The monster was big—huge compared to my height. With grass scratching at my shoes and slippery mud seeping into my socks, it was extremely hard to keep up the pace. The thought of just standing there and letting this nightmare end crossed my mind a few times, but the adrenaline blinding my vision and causing my feet to stumble said to keep going—as if this wasn't a dream and I could actually die.

A small entrance carved in one of the barriers of rock and dirt caught my eye. This monster was far too big for it to get through there, and I'm sure I'm small enough. My already stumbling feet darted toward the hole's direction. My lungs were burning at this point, begging for me to cough and get as much water as I could. With a dive, my chin banged against the ground. I chose to ignore the pain and the possible blood dripping from my now bit lip in order to keep scurrying into the tunnel like a hunted mouse.

Finally a large opening came for me to sit in. The beast's claws could make it through the entrance—banging, tearing, and flailing through the small hole.

I was cornered.

In an attempt to prevent the claws from opening the entrance any further, my hands fumbled over some rocks. They were sharp, slicing the skin on my palms, but the adrenaline blinded me from any pain at this point. I threw them at the paws of the beast, but the flailing and tearing of the cave's walls only increased.

The mud underneath me began to feel cold, warm blood trickling from my bit lip became apparent. My palms stung and bled as my lungs finally gave in to start a coughing fit. My body was out of energy. My dream ends here.

I guess I didn't notice that the adrenaline and heart beat were blocking my hearing before, because suddenly I could hear other sounds. My sobbing, my screams for help, and a voice from the other side of the monstrous claws that grew weaker and weaker the more seconds that passed.

Eventually they retracted, and a depressing growl came from outside the entrance.

…It was quiet. I held my breath and tried to suppress my sobs as movement could still be heard out there.

The shuffling of fabric got closer.

My stomach scrunched and twisted as my heart began pounding in my ear once more.

A human silhouette crawled through the hole, holding their head up to look at me.

"Hey, come on," they had a deep voice, but it was subtle, "I took it down, you should be safe now. Can you crawl out on your own?"

My voice shook and cracked, barely voicing a "yes."

The silhouette sighed a little, motioning me to follow. "Then crawl along. I'll set up a small camp."

I obeyed, tears stinging the corners of my eyes as my limbs trembled to touch more of the freezing mud.

When my head peeked out from the hole, a mucky and copper smell hit me like a brick wall. I didn't dare look to the right of me. The fur that brushed my naked arm was enough to tell me what was there.

The person that my dream had chosen to save me had already gathered some wood from the area, using flint and steel to light the fire. I waddled over, choosing to find some dry grass to sit in. It was itchy, but I didn't care at this point. I already had blood and mud. What could be worse?

When the fire was big enough to illuminate more of the surrounding area, I decided to look at features. My chosen savior was a man; tall, dark hair slick back, brown trench coat, knee-high boots…he looked familiar. The trees around us also looked like I'd seen them before. They were glowing with little specs floating around them. Then I saw the sky…just a beautiful artwork of greens and blues mashing together.

This place was far too familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. My mind was still too fuzzy from running.

After a few minutes of crackling fire filling the silence, the man looked over at me. His eyes gazed sharp into my soul, flicking up and down my figure.

"So…" he began, "you definitely trapped yourself like a mouse. What are you doing out in the field with no weapons or company?"

I just stared, becoming aware that his voice sounded…clear.

"I'm… not sure," I replied, a little weary at how well I received sensations around me. The man was about to state something, but I interrupted, "Is any of this a dream?"

"..You think you're in a dream?"

"Is it not?"

"Well, I can pinch you to make sure."

"What you feel in dreams can be a recollection of a memory of a previous experience, so no."

He just stood there, slowly sitting down in the grass with me.

Tapping his chin, the man tried again, "What are you doing in a field without weapons?"

"The closest thing to a weapon I've wielded is a kitchen knife."

"…man, you're dull."

I blinked, "huh?"

"You're just kind of…staring off. You're mumbling," he criticized, "I just saved you from being monster food. Don't girls usually look at their hero and woo all over them?" he cleared his throat and twisted his body in a mockery pose of a helpless woman, "'oh, my hero, you saved my life! How can I ever repay you?'"

My brown eyes just stared more at him as a small blush crossed my cheeks. It wasn't out of embarrassment for me—it was for him.

His attention was back on me, "Isn't that how it goes?"

"I-I mean…It could? I'm not used to talking to strangers like that."

"Well, you're slowly showing more emotion."

The crackling fire filled the silence again as I tried to focus on other sensations. The man went to polishing his blood-covered blade, and every "sshhhhing" of the cloth wiping against the edges reached my ears. My thoughts were clear. The wind chilled the mud on my skin.

How did I get here?

Why am I out in a field?

Why does he have a sword?

…Am I dead?

My hand shook as I lifted it to my bleeding lip. The touch of skin on busted flesh stung so much that I refrained from touching it again. I'm alive—and I'm not where home is.

I'm with a stranger. In the middle of nowhere. At night. Next to a fire. And he has a really big sword. Needless to say, I might die tonight. Or go missing.

"So," the man started up again. I looked in his direction, but avoided looking at his face, "What's your name?"

I sat silent, too scared to really state it. I didn't know his. I couldn't trust him.

"Sorry, that's probably rude of me. The name's Alvin. I was heading to Fennmont when I noticed that monster and heard your cries for help."

"Alvin…" I muttered to myself, "Fennmont..?"

"Yeah..?" He dragged, raising his brow in suspicion. Clearing his throat again, he asked another question, "Where'd you get your clothes? They're pretty…unusual."

I looked down to see what he was talking about. I was wearing my rich blue shirt with short sleeves; grey sweats that were already starting to tear; and my blue and grey tennis shoes.

…His clothes had familiar markings and a certain style that my brain was being too stubborn to tell me about. Well, I definitely looked like an alien compared to him.

His gaze on me grew more stern. "Do you know anything about Elympios?"

It clicked. Tales of Xillia. Alfred Vint Svent. Fennmont. Oh shoot.

"I-I've heard of Earth." I replied softly.

But that can't be right. It's a game, it's fantasy, it's not real!

"…The ground?"

My breathing grew a little unsteady. "I'm, uh, a little lost."

"You and me both, kid. Do you know of anything called Exodus?"

"A terrorist group."

"…well, you're not wrong?" Alvin reached his gloved hand to scratch at his jawline. "But you know them. Are you from Elympios?"

"No."

"Then you're Reize Maxian."

"No…"

His shoulders just slumped in defeat. "You're losing me, kid."

"Maren."

"…Oh, your name? Mary?"

"M-air-en." I stated more strictly. If all of this is real, I really shouldn't deny any of it. Still, just…Why? Why at this time? Why couldn't I stay home? Why am I brought here like something out of an anime?

Alvin sat, glancing over me once more in suspicion. "A pleasure to meet you, princess of weirdo town. Let's try to get your brain to speak more clearly." He pushed himself to his feet, throwing dirt over the fire to quell it. My brows knitted together in confusion and a wave of fear spread through me when his gruff hand yanked at my arm. I was forced on my feet.

"Now, little lady, let's get yourself to an inn." He voice wasn't as flirty as before. He seemed…irritated.

I gripped the ends of my shirt in habit and told, "The Medical centre." The brunette turned to me with a strange expression, "Professor Haus. Or someone. I need to heal my wounds."

Something squishy hit my face and plopped down in my hands. It was about the size of…a gummy bear.

"Eat the Apple gel, then." He replied passively.

I panicked. No, I don't want to stay with him. He's scaring me. "No, I need to see Haus."

"Why?"

It stumbled out, "My brother requested it."

Alvin stood there, his expression seemed to relax as his hand rubbed the back of his neck. He slowly swung his body back and forth, "…a request?" His eyes wandered around the area in thought. It was unsettling when a smile finally spread on the man's face. "Sure thing, I'll happily guide you there! With a price."

I forgot he's also a mercenary.

His hands planted on his hips as the smile turned into a grin of amusement, "I'm sure your "brother" left you with some money in case a handsome mercenary like me offered to safely lead you straight to your destination?"

"He died." I blurted. What? What did I just say? My brother died? Why did I say that?

Alvin stared at me, his grin dropping. I could see something in his eyes; the familiar sight of loss. He didn't bother to ask how he died, since it would be rude and probably harder on the victim, so he simply fixed his posture and tugged at his scarf nervously.

"I'm, uh…" he began, "sorry about pushing it. But I really would need a reward of some sort if I guide you to the medical centre."

"I'll come up with something, I swear!" Really, I don't want to stay alone with Alvin for too long. I remember how he treated Isla in a side quest…I don't want to end up like that. "I just don't have anything on me, at the moment." What does Gald even look like? Gold?

With a frustrated sigh, the mercenary gave in. "Fine, I'll just hold it against you until I get it." The grin returned and I blew a piece of hair out of my face in equal frustration. He picked up his sword, equipping it on his back and motioning for me to follow. "Now come on, let's get to Fennmont. I have my own business to attend to."

So we began walking. No conversations were shared; even if there was something mentioned it would turn into small talk. Then silence would follow it and my mind would torture me by focusing on all the pain my body was tolerating. I refused to eat the apple gel he threw at me. For some reason I felt it would satisfy him to see that he was right and that I didn't need to go to the medical center—and I'm too prideful to cave in! It would probably take away all the pain though…

…But I don't want to admit I'm wrong. Don't cave in, darn it!

So to distract myself from the pain, I focused on a different pain. I don't know why. It's just hard to distract yourself from something when you're telling yourself to distract yourself from it. Does that make sense? So I was focused on a nagging feeling in my stomach called hunger. I felt like I had a plastic bag inside me filled only with air. The growling only made me think of steak or just simple fruit snacks.

…Shoot, the apple gel would probably relieve my hunger, too.

I'm still not eating it!

But eating sounds so good right now. If I could sleep it off, I bet that would be a way to distract myself. Man, sleep sounds good, too. I can't believe I just realized how exhausted I am. All that running and adrenaline really took it out of me. Will I be able to sleep with hunger and seeping pain, though?

"You sure have gone awfully quiet since the last small talk topic," Alvin spoke out of nowhere, interrupting my chain of thought that I realize had actually distracted me from what I wanted. But now it was back…

I groaned in agony, "I finally had my mind off all my pain, Alvin."

He looked back with an annoyed expression, "You have an apple gel."

"I don't wannaaa…"

"Do you want a lemon gel?"

"Nnnnoooooo…"

His walking ceased abruptly, folding his arms, "How stubborn can you get?"

"…A lot."

The walking started again and the small talk roll is still going. I think we only made a few steps before I blurted, "What's your favorite color?"

He fell in step with me, "Uh…Why?"

I shrugged, "I don't know, I just don't want to keep focusing on my pain."

He just nodded slightly, biting on his upper lip before replying, "Any."

"What?" I faltered, looking up at him. "That's boring!"

"What'd you expect? I'm not picky about whichever color of straw I get in my shake."

With a small stomp, I stubbornly asked him, "Favorite food?"

"The food from that one place."

"Birthday?"

"At some point."

"Animal?"

"Cat."

I already knew that but, "What is this? An actual answer? How obscure!" I mocked, folding my arms. "What about—"

"How about I ask you some questions since you're obviously out of shock." The mercenary sneered with rolling eyes. My questioned died off as I felt uneasy to reply—my gut twisted with the sudden feeling of dread. "I'm going to ask the same questions you asked me." His voice was low as if he was trying to hide that he wasn't telling me something. "What's your favorite color?"

"..Blue."

"Your favorite food?"

"Spaghetti."

"Birthday?"

"May 9th—"

"…What's May?"

What? Oh, shoot—

"Fine, here's another. Your favorite animal?"

"…Cat."

"Good choice. How did your brother die?"

I stopped. He's asking that? I thought he wouldn't! Now I have to come up with how?

"Hurry fast or I might make you wish you ate a Lemon Gel."

I hesitated, glancing around for anything I could use as an answer. In the distance, below a glowing tree, was a monster prowling around something dark on the ground.

I hope this works. "We were both going to go to the medical centre. He didn't initially say he had a request, because he would be with me. But a monster caught us off guard and he tried to fight it off, but it got to him. That's…That's why I was running from one earlier without weapons. Because my brother was the one who had them…"

We walked in silence. I kind of patted myself on the back of how I was able to piece a few things together. And Alvin looks like he's buying it.

He cleared his throat, combing a hand through his dark brown hair, "I'm sorry for your loss. But I'm still going to ask you questions," of course, "You said earlier you weren't from Elympios or Reize Maxia but you were from the ground. Explain. Or are you pulling my leg?"

"Uh, well… You know that hole you found me in earlier? My brother and I travel rather than stay in one place, and we use those caves as places to sleep at night. So I sleep in the ground."

"You could have just said that." He stated, "And you know of Exodus?"

"Well yeah, Tim and I ran into a few of them a couple times."

"Tim? Is that your brother's name?"

"Oh, yeah. It is," I replied. It kind of feels weird I'm talking to Alvin about my brother even though my brother isn't really here or dead. Hey wait, if I'm playing someone from Reize Maxia, then how am I not questioning what Elympios is? "Hey, what's—"

"How come you haven't questioned me on what Elympios is?" He interrupted the question I was actually about to ask. Oh snap, if I asked it now it would sound like I'm covering something up.

Come up with an excuse on a dime! "I overheard a few members of Exodus talking about it when we crossed paths. But another world isn't possible, so I assumed it was fantasy. What, is it real?"

"…No. It's not. Don't worry about it."

And we went back to silence. I see, so he probably thought I was lying at first that I was Reize Maxian. Man, this is going to be complicated. I'm not really looking forward to his further suspicions.

As we walked, I felt a throb in my head. Ow…It was like something was flowing into it. The feeling is hard to explain. Like…Like water trickling down the inside of my skull? It's… Weird. Am I bleeding inside? I hope not. That would be bad.

"So… how long to Fennmont?" I asked.

"It's actually pretty short, now. Only a three hour walk," he replied, digging his hands into his pockets in a carefree manner.

…Only.

Great. Not only did I have to run from a monster earlier and get tons of wounds, but now I have to walk in the dark—through a field infested with beasts—for three hours. How wonderful.

2017 edit: Hopefully in this chapter I extended the whole "meeting Alvin thing" and added more to why he would be suspicious of me. I felt like my beginning chapters had too many random thoughts.

IT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IF I AM TOLD OF ANY GRAMMAR OR SPELLING MISTAKES!