I froze and stared at my door for a bit. Where the hell did he come from? I didn't see anyone in the hallways just a moment ago. I turned and looked into his blue eyes, a little peeved.

"Actually, yes… I can't sleep so I figured I'd look around." I replied to his previous question.

Johan nodded and looked down the hall to the left. He wasn't in his normal attire and for once, he looked like a normal teenager in pajamas. "Then I shall accompany you?" I tried to figure out if he was asking me or simply telling me he was going to come along. Whatever he meant, I just smiled back. "There is something I'd like to talk to you about. I know you've been overwhelmed with today's events but hopefully I can ease you of some of that stress." He extended his hand out. I assumed he wanted to guide me again. He proceeded to walk me through the hallways. It seemed like a good idea to follow him since I haven't really had the chance to speak to anyone.

He led me to a balcony and motioned with his hand to look forward. The whole village was illuminated by candles and gave off a peaceful atmosphere.

"This is The Village of Celeste." He stared off into the distance, admiring the view as well.

There wasn't much movement below. I figured everyone was already asleep in their beds. Johan looked at me for a moment before speaking, "What happened to you while you were asleep? I want to hear about this other world and this 'Andrew' you mentioned to the Queen."

I kept looking forward, "I lived in this horrible city that was constantly blazing hot. I went to a school that was decent. It wasn't fancy but it wasn't too bad… just average. Every morning I walked to school and met up with my friend Andrew. He would drag me off to class when the bell rang and again when it was time for lunch. He would always change the subject when he was in trouble and liked to eat a lot. Andrew was my best friend…" I paused for a moment, trying to remember everything. It felt like my memories were not fading but… wearing off? "I don't remember what classes I was taking but I know I took History… I did excellent even though I didn't care for it. Back at home, I had a pet cat. His name was Black and he liked to follow me everywhere. I was with him until the very end when I woke up here… My parents were never really around either… They often worked late and when they came home they would go straight to their room without checking up on me. I felt neglected… like I didn't even exist. I don't remember having a childhood. Right now, everything seems hazy. It makes me mad that I can't even remember a thing. Even at this moment, I feel alone. I don't have an identity… I have no one. This constant pain is becoming unbearable." I gripped the railing in an attempt to prevent myself from crying but it didn't work.

It took me by surprise when Johan hugged me. It wasn't because he did but because he did so quickly. I felt his chin on my head. "I'm sorry you had such an awful experience..." He separated from me and lifted my head so I was looking at him, "I'd like to relive my childhood with you again if you'd like. It would give me a chance to help you remember your life here. We've spent today trying to put you back at the throne and neglected your feelings. Tomorrow, how would you like to explore the village? I'm sure Lon would be glad to come along as well. Also, I can teach you how to control your abilities that your eyes have given you."

I smiled and nodded, "That sounds nice." It made me wonder what kind of abilities he had since we obviously had the same reaction to the dark. Maybe that was how he was able to save me from the snake.

He looked back out towards the village, "It's wise to take advantage of the peace since you never know when we'll be attacked again."

"Attacked again?" I looked at him confused.

Johan looked at me from the corner of his eye and spoke quietly, "They've attacked before, many times. The last attack was a week ago. That was when they took you."

They took me a week ago and I woke up today? So does this mean they really did tamper with my mind since they had me for so long? I felt uneasy again. "What if they attack again Johan?"

He turned and smiled at me, "It's getting late Princess. You should head to sleep."

"What about you?" I asked, a little upset he ignored my question.

"Don't worry about me. I'll head in soon." I could tell he was still admiring the view.

I didn't know what else to say so I just headed back into my room, wiping my eyes along the way. It took a while but I was able to go to sleep eventually.

The next day, Johan and Lon took me around the village. There were kids running around chasing each other as well as the local animals. I saw people going on about their day and everyone seemed in a good mood. It made me wonder what had put them in such a nasty mood when I came back yesterday. The Village of Celeste was pretty small. I thought about how it compared to the other five countries.

"Lon, is this country the smallest?" I looked over to see him looking around as well. Maybe the troops aren't let out of the palace often.

"Yeah… The military country, Diethelm, is the largest. The second is the country ruled by the strongest clan, Tanaka. That disgusting country, Bacchus, is the third. Ravana's Domain is fourth, the independent Ramira is fifth, and… we are last." His voice changed tones going down the list.

"Which is Bacchus again?" I asked, thinking it might be the wealthy country.

"Bacchus is the one filled with filthy, rich snobs. They ignore the poverty there and only care about making the next buck. They only care for the upper class and whenever they see another country in need, they offer to help but only if paid. We are the only nation they don't help. They don't particularly like us and are constantly asking us for money when they see us in need. They just take our money as an agreement not to attack us for a while. Since the Queen has been able to pay them off, they've never had the chance to attack us." Lon shook his head. "Anyways, we're supposed to be enjoying this day, I don't want to think about those disgusting people."

I nodded and looked forward. The village was small but it's no surprise that they manage to pay off Bacchus… There were so many shops that sold a variety of items. I'm pretty sure I could buy anything here. There was no doubt that this was the way The Village of Celeste survived.

Johan had been pretty quiet and looked lost in thought. He was probably worried about the village being attacked.

"Lighten up!" I nudged him, bringing him back to reality.

"Sorry… Have you looked around enough? There is someone who has been waiting to see you." He asked, smiling.

"Waiting to see me?" I looked at him confused.

Lon turned towards us and spoke up, "I think I know who the Prince is referring to. It's been a while Nyx. You have to see him."

I looked at him confused, "…him?"

Johan took my hand and started dragging me off. It was nice to be a normal person again without all the bowing and formal junk.

We strayed from the village and entered a small farm that raised the village's animals. So far, the sheep and cows looked like what I had learned in class. It seems my memory was either not fully messed with or everything was coming back.

"Up there." Johan pointed towards a cave behind the field.

I hesitated and started to pull my hand back but he wouldn't let go. "I don't think I want to go in there…"

"You use to all the time Princess. You were the one always dragging us." Lon had been pushing me from behind.

It really wasn't even a struggle since they both had been leading me forward with ease. When we got to the cave entrance, it immediately started to rumble.

"He smelled you." Lon said.

"You're trying to kill me again aren't you…?" I stepped back as the rumbling grew louder.

Johan smiled, "You are completely safe Princess. He may be the key to restoring your memory. Whistle to call him. If you don't, he'll come charging out and jump on you."

I did as he said and sure enough a black beast came out from the shadows. I don't know what happened but everything instantly clicked.

"Black!" I ran forward and hugged him. He was a hybrid creature that belonged to this world, one I obviously never learned about in school. When I saw him, I remembered how much I had missed him. I went everywhere with him. Unfortunately, since I had been asleep for so many years, I hadn't been able to play with him. He looked like he had reached his adult years now and was probably already enlisted as a battle beast. He was an enormous black feline with golden eyes. His face and body were covered in black battle armor. What made him a hybrid was the eagle like wings that sprouted from his back and the same eagle like feathers brushed down his tail.

"You must've been so lonely all these years…" I hugged him tighter as he let out a whimper.

"I think she just pieced some of it together. Nyx, do you remember anything else?" Lon ask, taking a step towards us.

"No. Just that I grew up with him and left him here all alone when I fell… ill." I remembered when I was injured and about to be placed to sleep that I asked of everyone not to tell Black I was hurt. It would only cause him to act out.

"We're finally making some progress." Johan sighed with relief.

It was then that we heard someone screaming behind us, "Prince Johan! They're here! They're here! They're here!" It was a woman around the age of thirty. She was panicking and looked extremely pale.

Both the Prince and Lon rushed towards her and Black slowly backed into the cave sensing danger. He tugged on my sleeve, begging me to follow but I was curious as to what was going on.

"Calm down ma'am. What's wrong? Who's here?" Lon asked.

Johan looked uneasy and I figured he probably already knew what was happening. The woman opened her mouth to speak but didn't get a chance to say anything because an explosion went off in the village. Black smoke filled the sky and she let out a scream, "Lamia's men! They're back!"

I didn't get a chance to think because once Johan looked at Lon, he nodded and flew towards me, carrying me back to the palace.

Johan rushed into the village with the woman and I found myself panicking as well.

"What's going on?!" I shouted, looking back where Black had retreated into the cave.

Lon picked up the pace and quickly entered the palace, taking me to the lower levels. "They're back, those men from the blizzard."

He was moving so quickly, I felt like I was going to slip from his grasp. "Then why isn't Johan coming with us?"

"It's his job to protect the village. Besides, they aren't here for him." He ran down a large staircase and opened the door. It looked like a dungeon.

Lon placed me down on the floor. "Stay here. They wouldn't expect us to keep the Princess in the dungeon.

I quickly stood up, "Why do I have to hide? I don't want to be stuck in here alone. It's creepy."

He was already at the door when he stopped and turned to me. "They're here for you Nyx."

That was all he said. He shut the door and left me standing there frightened. Those men… they're here for me? Are they going to find me and if so… Will I be losing my memory again? Or will I be losing something even more valuable… like my life.

I sat in the corner of the dungeon. The majority of the floor was wet with dirty water and there were chains on each side of the wall which I assumed was for locking up the prisoners. I heard a few bombs go off and the ground shook a few times. What scared me was when the explosion caused the palace to shake violently. They got inside… They're coming for me... I hugged my knees and hid my face. I didn't want to see any person come to the door.

From outside, I could hear the violent shouts from both sides attacking each other. The guards were fighting to drive away the intruders and the intruders were fighting to drive their way deeper into the palace in search of me. As the voices grew closer, I backed into my corner even more. I didn't want to be taken. They would take me to that horrible Lamia that everyone is so terrified of. She would definitely make my death excruciating. The echoing of footsteps and doors being broken down grew near and it was only a matter of seconds before they would open the dungeon door.

When they kicked in the door, it broke in half and landed across the room at my feet. Two large beast-like men came in. They didn't look human and their faces were scarred.

"We meet again, Princess." The first man said in a very low, vile voice.

"Tie her up and let's go." The second man called, standing guard at the door.

I tried to resist and managed to kick the man in the face but it didn't do anything but upset him. After binding my hands and legs, he wrapped a cloth over my mouth to prevent me from screaming for help. He violently threw me over his shoulder and started towards the door.

"We need to get out of here quickly. The Prince is probably already on his way to the palace." The second man led, knocking out anyone who came to stop them. I felt my heart beating rapidly and was certain it was a heart attack. I tried looking around and thinking of a way to get out of my hopeless circumstance but I just couldn't. The two men had carried me to the gates when I saw Johan and Lon running to catch up but they were immediately surrounded by enemies. All I could do was helplessly watch as their faces screamed at me and eventually disappeared the further I got from them.