Author's Note: Yuuki~desu! I'd like to apologize for taking so long to update the story, but I had some family issues... I rewrote this chapter four times and decided this was the best version so far and that it won't get any better. Also, since Luciana has been introduced in previous chapter, I've decided to start writing from her POV. (I was trying to write the same way as before, but no matter what I did, I couldn't get past ten lines... *Sigh* ) Well, enjoy!

Chapter 7: My duty

"Luciana!"

Upon hearing my name, I flinched. I really don't want to do this...

After a few moments of silence, I could hear the woman's growling which was full of worry and anger. Anger, I knew, was caused by barrier I set up outside my lair. It must have activated when I regained my true form and now it was keeping her outside and she didn't seem to understand her effort to break through it was only a waste of time.

No choice now. If I don't get out soon, she'll contact everyone. If possible, I wanted to appear before them willingly, not because they thought I was hurt and destroyed the whole place in order to save me...

I turned around and began to make my way towards the cave's entrance. Again, it felt like eternity followed by pain wince the light was burning my eyes with increased intensity as I proceeded. I actually found myself thinking about what would happen if I just returned to the peaceful darkness. I longingly looked back inside and had to shake my head to get rid of the thought. Seems like I turned into a coward... That possibility bothered me so much I made myself continue.

When I finally got out of the underground, I was blinded by the rays of intensively bright light. Blinking helped, but not much. At that moment I was thankful for my other senses. Without them, I would be absolutely helpless.

One of my senses seemed to work extraordinarily well since I could feel the woman's gaze on me as she was checking my body for any injuries. Satisfied, she let out a puff of smoke and spoke to me: "Seems like you have finally decided to rejoin us, onee-sama." I ignored rudeness hidden behind her statement and instead came closer to her.

Unfortunately, my eyes still stung and I forgot what I was about to say to her. She must have noticed my problem, because a second later, her healing magic enveloped me. It felt like a cool water against my eyes and I let out a delighted sigh. I could swear I even smelled lilies. As her magic began subsiding I opened my healed eyes and looked at her. "Thank you, Grandine."

I've decided to give her a hug, which proved to be a little difficult. How do you hug a dragon? I pondered over that for a few seconds and shrugged. I came up to her enormous light blue head with big forest green eyes which were now in the same height as mine and hugged her nose. It was awkward, but I was sure the intent got through as she made a deep rumbling sound - dragon equivalent of a giggle.

"I'm glad to see you haven't changed a bit. Still doing what you want, aren't you, onee-sama..." I rewarded her with a big grin. She was right, I always did what I wanted. Though one thing she didn't know was that I always thought of consequences. But this time was different. Living as a human girl named 'Lucy' had taught me many things and one of them was to express my feelings freely, not counting on the fact I will have the luxury to do it later.

I was glad that this moment deepened my bond with my favourite stepsister, but there were other pressing matters at hand. "Where are the others?" Grandine frowned. "I was the only one close enough to the cave to feel that surge of power. I'm sure they would all come if they had felt it." Well, at least I know they're not ignoring me on purpose. "Should I call them?" I just looked at her and thought about it. I have to inform them of my return and also about guests that will come very soon.

After a moment of silence I told her my opinion on her suggestion. "I don't think that's a good idea. If I were to command them the first thing after my return, they might get annoyed." And annoyed dragons are dangerous dragons,I added silently. "I'll just go to the Wolds of Origin and let them feel my presence. Hopefully, they will come. But before that I'd like to check the portals, so you may go ahead." She nodded in agreement and with one swing of her wings, rose into the air and then disappeared into the distance.

Now that I was alone, I had enough time to look around me. I was standing in the middle of a rocky plain that marked the entrance to my resting place. In the distance I could see volcanoes that were endlessly gushing lava the same way they had when I was here 24 years ago. On the right side of them was a forest overshadowed by a huge cloud that was floating in one place without moving an inch. On the left side of volcanoes was a giant lake supplied by water of countless rivers. Even from here it was clear that the water was pure, void of any human contamination. The lake was enclosed by a mountain that seemed to be shining because it was made of iron ore and therefore reflected light. And behind all of it stretched the Wolds. They weren't visible, but I knew they were there. Sadly, it was all I could see from where I was standing.

Remembering what I was supposed to do, I walked to the edge of the abyss that stretched beneath me.

This is the world I created and I shall protect it. Then I jumped.