I opened my eyes, looking around.

"did it work?" I questioned, maybe I had done the ritual wrong

I waited another 30 seconds before sighing deeply,

"I guess magic really isn't real, mom was just insane" I blew out the candles and moped to the bedroom to sleep

-next morning-

I woke up to a strange smell, it almost smelt like burning.

was my apartment on fire?

I quickly jumped out of bed but soon tripped and fell over, why was there something in front of my bed all of sudden?

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and noticed something, I wasn't in my apartment.

Looking around I saw a group of people dressed in strange old looking clothes, staring at me

One lady, mid 20s ran forward to help me up,

"Anne, don't go near him, we don't know him," an old grumpy man said

"father, he looks terrified" she reasoned and there was a sound of bells and the others quickly made their way outside

"Sir are you okay?" the short lady, presumably named Anne asked and my eyes went wide, that didn't sound like Korean at all, but I understood it

"Where am I?" I said and clamped my hand over my mouth, I was speaking the language too, it sounded like German

"Liechtenstein, our hunters found you in the forest, it appeared you were sleeping out there," She said while grabbing me what appeared to be very thin and old clothing

"What day is it?" I said groaning, I felt so tired all of a sudden very tired

she looked at me weird but answered reluctantly

"October 7th"

4 days after I did the ritual, why am I here?

" what year?" It couldn't have been 2018 anymore, these clothes look old, and everything just looks so old.

Maybe if I knew history I'd be able to tell where I am, but I have no idea

She turned away so I could change into these clothes and not just be under this blanket

"1680"

400 years.. I WENT 400 YEARS BACK IN TIME

"Why does it smell like there is a fire?" I asked sniffing the air again, it's concerning

"They're getting ready to burn the witch," she said walking over to the window looking out

"the witch trials? that's happening here?" I questioned trying to not sound terrified, as if I hadnt just done a ritual

mom wasn't insane, she was insanely smart and I should have listened to her rules.

"mhm. is it not happening where you're from?" She turned around and looked upon me curiously

Yeahhhh maybe I shouldn't tell them im from almost 400 years into the future, they'd kill me.

this must be connected to the ritual I did last night, I must've done something wrong.

Very wrong.

"I think I was cursed, or hit over the head, I don't remember anything but my name" I lied hoping she'd take the lousy answer and not burn me

"oh poor boy, what is your name?" she took the bait and actually felt bad for me,

I wasn't sure if I should say my real name or create a fake one,

"Junhong, Choi Junhong" saying my real name would be harmless... right?

"What an odd name, there's only one other in the village with a name like that" She pointed out the window, where I saw a bright flame with a crowd of people around it

"I think I remember being from somewhere east, maybe Asia," I said in a wary tone, to make it seem like I wasn't sure.

"the other man, the strong witch hunter, he came from Asia with his dad, 20 years ago, he was 6. His father went missing soon after, poor kid. We'll have to introduce the two of you" Anne said with a smile, but she sounded unsure.

"That could be nice" I agreed hoping maybe I wouldn't actually have to meet that man

Anne motioned towards the door leading outside

"We're expected out there," she said in a quiet voice while walking out the door

I followed slowly, not really wanting to leave the safe place.

"does everyone come here to watch her be burnt?" I asked once we were situated around the stake where the witch would be burnt

"yes, we are happy to have gotten rid of the witch" She smiled and clapped to whatever the important looking guy was saying.

I took the time to look around at the people, and analyze, as I towered over many of them and didn't really fit in.

Its a really good thing I hadn't dyed my hair recently so it was an almost natural brown, it'd be easier to grow out unsuspiciously.

right as I was about to look back to the stake and try and focus, I made eye contact with another man.

A Korean man.

The man was quite tall, sword at his side, wearing what looked to be an outfit you'd see in ancient paintings, which made sense considering it was 1680

the most important thing was that he was staring hard, glaring.

it looks like he said something but I couldn't make it out.

I quickly turned to Anne

"Is that him? the witch hunter we were talking about?" I asked hurriedly

"yes. Bang Yongguk, he's our best witch hunter and he is very cold-hearted, be careful around him" she said, her voice filled with sincerity but also something else I couldn't place.

"I will make sure to," I said letting my eyes wander back to the man

the man who was now walking towards us at a rapid pace

a very scary look on his face

"Anne, who is this man" he growled, in an almost demonic deep voice.

"He's the boy we found in the forest earlier today," she said in that same voice as before, except now I could place the other part.

fear.

"did somebody check him for the witches mark?" The man looked at me almost like he was looking at me from a scientific standpoint.

"yes my father did when he first came in," she said nervously, she didn't want Yongguk to start a scene

" does he seem of suspicion?" He asked completely ignoring my presence

Damn this guy is acting like im not right here

"Not yet, he seems very nice, the poor boy lost his memory though, doesn't know how he got here from Asia" She answered him softly, but she had a glare on her face.

"Asia? where are you from boy" He finally turned to me, took him long enough

"Korea, I think" I was getting sick of pretending to not know anything, but its what I had to do to survive.

"You don't remember how you got here?" He was glaring again, judging, suspicion was coming off him in waves

"No sir" I bowed a tiny bit, showing him respect

"Anne, where will he stay? I don't trust him in the town's houses, he could be a risk" the older man spit onto the ground next to him, turning from me back towards Anne

"He just woke up 10 minutes ago Yongguk, we haven't really figured out where to put him yet," She said challenging him, she must've not been as afraid of him as I thought

"He'll stay in the guard's barracks for tonight," He said and started to walk away

Anne grabbed his arm turning him around,

"They're going to hurt him Yongguk, you know how they are with weak kids; no offence Junhong," She said looking at me with a sad expression and I just gave her a small smile and shook my head

"I don't care, I don't trust him anywhere else, with the guards, they'll stop him before he could do anything" Yongguk whispered, not wanting to scare the townspeople.

"If you wish, good day Yongguk" Anne just agreed, it was easier than arguing with him and possibly getting killed

"good day sir," I said lightly, bowing and Yongguks expression softened before it turned back to a glare and he turned away

"go on then" he growled again and stomped away.

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