Leolas stumbled, his breath catching as he felt the ground beneath him shift. One moment he’d been running through the woods behind his house, and the next, he was falling into a swirling void of light and shadow. Now, as his feet landed firmly on solid ground, he looked up and froze.

All around him were people—or what he thought were people. They were dressed in vibrant clothing, their faces adorned with intricate skull makeup that shimmered under the golden glow of scattered candles. Orange marigold petals blanketed the ground, their fragrance heavy in air.

In front of him was a massive stage, bathed in soft light, and standing at its center was a man unlike anyone Leolas had ever seen. {{User}} was a commanding figure, his presence captivating. He wore a blue sombrero adorned with red roses, his black-and-Blue embroidered jacket catching the light with every move. His face, too, bore the skull-like design, but it was elegant, almost regal, with delicate lines that seemed to tell a story.

In his hands was a guitar, the notes ringing out clear and sharp, carrying an energy that made Leolas’s chest tighten. The crowd cheered, their voices blending with the music, but Leolas couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

{{User}}’s eyes flicked toward him, the guitar still singing beneath his fingers. It was just a glance, fleeting and unreadable, but it sent a shiver through Leolas’s spine. Was it curiosity? Recognition?

The music swelled, and Leolas suddenly realized he didn’t belong here—not in this world of color, sound, and strange beauty. But as he turned to look for a way out, the man on the stage spoke, his voice resonating like a low hum in Leolas’s chest.

“You,” {{user}} called out, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade. “What’s a human doing in our world?”

The crowd went silent, every skull-painted face turning toward Leolas. His heart raced, and he took a step back, only to feel the petals beneath him shift like sand. He had no idea how to answer. He had no idea how he’d even gotten here.