It was the sound of rain that woke Cross. The steady tsh tsh tsh as the raindrops slapped against the leaves before trickling down to the muddying ground. He let out a groan and sat up, only to have the world spin around and send him right back down. He grasped for consciousness, but like water slipping through his fingers, it quickly escaped him and he collapsed back into the blackness.

It was still raining when he woke again. He made no attempt to move this time and simply stared up at the ceiling. His vision was blurry. Slowly he lifted up his hand and held it in front of his face until his vision began to clear. With a sigh he let his arm fall back to his side. The effort of the small action was surprisingly exhausting.

He didn’t realize he had passed out until he woke up for the third time. Sighing, he reached up and rubbed at his face. His fingertips brushed against a sticky substance and he pulled his hand back in surprise.

A thick, amber-like substance had been spread across the side of his head.

Gritting his teeth, he slowly pushed himself into a sitting position. A hiss of pain escaped his clenched teeth as the wounds on his stomach and chest burned in protest. It was around this time that he realized that he was no longer wearing his shirt, or coat. The same gooey substance had been rubbed along his chest and stomach, along with some on the two puncture wounds on his thighs. As he stared down at the salve, he became acutely aware of its sweet scent.

The scent was oddly familiar, but he couldn’t quite place when he had smelled it before. Still, it gave him a strange sense of calm.

"Right, then. Where am I?" Cross sighed as he wiped his fingers clean on his pants and looked around.

He was in a room. Not a particularly large room, maybe a touch smaller than his own bedroom back at the guild. The walls were rounded, and had no windows. The only light came from lanterns hanging along the walls that emitted a faint yellow light. He was sitting on some sort of mat that took him a moment to realize was actually a leaf, an extremely large and squishy leaf that held a pleasing, rose-like scent.

"Oh, right," Cross said softly, his hazy memories of Green beginning to return. With considerable effort he pushed himself up and walked over to one of the lanterns. It was surprisingly cool to the touch, despite the light it was emitting. "Plants. That makes sense, I guess."

Footsteps behind him drew his attention and he turned. Green was staring down at him from a narrow staircase that wound up the side of the circular wall. Cross hadn't noticed it before in the dim light.

"You're awake," Green said.

"Shockingly, it would appear so. I figured you would have killed me," Cross said with a slight wave. He noticed she hadn't tried to remove his bracers, nor had the pouch secured to his leg been disturbed. "Didn't try to rob me after you knocked me out?"

"I have no intention of stealing from you, nor anyone else," Green said with narrowed eyes. "Furthermore, I know only you can open that pouch without triggering the magical seal, Cross of the Sleeping Dragon."

Cross's eyebrow went up in surprise. "Have we met before.”

“Why do you not carry a weapon?”

The question was abrupt and threw Cross for a moment. “What?”

“You came unarmed. Why.”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

Cross shrugged one shoulder. “Don’t know how to use them.”

“Do not lie.” She spoke without the barest hint of variation in her tone, but the venom that lined her words made Cross’s hair stand on end.

“I…” Cross frowned and looked down at his hands. His fingers had balled into tight fists. Though he loathed to answer her, he did. “It makes things too… easy.”

Green stared at him for a long time before finally nodding. “I see.”

Cross shook his head roughly as if to dislodge Green’s unwavering gaze. “Anything else you want to ask, Green? Maybe you can ask me about my favorite color while we’re getting to know each other.”

"Artemisa," she said.

"I'm sorry?"

"Artemisa," she repeated. "It is my name. Not Green."

The name tickled against Cross's memory. "Artemisa?"

"Yes."

Cross shook his head. "That's… not right,"

"Not right?" she descended the stairs and stopped in front of him. Her eyes were sharp and reminded Cross of a wolf he had once seen. Proud and fearless, without a shred of doubt in her superiority. "You would call me liar? In my home?"

Cross rubbed at his temple. He tried to find the memory, but it was hidden, locked away in a deep, shadowy area of his mind. "No, but…"

She stared at him.

"Misa," Cross said softly, the nearly forgotten name slipping from his lips before he could stop it. "Your name is Artemisa, but I called you Misa."

Even as he spoke, Cross could not pull the rest of the memory free from the shrouded fog. Still, the name was enough. Misa's brow furrowed and she turned back to the staircase.

"So you do remember," she said softly before calling out. "Hurry up and follow me,"

Cross looked around the room one last time before sighing to himself. With nothing else to do, he followed after Misa, though at a much slower pace.

Misa led him round and round, higher and higher. As they ascended, the wooden walls began to widen, but still retained the rounded, circular shape.

Still suffering from his injuries, Cross was beginning to wonder just how much longer they were going to walk. As if to answer his question, Misa came to a stop and they stepped into the middle of a large open room. One of the curved walls shifted into a section of vines that lazily swayed in the wind. Cross glanced as Misa before moving towards the vines and sweeping them to the side.

They weren't in a building at all.

"This is a tree," Cross breathed as he looked down from the dizzying height. The rain obscured his vision of the ground and the freezing droplets plinked off his head. He took a wary step back. They were far higher up than he felt comfortable being, especially with a girl who had tried to kill him standing only a few feet away.

Cross turned to look at Misa who was watching him closely through her sharp green eyes.

"You made this?" Cross said. He took a closer look at the staircase that wound around the walls. There was no evidence of it being carved. It had simply grown this way.

Misa nodded.

"The plants," Cross couldn't see the vines she had attacked him with earlier, but he had no doubt they were still there, hidden beneath her clothing. "You can control them?"

"So long as they allow it," Misa said as she reached out and pressed her hand against the wall.

A sprout appeared beside Cross's foot. Surprised, he took a step back and looked at Misa. She tilted her head towards the plant. Warily, Cross turned his eyes back down to the plant that had already grown into a long, slender stem. It continued to grow until it was just a hair taller than Cross. A colossal, orange blossom formed at the tip. Cross held his ground as the plant bent towards him and the blossom slowly opened.

A sweet smell invaded Cross's nostrils as something fell from the blooming flower. Deftly, he caught it.

"That should be a suitable replacement for your clothing," Misa said quietly as Cross held up the green tunic she had grown. "Unfortunately, your coat was…destroyed."

"This is amazing," Cross murmured as he ran his fingers over the sleeve of the tunic. The material was cool to the touch, and soft against his fingertips, yet it felt strong. He pulled it on, glad to once again be fully dressed, even if it did fit a bit long on his arms.

This was not lost on Misa. She approached Cross and placed her hand on his chest. The sleeves retracted to a more suitable length and she stepped back.

"Thanks," Cross was unsure what else to say. On one hand, she had treated his wounds, and given him clothing and shelter. On the other hand, she was the reason he had wounds and needed new clothing and shelter.

"I am not going to kill you," Misa said, reading the conflicting expression playing out on his face.

"Really? Because you did a pretty good job earlier," Cross said. He reached up and gently touched where she had stabbed him. "Your follow through needs work, though."

Misa remained silent.

"So," Cross took in a deep breath and began to rub his temple. "You know my name, you know my gear, you know my guild and I know your name. So we have met before. I'm guessing it was seven years ago."

Misa nodded.

Cross's fingers came to a rest as he stared at Misa. She stared back him with unblinking, emerald eyes. Cross felt something stir within the back of his mind. A memory trying to reach the surface, but it was weighed down by something.

Stuck.

"I can't remember," Cross lamely shook his head as his temple started to throb. "But you… this… it's all familiar." He looked down at his wrists. "So, were you the one who shot me?"

"Yes," Misa said. The edges of her mouth turned into what could almost have been called a frown.

"Both times?"

"Yes."

"Well, at least you gave me a warning shot this time," Cross sighed. "Even if you did stab me after that,"

Misa looked down. "That was a… misunderstanding."

"You sure about that?" Cross tugged on his sleeves until they settled into a comfortable position. He glanced at Misa. She looked almost embarrassed. Almost. "Under normal circumstances, I would say when you try to shoot someone, multiple times, and then stab them, it doesn't really fall under 'a misunderstanding'. But I guess this isn't exactly normal." Cross ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "So you're just going to let me go on my way then?"

"You cannot leave.”

"Why's that?" Cross said. He was not surprised by the answer. Things were never that easy.

Misa walked up to the edge of the tree and the vines parted for her. Lightning streaked across the sky and the rain grew in intensity. Thick sheets slapped against the tallest trees before flowing down to the ground.

"If you attempt to traverse the forest now, you will die," Misa said. She pointed down and Cross cautiously moved to her side. The ground was already beginning to flood, small streams overflowing and forming a rushing current that could easily sweep up Cross. Misa was not wrong. It would be impossible to travel through that.

"Of course," Cross sighed. The rains could last for weeks here, even months. He cast an eye on Misa. "So what happens now?"

Misa looked at Cross. More specifically, she looked just above him. "You have become more in tune with the Void since the last time you were here."

That was not the answer Cross had expected. "What?"

Misa reached out and skimmed her hand over the top of Cross's head. He opened his mouth to ask what she was doing when he felt a thrum go through his very being.

A chill ran down his spine and his entire body went rigid. When he was again able to move his body, he took a hasty step back from Misa.

"What did you just do?" Cross tried and failed not to gasp

"Your connection is still weak, however. Far weaker than it should be. I never should have injured you in our fight and yet…." Misa said, more to herself than Cross. Her eyes were still fixed on the point above his head. "Very well. We will start there."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your training," Misa said. "Or rather, your retraining. It begins now."

Cross gave her a blank look. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Faster than Cross could react, Misa swung her hand over his head. That same strange thrum went through Cross's body, though this one more violent. His body trembled and he dropped down to one knee. He exhaled sharply in surprise.

"Please don't do that anymore," Cross growled as his muscle spasms came to an end. It wasn't exactly painful, but the sensation was extremely unpleasant. Like his soul was being vibrated inside of his body.

"It is because your thread is too thin. Once you solidify your link to the Void, it will not waver as easily."

"My thread?" Cross looked up at her from the floor. "The Void? You can see it?"

"I cannot see the Void. I can only see the thread that links you to the Void," Misa said, she thrummed him again, harder. Cross grit his teeth and shivered. Misa sniffed. "Stand up."

Cross didn't really feel like listening, but Misa's hand twitched ever so slightly. With a heavy sigh he pushed himself back up to his full height and looked down at Misa.

"There is much to do," Misa said with a nod. "Let us begin,"

Cross still wasn't exactly sure what exactly they were beginning, but his choice in the matter seemed to have come to an end. He still had questions, more than he could even begin to list, but Misa showed no more intention of talking. A grim line had set in her mouth as she lifted her hand up and towards the forest.

Magic built inside the room as Misa moved forward, her arm reaching out through the curtain of vines and into the rain. The tree let out a groan and began to rumble. Cross nearly lost his footing as the entire tree shook. He caught himself and Misa lowered her arm. She turned back to him and pointed to a thick, freshly grown branch that now extended from the trunk of the tree.

"Go," Misa ordered.

"Outside?"

"Yes."

"In the rain."

"On that?"

"Yes."

Cross peered past Misa. The branch looked study, but it was only about the width of his torso.

Cross looked back at Misa. "Why?"

"We must start at the beginning," Misa said simply. "Go."

The rational part of Cross's mind told him that this was a poor idea. Actually, it told him that this was a down right batshit insane idea and that it was probably going to result in his premature death.

But Misa's unwavering gaze was enough to coerce Cross into stepping forward and to the edge of the branch. He gave Misa one last look before leaning his head outside. His hair was almost instantly soaked as the icy rain chilled him to the bone.

He stared to turn back, but something stopped him. He couldn’t accurately say what it was, but that didn’t matter as he let out a soft curse under his breath and took an unsteady step forward. Cursing again and again he slowly shuffled his way to the center of the branch. He was drenched to the bone in moments. Even though his new tunic seemed to repel the water, it did nothing to stop the rain from dripping through the collar and down his chest and back. He shivered unhappily as the rain continued to pound against him and the wind threatened to knock him from his precarious perch. He dropped down into a sitting position, adjusting his legs carefully.

He looked back at Misa. She had stepped out onto the branch, completely protected from the rain by three thick leaves that sprouted out from the tree around her. The forest apparently did not hold Cross in a similar regard, a fact that was made painfully aware as he blinked rainwater from his eyes.

"How exactly is this training?" Cross yelled through chattering teeth. His words were nearly drowned out by the boom of thunder.

"Magic and nature are one in the same. Nature is the base of magic. It has no master, and no agency. Like nature, Magic simply exists. It is neither good, nor bad. It simply is," Misa said as she stepped forward. The leaves pulled back and allowed the rain to fall against her skin. She showed no discomfort from the cold as she strode confidently towards Cross, her bare feet gliding against the branch.

"That's really interesting and all, but this is a terrible place for a lesson," Cross said as he grabbed onto the branch. A gust of wind blew through the forest and against his frigid skin, driving the last bit of warmth from his body. The cold air hurt his eyes and he looked down. It was a mistake. From this height the flooded ground was actually blurry. His stomach lurched.

Misa swayed with the wind, completely calm as she came to a stop next to him. She extended out her hand. Cross looked at it suspiciously. Misa gave him a nod. Tentatively, he took it and allowed her to pull him up. Another gust of wind left him gripping her hand tightly.

"You must understand that you are a part of nature, Cross. Magic flows through you as it flows through everything. All you have to do is allow yourself to feel it," Misa said, turning towards the wind and letting it rush against her, pushing her back on her heels. Cross tightened his grip on her hand. "Feel the power of this world. Feel the overwhelming strength of the storm. The unending vastness of the sky. The magic that permeates everything."

She turned to Cross with an expectant look. He hesitated before slowly turning away from her and into the wind, just as she had done. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, feeling the cold air slide down his throat and expand through his chest.

The storm roared and he felt the vibrations rumble through his chest. Lightning lit up the sky and he felt the electrical charge set the hairs on his arms on edge. His eyes shot open and he turned towards Misa.

“I can’t. I can’t do this.”

“You can.”

“Look-”

“Cross.” She cut him off effortlessly. “Just feel.”

“What does that even mean?”

"Feel,” Misa said softly, her fingers tightening around his. "Feel the world. Feel everything."

"Everything," Cross repeated, so softly the words were lost to the wind.

Everything.

The wind that rushed through his hair.

The rain drops that fell against his face.

The magic of this world.

The cold fell away and Cross was floating. Opening his eyes, he saw nothing. Nothing but the black of the Void. He was drifting, alone in the Void, guideless. He would fall away into the nothingness. He would fade into the ether. A feeling of panic settled on him like a boulder. He began to sink. The panic weighed down on his chest, crushing him, driving the breath from his lungs. He couldn’t even scream. He thrashed wildly, but could not stop his descent.

Falling.

Falling.

Falling.

He stopped.

There was something in his hand. It was holding onto him. He gripped it back with all of his strength, his eyes staining to see.

Misa stared back him, but she was hazy, like the ghost of an image, somehow both there and not.

Cross blinked and he was back in the forest. Back in the frigid rain and driving winds.

Another blink and he was in the Void, weightless and silent. Yet, he could still feel the cold of the rain on his skin, and the warmth of Misa's small hand that he clutched at.

An anchor to the world

"You are connected to the Void," Misa’s voice echoed softly through his mind. "And the Void is connected to all. You are connected to all."

Connected to all.

The black of the Void lit up.

Hundreds upon thousands of lights illuminated the darkness. More lights than he could even begin to comprehend, stretching on endlessly into the distance. Some were dim, so dim that he could barely even see them against the nothingness of the Void. Others shone so brilliantly they were nearly blinding. In the distance, a handful blinked out of existence, only to be immediately replaced.

Cross stepped towards the nearest one and reached out his hand. The light was cool to the touch. He closed his eyes and when he opened them again he was surrounded by the light. Images flashed by so fast he couldn't process them, but he understood.

This was a thread of life. Someone's entire life, condensed down into a fraction of a second. It would flicker and die, but another would soon replace it.

An unending cycle of life and rebirth.

All that would ever be and all that would ever not be.

Everything.

Connected to him.

Cross let out a breath and he was back in the forest, the cold raindrops crashing against his skin and Misa's hand still tightly holding onto his. Slowly he turned to look at her, his heart hammering against his chest.

"Everything," Cross breathed. "I saw everything."

Misa did not smile, but the solemn expression on her face did lessen somewhat as she nodded. She released his hand and made her way back to the tree trunk.

Cross nodded and followed, though at a decidedly slower pace than Misa. When he reached the safety of the tree he let out a breath and looked down at Misa. Though she was just as soaked as he was she showed no signs of discomfort. With her choppy hair plastered against her head, Cross noticed something about her that he hadn't before.

"Hey," Cross blinked slowly and leaned down towards the girl, his eyes narrowing. "Misa?"

She looked up at him. "Yes?"

Cross reached out and brushed the hair away from her ear. Her noticeably pointy ear.

"Are you an elf?" Cross asked delicately. He felt a stirring in his mind.

"Yes," Misa replied without hesitation.