V

*yep, new stuff. Ok, I'll say this here -the OC part is going to be a bit confusing, at least at first. There's quite a few characters I gotta introduce, and I'm still trying to shape everything together to the best of my abilities. It's more of a 'side story' so it won't have effects on the main events that are of high importance, but it's still going to give more insight into other details I've tossed around in the fanfic, so yeah. If it's annoying or anything, feel free to skip this bit and wait for the official stuff (which is going to take a while). For now, however, enjoy. Peace out and Deus vult.*

The situation was reminiscent of some past events he wasn't fond of. Waking up in some unknown area, it was all linked to a weird dream since that explanation made sense in his head—more or less in that moment when he could recall having fallen asleep just a bit before the current events. 

"Hmph, this sure is what I needed," he growled, fixing the sleeves on his suit. He didn't question much, instead walking ahead in the only direction his senses pointed to. Simple as that, just a decision taken on the fly, leading him into the strange land. The trees cast long shadows, the wind's movements causing all that existed around to shift and creak, creating noises that he wasn't too used to. It was just a dream, so he was about to take it casually. 

His steps were firm and calculated despite his relaxed demeanor, a clear testament to how time had shaped him and molded the very essence of his being. His eyes moved around, dancing in the direction of whatever noise seemed out of place, until one such noise presented with it a human shape moving in the distance. He didn't have too much issue with it, despite the seemingly strange appearance. 

Dark brown scale-like skin, with thick plates the size of a pinkie stuck to its body and rags that it wore in a pitiful attempt at imitating humans. It was a funny sight, yet the curved weapon, a long blade with a single sharpened edge, did glister as a few sparks of light managed to dodge the foliage and hit the steel directly. 

"I guess I could try and see how this unfolds." 

Sliding along, he quickly reached the creature, watching it turn around and swing the weapon in one fast slash. His feet slid back, moving his frame out of reach as he flicked both arms forward, grabbing the blade before stepping in with a kick aimed right at the being's ribs. With a thundering strike, the scaley thing was tossed away, letting go of the weapon. 

"Not bad," he thought as the weapon danced firmly in his palms, moving before his very eyes in a familiar way. 

His eyes moved to the side as the creature growled at him, running away faster than expected. Giving chase was the next thing on his list of split-second decisions, keeping up with it rather easily. Still, just to give it the idea that escape was possible, he slowed down and moved just enough to keep it in sight. 

He found it odd when a place resembling a worn-out village showed up—the clearing in the middle of the forest home to many beings like that one. They turned to him and attacked at once, wasting no time as their fists, clubs, and, in a few cases, swords, began their descent upon him, aiming to claim his breath. Dream or not, he wasn't going to back down, and so he gave it his all, moving with the practiced finesse that his limbs knew so well. 

The only thing the creatures had were numbers and scattered movements that were telegraphed, even if the strength placed in them was quite something. The sword he's found proved its worth as it sank in their throats, finding a scaleless place right between their head and neck, above the throat. Blue blood sprayed out in bulks, which he dashed away from lest his suit would be ruined. 

"To the side." 

His eyes moved away, looking through the trees at the presence hidden in the depths of the forest, feeling someone watching him. His vision lingered there for a bit before he returned to battle, kicking the creatures away before ending them. For a dream, it was pretty interesting and rather realistic. The true challenge was avoiding any stains of the blue blood touching his suit. Dream or not, he wasn't about to dirty it. 

"Done," he said calmly, looking at the scene before his eyes—the dead bodies on the ground, the weird creatures scattered all around with slit throats. Instantly, he turned back to the forest, pointing his sword forward. 

"Come out," he said calmly, watching intently. Out stepped a tall, old man, his hair neatly arranged, with a pair of glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. 

"Welt?" he asked, looking at the man, watching the weird sword he held in hand. 

Pause, with both of them taking a while to stare at each other. Welt's eyes went wide, and he just stared at the man, a gasp escaping his lips. It was a sight; both of them stuck in that moment. 

"Interesting dream I'm having, right, Mr. Welt?" he mused, while Welt was just staring, his sword gripped firmly in his hand. 

"I," he began, still confused, using his free arm to fix his glasses back. "I'm sorry to sneak up on you, but it seems like we're stuck in a strange situation. What you think to be a 'dream' is actually a dangerous place." 

The man gave a light nod, going along with the narrative for the hell of it. Since it was a dream, he might as well wake up with a cool narrative to maybe dissect or talk about. 

"Dangerous place? Got it," he answered curtly in his usual manner. His sword remained at the side, tip pointed to the ground. Welt seemed to have calmed down a bit, his shoulders less tense. 

"I'm curious, however... how do you know my name? I don't believe we've met before, or at least not as you think we'd have," said Welt, looking a touch perplexed. 

"Hm? It's me, Eve. Everyone calls me V. Have you forgotten, Mr. Welt?" said V, finally revealing his identity to the familiar man before him. The dream was only getting weirder and weirder for him. 

"Eve... I see, my apologies. Most probably the Welt that you know isn't me, but rather someone similar." 

"What do you mean?" asked V, calm and composed despite the strange news that were thrown his way. The scenario was pretty interesting—that much he had to admit. 

Welt went on to explain the things he knew, leaving out some details like the familiar figures he's seen, focusing instead on pure factual information of how, in the vastness of the universe, familiar figures were bound to emerge, reminding of some people. After all, V himself reminded Welt of Kevin, which also caused the very first spark of confusion in him. 

"I see," replied V, taking it all in stride. It wasn't something difficult to understand, yet digesting the information proved to be a bit more of a challenge. Multiple people in the universe, looking the same, sharing similar stories. It sounded almost beautiful in its own twisted way. 

"Are the others here as well?" he asked, looking back to the forest. Welt sighed, trying to keep his suspicion under wraps. After all, it could as well be that creature from the Express in disguise, messing with them. 

"Which others are you referring to?" replied Welt, choosing to answer a question with a question. V could sense the faint suspicion in the man, but it didn't bother him one bit. 

"March 10th, Dan Heng, Herta." 

Welt fixed his glasses once more, close to the worst headache he's ever had in years. The information they received was too scattered, almost like someone had grabbed what was in one's head and tossed it around in an attempt to make a comprehensive world. Just a jumbled mess of ideas and memories scrambled into a large, cohesive world. 

"We have March 7th, not 10th. Dan Heng was with us, but we've got separated. As for Herta, she's not a part of our group." 

V nodded, trying to understand what machinations in his mind caused him to dream them all in such a strange manner. Still, he simply shrugged it off and took the things as they were. 

"I see. Let's move."

Welt nodded and began walking, choosing to stand by V's side to keep an eye on him, just in case things would suddenly go south. Still, he was doing nothing, instead walking while glancing around at the scenery, taking in the tranquility of the place when he had someone by his side. 

The rest of the group waited, and March trained the gun on V, but Welt quietly dismissed her with a subtle wave of his hand. Everyone studied him, while he did the same in turn. His gaze lingered a little longer on Himeko and Black Swan, but he shook his head, quietly putting away the memories that haunted him every day of his life. 

"This is Eve, or V for short," said Welt, quickly introducing him. Somewhat awkward, V just nodded, crossing his arms before looking at March, who was still studying him. 

Introductions were made quickly, and March is the one who got his attention the most; with her completely flipped behavior, no traces of what he knew left except the face. 

She was a bit uncomfortable under the man's stare, and he quickly reprimanded himself, looking away. 

"Sorry," he said calmly, aware of his mistake. Rather than focusing more on it, he glanced back at Welt. "Where to now?" 

Welt, somewhat in thought himself, just glanced to the remnants of the enemy camp, angling himself in the original direction they were walking to. 

"This way. We've got no other clue except that this seems to be 'forward', or at least that's how we've designated it." 

With a nod, he simply began walking in that direction, speaking calmly. 

"Hold the rear and the flanks. I'll handle whatever we stumble upon." 

He stood tall, walking firmly, the tailed suit fluttering elegantly with each step, moving along soft gusts of wind. The others followed behind, exchanging quick glances while wondering about the strange man who suddenly decided to join and handle the incoming threats. His back being turned to them was a sign of trust, the vulnerable position leaving him open. 

"Welt, can we trust him?" whispered Himeko, to which he nodded, speaking calmly in a quiet tone. 

"Just like anyone, they can be trusted until proven otherwise. He was fairly honest, or at least seemed so. Plus," he added, pursing his lips in thought. "He reminds me of someone, and he was rather open about the subject, hiding nothing. It's a strange notion, but it's true nonetheless." 

She nodded, focusing on the path ahead, her eyes studying the lonely figure that walked ahead. In a way, he reminded her of Mark, once again causing a strange flutter to take flight in her chest. All that could be done was speculate and hope that he was alright, wherever he may be. 

"So, V," said March, trying to put aside the slight feeling of unease she felt in his vicinity. He glanced over his shoulder for a brief moment, nodding before looking ahead once more. 

"Yes, March?"

She held on to the strap of the gun, asking directly rather than waiting. 

"How did you end up here?" 

V mulled over his words for a bit before answering as honestly as he could. 

"I fell asleep and ended up here." 

Pause for everyone; the silence heavy. He could feel it but said nothing. It was the truth, and he didn't really care about how the dream characters would react to his words. He just did as he wanted. 

"That's a rather strange way to end up in new places," said Black Swan, her tone a bit playful. V stole a glance her way, his eyes lingering once more before he clenched his jaw and stared forward, berating himself for even having the thought. The twisted past of his would never leave, and yet he still hoped that one day things would change.