The Dragon King's Heart

Laina held onto the locket.

"Perhaps my heart will guide me there," Laina whispered to the lamp, "I am putting my faith in you, little flame."

She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She could feel the heat radiating from the lamp as she walked down the corridor. As she made her way down, she could hear the muffled sounds from each door.

There were countless times Laina was tempted to open the doors to see what was behind them. But Solixia's words echoed in her mind. She did not know how long she walked for, but it felt like a really long time.

Just as she was beginning to wonder if she was going about it the wrong way, Laina felt an intense heat radiating from the lamp. She opened her eyes to see the door on her left, illuminated by the blue flame.

She peered down the corridor, only to see four other doors that were similarly lit. Laina walked down the corridor, looking at each of the doors that were lit. She stretched her neck out to look further down the corridor only to see another three that were lit.

"Looks like it's these eight then," she sighed.

Laina inspected each of them carefully. She listened closely to as much as she could hear through the door. It was at this point, that Laina also noticed that when she brought the lamp closer to some of the doors, they shone brighter.

Using various techniques, she narrowed her choices down to five doors. She carefully opened the first one. In the blink of an eye, she remembered everything that was held beyond that door. Laina took two steps back as she recovered from what she saw.

"That's not something you see every day," she chuckled to herself as she wiped the sweat off her brow.

She proceeded to the second door with confidence and opened it without any hesitation. After a similar experience, she opened the third door too. Laina felt tears trickling down her cheek.

Not all of them were happy memories.

"We lived a hard life, my dear," she muttered to herself.

Three doors down, Laina had what she came for and more. However, she did not feel ready to leave. She looked over to the fourth door amongst her five choices. Standing before it, she could hear the muffled voices from beyond it.

It was not the conversation spoken between the voices that drew her to it, but the voices coming through it. She could tell that one of them belonged to Cordelia, the person who had been after her all this time.

Laina reached her hand out. Solixia's words echoed in her mind once more. She hesitated for a moment, knowing the consequences could be severe if she over-exerted herself. But behind that door was the answer to a question that had been on her mind.

Why does Cordelia hate her so much?

"I... I have to know," she whispered to herself with determination.

She was risking many things to do this. But Laina trusted her gut. She had to do this. As soon as she turned the doorknob, Laina witnessed it all.

She had made a promise a very long time ago, to keep the truth hidden from Cordelia. As a result, she took the fault. She took the blame.

She could not help but chuckle, "So it was my own doing after all."

When Laina opened her eyes next, she was no longer in the mindscape. She was back in the present, in the lava pit. Upon realizing she was fully submerged in it, she swam up to the top to gasp for air.

As soon as she surfaced, she was greeted with cheers. The Oracle pulled her out of there with the help of the temple guardians. Blood trickled out from Laina's nostril.

"Don't speak, Your Majesty," the Oracle warned, "We can discuss it in due time. For now, rest."

Fatigue soon overtake her senses as she slowly drifted off to sleep. But just as she was about to pass out, Laina saw a figure coming up to her. Though it was all a blur, she recognized that silhouette to be Dante's.

"Dante?" she muttered beneath her breath before darkness consumed her.

"Dante!" she called out his name as she sat up in bed.

She did not know how long she had been asleep, but it felt like a long time. A splitting headache caused her to wince. As her vision began to spin a little, Laina laid back down.

A shadow loomed over her.

"Are you alright, Laina?" the sound of his voice almost brought tears to her eyes.

She sat back up and hugged him tightly.

"I missed you so much! I saw everything, I know... I know..." before she could continue, Laina realized the man she was hugging was not Dante.

At first glance, they shared many similar features. She could easily mistake his scent too. But Laina knew this was not Dante. It was Thorne. She released him from her embrace, apologizing as she did so.

Before Thorne had a chance to respond, the room door opened.

"Your Majesty, you're awake!" The Oracle exclaimed with joy.

Laina smiled as she received a hug from the Oracle. After a short exchange, Laina found out that the ceremony lasted for three days, while she had been asleep for another three.

"We have informed your friends back in Kinshearth of your success and recovery. They are eager for your return but in your present condition, I recommend that you rest for another two days before traveling," The Oracle recommended.

"That would be great, thank you, Oracle."

After some time, the Oracle took her leave, promising to return later in the day to continue their conversation. Before she left, the Oracle whispered to Laina. They both glanced over to Thorne for a brief moment after their exchange.

Laina thanked her for her care and the Oracle went on her way. When it was just the two of them left in the room, Laina laid back down in bed. Her mind was still a little foggy but she was certain she had what she needed.

"How are you feeling?" Thorne's voice cut through the silence, taking Laina by surprise.

"I...I'm alright," she responded with a smile.

According to the Oracle, Thorne had remained by her side throughout the ceremony and during her recovery. In fact, he was the one who carried her back to the room.

"Thorne?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," he reminded her of Dante so much it almost pains her to look at him.

"What for?" he asked her in confusion.

"For taking care of me. And for carrying me back," she replied with blushed cheeks.

He walked over and sat on the side of the bed. He looked over to her, carefully tucking a loose lock of her hair behind her ear.

"You need not thank me.. It is the least I can do."