Hahah! Sick day for me, that means I can write this chapter and get it updated fast. Don't you all love me for that? Yea, sick days suck so I told my mom I'd be in my room all day. My day schedule? Blast Rascal Flatts and type Darkness Looms. Trust me, this is awesomly fun for me!
Dedication?.. I dunno. I would dedicate this chapter to meh Alan, but it's not really that emotional chapter. So for now, this is just another chapter. I'd also like to thank Tinkies for revewing every chapter. Heh, thanks. (and also thanks to all my reviewers. You guys PWN!)
Chapter Twelve:
Deserted
It's down to this
I've got to make this life make sense
Can anyone do what I've done
I missed life
I missed the colours of the world
Can anyone go where I am
I'm over this
I'm tired of living in the dark
Can anyone see me down here
The feeling's gone
There's nothing left to lift me up
Back into the world I've known
'Cause now again I've found myself
So far down, away from the sun
That shines into the darkest place
I'm so far down, away from the sun
That shines the life away from me
To find my way back into the arms
That care about the ones like me
I'm so far down, away from the sun again
And now again I've found myself
So far down, away from the sun
That shines the life away from me
Death. Death is what people fear most in this life. Fear it more than heart break, fear it more than being stricken down by the fist of god, and they even fear it more then being lifeless zombies. Many think death is the true evil sin that washes us away and leads us down a horrid never-ending path. But, death isn't the worst that can happen to us. Being stuck, far, far away from the ones you care about can be much more harsh. Not knowing where you are, not knowing if the ones you care for are safe, and not knowing if you'll ever see them again. That, is much more worthy of fear than death. Far more..
Cracking open an eye, I was greeted by a huge blast of sunlight. Tightly shutting my eye once more, I went over all that had happened. The ship had been shipwrecked, Amber went with Zoteaki to... where did they say? Surely it would come back to me. Either way, I told them to go save themselves, and not to worry about me. And the last thing I remembered was being wrapped tightly by the raging waters of the ocean. And now I was here. But where exactly was here?
Oddly, the taste of sand resided in my mouth. Furrowing my eyebrows as a reflex, I spat out the sand and coughed a few times. Sand? Mentally blinking, I ran a hand across whatever I was laying on. Sand.. it was sand. I was alive! Now opening my eyes without fear, I gazed at the island that lay before me. A huge thicket of forest and a large stone wall at the end of the island. So this was here.
Arising to my feet, I realized how fortunate I had actually been. I was given another chance to change this world, and help slay Ghaelon. Thing was, how was I going to get of here. Glancing down at my hands, I noticed several gauges and slashes. As a I opened my mouth to speak, I was brutally reminded of the slashy scar that bore on my face. The sea water must have reopened it. Sighing, I kneeled back down and gazed at the island. How was I going to survie, here?
"This surely isn't heaven? Nor hell," I was speaking to myself, seeing that this island surely appeared to be deserted.
"What to do?" I asked myself. First thing was first... explore and see what I could find. Getting up for the second time, I began to walk aimlessly into the forest. No signs of life appeared evident at this point, only a few animals. Clenching my teeth tightly, I walked inward into the forest to the stone wall. It took only five minutes to march casually through here, so this island must be small. Very small. Grunting, I continued to scan the wall.
After a few minutes of careful examination, I noticed a small indent. Crossing my arms proudly, I took a step inside. It was just big enough for someone my space, and it seemed to be a link to a tunnel that lead deep inside. Taking a gulp, I made my way in and found something extraordinary.
There sat a bed and a small wooden carved table. Gasping from surprise-ment, seriously, I walked inside and sat down on it. It seemed to made from straw leaves, and random pieces of clothing. It wasn't the best, but it had to do. Glancing around the small area, I calculated the last person to had lived here must had been around twenty years ago. No signs of living shown anywhere. So I really was alone... and stranded?
Getting up off the poorly made bed, I looked through the old papers strewn across the bedside table. Most had been ruined over the years of decay, but one was in perfect condition. A little startled, I took it in my hand and began to read out loud to myself.
Countless sighting of Kuzo have been reported over the Lost Ocean, in the middle of Lunar. Many sailors have claimed to see the glimmering dragon spread it's massive wings (recorded to be ten feet long, per wing) and shower the sailors with endless gold. These records are not fully correct, but countless sailors have shown the gold from the dragon with pride. Will we ever learn the mystery of the legend of the gold dragon? Or is it really a myth?
"The... gold dragon?"
Holding it in my hands, I starred at the paper in mis-belief. So this was one of the other dragons Quark spoke of? Completely confused by everything that had just happened, I took a seat on the bed and starred at the dirt ceiling above me, clenching the paper near my heart.
"Amber, Zoteaki, where are you guys?"
"Zoteaki, get up now!"
Standing above Zoteaki was Amber. Eyes unblurring, the blue dragon pushed the countless blankets off his body and sat up straight. The pair was in a hotel in Pentigual. Amber was wearing her usual clothing, and Zoteaki clung to his usual ones too. Scratches were apparent on Zoteaki's face, as he rose his hand and ran it across the exterior of his face.
"Good, you're alive."
It was a faint smile as Amber ran a hand through her hair, taking a deep breath. Confused a bit, Zoteaki got off the bed and looked at the cheap hotel. Blinking a few times, he shook his head in dismay.
"Where are we, Amber?"
"Pentigual."
She declared, placing her hands on her hips. Speechless for a few moments, Zoteaki pushed past her and left the room. Gasping, Amber puffed out her cheeks and followed Zoteaki. Zoteaki left the hotel abruptly, and into the main streets of Pentigual. Amber, following in quick pursuit, grabbed him by the arm and turned him around.
"What are you doing?" She asked, placing her hands on her hips once more, and puffed out her bottom lip.
"Where's Nall?" Zoteaki snapped.
"Oh.." Her stuffy expression changed to unsure as she gazed down and began to find cement floor much more interesting. Moments passed before Zoteaki grabbed her by the hand, to get her attention.
"I said, where is nall?"
"He told me to bring you here." Amber whispered.
"Then where is he?" It was apparent how distressed blue was by the fear residing in his blue eyes.
"He stayed on the boat." Amber avoided Zoteaki's eyes contact. She blamed herself for leaving him, and if he truly did die, she'd blame herself for that to. He told her to leave him and bring Zoteaki safely to Pentigual. It was a direct order, but why did she feel so lousy?
"You, left him on that boat!" Zoteaki hollered.
"He told me to! He said to make sure we got here safely and he'd meet us here!" Amber retorted, becoming flushed in the face.
"Don't you understand! He doesn't have any dragon powers!" Zoteaki continued, pacing back and forth as a few spectators starred, with a bit confused at them. Zoteaki glanced at them and sent an icy stare that sent them packing.
"He promised me he would be fine!" Amber began but Zoteaki grabbed her by her wrist and sent an angry stare into her.
"And you believed him? Are you truly that dense, you-" Zoteaki began but Amber broke away and smacked him across the face.
"I save you and this is who you repay me?"
"We'd be better off dead knowing that part of our power has been drowned." Zoteaki grumbled, crossing his arms and leaning against the nearest building.
"He said he'd be fine, and I believe him!"
"If he told you he could defeat Ghaelon by himself, would you believe him?" Zoteaki asked curiously.
"That's-!"
"Answer it." Zoteaki replied stiffly.
"Yes, I would. I, unlike you, have faith in others." Amber replied, breathing heavily.
"Why do you have so much faith in someone you've just met?" Zoteaki asked after a few moments of silence had passed.
"Surely you believe in him too?" Also leaning against the wall, Amber threw the question up in the air. Blinking a few times, Zoteaki uncrossed his arms and stroke his chin for a few moments.
"I believe that he's a hot-headed dragon who thinks he can save this world by himself if it comes down to it. He doesn't know when to swallow his pride and let others help him." Zoteaki explained.
"He gave up his free ride here to save your ass and you say that about him?" Amber bared her teeth, face turning a dark scarlet.
"I would have been fine. I told him to bring you here, not the other way around. I am one with the waters, no matter what they are. I would not drown, unlike white." Zoteaki advised.
"Great, thanks for telling me now." Amber snapped. "Do we have any money left?"
"Where did that come from?" Raising an eyebrow, Zoteaki cast a confused glance over at the red dragon.
"Well, do we?"
"No, why?" Zoteaki mumbled, keeping his gaze upon her.
"Well, we better start looking for a job."
"Why?" Zoteaki seemed completely puzzled. Moments earlier Amber was filled with such anger, and now she was listing off random thoughts that came to her mind.
"We need money to buy a boat to go find Nall!" Amber declared.
"Can't we just transform into dragons and search that way?" Zoteaki questioned, clenching his aurora tightly.
"We have no clue where he is, and that would take much energy from us. And besides, I'm not sure if I can deal with that travel again..." Amber stuttered.
"Fine. Then a boat it is." Zoteaki sighed.
"Ok, now let's go find some jobs!" Amber smiled, grabbing Zoteaki's hand and began to drag him off down the streets.
"I can't wait.."
This was becoming a usual. Finding myself in this... place. Uneasily, I opened my eyes and was greeted by the familiar darkness. How can darkness be familiar, you may be asking. Well, once you've learned to adjust to this so called darkness, you tend to know where you are. Sure, it sounds insane, but what is real anymore, anyhow?
However, this time, something was different. My fur was not wet, nor my wings covered in that odd liquid. This time, I was just me. Twitching my ebony nose, I tried to take in the smell of burning ashes. But no, there wasn't any. Heart racing, I glanced around through the darkness, hoping to find something that would be prove this journey worthwhile.
Nothing.
So, as anyone would have done in this situation, I walked forward. Oddly, I was not afraid of falling down, down into the darkness. Why? Because the thought never occurred to me. This darkness was forgiving, and less cold as I had expected it to be at first. In some ways, this was starting to become.. home.
And then, something flashed in my mind, not my vision. A scene of chaos, blood being spread, and countless lives being destroyed. The smell of treachery passed my nostrils. No wait, how could treachery have a smell? Uneasily, I sat down in spot, and continued to develop this image.
"Nall."
Finally, now we were getting somewhere. Blinking my eyes as a habit, I dug my paws into the hard ground beneath me, as if it was dirt.
"Yes?" I answered, now not afraid of the great beyond.
"You have done well." This voice, it wasn't the same voices I was accustomed to. This time.. it was so more menacing then before. But who? Who would drag me into this realm, congratulate me, but be so sinister. As always, nothing made sense. Hell, I wasn't even making sense anymore.
"Who is this?"
"Do you not recognize my voice? Surely a dragon of your status would know of a former dragon master."
Tilting my head, I felt the pain and nerves bleed away. Now, I was curious. Had a dragon master other than Alex chose to speak to me, instead of the others. Now this, this was an honor, or so I thought.
"Dyne?" I guessed openly.
"Aw, so I see you've heard of me." I could feel the voice smile. Could not see the expression, but feel it.
"Why have you brought me here?" I dared, recoiling a tad.
"Ah, yes. Always business with you dragons." Wrinkling my nose from the offensive comment, I hushed my thoughts and perked my ears to listen. "As you know, Ghaelon is yearning to strike again. And in times like these, the power of the dragons isn't enough."
"So we need a new dragon master?" Guessing was my specialty, but I had cut him off.
"Yes, but there is a downside."
"Downside?" This time I was blinking incredibly, and I could feel the excitement rush through my veins. Hell, coming here always proved to be more eventful then life. Especially that island I was trapped on at the moment.
"When a dragon master is decided, the human girl the goddess chose will also be revealed." His voice turned serious all of a sudden.
"So, let me guess. You want me and the others to hunt down both of them and assit them in the defeating of Ghaelon, right?"
"Well-" Dyne began.
"Piece of fish, leave it to me." I smiled smugly.
"Silence!" I shrunk back down, all pride dieing. "Don't think this will be easy. If you die, or any of the other dragons die, there is no guartine you will see the other side. Surely Ghaelon will take your souls in possession."
"How can he take our souls in possession. Who does he think he is? The Goddess?" I snickered.
"Just take heed Nall. I'm leaving you in charge. Find both dragon master and goddess in Pentigual. Good luck, and also-"
I arched a furry eyebrow and padded my paws against the ground eagerly.
"- when you do get reunited with your comrades, do not tell them of our meetings."
I nodded, and turned around, wanting to attempt to find Zoteaki. However, I heard a cough from Dyne and I stopped. Turning around, tail swishing from excitement, I felt a cold presence, and then a laugh. Not a maniacal one, but a good hearted one.
"And be careful around that lass, Amber is it?" Turning a deep red, I stormed off and everything went quiet.. and black.
My second day on the island wasn't as easy as the first. By now my stomach was rumbling from food deprivation, and my throat was still soar from the intake of sea water. Some how I needed to find a way to get food and water. And preferably fast. So I did find food, a few tiny animals on the island. And for water? There was plenty sea water, but it needed to be boiled. How the hell was I supposed to boil it anyhow? So, taking a leap of faith, I searched around, hoping to find flint. Unsuccessful, I decided to just eat the animals I found, and search for a fresh water spring somewhere on the island.
On the third day, my goal of water was successful. On the farthest right part of this island was a small stream leading to a raging waterfall. It was not connected to the sea anywhere, so it must be safe. So basically, I indulged on the third day. However, my homesickness for Zoteaki and Amber was growing, and I wondered if they ever got to Pentigual safely. Did they continue on the journey without me?.. Or were they eagerly waiting for me to arrive. So as I fell asleep, I pondered what to do next.
On the fourth day, I started to make a boat. I wasn't much of a mechanic in my former days, so the chopping and carving of the wood was hard. Hell, at least I had a sword. It was hard work, but the endless bounty of food and water was at my disposal. So no fears were in my mind, other than the ones of my former comrades, and the issue of the goddess and dragon master. How could we convince them they truly are the saviors of this world? God.. why did I have to be stuck as the bloody leader of the group?
"That'll be five hundred! Thank you and have a good day!"
Amber and Zoteaki had taken a job at the local pub in Pentigual. Amber was a waitress, who fitted the job perfectly, but Zoteaki's job didn't suit him so well. He was stuck as the bartender. And as he well knew, his alcohol filled past wasn't such a good influence. The sensation of getting drunk was always there.
"Zoteaki! Zoteaki look!"
Amber ran up to him, on their fourth day of working and shoved the tips on the counter. Her excitement faltered when she saw his pale and gloomy face. Furrowing her eyebrows, she leaned against the counter, unsure what to say or do.
"You ok?"
"Huh? Oh, hey Am." Zoteaki mumbled, gazing up from his trance. Taking a deep sigh, Amber shoved the money very close to his face and smiled widely. It took the blue dragon a few moments to notice it. Picking it up in his hands, he slowly counted it.
"We have enough for a boat." Zoteaki declared, with no enthusiasm.
"Finally! I've had enough with these barbaric, inconsiderate-" Amber began loudly as a few customers glanced at her, flashing death in their eyes. Sweating, Amber wailed her arms in the air and clenched her teeth. "I mean, lovely, and charming customers!" She smiled.
"Sometimes you scare me." Zoteaki spoke from over her shoulder. Flinching, Amber glanced over at him and slapped Blue over the head furiously.
"Can we please just look for a boat now?" Amber whined.
"Fine.. let's go."
It took the pair of dragons an hour to make it to the seaport. Why? Because Amber had stopped and dragged Zoteaki into every shop on the way. Feeling out of place, Zoteaki just stood by the door of each shop and glared angrily at the people who passed. When they did reach the port, the man who gave them the rented boat scared the shit out of Zoteaki. For some reason he had this odd obsession over cats. Really scary. But either way, the two were setting sail, in search of their third link.
"I wonder if I'll ever see them again."
I was sitting on the beach of this island I had come to know over the past fives days. Tomorrow would be the sixth, and any hope of finding my friends was pointless. Did they really care about me? Or had they just decided not to search for me, and continue with the journey.
"How long will I be stuck on this island?"
It was night, and the stars glowed above. For some reason, this was the first real time I had stopped and looked at the stars in my whole life. They were actually quite beautiful, if you respected natural beauty. And for some reason they made me feel that things could have been worse. I could be dead right now, or be betrayed and stranded. As long as the world is spinning, there always is a hope.
"I wonder if those stars are past, fallen dragons.."
My mind drifted off as I starred at the burning masses in the sky. Each glowed so brightly, and proudly. Perhaps, just maybe they were the souls of freed dragons who had given their lives for this world. This world of lunar. Maybe I could learn from them, learn how to be a better dragon.
"I wonder if Quark's up there. Maybe even Zoteaki's lil sister is up there, somewhere."
I began to understand why so many people spent countless hours stargazing. It opened up your mind to this world. The world was so rich in life, and you just had to take it in step by step. If you always looked on the down things, you'd never see the bright side. And without happiness once in awhile, you'd be soulless. Or like Ghaelon.
And now.. as I lay here, the feeling of slumber drifting upon me, I begin to wonder. The familiar smiling face of Amber passes into my mind. And my heart skips a beat and flutters. She's cursed to die.. and she wants me to protect her. Usually I'd be offended if someone asked something so large of me. But her? There's just something different.
Then there's Zoteaki. He's always correcting my mistakes, and acting like the friend I never had. He's lost so many people in his life, just like me, so we have this unspoken connection. I couldn't have asked for a better friend. Friends.. was that what we were? Or something different.. did friends have such a strong relationship?
As I fall asleep, I look at the brightest star in the sky. Maybe I'll be up there someday, just maybe. And when Zoteaki and Amber look up at the skies, maybe they'll see that same star. The very same star that I am looking at right now. Just maybe...
AN:
Uh yea. hahah nice update? I guess. I promise the next chapters will be more exciting. Not sure about the next, but chapter 14 is gonna be really exciting. So grab a helmet and get ready for more Dakness Looms! (i have so much planned for this story!)