Panic crashes over me like an avalanche. I start hysterically and frantically searching the grotto walls, hoping to find some lever, button, or who knows what-to somehow open a way through the rock and get back home.

But all my efforts are in vain! There's nothing in the stone that could help me in this full-blown meltdown.

I pull myself together and try to assess the situation rationally-but it's not really working. There's only one sensible explanation: I must have fallen asleep, and this is all just a dream!

But that theory is brutally smashed when a jagged rock jabs into my pinky toe, making me stumble painfully. Howling from the pain, I clutch my injured foot, swearing like a sailor. It hurts way too much-and feels way too real for a dream!

But giving up is not an option! I have to fall asleep-and when I wake up, I'll be back in my apartment, phone smashed into my face, just like it's happened more than once before.

Curling up in the far corner of the grotto, I settle down on the ground-thankfully dry and surprisingly warm, as if it's early spring or summer here, which is a small mercy.

Turning my back to the rock, I tuck my hand under my head, close my eyes, and try with all my might to fall asleep.

Counting sheep, recalling every detail of the last quarter's report, and even reviewing my boring life, sleep still wouldn't come-which was weird, considering I had an absolutely exhausting day. In fact, I felt unusually alert and full of energy.

After freaking out one more time, I gave up on trying to sleep. It's not working; I need something else.

Well, since I'm already stuck here-who knows where-it's silly to just sit still. Besides, who knows what might be lurking around here? I need to look around, find a safer spot, and maybe even some food.

Alright, Iza, you were bored with your life and wanted to shake things up-well, here you go, full throttle!

I hope I didn't end up in the distant past, where eternally hungry dinosaurs roam-or worse, that time when giant arthropods and spiders ruled the planet. Just the thought makes me shudder. I hate spiders.

But my assumptions fell apart like a house of cards when I stepped onto a ledge and saw two suns and something like a moon hanging in the sky-in broad daylight.

Damn, I'm definitely not on Earth!

And that's terrifying, because I have absolutely no idea how to survive here or what to do next!

Fragments from alien and predator movies and all sorts of similar nonsense started rushing through my head, triggering uncontrollable panic.

Well, at least I'm breathing freely-that's something. There's even a pleasant scent of some kind of flowers in the air.

Looking around, I see twisting trees and bushes that look like ours. Of course, there are differences, but not very significant-though I can't possibly know all Earth plants.

Standing on the edge of the ledge, I survey the area. Behind me is the rock I climbed out of, and on the horizon, a mountain range with snowy peaks. Ahead lies a huge valley with a winding river flowing into a dense forest. Beautiful-no arguments there.

Suddenly, focusing closely, I spot thin streams of smoke right at the forest's edge. Trying to see better, it seems like there's a small settlement! For sure! I can even make out some fields!

Well, if there are people and fields, then I probably won't run into dinosaurs... theoretically... but no guarantees.

Carefully climbing down from the rocky ledge and pushing through thick bushes of some shrub, I see a proper gentle slope leading down from the height. Not very convenient, of course, to be hiking in slippers, but better than barefoot.

After wandering around the area for probably four hours, I realize I'm completely lost and have no idea where to go next. The landscape all looks the same, and now it even feels like I'm walking in circles. I can't even roughly figure out where that settlement is anymore.

And honestly, from the ledge it seemed like it was just a stone's throw away-but in reality, it's much farther!

I'm thirsty and hungry. My slippers are falling apart and are held together by sheer good faith. The sun... the suns... or whatever they're called, have already cooked my brain enough, and I just want to hide in the shade until better times come. But stopping isn't an option-I need to find shelter. The only consolation is that I haven't seen any animals except some small birds.

After walking for another half hour, I thought I heard the sound of a river. Overjoyed like an elephant after a bath, I run toward the babbling cacophony-and my happiness knows no bounds. It is a river!

Dropping to my knees on the warm sand, I scoop up water with my hands, washing my face and wiping my neck and armpits, which smell so strong they could knock out a horse.

The temptation wins, and I start drinking the water-because without it, I definitely won't survive, so it's worth the risk. The water tastes surprisingly good and refreshing.

Once I've pulled myself together and calmed down a bit, I close my eyes blissfully and look at the water. But then I get a very unexpected surprise-there, reflected on the water's surface, is the face of some random girl staring back at me!

At first, I didn't believe it and started checking my own body. And sure enough, my skin is several shades lighter than usual. My legs even look slimmer, and my chest is bigger-which couldn't help but make me happy since I've struggled with a tiny bust my whole life.

My hair really surprised me. It had grown past my shoulder blades, and my peroxide blonde was now almost white, with a slight lilac tint. Quite unusual and beautiful, I must admit.

But what surprised me the most were my hands. From my wrists all the way up to my shoulders, they were covered in some kind of black tattoos!

Examining my limbs, I realized it didn't really look like typical tattoos. It was more like a design on my skin-very clear and detailed, with delicate, precise, and refined patterns. Usually, tattoos blur over time; the outlines aren't as sharp as when first done, and the colors fade slightly. But here... everything was perfect, incredible!

I actually liked the design. It consisted of a beautiful, intricate ornament intertwined with flexible stems of some plants and flowers. Although there were no actual flowers-only closed buds, one of which stood out especially large.

Looking myself over more carefully, I discovered another tattoo at the very bottom of my stomach, starting just below my belly button and trailing downward, crossing over my pubic area and... oh gods! Down there!

What a scandal! And those buds again! Though honestly, in the overall design, it was actually quite pretty.

So there I am, standing awkwardly with my panties and pajama shorts pulled aside, inspecting my newly upgraded feminine assets, when I hear a distinct whistle.

Spinning around sharply, I see two huge men watching me, whispering to each other and quietly chuckling!

I flushed red as a tomato. How embarrassing!

But all shame vanished the moment those two hulks gave me a predatory grin and started approaching, mumbling something in a language I couldn't understand.

I didn't need a translator to guess their intentions-judging by their rapidly adjusting pants, the way they kept glancing at each other, and laughing.

I've never felt this kind of fear and panic-not even when I first found myself in this strange new world.

Well, damn, Isabella! You barely got to know this strange, wonderful new world, and now two big brutes are about to violate you! Looks like my everyday life is about to get a lot more interesting... and my sexual experience too. Not sure I'll survive this, though.

I suddenly spin around and bolt, trying to escape. But my attempt is cut short before it even really starts-I crash painfully into the broad chest of another man. Like running full speed into a tree, it knocks the wind out of me.

With horror, I look up-and panic and fear freeze me solid when I see his eyes: red irises, studying me closely.

Oh my God... could he be... some kind of demon?!

I try to pull away from this monster, but grasping hands hold me tight in place. Flashing me an angry glare, the man growls something.

"I don't understand you! Let me go!" I start struggling, but it's useless.

The two men from behind approach us and say something to the big guy. After listening to them, the brute-not exactly pleasant-grabs me by the chin and begins turning my head from side to side, inspecting me closely. Then, shamelessly, he lifts my pajama shirt and looks at my stomach, slightly pulling down my shorts.

"Hey! Don't get fresh with me, you bastard!" I protest, grabbing the idiot's hand and pushing it away.

Growling, the man eyes me up and down, then with a satisfied smirk mutters something to his men.

It's clear who the boss is-those two guys lower their heads, looking disappointed and obedient.

Suddenly, my feet lifted off the ground, and in a rude, barbaric way, I was tossed over someone's shoulder and dragged off to who knows where.

My struggling, kicking, and heavy swearing lasted about twenty minutes. After that, completely exhausted, I just dangled on the man, whose strength didn't seem bothered at all by my weight-he didn't even miss a breath. He kept walking, chatting with his friends.

It seemed my fate was clear and sealed. Despair gripped my entire being, and tears were ready to burst out in a flood-when I saw we were approaching some settlement. It looked like the one I had seen from the ledge.

Before I could even feel a flicker of hope or get a good look around, they started dragging me to a shabby hut on the very outskirts-without even entering the settlement itself.

The man carrying me barked something to his friends, who laughed and walked away while I was shoved into the lair.

That's it! They've assigned me! Apparently, this huge moron will be first in line to violate me, and there's no one to save me...

With a hideous, drawn-out creak, the old door finally gave way, and I was dragged inside the shabby hut. For all my kicking and cursing, it felt like I'd suddenly unlocked a second wind - I'm sure the whole damn village could hear me by now.

I won't go down without a fight! I'll injure the bastard if it's the last thing I do!

The brute carrying me suddenly stops and, without any warning, throws me down onto a floor covered in rough furs. He looms over me, arms crossed over his chest, muttering something under his breath. I freeze when another male voice joins in.

Turning my head, I spot an old man standing in the far corner of the hut. He's thin and dry as kindling, yet there's something oddly dignified about him as he approaches. Between his lips, he's chewing on a small twig with narrow leaves, rolling it lazily from side to side while studying me with complete indifference.

After a slow inspection from head to toe, the old man rasps something to the giant, and suddenly massive hands grab me from behind, pinning my arms tightly to my sides. I can't even twitch.

The old man steps closer and presses hard on my cheeks, forcing my mouth open. Before I can react, he slips something inside - a small, berry-like thing - then shuts my mouth and holds it closed until I'm forced to bite down.

Ugh, disgusting! It tastes like someone shoved a handful of wormwood in my mouth. The bitter flavor spreads, crawling down my throat and burning as it goes. The brute finally lets go, and I collapse face-first onto the furs.

I'm about to curse him into oblivion when my stomach suddenly twists in agony. A wave of nausea hits so strong it makes my head spin. My whole body burns, every muscle aches, and before I can stop it, I'm retching violently onto the floor.

The old man started saying something, but his words reached me only faintly as I kept retching, practically turning myself inside out all over his hut.

"That's the juice of the aktukha fruit-it makes your brain work differently," he suddenly said. I froze, staring at the old man in shock, realizing that I could understand him now, even as another wave of nausea twisted my insides.

"The sickness is normal," he continued calmly. "Your brain matter produces signals and impulses that let you think, move, and speak. Now, however, your mind can perceive similar impulses in other brains-like mine, for instance. My visual, memory, and meaning signals are being read. The sounds or words I make correspond to certain remembered images and meanings in my head. Your brain catches them, compares them to its own patterns, and translates them into a language you understand," the old man explained, lowering himself onto a stool.

"Every inhabitant of our kingdom takes aktukha from childhood, so that they can understand others-or any beings with similar brain processes and capable of speech. It's the king's decree, meant to prevent communication problems between different peoples and races. Fortunately, you only need to consume the fruit once-the effect lasts a lifetime."

"What do you want from me?" I asked weakly, feeling the nausea begin to fade. My thoughts were clearing, though a fine tremor still shook my body.

"From you? Nothing," the old man replied, his face unreadable, his tone icy. "I am Tákhis, the shaman of this settlement. My task was to make sure you can understand our language-since we already understand yours-and that you can speak before our leader. What happens to you after that is none of my concern. To be honest, I couldn't care less."

His blunt honesty hit me like a slap. I still had no idea what awaited me, but at least now I could understand them-and that was something.

The giant grabbed my arm again, yanking me out of the hut and dragging me deeper into the village.

"Hey! Could you not manhandle me like that?" I protested, struggling against his grip. "You're hurting me!"

"Then stop fighting, and it won't hurt," he said flatly, not even glancing my way.

I realized escape was impossible for now-especially since we were walking into a large settlement bustling with people. So I followed obediently, taking everything in.

The first thing that struck me was how strikingly vivid these people looked. Honestly, it felt like I'd stumbled into a commercial for some luxury brand. Most of them were dark-haired, but there were quite a few women with unusually colored hair. Their eyes, though-that was what truly caught my breath. So many shades, but the most common was a deep, glowing red, like rubies under sunlight. And every one of them bore intricate tattoos-on their arms, across their stomachs, and some even on their chests.

The settlement itself was astonishing. It wasn't exactly medieval as we understand it, though the residents' clothing shared some similarities-while also featuring daringly modern details that looked straight out of a futuristic fashion show.