Empty.
I was in an unfamiliar and empty place.
Was I dead?
No, this didn't feel like death. It didn't feel like anything.
I tried to move but couldn't. I tried to speak but no words came out. I was paralyzed, but I didn't panic. It was strange, I felt nothing.
No emotion. Like I wasn't real. Like I was detached from my own body, thoughts, feelings, and actions. Like I was an outsider.
I think time passed, I wasn't sure.
Then a voice rang out.
"You're almost there."
"Just a little more."
My eyes shot open and I sprang up. That sickening feeling of alienation was gone, but what replaced it was a splitting pain that enveloped my entire body.
"Urgh."
My body was wrapped in bandages, and my forearm was in a makeshift splint.
'What's going on?'
Condensation clung to the walls, and the soft drip of water echoed from above. The air was cool, damp enough to raise goosebumps. I must have been in a cave. As I inhaled, something sharp caught in my nose. A scent. Faint, but distinct.
'Meat?'
I strained my ears. A low crackling fire? The scent was getting stronger.
I gritted my teeth and forced myself upright, every muscle flaring in protest. Staggering toward the cave's entrance, I spotted her.
Elara sat cross-legged by a flickering fire, her back to me, calmly cooking thick slabs of bear meat on a spit.
She seemed to notice me, without even turning around she spoke.
"I was wondering when you'd stir. You're just in time for dinner."
I didn't reply and just walked down and sat opposite of her. My face was blank, but she could tell I was displeased.
"I needed to gauge your level," she said. "A person can only show their true capabilities in a life-or-death scenario. I just provided that scenario for you."
My face remained unchanged.
"You were never actually in danger of death. I just made you think you were."
"..."
"Are you really giving me the silent treatment?"
"..."
Her eyebrows started to twitch and the flames cooking the meat started to intensify. But I wouldn't budge.
"Fine, we'll just sit in silence."
"..."
"..."
This lasted for no more than three minutes before she cracked.
"… I'm sorry."
Without answering her I grabbed the bear meat she was cooking and started eating it.
'Not bad.'
Irritation and apology warred on her face as she waited for a response. I gave her none, just tore into the meat again.
Her look worsened and she was on the verge of exploding. It was obvious why she was like this.
'She made a deal with me with her pride on the line, yet she almost got me killed before she could honor it.'
'Add that to the fact that she has a million questions for me and I'm giving her the silent treatment.'
'She won't be able to handle the shame and frustration. Such is the mind of a Drakonid.'
I wasn't still mad at her, not really, even if she did nearly get me killed for the sake of her insufferable curiosity. But if I acted like I was, she'd be more agreeable. Easier to control.
'Well, this is enough torture for now.'
My lips parted.
"Elara."
Her once apologetic face brightened at the sound of my words.
"Hmm?"
My face was still blank, my voice soft and steady.
"Never do that again."
She didn't say anything, but she didn't need to. The silence said enough.
"How long was I out? And where are we?"
"Two days."
"We're still in the forest. I couldn't move you far in your condition."
'Two days, huh.'
Taking another look at Elara I knew she was dying to ask me questions, so I decided to indulge her.
"Go on, ask away."
That spark returned to her eyes the moment I said it.
'Cute.'
"You're quite smart and resourceful, but you're still weak."
"So why do you fight?"
'She's asking me the same thing as last time. Well, I guess I could give her an answer now.'
"... To prove my existence"
"Your existence? What do you mean?"
"I won't say any more. Ask another question."
Her lips parted, then closed again. She thought better of it. Good. That wasn't something I could explain.
Her shoulders eased as she let the question die, shifting to another.
"In the womb, all the shadows started acting strangely at one point. What did you do?"
'She wants to know about that?'
"It was a balefire."
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Ah, clever."
"You continue to surprise me."
'I better put an end to this, or else she won't stop.'
"You get two more."
She frowned at the limit, but didn't argue.
"Who was the human that freed me?"
'So she's finally asking me.'
I paused, weighing how much to give her.
"You'll find out soon."
Her lips pressed into a thin line. Not the answer she wanted, but she'd have to live with that.
"Then, when will I find out?"
"When we get to Bladepoint."
Elara blinked, then broke into a wide grin.
'Weird.'
"What's got you so chipper?"
"I was heading there before I ran into you, actually. Heard there are sword masters and weapon prodigies gathering."
Her eyes lit up. "They'd make for formidable opponents!"
'She's not wrong. Bladepoint's a haven for smiths and engineers. The best weapons in the world come from there, which means the strongest adapters go there to get them.'
She studied me, her excitement dimming slightly.
"Your condition will make it hard to travel. We should remain here for a couple days."
I glanced down at my body; I couldn't argue with her. I was a mess, every movement stung and leaving now would only worsen my injuries.
"Yeah… we'll leave in three days."
After saying this, Elara took a piece of meat. I followed suit.
The rest of the night passed in silence, broken only by the crackle of the fire.
***
Elsewhere, two figures sat together at a small restaurant booth.
"So he's in Bladepoint?" the blue-eyed stranger asked, their voice edged with tension.
Across from them sat a grey-eyed figure, calmly munching on a chocolate chip cookie.
"It would seem so," they said, indifferent.
"He's probably there to restock on equipment."
The stranger frowned. "That's troublesome. Causing a scene there is guaranteed to draw attention."
The figure shrugged. "It doesn't matter. Completing our mission is the priority. Everything else is just noise."
The stranger stared, irritation clear in their expression.
The other didn't even glance up, just reached for another cookie.
"It'll take three days," said the grey eyed figure.
"Why?" asked the stranger.
"It shouldn't take more than a few hours to get there."
"I have another mission that I was tasked with. I'll be doing it along the way."
The stranger sighed. "Let's get going, then."
No reply, just the quiet crunch of another bite as the figure stood.
They walked through the restaurant...
…stepping over the bodies of dozens of townspeople.