Morning came too quickly.
Warm rays of sunlight filtered through the stained-glass window, painting the room in soft shades of pink and gold. Anris opened her eyes and lay still for a long while, staring at the ceiling. It felt as though nothing inside her had awakened with her body. The dream still clung to her like a veil.
The words from it were still echoing in her mind:
"Find me… and set me free."
"How many times..." she whispered with barely moving lips, feeling fear slowly sink into her chest like cold metal.
"You're up early," came Feyra's sleepy voice. She rolled onto her side, yawned, and looked at her friend. "Are you alright?"
Anris hesitated for a moment, then answered:
"Just didn't sleep well. The same dream again."
Feyra sat up, propping herself up on her elbows.
"The forest again? The voice again?"
Anris nodded.
Anris didn't mention that she had heard actual words. She didn't want to overthink it—and she didn't fully understand what was happening herself.
Feyra frowned.
"This isn't just a dream, Anris. I can feel it. Maybe it's some kind of sign. Maybe it's connected to your bloodline. To the fact that you—"
"The Chosen One?" Anris interrupted with a touch of irony. "That's too grand a word for me to accept."
She flinched.
Why would I be the Chosen One? I've never been interested in the Empire's affairs. The dragons are all extinct. I don't even have a totem.
Anris stared out the window thoughtfully.
It's a new day. Better to focus on studies.
Meanwhile, in another wing of the Academy, Liam stood on the balcony of his room. The cold wind tousled his black hair as he looked toward the forest.
His assistant quietly entered and placed a folder with documents on the desk. Liam didn't even turn around.
"Don't tell anyone I left the dormitory."
"Of course, milord," the young man bowed and exited.
Liam was left alone. His gaze was blank, but his fingers tightened on the balcony railing.
"She… isn't like the others," he said barely audibly. "And that irritates me."
He turned away from the forest and stepped into the shadowed part of the room, where no light reached.