I have to crane my neck to completely take in all of the Inferno Empire. A shiver tremors throughout my body, seeping into my bones at the very sight of it.

The entire empire is situated on a tremendous, ground shaking mountain range, every inch of it surging with life. The mountain range is lit up like a Christmas tree, the numerous lights a sign of the empire's vitality.

"Amazing," I gasp, my eyes glowing in excitement. I take a step forward, engraving the sight into my memory until I collide with Ronan's back. I expect him to snap at me, but he doesn't spare a glance.

"When we enter those gates, stick by my side and don't say a word. The empire is even more dangerous than the outside. You can make a powerful enemy just by staring at someone for too long," Ronan says as if recalling something. His eyes are fixated at the very top of the mountain range where the buildings sharply jut out into the sky, as if challenging the heavens.

The empire is encased in a set of intimidating walls and several watchtowers. The security is top notch, as shown by the line of guards that meet us at the gates. With a single flash of Ronan's badge, the heavy gates open and we are flooded with light and chatter.

"Durable battle gear selling cheap! Only 30 low-grade death crystals!" One man yells, waving a sign in the air. A crowd of people weave in and out of stalls selling different items. These stalls have been set up alongside the main road, a kind of market place for the common inhabitants of the empire.

What surprises me the most is how normal everyone appears. It's not like I expected anyone to sprout two heads and be able to breathe fire, but I did brace myself for the unexpected. I don't know whether to be disappointed or relieved.

I glance at a pair of mother and daughter that seem normal at first, but upon closer examination I realize have patches of silver fish scales coating their body. When I study the empire's inhabitants a little closer, it becomes clear that there's something off with them; they're subtle details like a tail sprouting from behind or a horn splitting from a forehead that give away their demon nature

"Now selling swords with a fire affinity!" Says another man, glaring the other sellers down. A screaming match ensues between all the sellers, tossing out promises about better prices and quality goods.

"I forgot how noisy the market place can be," Ronan grumbles and strings me along the crowded stone path. We pass a shop selling grilled meat and my stomach growls as the smell reaches my nose.

"Can we..." I begin, knowing full well the answer. However, I haven't eaten in several hours and I think I deserve a meal after traveling from one whole world to the next.

"You're expensive enough as it is," He says firmly.

I pout my lip but say nothing. Am I just a thing? An object?

Ronan stops at one of the shops and uses his ring to summon 'the shadow' corpse that attacked me earlier. "Don't wander off," he says before turning to the shopkeeper.

"Okay, okay," I sigh. All he can do is spout commands.

I intend to keep my promise and in the meantime observe people passing by, but a flash of metal catches my eye. Before I know it, I'm observing several daggers laid neatly on a table, all of them eye catching with their intricate designs. Something about them is so hypnotizing, to the point where I've forgotten where I am.

My eyes are drawn to one particular dagger in a silver sheath – the one that stands out because of its simplicity. Although it lacks the magnificent golden engravings of its siblings, it's the most beautiful in my eyes.

"Young miss, does one of them catch your fancy?" A deep voice says. I look up at its owner, an old man in a black cloak that shadows his face. He has a surprisingly strong, clear voice for a man of his age. Even though I can't see his eyes, I know he's observing me intently.

My cheeks flush a bit at the idea of how I must have looked being thoroughly engrossed in the daggers, completely unaware of my surroundings. "Yes," I say, tucking a lock of brown hair behind my ear, "This one is beautiful." I grasp the plain dagger, turning it over in my hand.

The old man's lips turn upwards in a knowing smile. "So you've finally arrived."

"Huh?" I look back up at him. "Yes, I did just arrive. How did you know?" I glance down at my dirt stained skirt. Well, I guess it's a dead giveaway.

The old man continues to smile. "You can have that one."

"Oh, sorry. I don't have any money on me," I say with an apologetic expression on my face.

"There's no need. It's yours now."

My eyes light up. Does he mean that? I reach for his hands and shake them in excitement. "Thank you so much, mister! I won't forget this." The old man seems taken back, but his face soon relaxes and he lets out a chuckle.

I feel a hand grip my arm. "I thought I told you not to wander off," Ronan says with hardened eyes.

"Sorry," I say with a laugh, still feeling giddy. "But look! This kind old man gave me a beautiful dagger."

Ronan arches an eyebrow. "What old man?"

I glance back at the shop only to find that it's disappeared into thin air. "It was definitely here," I say, beginning to doubt my own words.

He brings a hand to his chin, in thinking position. "I knew you would eventually lose it after coming here, but I didn't expect it to be so soon."

"I'm perfectly sane, thank you very much," I say, leaving it at that. I grip the dagger tightly in my hands and tuck it in my clothes.

The city is alive with floating lanterns that radiate a yellow gleam, painting the faces of the empire's citizens. The people weave in and out, always with some busy task at hand.

Ronan beckons to a floating lantern and it drifts into the palm of his hand. He brings his lips to it and whispers something incoherent. The lantern, as if alive, launches off his hand and he follows after it.

As we leave the marketplace, the atmosphere shifts to a quieter setting with fewer people. The stone street is surrounded by both sides by tall buildings of wood and stone that seem very capable of crushing me if they caved in. People seem to be traveling in every direction possible, some even above my head through tunnels connecting the buildings from my left to right.

The floating lantern weaves in and out of streets and I feel myself paying less attention to my surroundings and more attention to controlling my breathing. My chest heaves in and out with every step and my throat is uncomfortably dry.

The empire is built into a mountain range, so it's no wonder the road is steep and tiring. This whole situation is making me regret not having participated in P.E. class more.

I wipe the built up sweat from my forehead with the sleeve of my tattered uniform. "Is there a short cut to where we're heading?"

I watch the back of Ronan's head intently. Is he annoyed because I wandered off? "Ronan?" I feel weird as the word rolls off my tongue. Come to think of it, this is the first time I've properly called his name.

The dark haired man stops in his tracks and turns around. "When I say don't leave my side, I mean it."

My eyes widen at his words. If anyone were to overhear, they'd think he was saying something romantic, although I know it's far from it.

"From now on, don't stay farther than three steps from me," he says and motions for me to come closer, "Go on."

I count the steps I take towards him. One, two. I look up at him.

"Closer," he demands.

Three, four, five.

"Closer."

This back and forth banter continues on for some time until I finally get fed up and take long strides, giving up my counting.

"Better?" I ask impatiently. I've stopped right in front of him – close enough that I can hear his breathing. "Is this close enough for you?" I look up at him with a grin, thinking I've gotten the best of him, and I find him staring down at me. His eyes are rounder than I thought – almost innocent like. It was hard to tell before because he always has a stiff expression on his face.

He rests his hands on my shoulders, broad hands that feel soft compared to how he usually grabs my arm. "What are you..?" I trail off.

"Apparently you don't know how to count." Ronan pushes my shoulders back and I stumble a few steps backward. "This is three steps."

He continues to walk in pace with the floating lantern and I follow after him in a hurry. After a few steps he stops and I come to a halt. He does this a few more times and I fully concentrate on maintaining three steps, to the point where my head begins to hurt.

I hear a faint snickering, and look up to see Ronan trying his best to hide his laughter. Finally, he gives up and lets his laugh ring into the chilly night air.

I blink at him and look around. "Did something funny happen?"

Ronan clears his throat and dabs the corners of his eyes with a golden lined handkerchief. Where did he even get that? "It's just that you're trying so hard. Good job, puppy."

I raise an eyebrow. Did I hear him right?

"Just now you looked like a puppy trying to please its owner. It was quite a sight," He says.

I take a deep breath and try to regain my composure, "My name is Amira."

Ronan shakes his head. "'Puppy' suits you better."

I'm about to snap at him when I hear the rushing sound of water crashing against rock. The land before us slopes downward until cutting off entirely – a sharp end to our path.

On the next fearsome mountain is a flight of marble white stairs leading to a grand palace with blood colored walls that stretch farther than the eye can see and a gray tiled roof that curves outwards, reaching for the stars. The only thing separating us from the heavenly palace is a river of violent waters.

"This isn't the time to day dream," I hear Ronan say. He's already at the edge, where the path cuts off. The waters rumble underneath him.

I start after him. "Be careful!"

He smirks and daringly sticks out his foot over the cliff. "Why should I?"

"It's dangerous," I huff. He's definitely teasing me. Why do I care if he gets himself killed? He's not someone I should worry over.

"We'll see about that." Without blinking an eye, Ronan steps off the edge, eyes laughing as he lets himself fall.

I race to the edge, heart thudding against my chest. "Ronan!" I lean over the edge, expecting to see him forever engulfed by the river.

"You're so easy to fool." Ronan's body is miraculously lifted into the air. His feet rest on a platform of water and a path soon forms behind him, drawing from the river below it. The path stops at the other side where the palace lies. "Step on."

I bite my lip to control my agitation and fight back the strong urge to hit him.

"We don't have all day," he says, tapping his foot. I'm the one who should be annoyed, not him.

I let out a shaky breath and take a step. It's just a little water – nothing compared to what I've been through. The path is surprisingly stable and the familiar scent of the salty breeze brings me a sense of comfort.

"The river is enchanted," Ronan says, his gaze held high, "If one harbors evil intentions, he will be devoured by the waters, but if one has good will, he will pass on to the Empire's palace unharmed."

I glance down at the menacing river and gulp. "Nature is scary."

Am I here for the right reasons? I made up my mind to leave the past behind and focus on controlling my demonic side but I'm not sure if I'm capable.

The path comes to an end and my knees knock together at the sight of the endless stairs. I'm forced to take the first step when I see Ronan is already getting ahead of me, taking two steps at a time. What is with that inhuman climbing speed?

My legs throb in pain with each step, but I press on, on willpower alone. The edges of my vision are becoming cloudy and no amount of blinking can clear it. My chest tightens, making it harder and harder to breathe.

In my exhaustion, I miss a step and stumble backwards, completely losing my balance. My arms flail in front of me and I reach for Ronan's distant figure.

The moon taunts me in the night sky.

A/N-  I hope you enjoyed reading! Please hit that vote button if you enjoyed~