Sorn woke up with a headache. Sitting up in his makeshift bed, he realized he was in new clothes, the same type Keilan had on before. His muscles no longer hurt and he felt mostly rejuvenated.

That’s pretty good.

The last thing he could remember was walking through the woods and talking with Crystal before feeling exhausted and falling. He recalled the information he had learned though. The world they were in consisted of four islands, each representing a different element, with the middle one being a mystery. The island he was on was the Ice Island, and due to the connecting bridges on every island being raised, traversal was impossible. A promised day that was only ten years away, or so it said in the scriptures of the “Ice Clan”.

These were the people who occupied this island, as all other humans were rumored to have been eliminated due to monsters and the harsh climate. The Ice Clan were not mere humans however. They represented a superior race, Elementals. It was with this information that their conversation had been cut off.

Observing his surroundings, Sorn realized he was in a cellar. Various equipment could be seen laying around, most of it rusted and on the verge of decay. Rubbing his eyes, he got up from the bed and made his way upstairs.

As he passed through the door, he was hit instantly with an enticing aroma. He noticed that the shack he was in consisted of three rooms. The cellar that he was just in, the kitchen that he had just entered, and another room connecting to it. As he made his way into the kitchen, he found Crystal above a pot, her former clothes substituted for a casual white robe.

She must be incredibly experienced to cook with something of that color on.

It was then Sorn noticed something strange. Why did he remember basic things, like cooking and speaking but not about his past or the world he lived in? It was almost as if he had been given a selective amount of information to remember.

His thoughts were interrupted upon Crystal noticing him. She perked up immediately as she broke her focus, turning to him with a wide smile. The difference between the way she looked at him compared to Keilan was truly a wonder.

Crystal: “Look who’s up! You’ve been out for three straight days, I was starting to worry you might now wake up.”

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

This news surprised Sorn slightly, but it explained the sudden lack of pain that was now replaced with pangs of hunger.

Sorn: “What are you making?”

Crystal: “Hungry, are you? This is a stew from a Rabball I caught earlier.

Having no idea what a Rabball was, Sorn was about to question it before realizing a lack of a certain presence,

Sorn: “Is Keilan not here?”

Crystal: “No, he doesn’t usually stay here for um, personal reasons. He was hesitant about leaving us together but I told him we’ll be just fine. He’s likely back at the fortress now.”

The comment stung Sorn a little, but he was curious.

Sorn: “Fortress?”

Crystal: “Oh, did I not mention it earlier? The Fortress our clan made in the tallest mountain centuries ago is what most believe is the only civilization in the nation. Come outside, I’ll show you!”

She beckoned Sorn out to the nearby door, and he obediently followed. Upon stepping out, the harsh light of the sun compared to the dim shack immediately blinded him, but as his eyes adjusted, he was faced with an awe inducing scenery. Crystal had not been exaggerating with her claim regarding a fortress built into a mountain. Its large concrete walls were decorated with ice sculptures and structures, built into the mountain in the position of an upwards slope. What was even more daunting perhaps, was the bridge right next to it. This was most definitely the bridge connecting to the middle island that had been mentioned prior. It was so comically large that it made even the mountain beside it look as though it were a mere pebble to a titan. He felt somewhat idiotic for never noticing it earlier, but he decided he would blame his condition at the time.

Sorn gave a fitting comment.

“Woah.”

The reply caused Crystal to giggle slightly, as her straight light blue hair danced in the steady wind surrounding them.

Crystal: “You know, you’re a pretty weird guy. We speak the same language but your dialect is somewhat off putting and I’ve never seen or heard of anyone with black hair.”

It was then Sorn realized he had no clue as to what he actually looked like. This realization brought upon a great deal of anxiety, but he masked it and pulled down a strand of his hair. Sure enough, it was jet black.

Sorn: “Didn’t you say you’re the only people on this island though? Are there other members of your clan with different colored hair?”

Crystal: “No, we all share the same hair color. According to what we learned as children, the Fire and Wind elementals are defined by their red and green hair. Though I’ve never seen either so I couldn’t really confirm that. As for people on this island-”

She paused for a brief moment, contemplating what she was going to say.

Crystal: “We’re all taught we’re the only people on this island, but I don’t think that’s true.”

Sorn: “What makes you say that?”

She hesitated again, pondering for a long five seconds before giving him a gleeful expression.

Crystal: “I’ll show you after we eat, let’s go back inside.”

End.