1.

                                I


"I just…need…to keep running.. "

The boy panted heavily, pushing himself off the rough bark he'd slumped against - trying to gather his bearings.

Scalding tears pierced his eyes, the world blurring as they dug out again and again - tearing down his cheeks - he could hardly even stand now…walking had stopped hours ago; thorned aches veined through his limbs - gutting him inside out…he couldn't go any longer.

"...P-please father…I'm s-sorry…what did I…w-what did I…"

He…couldn’t see anymore. He twinged, eyes stinging as they clenched shut…he was…going back…back home.

His father's cold stare, as the boy's ears rattled with his screams. Heels stinging as he dashed them to the floorboards, begging again and again and again…Forgiveness. Mercy. Anything, but the mountain. He just couldn't understand…what had he done?

The boy sniffed - fingers trembling as they whipped off his slick, icy skin. Rubbing out the watery gauze in his eyes, he peered into the dusk haze…into the forest on the mountain.

A dense mist had already hastened its gather when he could still move…and now, even the next tree...he couldn’t see it. A crunch cracking through from a yonder corner, sending him stiffening against his tree just when his chest fell lighter - A falling twig? A loose rock? It was never the same sound…never the same place.

…If he moved too much-

No-no…no…no…

He was alone. Truly, completely alone. Screaming for help…or forage deeper in the blackening forest. Which would kill him first?

"...W-why is this…h-happening to me? W-What did I do w-wrong?"

Burden. Useless. Waste of food. I'll kill you if you ever come back

All he had were those words. All the words Father's.

His days in the cottage flashed in his mind - the days that were supposed to go forever, with Father. The dim red lights of wicker candles. A half-hacked open fish from Father’s catch of the day - never more than one per meal…raw most of the time-

But I still had food

His father had a temper. He would yell. He would beat. But he was Father. Father always forgave him. Eventually…so now, all alone in this cold, dark forest…how? Maybe he could still run back again maybe…back down to their cottage.

He took things from him, Father - many things - that was true…and sometimes…sometimes it hurt so much, he couldn't stop crying - and when that slipped out his mouth...that frustrated Father more than anything. But he knew…he knew it so well - there wasn’t anything else to it. Father had given him everything…everything. So if he could just…go back-

But he'll kill me…he said he’d kill me

The boy slumped back down, back scraping against the tree as he crunched softly on the forestbed.

But my stomach hurts…so much…

When did he last eat? Was it…last night? It was night now-

A whole day…I haven't done anything for a whole da-

The boy immediately stiffened, pressing back into the bark gaze hurriedly boring into the mist as it made out a pore of radiant gold piercing through its milky roiling.

Someone came!?

The boy sucked his breath, scream itching into his throat - it was over- it was finally-

A monster…it could be a monster…

The pore forged onwards, moving closer - thrumming brighter, as strands of its iridescence sprayed onto the curls of the mist - a long, slender shadow folding into shape behind its sluggish gait. He could hear soft thumps now…it was coming. For him.

…Oh no…please…please-

"Well, well…what do we have here? You there - under the tree…you're a guy, right?"

Man!

"Y-yes-yes - I’m…!"

"...The hell? How old are you? Huh…got a dare or something? What the hell are you doing here right now - do you have any fricking sense!?"

"N-No sir…I don't know where I am and I…"

Can't go back

"...d-don't know where to go…"

"...buddy…which psychopath told you it was a bright idea to come here? Are you hurt or something - Can you move? Hang on - stay where you are. I’m coming to you"

"I-I…"

He couldn't. Couldn’t hold it in now.

The boy broke down into a sob, cradling his head-

All the Hurt

It was a wail so silent, that leaked out first.

Then another - louder…broken. His throat stung. His voice cracked - wails cutting his throat wider as they galloped out-

Shrieking…he was shrieking - retching out faster and faster, tears welling and tearing out; Every bit of his suffering…he just wanted it gone…all of it…right now…was the man

"Hey-hey - Sush- zip-it! Cut that out right now, buddy - just calm down…Hey!? You with me? You need to…"

"...I-I d-don" know w-whaht to do anymoh-"

"We’ll talk about that later, alright? Right now you need to keep shut…phew…buddy…Hey…?"

He could hardly hear the man…he’d locked himself in a wet, mangled huddle.

…what is…what’s-

A soft warmth poured into him - the boy shivering as he leaned closer to it…the man…had draped his palm over his shoulder?

"...You can cry about it somewhere safer, okay? Stay with me for a bit - I live near here. Okay, come on - I'll give you a hand…that's it. Up you go-"

The boy felt the man gently scooping him in his hands, his body lifting into the air - sitting on a firm shoulder. His eyes had squeezed shut as he hugged himself - if it was all a dream…then maybe…it could last a longer like this…

"...You’re pretty light, buddy - Whadaya eat, air?"

This swaying…crunching of the forest bed. They were walking now. He was in the man's arms. Someone was finally here…holding him.

I can sleep…Father…why…

The boy pressed tighter into the man, head rolling loosely against his arm. This blackness…was it another night at the cottage after all?

~

Warm…my head is…

The boy squinted, rubbing his eyes. He was lying down…on a bed.

Where am I?

He could hardly feel his body - he was sinking into the plush - and more so, his head was raised above his chest. He tried sitting up straight, absentmindedly clutching behind…a soft heap of cloth.

…what is this?

And saw the woman sitting next to him.

“So the boy wakes at last…how do you feel?"

Clear, weightless, and melodic. Her voice fell gently in his ears - tender…delectable.

"I feel…good. Did you take care of me? I…uh…don't know…where I am…"

"...We'll get to that, dear"

Dressed in simple grey robes, the women appeared neither old nor young, though her black hair reaching her shoulders lay streaked in grey bands at the front. A soft smile tugged on her mud-hued lips, as she stayed her gaze on the boy.

Is she expecting something from me?

"Umm…Miss?"

"Yes?"

"Have I done something?"

The woman gave a gentle chuckle, running her fingers through his hair.

"....I don't know if it's you who's done anything. What do you remember?"

The boy pulled his legs back, folding them under as he curled a finger on his chin.

"The forest…the whole day I was hiking…Father!"

The boy sprang up, startling the woman as he gripped her arm.

"I need…can you help me…talk to someone?"

The woman gave him a strange look - squinting slightly, as her gaze mellowed in a resigned gleam.

"...Child…you should be prepared to accept-"

A loud thud sounded outside their room.

"I'm back, Mom!"

…Isn't that voice…?

The woman turned, facing the door beside the bed.

A moment later, it cracked open, a young man poking his head through the gap. His light pink eyes quickly jittered around, scanning the room before they finally stopped on the woman, he flicked his eyebrows up enquiringly.

The woman blinked back, her elegant smile deepening.

"Get in, dear…he’s just woken up"

The man pulled his head back, creaking the door open as he swiftly stepped in - spinning inside, before shutting it behind.

…so you…

Rubbing his neck nonchalantly, the young man strode further into the room, the bulk of it jaggedly crescenting out as it ran down, scorpion-tail braids dropping lower from his fraying upper cowl.

"How was your quest?"

"Piece a’ cake, as is the usual - the girls are probably gonna be pissed I ditched them though - oops! Anyway, how's he doing? Made me go through a whole bunch of…what are those called again? Gotta brush upon the Monster Codex again - aha! -yes, those Ritmars really got zero chill at all. I swear, this mountain has one type of monster, and it’s a nocturnal arboreal?"

“Why, does that change something?”

The young man sighed from ahead - a distinct, gritty scraping filling the air: he was sharpening his sword.

“Well, it’s hard as hell to spot them, and even if you do, all you get is a walnut-sized monster core, mom. They barely sell for 3 silvers, after all that effort…still pretty fun to kill though.”

The woman turned to the boy again, grey eyes brighter.

“Hmm, now that I can understand-”

“The girls are still gonna pissed with me, though

"...I’m sure they’ll understand…He's awake, Ried."

"Hah? Is he now?"

The man set his swords aside with a firm clatter, and then moving from the table, he walked up behind the woman, loosely wrapping his around her neck - gently setting his chin on her head as he looked ahead.

…what is he-

Then unhurriedly dropping his gaze, the man’s eyes directly met with the boy’s, a thin smile creeping to his lips - not unkind, but feigned all the same.

The boy swallowed, legs shifting up as he clutched the sheets.

"Well, would you look at that…sweet dreams?"

“D-did you…carry me yesterday?"

“More or less. Well, mom - I'll leave the baby-ing to you. I'm off to bed for a bit."

"Ried, about the town…"

Ried huffed, gaze breaking below.

"...Well, I already warned you not to get your hopes up. They were all long gone before I made it there. That's the problem with those fishing villages, mom. They set up their shops that far out in the mainland no matter what they’re told, and report monster sightings until it’s too late…you know how this story ends."

The woman closed her eyes, sighing wearily as she pinched her nose.

"Then…the worst has come of his town."

Ried slid his arms away from his mother's chest, patting her shoulders, as his gaze returned back to the boy - a smirk immediately slipping in.

"By the way, kiddy, I'm Ried Frost - but if you’re being cooler, it’s Daebla-jhar. That's the ‘Devil Swordsman’ in the language of the Dragon itself. It's my adventurer name - strongest guy in the Valley, basically.”

"...O-oh…uhh…nice to meet you, Mr. Ried-"

" Pfthh- Mister?! What The hell, Man - I'm 16!"

“Dear, calm down - you’ll scare him.”

“Oh, yeah - sorry mom!”

He's 16!? That tall? How - or is it that I'm just that small? No, no, it’s not that…

Ried squinted at the boy, his lips slowly slipping into a faint grin-

"...but like, seriously - I do look young, right? Yeah, mom I guess being called Mr. is wa-ay too painful after all!"

"I'm sure he has much on his mind, dear. You can go rest now."

Pinning one last look at the boy, Ried gave his mother’s shoulder a definitive tap, before snapping back-

“Cool. Later, mom! You, too, kiddy."

“Get in a few hours at least, Ried. This is supposed to be your break, right?"

“I got you, I got you”

Ried weaved around the bed frame, walking up to the door, pulling it back around as he stepped out, and clicked it shut behind him.

It was just him and the woman now, again.

Shifting, the boy glanced at the woman. Her smile hadn't narrowed just yet, the arc of her lips still as supple as it was with Ried. Sighing, the woman caught his gaze - the boy quickly looking away hurriedly.

"...If I’m being honest, seeing you lying in bed like this takes me back a little. It's been years since Ried's come back home and stayed for more than a day, too battered to fight for a while - that, or avoiding his Guild duties. Now, he's all big and strong…and dependable. A mother couldn’t want any more…but even still…"

She misses caring for him

"I-I never got to thank him - you know, for saving me"

"Oh, he doesn’t care about any of that. As strange and cruel as the world has made it to be…he kills monsters for the sake of killing monsters…is what he says, at least. But I know… he's a wonderful boy…in a terrible world."

She loves him…so much…if only Father…

Tears welled in his eyes, the boy hurriedly swiping it away as he sniffed.

"...Child…I take it that you’ve rested well enough to talk a little, yes?"

"U-uh…yes. Yes."

"...Good. Then it is time to discuss something of absolute importance…but before that-"

The woman leaned closer, taking his hand in hers, smiling more deliberately.

“...what's your name, dear?”

My name…

“...Mikota"

“Mikota? That's such a lovely name…"

"It's…it's something my mother gave me…before she passed away"

"...I see…well…Mikota. I want you to take a deep breath, okay? This…there is no good way to put this…okay?”

…what?

“...okay”

The woman tightened her grip, gaze falling under her lashes.

“...I can understand if you don't want to hear this - I did not plan on telling you this just yet, but since Ried insists on it, he must have his reasons…"

Why do I feel…

Mikota's throat tightened…swallowing wasn’t helping.

"....Your entire village…has been wiped out…by a stray Horde of monsters"

"…no…it can't …t-that's not even…how? H-how is…n-no…"

The woman looked down, pressing his hand gently. But the room…the woman. The bed. All of it was falling away. A pit…it was tearing into his gut - sucking him into a piercing void that cured amid the churn of his stomach - worse than any fear - any horror that he had ever felt-

He couldn't…his mouth wouldn’t…

"I'm…I'm sorry - for things turning…Mikota?"

Stop…please…I beg you…no….no…oh god…

"...I don't know how you ended up here on the mountain…but it's the only reason you're still alive"

…Father?

The void…it was sharpening - prying deeper-

“M-my father! He...he…"

…saved me. Father saved me…

The void dropped.

This feeling…nothing…it was…absolutely nothing.

No tears. Maybe there were none left anymore…maybe he’d choked every ounce of himself already…Or that he really, truly, did not care about anything…not anymore. He didn't know…he didn’t know how to know.

If he slept again, maybe it would end…but he knew he couldn't now. Maybe he never would.

"...Mikota…you’ve only slept for a few hours, child - nowhere near how many you need… Close your eyes for just a little while longer, alright?"

Mom…

His eyes blacked out as Ried's mother shifted over them, resting over his eyes. And the world went black once more.

~

He…was sitting up in the bed…again.

…a dream?

Rubbing his eyes, he gazed about…he was alone.

The chair Ried's mother sat in, lay angled to his right…further along. Tracing ahead, he reached the frontwall, finding an ash dark cloak hanging by a peg - Ried's cloak - and just below that, the desk. His two black swords still rested there, huddled near each other.

Is this Reid's room?

From the left…was that chirping?

He turned, finding two beige casements right by his side - a black handle arcing out from either of them.

…should I..?

He reached towards one…it was cold - stiff…and smooth.

…what is this? So I just…spin this around?

before wrenching it open.

The panes swivelled open soundlessly, and the dark blue light of evening immediately washed over him, the sounds of birds outside hastening as he did. All around him pillars of bark shot into the sky, their canopy obscured by a familiar mist.

The boy shivered, shutting the casement. It was still too early to see that sight again…but it was true. He was in the forest of the mountain. There was no dream. And that meant

"Father really is gone…if they weren't lying…"

Sighing, Mikota wiped his forehead, slipping out of the bed and landing his feet into the soft, warm carpet below.

…they weren't lying

Everyone he knew was truly, really gone…and despite that…his head felt so light, his vision sharp, and his arms…his arms!

Mikota chuffed, flexing his fingers as he wrung them around his arm…they didn't hurt anymore - not one bit…This was the best he'd felt in weeks…maybe his life! Standing still in the middle of the room, he tried peering into his skin in the dim yellow candle light….he could make out his skin…no…how was that even possible?

Mirror…I need a mirror.

Mikota looked around, scanning his surroundings, and finally rested ahead. Above the desk, beside the peg hung an ornate, elliptical mirror, lit up bronze by the candle on the desk.

Taking a deep breath, he quietly walked up to the mirror. Up close, he could make out the swirling curls and words engraved into the silver rim of the thing, and front and center, a boy looked back. The boy wasn't dishevelled, nor gaunt - his skin wasn’t welted and purple with bruises…his eyes weren't red, or twinged shut in hurt.

The boy touched his face in disbelief, the mirror following him.

…How can this be real?

Mikota in the mirror. He was perfect…but it was…him. Mikota.

He felt like laughing. But he couldn't…his lips in the mirror giving into a sneer.

…But I didn't -

"BOOH!!"

"-AAUGHH-!"

Mikota lurched back, nearly falling to the ground as he stared back into the mirror. His reflection stared back, hands on his hips - sneer still intact as he returned Mikota's frazzled glare.

"W-who are you- What's wrong with this mirror?"

"Who said this was a mirror?"

"H-how are…W-who…I didn’t do anything I swear…I'm sorry-"

“Mhm…I'll consider your apology, since you asked so nice- Shit-that-granny's-coming-"

His reflection quickly dropped to Mikota's own half squat he had frozen into. A knock resounded on the door, jolting him upright again.

"Kiddy? You awake yet?"

Ried.

"…Y-yes! I'm coming!"

His reflection sneered, as he gazed at the door.

"...that was a pretty quick come-back there, bud…false alarm, I guess…hey kid...oh? What do we have here?"

Not a mirror, then-

"Ooooh! You…have no idea what she's done to you, do you? Then this might just be a little fun after all…well, off you go then. We'll do a better talk later, little mortal"

When he clicked the door shut behind, Mikota half expected to be outside in the forest again, sighing in relief as warm light poured from lamps hanging around the place. He found himself in a circular room, much bigger than anything he'd seen back at father's cottage…even now…just thinking about it was so…

Mikota shook his head, taking his surroundings more clearly. There were doors just like his own cutting into the walls at every side, which gave away to a hemisphere carved out, a whole other room behind it, and obstructing the interior behind was a familiar figure, standing arms crossed.

"Ried?"

The 16-year-old looked up, gave him a once over, then gestured to the center of the room. Mikota followed his finger, finding a table set in the middle, and one meal laid out in the open.

“Mikota, right? Eat up, then we'll - uh…have another talk, I guess. Mom hasn't mentioned everything to you yet, but since she's asleep, I'll just roll with it. But before that, you better have a better meal. Relax, buddy. It's just a sandwich"

Gingerly pulling back a chair, he sat at the table, studying the sandwich.

Glistening, well-baked brown, bits of green fraying out over a grainy red patty…he couldn't take it anymore. He clamped his jaw into the thing, cutting into it, his tongue quickly crushing into the bite in his mouth - sweetish salty - crunchy, yet soft - it was just perfect. He was scarcely aware of Ried leaning on the wall beside as he wolfed it all down in mere minutes. And it was over.

Mikota leaned back, wiping his mouth - panting a little. He'd never eaten so fast before, nor so much at once. His stomach felt tough, but pleasant all the same.

Full. I feel full.

"Wish I could sleep like a baby. Then again, you weighed about as much as one, so I guess it kinda makes sense"

"Ried…I didn’t get to thank you - for everything. It's all so…I don't know. "

Ried uncrossed his arms, folding them back.

"You’re welcome. Now, I want to know - What the Hell were you doing on this mountain?"

“Father sent me away…he…didn’t want to see me again…"

"....Really? A fellow scumbag dad, I see…join the club"

"Fellow…? But…you live with your mom…so did you both leave him?"

"Huh? Oh, no. I killed him"

"W-what!?"

Pocketing his arms, Ried looked at him seriously.

…he isn’t…

"You heard me…It was either that, or he killed me. Guess which one I prefer"

"But…what about your mom? How did she…?"

"Although Mom initially wanted to take me in as her apprentice, we found out rather quickly about my splendidly worthless aptitude for magic - but she liked me sticking around so much, she took me as her son. Do you understand what I’m saying, kiddy? She wanted me as her son, like I wanted her as my mother"

"But Father-!"

“Mikota. Buddy. Listen, real close. You were barely hanging on - near death, alright? That’s where you were. Death. If that's what ‘care’ looks like to you, you need to seriously reconsider your common sense - I know it's difficult, but unless you don't try being a little more open minded, you'll stay the same for the rest of your sorry life. The only reason you're even alive right now is because of my mother"

Then placing a hand on Mikota's shoulder, Ried's gaze softened.

“Shit like this doesn’t swipe off in one day. I'm not asking you to be okay with all of this. The only way from here is to accept what's happened, and what will happen given what you choose from now. No one's hurrying you into anything, so sit it out all you like - but at the same time, understand something very clearly: the world is not going to stop sinking into crap any slower for anybody, no matter who's at fault. You’ve lost a lot of things, as it stands, nothing’s going to change that. But right now, you’re alive. I don't know about you, but after all said and done, that's pretty amazing, right?"

You really believe that…

"...I don't know about that."

"No one does, Mikota. Truth be told, it's nothing you can talk your way out of. It just fades, or it doesn't . But from what I"ve learned, just spitting it out as it helps a lot sometimes…and if you want to, I'm all ears, alright?"

"I just…I don't know why my father was…so…angry…all the time…I don't know what I didn’t do right - or what I did that he wanted to…"

Ried scoffed sharply, making Mikota glance at him, only to catch his half lidded glare, jaw clenched sorely.

“Drunk, moronic, and animal. That's what some men become…or maybe were, beneath all the bullshit. No self control for shit, continually losing everything in the process, grieving their miserable existence and then having the gall to take it out on those around them…on those who would take it all time after time, hoping things would change. Like family. That's why bastards like that even stick around for so long."

“So…your father really tried to…?"

"He did. Nothing more, nothing less. Insane, isn’t it?"

“So you…killed him…h-how?"

"Like any son would. Tears in my eyes, and anger as…well from all the things so far…that was probably the shittiest thing ever…that good-for-nothing hope that it would all just change one day - and…bidding farewell, to the creature who was supposed to shield me from the world - with gritting teeth and clenched, trembling hands"

Ried slid his hands in his pockets, staring at the carpet.

"...that day…was the worst day of my life. Still is. Almost lost all of myself in one moment. But I don't regret a god damn thing…and after a bit, maybe I'll understand why. Life’s a strange thing, Mikota…it really is…”

Ried finally looked back at him, smiling faintly - teeth glinting from the gap of his sneer-

“...so you better wring it dry for all it's worth, yeah? Mikota, in this kind of situation, you need to remember this: You’re the only one who can save you."

Mikota bent down, sighing as he palmed his eyes…this feeling - he was supposed to feel hollow, but with Ried around, there was this sort of agitation that wouldn’t let him rest there. A kind of euphoric…pain, that made him remember that he was numb right now, not that he couldn’t feel.

But still, what in god's name am I supposed to do now…? I don’t even-

THWAPP!

Mikota yelped, back flinching straight - the bone and skin there rippling with a dull throb, where Ried had just whacked his hand onto - the 16 year old standing directly beside him, scorpion-tail braids swinging lightly beside his darkened eyes-

“Don’t ever lose your form, Mikota. You’ll get eaten alive out there, if you do…and if it’s because you have nothing to believe-”

Ried snapped a thumb to his chest, grin flashing back-

“Believe in Me, Rank S, Adventurer, Ried Frost - the Devil Swordsman!”

“What’s with that pose?!”

…right now…did I just…shriek?

Grin widening as though he’d acknowledged that exact though, Ried tilted his head, learning closer-

"Man, seriously? Your standards are way too low, dude…anyway - I kind of got distracted earlier. There’s something mom told me to tell you, and uhh..well, it’s kind of a bit.."

The 16 year old reached closer, shifting Mikota’s hand curled up on his stomach higher, high, to the left of his chest, and pressing it there. His heart.

Mikota blinked, staring back up at Ried-

“...Ried, what are you-”

“Can you feel it - no, rather, can you?”

“What are you…”

His heart. No, it couldn’t be- it was…it wasn’t…

“...i-it’s not beating! My heart isn’t beating anymore - how’s that possible?! Wait, no - I should be Dead, then!- Ried, What’s Happened to Me?”

Chuckling, Ried left his clutch from Mikota’s wrist, straightening back up - Mikota’s fingers still desperately clenched that spot, shifting around minutely- maybe he was just adjusting to the light sensation? Sometimes, it took time to feel-

"You’re wasting time, Mikky. It’s dead. For real."

"What Are You Talking About?! I’m Still Alive!"

Having reached the window by his troll, Ried turned back, grin slightly sideways now.

“Welcome to magic. Doesn’t make a shred of sense to me either, pal. It’s part of mom’s treatment. You can’t leave the mountain anytime soon, until your heart learns to beat again, or you really will die stepping out from her. Don’t worry, it’s tried and tested. I went through the same thing…”

Ried paused, grin fading as he looked down…that expression - some kind of fond memory?

“...You were still in much better shape than I was, when mom found me. I couldn’t leave this place for a year.”

“Ried..”

The way he was framing all this, it was some kind of treatment…by his mother? He’d called her a mage earlier, hadn’t he?

You have no idea what she's done to you…

The being in the mirror - that’s what it had said.

Ried’s mother used magic on me? What even is magic?

"Ahem, anyway, you feel amazing, right? I know. Say it with me now - I love me a good ‘ol jug of Dragon blood!”

“Uh, no - that’s okay…wait, Dragon blood? Your mother used Dragon Blood on me? Is that the ‘magic’ your mother used on me?”

“Hell if I know! Anyway, I just wanted to give you a little warning, in case you get any funny ideas while you're wide awake…although, I reckon you’re not that type of guy to run off like that. Phew! I have never lectured someone that much. If you need anything, my room’s that one-”

Ried pointed to the door opposite to the window-

“Oh, yes, I see it. But wait, Ried - what’s going to happen to me from now?"

Ried waived his dismissively as he walked past Mikota, already heading towards his room-

“Tomorrow, Mikky, tomorrow. Don’t be a wuss, and goodnight.”

…What’s a wuss?

~

Ried was absolutely right. Even lying down like this ached, let alone the hazy dream of ‘sleep’. There was that thrumming of alertness beating his psyche into constant vigilance - the sensation he’d been feeling ever since walking up the second time, in this very bed.

Mikota curled his toe in, arms and legs locked around each other in a fetus’s wrap. He was still staring at his bed, not daring to look anywhere else in the dark - for he’d already adjusted to it in seconds, and somehow, that was worse.

Dragon blood? What was Ried talking about? Is it…what is a Dragon supposed to be? Some kind of creature? Magic?


Groaning, Mikota cradled his head, face smushing deeper into his soft pillow.

“...maybe all of this really is too much for me…maybe in the morning, I can explore the tower a bit…now that I think about, I should be able to see the forest too from here-”

He shuddered, fingers tightening on his pillow.

No, no, no - not at least for another 10 days…right now, that forest was still…it had too many bad memories. Too many painful ones.

“...Well, maybe I can go with Ried - he seems to his way around here pretty well.”

“That idiot? Zero chance - the guy can walk ten flights up, and still ask you why he’s not on the ground floor.”

“Hehe…no, no…that’s very rude…wait…wait-wait-wait- oh-!”

Mikota dove under his pillow, plunging back in darkness, breath short and heavy-

That was my voice for sure, but I know I didn’t say that! There’s no doubt about it!

“No, no, I was just dreaming or something.”

“E-exccuse me, could you please s-stop talking like- I know for sure you’re not me thinking…”

One second.

Two.

“Ho-ho-ho! I guess you’re pretty intuitive, even at this age! Hah…yes, Yes! I feel ‘It’~! The Air, This Set, the Feeling - It’s the Curtains Opening!”

“W-who are you?! A-and…how are you speaking in my voice?”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s my thing.”

“Why should I not worry about it? L-listen…please - can you go away? I-I’m…”

…who am I talking to? Does Ried know about them? Wait, if I remember correctly…

“Say, Mikota, don’t you want to know the secrets of-”

“I-I remember now! Right before Ried called me, there was this being who used my own reflection as their body…and right now you used my voice…you both…are you the same person?”

The voice remained silent, for a moment. And then soft, slow slaps echoed through the room.

“Bravo, Mikota! You’ve passed the first test - consciousness!”

“...we didn’t establish that earlier?”

“I have necessarily high standards, like any distinguished being blessed with immense sapience, I’ll have you know! Okay, but seriously - are we going to have a face-to-face conversation, or what?”

“Face-to-face? You mean, through the mirror? W-well…listen, Mr. Voice…I know y-you’re probably a really nice person…b-but-”

Mikota clenched his fists underneath his sheets, knuckles pushing the pillow tighter against his head-

I want to see who’s there, I want to, but..

“...I-I guess…well…right now…it’s…it’s just…I’m sorry, I…”

“...am afraid of the dark.”

“...yeah…”

It knows. It’s known since the beginning.

“...Mr. Voice-”

“Why - It is I, Saridus, he who has lived a billion suns, and will live ten billion more! - and would scream this title considerably louder if there wasn’t a cranky 28-year-old mage’s temper tantrums to consider! That’s right, Mikota! This is a once in a life-time opportunity to get to know me when the stage’s empty - an unvarnished meet-and-greet with the providence that shines after a thousand years of intellectually unrivalled sapience! Also known as a demon, but that’s the lousy term humans came up for us. Can you believe that? - Hello? You still there? Hello-o?”

Mikota had been gripping the hem of his blanket, finger trembling as the thought of ripping it off for good drifted their tendons-

He’s trusted me enough to say this much enthusiastically, and I can’t even face him?

“Saridus…for up until now, I’m really sorry.”

“You’re awake! Oh, for a second there, I thought you were…hold on, what’s with this atmosphere?”

Fingers clutching his sheets one last time

“...honestly, it’s my first time talking to someone who isn’t human, so that was also a part of it - I lied, and you took my word for it…and on top of that, you gave me your trust for that lie…I don’t even know when I chose to say that lie, but it just happened…”

“...listen, Mikota - you don’t need to force yourself, like you said, it isn’t natural. I would never expect anyone to bother answering…you take what you can get, at my side. Anyway- moving on-”

Mikota threw the blanket away, sitting straight up. All around him an inky gauze filled the room. He still couldn’t see anything.

…I’m not sure what I was expecting

“...well, the sentiment counts, I guess.”

Sighing shakily, Mikota flipped back down, hitting the bed down.

“...I’ve…I’ve never talked to a demon before…so y-you're inside a world, that’s inside the mirror?"

"It’s kind of complicated, actually - you need a bit of reference. I can't…well - exist in the world like you do right now, even if I wanted to. Can you imagine being stuck in the same room for Fifty. Fucking. Years? Fifty. Look, I know you're very wary of me right now, which is probably justified - my brethren don't exactly have a clean track record, but we can have a little chat right? Come on. I know you aren't like those obtuse block heads."

"I’ve…never talked to a demon"

"I’ve never talked to a decent human. See? It's a first for both of us."

"Oh…I-uh…so…what's your name? Wait, it was Saridus, wasn’t it?"

“Indeed, my fine lad! - I’m currently under contract with 28-year-old mage artificer and alchemist, Evaine Frost. Illusions are kinda my…mojo"

“...Mojo?"

“My power, or Domain of influence. You saw me changing your appearance right? I can bend the mind of those around me - all with good intentions of course, don't you worry. I'm not the power hungry type…I can't be, even if I wanted to."

"...that word - ‘demon’ - um, what exactly are demons?"

The voice paused…then dropping octaving lower-

“...Mikota…you really don’t know? Nothing?”

“No, unfortunately - sorry about that…does it have anything to do with magic?”

“...you…are at a position of great importance right at this moment, Mikota. You need to understand that”

…What changed?

“Heh…I see how it is…so you have waited this long, have you? Fine, fine…I’m not complaining…”

“Saridus…is everything-”

“Mikota.”

…right now, his voice just went back to…his-

“Y-yes?”

“I’ll teach you everything magic.”

~

“Demons are creatures like any other in this world, except our kind is born in a different kind of existence, you could say. It's kind of like…mhmm…I don't know if you can relate to it, but if you and I stood in the same room, we would still individually be alone - as in, we can't experience each other normally. Contracts with us bring our influence to your world. You'll have to read up on how contracts work, because honestly, I have no idea what scheming led humans to syphon our life force into their world"

"We would be alone...even together?"

"Yeah, it's a kind of…complicated"

"Hmm…okay…"

Wait, does he know about Dragon blood?

“Saridus, could I ask you something?"

"Go ahead, Mik"

I don't know if I like that nickname

“Do you know what Ms. Evaine did to me?"

"Hm-hm! Finally curious, eh?"

"I think I need to know if I'm to sleep soundly"

"Well, then, let me ask you something. What do you know about magic?"

"Pretty much nothing."

"...well, I figured, but I'm still not used to seeing a genuinely earnest kid. You're real precious, Mik. Well then, let's start from the beginning, shall we?"

"Please do."

"Right. So, Mana is a sort of matter, embedded in the very seams of reality - you move Mana, you change the world around you - similar to how moving an object in light causes its shadow to move as well. Mana is the object, and the world it's woven into acts as the shadow of its presence. Any questions so far?

"Uhh…well, so this world you exist in…is mana different for you?

"Very good! You're asking the right questions. Well, remember when I said we live differently? My kind are creatures whose very essence is of mana. We don't exist in the world - rather, alongside it. Like mana."

"Wait…so you…moving things in your…existence…outside our world…"

"Yes?"

“Does that mean you can cause anything to happen in our world?"

"Precisely. That's how humans - specifically mages like Evaine - use contracts to get their bidding done. How they form contracts in the first place is - I'm afraid - quite beyond me. If we figured it out, we'd put a stop to it. It's rather annoying how we're sucked from our existence to do some petty work for a mortal"

"Oh…I'm so sorry"

"...Dear me, you're such a good kid, why that lady dragged you of all people here, I'll never know. But anyway, that's the gist of human magic. But that's not what we're curious about, is it?"

“...Dragon blood"

"Yeah. Now we're there. There exist some extraordinary creatures on your side of the world that have evolved to manipulate reality through their mere gaze and intention. Their very blood is fused with mana, the progenitor of all phenomena. So naturally, their whole body works very differently to other species, which is why unlike most creatures in your world, they live for a very, very long time."

"And assuming this creature could be a Dragon…"

"Pretty much. You’ve ingested dragon blood, and your biology is completely reconstructing itself, adapting to the nature of dragon blood - it's vitality being integrated with your own construct. Right now, your body is not naturally circulating and processing the dragon blood that's given you your current vitality, as it should be in the Dragon's body. The Dragon's heart is keeping you alive - exuberantly healthy even, for now"

"...Oh…wow. That's …that's amazing! How do you know so much?

“Don't sweat it. I’ve had a thousand years to see the state of the world, and lament my sorrows. And every now and then, a scrupulous jewel like you blossoms from the earth, and…well. I have a good time! I'm getting a tad bit skittish, thinking how it'll all going to-"

"-Hang on…the Dragon's heart is keeping me alive? But I don't have a Dragon's heart…"

"Think about it kid. Dragons are massive creatures. Do you really think their blood is pumped using the biology of species like you? Of course not! How would they even exist then?. Their very nature is to use mana to keep themselves alive. A Dragon's Heart is what's allowing your Dragon's blood to course throughout your body, even from afar."

"...but still…how could a Dragon's Heart be pumping…"

"Ah! I see your doubt now. Okay - let me ask you something. Where do you think you are? Right now?"

"..In the forest, atop the mountain"

"There's no mountain, Mik"

"H-hah?! W-what do you…what is it you're saying?"

"You're in a forest, riding on a Dragon."