It figures. The first person I interact with in 4 years, attacks me. I should have seen it coming from a mile away, in fact I did but chose to get closer anyway. After dispersing her will to fight me she then accuses me of being the one to destroy the world. In a way I don’t think I can deny that, I will end the current order, and destroy everything she knows.

I was still holding her arm, Dark Domain increased my strength by around 8 times, so no matter how much she struggled she wouldn’t be able to break my grip. After a minute or so she realized that she wouldn’t be able to liberate herself. She unequipped her armor and I let go. Once I let go she put her sword in its sheathe by her side and then looked me in the eye and said, “Kill me.”

I must have looked dumbfounded. Kill her? Me? There must be something that she knows about me that I clearly don’t.

“Well, you’re probably portrayed as the most evil creature to ever have existed in this realm. Now if you think for a bit, you’ll realize that she knows she can’t win against you, so the only thing she thinks is left for her is torment and death.”

Right, I’m supposedly evil. “I’m sure that you’re misunderstanding something here. I have no interest in taking your life or taking you hostage.” My voice wasn’t harsh or forced. I said it in a calm and comforting way in an attempt to get her to believe in me.

“You really are your mother’s son.” When she spoke those words, I felt something come over me. Her words were soft spoken but they hit me hard the realization washed over me.

“How do you know my mother? Where is she? Is she okay? Does she remember me? Was I forgotten?” I flooded her with questions almost unconsciously. I hadn’t heard from or seen my mother in 9 years. More than half my life was spent without her. At this point, I almost couldn’t remember her face or voice. When the princess had mentioned her I was a bit overwhelmed, even though the words wouldn’t have seemed to have much of an impact on anyone else.

Under the sudden barrage of questions, she had no idea how to respond. Maybe it was because I was imposing, but she was shying away from me. “Uh... Well...” She started to blush, mainly because I had closed the distance by a lot between us without realizing it.

“Oh sorry.” I took a few steps back. “Let’s try this one at a time.” I then sat down on the ground and pointed at a spot nearby that was across from me. She obediently sat down, and we talked about my mother who I hadn’t seen for a majority of my life. We talked for at least an hour, ignoring the inferno that was burning around us since the villagers had evacuated the area after being instructed by the man the princess had saved. We merrily chatted while exchanging stories and laughter.

I picked up a few things from my conversation with Lux. One, my mother was okay and still knew I existed and even thought about me. Two, the princess has a good relationship with my mother and has been treated well for the past 4 years, as for before that neither of us really know. Three, and most importantly, I wasn’t alone. I had never really been alone, but at the same time I had never really had friends either. Exidium was someone who was bound to me and more like a teacher and father rather than a friend.

This was the first time I was talking to someone the same age as me in such a casual manner. Maybe it was the same for her, since she was a princess. Everyone her age would barely interact with her and if they did they would treat her as a superior. As for me I spent most of my time with my parents when I was young. Only the wealthy could attend school, so I spent most of my time helping my mother around the house. After that I was a slave who did almost nothing but work. As for the past 4 years, I was isolated from the world.

A friend. Someone to talk to that wasn’t a dragon. She didn’t have to be the princess in front of me. It was clear that she wasn’t like any other member of royalty. They wouldn’t risk their lives or use their time to save common people from bandits. “You know,” Lux had a smile on her face. I liked when she smiled, she was a truly beautiful girl. “Maybe Salus was wrong. As far as I can tell, you’re actually pretty nice. I’m sorry that I attacked you.”

So it was Salus that had her attack me. There was a problem though. I had no idea who Salus was, until Exidium enlightened me a few moments later. “Salus, huh? How nostalgic. This girl managed to be contracted to the same beast as the king’s bride. One of the few remaining griffins in the spirit realm. When the queen died, she returned directly to the spirit realm, unlike me. When I emerged from the Dark realm, she rejected what I had become, not because she didn’t trust me, it was because it was her duty as a messenger from the heavens to do so. Boy take her to my realm, I wish to speak with them both.”

“And how do I do that?” I had always been there while asleep so I had no idea how to enter there directly.

“Well, you have to establish a connection to her soul to safely transport her there. The easiest way to do that is to kiss her.”

It took me a second to process what he had said. “What? Are you sure.”

“Boy, have I ever steered you wrong.” He sounded offended that I would question him.

“Yes, actually you have.” I didn’t even really have to think about it.

“Just listen to me and do it.”

“Alright, alright.” I gave up since I didn’t see another way to do it. So I stood up, grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. Before she had a grasp on what was going on I grabbed her by the shoulders and placed my lips on her.