Zaron Nitro: The Dragon's Eye

Chapter 4: A Game of Perception

("Are you 'him'...?")

A faint voice echoed out in innocent yet curious wonder.

("Are you ... Xaphire's Champion?")

"Wha-?!"

Zaron awoke from his slumber with a sudden startle, feeling abrupt pain surge through the various nerves in his body. He then proceeded to shake his head warily, attempting to dismiss the immense headache. His eyes them focused gradually after a few blinks, allowing him to visualise his current destination. Examining the place that surrounded him, Zaron recognised the dome-shaped throne room immediately, watching it radiate in its heavenly splendour. Although his eyes were hazy, the room's distinctive features were familiar enough to connect with his memory. From the eclipsing clear dome, to the thin, running aqueducts on the floor below: it was all fresh in his mind. Everything was in the correct place – except for him.

(Why am I ... sitting on the throne?)

The dazed Zaron searched the fragments of his scattered memory, attempting to find sense of his current situation. He soothed his head with his available hand, wondering if someone had moved him from the floor below to the throne. He considered the possibility of sleepwalking briefly, yet dismissed the idea as absurd considering he has no strength in his body at the time of collapse. The female figure that approached him as he fell unconscious then came to mind.

Even though the encounter was only a blur, Zaron never forgot the pure aura surrounding her and the soothing voice. Her presence was so mysterious yet calming, causing him to wonder whether she was even real or merely a hallucination. Zaron then decided to examine his damaged arm, hesitant to witness its current condition. He froze up in an instant, his eyes widened with absolute shock.

"No way..."

The arm was hanging comfortably in a sling, secured with a fresh, layered bandage that immobilized the extent of the damage. Aside from feeling numb, there were no signs of pain nor lack of comfort. There was no doubt in his mind: the female silhouette was authentic.

"The wings of an angel..."

Zaron's whispery voice echoed throughout the dome room as he leaned back with a sigh, reminiscing the peculiar appearance of the female silhouette. As his mind wondered, Zaron observed the vacant, golden sky above. With the sun descending over the far-off horizon, he expected nightfall to soon eclipse the forest – and the rest of Dragora in the process. The Draiken boy felt like he had slept for an eternity, sighing out at the grogginess and stiffness throughout his body. Assuming it was hours since he was thrown into Denzo's 'game', he was left with a disheartened shrug as he accepted his failure. His main priority was to reclaim the pendant, to which he succeeded on.

"The pendant..."

He murmured wistfully, leaning back against the thrown as his mind wondered. And then, his eyes shot open in sudden realisation.

"Oh crap! The pendant!"

Zaron leapt to his feet abruptly, his eyes darting back and forth as he attempted to locate the missing pendant.

He turned and checked the seat of the throne initially, considering it was the very place he had last seen it before he lost consciousness. He also checked around and underneath the throne itself, wondering if it had slipped from the seat at the time of his arrival.

However, as he expected, it was missing. He then examined the extent of the room, scanning every section of the dome in his view for any potential sign. And yet, there was no sign of the pendant whatsoever.

(Dammit, 'she' must've taken it.)

Zaron shoulders dropped and the realisation sunk in. His mind was blank, left clueless of how to proceed. He felt lightheaded and nauseous due upon rising to his feet far too hastily, causing him to support himself against the throne. A part of him that felt grateful for the mysterious female's generous hospitality, wishing he could thank her personally. And yet, another part of him felt unsure whether she was trustworthy considering the missing pendant, feeling she was toying with him.