Most everyone had gathered into my sleeping area, since it was the biggest part of the cave. I was rather embarrassed that there are so many dragons now, after so long, I had not even thought about accommodating more than myself. It was comfortable, but still much too small for all the new guests. I was slightly distracted by Essie, and Ynos talking about how the mana is strange here.

‘I am not sure if the mana here is different or not. Well unless you don't mind the abyssal apparition in my head. Is that from the mana from here?’ I thought about, ‘is it possible for the mana here to be infected with something? From being so close to the void?’

“So, you said you came from Aynezh?” Aether asked, pulling me from my mind.

“Yes, that’s my birthplace.” I replied back, feeling a small smile on my face thinking about it.

“And here is?” He asked, while looking around.

“This plane doesn’t have a name.” I responded by shaking my head, hoping they didn't notice that I just didn't know if it did, “It’s situated at the edge, near the Void. No one comes here.”

“You keep saying the Void, what is that exactly?” Immy jumped in asking, I could read the worry on her face.

I was a bit baffled and confused that they didn’t know what the void was, everyone should, “You don’t know, the Void?”

“Are we supposed to?” Sidus asked, also seemingly confused.

“Ah, no, I’m sorry, I suppose you don’t. I forgot that you guys are not from here.” I replied, shaking my head. I was still a bit baffled how some dragons didnt know something I was warned so much about.

Sidus turned to look Aether, which he replied with a nod back.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not sure we quite understand where ‘here’ is supposed to be.” Aether added.

“Oh, that’s easy! You’re at the edge of the universe!” I replied happily.

I saw as Ynos and Essie both stopped their talking and looked in my direction, as the other four, which I was talking to, seemed to take this information with some weight. Perplexed and confused is what I read from them all.

“What’s wrong? Are you guys central worlders?” I asked them all.

“Central worlders?’ Aether asked, confused.

“No, we are from the main plane.” Breta corrected.

“Oh! Really?! That’s amazing! I’ve never met anyone from the main world!” I exclaimed, jumping to my feet.

I saw Aether gesture to Breta to continue with what she was saying.

“Central worlders are those born on planets in the middle of the universe. That’s where most of the battlefields against the Shades are. The main plane, however, is situated at the edge.” She explained.

“The edge?” Immy mumbled.

“So we didn’t teleport too far? The main plane is close by?” Essie asked, with a tilt of her head.

“Hmmm? No? The main plane is on the other side of the Universe.” I corrected, not sure how they could think they were even close.

I sait there in silence, as everyone seemed to be processing what I just said. I wasn't sure why they seemed so confused and gloomy. Maybe they realized now how trapped we are here.

After some time of everyone's silence Aether was the first to speak up, “So does that mean we are back in Shade territory?”

“Oh, no, they don’t come here.” I replied, absolutely certain. Granted I fought two here, but they must’ve been strays which happened to get stuck here much the same as me.

“How come? Since you said no one stays here, is this world still part of the Dragon territory?” Sidus seemed to no longer hold back his confusion.

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“Dragon territory? What do you mean?” I asked, a bit confused.

‘I don't think anyone has come here before, Cataegus.’

Sidus seemed more upset with each answer to his questions, “Who rules this world? Who’s territory does it belong to?”

“No one, of course. It;s right by the Void, no one dares to come here.” I responded, realizing I was the fool to come here.

“So it’s neither Shade nor Dragon territory.” Aether tried confirming, which I nodded to confirm that he was correct.

This entire area, with Aynezh included, is not part of any territory. I think my mother called it, the free planes.” I explained.

“Huh, is that so?” Aether seemed to be absorbing the information.

“Yes, the battlefields, I hear, are so far away. I’ve never been to one before. I hear they can be quite chaotic!” I explained, remembering the stories which gods and dragons alike have told of their feats in battles.

“That they are.” Aether replied, as I watched his eyes drift off into the distances as he pondered the information.

I looked at all the dragons who seemed to be trying to contemplate everything, I saw Ynos looking at me, and I looked back and gave a small smile. He seemed to be more interested in his immediate surroundings rather than all the information I gave to the other dragons, and the goddess. I slid him some chocolate and motioned for him to eat it. I watched him take it and eat it, which seemed to give him the opportunity to talk.

“Is that why the mana is strange in the place?” Ynos spoke up, breaking all the silence, but still seemed to have a bit of a frown on his face.

“Strange?” I pondered outloud, it's been so long living here it seemed normal. “Ah! Yes, mother says it’s the influence of the Void. The closer one is to it, the more erratic the mana becomes. I’m used to it, so I can't really tell the difference.” I admitted with a bit of blush embarrassed.

I got a glimpse of Ynos nodding to what I had said.

“And why can’t you leave exactly?” Aether asked.

“The plant is dangerously close to the Void.” I explained, with a flash of the memories of my despite struggle to just land on the planet, “The moment I depart the atmosphere, I risk being entrapped by its pull.”

“How did you even get here?” Sidus asked, a bit confused.

I scratched my head, in thought of how I was supposed to answer this, I flew here purposely to explore, but got too close and got pulled in, “I… I was curious. Mother always cautioned me against venturing too near, but life in Aynezh grew boring, and Mother seldom allowed me to interact with the mortals!”

I paused for a moment remembering how long it has been since I have last seen my mom.

“So I departed. My intention wasn’t to arrive here; I was merely drawn by curiosity about the Void, but I underestimated its force and found myself crash landing into this planet. It was either that or be drawn into the Void, forever lost.” I continued eventually my voice trailing off with a small shutter just thinking about if that was why I was named Lost.

“That’s strange, we didn’t feel any such pull when we came, and certainly didn’t ‘see’ this Void that you are talking about.” Aether replied.

“Of course, you can’t see the Void silly,” I chuckled a little bit. “It’s shrouded in darkness, what would there be to see?”

I paused for a second though, ‘they felt no pull?’ that shouldn’t be pausable. There was no escaping its hooks into your soul space. The soul crushing feeling of helplessness as it sinks its claws into you and drags you in like its next helpless meal.

“No pull? How is that possible? I barely managed to prevent myself from colliding with the two moons!” I explained.

“That’s weird…” Aether frowned.