"Legends whisper of a book that holds a world within its pages… a world of curses, power, and untold secrets. Those who enter may never return…

  As Olivia sat by the window, the warm sunlight cast a golden glow on her blonde hair. She flipped open an old, dusty book she had just discovered in her attic. The moment her fingers touched the first page, a strange energy surged through the air. The letters on the page shimmered and twisted as if alive, and before she could react, a swirling portal burst forth from the book.

  A powerful force pulled her in. Within seconds, she was no longer in her cozy room. Instead, she stood in an unfamiliar world—one that existed within the very pages of the book.

  Olivia found herself in the middle of a vast, breathtaking grassland. The golden sunlight bathed the endless fields of green, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of wildflowers. The sky stretched wide, painted in soft blues with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily. Birds chirped in the distance, making the place feel peaceful—almost too peaceful.

  She wandered around, unsure of what to do. Was this a dream? A test? She needed answers, but first, she needed to survive. Instinct guided her as she reached for the nearest tree, pressing her palm against its rough bark. With surprising ease, she pushed—and to her amazement, the tree cracked and splintered under her strength, toppling to the ground with a heavy thud. Olivia stared at her hands in shock. This world had granted her incredible power.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Wasting no time, she gathered the fallen wood and began crafting. She stripped the bark, shaping it into planks. From the planks, she built a sturdy workbench, a flat surface where she could refine her resources further. She carved thin sheets of wood, forming makeshift paper—useful for writing notes or sketching ideas.

  Next, she focused on tools. Using her bare hands, she cracked apart stones and shaped them into sharp edges. She fastened these to wooden handles, creating a primitive yet effective pickaxe and axe. The pickaxe would help her mine tougher materials, while the axe would allow her to gather wood more efficiently.

  With her growing skill, she crafted a simple wooden sword, its blade sturdy enough to defend herself. Realizing she needed protection, she assembled a wooden helmet and a chest plate, layering the wood carefully to offer some defense while keeping it lightweight.

  Finally, she fashioned a few boards, tying them together with thin vine-like strands she found in the grass. These could be used as temporary barricades or tools for building shelter.

  As she stood back and looked at her newly crafted gear, a sense of accomplishment filled her. She was prepared.

  As night fell, the once-vibrant grassland transformed into an eerie, silent expanse. The warm hues of the setting sun faded into an inky darkness, and a chilly breeze whispered through the trees. Olivia, feeling the exhaustion of the day, leaned against the sturdy trunk of an old oak tree, resting her wooden sword across her lap. Her eyelids grew heavy, and soon, she drifted into sleep.

  But something was wrong.

  Her sharp sense of smell snapped her awake. A thick, metallic scent filled the air—the unmistakable stench of blood. It was strong, overwhelming, and growing closer. Her heart pounded as she gripped her sword, her eyes darting around the dimly lit field.

  Then, she saw it…