~Travis's POV~

It was so nice to sleep: when I slowly closed my eyes when I'm tired, it's just like I could feel a lot better. It's so relaxing after a hard day, especially this one, where I could finally rest peacefully, where I could finally sleep on something warm, like a bed. Indeed, it wasn't the same bed I had in my hut anymore, it was really a nice warm bed, with a warm blanket covering my body, and a soft pillow where I could rest my head, making me very sleepy. It was such an agreable and quite moment to sleep, when I could be finally in peace, far away from all my problems and my troubles.

I opened my eyes, lying on my back, to see above me a sky, a big dark blue night sky, with so many small shiny white balls called stars. It was such a beautiful night sky with all those wonderful stars, and I was so dazzled by their beauty that I was so pensive and I was really over the moon.

I continued to stare passionately at the sky, where I observed all those stars shining like pearls in the middle of the night, and I noticed one of them was red. I don't know why it was red, but it was beautiful. I watched at this red star for a few seconds, but... is that me or it's just like it was getting bigger ?!

It was slowly falling down, so slowly that its behavior made me so distracted. While it was falling, it continued to get bigger again, until it was 10 meters above the ground. I could notice clearly how it looked like, as I've always wanted to know how stars really looked like. But when I observed at the red falling object, which has an arounded form, it wasn't looking like a star: in reality, it was... an apple ?!

Oh... An apple ! Just the way I like it !

I was as surprised as I was happy to see an apple, a beautiful red apple, which was falling from the sky. It wasn't falling brutally on the ground like it must normally do with the gravity... Instead, it was just falling so slowly, just like in slow motion. I then noticed there were a lot of others red lights spots dispersed in the night sky, which were getting bigger as well, when I saw a second apple slowly falling down, then a third one, then a fourth one. In reality, there were more and more apple falling from the sky, just like it was raining apples.

I stayed speechless, really dazzled by all those delicious apples slowly falling around me, making a wide smile, as I really loved apples, while more of them were still falling from the sky, until they landed calmly on the ground, which started to be only covered by apples. My eyes were so attracted by the fruits, that I would like so much to eat them all, to catch them all for me.

During a long minute, I was really impressed by those many apples falling above my head, just like I was in a dream. Effectly, it was surprising to have apples to eat at will, and I really wondered if I could eat all of them at will, but I was so happy that I said anything, so amazed by those delicious fruits. I just noticed my body was lying on the back on many red apples which have replaced my bed, and I was excited like a kid, that I started to move my arms and my legs in a synchronized way, while making snow angels on the ground now only made of apples.

I would like so much that an apple could fall a front of me, right into my mouth to chew it. That's good, because I precisely noticed that a pretty red apple was slowly falling towards of my face. I opened my mouth wide, ready to catch it, before it finally fell peacefully on my mouth, when I bit it with my teeth, making a crunching sound.

I then stood up in a sitting position, while grabbing my apple with a hand, where I continued to chew it happily, really enjoying the delicious juicy and sweet taste inside my mouth. I swallowed the piece, but it was so good that I wanted to take the time to chew it for a hour. I was so happy about how good it was, and very happy to find myself in that place full of apples, where it was still continuing to rain all those juicy fruits.

I was so relaxed that I slowly fall on my back.

"Aaaaaahhhhhh...."

I was lying peacefully on my back, very dreamy and relax, while my hand was still holding the apple I've started to eat. I was very glad to be in the middle of those many apples, when suddenly, I started to sink by behind, where a few apples slowly collapsed behind me, just like they were attracted by a hole.

But me too I found myself attracted by the hole, and my body slowly slipped through it, when I finally got deeper, dropping my apple, and passed through the hole.

I was then falling, but slowly falling in slow motion, like those apples which continued to fall, where I noticed a huge layer of red apples covering the sky, while some of them were falling by passing through the others.

I don't know what was happening, but I noticed there wasn't a night sjy anymore: instead, there was a pink sky, just like in a dream, where my body continued to fall while spinning slowly, as I observed such a wonderful world: there were apples, apples everywhere. They were slowly falling from the sky, when I noticed at my surroundings a gigantic green valley with many plains, hills, mountains and trees, all covered by apples, which were really part of this beautiful area. For me, it was a paradise.

"Traaaaaaaaaaviiiiiiiiis......", called gently a smooth echoing feminine voice at me, that I found very familiar.

The voice was calling for me, and it was so soft and so good in my ears that I could feel so attracted by the voice, besides this Apple paradise.

While I continued to fall slowly, I eavesdropped again at the voice which was making me so relaxed, wondering where was the girl calling me.

"I'm over theeeeeeeereeeeeee.......", called the voice again, waiting for me.

There was no doubt: it was Ophilia's voice. I don't know why she was there, but I was feeling so happy to hear her voice again, she was just not so far, and I wanted absolutely to join the girl whom I have a crush on.

I'm coming, Ophilia...

I continued to fall again, in direction where I've heard the source of the voice, I passed through a pink cloud, which was smelling like apple, giving me the will to eat a peace of that cloud, when I finally landed calmly and painless on my back, where my head have landed on something so nice and familiar.

I recognized that pillow which my head was resting on: it was so comfy, so nice, so smooth that I could stay here for hours... But actually, it wasn't really a pillow: it feels like knees, covered by a nice white dress. Yeah, I was resting on her lap.

"Hi, Travis...", I heard her soft-spoken voice speaking calmly and nicely to me.

I looked up to see Ophilia, peacefully watching me with her beautiful eyes, and making a pretty smile while I was resting on her lap. Happy to see her again, I blushed slightly at her sight, while my heart started to beat faster for her.

"O-ophilia ?!.... Is that you ?", I answered her calmly, while I put a relaxed smile on my face, as she cutely giggled at me.

"Of course I'm here, sweetie ! You know that I'll be always there for you...", she nicely told me, while she was gently patting my hair with her warm leather glove.

Her smooth voice made me so relaxed, and she looked so beautiful, so angelic, and so brillant, with this wonderful pink sky, and her pretty blond hair gracefully reaching her shoulders. My heart couldn't stop to beat, as I couldn't be much more relaxed than now: the girl I love was just there with me, where I was peacefully lying on her lap, while she continued to gently pat my brown hair.

I looked at my surroundings to observe such a beautiful landscape with almost only apples: they were everywhere, even floating in a shiny river, and it was still peacefully raining of these fruits, which continued to land slowly and calmly on the ground, and they all looked so delicious and juicy. I noticed that Ophilia was sitting down on a green grassy hill, surrounded by apples, while the rest of my body was also lying on the grass.

"It's so beautiful... Where are we ?", I asked calmly Ophilia, while being relaxed by the magnificent view.

"This... is a paradise called Appleland, a land where it is always raining good and tasty apples at will... And its only inhabitants are only you and me...", she said calmly, while gently patting my head with a pretty smile.

I had never heard about a region called Appleland when she has explained me the different regions of the world with a map, but I was so happy to live in a land with only delicious apples. Indeed, me and Ophilia were just here, together, like a lovely couple, so I was so happy to be with her. I liked apples a lot, but, of course, I loved Ophilia much more than them.

I then noticed an apple slowly falling above us: I recognized the apple I've started to eat earlier, were a side of its red skin was bitten by my teeth which we could see the marks. Ophilia slowly grabbed it and told me nicely.

"Are you hungry, my dear ?"

I nodded "yes" while waving my head, without hesitation, and really enjoying when she was calling me "sweetie".

"Alright... Just... relax...", she nicely told me, while I was feeling so comfy on her lap.

She then took the apple in her hands, and with the help of two gloved fingers, she pinched the apple by the top and the bottom, when by magic, a small piece of apple was cut, with the shape of a rabbit.

Ohhhh... I never knew she can cut apples by magic ! And with a bunny form furthermore !

She held it above my face, when she told me gently.

"Now, open the mouth..."

I did what she said, opening wide my mouth, ready to eat the piece of apple, when she slowly moved it down towards my mouth, until I could finally swallow it, and I could eat happily the delicious apple, while showing a big grin at my amusement.

"Do you want more ?...", she told me calmly and nicely, her smooth voice making me so unwind.

"Yes !!!", I answered her happily and without hesitation, wanting to eat more of those delicious fruits.

She then continued to slowly give me pieces of the fruit right into my mouth, by still cutting the apple with just the help of her fingers, like a puzzle, when I closed my eyes while eating them with joy. I was so relaxed, to be in a paradise full of red apples, to be resting on Ophilia warm's lap, while she was lovely continuing to give me apple, pieces by pieces, right into my mouth. The taste of the apple was sweet on my tongue, but Ophilia was much sweeter through my eyes and she was really enjoying to make me pleased.

I was so happy, having everything that I just needed: food and love. I wanted that Ophilia continued to gave me apples like this again and again... no wait: forever ! It was such a lovely moment to rest peacefully on her knees, where I was feeling so comfortable that I could stay here for days, or even for weeks.

After I finished the last piece of apple, I decided to speak nicely at Ophilia, feeling so good with her.

"Thank you, Ophilia... It was so good..."

"You're welcome, my dear. It such a pleasure to make happy my cute little hero !", she said gently, with a pretty smile, while she slowly caressed my cheek with her leather gloved hand, making me so relaxed.

I smiled wide at her nice gesture, and also at the lovely compliment she gave me, especially when she called me "cute", making me blush, as my heart was really bouncing fast. She also called me "her little hero": I was sure it was because I saved her from that giant robot, just like I was her proud knight. I must really be her hero for her, and I was so proud to be her "charming prince", as she also must likes me a lot.

I then took peacefully a long breath, feeling so happy, while watching at her adorable face, when she told me nicely.

"By the way, I have also another surprise for you."

"Really ?... What is it ?", I asked her calmly and curiously, really interested by her surprise.

"This what brave heroes like you always receive.", she answered me with her soft-spoken voice.

She then slowly approached her head towards me, closing her eyes, as she was ready to kiss me. Seriously ?!! Did she was really going to give me a kiss ?! Like this ?! Now ?! I blushed so hard at the idea, feeling so nervous in my brain.

However, if I have to be honest, I could feel so happy, because I remembered how soft her kiss was when she kissed me on the cheek, and I would like so much that she kisses me again.

So, I happily waited, while watching her soft and pretty lips slowly approaching my forehead... Unless she wants to kiss me on the lips, like a couple in the movies ! Whatever, I wanted a kiss again, I would like to feel again her so soft, so nice, with so many kindness, on my face again, and I was so relaxed by the fact the girl I love was going to kiss me one more time, while my heart was beating much faster, and my cheeks went red.

I was ready to receive her kiss, while watching peacefully at the pink sky... but suddenly, I noticed something was wrong.

I heard a weird noise, while observing that the sky started to be dark, just like shadows were covering the sky. Ophilia, who has also noticed it, suddenly watched towards the sky, as we both looked worried.

"But what the hell is happening ?!", I said calmly, very shocked of the situation.

I slowly stood up from Ophilia's knees, standing on the grassy hill, where I was surprised to see the landscape was brutally changing: while the sky continued to be covered by black shades of shadow, much darker than the night sky, I noticed that all trees, all mountains, and also all apples, were slowly becoming black, before they slowly turned into a dark black dust, from the top to the bottom, which was floating on the sky. The paradise was slowly turning into a nightmarish hell. But what the hell was going on ?!!

Me and Ophilia were both shocked by the events, to see all that beautiful wonderful dreamland turning into ashes, even if there was no smoke, no fire. I looked behind me to see the ground of apple slowly becoming black, and leaving into ashes, when I quickly grabbed an apple before it turned black, holding it tight with my both hands, but it was still becoming black, before leaving into ashes, escaping from my hands.

"Travis ?...", I heard Ophilia's voice, speaking in a weak tune.

I turned at her, as she looked so scared, her hand put against her chest, when her entire body started to be colored in a dark black color, slowly turning into a faceless shadow with her shape.

I was so shocked and afraid for her, that I quickly ran in her direction.

"OPHILIA !!!", I yelled desperately.

I then tried to catch her while her body was entirely as black as a shadow, but my arms was passing through her body, which was turning into black ashes and flying on the sky, floating above my head. I was so shocked: I just saw her disappearing with my own eyes, without I had the time to do anything to prevent her to turn into ashes. It was emotionally hurting me to see her gone: I was so scared that I stayed speechless, but what was going on ?! Why did everything is starting to disappear in black smoke ?!

I was so anxious to see all going away, so afraid that everything went dark. I observed that the place was becoming darker and darker again, the sky was now fully a gigantic shadow, and so many dark ashes was flying like clouds above the ground. They were all approaching me, the ground at my surroudings started to be black as well, and even the hill was slowly turning into black ashes, which were moving like clouds. I was really trapped on my small hill, observing it slowly turning into black, while all the black clouds around me was advancing towards me from everywhere, and they were so many that I couldn't see anything anymore.

I then curled up on the ground in fair, while closing my eyes, waiting to be submerged by all the darkness. And then, I heard nothing: like a dead silence.

I slowly opened my eyes: everything was black, the apples, the trees, the mountains, the sky, and even Ophilia... they were all gone. I was just alone, alone in a dark place where I could see anything: it was the empty void. There was not a single sound: just a deadly and opressing silence which creeped me out.

I curiously watched around me, while noticing that my body was still visible, as I heavily breathed in fear, totally panicked and anxious, while sweat was leaving my face, and, while I thought I noticed a presence, I quickly turned my head behind me, while looking up.

Suddenly, I saw a yellow helmet, with black lines, watching at me, and I was so surprised by its sight that it gave me goosebumps, making me so scared. It was him: it was the man I saw when I was on the bridge, right before so many eagles attacked me and Therion. He was just standing a front of me, with his large black leather coat, without making any single move, making me creeped out.

I was so scared by that man that I quickly stepped back, by staying in a sitting down position where only my arms and my legs stepped back. Then, I quickly stood up and got away from him, without turning back, very scared by that scary man. But why he was there ?! What did he wants from me ?!

I continued to run, towards the black void even if I didn't know where I was going, very stressed and starting to be out of breath, where he suddenly appears a front of me, scaring me by giving me goosebumps again, and making me falling on my back by fear. But how ?! How it could be possible that he caught me up while he was immobile earlier ?! Where did he come from ?!!

Anyway, my heart couldn't stop to beat, because I was too scared by his sudden appearance, and also of his disturbing yellow helmet, making me so afraid that I couldn't make a scream, while I was frozen in place, afraid that he might harms me, like he did in the desert.

"N-no !...... P-please !.... L-leave me.... alone !", I spoke to him in a scared tone, while shaking my entire body in fear.

My body couldn't stop to tremble, while I was sitting on the ground, finding the man with the yellow helmet very opressing. Even if I couldn't see his eyes, I was sure he was watching me in a menacing way.

He said nothing while I was hoping he had some mercy for me, and he pointed his finger towards me, just like when we were on the bridge, except that he was much closer than me, making me much scared than before, while being indeed in the total darkness.

Screee !...

I heard a creepy and loud cry of a bird, a kind of eagle's screech exactly, making me shivering in fear as I totally recognized this sound.

I suddenly saw at my right a weird eagle, with arms, holding kinds of blades, which was quickly flying towards me, while he menacingly cried.

SCREEE !

I then watched more eagles coming surprisingly in my direction and screeching loud, and they were all attacking me. Then, their number couldn't stop to increase, while they appeared from everywhere: from the right, from the left, from the front, from above, and even from below. It was like a swarm, a swarm of eagles moving like bats and attacking me with their feathers, leaving me helpless as they were too many.

It was so scary that I couldn't even scream, but just wincing in pain, and all the eagles were moving in every senses, making me gesticulating while I was gone with the swarm. I couldn't support this more, I wanted that to stop, it was like the time when these eagles attacked me on that bridge, and they were making me so afraid, while they were harming me by making so many menacing screechs because they were too many.

SCREEEE !!!! SCREEEE !!!! SCREEEE !!!! SCREEE !!! SCREEE !!! SCREEE !!!! SCREEE !!! SCREEEE !!! SCREEEI !!!! SCREEIIIIS !!! SCREEEVIIIS ! SCRAEEEEEVIIIS !!!! SCTRAEEEEEVIIIIIS !!!!!

"Travis ! Travis ! Travis !", yelled suddenly but calmly a familiar voice at me.

I continued to gesticulate in every senses, when I felt someone touching gently my shoulders, who called my name to reassure me.

I quickly opened my eyes, waking up, and I suddenly got up on my bed, breathing hard, while I still looked stressed and scared, as my face was sweating in fear.

I observed that my shirtless body had no wounds from the eagles, except of course the one that I had later after being accidentally harmed by my axe, covered by a few bandages. I watched at my surroundings: it wasn't the total darkness anymore, I could clearly see the room, even if it was still dark but a candle has been lighted on the table, so I could see a dark blue kitchen, with many pots, plants, and also the chimney. The eagles were gone, the yellow helmet man was gone, I was back in the house: finally, all of this was just a dream.

"Travis ? Are you okay ?", said calmly a voice.

I looked at my left to see Alfyn, who looked worried for me, as he knew something was wrong with me. He was just crouching down a front of me, as I noticed he didn't wears his green jacket, but he was still wearing his white shirt. He was trying to reassure me, he must had noticed that I couldn't sleep, so he must had went down the stairs and waked me up, bringing me back to the reality.

I was also reassured to be safe, but also to see him. So, overtaken by the events, I quickly embraced him tight, while I still looked stressed after making that horrible nightmare, and I breathed hard, just trying to recover.

He then slowly hugged me back, keeping me warm, and reassuring me.

"It's fine. It was just a nightmare.", he whispered nicely to me.

The hug was so warm and so reassuring, after this hard moment I had in that nightmare, even if it wasn't real. I wanted to cuddle him because I needed to be reassured by someone after this shocking moment. I trusted him a lot, and he too he understood I wasn't feeling good, my heart continued to beat fast because I was still frightened by all those fears.

He was the first person who was at my sorrow, the only one in that place who really understood the poor boy I was, where even if I had a miserable life, I quickly saw inside his eyes that he wasn't considering me like a miserable, but just for a child who needed his help, despite he barely knew me. He seriously had waken up just for me: he must be worried that I was sleeping bad because of that yellow helmet guy, and also of those scary eagles.

And I really wanted his comfort: even if I had just met him today, I have already befriended with him. Indeed, he too he considered me like his mate, and I've heard that when a friend is very upset or very sad, we needed to console him, to cheer him up, and this must be how it must works between 2 or several close friends. Giving him a cuddle was a true exemple, because cuddles were really perfect to comfort people and to make them happy. I remembered when I hugged Ophilia, and also her sister Lianna, who were sad because their father was terribly sick, and I wanted to cheer them up, as I was feeling so bad for them. And I also wanted to be comforted by them, to be cheered up because hearing their story made me so sad, making me remembering of my backstory.

And it was also the same thing with Alfyn: I was so stressed and frightened after making that bad dream, but Alfyn was there to console me, and that was me this time who needed to be cheered up. I really liked cuddles: whatever if it was me or someone else who starts the hug, I really enjoyed them, because it makes me so relaxed, so reassured, so warm. Indeed, I was much smaller than a adult person, like Alfyn or Ophilia, so they have longer arms and could embrace entirely my small body, while me, when I cuddled the person with my smaller arms, my hands couldn't reach each other, except of course if I embrace the person around his neck. I really loved to hug and to be hugged as well, it was such a nice thing to be cheered up when we are upset.

We then slowly stopped the hug, as I was sitting down on the edge of my bed. Despite I could feel better after Alfyn consoled me, I was still so upset, remembering that horrifying dream, especially at the end. I thought it must be a very sweet dream, like the ones Alfyn wished me to do before I slept, however, I didn't expect that it will suddenly turn into a nightmare. During my life, I have already made a few nightmares, while sleeping on that uncomfy matress inside my hut. But this one was really particular: even if it was supposed to be a good dream, the ambiance change was too brutal, it was seriously the most frightening dream I ever had. But even if it was just a dream, it looked so real...

Alfyn looked at me attentively, understanding that I was really upset about that dream, when he told me calmly.

"Tell me if something is wrong, Travis."

He looked me right into my eyes, wanting to know the reason of my problems. He must really cares for me, he was really worried that something was making me troubled and frightened. He looked slightly serious when he asked me if there was something bothering me, and it was pretty nice from him when he wanted me to talk about what was making me upset.

I would like to explain him the reason, I would like to explain him the strange dream I got, but I'm sure it could be really difficult to explain: seriously, how could I tell him that a man with a weird yellow helmet wants to harm me ?! How could I explain him that someone with modern clothes would hang out in that video game which took place in a medieval game ?! However, Alfyn looked so curious and so concerned for me, he was really attentive while he was waiting him that I explain what kind of dream I had.

I didn't answer him, unsure if I could tell him or not, when he spoke to me again.

"You know, it happens at all of us to have nightmares. Me too, sometimes I couldn't sleep peacefully the night: we're all frightened of something. That's impossible to be afraid of anything."

He wasn't wrong: I wanted to be a brave boy, to be afraid of anything, but I couldn't prevent myself to be scared by this yellow helmet guy. He wasn't really like one of these scary monsters that children are afraid the night, he was just a man whose the outfit and the behaviour makes my blood running cold. He was just tracking me down, by staying immobile, just like a ghost. He doesn't really looked like a ghost, but he moved like one, in the middle of that dream. But how it's could be possible that he was haunting me in my dream ? Why did I have imagined the same moment when he pointed his finger towards me and when those bad eagles attacked me merciless ?

And Alfyn said he has sometimes nightmares too: I wondered what kinds of dreams they were, and what was frightening him the night, even if he was already an adult. However, for the moment, I was more preoccupied at myself: I was still upset after having that dream that I couldn't sleep again, despite it was still the night outside.

I finally decided to talk calmly and honestly to Alfyn.

"I... I can't sleep..."

He was concerned for me, understanding that I was so annoyed that I couldn't even close my eyes.

"I see... Would you like me to open the window for a moment ?", he asked me nicely.

I nodded "yes" to him, as I wanted to breath some fresh air, not only after having that nightmare, but also for many other things that were annoying me.

So, he walked towards the window next to the door, and opened it, alongside with the vents, which were making creaking sounds because they were too old.

I then decided to slowly get up on my bed, walking slowly towards the window with my bare feet, while being careful to not hurt my back, the wound still covered by these long bandages. So, Alfyn brought a wooden chair, permitting me to climb it in order to reach the window, and to put my arms on the edge, crossing them, while I observed peacefully what was outside.

It was the night, but I could clearly see the landscape thanks to the moon, a little elevated at the horizon, and it was a half moon, which made me reminding of something. The moon was slightly beautiful: it was shining brighly with a pure white color, its light mirroring on the river, which was so calm as well. It wasn't the same light of the streetlights, always yellow and lighted on the night, it was such a calm, natural, and beautiful light. I could observe the silhouettes of a few tall grass hiding the river, and also the plains far away behind the river. Because it was the night, it was still dark, but not so dark with this dark blue color of the river and the grass, as blue as was the night sky covered by stars.

There was almost no noises because everyone in the village must be asleep, except me and Alfyn of course. The only thing I could heard was the calm but repetitive sound made by the crickets, and I could only feel a calm puff of wind through my face, as I could breath fresh air, making me feeling better.

I continued to watch peacefully at the view through the window, making me relaxed and more calm. Effectly, it was such a beautiful night: not a single cloud was covering the sky, and the nature was still peaceful as well, when the majority of animals must be sleeping. It was really magnificent: it was the best night sky I have ever seen, giving me the will to dream. However, I was still wondering why I was here, in that peaceful village, and honestly, what everything that happened to me since I played that game has really happened.

But what am I doing here ?

I sighted, feeling a bit upset and tired by the events, which have really changed my life. I don't know how I could have entered in that game, I don't know why I was aspired by those vortex, I had so many questions in my mind, so many questions, but without any answer, and leaving me slightly confused. I was aware that I was now in a different world, slightly different with the real one, but there are a few common points. Even if the roads, the cars, the phone booth, and the rest were missing, there were good persons, bad persons, in the video game like in the reality. And by the way, I started to be happier since I've made the first step inside the game, despite I was still meditating calmly about this special day, full of adventures and of mysteries.

"Are you feeling good, Trav ?", told me calmly Alfyn, who was watching me observing the river.

I sighted, feeling a bit upset, when I calmly answered him.

"Yes... Errr... Not really."

"Is something bothering you ?", he asked me nicely, while he too he observed the landscape by standing at my right.

I don't really know what I could answer him: he knew something was wrong, and, to be honest, I couldn't clearly explain what was bothering me, as there were so much things which made me so depressed.

I wanted to tell him something.

"I don't know... It's just like... since the beginning... I've always told myself where to go... what to do... I'm just feeling a little lost in this world... I don't know what to do in my life, and whatever I do, I'll always have the feeling to never really understand... my place in this world..."

I partially lied to him, as I couldn't tell him that I'm a thief and that I wasn't from this world, else he wouldn't believe me, because it's might be a wacky story for him. However, I said the truth when I've told him that I could feel lost in this world: even if I was happier, even if I've met new friends in this world, I was really lost in a world which wasn't mine. Effectly, even if the real world was really difficult for me, it was still the world in which I've been born, and I was used to know each cranny of each alley and street in that city, while now, I was in a new world that I've never heard the existence. It wasn't a country that I've heard about, but it has some similarities with the real world: we could breath, we could live in... except it wasn't the same period: I was mostly in a medieval video game. Plus, even if it was so fun to have made such amazing things like making a robbery or going into a cavern, I couldn't still believe that I've done all this only a few hours ago, and that's why I wanted to think about it, a front of that window.

Alfyn was listening to me attentively, staying calm as he was still dreamy, as he must also think about something disctracting him, maybe about the real reason of my existence, or something else...

When he sighted, and spoke to me, while putting a hand on my shoulder to reassure me.

"I'm sure you will end up to find it. No matter when it's happens, you'll realize a day what was your goal in this world. Me too, at your age, I was like you: even if I was happy in my childhood, I didn't know what to do with my life, but one day, thanks to the visit of a man whom I was so grateful, I've finally found the path I want to take."

Alfyn was still positive while he was speaking to reassure me, and it was really nice to listen to him while I was admiring the place. He was really sympathetic towards me, and he was right: everyone must have a goal to do in their life. Effectly, he wanted to be the most generous doctor just to make people happy, while me I dreamed to explore the entire world. However, it seems that many people like me wanted to explore the world as well, and I didn't know really the reason why I wanted to explore it. But according to Alfyn, it's right everyone must choose their path.

I was quite grateful towards him to cheer me up, to encourage me when I was upset. Like Ophilia and Therion, he really knew the words to use for speaking to me, in order to console me. I was calmly glad to hear his advice, and he said that he was in the same situation than me when he was a child, until the visit of a man changed his man. I was really interested by this story, and I was wondering who was that man who had changed his life.

But for the moment, while I continued to contemplate the river, I was too preoccupied to wonder why I've made that strange dream, the one when I saw him again. And it was so weird: I was just peacefully dreaming about eating apples with Ophilia, but suddenly, everything disappeared, leaving me alone in the dark, and that man harmed me alongside with those eagles for an unknown reason. But I don't wanted to have nightmare ! I just wanted to continue my sweet dream and to eat apples while resting on Ophilia's knees !

Talking about her... Ophilia really missed me so much: it was too sad for me to be brutally separated from her, and I was really upset to not be with her. Since I left that cavern, I couldn't stop to think of her: I couldn't stop to think how pretty she was, her eyes, her kindness, and her smile. It was really heartbreaking for me to be far away from her, while watching that river, wondering where she could be at the moment. I have to join her: I promised to travel with her through the world, and to bring that sacred flame to repel darkness.

I really wanted to find her again: to walk with her, by holding each other's hand, I wanted to see her smile, to hear her beautiful voice, to see her preparing me delicious apples that I liked a lot. I really loved her, so I wanted to please her again, and that she was there to reassure me, by giving me a warm cuddle that I wanted so badly. I would like also that she gives me a kiss, like the one I received on the cheek, as it was so soft, so tender, as it was making me so relaxed and feeling good. I imaginated her in my mind, dreaming about her again, and remembering her calling me "Travis" with her pretty voice. But I was really sad she wasn't there: I was really depressed that I couldn't sleep. I sighted, feeling upset that she wasn't there.

I also missed Therion a lot... I've promised to help him too: this stupid bracelet was really annoying him, and I wanted to take it off from him. But how could I join him if he too I didn't know where he was actually ? Did he was looking for me ? Or did he's already getting going at that city called Noblecourt, where we have to steal that magic ball ? I was just worried that he had some troubles if I wasn't there to help him. He was my brother after all...

I remembered that I was keeping something in my pocket, so I slowly took it from my pants, and I watched this small thing I was holding in my hand.

It was a small stone, but not just a simple stone: it was a precious stone, with the shape of a heart, who was shining a small beautiful blue light. It was the precious stone I've found in that cavern, in the middle of the rest of the broken statue, and Ophilia requested me to keep it safe. When I was watching this beautiful precious stone, it's reminds me of all that adventure I had inside that cave, when there was this giant robot who tried to harm us, that me and Ophilia had fought, and also when Ophilia finally had retrieved the first flame.

But this stone was mostly making me thinking of her: it was the only keepsake I have from her, and watching this stone shining reminded me about how beautiful she was, and just the fact that it has the shape of a heart, even if it was a little broken at the bottom, totally reminded me that it belonged at my crush, even if she just wanted that I kept it for her.

I was smiling at the view of this precious stone, and I was quite happy to have something that partially belonged to her. However, I have also a keepsake reminding me of Therion: my small axe. But I wasn't wearing it for the moment, and Alfyn must had removed it when it was hurting my back.

I observed that Alfyn leaned his head at my left, while curiously watching at the stone, when he asked me nicely.

"Well, what's this ?", he was concerned about this thing, and he too was admired by its beauty, when he spoke again. "It's beautiful !"

Did I tell him the truth that I've found it after beating a giant robot in a cavern which is supposed to be so far away from that village ?! Or did I just lie to him ?!

He was waiting attentively and positively at my answer, so I had to answer at his question quickly.

"Err... I've just found it..."

"Where ?", he asked me curiously, making me slightly embarrassed that I couldn't answer clearly his question.

I know it was bad to lie, futhermore at a friend, but I didn't have the choice. I know it was my friend and I could trust him, but I'm just afraid that he won't believe me.

He spoke to me again, very curious about its origins.

"It's just... I have never known such a beautiful stone during all my life, and I guess that it must come from an ancient place..."

His deduction was right: even if it was the first time he saw such a beautiful treasure, he has already understood that it was from a very old place. Well, that's good, because according to Ophilia, the cave of Origins in which I've found the stone was really an old place, because apparently, we told that the god of the Sacred Flame whom I've already forgotten the name had brought the first flame from the stars a very long time ago.

We both watched at the shiny stone, as shiny as the moon, when the form of a heart made me think about something. Since I've meet Ophilia, I've found her so pretty that I developed a crush on her, even if she was much older than me. I never expected that a day I'll fall in love with someone, and I have never thought about how we do with the person we love. In reality, I had never really understood how love might work. I don't know how to explain that, and I don't know how I could explain at Ophilia that I've fallen in love with her if I was too shy towards her. I would to talk about this with someone, but I don't want that people knows that I'm in love with an older girl.

However, I wanted to know how to deal with that.

"Hey, Alf.", I said calmly to Alfyn, while thinking at Ophilia.

"Yes ?", he asked me calmly, waiting patiently my question.

I haven't answered him directly, because I didn't really know what to tell him: if I tell him that I love a girl, it will be totally sure that he will ask me who is she. Even if he might help me, I don't really want to reveal who I loved, because I was too shy to explain this to him, and I mostly prefered to keep it as my secret.

So, during my silence, I was thinking about what question I must ask him, when I finally decided to get into it.

"Well... How do we do... when we love a girl ?"

I've waited to his reaction: he just calmly laughed at my question, not to loud to not awake the neighborhood. He looked so positive, while thinking I was funny, but I just wanted to be slightly serious for once.

He looked amused by my answer, with a small smile on his face, when he told me calmly.

"Why did you ask me this question ? Are you in love with someone ?"

But how did he guess it ?!

I blushed slightly when he asked me if I was in love with someone, making me reminding of Ophilia. I know he has asked me this answer in a jokey way, but this question was really annoying me so much that I couldn't dare to answer him.

"N-no ! N-not at all ! It's just I wanted to know...", I lied to him, feeling so nervous about this annoying question.

He then sighted, before he spoke to me, as he looked pensive

"In reality... we don't have to respect rules when we love someone."

"Ah ?"

"When you fall in love with a girl, that could happen at any second, even at the moment when you least expect it. We can not choose the moment when we have a crush with someone, and this this the same thing about how we interact with our ladylove, because Love has no rules: onlu your heart decides."

"Really ?! But why ?!", I asked him calmly, while looking at him, and feeling so interested and curious about the subject.

"Because, you know, there are a lot of ways to interact with our ladylove: some people decides to directly announce the love they have to the girl of their dreams, but others prefer to stay shy and to keep that secret for themselves. In fact, it's depends of people: it's us who decides when is the good moment to declare his love to our soul mate."

I began to learn a few things about Love, as Alfyn was pretty good to explain this to me. According to him, I must be part of those persons who stayed shy, instead of telling at their love something like "Hey ! I'm in love with you ! Do you love me ?!", as I haven't dared to tell at Ophilia that I loved her, because I was afraid to act like someone stupid, so I preferred to stay silent and to admire her beauty. Indeed, it wasn't the kind of thing that we are used to reveal at anyone, even at the girl we love.

Alfyn told me about a good moment to choice, the one when we decide to say "I love you", but I think it's might be too direct, and there may be other ways to make a girl happy.

I was really interested to know how to, so I wanted to ask the question at Alfyn.

"I see... but how we do that ?"

"Do what ?", he asked me curiously.

"Well... you know... how we do to declare at the girl that we love her...", I answered him nervously, trying my best to understand the things we have to do at our crush.

"Ah ! Yeah ! You mean how to please your crush !", he told me nicely, as I nodded "yes" to him, as I really would like to know how to do it with a girl.

He took a small breath, while he still looked a little tired after he must have waken up just to get me away of that nightmare, before he started to explain calmly.

"There are different common but sweet manners to please at your girl: you can give her a sweet gift, like a bunch of flowers, or a chocolate box.... You can write her a lovely poem, hanging out with her and taking her on a date in a beautiful place like... a hill covered by flowers, with a magnificent view on the sunset... There are always many ways to please at a girl, depending on what they like, but anyway, all you have to do is to make sure she is interested of you."

His advices were really useful: even if I already knew that the most famous way to please at a girl is to bring her a nice bunch of pretty flowers, I was learning again more about how to deal with girls, even if I never expected that a day I would fall in love of a girl, especially if she is much older than me.

Indeed, I think I should try these manners with Ophilia, if ever I see her again. Alfyn told me we could take a girl on a date at a beautiful place, and that's all right because I knew precisely the place where to go with Ophilia: the snowy hill where I joined her when she was with her sister Lianna, which was really a beautiful place with a beautiful view on the cathedral, and plus there were even flowers ! Indeed, it was her favorite place, and if ever we both go back at that spot, I could bring her flowers to make her happy.

So, all we have to do is to make sure our lover is interested ?! It's quite strange and difficult to understand, but I think it might be a good strategy if we just make sure to our girlfriend is happy. Alfyn really knew how to deal with girls, but I was wondering how he knew all those tips so much.

He then continued to speak.

"Me, at your age, I liked girls very much ! Not only one single girl, but everyone of them ! In my native village, there were a few pretty girls of my age, and every time I tried to play the smart boy to make sure they were noticing me. But I was often a troublemaker, so I must had annoyed them sometimes !", he laughed calmly but positively, remembering the old past, before he continued."Now, I'm too old and busy at my work for these kinds of games... but sometimes, it's happens that I think at pretty women..."

He made a small blush, while he was still smiling calmly. He too he liked pretty girls, but I have never expected that when he was a kid, he had a crush on several girls at the same time. Anyway, I was quite happy for him, because he must had a sweet childhood.

I continued to watch peacefully at the river lighted by the moon, when I spoke to him with the smile.

"You were really lucky to have fun when you were little, Alf.", I then felt a bit upset by remembering the old past. "Me, I never had the chance to have the same life like you... I was always obliged to run, to flee, to hide. I sometimes have the impression... of being miserable at people's eyes... I always have the feeling to be unlucky... It's too hard for me to be like the other kids, and to be so lonely in this world..."

I was slightly depressed, thinking about my condition, and wondering why I was born by living with those difficult ways of life, living in the poverty, our stomack often grumbling for food, and our eyes very tired. But what was really my reason to live ? What was the destiny of a small homeless boy in this vast world ?

I then felt Alfyn's hand ruffling my dark brown mid-long hair.

"Don't give up so easily, little one... No matter who you are and where you came from, there will be always someone who will help you when you'll be in the need. And, you know Travis... I have really noticed nothing miserable in you: all I saw from you, it's just a young kid who needed to be rescued. In other terms... you're not alone anymore."

Alfyn's words really touched me: even if he knew me since a few hours, he wasn't seeing me like a miserable. When I listened to those words, when he told me that I wasn't alone anymore, I could trust better in myself, and I was so happy in my mind that someone finally considered me like a true little boy ! It was such a warmth in my heart to be complimented like this, especially if before I was a poor kid who had stolen at people. Now, it was finished: "Travis the lonely unhappy boy" was finally gone, now I am "Travis, the happy traveler boy" ! Yes, because I wanted to travel through the world.

I smiled at Alfyn, who looked at me positively, while I was still standing on my chair by observing the half-moon. Seriously, he was such a good friend with me: he was really sympathetic when he talk to me, when he cured me, and and cheered me up. I was so grateful to have met him, but mostly because he understood me like no others people have done. Thanks to him, I wasn't feeling lonely anymore, I was finally someone liked, even if it was only by a few nice peoples for the moment. I was very lucky to have met all those nice persons by simple coincidences: effectly, there were finally nice people, like him, Ophilia and Therion, who had never seen me like a street's brat. Instead, I was like a innocent kid who cried for help, to go away of all my problems and that misery. I liked Alfyn a lot for encouraging me to pursue my life, he really understood all my problems, and also what to do to cheer me up. He was really a good pal !

We looked at each other, before we continued to watch at this beautiful river, just the fact that it was such a new place for me made me think that I was very far from Therion and Ophilia. They must be worried for me, and they were missing me a lot as well. I wanted to join them for helping them in their periple, but there were 2 huge problems: the first, I couldn't normally move with that wound on my back, and I have to wait a little until it's healed, so it was slightly risky that I travel, and Alfyn wouldn't never let me leave that place in my state.

The second, most importantly, I had no ideas were they're must be actually, and worse, they must didn't know as well where I was actually: it's been half a day that I left Therion, who was next to that bridge the last time I saw him, and I don't know if he just continued to go to steal those 3 dragonstones, or else he had turned back to pick me up at that village. And the last time I've seen Ophilia it was when we were in that cavern... did she was still in that cavern, or did she started to travel to kindle the sacred flame through the world ? I think she must look for me as well.

Anyway, I don't know how they could find me and how I could find them, but I think I have to wait in that village for the moment, just the time to recover of my wound, as Alfyn told me that I needed to be patient for letting it closing.

However, staying there with him wasn't bothering me at all: at the contrary, landing there permitted me to get to know with this cheerful guy. His kindness and his determination to help people in the need like me gave me totally the will to be at his sides: I was glad to have befriended with him, and I would like to know more about how much he is ready to be someone helpful with others.

We both watched positively at each other, when he was thinking for a while, when he told me in a sympathetic way.

"By the way, what if I bring you tomorrow on a walk in the woods to cheer you up ?"

"I-in the woods ?!", I asked curiously and innocently.

"Yeah ! I sometimes go there to collect the plants which I need for making my elixir and my drugs, so I considered I could show you how I find the useful ingredients for my work ! Are you interested ?!", he asked me calmly and nicely.

It was such a surprising proposition from, and I reminded about how he prepared those potions to heal me, making me interested by his work. So, I was thinking about my decision for a moment, when I finally answered him happily.

"Sure ! Why not !"

~

A/N: Hello guys ! Here's a small chapter which is slightly calmer compared to the other ones. I'm sorry if it's not an important one, but you know, I just started my first day to the university monday, and I'm not still used at that new life, where I have to deal with my studies. Plus, I've already told you that my writing schedule might be different, where I must publish one chapter per week, by writing 2000 words per days, 3000 maybe.

Furthermore, this chapter was mostly a transition, where Travis starts to understand what is love for him, improving his relationship with Alfyn. But don't worry, I promess you the next chapter will be more fun, where Travis will discover some new things, and a tragedy that a part of Alfyn's fans must already know.

Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter, and see you next week !