Ethan's strategy for surviving his first five minutes in a fantasy world was simple:
Don't scream.
Don't die.
Don't listen to Ghost-Ethan.
He failed all three instantly.
The roar shook the glowing trees again, deep and guttural, like a lion gargling thunder. Birds scattered, leaving shards of shimmering feathers drifting down like snow.
Ethan took one terrified step back.
Ghost-Ethan took twelve excited steps forward — while floating.
"Ohhhh YES! Our first monster encounter! This is the best part!"
"No it's not!" Ethan hissed. "The best part would be a door. Or a portal. Or a mattress."
The bushes detonated.
A creature lumbered out — huge, bear-shaped, but covered in stone plates instead of fur. Its eyes burned molten orange, and magma glowed between cracks in its hide.
It sniffed.
Growled.
Sniffed again.
Ghost-Ethan folded his arms. "Okay, so that's a Lavabear. Fun fact: they can smell fear."
"I'm made of fear!" Ethan squeaked.
"Yeah, so, uh… run."
Ethan ran.
He sprinted through glowing grass, dodging roots, branches, and whatever those neon mushrooms were. Behind him, the Lavabear thundered like a falling building, tearing through the forest with fiery breath and zero respect for tree life.
Ghost-Ethan zipped beside him. "Turn left! No— right! Actually— wait— okay, new idea: don't trip."
Ethan tripped instantly.
He tumbled down a glowing bank and landed in a shallow river of shimmering silver water. It was surprisingly warm, like a bath someone left outside under moonlight.
Ghost-Ethan hovered over him. "Well… you didn't die. That's a win."
The Lavabear stopped at the water's edge, snorting steam. It paced, growled, and then — to Ethan's surprise — backed away like the river was poisonous.
"Why isn't it crossing?" Ethan whispered.
"Oh! Because that's a Starflow Stream!" Ghost-Ethan said proudly. "Ancient magic. Full of celestial energy. Monsters hate it. You're welcome, by the way."
"You didn't do anything!"
"Incorrect. I said 'run.' Very helpful."
Ethan collapsed onto the riverbank, breathing hard. His heart hammered, but the warm water soothed his limbs, and for a moment, he thought he might actually survive this crazy world.
Then a voice spoke:
"You there! Boy! Step away from the Starflow!"
Ethan turned.
On the opposite bank stood a girl around his age — maybe fifteen — wearing silver armor etched with glowing runes. A sword hung at her hip, and her amber eyes glowed faintly, like they were reflecting starlight. Behind her was a horse that also glowed faintly blue, because of course it did.
She pointed her sword at him.
Not aggressively — more like confused and suspicious.
"No one crosses a Starflow without permission of the Guild," she said. "Who are you, outsider?"
Ghost-Ethan drifted up behind her, grinning.
"Oooh, she looks strong. Let's not tell her you died and got isekai'd by accident. People usually panic when you say that."
"She can't hear you!" Ethan whispered.
"True, but I can hear me, and I'm hilarious."
Ethan stood up slowly, hands raised. "I'm not a threat, I swear! I… uh… woke up here. I don't know how I got to this world."
The girl narrowed her eyes. "So you're a Lost Soul."
Ghost-Ethan choked on air. "Rude. He's a Found Soul. Found by me."
"A what?" Ethan asked.
"A Lost Soul," the girl repeated, lowering her sword a bit. "Someone brought here from another realm. The Guild will want to question you. And protect you. Possibly both at once."
She gestured for him to cross.
Ethan stepped out of the shimmering water. His clothes felt strangely lighter, as if the river had washed away exhaustion.
"I'm Lyra," the girl said. "Knight apprentice of the Dawn Guild. You're coming with me."
Ethan opened his mouth to protest — but Ghost-Ethan floated close and whispered:
"Say yes. Better to be with sword girl than fire bear."
That… was fair.
"Okay," Ethan said. "I'll come."
Lyra nodded once, then turned to her horse. "Stay close. Strange things follow Lost Souls."
Ghost-Ethan snorted. "She has NO idea."
Ethan swallowed.
Yeah.
Strange things did follow him.
Literally.