Names to faces

I have a dream that I’m running in a dark field flooded in shadow. The shadows around me take different forms, I can’t understand what is supposed to be. All I can see is teeth and claws, trying to bite and graze me.

Ahead of me there’s a clear division of a bright field, being blessed in light. I can see three individuals there. But no matter how much I run I can’t get closer to it.

Eventually I grew too tired to keep going and stop. The shadow caught up to me and I was swallowed by the darkness. I feel that cold feeling running down my spine once again.

As I open my eyes I don’t recognize where I’m at. I’m in a well decorated room made up of a light color palette. Almost everything is white or beige.

I wonder if this was all a dream. I sit up and look at myself. I’m wearing a white T-shirt and white pants. They look like pajamas.

My left arm and right ankle are covered in bandages. Touching them I wince from the light pain.

(Yup, that’s real. Guess I’m really here). It is not as extreme as before but it’s still sore.

I look to my left and to my surprise I see a familiar face.

The orc girl who helped me outside the cave is right next to me. Sitting on a chair sleeping.

“Uh, hello?”

She gets startled and wakes up, cleaning some drool running down her mouth.

“Oh, you’re up! How are you feelin? Here have some of this.” She reaches for the table next to her with a beautiful water jug and serves me a cup.

“Thank you, err I don’t know your name yet” I drink slowly.

“Oh yeah, I guess we forgot to introduce ourselves back there. I’m Gora of Orc Kin! Do you have a name?”

(Oh yeah, I’m going with the amnesia story. Better to keep it simple.)

“Akihiko, I think. I have a feeling this is what other used to call me. It must be my name, right?”

“Nice to meetcha Akihiko!” She gives a big smile.

My heart skips a beat. Is the first time a girl was this friendly with me.

I go for another sip but choked on the water and started coughing.

“Take it easy. They patched you up, but you should still be feeling a little off. I’ll go tell the other you woke up. There’s someone you have to meet.”

She leaves the room.

I look around the room. It has a medieval feel to it. Very fancy and full of details. Theres a big window above the bed, pulling the curtain aside, I can see a big city. Full of buildings, almost all of them are colored white.

It doesn’t take long for Gora to return with her two companions from before.

Before I can say anything, they present themselves. The goblin girl goes first.

“Gora-Chan mention we forgot to say our names! How rude of us. I’m Ruina of Goblin Kin. It’s so good to see you are well.”

The wolf man goes next.

“I’m Lumiere of Wolf Beast Kin. I’m sorry for how I treated you back there. I didn’t know about your circumstances.” It looks like he’s not used to apologizing.

“So, Akihiko right? Can I call you Aki-Chan? There’s someone we need you to meet. Can you stand up?”

“Sure, I think I can.” As I stand up I stumble a bit due to my ankle.

Swiftly, Lumiere rushes to my side to catch me.

“I’ll lend you a shoulder, let’s move.”

“Lumi-Chan you are so kind.”

“Shut it. He needs help, of course I’m going to offer it.”

“We are so sorry about this Aki-Chan, we know you are still injured but is extremely important that we take you to meet the Guild Master as fast as possible.”

“Tell me if it gets too hard to walk and I’ll carry ya like before! I’m very strong so is no problem at all!”

“Shut up Gora, he’s a guy let him keep his dignity. But if it gets too tough to walk lets us know, okay? We don’t want your injuries getting worse.”

“Ya can use all the foul language ya want Lumi, but yer kindness keeps on showing up at the end!”

“Shut up!” Lumiere is red from blushing.

Receiving all this kindness from all sides is disorienting. Not in a bad way of course, I guess I’m just not used to it.

We headed to the hallway, but I stopped them. After all the help they gave me this is the very least I should do.

“Before we go, I just have to say. Gora, Ruina, Lumiere, thank you so much for saving me before.”

“Don’t mention it!” Gora gives another big cheerful smile. Ruina and Lumiere also look happy.

We keep walking in this long hallway. It looks like we are inside a castle.

We keep walking until we reach this big set of doors with two guards in front wearing white armor. They also have distinguishing monster features. Gora and Ruina talk to them, who then let all four of us inside.

This room we reached is massive. With a big waning moon shaped table in the middle.

Theres four seats distributed on it and two of them occupied.

On our left a beautiful and mature woman with long light blue hair adorned with accessories made of flawless jewels. On her white skin I can see what looks like blue scales and gills on the side of her neck. She wears a pure white dress with gold and silver detail that reflets the light around it.

On our right an older looking man. Silver slick back hair, crow’s feet, and reptilian looking eyes with yellow pupils. On his white skin I can see what seem like red scales. He wears a uniform with the same orange and purple color scheme as the ones beside me.

They both have a sharp gaze and an air of wisdom around them.

The three that were accompanying me immediately drop to their knees when their gaze met that of the woman. Although Lumiere makes sure my hand rests well in his shoulder for me not to lose balance.

“Lady Farasha, it is an honor.” They say in unison.

Right now, I’m the only one standing, looking around dumbfounded.

As I go to copy the gesture of kneeling, she stands up from her seat raising her hands as if signaling me to stop.

A serene voice follows.

“Please child, do not force yourself to a meaningless gesture. You have been through enough and my presence does not demand such acts.” She now makes a wave signaling the rest to stand up.

“As for you, guild members, I thought it was agreed that you will never have to lower your head in my presence. The service you provide to the land is far more noble than mine. You have business with the Guild Master, correct? I was about to take my leave.”

(Guild Master, guild members. Are they part of an adventures guild?)

As Lady Farasha leaves there is an air of nobility around her that I had never experienced before. She looks at me and gives me a gentle smile.

“I hope we get the chance to talk.” She leaves the room.

The so-called Guild Master stands up and speaks with a firm voice.

“So, do you yet have a name?”

“Oh, uh I’m recall being Akihiko, Mister Guild Master.”

“I see… No distinguishing features, average height, average build. Akihiko of Human Kin.”

“You know I’m a human?”

“I have I good eye for this sort of thing. You could say is part of my obligation.”

“Gora and the others told me you wanted to talk to me. They said it was urgent.”

“It is indeed an urgent matter. But first things first. I wish you a very good morning and I welcome you the capital city of Altarius.” As he stands up from his seat, I see small wing stretching from his back.

“My name is Volkan of Dragon Kin. I am the Guild Master of the Resting Guild. We have a lot to talk about. We got to put you up to speed on what you missed while you were sleeping.”

(I really don’t get what he is saying)

“I hope so. The more you guys talk the more confused I get. But was it so important that you couldn’t wait for me to finished healing?”

“I’m afraid it is. For you see, you might just be the miracle we have been waiting for the past 10 years to appear.”