"Yo, so your back again," Zack wasn't sure when he had gone to sleep, but there he was, in that strange place he had never seen or heard of, with that strange boy who wouldn't tell him his name. "Does that mean you remember you're true name?" the boy asked emotionlessly.
"My names Zack, that's the only name I've ever had," Zack said a bit annoyed at the boy's insistence. "Anyway why'd I end up back here"
"I don't know, it's your head man I just live here. Maybe you came here to ask something of me, even though you don't know what it is." the boy said. "Though I confess I cant offer to many answers unless you remember your true name." Zack sighed, he felt the boy would never listen to him.
"Fine what can you tell me then," Zack asked. The boy was quiet for a while, he staring at the stars in the sky, Zack almost thought the boy wasn't going to answer him.
"Tomorrow," he said. "Tomorrow you'll have to abandon your nation and flee to the kingdom of demons, if you don't you'll only suffer, and lose that which is most precious to you. I tell you now to heed my warning and flee before the sun sets twelve-days from tomorrow."
"Why?"Zack asked feeling worried. "What happens tomorrow that makes me leave?"
"Can't tell you that, but I can tell you that if you want to know who you are, what you are, then you'll have to go to the castle tomorrow," he said looking down his nose at Zack while laying on his back.
Zack wanted to scream. Why can't I just get a straight answer from this kid, he thought. Letting out an audible sigh, Zack sat down next to the boy. "Fine if you can't tell what happens that gets me in trouble and forces me to run from my home to a monster-ridden kingdom, can you at least tell me how to escape the kingdom," he said not expecting an answer.
"Can't tell you how to get away but I can offer a clue, you simply need to find the dragon and feed it." the boy said. Zack couldn't imagine feeding an actual dragon, the thought seemed absurd, but Zack knew he'd be a fool to refuse the knowledge.
"Thanks," Zack said. the boy simply nodded and continued to stare at the stars. "So you ever gonna tell me your name kid," he asked still curious.
"Sure when your ready and know your name." the boy said almost sounding amused, Zack couldn't tell whether he was more annoyed or angry. Either way, he figured he couldn't force the kid to tell him, so his only option was to wait.
"Hey, tell me something," Zack said after a while.
"Yeah, what is it?" the boy said with a sigh as if the conversation exhausted him.
"Why are you always staring at the sky?" Zack asked. He had no reason to ask or any real motive to want to know, he was just curious.
"Because," the boy whispered his answer with what Zack knew was sadness, the only emotion the boy has ever shown to Zack. "It's the only beautiful thing in this dead world and rotting world I'm trapped in." the boy turned onto his side and no longer looked at the sky. "Though I deserve nothing more than to stare at this dead world after all I was the one who killed it."
Zack couldn't hear the last part of what the boy said but for some reason, the unknown words cut deep into Zacks's heart. "Well if this place is so hideous why not imagine something better."
"I cant after all we're only in your head, I have no say here." the boy replied
Somehow Zack had forgotten that this was a dream, he felt beyond foolish. "Right but cant I change it then," Zack asked.
"Sure give it a try," the boy said. Zack tried for what seemed an hour but had no luck in changing the world around him.
"I don't understand I should be able to control this place, but I can't do a thing here." Zack looked at the boy who had his back to him.
"Its because I deserve to be here." the boy said
"what do you mean," Zack asked. The world around Zack began to fade.
"Seems our time is up now, see you next time when you finally remember your real name." the boy said.
Zack tried his hardest to resist waking up but when he opened his eyes only the silent sleeping form of Aria and the inns four walls could be seen. Sighing Zack laid back down, from what he could tell it was only around midnight. Closing his eyes Zack tried to get some more sleep, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow's events and what was supposed to happen.
Would he really have to abandon his home? and if so would he have to abandon Aria to? Zacks gaze shifted from the roof which he'd been staring at to the little girl that was sleeping in the bed opposite of his own. No, Zack thought, if nothing else ill protect her at all cost Aria will be safe.
Closing his eyes Zack tried sleeping again, if what the boy had said was to be trusted then this would be Zack last safe night's sleep, and he intended on enjoying it.
No matter what tomorrow brings, Zack thought, ill face it head-on and without fear. When zack opened his eyes again the sun was rising.
Sighing deeply Zack prepared to go to the moon towers from which he'd be escorted to the castle where he'd meet the king. This time he remembered to bring his sword.