Chapter 6

"Holland! Hurry up, you sack!" I shout from behind as the man follows me.

"Girl, can we... slow down?" Holland pants. "I'm gettin' kinda tired here..."

With a icy glare, I bark: "Idiot! Are you even motivated to see your family anymore? Chop chop! It's not like I'm gonna leave you here to die!"

We venture further into the dungeon, attempting to avoid being spotted by the enemy units. A few more steps until we can get his goodies back.

As we hide behind a wall, Holland taps me on the shoulder. "Umm, Severa, is it?"

"What do you want now?" I snarl.

"I'm just wondering..." he begins. "You said that you don't remember anything of your past, right?"

"You think I'm lying? Because I actually don't remember anything. Zip. Zero. Nada." However, as I grumbled, something tells me that it DID feel a bit off.

"I'm just a poor old sack as you say. But you're still helping me nonetheless... A complete stranger with no ties to you...Why is that?" he asks me quietly.

I stay silent, hesitant to answer. Why exactly am I helping him? I AM risking my life, after all.

"Severa, close your eyes and think. I really want to know why. And it might have to do with some of your past memories you must'a cherished."

I guess relaxing for a second won't hurt. I take a deep breath and shut my eyes. Suddenly, a sharp pain echoes inside my head, throbbing violently in all directions. I hunch over slightly.

"SEVERA! Are you okay?"Holland was worried, but I need no pity from him.

I rub my forehead. The pain was short, but something about me feels...different now. "I remember..." I blurt mindlessly.

Holland glances at me, as I start mumbling.

"There was someone that taught me... a valuable lesson. That is the power to protect. It could be a stranger, or someone you love and admire. Either way, helping someone is not beneficial to one, but to many. An act of kindness can go a long way, slowly building the puzzle pieces of courage, tenacity, and endurance together. That's how... he got his strength. For protecting and helping anyone he could, he grew stronger, inside and out. His goal was to be the hero in everyone's hearts, and died doing so...

I failed to protect anyone, because I was weak. But I have changed. I want to grow stronger, just like him.. I want to be a hero, so I don't lose anyone important to me again. And... I want to show him... how much I've grown, how important he is to me, how much... I love him..."

A hazy blur occur sat that moment, and everything is cloudy again. ...Wait, what did I even say?

"D-Did I just say all that nonsense gibberish? What, did you hypnotized me or something?" I turned away, as Holland gave me a rather puzzled expression. How did that all just came out of my mouth? Did another being took over me and made me said that?

Suddenly, footsteps grow louder and louder. I looked up. A Ruffian is about to attack!

"Tch! You idiot! You gave our location away!" I grab my sword, and leap into the air. Coming down, we clash swords. I won't lose to a scumbag like you!

Suddenly, a glitter catches the corner of my eye. I turn around, and see another Ruffian approaching him. A cold feeling sinks inside me... I'm cornered. He leaps up, ready to initiate the devastating blow.

All of a sudden, a confident, bright voice envelops the sky.

"RADIANT DAAAAAWN!"

A figure soars into the sky, and stabs the attacker right in the chest. The Ruffian falls into the ground, motionless, as "it" emerges from the shadows into my vision.

The golden, gallant clothing.

The lustful, streaky black hair.

And those beautiful green eyes.

"Well, don't just stand there!" The familiar voice exclaims, giving a lustrous smile. "Heroes are never idle, after all." He dashes off to the next enemy, where he could be the hero once again...

I stare, expressionless, as the figure leaves my sight.

I... finally remember now.

After so long, I finally found my missing tree branch.