My head was spinning when I awoke. 

I groaned and rolled over. Below me was a hard surface.

Not my bed.

Not my floor.

Not Samsara..?

Anore?

I opened my eyes hesitantly afraid of what I might see. My senses flooded back into me along with my Essence, and so did the pain of my forgotten injury.

I bit down on my lip in an attempt to distract myself from the pain.

I'm screwed.

I hugged my leg and began to slowly observe my surroundings. Behind me was a gate almost identical to the one in Samsara. The major difference between the two was that this one was old and clearly abandoned. 

Next to The Gate there was a peculiar presence. The aura it was giving off was no joke though.

A statue? A beast? Some sort of animal maybe?

I sat up, despite my body's objection, so I could get a better look at the individual.

The figure was that of a old man. His hair was silver and was quite long. He clearly made no effort to tame it. His eyes were grey and looked like dead fish eyes. He had a very pale complexion and long ears were protruding from underneath his hair. I could not recognize his race but his aura was very disturbing.

Our eyes met, and our staring war lasted for what seemed like an eternity. 

"How long are you going to sit there and stare for?" He asked in a raspy voice.

I was relieved that he finally broke the tense silence. 

"Where am I?"

"The Northwest corner of the elven kingdom, you're in Duke Lenora's territory. The closest city is Gaseluna," he inhaled, "Is that enough for you interloper?"

"Uh yeah," I responded hesitantly, "where can I have my wounds healed?"

"In Gaseluna, probably," he answered as if he was irritated at my very presence. "Although the closest village is at the base of this mountain, maybe you'll be able to make it before you bleed to death."

"Thanks," I answered.

I wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. The aura he gave off was slowly getting to me and my hair was standing on end. 

I tore a shred of fabric from my lab coat and tied it around the wound. The dagger protruded from the wound but I decided against pulling it out. I would bleed to death faster if I pulled it out. 

I brushed the dust off of my bottom and stumbled toward a tree. Using my essence to strengthen myself, I snapped off a strong branch to act as a cane.

I began to swiftly escape from the peculiar old man and his unpleasant aura.