“Mhmmm...” (Arin)

Awakening from my deep sleep, I lightly stretch myself to get more awake. But once I return to my initial position, I can feel the blanket and my tails comfortably huddling me in, causing me to close my eyes once more.

…

Still slightly befuddled, my blanket is removed rather suddenly, causing me to lose the comfortable warmth. With it gone, I finally sit up and open my eyes, stretching my body as I look around. Rubbing my eyes due to the unclear sight, I then spot Saria in front of me, holding the blanket over her arm while smiling warmly in my direction.

But as I am watching her face, I also notice a slight giggle escaping her, causing me to become confused. When I finally get more or less awake, I then take a look at my own body, noticing my unusual clothes.

I am currently wearing a gray pajama, with a small hood with wolf-ears on top. The pajama is made from soft fur with comfortable cloth on the inside, aiding in keeping the warmth in and protect from the outside cold. I may have been too tired yesterday to notice, but it would explain Saria's giggle just now, as she is the creator of this piece of clothing.

Well, yesterday I had a lot of fun. Though changing the clothes is still annoying, acting like the person I embody is fun. Even more so since I can walk and run around now.

Especially showing off a costume is fun, as even Uncle Black kept praising me on it while even Mama Lumi showed up and ruffled through my hair.

Well, yesterday aside, while still feeling slightly drowsy, Saria takes me by the hand and leads me to the bath, leaving while I change clothes before washing my hair. The bath is grand and even has a warm water pool the size of my room, allowing it to easily fit a Dragon inside, in his dragon form.

Well, while Saria washes my silver hair and tails, I use some soap to clean off the paint remaining on my face. Sadly, some of the soap landed in my eye, causing me to flinch, even if there isn't much pain.

After my hair was thoroughly washed, Saria leaves and I enter the bath, joined by Cyan and Uncle Black who were already sitting in the pool when I arrived. By now, my mind cleared and I was playing around with the water, while Uncle Black and Cyan spoke about the happenings of yesterday. On that point, I ask a question to Uncle Black.

“Uncle, what exactly happened with you and Lumi? After Anna said something abut family, Mama Lumi suddenly vanished, retreating back into the mind space, not letting out a word since...” (Arin)

To my question, I can see Uncle Black showing a concerned smile, before mumbling something to himself. But before I could ask him again, he regained his demeanor and ruffled through my by now wet hair.

“You don't have to worry. It isn't your fault, and we aren't fighting or anything, we are only unsure of our approach on one another... So please just talk and stay with her like you normally would, okay?” (Uncle Black)

Saying so while showing a weak smile, Uncle Black looks at me. I only nod, smiling back at him.

Then, after a couple more minutes passed, everyone gets out of the bath. And so, after having my hair dried off by Cyan, we all dress ourselves and make our way down into the dining-room.

There, Sarek and the others already prepared breakfast, and the royal family is already actively enjoying it. And so with us then getting seated at the table, everyone takes a quick look before concentrating back on their food.

Today should be a day of Darkness, a holiday in this case. Normally I would pass my morning at home, crafting, experimenting or doing something different, while playing with the other kids in the afternoon.

But now with the visitors, the schedule got adjusted. It appears that the royal family will only remain today and leave tomorrow, but Anna and Alice have been promised to stay another month. As much as I could find out, Uncle Black knows someone who can help me, Alice and Anna in training our use in Magic-Power, so he wants the girls to stay behind another month, also, I believe it is also meant for me.

That aside, as soon as breakfast is over, several guard are assigned to the royal family while Elrion will lead them around town. Meanwhile, Uncle Black will lead me and the three girls; Anna, Alice and Sumi to the person capable of teaching us the way of Magic-Power.

I don't know who it is, as I never met a person capable of using MP the way me and the others can. Well, Sumi can't really manipulate MP either, but due to her constitution she can disrupt the Magic-Powers in her surroundings, so she also follows as she might learn something useful as well.

With that being said, our little group of five leaves the mansion, but not onto the road, but into the field behind it.

Not understanding what we are doing here, Uncle Black suddenly gestures us to take some distance, before transforming himself into his huge dragon-form. It isn't his biggest version, but it is large enough to give the girls a mighty scare.

Well, Sumi and the others never saw Uncle Black in his true form, so seeing their reaction, I have trouble keeping in my laughter. Though, seeing my trembling shoulders and nearly bursting smile, Anna shoots me an embarrassed glare while Sumi and Alice still remain shocked.

Well, after about a minute, both of them ease up again, allowing Uncle Black to talk to them.

“So, we will have to fly for a while, so please jump onto my back.” (Uncle Black)

With his voice now a lot more deep and majestic than before, Uncle Black calls out to us. But unlike me who complies immediately, the other three are still standing still. Watching from their expressions, they are scared, or at least very intimidated.

And with this and that, and a whole lot of time, we could finally convince the girls to jump onto his back as well. All three of them first feared that they might fall off, but when Uncle Black initiated his gravity-magic to keep them stable, their expressions eased up. But, having a sudden idea, I make my tails a lot longer, allowing me to encompass the girls behind me like my tails were safety-belts. With those there, the girls visibly calm down, allowing Uncle Black to finally take flight.

And so, after a rather quick ascend, Uncle Black flaps his wings twice, causing us to speed through the sky with the surroundings passing by in a blur. But, maybe because Uncle Black forgot, I begin using air-magic, trying to redirect the wind-pressure.

And to my surprise, it works like a charm, and somehow... I don't know, but there is that weird feeling I once had when I fell into the water back in the canyon... what is it?

Well, I don't dwell on it, as after a moments time, we already arrived in front of a giant gate within one of the mountains.

The gate reminds me of a giant tower-gate with an arched top. On the left of the two gates there was a giant ten-tailed fox, while on the right side, a massive dragon was depicted. In the middle of the two, one can see them holding each others hand / paw, acting like they have a strong bond. The gate itself stands at a height of about ten meters, causing me to look up to it. But I have to admit, the workmanship has such detail, how did they do it, it appears so lifelike?!

Are they maybe the Divine-Dragon and the Fox-Queen of ancient times?

Asking such a question, me and the others jump off of Uncle Blacks back, landing on the ground gracefully. Though I did still hold the other three with my tails, so the only one who jumped in the end was me.

Uncle Black also reverted back into his casual human form, before guiding me and the girls to the massive gate. Once there, he uses some mana and infuses it into the door, causing it to slowly open with a creaking sound.

Once opened enough for three people to pass through next to each other, All of us move, passing through before being met with a giant hallway with strong lighting and metal floors. Surprised at the sudden change in scenery, I look around. It isn't anything special, but seeing the way everything looks, it reminds me of a big bunker from back on earth. And the lighting, it appears so modern, how does it even work?

While confused at the change in setting, Uncle Black keeps walking down the hallway undisturbed, urging us to follow and not only stand around flabbergasted. And so, after pulling ourselves from our stupor, me and the girls run after Uncle Black, catching up with him.

And then, after several minutes of walking along the corridor, we run into another large gate. This one opens as well, but unlike the previous one, this one is modern looking, and opening by moving to the side, kind of like those high-security doors. Sadly, the door opens only a tiny bit before screeching terribly, locking itself in place. Well, it appears rusty and even damaged, so we easily pass through the opened space, no larger than Uncle Black in broadness.

Behind it, a reception area appears, with chairs on the left and a small desk with a computer like device on the right. The path in front splits perfectly, with and elevator in the wall, and with signs on the side, pointing into the two different directions.

If not everything appeared so overgrown and rusty, I would guess I landed in a modern hospital or something, but seeing the plant-life and the lime-like stones hanging from the ceiling, I guess everything is already quite old or even antique.

I wonder, did people in the past own modern technology? Or is it something like a mix, technology and magic?

Well, asking questions doesn't help, so while still following Uncle Black who takes the path to the left, we arrive in a corridor with a multitude of rooms on the left and right. But uncle Black ignores them all, and only continues walking forward.

The Building itself appears modern, but as there is no light, me, Uncle Black and Anna all conjured some magic to brighten up the area. Uncle Black made a wisp like thing which gives off a gentle, yet strong light. I made a normal light-ball, letting it float behind us while lighting up the front. Meanwhile, Anna only clad herself in light, making her appear like a glowing-stick, or even something like a ghost

But even so, only hearing our breathing and footsteps, while one can hear water dripping in the background, I can feel a slightly creepy feeling come up my back. I very dislike scary things, so I never watched anything horror like, but thanks to my natural senses and my eyes which can see in the dark even without any light, I calm my heart a bit.

But then, without warning, Anna suddenly jumps forward, making a funny face while making weird noises. This, due to the suddenness, gets me immediately, causing me to jump up and run to Uncle Black for safety. I don't think I am a coward, but I still feel fear in the dark, even with those eyes. And Anna, using it to scare me, not cool!

While staring at her angrily, Anna only shows and impish smile, acting like she doesn't know anything. But before I could say anything, suddenly a drop of water falls on her from one of the spiky stones on the roof, causing her to yelp in shock. In return, everyone begins laughing, while I nod my head as she deserved it.

Anna on the other hand didn't think it is funny at all, staring back at me angrily, but seeing me make a 'you deserve it!' face, she drops it while slumping her shoulders.

Meanwhile, our group already advanced rather far, ending up in front of a door like any other before in this corridor. But unlike the others, this one had light shine through on the bottom, making not only me curious.

As though understanding our curiosity, the door suddenly opens by itself, allowing us in. Inside, we are greeted by what appears to be a large room with many different utensils, both appearing like modern technology and magic-research.

Seeing this weird... laboratory? Everyone, with exception for Uncle Black, is flabbergasted, watching with our mouths wide open. It is in this moment that an elderly looking person appears from one of the smaller doors at the side, greeting us as he enters.

“Oh, hello everyone. And Aaron, you seem a lot better lately.” (???)

“Says the old weirdo in white, but I still wonder, how did you manage to get the whole way here in less than two day in your physique?” (Uncle Black)

“I can teleport unlike you, old Lizard, hahaha.” (old weirdo in white?)

“hahaha” (Uncle Black)

Sudden the old man begins talking with Uncle Black, exchanging insults while laughing. If I remember right...

“Uncle Black, wasn't this man at my birthday-party?” (Arin)

Asking Uncle Black out of the blue, both of them only look at me, before both begin smiling widely, while Uncle Black praises me for my observational skills. Though I am unsure what is meant by observational...

Though, before we could react, the middle aged man in front of us introduced himself.

“It is nice to finally meet all of you, I am Illois, a High-Human, and a friend of this old lizard and the guardian of those mountains.” (Illois)

Greeting us with a light bow, me and the others become astonished. Didn't High-Humans go extinct thousands of years ago? Why is there one here? And why is there technology reminding me of modern ages?

While having a multitude of question fly through my mind, Illois guided us inside what appears to be a modern living-room. The chairs and sofas are all still appearing as though they aged quite a lot, but seeing that they aren't too rusty, damaged and that there were no plants clinging on them, we all took a seat, waiting for an explanation.

“Does anyone like something to drink?” (Illois)

Stating this question, everyone of us only gives a vague answer, causing Illois to vanish in a room in the back. He then returned soon after with a tablet, a few glasses and two glass-bottles with different colored liquids in it.

Looking at them, they remind me of syrup with water, which, guessing by the taste, wasn't too far off.

And then, while still being mesmerized at being able to drink something I haven't seen in a long time, Illois begins to speak.

“I am sure everyone of you has questions, from me being a High-Human onto what kind of place this is. So to start, please just listen to me, as I will tell you a bit about the true history this world had to go through.” (Illois)

And with those words, spoken in a serious tone and gathering everyone's attention, Illois begins talking about the past, the past which would one day heavily influence my future, and the future of many others.