With eyes slowly opening, a warm and cozy looking wooden ceiling greets her.

Blinking, trying to survey the sight, she is surprised and confused to see her free from her bounds and lying down on a comfortable bed with a clean white sheet. Only one answer came to mind as she questions herself.

Recalling the events that she last remembered, she remembers seeing him before all fading out.

Scrambling to fix herself, she rises up, taking the sheets off vigorously. Her footsteps sound of light thuds on the wooden floor. Examining herself, she seems to be clothed in better attire than her last one.

A door behind her creaks, alerting her attention as she turns hostile in that moment. But her face calms, rather her legs collapse, leaving her kneeling on the floor.

"My, you're awake my dear. Welcome back."

An elderly man enters carrying a wooden tray of ceramic cups filled to the brim with a hot beverage. He smiles warmly upon entering and discovering her awake.

As a result, she breaks down, tears begin streaming down her face. Surprised by her own sudden actions, she wipes off the tears.

After a brief questioning, she finally receives all the answers she wants, including that one question that lingers. Kalas assures her of her safety, comforted by the solid looking walls around the village as they sit by the cottage of the elder.

"He left after bringing you here, that was five days ago. I gave him what I promised in return for your safe return. I'll gladly part with any fortune that I may possess all for your safety my dear. After all, I promised your mother that I'd take care of you no matter what. But I am sorry for not having enough courage to rescue you myself."

His head drops, but is raised up from the chin by her. "It's alright. Thank you grandfather... But what did you give him?"

"It's not important, but all you need to know now is that you're safe, and it'll stay that way, I promise."

Though her expression tries to display a content face, her doubts arise as she stares at the children playing in the snow, wearing thick wool clothing. Their playful voices somewhat ease her mind, but she can't help but feel something wrong.

The one who rescued her was odd in every way. After sending her back without her notice, he leaves into the unknown without a trace. In addition, her grandfather, Kalas, seems to be hiding something from her.

A day passes without any eventful happening. To her, it was as if nothing had happened at all. Her worries are slowly diminishing, but that one in specifc refuses to go away.

Then, she decides to confront the problem herself. She begins to walk towards the elder's cottage.

With an abrupt opening, and a disgruntled Kalas, she begins to interrogate him. With strong words, she insisted to truth be told to her.

Kalas, unable to hide it anymore as she corners him, confessing under the pressure she exerts from her posture down to her voice.

"I know that it will be hard to believe, but... I gave him the secrets of the crypt in exchange." Kalas words it out carefully without further delay, bowing his head in disappointment of his role as the elder of the village.

her eyes open wide in surprise. All her life she thought that the crypt was merely a made up story. The very reason Pahldor had captured her was for the crypt. But why? Why was it so important?

"You must be troubled." Kalas looks at her with a stern face. He begins to explain the entirety of the crypt, its origins, what it shelters, and what it would bring to the world.

She becomes petrified as she hears the entirety of the story. Her knees tremble in fear, but is able to maintain her composure. From under her breadth, she whispers to herself "It has been days ever since he left. That must mean..."

*Rumble* She stiffens in surprise as a loud bombarding noise explodes through the air, creating a puff of smoke along with it, ravaging the area it consumes outside.

The village is hit by the pulse of wind blasting forth from the horizon. it veils the village, hiding it under its visage.

                                                                                                                                 ~

"Now isn't that a pleasant feeling? That tingling sensation that you feel when you grasp the world with your hand, all for the taking?"

("What is this? What have you done to me?")

"Fear not young drake. You will still be able to observe my true purpose. But for now, watch in awe of my power. Watch as this 'kingdom' burns to the ground as a sacrifice to my grandeur."

("You said that you would give me your power, so that I could fulfill my dream. Were all your words lies?")

"Oh no, no they were not. I kept my word and gave you my power, but now... I am merely borrowing your body for my own purpose. You did not tell me anything about doing things like this correct?"

From afar, it seems as if Fafnir is speaking to himself. He stands overlooking the burning mess from a mountain edge. The seething land scorching, slowly breaking down to ruin.

A great kingdom once stood in front of him. It stretched as far as the eye can see, and more beyond that. But now, it lies in ashes, burning its people and its history down to the ground in the form of a dark blue ash mark acting as its new foundation.

The land has been leveled with an earth shattering explosion, creating a massive crater where the capital once stood. It is silent, eerie and unnerving. Thinking that the bustling sound of people going here and there are now gone in an instant.

"Truly, it is amazing, the power you possess I mean. Still, I do wonder why you would seek even more power when you have this much. Have you never been taught content? Or were you never satisfied with anything, discarding everything you once held dear only to obtain a power in which it would satisfy you... How selfish."

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("... No, I.. That's not it.")

"Oh? it isn't? Do enlighten me then.")

He stays silent realizing the severity of his actions. All this leading up to the present. This was never his intention, yet he desperately tries to persuade himself, to believe that he can find a way out of this just like he's always done. But this time is different, hope is fleeting fast.

The strongest foe you can ever hope to face. One that would rival even the Gods, making them kneel in fear. Fafnir had already caught a glimpse of Kokabiel's latent powers. The very one that ravaged the land.

"Hmm, I'd be quite terrified of someone like that if it ever existed. A Godly being, something unnatural. You know, like a hound from Hell."

("! How did you know what I was thinking?")

"Don't you remember? I can read your mind now. We are one. But I will not let you read my purpose. Instead, I will tell you."

He listens instead of arguing and struggling. Knowing that he cannot do anything at all in this situation, he grovels in his own mistakes, beating himself up with his own greed.

"Listen carefully. This will be quite boring to you, but important to me."

"My first plan of action is to raze this world I once walked. I will need an army that. This land seems to be bountiful. Now, I know what you are thinking. I killed every single person in the region, yes I am quite aware of that. But I am a former God after all. I can't make entire planets anymore, but I could at least revive the death no matter the state."

("Making planets? What is a planet? And reviving the dead... I, That's impossible. That can't be possible, something like that to happen.")

"Oh, but it can, without a doubt, and you will witness it with me. Next will be my reign towards Hell. I am sure that you know very well where the gates of hell is located. You went there with someone after all..."

Fafnir remains silent. Then in that brief moment he remembers that exact time where they fought the marquis of Hell. But gates of Hell? Does he mean that volcano?

"Yes, you are correct. It is inside the volcano. Quite the genius you are. So moving on, I will need to merge the army of mine with Hell's, and possibly take more of slaves for my army.  But let us be on our way now. Our new army will be meeting us along the way. I expect that it will be a spectacle never seen before. think about it. An army of revived mortals turned demigods. How amazing is that?"

Fafnir begins walking down the slope, choosing the open path leading to the city grounds, still chatting with himself in an aloof manner.

"The daemons will help me in my conquest of heaven, including your friend, Samael."

That one specific name rings Fafnir's ears. It wakes him, as if the very name was a signal to him. Still unable to respond, speechless because of everything coming out of Kokabiel's mouth.

"Uriel will become a rather troublesome opponent should I choose to turn on him in my current state, but when that time comes, I shall rule even Hell itself. But for now, Sleep Fafnir. I can see the future, there are some who will peer through your eyes from the past. I cannot have too much of my plans get to them, or it won't be a surprise anymore. Rest assured, I will show you all the final day of the world..."

With a gentle farewell of words, Fafnir, from the confides of his own mind falls asleep, the last thing he sees are the vast army approaching Kokabiel in great numbers.

... The memories end there. Returning to the plane to where the memories were first viewed. The place where those close to him gathered for the truth. Still standing, looking at the blank space in front of them, expecting something else to show up, but to there are none to their dismay.

They remain silent, processing everything that they have seen. Some are unable to even explain to themselves the gravity of the situation. Others hardly even believe the things he had went through because of his own desperation and recklessness to shoulder everything alone.

"I have shown you all that there is to be shown in his memories. What you will do next is up to you. For now, I shall return you to reality for I need to rest my power. An hour should have passed within this time, giving you an ample start in preparation. Good luck, Gram."

And the world made of light slowly blacks out, fading away and bringing them back to the present...

"What happened?" questions Nerian, shaking his head to stimulate the strain he feels welling up inside him. The strain being the constant overflow of memories he saw unravel before him and many others.

All of them are sprawled down on the floor, asking each other the same thing as they begin to awake from their slumber of made out of dreams. At this point, approximately one hour had passed since they started back tracking Fafnir's memories.

They begin to discuss among them of what they had seen. Those with troubled minds first came to speak their minds.

"Was this all because of me? After all, he though I passed away, convincing him that it was his mistake for my supposed death," her voice trembles as she speaks this, blaming herself for everything happening. Though her brother tries his best to calm and comfort her, Charlotte is unable to control her feelings and emotions as she softly breaks down in tears.

"It's not yours. It was no one's fault. No one knew that it would lead up to this. Fafnir would never blame you for anything at all, nor would he abandon all of us..." Nerian says this with a pained voice, trying to contradict the truth shown in the dream.

Without further words, clearly understanding the gist of it all, the two commanders ask Gram. "What will your plan of action be my lord? I'm sure that you won't stand idly by for this to all happen, correct?"

Gram stays silent for a while, thinking to himself on how to take all this in. "We're up against something that is said to be from stories ad fables only. Who knew things like the daemons existed..."

With a face of newfound determination, he looks to them both. Though not having found an answer to his own question, he puts all those aside for now.

"Call the commanders. I want all platoon commanders assembled at the front of the throne. We'll give chase to this so called monster Kokabiel but we won't need an army. Just the three of us will do."

"Only the three of you? That's ridiculous. You can't hope to defeat something like that with so few numbers. Did you not see the extent of its powers from within the dream?"

"I am aware of that Lazarus. Painfully so, but we would just be sending soldiers, who have no experience fighting Godly beings, to their graves. Besides, I know that these commanders will be more than enough to face off with a daemon, even for a little while."

"Nerian, do not let anyone know about what we saw today. I do not want a sudden panic in the land. I can't event hink about how severe it would be if the townspeople would riot and panic. We won't be able to calm them easily due to the events that happened recently."

"I, I understand. I will keep the city in control."

The two commanders leave the room once the order has been given, and once again, the room is filled with silence.

Gram follows the exit with his sword on his waist, heading to the throne room to give the new orders before his greatest test of skill.

Juliette gives chase once Gram left the room.

She clings to him from behind his back, panting weakly. And with stern eyes, she looks at him and says "Please, bring back Fafnir... I still owe him something for saving me."

He simply nods, and is once again on his way, but he hears a faint whisper 'I believe in both of you,' the sound filled him with happiness nevertheless.

The various decorated generals and commanders stand in front of the throne. Most of them are rested while the others are still recovering. Some were told not to push themselves, but they put their new king first whenever it became about him or anything in between.

"I would like all able bodies to defend and reinforce the walls. Platoon commander Ledias is to defend the southern wall overlooking the pass. I want platoons three and four to follow as well. The rest will camp the northern entrance. Do not allow any suspicious men or women enter without inspection. That is all. Dismissed!"

Gram exits the throne room, heading for the office. On the way he meets with Luke and Fiol, all ready and waiting. Luke wears a full set of silver armor, wearing his sword at his waist as he holds a shield on his left. 

Fiol on the other hands has Zwei, his trusted longsword behind him. He wears a light set of his own unique piece of armor. He calls it 'the light obsidian set' a rare piece of armor not found by any normal person, according to Fiol that is.

"Please fetch us three horses. We shall leave without delay once I have prepared my belongings." says Gram as he leaves for the corridor before him.  

                                                                                     ~                                                           ~

Under the light of the moon, they ride their horses, galloping to the very place where Kokabiel had said in the dream. Only the three of them had gone off without the notice of the generals and the commanders. Their only purpose is to try and put an end to this oncoming Armageddon.

Though Gram doubts his own skills, the other two companions of his do not. Rather, they ride silently, facing forward with a strong aura of courage. He knew very well that it was wise to bring only these two. 

Though they were mortals, they were the best this land could offer.

"There is a town close to that volcano named Rydia. I suggest that we rest there before we continue." Luke speaks out loudly as the sound of gallop masks his voice.

"How do you know where we're supposed to go, Gram?"

"I've memorized it. The sights, the various landmarks, those are still here, I can remember them clearly. The town of Rydia... The first place he had ever been to. A countryside town that was ruled by bandits at first, but then won over by his own skill."

Gram wears a light set of golden armor, but without the helmet. His sword, Gram, is sheathed to his waist, wielding nothing else but that. He looks forward, and from the horizon he sees a thick black cloud of smoke flaring in the far distance. The moon illuminated the source, revealing it to be a massive volcano almost reaching the clouds. 

It glows red from the tip, and dark as the smoke puffs outward. 

"I guess that's the place, right?"

"Obviously, Fiol. That's the only volcano in the vicinity."

"... So inside that volcano are the daemons of the said 'war of creation?' the very ones that defied the Gods, and forced a stalemate with them..." Gram begins to feel an uncomfortable worry swarming his mind. Beyond that is life and death, where only one choice will be chosen for you. The rest depends entirely upon you.

"Don't worry about it. You're pretty strong yourself. Just believe in what you can do. I've seen it myself, so I can be assured that you have my back." encourages Fiol with a bright smile, swatting away his doubts. 

"I know I can rely on you as well my king. But the same goes for you. I will defend you and fight for you. That is the just of our cause." Luke speaks his mind.

"You're both right. Very well then. Let us go and change the future!"