Dawn of Dragalia

Slumber

She sat clutching the sword, the one and only thing left behind from what she once called a family.

Her head throbbed, and the pangs of starvation clutched at her stomach. Her throat had never been this parched, tears began to well up in the corner of her eyes as the gravity of the situation began to hit her.

Truly, she was lost. Miles upon miles away from home. She could never walk such a distance. She could never walk... She could never...

Wake up, there are intruders.

A voice tugs at the back of my mind, pulling me out of a lost reality.

"Surely, you jest." I quip in return.

I sit up and rub my burning eyes, realizing the tears hadn't been part of the dream itself.

"Who would come here? More importantly, why?"

I look around the frigid cold remnants of a castle that had once belonged not only to myself, but many others; something best left forgotten to time.

I grab my fur lined robe, and pull the hood over my head upon hearing the quiet voices from afar. I jerk out of my groggy haze upon realizing footsteps were definitely heading towards us.

Rushing to hide behind the remnants of the throne I was resting in, I crouch and hope my hiding place will suffice.

My heart races for the first time in years; I haven't encountered mortals in such a long time. This was supposed to be my final resting place, but why can they never leave well enough alone?

My vision changes as I fully awaken, focus finally coming back to me; I'm not even sure how long I've been asleep at this point. My limbs feel numb and sluggish still, and were this to somehow result in an altercation, I'm not too confident in my abilities to win. Much less get away.

"Are... sure.... place?"

I can barely pick up their voices over the rush of wind coming through the decrepit ceiling.

"It should be... the sword... to beat..."

I squint, as if that would somehow make my hearing better magically.

"Well it seems like nothing is here, and hasn't been for some time. Why would some magical sword be left in a place like this?"

Oh. That actually worked.

I squint harder.

Snort.

"Hm?"

"Nothing."

I jump and grab the hilt of my sword, hearing the footsteps get entirely too close for comfort.

"It must be here somewhere... It HAS to be!" a girls voice rings out.

"You may want to move away."

"I honestly don't think I can without being seen."

"You're going to be seen regardless. It may be best to catch them by surprise."

"I hope you realize I am in no shape to fight them."

"You have no need to fear."

I take a deep breath, knowing he's right about needing to move. I gather my courage and jump up, darting to the shadows as quickly as I possibly can.

"What the hell was that?"

"I saw it too!"

Both the people turn to look in my direction, but I'm hidden amongst the snow. My white coat giving me the appearance of a snowy lump.