Chapter Text
This was a nightmare, and i knew it.
I knew it wasn't real yet i froze in place, having lost the ability to act or even think straight.
He was strong, stronger than they could ever have predicted.
He could have destroyed them, together with their stupid kingdom without a drop of sweat.
Yet here he was, laying before them.
Chained and powerless, at their mercy.
They won, and made sure to rub our loss into our face. Mocking their prey till the last moments- thats what they were best at.
He was my last ally, the only left alive, and here we were.
Aiden the swift -being the least patient of the sages- stepped forward and turned towards the council.
RESPECTED CITIZENS OF NEORYTHIA! Do we need more proof?
This dragon- NO, this MONSTER caused our beloved town great loss, and shall be held responsible for the immeasurable destruction you all have witnessed!
Why you still hesitate? It should've been clear from the moment it appeared above the waters of Aniva!
They can't be trusted! Not as they are alive! And look at it's master, unable to even say a word to defend it!
The crowd started whispering, some claimed the peace should be kept, why risk going to a war they might lose when they can't benefit from it, some wanted the dragon's execution, while others claimed it to be an echo like every other and loudly demanded it's master be killed immediately before it gets free and destroys all.
The dragon slowly looked around as he woke, still dizzy from the bloodloss, trying to process whats happening.
The hissing of the so called council turned into panicked shouts and screaming, as they didn't expect to be on the same site with a conscious and still living mysthe, regardless his state.
His gaze soon turned to me, almost asking what now?
I just started at the ground. It was too much to take. The only thing i knew was we couldn't let them be right.
Our powers were sealed and if we unleashed it enough to break free, nearby humans would have died. I couldn't let that happen.
Aiden glanced through the faces of the people and his awfully serious expression finally shifted to a grin.
Thats what i would want to know~
What now dear DRAGON?
Did he know our secret? Surely not, thats impossible. Just a lucky guess. But it was enough to fully pull my partner back to reality, as dark sparks appeared around him and static filled the air.
AIden didn't wait either, he took it as a sign of agression and charged.
But it was too late, he already broke free and was ready to strike.
DON'T!! HE IS HUMAN!!!
I shouldn't have said a word.
He immediately stopped and jumped back, trying to fly up and get some time, but it wasn't nearly enough
The next moment Aiden's blade cut through the his wing while he tried to block with it and they fell.
Aren't dragon scales supposed to be stronger than any material humans can gather!?
His dark blue blood left sparkling stains on the ground as he tried to get his balance back, while still following Aiden's every move. He countered each swing of the blades with magic, tiring out himself even more.
It was already over. I ruined everything. He should have just killed the wind mysthel until he had the chance, now we didnt have a way to escape.
The other sages finished their spell and were ready to erase us, at any given moment. The only reason stopping them was Aiden in the way, still trying to steal the kill.
This was our only hope, however the kid was smarter and ended up switching to ranged attacks.
Less powerful, yet good enough to keep the dragon from focusing enough to counter.
With the situation getting worse and worse, his opponent didn't bother summoning a shield anymore, or trying to flee. He knew it was useless at this point.
Instead he staggered towards me and broke off the chains with a forced smile.
Sorry i forgot...
NO! No im sorry, now your wing is-
Before i could finish, the wind sage's blade hit again, barely missing my neck and cutting deeply into my shoulder.
I didn't have enough energy left to even react, just fell on his shoulder.
I wish this would be over... Just let me wake up
Please
He looked towards me one last time, no resentment or anger on his face while the sages finally casted their magic.
The icy coldness of the mysth leaving near space to concentrate in the massive spell made me shiver and then i felt something hit my right arm.
But this time, this pain felt much more real?
---- ---- ---- ----
I gasped as i sat up on the floor, trying to find my blanket what i probably threw off while asleep. Cold sweat ran across my back as i slowly regained my senses.
It really was just a nightmare.
Thank Singe it was just a nightmare.
Or WAS it a nightmare? Am i truly... Back to reality?
I heard knocking, then someone opened the window from the outside, likely with magic, otherwise would've been impossible.
It was him. Alive.
When he saw my face, he jumped across the table, and sat next to me.
I wonder what expression i had, that made him this worried.
Are you okay?
He looked sleepy, might have been woken up by the noise i made. He is such a good friend. Me on the other hand- Even if it was only a dream...
Yes
I tried to be as conviencing as possible, it's already bad i woke him, why should i make it worse by stealing even more of his time?
Really? It sounded you hit the floor quite hard, and your expression is like a dabyl's... Did you have a nightmare or something?
He might not knew much about the human world, but he surely could read people like a book.
I shook my head and just leaned on his shoulder trying not to cry. How could have i said that... How could have i asked him to not kill Aiden in that fight when he tried to kill us? Just becouse he is human??
He didn't ask anything, just waited if i tell the story, -or not. I wanted to share it, but somehow it felt better not to.
I don't know how long i was there, just staring at the ceiling, but the next thing i remember is waking up to sunlight shining on my face, blinding.
So at least the last part wasn't a dream... I probably fell asleep then he left and FORGOT TO PULL BACK THE CURTAINS!
But it felt nice, that everything was this normal.
We were home, and we were free.
Our secret was safe and the sages had no way to know about our identity.
At least for now.
But this dream made me finally make up my mind, things can't keep going like now.
If they find out about us, we are dead. No way to fight back or escape. We need a plan and more allies, with similar past.
I quickly got up and ready for the day, then rushed downstairs saying a quick bye to our parents before leaving for... Where was i even going?
It was wednesday, and... The 32th of firefall?
Wasn't it supposed to be... I rushed outside.
The sun was already high on the sky, almost midday. Barely any people walking around, not like it was unusual at this time. I didn't have anything to do today, so just walked following my nose.
There was actually an interesting scent, worthy of following, or might just have been my new "dragon" senses picking up another faraway signal, can't be sure.
Walking towards the source, i ran into unexpected company, following the same aroma in the mysth.
Hi there Lei-
Rea! It's been ages!
It's truly been, since i became a holy knight and she a mystel, we barely had time to talk with our family, not even mentioning going out with friends.-
Silly girl, what do you mean?~ We were at Nikky's party last week! Did you already forget?
...no, i wouldn't forget such a thing. Nikky? Didn't she debut almost a year ago? I just shook my head.
What?
Nothing. I think i just had a weird dream and...
And? And what?
I pushed her shoulder to change the interest. Someone knocked over a vase. And knocking. Again. But this time on something wooden.
Who is?
I asked, no reply.
The knocking got louder, annoyingly. Then my door swung open and everything fell apart.
Something fell on me.
It was a heavy hit to my stomach, chest, and...
My eyes snapped open. Again.
Dia? ...What?
I tried to clear my vision while the called sprinted around me in circles.
IT'S TODAY LEI! ***TODAY***!
I took her arm and yetted her out of the room, closing it before a quick glance at the clock. 5:47, morning. The date: 4752.32.8.
I took it in my hand. No way.
In that moment Dia was back inside my room.
WILL YOU break your *promise*?
Her puppy face was too cute.
No, don't worry i didn't forget.
Thats right. It was today. Her birthday, and the day she finally debuts as a citizen of Archaila!
She looked at me concerned.
Is everything all right? Did you have a nightmare or something?
It felt like i just heard the same sentence a few moments ago. But i didn't. Couldn't remember where or when i heard it.
No, i didn't! Not this time~
She nodded, then ran back shouting for Mom to help her do her hair. I looked towards the window. It was indeed firefall, and a weekday like any other. I heard a roar, a gust of wind and a shadow passed by. I looked up in awe as the holy knight flew right past the building, but there was a faint feeling of fear. A fear i'm forgetting something. And then it happened, i got a message, from Rea. She asked if i forgot to sign the birthday card, and her concern was stop on!
---
We left the house, waving bye to Mom and Dad, setting for the 3rd western street, to pick up Nikky and Rea. No way they could miss my dear sister's debut!~
It was going to be a wonderful day, i knew and it filled me with happiness. A fleeting moment of hope and one when i could let myself dream.