Drakians (Telios & DawnAntalios)

[Telios]

He walked around the town, soon arriving at the market. He greeted a few townspeople on the way as some looked at Zoe. He told the Drakians they met that she was no threat anymore, having been turned into a Drakian herself.

 

[DawnAntalios]

She smiled at them anxiously, bowing before each and every one of them, greeting them respectfully. They did not seem to recognize her fortunately - at least not yet and she hoped this would stay that way. The city was unlike anything she had seen before. The market was filled with busy people who were working hard for their money - and still found the time to be kind and cheerful.


What was this sorcery? How could these people live peacefully in coexistence with Drakians and treat them equally? Why did she not see a single master ordering his underlings around? What WAS this place?

 

[Telios]

"Victoria has been here for around half a century. The first mayor was also a Drakian, thus building this town where Drakians and normal humans are treated equally." Vane explained to her.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" How come that the main capital does not know this, sire? " Zoe asked curiously " Never before was I ordered to find this city - nor told that there were dragon inhabitants here. There must be some kind of magic that protects this place from unwanted eyes. At least, that is what I think. "

 

[Telios]

"A magical barrier was casted over this place by the first mayor. That's why it isn't know to the outsiders. I only bumped into this place on my travel. By pure luck." Vane said.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" I see. " she said as they continued their trek. She liked the city so far and also its inhabitants. Looking at them filled her with a sense of heavy guilt. She had caused so much pain to dragons in the past - and for what? Glory and fame which never came? And now looking at them walking among the others just like normal people - she felt that she was no war hero.


She was a merciless butcher.


She could not withhold her tears anymore. Silently she started to weep, her tears flowing like a river. She tried to hide her face to conceal her feelings to no avail - her sadness was shown to everyone.

 

[Telios]

"Zoe..." Vane frowned, hugging her. "I know how you are feeling. Just let it go. I'm here. We can go back to the house if you wanted." He said, keeping her close as he let her lean onto him.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" I am a monster, sire. " she said, looking at him with her tear-soaked face. " How many lives did I extinguish in the name of glory? How many families have I shattered in my blind zeal? "


She bowed her head in resignation as she turned away from him.


" I do not deserve to serve someone as proud and benevolent such as you, sire. My hands are stained, my guild is too great. "

 

[Telios]

"But you are reborn. You aren't the old you." Vane reassured, trying to calm her down. "And you are not my servant. You are a friend of mine. Now let's get back to the house and let you rest."

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Some sins are not washed away even by your blessing, sire. " she sighed now that the tide of her tears finally ebbed. She was ashamed that she caused them to return home because of her shameful lack of discipline but she could not help it. If Vane wanted to punish her for that she was ready to face the consequences.


" I have to atone... I must somehow... "

 

[Telios]

Vane sighed as he walked with her back to the house, wanting her to calm down and just forget the past. He could use an amnesia spell but that'd be against her will and his oath to do no harm to innocent living things. He opened the door for her as they went inside, helping her to go to her room and laid her down. "Rest, alright?" He advised.

 

[DawnAntalios]

" Sire... " she said with regret in her voice. She wanted to say so much more but ultimately she nodded silently and only muttered the following words: " I am sorry. "


She watched as Vane left her alone in her room then she laid down on her bed. As comforting as it felt she was still haunted by the memories and could not sleep. She remained there and stared at the ceiling, recollecting her thoughts.

 

[Telios]

"Zoe..." Vane sighed, wanting to free her from her last but unsure how without breaking his oath. "I wish I could help you..." He mumbled, walking back to his room. He changed into his dragon form, fitting into the room nicely. All rooms in the house is quite spacious, if they aren't too crowded with furniture, it could fit two or three dragons each.

 

[DawnAntalios]

She sat up in her bed, thinking about what had happened today. She was unsure what to do: she was human no longer - not entirely but she felt guilt about what she caused against the Drakians, thus she was not a dragon either. Once again she felt that she did not belong anywhere.


" Somehow I have to set things right. But how? " she thought in herself but nothing came in her mind.


She sneaked out of her room, seeing that Vane was in his, peacefully, she hurried downstairs and silently left the building and walked outside of the town. Focusing on her draconic features she transformed and few moments later the large, ebony wings lifted her off from the ground. She headed towards the distant mountains, seeking refuge far from others.

 

[Telios]

Vane woke up and changed back to go out of his room and check on Zoe. He discovered that she was gone and he hurried outside to ask others. They all said that they didn't see her, leaving Vane disheartened. "Zoe..." He sighed heavily, sulking as he walked into his house. "What did I do wrong...?" He buried his face into his hands.

 

[DawnAntalios]

In her human form Zoe started hitting the rocks of the mountain. She dove her unprotected fist against the hard rock, determined to get stronger.


" If I am to be of any use to my master I have to get stronger. " she said, panting heavily as she saw the bruises on her knuckles already. " I may be weak now to repent and set things right, but not for long. Even if I die in the process I will not fail him. "


Saying this an uneasy feeling churned in her stomach, feeling bad for not telling anything to Vane. But he might have stopped her from fulfilling her seemingly impossible quest so it was all for the better - at least she hoped.

 

[Telios]

Vane curled up in his room in his dragon form. He still looked somewhat disheartened and wasn't happy at all. "Where did you go...?" He asked himself, growling angrily at himself for being so useless. "Did I make you upset...?"

 

[DawnAntalios]

It was late afternoon when Zoe finally walked back to Vane's house and as silently as she could she opened the door. Completely exhausted she pulled herself up the stairs and stopped before the mirror she found upstairs. Her clothes were dirty, covered with sand and dust, but at least they were not tattered. Her face and arms were also covered in sweat and dirt with the exception that her knuckles were also bloody from her insane training. She dragged herself in front of her room but then saw Vane in the other one and she remembered how she did not say anything to him prior leaving.


Even though her body trembled and ached she walked up to Vane's door, saluting to him.


" Sire, I am home. " she said as respectfully as she could with a forced smile on her face. " I am sorry that I did not warn you in advance but... "


She felt that her legs gave in and the world became blurry. She tried to regain control but was unable to and - like a sack - she collapsed upon the doorstep of her master.

 

[Telios]

Vane looked up at the woman who he assumed to be Zoe, his eyes looking unfocused. He heard a thud and changed back, getting over to her and picked her up to check her how she was doing. He frowned when he saw her knuckles were bloody and he casted a healing spell on her. "Zoe... Please don't make me worried like that again..." He told her quietly.

 

[DawnAntalios]

She opened her eyes as the healing spell started to work and smiled weakly at Vane.


" I am sorry, sire. I just wanted to make you proud of me... " she bowed her head in shame " I did not expect you to worry about me. After all I am but an apprentice, I am just one of many. "


She then looked up, with determination in her eyes.


" But I will try to change that. I will get stronger, I promise, even if I have to push myself to me limits I swear I will ! "

 

[Telios]

"You are not just one of many. You are unique. So please don't injure yourself." Vane sighed, worried about her. "If you wanted to train then call me next time you went outside. I'll help you get used to your new strength."

 

[DawnAntalios]

" I was sure that you had better things to do, sire. " she said embarrassed. She quickly shook her head, stood up and saluted once more.


" You need anything to be done, sire? Now that I am here I am at your command! "

 

[Telios]

"Just rest while I make dinner. You are still worn out even after I casted the healing spell on you." Vane advised her, walking to her room with her. "Don't try to help me, alright? Just rest."

 

[DawnAntalios]

She tried to object but ultimately she did not say anything and laid down on her bed once more. She felt the urge to help him out but she could feel her stamina waning so she remained still.


" I just rest here for a moment before I go down to help him. " she said as she closed her eyes and fell into a relaxing - although not deep - sleep to regain her strength. As much as she wanted to do something she realized that an exhausted, useless helper is much worse than not helping so this nap should be revitalizing for her.

 

[Telios]

"When will she finally learn that she isn't a servant..." He sighed, preparing the ingredients to cook dinner. "Zoe, you still have a lot to learn..." He mumbled to himself.