The next morning, 1:00am…

The aroma of a camp’s celebratory feast was still fresh in the air. Not an inkling of food was left to waste, a plethora of empty plates and drink cups were left abandoned on the folding table waiting to be disposed. Additionally, disposable barbecue trays were side-lined to simmer, still blistering hot from the hours of constant cooking. It was blissful silence amongst the campsite in Seren Forest, only the sound of hooting night-owls and the occasional swooping bats were heard echoing throughout the night.

All residence of camp were fast asleep in their tents, catching up on the remaining hours they had missed whilst ensuring they would be reenergized to pack and leave by daylight. Although they enjoyed their night of success, fatigue caught up with them like an avalanche. Within the few hours after eating food, the group diverted in no time and nestled into their sleeping bags – falling unconscious in an instant.

However, one member of the party had an inkling of energy left.

A tent door unzipped gradually, allowing a lone human to emerge without disturbing the other campers. He stretched out, feeling the stiff joints ache after sleeping in a confined space for so long. After that, he treaded over to the centre of camp, approaching an ember-filled campfire burning through the last of its fuel. As he passed the table of empty cups and plates, he snatched up a hard-shell water bottle and gulped down its contents to quench his thirst. He considered cleaning up the mess, believing it would shave time off the cleaning process once morning arrived. However, his grogginess and aching joints deterred him from his brief optimism.

Lucas Cobalt felt restless.

He considered the cause to be his fractured sleeping pattern along with their trip to Humesa’s capital city looming over his head, allowing his thoughts to run wild without end. He imagined scenarios of his inevitable meeting with Queen Sera, wondering whether to reveal Zaron and Veena’s identity or remove them from the conversation entirely. Additionally, he questioned how the Queen would react to the Dragon’s Eye, feeling uncertain that on the motives behind her obsessed ambition. Regardless of the outcome, the likelihood of returning to sleep anytime soon was slim-to-none.

As Lucas stepped up to the warm campfire, he was met with a few foldable camp-chairs displayed in a circle. They were a remnant of the last few hours of their night, chilling by the warm, ambient fire and chatting away without a care in the world before drifting to sleep.

However, Lucas then froze on the spot.

Occupying one of the camp-chairs, a lone man wearing a long grey hooded-overcoat sat in blissful calm. Initially, his mysterious aura caught Lucas off-guard, causing the older Cobalt to tense up warily at the unexpected visitor. He then relaxed in relief, noticing the recognisable Draiken-wings sprouting from the man’s shoulder blades.

“You have some nerve.” Lucas commented in a reserved yet snarky tone, conscious not to wake the other tents.

“Heh…! Well, that’s one way to greet an old friend.” The cloaked man responded cheekily, straightening up on his seat as he heard his ‘friend’s’ voice. “From the smell of the fine food, I assume you guys had a fun night.”

“We did. It was probably one of the best nights I’ve had in years. It’s a shame you missed it, really.” Lucas answered with a tut, perching himself on a free seat. “Then again, knowing you, you’re never one for social gatherings. Right, Virion?”

The cloaked man – Virion – chuckled back.

“Ah … you know me too well.”

Lucas smirked gleefully, overjoyed to see his long-time friend after two decades of separation. Although the two were communicating frequently after Xaphire’s two nations separated, meeting up face-to-face was an otherworldly feeling. However, Lucas’ eyes veered to the cloaked-man’s recognisable blindfold, reflecting on Tobi’s description of the ‘blindfolded guy’.

“I figured it was you who gave my son those notes.” He then sighed out, taking another swig of his water-bottle. “I couldn’t think of anyone else who’d randomly hand my son the perfect clues to the Dragon’s Eye’s whereabouts. It just seemed far too impossible to be a coincidence.”

Virion threw his hands up in admittance.

“You got me.”

“So, what’s with the cloak-and-blindfold getup?” Lucas then questioned, unable to hold back his curiosity. “Is this a new fashion statement or something?”

“Hah! I wish that were the case.” Virion laughed out. “But, no. It seems ... cheating death for as long as I have has finally caught up on me.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere between the two friends shifted. Lucas glared at the calm Virion with increasing concern, his mind reflecting to the events of the war they endured.

“So, the blindfold means...?” Lucas muttered warily, unable to finish the question.

Virion was silent, considering his words before proceeded with his answer.

“Yeah ... I've lost my eyesight.” He admitted solemnly, his tone severe as he straightened his posture. “As I go on, more of my body will deteriorate over time ... as long as they continue to track me down.”

“...Shit.”

Lucas swore underneath his breath, feeling sick at the thought of his friend's prolonged torment.

“Hey, it’s not all bad.” Virion then reassured, hoping not to worry his friend. “It's a bit of a learning curve, but my other senses are on overdrive, and I can go anywhere I want without a fuss. At this point, all I need to do is keep moving forward and avoid my troublesome stalkers ... no matter what.”

“Tsk...!”

Lucas snapped his tongue reactively, seeing through his optimistic mask like an open book. Underneath the showmanship, the heroic Draiken was struggling to hide the quivering hands and restless feet, signs that he was petrified of his predicament. No matter his pride as a warrior nor the battle he endured, Virion never overcame his fear of death. In that moment, Lucas eyed one of the tents in silence, feeling a crucial opportunity arise.

“I know what you’re thinking.” Virion sighed out, realising the purpose behind the silence. “...And you know I can’t stay.”

“You could at least let Zaron know you exist.” Lucas argued back. “It would mean the world to him.”

However, Virion's words were set in stone.

“I know.” He responded with a firm nod, understanding his friend’s concern. “However, he has enough on his plate. The last thing he needs is to see his own father in a pathetic state.”

Lucas refused to accept the half-hearted answer.

“Virion, this has nothing to do with what’s on ‘his plate’. He needs to know you’re alive.” He stated sternly. “Ever since that night in Dragora, he’s been worried sick about you, Denzo, and … Terra especially.”

Twitch!

At that moment, Lucas noticed Virion tense up upon hearing his wife’s name. Lucas paused, holding back his words as he realised Virion was equally concerned over Terra’s unknown predicament. Although he acted unfazed, there was an unsettling aura surrounding the heroic Draiken – acting as though he was haunted by the potential worst outcome.

Virion then breathed out.

“He's a strong kid. With Veena, your boys, and you by his side … he doesn’t need me involved.” He commented as he veered from the topic. “And besides, I already have one son that hates my guts right now...”

Lucas stared at him in confusion.

“What ... do you mean?”

“It’s nothing important, just a mistake I need to fix.” Virion waved off casually. “Anyway, enough about me. I want to know about your recent adventure. So, enlighten me: what happened after I gave Tobi the notes?”

Respecting Virion’s desire to change subject, Lucas proceeded to detail the events of their quest for the Dragon’s Eye – both from his own point-of-view and from Zaron and Veena’s accounts. Virion listened to every word, immersed by the events that transpired underneath their feet not so long ago. As he listened to each highlight, Virion reacted accordingly. He was on the edge of his seat upon hearing the enemy encounters opposing the two young Draiken, his jaw clenched at the thought of facing the overwhelming hoard of crystal beasts. He was horridly restless as he listened to his son’s ‘near-death’ encounter against the Crystal Guardian, only to be assured that Zaron bounced back revitalised and proceeded to slay the crystal-goliath alongside Veena.

And then, the topic of the Crimson Mantis emerged.

“She’s quite the conundrum.” Virion commented curiously, stroking his chin as he questioned the assassin’s motive. “From murderous stalker to potential ally – after everything you’ve all been through...? I’ll be honest, if given the option, I would’ve nipped the bud whilst I had the chance.”

“They are kids, don’t forget.” Lucas reminded him immediately. “The moment they cross that line, there’s no turning back – you know that as well as I do.”

“True…” Virion murmured begrudgingly. “Then again, it’s not so much to do with their age, but more to do with their naiveté. They’re following a dangerous profession, and every decision leads to consequence.”

“You have a point, but … I have faith in them.” Lucas then rebutted lightly, playing on the optimism angle. “I’m so proud of their accomplishments, and they’ve both shown potential.”

Virion nodded with an intrigued smirk.

“We’ll see…”

And then – as though he realised the time abruptly, Virion rose from his seat.

“Anyhow, I'd best be on my way.”

“Why am I not surprised...?” Lucas sighed out, stepping up to see his old friend off. “Can you cope on your own?”

A smirk the emerged from under Virion’s cloak.

“Oh? Are you suggesting that I'm incapable?”

“Well ... I wouldn’t put it passed you.” Lucas answered cheekily. “Even when your eyes were intact, your sense of bearings were abysmal.”

“Oof! Burn...” Virion murmured with an uplifted grin. “I'll have you know; a blind man found your campsite without a hint of trouble.”

Lucas then shook his head in disapproval.

“I’ll be sure not to make that mistake next time.”

Nostalgia consuming them from their overdue banter, Lucas and Virion laughed away as though they were never separated during the past two decades. A solemn silence then overshadowed them, knowing their reunion would end eventually.

“Lucas...?” Virion called out in request, speaking his mind sincerely. “Please watch over Zaron for me. He has a long, difficult journey ahead of him, and I’d hate for him to lose his way.”

Lucas returned a sincere nod.

“I won’t let you down. I promise.”

Virion smiled once more to his old friend, appreciating the courtesy. He then stepped ahead into the depths of the forest, his cloak swaying whimsically as he disappeared into the darkness.

“Send Faye my regards!”

And with that, he disappeared into the darkness of the night. Lucas watched him merge with the darkened forest, hearing Virion’s voice echo throughout the campsite. At the same time, a sense of dread dawned upon him, his gleeful expression dropped he struggled to ignore the warning signs echo throughout his mind.

However, within the depths of his heart, he realised it was the last time he would speak with his old friend.