Chapter 5: Does Love Bloom on the Battlefield

I woke up what seemed like years later. I was on a comfortable bed with my side patched up where I cut myself. I rose up and saw no one in the room I was in. I walked to the nearest window and looked out of it. There was no one in sight on this cloudy day. It had been raining recently. I decided to find the person who had been taking care of me. Leaving without thanking them would be rude. I first decided to get out of this damn outfit. I always keep an extra pair of my favorite clothes in my purse, which was next to my bed. I need to dump that thing… I can make a belt for my Serpent Blade later. I changed in to my outfit, which consisted of a long skirt, a green long sleeve shirt, and a green vest over it. My master gave me an alchemist's claw to use when wielding my blade, but I don't need to use it. It's mainly for looks. After I was dressed and wielding my blade, I walked out the door.

I was led into a hall that had two stairways, one ascending up to an additional floor, and one descending to the bottom floor. To the left and right of me were doors, six of them! That made seven in all, lots of doors for a second floor. Or was it a first? The house was a mystery right now. I walked down the stairway descending and found a door. It led me to a room, which resembled a basement. I looked around and found no one. I walked back up the stairs, but then I heard someone, no… something, shuffling around in the room. I drew a star on the rock flooring with my blade and transmuted some of it to make a lantern. Then I created a spark with the blade and lit the lantern. I should have done this before. I found nothing but a rat gnawing on a fallen brother. I walked up the stairway and went to try other rooms.

I saw the door the room I woke up in cracked open. I slowly opened it and leered inside. I saw a man, around the age of twenty; about five foot eight, he had an athletic build, with short, dark brown hair and blue eyes. He had a uniquely designed long sword, about 7 feet long, burrowed in its large sheath.

"Oh, you're here. I heard you walking about. Are you alright?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm fine. Who are you?" I decided to find the name of this savior.

"My name is Kiloph Buckler. What is yours?"

"Lyonnesse Triste. Where did you find me? Am I anywhere near Alioth?" It would help to know my location.

"I found you lying on the ground near Rigel. Your way far from Alioth, sad to say." Dammit, I need to get Samantha back. Samantha is my feline companion, who has been with me all of my life since I was a young girl. My master has her; it was part of the deal until I came back to this world. I'm glad I my master taught me Forbidden Alchemy; otherwise I had never have been here right now. She last educated me in Alioth.

"Are you going to leave for Alioth? I can escort you if you wish. I have been stuck in this house tending to you, and I would love to get out some. Moreover, I know a shortcut toward Alioth from Rigel." Hmm… maybe I should accept his help. Besides, he was kind of cute.

"Sure, you can come along. But I need to get there quickly. Will this shortcut get me there in less than a fortnight?"

"At least a fortnight, sad to say. But if we make haste, it might be less than that."

"Then what are we waiting for? I must get there promptly. Where do I get out of this cursed house?"

"Just follow me." And with that, my adventure began.

The first day or two we stayed at inns across the country, but decided it took too much time. We bought supplies and simply slept outdoors after that. It wasn't as difficult since it was in the summer. It was cloudy and sometimes rained during the trek, which made it easier. It would have been deathly warm during it anyway. I could not help but notice someone watching us as we walked the fifth day.

"Is someone there?" I questioned to anything around. Kiloph gave me an odd look; as if I was crazy for saying something so randomly. He never talked much, and spoke more with his actions and emotions than with words. He was so silent and uncomplaining, as I just talked and told him about my business in Alioth.

"It seems no one is here, Lyo. Besides you and myself, we are the only ones here." He reassured me. I believed him; everything he said seemed to be true. That's when catastrophe arrived. As we were walking, something struck Kiloph on the back of the head. He shrieked in pain, and collapsed.

"Kiloph! Are you alright?" I was stopped abruptly by two figures, one of a young woman, the other a large man wielding a German-forged zweihander.

"Right on time! Come on, Sigfried." The woman gestured the man and they walked toward me.

"It looks like she may have what we need. Lets kill them and take it." I knew alone the man would be difficult, so I decided to play it defensively.

"Who are you? What do I have that you want to take?" I demanded of them simply questions. I wanted to know what this was about.

"So many questions at once will make the teacher irritated, babe. Why should I answer you now?" the woman replied mockingly to me. I could already tell she was going to be bothersome. She ran after me with twin daggers, and my battle began.