by Sarah Noffke
The bright fire that rocketed from Lunis’ mouth was a stark contrast to the snow. As soon as it connected with Gilbert, the monster writhed in pain and began to instantly turn into a huge puddle, with hair, teeth, and claws.
Sophia couldn’t believe how easy that was. She let out a breath of relief and watched her dragon swoop around, penguins jumping onto his back so he could use his wings more.
I think we call him Dead Gilbert, Lunis said in her mind.
Well, that was a piece of cake, Sophia replied.
A flurry of snow spiraled like a cyclone around the puddle that had been Gilbert and obscured the area.
Sophia narrowed her eyes and tried to figure out what was happening as something rose into the air.
Not the piece of cake I usually like, and I don’t think this was as easy as you thought.
Sophia saw what he meant as the flurry of snow cleared and revealed another, slightly smaller, Gilbert. The monster had reassembled itself, and the fight was far from over.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Gilbert Number Two was just as beautiful as his prior form, and thankfully he was now the size of a one-story house. The penguins scurrying around were still in danger as he swung his arms, trying to catch the birds. It stomped and shook the ground, sending many of the penguins on their sides and stomachs.
Okay, no to using fire, Sophia said to Lunis as he flew in her direction, penguins still on his back.
I agree, he replied. He can just regenerate. I think we have to rely on you cutting the beast down.
The only problem with that is I don’t have my sword, Sophia divulged, her chest vibrating with anxiety.
That is a problem, Lunis agreed as he cut around Gilbert, trying to steal its attention from Sophia. The monster stomped as he swung about, nearly crushing several penguins.
Why don’t they get out of here, Sophia asked Lunis.
I think they are guarding something, he suggested.
I hope it’s an ice fortress with a queen who wants to give me the antidote, she said.
I don’t speak penguin, but I think it’s a bunch of eggs, he revealed.
How do you know then? she queried as she searched through the snow for her sword, her hands freezing.
Well, from up here, I can see a bunch of eggs on that peak. He indicated an ice tower just behind the snowbank.
Oh hell, Sophia muttered. Well, keep Gilbert away from snacking on the eggs.
Right now, I’m trying to keep Gilbert Two from snacking on you.
Thanks. Sophia tried a summoning spell to draw Inexorabilis to her. As she suspected, it didn’t work because Wilder had put a spell on the sword to keep it from being summoned. It was supposed to help her from losing it to an enemy in battle, but in hindsight, maybe it hadn’t been the best idea.
The ice shook under Sophia as a loud sound echoed overhead. On her hands and knees frantically searching through the snow-covered ground, she watched a crack split the ice and ran straight under her.
Well, that doesn’t seem like a good thing, she commented to her dragon and rolled on her back to put distance between her and the spreading chasm as the crack deepened.
Oops, Lunis said in her head.
She turned to find Gilbert Two throwing his fist repeatedly on the ice and making the ground vibrate violently.
What happened, she asked, still searching for her sword.
I didn’t do anything, Lunis protested. Olaf has a nasty temper. When he doesn’t get his way, he throws a tantrum.
Well, his tantrum is making it nearly impossible to find my sword, Sophia complained, her vision vibrating as she rode the ice. It felt like she was on an amusement park ride.
I’d ask him to stop, but I don’t speak abominable snowman nor penguin, Lunis joked.
Speaking of the penguins. Sophia nearly ran into one of the birds as she crawled across the ice, trying to put distance from the crack that probably led to frigid waters.
“You’re in my way,” she grumbled to the birds waddling in front of her, blocking the path to where she thought her sword might be.
I think they are trying to help, Lunis offered.
Why is that? Sophia inquired as she pushed up to a standing position.
Because that one on the other side of you seems to have found something, he said coyly.
Sophia swung around to find one of the penguins straining to pick up something, its face contorted.
“Inexorabilis!” Sophia rejoiced, diving for the hilt she could see peeking out of the snow.
She grabbed the sword and pulled it up as the birds scattered. “Okay, penguins. It’s time to kick some snowman butt.”
The little birds congregated around her, excitement making their eyes dazzle. They seemed ready for battle.
I don’t know if snowmen have butts, Lunis joked with a laugh.
Sophia shook her head as the penguins rallied around her. “You guys distract Gilbert Two. Lunis, you save any who get too close to danger.” She brandished her sword, feeling reenergized. “I’m going to make an ice sculpture.”
Chapter Thirty
Like little warrior penguins charging into battle, the birds swung around and raced in the direction of Gilbert Two. They even howled a piercing battle cry.
I didn’t know penguins made that noise, Sophia marveled as she marched after the birds.
I’m learning more about them than I ever wanted to know, Lunis said, gliding through the air and distracting Gilbert Two as the penguins took positions around the monster on the ice. Lunis still had quite a few of the birds on his back, which was cute and also strange. It made him look like a cartoon version of himself.
Whatever you do, don’t tell the other dragons about this penguin business, he ordered.
Your secret is safe with me. Sophia snuck up behind Gilbert Two as he swung a fist through the air and actually caught the side of Lunis’ wing. Lunis was knocked to the side, and the penguins spilled off the side of his back.
No, Sophia screamed as Lunis tilted dangerously to the side and nearly careened into the ice peak with the eggs. He recovered just in time and raced toward the ground to swoop up the falling penguins before they hit the ice.
One disaster was averted, but as Gilbert Two swung around, Sophia recognized a new one had presented itself.
The monster leaned forward, his blue and red eyes narrowed at her. He roared, and the air rushing out of his mouth blew her hair back and instantly made her ears ache from the volume.
The penguins went to work, quickly darting around Gilbert Two’s legs, trying to distract him and giving Sophia a moment to consider her plan of attack.
All I have to do is slice the beast in half, and it will be done, she said mostly to herself.
Easy as pie. Lunis dropped his penguins at the top of a snowbank where they would be safe, then dove back in her direction, his eyes focused on Gilbert Two.
The only problem with the plan of slicing the monster in two was he was as large as a house. Sophia couldn’t figure out how to get an attack in with its long arms spread on either side of its body.
Lunis, sensing her issue, flew at Gilbert Two’s back and scratched across it with his claws. Sophia expected that part of the creature to turn to snow and make her next move much easier. Nothing happened except Gilbert Two got even more pissed, swinging around to face the dragon who was swooping higher up in the air.
It must be Inexorabilis that cuts through the monster, Lunis reasoned as he pulled up his wing as Gilbert Two jumped, trying to knock the dragon out of the sky.
Well, keep his attention then, Sophia instructed, powering up her sword using magic. It was her only hope of making the next attack the last one. She had one chance to get this right.
Behind her, the crack in the ice was widening. The cold was making her ache all over, and Lunis hadn’t said it, but she knew he’d hurt his wing when he’d been hit. The penguins were showing signs of exhaustion, and one would get trampled or eaten soon.
Sop
hia had to make this attack count, or they were all toast!
Chapter Thirty-One
Inexorabilis shook in Sophia’s hand as she powered up the sword. The combat spell grew in intensity, making her chest burn. She had to plan the attack right to save them all, and she had to do it quickly. She also had to wait until the spell was complete, or the assault might not be strong enough to do the trick.
Sophia feared a misplaced attack would just anger Gilbert Two more. Then he’d throw another tantrum, and they might all fall through the ice into the freezing cold water.
Her hands sweltered from the heat building in the blade. As her palms began to sweat, Sophia worked to keep her grip on the hilt.
The penguins were doing their job of distracting Gilbert Two, and any time he was close to swinging around, Lunis swiped at him with his claws to keep the monster’s back to Sophia.
She only needed a few more seconds.
I don’t think we can hold him much longer, Lunis said nervously.
He was growing weak from the cold, she knew.
Yes, you can, Sophia encouraged.
Sometimes the best things in battle weren’t weapons or strength, but words of encouragement. It could get a warrior through when defeat felt inevitable.
I don’t think I can, Lunis stated.
She noticed that his wing was locking up. The cold was getting to him, and the injury wasn’t helping. Each time Gilbert Two rocketed his hand through the air, it was getting closer to knocking the blue dragon out of the sky.
Sophia let out a deep breath and reminded herself and Lunis of words by JM Storm that had gotten them through a lot of tough situations.
Magic happens when you don’t give up, even though you want to, she told her dragon. The universe always falls in love with a stubborn heart.
Maybe it was the encouraging words or the desire to never be defeated or that the penguins bought Lunis a moment by distracting the monster on the ground. Whatever the reason, he pulled into a fantastic spiral move that made Gilbert Two raise both his hands into the air and cover his face as if he were afraid he was about to get punched in the teeth.
The long gangly arms had been a part of the problem. Sophia hadn’t known how she would attack with them in the way and blocking Gilbert Two’s torso.
Now they were covering the monster’s head, and a second later, the combat spell was complete. Sophia didn’t waste another moment. She swung the sword, a bright beam of light streaking behind it as it progressed.
She brought Inexorabilis through the air so fast it made a high-pitched wailing sound that got the beast’s attention. It went to turn for her, but she was too fast. With a force unlike she’d ever had to use before she pulled the blade cleanly through the abominable snowman’s body, slicing it in two.
The result was instantaneous. Snow blasted from the two severed halves and launched Sophia up and back from the explosion.
This time she held tight to her sword as she flew and landed inches from the chasm Gilbert Two had created. In a rush, she rolled over, her face hanging over the side before she pushed away to safety.
The brief glimpse into the crack had been of blackness. The mysterious feeling of foreboding she’d felt in that split second she’d glared into the darkness was unexplainable and didn’t make any sense.
She pushed away from the crack as she stood, whirling snow blowing across her face as whatever had made up Gilbert Two drifted off with the wind. Sophia wasn’t sure what the monster was, but she was grateful to see it was gone this time.
The penguins all waddled in her direction, relief and joy evident on their cute faces. Lunis landed at the top of the snowbank near the other penguins. Their eggs were safe on the ice peak at their backs.
Sophia looked up at him and smiled. Good job, she complimented her dragon.
Same to you, Sophia.
She let out a breath of relief. The cold made her cheeks feel numb.
Hey, Sophia, Lunis said, an edge of mischief in his tone.
Yes, she answered in her mind.
Do you want to build a snowman, Lunis sang.
She narrowed her eyes at him. No, Ana. Hell no.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sophia pulled in a full breath and immediately regretted it. Her insides felt like they’d just been covered in ice from the frigid air.
They’d defeated a monster, perhaps one of the many tasks Mae Ling told her she’d have to pass to win the queen’s allegiance.
Sophia just wanted another minute to relax before they found the next deadly beast they had to defeat. She had put a warming spell on her and Lunis, but it was wearing off fast.
Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a bag of macaroons Mae Ling had sent her with and took a bite of one. She felt her magic reserves slowly fill up, and with them, her body heat rose.
Thanks, Lunis said, flying down from the snowbank. He’d left the penguins up there, and now they were sliding down the slope one at a time, jumping onto their stomachs to the ice and skidding all the way across the slick surface until they launched into the water.
“Cute little guys,” Sophia observed, entertained by their playful display.
Tasty guys, I’m sure. Lunis landed beside her, the rush of wind from his wings chilling Sophia.
She looked him over. “Your wing?”
It will be fine, he replied dismissively. The chi of the dragon is already working to repair it. Another hour and it will be completely back to normal.
“And you’re warm enough?” she inquired.
I have fire in my belly, he answered with a wink.
He was acting strong. Sophia knew he had magical scales to protect his outsides and fire inside that kept him warm, but he had still been so cold it had slowed him down earlier. She took another bite of the cookie and hoped whatever they faced next wasn’t a blizzard. After this adventure, it would be fine with her if she never saw snow again .
On the heels of this thought, the last penguin slid down the snowbank. Something rumbled on the other side of the embankment.
Lunis and Sophia exchanged nervous expressions.
Their next enemy was approaching, and by the way the ground was quaking under their feet, it was large.
The roar that filled the air told them a bit more about the creature about to materialize. A few images sped through Sophia’s mind of what they would possibly have to face.
Maybe a deranged ice moose, Lunis offered.
Maybe, she answered.
Or an evil penguin, he continued.
I’d let you eat that, she replied.
Good, because I’m hungry and those little guys are starting to look mighty tasty, Lunis said, indicating the penguins still waddling around them like lost little sheep.
They aren’t sheep, Lunis, Sophia told her dragon. You get to eat sheep and other dumb animals but not sweet little penguins who helped us survive.
He sighed as a puff of snow shot up from the embankment. Something big was approaching from the other side.
Fine, let’s hope this is an ice sheep because I could use a snack, the blue dragon grumbled.
Sophia offered him a macaroon, her focus still on the top of the embankment framed by the blue sky.
Lunis shook his head. No thanks. I don’t eat things that didn’t once have a face.
Sophia couldn’t help the laugh that spilled from her mouth. You’re like the opposite of a vegan.
I’m the anti-vegan, he stated humorlessly. I don’t remind others of what I don’t eat all the time. I don’t have an agenda I’m constantly forcing down people’s throats. And at parties, I’m not constantly questioning what ingredients were used in the dip.
Where are these parties you go to and have dip? Sophia questioned as another puff of snow shot up from the top of the hill.
I go to parties, he argued smugly. I just don’t tell you about them because it would be hashtag awkward since you aren’t invited.
Sophia gave her dragon an amused expression. That’s
fine, she replied. I wouldn’t want to share dip with you anyway. I’m certain you double-dip.
I don’t, actually, he said as the embankment began to rumble more violently. I eat it all in one bite, not leaving any for the other guests because I’m a dragon, and we don’t share.
Sophia shook her head at him. You’re hashtag weird.
If Lunis had a reply, it was interrupted as the largest bear Sophia had ever seen rose from the top of the embankment. It stared down at them, a strange expression in its dark eyes.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Sophia felt like she was looking down into the chasm again. The blackness of the bear’s eyes was so reminiscent of what she’d seen when she looked over the edge earlier. Unlike before, she didn’t feel that mysterious feeling of foreboding, although she thought maybe she should since this creature was huge. Its rippling muscles were evident even with its thick fur and strange silver armor that covered its body.
This wasn’t a normal bear.
I’m not sure it even is a bear, Lunis said to Sophia.
It’s definitely not wild, wearing that armor, Sophia mused as she ran her eyes over the intricate covering wrapped around the bear’s shoulders, head, and back.
The armor was made of a strange metal that didn’t appear to be either silver or gold. The bright sun reflected off it and cast a bluish-green shimmer that reminded Sophia of music as if the light created a magical musical note that could be seen in the air as vibrations.
Have the dragons ever seen anything like this? Sophia asked, watching as the bear regarded them from up high, studying them. She flexed her fingers by her side, Inexorabilis in her other hand, ready to battle again.
There’s nothing in the collective consciousness of the dragon I can find, Lunis answered, which doesn’t mean much since it’s as vast as the Great Library. I might just not be using the right search terms.