Year 50

*Emma rides the back of Lily. The sound of the wind, whistles as Lily runs. They reach the entry to the underground jungle and decide to set up camp. Emma watches as the dragon rests in a nest made of the Capitol tree's roots, overwatching the area. The massive body raises and lowers with each breath, some of the tree canopy leaves have died from the heat.*

Emma(TL): After we rest, we’ll see how close we can get to the nest. I want you to go scout ahead.

Lily: Probably for the best.

Emma(TL): I’ll watch everything so you just focus on the dragon. If it has an egg we need to see how realistic it is to get it. If we find it. Maybe I can ask “Her” if that is Spike.

Lily: So what all did you tell Celestra?

Emma(TL): Everything. I explained how it’s a very dangerous mission and might include stealing a dragon egg. But only if I genuinely believe I can do it without dying. I can use my clones to test our luck a little. The safety of the root system comes first though.

Lily: And I’m going first in case it’s sensitive to your presence?

Emma(TL): Yes. I’ve read dragons naturally dislike humans and dwarves. Most elves just tend to avoid them. So we may or may not be able to just walk up to it. But I also smell like a dwarf at this point. So I may be at risk.

Lily: Okay. what do we do if it hatches?

Emma(TL): Hope Momma leaves.

*Lily curls up and acts as a backrest for Emma while they rest. Emma rubs Lily’s head while watching the fire.*

Emma thinking: A big part of me hopes all of this was a waste of time. I’m terrified. If I mess up I can hurt so many people above.

*Emma pulls her legs in towards her chest tightly.*

Emma thinking: I know I’m strong now. But no amount of strength is gonna make this easier. And I'm not much if something were to block my Magic. I wish that stupid Devil had sown up, maybe he could've helped me.

*Emma looks at the dragon in the distance, its chest raises and lowers, looking as though a mountain of red.*

—------------------------------------

*Lily weaves through the trees running from branch to branch. Emma watches from afar using Sightshare.*

Emma(TL): The fauna seems to be similar to the above.

Lily: Maybe they came through the roots?

Emma(TL): Oh from up above. I wonder if Ariella or her Mom knows about it.

Lily: Unless their spirits told them probably not. I found a bunch but they were mostly full of birds and other small creatures. I found a Ratcoon once and it chased me all over.

*As Lily gets to the halfway point the dragon turns its head lazily towards the entrance, its eyes slightly open as it watches the area. The dragon's hot breath heats the area below. Lily stops at a lake and watches the steam form from the dragon's breath.*

Emma(TL): That explains why everything grows so well down here.

*The jungle is slowly covered in a thick mist. Emma summons Lily back*

Lily: I could’ve waited.

Emma(TL): We don’t know for sure it wasn’t doing that because of you.

Lily: I don't think it was, it seemed to be watching the Bice fighting nearby.

Emma(TL): Well maybe we if he does it when you get there again we'll know for sure.

*Over the next for weeks Emma eventually gets the chance to use her clones and alongside Lily, they spot something that resembles an egg coiled in the dragon's tail.*

Emma: Come back and I’ll ask her.

Devil: That won’t be necessary.

*The Devil appears behind Emma, she jumps back and points her blade at him. Upon realizing who it is, she quickly sheaths her blade.*

Emma:*Smiles* Yo..

*The Devil uses magic to silence her before she alerts the dragon.*

Devil: Shhh. I’m here for the egg. I need it in my search.

*The Devil releases Emma's voice.*

Emma: For Bubba?

Devil: *Smiles* Exactly. So. Does that mean you’ll help me?

Emma: I've been looking for Bubba all this time without your help don't go taking all the glory now just because you showed up after me. So, what’s in it for me?

Devil: *Sigh* I’ll give you a free favor. Okay?

Emma: Anything?

Devil: If it’s in my power.

Emma: Can I wait to decide until afterward?

Devil: You don’t have to use it now. Take your time. The reason the egg hasn’t hatched yet is because it is absorbing Mana from the roots. If you can supply it with your Mana.

Emma: Mana?

Devil: Yes. Your Mana. The stuff that allows you to cast magic. Seers can see each other's Mana pools. What do you call it in this plane?

Emma: I don’t know. *Shrugs* Magic.

Devil: Regardless. I need you to supply your “Magic” into the egg to speed up the hatching process. Mother dearest will then leave, allowing the child to hunt and grow on its own.

Emma: So is that Spike?

Devil: Spike is Bubba’s pet. In our past life, he would sometimes take the form of a small red dragon toy.

Emma: That doesn’t count as my favor by the way.

Devil: *Laughs* I didn’t think so.

Emma: So how do we get Momma to leave?

Devil: You’ll hide. I’ll bring a bunch of monsters this way and she’ll leave to protect the nest. If you can supply it with enough Magic, then we should be able to make it out alive.

Emma: Should?

Devil: And if not we can escape through one of my gates. But I’d like to avoid that since it takes so long to recharge. So guaranteed safety. Does that work for you?

Emma: Yeah, deal.

Devil: It would be best to leave her.

*The Devil points at Lily, her fur stands on end and her eyes make her look like a feral beast.*

Lily: I don’t trust him, Momma.

Emma(TL): I trust him enough to keep us alive at least. And if we take too much longer Ariella is going to come looking for me.

Emma: She’ll stay with me

Devil: As long as she isn’t going to go feral on me. I have no intention of betraying you at the moment. Not as long as you and “Her” are connected.

*As the plan begins Emma takes her place watching the nest. Roars and explosions come from the tunnel, causing the Dragon to raise its head. After a moment the Dragon begins to stand and walk towards the noise to investigate, every step shakes the area. Emma runs up to the egg, places her hands on it, and begins focusing her magic into the egg.*

Lily: Are you okay?

Emma(TL): Yeah. just keep an eye on the dragon.

*The Devil returns.*

Devil: How’s our baby boy doin?

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Emma: I’m not sure how much more I have left in me.

*The devil places his hand over the egg and closes his eyes for a moment.*

Devil: *Nods* He’s close.

Emma: Bring something for her to eat. Her stomach works like a magic storage.

Devil: Is that so?

*The devil leaves for a moment, returning with a large Zyrmin. Lily jumps over excitedly but just before eating, she glares at the Devil.*

Devil: It's safe.

*Lily quickly swallows the Zyrmin whole.*

Lily:*Smiles* Okay. I like him for now.

*The dragon begins to make its return, slowly. Cracks start to form on the egg.*

Devil: Might want to hurry up!

*The dragon roars as it begins to charge towards the nest. Just as the Dragon reaches the nest a cry comes from the egg. The Dragon’s planet-sized eyes focus on Emma for a moment. The Dragon lifts a dead wyvern up to the nest and drops it off before slowly walking away.*

Devil: So glad she recognized you as an elf.

Emma: Why would that matter?

Devil: is that your favor?

Emma: What? No. *Annoyed* That was a question.

Devil: Well I’ll stay here and help raise him until he’s old enough to travel. If you can’t decide on a favor might I suggest one?

Emma: As long as that doesn’t count as the favor.

Devil: I’ll give you fifteen minutes to save her after that. You’ll be brought back here.

Emma: *Angry* Save who?!

*The devil opens a portal to the Inn where Kimmy and Sunflower are hiding from a group of Veil soldiers.*

Devil: Do we have a deal?

Emma: Why fifteen minutes?

Devil: it’s more like a copy of you is sent. I can’t hold the connection for any longer than that.

Emma: Deal! Let me save her.

*The devil smiles as the portal opens. One of the soldiers approaches the door and just as he swings his axe a fiery explosion ignites him as he runs away screaming on fire Emma walks out. One of her eyes turns purple, the other black. Emma screams in anger.*

Kimmy: That sounded like mom?!

Sunflower: No, Kimmy stay hidden.

*Two of the soldiers charge Emma, she charges lighting around her first and stuns them as she punches them in the stomach. The scouts quickly run away. *

Emma: Explain yourselves!

Soldier: We’re just following orders *Terrified*

Soldier 2: Yeah, they told us to take out a half-elf hiding out here, but no one told us why.

Emma: If I find out you’re holding something back. *Leans in* I’ll skin you alive starting from your toes.

*Emma tosses the soldiers back with a blast of wind. The soldiers quickly get up and run away. Emma turns to the house, and Kimmy holds her hands over her mouth in shock.*

Kimmy: Mama? Mama!

*Kimmy runs to Emma and jumps in her arms.*

Emma: Hi sweetie. I can’t explain everything, but this is a copy of me and I only have a few more minutes. Do you know why they came here?

Kimmy: *Shakes her head.* No. They just asked me if I had talked to you recently and when I said no they tried to attack. A patron jumped in the way and protected me.

*Emma looks over at a slain beastkin, a slash crosses his chest.*

Emma: Okay.

*Emma brushes Kimmy’s hair from her face.*

Emma: You’re okay now. I’m going to take care of some things but I want you to move. I know a place, but I won’t say where for now.

Kimmy: But Sunflower?

*Kimmy turns to Sunflower, standing in what is left of the doorway.*

Sunflower: I’ll be fine Kimmy. We’ve talked about you leaving when your mom came to get you before anyway.

*Emma’s hand starts to fade.*

Emma: Okay. Kimmy, sweetie. I love you. Stay safe until I write you okay?

Kimmy: *Nods* I will Mama.

*Emma opens her eyes back in the nest, a large baby red dragon licks her face as she wakes up.*

Emma: Gross!

Lily: You’re back!

Devil: I see you managed to save her.

Emma: I did. *Turns to the devil* Thank you.

Devil: Good now go. I plan on setting up a barrier around the area while grows. I'm hoping in a year or two he can learn to change his size so we can get a move on.

Emma: She told me I could ask for your help. How can I call you in the future?

* The Devil thinks for a moment.*

Devil: Other than sacrifice. I won't be seeing you for some time.

Emma: How do you know all this?

Devil: Now get out of here you two.

*The Devil uses his magic to send Emma and Lily back to the edge of the trees. Emma watches as Spike knocks him down and begins licking him. *

Devil: We’ve talked about the licking Spike!

*Emma hops on Lily’s back and heads back to the cove.*

Lily: How is Kimmy?

Emma(TL): *Smiles* She’s good. I think I’m going to have Jason take her to her brothers place.

Lily: Why? I thought you two stopped talking.

Emma(TL): No. We still talk. I explained to him. “Only read every other Capital letter.” We actually talk in the letters as well.

Lily: I feel like the seers could break the code if they wanted to though.

Emma(TL): I planned for that too. Unless they write Jason’s nickname on the letter.

Lily: Nickname?

Emma(TL): *Panicked* Yeah. just a funny nickname I called him once in private.

Lily: Well, do I get to hear it?

Emma(TL): No. It’s embarrassing.

Lily: Then I’ll tell Celestra.

Emma(TL): NO! *Sigh* Fine. I called him Cuddlebug once…

Lily: What happened?!

Emma(TL): Nothing! We laid down and watched the stars one night. And he really wanted to cuddle. I immediately regretted calling him it and now we use it as a way to communicate.

Lily: So every time you write him a letter you have to write that into every letter?*Laughs*

Emma(TL): And if they don’t write it correctly, in Elvish, then it actives a small fire rune, burning the letter.

Lily: Got it. Understood. *Quietly* Suuure.

Emma(TL): Anyway! When Lyra came to visit I knew she had ulterior motives. I’m sure she ordered the attack. If it was the higher ups I feel Lyra herself would’ve been sent. then again, they like to keep the Seers inside the borders. I don't know why though.

Lily: So you had to tell him this like a year after the name happened?

Emma(TL): Lily!

LIly:*Laughs* Sorry. Sorry. Go on.

Emma(TL): I can’t prove it was Lyra but now I know I need to hide Kimmy somewhere else. The ones they sent were too weak for an important mission. I shouldn’t have been able to handle that many at all.

Lily: Or you’ve gotten a lot stronger than you realize.

Emma(TL): Well, we won't know until they attack. I don’t think I’ll be hearing from any of them.

—---------------------------------------

*Emma reaches the cove, most of the dwarves have already returned to Mithrun. Ariella waves to Emma as she approaches the crew.*

Ariella: Your back. Did you find it?

Emma: Yeah, remember that “GUY” we met in Inferna. With the imps.

Ariella: The one that knew “Her?”

Emma: Yeah, so apparently we were looking for the same person. I agreed to let him take care of them in return. He *Whispers* Teleported me to Kimmy just in time to save her from an ambush.

Ariella: Doesn’t that seem suspicious?

Emma: Yeah, but I can easily check it with Kimmy when we get back. I’m going to see about her staying with Jason.

Ariella: Okay. So you’re coming back to the capital with me, right?

Emma: I want to stop by and see Ruddy and Falicia.

Ariella: I’ll join you.

Emma: Are you allowed to?

Ariella: They told me to get right back but an extra day won’t hurt anyone.

Emma: Yeah, but it’s a day spent with me. And they are suspicious of me. I’ll travel ahead and spend some time with them and when you pass through I’ll go with you.

Ariella:*Sad* Okay.

*Emma looks around at the crew as they load the ship.*

Emma: Is Andrew and the others gone?

Ariella: Yeah they left last week. They went with Captain Dàirean. The only ones left are you, my men, and the crew you sailed with before.

Emma: So tell me the truth. How much of the planning did you take part in?

Ariella: When we got the request from King Ruairí, Mom was too busy, and since your last letter said you were in the area. I asked her if I could look into it because I was hoping to run into you along the way.

Emma: Max and Raffael won’t be an issue will they? They avoided me after the mock battle.

Ariella: I explained it as best I could. I even offered a reward if they could keep their silence. They won't say anything though, they're more just afraid of you.*Laughs*

Emma: Thank you. Lily brought it up that night and then you were gone on your mission so I couldn’t ask.

Ariella: Yeah, Faelar recruited them. Mom just gave a quick official request.

Emma: Faelar? Wasn’t he Isabelle’s assistant?

Ariella: Yeah. he’s part of the guard now. But spends most of his time playing assistant for my mom now though.

Emma: He told me he never liked physical work anyway... Well, I’m gonna go help load up. I’ll talk to you more when we leave.

*As the ship takes off Emma watches the cove fade into the darkness. Ariella approaches her with a blanket.*

Ariella: How are you holding up? I just realized I never asked. How did you cross to get here?

Emma: The Undersea doesn’t affect me like most open water.

Ariella: Really? Thank goodness. I about fell over when I remembered how it normally hits you.

Emma: Yeah, Lily and I took down a Glow turtle together, made a raft, and tested it ourselves.

Ariella: A glow turtle?

Emma: Those glowing lights you see sometimes at the bottom of the water.

Ariella: Oh! I heard those things are annoying to fight.

Emma: *Laughs* It was. Very bloody too.

Ariella: I’m good. No need to explain further. *Laughs*

*The two stand silently, watching the wake from the ship.*

Emma: Before you left for your mission. you said you wanted to talk.

Ariella: Yeah, I finally figured out how to explain my feelings. I love you. But not in a I love you I want to get married kind of way. I love our time together. I see you as more than family to me.

Emma: So Kinda like Valorin and Sheila?

Ariella: Kind of. But I don’t want to kiss you.

Emma: Aw, why not? *Smiles*

Ariella: Because. I feel like even if we both wanted that. We’re elves. If we live forever. I’d like to avoid hating you for the rest of our lives.*Laughs*

Emma: I feel the same way.*Smiles* Maybe in a thousand years, we can talk about it.

Ariella: When everyone said I had a crush on you it bothered me because I didn’t want you to get the wrong impression. I’m in love with you. But I value our friendship too much to ruin it.

*Emma nods and the two hug.*

Emma: Does this mean I can date now?

Ariella: No!

Emma:*Laughs* I don’t want to anyway.

Ariella: Good. I have to approve of them first.

*The two laugh*

Emma: Oh! We need to talk to Keya. She’s been reading my adventures to the tavern

Ariella:*Gasp* Is that how they found you at the Icebowl?

Emma: That’s what I was thinking. Depending on how in detail she writes.

Ariella: Both Max and Raffael didn’t seem to catch on until I was explaining. So I do think we need to put a stop to it.

Emma: *Laughs* I’ll just send her a letter saying. “DON’T” on it, nothing else.

Ariella: I can buy some Instant letters when we get ashore. It’ll be better if it just appears in front of her.

Emma: I Don’t have anything of hers I could use.

Ariella: Maybe Andrew hasn’t left. He’s got to have something.

Emma: If not we can have you deliver the Letter.

Ariella: I like that plan better.

*Emma smiles and the two spend the rest of the trip talking about how things have progressed in the capital.*