The Reunion of Loved Ones

34. Agnes' reappearance

Lana watched the slowly disappearing autumn sun, which seemed to take ten times longer to set than usual. It was almost as if it were mocking her, knowing there was a great chance she would never see it again. Vampires were called creatures of the night for a reason. If they didn't find the Garlicusaqua within less than six hours, Lana would never be able to bear the sun again without turning to dust. She would have to live forever in the twilight of the world: a true creature of the night.

Her inner demon stirred, as if that thought gave it strength. Lana rubbed her temples wearily. After this afternoon's blizzard, she was still recovering. She felt as if she had run a marathon. Her whole body was exhausted, and this had certainly contributed to the fact that her dark counterpart was slowly recovering from their lost duel. She also felt that the end was near... Whose end remained unclear for now.

'Hers, of course,' said Icarus with unwavering confidence.

Lana smiled wanly. 'That remains to be seen.'

'I won't let you go, rookie.'

'What will you do, should I...?'

'Stop it. I don't want to think about it. Why break my head over something that won't happen?'

'I admire your unwavering confidence in us, but you must be open to the possibility that after today, I will be a creature of the darkness. What does that mean for us, Icarus? What happens to our bond as dragon and rider? Will it be broken because I'm no longer the rider you chose? Or is our bond so strong that I also condemn you to an eternal life in the night?' Lana shivered at that last thought. As much as the idea of never seeing daylight again appealed to her, the thought that Icarus would also suffer because of their connection frightened her even more.

'I must honestly tell you that I don't know. I couldn't tell you if this has ever happened before.'

Lana snorted. 'This is a first I wouldn't want to have in my name.'

'And you won't, because we'll save you.'

Lana sank deeper into her saddle and crossed her arms. 'Stop it, Icarus. False hope is useless to me.'

'No false hope, rookie! I'm sure we'll be on time. Don't lose hope at the very last moment! Then the darkness will win anyway!'

She felt how deep these words went and sighed resignedly. 'For you, buddy, I'll hold onto hope.'

Icarus growled contentedly and there was silence for a moment. Lana absentmindedly played with an upright purple scale on Icarus's neck and thought back to the moment she had met him in the Dragon Forest. She had been so confused because she had been separated from her sisters and had to fend for herself for the first time in eighteen years that she had seen danger everywhere. Even in Icarus. However, Icarus had won her over with his unwavering confidence in her and in their strength together, a talent he still possessed.

'Icarus? Have I ever told you how grateful I am that I met you?'

Her dragon roared in shock and momentarily lost his course. 'Stop it, rookie! This sounds too much like a farewell. You promised me! Are you already going back on your word?'

'No, I keep faith, but I realise I never said out loud how grateful I am that you chose me.'

'Well, I don't need your thanks now either. Save it until it no longer feels like a goodbye.'

'I love you.'

'Damn it, rookie. One more sentimental word and I'll throw you off my saddle.'