I approached the dorms, my luggage dragging behind me. My hand hovered over the handle, as hesitation crept in. What was waiting for me inside?

With a deep breath, I pushed the door open. A wave of stale dust hit me, making me cough. The room was dimly lit, sunlight filtering through half-closed curtains. The room was empty, except for three beds, a set of drawers, and a lonely one-sitter chair in the corner. A small bathroom peeked through a slightly ajar door.

I glanced at the empty beds and chose the one closest to the window. Dropping my bags beside it, I sank onto the mattress. It wasn't terrible, but I knew it couldn't be compared to my super comfy bed back in the palace.

With a sigh, I unpacked my belongings, stashing them into one of the wardrobes. I returned to bed, resting my head on the cotton filled pillow.

It's been a long time in Dreamtopia. I just wish I could go home. I'm not ready for all this.

The system's interactions with me were few, and it was starting to get suspicious. It had been quiet for so long that I almost forgot it existed. Almost.

[Are you enjoying Dreamtopia?]

The systems words invaded my thoughts like an unwelcomed guest. And of all the questions to ask? Of course I wasn't enjoying Dreamtopia. If only I could see the system and hit it in the face.

" What kind of question is that? " I asked, trying my best to keep the venom out of my voice.

[If you don't reply, I'll return you to that place. ]

It words sent a chill through me. That place. The memories of what I had gone through were too fresh, too painful.

" Fine. No! Happy now?" No one was around, so I was free to talk to it without anyone thinking I was insane.

[I just wanted to know what you thought. ]

"Recently you haven't been sending me on errands. That makes me happy though. "

[Very soon. ]

My joy was cut short by it's words. It went silent again.

"Why did you bring me here?"

[That's a question I need not answer. ]

"Ok, let me change the question. Who are you?"

[I cannot answer that. Just do whatever I say, and everything will be fine. ]

" Ugh!" I sighed in exasperation.

It was typical of the system to not respond to my many questions. When I tried to dig deeper, it clammed up, leaving me with more questions than answers. Who—or what—was it? Why had it brought me here? To have fun? And most importantly, how could I escape?

The door creaked open, interrupting my train of thought. A girl stepped inside, her long pink hair shimmering like cotton candy in the light. Her wide, wine-colored eyes sparkled with curiosity, and her smile was soft and childlike.

" Hello! It seems someone's here already," she said brightly, dragging her luggage behind her.

" Uh, hi! " I waved awkwardly.

She chose the bed opposite mine, storing her belongings in a wardrobe before curling up on the mattress. Her petite frame and delicate features made her look younger than she probably was. But there was something about her— something unsettlingly familiar.

" What's your name? " I asked, hoping a conversation would clear the fog of recognition.

She hesitated, as if I'd caught her off guard. " Me?"

"Yes. "We are going to be roommates after all," I insisted. I sat upright on the bed, facing her.

"Freya. Freya Lorien. " She said, her voice quiet.

" I'm Aria Seraphine. "

Her head snapped toward me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Aria? As in the Sylvernian princess?"

I stiffened. "Yes..."

Her expression darkened. " I've heard a lot about you. "

My heart sank. What had she heard about? Did the news of my betrayal spread that quickly?

" What kind of things? " I pressed, my voice quieter now.

" Never mind. " She turned away and closed her eyes, as if she wanted to sleep.

That stupid system!

Awkward silence settled between us, heavy and suffocating. I studied her profile, the nagging sense of familiarity growing stronger. Where had I seen her before?

" How old are you? " She asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

" Eight. "

" I guess I'm older. Two years older," she said.

The silence returned, until Freya sat up abruptly. " Are you free?"

" Free?"

"Yes. I need to go somewhere, and I'd rather not go alone."

" Sure," I nodded. If this could clear her bad impression of me, why don't I give it a shot?

She smiled, brief but genuine, and led the way out of the dorm.

The hallway stretched endlessly, lined with identical doors. Other students passed by, their laughter and chatter filled the air. Freya took the lead, her steps quick but quiet, and I found myself struggling to keep up with her.

" Oh, I haven't asked. Which class are you? She asked, her tone light.

"The novus," I answered, bracing myself for the reaction. I had closed the gap and was now walking side by side with her.

" Novus huh?" Her voice was neutral and unreadable.

"And you? " I asked her.

"I'm among the celestials," she replied, her chest puffing slightly.

Freya paused in front of a big wooden door at the end of the corridor. She glanced back at me, her eyes shimmering with excitement.

" We're here," she said softly.

The library was vast, its shelves towering and endless. The faint scent of aged paper filled the air, the muffled sounds of students flipping pages created a serene atmosphere. Freya's face lit up as she stepped inside, her gaze darting across the rows of books.

" Do you read books? " She turned to me.

"Sometimes," I shrugged. Back at the castle, the library was my sanctuary. A haven from prying eyes.

Freya wandered through the shelves, her fingers brushing the spines of the books.

"It's not here..." she muttered under her breath.

" You're looking for something specific?" I asked.

She nodded. "A book. But I doubt I'll find it here. "

“Maybe we should ask that man over there?” I pointed to a desk where an old librarian sat, hidden behind a towering stack of books.

" No," Freya said sharply, her voice uncharacteristically firm.

We locked eyes, and the strange sense of familiarity surged again.

" Have we met before? " I blurted out.

She frowned. "No. "

" Sorry. It's just... You seemed familiar. "

Freya ignored me, her attention snapping to a lower shelf. She crouched down and pulled out a small worn book. It's cover brown and cracked with age.

" I can't believe I found it," she whispered, cradling it like a treasure.

Something about that book tugged at the edges of my memory. A flash of a girl holding it, her face hidden in shadows. I knew it was Freya—outside of Dreamtopia.

It can't be

[Freya is a target]

A/N

Hey there amazing readers! I hope you're enjoying this story so far. What do you think of the new character, Freya? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Also shout-out to these new readers, LevianthanQuill and TPieMan Your support means a lot to me. Please don't forget to vote and comment. Happy reading!