With Tanwen now laid to rest and the mystery of his lost memories resolved, Everyone packed up and returned home.
Father and son didn't say anything to each other for the entire walk back. As they stepped into the entry hall of their home, Storm finally decided to break the silence.
"Are you upset with me?" Asked Storm.
Orian looked at him puzzled.
"About what?"
"About keeping your origin a secret from you?" Explained Storm.
Orian smiled.
"How could I be upset, when you clearly had good reason for doing so? The moment I retrieved my memories, I was too weak to bare them!" Stated Orian.
"You are not, and have never been 'weak' son. Don't think less of yourself because they broke you. Few people would be able to carry their weight." Stated Storm.
"Mimereus did..." started Orian.
"He had centuries to accept it! You didn't! But you're wrong to think the experience didn't break him!
Why do you think he was so eager to start over!? So that he could eventually enter the Elysium unstained by his past mistakes." Asked Storm.
"I was wondering?... why 'did' you keep this information from me? Was it because you promised him a fresh start? Or was there another reason?" Asked Orian.
Storm looked away.
"I told myself I was doing this for you! To save you from the guilt that troubled him for centuries! But truthfully, I was afraid you would see me differently if you knew everything. " Stated Storm.
Orian smiled.
"You thought I wouldn't see you as my father anymore?"
Storm averted his eyes.
"You will never stop being my father! No matter what memories I retrieve." Stated Orian.
"Thank you, son. I should have put more faith in our family bond. It's a mistake I have no intention of repeating!" Stated Storm.
"How does it feel? Remembering everything now?" Asked Storm.
"It's strange... I remember everything about Mimereus's life now, evey detail... but I feel... disconnected from them... like reading a story about someone else that lived long ago...
I can look at his memories without being burdened by emotions, I suppose this is what he wanted...?
So that I can learn from his mistakes, and ensure that I do better in my new life." Stated Orian.
"So... are you Orian... or Mimereus now?" Asked Storm.
He took a moment to consider how to answer.
He couldn't deny that the experience had changed him. The last remnant of his childhood innocence had been burned away completely by the night's events.
"I am Orian 'Solaris' Stormwing! Son of Storm and Aurora Stormwing! Reincarnation of Mimereus. The first Dragon of Light." He answered.
Storm nodded in approval.
"... There is one thing... The witch Omen... for both my ancestor's sake, as well as her other victims... she must be brought to justice!!" Stated Orian with a hint of hatred in his voice.
"When the time comes! We will both be there to ensure she is punished!!" Stated Storm.
"I will hold you to that promise, father!" Stated Orian.
Orian slept what was left of the night away in peace. The next morning, his mother was informed about the previous night's events.
She was particularly troubled by what was revealed, but pleased that Orian was at peace and that his view of them was unaltered.
After a family breakfast, he began to prepare to head to school. Regular teaching was scheduled to resume next week and he wanted to take the time to prepare for his classes by cleaning his classroom.
He was busy boxing some things that he intended to throw away, when he pulled out the locket he had been given by his friend.
He was about to place it with the other items he intended to throw away, when he suddenly stopped himself.
He smiled as two sets of memories appeared in his mind. One showed his past self's true love Tanwen, the other his childhood friend he grew up with.
In both her love for him was clear. She was willing to cast aside her peace from the grave to come running to his aid when he needed her.
The locket was a constant reminder that she wouldn't be watching over him anymore, and that she was gone.
He always had a strange attraction to Lavender ever since their first meeting. After he grew and she remained a child, things were awkward for him for a time.
Had they grown up together, he and she might have become an bonded couple one day. But their strange circumstances placed a permanent wall between them, Now he was alone however.
It was difficult for him, but there were pleasant memories that he didn't want to forget.
Maybe someday, he'll be able to move on and wear her gift as she intended. But that day was still far away.
He opened a drawer in his desk and placed the locket inside for safe keeping.
He closed his eyes and said a small prayer.
"Thank you for everything you did for me, Lavender! Rest well, knowing I will always remember you!" Thought Orian.
A strange warmth flowed into his chest, almost as if his friend acknowledged his thanks.
"Excuse me?!" Asked an unknown feminine voice.
Orian opened his eyes and was shocked by what stood in front of him.
It was a young dragon roughly at the same stage of development as him, with deep purple scales and light blue slanted eyes. A long mane of dark blue hair flowed from the back of her head and down her long neck. 4 horns grew from her head.
Her body was slender and clearly feminine in proportion with narrower hips and thinner legs, a long tail swung behind her nervously and 2 wings were folded up on her sides.
She bore such a striking resemblance to an adult Lavender that Orian's brain temporarily failed and he thought he was hallucinating her.
"Lavender?" Asked Orian.
The dragoness looked at him confused.
"I'm sorry? I don't understand?" Said the female.
It took Orian a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Forgive me! You look like someone I used to know! My name is Orian, what can I do to.... uhh 'for' you?" Stammered Orian.
"My name is Violetta, and I'm supposed to meet the head of the school, but I'm afraid I've gotten lost! Can you direct me to his office?"
With everything going on, Orian clearly forgot about it. As Ember had already retired, her position was taken over by another teacher.
The new headmaster had warned everyone to be on the lookout for a new dragoness that was scheduled to take over his classes when the school eventually reopened.
"I'll take you there!!" Suggested Orian.
"That won't be necessary! I don't want to trouble you! Just give me directions. " suggested Violetta.
"I insist!! I needed to get out anyway! You haven't been in the city long, have you?" Asked Orian.
She shook her head.
"Only moved here 4 days ago, I'm still trying to get my bearings. " stated Violetta.
"Then, after you meet with the headmaster, I'll take you for a tour around the city! Show you the sights!? If you're willing?" Asked Orian.
Violetta smiled.
"I think I'd like that!"
She walked to the door of his class but was suprised that Orian hadn't moved from behind his table yet.
"Uhhh.... could you wait for me outside?... just need a moment to clean things of here..." Stammered Orian.
She frowned, but did as instructed. Once she left, Orian got to work trying to rein in a certain rebellious 'limb' that he prayed she had not noticed.
After a very short meeting with the headmaster, Orian returned briefly to his class in order to lock up before taking her on their planned tour.
He was still struggling to control his emotions and currently had his back to her in a desperate bid to maintain his modesty.
"You're coming off as a horny teenager!! Get a grip on yourself!!" Chastised Orian to himself.
In order to take his mind of Violetta's highly attractive body. He began thinking of what places he should show her first.
"I was thinking we should start at the outer quarter first!? Make our way through the underground portion then...?"
He felt a claw on his shoulder and she slowly began to turn him around, as he feared, she must have sniffed out his intentions.
As he faced her and his 'shame' was fully revealed to her, he tried his best to stammer out an excuse.
"I'm sorry!! I don't know what is coming over me!! You're just so beautiful that I..." started Orian.
She cut him off by placing a claw over his snout... he was certain she was going to slap him.. maybe even attack him.
But as she looked into his eyes a scent hit his nose. His body had unintentionally sent her an invitation, her's just responded by granting him consent...
"Are you...?" Asked Orian.
"Do you intend to keep talking?" Teased Violetta.
He needed no further invitation and immediately got to work!
They both decided the tour can wait and started a different kind of 'welcoming '.