Sheena opened her eyes. She could feel a thick blanket over her and a wet cloth on her head. "Kratos! Did he get away?" She couldn't go back to her village if her task wasn't complete. "Where am I anyway?" She sat up and checked her surroundings. She was in a bed in a small room. There was one window in the room, and by the look of it, it was night. She took the wet cloth of her head and climbed out of the bed. "I have to get out of here and catch Kratos; I can't let him get too far away." She walked to the door, but stopped. The door knob was already turning, and a kid stepped in.

"You're awake!" said the kid.

"Who are you?" Sheena asked. She was confused. "Where am I?"

"I'm Cless, and this is my house. My friend Chester and I found you out cold against a tree in the forest. We were worried about you so we brought you here. Do you feel better?"

"I feel fine. Thanks for asking. Did you happen to see a man walking out of the forest before you found me?" She sat back down on the bed, her legs were weak.

"Actually, I did. He didn't look too good. He had a huge gash in his back, and his clothes were stained with blood. He said that he was attacked by an animal and he had important business to attend to. Why do you ask?"

"No reason… Is your father awake? I need to talk to someone about something."

"Yeah, he is. Follow me." Cless walked through the open door and walked down a long hallway. He then descended a flight of stairs and led Sheena to where his father was sitting at the dinner table.

"Well, you finally woke," said Cless's father. He looked surprised.

"Thank you for keeping me here, sir." She smiled and sat down in one of the wooden chairs. "May I ask how long I've been sleeping?"

"Only for a day," Cless's father replied. "May I ask your name?"

"I'm Sheena of Mizuho. I've come to assassinate the one who harmed Martel, but I was too late… Are you familiar with the events that are taking place now?"

"Very familiar," replied Cless's father. "You said you were from… Mizuho, I'm not familiar with that city. Where is it located?"

Sheena looked back to see if Cless was still standing behind them, she didn't see him. "Mizuho… it's part of Tehe'alla."

Cless's father looked surprised. "So these events… they are disturbing Tehe'alla as well?"

"Yes, very much. You see… this man that harmed Martel; he is Kratos Aurion of Cruxis. Evidently, Cruxis wants to upset the flow of manna and regain control of the worlds again while we are struggling to get more manna."

"She knows about Cruxis too?" Cless whispered. He was hiding behind the flight of stairs.

"That is what I am thinking they are going to do also," Cless's father replied.

"I'm sorry, but I am going to have to end this conversation, I need to find Kratos and assassinate him, before he wreaks any more havoc." Sheena got up and pushed her chair in. "Thank you again for your hospitality."

"Wait!" Cless jumped out from behind the stairs and rushed toward Sheena. I want to go with you! I want to stop Cruxis!"

Sheena laughed. "You are only a child, it would be too dangerous for you." She continued to walk toward the door.

"I'm skilled with the sword, I can fight!" Cless protested. He looked back at his father. "Please, convince her, father, I want to go!"

Cless's father looked at Sheena. "He is skilled with the sword."

Sheena looked at Cless, then at his father. "I suppose you can come, but I will send you back if you are a burden of any kind. But your father must agree to send you."

"Is it alright if I go, father?"

Cless's father knew that Sheena was doing something good, but he did not want to loose his son. He thought for a minute or two, and finally came up with an answer. "Yes, son, you can go with Sheena, but be careful, there is evil in this world."

"Thank you, father. I will be very careful, I won't let you down." He smiled at him.

"You have until noon tomorrow to prepare yourself, I will be waiting for you at the inn." And with that Sheena walked out the door.