7 Welcome to Crystallia (1/2)

His eyes still closed, slowly coming out of his deep sleep, Will turned to his side. His hand lightly brushing the soft grass as he decided if he should wake up or grab a few more hours. The sun was out as he could see the red tint through his eye lids, but he could also see the shadows of the branches swaying above him, offering him a nice shade. He didn't feel anxious at all to wake in such nice weather.

'Grass?' Will thought as his mind slowly registered the abnormality softly brushing his hand. He finally opened his eyes, which went wide with shock as he noticed where he was. Somehow everything around him shifted from a desolate wasteland to a paradise.

Looking around, the only thing he saw was lush green grass and twenty foot trees as far as he could see. He still had his sleeping mat set up, but everything else was no where in sight, though his black bag was sealed leaning against the tree next to where he was sleeping. Will swore he could hear running water in the distance as well, suddenly his attitude changed from hopeless acceptance to praying to whatever brought him there.

Taking in the change in scenery, Will questioned if that never ending desert was just a dream, the mountainside always looming at a distance. But as he got up, stretching his sore muscles, he realized everything truly did happen. He was still sore from all the walking as well as the working out he did. 'If that wasn't a dream, how did I get here?' Will thought to himself. Maybe he had gotten to the mountain after all and just didn't remember? Any explanation he thought up just didn't fit.

Packing up his sleeping mat and his extra canteen, Will could have sworn he heard running water. With all of the grime he had from the desert, he was eager to follow the sound and hope for the best. He had to fill up his supply of water as well, having four canteens empty didn't seem like too big of a deal, but he didn't know when he would find the next water source. Will didn't feel the need to push his luck.

Following the sound of water, Will walked for around five minutes before a lake appeared. Not even worried about his clothes, Will threw himself into the lake with a howl of pleasure. He now understood the excitement anyone would have finding an oasis in a desert. Floating on his back, he looked through the trees to the sun, silently thanking whatever helped him out of that place.

When Will was finally satisfied with his washing, he took out the canteens and went to the other side of the lake. He knew he would have to boil the water to purify it later. Even if he got less than half the water he had, it wouldn't make any difference. It was still more water than he had the day prior.

As Will filled up the canteens, he thought he heard someone talking. His head shot up instantly, it sounded like a females voice and it sounded distressed. Putting his canteens away, Will raced to the sound he had heard.

Running for just moments, Will came to a clearing in the trees that looked like a small path, just big enough for three people to travel side by side. Being just a few trees away from the clearing, Will concealed himself behind one as he looked towards the sounds of conversation. With his time in the silent desert, Will's hearing had improved drastically. Even with the distance between them, he was still able to pick up words.

Will strained his eyes to make out a small woman, around the same age as him if he had to guess. She carried with her a pack almost the same size as herself, clearly packed with vegetation as he saw the greens coming out from the top. She wore simple traveling clothes. A tan pair of worn out trousers and the same color blouse. Her hair was black and had a slight tan. If Will had to guess, she seemed of asian decent. Her eyes a dark color, widened in what seemed to be fear.

The source of that fear was quite obvious, as there were two men in some sort of leather armor. One was holding a sword as the other stood to her side at a distance, as if expecting resistance. His hand resting on his own weapon waiting for even a hint of his partner having any trouble.

”Please, I'm not ready yet” she pleaded with her would be assailant. ”It isn't even harvest time yet, how am I even supposed to eat?” Her eyes never leaving the sword drawn just a foot away from her. The woman tried to back away, only to run into the other swordsman. ”Just let me have another month and it will be ready I promise!” She screamed at the man in front of her.

The man with the sword didn't seem to care, looking the woman up and down, the man turned to his partner. The sword stayed at the ready as a playful smile having never left his face. ”What do you think boss?” he asked with a playful tone. ”Should we give her another month?”

The 'boss' to her right took on his own smile. ”We could do that, but it will cost her.” He said while looking her up and down. ”Tell you what miss, we can take you back to your place and work out a deal, I promise it's a once in a lifetime opportunity.” he said with what looked like a lustful gleam in his eye.

The girl looked from one guard to the other, anxiety building the more they talked. It started to seem like a battle she wouldn't be able to win, submission and resignation ever growing in her features. How could she get out of the situation without getting hurt? Even more so if she won the fight, how long before another team showed up looking for their missing men? Slowly, she nodded her head as she accepted her fate. Anything to be able to eat another day.

Having seen enough of the conflict in front of him, Will's demeanor took a dark change. How could those who supposedly upheld the law be thinking of such horrible things? His anger building with each passing moment. If they were really thinking of the harvest, they would take something else as collateral.