You know? Usually, when you were in the auditorium, you would pay attention to the professor explaining the basics of architecture and its intricacies, but I wasn't one of those people. Soundly dreaming of me leaning on a lonely tree in the middle of a field was a staple at this point, ignoring the class altogether.

It was until a ring of the bell woke me up from my nap, a small bead of drool somehow formed on my lips before I quickly sucked it in, my face turning a little red.

"I hope nobody saw that," I thought, covering my lips with the tips of my fingers.

"—next Friday. We'll be exploring different types of materials usually used in medieval times alongise many innovations. The class is dismissed," the teacher said before multiple screeching chairs and students almost screaming at each other resonated in my ears.

I covered one of them before quickly packing my bag and skilfully finding my way through the crowd and school, eventually reaching the campus lit by the street lights.

The cold winter air washed over me, making me put on my scarf while allowing me to take a deep breath. Snow gently settled itself on the ground, forming a small layer that scrunched under my feet before reaching a cafeteria that surprisingly wasn't filled to the brim with students.

I was never a social person myself.

I soon found a table with one of my friends sipping a cup of coffee while browsing the internet on her smartphone. She lifted her head, spotting me in the process before giving an excited wave.

"Theresa!" She called me out. It was little too loud for my liking, but I eventually sat down on the sofa. I put my bag down before breathing a content sigh.

Those wooden chairs were going to be the death of me someday.

"So, how was your lecture?" She asked.

"I don't know really, I slept halfway through it," I answered, which earned me a chuckle from her.

"That sounds about right," she said before having a hand on the menu. "Are you going to order anything?

"Not today. I have to get home early. My father needs me again for some important work," I answered with the shake of my head, making her pout.

"Come on, he can wait an hour or longer for you, right?"

"No, it's very important. Sorry I can't stay for long."

"Then why did you come here anyway? Shouldn't you be on your way then?" Of course she was going to be nosy. I was honestly surprised I didn't see that coming.

"Because I don't want to wait outside in the cold. The train station has poor air-conditioning." No, it wasn't the reason why I was here, but it wasn't like I was going to tell her anyway.

"Oh. Well, that makes sense, I guess," she said before giving the menu one last glance. "Are you sure—"

"Yes, I'm sure. This place is extremely overpriced anyway for what they give."

She gave me a sly smirk. "What? This place doesn't meet your standards?"

Why was I friends with her again?

"Want me to be blunt?" I asked, and she prompted with a curt nod. "No, it doesn't. I honestly can't understand how this place can call anything they make coffee."

I didn't know why, but she started to laugh. "It's not that bad."

"With several teaspoons of sugar and a milk jug, maybe. But I don't like my coffee sweet, or dairy for that matter," I said before leaning on the window, gazing at the snow as it slowly fell to the ground, my face slightly scrunching up.

My friend picked up on that, and her laugh abruptly ended. "How are your things on your end?"

"Honestly? Somehow, they just keep getting worse. I find it hard to do… well, anything at this point," I said, making my face scrunch up. "My place certainly isn't getting any brighter."

"Don't worry. I know things will lighten up eventually," she said reassuringly, the reason why we became friends resurfacing, but I just couldn't believe her words.

"I hope you're right." I leaned away from the window before checking what time it was and sadly didn't have much left.

"Sorry, but I really need to leave. Maybe next time after school we'll hang out," I said before grabbing my bag

"Good luck out there," she said with a wave, which I wordlessly gave back before exiting the cafeteria. I looked around the campus one more time before picking up the pace and aimed for my father's place, which was quite far away, but I had no other choice but to comply.

I slowly walked my way through the crowded streets of this big city filled with shining Christmas decorations everywhere. People were lollygagging about, either in a rush to find their perfect gifts, or the annoying hunks of car horns, signaling another traffic jam.

A common sight around these parts.

Normally, I would be excited to get home, be with my family, eat dinner, get drunk, give presents and all, but after what happened, our light just seemed to vanish after—

I shook my head to not think about it and held my head high while keeping up a brisk walk and reached the biggest bridge this city had to offer. Once I took my first step however, the place became weirdly quiet, like a switch was flipped to turn off all the sound around me.

I ignored it and kept moving up the bridge filled with statues that were also the victims of the Christmas' spirit. The lights flickered multiple colors, illuminating the empty bridge with not a single soul around to keep me mild company or reassurance.

A lump in my throat formed before I resumed my brisk walk down the bridge to get out of here as soon as possible.

But after I tried to leave the bridge behind, and bring my feet off of it, I dully slammed into… something that stopped me from doing so. I let out a yelp before I landed on my rear with a soft crunch, the powdered snow cushioning my fall.

"Ow…"

I rubbed my head before my eyes gained back their focus to see what I slammed into, but there was nothing in front of me. All I could spot was the end of the bridge leading down to another part of the city.

"What?" I exclaimed, hoisting myself up while the cold snow bit into my skin, yet it was overshadowed by how dumbfounded I felt right now.

I extended my hand before slowly walking down to the road ahead of me, yet it stopped, hanging in the air. I didn't feel anything, so I leaned my other hand and began to push harder. It looked like I was a clown, standing in front of an invisible object.

But this wasn't a show, I literally couldn't move through no matter how hard I pushed.

I huffed before looking around, trying to find what was stopping me. The lights that kept flickering on the statues were locked into a single color, nor any snow was falling, making me look up before my eyes shot wide open.

The snowflakes hung in place, like they were tied to some invisible string.

My heart began to pound, and I rushed to the railing of the bridge. Thankfully, nothing stopped me from doing so before I looked down at the river, making me gasp.

The water wasn't moving at all, every single wave that was on the verge of falling just didn't. Then, as things couldn't get any worse, a sudden earthquake shook the entire bridge, forcing me to kneel down.

I had no idea what was happening. My body was telling me to run, but I didn't know where, but once the brief earthquake ended, I tried to push against the invisible wall again. I even banged at it, yet not even a thud came from it.

"Let me out!" I yelled at the top of my lungs before I heard a crack, the sound somehow making me shiver. I looked down at my feet and I wished I didn't as a small fissure was right beneath me.

The only place I had to go was back up the bridge and without missing a beat, I bolted to the other side. Each step I made seemingly made the fissures crawl their way up the bridge like they were trying to chase me down, always visible at the edges of my vision.

The statues themselves were shattering under the momentary earthquake. The lights broke under the tension, the electricity wanting to jump from place to place, but was suspended, like cruel forking white trees.

I kept running, hoping the other side would come to save me from this place, yet the bridge had other plans. It was breaking, large pieces of rock and cement crashed down into the river, but not a single splash filled my ears, like they were falling into the abyss instead.

I didn't look back, only forward to the safe place of the road with stable earth underneath. I was almost ready to cry from relief when I saw the end of the bridge leading into the city that hadn't collapsed and I sped up as much as possible.

Only to land into the same invisible wall when my feet tried to cross.

I kept my footing this time, but my breath hitched when the fissures reached my feet again, creating a circle around me like I was caught.

I didn't have a safe place to move to, and I landed on my knees when my legs gave out, staring at the city longingly. Tears welled up in my ears while the bridge was mocking me in the process, the ground not breaking under me.

I looked up into the snow-filled sky, hoping something, anything to happen that could save me.

"Please, somebody… help me."

The bridge had enough, and with a final and defining crack, it fully broke, sending me falling into the fissures and complete nothingness. I thought I was going to drown or die my way down, but none of those happened.

I kept falling, and falling, and falling, until it felt like I wasn't falling at all. I tried to jerk my head around so my eyes could focus on something, and yet, the darkness around me, while cold, was somewhat comforting.

My mind seemed to drift away, and couldn't fully comprehend what was happening anymore.

I kept staring up, or I thought was up into the nothingness, until my eyes slowly closed shut on their own, yet, through all of that, I didn't feel more at peace. Nothing was disturbing me from my slumber. Not my father's demands, not my mother's ridiculously overbearing nature, or all of the work I was drowning in at my university.

Nothing.

{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}

The peaceful sleep that I hoped would never end was interrupted by a small gust of wind that I somehow was able to feel even through my clothes. It was warm, quite the contrast to the winter season.

A groan escaped my lips before I realized I was actually laying down on the hard ground, making my back stiff. Hoisting myself up was a little difficult because of it, but I eventually was able to sit down, finding something to lean on my back. It was also very tough, but it still allowed me to reciprocate before opening my eyes.

"Ow!" I winced, immediately closing them shut because of the harsh sun. After I shielded my eyes with my arm and looked around again, I was even more confused.

"Where… am I?" I asked myself as I stared at a green field filled with wheat and barley, billowing in the wind while birds glided across the meadow. I looked up to the cloudless sky with only the sun indicating noon hours with the crown of a single apple tree blocking all the harsh light of the world above me.

Except for my eyes, apparently.

I slowly but surely got up, finding the feeling of standing on a stable ground extremely reassuring before gazing at the scenery again. I had to say, it looked kind of beautiful, in comparison to the constant loud traffic and glowing streetlights I was used to.

But that didn't answer me why I was here in the first place!

I immediately went to my bag to find a phone, only to realize I didn't have it somehow. Even the usual handbag I always had strapped wasn't with me as well.

...and most of my clothes too.

Ok, this was getting weirder by the second. Not only I didn't have my stuff with me, but my jacket, scarf, and sweater were all gone. I was left with only my deep blue button-up shirt and my casual-styled black skirt that reached down to my legs. I instinctively touched my ear to make sure my earring was on, and it thankfully was.

But all of that paled in comparison to how hot I felt right now.

Even after losing all my baggage, I felt like I was in Italy all over again and a heat stroke was the last thing I wanted right now. Too bad my only option was walking around half-naked and God knew I wasn't doing that any time soon.

With a loud groan, I looked back at the only place where I wouldn't meet such fate and that was this apple tree, right in the middle of this field like some black sheep among the herd.

For all I knew, this could be my heaven, but after pinching my arm, and letting out a small yelp of pain, I was sure I was somehow still alive.

If that was a good or a bad thing, I didn't know yet, but I wasn't going to waste it again on some wild goose chase to find civilization. The nature around me kept me company well enough.

I decided to sit down under the shadow of the crown, yet even that somehow was interrupted by a metal rod blocking my seat. I winced under the sudden cold touch and immediately stood up, finding said object on the ground.

"What's this doing here? I swear it wasn't here before," I said while picking up the rod.

It didn't look anything special, only a bar that was surprisingly clean for it being on the ground. It did have a wrapped cloth handle that was weirdly placed closer to the top than the bottom, and once I looked up, I was met with a pair of silver metal wings folded around a single gem socket that was empty. After I took a hold of it by the handle, it felt weirdly comfortable, like it was made to fit my hands alone.

I didn't know why this fancy walking stick was here, but looking around the place told me it was left behind.

"Makes me wonder why…" I trailed off before stretching my hands with a content hum. "Well, not like I'm going anywhere any time soon to find out."

I used the rod to lay down on the ground again, fixing my skirt in the process before leaning on the tree, looking up the multiple spiderwebs of light piercing through the leaves. I spotted a few ripe apples hanging on the branches, and a small churn from my stomach made me want to taste one.

I was too lazy to get up again, so I gave the tree a big whack with my new stick. It shook slightly before one of the apples landed right in front of me, begging me to pick it up. Its almost glistening surface under the light didn't stop me from taking a bite of the sweet, although slightly bitter fruit.

It paled in comparison to any apple you could buy in a store, and soon enough, it was gone, only the stem and the core of the apple still in my hands. I threw it away with little care before looking up again, a smile gracing my features.

"I could get used to this," I mused out loud.

If this was some sort of my purgatory to live in, then I didn't have any objections. Being free of all the stress my family exerted felt freeing. I honestly wished this would last forever, ignorant of everything that was happening around me.

A small rustle interrupted my musings that sounded distinctively different from the constant wind flapping the grass around. I tensed up before jerking my head around to spot the source, only to find out it was coming from the back of the tree.

Then a dull thud followed up, making me all the more curious to see what was happening behind me. I stood up before slowly but surely peeking, leaning a little on the tree and my eyes widened, almost ready to gasp.

I wasn't alone.

Laying on the ground was a young man with a big dark purple coat that covered most of his body, only his baggy pants, and creamy shirt were visible. He was breathing heavily, his eyes forced shut, but that wasn't what made me react that way.

His body was covered in blood, with several tears on his clothing while cuts and bruises littered his body. He winced, unable to move around much while fiddling around to find something in his coat.

I took an instinctive step back, not only because of how nauseous I felt from the sight, but I also wanted nothing to do with this. A single weak branch met my foot, and the crack it let out felt like a bomb went off with how loud it felt, making the man jerk his head towards my direction.

I stiffened immediately under his amber eyes that bore into my green ones, and it somehow made him snarl of all things. He suddenly had enough strength to hoist himself up, almost dashing towards me while brandishing something from his coat.

He knocked me down on the ground, forcing me to yelp, before pinning me with his entire body, one of his hands leaning next to my head. He leveled a sword of all things against my throat while small drops of bloodied sweat poured down his temples. His breaths were extremely heavy and forced, like even the smallest of winds would knock him down.

"Who sent you!?" He said, his voice filled with venom and hate while I was too stunned to speak. I was expecting a lot of things, but this wasn't one of them, and once the situation dawned on me, I tried to free myself from his grip.

"Let me go!" I yelled at him, but he still somehow had enough strength to keep me still.

"I won't until you tell me who sent you!" He said, wincing a little after he finished.

"I don't know, alright!? You showed up out of nowhere and then attacked me!" I said before I yelped again under his tight grip, forcing tears to well up in my eyes. "Let go…"

As if the man realized his mistake, his grip loosened enough for me to kick him away, my heels digging deep into his stomach. He gasped for air before fumbling down at the ground while I picked up the rod and bolted away from the tree as fast as I could.

"W—Wait!" He shouted as much as he could before letting out several coughs, and not one of the harmless ones. A cough that felt extremely similar to the one father always let out when his illness took over.

I stopped, turning to the man keeled over before my eyes widened once I saw blood in his hand. I tightened my grip around my rod, contemplating whether I should help or not.

"This has nothing to do with me," I thought, jerking my body away from him but my legs seemed to disobey any command I gave them to take me away from this place.

"For fuck sake."

I ran towards him, and soon knelt down before repositioning him so he would lay down face up.

"T—Thanks," he forced out before jerking his body specifically to highlight a single pocket in his coat. "There's a vul—"

"Don't talk," I shut him up before digging inside said pocket quickly. I found a small weird prism-shaped bottle before I uncorked it and poured a little on my hand, revealing a blue and chunky liquid.

It was probably a salve of sorts, and after I removed his coat and shirt, I started to coat all of his wounds with it. He winced and was ready to shout in pain, which would at that point make me vomit, so I stuffed my rod inside his mouth to shut him up.

"Bite it down and don't you dare yell," I said with finality.

He gave me a weak nod before I continued nursing him, and much to my amazement, the salve somehow made the injuries immediately close up. The skin around the wounds stitched themselves back together, which made me gag, but I forced it down.

Once I finished I breathed a long sigh, before looking at him, his white platinum hair almost blocking his eyes while I pulled the rod away from his mouth. "Better?"

"Yeah," he let out, but once he tried to stand up, he keeled over again, groaning in pain while he clutched his stomach. I followed his hands, only to find a red mark on his skin, slowly spreading through his body.

A sudden knot formed in my throa,t forcing me to gulp because that was the place I kicked him, which didn't help his recovery at all. The newfound guilt made me extremely desperate, pushing down on the internal wound with as much force as possible, trying to stop the bleeding or... something!

I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I was the final nail in the coffin for this guy! I already helped him so far, I couldn't let him die here!

His groans became screams at this point, and I was probably doing more harm than good by applying pressure on the wound, but it had to help somehow, right?

Right!?

Suddenly, the rod I found began to light up a green and pleasant glow, forcing me to look at it. My eyelids were becoming heavier, exhaustion clawed at me at every fiber of my being, but then my eyes shot wide open when I found my hands emitting the same glow.

Instincts took over, and I immediately leaned both of my arms on his stomach, and the effect was instantaneous. He calmed down, his breaths became rhythmic, and soon, the glow from my hands began to fade away, signaling I had done everything I could.

His eyes slowly opened. Sure, he looked tired, but any pain he had left was gone, allowing him to sit up. He touched his stomach, even giving it a small jab, and he didn't even wince before looking up at me.

"Thanks," he said, all the venom his voice held was gone.

"Y—Yeah, no problem," I said automatically, still dumbfounded by this situation. I glanced back at the rod, which wasn't lit up, with a hundred-yard stare. So many questions were piling up right now that it made me even more tired than before.

Blinking once, my body seemed to shut down on its own before I met the cold hard ground with a single dull thud.

{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}

I was able to regain my senses, the only thing I saw was pure darkness, maybe because I had my eyes closed. I fumbled around a bit, feeling the somewhat soft mattress hugging my tired body.

Wait… a mattress?

I forced my eyes to open, and all I could pick out was brown blurs everywhere around me. I blinked a few times to regain my focus before spotting a lot of wood around every corner. Hoisting myself up to sit rewarded me with the clear revelation that I was in a bedroom, as the sap and smell of old logs invaded my nostrils.

I sneezed once, my usual allergy coming back to haunt me.

"Naga bless you," I heard from my left side.

"Than—" I stopped myself before jerking my head to spot the man I saved somehow, sitting on a stool while stitching his coat back together with surprising skill.

"Had a good rest?" He asked, a small but still noticeable smile on his face.

"I…" I trailed off before looking up at the ceiling. "Where are we?"

"In a pub. The innkeeper was kind enough to let us in when he saw me carrying you around unconscious," he said, turning his attention back to his coat. "Thanks for the free pass, by the way."

What was he talking about? All of his words sounded like I was in a play mimicking medieval times. I clutched my head in confusion, and frustration to boot.

"What the hell is happening right now?" I asked out loud, and the man quirked a brow.

"You're in bed, and I'm fixing my coat if you're curious," he said nonchalantly, and I gave him an unamused stare.

"Nice, smartass. What's the next thing you're going to tell me?" I said.

"That you're quite heavy for your looks?"

"Hey!" I shouted at him, which prompted a small chuckle from him while putting his hands up defensively.

"Sorry, didn't mean it like that. It just took a little amount of effort to get you here to this town," he said before putting his coat down. "The name's Robin, it's a pleasure to meet you."

I narrowed my gaze at him before breathing a sigh while getting the feather-filled sheets off of me. "Theresa. Can't say it is a pleasure for me, but I guess it'll have to do for now."

Robin hummed before continuing his mending while I got up from the bed. I was able to find a dusty and slightly cracked mirror where I stared at myself for a moment before fixing my bed hair. I wished I had a comb or something right now, because these long blond strands were becoming more of a hassle than anything.

"So, what were you doing alone out in the fields? I don't want to sound presumptuous, but you don't seem like the type who would hang around the wilderness, let alone unarmed," he pointed out.

"I… don't know myself, really. I just suddenly appeared there before you showed up," I said honestly for once, but my answer only made Robin warier.

"People don't 'suddenly appear' out of nowhere, Theresa," he said, making me scowl.

"Look, I didn't ask for that to happen when a bridge suddenly collapsed under me and brought me there of all places," I shot back before I crossed my arms. "And what's with your get-up anyway? You look like you came from an anime convention."

"First of all, I don't know how a collapsing bridge connects to you appearing out of nowhere, as you put it, and second," He stopped and gave me a scrutinous look. "What is an anime convention?"

I let out a groan while bringing my hands down my face. "God, where did I end up?"

Robin breathed a sigh. "Look, Theresa, I'm trying to help you here because you look more confused than anything."

"Confused, yes, but I didn't know what I did to earn your help."

"Are you forgetting you saved my life? Helping you sort things out is the least I could do."

That made me pause. The events that happened seemed to dawn on me before I looked around to find that rod and I found it leaning on the bed.

"What did I do?" I asked.

"You healed me, and the fact you have to ask that question allows me to assume you don't know what a staff is," Robin explained. "I'm just surprised you managed to make it work without a gem."

"Alright, back up," I said, holding my hands in front of me. "You just said a lot of things that don't make sense to me. Fixing someone's stomach by just touching them sounds extremely far-fetched, not to mention how weird that is."

"Yet you did it anyway, even after I pulled a sword at you," Robin countered, making me click my tongue.

"I just did what I felt was right. Even though I have no idea what I did, nor did I like it," I said, before reaching the window and looking outside before my eyes shot wide open.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked, looking up at the sun that was almost ready to disappear behind the hills.

"Long enough for it to be evening," Robin answered, making me raise an eyebrow.

"You don't have a clock or something?" I said.

"Does this place look like it can afford it? Besides, the sun is always a good indicator," he shot back before finally piercing the needle through his coat for the last time, snipping the thread with his teeth. He inspected it, satisfied with his work before putting it on.

"Ah, it's always nice to have it back on. I almost feel naked without it," he said, stretching his limbs in the process before looking back at me. "Anyway, you hungry?"

As soon as his words left his mouth, a small churn from my stomach resonated in the room. It wasn't loud by any means, but the silence amplified the sound to embarrassing levels, my cheeks flushing in color.

Robin let out a chuckle. "I thought you would be. Come on, I'm sure the innkeeper is going to treat us with a meal."

What options did I have to refuse?

"Fine," I said before standing up.

"Be sure to take your staff. We're probably going to move out of this town soon enough anyway," he said, taking me back.

"Wait, we?"

"Do you object? We're on a similar boat when it comes to our situations and sticking together would make things simpler," he offered.

"But… why would you take me with you? I'm horrible at camping," I said, looking away.

"That isn't an issue. I wouldn't mind if I could have any form of company. Besides," he said with a smile before his face darkened suddenly. "This place is too dangerous for you to be alone in."

Even though I had very little reason to believe him, I took the staff anyway, because somehow, his words sounded like they came from experience.

Where the hell did I end up for him to say that?

He gave me a nod before leading me outside of the room before navigating through the worn stone and wooden walls down to the pub, and the smell of sweat and alcohol blasted my nostrils. I was usually accustomed to the latter, but once I looked around and saw the patrons wearing ragged clothing with dirty hands, it gave little to the imagination.

Confusion, on the other hand, came back with a vengeance, because this place just felt battered and old. Wooden mugs and furniture filled with scratches, a lit fireplace, the creaking floor, and candles dimly illuminating the place gave off a rustic and medieval atmosphere.

To say I looked out of place would've been an understatement.

I clutched my staff tightly while my eyes darted from place to place, spotting a few people gazing at me with creepy smiles, smirks, and all kinds of other expressions that made me shudder.

Robin nudged me with his elbow.

"Relax a little. You'll only bring unwanted attention," he whispered, making me send a glare.

"Easy for you to say," I growled quietly.

He gave me a small sigh before aiming for a single table that wasn't occupied and sat down on the hard wooden bench. It was extremely uncomfortable, but all I could do was to lean my hands on the table and let out a groan.

"This place is suffocating," I said, earning Robin's attention through my whining of course.

"Don't be like that, we should be happy they let us take a rest here. People usually aren't this generous," he said before looking at the bar with a burly bartender, rubbing a single mug with a semi-clean rag.

"Do you want anything specific?" He asked.

"As long as I can eat it, I'm fine," I answered, leaning my head on my hand.

He gave me a small smile and a nod before reaching the bartender, leaving me behind to rot under the stupid grins of these patrons. I wasn't blaming him for it, but me being an introvert only made the situation worse.

When Robin was waiting for his order, sitting on a stool while gazing at the kitchen of the bar, some patron decided to roll his dice and proceeded to sit right next to me on the bench. His body emanated such a horrible smell only comparable to used socks after a gym session. It honestly made me lose all of my appetite I had.

"Well hello there, lass. Having a fine day?" He said and even though his words sounded nice on paper, I already knew what his intentions were. It was rather obvious with the devious fake smile that was on his face.

"Would be better if you left me alone," I said neutrally, not looking up to meet him eye to eye.

"Now, lass, we haven't even introduced ourselves and you are already shooing me away. Don't you think that's a bit rude?" He asked.

"I don't find it rude when you came here without my consent. Now shove off," I growled at him, but that only made him laugh.

"The little kitten is showing her claws, I like that in a woman."

Seriously?

Robin quickly came back and touched the man's shoulder, making him turn to Robin who had a smile of his own as well, but the irritation that he exuded was more than palpable.

"Would you mind leaving us?" He asked before the patron clicked his tongue while jerking his shoulder away, a sneer plastered on his features.

"You ought to leave this place, lad. Someone like you is lucky to be around in these parts, let alone alive," He said, making me raise an eyebrow while Robin sighs.

"I don't really care much for what you think about me, I'm only concerned about my partner, and she is clearly uncomfortable with your presence," He explained, his eyebrows slowly knitting together. "Leave."

"Partner?" He parroted before looking down at me with eyes filled with scrutiny before they turned hostile. "Of course it's a wench from Plegia."

He stood up before turning to Robin and spitting right in front of him. "Get lost from this place."

Stomping his way out of our table, Robin breathed another sigh which was when I noticed a platter in his left hand, filled with food and two mugs. "Sorry for that."

"No, it's fine, although will you at least fill me in once we… you know?" I said, and he gave me a curt nod.

"Of course, but you don't have to speed things up for my sake. Take your time."

He then put down the platter on the table, and the smell of cheese and ham invaded my nostrils, making me gulp down whatever I had in my mouth. Even though I was a bit skeptical about the taste, I was too hungry to care.

{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}

We didn't stay long in the inn. Once that single patron spread the word about Robin and me being from this supposed Plegia, we were far from welcomed in that place henceforth.

The town we were in was similarly rustic to the pub, feeling like a time capsule more than anything. Stalls made out of wood and leather had wares sold by the merchants haggling with the buyers for prices that would satisfy both sides. Kids were running around without a care in the world with their small rags of clothing flapping in the wind.

At first, I thought I was in sort of a play, but this didn't feel like a play at all.

It was somehow a real and breathing town, and it further cemented the fact that I was definitely not home anymore.

We were walking in the streets with no clear goal in mind, or at least I thought we did. I had no idea what was going on inside Robin's head.

"So, what happened back there?" I asked, breaking the silence between us.

"Nothing out of the ordinary if you think about it. This country isn't really fond of people from where I'm from," Robin said with closed eyes and his head slumped.

"You got to be more specific than that. I'm sort of lost and have no idea where I am," I pointed out with crossed arms, and a mirthless chuckle escaped Robin's lips.

"Right," He said. "Basically, we're in a country called Ylisse, and Plegia, the place where I'm from, doesn't have the best relationship with this place."

"Ooook, still no idea where I am. Both of these names don't ring a single bell."

"How does that…" He trailed off before a groan escaped his lips. "Then how did you find yourself here in the first place?"

"Like I know the answer to that. I didn't know falling off a bridge would bring me here," I said disappointedly.

"Then I guess it was a good call to take you with me. Gods know what would happen if anybody else would find you," He said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Tell me about it," I agreed while reaching a church that looked way more extravagant than the rest of this town before reaching a stone bridge that led towards the center of the town, bustling with activity and the aforementioned stalls.

Robin stopped his stride before turning to me.

"Let's stock up on some rations before moving out. The quicker we get out of here the better," He said.

"Wait, where are we planning to go anyway?" I asked.

"To the capital. There's bound to be something there that could help us find out what happened to you," He said, my eyes widening in the process.

"But why would you go all this way just to help out like that?" I said.

"Do I really have to repeat myself on why?" He said with a lop-sided grin, making me look away.

"Still feel like you're overblowing this a little," I pointed out, but Robin only let out a chuckle.

"No, not at all. Now, let's—" An explosion interrupted us that rang through the entire city, silencing any conversations that were going on in the streets and forcing everyone to look at the slowly rising smoke in the distance.

Robin's eyes bulged out before shouting, "Quickly! This way!"

I didn't know what was going on, but still gave him a nod and followed him down to another bridge before he hid behind a set of wooden boxes. I crouched down next to him while still having the full view of the main street before another explosion reached our ears while screams resonated around every corner, making me shiver in fear.

"What's going on!?" I shouted at Robin.

"I don't know yet, but it's definitely nothing good," he said with gritted teeth.

Smoke began to permeate the air while the overall temperature rose, making me sweat. I peeked through the box to look at the church we passed by before a gasp escaped my lips.

"Robin, look!" I said while pointing in the general direction. He snapped his head in said way before he clicked his tongue.

"Damn it. Why here?"

A burly man, cladded in leather armor and skulls as his shoulder pads, stared up at the church with a menacing axe in his hand. He let out a booming laugh before turning to his group behind him that looked even worse than him.

"Alright, lads!" He shouted, somehow still being heard despite their loud entrance. "Take everything shiny and sweet lookin' before putting this place to the torch! Hop to it!"

A roaring "Aye!" came from the group before they spread throughout the city, not a single street was being left unchecked.

I clutched my staff tightly, being my only reassurance before turning to Robin pleadingly.

"We have to run!" I said to him, but he stayed glued to his spot. "Come on, we don't have time to sit around and do nothing!"

"No, we have to wait," He said, his lips pressed into a line.

"And for what!?" I shouted.

"For help to arrive."

AN: And this is the project I've been working on. Hope you liked the first chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. It's a breath of fresh air to write for the original fandom I abandoned a few months ago.

Anyway, this is a relatively new take on the OC-insert genre that I want to realize and I hope you will join me on Theresa's journey through the Awakening universe.

Big thanks to the Fanfiction Treehouse for the help theory crafting this idea from the start.

If you want to join our discord server, here is the link: gg/9XG3U7a

God's speed.