Conscious, Conscientious

Lammy glanced back and forth between Zayza and the magical projections of Kotono and Hiroko.

“He’s…what?” muttered Zayza.

“They captured Oflenur, held a trial, and then executed him,” Hiroko repeated. “I…really am sorry, Zayza.”

“W—what do you remember about him now?” asked Kotono carefully.

“Just…pieces,” said Zayza, her voice distant. “When the shards rejoined my memories, I saw many different things…mostly glimpses. We were often together, but when we were, there was no one else with us. We shared meals…life…planned for a future…”

“Anything specific?” Hiroko asked.

Lammy watched their demeanor carefully. They were clearly probing for some sort of exact event. Something felt uneasy, even fragile, about their questions.

“No…I just remember his name, and his face,” said Zayza. “I started feeling safe, and in love, and…a great deal of nervousness. If he was someone special in my life, then why is he a part of my dark memories?”

Hiroko and Kotono exchanged glances again worriedly.

“Why do you keep doing that…?” Zayza pressed weakly.

“The kingdom executed Oflenur because they believe he was your accomplice in the murders,” said Hiroko. From her stern demeanor, Lammy could tell death was a topic she knew all too familiarly.

For him, however, the unfolding discussion made his knees quiver.

“But—they’re wrong!” exclaimed Kotono.

“Was he innocent like Zayza?” assumed Lammy.

Kotono shook her head intensely.

“If you ask us,” started Hiroko, “he was the killer. And he either framed Zayza, or tricked her into involvement. As far as we’re concerned, everything you’re going through is because of him.”

“Wait—so Zayza’s being hunted for no reason?!” realized Lammy. “Isn’t there some way we can prove she’s innocent?!”

“From what I’ve seen about the investigation, his trail is too perfect,” explained Hiroko. “It leads straight to Zayza.”

Zayza stared off, away from everyone. “But…all those emotions and visions I recovered…” she uttered. “I was used…?”

“If it’s between him and you, I’ll never believe you were the killer,” Hiroko said. “So, that’s what we believe.”

“I’m sorry,” said Kotono.

“But…why…?”

Kotono’s mouth trembled as she watched Zayza. Lammy thought she was about to cry, but instead, her eyes filled with fiery rage. Red light suddenly burst out around her.

“It was all a power grab!” she shouted. “He killed them and took everything from you, all for a power grab! I knew I should have said something when he seemed weird!”

“Kotono, breathe,” Hiroko urged immediately.

“Killed who?”

Kotono opened her mouth again to speak, red energy sparking everywhere, but Hiroko covered her mouth. She placed a hand on Kotono’s shoulder tenderly.

“You need to breathe,” she repeated. “Now’s not the time or place, okay?”

The red energy surrounding Kotono flickered one more time, before dulling to a purple, and fading out as a weak blue glow.

“But…when is?” she asked sadly when Hiroko removed her hand.

“Once she’s somewhere safe, where she can be properly taken care of. Once Skrili and Deon hide her with my clan. Then, she can know,” said Hiroko. She looked into Zayza’s eyes. It was a hard gaze, yet Lammy could feel the loving, protective intent, even through the magical window.

“Zayza, I know you don’t fully remember me right now, but I need to ask you to trust me on this,” she said. “I promise you’ll know. But right now you need to keep going, alright?”

Zayza was wordless. After a moment, she gave a single nod.

A series of muffled thuds resounded through the magic, coming from the door behind Hiroko and Kotono.

“We know you’re in there! Come on out, ladies. The interview was fifteen minutes ago!” came an irritated voice.

“Ugh. They found us,” Kotono said was a shudder.

“We gotta go, okay?” said Hiroko.

Zayza nodded once more.

Hiroko’s eyes turned to Lammy. She cocked her head in Zayza’s direction. “Keep an eye on her, alright?” she said.

Then, the two champions were gone.

Lammy couldn’t bring himself to look at Zayza as they stood there in the middle of the path. Her situation only grew heavier with each new revelation.

And consequently, though he didn’t hold it against her, so did his.

“Lammy,” started Zayza.

“Y—yeah?”

“I really hoped to tell them of another memory I discovered, just before I came to invite you into the Dream World last night,” she told him.

“What was it?” he asked warily.

“I remembered,” Zayza started softly, “how deeply I love them.”

She abruptly marched forward, stomping resolutely down the seemingly infinite dirt road.

“I may not have all the memories that led to this love, but regardless, I can feel it,” she said back to him. “Let’s follow their plan. And let’s not let anyone else get in our way.”

Lammy stood there for a moment in awe and confusion.

Well…that’s the opposite reaction I was expecting, he thought. She was biting back, and getting stronger.

He clenched his fists.

It’s time I do, too. Deon, I’ll make you proud.

~

In the hours following their conversation, Lammy withdrew into his mind while he travelled alongside Zayza. Occasional journeyers passing by were the only incidents to break him out of his thoughts. He found himself watching them warily, until he remembered the earrings still protected them from any dangerous recognition.

But that won’t be the case for long, thought Lammy. Once we’re in Fiction Country, the magic will wear off…and we’ll be vulnerable again.

No. He wasn’t ready to be vulnerable again—to feel like a target, or a prized catch.

After their encounter with Fewpar and Najinzu, he was done with that role. And by the way Zayza had been strutting determinedly this whole time, he could tell she was, as well.

He, too, needed to bite back.

I’ve made myself pretty useful in the Dream World, but that won’t be enough soon, Lammy told himself. If something happens out here—especially in Fiction Country—how will we defend ourselves?

It had to be him.

He’d spent all his sleeping hours helping Zayza in the Dream World, and all his waking hours either working or walking, for countless days now. But he hadn’t poured any time into strengthening his Imagining combat.

However...was there any point?

Except for odd instances where his powers caught him off guard, Lammy could barely make his imagining work in the first place.

No—that wasn’t entirely true: back when Kotono’s powers were tearing Gloat Stadium to pieces, he felt his abilities heightening within as his feelings grew. He harnessed the emotions, and his imagining worked better because of it.

Now that I think of it, isn’t that how Kotono’s powers work, too? Lammy realized. He decided to ask her next time he got the chance. It was intriguingly similar.

But either way, he knew: once they crossed into Fiction Country, the dangers before the earrings were likely to return. And once again, he wouldn’t have Deon to step in and make it all better like in Tailpiece. He had to be the defender. He had to—

“What is that sound?” Zayza wondered.

It broke Lammy out of his intense contemplation. She was looking around at the sky, but nothing was there.

“What sound?”

“Do you hear it? I think they’re dragon wings, but they sound closer than usual,” she said.

Now he could pick it out—the deep, flapping gusts echoing in the air. It was hard to pinpoint the exact direction of the source.

Curious, Lammy turned around—and if he hadn’t, their journey would have come to an end in seconds.

The silhouette of a black dragon faced them high above, appearing as a shadow. It took Lammy a moment to realize not only did it face them: it was heading straight for them.

“Uh…I don’t think it’s friendly…” Lammy muttered.

“We don’t have time to find out—Run!” Zayza exclaimed, grasping his hand.

Lammy knew she was right as he stumbled forward in an attempt to keep up. His blood quivered when the nearing dragon let out an earth-rattling roar. Looking back once more, he saw it was closing in far too fast for their measly legs to outrun.

“We don’t stand a chance!” Lammy shouted.

His thoughts returned to what he’d been mulling over before:

It had to be him.

“Zayza, wait!” he urged, pulling her to a stop.

“Why?! What are you doing?!” she cried.

“THIS!” he declared. “…I HOPE!”

Of all the obstacles and dangers Lammy thought he might encounter in their journey, staring a dragon down as it plummeted straight for them was not exactly something he’d considered. In fact, it was far worse. But here he stood, his heart exploding with terror, as he awaited its violent arrival.

The closer the dragon got, the warmer the feeling in Lammy’s eyes grew. It was time to try.

Is it fear? Lammy thought, probing for the exact emotion he’d felt when he successfully tapped into his increased ability in Gloat Stadium. Resolve…?

He felt a great deal of both of these emotions, but nothing clicked when he tried focusing on them. He still couldn’t detect the seamless connection between his feelings and his powers.

“Lammy!” Zayza shouted.

Wait—that’s it! Lammy realized.

It was stress.

He was stressed out of his mind.

And for some reason, that was precisely what awakened his imagining.

The dragon’s sharp claws reached out. It was upon them.

But then it pounded against an invisible mass, spinning off to the side clumsily and leaving Lammy and Zayza untouched.

“Yes! I did it again!!” Lammy exclaimed. “I imagined my shield in the real world, and it actually worked!”

“Wonderful!” cheered Zayza. “That’s splendid, but…it still wants to kill us!”

Immediately, the dragon rammed its sharp claws against Lammy’s invisible shield once more. He yelped, but thankfully, his barrier kept it at bay. The dragon snarled and performed a flip to back away.

That was when Lammy realized: the dragon wasn’t alone. It had a rider.

As the dragon landed gracefully, albeit furiously, Lammy and Zayza stared at the dark figure in its saddle. Lammy’s heart thumped even harder: for a second, he appeared to be Najinzu. But this was a new face: one with similar tight, ripped clothing, and shorter silvery hair.

When he gracefully flipped out of the dragon’s saddle and onto the dirt road, Lammy realized the man was slightly taller than Najinzu, as well—or, at least, he didn’t hunch over.

The man had a collection of sheathed weapons at his belt, and for some reason, a pearly white mug. But he didn’t reach for any of them, instead standing tall and staring at the frightened duo quietly.

“Ah,” came the dragon’s sneer. “You didn’t tell me we were hunting royalty.”

Zayza’s eyes widened. “What…?”

“Don’t appear so shocked, human. Of course I know you—the whole world does, especially now that you’re a murderer,” spat the dragon.

“First of all, Xinderzin, we’re not hunting. We’re collecting,” said the man, his voice pointed and weathered. “And I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t entirely certain. They’re using charms to mask their identities. However…”

He reached into a pocket on his torso and revealed a glistening necklace. The man brought it close and inhaled, his eyes on Zayza the whole time.

“It’s a perfect match. She’s Zayza, after all,” he concluded.

“And…just who are you?” Zayza challenged, struggling to come across strong.

“It seems the information we acquired of your amnesia is accurate, as well,” the man realized. “You’ll benefit from knowing soon, anyway. My name is Raznizu, and I’m here to retrieve you.”

Lammy’s whole body felt stiff with fear. He tried to calm his raging anxiety, and picture how Deon would handle the situation.

“As if!” he shouted. “Go ahead and try!”

It felt good in the moment, until he realized he had no plan to back it up. This man’s similarity to Najinzu sent shivers down his spine—clearly, he was just as much a threat. Lammy had been trying to conjure an escape since Xinderzin’s feet touched the ground, but nothing seemed feasible.

He’d have to risk trying his imagining abilities again.

“Now this boy…I’ve received no information on him…” uttered Raznizu. “Child, free Zayza from your custody, or this will develop in a way you won’t prefer.”

“Huh?! Zayza’s not in—” started Lammy.

“Don’t you dare touch Lammy!” Zayza demanded. “You won’t be taking me anywhere!” She instinctively pumped her arms down, like she would to summon her green energy in the Dream World. But of course, nothing happened. Disgruntled, she took a step back.

It’s up to me, Lammy once again told himself.

Raznizu sighed. “Xinderzin, can you carry one more? I’ll need to transport the boy, as well.”

“I’m a young dragon, not a weak one.”

Lammy braced himself—but then he remembered he was keeping the invisible shield intact. They still had time to figure out their getaway plan.

“Don’t worry, Zayza,” said Lammy. “I’ll—”

A sudden, constant crackling sound deafened them. It was all around the shield, coupled with flashing white lights.

What?! panicked Lammy. Squinting, he noticed small, round holes: one set surrounding the outside of the shield, and a matching set on the inside. Small, round blades emerged from the inner holes, emitting some sort of lightning surge.

He sent them under the ground?! Lammy realized. When?! We had eyes on him the whole time…he’s too fast!

He and Zayza recoiled towards each other as the shocks continued on. Lammy hurried to try reinforcing the shield’s strength. But he’d only anticipated blunt-force objects colliding with it—he hadn’t created it to deflect this kind of attack, especially not from the inside.

They both heard a crack spreading above: their time was almost up.

Channeling Deon’s bigheaded attitude had its place, but now, Lammy needed to think tactically. If Raznizu could ambush them that fast in plain view and go completely undetected, they needed to act now. They couldn’t wait for the shield to break and make another run for it.

He came to a quick decision: he had to destroy the shield on his own terms.

Then, he’d need to try a surprise-attack. Or better yet…

“Zayza, start running back!” Lammy instructed.

“But—”

“Please!”

She obeyed, flinching as she made a break for it towards the flickering electricity.

In that same instant, Lammy imagined the barrier away and followed her. The electric shocks ceased once the shield was gone, which only made his plan easier.

Eyes glowing, Lammy again called upon his stress. He recalled the wooden carriages he’d seen across his Fantasy Country travels here and there, and rushed to imagine one into existence.

Normally for something this complex, an imaginer—especially a weak one like him—would need to know specific details of the materials and functions in order to summon one into existence successfully. And normally, even if he had this information, his powers would fail him.

But once again, Lammy’s powers fed on his stress and came through for him. A wooden carriage popped into existence just before them a split second after the shield disappeared.

“Go! It’s ours!” Lammy called.

They dove into the carriage bed, and its unmanned wheels spun to life, thrusting them forward along the path. Lammy’s method went exactly as he’d hoped.

But unfortunately, that meant nothing.

When Lammy turned over on his back to see their progress from their attackers, he only saw Xinderzin waiting in the same spot, unconcerned.

Then, the carriage thudded to the side. Two of its wheels, now severed, spun off before fading from existence.

A blink later, the other side dropped and the carriage, now without wheels, skidded against the dirt.

Lammy and Zayza raised their heads forward after the carriage came to a halt. Raznizu stood just before its stopping point, a black blade in hand.

Too fast…Lammy repeated. No…we can’t fail this easily…

Crouching beside Zayza in the carriage, it seemed far too similar to their previous capture. His breathing fell shallow.

He could see Najinzu and Fewpar in Raznizu’s place.

He could hear their threats again.

He could see Zayza’s wounds, soon to become her lifelong scars.

I can’t let us go through that EVER AGAIN! he cried in his head.

“An imaginer with glowing eyes,” noted Raznizu. “You’re no ordinary boy. Now, you’ll both need to come with—”

“NO!” Lammy shouted.

This time, there was no plan. There was no time for a plan—only time to feel, and act.

He felt something scoop him up from under his legs. Zayza let out a shout, and he felt her lean against him from behind. The first thing he could process next was Raznizu—and the ground—growing farther and farther away at a rapid pace.

They were ascending. And accelerating.

Zayza shrieked again once she realized what was happening, and she wrapped her arms around Lammy so tight he almost couldn’t breathe.

“Oh dear—I loathe heights!” Zayza wailed. “But keep going!!”

Gathering himself, Lammy finally got a handle on the current development: they were riding a dragon.

It was a spectacular mixture of rainbow colors, bearing a keen resemblance to Wobble’s fur. Actually, it seemed exactly the same: instead of scales, this dragon was fuzzy. Its size and build, however, were proportionate to Xinderzin.

The dragon inhaled to unleash a fierce roar. Instead, it sounded just like Pete attempting a terrible interpretation:

“ARRRRRGGGH!!!!” its cracking voice let out across the sky.

“I—I shouldn’t be able to do this!” Lammy stammered. “My powers are weak!”

“Well don’t tell them that! Keep us flying!” urged Zayza.

The wind pressed against them, and mist soon joined in as they approached the clouds. Afraid to mess anything up, Lammy tapped into his imagining. In seconds, he found he could steer the beast himself: indeed, it was his creation. He commanded the dragon to accelerate faster.

He’d need to do so again, because they heard a dragon’s roar—a real one—reverberate behind them.

They turned their heads to find Xinderzin speeding at them, with Raznizu in his saddle. And they were gaining fast.

“Go, go, go!” Lammy urged his imagined dragon.

With another oddly human roar, the dragon lunged forward. But even still, they couldn’t shake off Xinderzin’s pursuit. Lammy tried steering the dragon in all kinds of directions, but despite its magnificence, it was no match for the real thing.

In less than a minute, Xinderzin and Raznizu were just behind the furry dragon’s tail. Desperate, Lammy heaved it upward and into the thicker clouds. They were drenched in moisture immediately, and they couldn’t see a thing, but at least now they were invisible to their foes.

Lammy steered a hard cut to the right, he and Zayza holding on for dear life. Then, he sighed: at this rate, they could shake free.

“Brilliant!” exclaimed Zayza. “I think we’re—”

Another roar rumbled, this time even closer.

Zayza’s eyes widened as she noticed a black, sharp-toothed snout piercing through the clouds directly behind them.

“THEY’RE STILL THERE!!!” she screamed.

I’m an idiot! Lammy thought. This man seemed to have tracked us with the smell of that necklace, and he dresses like Najinzu. He must have the same powers, a Sense-Enhancer! No wonder we can’t shake them off!

He felt Zayza reposition and start shuffling through her travel pack in a frenzy.

“You have something in mind?” Lammy called back.

“Yes—some of this bread will spoil soon, anyway!” she called back.

“Wait—huh?”

Decisively, Zayza unsheathed one of their loafs of bread from the Phoenix. She turned to face Xinderzin and Raznizu, holding it high.

Bread…? Lammy thought hopelessly. That’s it, we lose.

“TAKE THIS!!” Zayza shouted, lunging the bread at them with all her strength.

It bounced off of Xinderzin’s forehead, who didn’t even react. He may not have even noticed.

“It failed!” Zayza told Lammy.

Of course it did…he thought. “Uh—that’s okay! Just hold on—”

“WHY?!” Xinderzin exclaimed. “We have them!!”

After a moment, Lammy realized he must have been talking to Raznizu. He peered back once more.

Xinderzin let out an aggravated growl, and abruptly, he pulled away to fly elsewhere.

“Did…did they retreat?” asked Zayza.

Lammy waited warily for a while; if this was an attempted ambush, they wouldn’t see it coming in the clouds.

But their attackers never returned. He cautiously lowered his dragon out of the clouds and into the open air. Now soaked, Lammy and Zayza investigated the sky in all directions. Finally, they saw Xinderzin as nothing but a spec far behind them, disappearing behind a hill of trees.

“They retreated,” Lammy confirmed with confusion. “But why? They were about to get us.”

“It couldn’t have been our bread,” Zayza dismissed. “Unless...perhaps they’re allergic?”

Lammy couldn’t tell if she was joking, so he kept quiet.

“We’d better keep going,” said Zayza. “This…changes our whole situation.”

He could hear the somberness in her voice, and his feelings matched.

Once again, they were being hunted. But this time, by a new, unknown enemy.

And even though they hadn’t yet reached Fiction Country, their earrings could no longer protect them.