"Ricks?" The boy standing in front of my matches my confused gaze. 

"I don't know. Tera?" 

"I don't know either." Of all the things to remember, I only remember this guys name? Not even he remembers it. "Do you know where we are?"

"Looks like a long hallway made of stone to me."

I don't even try to stop the large sigh that escapes my lips. 

"What? Is that not accurate?"

"Sure, it's accurate, but I could already see that much."

He shrugs, "It's all I know. I gave you my best."

"Okay, whatever. Do you have any memories whatsoever aside from my name?" I put a hand to my forehead, trying to take in the situation.

"Everything I remember... your name is Tera, you are really smart, and you're totally awesome at using Sparrow magic."

Sparrow magic. That rings a bell. Like whatever it is, is on the tip of my tongue. It will probably come to me eventually, but in the meantime it's just good to know that he has a good impression of me. 

"So," His sea green eyes meet mine, "What do you remember?"

I take a moment to gather my thoughts. "Your name is Ricks, you are talented with the sword, and..." I think we used to be really close. I can't say that though. It will just confuse the situation more.

"And?" He looks at me expectantly.

"Nothing. That's all." He narrows his eyes and I try not to avert my gaze. 

"Alright then! Great," He breaks out into a smile, "Now, for proper introductions. I'm Ricks, the greatest swordsman in the land... apparently. It's a pleasure to meet you." He sticks out his hand. 

I grab his hand, "I'm Tera, Sparrow mage and scholar... possibly. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."

He looks into my eyes for a moment longer and then busts out into laughter. I don't know exactly why he's laughing, but I can't help but go along with it. Our laughter echoes down the hallway in both directions until.

Step.

Ricks lets go of my hand that he was still shaking and drew the sword that was at his hip. Flakes of rust fluttered to the floor as he squared himself to the way the noise had come from and I took a stance behind him. 

Step. Drag. Step. Drag.

I see Ricks tighten his grip on his sword as he stares down the dimly lit hallway, searching the shadows. 

"A skeleton!" 

We both saw it emerge at the same time. A human skeleton wearing chainmail armor and carrying a short sword was shuffling toward us. 

Neither of us had armor, so we could not afford to take a blow from the monster. 

"Ter!" Ricks calls out. By instinct I know what he wants. 

"[Sparrow's Wing]!" I shout as I touch his shoulder. 

With that, he rushes the skeleton. His opponent raises it's blade and swings. He jumps. The air carries him above the skeletons blade and he flips over the skeleton, landing a blow with his own blade both knocking the skeleton's head off and snapping his sword in half. 

Clank.

Ricks lands at the same time the pile of bones hits the ground. He looks up at me with a huge grin. 

"I guess I can use the sword!"

"I guess you can." I agree with a smile. "I hope you're sword doesn't end up like... that every time though." 

"This?" He looks down at his blade, "Wha? Oh, crap! I didn't even notice, how could I do this? Now I'm without a-"

He looks up at me as I giggle at his panicked display. I toss him the sword that the skeleton dropped. "Try not to break this one. Who knows what we'll encounter down here."

His head drops, "Yeah, I'll do what I can." He mumbles. 

"And what do you think of the armor?"

"I need to stay light. Don't you worry though, I just won't get hit."

I roll my eyes. "Oh, and what's up with you calling me 'Ter'? Is it really that hard to add on the one let-"

Thwssspshh

An arrow sprouts out of Ricks' back. 

"Ricks!"

My heart pounds. Time slows. 

Thump.

Ricks falls forward. A skeleton. A bow. I scream.

"[Winged Death]!"

A shadow shoots from my body. My vision darkens. 

Thud.

My knees hit the floor. Ricks... I fall onto him.

...

"... wake up. Come on Ter, please. Please wake up. You have to. I can't do this alone. You can't leave me like this."

"Ricks..."

"Tera! You're awake! I kne..."

...

I wake up, finding Ricks asleep with one arm over me protectively. His shirt is wrapped tightly around his left shoulder and I can see blood seeping through the cloth. I gently remove his arm from me and sit up. My head pounds and I fall back. That spell, [Winged Death], it must have spent more mana than I had. Even though I can't recall any more spells that I know, they seem to come to me instinctively. I look over at Ricks who is sleeping with a grimace on his face. I guess I don't have a spell to help him. His breathing is slow, but steady. Trusting that he just needs to rest, I grab his hand to warm my own and close my eyes. 

...

"Ter?"

I'm pulled away from sleep at the last moment. "Yes?"

"Thank goodness you're okay." He said with sigh of relief. 

"Me? No, you should be more worried about yourself. You letting yourself get hit by that arrow is the only reason I entered a state of mana exhaustion. How are you?"

He cracks a pained smile and turns his head to look at me. "I'm doing great, can't you see?"

"No, I really can't. We are lost without supplies, you have a hole in your shoulder, we don't know anything about ourselves, and to top it all off, you're half naked."

"But alas, you're holding my hand, that makes it worth it. We're going to get through this." He squeezes my hand. 

"Oh..." My face flushes, but I don't pull my hand away. "Yes, we'll get through this."