Chapter 1 — Arrival
I opened my eyes and woke up with a start. My mind was a bit messy.
The floor beneath me was smooth marble, dark and cold to the touch. A soft white mist drifted across the surface like it had nowhere better to be. The place was quiet, too quiet. It was not the sort of silence you get in an empty room, but the kind that makes you feel the whole world has forgotten sound exists.
This was not my house, definitely not.
I sat up slowly, head spinning, and took in the sight before me.
A house. No, not just any house—an impossible house. The corridors stretched farther than my eyes could see, doors lined up along both sides. Each door was different. Some wooden and old, others shining like steel, and one made entirely of glass that shimmered with light from nowhere. Above me, the ceiling opened into a black void sprinkled with stars that looked close enough to touch.
But I understood one fact at that moment. I wasn't on Earth anymore. I was panicking a bit. I couldn't remember any thing about myself from my past. A profound feeling of despair rose from within.
And then, a voice which was like a calm whisper filled the air around me.
"Welcome to the House Outside Time. You are its new Master."
I froze. "Master?" I muttered. "What do you mean? I am pretty sure I didn't apply for that job."
I got no answer. But it felt like the house itself was listening.
Bit by bit, I started understanding what this place was. The information just gradually appeared in my mind, like I'd always known it. It calmed me down.
The House Outside Time, or HOT as it called itself, was a space between worlds, outside the restraints of Time. Here, time didn't move. No hunger, no thirst, no aging.
Every door in this led to a different world. I had to go to those worlds and have to marry enough important female characters from that world. I will get a new power or skills for each new union. And these powers will then be mine and will remain with me in each world. In other worlds, in each later world, I will start as an OP character, except for the first one.
Each door will open only after it has absorbed enough time, which meant I have to survive long enough in the world.
For starters, I was provided with Teleportation power and the language pack. The house itself could be used as a storage space as there is no restriction on travelling to the HOT. It will serve as a refuge and storage space.
Now, I was ready, or so the HOT thought. Because apparently, the first one had already appeared.
At the far end of the hall, one of the doors shimmered. Words glowed above it, floating in the air like fireflies forming letters.
PLANETOS
I didn't need to guess what that meant. I'd read A Song of Ice and Fire and binge watched Game of Thrones enough times to know.
Westeros. Essos. Dragons, swords, Magic, and a lot of people who didn't live long enough to regret their bad decisions.
I laughed under my breath, with a little fear, "Out of all the world, it had to be this one."
Still, I walked toward the door. As I got closer, the runes on the doorframe lit up in soft blue light. The handle felt warm against my fingers.
"Alright, HOT," I said quietly. "Let's see what we've got."
I pushed the door open but could see nothing. I took a deep breath, and with resolve stepped in.
There was no flash of light, no sound, just a blink, a step, and suddenly I was somewhere else.
I was standing on rough ground dusted with snow.
The cold hit me first—sharp and real, cutting through the light clothes I'd woken up in. I looked around. Hills rolled out into the distance, white and gray, and a thin trail of smoke rose far off to the south. Pine trees swayed in the wind, and somewhere close, I could hear a wolf's distant howl.
Then the knowledge came again—HOT feeding it straight into my head.
I was in the North in Westeros continent. Specifically, near Winterfell. The timeline was 289 AC. Eddard Stark has just returned from putting down Balon Greyjoy's rebellion and Theon Greyjoy was now living as his ward, or a hostage.
So I'd landed before the story even began. Perfect. I have now time to prepare before all the madness starts. After all, it was still a few years before Robert's visit to Winterfell.
"Thanks for the timing, HOT," I muttered, rubbing my arms.
My clothes were turned to be like the normal from this world when passing through the gate. But it still felt cold. So I tried my luck, "Hot, if you could also send me a coat, that'd be great."
A moment later, a faint glow appeared near my feet. It was a dark brown, fur-lined cloak, neatly folded on the snow. I grinned. "You have my thanks."
Pulling it around my shoulders, I looked north, toward the faint shape of Winterfell's towers rising through the fog. I was going to survive this world, marry a lot of wives and maybe rule the world one day. And I will start the journey from there.
And with that resolve, I began walking towards Winterfell.
End of Chapter 1 — Arrival