Xavier flew gracefully in front of me, his scales catching the sunlight. I wanted to ask him what he had understood from the events inside the Garden of Myst, but the seriousness in his demeanor gave me pause.
Dragons are dragons, after all—best not to annoy them. The path we walked was bathed in sunlight, a stark contrast to the darkness I remembered from my last visit. Only now did I realize how beautiful this place truly was.
From the hilltops, the view of Pyrexia stretched out before us, clear and breathtaking. A mountainous city, Pyrexia was a testament to the harmony of magic and nature. Its structures, woven seamlessly into the landscape, enhanced the natural beauty rather than overshadowing it. I paused, taking in the vibrant, lively city below.
Pyrexia was a marvel—a city cradled by towering mountains and lush valleys, where nature and architecture existed in perfect balance. Gleaming castle spires pierced the heavens, their golden peaks catching the fiery hues of the sunset. Winding streets meandered through ancient structures, bustling markets, and glowing lanterns.
The grand castle, a residence of the Duke of Zenvara, perched atop a cliff, dominated the skyline, its stained-glass windows shimmering like jewels. Below, the city cascaded down the rocky terrain in tiers, connected by bridges and pathways.
The lower districts were alive with color and sound. Vibrant houses with red roofs lined the streets, their windows glowing with warm light. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, carrying the scent of roasted meats and spiced wines.
Canals reflected the flickering torchlight as boats glided beneath stone bridges. Markets overflowed with exotic goods, street performers entertained passersby, and scholars debated in candlelit taverns.
The mountains stood as silent guardians, their snow-capped peaks rising against a sky painted in orange and deep blue. Mist clung to the valleys, where ancient ruins and hidden temples whispered of forgotten legends.
But this beauty was a relic of the past. The Pyrexia I remembered was a testament to the atrocities of the demon cultists. The air had been filled with screams, the scent of blood, and the acrid stench of fire.
Houses burned, and the city became a graveyard. One hundred thousand people died in a single night. Ten thousand were left permanently disabled, twenty thousand suffered heavy injuries, and thirty-two thousand bore minor wounds. The memory made my breath tremble. This tragedy had been used against me—by the Emperor to chain me, by others to shame me. It was a weight I carried, even now.
Ezekian's revelation and the Garden of Myst had changed something in me. I felt a shift, a realization I couldn't yet fully grasp.
"What are you looking at, Captain?" Xavier's voice broke my thoughts. He perched on my shoulder, nuzzling his cheek against mine.
I blinked, pulling myself back to the present. "It feels heavy," I admitted, taking a deep breath. "Suddenly, it feels like the weight of stopping the second Cataclysm of Dawn and Dusk has fallen on me."
It was the heaviest responsibility I had ever carried. My goal had once been simple: destroy the demon cult and the Imperial Family. But now, I was chosen to seal Belhier, the greatest evil mankind had ever known.
"Then don't carry it," Xavier said after a long silence. I turned to him, searching for mockery in his golden eyes, but found none. He gazed at the city, but his expression was distant, as if he saw something I couldn't.
"If a burden is too heavy to carry," he continued, his tone serious yet tender, "don't carry it, Captain." His words caught me off guard. For the first time, I felt a flicker of relief, as if a weight had been lifted.
"It's not like you have to save humanity all on your own," he added. "If God loves his creation, he'll find a way, even if you give up and run away." His sincerity made me smile.
"Are you suggesting I give up and run away?" I teased, "even though I promised to help you remove the demonic core from you?"
His response surprised me. "Even if you fail, I won't hold you accountable, Captain. Don't carry a burden that will destroy you."
I stared at him, stunned. All my life, I'd been told to shoulder responsibilities I never asked for. Any moment of weakness was met with judgment and scorn. But here was Xavier, a dragon, telling me it was okay to let go. It was... freeing.
"What are you looking at?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
I giggled. "Nothing."
"Hey, what are you laughing at?" he grumbled, his non-existent eyebrows furrowing.
I kissed the top of his head, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you," I said softly. "But I'm going to carry this responsibility and destroy the demon core within you, like I promised."
He lowered his head slightly. "Even after what I showed you in the Garden of Myst? It will be a painful journey, Captain."
His concern warmed me. For once, someone saw me as more than a tool. I turned my gaze back to Pyrexia, its beauty a stark reminder of what was at stake.
"I'll regret it if I never see this again," I said, a surge of confidence filling me. "If I'm the Chosen One, I'll see this through to the end."
Xavier's eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't every day someone willingly accepted what amounted to a death sentence. But something inside me whispered that I wouldn't be carrying this burden alone.
And there was more—I needed to protect the House of Nyxveil. My family. Even if I hadn't been treated as an equal to Dain and Alancia, I couldn't deny the privileges I'd enjoyed because of them. They were my family, and I would protect them.
"Ahhh, this is insane," Xavier groaned, breaking the silence. He flew in front of me, hovering between me and the city.
"I just gave you a chance to walk away, and here you are, willingly picking up that burden?" He looked at me in disbelief. I blinked and gave him an innocent smile. He dropped his head, flapping his wings in exasperation.
"What kind of idiot did I get myself involved with?" he muttered under his breath.
"What are you whining about?" I asked. "If we succeed, you'll rule the most prosperous and largest empire in the world."
He tilted his head, narrowing his eyes. "Is that a bribe to make me work like a slave?"
I stuck out my tongue, earning a glare. "Isn't it an eye-catching bribe, Your Highness?" I winked.
He huffed and settled on my head. "Hey, why are you sitting on my head?" I protested.
"Are you going to make the future Emperor sit on your shoulder?" he retorted.
We both fell silent before bursting into laughter. "Yeah, sure. I'm supposed to carry you higher," I said, still laughing.
He flew down to my shoulder. "Thankfully, you understand, Captain. But I'll be kind and just sit here."
"Is that supposed to be an honor?" I asked.
"Of course," he said indignantly. "Once my mana circle is fully opened, I'll be so big that even the Imperial Palace won't compare. You'll be lucky to have carried me."
I nodded. "Then I can boast that I carried the future Emperor on my shoulder when he was still a baby."
He glared. "I'm older than you."
"Sure thing," I said, grinning.
"Hey, are you teasing me?" he demanded.
I didn't answer, and he continued boasting about how powerful he'd become and how he'd treat me the same way I treated him now.
As I walked lazily toward the mansion, the path before me felt clearer. I had gained unexpected companions and enemies alike. I had uncovered secrets that changed everything. But no matter how hard the road became, no matter how many times I stumbled or broke, I would rise again.
Be it the Imperial Family, the demon cult, or Belhier himself—I would fight them all. And I would win.