A Z R I E L (A Freenbecky Fanfiction)

CHAPTER 28

Aelia's eyes fluttered open slowly, soft blur of light above her. She squinted her eyes finding the familiar ceiling of Azriel's room. Her body felt heavy, limbs weighed down like she'd just surfaced from deep water. A cool cloth rested on her forehead.

"Bella?" Azriel's voice came softly, close.

She turned her head slightly and found Azriel sitting at her side, her brown eyes filled with quiet relief.

"You're okay," Azriel murmured.

Aelia blinked, dazed. "What... happened?"

"You passed out," Ely said from the corner, her tone gentle but firm. "Your memory came back too fast. It triggered another flare."

Aelia's brows furrowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... remember fire."

"You don't have to say anything yet," Azriel said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're safe."

Aelia nodded faintly, her throat tight, she exhaled but didn't say a word.

An hour passed.

Aelia sat upright on the couch; a blanket draped loosely around her shoulders. Her cheeks were pale, but there was clarity in her eyes now—like a fog had lifted.

All three sets of eyes in the room stare at her. Concerned. Curious. But no one dared to speak.

After a beat of silence, Aelia took a deep breath.

"I remember," she whispered. "I remember the dream."

Azriel frowned. "What did you see?"

Aelia hesitated. But then, she spoke—voice shaky, but clear. "It was dark, quiet, and cold."

The room went silent.

"I was in a forest. It wasn't real—it couldn't be. The sky was black, no stars. Just shadows, twisted trees everywhere, whispering in the wind." She closed her eyes, swallowing hard. "Then something hit me from behind. A strong surge of power that sent me flying."

Azriel's brows furrowed.

"I couldn't breathe. And then I heard someone laughing. Low and cruel. Then the forest shifted, and I found myself... back on that road. Where Lilith almost killed me." she glanced at everyone in the room, while the three listen intently.

"She was there again, Azriel. Floating in front of me. Smiling like death had already won. And I couldn't move. Her power, it was everywhere." She paused, tightly closing her eyes at the memory.

"What happened next?" Eirene asked gently.

Aelia gripped the couch cushion beneath her. "I called for Azriel. I thought she'd come. But instead... the world changed again."

Azriel stayed silent, regret shown in her brown eyes. Aelia noticed, so she carefully grabbed a hold of Azriel's hand in a comforting manner.

A beat of silence.

"The sky turned red. Ash was falling like snow. And I was standing on black stone. The air was so hot I couldn't breathe. And then I heard it."

Azriel tensed. Tightening her hold on Aelia's hand.

"A roar. And then this... creature appeared. A serpent or a dragon, I don't know but it's huge, ancient. Made of fire and smoke. It looked at me like it knew me. Like it'd been waiting."

She drew in a ragged breath. "It said... 'You do not yet know your blood. But I do.' Then it told me to wake. Or burn with the rest."

No one spoke for a long moment.