Fear. Pain. Despair.  These and more were all that could be felt as the young man washed ashore of the white beaches of Apoy. There were always stories of shipwrecked sailors that would wash ashore when they had barely escaped the destruction of their ship.  In the case of the man now found on the beach, it was much different.  The hot sun beat down on his back to help dry out his clothes as he lay face down in the sand.  Aching muscles cried out as he began to stir slowly from his unconscious state. Everything in him told him not to wake up. He knew that everything was going to be different.  Nothing was ever going to be the same once he opened his eyes to the world he was now in.  Even with closed orbs he could feel the difference in the land beneath him.  The absence of his family and those that he held most dear.  

He grit his teeth as he finally got up the courage to open his multi colored eyes to look at his new world. Hand lifted to block the sun from his sensitive eyes as he attempted to assess where he was.  The diowolf whimpered softly when he finally got the strength to push off the ground into a kneeling position.  Upon first assumption there were none of his possessions that had come along with him.  That meant that he had no weapons on his person to defend himself, and would need to rely upon his skills and true form if necessary.  He wasn't sure if a shift would be wise at the moment considering the physical and mental state he was in.  Everything hurt, and he could now see the injuries he had sustained.  The White Beaches were being stained with red from the newcomer.  Kiba pressed his hand tight against his side where a laceration had been made deeply.  There was no magic at his fingertips as it had once been.  The lei lines felt wrong…no different here.  If was going to have any talent again, he was going to have to relearn quickly.

Kiba pushed with his legs to stand up while holding his side the best he could.  The longer he was awake the more he could feel the damage that had been done inside and out to his body.  He could feel hunger was going to be a problem, not to mention dehydration.  The bi-colored eyed man had no idea how long he had spent in transition.  Tears began to sting his eyes as they mixed with the sand still on his face.  How had everything gone as utterly wrong as it had.  Using his free arm, he wiped away the tears to keep his vision as clear as possible.  "I stumbled on a paradise island," he laughed as he moved up the beach.  Palm trees waved in the gentle wind that came through.  If the diowolf had not recently been through a traumatic event he could have enjoyed a day there.  Instead, he made his way up to one of the trees and leaned up against it for stability.  Eventually he gave in to slipping down to the ground with blood continuing to trickle forth from his wound.  

As he attempted to remember what had happened exactly, his thoughts grew fuzzy.  Even as he attempted to focus on a memory, he grew less and less focused to the point that it was unrecognizable.  "What the hell?  This is really not going well.  I just want to go home…though I guess there is no home to go back to. Is there? I don't know anymore."  He winced as he readjusted his hand over the wound.  "Alright, I need to find fresh water and something to eat before the sun goes down….I will get to that in a minute….maybe."  The diowolf sighed and leaned back his head against the tree.  

A bright day with clear blue sky graced the land, sparse scatterings of wispy cloud bringing a brilliant white to the mix. Flashes of light danced across the ocean's surface below like countless jewels on a dark blue blanket. It was the perfect day for sailing through sky or on sea… If one only had a ship. Instead, a small figure flew through the sky. From below, one might miss this figure given it's minuscule size, it being no larger than the average man. Most would simply dismiss this as a mirage, a trick of the sun played upon heat-weary men and women.

The figure raced for Apoy Island with it's many desirable features including hot springs and beaches with sand as white and pure as driven snow. The man didn't know what was luring him to this place once more, but he was in for a shock as he neared. The normally unmarred beach was now littered with all too familiar sites; the wreckage of a vast ship. The figure dropped from the sky as if weight suddenly took effect once more. He plummeted to the sands below before vanishing into the ocean winds. The young man reappeared near one of the hunks of wooden hull and began to look over the scene. Had his ship begun to wash ashore? No, this wasn't his beloved home; just some other poor soul's wreckage.

As he went on investigating, Kale discovered something that turned him pale. Crimson blood had soaked into the pure sands of the beach. He raced along the path until he found a man laying against a tree in the distance, the red trail leading to him. The shipless pirate took to an all-out sprint as he got closer; he knew this man. But how? How could that person have come here as well?

"Kiba," he called as he raced towards his old friend, "Kiba! What happened? Are you alright?" He looked to the side where the diowolf's one hand pressed and Kale was gripped by a fear-driven determination. He held out his left arm and reached it through what looked like a small gateway before pulling it back with a sewing kit in hand. He moved the blood covered hand and saw just how bad the situation was. Unfortunately, the options were limited by the lack of a second hand. The man with icy blue eyes inhaled and grimaced, "This'll suck, my friend. Hold still," With a little difficulty, he manged to pull a needle and thread from his kit and the flask from his side.Kale ripped part of the empty sleeve to his right and managed to soak it in something from the flask to use for cleaning the wound. He then held the needle by the head in his teeth and poured a brown liquid that wreaked of strong liquor all across the needle and thread. The man spared one more look at his friend before plunging the needle to either side of the wound. Even one-handed, Kale retained his talent for his craft. A grimace broke upon the young pirate's face accompanied by a wince each time needle pierced skin, but he continued on.

The sun had moved higher into the sky by the time Kale, concerned with making sure to do the best he could for the old diowolf, was satisfied with the job he'd done. There was always the chance that the wound would tear open again, but at least for now it should stop the bleeding. Kale buried his hand trying to get the blood from his hands as best he could before removing canteen, larger than the previous flask, from another small gateway-like portal. This one, he opened and took a healthy swig from before offering it to Kiba. "Drink," he said with a bit of a grin, "I think you could use at least a sip or two, my friend.."

The time that was passing couldn't be kept track of by the wounded diowolf. He wasn't sure if he even cared.  There was nothing familiar about his surroundings.  Everything felt completely off.  "I guess that is to be expected when there is a giant hole in your side," he laughed sadistically.  The laugh trailed off into a cough that he felt deep in his chest. Kiba worked through the cough until he was able to take slow deep breaths.  "This beach is nice. It's disheartening that I stained it with my blood. Pity."  He closed his bi-colored eyes to the bright sun and beautiful beach.  Though the environment was calming, it brought no serenity to him.  Everything felt as if it were a complete lie. 

He wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep or had passed out. There was no being sure one hundred percent.  What he was sure of was the shock upon being awoken with the hearing of his name in the strange new land.  Kiba blinked several times to focus his vision on a young man that knelt beside him.  The man's eyes were fully of worry and concern.  There was no hiding the frown on his face as he attempted to inch away from the newcomer. He glanced down at his injury and then back up.  "I am not really all right…as you can see."  His breath was coming in smaller spurts as the blood continued to seep forth from the wound.  Hopefully his sense of humor had come across, but it was doubtful from the strain in his voice.  

Friend? A hiss escaped him as the man began to work on the wound.  Why was this man going to such lengths?  How did he know his name?  Those questions and more began to fill his mind.  He clenched his teeth as the needled pierced his skin repeatedly.  Time passes slowly, but he could feel the wound close to help bring some relief.  The drink was gratefully accepted.  "Who are you? I'm sorry. It is quite clear that you know me, but I don't recall who you are." The reztreal scanned the man sitting beside the diowolf carefully, and Kiba couldn't help but feel that he was familiar.  He grabbed the canteen once more to take a long swig from it.  "I may not know who you are, but I appreciate your assistance." 

Heat from the intense sun above seeped into the man's aching bones.  The wolf couldn't help but settle back again against the tree and look out over the water.  "What is your name, since you know mine. And what is this place?  My memories…as I try to focus they keep escaping me.  There is only a sense of familiarity when I look at you…but nothing more."  He half laughed with a slight shrug.  Guilt started to wash over him.  There was nothing but pure luck that had to bring a 'familiar' face to the abandoned diowolf at such a time of need.  What the hell was going on?

The one-armed man eyed Kiba momentarily, eyes drifting to look for signs of bleeding wounds around his head. Kale didn't see anything there, but that didn't mean something wasn't wrong. "Tell me," he said as he took a swig, "Do you remember hitting your head during the wreck? Or, I guess, this could be some effect of whatever force brought you here. Either way, it looks like I'll have to reintroduce myself and fill you in." With that he handed the drink back once more.

"Where to start," he asked himself, "Maybe we should start with what you asked. My name is Kale Grenich. We've actually known eachother quite a long time. Our first meeting was actually due to a mutual dislike for a-" Kale paused here, trying to think of a way to phrase it. This was proving difficult for him, "We both disliked a particular bastard of a vampire that went by the name Nemesis. You came to me when I was in a seat of power to ask if I'd help you protect that land and its people should the need arise. I'm sad to say, I failed that agreement for far too long; I ended up triggering a trap after my Fall while I was exploring some ruins. I slept right through a cataclysmic event or two. I came back to find you'd built a massive guild on the foundations of our pledge and ideals… Sadly that's where things get a bit special; I ended up getting pulled through some portal, likely similar to the one that brought you here, and met a rather similar fate. My poor ship, the one I'd built with my own hands and the power I once possessed, was ripped apart and the remains scattered to the sea upon crashing into the ocean." He sighed, frowning out at the ocean ahead recalling that day.

After a few moments of silent reflection at the loss, the pirate shook his head and continued, "This place is Revaliir. We're in a completely different world from the one you and I used to know. It seems, at least for me, like magic and the like operates differently here. I've had to relearn how to do old things, but I've also picked up some new tricks as well. There have been, apparently, people pulled here like we were, but most were born here. We're outsiders, basically; not from here but forced to call this place home now. But, more specifically, we're on what amounts to a tropical paradise called Apoy Island. It's an island off the western coast of a continent called Canelux. There's also another continent like back home called Parvpora, but I don't often find myself there. Sad to say, most of my time until recently had been spent drowning my sorrows in a bottle. You don't remember this, but I never touched the drink before. A lot's changed since we last talked, Kiba. Including the loss of Alairia; I'd found her here but I lost her again. I ended up trading my arm to Death only to find out that my sister is…"

Kale was silent after trailing off. It took a while before he was able to shake himself free from the urge to drain the rest of the liquor. Instead, he turned to the diowolf and smiled. "I was alone here before you showed up. Just Angela's troublesome pestering when she actually manages to track me down. But now that you're here that's all changed. It'll be nice to be able to spend enjoyable time around other mortals for a change. Gods bring so much trouble with them. And I doubt you'd charge me an arm for information like Dalanesca did," he added with a glance at his missing right arm and a bit of a grin. "Now then, let's see what else I might be able to fill in for you. What do you remember from before? What do you want to know? I'll try and tell you what I can."

Kiba lifted a brow in confusion and then frowned slightly.  Was he supposed to remember something?  "I don't recall hitting my head during the wreck.  I remember little at the moment besides who I am, and technical life skills, I guess."  The diowolf lifted an arm and then his other as if demonstrating he knew how to function.  "What am I supposed to be remembering?  What force are you talking about?  I haven't always been here?"  He readjusted against his leaning tree while having a concerned look on his face deepen on his features.  It was fortunate that this man had come across him and not someone else.  Obviously, the pair had some sort of history and Kiba could not recall it.  What was he missing?  He did not hesitate to accept the offered drink as there was little harm the alcohol could do at this point.  The added bonus was it helped to dull the pain.  

Kale.  The name did not perk up any memories, but at least it gave Kiba a potential starting point.  He listened diligently in an effort to file the information away later.  The injuries would take time to heal, but he was more certain that his mind would take the longest.  If he could continue to gather information it would only help him.  Names and history were laid out before him though nothing felt as if he had actually participated in anything.  He flinched back at the idea that he had built a massive guild.  That there had been people that had followed their ideals to a point of devotion towards a similar goal.  He could not imagine such a thing, but the idea of it was compelling.  Kiba wondered if he truly had the ability to get others to follow him.  Kale had grown silent as he reflected on what had become of his fate.  The other man looked at the one armed one in pity.  So, this destination had been thrust upon others as well.  

"I think I will need to get a map as one of my first priorities if this is where you are saying we are stuck.  I really can't fathom this entire concept of being pulled into another land.  Most likely I should be saying 'I want to go home,' but I don't remember home.  I feel like I'm missing something, but that seems a little obvious."  Kiba glanced at Kale after tearing his sight away from the ocean that had carried him to that island.  His mouth twitched as Kale admitted the loss of his sister, and that it had happened a second time.  "I may not know this woman…or you fully right now, but I am sorry to hear that.  You are kind person, and I dare say I don't want to see you pained."  Kiba reached out and tapped the arm stumped where Kale's arm had once been.  "This Dalanesca charged you your arm for information?  You need better negotiation skills, my friend."  The diowolf laughed as he straightened up.  Listening to this man speak was giving him a sense of peace and strength in his heart.  It seemed them meeting again was necessary for the both of them.  

The man pulled his legs underneath him to cross and feel more comfortable.  "Well, I remember waking up on the beach with my face in the sand.  Honestly, that is it.  I remember skills…how to basically function.  It just feels as if there is a gap where my past should be.  There is absolutely nothing there…not even if there was something blocking it.  Just a void.  I am curious about this guild you spoke of.  I can't really imagine myself as a leader of any size group of people."  He was no proper judge of what his own character was at the moment.  To think that others would find their way to follow behind a banner he had created.  It was an odd feeling.

A frown spread at the mention of going home. "I don't think that's possible. Going home, I mean," he said grimly, "I'm not sure if there's actually anything left to go back to. It's probably for the best that you can't really remember home for now. That land was always in turmoil of one kind or another and without Fallen like us to help the gods there, I'm not sure how long it would've lasted. That tree was still recovering, after all."

He smiled weakly as Kiba offered condolences. It was a hard thing to think about, but shying away wasn't exactly healthy either. Kale answered, "I do appreciate that, Kiba. As for the arm, I found out the exact price after the bargain was struck. I did argue her down from the price of my soul, though, so I guess I got a better deal than most. But yeah, you're probably right." The smile had grown sincere at that and Kale let loose a laugh, something he really should try and do more often.

If Kiba remembered anything, Kale had been sure the guild would have been it; at the very least just how great of a leader he'd been. He didn't know if the astonishment was prevalent on his face, but he was a bit too shocked to notice. "You were on Hell of a leader. You built a fortress upon our pact even while I was missing. People from all walks of life found refuge in you and the wonder you'd built. If I remember, you negotiated all the trade deals that kept the necessities of life flowing in. People looked up to you, Kiba. You inspired men and gods alike, myself included. As kind as you think I am, I'm nothing compared to you whether you know it or not."

His blue eyes fell upon the wound he'd stitched. "Kiba," he said, "Maybe we should get you off this beach and into a city where there's more capable healers than me… Just in case something goes wrong?"

Kiba couldn’t help but sigh as he thought about what had been left behind. A world in complete disarray and dying. The diowolf finally clicked his tongue with a quick shake of his head. ”I guess there is no thinking more upon it. If that world is truly gone, then it means little to try and return to a void. Attempting to deal with a constantly bereft land is not one that I would really want to deal with right now.” He readjusted his stance while still remaining seated. Bi-colored eyes examined the injury he had sustained and was being aided. ”And what do you mean Tree? All of this sounds so odd to me.”

His eyes widened with surprise, which then turned to amusement. Kiba could not help himself but laugh at the bargaining that had been done. ”From soul to your arm? Well, I guess that gives you a little more credit for your skills. Though, next time maybe try to keep those skills to used at the markets.” When he laughed, it pulled at his side to make him wince. The diowolf listened as Kale remarked on his past wonders. It was surprising to him to hear tales of his leadership, even with his memories gone it seemed all too fantastic. He blinked several times as he attempted to digest it all. ”That seems like a lot of responsibility to have shouldered. It is good to hear that I managed it somehow. Please do not put down the efforts you are now expressing towards me.”

Kiba half smiled as he sat up a little straighter. ”But yes, I think a healer in one of these towns would be a good plan. I think that these stiches are all right….but it still does not feel quite right.” With a grunt, the diowolf pushed against the ground to bring himself to stand. Blood stained his clothing and his skin. He lifted a brow all while brushing off the sand from his pants. ”As I am unknowing of this area, could you please take point?”