After marveling at the timeless cycle of life for what could have been seconds as easily as it could have been centuries, the Necrologist got to his feet and approached the Ice Drake. He had something to get off his chest.
*Hey listen, Al... I'm sorry about the whole shredding-your-penis thing. I know that wasn't a very honorable thing to do and, well, I'm sorry,* he said, his expression genuine and apologetic - though the glowing eyes didn't show it. He even passed up on the perfect opportunity to joke about how it was a dick move, opting for sincerity over comedy for once in his life. The Dragon may or may not have noticed, but Garath felt like he deserved some credit for that.
*Do not apologize. I have slaughtered thousands of humans this day in the service of the bargain that saved my species from fading to nothing alongside our home world. Who would I be to hold a grudge against you for fighting in the best way you could find to protect your world and species? That is not the kind of man I am. My actions this day, too, have been dishonorable.*
*So we're cool?* Garath asked dumbly.
The Ice Drake simply nodded, then looked intently into the Necrologist's glowing eyes. *Do not insult me by shortening my name again though, human.*
*What is this place?* Garath asked, taking a seat next to Aldrasyl in the short grass beside the pool. *I mean, where the hell are we? Did we die?*
*Yes... and no. We are in the Glade of Rebirth. I have been in this place once before. All Dragons have the ability 'Rebirth'. Once per century, if we are killed in battle, our bodies are kept alive by ancient magic. What YOU are doing here, I do not know. Does your species, too, have the ability, Rebirth?*
*Uh, no. I don't think so, no. But then, twenty-four hours ago I was playing games on my computer... now I can summon demons and turn into a cat. So... maybe?* he paused. *Let's go with probably not.*
*I see. A mystery to us both then.*
*Yeah, I guess so. How does this Rebirth thing work? Like, can we go back?*
*You may return at any time. This Glade reminds me of my home, I want to revel in it for a moment,* said Aldrasyl, a wistful look briefly crossing his stern features.
*I'm sorry,* said Garath, shifting uncomfortably in the soft grass. *...about your home. This Glade is beautiful. Your home must have been an amazing place.*
*It was indeed. And thank you for your words, human. Maybe there is a hope for our two species to co-exist in peace after all. When you are ready, the way back is there,* he said, nodding to the motionless pool of crystal water. *Close your eyes and enter the water. When you open them again, you will be home.*
Garath nodded and got to his feet, then started moving toward the center of the glade but stopped and looked again at Aldrasyl. *Can I ask you a question?*
Aldrasyl lifted his serpentine neck to look into Garath's eyes. The Dragon's thoughtful gaze perturbed the Necrologist, it was like Aldrasyl knew what he would ask and was already considering how to answer.
*You may ask,* said the Ice Drake cautiously. *I will tell you if I myself know the answer.*
*That's fair.* Garath nodded in understanding and slid his hands into the pockets of his worn out jeans. *You mentioned a bargain that saved your species. Is it safe to assume it was made with the same… whoever or whatever brought The Culling to Earth?*
*Yes,* Aldrasyl answered simply.
*I kind of figured,* said Garath. It was the logical conclusion but hearing the Dragon confirm what he had already assumed was not his intention. The Necrologist was hoping for a little more information. He prodded further. *What is it? And what does it want? And what gives it the right to do this to Earth? Did it do the same thing to Thylsandra?*
*Which question shall I answer first, human?*
*Right, that was a lot. Sorry. What is it exactly? That’s doing all of this?* Garath decided that was the most relevant question.
Aldrasyl inhaled deeply. *There is much that I do not know about the Entity. As far as its identity, I can only tell you that the lesser species of Thylsandra consider it a God, but it is not an omniscient being. The Entity is a Mana seeker. It came to our planet in its infancy, before life had emerged. It is because of the Entity itself that Thylsandra was able to harbor the incredible amount of life that it did and sustain it for millenia, and therefore the Entity is the reason that the Dragons exist at all. Or so I am told...*
Garath nodded again. *What about the bargain you mentioned?*
Aldrasyl raised one draconic brow and fixed Garath with an incredulous expression. *Are the memories of your species so inept? It has been mere moments since…*
*Since you told me that you slaughtered thousands of humans to save your species. I remember that just fine. I mean the details, like...why? For example.*
*I see. You seek understanding for the decimation of your species. I cannot give that to you, human. To gain that information you would need to ask the Entity itself,* said Aldrasyl, looking sympathetically at the Necrologist. *How you would do that, I do not know.*
*You said a bargain was struck between the Dragons and the Entity. Doesn't that imply some kind of communication?* Garath asked petulantly. He didn't feel like Aldrasyl was lying to him, or even conveniently excluding information from him. The Dragon seemed almost sorry
