A whole ice night later, Versailles woke screaming. As her violet eyes popped open, a silent sob caught in her throat. Her muscles twitched with adrenaline, her gaze glazed with a haunted look.
Hisssss!
The soft hisses made her start. Squinting in the fiery light of the flame trees encircling the Floating Flame Island, she turned her head, but otherwise remained unmoving where she lay on the cracks of stones. Across the land-snakes- little and big, dull and colorful, littered the ground as they rhythmically slithered back and forth.
The last time she was here, her focus was set on getting stronger. She neither took the time to relax, nor enjoyed what she had. Now, as she lay motionless on the cracked ground of the Floating Flame Island, and silently watched the numerous snakes dance to their natural tune, peace settled over her heart.
The nightmare slowly receded and with it, her fear.
