Okay, wanna know a secret?

I'm really enjoying writing this.. I don't know if it's you lovely people reviewing and sending me messages, but heck this is the most time I've spent writing in a loooo~ng while.

So.. Thank you all! You've rekindled my love of writing!

It's only because of you that I'm able to stay focused and keep up pace..

However, I have work from 12(noon) until 5-6am-ish tomorrow then 10am till 5-6am again, and then I'll be able to sleep until 3pm before I have to go to work at 4 until about midnight. So yeah, if you're reading this and it's like Monday or Tuesday, then I apologise that I didn't manage to get it published in time.. I tried my hardest!

So I just wanted to make a few mentions;

ShadeZyro, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapters and I'm over the moon that you thought I did well at portraying Vaan. As for Freya's fight, she had a few advantages; She's got superior stats and gear, her battle-regeneration is quite high due to her level so as she gets damaged most of it is healed pretty quickly. Although she won't admit it she was also protecting Maria. I hope to hear from you again soon :3.

Phantomtwriter, I'm pleased that you liked the chapters, aye I'm updating so quickly because the story seems to write itself, and in part it's thanks to you and the others ^-^.

Hell Devil 13, phew, I wasn't sure if I got Alkaline right, but he seemed to just jump in, I was planning on having him on the trail and Freya kicking ass on her own. However Alkaline had his own thoughts on the matter and was unable to keep himself from 'rescuing' an angel. I thought that seeing as he gets distracted easily, the Monk wouldn't have any trouble catching him off guard. He seemed to recover quickly enough and as soon as he was up he tried smooth talking our current main character, hell, he even got a blush.

Rundl322, I'll try to bring some more in over the next few chapters, I was thinking about bringing in one and maybe foreshadowing a second with each chapter :D.

Okay, enough of my ramblings, I'm sure you're all here for the story?

That bath was.. Aa~mazing.. I can't believe the innkeeper gave me two rooms for free.. He said something about the town's heroine not having to pay for such things, as it would be an honour to accommodate for someone such as myself. He also let slip that once people heard I'd stayed in one of his rooms, that the whole town would want to rent the room out.

But yes, the bath.. Oh wow.. I didn't think that I'd feel this great after an hours soak.. But, oh boy.. The way the water warmed my body.. Soothing all my muscles.. Oh it was just perfect.. The more I think about it though.. The more and more this world feels real.. The people all know me, respect me even.. Here, in this world, I'm not just another face in the crowd.. In this world I actually feel alive.

Jumping onto my bed for the night I let out a sigh, the bed was overly large and had way too many pillows for my liking. Most of them ended up on the floor as I tried to get comfortable, as much as the towel wrapped tightly around my body was warm and cosy, it was also getting in the way. Removing the offending item I lay on the bed with nothing but my long blood red hair draping over my private areas, and most of the bed for that matter.

Ever since I was young I always wanted really really long hair, but mother never agreed, It's very unladylike to have ones hair too long, it looks better this way Francesca. Well mother, I have to disagree, I do much rather prefer my hair this way..

I muse over the thoughts of my old world; college, food that tasted like food, drinks that didn't taste like water.. And then my mind moved onto more darker thoughts.. The reasons why I used gaming as a release, the reasons why I was starting to accept this new world as my own.. The bullies, the lack of friends, having no one to turn to.. The more I thought about it the more I wanted, no, the more I needed this to be real..

Here in this world.. I wasn't the girl hiding in the corner of class, or the girl who had fun made of her because of her parents never being around, the girl who went home and wasted her time playing games..

No.

Here, I'm Freya..

I am Freya..

And this is my world..

I let out a small sigh as I pull the soft covers over my naked body and slowly start to doze off.

Daybreak

I slowly stir in my sleep as the windows let in the morning light. Opening my eyes slowly I find the face of Maria staring at me in awe.. At some point during the night I'd discarded my covers, after getting too hot.. Which left me.. Completely exposed!..

I let out a small sound as I reach for the covers, falling off the bed in the process.

"Mistress, are you okay?" Asks Maria as she places a platter down on the bed-side table. "I've brought your breakfast, the innkeeper said he insisted on nothing but the best for you" States the girl as she bows and leaves.

"Thank you!" I shout as I pop my head up to make sure she left, before jumping on the bed and heading towards the platter. Pulling the top off I marvel at the presentation of the food, it looked amazing, however, I knew it was only going to taste like a dried cracker.. Just like everything else that is consumable. It was a shame that something that looked so good tasted so bland, but hell I've eaten worse.

After finishing my breakfast and getting dressed I opened the door of my room and made my way downstairs.

As I walk into the tavern I'm greeted with raised voices.

"What the hell was that for?!" Yells a tall looking woman as she gets up from her seat, flames encircling her balled fists.

"Woah there! I was just bored is all.. Jeez, it was just a joke!" Retorts a red haired man as he back-flips over a nearby table, putting some distance between himself and the woman.

"Take your practical jokes somewhere else, before I set you on fire so you match your hair" Barks the woman as she sits back down.

"Reno! For the sake of my inn.. Please take your pranks outside" Orders the innkeeper as points to the door.

"Yeah yeah, I'm going.. I was starting to fall asleep anyway" Replies the red-head with a yawn and a half-arsed attempt at a wave.

"That man can never keep himself out of trouble" Grumbles the innkeeper as he turns and notices me. "Ah Freya, take no mind of that.. It was just an adventurer, unhappy with the prank she received from Reno.." Assures the man behind the bar as he cleans a glass. "Is there anything you were after?"

"Oh.. No, no I'm fine thanks.. But here" I reply as I pull out a small coin purse and place it on the bar top. "And I'm not going to take 'no' for a answer" I add sternly.

"Freya, after everything you have done for our town, giving you somewhere to rest your wry feet is the least we can do" Counters the man as he pushes the purse back to me.

"Fine, that was the easy way.. Everyone.. Drinks on me!" I yell as everyone shouts their orders, I push the coins back to the man with a victorious grin. "This way we both win" I add as I turn around to find Maria.

"Are we leaving mistress?" Questions the girl.

"Yes, we should be able to make our way to Dumnonia before nightfall, then we'll head east and follow the coastal paths" I answer as we both leave the inn.

"Ah, excuse me" Chimes a voice from behind us, great.. If this is another group of people wanting to try their luck.. I'm not holding back this time! I howl in my mind before turning to find, to my mild surprise, a single Elf.

"Oh.." I start as my eyes look around.. Nope he's on his own.. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry but I overheard you say that you are on your way to Dumnonia, is this correct?" Questions the rather slender looking Elf.

"Yes" I deadpan.

"If it isn't too much to ask, would you mind if I accompanied you there?"

"Ha, look buddy.. I don't need anyone to look after me" I retort, maybe alittle too harshly.. Ugh, that flaming Paladin's gone and ruffled my feathers.. Do I really look like a damsel in distress that much that people have to help me.. I bet this guy's got some ulterior motive.

"Mistress?" Prods Maria, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Huh?"

"The Elf just explained his situation.. And you were staring off into space.. Mistress"

"What?.. Oh, um.. Sorry about that.. Okay, I'm listening" I state, slightly embarrassed at my zoning out.

"Well, I have a friend in Dumnonia, and while the monsters during the day average at level 40, the ones that come out at night are much stronger.. So would you mind if I joined your party?" Retells the Elf as he offers me his hand. "My name is Cezary"

Taking the Elf's hand in my own, feeling the bones in his hands creak under my strength, and shake. The man let out a sigh and rubbed his hand after I let go. "Freya, and this is Maria" I state before adding. "When are you ready to leave"

"So you'll allow me to travel with you?" Asks Cezary.

"Aye, but we're not partying up, if you stay about twenty-five or so paces from me, I'll take all the aggro" I reply easily.

"Then I am ready whenever you are" States the man.

"So you're heading to Dumnonia? I guess I tag along again then" Whispers a red haired man in the distance to himself.

"Good, just don't get in my way and we'll be fine" I reply as the guard walks out of his house.

"Ah, Miss Freya, leaving so soon?" Asks the guard.

"Aye, would you mind doing me a favour?" I ask as I walk up to the man.

"Of course, anything for the heroine of our town"

"Take these items and sell them in the markets, use the money to help the town however you see fit" I state as I pass the man some old level 60 gear.

"Th-Thank you Miss Freya" Exclaims the man before adding. "I'll have the money put towards the school building, with this they'll be able to build ten schools in the town" Laughs the guard as he puts the items into his house and returns to open the gate moments later.

"See you soon" I wave as me and my companions head towards the next city on my journey to the capitol of Britannia. I quickly take note of the figure standing on the wall as he jumps and somersaults out of view. Great, so our not-so-stealthy-person is still following.. Ugh, I'll have to deal with them at some point.

The walk was rather peaceful, our companion didn't really say anything and just walked behind us, with the occasional shout to inform me of monsters trying to get on my flank. Maria didn't say much anyway, seeing as she was my servant I guess she'd only speak if spoken to.. Or if she felt it necessary for her to talk. So yeah, for the most part I just had me and myself to talk to, much like I'm doing now..

Although.. That person is still following through the forest, using the treetops to keep out of view.. Well whoever they are, they've had some serious free-running lessons.

We'd been walking for a fair few hours and Maria was starting to pull a funny face.

"Maria? Are you okay?"

"Y-Yes mistress" Replied the girl. Not completely convincingly.

"Are you sure?" To this the girl moved slightly closer, her face taking on a slightly red tone.

"Mistress, I need to go to the toilet" Whispered the girl, embarrassed.

"Aye, that's okay.. Here" I state as I hand her a few essentials from my magic bag.

"B-But mistress.. What about.." Whispers Maria as she turns to look at Cezary. "What if he peeks?"

I could hardly hold in my laughter. "Don't worry I'll make sure he doesn't" I reassure the girl.

"Promise?" Whispers the girl holding up her pinky.

"I promise" I reply linking her pinky with my own. "Now go wee, before you wet yourself" I chuckle.

"Y-Yes mistress" Replies the girl, as I mark her as my Avenger target.. This way I'd know if anyone targets her with an attack, or if she gets injured. "Avenger command, HP link" I whisper activating one of my Avenger abilities.

"Are we stopping for a break?" Asks Cezary as he sits on a rock.

"Aye, five minutes" I reply.

"Ahh, good.. Time for some more wet cracker" Mumbles the Elf as he roots through his bag. Giving me a chance to actually look at the 'Elf'. He was quite short for a Elf as most of them were at least 6 foot tall, he stood around five eight, maybe five nine. As mentioned before his body was very slender, he looked like he'd break even if I just flicked him, I giggle at my thoughts, bringing attention to myself.

"Hmm? Have I got something on my face?" Asks Cezary as he wipes his mouth.

"No no.. I was just remembering a joke a friend of mine once said" I cover up as I continue my examination of the man.

His hair was nearly in competition to my own, his long white hair being tied into a single ponytail reaching to the small of his back. Who am I kidding, my red hair reached down to my backside, then again.. Put into perspective out height difference.. His hair could actually be exactly the same length as mine. However, he had chosen a bright blue for his eye colour, it went well with his white hair as the hair complimented the colour of his eyes. And his trademark elf ears were pointed into an upward angle like most elves.

Just as I was about to compliment the man on his choice of character, an alarm rang out, my HP taking a small blow and a large set of cuts appeared on my arm. My hand reached Dragnipur and I charged into the bushes where I watched Maria walk behind.

"Avenger technique, Strike back!" I yell as a rage burns inside me.. How dare anything attack Maria!