Shaky in posture and barely managing to hold myself standing up, I realize that everything is wrong waking up into this creepy looking forest clearing. One moment I was doing... something... important...probably... and the next blink of an eye has me standing here chilling in the nude.

Why can’t I recall anything at all? I remember standing in a bright light but that’s all there is to it. Who in the world are these two people approaching in front of me and what the hell happened? Symptoms of memory loss can be related to many things but physically I feel fine albeit a little cold from the occasional shifting winds in the air. No pains in the head area or anywhere on my body so it’s a possible side effect of something else? Maybe?

A tired sigh escapes my lungs. Wait why am I naked? A quick glance at my body reveals a gawky frame, approximately one and a half meters in height, tan of color, little muscles and a protruding rib cage that screams of starvation and malnutrition. Not to mention my little dude is tucking itself neatly away to hide from the chilling winds.

So far the initial impression is uninspiring to say the least.

What’s with all this weird looking smaller circular crystal things and the gigantic rock in the middle? Hmm I seem to recall something from looking at them but now is probably not a good time to deal with this without first knowing what’s going on.

“Good morning.” A voice so melodically sweet and innately familiar I know instantly that the older woman out of the two strangers have to know something about me. Maybe even who I am! Hopefully she can tell me what I need to know before I hyperventilate myself into a panic mode. So far her greetings seem pretty casual with no titles or suffix so I need to play this safe, no point in making myself more vulnerable as it is. I can understand her words so there’s hope that I’m from around here at least and this memory loss is a short term thing.

It’s amazing how a spark of hope for normalcy can make me feel more calm and focus.

Alrighty, one step at a time dude and chill out son.

“Can you tell me who I am?” What describes only as childishly squeaky, hoarse overbearing tone my vocal cords emit a voice that even I, its owner finds to be ridiculously whiny and annoying. My internal self-evaluation seems to be a little bit off as the older woman after hearing my question looked a little bit forlorn, seemingly disappointed in what I just said instead of outright annoyed as she should be. This happens in a split second however as she returns to a wide and inviting smile.

Wearing an oversized robe that extends to cover just past the knees, the older woman and her young companion sport the same outfits and hair color with both of their hoods down, revealing luscious silver locks of hair braided into compact curls presenting an overly neat and structured appearance.

That is where the similarities ended however. Light in skin color, with a slender nose and high cheekbones, I am instantly enamoured by the older woman’s natural beauty and grace. On her right hand holds a cane or...staff of strange swirling energy concentrated at the protruded tip, revealing a similar crystallized gem that infused itself within the wooden structure of the scepter. Interestingly, her forearms are covered in what I would describe at a glance to be leathered gauntlets of some kind, possessing elemental properties as they occasionally ignited small bluish lightning currents that trace themselves up and down the leathered pieces.

Pretty badass looking.

On the other hand, her companion sports a darker sun-kissed tan skin, straight nose with all the implications of the beauty she would one day become. With two bright white eyes and silver eyebrows, she seems to be emitting a natural white aura amidst the early afternoon sun rays. In contrast to her older companion, the young girl is armed to the teeth to what seem like every bladed weaponry available in existence attached to her small body. From numerous small daggers to sharp, pointy triangle star-like throwing projectiles, this small girl with the same height as me screams of danger to the common sense and oddly enough, that is something that I’m obviously not in short supply of mentally. Haha go me!

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Probably.

Hopefully.

Somehow my innate knowledge that exists beside my faded memories enable me to recognize that those shiny objects adorned all across her body are weapons and what their general usage comprised of. To make little holes and cuts out of fleshy things, at a safe distance or up close and personal though I doubt the latter, seeing her tiny body frame. Even her hair pins and earrings look like they are of the same shiny silverite colors so it’s safe to say that her fashion sense are pretty straight one color coded.

Self-imposed uniformity at its best.

This aforementioned knowledge of weaponry comes to me as easily as breathing. A little disturbing to say the least since I look like a monster’s chew toy...whatever that means right now.

If I have to guess I would say that they are in their late forties and early teens respectively. Charmingly beautiful the both of them, they appear to give me time to adjust to my surroundings before approaching slowly and respectfully. How thoughtful and considerate. Like a stealthy predator sneaking up onto a unsuspecting prey thinking that all is fine and good before the eventual explosions of violence, gore and destruction…I should prepare to find a direction to bolt out of here just in case-  

*Ahem* with a slight gesture the older woman hands me a similar cloak that are worn between them and I can not snatch it fast enough to satisfy my respect at self decency. At least the little girl is embarrassed enough to pretend to be covering her eyes while peaking through the gaps and tracing my every movements through that one bright white iris of her... Okay that is one outright scary looking little predator. Best to put these clothes on quickly.

“I know you are thoroughly confused,” says the older woman. “...scared, angry, and desperately trying to access the situation to the best of your abilities but please trust me when I say that I will tell you what you need know in due time.” “There is no need to look so intense and it is best that from this moment on until we reach our final destination you do not wander too far or get away from our company, for that path is perilous and unwise.”

Yikes. Escape is a no go then. What she says just now sound like a poetically indirect threat to me. Wait hold on I don’t want these people thinking that I’m angry or anything. Silly woman, why the hell would I want to...I have to say something that will mend this situation quick. After all, if they still wanted me dead...

“Hmph!” I involuntary snort and what follows somehow escape into a low growl. “I’ll Do wHat YoU saY wOMan...foR NOw.” Crap. That sentence is way better in my head. Now I sound confrontational and what the hell voice! Trying to overcompensate for its squeakiness from earlier has made it sound like a demonic low rumblings or something.

Huh? Demons? Wait...Oh no. No. No.

NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

My field of vision shatters. The world fades away. Everything turns into darkness. I am floating in the nothingness of the conscious mind. Endless stars and the ever present emptiness of the void. Then comes the violence. How long have I been fighting? Endless cones of fire engulfing those around me. Their screams of pain terrify me. I am powerless to help them. Corpses and their charred remains mar the battlefields that I walk in. Horrifyingly I recognize these ghastly faces. My brothers and sisters in arms. My friends. My students. My family. They are calling out to me. In their spectacular golden trimmed armors and adorned Elemental weapons. Lips moving in sync while vigorously chanting out my name. Where was I before? Where am I now? A celebration parade? Such happiness. I am so proud of them. I am their protector. I am their champion. My heart is at peace. They kept chanting my name over and over again...What is my name again?

Arghhhh I am in pain! A searing pain. My skin is boiling. A pain of the flesh and of the soul. Please make it stop. Please end my sufferings. Please take me away from this agony. Please help me. Anyone...

No.

No...

I know this would happen. I ask for this. It is far too late for me. This is my sin...and this is the price that I must pay...