The savannah had much nicer terrain for the two to ride on. Ezra continued riding into the night as Nicholai slept inside of the carriage. He couldn’t help himself but worry about Nicholai. Putting him in these constant dangers. He knew his friend wanted to grow stronger, which is why he took up every challenge that came his way. Yet the dracion didn’t want to get his friend killed. Though he could never stop admiring his determination.

They were nearing the canyon where Shakes Town was said to be held. As the Dracion neared he witnessed two large stone walls that rest on the sides of the canyon. Ezra caught a small glimpse inside the canyon, the moon lined up perfectly with the stone walls. Illuminating the canyon for him too see. He believed that if the moon was resting behind the walls then no light would be able to get through.

Soon he passed behind the stone walls and the entire area was nearly pitch black. The carriage started to trip up as the horses became afraid of the dark. Ezra quickly resolved the situation. He summoned a large ring of fire around them. Shining the way forward just a little so that he and the mares could see. Once they called down he scoffed at them.

“Anabelle would have gotten through no problem.”

He continued to ride all through the night. Leaving the moonlit town behind. His eyes remained awake, and his arms were still holding on. Though he did admit it was getting rather rough to hold only the leather rope holding the horses. Nicholai had awoken some time ago. He first looked out the window to check on the dracion. Seeing him still functional, he knew that he had remained awake the entire time he slept. So he returned to the chest and prepared Ezra something to eat. The same sandwich from before. He stepped out and presented the food to Ezra.

“Now this is why I keep you around.” Ezra thanks Nicholai. Making the sorcerer laugh.

“So how far do we have to go?” Nicholai asked.

“Well. If the map is right. We should be there soon. Wait!” Ezra said then grew surprised by what he saw off in the distance. The city of Dreamsky was becoming visible in the distance. Both young men became increasingly ready to be off the carriage, yet remembered that more enemies could be lurking for them there.

“At least we’re getting closer.” Nicholai said to assure himself. He sat back in the seat and watched as they inched closer and closer to the city. He then started to wonder about the potential of another attack. Ezra could use some rest he thought to himself. “Hey.”

“Yeah. What’s up?”

“You get inside and get some rest. Even if it’s a few hours just lay down or something.” Nicholai said as he took the ropes from Ezra’s hands. Ezra wanted to argue it, but he was just glad to have the ropes out of his hand and actually move them around.

“Alright.”The dracion quickly agreed. Knowing that Nicholai could safely guide them to the city regardless of how long it would take. As long as he wasn’t exetring his body to do so. Ezra climbed inside the carriage and laid down right where Nicholai was.

Right away he closed his eyes and let himself only hear the sounds of the wheels on the carriage put him at ease. He thought to the last time he dreamt. About her. About how he wished to be by her side. Things were so much easier when she was around. It was her decision to leave before him. They were meant to take this journey together. Yet Ezra found himself with a new friend, a lone sorcerer from a secluded village. He still had a problem to deal with. He recognized a bottle of wine left out, and saw a need to break his vow just one time. He removed the cork and drank the entire bottle. His mouth tasted revolting to him from the drink. He tossed the bottle on the floor and laid back down. Closing his eyes again.

Ezra didn’t dream. He slept, his mind going blank as he did. Just a dark void that kept him from experiencing anything while his eyes were closed and his body was vulnerable. Never had he dreamt in his life. Not a single time could he think. The world shut itself off from him whenever he fell asleep, and only decided to return when he was awake. Something he longed for. He knew Nicholai and Anabelle dreamed. Even Grimm and Katreena. He now wanted to ask them about what they see when they sleep.

“Ezra!” Nicholai called to the sleeping dracion. He jolted awake and looked out the window. The sun was nearing to set, and nicholai paused before the open gates of Dreamsky. He left the carriage and returned to Nicholai’s side.

“Guess we made it.” Ezra said, looking forward. He saw the large church far ahead of them. “Head right for the church.”

Nicholai continued forward, yet slowly. The atmosphere of Dreamsky was different from Dreamlight. The people were more naturally moving about. Noone seemed to be infected, and yet Ezra and Nicholai were still on edge. The slowly came closer and closer to the church and nothing in the city seemed to change. The homes were the same, the streets design was the same. This place felt like a copy of Dreamlight excluding the people living there.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The church, just like the palace, was grand on the outside. It gave to them a more holy appearance than the bright and lustrous look of the king's palace. They saw another carriage already parked outside, and decided to waste no time in getting inside to see if anything was amiss. The church kept it’s holy grandier within its interior as the exterior. To the front were a group of priests praying to a statue of a figure Ezra and Nicholai don’t recognize.

“Excuse me!” Ezra’s voice boomed through the church. Everyone’s attention turned to him as he stood there ready to speak. Yet once everyone gazed at him he found his words harder to come out. “I need to speak with whoever is in charge here!” HE spoke again bringing forth more of his confidence.

Noone responded to him, yet one was coming forth. An older man garbed just the same as the other priest though his attire was golden. He walked with both of his hands behind his back as he approached the two.

“Hello there. My name is Raogen. Dolsrin’s Speaker of Light. What brings you boys here today?” The man introduced.

“I’m sure you’re already aware of the infection spreading across the kingdom. I’m here to inform you that we believe the infection might lead to this city next.” Ezra explained.

“Oh why do you think so?” Raogen said.

“Well. I know this may be hard for you to believe. But general Juro of the knights has betrayed the kingdom. From what we know some people were sent here with infected that we’re said to turn into the horrible beasts ravaging the kingdom. If they do, they’ll infect Dreamsky and this city will fall. I need to know if they have arrived yet.” Ezra pondered to the priest.

“Why yes. They did arrive. We already have them within our sick bay. Dreamsky has been working to help cure these people. But our efforts have failed. So we have put them away and are awaiting help from someone. Because not only do we have infected. We are also holding the first person who seems to have reverted back from the beastial state.” Raogen returned.

“What! That’s happened! If that’s the case. May I have a blood sample? I need to return it to my friend so-” Ezra started to plead for the priest's help.

“No. You are not the one who we have been waiting for. Instead. When those two came here with the other bodies. They handed me this wanted poster. And you seem to be the one described in this image.” Raogen proclaimed as he pulled the paper out. Behind the two the doors of the church closed quickly, sending a massive gust throughout the room. The priest from behind Raogen stood up away from the statue and started to approach the two young men. Ezra and Nicholai drew their weapons. Raogen gazed at the two ready for battle. He dropped his hands from behind himself, and then began to rise up into the air. Then a bright light emerged from him. Raogen sprouted large white bird wings made of light. “You criminals won’t harm our kingdom anymore than it is already hurt! I refuse to lose anymore to this plague!”

Raogen fire light spears at the two. Ezra pushed himself down onto Nicholai. More started to fire. Ezra put up a barrier of Force yet the priest was well equipped to deal with moments like this. He brought down a multitude of light spears down. Ezra’s shield started to crack.

‘Wait! We’re no the enemy! Juro! He’s betrayed the kingdom!” Ezra screamed.

“We already know that. Which is why we killed those knights who brought us those bodies. It was only a matter of time before that fool came to destroy my city. What will Gartham do about this!?” Raogen yelled back.

“Gartham is dead!” Ezra screamed back. The light spears stopped. Raogen gasped. Then grew angry again.

“Liar!”

“It’s the truth! He died as they chased us out of Dreamlight right after he told me about Juro!” Ezra proclaimed. “He told me, a dracion to save this kingdom!”

Raogen and the priest all stopped themselves. The speaker's wings protracted and he returned to the floor. Then he fell to his knees and started to cry.

“Gartham….first the prince. Now you……” The man continued to weep. Ezra went to him and knelt.

“I know a warrior when I see one. Juro came to me as a man of weakness. Gartham came to me as a man of strength.” Ezra stated for the speaker. Raogen looked up to the young man. “As long as someone is able to remember what once was. The memory will live on. Now. Let’s save this kingdom. No. The people. From this infection.”

Raogen stood back up to his feet. “Follow me.”

The speaker and his priest guided the young men to their medical ward. Which had a much nicer atmosphere leading up to the one for the palace.

“We still have been unable to determine how long it takes someone to turn. I’m guessing from those bodies that were brought. They were meant to transform soon. We’ll give you the blood sample. Just promise us to produce something as quickly as possible.” Raogen said to the two as they agreed.

“This means we’ll have to get back in the carriage.” Nicholai sighed. Yet, everyone stopped after entering the room with the patients. Or it should have the patients. The room was empty of all people. Blood had been scattered across the floor and walls. The clothes of the patients had been torn and left around, including some of their body parts. “What….what happened!?”

Raogen came in and looked all around. He saw the same thing no matter what. Blood and limbs laying across the room. Ezra came next and picked up one of the limbs. He observed it at the base.

“Something chewed on this. Everyone in this room was eaten alive.” The priest and Nicholai became shocked from the dracions observation. “And they don’t seem to be here anymore.”

Ezra looked around the room one last time. Until he found something hiding in plain sight. Behind the desk in the room, a massive hole which dug deep into the ground was there. The others gasped at it’s existence.

“That was where they got away.” Ezra said for all to know.

“It must have been the one who changed back. She must have changed again.” Raogen said.

“And considering all of this she must of been hungry. Alright I’m going down.” Ezra proclaimed.

“You can’t be serious!” Raogen yelled.

“I am. Her blood is what we need to heal the people. If we lose it or she gets somewhere she isn’t we’re all in trouble.” Ezra made the others aware of the urgency of his need to follow the girl down the hole. Before he went in he looked back to Nicholai.

‘Don’t get lost down there. I don’t need you disappearing on me again and only coming back when I’m in danger.” Nicholai accused the dracion.

“Well. Then that means you need to behave while I’m gone.” Ezra joked with Nicholai. Making his friend smile back once again. “I promise I’ll be back this time. Keep him safe for me.”

Ezra jumped down the hole, leaving Nicholai behind once again.