Crimson & Light: Starting Over In A World Isn't As Easy As It Seems

It would be a few days before Changra could officially go to the guild due to regulations.

Changra awoke the next morning feeling particularly gross. He sat up, staring at his hands for a moment before sniffing his shirt—a mistake.

"When was the last time I showered?" he muttered, horrified. "No, seriously, I think the smell is alive. It's plotting against me."

He scrambled to his feet, determined to get some answers. After wandering through the hall, hair a total mess and clothes practically stuck to him, he spotted Seth standing near the training grounds. Perfect—his favorite person.

"Good morning, Instructor Seth," Changra greeted as he approached.

Seth turned to face him, raising a brow and already smirking like he'd been waiting to roast someone.

"Hello, failure," Seth replied, chuckling as if he'd been rehearsing that all night. "Though you don't need to call me 'Instructor' anymore. You can just call me Seth. I mean, technically, I'm still your superior. Being the vice-boss of the Ariants kind of guarantees that."

"The Ariants?" Changra blinked. "Is that some kind of bug?"

Seth stared at him for a second before sighing dramatically. "You don't know?" he said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "That's the name of the guild I'm in. From what I've gathered, it sounds like you know little to nothing about Elakia. Where were you from again?"

Changra's brain short-circuited. Not good. Danger, danger! If he blurted out that he wasn't from Elakia, he had a feeling things might go sideways. Fast.

He stalled. "Uh… Did Berethia not say anything? I hit my head really hard a while back, and just—poof! Haven't been able to remember anything. At all."

Seth narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly not buying all of it. "Odd," he said, rubbing his chin. "Then how did you remember your name?"

Changra froze. Oh no. Oh no, no, no. It felt like every answer in his head was suddenly replaced with static.

"Uh… well…" he started, his voice an octave higher than usual. "It was the only thing I could manage to remember. Like, really, the only thing. I guess I just woke up, and 'Changra' sounded… familiar?"

There was an awkward pause. Seth stared at him with all the skepticism of someone who knew he was hearing straight nonsense. But instead of pressing further, Seth just smirked and crossed his arms.

"Huh. Convenient." He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "You wouldn't happen to be hiding anything else, would you?"

Changra instinctively took a step back. "No! Definitely not. I'm an open book. Wide open. Pages flying in the wind."

Seth snorted a laugh. "Right. A very sketchy book." He turned and started walking away, calling back over his shoulder. "Well, make sure you get yourself cleaned up. You smell like someone left you in a swamp overnight."

Changra sighed, running a hand through his unwashed hair. Great. I stink AND I'm sketchy. Off to a fantastic start.

Seth, with a smirk, pointed Changra toward the showers. "That way," he said, "and do us all a favor—use plenty of soap."

Changra nodded, clutching the fresh set of clothes he'd been handed earlier by a peculiar woman who'd appeared out of nowhere, muttered something about "destiny's fabric," and vanished before he could ask any questions. The garments were unlike anything he'd seen before: a tunic woven with intricate patterns that seemed to shift colors in the light, paired with trousers that felt both lightweight and durable.

As he made his way to the showers, he couldn't help but wonder about the customs of Elakia. The traditional attire here was a far cry from the jeans and t-shirts he was accustomed to. He recalled snippets of conversations he'd overheard about the significance of clothing in various cultures, each thread telling a story of heritage and identity.

Entering the shower area, he was relieved to find it empty. The facilities were surprisingly advanced, with a series of levers and knobs that controlled water temperature and pressure. After a few moments of fumbling, he managed to get a steady stream of warm water flowing.

As he scrubbed away the grime of the past days, he felt a sense of renewal. The water washed away not just the physical dirt but also some of the lingering doubts and fears that clung to him. He thought about the journey ahead, the challenges he would face, and the allies he hoped to make.

Stepping out of the shower, he donned the new clothes. The tunic fit perfectly, the fabric cool against his skin. He caught his reflection in a polished metal surface and barely recognized himself. The attire gave him an air of belonging, a connection to this new world he was beginning to navigate.

With a deep breath, he squared his shoulders and made his way back to the main hall, ready to face whatever came next. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that the woman who'd given him the clothes would reappear at some point, perhaps with more cryptic messages about his "destiny." For now, though, he was content to be clean, dressed, and one step closer to integrating into the world of Elakia.

Changra noticed Jane sitting alone at a table, her fingers tracing idle patterns on its surface. He approached and took a seat across from her.

"Good morning," he greeted with a warm smile.

Jane looked up, her eyes reflecting concern. "Good morning," she replied. "Are you alright?"

Changra nodded, a hint of amazement in his expression. "Yeah, it seems my injuries have healed completely. That hole in my stomach is gone, just a scar now." He paused, then added with a chuckle, "The magic here must be really effective!"

Jane's eyes widened slightly. "That's incredible. The healers here are truly skilled." She hesitated before continuing, "I noticed you seemed... troubled last night. Is everything okay?"

He shifted uncomfortably, memories of his haunting dreams flickering in his mind. "Just some old memories resurfacing. Nothing to worry about." Attempting to lighten the mood, he added with a grin, "Besides, with healing magic this good, maybe they can fix bad dreams too."

Jane offered a sympathetic smile. "If only it were that simple. But remember, you're not alone here. If you ever want to talk, I'm here to listen."

Changra felt a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Jane. That means a lot." He glanced around the room, then back at her. "So, what's on the agenda for today? More training?"

She nodded. "Yes, but I heard there might be a session on basic healing spells. Could be useful, considering your recent experience."

He chuckled. "Definitely. I'd rather not rely solely on the healers if I can help it."

As they continued their conversation, the camaraderie between them grew, each finding comfort in the other's presence amidst the uncertainties of their new environment.

A booming voice interrupted their conversation.

"Changra!" the voice called out, unmistakably familiar.

Berethia came running up to him, her eyes alight with excitement.

Jane shifted uneasily as Berethia slid onto the bench beside Changra, her proximity close enough to make anyone question the concept of personal space.

"Good morning, Changra!" Berethia exclaimed, her enthusiasm radiating like a second sunrise.

"Morning, Berethia," Changra replied, caught off guard by her sudden appearance.

Jane offered a polite nod, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of discomfort.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Berethia asked, leaning in with the eagerness of someone ready to conquer the world before breakfast.

Changra glanced at Jane, who shrugged slightly.

"We were just discussing the possibility of a session on basic healing spells," he said.

"Sounds fascinating!" Berethia declared, her enthusiasm unwavering.

Jane managed a small smile, though her grip on her cup tightened ever so slightly.

As the three of them sat together, the air filled with a mix of anticipation and unspoken tension, each navigating the complexities of new friendships and the subtle undercurrents that accompanied them.

Berethia's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned in closer to Changra. "So, I have some news for you," she said, her smile warm and inviting. "Should I tell you now, or let you find out on your own?"

Changra chuckled, curiosity piqued. "Well, with an introduction like that, how could I not want to know?"

"Alright, I'll spill," Berethia said, placing a friendly hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to be joining your guild!"

"Really?" Changra's voice wavered between confusion and excitement. "That's... unexpected."

"Yes! You're with the Eclipsevane, right?" Berethia asked, her enthusiasm undiminished.

Changra's mind raced. Eclipsevane? He had no idea what she was talking about. In fact, he didn't even know the name of his own guild. He glanced at Jane, silently pleading for assistance.

Jane met his gaze and gave a subtle nod, confirming Berethia's statement.

"Uh, yeah, the Eclipsevane," Changra echoed, hoping he sounded convincing. "That's great news, Berethia. Looking forward to having you with us."

Jane offered a polite smile, though her eyes held a hint of unease.

"It's going to be amazing!" Berethia exclaimed, oblivious to the undercurrents. "We'll make a fantastic team."

Changra nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, absolutely."

As the conversation continued, Changra couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing crucial information about his new guild. Eclipsevane, he repeated in his mind, committing the name to memory. He made a mental note to learn more about it—and quickly—before his lack of knowledge led to more awkward situations.

Jane remained silent, her expression thoughtful, as if she, too, was contemplating the dynamics that Berethia's arrival might bring.

"Well," Berethia began, her eyes gleaming with excitement, "we should be leaving tomorrow to set out for Eclipsevane."

Changra's curiosity piqued. "Wait, before anything," he interjected, "was Aetterus okay with you switching guilds?"

Berethia's eyes widened momentarily, clearly taken aback by the question.

"Yes, of course," she replied, regaining her composure. "He was the one who authorized it in the first place."

Changra nodded, though a flicker of doubt lingered in his mind.

Jane, observing the exchange, remained silent, her expression thoughtful.

The conversation shifted to the upcoming journey, but Changra couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Berethia's transfer than met the eye.

As they discussed plans for their departure, he resolved to stay vigilant, aware that the dynamics within the guild might be more complex than he had initially anticipated.

As night enveloped the training grounds, Changra lay awake, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The prospect of joining the Eclipsevane guild filled him with both excitement and trepidation. Since awakening in this world, he had felt adrift, but now, an opportunity lay before him—a chance to carve out a new path.

Yet, the weight of this transition pressed upon him. The uncertainty of what lay ahead, coupled with the remnants of his past, stirred a restless energy within. He knew that embracing this change was essential, but the anxiety it brought was undeniable.

Recalling the conversations he'd had earlier, he remembered Jane's supportive presence and Berethia's enthusiasm. Their companionship was a source of comfort, a reminder that he wasn't alone in this journey.

Taking a deep breath, Changra resolved to face the coming days with determination. He would lean on his new friends, embrace the challenges, and allow himself the grace to adapt at his own pace. With this mindset, he closed his eyes, inviting sleep to prepare him for the dawn of a new chapter.