The first thing I noticed upon waking up is the fact that the sun was ridiculously bright here. The second thing I noticed was that I was on a flying island in the middle of somewhere. All I remember is staring at that portal and feeling tired.

Maybe...?

"Did...did I die? I-Is anyone here?"

"In a sense, yes. But if we're getting into technicalities, no you did not. Your physical body is in Gamindustri and you're due to wake up soon, but your spirit briefly left to come here."

My spirit...what? Turning around, I saw a woman sitting under a tree, her beautiful silver hair flowing in the wind. Sitting up, I took in a few deep breaths, savoring the clean, crisp air.

"David, was it? You're quite an interesting fellow."

"Um, thanks, but...ok. First question, do you know what happened to me if I didn't die? Well, didn't technically die?"

She chuckled lightly.

"You were essentially split across dimensions due to the portal's instability, and your body couldn't take, thus you slipped into deep sleep. You saw how it was only reacting to you, right?"

I nodded.

"Does that mean I have some sort of personal connection to it?"

"Most definitely. You probably helped create it, in some way, and staring at the thing was focusing energy into it. What bothers me, however, is that I don't know how you managed to help in the first place."

This is going to be interesting. I know Histoire told me that I opened up new dimensions, but should I tell this lady that? I raised my hand and she nodded, shifting in her seat a bit.

"Um, I don't mean to interrupt, but that 'split across dimensions' thing sounds...kind of dangerous. What would happen if one of me, well, really dies?"

"Nothing. Well...nothing to you, anyway. But if you specifically should die, well...if there's no original, there can't be copies of it, simply put."

Huh. That makes sense, I guess.

"I should know all about copying, anyway," she bitterly continued, and I could see a glint of sadness in her eyes. I feel like I should know this person...

"Alright then, better put that skeleton back in the closet. Point is, you're not an ordinary man, David. You're due for some very important events coming soon, and I should not hold you up any longer."

"W-Wait, I still have a few questions!"

Smiling, she shook her head.

"They'll be answered soon enough without my help, I assure you. Now then, go back down there. Histoire is worrying herself sick down there, and I really don't like her fretting for too long. A month is long enough..."

A month?! Alright, no, focus on the important stuff first.

"Can I just ask one before I go, then?"

"A persistent one, aren't you. Fine then, what do you need?"

"Who...are you? I mean no offense, but you sound like you know Histoire really well and care a lot about her."

At this, the lady gave me a dramatic laugh. To anyone else it would sound vaguely evil, but I felt some nostalgia and fondness in there. Disregarding the cheesiness of it, of course.

"Well, I would suppose a close friend would find some things out over the millennia, hmm? But if you really must know, my name is Arfoire. Pleased to meet you."

I had no time to be surprised as I felt Arfoire push me off the island back into Gamindustri proper, the clouds parting to show all four landmasses. Amidst my violent screaming, I heard Arfoire call out,

"When you get back, tell Histoire I'll visit soon!"

"NONONONONOHELPHELPMENONO"

Hopefully that was a pretty good response.

A/N: First chapter under the belt! I want this story to be different from TLaM, but not too different, so bear with me for a second here.

I want this story to have a lot more plot besides 'typical good guy goes around all the landmasses sexing girls'. I want to have a few more "normal" moments with David, moments where he just gets to kick back and relax with his pals without having to think up a convoluted sex scene. There's gonna be some H-scenes in this story because the goddesses are making their debut and people wanted them in TLaM, but I want to at least have some more time to build it up.

That statement will flesh itself out in the coming chapters, but as always your input is invaluable. I might be a sarcastic jackass, but I'm a grateful sarcastic jackass. Whether you just stumbled upon this story or you came from TLaM, welcome.