The Red String of Fate [ S. Todoroki x FEM oc ]

Chapter 1: Where am I?

3rd Person's POV

On top of a tall tree, Kaori sat, gazing at the stars. Her light brown locks fluttered gently by the passing breeze. The night was peaceful-until...

"Caw! Caw! Kaori-sama! New mission! Caw! Head to (mountain name)! Caw!" Kanamaru, her crow, cawed softly as it landed on her shoulder.

Kaori, who had been stargazing just moments ago, looked at her crow and patted its head. She let out a quiet sigh before standing up from the branch she had been sitting on. Taking one last glance at the sky, she jumped down, landing gracefully on the ground.

Her emotionless azure blue eyes shimmered under the moonlight. She adjusted the semi-purple kitsune mask hanging around her neck.

"Caw! Follow me! Caw!" Kanamaru cawed, flapping its wings as it took flight.

Silently, Kaori followed, her mind wandering as she moved through the night.

The only sounds that filled the air were the quiet chirps of crickets and the distant hoots of owls.

Kaori softly hummed a tune as she walked, her movements light and soundless. Her humming gradually turned into singing, her ethereal voice drawing the attention of the creatures in the forest.

"Where the north wind meets the sea," she sang as fireflies gathered around her, their soft glow illuminating the path ahead. "There's a river, full of memory." She closed her eyes. "Sleep, my darling, safe and sound, for in this river, all is found."

As she twirled lightly, dancing with the fireflies, Kanamaru suddenly landed on her shoulder. The fireflies scattered at the abrupt motion.

"Are we here, Kanamaru?" Kaori asked, her voice even.

Kanamaru nodded, nuzzling its small head against her cheek.

Kaori turned toward the looming mountain, her expression unreadable. A strange feeling settled in her chest, an ominous sensation. But hesitation never crossed her mind. Without a second thought, she stepped into the forest.

Let's finish this quickly, she mused as she walked quietly, her footsteps making no sound.

With her heightened senses, Kaori picked up every faint movement within the dense trees.

Just as she was moving forward, an unseen force suddenly struck her, throwing her off balance. She felt the ground vanish beneath her feet.

Before she could react, she was swallowed by a swirling black swamp.

Then, the swamp closed as if it had never been there.

Kaori's POV

I remained motionless as I sank into the void. There was no panic, no struggle- only a quiet observation of my surroundings.

Darkness enveloped me, but I could still breathe with ease.

I could feel something pulling me downward.

Calmly, I reached for my sword, unsheathing it in one swift motion. With precise aim, I slashed at whatever had latched onto me.

A sharp, pained screech rang through the abyss.

The grip around me loosened, and I took the opportunity to propel myself upward.

Breaking through the surface of the water, I emerged in a lake. Droplets cascaded from my form as I took a slow, steady breath.

How... interesting.

One moment, I had been walking through the forest. The next, I had been dragged into a swamp and ended up here.