Their pain was too much, I couldn't stand the cries. I continued the sweeping motions I had seen this form doing earlier, trying to protect at least a small group, but I couldn't do it, it wasn't enough. Even the areas I passed over multiple times seem to grow darker and darker, as if it knew that it would only be swallowed by the darkness.
I was beyond pissed (excuse my language on here, but it fits the character. Hopefully, I can avoid it most of the time). I started searching for the source of the darkness, following the most desolate landscape. There were denizens that were following me, but I couldn't tell why. Why did they follow? Were they going to help somehow? They didn't seem like much, even if they were Aurians, but I couldn't tell what they were. As I flew lower to the ground, all but a few scattered in fright. I felt a pang of sadness as I flew higher, and they came back.
The Darkness suddenly engulfed me, my Light not enough as I flew on. The air was tinged with a dark golden light, just enough to give color, but not see by. Flying on, I realized I was alone. The denizens were gone, as was the landscape. I seemed to be in a sort of limbo, and I was tired of flying by the time a shape came into view. It seemed to be flying to meet me, and flying closer, the shape became more defined.
It was another bird, just as big, just as brilliant, but irradiating black Light. I was scared, trying to avoid the Dark Phoenix, but it matched each movement that I made. As I dove to my left, it dove to its right, as if there was a mirror between him and the infinite void of darkness beyond. We were close, two titanic, never ending birds about to clash, Lights blazing brilliantly, when I felt a heavy presence on my chest. It settled there, almost comfortably. I couldn't figure out what it was, but it was joined by another sensation, sharp pinpricks running through every feather, every fiber of my being. Light appeared behind the Dark Phoenix, making it a silhouette outlined in white light. I quickly dove under my dark twin, managing to squeeze by I head to the only source of light I'd seen throughout my dream. I felt the warmth coming through, the sensation of the world beyond calling to me.
Light blinded me as I realized where I was waking up, in an infirmary. I was alone, but with a second glance, realized that it wasn't true. Ceorn was curled up on my chest, obviously not sleeping peacefully. I petted the back of his head gently as I took in where I was. A light room filled with beds. I was the only human occupant of those beds. I felt the IV drip in my hand, an almost cold liquid flowing through the tube into my veins, and I felt that I wasn't wearing my gift from the Academy. I managed to sit up slightly, only a little dizzy. After a few minutes, a nurse comes in and is surprised to find me sitting up, petting a slightly soothed Ceorn, who was awake by this time. She came over and ran a few elementary tests, which I passed. After that, she left. About half an hour later, a doctor came in, leading Elywin, Baron, and Pylor in.
"So you finally woke up?" Pylor asked. "You were out pretty long, and I couldn't get back in."
"How long?" I asked.
"A week, and you're going to miss another day at least," Elywin said. "Baron and I are part of the Obaraten Squadron. You'll meet our two technomancers later, after rest and some up to speed training. Pylor here is our mission researcher and assigner." She smiled at him. "Get ready for some hard training."
