[Insert Creative Title Here]

Astrid

Astrid yawned as she opened her eyes, faint rays of sunlight trickling into her cabin. Groggily, she climbed out of bed, and stretched her rigid arms, feeling her joints pop. Astrid walked to the water bucket she had set out the night before, splashing the cool water on her face.

Just then, last night's dream returned to her. It had felt hauntingly real, as if it had come from a different reality, a transcendental existence greater than her own.

I'm not a philosopher. Why do I care?

Yet, as she continued with her morning routine, the thought continued to bother her. The possibility refused to pass from her mind. It seemed completely improbable; a world of unimaginable complexity created by a mere human such as herself. But what else could it mean?

"Good morning," a cheerful voice sounded from the other side of the door. Astrid whipped her head in surprise, her questions put to a halt, and slowly lumbered towards the door. She inched the door open, her friend's bright face greeting her at the entrance.

"Good to see you up so early," Esther commented dryly. She was fully garbed, dressed in a padded mail vest, and a number of armaments stood out of her backpack, which doubled as a quiver.

Astrid sighed, relieved it was her friend, before grinning guiltily, quickly making way to allow the girl in. Astrid's own weapons sat in a corner, organized neatly lest she get attacked without warning. A loose heap of her supplies sat on the opposite end, unpacked.

Astrid quickly donned her armor, refusing to let her friend wait any longer, and stood by her home's door.

Esther quickly joined her. "Ready to rob the royals?" Astrid joked, wrapping an arm around Esther's shoulder.

"Ready as I'll ever be."