My Classmates And I Were Transported to Another World

The figure doesn't move. Not at first.

It stands in the open, its long, spindly frame silhouetted against the fading light. Its head tilts slightly, like it's watching me, studying me. I can't see its face—or if it even has one—but I feel its focus, sharp and oppressive. The kind of focus that makes your skin crawl.

I grip the dagger tighter. My palms sweat, but I keep my breathing steady. My heartbeat is too loud, pounding in my ears, but I don't let it show. It's waiting for something. I don't know what, but I know one thing for sure.

It's not going to leave.

Behind me, Sophie and Taro are silent. I don't need to look back to know they're staring, wide-eyed, at the thing in front of us. Their fear is almost tangible. I can feel it in the air, thick and suffocating.

I step forward, just enough to draw its attention fully onto me. If it's going to do something, it'll go for the one who moves first. I need to know what I'm dealing with.

The figure tilts its head again, its body shifting slightly. It's almost graceful, the way it moves, like a predator that hasn't decided if it's worth the effort to strike.

"Stay back," I mutter, not turning to look at Sophie and Taro. I don't need to see their faces to know they're terrified. "Don't make a sound."

They don't respond, but I can hear Sophie's shaky breathing. I hope she listens. I don't have time to babysit.

The figure takes a step forward. It's slow, deliberate. Testing.

I don't flinch. Instead, I plant my feet, tightening my grip on the dagger. If it's a fight it wants, I'll give it one. I don't know if I can kill it, but I'm not going to die without trying.

And then it stops.

A low, rumbling sound comes from its chest—or maybe its throat. It's not a growl, exactly. It's more like… a hum. Deep and resonant. The kind of sound that makes your stomach twist in knots.

It's not attacking. Not yet.

I take a slow step back, not breaking eye contact with whatever part of its body could be called its face. The moment stretches, each second dragging like an eternity.

Then, without warning, the figure raises a long, thin arm. Its fingers—or claws—point to me, then to the ruins behind me. To Sophie and Taro.

And then back to me.

My chest tightens. I don't understand what it wants, but I know it's a choice. Me or them.

---

I don't hesitate.

I glance back at Sophie and Taro, who are still frozen in place. Sophie's clutching the edge of her jacket like it's some kind of shield. Taro's fists are clenched, but his legs are locked, and his eyes dart between me and the figure.

"Run," I say, my voice low but firm.

Sophie shakes her head. "Kai—"

"I said run." My tone sharpens, leaving no room for argument.

They don't move.

The figure tilts its head again, that low hum growing louder, vibrating in the air around us. I don't know how long it'll wait before it decides to act.

"Go!" I bark, louder this time.

Finally, they move. Sophie grabs Taro's arm, pulling him toward the deeper part of the ruins. He resists for a second, glancing back at me, but I don't give him the chance to argue. I step forward again, drawing the figure's focus back to me.

I don't need to tell them twice. They disappear into the shadows, their footsteps fading into the distance.

The figure doesn't follow. Its attention stays locked on me, its clawed hand lowering slowly. The hum fades, replaced by silence.

It's just me now.

---

I don't drop my guard, even when the figure doesn't move. It stands there, watching, as if it's waiting for me to make the next move.

"What do you want?" I say, my voice steady. I don't expect it to answer, but I need to know if it can understand me. If this is something I can negotiate with—or if it's just another mindless monster.

The figure's head tilts again, its movements slow and deliberate. Then, it raises its other arm.

It points to the ground in front of me.

I follow its gesture, my eyes narrowing. There's nothing there at first, just dirt and broken stone. But then, something shifts. The ground ripples, like the air above it is distorting.

And then I see it.

A small, glowing orb. Pale blue, pulsing faintly, like it's alive.

The figure steps back, giving me space to approach.

I don't move right away. This could be a trap. It probably is. But I don't have a choice. If I don't act, it might decide I'm not worth keeping around.

Slowly, I crouch down, keeping the dagger in my hand. The orb flickers as I reach for it, its light growing dimmer, then brighter again, like it's reacting to me.

When my fingers close around it, a sudden warmth spreads through my hand. It's not unpleasant, but it's… strange.

The figure makes the humming sound again, softer this time. I stand, holding the orb tightly.

"What is this?" I ask, though I know it won't answer.

The figure doesn't respond. Instead, it points to the ruins behind me. To Sophie and Taro.

And then it turns, gliding away into the darkness.

---

I don't move for a long time after it's gone. The orb in my hand is still warm, its light pulsing faintly. I don't know what it is or why the figure gave it to me.

But I know one thing for sure.

It wasn't a gift.

---

By the time I return to the others, the sky is almost completely dark. They've managed to start another fire, though it's small and weak. Sophie looks up as I approach, her eyes widening in relief.

"Kai! You're okay!" she says, rushing toward me.

I hold up a hand to stop her. "I'm fine," I say, keeping my tone even. "Did anything happen while I was gone?"

She hesitates, then shakes her head. "No… but what about—what was that thing?"

I don't answer right away. Instead, I sit down near the fire, keeping the orb hidden in my bag.

"It's gone," I say finally.

Taro frowns, his gaze sharp. "What did it want?"

"Nothing," I lie. "It just watched me. Then it left."

They don't look convinced, but they don't push. Not yet.

As they settle down for the night, I keep watch, my hand resting on my bag. The orb's warmth seeps through the fabric, a constant reminder of its presence.

I don't know what I've just agreed to.

But I do know one thing.

Whatever happens next, I'll make sure I come out on top.