Dawn drifted in and out of sleep with the movement of the boat, hardly sure what was a dream and what was reality. She’d been close to death - closer than she’d been in a very long time. But she’d put everything she had into the battle, used so much magic that it’d almost consumed her. Even then, it hadn’t been enough. The dark creatures had torn through the Aviari with ruthless precision, even with her and Dal’tek’s magic raining down on them. And they’d almost taken Verita, even with Dawn trying as hard as she could to protect her.<br/><br/>Slowly, her eyes opened. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been asleep, but a small amount of magic hummed within her again.<i>Magic</i>.<i>That</i>was what she needed. If she’d had more power, would things have been different? Would Darion and Dal’tek still be with them? Would Verita have spoken that strange prophecy? Would the look in Foran’s eyes be so cold?<br/><br/>She gazed down at her hand, curling and uncurling her fingers. Had she been wandering because she’d been bored, like she’d thought? Or had she just been lost ever since the darkness had taken her town? Either way, she’d been caught up in<i>something</i>now, for better or for worse. She wasn’t likely to be very bored anymore - not around such strange people. A Vulpari burglar, a girl-prophet, a Ramen she’d thought was gentle, and... Ashy. That one spoke for itself.<br/><br/>Dawn looked up as Verita began her song, a look of surprise flashing across her face. She offered her friend a small smile, more for her benefit than her own. She knew what Verita was trying to do, and she couldn’t fault her for it. After all that had happened, no one was really the same anymore. She closed her eyes as Verita kissed her on the forehead, and then rose as she began to walk away.<br/><br/>Something had taken hold of Verita, and Dawn wasn’t sure she liked it. Magical instruments, darkness, prophecy... was that<i>destiny?</i>What was the point of a life without<i>choice</i>, without<i>freedom</i>? But Dawn already knew the answer. She’d given up her freedom the day the Vale had been destroyed, and Lucian had been preparing her for it all along. Sure, she’d been free to wander after that... but now that she’d found a path to vengeance, hadn’t she given all that up?<br/><br/>Then Verita kissed Ash.<br/><br/>At first, it seemed so innocent, at least until... the elf kissed back, not at all innocently. Dawn made a little sound in her throat - part surprise, part outrage, part need. Her grey eyes went from the kiss to the tail pressing insistently between Verita’s thighs, and she bit her lip. She took a step forward, meaning to save Verita before Ashy could go any farther, even though she wasn’t sure she could do anything with the strength she had left.<br/><br/>But by then, it didn’t matter, anyway. The elf let Verita go, and Dawn breathed a shaky sigh of relief. She took a deep breath, trying to cool the hot need that had risen inside of her. The kiss shouldn’t have unbalanced her like that, she knew, but she was already frayed from the battle, and she hadn’t been expecting...<i>that</i>.<br/><br/><i>Are you jealous? And of <b>who</b>?</i><br/><br/>Of course she wasn’t. That was stupid. She was just protective, and angry, and worn out. And who<i>wouldn’t</i>have been affected by a kiss like that? That was all... that was all.<br/><br/>She only then noticed Ashy standing in front of her,<i>very</i>close.<i>Alarmingly</i>close. She tilted her head, soft eyes wide and confused, and blinked. She let out a quiet mewl as the elf’s hands found her bottom, and the flush in her cheeks grew. She opened her mouth to protest, but all that came out was another little mewl when Ashy’s tongue ghosted over her ear.<br/><br/>Dawn wavered on her feet, her heart pounding. She should have noticed it before, when the elf had been tearing through the yahnus with frenzied might, but she’d been too wrapped up in her own magic. The magic around the elf was<i>different</i>from when she’d fought the pixies, tinged with a powerful dose of...<i>something</i>. Ashy wasn’t Ashy at all, not like this.<br/><br/><i>Are we safe, if she’s like this?</i><br/><br/>She glanced around the deck. Everyone<i>seemed</i>all right, at least for now. Verita’s strange, angelic song hadn’t ended just yet. “Prophecy...” Dawn muttered. Maybe they were cursed. But she knew one thing, now: she had to get stronger. Next time, she wouldn’t lose anyone. And Ash wouldn’t have to do... whatever it was she had done.<br/><br/>Curling her hand into a fist, she glanced toward the ship’s hold. If it wasn’t Ashy that had vanished down there, who was it? And if she didn’t turn back, would she be able to protect Verita, next time?<br/><br/><i>You couldn’t even stop her <b>this</b> time. What would make next time any different? You might have your magic back, but even then, against the strength that tore that dark army apart, what are you?</i><br/><br/>There was no telling if or when the ashen elf would be back. She had to put a stop to it as soon as she could. With one last glance at the sad scene playing out on the deck, Dawn, too, entered the darkness.<br/><br/>As her footsteps creaked across the damp wood, Dawn realised something. For the first time in a long time, she was scared. Even in the Aviari village, she’d felt calm, like she still had a little bit of control. But here... she was drained, and hunting a monster she couldn’t even see. And to do what? Turn her back? What if she couldn’t do that? It wasn’t like Dawn could<i>kill</i>her, even if she’d wanted to.<br/><br/>And it was dark. So dark. And other than the waves roaring against the hull, she could only hear the swift beating of her own heart.<br/><br/><i>This was a terrible idea.<br/>
<br/>
Go back.<br/>
<br/>
Go back.<br/>
<br/>
<b>Now</b>.</i><div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>