Falling into a never-ending abyss, Alecia's breathing increased rapidly as she watched the light dimmed out. As soon as she closed her eyes, awaiting the inevitable end, rough voices growled and dominated her head.

"She's one of them!"

"This is for all the people who have died because of you."

"I'm different."

"I thought you'd understand."

In a snap, she became weightless, along with the calm breeze guiding around her entire body. Alecia pried open her eyes to find herself no longer slipping endlessly, but hovering above the ground, transparent blue flames keeping her in a fixed position. It delicately descended her to the ground and disintegrated away into nothing.

She struggled to keep herself up-just standing upright was a difficult task for her-and roamed her eyes around the unfamiliar area.

"Oh, Evie," she murmured with a shaky breath. "I'm so sorry."

She closed her eyes, letting out a sigh, and when she opened them, a thick fog surrounded her. Slow and steady, she stumbled to the fog, not knowing what lay within, which charged her to be on guard.

In the midst of the thick fog-dank and maddeningly grey-Alecia caught sight of blue lights grouped together in the distance. She followed the direction of the lights as they got brighter with each step she took.

A path opening presented itself, lights on either side. Since no other way was penetrable, she decided to tread towards the lit passage, and with her drawing closer, she figured them to only be natural light sources; their appearance had a branch holding a dome that illuminated the night sky.

Alecia leaned in, its light reflecting off her face. "Beautiful," she murmured as she moved her hands with delightful eyes towards it, capturing its beauty.

The dome's light fizzled when she touched it through the tip of her finger.

"Woah," she said, turning to another, and touched it as well, which then withdrew its glow; they lit up once more after a moment. She made herself focus-she must not get distracted-and so she turned her attention to the path and stumbled through. Alecia raised her eyes up at a wall that scaled over thirty feet. Natural lights in various shapes and sizes swarmed each side of the path.

A few moments passed, she still traipsed along the path while gazing at the fascinating lights. Without a warning, her foot twisted in a painful crunch, making her drop on the ground and slide down a steep hill, shrieking, her speed increased every second.

She gasped when her arm got struck by a sharp object and braced herself for another that might injure her further. Alecia fell into a long grass-covered surface. She looked at her shoulder, which now suffered a deep cut, the blood gushing out. She sat and placed her hand over the wound to stop the bleeding. Pushing herself upright, all the while adjusting to the pain of her injuries, she cried out and slumped to the floor while clutching her thigh.

She whirled her leg to inspect the source of the pain and found a sharp stone which penetrated the thigh of her leg. Her hand shook while moving closer to it, beads of sweat dribbling down her cheek, lips trembling. She cuffed her hand around the shard, taking a deep breath, her eyes shut tight, and wrenched it out as a scream of agony ensued.

Taking a look at the blood-soaked shard in her hands, she threw it aside. She tried again and slowly pushed herself up, her one leg carrying most of her weight; she placed her hand on the wound and held it, blood beginning to seep between her fingers. She bit her lip to fight the piercing ache as she limped deeper into the fog.

-

Alecia persisted onward and entered the woods, the expanse almost untouched by any ash fall. Exhausted and overwhelmed by the extent she had traveled, she hobbled towards a large tree and sat underneath it.

"I don't even know where I'm going," she murmured to herself, a downcast look on her face. No one could be heard in the forest, saved from the trees whistling to each another. She watched the trees brush their leaves together, as if begging warmth. Her eyes drooped as she looked ahead.

"I don't know how far I can go anymore, don't know what to do. There's only one who can help me." She turned at her hand pressed on her wound, slowly lifting it off to see her own crimson blood soaking her palm, and covered it again.

"Why am I talking to myself?" She sighed, staring blankly. A stubborn girl that she was, she stood again, but before she could take a second step forward, she crashed to the ground, unconscious.

Out of the fog, a man wearing a brown hood strode towards Alecia. He knelt down, placing his two fingers over her neck, he moved Alecia on her back. He gently lifted her up off the ground and carried her, into the fog, in the same direction where he came.

While the body slept, the unconscious mind could still hear.

-

A wooden contraption closed and shut.

"Did you get exactly what I asked?" an old man's rough voice asked.

"I hope so," replied a young woman's voice.

"It would make this difficult if I don't have everything," the old man said, his tone laced with concern.

"Here, have a look at them yourself." She dropped the requested items on a worn-out table with a heavy thump.

"These should be enough to treat the wounds, I'm sure."

"I hope it is," the man said, sifting through the items. "She lost a lot of blood."

"Where was she found?" the woman said as faint footsteps sounded against the creaky floor.

"They found her outside of town, in the woods," replied the old man. "But I recognize the clothes she was wearing."

"It looks too clean for those outsiders," said the woman.

"That's because she's from the same place I used to do my work."

"You mean-?"

"Yes." He interrupted her. "I thought the place was destroyed.

A wooden gear squeaked. "I think I know who she is."

"Who is she?"

"Never mind that," he said. "For now, let her rest. I'm sure she'll finally be awake soon."

Footsteps pounded against the ground. When the sound muffled out, another wooden contraption moved, followed by a resounding shut.

Sometime later, in the same room, Alecia lay on the bed sitting near the window. It consisted of a wooden shelf stacked with ancient books and ornaments atop it, walls painted dark blue and wooden floors a dark brown color.

Beside the bed, an elderly, bearded man perched on a wooden chair, both his hands resting on a cane. Alecia sat bolted upright, perspiration dampening her body.

"Bad dream?" he asked with a calm expression. Alecia whirled to look at him, puzzled and distressed.

"How did I get here?" she asked, placing her hand over the bandage of her arm.

"They found and brought you here." He beamed under his unshaven face. "You have been unconscious for three days now."

"That long?" She took one look outside, other buildings could be seen in the distance, towering trees standing on the soiled ground.

"Want to take a walk with me outside?" He rose to his feet, urging her to come with him. "Would it be good for you to stretch your legs?"

Alecia gazed at him and nodded. She pulled the covers off herself and swept her feet over the bed.

"Easy now," he said, taking her hand. She gently placed her feet on the floor and stood with him holding her arm to support her.

"I think I can stand on my own," she said, taking his hand off her arm. The door across them unlatched and a young woman entered the room.

"So, she's awake," said the newcomer.

"Can you take her outside?" the one man asked.

"No, not yet, she needs to go take a shower and have her changed into a new set of clothes." The woman took her hand.

"Please leave." The woman dismissed him through an urgent gaze.

"Okay then," he said, roaming his eyes around the room. "Just be quick, I need to talk to her."

He limped towards the door, his cane striking the floor along with his movement, and exited the room.

"Well then, let me introduce myself. My name is Diana."

"Alecia."

-

"Now isn't that more comfortable?" said the old man as Alecia closed the door behind her and joined him outside.

She stayed silent and left only a faint smile, unsure what to say to him, giving him a downcast look instead.

"Shall we walk?"

Alecia staggered the bricked path, the limping old man beside her.

"It might seem a little odd to be here."

Alecia turned her gaze to the couple waving at her, and as if she couldn't resist, she gave a small wave back with a slight smile.

"They're excited to see someone who's not a threat for a change." He smiled.

"Who are you?" Alecia's question made him stop in his tracks and face her.

"My dear, I go by the name of Godwin," replied he. "Wallace Godwin, formally known as Doctor Godwin."

"I should've known." She looked relieved. "I have a lot of questions to ask you."

"Hey!" a man's voice called out. Alecia spun to see a young man striding towards her.

"I see you're finally up." Wallace smiled slightly. Alecia could only give a confused glare.

"There's a more decent greeting, you know," Wallace said to him with a disappointed look.

"Oh sorry, I was just glad to see her up and walking," the man said, flickering his gaze between Wallace and Alecia.

"Since he did not do it yet-" Wallace placed a hand on Alecia's shoulder-"I'll introduce to you my oldest grandson, Virgil. He was the one who found you."

"If I didn't find you, I don't think you would've made it," said Virgil, looking down in thought before gazing up at her.

"Would you excuse us," Wallace said.

"Oh yeah, of course, I'll be going," Virgil said. "Nice to see you're looking well." He glanced at her once more before carrying on with his walk.

"Anyway," Wallace started, his hand on Alecia's back as they both strolled aimlessly. "You said you have a lot of questions?"

"Yes." Alecia turned over her shoulder to make sure Virgil was out of view and back ahead.

"What is your first question?"

"Well," she hesitated.

"Do you know anything about the vita chamber I woke up in? I thought, maybe, you'd know how I got in there?"

"Oh, those questions." He chuckled. "I'd rather have us talk in private. Do you mind if we go back inside?"

Alecia averted her eyes. "Sure, okay."