As I lifted the lid of the rectangular box, a soft gasp escaped my lips. Nestled within the velvet lay a flute, its silver keys gleaming in the dim light of my bedroom. Yet, upon closer inspection, I noticed it was different from the typical western flute I was familiar with. Its design was subtly altered, hinting at something beyond the ordinary.

With trembling fingers, I reached out to touch it, feeling both awe and trepidation. I couldn't resist the urge to try, even though I knew I couldn't play. Once, I had attempted, but my efforts yielded only discordant notes.

Bringing the instrument to my lips, I hesitated before exhaling softly, expecting the same cacophony. Instead, a beautiful yet thrilling melody filled the room, resonating with a life of its own. I watched in surprise as the flute seemed to play itself, its notes dancing through the air with precision and grace.

Mechanical? No, it was something else entirely. It was as if the flute possessed a soul of its own, guiding my fingers along its keys with an otherworldly elegance.

And then, in an instant, everything changed. The room dissolved around me, replaced by the dark, looming shadows of a mysterious forest. I stood alone amidst the ancient trees, the flute still cradled in my hands, its melody echoing through the silent wilderness.

As I stepped into the forest, the air grew thick with uncertainty. The trees loomed tall and ancient, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. I shivered, feeling a chill creep up my spine. "Where am I?" I muttered to myself, my voice barely above a whisper. The dense undergrowth seemed to swallow me whole, casting eerie shadows that danced in the dim light.

Suddenly, amidst the tangle of bushes, something caught my eye — a magnificent baroque carriage, adorned with intricate designs and gilded accents. It stood like a forgotten relic of another time, a beacon of opulence in the midst of the wilderness.

Nearby, a figure emerged from the shadows, dressed in red colors that shimmered in the dappled sunlight. His oddly looking red hair made him look like a creature from a fairy tale, an exotic bird perched on the forest floor.

As I cautiously approached the colorful stranger and the extravagant carriage, my heart pounded in my chest like a drum. My voice shook as I spoke, breaking the stillness of the forest. "Excuse me," I began, my words barely louder than a whisper. "Can you help me? I'm lost, and I have no idea how I got here."

The man turned to face me, his eyes shining with an otherworldly glow. "Lost, you say?" he replied, his voice as melodious as a songbird's.

"Yes... I need to find my way back," I stammered, my fear mingling with a growing curiosity.

For a moment, the man's expression hardened, and I feared he might send me away. But then, as if in response to my distress, a beautiful young woman emerged from the carriage, her voice like music in the quiet forest.

"What's going on here?" she asked, her tone both curious and gentle.

I watched in awe as she approached, her graceful steps matching the elegance of her surroundings. As she drew nearer, I couldn't help but notice how much she resembled me — same age, with long chestnut hair and almond eyes that mirrored my own.

For a moment, we simply stared at each other, a silent understanding passing between us. Despite the strangeness of our meeting, there was a comforting familiarity in her gaze, as if she too had been lost in the depths of the forest.

"I... I'm lost," I finally managed to say, my voice barely audible. "I don't know how I ended up here."

The young woman looked at me with a mix of sympathy and curiosity, her eyes shining with a gentle light. "Lost?" she echoed, her voice soft and soothing. "Come with us, we're heading to the castle."

As she spoke, a sense of calm washed over me, as if her presence alone promised safety and comfort in this strange place. With a tentative smile, I stepped closer, drawn to her warmth like a moth to a flame.

The young woman's smile widened, her eyes twinkling with amusement. She extended her hand in a gesture of welcome.

~~~

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