"Mhmm"
Berry opened his heavy eyes, a small groan escaping his lips, he blinked for a few moments, trying to gather himself. His thoughts were all jumbled up and his vision was hazy.
Another groan escaped his lips as he turned his head to the side, looking around the room he was in.
Caelum
He recognized the room to be the same one that he was in previously, but this time it was dark, very dark, even the windows were shut.
Berry strained as he began to sit up, using his hands to support himself, he finally sat up, his vision still a bit hazy but slowly adjusting to the darkness.
What Happened?
The last memory he had was touching the rune then it all went black. He placed his hand on his head, feeling a slight headache.
He wondered what happened to the Rune, Did the dragon guards kill him?, he debated whether to get up and go outside or to stay and wait for Caelum or anyone.
He looked at the door, still contemplating his decision when it opened, the light from outside flooded into the room, making Berry wince and look away.
"You're awake" Caelum stated, walking into the room, the door closing up and making the room dark once more.
He made his way to the window, opening it slight before he walked to Berry, placing the back of his palm on the boy's head to check his temperature, "hmm you're still a bit hot, do you feel okay?".
"Hm not really, I don't know" Berry whimpered, his head hung low, he felt a slight jab at the back of his head.
"You're overwhelmed, the past few days have been hectic for you" Caelum said, slight almost unnoticeable worry laced in his voice.
"I just want to turn it off"
The room fell into silence after that, Berry on the bed, thinking of how he can escape the chaos and Caelum looking down at him, also in deep thought.
Berry let out a sigh and looked around the room once more, not knowing what to say or even do.
"Lay back down, there are many things we need to discuss but for now, I need you to regain your strength" Caelum said firmly, he reached down and spread out the thick blanket, urging Berry to lay down and then he covered him up and tucked him in.
"What happened to the Rune?" Berry asked in a small voice.
"Not now…it's…complicated, just rest"
Berry kept quiet after that and focused on resting like Caelum said, "I will come back later to check on you, when you're well rested, we will talk".
Berry nodded and relaxed into the soft pillows, closing his eyes and embracing the darkness.
.
.
.
"Hello?" Berry found himself standing in the middle of a pitch black forest, the trees like tall, twisty shadows, with their thick leaves and branches that covered the also pitch black sky.
There was a fog surrounding the area, nothing could be seen except the darkness and it was quiet, too quiet, the only sound he could hear was the sound of his own slightly panicked breathing.
He clutched his hands over his chest, trembling slightly, his eyes scanned the area but it was no use, there was nothing in sight.
Then he heard the loud howl of the wind, making him freeze, a shiver going down his spine.
Footsteps
His body became rigid as he heard the footsteps, first a faint sound then it became louder, till he realized that they were coming towards him.
He could feel the presence getting closer but he was too afraid to move or do anything, he only stood there, shaking like a leaf.
Then massive silhouettes surrounded him, the dark monstrous shadows all around him.
The silence was cut through as they spoke in an eerie voice, all saying the same thing all at once.
"The time is near"
"Soon we shall rise"
"The sacrifice must be made"
"The sacrifice must be made"
"The sacrifice must be made"
.
.
.
"BERRY!"
Berry jolted out of the bed, his heart racing in his chest, cold sweat dripping down his forehead.
His breathing was laboured and he let out loud, panicked pants., hands clutching his chest.
I can't breathe
He felt suffocated and the fear still lingered in his body, Help, I can't breathe, he could barely register what was happening around him and he felt like he was going to pass out but then a large set of arms wrapped around him.
"It's okay, breathe, you're okay Berry, I'm here" Caelum held on to the boy, one of his hand rubbing up and down his back, trying to soothe him.
By the gods, give this boy a break, at least a minute of proper sleep, he felt frustrated seeing Berry like this.
Berry finally calmed down, he felt secure in the dragon's arms and his fear died down, he took a minute to catch his breath, Caelum's arms still tightly wrapped around him.
"Breathe, it's okay"
Berry finally relaxed, he realized the awkward situation they were in and he pulled away slowly, sitting up on the bed.
"Thank you" he whispered.
"It's okay, how do you feel?" Caelum asked, this time his voice was laced with obvious worry.
"Surprisingly, I feel better, my head's not hurting anymore" Berry said with a slight smile, still a bit shaken up but at least he didn't feel as weak or as sick as before.
Caelum let out a sigh on relief, he nodded and hummed, "that's good cause we have some things to discuss" his tone became serious and his expression stoic once more.
Berry looked up at him curiously, "is it the rune?".
Caelum nodded once more, "yes, he regained consciousness just like your friend but this time, he reverted".
"W…what does that mean?"
"He is alive Berry"
Berry's eyes widened, his mind racing, "I don't understand">
"You see when your friend Casper gained consciousness after going feral, he stayed in his feral state until he body became weaker and he died, although he became aware, his poison levels were still high and his body gave up" Caelum paused before carrying on.
"But the Rune you touched, he reverted, in fact his poison level is on Blue, the lowest level and he is stable, more stable than any other Rune currently"
Berry gasped, his eyes widening further, "does that mean he will live?".
"Yes he will, even better, he might never go feral again"