Chapter XXV: A Request Accepted, and A Promise Made

The sun began to rise across the horizon, lighting up the plains in an almost majestic way. Sabrina was unbinded from the spell by one of Fu's potions, while Jake stood off in the distance, his hands clasped behind his back in solemn understanding of his situation. Rose was going to die and there was nothing he could do about it.

He refused to allow his tears to come forth; he refused to allow himself weakness at this need for strength.

"We need to get back to Rose," said Jake softly.

Sabrina placed a comforting hand on his back, "You're giving up?"

Jake allowed the tears to come forth now, freely weeping before his friends. Sabrina wrapped her arms around him in a comforting embrace.

A soft noise from behind them garnered their attention; Jake wiped at his tears with his sleeves and turned to face their visitor.

The Grand Unicorn, Lordes, neighed softly, "Come with me young dragon,"

Jake clicked his teeth together in annoyance, but followed sadly. He had lost the will to go on, his brush with Elias' magic had reaffirmed his fears of himself. Without his dragon chi he would remain a threat to not only himself but also everyone around him.

Lordes and Jake were now out of earshot, standing beneath the tree that his back had split in two he followed the Grand Unicorn's gaze across the savannah. His herd was grazing in the distance.

"Young one, I thank you for saving my life and that of my herd," said Lordes quietly.

Jake frowned, "I didn't do much sir, I simply did what any dragon should do, protect the magical creatures of his charge,"

The Grand Unicorn pawed at the dirt with his hoof, and shook his head, "You are one of the truest dragons I have seen, even though you are not a dragon at the moment,"

Jake's face flushed at the compliment, "Thank you," he mumbled softly.

Lordes sighed, "I have lived for over a millennia young one, I have seen many dragons, but few with as selfless a spirit as you," he paused, "as such I would be honoured to grant you my horn,"

Jake blinked in disbelief, "But your herd-,"

"Will be safe from harm, do not worry young one," said Lordes, "I trust in the dragons once more,"

Jake nodded.

The Grand Unicorn shook his head once more in custom, his horn made a cracking noise and fell to the ground, Jake picked it up gently in his hands. They were warm to his touch.

"I didn't know you could do that," said Jake sheepishly, a bit disturbed by the gesture.

The unicorn laughed, "There are many things that we have yet to learn young one, many things indeed,"

Jake was silent, but managed a smile.

"There is something that still troubles you young one?" said Lordes, his eyes bore into the young man's soul itself.

Jake hugged himself even though it wasn't cold, he shivered, "I fear that my powers will become even more dark, I fear that I will be pulled into evil and become an even greater threat than the Dark Hunter himself. I just-, I just feel lost Lordes,"

The Unicorn nodded knowingly, "I want you to promise me something young dragon,"

The young man frowned, "I'm not a dragon,"

Lordes rolled his eyes, "Focus on the promise young one, not the being that you are,"

Jake nodded apologetically.

"I want you to promise me that you'll never change, always put your heart and soul into battle, and you'll never hold back from showing love to those who deserve it,"

This brought a smile to the young man's face, the first genuine one in days, "I promise Lordes, Grand Unicorn,"

"This is acceptable," said Lordes, he managed a laugh, "now I have two requests of you, the first is simple, I want you to accept your dragon chi,"

"What-," started Jake, confused.

The familiar blue orb of energy that materialized itself in the form of a dragon swirled above the unicorn's head; it gleamed of pure magic that was utterly familiar and strange. It had been years since his touch with dragon chi, it had been much too long.

The young man touched the orb cautiously; feeling the power course through his veins and reignite his flesh with the magic that he was born to posses. The magic poured into him with a surge, filling him with the power and magic of a powerful dragon.

"Dragon up," he said softly, as if still in disbelief. His scales burst through his human flesh, a powerful tail extended from his rear, his hands shifted to deadly claws, his face contorted to that of his dragon form. Wings burst through back, strong and well muscled. He tested them tersely, feeling the hunger and withdrawal symptoms of his suffering instantly evaporate like mist.

"Thank you," whispered Jake, as tears filled his eyes.

"No," said Lordes, "thank you for protecting our herd, be the best that you can me young dragon,"

"I will," said Jake.

"Kid we need to move," said Fu Dog, he scratched his neck with his hind-leg, "the Ocean's Riff is waiting,"

Sabrina walked over and nodded, "I've got the Petals right here,"

Jake handed the Grand Unicorn's Horn to her, "And now you have the horn as well,"

She smiled, "We're getting closer to saving Rose,"

Jake grinned, "I know,"

"There is the second thing I request of you young dragon," said Lordes.

Jake turned back to the Unicorn, "And what's that?"

"I request that you to find the one person who can help you tame the darkness within," said Lordes, "his name is Ragnom Nod Nam, and he will be able to bring forth your true potential, while quenching the darkness within you,"

"Ragnom?" said Jake.

"Known as a whisper and the Master, he is as elusive as a fox, and it may take some time to find him, but he will best be suited for your training," said Lordes.

Jake nodded, understanding the subtle message. Without a wizard from the Coven to train him and with Nigel gone rogue, this was his only option, his only source of sure success in taming his dark powers.