There was pain. A lot of it. I was like a single small boat on the surface of a raging ocean, and the cost to stay afloat almost made me bankrupt, which, in a way, means dead.

The first thing different from my desperate struggle was a feeling. It was very faint, but also very different from all the desperation and helplessness. Then it morphed itself into something else. A thought. A thought which became a word.

"Peter", echoed in my mind.

- Peter - I repeated. - Peter?

"Peter", echoed again.

This time I didn't repeat my name. I still concentrated on it, though.

"Wish to live. Wish to get healed", the same voice, as it became stronger, spoke to me again.

- Wish to get better? - I asked. - Yes. I want the pain to go away. I want to get better. I want to get healed.

Surprise, surprise... It did work. I gasped for air, and my eyes opened wide, to get immediately closed as the cold, silver, light blinded me. A loud groan left my mouth.

- He is alive! - reached me from the side.

It was Tihana's voice.

- Bawk! - Tam agreed with her.

Some people laughed. I heard also gasps of relief.

- Did you succeed? - suddenly joined the cacophony.

I recognized the voice as Genusha's, but I was unable to answer his question. I had no idea what happened. For me, we were in battle just a moment ago, and then... Then I tried something stupid, and there was a lot of pain. I suddenly began remembering the flashes and the terrible feeling that just swallowed me. It made me shiver.

I heard heavy footsteps right next to me before a familiar voice joined the conversation.

- We are not sure - Druoag answered.

- Not sure? How can you not be sure? the alien asked again.

- I will return and check - The Great One informed us.

His voice was the same one I heard in my mind, but here in reality it was much weaker. It surprised me, to the point I actually forced my eyes open, but I was too late, he was already gone.

- Did he go? - I asked the stupid question. - What happened there? I... I think I blacked out.

I noticed Druoag turning his face toward me. He seemed exhausted, but also happy.

- I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I believe you transformed - he explained. - I won't tell you into what, but I can tell you that you easily overpowered The High Queen, and you attacked her. Then you showed yourself in front of us, to turn back into yourself, so we grabbed you and brought you here because we feared you might die. The tree brought you back from the brink of death.

- I... I transformed? - I asked a second dumb question. - I don't remember any of it. I remember... I remember the pain. A lot of pain.

- Do not worry. We will figure it out - he assured me.

From the corner of my eye, I caught the others. Tihana was very scared, Daniel seemed to hide his emotions well, and Genusha had a mix of frustration and fear on his face, but maybe it was just my poor understanding of Sabhetani physique, that led me to such assumptions.

In the end, it didn't matter. The Great One suddenly appeared in the same place, I am pretty sure he was standing before because I firmly believe I heard his voice coming to my ears from there. He was not alone. He brought a corpse with him. It was the High Queen, heavily wounded. Her neck seemed to be snapped, and she had a hole in her skull. The crown was broken, but somehow still held to her head, or maybe it was The Great One, who held it there with his abilities.

- She is dead - he informed us like we couldn't see it with our eyes.

Genusha collapsed to his knees, and I'm sure this time, a pure show of joy appeared on his face. He started chuckling shortly after that. Daniel smiled despite rather a gruesome view. Tihana averted her eyes because it wasn't anything pleasant to witness, but despite that reaction, she seemed happy.

- We won, but it's just the start of the real trouble - said Druoag.

He was the only one who seemed to not be happy with what he saw. I could swear that I noticed the sadness in his eyes.

- Why? - I asked him.

- The empire will collapse, and there will be a lot of conflicts. You will have to protect your people because the Calludins will come for the humans - he explained.

- We will fight the rotten empire, and bring justice - Genusha stated firmly and he picked himself up.

- It won't be necessary - The Great One said. - When I found her she was still alive. Her mind was very weak, so I took all her memories. I believe I should be able to change my appearance to look like her and take her position. We will need what she build, to face what is inevitably coming after us.

Genusha opened his mouth to say something, but the psychic alien was faster.

- I know you wished for the collapse of Ixan Empire, and justice for your family, but one can be achieved without the other. I promise I will transform what she builds, into something better. It will take time, but I will do it. I will free your people from the mines. I give you my word - he promised. - It has to be like this. We can not afford to lose this opportunity. Trust me. What is inevitably coming, is worse than the queen.

,m - Only if you will consult with me on your every move with Sabhetani - said Genusha.

- I will - he agreed.

- So... Can we go home now? - asked Tihana.

- No. I need some time to prepare everything. Then I will return to Quel'kabar and when I'm finished there, I will inform you that it's safe for your return. Stay here until then - The Great One explained.historical

I nodded to his words and then allowed myself to lie down on my back properly.

- I needed a vacation anyway - I said making Daniel laugh.