It was a beautiful night in the great forests of Ircandesta. The sky was clear, the moons were bright, and the air was cool and dry. The wind whispered softly as it wove through the folded leaves of the massive chronoan trees surrounding Yuna Lake.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XvY4lFQtO

A young tigreth woman stepped hesitantly from the cover of the trees, her folded clothes clutched to her naked bosom. Although the color of her fur was hard to make out, the light of the moons caught on the white patch of fur that covered her stomach, chest, and ended just above her nose.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡntBJ7pUnD3

Her cat-like ears twitched as she listened intently for something beyond the normal sounds of the forest. She set her clothes on a smooth rock near the edge of the lake, and with a final glance at the forest around her, she stepped into the tranquil water.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb001FTSpo

"Thank the Creator." she breathed as the cool liquid washed over her road-worn body, "I feel like I haven't had a bath in ages."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡOslkrpG7g9

The young tigreth maiden waded into the lake until the water came up to her stomach. She hummed softly as she cleaned herself in the cool water. As she started to wash her hair, however, her ears twitched. She froze for a moment before looking around only to find the lake and the forest as empty as ever.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡVECxnKWh7A

The tigreth maiden let out a light-hearted laugh and resumed cleaning herself only to stop a few seconds later. This time she was certain she could hear something.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMMlNN0GGq

After a few moments of looking around only to find herself alone, her gaze rose to the night sky. The stars were shining brightly, as were the three of Vinta's moons that were currently visible. After a few seconds, however, it was clear that one of the stars was much brighter than the others. In fact, it was growing brighter by the second.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uSrPjQvr7

The tigreth maiden stared at the star a few moments, her ears continuing to twitch as the subtle whine in the air grew louder and louder. She wanted to run, but her innate curiousity made it impossible to tear her gaze away from the falling object.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmLhT82Qqa

A strange wind began to blow around the lake. It started as a whisper, but in a matter of moments grew into a gust that shook the limbs of all the trees.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLWc7J07qH

A particularly old limb was blown free and hit the ground with a crash that brought her back to her senses. Finally tearing her eyes away from the shining light, the tigreth maiden moved toward the shore. The wind stirred up the water of the lake, making it hard to keep her footing. Desperation on her face, the tigreth maiden fought through the rippling water and rushing wind.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvcqW1KNwb

The brilliant light slammed into the lake just as the girl leapt from the edge of the lake and landed with feline precision behind the rock where her clothes lay. The impact sent water in all directions. Fortunately, the girl had the forethought to grab her clothes before they were soaked.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbyGtsPvig

As the wind died down and the surface of the lake began to calm, the tigreth maiden stepped tentatively out from behind the rock. She clutched her clothes to her chest as she approached the edge of the lake, her eyes searching for whatever had just interrupted her bath.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ2CW9mWgM

Something broke through the surface of the lake. After a few moments, it became clear that it wasn't something but someone. By the light of the moons, she could make out the smooth-skinned face of a young Galden man, apparently unconscious.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOiQffR02o

Dropping her clothes, Teria rushed into the lake and swam toward the still figure as fast as she could. She grabbed his arms, but abruptly let go when her hands touched metal.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYAKE4cuAv

"He's a scrap." She whispered, looking with interest at the young man's metal arms.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgeMSaVe7c

Shaking her head, she grabbed him under his shoulders and dragged him to the shore of the lake.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L1jChyuiB

She pressed an ear to his chest and listened for sounds of breathing. Hearing none, she put both hands on his chest and pushed hard once … twice … three times. Tilting his head back, she put her mouth to his and blew as hard as she could.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuAtfexrJ7

He still wasn't breathing. Worried, the tigreth started to blow another breath into the boy when he coughed right into her open mouth.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtnbgglbvt

"Ew!" She fell back, wiping her mouth as the boy sputtered back to life.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡoweqQQHpkZ

He pushed himself over and promptly retched lake water. The tigreth maiden patted him on the back as he fought to regain his breath.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1duBGJQdbz

"Thank you." he breathed once he got the water out of his lungs. As he looked up at his savior, his cheeks went bright red. "I-I … I …."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡl83IjjZFvu

"What?" Looking down, she realized that in her hurry to help the boy, she had forgotten that she was still naked.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T1nkSd1hy

With a yelp, she darted back behind the rock and started clawing around for where she had set her clothes.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jLvUseLGq

The young man picked her clothes off the ground and approached the tigreth maiden slowly, careful to keep the rock between them. His eyes averted and his cheeks crimson, he held the clothes out to her. "Are these yours?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1ynKRHKwc

She kept her eyes on his as she stepped out from behind the rock and snatched the clothes from his grasp. Once she had darted back behind the rock, she said, "Thanks. What's your name, anyway?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF5g2q8grq

"My name is …" The boy's face fell. He ran a metal hand through his long unkempt hair, looking pained.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtKAZF3eqJ

Slipping her shirt on over her damp fur, she asked, "What's a matter? Don't tell me you have amnesia."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡELLc9w4QgA

The boy shook his head. "It's not that. I just …"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vg8LiyUy0

She gave an impatient snort as she tied her shirt into a makeshift top. "Do you know who you are or not?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnt5XsK1Ha

"I'm Glen Gineros."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlWwx53BVj

"Your name's Gineros? You a sentient or something?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXPt5BLEvk

"What's a sentient?" Glen asked, looking perplexed.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQH8WFBGGi

"How could you not know what a sentient is? Are you from another planet or something?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrDOYbT1NP

Hearing nothing but silence, the tigreth gave an exasperated snort and stepped out from behind the rock to get a look at the young man.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0MatSMewh

He was looking at Everblue, an odd look of wonder on his face.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb8gj5WUMD

"What?" She asked, looking up at the moon, "What's wrong with you?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE4Qs32l5P

"I think you're right."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡarQXCjQoyn

"Of course I'm right. Wait, what was I right about?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7yOoSTlMF

"I think I'm from another planet."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZk3QM6S8b

The girl didn't seem perturbed by this, small surprise seeing as she had witnessed his unusual arrival. She sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Great. I got peeped by an alien."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjDyhfS7Dq

"I'm not a … I didn't …" the boy flushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjy37WW1hI

"To fall out of the sky into the lake so that I had to haul your butt out and give you mouth-to-mouth?" A grin slid across her face. "So, how was it anyway?'copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfI1izOprW

"How was what?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡBafeJwtBE7

"Your first kiss."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19qzdyw9zN

"I …" the boy's whole face went red. Coughing, he asked, "So what planet is this, anyway?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh3Ajm97LB

"Vinta. It's a nice place." Her face fell. "Well, usually. It kinda sucks when your parents are on your case, y'know?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nMjBvQ56v

"I never knew my parents." The boy said, sounding a little sad. "The closest thing I ever had to a family was my team, but I guess that doesn't matter anymore."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7EDHSbd1L

Teria leaned toward him, her hands behind her back as she peered at up at his downcast face. "You wanna talk about it?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T24ulrEtd

"Not really."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxA2QcxHiE

After a few moments, she kissed him on the cheek.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuMR8tJjGL

He looked up with surprise in his eyes.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IF7M9sdOW

"Life can suck sometimes," She said kindly, "but you can't let it keep you down."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5t17jdF1w

"You're right," the boy admitted, "but-"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd1659zOsg

"But? But? There's no but. You just got kissed by a beautiful lady twice. Isn't that enough to cheer you up?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwYeDLo6Zd

The boy let out a light-hearted chuckle. Rubbing his spiky hair with a metal hand, he said, "I guess the only thing to do is to start over again."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qiwsqPG6R

"That's the spirit!" The girl gave the boy a hearty smack on his back. "And you can start by being my protector."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq4dxam7YP

The boy gave her an incredulous look. "Excuse me?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡnylmNZ8c68

"My protector. You know, my bodyguard." Her eyes narrowed. "Or were you just gonna abandon me out here?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9zIF18vHe

"O-of course not, but I don't even know your name."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUFr7cBujA

"Easily fixed." She thrust her hand at him. "Teria Celes Myssohn."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH9F4WFd9L

"Call me Glen," He said as he shook her hand.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyVUgBVp7D

She gave him a crooked grin. "Glen, huh? Strange name, but it's got a good sound to it."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtxjVFwx9Q

The world began to blur. The night sky melted away into the beautiful twilight of the dream realm. The lake vanished, replaced with the edges of the floating island. The Chronoan trees faded until one remained, which slowly shrank into a single oak tree.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8syh7CeMPn

One sat up suddenly, accidentally knocking Nixil off his lap in the process.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaWu5c51Bc

"Gyaah!" Nixil bounced off the ground like a small rubber ball. After recovering from the initial shock, he flew up to One's face, bat-like wings flapping angrily. "Hey! What's the big idea?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfGbzCR690

"Sorry, Nixil." One said apologetically, "I was having a strange dream."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhsuzA7NnX

"Of course you were dreaming! This is the dream realm! Just being here is technically dreaming, you moron!" With an angry snort, Nixil flew off toward the Solarius, the distant sun that hung in the very center of the dream realm.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV76pdjveV

Sighing, One fell back against the trunk of his oak tree. The dream … no, the memory had played out in his eyes like a reel from a movie. He was regaining his memories, but how? Luck had the ring. Was she doing this for some reason?copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡISbo4K0VRa

He had vaguely remembered falling into a lake during his first visit to Vinta, but he didn't remember it actually being Yuna Lake. He certainly hadn't remembered that Teria had been there to fish him out. It was ironic his next visit to the planet would see him arriving in a lake as well, Rinoa Lake in Homestead..copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNsoi1ZqOm

Just thinking about their first encounter brought a chuckle to his lips; she hadn't changed a bit since then, at least not personality-wise.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZhv5HIpcX

"I wonder if she's doing okay." One mused.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUPvjUgkQ7

"What about Luck?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMVXbeYbEM

"I like her. I like her a lot, but …" One stopped abruptly and turned to see to whom he was speaking.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2MPxRwggJ

A black-robed figure stepped out from the shadows cast by the oak tree. One was on his feet in an instant, Headache materializing on his arms.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBE36YYmiO

The figure lowered his gaze to the units encasing One's arms. "Ah, One's infamous Headache. The grapple beam still giving you problems?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOBpLNDJYh

"Who are you?" One demanded.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvjilRaS7r

"Forgive me. I am told that I have something of an unsettling manner." The figure pulled off its hood, revealing a surprisingly youthful face and a head of long, white hair. "As you can see, I am unarmed."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl2go9fnwy

"That doesn't mean much in the dream realm."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZmNp7A2Rz

The robed boy let out a laugh. "True enough. However, I give you my word I'm not here to give you any trouble."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡko5EHqvRiD

Lowering Headache slightly, One asked, "How did you get to my nexus point?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUZmbnvqL1

"You invited me. Indirectly, of course. You can call me Mixe, by the way." Mixe bowed to One. "And you are the Dreamer known as Narrator Number One."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡZW1lKqtltk

"Are you a Dreamer?" One asked.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNJZrqpXiI

Mixe shrugged. "Something like that, yes."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBDAYOYtfJ

Chuckling, One lowered Headache. "I thought I was supposed to be the cryptic one."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡveGxAqX3Lr

"Actually, I've always felt you were refreshingly straight-forward." Mixe sat down and rested his back against the tree. "You see a problem and you hit it dead on, no delay. I know some consider it a flaw, but I've always believed it your greatest strength."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGe7FGy5EQ

One wasn't sure what to say to that, so he just sat down beside Mixe.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgsrQqgPUv

After a few moments, the boy said, "The dream realm is as lovely as ever, I see. I've always loved the perpetual twilight."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqKfXkGVos

When One didn't respond, Mixe chuckled. "Now, now. It's not like you to be so quiet."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡmM8BUNisTW

"No one was supposed to know where I was. Even if they did, I don't let just anyone into my nexus point."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHdL93cpT7

The boy raised his eyebrows. "Really? Then I guess I'm flattered. I love what you've done with the tree."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsxFHv0nqo

One opened his mouth to deliver an annoyed response, but Mixe quickly raised his hand. "I just thought you might appreciate a friendly ear, especially after what happened with Luck.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNbXo5LHyF

"How do you know about Luck?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡERmRCwUOVN

"Ukaroh."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQftwXYxlp

A pang shot through One's heart at the mention of his ex-girlfriend. "Ukaroh? You've seen her?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbc88BdUiL

"Indeed. She's still keeping tabs on you, y'know."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWDWNftI4o

"How …"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0fMuMJsj5

"How is she?" Mixe asked, raising an eyebrow.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgg4opFCjY

One nodded silently.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTU1QIgjql

Mixe considered a moment. "She's definitely gotten better at guitar. Now that she's dyed her hair blue, she looks like someone out of one of Wong's anime shows. Oh, and she's still upgrading that old motorcycle of hers with any technology she thinks will make it faster … or more dangerous. It's hard to tell with Ukaroh."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWlXJQKti4

"It always is. I'm glad to hear she's doing well." One said, but it sounded forced even to him. When he had refused to leave the Elsewhere with her, she had left him without a second glance. Even after a few decades, it still stung.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡybkOfJdVlx

They watched the clouds in silence for a few moments.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJqNLhw2AW

One let out a sigh. "What should I do?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡniTJgCz05S

"About Luck? To be honest, I'm not sure. Your situation is … complicated."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E3psj9Feu

When it became clear that Mixe wasn't going to continue, One let out a snort. "Thanks for that, Mixe. Here I was getting worried."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7eDVZVr1v

"It is a rather personal affair." Mixe said in mild tones, "If Luck doesn't want to be found, let's face it; you aren't going to find her. If you can't find her, there's not much of a relationship going on, is there?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡopOh85UI60

Shaking his head, One said, "Something about the Breath of Fire scared her, but why?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbEEB7XKNb

"Maybe it just scared her. It is an intimidating machine."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0jtEftzGv

"Pssh. Luck's faced worse things than that."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55UUn20iL6

"Perhaps it wasn't the Breath of Fire that scared her, but rather what the Breath of Fire represents."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡiliX0T5XES

One glanced at Mixe curiously. "And what does the Breath of Fire represent?"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TTsmyHP8o

"What indeed." After a few moments of silence, Mixe stood up. "Well, I'd better be on my way."copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡkduf8Ri893

"Wait a sec!" One scrambled to his feet. "If you know something about this, just tell me already!"copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡfspyqprvm6

"It's not for me to tell, One. Don't worry, though; I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually." With a final bow, Mixe vanished.copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡowZhYmPGcY