Dawn- An age of Darkness

Chapter 181 - The Color Deepens

Everything was settled and we left. The night was long and I felt sluggish.

"You were almost like a mother. Honestly, you remind me of my own mother. You even look like her." Lianne's eyes were lit up. I had a feeling she was about to say 'maybe you are her' or something like that. I was glad she didn't. 

I sighed. I might have ended up ruining my own image. 

It seems this thing does change one's mindset after all.

Or maybe I'd just gone a bit too soft.

Dick was awfully quiet. He was more of a girl than actual girls: the way he pouted and all. Maybe he was just acting cool back inside the cell, and this was his real self? I couldn't really tell.

"We should walk some more and camp near the woods," Lianne suggested.

"Near the undead?"

"The undead would keep the soldiers and monsters away. And the fire would keep the undead away. I think it'd be for the best."

I sighed and agreed. I didn't have any means to decline her offer anyway.

***

The moment we got near to the probable camp site, miasma drifted in my nose. "I'll never get used to this damn smell."

Lianne surveyed our surroundings. "It's proof that we're still alive. Anyway, I'll keep the first watch. So the rest of you, catch some sleep."

"Sorry about that." 

I'm still relying on her too much, huh?

"No need to worry."

I lied down. Dick and Servesta seemed a bit too quiet. Servesta I could understand, but Dick too?

"Anything wrong?"

Dick looked at me, then the sky and then at me again. He made the motions of saying something but no sound came out. He sighed and finally talked. "How did you not lose your mind back then?"

Oh so, that's what's bothering him. 

Only the wood in the fire made sounds. It was as though the world was quiet tonight. The low groans in the distance didn't bother me as much. Was I getting accustomed to this or something?

"I met the god you know. The one this thing was from. I fought them and almost died. A friend of mine died protecting me…" I didn't want to remember it but my mind never really let me forget. "And because of her sacrifice I won. I won and… got this." I couldn't really look up.

"Brenda?"

"Oh you remember." I chuckled. "I don't usually talk in my sleep."

"That still doesn't explain why you didn't lose your mind."

"Are you telling me it would have been better if I had?" I made a smug face and laughed. "I don't really know. I really hated that damn thing but honestly it was the reason I survived. We survived. It was also the reason my friend died. I don't really know what to feel and what to think." 

Should I even use this power?

I really didn't know what to do anymore. I had power but I also had responsibilities. And I hated the creator of this power. But one thing really struck me odd. Okay, maybe more than one thing. But I never got the chance to ask about them.

"Looks like you have your own problems. But you really are the protagonist huh?" He sighed again and looked at the stars. I looked at him with questioning eyes. "You even met a god already. I haven't even met all of the monarchs yet let alone gods. And you even survived them." Was this guy really serious?

I chuckled. I couldn't believe what this guy was saying. Did he really not know about the gods?

"Trust me, you already met one."

"Religious I see. Anyway, good night." Dick chuckled. 

I smiled. It was better that he didn't know about the gods. I wanted to spare him of the drama.

***

I went closer to where Lianne was. 

"Can't sleep?"

"Well, been thinking about some things."

"I'll be happy to listen." She smiled faintly. 

The other guys were probably asleep so I could talk to her frankly. Though at this point, my trust in her began to waver a lot. I guess trusting the elves weren't really something I could manage after all.

"That dragon called me an apostle. The apostle of Trerortra to be exact."

I sat down and Lianne just surveyed the surroundings. The faint smell of rot kept my senses sharp. The distance red dots kept me on edge. But strangely I didn't feel panicked in the least.

"Yes, the king of the sea's name did come up in your conversation."

Though Lianne couldn't understand the dragon I guess she could at least understand me. 

"That dragon also said I - my soul was turning into that snake's, meaning like Trerortra's. Not to mention, he even sniffed me." I chuckled.

Lianne giggled. "I've heard that in ancient times gods chose mortals who had the potential to obtain divine powers and eventually become a god. Well, it's just a legend anyway." She sat down right next to me. "Maybe you're becoming one of them?"

I was just avoiding this whole thing. Lianne was right and maybe I really was becoming something like them. After all, I housed a fragment of Sisrael who was a fragment of the strongest god Trerortra himself. So maybe this wasn't implausible, but it sure didn't mean I was accepting it openly. 

"But I said, it's just a legend and no mortal has ever achieved godhood before, at least not to my knowledge. So don't worry."  Lianne reassured me.

I smiled. I didn't know why but I was glad to have talked with her.  I yawned. "Better get some sleep."

"Good night."

"G'night." I moved towards the bed that I made myself.

***

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. But all sorts of questions came flooding in. 

What are the gods? Why would that thing want me to live? And what did it mean that I was connected to them and turning? 

I had so many questions but not a single definite answer. Of course, Lianne's legend did give me clues but I still had questions. 

And where the hell is that rabbit?

Biteria was always hunting in the night. Honestly, at this point, I'd given up on her. She had a mind of her own and enough intelligence to outsmart Dick. So she'd probably be alright.. Well, probably.