Chapter 12: Jade Dragons and Red Roses
I have already disclaimed what I don't own so there! Can I just use that for my excuse? I think I will. Well any how. I would like to thank WATER GODDESS!! I LOVE YOU!!! Why, might you ask if you are not her? Because she gave me another reader!!! cry She's really nice! And thank you YSYF! I do apologize for the Mormon crack I made. It wasn't right for me, and any more Mormons who feel kind of . . . angry, I am sorry to disrespect. Please forgive me. As for plot. Yes, there shall be a plot. This is where it gets moving. Get ready and strap yourself in, baby, cause your gonna be on one hell of a ride. This time you learn about Rose and her DIARY?!((GASP)). Also, you find out about . . . someone I know you're all wondering about. Yes, my precious! Feel anxious to read! Please. . . . If I'm gonna Gollum, I'm gonna be polite.
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We chased after Aron on foot. At the moment We lost sight of him he had just entered the Forest. The big dark forest that was drenched in poisoned air. I ran down the volcano's side behind Zeek. Ella was trying to catch up as well. Leaves and branches whacked me as I half ran half fell down the side. But I couldn't stop my feet if I wanted to. My dragon eyes searched the forest as we hit the wall of trees. Or went through them. The forest was indeed dark, after all it was night and in a dangerous forest. My chest was heavy with all this running, hurting as little pains started to scrape my throat and lungs. No, I was not used to such exercise. Come on, I was a fan-girl. We slowed down for a moment, each of us trying to catch our breath. And then somehow, I found the energy to break back out into another run. Ella followed, but Zeek was the last to pick back up. The trees were getting more and more dark, some monsters we saw were getting bigger and more deadly. But we didn't have much time to fight seeing as we fell through the forest floor. Yelling and screaming, we fell down a tunnel in a rush of leaves and forest debris.
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"Hey look at this lady! She's really pretty! Get Zeig! Tell him she's awake!!" said a small voice. Rose rolled over and sighed. Her back hurt, her body hurt. She rubbed her eyes and looked up. She was in a room. A barn room. And the air was fresh and clean. Hadn't she just been in her Father's study? In her father's castle in England. She had learned of all sorts of fairy-tales there. One of which she had been reading. It was called the 'Campaign of the Dragoons' by an unknown author. Rose looked around. She was only a girl. Only fifteen. She was still in her nightgown. She stood up as she heard children running closer to her. Along with another man. He a red tunic on that wrapped around his neck. He also had clear blue eyes, Rose noticed when he came near. Rose felt her limbs go numb as he came close.
"Oh Gods, are you all right miss?" he asked. She nodded her head with wide eyes as he examined her limbs. She jerked away.
"I am Rose Smithy Jackson! My father is the lord Jackson! He has taught me many things about fencing and if forced to, I will attack! So –so give me back!" Rose yelled, thrusting her fist out and covering her head. Her fist hit flesh with a thud, but gentle hands uncurled the fist.
"And I am Zeig of the city of Neet. You were found in my father's lands. My father is a farmer and would be glad to help you rest. Please don't be afraid, miss Rose. I mean no harm. No Harm at all." Zeig said. Rose shivered and shuddered and gave way to tears. Zeig held her until they subsided. He shot the three children a look to go away and they did.
"The Frahma family is coming! They want to see you Zeig!" said an old man. He saw that the young woman had awakened. He smiled as he saw the tearstained face of Rose.
"We found you in the desert. Somewhere near the Divine Tree roots. Come on, dear. My wife shall clean and dress you so that you may see the Frahma family and pay your respects.
"Yes sir, but . . ." Rose looked at Zeig and smiled. "Thank you." she said, before walking away. She was afraid now. But she had that man Zeig to be with her. She knew she was no longer on Earth, so she smiled and agreed to what the woman said.
She looked out the window and saw a dark shadow in the distance. She squinted her eyes to see him. He appeared young and lithe but no real distinction was noticeable. Rose then gasped as the old woman had poured cold water on her.
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I opened my eyes. What a weird dream. I looked around and saw strange plants come forth from the floor. They looked like sea plants. I watched them move for a moment and then saw a small pool of fresh and clean water. My expression was shocked as I crawled towards the pool. I dipped my hands in and drank as much I as I could. All pain subsided and my weariness had vanished.
Okay, now I could think. Nest of Dragon. Where Lavitz knew he was a dragoon. Okay. I stood and looked around. Zeek was gone as well as Ella. As much of a game genius as I was. I didn't really know how to get to the Dragon's Chamber. I sighed. Guess I had to wing it. I didn't really mind. While I was wondering around aimlessly, I could ponder my dream.
I walked up a path and looked up to see a hole in the ceiling. It had a sticky white vine coming from it. I started to climb up and to the next level. I succeeded and fell onto the floor above. I could smell the horrid sent of Dragon Poison. Walked up and saw more strange plants. They were about half my height. And then I saw some crates in the corner behind some big plants. Well, might as well take the loot. Or some of it if it was useful. I took a running start and jumped over the weeds. I looked at the crates and noticed how dusty they were. I sniffed at the air once using my new and sharper senses and smelled no strange being, just the persistent sent of Dragon Poison. I shrugged and waved my forearm across the top. I bent low to read the markings, after all the light was dim and I could barely see the writing on the wood. I tried to make it out, but I only succeeded with the first word.
"Library." I said, exasperated. I threw open the lid and lo and behold, I found books. I looked around. Well, what harm could there be? I picked one up and flipped to the first page, like I usually do in Bookstores. The page was frayed at the edges, but I didn't mind. I started to read the passages. At least they were in eligible writing.
June the fifth of 1452,
I've just read the most exciting book! It was about these creatures called Winglies and how they lived. It was all through the eyes of this woman called Charle. She had a brother name Melbu and Charle was helping an orphan named Zeig. Zeig is very sweet and kind as well as strong. If he were real, I'm sure I'd fall in love with him. Also, today I learned that my fencing teacher, Mr. Myers, is leaving for France. He had told me to never lose my brightness and love for life. He said "A rose is only as good as it is beautiful. You are, dear, so take care." it was really sad and mournful. Mr. Myers was old but a diligent teacher. I will miss him greatly.
I stopped reading for a moment. Was this really Rose's diary? I flipped the pages, looking for identification. Before I could find any I heard a scream. I stood straight up. My eyes darted around the room, searching and my nose sniffing at the air. I took out my sword and slipped the dairy into a pocket. I would definitely come back for more reading material. I tried to slice through the plants, but they grew back over and over. I huffed in my stupidity. Rose, you dumb ass, you knew better than to leap before you look. QUITE LITERALY! I started to stack the three crates on each other and stand on them. They wobbled of course. I lost my balance and they fell on top of the plants, killing it. I stood there and smiled.
"Good work!" I said to myself. I started to pick more books up and slip them into my pockets when I heard another scream. RIGHT!
I ran to an opening and climbed up. But the rope gave way. I kicked the wall next to it and huffed. Maybe I could jump up there! I looked at the height. A good ten feet. It was worth a try. I crunched down and felt my dragoon senses. I felt the muscles in my legs have spasms. And I jumped. I caught the edge. With a little more work, I'm sure I could have jumped higher. I scrambled up to the level and heard the screaming become louder. Good, I was on the right track. I ran through the paths and up a weird rope again.
I was surprised to see Ella screaming. Okay, not really. She was being harassed by an overwhelmingly large spider. I shrank back. Okay, maybe she could take care of herself. I hated spiders. But still, I had to help. I sighed and screamed as I sliced through it. I stood there for a moment. My skin felt all weird and goose bumpy. I shivered and then looked to Ella. Our eyes met in agreement. We both screamed and ran our hands over our arms. Then we calmed down.
"I hate spiders." I said.
"Me too. I hate bugs." Ella said.
"Thanks for screaming, I couldn't have found you if you hadn't." I said.
"No problem." she replied. We both laughed.
"Come on, we gotta find those boys. No telling what they're doing." I said.
Ella nodded and cocked her bow. We walked upwards to the big rope at the center of the room. It looked like stairs. It was that big. I told her to go before me and she climbed. Unfortunately for me, another spider monster was making its ay towards us. I held my sword out and did my own addition move.
"Demon Warning!" I yelled, impaling it after my three slices.
Did anyone ever notice how on games like Baulder's Gate they gave the Spiders green guts? They have brown guts. Okay? I just wanted to point that out seeing as I was covered in it now. I wanted a bath. A long hot bath. More of them started coming towards me. It was like eight legged freaks! I scrambled up the path and yelled for Ella to hurry up. She tried her best but ended up slipping. I cursed and jumped up with my dragoon abilities and took her with me. She screamed for a moment, but we landed safely on the next level. The spiders seemed somewhat disinclined to come this far. I sheathed my sword and took a step back. I was breathing hard and I had the awful taste of dead spider in my mouth. I started to feel sick. I wondered why they had stopped coming. I looked behind me and saw the largest web I'd ever see in my life. But on it rested a man in green armor. His hair was blond and his face was strong. He sat waiting for us.
"Rose?" he asked, putting down his spear. I was shocked. Hey, I knew Lavitz was dead.
"That's me . . ." I replied. I wasn't lying, but I wasn't telling the truth. I knew he was talking of the old Rose. I clenched my jaw.
"You're dead, Lavitz." I said.
"Yes. Dart had a son, so I see. I wasn't expecting to see you or Dart's offspring." he said, smiling.
"I know. What are you doing Lavitz?" I asked, trying to act like Rose.
"I have the choice to live, Rose, but at a price." he said, quickly becoming afraid.
"What's the price?" I asked. He shook his head and grabbed it.
"No! You don't understand! I have to live! I'm sorry Rose, but I have to do it!" he yelled. He was shaking. I walked forward. I felt powerful, but guilty. I couldn't do this to Lavitz, but I knew I had to if needed. I took in a deep breath and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"What do you have to do, Lavitz? I can help you." I said.
"I have to eat souls. I need them to live. I'm sorry, but I need to live. If I don't then I can't protect this world." he said, his voice becoming a whisper. I shook my head and grabbed his face.
"How did you get here? Who did this?" I asked. I couldn't help it. They were innocent souls, I knew it! But Lavitz looked so scared. Was it Rose? Or was he afraid of himself.
"It was a woman. Or a man. I couldn't tell. I'll go with the latter. He said that the world needed me once again. Albert was in trouble again. In fact, the whole world is. So now I feed off of souls. I need them to live and to protect. Please Rose, don't kill me! I didn't kill the Jade Dragoon! He is sleeping in the chamber behind this one." Lavitz said. Something wasn't right. Lavitz wasn't the one to be like this. Unless something had changed him. I shook my head and stroked his hair like a mother would a child.
"Lavitz, don't worry, okay? I'm the new Rose, and I'll do everything in my power to protect you." I said smiling. He pointed to the door. Ella hurried over to me as I left. Lavitz's body was convulsing with his weeping. When we went into the other room. We saw Zeek and Aron in the corner. Zeek was trying to revive Aron. He looked to us.
"What are you doing here?! Did Lavitz capture you too?" he asked. My heart sank as My eyes pricked with tears. No wonder. Lavitz would only act this way if he was under someone's control. I looked behind me to see Lavitz close the door. I yelled and ran towards it, punching it with powerful blows. Nothing happened.
"I'm sorry, Rose. I had to do it. . It was the other price to pay. Please, when I do die for Good, kill me in the after life." Lavitz said, leaving. The ceiling moved and the bright light was shone on us even though it was night. The Jade dragon Feybrand started to fly in. Aron started to move a little bit. The dragon landed.
I unsheathed my sword. I loved dragons, but I'd kill one to save my friends. I then felt a prickling along my skin. Like when the red Dragon came fo Drat. And vanished into his dragoon spirit. Aron's eyes opened. The Dragon's attention was drawn to him. Aron stood and took out his stone. He looked very serious and noble. In his hand he held the D-stone. The dragon roared and looked at Aron.
"I hear you," he whispered. What did they hear? I never heard anything when I had been leveled up.
He titled his head and held the Dragoon spirit out. The Dragon came forward with a great cry and struck it. The bright green light grew as the dragon was drawn into and through Aron. He yelled and received the pain through his chest. His eyes shone with green light before it all going away. I watched him as he fell to his knees. Ella helped him. I sighed and patted him on the back. I smiled and started to looked up at the ceiling.
"We should get out of here. Ella might not have felt it, but the place is polluted with poison." I said. Aron looked up at me.
"How?" he asked. I looked up to the hole. The nearest ledge was twenty feet high. Looked about one hundred, but I wasn't three so I'd take the twenty.
I felt the dragon spirit within me once again and felt the muscles tighten and bulge. I jumped up and reached the ledge. I climbed out and looked around. I smiled at my feat and then looked down. Cool. Just a little more force and I could have made it perfectly. I jumped back down and landed smartly on my ass. Guess I had to work on my landing, eh? I giggled as I took Ella's hand.
"Get on my back, okay?" I told her.
She smiled and did so. I felt the power run through me and Jumped. Once again, I only caught the ledge. Ella scrambled to the right level and I fell back down. Once again, my ass broke my fell. I think my rear was gonna be as black as the abyss that the dragoon came form. I moaned and looked to Zeek and Aron.
"Hey, you're Dragoon's too. Do me a favor and try it!" I said. They chuckled a bit. "I'm serious," I said. They stopped immediately.
"How?" they asked. I rolled my eyes.
"Come on, just feel it! Crouch down and wait for your energy to build up." I said. They tried it but Aron was the only one who got to the top by a hand hold. He struggled for a few moments and then was helped by Ella. Zeek landed on his back.
"You did good, dude, now come on and try it again." I said, helping him up. He id it the second time. Now it was my turn. I crouched down and felt the energy build back up. I threw myself up and fell right behind the three others.
"Oh yeah, that felt really good." I said, cracking my neck and knuckles.
Ella coughed a little bit as we walked further down the trail. The forest was still getting thicker. I walked with my hands behind my neck. I saw the forest getting darker. Or lighter? I couldn't really tell. I sighed a little and yawned. I was tired, dirty, and bored.
"Hey, know where we're headed?" I asked.
"Out," Ella said, still wheezing.
"You okay?" I asked. Aron turned.
"I'll carry her." and so he did. We walked till the gray morning light shone. We were getting closer to the exit. The trees were getting thinner and thinner. We started to run out and we found a path. We laughed as we got out. Finally, we were out of that wretched forest. I twirled and looked at Aron with the princess on his back. I laughed. She was sleeping! She might have as well. Zeek stared at her for a moment and Aron tried to wake her. She wouldn't open her eyes. There was that first sense of panic.
"The poison." Aron said. My mouth hung open.
"Let's get her away from this damn forest and get to a town. The nearest!" I yelled. They nodded. Zeek took her on his back this time. He muttered an apology to her and started to run. Aron and I followed. Ella couldn't die because of some fucking poison. It wasn't in the script. Not in mine, anyway. We ran all through the dark of morning before dawn.
Bloody skies greeted our arrival at large pillars. We slowed for only a little bit. The pillars were white marble and nicely cleaned. Only trimmed ivy hung lightly around them. There were solid floors beneath us and in the center of the room was a large water fountain. Someone had to live here. My mind suddenly yelled. We ran up the steps and into another courtyard. This one overlooked the forest.
It lead to a house. I gasped as my legs started to seize up on me. They were so stiff. I wheezed a little as I pushed myself painfully further. Dart sank to his knees. Ella fell to the floor. But Aron caught her head. I told them to wait here. As I got the occupant. I ran through the rooms, still tired and woozy. I felt the morning light shine on me as I reached the largest and most grand of the rooms. I couldn't really see the rooms for all they were. I screamed out help as I had running through the rooms. I beat my hands on the floor as I realized no one was fucking here! I screamed and screamed, my throat feeling torn and hurt. I got up and ran throughout all of the rooms once more.
"Help! Someone! Please!" I cried. Ella couldn't die by some stupid poison! She needed to die in a bed when she was old and haggard. With her entire family and kingdom mourning for her because she'd make a great queen. I cried as I sunk against the floor. I put my head against the ground.
"Rose?" said a small voice. I looked up to see a young girl with white hair and lots of jewelry. A man with clothes of a scarecrow stood by her side.
"Drake, go help the people out front. I'll take care of our Rose." she said. I smiled.
"You're Shirley, then" I said. She smiled at me and close my eyes with her fingers. I felt the sleep over come me with power. I smelled the lovely scent of flowers as I slept. And my dreams were pleasant ones.