Chapter 1 : The Journey of Kulaczen

The final year of University was slowly coming to an end.

For the students, these were the days they would remember for the rest of their lives.

The laughter.

The friendships.

The countless moments they had shared together.

Soon, graduation would arrive, and everyone would Begin a new chapter of their lives.

But before that happened, the university had one more journey planned for them.

A journey to the mountains of Kulaczen village

And no one knew that this simple trip would become the beginning of something far greater than they could ever imagine.

Anfelisa sat quietly near a window in one of the university corridors.

outside, students moved from one classroom to another.some walked together in groups, laughing and talking about their plan.

Others chat with their friends, sharing the stories and enjoying their free time.

While Anfelisa watched them silently. She wasn't completely alone.

She had a few friends - only two or three people she truly felt comfortable with. But she never seemed interested in becoming part of a large group. Most of the time, she preferred to stay by herself. Being alone didn't bother her. Perhaps she had simply grown used to it.

"Anfelisa !"

A familiar voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

She turned arrive.

Two of her friends were walking toward her.

"There you are ! We've been looking everywhere for you!"

Anfelisa looked around the quiet corridor.

"Really?"

Her friend starred at her.

"Yes, really!"

Anfelisa closed the book in her hands and asked her friends, "why where you're looking for me?"

Her friends exchanged excited glances. "Didn't you hear the announcement?"

Anfelisa questioned "what announcement?"

They excitedly said "The final-year trip!"

Anfelisa stared at them.

"The what?"

Her friends couldn't believe she hadn't heard.

A few minutes later, Anfelisa stood among a crowd of final-year students.

The university staff had gathered everyone together to announce the details of the trip. The atmosphere was completely different from the quiet corridor.

Students were talking excitedly. Some were already discussing who they would travel with. Others were guessing where they were going.

Anfelisa stood quietly beside her friends. She looked around. Everyone seemed excited. She couldn't understand why. Finally, one of the staff members stepped forward.

"Everyone, please settle down."

The crowd slowly became quiet.

The staff member smiled.

"As you all Know, your graduation is approaching."

A few students cheered.

The staff member continued.

"Before you complete your University journey, we have decided to organize a special trip for all final year students."

The students immediately became excited again.

"Where are we going?"

"Is it far?"

"Are we staying overnight?"

The staff member waited for everyone to calm down.

Then he announced their destination

"We will be travelling to the mountainous region of Kulaczen."

Anfelisa's expression changes slightly.

"Kulaczen?"

Her friend immediately turned toward her.

"Yes, your hometown!"

Anfelisa looked at her.

"I Know."

"Then you have to come with us!"

"Why?"

"Because we're all going together!"

Anfelisa glanced toward the staff member.

Kulaczen

Her Home.

She had grown up there.

The mountains, forests and quiet roads were all familiar to her.

To everyone else, Kulaczen was a beautiful tourist destination.

To Anfelisa, it was simply home.

"I don't think I need to go." she said.

Her friends starred at her.

"What?"

"I've already been there.

"Anfelisa!"

"What?"

Her friends crossed her arms.

"This isn't about the place."

"It's about spending time together before graduation"

Anfelisa remained silent.

Her friends continued staring at her.

She knew they weren't going to give up.

Finally, she sighed.

"Fine, I'll come."

Her friends immediately smiled.

"Yes!"

"We're going together!"

Anfelisa shook her head.

She was already beginning to regret her decision.

But she had no idea that saying yes to that trip would eventually change her life.

The day of the journey finally arrived.

Early in the morning, the University Campus was filled with students carrying bags and backpacks.

Several buses were waiting near the entrance.

The air was filled with excitement.

Students called out to their friends

Some took pictures.

Others were already arguing about who would sit next to whom.

Anfelisa stood slightly away from the crowd with her bag hanging from one shoulder.

She watched everyone around her.

Group of friends too together. They laughed, they talked, took pictures.

Anfelisa remained by herself.

For a moment, she wondered if she should have stayed home.

"Anfelisa!"

She looked up.

Her friends were standing near the bus.

"Come on!"

Anfelisa walked toward them.

"I'm coming!"

"You'd better be!"

One of her friends smile and grabbed her arm.

"Today, you're not allowed to disappear."

Anfelisa looked at her.

"Why?"

"Because we're going to have fun!"

Anfelisa said nothing.

Her friend laughed.

"Don't worry. We'll make sure you enjoy yourself".

Anfelisa wasn't convinced.

Still, she followed them onto the bus.

The Journey begins soon after. The buses slowly left the university grounds.

Students waved goodbye to those who had stayed behind. The familiar University buildings gradually disappeared into the distance.

Anfelisa sat beside the window.

Her friends were nearby, talking among themselves.

She listened quietly.

Outside, the scenery slowly changed. The busy roads become quieter. The buildings became fewer. Fields stretched across the landscape.

Then came the Hills.

Anfelisa watched silently as the mountains of Kulaczen appeared in distance.

The sight was familiar. Very familiar.

She had grown up there. She knew those mountains, those roads, those forests.

Yet, as the bus travel to closer, an inexplicable feeling began to settle inside her.

Something felt wrong.

Anfelisa frowned.

She didn't understand why.

"What's wrong?"

One of her friends was looking at her.

Anfelisa turned.

"Nothing."

"You've been starring outside for a long time."

"I'm just looking at the mountains."

"Your mountains?"

Anfelisa glanced back through the window.

"Something like that"

Her friend laughed.

"you're acting strange. "

Anfelisa didn't answer.

She turned her attention back to the window.

The mountains continued to grow larger.

And somehow, The closer they got...... The more uneasy she felt. But she couldn't understand why.

She had lived in Kulaczen. It was her home.

So, why did returning there suddenly feel like entering a place she had never seen before?

After several hours of travelling, the buses finally reached the destination. The moment the vehicles stopped, excitement filled the air.

"We're here!"

Students immediately began gathering their belongings. Some rushed towards the windows, others were already taking pictures.

The bus doors opened. One by one the students stepped outside.

"Look at the mountains!. "It's beautiful!"

"Come on, let's explore!"

Anfelisa remained seated.

She looked through the open bus door. The mountains stood tall before her. The forest stretched far into the distance. A river flowed somewhere nearby. The scenery was beautiful, peaceful, Almost perfect.

'Anfelisa?"

She looked back.

Her friend was standing near the entrance.

"Aren't you getting down?"

"Yeah".

Anfelisa picked up her bag. She slowly walked toward the door, then she stepped down from the bus.

The moment her feet touched the ground....

She stopped.

A strange sensation travelled through her body. Her heart suddenly felt heavy.

Anfelisa looked around.

The students were laughing. The teachers were organizing everyone. The wind moved gently through the trees.

Nothing seemed unusual.

Nothing seemed wrong.

And yet...

Anfelisa felt uneasy. Very uneasy.

She didn't know why.

She had lived in Kulaczen all her life. This was her home.

So why did standing here feel so unfamiliar?

Anfelisa slowly turned toward the forest. The trees stood tall and silent.

The deeper parts of the forest were covered in Shadows. A cold Breeze passed through the branches.

Anfelisa's eyes remained fixed on the darkness between the trees.

For one brief moment...

She felt as though something was calling her.

Not with a voice. Not with words, just a feeling, a strange sense of recognition.

As if she had once stood in this exact place. As if she had been here before.

But she couldn't remember.

"Anfelisa!"

Her friend's voice suddenly broke the Silence.

Anfelisa turned around.

"Come on! Everyone's waiting!"

She looked back at the forest.

Nothing.

There was only the wind. The trees and silence.

Anfelisa slowly walked toward her friends.

"Coming "

She didn't look back again. But deep within the forest something remained awake.

Something that had been waiting. Waiting for her.

Anfelisa don't know it yet, but her arrival in Kulaczen was not a coincidence.

This Journey was only the beginning.

Because somewhere beyond the boundaries of Earth....A forgotten past was waiting to find her.

And when it did...

The truth about Aludra would finally begin to reveal itself.

To be continued...

Next Chapter : What's wrong with these Land...

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