Author's Note: Hello readers! I have attempted writing several stories so far but this will be my second time ever writing one in first person. The first was a one shot for Pokemon Special for Feelingshipping. Please expect a number of errors and redundancies, although I've gone back to check it over, I'm sure there are many things I missed. I tend to write stories or chapters on a whim, but I usually give it my all before publishing so I do hope I can deliver a satisfactory commision (i'm not sure if that's the right word) to you. Hope you find this worthwhile.

Another thing to note is that I won't be calling Roze, Raze. I played the game with japanese audio and accustomed to his name being Roze pronounced Ro-zeh, or something along that. If you know japanese phonetics, then it isn't hard to follow. This also takes place in an alternate universe so it doesn't follow the game, but I will incorporate many settings from it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Mana Khemia or the characters so do expect some OOCness. Oh well, here goes!

I can hear the pounding rain against the dirt and screams in the sky as thunder rumbled. Even with my eyes closed I can see that bright flash of light. As I open my eyes, droplets of water blur my vision, but I can't see properly anyways. They continue to fall one after another until my body is completely drenched, the coldness sweeping through my body, but a small warmth clamps to me. Funny, I can hear something above me, but I'm not sure what it is.

…A voice?

"…I…ou…Roze…-ry…"

It sounds kind of broken…muffled…or maybe it's just me…since nothing is clear.

…my hearing

...my vision.

...my senses...

...?

Strange, rain isn't suppose to be warm...or is it my imagination...?

...wait…

...no...

There's nothing…

I don't feel anything...

…anymore.

My eyes flutter open and I am greeted by an immense pressure of light so powerful I am blinded for at least 30 seconds. Everything seems so blurry during the lapse, but I'm starting to make things out now.

"Oh my Goddess, he's awake! Miss Lily come quick!" a woman hollers.

"Roze? Roze's up? Let me see him! Whim, hurry and bring him some spare clothes."

"Yes, Miss Lily."

Who's there? I hear people shouting…why? Oh, she's coming this way.

"Roze, you-you…how dare you make me worried! What kind of servant has their master take care of them?"

"Roze…I've heard that name before…is that me?" I wonder.

"…What…?" She looks surprised I think. Her eyes widen so much I think they'd fall out.

She's confused, I know it, but you know…I am too.

"Miss Lily, I brought him some spare clothes and I'll bring breakfast up soon. Mr. Roze, how are you feeling?"

"Whim," commands the 'Miss Lily'. She has golden blonde hair tied in two high pig tails and blue eyes that adorn her features. Judging by the way she's dressed, I'm sure she is rich. Now that I think about it, this room too is pretty enormous.

"I need to talk to you privately, right now…"

"Eh? Is something wrong? I can-"

"Now, this is serious."

"Y-yes Miss Lily. Umm, Mr. Roze, if you can, please take your time and change into these," instructs Whim before leaving the room and closing the door.

She looks like a maid from what she's wearing. She has sky blue hair and is also pretty. They both seem a bit strange though. The other girl…said she is my master? Do I work for her?

"What? He lost his memories?"

"Would you keep it down? You're so noisy!"

"O-ouch! I'm sorry!"

I can still hear them. Judging from what I heard, she has it rough. Does that mean I'm punished in that manner as well? I really don't remember anything, huh…

Minutes later, they come back in. The first to speak is the Miss.

"Excuse us, we just had to settle something. Roze, that's you're nickname. Your full name is Rozer-ru-ro-"

"Rozeluxe Meitzen," finishes Whim. "You seem to have lost your memory during your voyage. You've been gone from the mansion for a long time and we found you a week ago in a village far east of here. The villagers say they found you in the forest with some deep wounds, but you weren't in critical condition. But because you don't seem to have any memories, no one knows what really happened to you. We transported you back here a few ago and you've been bedridden since.

I could only stare at them and nod. Truth is, I didn't really feel anything, it just didn't seem like anything happened at all, or maybe it's because I can't recall any of it. Who I am, what I did, the people I knew, everything seems strange to me.

"Roze," calls Miss Lily.

I turn to look at her. She looks pretty concerned.

"Do you remember anything at all, like your family, or friends…or even me?"

"You're my master right? That's what you said."

Her expression looks crestfallen. I wonder if there's a deeper meaning to that.

"What about abilities? Maybe we should test him to see if he remembers how to use a sword?" pipe in Whim trying her best to change the subject. I look at the blue maid and then the Mistress, it makes me wonder if I might have had a relationship with her. Funny, I wonder if it's possible to forget people that easily, even feelings.

"Alright, sounds like a good idea, coming from you," says the Miss while rubbing her chin.

"E-eh? But I do have wonderful ideas, you just don't listen to me-"

"Not now Whim, Roze's more important."

"I-is that how you really feel? Even though I've been beside you since before you were born?"

"I said not now!" Miss Lily then goes over to Whim and pinches her from both sides of her face [I'm not sure what she really does].

I stare at them with wide eyes. Is this the type of relationship I have with the Miss? More importantly, how old is that maid?

"Ahem. Roze, when you're ready, head downstairs. We'll prepare your examination then."

After that, they left.

I just stand rooted to my spot for a good minute and a half until it finally sinks into me that I should hasten myself. A physical exam is one thing, but her wrath seems to lay on another plane.

After preparing myself I make my way through the halls and find myself lost for some time. I don't remember how to get around, but it all feels so nostalgic, so nostalgic that it's annoying. It's messing with my sense of direction, continually pulling me this way and that. All I want is to make my way to the Miss, wherever she is.

...That's it!

I don't even know where she is! If I don't even know, then how am I suppose to know where to go?

After walking around for a while longer, I eventually find my way downstairs. I was right, the Miss is furious.

She scolds me numerous times, but I eventually tell her I got lost which strode her down a guilt trip. Apparently, this situation is also quite hard on her.

The maid Whim was sent to prepare the courtyard for a trial to test my skills. I'm not sure what I'm suppose to do, but I guess I'll find out sure enough.

After the meal, the Miss and I head towards the courtyard to find Whim finished with preparations.

"Miss Lily! Preparations are complete," squeals the maid.

"Good work, now hand Roze his dagger so we can begin and since Roze just got up, he's not physically in his best condition so don't be too hard on him," commands the Miss.

"Yes, here you go Mr. Roze," smiles the maid.

"Thanks," I say to her. I glance at the weapon in my hand and figure I had experience wielding it. If my body remembers, then that should be enough, right?

"I'll be the judge," says Miss Lily. "When I give you the signal, begin."

We both nod and wait for her to gesture. With a wave of her hand, the exam begins.

I turn my attention to Whim and in an instant, she pulls out an ax made of ice!

What is this? Magic?

My eyes widen in surprise and I drop my guard as she heads towards me ready to swing.

Instinctively, I narrowly dodge by a hair, still completely shocked at this revelation.

"Mr. Roze!" calls out the maid. "You have to strike back!"

What happened to 'don't be too hard on him?'

I find myself at a stand still, trying hard to wrap my mind around what had just occurred, until another swing nearly makes contact with my head. That was a close call. Whether I'm dodging or standing still, I'm always about to lose my head, literally and figuratively.

I jump back, frightened and am unsure of what to do. I hold the dagger in front of me defensively, but I'm completely shaking. Whim suddenly pulls out a gigantic cannon and starts to charge for a blast. Shit, something tells me that I'm in for a big surprise. My mind starts to scream at me...telling me...

I don't want to die...

My heartbeat hastens and the blood in me gushes. The adrenaline rush starts kicking in.

I don't want to die...

And then I see a flashing image before me, all red and wet, a shiver runs down my spine and my mind continues to repeat...

I don't want to die.

Someone's whispering into my ears. Someone's calling me. I can't make out the words. There's someone close by, but I can't see his/her face.

I don't want to die!

The image is getting hazy. Is someone laughing? My breath is rapid. Why is it so painful?

I don't want to die!

My body's growing weak, and it suddenly feels very cold. Why? What is this?

I can't die!

I...I-I'm scared? No...that's not it! I...I-

No...No!

"Don't die!"

"I won't!" I roar.

I grip my dagger and charge at Whim catching her off guard with my sudden outburst and use it as my chance to strike. I swing my weapon at her cannon to stop her attack. She jumps back to avoid a direct hit, looking terrified. Our battle comes to a halt.

I feel myself shaking, the heaviness in my chest as I breathe in and out. I glance at my weapon and am amazed by the sight. Miss Lily and Whim, too are in shock.

"How?" breathes Miss Lily, the shock still apparent on her face.

Examining the supposedly once dagger, it is now a glowing sword of light.

"W-what did I do?" I choke. A sudden painful shock runs through my body and I fall on the ground breathing hard. I start to gasp in pain as the feeling overwhelms me. Maybe is was too early for me to be doing these things. I start to lose control of myself again and my body starts to grow numb and weak.

That's it...I'm...too weak...

"Roze!" Miss Lily screams.

"Roze!" They both run over to me, their shadows block me from the light and suddenly I remember the dark...the cold...terrible feeling.

"Roze!" calls out a voice. My mind is darkening.

I look up at their figures, but something seems different. I can't identify the shadow at all.

"Roze!" she continues to call out, panicked.

...That's not the Miss. The outline is of someone else?

"Roze, please! I-"

Her voice is urgent and it starts to fade. The dark lingers over me and continues to swallow my senses. As my conscience begins to fade, I realize something.

"...I'm so sorry..."

It isn't just dark...the one who's disappearing is you...

End of Chapter 1.

I feel like I should really start announcing the end and beginning of things so that people know when to stop or continue. I don't think everyone wants to read commentary so I like warning in advance. Options are always nice to have. Anyways, I really love employing mysterious ongoings since they are great for suspense and cliffhangers. I'm writing so many stories at the same time, I feel really bad that I haven't updated much. Toodaloo~ I hope to update soon.