Author's note: Woo-hoo! Another chapter! And I'll be sure to tell Thomas you love him, Aries!

Thomas: What? You mean I have a fangirl out there?

Shelly: Actually, two, although there may be others out there that I don't know about. And even though you aggravate me sometimes, I like you too.

Thomas: *wide eyed* Wow, thanks! But as much as I appreciate all the attention, Fiona still holds my heart in her hand. *snaps back to attention* Hey, what do you mean I aggravate you?

Shelly: I didn't say that, Thomas! Honestly! Hee-hee! Hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Dragonflame by Shelly

CHAPTER THIRTEEN


The next morning dawned late for Tania, and she woke expecting to find Karl lying beside her, feeling emptiness inside her heart when she didn't. Had it only been yesterday afternoon since she had last seen him? It seemed like much longer.

She heard Kiran's voice calling her name, and she sat up to run her fingers through her hair to straighten it up before answering him. He stepped inside, looking just as perfect as when she had last seen him, and knelt down beside her.

"Good morning," he greeted her. "Did you rest well?"

She sighed. "Somewhat," she replied. "I had strange dreams."

He smiled. "I thought you might. But those will be answered later. Now you will eat as I am sure you are hungry, and if you wish, I can have a bath drawn up for you. Anything you need, I will see that it is done."

She was flattered that someone would be willing to wait on her hand and foot. "A bath would be wonderful," she agreed.

"Then it is done," he said. "There is to be a celebration in the village in honor of your arrival, Tania. I would ask that you wear a dress in the fashion of my people, since you are kin to them in a way."

"Of course," she answered, not really understanding what he was talking about. Why would they be having a celebration just for her?

Kiran soon left, and she found herself soaking in a luxurious bath scented with petals of a tropical flower that imparted some of its delicate scent onto her hair and skin. The water was a welcome warmth against her skin, and she was dreading the time when she would be forced to leave or else face everyone as a prune, the image bringing a smile to her face.

The dress was left hanging nearby, and after drying herself thoroughly, she slipped the white silken fabric over her skin, loving the softness and airy feel of it. The bodice of the dress fit perfectly over her figure, beginning at her chest to leave her arms and shoulders uncovered. The dress flared slightly at her waist to fall in soft folds around her legs. But what she liked about it most of all was the extra piece of fabric attached to the back of the dress that formed a short train behind her, and the gold bracelets about her wrists were attached to places along the sides that made the train fan out whenever she stretched her hands out.

She felt strangely like she was a bride in a wedding dress, and she wondered if she would feel like this when it came time for her to marry Karl, the thought making her heart ache as she missed him so much.

Stepping outside, she was amazed to see almost everyone in the village milling around the tables that lined the center of the road that led up to the temple, food of every imaginable kind set out for all to eat. But no one was eating as they appeared to be waiting for something, and she felt a presence at her side which she knew had to be Kiran, and even he had changed as he now wore a white robe of finer fabric and his hair chimed when the breeze played through it. He held in his left hand a staff with the flame symbol sitting on its tip in gold, and he took her hand in his right as he guided her down the steps to another level where they stood until everyone's attention was on them.

"My good people," he called out in a strong voice. "We are here to celebrate in the arrival of she who we have waited for ever since Dragonflame last graced the sky with its beauty. Although some may say her coming is a bad omen, I choose to think of it as a blessing as I have felt the evil growing ever more present."

Tania felt extremely self-conscious standing there with all eyes upon them, especially since she had no idea why she was here. But it was chased away when she heard him mention the name she had heard in her dreams, and she wanted now more than ever to talk to him and find out what this all meant.

"And while we have gathered here in honor of Tania, we must not forget those who risked their own lives to bring her here."

She looked at him questioningly and saw him gesture to someone down on ground level, her eyes widening when she saw that indeed Silver had returned to her. Rushing towards him, she crouched down to accept his gentle nuzzling of her face as she touched him with her hands, glad to see him back. Then she heard Zeke's familiar voice, and she greeted him in a similar fashion.

"Hey, what about me?"

She looked up to see Van and Fiona standing there, and she accepted both their embraces, exclaiming her happiness at seeing them both again and unharmed. Irvine and Moonbay were next, Irvine holding her tightly to him as he was glad to see her alive and well. Then it was Thomas' turn, and he cried out in surprise when she nearly flew into his arms, laughing at the top of her lungs she was so happy to see him.

"Where's Karl?" she asked breathlessly, a stray thought of concern furrowing her brow as she wondered why she hadn't seen him yet. Thomas pointed behind her, and she spun around to see him standing at the foot of the steps, looking just as handsome as ever with the breeze teasing his hair and love lighting up his eyes. "Karl!" she shouted, running up to him and jumping into his open arms, their lips meeting hungrily when he spun her around to keep them from falling over. Their kiss seemed to last forever as tears ran unchecked down her cheeks, both of them unaware of the cheers of happiness expressed by everyone.

The feasting began, and everyone stuffed themselves on delicious foods prepared by the villagers, complimenting them on the taste. Tania never took her eyes off her friends as she was so glad to have them there with her when she needed them most, her beloved most of all. Soon the afternoon was fading into evening, and Kiran summoned them into the temple, the time of the revelation of why she was here approaching.

He led them into what appeared to be a large common room which had a number of pallets arranged in a circle, and they all sat silently to wait until he was ready. Setting an old, worn book down in front of him, he opened the pages and sat back to look each of them in the eye.

"I can imagine the curiosity you all must be feeling, Tania most of all since she is the reason why we are here. Therefore, I will try to explain as best I can and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. I will warn you that what I'm about to tell you will seem strange, and many of you may not choose to believe what I tell you. But I must impress upon you all that if you do not take my words seriously, the cost may be the lives of my people and countless others upon this planet."

All eyes were wide as they looked at each other, and Tania paled as she could only guess at what her role in this would be.

"Centuries ago, a battle was waged here that could've caused the destruction of everything around us. Two powerful zoids were at the center of it all, the Death Dragon and Dragonflame. But as to why they were fighting that's a long story.

"Where this island is now used to be part of a large continent which was destroyed in the battle. A great city existed, rich in wealth and knowledge and ruled by a king who some said was cruel and unfair and opposed by another who ruled a nation of peaceful people. These people worshipped a dragon-god, who brought them great bounty of food and wealth, and the thought of war was foreign to them.

"But they soon learned the ways of war when the evil king's men crossed over and began laying waste to the peaceful lands, forcing them to defend all that they loved. The wars dragged on throughout the years until they approached each other in hopes of finding a way to end all the fighting. The king of peace offered his daughter to the other's son, to be bound in marriage as a way of sealing the truce between them, and they were wed to one another shortly after. Interestingly enough, they fell deeply in love, and there was nothing one wouldn't do for the other.

"However, it all ended when it was learned that the evil king had been killed along with his wife, and the son was filled with hatred when he learned that it was his own wife's people who were responsible. Vowing revenge, he sought for the ultimate weapon that he would use to wipe them out with, a weapon that could give him the satisfaction he craved.

"For weeks and months he searched for it, sending out his armies to destroy his wife's people. She begged him to spare them, but his heart had hardened against her, and her words fell on deaf ears. Soon after he found what he was looking for in the form of a black organoid who gave him access to an even greater weapon, the Death Dragon. And as he had promised, he used it to destroy those who had betrayed him, in turn wiping out the land itself from the power of its weapons."

Everyone stirred uneasily at the mention of the black organoid, all of them knowing full well who its current master was and hoping that he didn't have a part to play.

"Grieved to the depths of her soul, his wife shut herself inside her chambers and prayed to the dragon-god to reveal to her a way that she might stop him from doing anymore damage. A small necklace she had never taken off held the symbol of the god her people worshipped, and after almost a day of praying she received an answer in the form of an organoid which appeared to take her to the one thing which could stop the Death Dragon, a weapon just as powerful called Dragonflame.

"They battled fiercely, and much of the land was destroyed during the battle as they fought against one another, husband against wife. Eventually, Dragonflame gained the upper hand, and the Death Dragon fled to find a place where it could hide and recover from its wounds, which would take many years. It was never seen again, and neither was Dragonflame as it awaited the day when the Death Dragon would arise again. The wife searched for the rest of her life for any trace that her people might still be alive and never found any trace of them, but we survived and have thrived throughout the years, still praying to the same god that answered her prayer."

"Interesting story," Van commented. "But what does that have to do with us?"

"Not with you," Kiran answered. "It is Tania who this is about as she has finally come home."

Tania sat there in shock, her eyes wide as she remembered every dream she had experienced and recalled that episode with Raven, a chill running down her back. "You're not saying..."

Kiran nodded. "You are the one who defeated the Death Dragon reborn. The mark on your forehead claims you as such."

She swallowed deeply. "And Raven?" she asked.

"He was your husband," he replied, acknowledging the fearful truth she had not wanted to hear. "Tania, I must warn you against coming near Raven. It is quite possible that he may try to destroy you beforehand by using your memories against you."

She swallowed deeply as she had already met Raven, their meeting almost ending in disaster. Feeling her fingers entwine around another's, she looked up to see Karl's eyes on her, and couldn't help but wonder what he thought of all this.

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What will Karl think of this? Thanks for reading and please review!

Thomas: Yeah, review if you like me!

Shelly: Thomas! I thought that Fiona was all that mattered to you!

Thomas: *embarrassed and blushing a little* I know, but Karl has all these fangirls chasing him, I thought I would like to have some, too.

Shelly: *sighing as he looks so cute ;)* Oh, all right, Thomas. Okay, people, you heard him! Review and tell me if you like him so he'll leave me alone! *gets tackled by Thomas*

Thomas: I heard that!