Reunion

The dream realm remained still for a beat after the dragon's ominous declaration. Rayne stood, the wind around him growing heavier, carrying whispers that made his skin prickle.

"The First" Rayne said at last, voice low but steady. "So he's finally decided to crawl out of the shadows" 

The dragon's eyes glinted, golden and ancient. 

"Yes. And he's growing desperate. The Crimson Flower eludes him, and time is no longer on his side"

Rayne folded his arms, brow twitching in thought. "That's why he's sending his dogs straight into the lion's den" He paused. "To the palace"

The dragon dipped its head. "You've seen the beginning of it. The lone assassin mage was merely a test, an echo of what's to come" 

Rayne's jaw tightened.

"And what of the mission?" The dragon continued. "Have you located the Crimson Flower?"

Rayne exhaled, his eyes drifting toward the hazy horizon. "Not yet. I haven't got a lead yet save for what we already know" 

"I see…we need to hasten up also. We can't afford to lose the Crimson flower to 'The First'"

Rayne nodded once, slowly. "I'm on it. Somehow I think the princess and this palace is connected to it" 

The dragon took a step closer, its voice taking on a sharper edge. 

"Why have you not healed yourself from this wound?" He asked, staring at his wound. 

Rayne turned to face the dragon fully, eyes dark and unreadable. "Because it works in my favor" 

The dragon narrowed its eyes. "Poison courses through you. Your body falters. The strength it takes to keep the wound open and unhealed is draining your essence"

"I know" Rayne's voice was quiet, but resolute. "But if I suddenly healed overnight, questions would be asked. They'd suspect I'm not who I claim to be. Right now, I'm weak. I'm a B-Class mage with a stubborn sense of duty. That's all they see. That's all I need them to see, for now"

The dragon stared for a moment, then let out a low growl of reluctant approval. "You play a dangerous game, Rayne Egan"

Rayne gave a faint smirk. "I always have"

The air around them began to shimmer, the conjured dreamscape unraveling. The dragon stepped back, its massive form already beginning to fade.

"Stay vigilant" The dragon warned. "The First does not strike blindly. He strikes where it hurts most. And if he finds what he's looking for, he will become unstoppable"

"He won't…not while I'm breathing"

The dragon's voice echoed one final time before it vanished into a burst of golden embers. "Then do not fail"

The world dissolved around him in a rush of wind and light.

His eyes slowly opened, pupils dilating as his body jolted against the sheets of the treatment bed. Beads of sweat glistened on his skin. The ceiling above him was familiar " Still here….healer's chamber"

Pain lanced through his arm. The poison still burned in his veins.

"Welcome back" He muttered to himself, breath shaky.

Rayne blinked, adjusting to the soft lightbulb dancing across the ceiling. His body still felt heavy, but the dream, the warning, was fresh in his mind. He turned slightly, eyes scanning the room again. And then…he noticed them.

Three figures stood by the doorway, chatting in warm tones, laughter bubbling in soft waves. Emeney stood closest, her smile brighter than the flame-light, hugging tightly to a girl Rayne didn't recognize at first. Xander lingered beside them, looking excited and happy also with the coming of this healer, a sight he had never seen. 

The stranger in Emeney's arms pulled back and giggled. Immediately, Rayne recognized who she was. A surprise and reunion he wasn't expecting 

"You didn't even warn me you were almost killed again, Em"

"You're one to talk!" Emeney laughed, holding her tighter. "I can't believe it's been over a year. You look so different"

"So do you" The girl smiled. "Except you're still bossy"

"And you're still late" Emeney teased.

Rayne couldn't help it. A small smile tugged at his lipsunconsciously. Something about the scene, the warmth, the familiarity, the bond, it felt like home. Like something he thought he'd lost the night he died. The four of them, back together, in a way.

His throat tightened. He cleared it. "Ahem"

All three heads turned sharply toward him.

"You're awake!" Emeney exclaimed, already halfway to his side before she'd finished the words.

Rayne chuckled softly. "Barely. But I'm still here"

"You scared the life out of me" She said, gripping his hand before she could think twice. "Twice now. That's got to be some kind of record"

Rayne looked at their hands and raised a brow, his voice laced with teasing. "Twice? You sure you're not just counting your nightmares?"

She rolled her eyes but didn't let go.

Behind her, Xander's fists clenched at his sides, jaw grinding in silence. He turned away slightly, feigning interest in a flickering torch.

Anya approached the bed next, her eyes scanning Rayne's face with curiosity. "You're Rayne, right?"

"That's what they keep calling me" He replied, half-smiling. "And you must be the healer"

Emeney nodded and introduced them properly. "Rayne, this is my best friend, Anya Farrow. Anya, this is the new pain in my royal life"

Rayne smirked. "Charmed"

But Anya didn't respond right away. She was still staring, a crease forming in her brow. "You look…familiar"

Rayne met her gaze for a second too long before he answered, cool as ever, "Must have one of those faces" He stated, surprised and impressed she was able to notice the obvious. 

She didn't seem convinced.

He diverted quickly. "So you're the A-Class healer I was promised?"

Anya blinked, then laughed. "Me? No. I'm just the assistant. My Godmother is the real deal"

Just as she said it, the door behind her opened, and a graceful woman with long silver hair, and emerald eyes stepped in, draped in flowing robes marked with glowing sigils of healing. Her hair was tied into a messy bun. 

Her aura shifted the air in the room. A-Class, without question.

"Speak of the goddess" Rayne murmured.

Anya stepped aside. "Godmother, this is Rayne Egan. He's the one poisoned" 

The healer's eyes scanned him critically, her presence commanding. "And the one stubborn enough not to give in to the poison yet, I hear"

Rayne smirked again. "You heard right"

She didn't return the smile. "Then let's see what kind of mess you've made"

As she stepped forward, Emeney instinctively remained by Rayne's side. Rayne's gaze briefly flicked to her, then to the healer, preparing for whatever came next. Anya noticed how Emeney was holding his hand and she cocked a brow before glancing at Xander to see if he was okay with it, but Xander seemed angry, definitely not hiding his jealousy. 

***

The room was quiet, too quiet. Commander Dion stepped in, his boots making barely a sound on the polished floor. The glow-stones along the wall flickered dimly, casting long shadows across the bed, the desk, the open window with the curtains swaying gently in the cool night air.

Rayne was not in the room. The healer was with him, doing her thing to heal him. 

Commander Dion stood in the center for a moment, arms behind his back, breathing slow and controlled. But his eyes scanned everything like a hawk. He wasn't here to check on the patient. He was here with purpose. His dark hair was tied into a ponytail. His brown eyes sweeping through everything. 

He moved to the desk first. Opened a drawer. Nothing but standard parchment, a dull quill, and an unfinished apple. He rifled through the small satchel on the chair, again, nothing useful.

But that didn't ease the burning suspicion in his gut.

Rayne Egan had walked into the palace with a mystery on his shoulders, secrets in his voice, and a confidence that didn't match his status. Commander Dion had fought in three wars. He knew when someone was hiding something.

And Rayne was hiding everything.

He moved to the bedside table, knelt, and checked beneath the bed. Still nothing. He pulled open the chest in the corner, some clothes, a utility blade, gloves, boots. Then his fingers brushed against something smooth, cool, and pulsing faintly.

He paused. Then slowly lifted it out.

It was a necklace. A black cord, simple but sturdy, and hanging from it was a fang pendant. "A fang" He muttered with a puzzled look. What piqued his interest was that it wasn't from any beast he knew.

It was long, curved slightly, and it hummed softly with magic, so faint it was almost unnoticeable. The commander held it up to the light, narrowing his eyes. "This isn't just a trophy" He murmured to himself. "It's a mark"

He didn't know how, but the air around the fang felt old. Ancient. As if whatever beast it came from no longer walked this world.

His jaw tightened.

He didn't believe in coincidence. A so-called B-Class mage who walks confidently like an A-Class or even an S-Class mage. One with poison in his veins yet still kicking, holding off the poison. A mate who had appeared out of nowhere with no story about his past. Now this, a magical beast fang hidden in his room?

No. Rayne Egan was not who he claimed to be.

Commander Dion closed his hand around the necklace, tucked it into his pocket, and stood. He looked around the room once more, his expression stony. "You've made your way into this palace, into our ranks, into her life" He turned toward the door, speaking quietly as he walked out. "But I'll find out who you really are, Rayne. I'll find out what secrets you are hiding and what your goal in Arcania is before it's too late"