"It's only after you've stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform."

― Roy T. Bennett

Lights shone on him as he woke up screaming. He took heavy breaths as he looked around the room, obviously alarmed. He calmed down as he came to realize he was in a hospital bed. The loud noise he made brought attention as a nurse ran in as she looked at him in shock before running out. Sometime later the door burst open as someone hugged him tightly.

"You're alive!"

"Ummm.....yeah....but do you mind letting go? It kinda hurts."

"I'll think about it."

Ajax laughed in relief as Alaric sighed, ignoring the pain as he patted his back. When he was let go Alaric sighed in relief.

"So....what exactly happened?"

Ajax wasn't surprised at his question as he stopped smiling and took on a more solemn tone.

"Where to begin. I was off fighting and when I turned back to you I saw you bleeding on the ground passed out....We all thought you were dead, but then this one girl....she somehow just went over to you and....poked your nose? She then giggled as the reinforcements thankfully arrived and took us back. Ever since you've been here for about a week."

After he said that he smiled in relief.

"Now if you excuse me I'm gonna go get something to eat, I'm starving. I haven't eaten in the last ten minutes or so."

"Can you get me something as well?"

"No"

"..."

"Toodles~"

Ajax laughed as he walked out of the door with a smile, leaving Alaric to his own devices. He rubbed the bandages on his chest as he closed his eyes, remembering the talk with the girl as he mumbled.

"Lisa"

"Yes?"

Alaric opened his eyes as he turned to the window as he saw the familiar girl there.

"What are you doing here?"

"Are you saying where I can or cannot be?"

"Yes I am, now answer my question."

"..."

Lisa sighed as she hopped off the window, which was now shut closed as she threw the half-eaten apple in the trash.

"Just seeing how my little contractee is doing."

Alaric raised an eyebrow, unamused. He leaned over to her as much as he could and simply flicked her forehead.

"What was that for?"

Lisa pouted as she rubbed her forehead, which was now beginning to turn red.

"I'm not your little contractee," Alaric said in an annoyed tone.

"Technically you are since we did make a deal." Lisa retorted as she giggled once again.

"Can you please stop giggling? It's irritating."

"Can you please stop sighing then? It's getting irritating." Lisa retorted.

Alaric looked at her blankly before turning away, not wanting to continue this stupid banter any longer.

"So what powers did you exactly give me?"

"Hmm, you want to know about that?" Lisa said as she approached the bed and leaned over it. She grabbed Alaric's face as she stared into his eyes with a confident smile.

"You'll know in time, but for now you better rest up."

Alaric pulled away from her, rolling his eyes as he eventually nodded.

"I'll try."

"That's good enough my lit-, Contractee." Lisa coughed, trying to hide her mistake.

Alaric didn't care as he now had his attention on the door. It then swung open as a stranger who oddly seemed familiar burst in.

"Alaric!"

The figure said quickly as it ran over and hugged him, but made sure not to bring any discomfort or pain to him.

Alaric studied the figure more as he saw their brown hair and green eyes, which gave a nice look. He then heard the voice as he paused for a moment.

"Lein?"

"Yes! It's me, I'm so glad that you're ok." Lein stated as he continued to hug him.

"Oh my, I didn't know you had a.....significant other." Lisa giggled as he held a hand over her mouth.

Lein quickly let go as he stared at the figure as he quickly waved his hands.

"We're not like that! He's just a friend I made that cheered me up."

Alaric himself laughed as he looked at Lein.

"Ah, don't mind it, Lein, she's just teasing you."

"Who are you anyway?" Lein stated, his gaze now studying Lisa suspiciously.

"Ah me? I'm an.....important friend of Alaric." She said as she sat back down, hiding her hands under her sweater.

Lein nodded, before not paying attention to her anymore.

"Before I go Alaric, they all promoted us to the Soldier class, so don't forget it!" Lein closed the door as he walked out, leaving the two alone.

Alaric nodded as he turned to Lisa, yawning as he sighed.

"So how long are you staying here for?"

"Wow, do you want me to leave that bad? Or are you just too entranced by my beauty?" Lisa smirked as she leaned closer to Alaric.

"I want you to leave so I can get some sleep, I believe if you stayed that wouldn't happen anytime soon."

"So mean."

"Don't really care."

"..."

Lisa stared at Alaric blankly before moving away from him and straightening her clothes. She smiled again as she then made her way back to the window.

"Well Alaric, I'll see you later, but remember this. Do not tell anyone about our deal, as it is it's going to be troublesome enough." Lisa said in a grave tone before quickly smirking.

"Till next time my contractee."

"How many times do I have to say to stop that?" Alaric sighed as he frowned.

Lisa gave a quick wave before opening the window and jumping out, which didn't cause a response from Alaric at all.

"She at least could've closed the window." He ran a hand down his face as he calmed himself down.

This time as the door opened a doctor walked in. He looked over his papers before looking at Alaric.

"How are you feeling?"

"A little sore, but other than that I'm fine."

The doctor nodded as he hummed, looking over the papers again. "Well, I recommend sleeping some more, and I'll come check back up on you in a few."

"Was already on that." He smirked as he saw the doctor leave the room. His eyes closed as he was for the most part surrounded by silence. He sank into the bed as he soon drifted off to sleep.