Chapter 7
Sweat beaded on Ryu's forehead and ran down his face. Shyong's mouth curled into a smirk as he unsheathed his sword, bringing the curved blade inches from Ryu's neck. "My, you are pathetic." Ryu looked up. "I expected at least a little struggle." Shyong laughed softly. "I guess your kind doesn't do well with confrontation. Shall I turn my back?" Ryu's eyes narrowed and he clenched his fists, but he remained silent. Behind him, he could hear sounds of struggling and a muffled cry, but he didn't dare look back. A strong gust of wind blew, his hair to falling in his eyes. Shyong pushed the sword further, the point now resting on Ryu's skin. The smirk was replaced by a look of annoyance. "Why won't you say anything? Are you that proud?" Ryu continued to stare, watching how the muscle below Shyong's left eye began to twitch. "I know you can talk." he rasped. When again met by silence, he struck Ryu's face with the flat of the blade. "Tell me why you took the Princess!" Ryu spat at the sword, looking back up at Shyong who clenched his teeth, eyes murderous. "You little bastard..." he seethed, bringing the point again to Ryu's throat.
Nina moved forward and the soldiers grasped her shoulders harder. One leaned toward her, a faint smile on his pale face. "Don't worry, Princess. Sir Tsunaia can take care of this. He..." The princess shook her head, throwing her weight forward and breaking free of their grip. Heart pounding, she tuned out the yells and ran forward, grabbing onto Shyong's arm.
He looked down at her as she slowly pushed the sword away from Ryu. "Please...don't fight..." she said softly. Shyong slid the sword into its sheath, his expression softening. He snapped his fingers and the two soldiers that had held Nina ran forward, grasping both of Ryu's arms. They pulled him roughly to his feet, his blood stained face wincing. She looked up at Shyong, eyes wide. "What are you doing to him?" She stopped as he reached up, cupping her face in his hand. He ran his thumb over a patch of dirt on her cheek.
"You're filthy." he said quietly, pushing her grimy hair from her eyes. "I want you to take my canteen and rinse off. His majesty won't be pleased if I bring you back a mess."
She shook her head slowly, moving out of his grasp. "I'm not going back." She said softly. "I'm staying with Ryu."
Shyong glanced over at Ryu's grimacing face, his eyes narrowing. "What do you mean you want to stay with him?"
Nina clutched the front of her dress with dirty hands, twisting a ribbon between her fingers. "I don't belong there." her voice was almost a whisper.
"You don't belong with him!"
"He's the only one who treats me like I have feelings..." She squeezed her eyes closed, tears falling onto her clasped hands. "The only one who lets me make my own judgement."
Shyong snorted and walked to Ryu, taking a handful of blue hair in his hand and pulling upward. "You really want to be, with...this...?"
Nina's eyes met Ryu's. His were bloodshot and half closed, the brightness of them now gone. His teeth were clenched, mouth swollen and dripping blood. Stringy hair fell in his dirty face, flowing in tangles over his hunched body. She moved toward him, her hands shaking. It was her fault this was happening to him. They wouldn't have gone after him if she hadn't had come. She was so damn selfish... "I..."
Shyong grasped Ryu's hair tighter, the boy crying out loudly. "I don't believe this." He growled, leaning down. "Whatever you've done to her..."
"Leave him alone Tsunaia! He didn't do anything!"
Shyong reached up with his other hand and backhanded Ryu's grimacing face. "You don't deserve this...You don't deserve her feelings!" he rasped as Ryu spit blood. "I won't let you..."
The hand came again, this time harder. Nina watched as Ryu's head flew sideways, blood flying. "Tsuanaia...."she whispered. Shyong's ice blue eyes were wide and trembling, glaring at him with the intensity of a madman. Nina felt her body start to shake, her wings fluttering nervously. "Please..."
Shyong laughed softly, holding Ryu's bloodstained face to his. "You see this, Princess? He's pathetic." He smirked and turned Ryu's face to the side, watching a green eye swivel to meet his. "Pretty as you may think he is...he's still a monster." He let go and stepped back, letting Ryu's head droop. "One not worth this world..." He held out one of his hands and spread his fingers slowly, the tips beginning to tremble. Teeth clenched he thrust it forward, a light purple glow bursting from his wrist and flowing down through his fingers. From the tips, the light collected into a swirling mass of purple fire in his palm. Ryu slowly looked up, his eyes shining in the light of the flames. Shyong's lips curled into a smile, his hand starting to shake.
"Tsunaia, stop!"
Nina's shrill voice filled his ears and his head snapped up. She stared at him through glistening eyes. "Don't hurt him...I told you not to hurt him!" her choked voice cried.
Shyong's eyes widened. "You can't be serious, Princess... He's not worth this.."
She balled her fists and thrust them behind her. "Do not tell me what I can and cannot care for, Tsunaia!" She cried, cheeks reddening.
Shyong glanced at Ryu who was staring at her, his green eyes wide. "Don't you dare look at her..." he seethed, bringing his glowing hand up.
"He can do what he wants!" Nina cried, tears flowing. "You leave him alone! You're the one who's the monster, Tsunaia! You're the one..."
Shyong looked up, his hand closing, the fireball disappearing in a flurry of purple sparks. He clenched his other fist, swinging it out. "How can you care?! After all he's done?! He killed three of my best men! He's a murderer!" He walked towards her, reaching out to grasp her shoulders. "Tell me, Princess... What makes him so special that you would still care?"
Nina trembled in his grip, unconsciously moving her wings around her. She sniffed loudly and looked up at Ryu. Her expression softened as his eyes met hers. No, he didn't deserve this. He had saved her. So what if he killed those men... He did it to save her. He risked his life to set her free.
She turned towards Shyong, staring into his light blue eyes. The wind blew, ruffling his short jet black hair. It was true, she also cared for Shyong, but... Her eyes again burned with the arrival of tears. He was just like the rest of them. He only wanted to protect her out of fear for her father. He didn't care. No one cared.
She reached up, clutching both of his arms with frail hands. "I care because I..."
Her head flew back as a blow came to her cheek. She stumbled backwards from Shyong and fell to her knees, her hand going to her mouth. Blood. Dazed, she glanced up at Shyong. He was staring at his hand, eyes wide. She watched as his gaze went to her, his mouth slowly opening.
"S-S-Sir Tsunaia....." a trembling voice came from behind. Shyong turned sharply to see Ryu's body shaking in the soldiers' grip. His eyes widened and he swung his hands out frantically.
"Get away from him, now!" He cried watching Ryu's body start to convulse.
The soldiers nodded quickly and let go, moving slowly away. Shyong drew his sword, holding it before him.
Nina shook her head and looked up at Ryu, her blue eyes slowly widening. He was breathing heavily, his face dripping with sweat. What was happening to him? Why was he..? She gasped as both of his hands shot out, his fingers spreading and the tips curling forward. His fingernails started to lengthen, turning a dark red color. The veins on his arms popped up and pulsed as blood shot in. He clenched his teeth, green eyes bulging as his hands closed, the skin on top vibrating. The boy cried out as crimson scales burst from his wrist and rippled up his arm, stopping at his elbow. The bone shot out from his skin, covered with scales, and ended with a single curved red claw. Ryu brought his claw-like hands close to his body, the veins on his chest beginning to pulse. Nina shivered and brought her hands to her gaping mouth.
This was why. This was why everyone hated him.
The muscles in his chest and arms began to expand and harden, his already torn shirt ripping to shreds. Scales flowed down his knees and into his boots, large claws bursting through the bottom, his crimson feet expanding. He growled, his claws clutching his abdomen. Nina watched as his shoulder blades began to pulse violently and sweat drenched his entire body. A scream echoed through the night air as wings burst from his back. They arched into the air, scales covering the leathery flesh. He flapped them twice, then curled them close to his shivering body.
Everyone hated him. No one trusted him.
Still screaming, he threw his head back, two mangled crimson horns coming out from the back of his head, wrapping around to the front and ending in milky white points. His teeth clenched and the fangs lengthened. The ground sunk beneath him and winds whipped around him, blowing his hair from his grimacing face. Swirling in the air it took on a yellow glow, then faded into a snowy white.
He was...
His mouth opened wide, a deep growl escaping from his throat as white lightning struck around him, the air around him crackling with energy.
A monster.
Shyong stepped back, sweat dripping down his forehead. The ground began to shake and he stumbled. Every bone in his body felt as though it was vibrating. The soldiers circled around him, swords out and ready. Looking around sharply, he shook his head, waving a hand. "Not me, you fools! Protect the Princess...!" He croaked, eyes set on the dragon's glowing body.
Suddenly, the growling stopped and Ryu was silent. Shyong held his breath, gripping his sword tighter. Wind and rocks whipping around him, the dragon lowered his head, his deep crimson eyes focusing on Shyong.
Nina glanced up as soldiers crowded around her, blocking her view. Wiping the blood from her mouth, she stood up, stumbling a bit. "...What...Ryu...?"
Ryu's head turned quickly to Nina. White hair fell in his glowing eyes, waving violently in the wind. She sucked in her breath as his massive body faced her. The soldiers in front of her moved forward, gripping their swords.
"You'd better turn away you dragon bastard! You won't be able to..."
It happened so fast. Nina screamed as a crimson claw burst through the soldier's back, blood splattering everywhere. The other soldiers backed away, a few trembling so hard they could barely hold their swords. "Bastard....how did he..." One whispered, edging towards Nina. Ryu lifted up the soldier's body and swung his arm, striking three other soldiers. Nina watched as they flew back, their bodies smacking against trees and crumpling loudly to the ground. The dragon snorted, and shook the soldier's limp body off of his claw. Nina clutched her dress, her wings encircling her. How..? Why...? How could he...? Her mind raced as Ryu turned slowly towards her, the white aura fading from his body. She stared into his crimson eyes, her body beginning to shake violently. Her eyes widened as he reached out to her with a bloody claw, beckoning to her. Hands grasping her dress tighter, she shook her head, backing up against a tree. Ryu stepped towards her, hand beckoning again. She squeezed her eyes closed, shaking her head.
Ryu's hand dropped, his eyes wide.
"See what I told you?"
His head turned to Shyong who was standing before him, breathing heavily, a smirk appearing on his lips. "Look at her, she's afraid. Afraid...of you..."
Ryu turned back to Nina. She pressed herself against the trunk, her hands grasping at the bark.
"You see...you're nothing but a monster."
Ryu's hands went to his head, palms covering his pointed ears.
"When will you dragons learn that you don't belong with humans? You don't..."
Ryu threw his head back and screamed, his claws grasping his long white hair. Shyong clutched his sword, holding it in front of him as the dragon stumbled forward, eyes bulging. Ryu's shoulders heaved as he breathed, a ragged hiss escaping from his lips. He lowered his head, his eyes narrowing at Shyong. The knight stepped back, holding his sword out.
Ryu dropped back to his haunches, face contorting to a sneer. Shyong clenched his teeth, muttering something under his breath. The hilt of his sword began to glow purple and spread to the tip. In an explosion of light, his body was enveloped in a transparent violet shield.
The dragon pounced, leathery wings outspread. Snow white hair whipping behind him, he soared towards Shyong, bringing a large red clawed hand back. Roaring, he swung it forward.
The ground around Shyong cracked as the blow came in contact with his shield, rocking both of their bodies with an intense earthquake. Sweat pouring down his face, Shyong pushed his sword forward against the onslaught, his hands clutching the vibrating hilt tight.
Ryu's wings beat hard behind him and he screamed, white light flooding over his body and into his hand. Shyong's sword flew back, the shield shattering into thousands of glistening shards. The dragon's body followed through with the blow, his smiling face nearing Shyong's. His ice eyes widened as Ryu's other claw came up from beneath him, catching the flesh under his chin. Ryu pushed it upwards, raking it across the left side of his face.
Blood and sweat flying, Shyong wheeled backwards, the broken sword clanging to the ground. His hands went to his torn face, grasping at the gaping wound, his mouth open and shaking.
A flapping noise brought his attention upward, his right pupil shrinking to a pinpoint. Ryu was above him, the smile still on his lips. The dragon's wings retracted against his back, his body plunging downward. Thrusting his scaled knees forward, he knocked Shyong to the ground, hitting with such force, the knees sunk in. Shyong's eye swivelled up to the monster straddling his head. Sneering, Ryu lifted his hand into the air, the blood soaked claws glinting in the light of the moon.
"No, Ryu! Don't kill him!"
The dragon's head snapped up, his crimson eyes focusing on Nina. She was on her knees, her dirty face streaked with tears. She shook her head slowly, the wind whipping at her blonde mass of hair. "Please...stop..." she sobbed quietly.
His hand dropped to his side.
"Please..."
Eyes still on her, he pulled his knees from the earth, standing up from Shyong's shivering body. Bringing a large hand down, he brushed the dirt from the scales. Nina held her breath as he looked up, focusing again on her. Face expressionless, he held out his hand, curling his fingers back, motioning for her to come close.
She tried to speak. She tried to move, but she couldn't. All she could do was stare.
Ryu's eyes lowered to the ground and he opened his fanged mouth, but nothing came out. He glanced at over at Shyong and snorted, jumping into the air. His large red wings spread, catching the wind in one powerful beat. Rising slowly, his gaze again went to Nina. She clutched at her chest, but remained silent, hot tears falling from her wide eyes. He looked quickly away, his white hair flowing in the wind. She watched as he flew higher, his wings beating hard against the air. Taking one last look at her, he turned, his body becoming almost transparent in the starry sky. Then, he was gone; a trail of leaves leading into the forest the only indication that he had even been there.
Nina glanced around. She felt feverish. Every part of her body shook. Her mind raced. What the hell...was going on?
Shyong was screaming. Soldiers were cautiously crowding around him, talking to him, trying to calm him down, but it wasn't working. Nina's body rocked with the sounds of his torment. It was her fault...everything...her fault... Her vision blurred as she glanced around the clearing. Blood was everywhere. On the ground, the trees... On the piles of dead soldiers. On Shyong. On...her...
Head swimming, she stood up. No one was looking at her. Everyone was with Shyong. Clutching her dress, she stepped back into the forest.
There was nothing for her here.
She turned, swaying as if she were in a daze, and did the only thing she knew how to do.
* * *
In the darkness, a heart pulsed. Eyes struggled to open, but could not. A mind screamed, clawing at the emptiness with hands that might not have existed. Shrouded in the shadows of desperation, it waited.
* * *
"You haven't touched your dinner."
The orange eyes met hers. Still, he remained silent. He hadn't spoken a word since her husband had brought him home. She was beginning to think he couldn't.
She sighed and sat down beside him on the bed, watching his face contort into a scowl. "Well, at least let me check on your wound." She said, pushing a few strands of hair behind her ears.
After a few seconds, he nodded slowly and lifted his robe. Startled, she reached over on the end table and grabbed a small pair of scissors. She snipped the sides of the bandage, cautiously lifting the bloody mess from him. Her eyes widened as the bandage left his skin. Where there was once a large gaping wound, was now nothing. "How..." Hands trembling, she let go of it, getting up out of the bed. "How...did you heal so fast? This doesn't make any sense..."
She watched as a small smile came to his lips. He stood up slowly, his body swaying slightly. "Wh-what are you...?" She stammered, backing up against the wall. The man lifted his head, his eyes closing. His white hair began to wave gently and his hands rose into the air, starting to glow a slight blueish color. His chest suddenly heaved and his back arched upwards, a snapping sound filling the air.
Glistening white feathers drifted past her astonished eyes as wings burst from his shoulder blades. They stretched into the air, gracefully curving around his frail body. Pure white feathers flowed down them until the tips, which were dark red. Her eyes widened as he lowered his head, the strange orange eyes opening. Her breath caught in her throat.
"You're..."
He smiled, bringing one of the glowing hands down, the fingertips crackling. Nodding slowly, he watched, eyes bulging, as the blood splattered the wall.