[@AdmrlStalfos19][@The Irish Tree]

[h2][center][color=ed1c24]Cayde Selmy[/color][/center][/h2]

How long had it been now? Two? Three? Could it even be four years? All that time, locked inside this dark cell, with barely any light to allow Cayde to see. He was just thankful that the designers of the prison had kept the chains to a minimum, only binding a single ankle to the wall. His time spent in the military had made him become antsy if he didn't at least attempt some sort of physical exercise to keep his body in decent shape. It wasn't because he had any plans for escape or a return to civilian life. It was simply habit.

When he wasn't training or talking to his neighbor through the small hole between their cells though, Cayde would think. About his victories, mistakes, family. It all would lead back to the same point in time though. That one week of his life where everything came crashing down. Every night, he had to lay down in the sorry excuse of a bed they gave the prisoners of solitary and ask himself: Who am I in this world? The hero? The villain? The fool? Or am I no one? Just another soul passing through the living world before joining everyone else on the other side. Where do I fit in inside the narrative of life?

Cayde never awoke with the answers as he hoped. He never tried to bring up these questions with the dhirom next door either. As much as he appreciated her company and the small laughs she gave him whenever she told him what cruel punishments she'd enact upon the guards that they both knew deep down they'd never get their hands on, she didn't strike him as the kind of person who knew either. After all this time without anyone else to ask though, a new opportunity presented itself in a dream.

He wasn't sure why, but despite the dragon's terrifying size and sharp claws, Cayde felt nothing but concern for the Bound Dragon. Such a magnificent beast, imprisoned just like the rest of them. He wanted it to be released, but he didn't think that he could be the one to do it. Then the dragon spoke and with each question, the once proud knight gave his most honest answers.

The dragon asked what he would do if those he would form bonds with would stop him from fulfilling his ambitions. Cayde answered. [i][color=ed1c24]I have no aspirations. Before I only wished to do what I believed was right. If it shall only lead to more pain and misery though, then is it truly the correct way?[/color][/i]

The dragon asked if he would carry the troubles of the world upon his shoulders. Cayde answered. [i][color=ed1c24]I carried every weight ever offered to me, then carried the weight of those around me when they could no longer go on. It has broken and twisted my back and I'm not even sure if I should carry anymore, let alone if I can.[/color][/i]

Finally, the dragon asked him what drives him. Cayde answered. [i][color=ed1c24]I... don't know.[/color][/i]

Then, with one more cryptic fortune, the dream ended. Though he wasn't quite sure if it was a dream anymore. It felt... different. [color=ed1c24]"Satirra? Did you-"[/color] he began to ask before a new voice spoke up. One he had never heard before. Was this still a dream? [color=ed1c24]"Yes, I'm fine. But... Pardon my rudeness, but who are you? And how did you get out?"[/color]