Dragon's Fire

by Bri Sailor

  “According to the last scouting report we only have a few more days.” Said Atreyis, breaking their comfortable silence.

  Ky held up a hand. “No. Not going to talk about that. We are staying in this moment. Enjoy the peace around us for once. Goddess knows we haven’t in months, and some of us, years.”

  “I’m fine with that.” Agreed the princess, she could sense something was different about the warrior today. “You seem different.”

  “How so?”

  “I’m not really sure. I can’t quite put my finger on it.”

  “Relaxed maybe?” smiled the warrior.

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” Shrugged the princess.

  Ky had led them through the city towards some ruins. They climbed to the top. From there they could see the entire city before them. She sat down on the ledge and kicked her feet in the air. Atreyis sat next to her and set out their meal. She tucked the white section of hair behind her ear, her sapphire blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. They ate in comfortable silence, watching the world below them pass by.

  “This feels right.” Sighed Atreyis.

  “What?” said Ky around a mouthful.

  “Sitting here. Being with you. It’s like it was meant to be.”

  “Hm. You know what? I actually agree with you. It feels nice.” Smiled Ky.

  “Yes it does.” Smiled Atreyis. “I don’t want it to end.”

  “Me neither.”

  Atreyis laughed. “Remember when I was just an annoying little girl who got on your every last nerve?”

  Ky laughed a little. “Yes. You had so many questions. Wanted me to teach you everything there was about being a warrior.”

  “And look at me now.”

  “You’ve grown a lot.”

  “You too. There was a time when I thought that you weren’t even capable of smiling, let alone laughing. Or being human for that matter.” Atreyis poke Ky in the ribs.

  Ky laughed and tickled her back. “I’m just full of surprises.”

  “Guess this means you have to take me with you to your little patch of heaven in the woods when this is all over.” Atreyis arched an eyebrow.

  “Yeah. Something tells me that you will lead the way.” Ky waggled an eyebrow.

  The princess gave her a playful shove and a hug. The warrior hugged her back. For a moment they both genuinely forgot about the present and dreamt about the future.

  Chapter 25

  The young scout raced through the dark jungle as she ran for her life. She dared to look back. No one was following her. Her attackers must have given up. She didn’t risk slowing down and pushed ahead. A large tree stump came into view. She paused a moment and scanned everything around her. Still no sign of anyone following her. She quickly clicked the stones together and fell through the barrier. Dragonhearth was quite as the inhabitants slept soundly. She lay in the dirt for a few minutes catching her breath. Struggling to her feet she ran straight for the wooden palace. She burst through the doors.

  “They’re here!” she shouted.

  The guards on duty scrambled and in a few seconds Kova came barreling out of her room.

  “Where are they?” she demanded.

  “At the tree line.” Panted the scout. “Closer than they have ever been before.”

  “How many?”

  “I’m sorry my queen. I don’t even know. It’s like they appeared out of nowhere. I’ve never seen so many in my life. They’ve turned the countryside black there’s so many.”

  “Have they began their attack?”

  “No. They are just waiting.”

  “That gives us some time. Drax!”

  The large man appeared at her side.

  “Sound the alarm. Ready our troops. We must brace ourselves for an attack. Now go!”

  Drax nodded and ran up some stairs near the back by the throne. Within seconds a deep solitary drum beat echoed fast across the sleeping city. It was soon followed by several more drums. Outside everyone had sprang to life and were preparing for battle.

  Cora jumped out of bed and raced to the edge of the temple. Oldrin was not far behind her.

  “They’re here!” she gasped.

  Oldrin sighed. “It is time. With the help of the Tear I held it off as long as I could.”

  He turned the priestess to face him. “I had hoped there would be more time for this. That I would have the chance to teach you all that I know.”

  Cora could hear the sadness in his voice. “What do you mean? You have taught me so much.”

  “Not enough.” He pulled her close. “Listen to me little priestess. You are now the last Vvárríó. There is still much for you to learn. This temple that we are in is the first created by our order. Deep within its vaults contain all of the knowledge since the beginning. All of my work is located there. I entrust you to finish what I, and so many others had started. Continue deciphering the ancient works. And continue bringing light to this world. What many don’t realize is that no matter the outcome of this war, others like it will follow. That is the nature of this world. There must always be balance. Light and dark. Simply two sides of the same coin. One seems better than the other, but both are needed. They simply cannot exist without each other.”

  “Does that mean we don’t stand a chance?” Cora was crying.

  “One cannot know for sure as much as we would like to try, or think we do. We must learn to let go of this world in order to realize what we have.” Oldrin smiled softly. “When we are children we know nothing of true evil or what our elders deem as ‘good’. We know only the love that we can see. The beauty of nature that we can experience. The bliss that is a naïve heart and pure soul. Now some will see the harsh truths of this world much sooner than others, but our experiences shape who we are. They allow us to grow and learn from them. To ascend beyond if our eyes are opened and willing. It will scare most, but those who choose to embrace it will learn the true gifts.”

  Cora shook her head. “I don’t understand what you are saying.”

  “You came early into this world, much to the dismay of your mother.” Said Oldrin softly. “You know that when your friends were born that Atreyis was not expected to survive?”

  Cora nodded her head in agreement.

  “But did you also know that it was the goddess within you who saved her?”

  “Me?” she gasped.

  “The day before Atreyis and Ehren were born, you came into this world. You never stopped screaming from the moment you were born. Your parents took you that day to a priest in Lynica. He could not figure out what was wrong with you either. But then, when the twins were born, something told your mother to take you to them. You see. After Ehren was born, Atreyis was stillborn. The king and queen were grieving their lost daughter when your mother, holding you, stormed into the room. She took you and placed you beside the still princess. You immediately quieted and placed your tiny hand on the priestess’ head. That spot can still be seen today.”

  “The white hair.” Stated Cora.

  “Yes. As soon as you touched her, life sprang into her and she began screaming and crying with her powerful lungs.”

  A powerful burning sensation started in the priestess’ tailbone at the base of her spine.

  “After meeting you and your friends I see it now. Béloneras and his priests tried to prevent Atreyis from coming into this world. The Goddess saw what was happening and sent the other soul far away into another child born that very day, who the Darkness would mar but not kill.”

  The burning intensified and began to creep up her spine.

  “It was meant to be Ehren and Atreyis. But another has taken his place. Ky. The Goddess knew that there would be an attempt on the souls. So she imparted part of her soul to watch over them, protect them.”

  Fire raced up Cora’s spine and into her head. A rainbow of colors glowed from Oldrin and the Tear lit up the night sky like the sun.

  “You are not merely Cora, High Priestess of the Aznurro, last of the Vvárríó. You are
Cora, Imparted Soul of the Goddess!”

  In one swift motion he place a hand on Cora’s head and the other over her heart. A pure white light enveloped them both. Down below Ehren fell to his knees, unable to understand what was happening to his Cora, the world seemed to stop as he watched her disappear before his eyes. He was thrown violently back into the world as Atreyis and Ky pulled him up from the ground, not noticing what was happening to their friend.

  “Come on!” shouted Atreyis.

  “We have to get moving!” yelled Ky.

  Ehren fought back.

  “Cora!” he screamed.

  It was then that Atreyis and Ky noticed the white light emanating from the temple. They froze when they realized that it was Cora. Suddenly the city erupted into blood-curdling screams. High above the city was a dark purple orb the size of a house. It hovered for a moment. Thunder and lightning crashed.

  “I FOUND YOU!” shrieked a demonic voice.

  Everyone covered their ears. The orb suddenly flashed a bolt of lightning and Atreyis disappeared.

  “Atreyis!” screamed Ky.

  Suddenly, the orb came crashing down on them. Everyone tried to dive for cover but it was too late. A loud concussive force greater than any thunder or earthquake flattened everything and blew everyone away. When the dust settled half of the city was destroyed and everyone was dead.

  #

  Lusha sat on her battle throne high on a hill overseeing all. The entire force of her army was present, nearly two hundred thousand strong. She smiled to herself. There had never been such an army in existence before. She was dressed in a pristine white silk dress. On her head sat a solid gold crown. She drummed her fingers on the wood armrest as she counted the fires that slowly began popping up across the darkening battlefield. In a matter of hours it would all be over. She closed her eyes and felt out the land. The only presence she could sense were the animals in the Wilds, but she knew that they were there. A scout came jogging up to her tent.

  “My queen, we found one of their scouts but she escaped.” He panted and braced himself.

  Lusha simply looked at the man. “Doesn’t matter. I know they are in there. Tell the captains to ready their men. We will attack at dawn.”

  The scout bowed. “As you command, my queen.”

  Saebic sat on a smaller throne by her side.

  “How will you do it?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure.” Replied Lusha. “I haven’t been inspired yet. What I do know is that I must separate the two of them. Get ‘Princess’ Ky to come to me.”

  “Princess?”

  “Yes.” Hissed Lusha. “I curse myself for not seeing it sooner. She is the spitting image of her mother. She must have blinded me from it. The moment her mother attacked my barrier, I knew. Damn Ailana! I should have killed the Keeper when I had the chance. But I had figured it all the more tortuous for her to watch everything around her crumble into Darkness.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Said Saebic. “All that matters is what lies ahead. You will end this bloody war and reign as Empress, bringing peace to the world.”

  Lusha rolled her eyes and stood up. She flicked her wrist and Saebic became still as a statue.

  “Why do I put up with such insignificant mortals?” she mused aloud. “You think I would have learned my lesson with your predecessor.”

  She slinked around and held a manifested dagger to his throat. The bewitched man sat with glassy eyes and a drunken smile.

  “I could just end your misery now. I know that you don’t really love me. It’s just the spell I conjured.” She laughed to herself. “Didn’t you know, you poor fool? The moment Ky cut you with her sword I knew that you were a more than willing puppet that yearned to be used.”

  She dragged the blade across his throat but did not cut him.

  “You ended up almost being more useful than Ultrek. The only reason you are still alive and he is not, is simply because of your title and lack of birthright.”

  Lusha waved her hand and the dagger disappeared. She sat down on Saebic’s lap and twirled his blonde hair with her fingers.

  “I will say. You were far more fun than him.” She laughed. “Who knows? You may still have some usefulness left. We will just have to wait and see.”

  She stood up and flicked her wrist. Saebic came back to the world.

  “And once you are Empress, we will build a temple palace worthy of you.” He continued.

  He stood up and gathered Lusha in his arms. “You deserve the world. And I shall help give it to you.”

  He kissed her passionately and she kissed him back, rolling her eyes at the same time. He pulled her towards the tent and she followed, mumbling to herself. Near dawn a strange pale orb appeared above the tent. Those that were awake saw it and were terrified. Just as soon as it appeared, it was gone. Inside the tent a sleeping Lusha was hit by the orb. She slowly raised up in the air, her slumbering partner unware. One eye was solid black and the other a bright white. She lowered softly to her feet, still wearing her white dress. She calmly walked outside. The stars were just beginning to fade in the morning light. She drew in a deep breath through her nose.

  “Ah.” She said dreamily. “There you are.”

  She sucked her teeth. “Tsk. Tsk. Oldrin you old bat. I underestimated you. You played the part of decrepit priest too well. And what’s this?”

  Her eyes grew wide with excitement and she smiled evilly.

  “So. That’s where it’s been hiding all these years. I see it now. You crafty old bastard. Using the Tear to block my true powers. Very ingenious indeed. I have to give you credit.”

  Her smile turned into rows of jagged teeth dripping with venom.

  “I see you now, Ky!” she hissed in a harsh voice. “I see all of you.”

  Lusha’s hands transformed into wickedly sharp claws with sickly white scales. She held them high above her head. Clouds began to gather and drown out the morning light. Thunder rumbled and lightning crashed. Her soldiers watched on in fear and awe. A purple tangle of energy began forming overhead and was growing. Lusha’s evil laugh carried on the winds. Saebic stumbled out of the tent and fell backwards in fear at the sight before him. The orb continued to grow and grow. The wind blew Lusha’s dark hair madly about her. Black crackles of electricity flowed over her body. She was slowly transforming from her deadly beauty into truly powerful witch.

  “Let’s see if your precious goddess can save you this time!” she laughed maniacally.

  She heaved the ball towards the trees and it flew with unnatural speed towards its target. Within a few seconds an earsplittingly loud explosion rocked the jungle. The soldiers stared open-mouthed towards the direction of the blast.

  “W-what. What have you done?” stammered a terrified Saebic.

  She ignored him and stared straight ahead. He tried to stand up but his legs were mush. Suddenly, a black mist formed on the ground in front of her. Out of it a body began to materialize. Lusha returned to her normal state and smiled. She turned around and stepped out of the way.

  “I’ve won.”

  She moved her dress out of the way to reveal an unconscious Atreyis. Saebic crawled over her and felt for a pulse.

  “She’s alive!” he gasped.

  “For now.” Said Lusha off-hand.

  Saebic sat back on his feet and looked towards the blast.

  “So that’s it? It’s all over? You’ve won?” he sounded hopeful.

  Lusha looked back over her shoulder towards the trees.

  “Let’s call it a momentary break in conflict.” She dismissed. “Ailana won’t give up so easily.”

  She disappeared back into her tent and left Saebic sitting with a still unconscious princess.

  Chapter 26

  The dust settled on Dragonhearth. Not a soul was to be found. Suddenly, a bright white beam shot straight out of the Sun’s Tear and penetrated the clouds above, clearing them and revealing the dawn sky. Out of the magnificent light stepped a figure. It was female in f
orm and small in stature. Her entire body was pure light. She floated ethereally over the decimated city and spoke in an airy, heavenly voice.