A man and a Beast

Chapter 29 - Liberation

Colin

I saw his face. The man I killed. He was in my dream- No. Nightmare. It was a haunting movie of the events of today. Or I think today. I'm unaware how long I have been sleeping. And this dream felt endless.

In this nightmare I saw the city of Ardentis being enveloped by a great fire. Magma fell from the ceiling. I watched as the dragons were killed so brutally and mercilessly. Infitus of course. Went up in a fiery ball of death. His dying words:

"You did this." Made me run from the scene.

I saw Felicia. Chained and tied, being dragged away by a great machine. The cruel grinning face of Zixon piloted this helicopter. I tried to chase after her fading form. But no matter how far I ran she was always just too far. The dead body of the Thorn soldier whose life I took rose from the ground.

And with his dead eyes that stared into my soul he laughed at me, "What a fool! You killed them all!" And his hysterical laugh died in the roaring gunfire around me.

The volcano started to cave in. Giant boulders landed on me. But I did not die. Through all the piling rocks a single hole was visible. I saw the face of Armada, frowning at me. Slowly shaking his head he walks away. Finally the hole was covered. And I was shrouded in darkness.

All went silent

My eyes slowly creak open. My head throbbed, my arm stung and everything else was aching. Using my elbow I push myself off the stiff mattress I lay on.

As my vision returned I noticed I was in a dark blue colored room. Blinking my focus back I make the observation that I'm in a tent, a large one. And I am not on a bed. It was a camping cot, dark green.

No wonder my back hurts.

There was a single small patch of fabric that was opened to act as a window. I can't see what's outside however. Attempting to look through made me squint my eyes.

I look at the stinging sensation in my arm. I found it bandaged on the spot. It was where I got shot. And I realize how lucky I am that it didn't pierce deep in my arm.

I check the necklaces. Both dog tags are still there.

With a pained moan I pull myself off the cot. My body argues at my actions. After a heavy breath I start walking to the flap of a door. Wiping away the dry tears on my face.

Each step I try to suppress the emotions battling inside me. And I anchor my mind on finding out where I am. That seemed to work.

Lifting up the flap I have to shield my eyes from the sunlight. My ears instantly pay attention to the noise that my mind once tuned out. A lot of machinery and voices. As my eyes adjust I see the land around me.

Tents, so many tents. Many a similar shade of dark blue as my own. While some bore a design more like mandatory military tents. At least in the States.

Looking back I find my own tent. Nearly identical to the others around this. However the large mound of light pink colored scales behind it made my tent stand out from the crowd.

Lunares sleept curled somewhat around the tent. I don't know how I missed her heavy breathing.

I walked up to her sleeping head. As I reached it I just sat down next to her. I just stared at the features of her face and shape. Near Identical to the dragoness I've lost. Through her eyes. I remember from the cavern. Her eyes were a bright blue and a near white shade of pink. Felicia's eyes were orange with red pupils. That of her father... her father...