I swear I accidentally let out a small laugh. There was certainly no mistake! I was standing right in the city of Leeds itself! The place where I grew up as a kid! From the moment I saw it, I knew it was a dream. But... it felt so real! I could feel the pavement beneath my scales! I swear, I almost wanted to just go ahead and cry with joy on the spot, right here, right now. I... I just- remember so much! So many memories flooding back into my head that I thought had been forgotten long ago!
I slithered up to the nearest car and touched it. I could feel it! It felt so real! I almost believed it was!
...But... it's not. Is it?
My face went from pure joy to miserable the second I told myself that. But, it was true. No matter how real it was... no matter how real I wanted it to be... It was still just all in my head. A single thought on my mind based on a memory. That was all it was. Just a memory.
Even so, I forced myself to think otherwise for the moment. This was something that I had dreamt about, returning back home. And this was the closest I would ever get! I wasn't going to allow myself to take it away! Though... I suppose if there was one thing that I could change, it would be be fact that I was still...
I trailed off the second I looked down to the ground. My jaw fell open.
"Oh dear God"...
It couldn't be... Could it? Surely I was losing my mind, because I swear I was looking down at two shaking arms and two long legs!
I tried to close the left one, and it did so. It did exactly what I commanded.
It was! Honest to God, I had limbs! Freaking limbs! I didn't care! I didn't care if anyone was watching me right now! I just let my emotions overtake me and I cried. I just fell to my knees and cried. This was nothing like when I had used the shiftstone on myself! It only gave the illusion to others that I was something I'm not. But this... This! Is something different! I could see it with my own eyes! I could feel the wind blowing on them! It was like someone was smiling down upon me at that moment. Like I had been touched by an angel. And the feeling was glorious!
I was so happy, so blinded with my own tears, that I hadn't even noticed my own reflection in the shop mirror just at my side until I wiped the tears from my face. I got up and inspected myself.
Blue eyes... Short brown hair...medium sized nose... There was no doubt. That was my actual face.
I looked down to inspect the clothes I wore! White hoodie covering the red shirt underneath, and blue jeans covering my legs. I had trainers on my feet and, not to be funny, but I felt as though I wanted to just burst into song!
When I finally got over the fact that I was... well... ME again. The real me! I quickly realized that I was still standing right in the center of Leeds itself. I suppose there's nothing wrong with doing a little exploring.
I don't know how long I spent looking and entering each and every shop. And frankly, I didn't care! For all I knew it could have been hours! I could see all sorts of cool clothes and gadgets that the Valley of Peace could never even dream of having! Large televisions, game consoles, MP3 players, the list was endless!
It took some time for me to pry myself away from the shops, but there was much more I was hoping to explore. At this point, I was now walking down part of an alleyway. I remembered it well. It served as a shortcut to my home, and... heh...
I stopped myself as I pictured my house. A small little building made of stone. Two stories and was enough to keep a family of four happy. My family to be more precise. I suppose, since I have the chance, I should make my way over there, have a look at it for old times sake. See if my thoughts were still able to picture the cozy little place exactly how it is. I began to walk slowly over. Then my excitement overtook me and I found myself running. I ran and ran as I drew closer to home! Nothing could have stopped me!
That was until I saw someone else. I stopped dead in my tracks as I saw someone slowly walking up to me. Normally I wouldn't have given them a second look, but... he was dressed exactly like I was! Same hoodie, jeans, trainers and so forth. It seemed like a bit of an odd coincidence to just let pass by, I carefully walked up to him as he showed no sign of slowing down.
"Hey uh, sir"? I asked politely.
The guy didn't seem to even notice me. Or perhaps he didn't hear me? I dunno, I wasn't exactly speaking loudly. He was but a few good feet away from me now when I tried again. If he kept walking, he was going to crash into me unless I made myself known to him.
"Mate? Can you please ju"-
I didn't have the chance to finish. The man walked straight through me. He hadn't walked around or pushed me to the side. He literally walked through me!
Quickly becoming confused, I reminded myself that this was nothing more than a dream. It was only expect able that something would have been a little off. But... still, why is he-?
I heard a phone ring from his pocket. The guy stopped and took out a phone that looked like the one I used to own... And what was weirder was...
"Hey sis, you okay"?
That was my voice... That was my bloody voice! ... wait, is that how I actually sound?
"Yeah, well don't worry. I'll be home soon. I... I think I just need a few more minutes to myself. ... Okay, well, I'll see what the bank can do about the money. ... Haha, cute. And stop wasting money on your phone, you know you pay enough yourself talking to that boyfriend of yours. ... Alright, see you in half an hour".
Wait, I remember that phone call! That was the last time I spoke to my sister before...
I shouldn't follow. I shouldn't even be thinking of following! But... I couldn't help myself. I walked behind myself and followed him, me, until I reached an alleyway. I was about to walk past it until... I... I don;t even know if I can look at what's about to happen.
Before I had the chance to regret it, a hooded stranger came out from the alleyway behind the other me. I knew it wouldn't have done any good, but I yelled, almost begged for him to look out and run. But he didn't hear and the stranger grabbed the other me, pulling him into the alleyway.
"The hell?! GET OFF ME"! I heard myself yell.
I slowly walked up to the alleyway, trying hard to block out the grunts and fighting sounds that could be heard. When I was close enough to look into the alley, I saw three guys fighting to rip my jacket off, succeeding. I was able to see myself able to punch one of them in the jaw. Looking back, it was a stupid decision. And what happened next proved it.
The one that had just been punched spat out some blood onto the ground and drew a sharp knife. A pocket knife too. And with it, he stabbed me.
As though it should have been enough, I saw the knife get ripped from my stomach and then planted into it again, and again... He finally stopped on the sixth time. Before long, my body slammed itself into the wall and I watched as the other me slowly fell down, trying his hardest to cling to whatever life he had in him. Which... wasn't much anyway. The three thugs ran. Leaving the other me to die. It didn't take too long until I watched myself try to pick myself up, but failing all the same. And then... after that... he just closed his eyes... accepting the hand fate had thrown him... and he died... I died.
I couldn't believe what I had witnessed. I had just watched my own death before my very eyes. Once I got over the shock, I moved closer and bent down to the dead corpse. I felt like I should have said something, but nothing came to mind. I closed my eyes for a moment before wiping the tears away from my eyes. When I looked back...
The hell? Where did I go?!
The body had vanished! It was no longer there! Where-
"So, this is where your true origins lie"...
I almost froze on the spot. I turned round to face... myself. A horrible creepy smile stretched onto his face.
"This is where fate took over and denied your soul the chance to a better place"...
I felt emotionless inside. This thing didn't scare me.
"No. It didn't. I got something else instead. Something most people never get. A second chance"!
"And it is because of that, that you were changed into the abomination you now are"...
I felt a glow surround my body. I looked down to see what it was and found.
Oh no. No, no. No! NO, DAMN IT"!
My limbs were missing! My body was nothing but a long serpent-like body once more! I felt my face! My mouth had fangs!
"Change me back"! I almost screamed.
"So you can pretend to be something you no longer are? So you can live in fantasy? Have you so easily forgotten about your lover"...?
"...".
"If you have truly forgotten her so easily... then you should be asking yourself if she means anything to you? You would trade her just to have a moment of what was? Maybe you are just lying to yourself... You care little for her"...
I almost whimpered.
"Wha... I do... God, I do... bu- how am"...
The other me turned back into the one being I didn't want to see. Kèxīng! Truth be, I didn't care what happened to me. Whatever she was about to do to hurt me, it couldn't have hurt me any more than what I was feeling right now. But where I expected to be suffering physically, it never came. But what did come was two arms wrap around me gently. She... was hugging me?
"Do not weep... Do not feel despair... You only know pain because you allow yourself to... You are only young and have yet to embrace such powerful emotions... And I have had much longer to deal with emotion than any mortal... Hush young one, don't be afraid of what the past holds... Step into the future, and claim what is rightfully yours... It is your choice"...
I couldn't find the strength to push away. My mind felt as though it was torn in two. I couldn't. Her embrace, it felt warm. I couldn't push away, but it was more than not being able to find any strength within me. But, I felt more at peace... I- I know I shouldn't have, especially with her, but... but, God, what is wrong with me...?
Kèxīng let go of me, walked past me and up to where the other me... the human me, originally was, and picked up the only thing that remained. A knife.
"You are lost, without any understanding on what the path ahead holds for you... But in your grief, you have forgotten that your freedom has not been lost, only stalled".
She showed me the knife, almost wanting for me to take it.
"Do what must be done... Leave fear and pain behind as you ascend into immortality with me... Follow my lead and you will become a God among kings... And sing victory, everlasting"...
...
As I looked round, I was back in my room. It was still dark. But it didn't matter. I lifted my tail up to my face to find that actual tears had been running down them. I almost shook. I didn't know what to do anymore. I.. I just wish I could see-
"Mike"?
I was about to turn around until I realized that I probably looked like I had just walked through hell. Still, it was clear enough that Viper was right next to me. I must have accidentally woken her, again.
"Oh, hey Viper. Sorry if I woke you". I spoke, trying not to face her.
"Don't worry, you didn't. I was already awake. Is everything okay"?
"...Yeah, yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be"?
Before I could respond, Viper slithered over my back in order to face me. She had done it so quickly that I hadn't reacted fast enough to bury my head with the pillows to avoid her seeing me with tears down my face. Even in the dark, she spotted them almost at once and became worried almost at once.
"Are you okay Mike"?
I was about to say yes, but it was clear that the look I had on said different.
"Not really... I... I just had a bad dream".
"Another one"?
"Yes, and, well, I just... don't even know what to say. It's just as though the world around is starting to crash down on top of me".
Viper was rather concerned for my well-being now. She made no hesitation to bring her her right next to mine, nudging it so that I would face her. I sighed.
"Viper, could you answer me something? Please"?
"Of course. What's on your mind"?
I wasn't sure how I was going to ask this. Probably just best to say what was on my mind, right? Only thing was, how was she going to act towards it?
"I, I just need to know. How far would you be willing to go to gain freedom"?
Viper tilted her head. She seemed lost. Or worried. Maybe even both as far as I can tell.
"...What"?
"I... I dreamed that I was back home... back where I belonged. And... well, I knew it was a dream and all but, it just felt so real. So real that I chose to forget everything else, including the life I had here. But... if there was that chance, that I could do something, anything about it, would you take it"?
Viper looked away from me. I wished that I could tell what it was she was thinking. The silence was enough to kill me nearly. I was certain that she was going to snap at me for thinking of something like this, but no. She did no such thing. Instead she cuddled me tightly, holding me as her head rubbed against my chest. Finally, she spoke.
"I can't answer you Mike, because I don't know what I would do. But please, understand that while you may have lost something precious, you managed to gain something from it. I won't persuade you that it is better than what you may have had before, but to take a risk and put it all on something that may not be possible... you may only end up hurting yourself and those who've come to know you".
"... Is that what you believe"? I asked, looking down at her.
"Yes. It is. But, do you mind if I ask you something"?
"Sure".
"Do you trust me"?
I looked at her quizzically.
"Trust you? How can I not"?
"I'm glad to hear that". She left my chest and came face to face with me. "Because through thick and thin, whenever I look back at what we've been through together, what do you see"?
Her tail held mine.
"I see... how happy we've made each others lives. How we've overcome everything between us". I replied truthfully.
"And what about what we'll go through in the future? What do you see there"?
I paused for a moment. I had no idea on how I was going to answer that question. Talking about the past, heh, that's easy. But the future, that's more of a gamble. Wishing for something that may never come to be. Even so, I thought hard to see what I wanted out of life. It was against freedom and love. Which of the two was more precious to me?
"For the future? I hope... I hope that I'm with you. I can't promise that since I can't predict the future, but it is what I want. I love you too much to lose you Viper. I don't think I could ever risk doing something that would hurt you".
I leaned in and kissed her on the top of her head.
"I don't ever want to hurt you. Ever"!
Viper smiled.
"I know you wouldn't Mike. But I don't want to hold you back from something that meant so much to you"-
"Hey". I interrupted. "You never have. So please don't go thinking that you will now".
"You still have your own say, even if you feel like you're wrong about it".
I managed to get myself to smile.
"I suppose. But, I promised both you and your father that I would always be there for you. And don't plan on breaking it".
Vipers smile became a little sadder as I had just spoken. Her tail lifted my head up slightly so that our eyes were now aligned.
"Sometimes, in order to want the things we strive for in life, promises have to be broken".
"Viper, I would never break a promise that involves your safety".
I sighed.
"Look, I- I'm sorry I woke you up. It was just a stupid dream was all... Perhaps we should just get back to sleep while we can".
I took my place on my side of the bed again, feeling foolish for questioning the things and people that meant the world to me. To give it up for something only for myself was... selfish. I shut my eyes and tried to forget about it.
"Mike"?
I lifted my head only by a little, just to show that I was paying attention.
"Yes Vipes"?
"... Could you face me for a second"?
I did what was asked of me and I turned my head round to face Viper. As soon as I did, I was kissed on the lips gently.
"Please don't forget that I love you back, will you".
I nodded.
"I would never forget that Viper. I love you as much as you love me".
I let her kiss me again. Though as I did, she pressed her lips against mine and parted them. I responded in the same manner. When we had broken the kiss, it left both of us almost breathless.
"Bit much for a good night kiss, but I'll accept it". I joked, earning me a small giggle.
In seconds, she coiled round me, and I coiled round her. I gave her a long kiss of my own. Our faces begun to heat up. We both seemed to be thinking the same idea. Viper was the one to break away this time.
"Are we really going to do this"? She asked nervously.
"Not if you don't want to".
"... I know, just"-
"How about we wait until tomorrow night"?
"Tomorrow night? Why then"?
"Well, it'll be Saturday then. We won't have to train on Sunday which will... give us more time".
Viper nodded. I continued.
"But this is your choice we're talking about Viper. Not mine. We do have to consider every possibility. What if you happen to... you know"?
I pointed to her stomach. She understood what it was I was trying to say.
"Then I know I will be ready to spend the next chapter of my life with you. That's all that matters to me right now Mike". She smiled happily.
I nodded back.
"Okay. Very well. Tomorrow".
"Tomorrow". She repeated, before kissing me once on the cheek and tried to fall asleep in my embrace. I held her tightly and fell asleep myself within a few minutes. I had no more chaotic dreams following me for the rest of the night, and all thoughts of... offing myself laid forgotten.
...
This was a pain in the backside for me to do, but at least it's done. To those who are new to reading the story, I'm not writing any lemons so feel free to kick that thought out of your heads right now. Other than that, I hope you enjoyed reading. Cheerio!