Seventh Day

Finally, I found solace in the confines of a city, a place as yet unfamiliar but less so than Griffin’s Kingdom. The visit started promisingly but concluded in catastrophe. Astra's anxiety resonated with me. My report was filled with grim details of an unfortunate incident, and Fulgor's sudden disappearance had left Calida and me to confront the remaining members. While I wasn't entirely convinced that it was all a mere misunderstanding, the evidence suggested otherwise. We had arrived just in time for the late afternoon meeting. Despite the urgency, I allowed myself the luxury of returning home to change into more suitable attire, aiming to present a more polished image.

During this brief respite, I noticed an odd mark on my chest: a large upward-pointing V interspersed with specks. Its meaning eluded me, adding to my growing unease. I rendezvoused with Akira and filled her in on the recent developments. She informed me that she had foreseen Fulgor's departure in a vision. She couldn't pinpoint when it would happen, but it appeared that today was the day and her vision had proved accurate. She didn't foresee any repercussions for the city due to his absence. He was merely a political figure, his legendary deeds speaking volumes about his character.

With Calida now set to become the liaison between the kingdom of the Griffins and the one of Aura, I anticipated significant changes on the horizon. The guardians, who had met us as planned, were eager to learn about my progress. Akira outlined the preliminary training and advocated for me. I also had the chance to speak on my own behalf. The accident was revealed, and to my surprise, it aroused less concern than I had anticipated.

However, Calida proposed that Fulgor's disappearance might have caused unrest in the city, given his popularity there, despite his frequent absences. This could pose a challenge for Astra, still a young queen, even with her sibling’s support. She might need guidance. Given the friendship I believed Calida and I had established, I suggested that we journey between the cities together. This proposal, however, was met with a simple denial, as I was still considered vulnerable and my true mission was about to commence.

I had to ready myself and explore my full potential. Everything Akira had foreseen needed to become reality as soon as possible. Every ounce of power within me needed to be harnessed. The prospect of an attack should not have been a concern. I lacked weaponry, but I needed to master the art of self-defense and, at times, even strike first. This was a noble plan, I thought, but it also weighed heavily on me. The expectations placed on me caused anxiety. Despite having a grand purpose to live for, I wished to avoid causing harm. However, recent events had taught me a harsh lesson: when cornered and threatened, survival becomes a primal instinct.

The new arrangement was thus: I would observe the training of the dragon students, learning from their elemental skills, but I would not participate directly. Then, after their sessions, a guardian or an assistant, one of their top students, or even a pawn, would train me personally, along with the guardian. That was the plan they presented to me that day.

Later, after the meeting, I made a beeline for the library, seeking more information about the portal I had seen. But my search yielded scant information. Even with Leo’s guidance, nothing I read clarified the significance of the patterns, especially the one I had witnessed. Calida held knowledge that the books here did not contain. Something I needed to ask her about. I loathed asking questions, especially after Astra’s incessant queries from the day before.

The urge to embark on my new life was so strong that I wanted to leave that very night. But circumstances did not allow for such a hasty departure. Instead, I turned to self-examination. As I examined my physical form, I observed certain alterations and markings, but I couldn’t determine when they had manifested. Had they appeared during the day, or perhaps earlier, nobody could know. The pain emanating from these wounds was also baffling. It seemed erratic and unpredictable. For instance, despite a cut on my neck, the discomfort I felt was manageable compared to the first time Akira intentionally inflicted an injury on me by slicing into my arm. But that's a minor detail.

It dawned on me that my understanding of human physiology might be limited due to my lack of formal medical education. During my school years, academic achievements were prioritized over genuine comprehension or retention of knowledge beyond achieving good grades.

After overthinking, something stirred within me, as if a dormant character within had awoken, driven by a yearning for enlightenment and understanding, fueled by a thirst for knowledge and personal growth that surpassed what books could provide.

Yet, I curbed these thoughts, aware that excessive introspection could be detrimental at times like this. I decided that a period of rest would be more beneficial than further ruminations about the entity emerging within me.