Opening her eyes, an abyss surrounded her. Unknowing of the world around her, all that stood before her were a stop sign and a door.

“Where… Am I?”

She tried to ponder what she did before waking up, but she soon faced a problem. She has no memories of anything prior. The space was completely empty, and she only had a small platform to stand on. To make matters worse, she had nowhere to go. Or rather, it’s how it seemed until the door opened.

It was shortly after her bringing into the purgatory, that the dials of fate shifted, for all who resided in this lost domain.

???: ”Lona. Wake up Lona.”

She woke up, where she has always woken up for the past 3 months now, inside of the small house, owned by the lady who took her in: Erris. Greeting the now awake Lona, Erris stood up. Her long blonde hair flowed down her back as smooth as silk, and to not have it get caught on the branch protruding out of the left side of her head was impressive. At least, according to Lona.

The two lived near a small town named Imum, which was known for its medicine. Erris was the lead alchemist of the town, and recently commissioned for a hefty order of 300 of her strongest potions.

Erris: “I got to see Sybel if he has the bottles ready. Would you like to come with?”

Still waking up, Lona nodded. With Erris being the one to take her in, it became rare when she wouldn’t go wherever Erris went. The only time being when Erris had to visit the capital Caritrius. While Lona wasn’t informed on the details of the visit, she knew that King Indolis had a very important message for Erris.

Erris: “Lona, do you know where my robe is?”

Lona: “I think it’s still outside from yesterday’s laundry. I’ll go get it.”

She got up from bed and put on her jacket, the same one that she was found in. It wasn’t like she didn’t have other hooded clothing items, but despite her not remembering anything since Erris had found her, she felt a connection to it. She continued by putting on a pair of shoes next to her own bed, and headed outdoors.

Outside, they had a beautiful view. To the south, they could see the capitol that’s beyond Imum’s forest. To the east, there laid the town Imum, and to the northwest, a city named Vis. Finally, directly north they could see the ocean. Lona didn’t know much about the world, but Erris had been so kind as to teach Lona. Going to the back of the house, a rope with various garments still swayed between the house and their well. She grabbed a white robe adorned with gold and red compliments and went back inside to Erris.

Lona: “Here you go. It’s nice and warm from being out in the sun.”

Erris: “Thank you, I do prefer the heat over the cold.”

Glancing at Erris without her robe, it was obvious she was a machine. There were many mechanisms visible, and from the front, it appeared that the base of the tree was kept in a small chamber of sorts. However, putting on the robe, she appeared to be a majestic priestess with an affinity to the flora of the world. Lona didn’t have much time to get lost in a trance however, as there was a knock on the door.

Erris finished adjusting her robe before opening the door. On the other side of it was a tall woman dressed in full plate armor. Underneath the armor, was a general’s outfit. It was quite obvious that she wasn’t just a knight from the capitol, but that she was a commander.

Erris: “What brings you here?”

Knight: “Our Lord sent me here to deliver an important message. I’m afraid your friend here will have to leave before I can deliver it, however.”

Erris: “That’s alright. Lona, will you please go to town without me and speak to Sybel?”

Lona nodded. The knight bowed at Lona before apologising for the inconvenience. For the second time, Lona had been left into this unknown world without Erris.

Walking to Imum took half an hour from their home. The town itself was as lively as ever, and as Lona entered, she was greeted by the denizens of the town. Unlike Vis or Caritrius, this town had no walls, as the people felt safe as they were.

???: “Ey Lona, no Erris t’day?”

Turning around, she identified the voice. Sybel walked up to her, greeting her with a broad smile. Sybel was a very beefy man. It was no surprise that he had been nicknamed Giant of Imum.

Lona: “Good afternoon, Sybel. Erris won’t be coming to town today unfortunately, but she sent me in her stead.”

Sybel: “Eh? She got a cold or somethin’?”

Lona: “Oh, no, nothing like that. A knight from the capitol showed up with a message to deliver.”

Sybel: “I wonder if she might need t’go to the capitol.”

Lona shrugged. She didn’t know herself. The last time Erris had heard from there, it was by a letter delivered to her.

Sybel: “Anyway, the bottles will be ready t’go to Fors in about a week. Eh, while you’re here, why not stop by some of the stands? Here’s a couple gold.”

Lona: “Eh?!? Are you sure?”

He let out a hearty laugh.

Sybel: “Of course I’m sure! Workin’ with the two of you can spare some gold coins.”

She thanked him before departing. However, she had already decided not to spend the money, but to give it to Erris as thanks. She did walk along looking at what the stands had to offer, however. It was then she was approached by a shady man in a knight’s outfit.

Shady man: “Hey little lady, didn’t you hear about the new law? No dark robes on people with black hair.”

Lona: “Uhm, no. This is the first time I’m hearing of it.”

Shady Man: “Well, you should’ve worn something else today, because now my buddies and I are gonna have to ‘inspect’ you.”

Lona shuddered at the sound of that. Whatever inspection he was talking about didn’t sound official. However, she couldn’t say anything due to the crest embroidered on his armor. She lowered her head, but before anything could happen, a crowd had already formed around this commotion.

Citizen: “Isn’t that a bit specific to be a law?”

Shady man: “Eh? Speaking up against a knight from the capitol, are you? Want to be arrested?”

An uproar had started between the knight and several citizens of Imum. While they didn’t get physical with the knight, they were outraged that such a law could exist. Using her opportunity, Lona ran, but wasn’t fast enough to duck behind cover. The knight noticed and started chasing after her until she had cornered herself.

Shady man: “You’re gonna need to be punished little lady. My men and I are going to have fun tonight.”

Why was this happening? Lona was scared. Right now there was nothing she could do, and she knew the people of Imum wouldn’t help, or else the punishment would be severe. The man approached closer, and closer, until finally.

???: “Don’t you think it’s a bit rude to harass a young lady? Or did you lose your morals when you put on the mark of Sanctum?”

Shady man: “Who the hell do you think-”

He was immediately interrupted by a hand grasping at his throat before slamming him to the ground. The hand belonged to a small woman dressed in a layered dark robe, with long black hair. Her eyes were as empty as her expression. Before the knight could react, the woman held his own sword to his throat. The knight couldn’t move, or else the blade would penetrate his neck.

???: “If I were you, I’d leave this town.”

Embarrassed, the knight got up. The woman handed him the sword, and the knight took it with disdain before walking away.

Shady man: “You won’t get away with this! I’ll come back and personally see that you two get arrested!”

A moment passed, and the woman turned around. Upon closer inspection, Lona could see how beautiful this woman was. Her skin looked almost like porcelain, and her hair was like silk. Even her empty eyes had a beautiful shine in the sunlight. 

???: “Are you alright?”

Lona: “I’m a bit shaken up, but I’m fine. Thank you for saving me.”

Lona bowed to the stranger, to which she smiled and shook her head.

???: “There’s no need for thanks. Seeing you unharmed is rewarding in itself.”

Lona: “So what’s your name?”

???: “Right, forgot to introduce myself. My name is-”

Erris: “Vese.”

Unknown to Lona, Erris had arrived in town after all, and had found the two. Vese smiled and turned to Erris.

Vese: “Hello, Erris. It’s been a long time.”

Erris tensed up.

Erris: “Yeah. It has been. Lona, let’s go back home.”

Vese: “Mind if I join the two of you?”