Chapter 3：Sherry

After hearing a familiar word being repeated a few times, Dylan found himself becoming excited. The knight couldn't help but to raise his hopes that perhaps the Sherry they spoke of was his. Once more, his memories came flowing back into him, he remembered the time he and Sherry went on a walk through the forest together.

Sherry wore comfortable and durable clothing made of leather and cloth. A dagger hang by her side and she was decorated with various magic gems that aided her magic. Sherry's long black hair was tied up into a ponytail, the loose strands drew attention to her white nape and round ears. She was breathtakingly beautiful and seductive.

"It's nice to walk in the forest." Sherry smiled and skipped a little as she walked.

Dylan nodded and flashed a charming smile. "It's even better because I'm with you." He said with a slightly husky and manly voice.

Sherry froze for a split second without Dylan noticing. Her ears were dyed red as she giggled. "As always, you're a gentleman, Dylan." Sherry looked up at the trees, admiring the pretty bird and avoided looking at him.

The knight secretly sighed to himself. Sherry always brushed off his advances like this. She never let him get to close and he was afraid that if he did, she would never speak to him again. "You're leaving tomorrow?" He suddenly asked.

"...Yeah. The neighbouring country as requested for me to attend their king's birthday party. If I don't go, the peace talks might fall apart." Sherry spoke without much emotion as if she was suppressing them.

"I wish I could go with you." Dylan muttered. Sherry stopped walking and turned to look at him. Dylan's green blue eyes were tinged with sorrow and regrets that he did not attempt to hide. He did not look at her and stared sadly at the ground.

"You can't help it. You have to protect the king. But don't worry, Matthias is coming with me, he'll protect me." Sherry smiled brightly in attempts to cheer him up. And it worked a little. Dylan smiled slightly though jealousy towards his best friend bud in his heart.

As Dylan reminisced it suddenly hit him...Sherry never came back. She, on the way to the party, died. How could he have forgotten that? The despair and regret that overcame him when he found out, the solemn vow he swore to avenge her, he had actually forgotten all that. Waves of memories that he subconsciously blocked out came gushing back to him. His quest for revenge that span over a whole year had led him to the discovery of the betrayal of his most trusted friend.

Dylan remembered the denial in his heart as he ignored all the signs. He persistently rejected the idea that perhaps his best friend wasn't who he thought he was. This denial had ultimately led to his own downfall. The chase in the forest and eventually his death...His death! He was supposed to have died, what happened? And how did he get to this mysterious place that was unfamiliar in every way? It was as if he was in another world.

Dylan's thoughts were once again interrupted by the voices of the children. A tinge of guilt made its way into the mixture of foul emotions bubbling in his heart. They were wasting their time on this 'Sherry' because of him. Dylan was going to tell them it was okay when he saw the mature child, Yasmin taking out a thin black block. When she pressed on it, it lit up with a white light. Dylan felt surprised by this. The thin block didn't radiated any mana but it was like a magic tool. Yasmin didn't put any mana into either though, it was truly strange.

As Dylan observed silently, Yasmin continued to press away at the magic tool. Soon enough, loud ringing sounds resounded from it. Dylan was impressed once again. Not only was the tool able to emit light, it was also a communication tool. The communication tools he had seen before were round and big and clumpy. Not small and compact like this one. It was also not as useful as it. All it did was send messages.

When the ringing stopped, a voice was heard from the tool. It was a soft and clear voice that made Dylan freeze on the spot. This voice...it belonged to Sherry, his Sherry.

Yasmin spoke to the tool. "Sherry? Sorry to bother you so early in the morning."

"Oh no, it's fine. What's up?" Sherry asked amiably. Hearing her voice again, Dylan was able to confirm that the one speaking was indeed his Sherry, the Sherry that was supposed to be dead.

"Are you okay?" Fiona asked him, concerned. Dylan was too distracted to hear her and didn't respond.

"That voice...Is there someone with you Yasmin, other than you kids?" Sherry asked through the voice. Her voice was laced with a hint of surprise and suspicion.

"Um yes. We found a man sleeping in the park. He has blonde hair and green and blue eyes. The left one is green and the right one is blue. Do you know him?" Yasmin answered obediently.

There was a long pause.

"Sherry?" George called out.

"Oh, um, sorry. Can you give your phone to the man for me?" Yasmin stretched her hand out and gestured for Dylan to take the phone. Dylan, who had loss his composure, took awhile to react but still managed to grab the phone.

"Hello?" He imitated the children and spoke into the phone.

"Is that you, Dylan?" The children were surprised. They never knew that Sherry can speak another language.

Tears welled up in his eyes, this funny and adorable slight accent, he could hear from miles away.

Having determined that it was Sherry, Dylan found himself trembling, whether in excitement or fear, he did not know. "...yeah. I missed you, Sherry. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too. Sorry I couldn't say goodbye." Sherry was crying, they both were.

'Goddess Sennia, if this is a dream, please don't let me ever wake up.' Dylan prayed in his heart despite never having been a particularly religious guy.