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One month it had been. Well. Over a month since he really last seen her. But it had been a month since he received news that she wouldn't be coming back. The wounds were slowly healing, but Jericho.. for the most part, was able to continue living. Sort of. There were other issues at hand, preventing him from really living normally. He still wasn't happy in general either.

It had also been a month since he really last flew. The dragon had flown short distances, but he hadn't really gone flying. It had been with her when it happened last.

A part of him hadn't really had the will to do so.

But the skies were calling him, and he was having difficulty sleeping that night. It was late. Very late. So there shouldn't be too many people out and about. And thus the monster slipped out of his room to head outside. The air was cool and crisp and the night sky was as wonderous as ever. Staring upwards at it, there was a sort of wistful look in his eyes. Maybe flying would do him a bit of good. It would usually help him clear his mind. Calm him.

Taking in a deep breath of the night's air, he removed his skull pin to shift into his true form. Malodore had advised against shifting too much, but now and then shouldn't hurt.

Hopefully.

After the transformation was complete, he spread his wings and launched himself into the air, taking to the skies. The feel of the wind brushing past his scales, filling his wings soothed him. At least.. initially. The first rush soon faded and he quickly realized that it felt like something was missing now. What used to be such a fulfilling activity...

...now felt empty.

It didn't feel right. She should be there with him, enjoying it as much as he was. Maybe... maybe if he just imagined hard enough, he could feel her laying down across the back of his neck, lightly scratching his scales. But no. There was nothing there. Never again would there be too. The bond that once was no longer existed. The realization hit him hard, almost as strongly as when he first learned of her death. He might as well have been bleeding freely onto the earth far below.

It was enough for his strength and will to wane.

The large dragon began to plummet downwards. It was all a dream.. it was all a dream. This past month was just one hellish nightmare. Once he hit the ground... he would wake up.

...Right?

Jericho's eyes suddenly opened as a voice filled his mind.

No... Wait..

He felt a weight on his backside, followed by a slap to his head. Golden eyes widening, he spread his wings and pulled out of his dive, albeit sloppily. He was confused. Who.. who was on his back? He could have sworn he heard her voice.

Couldn't be.

Was it Andeon? Did he somehow mount him and was now impersonating her?

he demanded.

<..Riley? But.. how? You're... alive? I thought-->

And then the weight was gone. As if it was never there. Jericho's heart skipped a beat. What just happened? No. She was dead. That couldn't have been her. Maybe he had passed out for a moment while in flight and had dreamed at that time.

It didn't sound very probable.

The dragon glanced back towards where Riley would have been if she was flying with him. There was nothing there.

Of course there wouldn't be anything.

Closing his eyes, he just spread his wings and glided half-heartedly right now.

There was still nothing. Jericho was a fool to hope otherwise. That had felt so real though. It was like she had really been there. In any case, he really didn't have the heart to continue flying. It really wasn't the same without her.

And so he began to descend, looking to land so he could retreat back to his room. He was falling back into a pit of misery after he felt as if he had just climbed out of it.

Jericho could practically feel his heart jump into his draconic throat as her voice entered his mind again. When did she get back there? Feeling a sharp pang, a low groan of sorts escaped him first and foremost.



He sounded confused. A part of him desperately hoped he was wrong. But the other part knew it just wasn't probable right now.

He could hear her. Feel her. And as much as he wanted her to be real, that just wasn't possible. Something about that hurt greatly. Jericho's vision blurred as tears welled up within them, making it hard to see just where he was going now. But he didn't care.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. If he just continued to tell himself she was really there.. maybe he could fool himself to believe that nothing had ever changed. She could continue living, even if she was just a figment of his imagination. It wouldn't hurt. He'd be happier. The empty feeling wouldn't be there.

Right? Well, he could do this, at least for a little while.

Jericho landed clumsily, practically skidding into the dirt.

Jericho didn't move from his spot on the ground. His great draconic head just rested on the dirt. Right now, he didn't really feel like moving. Feeling the leaf fall onto his muzzle, he glanced up to see Riley lounging in one of the branches above.