I closed my eyes as the arrows hit. I waited but the impact never came. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around to see all of the guards staring at me incredulously. I took advantage of this confusion to run. The pain was excruciating but I had to keep running. That was the second time that day that I should have died. The guards' heavy footsteps followed close behind as I ran towards the woods.

Out of nowhere appeared a boy running beside me. He was a tall, thin teenager with red hair. But something was off. He looked just like me. No, it would be more correct to say that he was me. Seeing myself almost caused me to trip.

"No time to explain!" the other me shouted. "Go hide behind the nearest tree!"

"Who or what are you?" I asked. "And why should I trust you?"

Arrows whistled as they flew past my head.

"I am the Alba Insignis," the other me said. "Now, hurry!"

I ducked behind a tree to my right.

"Now, imagine an alternate world in front of you and step forward," the Alba Insignis said. "Hurry, if they get you then I have to go back there."

"What? That's crazy!"

"Just do it! Quickly!"

I did as he said. I closed my eyes and envisioned another world in my mind. It was a wonderful world with rolling hills and a large lake. I stepped forward. Wind blew past my face. I opened my eyes. An arrow whizzed past my ear.

"Nothing happened!" I shouted

The guards were quickly approaching.

"Run!" yelled the Alba Insignis.

I started running again. I felt like I was running from the scythe man again. I hit almost everything in my path because I was still too sore from this morning. After about five minutes of running I had to stop and lean against a tree to catch my breath. At least the trees prevented the archers from shooting at me. As I was about to start running again the Alba Insignis spoke.

"OK, try again," the Alba Insignis said calmly. "This time imagine this world but with only you, no one else."

"But it didn't work last time," I said, gasping for breath.

"Just try again! We don't have much time!"

I closed my eyes and stepped forward. Then it was silent. It was a similar feeling to right before I passed out earlier.

"You did it!" the Alba Insignis exclaimed gleefully. "Take your time and rest, we are the only ones here."

I slumped back against the trunk of the tree and slid down to a sitting position.

"Where are we?" I asked.

"We are in a sort of phantom dimension you could say. This world replicates the real world in the same state as it was when it is created except this world only has you. No other living being is here except for plants. It also preserves motion. For example, if you step in, walk forward ten feet, and step out you will then be ten feet forward in the real world."

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"How did we get here?"

"You used your magic to step into this pocket dimension."

"Wait, magic? I don't have any magic."

"You do now. I am the Alba Insignis, that pearl, and I can boost the user's magic to the level of a Witch Hunter. Catch your breath and I can start teaching you your magic. I don't know how long we can stay in this world."

"Why do you look like me?"

"I always take the appearance of the user first but I can change my appearance to my normal appearance."

"Yes, please change from me."

The Alba Insignis then changed into teenage girl about my age. She had flowing white hair and glistening golden eyes. She was thin like me but was a bit shorter.

"What are you looking at?" she said. "Anyway, lets begin working on how to use your magic. Up in the corner of your vision do you see three arrows?"

"Yes, I see the three arrows," I said. As I moved my head around they moved with me. "Where are they?"

"Those arrows are inside of your storage dimension, which is a similar dimension to this but it is a void. Also if I read your magic correctly it should also preserve energy. Point your palm towards that tree there."

"Why?"

"Just do it you dimwit," she said harshly.

"Fine," I lifted my hand up and pointed my palm towards the tree she pointed at.

"Okay, now concentrate and try to bring the arrow out of the storage dimension and through your hand."

I pictured the arrow in my head. The sharp arrowhead and the feathered fletchings. I imagined the arrow coming out of my hand. I saw ripples coming from the palm of my hand. Wait, what were those ripples made of? Suddenly the arrow shot out from my hand and hit the tree my palm was pointed at.

"Whoa, did that come from my power? Wait, is that how I was saved from the archers?"

"Yes, you ask too many questions. Why did you have to pick me up? Go grab that arrow from the tree and put it back into your storage but make sure to remember which one it is so you don't shoot it accidentally when you need to shoot an arrow. Rest for five minutes and then we should find a good spot to hide for when we leave this dimension."

"Okay," I said. "By the way, can I give you a nickname? Alba Insignis is too long."

"Do as you wish, I don't care what you call me as long as it isn't an insult."

"Then I'll call you Alby"

"You really are simple aren't you?"