A/N: This is the first chapter of in the dark! :D Yay me! I hope you enjoy the story, I worked on it for a fair bit ^^

I don't own Grand Chase or any of their lovely characters! What I do have, however, is the ability to manipulate them as much as I want through the power of FAN FICTION!

Chapter Two: Darkness Destroyed

Tick... Tock... Tick... Tock...

Time goes by.

Slowly, amethyst eyes made a daring attempt to open. Seas of black were still the only sight to greet, bringing with them waves of despair. For you, there will always be a way out. For you, there will always be a way out. For you, there will always be a way...

"THERE IS NO WAY!" Arme cried loudly into the endless darkness. No way, no way, no way. The echoing only served a blatant reminder of how alone she was, the ticking always there to remind her that somewhere outside her living hell was life. Life that she wasn't ever going to have. But... For you, there will always be a way out.

For the first time in years limbs moved through the darkness, fighting the pain that came in the form of short pulses.

"I know it's here, it has to be! Where is it?" A desperate edge had taken to her voice as her arms waved out in front of her haphazardly.

"Where's my way out?" Her energy was draining, falling as quickly as the tears that began to cascade down her cheeks silently. Still, she kept a grip on her hope, the first glimmer of light she had seen in years in the dark, pointless place. L-Light? She had simply been thinking it, but it began to flood her vision, as though something were glowing in the far off distance. Do I really want to go to it? She remembered with a sarcastic chuckle all of the warnings about 'if you see a tunnel with a white light at the end, don't go towards the light', yet there was simply nothing else to do. Nothing else to lose, everything to gain.

Arme's speed increased as she neared the source of the light, a small glimmering ball in the midst of the black. With hope shining in her heart then more than ever, she closed her eyes and lunged at the center of the new brightness.

She winced as her body collided with something extremely hard and cold. Something with... Substance? She bewilderedly opened her eyes to see the first solid object she had felt since entering the darkness, and when she opened her eyes her mouth gaped open in shock. She wasn't in the darkness. She wasn't in the darkness at all.

Arme had, in fact, landed upon a cold grey stone floor. Eyes widening, she blinked uncertainly before sitting up slightly, her legs on either side of her body. She was in a rather small, shack-like room, long boards of greyish wood sufficing for walls. It wasn't a very well put together shack, either; she could feel an extremely cold draft coming through the holes in the wall and the rather large gap between the bottom of the door and the floor. In the right corner next to the door was a kitchen-like area: a dirty white stove and counters with several shelves above, a fridge strangely absent and making the kitchen seem rather bare. On the other side of the door was a plain bed with a thin sheet over top and a metal frame, looking not at all comfortable. Other than that, she concluded, the room was rather empty. there was a bedside table with nothing on it, and a bag laying near the foot of the bed.

Hesitantly, Arme stood up and stretched out her legs. She was still in the sickening green hospital top and pants, but nothing else from when she was awake was present. There were no IVs, heart monitors, no fussing doctors, no blindingly white lights and even the regular pain of moving her limbs was absent. I'm... dreaming? The thought seemed absurd to her, as she had never dreamed, not even before she was admitted to the hospital. It was an entirely new concept to her. A source of inspiration came to the purple haired girl from the multiple television shows she had watched, and she almost laughed at herself as she brought a hand to her arm and pinched her skin, hard.

"Ouch!" Arme muttered quietly, noting the red mark that was beginning to appear on her skin. There was definitely pain, but judging by her surroundings, it didn't mean a thing. There was no way it was reality... She sighed and decided to continue investigating the room, looking around warily. Her first instinct was to check the bed. She sat down on it carefully, noting that it was, in fact, less comfortable than it looked. The search of the kitchen didn't turn up much either, though it did remind her of her growing hunger.

Abandoning all caution, Arme reached into the cupboard and pulled out the first thing she could find. She pulled out a can of chicken noodle soup and only stared at it for a moment before rummaging through to grab herself a pot.

Once the soup was simmering and the little voice inside her head that said maybe it wasn't a good idea to be in someone else's shack, eating their potentially poisoned soup was silenced Arme's attention was brought to the wall at the back of the shack. As she approached it her eyebrows furrowed, and she stared in concentration. There were large gouges in the wall that appeared to have been made by either claws or possibly a knife of some sort leading rather deep into the wood, some peeking through to the outside and adding less warmth to the small area. Her fingers ran along the groove, not certain exactly what she was looking for, and also not certain why she hadn't turned, grabbed her pot of soup, and ran as fast as she could away from the place. Whoever or whatever made the marks could most likely and would most likely hurt her, she reasoned. Not only was she breaking and entering, she was also stealing their food. On the other hand the marks could have been entirely accidental, though she couldn't imagine someone swinging around a knife with that much force accidentally.

All thought processes were cut short when she found herself rather abruptly forced up against the cold wood wall, her hands pinned against her back and the knife that most likely made the grooves on the wall pressed up against her neck. There was a small flicker of an almost white colour in her peripheral vision, and she felt a warm breath near her ear.

'Who the hell are you?"

For a moment the purple haired girl was stupefied, not at all certain what was going on and very conscious that her life was being threatened by the metal that was pressing even more harshly against her neck. Before she could control it she was crying loudly, and she could hear herself speak.

"I'm sorry I stole your soup!" I'm sorry I stole your soup? Nice, Arme. Real nice. She mentally cursed herself, taking in her own words and realizing just how pathetic they sounded. The grip on her wrists loosened slightly however, and the blade against her neck stopped digging in quite so threateningly. She felt the weight of the person's body shift against her own slightly, not backing off quite enough for her to escape and make a run for it, though she doubted she would make it even if given a chance. After all, the stranger had entered entirely silently. For a moment there was no speaking, and Arme could feel her heart beating fiercely in her chest.

"My... Soup?" The voice questioned frustratedly, further away from her ear. She was fairly certain now that it was a male speaking, though that fact didn't make anything easier.

"Oh. Oh! No, I don't care about the soup! What are you doing here, and who are you?" Who am I, who am I? Everything was collapsing in on her under the stress, and she would have fallen to the floor if not for the person supporting her body against the wall.

"My name? I'm... A-Arme... I just... I don't know! I was there, and I just wanted a way out, and I... I just don't know!" She felt her body falling against the ground as the blade was removed from her neck, though her wrists were still pinned behind her. She then began spluttering loudly as she felt a hand checking through her pockets.

"W-What are you doing? Stop it!" She cried, moving in an honest attempt to set her arms free and failing miserably.

"Stop struggling, I'm checking you for weapons. And you're really not in a place to be making demands here." The person said frustratedly. Arme calmed down slightly and allowed her pockets to be rummaged, her head hanging towards the floor as her tears finally began to subside along with her fear. When after a few moments the person had checked through all her pockets and confirmed that she didn't have anything even remotely similar to a weapon he released her entirely, apparently having lost all interest as she listened to his receding footsteps on the ground.

How... How can he be so quiet? If I wasn't listening, there's no way I'd be able to hear him. When she no longer heard footsteps Arme burst up from her spot on the floor, worried her only source for answers would walk away. She turned quickly to see a rather thin. roughly teenaged boy standing over the neglected soup pot, his short silver hair framing his face and hiding his eyes from her view. He wore a blue colour themed outfit, and she now realized the weapon she had been threatened with had been a dagger, as two daggers with spikes around their handles and stars on the blades lay on the counter. She took a few cautious steps towards him as he continued to stir the soup, all but ignoring her.

As she went to speak he reached up into the cupboard, pulling down two bowls and placing them on the counter. He poured the soup into the bowls and grabbed two spoons from one of the drawers below the counter. He placed the spoons in either before turning towards her with a bowl of soup in each hand. The silver haired boy stared at her oddly for a couple seconds until she realized she had been staring, her mouth ever so slightly open as though she was planning on speaking. No words came out however, and she simply accepted the bowl he was offering her gratefully. He took a seat on the bed and crossed his legs before eating, still staring at her somewhat curiously. She hesitantly followed his example and sat on the bed, her legs hanging off the side and her toes barely touching the ground.

They ate in silence, Arme finishing her bowl quickly and staring down at it. She was unsure of how to start a conversation, so she walked quietly over to the counter where the sink was, rinsing off her bowl and leaving it there to turn and look at the boy still sitting on the bed. As she leaned on the counter she realized he wasn't actually eating, his eyes closed and making him appear as though he had almost fallen asleep. He suddenly an eye lazily to look at her, his stare boring into her eyes as he waited. When she noticed he was waiting for her to start speaking she took in a deep breath, not certain where to start.

"... Where am I, and who are you?" She questioned. He placed his bowl to the side and stood up, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall near the head of the bed.

"Well, if you got here, I'm sure you can figure out where you are. And aside from that, I really feel no incentive to tell you my name." He stated, causing Arme to glare at him.

"Hey! I didn't ask to show up here, I was just trying to get out of there! Besides, I told you my name, so you have to tell me yours! It's only fair." She said stubbornly. Before she could blink he was next to her, and that was the first moment she realized how truly blue his eyes were. This was followed by the realization that he was also chuckling disbelievingly at her, so she huffed and turned the other way.

"Fair? You do realize not everything's fair in the world, right?" She noticed his skeptical gaze from the corner of her eyes, "And you 'didn't ask' to trespass into my house? I'd like to hear how that happened." She turned to him with full intent to tell him to stop being unreasonable, but before the words left her mouth she realized how little she could explain. I can't tell you how I got here because I fell in here from some extremely dark room and no you can't go there because it's not there anymore? She sighed and shook her head.

"...Bermesiah."

"Huh?" She turned to look at him fully, wondering what exactly he had said. "Your name?"

"Wah- No, moron, where we are! We're in the Bermesiah continent. I already told you I'm not telling you my name." Bermesiah... Bermesiah... No matter how hard Arme thought, the name wouldn't place itself.

"I'm not a moron! There is no Berme-" She had barely realized him reaching over, and slowly realized he had covered her mouth with his hand and was reaching over to grab his blades from the counter. Arme began to make a muffled noise and pull at the hand covering her mouth, though he quickly leaned near her.

"Don't make a sound." He hissed, walking them both over to the door. With a slight push it creaked open silently, and the silver haired teen peered out.

"Damn it!" He cursed. Giving her a look that was clearly to remind her not to speak, he released her and walked over to the bed. He came back to the door with the bag she had spotted earlier just as she was about to look out the door.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He said warily as he went through the cupboards grabbing random cans of food.

"Where's your weapon?" He asked suddenly, turning towards her. "There's no way you got here without one."

"Weapon?" The purple haired girl asked, "Why?" The boy stared at her for a couple of moments confusedly.

"Yeah, what are you? An archer, swordsman, knight..." He trailed off at her blank look, then quickly looked out through a hole in the door. He muttered another curse under his breath then looked back at her.

"Look, just stay where I leave you, alright? Do not try to run away or fight anything on your own." Before Arme had a chance to question anything he was saying he had grabbed her arm and flung the door open. Any words she had died in her throat.

In front of them lay a sea of purple, machine-like monsters, all approaching at a rather rapid rate.

"Anmon soldiers..." He muttered, letting go of her arm in favour of holding both of his daggers in separate hands. With about fifteen meters between them and the nearest monster he leaped forward, cleanly slicing one's head off and jabbing another in the back. The purple eyed girl stared at the fight as it occurred, hands in front of her as she tried to deny the overwhelming impulse to run back into the small shack and slam the door, though she realized it would most likely be more dangerous if she couldn't see where the monsters were coming from. Arme had to refrain several times from yelling out as the silver haired boy was attacked from behind, pivoting just in time to avoid a blow. Finally, she just squeezed her eyes shut.

Everything... Everything that was going on was a dream, right? She kept repeating it over and over in her head. It's a dream, It's a dream, It's a dream... If it's a dream, then why does it feel so REAL! She pressed her hands to the side of her head as pain threatened to overtake her, her knees buckling slightly but still managing to hold her up. She looked up just in time to see the boy get slashed in his side. He winced lightly and jumped back, launching into the air and yelling something she couldn't hear from how far away she was. Blue slashes appeared from his weapons, cutting apart many of the enemies below. As he did this, Arme realized that the number of enemies didn't seem to be decreasing. Then, another thought came to her. He could probably get away from here pretty easily with his speed... He's only fighting right now because I can't. As she watched him, she noticed his eyes flitting over to her every couple of seconds, often getting him close to injured.

I can't... I can't DO anything! She thought, watching the fight. The purple machines were getting closer, and Arme subconsciously reached up. Her hand wrapped around her necklace, and her eyes widened. I can't just... Die here! The loud, clanking sounds were getting closer and closer. As determined as she was, when she looked at the enemies she stopped moving entirely. Her entire body paralyzed in fear, she noticed immediately when a calming feeling surrounded her. She closed her eyes again, regardless of how many enemies were nearby. It's just... Such a peaceful feeling... She thought idly. Like my body is being filled with energy...

"Arme! Move!" She heard the yell too late. When her eyes snapped open an enemy was reaching back its sharp, pointed arm, quite obviously aiming at her. There was no time to move. Looking over at the silver haired boy, she realized he couldn't get out of his fight fast enough to get to her either. No! Someone! Someone, please! Save me!

"No!" She fell to her knees, her hands over her head as she waited for the impact. And waited. And waited.

"Huh?" Her eyes carefully opened spotting the monster that seemed to have been propelled back slightly. The second thing she noticed was the green orb-like object surrounding her. Uncertain, Arme looked over at the boy, who seemed just as confused as her. I'm in a shield? Was the first thought she had that made sense considering the events. The enemies seemed to also have caught onto that she couldn't be touched, as they all swarmed the silver haired boy. There are too many! They all need to go! Her thoughts became more desperate as she watched him get another cut on his arm, his movements becoming less and less speedy. Come on, Arme! Think strong! Think powerful! Think...

"METEOR!" The word came almost of it's own accord, and the girl stared up at the sky. For a moment, all was silent. Then, all of a sudden, the air around Arme became extremely warm, and she realized that the large chunks of rock were in fact falling, large firey balls that were crushing several enemies at a time. But... Arme began to look around frantically.

"Hey! Where are you!" She yelled as loudly as she could over the roar of the falling meteors, unable to spot a flash of silver anywhere on the battlefield. She blinked several times as she looked, but nothing changed and the fiery rain continued until every last enemy had been obliterated. The meteors had seemingly disappeared, the grass not at all charred and the only remnants of her attack the broken pieces all around. No silver in sight.

"Oh god. I crushed him with a meteor." Arme said disbelievingly, falling to her knees. I can't have, right? That's... not possible. But no matter how hard she looked she couldn't spot him. She closed her eyes tight.

"A mage, huh?" Arme's eyes sprung open and she turned around to find the boy kneeling behind her, within the protection of the green shield. He stood up and brushed off his pants, ignoring Arme as she stared at him with wide eyes.

"You..."

"Lass." He was no longer facing her, his bag slung across his shoulder as he stood in place, "My name. It's Lass." Arme slowly got to her feet and looked at him.

"Where to now?" He turned around and looked at her incredulously.

"Huh? You're following me?" Arme nodded her head, rolling her eyes as though it was obvious.

"If there's anyone around here I'm gonna trust to explain to me what's going on, it'll be you." She stated, brushing herself off and getting up to stand next to him. Contemplating this for a moment, Lass sighed and smirked.

"Well, we've never had a mage around before. Maybe you'll be useful." Huh?

"We?" The silver haired boy nodded. "Yeah. You'll see." He turned to look at her.

"If, that is. You can catch up with me!" Arme watched helplessly as Lass began running across the field, and then began chasing after him futily.

"LASS!"

A/N: Well, that was the first chapter o.o Not exactly as planned, but oh well! It works! This won't really have a scheduled update, just a 'when I have time'. Remember, reviews make everyone happy! :D So see the little green button down there? Virtual cookies go to whoever clicks it _

-Utsuro