I was taken aback by the dark apparition before me, terrified by its' very presence. I face-palmed while flashing an irritated glare.

Oh, that's right, this is a fantasy world! My world's logic doesn't apply!

The doppelganger raised its' sword up and charged, swinging at me with such precision that it was hard to dodge. I gripped the hilt of the sword. All I could hope for is if my kendo skills are good enough against myself.

"Be careful! Shadow Doppelgangers can mimic the moves of the person they are a part of!" Keya shouted informatively.

She was standing far away from the fight. It was relieving to know she found some cover because she didn't look much like a fighter. Then again, appearances are deceiving.

The doppelganger charged again, lifting its' sword up before striking down. I managed to block the attack, pushing me back while sparks flew from my blade. It cocked its' arm and parried its' sword. I evaded the doppelganger's move and swung my blade at its' head. However, the shadow creature blocked and brought me into a stalemate. Suddenly, I felt the creature's swift kick against my abdomen, pushing me to the ground. I coughed before standing back.

"This is harder than I thought!" I muttered to myself.

If it were an MMORPG game, it would have been over in just a minute. But this was not a game. My eyes widened in shock. The doppelganger was about to strike. I picked myself up and gripped my sword as I regained my battle stance. We both changed at each other at once. Clash! Our blades struck once more. This time, the blow was so powerful; it sent a slight shockwave throughout the area.

"Had enough yet?!" I said fiercely to the doppelganger.

It didn't respond. It just remained silent. Before it could make its' next move, I pushed the shadow back and thrust my blade forward, hoping to pierce through its' heart. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my forearm. I looked and saw the creature's blade penetrating the skin. I screamed in pain, feeling the blood flow out of my arm as it pulled back. I was angry, but not like before. I was becoming enraged. Seething in agony, I gritted my teeth as started getting angrier and angrier. Then, everything turned red. With a bellowing roar, I sprinted and swung my sword. It tried to block but, this time, its' attempts were all in vain. The blade glowed of a red light and with one strike, the shadow's blade came flying out of its' hands. With one thrust, I pierced through its' heart. I watched it dissipate before my eyes.

I breathed heavily and saw my vision becoming clear. Afterwards, in a matter of seconds, the sky returned to being blue and the forest, and the fields, returned to normal. I didn't know what had happened. I was fighting my shadow, and the next thing I know I had become stronger and faster than I was before. Suddenly, a deep surge appeared, causing me to drop the sword in my hand and grasp my upper right arm.

"Ah!" I screamed excruciatingly.

Throughout my entire life, I have never been stabbed. Sure, there were the occasional cuts and bruises from accidents, kendo trainings, and from getting into scuffles with the high school yanki's. However, this was a different feeling.

"Akio, hang on!"

I snapped my head and saw Keya running as fast as she could. She crouched down beside me and told me to give her my arm. She started rubbing the wound, disregarding the blood staining her hand. I seethed when I felt her apply pressure.

However, I was stunned to see a green light flashing from her hand.

She stated attentively, "This will only take a second. The healing spell takes a lot of focus."

She removed her hand. I looked and was astonished to see the wound on my arm was completely healed.

"Thanks. You save my life," I said in gratitude.

She shrugged and smiled.

"It was no big deal! I would've used my healing ability on anyone who's injured, or ill!" she replied, waving a hand nonchalant while her cheeks turned red.

Smiling, I couldn't help but pat her on the back in thanks. I turned to see the sword face flat on the floor. I reached in, grabbed it by the hilt, and held it up to admire its' design.

"Well, at least I won't be using the branch, and you didn't have to spend anything on weapons, Keya," I mused, flashing a half-hearted grin as I placed the Blade of Accord into my belt.

Since I didn't have a scabbard, putting it there would suffice. I just hoped the blade didn't cut through the leather.

Walking up to my side, Keya added in awe, "I was amazed that you were able to unlock [Rage] on your first challenge! Usually, it takes level 1 warriors days before being able to use it!"

"What's [Rage]?"

"It's a class trait, common among the warrior class. It allows the user to challenge his rage and fury throughout their body, giving them enhanced strength and speed but only for about 60 seconds," she lectured analytically.

That sounds oddly like the super-saiyan transformation from Dragon Ball Z!

"What about your healing powers? Is that all part of being a magician, or did you have to learn to use it?" I questioned, pointing at Keya's ability.

She corrected me in a straightforward manner, "Actually, the healing spell was taught to me by the palace's private healers. However, I haven't fully mastered it and it takes a lot out of me." the tone of her voice contained hints of fatigue.

Later, Keya and I continued on foot, getting back on the cobble stone road. Frankly, we should have stayed in town and checked into an inn. The sun was beginning to set.

Turning to Keya, I asked, "How far is the next town?"

She answered, "About 3 miles."

That was a good thing to hear, meaning we didn't have to camp in the middle of nowhere. Also, I wouldn't know the first thing about setting up a camp to begin with. 1-hour-later, we made it to the town of "Kor". My legs were getting tired and were about to give out. Keya wasn't looking so good either. She leaned against my shoulder, using me to support her exhausted body. Luckily, the inn wasn't too far from us. In fact, it was close to the entrance. It was probably built close by, so to attract more customers better.

We waltzed right in, signed us into a room, and paid the innkeeper at the check-in counter. Unfortunately, there was only one room vacant, at the moment. Not really much of a problem as long as there was an extra bed. However, that was not the case.

The two of us sauntered into the first door on the left. As we entered, we discovered the room was a little small, and that there was only one bed!

Wait! I have to share a bed with Keya?! The thought about it was both exciting and horrendous. For starters, she was a girl and I was a boy, meaning it would be too uncomfortable for both of us the entire night. Even though I've only known Keya for a few hours, I could tell she was innocent. She wouldn't forgive me if I took advantage of her. Taking a glimpse, I could tell she was just as embarrassed as I was, noticing her flushed red face and flabbergasted gaze.

Maybe I should sleep on the floor. Then again, there doesn't seem to be any extra sheets and since this isn't a hotel, I doubt they would have any at the front desk.

"W-well, let's get ready for bed, s-shall we?!"

I was snapped out of my train of thought by Keya's voice. Turning to her, I watched her walked over and started moving the sheets back.

"Come now, these sheets aren't going to move themselves!" she demanded, gesturing me for help.

She was pretending to not be embarrassed, but I could still tell it on her face. I strolled over and began helping. Keya's hand fidgeted as she pulled back the covers. I could feel the vibration emitting throughout the fabric. Sweat started dripping from her face in agitation. I placed a hand on hers. Keya tensed up and turned her attention toward me.

I smiled and assured, "Don't worry, Keya! I'll be sure not to do anything dirty to you!" I couldn't help but chuckle at the end. I just wished she bought into my facade because, at the same time, I was freaking out.

Keya chuckled, also. She smiled reassuringly and moved her hand out.

"I-I know you won't. I'm just nervous because…this is my first time sharing a bed with a boy," she claimed, fidgeting with her fingers like a shy schoolgirl. She snapped out and continued while stuttering, "N-not that there's anything wrong with you! I-I mean, you're very attractive and n-nice, b-but it's just…I mean…"

I interrupted her breakdown, raising my hand up in a nonthreatening manner and said to her, albeit taken back, "Okay! I get it! Please, don't force yourself to say it!" honestly, I'm just as nervous as you are!

After the bed was finally set up, Key asked me to leave the room to give her privacy to change. I wondered: did she pack her pajamas in her rucksack?

So, I waited outside of the room until she finished changing.

"Okay! You can come back in!"

I strolled back into the room and was bewildered by the site before me. Standing in the middle of the room, Keya was dressed in a silver nightgown that stretched passed her thighs, and nothing else. My face immediately turned red and I felt my nostril dripping blood.

Keya cringed after seeing the blood from my nose. Snapping out of my daze, I wiped my nose with my sleeves, clapped my hands, and put on a fake smile.

"W-we should probably hit the hay! Early to bed; early to rise, as the saying goes!" I remarked fastidiously.

"Y-yes! We should get right to sleep! We have a busy day tomorrow!" She concurred, having the same embarrassed expression as me.

I took off my jacket, boots, and pants, which was usually how I slept. After turning off the lights, Keya and I crawled into bed together. We faced away from each other, trying to make the situation less awkward as possible.

We couldn't sleep. The feeling of each other's warmth under the sheets kept the two of us awake. I turned slowly; enough to see the back of Keya's head, but not enough to alert the elf girl.

"Hey, Keya…are you awake?"

"Yes."

"Just making sure."

Then, something came to mind.

"By the way, Keya. What…are we doing tomorrow?" I questioned puzzlingly.

She answered, turning to face me, "Oh! Well, tomorrow, we're going to the nearest guild office in town to sign us up to become official warriors and magicians. That way, when we're out adventuring and honing our skills, we could make money from the bounty we've collected along the way."

That made sense because it's common in games to register in guilds. That way, players can gather wealth and fame from their exploits. Until I learn a way to return home, I should sign up and be a warrior. After we talked, we finally went to sleep, falling deep into slumber as my vision went dark.