Lynde and Artsanna had waited an entire day for the others to come back, and so far they had not come. Artsanna had reasoned that it was unlikely for them to return until the threat before them had been subdued or destroyed. It was then that Lynde realized they only had two options: walk through the forest for days or possibly weeks hoping they would find the others, or confront the problem before them and defeat it so that there was nothing to fear in this area.

Failure either way was a strong possibility. If they lost their way in the forest, they might never be found. But if they went towards the mesas—which undoubtedly held the danger—then they might die at the hands of whatever was there. They were sure that the mesa held Dragons, somehow, so that way seemed doubly undesirable, neither did they want to end up wandering these forests for weeks or months or even years until they found someone or someone found them. They were not the best choices, but they were better than sitting around waiting for whatever the danger was to return and finish what it had started.

They were in the clearing they landed in, sitting together with Artsanna curled around Lynde. Lynde felt safe as she finished her breakfast, but there were still choices to be made.

Lynde looked to Artsanna for guidance and she was disappointed. I do not know what we should do. I do not wish to fight other Dragons again, nor do I wish to be lost indefinitely in these strange woods. You may decide and I shall follow your decision.

With the responsibility on her shoulders now she quickly replied, No, I don't make good decisions! You do it; you're wise.

Artsanna shook her head. I cannot. You have allowed me to make decisions for both of us, but this is a decision that will rule our fate forever. If we fail to choose correctly, we will die, and that is why I cannot make this choice alone.

But that's why you should make it alone, Lynde said. I am a fool among fools. I can't make a decision this big!

Lynde. Artsanna got up and walked around to sit opposite Lynde. You must learn that even the wise can make mistakes. It is through mistakes that we learn.

But if we never made mistakes, we would never have to learn, Lynde countered.

Artsanna sneered at Lynde—a face that was most frightening on her scaly face—and said, If that is the way you are going to be, then we are staying here another day.

NO! Lynde said, getting up. Artsanna's expression calmed and became stern. We need to move and… Artsanna waited for Lynde to finish, but she didn't want to say what she thought was best. It seemed like a large gamble, but she thought it was the better than the alternative. Finally she spat it out. I think we should go towards the mesas.

Artsanna was silent for a few moments then got up and said, I never did like getting lost. We shall go to the mesas then, as I thought we might, and defeat the dangers therein.

As Lynde mounted Artsanna she said, Thank you for making a decision.

No, Lynde; we made the decision. You contributed your thoughts to the deliberation just like I did, and we both agreed that this is the way we should take. I think it might be a method we should try to emulate in the future, for I value your counsel, even if you yourself do not think it worthy of mention.

Lynde smiled. It warmed her heart to know that Artsanna did care about what she thought and believed it to be valuable enough to say. Ever since her actions in Surda she hadn't thought she was any good at this, but with Artsanna's confidence perhaps she could learn to trust herself with things like this. At the very least she could be on equal terms with Artsanna when important decisions came around.

They began to move through the forest, heading towards the mesa in the distance. They couldn't see it very well on the ground, so whenever they were unsure of where they were going, Artsanna climbed a tree for a better look. Of course it would be extremely difficult and time consuming to simply climb from tree to tree, and Artsanna still couldn't fly, so they kept to the ground most of the time. They made good time and were at the first mesa before sundown.

It was huge, as was its twin, at least as tall as the mesa upon which the Tower was built and twice as wide. Trees and bushes attempted to grow on the sides, and the results were fascinating to behold: small trees growing sideways outwards and bushes growing like moss on the sides. While she believed the Tower had similar features, she hadn't really taken the time to notice them. It was impressive and she began to believe that it could hold Dragons inside, if it was hollowed out anyway.

Soon they came across the first obstacle: there was no door. There must be a door somewhere on it and a large one if a Dragon is inside, Artsanna said. I will climb up it while you stay here.

Why? Lynde asked.

Because you will need to be in a calm and focused state in case we are attacked, Artsanna replied. If the Dragons attack again, we must be ready for them, and I will be focusing on climbing and have little ability to defend myself. You must be ready to fight for both of us in case that occurs. Do you agree?

Lynde nodded. I understand and agree.

Good, now I shall begin. Artsanna went to the base of the mesa and began to climb up the side using tiny alcoves to place her feet and pull herself up. When there were no footholds, she made them by digging them out, which took a while to do. But Lynde couldn't be focusing on that now; she had to prepare for battle.

She sat down cross legged with her hands in her lap and began to prepare. She built up her defenses using memories of strong emotions as walls and her current fears as spears. She fletched her determination into arrows and her will into a bow. No battle cry would shake her, nor assault break her. She was ready.

She waited a long time for the attack to come, if it even would. She doubted that the Dragons would attack again after the realization of the one before. It seemed that the Dragon who had tried to shift through her memories was genuinely apologetic for his actions and would most likely not do it again. She believed if the other Dragon shared that one's sentiment, then there was no need to prepare. But she would rather be safe than sorry, so she kept her defenses up.

She did not know how much time passed before she felt a presence at the edges of her mind. It was dark, blacker than a starless and moonless night, and full of hatred. It was a Dragon, but it was unlike any she had encountered. She felt its malice as it charged against her.

Her defenses held for a time, stopping the slings and arrows of emotion it sent against her before they could enter the keep that was her mind. The onslaught was great and it sent many volleys after her, but she withstood them and sent her own arrows into the heart of the battle. But as much as she fought, it eventually became too much for her and she retreated deep into her mind.

That was when the Dragon's voice came echoing in. It was harsh and evil with venom dripping off of it. You think you can withstand me!? There is no surviving me! I outlived my Rider when he failed. He was weak, but I am strong. I was aware, but he clouded himself with illusions that only weakened him while I knew all. He died for his pettiness, but I will not fall prey to such things.

Through her fear she asked in a small voice, Who are you?

It cackled evilly and said, You do not know? The legends do not include me? Perhaps you have heard of me, but it does not matter since I refuse to give my old name. I am purity in evil; I am order in madness; I am serenity in hatred; I am the nightmares you fear. Call me what you will, but I choose my name to be in my Rider's tongue: I am Bloodwrath the Forgotten, but soon I shall be remembered throughout all the world when I make you like me.

As Lynde put up a last defense against Bloodwrath, there was a glimmer of light from the back of her mind. Through a backdoor came Artsanna barreling in wildly and fighting the intruder with as much ferocity as she had displayed when she killed Trianna. Out or you shall be burned! was her war cry, and it was effective. Bloodwrath retreated away and disappeared, though Lynde suspected that they had not seen the last of him.

Now that the threat was over, Lynde and Artsanna focused on each other. Are you alright? Artsanna asked.

If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be, Lynde replied gladly. Thank you.

Artsanna seemed equally glad. You're welcome.

What neither of them wanted to speak of was the danger they faced. They knew their enemy now and had a name to call him. It was a name that inspired fear in Lynde, not for the words but the one behind them. His name was Bloodwrath and Lynde now regretted her decision to ever come here.

The danger that had been so distant now seemed real. They would need courage to fight this thing and a plan. It sounded as if he was going to destroy the world if he got out, which seemed unlikely but she believed he might try. They needed to kill him, as terrible as it was to kill a Dragon with the state their kind was in, to ensure the safety of all life. Lynde only hoped they would be able to do it.