I can't run anymore, I can't walk.

  So I crawl.

  Until my knees and hands bleed from the hard, stony road.

  Until my senses become numb from exhaustion. But, maybe that was a mistake.

  "What do we have here?"

  A shrill voice of a man behind me.

  "A runaway? Gavin, bring her to me."

  I don't look back. I have to run…!

  Yet, it's never so easy. I felt weightless for a moment as someone grabbed the back of my shirt and dragged me back.

  I shook and fought with what little strength I had, filing, trying to hit and scratch the person holding me. Even my mana can’t enhance tired muscles.

  "Still feisty despite looking like you spent all st night running away. Hmm?"

  The man who grabbed me held my arms behind me as the fat man wearing a top hat held my chin.

  "Ah, you're that dancer from the vilge. I'm so gd I caught up with you! You were so beautiful up on that stage! Worth so much money!"

  I snap my jaws shut, attempting to bite the man's fingers off, but he quickly brings his hand back.

  "My, such ferocity! Well, I can't have that attitude present in the final product." The fat man turned around and grabbed a small bck coin from a bag hanging from his carriage.

  "You see this? It's one of my new Markers. It has the wonderful ability to make anyone obey my orders without question, without hesitation, without freedom."

  He looked at the coin lovingly, then back at me. "But only if I do this… Hold her still, now, Gavin."

  The fat man ripped away my shirt, revealing my underwear. I gasped in shock and fear, struggling to get out of Gavin's grip.

  "No! Stop…!"

  "Oh, hush… you're much too valuable to touch. I assume you're still a virgin, judging by the fact you've run this far, and Furlian marriage customs... I'll have to check ter. In the meantime…"

  He pressed the coin against the skin between my colrbones.

  A searing hot bck fme consumed my body, preventing me from even shouting out in pain.

  My skin felt like it was burning, but I could still breathe, albeit barely, and I could still see. My skin was fine, the smell of burning flesh I expected never came.

  But it still hurt, like I was actually on fire.

  It felt like moments, it felt like hours. Then, it subsided.

  "Kuuuh…"

  I gasped for breath on my knees, as a numb pain settled on my chest.

  "Now, Sve…"

  The fat man crouched down and gently patted my head. I wanted to lift my head and bite him dead, but I couldn't. My body didn't allow it. I couldn't even move properly.

  "… I want you to stop moving."

  My arms gave out and I fell to the ground, my body unresponsive.

  "What did you…—"

  "I want you to be quiet…"

  My lips stopped moving and he lifted my head, forcing me to stare back at him, into his cold, bck eyes.

  "…And I want you to forget."

  —!!

  -William! Get over here, man! We found beer!

  I'm still your Squad Leader, Private —. But sure, I'll have three.

  -Two tangos up ahead. Loud or quiet?

  We're headhunters, Private ****, we don't go 'loud', dumbass.

  -Leader, ****'s got something for ya!

  Oh, I forgot that it was my birthday. Thanks, guys.

  -Leader, you won't forget us when we're gone, right…?

  I'll never forget you, —! Don't die on me!

  -Hey, Corporal William!

  -Yo, Corporal Will—

  -'Sup, Corporal W——

  Who is… William…?

  Another set of images fsh before my mind.

  -Luxa, look! A butterfly!

  Ah, Mama! It nded on your nose!

  -Hey, Luxa, Sweetie, I made your favorite! Venison!

  Wow! Thanks, Ma—!

  -Don't ever go into the forest again! You nearly gave me a heart attack, Luxa!

  I'm sorry, ——…

  -How's my little angel?

  Papa! You're home!

  -You want to go to the library? Sure, let's go tomorrow!

  Thanks, Pa—

  -Listen, you gotta make sure you have a firm grip on the sword. Too hard and you'll tire your hand, too loose and you'll drop the weapon. Understand?

  Yes, I understand, ——!

  Images of a Cat Furlian woman and man pass through my mind and turn to nothing.

  The voices and happy ughter I thought I had recognized slowly faded from my mind.

  I felt a strong sense of sadness when the images of their faces vanished from my mind.

  One image lingered the longest. It was of a young Cat Furlian girl with short red hair. At first, she was small, childish, and cute; then suddenly tall and muscur and beautiful.

  -Luxa! How was that combo?

  Well, it was certainly powerful, Valy! I wouldn’t want to be caught under that hammer!

  -Is it okay if I’m with you forever, Luxa…?

  What? Of course I’m okay with that, Va—

  -Hey, let’s share the bed, Luxa! It’s too cold outside!

  Sure, ——! I’d love to!

  Who is she…? What was her name?

  Why can't I imagine her face anymore?

  What was her hair color? Her eye color…?

  Why am I trying to remember someone I don't even know? I must be going crazy.

  "Ah, yes, that's it. That's the look of someone who doesn't even know who they are. Gavin, pce her in the back."

  The fat man talked to the man who carried me, ordering him to bring me somewhere.

  I don't know how I got myself in this situation, but I don't like them… I don't know why I don't, though.

  The man, named Gavin, opened the rear of the carriage and pced me inside. I couldn't move or speak for some reason.

  I'm afraid…

  Gavin closed the carriage. This pce had bars, like a prison.

  Why am I here? Did I do something wrong? Why can't I remember? Am I going to prison?

  No matter how hard I try, nothing comes to mind. The only thing I remember is waking up just a few moments ago.

  I can't remember… but why do I feel sad?

  I want…

  I want my… Mama… Papa…