The blaring buzz of the alarm clock tore through the stillness, dragging me from a restless sleep. I slapped the snooze button, fumbling in the dark, desperate to quiet the relentless noise. Another day, another grind at work. But something felt… wrong.

I didn’t hear the usual creak of my old wooden bed beneath me. Instead, a soft, cool breeze swept across my skin, and I felt something unfamiliar under my fingers. Grass. Wild, untamed grass, cool and dewy beneath my palm.

My eyes snapped open, confusion flooding my mind as I took in the unfamiliar surroundings. Above me, the sky stretched out in an impossible array of colors—rich oranges and purples blending together in an eternal sunset. I could feel the warmth of the fading daylight on my skin, but there was a strange metallic scent in the air, faint yet undeniable. The land stretched out in front of me, rolling hills dotted with scattered trees and vibrant wildflowers, leading to a town in the distance. It shimmered like a mirage—like something from the anime I used to binge-watch with my friends.

I blinked, then pinched myself. The sharp sting confirmed it. This was real. Too real. The ground beneath me felt solid, the cool air carried the scents of a world unknown, and my heart hammered in my chest as panic rose like a tidal wave.

“This can’t be real,” I muttered, voice shaky as I scrambled to my feet. My mind raced, trying to make sense of it. How did I get here? And more importantly, how do I get out?

“Hey there, stranger!”

The voice was sudden, and I jerked around in alarm. Standing a few feet away was a man who looked straight out of a fantasy novel. Tall, with fiery red hair that cascaded down his back like a living flame, and eyes that gleamed like molten gold. His armor was a gleaming mix of steel and leather, practical but with ornate flourishes that made it look almost ceremonial. The sword at his side looked both deadly and regal—an extension of his noble bearing.

“You look lost,” he said, his voice warm and deep, with an unmistakable undertone of concern. His gaze softened, studying me intently. “I’m Light, a knight of this realm. Can I help you?”

I blinked at him, trying to steady my breath. Should I tell him the truth? That I wasn’t from this world? That I didn’t even know how I’d ended up here? But something about his gaze felt… familiar, almost comforting, even though I’d never seen him before. There was a sincerity in his eyes, but also something that tugged at my instincts—a warning.

Before I could decide, his hand was already reaching toward me. He grasped my arm and pulled me to my feet with surprising gentleness, the warmth of his touch sending a shiver down my spine.

“Thank you,” I mumbled, trying to shake the fog of confusion from my head. “I… I’m not sure how I got here.”

Light’s brow furrowed as he studied me, concern flashing across his face. “You’re not a local, are you?” He paused, a hint of something unreadable in his expression. “Well, no matter. The town ahead is safe. Let’s get you there.”

He began walking, and I followed, half-distracted by the surreal beauty of the world around me. He spoke as we moved, pointing out landmarks with a kind of reverence. The Crystal River, shimmering with light, winding its way through the valley; the Forest of Eternal Blossoms, where the trees were in full bloom even though the season suggested otherwise; and in the distance, the ominous silhouette of the Dark Tower, where the princess was supposedly imprisoned.

I was listening, but my mind was still racing, trying to understand the impossible situation I found myself in. This wasn’t some video game or virtual reality—this felt too real. Too tactile.

As we neared the town’s gates, I could hear the bustling sounds of a market—the hum of voices, the clink of coins, the laughter of children. But just before we stepped through, Light stopped, turning to face me. There was a quiet intensity in his gaze.

“You’re not from here,” he said softly, his voice low. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re different. Special.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, like a puzzle piece falling into place that I wasn’t ready to accept. Before I could respond, a sudden voice cut through the air, smooth and dangerous.

“Well, well, what do we have here?”

A figure emerged from the shadows, movements graceful, feline, like a predator toying with its prey. He was tall, with sleek, dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to slice right through me. A cat-man. His ears twitched, and a long tail swished behind him as he approached. His smile was mischievous, the kind that hinted at secrets and trouble.

“You’re quite the enigma, aren’t you?” he purred, his voice like silk, dripping with amusement as his gaze lingered on me.

Light’s hand immediately moved to the hilt of his sword, his expression hardening. “Meo. Stay back.”

But Meo only chuckled, his eyes never leaving mine, as though he could see every thought I was trying to hide. “Why would I? The fun’s just beginning.”

The tension between them was palpable, and for the first time, I realized that this wasn’t just some game—it was a world where every interaction mattered, and every choice could change everything.

The gates to the town were massive, towering above me like the entrance to a new world. As Light led me through, the hustle and bustle of the marketplace surrounded us, and the vibrant atmosphere was overwhelming. Stalls selling everything from fruits to strange trinkets lined the cobblestone streets, and people of all races—humans, elves, dwarves, and more—milled about, chatting in various languages.

But despite the noise and activity, my focus was entirely on the two men who seemed to have an unspoken connection. Light walked beside me, still the picture of a chivalrous knight, but his movements were tense, like a spring wound too tightly. Every now and then, I could feel his gaze on me, as if he were silently assessing my every move. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was definitely… intense.

And then there was Meo. He had faded into the crowd, but I could feel his eyes on me from afar, his presence like a shadow that never quite left. His teasing smile from earlier lingered in my thoughts, his words echoing in my mind.

"Why would I? The fun’s just beginning."

I couldn’t shake the feeling that he knew more than he let on, like he was watching and waiting for something. But what? And why was I so drawn to both of them?

I was jolted out of my thoughts as Light stopped abruptly, drawing my attention to a nearby tavern.

“This place will be safer for you,” Light said, his voice warm but firm. “I’ll stay with you.”

Before I could respond, a soft chuckle echoed from across the street.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” A new voice joined the fray.

A man emerged from a nearby alley, dressed in dark, elegant robes, his face partially hidden behind a mask. His features were sharp, but his smile was disarmingly sweet, though there was a sharpness to his gaze that made my skin prickle. He was tall, with raven-black hair that fell to his shoulders, and his eyes, a deep shade of violet, seemed to gleam with hidden knowledge.

“I’ve been looking for someone like you,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. He took a slow step forward, his fingers brushing lightly against my arm in a way that felt both intimate and calculated. “I’m Ren, a sorcerer of sorts. I could offer you protection, if you’d like.”

Light’s hand shifted to his sword, and I could see his posture stiffen beside me. “Ren,” he said, his voice tight. “We don’t need your ‘protection.’”

Ren simply smiled wider, unfazed. “Ah, Light. Still so possessive. But if the man wants protection, I can certainly offer it… in more ways than one.”

I shifted uncomfortably, the air thick with tension between the two of them. Was this another knight vying for my attention? Or was Ren something else entirely?

Before I could process any more of Ren’s cryptic words, another voice suddenly joined the growing crowd.

“Hey, hey! Is this the newcomer everyone’s talking about?”

A much younger man, barely older than a boy, bounced up to us with a wide grin. He had short, spiky hair dyed in a vibrant shade of blue and wore a leather tunic that looked like it had seen better days. His eyes were a bright, mischievous blue, matching the gleam in his expression. Despite his appearance, there was a sharpness in his gaze, like a hidden edge beneath his carefree attitude.

“Name’s Kian,” he said, extending a hand with an exaggerated flourish. “I’m the fastest thief in the whole town. If you ever need anything... special, I’m your guy!”

He winked at me, and despite myself, I couldn’t help but laugh. His energy was infectious, and his easy confidence reminded me of some of the guys I used to hang out with back home. But I could tell from the way Light’s hand tightened around his sword that Kian was no ordinary thief.

“Keep your distance,” Light warned, his voice low but firm.

Kian merely shrugged, unfazed. “Relax, I’m harmless. But you might want to watch your back with the others in town.”

Meo’s voice suddenly echoed from the shadows again, smooth and almost lazy. “Sounds like a party without me. Where’s the fun in that?”

Meo appeared from the alley behind us, his feline eyes locking onto me as his lips curled into that sly smirk. “I see you’ve met some of my more… colorful acquaintances.”

Light’s expression darkened, but before he could respond, Ren chuckled darkly, a hand brushing his mask. “This is getting interesting. Perhaps we should all… collaborate?”

The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. Four men. Each one seemed to want something from me. And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that none of them were as they seemed.

The town bustled around us, but the only sounds I could focus on were the voices of the men now surrounding me. The atmosphere had shifted, a delicate tension hanging in the air. The way they watched me, each of them with a different kind of interest, made my heart race.

Light’s hand remained near his sword, his posture rigid and protective. His golden eyes never left me, but there was something else in them now—something more intense, almost desperate.

Ren’s gaze, on the other hand, seemed to linger on me with a quiet, calculating interest. Every word he spoke was laced with an undertone of flirtation, but his eyes seemed to hold secrets, darker than the carefree charm he wore like a mask. He took a slow step toward me, his movements deliberate.

“If you want to find your way in this world,” Ren’s voice dropped lower, “I can guide you. But perhaps you’ll find more than guidance… something you didn’t expect.”

His fingers brushed mine as he spoke, just enough to send a bolt of electricity through my skin. Before I could pull away, his touch lingered, tracing a slow line from my wrist to my palm. His eyes darkened with a hint of something unreadable, and he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear.

“I’m not a patient man,” Ren whispered, his lips brushing the edge of my ear, “but I’m willing to wait... for you.”

I swallowed, my pulse quickening as his words sank in. I had no idea what game he was playing, but it was clear he wasn’t just offering guidance—he was offering something much more intimate.

A sudden movement pulled me from my thoughts. Light’s arm shot out, gripping my shoulder gently but firmly, his presence a wall of strength against Ren’s allure. His golden eyes flashed with something like jealousy, though he masked it quickly with a forced smile.

“You’re not welcome here, Ren,” Light’s voice was low, laced with both authority and something darker. “Stay away from them.”

Ren only smiled, unbothered. “Don’t worry, Light. I’m just having a little fun. No harm in that, is there?”

The tension between the two men was palpable. Ren’s smirk widened, but before Light could retort, a loud voice rang out from the edge of the crowd.

“Hey, hey! Are you two lovebirds done fighting yet?”

It was Kian, bouncing up to us with that carefree grin of his. His bright blue eyes sparkled with mischief, and despite the chaotic energy between the others, he seemed completely at ease.

“Relax, Light,” Kian teased, stepping up next to me with a playful wink. “You’re no fun. I was hoping to show our guest here around, maybe take them on a little adventure.”

Kian’s proximity made my heart skip a beat. He was the youngest of the group, his energy infectious and playful, but there was a fire in his gaze that suggested he was much more dangerous than he appeared.

He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re the new mystery in town, aren’t you? Everyone’s talking about you. But if you want to really see what this place has to offer, you’re gonna need a guide.”

Before I could respond, he pulled me closer, his lips brushing the shell of my ear in an almost teasing kiss. It was soft, almost playful, but the heat of it lingered, sending a flush to my cheeks. Kian pulled away just as quickly, grinning.

“You’re even more captivating up close,” he murmured, his eyes glinting with something far more serious than his words suggested.

Light’s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, but before he could make a move, I felt Ren’s presence again. He stepped closer to me, his fingers brushing against my arm in a light, almost possessive touch.

“Are you sure you want to keep playing these games, my dear?” Ren’s voice was silk, his lips brushing against my neck in a gentle caress. His proximity was intoxicating, and despite the wariness that flickered in my chest, I couldn’t deny the pull of his presence.

Meo’s voice suddenly cut through the growing tension, low and almost lazy. “You’re all so predictable,” he purred from the shadows, his eyes gleaming in the dimming light. “Why fight over something that’s already mine?”

The playful, teasing quality in his voice only added fuel to the fire. I hadn’t even seen him approach, but there he was, standing just behind me, his green eyes flashing with a possessive intensity that took me by surprise.

Meo stepped forward, his hand sliding over my shoulder in a gentle caress, his fingers lingering on my skin as though he owned it. “I’ve been waiting for this,” he murmured, his lips brushing lightly against my jaw. “You’re going to be the death of me, aren’t you?”

His kiss came suddenly, sharp and filled with desperation. It wasn’t the gentle kiss I had been expecting—it was urgent, claiming, as if he was marking me as his own. His hands cupped my face, pulling me closer as his lips devoured mine, the kiss scorching and electric.

I gasped into it, my mind whirling, but before I could pull away, Meo’s tongue traced the seam of my lips, coaxing me to deepen it. There was no going back now. I had kissed him, and every second of it burned through me.

When he finally pulled back, his eyes darkened with satisfaction, and his lips were curled into a smirk. “You belong to me,” he whispered, his voice soft but filled with dark promise.