Ascension

by Selena IR Drake

  “Or at least none that you could see,” Thera replied, slowing her wyvern enough to run stride for stride with mine.

  She passed me Dragon Diary, and I quickly turned to the hand-drawn map. There was only one island along the entire fault line.

  That has to be it!

  “Have you ever seen an island here?” I pointed at the island while Teka looked at the map.

  She shook her head after a moment.

  “Then that is where we will find Kkaia’s Shaking Island.”

  “Straight west of Aissur and along the fault. That should be easy to find.”

  Thera urged her wyvern faster. “Then let us hurry to Thorna so we can leave.”

  Teka and I followed her example. The rest of the day and well into the night, the three of us rode our wyverns as they sprinted onward to Thorna.

  The only weapons that seem to work against these Dákun Daju are the Mercury 2 plasma cannons. The problem with using those is the cells won’t last forever and we have no replacements, nor do we possess the technology to make more. We need to develop some other type of weapon to take these savages down.

  – FROM “A LETTER TO THE KING” BY AN UNKNOWN SOLDIER

  Godilai silently cursed the topography of the Sorcerers’ Isle. Due to the thick underbrush, she was having a rather difficult time keeping up with Xyleena’s team as they moved eastward. She had almost lost the trio a few times in their driving sprint and was ultimately forced to change tactics to keep up with them. Now she sprinted along the riverbed, matching stride for stride with their nimble wyverns.

  Though she found herself several meters away, Godilai could still hear the conversations of the three girls. They were quiet now, but a little earlier they had been excited about cracking part of a riddle that dealt with the dragons, something about a rock on an island that shook. As soon as they could figure out what that clue meant, she could return to Dimitri and relay the information.

  The Feykin girl slowed her wyvern to match Xyleena’s pace. Godilai reduced her speed and focused her attention on their conversation.

  “Have you ever seen an island here?” The Dragon Keeper pointed at something in the diary and earned a negative answer from her grey-haired comrade. “Then that is where we will find Kkaia’s Shaking Island.”

  “Straight west of Aissur and along the fault. That should be easy to find.”

  Godilai froze in her tracks, plowing a trench in the river mud as her feet dragged to a stop. Finally! She knew where the next dragon clue led. With a smile on her lips, Godilai turned west.

  ◆◆◆

  Dimitri stepped from his tent, stretched and yawned. By habit, he glanced around at the meager camp he and his team had established late last night. They were by the river, surrounded by trees and fauna so thick it was like a shield. The wyverns had been tied up at the fallen tree on the east side of the camp; they were content to hum as Luna fed them fish. A small fire pit was a ways away from the reptilian mounts. Tents had been set up in an arc around the heat source and Vincent and Pox were tending the fire. Everything was in order.

  Dimitri yawned again as he crossed the few steps from his tent to the fire. Vincent was quick to hand him a cup. He sniffed the steaming concoction as he sat; it was more of that herbal mix that Pox seemed fond of. Dimitri looked across the blaze at the Feykin girl. He could still feel her mind at the very back of his, and he knew that she was thinking of her elder sister. He sipped the drink thoughtfully, then delved deeper into her mind. After a moment of searching, he found what he was after: Her repertoire of magic. Though not as extensive as he imagined, it was far more than what he knew. So he started memorizing her spells as if they were his own.

  Only moments passed before the warble of the wyverns stole his concentration. Hearing footsteps rapidly approaching from the trees, he and the trio were quick to react. They armed up and waited with bated breath for what felt like hours. Only when a flash of white appeared between the thick foliage did they relax. A moment later and Godilai leapt over the fallen tree. She glanced sidelong at the wyverns when they hissed at her. Then she strode between the tents and came to a stop a few paces from the fire pit.

  “I take it you return with good tidings, Sortim.”

  Godilai nodded to Luna. “They finally learned the next location. It is somewhere along Zarconia’s fault west of the city of Aissur.”

  “Follow the Fault westward from Aissur?” Dimitri quirked an eyebrow at the information.

  “Yes.” Godilai nodded for emphasis. “A hidden island exists somewhere along the fault line, and the next dragon to be found is nesting there.”

  Dimitri was silent as he removed his father’s diary from the hidden pocket. He quickly flipped to the page he sought and stared at the map. There was quite a bit of open water between Aissur and the Lescan coast, even following along Zarconia’s Fault the entire way. However, if his team could reach the island first and set up an ambush, he could win the diary from that cursed girl. It was a big if, but it was still too good of a chance to pass up.

  “Hey, Pox.” Vincent caught the attention of their Feykin ally. “Is there a way you can get us to Aissur really quick? Like, using magic or something?”

  She frowned. “I could use a warp spell, but I would need to see where I was going before it would work right. And I have never seen the lands outside the Sorcerers’ Isle.”

  “What would happen if you just tried to warp?”

  “We could warp into a wall or the bottom of the ocean or a thousand other places.”

  “What if you used someone else’s memories to see the place you need to warp to?” Dimitri asked, looking up from the map at last.

  “I have never tried it that way, but it could work if the memory was clear enough.”

  Luna scoffed. “I don’t even remember the last time I was in Aissur.”

  “Same here,” said Godilai.

  “I was in Aissur a few years ago,” Vincent offered.

  Pox winced. “So much can change in only a few years. I do not think it would be wise to—”

  “I was there two months ago, right before I hired Godilai to break into the Imperial Library,” Dimitri said.

  “That would probably be the safest vision.”

  “Okay, so here is the plan then.” Dimitri returned his father’s diary to the pocket, clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Pox warps us to Aissur, and we hire another ship and crew to sail us along Zarconia’s Fault. Once we find this Shaking Island, we locate the black statue and copy the clue down. Then we will set up an ambush for Xyleena’s team.”

  “I think we should check to see if her dragon is there first. That way we can verify that we beat her to the island.”

  “Yes. Good idea, Godilai.” Dimitri smiled. “Okay, so once we spring the ambush, kill whoever you must, but get Amorez’s diary.”

  “I have noticed that Xyleena usually keeps it in the sack on her hip. If it is not there, the Feykin, Thera, will have it,” Godilai explained. Her cyan gaze shifted to Pox for a moment to read the girl’s reaction to the idea of killing her sister; there was none. “And I suggest finalizing the details of the ambush once we have seen the terrain of the island.”

  “Of course.” Dimitri rolled his eyes at the obviousness of the Dákun Daju’s suggestion. “Now that we are all clear on that… Pox, how about that warp?”

  The young Feykin nodded. She stood up from her spot, grabbed a cup, and made her way towards the river. At the bank, she dipped the cup into the river water. Once the cup was full, she made her way back and held it before Dimitri. She told him that he needed to concentrate on the time he spent in Aissur. While he concentrated, Pox cast a spell to reflect his memory on the surface of the water. After a few moments of studying the projected image, Pox ended the spell and tossed the cup away.

  It took the team a few minutes to pack up the camp and loose the wyverns. Once they were ready, Pox ordered everyone to hold on to her. When she felt all four sets of hands grippin
g her, she concentrated on Dimitri’s memory of Aissur. With the image clearly in her mind, she uttered two words. In a flash of light, they were gone.

  They had told the hatchlings to call me Master; it was a title I did not want. Instead, we sat together to invent a more appropriate title. Queen was suggested, as was Summoner, but Dragon Keeper… That was the one that stuck. I had become the Dragon Keeper.

  – FROM “THE DIARY OF AMOREZ” BY AMOREZ RENOAN

  It was late in the morning on the sixth day after discovering the location of Vortex. We had been on the road for almost fourteen days now and were desperate to get back to Thorna. Thoughts of warm baths, hot meals, and soft beds kept us at a hard and rapid pace. Even our wyverns seemed eager to return to their home.

  The weather, on the other hand, saw fit to keep us delayed. A great squall had blown in during the early hours of the morning and showed no signs of letting up any time soon. The three of us took shelter in a hut forged by Thera’s magic and traded stories over the small fire.

  “So, Thera,” I started as I poked the fire with a stick, “why is it you and Pox have black wings while the other Feykin have white ones?”

  Thera shrugged. “My mother was born with white wings. For some yet unknown reason, she returned from her adventures with Amorez with black wings. The people say that it is a mark the dragons left on her when she gave them life. Anyway, Pox and I were both born black-winged.”

  “That’s right. I forgot Thernu was the Necromancer whose magic helped birth the Dragons of Light.”

  I watched as Thera slowly ran a finger over the feathers of one of her wings.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I am fine.” Thera smiled and crossed her hands in her lap. “I just miss mother and Pox.”

  “I know that feeling,” Teka muttered. “My mom was murdered because she loved a Feykin and bore his child. I was seven when we lost her. My father raised me until he, too, was murdered. Nothing like finding yourself alone on the streets at the age of twelve.”

  “Try living for centuries and seeing loved ones come and go like the wind while you stay young.”

  Thera and Teka looked at each other then at me. I gasped, suddenly realizing what I said. “I’m sorry. I…I don’t know why I said that.”

  Vortex snorted. Yes, you do.

  “Xy, did you just remember something from your past?”

  I frowned. “I – I am not sure.”

  Tell them about the ruined building from your dream, Vortex suggested.

  Why? Do you think it is connected with people who have been dead for who knows how long?

  I felt Vortex’s presence recede from my mind, and I sighed.

  I am sorry for being short with you. Not knowing my own history is getting on my nerves, especially when I am constantly asked if I remembered something.

  They only wish to help you, hatchling. And if it bothers you, tell them so.

  I sighed and gave in. “Do you two remember the other day when I told you about my dream?”

  I watched as Thera and Teka nodded before continuing.

  “Well, something has been bothering me about it.”

  “Oh?” Teka leaned in to listen.

  “There was a building in my dream overgrown with vines, and it was falling apart. I can clearly remember seeing it when it was new, but I can’t tell when or why.”

  “Do you remember where it was?” Teka asked.

  “I was standing in a forest of glowing white trees, and the building was in front of me. I have dreamt of that forest many times before. I know it is ancient, but I do not know where it is.”

  “It is true that the forest is from bygone times,” Thera said. “My mother told me about it once. If I remember correctly, the White Woods are on one of the islands close to the southern tip of Mekora Lesca. She said something about a city lo—”

  “A city long forgotten where the ghosts of the first victims still remain.”

  I shook my head as if waking from a dream. Thera was gaping at me while Teka glanced between us in confusion.

  Thera hid her surprise with a serious look as she spoke. “I was just about to say the same thing.”

  “I…I remember hearing that somewhere.”

  Somewhere in the back of my mind, Vortex laughed. I told you it was important.

  Oh hush. I could not suppress a smile. Thank you, Vortex.

  “Well, if Thernu was there once and Xy remembers the place, maybe there is a dragon hidden there.” Teka wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

  “Are you saying we should scour the White Woods for who knows what on a hunch?”

  “You never know. It might help jog Xy’s memory in the process.”

  “I say we think about which path to take while we are en route to Kkaia. In the mean time, how about we pack up and be off.” I pointed outside with my thumb. “The rain has finally stopped, and I am in a mood for a hot, relaxing bath back in Thorna.”

  “Oh! I like the sound of that!” Teka exclaimed as she stretched.

  She and I began packing up our things while Thera quickly geared up the wyverns. Minutes later, we were speeding through the forest once again.

  ◆◆◆

  Several hours had passed in rapid transit eastward. It was well past sundown, and Thera’s floating orb lit our path between the dimly luminescent plant life. A few minutes ago, she told us we would reach Thorna within the hour.

  There had been little talk between us on this portion of our trek, probably due to the debate about visiting the White Woods. I was torn over a decision. On one hand, if seeing the forest in person could restore my memory, then it was well worth going. On the other, I needed to find the other eleven dragons.

  Thera whistled, robbing my attention from inner demons. She slowed her wyvern to a slow walk and finally stopped, and the other wyverns were obliged to follow. Teka and I glanced at each other, both of us wondering the same thing. Before we could utter a word, Thera began casting protective barriers around us.

  A beam of energy shot out of the forest, aimed straight for me. Thanks to Thera’s barrier, the beam reflected skyward.

  “Núl wa et shríldu ni esté?” I shouted at the trees.

  An instant later, several angry Feykin surrounded us. Thera tried calming them down to find out what was wrong, but they would not listen.

  Summon me! Vortex shouted.

  Do you know what has them so upset?

  No, but they will kill you if you do not hurry.

  Before I had a chance to do anything else, we found ourselves prisoners. Thera had surrendered us under terms I did not know. I could only hope that whatever she had planned saved us from whatever fate the Feykin had in mind.

  When Solahnj told me she was with child, it brought back memories of my beloved and our child who could never be. I hurt. I hurt a lot. And that hurt further fueled my rage. Hidden beneath that anger and pain, I felt a sense of pride; I was to be a father. I prayed that this time, the child could live.

  – FROM “THE DIARY OF AGASEI” BY AGASEI DÉDOS

  We were bound and gagged, forced to walk at spear point as the Feykin lead us into Thorna. I watched the scant few inhabitants out this late as we were paraded through the town. Many of the men glared at me while the women quickly disappeared inside various huts.

  Our armed escort led us up the bridges and walkways until we arrived at the hollowed-out tree that served as the chamber of elders. We were promptly shoved inside and forced to sit on the wooden bench before the five empty platforms. We waited.

  I sighed. What have we done to deserve this?

  I do not think it was anything you did, hatchling.

  You think Dimitri was here?

  Vortex was quiet for a moment. Yes, I believe he was.

  That explains everything, then. What do you suggest we do to get out of this mess? I glanced about at the guards—seventeen were in here with us and several more were stationed outside the chamber. Each one of them was armed and exceptionally talented
in magic. Not great odds.

  Attempting to fight your way out would only get you killed, hatchling.

  I nodded slightly.

  The only thing you can do for now is wait and hope that Thera can sway the minds of her kinsmen. However, should you get the chance to do anything in your defense, make sure you summon me.

  I promise that will be the first thing I do.

  Therefore, we waited. Several hours must have passed before the curtains leading outside were pulled aside. I sat up straighter in my seat as I watched the Elders file into the room. Unlike before, they did not take their seats on the raised platforms. Instead they faced us, and each looked at me with utter disdain burning in their eyes.

  Thera stood from the bench and bowed low. Her uncle waved his hand, and the gag vanished from her mouth.

  “Shíkai ja, Uncle.”

  My mind instantly began translating every word of their conversation into Standard. And I listened closely, hanging to every word and hoping against hope that Thera could sway their minds.

  “Why have you requested to stand before this honorable council, Thera?”

  Thera stood to her full height and stared straight into her uncle’s eyes. “Please, Uncle, tell us why you seek to kill Xyleena and her allies.”

  “She has deceived you into believing she is Amorez’s heir when in fact the young man known as Dimitri Renoan is the Dragon Keeper.” The old man pointed at me as he spoke. “She has stolen the diary needed to unlock the Dragons’ Gate and intends to free the Shadow Dragons.”

  Thera shook her head. “I am sorry, Uncle, but it is you who has been deceived. The man who came here, Dimitri, is Agasei’s heir. He has murdered several innocent people, enslaved my little sister to do his bidding, and is hunting Xyleena because she is the true Dragon Keep—”

  “She has placed a spell on you, Thera!” the old man shouted. “She wants you to believe that she is good because she needs your power to fend off the Dragon Keeper!”