Living in the Past

"Nall, please wake up. It's noon."

Gentle whips of air played delicately across my face as I lay in complete peace. After the night before's events, I had decided to spend the full night, and most of the day safely tucked away in bed. This was one place I knew I'd always be safe and where I could think about where my life was headed. I needed my dragon aurora, and to stop Ghaelon. Thankfully, both goals intertwined so I easily took refuge with my companions. Rather they share their secrets with me or not was their choice, not mine.

"Please wake up, Amber will be mad at me if you don't hurry."

For some reason this voice was gentler than the two I was accustomed to being awaken to. Amber was more of a 'Get Your Lazy Bum Out Of Bed' voice, and Zoteaki was more of a 'Your wasting your life sleeping, get up" kind of speech. But this? The word please was used in every sentence.

Cracking open a lazy eye, I glanced up at Kia who was tilting her head at me. Long blue hair was pulled back into a ponytail as bangs on both sides of her face fell down. Dark turquoise eyes starred into my own as I laid there, clenching the blankets tightly. Glancing around the room beyond the young girl, I noticed she was the only one here.

"Where is everyone?" I replied gruffly, pushing the blankets off my body. Instantly, I noticed I was wearing my same clothes and a gentle blush overcame my inside. Had I really forgotten to change last night after I went out to speak with Zoteaki?

"They left already. Said something about gathering inventory and training. All of them seem eager to train." Kia spoke, with a slight smile as she pushed her bangs out of her eyes.

"Zoteaki is training in his condition? Is he plain nuts?" I hissed to himself and remembered some of my unearthed wounds. One of these days I would remember how it feels to not have any wounds upon your body. Then again, I had to keep pain out of my mind and continue onward.

"They sent me to come and get you." Kia smiled lightly. She was wearing a black leather vest and a long black skirt. Traveling clothes to her it seemed. Sighing, I sat up on the bed and signaled for her to take a seat. Something was bothering me, and I needed to find it out.

"You're Lethe's closest friend, correct?" I asked, watching her every movement. Leisurely, the teenager sat down beside me and bit at her bottom lip.

"Yes, why?"

"What makes Lethe so sure he is the next dragon master?" I asked, furrowing an eyebrow.

"After the accident he promised himself he'd become the next dragon master.." Kia whispered.

"That makes no sense, and what accident? Please elaborate." I replied. Nothing was making sense with such vague responses as 'the accident'. What could an accident do in relation to becoming a dragon master?

"The night Lethe's brother got killed by a group of black clothed men. They weren't thieves, nor ninjas. They're battle techniques were unlike anything I ever saw. When they got to Lethe, a sudden power filled him and he struck them all down with one blow. I was overjoyed when I arrived by his power, but that power backfired when he went crazy from the power and attack ed me.." Kia looked astray.

"Crazy from the power?"

"Some unearthly power he couldn't control took him over and he attacked the closest object. And that just happened to be me." She whispered, keeping her gaze away from me. "So he promised himself he'd learn to control this power, and become a dragon master and put it to better use instead of killing."

"Unearthly power..." Crossing my arms, a sudden alertness filled my body. What if he just snapped during the journey and turned on us just like he did to Kia! Was he really a safe person to keep in our team?

"Please allow Lethe to chance to fulfill his destiny.. I believe in him," Kia begged, sparring a look over at me.

"What if he goes crazy again? Either him or us will be destroyed in the process." I replied as fear glittered in my eyes. I wasn't really wanting to say good bye to any of my comrades. They each had their own faults, but they were each important in the role of stopping Ghaelon. And I had to keep telling myself that.

"Zoteaki is teaching him to control his powers. Please, Nall, he truly is the next dragon master." Kia whispered softly.

"How can you be so sure. Wanting to be and being something are two completely different cases." Raising an eyebrow, I watched the young girl pass through the room, bearing a scornful expression.

"Give him time, that's all I'm asking. I'm positive he's the next dragon master. Watch him fight, watch him when someone he cares for is put in danger. He wants this more than anything, and he poses the traits. I'm sure."

"Fine... I agree, but the others I'm not sure can be persuaded that easily. Besides, if he does show signs of uncontroable power, I will personally kick him out." Sending a fierce glance to Kia, she nodded quickly and grabbed her bag from the coach in the room and looked astray to the door.

"We really should be going." Kia pro-clared.

"Coming." I sounded, grabbing my bag, swinging it over my back, and scampering behind the blunette.

As we approached the plaza of Pentigual, we slowed our pace. In sight was Zoteaki wielding a blade, with a flipped over Lethe on his back. Glancing over, I saw fear flash in Kia's eyes as she charged up to her friend. Sighing, I scanned the plaza and noticed Amber on a bench, nose buried into the backpack she carried.

"You'll never learn anything if you stick to the basics..." Zoteaki muttered.

Walking up to the group, I watched as Kia helped Lethe up and dust off. The two young members of the group walked to the other side of the plaza and engaged in chit-chater. Amber didn't phased at all that I had arrived, and it really didn't bother me. Sighing miserably from the lack of sleep I have been getting lately, I observed Zoteaki standing stiff as stone, wielding his blade that shimmered in the dim sunlight. On his hands were several thick bandages, stained with the faintest of red. Wincing, I realized how painful it must be to fight after your hands had been slashed into pieces.

"Why are you fighting after what happened!" I walked up to his side. Deep breaths followed my reply as he glanced over his shoulder with a distant stare. Sheathing his blade on his left side, he kept his firm glare at me, but did not say anything.

"You know you can't fight with those wounds. You're pushing yourself to hard!" I snapped, shoving Zoteaki so he was facing me. Instantly, I felt a hand reach out and smack me across the face. Squinting from pain, but more so shock, I opened my eyes and starred at Zoteaki who was panting, bearing the same distant stare.

"No one tells me when I should or shouldn't be fighting." Zoteaki huffed.

"If you don't take it easy now, you'll regret it later!" I attempted before Zoteaki's glance seriously sent shivers down my spine.

"You don't understand." He turned away and glanced off in the other direction. Biting down on my bottom lip, I reached out and turned the dragon around with a prudent glare.

"How can you say that! You told me everything you had to deal with when you were younger, you told me about Jasmine, about Lily, what's not to understand!" I wanted answers, and I wanted them now.

"If I were to tell you everything it'd be a waste." Zoteaki sighed, avoiding my gaze.

"Zoteaki, it isn't all that bad. Now you've got friends, and you're fighting for a cause. If your past is that painful, then live to forget. I can help you if you just wipe that glare off your face and stop being such a stubborn jackass." I hissed, but my words slowly became soothing lectures by the end of my second sentence.

"I can't forget... and when I remember.. I want to die." Zoteaki whispered.

"We've been through this, Zoteaki. You can't die, 'member our conversation yesterday?" I asked, tilting my head lightly.

"Whatcha talking about?"

Glancing over I noticed Amber had butt into our conversation as always. Sighing, I spared a look over to the red dragon and put on a light smile. Even when she was annoying, she had that amusing and soothing appearance. Even if I was the only one to think that.

Nothing of importance." Zoteaki spoke, casting his stare upon her.

"Whoah.. you both look so serious, it's starting to make me think you really are serious about this!" Amber smiled lightly and placed the backpack upon her shoulders. Zoteaki nodded lightly and glanced over at me with his left eye before placing it upon Amber. Wondering what the short glance was for, I just stood there.

"Yes, I believe I am."

And then I knew what he meant.

"Le! Kiki! Time to set off!" Amber called across the plaza, waving to the others. It took a few moments for them to backtrack over here. So it was us five against Ghaelon. And possibly six when we recruited the Black dragon. Whoever she may be.

"You really are dragons!" Lethe blurted out in pure amazement.

Both Zoteaki and Amber had transformed into their true forms. We were on the outskirt of Pentigual, and preparing to make our flight to Venesila. Taking in a few deep breaths, I watched as Lethe took in the sight of both dragons. Of course, I had seen both of them before in that state, so it wasn't really much of a shock. But it did hurt.. it hurt knowing that I could not transform until I got that aurora back.

"You both look so majestic." Kia added in, watching as the two dragons flapped their wings.

"Not to sound rushy or anything, but we really should get going. Won't someone wonder why two of Althena's dragons are in plain sight?" I asked, innocently.

"What kind of word is 'rushy'?" Amber spoke, lowering her maw so her snout was on my shoulder. Glancing over at my shoulder, I jumped a few feet in the air from shock. A flicker of amusement past her scorching eyes as she flapped her wings and withdrew her maw.

"All right! But who's riding on who?" Lethe asked, glancing f rom Amber to Zoteaki.

"You and Kia will be riding on Amber, and I'll be escorting Nall." Zoteaki made known, from his perch a few feet away. Both humans nodded and walked over to Amber and took their seat upon her long back.

Glancing over at Zoteaki, I found myself starring him directly in the azul eyes. Oddly, my pulse began to raise as his stare was fixed souly upon me and his eyes seemed so far away.

"Coming!" I said to myself, trying to get my mind off other subjects and walked over to Zoteaki's back.

"You sure this is all right?" I murmured, glancing at where I would be riding. If only I had that aurora I could save Zoteaki from the burden of carrying me.

"Positive. Now just get on and we'll take in mid-flight." Zoteaki protested, tilting his maw at me. Nodding sharply, I reached out and placed both hands on his back and hoisted myself upward. Swinging one leg around each side, I took in my new placement. Usually I was the one carrying people, not the one riding the dragon.

"Get ready for a hell of a ride!" Amber warned her passangers and took off straight upwards, leaving Kia and Lethe grabbed onto her flowing mane to stay upon her back. Taking a large gulp, I neared my position near where Zoteaki's neck began so he could hear me.

"You aren't going to do that, right?" I asked nervously.

"No." Was all he said before he shot up in the air, more carefully then Amber had. As we leveled out in the sky, I watched as Amber sped ahead, leaving the two humans screaming from fear and excitement. Shrugging it off, I clenched Zoteaki's mane upon the back of his neck and back with all my might.

"Do you happen to know the Black Dragon's name?" I asked, starring straight ahead so I wasn't looking down at the ground.

"I was hoping that you or Amber had learned of that information." Zoteaki admitted, as a gentle flap of his wings sent a vibrating shock through my body.

"So we basically know nothing about Black?.." I sighed miserably.

"I guess that's the case." Zoteaki replied, changing direction a hair to correctly follow Amber.

"How will we ever find Black, then?" I asked, a yawn escaping my mouth.

"Luck, chance, or we'll just ask around."

"Do you really think humans will know anything about our kind? They're all just inconsiderate.." I began but stopped myself in mid-sentence.

"They've lived in peace with Black their whole lives, they must know something about Black." Zoteaki guessed, flapping his wings at a constant speed.

"Just think, once we get Black, we'll be able to combine forces and stop Ghaelon!" I smiled.

"Do you think it's going to be that simple?" Zoteaki spoke. I guessed he had sighed, because the pause in his voice was quite noticeable.

"Well, I guess." I admitted, trying not to sound so sure on something I had no clue about.

"If the four dragons could stop Ghaelon.. wouldn't our ancestors have done it long ago?"

"Maybe more is needed than just us." I began.

"You're implying?" Zoteaki wondered.

"When I was deserted back on that island, I read ancient writings upon the wall. And I... had a dream. Both told me of two other dragons. One was the gold dragon..." I began but then buried my face into his mane, not knowing what else to say. "You bet I think I'm crazy."

"Dreams, you say?" Zoteaki thought aloud.

"Yea, since the beginning of this journey I've had them." I reminded him.

"So that's whats with the nightmaring.." Zoteaki concluded. "Do you think other forces are trying to tell you things by your dreams?"

"I suppose, I mean, they all seem so life-like. And when I woke up from that one with Ghaelon.. I felt awful like something dreadful had happened, and I had the wound from the dream." I whispered. Feeling Zoteaki's body tense underneath me, I paused and didn't say anything else.

"Have you ever thought that the dream really wasn't a dream but a jolt into the future?" Zoteaki asked.

"I suppose..."

"Please tell me any other dreams you've had relating to this journey."

"Well... there was this one with some girl-" I began but I felt a snort come from Zoteaki. "Not like that!" I hissed and continued. "We were in a field somewhere, and she was telling me not to do something. It was as if I knew her, but I couldn't make out her face. All I remember is me telling her I had to, because it was my destiny."

"Hmm..." Was all that came from the blue dragon.

"Then there was one-" I began to talk about Dyne but silenced myself. He had warned me not to utter our meetings to the others. Gulping, I quickly came up with one. "there was that one with Ghaelon. That's it." Sweat rolled down my face, and I silently thanked the goddess that Zoteaki couldn't see me from our current position.

"Do you think you're dreams are trying to tell you something?" Zoteaki asked, as we neared Amber and the others.

"I'm not quite sure." Either I had a great imagination, or the heroes of the past were really trying to assist me in this journey.

"Look, we're nearing Venesila." Zoteaki spoke, dragging me out of my deepest thoughts.

As expected, I saw the nearing city on the horizon. It was one of the few towns Alex and company hadn't traveled to, so seeing it was something new to me. Pulse quickening from the excitement, I felt a smile spread across my lips as Zoteaki began to slow his pace and calculate his landing or so it seemed. Either way, I was busy taking in the beauty of this part of Lunar. The way the mountains blended with the cascading rivers and the vast meadows. They all seemed to be pieces of the puzzle that fit so perfectly together.

Once we had gained upon the outskirts of Venesila, Zoteaki flapped his wings in spot and hovered to the ground. Clenching his mane with all my might, I watched as we neared the ground. Honestly, it felt like ages before I swung my left leg off his back and placed it upon the solid ground. It felt so good to be back.

Glancing over, I watched Zoteaki transform back and pant heavily. Feeling a bit sorry for putting him through so much, I took a step over to him and reached into my pocket. Taking out the canvas of water, I passed it his way. Eyes arose from their concentration and traveled across the canvas. Confused, Zoteaki took it in his hands and placed the brim to his lips and took a large sip. After that, he passed it back to me as I snapped it shut and placed it back, safely into my pocket.

"There you two are!"

Peering over my left shoulder, I watched as Amber, Lethe, and Kia came charging up to us. Amber looked in much better shape than Zoteaki, which was quite odd. She had less strength and carried two people on her back. Or maybe I'm just getting this wrong.. maybe Amber is powerful.. Nah!

"We thought you got lost." Lethe added in, pausing in front of me and Zoteaki.

Zoteaki shook his head brisk fully and raised his hand to his face and brushed off the strand of brown hair that was blurring his vision.

"We just took our time, that's all." Zoteaki replied coolly, starring down the dragon master.

"Hmmm.." Amber spoke aloud, placing her finger to her chin. Averting my gaze to her, my heart sank as she swayed on her feet. And we all knew what that meant.. another Amber comment moment.

"If it took you that long to get here, then I can't even imagine how long it will take you two to first ki-" Amber began, turning a flushed pink from laughter. Snarling, I watched as Kia slapped her hand over Amber's mouth to stop her from continuing. Of course.. we could always tell an Amber moment when it was coming.

"Amber!" I yelled. Oddly, I wasn't mad at her, but at the comment she was making. For some reason I couldn't be mad at her.

"Amber, you really should learn some manners.." Kia whispered to her older friend. Amber glanced down a bit at the blue-haired girl and shrugged her shoulders.

"I do have manners, Kiki. I always use them when someone who deserves them is in my presence." And with that she cast a sly grin at me.

"You're so cruel at times.." I pouted, not really hurt at her declaration. Somehow I knew she really didn't mean it, and was just trying to send me over the edge. For whatever reason.

"I'm amazed how different you all are from the legends of the four dragons!" Lethe observed, from the sidelines. The three of us cast him a stunned glance, but Kia starred vacantly at Amber, continuing to sweat uneasily.

"What did the legends say?" Zoteaki inquired, placing his hands into his vest.

"Said something about the dragons being all prideful, respectful, sincere, and sophisticatedly proper." Lethe said, tilting his brunette head as he starred at us with wonder. Turning a dark red, I shook my head and wondered if the records were accurate.

"Oh Le! I'm all that, just not these two." Amber shrugged, pointing over her shoulder at me and Zoteaki.

"Amber!" We said in unison.

"How do you do that so perfectly, it's as if it was planned?" Kia noticed. Glancing back over at the young girl, I breathed deeply and let out a sigh.

"It isn't..." I scuffed.

"Well, I for one am excited about Venesila so I say we go ahead and enter!" Lethe broke the conversation with an excited cheer. Raising an eyebrow, I sighed once more, yet again, and turned to Zoteaki who had his blade sheathed and eyes peeled upon the entrance to Venesila a few hundred feet ahead.

"Good idea. I heard this place is the best place to train and learn new sword moves!" Amber chimed cheerfully.

"But with dragon powers that shouldn't be an issue, right?" Lethe asked, as we began to walk towards the city entrance, in two lines. Amber, Lethe and Kia in the front line, and me and Zoteaki a few feet in back of them.

"Dragons should be prepared. If we were stripped of ours powers, we could still fight alongside man with our blades." Zoteaki added in, as Lethe looked over his shoulder and nodded at him.

"You guys really think ahead." He smiled lightly.

"Unlike you.." Kia giggled from his side.

"I do to!" Lethe coughed back.

"Sure.." Kia snickered.

"Le, Kiki, can you guys keep the bickering down? We're like at Venesila and I'm afraid you two will get us kicked out if you start quarrelling like little children." Amber poked in. Literally, she poked Lethe in the shoulder a few times to get his attention.

"Fine," Lethe vaguely smirked.

As we entered Venesila, I felt overwhelmed with awe. Standing in front of me was a magnificent city. Even the sky view was lacking compared to this. Huge buildings stood towering above the ones in front of them, as the scenery of mountains silhouetted them. In the middle of the town was a large arena, like a coliseum. Blinking, I watched as the other four continued on, completely ignoring my observation mode.

Snapping myself out of excitement, I caught up to Zoteaki and the others. Casting a spare glance at him, I watched as he uneasily fidgeted.

"You look like you're all nervous about something." I noted.

"I just don't like this town." Zoteaki muttered.

"Me either.." Kia whispered alongside Zoteaki.

"Come on! This place rocks!" Amber spun around, cheering happily.

"I agree with Am." Lethe blushed lightly. Shaking my head at Lethe, I ran a hand through my hair and starred at the city. What could Zoteaki and Kia find so cruel and nerve-wracking about this beauty?

"For once, I have to say Amber is right. This place really rocks!" I smirked as I repeated Amber's opinion.

"Hell's frozen over." Zoteaki sounded off.

"Huh?" I asked, tilting my head.

"You said awhile back that the day you agree with Amber is the day hell freezes." Zoteaki chuckled, trying to push the city out of his mind.

"Oh.." I braced myself for the smack I knew was about to come.

"I'm not going to smack you," Amber replied in a mocking tone. Straightening, I glanced at my group and shrugged aimlessly.

"So... we're here to gather information on the black dragon, right? Let's make sure to do that. But.. let's try and learn some new cool moves too!" I chimed, watching excitement fill Lethe and Amber, as misery and dread rolled across Zoteaki and Kia. "We could at least make this experience enjoyable." I added in.

"Some evil presence is here." I heard Kia whisper.

"How could you possibly know that? And like what?" I asked, as Amber and Lethe broke into a spare conversation.

"I... just feel it in my heart." Kia trailed off. "Some power that is inhuman."

"Like the black dragon!" I asked hopefully.

"No... something else." Kia stuttered.

"Ghaelon?.." Zoteaki guessed, starring at the young girl.

"It might, but this feels like godly power within the center of this city. I can't explain it." Kia shook her head absent-mindly.

"That's ok, Kia. No worries." I offered.

"Sorry for interrupting."

The five of us turned to our right. Standing in front of us was none other than the mercenary from Gann. Heart-dropping a thousand feet, I began to sway on my feet. I read the expressions upon my companions and each was the same. Neutral. Only I knew of our little encounter back a few weeks ago. Gulping down a big ball of discomfort, I felt sweat roll down my face.

"It's alright. What seems to be the problem?" Zoteaki asked, taking the lead of us.

"I noticed the girl's dragon locket." Soren pointed to Amber, in a gruff tone. Heart-dropping even more, I began to feel light-headed. We really didn't need someone like this knowing that we were dragons.

"What about it?" Amber snapped, raising her hand in an alarming speed. Either she was going to be rude, or slap him. Either way, Soren rose his hand to stop her. Confused, Amber stood there, dazed as ever.

"So you're telling me, you lot are dragons?" Soren replied cruelly, his gaze falling to Zoteaki, then to Amber, then suddenly upon me. It was as if bullets stroke him when he realized we had met before, and I was here. Taking his glance off me instantly, I glared back at Amber.

"What's it to you?" Amber snapped. Lethe and Kia fell back alongside me a bit as I watched Zoteaki flinch uncomfortably.

"You, of all beings, don't deserve to be deemed dragons." Soren whispered, as his black leather seemed to glimmer in the hot sun.

"Who are you to start mocking us?" Amber demanded, about to take a step forward and chew him out. However, Zoteaki grabbed her by her shoulder and signaled no as Amber sighed and held her ground.

"Because, you all make a disgrace to the title 'dragon'. You don't even fit up to half of me." Soren declared, as a sly grin spread across his face.

"Wha-" I began from the back but Soren had reached into his pocket and took something out. Before I could finish my earlier sentence, I starred down at the object along with the other four. Opening his palm, there lay the Black Dragon aurora.

"You're... the Black Dragon!" Zoteaki stammered.

Of all the people the black dragon could possibly be, it had to be that mercenary from Gann. And by his attitude towards us already, I was beginning to doubt he was going to help us with arms wide open. It was just like Quark, Dyne, and Alex had said. I had my work cut out, and if I wanted to succeed and avenge Quark and the others, I had to