Until the Day I Die
Chapter One
A fold opened in the icy cavern. Its blue light reflecting off the smooth surfaces of the cave caused the entire room to be lit in beautiful translucent blue. The rocks shimmered in the light and their sharp edges were accentuated by the strange magic. The fold then cracked and popped. It grew translucent for a second, almost as if it wasn't correctly formed. Powerful tendrils of lightning jumped from the tear in space and cracked into the rock.
The fold crackled and finally launched a figure out. The figure of a young girl slammed hard onto the ground and bounced into the sharp rocks. Her skin was cut and her body broken in multiple places. As the girl lay there partially conscious, a second crackle sparked the arrival of a second figure. This one though seemed more capable of controlling herself. She landed hard on the ground, popping her shoulder out of its socket. She regained her footing just as the unstable blue rift flashed out of existence.
"What was up with that?" Irma Lair breathed through the pain in her shoulder. Her hand had already gone to support her injured arm. She had turned to look at where the fold had just been. That was by far one of the scariest experiences that she had ever been through. The fold seemed to go haywire just as she and Hay Lin entered it. She then realized it. Hay Lin went through the same thing. Then she listened to her surroundings. The brunette's ears easily picked up the distinct dripping of something liquid dripping on the cold stone floor, and then the sound of something heavy flopping down off.
She turned wide blue eyes behind her. The cavern was dark, and she could barely make anything out, but she could make out something. On the ground was a body, just in front of what looked like jagged rocks. She gulped. Then she ran forward. She ignored the screaming pain in her shoulder as she slid next to the figure. She pulled the figure up with the best of her one arm's ability. A warm liquid filled her hand. She gulped again and tears began to stream from her eyes. "Hay Lin, are you okay?"
"Irma…" The thin girl gasped. She sounded as if she was straining just to speak. "It's…it's really dark. What's going on?"
"Hay Lin," Irma choked. Whatever happened must have slammed Hay Lin into the rocks that even now Irma could barely make out. "Everything's going to be fine. There was just a problem with the fold."
"Why are you crying?" Hay Lin didn't catch a beat. Even in this dark cold place., her acute ears worked wonders.
"Because," Irma chocked back her sobs. She couldn't lie to the girl who was dying in her arms. "The fold kinda knocked us around. I can't see all too well, but you took the brunt of it, Hay Hay."
She could tell that Hay Lin had tried to move to no avail. "I…see. I'm getting kind of sleepy."
Irma's eyes widened more, and even more tears came forth. Hay Lin was dying and there was nothing she could do. With all her powers, there was nothing to save her dying best friend. She pulled Hay Lin closer. She could now hear the girl's pained breaths. Her body was crushed and broken. Irma just closed her eyes and wished for a way to save her friend.
"Do you truly wish to save her," a voice, deep and beautiful, echoed within the cavern.
"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Irma's eyes shot open and she shouted. She didn't know if Hay Lin could hear her, nor did she really care for that matter. This was a matter of life and death.
"That is definitely an acceptable answer, but are you willing to pay the price." The voice laughed coyly at Irma's response. It was as if it already knew what was to transpire in the cave.
"Duh, I'd pay any price for Hay Lin," Irma screamed. Her tears became more furious.
She then closed her eyes as a bright flash illuminated the room. Once they were used to the sudden light she could see it before her. A large dragon, adorned with rainbow scales floated before the two of them. Its large golden wings seemed to ripple like air and water. Its tail carved into the ground as it lowered itself.
Irma was awed by its beauty, but took a deep breath and took her opportunity to look over Hay Lin. Even more tears came out of the water guardian's eyes. Her best friend's body was so beat up. Several hole bled from Hay Lin's back, both of her legs were broken, one of her arms was… it was just too horrible for Irma to describe.
"Then allow me to inform you of that price." The dragon echoed. "You must give up your body to repair hers, but in return for your self-sacrifice I will grant you a new form."
"Like I said. I don't care," Irma looked up to the dragon. Her glistening blue eyes filled with unbridled determination. The dragon gave a fanged grin to her face.
"Then I, Tiamet, make a pact to save this dying girl." The dragon's wings shined even brighter. The light from them encompassed the two girls. Irma watched as her body turned a silvery color and seemed to melt away. She smiled as Hay Lin's body repaired itself the more her body disappeared.
"Hay Lin," Irma cried as she felt the last of her body start to go. "I don't know if you can hear me, but…" She paused and swallowed. This would be the only time she would be able to say this. "I love you."