Even on the coldest of nights

~Chapter Two

A few hours later found Dilandau laying on the rocky shore of Sparrow Lake, his face turned towards the endless sky. Billions of stars blinking tauntingly at him, as if asking him to come grasp them. And in the middle of the mess lay the Mystic Moon, a place of mystery. To him, a bluish orb like that could hold anything. He could be anything he wanted there, whoever he wanted.

Yet, this peace of mind couldn't remain for long. Gatti and Chesta crept back into his mind, twisting his guts. Rolling onto his side, Dilandau dry heaved a few times before collapsing in exhaustion.

Images flooded through his brain of him and the Dragon Slayers in training. They would ruthlessly spar with each other, holding nothing back. But they were his friends, as much as he didn't care to admit it. They would always be there for him. Always.

Except when they weren't.

Like now.

What the hell had been that shit with Gatti and Chesta? How long had it been going on? What was even going on?

A rare blush had come onto his face as he flew away from them. Maybe...

Maybe he was a bit jealous.

No, no of course not. They were stupid and disgusting. Bastards.

A pale light began across the horizon of the lake, racing towards him. Stripping off his clothes, Dilandau charged ahead, challenging the morning. At the end of the jetty he pushed off hard, leaping into the water.

For a moment it was bliss, cold liquid surrounding him. Comfort. Security. Time stopped for him underneath the waves, as well as his mind.

That is, until the weakness of his human need for air took over. He breached the surface gasping and shuddering in the cold wind whipping around him. Then he plunged down once more into the blue depths.