Chapter 13. Survival

I drew in slow breaths as the heavy wind blew into the cottage through the doorway. My eyes filled with wonder as I stared at the vast desertscape. I got up from the ground slowly and walked silently toward the door.

“Whoa, I’ve never seen this much sand before. Where in the goddess’s name am I?” I asked, my cloak billowing vigorously in the wind.

As I asked that question, the ground began to shake─the entire cottage began vibrating, throwing me from side to side. The mirror that hung on the wall fell to the ground together with the cabinet it hung above, scattering shards of glass all over, and I saw the note that was left for me land on the ground and open up.

After getting a good grip on the door frame so as not to be accidentally flung out of the house, I read through the words written on the paper again. This time, the last sentence rung even louder in my ears: “Leave the cottage immediately.”

I raised my head again; my eyes widened as I noticed that the