I never intended for this to happen.
"Alessandra..."
All I wanted was for those...those horrible creatures to go away. To leave me alone.
"Alessandra..."
Please...it wasn't my fault...
"Alessandra...!"
The voice pierced through my nightmare, forcing me bolt upright. A cold sweat covered my skin, and I let a screech fall from my lips in a panic.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, reassuring me, calming me. I glanced to my right, and saw my friend, Leonardo. Behind him lay the forest we had been travelling in, and looking further lead to the signs of habitation we had left from our campfire last night.
"Alessandra?" he asked, concern in his eyes. Oh...it was just Leo...
"Y-yeah?" I stuttered, still dizzy from my dream.
"...were you dreaming about...that again?"
A sigh escaped my lips as I put my head in my hands.
"Yes." I heard Leonardo scooch closer, presumably to comfort me. "But I'm fine. Don't worry."
I received a skeptical glare from Leo, before he gave me a small grin.
"Well...alright. Since you're fine, it's your turn to go and fetch Aiutante from her burrow."
I nodded slowly.
"Great! I'll make breakfast, then."
He skipped away, and I slowly sat up, rubbing my face. Despite my reassurances, I was anything but fine. That night had haunted me for a long time...and continued to haunt me. As I sat there, images flew back into my mind.
The rain poured outside the castle, yet nothing hindered the beasts. Nothing. I stood beside the window, staring worriedly out into the rain. My teacher placed a hand on my shoulder.
"It will be fine. You have the amulet. As long as you keep it, they cannot reach us."
I nodded solemnly, still worried despite the reassurances. My hand subconsciously reached for the amulet hanging from my neck, causing me to wonder. Would...it change anything, what we had done only the day before? In that moment, a loud boom shook the castle.
"W-What is going on?!" My teacher quickly fled the room, shouting all the while. I knew what was going on, though. The barriers had fallen, and it was all my fault.
I roughly stood. Now was not the time. I had to wake Aiutante. Hurrying from my makeshift bed, I headed towards the woods. She was sitting in a tree fairly close to the fire Leo was now building back up, still sound asleep. Despite my worries, I couldn't help but smile. Aiutante had been a dear friend of mine ever since that fateful day; the midway point of my training, celebrated with a familiar ceremony. She had been even smaller and stouter then, and her wings were little more than stubs on her back. I loved her dearly, and still do.
That being said, the tiny furball was a menace when she didn't get her beauty sleep. I cautiously walked up to her, careful to not step on one of the many fallen branches that would only cause a startling scene. Aiutante contently slept, not worrying about the ever-brightening sun or the cool breeze-an indication of the approaching winter-threatening to blow her off her branch.
Once I was close enough, I gently scooped her into my hands. She groaned.
"Hey...it's time to get up..."
