Chapter 10: Draqueen

Sorry for the late update x.x I was still working out some kinks that were going to come up later, but I think I got it =D Well, enjoy!

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            The group stared at the stranger. His garments were like something that would appear in a fantasy manga and they could tell that he was not from their world. After an awkward silence, Rune stepped forward.

            "May I ask who you are?" he asked staring at the newcomer.

            "You may," he responded smiling. "I am Lykouleon, Dragon Lord of Draqueen."
            They stared at him for a moment and then said together, "You're loony."

            A small sweat bead appeared on Lykouleon's head. "I figured you wouldn't believe me. But I am."

            "How can we know you're not some demon Kharl sent?" Rath said, his eyes never leaving the supposed Dragon Lord. His aura is different…

            Lykouleon just smiled. "You can tell that I am different, can you not, Rath, Dragon Knight of Fire."

            Rath blinked and narrowed his eyes. "How do you know my name? And what do you mean by Dragon Knight?"

            "I know a lot more than you think." He looked at them. "All of you."

            Rune stared at the Dragon Lord. "How can you know about us? You're not even from this world from what I can see."

            "You must be loaded if you're wearing all th—OW!!" Thatz yelled as he hopped around on one foot after Kitchel slammed her foot onto his.

            Kitchel glared at him. "Serves you right! You shouldn't talk to strangers like that!! You could give him the wrong impression about us!!"

            Lykouleon suppressed a chuckle and turned back to Rune. "You are right in your observation. I am not from Earth."

            The group blinked. "You're not?" they said in amazement.

            "I have come to personally bring you back home."

            Thatz blinked. "You came all this way just to take us back to our houses?"

            The Dragon Lord laughed. "No, no. I meant back home to Draqueen."

            "Draqueen?" Cesia asked.

            He now turned to her. "Yes…"

            "Where's that?"

            He looked up and thought for a moment. "Well that is actually rather hard to explain…the best way is to take you there," he said smiling.

            Rath took a step in front of Cesia. "You're not taking us anywhere. I still don't trust you."

            "And why is that?"

            "You just expect us to go and join a complete stranger without knowing anything else about him?! You sound like a crazy freak if you ask me!"

            Rune glared at him. "Rath! That's no way to speak to Lord Lykouleon!!" He blinked. "That was…I didn't even think to add the title…"

            "I think…we should go."

            Everyone turned to Cesia. She was staring at Lykouleon thoughtfully. "I can sense he has great power…but his power is for good, and not evil." She smiled at her friends. "What is there to lose? Frankly, I would like to see Draqueen."

            Rath stared at her. "…Is that what you really want?"

            "Yes."
            He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. "All right then." He glared at Lykouleon. "But you better explain all of this to us when we get there!"

            The Dragon Lord sweatdropped. What a temper… "Of course. Everything will be explained to you, including Kharl and Nadil's army."

            Nadil?! Cesia took a step back and caught her back. No, no…I'm just over reacting over nothing. Stay calm…calm…

            Kitchel glanced over at her friend. "Are you okay, Cesia-chan?"
            She smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am. Don't worry about me!"

            "…" Kitchel turned back to Lykouleon. "Is there anything we need? And how are we getting there?"
            "Everything will be provided once we reach Draqueen. And to get there…" He turned to Rath, Thatz, and Rune. "We will need your Dragon powers."

            "Dragon powers?" Rune repeated. "Do you mean…?"
            Thatz stared at his hand where his sword had once been. "You mean those were Dragon powers?! AWESOME!!"

            Kitchel sweatdropped. Weirdo… "Okay then, lets go!"

            She and Cesia watched as Lykouleon position the three boys around him in a triangle formation. They joined Lykouleon in the center and watched in amazement as the three boys started to glow different colors: Rath red, Rune blue, and Thatz green. Lykouleon was emitting a soft white light around them and Cesia could feel the power overwhelm her.

            Lykouleon unsheathed his sword and raised it up high. "FIRE!"

            Rath snapped his eyes open, now a dark, crimson red, as his sword formed in his hand. He raised it up and pointed it towards Lykouleon's as flames surrounded him.

            The Dragon Lord then turned to Rune. "WATER!"

            With his eyes still closed, Rune raised his arms up as water swirled around them, forming his sword. When he opened his eyes, they were a dark, liquid blue, and he pointed his word toward Lykouleon's, water swirling around his whole body.

            Lykouleon now faced Thatz. "EARTH!"

            Kitchel blinked when she watched Thatz. Earth erupted all around him as he held out his hand. Rock and dirt swirled around his hand as his sword formed. When he raised it up, he opened his eyes, now a dark, forest green, and giant pieces of rock surged upward.

            Now with his own sword raised up high, Lykouleon yelled, "DEUS COME FORTH!"

            A large rumbling could be heard all around them as each of the boys' powers went to Lykouleon's sword. Cesia shielded her eyes from the bright light that now surrounded them. She moved her hand slightly and saw a white dragon flash before her. A moment later she found herself in a strange room. There was a large, intricately designed mahogany desk centered in the back of the room, large windows behind it. There were also several chairs and various plants situated around the room. Portraits of what she assumed to be past rulers were hung all around the walls. She turned around and blinked when she saw Rath, who was leaning against the wall next to the two double doors. He looked a little older and his hair had grown a bit longer. It was the same thing with Thatz and Rune.

            "ARGH!! NO!! I DON'T WANT MY HAIR LONGER!!" Rune yelled as he held his now waist length hair.

            Thatz blinked then burst out laughing. "If you didn't look like a girl before, you sure do now!!!!" He quickly grabbed Rune's sword as the enraged Dragon Knight tried to press his blade down upon Thatz.

            Kitchel ignored them and wandered over to an expensive looking vase standing on a table. She was examining it, wondering how much it would be worth, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see a stoic face staring at her, his stern black eyes seeming to pore through her.

            "I hope you were not planning to steal that vase, young lady," the stranger said. Wearing a dark blue suit, a dark red sash across the front, and with several ornately designed tassels hanging from his shoulders, he looked like a general from an army. His stern, yet stoic looking face didn't help ease her nervousness either.

            "Eh-heh…no, no! I was just admiring the craftsmanship!" she laughed nervously.

            He looked at her a moment then turned back to Lykouleon, who now stood behind his desk. "Lord Lykouleon, I have come to bring you a report on our defense against Nadil's army."

            The Dragon Lord blinked and looked up. "Er, can it wait, Tetheus?"

            The group turned and stared at the stranger who had silently came in and watched as he glanced at them. "Of course, my Lord. I shall leave you alone to discuss their current situation if you wish."

            "No, no, that's all right. I think it would be best if you stayed anyway. Have you seen Alfeegi or Ruwalk?"

            Tetheus started to speak when the doors behind him burst open. The rather irritated looking stranger glared at Lykouleon. His blue-green hair was tied into a long ponytail in the back and was dressed with a white shirt that was lined with red at the collar and cuffs. He had black pants and a pale red sash around his waist. "LORD LYKOULEON!!" he yelled, his light orange eyes flaming. "How many times have I told you that you CANNOT leave the palace!!!!!!"

            Lykouleon sweatdropped. "Um…I have a good reason?"

            Thatz burst out laughing but was immediately hushed by a glare from the newcomer. He backed up as the stranger advanced toward him, a finger raised. "YOU CANNOT LAUGH AT THE DRAGON LORD LIKE THAT!!!"

            "Alfeegi!" Lykouleon looked at him sternly.

            Alfeegi blinked and quickly turned to look at Lykouleon. "But my Lord—"

            "I have the right to decide when I may come and go and these five are our guests."

            "…As you wish…"

            The Dragon Lord's look softened. "Now, Alfeegi, don't worry. Everything is all right. I came back safe and sound, didn't I?"

            "But Kharl was there!!" Alfeegi retorted. "And Nadil could have set up and ambush and if we lose you—"

            "Yeesh, Feeg, you need to calm down!" a voice behind him said, making Alfeegi jump. A stranger was looking at Alfeegi with an eyebrow raised, his brown eyes full of mischief. He wore a light green vest over a black shirt, the right side intricately designed with spirals, his pants also black with a dark green sash around his waist. His hair was an unusual color of dark brown with reddened tips. He walked passed the irritated Dragon Officer and went over to Lykouleon. "Hey, Lykouleon, how was your trip?"

            The Dragon Lord smiled. "It went well, Ruwalk." He leaned forward and whispered, "Thanks, by the way."

            "No problem," Ruwalk muttered back. "But it wasn't easy."

            Alfeegi stared at them, his eyes narrowed. "You two had better not be talking about your escape plane, Lord." He glared at Ruwalk. "And don't call me Feeg!! That is very disrespectful!! Not to mention downright annoying!!!!!"

            The two sweatdropped. Lykouleon coughed and changed the subject. "When will Kai-stern return?"          

            Alfeegi sighed. "I have no idea! Knowing him he'll just show up at the most random moments."

            "Everything seems to be random around here…" Kitchel muttered to Cesia, who tried to stifle a giggle.

            Rath cleared his throat. "Now that everyone seems to be here, except for this Kai-stern person, can you now explain everything to us?" He stared directly at Lykouleon.

            Everyone turned to him. Lykouleon blinked and nodded. "Fair question. Rath, Thatz, Rune, Cesia, and Kitchel, I'd like you to meet my Dragon Secretary." He placed a hand on Ruwalk's shoulder. "This is my very good friend since childhood and Secretary of State, Yellow Dragon Officer Ruwalk."

            Ruwalk smiled. "Howdy."
            The Dragon Lord turned to the still irritated Alfeegi. "And this is my chief advisor and Chief Secretary, White Dragon Officer Alfeegi."

            Alfeegi bowed. "Glad to have you here…"

            Lykouleon now waved his hand to Tetheus. "And this is Black Dragon Officer Tetheus, Secretary of Security."

            Tetheus just looked at them and nodded.

            "Unfortunately, Blue Dragon Officer Kai-stern is out on a trip to settle some foreign affairs in some distant kingdoms. He is the Secretary of Foreign Affairs."

            "Ooooh! Sounds like a fun job since he has to travel a lot!" Kitchel said.

            Alfeegi coughed. "And who, may I ask, are they?" he asked, motioning with his hand to the group.

            Lykouleon smiled. "I was waiting for you to ask that. These three," he said, motioning to Rath, Thatz, and Rune, "are the three Dragon Knights, finally having awakened to their powers."

            The three Dragon Officers blinked. "Them?!" they both said in unison.

            "What? Are we too young or something?" Thatz asked.

            Alfeegi coughed. "Er…no…but…" He narrowed his eyes on Thatz. "You in particular don't seem to be fitting to be a Dragon Knight."

            "Hey! That's a rather harsh thing to say!" Thatz yelled offended.

            Ruwalk turned to Rune. "And you're…an elf?"

            Rune blinked. "An elf? I'm an elf?! WHAT?!"

            Ruwalk sweatdropped. "I take it you never noticed…"

            Rune grabbed his hair. "IS THAT WHY MY HAIR KEPT GROWING??!?!?"

            "Hey, hey! Calm down!" Ruwalk said sweatdropping. Oh boy…got another Alfeegi…

            Lykouleon was having a hard time not laughing. He coughed. "Yes, Rune. You actually belong to the Spirit Tribe of elves, who reside in the Water Realm of Faeries." He looked at the astounded Rune directly. "You are the Prince of them."

            "P-P-P-Prince?!?!" both Thatz and Rune yelled in unison.

            "You look more like a princess!!" Thatz laughed pointing. He quickly moved his hand as Rune made a swing at it with his sword.

            "And who are the two young ladies?" Tetheus asked, his face still showing no expression.

            Kitchel walked up to him. "Hiya! I'm Kitchel!"

            He looked at her blankly.

            "…You're not very talkative are ya…?" she asked sweatdropping.

            "I believe that one should speak only when needed."

            "Riiight…" Weirdo… she thought to herself as she turned away and walked over to Cesia, who was looking at one of the paintings, and blinked. Her friend suddenly clutched the collar of her shirt and seemed to be in pain. "Cesia-chan…daijobu-ka?"

            "I…I don't know…demo…" she cringed. It hurts inside…why?

            Lykouleon looked at her for a moment then walked over to her. "Are you all right?" he asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder. Everyone turned to her, wondering what was going on.

            Rath blinked. Her…her aura is…

            "It hurts…from inside…" she said between breaths. "I…"

            The Dragon Officers narrowed their eyes and glanced at one another. "Lykouleon…" Alfeegi started to say.

            The Dragon Lord shook his head slightly at them then turned back to Cesia, his hand emitting a very soft glow on her shoulder. "It must be from the transportation. Your body might not have adjusted quite yet."

            She could feel the pain going away and blinked. "I feel better now…"

            Lykouleon smiled. "Maybe you should rest. Cernozura!"

            Thatz jumped to the side as a brown eyed, short flaxen haired woman poked her head out through the side door behind him. "Oh hello there!" She stepped out and bowed. "You called, my Lord?"

            "Yes, I would like you to show Ms. Cesia and Ms. Kitchel to their rooms, please."

            The attendant smiled. "Of course. Oh, by the way…" Her eyes narrowed and a look of doom was on her face. "Lady Raseleane is rather upset that you haven't seen her yet…"

            Lykouleon sweatdropped. "Eh-heh…I'll see her in a moment," he said coughing.

            Thatz blinked. "Who's Raseleane?"

            "SHE'S THE QUEEN!!" Alfeegi snapped, lightning bolts erupting from him.

            "Eep," Thatz said as he peered behind Rune's shoulder.

            Rune glanced at him. "You seem to be getting on their bad side…"

            "I can't help it…I'm hungry," Thatz said sighing.

            "Hun…gry…?" Rune repeated twitching. "You're HUNGRY?!?!"

            "Hoy! Don't kill each other!!" Ruwalk yelled as he grabbed Rune's sword right before it created another scar on Thatz's face. "It's getting late anyway." He turned to Lykouleon sweatdropping. "Hoy, Lykouleon, what do you think about a welcoming feast?"

            "That would be a fine idea." He looked down at Cesia. "I'm sure you will at least eat before you turn in?"

            Cesia smiled. "Of course! I'm' sure the food here will be exquisite!"

            The Dragon Lord smiled then turned to Cernozura. "Sorry for the sudden change in plans, but could you escort them to the dining hall?"

            "Sure! Just make sure you see Lady Raseleane soon…" Her eyes narrowed and there was a look of doom in them. "Or you know what will happen…"

            "Yeesh, the Queen must be vicious or somethin'," Thatz commented as the followed the attendant out.

            "You shouldn't speak so ill of the Dragon Queen," Rune snapped. "You should show some more respect!"

            Rath watched has friends all pass him then caught Lykouleon's eye when they left the room. They looked at one another for a moment then Rath straightened. "You know something else. Something you're not telling us."

            Lykouleon just smiled. "I don't know what you're—"

            "Don't lie to me!" Rath interrupted.

            "…" The Dragon Lord turned away. "I have to speak with my Dragon Officers first. Then, I will tell you what you want to hear." He looked out the window. "Right now I'm not sure."

            Rath stared at his back. "…Fine. But don't forget." He stalked out of the room, where Cesia was waiting. He looked at her for a moment then continued walking. I can't…

            She blinked. "Eh…Rath?" He didn't acknowledge her and continued on. What's…going on? She stood there for a moment then ran after the group when Kitchel called her.

            Lykouleon watched the whole scene and sighed as he sat down. Ruwalk looked at him. "Lykouleon?"

            The Dragon Lord looked at them squarely in the eyes. "There is something about Cesia that you should have noticed…"

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Ick, not really that great .o; Oh well, I was doing half of this on the plane ya know! Finished it in the hotel. Colorado has nice weather right now. ^^ It's a beautiful day, the weather absolutely perfect! *sighs* Wish it was like this every day where I live…*stares out the hotel window dreamily*