Chapter 25-Nightmarish Dreams
{Mirage -narrator}
"Will Mirage be alright?"
"I cannot tell. It could be from the paralysis but I'm not sure."
Tronay, Mirage is a strong dragon. He will make it through. I promise you that.
"Thank you Aurora," Tronay replies.
"I believe that we should leave Mirage alone now."
Good idea Sundar, Aurora answers.
The three leave my room and I'm left alone. Pain from the left side of my body blasts me with its full force. After I collapsed in Tronay's bedroom, Tronay brought me to Sundar and Aurora for help. Sundar had been trained by my master when she was young and, pleased by her quick learning, my master gave her Aurora. I lay in the exact room where I fought Uria for my master survival, only I failed to protect him as he so often protected me.
My eyes flutter slightly.
You're awake!
I raise my head, open my eyes, and look for the owner of the voice that split the silence only moments before.
Who's out there? I ask, my voice weak and very much unlike my usual voice that I shocked by the change two weeks without speaking can make on me.
From the shadows a tall dark dragon steps out into the light.
Remember me Mirage? The black dragon asks, his voice having a slight hiss in it.
My head jolts upright in fear.
It can't be!
It is Mirage, the dragon hisses. I'm back.
I struggle to get on my feet but find that I'm chained down. Uria chuckles and walks up to me.
Your master was a waste of the Great Leviathan's time so he asked me if I would go and get you instead, Uria growls.
I desperately pull on the chains but to no avail. Uria rears back his head and sends a torrent of his green fire straight for me.
I awake in a deep sweat, painting heavily.
Was that a dream or was it real? I wonder as I look around.
Warm sunlight from a new day washes through the window and no chains in sight. I breathe a sigh of relief and lay my head down on my feather filled recovery bed that lays in the room where I fought Uria earlier. A sudden knock on the door startles me.
Who is it? I ask.
"It's Sarina and I have found something that I think you need to look at."
Come in Sarina, I mutter as I try to calm myself down.
Sarina enters my room wearing a light brown cloak that ends down at her ankles.
I had a horrible nightmare earlier Sarina, I shutter as I close my eyes.
"You did?" Sarina asks as she kneels by my side.
Uria appeared and wanted me to come with him because my master wasn't good enough for the Leviathan, I explain as my body shudders at the thought of the dream.
"You just were being paranoid by being in this room by yourself. It's nothing to worry about," Sarina calmly says as she lays her hand on my shoulder.
I twist away and open my eyes.
It seemed real, I say as I look at Sarina.
"Most dreams do Mirage," Sarina says as she goes from kneeling to siting at my side. "Now, I found out that Santerous is alive and he's in paradise."
He is? I ask.
"Yes he's fine. Well for now at least."
What do you mean?
"He hasn't awoken from his coma and each day he gets weaker," Sarina answers.
I see, I mutter.
"But we can save him. We need to get to paradise and find where he is," Sarina says.
I close my eyes and turn away from Sarina.
I can't help you, I whisper.
"Why?"
Uria . . . I begin.
"Silver and Finca will make sure he doesn't bother you," Sarina says.
I still can't go with you. With me being paralyzed on my left side, I'm an easy target for any attack since I can't dodge quickly, I stammer as I open my eyes again.
"Maybe but you still can help us to find Santerous," Sarina says as she begins to stroke my right side.
How?
"You will be able to sense his location, Guardian of Light," Sarina hums.
Did Tamli tell you that? I ask.
"No. I envisioned it during a visit to Full Moon Lake," Sarina replies.
The door opens and Sundar steps in.
"Sarina I'm surprised that you're here," Sundar says. "And . . . Oh you're awake!"
I begin to snarl with all the fury I can muster.
Leave me alone Sundar and leave this room! I bellow as I get to my feet.
Sundar jumps back in fright.
"Mirage please calm down," Sarina commands as she stands up.
I said leave! I snarl.
Suddenly a wave of weakness washes over me. I crumble to the floor, my body screaming in pain.
"Mirage!" Sundar screams as she rushes over to me.
Leave me alone! I snarl as I struggle to overcome the pain.
Sarina kneels by my side.
"Please Mirage calm down at once!" She requests.
No. Darkness falls quickly, soon all shall succumb to its might, I stammer as my vision starts to fade.