Background Preparations

"Gah!" Regriel gasped for breath, getting up with a start to notice that he was within a cave, sleeping upon a small pile of sand that acted as his bed.

He was perspiring all over, his face pale, and his fingers trembled constantly, a sign of his nervous state. He turned around to see the figure of General Artica seated nearby, intending to habitually hug her when he paused, hesitant, recalling the words said in the nightmare he had experienced just now.

But suddenly, a pleasant aroma wafted into his nostrils as the soft hug of General Artica embraced him, enveloping him in her warmth, easing up his mental state automatically.

"There, there, everything is fine now." She whispered, patting him on the back a little.

"Hic!" Regriel broke into tears, hugging her tightly as he cried profusely, "I thought you would leave me."

"Silly," General Artica laughed, lightly hitting him on the head, "Why would I do that?"