I don't own FF IX; I do however own Destiny.
From Now on word will mean that the character is thinking.
The cavern at the end of the tunnel was approximately fifty feet across, but it's ceiling was low, only ten feet high and perfectly flat. A small part of Kuja's mind noted these details; most of his attention was focused on the creature that was in the center of the cavern's floor.
A large silver dragon was coiled in a ball. The dragon's hide blazed the color of molten silver, it's blue eyes where only half open in it's pain. The length was impossible to guess coiled as it was. With a groan it tried to lift it's head but weather out or out of exhaustion it could only lift it half way up, then with a half-screech-half moan it gave up and it's head hit with the earth with a soft thud. With another pained moan it struggled to raise, only to fail. At last it settled to the earth, it's side heaving.
"Poor thing." The soft whispers startled the silver genome; he had forgotten his companion. He let out a startled yelp and jumped. Destiny greeted him with a disapproving glare and pressed her finger to her lips, telling him to be silent. "I know!" He hissed back at her. She returned to studying the beast.
"What do you think is wrong with it?" She whispered. Kuja shook his head at her.
"I have no idea." He answered truthfully. He had kept a dragon as a pet for a few years but it had been white-silver color. Besides he had never seen it act like this. Suddenly it shifted and one of it's bat like wings moved reviling a two foot long shallow cut on it's side. Destiny hissed in sympathy for it and started forward. "What are you doing!?" The young women turned toward eyes sympathetic.
"We came in here to see if we could help remember? I'm not going to leave just 'cause it's a dragon." The silver genome sighed in exasperation.
"It's-a-drag-on. It's wounded and it's hurting. Anything that comes near it is an enemy, it'll probably attack you on sight." Destiny looked over at him.
"How do you know that? Some dragons actually do posses intelligence; people have seen it before. If we explain it to him he might let us help him."
Kuja looked over at the dragon and shook his head. "What if it doesn't, what are you going to do? It's already going to die anyway so why don't we just leave?" Destiny turned a death glare on him, her eyes as cold and hard as ice.
"Because Kuja" She side the ice in her voice matching that in her eyes "I won't let him die if I can help him." With those parting words she turned and started to walk into the cavern. Kuja shoot his hand out and grabbed her arm preventing her from going any further.
"And I'm not going to let you die with this foolish venture." Destiny looked back at him for a second, startled by what he said, then she sighed.
"Look, it can barely move, I doubt it could attack me even if it wanted to, but if it does look like it can attack then I'll duck around here OK?" When he didn't answer she looked him in the eye and said softly. "I promise."
"Fine." He said and released her. She smiled at him before she walked into the caravan. After a moment Kuja followed her. At the sound of their approach the dragon stirred and opened it's eyes wide. It gave out a warning growl and struggled to rise, it's body thrashing.
"It's OK, where not gonna hurt you, it's all right" Destiny said soothingly. Kuja shook his head; did she really believe it could understand her? He was startled when it appeared too. It calmed a little, not moving around so much, but it's eyes still followed their ever move. It's just her voice. He tried to convince himself. Even my dragon could sense my feelings.
"Look we need to take a look at your wound, it looks pretty nasty." Very slowly she slid her sword out of it's scabbard and placed on the ground in front of her. She raised her hands to show that she was unarmed and stepped toward it lightly. "I'm not gonna hurt you, I just want to help OK?" Kuja followed her, eyes as wary as the dragons, ready to drag Destiny back to safety if needed. The young women knelt as the creature's side her intent on helping it. Kuja hesitated then knelt down as well positioning himself so that he could still keep an eye on the dragon's head at all times. Destiny reached out a hand and touched the health skin below the wound, and then she frowned. "This doesn't make any sense." She muttered.
"What doesn't?" The silver genome looked over at her.
"I've killed a lot of different monsters that have wandered near the town, and I know that to a creature this size a wound like this" She gestured at it "Should be nothing. It's long but its really shallow, it's not even bleeding any more. It might have stung a bit but it shouldn't be in this kind of pain. Also there's no sign of infection, the wounds clean. Why would it be in this much pain?" Kuja looked at and said the first thing that popped into his head.
"Poison."
"Excuse me?" Destiny looked over at him alarmed. Slowly he nodded his mind piecing things togheter as they spoke.
"Poison, that way the wound wouldn't have to be big."
"A poison that's powerful enough to kill a dragon?" Kuja nodded.
"There are a few." He had studied many texts on poisons when he had stayed in Alexandria for a time. Not He thought That I ever used any of them myself. "A poison to paralyze it, then you don't even have to kill it, time would take care of it." Destiny nodded eyes thoughtful
"So even it another monster didn't get to it.."
"It would starve to death." Kuja finished for her. The young women shuttered.
"What Kind of creature has poison that would do this? Most are poisons are designed to kill."
"I have absolutely no idea, I have never seen anything like this before." Destiny stood up and walked toward the exit to the cave, Kuja got up and followed her. As the neared the mouth of the tunnel Destiny turned toward him.
"You stay here Kuja." Kuja started.
"Stay here why? Where are you going?" Destiny looked over at him.
"I'm going to go and get some of my antidotes and see if I can help the dragon."
"Why would you want to do that? It's not going to thank you, it's just some dumb beast." Destiny glared at him again.
"Because it's wounded and it's hurting. And I refuse to believe that it's just a "beast" as you but it, it let me try to help it after I explained to it that I meant to harm."
"It was just the tone of voice you used." Kuja argued "Any animal responds to a kind voice, that's all it was."
"I'm still going to help it!" Kuja raked his hand through his hair and tried a different approach.
"Look Destiny, you don't know anything about the poison that was used, it could die with in hours no matter what you do, so why don't we just go home?" He looked up and was startled to see Destiny standing there with her arms crossed and I smirk on her face.
"I get Kuja, your scared of the dragon aren't ya? That's why you want to leave."
"W.w..what!" Kuja sputtered "Me, scared of that over grown lizard! Not a chance!"
"Good then stay here and quit whining!" Destiny had been backing up as she talked and with her final word she kicked into a run a disappeared around the bend and out into sunlight. Kuja cursed and ran after her, but by the time he got to the mouth of the cave she was out of view. For a second he thought of following her but quickly decided against it, he would quickly get lost and with out his magic he would be at the mercy of any monster that found him.
For a moment he stood at the mouth of the cave, his hands balled into fists shaking with rage, rage that was directed more at himself then at Destiny. How He asked himself Could the Angle of Death be outwitted by a country peasant girl? With his tale lashing like that of an angry cats the silver genome turned and stalked back inside the cave. As he walked down the tunnel the carvings on the sides of it caught his eyes again. Why would someone carve a mural in a cave? He couldn't help but wonder. As he walked he noted figures in the carvings that seemed familiar. Atamos..Shiva...Ifrit..Odin..Rahm...Phoenix....Bahumat. Pictures of the Eldions where mixed in with other pictures of kingdoms and monsters. Did a tribe of Summoners live here at one time? Kuja doubted he could ever answer that question.
When he got to the cavern itself he stopped for a second and studied the dragon. Then he began to walk around the edge of the cave. As he walked along the back along of the cave a carving in the middle of the wall caught his attention; he showed a phoenix rising out of flames its beak open in a silent shriek. Why here and no where else? Kuja wondered. He searched the rest of the cave and noted a small pool in one corner, but that was it. Grumbling Kuja walked back over to the cavern entrance, he sat down with his back against the wall and waited for Destiny to return.
He must have dosed off and one point or another because the next thing he knew someone threw something to the floor with a loud thump that made him jump. He looked and saw Destiny smiling at him. "What was that for?" He grumbled at her.
"Nice to see you too Kuja." She teased him gently before grabbing her medicine pouch and heading toward the dragon.
"What's all this for?" He said noting the two other packs she had brought. She turned and grinned at.
"Can't you do anything but ask questions?" He opened his mouth to reply but she held up a hand to cut him off. "Don't answer, it's dark outside now Kuja and I am not walking back at night, we have to spend the night."
"Great, just great." He muttered under his breath.
"You set up camp Kuja." Destiny said as she settled near the dragon.
"Why do I have to?" The young girl glared at him.
"I'm working over here, remember?" Grumbling the silver genome got to work. After he had set up the camp, there wasn't really anything more for him to do. Occasionally Destiny would ask him to get some water from the pool or have him bring her something but that was it. Out of boredom Kuja rummaged around in the packs until he came up with paper and a piece of charcoal and made a rubbing of the carving in the back. He wandered around for a few more minuets before he decided to get some sleep. After he climbed into his sleeping bag and closed, drifting off.
A few hours later Kuja was awoken by a small splashing sound, he looked over and saw Destiny washing her hands in the pool; the dragon was asleep already. Destiny walked over to her bed and laid her head on the pillow but was asleep before she could cover herself. After an inner struggled Kuja got up and covered the young woman up. For a moment he watched her sleep and felt oddly peaceful. With an angry shutter he walked over to his own bed and went back to sleep.
In the morning Kuja was woken by Destiny's soft singing. "I was sleeping!" He said as woke up. Grinning Destiny just started to sing louder. Grumbling Kuja walked over to the small pool. Suddenly the dragon stirred. With a slight moan he lifted it's head and yawned. Kuja froze and looked at it. Stretched like a giant cat and then started to spread its wings. It only got about halfway before it gave a great shriek of pain and clapped them shut again.
"You won't be able to fly for a bit." Destiny stepped in front of the dragon's head. "I had to stitch up your cut." The dragon lowered it's head so it could see her better, then it nuzzled her softly, Destiny started then grinned and began to stroke it's head. "Your welcome." She looked over at Kuja.
"Well, what do you think now?" She asked him.
"It's still and over grown lizard th. OW!" The dragon, apparently disliking being called a lizard, had uncoiled it's tail and used it to sweep Kuja's feet out for under him. Kuja managed not to fall into the pool itself, but he did manage to bang his elbow on the ground. Destiny broke down in to uncontrolled laughter; the dragon swiveled its head around and looked at him expectantly. Grumbling Kuja spoke through gritted teeth. "I apologize for calling you a lizard." Even though you are one He added silently.
After a quick breakfast Destiny and Kuja packed up their supplies and headed out onto the trail. The dragon waited until they where into the tunnel before it followed, it had to duck its head a little but that was all. As soon as the small party made it's way outside the dragon stretched and gave a pleased growl, happy to be out of the cave. Kuja judged the thing to be at thirty feet long, including the neck and tail. As Kuja and Destiny started down the trail the dragon turned and followed them, it's feet barely making any noise as it walked. Destiny looked back at it in some surprise.
"You want to come with us?" The great beast nodded it's head.
"Mommy he followed me home, can I keep him?" Kuja said sarcastically. Destiny turned a disapproving glare on him once again.
"Kuja you shouldn't be so rude."
"Fine." He muttered. They began to walk again, they passing forest eerily silent. Suddenly out of the corner out the eyes and heard Destiny shout at him to look out. He took a step backward and fell. He put an arm up and braced for an attack as the monster launched at him. Suddenly the silver dragon, which had been behind him, gave a small roar and grabbed whatever it was out of the air and with a powerful twist of it's neck sent it fly into a tree. The mortally wounded Serpion still struggled to raise, Destiny dashed forward and brought her sword down on it ending it's life.
"You should thank him." She panted as she turned to study the corpse. Him? Kuja looked at the dragon It's male? Then he sighed.
He bowed his head slightly and said sincerely "Thank you for saving my life." The dragon just looked at him. After a moment Kuja hesitantly brought his hand up and stroked the dragon's neck. The dragon gave a small growl of pleasure and Kuja continued to stroke it.
"If I was standing so near to you." He said speaking to the dragon. "Then why did it attack me? Destiny would seem like an easier target."
"This one was already had your blood on it." Both Kuja and the Dragon looked over to where Destiny was kneeling by the Serpion. "This is the one that nearly killed, it probably came back to claim its prey." Kuja shuttered slightly then turned to Destiny.
"Thank you as well."
"Your welcome." Destiny said as she walked away. "Come on, let's go."
Most other monsters in the forest took one look at the thirty foot silver dragon and decided it wasn't worth the trouble, so the reached Destiny's home with no further trouble. When the got here Kuja and Destiny went inside to unpack the backpacks while the dragon settled down to sun itself. As the worked Destiny watched the dragon, after a while she spoke up.
"I wonder why Akhor* is following us?" Kuja raise an eyebrow.
"Akhor?" Destiny shrugged.
"I got tired of call him dragon"
"He probably thinks he owes you a debt for saving his life. Besides he can't fly anywhere at the moment." Destiny looked over and him.
"I thought he was "Just a Dumb beast"?"
"I changed my mind." Kuja said flatly as he found the rubbing that he had made. Destiny noticed and came over to look.
"What's that?"
"Just a rubbing of a carving I found in the cave."
"Can I see?" Silently Kuja handed to her. Her eyes widened in shock as she studied it.
"I can't believe it..."
"What." Kuja asked.
"Wait here." Destiny placed the piece of paper on the table and disappeared into her room.
"As if I can go anywhere." He snorted. A few moments later Destiny came out, a necklace cradled in one hand. Carefully she laid it next to the paper.
"There." She said. Kuja jerked back in surprise. A small phoenix was dangled at the end of the chain and it was an exact match for the carving!
"This looks expensive." Kuja noted. The three-inch long phoenix looked like it was gold plated and small rubies severed as the phoenix's eye and the heart of the flame.
"It's an old family heirloom. I don't care much for jewelry so I keep it in my room." Kuja looked over at her.
"Coincidence?"
"I don't think so. There too perfect a match." With a shrug she scooped up the necklace. "I don't really feel like solving riddle right now." She turned and headed for the door with a shrug. "I'm gonna go a see if I can get Akhor to talk." With a shrug Kuja followed Destiny out the door and into sunlight.
The gargoyle fidget before it before the door then opened it. It walked down the hall as slowly as it could, feet barely clearing the floor. All the while it could feel eyes on it from all around, but the eyes it feared most where hidden in the shadows ahead. Suddnely a sharp voice cracked out from up ahead.
"Hurry it up, I do not have all day for your fear." With a shiver the gargoyle speed up its approach to the throne. It paused before the shadows and bowed as low as it could.
"Your Majesty." The creature's voice shook with fear.
"What have you come to report, soldier?" With barely a sound General Salish slithered up to him.
"Y.Y..Your Majesty, t.the traitor has joined forces with the Phoenix child!"
"WHAT!" The shout shook everything in the hall. "HOW did this happen!"
"She managed to cure him with herbs and potions your majesty. The silver genome was with her as well."
"You just stood by and let this happen!"
"No, No didn't your majesty! I sent one of the forest monsters after her but it went after the silver genome instead!"
"You are and idiot. I have no further use for you." With almost perfect ease Salish removed its head. She turned her head toward the darkness.
"Shall I go after them your majesty?"
"No, let them live." The medusa blinked.
"Your majesty?" An evil chuckled sounded.
"You see General, the girl used herbs to heal him, she is unaware of what she could do. She has no power yet, and by the time she does it will be too late. For" A silver gleam flashed like teeth. "What she doesn't know can hurt can, can it not General?" Salish smiled wickedly.
"It can indeed your majesty, it can indeed."
*Akhor is from the book Song in the Silence by Elizabeth Kerner. It's one of my favorites. ^-^
Plantress: Poor Kuja! If the infamous Silver Genome was acting out of character it's because he's not use to feeling helpless. Sorry for the long update time. But I had to take Evil, Evil finals. And my computer decided that the Internet was it's worst enemy for a while and wouldn't let me on. Still I made up for it by posting a longer chapter. Hopefully the ending cleared something's up. Anyway Read and Review, and thanks to all my readers!
The cavern at the end of the tunnel was approximately fifty feet across, but it's ceiling was low, only ten feet high and perfectly flat. A small part of Kuja's mind noted these details; most of his attention was focused on the creature that was in the center of the cavern's floor.
A large silver dragon was coiled in a ball. The dragon's hide blazed the color of molten silver, it's blue eyes where only half open in it's pain. The length was impossible to guess coiled as it was. With a groan it tried to lift it's head but weather out or out of exhaustion it could only lift it half way up, then with a half-screech-half moan it gave up and it's head hit with the earth with a soft thud. With another pained moan it struggled to raise, only to fail. At last it settled to the earth, it's side heaving.
"Poor thing." The soft whispers startled the silver genome; he had forgotten his companion. He let out a startled yelp and jumped. Destiny greeted him with a disapproving glare and pressed her finger to her lips, telling him to be silent. "I know!" He hissed back at her. She returned to studying the beast.
"What do you think is wrong with it?" She whispered. Kuja shook his head at her.
"I have no idea." He answered truthfully. He had kept a dragon as a pet for a few years but it had been white-silver color. Besides he had never seen it act like this. Suddenly it shifted and one of it's bat like wings moved reviling a two foot long shallow cut on it's side. Destiny hissed in sympathy for it and started forward. "What are you doing!?" The young women turned toward eyes sympathetic.
"We came in here to see if we could help remember? I'm not going to leave just 'cause it's a dragon." The silver genome sighed in exasperation.
"It's-a-drag-on. It's wounded and it's hurting. Anything that comes near it is an enemy, it'll probably attack you on sight." Destiny looked over at him.
"How do you know that? Some dragons actually do posses intelligence; people have seen it before. If we explain it to him he might let us help him."
Kuja looked over at the dragon and shook his head. "What if it doesn't, what are you going to do? It's already going to die anyway so why don't we just leave?" Destiny turned a death glare on him, her eyes as cold and hard as ice.
"Because Kuja" She side the ice in her voice matching that in her eyes "I won't let him die if I can help him." With those parting words she turned and started to walk into the cavern. Kuja shoot his hand out and grabbed her arm preventing her from going any further.
"And I'm not going to let you die with this foolish venture." Destiny looked back at him for a second, startled by what he said, then she sighed.
"Look, it can barely move, I doubt it could attack me even if it wanted to, but if it does look like it can attack then I'll duck around here OK?" When he didn't answer she looked him in the eye and said softly. "I promise."
"Fine." He said and released her. She smiled at him before she walked into the caravan. After a moment Kuja followed her. At the sound of their approach the dragon stirred and opened it's eyes wide. It gave out a warning growl and struggled to rise, it's body thrashing.
"It's OK, where not gonna hurt you, it's all right" Destiny said soothingly. Kuja shook his head; did she really believe it could understand her? He was startled when it appeared too. It calmed a little, not moving around so much, but it's eyes still followed their ever move. It's just her voice. He tried to convince himself. Even my dragon could sense my feelings.
"Look we need to take a look at your wound, it looks pretty nasty." Very slowly she slid her sword out of it's scabbard and placed on the ground in front of her. She raised her hands to show that she was unarmed and stepped toward it lightly. "I'm not gonna hurt you, I just want to help OK?" Kuja followed her, eyes as wary as the dragons, ready to drag Destiny back to safety if needed. The young women knelt as the creature's side her intent on helping it. Kuja hesitated then knelt down as well positioning himself so that he could still keep an eye on the dragon's head at all times. Destiny reached out a hand and touched the health skin below the wound, and then she frowned. "This doesn't make any sense." She muttered.
"What doesn't?" The silver genome looked over at her.
"I've killed a lot of different monsters that have wandered near the town, and I know that to a creature this size a wound like this" She gestured at it "Should be nothing. It's long but its really shallow, it's not even bleeding any more. It might have stung a bit but it shouldn't be in this kind of pain. Also there's no sign of infection, the wounds clean. Why would it be in this much pain?" Kuja looked at and said the first thing that popped into his head.
"Poison."
"Excuse me?" Destiny looked over at him alarmed. Slowly he nodded his mind piecing things togheter as they spoke.
"Poison, that way the wound wouldn't have to be big."
"A poison that's powerful enough to kill a dragon?" Kuja nodded.
"There are a few." He had studied many texts on poisons when he had stayed in Alexandria for a time. Not He thought That I ever used any of them myself. "A poison to paralyze it, then you don't even have to kill it, time would take care of it." Destiny nodded eyes thoughtful
"So even it another monster didn't get to it.."
"It would starve to death." Kuja finished for her. The young women shuttered.
"What Kind of creature has poison that would do this? Most are poisons are designed to kill."
"I have absolutely no idea, I have never seen anything like this before." Destiny stood up and walked toward the exit to the cave, Kuja got up and followed her. As the neared the mouth of the tunnel Destiny turned toward him.
"You stay here Kuja." Kuja started.
"Stay here why? Where are you going?" Destiny looked over at him.
"I'm going to go and get some of my antidotes and see if I can help the dragon."
"Why would you want to do that? It's not going to thank you, it's just some dumb beast." Destiny glared at him again.
"Because it's wounded and it's hurting. And I refuse to believe that it's just a "beast" as you but it, it let me try to help it after I explained to it that I meant to harm."
"It was just the tone of voice you used." Kuja argued "Any animal responds to a kind voice, that's all it was."
"I'm still going to help it!" Kuja raked his hand through his hair and tried a different approach.
"Look Destiny, you don't know anything about the poison that was used, it could die with in hours no matter what you do, so why don't we just go home?" He looked up and was startled to see Destiny standing there with her arms crossed and I smirk on her face.
"I get Kuja, your scared of the dragon aren't ya? That's why you want to leave."
"W.w..what!" Kuja sputtered "Me, scared of that over grown lizard! Not a chance!"
"Good then stay here and quit whining!" Destiny had been backing up as she talked and with her final word she kicked into a run a disappeared around the bend and out into sunlight. Kuja cursed and ran after her, but by the time he got to the mouth of the cave she was out of view. For a second he thought of following her but quickly decided against it, he would quickly get lost and with out his magic he would be at the mercy of any monster that found him.
For a moment he stood at the mouth of the cave, his hands balled into fists shaking with rage, rage that was directed more at himself then at Destiny. How He asked himself Could the Angle of Death be outwitted by a country peasant girl? With his tale lashing like that of an angry cats the silver genome turned and stalked back inside the cave. As he walked down the tunnel the carvings on the sides of it caught his eyes again. Why would someone carve a mural in a cave? He couldn't help but wonder. As he walked he noted figures in the carvings that seemed familiar. Atamos..Shiva...Ifrit..Odin..Rahm...Phoenix....Bahumat. Pictures of the Eldions where mixed in with other pictures of kingdoms and monsters. Did a tribe of Summoners live here at one time? Kuja doubted he could ever answer that question.
When he got to the cavern itself he stopped for a second and studied the dragon. Then he began to walk around the edge of the cave. As he walked along the back along of the cave a carving in the middle of the wall caught his attention; he showed a phoenix rising out of flames its beak open in a silent shriek. Why here and no where else? Kuja wondered. He searched the rest of the cave and noted a small pool in one corner, but that was it. Grumbling Kuja walked back over to the cavern entrance, he sat down with his back against the wall and waited for Destiny to return.
He must have dosed off and one point or another because the next thing he knew someone threw something to the floor with a loud thump that made him jump. He looked and saw Destiny smiling at him. "What was that for?" He grumbled at her.
"Nice to see you too Kuja." She teased him gently before grabbing her medicine pouch and heading toward the dragon.
"What's all this for?" He said noting the two other packs she had brought. She turned and grinned at.
"Can't you do anything but ask questions?" He opened his mouth to reply but she held up a hand to cut him off. "Don't answer, it's dark outside now Kuja and I am not walking back at night, we have to spend the night."
"Great, just great." He muttered under his breath.
"You set up camp Kuja." Destiny said as she settled near the dragon.
"Why do I have to?" The young girl glared at him.
"I'm working over here, remember?" Grumbling the silver genome got to work. After he had set up the camp, there wasn't really anything more for him to do. Occasionally Destiny would ask him to get some water from the pool or have him bring her something but that was it. Out of boredom Kuja rummaged around in the packs until he came up with paper and a piece of charcoal and made a rubbing of the carving in the back. He wandered around for a few more minuets before he decided to get some sleep. After he climbed into his sleeping bag and closed, drifting off.
A few hours later Kuja was awoken by a small splashing sound, he looked over and saw Destiny washing her hands in the pool; the dragon was asleep already. Destiny walked over to her bed and laid her head on the pillow but was asleep before she could cover herself. After an inner struggled Kuja got up and covered the young woman up. For a moment he watched her sleep and felt oddly peaceful. With an angry shutter he walked over to his own bed and went back to sleep.
In the morning Kuja was woken by Destiny's soft singing. "I was sleeping!" He said as woke up. Grinning Destiny just started to sing louder. Grumbling Kuja walked over to the small pool. Suddenly the dragon stirred. With a slight moan he lifted it's head and yawned. Kuja froze and looked at it. Stretched like a giant cat and then started to spread its wings. It only got about halfway before it gave a great shriek of pain and clapped them shut again.
"You won't be able to fly for a bit." Destiny stepped in front of the dragon's head. "I had to stitch up your cut." The dragon lowered it's head so it could see her better, then it nuzzled her softly, Destiny started then grinned and began to stroke it's head. "Your welcome." She looked over at Kuja.
"Well, what do you think now?" She asked him.
"It's still and over grown lizard th. OW!" The dragon, apparently disliking being called a lizard, had uncoiled it's tail and used it to sweep Kuja's feet out for under him. Kuja managed not to fall into the pool itself, but he did manage to bang his elbow on the ground. Destiny broke down in to uncontrolled laughter; the dragon swiveled its head around and looked at him expectantly. Grumbling Kuja spoke through gritted teeth. "I apologize for calling you a lizard." Even though you are one He added silently.
After a quick breakfast Destiny and Kuja packed up their supplies and headed out onto the trail. The dragon waited until they where into the tunnel before it followed, it had to duck its head a little but that was all. As soon as the small party made it's way outside the dragon stretched and gave a pleased growl, happy to be out of the cave. Kuja judged the thing to be at thirty feet long, including the neck and tail. As Kuja and Destiny started down the trail the dragon turned and followed them, it's feet barely making any noise as it walked. Destiny looked back at it in some surprise.
"You want to come with us?" The great beast nodded it's head.
"Mommy he followed me home, can I keep him?" Kuja said sarcastically. Destiny turned a disapproving glare on him once again.
"Kuja you shouldn't be so rude."
"Fine." He muttered. They began to walk again, they passing forest eerily silent. Suddenly out of the corner out the eyes and heard Destiny shout at him to look out. He took a step backward and fell. He put an arm up and braced for an attack as the monster launched at him. Suddenly the silver dragon, which had been behind him, gave a small roar and grabbed whatever it was out of the air and with a powerful twist of it's neck sent it fly into a tree. The mortally wounded Serpion still struggled to raise, Destiny dashed forward and brought her sword down on it ending it's life.
"You should thank him." She panted as she turned to study the corpse. Him? Kuja looked at the dragon It's male? Then he sighed.
He bowed his head slightly and said sincerely "Thank you for saving my life." The dragon just looked at him. After a moment Kuja hesitantly brought his hand up and stroked the dragon's neck. The dragon gave a small growl of pleasure and Kuja continued to stroke it.
"If I was standing so near to you." He said speaking to the dragon. "Then why did it attack me? Destiny would seem like an easier target."
"This one was already had your blood on it." Both Kuja and the Dragon looked over to where Destiny was kneeling by the Serpion. "This is the one that nearly killed, it probably came back to claim its prey." Kuja shuttered slightly then turned to Destiny.
"Thank you as well."
"Your welcome." Destiny said as she walked away. "Come on, let's go."
Most other monsters in the forest took one look at the thirty foot silver dragon and decided it wasn't worth the trouble, so the reached Destiny's home with no further trouble. When the got here Kuja and Destiny went inside to unpack the backpacks while the dragon settled down to sun itself. As the worked Destiny watched the dragon, after a while she spoke up.
"I wonder why Akhor* is following us?" Kuja raise an eyebrow.
"Akhor?" Destiny shrugged.
"I got tired of call him dragon"
"He probably thinks he owes you a debt for saving his life. Besides he can't fly anywhere at the moment." Destiny looked over and him.
"I thought he was "Just a Dumb beast"?"
"I changed my mind." Kuja said flatly as he found the rubbing that he had made. Destiny noticed and came over to look.
"What's that?"
"Just a rubbing of a carving I found in the cave."
"Can I see?" Silently Kuja handed to her. Her eyes widened in shock as she studied it.
"I can't believe it..."
"What." Kuja asked.
"Wait here." Destiny placed the piece of paper on the table and disappeared into her room.
"As if I can go anywhere." He snorted. A few moments later Destiny came out, a necklace cradled in one hand. Carefully she laid it next to the paper.
"There." She said. Kuja jerked back in surprise. A small phoenix was dangled at the end of the chain and it was an exact match for the carving!
"This looks expensive." Kuja noted. The three-inch long phoenix looked like it was gold plated and small rubies severed as the phoenix's eye and the heart of the flame.
"It's an old family heirloom. I don't care much for jewelry so I keep it in my room." Kuja looked over at her.
"Coincidence?"
"I don't think so. There too perfect a match." With a shrug she scooped up the necklace. "I don't really feel like solving riddle right now." She turned and headed for the door with a shrug. "I'm gonna go a see if I can get Akhor to talk." With a shrug Kuja followed Destiny out the door and into sunlight.
The gargoyle fidget before it before the door then opened it. It walked down the hall as slowly as it could, feet barely clearing the floor. All the while it could feel eyes on it from all around, but the eyes it feared most where hidden in the shadows ahead. Suddnely a sharp voice cracked out from up ahead.
"Hurry it up, I do not have all day for your fear." With a shiver the gargoyle speed up its approach to the throne. It paused before the shadows and bowed as low as it could.
"Your Majesty." The creature's voice shook with fear.
"What have you come to report, soldier?" With barely a sound General Salish slithered up to him.
"Y.Y..Your Majesty, t.the traitor has joined forces with the Phoenix child!"
"WHAT!" The shout shook everything in the hall. "HOW did this happen!"
"She managed to cure him with herbs and potions your majesty. The silver genome was with her as well."
"You just stood by and let this happen!"
"No, No didn't your majesty! I sent one of the forest monsters after her but it went after the silver genome instead!"
"You are and idiot. I have no further use for you." With almost perfect ease Salish removed its head. She turned her head toward the darkness.
"Shall I go after them your majesty?"
"No, let them live." The medusa blinked.
"Your majesty?" An evil chuckled sounded.
"You see General, the girl used herbs to heal him, she is unaware of what she could do. She has no power yet, and by the time she does it will be too late. For" A silver gleam flashed like teeth. "What she doesn't know can hurt can, can it not General?" Salish smiled wickedly.
"It can indeed your majesty, it can indeed."
*Akhor is from the book Song in the Silence by Elizabeth Kerner. It's one of my favorites. ^-^
Plantress: Poor Kuja! If the infamous Silver Genome was acting out of character it's because he's not use to feeling helpless. Sorry for the long update time. But I had to take Evil, Evil finals. And my computer decided that the Internet was it's worst enemy for a while and wouldn't let me on. Still I made up for it by posting a longer chapter. Hopefully the ending cleared something's up. Anyway Read and Review, and thanks to all my readers!