Dragonia
By Dixxy
Chapter Three: Hurtful Night
Quick AN: The simply beautiful song included in this chapter is entitled "To Where You Are" and is sung by a man named Josh Groban.
(Rowen)
Several days had passed since Lucky came to stay at Mia's. The little dragon was slowly but surely learning about our world, though there were a few. . . incidents. Like the time Lucky decided to investigate the dryer- I never would have pictured him with an Afro else wise. Or the countless cigarette butts he consumed. Or when he heard the teapot whistle for the first time and dove under one of the couch cushions.
But eventually, Lucky's antics became a normal part of our daily routine. He was slowly adjusting to life in the Mortal Realm and, little by little, the incidents became less frequent and less . . . extreme. Now he was only having trouble comprehending Pez-dispensers and the life as opposed to some of his more dangerous misadventures.
White Blaze soon accepted the fact that Lucky was not a snack, and, as a matter of fact, the two became friends. Once I saw Lucky taking a nap on top of a napping White Blaze, both breathing at the same rate. I almost burst out laughing, but I didn't want to wake them up.
Ryo, Yuli, Mia and I spent a lot of our time educating Lucky on our world. The dragon was an eager student, wanting to know as much about our world as we could tell him. I know that what we told him was very little, but where do you start when you need to teach someone about an ENTIRE world? Especially a world like the Mortal Realm, where there are several different societies and cultures ranging from the traditional to the liberal?
But in return, Lucky told us more about Dragon. He said that there were several breeds of Dragons that corresponded with an element, and, further more, sub breeds. For example, Lucky's main breed was Wind. Wind sub-breeds all correspond with the time of day- Morning, Noon, and Night. Lucky was a Night Wind. He also told us that with the power of a Dragon Tamer, a Dragon was grow in size to the point where he could easily hold all of us and several others on his back.
One night, after everyone else was asleep, I went into onto the roof to have some alone time. Educating Lucky was proving to be slightly draining, and I needed to get away for a little while to just have some time to think about different things. But once I found that peace and quiet, something I'd nearly forgotten rose to the surface with a vengeance.
Who can say for certain?
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memories so clear
Lucky or no Lucky, there was no denying what had come and gone- the one year anniversary of Sage, Cye, and Kento's mysterious disappearances. Lucky had only been a temporary distraction from the pain filled truth. They were gone, it didn't look like they were coming back, and there didn't appear to be anything we could do to get them back. No. It was time to face the facts. By now, they were gone for good.
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above
"Are you guys up there?" I asked, looking skywards towards the stars and the moon. "Are you three of those stars, shining down on me and Ryo and Mia and Yuli? Looking out for us and your families?" I narrowed my eyes, trying to fight back tears. "Do you still care, even if you are. . . gone?" I cringed as I spoke the words- the words hurt to say. Even though I had long admitted that I had given up on them, it still hurt to say it, like part of me was still insisting that they were alive.
But you know that by now they're logically dead- it's been a full year and a few days now, I reasoned. You tried to sense their armors, but it didn't work. And you found that burnt circle of grass and the chewed up wristwatch- no one could have survived that. Not even Sage, Cye, and Kento. How do you know that? Because if they'd survived they would've still been here, but they aren't- they're gone. I looked towards one of my shoulder, clenching my eyes shut.
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away 's not far
To where you are
I pulled my knees to my chest and hugged them, rocking back on my heels. It was a little chilly with me in just my boxers and a T-shirt, but I really didn't care. At least I was alive to feel that cold- my friends weren't all in that situation. "I really miss you guys- I miss Sage's determination and kindness. I miss Cye's good nature and teasing jokes. I miss Kento's straightforwardness and never-ending hunger. I miss you all!" I cried out, feeling the tears finally begin to well up in my eyes.
I hadn't even cried over what happened until that very moment- a whole year I had suppressed several emotions dealing with the loss, and it was only now that I was finally letting them go physically. And for all the pain it brought back, I felt somewhat relieved that I was finally releasing all of my bottled emotions.
Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen
"I don't know if you know this, but I dream about you guys sometimes," I said. "I dream that you're all still here with us- that you go to school with us and hang out with us and train with us. But that's all it is- dreams. Because you really aren't here to join in on where my life is going, and where Ryo's life is going. You aren't even alive to continue on with your lives- all of your lives are over, now."
As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
'Cause you are mine
Forever love
Watching me from up above
"I'm never going to let your memories go," I said, placing a hand over my heart. "My virtue is Life. Where your gifts of your lives have been seemingly snatched away, then I will life my life for not just myself anymore, but for the three of you. I'll do whatever I can to help your families when you should've been there to do so. It's the only thing I can do for you guys now."
And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave
"Are you guys angels, now?" I asked softly. I smiled weakly. "Do you have wings up there in heaven? Are you there with friends and families who have already passed on, waiting for the rest of us to join you? You must all be so happy and care-free up there- no worries about school or the Dynasty any more. . . you can rest now. Relax." I laughed lightly. "Maybe you guys are even hanging out with Anubis and the Ancient One. If you are, say hi to them for me, will ya?"
Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
"Rowen?"
I looked over my shoulder to see Lucky flying over. I cocked my head to one side to give him a perch on my shoulder, which he gladly took. "What brings you out here at this hour?" I asked. "Wait, never mind, I get it- you're a NIGHT Wind Dragon- of course you're going to be out at this hour, it's in your nature."
"Yeah, you could say that, but I'm out here because I'm worried about- Rowen, are you crying?" asked Lucky. I lowered my head, slowly nodding. "Is it about your friends?" I continued to nod, clenching my eyes shut again. "Oh Rowen. . . please don't cry. I don't think they'd be happy if they knew you were crying."
"How would you know?" I snapped. "You never knew them!"
"Well, I know I wouldn't want my friends crying over me for the rest of their lives," he responded. "I don't see why they'd be any different. Rowen, you have every right to be upset over what happened but you need to move on with your life- your life will have no meaning if you continue longing over the past like this. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
I nodded. "I guess. . . but you don't know how strong the bond between the armors is."
"Maybe I won't ever, but who's to say it isn't much different from the bond between the Dragon and the Dragon Tamer?" said Lucky. "That's supposed to be a very strong bond, and from what you guys have told me, the armor bond is very strong, too. Maybe it would be like that if I ever lost my Tamer or vice versa."
"So you're trying to relate to me."
"Kind of."
I smiled, reaching up to scratch his chin. "Thank you for listening to me, Lucky," I said. Lucky nodded cheerfully. "And I think you're right about my needing to move on with my life. I won't ever forget them. And I'll try to help their families where I can in their absence. But I need to live my life."
"That's the spirit, Rowen!" said Lucky. He flew off of my shoulder and flew in front of my face. "Now, what do you say we go inside, have something to eat, and then get some sleep? You look dead tired right about now and you probably NEED a break, Rowen."
I scratched my head, nodding in agreement as I clumsily got to my feet. "Okay, Lucky," I said, starting to make my way towards the window. I turned to Lucky. "Just don't eat all of the peanut brittle again- the cost is really starting to add up and I don't think Mia's too happy about it." Over the past few days, we had learned that dragons have some sort of a craving for peanut brittle- they LOVE the stuff. That was also part of the reason why Lucky had some to us in the first time- he saw the peanut brittle and went nuts.
Lucky laughed sheepishly. "What can I say?"
"You can say, 'I need to go on a diet'. How's that?"
"Ha, ha, Rowen, not funny," sad Lucky. He flew past me and into the house.
I was about to go in after him, but I stopped, looking up at the sky once more. "One day, I'm going to find the truth about you guys. I know I have to get on with my life, but something bad happened that day, and I WILL bring your murderer, or murderers, to justice, one way or another. Sage, Cye, and Kento, I WILL avenge you- mark my words, because it WILL be done!"
That said, I quietly went inside.
I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are