dragonelf 8:Yes! He's off!

Disclaimer's the same.

Chapter 4: Nadil and the light in your heart.

Nadil slowly stalked toward the terrified Ryu, as she backed way to keep distance between them. Images of what happened last time flashed in front of her eyes terrifying her even more.

"Leave… Alfeegi… Hurry," whimpered Ryu as she got closer to Alfeegi. But Alfeegi didn't move he just there confusion mingled his face.

"He can go ahead and try. I'll kill him before he even takes a step toward the dragon castle," replied Nadil he then turned back to Ryu, "You've been here long enough, and you've made me quiet upset when you ran away, Ryu. It's time you return to my castle with me; do this and your punishment won't be so serve."

Ryu's eyes widened in fear as she backed up further, sweat beaded her forehead. Nadil smirk taking delight from her obvious fear, his long fingers held out for her to come to him. Alfeegi looked between the two obviously confused, but moments later he darted in front of Ryu, drawing his sword.

"How annoying," scowled Nadil clearly annoyed, "You've been a thorn in my side for quiet some time now."

Nadil soon held up his hand towards Alfeegi, a glowing ball of dark energy appeared in his hand black electricity swarming around it, as it steadily grew larger. Ryu's eyes widen as she jumped between Nadil and Alfeegi to stop the energy form hitting its intended target. She hugged Alfeegi tightly to make sure he didn't move or get hit with the blast.

"AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!" screamed Ryu, as the ball hit her back pain searing through her like a hot knife.

She could feel her fall forward on top of Alfeegi; her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open in an 'oh' shape. Alfeegi and Ryu where lying on the ground when Alfeegi finally understood what had happened. A very serious burn appeared on Ryu's back looking like it was dipped in blood and that the skin could very easily be peeled back to reveal a spin.

Meanwhile

Thatz and lord Lykouleon had finally caught up to Rath and Rune whom were wandering around the halls looking wildly about for the girl. When they suddenly heard a blood curdling scream coming form the outside.

"That did not sound good," was the only thing that Rath could say as he set off running in the direction of the scream.

"Something's happening. We have to hurry," ordered Lykouleon pulling out his sword preparing for whatever might happen.

The Knights and Lykouleon weren't the only ones that heard the scream the other officers heard it as well, and came running to see what was going on along with Cesia, and Raseleane.

Back with Ryu

Alfeegi slowly lifted the girl up into an upward sitting position, his hand held around her back. Ryu squeaked out in pain at the sudden movement her body slightly cringing, when Alfeegi was done he looked at the hand that had touched her back. He stared at it in horror as the girl's sticky blood trickled down his wrist.

"Foolish girl. You were lucky I took back some energy to keep you alive, but this will make it easier to take you back now won't it."

Alfeegi's attention once again turned back to Nadil as Ryu quietly muttered breathlessly "Heartless creature," to herself body resting heavily on Alfeegi's lap. 'What's going on here? Why is Nadil here?' thought Alfeegi frantically, as he held tight to the girl's body. Slowly Alfeegi held up his sword with one hand at Nadil while still clutching the girl with his other hand.

"ALFEEGI!"

Alfeegi slightly turned to see lord Lykouleon, the other officers, knights, and Cesia, and Raseleane coming into view. With one look at Nadil, the others drew out their swords staring angrily at him. Cesia and Raseleane ran to Alfeegi and grabbed Ryu allowing him to join the others, starring in horror at the horrible wound on her back. Ryu's breathing became very rapid as she tried to stay awake, sweat dripped down her face. The edges of her eyes beginning to blacken with aching drowsiness.

"Well looks like we have the whole group here," committed Nadil staring at Lykouleon darkly along with the others.

"What bring this unpleasant visit," asked Lykouleon, anger and hatred dripped heavily on his words like they had been doused in poison.

"Don't worry I'm only after Ryu."

"Ryu?"

"That girl in your wife's arms. She escaped form my captivity."

"You tried to turn me into a demon," interjected Ryu weakly as she jolted back up but quickly regretted it and fell back down.

" Well I did have my reasons," Nadil answered smiling at the sweet memory, "Come to me Ryu. I can be a merciful king. Come to me and I won't destroy the Dragon tribe for shielding you. I'll even lessen your punishment for running away form me."

The Dragon Tribe looked back and forth between Ryu and Nadil. Ryu could feel the tears stinging in her eyes as she held them back as best she could. She didn't ask for the Dragon Tribe to shield her nor did she want them to, but she'd never forgive herself if they got hurt because of her. Raseleane's grip tightened over her as though to hold her still. Ryu noted how safe and warm she felt there in the Queen's arms.

"I never asked for them to bring me here," muttered Ryu sadly, getting angry, and frustrated at herself, "It just happened."

"I think I've heard enough," said Lykouleon as he stopped the conversation between the two as he stepped between them.

"I think so too," said Nadil sneering as he drew his sword.

'He's going to hurt them! I've got to do something,' thought Ryu as she tried to get up but was restrained even more by the Queen and Cesia.

"Don't move," urged Cesia urgently, "You'll hurt yourself!"

Ryu sat back down as she listened to them. They were right, but Ryu wanted to get hurt, that is if it meant stopping the Dragon Tribe form suffering. But what could she do, and she began to counter her previous thoughts. ' Like what, pray tell,' counter Ryu to herself. 'I've got to think! There has got to be something!' Ryu could feel the tears that she had held back so desperately begin to spill over and stain her cheeks. She tightly squeezed her eyes in hopes of stopping the tear flow but it only made it worse, her thoughts began to consume her as she heard the distant clanking of metal hitting metal. Darkness came to Ryu making her suddenly aware of this bright warm feeling that swam through her whispering words of comfort in a voice that was oddly familiar yet one she never heard before. Something old yet wise, and had been with her all her life like a long best friend. 'What's that?' questioned Ryu the feeling swelling in her chest comforting and safe much like the Queens arms, but with that feeling of familiarity. The temple that was in Ryu's dreams appeared before her eyes, but this time it was more magnificent than ever before like had been waiting for this day for a long time like it and been only created to wait for Ryu to open its long huge doors. Ryu sudden became aware of all the statues on it which, surprisingly before, she hadn't noticed. Statues of Dragons, people, and phoenixes, on the door were a pair of wings one obviously an angels and the other a demons. The door called imploringly to Ryu, as though begging her to open it, and see all the secrets within. Ryu went up to the pleading doors surprised that she could find them impatient and then smacking herself in the head for thinking that a door held emotion, slowly pushed the doors and they opened up and for the first time Ryu saw what was through the doors ignoring all the statues and tapestries and focusing on the living thing in the middle of it all. They're laying in all it's glory, stirring form its slumber that lasted who knows how many years, was a creature Ryu thought she'd never see, even after she had met Nadil and she knew there was still that possibility.

The light reflected off of it's gossamer scales that sparkled and shined like many large diamonds, it's feathered wings were neatly placed and clean fusing beautiful into scales as the wing joint connected to the body a few small feathers peeking between a few scales, it had two different colors for eyes red and blue both wet and glossy, while it's pupils were bright gold instead of black like and normal creature one might come across, the creature was adored with highly polished jewelry though one of garnets was embedded in it's forehead there were also gems embedded in it's chest a diamond circle, ruby, emerald, sapphire, and amber triangles surrounding it and standing right beside it was another circle this time a black onyx; amethyst, silver, jade, and crystal triangles surrounded the black onyx. The creature was a dragon in all its magical glory and right beside was a large dog that had maroon red, and its eyes were gold and the other blue. It looked like the two were deep in conversation when Ryu arrived. Both seemed happy to see their guest as though they had long awaited her arrival to this place. And gracefully bowed elegantly.

"I've waited a long time for this day," echoed a voice but not coming form either the dragon or the wolf its sound magnified by the walls.

Outside with the Dragon Tribe

Ryu body started glowing as she suddenly came back to reality, her predicament rush up to her like a river. She sat up brushing off Raseleane and Cesia's grasp as their grips slackened in surprise, new found courage came to her as light centered at her heart as if it wasn't a foreign thing at all.

"Divine, Lero," called Ryu in a familiar yet calm voice that gently swept over the garden.

The light increased around her chest, growing brighter as though she had said the magic words. Everyone looked as she caught their present attention with the bright light, they had apparently been an engrossing fight yet became distracted. Ryu looked up at Nadil as his face light up with sudden recognition then flared with sudden anger that it would have made Ryu cringe in a normal circumstance yet held no fear for her now, he obviously did not want this to happen now in front of his enemy. Two glorious creatures burst out of her like a door had opened itself wide open for them. The wolf and the dragon from before came out and brought themselves to their full glorious selves. The others looked confused by the strange new development, yet watched in awe and amazement. As if answering there unspoken question the wolf answered.

"This is the Divine Dragon and Ryu is the Divine Knight. You will not reclaim them to force them to join your ranks, Nadil!"

dragonelf 8: Cliffy! The dragon has finally awakened, along with a dog that's on fire. Won't continue the story if you don't Review and tell me what you think. Thank You!