"Aghh!!!"

  Screams.

  Those are the first things I heard as I started to wake.

  Meanwhile was nose was filled with the familiar smell of fmes, along with another scent I didn't recognize that made me want to vomit.

  Though before that could happen I managed open my eyes, and when I did I found myself witnessing a horrible sight.

  Burning buildings, dead bodies littering the ground, and people running around like crazy. All while I was somehow moving, getting further and further away from the chaos. Though not through my own actions.

  Since at the moment I feel like shit.

  It's take all I have just to keep my eyes open and my thoughts from getting clouded.

  Making me wonder, just how the fuck am I moving right now?

  While I pondered this question I stopped when I heard a distinctly female voice speak to me.

  "Al, thank goodness!"

  One that sounded very familiar, but for some reason I can't pce.

  "Kiefer, quiet!"

  Then right after the familiar female voice spoke to me another familiar voice, this time a male one, suddenly entered my ears. Me being unable to pce this one too. Even though I should.

  Leaving me slightly irritated and even more curious as to just what is happening right now.

  "I know, but Al-"

  "-I get it. I do. But this is neither the time nor the pce." The male voice interrupted the female voice.

  "Right." She simply replied.

  After that I was met with utter silence as the scene I saw earlier continued to fade from view as I ended up further and further away from it, my scenery being repced with that of a forest. One that was yet again like the voices familiar to me but I couldn't pce.

  Which is seriously getting old really fast.

  As I began trying to think of a way to deal with that particur issue I stopped when suddenly several figures came out of nowhere and headed right for me.

  "Shit!"

  "No!"

  The male and female excimed respectively.

  Just as the figures converged reached me. When they did I suddenly found myself spinning, until the left side my face was kissing the ground. A hand forcing my head into it, making sure it stayed there. While another had my left arm locked in some sort of hold that led to intense pain if I moved even a little bit. To say nothing of the knee pressing down into my back.

  Let's not even discuss the redness, which I somehow know is my own blood, slowly leaking over my eyes and clouding my vision.

  Dealing with all that I still worked to take in what was going on around me.

  When I did I noticed a guy with short white hair and deep blue eyes stuck in the same position as me.

  I also noticed a girl with long-brown hair, several bangs resting just above her eyes, which were a deep green in color, on her back. Being held down by two figures dressed in pure white cloaks. Both of which sported a bck infinity symbol depicted as a snake.

  The symbol itself familiar to me, just like so many other things in the past few minutes.

  But just like everything else I couldn't pce it.

  "A good but futile attempt children. Because did you honestly think you could escape from us?"

  And I was once again interrupted from trying when the cloaked figure holding down the girls legs suddenly spoke up.

  In response to the cloaked figures words the girl spit at them.

  Her spit failing to reach the figure holding down her girls. But a few seconds after she let it loose the figure swiftly reached out and spped her across the face. Leading to a small amount of blood to be drawn. Even so the girl didn't lose the look of anger and defiance she was currently sporting on her face.

  'Yeah, you go Kiefer. Don't give these assholes any satisfaction.' I happily thought.

  I then immediately realized what I just had thought. Namely the unknown girls name, and that I was happy in regards to her actions. Meaning I likely knew her. Though I still didn't know how.

  "Insolent whelp!" The man shouted at Kiefer. He then spped her again.

  "Hey, leave her alone!"

  Leading Rond to shout at me right after and then attempt to break free of the hold he was in but no avail. His actions earning him an elbow jab to the back of his head, driving it further into the ground.

  Angering me.

  Letting me know I knew the boy whose name I now knew was Rond. Just like how I somehow knew the girl Kiefer.

  "Ah, such insolence." The man holding down Kiefer's legs spoke once again. "It is from this I can see you are not worthy of receiving the wisdom of our leaders. But do not despair for I and my comrades shall give you the gift of a swift death. And I hope you remember our kindness in the afterlife." The figure spoke.

  Then right after they finished speaking their head suddenly disconnected from their body and sailed through the air for a few seconds before nding on the ground, right in front of my eyes no less.

  However I didn't have any time to dwell on this fact before the heads of the other cloaked figures followed the same trend as the first cloaked figures and soon left their bodies.

  Just as they did a man suddenly appeared, as if almost out of thin air.

  Turning my head in his direction I saw he was quite rge, as well as tall. At least 6'5" from my estimation. He has a rough looking to him with a stubble beard, light blue in color, just like his unruly hair, save for a few parts coming down slightly over his right eye, with his eyes being the same color as his hair. His attire consists of light armor. While in his hands he is currently carrying quite a rge sword.

  Yet despite this mans intimidating presence I can't help but feel like everything is going to be alright when I look at him.

  I wonder why that is?

  "Are you kids okay?" The man suddenly asked. His deep and rich voice filling my ears.

  Though before I could answer bck spots suddenly started filling my eyes.

  Then before I knew it everything went bnk.

  ***

  'Ah, what hit me?' I thought.

  As I began slowly but surely opening my eyes.

  When I did I saw that I was in a room and lying in a bed.

  I then felt a slight stinging sensation from my head. So I moved my left hand there to feel it and when I did I felt something wrapped around it, which I immediately identified as bandages.

  Telling me someone had treated the wound on my head.

  As I silently thanked them I moved to sit up in the bed I was in.

  Right after I did so I suddenly thought about my current situation.

  Which is when I realized something.

  I had memories from two sets of lives. The first set belongs to a male, whose name I can't remember no matter how hard I try, who lived an ordinary life on a world called Earth. While the second set belongs to a young boy named An Marqs. Who spent his life growing up in a world filled with things like swords, magic, monsters, etc...

  And from what I can see the set of memories belonging to the man from the pce called Earh recognizes the name An Marqs. It was the name of a character in what was his favorite videogame, known as 'Terrestria Saga'. An RPG-themed open-world fantasy game that was quite popur for it blended together science and magic, and gave pyers numerous choices when it came to selecting a romantic partner.

  As I thought about all this I couldn't help but begin to breathe deeply. Because due to these two sets of memories I'm left wondering, am I the man from Earth who died and then somehow experienced a thing known as reincarnation and become An Marqs? Or am I An Marqs who previously lived another life on Earth and am now just remembering it?

  Wavering between the two theories in my head I was suddenly interrupted when the door to the room I was in opened up.

  When it did I turned my attention to it, spotting three familiar faces.

  The first two belonged to the boy and girl, known as Rond and Kiefer, respectively, from before.

  Who thanks to An's memories I know are my childhood friends.

  But due to the other man's memories I also know they are important characters from the game Terrestria Saga, Rond in particur being extremely important since in the game he was the main character and hero who led the efforts to save the entire world from destruction.

  As for the third individual who entered the room it is the man who saved the three of us before.

  His name is Barrett Becnel.

  A powerful warrior who in the game became the teacher and caretaker of me, Rond, and Kiefer. Along with someone who supported Rond and Kiefer throughout the events of the game.

  Now you're probably wondering why I left myself out of that statement just now right?

  It's because thanks to the memories from that man I know that An Marqs, who I now am, died very early in the game. His death being used as an emotional point, and as a way to motivate Rond to become stronger. All due to the actions of the games developers.

  Just thinking about that leaves a horrible taste in my mouth.

  So working to ignore it I focused all my attention back on the three.

  "Al, thank goodness you woke up." Kiefer spoke. Giving me a soft smile.

  One that I returned. "Yeah, you can't get rid of me that easily." I replied. As naturally as breathing. Having to put no effort at all into my words or actions. Everything just feeling right. Despite what's going on in my head at the moment.

  "And we wouldn't want to." Rond said. "But seriously Al, we're gd you're okay." He spoke once more.

  Using the nickname the two of them had come up with for me when we were only a couple of years younger than we are right now.

  Which is thirteen.

  The other man's memories telling me I have four years until the plot of the game begins, and based on both sets of memories I can tell this world I will now call home is based heavily on 'Terrestria Saga'. Leading me to wonder what that means in regards to my life.

  Does this mean I'll die again soon?

  Even though that's not what I want. Even though I've been granted a second chance at life.

  You know what, no.

  Fuck that shit.

  This isn't a game anymore, this is real life. Nobody controls my actions here. So if I want to live I'm going to live. No matter what stands in my way.

  Resolving myself to carry this out I suddenly felt a strange peace settle inside of me.

  "My, what an intense look you have on your face young man." Barrett suddenly spoke to me. "Do you mind if I ask what it's all about?"

  When he did I looked at him. "Oh nothing much. Just resolving myself to now live my life to the fullest is all." I replied.

  "Yes, after what happened I can't bme you." Barrett said. Getting a dark look on his eyes. "Fucking Ouroboros!" He seethed.

  Cursing the crimina organization/cult known as Ouroboros.

  One of the greatest enemies within the game of 'Terrestria Saga'.

  Who from the other man's memories I now know are the ones who raided and destroyed the home vilge of Rond, Kiefer, and I, leaving us three, and only a few other survivors behind. Everyone else either being killed, or captured by Ouroboros to either be used as sves or in their own heinous experiments.

  Yet despite knowing all this I still had to ask what happened. So that I didn't seem suspicious.

  After my question Barrett didn't hesitate and told me straight up what occurred to my home vilge. Only sparing a few lose details.

  As he spoke I suddenly felt myself overcome with anger, rage, and a deep sadness. Leading me to start crying before I even knew it. Kiefer and Rond soon joining me in that regard.

  "It's okay children. Crying is nothing to be ashamed of. So let it all out." Barrett softly told us.

  So he we did.

  We cried, and cried, and cried, until we couldn't anymore.

  After this was over we all just remained in silence for several seconds until Barrett broke it.

  "An. Just so you know I have not only offered shelter to both Rond and Kiefer but also offered to train them to become stronger. And if you're willing I'll offer the same to you." He expined.

  "Why?" I asked. Even though thanks to the other man's memories I already knew the reason.

  "Because, children should be nurtured and protected." Barrett said. A fierce determination in his voice. "So, what say you?"

  "I say, yes." I replied.

  Because there's no way I'm abandoning my friends. Despite all the shit they'll get involved with in the coming years. But that's exactly the reason I can't abandoned them.

  For like I stated earlier this isn't a game any more. It's real life. No save points, no do-overs, none of that. You only get one life in this world and I'll be damned if I let my friends risk theirs without me. So I'm sticking to them like glue.

  I'll also avoid my death and aide them.

  Because otherwise what are friends for?

  Resolving myself once more to take on this matter I felt another moment of inner peace.

  Feeling like being An Marqs won't be so bad after all.