The Nexus

If it wasn't for my legs, I would already fall down to my knees; realization came upon me as I looked closer at her face. It was that day, the day I kept telling myself that it wasn't her who I had bumped into. Now I couldn't lie to myself further; this was real. I traced along her face, the face that cheered me up all the time. This was real—this was the Jaina I had known.

The day before, Uther brought me into the paladins rank. I thought it was a dream at that point, but I didn't ask him how; how was he still alive, and how did he get here. At that moment, I made up my mind and decided to conceal my identity in the Nexus. I went with the name Matthias Lehner—the name of the boy in my dream, and my humanity.

Luckily, Uther didn't ask me about my background, or things could go wrong. I went home immediately after I was registered as a paladin. It should be over, I thought, until Mandel told me I would get a house the next day. At this moment, I was standing on the plot of my new home, with the one I loved.

"I should be going now. If you need anything, call me up at the shooting range. Also, you take care of her," said the man beside her, mentioning me about the latter. He paid us a farewell before walking down the road. Now, it's me, and her.

"Hey, it's you who knocked me over at the academy," her voice took my attention; my eyes went back to her face again.

"…Oh, you are that girl then. I apologize for what happened," I scratched my head and chuckled, trying to be playful with her. Her brows curved down from my actions.

"It's okay, but I couldn't find my locket after that. It must have fallen off at that time," she sighed, closing her eyes for a moment.

My locket. Her locket, one of the things I kept in my secret stash. The stash must have been discovered as she got it back. Other than her locket, there were more things I also keep in my stash. No matter how powerful I was, my own memories would always take over at some point, and that's the reason the stash was made.

Speaking of her locket, it was an object she had given to me when I was still a paladin. There would be times when we were separated because of wars and other reasons. The locket would represent herself, meaning, no matter where I went, she would still be close to me—close to my heart.

"You mean… this thing?" I reached into one of my breeches' pocket and brought the locket out while acting like I hadn't seen it before. It pierced my heart, somehow.

"Yes, may I have it back?" she asked. Oh Jaina, why wouldn't I give it back to you? The pain from being stung by memories made me paused for a moment before I came back to my senses. I extended my hand towards her as to return it.

"…No, wait…" She retracted her hand, refusing to take the locket. I saw her head dropped down as like she was pondering about something.

"Please, keep it for me. I can't take it back…" she said, her voice was low and shaking. What just happened? She seemed to be alright a moment ago, and then suddenly changed into this; something must have been triggered. The locket, given to her beloved and now he was assumed dead. I felt my heart was ripped out from my chest after realizing what she meant.

I forced myself to bring her locket back into my pocket instead of returning it to her and reveal myself—it took my will not to do it, and it would be better this way. It was my turn to cry inside while she recovered her composure before looking back up to me. My eyes locked with hers—lovely clear crystal blue orbs.

"Anyway, let's continue with our new home," her voice was back to its normal state; I felt relief after hearing that.

"Aye, we can talk later."

"Still, where is that house they spoke of?" Right. There was nothing, but a plot of soil we're standing on.

"Perhaps we have to build it ourselves?" This could be fun, or not. She paused for a moment before continuing.

"Perhaps…" she said. Well, now I got to work with her after so many years. I felt excited as I thought of it.

With that, I scanned the area around us which was full of trees with vines hanging down. A hut would be the best choice, I assumed. I noticed she was looking at me for a moment while I was checking the stuffs in my bag beside my foot. I didn't know what she thought of me, but I must think of the house plan. And also, I must keep my bag away from her—there were things that would break her heart if she saw them. Enough fantasying for now, it's time to build a house… for us.