A baby was crying. It was the only noise on the battlefield. Burnt trees. An explosion. Then no sound. I woke up, sweaty, not sure on what I'd just witnessed. It was a dream yet, I couldn't help but wonder if it was a premonition of things to come or things that have already occurred. There was a knock at the door.
"You alright in there?" Mira, I guessed, asked.
"Y-yeah."
"So that screaming was for nothing?"
I did what now? Of course. If being unable to communicate properly wasn't bad enough of an impression, now I'm screaming in my sleep. Fantastic.
"It was just a nightmare. I'm fine, really."
"If you say so. Anyway, get changed and head to the dining room. We'll do introductions there."
"Ok."
I heard her footsteps head towards the right, so I assume the dining room is in that direction. Let's hope so because I was a moron and forgot to ask where the dining room is. Also, what am I meant to get changed into? Formal attire? Military gear? Calm down, Zeke. Think.
I got out of bed and looked out of the window. The sun radiated brightly in the clear sky. A little too brightly but at least it wasn't raining. The landscape was just some hills. All in all, this was a secluded place.
Starting under the bed, I searched for clothes to wear. There was none under or on the bed. Maybe the wardrobe? Pondering this, I opened the wardrobe, only to see frilly dresses and leggings. I value my dignity, so I decided against it for now. Searching the drawers, it came to my attention that it was just ladies undergarments. I sighed.
Tossing my dignity aside painfully, I forced myself unwillingly to wear a dress. It felt humiliating but... wait! Hanging from the hook on the door, there were clothes. Male clothes. Good thing, I realized before anyone saw me. At least that was true for the next five seconds.
The door was flung open. We both stared at each other silently for an intense few seconds.
"What are you doing in my clothes?" Mira whispered angrily.
"It's not what it looks like! I swear! I couldn't find any clothes so-"
"So you raided my wardrobe."
"Yes. I mean not really."
She stormed off again. Man, my communication skills and luck must be in the negatives. I quickly got changed into the clothes on the hook before anyone else could barge in. It was a plain white shirt with some trousers. I exited the room and ended up in a long narrow hallway, heading right and hoped for the best.
Thankfully, luck was finally with me, as I arrived in the dining room where everyone was sat. Yet again, it was a really simple room with wooden tables and chairs. Not much too it. I braced myself for the mocking. Alas, none came. Instead, I was invited to sit down whilst Mira and the small boy were arguing.
"Here you go." I was handed some bread and some water by Kassandra. "I know it's not much, but we're low on supplies at the moment."
Kassandra was woman of tremendous stature, dark-skinned and wore her dark brown hair in twin braids. She had green eyes and despite how she looked, she carried a sweet voice. She seemed to be the mother figure for the group.
"No problem. It's more than the military gives us, trust me." I bit into the bread, expecting it to be stale. However, it was quite possibly the best bread I had ever tasted. The texture and flavour were out of this world. "What is this!? It's tastes amazing!"
"No need to fake the compliments." Kassandra replied.
"I'm not! This is quite frankly, the best ever bread."
We went back and forth for about five minutes. We only stopped because Mira finished her argument with the small boy.
"Order in the court!" She shouted.
What is she, a judge? I thought to myself.
"Where is the old man?" Mira questioned.
"He said something about making preparations." Kassandra answered.
"I'll let him off then. We are now commencing the introduction phase!"
How long does it take to just exchange names!?
"I'm the leader of this organization that is called, 'G.O.L'. The Great Odyssey of Loners. My name is Mira. The irritating small boy is called Ronan. Don't pay him any attention though. The carer of this fine establishment is Kassandra and the old man is Mikel. Don't be caught off guard if he appears different every time you see him. He harbours a unique ability to change his appearance."
Did she just say loners?
"Don't pay her no mind. We're not an organization, just a weird family. Although, none of us are related in any way so maybe colleagues would fit better." Ronan cleared up.
Ronan was of small stature, had dirty blond hair and brown eyes. He seemed like a weakling but his attitude said otherwise.
"We just do odd jobs here and there." Kassandra added.
"Right... I'm Zeke."
"Now that everyone's acquainted, we will now test your abilities." Mira announced.
"Right now?" I asked, mainly because the bread still hadn't been digested properly yet.
"No better time than the present." Mira said.
"Why am I being tested?"
"To see if you can join our ranks."
"Who said I wanted to join? I'm really grateful you helped me, but I don't even know you guys. Who knows? Maybe you're trying to coax me into it, so I have to do all the dirty work."
Mira stood up and walked round to me. She whispered coldly, "We wouldn't want anyone to find out about the dress incident this morning."
This was a predicament. I could join some unidentified group and risk being backstabbed or, I don't join and have my dignity ripped up in front of my very eyes. I wouldn't be able to go out in public again. I wouldn't be able to speak to anyone. She'd backed me into a corner.
"Fine. I'll do your stupid test." I muttered.
"Excellent. Head out from the second door and keep going straight to the training field. You'll be instructed about what to do there."
I went straight away to get this hindrance out the way and done. As I opened the door to the outside world, a burst of colours flooded my eyes. It was unbearable but I kept going. Vibrant flowers littered the fields; their colours ranging from a raging red to melancholic blue to pure white. It was pretty astounding.
Stood, smiling mischievously in the centre of what I assumed was the training field, was old man Mikel, although he looked decades younger than last night.
"Hey kid. You ready?"
Ready? Ready for what!?
I took a step closer to Mikel and the ground underneath me began to crumble. I dived away just in time, only to land in another pitfall.
"Your test is this: If you can reach me before midday, that's in an hour, then you pass."
"How is this a test!?" I screamed.
He was roughly fifty steps from me before I activated the first pitfall. Then I dived diagonally left which activated the second pitfall. From these deductions... I have absolutely nothing! I'm not some cool smart glasses character. Although, now looking at this pitfall, it's not particularly deep so even if I fall every time I take a step, then I'll still make it within the hour.
I clawed my way out with some ease. I took a step. No pitfall. Probably to make me less cautious. I took another step. No pitfall. It felt like a trap but I walked forward and what do you know. There were no more tra- I looked down and a vine had wrapped round my leg. Serves me right for being cocky.
I was dragged back until I activated another pitfall and landed painfully on my arm.
"How long do I have?" I shouted up.
"10 minutes."
"I'm pretty sure 50 minutes haven't passed!"
"No, but I got the time wrong so you have less time."
Why does luck hate me so much? There was no time to feel pity for myself, I just had to charge at him and get there as soon as possible. At least that's what I wanted to think. I broke my arm on the fall so now it was harder to climb up. Somehow, I clawed my way out and charged. I avoided the first wave of vines, then a second. I will do this.
I was within arm's reach of him and that's when it happened. I fell into a much larger pitfall, landing on my broken arm again. The searing pain made it harder to breathe. My consciousness was flickering on the border of awake and asleep.
"Only five minutes remain. I'd hurry up if I were you. It'd be a shame if the others found out about the dress incident." Mira's voice called down.
Was I just hallucinating? The others were indoors and it was just Mikel out here.
"Water sphere!" Mikel shouted.
I rolled out the way of it instinctively and thank the Gods I did. As soon as the sphere made contact with the earth, it sliced right through, leaving a hole in the pitfall.
"Are you trying to kill me!?"
"Sorry, I just happened to accidentally use a dangerous spell in your direction. I beg your forgiveness." Mikel replied sarcastically.
"Shove it up your a-!"
"Now that's not very nice. I'm deeply offended."
I need to get out of this ditch before he tortures me with his words again. There's a vine halfway up the pitfall. If I can grab it then hopefully I can use it as a stepping stone. I jumped and just about reached it. With my remaining strength, I pulled myself up and grabbed onto the ledge of the pitfall. After getting out, I realized Mikel wasn't where he was originally.
"Isn't this against the rules?" I complained.
"What rules?"
Mikel was stood by the house.
"You are really disappointing. Were you not versed in how to utilise mana?" Mikel continued.
"No, of course not. I was told I had no talent for it in the military, so I'm just a foot soldier."
"So we're going to have to teach you the basics. Wonderful." He rolled his eyes. "By the way, you have one minute remaining. Just forfeit, you won't be able to catch me without any use of mana."
"I won't give up. This may be a shady group of people, but they saved my life, so I have to put in all my effort." I shouted. (It sounded cooler in my head)
I started running towards him, dodging the traps effortlessly. I got within arm's reach again but it was too late.
"Ding, ding, ding! Your time is up! Better luck next time." Mikel winked and headed back into the house.
I sat down on the porch, pain sparking whenever a slight vibration hit my arm. I couldn't move it. I just stared at the clear sky. Wondering, wishing for those missing memories. Would I be a completely different person if I regained those memories? Would I be able to actually communicate without hesitation? Would I be more useful? I mulled over these questions for a while until Mira came to find me.
"Why the glum look Zeke?"
"I-I don't know. I just feel incomplete somehow. And it's not just my memories, it's the fact I'm letting you down and everyone else by not remembering."
"I'm sure they'll be returned one day. I can wait until that day. Say, how does sticking with us until they've returned sound? The group would be more than happy with you sticking around after almost beating Mikel's game without the use of mana. Not everyone would climb out of a ditch with a broken arm."
"I think I should stay with you guys for now. It's better than working for a stuck up nobility warring for their own personal greed."
"Great. I'll sort your own accommodations out. We'll heal your arm, and we'll start your lessons with Mikel tomorrow."
"Why does it have to be with the old man? He irritates me."
"Don't be like that. I would help out but the rest of us are doing a job starting tomorrow and won't be back for at least a week. He may act like a child sometimes, but he is the most knowledgeable here. Just try to get along please."
"I'll try but no guarantees."
"Thank you." She smiled.
Now that I had a proper look at her, she was absolutely stunning. She had flowing, long, blond hair, piercing blue eyes and just radiated beauty. Goddamn I need those memories back. What did the past me do to garner so much respect from her?
"Are you checking me out?" Mira blushed.
"Wha- No! I was just thinking how well-built this porch is."
As you can see, I am officially retarded. Is there a God of communication skills? Because I need to have a serious talk with them.
"You say and do some weird things. Some things never change."
It's all over. Past me was also incapable of simple speech. I had some hope but this confirms that I am literally useless at anything conversation related.
"I apologise."
"It's fine. I wouldn't mind being checked out by you. Anyway let's get going. We need to heal that arm."
I really, really need to see what past me did.