Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Somewhere in Limbo

The limbo was a plane where departed souls with a lot of baggage and inability to accept their deaths ended up. It was not a very good place to be, for it was dark, dangerous, and worst of all, full of anguished, restless souls of every being on Earth.

Yet for the Aspect of Draconic Death, many of them were silent. She could only hear dragons from different times roaming about the dead and decaying plane. Those who ended up in limbo would have to accept their deaths before the decay took their soul and forever bind them in that plane, never to rest, never to leave. Only anguish and torment remained in the cold place.

Avila never liked going into limbo. She had no purpose there and she certainly hated the suffering of the undeparted souls. She should force them to realize their anchor, but alas, it wasn’t her call to make. She was but an Aspect of a greater being who deserved to be called ‘Death’, after all.

Even if she had the authority, she wouldn’t be able to, not for at least a century.

Due to her recent escapades, she was suspended from her duties, with another Aspect taking over her post. She had made others clear that she should not be involved. It ended up making her sound like a hypocrite. The Aspect taking over her duty made it clear that, due to Avila’s absence, she needed to do the job until she was released from it.

Avila did not seem to mind and even jokingly ask if the Aspect wanted her job. That Aspect said, “You tempt me, Avila, but dragons are not my specialty. Maybe if you ask Tisi, she might agree.”

“Ah,” said Avila. “She might have her hands full.”

“Well, I already had a lot to deal with. Anyway, I have something for you if you want to help. Don’t worry. I still have the final authority to send departed souls, but you can still talk with this one.”

“What is it?”

“There is a dragon soul who stays around. He doesn’t have a burden, so he’s not supposed to end up here. In fact, he seems to be here voluntarily. Probably caused by an obscure magic. Maybe you can talk him out of staying. Limbo is not a place for uncorrupted souls.”

“I’ll look into it. Where is he right now?”

“He’d be right over there. See that bright white dragonborn? That’s him.”

Upon the mention ‘bright white dragonborn’, Avila instantly knew who he was. The Aspect knew he had the ability to enter that plane of existence, especially if his kind had the ability to alter reality within a pocket dimension.

Yet, she questioned his purpose. Why was he there?

Without delay, she walked to the dragonborn. He was sitting on a cliffside, formed from the outline of ‘rocks’ and ‘dirt’. Only his kind could do that.

“I thought Sera said you lost most of your abilities,” said Avila as she approached the dragonborn. “Is it another lie, Ashaire?”

“He’s right,” said Ashaire as he turned to face Avila. “But he’s not in a coma, right?”

“What are you doing here? This is the Limbo, where souls refusing to pass on end up. There is nothing that interests a light dragon here.”

“Former light dragon,” clarified Ashaire. He then looked around. “I don’t know why, but this place reminds me of home. It’s dark, silent, and there’s nothing. You can’t hear anything, and most of the time, you’re the only light dragon around. Yet, this time, I’m no longer connected by the Thread. So…I can’t say it’s home, per se.”

“It’s not the Void Between Worlds.”

“I know. The light wave here is off by a lot. You called it Limbo, I called it Hell.”

“There is an actual hell, you know,” said Avila. “You really don’t want to end up there.”

“Of course not. Though, maybe I’m destined to be there.”

Avila sighed and sat beside Ashaire. “What are you doing here, exactly?”

“Nothing. I just want some peace and quiet,” said Ashaire. “And maybe to understand that I’m no longer the reality eater I was. I’m just a plain, old dragonborn, living on until you inevitably come and take me to eternal rest. Isn’t that the eventual fate of dragons of this world?”

“You’re still not through with that?”

“I didn’t get the luxury of living among you, okay? Zeni got that chance. Sera certainly had. I’m still grasping the fact that I’m no longer living in a Void, and to be honest…I’m not prepared. I don’t know how Seraphor did it. I don’t know how Zeni did it. I just don’t know. Not to mention the bad first impression.”

“So, you ran away,” said Avila. “And let your body in a coma. That’s very dangerous, Ashaire. You are practically inviting me to guide you into the afterlife.”

Ashaire, cheeky as ever, chuckled and said, “I’m not lost. I just need to gather my thoughts.”

“In the end, you are creating your own limbo by not accepting the fact sooner. And you claimed to have no regrets when you follow Sera and Zenithia.”

“Turns out words aren’t as convincing as I thought they would be. Heh. And to think I managed to make that happy little, red-scaled accident of a dragonborn to show his potential. I guess it’s easier to convince others than yourself.”

Avila then stood up. “I have all the time in the world thanks to you, so feel free to find your bearings. Although, I must warn you. If you take too long, you may not have the chance to follow your decision. After all, you are a mortal being, like the rest of them.”

“I’ll give you an answer soon, Death Aspect,” said Ashaire. “Oh, and Avila?”

“Yes?”

“Maybe you should go and cheer Seraphor up. Between the two of us, he got hit the worst. Tell him I’ll return. Besides, I don’t plan on staying long. I still have someone I cared for.”

“Zenithia, right? She’s not in Main right now.”

“I know. I don’t plan on joining her for now. And besides, loving her while stuck in this form…doesn’t seem right, you know?”

Avila chuckled, even though she knew it was inappropriate. She wanted to walk away, but she was worried that Ashaire would do something while her attention was diverted. Ashaire, sensing her reluctance to leave him alone, said, “I gave you my words, didn’t I? Go and wait with Seraphor.”

She was still reluctant, but Avila sighed and decided that Ashaire was right. Seraphor needed her support, not to mention the fact that he might need some help with his mobility.

Deciding that it was for the best, she left Ashaire and went back to the land of the living, this time near the hospital Seraphor was being treated in Dracokin.

She opened her wings and flew towards the dragon section, hoping the white-scaled dragon was alright. She soon realized that something felt strange. It was as if she was being watched. Wondering who would watch her, she turned and found that several dragons, including their riders, were staring at her in disbelief.

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One of them, a green-scaled dragon, said, “W-wait. I know you. You’re Avila, right?”

“Avila? As in, the dragon hero of Pol Hain?” asked her rider.

“I was there with her, during the Siege,” said the dragon. “I wasn’t sure what happened, but I thought she’s dead.”

“How did you…oh right.”

Avila forgot that, due to being suspended as a Death Aspect, she was not in the spirit plane. Her Presence Concealment magic was not activated. Right now, she was just a dragon that happened to have the ability to talk to spirits and wielding dark, gravity-based magic, plus having feather-covered wings and tail shrouded in darkness. While she was not the same Avila the green dragon probably knew, she did not change much.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you,” said Avila. “But I am needed elsewhere. Please do not speak about this encounter just yet. I prefer a private second chance of life.”

The dragons and their riders seemed to understand as Avila descended to the room where Seraphor was being tended to. It was spacious enough for two adult dragons to rest and stretch their wings without touching each other, which was especially spacious for two dragons that were not as big as a regular adult dragon. Both Avila and Seraphor were half the size of an adult dragon, as it was the forms they independently chose to blend in.

She found Ashaire’s physical body laying on the bed, still in a coma. She hoped he made his choices already, but it seemed that she overestimated the light dragon’s hesitance. She trusted him to make the right choice, however, so she let him be and chose to meet with Seraphor.

The former light dragon did not go out unscathed from their latest battle. It was clear from the way he sat that his lower back body was paralyzed. He had no wing membranes, clearly burned off by the pillar of light that he, Zenithia, and Ashaire endured. The fact that Zenithia and Ashaire managed to keep their wings indicated that Seraphor took most of the damage.

She should feel sad, but Seraphor did not feel that way. In fact, when she landed, he greeted her cheerfully.

“I’ve started to wonder when you’ll show up,” said Seraphor. “How’s your domain?”

“Got suspended,” said Avila. “As of right now, I am not a Death Aspect. It’s not that bad. I expected this would happen. One hundred years and I’ll be back to where I am.”

“Good thing it’s only a hundred years,” said Seraphor.

“How’s your body?”

“Paralyzed from my waist down. It’s not that bad. A little magic, and I’m good to go. I just need to learn how to sustain it and the healers need to learn how to deal with my capabilities. Being the wielder of light magic apparently does not make you compatible with most magic.”

“Is that what Alverian told you?”

“He told me something else. It’s not important right now. So. Is Ashaire…you know…”

“He’s just having his own self-discovery. In Limbo, of all places,” said Avila with a sigh. “I told him it’s dangerous there. I don’t know if he listened or not, but he’s far too reckless for his own good!”

“That’s Ash for you,” said Seraphor with a chuckle. “Always the one with the most unpredictable plan. Sure, he can be annoying at times, but believe me. When you get to know him, he’s quite charismatic.”

“Yet I still can’t believe he’s the one chosen by Zenithia.”

“Right? He even wiped her memories of him. Sure, it’s with Zeni’s consent, but that’s not something he did without a hint of reluctance. I mean, he is reluctant, for sure. It’s just he wasn’t as reluctant as someone on the same position with him. But enough of him. I’m sure he’ll be back soon enough. Let’s talk about you, instead.”

“Me? I thought you already knew.”

“Only the part you told me when you got caught,” said Seraphor. “Who would’ve thought that a Southern dragon like you happens to be an angel of death? I mean, you don’t look the part. You still look too evil for me.”

“Oh, shut up!” said Avila, slightly annoyed. “If I’m that evil, you shouldn’t even consider trying to convince me to join your cause.”

“That’s what I’m good at, love,” said Seraphor with a wink. “And besides. Us being opposites work best in unifying the beast people and the humans, don’t you think?”

“Seriously? Now, you took credit for that, too?”

Seraphor let out a grin, prompting Avila to slowly chuckle then heartily laugh when she realized what he was implying. It was something both needed, Seraphor even more so. They had been too involved in their respective problems that they forgot what it meant to let loose and laugh, even if that wasn’t something dragons usually did.

They let out their laugh until they both stopped, with Seraphor stopping after Avila. Recovering from the banter, he then said, “So…how does it feel like to have an end? Like…you know….”

“Like death? While I have no way to explain it to you, as a Death Aspect I can assure you that it’s something rather peaceful.”

“You know, finality’s not something I ever thought about, at least until you realize that it’s your reality now. But to be honest with you…I’m scared. Now that there is an end…what’s next? I mean, I thought my rebellion through. I got time for that. It’s just…I never expected it to succeed. Now that it’s over, I can’t help but to fear the short time I have left. I know immortality can be corrupting, but I existed. I don’t even remember who I was when I was ‘born’, if that’s the right term.”

Avila contemplated on Seraphor’s concerns and could relate. Like him, Avila existed a very long time ago, when the first being calling itself a ‘dragon’ existed. Before that, she was part of an unnamed being that many associated with the embodiment of Death. Like Seraphor, she was comfortable with her unending duty, knowing that one day, it would end when all the dragons on Earth went extinct. As for Seraphor, however, he clearly did not expect to become a mortal.

“But it wasn’t something I should be worried about, was it? At least I know you will be my guide. If not, at least I know you will be there when I, uh…kicked the bucket, as the humans said it.”

The phrase was unfamiliar for Avila, but she simply laughed, aware that Seraphor was a reality hopper.

As they talked about what to do next and how Avila should try and accept the fact that she’s regarded as a hero, Ashaire woke up after he finally decided to return to the world of the living. He contemplated about his new reality and what he wanted to do once he returned, though he was tempted to stay in Limbo so that he would not have to sit on a hearing of his recent crimes. Then again, he had no choice. Either he died and broke Zenithia’s heart, or he faced his blunders. At least he knew that he wouldn’t be judged too harshly as he made sure that the damage he caused was not too serious. Sure, he almost leveled the city, but he made sure that no one died.

He woke up on a bed near the corner of the big space. He tried to move, but soon realized that one of his legs were shackled to the frames of the bed. As he woke up to stretch and walk towards Seraphor and Avila, he was stopped by an elven figure who entered the room. Ashaire could only sheepishly chuckle.

“Well…I’m back,” said Ashaire, knowing what the elf was there for. “How about if we get this over with. When does the court open?”

“A week from now,” said Ashaire. “You won’t get out as a free dragonborn, but I can say that you won’t stay in prison long for something like destruction of property. Relatively speaking, of course. Of course, we need to factor in the accidental deaths.”

“Ah, well. It can’t be helped,” said Ashaire with a sigh. “I’m surprised no one’s coming for my head while I’m asleep.”

“I made sure that you’re under my protection. You are this realm’s savior, after all. Wouldn’t want that talent to go to waste.”

“Heroes can become villains, depending on the perspective. I’m okay with that. It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve been vilified. I played the role of villain to make a good story, and boy, what a story it was.”

The elf chuckled. “Good thing you held back. We have a chance to rebuild and to accept the fact that we had a twin city that was lost in time. We can’t fix the mental trauma from…what happened in the city. But thankfully…thankfully, they didn’t live long enough to cause further damage.”

Ashaire could tell that the elf was distraught, despite of trying to be composed. The light dragon sympathized with him. No one wanted to see anyone go through such torment. Even worse, the rest of the world forgot the city ever existed and not a legendary lost city. He wanted to say sorry on behalf of the light dragons, but then he realized that he no longer represented the light dragons.

Recomposing himself, the elf then said, “Make yourself comfortable, dragonborn. Talk to your friend. He’s beginning to worry about your well-being.”

Ashaire turned to look at Seraphor and Avila, both of whom looked rather happy conversing with each other. The sight was quite amusing for him as he never would’ve thought that Seraphor would have a dragon girlfriend that happened to be an equally powerful being. By this point, however, Avila was clearly the more powerful being of the two.

Still, to see Seraphor happy after countless years of torment made Ashaire genuinely happy, too. It was once a strange feeling for him. He felt like an android who started to understand emotions and feelings. It was something foreign, as he had no attachments before.

With his love for Zenithia, and his happiness to Seraphor, he finally understood what it meant.

Ashaire called Seraphor, who turned his head. His draconic face was brimming with happiness. He tried to move, but then remembered his paralysis. Ashaire couldn’t move to him, either, due to the shackle binding one of his legs. This caused a laugh from both of them, with Ashaire letting out a remark about them being shackled to their spots. Seraphor couldn’t help but laugh.

The elf was leaving when Avila took notice. She wanted to call her friend, but then understood that he was needed elsewhere. Unlike her, he still got a job to do.

As for her, she better enjoy her extended ‘holiday’ before she must return to her duties. Still, a century long ‘holiday’ wouldn’t be that bad.