did the cat just try to “clip my wings” with her? Screw it, I think I’ll just become a drunk.

I tossed a quick glance at my companions, Dehya and Viscoff. Dehya's hair tousled in the wind as she adjusted the large mapping stone she had just purchased. Its surface shimmered, each detail of the continent vividly displayed. I couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm—she looked like a child with a new toy.

"Alright, map genius," I teased, "will that stone show us the best route to Silver Willow Forest?"

Dehya beamed. "Of course, but we need to hurry if we want to catch the marksman. There's no telling how long he'll remain there."

"Catch him? He's probably climbed a tree, bow in hand, waiting to pick off beasts," I laughed. I took the mapping stone and placed it inside my overflowing bag.

Orion, my spirited cat companion who always perched joyfully atop my head, flicked his tail in annoyance, reminding me I needed to manage our supplies more efficiently. "Zain, let me teach you how to use your dimensional storage before I lose my mind to the jingle of your belongings. It's bugging me, and I can't get a good nap," he said, glaring down at me with his bright yellow eyes.

"Shut up, Orion," I chuckled, knowing full well he was right.

"Fine, just follow along," he instructed. I nodded, absorbing his words as he launched into a rapid explanation, demonstrating the way to access the pocket of endless space. It took me a moment, but with a focused push of intent, I could feel the familiar rush of magic enveloping me.

"This is…actually really handy," I exclaimed, sliding all my belongings into the storage. The constant jingling of supplies ceased to exist—a small victory for us all.

Dehya's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can I try too? I've got some things that could use a little space."

"Absolutely not," I quickly retorted, a smirk creeping onto my face. "Your wand should always be close at hand. You know… for emergencies."

"Ha! You think I'd let you keep my things?" she shot back, crossing her arms.

"Just kidding, Dehya. It'd be good for you, honestly." The moment felt light, filled with playful banter, but it didn't stop Viscoff from chiming in.

"Ah, the lovebirds in their natural habitat! Watch out, you might just get tangled up together when We walk into the forest!" He let out a hearty laugh, shaking his intimidating frame.

I felt blood rush to my cheeks, and I shot Dehya a quick sideways glance; her own blush mirrored mine. "We are not lovebirds!" I protested weakly, only to have Viscoff chortle louder.

"Sure, sure. Deny it all you want, just know the rest of the hotel has already placed bets on whether you'll As to marry her before the mission is over!"

With that, laughter erupted among us, ringing through the lively streets as we made our way out of town and into the embrace of the shimmering green woods ahead. The air was electric with magic. I took another glance at the mapping stone, the path to Silver Willow Forest unfolding before us like fate.

The silver willow forest loomed ahead, its trees arching like skeletal fingers against the darkening sky. A chill crept into the air, wrapping around us as I took a hesitant step forward. I felt my heart pound in rhythm with the ominous rustling above. This forest was known for its secrets and dangers, a place where even the bravest dared not tread after sundown. But here I was, a hapless youth, caught in a web of adventure I never intended to weave.

Well maybe a little.

"I swear, I have no skill with the sword," I muttered in my mind, the weight of my faux bravado becoming heavier with each step. Beside me, Orion, my black and gold spirit cat, perched regally atop my head, flicking his tail lazily.

"Don't worry," Orion chimed in, his voice echoing, soothing yet insistent. "Just like last time. Make sure you listen to me."

I snorted, the tension momentarily lifted. "Yeah, yeah, all hail my master cat! I'm kidding, I'll believe in you, Orion."

Our laughter cut through the myrtle gloom, eliciting strange looks from Dehya and Viscoff, who flanked us. Dehya, the vibrant-eyed elf, raised an eyebrow, her hair flowing like a cascading waterfall of purple. Viscoff, the towering man with his forged armor and imposing axe, merely grunted, his attention drawn to the forest's ominous depth.

"What's so funny?" Dehya finally asked, her voice a melody amidst the dark.

"Oh it's nothing," I said, trying to mask my apprehension. The truth was, no one outside my mind could hear Orion. He was my secret, and it was one he planned to keep for now.

Just as we entered the grip of the trees, an unsettling noise reached our ears; a strangled sound, like a man choking on heavy liquid. My instincts ignited a spark of urgency within me. "This way!" I shouted, breaking into a run, heart racing as I followed the sound.

We came upon a clearing, where a man lay sprawled at the base of a willow, his face pale, blood pooling beneath him. My breath hitched. "It's him!" I exclaimed, recognizing the archer we had been searching for.

"Dehya, come quickly! Help him!" I urged, desperation creeping into my voice. She rushed forward, kneeling at his side, her hands trembling as she summoned her magic.

Her vibrant energy radiated from her palms, connected to the earth beneath us, yet the wound in the man's chest remained fierce, a dark abyss. "My mana...it's not enough," she gasped, frustration lacing her tone.

With a deep breath, she closed her eyes and called upon the spirits of the forest. "Oh ancient woods, grant me some of your life force," she whispered, her montane hair glimmering as if caught in a silent wind. The trees around us rustled in response, the air thick with anticipation.

Steadily, I watched as a soft glow enveloped the man. The blood in his throat began to clear, his breathing steadying. "It's working!" I cried out, hope flooding through me.

We had done it. We had saved him.

As the tension ebbed, I glanced at Orion, who was now perched comfortably on Dehya's shoulder, a satisfied look on his feline face. "You see? Not so bad, huh? She's pretty comfy" he mused, sending Zain a wink. He was enjoying this moment.

In that moment, Zain thought about strangling his cat.

The night wrapped itself tightly around the willow trees, their gnarled branches swaying gently, whispering secrets that only the shadows understood. I settled on a mossy patch of ground, my teal hair cascading over my eyes, like a veil of darkness. In this world, I was Zain—an amnesiac vagabond who had stumbled through a rip in reality. No one knew I wasn't just a wanderer; I had come from a place beyond the thin veil that separated our worlds.

Dehya, the elf with her vibrant purple eyes and vibrant purple hair, worked diligently over the small fire she had conjured using her magic, the flames flickering against her features. The enticing aroma of her stew danced through the air, mingling with the damp, earthy scent of the forest. I could almost taste it on my tongue. My stomach gurgled a protest, a reminder of how long it had been since I last had a decent meal.

"Do you think it's ready?" I asked, breaking the tense quiet that lingered amongst us.

Orion, my black and gold spirit cat, perched on Dehya's shoulder, flicked his ears in contemplation. "Yes, Zain, the stew is ready for consumption. You've been grumbling like an empty bag for the last hour." Dehya moving the spoon up to where Orion was, letting him have a taste. He stretched out just as a happy content cat would do.

Before I could retort, Viscoff, our formidable Viking companion, cleared his throat, his voice booming and melodious as he sang a ballad about a hero rescuing his love from the demon king. It was a tune so powerful and uplifting that it felt like a counterpoint to the eerie silence that had fallen upon the forest. In the back of my mind, a thought sparked; this feels like a bit of foreshadowing, doesn't it? F**k!

I turned my gaze to the marksman lying nearby, deep in slumber despite the severity of his wounds. The crimson red bow and pitch-black arrows that lay beside him hinted at his prowess and strength. Yet now he looked frail and vulnerable, fear etched across his features. "What could have done that to him?" I murmured, more to myself than anyone. "Wasn't he supposed to be powerful? Do we even stand a chance?"

A silence thickened the air, each of us absorbed in our thoughts. Dehya's stirring of the pot halted, and Viscoff's song faded into the ambient whispers of the forest, leaving us stranded in a sea of doubt.

"We must have faith," Dehya finally spoke, her violet eyes lingering on the marksman. "He's recovering because we are here. Whatever struck him cannot be as strong as it seems. We have to believe that we're the ones to save him."

"Save him? Or save ourselves?" I retorted, my fingers brushing against the golden earring that housed Orion, my spirit cat. That we was refusing to go back into. I did not want to be here—caught in this darkened wood, facing an unseen foe while faking my own circumstances.

Orion shifted and moved onto my head, sensing my turmoil. "Focus on the present, Zain. Solve the immediate issues before confronting whatever dark force lays out there," he meowed softly, his voice soothing my racing thoughts.

I leaned back, trying to drown out the terror that threatened to envelop me. Viscoff resumed his song, infusing life back into our camp as he erected the last tent.

"Listen," he called out, pausing mid-verse. "The night is dark, but the story just keeps unfolding. We'll defend our new friend, and when anything comes, we'll be ready—standing as one."

My heart raced. The weight of their expectations settled on my shoulders. The night pressed in around us, but deep down, beneath layers of fear and doubt, a flicker of something new ignited—determination.

Whether I came from another world or not, in this moment, I felt like I would fight, not just for our new friend but for the family I had unknowingly found. The darkness of the forest surrounding us, yet for the first time, I felt a strange warmth blossoming in the midst of the chill.

——

The forest loomed around us, every shadow hinting at dangers unseen. The flickering fire cast a sickly glow through the thick willow branches, their tendrils draping like ghostly hugs. I was Zain, the boy faking amnesia, a deception wrapped within a truth I dared not utter. My world was one of crime and desperation, a past I had fled, or really, had been forced from.

It was my turn to take guard of the tents, a duty I took seriously despite the weight of my secrets. Viscoff had just traded me, his heavy frame already asleep inside the warmth of his tent, dreaming of old glories perhaps. I walked over to the marksman's tent, a makeshift shelter filled with the scent of iron and blood. The marksman lay there, wounds whispering stories of battles fought; Dehya was beside him, her vibrant hair spilling across her exposed shoulder like a waterfall of color. She had a softness about her, a determination to preserve life like she was fighting against a darkness of her past. I admired her from entrance of the tent.

As I moved away, I took a seat on a gnarled rock, seeking higher ground as the ominous forest pulsated with an unfriendly energy. Orion, my spirit companion cloaked in grace, rematerialized from my earring, choosing to curl himself in my lap rather than his usual perch on my head. His voice was silk, "Boy, I know you might be scared."

I frowned, contemplating my own insecurities. "Why me, Orion? Back in my world, I was nothing. Just a kid too foolish to save my own mother. I ran to crime like it was salvation." I felt his warm touch as he nuzzled against me.

"I know how you feel, boy," he whispered, his voice cracking just above a breath. Zain not able to hear "I wished to never leave her too." a single tear gliding from his amber eyes. Two lost souls sharing a moment , bound by loss and longing.

In that dark forest, under the weight of expectation and the whispers of the past, I promised myself that this time, I would not fail to protect those who mattered. The night was heavy with foreboding, but perhaps together, we would shape a fate we could finally control.

——

The cerulean and deep crimson moonlight draped over me like a shroud as I sat cross-legged on the damp rock, Orion's weight a comforting presence in my lap. His fur was as soft as down, his golden eyes gleaming with an evident mix of mischief and wisdom.

"Boy," he suddenly spoke, breaking the stillness around us, "jump down. I'm going to teach you some swordsmanship."

I chuckled, trying to mask my embarrassment at being addressed by a cat. "And how are you, a cat, going to train me, a human, in swordsmanship?" I teased, a smirk on my lips.

Orion paused, contemplating how much to reveal. Finally, he relented, dropping a hint of his illustrious past. "In my past life, I was considered the sword god candidate. I can actually teach you a lot. First, we'll start with the drunken sword style. It'll suit you well, with your agility and your ability to stumble in battle." He let out a small, melodic laugh, and I couldn't help but laugh along, remembering the mishap that had landed me on my rear while saving Dehya.

As he demonstrated, Orion explained how the key to mastering the drunken sword style was to embrace the unpredictable nature of battle—always appearing off-balance, like a dancer caught in a light-headed revelry. I imitated the movements he spoke, swaying awkwardly yet with an exhilarating sense of freedom.

Time lost its meaning amidst the rhythm of practice. I was too engrossed in my training, the shadows retreating under the advancing sun, to notice the two massive moons fading.

"Why didn't you wake me for a shift change?" a familiar voice boomed. It was Viscoff, looming above me as he wiped sleep from his eyes, revealing an amused glint behind them.

"Uh… I forgot?" I mumbled, slightly embarrassed. I didn't even notice the time slip away while I absorbed every ounce of Orion's teachings. But the truth was undeniable—I felt a surge of confidence coursing through me, fueled by the night's labor. With newfound skills, I felt like I could take on the world.

"Would you care for a dance partner?" Viscoff teased, hinting at helping me train and for the first time, I truly believed I was ready for it.