Anasthasia couldn't accept the reality that weighed upon her, she then pondered about recent interactions with them, 'Was this the reason... looked shock so bad that they couldn't believe in their own eyes?'
She gasped as she realized something else, "Fried, didn't you mentioned earlier that magic has regressed?"
"True that."
"Magic that permeates this world?"
"No way, if that happened, we're better of dying as of this point."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I heard how humans had ventured far and conquered several lands among the existing races, but now that it seemed it was nothing but a bunch of rumors." Freidmirth clanked his claws on the small gold ore.
"I did encounter countless battles back in the day, and it was some sophisticated woodworks that meshed well with a lump of metals."
'Technology!' Anasthasia shivered from the thought of it, 'It progressed that much? Will I be living back the same as I was before?!'
Friedmirth was dubious, he stared at her, "I'm not sure if that satisfied your inquiries."
"Where there else that was much to see from those commotions?"
Freidmirth shook his head, "I sensed subtle mana fluctuations that came from those large objects."
"Was it handled by magicians?"
"Magic-users? I don't think that was the case. I don't sense any life forms emitted within." The dragon clutched the ore and snuggled back to Anasthasia, "I feel so tired, I want to rest—"
"You can't!" She hissed as she prodded him, "I still have more questions!"
"Then make it quick!" He puffed out smoke as he wagged the tail.
"You said that humans have fallen to the bottom ranks, what do you mean by it?" Her eyes bore unto him, but he was untroubled as he yawned.
"As I said, they aren't as dauntless and strong as they deemed to be."
"What did you say?!"
"Who knows, humans seemed to have a decreased pool of magic users. Shouldn't that be the sign of their end?"
Anasthasia sighed in relief. She began to contemplate, 'There's no point in asking about this further. I asked the wrong one.' She was in a myriad of emotions, but she prayed that it wasn't as dire as she thought it would be.
'I better ask Michael, only he will quell my curiosity.' She arched her neck as she watched the bright moon that conquered the still night. Leaves began to rustle; she closed her eyes as she felt the chill winds embraced her loneliness.
"You're not ordinary..." Anasthasia snapped from her thoughts when Freidmirth glanced with peculiarity, "I'm sure of that." She only hummed softly.
"No humans have ever laid a finger on me, let alone slay and torture me to such extent." Claws reached its snout and scratched slowly, "You carried nothing but your fist and magic."
"What do you mean?"
"Humans have a bunch of things with them, and I find it hassle."
Maybe tools had developed to greater heights, "Who knows, maybe you're just weak."
"Oho?"
"I had slain countless dragons a long time ago. I have proof."
"No! You keep that. I believe in you." Freidmirth slumped back to her embrace, "I can't deny you're strong, but how long do you plan to keep that up?"
"Pardon?"
"Your power will become a demise of the human race." The dragon's eyes slowly shut. "I can vouch no humans have reached your stage. If you showcase your power, then it will cause dangerous tides on all sides."
"Ahh—!" Anasthasia gasped, she inwardly cursed by the thought of her actions, "I... " She stuttered, no words could escape from her dainty lips.
"Do you plan to keep low?" Freidmirth gazed at her with half-eyes opened, "What about your objective?"
"You mean the Prince? That's why I'm gathering information first."
The dragon shrugged, and went back to her cradle, "Anyway, I shouldn't dwell into it. For as long as I can have all the riches, I'll continue to serve you."
"So, you want to be a pet now?"
"Who wouldn't?" Friedmirth chuckled deeply as the snout contorted with pleasure, "The other dragons can only die in envy."
'What a shameless dragon, they never changed when it comes to treasures.' Her lips drew then as she gently pinched him.
'You want to get my treasures? Let's see if you can!'
"By the way, It was the first time I saw a human who could transmute such into valuable material and size reduction." The tails slowly tapped her snow-kissed skin, "How'd you do that?"
She chuckled, and smug flashed on her face, "It's fairly easy. That is if you know the idea of mass-energy equivalence—" She was in a daze as Freidmirth released a soft snore.
'I'm out of words; this dragon is too complacent.'
She turned around and walked towards the twins, Anasthasia's lips parted as she witnessed Levi, who removed his greaves filled with dirt, dents, and scratches. On the other hand, Liam adjusted his tattered robe and vambraces.
"You're awake..." Levi crisply nodded, and she leaned forward, "Are you alright? Do you need help—?" Flinched as she brought her hands forward.
"No! Lady Anasthasia! We're alright! Liam and I will take our leave this instance!" Levi was in a jiffy. He grabbed Liam by the robe that latched on the neck. Liam was dragged, suffocated by such force. His heavy greaves raked the ground.
"Hey! Don't leave me!" She called them out before they walked further, "Where did the prince go?!"
Liam's hands gripped around the tugged cloth around his neck. His arabesque skin eventually turned pale with hands that shakily point in a particular direction. Anasthasia nodded, got the gist of it.
'So it must be in this direction, I'll take the other way.' She glanced at the sight where there greens in the area. Not even the moonlight could pass through as it was relatively dark. She strutted with grace.
Anasthasia was far from the rest of the men who made her stopped her tracks. She contemplated, never bothered her hair that fluttered the same way the leaves rustled around.
'What Fried said was right, if I show too much. It will grab anyone's attention.' Her eyes flickered with sorrow, 'If I have to work on my ultimate objective, then it will take so much time.'
"How I miss the Prismatic Empire. I was with the people whom I love, care, and share. Where do I even start looking for answers?" She sighed and trudged passed the area that was still quiet except for the buzzing sound of the running waters, 'It seems like I'm almost there.'
Anasthasia's arms gently flung whenever the twigs blocker her way, but then her body froze from the sight. Her eyes sparkled with amazement as this lithe man had the moisture play at his whims.
From his unblemished forehead carved its way to the defined jawlines, water ran down its robust torso and back to the river water. His grey hair draped in moisture, and with every muscle tensed had glistened under the enchanting moonlight. Hands brushed his hair as he kept himself busy in the river.
But such a moment didn't last a lifetime as a sudden sneeze came up from the foolish dragon. It continued to snuggle, but this brought forth a call of doom for her. Her face was sullen as he took a quick turn.
"Who goes there?!"
'Refraction!'
She instantly cast right in front of her; she saw how his intense gaze competed hers. But her eyes averted and hovered its perfectly sculpted chest and arms. The moonlight amplified her vision as those golden eyes bore into him.
'Was this even effective?' Her eyes rattled as his eyes narrowed, 'Did he notice I'm here?' She scurried away towards the nearby trunk. Fingers clawed deep on the tree bark, the arm that still embraced the sleepy Freidmirth, but her hands clutched onto her chest— rapid heartbeats raised and thumped harder than ever.
Anasthasia never thought she'd hold her breath for more than a hot minute, she slowly leaned forward, and her eyes eventually darted towards the face with eyebrows furrowed even deeper. Michael shrugged then turned his back as he continued his business.
'Finally, I can finally have a breather.' Her eyes drooped as she, fortunately, dodged the bullet. However, she could feel her body tensed and was on cold feet. Not even a single moment did her palpitations fade.
'Did Liam gave me the wrong direction?' Anasthasia's forehead creased with eyes went ablaze, 'I'll give him a beating later on. But for now, I must escape!' She prowled, with the other feet stride midair, amidst the awkward situation, but his calm voice rang enough to stun her momentarily.
"I know you're there. You better come out!"
Which had her feet land on a weak twig that snapped— subtle enough to reach his vigilant ears.
Her blood eventually drained out of her vigorous nature.
It was like another world of Anasthasia had crashed right in front of her.