My eyes open to a barely furnished white room. A cabinet sits against the wall with nothing on it next to a single door. I awake on a padded mat on the floor I stand and seeing no other option, walk through the door. What can only be described as a humanoid creature sits behind a desk. Grey skin covers a bald head with bulbous eyes. It gestures for me to sit and with caution I pull the chair out. It tilts its head at me and then slowly starts to take on a more human appearance. It does this in a strange way, as if every time I blink I'm clearing away fog. It's final form is a older man with greying hair.

"Hello, welcome to system origin. Excuse any misgivings or discomfort, this system has not been used in (unknown) era's. My name shall be guide."

He takes a second and runs a hand through his hair before standing and leaning against the desk.

"I understand that this may be disorientating and confusing."

He claps his hand and takes his seat again.

"But there are things to be prepared, first we need to see your affinities."

After putting a hand on the desk a semi transparent field appears in front of it holding a flurry of numbers and words that are backward to me.

"Hm, well it seems that your status is being withheld at this moment. But your point of selection is being picked as we speak."

Through all of this I have tried to speak, tried to move a finger. I could do nothing besides look on and listen to the man talk.

"Ah yes, I am sorry about that. We haven't much time, I've been asleep a long time collecting power. And I wasn't given long to use it properly, so we must hurry this along."

And with that my vision blurs and as if the man was never there, a vast forest replaces him. I look around, seeing a family of deer seemingly unaware of my sudden appearance. They scatter as I climb to my feet, a trail leads into the forest, seeing no other option I follow it. My circumstances confuse me, the clothes I wear aren't new, they show sign of slight wear. But I don't remember anything before the room, and definitely nothing of my surroundings after. The trail opens into a small village after awhile, with no lights or signs of life aside from various birds nest. Looking through the town it looks as if no one had ever lived here, each house looking as if it was set up for families that never came. In one of the larger buildings a large forge sits with a wall of very basic looking weapons. Without really knowing why I grab a pair of small daggers. If there is a need to use them I'll do better off then a sword, which takes years to master. Or at least I think it would, the knowledge is weird, with no memory to attach to the thoughts. I find dual sheathes for them that wrap around my back. With protection covered I decide that during the daytime, the village doesn't seem too bad. Lots of cobwebs and dust but other than that it might not be a bad idea to shelter up in it. It's fairly small consisting of a handful of smaller building with the large forge and another dining hall that stand out as larger. I've been here for little more than two hours, and still have yet to see any bigger animal than a bird in the village. I was in the middle of these thoughts when I hear grass disturbed nearby. Turning my head I see the top of a blonde head before I hit the ground hard. It takes me a few seconds to get my bearings straight. There are three people including the one who tackled me. The one who tackled me seems to be on the bigger side, I'm surprised he moved so quickly. The other two consist of a smaller black haired man and a younger girl, probably close to her teens. The girl hides behind the small man in a way that shows me they know each other. The one on top of me shows little struggle holding me down and taking my daggers right out of the sheath.

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"Who are you?"

He hisses in my ear before I see the blade of one of my daggers falling towards me. When I flinch the little girl takes a step out from behind the second man.

"Wait Ralph, this one seems different."

"Ralph" stops the dagger an inch or two from my throat and looks at me up and down. When we make eye contact and I give him a terrified blink, he falls off of me. I lean onto my elbows and give a half hearted wave, then Ralph pokes me.

"Could you stop with the tackling and poking, and start to explain why you tackled and poked me?"

They all go pale and give me wide eyes, apparently a sense of humor isn't common wherever I am. It takes a minute or two before Ralph talks again.

"We're sorry, it's just.. You must be new, there is a reason I didn't try talking at first. Most of the time it's better to just attack first before they can get you."

At this the other two seemed to melt into themselves, possibly thinking about the others they've tried that strategy on. I climb to my feet reach down and help Ralph to his feet. At first I thought he was big, but seeing him up close he is a lot bigger. At least 6'8" not including the mess of blonde hair that places him close to 7'. His width alone reminds me of one of the trees that surround us. He pats my shoulder trying to brush off the bruises he puts there, and taking some dirt on the way.

"Again sorry about the whole tackle and question routine. We'll explain later but for right now we have to leave. Listen at this point just the fact that you can form sentences means we have got to stick together."

His logic is rock solid from his stand point I am sure, but to me it seems ridiculous. Why should I leave an empty village with weapons and shelter and go with the ones who look like they have been bush living for a year. This pause must be visible on my face because Ralph hardens his gaze.

"Listen kid, if you tag along with us I can explain everything but for right now, the sun is going down make your decision."

I decide that his ominous comment of there being humans who don't talk and need tackled make my decision for me.

"Okay, I'll take my chances with you guys, but your names might help for starters."

They all seem to lighten a bit after hearing that I'll join them.

"Oh yeah of course."

Ralph says and then points at the other man.

"That is Lj and the little beauty beside him is his daughter Talia."

Ralph back tracks to them and joins in front of Talia, hand reaching for Lj's. At the movement he gives me a weary glance as if to gauge a reaction.

"Well it seems like you guys all know each other pretty well. How long have you been here?"

Lj looks annoyed at the question and looks to the sky before whispering in Ralph's ear. Ralph does a slow nod during this as if digesting something very important.

"Right, well before that we should probably clear the area, not safe."

And with that, and the howling that happened immediately after, I set off with three complete strangers.