Eloise**
Days have passed since I arrived in Caius's world, and every morning, I wake up feeling like I'm living in a dream.
At first, it was overwhelming—being surrounded by the very world I had once written on paper, knowing that every cobbled street, every gust of wind, and every person walking past me existed because of my mind. But the more time I spent here, the more I realized something important.
This world isn't just mine anymore.
It belongs to the people who live in it. To the merchants laughing in the town square, to the blacksmith hammering metal in his forge, to the children running through the streets without a care in the world.
And, most of all, it belongs to *Caius*.
Watching him here, in his own element, I see something I never noticed when I wrote him. He isn't just the fallen hero—he's a man that people *still* look up to. They greet him with respect, lower their heads in silent admiration, and whisper his name with both reverence and sorrow.
And yet, he barely acknowledges them.
He's always watching. Always waiting. As if expecting something to go wrong.
It makes me wonder—was I too cruel in shaping his fate?
That thought lingers in my mind as I explore more of my own world.
Today, I decide to venture further, past the familiar streets and into the untouched wilderness beyond the town. The forest here is unlike anything I've ever seen. Towering trees stretch toward the sky, their leaves shimmering in hues of silver and emerald. Soft streams carve paths between the roots, their waters glowing faintly under the sunlight.
Everything is alive.
Fairies flit through the air, their tiny wings glimmering as they dart between branches. Strange and beautiful creatures roam freely—some I recognize from my stories, others I barely remember crafting.
It's *breathtaking*.
I move deeper into the woods, mesmerized by every new sight. A luminous butterfly lands on my hand, its wings pulsing with soft golden light before it flutters away.
I can't believe this is real.
I reach a small clearing where a lake shimmers beneath the afternoon sun, its surface reflecting the sky like glass. My heart swells at the sight, a deep ache forming in my chest.
This is the world I created.
The world I once thought was nothing more than a fantasy.
A world that, for the first time in my life, feels more like *home* than anything else ever has.
I don't know how long I stand there, lost in the beauty of it all.
But then—
A sound.
A deep, guttural growl.
The hairs on the back of my neck rise. Slowly, I turn my head.
The moment my gaze lands on the creature lurking in the shadows, my blood runs cold.
It's massive. Twice the size of a horse, with dark, matted fur and glowing crimson eyes that pierce through the underbrush. Its claws sink into the earth, its breath heavy and hot.
I recognize it immediately.
A *Dreadfang*.
A beast I wrote into existence as one of the deadliest predators in this world.
And now, it's staring right at *me*.
Caius**
The town bell rings, its sharp chime slicing through the air like a blade.
An emergency.
I immediately halt my conversation with the knights at the barracks, my body tensing. Bells don't ring unless something *dangerous* has happened.
And then I hear the rushed voices—
"A magical beast has been sighted near the town borders!"
"The knights are mobilizing now!"
I barely listen to the rest. My thoughts are already racing, my instincts sharpening. *Magical beasts don't come this close unless something has disturbed them.*
A cold realization settles over me.
Only someone with immense power could awaken them. Someone whose mere presence alone could unsettle the delicate balance of this world.
No one in this town possesses that kind of power.
No one—except *her*.
Eloise.
The moment her name enters my mind, my entire body moves.
I sprint toward my estate, my heartbeat pounding like war drums in my ears. My mind replays our conversations from the past few days—how she's been wandering the town, how she's been *exploring*.
Did she go too far?
Did she unknowingly wake something that should have remained undisturbed?
I curse under my breath.
*Damn it.*
She may be small, fragile, and inexperienced in this world, but she is still *the creator*. The very essence of this land comes from her existence, her will. That alone is enough to draw creatures of power toward her—whether out of curiosity, reverence... or hunger.
I reach the estate in mere minutes, my breath sharp as I slam open the doors.
"Eloise!"
Silence.
My gut twists. I stride through the halls, checking every room. No sign of her.
Damn it.
I turn, storming back toward the exit—only to be met by one of my knights rushing toward me. His face is pale, his eyes wide with urgency.
"Sir!" he gasps. "The beast—it was sighted near the eastern forest!" He pauses, hesitant. "And... and I believe the lady was seen heading in that direction earlier today."
I don't wait for another word.
I grab my sword and *run*.
###
**Caius**
The wind howls as I push my legs harder, sprinting through the dense trees with reckless speed. My pulse hammers against my skull, my grip tightening around the hilt of my sword.
*Please, don't be too late.*
The deeper I go, the stronger the oppressive energy becomes. The air crackles with something ancient and restless, something unnatural. My instincts scream at me to be on guard.
Then I see it.
A massive, dark-furred beast—a *Dreadfang*—looming in the clearing. Its glowing crimson eyes are locked onto something beneath it.
No. *Someone*.
Eloise.
She's unconscious, lying limp in the tall grass.
My vision sharpens, rage twisting in my chest.
The beast crouches lower, shielding her with its enormous body. But this isn't an act of aggression—its stance is *protective*, almost possessive. As if it recognizes her.
I don't care.
She's in danger.
I unsheathe my sword in one swift motion. The steel sings as it catches the light, my muscles coiling as I charge forward.
The Dreadfang growls, its ears flattening. Its massive claws dig into the earth, its stance shifting in warning.
I don't stop.
I swing my blade, aiming for its exposed side.
The beast moves fast—faster than I anticipated. It dodges, twisting its hulking body before lunging at me with terrifying force.
I barely block in time.
Its claws clash against my sword, sending a brutal shockwave through my arms. The sheer power behind the strike forces me back a few steps, my boots skidding against the dirt.
But I don't hesitate. I pivot, slashing upward.
The beast recoils, snarling.
Blood drips from a shallow cut along its shoulder.
It should be angrier. It should be more aggressive. But it hesitates, glancing back at Eloise.
Something isn't right.
It's protecting her.
Why?
I grit my teeth. It doesn't matter. I tighten my grip, preparing to strike again. If this creature won't let her go willingly, I'll carve through it.
The Dreadfang lets out a guttural growl, lowering itself over Eloise's body. Its massive, golden eyes—no longer wild, but strangely intelligent—lock onto mine.
There is recognition in them.
I freeze for half a second.
A mistake.
The beast lunges, knocking me back with a force that rattles my bones. My back slams against a tree, the impact stealing the breath from my lungs.
*Damn it.*
I try to move, but the Dreadfang doesn't attack again. It merely stands there, its massive form still shielding Eloise.
It doesn't want to fight.
It wants to *keep* her.
My jaw tightens. She's still unconscious—still completely vulnerable. I don't know *why* this beast is reacting this way, but I won't let it take her.
I force myself to my feet. Blood drips from my forehead, my breaths heavy. My body aches, but I push through it.
I take a step forward.
The Dreadfang growls lowly, warning me.
I take another step.
And then, in the faintest movement—so small I almost miss it—Eloise stirs.