I don't own MKR.
The Dragon in the Mirror
Chapter 4 – Waking to a Nightmare
Screams echoed through the air above the ruined village. Fire slowly consumed the buildings, taking with them all the villagers' possessions. And lives.
"Heeeeeeeeeelp uuuuuuuuuuuuus!"
The mother cried out as she held her baby, trying to protect it from the sights… and the beast that tried to attack them.
"Leave us alone! Please, just leave us alone!"
The beast, human in form with claws, demon wings and a tail, tried to claw away to get to the baby.
"Stop!"
"You heard the woman! Git!"
A fireball connected with the demon figure, distracting it long enough for Ferio to grab the woman and child, and get them away from the battle ground. The Knights stood there, lightly armored, and determined to boot.
"We don't take kindly to our people getting attacked."
"Stop!"
Before anything could've happened, a familiar figure jumped between them.
"Ascot!"
"Don't tell me this is one of your friends, Ascot."
The bluette said rather harshly with narrowed eyes, causing Hikaru to wonder what was wrong. Ascot seemed phased by the momentary outburst, yet soon regained his composure.
"No… but they're confused! They don't want to fight!"
"So I guess they coughed and the village just caught fire?"
"Umi-chan!"
The conversation was cut short as the beast turned to where whimpers came from. Three children, a boy and two sobbing girls fell off of their hiding place and were out in the open.
"No! The children!"
Hikaru was about to leap to protect them, but the beast foresaw this and threw Ascot at the redhead. The two flew backwards, and Fuu rushed to help them. Umi ran to stand before the children.
"Are you, are you gonna save us, lady?"
"I don't know about saving, kid, but I'll give it all I have."
Which was hard, considering the beast's very appearance made Umi's knees go weak.
"Look out!"
The demon like creature took a huge burning rock, and it soon went flying. Umi wasted no time.
"Water Dragon!"
She waited… and waited… but nothing appeared. Not even a drop.
"Na, nani!"
Looking up, the reality of the rock heading her way was made even realer.
"Stand behind me, kids."
The three grouped behind her as Umi dug her feet in the ground to get a better grounding spot.
"Celes, if you hear me, give me strength!"
The jewel on her glove glowed, and as the rock reached her, she threw her hands forward, sending a silent goodbye to her parents.
"Huh… ah… Umi-chan!"
Hikaru cried out as her eyes opened again. Fuu held her down next to the still dizzy Ascot. Ferio was the one who took their attention, standing a bit closer to the scene.
"I didn't know you guys trained at home."
"We, we didn't."
"So explain that."
They all turned to look at Umi. The burning rock was now a chunk of ice. Umi retreated her hands, letting the rock shatter to millions of pieces, effectively extinguishing the flames around her and the children. The children stared at her before breaking into cheers. The beast stared at her, causing the girl to gasp.
"Those eyes…"
Yellow eyes with deep blue irises. The long golden hair waving behind… it… reflecting the flames.
"So you're the one… the one who's been hunting my dreams."
The others could only stand aside and watch Umi begin shaking, the beast staring at her curiously.
"Why? Tell me… why're you hunting me!"
The beast was surprised as the girl leaped at it, summoning her sword, and then passed it through the beast's stomach.
"Oh my god!"
"She sliced her!"
Blue eyes met yellow ones, yet slowly the yellow turned blue as the monster's form disintegrated to reveal a fragile girl, who woke up to the reality of having a sword through her stomach. Umi's face softened as she realized what she has done.
"I'm… I'm sorry..."
Was all she could say as the twofell to the ground, Umi trying to soften the girl's fall.
"Fuu… Fuu, help her… please…"
The blonde nodded and hurried to the stranger's side.
"Umi! We have to take out the flames!"
Ferio's voice snapped Umi out of her gaze, and she nodded, aiming her hand at the sky.
"Water Dragon."
Nothing.
"Water Dragon!"
Still nothing. The bluette angrily threw both her hands at the sky.
"WATER DRAGON!"
And she skies were only dark with clouds of smoke.
"Umi-chan…"
"Something's wrong with her magic?"
Hikari bit her lip, before calling out to her friend.
"Umi-chan! You can do it! I, I know you can! Umi…"
"Shut up."
The redhead blinked.
"U, Umi-chan…"
"I said… shut…"
Rage bringing her to her knees, Umi's eyes closed tightly as her fists clenched.
"UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!"
Lightning cracked above them, bringing all's eyes to the sky. Then the rain began to fall.
"She saved us… That girl saved our village from that monster!"
The girl, now healed by Fuu's magic, said with a smile. The two girls whom Umi protected ran to her.
"Sister!"
"Big sister!"
"She saved us… she saved us all…"
And as her friends watched her, Umi retrieved her sword and walked away.
"Now what the heck was that all about?"
"Wish we knew, Ferio. Wish we knew."
Hikaru watched after her friend, worry eating at her heart.
"Umi-chan…"
