Dragoon Awakening
His name is Dart. It was the first thing I learned about him. I needed to know, to see if he was the same man, but… though their names are different, why do I feel as if I know him?
He now travels with two companions. One is a blonde Knight from Basil, our country. He fights with a lance and is noble and chivalrous. He is dressed in white and green with bronze armor, and his name is Lavitz. His late father was a famous knight and Lavitz is the head of the first knighthood of Basil. He just recently escaped from the Hellena Prison with Dart's help. He has become a very good friend with Dart.
The other is a very beautiful petite young woman named Shana. She has been Dart's childhood friend, and fights with a bow and arrow, although her attacks are weak. She is gentle looking, with feather-soft brown hair that frames her face, set with warm brown eyes and a welcoming smile. She is dressed in a white sleeveless vest and white shorts, both of which are hemmed in blue. Bronze armor adorns her neck and shoulders. She is too sweet for her own good.
They are resting in an abandoned shack right now, and I am on the roof, watching through a hole I created with the tip of my sword, listening.
"Dart, how did you get to Seles?" Shana asks.
"I was swooped down by a Dragon on my way to Seles. I was overwhelmed, and I was sure I couldn't escape from it. But…a passing warrior saved me. That's why I am still alive."
Lavitz frowns. "The Dragon is advancing faster than I thought. We must do something or it'll be too late."
The statement hovers in the air, laced with blood and war. There is an awkward silence and Shana shifts uncomfortably before she speaks.
"So, Dart, tell me about the past five years. Have you found your Black Monster yet?"
My eyebrows fly way up. Amusing...he is after the Black Monster? I shift slightly, trying not to shake dust down.
"Why would you want to look for the Black Monster?" Lavitz asks.
"The Black Monster killed my parents!" Dart says through clenched teeth. "I had two homes. One was in Seles, with you, Shana. And the other one was with my parents. One day eighteen years ago, the Black Monster attacked the village. My parents and I were the only ones that made it out. But Father went back to fight the Black Monster, and Mother went with him. They never came back."
I bite down on my lip, eyes narrowing.
Dart reaches into his shirt and pulls out the red pendant around his neck, almost identical to mine, which is no surprise. Recently they have been in style. But I have had mine for much longer than when the blacksmiths started making them.
"This is the gift my father gave me, all that I have left of him."
I nod once. Yes, that is it...it was no coincidence in the forest then... I now know that my first instinct was true. He is one of mine.
Another week has passed, and I remain undiscovered.
I shall stay this way until I obtain the information I need. He should awaken soon.
By the gods, Dart reminds me so much of him...
I have lived a very long time.
They are in Hoax now, a fortress that has no civilians, only knights of Basil. They are noble and kind, but weak. I turn my face in disgust. Being nice does not get you anywhere. You could be as nice as you want, but it will not save you. If you were attacked and did not know how to fight, what would you say to the bandit? They would not spare you simply because you were 'nice'. How futile. Being a warrior is the only way to protect yourself.
I have been sleeping in an abandoned house, knowing that I will always awaken before anyone catches me. The morning comes quickly here, and I get up and slip into my armor.
Deep dark violet is my color. First I wear the long-sleeved tunic of dark violet, and the gloves to protect me from blisters as I hold my heavy blade. Shorts that looks like a skirt, and then the boots. One boot is ankle high; the other is thigh high, giving me a more unique strange appearance. All my clothing is hemmed with gold, with swirling golden designs like an ancient Amazon warrior. Two headpieces, almost like horns, fit on my head. I grab my sword and creep to my normal spying spot and wait for several hours, watching. Patience I can have if I want.
Lavitz is speaking to the commander here, the head of the second Knighthood of Basil, who is a handsome man named Kaiser. They are good friends, but danger lurks in the air. I can smell it.
I can also sense Feyrbrand around. His musk is not unfamiliar to me, and I recognize it instantly. There will be a battle, and the knights all know it. They are preparing for a battle.
One look tells me their defense is not good at all. They will be defeated easily. I could defeat them. But then, of course, I could destroy this town and three others better guarded without any trouble. I am, after all, what I am.
Dart and Lavitz are on guard duty, watching the back of the town. I perch on one of the towers, hidden in shadows.
Dart glances at the small quiet fortress, and turns to walk away. "We've been standing here for a few hours already, Lavitz. I'm hungry. I'm gonna go get something to eat. You want anything?"
"Dart, how do you know the Dragon won't attack? Kaiser said that he intercepted Kandoran messages that the Dragon is going to attack the Knighthood." Lavitz protests.
"Yeah, but listen to the forest. You can hear the hooting of the nocturnal owls. That means that nothing is out of the ordinary in the forest. Everything's fine. You want something to eat?" Dart offers again.
Smart... I think before I can stop myself.
"Yeah, sure. Bring me back anything. Be quick, okay?" Lavitz sounds casual but alert, only slightly nervous.
"Be back in a second." Dart starts down the stairs.
The owls stop hooting.
"Sir Lavitz! Sir Kaiser!" one of the younger Knights shouts up. "The attack has begun from the front!"
Lavitz leaps down from the guard tower, and my eyebrows lift fractionally. I have underestimated his passion. I know that the Knighthood means a lot to him. He is the perfect Knight, and a rather good fighter.
Arrows are launched from the front. I can see the Sandoran forces. Their archers are in front and their foot soldiers farther behind. But there are too less of them. Still enough to take over the fort, but not enough. The Sandoran army has much much more than this. This must only be a decoy.
I frown. One of the Sandorans is much larger than the others; almost twice my height, and I am tall for a female. He is dressed slightly like a caveman, and has two red vertical streaks on his eyes, a battle sign. He carries a thick giant blade, and looks like he could put up a good fight with me without my powers.
He is a Giganto; the 97th race created by the Divine Soa tree that gave life to everything. The only one left, probably. I know that Giganto are all extinct except for one who works for the evil Emperor Doel of the Sandoran army, named Kongol.
Dart and Lavitz are fighting him. I must give them credit for their courage; they are braver than I thought to stand up to the giant Kongol.
They are winning, but just barely. Lavitz messes up on one of his attacks, leaving him open. Kongol knows this, and counterattacks. He has no style or class, but he has a significant amount of brute strength. He simple picks up the knight and tosses him across the street.
Lavitz groans as he makes his way back, and by that time, Dart is charging forward, slashing at the Giganto with the carefully crafted blade. He will win this time. I can smell victory in the air for this one battle. But Hoax is doomed.
I am too busy to realize the arrow launched at the tower I am on.
Without waiting, I allow my reflexes to take over, changing, shape shifting, rushing along the process.
As my body changes, I am already moving, cart wheeling out of the way to land inside the tower on the windowsill. The arrow flies harmlessly over my head. Reaching up an arm, I snatch it out of air and break it.
I am still changing, the pure sweetness of it rushing along every vein in my body, flowing through my muscles and blood. The Dragon blood that I possess is allowing me to transform. I push the process along faster. Utter a cry as the sweet fierce ache stretches my limbs, strengthening them even more.
My armor changes to fit my new form. Deep violet colored, the armor is plated as it fits over me. My sword changes, more dangerous and to my color. The hilt fits my clawed gloves. Armor lines my arms and legs, and the plating at my waist flares out to protect my hips. Scarlet armor for my knees and soles of my feet, for my torso and shoulder pads. Violet-black forearm-armor that ends and sharpens at the elbow for a dangerous appearance.
Wings sprout from my shoulder blades, two giant wings two-thirds my size. The bones are violet-edged-carmine and from them drape smaller violet bones, connected with pale green webbing. Delicate-looking wings, but very strong, strong enough to support my weight and allow me the gift of flight.
I am a Dragoon, not the warrior of a king, but a human combined with a Dragon.
I control my wings with years of experience, pushing off the window and diving upward. I sheathe my sword and stare at the incoming barrage of arrows.
Oh well, I've got nothing better to do. Why not help?I raise one hand, summoning my inner power. "Demon's Gate!" I shriek.
Fire bursts forward from my hand in a sweeping motion and from right to left all the arrows burst into flame and disintegrate without harming their target.
Satisfied with the results, I turn back to the battle to watch Dart.
Neither of them sees me, and Shana is inside, tending to the wounded.
Dart charges forward for the final blow, sword pulled back.
Kongol anticipates this. Although he is weak and almost defeated, he grabs Dart before the sword comes forward and slams him to the ground. Dart lays there, stunned, sword knocked several meters away.
Kongol picks up his own giant sword and walks up to Dart, who is cornered with nowhere to go.
"Dart!" Lavitz yells, but he is too far away to help.
"Kongol will kill human." The Giganto says, lifting the sword above his head.
But he is wrong. Dart is not a simple human.
I dive down, wings beating at an impossible rate even for me. My sword in front of me, I slice against the Giganto, knocking him back. I skid to a stop and turn back, slicing him again. I pause there, hovering in the air.
I can see Lavitz staring at me. Of course, I am not human. But I turn my attention to Dart, who has climbed to his feet, gawking in awe and amazement. Surely he recognizes me from before.
I point my sword at him, focusing my power to help him. "Wake up!" I command. "Dragoon of the Red-Eyed Dragon!"
The red pendant around his neck begins to glow, star-like.
"What is this?!" Dart demands, frightened and angry.
The red light washes over him. He must be afraid, transforming for the first time. I had trouble as well, the first time I tried it. The other ones had had to calm me down. The fire engulfs him.
"Dart! What's happening to you?" I hear the anxiousness in Lavitz' voice.
"I don't know!" Dart replies frantically.
When the fire disappears, Dart stands in his Dragoon form.
My eyebrows shoot way up.
Impressive...Red is his color, as his Dragon is the Fire type. Wings like mine, only stronger looking, more masculine, and the thicker bones are completely red. Red armor plated like mine, but the thighs are unarmored, only clothed in the black thin skins again. Red boots, complete plated gloves, and forearm armor. The sword morphed as well, as it is now glowing with internal fire, more powerful.
A giant green jewel is centered on the red chest plate. The cloth that pulls back his hair is dotted with the same emeralds. Very impressive, bringing out the fire within him. Very powerful, those wings and weapon. He will be a powerful Dragoon.
Oh gods, he looks just like him...Dart seems to know what to do. The fire burns from the passion within him, setting him ablaze. The fire forms a more solid shape in front of the green jewel, and Dart guides it with his mind, slamming it into Kongol.
The giant is knocked back, landing on his head and cracking the pavement. He lays still.
"Th-these are not humans! Run!" The guards all run off.
"Dart, what happened to you?" Lavitz asks.
"The knight of the Dragon. The Dragoon in you awakened." I say, landing next to Dart, and fluttering my wings once.
When the troops are gone, Shana runs out. I wince without showing it. I had forgotten about the gentler girl. "Dart! Dart, is that you? What happened?"
"Shana..." Dart stares at her as if seeing her for the first time. In Dragoon form, senses are sharpened.
The fire in him wavers and in a flash of red light, the Dragoon vanishes. Dart, dressed in the normal red armor, crumbles to the ground, falling forward, face in the dirt.
"Dart?" Lavitz yells.
"Seeing Shana...made me relieved..." Dart mumbles, and loses consciousness.
I step forward out of the shadows, moving to pick up Dart.
Shana dashes protectively in front of him, and I snatch my hand back to avoid it getting slapped. "Get away from him!" She says, looking at my wings with frightened brown eyes.
I realize I have not fallen out of Dragoon form yet, and closing my titanium colored eyes, I will it so, and I can feel the dark violet light washing over me. I am now back to normal.
"Who--what are you?" The girl named Shana asks.
"Someone who is trying to help Dart. You must get him inside." My voice sends a shiver through her; she watches me more warily. Though I never raise my voice, I can still scare people with its cold breathy feel like a whisper of wind.
"You--"
"That's what we were going to do anyway, Shana. Come on, give me a hand." Lavitz bends and strains to pick up Dart, and after hesitating for half a second, Shana helps.
Hoax is destroyed, burned and crumbling, houses with walls but no roofs, but this one house is still intact most of the way. They place Dart on the bed, and Shana runs to get a cold compress.
"Who are you?" She asks, once Dart is comfortable. Lavitz stands to one side, leaning against a shaky cabinet, observing.
"That is none of your business. I will answer only to Dart." I say, turning slightly so I will not have to look at her. She is far prettier than I am, with a more emphasized figure. Of course Dart would choose her over me.
Now they are both staring at me. I know I still look dangerous. It is something I cannot change. I cannot change the snow-like fair skin and the flowing jet-black hair. I cannot change the mysterious aura of danger that I carry; the warning signs that make others steer away.
Shana and I glare at each other. I do not like her. She is too close to Dart, and she is too sweet for her own good. She will end up getting hurt.
"What did you do to Dart?" She demands.
"I saved his life." I answer smoothly. "I should be thanked so why do I have to be yelled at?"
Dart groans and blinks and sits up.
"Dart! You're all right!" Shana turns her attention to him.
The red-clad warrior gets up, shaking his head. He looks at Shana, then at Lavitz, and finally at me. "Oh. It's you..." he says. His eyes flash from pale blue to dark blue to black.
I nod once.
"You know her?" Shana asks.
"Yes. She's the warrior that saved me before from the Dragon. Her name is..." Dart trails off.
I step in. "My name is Rose." I hold out my hand, and he shakes it. He has a firm grip. "I am a Dragoon, as are you."
"I'm not too sure of everything..." Dart says. "Will you please explain?"
I nod. "Dragoons are spirits that are basically humans mixed with Dragon blood. 20,000 years ago, the Divine Soa tree created 108 races. Giganto, the one you fought outside was the 97th, Dragons were the 105th, humans were the 106th, and Winglies were the 107th. The Winglies enslaved the humans, and 11,000 years ago, the war broke out, called the Dragon Campaign. The humans enlisted the help of the Dragons, and seven of them became Dragoons, fighting against the Winglies. Humans won, and the Winglies retreated. Dragoon spirits have been passed down ever since." I point one long manicured fingernail at the pendant around his neck.
"I never thought my father's gift would be something like this..." Dart says softly.
I look away. Of course you didn't. I don't know how you got the pendant though. It was supposed to be his. He was so mysterious and charming and wonderful. Just like you, Dart, in a way.
"Thank you for saving me." Dart says.
I wave my hand once in dismissal. "I did it because I wanted to. You and your friends intrigue me."
"How did you know we were here?"
"I followed you since that first day."
Dart raises his eyebrows, Shana's face changes, and Lavitz smiles.
A frantic voice comes from outside. "Sir Lavitz! The Eleventh Knighthood in the Marshland is under attack!"
"What! Let's go!" Lavitz runs out.
Shana follows, but after she makes sure that Dart leaves first. She does not trust me with him. I walk after them. I never run or rush anywhere; it is just not in my style. My ways are more fluid but prowling, like a dark-furred panther.
Outside, Hoax has turned to daytime. Kaiser comes up, one hand clutching at his ribs.
"Lavitz! The Eleventh Knighthood is under attack! You must go help them!" he turns to Dart and me. "You two...I saw what you did. You two are Dragoons. Please help them. You are the only ones with enough power... Lavitz, please help..."
"We will help in whatever way we can. I will do everything I can to prevent more bloodshed." Dart promises.
"And I will go with Dart." I vow. Shana throws me a dirty look; she believes I am rivaling her.
"Thank you." Kaiser falls down on one knee, a great gesture of respect, especially for a Knight. "Please help." He bows and limps off.
"We must help them. Now." Lavitz begins to run toward the marshland. He really does love Basil and all its citizens and Knights. I can see it in his speed and anxiety, and also in his eyes. The deadly green glow in his eyes tells me that he is more determined than ever. And that tells me that he and the King must be good friends. He will save him at the cost of his own life.
Dart grabs him in time, snagging his collar and jerking him to a stop. "Wait, Lavitz. We're not ready yet. We will have to fight once we get there. We must prepare first. You and Shana go to buy the armor and weapons we may need."
"All right." Although still anxious, Lavitz walks off to the item shop with Shana.
Dart turns to me. "Teach me about being a Dragoon?"
It takes four hours for him to perfect it, quicker than others are. He is strong, knocking me back several times, but I do not show pain. The stars will disappear on the night that I show weakness! My comments are all condescending, telling him to get with it and be stronger even though I grow weak with his attacks.
When everything is finally all right, we leave Hoax.
"Dart, after we leave, I will look at you as a full-fledged Dragoon and will not help you in battle. If you have any questions, you must ask them now." I say.
"I am fine." He replies. "Let's move out." he is the leader of the group.
I walk in front, and Shana in back. It would be dangerous to leave us together, two women after the same man. Dart walks beside me in battle formation, scanning what I may miss, which is impossible.
He reminds me so much of him. Someone I knew once before, someone that I knew very well. My long lost love that died, and with him, a large part of my heart died as well. I would never love again.
And yet Dart reminds me of him... perhaps that is why I am in love with him.
I am not one to deny feelings although I try to stop them. But love has bloomed in me, and I cannot deny it or push it away, only try to delay it.