In Eden, there exist two moons that orbit around its planet -- Raeya and Faye. Both holding varied significance; some think of them as a shining light of protection from the evils that thrive in the dark, some see them as a source of empowerment, and some... view it as an omen.
Only when the big and little sister moons align can a witch be born. Witches are seen as devilish women who have been cursed by the goddesses. Many fear witches while a special few think of them as Messengers sent by the goddesses.
There is a nation that is placed at the center of the planet's equilibrium, and is named, Demeter. Demeter, was a large land of prosperity, with a lush forest and plentiful rivers to act as a barrier between other territories. They got their prosperity for being the central spot in trade and a great checkpoint for housing travelers and adventurers of all races on their treacherous journeys.
That was until a great calamity struck 100 years ago. An Ancient Witch cursed the land causing devastating events to happen randomly along with entrapping those born in the land of Demeter. Leaving the King, his people, and the land to suffer great hardships and tragedies along the way.
This left the people in Demeter to fear and detest witches, seeing them as cursed women who were shunned by the two sisters above. And any who thought differently was labeled as "Bewitched"; held captive within their own minds by a witch's charm. They would either end up in a cell or worse... be executed for treason.
By the grace of a theory made a millennium ago that stated, "Everything must have a balance," made it so Raeya and Faye would only align every 100 years.
--
Lillian's eyes snapped open, hazily taking in the sudden change in scenery. The cringy heart-shaped bed, and cheap rose-scented room were nowhere in sight. Instead, she was staring up at... well, something slimy and jiggly?
Panic squeezed at her throat. One moment she's dying drunk in a love hotel, and the next she's alive and breathing in a completely different place. Where was she? Was this the afterlife? Did the afterlife involve being eye-level with what looks to be a glob of blue jelly?
Had Lillian been too drunk and imagined the whole thing? I mean, there's no way she would initiate a one-night stand with a stranger she had just met, enter a love hotel with that said man, and then accidentally make him a murder suspect --- right? Too bad for Lillian, that's exactly what happened.
The jiggly creature resembled that of a cute slime you would see in games or anime. Its eyes were like a certain slime from a popular anime Lillian watched one night called, "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Blob." Except these weren't the eyes of a friendly slime...but---a hungry one.
Lillian let out a high-pitched squeal
The jiggly, cold, and slimy substance soaked into the fabric of her long skirt, slowly disintegrating it. Each second more and more of the cloth would evaporate into the body of the slime, until there is nothing left; including her.
"Augh! Anymore and I'll be stark naked you unhinged creature!" Lillian shouted desperately while trying to escape the thick substance --- failing to do so.
The forest surrounding her was lush with greenery, the only light source coming from the two moons, with no path or sign of civilization. As Lillian continued her struggles she couldn't help but feel a sense of 'Déjà vu'; a vivid sense of familiarity with the current situation.
Lillian began to remember one of her co-worker's "fantastical" ideas about how the game would start with the female lead subdued by a slime monster. And just as things became dire she would be saved by a group of bandits; only to fall within their predatory clutches. The thought seemed undoubtedly impossible to Lillian. That the world she'd spent half her youth creating, designing, and coding with her degenerate co-workers was now her reality.
Before she could spiral any further, the sound of leaves being crushed could be heard in the distance. The sound grew louder, and more violent followed by multiple heavy footsteps. This made Lillian's heart drop. The idea of barbaric bandits capturing her and doing unspeakable things, was far worse a fate than being melted by slimy liquid. Let's not forget, she was only a middle-aged desk worker with a non-existent relationship status.
Lillian closed her eyes in resignation along with a single tear rolling down her cheek while a smile played across her lips as she thought of many curses towards the universe.
The pain was very real when the slime touched a small, exposed area it had created through her skirt. This caused her to wince in pain followed shortly by the sound of a dagger being unsheathed. The footsteps seemed to have surrounded Lillian's subdued form before a gust of chilling wind caressed her damp cheek. Lillian instinctively flinched at the phantom touch all while the sound of shattering glass echoed throughout the forest.
She could feel the vice grip of the slime vanish instantly as it splattered into the blades of grass around her. Hesitant on her next move, Lillian slowly opened her eyes to meet the gaze of her savior. A man---dressed in casual attire that fit a bandit, with short dark reddish hair, light-brown skin, and an intimidating gaze.
"Savior my ass," She grimaced internally as her face fell into despair again.
Although, something was not quite right. She noticed two horses and another man who was dressed like a knight, slowly approaching with concern etched into his face. It wasn't a group of bandits but... cosplayers?
*Rip*
"Rip?" Lillian thought with confusion before gazing back at the rough-looking man. With his sharp dagger, he was cutting off the fabric of her skirt that was still soaked in slimy substance.
"H-Hey! What are you doing?!" She exclaimed before tugging the tattered fabric away from him.
"Tsk...If I don't cut off the fabric, it will continue to burn until it reaches your leg." The rough-looking man explained gruffly before tugging the piece of fabric back into his hand.
"Did he...just 'Tsk' aloud? No, I must be imagining it." Lillian thought while trying to keep calm. This was really, truly too much for her to process, but she was 99% sure of one thing. Now, all she had to do was verify it.
"If you don't mind me asking, what's your name again?" She asked cautiously with a tense expression.
"Tsk, it's Killian, dumbass. Are royal wenches like you always so idiotic?" He answered gruffly with a vulgar remark.
"...He really did 'Tsk' aloud," Lillian thought while cringing with a scrunched-up expression.
"Killian, refrain from speaking to Lady Lillian. Seriously, don't open your putrid mouth." The knight-looking man spoke firmly, his voice deep yet somehow soft.
"And your name?" Lillian asked the other man hesitantly.
"My Lady," The other man said with concern while kneeling. "Is your head alright?"
Lillian looked at the two in disbelief.
"Your name." She asked again with a poker smile that somehow looked very intimidating.
"C-Casey Therrick, My Lady," Casey answered quickly with a slight stutter.
"..."
Lillian sat there silently as she was now 100% sure she had died and woke up in her game. The game she spent her entire college and middle-aged years working on. A game that's filled with hot men, magic, monsters, a dark history, and cringy love scenes. And to make matters worse, she was now the Female Lead of such a game.
Yes, this should be the moment where Lillian plots schemes, to use her otherworldly knowledge to get OP items, to finally have the epic love story of a lifetime!!
Nope.
Instead, Lillian dies *Internally* for a second time. Praying to be saved from this hellish, romance game while she's still a virgin.
To Be Continued. . .