AN: Thanks for all the reviews. You guys rock for reading it, and pwn for actually liking it. And in the next chapter there is a surprise twist, and it has something to do with Silver Star Story and another thing to do with Eternal Blue (And the Black Dragon Cult)
"You fought well back there, white dragon."
We were on the road again. This journey seemed to have no end in sight. Our next destination? I wasn't quite sure. But my goal stayed in sight. I was not going to forget all the hardships the humans caused me. They were all going to pay for what they did to me... and to Zoteaki. Glancing over at the blue dragon who was walking beside me, I watched as he ran a hand across his blade and closed his eyes momentarily. To walk and hold a sword with your eyes closed. I'd never try it, especially using this human body.
"Thank you, Zoteaki. And please, just call me Nall. I don't deserve the title of White Dragon if I can't even transform or protect a friend," Lowering my gaze, so I wasn't staring him in the eye, I could only sigh. I wondered if Jasmine's death would cause Zoteaki to become a revenge-full dragon like myself. Was he really going to walk the same path as me?
"Alright, Nall. And don't blame yourself. You can't do much without any dragon aurora," Glancing back at the blue dragon, I could only give a shrug. I could have done more. I should have protected the youngling. But no, I am too weak. Dammit.
"It was my fault Quark died, and now it's my fault your sister died, I'm a disappoint to the dragon line," I mumbled, clenching my fists tightly. Why was I granted the role of guardian. Why couldn't my life have ended when Luna and Alex departed? Something is different about me. I'm not the same Nall I was. What's wrong with me.
"If you're going to talk down about yourself about something that you had no control over, I'll leave you here. But if you choose to except faith, like I have, I'd like for you continue with me to Vane and the Red Dragon Shrine," It was more so a command than anything. Tilting my head, I gave a stiff nod. The Red Dragon. I wouldn't let the same thing happen to her like all the other dragons. This I would not allow!
Taking a huge step forward, I looked over at Zoteaki who had sheathed his sword, and was holding out silver compass. His eyes seemed so full of life, after everything that happened I had to admit, I was a little jealous on his will to succeed and fulfill his destiny. Yet I could never gain back the feeling happiness. Basically, I lost my soul long ago. Now I'm just living life, with a meaning.
"I'll stop with the feeling sorry for myself," I muttered, giving a weak nod. Zoteaki gave an agreeing nod and a small smile crossed his face for the first time since his sister's death. My heart dropped, and I wondered why my agreeance would make him happy.
"You're the first other dragon I've met that wasn't full on themselves," Zoteaki observed, continuing to walk along the dirt path we were taking northwest out of the forest.
"What! Are you calling Quark-" I began, clenching my teeth tightly and sizing up my fist. I was about to punch him, but he rose a hand for me to stop.
"I never met Quark. The only dragon I've met was Amber. She's the current red dragon, and she has the attitude to bout her position. One wrong thing said, and she'll burn your tail off," Just at those last words, it seemed as if unpleasant memories flashed through blue's head. Just the thought of a female burning my tail of was a chuckle. Then again, if I had ever displeased Jessica, she would have taken the opportunity to whip me into shape. Painfully.
"How old is she?" The question just passed my lips, as I gazed up at the high sun in the aqua sky.
"I assume our age. The last time I saw her was fifty years ago. True, we don't age like others. But time can change a person," He looked away for a moment, before placing his hand back on his sword.
"I agree..." I sighed, thinking about how time changed me.
"I've been meaning to ask you this," Zoteaki spoke up, breaking me away from my thoughts.
"Ask what?" I questioned, stuffing my hands into my pocket.
"Was it you, or your successor who assisted the dragon master on his invasion of the emperor?"
"Quark granted Alex his power. I just helped them reach the tower. That's all..." I didn't really play that much of a role in the whole 'saving the world' thing. Glaring back at Zoteaki, I watched him smile at me innocently.
"I see," He added.
"How long have you been the Blue Dragon? Was it you who we met?" That question had been bugging me lately. Did I really have the chance to meet Zoteaki during the journey? Or was he just a dragon in training, just like me. And another thing, did he share the same cat form I did. This was the first time I could actually talk to someone about these things without confusing the other person.
"I was an assitant in the Magic Guild in Vane. I worked along with the students to educate them in the affairs of dragons," Zoteaki looked almost embarrassed.
"Were you in human form when you did the teaching?" I felt stupid asking such a obvious question.
"No, I was in the dragon form. Not the one I used in the Blue Dragon Shrine, but a similar one," Zoteaki began to explain. However, I rose my hand and cut him off.
"Cat.." I spoke to myself.
"Yes. That's what many of the students called me," Zoteaki seemed stunned to learn I knew of this alternate form.
"Zoteaki, are we going to Vane first?" I asked softly, taking my hand out of my pocket and running it through my thick hair.
"Yes, if it's alright with you," He smiled at me lightly. He was such a calm and mellow spirit. A spitting image of me before death came into my life. All I could do was look away. I just hated looking at him when he reminded me of myself.
"Yes, that's fine. The sooner we find Ghaelon and pay revenge on the humans, the better," Clenching my fist tightly, I replayed the grusome scenes of what happened at both shrines. By far, those memories would never go away. The death in Quark's eyes, the look on Zoteaki's face when he held Jasmine. I'd never let the humans forget.
"Your revenge will consume you," The gentle words from Zoteaki broke me away from my darkest thoughts. Glancing from the dirt path below me to Zoteaki's anguished face, I could only stare stunned. My revenge... consume me?
"Why do you say that?" I muttered, in a peeved voice.
"Just trust my words. Live to forget, and live to fight for what's right," Strands of his brown swayed in his eyes, and those distant pools of aqua starred at me with justice and concern. Why did he care so much about my future? Then again, all the dragon's destinies were intertwined with each other.
"I'll keep that in mind," I whispered back, looking ahead at the winding path. The thick clusters of trees were becoming less and less, and in between the cracks of the tree trunks was what looked like a field. Tilting my head lightly, I gazed up at the azul sky. The sun was shining brightly still, but sunset was coming near.
"After we pass these trees, we'll be in Vile Tribe territory. True the Vile Tribe has been destroyed, but those renegades who wish to start over still live there and will fight anyone who comes into their land," Zoteaki explained, taking out of his sword and putting away the sheath. My eyes flashed over the blade and my heart sank.
"Zoteaki, I can't fight. And I just can't let you fight by yourself.." I began but Zoteaki swung his blade through the air and gave me a slight smile.
"Don't worry about it, we'll be fine," He seemed so certain. All I could do was agree.
The travel across the Vile Tribe lands were going pretty fair. The sun was setting, and causing visibility to diminish. Lowering my gaze, I felt my legs slowly become numb. All this walking. Why couldn't I just fly? Sighing, I looked ahead to see Zoteaki walking proudly a few yards ahead. Nothing took a toll on that dragon, did it? With his blade gripped tightly in his hand, he looked similar to Alex. Strong and determined.
"Humph," I told myself, and attempted to catch up to him. Legs still aching horribly, I managed to come by his side. At first he didn't notice I had caught up, but after a few moments and me panting heavily, he noticed I was there. Casting a icy look over at me, curiosity passed his lips.
"Do you need to rest?" He asked, pausing for a moment. Just that breath stop sent relief through my body. Closing my eyes just to take in the relaxation, I felt sweat roll down the human skin that covered me. Reopening my ruby eyes, I looked at Zoteaki who was gazing across the dry desert we had to cross.
"No... but why don't we just ride on you?" I murmured, panting heavily. A flicker of amusement passed him as he laughed softly.
"We're trying to be inconspicuous, Nall. Do you think people will ignore the Blue Dragon in the land of those who hate dragons? Of course not, now come along. There's no time to waste," He gave me a short smile and continued on leaving me to think. Honestly, I hadn't thought about that. Dragons weren't respected in these lands, so why draw attention to yourself. Raising my head to watch to setting sun, I continued behind my companion.
"Where is this damn teleportation thing to Vane?" I asked him, almost collapsing from anguish. "If we don't make it soon, I think I'm going to"I spoke weakly, but closed my eyes and let my body fall into the rough sands of the barren earth beneath me.
"A little ahead, you can do it," Zoteaki spoke, obviously not noticing I had fallen. A few moments passed with no other sounds except the whistling wind. "Nall? Are you okay?" I felt a hand reach out for me and feel my forehead. My lips attempted a phrase. But I wasn't sure if the words 'Zoteaki, help' escaped.
"Are you awake yet?"
The smell of pastries filled my nose. Was I still sleeping? I felt oddly safe and warm. And what was this? A blanket was around me? Reaching out for it, I tugged it tighter around my body as a content smile spread across my face as I attempted to run back into the dream realm. Sadly, the pure bliss was interrupted by a cold sensation running down my neck and down my back.
"YEEE-OOOW!" I hissed, jumping up from my perch. Starring widely, I noticed I was in a room made of marble. The bright light from the window blasted my sensitive eyes. Taking my eyes off the sun, I felt the cold water trickling down my body. Of course, I didn't realize I was completely unclothed until I saw a petrified look upon Zoteaki who was standing a few feet away from the bed holding a barrel of water.
"I'll... come back.. later," I heard him stutter, closing his eyes tightly as a dark red blush overcame his face. Daring to see why he was so confused, I glanced down at my chest and noticed it was bare. Ah shit.. Grabbing the blankets, I tightly wrapped them around my waste and silently cursed myself. Biting down on my lips, I stuttered.
"Sorry...and it's safe now," I felt embarrassed which was evident from my face. Slowly, he opened up his eyes and a flood of relief crossed him. I heard him clear his throat, then run a hand through his unusually tidy hair.
"Ahem. If you haven't noticed yet, we are in Vane," He spoke, with a slight smile. That's also when I noticed he was wearing some weird mage robes of a dark blue. His hair was combed, and he wore the locket around his neck.
"What's with the threads?" I asked, just looking at him once more. He looked more like a sage then a dragon with that outfit on. Taking a step off the bed so I was level with him, I awaited an answer.
"I told you I was a teacher of dragon's, did I not?" He asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Well, you're not going to succeed wearing that thing!" I tried not to laugh, but a snort escaped my closed lips and I felt an erray of laughter overcome me. Raising an eyebrow, Zoteaki seemed to find this not of the least bit amusing. A sigh passed his expression and he shook his head.
"And you expect respect from wearing a towel?" Zoteaki asked, trying to keep a straight face, but a grin crossed his face.
"Well, it wasn't my idea of getting a surprise visitor when I'm completely undressed," I watched him and he began to laugh lightly. This was the first I've seen a dragon other than myself laugh. He seemed so much more... real than any other dragon. He actually seemed to have an adventours side to him. "Wait.. how did I get here? I remember the dessert, then blank."
"You passed out. So I carried you over my shoulder here," Zoteaki replied, taking his eyes off me and picking up a book and holding it with a firm grasp. Just then, my respect for him shot straight up. I doubted anyone would ever do something like that for me, but here was Zoteaki.
"Tha-nks." I managed, blinking a few times. He nodded at me then passed by me.
"I'll meet you in Room 2D on the second floor. Don't keep me waiting, white one," He spoke with a slight smirk of amusement and left the room. "And do put some clothes on!" I heard him holler before he closed the door. Grinning widely from humility, I shook my head.
"What have I got myself into this time," I smiled and went to get dressed.
Author's Note:
Awwwww some dragon humour and good natured fun 3 My favorite part was where Zoteaki gave the "Oh my fucking god..." face when Nall wasn't wearing anything. But that's just me being my perverted self. Anyways, they are at Vane, so information about Mia and Lemina Ausa are in order. And all the people. Or whatever. I can't remember their names. And the red dragon's arrivial? Wait awhile, would you?