My Darkness.
It wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Not the kind that made you feel lost... but the kind that made you feel like nothing could touch you. No time, no pain, no weight. Just silence. Stillness. Comfort.
I don't know how long I drifted there. Minutes? Hours? Days? It didn't matter. Floating like a leaf on a still lake, I could've stayed there forever. It was the only place that made sense lately.
I let out a slow breath, barely a whisper.
"Sigh… how long have I been here? It's peaceful. Really soothing. Like the one place that finally made me feel safe."
But of course, nothing lasts.
That voice. That deep, grating rumble, like fire grinding against stone, ripped right through the calm.
"Brat."
I didn't need to turn around. I already knew who it was. I groaned softly.
"Can't someone just get a decent rest?"
The red glow behind me flared bright, painting long, twisted shadows over the nothingness. I blinked once, then twice, before I finally turned.
There he was.
The great flaming maw of a dragon, eyes molten and burning, watching me like I was some pathetic little ember waiting to be snuffed out.
Ignis.
"Really… you again?" I muttered, lifting my gaze toward him, trying to sound less irritated than I felt. "Oh, wise one… what can your humble servant do for you?"
The heat pressed closer. His voice crackled like an open furnace.
"Shut it, brat. I didn't come here to hear your useless mouth. Let me see what you've unlocked."
Unlocked? My mind reeled. What was he talking about?
"Ignis… I don't feel like I've unlocked anything," I replied, careful with my tone. I already knew how thin his patience was.
But of course, he laughed. It wasn't kind. It wasn't amusing. It was a roar, sharp, insulting, echoing deep into the void.
"You wouldn't even notice if your own spirit was burning out of your chest. Useless. Blind. You finally reach something worth more than a roach's spit, and you still act like you're crawling in mud."
I flinched slightly but didn't let it show.
"I get it. You're disappointed. But if this is your way of motivating me, it's not exactly working."
The heat intensified. He moved closer, towering above me, flames licking the empty space between us.
"You don't get it at all. You've barely scratched the surface of what you are. What we are. And already you're whining."
I lowered my eyes. His presence was crushing. It always had been. Not just because of the power, but because he never lied. Not once. No matter how brutal, no matter how much it cut, I knew every word was true.
"I'm trying," I said, quietly.
He didn't answer.
I looked up again, just in time to see his jaws part, wide and glowing with fire. The air shimmered. My chest tightened.
"Ignis? What are you doing?"
He didn't speak.
The flames surged forward. Then everything went white.
I shot upright, gasping. My skin was slick with sweat, breath ragged, chest rising and falling fast.
The candle on the table flickered weakly. I stared at it, trying to ground myself. My shirt was gone. Just shorts. The cot beneath me creaked.
I wiped a hand across my forehead.
"Ignis… what was that for?" My voice came out hoarse.
Silence.
"Figures." I swung my legs over the side of the bed, testing the floor with the soles of my feet. No scars. No bandages. Just skin…clean, healed.
"…How long have I been out?" I whispered to no one.
I pressed a hand to my chest.
"Guess Aunt Sora took care of me. She always does."
I stood or at least tried to. My knees buckled instantly, and the floor came up to meet me with a solid, unforgiving thud.
"Damn it…"
I groaned, rolling onto my back, staring up at the wooden ceiling.
"Alright, fine. Maybe I'm not quite ready yet."
But I was still alive.
And that had to count for something.
A dark chuckle slid into my mind like oil over water. Thick, slow, and mocking.
"And why would I answer to your calling, you spineless child? Who are you to command me, Ignis, the mighty dragon?"
That voice. As always, loud in its contempt.
I dragged myself upright, leaning heavily on one arm. Every muscle protested, but I managed to sit up. My lips curled slightly despite the ache.
"Sure, sure… the great dragon. Laughing at a kid who just hit the ground. Such honor."
The heat in my mind flared. Ignis's tone turned sharper, like embers snapping against iron.
"That, brat, I would love to see all day. You stumbling around like a broken thing. Weak. Barely worthy of crawling."
I exhaled slowly, my fingers twitching on the bedsheet. Still sore… but lighter somehow. I focused on that feeling.
"Hmm… Ignis. Why does my body feel so different? It's not as heavy as before."
He hissed his amusement. "Oh, so you noticed it. Miracles still exist, then. You've unlocked something in you, though how a feeble husk like yours managed that still disgusts me."
That word again.
"Again with the unlocking?" I murmured, rubbing my neck.
Ignis struck hard with his words, each one like a stone hurled at my ribs. "You're too dense to understand. A witless fool wandering in the dark, blind to your own fire. You don't deserve what's stirring inside you."
I winced slightly. Not because it hurt. But because he was probably right.
"You don't have to be that insulting about it," I muttered.
His laugh was sharp, almost delighted in its cruelty. "Why wouldn't I? You haven't earned respect. You don't even know what you are yet. And that ignorance will make it easier when I finally take full control."
My stomach tightened. He'd said something like this before. Always hinting. Always testing.
In my head, I thought quietly, "Ignis wants to control me... but something tells me it isn't that simple." He wouldn't just take over yet. "Besides, didn't he mention once I need to be stronger for him to even try?"
Aloud, I said calmly, "I doubt you'll get the chance to do that."
Ignis's voice dripped with scorn. "You really are arrogant, brat. Underestimating me is the dumbest thing you've done yet."
I smirked faintly, letting my head rest back. "Then enlighten me. How would you do it, oh mighty one?"
The silence stretched for a moment… then his voice struck again, like molten steel.
"You want to know? And what…use that to prepare yourself? Outsmart me? How adorable. Brat, you really are dumber than I thought."
I shrugged, even if he couldn't see it. "Just figured it'd be more fun if I knew. Makes it more of a challenge for you."
Ignis laughed, and it echoed in my head like rocks crumbling down a cliff. "Challenge? You believe this is a game? You think you could stop me if I wanted your body right now? You're a worm trying to wear the skin of a wolf."
I tried, I thought bitterly. It was worth a shot.
"You're the one making my life harder. Why not give me a break for once?" I asked.
His tone chilled. "Don't twist this. I could already take control if I wanted to… but your body would break. The moment I force myself into you, you die. And your death would kill me too. What a curse, left by your crazy witch of a mother… binding me to your pathetic flesh."
That stung. I stared down at my hands.
If that's true… I need to find a way to contain him. Not seal him. Contain. There's a difference. I'll have to train for that.
"Hm… then I guess there's no point thinking too hard on it right now," I said.
Ignis's laugh returned, lower this time, like embers swirling in ash. "Exactly. No point in that little head of yours trying to strategize when you'll be growing stronger anyway. But don't get too excited, weakling. You're still beneath notice."
I stood, wobbling slightly, and caught myself on the edge of the bed. "Staying weak isn't an option."
"Finally, something useful from your mouth," Ignis growled. "Then remember this, you need to test what's inside you. Push your body. Train your mind. Though I still doubt someone as spineless as you can handle that."
I smiled faintly. "I thought you knew what I'm capable of."
"Brat, I don't keep count of what dust can do when blown by wind," he replied coldly.
I let out a breath. "Alright, alright. No need to keep stabbing me with words."
"You're still worthless," he said plainly. "But since you brought up weakness, let's talk about that rematch. You'll need to face your sadistic aunt again. The same one who beat your bones into mud last time. Remember her?"
My eyes lit up. A grin tugged at my lips.
"You don't have to tell me twice. Fighting Aunt Sora will be fun."
In my mind, I laughed quietly. Aunt Sora… one of a kind. Half of me fears her. The other half just wants to see if I can finally beat her.
Then I paused. Something didn't sit right.
"So… Ignis. While I was out, do you know what happened to me?"
His voice came fast and sharp. "Why ask me, brat? Why not ask your lover and that girl who kept watching over you while you slept like a corpse?"
Lily. Syl.
I lowered my head.
"…They must've really been worried."
Silence.
Of course.
I rubbed my face, dragging a tired breath through clenched teeth. "Not the silent treatment again…" My voice felt small in the stillness, like it didn't belong.
I braced against the bedframe and slowly pushed to my feet. My legs shook under my weight, but they didn't buckle. Progress, I guess. The wooden floor felt cold against my bare feet as I shuffled forward, each step soft, cautious, like I was walking through a memory.
The hallway met me with still air and faded tapestries that swayed slightly, though there was no wind. No clinking dishes. No voices. No Lily's loud chatter. No Syl's quiet giggles behind it.
It felt… wrong.
I moved slowly, instinct telling me not to trust the peace. Then I heard it.
Lily's voice, loud and bright. "You can do it… you can do it!"
Syl followed immediately, her tone lighter but filled with energy. "Yes, Ben! Don't fail me… come on, stand up, stand up…yes!"
Ben?
I paused mid-step. "Ben? Who the hell is Ben?" I whispered. A family member of Syl's? No. That didn't sound right. She's never mentioned anyone named that. And the way she said it... playful.
Lily's voice rose again, full of laughter. "You're so cute… who likes his belly being rubbed?"
I moved toward the sound, one hand trailing along the wall. It guided me to the back entrance. I opened the wooden door slowly. A burst of sunlight stung my eyes, washing the shadows off my skin. I blinked hard.
And then I saw them.
Syl and Lily. Both kneeling in the grass, radiant under the soft golden light. Laughing. Smiling. Their hair catching the sunlight like threads of flame and silk. Their hands busy stroking the belly of… something.
A cub.
An ironfur cub.
Its claws were long, six inches at least, gleaming like tempered blades. Its silver-gray fur shimmered, almost metallic, glinting as it squirmed happily beneath their touch. Its little tail thumped the grass.
But my eyes didn't stay on the creature.
In my mind, I whispered, They really do look amazing like this... The breeze stirred Syl's loose strands, and Lily's laugh carried like wind chimes. Why am I not even focused on the cub right now?
The cub's head jerked up suddenly, golden eyes locking onto me. It let out a low chirping growl.
Syl turned first. Her hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide.
"Kibo!" Her voice cracked with relief.
Lily turned too, and the instant her gaze found mine, her eyes welled. "Kibo…"
I forced a smile. "Hey… Lily. Syl. Looks like you two were having a little too much fun without me."
Before I could say another word, they both ran toward me.
Syl crashed into me first, her arms wrapping around my chest tight, like she was afraid I'd vanish. Lily followed, clutching me from the other side. They trembled against me. I felt their sobs before I heard them.
The ironfur cub bounded up behind them, shaking its coat before nudging its nose between us, as if it wanted in on the hug too.
Syl's voice cracked through tears. "I'm sorry, Kibo… I should've listened to you. I didn't…I didn't know what else to do…"
Lily's grip tightened, her voice fragile. "I was so scared. You didn't wake up. You were just lying there, and I didn't know how to help. I just…"
Her words dissolved into sobs.
I held them both, arms folded around their shaking shoulders. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting their warmth sink in. The cub's fur tickled my arm as it pressed closer.
Inside, I was a little confused.
You girls were just laughing seconds ago… now you're crying like I died.
I sighed softly, more to myself than them.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly, brushing a hand through Syl's hair. "I didn't mean to worry you… I promise… it won't happen again."
They clung tighter.
Neither of them said anything.
The sobs continued, soft, muffled. The cub let out a low, whimpering sound, as if feeling their sadness.
The sunlight washed over us, warm and calm, but in the pit of my stomach, that warmth didn't reach. I could still feel the cold shadow of Ignis lingering inside me.
But right now… just for a moment… I let myself hold onto them.