The weight got off my chest, allowing me to finally breathe in some fresh air. My head felt like I was thrown overboard my ship. After blinking a few times to clear my vision, I see a nice pretty blue. It rippled like the oceans back home. The smell of the salty ocean water, and the splashes of sea water upon my face. Felt like the ocean’s embrace, the weightlessness one gets when floating in water.

  When my vision cleared up I noticed the waves, which I was looking at, were the side of a dragon. A familiar dragon at that.

  ****

  “I am sorry about your shop Morgan. I tried the best I could…” I sheepishly admitted.

  I had Morgan in some water mana to help heal him, and while I was doing that I was busy cleaning the shop, but broke some things as I did. There were some shelves glued back together with ice, and paint peeled off the walls.

  “I also removed the intruders from here. I hope they don't come back and cause more problems for you Morgan.” I explained.

  Morgan laughs a hardy laugh, then said, “It's alright lass. I wouldn't be where I am if I hadn’t faced worse than this. Guess you could call it old age.”

  “If you're really fine with it…” I mumbled lowering my head.

  “Yes, I am. Thank you for the save there.” He said, as I helped him up.

  “I don’t understand what happened. Heh.” I nervously admit.

  Morgan looked at me, and seemed to ponder something before waving off what it was he was thinking of.

  “Well either way, because you're here I am in a better situation.” He stated.

  I nodded, understanding that we were safe for now. No one was going to bother us right now. A moment of peace.

  I sighed, and surprised myself by feeling a weight come off my shoulders. I hadn’t noticed how worried I was. When I fought the Shades, I didn’t have time to think about what it ment. Those fights could hurt others. It is not just protecting those you care about, but those who were not even involved. All the dragons and gods who have not seen the war, can live in rough peace, because of the ones fighting.

  An ice serpent forms and nuzzles me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked over and saw the smile the serpent had, before dissolving.

  I took a deep breath, “Alright. I promise, Morgan, that I will protect everyone here. I want to join the VoidWalker. I want to fight in the war. Like my mom did.”

  Morgan smiled, “I can see it in your eyes. The same look your mother had. I bet you will do great, lass.” He said.

  “Thank you Mr.Morgan.” I said, grateful for the compliment.

  He grins looking at me, “Oh your mother is lucky to have a daughter like you. You have a heart as big as a city, and enough kindness to make a shade second-guess what it is doing.” He chuckled.

  I blushed, “I have not heard that before. It’s really nice. I never met my dad, but I hope he is as amazing as you are Morgan.” I replied, smiling.

  As I left the shop, with some food for Sheldor, he waved me off. I smiled back at him, grateful for the kind words he gave me. I can’t wait for mom to get home, and talk to her about Morgan, and how kind he has been.

  ****

  Approaching home, there was Zephyrion waiting by the door. I wasn’t expecting him to be here. It looked like he was here for a little while, maybe he arrived just after I left.

  “Hello, Zeph. What are you doing here?” I asked, walking past him into my home.

  “Are you busy? You have been gone from your home quite often.” He noted.

  “Well, there have been things I wanted to see, and do.” I replied, used to his games, as I held up Sheldor’s food.

  “I see. Is there anyone else here?” He asked, peering inside the house.

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  “There could be. Why?” I asked back, putting Sheldor’s food in his feeding bowl.

  Sheldor heard the food, and came out. As he did he looked at Zephyrion, and hissed. An unusual reaction to guests. I didn’t remember Sheldor not liking Zephyrion. It was an odd reaction.

  “Well, you are being summoned.” He finally stated.

  I stopped and looked him right in the eyes. A silence hung between us. There was one thing I knew about Zephyrion, and that was he never speaks fully. Leaves open ends in every conversation, but he didn’t. Whatever I was being summoned for was serious.

  “Alright let's go.” I said, standing up to leave.

  ***

  It was when Aether and the others entered here days ago, but it was hard to believe I was being summoned so many days later. Following Zephyrion inside the massive temple. Walking deep into the heart, we entered into a massive room, which was thick in cosmic mana. It almost still smelt like Aether in here.

  As expected the two rulers were inside the room waiting for me. The pressure emitted from the dragon, Yrvai, was immense. He seemed really occupied with many things until I neutered the room. He seemed puzzled, almost not sure how to start the conversation.

  While opposite of him, was the goddess, Qhalta, who was focused on the situation at hand. She was the first to speak up.

  “Lost, little one. It has come to our attention that something might be wrong.” She started.

  “Oh do not lead the little one on. We lost contact with your mom.” Yrvai stated.

  I froze where I was. You don’t lose contact with a dragon, unless they are dead, or worse.

  “You.. lost contact? She is.. Dead?” I asked.

  “You picked that up fast. Though we have sent some to try to find her, none have been able to.” Yrvai explained.

  “We have not confirmed that she is dead, just that we can't figure out where she is.” Qhalta continued.

  “That’s just saying she is dead and you can’t find her body.” I choked out, as emotions broiled.

  Sadness and anger clashed hard within me, as I didn’t know what was worse. To think they lost contact with my mom, it's unfathomable. My mom is much too strong to fall in battle. I shutter as the anger starts to win over.

  “I was saved, just as my mom died?” I asked, not to anyone.

  “It is a shame to have lost such a strong dragon.” Yrvai stated, adding fuel to the flames.

  I felt my body physically react to the words, as a viscous jagged serpent of ice was suddenly created, as fog rolled off its body and out of its open mouth as its tongue flicked out licking the air. The Abyss within me stirred greedily. The serpent loosely coiled around me.

  “What is that?!” Yrvai shouted in surprise.

  “Is it alive? Is it what freed Lost?” Qhalta asked curious as to how it worked.

  Though I ignored both of their comments as rage consumed my mind, and sorrow filled my heart. The ice within my soul space shutters, as cracks begin to form deep within the ice.

  The Abyssal form greedily encouraged me to continue, “Yes! More! Free me!” It shouted in my head.

  Then suddenly I found myself looking my mom in the face, when I was younger and hurt.

  She lifted my chin up, to look at her, with just one claw, “Lost dear, it's okay to hurt, but whatever you do, do not take it out on those around you.” She stated.

  “But, all I hear is how I am ‘Verpera’s only hatchling.’ People are making fun of me because I don’t have a dad, or siblings.” I mumbled out, trying to hold back my tears.

  “Just because they are not here, doesn't mean you don't have any.” She said, smiling a warm smile.