I don't know why I clicked with Viktor so much. It was probably because we were complete opposites. I was brains, he was brawn. I was fast, he had muscle. I had magic ability, he had strength. I liked the one-handed swords, he was a two-hander guy. Total opposite ends of the spectrum. Just goes to show you that the old saying is true.

I guess I always liked his company. Sure, his appearance can be intimidating at first. After all he is the size of a bear, and eats like one as well. Viktor'll never admit it, but he's a softie at heart. He's a good guy too. We've been through a lot together, and he's always there if you need someone or something. Plus, Viktor's always good to make fun of now and then. He's got a good sense of humor.

Yes, finding Viktor should be top priority right now. Partly because I'm bored here in Greenhill, partly because I don't know what else to do. I was bred a warrior, and all I know how to do is fight. I could always stop here in Greenhill, but I'd drive myself insane.

Also, something I'll never admit to anyone's face, I hate being by myself. I hate being lonely.

Enough yammering. I got up from my bed and went upstairs to the wonderful parents who letting me stay in their home. It's nice to know that such hospitality is still alive today.

I stretched before I opened the door. As I opened the door, the scent of coffee filled the air. Mr. Asreala was sitting behind the table, reading a newspaper, while Mrs. Asreala was at the stove, cooking.

"Can I help you with something, Mr. Flik?" She asked me.

"Where's Nina?" I asked, out of curiosity.

"She's at school already. Can I get you something? How about some breakfast?"

"No thank you. You've already done more than enough for me. I'll be heading out today."

"Nonsense. You still haven't recovered fully," Mr. Asreala said from behind his newspaper.

"No, I must get going. I have to see," I paused, not quite sure how to put it, "someone."

"Let us at least get you some breakfast." Mrs. Asreala said, putting a plate on the table. "What type of omelets do you like?"

"All right." I realized that I couldn't leave without having breakfast. They'd probably feel, at very least, offended. "Ham and cheese, if you got it."

"Of course."

My taste buds tingled with delight as I put the first piece of the omelet in my mouth. It was absolutely delicious. "This is wonderful, Ms. Asreala," I said as I cut another piece. "I haven't had food this good since before the Scarlet Moon War."

"You flatter me, Mr. Flik." Mrs. Asreala said, sitting herself at the table.

"I'll say he does." Mr. Asreala said, behind his newspaper.

"Gerald!"

I chuckled softly, shoving some more omelet in my face.

Wait a second. I have no idea where I am. "Excuse me." I said, mouth full and forgetting my manners. "Do you have a map I could look at."

"Of course we do, Mr. Flik." Mrs. Asreala got up and went to the drawers. She pulled a few of them out, and pulled out a map. She handed it to me. "Here you go."

"Thank you." I pushed my plate to the side and unfolded it and started to think to myself.

As I looked at the map, I realized that I was no where near Toran. I located Greenhill on the map, and then Gregminster. Man, I was far away from home. How the hell did I get here?

Pushing it out of my mind, I continued to study the map. North of here is a place called Forest Village. I doubt Viktor would hide himself there. West is Rockaxe, and south is Two River. South would probably be best. I could get some information there.

Then, I noticed a place called "North Window", and I recognized it immediately. That was Viktor's home town. He had mentioned it several times.

I had found my destination.

"Thank you." I said, folding up the map.

Well, after a farewell from the Asreala couple, I headed out of Greenhill. As nice of a town as it was, it wasn't for me. Something about the entire college atmosphere irked me.

I never went to college; I was self educated. I taught myself to read and write. I learned the fundamentals, and I worked from there. Partly why I'm brains over brawn. Everyone else in the village was out building their muscle, I stayed inside and would study.

Mind you, I'm not flimsy. I did grow up in a place called "Warrior's Village", as much as I don't like to talk about it. I'm still in shape, and I'd like to think I'm stronger than your average fighter. Not to inflate my ego or anything. I hate it when I do that, I'm so not good with words at times. Educated indeed.

It's too quiet on this path. I looked behind me. No monsters. That's quite unusual. No monsters are around anywhere. Which means one thing.

I unsheathed my sword and slowly did a three-sixty. Maybe it was the paranoia of being in unfamiliar territory, but something just didn't seem right at all about this. I mean, there was no sound anywhere.

Then, I felt something club me on the back. I dropped to the ground instantly with a grunt. Then, another club on the back, and another one on the head. I looked at the dirt before everything became cloudy, and eventually turned to black.

"The hell? This guy's all decked out, but he's got no potch on him!"

I heard voices in the darkness. I didn't recognize any of them, and I lifted my head. The pain throbbed as I lifted my head and I opened my eyes. There were three soldiers there, standing in front of me. I didn't recognize the uniforms.

I jerked, but couldn't move. I looked down and saw I was tied to a tree. I pulled my arms, but they were securely tied up.

"Well, the pretty boy's awake." The first one growled at me as he threw my wallet at my head. It clocked me and I banged my head right against the tree. I cursed out loud as the pain surged through. I still didn't recover fully, and now I'm paying for it.

"What a foul mouth you have." One of the other one's hissed.

"The hell are you?" I managed to force out.

"Shut up." The other one came over and clubbed me on the head again. I cursed a second time as everything started to get blurry again. One more blow to the head like this, I probably wouldn't survive it. I started to breathe heavily.

"Look at you." The one who threw the wallet at my head came towards me. My head was bobbing back and forth, trying to look at my attackers. "All decked out in that fancy armor, and that cape, and that bandanna, looking all pretty, and you've got NO potch on you! Only stupid bits from Toran, and not even that much to exchange!"

"Well, we got his sword. Look's pretty nice. Maybe we can pawn it for something." The farthest one said.

I lifted my head up. "Don't touch that sword." I tried to threaten. Under the heavy breathing, it sounded quite pathetic.

"Whatcha gonna go, pretty boy? You're in no position to threaten us."

Man, how did I wind up like this? Maybe I'm not as strong as I thought I was. Perhaps I'm not intelligent as I make myself sound. All I really know now is that I'm stuck in this predicament, and the outlook doesn't look good. I couldn't even lift my arm to use the fire rune.

The one holding my sword unsheathed it and began to examine it. He started to break out in laughter. "Hey guys, look at this!" He showed his buddies my sword. "'Odessa'. The pretty boy's got his lover written on his sword! Isn't that cute!" The three had a good laugh at my expense.

I began to shake. First they beat me, then they take my wallet, and now they mock me. I had no dignity left. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth. I summoned up all my strength and roared at the top of my lungs. I began to yank at the rope, desperately trying to rip through them. I jerked and I struggled with all my might.

However, it was all in vain. The rope was sturdy, and it didn't budge.

"Shut up!" The one with the club swung it again, knocking me directly on my head. Everything began to get blurry for a third time, and I'm sure that this was it. I was done. I could feel the blood trickle down and onto my bandanna.

Just as my head dropped and lost consciousness, I heard the most stra