“*Smack* Seriously?”

In an expanse of pitch black a young child was hugging his knees bawling, his tears seemed unending, his body writhed in pain until a small light descended into the darkness gracing the boys figure with light causing his bawling and movements to cease as he slowly looked up, his green eyes seemed absent as he gazed towards the light

"-mas-"

"-as wa-"

"Lumas WAKE UP!"

Lumas shot up from his position drenched in sweat tears pooling in his eyes as he remembered his loss, his mind was filled with Susan's smile, her bell like laugh, her soft eyes, her tender voice… he never thought he would lose her, the loss shook his very soul making him feel powerless, he felt out of touch with the world… separated from himself… he couldn't even feel Ais' arms around him as he slowly looked around, his surroundings weren't the forest; it was an ornate room but lacking the usual gold or other expensive metals. The vines tracing the wooden walls seemed to glow with a hint of bluish yellow light, a chandelier made from what seemed to be obsidian hung from the ceiling but Lumas saw only a dark room, the once calm mana in the room began to feel heavy and gave off a sense of sadness

An older Elf, well High Elf with jade hair and a likeness to Riveria showed an expression of shock as she studied the changes in the surroundings, the vines dimmed, the leaves drooped, the green grass started to lose its luster… but yet none of it was in harm, it was as if it were… "Oh my…" a gasp left the High Elf as she stumbled back grabbing ahold of the bed to catch her balance after a mere moment panic began to show on her face as she dropped to the ground kowtowing mumbling what seemed to be a children's story

Riveria was beyond shocked as she kneeled next to the High Elf "Mother… are you alright?" The High Elf Soreen slowly sat up, sitting on her heels see stared at Lumas a distinct look of faith and reverence flashed across her face as she turned towards Riveria caressing her cheek "It's all going to be okay… Hehaha… It's all going to be okay!" Soreen sounded hysterical as she bounced to her feet nearly tackling Riveria into a hug, Riveria was beyond confused but as she turned her head towards Lumas she felt her heart wrench, the sense of sadness radiating off his body seemed tangible

Lumas turned towards Ais staring deep into her eyes, Ais slowly began to tear up seeing his absent eyes he seemed so lost but she didn't know what she could do, pulling into an even tighter hug as tears dripped down her face as she squeezed tighter trying to show him the love she has for him in the simplest way she knew

"I'm here, I'll always be here… next to you until you don't want me to be, Lumas not even death will separate us," Her words choked up in her thought but she managed to get them out between sobs, then she felt his arms move and wrap around her. His tears ran like a waterfall as he bawled, gripping Ais tightly he let it all out

Lumas slowly cried himself to sleep not once letting go of Ais, keeping hold of his grip in fear of losing her too…

=========================================

Bell was meditating outside the forge, he didn't know why but he slowly became accustomed to meditating whenever he returned from the dungeon, it seemed to help him ease his thoughts and properly run through everything in his mind. Replaying every fight in his mind over and over attempting to find every little error in his movements, he had to triple his progress before Lumas returned. He wanted to prove himself, he wanted to show that he wasn't some thief that was picked up off the side of the road, he wanted to prove to Lumas that he was an adventurer… someone that delves into the unknown and comes back alive, someone that was deserving to be in his Familia… He knew what he needed to do, He has heard that Lumas wrestles dragons for fun… maybe… a smile came to Bell's face as he sprung up to his feet darting off towards the gate, along the way he ran into Finn who stopped him with a wry smile

"Bell… where are you going?"

"Huh? The dungeon, why?"

"That smile… whenever you have that smile your about to attempt something dumb… so spit it out"

Awkwardly rubbing the back of his head Bell sheepishly spoke out "I was going to the 11th floor to find an infant dragon…"

Narrowing his eyes, Finn said "Why?"

With an awkward laugh Bell replied "To wrestle it…"

Finn faded from his spot and Bell's head rocked forward with a smack, "Seriously? You know Lumas doesn't actually wrestle dragons right?"

"Hehe… Ofcourse I knew…"