The first rays of dawn crept cautiously through the jagged mouth of the cave, brushing across Ann's closed eyelids. She stirred, blinking against the soft light, and inhaled the cool air that carried the earthy scent of stone and the faintly sweet perfume of wildflowers. Groaning softly, she pushed herself up from the bed of moss and furs that cradled her. Her muscles ached in protest; the last thing she remembered was the glare of her phone screen, the roar of laughter at a party, and then—darkness.
Now, lying here, encased by glistening rock walls adorned with ancient carvings, she felt a strange mixture of fear and awe. Was this a dream? A hallucination? One moment, she had been strutting under camera flashes as a bikini model, living the life she thought she understood; the next, she was in a place that felt older than time itself.
Sliding her legs over the edge of the makeshift bed, Ann rose carefully, her eyes scanning the dim cave. The walls were covered with intricate carvings: creatures of myth, swirling patterns, and figures whose stories had been lost to the ages. Her fingers traced the outline of a horned, minotaur-like figure—a being regal and fearsome at once, caught in a frozen moment of fury. She shivered at the sight, both unnerved and captivated.
A low rumble reverberated through the cavern like distant thunder. Ann froze, her pulse hammering, as she instinctively glanced for a way out. Then, emerging from the shadows, a towering figure appeared. His presence was commanding, his silhouette outlined against the soft blue glow of her phone.
He stepped forward, revealing features both human and beastly. Powerful yet elegant, he had spiraling horns and eyes that gleamed like polished agate, staring directly at her with an intensity that made her stomach twist. In his hand, he held her phone, its light illuminating a sharp, almost ethereal face.
"Who dares disturb the silence of these halls?" His voice resonated through the cavern, deep and thunderous, yet not cruel.
Ann's hands trembled. "Who… who are you?" she whispered, barely audible.
He moved closer, exuding an aura that was at once terrifying and comforting. "Fear not. I am Mino, keeper of these halls. You are safe here."
Her gaze immediately fixed on the phone. "Give me that! It's mine," she demanded, her voice cracking with a mix of fear and indignation.
Mino's expression softened into a faint smile. "This device speaks of your world, yet now you are in mine."
Ann lunged forward to snatch it back but stumbled. His hand closed around her arm gently, steadying her without harm. "Why should I trust you?" she asked, voice trembling as adrenaline coursed through her veins.
"Because I found you unconscious in the canyon during the eclipse," Mino replied calmly. "You were in danger. You have nothing to fear from me."
He knelt slightly to meet her gaze, his horns casting long shadows across the carvings. Ann felt a strange pull toward him, equal parts apprehension and curiosity. Slowly, she wrapped herself in the warm blanket he offered, letting herself take in his presence.
"I'm Ann," she whispered, almost as if saying it aloud made her existence in this place more real.
"Welcome, Ann," Mino said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that contradicted his fearsome appearance. "Stay as long as you need. The cave will shelter you."
He guided her further into the cavern, offering food and water. Hesitation lingered in her chest, but she accepted. Each small gesture, the warmth of the blanket, the sustenance, built a fragile bridge of trust between them.
When Ann tried to leave to seek a phone signal, Mino blocked her path. Outside, the storm raged, winds howling and rain slashing against the rocks. Defeated, she returned, soaked and muddy, and he chuckled softly at her disheveled state. "You should clean up," he said, handing her clothes and another warm blanket. She obeyed, feeling a sense of relief despite the lingering tension.
A heavy silence settled between them, punctuated only by the occasional drip of water from the cave ceiling. "You are not the first wanderer to cross these halls," Mino said, his deep voice steady. "But danger lurks, unseen and relentless. Tread carefully."
Ann nodded, absorbing his words. Fear still lingered, but curiosity bloomed in its place. "Thank you, honored guardian," she murmured, bowing her head slightly.
Mino inclined his own, a flicker of a smile softening the corners of his mouth. "Go forth with courage, brave soul," he said, his words reverberating through the cavern like a protective charm.
Gradually, the cave that had seemed a prison transformed into a sanctuary. Shadows still moved along the walls, whispering secrets she could not yet comprehend, yet she felt an unusual calm in Mino's presence. Their conversation flowed, tentative at first, growing more open as Ann shared her fears and frustrations. She spoke of her life in the world above, the parties, the camera flashes, and her sense of displacement. Mino listened without judgment, offering only gentle guidance and quiet wisdom.
As evening approached, the storm outside began to abate, though the cave remained damp and cool. Ann wrapped herself in a blanket, grateful for its warmth. Mino brought her a box of clean clothes and encouraged her to wash off the grime. Small gestures, yet they carried a weight she could not explain—a sense of safety, even in a place so alien to her.
"Why are you helping me?" she asked at one point, her gaze searching his face for answers.
"Because you needed help," Mino replied simply. His sincerity was unmistakable, and Ann felt her defenses weaken slightly. She was still cautious, still wary of the unknown, but the fear that had gripped her upon waking had begun to fade.
Night settled into the cave, cloaking them in shadow and silence. Ann huddled under her blanket, listening to the distant drip of water, the faint echo of their voices, and the subtle breathing of Mino nearby. Though the path ahead was uncertain, she felt a strange sense of connection forming between them—a fragile thread linking two worlds, two beings otherwise so different.
Even as she drifted into a restless sleep, Ann knew this encounter marked the beginning of something larger: a journey through mysteries and dangers, guided by a guardian whose power and gentleness existed in perfect balance. For the first time since waking in the cave, she allowed herself to hope.
The storm outside would pass. Here, in the heart of the cavern, she found a sanctuary, a protector, and the possibility of trust in a world that had suddenly become vast and strange
to be continued...