Whatever it was, the sound was annoying. With a sigh you opened your eyes and sat up in the bed. You flet good, as suprising as it may seem. The room was still, as if everything froze in time, cereating a void where only you could move. Yet still, the sound was coming from somewhere.

It was quite a nice room, you decided. Serving in the palace kind of taught you how to destinguish persons status by the room they possesed. This one yet, wasn't one to by occupied for longer time. there were a few beds beside yours, all empty though. The medic's room, you knew from a while back, was clean and lacked usless equipment you'd find in a room where a person lives.

Your feet made contact with cold, stoned floor just as the doors opened.

''You're up?!" the princess jumped up to your bedding. ''You were so feverish yesterday, and the medic told me you'll probably die by tomorrow!"

You blinked at her outburst and looked down at your hands. You felt fine, you weren't shivering or anything. You weren't dizzy. You felt very much alive.

''I'm alright," you told her. ''But princess, why are you here?"

''I was worried of course!"

''Is that so."

She nodded.

''Well, I'm fine now, so you don't have to worry. I should probably head back to work."

You stood up, and expecting a wave of dizzyness, you stood still. But none came. When you were a child, when you'd catch a cold, a quick standing up like this would make your head spin, yet now nothing happened. You were alright. You smiled to youself, you had to thank Ryo for this. Speaking of which, where was he?

''But you were ill, just a evening ago!" Mana exclaimed.

After a knock, the doors opened and both of you looked at the newcomer. Or rather newcomers. You didn't recogize the first one, though you were sure you saw him from afar. He seemed familiar. His face was graced with a frown, as he crossed his arms.

''Princess,'' he adressed the girl. ''You're late for your magic lessons."

The girl's eyes went wide as a wave of realization hit her. Dark haired man turned and waited for the Princess to come after him.

''I'm so sory, Master Mahado!" she skipped up to him. She turned to you, and waved,''I'll see you later, _____!"

You waved back, with a small smile. The girl was one of a kind, you guessed. When the doors closed after them you were left alone with the dragon, and your smile turned to nervous one. He looked fine, which meant he didn't go down to the crypts, yet.

''You should be fine," he said quietly.

''Yes, I am, thank you," you replied. ''I... I hadn't realized that the dragon blood can heal people."

He run his hand trough his tousled hair and leaned on the wall.

''This is one of the reason's why dragons don't trust people," he said. ''I'm sure people from here don't know it yet, as they keep the beasts just for the entertaintment."

You nodded. It made sense, though it made you sad, thinking that behind the distrust had to be some kind of story.

''I won't tell anyone," you assured him.

He didn't say anything, and only turned to the doors. You headed the same, as laying in bed would bring you no good. You were healthy again, so that meant working.

***

You huffed as you walked through the corridor. Who would've thought that being ill for one evening would cost you five cane hits? Of course, you should've predicted that, as you were in a world that made no sense.

You adjisted the clothings you carried, as for them to not fall from your hands. You knocked at the doors. Silence. After another few knocks you put your hand at the handle. The doors easily opened, revealing indeed an empty room.

''Hello?" you called. Useless, but you did it anyway. You walked inside the room. It was better to come univited than to come back to Aguhie with clothes. You were sure you'de be hit agian for not delivering them. You sneezed when your nose smelled the smell of incense. ''Disgusting."

You tried not to breathe as you put the package on the bed. It was hard to manuver through the room, as the owner seemed to squeeze everything he possesed in one place. You looked at vases, candlesticks of different shapes, balls of glass serving gods knows what purposes. 

Clothes were scaterred allover the furniture, and you could only feel pity for the maids that would have to clean this mess up. Well, let's hope they won't make you do it.

You clapped your hands together and turned to leave the room.

''Screetch!"

You jumped and knocked a candlestick off the table. You turned to source od the sound and saw a bird. Colorful bird, with a feathers of red, blues and greens. It was closed in a golden cage and looked at you with curiosity.

''Gods, you scared me," you breathed out, calming down your heartbeat. You looked down at the candlestick, that now lacked one of its sticks. ''Oh, shit."

You tried to put it back together, but as usual, the object of your frustration wouldn't work with you.

''Yes, teacher. I'll show you righ away," you heard a familiar voice from the other side of the doors. You muttered a few curses and looked for a place to hide. You put the candlestick back on its place and dashed towards the closed.

''Yes please, Nousha."

You covered youself in a stock of clothing and sat in complete darkness.

The people closed doors behind them. There was a noise of a opeinig drawer and moving objects.

''Here, teacher," Nousha said. Excitement filled her voice. ''My father would be back in the capital within a two days."

''Good. He wouldn't write unless he was sure. Also, this map will be useful" Teacher replied. ''Everything will be reade for the takeover. You just have to occupy the Princess, so she won't get in our way."

The candle stick was still in your hands as you listened to the conversation. It didn't sound good. Not at all.

''Don't worry, Teacher.''

''Good girl, I knew you'd be the best for this role," he praised her. ''Here, hide it and later give it to your father. Now, let's go back before anyone notices anything."

''Yes!"

They quickly left the room, closing the doors behind them. You counted to ten, twice and slowly crept out of the closed. You breathed a sigh of relief and headed to the doors. But when you were just a inches form reaching for the handle you turned back, looking at the drawer. You didn't know anything about their plans, perhaps it was something harmless, and you're making things up. Yet your guts were telling you it wasn't like this. And if there was anything you were to trust at anytime, it would be your instincts.

You leaped to the drawer and rummaged throug it. You found a bunch of letters and two maps. You couldn't understand the writing, but the map showed a plan of the whole palace and the other one the town surrounding it.

Your lips curved into a smile as you took the maps. The letters won't be useful for you, but the maps would. You weren't into the affairs of the Moratu people, or politics. You had to look after yourself and stay alive. Whatever was to come, you would take no part in it.

You hid the maps in your clothing and sneaked out of the room. You hoped you wouldn't be noticed. You run back to the servants room. You ripped the sew on your pillow and put the maps in it. Making sure anything wasn't out of ordinary you creeped back into the corridor. You decided it would be the best to talk to Ryo right now, so you made your way to the one of the inner courtyards. Usually you saw him there, helping with unpacking. He didn't look like it, but he was strong. Humans wouldn't connect it with him being a dragon but they noticed right away his strenght and made him carry heavy packs.

You looked around the servants but none were a familiar white dragon. You clicked your tongue, it was just your luck. You turned back, and decided to wait for the evening. You'd meet him back in the servants room later.

''Nobody moves!" you heard an order when you were just to pass by other courtyard.

''He did that!"

''Both of you will be punished!" the guard groweled at somebody. Through the commotion you weren't able to see unfortunate servants.

You heard a sound of somebody falling down on the ground, and a few whistles from the crowd.

''I'll show you what it means to mess with Ohret!"

You sighed and were just about to leave, if you didn't saw that the person who messed with Ohret was none other but Ryo. It seemed both of you atracted troubles all the time. You squeezed through the crowd, muttering a few sorrys.

Ryo's made a movement, and Ohret was down on the dirt. A few whistles from the spectators followed.

''Nice, boy!"

''What it is, Ohret? Gonna fall form a kid's punch?"

The crowd chortled and you watched as his face turned bright red. The guard was pushed somewhere back, you saw him being knocked out. One of the servants took out his sword and thew it at the ground, just for Ohret to pick it up.

Ryo dodged his moves. He was looking for the opening, but a slashes came at enormous speed, fueled by Ohret's rage.

''Stop it at once!" you heard a booming voice of Lord Jaharis from the stairs. He was accompained by guards. The commotion didn't quiet down, though, and it seemed as if it was only worse. ''You stupid...!"

The guards took out their weapons and leaped at the crowd, and only then they seemed to notice their presence. The chaos enrupted and you were pushed back and forth from every side. You leaned on the pillar just beside Lord Jahairs and watched as Ohter sill tried to cut Ryo down.

One of the guards that stayed back started to chant. He looked different than others. He wore a robe, similar to the person that came for the Princess this morning. A magician perhaps. He looked expectantly at the commotion and his face grew confused.

After his quick chant you froze in place and for the moment you didn't know what happened. You felt warmth spreading from you wirst. Your bracelet made its presence known once again.

Lord Jaharis looked at him, after finished spell. You had to get out here soon, you leaped forward. You wanted to catch up with Ryo anyway. You saw him freezing in his place. Your eyes widened when he didn't dodge another blow, but let Ohter slash his arm.

''You dumb idiot!" Lord Jaharis growled. ''It's the spell that works for magical beings, dumbass!"

He chanted on his own, a the commotion froze seconds later. You watched as guards captured Ohter and went to Ryo.

''Idiotic apprentice, why do you think we use general spells?" Jaharis still reprimended young magician.

You gulped down as you watched as the guards were walking towards Ryo.
''What the hell?" one of them exclaimed as he pointed at Ryo's bare arm and blue liquid soaking from the wound.

Lord Jaharis headed towards them, and you saw his fave paling within seconds. Ryo stood still, and any indication of his nervousness were wandering eyes and his nostrils taking quick breaths in.

''C-call Teacher Ammus. Now!" Lord Jaharis ordered. Of course he knew what blue blood meant, he was familiar with the dragons in the crypts.

Teacher appeared within a minutes. He wiped sweat off his brow.

''What is this? I came as quickly as I could."

Lord Jaharis gestured towards Ryo, and Teacher's eyes widened. He touched his arm and when he looked into his eyes he stepped back, as if thunderbolt hit him. You could swear Ryo's eye were white. Teacher smiled with aticipation and told the guards to capture the dragon. He made a gesture, relasing Ryo from the freezing spell.

You fell down on your knees.

After the commotion calmed down, you were led to the servants room. Making sure nobody was looking, you opened the map you stole. Where would they keep the dragon? Why were you even analyzing this? What would you do? You were doubtful you'd be able to free him. But you couldn't just sit there and do nothing, when your friend was out there in the hands of a maniac.

''It's her,'' you heard. You jumped and quickly hid the maps in your clothes. The guards made their way towards you. You were lifted from the ground with ease and led through the corridors.

''Were are you taking me?" you wrestled in their clutches. The were much stronger than you, and no matter how much you wriggled their grasp on your forearms only hardened. ''Answer me!"

You found yourself in familair cells. Your knees met with hard rock, as the guards threw you on the floor. Your hands splashed water that cummulated in the hole on the ground. You cursed them, wiping the water from you face. and turned back. Only then you noticed you weren't alone in the cell. On the very end of it stood a table, a small candle lighted the cell with a flickering flame. Behind it, you saw Teacher Ammus, with his finger intertwined before his face. You looked around and just as stray droplets of supposed water appeared on your tongue, you saw Ryo chained to the wall.

You gasped and tumbled down.

''Hello, miss. I'm sorry I didn't bother to learn your name," Teacher Ammus called you. ''I have a few questions for you."

You turned to him. Your heartbeat was the only sound you heard, as you looked into his eyes.

''Let's get started, shall we?" He stood up. ''I've heard you're familiar with this young fellowe here."

You didn't move an inch.

''No need to deny, I know you do know him,'' he send you chilling smile. ''Are you a dragon miss? You were interested in crypts before, weren't you?"

You shook your head. ''N-No, I'm not."

He yanked your arm and threw you towards the table. ''Don't you lie to me, slave,'' he hissed. 

The rattle of the chains made him look backwards at the wounded dragon. The blood was dropping down from his many opened wounds, he was stopped quickly as the chains weren't long.

''Let her go,'' he growled, almost inhuman voice coming out of his mouth. Your throat tightened at this sight. Teacher Ammus didn't made any indication of being scared and only reached for the knife laying on his table.

''I have a way of checking this,'' he hissed to your ear and with a swift move he cut your hand. You screamed and tried to wriggle your hand away.

''Let go!" you screamed. Teacher Ammus looked with distaste as normal, human red blood dropped form your hand. He let you go and clicked his tongue.

''Take her away."

You were brought to another cell, yet again thrown on the floor without care. The doors closed behind the guards and you had no other choice but stay where you were. You were shaking as you tried to knot a piece of cloth around your palm. You couldn't stop trembling for a long hours, sitting in the corner of the cell, as far away from the entrance as you could. You didn't know how much time passed, but you weren't able to close your eyes for even a moment. After some time you felt hunger, but no one came with food for another hours.

The cloth was wet with you blood, your clothes stained with blue. In your mouth you felt bitter taste of dragon's blood and with every gulp you felt as if you were to vomit. It wasn't a taste that healed you, it was taste of torture and pain inflicted by madman. You recalled the first time you had blood of a dragon on your tounge, it seemed to be so far away, in a different world, different dream. When you were walking in the forest, free and all you were concerned about was your Ritual Hunt. And where were you now? A miles form home, in unfamiliar land, in a cell. In a goddamn cell, with no food or water, alone in the darkness. How did your life turned this way?

You were always village nobody, going unnoticed. If you were to come back home, nobody would probaly recognize you anyway. Then why you were in a middle of the trouble, in the eye of the storm with danger lurking every corner. You just wanted to live your life peacefully, in your village with people you loved. Going to forest with your father, listening to your mother songs and playing with your brother. That's all. You didn't want an adventure of a life. So why did life chose you to find the dragon in that forest? Why you?

You were so lost in your thoughts that you almost missed the commotion in the dangeon.

''I can do as I please!"

''But, Your Highness!"

''Let me go!''

''But-!"

''Go away!"

Somebody twisted the padlock in the celldoors and marched up to you. You were blinded by a candlelight, but after a moment or so you saw a face you least expected.

''I heard you were arrested!" the Princess huffed. ''Come on, _____, I'm getting you out of here."
You blinked confused.

''Princess," Teacher Ammus made his appearance. ''Don't be unreasonable. This girl is a prisoner accomplice.''

''Accomplice?" Mana turned to Teacher Ammus with her hands on her hips. ''I don't believe that!"

Teacher sighed, and showed her out of the cell, ''There was a commotion on the courtyards today. You should understand, Your Highness, that we can't let that go."

''But..!"

''Please.''

You were once again left alone in your prison. The princess, she was so... so dumb. You couldn't believe that she would go down there for you. You stopped your train of thoughts and pushed yourself up. You layed down on the bed and closed your eyes. It didn't make you fall asleep, as you still felt the stinging sensation from your palm. You tried at least not to think about Ryo.

Another commotion happened hours later. This time it was much louder and involved a lot of shouting. You walked up to the bars and looked at the guard by the doors.

''What is happening?"

''Shut up.''

''Really? Just tell me," you raised your brew. You were honestly too tired to just be shut with it.
He glared at you, ''why would I?"

''Because of reasons. I can't escape, anyway."

''I'm not telling ya."

''Suit yourself."

Through the corridor run a group of soldiers, pretty much the same as you saw every day. One thing made you sure they were not comdrades with your guard. They killed him on the spot, not even glancing at you, and run ahead.

''What the...?"

A scene from the messy room flashed in your mind. Perhaps it was the 'takeover' Ammus talked about. You looked at fallen guard.

''Sorry," you said and reached out from the cell. You saw the keys by his belt and tried to reach them. You wheezed as you failed yet again. It was just your luck that he had to fall too far away from your cell doors. It was a thought that made you guilty for a second, then again he kept you inprisoned.

A hand appeared out of nowhere and took the keys.

''Wait, no!" you exclaimed. Your eyes widened at the visitor. ''Princess?"

The girl smiled and opened the cell for you. She helped you to stand up and sighed.

''What are you doing here again?"

''I learned what Teacher Ammus was doing in the cells with your friend," she frowned. Her dark eyes shone with compassion. She reached to her pocket. ''Here, take this. This is the key to the crypts, there is a secret way out of the palace and you can sneak out.''

''Why are you giving me this?"

''That palace soon will be probably taken over by the traitors, and you should get out of here,'' she almost spat when she mentioned the traitors.
She gave you the key and clasped your hand around it. She also gave you a small package, ''I put there a few coins and a food. I think you'll be fine.''

''Thank you."

She pushed you out of the cells. You looked down on the guard and noticed that he had and quiver with arrows and a bow. You attached the quiver to yourself and took the bow. After a moment you also reached for the sword. You were to run to Ryo's cell, but you stopped in your tracks.

''Princess,'' you said. ''Don't trust Nousha.''

Mana's eyes widened and then she nodded.

''May we meet again, I'd love to hear more about your homecountry.''

You smilled. What a silly princess she was.

''Under different circumstances, I'd be glad to," you said and run through the corridor. The sword was heavy, so and you quickly became tired. You stood before Ryo's cell, and without any second thoughts you turned the key in the lock. If your fate was to save endlessly one another, then so be it. His head shot towards you, and you were met with midnight blue eyes staring at you.

You unchained him and helped him up.

''Let's get out of here," you said. He nodded. You looked at his wounds and you were glad that most of them very healing.

You held the map of the palace to the light, trying to find yourself in the maze of the corridors. If Ryo wondered how did you get the map, he didn't question and just pointed on the map.

''Were here," he said, messaging his wirst. You nodded.

''We need to get to the crypts. There is a secret passage out of the palace."

Ryo analyzed the map and nodded. You smiled at him. He took the heavy sword from your hands and when you adjusted the quiver you were ready to go. You run out of the dungeon, a step behind Ryo. He was quick, but somehow you were able to keep up with him.

''Stop him!" Teacher Ammus voice made you flinch. ''You musn't let him go!"

You turned with a hatered in your eyes and took out the arrow. You felt pain in your palm, but you still shot the arrow with a precision. It pierced his arm and he let out a scream. You met more soldiers on your way, but with Ryo's quick slashes they were down on the ground. Ammus's troop still was close behind, and they didn't seem to let go. You and Ryo run through the corridors, making many turns and twist, and it was impossible to shot arrows anymore.

Soon you saw familiar doors to the crypts. You threw Ryo the key, as you stayed with the arrow ready to shoot. Your hand bleeded but you only bited your lips and still kept the stance. The doors opened and with a last glance to the corridors you two leaped into the crypts. The darkness surrounded you, but you didn't have time to watch your steps, and you just run down the stairs.

One flame of a torch flickered in the crypts, and you watched as Ryo freezed at the sight of the dragons. You couldn't be sure what would he do, so you just stood and waited.

''They are just beasts,'' he said quietly. ''Just the beasts."

He turned back and walked away from them. You looked around for the passage, when the troop that was at your tail went down to the crypts. Ryo must've found something, as he gestured towards you. You followed him, and quickly you found yourself in a small, cave like corridor. You followed Ryo, and after a while, you noticed you were in the water. It only reached your ankles but you still freezed. Your breathing quickned and not because of the fatigue.

The dragons stopped and looked at you with a frown.

''I can't,'' you spoke with a hoarse voice.

''What? Let's go, ____."

''I can't. T-the water... I just can't," you trembled.

He blinked at you and sighed. He reached his hand and yanked you after him. Your feet moved and your mind went blank. You just moved your legs forward, not thinking about anything. It was so suffociating, but you had to walk.

Ryo let go of your hand and you stopped. You watched as he pushed something up and within a moment you were on the ground, with sand hitting your eyes.

You were free.

~~****~~

Heeey! It's been awhile. Well. A big awhile and I'm so so so sorry for my lack of presence and lack of new chapters on any of my stories. I was so busy all the time. This chapter is actually thanks to Snow. She kind of motivated me to write, so this chapter is dedicated to you, sweetheart! Thank you again for reminding me how long it has been!

Also, I've created it a while back, but I'm not sure if you guys have seen it, but there is a gallery at photobucked for my stories. So if you wanna, then check it out. It's mostly filled with the designs of the outfits, but it's just my imagination. If anyone wants to share theirs, then I'll be happy to see them ^^

http://s38.photobucket.com/user/shuuenka/library/Within%20the%20Gray%20Mist%20-%20The%20gallery?sort=3&page=1

Thanks for reading, this extra long chapter to make up for lack of my existence here for a while XD Let's hope next update will come quicker : >

I'm sorry if there are any mistakes here.