Aria Meets Ayan for the First Time

Aria (to herself):

I knew I shouldn’t have come this far into the woods. But something… something was calling me. It didn’t feel dangerous, just… unknown. I can handle unknown.

(She pushes through the dense trees, hearing a stream in the distance. The sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor. She stumbles upon an old stone bridge, covered in moss.)

Aria (to herself):

This bridge… I’ve never seen it before, but it feels like I’m meant to cross it.

(She steps cautiously onto the bridge, her heart racing with both fear and excitement. Suddenly, she hears a rustle behind her. She whirls around, her breath catching in her throat.)

Ayan (calm, yet distant):

“You shouldn’t be here.”

Aria (startled):

“Who—who are you? And what do you mean I shouldn’t be here? This is just the forest…”

Ayan (stepping out from the shadows):

“This part of the forest doesn’t belong to you. It’s not safe. Especially not for someone like you.”

Aria (defiantly):

“Someone like me? I can take care of myself, thanks.”

(Ayan smirks, his gaze scanning the darkening woods behind them.)

Ayan:

“You’re more stubborn than I thought. But this place... it’s not what it seems. Trust me, you don’t want to find out what’s waiting on the other side of that bridge.”

Aria (stepping closer to Ayan):

“And why should I trust you?”

(Ayan’s eyes meet hers, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his expression.)

Ayan (quietly):

“Because I’ve seen it .

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Aria (narrowing her eyes):

“You’ve seen it? What exactly are you talking about?”

(Ayan’s gaze flickers to the shadows creeping closer as the sun disappears behind the trees.)

Ayan:

“There are things in this forest, things you can’t imagine. And once you cross that bridge, you enter their world. They don’t take kindly to uninvited guests.”

Aria (crossing her arms, skeptical):

“You expect me to believe that? What, are you some kind of guardian of the forest or something?”

(Ayan smirks but there’s no humor in his eyes.)

Ayan:

“Something like that.”

(Aria takes a deep breath, her curiosity outweighing her fear. She glances at the bridge again.)

Aria:

“Look, I didn’t come here by accident. I felt… drawn. There’s something I need to find, something that’s been calling me. And I’m not leaving until I figure out what it is.”

(Ayan studies her for a moment, his expression unreadable.)

Ayan:

“You’re stubborn, I’ll give you that. But this isn’t just about you anymore.”

(He steps forward, standing between her and the bridge, his presence commanding. For a moment, Aria hesitates, her pulse quickening.)

Ayan (quietly):

“I’ve already broken the rules by being here, talking to you. If you cross that bridge, there’s no turning back. The world you know will never be the same.”

(Aria’s heart pounds in her chest, but something inside her is urging her forward. She looks up at Ayan, determined.)

Aria:

“I’ll take that risk.”

(Without waiting for his response, she brushes past him and steps onto the bridge. The moment her foot touches the moss-covered stone, a chill runs through her body. The air around them seems to shift, the trees whispering secrets in a language she doesn’t understand.)

(Ayan watches her for a moment longer, then curses under his breath and follows her onto the bridge.)

Ayan (muttering):

“Of course you would.”

(As Aria and Ayan cross the bridge, the air grows colder, and the light of the setting sun fades entirely. The forest ahead seems darker, as if the very life of the trees has been drained away. The ground beneath them turns from soft moss to stone. A strange mist rolls in, swirling at their feet.)

Aria (whispering, trying to stay calm):

“What is this place?”

(Ayan walks a few steps ahead of her, scanning the horizon with sharp eyes. His voice is low but steady.)

Ayan:

“It’s a borderland. Between the world you know… and the one you don’t.”

(Aria glances at him, unsure of what to say. Her heart races, but something about this place feels oddly familiar, like she’s been here before.)

Aria (tentatively):

“You said you’ve seen it before. What exactly did you mean?”

(Ayan doesn’t respond immediately. His expression hardens, and he looks like he’s wrestling with something inside him.)

Ayan (finally):

“I used to live here. In the other world.”

(Aria stops in her tracks, her eyes widening.)

Aria:

“Wait… what?”

(Ayan turns to face her, the weight of his words settling in the air between them.)

Ayan:

“I’m not just some stranger wandering the woods, Aria. I’m from the kingdom beyond this bridge. A place your world has forgotten.”

(Aria’s mind races, trying to process what he’s saying.)

Aria:

“You’re saying you’re from another… world? A kingdom?”

Ayan (nodding):

“And I left it. But now… I’m tied to it again. Because of you.”

(Aria’s breath catches. Her eyes narrow as a realization dawns on her.)

Aria:

“What do you mean, because of me?”

Ayan (stepping closer, his gaze intense):

“You don’t remember, do you? What brought you here… it wasn’t just curiosity. You’re connected to this place too, Aria. In ways you can’t imagine.”

(Aria shakes her head, confusion mingling with frustration.)

Aria:

“No, that doesn’t make sense! I’ve never been here before. I don’t know anything about this world, or—”

Ayan (interrupting, his voice firm):

“You were meant to come here. The call you felt—it’s been waiting for you.”

(Aria stares at him, her pulse quickening. Deep down, she knows he’s right. The pull she felt, the strange dreams she had before coming to the forest—it all points to something bigger. But what?)

(Before Aria can respond, a sudden, piercing howl echoes through the mist. Ayan’s expression shifts, his body tensing.)

Ayan (quietly):

“We’re out of time.”

(He grabs Aria’s wrist and pulls her off the bridge just as dark figures begin to emerge from the fog. They move swiftly, too fast to make out, but their presence is unmistakably menacing.)

Ayan (urgently):

“Run!”

(Aria’s feet stumble as she follows Ayan into the deeper parts of the forest. The creatures chase them, their glowing eyes cutting through the mist like knives. Aria’s breath comes in short gasps, fear gripping her chest.)

Aria (panting):

“What are they?”

Ayan (gritting his teeth):

“Hunters. They belong to the king.”

(Aria stumbles but Ayan pulls her up, his grip firm. The world seems to blur as they weave through the trees, the creatures gaining on them.)

Ayan (glancing over his shoulder):

“We need to get to the sanctuary. It’s the only place they can’t follow.”

(Aria nods, too out of breath to respond. The forest thickens, branches tearing at her clothes as they run. Just when Aria thinks she can’t go any farther, they break through into a clearing.)

(In the middle of the clearing stands an ancient stone structure, covered in vines and moss. Ayan pulls her toward it, his voice low and urgent.)

Ayan:

“Hurry, inside!”

(They rush into the stone sanctuary just as the hunters reach the edge of the clearing. A force seems to stop them, as if an invisible barrier keeps them from entering. Aria collapses onto the floor, gasping for air.)

Aria (breathing heavily):

“What… just happened?”

(Ayan leans against the wall, watching the hunters pace at the edge of the clearing.)

Ayan:

“They can’t cross into this place. It’s protected. For now, we’re safe.”

(Aria’s head spins. She looks at Ayan, who seems calm despite the danger outside.)

Aria (determined):

“Tell me everything. I need to know why I’m here. Why this world feels like I’m a part of it.”

(Ayan meets her gaze, his eyes filled with something like regret. He sighs and sits beside her.)

Ayan (softly):

“You are a part of it, Aria. You’re the key to everything.”

(Aria’s heart skips a beat.)

Aria:

“What do you mean?”

Ayan:

“You’re not just anyone, Aria. You’re the daughter of someone who once held great power in this world. And now, the king wants you back.”

(Aria stares at him in shock, her world spinning even faster.)

Aria (whispering):

“The king…? Who was my mother?”

Ayan (quietly):

“Queen Lylah. And your brother… is Elian.”

(Aria’s mind races as the truth starts to unravel. She’s not just a visitor here. She belongs to this world—its royal blood flows through her veins.)

Aria (shaking her head):

“No, that can’t be. My parents—Vivek and Rhea—they raised me…”

Ayan (gently):

“They raised you in your world to keep you hidden. To keep you safe. But now, your real family knows where you are.”

(Aria’s chest tightens as the weight of her identity settles on her.)

Aria (whispering):

“What do they want from me?”

(Ayan looks away, his voice barely a whisper.)

Ayan:

“They want you to take your place as the heir to the throne. To join them in their war against the kingdom’s enemies. But I… I’m not sure if that’s what you want.”

(Aria’s mind is a whirlwind of emotions, but one thing is clear—her life will never be the same again.)

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