With the sharp claw on her left hand's index finger, Granny pricked the skin on her right hand making a tiny opening to the flesh between two scales.

Gritting her teeth, she sternly looked at her golden scaled right hand as her dark red blood streamed down on his left hand and finally dropped into the multi-colored syrupy liquid in the cauldron.

As the first droplet of blood vanished in the liquid, she pulled her hands away from the cauldron. The liquid immediately entered into a heated chemical reaction. Foam quickly formed on the surface, while also large silver bubbles formed and burst apart.

Seeing this, Granny closed her eyes and slowly and deeply exhaled. Her draconic aura soon receded, while her scales returned to her previously wrinkly skin. Only a tiny bruise could be seen in the middle of her right hand, a reminder of the act.

Opening her eyes, the golden luster was no longer there. She tiredly looked at Number 3, and as her trademark gentle smile resurfaced, she ruggedly spoke.

"Hah… it should be done. Keep injecting your energy until the foam dissipates from the surface, then it should be finished. I need to sit down for a bit…"

There was no need for a verbal response, Number 3 slightly nodded her head, and continued radiating the heat from her hands.

Granny sluggishly made her way back to her chair and poured a fresh cup of tea from the kettle that was seemingly always on the coffee table. She silently sipped from it and watched as Number 3 completed the finishing touches on the concoction.

Several minutes passed like this until Number 3 finally pulled her hands away as the light faded from them.

She smiled as she looked at the finished liquid, then following the elder alchemist's example, she also walked back to her chair and poured herself a fresh cup.

"The fire." was the only word she spoke.

"Oh right, let me fix that." Granny replied, and with a single clap, the purple flames changed returning to their original orange color. Immediately, they could feel the warmth from it.

Returning to her resting pose, she continued to gaze at the flames.

"Honestly, I don't know if I can repeat this in the next few decades. It really takes its toll on my weary bones." she let out a tired sigh.

"Oh, don't complain. Even if you were in a much worse state, you would still do it without any hesitation, if it meant you could save Aiden or Lily. Instead, tell me: how long before we could give the elixir to Aiden and wake him up?" Number 3 asked.

"It should be ready before dinner time. It needs a couple of hours to cool down, and then we should be ready. I assume you already have a vial ready." Granny responded while she continued to rest and sip from her cup.

"Hmmm. We're nearly done. I never thought I would see the famous elixir rumored to even be able to bring back the dead…" She sipped from her tea, and as she continued to gaze at the flames, she remembered the event a few nights ago. Number 3 looked at Granny as she spoke.

"Still, the words of that apparition… What do you think could it mean? Strengthen his soul?"

"Hard to say," Granny thoughtfully replied "there are still many questions about that kid. Like how can he be a dragon while born in a human form? Also, his powers… Don't you think it's strange? He is so young, yet so feral, so wild. The ghost, or apparition or whatever that woman was is just another layer on the mysteries surrounding him."

"True. The fact that the Grandmaster noticed and even ordered to keep an eye on him…" Number 3 seconded Granny's thoughts.

"Anyways, let's just enjoy this nice cup of tea, and rest up before we bring the drink to him." Granny answered.

They enjoyed their cups while they gazed at the fire and thought about the night where Aiden would finally wake up from his long slumber. Hopefully, they would finally get some answers to some of their most burning questions.

---

Inside the void where the golden flame continued its metaphorical battle of survival against this monstrous enemy, the white ball that kept up his relentless guard, softly spoke.

[Not that much now Aiden…. Not much…]

As if understanding its words, the golden flame flickered. The seed that this flame continued to protect, was now clearly visible. Both the white ball and the flame knew that soon, it will be able to leave, and return where it belongs.

Suddenly, a girl's hollow and faint cry could be heard echoing across the void. How could it traverse if this place was truly devoid of any medium, would be an excellent question.

Regardless, the faint sound of this familiar-sounding girl's voice kept echoing. As time passed on, this echo started to become louder, clearer.

As the sound eventually reached the only residents of this place, the seed that was sleeping soundly inside the flame started showing signs of activity.

The white ball kept up its close guard, but as the voice reached them, it also became agitated. Not because of the owner of the voice, but because of the meaning behind the cry and the consequences this would carry on.

The seed started to violently shake, and as the girl's voice started to become clearer, louder, and you could take out bits and pieces, a low unnatural growl came from it.

"Bro… sav…"

Seconds continued to ruthlessly pass, and by now, both the flame and the white ball kept watching the seed. The ball's soft female voice carried a hint of worry as it spoke to the seed.

[Calm down, Aiden. I know you want to go, but it will be dangerous if you leave now!]

However, when the girl's voice echoed again, and as the words became clear, the low growl became a loud roar. As it shattered its chains, its light became bigger, brighter, and in mere seconds, the previously dark world where it recuperated became a white colorless space.

When the seed eventually vanished, the white ball sighed and looked at the seed's previous spot with worry.

[Let's just hope those two are ready with the potion, as the consequences of him leaving prematurely will be big…]

---

Time passed by and the late afternoon soon arrived. After the tiring alchemy session, Granny and Number 3 as well didn't even have the energy to enjoy their lunch. She brought a small tray of cookies and just snacked on them, while they lazed on their comfy chairs.

However, as the first orange hues of the setting sun started to peek through the windows, Number 3 broke the long silence they previously enjoyed.

"So, is it ready? Can we begin?"

Nodding her head, Granny slowly got to her feet. As she got up, however, suddenly an unsettling feeling struck her. Instead of walking to the cauldron, she went to the windows, and as her eyes swept the curve of the forest, taking their time she let out a loud sigh.

Startled by her reaction, Number 3 followed after her. Looking at the forest, she couldn't help but ask.

"What is it? Did you feel something? Is something wrong?"

Uncertainly shaking her head, she kept looking at the forest, not sure what the source of her troubled heart was.

"I-I am not sure… No matter, I guess." She turned around, and as she walked to the cauldron she continued. "Never mind me. We have more important matters now."

"Hmm…" Number 3 hummed skeptically, but regardless, she followed along.

She kept her eyes on the crystal clear purple-silvery liquid and put her hand in front of Number 3 as she demanded.

"Give me the vial."

Number 3 silently pulled out the small crystal vial, that she kept on her belt and placed in Granny's hand.

Using a large spoon, Granny quickly filled the vial, and after giving it a few good whisks, she contentedly noted.

"Yes, this is perfect. We should be good. Quick, let's go and wake that boy up! He slept more than enough!"

Grabbing the vial like if it was her most precious treasure, both of them walked towards Aiden and Lily's room, ready to finally wake the boy and get some answers.

However, just as they arrived at the door and was ready to push down the handle and enter, suddenly a golden light blinded them. A loud earth-shattering roar sounded from Aiden's direction followed by a large explosion of energy as the full power of his draconic aura unfolded, covering a large portion of the forest.

The wooden door blew to pieces as Aiden's draconic rage-filled voice thundered all around. It was a cry, a call to battle, and it was only one word. Or to be more precise a name.

"LILY!"

As the dust settled, both Granny and Number 3 could only see the rubbles of the previously standing wall and the remains of the bed where Aiden was sleeping just a few moments ago. In the distance, a golden streak was whooshing across the stress at a frightening speed.

His destination seemed to be the city, and from the golden streaks of lightning that zigzagged across his golden scales, one thing was sure. Whoever dared to cause harm to his dear sister, better prepare...