Author Becomes Character (Revised version)

Looks like it's just me now. Honestly, it feels a bit lonely, but I'm not worried. I mean, come on, I'm a strong, independent cutie who's been through way worse! If I can take down a dragon, I'm totally fine—nothing life throws at me is too big. I've got this! Who knows, maybe I'll end up looking like a total badass by the end of the day.

I can already picture it: a princess totally lost in the woods, trying to find her way home, and running into all sorts of trouble along the way. It's going to be hilarious and adventurous! Hmm... maybe I'll write a novel about it when I get back? Sounds like a fun project!

"Oh, look what we have here," an unfamiliar voice called from behind me, making me jump a little.

Out of nowhere, a group of six guys appeared, looking like they walked straight out of an anime about sketchy mercenaries or bandits. Seriously, their outfits screamed "I've been wandering the woods for a week with no showers." Leather armor, dirty clothes, random weapons like axes and falchions. They were like a walking cliche of every bad group you've ever imagined in a fantasy novel.

"Are you lost, Miss?" one of them asked, his smile all crooked teeth and creepy vibes.

Okay, okay. Maybe I was overreacting. It's not like they were shouting about being villains... yet.

"Yes, could you direct me to the nearest village?" I asked, trying to sound polite, though inside I was ready to pull off a magical attack that would send them to the moon.

They all exchanged looks like they were speaking in a secret telepathic language. Is that a spell I don't know about? How long have I been stuck in that weird seal thing?

"You sound like a noble, but where's your entourage?" another guy asked, looking me up and down like I was a confused puppy.

"Right? I'm so noble," I muttered under my breath. "But yeah, I'm just a wandering princess, no biggie."

"Indeed, if you could return me to the nearest village, I'll be so generous in my reward," I said, throwing on a smile that screamed "I've got treasure and a heart of gold" without saying it out loud.

They glanced at each other again, like they were deciding whether I was worth robbing or just an easy target.

"Sure, Miss, follow us," the same guy said, turning his back like he didn't just size me up for a potential ransom.

"We'll protect you, Miss!" another one chimed in, sounding way too chipper for the situation. "You're in good hands! You know, we'll form a protective circle or whatever."

I just nodded and threw up a totally normal invisible barrier, just in case they decided to change their minds mid-walk.

We trudged on for a while before arriving at a village. It wasn't anything spectacular, but it was definitely a step up from hanging out in the woods with six potential troublemakers.

"Here we are, Miss!" one of them announced, pointing proudly at the village.

"Thanks! You're all so helpful," I said, handing each of them a different colored gem like I was some kind of mystical gem dealer. They stared at them, their eyes wide in surprise.

I just nodded and walked away, eager to explore this new place, which was packed with people! Oh my gods, it's been so long since I saw a crowd of living, breathing humans. I couldn't even contain my excitement.

But then, as I walked away, I had to stop and blink a few times. Wait, did they actually just... point me to a village? Like, that was it? I expected a grand adventure, or at least some resistance, but nope, here I am, casually handed a map to the next village like I'm some lost tourist. Huh. Guess not everything's as dramatic as I imagined.