Melanie's POV

I waited at the docks, ready for Aphmau's arrival. I could see her from the ocean's horizon. She quickly docked her boat.

"Melanie, your helm is missing, why are you- W-WHAT HAPPENED!?" Asked a panicked Aphmau, noticing the bombed village and running to her house. I chased after her.

"Is Levin ok?!" She asked, panicked. I nodded, trying to calm her down.

"Yes, he's fine. Zoey managed to put a barrier around the downstairs section of your house. But, Zenix he... He attacked us in broad daylight, and bombed the town. Luckily, no one was hurt but, Garroth was... Badly damaged. Not physically, but emotionally. He blames himself for the incident. Also, he no longer has his helm, it was the one thing protecting him from dying. Garroth is in the mines, not wanting anyone to see his face." I explained. The color drained from Aphmau's face.

"Garroth was hurt? And the village was bombed!?" She asked. I nodded. Aphmau quickly started her way down the mountain, but stopped and turned to me first.

"Two things. One, you look beautiful without your helm. Two, please hold onto him for me." Aphmau said, taking out a golden lasso from her pocket and handing it to me. I blinked as she left.

"Oh, AND LET HIM OUT!" She shouted as she ran to check on the village and Garroth. I groaned, looking the lasso. Then, without hesitating, I opened it up and let out whoever was in there under the commands of my Lord.

A man about my age stepped out, stretching his arms and legs. He had long, red hair and shiny green eyes. I tilted my head, and realized that I wasn't wearing my helm.

Damn it! Where is it?! He could be a spy for him! I frantically racked through my thoughts trying to remember what Garroth said to do in case of this ever happens.

"Hey, I'm Laurence." He said, smirking. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

"Taken aback by my beauty, eh?" Laurence asked, flexing his muscles. It made me want to smile, but instead...

I ran. Like the Nether.

I don't know why, I panicked. What if he did work for him? What would Garroth and I do? What if-

"You alright?" I screamed when I heard a voice next to me, but relaxed when I saw it was just Laurence.

"Wow, you scream loud. Why'd you run?" He asked. I frowned, not answering.

Maybe he just wants to hear my voice, so he can make sure I'm the right person... I wondered, keeping silent. Laurence nodded.

"All right, you must be the silent type." He said. I looked at the floor.

"So, let's start all over again. I'm Laurence, and you must be...?" I sighed, and finally said a word.

If Aphmau trusts him, I trust him. I settled on.

"Melanie." I said finally. Laurence let out a sigh.

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable, but I wanted to know." He said. I nodded, then remembered I had to talk to Garroth after Aphmau saw him.

"I gotta go." I said, running towards the mines.

The last thing I remembered was taking five steps before blacking out, thinking,

Not again...