I decided to write this chapter in memory of my old friend. Bleh, there isn't really a different style of writing in this, just the dedication. I suppose. Just ignore my ranodm rambling. And Thank you all for reviewing! I love you all so much! (squeak)

Darkness Looms
Chapter Seven: Hunting Lost Dreams

"Nall, I must ask you. What ever became of our friends?"

We were sitting across from one another in a room high up in the Silver Tower. It was a privllage to be invited into the tower, and since the chance came so rarely, she knew no one would find us up here. Slightly, my ears fell backwards as I watched dread spread across Mia's face. Although her appearance had changed over the years, she still had the same soul that I once knew. Lacing my hands together, I could only feel sorry for her not being able to figure out that all our friends were dead, because she had to be in hiding. And that presented another question in my mind. Why was Mia hiding? She was supposeded to be the leader of the Magical Guild, but instead her daughter was. This made no sense.

"Mia, I think you know the answer to that," Mumbles escaped my lips after I finished my response. Out of all my comrades on the journey, Mia was the one who truly understood me, besides Alex that was. Her azul eyes seemed to flicker disappointment as she took a sip of tea from a polished glass cup. So she finally relieazed. Honestly, I was starting to feel like I was making her more depressed by the second.

"I don't want it to be true, but it is."

"Death is a part of life, Mia. You must have relieazed that when Nash died."

"I know, Nall. But to think all of the past is gone..."

"That's nonsense," I protested, crossing my arms. Her flicker blue eyes glanced at me with a hint of confusion. How could she give up that fast? Or maybe she was just depressed. "The past isn't gone. You and me are living proof of that. Don't you see? Without our courage this world would have fell on tourmoil," I contiuned. This wasn't like me. Usually I was very negative, but to see Mia act like me? That was insane!

"And soon our lives will be cut short also," She looked downward and swirled her spoon in the steaming coffee.

"Mia! Even if that's true, your daughter will keep your legeacy going! You've done a wonderful job running this guild and putting it back into working order! To think fifty years ago Vane was on the ground and completely demolished! As long as you stay positive, Vane will stay perfect forever," I nodded sharply.

"Give me sometime to think, White Dragon," Mia whispered.

"Since when have you ever called me 'White Dragon'?" I asked angrily, arising to my feet. She kept her gaze on her cup, and didn't even notice me stand up. "Mia? Mia! Pay attention!" I snapped sharply.

"Leave at once. Once I've had time to think about things, I'll summon you back here," She whispered.

"Mia..." I grunted.

"Do it! Please... Nall."And with that, she must have casted a spell that sent me out of the room, because I remember waking up in the middle of a garden with tons of grass in my mouth.

"Disguisting!" I huffed, spitting out the blades of grass and dirt that was in my mouth. Sitting up, I glanced around my new surroundings. Flowers and smells filled all my senses as I glanced in every direction. This seemed like the Royal Gardens, it had to be. Sighing, I rubbed my hands together. As expected, I felt scrapes and cuts on them. Grunting, I looked at my surroundings once more.

"I take it you had a fall-out with Mia, correct?"

Jerking upwards, I basically fell to the side from shock. You know the feeling. Something or someone says something all of a sudden and you jerk as a reaction. Widening my eyes, I noticed Zoteaki was standing by my side holding that amused smile upon his lips. He looked less stressed than earlier, and I had to be thankful. If we had any success of stopping Ghaelon, we'd have to stay positive.

"Never do that again..." I snapped, brushing off the dirt I had aroused.

"Sorry." His defeaning looks contiuned to watch me. "What happened between you two?" Curiosity filled the blue dragon's voice.

"Nothing," I hesitated, glancing up at him.

"Don't lie to me. I want to know what happened," This time it was him to snap angriliy.

"I said nothing, and I meant it, Zoteaki!" I responded just as peeved as before. My pulse pounded, as I silently ran over what had just happened. Mia was being negative, and Zoteaki was pounding me for details. Slowly, I arose to my feet and finished brushing off the dirt. Trying not to look the dragon in the eye, I glanced around to find the nearest exit.

"What's with you lately?" I heard Zoteaki ask.

"I'm always like this." I murmured.

"If you are, then I apologize. But from what I've seen, this behavior is very out of character for you," Zoteaki began. Twitching my ears, I clenched my fists defensively.

"Stop talking to me as if I'm one of your damn students!" I hissed, starring him defiantley in the eye. Sudden stun appeared in his cold blue eyes. Uneasily, I looked away. The ground suddenely became interesting, as I tried to avoid any eye contact. "I didn't mean to yell."

"I understand you've been through a lot, but that's no reason to act like a self-ish ass," That was the first time I had ever heard the level-headed dragon swear to me. Stunned, I looked back at him to see fury across his face.

"If you think I'm such an ass, then why travel with me?" I asked, sizing him up.

"Why? Why do you think?" He snapped back.

"I have no clue! So why don't you enlighten me!" I contiuned yelling.

"You're the onlything I have left, god damnit!" He hissed.

"You've got to be kidding me," I looked downward.

"Not that way, you moron." He spoke bitterly. I looked up for him to contiune. "After my sister's death, I made a promise to myself that I'd stop Ghaelon, and you're the only person who can defeat him." He explainied.

"Oh really..." I found this hard to believe.

"You once stopped Ghaelon before, correct?" Zoteaki asked, furry fading and a sudden disturbed look spread across his face.

"Yes, why?"

"Then you must know his weakness! Don't you see! You can end this living hell for me!"

"Living hell? What do you mean-?"

"In time you'll realize what I mean. We leave first thing tomorrow to the Red Dragon Cave." And with that, Zoteaki turned his back to me and walked back into the hallways of the Magical Guild. Completely shaken, I stood there helplessly. Something was bothering him. He was acting so different from any other person I've traveled with. True, I'd trade him in for any of my former companions, but he was so mysterious. I felt my body shaking as I fixed my icy stare on the door he exited from. Pulse fading, I felt my breath return to normal. With a sigh of guilt, I left the garden to return to my room.

"Awaken."

Small beams of light entered my eyes. I was completely surrounded by a glowing warmth, and felt emensley small compared to this large world. My body... it felt so cold. And my fur. A watery liquid clung to it as I breathed heavily from where I lay. Lay on the cold hard stone beneath me. Who was I? Where was I?

"You are Nall."

That's it. My name was Nall. Slowly, I remembered I had wings. Extending them, I felt water drip from them. Adressing my attention back to my surroundings, I noticed the room had a eerie yellow glowing to it. I couldn't see two feet in front of me, but yet I knew what was here. That made no sense, but it made all the sense to me.

"You were born for the soul purpose of serving the Goddess Althena."

No... that's not what my whole life is built on. It can't be. This eternal damnation couldn't all be used on a such a task. My body slowly began to shake, as I felt a darkness loom around me. Paws supporting my body began to shake as my breath became heavy.

"You are the White Dragon, a servant for the Goddess."

The... white dragon? This name seemed a haunting feeling to it. Where was my future, where was my past? The room seemed to spin around me, but I couldn't see it. Everything felt wrong. Nothing felt right. No memories were in my mind. This fake identity of being a servant. Could this be what my life would be made of?

"Your care-taker will be the next dragonmaster, Alex. Until the fall of the current White Dragon, you will serve under him. Understood?"

"No."

"No?"

"I will not serve anyone," I stammered. My voice was so small compared to this vast emptiness.

"You're very exsistence is for this purpose, and yet you deny it?"

"Yes." I answered simply. My body slowly gained control, and I began stepping forward into the darkness. My heart pounded and my eyes were beginning to adjust to the darkness around me. Bravery, is this what I was feeling? I contiuned to contiune walking. No fear was in my heart. What was fear anyhow? After what seemed like a few minutes of walking forward, I felt myself walking up stairs. Stairs, leading to where? Still, fear had no place in my heart. Arriving at the top of these stairs, I saw a glowing black liquid in a silver bowl. Stunned, I took a step backwards and just looked at it uneasily.

"Look at it, Nall."

"What is it?" I questioned, tilting my head. Ears falling back, I wiggled my nose to smell the scent around me. Something wasn't quite right.

"This if your life."

"My, life?" Stepping forward, I glanced down into the liquid. As if it were a movie, glimpses of people and places flashed before my eyes. Thoughts flooded through me at rapid speeds. A girl with long blue hair, with the name Luna. My companions, Jessica, Kyle, Nash, Mia, Alex everyone. Then came the rise and defeat of Ghaelon the magical emperor. Then... a familiar face with a blue glowing aurora. Something was different about him. Just as I was figuring it out, and why he seemed so important, another slide flashed in my head of a pink dragon and her calling me by my name... Nall. Her name? Ruby.

"Nall."

"This isn't all my life. Something's missing," I whispered, shaking.

"Nall."

"What do you want from me? LEAVE ME ALONE?"

"Nall!"

I was shaken awake. Body tensing, I snapped open my eyes. I was laying in my bed in the Magical Guild wrapped in a few blankets. Sweat rolled down my face, and my throat tightened from fear. And that's when I remembered what fear was. Blinking a few times, I glanced over to see Zoteaki starring at me worridely. Taking a few deep breaths, I pushed the blankets out of my face and looked at him with utter confusion written on my face.

"Nall, are you okay?"

"Of course. Just a bad dream," I stated simply in a grunt. Parts of the dream escaped my mind, but the whole idea would never be forgotten. I was born for the soul-purpose of serving the ultimate power. This was wrong. I'd never serve under the goddess. Yes, I did respect her, but there was more to life. There just had to be!

"That's good," He paused and looked downward. "I'm sorry if I upset you yesterday." Zoteaki began, lacing his fingers together nervously. Shakng my head, I could only be even more confused. Yesterday? Had I really slept through the remainder of the day and the whole night and not remember falling asleep? That's got to be insane!

"No, I just needed some time to think," I lied easily.

"Do you want to head off today? Or do you wish for another day to rest?" Zoteaki spoke softly, unsure whether to treat me with care or brutal-ness. Shaking my head feriouscely, I got out of bed and gathered a new pair of clothes.

"Today is fine. We need to gather the forces of the dragon's before Ghaelon has a chance to maniuplate them," I spoke, slipping on a my vest over my night shirt. I wasn't really too concerned how Zoteaki felt about setting off today.

"Alright, good. I'll come back in ten minutes to come get you. I have to bid my farwells," And with that he turned around and left the room. Something was wrong. He seemed way to melancholy. Stomach lurching, I feared that he didn't want to leave. But leaving a dragon with one of the most powerful soreseccors wasn't the best idea, even though I knew he'd love the idea.

"And I thought Alex was indecivious," I groaned, and went to get changed. Fixing into my normal clothes, I stepped out of the bathroom and looked out my window. The sun shone brightly, and the light filled my mind was pure thoughts. Just knowing that darkness hadn't consumed everything was a good thought. As long as I was alive, I wouldn't let this world be destroyed. No possible way."I'll figure out the purpose of my exsistence," I promised myself, watching the sun blaze in the sky. Everything seemed so peaceful. This was the first real time I really began to think about the other dragons. What were they like? Were they as secretive at Zoteaki? Or do they seek answers on their life like me?

"Whatever. They'll have to see my light on the situation," I murmured, silentely praying that the last two dragons would take my side against Ghaelon. Each second I wasted was another chance he had to take power over them. Stomach sick from fury, I clenched my fists tightly. The one thing that kept me from getting angry was me remebering that I didn't have to wear those vile robes any more. Those things were so disguisting.

"Nall?" Twitching my ears, I glanced over at the door to the entrance of my room. Uneasily, I decided to respond.

"Who is it?"

"It's Mia. Let me in," I heard her speak uneasily. Walking over to the door, I opened it and let her in. Something seemed distressed about. My heart pounding, I watched as she paced back and forth through the room, almost like she was waiting for something. "Bad news, Nall. Very bad."

"What's wrong!" I spoke, stopping instantly.

"Ghaelon has been spotted near the Red Dragon Shrine. My rescourses claim he hasn't been able to enter, yet. You have to hurry and stop him," Mia rushed, pashing me a back-pack filled with blankets and useful items I wouldn't even think I'd need. Pulse rising, my breaths quickened.

"I will not let him take cusotidy of another Dragon's life!" I hissed loudly. Mia stopped and looked at me with that familar look she had. The same look she had when Alex went to save Luna. The same look she had when I promised I'd protect this world.

"You haven't changed at all, Nall." She smiled. "Besides the new body." She lightly grinned and passed me a necklace. Stunned, I set down the backpack upon the bed on my left. The gold necklace exchanged from her hand to mine. Running my other palm across it, I noticed it was a locket. Daringly, I opened the locket. Inside was the red dragon aurora. Now I was officially confused. "Take that with you."

"Mia! How did you get this!" I stuttered.

"There's no time for that, Nall!" Mia rushed, picking up the bag and shoving it into my arms.

"What's going on! Why do you seem so flustered. Why do you have the red dragon's aurora?" I asked, closing the locket and placing it around my neck so I could hold the bag.

"They know I'm alive, Nall. It's not safe for you anymore in Vane." A tear trickeled down my eldest friends face.

"Mia, why are you crying?" I was afraid of the truth.

"They're going to destroy Vane, and there's nothing I can do," More tears appeared in her once proud eyes. Everything she had ever worked for was going to be ripped from her. "Please, Nall. I don't want you to be caught up in all this mess. Leave Vane to my mages. Make sure you reach the Shrine before Ghaelon can take it over." Mia whimpered.

"Mia... you're as stubborn as hell," I winced and glanced out the window. "I'm sorry I can't help and protect this place you love so much." This was agony. Leaving Mia to watch the destruction of her home.

"It's not your fault. Now, go!" She spoke, shoving her face into her hands. Usually she was so full of energy and spunky. But now? When she was rendered helpless, she became a wreck. It honestly felt like needles were being jammed into my broken heart. Biting down on my lip, I extended my left hand and placed it upon her shoulder, while holding the bag in my right.

"I promise you, when this is all over, Vane will stand tall. I promise Mia." I spoke, and rushed out of the room.

After leaving the room, I realized how stupid I was acting. I couldn't let this place be destroyed! I met so many people here, this was my second home. Stomach lurching, I glanced down the hall, trying to devise a plan on how to prepare the Guild for an ambush.

"Nall! There you are!" Zoteaki spoke, running down the hall towards me. Sharply turning my head, I watched him charge at me with fear in his eyes. He was back into his usual tunic and slacks, like myself. Placing the backpack on my back, I awaited him to near me. "We have to get out of here, " He breathed heavily arriving at me. He starred me straight in the eye as he caught his breath. "It seems the Vile Tribe has sided with Ghaelon and has been resurrected in attempts to bring judgement upon the world." Zoteaki panted, with anxiouty qavering in his voice.

"Exactly, and that's why we stay and fight," I demanded with fire blazing in my eyes.

"Nall, you're not thinking clearly. I have weighed all our options, and if we stay here, we'll be destroyed leaving the world with two dragons." Zoteaki began.

"How can you abandon you're students, you're home!" I hollered in demand. He seemed stunned, but grief flickered in his eyes as he starred at the marble floor below us.

"God damnit, Nall. I know that. But if we don't go, we'll die!" He came back as sharply.

"Then I'll die protecting this land!" I spoke about to charge off. Zoteaki grabbed my by the arm and beared his teeth.

"Stop acting like an ass," he hissed at me.

"Let me go, now!" I commanded, trying to shake him off. His dragon claws seemed to appear as he tightened his grasp around my arm, not letting me go.

"The only place you'll be going is with me to the Red Dragon Shrine," he snapped, with defiance in his eyes.

"After," I began but Zoteaki hissed and tightened his grasp. "Would you stop fucking hurting me!" I yelled but he didn't let go. It was a reflex, but I lashed out and smacked him across the face with all my strength. His hand losened it's grasp as he shook his head from disbelief. I starred at him, almost as if I didn't do anything wrong. I then knew this would be my chance to run off. So I took the hint. I charged off down the hall, basically jumping down the stairs, and running through the main hall in the chaos around me. I wouldn't let this world be destroyed. Reaching the grand doors, I flung them open with all my might. Bad idea.

Starring at me, eye to eye was the devil himself. Purple eyes starred at me with amusement, and his grey skin glowed in the hell-ish sun. Stunned, I fell backwards upon my bottom and starred at him with fear. Ghaelon snickered and looked down at me.

"My, my. If it isn't my favorite dragon," Ghaelon snickered. Heart-pounding, I slowly slid myself backwards, while keeping eye contact. He slowly approached me as his soldiers went forwards on each of my sides to invade the magical guild. Blood running ice cold, I couldn't make any words. "What's this? Cat got your tongue?" A sly smirk crossed his face.

"You son of a--" I began, clenching my fists. Something flashed in his eyes as he used his endless mind powers to lift my body in the air.

"Now, now. You shouldn't speak to your leader like that," He crossed his arms and watched me float helplessly in the air in front of him.

"You will never take control of this world, you bastard," I snapped, trying to break the spell. Useless.

"But I will. And you are to blame for the destruction of this city. You will forever be known as the betrayer to all humans," Ghaelon snickered. He rose his hand and was about to strike me with what seemed like a Limbo-bound spell with his left hand, but something hit him in the back of the head. He sharply turned around and saw Zoteaki standing feet away from him with blue fireballs in his hands.

"Let him go, now," Zoteaki hissed, ready to hurl another ball of fire at him. At first I thought Ghaelon was willing to cooperate, but that sly smirk returned and he could only laugh. That laugh. It sent shivers down my back.

"Do you think you, a servant of the goddess, can defeat me?" He contiuned to laugh. Zoteaki looked downward, as if he believed the dark emperor words. "Exactly. It's useless."

"Let Nall go, and leave this place," Zoteaki spoke, creating the fireballs once more.

"Such useless resistance you dragons have." Ghaelon shook his head. Biting down on my teeth, I managed to catch eye contact with Zoteaki to silently thank him.

"I said, let him go!" Zoteaki hollered through the room and shot a fireball at Ghaelon. As expect, Ghaelon easily deflected it with one hand and turned around to me with a snicker.

"Whatever you're planning, Nall, it's useless. You and your human may have won last time with the help of the goddess, but soon all will bow down to me. Including... you," He spoke, and ran his hand across my face, creating a deep slice in my cheek. Wincing in pain, I watched as he turned around and disappaited into thin air. As soon as he was gone from site, my body fell to the ground in a loud thud.

"Mia... everyone, forgive me," I squinted, and closed my eyes.

"Get up," I heard Zoteaki's voice in my ringing ears and glanced up with blurry vision. I saw him standing above me, as the fireballs slowly faded from his hands.

"I don't deserve to live," I spoke bitterly, laying on the ground in defeat.

"Get up, now," Zoteaki demanded unsheating his sword and jabbing at me lightly in the shoulder. Shaking, I slowly stood up and looked at him with anger and hate in my eyes. "Finally." Zoteaki mumbled and looked at the Main Hall which was completely destroyed now. Clashing of swords was heard further down the hall.

"I want to help them," I spoke, drawing his attention back to me.

"You can't, I'm sorry." Zoteaki spoke, with melancholy looming in his voice.

"What will become of this place?'

"I don't know... but fate will take it's course. Now please, let's go."

"One more thing, Zoteaki."

"Yes?"

"Thanks for saving me just now," I whispered, avoiding eye contact.

"No problem," He seemed stunned I was thanking him.

"I owe you," I muttered.

"Yes, now let's get going!"

"Fine..." I closed my eyes and felt the power of teleportation flow through my body.

I can't accept defeat. I won't accept defeat. Ghaelon, you're going straight back to hell for what you've done to this peaceful world. That's a promise, you sick son of a bitch. You'll die in my hands, and your blood and defeat will fill my senses. I promise you, damnit.

AN:

Nall seems so evil and full of hatred. Bleh, GHAELON ISH EVIL! and yes, poor Mia. Anyways, next chapter up soon, promise! And yes. The Red Dragon is in the next chapter. That I can assure you. Ahem, until then, thanks for reading.