The Four Kings & Me

Chapter 2

Lost and disoriented, I found myself surrounded by a dense thicket of trees. The eerie silence was shattered once again by another scream, this time closer than before. A pang of guilt tugged at my chest, but I pushed it aside, driven by the desperate need to flee. I had no understanding of what was unfolding around me, only the relentless urge to escape.

As I continued running, a low rumbling sound emanated from the depths of the woods behind me. I glanced back, my heart pounding, but there was nothing visible to explain the disturbance. It didn't matter. Ignoring the pain searing through my lungs, I pushed myself to run even faster, gulping in breaths that felt like fire.

Now, I understand that it may seem like I took the easy way out, but honestly, what choice did I have? I'm not some fearless heroine who rushes headfirst into danger, especially not in the depths of a dark, eerie forest. If I were to perish, who would be left to recount the tale?

After putting some distance between myself and the chaos, I hunched down, gasping for air. Sweat trickled down my face, mingling with the dirt on my knees. I had no idea what was unfolding in these woods, but the desperate cries for help echoed through the trees, piercing my ears. I couldn't bear the thought of joining the chorus of terrified voices.

Suddenly, a plea for assistance reached my ears, carried by the wind from a distance. My heart pounded in my chest, and my eyes darted around, searching for the origin of the cry. It seemed to be coming from the very path I had just traversed. Conflicting emotions swirled within me, but ultimately, I decided to turn back and lend a hand.

The screams grew more chilling as I cautiously approached the source of the commotion. Suddenly, my steps came to an abrupt halt as I stumbled upon a scene that sent shivers down my spine. Bathed in the ethereal glow of torchlights, a group of Korean men stood in a circle, their hands gripping gleaming swords that shimmered under the moonlight. I quickly sought refuge behind a sturdy tree, desperate to remain unseen. These men had to be the ones responsible for the agonizing cries that pierced the night. Who were they, and why did they possess such weapons? I knew that if they caught sight of me, my fate would be far from favorable.

I held my breath, my heart pounding, as a man, seemingly around my age or slightly older, dismounted from his horse. With a swift motion, he unsheathed his sword from a holster concealed behind his back, brandishing it before him. His voice, initially commanding and authoritative, caught my attention. “Where is she?” he bellowed, his anger palpable. At that moment, a strange thought crossed my mind, admiring the timbre of his voice. However, that perception vanished when his voice transformed into a menacing roar, “If you refuse to disclose her whereabouts, I shall sever your head from your body.”

A perplexing question emerged within me, “Hold on a moment, how is it that I comprehended every syllable despite my lack of knowledge of Korean?” I pondered silently until the sound of footsteps approached from behind.

Caught off guard, I stood frozen like a startled deer as a voice declared, “Your majesty, I have located her.”

“Run!” echoed a deep, commanding voice, jolting me awake from my slumber. I couldn't explain why, but I felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over me when I opened eyes and saw that I was in the safety of my bedroom.

With a final stroke of my pen, I closed my journal and carefully returned it to the top drawer of my nightstand. Glancing around my disheveled bedroom, I couldn't help but acknowledge the chaos that surrounded me. While I wasn't obsessively tidy, this level of disorder was far from my usual.

Making my way toward the dresser, I retrieved a matching set of red panties and bra from the top drawer. After a brief search through the second drawer, I found my favorite orange crop top adorned with characters from My Hero Academia, along with a pair of black high-waisted athletic shorts. A quick shower refreshed me, and I took the time to brush my teeth and slick my damp, curly hair into a neat ponytail. With my room tidied up, I settled on the chaise at the foot of my bed to slip on my shoes. As I did so, the final fragment of my dream began to replay in my mind, this time feeling oddly tangible, and I could even comprehend the conversations of the people within it. Puzzled, I pondered the meaning behind this recurring dream, just as the doorbell chimed, interrupting my thoughts.

Swiftly lacing up my running shoes, I bounded down the stairs to answer the door. “Nvy, did you forget that we were supposed to meet at Club Fitness this morning?” my best friend Rebekah Hensley inquired as soon as I swung open the front door.

“No, Becca, I didn't forget,” I responded, meeting her questioning gaze head-on. Her hands were folded across her ample chest, making mine seem minuscule in comparison.

“Then why weren't you there?” she pressed, her right eyebrow arching in suspicion.

“I overslept, I swear,” I lied, hoping to brush off the topic.

“Liar! It's that damn dream again, isn't it?” she accused, seeing right through my feeble excuse.

“I'm being honest, Becca. I really just overslept,” I insisted, pushing past her and her penetrating stare. “Come on, let's go. You can get your daily dose of the new fitness coach, Rai, while I work out.”

A mischievous grin spread across her face as she replied, “Oh, I'll be exercising too, Nvy. Just not the same kind as you.” With that, she backed her black and gold Maxima out of the driveway.

Greetings, everyone! I hope you enjoy this story I've crafted. It's a venture into a new genre for me, and I'm unsure of how it will turn out. My aim is to create a compelling blend of historical and modern-day elements, drawing inspiration from Korean dramas. I want to emphasize that this story is purely fictional, a product of my imagination. I have no intention of offending anyone. I would greatly appreciate your feedback on what you think of it so far. Please take a moment to vote and share your thoughts. Thank you!