When a long lost relative suddenly left you his property, in this economy you take it no matter how sketchy it is.

Of course the property had to be in the outskirts of nowhere. My driving time getting the place took 3 hours. As expected the place was unwanted for a reason. Long overgrown grass surround the old house and inside I lost any hope that I could renovate it. The house was so old that there are random holes in walls and I’m afraid one wrong move the demolition plans would come to fruition with me along with it.

The main message of the will was: Do whatever you want but don’t go near the rift.

There’s a rift?!

My flashlight shone brightly as I disobeyed the one thing the will said to me. Bless Uncle Johannes heart putting up a small fence over the small rift just outside the house. It was the side of a goalpost and my flashlight couldn’t go down far enough to tell me how deep it is other than you know unfathomably deep.

Suddenly, the ground started shaking and the rift started emitting white light blinding me.

The rift opened, dragging me with it.

I screamed going down closing my eyes as the lights were too bright. What makes light this bright anyways? The sun? Did my uncle have a literal hole in the earth’s atmosphere casually out here?

Miraculously, I landed safely as I felt something catch my body. Opening my eyes, I was greeted by something with long silver hair and eyes the color of sapphire. Oh he also happens to be shirtless.

“Hello.” I couldn’t help but greet looking at his solid chest. He must work out.

Then I get dropped landing on my ass. “Ow.”

“You look like Johannes.” The mysterious man said crossing his arms. Could he tell I was staring at his pecs since before?

I got up dusting myself off, looking around it was like I was in a whole new world. Or at least the jungle cause God knows I haven’t been one with nature for a while. I have only just recently touched grass too as they have grown to my pitiful height. Everywhere I looked were plants glistening and even moving. Odd little creatures walked by and there was even something like a unicorn flying by.

I must be hella dead to be seeing this. This is what you get for ignoring your long lost relatives last wishes.

“I am his niece.” I say to the man looking him in the eye now. Wow those are some red specters. Like bunnies but prettier.

“I take it you’ll take his place protecting the Corail Rift?”

What?

“No, I just received his land and house when he died. I’m just here to assess the damage to see how long I can sell.” Which is probably eternity since I have to build a whole new house and do landscaping for miles but there’s a chance for money here. Something I desperately need.

“Sell?” The man raised his eyebrows. Who knew silver eyebrows could look so good. Maybe I should try it. In my 60s probably.

“Yeah, once I rebuild and spruce things up someone else will take care of this place. Maybe even take up the protecting schtick my uncle was into.” Not that I believe any of this is real.

The man neared me. He towered over like 3 heads above which according to my very accurate height predictions from being looked down on all my life would make him 7 feet. Wowza.

“The Corail Rift does not just accept anyone to be its guardian. You’re the first one it let in, in 15 years.” He said it like it was common knowledge. This dream is getting too weird.

“Well then it can let me out cause I don’t want to be a guardian.”

“Its not up to you.”

“My choices are always up to me and who are you even to tell me what to do?”

“Forgive me, I’m Faybre. An old friend of Johannes.” Oh so I was thirsting over an old man. Embarrassing.

“Well I’m Seri and I need to get out of here.” Did I leave the stove on?

“You’re free to leave and come back anytime you like.” What does this guy eat to look this good? Age knows no limits to hotness.

“It was nice ending up here but I don’t think I’m coming back. How did Uncle Johannes leave before?” I soak up as much nature as I can as once I’m back up to the wreck of a house awaiting me its work work until its of sellable status.

Faybre laughed pointing at what looked like unicorns flying above. “Johannes was a talented tamer.”

I stare at the unicorns above, my jaw dropped to the ground.

“How long did Johannes tame one?”

“Not long.” Faybre shrugged.

I get the feeling he’s lying. And not exactly a full fledged human being. “You’re not human, aren’t you? How long did he take in human time.”

“You humans take too much pride in your species but if you must know.” Faybre smirked. “2 years.”

A unicorn zapped lighting near me, making me hide behind Faybre very solid back.

“It means he likes you. You’re already off to a great start, Seri.” Faybre said, looking back at me.