The Dragon King's Heart

"Where am I?" Laina wondered as she looked all around.

The last thing she recalled was an unknown force beckoning her. It was calling out to her, asking her to go closer. Laina was in a trance. She did as she was told. But beyond that, she could hardly remember a thing.

Now she was in a white endless plain. She called out, hoping to hear a response but there was none. Just then, a flickering flame appeared before her. It was levitating above the ground.

"Isn't this the Aurora Flame?" Laina muttered to herself as she took a closer look.

The multi-colored flame looked even more mesmerizing up close. The colors were constantly shifting and changing. No matter from which angle or direction you looked, it was different.

"Do you remember?" a voice rang in Laina's mind.

"Who's there?" she yelled, surprised by the sudden presence of the formless voice.

"Do you remember?" the voice asked again.

"Remember? Remember what?" Laina asked in confusion, "I don't know what you're talking about!"

The moment she finished her sentence, images flashed through Laina's mind. She crumbled to the ground, clutching her head in pain. She barely caught a glimpse of some of them. But something about it felt familiar.

Where had she seen them?

Memories, old memories, flashed through Laina's mind. She could barely make out what they were but the feeling of familiarity lingered.

"Do you remember?"

The voice repeated itself over and over again. Laina could not understand what it wanted. She desperately attempted to make sense of what was happening to no avail. She knew there was something familiar about all that she was seeing.

But what could that be?

Then, it dawned on her. The memories being replayed to her all had one thing in common. Dante was in them too. But everything else about them was unlike anything she had seen before. The clothes they were wearing. The places they visited.

"I've never been to these places before. Or wore these clothes…"

Laina widened her eyes in shock when she came to a realization.

"No… I have seen this before," she declared.

The painting Dante had shown her in Starfrost Mansion. The background and the clothing they wore in that painting matched what she was seeing in the memory fragment. Her lips quivered in shock as she looked on, unable to say a word.

"Why am I seeing this?" she wondered out loud, "These aren't my memories… are they?"

Laina shut her eyes as her head began to spin. She yelled out in pain as the memories continued to flood back in. No matter how hard she tried, she could not make sense of them.

"Laina! Laina!" A voice called out her name.

But the crown princess was still trapped in her own mind, unable to hear the voice that called out to her. The world around her began to crumble and shake violently.

"Laina! Wake up! Wake up!" the voice called out again.

Her eyes flickered open. Laina was drenched in sweat. Her heart was palpitating in her chest. Standing over her was Kol, who had shaken her awake. The Oracle came forward to check on her immediately.

"She's alright, she's alright," Ramona assured Kol.

"What happened?" Laina asked as she rubbed her temples.

Kol and Florin explained what had happened in Flame Hall. After she passed out, they carried her here to rest. All was well until Laina began to break out in cold sweat. She was mumbling beneath her breath. It took Kol to shake her, calling out her name multiple times before she woke up.

"You looked like you were having a nightmare," Florin explained.

"In a matter of words," Laina replied hesitantly, "It was."

Ramona sat down by her side.

"Let me take a look," she said as she placed her index finger on her forehead.

"I don't quite remember what I saw," Laina explained, "But it felt important."

Ramona removed her hand from Laina's forehead.

"All is well," she said to the crown princess with a reassuring smile, "You just need some rest, that's all."

"Are you sure?" Laina asked worriedly, "I felt like I was missing something important."

Ramona bit her lip, this was not something she could divulge. It was Laina's journey to figure out the truth. But as the Oracle, she could guide her along her path.

"When I restored your energy with the help of the Aurora Flame, it might have unlocked a door in your mind."

"Unlocked a door?"

A door that led to hidden memories, things buried deep within the subconscious of one's mind. The Aurora Flame had the ability to do so. The stronger one resonates with fire and flame, the stronger the connection.

"But if it's something so important, how could I forget it so quickly?" Laina bit her lip, "Is there no way for me to recover it?"

Ramona smiled, "I thought you would never ask. There is. However, perhaps another time would be best? Don't you need to hurry back to Everfree?"

Laina almost leaped out of bed. She did not know how long she had been out for and the longer she was away, the more worried Dante and Margaret would get.

"You're right, I should head back at once," Laina declared, "I will visit again when I can."

Ramona smiled, "You're most welcome Your Highness. We will await your return with open arms."

Laina got back up on her feet. She was glad to have regained her strength. Before she left, Ramona reminded the crown princess to take good care of herself.

"Do not overexert yourself. If you ever need any help, I am at your beck and call," Ramona reminded.

Upon her return to Everfree, Dante was informed in advance. When she made it back to the mansion, she was surprised to find a spread of food set out in the dining hall. Every dish on the table was Laina's favorite.

There were cold and hot dishes, desserts, and side dishes. There were so many options Laina was salivating at the sight of it all. Where would she even begin? Furthermore, how would she be able to finish all of this food?

"Welcome back, my love," a familiar voice greeted her from behind.