Before I knew it, four people were in my room, didn't even need to turn to check if they were friends or foes. The smell was enough to know they were no respectable citizen.

And god damn, what a stench, sometime I wish I had anosmia.

Sweat is natural, but the mixture that was drifting to my nose was horrible. A blend of blood, crass, piss and things better left unspoken. I don't want to be a snob but at this level it's a capital crime.

I turned, repressing a frown and what I witnessed matched what I smelled. The four men were poorly dressed and their face were far from a work of art. Crooked noses, missing teeth between yellowish agglutinated choppers. The color of their face was far from natural, sick.

They were equipped of cudgels of poor manufacture. Don't get me wrong, it could undoubtedly get the job done.

But what job ?

What do they want ?

I gazed curiously at the group when one of the men muttered :

"Jerem was right, by the gods how is it possible ?"

I am really proud of my progress. I merely have to fill a bit of their sentence to understand everything.

"Guys we are gonna get filthy rich with this. It's the end of our hardship."

They were all grinning as if I was some sort of prize. I hate to be the party pooper, but I'm not going anywhere if I don't want to move. However, I felt the need to defuse the situation. I was not totally recovered and even if they didn't feel like they could be a danger to me I didn't want to get in a brawl so soon.

"Well met gentlemen, what can I do for you ?"

They were surprised. Shocked maybe. The smallest of the group cleared his throat and complained to what appears to be the leader.

"Mad, I don't think it's a good idea, he is obviously a noble. You have seen him. We'll suffer big troubles, I really don't feel it, he is bad news."

Mad was obviously annoyed about his underling complaint, he sharply retorted :

"Shut up Dim, I haven't asked for your opinion."

He then turned toward me and continued sweetly.

"You appear to be lost far away from home little lordling. We, four brothers, wish to help you get back to your parents safe and sound in exchange for a nice little retribution. Doesn't sound half bad my boy, right ?"

I suddenly got chills and my blood rushed to my head. Who the fuck is your boy ? Who do you think you are ? What give you the audacity to even think about abducting me ? Are you tired of living ?

I suddenly rose on my feet and faced them defiantly.

It's at this moment that I realized that something was amiss, really wrong. They were all at least one or two head taller than me.

I haven't stood up in the presence of other people since I came back to me. I didn't realize that I had shrunk. A look at my hand and I confirmed I stood younger than I remembered myself to be.

My plate is already full and I get this in addition...

Well, it doesn't matter, you can't stop a charging horse. I can't back off even if I am now a midget.

"You will take your three excuses of brothers and will stop sullying this room with your presence. I will only give you one opportunity. It's either you get out as men, or I get you to leave as animals."

My body moved on his own as I threatened them.

I was two feet away from Mad, taunting him, when a sudden shock caught me by surprise. My vision whitened. I tunnel visioned Mad but neglected one of the other who took the opportunity to knock me out.

What gave me my confidence about being able to take all of them ? I felt so dumb fainting while hearing them laugh. If I ever get out of this situation, I promised me two things.

Firstly, I will make them pay steeply ! Nobody lay a hand on me and survives to the next day to tell the tale.

Secondly, I will never, never again underestimate an opponent. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

I was in there again. In this bizarre space, my world.

Interesting, every time I'm knocked out I happen to awake here. Lesson duly learned !

I took a look at the scenery around me. Everything changed so much. It is still as uncomprehensible as the last time but at least it feels not as dead.

I felt home, in security.

I tried to look for the shape of the woman I've seen last time but she was nowhere to be found. No luck this round, maybe next time !

I suppressed a smile while thinking I was already anticipating my next blackout. Weird guy !

I stopped looking and sat down metaphorically, because I was still floating. I started thinking about the present situation. It was awful.

I felt like a complete stranger to myself, I don't remember a damn valuable thing about me. On top of that I possess instincts that are putting me in danger. I see people as ants, harmless, but to me they are far from it. I will need to put my body under a leash or those kind of situation may happen more frequently than I'd love to.

So now, what's next ?

I get out of here and fight for my freedom ? Sure, why not, let's admit I might even be capable to top them all, and then ? If need be, will I be able to kill someone ?

I feel or remember myself to be powerful, accustomed to violence. I don't know what it says about me but I must have been far from a good person. Should I really get back to my old self for better or worse ?

I don't know the right way.

But I'm certain of one thing, I need to push forward, I will advance, I will fight against all odds, I will struggle against the heaven to live my life. I may not be the same anymore, but it doesn't matter. I am me.

I may not have an aim right now but I feel deep down inside that I should let loose the arrow of my existence. Even if I must correct the path mid-flight, I will do it because the only true death is immobility and uncertainty.

I strengthened my will, grasped the control that slipped out of my hand and focused. Like a soap bubble popping, I awoke as if it was the simplest thing to do.

I gave myself some time before opening my eyes and register the situation on my hand. Just a tiny respiration. No time for more, I got work to do.

Curse me, I knew it was a terrible idea to leave him in this backyard inn. Jerem was never a righteous person but I never could have guessed that he would stoop so low to sell a child. The village chief must be informed, scum like that can't be allowed to roam free.

We should have accompanied the child to a better place but Kain was right we were too tight on our finances to do such luxurious actions.

My broadsword clashed with the weapon of my opponent. Bringing myself back to me. Focus Shara, we are in a perilous situation. I hate fighting in exiguous spaces, it's harder and more taxing. You need to be more carful of your surroundings to refrain from injuring your comrades.

Cries echoed in the room when Ina gutted one of the scums. We are making progress !

I sidestepped an over head strike and shoved my elbow right in the plexus of my enemy. I destroyed his pacing and his breathing. I rotated and swung with all my strength between the sternum and the neck. Putting all my weight in the blow I almost severed my foe in two.

I withdrew my sword from his body with the help of my boot.

Two down, Kain should carry out his job shortly too.

I turned toward the leader, Mad. He was not really worth remembering the name but still got quite the infamous reputation around here. It's also necessary for a mercenary group leader to distinguish who you can offend or not.

He was taking the child hostage but he was obviously conflicted about what to do. He didn't want to slaughter a potential golden goose but couldn't just wait to be chopped by us.

The boy was seemingly unconscious and limp in his arm, I really hopped he was fine. He was an enigma, and potentially our golden ticket to leave this hellhole.

We are talking about a child with long golden hair. Not blond, golden, real freaking hair made of soft gold.

We are not doing this for the money. We are not consumed by greedy, but I can't deny that we needed it. More than anything, we need a purpose and a way to leave this place and experience our life to the fullest.

He must be a noble of some sort, from another country. If we save him and escort him back he could lead us to better life.

"Stop ! Don't move one step closer ! I will kill him if you move again !" Mad shouted.

"Don't be idiot, he is your only liability, without him nothing hold us back from killing you" I retorted "Release him and we will allow you go scot-free."

His eyes were crimson, he was unreasonable "If I can't have him you won't either !"

His dagger bit in the neck of the kid and drew a drop of blood. I tensed like a spring, ready to jump to kill Mad in a single blow, when...

The youth moved, he came back to himself.

I got horrified, I was certain that he would do something dumb and get himself killed but no.

He registered the situation calmly, closed his eyes another time and opened them again.

A flash of golden light lit up the room and Mad, still binding him ... exploded, for lack of a more adequate word, in a shower of gore.

The kid, unbothered by the grim and the blood, stretched his shoulders and looked at us with his sharp golden eyes.

He smiled and proclaimed :

"Hi, my name is Thann, Thann Strife"

What the fuck did I get us involved in ...