Part 3

The Seal:

Waking up to the biggest heart wrenching death is a reluctant move. She opened her eyes to find Hawthorne by her side, his eyes red from crying. He wiped his tears away, faking a smile.

            “Y—you’re awake!” His voice was taut. “I’m glad I didn’t lose everyone last night.”

            “Oshwa is in critical condition but he is alive, that is all that counts.” The nurse revealed a vile of purple powder.

            “Be careful,” Hawthorne cautioned. Pouring the powder in a glass of water, she stirred it gently. She laughed gently.

            “Hawthorne, with this machine it mends broken bones almost immediately.” She examined Arin’s swollen left arm. The skin was almost black. “I’ll simplify what this does for you. You see this powder will help me heal Arin’s broken arm. As she drinks it, it will mend the fibers in her body. Yes, my powers allow me to do that, but with this nectar it shortens time and makes it more efficient.”

            “And where exactly do you find this medicine? I don’t want you shoving chemicals into the chosen one and my friend’s daughter.”

            “Well it comes rare type of flowers. It took a long time to perfect it but we did. We grow the flowers here now so we can always use this type of medicine.”

            Hawthorne helped Arin drink. She gulped the acrid medicine down, the elixir burned her throat Hawthorne pulled the glass back, allowing the doctor to begin her work. Hands on her swollen arm, a green light emitted from her covered palms. Finally, with a sharp prick, causing her to jump slightly, her arm was feeling quite better from whatever just happened. She moved the bandaged limb around testing this medicine. Arin looked up at Hawthorne, forcing herself to smile.

            “Is your jaw broken?” Arin opened and closed her mouth before shaking her head. “Good. Just please don’t do anything stupid, I know you’re the Fire of Truth and all but can you avoid trouble just for a few hours?”

            Arin nodded, “I hope so. You said Oshwa was alive, right? Am I allowed to visit him?”

            “No. He is still unstable, he still might die. It is best to not get your hopes up. Plus, our doctors are very busy with him.”

            “Oh . . .”

            Hawthorne embraced her in a tight hug, his cotton-white wings wrapped around her. “It’s going to be okay, Arin, I promise.” She held back her sudden tears. At least Hawthorne was here. She managed to move her sore arms around him, pulling herself closer to him. “I promise everything will be okay.”

            “All I really remember last night is the Others taking the Sphere of Visions and some paper Oshwa had. Do you know what it was?”

            “Last night Oshwa was having trouble with his studies and wanted to get some fresh air to clear his mind. I just rolled over and went back to sleep. I would never have thought that he would be a target to such ambushes.”

Arin looked away from Hawthorne, saddened that everyone failed to protect him. All of this could have been avoided if no one slacked off. This could have been avoided if she was stronger.

            The door flew open, someone was gasping for air. “We got trouble.” Kilin stopped at the doorway. “Scor picked a fight with the Avillian ambassador and are about to duel! Arin, you have to merge with him!”

            Arin rolled her eyes. She sighed, “let me guess . . . a duel is a fight to the death?”

            “Since Gargore challenged Scor. Only Scor can die but Gargore can call mercy if necessary,” Kilin explained helping her out of bed. Her first few steps were shaky.

            “There is no way she should be doing this type of activity right now! I mean look at her!”

            “Her partner will die if she doesn’t merge. She’ll be all right I promise, and if she gets hurt you’ll take care of her again.”

            “That is not how it works!” The three exited the infirmary before the doctor could argue.

            “I wouldn’t sweat about this duel, we would never let Gargore kill you, or terribly hurt you . . . or anything like that.”

            “It isn’t that . . .”

            Hawthorne placed his talons on her shoulder, digging them a little too deep. “Hopefully you can use your rage in this battle.”

            “But my sorrow will slow me down.”

            “You can do it,” Kilin began, smiling pained, “if my cousin had so much faith that she died for you then I have even more faith. You’ll do great with or without sadness and anger.”

            Their kindness meant a lot to Arin right now. Oshwa was a ray of happiness in her life, without him Fynne was darker. Although Kilin trained her, she never really thought about how much he cared about her.

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            Kilin held the wooden door open for Arin and Hawthorne to enter the courtyard. The sun gleamed overhead blinding her momentarily. It was a nice day, a little warm but she was adjusting to Fynne’s heat. As they exited the small entrance cheers erupted.

            While they approached the crowd everyone fell onto one knee, heads low. Arin was so surprised by the bowing Crimsons she didn’t pay attention to the mighty dragon Scor picked a fight with. Hawthorne ushered her to the center where Scor and Gargore were hissing at one another.

            Gargore was perhaps the biggest dragon she had ever seen, Croun looked bad now compared to this great beast. Red symmetrical scales covered his entire body, his wing membrane was marigold orange. Shielding his body was iron, cut rubies decorated the armor. On his chest plate was a gargantuan ruby, a spiral insignia carved into the jewel. It must be the Avillian symbol.

            Arin took in a deep breath, mustering the courage to speak. “You messed with the wrong Crimson, Gargore!”

            “Oh please. You’re just a little girl. I guess the obnoxious reptile you call a partner is a good match for you.”

            Scor growled at the mocking call. Arin trembled in anger, trying her hardest to downplay the insult. “Wait until you see me fight, ‘little dragon.’”

            Gargore released a thunderous grumble before taking off. The power of his wing beats caused dirt to swirl, her hair to whip back. Once mounted and harnessed, Scor lifted off as well. They positioned themselves far away from one another.

            Gargore did not wait to attack, he unleashed a flamethrower from his wide mouth. Arin released her own combustion, somehow summoning a grand enough flame to counter it. Both attacks exploded on impact. Arin had no time to think of her next attack. Gargore flew forward, releasing more flame. Scor evaded releasing his violet lightning. Arin clutched the saddle edge trembling. The heat was intense.

            The lightning ricocheted off of his headpiece and back at Scor. He dodged his own attack snarling at the massive reptile.

            “We should split up. I doubt he is smart enough to figure out how to fight both of us at once!”

            Arin nodded, swallowing her fear. “All right . . . just be careful.”

            As Scor dodged a swipe from Gargore, Arin unhooked herself from the saddle. Scor hovered over Gargore and she slid off of her partner. While he was focused on Scor she landed on his back. Arin grabbed his artificial spike, her legs were trembling too much.

            Just think about capture the flag. This is no different.

            Gargore tried to turn his head around to face Arin, but his armor prevented such flexible movements. Scor released his battle cry, throwing himself into Gargore, clawing at any open spaces he could find. Arin unleashed her fire in a small gap in his wing armor.

            Gagore snapped his jaws at Scor, chasing her partner back. The great dragon began to throw himself around. He did a violent flip, throwing her off of him.

            Crimsons gasped as she fell. Scor dove, reaching his claws out to her. They locked arms and she was swung onto the saddle again. Arin clipped herself back to the saddle. Her stomach was in tight knots. That was way too close.

            I’m out of ideas. Do I merge?

            “What can you do now, little Crimson?” Gargore taunted, and Scor growled. She had never seen Scor so angry.

            “I’ll show you.” Arin grabbed her Rainbow Shard necklace. She held her Rainbow Shard high. They merged again, turning into the same sun dragon as before. Great wings sprouted from her back. Heavy horns weighed down her slim skull. She wiggled her claws. It felt fantastic to feel so much power. So much confidence. The Crimsons cheered as she roared, the shrill cry sent shivers through her foe. Arin inhaled, fire sparked in her mouth. It felt completely natural to breathe fire. The sun on her chest began to glow. She released it, scorching Gargore. He growled shaking a few lingering embers off of his armor. He appeared to be unharmed.

            Arin fired another pyre at him. Gargore endured the smoldering flame charging at Arin. They collided, biting and clawing at one another like savages. She raked at Gargore’s wings, ripping one of the membranes. He continued to fight through the pain, burying his claws into her sturdy neck scales, drawing no blood.

            This really did help clear my mind. I’m almost glad Scor got into this fight. Okay now focus, Arin.

            Arin and Gargore locked claws, their wings beating against each other. Together they lost altitude, the Crimsons cleared away as they prepared to crash. At the last second Arin released Gargore, catching her balance, and landing clumsily. Gargore was too big to gain momentum and crashed. Nearby Crimsons ran away as the dragons landed.

            “Who do you think you are defying my might?” he grumbled standing again. “Your friend disrespected me, the ambassador!”

            “And how dare you disrespect me, the Fire of Truth!” Arin shouted, spreading her wings wide and everyone cheered. They’re happy that you’re here now. They’re cheering for you!

            “You’re a Child of Destiny? Fascinating. I have no interest in hurting you so I grant you mercy,” Gargore said and he closed his eyes, bowing his head. “However, we will fight again in the near future.”

            “Don’t mess with my friends ever again or else I’ll call a duel on you. Then there will be no mercy,” Arin hissed in Gargore’s ear. Sensing that the battle was over, the two desired to separate. Mila pushed his way to the center of the ring as they unmerged.

            “What happened here?” Mila asked.

            “Gargore tried to steal my nest! So we dueled and won!” Scor explained gleefully, and Mila smiled folding his arms.

            “Good for you two! Was merging easier this time?” Mila questioned. Arin hugged Scor, casting him a suspicious glance.

            “Yes,” she mumbled.

            “You should go to the mountain peaks to practice your merging. Go to Sky Peak, it is a lot safer there. Plus, it is absolutely beautiful. I’m sure you will both love it. Maybe it will clear your mind too,” Mila instructed.

            “Are there monsters at Sky Peak?”

            “At Sky Peak there is a creature called a vixlore,” Mila smirked closing his eyes and shoving his hands into his robe’s pockets. He must be imagining what a vixlore looks like. “They are fascinating creatures, they can be quite territorial though so try to avoid the nests. Since you are entering their territory it is best to leave if they see you.”

            “Then shouldn’t we avoid it?” Scor asked nervously. They both cast each other anxious glances.

            “No. It is safe there, just don’t anger the native beasts. Our rule is that this is their home and that they come first,” Mila began and he added, “vixlores, the most dangerous beast we know of, so be very careful if you were to anger one!”

            “How will we know what a vixlore is?”

            “Oh they have a harsh cry that will send shivers down your spine. If you were to anger one . . . you’ll be dead,” Mila sighed. “That’s how you will know.”