Liora landed face-first in grass.
Soft. Warm. Fragrant.
"…Ow."
She groaned, pushing herself upright.
The sky above her shimmered in hues of gold and lavender. Twin moons hung lazily overhead. Crystal trees sparkled like chandeliers made by someone with questionable restraint.
"…Okay," Liora whispered.
She blinked.
"…Either I'm dreaming…"
A glowing butterfly the size of her hand drifted past.
"…or I've broken existence."
Voices echoed nearby.
Deep. Rough. Definitely not human.
Liora froze.
From the forest emerged three towering figures.
Half-human. Half-beast.
One had silver wolf ears. Another had golden feline eyes. The third—
"…Is that a horn??"
They stared at her.
She stared back.
Everyone collectively reconsidered their life decisions.
The wolf-eared one spoke first.
"…What is it?"
"I'm not an it!" Liora snapped.
Pause.
"…It talks."
"I TALK VERY WELL."
They circled her cautiously.
"You smell strange," said the horned one.
"…That's incredibly rude."
"You smell like… metal. Lightning. And…"
The feline-eyed one leaned closer.
"…Burnt bread."
Liora gasped.
"…HOW DARE YOU."
Before further dignity could be lost—
A sudden tremor shook the ground.
The beast-humans immediately dropped to one knee.
Liora looked around.
"…Uh oh."