A/N: I will be needing a few OC's (Original Characters), for this story. So if you have any ideas, character profiles (No Mary/Gary sues), send them to me or put them in a review.

Once again, if you see any mistakes please tell me. Thank you and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Vindictus or any of its characters.

It was stifling.

The air had a constant stale smell to it. There was no wind, not even a slight breeze to ease it a bit, high stone walls prevented that. Compared to the rolling fields just outside, this enclosed town's stagnate air tasted old and dusty to him. Within a few moments of being inside, he had already started coughing and gasping. Dolores had only smiled pitying, and then moved on when he was done. Lann had known what the look was meant to say. You'll get used to it.

He wasn't sure he wanted to. Or if that was healthy.

He compared it an old coat closet that sits unopened all summer long. The heat baking the air and wood slowly. Until, finally, you open it when the first snow drops. Only to find musty, thick air greet your nose. You would gag and quickly shut the door, leaning against it and catching your breath. But he couldn't even do that, it was like someone pushed him inside that closet, and shut the door. It surrounded him, and there was no way out.

It was truly disgusting.

They walked along the pathways, twisting deeper into the town. He stayed behind Dolores, watching her dull blond ponytail swing behind her. Suddenly he smacked into her back. He looked to see what made her stop, to find her looking at him with a strange look on her face. Then it changed, and she looked disgruntled.

"Lann."

His head tilted to the side a bit. "Yes Dolores?"

"Stop moping."

"..." He frowned. He was not moping. It wasn't his fault his eyes hurt from the dust, or his lungs cried out from this dirty gross air.

The town had quickly stopped being a castle to him and was beginning to look like a prison. The high walls no longer gave protection, but took away freedom. And clean air. The grey of the cobblestone houses now drove him made. It was like a maze. And he was one of those mice he heard they used them on. It was a new study, but that didn't make it any less cruel. And he felt like one of those mice now. He didn't like it here, but he had to stay, because someone else chose it for him. And he once more cursed Ernmass for bringing him.

He stopped himself there, where had all that hatred come from? It was unlike him, and it frightened him, yet he couldn't will it away. It stayed in his chest like a cough wanting to come out. The same feeling he felt when he saw the Crimson Blades poster-

Then suddenly it left him, and he let out a silent gasp.

He now felt a bit empty. The phrase 'you don't know a good thing 'till its gone' went through his head, and for a moment he missed feeling. The moment passed, and his eyes once again focused in front of him. Strange, he didn't remember being that disoriented. Looking at Dolores, he could tell she was waiting for a reply. He was suddenly grateful none of his internal struggle showed on his face.

He didn't tell her any of what happened.

" 'M not moping." He instead said, not realizing his voice betrayed the words.

He saw Dolores sigh, and then she knelt down, balancing herself on the pads of her feet as she looked him over. "Lann, this place isn't as bad as you think it is. These people stay here for a reason. That reason is each other." She swept her arm out to the side, as if presenting a magnificent piece of art. "Look, see how happy every body is despite how they live? They need this place, the company of each other."

Her speech didn't impress him.

When she saw he was still looking at her, she sternly said, "Actually look Lann."

So Lann turned, gazing with puffy red eyes at the people around them. People strolled about doing their business. Nothing new. Some neighbors were happily whispering to each other as they stood at food carts, filling each other in on the towns latest gossip. He blinked, and turned to look at group of young girls huddled together. They were showing off their latest jewelry and trinkets that 'the handsome young man down the street just sent her'. Looking a bit past them, he saw some boys, probably a bit older Dolores' age, showing off their various weapons and armor.

Lann still didn't understand, to him it seemed as if they had disillusioned themselves into thinking everything was fine, but in reality their world was crumbling. They could laugh and ignore it all they want, but it wouldn't save Vindictus. Did they not know of the land beyond their little towns and meadows?

It was black. It was black and barren and there were formors and dear Goddess no one could survive out there.

And no one cared. No one probably even knew about it.

Lann thought these people selfish, and he didn't understand what he was supposed to see in their selfish ways, and he could feel the feeling in his chest like before and he knew something wasn't right here. But he straightened his posture anyway and gave Dolores a smile. Neither denying nor agreeing to her claims. She returned it, assuming he did. She stood up, brushed off her jumper skirt and they continued on their walk.