Colors blurred and shifted around her, forming a kaleidoscope of hues as she hurtled through the wormhole-like passage.

The sensation was both exhilarating and terrifying, akin to being caught in a cosmic whirlwind. Stella's surroundings twisted and contorted, blending fragments of different dimensions together. She caught glimpses of alien landscapes, celestial bodies, and even glimpses of beings from other realms.

Time seemed to lose its meaning as Stella traveled through the wormhole. Seconds stretched into eternities, and moments flashed by in an instant. It was disorienting and overwhelming for both Stella's body and mind. So much, that she altogether lost the ability to control her body. Worst, is what followed after. As Stella felt that something from within her core was snapped with a great force, an extremely painful snap that released with it a surge of energy that enveloped every fiber of Stella being, changing and molding her essence into something else, something extraordinary. Unable to let out a scream, Stella has nothing to do but to silently wither in pain for god knows how much, as every cell within her body twists, cuts, and rearranges. Not to mention the mental load that her mind went through, as it experienced the agony of having her body being manipulated by a powerful force.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Stella emerged from the other end of the portal. Her exit wasn't a graceful one, as she stumbled face first into the ground. The portal that had served as her passage between dimensions closed behind her, leaving her feeling drained and exhausted to death. Opening her blue eyes wide to look around, she was relieved to see that she was in a somewhat familiar place—a forest of some kind. The air felt different, the colors were more vibrant, and there was an otherworldly energy pulsating through everything around her.

"W-what just happened?,.....and Where am I?" Stella mumbled with a low and hoarse voice before losing consciousness.

…..

In the midst of this surreal landscape, a group of intrepid adventurers happened to be passing through the forest, engrossed in animated conversation. They were a diverse bunch, each with their own tales of daring exploits and extraordinary encounters.

As they walked and talked, their voices carried through the dense foliage. Suddenly, a hush fell over the group as they stumbled upon a sight that stopped them in their tracks. There, amidst the lush greenery, lay Stella's motionless body.

The adventurers walked cautiously to her side, their voices now filled with concern and urgency. Lilly, the markswoman of the party, quickly put a robe around her body, protecting her modesty from the gaze of the other male in her party. Magnus, a stoic and formidable knight, lifted Stella gently from the ground and laid her on a bed of soft moss. Examining her, they could see that she was still breathing, albeit shallowly. They checked for any visible injuries, but apart from a few scratches and torn clothing, there was no sign of physical harm.

One of the adventurers, an Ortharian priestess named Elira, immediately went to work. She closed her eyes, focusing her energy and invoking ancient chants that's used to analyze the patient's status. A soft glow enveloped her hands as she carefully placed them over Stella's body. What she found shocked Elira.

"Her Ether Core, it's severely damaged… and it's somehow absorbing my magic to repair itself. It's the first time that I have ever seen something like this. This- this is truly extraordinary. Hgn!-" Elira had to stop herself as she began to feel the weight of her magic rapidly being depleted at an alarming rate.

"-*gasp* I need some time to regain some magic power before I attempt another round of healing her Ether Core"

The rest of the group watched with mixed expressions. Time seemed to stand still as they waited, hoping for a positive sign. After what felt like an eternity, Stella stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. Confusion and disorientation washed over her face as she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The adventurers gathered around her, watching with a gaze full of intrigue, curiosity, and genuine worry.

Stella's voice was weak, but filled with gratitude as she spoke. "Thank you, all of you. I don't know what happened, but I'm grateful you found me."

The adventurers exchanged glances, confusion evident in their faces. Soon Stella knows why as one of them, a tall well built warrior with piercing blue eyes, and unkempt blonde hair spoke to her in an unfamiliar language that made Stella to mentally take a step back and finally take a good look at the assortment of people that are gathered around her.

They weren't wearing anything that she associated with the modern age. As their appearance suggests them to be a band of armed warriors. Adventurer, Stella's mind concluded. Sitting upright, Stella grabbed hold of the falling robe and covered her nearly exposed self as she watched the party members talking with hushed whispers between one and another.

With their curiosity piqued by Stella's mysterious use of an unknown language and her state of being. Xavier, the party leader, stepped closer to Stella who was lost in her own thoughts, kneeling down to her eye level and promptly taking her interest towards him, as he said. 

"Hello. Can you understand me" her response was tilting her head, an obvious gesture that she in fact didn't understand a thing of what he said.

Sighing tiredly from the side, Elira began to do the only thing that could provide a semblance of an understanding. Dredging slowly towards Xavier, leaning on him as a sport, Elira pointed at herself then at her companion and said. "Elira. My name is Elira, and this empty noggin is called Xavier."

"Hay!"

"El-ira!?" Stella repeated Elira name which caused her to nod her head and smile warmly at Stella.

….

_ Lily

"This is ridiculous!" Was the honest response of Lily's twin brother Cain. "Call me when they're done with this'' He throws his water skin towards Lily as he said "You might need this more than I do" before walking away from the party.

"Where are you going?" Lily shouted at the retreating figure of her younger brother.

"I will go ahead and scout the area around for monsters lurking by, in the meantime enjoy your time babysitting with the others" Cain waved with his back at Lily.

"I as well" Magnus who as Lily expected joined Cain, preferring solitude than being in the company of others.

Sighing to herself at Cain usual antics. Lilly refocused at Stella who was frowning her eyes hard, as she was struggling to pronounce a few words as she failed using the right tone of their Caljidorain dialect "Gor- Gurdean of lanfon"

"Hmm. Close enough, but yes that's our party name. Guardian of Lanthorn…. Speaking of which, I have yet to learn your name" hearing the word "name" Stella quickly picked up on the fact that she has yet to tell them about her own name!. Embarrassed at herself. As she didn't take into consideration Elira and Xavier's genuine attempt to form a connection between themselves and her.

Smiling brightly, Stella offered her name to the people nearby by pointing with her index finger at herself and saying. "Stella"

Lilly laughed and watched in amusement at Xavier's flabbergasted face as he blushed all red at Stella's unintentional flirty action. She can't blame the man though as Stella looks absolutely stunning. She had an aura of curiosity and wonder. Her appearance was a mix of youthful innocence and potential. She possesses an ethereal beauty that captivates those who lay eyes upon her. Not to mention her hourglass-like figure, coupled with her long and flowing white hair that cascaded down her back paint an exotic picture about her. Plus how her sapphire blue eyes sparkled with an inquisitive light, made her look even more charming by Lily's opinion. Adding mystery to her situation, the remnants of her clothes suggest that they were practical yet stylish, one that has yet to be seen adorned by anyone other than her, reflecting her unusual origin.

This line of thought caused Lily to think about the wired circumstances that led Stella here in this forest. A forest that is considered dangerous for most people for the simple reason that it's occupied by monsters. Thankfully these monsters don't usually cross the border of the forest, as they mostly inhabit the innermost section of the forest. Still, the matter of the fact that Stella could have been ambushed, possibly devoured by one of these monsters tells Lily how lucky Stella is for her party to find her relatively safe and sound.

That said she can't leave the woman wearing, well.. what's left of her own clothes, thus she began to search in her traveling backpack for a change of clothes… Thinking for a second she might need to search in Elira bag as she realized that her clothes might not fit Stella, especially in the upper body department. Feeling a bit slighted at the inequality that's brought by life for having "Under developed body" as she put it. Lily did as she thought she would, that's before handing out Cain's water skin to Stella that she was holding the whole time. A water skin that Lily noted it belongs to Elira.

….

_ Stella

Stretching her body, Stella grabbed the rob that she was using as a cover to hide herself while wearing the change of clothes that was generously handed offered by Lily. Having a bit of trouble wearing the thing, something that Stella attributed to her sudden "growth" as she called it where her body transformed into a younger, healthier version of herself. Not to mention that hair lost all of its coloration, resulting in its being white as chalk. Her memory is still a bit foggy, as she only remembers the unpleasant pain that her body went through when she crossed space/dimension.

With a mix of curiosity and caution, Stella began to follow the group of people as they traveled through the forest. Sporting Elira's tired body, Stella was truly mesmerized looking at her surroundings. The forest was unlike any Stella had ever seen before. The trees towered above, their branches reaching out like giant arms, creating a canopy that blocked out most of the sunlight. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of moss, damp earth, and something indefinitely magical. Strange, vibrant flowers dotted the forest floor, their petals shimmering with hues that seemed to shift and change as Stella approached them.

From the side, Elira laughed softly at Stella's expressive facial expressions. Prompting Stella to blush from embarrassment. As they walked deeper into the forest, Stella couldn't help but notice the companionship and camaraderie among the adventurers. They moved with a sense of purpose, each member fulfilling their role within the group. Xavier, the leader, with his unkempt blonde hair, unkempt blonde hair and deep blue eyes had a strong build, with broad shoulders, a chiseled jawline, and finely trimmed beard. His armor was intricately designed, reflecting his status as a seasoned warrior. A cloak adorned his shoulders, billowing slightly in the breeze, adding an air of elegance to his formidable figure. Xavier seemed to possess a natural charisma, commanding respect from his comrades. 

Elira, the priestess, with light blue hair and kind teal eyes that radiated a gentle demeanor that put Stella at ease whenever she looked at them. Her attire consists of a long and flowing white robe that has arcane symbols etched into it, symbols that Stella can sense are holding power of unexplainable depth.

Further interdiction, Stella now knows the name and rolls of the other members. Magnus, the stoic knight, with crimson hair and Sharp green eyes stood tall and imposing, he was a towering figure with a muscular physique. His presence alone seemed to instill a sense of strength and protection. Magnus exuded a quiet strength that made him a pillar of reliability. His attire was an imposing black plate armor. An armor adorned with intricate engravings that told tales of battles fought and won. His weapon of choice was a glaive that gleamed with the promise of devastation.

Finally Cain & Lily the nimble rogue and the markswoman, unlike her younger brother, Lily has chestnut hair and mischievous blue eyes. Her body exude displayed a mix of grace and precision in her every movement. The youngest Cain, has dark-short brown hair and piercing blue eyes. His features were sharper, giving him a more intense and focused look than his lively sister features. His attire was like his sister a black, form-fitting hardened leather armor that allowed the two of them to move silently and swiftly through the shadows. Unlike His sister's preferred sturdy composite bow made from Vurzarain lamented bones, Cain weapons, was a pair of sleek daggers, were always within reach, ready to strike with deadly precision

Stella felt a sense of awe and intrigue as she observed their interactions. She wondered what their stories were, what experiences had shaped them into the formidable adventurers they appeared to be. She realized that she might be a stranger that they helped as they passed by, but deep down she has a deep sense of gratitude that she wants to repay. As such a surge of determination welled up within her heart. Despite her confusion about her current situation, she felt an inexplicable connection to this new world and the people in it, primarily for the party members.

As they walked, Stella couldn't help but feel a twinge of pain from the remnants of her earlier ordeal. Her Ether Core, as Elira had called it, still felt fragile and unstable. She was acutely aware of the energy pulsating within her, a power she couldn't fully comprehend. It was both exhilarating and daunting, and she knew she would have to learn to harness it if she wanted to survive and find her way back home.

Lost in her thoughts, Stella didn't notice the subtle changes in the forest. The trees grew denser, casting longer shadows, and the air became charged with an eerie stillness. The adventurers, sensing the shift, came to a halt, their weapons at the ready. They exchanged cautious glances, silently communicating their shared apprehension.

It was Magnus who first spotted movement in the underbrush. His keen eyes caught the glimpse of a pair of glowing eyes peering out from the darkness. As he raised his glaive, ready to defend the group, a low growl reverberated through the air. The sound sent a shiver down Stella's spine causing her to panic, but she quickly calmed herself, when a reassuring hand that belonged to Xavier firmly squeezed her shoulder. Now calmed, Stella steeld her expression determined to not be a liability to them.

The tension escalated as more pairs of eyes appeared, their intensity growing with each passing moment. The adventurers formed a protective circle around Stella, their weapons gleaming in the dappled light. They were outnumbered, surrounded by unknown adversaries, but they stood tall, refusing to back down.

The forest erupted into chaos as the creatures lunged at the group, their snarls and roars echoing through the trees. "Colubrinae" Cain . The Colubrinae were a strange mix of reptilian and antelope-like creatures that had vegetation covering most of their upper body, blending them well with the surrounding forest. From Stella's opinion, they looked like a deer that had developed some scale and a skeletal crocodile head that's painted with green moss and dirt. Their size is akin to that of a large dog, some of them are equivalent to the size of a horse. They sounded the tightly kent party from all sides, circling them waiting for the right chance to strike.

Suddenly one of the larger ones lunged at the party. "Watch out!" Lilly shouted to warn her companion as she loaded a few arrows at the incoming threat with her trusty bow. She swiftly aimed at the incoming creature, her eyes focused and her movements precise. With a flick of her wrist, she released the arrows in rapid succession, each one finding its mark with deadly accuracy. The creature let out a piercing screech as the arrows pierced its hide, causing it to stumble and slow its charge.

Inspired by Lilly's quick and skillful action, Magnus charged forward, his glaive swinging in wide arcs striking down the Colubrinae ending it life with a swift prowess of his glaive mastery.

Taking this as a cue, more Colubrinae began to attack the party in the same way. Which was by charging head first for a vicious bite of their large and terrifying maw's. Only to stop in their tracks as their body collided against a glowing barrier that sprung up at the last second, a barrier that was conjured by none other than Elira, the arcana expert and healer of the party. This was not all as in the next moment her barrier turned into a powerful wave that caused most of the smaller Colubrinae to lose their footing and fall onto the ground.

Taking advantage of Colubrinae being disoriented, the armed group of Warrior began their dance of death. Magnus sliced and diced every monster in sight with devastating brutality. Xavier, the leader of the group, fought with calculated precision, parrying and countering the attacks of the Colubrinae with his expert swordsmanship and shield mastery. His strikes were swift and deadly, as he defended his allies while also seeking openings to strike back.

Elira, although lacking in physical prowess, supported the group with her healing magic. She chanted incantations and invoked spells, creating protective barriers and mending wounds inflicted by the creatures. Her presence gave the adventurers a sense of reassurance and allowed them to push forward with renewed vigor.

As for Cain. He used an assortment of obstructive elements like gas bombs combined with his prices, fast movement to take down enemies from the shadows. His style might've looked uncoordinated with his companion but keen observers could see that he was targeting the enemy weakness, slashing their legs, eyes, or an unprotected/scaleless artery.

Things were going great as arrows and magical missiles were hurled at the enemy vanguard, keeping them at bay from attacking the melee unit of the party. The adventurers fought as a cohesive unit, their individual skills combining to form a formidable force. Despite the odds stacked against them, they refused to yield. Their determination and trust in one another were unwavering.

That until a sudden quake put the battle into a complete standstill as a colossal tree sized Colubrinae emerged from the forest. Breathing heavily, the adventurers regrouped, their bodies covered in dirt and sweat. Stella looked around at her companions, a mixture of awe and gratitude filling her heart. They had risked their lives to protect her, a stranger in this new world. It was a bond that she cherished, and she knew that she would do everything in her power to support them in return. Under the watchful gaze of the enormous Colubrinae, The remaining Colubrinae that survived the brutal fight retreated back into the depth of the forest, leaving only the Colubrinaeian colossal and the Guardian of Lanthorn watching each other in a trepid silence that lasted for a pregnant minute. Huffing out a hot stream of air, the colossal roared with such strength that it caused even Magnus, the largest and the heaviest one to take a step back. It black sclera eyes shone with ominous yellow light as it began to move towards the people at the forefront.

"Run!" Roared Xavier. Immediately everyone began to flee as fast as possible, sprinting towards the opposite side of the colossal Colubrinae, except for only one person and that's Stella. Terra has gripped her heart as Stella stood frozen in front of the incoming death. Quickly realizing their mistake, the Guardian of Lanthorn halted their escape as they turned back to shout at Stella as loudly as possibly they could. Things seemed to go astray as the monster lent down with its gigantic maw's wide open ready to devour Stella's small body in a single bite.

The people watching this had a mixed reaction to what's about to happen. "NO!" Xavier shouted. "Sigh... Damnit!" Cain who was busy restraining the crying Lily, forcing her to look at the other side away from the tragedy that's about to happen. As for Magnus, his mind was filled with dark thoughts as he blamed himself for not noticing Stella's mental state in time, or at least grabbed her arms as he ran. Elira, on the other hand, covered her mouth in horror. Quickly holding in her hands the symbol of her Aetheric God, Orthar the Divine Lightbringer ready to pray for her soul to find peace in the afterlife, only to stop as she watched something miraculous happen, something that put her heart at ease yet at the same time felling tribulated. A sense of deep forbidding well up from her connection as a priestess of Orthar.

…..

_ Stella

Stella felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she tapped into the latent power within her. She could feel the energy resonating with the world around her, and with a focused intent, she channeled it outward.

A shockwave of energy burst from Stella, rippling through the air and knocking the colossal creature back. Stella's eyes widened in awe and surprise at her own power. She had tapped into something extraordinary, something beyond her wildest imagination. It was a burst of power that she didn't fully understand, and felt an exhilaration she had never experienced before. But there was no time to dwell on it, as she instinctively knew that the early wave she had projected wasn't enough to take down the colossal, not even causing a meaningful damage at its sturdy body as such she began her next move.

With an agility and grace that seemed almost supernatural, her newfound abilities guided her every action. She struck with a combination of raw power and finesse, her attacks leaving trails of shimmering energy in their wake. Each strike was accompanied with force, a shmiring force that caused the giant to roar out from pain. In retaliation the Colubrinae used its large size to pin down Stella's body by slamming in his horns into her small nimble body attempting to impaling her to death.

The battle raged on for a short while as the Colubrinae suffered enough to end by stopping attacking all together for a long minutes before stamping at the ground hard with a force, and huffing at Stella's direction before taking a step back towards the other side of the fight. Stella watched with a beating heart at its retreating figure. Her mind full with anxiety knowing full well that she was at her limit, too fatigued to stand up on her legs as they whined from exhaustion, resulting in her falling unconscious on the ground as the last remnant of her power was extinguished leaving her powerless to protect herself from further enemy attack.

Unexpectedly, instead of fearing what would happen next, the colossal Colubrinae chose instead to sit on its hind legs and kneed for its injuries as it watched Stella from afar, an obvious sign of respect. The Colubrinae eyes shone with hidden intelligence, as it turned its head towards the hiding Guardian of Lanthorn beckoning them to rush over and help their friend. And to that they did as they rushed to her side creating a protective circle as Elira began to heal Stella's exhausted body.

With the danger of the Colubrinae subsiding, the party breathed a collective sigh of relief. The colossal beast, its immense form gradually fading into the distance, emitted a resounding farewell in the form of a strange humming sound. The sound reverberated through the air, carrying a hint of melancholy and mystery, leaving the Guardians perplexed. They had never heard such a sound produced by any Colubrinae before, adding to the enigma of the encounter.

As the Guardian of Lanthorn turned their attention to the still unconscious Stella, Elira focused her efforts on aiding in her recovery. With a mixture of concern and determination, Elira worked diligently, applying her knowledge of healing magic and herbal remedies to assist Stella's awakening.

Sharing glances with one another, the Guardians understood the urgency of the situation. They needed to find a safe place to regroup and allow Stella to regain her strength. Xavier, the leader of the group, took charge and issued instructions with a firm and resolute voice.

"Cain! Lilly!" he called out, addressing the two Guardians. "Scout the area for a possible campsite. We need a secure location where we can rest and keep a watchful eye."

Cain and Lilly, both skilled in reconnaissance, acknowledged the command with a swift "Yes, sir!" They immediately set off in different directions, their trained eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of a suitable campsite. The twins swiftly made their way through the surrounding woods, their keen eyes searching for a location that offered both safety and strategic advantages. As they moved through the dense undergrowth, they communicated with a level of synchronicity that only siblings could achieve.

Meanwhile, Xavier turned his attention to Magnus, his loyal and dependable brother-in-arms. With a nod of gratitude, he assigned him a crucial task.

"Magnus!" Before Xavier could speak more, Magnus beat him by saying "I'm on it. I will go and collect fortification materials" His voice filled with unwavering confidence. "Like we are always told by the commander of the Northlight knight order, always make sure to have a well-protected encampment against any potential threats, especially those that are populated by monsters." He swiftly departed, knowing the importance of his mission in securing the safety of their camp and refuge for the hours, possibly days to comes if no completion ever arises.

Elira, who had been listening attentively, chimed in with a request of her own, a touch of playful exasperation evident in her voice.

"While you're at it," she interjected Magnus, a wry smile gracing her lips, "can you be a dear Magnus and fill my water skin? I believe that the twins have been ransacking my stash. Again."

The twins, mischievous and adventurous, had a penchant for exploring and occasionally raiding their fellow Guardians' belongings. Elira's water supply seemed to be their frequent target, leading her to seek assistance from Magnus in safeguarding her resources.

With a nod and a chuckle, Magnus acknowledged Elira's request, understanding the need for both protection and camaraderie within the group. He made a mental note to keep a watchful eye on the mischievous twins while fulfilling his tasks.

As Magnus set off to gather fortification materials, Xavier turned his attention to Elira, concern evident in his eyes. "How is Stella? Has she shown any signs of improvement?"

Elira gently wiped the sweat from Stella's forehead and nodded. "She seems to be recovering. Her breathing has stabilized, and her complexion looks better than before. I believe she just needs more time to regain her strength."

Xavier's expression softened, his worry transitioning into determination. "Good. We need her at her best for what lies ahead. Our encounter with the beast was a reminder of the dangers we face. We cannot afford to let our guard down."

Xavier and Elira remained at Stella's side, keeping a watchful eye over her as she slowly regained consciousness. Xavier placed a reassuring hand on Elira's shoulder, a silent gesture of support and gratitude for her care.

Elira glanced up at Xavier, a small smile playing on her lips. "She's strong, Xavier. I have faith that she will recover fully. We need her in this fight."

Xavier's gaze never wavered from Stella, his voice filled with unwavering resolve. "Indeed, Elira. Stella possesses a strength that goes beyond her abilities. We are fortunate to have her with us."

With their roles defined and the campsite search underway, the Guardians of Lanthorn continued their journey, united in their purpose. The challenges they faced were formidable, but their bond and determination would guide them through the darkest of times.

To be continued….