A late October night in the graveyard feels steeped in mystery and quiet tension. The air is crisp,

  carrying the unmistakable chill of the coming winter, yet it still clings to the earthy scent of

  fallen leaves. A dense fog hangs low, curling around the gravestones, softening their edges and

  making them appear to float in the dim moonlight. The moon itself is high but half-hidden

  behind shifting clouds, casting silvery beams that illuminate the crooked shadows of old trees,

  their bare branches swaying in the wind like skeletal hands.

  Lily Anderson wiped the frosted breath from her lips as she downed another swig of vodka. The

  bottle was nearly empty, the clear liquid splashing against the sides in defiance of the night’s

  deep chill. She leaned back against the moss-covered tombstone, her eyes scanning the

  graveyard where she and her friends often gathered. The eerie calm of the cemetery was a

  familiar comfort to her, a place where the world’s demands seemed to fade into the background.

  "To adulthood!" Jeremy toasted, raising his own bottle and flashing a wide grin. He was a tall,

  lanky boy with a shock of red hair and a propensity for getting into trouble. Around him, the

  others cheered and echoed his sentiment.

  "Happy birthday, Lily," Carla added, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "Finally, eighteen.

  How does it feel?"

  Lily laughed, feeling the warmth of the alcohol mixed with the exhilaration of finally being

  considered an adult. "No different than yesterday," she replied with a shrug. "But thanks,

  everyone. I wouldn't want to spend my birthday anywhere else."

  As the night wore on, Lily felt the urge to relieve herself. She handed her bottle to Jeremy and

  stumbled away from the group, navigating the maze of headstones. The moon hung high in the

  sky, casting a silvery glow over the graveyard. She found a secluded spot behind an ancient,

  weather-worn statue of an angel, its features softened by centuries of exposure to the elements.

  Just as she was about to squat, something startled her, and she slipped on a patch of wet grass.

  Lily flailed, her arms windmilling in a desperate attempt to regain her balance, but it was no use.

  She fell backward, her head striking the base of the statue with a sickening thud. Pain exploded

  in her skull, and the world went black.

  Before Lily stirred, the beetle was already making its slow journey across her face. It moved with

  an almost delicate precision, its legs light as whispers on her skin. The creature was

  otherworldly—small but striking, its iridescent shell reflecting colors not quite found in nature.

  Hues of emerald, sapphire, and violet shifted with every tiny step it took, shimmering in the soft

  light that surrounded them. Its body was intricately detailed, with delicate wings tucked beneath

  its armor, almost too perfect to belong to this world.

  The beetle paused on her cheek, antennae twitching, as if sensing her stillness. It lingered for a

  heartbeat longer before spreading its translucent wings, which glistened like liquid crystal. With

  a faint, musical hum, it lifted off, drifting into the air just as Lily’s eyelids fluttered open.

  She blinked slowly, her senses gradually coming to life. Above her, stalks of tall golden grass

  swayed gently in the breeze, waving in rhythm with the wind. They rose high, bending slightly at

  the tips, their feathery tops dancing just above her head. The sunlight filtered through them,

  casting flickering patterns of light and shadow across her face. The grass stretched endlessly in

  every direction, a golden ocean rippling with life.

  The air was warm, softer than she remembered, carrying the scent of sun-drenched fields rather

  than the sharp cold of October. She drew in a deep breath, filling her lungs with its freshness.

  The gentle breeze that swept over her was soothing, playing with strands of her red hair and

  stirring the grass around her in a soft rustling melody.

  As Lily sat up, her eyes lifted to the sky, which was an almost surreal shade of blue. It was so

  vivid, so flawless, that it felt unreal—like a painting, too perfect for the natural world. The

  clouds above were pristine, soft and plump, their edges impossibly white, as if untouched by

  time. They drifted lazily across the sky, and despite the sun being high, there was no harsh heat,

  only a gentle warmth that seemed to fill the air with an unearthly serenity.

  Everything around her felt surreal, too peaceful, too perfect. The cold October day she

  remembered had been replaced by this strange, calm world, and though it felt welcoming, there

  was an undeniable sense that she was somewhere else entirely—somewhere far from where she'd

  fallen asleep.

  "Where am I?" she muttered, her voice sounding small and lost in the vast expanse of the field.

  A rustle in the grass made her turn sharply. A young man emerged; his silhouette sharp against

  the backdrop of the sky. He was tall and lean, with dark hair that fell in waves around his face.

  His eyes, a piercing green, were intense and wary. He wore simple yet sturdy clothing, the kind

  suited for travel and combat, and a sword hung at his side.

  "Who are you?" Lily asked, scrambling to her feet. She noticed the tattoos on his wrist, intricate

  designs that seemed to pulse with an inner light.

  The man regarded her for a moment before speaking. "Elias," he said curtly. "And you?"

  "Lily," she replied, brushing bits of grass from her jeans. "Lily Anderson. I don't know how I got

  here. One minute I was with my friends, and then... I woke up here.

  Elias's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. He seemed to be assessing her, weighing his

  next move. Lily's gaze dropped to her own wrist, and she gasped. There, where her skin had been

  bare before, was a dark, intricate tattoo. It looked like a skull surrounded by a wreath of thorns,

  ominous and foreboding.

  "What is this?" she whispered, tracing the design with a trembling finger.

  Elias glanced at her wrist; his expression unreadable. "A Mark," he said simply.

  "A Mark?" Lily echoed, confusion and fear mingling in her voice. "What does it mean?"

  "It means you're not ordinary," Elias replied, his tone clipped. He seemed unwilling to elaborate

  further.

  Before Lily could press him for more information, a low growl echoed across the field. Elias

  drew his sword, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Stay behind me," he instructed, his voice steady

  and calm.

  Lily's heart pounded in her chest as she moved to stand behind him, her eyes darting nervously

  around the field. The growl grew louder, and she could see movement in the tall grass.

  A massive creature emerged, its body covered in matted fur and its eyes glowing with a

  malevolent light. It snarled, baring rows of sharp teeth, and lunged at them.

  Elias moved with lightning speed, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he struck the beast. Lily

  watched in awe as he fought with a skill and precision she had never seen before. Despite his

  best efforts, the creature was relentless, its claws slashing through the air and nearly catching

  him more than once.

  Suddenly, the beast turned its attention to Lily, its eyes locking onto her with a hunger that

  chilled her to the bone. She stumbled backward, her mind racing. She had no idea how to fight,

  no idea how to defend herself.

  The creature lunged, and everything seemed to slow down. Lily closed her eyes, bracing herself

  for the impact, but it never came. She felt a searing pain in her chest, and then... nothing.

  When Lily opened her eyes again, she was lying in the field once more, the sky just as blue and

  serene as before. She sat up, her hand going to her chest where the pain had been, but there was

  no wound, no blood.

  "Lily!" Elias's voice called out, and she turned to see him running toward her. He skidded to a

  stop; his eyes wide with shock. "You... you died."

  "I know," she said quietly, looking down at her wrist and the dark tattoo that marked her fate.

  "But I came back."

  Elias nodded slowly, his expression a mix of relief and something else, something deeper. "The

  Mark of Undeath," he murmured, almost to himself. "It truly is powerful."

  Lily looked up at him, confusion etched across her face. "What's going on? What is this place?

  Why do I have this mark?"

  Before Elias could respond, the beast growled again, rising from where it had been momentarily

  stunned. Its eyes locked onto them with renewed fury. Elias sprang into action, his sword slicing

  through the air with practiced precision.

  "Stay back!" he ordered, his voice firm.

  Lily scrambled to her feet, watching in awe and fear as Elias fought the creature. The battle was

  fierce, the beast’s claws and teeth clashing against Elias’s blade. Each time the creature lunged;

  Elias met it with swift, decisive strikes. Finally, with a powerful thrust, he drove his sword into

  the beast’s heart. It let out a final, agonized roar before collapsing into the grass, lifeless.

  Breathing heavily, Elias withdrew his sword and turned to Lily, wiping sweat from his brow.

  "We need to get out of here. It's not safe."

  Lily nodded, still shaken. "Where are we going?"

  "I'll take you to the nearest town," Elias said, shaking his sword. "You need answers, and we

  both need rest."

  They walked through the field to where Elias had tied his horse, a sturdy, chestnut-colored steed.

  He helped Lily mount, then climbed up behind her. With a gentle nudge, they set off towards the

  horizon.

  As they rode, Lily clung to Elias, her mind racing with questions. The landscape around them

  was a blur of golden fields and distant, rolling hills. The world was beautiful, but a shadow of

  unease lingered in the air.

  "Thank you," Lily said quietly, breaking the silence. "For saving me."

  Elias glanced down at her, his expression softening for a moment. "You're welcome," he replied.

  "Rest now. We'll talk more when we reach the town."

  As they approached the town, the landscape gradually transformed from wild, untamed fields to

  cultivated farmland. Rows of crops and small cottages dotted the countryside, and in the

  distance, a stone wall marked the boundary of a bustling settlement. The town itself was a

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  picturesque collection of timber-framed houses with thatched roofs, narrow cobblestone streets

  winding between them. The air was filled with the sounds of daily life: merchants calling out

  their wares, children laughing and playing, and the distant clang of a blacksmith at work.

  Just as they passed through the town gates, a voice echoed in Lily's head. "Welcome to Solace."

  She jerked slightly, her eyes widening in surprise.

  "Elias," she said, turning to him. "Did you hear that?"

  Elias raised an eyebrow, glancing at her with mild confusion. "Hear what?"

  "The voice. It said, 'Welcome to Solace.'"

  Elias's expression softened into understanding. "Ah, that. It's simple magic, a common

  enchantment that announces when someone enters or leaves a town. You’ve never experienced it

  before?"

  Lily shook her head. "No, never."

  Elias looked at her thoughtfully, a hint of concern in his eyes. "That's unusual. Most people here

  grow up with this kind of magic around them."

  They continued into Solace, weaving through the crowded streets until they reached a small,

  cozy-looking tavern. A wooden sign above the door swung gently in the breeze, bearing the

  name "The Wandering Bard."

  Elias dismounted and helped Lily down. They tied the horse to a post and entered the tavern, the

  warm, inviting scent of roasting meat and fresh bread greeting them. The interior was dimly lit

  by lanterns, casting a golden glow over the wooden tables and benches. The tavern was busy, but

  they managed to find a quiet corner to sit.

  Elias ordered food and drink, then turned to Lily, his expression serious and distant. "Alright,

  Lily. How did you get here?"

  Lily took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the edge of the wooden table. "I was with my friends,

  celebrating my eighteenth birthday in a graveyard. It's a place we often hang out. I slipped, hit

  my head, and when I woke up, I was in that field where you found me."

  Elias listened intently, nodding. "And you had no Mark before this?"

  "None," she confirmed, holding out her wrist to show the dark tattoo. "This appeared after I

  woke up."

  Elias frowned, his eyes narrowing. "The Mark of Undeath is rare. Very rare. I've only heard of a

  few who have it, and they all came from another world, like you. It's said that those with this

  Mark can respawn where they last slept."

  Lily's eyes widened. "Respawn? Like in a video game?"

  Elias tilted his head, clearly puzzled. "Video game? I don’t know what that means."

  Lily paused, realizing how foreign her world must sound to him. "It's... it's a kind of

  entertainment where I come from. Never mind. So, I can come back to life?"

  "Yes," Elias said, nodding. "But it’s not as simple as it sounds. It’s a blessing and a curse. You

  return, but the pain and the memories remain. And there are consequences."

  Lily absorbed this information, feeling a heavy weight settle in her chest. "So... what do I do

  next?"

  Elias leaned back, his expression hardening. "You have a few choices. You can find a nice

  husband and live out your life here in Solace. Or you can become an adventurer, though I

  wouldn't recommend it. This world is cruel and unforgiving."

  Lily's heart sank at his words. "What do you think I should do?"

  Elias shrugged, a hint of indifference in his gaze. "Find a husband. Live a quiet life. This isn't a

  world for those who can't fight."

  Lily stared at him, stunned by his bluntness. "But... I don’t know anyone here. I don’t even know

  if this is real, or if I’m dreaming, or going insane."

  Elias sighed and stood up. "I'll pay for a night at the tavern for you. After that, you're on your

  own." He placed a few coins on the table and turned to leave. "Good luck, Lily."

  With that, Elias walked out of the tavern, leaving Lily behind to grapple with her new reality.

  She looked down at the coins, feeling the weight of her uncertainty.

  Lily sat for a moment, unsure of what to do next. She looked around, taking in the sights and

  sounds of the bustling tavern. The patrons wore practical clothing—simple, cheap materials that

  looked well-worn and suited for hard work. No one donned the flashy armor or elaborate robes

  she might have expected from an adventuring party.

  She glanced down at her own outfit, a stark contrast to those around her: stylish, cut-up jeans and

  a band tee. The only practical item she wore was her hiking boots. She had planned on getting

  drunk at the graveyard and walking through the woods with Jeremy, hoping he'd finally make his

  move.

  Lily sighed and gathered her thoughts. She needed to take action, even if it was just to explore

  her surroundings. She took the money Elias had left on the table and ventured out into the town.

  The streets were lively, filled with people going about their daily business. Animals roamed

  freely—cows, horses, chickens—adding to the rustic charm of the place. Lily made small

  comments to herself as she walked, taking in the quaint, medieval-like setting. "This town looks

  like something straight out of Camelot," she muttered, marveling at the stone buildings and

  thatched roofs.

  As she wandered, she came across a large wooden board covered in various notices. Curious, she

  approached it and began to read. The board was filled with requests for local tasks, bounties on

  troublesome creatures, and pleas for help with various chores.

  "A quest board," she muttered to herself, a wry smile tugging at her lips. The sight reminded her

  of something straight out of a video game. She scanned the notices, feeling a mix of

  apprehension and excitement. Each request was a potential opportunity, a step towards figuring

  out her place in this new world.

  One notice caught her eye: a call for help dealing with a pack of wolves that had been terrorizing

  a nearby farm. The reward was modest, but it seemed like a manageable task and a chance to

  prove herself.

  Lily hesitated. She had no weapons, no experience in fighting—nothing that would qualify her

  for such a task. But the alternative, doing nothing and waiting for something to happen, felt even

  more daunting.

  Determined to take control of her fate, she decided to find out more about the task. If nothing

  else, she could offer her help in a different way. She tore the notice from the board and headed

  towards the farm mentioned in the request, hoping to find someone who could tell her more.

  As she walked through the town, she couldn't shake the feeling of being in a dream—or a

  nightmare. The surrealness of it all pressed down on her, but she pushed it aside, focusing

  instead on the task at hand. She had to believe that she could make a difference, that she could

  carve out a place for herself in this strange new world.

  As Lily made her way through the town, she passed a weapon vendor on the side of the road. Her

  eyes were drawn to a display of daggers, their blades glinting in the sunlight. She approached the

  vendor, a grizzled older man with a scar running down his cheek and glanced at the price: 5 gold

  coins.

  Lily's mind raced as she considered her options. She looked back towards the tavern, where a

  sign hanging above the door read "Rooms, 5g a night." The same price as the dagger. If she

  bought the dagger and failed to complete the quest, she wouldn't have any money left for a

  night's sleep. The weight of her situation pressed down on her. She had to choose between the

  safety of a roof over her head or the chance to do something more—to take a risk and possibly

  find her place in this new world.

  She looked down at the Mark on her wrist, the dark tattoo a constant reminder of her new reality.

  She couldn't die. The thought gave her a strange mix of comfort and determination.

  With a resolute nod, she made her decision. "I'll take the dagger," she said to the vendor, placing

  the coins on the counter.

  The vendor nodded, handing her the weapon. "Good choice," he said, his voice gruff but not

  unkind. "Be careful out there."

  Lily gripped the dagger tightly, feeling its weight in her hand. She took a deep breath, steeling

  herself for what lay ahead. She had chosen to take a risk, to be something more than just a

  confused girl in a strange world.

  She marched out of the town at top speed, heading towards the farm mentioned in the notice. The

  road ahead was dusty and lined with wildflowers, the sun casting long shadows as it began to

  sink towards the horizon. As she walked, her mind buzzed with thoughts of what she might

  encounter. Wolves, she reminded herself. She had to be ready for anything.

  The farm came into view, a sprawling piece of land with fields stretching out in every direction.

  A small cottage stood at the center, smoke curling lazily from its chimney. As she approached, a

  farmer stepped out of the cottage, his face lined with worry.

  "Are you here about the wolves?" he asked, his voice hopeful.

  Lily nodded, holding up the notice she had taken from the board. "Yes, I am. Tell me everything

  you know."

  The farmer's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Thank you. They've been attacking at night, killing

  livestock and terrifying my family. I don't have much to offer, but the reward—"

  "I'm not worried about the reward," Lily interrupted, surprising herself with her own confidence.

  "Just tell me what I need to do."

  The farmer explained the situation in detail, describing where the wolves had been seen and the

  areas they seemed to favor. As he spoke, Lily listened intently, formulating a plan. She felt a

  sense of purpose, a drive to prove herself and make a difference.

  As dusk settled in, she prepared herself, checking the dagger one last time and taking a deep

  breath. The farm was eerily quiet, the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the distant hoot

  of an owl.

  She set off towards the area the farmer had described her heart pounding in her chest. She could

  not die. The thought echoed in her mind, giving her the courage she needed to face whatever lay

  ahead.

  With determination in her steps and the weight of the dagger in her hand, Lily marched into the

  darkness, ready to confront the wolves and take control of her destiny.