The Story of Midnight

Chapter 44

"I am terrified by this dark thing that sleeps in me; all day I feel its soft, feathery turnings, its malignity."
― Sylvia Plath, Ariel

***

I didn't want to leave Amya but I had to catch up with the others.

"This is not goodbye, little one, it is merely a temporary parting. You can come visit any time you want."

With those words, Amya melted back into her tree, waiting for my return.

I ran through Vapiens Sliva, so many dragons before me blurred as I quickly tried to catch up with the dragon goddess and her guardians but suddenly stopped.

If every one of Ryszard's children are here, then that means Azazel must be here too.

A chill ran down my spine.

Do I go find him or go back with Amalthea and the others?

I'm in his world now. He knows this place better than I do. He could easily make me disappear.

I gulped and decided to seek out Azazel anyway.

We had some unfinished business.

The Wise Ones seemed to understand my reason for looking for him since some trees began to give off a soft light, revealing a path to me.

I thanked them and followed the line of glowing trees. I started walking but my speed slowly increased as my desire to know the answers grew.

The lights began to fade as it lead me to a darker side of Vapiens Sliva.

The trees were no longer filled with such vibrant colors. They looked burnt and didn't have any leaves. The grass was replaced with barren soil; everything looked dark, even the sky turned a blood red color. It was like this part of the forest was a fragment of another world.

Shock flowed through me when I realized that the trees didn't have that faint beat like the ones on the other side.

They're...dead?

"Well, look who decided to pay me a visit."

I turned towards the direction of the voice.

"It hasn't been that long, kid. You miss me already?" Azazel said, grin wide, fangs sharp.

I felt a lump in my throat as I gazed at his appearance.

"How dare you still look like him?" I hissed.

"I like this body. It makes torturing you more amusing."

He slowly walked towards me, his eyes holding the same madness as before.

"Welcome to my home. Isn't this place wonderful?" He smirked as he looked around him. "This is where dragons like me end up. Maybe someday we'll be reunited here 'cause let's be honest, kid. You're not as innocent as you thought you were."

His gaze shifted to me.

"I know what you're thinking. Just because we're in a place like this doesn't mean I can't hurt you."

He became a blur and I quickly drew my dagger to block his sword.

Azazel let out a whistle.

"Still got it, I see."

The waves coming from the dragon are strange; they aren't as easy to read. Azazel is hiding something.

I suddenly remembered how Ryszard treated Azazel in the past, how he tried to save him. Maybe they can finally make peace with each other but with how insane his son is I doubt that such a conclusion is possible.