I open my heavy eyes. Color and light slowly forcing in my blurred eyes. And once I regain my vision, I find Mad Star looking down at me with the biggest smile plastered on his blood red face.
"They're close to sniffing you out, bud." Mad Star says to me.
"You."
"That's gotta be your favorite wor--"
Straight off the ground, I reach for his throat. Catching a tight grasp of his collar instead.
"How was the old bastard able to utter your name without dying?!" I bark.
"Relax!" He only says and I shake him.
"Tell me!"
"I don't know, okay? I still don't got much of an understanding of this piece of rock you call your world."
"Lies!"
"It's the truth."
If only I could look straight into his eyes and catch the lie. But all that's in there is just red swirly madness.
"Aw, don't be so blue." He says once I let go of him. "You'll always be my favorite. No matter who else moans my name."
"That is far from my worries." I sigh, sitting on the stool of the bar. "There's someone out there hunting for me. Magic so familiar to me yet I cannot seem to remember."
"How familiar?"
"I'm not sure. Like, there's a deeper magic from that old bastard's own that feels ancient and powerful. Like an arch-being's aura."
"I'm sure you not remembering means it's nothing."
"Not sure about that. Anyway, what was it you said at first?"
"About our situation?"
"Yes."
"Well, the team is questioning you behind your back and uh....oh! The king himself has visited you in hopes of thanking you but you're asleep so he thanked your gang instead."
The king.
I uncover my face and a black rose with a beautiful violet hue, appears.
"Hahahaha! I lied." He says and shakes the rose until I take it. "You're lying unconscious on a bed inside that doctor's office with everyone else busy finding survivors. Except for that beautiful Fairy. That one's in--"
"Yes, me." A voice follows from behind us, startling me.
"Speak of the devil." Mad Star whispers to me. A line which I don't know the meaning.
"Ezephyr." I greet. He has managed to enter my dreamscape with ease. I suppose with the help of me not possessing the dream warper abilities anymore to keep him out and the possibility that the Mad Star purposely let him in. "How are you doing?"
"Fine." Ezephyr replies, making his way towards me. His eyes stuck on the Mad Star, who only waves at him with the usual twisted smile. And it's peculiar to see that he looks unscathed. Untouched by the madness on his skin.
"Don't worry. He doesn't bite." I comment.
"Not unless you beg." Mad Star chuckles.
"Does...he always look like you?" Ezephyr asks in concern. His face tightening as well as well as his posture.
"I take whatever form I please. And it just so happens that I enjoy looking like a Mad Prince with every single eye on this planet wishing for his demise."
Ignoring him, I turn to the fairy and ask in slight curiosity, "What brings you here?"
"I had a feeling about you, your majesty."
"No formalities needed." I dismiss.
"Alright, Sin." He inhales. "I have known for quite some time. Although it was difficult to tell from aura alone since the otherworld humans have no magic capabilities like we do to have a visible aura. Making them undetectable. So you would go unnoticed."
I smirk at his quick deduction and very true fact. Something I knew was more reasonable than Liveren when he said he could detect through aura alone.
"I mainly noticed through the many pauses you would take in reality. I did not suspect much at first. I thought it was Sin struggling with Art but now I realize it was not. It was because of this." He points at the Mad Star. "And your mannerisms. The way you'd speak formally or coldly. Tiny slips that would go unnoticed to the untrained ear. You no longer spilled as much unfamiliar words or phrases to us. You were punctual and aware of the world at a deeply historical level unlike anyone else, other than scholars. Although not as observant as Art was in present moments, despite how delayed his reactions were. Like a traumatized deer."
"I see." I exhale, surprised. He has been keeping a very close eye on me. More than I could have ever guessed. And here I thought for the longest time I could get away with the small things. "Do the others...?"
"No. They do not. And it could stay that way but... I do not trust you enough to cover for you. Not unless I hear your reason. That's if you have one."
"Reasonable." I mutter, twirling the rose between my fingers.
"So, what was your plan, Sin? Lead us through hoops of lies after lies? Have us follow you blindly until we reach Rélzhaba where you slaughter them all and lead the entirety of Ehert into chaos and destruction? Or kill us at the last second just like you did to the Light Elves, to Baal, to your own people?"
"That is the plan." I bark in response to which he growls at.
"Why?"
I stay silent.
"No...actually. I already took a peek through most of your memories. The sadness and intense anger. Fill in the blanks and tell me what it is you truly desire. Not for the world nor your kingdom. But for yourself."
For myself?
It has been so long I've ever had someone ask. It almost feels surreal to hear it. The first person to ever ask being my own younger sister. A face I've long forgotten after my father's demise.
"I've always told many that I didn't know. Sometimes it was true. Sometimes it wasn't... I can't say for sure. I have some blank spots where my memories should be."
"Shall I show him?" Mad Star asks and I raise a brow in question.
"Show him?"
"Your story."
I drop my gaze.
Our environment then changed to one where my story could be shown properly. Not just to spare me from having to explain it but to remind me what exactly occured.
I glance at Mad Star, who gives me a serious nod before fading away within the fire engulfing my kingdom.
Ezephyr and I watch as my people ran away in fear from the disaster chasing after them. But what is chasing after them?
We turn to look behind ourselves and at a great distance among rubble and decay stands a familiar figure: me, holding the corrupt sword in one hand with the white light beaming within my blood-craved pupils from behind a mask. Completely devoured by utter madness.
"Seventeen months ago." Ezephyr whispers, watching my past self turn to a family without a single thought behind those blood curling actions. And he turns to me with a cold breath. "All by yourself without an army?"
"Did ya know it runs in the family?" Mad Star whispers into Ezephyr's ear. "His aunt in her youth went against an army of enslavers. They called her 'The One Armied Royal'."
Ezephyr spins around his heels to catch Mad Star who disappears from sight.
Flames and corrupted magic become one with the smokey air. Ever so beautifully dancing with the tossed bodies. All to be recycled into my past self's palm as he stretched it out again like strings through many hearts.
I remembered how I felt during that moment, chasing after a destructive means with my clothes drenched as my eyes burning.
I did not see bodies, nor the faces of my people, but figures of lights fleeing from my grasp.
Quickly the scenario switches into the castle where the main hall was. Some pillars still stood while others paved way for a slightly caved in ceiling. The light revealing three Elder Mirrikhian mages.
"We had elders in my kingdom. Elders that served as advisors to the King and Queen. Highly trained in all magic and weaponry." I stop and sigh at the memory of how much I struggled to take them down. And I had only about 40% of the power I have now. Including the corrupt sword which I used against them. "Who needed royal guards when you had them..."
"You...?"
"Yes. I did."
And at that I face myself, merely inches away to where I can see the anger and pain in those shaking hands.
Past Sin shrugs passed me, making way towards the elders.
And the scene changes again.
"Everything about you is true... I can't look." Is all Ezephyr manages to utter before walking out of the scene.
'You are about to miss the good part', I want to say after him but I hold my tongue and watch in silence.
"YOU CAN'T HURT THEM ANYMORE!" Past me laughed into the air, never feeling the tears trickling down his own face. "YOU CAN'T HURT MY PEOPLE IF THEY'RE ALL DEAD, STUPID GODS!"
Stumbling down on the staircase outside the front doors of the castle, he fell. Exhausted and drenched. But most of all, infuriated at the deafening silence out there with the dead grass, ruined buildings, and the awfully slow sunset smiling upon his kingdom's destruction.
"Cowards!"
The scene changes back to default where Ezephyr is, sitting by his lonesome with his hands brushing his own hair and antenna, which blends well with his hair.
"This does not change much." He says to me, rising from the ground. "Anger, fury...directed towards the Gods. But why? Why go so far to kill innocents and others until you reach the Gods? What did they do to strike your heart and mind with burning unease?"
"Good question." I mumble, turning my back to him. "That I can't tell you."
"Can't or won't?"
"Can't."
Ezephyr forces himself into my vision. The surprise and pain in his eyes turning into disgust.
Don't look at me like that!
"Bending dreams to your will, just to bring chaos to the world. How did someone like you mold Arsin?" He asks.
I frown, deeply than I have ever before. He's always so quick to judge despite being a scholar.
"We weren't so different from each other. And neither are we. Fighting for a belief we think is right for the world because we've seen the same destruction. Except through a much different lens."
"You long the type of change that comes with casualties--"
"It coincides pretty well with your desires, doesn't it?" I interrupt, approaching him and he backs up. I continue pressing forward until we're backed up against a wall. "I can't expect anything more from a God's pet."
Ezephyr takes me by the throat, shoving me backwards until we hit the ground. And once the impact happens, I am reminded of it all.
The fact that I have to keep reminding myself that I have to play the role of the villain. Even if along the way I lose myself and others.
But it's all good. As Sin, I play that part and as Arsin I lead another.
It will all be fine once they are gone.
"I want to..." Ezephyr struggles with his words and feelings. Eventually releasing his grip on my throat with golden tears falling on my face. "I want to hate you for the villain you show yourself to be but the pain and struggle in your eyes... It's a different story. How deeply you are drowning but cannot shout for help."
I gently push him off of me to sit in front of him.
"Help? Everyone is bound to turn their backs at any in front of them that pleads. Only seeing what they want to, unless it is convenient. Much like the Gods. Funny, isn't it?" I hold out my hand as I rise and he takes it. "Through their creations, you can tell what kind of being the Gods are."
"I am sorry but as one faithful to a kind Goddess, I cannot agree with you." Ezephtr replies, much to my humor.
"You'll see where blind faith takes you, dream master. Not just the faith in your Goddess but in your ideals for dreamers."
We put distance between ourselves, perhaps him thinking about my story.
"Prince," Ezephyr begins, breaking the silence. "Once you wake up, look for your cue."
Cue? Ah, I see.
"Understood." I reply and watch him leave without another word.
And I wake to my ears inviting the familiar sounds of tired sobs and the smell of burnt belongings. As well as a brand new sight.
"A cage." I murmur, pressing my hand against the bars in front of me only to stagger back at the pain. Seems someone was lying.
"An enchanted prison." Ezephyr replies softly, popping in front of me on the other side of the bars.
"Aha, very clever, hero." I say and take a seat on the ground with a deep sigh. Then I smooth my hands across the floor with a chuckle. "How nostalgic. Months ago you broke me out of a prison just as dark and damp as this one."
"The only place you belong, really." He peers over his shoulder and one by one, familiar faces appear right beside him.
Lake, Attor, Ines, Striker...
All gazing down at me with these eyes so familiar and enraging.
Stop looking at me with those eyes!
Ezephyr takes out a scroll. "Sin, you are here today under arrest by order of the King."
"On what charges?"
"Everything." Attor jumps in.
I sigh. "Take me to the Council if you wish to--"
My eyes land on the child, watching her tired expression go from pain, lost hope, and sullen silence. He wants to speak yet forced down the words with a rough swallow.
"All of you don't understand." I start over.
"Understand you?? A heartless murderer?! A villain without remorse??" Attor cuts again.
"There's a lot I have going on, dragon." I spit.
A lot more than everyone thinks.
I want to strike the bars with my fists until stained red.
But I can't.
I have to remain calm and wait for my cue.
"What happened to Art?" Attor asks, the anger in his voice like great waves of the mightiest ocean or the hunger of an undying flame. "Where is he?"
"I lost him. I don't know where he is."
Our connection severed, and his dreamscape inaccessible much to my frustration.
"Lies!"
"Attor," Ines peeps. "He speaks the truth. The magic here is not only a seal but also to allow nothing but truths."
"I want to find him as much as you do. Although, I can't really say which one of us cares about him more."
"We've known each other for a long time. I know about caring for a friend, unlike you, your majesty."
"Indeed you do. But that does not answer my question. Did you really really care for him? I mean, did you care enough to testify in court for him?"
"How do you--"
"Art's best friend! Did you really care for him when he screamed at night for help in that disgusting bed? When he was blankly staring at the lake or when he vented to you in text instead when he realized he'd never have a chance to talk to you in person?"
"No no no no!" Attor becomes angry beyond comprehension, much to my expectations. And I wait in anticipation as he constantly denies my evidence under his heavy breath.
"I was there, human dragon. To help him run away." I shout in between Attor's struggle.
"Hold your tongue!" Ezephyr demands. "And keep back, Attor!"
"I saved him from a magic-less world that gave him no hope at all! After all, he sought me out." I continue.
"Shut up!" Attor growls.
"Stay calm, Attor!" Ezephyr begs.
"He called for me to ease the pain when nothing else would." I shout over his screams as well as the frantic begging from Ezephyr and Ines for him to stop.
"I'm going to kill you!"
Go ahead. I'll be waiting.
Attor opens his jaws, releasing a fiery fury upon the gates of my cell. Burning through the magic and the frustration of everyone right beside him.
The magic is down, which Ezephyr noticed for he nods once to me.
"Everyone cover yourselves!"
From my pocket, I pull out my sin in the form of a magical mask for just the eyes. Made to narrow and enhance my vision to see only auras, more than I already do.
I force myself passed them. Sneaking by as best as I can but upon the exit is Striker.
I forgot he's a dragon, immune to the smoke and fire.
"Stand aside." I order but he doesn't budge.
"One day, when I see you again, I will kill you." He says.
"Good for you. I look forward to it." I try to pass again but he holds out his arm.
"Were you being nice to me as a lie?"
So he noticed. Indeed, very powerful. Just like...
"I couldn't let the future hero be bested by some bullies, now could I?"
"Hero?"
I slip out the door, running up the staircase until I see a hole on the wall and leap out onto the roof where I jump again into the forest to disappear.
On my way though the forest outside the Blue Oasis' large gates I hold my breath and release with a scream into the air. Clawing a thick tree with all my might until my claws run through it like paper.
"I've had to mentally tear myself down as part of the plan!" I bark, holding my horns with an angry shudder.
I can't express how angry I am. How badly my plan turned out. All because of them.
"What are you gonna do?" Mad Star asks from within.
What to do...
"I used my magic. He forced me to. He, the one behind that old bastard's work, had it planned out. Tricked me. Get me to expose myself." I kick a rock in anger.
"How do you know it's a "he"?"
I freeze.
How do I know?
"Hahahahaha!" I laugh, letting go of my horns with even more laughter being released from my chest. "Let's think clearly now. My plan could still be operable. Could you tell me something?"
"You want to know whether your magic could be traceable, huh?"
"Not just that. I want to know how well you're concealing my presence in this world. Obviously we've been chased down from the beginning as Arsin because of our physical appearance and the fact that we were caught by that council dragon, Attor, right after the Merge. His soul kept mine under the radar of the most powerful to the most weakest magical being."
"I see."
"Think over it. I was free and uncaught right now up until that old bastard. What gave me away?"
"A spy, maybe?"
"Maybe. Or maybe by coincidence. There was a dark magic corrupting the Blue Oasis. One that seemed to puzzle only the natives and the victims. Everyone else cares not for it. And the old bastard's main magic smelled of dark magic. He was there because of the business that runs deep within that kingdom. Also his motivation. You heard him say it to me. That kind of purpose drives one to the shady business of illegal trade and magical practice. He wasn't looking for me for that bounty to get rich. No. It was an excuse. The underlying mysterious magic as well. He had an ulterior motive and he's working under someone."
"He's been tracking you ever since you set foot into the Blue Oasis."
"Precisely. I wasn't detectable. I could not have been. Someone saw me."
"You don't think that little dragon...?"
"Could it be?"
Could Striker be the reason I was caught? Or his little bullies?
"I was also discovered right now only because of that fairy. It's possible that I'm safe and that my plan can still continue."
The plan which I cannot think about in detail or even mention by name. If so, I will fail.
"Let's think it later and get out of here."
"Agreed. Now to find Art before his feienxes do."
"Isn't that gonna be tough? Like finding a grain of sand in a pile of ash?"
"What kind of analogy is that?" I question but immediately ignore. "I don't need him to have an aura in order to find him. I know him. I was a part of him, after all. I just need to think like him and figure out where he's gone."
"Righhhht."
"Or I give you another chance to tell me where you left him off and the other mysteries you refused to tell me."
"Oi!"
A gruff voice from far away calls out to me. The tone of his voice evoking unfriendliness. So I immediately jump back and hide amongst tall bluish plants in hopes he didn't see me.
"Scarlet?" Another calls out. Much softer and fragile in tone. Giving off a sense of antiquity.
"No, ma. It's me." He says, stopping in front of my hiding spot. And another pair of feet pauses in front of the other.
A soldier with an unknown white armor and symbol on his back spreads his arms out at an elder woman, who's wearing nothing but dirty rags. I assume he cares little for her if she's out here cluelessly wandering and wearing dirty clothes.
"Oh, it's you Yonas..." The elder woman sighs disappointed.
"What's with the tone? Jeez. And here I was worried sick."
"Go away and let me die."
She turns around but the armored guy stops her. Grabbing her wrist not as gently as one would expect.
"Don't be ridiculous, ma. You die and pa Will be furious with me."
"Ah shush, you stupid piece of shit!"
She rips her arm from him but ends up stumbling backwards into my hiding spot.
Bam!
The both of us bump into each other. I immediately push her away and the armored guy takes notice of me.
"Hey, you!"
I can't run and hide. I need to...
"Wahhhh!" The elder woman cries, running away from me and passed her son. He glances at me and then at her before making a sour face and running after her.
What a day.
"Did you see that?"
"See what?" I ask.
"He had a scroll with a key attached to it."
Scroll with a ring...
"Liveren..."