Waking up this time was not a result of any loud noises coming from another room. Nor was it because of excruciating pain in my body. Nor was it a natural kind of waking up in which you feel a little hazy after you first get up…

It was because something had curled up next to me.

Startled, I opened my eyes hastily to see that Regolas was right next to my chest. Not across the room like before, like where he was supposed to be.

No, the dragonspawn was right next to me. Why?

Seeing that I was awake now, Regolas crawled a little closer to my face. Unsure as to what I should do, I remained still and quiet as it drew closer.

"Hey Lloyd! You awake yet?"

Meru opened the door loudly and looked inside to where Lloyd was laying. Instantly she broke out in a fit of laughter, "Look at that, ha, the big bad slayer of the Divine Dragon is cuddling with a cute baby dwagon!"

If I was a lesser man, I would tell her off. I would not let a woman who has no idea that UNDERwear is meant to be under clothes…not the entire outfit. I would not let her insult my dignity by saying 'dwagon' instead of 'dragon'.

There are definitely cons to living again. And I must admit, having to put up with this particular host was becoming one of them.

"Get. This. Thing. Off. Of. Me," I pronounced each syllable distinctively. It wasn't a request. It was a demand.

Meru pointed and continued laughing, "Awww, I think he likes you!"

Soa help me, I will kill her. It will be slow. And it will be enjoyable.

Meru began to stop laughing, and walked over to Regolas and I, "Well, I guess it's about time we check out how you're doing," picking Regolas up by his neck, Meru gently placed him on the ground, "Reggie, now be a good boy and go play outside."

The blue dragon's ears perked up and ran outside, seemingly pleased about the prospect of the outdoors…outdoors. Now that sounded like a good place to be. I hadn't been outdoors since I had first awoken.

I looked around the room I was in. No windows. Figures. No wonder I hadn't thought of going outside…

Meru pulled up a chair and sat down, "Now, first things first. Do you still feel any major pain anywhere on your body?"

Sitting up, I stretched my arms, "Well, my arms and body feel fine. And since they aren't bothering me, I believe my legs are fine now as well."

Meru nodded before poking my head, to my agitation, "So, how's your head? How much do you remember? Any difficulty with recalling events, facts or other things?"

Since when had this become a questioning game? "I admit I am a bit fuzzy on a few different things. Except for some of the people I have seen here and some of the events mentioned, I have practically no knowledge about other things."

Meru stopped poking my head and grabbed my arm, "Alright then, so some amnesia. You're not doing all that bad for a dead man! Let's go outside and get you some good old sunlight!"

Winglies. Known for magic, silver hair, being able to fly, sagelike intelligence, and generally high levels of maturity due to long lifespans.

One fact I cannot remember is my own age, but I must have the mental maturity of at least a three hundred year old…anything less and my magnificent hostess would be pushing daisies like so many others.

Now that isn't nice. Besides, something is wrong with you. That dragon blew right past you. I doubt you could take her on if you tried.

Do you dare insinuate that someone, nonetheless an annoying scrawny girl, could beat me up is just-

Shut up before you go to far. She has only been helping you since you've come back to life. So what if she is slightly peppy and annoying? You've put up with worse.

Yes, dear conscience, but those were people who I COULD ignore. Her voice…just no. I'm not going through this again. I'll tolerate her presence, but only because she is doing us a favor and because it means I will be able to see the outdoors once more.

"Hey Lloyd? Knock, knock? Anybody home?" Her rapping of her knuckles against my head drew my attention, "Ah, good! Let's go outside slowpoke!"

'Let's."

At first the blinding source of brightness known as sunlight caused me to squint, but my eyes soon adjusted. Outside the building I had been in was a waterfall, and nearby said building was a couple smaller buildings as well as a small shed in the distance. All gave off a distinct Wingly feel to them, and due to their pristine condition I could take for granted that they were new. The shed seemed raggedy however, and as such I guessed that it wasn't built alongside these. Furthermore, it's rough appearance made it all the more likely that humans built it.

I let a small smirk grace my lips, "Impressive. I take it Lord Albert was the one who supplied this refuge."

Meru nodded as she left the building I had been recovering in, "Yessiree! He's been a real help! Dart and Kongol have been a great help too, helping build the actual houses that some other Winglies here designed."

I turned my head to face the building, "Two stories, from what I've seen approximately twelve rooms, including a library, a kitchen, a dining room and a large living room space. From the outside it seems purely Wingly, but from the inside distinctly human."

She simply put her hands on her hips in response, "Well, I did have a little bit of a say in what went IN the house. I've been living in human cities for years, and I guess I've grown a little used to the way they live."

My smirk grew a little, unable to resist myself, "Oh, is your apparel part of that lifestyle?"

Meru frowned and slugged my arm, surprisingly hurting me, "That's for making fun of my outfit. Again! Boy, if seeing a little skin irks you so much, you might really be-"

My smirk disappeared and was replaced quickly by a scowl, "Don't even mention that again. I already told you, I was trying to get the Divine Moon artifacts, not trying to-"

Meru sighed and shook her head, "You're so easy to get worked up…to easy. It's no fun if I can get under your skin with the same joke again and again…"

I sighed in return, "Can we just move onto another subject?"

Meru giggled and grabbed me by the arm, "Sure! I'll introduce you to some of the people here. A lot of them respect you for what you did for us."

My eyes could not have rolled in any more of an obvious fashion, "Yeah. Just like that other Wingly who was trying to get me thrown out…"

It was Meru's turn to frown, "Oh yeah, that was Iyoton Bardel. Don't mind him, he's always making a fuss about something."

I nodded as I thought of the name. Bardel…it definitely rang a bell in my mind, but it did not give me a good feeling as if I was remembering a friend.

Not wanting to continue that conversation, I decided to check out the scenery, "Well, it seems Albert gave you a beautiful landscape to set up on. The waterfall gives a nice atmosphere to the area, coupled with the trees and hills, I could not think of a more fitting place to set up a more welcoming place for stray Winglies."

Meru's frown dissolved and tugged on my arm again, "Well, lets go introduce you to everyone! Not everyone is a stick in the mud like Iyoton, and I'm sure a few of the kids here are going to just love you!"

Children. Like that one named Bertam. I do not know exactly why, but dealing with children sent a chill down my spine.

Oh yes, that's why. It would be like dealing with smaller versions of this particular Wingly…oh. This was going to hurt wasn't it.

I let Meru drag me towards one of the other buildings without saying a word. Might as well let this get over with.

When we reached the building, Meru knocked on the door politely. Imagine that. She does have some restraint. After a few seconds the door opened and a middle aged Wingly poked her head out, "Hello Meru," casting her glance on me, she nodded, "I see the newest member of our community is up and about," she smiled and motioned for us to come in, "Come on in you two, the kids have been wondering when you'd be up."

And there went any chance I had at dodging children today…

Meru went in first, saying something along the lines that ladies go first…what lady may I ask? I followed her inside and looked around. This house too looked human on the inside while appearing Wingly on the outside. As with my caretaker, I had spent awhile with humans and had grown used to how their buildings were like.

The Wingly woman walked us down a hallway, her gaze still looking at the two of us, "It's nice to see a new face around here. My name is Tari. I take care of the younger Winglies who don't have parents or have run away from their homes," she smiled at me, "We accept all who come here, Mr. Lloyd. Don't feel uncomfortable."

Someone again assuring me that I need not feel uncomfortable about my past life…should I take their word?

We followed Tari into a large room that I presumed was a place for children to play, for there were small toys strewn about. That, and for every couple toys there was a couple young Winglies to go along with them. Inside the room was another middle aged Wingly who had a regal look to him, as if he had been some sort of politician in his life. He was sitting on a couch and reading to a pretty young child, most likely about five or six years old.

Tari cleared her throat and all the kids looked up to her (pretty well trained I must say), "Children, this is Lloyd. He is one of the people who helped the Dragoons fight against Melbu Frahma."

A child I recognized as Bertam looked at me and smiled brightly, "I remember you! You're the one who followed me into the library the other day."

I nodded to him, but remained silent, unsure as to what to say. Luckily another child piped up, another boy that seemed to be about eight, "I heard you're really fast Mr. Lloyd. Want to go race outside?"

Remembering how weak I was in comparison to the Dragonspawn earlier, I wondered if I was still as fast as I once was. The other kids all seemed happy about the idea of a competition and all cheered as they ran outdoors, leaving Tari, the other Wingly caretaker, Meru and I standing inside.

Meru grabbed my arm again and began dragging me outside, "Well, it looks like you're going to be getting some exercise today!"

I looked back to Tari for help, but she just laughed, "Don't worry Lloyd. You'll be fine. Who knows, maybe you'll even have a little fun."

I looked back at the petite Wingly who was dragging me along and sighed. I give up. I'll show these kids a thing or two about speed. And then probably be slowly driven insane as they try to drag me about and play more games with me…

"Alright Lloyd, the rules are simple. First one to the shed and back wins!"

It was decided that Bertam, along with Darenette (the kid who came up with the idea), as well as another kid named Leptis who was a friend of the other two, would be racing with me.

I was sure that I could show these kids a thing or two, and maybe even impress them. In the back of my mind I was secretly pondering if I was still as fast as I once was, but quickly discarded the thought. Even if I wasn't as fast as before, I could still outrun some little kids.

The regal looking caretaker (who I learned was named Finde) was the one who was going to be our referee.

Before I walked up to the line drawn in the ground by one of the kids to start the race Meru whispered in my ear, "Don't beat them by to much. It might hurt their feelings."

I scoffed and continued on, "They want to see my mettle, so they will."

Meru giggled, "Well good luck, Mr. High and Mighty."

I ignored her, but wondered what was so funny. These kids challenged me and I met every challenge with my very best, nothing less.

Finde pointed a hand at the sky once I reached the line and got ready, "Is everyone ready?" When we all nodded he continued, "On your marks, get set, go!"

I burst forward with great speed, but I instantly realized that I was…slow. This speed was blurring to a normal human, but was only average by Wingly standards. As I ran towards the shed I could sense that Darenette was close behind me and Leptis even closer.

Angered by my sluggishness, I pushed myself even harder and began to gain a little on them. Soon I reached the shed and instantly stopped, as if I had used breaks. Now I spun on my heel and ran in the other direction, Leptis passing me soon there after with Darenette close behind him. On my way back to the starting line I passed Bertan who was in last place by quite a bit. Soon I passed the finish line and came to another instant stop.

The gathering of kids cheered…it oddly felt nice. To have won and to have a group of people actually cheering for me.

More importantly, I could kind of get used to this.

Leptis came in second and Darenette in third with Bertam finishing in last. Bertam was rambling about how he saw something during the race and that if he didn't he could have at least beat Darenette. Whatever the case, I at least lived up to my 'legend'.

Not everyone was as thrilled as I though…

"Oh come on Lloyd, I said go easy on them, but that was pathetic!"

I looked to Meru with a scowl, "Oh, and you think you can do better?"

She let a large grin on her face, "Well, duh. If you don't remember I'm pretty quick on my feet, and unlike some people I know, I'm still in shape."

Looking at the starting line, I regained my neutral composure, "Well then, how about we test that theory."

Meru walked over to the line, "You got it! I would suggest you keep your mouth closed when you run. You may just end up with some dirt in your face."

I ignored her and got ready to run.

"On your marks, get set, go!"

I sprung forward and put all my strength into my two limbs known as legs.

She was already ten feet ahead of me after half a second. Unbelievable. Her legs, long in relative comparison to her small stature, were carrying her at a speed I thought unimaginable. She was faster than I was in my prime!

I did my best to keep up, but for every foot I moved she gained another twenty. Once she reached the shed she stopped and turned.

"Hey Lloyd! 'To slow' ring a bell?"

Why that little-

Soon she was already passing me on the way back. This was ridiculous.

She was already done by the time I was halfway TO the shed.

I held my hands up in defeat, "Alright, I admit, you're fast."

Meru threw her head back in laughter and resumed her hands on hips posture, kids cheering all around her, "Why thank you. What a gracious loser."

I did my best to let her revel in this victory. Once the group of children were herded back in doors by their caretakers, Meru came over to me. Seeing that my neutral countenance was betraying my feelings of shame and defeat, she patted me on the back.

"Aww, don't feel bad. I'm sorry I embarrassed you like that. I thought that maybe you really had gone easy on the kids…I wasn't expecting to blow you out of the water like that."

I sighed and looked away, "Yeah, yeah…I don't know why, but I've been pathetic since I first woke up. First your pet barrels through me like I was made of straw, and now I can't run for my life. What's wrong with me?"

Meru shrugged, "Well, my guess is that you're body didn't retain its strength and speed from your former life. You're just a regular Wingly now."

That thought didn't please me one bit. Not at all. Before I was as strong as a demi-god…being 'normal' wasn't pleasing me in the slightest.

Meru giggled as she pinched my arm, "Well, that scowl on your face tells me you don't like that. If you want to be the big, tough Lloyd again, my guess is you're going to have to start all over."

I tried moving away from her and rudely responded, "And how do you suppose I do that? All my former powers seem to have disappeared. I'm nothing now…"

Meru shook her head, and a deep scowl found itself on her face, "Well, you may be right about that, but what were you before? A loner trying to take on the world? Is that what you want to be again?"

I stuttered, surprised by her sudden change in mood. I did not know she could be serious, nonetheless totally chew me out.

Pointing at me, her scowl remained, "So, what's it going to be? What happened to you on your own? May I remind you, we kicked your sorry ass! And what then?" Poking her finger into my chest, I was still to stunned to respond, "You attacked Melbu Frahma all by yourself, and where did that get you? That's right, you died!"

She lowered her finger, "Now you're alive again. I don't know how. I don't know why. But the fact is you have a second chance. Maybe this time around you'll try things a little different. Maybe," pointing her thumb back at herself, she continued, "you'll let someone help you for once."

I tried to say something, but nothing came to mind and nothing came out.

"If you became stronger than a Dragoon on your own, if you were faster than any of us on your own, whose to say that with a little help, you can't outdo even that?"

Smile returning, she nodded towards an open field where a familiar hammer lay alongside some sparring equipment, "So, want to get started? I hear Dart's a pretty good teacher, and I'm not half bad myself."

She…has a point.