Damien wondered where Dylan was right now; if he too had been whisked to this fantasy world.

Damien lay staring at the ceiling pensively, pieces of his fractured memory shifting and integrating into a clearer picture. He felt himself becoming more cognizant of the situation he was in now. Pieces of knowledge from his life on his home world became more whole. While snippets of memories of his distant past life on another world reformed, he couldn't help but notice a frustrating detail.

"Why don't I feel like myself?"

It felt like he was viewing things through the eyes of someone else, yet he knew instinctually, that it was him from his memories. But like two opposing magnets, crucial fragments of memory refused to surface and integrate, seemingly claiming that they did not belong to him; that he was another person, and not the "him" from his memories.

After reaching the end of his patience, Damien pushed aside those questions for another time.

His mind was brought back to his meeting with Shiva and the quest he had recieved. Restoring his memory was his number one priority at the moment. While he had gained some of his memories of Earth, he still lacked almost all memories of himself, and even more of this other world.

Damien's pondering was interrupted by a cute yawn, as the girl from last night stretched and sat up beside him. Memories from the night before surfaced as he realized he had ordered a prostitute without realizing it.

"Good morning, Shelley." Damien said politely.

"..." Shelley ignored him and stood up, turning her back to him. "Breakfast is free with the room. Come downstairs if you want any." She said icily as she walked away and slammed the door.

Sighing, Damien got up and went downstairs for his free breakfast.

***

After leaving a tip to a surprised, but grateful server, Damien departed the dingy brothel. Along the way, he was bothered by a beggar, who he promptly kicked away in disgust. After leaving the dark and twisting alleyways, he came upon the main road. The sun shown down from up high; the heat of noon bearing down.

Stolen story; please report.

People crowded the main road, browsing stalls and windowshopping. All of the townsfolk seemed to be cheery on the surface, but there was an undercurrent of anxiety in the air that Damien didn't fail to notice.

Damien walked out of the shadows into the light, with his hands in his pockets and his head down. He took a left; the opposite direction of the west gate he had come from the night before.

He just walked the streets and paid attention. Half out of curiosity and half out of hope that inspiration would strike.

He eavesdropped on conversations as he navigated the chaotic crowd.

"Do you know why there's no traffic from Hoshi?"

Damien stopped in the middle of the street, garnering weird looks from the people that parted around him.

"I heard the Traitor was seen at Hoshi before- you know..."

"Hush! Don't say anything more. You know what they say..."

Damien waited for a few moments, but the conversation didn't pick back up. He continued strolling down the main street, lost in thought. Hoshi... 

***

A day of walking around and eavesdropping hadn't given Damien any leads, but he did learn a bit about the city he was living in.

While on the prowl for information, he managed to find a much more reputable looking establishment to stay the night. He was greeted by a jolly middle aged woman as he emptied the contents of his ill-gotten coinage onto the counter.

"How much for a night and a meal?"

The Hostess smiled from ear to ear in response.

***

An uneventful meal, and a quick wash and Damien was in a proper bed. He stared out at the moon from the window, as an urge overtook him; he reached into his pocket, but it came up empty. "No smokes, huh?" He sighed as he put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling.

"I've never heard of "smokes" before." Said a delicate voice.

Damien shot out of bed. "Who are you?"

A pale naked woman leaned against the windowsill as she gazed upon the sleeping city.

"My name is Margo."

"No who- look, why are you here?"

Margo cast her gaze towards Damien. "Hmm, you look different."

Damien met her eyes and glared at her. "Do you enjoy toying with me?"

"I don't know what you mean..." Margo turned her attention back towards the city. "But if you want me to leave, I won't linger any longer." Her tone contained a hit of sadness.

She turned and looked Damien deep in the eyes, her blue eyes clear and steady. "But our paths will cross again," A demure smile played across her lips.

Without any fanfare, Margo disappeared. The bell of the church rang throughout the night, indicating the change of the hour.

Goosebumps erupted all over Damien's body. He walked over to the window and closed the wooden shutters.

He lay in bed that night, tossing and turning, trying to ignore the dread building in his chest. It took a long time, but Damien finally fell asleep at the midnight toll of the church bell.