The wooden door of Jon's Tavern creaked open beneath my touch, releasing the rich aroma of roasted meat and spiced ale into the cool evening air. A burly man with a neatly trimmed beard gnced up from behind the counter, his eyes crinkling with a warm smile.

  “Welcome to Jon’s Tavern, traveler!” His voice boomed across the room, drawing a few curious gnces from the patrons.

  I navigated through the bustling establishment, my boots silent on the worn floorboards. The weight of countless adventurers had polished the wood to a dull sheen over the years. I cimed an empty stool at the bar, the leather seat still warm from its previous occupant.

  “What can I get you today, sir?” the tavern keeper asked, leaning forward and resting his massive forearms on the counter. His hands bore the calluses of a life spent in hard bor.

  “Your best seller and a gss of your house wine,” I replied, pcing a small pouch of coins on the counter. The metallic clink seemed to please him.

  “Nothing else to satisfy your hunger or thirst?” he asked, already reaching for a gss beneath the counter.

  “That’ll do for now,” I said, settling more comfortably onto my seat.

  “Very well. Rest your weary bones while I have the kitchen prepare your meal.”

  As the tavern keeper disappeared through the door behind the bar, I took the opportunity to observe my surroundings. The establishment teemed with life—merchants haggling over deals in hushed tones, farmers celebrating a successful harvest, and adventurers of every rank and guild.

  Their diversity was unmistakable. Some wore leather armor adorned with silver buckles that caught the tavern's warm light, while others bore pte mail etched with runes that pulsed faintly with magic. Their weapons—elven bows, dwarven war hammers, curved bdes—rested within easy reach, a testament to the dangers beyond the settlement’s walls.

  I couldn't pinpoint when I had crossed into this world. One moment, I was enjoying a hard-earned vacation in Marinduque after a grueling year of relentless work; the next, everything had changed.

  Marinduque’s beaches had been everything I hoped for—pristine white sand that yielded beneath my feet like powdered sugar, crystal waters so clear I could see vibrant fish weaving through coral twenty feet below the surface. The sea breeze, ced with salt and tropical florals, had stripped away the stress of city life. I spent hours swimming through that aquamarine serenity, finally feeling light, unburdened. As the sun set in a blend of amber and rose, I felt peace wash over me.

  I had been excited for the next day’s pns: a mountain hike. The morning arrived bright and clear, perfect for exploring the verdant peaks. Trails wound through dense jungle, where exotic birds called from hidden perches and blossoms erupted in vivid explosions of color. The scenery was breathtaking. But suddenly, dark clouds rolled in.

  The air thickened, the breeze turned cold, and unease clenched in my gut. The jungle’s vibrant hues dimmed as shadows deepened. Then—a deafening crack of thunder. I knew I needed shelter fast. Panic surged. I scanned the trees and spotted a cave in the distance, its dark entrance yawning like a mouth in the cliffside.

  I ran, heart pounding as rain poured down in heavy sheets, drenching me to the bone. I reached the cave just in time, breathless and soaked, the storm roaring behind me. It was cold and damp, but it was shelter. Raindrops echoed like a slow drumbeat on stone, matching my racing heartbeat.

  Just minutes ago, the world had been bright and alive. Now, everything had changed. It felt unfair—like something beautiful had been stolen away.

  As I waited for the rain to stop, I noticed the cave extended deeper than expected. I turned on my fshlight and ventured in. Wet stone glittered under the beam. I walked farther in. The deeper I went, the stranger the air felt. It tingled against my skin. Goosebumps rose on my arms.

  The walls changed—no longer pin stone. Glowing carvings emerged: spirals, lines, symbols I couldn’t read, glowing faintly in the dark like a forgotten nguage.

  My pulse quickened—part awe, part fear. What was this pce?

  Up ahead, I spotted a flickering light, like a distant candle. I rushed toward it, my fshlight trembling in my hand. The closer I got, the brighter the light became—until I had to shield my eyes.

  A soft breeze brushed my face. It smelled of fresh grass and wildflowers. When my eyes adjusted, I could barely believe what I saw.

  It felt like I had crossed into another world—but how could that be? Was this still part of Marinduque? Had I wandered into a dream?

  The grass glowed a vibrant green. Flowers shifted colors as they swayed. Trees rose tall, their leaves glittering like gss, trunks twisted in dreamlike spirals.

  In the distance, mountains sparkled like they were dusted in stardust. The sky was a deep sapphire, with clouds that moved slowly, deliberately. The air shimmered faintly, like heat over asphalt.

  Strange, luminous creatures floated overhead, trailing light behind them. A crystal waterfall poured into a ke that mirrored the sky’s colors. From a nearby grove came a sound—not quite music, but a song nonetheless. It was as if the nd itself was singing.

  I dropped my backpack at the cave's edge. Inside, I found a roll of reflective trail tape. I tore off several strips and marked the trees and rocks around the entrance. I needed to be sure I could find my way back.

  When I finished, I stepped forward into the sunlight. The air smelled sweet. The ground was soft beneath my boots. Even the nearby pnts seemed to shift and lean toward me.

  Butterflies appeared. Dozens of them. Their wings shimmered with strange colors, fluttering gracefully like a dance.

  I followed them.

  They led me deeper into the surreal ndscape. Each wingbeat left trails of shimmering light. Flowers turned to watch me pass. Trees leaned, their limbs swaying gently. The nd felt alive, like a vivid, living dream.

  But eventually, I slowed. The butterflies were gone. I stood in a quiet clearing, tall grass brushing my legs. The enchantment began to give way to unease. I reminded myself—I was still a stranger here. Beauty can hide danger.

  I decided to return to the cave. I followed my trail markers, retracing my steps through the meadow.

  But when I reached the pce where the cave should have been, my heart dropped.

  It was gone.

  In its pce was only more of the same magical terrain, stretching out endlessly. The entrance had vanished—as if it had never existed.

  I spun in the tall grass, searching desperately. My trail markers were still there. My backpack still y on the ground. Everything was the same—except the cave was gone.

  I dropped to my knees, feeling the grass where the entrance once stood. My mind reeled. What is happening? The cave had been here. What the hell is going on?

  Panic churned inside me. I tried to fight it down, but it grew stronger.

  I stood abruptly. My heart thundered in my chest. I needed to think clearly—but fear made it hard to breathe. The vibrant scenery mocked me with its perfection. The ndscape was too beautiful, too surreal. It felt... wrong.

  I took deep breaths, trying to steady myself. Maybe I missed something. I retraced my steps again, hoping for a familiar ndmark. The grass brushed my legs. The sound of a stream trickled nearby, soft and steady—a cruel reminder of the world’s serenity.

  The sun began to set, casting long shadows. The sky painted itself in oranges and purples. The wildflowers dulled. The approaching night brought a chill and with it, urgency.

  Still, the cave was gone. It hadn't moved—it had vanished.

  Resignation washed over me. The rules of reality no longer applied. The beauty around me now felt haunting. Shadows stretched, deepening with the fading light.

  I looked up. Stars emerged one by one. The air cooled. I pulled my arms around myself, shivering.

  I picked up my backpack. Its familiar weight grounded me, even in this surreal pce. But I couldn’t shake the truth: this wasn’t a dream.

  The cave was truly gone.

  Drawn by instinct or desperation, I moved toward a cluster of trees at the clearing’s edge. Their branches wove into a dense canopy. Beneath them, soft moss bnketed the ground. I sank down and leaned against the bark, seeking comfort in the shelter of the trees.

  As I settled into the embrace of the trees, their rough bark grounding me in this strange reality, I closed my eyes and tried to quiet the chaos in my mind. The sounds of the enchanted ndscape surrounded me—the gentle rustle of leaves, the distant trickle of water, and the soft hum of life that thrummed beneath the surface. It was beautiful, yes, but it was also terrifying.

  I took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet, floral scent that filled the air. I needed to think. I needed a pn. But what could I do? I was lost in a world that felt like a dream yet was undeniably real.