In the darkness

Sasha opened her eyes. The noise is gone. Just a little dizzy. Lex only had to look at the ceiling for a few seconds to realize that this was not her room. So is this all true? Am I in Ioruna? So now I have to act? Where I am? What to do? I have to run? - Get up, children, run! — a woman ran into the room. — Get up, you’ll be late for Min! Sasha’s body decided to obey. Mind separate, body separate? The girl accidentally touched a thin pillow with her hand and felt something hard there. So that’s why it was uncomfortable to lie down! Sasha took out from under the pillow a small volume covered in leather. — Jorun: a short guide… Wow! Probably from my mother! — Lex whispered. Meanwhile, her body somehow pulled on uncomfortable clothes of dubious quality and, having finished with this, carried her to another room. It turned out to be the kitchen. So poorly furnished! Really poor. A shabby table with eight chairs, a stove, and benches. Uuu… Like in Rus' in ancient times. It’s sad here! Suddenly she remembered her mother’s words: “People here are enslaved.” So that’s what it’s all about! So I’m in one of these families! Well, at least she remained human, and that’s good! Didn’t become some ugly merman! Meanwhile, the body came to the table and began to serve breakfast. Porridge again! Just like mine always. I wonder if it’s always like this here? Maybe on holidays they eat at least something “human”? Do they even have holidays? Probably not. People began to enter the room. There were only four of them: that woman, a haggard blonde with green eyes, a gray mouse, a man with brown hair and gray eyes, and two blonde teenagers, a girl with blue eyes and a boy with gray eyes. They sat down at the table and began to whisper something. Sasha’s lips joined. This silent conversation, or perhaps prayer, ended in two minutes. Of all the words, the girl could only make out “Antonarakh, save Kosuun!” So, Kosuun is their ruler, and Antonarakh is probably a god. I see… But where am I? A monotonous voice immediately sounded in my head. Clear and calm, he seemed to be giving a lecture. Well, maybe it was. Irotype. The magician Kosuun rules here. He controls the power of fire. It’s always hot here. The temperature does not fall below +30 degrees. Kosuun has a very hot-tempered character; he is considered the most aggressive ruler. He cannot live without wars. The civilian population suffers greatly from this. The laws are also very strict. For any offense, even the most insignificant, they can be imprisoned or even executed. Taxes here are huge, but citizens are prohibited from leaving the city. The city is considered cursed. Here is the main meeting of evil. The main occupation of the population is military service and participation in battles. Wow! That is, I will have such inserts for every question about the world? Cool… - Madan, Lexa, Erya! Let’s run to Min! — The girl’s thoughts were interrupted by a loud, disgusting scream from a woman. Is it really possible to shout like that? So what is Min? Most likely school. That girl looks younger than me, she definitely goes to school. She’s about 14. And the guy… Well, maybe a year older than me. Just kind of skinny. Okay, let’s go to school. The legs had already risen from the table and carried Sasha towards the door. It turned out that breakfast ended two minutes ago. We should meet the guys. I seem to be their sister now. So, what did this aunt call them? Madan and Erya, class. There are also strange names here. And that means I’m Lexa. Not bad. At least you won’t have to get used to the new name. The feet were already walking along the street. Sasha looked around. The houses are one-story or two-story. There are fences everywhere. There are many fires. And it’s hot. Well, the voice didn’t lie. I think HE can be trusted. Sasha looked down the street. And suddenly… - Wow! — It’s good that I said it almost to myself. And there was something to be surprised about! A real orc was walking towards her. Just as ugly as in some movie, like Lord of the Rings. She thought they didn’t exist, who knew! But that wasn’t even the strangest thing. He was dressed in a luxurious red frilly uniform with frills and some kind of stripes. So ridiculous! All the people, including Sasha, froze and bowed. Maybe some government official… And she smiled to herself. Is he an official? Of course not! More like a guard. Okay, stop! If there are orcs here, then who else are there in this world? Elves, werewolves, gnomes?.. And my feet had already approached an ugly, symmetrical three-story building. There was a sign at the top that said “Min.” Well, I got to school. And I never met my “relatives”! The inside of the building turned out to be as ugly as the outside. Gray walls, gray floor, everything is gray! Could this be a prison? No, children are not sent to prison… well, at least in our world. The legs were already heading to class. Up the stairs, left, straight, left again, and Sasha found herself in the classroom. The hands carefully pushed the chair back and the girl sat down at the desk. It’s still a school. Well, at least all the people are here. The day went well overall. The body itself walked around the school, talked, and answered lessons. It’s just that these same “lessons” are somehow strange. No, well, is it normal for people to take “Respect for Owners”? No? But for this world it’s normal! Sasha approached Erya several times. She was two years younger than Sasha, and Madan, as Lex realized, was really a year older. The girl found out a few more details about their “family”: what the parents’ names were, who their owners were, etc. The guys were going home. Despite the difference in age, their lessons ended at the same time. So, mom said, I have to free the world. But from whom? How to do it? You will learn everything from the tome. Oh, that voice again! Folio at home. So, we’ll sort it out there. Maybe this will clear things up. The guys reached their one-story house. Lex only now noticed how modest and pathetic he was. She carefully placed a small briefcase near the dining table, took out several books, opened one of them and began to study. Half an hour later she was free. - So… History of the world… Just what you need! — Sasha was lying on the bed with a tome in her hands and leafing through it. The world was created 1.5 billion years ago by the great god Antonarakh, who left after that to create other worlds, but left us his son, the wise and immortal Theodriel. The period in which he reigned, Abert, is considered happy for the world. All beings lived in harmony. The world itself provided better living conditions… - A good king… why isn’t he ruling now, I wonder? Maybe he’s not that immortal after all?.. Teodriel had four children: Almor, Joven, Amadot and Indena. Their mother was mortal. This feature was passed on to the children. Because of their mortality, they hated humanity. Together they decided to kill Theodriel. The half-breeds found Meylar, the sword, the only weapon capable of killing immortal beings. But when the son of God was killed, part of the sword broke off and, in revenge for the children, Theodore was formed, a ball that, with the touch of the most powerful Ori, would destroy all the descendants of Theodriel and free the people. - O! Just what I need! So I have to find this ball. But… where was it hidden? Almor, Joven, Amadot and Indena were sealed by Theodore under the fields of Emrant, the city of the earth, and Meylar — in the dungeons. But they are guarded by the most powerful creatures — Banifis, huge snakes. - Hmmm… that’s another problem… Okay, I need to finish reading it. Sasha was about to bury herself in the book again, when suddenly the front door slammed and a large creature, two meters tall, appeared on the threshold. All the inhabitants of the house suddenly jumped up from their seats and bowed to the creature. Lex decided not to stand out and also bowed her head. The creature entered the house and Sasha was finally able to see it. It was a huge orc, like the one she saw in the morning, but bigger… And even uglier! - I came for tribute! — his voice was simply deafening. He sounded so menacing that the girl got scared and pressed herself against the wall. -But…but…You came last week, s…master! — “Dad” stuttered. Apparently he was very afraid of this freak. Okay, stop! Master? Our “family” is enslaved by this orc? Horror! - And what? I need more! Where is my money? — The orc was already shouting. “Dad” cowered against the wall, and the rest of the “family” turned pale and wanted, most likely, to fall through the ground. Suddenly Sasha felt like a vice was squeezing her throat. Apparently the others felt the same. Lex reached to her neck and felt something like an amulet there, but it looked more like a collar… The girl looked at the “family” and saw they had the same “decorations”. So this is a sign of belonging? Meanwhile, the orc, not paying attention to the people crouched in various poses, walked to the opposite wall, to the chest, and opened it. There were a lot of things there, and the freak began to throw them away until he came across a small box. He grinned and opened it. Sasha looked at “mom”. She was shaking with sobs and pain. I even felt sorry for her. But her own throat continued to squeeze the necklace, and the girl could not somehow influence the situation. The box contained several rings and bracelets, and there were also gold coins. The orc took a few and quickly left, not hiding a nasty smile. As soon as the door closed behind him, Sasha was able to breathe normally again. She looked around. “Mom” was also crying, “dad” was trying to console her, and Madan and Erya huddled in a corner and were also crying. I feel sorry for them. This probably happens to them often. I wonder if everyone has such owners? If yes, then I must free them! The guys slowly got up and trudged, sobbing, to their room. Now or never! With such thoughts, Lex resolutely followed them. They know a lot about this world. They will help me. Moreover, they probably want to become free. - Mad, Er, I know the situation is terrible for you, but I want to talk to you about something. Two pairs of eyes stared at the girl. Sasha swallowed. The conversation was going to be difficult. - I’m from another world. I don’t even know how I ended up here. I only know that I can free humanity. I even found out how to do it. But I need your help. Will you come with me? — the girl tried not to press. But it turned out to be somewhat demanding. - Lex, what are you talking about? You are our sister! — Complete misunderstanding appeared on Madan’s face. But life didn’t prepare me for this! How can I explain this to them? - I know this sounds very strange to you, but just believe me, please! I want to save this world, but I can’t do it myself! — Sasha was already starting to scream in despair. They should believe her! - I believe you, — Erya raised her voice for the first time that evening. Well, at least it’s something. Now we need to convince Mad… He looks incredulous! - Okay, I believe it too. But what should we do? We might get caught! Then we won’t be happy! — Madan shuddered. Apparently this prospect frightened him. Although Er was also scared. And Sasha. She suddenly imagined it. With such orders, they could be killed if they were caught! - But do you agree? — Lex decided to clarify, what if the guys changed their minds? - Yes.