It was hot as he struggled to breath, moving back and forth. Not to mention that it was dark too, he could not even make out where he was. Every step forwards that he took, made it feel as if he was stepping onto rock, yet he could not even see it to be so sure.
The constant dripping of water too, kept snatching his attention away from his steps forward, it was like there was something there, something that was following him. But it was hiding in the dark, just watching.
The hairs on the back of his neck, all suddenly stood up as if they were something standing right behind, quickly he tried to turn around, but he only found that he was able to turn so incredibly slowly. It was almost agonising the speed at which he was turning.
Finally, he had turned but there was nothing there, nothing at all. But wait, suddenly the darkness began to part and show him something that he did not notice at all earlier.
A chamber stood there, empty and covered in dust and cobwebs, around the curricular chamber where many unlit iron braziers. Between each was a flag dangling down from the ceiling, but each of these now could no longer be read, they had all faded and were covered in dust.
In the centre though, was an altar. It was made of a black stone and by its appearance was beautifully carved. Depicting Dragons and men all of whom were fighting some kind of tall, winged and horned species. Maybe some kind of demon he guessed.
On top of the altar, there was no dust, it was completely clean. There was a flag draped over the top, showing a black dragon which was wrapped around a single sword. The dragon had deep purple eyes, and it looked almost like it was a shadow.
Talking about swords however, there was one. Resting on top of the flag. Its blade looked as if it was made from pure darkness. The black tint, almost shining but then, he heard something.
A voice?
It was like the voice was calling something.
"Dh…."
"Dharen!"
Oh, right. That was his name. He was Dharen, but this place looked like the academy. Just deeper, underground maybe? And there lay a black blade, oh right. That would be the black blade he had been looking for…and it was at the academy.
"Dharen, wake up right this instant!"
The screaming voice annoyed him, he just wanted to look around and sleep. Why did it have to disturb him so much?
Then, there was a flash of purple. It wrapped around him so quickly and then he was gone.
Suddenly he was gasping, as natural light pierced into his eyes, making him try to shield them. The sudden light was too much for him to suddenly bear.
"Dharen!" He heard the voice of Renna, but before he could turn and look at her he found her arms wrapped around his chest, and he himself being pushed back down onto the bed of which he was laying on.
On his chest he could feel it getting more and more wet. Looking down, his eyes now adjusted to the light he could see Renna, and her head pressed against his chest.
Rubbing the top of head, he managed to say, "It is ok." His throat and mouth however felt horribly dry as he spoke.
Looking around for some water, he heard Renna who had managed to mumble out. "I thought that you were gone. You should have been gone. There was so much blood…I just…"
Hearing her words, his memories began to suddenly come back like a wave as he found himself remembering all that had happened before he passed out.
"Renna what happened? After I…well you know…"
She heard his confused voice, looked up, wiping away the few tears that were still on her face.
"It was short honestly, quite a few of the students were injured in the clash. One even…well someone was killed. Aside from that, those bastards were put down in the end. The academy has arrested Percy as well. But it is not so simple, the Inquisition is outside the academy in full force. All of the entrances have been occupied and I just can not get inside anymore."
Looking down at his hands, he felt well, he felt empty when he heard that someone had been killed. They had died because of him, and that was blood on his hands. No one else could take the blame for it, and it solely was on him.
Not to mention he had killed someone, he had not even hesitated then. It was so easy as well. But he still had killed someone and he felt nothing. Nothing at all, as if it was a normal everyday thing. This is what terrified him most. He did not want to become some kind of mass killer, who felt nothing as he killed and yet…
"There is more Dharen. Due to this event, all students are now required to carry arms at all times. So you will need a weapon always, and as they have come here for you. You are required to be with someone at all times, you can not be alone."
Hearing her words, he could only sigh. This place was meant to be safe and yet now. It was just as dangerous as most places in this world from what he had heard.
Then there was Jason too, he did not blame him that much for running away. But still, his friend just left him, completely alone to face the inquisitors.
"Renna, has… Has Jason been here?"
Renna looked at him oddly for a second. "Of course he has been, he has been here more than me, he looked horrible each time he looked at you however. Why are you asking me like that? Did something happen?"
Hearing all of that, Dharen did not really know what to say. And how could he know? It was not like it was a simple thing at all.