I ran, faster than I had ever run before, exhausting my tired limbs. I was obsessed with keeping up with the memory, as if it would disappear unless I was there to watch it. I stumbled over rocks and stumps, struggling through the undergrowth until I tumbled at the mouth of a cave.

I shook my head and stared at it, slowly tuning myself to the sights and sounds I could only barely grasp from so long ago…

"Tavon, have we reached this mystical place yet? It has been a long walk, and it's rather frustrating to walk around with your eyes closed." Rain bumped into a tree.

"Come on now, its just a bit farther. And I'm sure you'll like it." Tavon took Rain's hand, guiding her towards the entrance of an inconspicuous cave. "Alright, Rain. You can open your eyes."

Rain gasped. It was, frankly, the strangest place she had ever been in, which was saying a lot as Rune Migard was quite the exotic kingdom. Admittedly, she had snuck a peek and noted that they were entering a cave. However, the landscape she was viewing now looked absolutely nothing like a cave. There were clusters of willows, bending and twisting this way and that to cast ethereal shadows on the mossy floor. And instead of the usual swarms of cave bats, forest monsters inhabited the place. In every room they traveled through, there was a different species of a forest-dwelling monster. Some Rain had never even seen before.

"How did you discover this place? And for that matter, where are we?"

"Why, we're in the Hidden Temple of course! This place used to be a very sacred temple where travelers could pay their respects to the Gods. Of course, ever since monsters have started to inhabit Rune Migard, this temple has been their sort of hideaway. I used to battle monsters here back when I was a simple magician. Not many people know about this place, so you must keep it secret, alright?" He pressed his finger to Rain's lips.

Rain slowly turned towards Tavon, a look of awe still etched onto her face. She was struck speechless by the beauty of this mysterious place.

"Now, now, I know what you're thinking and you don't have to tell me. I would be more than happy to help you complete your training as an acolyte. We can even start now if you wish."

Rain nodded, and followed Tavon into the strange realms the temple held…

I clutched my staff as I wandered through the temples rooms, looking at the luster that seemed to emanate from the ancient willows. This place once held so much magic for me…but ever since… I stopped. I couldn't continue that thought; it seemed impossible that…that he had really gone. Tears streamed down my face, which only added to the accommodating filth on me.

My knees buckled, and I grasped my shoulders as I wept, not even noticing when someone else entered the room. I looked up, hoping to see that familiar smile that I longed for. What I saw truly surprised me.

It was Aalap, that swordsman from so long ago. He bent down, looking into my eyes. "My God…that can't be Rain, can it?" I nodded weakly as he pulled me into his warm embrace, as I sobbed onto his shoulder plate.

"It really has been a while since he's left, hasn't it? Or it seems like it, at least…" though he tried, his comforting couldn't pacify my tears. "Shh, shh…crying like this won't bring him back, Rain. He left happy, and that's what truly matters…you can't be so cruel to yourself over what he's done, else you'll destroy yourself!"

"At this point, Aalap, I could hardly care less whether I live or die."

"Don't start talking like that! I'm going to bring you someplace warm, okay? You rest up there and think reasonably on what you want to do with your life now, alright? I'm worried about you, Rain." He truly looked concerned. "And, don't forget that I still love you…I always have, and I am happy to protect you until you can be strong enough to protect yourself." He picked up my limp body, and as he started to head out of the cave and back to Prontera, I slept.