Small bumps shake the bus, the yellow lights from the old model heat the room inside, and a poorly kept air conditioner spreads dusty air throughout the cabin. The people inside stay seated, quietly watching the world go by them. The streetlights create a serene vision of a sleeping city.

Leaning toward the window, Arden rests his head against the glass while watching the buildings pass by. A late-night study session brings him to that bus. The final exams are just around the corner, and his goal is steadily approaching. He cannot prepare for what comes after. Applying for a job, interviews, tests for specialization programs, and all the things no subject ever covered during his time at school or college are at the ready. They wait for him at the finish line.

But none of it would stop him. Arden Sila had a goal. And after all the years he invested, he was about to reach it. The people he met, the friends he made, and his family were all part of his journey there. Even if anything were to happen to this seemingly medical student to prevent him from reaching that goal, Arden could claim to have lived a decent life.

But as the world would have it, Arden wasn't meant to reach his medical degree.

Casually approaching Arden's seat, a stranger takes a seat by his side. The stranger is a woman. Her clothes are akin to that of old spy movies. A large hat and sunglasses complete the look. Her positioning in the seat causes her hips to touch Arden. Her size isn't enough to warrant the infringement of Arden's personal space. She wishes to bother Arden. That much is obvious. Being tired as he was, Arden stands up and walks to the back of the bus, where no one is sitting. It doesn't take long for her to follow.

So, the seat wasn't her goal. Concludes Arden as he moves ever so slightly to the left. The woman follows immediately after.

"Can I help you?" Asks Arden after letting out a sigh as he rubs his forehead.

"Maybe," Replies the woman before removing her sunglasses and leaning closer to Arden's face. "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Green eyes and red hair," Replies Arden with a deadpan. The woman remains unmoved. Frowning at the lack of response, Arden scans the woman's face for anything that seems out of place. It was as if a mist had been covering it. A faint mark slowly reveals itself on the woman's skin. Tilting his head to the side, Arden speaks, "There is a diamond-shaped thing on your forehead."

"And the color?" The woman pushes. Her eyes seem to lit up.

Something is off here. Concludes Arden while feeling the warmth of the woman's face near his.

"White," Arden says bluntly as his eyes dart for anything that would prevent him from running.

The woman smiles at the response. A mild chuckle escapes her as she moves slightly away from Arden. Arden takes this moment to analyze the woman.

She is taller than me. I can't see anything because of the coat. I didn't catch the scent of alcohol, so I don't think she is drunk. I believe it would be best for me to leave. Deduces Arden as he quietly moves away from the woman.

"It would have been wise to leave when I first sat beside you," Murmurs the woman as if she had heard Arden's thoughts. "For now, I would advise against fleeing. Hear me out, for I have a proposal that may interest you," States the woman before moving closer to Arden.

"And if I scream?" Inquires Arden with a glare. The woman seems amused as she lets out a short laugh. "I can be quite loud."

"No one will hear you," Warns the woman with a sudden change in tone. Her smile turns into a cold expression as her eyes seem to freeze Arden's heart. Arden swallows drily in response. "You seem to understand it then."

"What do you want from me?" Inquires Arden while repeatedly gripping his jeans by the knees.

"Common assumption, to think that a stranger wants something from you," Says the woman with a strange tone. Leaning back on her seat, she rummages through her pockets before pulling out a book that shouldn't fit in a coat pocket. She opens it on a marked page before speaking, "However, that is the wrong question. The right question would be entirely different. What can I do for you?" Inquires the woman while keeping her eyes locked on the book.

"You could leave me be," Says Arden while gritting his teeth.

"That is too mundane. You do not know the extent of my talents," Replies the woman with disinterest.

"And yet, you cannot seem to do it," States Arden with venom.

"Wound me with words, but such a weak taunt won't work on me," Boasts the woman with a confident smile. "Tell me, what is the right question?"

Arden frowns at the response. The woman continues to read the book without glancing once in his direction. Is she waiting for me to say it? I don't think I can get away from her. And I'm afraid of what will happen if I try.

"What is it that you can do for me?" Arden whispers as each word seems to struggle to leave his lips. The woman smiles as she slams the book closed. Her eyes lock with Arden's. Taking off her hat, the woman frees her red-wine hair. The long strands slide down her back until it reaches her waist.

"That depends on what you're willing to offer me," Replies the woman while staring deep into Arden's eyes. Each syllable that left her mouth felt heavy. All of it feels as if words ensnare Arden's body in a trap.

"I don't have anything worth offering," States Arden as his words seem to fall out of his mouth like lead. It feels as if his words are biding the woman as well. An invisible chain is getting forged between them.

"Then I shall name my price," Retorts the woman while running her fingers down Arden's cheek. "I want your eyes."

The last words echo like a hammer's blow over a blacksmith's anvil. Whatever is happening at that moment is reaching its climax. Arden's body stiffens at the woman's demand. The woman smiles as she looks not into Arden's eyes but at them. Arden's skin crawls in response.

"Worry not, for I am not a barbarian to remove them," Explains the woman with a giggle. Her grin widens as her eyes focus on Arden's left eye. "I want you to &0 s6&*^$ere and }\9s ?' !#. I want you to >,:"[ a }|~`%&e."

Arden's eyes go wide in response to the statement. Arden's jaw starts to move. However, no sound leaves his vocal cords. His lungs don't expand. No air circulates through his airways. His mind darkens as the lack of oxygen pushes his brain into overdrive. His chest expands before his lungs restart.

"And, and, what about my pay?" Arden pushes out of his chest.

"Good question. I'm asking you to devote your life to my request. What could have the same worth of a life?" Replies the woman as a malicious grin adorns her face.

A gentle breeze with the scent of wood brushed across his face. Arden's eyes struggled to adapt to the new light. The sound of leaves makes him move around. However, his lack of sight causes him to trip. Landing face-first into the ground, Arden realizes the difference in the location.

This is dirt. And I can feel the grass too. What just happened? He ponders while his eyes finally interpret the image before him.

"Hello," States a horse-faced creature. An indigo blue mane and lilac coat and a horn stick out from the mane. They lay on their belly while staring directly into Arden's eyes. "Are we playing a game?"

"I think I already lost it," Mumbles Arden as he passes out on the dirt.

Opening his eyes once more, Arden sees no dirt or leaves. But a colorful ceiling decorated by all sorts of junk pieces. All of them repurposed to serve a beautiful yet cozy home.

"You're awake!" Exclaims a voice from behind him.

Looking over his shoulder, Arden spots the same horse-faced creature from before. However, now he can see them in detail. The articulate creature doesn't only possess the face of a horse, their legs are the same as a horse's, but their torso is that of a human female. Arden attempts to stand, but his legs bend, causing him to land face first.

I'm an anthropomorphic horse thing. Concludes Arden as he looks at the cobalt blue fur covering his arms. Suddenly, long melon-colored strands of hair fall in front of his face. I have hair again. I mean, my hair is long again. But, I was on a bus. And there was a woman there. We spoke, right? God damn it, why is it all foggy?! Muses Arden as he grabs his head with one hand and frowns at the blurry images in his mind.

"Hey, are you ok?" Asks the unicorn.

"Save for a few blurry memories. I think I am," Replies Arden while putting on a smile. Carefully putting himself up, Arden tries to keep his balance, "Um, I'm Arden Sila. Thank you for rescuing me, Ms.?"

"Izzy, Izzy Moonbow," Says the unicorn as she pushes the large flower bud toward Arden. Her smile broadens as she mimics Arden's balancing stance. "Is this a game?"

"Not really," Replies Arden with a mild chuckle. Arden straightens his posture as he adapted to his new center of mass. "I think my brain got a bit scrambled, Woah!" Exclaims Arden as he opens up his arms to balance himself.

"Oh," States Izzy as she stands normally. With a quick spin, and Izzy grabs the bud and flips something that makes the bud shake. Suddenly, the bud opens to reveal several teacups with a teapot at the center. "Ta-da! I always wanted to use it with a friend!"

She acts like an overly excited kid. Wait. Izzy Moonbow? Where have I heard that name before? Wonders Arden as he watches the carefully put-together tea table. Suddenly, the sound of a strange melody starts to echo in the room. I heard that song before. Where did I hear it before?! Urgh! I know I heard it before! Unicorn, colorful horses, that's it! My Little Pony! There was an ad about a movie being launched. It was about a new generation, right? Concludes Arden as he turns to face Izzy turning a lever to play the melody on an improvised music box.

"That's very well made," States Arden while looking at the functional device. "And so is the table."

"Thank you!" Says Izzy while doing little hops and clapping her hands. "I made all of it from discarded things!"

"So, it seems," Comments Arden while looking at the candelabra made out of shattered glass that had been sculpted into unicorn silhouettes. "Um, did you use magic to make them?"

There is a brief moment of silence. Izzy stares blankly at Arden for several seconds as if waiting for him to do something. Arden looks over his shoulder to check if there is someone else in the room. Seeing no one else in the room, Arden scratches his head.

"Um, did I say something strange?" Asks Arden.

"You're not going to do the ritual?" Asks Izzy while tilting her head to the side.

"Uh, ritual?" Mumbles Arden while awkwardly fidgeting on the spot.

"To scare the Jinxies away," Izzy adds while further tilting her head to the side.

"What are Jinxies?" Inquires Arden as he drops his shoulders.

"You're not from around here," Comments Izzy with a smile. Getting overly excited, Izzy zips away before coming back with a clay bowl. Holding the bowl in front of Arden's face, Izzy grins widely before speaking, "I made friendship bracelets! They're made out of crystals! Also, Where did you get those clothes?"

Arden smiles awkwardly before taking one bracelet and wrapping it around his wrist. Then, Arden takes a look at his clothes. Brown vest, green cloak with a leaf badge, white shirt, and brown pants; welcome to the shire. And a shoulder bag? It's empty. Questions Arden while staring at the familiar clothes.

"I know I didn't own them until I got here," States Arden as Izzy walks around him with the bowl. "Speaking of which, how long has it been since I passed out?"

"An hour," Replies Izzy while lifting Arden's cloak. "And your luminescence is weird."

"My what?" Inquires Arden while looking at the spot Izzy had lifted. There wasn't anything in the immediate area Izzy kept looking at, "Is there a mark on my back or something?"

"Your luminescence? You know, your glow? It glows when you're happy," States Izzy as she walks in front of Arden. "Your eye color is the same as your Luminescence."

"You mean like an aura? Or like, my soul?" Inquires Arden while looking at himself. "What's its color?"

Izzy squints her eyes as she comes closer to Arden's face. "Indigo Purple!"

"Cool. Um, you're very close," Replies Arden while slowly leaning backward. "And, what do you mean about my luminescence being weird?"

"Unicorn's luminescence doesn't match their eye colors. It's rare, at least nowadays it is," Says Izzy without backing off.

"Ok. I'm odd. Um, is there a reason you're this close?" Questions Arden as he slowly slides his hoof backward.

"No reason!" Retorts Izzy as she takes a few hops back. "Come on! Since you're not from around, I can show you the village!"

"Right! Um, where am I? It might sound weird. But I was in another place entirely before passing out," Replies Arden as his body relaxes reflexively to the distance between them.

"Izzy Moonbow welcomes you to," Izzy says dramatically as she tiptoes towards the door. Bashing the door open, Izzy extends her arms for the reveal. "Bridlewood!"

Arden hesitantly exits the door while covering his eyes due to the sunlight coming from outside. A dirt path leading deeper into the woods. Trees larger and stranger than any Arden had ever seen before. And every color in the world looks livelier than anything he had seen before.

"I'm not in my world," Arden whispers as a smile sneaks his way into his muzzle.

"You're glowing a lot right now," Says Izzy as she hops into Arden's field of view.

"Well, it seems I'm setting off on an adventure," Retorts Arden with a smile while looking down the path of dirt before them.

"You're not leaving already, are you?" Asks Izzy as her ears drop to the side.

"What? No-no!" Exclaims Arden as he waves his arms in front of his body. "I wouldn't dream of walking off like that. I'm not that crazy. But getting to know a village of magical unicorns sounds like a good start for an adventure, don't you think?" He inquires while looking around Izzy's house.

"Yeah, magical," Says Izzy as a nervous chuckle escapes her.

"So, where to first, Guide?" Inquires Arden while taking a few steps past Izzy. "You're the expert, right?" He adds while turning to look at her. "Come on! It will be fun! Right?"

Izzy stares at Arden for a couple of seconds before her smile returns. "I like you! Let's go, sparkle boy!" She cheers as she takes the lead. "But I'll also fill you in about some details regarding the village."

Good. I have a guide and a friend. I don't know how things got to this point. But I'll do my best here. And since she is offering a few cultural details, it would be best to ask the right questions. The more I know, the best I can adapt to this place. Let's see the rest of the wonders of this world! Concludes Arden as he tries to keep up with the cheerful guide.

Author's Note

Ok! Here is the first one. Let's see how this goes.

Thank you for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments!