The world around Ezra shimmered in a kaleidoscope of colors. The vibrant hues danced and intertwined, creating a living tapestry that enveloped him in its embrace.


    He felt a gentle pull, drawing him deeper into the shifting lights. The colors began to form images, giving him glimpses a life once lived.


    The first scene materialized in a cozy cafe, warm light spilling throughrge windows. Vren and a man whose face was obscured sat at a corner table, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the hangingmps.


    They wereughing, the sound light and carefree. Vren''s eyes sparkled with joy as the man recounted a funny story, gesturing animatedly with his hands. The bond between them was obvious, their sharedughter an indication of their closeness and thefort they found in each other''spany.


    The colors swirled and shifted, transporting Ezra to a dark alley under a moonlit sky. Vren stood at one end wielding a gun in each hand, her posture tense and ready. Across from her, a vampire stood, red eyes swirling and face stered with a menacing grin.


    The fight began with a blur of motion, Vren firing bullets that whizzed through the air. The vampire moved with supernatural grace, dodging the projectiles and closing the distance between them. Just as the vampire was about to overwhelm her, Vren twirled, dropping her guns and pulling off the giant gun on her back.


    In a smooth motion, she blew the head off the vampire. As the vampirey defeated at her feet, Vren pointed to its heart and destroyed it with a single shot.


    The scene dissolved into a wash of colors, and when they settled again, Ezra found himself at a somber funeral. Vren stood alone among a sea of mourners, her ck mourning dress blending into the background. Her face was a mask of stoic grief, but her eyes betrayed the depth of her sorrow.


    She held a single white rose, its petals stark against the darkness of her attire. As the ceremony progressed, she stepped forward and ced the rose on the casket, her fingers lingering on the polished wood for a moment longer than necessary. The mourners around her were a blur, their faces indistinct, but Vren''s loneliness was achingly clear.


    She stood apart, a solitary figure bearing the weight of her loss.


    The world around Ezra shimmered again, the colors gradually fading into the dark void.When the world faded back into view, Ezra found himself standing on ake of shimmering blue vitality that provided a dim, ethereal light.


    Everywhere he looked, darkness stretched out infinitely, but he knew, instinctively, that he was standing on ake. The surface beneath his feet rippled gently, as if responding to his presence.


    He looked around, unable to see the sky or horizon or any end to theke. It was an expanse of pure vitality, and its glow reflected off the dark void surrounding it. In the distance, he saw a figure moving slowly, her steps barely disturbing the serene surface.


    It was Vren. Her ck mourning dress stood out against the soft blue light. Ezra began to jog towards her, his legs sending ripples through theke''s surface. As he got closer, the ripples grew, spreading out in concentric circles.


    He caught up to her and fell in step beside her. Vren nced at him, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. "Ezra," she greeted, her voice a gentle acknowledgment.


    As their eyes met, Ezra was certain. This was the same Vren who had been transformed into the dragon residing inside of him. The recognition was undeniable.


    "Where are we?" Ezra asked, looking around at the endless expanse of shimmering blue.


    "My soul." Vren answered. "We are standing on theke of vitality that resides within my soul." There was a soft chuckle as she added, "Is it fate, I wonder? I would like to believe that it is."


    Ezra admitted, "I don''t understand."


    Vren''s eyes held a knowing light. "You will, in time," she assured him.


    They walked in silence for a moment, the only sound the soft whisper of their steps on the liquid vitality. Ezra finally broke the silence with a question that had been gnawing at him. "Who was Shadrach to you?"


    Silence.


    "Shadrach was my closest cousin," Vren answered, her voice tinged with fondness and a hint of sadness.


    Another moment of silence passed as they strolled together. Ezra''s thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and curiosity. What''s going on? Macmin ripped out my heart. I shouldn''t be here. In fact, I shouldn''t be anywhere.


    "Am I dead?" he asked, the question almost a whisper.


    Vren shook her head. "No, you''re not. Though your soul is gone, you are sharing mine. We are intertwined."


    Ezra took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her words. "What now?" he asked.


    Vren stopped and turned to face him. "I saw your vision of me and the progenitor in the throne room," she said, her voice thoughtful. "I understand now. I had forgotten that I was never meant to do the fighting myself. I was meant to be the weapon. Now, I have a chance to make things right."


    Her eyes met his with a burning intensity. "I offer you my soul on one condition," she said. "You will give me your oath. You must im the throne of the progenitor and open the gate to the abyss. You must enter and kill the hope of the wolfskins. Just as they did to us, do to them!"


    Her words echoed around the space, giving the sound a haunting quality.


    Ezra stood tall. The voice of the progenitor echoed in his mind. "Do you know the most powerful blood of all? It is the blood that is freely given." Ezra inhaled deeply. He didn''t need to make Vren submit. He only needed to give freely.


    The progenitor''s voice floated to him once more. "Our blood carries the power of centuries. A legacy of strength and resilience passed down through generations. We never give up. We fight. We survive.


    We destroy."


    Ezra felt a surge of determination. "I offer you my blood to seal this oath," he said, his voice steady. "In exchange for your soul, I will do whatever I can to fulfill your wishes."


    Vren smiled sadly. "I''m sorry for giving you this burden."


    Ezra stretched out his hand, offering it to her, palm facing up. "I ept this burden of my own free will," he said with a reassuring smile.


    "Then, I give you my soul." Vren took a moment topose herself. Then, with a graceful movement, she took his hand. The contact sent a jolt through them both, and a great ripple spread from their feet, cascading through theke.


    The world around them shed brilliantly, theke''s serene surface disturbed by the power of their pact. The light grew brighter and brighter, until it enveloped thempletely.


    "Rise, Ezra. Rise, Son of Blood and Darkness."