~"Wish I can go back time"~

[Chapter One]

-________-

What I wanted was to apologize to him, I did but I never wanted him to leave this world.

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The sky darkens since the clouds blocking the sun, noticing that the night is coming soon and that it would be two times colder at night. Finding a place to set up a camp and not be found by either the cults or the mercenaries, the winds are picking up speed as it got colder. Hidden inside the forest, a small bright light lit up inside coming from Drake as he ignited the fireplace and distinguish from his hand, not using his powers a lot. Luke sat down close to the fireplace to get enough heat, sitting across Drake who seems to be staring at the fire, his expression hasn't changed ever since he heard those words from Luke's mouth.

The assassin felt the same way as him, the sadness for Grayson but for the mage is both of them, sure he doesn't know anything about Drake or the archeologist but he sure knows that they got along. Best friends.

Luke sighed and looked at the fire, not saying anything which brought the silence and the awkwardness feeling between the two besides the fire crackling. As the fire moves dancing with the winds pushing it around, it brought back some memories to Luke, not so good memories. Knowing what it was, he tried to cover his ears from the sound but he could still hear it. The sound of the fire burning, crackling, the building breaks and fall into pieces as it made a loud impact as it collapses but still continues to burn. He could hear a woman crying out loud Grayson's name and a child crying, he still remembers everything.

Ever since Grayson left the empire, the Emperor congratulate him for doing what is right but for him is not. He just betrayed his friend and the guilt is not leaving from him, the Emperor knew what he is feeling which he gave him the mission to kill the ex-commander.

Guessing that it would help him to not feel bad no more, no, it would make him worse.

"Luke, is it?"

The assassin snapped out of his thoughts from the sound of the hybrid's voice, looking up to him seeing face to face. His expression changed into a calming state but with a tired look since he has bags under his eyes.

"Huh?"

"Your name is Luke, uh Grayson told me about his time being part of the mercenaries. Well before the whole thing happened..."

"Y-yea... I'm guessing he doesn't like saying my name. Hah...", he replied.

Drake nodded then silence again. Surely Drake wanted to chat more than being quiet, talking to the assassin that shot you in the leg and tries to kill your friend, yeah sounds okay for him. Well, it is been a while to find someone to talk to. The mage thinks of what to talk about until he remembers the small fight a few hours ago.

"What are those mercenaries and the cult members doing together? Aren't the Empire and the cult, you know, enemies with each other?", Drake asked.

"You haven't heard the news?"

Drake looked at him confused, news about what? He is wanted and he can't get any near markets or be seen from someone out there. He shook his head and told him why he hasn't heard anything around the badlands, seems that he forgot about being pointed at and called a bad guy. Well, Luke was one of them, not anymore. He then answered.

"Well, the Empire was attacked after I left I think about a month ago? It was the Cult and they killed the Emperor."

"What?! And what about the people?!"

Luke continued, "Some killed or taken as slaves. The mercenaries were about to be slaves as well but I guess their leader decided to keep them, more reinforcements. To attack villages and homes. Even sacrificing the innocence to their 'God'."

It would make sense how did they know about Drake, there was no one spread around the badlands of him being a Mage and Collin's humanity, only his friends and beside Luke (who doesn't know he is Collin). Luke did report to the Emperor of his attempt of assassination, who knows when his wanted sign was put up on the board. And the attack, the cult might've seen it and now knows who he is.

"What happened to them, Grayson and Mia, the elf girl if you don't know who. Why were they in the Empire?", Drake asked again.

Luke flinched from hearing Grayson's name and looked away, out of the forest, guilt washed up to him again and from the looks from his face. Seems that he doesn't want to talk about it. Drake knew his answer and replied, "If you don't want to talk about it, I'm fine with that."

"T-the elf girl was taken in... I guess Grayson saw her and t-tried to save her but it ended up bad. That's why they both died, fighting and trying to escape, I want to forget that I saw everything that happened...

I should've helped them..."

Drake looked down into the fire, he thought of himself that he would also be done the same thing as well. If he knew where they are or he would've gone out and found them himself. The two blondes are gone, died by the Empire hands and now he's alone without them, besides Luke but he wouldn't consider him a friend yet.

And it looks like Drake has to leave the badlands on his own now, he was alone for the past 4 years ago but that doesn't mean he is already used to the loneliness. His thoughts wander more till his eyes widen, remembering something.

"And the egg?! What happened to it?! Don't tell me the Cult has it?!"

Luke jumped back from his mood changes all of a sudden. Mentioning about the egg, his eyes lit up and shook his head, grabbing his backpack and opening it reveals the egg.

Luke said "Grayson didn't have the egg with him on that day, I found a map in his backpack that marked a location which seems to be another base. Hiding it from the Emperor, I head over there immediately and found it. I just wanted to make it up what I have done and I know what I am getting myself into. Already got some of the supplies I needed to leave and take some of the stuff that he found in."

Drake sighed in relief, he honestly doesn't know what would they do with it hence the dragon egg has really powerful magic in it. "You burn the base as well?"

"I burned it, he would do the same thing if the Empire found him and his base. Its... really sad to see your stuff in the fire, all gone and knowing wherever you are, they will keep doing it so why not burn it yourself?"

True... If they ever find my home then I might as well burn everything... Drake sighed. The male covering it and put it on the side but he shifted as he was grabbing something from behind, pulling out was a worn-out journal. Drake eyes on the book and realized what it was Collin's book. "I found it on the ground when we almost got killed by the cults and mercenaries. I knew it belongs to you, well since it mentions your name on it."

Luke stood up as he handed to the hybrid, he hesitates but grabbed it as Luke went back to his spot. Drake forgot he was carrying the journal with him, seeing it kept on reminding him about Collin and his origin. Felt like life was too short being with Armen when he was around and all this time it led him to death. He sighed," You didn't read all of it, didn't you?", he asked.

Shaking his head and replied only the last page of it, "the name Collin rings a bell and I knew I heard that name somewhere. Probably back at the arctic base, wonder that place is still there ever since I 'disappeared'." Drake nodded, he was worried that what if he has to explain himself about him being Collin's humanity and wanting to know more about the two and hell they all went through. Looking up at the sky not being able to see the stars or the moon, Drake yawned and grabbing his sleeping bag from his backpack.

"We should sleep now, I don't know what time it is but it's better to get enough rest for tomorrow."

"Oh right."

Doing the exact thing, huddling up inside the sleeping bag and being near the fire now finally able to rest. Drake still awake thinking about what he should do now, alone without his friends, he could partner up with Luke but he's not sure if he should trust him fully. Leave the badlands? Or find some way to fix this? Covering his eyes using his arm as he felt the tear forming, holding his cries preventing from Luke hearing him.

He should've known what he was doing.

He should've protected Armen.

He should've to save Armen.

He should've stayed with them.

He should've helped them.

.

.

.

.

.

But they are gone.

He lost everything.

I wish I could go back in time. . .

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(This is a bit short and I can't think of anything else to type it out, I mean I do have something in mind but I want to save it for the next chapter. I want the chapter to be long before the whole thing happens. More chapter is coming soon.)

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