The last thing she remembered was someone sobbing softly as darkness took her. Please don't mourn me. She wanted to say, yet no words would come out and she couldn't reach beyond the realm she'd found herself in to interact with the living. All she was able to do was watch as things long thought dead or asleep step into the light while summer waned. I have to warn them, let me out! She wanted to scream, but found she had no voice.

Only those who find the door can go back. Etheral whispers swirled around her, almost as familiar as the faces she sometimes saw peering out of the shadows. And few that be have ever found it from either side.

Can't you help me find the way?

Who are you that we should help you? If you cannot remember, you wouldn't even be able to help yourself. Going back would serve no purpose.

I'm sure I would remember once I am there.

Many have made such claims, none of which were true. You cannot help others without your memory.

She might have been tempted to beg if she'd been a lesser woman, but she had a will of iron and would not stoop so low. I remember I am strong and wilful, so if you will not help me I will find the way out on my own. She took the silence that followed as an acknowledgement and walked with one hand pressed against the invisible wall she had found between her dark realm and the world of the living, searching for any hint of the door. There was no concept of time in this place, so she used what she could see to gauge how long she wandered before the texture of the wall changed. It felt like scaled leather armor and she jumped as a luminous lavender eye opened to peer at her.

Who dares to wake the blood of the dragon?

Blood of the dragon? The words sounded so familiar to her and she didn't know why. You mean you remember who you are?

Hardly. It was merely obvious I am a dragon. And do you know what you are?

I suppose I am human, since I walk on two legs and have hands. Feels like I might have been more once.

He snorted. Of course you were, you simply haven't taken the time to focus on anything besides getting out like a trapped animal. Didn't anyone ever tell you the harder you struggle against a net, the tighter it becomes?

I think I've heard that somewhere before. Is that why you haven't tried looking for the way out?

You really don't get it, do you? Self realization is the key and not in a metaphorical sense. Without your memory, there is no door. Many have passed this way convinced they will find one, only to be back.

And how do I know you're not the guardian of the door?

His translucent inner eyelid closed slowly over his reptilian-slitted pupil, then opened again all while his amethyst eye never wavered from it's focus on her. A fair question. Those with gods always assume it will be a deity from their religion, not some godless beast.

You mean you don't have gods?

If I ever did, I can no longer recall them. Can you?

There are times I see faces looking at me, familiar in their sterness.

How many are there? What do they look like?

I have lost count of their number, but their features always look like they were carved out of wood. Why do you ask?

No one has been able to see anything in this blackness for as long as I can remember. Tell me, can you glimpse beyond into the world of the living?

Yes, quite often actually. Can you?

Every once in a while. Perhaps we can be of use to each other.

I'd rather be your ally than an enemy.

He made a sound deep in his throat she assumed was a chuckle. Wise choice. Do you have any memories of your past?

I think I had siblings...three, maybe. You?

Two that I knew of for sure. I may have had a family of my own, but I can't recall.

I don't think I ever got married. I probably was supposed to, though.

I would imagine so with your good looks. There must have been lots of suitors wanting to wed you.

No idea. She shrugged uncomfortably. So what's our first move?

Since you can't recall your bloodline, perhaps some meditation will help. I didn't think it would do anything for me at first, but I have noticed that this place works in opposites. If you do the things you wish to do least, there are results.

Might explain why I haven't gotten anywhere doing what I want.

Yes, I noticed the same thing. At first, I did nothing and realized that wasn't the answer either since I wanted to give up.

She sighed softly and sat on the ground next to him. I hate the idea of sitting still, so let's try it.

You're off to the right start. Clear your mind of anything that might distract you, including what you may consider motivating. Desire can cloud judgement and impair rational thinking, leading you to believe you need only your will to find what you seek. Being determined and allowing one's self to be driven on blindly are two different things.

Were you always so philosophical?

Hard to say. I get the feeling I was scholarly, but it's also apparent I am quite fierce as a warrior. Is it possible to be both?

I think so, but what would I know about such things?

As much as anyone else, I would imagine. We're getting off topic, meditate.

She closed her eyes reluctantly and pushed everything out of her head. She was aware of the massive dragon beside her and their breathing. It felt like a waste of time and she wanted to stop, so she forced herself to continue and not think of anything until she had no more thoughts entering her mind and drifted off into a trance.