Author's Note: Here comes the next chapter! Sorry for the made-ups, I tried my best not to make mary/gary sues. Meep...
Life's Sins
It had been a few hours since our departure. These woods looked endless, and now hiking through them proved they were endless. Sighing, I glanced up at the aqua sky. At least something in this world didn't change. The sky would always be there, these new human companions would also die in an amount of years. This world would change in the years to come, but the sky would always look down upon change, frowning. Biting my lip, I silently cursed myself and this body. My dragon powers, I couldn't access them. And far more important, I couldn't transform. How could I take the tole of my ancestors as a measly human.
"Nall, you look troubled," Zoteaki asked, turning around. His turquoise eyes observed me, and he reached out for his younger sister to halt her. She gave a suspicious look at us, huffed, and sat down. What a stuck-up youngling she was. Glancing back at Zoteaki, I gave a stiff nod.
"Troubled? No..." I sighed uneasily. Zoteaki set down the bags he carried upon his back, and looked me straight in the eye. A few strands of his brown and black hair got in his face as he confronted me. Hesitantly, I starred back at him. The first part of lying, look someone in the eye. I had to remember that.
"We're allies now. What's bothering you?" He asked, taking out his canvas and taking a sip. Watching him for a few moments, I gave a shrug. The sun was beating brightly upon the cluster of trees we were resting in. This so called 'human' body was sweating, but it did feel lighter then my old fur coat. At least there was a Brightside to this, even if it was pointless.
"I was just thinking about dragons," I mumbled once more. Glancing over at Jasmine, I noticed she had Zoteaki's locket in her hands, and she was starring intently at it. Tilting my head, I looked back at Zoteaki who was continuing to watch me. A flicker of amusement passed his face once more, as he crossed his arms.
"Thinking about your kind, I presume. Do you miss them?" The questions just kept coming with this human. Stiffly nodding, I sat down upon a rock nearby and glanced up at him. Running a hand through my thick white and red hair, I could only await whatever my future held. What was I to do. Ghaelon. He had to pay. Pausing, I raised my head once more and cleared my throat.
"The last dragon I saw was when I traveled with Alex and Luna. And that's been a good fifty years," I spoke uneasily. Zoteaki rose an eyebrow.
"Fifty years, you say? I don't remember hearing any stories about this 'Luna', although I've heard a lot about this Alex from my father," His words flowed so easily. He must have these conversations with his sister all the time. Looking back over at her, I noticed she had fallen into a light slumber, clutching the Blue Dragon locket with all her might.
"She traveled with Alex, but was captured by Ghaelon while he completed the trials of the dragons," I spoke, not taking my eyes off the young human.
"I see. No wonder I haven't heard of her," Zoteaki whispered softly.
"Does your sister remember your parents?" I asked, thinking back to Quark. He was the only family I ever had, and I let him die. Silently cursing myself, I took my eyes off the girl and noticed Zoteaki was looking at his now unsheathed blade.
"Yes, she was young when they died, but she remembers them vividly" Zoteaki murmured.
"But.. she is still young. You said you've been living in this forest for a few years. How long ago did they die?" This was becoming odd. The girl didn't seem older then six. How could she possibly remember her parents. Was Zoteaki another lieing human after all. If I still had ears, they'd be far back right now from anger.
"Humph, you're sharp," He joked, and looked back at his blade. Tilting my head, I stood up and walked up to him.
"You're not telling me to the truth. What are you hiding, human?" A hiss escaped my lips. He glanced back up at me and could only smile.
"Some secrets are better kept. Then again, when the time comes for them to be revealed, they will," Zoteaki put his blade away and walked over to Jasmine and lightly shook her. The bond between two siblings. Her emerald eyes gazed up at her brother, and she stood up, yawned, and grabbed her bags.
"That makes no sense..." I began, talking to myself.
"Come along Nall," Zoteaki spoke, looking over his shoulder. Grabbing the bag I had been carrying, I watched them intently. What secrets did these humans hold. They seemed so friendly, but at the same time, so fake. What could they possibly be keeping from me. Then again, why should I be so concerned with human affairs. Gruffly growling, I shoved the bag over my back and followed them.
"Wait up, I'm not use to traveling by two legs," I mumbled.
"You get used to it," Zoteaki called from ahead. Sure, he had his whole life to learn to walk. I was just learning. How naive of him.
"Whatever. Just wait," I called ahead. Zoteaki continued on, as if he didn't hear me. Jasmine, however, turned around and ran back to me. Her flowing brown hair slapped her face as she smiled up at me.
"I'll wait for you, and I'm sorry about the rock," She spoke, with a gentle blush crossing her face. The rock? ... the rock. How could I forget that. Reaching out to feel my forehead, I relived the pain of the hit. Glancing down at her, I shrugged.
"It's all right. I'm alive, aren't I?" I tried to smile. But it was so hard. After all these years of keeping to myself. I thought Jasmine would be over pleased with this return gesture, but she beckoned for me to bend over. Confused, I complied and bent down to her level. Slowly, she whispered into my ear.
"Give my brother time. You'll see soon," She began. What did she mean?
"See what?"
"Here," Jasmine whispered, placing the locket into my hand. Tilting my head, I felt the wait of the gold locket being placed in my hand. Looking down upon it, I just sat there, bent over. Jasmine hurried back to her brother, leaving me here. Running a hand across the blue dragon emblem, I swallowed my pride. Opening the locket, with a few regrets, I glanced down. Sitting inside the locket was none other than the Blue Dragon Aurora. Stunned, I looked ahead at the fading images of Zoteaki and Jasmine.
"They... can't be," I whispered. It wasn't possible.. was it? Arising to my feet, I snapped the locket closed, placed it in my pocket, and ran up ahead to catch up to the others.
"You've finally caught up," Zoteaki spoke, looking over to see me panting up to his side. He stopped for a moment, and looked at the surprise and anguish in my eyes. "Is everything still fine Nall?" He asked.
"You're.."I began. I was cut off by Jasmine tugging at my pant leg. Glancing down at her, she mouthed the words 'Not Yet'. Sighing, I glanced back up at Zoteaki who was waiting for me to continue. "You're going to fast," I lied, with a heavy sigh.
"I already knew that. Anyways, hurry along." He murmured, giving me one more suspicious look. Jasmine ran along his side. So Zoteaki really was the Blue Dragon. I should have known by those aqua eyes. But when would he reveal this to me. Why didn't he trust me. Did he honestly think I wasn't a dragon? Was that it? Whatever the reason was, I continued to follow the two.
After a few hours, we arrived at a cave near a lake. Something in my heart suddenly dropped fifty feet. Dread washed over me as I starred at the cave. Both Jasmine and Zoteaki had stopped to fill their canvas. Looking at the cave, I could feel the locket burning a hole into my pocket. Well, not literally. But it did feel like that.
"Where is this?" I asked nervously. After a few moments, Zoteaki raised his head and glanced over at me from his spot by the river.
"The Blue Dragon Cave. The fellow followers of the Blue Dragon live in peace in the cave along with the dragon," He explained. He was such a polished liar. Shifting positions, I gave a little nod. Both siblings stood up, and made their way into the cave, alongside me. Something just didn't feel right. Something was wrong here.
Stepping inside the glistening cave, I gasped in surprise at the multiple water falls and water ways twisting through the cave. This cave was even better then mine! Momentarily, any dread I had was washed away by the waters, and was replaced with awe as I starred at the scenery.
"Isn't it beautiful," Jasmine smiled at me. I slightly nodded, and watched Zoteaki lead us into the deepest part of the cave. As we walked in, I watched Jasmine clutch her brother's hand nervously. He gave a light smile and continued to walk the path that led through the cavern.
"Is this where the Blue Dragon sleeps?" I asked, tilting my head. Zoteaki stopped at the edge of the path and turned around.
"Yes, that's correct," He answered slowly. I also came to a halt and glanced around. So it was true. Zoteaki was the Blue Dragon.
"I take it the Blue Dragon is out traveling like you said yesterday?" I asked innocently. Zoteaki could only smile. If only he knew that I knew the truth. Try saying that five times fast.
"Maybe no-" Zoteaki began with a grin. He was cut off as fear flew into his aqua eyes. I knew it. Something was wrong. Horror-stricken, I turned around slowly, fearing what had spooked him. To my horror, the displeasing image of torches drawing nearer filled my site.
"Not again!" I snapped, becoming defensive. I heard Zoteaki uneasily run up to my side.
"What do you mean, not again!" He asked nervously, stuffing his hands through his pockets as he rummaged looking for something.
"This is exactly what happened at the White Dragon Alter!" I hissed.
"Humans...!" Zoteaki growled. He turned around to his little sister who was cowering in fear under a ledge. "Jasmine, I need the locket. Fast!" He hollered, extending his hand. To his horror, Jasmine shook her head. "I don't have it.." She whispered.
"What!" Zoteaki looked around. "Where is it! Dammit! Where is it," The torches grew nearer. I suddenly realized what the dragon was looking for was stuffed inside my pocket. Reaching in for it, I took it out and smiled.
"Zoteaki, catch. Transform quickly!" I hollered, throwing it through the air. He caught it perfectly and gave me a stunned look after uttering the word Transform Quickly. He nodded and opened the locket and grabbed the aurora. As expected, he became the legendary Blue Dragon.
"Stay away from this place, trespassers!" Zoteaki rumbled, stepping forward, causing a shock down the path.
"Oh god, I have to transform!" I yelled at myself. As hard as I tried, I couldn't change into my dragon form. Why couldn't I! Wait.. The White Dragon Aurora. Where was it? Quark had it and.. no. It can't be. Of all the fucking possibilities.
"Ghaelon!" I cursed. He was the one who held my power of dragons. I glanced back at Zoteaki who was fighting off a few humans who were lunging at his body. Noticing the fallen warriors sword, I grabbed it and lunged at a few humans.
"This is for Quark," I growled, managing to hit one. You could say this was going well, but a swift hit in the back of the head sent me spirling against the nearest wall. Stunned, I opened my eyes, and watched Zoteaki fight for his life. Everything after that went black. This was becoming a usual...
I awoke, in the same place I had collapsed in. Body hurting from pain, I attempted to rise to my feet. Fulfilling the task, I limped slowly to the main part of the path, and saw Zoteaki, in his human form, hunched over, back to me.
"Zoteaki!" I yelled, running over to him. As expected, I fell face forward against the path. Hissing, I stood back up and made my way to the fellow dragon. "Zoteaki, are you okay?" I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder at me, as he held his sister in his arms. He stood up and looked me straight in the eye.
"They..." Zoteaki began. His face was bleeding, and his clothes were all scratched and torn.
"They what?" I asked, then looked down at the lifeless body of Jasmine in his arms.
"They killed my sister... they killed my family," The body of the girl fell from his arms, as he collapsed onto his knees on the ground, and began to cry into his hands. Honestly, I felt bad for Zoteaki. All this time I felt so connected to him. And to be honest, I was starting to like the small human. Sure, she was human. But she had a pure heart.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll stop Ghaelon together. I promise," I reassured him. He glanced back up at me, as tears rolled down his face.
"For Jasmine's sake, I'll bring justice to her. I promise you that, white dragon."
Author's Note;
Dun.. dun dun? Yes. I had to make Jasmine died. She seemed to bright and perky, and like a mary-sue. And yes, Zoteaki being the blue dragon was perfect. Poor Nall, Poor Zoteaki! What will happen next? Well, next will be the trip to the Red Dragon Shrine, to find the current Red Dragon. Will they meet her? You'll have to wait and see.