Starcrossed.

Chapter 20: Bliss

Dragonbane was in a haze. His eyes shut, a subsiding headache, and aches like he had just been smashed repeatedly into a huge rock, which he kind of remembered happening. He rubbed his head, then let it rest. To his surprise it rested on something warm and smooth to the touch. He sleepily opened his eyes, to find that he had been sleeping against Narissa and what he felt was her tail, coiled around him to keep him warm. Our hero followed his beloved's form to her lovely face. Narissa was passed out, poor thing fell asleep waiting for Dragonbane to wake up. He smiled, then as gently as he could, moved her tail aside and stood up. He stretched the ache out of his muscles. The toxin had worn off and he was feeling well rested and more energetic than ever. He took a moment to look around. Narissa had brought him to a very extensive cave, which seemed to go on in several different sections. Now Dragonbane had always been a thinking man, so once he got a good look at those walls he was working up a plan to decorate. First he would carve into the stone and shape up the place, then he would head back to Birk and get his things...but that's the rub isn't it? He remembered saying something before nodding off, something about retiring. His true love is a dragon...not exactly a plus in his usual business.

He then heard a quiet voice that came in with the wind. "Quite the little cunundrome isn't it?"

Dragonbane recognized this eerily calm voice. He made his way to the cave entrance and there, arms behind his back, looking out at the night sky, was Equinox. He spoke out to his mysterious acquaintance. "I was wondering if you'd forgotten about me."

Equinox didn't turn, he just kept watching the stars as he spoke. "As if I could ignore someone of your moral balance. I must say that was some show you put on at the hot-spring."

Our hero's eyes went wide at the comment. "Wait, you saw that mess with Blight and the Gargantuan? Dude! Why didn't you help?"

Equinox shrugged his shoulders. "Half because I knew you didn't need it and half because I enjoy a good smack down now and again."

Dragonbane rolled his eyes. "You know, for a being of perfect balance, I would think that you would have stepped in to even the scales. With Daken and the terror-shade it was a two on one fight." He stepped up next to Equinox and took a look at the sky, and quite frankly it was amazing. "Woah. Is the sky falling or something?"

Equinox gave a hushed laugh. "No, it's called a metor shower. Rocks from across the galaxy streaming across the atmosphere in a pretty little light show. Sadly it doesn't last too long."

Dragonbane was perplexed. "You a star fanatic or is there some sort of hidden message in all this?"

Equinox turned to him. "You were never alone in that fight. Think about it, what gave you the courage to get into the fight without armor? What gave you the speed to dodge blight's flame? What gave you the strength to fight off the effects of the toxin? What gave you the will power to stay in the water to get your armor back?"

Our hero was even more so confused. "Uhhh...you?"

If Equinox's eyes could be seen through the mask, then Dragonbane could see them roll. "No you twit. It was Narissa. Not a single moment went by when you weren't thinking 'Am I gonna be able to see her again? Can I stay alive long enough to prove my love?'. You found your muse, you found what tips the scales of your very soul. She brings out the best in you, and at times the worst."

Dragonbane smiled slightly. "I assume you're referring to that number I did on that nightmare that attacked her."

"If she needs you, you come running. Either as a source of comfort, or a destroyer of those who'd hurt her." He turned to our hero. "You've found the key to managing your inner balance. Now go in their and bring her out to see this sky before the lights fade."

Dragonbane smiled. He looked back into the cave. "Yeah, I think I'll do that. Hey before you go I wanted to ask..." He turned back, but Equinox was no where to be found. "Man that guy is a spook." With that, our hero returned to sleeping Narissa. Then he saw what may have worn her out so much. That ever caring angel carved out a fireplace in the stone wall of the cave. He was wondering what kept them so cozy. He knelt down and gently stroked the top of her head and she started to purr. Dragonbnae smiled. "Sweetie...yoowhoo, wake up."

Narissa slowly stirred from her nap. When she caught glimpse of him she smiled. "Hey you...yawn...I was wondering when you'd stop being out cold."

He shook his head a laughed. "Hmhmhm, well it's not like I wanted to get hit with a toxic dart and tossed around like a rag-doll. Come outside, there's something I want you to see."

She stretched then curled back up ready to doze off again. "Can't it wait? It's been a long day."

Dragonbane, not wanting to miss this opportunity, lifted the blue eyed angel to her feet. "No no, this is something special. Just come out for a little bit and we can get right back to dream land."

Narissa didn't want to lose this argument. She went limp and made Dragonbane carry her out to see what was going on. When they did get outside, she was amazed by what she saw. "Wow...Dragonbane, this is incredible. Wait a sec...is the world ending?"

He smiled. "Nope. It's just another ordinary miracle. Kind of like you."

She nuzzled his cheek, then looked in awe at something that he missed. "Oh, look at that."

Dragonbane looked in the direction she pointed out. It was two shooting stars, they didn't fade quickly like the others. They continually rode across the sky in a way that one circled the other, making a weaving trail of light behind them. "Well how do you like that? Heh, I guess we got our stars after all."

Narissa brought him in close and snuggled him lovingly. "You big softy. I'm gonna remember this night forever."

He wrapped his arms around her neck and brushed his cheek against hers. "Me too. Come on, let's head back in and get settled in front of that cozy little fireplace."

She gave him a loving lick. "You read my mind."

And they did just that. These poor outcasts brought together by the winds of fate, now living in a state of bliss.

What of Gem and Toothless, you ask? They live happily together in Birk, in a state of equal happiness, or more so. In fact, I think Gem might have a little surprise for our half tailed friend, but that is another story.

Daken was picked up by a search party from Birk. Apparently setting someone on fire constitutes as going rogue. They dragged his scaly behind to the arena and locked him in a rather snug holding pen. Now I find myself saying time and time again that you can't keep a good villain down, I'm sure he'll think of something to get passed ten heavily armed vikings and their elite trained dragons.

Krone is still trying to climb his way out of the abyss. Given his strength, I'd give him about, oh, let's say a few weeks. Given his two digit I.Q., finding Dragonbane again will take about...forever unless pointed in the right direction.

As for the Terror-shade, well we didn't stick around for the slight glimpse of quivering in the shadows, the deer investigating a strange noise, only to be drained into nothing but a dry pile of torn fur and bone. And that muffled gurgling hiss, with the shimmer of purple were eyes should be.

Equinox? Well, no one really knows what the story is with him. A being of such power could be any where in any reality. Although local authorities have picked up a certain group of marauders. They were rambling crazy claims of odd happenings. Their boots catching fire for no reason, their weapons crumbling into dust, and then getting beaten down by some strange black and white blur.

Heroes and villains, all accounted for. Now some of you may be thinking that this is the end, but my dear readers, falling in love is just the first step in the journey. Many adventures await our mis-matched little pair. So I hope you'll stay vigilant for the next segment in the Starcrossed legacy. Until then...Happy reading