A Whole New World

Melanie's ears began to twitch at the sound of people and clinkering pots and cutlery.  The smell of sweet oranges was in the air, along with another wonderful scent that stirred her from her sleep...breakfast!  Moaning she began to wake up and rose from her bed.  Stretching her arms she let out a wide yawn and rubbed the sleep from her eyes before looking around her room.  Her heart felt like it dropped with a heavy thud as she looked in disappointment at the red brick walls decorated with green wooden planks and cream stone tile flooring.  "It wasn't a dream, I really am here in the Crystarium" she thought sadly.  As she realized she was stuck here tears began to well up in her eyes.  "No, I must not give up hope" she thought as she fought back the tears and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.  "I need to try and think positive.  There must be a way back.  Perhaps whatever it is I am supposed to do here, once I've done that I can go back home."  Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud gurgling noise and a pain in her stomach.  "Ooh" she groaned as she held her stomach with her hands.  The intoxicating smell of cooked food from outside was becoming too much for her to ignore and her stomach began to rumble.  "So hungry."  Pushing herself off the bed she grabbed hold of her red hat and crystal talisman which were sat on top of the dresser and after placing her hat on her head she bent down and picked up the rapier that was leaning up against the wall and clipped the hilt to one side of her belt and its crystal counterpart to the other side.  Adjusting the sleeves of her outfit and brushing back her hair from her shoulders with her hands she felt she was ready to face this alien world.

The smell of cooked food was even more intense and made her mouth water as she left her room.  Hurriedly she walked around the edge of residential area to a grassy area decorated with various trees, some of them fruit bearing.  Down below several wide semi-circular steps to a large round stone plaza in the distance was the market area full of well dressed people browsing stalls and market billboards.  A large white haired roejiit was checking various crates and boxes nearby and tapping on what looked like a tablet.  A woman who had been staring at one of the market billboards wavered him over and after a few words were exchanged he reached into one of the boxes and handed its contents over to her.

Her eyes then followed another nearby stone stairway leading up to circular stone platform hanging above a deep canal that flowed under the city.  A number of small barges with traders transporting goods in large crates slowly sailed their way through the brick arches built into the canal walls.  Above on the platform dozens of round wooden tables and stools surrounded a large circular bar area in the middle.  Her stomach gurgled again as she made her way up the stairway to the Wandering Stairs and to the bar and breathed in the glorious scent of freshly cooked food.

"Ah, Warrior of Darkness, and what brings the pleasure of your presence to our establishment?" a greying and short bearded roejiit barman with thinning hair and wearing a soft orange and black leather uniform addressed her as she approached the bar.  His green skin was strange for her to look at but right now appearances weren't on her mind.  Melanie looked hungrily at a number of plates already prepared on the counter with what looked like delicious cuts of meat steaks and broth.
"I'm not sure, I'll have the usual" she replied.  The barman laughed loudly.
"You jest, you usually don't buy anything from here" he said, then he leaned over closer to her.  "Word is you're already an artisan of fine cuisine.  If it wasn't for your continued dedication as an adventurer I'd hire you on the spot."
"Oh..." Melanie replied trying not to blush.  The food on the counter looked so good that her mouth began to water.
"But if you want to buy food from me then good old Glynard never turns down a customer, especially one with your credentials!" he continued in a booming and cheery voice as he straightened himself back up.  "Since this is your first time purchasing at this establishment might I suggest to you a plate of grilled rail made from the most freshest seared rail tenderloin with just a touch of garlic.  If big meats aren't for your liking then we also have a rather simple yet flavoursome mushroom saute.  And to wash it all down we have the highly recommended espresso con panna which is a favourite amongst many of our customers and a personal favourite of mine."
"Mmm" Melanie exclaimed.  "I'll definitely go for the grilled rail, and I'll also take an espresso."
"Excellent choice, that will be 7,238 gil."
Melanie began fumbling around looking for where her gil was stashed.  Glynard watched in amusement.  "Long night?" he asked.
"Huh?" Melanie looked up.  Glynard pointed to a small leather bag tied to her belt.  Melanie followed where he was pointing and unfastened the leather bag from her belt and peered inside it.  There was several coins inside, so many she couldn't count them all.  Glynard raised an eyebrow as he watched her start to shake out some of the coins onto the bar counter.  Melanie began sifting through the coins Glynard shook his head in disbelief.  "One would think you've never shopped before" he said to her, then he drew out a small number of coins from the pile and pushed the rest towards her.  As she began to scoop up the coins with her hands and drop them back into her purse Glynard reached below the bar and pulled out a plate with a large slab of seared meat and a mug filled to the brim with dark coffee topped with a tall layer of cream and cinnamon.  "Enjoy your meal" he said as he placed them on top of the counter.  "Thank you" she said with a smile after tying the purse back onto her belt and she took the plate and mug off the counter along with a fork and steak knife and walked over to a nearby table.  The smell of the meat was teasing her so much that she felt like just grabbing the whole thing off the plate with her bare hands and stuffing it into her mouth.

Placing the plate and cup down on the table she sat down on one of the small wooden stools surrounding it and began to cut into the meat.  She closed her eyes and let out a gentle moan as she raised her fork to her mouth and chewed on the tenderloin.  It was so succulent and juicy and cooked just right, not too little and not too much.  The searing gave off a strong meaty flavour with just the lightest touch of garlic and rock salt.  The taste was like ostrich with a strong gaminess to it.  She didn't like gamey food before when she was human, but there was something about the flavour that was now exciting her that she wanted more of it.  She quickly devoured the rest of the meat and sat back patting her stomach.  "Man that was good!" she thought to herself.  A warm sesnsation began to flow through her body that made her feel energized.  She then lifted the mug of espresso from the table to her lips and gently sipped at it.  It was incredibly strong and there was a slight burn of cinnamon and a sourness to the cream topping.  She felt more awake as she took in another gentle sip.  At first she was startled as she never thought to use soured cream with an espresso, and yet it worked in harmony with the cinnamon and the bitter coffee much to her surprise.

Finally she picked up and slurped down the rest of the espresso and placed the empty mug back on the table next to her plate.  A slightly darker skinned elf with silver braided hair and wearing a simple green linen dress and white apron walked over to her table and began to clear it up.  "I take it you enjoyed your meal?" she asked with a slightly mischievous smile.
Melanie nodded smiling back.  "It was very satisfactory.  My compliments to the chef" Melanie replied.
Overhearing her the bartender's eyes opened wide and his jaw dropped in surprise.  "And I shall take those compliments with great honor my lady" Glynard shouted over with a greatful smile.
The silver-haired elf took away the empty dishes and disappeared with them whilst Glynard walked over to a slightly older lady who was busy filling out an inventory of goods and gave her a gentle nudge with his elbow.  "Did you hear that?" he whispered to her, "The Warrior of Darkness complimented my cooking!"
A group of young men walking nearby overheard him and stopped in their tracks in astonishment.  Quickly they scouted the various tables with their eyes and spotted Melanie just about to leave her table with a satisfied look on her face.  One of them hurried over to the bar counter and slammed his hands down on the surface in excitement.  "Barkeep!" he shouted, "We'll have whatever the Warrior of Darkness ordered!"
Glynard looked surprised.  "Yes of course!" he said as he quickly walked back to his station and began withdrawing plates of smoking hot grilled rail and mugs of espresso.  He looked back over to the other servers behind him.  "We should put this up on the board, Today's special: Grilled Rail and Espresso con Panna as recommended by the Warrior of Darkness herself!"
"I'm right on it!" yelled back one of the workers who was already grabbing bits of paper and pinning them up on a board behind him.

Shooting Stars

Outside the dusty climate of Amh Araeng a pair of golden eyes were fixated on the stars above.  His long silver whispy locks of hair were gently lifted off his face by the faintest warm breeze.  His long dark brown robes were held down by the weight of several tassels.  As the wind picked up dust was blown against his sandals making his feet itch, but he had no time to bend down and brush away the dust from his feet.  There was a disturbance in the constellations and Urianger needed to find out what it was.  His brow furrowed as he focussed hard, and then there it was.  His eyes opened wide with a gasp as he watched a bright light appear within one of the constellations and form into a new star.

Behind him heavy footsteps came from a nearby stone building.  He already knew who those footsteps belonged to without averting his gaze from the stars.  "Are you going to spend all night gawping at the sky?" a man's voice spoke from behind him.  The man was Thancred.  He wore heavy dark steel boots and a black outfit underneath his long white coat.  His short white hair adorned his stern looking face.  Slouching forward he looked up at the sky hoping to see whatever it was Urianger was looking for.  "So, what is it you're so damned determined to hope to see?" he asked.
Urianger pointed up at the new star.  "See yonder the newest star within the constellation of Azeyma?"

Thancred looked up at the new star with a surprised look.  "Well I'll be, when did that happen?"

Urianger lowered his hand "Just a few moments ago.  It appeared as a bright light that formed into the new star you see now.  At the same time I doth felt an unusual sensation, as if one t'were lifted a veil from mine eyes and revealeth unto me that time itself hath been halted."

Thancred looked at Urianger in shock.  "You felt it too?  I thought I was going crazy when I thought about it just a moment ago.  All these years we've travelled together and despite everything we've done the people themselves haven't changed at all.  Take Ryne for instance, when I first met her she was but a child, and whilst she has grown up a lot she still remains in physical form a child yet she should be a young adult by now.  Strangely enough it never even occurred to me that something was amiss until now."  Thancred stared up at the new star in the sky.  "And you think that this star has something to do with this?"
"Indeed" Urianger nodded slowly.  "I too hath felt mine own contradictions based on myself and those I've walked with and that whilst events hath proceeded forth our own physical appearances hath remained the same."

A ringing tone was heard coming from a small pearl clipped to their ears.  Thancred quickly reached up and tapped the pearl against his ear.  "Thancred, I hope I've not caught you at a bad time?" the Exarch's voice came from the pearl.
"Not at all" Thancred responded.  "It's been a while.  Is something the matter?"
"Perhaps" the Exarch replied through the pearl.  "Our friend M'leineya has asked that I arrange for a meeting at the Ocular tomorrow noon, she said that it's urgent."
"Oh, is that so?" Thancred replied.
"There's more" the Exarch continued.  "Earlier today she collapsed whilst visiting the Ocular.  She's fine now, although since her collapse she's not acting like herself."
Thancred's face began to twist with concern.  "Perhaps her collapse has left her a bit out of sorts.  Since one of us has to remain here then I propose to be the one to attend the meeting."
"I was hoping you would say that.  I'll see you tomorrow" the Exarch replied.  A click was heard as the Exarch switched off his linkpearl.  "Well then, guess I'd best get some sleep.  You should probably stop staring at the sky and get some rest too since you'll be taking over tomorrow watching her" he said nodding towards the stone building behind them.  Inside a young girl with dark hair, heavy black makeup and black attire could be seen lying on a bed as if soundlessly sleeping.  Urianger nodded and followed Thancred into another nearby stone building and closed the door behind them.

Who's There?

Pacing back and forth with her knuckles pressed against her teeth, Melanie was in a panic.  Since Alphinaud safely dropped her off at The Pendants she was unable to get any rest in her room.  She was starting to come to terms that maybe she wasn't dreaming and that she was going to have to confess that she wasn't really the Warrior of Darkness to the Exarch and the Scions.  "It will be easier to explain when everyone is together, like inside the Ocular" she muttered to herself.  She caught sight of her reflection in a mirror anchored to a chest of drawers across the other side of the room and stared at herself.  She had seen her reflection several times already whilst pacing and was still utterly in shock over her appearance.

"And just how do I even use this?" she thought as she looked at her pink fluffy tail.  Having never owned a tail before she had no idea how to use one.  She tried clenching her buttocks, moving her lower body around, but no matter what she tried she just couldn't figure out how to make her tail move.  "Gah this is hopeless!" she hissed in frustration.  She sat down heavily on a nearby bed and raised her hands to her face and began to sob.  "I can't believe this is really happening.  Please tell me this is all a dream or a hallucination and that I'm going to wake up!"

Her sobbing was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door followed by a soft male voice.  "Hello, M'leineya?  Is it alright if I come in?"
Melanie pulled her hands away from her face.  She knew that voice, it was the Crystal Exarch!  Quickly she wiped away the tears from her face with her hands and straightened her outfit.  "Yes, please, come in!" she called out.

The door handle to her room turned and the door opened.  Melanie's heart started to beat faster as she watched the Exarch slowly step into the room.  Under his robes she could see the crystalization that was taking over his body around his neck and right arm.  It looked so much more clear and crystal-like than it was in the game, and despite looking like his arm was made of pure crystal it was as flexible as any ordinary arm.  It was hard to believe that he was over 130 years old as he still looked like his youthful self, however his face gave away signs that he had seen and endured much in those 100 years on the First.

"Please forgive the intrusion, I heard you were discharged earlier and I just wanted to see how you were" he said with a smile.  As he looked at her he noticed that her face was still slightly wet from crying and his smile turned to a look of concern.  "Is everything alright?" he asked softly.
Melanie clasped her hands together and smiled.  "Yes, I'm doing much better now" she said joyfully, taking in some deep breaths to try to calm herself.
"I see, well that's a relief to hear" the Exarch replied.  "Did the chirurgeons say what caused you to collapse?"  Melanie shook her head.  "Oh, well I hope it wasn't anything serious" he continued.

"What luck the Exarch came to visit me first" Melanie thought to herself, "I could ask him to arrange the meeting since I still haven't figured out how to use this linkpearl yet."

"Actually while you're here I have something I need to ask from you" she said with a slight stammer.  She began to fidget nervously with her fingers.
The Exarch looked at her with curiosity waiting for her to continue speaking.  "Go on" he said.
Melanie suddenly felt all her confidence drain from her.  She was never too good at speaking out loud and asking for anything and as important as it was it was still a bit of a struggle for her to speak out.  "Come on, get a grip!" she thought to herself.  Melanie took a deep breath.  "I have something very important that needs to be heard by yourself and the other Scions, it's best if it took place in the Ocular with us all present together."  As she spoke she struggled to keep eye contact with the Exarch.  Whilst she knew it was important to look someone in the eye when talking to them her nerves were getting the better of her and she didn't want to look like she was staring at his unusal red eyes.  They were very plain and glass-like with dark slits for pupils, despite having seen them many times in the game it was a little unsettling for her to see them in person.
"Very well" the Exarch nodded slowly.  "I shall arrange a meeting for noon tomorrow."
"Thank you so much" Melanie said as she exhaled shakily.
The Exarch looked down at his friends' hands which were now shaking uncontrollably and it was already noticeable that she was unusually jittery.  He had never seen her like this before.  "If you don't mind me saying, you seem a little anxious" he said to her gently.
"I, uh, I'm still a little...in shock from collapsing earlier" Melanie said rather sheepishly, reaching towards where her ears would normally be, then dropping her hand back to her side in embarassment once she remembered her ears were now much higher up on top her head.
"I see, perhaps some rest will help you at ease" the Exarch responded.  He cared admirably for his friend and despite what she said something was amiss and he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Melanie nodded.  "Yes, I think some rest will be good" she replied.
The Exarch eyed her a little suspiciously.  "Very well, I'll take my leave and allow you get some rest then" he said, bowing slightly before making his way out of the room.

After the Exarch departed Melanie started hyperventilating and collapsed onto the small wooden bed which was in the corner of the room.  It was made a very thin mattress filled with feathers on top of a delicate green wooden frame covered in plain white and brown sheets and a single small flat brown pillow.  "Man that was difficult keeping my composure there" she thought to herself.  She spread her arms about either side of her and started to take notice of how the bed felt.  It didn't look or feel as comfy as the one back at home on Earth with the plush duvet and soft thick pillows.  Just thinking about it made Melanie start to miss home.

"I wonder how Tony is doing at home without me" she said to herself quietly.  She began to wonder about how things looked back at home.  Did he come home and find her on the floor, or did she disappear altogether when she was spirited away to the First.  She let out a deep and sad sigh and slowly began to unzip her boots.
She looked once more at her bed remembering how her character in the game would sleep.  "These sheets don't look like I'm supposed to pull them over me.  Am I supposed to just sleep on top of it?"
Melanie turned off a nearby lantern, swung her legs over onto the quilt and pushed herself back onto the bed and lay her head against the pillow.  She shuffled around a little trying to get comfy, pulled away her tail from under her, and frowned.  Despite the mattress being rather soft she could feel the wooden frame underneath.  "This isn't very comfy" she thought to herself.  "Maybe if I just roll over to my side..." she rolled onto her side and faced into the room.  Moonlight peered in through large green wooden windows, gently illuminating the room with its silver light.  She could still hear the tinker of plates and glasses from The Wandering Stairs and people conversing quietly, the sound of night creatures outside, and the night air carried in various scents from across the nearby lake into her room.  The night sky was so dark that it was sparkling with countless stars, way more than she had ever seen back on Earth, and it filled her with awe just gazing at it.  Even the darkest nights she'd seen back on Earth could never compare to this.  "I must be very far from home" she thought to herself staring at the alien constellations.  She wondered just how far away Earth must be and if it was even at all visible in Norvrandt's night sky, even as a dimly lit star just to give her something to look at and remember as being home.  As she gazed towards the stars she felt her eyes become heavy and slowly she began drifting off to sleep.

"Maybe when I wake again this will all have been a dream."

Knock knock

Once again Melanie started to open her eyes to loud sounds waking her from her sleep. Her body felt heavy and everything seemed so much louder. She winced as she tried to push herself up from a soft mattress.  The light in the room was causing her great discomfort and making her eyes ache and her head pound.
"Ah, you're finally awake" an elderly woman's voice came from nearby.

Melanie's eyes followed the sound of the voice and she squinted to see a blurry image of a woman wearing what looked like a pharmacist's overalls.  "What happened...where am I?" she asked, straining to see her surroundings.
"You're in the infirmary" the woman replied.
"Ah that makes sense" Melanie thought to herself as she flopped back onto the bed in exhaustion.  Despite having been unconscious for goodness knows how long whatever little energy she had gained was already completely spent.  "Tony probably came home and found me on the floor and called for an ambulance.  I must've been dreaming."
"Where's my husband?" she asked.
"Your...husband?" the woman replied in a confused tone.  "I wasn't aware you had a husband.  What is his name?"
"Tony, Tony Hoyle" Melanie replied.
"Tony Hoyle, that's not a name I've come across before" the woman replied in a slightly bemused tone.

Melanie started to feel a little frustrated and confused.  She tried to face the woman to get a better look at her but her vision was still too blurry to make any sense of her surroundings.  "Then who brought me in here?" she asked.
"The Exarch himself brought you in.  Maybe he knows something about your husband?"

Melanie felt a cold wave rush over her.  "Did she just say the Exarch?"  She pushed herself up from the bed once more and desperately tried hard to get a clear vision of her surroundings.  Her head was still feeling light and her heart was now racing in panic.  Slowly the room started to take shape and as she looked around she felt a huge lump form in her throat.  The woman she was speaking to had long pointed ears either side of her head.  The room she was in was unlike any hospital room she'd ever been in before.  Melanie looked at herself and saw her body was not her own and what she was wearing looked like it belonged in a pantomime.  Long thigh-high shiny black leather boots, a white mini-skirt, a red and gold jacket, and a frilly white blouse with a large black bow in the middle.  Her hair fell down over her shoulders revealing long and curly bright red strands.  On the table next to her was a large red admiral's hat with a very long white feather pinned onto the side with a golden brooch, and there was a glowing blue rapier and matching talisman propped up against the wall.

Melanie's body started to shake as she slowly raised her hands above her head and began to feel around.  There was something above her head, two of them - large and furry.  She grabbed hold of them and could hear the rustling and felt her hands against them.  "Cat ears?!!!"

"Are you alright?" the woman asked with a concerned look on her face.
Melanie's voice began to waver,  "What's happening?  Where is this place?  Where am I?" her voice starting to get more louder and desperate.
"Take it easy now.  You collapsed and you're now in the infirmary" the woman said slowly and calmly.
"Where, what city?" Melanie was near shouting.
The elderly woman took a step back in surprise at Melanie's question.  Could her patient have lost her memories?  Aside from Eulmore there was no other city on the First and this was the only one with an infirmary.  "Why, the Crystarium.  Where else could you possibly be?" she replied.  Other chirurgeons nearby began taking notice and were whispering amongst themselves.  Despite them from being at the other side of the room Melanie was able to hear clearly everything they were saying as if they were next to her bed.  "She's acting very strange, do you think she was touched by a sin eater?"

"Ah good, she's awake at last!" a young boy's voice was heard from behind her.  Melanie froze as she recognised the voice, her eyes slowly moving to the side try to catch a glimpse of where the young voice was coming from.  The other chirurgeons tried to descretely wave the young boy away but he continued to approach Melanie.  "I trust everything is alright?" he asked as he entered her field of vision.  "You gave the Exarch quite a scare when you collapsed right in front of him."

Melanie stared in awe at the young and cheery looking elfen boy.  His long white hair was brushed back into a pony tail and long thick whisps at the front accented his heart-shaped face and long ears.  His clothes were like a dark blue velvet with a short black cape draped over his shoulders, large steel clasps, a large white collar, and long white leather thigh-high boots.  A single silver earring clamped his left ear.  He was also carrying a large brown leather book with large intricate silver ornaments around the edges.  A steel shoulder pad covered his left shoulder and both arms were covered in steel arm pads.  The young boy smiled at Melanie and then looked up at the other practicioners with a calm and collected look.  "Is anything the matter?" he asked them.

"We think the Warrior of Darkness may have some memory loss" one of them stammered.  "We were just about to give her something to help her to relax."
"Hmm, I see" the young boy replied, then he looked across at Melanie.  "Do you know who I am?" he asked her in a gentle voice.
"Y...you're Alphinaud" Melanie replied.  Alphinaud smiled again.  "Very good" he replied, "and what about yourself, do you know who you are?"
Melanie still shaking lowered her head to take another look at herself.  There was no doubts about it, this was the character she created in Final Fantasy XIV and she was now inside it.  "I'm M'leineya Leoh" she said slowly and quietly.
"Well, she has no problem remembering who she is and who I am" Alphinaud said looking up at the practicioners.  "Mayhap your diagnosis be mistaken?"
The chirugeons began to shift nervously.  "I guess, but that doesn't explain her recent behaviour" one of them spoke out.  "We thought she was going to hurt someone or even herself."
Alphinaud looked back at Melanie who was still holding her head down and looking as if she was in shock and despair.  "I highly doubt she'd hurt anyone" he said.  "Maybe what she needs is a bit of fresh air and a stretch of legs."  Alphinaud then turned his attention fully to Melanie.  "Shall we go and take a brief walk?" he asked her.
Melanie looked up at him still feeling numb in shock and slowly nodded her head.
"Come on then" he said standing up and holding out a hand to her with a smile.  Melanie looked down at his hand and then took hold of it, pulled herself off the bed and onto her feet.  Together they began to walk outside.

As they left the Spagyrics Melanie took the chance to look around and nearly gasped outloud in awe.  In front of them several feet away was a large tower made of glimmering crystal that reached so high into the sky it was as if its spire was piercing the very heavens above.  It sparkled in the sunlight, splitting the rays that hit the surface into a soft blue light.  It was breathtaking.  The walls of the rest of the city surrounding them were busy with numerous people walking in and out of various alcoves carrying goods to some of the many merchant stalls that were scattered around the southern end of the city.

Above the walls was a long stone walkway that stretched from one end of the city to the other.  Large crystal domes covered various sections of the city defusing the sunlight inside them and protecting the citizens and indoor gardens against the elements.

The air was thick with the scent of cooked food, ale, wild animals, fresh flowers and fruits.  She could even pinpoint exactly where the scents were coming from.  Closing her eyes she stopped and took in a deep breath to soak in all the various scents and began to feel a sense of calm within her.

"Are you starting to feel more like yourself again?" Alphinaud asked her as he noticed Melanie was starting to relax.
Melanie opened her eyes again and let out a deep sigh.  "I'm not even sure who myself is anymore" she said in a slightly depressed tone.
Alphinaud looked at her with a slight frown of concern.  They resumed their stroll around the plaza.
"I honestly thought that this was part of a dream, until I woke up again and realised it was all real" she said.
"From what I heard you were standing in front of the Exarch and then you collapsed suddenly with no explanation as to why and nobody could wake you.  Perhaps you may enlighten me into what caused you to collapse?" he asked.

Melanie lowered her head.  Alphinaud was speaking to her as if she was M'leineya and she felt slightly ill that she was leading him on this pretense.  She knew she would have to tell him the truth but she was not sure where to begin and her guilt was already eating away at her.  "Alphinaud... I'm not the person you think I am" she said.

Alphinaud turned around and looked at her with a confused and slightly worried look.  "What do you mean?" he asked.

Melanie tried to think of how to explain in simpler terms but after pondering for a few moments she shook her head.  It was far too much to explain at once and she was still uncertain if what was happening was for real.  Perhaps she was still dreaming or trapped in some kind of hallucination as result of hitting her head when she collapsed at home.  Whatever was happening to her now just didn't feel the right time to talk about it.

"Never mind.  I'm maybe just a bit exhausted.  Perhaps I'll feel better after I've had some proper rest" she said to Alphinaud.

"Alright, if that's what you feel is best.  I'll see you to the Pendants" he replied.  They both turned around and silently started to walk back towards the south side of the city.

Word of the Mother

"What happened, how long was I out for" Melanie thought to herself as she began to reawaken.  Everything was so dark,  Was it night time already?  And how come Tony hadn't noticed her yet as he would surely have come home already if it was this late and found her.  But as she began to become more aware of herself Melanie started to notice things weren't quite right.  For one the floor felt smooth and not like carpet.  It was also much more quieter that she expected.  No whirring of computers, no sounds from outside, even the constant tinnitus in her ears had completely stopped.  The deathly silence was so eerie that Melanie was even nervous of trying to find out where she really was as she clearly wasn't at home.

"Where am I?"  Slowly Melanie pushed herself onto her feet and tried to get her bearings.  As she did she caught sight of herself.  Her body was much more slender and petite without a single blemish, mole, or even body hair save for what appeared to be a furry red tail behind her.  Her clothes were red and white with long shiny black boots not unlike that of her character from Final Fantasy XIV.  "What?" she gasped in disbelief, her eyes widening as she twist and turned to look at herself.

After a few moments Melanie looked up around her.  She let out a large gasp when she realised she was suspended in what looked like deep space with countless stars and swirls of varying shades of soft blue and violet light around her.  She knew where she had seen this phenomena before.  It was from the game Final Fantasy XIV whenever she encountered Hydaelyn.

"Child of Earth, welcome.  Do not be afraid."

Ahead of her Melanie saw a large and slowly rotating blue crystal floating slowly towards her and stopped several feet away from her.  "I am Hydaelyn.  All made one" the voice spoke again from the crystal, her voice so clear that it caused the crystal to resonate.  "After countless of thy days thou art here at long last" the voice spoke as if in great relief.
Melanie stared at the crystal both in fear and in doubt.  "What in the world..." she muttered to herself.  "Where am I?  How did I get here?" she spoke out to the crystal.

"Thou hast shown the greatest love for this star and her people, and 'twas with thy love I was able to summon thee here" Hydaelyn responded.  "A calamity far greater than any known to mankind threatens to undo everything we are and unravel the threads of this universe.  Thou art the only one who can save us."

Melanie began to laugh lightly.  "No no.  This can't be for real.  All this is fictional, it's from a video game.  None of this is real."

"Our worlds existed long fore thy world knew of its existance.  Thy world that mirrors our own forged a bond changing the destiny of the star and its people down a path of total destruction.  Only a true Warrior of Light can sever the bond between thy world and ours, awaken her people and change her destiny, for the Warrior of Light cannot exist without the one who created her.  For the sake of all, I beseech thee: deliver us from this fate!"

"This can't be really happening, can it?  And yet it feels so real" Melanie pondered doubtfully.  She backtracked to what Hydaelyn said and began to replay it in her head.  "A true Warrior of Light?" she then took a step back in surprise as she realised what Hydaelyn was saying.  "You must be mistaken, I'm not a real warrior!  I'm just a gamer who plays computer games for fun.  I don't even know how to fight and in reality I'm a complete coward."

"Thou must become the Warrior of Light, for there are none other who can save us, and I hath not the strength to send thee back to thine own world" Hydaelyn responded.  As she spoke a large glowing crystal more larger than anything she had ever seen in her life rose from below her and began to draw Melanie in closer to it whilst casting a brilliant light that began to engulf her.

"Hold on a minute!" Melanie raised her hands to block out the light from her vision, "What do you mean you can't send me back?"

Wait...

Please...

Stop!!