I woke up that morning with a heavy heart. Ever since Alexius had been taken by the knights, I couldn't stop thinking about him. The next morning, I went to our meeting place, hoping he would come back... as if that was possible.

Sigh...

As I made my way to the cave, the familiar path felt longer than usual. The forest was quiet, the air cold and crisp. The leaves crunched under my paws, and my breath formed small clouds in the chilly air. When I reached the cave, I sat on a rock, staring at the waterfall. My heart ached with sorrow. He wasn't there, and I felt more alone than ever before.

Why does this hurt so much? I thought, trying to understand the ache in my chest. Why does the world feel so empty without him?

Suddenly, I heard footsteps. Someone was approaching the cave. The footsteps were heavy and slow as if carrying a heavy load. I froze, listening, then hid in the shadows, watching the forest from the cave's entrance.

Soon, I saw a knight. He was tall and powerful, partially armoured. In his arms was...

Alexius!

My heart raced. I wanted to run to him, but I knew I couldn't reveal myself. It was dangerous...

What is he doing here? How did he gout out... and with this giant? Is he in danger?

The knight set Alexius down after they spoke for a moment, and the boy immediately ran towards the cave. He stopped for a moment, signalling the knight to stay back. When Alexius ran into the cave, our eyes met and he threw himself at me, tears streaming down his face.

"Or!" he cried, hugging me tightly. "I was so worried you wouldn't be here!"

"I missed you so much," I whimpered, feeling tears streaming down my own scaly cheeks. I held him tightly with my paws, hiding my head in his neck, unable to believe I was seeing him again.

"I found out that I'm leaving tomorrow morning," he said, sobbing.

What?!

"I have to go to the capital with Lord Egden. They told me I'm the king's nephew... that I have a family there."

My world started to crumble. I felt something break inside me, and tears flowed even more.

"I don't want you to go," I confessed, my growls trembling with emotion. "I can't lose you, Alexius. You're my only friend."

"I don't want to leave you either," he said as if knowing what I was saying, his voice shaking. "But they said I have to. They said it's for my safety and that I'll have a better life there."

"But what about us? What about our friendship?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice. "Will you forget about me?"

"Don't cry..." Alexius said crying himself. "I promise, I'll never forget you, Or. You're my best friend. You've been my family when I had no one else."

Suddenly, I felt something around my neck. Alexius had put a necklace on me with a blue gemstone, adorned with a golden dragon.

"This is my mother's keepsake," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I promise we'll meet again. I'll find you, and this time I'll take care of you and protect you."

"Alexius, I..." I started, but my whimper faded. The pain was too much. I felt as if my heart was being torn apart.

We both cried and hugged each other tightly. Alexius kissed my forehead.

"Or, you mean the world to me. Please, stay safe. I promise I'll come back for you. I love you my bravest and kindest dragon... Thank you for saving me in so many ways." His words were barely a whisper.

Then, hearing the knight's call, he quickly ran out of the cave, tears streaming down his face. I watched him go, feeling helpless and broken.

I was left alone, my heart shattered. I didn't understand why I felt like this, like a part of me had been torn away. It took me an hour before I could bring myself to go home. I said nothing to anyone, just went to sleep, crying and sleeping in turns. It felt like someone had taken the light out of my life.

My family respected my grief and left me to mourn.

The next day was grey for me... I slept for most of the day until a well-know voice awoke me.

[Negative effect acquired]

Hmm... what? PIA? What does it mean?

[Soulmates Apart - when the User is from a race which possesses a Soulmate, after finding them, they may get a negative effect affecting their statistics and skill and cutting them in half, if the User and the Soulmate didn't create an official mate bond]

Alexius... is my Soulmate?

Of course, PIA didn't answer but for me... it was finally all clear. And now I understand why suddenly I felt weak... like when I used to be a lot younger and smaller. But I can't give up. He said we will meet again. I will train hard and find him. I will!

[Level up]

What?

[The enormous amount of experience in many different fields as well as the difficulties the User keeps on fighting and dangerous situations, made the User reach its current maximum level: 5]

Oh... I think I should pay some more attention to PIA... I think I totally forgot about lots of things she told me about. I must train hard... for Alexius.

I tried to stand up feeling weak.

"My baby?" I heard Lorish Alba's voice.

As I looked up, I saw her worried look. Next to her was the King and the pups... all playful demeanour gone. I made them worried a lot I guess. I owe them explanations.

"Would you like to hear about my friend that I had to say goodbye to yesterday...?" I asked with tears in my eyes again.

Without words they enveloped me in the soft embrace of their bodies as they lay down around me, giving me all the time I needed, and showing me that they were there to listen.

And so I started... from my first meeting with Alexius in that cage when I got caught. How he nursed me to health. How poor he was and how malnourished, and yet he shared food with me. Next, I told them about our meetings, what he often told me. How he was always bruised and hurt. How his spirit was nearly broken a few times. How a young kid was feeling he was a nuisance and should disappear sometimes.

I could see my Mom crying softly when she heard that. She was a mother and couldn't even fathom anyone treating a child like this. Even if it was a human.

Finally, I told them how he almost died and I rescued him and then about our goodbye, the necklace on my neck on full display.

"I... I don't know much about my breed but... I think... I feel... He was... He is my Soulmate." I whispered trying to let them know in a way they could understand. I couldn't just talk about PIA.

I didn't expect the gasps. My mom, now crying openly hugged me to herself with her head.

"Oh, my poor baby! And they've separated you both?!" She seemed almost as devasted as I was.

"You know what a Soulmate is Mommy?" I asked feeling very vulnerable.

"Of course, we do boy... Your Mom and I are Soulmates too" Dad's words sounded right next to me, as he nuzzled my side with his nose.

"Oh..." I gasped still feeling a bit numb.

"Listen to me my little baby," Lorish spoke up suddenly, after getting a hang of her tears. "Soulmates are something bigger than any magic we know about. They are meant to be so it's not easy to break them apart. So believe me when I tell you this. You two WILL meet again!" She was so determined. It made me feel more hopeful.

"And you don't mind...? He's a humanoid and... a boy" I whispered.

The smiles I got in return were all the answers I needed.

"We will love him a lot, my baby" Lorish smiled.

"He already is a part of this family, even without his knowledge" the King winked at me.

"We want to meet him! We will play together!" My siblings were barking loudly at once and I could barely make out what they were saying... but they all made me happy.

My heart swelled. So now... Now I just need to train, to grow... and then find my Alexius.

I'll find you when I grow up a little and we'll be together... forever.