Where are we?… What is this place?
Remi: Everyone, look over there. (points ahead)
S: What… what is this place?
Emrik: It's so bright here…
—The morning sun bathed them in light as they arrived in a land unknown.
A cold wind swept across the green fields stretching far into the horizon. A thin mist lingered at the foothills, while pointed-roof buildings stood peacefully between valleys and clear lakes, reflecting the sunlight rising behind the mountains.
The distant ringing of bells echoed softly, as if welcoming the arrival of these unfamiliar wanderers.
Dario stared wide-eyed at the scenery.
Dario: It's… beautiful.
S: Over there… looks like civilization. (points ahead)
Lucien: Let's walk that way.
—The eight of them moved forward, confused and aimless.
Cashew: S, we made it out of Cryverra. Now what?
S: We adapt. We've got no other choice.
Lucien: You idiot. I thought you had a solid plan.
Siro: Guys, enough. Stop fighting.
Siro: Look around—this clearly isn't Cryverra.
Tiber: What about Cryport?
S: Cryport still works as usual… but—
Tiber: But what?
S: None of us recorded the coordinates to return to Cryverra.
Remi: Great. We're stranded… in a foreign land.
Remi: And now I'm starving.
Siro: Hold on, we need to figure out where we even are first.
Emrik: I see a small path heading east. Maybe it leads to a town or village?
Lucien: Or a monster's den. Perfect. We're stuck in a new world, no guide, no plan, and no snacks.
Dario: Hey, I've got two pieces of bread left… bit hard, but edible.
Cashew: Keep them for later, Dario. No clue when we'll get food again.
Tiber: Look… smoke, over there in the distance. Maybe it's a settlement?
Remi: Let's head there.
Siro: No choice. Stay here, we freeze or starve.
S: Move out. And keep quiet. No weird noises.
Lucien: Relax, I'll just complain internally now.
Emrik: Hey, look—someone's coming this way.
Siro: Everyone calm down. Don't do anything weird.
Remi: He's pushing some kind of garden cart…
Lucien: And… he looks just like us.
—"Hey! Do you live in this village?"
The stranger approached, eyes narrow with suspicion, but calm.
Stranger: Are you reserve troops from the west?
S (a bit nervous): We… we're just travelers. Got lost.
S: And you are?
Stranger: I'm Franz. Franz Adler.
Franz: What are you doing wandering here, in the middle of a conflict?
Lucien: Conflict?
Franz: Yeah… the world's been unstable lately. You've seen it, right?
Franz: So where are you all from?
Siro: We're from—
—Remi quickly covers Siro's mouth.
Remi (tense): We walked here… from the north.
S: Yeah. That's right. From the north.
Franz (suspicious): Are you from… the Ice plains?
S (thinking): What kind of place is that name?
S: Y-yeah… maybe.
—Franz stayed wary, but realized leaving them out here was worse.
Franz: What are your names?
S: Just call me S.
Lucien (whispers to the others): I think I get what S is doing here.
Lucien: I'm Lucien.
Remi: I'm Remi. Nice to meet you.
Siro: Siro.
Emrik: Emrik, good to meet you.
Dario: I'm Dario.
Tiber: I-I'm Tiber.
Cashew: I'm Cashew, nice to meet you.
Franz: No last names? Are you orphans?
S (a bit hesitant): I guess you could say that…
Lucien: What's he talking about? We're not orphans.
Cashew: Just let it go.
Franz: Come with me. I'll give you temporary shelter.
Franz: It's dangerous out here… let's go to my village.
Franz: And I'll give each of you proper full names.
Tiber (softly): He said "village"?
S: Is that really necessary? Full names?
Franz: I believe so. You'll need strong identities.
Remi: Alright… where's your village?
Franz: A few kilometers from here. Not far.
Cashew: By the way, where exactly are we right now?
Franz: This area is called Mesriach.
Lucien: What a unique name for a place.
Franz: Let's hurry. We need to get home before the soldiers return.
Emrik: What happens if they come?
Franz: They usually demand food and drinks for themselves. I don't like it.
Remi: Then I'll help push your cart. Come on, everyone, let's help.
—They pushed the garden cart together, heading for Franz's village.
Dario: Man, this thing's heavy. Are we close?
Franz: We're here. That's the gate to my village.
Franz: Dario, right?
Dario: Y-yeah? What about it?
Franz: From now on, your full name is Dario Mizuno.
Cashew: Woah, congrats Dario. You've got a real full name now.
Lucien (quietly): What kind of nonsense is this?
Dario: Thank you… I really appreciate it.
Franz (small smile):
Welcome to my village—Farmland.
Remi (amazed): Wow… it's beautiful. You live here, Mr. Franz?
Franz: Yes. Come on in. Blend in with the villagers… they're kind, don't worry.
Villager: Hey Franz! Who are your guests?
Franz: Oh, they're new friends of mine. And they'll be living here from now on! (cheerful)
Villager: New faces! Hello, everyone. Welcome!
Lucien (softly): They're so warm… nothing like the people in Cryverra.
Dario: Don't say that name.
Franz: This is how we live here—together, helping one another.
Franz: I hope you'll get used to it and feel at home.
S: N-not at all… we're glad. This kind of place… it's more than we ever hoped for.
Siro: This is the first time I've felt warmth… in a long time.
Tiber: What do you mean? It's freezing.
Siro (softly): I mean… no one in Cryverra ever treated us like this.
Remi: Mr. Franz, where's your house?
Franz: Just a few more steps.
—A little later…
Franz: There. That's my house, up ahead.
Lucien: The red one?
Franz: That's right. Welcome to my humble home.
Cashew (in awe): So many animals and plants here.
Cashew: It's truly beautiful.
Emrik: Can we really live here… from now on?
Franz: Think of it as your new home.
Remi (in his mind):
I never thought… someone so kind and honest could exist outside Cryverra.
Is this… what real life is supposed to feel like?