Dawn- An age of Darkness

"This city is actually pretty nice." The bed was comfy too.

Lianne was lying down as well. "Yes. It is beautiful but even so, I love my country more. My horrible, horrible country." She didn\'t stutter for a second. 

We didn\'t look at each other, rather, the ceiling. The ceiling in question had nothing, just wood.

A small chandelier was too much of a luxury I guess.

Is it me or is she too close?                                           

This was supposed to be a double. But apparently, the beds were joint. Just who the hell came up with this idea?

"Horrible country, huh?" I snorted. Not out of spite, but out of regret. She was right. Her legacy was built on the suffering of others. And I was kind of weaved into all this because of all that conspiracies and prophecies. 

"I didn\'t know my entire lineage was this horrible. My father…." she stopped. "I never knew he was the cause of all this."

She wasn\'t that sad. Maybe she was just good at hiding her feelings. 

Of course, I blamed her father, but I knew immortality was a very powerful dream. People dreamed of it all the time. I once did too. But when I understood the world some more, even living this short life felt like a drag. And living for all eternity? I wasn\'t that stupid, no sir.

"What would you do about that?" I didn\'t know if she understood what I meant. She now knew the truth of her curse. So her goal was should have been fulfilled.

"I\'ll keep looking. Just as I\'ve always been. Nothing\'s changed really. I only know some new things that\'s all." Lianne looked at me and smiled. "Maybe before I turn, I\'ll be able to find how to get rid of mana." She tilted her head a little. "Would you help me?"

"I suppose that\'s the way things are. I\'d love to help you but I have my own problems. I have less than 7 months to actually become strong enough to stand up to that demon." I sighed and I knew Lianne understood. "But now that your goal, coming along with me is over, we\'d part our way here, won\'t we?"

Lianne only came along to meet the grand mage. And now that she achieved her goal, I didn\'t see any reason for her to stay with us. 

"What are you talking about?" She looked confused. "Didn\'t I make myself clear that I won\'t leave before the border? Besides, I have to teach you how to use bows and that scepter!"

She was confusing me more and more. I couldn\'t see why she\'d want to stick with me and teach me anymore. After all, wasn\'t her goal fulfilled? I got mixed feelings. But for the time being, I trusted her.

But more importantly, I would have to cope with that hellish training again?

Just the thought made me depressed. 

I smiled bitterly. I brought it on myself. "Sorry."

"Don\'t be. What about you?"

I didn\'t expect her to ask me that. It was only natural I guess. I gave it a long thought. "My goal hasn\'t changed. I\'ll train, beat the emperor and go home."

I had roughly seven months. And with my current condition, it was hard to imagine I could stand up to the emperor let alone even hope to win. So I needed power and I knew I needed it bad. 

But home huh? Did I really want to go back home? Nothing was waiting for me back home and this world wasn\'t all that livable either. I really was in a dilemma.

"I suppose that\'s how it should be." She smiled, but something about that smile struck me as sad.

I smiled as well. "Good night."

"Good night." 

Biteria was now with Lianne. I didn\'t know what went through the bunny\'s head but it definitely had some intelligence. 

***

What is this?

I was yet again in the middle of the sky. The air was warm and comfortable. Something was amiss. Last time I saw something like this, a lot of bad things happened. But this time things were different. I wasn\'t alone. There were countless things flying with me. 

Flaps of wings. And the wind. The hisses and the groans. There was more than just one.

Dragons! 

There were lights below. But one thing caught my eyes immediately. Flying pigs. I knew exactly where I was and where the monsters were. Things were even worse than before.

A town was about to be destroyed.

I have to wake up! I have to warn everyone! I have to!

I forced myself. But I couldn\'t wake up. 

What is this!

I didn\'t stop. I focused my mana and struggled as much I could. I couldn\'t wake up. 

Oh no! If I don\'t wake up now, I won\'t be able to warn anyone! Wake up!!! 

I screamed but there was no voice. My body wouldn\'t move. It wasn\'t my body.

  I have to wake up! Now! 

I struggled to the best of my abilities. It was like I was tearing my own conscience open.

My eyes opened.

***

I breathed hard and there were sweats all over and around me: The bed was drenched. Lianne was right next to me. Confused at what just happened. 

"You-you have to warn them. Dragons- a lot of dragons-" I panted. I was out of breath. My head throbbed. They weren\'t far away.

"Understood." Lianne dashed out of the room and I made a decision.

The bangle in my arm flashed with brilliance but I couldn\'t fight in this body.

  Looks like I might actually get executed this time. 

I removed it and my body started to slowly change. My family jewels had returned and my chest wasn\'t as heavy anymore. 

My hair was shorter and I had facial hair. 

I touched my jewels just to make sure they were here. They were.

A surge of relief coursed through me, even in this moment of urgency. 

Didn\'t think I\'d be wearing this armor so soon.

My body grew: my grin grew wider as well: this bracelet really was a mystery to me. Perhaps it was something out of my comprehension. 

But I was really glad, it returned my jewels to me.

My body felt a bit numb and maybe a little sore, but it was all good. 

The armor was too flashy, so I didn\'t really want to wear it though.