After a good, long rest, Aura and the others gathered their things and made their way back to Kiru City. Chaor and the other Underworlders tagged along so they can discuss the next course of action together. Aura simply wanted to be back at the city to make sure the children were alright. Plus, she promised to play with them as well. It was night by the time everyone was finally able to reach the capital. Once again they were at Maxxor's Castle, having some soup and tea before they went over what to do next.
Aura giggled as Bondu gobbled her soup in a matter of minutes. She laughed even harder when she felt Quin'lins happiness wash over her like a warm wave of the ocean. It felt like a bad dream being back at Melodalia, but seeing everyone finally being at ease and in Perim felt so much better. She looked at Khybon. The Underworlder was back to his normal self. His skin looked a bit less pale and moved around with ease.
"Thanks for letting us come here!" Blazejay piped up. He hiccuped after eating a whole bowlful of meat. He sat by Chaor. The red dragon hatchling didn't mind being so close to the large Underworlder. He burped, letting out a loose flame. Chaor let out a laugh.
Aru frantically dumped her water on the flame. "Blazejay! Be careful! We don't want to burn the place down."
Blackee merely looked up. Her violet eyes sparkled with pure joy. Even her belly, which was normally scale and bones, was now filling up nicely.
Bondu slurped the last bit of her soup. When Sansi coughed, she stopped. Her dark eyes filled with embarrassment. She chuckled nervously. She set her empty bowl down. "Sorry. I don't remember a time where I ate without worrying about how to run for my life. My brother and I had to share scraps a lot when we were little."
"You and your brother sound close." Intress said. Her face held a smile. "What happened?"
Bondu's ears drooped. Her eyes filled with sorrow. "Our leader was a coward. When our people reached a certain age, we started immediate training with Bonewing. You can probably get the idea what he does to us." She allowed her ears to hang in the air before she continued. "We were tortured. Laughed at. I had enough when they started hurting Wildfire and eating her siblings. I tried to convince my brother to fight back, but it didn't work. I was forced to leave at that point."
"Oh man…" H'earring uttered.
Cot nodded solemnly. "It's not unheard of. Bonewing was known to have an unstable appetite. M'arrillian, Danian or Wyvern, if he's hungry enough, you'll be considered the main course."
Almost immediately everyone stopped eating. Aura's colors turned pale. Quin'lins frantically looked around as if Bonewing would appear at any moment. Khybon stared at both of them. He calmly put his hand on Aura's. Chaor bit his lip. H'earring turned pale and tried not to spit food out with pure disgust. Belladonna tried everything she could not to cry.
Monna, bothered by the silence, tried to break the mood. "Well on the brightside, he's not going to bother us anymore, right?" She turned to Aura. "Didn't you say you defeated him right in this city?"
Aura nodded. Yes, but it wasn't easy. I had to concentrate on the Song of Fire-
Sansi nearly spat her water. She coughed loudly until Skyv went to pat her back. The Merakeet raised her hand. "I'm okay. I'm ok." She cleared her throat. "Wait…'Song of Fire'? How were you able to master that? As far as I saw back at the beach, you were using The Song of Water."
That's true. I used it most of the time because it was the first song I really learned. But I've also learned the Song of Air and Song of Fire. Let me show you. Aura closed her eyes and focused. She allowed her mind to think back to how she obtained the melody of sky and fire. Then, the room was soon filled with her melody. The candles flickered. The wind began to leak out of the windows and doors. The elements danced harmoniously as if Aura gave them instructions on how to dance. When the songs were over, they vanished.
Monna and the dragon hatchlings applauded loudly. Small faces beamed with happiness. Sansi, Belladonna,Quin'lins, Sprees and Bondu stared at Aura. Jaws dropped to the floor in pure shock. They had never seen anything like this.
"Wha- How-" Bondu sputtered.
"That's not...possible…" Sprees breathed.
"The Queen of Song…" Quin'lins spoke. His eyes wide with awe. "I've heard the legend but I never thought it would be real."
Aura tilted her head. Queen Tikali said the same thing. She was ready to kill us on the spot. What is the Queen of Song?
Before Quin'lins could answer, an Overworld guard arrived. "Maxxor, we have the latest reports from Kiru City and the scouts in the Overworld."
Maxxor nodded. "Any word from Jagos?"
Bondu, who's mouth was filled with water, spat in pure shock. She briefly glanced at H'earring to see him soaking wet. She paid no mind. "Jagos?! Did you just say Jagos?!"
Maxxor nodded. "We apprehended him when he invaded Kiru City." He raised a brow. "You know him?"
Bondu got up from her chair. The table vibrating underneath her weight. "He's my brother!"
"What?!" Everyone shouted in unison.
Bondu ran up to Maxxor. Her face merely inches away from his. "Where is he?!"
Maxxor leaned away, uncomfortable. "He's in the Overworld prison. The first one who was with Aura. Same as the others."
"Chaor was the one to catch him in an ambush." Khybon added.
"Where's the prison?!" Bondu screeched. Her wyvern soon ran over to her, nearly knocking the Overworld guard over.
"On the Eastern side of the city-Hey! Wait!" Maxxor ran after Bondu as she went over to her wyvern. The others ran behind him.
Wildflower leaped from building to building. She ran on the streets. Weaving in and out of the market stands with ease. The denizen yelped and scattered. Finally, the creature came to a screeching stop in front of the Overworld prison. She growled at them.
Bondu stroked the creature. "It's ok, Wildflower. Just stay here. I'm going to see Jagos." Bondu raced past the guards. She entered one hallway after another. The Hyenid found five dead ends. "Jagos! Jagos!" Her words echoed around the prison. She ignored some of the grumbling remarks from the other prisoners.
"Bondu?"
Bondu's ears flicked upward. She glanced over to the hall on her left and went there. She soon saw a tired but fed Hyenid. Her eyes pricked with tears. She was at the front of his cell in two strides. "Jagos! Little brother how I missed you!" Bondu hugged him through the bars. Her smile nearly touched her ears.
Jagos grimaced. "Don't call me that." His dark eyes sparkled with tears.
"Better than what those clowns call you." Bondu hugged her brother through the bars. Unaware that their moment was drawing an audience.
"So…" Cot spoke. She was perched on H'earring's shoulder. "Jagos is your brother…"
Jagos shifted his head. His eyes widened in shock upon recognizing Aura. "YOU!"
Aura stood there silently. She simply nodded her head. Her mind drifted into his with ease. She could still feel the fear of Queen Tikali and the other generals. What their father will say to him when he gets home. A glowering rage of Aura being the cause of all this misery. Most of it overpowered by the relief of seeing his sister again.
"This is all your fault!" Jagos roared. "Things kept going south the moment you came with us! Why can't you disappear?!" He picked up a random bone and flung it at Aura.
Khybon reached out to grab it, but was shocked to see Aura stopped it herself. His red eyes stared in shock by the floating bone that was merely inches from her face. She really has grown her powers, he thought.
Being angry or blaming me isn't going to help you. Or any of us for that matter. Aura glared at Jagos. Her wings began to grow dark in color.
"Get out of my head!" Jagos growled.
No! Aura growled back. Her memories and emotions formed a fierce drill. The hard wall of Jagos breaking away like glass. You need to hear this! I know Queen Tikali will kill us all. Weither we defy her or not! Shadowdancer was no better! If they take over Perim, everything will be wiped out! Images of death, despair and destruction whirled around. Screams filled the air and suddenly Aura felt firm arms around her body. She soon found herself in Khybon's arms. The warmth and harsh breathing bring her back to reality. Aura's eyes widened in shock as she saw Jagos on the ground, sobbing in pain. Her colors turned to a softer shade of blue. Jagos...I'm not doing this to hurt you. The Overworlders have been trying to understand the situation without resorting to violence. The information you're holding might save you...and your sister. I'll do all that I can to help.
Jagos grunted. He managed to prop himself up. "Why would you do that?"
Aura took a deep breath. Her eyes glowed. Because I know what it's like to always live in fear. I don't want anyone else to suffer from that. She glanced at Maxxor. The Overworld leader slightly pale from pure shock. Maxxor? I know I've only been with you for a while, but I wish to start a rebellion. Can I seek your aid?
Maxxor was still in a stupor. He had just witnessed Aura nearly performing mind control on Jagos. M'arrillians were feared because of that power. It was corrupting. One look at Aura, he knew that she was getting better with her abilities but she means no ill will. Time and again, she would always help them no matter what the cost. He sighed. "You're right, Aura. The longer we delay, the more likely that Queen Tikali will take her revenge on us." He glanced at Chaor. "Any objections?"
Chaor simply shrugged. "Nah! I want to get back at her for sending me that stupid 'invitation'."
Intress nodded. "Then it's decided. Once we regain control over the situation, we'll hold a council and announce an alliance."
Monna gasped. Her dark eyes wide. Her little feet tapping with excitement. "You mean you'll do it?! You'll help us form a rebellion? Yeah!" She jumped up and down with joy. Her garments flapped around like butterfly wings.
"Only if you tell us everything you know, Jagos." Maxxor said.
Bondu looked at her brother. "Bondu...We can't keep living like this anymore."
"You know what happened to mother when she tried!" Jagos screamed. "If father finds out-"
Bondu's eyes darken. "Never mind him. He was never a father to us or a husband to mother. We were only things to him. Just like the rest of his subjects." She reached out and grasped his hand. "I'm sorry I left the way I did, but I'm here now. And we're not alone anymore." She hugged him. "Please...Try."
Jagos was silent for a moment. Then, he gave a heavy sigh. "Alright...There's no way out of this one. Just...two things to ask you before I tell Maxxor and the other leaders everything."
"What's that?" Bondu asked. Her head tilted.
He held up two fingers. "One. I want protection. I'm getting a little tired of being beat up and I'm sure they'll come after me."
"Fair enough." Cot said. She gave a little chuckle.
"Two," Jagos pointed at Aura. "Don't have her drill into my mind again! That was soo painful!"
Thought to end it there. The next chapter will pick things up.