My brain could not, in any way, comprehend what I was seeing.

A huge gigantic black dragon stood before me. It stared straight into my eyes, piercing through my empty soul with its huge flame-filled lizard eyes. Feeling the dragon's smokey breath as he exhaled, it passed through me like a wind during a storm. Before I could even react, it moved closer to me.

"Uhhh...I-I-I..." it was more of a disturbed noise than anything.

Of course, I backed away in fear. Who wouldn't right? But that seemed to confuse the dragon, his face suddenly in an alarmed expression. It seemed as though he's even more confused than me, as if it could not understand why my body instantly went stiff the moment our eyes met.

"Hmm,"

The dragon hummed in an annoyed tone, eyeing me up and down, analyzing me; the terrified little girl who stood before him.

"Not exactly the welcome wagon I was hoping for." he uttered in a deep low whisper.

And that's when I thought;

Perhaps.....does he think I'm someone else?

Well, that would explain why he's not trying to attack me. Or you know-- eat me.

"Wait a minute..." I whispered to myself in such a soft voice that only I could hear it.

Although now that I really think about it, he could just be a messenger or courier of some sort, who's tasked to carry the dead to evermore. Thinking about that, I immediately felt stupid at how pathetic I was being towards the black lizard-like creature.

But that embarrassed feeling faded almost instantly upon remembering one tiny detail that happened earlier.

Welcome back, our sweet dearest...

"Agathe." the dragon called, his deep low voice ever so intimidating.

He looked at me, his stare growing more and more intense as he waited patiently for some sort of reply from me. But to his dismay, I didn't give him one.

The reason is fairly obvious is it not?

I didn't give him a reply because I could not think of a single sentence or even a word to say to him.

Honestly, everything just keeps getting more and more confusing as time goes by.

I have absolutely no idea why he called me by that name. Though oddly enough, I think I've heard of that name before. I'm not sure when or where, but it just feels as if someone has mentioned that name to me before.

Still, the fact that he called me by that name creeps the pit out of me.

He called me by that name so naturally, and oddly enough-- it felt right.

It took a while, and a lot of staring mind you, before I was finally able to answer back properly.

"Apologies..." I said, bowing to him. "But I think you've mistaken me for someone else."

Silence, it lingered for a few seconds before I heard a slight chuckle from the dragon itself.

"Ohh?" he raised an eyebrow, the tone of his voice obviously mocking me.

It irritated me, sure. But because of that, I was able to look him dead straight in his lizard-like eyes and step forward ever so confidently with my head held high.

"I am not Agathe." I answered, without putting that much thought to the expression I was making.

My words obviously took him by surprise, gritting his teeth as though he's in denial.

"Then..." the tone of his voice changed to a menacing growl. "...who are you?"

The creature stared down at me with the most disturbing glare, it sent chills down my spine.

Although I was irritated from the voice that sounded like mockery before, it doesn't change the fact that a humungous dragon is what stood before me.

"....I-I-I'm...." My voice shook heavily at the sight. Instant regret flowed through my body for not following the phrase 'don't poke the dragon'.

Just then, it started to move slowly. With every step it took, it felt as if the whole world vibrated, and all my young self could do at that moment was close my eyes and hope for a painless death in the hands of this creature in front of me.

With my chin held high, I offered myself to the dragon and accepted my fate, picturing Addie's soft smile that gave me hope and the willingness to survive even though there were time when I was on the verge of death.

A single tear dropped from the side of my eyes as I whispered under my breath, the words;

"Thank you..."

Then,

"Haaaaaa....." it was the loudest sigh I've ever heard in my entire life.

When I opened my eyes, I was faced with the dragon's scaly back.

And in a soft whisper it uttered;

"I thought she'd finally returned."

I have no idea who the girl he's pertaining to really is, nor do I know what sort of relationship she has with the creature. But for some reason, It felt like I knew. Though I don't understand what those words really meant, it felt as if it was right for me to hear it.

It was the saddest thing I've heard anyone say.

I could feel the disappointment in its eyes as it looked at me-- it was soft.

His gaze was ever so sharp, yet soft.

"Uhmm....mister I...."

"Go back." he cut me off. "You're not supposed to be here, child."

The sudden change of attitude made me hold my breath for a second.

I expected the worse, yet nothing actually happened. Not a single scar on my body.

But as I watched the creature turn away from me, I felt my heart throb again.

That's when I remembered,

"GRAHHH!!" screaming in pain as the pain in my chest grew stronger.

I'm starting to feel my chest ache again. But this time, it feels as if I'm reliving a certain event from the past, like I've been in this situation before. And for some odd reason, that made me sick to my stomach.

"Wait!" I shouted at him.

He stopped. But he didn't turn back to look at me.

The atmosphere grew thicker, sensing that he must be waiting for me to say something, I suddenly felt embarrassed. I felt that way simply because even I had no idea why I stopped him and where I got the confidence to do such a thing.

"I...Uhh...I-I'm....Uh..."

That continued for a few more seconds before I heard an annoyed grunt from the creature, forcing me to just close my mouth shut. Indeed, I had no idea what to say. But I realized something as I stuttered my way to say something to the dragon,

First,

Even though he seemed annoyed, he never left.

And second,

My chest feels normal again.

"How strange..."

But the words didn't come from me, rather the creature right in front of me, with its back still turned and facing the other way.

"You're bursting with magic and yet you're not able to use them."

With that, he finally turned around and looked at me with a serious expression,

"Or rather....something's blocking your body from using them." he said.

The staring began, yet again. Shortly after, he began mumbling words, words I've never even heard of before. As of now, I can only understand the Wryvrety dialect since that's what most of the maids back at the Mansion speak. Though I've heard that it's close to the Vycando dialect to the point where you'd be able to understand whole sentences.

What caught me off guard the most was his accent. It sounded strong and very different, something that I've definitely never heard of before even from the nobles that come and go the Brotillon Manor. And mind you, I've heard some very thick accents before.

"Uhh...." was all the sound I could make.

Although it shut the creature up entirely, it still stared into my eyes. I think, even more intently now than before. I can see my reflection so clearly through its wide eyes. He was examining me. I have no idea why but it seemed he was more curious to find out more about me than I am myself.

"I-I think I'll go....now." I uttered, backing away from the creature with caution.

I honestly don't know why I said that, especially since I have no idea how to even get back!! It's moments like this were I just wished the universe would just gobble me up whole.

Hearing my words, the creature responded with a loud growl.

"Wait!" he shouted.

With its tiny yet ginormous legs, it took a step closer to me. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't startled, but a weird feeling in my gut told me that there was nothing to be afraid of, that I was in good hands. Now, there was a captivating aura surrounding him.

"Come closer, child." he said, bowing his head just enough to reach my level.

I didn't know what to say, so I said nothing at all. My mind hesitated, warning my body to think about the situation before doing anything stupid, but it was as if my mind had no control over my body anymore. I was drawn, drawn to the dragon's dark flamed eyes, I have never felt so captivated before.

Before I knew it, I was inches away from the dragon as I laid my hand on the tip of its nose.

The moment I did, I heard voices.

"Ooops! Sorry, my hand must've slipped. Hehehehe!"

Were Lady Carolina's words as she "accidentally" poured hot water all over me.

"Ugh~ you disgusting thing! Get out of my sight-- NOW!"

Were the young Lord Cornelius' reaction whenever I would occasionally bump into him whilst cleaning his room.

"You. Clean this for me would you?"

"Hey! Quit standing there and help would you?"

"How dare you make such a silly mistake!! Do you wish to die now?!"

Such hateful words, all directed at me by the maids working at the manor. I just--I could never do anything right to them. I am a failure at everything even though I know, from the bottom of my heart, that I did nothing sort of wrong.

"I'm just....doing....my best...."

I never asked to be born, certainly not. I envy the children in the books that Addie always read to me. They were always orphans, like me. I think Addie didn't want me to feel left out while she read me those books. But in truth, it made me feel worse. Of course, I would never say anything, nor do I even want to.

The children in the story, though orphans like me, were never alone. They always had a companion, a friend, someone who's with them through all the crazy adventures they set off to. That could not be farther from where I am in life now. I guess the authors of those books never wondered what a day in a life of a Malem is like.

Or perhaps they do.

But then again, who would want to read a book about a Malem?

I envy the children of house Brotillon. I always wonder what it's like to be born into a life of luxury? To be able to eat three meals a day and have all the dolls you want? To open your eyes in a room full of gold and wait for breakfast to be served? To have all the necessities in life and more...

So much more that you can take it for granted.

Before I knew it, tears where already falling from my eyes as I realized that I must've said those words out loud. The creature's eyes still fixated in mine, I knew that it was because of those eyes that I was able to blurt out all of the things lurking in my mind.

"I-If you are a c-creature as powerful as the creator itself...."

[I have no idea who you are.]

My voice shook as I stared back at him more intently than before.

"Please....I beg of you...."

[But you remind me of someone I know, like a missing piece of her memory.]

Tears fell from my eyes like a waterfall as a very bright and luminous light started to surround us.

"Save Me!"

[So I'll save you.]

As our foreheads touched, we were engulfed by the bright light.

*-*-*-*-*-*

My mind feels hazy, and my body feels like it's floating in a space of nothingness. When I open my eyes, all I can see is black. The darkness is alarming yet oddly peaceful. I feel like I've been here before, way before. I don't exactly know how I know, but it's another one of those gut feeling of mine.

Just then, I heard a voice.

"No one must find out about this yet."

It was the voice of a woman, she sounded...scared. I can feel that she's happy but nervous about something at the same time. Even I started to feel nervous and scared, like I'm absorbing the negative energy she's feeling.

"But..!!" another woman answered, her words conflicting the other.

"No buts!" she was immediately shushed. "Keep this between you and me."

I felt a warm and comforting aura right after, like someone was hugging me. I've only ever been hugged by Addie in my entire life, and this "hug" felt nothing of the sort. It almost makes me feel sad that I couldn't be hugged like this in real life.

Huh, real life...wait--Where in the actual hell am I??

As I scrambled to look around, I heard a loud bang.

It sounded like a door being knocked over. Oh trust me, I would definitely know what that would sound like. I felt tension surrounding me, followed by this deep masking of fear. I was startled out of my mind when everything around me shook for a moment but then stopped shortly after.

"Are you out of your mind?!"

This time, it was a man's voice. He sounded...really really mad. I've heard the Viscount Brotillon scream before and it sounded purely out of anger. But this man, he sounded frustrated and in pain. It was as if he was betrayed by someone dear to him.

"That...THING is a poison to you!!" he shouted even louder at her.

Just like before, everything began to shake like crazy. Only this time, it felt like I was being suffocated as well. Like something was draining the life out of me. At that moment, I felt scared and confused, longing for the "hug" just a while ago.

"Get. Away. From. ME!!!"

Her screams were so loud that I could feel my ears almost burst. It was something that felt like something straight out of a horror story. My heart started racing like crazy. I felt like I was dying to be completely honest. Death was right around the corner at that moment.

But then,

I started to see the same bright luminous light that engulfed the creature and me.

As it grew closer,

and closer,

and closer,

I felt an extremely sharp pain in my chest as I heard the words;

"Enimus. Asientis. Szanse."

Graahhhh!!!! Screaming from the top of my lungs, something was tearing through my organs and trying its hardest to make its way into my heart. It feels like I'm being split into two yet all I could do was cried out in pain and horror. The peaceful darkness was gone and the light that once engulfed me has reached my entire being, like its been waiting for a long time just for this moment.

Child...

My eyes widened in shock as I heard the voice of the lizard-like creature.

Child...

"P-Plea-se!! Pl-ease sa-ve me!!" I shouted into the vast nothingness.

What is your name....?

I sobbed, remembering just how important it is in this world to have a damn name.

"I d-d-don't ha-have on-one!!!" my words shook in pain. "P-Please He-Help!!!"

Child...give me your name....

"C-Cu-Curse y-you!!!" I was angry as can be, "D-Don't ha-h-have..."

I can feel myself slowly drifting away from consciousness. My body could not take it anymore, I have been beaten many times, yet this has got to be the most painful experience I have ever had.

Give me any name!!! What do I call you...???

That's when I realize what the creature meant. It didn't matter what name I had, as long as it has something to call me by. So, with the little life I had left in me, I opened my quivering mouth as I clenched my fist to muster the strength and yell;

"Ch-Chil-Child!!!" I screamed as best I could. "C-Call...M-Me..."

And just like that, I was falling.

I grunted as I slowly started to open my eyes. A lizard-like creature stood right in front of me as I still have my hand on the tip of his nose. The same creature before and the same creature who kept asking for my name. Like before, it stared straight into my eyes.

"Child...." its low voice called out to me. "Now, give ME a name."

I had no time to argue with him as I felt myself drifting out of consciousness again.

"I...don't..." was all I could answer.

The creature groaned, "Any. Name."

I could tell that it was trying its best before I drift away, that I was sure of.

I just don't know why.

Looking at his eyes, I knew this'd be the last time I see them before I completely drift,

"You look so lonely...." I mumbled. "Now you won't be...."

I leaned towards the side of his face, and grabbed the leathery flesh of his tiny dragon ear as I whispered softly,

"Erasmus."

Was the last thing I said before fainting.

*

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To Be Continued.