The marsh birds were beginning to sing to their dawn chorus. The sunlight shone through the hanging branches to wisp away the last remnants of night.
Leon was standing alone at the edge of the wetland. The first light poured through the tangled canopy, fine rays of sunlight slipping between the leaves and settling across the still water, where clusters of lily pads floated like scattered green petals.
Why do I feel like these mornings keep doing away with the last remnants of night...?
Tall reeds stood in rows along the water's edge, bending gently under the weight of morning dew. Soft grasses caught the warmth of the sunlight every so often, their delicate greens glowing beneath the rays as to the sound of distant wildlife.
Yeah I'm definitely noticing a pattern here...
Any remnants of a fog of Leon's mind cease to exist.
"There you are! Come on, let's go!"
Leon turned around to the sound of Valeria's voice calling out to him.
"Valeria!"
Leon's eyes widened the moment he saw her. Not because she was wearing a different outfit like the others but because she was the only one wearing her usual attire. Gothic Lolita with chains, spikes and other punk accents.
She walked through the wet land with ease. The thigh high leather boots were keeping all the water out.
"But of course! Now come on, let's go!"
Valeria grabbed his hand and began leading him along the water ways and through the marshes.
"This wetland sits at the northern tip of the Black Sea and the southern edge of the Primeval Forest. It forms a four way connection with the Sea and Forest. As well as the plains of the Federation and the swamps of Ainamor."
"Ainamor? That's your home right? Are we going to the vampire city?"
"No. We're just staying in this marsh...I haven't been here since I left..."
Valeria words flutter at the end of her sentence.
I promised Valeria I wouldn't press her about her past. I know she's bothered by it, so I told I'd wait until she's ready to tell me.
I need to end this one early before I find out.
"Hey Valeria, we should stop here..."
"Here we are."
Before them stood a massive willow tree that towered overhead, its sprawling branches draped in long, flowing curtains of leaves. Its twisted trunk and sprawling roots made it seem ancient and almost otherworldly.
At its base stood a pile of rocks stacked atop one another, moss creeping over the hand placed grave.
A grave! All the other girls changed reality in their dreams. Why is it different for Valeria?
Leon squeezed her hand.
"Valeria, you told me you knew a human once..."
"Yes. Lenore. Her name's also a lot like yours. Fated Encounter as you told me."
What do I even say? I don't get it, if this is a blissful dream, why wouldn't her friend be alive?
"Valeria..."
"I still remember what you told me about how you met with Death. And how you died to get here. Thinking about it makes me feel better."
Leon hugged her tightly.
"You don't need to."
Even though she said it, Valeria held him back.
"Do you... want to talk about it?"
"No. And yes. I've been wanting to tell you. You've completely trusted me. Gave me time and compassion... Despite not knowing what I've done."
"I had a rough idea."
"Humans are rare in Ainamor, kept as livestock... I grew up pretty sheltered, so I never knew. I should have known, I was always so childish."
"You're not childish."
"I am. I had drunk blood my entire life from cups and never knew... Lenore was around my age, my first friend. My father did not like that. Three years ago, he had enough."
Leon's stomach tightened.
I know where this is going. Why Valeria starved herself. Why she ran away and became vegan.
"He told me he had a gift and to close my eyes... even when I opened them, I couldn't stop..."
Valeria paused for a moment to steel her tears.
"Vampires can't stop themselves. We drink until we're interrupted or till there's nothing left. Even with you. I can only stop because your healing closes the wound."
"But you have stopped yourself. You've been Vegan ever since."
"I've been eating you.."
"I don't count. And you know, Valeria, you called yourself childish but you're not."
Leon lifted her face up
"Sure, you're shy. You get embarrassed more easily than the others, and sometimes you can be a little childish."
"Hey, didn't you just..."
"BUT! when it really counts, you don't shy away."
Leon took her hand and walked closer to the grave.
"We're in a dream right now. The other girls made blissful dreams where their hardships were gone. But you don't look away. You remembered what happened, and you kept looking forward."
Valeria lowered her head, her cheeks turning red as she went back in for a hug and rubbed her face into Leon's chest.
"...You're really good at saying things like that."
"I'm just telling you what I see."
Valeria let go of the hug and kneeled down under the willow tree. Gesturing for Leon to rest his head on her thighs.
"Come. I want to tell you all about Lenore!"
"You will, once we leave this dream. And then again when we visit her grave together!"
Leon began to feel himself dissolved.
"Looks like you're walking up. It's time to go save the others next."
"You got this!"
Valeria looked at the hand placed grave.
"That's my husband."
"I know! I'm so jealous!"
Valeria's eyes went wide as she unmistakenly heard a voice she hadn't in three years.
The dream ended.
But not before Leon saw a glimpse of a featureless female silhouette holding out two thumbs up towards him.