Wings & Dreams

Memory Fragments

These small winged dragonflies are Krilie. They kept teasing me, filling my mind with hallucinations of their whispering voices.

"Don't be afraid, we just want to touch you" said one of them. I don't get it. Neither Kei nor Rio ever warned me of danger if I met them. I also don't know what to do when I meet them.

Do I have to catch one of them? Rio said that we hunted them for their beautiful wings. Maybe I could kidnap one of them, or-

"Basic! Humans are selfish creatures!" One of the monsters flew towards me. His wings almost blinded my eyes. I cursed because I forgot they could read my mind.

"This is why we hate humans."

"Stupid creature!"

"Yeah!!" I screamed, while protecting my eyes with my hands. My arms are scratched because of their wings.

How'this? Let alone catching their little bodies. My eyes were blocked and I lost my way. Even though this is just a dream, I don't know when else I will wake up.

Suddenly a whistling sound was heard from above. I took great pains to look up and gasp at the sight of Zeyn.

The man had already brought his bow, and he immediately pointed it behind me. So fast the arrow flew, I did not have time to look at it. The little creature shouted very loudly, then it had already bounced to the ground.

I put my hands on my knees, holding my breath. Some of them had fallen because of the arrow that landed perfectly.

When my breathing had returned to normal, I turned back towards Zeyn. But I no longer see it. The wind blew my hair. I think that was just my hallucination.

Am I still hallucinating? I don't know why I'm staring at both palms. My view is not blurry and still clear.

The sound of the wind blew my concentration. Suddenly a familiar feeling reappeared. My head hurts a lot, and my muscles are pulled, like they were lifted by a hurricane.

"No" I whispered. I'll wake up soon, I thought. But I haven't had time to find Fae who looks so much like that Zeyn.

Unable to endure the pain, I fell to my knees to the ground, still clutching my buzzing head. I could see nothing but such a bright light. As strong as my energy, I forced myself and stretched out my hand, fumbling the ground until I finally grasped one of the bodies of the creature.

Before long, I woke up to the real world.

***

"Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes slowly and saw Kei's shadow. "Yes" the voice coming out of my throat felt strange.

"Here, drink it." Kei handed me a bottle of clean water, and I hurriedly grabbed it and drank it. I let out a sigh of relief when my throat was no longer dry.

"So..." Rio looked at me worriedly beside me. He had brought some kind of cloth and helped me dry my face from sweat. "What dream are you?"

"I'm..." I twisted my brain and closed my eyes, forcing myself to remember. But I can't remember anything.

"Not to be forced." Kei smiled. "It's important you come back safe."

"Back safely?" I almost spouted water in my mouth. "Where am I going?"

"That's not what I mean!" Kei held both my shoulders. "Every time you fall asleep, you'll come back like a boiled crab."

"Maybe I'm overheating. Or I've been dreaming of bathing in a steamy kettle."

"You know that's not what Kei meant," Rio sighed. "Well, since our time is up and the snow has subsided, we'd better get on our way."

"Me and Kei have discussed it while you're asleep" he replied, crossing his arms. "We have to use the old way."

"old ways? What'sthat?" I scratched my head, still not understanding the explanation.

"Usually I'm the one tracking them while we hunt Krilie," Rio replied casually and without hesitation. "We just follow the flower trail. They like to gather between the flower beds."

I nodded in understanding. Apparently Rio had already told me that they liked flowers. I don't know why my memory came back.

Wait for. Have I ever forgotten what Rio said?

Without me noticing, I held my head back to throbbing.

Whatisthis? What have I forgotten, and what have I remembered? I can't tell the difference.

"Claras? What's up?" Kei had already wrapped my arms around his neck, while Rio also helped to support my body. "You need a break. Don't force yourself."

"Yes," I nodded, but sweat was still pouring from my forehead. My brain is getting hotter. It feels like I want to cry. I can't think straight anymore.

We continue our journey. I didn't notice where my friends were taking me, because I was busy arguing with myself.

Krilie is a flower thief. I remember Rio once told me. We'll just follow the trail of flowers to find their nest.

I gasped and suddenly staggered.

"Clar!" Kei moved my body, but I still resisted with my own thoughts.

"Clar!" There was the sound of someone screaming. I don't have to look around to see who it is. Zeyn came up to me, and put the back of his hand on my forehead.

"We have to stop this hunt. Take him back to the cabin."

"No, i.mstill..can-"

"You wanna die, huh?!" Zeyn's screams blared, giving me goosebumps of fear. "You're so pale! I'll take you home, whether you refuse or not!"

"Zeyn, let me just-"

"Shut up, Rio!" Zeyn unsheathed his hand towards the man, and the wind was created, making his body bounce several meters back.

"Rio!" Kei ran to him. "What are you-"

"Do you see what you've done to him?!" Zeyn had already raised my body with both of his big arms. "From today on, don't even meet him!"

I was still silent, and blinked my eyes many times so that my gaze could refocus. "Zeyn.. yes.ngan-"

My hand slipped from the clutches of his robe.

"Clar!"

I didn't hear anything else at the time. Just before the darkness completely destroyed me and swallowed my mind completely, I could feel my twitching hand.

My left palm.

I closed my fingers and felt Krilie's weight on my left palm.