Alythia

My eyes fluttered open, my vision slowly adjusting to the bright sunlight filtering through the dense canopy of trees above me. The sky was a clear light blue, indicating that it was around noon.

I blinked, disoriented, as my senses gradually filled with the fresh, earthy scent of the forest floor and the distant sounds of rustling leaves and bird calls. With a groan, I pushed myself up into a sitting position, my head throbbing and my body aching from who knows what. My surroundings were chaotic.

What appeared to be a wagon lay in ruins, its wooden planks splintered and its contents scattered haphazardly among the foliage. Nearby, the remains of a horse lay motionless, its once-noble form now twisted and broken, its lifeless eyes staring vacantly into the distance. Panic bubbled within me as I realized that I had no idea what was going on or how I even got here. Desperate for answers, I took a few deep breaths, attempting to steady my racing heart.

There were two things I was certain of. One, my name was Alythia. Two, I came from a different world.

I was pretty sure I came from Earth in the 21st century. I could remember living there, growing up, going to school, watching TV, browsing my phone, and all sorts of other stuff. However, I couldn't seem to remember many important details.

Who was I? I said I was Alythia, but I was pretty sure that wasn't my name back on Earth. Stuff about the people I used to know, the places I'd been, the memories I'd made, they all seemed to be gone.

I scanned my surroundings with wide, searching eyes, hoping to find some clue about my situation. The wagon appeared to have fallen from the cliff above, crashing violently into the forest floor, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Quickly looking over myself, I discovered that I was physically unharmed, aside from a few scratches and bruises that marred my otherwise pale, delicate skin. The body I was in was thin and slender, with long white hair that cascaded down my back like a silken waterfall.

Despite the strangeness of my situation, I found myself feeling a sense of calm and resolve, as if guided by some unknown force, a beacon of hope amidst the confusion. Determined to understand my circumstances, I carefully stood up, my legs trembling slightly as I regained my balance. I moved cautiously towards the wrecked wagon, searching through the debris for anything that might give me a clue about my identity or my purpose in this place. My slender fingers sifted through the broken planks, bricks, and tattered fabrics, but to my disappointment, I found nothing that could provide me with answers.

I sighed. Looking up at the tall cliff I'd likely fallen from, and realized that it'll basically be impossible for me to climb up there.

Feeling a mixture of frustration and curiosity, I turned my attention to the surrounding forest, which seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. The trees looked tall and ancient, their gnarled roots reaching out from the ground like the fingers of a giant hand. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the distant sounds of unseen animals created a symphony of mysterious, haunting melodies.

I began to explore the forest, my steps slow and deliberate as I tried to memorize the terrain and any possible landmarks that might help me find my way back to the crash site. It wasn't long before I realized that the world I had found myself in was unlike anything I had ever known. The plants and trees were unfamiliar, more vibrant in color, and exaggerated in size and shape. Even the very air seemed to hum with an unseen energy that I couldn't quite understand.

Of course, there was still the possibility that this was all someplace on Earth and that I was just in some weird place I'd never seen before, but somehow I could just feel that this place was different.

As I ventured further along, my instincts and intuition sharpened, guiding me through the maze of trees and undergrowth. Despite my growing unease and the mounting questions that were plaguing my mind, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and complexity of the forest around me. The sunlight filtering through the leaves cast intricate patterns on the forest floor, and the sounds of the forest wove together in a complex, harmonious tapestry.

I started to take note of the plants and berries that grew in abundance around me. Although I didn't recognize them, I decided to gather some, hoping they might be edible and provide sustenance for my journey. I carefully picked the most appetizing-looking berries, using a large leaf I found as a makeshift pouch. It was interesting that some trees' leaves were abnormally big, easily reaching a meter in length.

As the day wore on, I found myself following the curve of the cliffside, feeling strangely drawn to the imposing rock face. Perhaps it was because it was one less direction to keep watch of. The forest started to thin, and the terrain grew more rugged, with jagged outcrops of stone jutting out from the ground. I continued my trek, my eyes scanning for any signs of civilization.

When the sun was about to dip below the horizon and the forest was cloaked in a blend of orange and purple hues, I spotted a small cave-like depression in the cliffside wall. It was just large enough to offer me some protection from the elements and the unknown dangers that might lurk in the darkness.

Grateful for this stroke of luck, I carefully made my way to the entrance, my heart pounding with a mixture of relief and trepidation. Once inside the small cave, berries in hand, I realized that I wasn't even a bit hungry despite not having eaten anything the entire day.

I hesitated, glancing at the berries I collected earlier, before ultimately deciding not to risk eating them, fearing they might be poisonous or have some other unforeseen side effect. Instead, I chose to rely on my body's apparent lack of need for sustenance for now. I could always eat them later if necessary. As night fell and the temperature began to drop, I tried to create a fire to keep warm.

I gathered some twigs and dry leaves from the forest floor, arranging them into a small pile within the confines of my shelter. Frantically rubbing the sticks together, I desperately tried to start a fire using the techniques you would see on survival shows, but my efforts were in vain. Exhausted, I finally gave up and huddled closer to the wall of the cave for warmth. With the comforting embrace of the cave walls around me and the gentle sounds of the forest outside, my eyelids grew heavy.

My thoughts swirled with questions about my identity, current situation, and the mysterious circumstances that brought me here. I found solace in the fact that I'd survived my first day in this strange land. With that in mind, I drifted off to sleep.