Touji lay on the couch, book in hand, his reading glasses resting on the bridge of his nose.

"But just why?"

Touji gently lifted his glasses off his nose and placed them on the table. They weren't his but he sometimes wore them at home since they made him feel eccentric.

The novel in question was trying to explain how to him that after everything that had conspired throughout its contents everyone's problems could have been solved if they had just talked it out and cleared up the misunderstanding.

"More garbage." He exclaimed. He uttered this statement with regret as he had enjoyed the story up until this point and yet the author had decided to change the narrative pre-climax to a cheap excuse for why he ended it the way he did, which was unsatisfactory to say the least.

"Why do authors do this? They have a compelling idea, they write twenty to thirty chapters exploring said concept, and then seemingly run out of ideas, all the while not considering how they were even going to end the series when they started. All leading to bad pacing, bad power scaling and cheap and uninspiring endings like let's all be friends. Piss off book."

"Touji, language."

"Sorry."

A beautiful and attractive woman sat in the living room, peacefully knitting a pair of oven mittens. She was dressed in a white blouse and a pink skirt, her hair tied into a neat ponytail. Her eyes were endowed with a light green hue and their soft and delicate complexion were just a few of the attributes he failed to receive from her.

Touji placed the glasses on the counter beside him and flopped his back down, the cushions giving way to the sudden weight.

He yawned and stretched his arms, his eyes beginning to strain. Placing the book down next to him and closed his eyes and began to hum a methodical tune he had been listening to a few too many times that day.

"When does dad come home?"

"He said he's arriving soon." His mom put her knitting kit away and calmly went into the kitchen to prepare any remaining dishes required for their supper.

Touji thought back over the way. Not a whole lot happened and quite frankly he liked it that day. School was tiring. His classmates were annoying the teachers as usual, they in turn seemed too ignorant for their own good.

He didn't hate the school; he just didn't see a reason for it. He was neither good nor bad at his studies, simply average and really that's all he needed. What would he gain out of trying harder? Life was comfortable, not too hard, not too easy. He took pleasure in the daily nuances of routine, a way of living life without thinking. These allowed his mind to focus on ideas and subjects he took an interested in. He liked where he was.

Touji never understood the sentiment of those who wanted to travel the world or accomplish something great in their lifetime. People who believe in such fantasies are simply doing it for the sake of quieting their own guilt about how trashy their life already is, and then use the failure of attaining such goals as an excuse for why their life sucked in the first place. At least, this was the conclusion Touji had come to over is short life span.

He yawned, overexaggerating every gesture.Light footsteps were heard from up the stairs as the petite face of his sister appeared from around the corner.

"Tou, are you sleeping?"

Touji rolled onto his side, facing her, his eyes closed.

"Maybe."

"Liar"

"..."

"Tou, wake up." She ran over to the couch, almost tripping over her bear costume she was wearing and jumped on top her brother, squishing her face into his chest and grabbing hold of his arms, attempting to pin him down.

"I got you!" She squeezed excitedly.

"I don't know about that. Do you know the one thing bears aren't immune too?" He opened his eyes and poked his finger into her belly.

"Bear tickles!"

Hina began to squeal, her hands attempting to release his arms.

"No! Stop-stop!" She burst into childish laughter.

"Revenge for waking me up." He continued poking.

"No, I surrender-ha-haha."

"Good. Now since you lost, go ask mom if she needs you to help her with anything."

"Yessh."

Touji chuckled to himself. Hina had a thing for turning many an S into a 'sh' sound, a habit she had ever since she was small.

-Maybe I should talk to mom about giving her that goldfish she wanted. He thought to himself.

The footsteps returned as the little bear costume entered the room again.

"No chores, huh?"

She shook her head. "Mommy is talking to herself."

"Talking to herself?"

She nodded.

Touji shrugged, returning his gaze up to the ceiling.

"Hmmm...let's go see."

He flung the two of his hands over, Hina giggling as she was lifted into the air.

"Welp, whatever excuse you need to get out of cleaning, eh?"

Suddenly his mom walked in from the kitchen, wiping her eyes. A smile imprinted over her face.

She gazed at Touji as he stood still holding Hina above his head.

"I-just wanted to let you both know. I love you a whole, whole lot."

"We love you too mom." He replied, a little surprised but also not in the mood to play the ‘that’s embarrassing’ card.

A year, four months and 14 days later Touji left this world behind.

***

He woke, his eyelids strained and heavy. There was no sun, no sky, just the stone ceiling gazing back at him with an inimical stare. As the fog in his head subsided, he brushed his brow and wiped the sweat off with his sleeve. The creeping of the boards beneath him reminded him things had yet to become better. He didn't want to get up. Sleep. He wanted more of it. He didn't want to wake up anymore.

-Wouldn't it just be nice to just sleep for a year and then wake up in a hospital? I'd get to see my worried family's faces when I wake up. Notice how grown-up Souma and Hina have become. Complaint about the hospital food. I got scolded by my mom. Get annoyed when they hug me-Oh, no. I should really stop. Otherwise, I might let it out. I gotta keep myself together.

Touji flung himself off the bed frame, his feet landing on the cold stone.

-Let's get out of this place.

He ruffled his hair and straightened his back, rolling his shoulders and neck. It felt weird doing his old wake-up routine, though he was unable to give an accurate prediction of the time as there was neither a clock nor a window to use as a reference.

Tossing his hoodie over his shoulders as he slides it down over his chest, he proceeded towards the door. As he reached the door, Touji gently twisted the nob and attempted to push the door ajar.

It failed to open. Sweat began accumulating on Touji's brow.

-It can't be.

He gave the door a shove, hoping that he was incorrect.

-Dammit.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

The door didn't budge.

"Excuse me, aneki. But you could have just asked me to move."

Touji surprised and slightly disoriented, fell backwards landing on the bed.

Foss sat curled up at his feet with one leg crossed and a mischievous grin plastered over his face, his back firmly pressed up against the door.

"Wh-when did you get there?" Touji stuttered.

Foss raised a finger.

"All-night aneki. Watch'n your face was quite the boring task."

"I don't know if I should be embarrassed or creeped out by that information?"

Foss shrugged, passing him off with another unwarranted question, "Where's aneki go'n?"

"That's a good question. I was going to leave this room and potentially out the front door but with you guarding it like a dog I'm beginning to think there may be a few hithes along the way. Also, I'm very scared you are trying to lock me in here. Am I wrong to believe such a thing?"

"Haha, no not entirely. I'm supp'sed ta watch ya."

"Bro, I've gotten that much."

"Haha."

Foss and Touji glared at each other, the former seemingly not catching on.

"So, are you going to let me through?"

"Yeah. I was supposed to try and convince ya t'stay one last time but I kinda ran out of words."

"Okay so, are you gonna move?"

"No, I'm just really tired so I'll rest here a while."

Touji couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny or if he was literally just out to screw with him until the very last minute, but either way he had to move. As he tried to manually remove Foss he was met with an unexpected amount of force. The door swung open, knocking both of them over as Fairial walked in, a heavily knit cloak around her shoulders and another hung around her arm.

For a brief moment she stared down at the two, awkwardly sprawled out on the ground.

"Foss, can you explain this?" Fairial asked.

"I don't think so." Foss replied in the most unbelievable fashion imaginable.

"..."

There was a moment of silence to pay respect to the outlandish situation.

"Aneki, can ya help me up?"

"Pick up yourself!"

Fairial sighed tossing the cloak in Touji's direction.

"Get up."

Both stood up, afraid that perhaps the disapproval on her face would result in something physical.

"Foss you are in charge of assembling our guest at entrance 46-B before the third shift. Me and Exia will meet you there shortly."

"Aye! Aye!"

Fairial then turned towards Touji as he slipped his hands through the cloak's arm holes.

"Naegi, we have arranged a carriage which will ensure your safe travel from Shizma to a town further east of the capital previously discussed. We have also arranged for you to visit the girl you brought with you as requested. She is currently and will continue to be taken care of by a member of the black tails.”

“Thanks”

Fairial nodded in response. “From this moment till you reach the outer skirts will be treacherous. Be on guard."

"Yes ma'am." Touji said as he adjusted the cloth over his shoulders.

"Let's go."

Touji followed Foss into the outer hallway. After a brief send off from Fairial, they then proceeded in opposite directions, with blondie leading ahead, humming a tune quite unfamiliar to him. They passed by several rooms, each similar in construction and decor, and after a short while descended a staircase. They passed multiple pairs of tall, muscular men, dressed in grey robes and heavy chainmail. They always took a moment to stare as he passed by, making Touji fairly nervous.

Touji kept his eyes on the back of Foss' head, doing his best to not draw any attention.

"Those men belong to the rebel army." Foss whispered.

"I thought you guys were the rebel army." Touji whispered back.

"No, they are entirely separate from us. We do work along side'm on occasion."

"Then what's the difference?"

"We chip down at the powerhouse till it's in a manageable state for the army ta take it from there."

"Chip down, huh?"

Foss continued to hum.

They had been walking for quite some time and Touji was beginning to grasp the sheer size of the tunnel system. There were hallways after hallways, a few every block or so. Touji believed that labyrinth was a better suited name for this place.

After a good ten minutes or so, Foss halted and gestured Touji forward.

"Over here."

He pointed towards the wall, where upon the outline of a door could be made out. He placed his hand up against the wall and gave it a gentle push. The wall sunk slightly revealing a narrow room with a ladder leading up to the ceiling.

After a good five-meter climb, Touji found himself facing a small round object, slightly embedded into the roof. Foss reached out and gave it a firm push. The plate was sliding aside revealing a hint of afternoon light.

A hand was extended.

"Up ya go."

"..."

Touji climbed out of the hole and into an alley. Foss then slipped back down into the tunnel, sliding the lid closed behind him. This was starting to make Touji feel nervous. He was just going to leave the city; how hard can that be?

A horse stood outside the alleys entrance with Fairial seated, her hood pulled over her face. She motioned Touji to come forward, her voice only just above a whisper.

"Seat yourself behind me and keep your hood on."

"Ok."

Touji peeked around the corner, noticing a street filled with people bustling about with their business.

-Is this the marketplace?

"Quickly."

Touji with the help of the black Knight's hand, managed to lift himself onto the horse.

"Now, sit tightly."

Fairial whipped the reigns and the horse proceeded at a trot.

The streets were lively. Merchants and buyers alike scattered the road, their shouts and laughs echoing off the walls. On another note, Touji was in a predicament, one many a new motorcyclist may encounter on occasion. He had no clue where he was supposed to put his hands. Her waist and shoulders both seemed wrong. So instead, he chooses to grip the leather settle.

Fairial seemed to notice his indecisiveness and stepped in with a suggestion.

"If you are having trouble sitting you may wrap your hands over my waist."

"I'm fine." Touji piped, his voice unintentionally cracking, heaping more coals onto the already burning pile of embarrassment.

Fairial nodded and focused on steering the horse. As the streets grew wider and more spacious the crowds thinned and the number of houses and buildings diminished.

"We are almost at the first stop." Fairial announced.

Touji only hummed in acknowledgement.

As they passed a church, Fairial motioned towards the gate.

"Go inside, there Exia will greet you. I'll be there shortly."

Touji obeyed, his feet meeting the cobble stone.

Fairial jumped off and walked around the back, gently leading the horse by the reins.

Touji turned and proceeded towards the church doors. The church with its tall pointy steeple with no symbol or emblem on its top and the boarded windows and cracked foundation seemed to imply that the old structure was abandoned or shut down some time before with very little maintenance since.

He pushed the door, the squeaking hinges emitting a haunting creak.

He found himself in what would be considered the main vestibule with seemingly no chairs or pews to be found. The windows, which had probably once been stained, had been removed with only the frames remaining.

He peered down the aisle, examining the large wooden doors which blocked the entrance into the main chapel.

The thought then intruded into his mind if what religions existed in this world? What did they believe in and why? Was there any truth to any of them?

He slid his hand across the wall, retrieving a large amount of white paint. Resisting the urge to wipe it on his pants he settled for his sleeve, hoping no one would notice.

He glanced back at the wall as he noticed the edges of what appeared to be a painting. As he drew his fingers into the unprofessionally plastered white paint, he started to realize that the whole church had been covered in a type of whitewash. What was underneath he could hardly guess.

As he became increasingly invested in the discovery, his love for art galleries quickly came to an abrupt end as a young woman Exia appeared before him out of the thin air.

His hand flew up over his face.

"Holy Shit!"

"Did I scare you?"

"Nope I was just waiting. Didn’t touch a thing."

Her eyebrow rose. "That's not good."

-Does sarcasm not work in this world?

Touji took a moment to examine her attire. If he was to ask himself what an archer would look like, his imagination and what stood before him would line up like a poser and their portrait.

Her head was adorned with a brown hooded cloak, similar to his own, hiding a long blonde hair and striking blue eyes. The cloak had been tied at the front, revealing a sand-colored tunic underneath and a pair of black trousers. At the sides hung a quiver filled with arrows and a recurving bow. Her gaze felt cold, not in an authoritative fashion but as someone who is humanly incapable of seeing the good in anyone who hasn't proven it.

All she needed was some pointed ears and she’d be a picture-perfect elf.

"So, you're Exia, yeah?"

"..." She gazed at him in silence, analyzing every inch of him, her face becoming more and more unsettled as the seconds slowly ticked by. Thankfully, Fairial entered the building, closing the door gently behind her and after a short greeting followed by a solute, she proceeded to lead Touji down the main aisle of the church. She opened a side door, leading straight into an adjoining building.

This structure was much more modest and felt more like a home designed in the eighteen-hundreds. It had a small kitchen, with an island beside it and the living room only separated by a change in the flooring tiles.

"What is this place?"

"An orphanage."

Things started to sink in as Touji now realized that Chylum was now fatherless and motherless at the age of ten or so. He couldn't help but feel guilty and that he played a part in this girl’s life being forever changed.

"Is she awake?" Touji asked.

Exia shook her head. "She is still resting. Would you like me to wake her up?"

"..."

"You can go see her. You have one hour." Fairial noted, her hand resting on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

She led Touji into the room. He began to consider what he was to say. Or perhaps would she hate him? Or could she? Now that he thought about it, she wouldn’t remember him prior to the ordeal, a thought that was quite saddening.

Exia approached Chylum's door and shook her lightly.

"Hey, hey. Wake up."

The woman's voice seemed to suddenly soften something Touji did not expect from the person who had glared at him so menacingly minutes ago. But quickly her face turned to that of concern.

"Exia, what's wrong?" Touji asked, a strange feeling developing in his gut.

Exia ignored him.

"Chylum, can you hear me?"

"What's wrong?"

Fairial pushed past and entered the room.

"Chylum, are you alright-" Fairial’s voice became unsteady.

"What's going on?" Touji inquired, his heart rate increasing rapidly.

The atmosphere was quickly growing intense. The black knight stood silent as she stared into the room.

"Fairial, what's wrong?"

Touji's repeated question was met with no response. He stepped into the room and gazed into the scene.

There sat an empty bed, the sheets scattered about the room. The window was wide open, allowing the wind to pick up the curtains.

Touji's heart stopped.

-Are you serious?

"She was just here." Exia muttered under her breath, a clear sign of disbelief.

On the walls painted in red was the word 'Naegi'.

-Oi, don’t tell me that’s blood. That’s not, right? Please.

Fairial immediately leaped out the window while Exia began vigorously repeated a string of unintelligible words as she scanned the nearby radius for any unfamiliar arclight. Touji stares down at the bed. A small box sat on the pillow. He picked the package up, finding a note stuck to the bottom of the lid.

"This is a gift. Don’t worry, I will send you more. Some big. Some small. Some important. Some are not so. Until one day you will receive a heart. Know that everywhere you go. This package will always reach you."

"..."

Fairial’s head peaked back through the window, the look on her face sending chills down Touji's spine. Neither she nor Exia had found even a single trace. They brought their attention to Touji as a dark cloud had descended over his eyes. His hands began to shake as he felt the blood pumping harder through his veins.

Fairial and Exia stared at him in confusion.

"What's that?" Fairial demanded.

He responded with his throat dry and quivering.

"Her right thumb."