Fire's True Light
Prologue
On and on into the night, the young man ran. Several times he thought those who pursued him would catch him, yet somehow he managed to evade them.
"Gil………Gil! Come back! Don't you want revenge?" a voice called. With a wild shake of his head, Gil dashed off, not caring that he was leaving behind a blood trail that even a blind man could follow. Days and nights of endless running followed; and even though he'd long since stopped hearing the voice, he didn't dare stop to rest. The end to his strength came when he crested a hill and found himself in front of the home of the Dragon Lord.
"Lykouleon…………he can help me." Gil thought, as he wearily tried to find a way into the castle keep. Even from where he was, he could hear people going about their daily lives, unaware that a wounded traveler was at their doorstep. He was startled when what appeared to be a blond-haired youth clamored over the wall and landed with an ungraceful thump on his backside, very close to where Gil now stood.
"Well……..if anyone had seen that, all first impressions would be thrown out the window!" the youth muttered, as he stood up and dusted himself off. Then he looked up; directly at Gil. At first, shock adorned the young man's fair features, then horror when he saw how severely Gil was wounded.
"I'd best get you to the healers right away. My errand can wait." The youth said, his demeanor changing dramatically, as he did what he could to stanch the bleeding in Gil's many wounds.
"Tetheus! Open the gate! Hurry up!" the youth shouted, calmly, though with some urgency in his voice.
"What seems to be the problem, Lord Lykouleon? Did you forget something?" a calm voice replied.
"Open the gate and see for yourself, Tetheus." The youth replied, ignoring the somewhat startled look he was getting from Gil. With a grinding moan, the gate opened to reveal what appeared to be a dark-haired, red eyed man. And there were others with him.
"His wounds are severe. Would that Queen Raseleane still had her Dragon Eyes." Tetheus murmured, as he and the Dragon Lord helped Gil limp into the keep.
"I'll tell the healers to stand by." One of the Dragon Officers said, as he dashed off to do just that.
"Thank you, Alfeegi. Tetheus, get the gate closed again. Ruwalk, help me get this poor fellow to the healers, would you?" Lykouleon asked.
"Sure." Ruwalk replied, as he got alongside Gil and helped shoulder his weight. Gil could not believe his good fortune; he'd found the Dragon Lord with nary a struggle! And, what was more, he was finally safe from the demons that sought him. Later, when his wounds had been bound and he was lying in one of the many sumptuous rooms of the castle, Gil took stock on what had happened to him. He'd been attacked by demons, had somehow managed to run the entire distance from Emphaza to Draqueen, and had accidentally met up with Lord Lykouleon himself.
"What more can happen to me?" Gil wondered, blinking his single golden eye in wonder when a small, red dragon sauntered into the room and jumped onto his bed.
"Well, now. Where did you come from?" Gil asked, as the dragon trotted over to him and sat on his lap. He was surprised when it held up a card. 'I'm Fire Dragon. I live here.' The card stated, matter-of-factly. Gil nodded in understanding.
"It's good to meet you, Fire Dragon. Where I came from, I was known as Gil. I guess I'll be known by that name around here too." Gil said, somewhat jokingly. The small dragon nodded, then held up another card. 'And you'll be known as a Dragon Knight here too.'
"W-what?! Dragon Knight?!? When did this come about?!" Gil asked, startled by this bit of news.
"You are Fire Dragon's true master, Gil. He's chosen you." A young boy said, as he walked into the room.
"Chosen me? But why me? I can't even stand up, and yet I am a Dragon Knight?" Gil asked, confusedly.
"If you accept Fire's power, then he'll heal your wounds. Well, maybe not your right eye, but the rest of the wounds on your body." The boy said, with some sadness in his voice and eyes.
"Why does he sound so sad?" Gil wondered, then gently ruffled the boy's hair. The youth gave him a startled, yet confused, look.
"You remind me of my younger brother back home. He's about your age. What's your name, by the way?" Gil asked.
"Rath. Everyone around here calls me Rath." The boy replied, calmly.
"Then it is a pleasure to meet you, Rath. Don't worry, I'll make sure Fire hangs out with you when I'm not on duty. Is that all right?" Gil asked, again. He was surprised when Rath's eyes lit up and a smile adorned his youthful features.
"Sure! Thanks Gil! But you'd better take care of Fire Dragon, or else!" Rath threatened, with an impish grin.
"Don't worry, I will……..I definitely will." Gil replied, before the boy disappeared from the room. Then he turned his attention to Fire Dragon.
"Well? What now?" Gil asked. Fire brought out another card. 'Close your eyes and open your heart.' Was Fire's reply.
"Open my heart? How do I do that?" Gil queried, confusedly. 'You ask too many questions, Gil. Just clear your mind and focus your heart on me.' Fire's card replied, patiently. With a nod, Gil closed his eye and did as he was told. At first, nothing happened, then he became aware of a warmth surrounding him, and the sound of crackling flames. The next thing he knew was that he was standing in the middle of his room, and was dressed in red armor.
"Welcome to the Dragon Clan, Gil, Dragon Knight of Fire." Lykouleon's voice murmured, from the doorway.
"Dragon Knight of Fire………..that's a new one on me. But at least it's better than what those demons had in mind for me!" Gil thought, as he looked ahead to a better future, with Fire Dragon at his side.