Dawn- An age of Darkness

We got back to the castle and informed the princess.

Beatrine sighed. "I suppose I'll have to keep my word. Minister, make the preparations for them to head to Alfeim as soon as possible." She probably didn't expect me to succeed.

"Very well, my lady."

I smiled. I was really happy. I would finally be able to repay my debt to Lianne. Although I might have reached a point where I couldn't really tell who was repaying who anymore.

"And about-"

"The village will be taken care of and we have come to a decision that there will be no more slums in the future. The state will provide for the family of the deceased." Beatrine didn't stutter for a second. It was as though she'd practiced this all along.

I chuckled. I couldn't control my laughter. She really did make my day. "Thank you," I spoke from the heart.

Beatrine only smiled in response.

I was leaving when Beatrine said," Let's just hope the debt you owe them is worth the risk."

I couldn't get what she meant and I didn't really care. But I still asked anyway. "Care to give me a little hint?"

"Magic for humans apart from healing is considered taboo among the other races, especially the elves. I'd be careful if I were you." Her reasons were sound. But I'd saved the elves' lives. So they wouldn't do anything to me. But I couldn't just throw away Beatrine's warning either. "Duly noted."

I visited Lianne one more time. The elf boy wasn't here. I stood in her room for a few minutes. I'll get you home. I promise.

Afterward, I went to my room and took rest. Sometime later the elf boy came to visit.

"I heard the news. You have my greatest of gratitude. Thank you."

"You're welcome. "

He didn't stay long either. His conduct seemed a little different but maybe it was because he was so tensed till now. Things moved fast, too fast perhaps.

Refina cleaned up and left too.

Before leaving Refina said something; something which actually made me feel a little disturbed. "I know how kind you are, but please keep your kindness to a minimum and never let your guard down. Who knows, the enemy might be hidden among someone you trust."

I wondered what she meant. I couldn't understand it. Was she implying that I should be worried about my friends being enemies? Or was she suggesting they might end up being controlled like the princess? In any case I couldn't wrap my head around it. Maybe I ought to be a little careful. It'd be stupid to let my guard down.

It was weird but the day was over rather fast. It was peaceful and fun. But I felt a little unease. Maybe it was because all that I've suffered. It will only get better from here. I went to bed.

I rested quite well. Yet again I dreamt of my family. I wanted to forget about them. I really, really wanted to, but couldn't, my subconscious, wouldn't let me. I wanted to escape from those memories and yet I couldn't.

"Daarc you awake?"

I had just woken up. My eyes were still closed. "Yeah."

Gorgan came in. "The preparations are done. You should be able to leave as early as the afternoon."

"Really? That's awesome." I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was too sleepy. Maybe my voice reflected that, as half of my pronunciations were half assed.

"I'll give you a warning, and this is all I can tell you. The roads can be quite windy but never lose sight of what's beneath you and behind you. Hopefully they won't bare their fangs against their benefactor."

My eyes opened wide and my brain jumpstarted. I didn't reply for he didn't wait for my reply and left immediately. The ominous feeling in the air was breathtaking. The elves might be the enemy? After all she'd done for me? Sorry, but I don't want to believe that. I wasn't dense enough to not understand what he or the others meant but I didn't really want to believe them either. But in respect to their wishes, I kept my guard up.

My pain was back again. So I had to drink another potion. Last night Meriane had handed me the two bottles. The way she was clutching to the potions made me chuckled. What a waste of good will and money. It still tasted amazing though.

Most of my things were inside this room along with my broken sword and unusable armor. All this time I was running around with the clothes of Gorgan. Strangely, his clothes fitted me more than him.

I didn't want to keep extra baggage so I didn't take the sword or the armor: besides, they were unusable anyway. After getting everything ready I left that wonderful room and headed for the throne room.

The large door opened and I went in. With a solid bow I offered my gratitude. It hurt like hell when I bowed. My body still wasn't ready.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me."

"No. Thank you. I hope you achieve what you are aiming for and don't get sidetracked." Beatrine signaled a knight. "A parting gift."

That knight brought me armor, a sword and a pouch full of useful items along with some money.

"This sword…?"

"The blacksmith had given it to me a few days ago," Gorgan said.

It was the sword Dune had given me: it was shorter than what it had been but at least it was here. The armor was similar to the one I had.

Honestly I was glad from the bottom of my heart. "Thank you."

Everyone smiled in response. I thanked them again.

"I want to visit the graves. I'll be back before the departure." We still had time. And since I'd be going far away, I wanted to pay my respects.

"I'll lead you lad," Jacour said.

"That would help."

We said goodbye to the princess and headed out of the castle. Me and Jacour went to the slums and visited the mass grave: Gorgan followed us too.

The grave was massive. At least a few thousand lay here: I saw some people paying their respects. I didn't ask for forgiveness, I didn't cry, and I didn't whine. I regretted and moved on.

The promised hour visited when the sun reached the western hemisphere. The ship we were supposed to get on was still being checked by Zeorando and his men. They took the boat on a trial run around the port area of the town. It was fun to see them so cheered up. After the tests were over, we got onboard.

"By the way, Prince Araan, how are your injuries?" It was a little awkward to call him anything other than elf boy.

"Call me Araan. You can even call me Elf boy if you like. And as you can see, I'm fine."

I smiled awkwardly. I called him elf boy so many times that it really felt weird calling him by his name.

I didn't ask anything other than that. The ship left the port. Jocaur, Gorgan, Meriane were waving at me. Even the princess had come to see us off. Refina was there too and she shouted. "PLEASE TAKE CARE. AND DON'T FORGET TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF!"

It was a blissful farewell. I waved back as they became blurred images.

The journey began as I watched the marvelous sunset. It was a calm evening. I wasn't prone to sea sickness (thank heavens). I walked around the entire ship and checked everything. The captain was a serious man. He looked like a pirate; not someone you'd want to mess with.

I went downstairs and checked on Lianne. Elf-boy was there. "How's she? Any improvement?"

"I don't see any."

I never even asked about it before as it didn't really matter. What mattered most was getting her to Alfeim to get treated. "What happened to her anyway?"

His voice contained pain. "Her undead side is taking over. I don't know how you got that elixir but…. Elixir's have very bad side effects on some elves…." He kept quiet

Lianne… so it was my fault? It didn't make me feel any better knowing that. No wonder the prince had kept it from me all this time. I tried to not think about it. Maybe I was just running away from my own mistakes.

I didn't stay there for long. I was feeling a little lonely. I don't know why but I think I kind of liked the city of Moire and the cheerfulness. It reminded me of my own town.

I went back to my cabin. It was swaying pretty badly. Even just moments ago the sea was calm. I went back to the deck. It was raining pretty badly too. The sky was still red from the fading sunlight. The whole boat was swaying. Large tides were rising in the distance.

"What's going on?" I screamed.

"That damn sea king is hunting! But why the hell is this happening now!" the captain declared.

"Hey, SOMEONE FELL OVERBOARD!" Suddenly someone screamed from the sidelines. Everyone was too busy maintaining the ship.

I rushed to the side. I couldn't spot anyone in the massive ripples.

Slam! Gravity slowly tilted and my body decided to lean forward.

"Forgive me." Someone whispered.

The water of the sea gradually came closer and closer, welcoming me. What is happening? Am I falling? My brain took a second to process everything.

Before going overboard, I turned around. Everything was moving in slow motion. All I saw were two large blue eyes-leaking streams of liquid on cheeks- and a grin I would never forget in my life. Why?

Water sneaked in and I slowly answered gravity. My armor was too heavy to move anyway. My eyes burned as saltwater covered them, but I kept them open. My lungs were screaming for air, my body went cold. Panicking wouldn't do anything so, I didn't even struggle. I suppose this is what you guys meant Gorgan, Refina. I can't blame the elves either now can I? After all they were betrayed first. But why?

The ship moved further and further away from me. Finally, my autonomous system took over and I was struggling to survive. But it was too late and there was nothing left to do. My body turned downwards by the drift and I was amazed. The ocean floor was deep and dark. But there was something there. Something big; something very big, and long. I saw two large red eyes with black pupils. Everything went dark, and I finally lost my consciousness. I might never wake up again.. The only question remained. Why?

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