(3rd-Person Narrator: Jonathan Edwards)

Jonathan Edwards was delirious. Stumbling in the forest for so long without adequate water, nutrition, and sleep made her suffer from hallucinations and delusions. In fact, she had plenty of terrifying flashbacks and hot fantasies of Tompkins.

Both of these were to escape from the agonizing pain she was feeling for the past days when she wandered the forest. It took 2 weeks for her to recover enough to regain consciousness, as the pain started to decrease instead continuing to increase. During this time, she was treated like a baby: spoon-fed, changed, and washed.

Edwards opened her eyes to see a stone ceiling over her head. She quickly sat up, wincing in pain at her sudden action. The room she was in was sparse, with only hospital beds, some chairs, bedside tables, and curtains surrounding her and the smooth stone room. Two doors led to somewhere else. Edwards felt extremely thankful as it was obvious someone found her and was taking care of her health.

She felt around her body, confused at the new patient's gown that was on her. It was woven from an incredible fabric much softer than any cotton or silk she ever felt... and it was still somewhat nostalgic. Edwards sat in silent contemplation and "thought" of what to do next. That is if she can. Suddenly, the intricate wooden door opened.

In walked a tall, fit man, who dressed in a doctor's clothing. His professional look went well with his estimated 1.8-meter stature. He was carrying what looked to be a tray, with a container of medicine and food on top of it. But there was also something strange about him... he kept coughing every so often.

He looked at Edwards and gasped. Then he set down the tray on the table next to her and began to speak.

(Doctor?) "Parlez-vous français?"

...What the fuck is this!!! Edwards thought. What kind of shit world taunts me with a language I know about, but can't speak!?!

The man repeated himself a couple of times and then tilted his head to look at her closely.

(Doctor?) "Hablo español?"

That is it. Everything just wants to screw with me and never give me a break. A good life? What is that? Happiness? Is it a new type of infective bacterium?

Ignoring Edwards self-deprecating internal monologue, the man tried 5 more languages. Each seemed more basic than the next but still was incomprehensible to our heroine. She muttered her feelings out-loud.

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(Edwards) "Gah, this is bullshit. I'm saved but I can't even talk to another person. Fuck this shit, even when he is multilingual!"

Her savior, however, reacted in shock. Edwards was confused at his reaction but continued to mutter more swears at the world. The man sat down next to her and turned her to face him in the eyes.

(Doctor?) "Are you speaking in a dialect of the Enlightened Language?"

Edwards stopped her tantrum and began to smile. Thank you, God, for letting the world understand me! Edwards said, in a mental prayer to the One in the Beyond.

(Edwards) "Yes, I'm speaking English."

The doctor seemed overjoyed at this discovery but then simmered down to a somber mood.

(Doctor?) "That means your village was visited by Ancestor Logos. How tragic is it that your people died before we could save them."

Edwards paused and then glared at the man.

(Edwards) "What the fuck are you talking about? What shit-ass village? I came from a city!"

(Doctor?) "Your upbringing was quite terrible, given by your crude language," retorted the doctor. "You were stricken ill and at your death bed before I treated you. Every nearby settlement is experiencing the same sickness- even me."

Edwards felt guilt by being the cause of this outbreak. However, she did not care for whoever was affected, so long as those she loved were still in danger.

(Edwards) "Were there any other people that could speak my language?"

(Doctor?) "No," the doctor immediately replied. "Other than the rest of our Aurea people, there is no one else that can speak Enlightened. Our founder, after all, started this language."

The doctor bristled with pride while Edwards looked down in disappointment. No one else followed her, apparently.

(Doctor?) "Oh, forgive my manners, but I am Cleansing Hand," he said, in between coughing. "You are in the company of the town of Auream Regulam and have stayed here for 2 weeks. What is your name, stranger, and how have you found your way here?"

Edwards thought over this new information.

(Edwards) "I am Joanna Edwards," she decided and chose a new name for herself. Her father would approve of it. "I don't remember anything else as I was too sick. That reminds me, do you have any turmeric and seaweed? It would speed up my recovery."

Cleansing Hand was shocked. How terrible was her condition that she forgot her own situation? And to even know the ingredients to treat her illness? His honesty detector that every Aurea had confirmed her words.

(Cleansing Hand) "Yes, we do possess a large quantity of them. What kind of medicine is this that you speak of?"

(Joanna) "It is one to cure any inflammation of the body. The turmeric is specifically to ease the breathing and the seaweed is for better digestion and effects."

Cleansing Hand once again was surprised. He had known turmeric helped treat the illness every Aurea now had, but to improve its effects, he only had to add seaweed? His skill was laughable! Now they all won't be so hampered by this illness that took away almost all of their power.

(Cleansing Hand) "Thank you, dear stranger. I will retrieve this later for you after I administer this treatment to my people. Please enjoy the food and medicine I have left you."

Cleansing Hand left in a coughing fit, without waiting for a response from Edwards... or should I say Joanna? She ate the delicious meal and took some of the medicine. Then, after getting snuggled in bed, Joanna began thinking. Where were Tompkins and the others? What was this new world? And what was this new feeling she felt inside her chest? This warm, energetic pulsing... it's alive!