Chapter 1: The Boy Who Fell From the Sky

The sound of a gentle breeze, as it threw powdery snow about, covered up the crunchs of a young girl's footsteps as she wondered about. Loosely wrapped in a coat, she meandered about, carrying a weathered piece of parchment in her hands. The trees above her swayed gently as she surveyed the thicket of thorny bushes surrounding her. To call them bushes was perhaps a bit too generous, the winter around them having left them as mere woody shrubbery with evergreen needles.

"Should I call this the Thorny Thicket?" A bell like voice rang out, having taken a break from some off key humming.

Between her porcelain skin and long silver hair her visage would have barely stood out from the snow covered landscape around her were it not for her vibrant, blue eyes, perhaps bordering on purple. Said eyes began to widen ever so slightly as she heard a sudden screaming start from above her. The branches of a tree to her left rustled as they deposited a dark haired child, face first, into the thorny shrubbery to her left. His grunts of pain were muffled as all the snow knocked loose from the branches piled on top of him.

"Are you ok?" She yelled as she broke into a panicked rush to check on him.

The only answer she got was a muffled groan as she hurriedly brushed the snow off of his body. As she rolled him over his face was a mess of blood and cuts, and looked certain to bruise soon enough. She quickly put her hands on his chest and began focusing on using the limited healing magic she was capable of; a soft green glow cast outwards over him and his bleeding quickly stopped. As she worked her face took on a twist of concern and diligence, made quite adorable by the stark contrast with her age and stature.

His pained breathing calming down he looked up, blushed, and said the first thing that came to his mind.

"Am I dead?" He asked.

Taken aback she could only shout back, "Why would you even joke about that?"

"It's not really a joke. I was going to the park, randomly appeared here, fell from the sky, and now I've got an angel trying to help me." He summarized his arrival.

"Angel?" She muttered, her face a cross between confused and blushing.

"I mean I have no idea what's going on, and out of nowhere some super-pretty girl starts helping me. What am I supposed to think?" He asked, clear admiration on his face.

"I'm just Emilia…" She trailed off, her face dumbfounded.

"Well thanks a ton Emilia. I don't know how you did it but I certainly feel a lot less like I fell out of the sky than I did a minute ago." He flashed her a wide grin, a gap from a few missing baby teeth clearly visible.

"It's just some basic healing magic; I'm not even really that good at it, surely you've seen it before?" Emilia mumbled shyly.

"Magic? Are you telling me magic's real here?" The boy's face lit up with excitement.

"Are you telling me you've never seen magic before? That's reaaally weird." She drew out the vowel in "really" as her face expressed her growing bewilderment.

"Where am I anyway?" He broached the all too obvious question.

"You're in the part of the Ellior Forest that I've named the Thorny Thicket." Her expression seemed caught between excited and wary at this point.

"As much as I want to laugh about the Thorny Thicket part, the fact that I'll be pulling thorns out for days kinda makes me agree now. Now what part of Japan is this forest in?" As he poked a bit of fun at her naming sense Emilia's cheeks puffed out in an adorable pout, which suddenly deflated in confusion.

"I've never heard of a place called Japan." Emilia brought her right index finger up to her lip and tilted her head ever so slightly to the side.

A sinking feeling in his gut he asked, "Then what country are we in?"

"Lugnica." And with one word from her, his thoughts halted.

His face went blank and his eyes glazed over. A painful clench of his stomach brought a burning sensation up his throat. He balled his hands together tightly, and with the force of his will swallowed and quieted his stomach. Shaking his head he pulled himself together. Right as he did so he noticed Emilia casting a concerned gaze his way.

"Emilia, this might sound a bit crazy. I kind of feel like I've been transported to another world." He uttered dazedly as his teeth began to chatter ever so slightly.

The boy who had fallen from the sky was after all dressed in nothing but a track suit and training pants. With the adrenaline rush from literally falling out of the sky wearing off, the chill of being buried in snow in the frigid Elior forest began to kick in. As the first shivers began to wrack his body, Emilia leaned in closely concernedly checking him over. As he averted his gaze, face alight with a blush, Emilia pulled back having heard the hastening clatter of his teeth.

"I'm not sure about being from another world, but magic definitely teleported you up above the trees. Why don't you follow me to my house and warm up? Maybe Puck will be able to help figure out what's going on." Emilia offered, reaching out with her hand to help pull her new acquaintance up. A sincere smile crossed her face that was quickly marred by nervousness.

"If it's not a problem that'd really help me out. Are you sure, though?" He took hold of her hand, and noticed her nervousness.

"It's no problem as long as you don't mind being around me," Emilia's voice was small and quiet, her face tense as if she expected to be yelled at or physically struck.

"I think it should be the other way around. You're the one taking me into your home without knowing me at all." The boy gestured to himself with his thumb and struck a goofy pose.

"No, it's just people seem to be scared or upset when they see me…" Emilia trailed off, her voice still feeble, but her expression slightly looser after his antics.

"They must be idiots then. I mean you're frighteningly cute, but why would anyone be afraid of someone as nice as you?" At his frank exclamation Emilia couldn't help but blush as she smiled faintly,

"You're embarrassing me but thanks...wait have I even gotten your name yet?" She asked.

"I'm Natsuki Subaru, hopelessly lost and pleased to me you!" Subaru angled his body while lifting one arm straight up towards the sky.

Emilia, after a short but valiant struggle, burst out into uncontrollable giggles. In a matter of seconds she was gasping for air as tears streamed from her eyes. As she caught her breath Subaru glimpsed her smile for the first time since his crash landing.

"Honestly Subaru, you're such a goofball." Emilia squeezed out between breaths.

"But it got you to smile and laugh right? Someone like you looking all sad like that should be a crime!" Subaru declared in a mixture of false bravado and sincere belief.

As Subaru's shivering began to pick up, Emilia brought their small talk to an end.

"Follow me and lets get you warmed up. Thankfully it's not too far." Having said her piece she led the way, a cheerful pep to her step. If it weren't for the steady crunching of snow beneath her feet Subaru would have sworn she were skipping. A pleasant change from how hesitant she had been just a few minutes ago.

Emilia sensing her chance, attempted the conversation she'd been dreaming of having with someone for months, "So um, nice weather we're hav…," before shying away. After all for poor Subaru who was currently freezing to death, it certainly wouldn't seem like nice weather.

Subaru having always felt a bit awkward himself took pity on her attempt and started trying to think of a conversation starter. He took great care in thinking about it, after all, no one was more acquainted with the taste of their own foot than Natsuki Subaru. As the awkward silence drug on, he was struck by an idea.

"So, you mentioned someone named Puck earlier. Could you tell me a bit about him?" Subaru asked.

"Puck? He's a spirit that looks after me, he likes to take the form of a cat. He's pretty much my only friend at the moment-" Emilia was interrupted by Subaru.

"He looks after you, no friends-are you all alone out here?" Subaru couldn't help but let a bit of concern bleed through.

"Well other than Puck, yes. I don't really know what happened, but everyone in my village froze over and I'm the only one that melted for some reason." At Emilia's subdued explanation, Subaru noticed a bunch of frozen figures surrounding them. By the appearance of them they all looked to be elves.

Shame rushed through Subaru; he hadn't meant to upset Emilia, "Sorry I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. Still I'm sure that they'll be back some day if you thawed out; there's no ice that won't melt afterall."

Emilia seemed to quickly brush off his apology and misstep. She started up the conversation again, as if to change the subject.

"There is a village nearby, but I'm not really welcome there. Still there's this one shopkeeper there, last time I was there he talked to me to ask if I need new shoes; I'm sure we'll be able to talk about things like the weather soon!" Her unrestrained happiness at such a simple gesture made it all the more painful to Subaru.

"Well I'm your friend now. I'll talk your ear off so much you'll be begging for a moment of silence!" At Subaru's exclamation Emilia broke into a small fit of giggles, a small trail of tears unseen by Subaru as she led the rest of the way to her house without looking back.

They quickly arrived at Emilia's hut. Looking over to the fireplace she was glad to see that it hadn't gone out.

"Sit in front of the fire and warm up, I'll grab some towels and blankets," Emilia instructed.

A thoroughly chilled Subaru gladly cooperated. He took a seat and basked in the fire as Emilia came back.

"Once you get your clothes off, dry yourself off with a towel and wrap yourself up in these blankets." Emilia instructed, sounding just a bit more motherly than her age should permit.

Her face took on a mock sternness as Subaru stood still blushing in embarrassment, "What are you waiting for? If you don't hurry up you're going to get reeaaally sick."

"Would you mind looking away? It's kind of embarrassing with you over looking at me" Subaru objected, his face bright red.

"Sure. I don't see what the big deal is though." Emilia acquiesced.

After looking to confirm she had turned away Subaru, wracked by shivers, hurriedly ripped off his tracksuit, and vigorously started toweling himself down. As he finally dried off, he wrapped a dry towel around his waist, and quickly wrapped himself in the blankets. As he sat himself before the fire he sighed in relief.

"It's okay to turn around now," Subaru called out.

"Are you doing okay, now?" Emilia came towards the fire and took a seat, keeping a fair bit of distance.

"Yeah. Thanks a lot, you really saved me back there." Subaru's normally hard eyes had a gentle and genuine warmth to them.

"I don't know how long it's been since someone thanked me. Every now and then someone gets attacked by the monsters in this forest, they always act like I'm the Witch afterward…" Emilia trailed off.

"The Witch?" Subaru pressed his eyes narrowed in confusion.

"The Witch of Envy who almost engulfed the world in shadows. She is said to have been a silver-haired half elf, who I apparently resemble." Emilia went silent at the end.

"Monsters in the forest?" Subaru couldn't resist asking.

"There's a lot of ambient mana surrounding the forest, so a lot of mabeasts tend to gather here," Emilia explained.

"Mabeasts?" Subaru interjected, feeling thoroughly lost at this point.

"Dangerous beasts that are said to have been created by the Witch of Envy four hundred years ago. They're reaaally strong so you shouldn't go too far away from me out in the forest." Emilia lectured, the slightest tint of warning in her voice.

"Wait, wouldn't they be dangerous for you too?" Subaru voiced his concern.

"I can use magic, and I'm also actually pretty strong," she bragged with the slightest trace of pride.

"Eh, I can believe the magic part, but given your size just how strong can you be? How about an arm wrestling match?" Subaru teased, more curious than doubting.

"Sure, why not?" Emilia acquiesced her cheeks puffed up in a pout.

They clasped their hands together, fixing their elbows to the ground. Barely a moment after Subaru said, "Go!", he found himself slammed into the ground, his shoulder thumping the floor as his arm took his body with it.

Emilia ran to him in panicked concern as he let loose a pained groan. Her face took on a confused relief as she heard him start to laugh.

"Pretty strong?! More like superhuman! Just go a bit easy on me next time we play a game." Subaru managed to squueze out after catching his breath.

Emilias face scrunched up a bit, "When you say take it easy do you mean I'm not supposed to win?"

"Not quite. It just kinda sucks to lose so badly you know. It's basically win but make other person feel like they put up a good fight." Subaru tried to explain.

"But I just pushed and it was over...what was I supposed to do?" With that innocent question Subaru's manly pride took a beating.

"Look at it this way, you're really strong so you should be careful so you don't accidentally hurt someone. Like when you play with a baby or little kid.". Subaru's explanation having finally sunk in, Emilia gave Subaru a sheepish, remorseful look. He couldn't help but feel like he'd just kicked a puppy.

"Don't get too down about it; I'm fine," with that simple reassurance Emilia's face broke into a faint, relieved smile.

Just as they settled into a comfortable silence a voice called out to them from behind, "Hey Lia, who's this?"

After a startled jump, Subaru turned around to see a floating cat with ashen fur.

"You're back, Puck! This is Subaru. He got teleported here somehow and fell from the sky into the thorny thicket.". Puck gave Subaru a somewhat confused look before Emilia continued, "I brought him here to dry off and warm up, and was hoping you might be able to help figure out what happened."

Puck gave Subaru a scrutizing gaze, "Normally I wouldn't do this, but with your permission I could look through your memories to try and figure out what happened."

"That's fine with me. Mom and Dad are probably getting really worried, so I need to find out how to let them know I'm okay.". Subaru gave his permission.

Puck brought his tail to Subaru's forehead and closed his eyes. A few moments of seemingly intense concentration later his eyes opened.

"Geez Subaru you have terrible luck," Puck commented wryly.

"Do you know where Subaru came from?" Emilia asked with hint of reluctance.

"Wherever it was, it's unlike any place on this continent. Subaru most certainly came from beyond the waterfall." Puck explained.

"Is there anyway for me to get home?" There was a tinge of desperation in Subaru's voice.

"I'm afraid not. People arriving from beyond the waterfall is rare. No one even knows how they got here in the first place. As far as I know not a single one of them has even gone back home." Puck gave Subaru a pitying gaze as he delivered the bad news.

"I see…" Subaru trailed off with sudden, uncharacteristic moroseness.

"Lia, why don't we go outside and give Subaru a little bit?" With that suggestion Puck floated towards the door with Emilia hesitantly following.

After they'd stepped outside, Puck turned around to see a somewhat pained expression on her face.

"What's wrong Lia?" Puck mothered Lia.

"Nothing. I'm just worried that Subaru can't go home-," Emilia's weak explanation was cut off. "Lia," Puck pressed his voice rising in intonation.

"I just don't know how to feel. A party of .e was glad that Subaru wouldn't be going away right away. But that's wrong. I shouldn't be selfish like that." Emilia's eyes glistened slightly, a few tears of self-derision budding.

"Lia, everyone feels happy about something that makes someone else sad at some point in their lives. The world's not so kind a place that everyone can get what they want at the same time. The fact that it's tearing you up like this is all you need to know you're a good person. All we can do is try keep the people around as happy as they can be." Puck's face had a touch of sad resignation at the end of his lecture.

Promptly switching back to his normal cheerful self, "Anyways there's nothing wrong with being happy that your new friend will be sticking around for a while. Although I did think I had a couple years before I had to start chasing boys off. Still having peeked in his noggin I think I'll go easy on Subaru."

Emilia let out a slight giggle, "I don't know why you'd need to run off boys. Especially from me."

"Lia, as Subaru would probably say, not everyone is blind." Puck did his best Subaru impression mid-quote.

"On a more serious note, Subaru doesn't have anywhere to go and I doubt the village will take him in if they find out he's connected with you. Since it's too dangerous for him to go by himself, it's probably best if he just stays with us for now." Puck explained with a slight degree of misdirection.

While everything he said was indeed true, Puck could safely guide Subaru to the nearest village unseen. As long as Subaru didn't talk about Emilia, things would probably work out. Puck was reluctant to pass up one of the few genuine chances for Emilia to make a friend near her own age. Someone with no prejudice against half-elves, especially silver-haired, amethyst eyed half elves, was a rare gift. A rare gift that Puck couldn't pass up if it gave him a chance to make Emilia happy. Per his contract, his interference with her life was to be minimized, Puck could only roll the dice, and hope that Subaru could fill in where he couldn't.

His piece said Puck led Emilia back inside. Subaru seemed to have pulled himself back together. Out of courtesy neither Emilia nor Puck commented on how Subaru's eyes were red and puffy.

"For now you should stay here with Lia, Subaru. It's dangerous to leave by yourself and the nearest town won't be too kind if they associate you with her. Tomorrow you two should head into town to get some new clothes. And with that I have to leave and take care of some stuff. See 'ya tomorrow!" Puck vanished while pretending to choke himself after his sign off.

That night after Puck left Emilia chatted for hours with Subaru about what his world was like. Subaru cheerfully spinning grandiose tales. For the first time in a long time, Emilia knew she wasn't alone. And for the first time Subaru could be Subaru without the shadow of his father hanging over him. The windows shook as the wind howled outside, a blizzard raging, but Emilia would swear years later that the house had never been warmer.

And so Subaru's life in a new world began: falling from the sky, crying in the house of the prettiest girl he'd ever met, and ending as if it had been a slumber party the whole time.