The rays of sunshine, even heavily restricted by the giant trees looming over him, were too much for his eyes to bear.

  Elyas looked at a gigantic tree next to him. It looked real. It felt real. Everything did, but he had to believe the contrary.

  He looked up, it was early noon. He chose a direction based on the suns and stepped forward. Into the cover of shadows and bushes.

  Towards east.

  …

  Birds chirped as shadows danced under the green roof and red soil of the forest. A man of average size with black hair was slashing through the few vines in his path.

  "It should not be far. Brother Samuel said they detected some activity here...I'm going to call it quits if it's another false alarm!"

  As Noah complained to pass the time, he suddenly heard another man's voice.

  "Where am I?"

  Noah jolted to his senses as he frantically looked around.

  "Who are you?! show yourself!" Noah shouted, sweat covered his tanned skin. Expecting an attack at any moment, he placed his blade near his chest, ready to defend.

  "...You're clearly startled, so I'm going to walk in your view with my hands up, alright?"

  "..."

  "Can I?" The stranger restated

  "Sure, but slowly," said Noah, more cautious than ever.

  The leaves rustled and gave way. From the intersection between them, came a brown haired man of average height who wore a brown vest atop a gray shirt.

  Despite what his clean clothes tried to show, the man was clearly dishevelled. Long unkempt stubble, messy hair and eyes that twitched painfully at the smallest ray of light.

  ‘No visible weapon or even light armour. His posture is firm and ready to quickly respond though… probably a newbie.’

  “My name is Elyas, can I know yours?”

  “...I'm Noah.” He said, still holding the blade firmly if need be.

  Elyas glanced at the blade "Don't you think I could have done something already if I meant harm?”

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  Noah gave it some thought. And…the man was right.

  “You're free to move.”

  Elyas let out a visible sigh of relief. Noah, not wanting to waste time, picked his way and started walking away.

  Unexpectedly, the man asked a question. “Hey, do you mind telling me which way the City of Fog is?”

  Noah stopped. Turning back slowly as he answered.

  “The old ruins? They are on the west side of the Green sea. With your current trajectory you'll be heading towards Mistwood, the opposite direction.” Noah spoke with certainty as he took a look at the suns to make sure.

  Noah watched as Elyas's throat visibly shook, he gulped his saliva, seemingly trying to soothe his throat. The man tried to speak, but only mumblings came out. ‘This guy is acting weird…’ Noah shot him a suspicious look.

  Finally, the man asked, “W-what do you mean by old ruins?”

  Noah's brows knitted together. He felt like he was finally understanding this stranger.

  “...It was an infamous disaster, one of the biggest in the last century how do you—” Noah started to talk but as soon as he saw Elyas's face he stopped.

  The man became deathly pale. A visible shiver ran through his body. He opened his mouth, asking another question. “A…century?”

  “Yes, it's been a hundred years since the city has fallen.” Noah responded.

  As if lost the ability to speak, the man just shook his head. Then his body swayed back and forth. He slowly lost balance and fell. Unconscious before he even hit the ground.

  Noah watched everything, now sure that he understood the man's situation.

  ‘Poor guy. Must have had family there. But it's been a century since the fall… How is he unaware of it?’ Noah was puzzled, but his mission tugged at him.

  Noah turned his head away from Elyas. Heading to the coordinates given to him.

  As he stepped past the unconscious man, he halted. A realization hit him as he thought of a possibility. ‘It can't be him right? but he did come from the same direction…Damn it I can't risk failing this time!’

  Noah's mind raced as he paced back and forth trying to find the best course of action. He paused. A simple but effective solution sprung in his mind.

  ‘I have to take care of this guy till he wakes up. Then I can thoroughly question him.’ He picked the fainted man by the waist and carried him away. Deep into the forest.

  To the east.

  …

  The crickets sang a rhythmic tune. Creating the music for the dance of the fireflies barely visible through the afterglow of the the campfire. The fog was as thick, if not thicker than day. Now daring to intrude and dive into the depths of the giant forest.

  The moons were bright, illuminating the canopy by casting small rainbows into the gloom. Only for them to be swallowed by the mists that encircled Noah and Elyas.

  Elyas slept near a big hollow log. A worn-out rag as his blanket. Noah watched the man as he added salt to his soup, and stirred it. Then, he heard whispers. As he looked at Elyas, Noah couldn't help but find the man… familiar.

  “Ralf… Mi—Michael! No. No!” Elyas was shouting. He was still asleep, but now squirming in place. Noah, not wanting to watch the man go through this a second time, decided to do something.

  “Hey. Hey! HEY! WAKE UP!”

  After hearing these shouts Elyas jolted awake, smashing his head into Noah's.

  Not minding the pain, Elyas looked around sluggishly. Noah was about to throw profanity at him, but he didn't get a chance.

  “Why am I here?” Elyas asked, putting his palm on his forehead.

  “That's how you thank me? The Green Sea is full of Figments, you know? You should be thankful I didn't leave you as a snack.”

  Noah said as he got up quickly, his face calm yet, his tone of speech betraying his anger..

  “...” Elyas lay motionless, his back facing the hollow log.

  Noah was suspicious of the man. After all, he was sent to look into reports regarding rogue Dreamers in the Green sea. But he felt… familiar with Elyas's situation. He looked at him pitifully.

  He leaned down towards Elyas.

  “...Who is Michael?” Noah seized the opportunity to start questioning.

  After hearing the name, Elyas's eyes widened for a moment before his already pained expression grew grim and distant.

  Noah tried to offer some solitude. “...I understand your situation. But as part of the Protocol I need to know who I'm dealing with. Saving a criminal isn't something I want to be known for.”

  “...”

  Seeing Elyas's poor state of mind brought back old memories he did not want to remember.

  Noah gritted his teeth. “Look, Elyas was it? I can see that you're clearly distraught. But regardless of your personal matters, I need to make sure you're not the criminal I'm looking for.”

  But Elyas remained silent.

  Noah inhaled deeply. “Listen carefully cause I won't ask again. Who are you?” he raised his voice, clearly agitated, fiddling with his dagger.

  Elyas kept silent.

  After seeing his continued refusal to give answers, Noah stood up with a sigh. He slowly walked away from Elyas. His grip on his dagger grew tighter.

  Then in an instant, he unsheathed it and attacked. His stiletto whistled through the air as it, and its wielder got closer to their target. Noah's silver dagger cut Elyas's skin. But he did not react at all. Not even a single movement to guard his life.

  And that was all Noah wanted. He stopped his blade and put it back in its sheath. Leaving a shallow, bloody cut on the captive’s neck.

  ‘This man is not a criminal…But I can't let him be.’

  “...I won't let you down.” Noah's expression was strangely full of resolve. He knew what he needed to do.

  Since he was in the same situation before. But back then, he had someone to help him.

  And now, it was his turn.