Chapter 1

Saranie woke up taking off her broken helmet. She pushed her hair away and coughed up any remainder of food in her body. Rolling on to her side, she lay there on the ground blinking. Eyes, ears, even her touch were all gone. It was like her senses were trying to rework themselves. She shivered as her senses quickly came back. She groaned in pain as she could feel the cuts on her body and smell the burn flesh from those attacks from the portal.

She coughed and took deep breaths to calm herself down. Her whole body even felt cold and hot at the same time. Nothing seemed normal and looking around, that was not the case either.

It was time to heal herself and be ready for anything. As a medic in her squad, she specialized in healing magic. Efficiency with her mana and control. She could still grow more, but for now what she was able to do was more than enough. The problem was that she didn't know where she was. A quick glance around could easily tell her she was nowhere near where the portal was before.

There were no bodies.

It seemed her internal mana pool was refilled. It usually took about half a day to completely refill. So how long had it been?

Saranie cast a diagnostic spell. She believed the pain she currently felt was from the only wounds on her body. She was wrong. Other than the minor cuts and the burnt flesh, a giant gash lay on her back. Deep enough that it nicked her spine. The fact she could move at all was completely insane. To fix that, she was going to need to use some of her lifeforce. The problem with that was that she used so much of it in her last fight. The fact she has any blood within her body is a miracle more than anything else. For now she needed to wait.

"Ahh!"

She screamed as she started healing the minor injuries. First the cuts, closing her skin from the outside world. Another spell to counteract any infections, diseases or poisons that may have gotten in her body. The next, she wasn't really looking forward to it, was replacing the burnt skin with new flesh.

"Ahh ahh ah…"

Essentially she was forcefully removing all the affected areas of her body and then growing more. There was already a scrap of leather in her mouth to help her. What she still couldn't understand was that her body seemed to be completely fine. Other than the obvious injuries, her mana and lifeforce were just fine. Untouched and unused for at least a week. Even her body felt like it was in good shape. If that was the case, then why were all her wounds still fresh?

Right now it wasn't time to find that out, but it would now allow her to cast the spell to heal her back and spine. Of course something like that likely will knock her out and finding a safe place to do that is the most important.

---

She was in a small clearing. Trees, plants, a small path and some metal looking things shining light around her. She didn't even know it was nighttime without that lamp there. It didn't even give off a magical aura, so whatever it was, she needed to stay away from it.

Standing up, she hobbled for a moment. The new skin she created had a baby pink look in patches over her body. It looked like she had some disease as her healed skin was still tan. Honestly she felt a little disgusted by it… More the fact that she needed to clean herself off.

Though wasting her magic now might not be a good idea. Until she knows what is going on, saving it up will help her in the long run.

Following the path ahead of her, she started to hear breathing coming up ahead. Not just that but footsteps. Really fast and coming towards her. Did they sense her magical energy? Who were they? Cultists? Nomads? She hid herself off to the side of the path clamping down on any magical energy that could be leaking out from her.

As the figure came into view from the dark, she saw two people. Both are human. One looked to be a young woman and an older woman. The older one seemed to be chasing the other with a dagger… kitchen knife… in hand?

There was minimal light showing off in the area. Between the lamps… or whatever they are, there was a dark patch, but Saranie could see a branch on the path. In the next moment, the younger girl tripped. The older one jumped on top of the girl screaming.

"I told you not to go after him. Over and over, but you kept looking for him. He is mine and will always be mine. He only looks at you because you are young. You are nothing special. Just get out of my way."

"You are crazy, lady! I don't care about that guy. We just happen to live in the same building. Why can't you understand that!"

"Lies from a little girl. Just-"

Before the older woman could stab the younger one, Saranie came over. She pulled the older one on to the ground at the side, stepping on her hand, and bringing her sword to her neck. Quick and easy, but instead of killing her, she needed to make sure her gut was right. It isn't always right, but it's not always wrong either.

"You are going to kill this girl because she happened to be…"

"Are you trying to get with him too? I should have known that there were more of you out there. Two young girls trying to get with my man. Zakshesh is mine. I will kill you-"

Saranie just wanted to understand the situation. Everything around her was just crazy so far and this crazy woman didn't need to be here. Taking off the woman's head she turned towards the younger woman. Her hair was currently in the dirt, making it look like Saranie's hair. Though she could clearly tell it was a beautiful blond hair underneath it all. It would be nice if she could ask the girl, but it looks like she isn't used to death.

"First time seeing the dead?" The younger woman's eyes showed her horror. Like she was the monster. "She was going to kill you and even threatened me… Look at me kid!" She needed answers.

"Ah!"

"Look, she was going to kill you. I killed her instead. Now, why don't you tell me your name."

"I'm-"

She got cut off as her eyes drifted towards the older woman's body and then head. She puked all over the ground. Saranie backed away in time, like she had done many times during a spar.

"Let it all out. It still happens to me too." Memories of Retii and Klighare's bodies went to the front of her mind. "I won't say it gets easier, but when it's someone you don't know it hits you less. I guess it does for me. Anyway, you knew her right?" A hastened nod came from the girl. "Well she was going to kill you. Once you understand that, it will make you feel a little better. You can call me Saranie. You?"

"Jekki… Jekki!"

"I can hear you just fine. Well, Jekki, how far is the town? I'm new to this area."

"Huh?"

Jekki was clearly avoiding the woman beside them both. Focusing only on Saranie. Of course she recognized that, along with the clear terror and puzzlement over her question. Perhaps Jekki didn't hear her.

"I said… Look, where do you live? I can escort you there." Based on how Jekki was dressed she must have some money. A daughter of some royalty? A princess?

"Why are you laughing?"

"Here let me help you princess!" Saranie laughed a bit more. 'As if a princess was alone being chased by a crazed woman.' She reached out her hand to the still sitting 'princess'.

"Should we leave her? Shouldn't we call the police?"

"The what? Listen, there's no reason to call the guard alright." Actually there was, but she didn't want to deal with them. Having some random person finding this woman's body wouldn't be a good idea. If they find her magical signature here, misunderstandings might occur. "Fine, I'll take care of the body. Just wait there… Here let me help you."

"What… Don't come near me! I don't know you… You killed her."

"Jekki how old are you?"

"Eighteen…"

Jekki flinched as she called her name. Clearly still in shock or whatever. Saranie didn't have time for this right now.

"Death will always happen. When the war started, I was fourteen. I've been fighting for six years. I've killed many people. That woman there is one of them. Now if I wanted to kill you, I could easily have. But I didn't. Know why?" Saranie waited to make sure Jekki was listening. "Because I don't kill innocent people. Sure I don't know if you have done anything evil and whatnot, but that woman was. She was trying to kill you in front of me. I saw that and stopped it."

If she was being honest, she didn't have to kill the older woman. It was just more on instinct. She had more than enough capability to let her live. To take her to the guard and have her sent away. But once she threatened Saranie, it was over. No mercy. She would never let someone go like that on the battlefield. Sure she wasn't there at the moment, but she didn't know where she was either.

"But… But… You don't need to escort me. I will just leave you to it." Jekki was pleading or begging. It didn't matter as much as it frustrated Saranie.

"Jekki! How many times do I have to say I won't hurt you." She walked over to Jekki as she backed away. Just as she was about to trip over the same branch, Saranie moved faster to grab her. "I won't hurt you. Now relax. I will take care of the body and you just wait here." Then she noticed the scrapes on the girl. "Here let me take a look at that."

"Don't hurt me!"

"Alright, you want me to hurt you, I will." She grabbed Jekki's arm. She wasn't gentle at all. "Watch me hurt you!" She was being sarcastic as she cast a diagnostic spell on the girl. Then confirming those cuts and scrapes she created a soft, warm, green glow around the wounds. She rolled her eyes as Jekki stared in wonder at her magic. Then she tensed as the pain from the cut closed and attempted to itch her wound. "Don't touch it."

Jekki's eyes went from her wounds to Saranie then back again.

"What is that?"

"Just a simple healing spell. Don't act like it's some mystical thing princess. Real painful huh."

"Like seriously what was that!"

"Were you sheltered all your life or something? You act like you never got hurt before." Someone like her not getting hurt and healed by a simple spell? Maybe those clothes just looked like they were fancy, but instead she is just a commoner? "Look I just want answers and I would like you to wait around and answer them. Is that so hard?"

Jekki didn't say anything. Either way she went over to the body and cast a spell to eat away at the body. You can easily counter the spell with water, but if you add fire to it then it makes it harder. It will destroy the body so it cannot be used by a necromancer. She wished she had learned this spell long ago…

"Was that magic?"

"Duh!"

She couldn't really deal with the 'princess' right now. Maintaining the both spells on the body took a lot of concentration.

"You're covered in blood."

"I am… Is that a problem?"

"No! No… Not at all. Just like…"

"Look can this wait until I'm done?"

Jekki's silence answered that for her.

---

"Alright I'm done. Now where is the town or village you live in?"

"It's a city…"

"Alright your city. Lead the way."

"But you are covered in blood."

"So?" Sure she could understand that being covered in blood wasn't a great idea entering a populated city, but she wanted to conserve her mana. "What is the city called?" If she knew where the city was located, she could at least understand what was going on.

"Whephaltone…"

"I've never heard of that one before." The sheltered princess theory might not be too far off. Thinking her small village was good enough to be called a city. Though since she hadn't heard of it before, it could be some new place. Then again… "What is the nearest capital city from here?" It could help her determine where she was.

"Uh… It is the capital city of New Colrashire."

"What is that? New Colrashire? I've never heard of that." Where was she? Did they just rename a bunch of places? That actually would make a lot of sense if the war has ended. "Never mind then. Do you have a map or something?"

"I dropped my phone when… she chased me." She sounded confused by the question.

"Phone… Listen, do you have a map or not. Also stop worrying about her. She is dead. Understand? Trust me. The faster you understand that, the better." She watched as Jekki slapped herself in the face. "Stop that!"

"No… I mean this isn't a dream?"

"Of course it isn't."

"Then you are not just some random cosplayer using funky lighting special effects… that woman was just an actor right?"

"What are you talking about?" Saranie was starting to question Jekki. Maybe she was being too tough on her. Clearly she doesn't have a strong will power. "Just focus on going home and I will clean myself up."

She casted a spell that was a bit mana intensive to clean her body and armor. The scent it gave off was a flower from the garden.

---

A lot of people were walking through the streets. At least that was what she thought they were, streets. Paved in a similar black colored material, horseless carriages moved at high speeds past her. The white material path they were walking on felt tough under her feet. Like she was walking on a brick building. Weird.

It was clearly a human city, as no other races could be seen. It was night and still there were so many people. She tried to look at the stars and the moon, but she didn't see anything. It actually scared her, but right now she just focused on her surroundings.

Now a few people actually walked over to her and Jekki trying to… take a picture? Even if she wanted to stand in place while they painted a picture, she was starting to feel like a foreigner. She was yes, but all those things she thought about Jekki were looking to be wrong.

Jekki was clearly a commoner. No doubt about it. None of them even seemed to recognize her. Actually because of the amount of people asking her for things, she felt like she was royalty.

The worst part was that they were unknown people. The place was completely different from what she expected. It was a city alright. Huge was too small of a word to describe the sight around her. The little forest or whatever she was in when she got here was nothing more than a little park next to the city. The last touch of nature surrounded by the humans waiting for it to surrender…

A couple people were following her. She didn't need to see them to understand they were after her. The loud noises around her made her flinch and jump at everything. She picked up her pace with Jekki, grabbed her hand, then found some alley way.

"I don't have time to explain. They are coming. I think we are surrounded."

She was back on the battlefield. The world was starting to make sense again. For some reason she could trust Jekki. Either her ignorance or the fact that nothing made sense… Her trust in that girl didn't make sense, but she was following her gut.

"What? Who? Why? … What is going on?"

Saranie didn't even bother replying. She set up a barrier around Jekki and herself. She pushed some stuff around her to make a defensive barrier. She didn't know who or what their capabilities were. Everything just felt wrong.

A few people that were walking across the street looked in her direction, but walked off. Probably scouts. It wasn't looking good. This whole place had different styles of clothing, she couldn't tell who was a spy or not. Though since they aren't going after her, they must not know what she's capable of yet either. That was good. She had an element of surprise.

If it is town guards who haven't seen combat, she might have a chance. With a place she doesn't know, she should assume the worst. A full on military occupation. Do they even know if the cultists are behind everything?

"Jekki, I need you to answer me right now." She spoke in a whisper, but it was commanding. "Who are your enemies?"

"Enemies?"

"Yes. The war. Who do you people fight against?"

"War? What war?"

At this moment their faces seemed to match.

'The war? The only war that has been going on for the last six years!' Saranie was freaking out in her head. She took the time to look around again, but there was nothing. Everyone around them was moving the same as before. No one peeked in to look at them. They were alone. She was wrong.

Dispelling the barrier on Jekki, Saranie grabbed her by the shirt.

"Where is this? Where are we?" Saranie screamed at the girl. Though she already knew the answer. It wasn't like any of the places she had been before. The humans all wore and did strange things. Nothing was right. Though all her mind could make out was one question.

How did she get here?

---

Eventually she calmed down. It wasn't even half a bell since she got here. At least that was her guess. With no moon or stars to help her here at night.

"Please answer me this Jekki. Have you ever heard of the Skawaad Empire?"

"No." Jekki seemed strangely helpful and resolute. It was weird, but she needed answers. The junk on the ground did seem to be making Jekki uncomfortable, so she would hurry and ask her questions.

"Xerca Federation?" Jekki shook her head. Not good. Now her thoughts were she was on the other side of the world with some strange humans. So she thought of a port city. "Hundnyan, a city on the Duropl ocean?"

"What, but no."

'Maybe this Whephaltone is a landlocked city.' Because if it was an unexplored city, then this would be an amazing discovery. Human's develop on their own. That part made her somewhat proud.

"I think I'm starting to understand." Saranie sighed out.

"Um… yes. I think I understand your predicament."

It was weird to hear that from Jekki.

"What do you mean? What do you understand?"

"Since you can use magic, everything here is different from what you know, and you have a sword… It's obvious what happened to you."

"What?"

"You lived in a fantasy world and then you traveled here. You are from another world. At least that's my best guess since nothing makes sense anymore. I'd rather believe that, than you being a deranged killing who killed someone."

"Another world? You said you were eighteen right? Are all of your people as crazy as you are?"

"What do you mean my people?"

"Obviously I'm talking about the other humans in the city here. I mean it's cool and all that you guys developed without discovering the rest of the world. Some of the stuff you guys have done is outstanding, but you clearly lack common sense." She sighed. "I mean I don't really know what happened, but I was involved in something… and well long story short, I ended it. The world is still standing so that is good. Anyway something happened and I must have traveled to your city here."

"There's something wrong with that theory though."

"What would you know?"

"Magic doesn't exist. I mean I saw you use it and I still don't believe it. Also we already discovered the whole world. We even went into space."

"Space?"

"Clearly your people are primitive compared to mine." That smug smile from Jekki rubbed her the wrong way. She grabbed her by the collar and hoisted the girl up. She was light compared to her allies.

"We are not primitives. Clearly there are things I still don't understand, but your over active imagination is affecting you."

Sure as a commoner she hadn't seen magic until she was even eight years old. That was new and exciting. Perhaps the arch wizards are hoarding the information or some royalty. Best to hide her abilities for now.

In truth though she was in denial. The whole thing really. Was this all a dream? Was she going to wake up soon to fight against those cultists and stop the portal? No, not even Saranie believed that. This was all too real. The pain. The sights. It was too much. Too clear.

She dropped Jekki on the ground. The girl started crying out of frustration.

"I don't understand it either. I just go to work like a normal day. Then after work, someone tells me to stay away. I brush them off, not really paying attention. Then Brecsta pulls out a knife. I see her and just run. I ended up in the park where she tried to kill me. Then… Then… She's dead. I mean I knew her and all. I never believed that she would do something like that. I thought she was just some nice older lady. Like my mother. No, she was just crazy. Trying to kill me over some misunderstanding."

"Hey-" Saranie tried to comfort her. She did feel bad, but Jekki ended up brushing her off. She did deserve that.

"Then you kill her. Some crazy person wearing some fantasy cosplay. I'm freaking out that you will kill me. Then you start talking… I don't know you. Then you do some crazy magic stuff. I mean real magic. Like real… I don't get it. Then you like destroyed her body and then go all crazy yourself with some weird PTSD thing. What am I supposed to understand? What do I do? If you are going to kill me, then do it. Otherwise, we don't know each other. I'm leaving. Bye!"

Then Jekki starts walking off. Saranie just stayed back in the dark alleyway. Dark and disgusting. She tried to take that whole thing in, barely able to understand it all.