So unlucky we are.
two: a change

"So, this is Geffen, huh..."

Lyla spied with her midnight eyes at the red-haired girl standing on the other room. The girl of nineteen summers turned around, then nodded and replied "You ought to change clothes now sempai, or else you're gonna catch a cold."

She adjusted the hvit cigarette in her mouth, and gestured towards the lass. "Thank you, miss. I'll be there shortly." she said. The young woman beamed at her, nodded, and disappeared behind the wall.

Lyla stood up to follow, but paused. Her eyes roamed over the small living room: Four puffy chairs surrounding a maple coffee table, a few paintings adorned the wooden walls here and there, and a coat hanger, where her cream white one suspends, alongside a pair of jeans, dripping wet, beside a newly lit fireplace.

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We hurriedly went down the cliff, slipping and sliding on the thick snow. That was the most exciting part of our journey, not because we enjoyed rolling down the cliff, but mainly because we had found it. I felt just like a kid, about to open her present. It was there, its colossal walls already bringing me warmth, inviting me in.

It was calling me. Come on in, it's all over.

I was so happy. Scratch that, I was euphoric. Our goal was just there, within reach.

But then, as we got to the river bank, I remembered: The wrecked bridge, towering in front of us, is useless.

Ed however, continued walking across the frozen river, up to the point where solid became liquid. He knelt down, and touched the water.

"Warm."

I followed him to the frozen-solid edge, and touched the same substance, unable to believe what he said. And it was; lukewarm water, soft to the touch, crystal clear. Its intangible mass flowing through my open palm like it was something ethereal.

"I think those books I read will finally pay off." He smirked at me. He then turned his attention back to the water, planted his hands on the ice, and muttered some strange language. Spikes of ice snaked from his hand, freezing the water, creating a narrow rugged catwalk all the way to the river bank on the other side.

"Come on, cross now, talk later." Grabbing my arm, he led the way across the frost bridge, climbing on the block of ice.

I felt my jaw drop. "When did you learn how to do that?" I stumbled on a crack as I went up the ice face, almost losing my balance. "And will you stop pulling me?"

He let go of my arm rather hastily. He always feared my temper. "I learnt it a few weeks after our first prison hunt," he replied.

"Prison hunt.. so that spell was from that tattered book you brought home?" I recalled. He nodded in reply.

The prison hunt was our first major find about the past. The stuff there even surpassed the war. It seems that this "Prontera" spearheaded a campaign on eradicating zombies on the ruins. The prison area was the where the crusade was most active. Lots of adventurers went there, and died. Leaving all their junk there for us to scavenge.

We continued along the makeshift path, careful not to slip on the smooth parts. Thoughts crossed my mind as Ed went further ahead; well he must be dying to see what's inside… I bet he'll be rubbing in the fact that I didn't believe him in the first place again…how many times have I doubted him? How many times has he been right? Maybe I should've put more trust in him in the first place; after all, he is my brother…

Halfway there… a little more... a few meters left…

And then the ice split.

I fell into the water. The former warmth of the water instantly changed into cold numbness; swallowing, smothering me as my heavy clothes pulled me down. Flailing my arms, I frantically tried to grab whatever I could, to no avail. Ed was already at the other side when the ice shattered, and went back to the jagged ice crossing.

I was sinking, and fast. I could barely keep my head above the water. He couldn't get to me in time. And even if he did, how can he save me?

Then he did that spell again, directed towards me.

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And then I was here. Lyla shivered, and continued to the next room. She stopped at the doorpost, staring, as the tall closet spitted out various dresses onto the mattress opposite it.

She stepped inside, and her eyes caught the attention of a mirror. A woman of medium height met her gaze, her crimson tee following every curve of her porcelain body, high-cut shorts exposing her unblemished thighs. Her long black hair clung to her face as it draped down, its strands framing a pair of charcoal eyes, blunt and dull, a perfectly angled nose, and thin scarlet lips.

"I think we both share the same size." The girl's head popped from behind the closet doors.

Lyla nodded in reply, and then sneezed. The crimson-haired lass giggled. "Let's get you to warmer clothes now, shall we?" She invitingly offered.

"Sure. By the way, Rina-chan. Remind me to punch Ed later."