The next day, I woke up to the insistent sound of my alarm clock, which, as always, wouldn't stop ringing until I was out of the dormitory.
— Tsk… damn… this clock… and this headache… that just won't go away — I thought as the alarm echoed, and an intense pain throbbed in my head.
— How is this possible? My head started hurting in the middle of the night while I was sleeping… this has never happened before. Probably… agh… it's because of what happened yesterday… damn
— I muttered, rubbing my head, trying to ease the pain.
The throbbing headache, accumulated exhaustion, and lack of sleep had pushed me to the brink of collapse.
— You know what? I've got a headache, I'm tired, I didn't sleep well, and I'm not in the slightest mood to attend class today. Add to that my terrible mood, and I'm just one step away from destroying everything — I said to myself, gritting my teeth and clenching my fists in irritation.
Without a second thought, I quickly got ready and left the dorm. However, instead of heading to class, I decided to go straight to my resting spot on the plateaus.
…The sound of wings flapping…
— Sigh… this fresh air… this place… only you seem to understand me — I murmured as I arrived. Just being there already made me feel much better.
I immediately lay down under the shade of a tree.
— This place… this is paradise — I thought, feeling a calmness wash over me.
— My headache is already gone, and I'm feeling so much better.
— I wish I'd never have to leave here… — I concluded, adjusting myself under the shade to sleep peacefully.
However, as I tried to relax, memories from the previous night began to torment me again.
— Tsk… damn… why am I remembering that again? — I thought, furrowing my brows with my eyes closed.
— Damn… no, no, NO! Enough thinking about it! — I exclaimed angrily, trying to silence the thoughts.
— This headache, this anger, the lack of sleep… all of it was caused by last night. So, enough. Enough thinking about it, enough thinking about relationships, enough of everything. — I resolved, trying to firm my decision.
— From now on, I'll sleep here, alone. I don't care about the director, Aertharion, or anyone else. Enough! I'm falling apart piece by piece, and if this keeps up, I'll lose my mind — I murmured firmly.
With that in mind, I forced myself as hard as I could to suppress those thoughts. During this internal struggle, I finally drifted off to sleep.
While I slept, I felt all the weight and pain, both metaphorical and physical, melt away. It was as if I had finally returned home to my own safe haven. Everything felt calm and comforting... until I was abruptly awakened by an unexpected sound.
…The sound of wings flapping and desperate shouting…
— KYRION! KYRION! — I heard a voice shouting from a distance as I groggily stirred.
— Uh… huh? — I thought, confused, as I tried to make sense of what was happening.
In the distance, a large flaming eagle, almost like a phoenix from human mythology, was rapidly approaching. It flew straight toward me, showing no signs of slowing down, until it suddenly collided with the tree I was resting under.
…Boom…
— Agh… a-a flaming… eagle? — I murmured, startled, now fully awake from the commotion.
— K-Kyrion? — she asked, dazed after crashing into the tree and collapsing onto the ground.
— Y-yes? — I replied, still wary, as I cautiously observed the creature.
— Agh… w-we don't have time for this… — she muttered, visibly distressed.
— Kyrion, it's me, Karix... I found out where you were from one of my friends who happened to pass by and swore he saw you under a tree in this area. Luckily for me, he was right... — he said, hurriedly, still stumbling over his words in his anxiety.
— K-Karix? Is that really you? And what are you doing here? — I asked, surprised to recognize him.
— Yes, it's me! I came to warn you about something I just heard — he replied, still nervous and struggling to organize his words.
— W-what? Warn me about something? K-Karix, calm down and tell me what's going on. I don't understand anything… — I said, just as desperate as he was.
Karix took a deep breath, trying to compose himself.
— Sigh… What I'm trying to tell you is that… you're in danger… — he finally said, more composed.
— In danger? Me? W-what do you mean? — I asked, intrigued, with a growing unease building within me.
— Sigh… I heard from some friends, who heard from other friends, who heard from others that... — he started to ramble until I interrupted him.
— Agh… just get to the point! — I demanded, almost shouting in frustration.
— O-okay… I heard that Aurëalis was looking for you this morning at school, everywhere. For some reason, she seemed desperate to find you. But when she didn't, one of her friends asked why she was searching for you so frantically. Aurëalis said she had some unfinished business to discuss with you — he explained, his voice laden with concern.
At that moment, a shiver ran down my spine, and an overwhelming sense of dread consumed me. The memory of Aurëalis and the terrifying look she gave before leaving the hall crashed into my mind like a hammer.
— But… why? What did you do, Kyrion? You always try to avoid trouble, and now even Aurëalis is searching for you with such a scary expression. What have you done? — Karix asked, his voice a mixture of panic and curiosity.
I had no answer to give him. His words felt distant as my mind replayed the veiled threat of Aurëalis, something I was about to learn, in the hardest way possible, never to ignore again.
— D-damn… — was all I could mutter, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on me.
— K-Karix… you said she was looking for me? — I asked, incredulous.
— Y-yes. And honestly, I never thought she could act so… terrifying — he replied, still shaken.
— And… w-what time was this? — I asked, desperately trying to calculate how much time had passed.
— It was a few hours ago… W-why? — Karix asked, confused.
— Damn it, Karix… what time is it now? I need to know... Is it already lunchtime? — I asked, praying to the heavens that the answer would be no.
But, as I feared, Karix confirmed the worst.
— W-what? Y-yes… It's been some time since I last checked the universal clock, but the last time I looked, before coming here to find you, it was 12:30… — Karix said hesitantly.
— W-why?
— Why? — I repeated, trying to maintain my composure.
— Haha… BECAUSE THAT'S THE TIME SHE COMES HERE! SOMETIMES SHE EVEN ARRIVES EARLIER! — I shouted, already preparing to take flight.
— W-we need to leave… NOW! — I exclaimed.
— W-what? She comes here? And why do we need to leave? — Karix asked, still clueless.
— Stop asking questions and start flying as fast as you can, or you'll die, you idiot! — I said, already airborne.
— W-what? O-okay! — he replied, hurriedly following me.
— Where are we going, Kyrion? — Karix asked as we flew with all our might.
— To the snowy mountains to the north. She won't be able to find us there. There's no way she will! — I said, trying to convince myself the plan would work.
As we flew, the deafening sounds of wind and wings filled the air. However, another sound emerged — a third set of wings, coming from the clouds above us.
Curious and uneasy, I looked up, trying to locate the source of the sound. Then, I saw it.
Suddenly, as fast as lightning, a draconic figure emerged from the clouds. Its body was as white as light itself, exuding an indescribable beauty and an equally terrifying presence. The creature was heading straight for me, at a speed I could never match.
— D-damn… — I murmured, the weight of despair overtaking me.