Phoenix flew around the area. The town bustled with activity. As he landed, some other Prenozins scoffed and laughed as he went by. “Scorchbird!” one yelled. Phoenix rolled his eyes, grunting as one shoved him aside. Phoenix blasted fire at one through his talons, scaring them off. He rose into the air, his feathered wings catching fire, his lower arms and lower legs as well. All of his magma, fire, lava, etcetera colored scales caught the odd and unexplainable light of the black hole.

He yelped at the sight of a black dragon suddenly darting at him. It was another Prenozin. Phoenix dodged her and began circling the area. She did the same. Phoenix bolted at her, throwing a fireball at the dragon. She deflected it, shaking off the burns like it was nothing. Phoenix collided with her, and she slashed his chest with her claws. Phoenix pulled back, gasping as poison erupted on the wound. She suddenly smashed Phoenix into the ground. He got up, shaking off rubble. She landed in front of him, and Phoenix took a step back. “Who are you?” he asked. “What is your business here?” She stared at him blankly. “Just another assassination mission for some money.” she said. “Name’s Nuvi.” Phoenix stared at her, shocked. “The – the criminal?” He stuttered over his own words. “I mean, it was forced, but, sure.” Nuvi replied, clearly a little irritated. Phoenix stared at her. “Who exactly wants me dead?” He fidgeted with his claws. “Random dragon.” Nuvi replied. “Must be my brother,” Phoenix replied slowly. “Kinda out to kill me.” Nuvi stared at him, confused. “Worse than my twin.” She said. Phoenix stared back. Maybe she isn’t so bad after all . . . ? He thought. “Well, just stay safe and out of your brother’s vision,” Nuvi said. “And don’t get consumed by the black hole.”

Phoenix chuckled, staring up at the sky and at the enormous black hole. “My dad once did,” he said. “Still in there somewhere.” Nuvi gave him a slightly bewildered look. “Well, that’s sad,” she said. “Mine were killed in a village slaughter. Only my siblings and I lived.”

Phoenix chuckled. “Nice meeting you.” Nuvi looked back. “You too, I guess.”

Phoenix flew around the area, occasionally looking up at the black hole. Only two days had passed. He gave a confused look as he saw Nuvi back around the area. He flew toward her, flapping his wings as they both hovered in the air. “What are you doing back here?” He asked, confused. Nuvi rolled her eyes. “Another assassination for money,” she replied. “Oh, there she is.” Nuvi bolted down, slamming a Prenozin’s head with her tail. The dragon was decapitated instantly, but, rather, the head exploded into a pool of blood.

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She flew back up to Phoenix. “You look a little . . . irritated,” he said. “to say the least.” Nuvi gave him a slightly shocked look, but tried to hold it back. “I despise having to kill against my will or for a prize,” she said. “And it won’t ever change for me.” Phoenix stared at her, then nodded. “Actually, what are you doing on the edge of your kingdom?” Nuvi asked.

“I’m just here since Kalika is known to have the best gemstones, and . . .” Phoenix paused. “I just love gemstones.”

Nuvi chuckled. “Go on ahead.” she said.

She pointed down to a specific stand. “There.”

Phoenix looked at her, confused. “Why is there . . . a human down there?” he asked. “Why is it so tall? How is it communicating with a dragon?” Phoenix gave Nuvi a shocked look. “Why does it kinda look like a dragon? Why is it only a little bit smaller than that merchant? Shouldn’t it be the size of our heads?” The “human” seemed to hear them both, staring up at them with her black eyes. She gave a blank look. Nuvi flew down, waving. Phoenix went down as well, confused. “No need to wave, Nuvi,” she said. “I’m not that kind of ruler. And I don’t want any of my friends to think I’m above them.” Nuvi blinked.

Phoenix gave a confused stare.

“Who’s this?” The “human”, or something, asked. Nuvi mouthed at Phoenix to bow. He gave her a confused look. The other “thing” . . . of some sort, looked at him and gave somewhat of a smile. She had sharp fangs like a dragon as well. “This isn’t the first time a Prenozin hasn’t recognized their second ruler,” she said. “Not that big of a deal.” She said. Second ruler?! Phoenix immediately bowed. “I apologize,” he said. “I had no idea.” Exoplydia looked at him. “I don’t really care that much,” she said. “I’m not very caring of respect.” Her tail slithered over and nudged Phoenix upright. Exoplydia’s tail bashed a dragon that came close to attack the merchant behind her, her tail decapitating the dragon and reaching into their chest, digging their heart out. Exoplydia threw it into her hands and began eating it. “Cannibalism,” she said. “My first cannibalization victim was my father!”

Phoenix turned his head to look at Nuvi, confused.

Nuvi glanced back at him, smiled, and looked forward again.

Phoenix nearly shuddered, staring up at Exoplydia’s black eyes. There seemed to be nothing in them, but all he could tell was that there was evil behind them. But behind that evil . . . seemed to be something sweet and soft. Phoenix couldn’t tell whether or not it was his imagination or him actually sensing it.

“Keep going,” Exoplydia said. “You both looked like you were in a hurry.”

Nuvi smiled at Exoplydia. “Yes, yes,” she said. “Thank you for be

ing considerate.”