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chickenroost · 14 days

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Chapter 2 - When You’re Alone

A young woman was being dragged into one such encampment, near the men's side of the valley, just across the border from that divided either side. She was dusty and scraped with dirt, and with a few leaves as well as a stick stuck to her stark, silver-white hair. She was wide-eyed and would appear to tremble in fear as she realized where she'd ended up.

A soldier in the distance walked over as other soldiers gathered screaming villagers and led them toward a chopping block sticking their heads into guillotines. He walked up to her and grabbed her face examining it. "Not seen her face here before.. she's next. Wrap her arms and legs!" Him along with other soldiers began putting chains around her.

She didn't struggle, instead letting herself be led and taking in the sights as well as the screams around her with wide eyes and in horror. The guillotine dropped as a head fell to the ground and blood flowed into a bucket in front of her. The body was then thrown into the fire as a line was formed and the soldiers reset the blade again. They moved her towards the block pressing her head into the base board and locking it around her.

As they moved beside the guillotine, the soldier began to give the signal. "Get ready.. g---- guahhh! ugn… " In an instant, a huge spear of red pierced his armor and tore through his body, breaking bones as it did and splattered all over the soldiers. They gasped and searched around whistling and rushing.

Soon, more spears started to rain down on the camp piercing soldiers with complete accuracy not hitting the innocents and seemingly seeking out the soldiers. Even taking cover didn't help, as one man was struck through the chest under a heavy stone roof and pierced to the ground.

The soldiers' captain waved his hands at the troops. "Stop panicking, you fools! Get to cover and counterattack! hurgh!… guh!" Suddenly, he was struck in the chest with a large red spear and quickly another decapitated him as his head rolled next to her while she was still stuck in the guillotine. She stared on in wonder , with wide eyes. Struggling in the chains that bound her, she tried to get herself free, worried for who was attacking as her face had a terrified expression.

Soon, a crash was heard behind her and in the commotion footsteps were coming close. Soldiers gasped seeing the person behind her and rushed toward him but spears hit them piercing two people in one as another was heard being attacked and slashed as he screamed. Half of the soldier’s body fell to her side. She felt a deep, dangerous, dark feeling approach her and with a quick slash the guillotine was cut in two, freeing her, and destroying the blade down the middle as it fell to the sides.

Whistles were heard more as soldiers came from a doorway underground, and, now, a commander appeared amongst them, growling as the innocents were rounded up near the gates. In the middle was the broken guillotine with the commander and his troops on the opposite end, as well as with the ominous figure next to her. The commander gasped and growled. “What is this? I’ve never seen a thing like you.. You think you can save them? We will hunt more and finish them all off for their impertinence!”

A red spear dropped beside her gripped tightly in the arms of a figure with a glowing red eye as he glared with anger towards the soldiers and pointed to the commander. “You stain the forest with blood and kill innocents who have nothing to do with your war! As the Draah of this land, I sentence you to the same fate!”

The soldiers shivered a bit as they backed away but the commander snarled. “Don't be scared by myths! Just like those giants were so called invincible we made sure to put them to the blade. Some fool calling himself the Draah can't stand against us!” He drew a sword raising it towards the man. “We are more than prepared! With this armor given to us mercenaries by the king and the blades made from the dragons’ teeth we hunt, we are enough to even beat the regulars!”

He smirked. “Is that so? Then come forth! I will make sure your head is on the spear of your own blood!”

He rushed forward with a growl charging with his blade forward at him. The man moved forward in front of her and blocked his blade as he slashed downward spinning his spear to absorb the attack as the commander waved it upward and knocked against it. He slashed in a rage of attacks that were easily countered. The commander growled and thrust forward as the man twirled avoiding it causing it to stick next to the girl. He growled and pulled his blade from the dirt then charged at the man leaping high into the air for a downward strike at the spear.

The mysterious man moved to block but blinked as the commander smirked and made his blade glow with blue energy. It passed through the spear causing the man to back up a bit but was slashed across his face. He covered his face turning away as the commander waved his blade and smirked. “The dragon’s bane slash can’t be defeated! Know your place, fool!”

In a sudden gasp, the soldiers looked as the man turned towards the commander and his face suddenly became healed. It was as if the blood on it was being pulled back inside and the cut sealed up by a magic power. He shook his head. “Need I tell you again, sell sword? I am the forest's Draah, the very essence of death. It will take more than dragon killing skills to hurt me.”

The commander blinked. “Th-That’s impossible!… y-you …stay back!”

The man looked with a glare as he walked toward him. “Death is certain for you.. pray for forgiveness as you are gutted by the spears of blood.”

Before he could get close, the commander grabbed the girl and held his blade toward her neck, glaring to the man. He stopped looking carefully at the desperate commander. “S-Step away damn you!.. I’ll slit her throat faster than you can reach me. Have another "innocent" die for your failure.. stay still as my men gouge out your insides with their blades or watch her bleed to death!”

The soldiers grinned as they laughed and surrounded him slowly. He looked to them as they unsheathed their blades and readied to attack. The man hissed toward the commander. “You are a foul sick being…”

The girl raised her arm and swiftly shoved her elbow hard into the commander's ribs against his armor, using her strength as a giant. "Get away from me! I've had enough!"

He gasped and kneeled, coughing up blood, dropping his sword quickly. Taking advantage of this, the man tossed his spear at the commander. He gasped as the spear split his head in two and then swung around, cutting the soldiers heads off moving in circles around the two. He reached for the blade as their bodies dropped and fell. The innocents looked on in awe as the man closed his eyes and kneeled to the ground. “I am sorry beautiful earth.. you have to drink this filth’s blood to survive…”

A man spoke in awe. "He killed all of the mercenaries.. just like that…" Around them, destruction and from bloody spears hung soldiers left and right, while others were killed by his attacks on the barracks. He shook his head looking with grief around the area. “I shouldn’t have done this so rashly.. Tieg!!”

He whistled as a horse broke through the gates and sent the giant wall flying around them. The innocent villagers looked as a huge horse snorted and ran towards the man. He hopped on it as it charged and slid to a stop, looking down at the groups of people. “You must leave quickly.. they will not rest until this place is their battlefield.”

She looked at the horse in wonder and then to the other. "Where do you…expect us to go? Still.. thank you for saving us." She bowed a bit to him in thanks.

He shook his head. “I can't decide where you should go.. I should have thought this through.. but.. no…you are right.. then I have no choice but to escort you to Gram village.. just a bit down this mountain is one of the last villages that lies untouched from those beasts.. from there, my Fa- My Elder should be able to help you escape…” He moved forward on his horse and gave a wave to them, heading towards the destroyed gate. “We will use the bush paths for safety.. follow me, please!”

The villagers looked on but agreed and followed behind him and his horse as he started off, leading them down the path away from the garrison slowly. He kept a close eye as he led them downward into the forest. Just as he made his way into the forest, however, a group of soldiers appeared in front. Shocked to see them, they drew their swords and rushed at the group. The man growled as the horse neighed towards them and the ground beneath them rose up, sending them flying far away.

He patted the horse and nodded. “Thank you, Tieg.. I am not sure how long we have but my powers are already fading…” He looked to the group as his head started to bleed a bit. “We must turn left here.. we’re going into a thicket, so be ready to push your way forward..” He turned his horse and pushed through the thicket with it, pushing aside bushes.

She pushed her way through, the thicket, following as she strained a bit with the underbrush, but kept going. She noticed his head begin to bleed and wondered for a moment, if she should ask on it. Tieg snorted a bit as he nodded, holding his head where the cut appeared and staggered a bit, but kept his focus. “W-We’re almost there.. We have to keep going.. I don’t care about the wound.. We have to keep them safe.”

As they reached a grove wrapped in vines, though, soldiers appeared surrounding the group quickly and readied their blades. One swung his blade and glared to them. “Halt! You’re coming with us!”

The horse neighed, but he stopped it and shook his head. "You can't, we're too close to the village.. We have to get rid of them.. my way.." He hopped off the horse but the blood began to smear on his face. Raising his spear, he readied to attack but kneeled from blood loss. "It's.. too much… Tieg protect them and flee.. I'll cause a distraction.."

The girl rushed towards him - not liking to the look of the wound and noticing the amount of blood smearing his face. She moved to reach her hand towards his head, trying to place her palm on his cut and her hand began to glow a pale green, as she began to try to heal him. "That looks really bad! Don't move, you'll just lose more!"

He shook his head, waving her back. "Don't touch me! It will be okay.. I will protect us! I will…" He suddenly stumbled as it spurt out and fell over.

The soldiers grinned and moved in one by one, but as they did one stopped gasping and choking. The soldier beside him gasped, looking to see an arrow in his throat and head. He looked around but was hit with arrows in his eyes and head cracking his skull as he fell down. The soldiers now gathered next to each other but soon were trapped in a pit that swallowed them whole. The villagers watched on as they screamed and giant beasts could be heard from the hole. The cries soon subsided with crunching heard next as the hole slowly faded away.

She shuddered as the hole disappeared, but focused and rushed forwards towards the fallen figure of him then, with the danger gone and carefully knelt beside him as she lifted him gently, and began to try to heal his wound once more. "You can't protect us when you're hurt…"

Soon, a figure dropped in front of her and aimed a bow down at her face. "Step away from my brother!"

"You going to heal his wound then?" She sighed in exasperation, but froze in place.

She nodded and placed her hand down on his face. A small white light engulfed his face as she pulled away a wooden broken mask from it. Soon, the man shifted transforming into a different form. His wound was healed as she looked to the mask and tossed it. It burned into black flames and faded into ash. She sighed a bit. "What did you do now.." She looked to the girl. "Who are you?"

The girl blinked. "Ah… well.. just one of the folks he rescued from an encampment.."

She blinked. "So that smoke was… I see.. alright, follow me. I will take you to our village.. all of you.. Tieg.." the horse trotted by and picked up the boy tossing him on its back as she started off leading them to the village once more.

The girl stood up and followed along with the other survivors after the woman, trying to make herself disappear among them, even a little.

The woman spoke calmly to the group walking with them. "My name is Sira, i'm the daughter of the chief of Gram village. Once your there, we can figure out how to get you all out of the forest safely. As long as you stay away from the war, things should be well for you."

A man shook his head. “L-Leave the forest?.. but… this is the only home i have.. or had.. my village.. my wife and child.. their gone..”

Others started to speak as well as a woman whimpered. “I've lost everything.. how could I start over? It's impossible..”

Sira growled, turning toward them. “Would you rather have gone back to the soldiers and died?! Be grateful you're alive, nature hasn't abandoned you. Gaia has not given up. It has a plan for us..”

They spoke amongst themselves as they stopped. One man shook his head “ …n-no … it has abandoned us… but.. but maybe if we head to the war.. we can still be safe.. They may offer us something.. They can give us a home and shelter.. all we would need to do is work for them..”

Sira blinked. “Are you serious? You would run back to the ones that sentenced you to death?”

He huffed a bit. “… I… I was only attacked by the mercenaries!.. if we approach a true soldier.. we could be saved.”

The others thought on his words speaking to themselves like hens. Sira looked baffled. “What kind of nonsense… Wait, where are you all going?” They began to move away back down the trail.

The man before nodded heading away. “We can do this… I know.. they can help we just need to find the real soldiers..”

The girl spoke up. "You're condemning yourselves to death. We avoided this war for good reason! - and this has always been our home. Neither side cares about what we want - they only see what they can gain. They've taken everything from us so far! Can you forgive them so easily for killing us - for taking the peace - and what we once had here from us? Where is your sense of pride for those who they sacrificed so easily ? and for what?! only to turn to them now to grovel when we have a chance to start over?"

They murmured as one woman shook her head. “What choice do we have? I refuse to live as a vagrant anymore! I… I know they killed my husband but it is as he said.. it was the mercenaries..”

They agreed as they began to wander away. Sira looked to them. “Unbelievable.. their.. really going back?”

The girl shivered but shook her head, refusing to follow the rest to their folly. Sira looked to her and nodded. “At least someone knows not to look a gift horse in the mouth.. still, well, since it’s only you so it should be easier.. let’s go, we should be there soon.. “ She headed deeper into the forest path. The girl nodded and continued to follow her further down the path.

#chickenroost #writing #my writing #story #chapter 2 #battle cry #fantasy #violence

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chickenroost · 21 days

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Chapter 9 - On the Battlefield

She nodded, but smiled a little. “Thank you, Keir. For everything. And, for sticking up for me too, back there. You're an honest person, and I hope you never get lost again either.”

He smiled and nodded. “I won't. I’m sure of myself on that. But where are we?”

Reappearing on the outskirts of a grassy plain, the two got their bearings together and looked around. In the distance a village could be seen, figures seemed to be gathered looking past them as behind them clouds of smoke and fire and more rained down far from view.

She shivered. “All that smoke and those flames...What's going on?”

An old man trotted up to them looking warily at first then called to them. “You two? You wouldn't happen to be soldiers, would you?”

She shook her head. “No, we're not.”

The old man sighed a bit and nodded. “Such a relief, many have begun fighting and the plains are lit up in chaos. It’s sad.”

She blinked. “Wait. You mean we're near the battle of the nationless and the fire dragons?”

Keir blinked. “Over there? That's where their fighting?”

The old man nodded. “What you’re seeing now is the outskirts of the battle it’s so devastating that you can see it from here. The land is bound to be reshaped from the battle.”

She shivered. “Oh...but that's horrible...! I. I’ve never seen anything like that before...”

Keir blinked and kneeled, looking overhead as five dragons, two blue and two yellow were being led by a large red dragon. “What? More?”

He nodded. “Dragons from all over are heading to the battlefield. Looks like reinforcements for the nationless dragons.”

She looked to the old man in wonder. “Do you know how...the nationless are doing in it so far?”

He nodded. “It seems the plan of the nameless prince is working. He’s gathered two hundred but followers who all have a hate or feeling of anger towards the fire king have increased. Over seven hundred dragons have appeared to his side and their growing.”

She blinked. “Seven hundred? But that’s. Good, right? So, they stand a better chance now then?”

He shook his head. “Sadly, it won't, there's a big problem. The supplies they need is cut off. The dragons who go to his side are not as strong as the experts... They need food and energy. The king knew this and that's why he set up a blockade makeshift fortress in the east. He's stopped supplies. Now the soldiers are forced to fight with what they have.”

Keir blinked and thought for a moment. “The east? Is it nearing Telgrid village? The light dragon border is just a few bits away from there.”

Era blinked. “But, then why doesn't someone ask the light dragons to supply them?!”

Keir looked to her. “The light dragons are neutral on conflict. They wouldn't help even if someone died in front of them. Every dragon knows it but more than that they have to be. Their very sensitive to wars and more their powers are on a very shaky balance. They can only fight true evil if they get in a war like this, they'd become corrupted mindless beasts that kill everything.”

She frowned. “But, there has to be something that can be done! What if... What if someone just helped remove the blockade?”

He smirked. “Someone like you, human? Why would you help them? Risking your life for dragons?”

She looked to him, blinking. “Well...yeah, but what does being human have to do with it? So, what if their dragons or humans, if they’re your friend, you help them!”

He let out a soft chuckle. “A human a friend with a dragon? That's a day I'd love to see. Hmm?” He blinked looking as a tower of gigantic fire spouted into the air and rained down on the battlefield in front of them. “Oh ho! So, that's the sun spot fire. Amazing so much power and heat I can feel it from here, that prince is really something.”

She stared at it. “You mean Creed did that?”

He nodded. “I've seen him as a child once. He used this power on a smaller scale. Many people don't know but dragons in ancient lore once said the sun sends bursts of fire into the air at times. He’s taken the concept to a new level.”

Keir blinked. “If Creed’s fighting, something must be up. They might need those supplies more than they care to admit.”

She thought for a minute, but looked to the old man. “Do you think you could point me in the direction of the blockade? I think I have an idea for a way to give them a chance to break through...”

Keir looked to her worriedly. “Are you sure of this, Era?”

She nodded. “Yes.. I may not be able to directly fight the fire dragons, but I know what I can do!”

The old man smiled. “I admire your tenacity and spirit, young woman. I can tell you, if you head east, you will see a forest. In that forest, there is a path behind the blockade. Their you may be able to sneak in and sabotage it.”

She smiled and bowed to the old man. “Thank you very much!” She started off to the east at a run, waving off to them both as she did so. She trudged on for a while at a quick through the forest, but quieted and slowed a bit as she edged along the eastward path on in towards the blockade. She was nearing the edge of the forest, as she stuck within the undergrowth of the forest, trying to stay hidden and out of sight. “I wonder if I'm getting close yet...?” She whispered quietly to herself, having long back put the egg in her satchel as she tried to be careful to hug the bag tightly close, so as not to lose it in a snag on the low branches and brush.

In front was a large wall of solid rock made from two large dragons who spat out lava to make it larger. Being behind the wall she could see cracks in it as if it was rushed. The dragons focused on the path ahead unwaveringly. She crept up closer as far as the undergrowth could get her, before quietly making her way towards the wall. Taking off her boots first, to make her footfalls noiseless, she softly stepped over towards the wall as the dragons focused on the path , seeming to not notice her for the moment. Forming several pale green orbs between her fingers, she made quick work of forcing them into every crack she could find, before backing away from the wall so as to be safe. She took a deep breath as quietly as she could and focused, before she held her palms to the wall, forming a translucent pale shield with one hand as she set off the orbs, causing first one then the rest to explode as she tried to break down the wall.

A low hum came just before the bombs exploded. The dragons were surprised and move back falling over several other dragons rushed in and started to disable the guards. She blinked, but let out a happy yell before she could stop herself, seeing this. “Yes, it worked!”

The dragons blinked and looked over to her spotting her and growling, as one dragon peered to her. “Whose there?! Show yourself!”

She blinked, but lowered her shield in sudden surprised at being seen. “Eep… crap! I.. I just was trying to knock down the blockade!”

Keir huffed moving out of another side of the forest. “It’s OK, we just wanted to help.”

She blinked, looking to him. “Keir?”

They stood on their guard as one Soldier transformed and reverted to normal nodding. “I thank you for help but civilians need to stay clear. Call in the supplies!” The soldiers traveled through with loads of supplies and passed by.

Keir nodded. “You’re welcome... Still, how goes the war?”

He growled. “I am Lyex in charge of this squad. Before I say anything, I want to know who you are and why you assisted us.” He looked to her. “I've no ill against humans but I know not to trust good fortune.”

She blinked, looking to him. “My name is Era. I wanted to help you because of Creed. And I..I didn't want you all to lose if I could help..” She spoke openly.

Lyex blinked. “Did you say Creed? Oh, I see, we were told of your group. Your help is fine but know this, you've become a target in helping us. The scout has already left. In a chance this place was taken he is to report to the commander of the main forces. Directly under Fyrus is the traitorous Lava dragon Pyro.”

She blinked. “Traitor? But didn't Pyro always serve Fyrus?” She looked to Lyex in confusion, but then her eyes widened. “Wait. Target? But that's silly. I’m not even directly fighting, why would they do that?”

Lyex growled. “Fyrus makes sure to destroy any chance of an advantage. Once the thunder dragons were fighting and became tired. The village nearby assisted but.. In the night all of them were destroyed he takes no exception innocent or fighter. Helping us is signing a death warrant.”

She frowned, gripping her hands into fists. “That's...fine.” She shivered but looked to him with determination, a feeling of conviction in her eyes. “I don't mind.. if helping you all helps stop Fyrus from winning against you, I don't care. It's not right. That he's doing what he does, and I won't let you all lose if I can be of use!”

He smirked. “You are feisty for a human, but you shouldn't be ready to fight. Lord Creed has asked us to keep you out of the fight as is. Don't worry we will track down the scout before he can get to his camp. Now leave, the more time you waste here the more closer enemy troops get.”

She tilted her head, surprised to hear that. “Why. Would he ask that? But. I understand. I don't want to get in the way of what you all need to do..”

He shrugged. “I'm not sure exactly why he would but I do know you’d be safe to stay out of this. We might be able to use your help secretly though.”

She nodded. “If I can help, just let me know. Oh and if anyone is injured, I know how to heal too.”

Keir shook his head. “We are close to a village in the light kingdom, let's cross the border and head there first.”

She nodded. “True. And we still need to head there. Let's go then.” She bowed to Lyex.- It was nice to meet you and be careful. I hope you all do well. Good luck!” She waved to him as she started to head off in the direction Keir had meant.

They watched as the two of them ran off down a path to the borderline of the light dragons. Ahead of them stood a large gate and two guards in white robes. They stood silently eyeing them as they made their way to the gate and intercepted them halfway. One spoke out with a direct and stern tone. “Hold it, who is there? You’re approaching restricted territory.”

She blinked looking to them. “My name is Era.” She told them clearly, pointing to herself. “And, this is Keir.” She motioned to him.

Keir stopped ahead keeping himself a bit away, looking to them calmly, “Please, you have to let us pass, we came here under the orders of the water dragon king.”

The guard huffed. “Do you take us as fools? You are with a human and trying to cross the border. No human or outsider can cross. Especially when war is all around! We won't let you pass.”

She sighed, but began to recite a code she'd uttered aloud only once before to dragons. "To serve to the best of our ability, to protect with all our power, dragon kind and dragons friends, in any time or hour." Rummaging through her bag as she suddenly grabbed what she'd been looking for. It was tattered at the edges, but she held out a miniature emblem of with the dragon tamers insignia, as she carefully unfolded it to show it to them, along with the scale of a father dragon. “You see these. You know what I am. I have come very far with Keir, and he has never lied once. I respect if I may not enter your territory, due to the threats against all dragons, but Keir was sent here by the water king himself, and is a water dragon himself. He cannot lie to you and the king has sent him with a message to talk with you. If for no other reason than out of respect for a dragon fellow, is there at least someone you could ask if he may at the very least complete his task on the borders then?”

He blinked looking to her then spoke to the other guard whispering. He nodded as the two of them then moved around the sides of the other two. The large gates opened as two more guards appeared and stood in front one spoke and shook his head. “That code is only known by two types of people, tamers and hunters. You don't look like a hunter but there hasn't been a tamer here in months. Seize them, take them to the prison in the guard post. Until you are verified, we will keep you there. Both of you.”

Keir blinked and shook his head. “What? We don't have time for that. Right now, the water dragon emissaries are being held hostage and the army cannot leave the homeland. What's more crazy mercenaries are somewhere in the land. We need help now!”

She thought for a moment, but sighed quietly. "I am Remiel's daughter. If that has any meaning for you. My father is a mercenary within the guilds of Oarth and my mother, Tattiel, was a friend to any dragon that came near Mercias, my home village before she passed away.“ She bit her lip, pleading to the light dragons. “I'm Era...” She repeated. “Era Stormbreaker.. My mother is who taught me to heal…Well… in a way. I inherited my healing abilities from her.”

He growled. “You expect us to believe that?! The Oarthian Mercenaries had no family! Your only making the situation worse by lying!”

A man's voice was heard behind the group. “That's enough, calm yourselves.”

They blinked looking then gasped and gathered next to each other. Bowing to him. “L-lord Aisel!”

The old man from before appeared behind them smiling and looked to her. “Impressive, young one.”

She blinked, looking to him in confusion and let out a soft cry of surprise. “Y- you again?! But. You were back at the village we left. When did you. How the. Wait, so you’re a light dragon?”

He laughed. “I am, does that matter? A woman like you who helps both human and dragon is worthy of being noted. Hm, with a bit of a test. At any rate it is nice to meet you, Era. You two are welcome and I will listen to you with my other elders in our grand hall. You men return to your post. And, ease up. You take your jobs too seriously.”

They shivered a bit and nodded returning to their posts as Aisel walked into the gate along with Keir, who looked to him calmly but a bit embarrassed. “T-thank you sir..”

She smiled in relief. “Thank you so much, Aisel! And no… it doesn't matter , but I was curious.” She followed along with them through the gate. “Um... but what do you mean a test?” She shied then nervous.

He smiled. “I tested your heart to see if you really would do what you say. As pure as light itself.” Once they were in the border, the doors closed and he looked to them. “You two have come a long way so I will not test you any longer.” He rose his hand as he started to glow along with the two of them. “Let's get to the others right away. You'll be there before you can...” They suddenly vanished and reappeared in a large temple with four seats in front and a large hallway. On both sides were doors and people guarding them. “Blink.”

She looked around the room a bit, glancing towards the doors and then the seats. “Where are we...?”

He smiled. ‘In the homeland of light dragons. Illios (ill-e-os).”

She nodded but looked over at him. “Um. who did you mean by the others though?”

He smiled and sat in the furthest left chair. “The ruling clan of course. Me, Tiallia, Jourm, and Allia. The four heads of the light dragon clan.”

Keir blinked. “There’s no king?”

She tilted her head. “This reminds me of like a council.”

He nodded. “It’s based on a council, yes. “

She smiled. “So, we need to just be honest with you all and let you decide from there what you will do?”

A man with a scar on his face walked in from a side door. “Honesty is only one thing. I will see if you are worthy.”

She blinked, looking to him as he entered. “Worthy? Of what?”

Aisel smirked as Jourm took a seat on the middle chair at the end. “Of our help of course. You will be representing the king of waters.”

Era blinked, but shivered a little out of nervousness. “Do you mean we have to convince you somehow that they are worth helping?”

A woman with blonde hair walked in looking to them. “You do, but you also must tell us why they truly ask? Our history with them was only resentment. I’m sure the king’s spite was in his words at being at our mercy.”

Aisel nodded. “That is true, Tiallia, however, they don’t carry the king’s spite, do they?”

She smiled, closing her eyes, and sat next to Jorum. “Humph, I suppose still a meek human hasn't been here for some time. Almost looks familiar.”

“The water king seemed reluctant, yes. But I didn't know the history enough to see anything like resentment. If there was any, I only noticed it because he didn't seem to be happy about my being there.. “ Era blinked, but spoke in answer quietly. “And it's not nice to say that about being at your mercy, even if it may be true a little. Because then it sounds like you might judge it unfairly based on the past, rather than the validity of the request itself...”

Tiallia nodded. “I judge fairly, child, do not question it. It's hard to not judge such a rude race and greedy. They believe the water all belongs to them. They would starve everyone else. That's why they stay in water, their king has once tried to take all the water for himself. Utterly foolish.”

An old woman walked out of a door on the side looking to Tallia. “Calm yourself, Tallia, your age is showing.” She walked over and sat at the final chair. ”All of you have played enough games with these two. We will give them reinforcements, is that clear?”

The group muttered a bit as she gave them a small glare. “I said is that clear?”

Era blinked, looking to the old woman in surprise. “I...am not sure I understand. So, they were toying with us?”

They looked to her and fell quiet intimidated by her glare then agreed. She smiled. “Then, its settled. As current head of the dragons and leader of the council, I, Allia Starling, call our light dragons to assist the water dragons. The seals will be opened so the water dragon army can move.”

Era blinked. “You already knew about the request?”

She nodded. “We have people in the water kingdom and all across the lands. We know that the emissaries have been taken and where.”

Era hesitated a moment but asked quietly. “The water king mentioned. That you had a message for me? What was it?”

She blinked. “Oh, yes, everything you need should be here.“ She opened her hand and held out a small crystal. "Take this."

Era held out her hands as Allia dropped the little crystal into her waiting palms. However, she was surprised to see that the crystal seemed to react to Era's own touch, as it began to glow and a voice could be heard, as well as someone's face seemed to be revealed in the light shining from it.

“My dear little Era.... “A woman's voice spoke quietly as if with effort to be clear. “I am so sorry for what I must tell you...and the cost you must bear...on behalf of us...” The face grew clearer, as a rendering of light showed a woman's face fully now.

Era looked to the face in shock, her mouth falling open as she listened in silence, only muttering one word in a cracking whisper. “Mother......?”

The face continued on, seeming to ignore her words. “For you and those with you to be hearing this.... It can only mean you have found yourself seeking answers in the light dragon lands...Answers no doubt your father could never bring himself to tell you, and ones I could never tell you...As for you to be here, I am long gone... from this world.”

With a soft expression, her mother 's voice filled the room softly. “The cost you must pay.......is for the past of your father....He has always loved all of you dearly, but he as a mercenary has done regrettable things....Things he was forced to act on against his own feelings....For my time as a tamer....It is a heavy burden he bears for aiding me in leaving that past behind me so I may be with my children for a time...Your father was once ordered to kill the mate of a dragon named Nelius, of an old clan near the borders that once were near our home. Her name was Seguin....And she was my friend...My former partner.... I was cursed in Nelius's rage, cursed to die over the course of time, for which no manner of killing may cure.....For he cast a spell in his grief, to plague all the women of your father's life, a love

for a love.... Your father, Remiel killed Nelius for this.....thinking if he died, it would end the spell.....Oh how sorrowed he was when we realized.... Nothing could change the spell as it targets only humans....Only if Nelius had forgiven us would it have ended... “Her mother's voice paused, as the sounds of gasping and raspy coughs could be heard. “I do not.... blame your father...He was only trying to protect me...But he had no way of knowing...We had no way of knowing.... That I was also pregnant.... with you when it cast....on me...I am so sorry my little Era...For when...I leave this world....It falls next on you...” Her voice faded and the crystal stopped glowing.

Era closed her eyes in quiet contemplation before sitting on her knees and placing the crystal on the ground in front of her as she thought. The dragons stood in silence seemingly hearing the words she spoke. Their faces were both in awe and sadness. She stood back up then and shook her head. “Don't look at me like that!” She spoke to them, but smiled softly. “I'm not dead yet, so I won't give up.”

Keir frowned a bit. “I don't understand. Why... You?”

Allia looked to her contemplating. “Those dragons. They were them.”

She tilted her head. “What do you mean...?”

Tiallia frowned. “Grandmother. Those were the fallen. I thought none were left.”

She looked to Tiallia in confusion. “What's a fallen?”

Jorum growled. “We got rid of the fallen dragons due to them becoming shadow dragons. They were corrupted by grief and filled with anger. Only a shadow dragon can curse a person so strongly.”

Aisel rubbed his chin. “Still, the curse. And this girl, Remiel had not told us that she even existed. I suppose we need to meet with him then.”

She blinked. “Wait. You mean you know my father?”

They stayed silent then looked to her as Allia spoke. “We do, your father is a hero of the light dragons. He’s done remarkable things. Impossible for a human. Still, knowing where he is now, I am not surprised.”

Keir growled. “So, where is he?! He should be saving his daughter not off to who knows where.”

Jorum growled. ‘You fool that's exactly what he's doing. In the forbidden lands. The curses source. Nihelion.. The graveyard of the shadow dragons...”

Allia looked to him. “We cannot say anymore, we promised.”

Era frowned, gripping her hands into her fists as they shook a little. “Does father really blame himself for it...? I understand why it happened now...but he better not intentionally be putting himself in danger over if. It also explains...why he was so hesitant for so long to let me be a tamer...”

She closed her eyes looking away. “Your father... He... What?” She gasped coughing suddenly as a wave of energy hit the room and the dragons started to fall over coughing and weakly struggling to rise. Next to her, Keir shivered trying to stand but fell over in pain.

Jorum growled. “Uugnn! Someone... Is absorbing power... In all directions... The dragon’s power... No, not someone... “He closed his eyes sensing the source of the power and stood up a bit. “It’s... It’s!.”

She looked to him. “What is going on...? How could anyone absorb your power?”

A voice was heard behind them. “Because their being targeted. Every dragon in this region is, their not as strong as me so they can't resist it.”

She tilted her head, but looked over at the sound of the voice. “Who... is there?”

A strong heat filled the room as he walked in and looked to her with a smile. ”Hello, Era, I've come to end you.”

Keir gasped, trying to stand, as his eyes widened. “I-Ignis. Creed’s brother... Run!”

She shivered as she looked to him in surprise. “What...?! Creed's brother? But why would you be coming to kill me?” She took several steps back away from him.

He shook his head. “You shouldn’t have pushed your luck and messed with my battle. My father wants you dead.”

She looked to him with a frown. “I wasn't just going to let them lose from something I could try to help with!”

Keir shivered. “B-be careful Era... He's every bit as strong as Creed. He is known as the Crimson Blood Fire.”

She shivered, falling quiet. ‘Great… But… that still doesn't explain...Why would your father send you...Ignis? Surely that’s bit of overkill...if you really are that powerful..”

He grinned. “You poked your nose into our war now you’re going to be a victim of it. More than that you cost me a battle.” He rose his hands as fireballs grew in his palms. “I'll burn you to ash!”

Era looked to him worriedly, but shook her head. She gripped her fists tightly, as looked to him determinedly. “Like hell, I won't let you kill me without a fight! But not when here... You're not getting these people involved.... " She took off running towards the doors, and fled outside. “Come get me if you really are going to try!”

He grinned. “With pleasure!” He suddenly transformed into a ball of flame and flew at her in pursuit.

She looked back over her shoulder to see him closing in from behind as she reached open ground in the area outdoors. Rummaging through her robes quickly, she reached for the statue Creed had given her and looked to it as she gripped it in one of her fists even as she slowly turned to face the coming Ignis. “I'm sorry...If I lose this fight, I can't keep my promise...” She whispered under her breath. Her head snapped up as she focused and looked to Ignis. She opened her other hand and shoved it forward, sending a wave of the green orbs towards the flying Ignis, forcing him to dodge or be hit with the explosives. “I can't let you kill me!”

He laughed and was hit with her explosives absorbing them and moving quickly. He then burst the flames in front of her and gripped her arms sending flames in his palms heating them up. “You can't stop me!”

She yelped a bit as he held her arms in place and as the flames appeared, tears began to fall as the heat began to dance against her exposed skin. Still, she struggled in his grasp, trying to free herself as she glared at him, focusing as she cast the green glow over where he held her arms. She was being burnt, but she kept him from setting her aflame entirely. “This hurts...but I'm not giving up...!”

He smirked and transformed his face growing scales along his cheeks and readying flames from his mouth. “The pain ends now!”

She managed to free one of her arms, by wedging her knee against him and yanking it away, though he still had a grip on the other and she hurriedly tossed the statue into the air above their heads.

He blinked looking to the statue then gasped as it grew into a giant Phoenix bird blinding him with the fire of light. He growled pulling back an letting her go as it started to fly up high and burst into ashes. She fell backwards as he suddenly go, but looked to it , watching as it burst, and him in surprise, trembling as she shivered from where she now sat on the ground awkwardly.

As it faded, he snarled and rose his hand igniting it and transforming it into a part of his dragon form - His dragon claw. He rushed forward in fire and roared. “I've had enough of your games!”

As he moved close however a golden ball of fire fell from the sky in the middle of them, he pulled back but gasped as a fist smashed into his face sending him flying back and crashing into the ground. From the fire, Creed walked out, glaring to him. “You want to pick on someone, brother? Then, fight me."

She looked to him in wonder and slight relief. “Creed...?” She blinked in surprise, but ignored the pain in her arms as she focused on standing up. Era trembled, realizing how close she had been to being killed by his brother and her whole body shook. “Thank you...”

He looked to her a bit and handed her a red stone. “I told you I'd keep you safe, now get this stone to the elders. They'll know what to do.”

She blinked, shivered as she took hold of the stone quickly with a nod. “Be careful. Please..” She told Creed but took off running back inside towards where the elders were.

He nodded and rushed forward transforming, into a significantly bigger and pure gold dragon clashing with Ignis and both were in a struggle claws gripped fighting to push each other back. “You've gotten strong, Era! So, have I!”

Inside the others still struggled as they looked to her confused. “Era? What's going on? What was that light?”

She shook her head as she hurried towards Allia. “No time.. Creed protected me… but he's fighting with Ignis… he said you'd know what to do with this..!” She handed her the stone.

She blinked and gripped the stone as a wave of gold aura was sent out. Suddenly, they started to stand and huff but were okay. “Yes. I can move again this aura in the Firewall stone. Its Creed’s. He's gotten powerful. He could be going through another evolution. Still, we need to know what caused our powers to drain.”

Keir and the others stood up as Jourm nodded. “It’s a forbidden weapon. And I can bet, It’s not over.”

Tallia growled and looked to see dragons in the street still in pain. “Our people are still struggling. It’s still active.”

Aisel nodded. “This is bad. Hmm, we should capture, Ignis. Let's go outside and see how the youngling is doing.”

Era blinked, but went back outside to try to look for them. “Hopefully...he's doing alright.”

The group headed outside and looked on ahead as Creed still was in a deadlock with Ignis. Ignis smirked and shook his head. “Give up ,my twin brother! You may be a Sun Dragon but the power I have is and always has been more powerful than you. I've taken the corruption of my father willingly and gained even more power!” A large black tattoo filled over his scales as he proceeded to push back Creed and overpower him. “Accept this end, you cursed dragon, you have no home no one cares for you and father hates you, you'll never rule the kingdom and die forgotten!”

She looked to them, but yelled at Ignis as she ran over towards them. “I don't care what power you have. And twin or not, Creed will always be better than you! He....He's not cursed...and I care! So what if your father hates him, He could do a better job than either one of you at ruling because he will always be a better person then you horrible men! He's not weak, just because you have power, doesn't make you the better man! He will never, ever be forgotten, unlike you. Because...because corruption will just destroy you both, and I won't let him be! And I won't let you kill him either! “She moved forward, ducking beneath both of their arms as they struggled with one another and shoved her hands at Ignis, using her deflection to shove him back away from Creed a bit with her shielding power. “He's stronger at heart then you will ever be!”

He was pushed a bit then roared to Era sending his tail swinging at her. Creed smirked and gripped her with his tail pulling her back, then smirked to Ignis. Ignis gasped as Creed easily overpowered him and knocked him back. He huffed and glared. “What was that?! Creed?! Are you toying with me?!”

She blinked as she was tugged back with his tail, but smiled. “Ha! See! He's stronger than you think!”

Creed smiled. “It’s true you and I were on equal terms... When I was in the kingdom. That was years ago. I'm more powerful than you and stronger than father.”

Ignis rushed forward as the two clashed again this time him being knocked back and a strong headbutt to him. He growled pulling away then sent a ball of flame at him. Creed smirked and slashed the flames dissipating. Ignis blinked then looked to Era and smirked. “Do you know who she is Creed? A dragon tamer! Your enemy!”

Creed growled a bit looking to her then to him. “It’s true, I hate dragon tamers, but I don't like you any better.”

She looked to Ignis, but shook her head. “He already knows that...Frost had me recite the tamer's oath the first time I met Creed... In front of a meeting.” She smiled softly, almost sadly. “And....He has every right to hate tamers...Any dragon does....I wanted to be a tamer, because as soon as I learned my mother used her healing powers as one, I wanted to get a chance to be able to share what I can do too, to help others...I refused to try out for a partner, because I didn't feel a dragon child should be forced to given up by their parents. Not for that. I may have passed the scale test to be able to qualify...but the elders of my village, also respected that I felt I had to not be a part of the tamers' guild when i found out what they were about.. That's how I met Eiwyen… Creed. That's how I met her. She tested me and was going to let me pass...I told her she should let the hatchling stay and be raised with her mother, rather than be away from her..”

She laughed a bit. “Hell...He tried to kill me once too.. He can hate me if he chooses. But you trying to make it seem like he has any obligation to protect me, he doesn’t. And that he helped me at all was nice. That he saved me from you, I am grateful for...But I don't expect him to do anything back.. I don't help because I expect a stupid reward or something in return. I helped your brother and the nationless, because...I wanted to help. Because it was wrong not to. And I knew I wanted to try if i could. He is a good person, no matter dragon or not, or whether you believe anything in him or not. He is strong and I meant it when I said I believe he is better than you.”

Ignis growled and sighed. “I'm outmatched. And I'm outfought... And being lectured by a human... Heh....Hehe Hehe… but I've stalled you enough… Creed!.. We have won this battle.” He laughed transforming into a ball of flame and flew into the sky heading north.

She blinked. “Damn… so he really was just a distraction...?”

The ground started to shake as Creed blinked. Over the group in the sky a large green beam of energy shot past them and crashed far away, shining and lighting up the sky's. Jorum growled. “We’re too late… Damn.”

She looked over at the sky. “Wha...What the heck was that? “

Creed growled. “That powerful energy... It was heading to the plains! My army...”

She blinked. “But, who could possibly have sent a beam like that?”

Jorum nodded. “That blast was from a forbidden cannon. It must have been their true objective.”

Creed looked to him. “What do you mean? Were they using this battle as some sort of test?”

He nodded. “That power is devastating. It must be King Fyrus's plan.”

She shook her head. “To what end? What does he gain by killing so many?”

He growled. “He always wanted power but how did he even get it...hmmm?!”

The ground shook as dragons started to yell and groan again, feeling the energy drain again. Creed growled. “Grr, again?” The elders looked to them, as Creed spoke up. “You’ll need to help me take out the cannon.”

She nodded. “Alright. I can do that.”

He transformed and looked to her then to Keir. Keir shook his head. “I have to send word to the king. I'm going to ask him for a favor.” He whispered to Aisel quietly as he smirked and nodded. Next the two of them disappeared in light.

Jourm, Tiallia, and Allia looked to them. “We will stay here and shield our people using one of our own gifts from the past. Till then, good luck.” the three nodded disappearing as large lighthouse like pillars appeared in three spots of the kingdom. They shined bright as a shield started to expand and cover the area. Creed flew upward exiting the barrier as he looked to them a bit, then headed north to the source of the energy drain.

She looked to Creed as he flew out towards the north, from on his back. “Doesn't the energy drain effect you too, though?”

He shook his head. “I thought so too but for some reason it’s not. Not only that, look below us.”

She blinked, but looked towards the ground. “Hm? Well… at least it's not.”

Shadows of fire dragons rose up from the clouds - All fire dragons. They flew next to Creed as he nodded. “That weapon was targeting specific races of dragons.”

She looked in surprise. “Would make sense... if Fyrus was behind it...He couldn't target you guys without targeting himself and his own troops too.”

He nodded and blinked seeing it coming into view. The dragons moved back a bit as all of them looked in stunned gazes at the cannon. “This thing... Is huge!”

Era looked to It at first, but turned to glance around as a thought came to her. “Um...hate to interrupt. But wouldn't they have it guarded...? So where's the person working this thing?”

Suddenly a ball of flame crashed into one of the dragons sending him falling to the ground then several more from above them flew down at them raining down. Creed growled and turned towards them a bit avoiding them but slowly descended. “Above us... Everyone move downward.”

Several dragons landed and rushed to the sides of the others but gasped being pulled into the ground and heated up encasing them. The ground quickly turned to lava encasing them inside until then were solidified. Creed and the rest of the dragons pulled up but were still being hit with the calling rocks. He decided to lead them away from the cannon flying back with the rest of the dragons to a small rock formation. Only six dragons were left out of the group as others were killed. “Damn. It’s got to be Pronym and Pyro.”

Era looked down at him and then to the remaining dragons with a shiver, glancing towards the lava they'd avoided. “I have...a suggestion. What we need is either a way to distract them to get them out of that position... so we can get to the cannon. Or a way to get rid of their advantage. With the lava and the attacks above the clouds.. If we can think of a plan, it might help...”

Creed nodded. “Good idea but if that's the case. Then, we should split up. Leave us to the distraction. Era, you get to the cannon. I’ll lead the troops to fight and keep them busy. That thing is so big you can get inside it. Theirs likely something inside harnessing the energy. Search inside.”

She nodded. “Understood.” She slid off his back landing to her feet. “I'll try that. Maybe, if I can find that, it can be disabled somehow. Be careful though, you all. too.”

Creed nodded as the dragons started to fly upward and from the hidden spot. Staying right on his sides they moved together avoiding the falling meteors and now the eruptions from the ground. As they kept them busy she made her way to the large cannon and climbed up a small ladder on the side. As she moved close, she found a small opening into the cannon. Inside cracking could be heard as four orbs colored by their energy was centered around a black orb in the middle that seemed to be absorbing the energy. The red orb was not active but the yellow, blue, and white orbs were draining energy.

As she dropped down inside from off the ladder, padding quietly in her bare feet she studied the room a moment. Comparing the red orb to the others, she listened to the crackling sounds. “Geez...this reminds me of one of those clocks with all these gears. “She realized the colored were representing the dragons from different regions, but stared at the black orb. “Whose energy absorbs...like that?”

She shook her head and went to each gear beneath the three activated orbs, and wedged several extras gears she had founded in a box, into the moving parts to try to freeze the machine from being able to be active. Carefully, she also surrounded each gear by attaching her green energy to them as she jammed them into place and stepped back towards the ladder once they'd each stopped moving, grinding against each other squealing in the effort of being stuck. She hurriedly entered the opening and just before climbing back out the way she'd entered she set off the gears to try to explode them.

The gears suddenly exploded as the machine started to smoke and sizzle the cannon then whirred down as the group of dragons stopped fighting and looked. Creed smirked and looked. Suddenly two dragons appeared, one on the ground was Pyro, who looked to the cannon growling and a woman with long red hair started to the cannon flying in the clouds high above. “Damn. But who? Did it?”

Era finally slid down the final rungs of the ladder, touching her feet to the ground, as she smiled, hearing the explosions go off and the machine stopped. “Ha, It worked. Good.”

Creed looked to Pronym and smirked. “That thing won't fire anymore, right? Why don't you two....what - what?!”

He blinked as the entire group felt their energy now being drained into the cannon. Just behind the door Era came through a bang was heard. Pyro growled. “Damn. You released it..”

She blinked. “What. Was that?”

The door blasted open flying over her head and a long broken tattered decaying wing of a dragon stuck out first. Next it stuck its head out growling and finally came out of the room. It roared loudly as energy was drawn into it further forcing the dragons to land. Even Creed stumbled a bit but made his way to Era. The dragon looked to her with a fierce snarl.

Her eyes went wide with surprise, as she let go of the ladder in shock as it appeared.

“Wait...it's absorbing their energy, Just like the black orb was...” She looked to it in wonder but also a bit of fear as it snarled at her, taking a step back. Focusing on the dragon, she readied herself in case it tried to attack her by focusing on casting a glow to one hand.

Creed moved in front of her quickly to defend. The dragon snarled and slashed at him he dodged the attack but stumbled and fell over then gasped looking at his arm turning black. “What but I didn't get hit.”

Pyro moved next to them and rose a large wall of magma blocking the dragon a bit but the wall quickly turned to ash and the dragon slashed at him he avoided the attack but his leg was black he growled focusing on it. “It’s a shadow dragon... You must not get close!”

She blinked. "Shadow. Dragon? But I thought they were all gone?"

The dragon roared as Creed grabbed Era and pulled back, farther from the dragon. Pyro and Pronym moved next to him, staring to the dragon. “It was in the cannon when he had it. Sealed in that orb for power. When you broke the energy cycle it was strong enough to free itself.”

She thought for a moment, but freed herself from Creed's hold by pulling away off to the side of them. “I'm human. It can't absorb my energy like it is doing with yours. And I have an idea.. but you might not like it.. It's temporary only though. And I'm sorry, but I think this will work... “She took the egg out of her satchel, and gently placed the shell against her forehead. Focusing her green glow into her hands, she looked towards them sadly as her lips moved in a quiet whisper, and then suddenly both her and the egg shone bright white. When it disappeared, the egg was gone and her hair had taken on the blue green of the color of the shell of the egg, fading off. She looked away then, her eyes focused on the dragon as she ran towards it, sending a beam of energy out from her arm towards the dragon, as her and the unhatched dragon's powers combined together, and sent a wave of blue green light at the shadow dragon.

The dragon roared being hit by the beam of energy and faded into ashes quickly. Creed looked on confused and stunned as the others. “That. Did you...”

Suddenly, darkness started to reform and the dragon reappeared in front of them now larger and focusing on Era, the attack drew its attention and it hungrily focused on them and started to drain both her and the egg’s energy. Creed growled. “It’s taken to your energy!”

Pyro shivered and shook his head. “You fool! It will not stop now until its drained all of the life force from the egg! Everyone attack! And get that girl as far away as possible! Both her and the egg are in danger!”

She looked towards the shadow dragon with wide eyes, and felt the drain. ” Damn it..” She placed her shield around the egg, stopping the egg from being drained but couldn't focus it on them both as she took several steps back.

The dragons sent fireballs at the shadow dragon only for it to seemingly burst out of its range. This did get its attention though and it headed downward toward the now fleeing group. Pyro, Pronym, and the dragons lured it away from Era and Creed. Each step it took made the ground rot underneath it. “I'll get us away but unless we figure out some way to destroy that thing, it’s not going to stop.”

Footsteps could be heard behind them and a man in strange armor walked next to them. “You dragons have messed with something you couldn't understand.. The shadow dragon, no powers of dragons can destroy it. Not any special magic or even power. Anything that gets close to it will decay and die and anyone hit with its breath will be cursed a painful slow death.”

Era looked to the man as her spell faded and her appearance went back to normal. “Um... How do you know so much about them? And, who are you?”

He looked to her. “I am a shadow dragon hunter, well, the only hunter. I am known as the Green Knight to dragons although that name doesn't apply to my armor but this.” He pulled out his blade. It glowed with green energy. Sensing this the shadow dragon completely slid to a halt and tuned around rushing and running now at the man who walked in front of them and readied himself for it. “You two don't move.”

She nodded but held still, watching him in slight confusion.

Creed shook his head. “There's no way... All my senses are telling me to run.. What's with your weapon! How can it affect even me?”

The shadow dragon jumped and dived down at him, but he rose his blade in the air and slashed it in two quicker than any could see. It split apart with each part burning now in a white fire roaring as both halves disintegrated and the draining aura faded from the area. He then sat down and closed his eyes. “Sleep in the eternal light of peace now...”

The others looked on at the knight confused as Creed shivered, looking wide-eyed to him. “You... Who are you? No human. Not one can defeat a shadow dragon... It took an alliance to defeat them in the past...”

He stood up and sheathed his blade then turned to him. “Your father is responsible for this, is he not? Tell him to not search the forbidden lands again. Anything taken and used without knowing how it was made will only become a danger to everyone.” He looked to Era. “Tell your father that I've fulfilled the first half of my promise.

She looked to him with wide eyes. “How do...How do you know about that? You’re a light dragon then? And what promise...? How am I supposed to tell him? I haven't seen him in a long time. Does this have to do with what my father is trying to break for me?”

He blinked. “He hasn't met with you, yet then? Fine since you haven't met yet I'll leave it be. Just know this. I am no light dragon; I am only half.” He then started to fade in a white light and vanished.

She watched him disappear and frowned. “Oh. For crying out loud! First, I find out the light dragons had the thing that even let me know about the unbroken curse on me as well as mom before she died. And the dad going to the forbidden lands, but now we find out that Fyrus was there too..? What the heck is going on!” She set the egg back in her satchel and buried her face in her hands after with a sigh of frustration. “And who the heck is the green knight exactly and why would he even make a promise to my father?”

Creed nodded. “I have the same frustration right about now, and since the answers are getting so far away, I'm going to make them come to us. How would you like to meet your father? This time we will make them answer. Come with me, Era, we will go to the border of the fire dragon kingdom there is a shrine there that supposedly "grants anyone’s wishes." Of course, it’s fake but, I'll spread rumors and then let’s see who comes.”

She nodded, looking to him as she uncovered her face. “I will go with you.. Would be nice to get clearer answers on this stuff. If possible. But. Will it really be safe enough for you to go that close to the fire kingdom...with what your father ordered against you?”

Pyro and Pronym walked over to Creed and bowed. “Lord Creed. We can't go back to your father with failure. Please allow us to follow you.”

Creed smirked. “With you two, I’m sure it will be fine. You two fit perfect in my plan.”

Era blinked, looking over at him. “Um...what plan?”

He looked to them then blinked seeing in the distance, a large group of fire dragons approaching. “What now... That's not good.”

Pyro nodded. “It seems the king has sent more forces. Roughly five hundred troops.”

Pronym growled. “My lord we must leave now.. We are severely outnumbered.”

She blinked. “Won't they. Follow us though if we flee?”

Creed blinked seeing another army east heading to their location. “Hold on... I smell water dragons.”

A dragon flew ahead and landed next to them transforming revealing himself as Keir. “We made it. Not many but the rest of the army will join us soon. The light gates that the light dragons made gave us a sneak attack chance and freed the emissaries held captive.”

She smiled. “That's good news...! And it's nice to see you were able to get your message through to them. At least the king knows you kept your word now too. and that's good timing too.”

He nodded as the fire dragons now came into view but were still a way back. “The king has decided to go to open war with the fire dragon king but he wants your army Creed to as he said "stand aside".”

Creed blinked then growled. “If he thinks I'm just going to let this go he is wrong. I have plans set already to deal with him. But... Well, we will talk later. For now, I'll disband my army... What's left of them anyhow. Give me some time. Pyro, Pronym, you two fill Era and Keir on the next step and what we discovered.” He walked over to the rest of the nationless dragons and began to talk with them.

She blinked, looking over to the two. “Um... What did he mean? What is the next step and what did you discover?”

Pyro sighed a bit but nodded. “We have discovered that the king is not at the fire dragon lands. In fact, he has been moving silently with an unknown band of people. Theirs an odd mixture of humans, dark dragons, and even thunder dragons. Well known, too. They’re not nationless, their elders, historians and even a trader. Ask for the humans.. Their hunters.”

Pronym nodded. “The war is just a distraction. Its probably Lord Ignis who is commanding the troops. The king however has been all over. He's hard to spot because he used something to mask his scent and others as well but their have been incidents all over of people falling asleep or being enraged easily, then hunters flying away with individuals. Dragons and humans. Their all being taken somewhere under his orders.”

She tilted her head. “But what would he want with both? That sounds almost like he's either forcing them into something or using them for an experiment, like to try it out. But...why would the hunters be helping him? Hunters don't really gain much unless he's giving them something they need out of it. As for the elders and such, is he using their knowledge for his plans. For something in the past that he can use against the rest for the power or edge he seeks?”

He smirked. “All the right questions and if we go to to Ellial village, we will have answers. The rumor about the village is it was abandoned but only because it is where a shadow dragon died. The land there is all dead as well. But a treasure is there. No one knows what it is but its said to give immeasurable power to those who gain it. The reason no one goes near is because a very powerful guardian lives there. No one knows who it is but all who tried to find the power was stopped by it. Brought to the edge of death and carried out of the village to die.”

Keir shivered. “Something like that exists in this world? Terrible.”

She shook her head. “Sounds more like it's protecting the power from being found by people who need it for the wrong reasons. Not sure if I agree with letting them be made to die...that part is terrible...but what if you’re not there for the power, but just to talk to the guardian or to find something else?”

Pronym shook her head. “No one has ever talked to it. Their hearts were set only on attacking it and taking the treasure. The ones that made it back alive did say a few things that the guardian seemed to mutter.”

She nodded. “Makes sense. but what does the village have to do with his plan?”

Creed walked over to them smiling. “This village is very special, veeeerry special. Since a humongous shadow dragon was killed on the land years ago it’s become a sort of energy nullifier. Dragons can't transform there, humans not strong enough lose themselves to insanity and one rumor in particular is that if you die in the land, you become a restless zombie defending it even after you died.”

Keir shivered and shook his head. “A-and you want to go to a place like that?! Era. Are you seriously going there?”

Creed growled. “She will be safe; I'll be going along with my two trustees.”

Keir shook his head. “How would that make it any better! If that place is like that, how can you make any difference?”

Creed shook his head. “I never go into a place that I don't have plans for. Why would I say it, if I didn’t?

Keir growled “There has to be something easier..”

She sighed but held her one palm towards both of them. “Hold on! Geez, don't I get any say in it? Don't you two fight again, please? Look, I can appreciate if it's dangerous to go, Keir, but I'm going and that's that. I already told him I would, and I plan to keep my word if I can help him with his plan. And there's no reason to not trust Creed either. “She lowered her hands and looked towards them. “And I'll be honest, I don't want to waste time being safe, if I can be useful...It's not like me staying behind and refusing to go is going to do any good in the war, or even make the curse go away, so it’s fine. I'm going to ignore having it since it isn't affecting me right now. So don't box me into protection like I'm completely a child, and let me do something when I can.”

Keir blinked. “Era... Alright. Yes I guess I've been too protective about this. You have a right to do as you like. Just don't die. I swear the next time you see me, I'll be stronger. More than that. ‘I’m going back to find Lord Frost.. I need to learn what he wanted to teach me. The true power of ice and water.”

She smiled. “I'm not trying to die anytime soon. and I know you can get stronger. Good luck with what you want to learn from him. You can do it, and I'll be careful, so you too, okay?”

He nodded, smiling. “I will, i swear I will. “Creed looked as Keir gave him a bit of a serious look. “I've one last thing to tell you, Creed. It imperative you and Era stay safe. Theirs a Dragon Mercenary after you and her. Someone you know, and someone that knows Era. He is known as Black Death. A black dragon known as Diome Ghallahand. He is a nameless dragon feared even by strong veterans. I met with him before we met you Era.. He hates humans but he in particular hates Remiel and swore in his words "he took my family; I'll take his as well." Apparently, he knows a lot.”

She blinked, looked towards Creed and Keir then. “It would make sense if he hates dad...Maybe he was related to a dragon that my dad was ordered to take down. But… I'm kind of confused how he knows about me. unless it's through my father. Um… but why is he after you Creed?”

The group looked to Creed whose eyes were pure red and he gritted his teeth in anger. A warm heat seemed to singe and crackle the air a bit. He looked like he was remembering something and was in a state of pure anger with his fist tightly clenched. Pyro and Pronym looked away a bit sad. He sighed a bit releasing energy into small bits of steam then closed his eyes. “That dragon. I hate him... More than Fyrus... More than all humans and dragons and hunters. Diom Gallahand… He killed my baby sister...”

She looked to him in confusion but also sadness. “I'm so sorry. But...why would he kill your sister?”

He growled. “My sister was just a child. About fifty-three years ago, the black dragons invaded the fire dragon kingdom. I was out subjugating the thunder dragon land with a few of the main forces of our army under HIS orders. He never cared for the kingdom. That night was when they attacked.. The night of the Eclipse Massacre. First the guards were killed.. Next the patrol then on a bright moonlight.. Massive amounts of black dragons filled the sky. Their king was the father of the current king of black dragons. He was ruthless.. He killed every Soldier.. But Diom.. He was the dragon’s right arm.. A bloodthirsty lieutenant. He hunted the strongest. After the town was taken my father was taunted to come out from Mount Firan, the main volcano in our land that was his roost. He never came out..because he wasn't there.. The black dragons started to take everything they could find and searched for a means to get him out.. I heard the news of the attack and with what troops could keep up rushed home.. Before I knew it I was the only one who made it there.. I saw it.. Just as ruthless as humans.. In a rage I killed many but they overpowered me with numbers.. I wasn't as strong as I was because of the fights with the thunder dragons.. Now they thought they had leverage.. They tried to threaten to kill me if he didn't come out and give up his power..of course... No one came out..”

Pyro stayed silent feeling Creeds pain in his words. Creed looked to Era. “Do you wanna know what happened next? How they responded?”

She looked to him with wide eyes and her mouth open slightly. She pressed her lips together, biting her lower one firmly and she met his gaze, but spoke softly after a minute. “I won't lie to you, Creed....Yes.. I do want to know...what happened to you..your story and her's, your sister’s too..But...you don't have to tell me anything...if you don't want to... “ She shook her head but walked over towards Creed, took hold of one of his hands by the wrist softly and gently placed her palm on his. Tracing the lines of it with her finger tip, she tried to get him to look at it. “You cared for your sister, yes? And you miss her? And no matter what awful thing happened that night ...No matter how awful or horrible or unspeakable...or how many even...Her loss of life is not your fault..and don't let yourself be angry for still being alive..” She showed that she had traced a heart and then traced a line through it to show loss. “You still feel so strongly the pain of everything and the anger... that even in your words and when they mentioned that person's name, you showed it. Please don't keep reliving things until you forgive yourself of the pain you feel over it..even if someone stupid like me thinks to ask..I don't mean to hurt you by asking a thing. “ She let go of his hand and stepped back to bow in apology. “And, I'm very sorry.”

He sighed a bit and shook his head. “Era.. This goes beyond the feeling guilty.. I do.. But what he did, he deserves his fate and that's to be killed by me. After the king had no avail luring out my father.. My mother came to my rescue.. She was nearby.. She had a home just beside the mountain.The fire king never let anyone up there. Not even here. She attacked the Black Dragon king and scorched out one of his eyeballs. In agony he attacked back and clawed her arms. He slashed her tendons of her arms so badly she couldn't use them. Paralyzed.. All she cared for though was protecting her child.. Me. She flung herself at him and charged in a rage but he regained himself and she was hit hard. Enough to knock her unconscious.. She was out.. I could see in his eyes he felt horrified at what he did.. He then ordered his entire army to leave he himself included. They were just about to release me when.. One dragon didn't leave.. Diom, he was insulted that my mother harmed the king..so insulted he found her nest. At the time my other brother was out with me but he was slower than me. Like the rest.. But what Diom did...I'll never forget...”

An image appeared in her mind of Creed's story. She seemed to see them. His mother with long red hair was out on the ground bleeding, while the black dragon soldiers were leaving. The king with long dark hair wearing armor looked to Creed as he was pulled up to his level. “I am not interested in harming your mother.. I want your father.”

Creed smirked. “Get in line.. I’ll never tell you squat for what you did to my mother!!”

He growled. “I underestimated mothers instinct today.. I am willing to leave this land but I want Fyrus to kneel to me. If you share my conviction....”

A voice called to the king “Don't bother my lord. The only thing these fire dragons need to know is fear us. That will get his tongue flapping!”

The man smirked holding an egg as Creed and the king looked eyes widened. “No...! Leave her alone!”

The king growled. “Diom! Stop at once!”

He smirked shaking the egg a bit. “Look how weak their eggs are, hey brat! You better get your father out here now or I'll make omelets out of your sister!”

Creed struggled to free himself his eyes red with rage. “Stop it don’t you dare harm my sister! I'll kill you!! I'll kill you!”

He glared to him. “I said get his scaly ass down here so he can kiss my kings feet!”

Creed growled more, hissing in his teeth. “We don’t know!.. He's gone! He might be even dead! We haven’t seen him in years since founding the village!”

The king blinked. “What? Then who wiped out our village? Who is responsible for burning our people alive in ash? His silhouette was seen flying away!”

Creed shook his head “How the hell should I know?! He wants me dead! He doesn't care to tell anyone anything! Now let her go! Let my sister go, damn you!”

Diom's smirk turned into an evil grin as he let go of the egg dropping. It fell to the ground. It withstood the impact and landed beside his leg. Creed’s eyes widened as he somewhat shivered looking to it. Diom laughed. “Oops! But it looks like her shells harder after all.. Hm, however..”

Creed struggled as the king rose his hand but groaned feeling his hurt eye. Diom looked to the king sadly a bit then glared to Creed’s mother. “You witch.. His pain.. Now you'll lose something permanent!” He rose his foot up high then smashed the egg under his boot grinning.

Creed’s eyes widened as he looked on shocked and screamed. “Ah.. Ah.. AMIAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!”

He cried out as his skin tingled and Diom laughed as he stomped more completely smashing the egg. “Die! Die! Die! Cry in pain, you garbage!”

Creed cried out finally breaking free and in a rage rushed to Diom roaring as his arms transformed but halfway through the king of black dragons swifly punched him in his stomach leaving him breathless, as he collapsed to the ground and struggled reaching out to the egg. “Gnngh!.. sniff Amia... No.. Amia..”

Diom sighed smiling a bit. The king looked to him with a glare and gripped his arm tightly. Diom screamed in agony and kneeled as the king looked to him fiercely. “What you have done is unforgivable.. You are hereby exiled from this land and my army you are filth. You disgust me.”

Diom shivered and looked to him confused. “M-my king.. Why...why...but I

...I... Why...”

He snarled and gave him a powerful punch full force to the back of his head sending him deep in the ground to make a rut and shake the area. Diom gasped in agony as his eyes whited out and he fell out cold. The king then looked to his troops. “Throw this trash as far away from my kingdom as possible and leave him for the birds.”

They nodded picking him up as the king walked away but looked to Creed who was struggling and crawled over to the crushed egg holding the pieces in his arms and crying. He shook his head. “He's still conscious.. I can break his body.. But not his heart... more than that.. He will come for me.. And Diom.. Fine.” He walked away as the vision started to fade away.

Era was shocked. “...She was only...She wasn't even....hatched? No..... Oh my god, no wonder you..were so ...determined to kill me when you tried....I... I'm sorry... He's....He's horrible... Horrible...how can he do that?? This is worse than the executioners in the village... it's just utterly cruel... “ Her whole body trembled as her eyes welled with tears and they began to fall as she fell quiet as the vision left her mind.

The group felt the emotion in the air as everyone stayed silent. A long silence filled the air. He lowered her head but spoke out quietly after a long while. “Are you sure it's okay for me to travel with you ...Creed? I understand if not...”

He nodded and stared to her. “Yes. Era you are the only person I will respect. You see all life as valuable.. You taught me that. More than that.. If you were there.. I know you would have saved my sister's life just as you did that egg. I trust you.”

Pyro looked to her then nodded. “I see.. Lord Creed. I will protect her as well. This girl who is able to even change you.”

Pronym nodded bowing. “It is as my husband says. I too shall protect her with all my life."

Era raised her chin to look up and meet his gaze, blinking a bit in surprise. She smiled softly and gave a nod. “I trust you too, alright? Besides.. I ...Just thank you for letting me understand a little by showing me.. “ She looked over to Pyro and Pronym. “Um...but Creed doesn't have to change... He's a bit fiery and straightforward, but at least he speaks his mind..and if I can, I'll try to protect you guys too.”

The two of them nodded a bit as Creed sighed. “At any rate.. We should head out. The dragons have already started to move and skirmishes will start.” He looked to Keir. “Good luck, tell the old man, I'm taking her with me.”

Keir nodded as he transformed and began to fly. “Just both of you stay safe I've got a bad feeling theirs more to this than we all know.”

Creed nodded transforming as well as Pyro and Pronym did the same. “Hop on, Era, and keep the egg close. You probably haven't noticed but it's taken a liking to you.”

She climbed onto his back but blinked, looking to him curiously as she kept the egg tucked against her belly. “What do you mean a liking?”

They started flying upward as roars came from below and the first part of the dragons of water and fire began to fight below. Creed nodded. “Even in this war.. It sees you as someone, it knows it’s safe with.”

She tilted her head, looking to the egg. “How can you tell?”

He smirked. “I used to hold my sister like that. I could hear her heartbeat. It is as calm as hers was. I used to hold her so much I could see the tiny shakes of her egg with each beat.”

She smiled. “That's so cool.. I'll have to pay more attention to see if this one shakes at all like that..I'm glad the egg is relaxed with me at least. I wouldn't want it to be afraid all the time.. Though I wonder if this one's a boy or a girl.. “ She hummed a little tune a moment to the egg in her arms instinctively in her happy feeling just then, as she thought on it.

He nodded. “I'm sure we will find out soon. Still, I'm concerned a bit taking them to the village but after what you did against the shadow dragon, I’m thinking they are strong enough with you to handle it.”

She nodded. “I'm nervous on that too... but as long as I keep the egg close, the baby should be okay, I think. I'm just going to do my best and trust you all too. Besides, you said you had a plan, right?”

He nodded. “Yes and so far it's working. You won't be able to notice but ever since the shadow dragon fight, we've been followed.”

She blinked. “Followed by who..?”

He shook his head. “Not sure completely but their in the clouds masking their scent with the air. Their also sending out small signals of energy to their friends on the ground. Their quite terrible at it.”

Pyro nodded. “Every dragon and anyone else who knows how to follow the energy will move after it. Whoever they are, their making sure everyone knows where we are.”

Era nodded. “So their leaving a trail behind so we can be tracked by more than just them..? But it makes me wonder why ... and who are they leading to us?”

Creed shrugged. “I'm not sure but then again they are following us to a place even fire dragons would avoid. We will see.”

#chickenroost #my writing #writing #original #dragons #shining light #chapter 9 #story

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