DISCLAIMER: The author's imagination and passion are the only sources of inspiration for this novel, which is a work of dedication. Parallels between these pages and the past or present may be apparent to some readers, but they are completely coincidental. You are free to interpret this art anyway you see fit, and it is meant for your enjoyment.
The sky over the Edryyion Empire didn't simply revert to blue after the Editor's golden quill was reduced to dust; rather, it took on a vibrant tint that seemed to be entirely new. The rich, jumbled textures of reality had been added to the "White Void" painting.
As the dust settled, however, the Trio came to understand that "winning" actually meant something terrifying: The Script had vanished. A day without a Destiny.
Giywon and Dyierrean did not experience the "pull" of the story for the first time in their lives. Dyierrean didn't feel the burden of a predetermined, tragic past, and Giywon didn't feel the impulse to act like a brooding royal.
Dyierrean said, "It's... quiet," as he sat on the brink of a fountain that had just moments before been a pixelated mess. He grabbed an apple from an overturned cart nearby. "I just realized... I don't have to go on a patrol. I don't have a 'scene' to attend. I could just sit here and eat this apple for six hours if I wanted to."
Giywon replied, "And the tax reports," with a mixture of excitement and terror in his eyes. "They've vanished! The papers in my office are literally blank! Samantha, is this what freedom feels like? It's incredibly disorganized."
Dyierrean held Samantha's hand while she giggled and rested her head on Giywon's shoulder. "Welcome to the real world, boys. No destiny, no spoilers, just us."
Unexpected comedy flooded the "New Edryyion," where they spent the afternoon exploring:
With no longer having to prepare "dramatic feasts," the palace chef discovered that he truly enjoyed creating little, vibrant cupcakes with sprinkles—something the world had never witnessed.
To form a choreographed dancing ensemble in the courtyard, the ferocious Imperial Guards had left their positions.
Even Duke Eyrion was discovered in the yard, attempting to teach a squirrel how to play chess while sporting an unusual floppy sunhat.
Samantha commented, "I think I might have made the world a little too free," as they observed a statue of the First Emperor abruptly sitting down due to fatigue.
A sudden, rhythmic thumping sounded from the great gates as the sun started to drop, bathing the palace in a serene lavender glow. This was not the Editor's Erasers' heavy march. It was a bass-heavy, rhythmic sound—music.
The gates opened.
A man crossed the threshold. His dark hair was disheveled, and his eyes glittered with a contemporary, cheeky humor. He was incredibly attractive. He had neither armor nor silks on. He had on white sneakers, worn black jeans, and a leather jacket. A set of expensive headphones was draped around his neck.
He took a lollipop out of his lips, smiled, and surveyed the enchanted courtyard.
Samantha's heart stopped when he added, "Man, the GPS on that portal is absolute trash," with a cool, distinctive accent. "Is this the Edryyion Empire? Or did I take a wrong turn at the North Pole?"
Samantha got to her feet, gasping for air. "You... you're wearing denim."
The man's smile grew as he met her gaze. "And you must be Samantha Lim. Or should I call you 'The Lioness' now? The rumors back home didn't do you justice. You're much more... golden in person."
Immediately, Giywon and Dyierrean moved forward, their defensive tendencies arising. With his hand on his sword's hilt, Giywon said, "Who are you? And how did you enter this realm?"
The man laughed, unmoved by either the Wolf Duke or the Dragon Prince. He approached them and leaned in to say to Giywon, "Nice crown, buddy. Is it 24-karat? I'm Leo."
With a somewhat more somber yet endearing expression, he turned back to Samantha. "I'm a 'Fixer' from the Other Side, Sam. The Author sent me. Turns out, when you deleted the Editor, you opened a massive hole in the genre wall. This isn't just a Romance Novel anymore."
With narrowed brows, Dyierrean questioned, "What is it then?"
Leo glanced up at the sky, where a second moon was beginning to emerge, a bright, neon blue one.
Leo smirked at Samantha and added, "It's a Multi-Genre Crossover Event," taking a lighted tablet from his jacket pocket. "And things are about to get a lot more 'Thrill and Adventure' than you're used to. Also, Sam? Your ex-boyfriend back in the real world? He's the one who sent the Editor. And he's coming to get his 'manuscript' back."
Samantha glanced from the attractive stranger to Dyierrean and Giywon. She saw the spark of a whole new universe of problems in Leo's eyes, the curiosity in Dyierrean's, and the jealousy in Giywon's.
Samantha groaned, unable to contain her sneer, "Season 3 is going to be a nightmare, isn't it?"
Leo chuckled and put his headphones back on, asking, "A nightmare? Honey, it's going to be a blockbuster."