Chapter 1:
A sensation of warmth was the first thing Zen registered before opening his eyes.
"Hey, are you feeling okay?"
The voice was soft and laced with concern. After blinking a few times, a young woman came into focus.
"You were quite dehydrated when my brother and I found you. Polyrusica said you probably hadn't eaten in some time, and all of that combined with sleep deprivation caused you to pass out. But don't worry! You should get better soon. Is anything hurting?"
Zen was still taking everything in, so his thoughts were muddled. Only one thing was crystal clear and demanded his utmost attention.
"W-water," he croaked out.
"Oh yes, here you go," the woman proceeded to hand Zen a cup.
The moment the water touched his lips, relief filled his senses. Only then did he realize just how thirsty he was. The liquid was like a life elixir, and Zen could swear he hadn't tasted anything as delicious as that water. It almost pained Zen when he saw there was no more left inside the cup.
"Hey now, you should take it easy. The water won't go anywhere, do you want more?" a light giggle slipped her lips, and Zen could only nod in response.
"Okay, here you go,"
The water was downed almost as quickly as the first cup, but at least now his thirst felt satisfactorily quenched. Now he could finally think.
"My name is Lisanna by the way. What's yours?"
That's when it hit him that he didn't know this woman, and he had no idea where he was. Maybe she could provide him with answers.
"It's Zen," his voice was still a little raspy but it already held a much smoother quality compared to before. "Where are we?"
"Well Zen, right now we are in Magnolia. When we found you in the South Forest you were already passed out. My brother and I were out on a mission, but we couldn't leave you there like that. So we took you to Polyrusica where she treated you for a bit, and now we are taking care of you here at our home. Do you remember how you ended up in such a state? The South Forest can be a treacherous place if you don't know your way around."
"I- uh I don't know to be honest. Wait, did you say Magnolia?"
South Forest, Magnolia none of those were places Zen knew. And as the second prince of Clarines, he made sure to study and memorize geography, important landmarks, and such. There was just no way he wouldn't know. So what happened and where the hell was he?!
"Yes it's a town in Fiore, have you not heard of it? Maybe you are not from around here?"
"Fiore? I have never heard of such places. Um by any chance do you know of the Kingdom of Clarines? That's where I am from, but I have a feeling I am very far away from home"