A Transcender's Guide to Another World

I remember light. Shining so bright that it burns my soul, assaulting it with indescribable pain, threatening to pull apart the essence of my being. I tried struggling against it for what feels like an eternity. That was the last thing I remember before losing my consciousness.

I woke up feeling extremely disoriented. I opened my eyes and felt the intense light gushing through my pupils. Arghh! So bright! Instinctively, I shaded them with my palms. My eyes eventually adjusted to the brightness. I proceeded to scan my surroundings and performed a body check.

Okay, I seem to be good shape. No cuts, no bruises, no broken bones, a little dehydrated though. As for my surroundings, I'm in a backseat of a car? Also, it seems like the car is stuck to a tree pretty high up. Where in the world am I? How the hell did I get here? Whose car is this? And how did it get stuck in a tree this up high? Damn, I could've sworn I was just chilling in my house. Watching some show where people there make obscene reactions after tasting food. Did I end up with a memory gap after an intense drinking party? Wait, if so why don't I remember going to a party in the first place?

I gave up thinking since it's not getting me anywhere. What I need now is to gather more data. I looked out through the window and see nothing but a verdant forest as far as my vision allowed. I pulled out my smartphone and tried turning it on. It's dead. I decided to climb to the back of the SUV and found three travel bags, a box of instant noodle, and a few bottles of clean water. Without delay, I opened up one and drank. Now, to check out those bags and find some clues to this weird scenario.

Suddenly, I felt a low rhythmic thump. Shaking the ground and trees, making the entire forest sway. *dum.. dum.. dum..* The tremor on the ground making the water in bottle ripple in unison of the thump.

I panicked. Dozens of possibilities streaked through my mind, but one thing's for sure. It was something big. Did I somehow end up in Jurassic Park? I let out a nervous laugh as it approached closer - the vibration on getting stronger.

*clicked* I swung the door open and stuck my head out. Way too high! I'll die if I fall. It looks like I'm just gonna have to do 'that'.

I put my palms together and prayed: "Please let it be a vegetarian, please let it be a vegetarian!"

A colossal beast, resembling a triceratops standing 20 meters tall walked out from the dense forest and appeared in front of me. You'd thought I'd be grateful that my prayers came true, right? Let me tell you that I'm not. Why? Cause' mounted on its head were several people with pointy ears, pointing arrows at me. Elves. They might have their faces concealed, but those ears are just dead giveaways.

They shouted something I don't understand at me. Not willing to take any chances, I took the most sensible action under the circumstances: I put both of my hands up.

Seeing the Elven Rangers lowering their bow made me heave a sigh of relief. Apparently the 'hands up' works universally in all worlds. And yes, I noticed I'm no longer in the world I once knew. Living in the modern age of information with the whole planet discovered, there's no way I would try to deny it by saying I'm on some undiscovered island. I seemed to have transcended to some sort of foreign world. Did I die and ended up reincarnated here? But if so, why did I still retain my original body? Even dressed entirely in my hoodie jacket, jeans, and shoes. Teleportation? Dimensional shift? I wrote those question on my mental note for later. For now, I've got Elves riding on dinosaurs ready to string me up in a moment's notice.

They hopped off the dinosaur onto the tree, subdued me, tied my hands and legs, blindfold my eyes, and even gagged me. Never knew Elves could be so kinky.

After being transported and hoisted down like a sack of potatoes, they guided me to someplace by pulling the rope on my wrists. Having arrived somewhere, they jerked my reign to a halt. My captors said something I couldn't understand before taking off my blindfold and set me kneeling. My limbs are still tied, of course. I took a glance around and noticed I'm in a building of some sort. In front of me sat a man, kneeling on a cushion. Beside him, some mean looking guards. And by mean, I meant they carried swords on their hips. How mean can an Elf look anyway? I focused my eyes on one of the swords. Looks quite a bit like a katana. Samurai Elves? I desperately held my giggle in. I should try to remember that I can lose my head anytime here.

While I was observing everything, my captors shouted something at me and smacked my head with his sheathed katana. "Ow, what the hell? Why the heck did you do that for?," I said, my head throbbing in pain.

Everyone in the room suddenly seemed confused. Seeing them confused confuses me too. What the hell am I supposed to say? I don't even know their language! Besides can't they see the clothes I'm wearing? Isn't it obvious I'm not from here?

After some hushed discussion and sorts, the Elf-boss eventually sent out one of their members out. For what, I have no idea, and that makes me uncomfortable. Everyone seems to be staring at me intently, sizing me up and studying me as if I'm some kind of exotic animal. Well, technically, I am. It's not every day that a Transcender suddenly popped out in the middle of the forest.

About ten long minutes, the door slid open. I turned around and saw my patience rewarded. The most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life. With Eurasion features, blonde hair and green eyes. Well, I guess it was no surprise. All the men I saw were otherworldly handsome. I bet if the fangirls of my world saw them, they would without a doubt abandon their former idols and become the Elven men's new worshipper. It's hardly news that their females are equivalent. I swallowed my saliva and tried hard not to gawk. Noticing my reaction, the previous Elf shouted something at me before slapping my head. I glared at him with defiance. Just you wait till I get off this ropes, pretty boy.

She walked in, followed by her two attendant. Huh? They somehow pale to her in comparison. Not all Elves are born equal too, eh? I nodded to myself and was rewarded with another smack on the head. Man, this dude. What the hell is his deal?

Everyone in the room bowed towards the Lady, even the Elf-boss. She must be some kind of big shot around here. While observing her. I heard the dude shout something again and raised his hand. I braced myself for the impact, but nothing. I turned around and saw the Lady staring coldly at the dude disapprovingly. He stepped away from me, but in turn, glared at me viciously. Seriously, what the hell is wrong with him? He acts as if I insulted his entire ancestor or even murdered his beloved pet cat.

The Lady made her way in front of me, strolling with a grace only royalty possess. She finally stopped a few steps away from me and spoke, saying something I don't understand again. Observing my reaction, or lack of. She looked into my eyes.

"Greetings, traveler," I heard her say without moving her lips. My eyes widened considerably. I've watched too many shows and read too much novel not to know what it is. Telepathy! There was no mistaking that.

"Greetings to you too, milady," I answered earnestly.

"From which continent did thou hail from?"

"The continent hail from is but a humble plain called 'Asia'"

"Asia?" she lifted one of her eyebrows. "What a peculiar name. And what art thou name, traveler?"

"Michael, milady. But you can call me Mike."

"Alright then, Mike of Asia. You were found trespassing in the forest domain of the Arthuri Kingdom. Do you mind explaining this to us?" she locked her emerald eyes at me. Cold, calculating, and devoid of any emotions.

I subconsciously swallowed my saliva, to think the hottest one here would ironically turn out to be the coldest too. I wonder would she believe me if I told her I just magically appeared there out of nowhere. Why do I feel like she would personally slit my throat if she doesn't like my answer? That's the kind of vibe she's giving me. I thought of the possibilities. It's not like I can escape from my bindings. Even if I do, I don't think I'll be able to stand against half a dozens of katana-wielding-Elves. Since I have no acceptable excuses, I might as well come clean and tell her I magically appeared in their forest. If I die, then so be it.