Author Note: I really enjoyed Rune Factory 3, but was disappointed by the short storyline as well as the lack of depth of some of the characters, particularly Shara. Shara is the canon bride for Micah, yet I feel she has the worst character development out of all of the bachelorettes, giving the player little incentive to select her. The purpose of this story is to expand on the plot as well as provide more depth to Shara's character. I do my best to stick with the original plot and keep the characters as close to their game personalities as possible. Thank you for reading and I would love your feedback!

Chapter 1

Nightfall consumed Sharence, and the only sound that could be heard as the villagers slept were the occasional calls of the nocturnal critters emerging from their abodes. It was a tranquil night for all but Aquaticus who summoned a meeting at the Sharence Tree. Utilizing the cloak of darkness, his companions gradually arrived, and Aquaticus waited until they all followed his gaze towards the tree.

"My comrades…" he spoke softly, as they slowly turned towards him wearing expressions of horror. "You all have beheld the reason for my concern."

He paused to glance somberly at the Sharence Tree and recalled how magnificent it stood centuries ago in full blossom with flowers that drew the notice of travelers, human and monster alike. What remained now of this once glorious tree was diminished in both size and beauty, but more concerning than that loss was that the tree would continue to wither unless immediate action remedied that.

"Thisss is worssse than I imagined," Raccoon hissed, "but what can we do?"

Aquaticus turned to address Raccoon. "The humans-"

"Can't be trusted," Death Wall finished. "So now what? Surely not the Univir!"

Aquaticus shook his head. "No, the humans do not live long enough to remember the glory of the Sharence Tree, and the Univir want nothing to do with the 'hornless' as they call them. I do know of one individual, though, who may be able to help us, but there is one issue…"

"Which is?" Skelefang demanded impatiently.

Aquaticus suspected his idea would cause dissension, so he responded slowly to allow the group to process. "I doubt he could be convinced to come to our aid willingly which means I would have to force him to do so by sabotaging his memory."

The group gasped simultaneously and responded with such rapid retorts that Aquaticus had difficulty discerning who the source of each remark was.

"But that's forbidden!"

"What if you take so much of his memory he can't even function?"

"Why is he worth taking such a risk?"

Aquaticus honed in on the last question he heard. "He is worth this attempt and may well be our only hope because he is a half-breed. He is half human and half wooly. The humans are completely oblivious to the danger that lies ahead and do not realize that the death of the Sharence Tree means the destruction of our land. Thus, they have no urgency to reconcile with the Univir who are too resentful to even visit Sharence and view the condition of the tree. I believe Micah- that is his name- has the potential to unite the humans and Univir, thus salvaging the Sharence Tree and our land. I will, however, need all of your help if this is going to succeed."

Aquaticus observed the group and sensed that the dissension was slowly mollifying. It took several moments, however, for anyone to respond.

"How can we help?" Crimsone asked.

The group remained until twilight discussing the logistics of the plan, and once finalized, Aquaticus desperately prayed that his intuition was correct and Micah truly was the one to rest the salvation of the land upon.

A sudden knock on the door startled Micah from his slumber. He jumped, disoriented for a moment before stumbling out of bed and fumbling with the lock. Opening the door, he glanced surprised to see no one there, and he was about to dismiss the noise as a dream before he heard a vengeful cry.

"Where did they go?!"

Alarmed, his fatigue vanished and he quickly belted his tunic, grabbed his sword and raced after the voice that now bellowed. "There were five of them! I don't understand how they vanished!"

Turning the hallway, Micah nearly collided with the head guard.

"Micah!" he gasped. "Five monsters fled this town! Will you go after them?"

"Really? There are that many?" he asked, momentarily stunned because he had never encountered a single one before let alone five. "I will give chase, sir!"

The guard gestured in front of him. "They went that way! You pursue them and I will call for more backup. We are counting on you, kid."

Nodding, Micah withdrew his short sword and hustled from the barracks to the town square. Not a soul was there, which wasn't unusual at this late hour, but Micah found the absence disconcerting. However, this was his opportunity to defend the town he swore he would guard with his life and the knowledge of that compelled him forward. Glancing around, he noticed what appeared to be a raccoon tail vanishing behind a nearby bush.

Brandishing his short sword, he charged forward, bellowing, "I found one!"

As he turned the corner, he tripped over a root, losing his grip on the short sword which landed roughly in the brush ahead. Gazing up, he found himself gazing on all five monsters, the most terrifying of which was a dragon. He lurched and attempted to flee before finding himself immobilized by a mysterious power.

Stay calm, Micah…he felt a voice communicate telepathically. My name is Aquaticus. We need you to come with us, but fear not, my friend. We mean you no harm and merely seek your help. You don't understand now, but you will come to understand in time…

The telepathic message consumed his mind to such a degree that he could not even formulate a thought in response. That alone would have instilled panic, but even more horrifying was that he suddenly felt himself diminishing. First, he realized that he couldn't remember who these creatures were before him and how he even encountered them. Next, the memory lapse extended to his entire surroundings; where was he? How did he come to be in this town? Lastly, he felt his mental capacity being stripped to the core, and he could not recall anything as simple as his hobbies or personality traits.

No! I have to remember my name, he desperately thought. My name is Micah…my name is Micah…

Mentally chanting his name again and again, he felt a brief reassurance that at the very least he would remember that. He continued.

My name is Micah…My name is Micah…My name is…?

Listening to the rain pounding on the roof normally lulled Shara to sleep, but not tonight. For a reason she could not explain, she lay awake in her bed while her sister Monica softly snored in the bed on her right. Sighing, Shara arose and sauntered downstairs, seeking a glass of warm milk. As she stirred the milk heating on the stove, she heard a thunderous noise outside. While she normally would have attributed such a noise to the weather, a sense of heightened awareness overcame her, and she felt the irresistible urge to investigate outside.

What could be out there? She wondered anxiously.

Noticing the clock to her left read midnight as she strolled to the door, she paused before twisting the handle. A forceful draft blew the door open further than Shara intended, and as she struggled to prevent the door from colliding with the wall and awakening her family, she suddenly noticed a motionless form several feet in front of the door. Forgetting the rain, she stepped forward, shocked to find herself gazing upon a wooly!

Why would a wooly be in town? She questioned.

As she took in the creature before her, compassion filled her, and she quickly clutched its leg and hauled it inside. Carefully closing the door, the deafening noise of the storm muffled and she lit the lantern overhanging the door to more easily scrutinize the wooly. The wooly was unlike any wooly she had ever beheld before. While normally possessing an ivory coat, this wooly sported a golden coat, now matted with rainwater, but there was no mistaking the color.

Suddenly, she heard a creak on the stairs and turned her gaze toward her grandfather, sleepily descending. Beholding the wooly, he staggered, the fatigue immediately vanishing from his face.

"Shara…what have you done?!" he gasped. "Why is there a wooly in our house?"

Possessing a benevolence that extended not just to villagers or passerby but to monsters led many to mistake her kindness for naivety. While she could not deny that some monsters were hostile and did seek the destruction of Sharence, she did not believe the wooly should be included in that stereotype. Thus, Shara expected this level of interrogation from her grandfather, but she hoped her stealth would allow such questions to wait until the morning.

Sighing, she turned her gaze to the wooly, whose previously rapid breathing now relaxed. "Grandfather, I couldn't just leave him out there with the weather like it is. It will only be for one night, then I promise I will release him."

Her grandfather shook his head resolutely. "Shara, I will not allow this. Suppose he awakens and threatens our family? Then what?"

"I've never seen a wooly harm anyone, grandfather!" Shara protested.

"Just because you haven't witnessed it doesn't mean that it doesn't occur. Now, let's return him where he belongs," he said, stepping towards the door.

"Please, grandfather!" Shara pleaded. "I will keep him tied downstairs if it makes you feel better. Just don't ask me to release him in such dreadful weather. He will die!"

As he opened the door, a clap of thunder startled him, and he quickly shut the door. His brows furrowed in consideration, he glanced at the unconscious wooly and then towards Shara before muttering, "He better be gone by the time I come down here tomorrow morning."

Seizing upon his consent, she quickly rose. "I promise, grandfather!"

Without a word, her grandfather returned upstairs, leaving her with the wooly, which she gazed at in wonder. She could not determine her reasoning for this, but she felt there was something more to this wooly; something almost human about him. Taking several moments to attempt to discern what feature or trait humanized this wooly in her mind left her in a mental stalemate, but she did resolve that she could not bring herself to chain him downstairs like an animal. Embracing the wooly's body, she heaved him upstairs, managing only with considerable strength to hoist him into her bed. She covered him completely with her quilt, hoping to awaken before Monica so she could release the wooly as promised. Utilizing a spare pillow and reclining on the floor, she fell asleep attempting to again determine the other reason this wooly seemed so distinctive to her.

"There are no signs of the monsters, sir, but we still cannot locate Micah anywhere," a guard reported.

Pacing, the head guard attempted to determine what the next course of action should be before another guard abruptly opened the door.

"Sir, we located Micah's sword!" he announced, extending the hilt to him.

Examining the blade, there was no doubt it was Micah's as his initials were engraved on the shaft. Never before had a guard lost his life in duty as the town was peaceful, and the monsters, while hostile, did little more than damage crops or frighten livestock. A death would not just reflect badly on his command, but would more importantly instill fear within the town. Thus, he asked his next question with great apprehension.

"Was there a sign of a struggle or any blood?"

"That's what is puzzling, sir..." The guard trailed. "We could not find anything to lead us to believe that the blade was anything but abandoned in the bush."

"Well keep searching then!" The head guard ordered. "He didn't just vanish and neither did those monsters."

"Yes sir!" The guards chanted before exiting.

Pacing again, he wondered how he would inform Micah's family of his disappearance come morning, which was quickly approaching.

Stirring as the cheerful melody of birds disturbed his dream, he slowly opened his eyes, gazing at first in curiosity at his surroundings before alarm quickly settled in.

Where am I? He wondered, as his concern grew.

Struggling with the floral quilt that enveloped him, he finally shrugged it off and stepped out of bed, nearly colliding with another twin bed next to him. He stumbled around the obstacle, disturbing the neatly folded edge of the quilt as he did. While descending the stairs of this unfamiliar abode, he prayed his memory would return and that he wouldn't encounter anyone who would demand an answer to why he intruded into their home if he indeed was an intruder.

I can't even remember my home or family, he fretted. Suppose this is my home and I encounter someone I should recognize?

The thought halted him, and he peered around the banister at what appeared to be a floral shop as he noticed several displays of flowers, seeds and fertilizer. Seeing no one, he proceeded downstairs searching for any clue for his location. He approached a stand of brochures, snatching the first one that caught his eye as he noticed the word "traveler" on it. Pouring over the table of contents, his gaze was drawn to the fourth category which read, "Seasonal Flowers of Sharence."

Frustrated that the name evoked no significance to him, he dropped the brochure, which landed on his boot, and in a moment of impulsiveness, rushed outside. The morning sun greeted him with such brilliance that he shielded his eyes until they adjusted. Glancing around, his panic escalated as he did not recognize any of his surroundings. Frantically, he fled, catching only faint glimpses of the blurred buildings from the corner of his eye and vegetation that grew in abundance.

He finally stopped to catch his breath, noticing as he breathed deeply that his blurry surroundings gradually focused. Realizing he was standing in front of what appeared to be an oversized treehouse, he gazed at it perplexedly as it appeared out of place within a town possessing such modern edifices. He did not have long to ponder as a woman's sudden appearance interrupted his train of thought.

Glancing at first in shock and then relief, he observed as she returned his gaze, noticing the expression in her sapphire eyes contained a look of indifference. She wore a belted skirt that would have been suggestive if not for the dark tights and melon jacket which complemented her hair. She possessed a dignified beauty that he supposed would entice many men if not for the callousness in her gaze. Without a word, she turned to pass him, her waist-length scarlet hair flowing softly in the gentle breeze.

"Excuse m-me," he finally stammered, surprised she didn't turn, but he continued nonetheless. "Can you tell me where I am?"

She turned, regarding him incredulously, and he noticed for the first time she had a sheathed broadsword tied to her belt.

How do I know so much about weapons? He wondered. Perhaps it's a clue about who I am…

She seemed prepared to continue about her business without so much as a word to him before another woman spoke, startling them both.

"Hi Raven!" she cordially greeted, and both him and the scarlet haired girl, who he assumed was Raven, turned to glance at the new arrival.

Raven remained silent for many moments before murmuring a seemingly obligatory, "Hello…"

This girl struck him as the complete opposite of Raven. Her entire demeanor radiated a warmth and sincerity that he imagined would disarm even a battle-hardened warrior and compel even a cynic to immediately trust her. The radiant sun drew attention to her auburn hair which he suspected would brighten even the darkest room. She glanced his way and he quickly turned and blushed, since she caught him staring, but the tender expression reflected in her sapphire eyes remained ingrained in his mind.

"Oh, I don't believe we've met! Are you a friend of Raven's?"

Raven's head shot towards the girl and she quickly replied. "No!"

The girl giggled delightfully despite Raven's glare. "May I ask your name, sir?"

He couldn't explain it, but her voice stirred a memory in him as faint as the memory of recalling a dream several hours after awakening. Only the smallest fragment of the memory returned, and with it came a sense of comfort as if he had been on the verge of death and her voice had called him out of the abyss. Suddenly remembering her question, he sighed, knowing the topic would come up eventually when he encountered someone, but he hoped he would have an answer then.

Sensing his distress, the girl responded. "Is something wrong?"

"Yeah…" he started, considering his words and determining honesty would be the best course. "I can't remember my name, where I'm from or anything really…"

"Oh! Do you have amnesia?" she gasped, a look of deep concern etched on her face.

"I-I guess…" he stammered, suddenly feeling ashamed. Why couldn't he remember anything, even the last thing that happened to him before awakening?

She remained silent for many moments in deep consideration, until a look of enlightenment shone on her face. "I think I have an idea!" she exclaimed. "Raven, would you do me a favor and escort him to the Sharence Tree?"

Raven stiffened. "Escort him?"

"Yes please. I need to speak to my grandfather. He's the mayor," she said, addressing him. "By the way, what would you like us to call you until you remember your name?"

Caught off guard, he thoughtfully considered, speaking the first name that came to mind. "Micah. Just call me Micah."

She nodded and favored him with a cordial smile. "That's a good name. By the way, my name is Shara and this is Raven," she gestured to the scarlet haired girl whose name he had already derived.

"Nice to meet you," he replied before glancing at the tree. "So that's the Sharence Tree?"

"Yes," Shara nodded. "Raven will take you there to stay until you get your memory back and I will be right back after speaking to my grandfather."

"I thank you for the offer, but I'm not sure I should stay…" Micah trailed.

Shara nodded emphatically. "I understand it must be overwhelming and that you want to return home, but I thought it would be safer for you to have a place to rest until some of your memory returns. I mean, did you have other plans?"

"Well, no…" he replied, suddenly feeling somewhat sheepish for not grasping the logic behind her suggestion sooner.

"Okay, I'll tell my grandfather and then we will do everything we can to help you, Micah." Shara exited south, which he recalled led to the town he fled from earlier.

Raven sighed, drawing his gaze, and she started towards the Sharence Tree. "This way…"

"Thank you for the help," he replied, and as he expected, Raven remained silent.