“You look terrible, kid,” I teased.
He chuckled. “Yeah, well not all of us can look like they just rolled out of bed in some ritzy mansion, Commander.”
I snorted. “I don’t look that good.”
“I’m glad I got to see you again. Sorry I screwed up and wasn’t careful… I won’t be able to see a new dawn, will I…”
“We all do stupid things. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”
“Laz,” Ryoko warned. “Stop acting like he’s a goner. We can still get him help.”
The two of us ignored her. Derek wasn’t coming out of this alive, and that was just how it was.
“B–burn my body, would you?” he asked me.
“Of course.”
“T–thanks…” His words came out in an airy hiss, and then his chest stilled.
Tears welled up in Ryoko’s eyes. “Derek…”
I reached up and closed the lids over Derek’s lifeless blue eyes and then rested him on the ground.
“Damn military,” someone muttered. “They had to go and make a mess of all this.”
I snapped my head over to the man, to find him about to kick the lifeless body of a fallen soldier. “Don’t you dare.”
He stopped and glared at me. “Why shouldn’t I?”
I stood up quickly, my fatigue now gone, and stormed over to him, others seeing my anger and quickly moving out of my way. “Because you used to be like him. Because you’re not superior to him in any way. Because it’s not his fault you screwed up and didn’t listen to orders to leave this post alone. You have no place to throw around the blame when this could have been avoided if you had just targeted the correct outposts!”
“This was the best one, and you were all afraid to take it,” he said hotly. “Look at what we managed to accomplish. We took out a huge supply building. We took out their numbers. We—”
“Get your head out of your ass and look around!” I barked. “Look at the damage you’ve caused. Look how close they pushed us to civilian homes. Look at all the resources you’ve wasted and all the dead men around you, comrade and enemy alike. Their lives can’t be replaced. They aren’t expendable! All you’ve done is cause death and destruction with your arrogance.”
He snorted. “You should be proud then, Commander. Death and destruction are the only two things you’re good at.”
I was stunned. How dare he say that to me? Before I had a chance to recover, someone slammed into him and sent him crashing into a building. I stared at Raikidan, who looked absolutely livid.
My attention was drawn to Ryoko when she started whining childishly. “Man, I wanted to hit him.”
Others around us chuckled nervously, lightening the mood a little, but it was clear they were walking on eggshells around me.
The rebel got up shakily and prepared himself for a fight. “You want to fight with me, Outsider?”
Raikidan sucked in a deep breath and unleashed a hot flame, not quite reaching the cowering rebel. I figured that was Raikidan’s goal. The fire subsided when Raikidan ran out of air, and he turned his back on the rebel. “You’re not worth anyone’s time.”
The others around us became wary of Raikidan and muttered amongst themselves. It didn’t surprise me. Firebreathers were rare, and were typically outcasts here. Raikidan didn’t care, though I doubted he cared what any human thought of him. He could kill most humans easily with his natural dragon strength.
I sucked in a deep breath, trying to clear my head and get everything moving before the military came back. “Get the wounded home and patched. Those not helping with that, help me bring all bodies to the Underground for me to perform burial rites.”
I spun on my heels and heaved the body of a soldier over my shoulder. Raikidan turned and reached out to help, but I refused him. “I said, wounded go home. That includes you. Argus, get Raikidan patched up.”
“Of course,” Argus said obediently.
“I’m fine,” Raikidan insisted.
Argus grabbed Raikidan by the back of the shirt and dragged him away. “If you want to live to see tomorrow, don’t argue with her.”
Raikidan sighed unhappily, but obeyed without any fuss. This allowed me to focus on my new task, one I wasn’t thrilled about performing, but it was my duty.
I waited as Rylan and Ryoko laid Derek’s body on the altar. It had taken us several hours to get all the bodies underground and ready for their burial rites. I had struggled with the task of speaking with all the dead to find out who preferred to be buried, and who wanted to be cremated. Normally we would call a priest who believed in our cause to do this, but it was late, and I was more than qualified to step in—even if I didn’t believe I was a proper choice.
Most wanted their bodies burned, but we only had one altar down here, and I really didn’t want to use it; I much preferred doing this ceremony above ground. They deserved that, but we didn’t live in an ideal world. When Ryoko and Rylan were done preparing Derek’s body, they stepped back and I advanced. Slowly I lit a fire around his body. The fire danced as I chanted. Once his body was consumed by the flames, I stepped back to wait. The smell of burning flesh would sicken most, but we were so used to it, we had become desensitized. Ryoko stayed next to me while Rylan went to let the others know to prepare the next body.
“So… Raikidan is a Firebreather, and you’re really a shaman,” she said.
“Yep. Crazy world we live in, huh?”
She snorted. “You’re telling me.”
“Speaking of crazy, Raikidan heard what we were talking about in your room this morning. Crazy, huh?”
Her face flushed. “He what? Oh man, that’s embarrassing.”
“You’re telling me. He brought it up when you and Rylan conveniently ditched us in the city.”
She held up her hands. “Sorry. I’ll check for damage around the door, since it’s likely the cause of the sound leak. And speaking of that ditching incident, sorry about that. It wasn’t my intention. I just got excited when I saw something in a shop window.”
I chuckled. “I figured as much. No big deal.”
“Are you hungry?” she asked. “You and Raikidan didn’t come back to the house, and then all the fight—”
“Raikidan and I stopped to get something to eat, so I’m okay for now,” I interrupted.
Ryoko nudged me and smirked. “You had a date with the rookie?”
I rolled my eyes. “Not the kind of date you’re thinking of.”
“Uh huh, sure, keep denying it.”
I shook my head and focused just beyond Derek’s skeleton. His spiritual form stood beyond the fire, watching. He looked sad, but not angry, so I was sure I didn’t have to worry about him remaining here longer than he should. He knew we’d avenge his death. No doubt about it. Then, two more people started to appear. One was a muscular, olive-skinned man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties, and the other was a young woman in her early twenties with blonde hair and fair skin.
I quickly looked away when three more people began to appear. I couldn’t look at them—couldn’t face them.
“What’s up?” Ryoko asked. “You see something?”
“Dead people.” I meant it as a joke, but it didn’t come out as one.
“Derek?” she guessed.
“Zeek and Jade, too.”
Her eyes went wide. “What about Amara and Jasmine?”
I nodded slowly. “Tannek too…”
Her eyes softened. “What’s it like, seeing the dead?”
“Most of the time it’s as if they’re alive, but they have a translucent form. Sometimes you only hear a voice, and sometimes the air around you goes cold, but that doesn’t happen all that often.”
“So, if you’re not paying attention, could you think you’re talking to someone alive?”
“Yeah, that happens quite a bit, especially since many spirits don’t try to correct you, as it allows them to feel they’re alive again.”
“That’s sad…”
I fro
wned. “I’d like to stop talking about it, if it’s okay…”
“Yeah, of course. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I know.”
I was tempted to look up at them again, even if it meant bringing back all the pain, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t face what had happened. What I had done to some of them…
I lay awake, unable to sleep, even though weariness clung to me. It had taken several hours to get a portion of the bodies burned in ritual, and I was sent home before I was anywhere near finished. I was told a priest would be called to do the rest, but still I didn’t stop willingly. The priest wasn’t going to be there for some time, and spirits were finicky when they were newly released from their bodies.
They could wait patiently for their rites if you were actively working on more than one body, but the moment you stopped, that’s when things would go wrong. Of course, those who don’t have experience with the dead couldn’t know that.
I looked at my tooth necklace and listened to the combined sounds of the rain and Raikidan’s soft snores. He was sound asleep when I got back. Argus waited up for us and told me about Raikidan’s wound status; it had been stitched up successfully, but Argus had struggled to get it just right. Apparently Raikidan’s muscular physique was mostly to blame, compounded by the type of wound he received. He reported that Raikidan had been a good patient, too, remaining still the entire time.
Once I slipped into my room, I immediately checked on him, and found I had no reason to worry. He’d healed himself up while he was alone, and there was barely a mark to show for his ordeal. I was curious what he’d tell everyone since it’d be noticeable he wasn’t wounded anymore. It was hit-or-miss with him whether he’d tell truths about himself or make something up. It was what made it hard to trust him, not that I wanted to trust many. Trust got you into trouble. I learned that some time ago.
I yawned loudly and Raikidan’s snoring suddenly stopped. Looking over at him, I watched his eyes flutter open. He picked up his head and stared at me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
He yawned and then shifted from his dragon form to his nu-human one, and jumped onto my bed, causing me to bounce a little bit. I sat up and glared at him.
He snickered and leaned against my footboard. “So, since you won’t let me sleep, why not tell me more about this place?”
“If yawning isn’t letting you sleep, then you’d hate to see what I’m capable of when I actually don’t want you to sleep.” He snorted and I chuckled as I reclined against my many pillows stacked against the headboard. “So, what do you want to know?”
“More about you and your experiment friends, about your social structures, about what goes on here—anything, really.”
“I know I said it before, but I’ll say it again. You’re far more inquisitive than I ever imagined you’d be.”
He didn’t say anything, just avoided eye contact.
“You avoided my comment before, too. Why are you acting like it’s a bad thing?”
His brow rose. “You don’t think so?”
I shrugged. “It’s how we learn in life. Humans are naturally inquisitive, so finding another creature who is equally inquisitive isn’t odd to me.”
“Black dragons aren’t inquisitive,” he said. “They couldn’t care less about another, including other black dragons. But since I’m not full black dragon, I end up wanting to learn more than I should.”
“What do you mean, not full black dragon?” I asked.
He looked up at the ceiling. “My mother was a red dragon.”
He didn’t show it, but I had a strong suspicion there was something wrong with that. I didn’t ask him, though, causing the room to become very quiet.
“Aren’t you going to ask me something?” he asked, looking at me again.
“What’s there to ask?” I questioned.
“You said it yourself, humans are inquisitive. So, doesn’t that mean you should be asking a bunch of questions?”
“If I asked you about yourself, you’d more than likely not answer,” I replied. “But why should I ask? It’s none of my business, and I never talk about myself, so it’s not my place to ask about others. Besides, if you wanted me to know something, you’re more than capable of telling me yourself.”
“Ask me,” he demanded.
I furrowed my brow. “Why not just tell me?”
“Because my black dragon side tells me to just shut my mouth, so even if I wanted to tell anything about me or my kind, I can’t. Now ask me.”
“How many dragon colors are there?” It was a start, I guess.
“Three. Black, green, and red. There were more once, but those other dragons went extinct some time ago.”
“What’s the difference between dragon colors besides their scale colors?”
“Personalities and lifestyles.”
“Elaborate.”
“Black dragons tend to be selfish, greedy, and at times cruel. They generally keep to themselves and usually see other creatures, including other-colored dragons, as being of a lesser status. Their territories usually consist of barren places, such as dry steppes, but a well-hidden cave in any terrain will do just fine. Green dragons tend to vary on personality, but most are friendly to just about anyone. They live in small clans that usually consist of a male, his mate, and some of their offspring. Their territories are always based in low mountains or heavily forested areas. Red dragons are the most social of the three dragon colors, and the most loyal. They’re kind, enjoy learning, and mingle with other creatures. They tend to live in large clans or colonies, and many live amongst non-dragons without ever being noticed. They aren’t picky on where their territory rests, if it even exists at all. That good enough?”
His fight against his own instinct to stay quiet reminded me of me. Because of this, I had to keep asking questions. “What’s the problem with you being a black-red dragon?”
“Dragons only mate with other dragons of the same color. They barely ever come into contact with each other unless their territories border each other, or they require aid of some sort. Because of this, when two different-colored dragons mate, it causes complications among the structures of both colors. The mated pair tends to be shunned by both sides, and their offspring don’t have the easiest life. Red dragons are more likely to accept this union, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less hard.”
“So basically, your father sucked up his pride, mated with a red dragon, and you’re punished for it. So now you live in the middle of nowhere.”
“That about sums it up,” he muttered.
I shifted my weight a little, resting my arm on my raised knee. “The red stripe you have, does it mark you?” He growled and I looked away. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“You just don’t understand,” he muttered.
“I think I understand a little more than you realize,” I mumbled. He looked at me. “Experiments aren’t accepted in society. Our creators see us as tools, nu-humans see us as monsters, and because we are human, our existence means nothing to other races. The only ones who accept our existence are the neutral parties of shamans, druids, and gypsies, but as seen with Maka’shi, just because they’re supposed to be neutral doesn’t mean they truly are. We fit in only amongst ourselves.” I sighed and pulled my legs up, resting my arms on them lightly. “And even so, some of us don’t fit in even there.”
“You come across as a normal nu-human to me,” Raikidan remarked.
I looked at him. “And you come across as a normal dragon to me.”
“How would you know what a normal dragon is like? You said you never met a dragon before.”
A smirk spread across my lips. “You claimed to never have met a nu-human before.”
He chuckled. “I have, actually, but it was a long time ago.”
“I bet I made him look like a Saint.”
He smirked. “No, it’s the other way around.”
I snorted. “Yeah, right.” A small silence enveloped us
, so I decided to change the subject. “So, is there anything else you want to know?”
“Start with the structure of this place, and how you’re able to blend in,” he said.
“The people of the city are divided into two parts: civilians and soldiers. Civilians are broken down into rebels, freed experiments, and regular citizens. Soldiers are broken down into experiments and civilian recruits. The rebels come in two forms: ex-military, and civilians who want a change. Ex-military rebels are usually experiments, but are sometimes civilian soldiers. Ex-military rebels do the dirty work, while civilian rebels act as spies and relay messages to rally points, although it can be the other way around at times.
“Free experiments, like Zane, Blaze, Argus, and Seda, are experiments who were active during the time of the previous ruler. After a certain amount of service, and if you were deemed fit enough, you were allowed to live in the city as a normal citizen. After the leadership switched, this was no longer the case, except for those experiments who were designed to be medics, like Azriel.”
“Who is Azriel?” Raikidan asked.
“Someone you’ll meet eventually. Nice guy.”
“All right, continue, then.”
“Okay, as I was saying, military medics are given leave after a certain length of service, even now. Zarda sees no need to force them to stay once their time is up, as he doesn’t find them important enough to keep. The city is also always looking for medical personnel, and since most medics stay in the medical field once they’re let go, it works out.
“Those of us who had yet to be released by contract, or were created after the new ruling, were not allowed to be freed, so in order to blend in, we have to keep lower profiles by forging files, changing names and histories, or doing anything else to throw off the military. Our group normally finds ways to change files, which is the case for Rylan and Ryoko, but there are times when files, like mine, are unable to be located and changed, so other more complicated measures have to be taken.
“In cases like Seda, papers are made to make it look as though she is dead. Otherwise she would have to be registered, and she’d be watched constantly to make sure she isn’t a threat, since she’s a psychic. This mandatory registry would make it even harder for us to work, so the Council agreed all psychics were to be split up. Some would register, while others, like Seda, would falsify death records and work in secret. To keep information coming in to help us with our fight, and income to fund it, we set up businesses, like Zane’s shop and Azriel’s club.”
Destiny (Experimental Heart Book 1) Page 22