I kept moving forward, not knowing for how long, until, after a long walk, a huge gate appeared before my eyes.
On each side, two gigantic dragons, who seemed like guardians, exuded terrifying auras. Each looked at me differently: one with equality, the other with disdain.
The dragon that looked at me with disdain seemed to show passive neutrality, while the other radiated brutal hostility — almost like a contrast between opposite personalities, but somehow both led to the same kind of hostility.
One of the dragons was completely ice-blue, while the other had lava-red scales, beautiful and adorned, forming a sacred and brutal contrast that made me hesitate for a moment.
— Deva — their voices came out in unison as they began to stare at me; their eyes rested on me as if I were before a perpetual judgment.
After millions of years walking in a single direction, surrounded by fear, seeing beings other than Ignis was an incredible stimulus.
— Pass. — their voices sounded again, echoing like drums. The gate began to tremble before slowly opening.
— Vush.
My body was sucked into the gate, and my mind began to oscillate, similar to the sensation I had when I visited Sallen Beast spiritually — only now, much more intense.
Fortunately, it didn't last long. I was teleported to a gathering of thousands of dragons... until I woke up.
---
Bruno.
Bruno.
Bruno...
---
POV: Flávia
It's been three days since Bruno and Ignis have been sleeping without any sign. Until suddenly, a few minutes ago, Bruno's body started to convulse intensely, to the point that no one could hold him still.
— What's happening? — I shouted to my mother's subordinate, who has exceptional medical skills. She looked frightened and didn't know what to answer.
Pah!
Bruno's body suddenly became still, unmoving, as if he were truly dead.
— Bruno... — I called out, distressed.
As soon as my voice came out, his eyes opened, giving me a slight fright, but I still moved forward to hug him.
— Bruno!
Bruno!
Bruno!...
I called his name through tears. Noticing my concern, his hand came up to my face, and his voice came out tender as always:
— What happened, Little Bat?
— What happened to you, Bruno? You were unconscious for three days, completely still. — I spoke abruptly, demanding an answer. But as soon as he heard it, his eyes showed great confusion.
— What are you saying, Flávia? We were just a few minutes ago at the picnic, with Selena and Valessia — he replied as if it had been only moments.
— Bruno... — I tried to argue.
— It's been three days... — I said.
— No, how is that possible? We were there just now. — He looked perplexed.
— Bruno, why don't you try to remember what happened after that? — I suggested.
— After? Nothing. We were talking and I... I... I... — His voice started to come out confused and monotonous, as if he were lost.
— I remember... — he tried, but then a sharp scream of pain filled the place.
He put his hands over his head, and the screams continued echoing.
The medic next to him rushed to check him but found nothing. Meanwhile, the pain continued to mark his face: furrowed brow, tightly shut eyelids, claws pressing his head, causing drops of blood to drip from his fingers.
The scream still cut through the air like blades, now marked by drops of blood and tears. I tried to pull his hands, but he squeezed so hard that if I pressed back, they'd probably break.
30 seconds...
1 minute...
After a minute, he started to come back. His mind still showed signs of confusion. His eyes met mine before he slowly fainted again.
---
POV: Bruno
My eyes opened slowly after trying to remember something. I had fainted in a strange way, after intense pain. When my eyes finally opened, I could see some people: Flávia, Selena, Valessia, Serapynhe, and Nerys.
As soon as I saw them, a simple thought came to my mind: I wished my family were here — mother, father, sister, grandmother, and uncle.
Of course, this thought would sink with me. I would never tell anyone.
— Bruno, are you okay? How do you feel? — I was bombarded with questions but managed to answer that I was fine, although I didn't remember anything.
— You don't remember anything? — asked Serapynhe, slightly irritated.
— No. There's nothing left in my mind from the period after the picnic until my recent fainting. — My answer made them glance at each other slightly.
— It doesn't matter, what matters is that you're okay. — Flávia said, her face resting on my hand, her eyes completely red. I really need to stop giving problems to my Little Bat, I thought mentally.
---
Krik.
Something fell onto my chest and began licking me excitedly. It was my little companion, Ignis.
— How are you, little one? Do you remember anything? — I asked, trying to dodge his loving licks that were soaking me.
— Yes, I'm very well, but I don't know why. Remember what? I only remember eating at that strange meeting — the little one said, lively and disdainful, as always when talking about many people.
I sighed, feeling the warm familiarity these people, including Ignis, gave me.
— You don't remember anything? — I asked again. — They said we slept for three days, so you must have at least dreamed, right?
Hearing this, he looked at me strangely, tilting his head slightly.
— You dreamed? Wasn't it like that time you dreamed I looked like a loaf-shaped dog?
— Could be — I commented, laughing.
— Besides, do you really trust these females? — said the little one, sprawled across my chest as if ready to sleep.
I looked at the ceiling and around the room.
— Yes, I trust them, little one. You probably trust them too, but don't dare admit it because of your dragon pride — I thought, stroking his neck as he purred softly.
---
Putting Ignis aside, I turned my attention to Flávia.
— Did you discover anything about why Ignis and I slept for three days? — I asked, curious.
— More or less — Flávia answered calmly. — But I bet it's something related to dragons.
— Dragons? Maybe I remember something... — I said.
When I was younger, I had repeated dreams about a gigantic dragon. It said that if Deva is not satisfied, then the key to my desire lies in the stones.
— 4...
— 5...
— 19...
— 4...
— 1...
— 22...
— But I don't know the meaning of this — I finished.
— Also, I once heard that the number four has the sound of death, and when four numbers repeat, it's necessary to discover who you really are.
— What do you mean? — Selena asked.
— Honestly, I have no idea. I've never heard anything about it, but it's probably just a childish dream.
— Probably — said Serapynhe. — In my thousands of years, I've never heard anything like it.