Chapter Fifteen: Dragonmaster
"You're kidding me, right?"
By now I was exchanging glances with my comrades. Amber bore that 'no way' expression on her face, and Zoteaki seemed stunned and yet calm at the same time. Only he could pull off something that complex. Sighing, I watched Lethe's eyes widen. In my heart doubted he was the next dragon master. Alex was the one and only in my eyes, and no imposters could stand up and over through what he did. And that's exactly what I was planning on saying before Amber pinched me in the arm.
"We should help the poor boy." Amber whispered into my ear.
"You're making him sound like a dog.."
Amber starred at me with a dumb-founded expression. Shrugging it off, I watched as Zoteaki pressed further onto Lethe and unsheathed his sword. Now filled with utter confusion, I remained stiff as stone, watching the blue Dragon. Lethe turned around and starred into Zoteaki's eyes, not with fear but determination.
"What do you want most in this world?" Zoteaki asked, holding his blade and pointing it at the young boy.
It took Lethe a few moments to shake his head furiously and clench his fists. I could see frustration running through his veins before he even spoke a word. Grabbing his own blade from it's sheath, he starred down Zoteaki.
"This is no time for questions! You've got to help me rescue Kia! If you don't help, I'll do it myself," Lethe snapped, starring at the older dragon with no fear... and I had to admire his guts.
Curling across Zoteaki's face was a smile as he sheathed his sword and stood there, silently.
"We will help you save your friend on one condition." Zoteaki spoke, crossing his arms, as if he was amused.
"Zoteaki! What are you saying! The poor girl could be being tortured and your striking up a deal!" Amber snapped, pushing past me to stand between Lethe and Zoteaki. Shaking my head, I remained in my position, thinking best to just stand and watch the show.
"Out of my way, Amber. I want to know where this boy's loyalties to his dream lies." Zoteaki spoke, starring directly into the Red Dragon's gaze.
"You can do that later!" Amber nagged, placing her hands on her hips and puffing out her cheeks.
"One only makes decisions from the heart when they are placed under stress and fear," Zoteaki muttered, averting his gaze from Amber. Lethe glanced over Amber's shoulder, still holding the sword limply in his hand.
"Please, I'll help you with whatever if you help me save Kia. I know I won't be able to strike down a whole band of thugs by myself. Red, Blue, White, I'm begging for your blessings and assistance." Lethe pleaded, bowing gracefully. A light smile crossed my lips.
"C'mon Zoteaki, Amber's right. Let's help him," I nudged Zoteaki in the back of the shoulder. "Stop acting like you need to be the adult of the group. You need to loosen up and live a little, like back in Vane." I replied hoarsely.
"My heart died when my city died..." Zoteaki whispered, as I felt him close his eyes. Over his shoulder I saw Amber blink with complete shock.
"I know what it feels like to have everything torn away from you, but we need to think ahead to the future and help this kid!" Amber grunted, grabbing Zoteaki by his sleeve. However, the blue dragon shook her off and kept his eyelids shut firmly.
"Zoteaki.." I sighed.
"Come on, Nall. We're going to help Lethe." Amber called out smugly, walking around Zoteaki and grabbed me by the hand and dragged me back to Lethe. The young boy smiled and bowed his head once more before sheathing his blade.
"Thank you," He whispered.
"Enough gratitude, I'm literally becoming ill from hearing about it. Let's get going!" Amber demanded, as she let go of my hand and trotted onward. I exchanged glances with Lethe before he shot after her. However, I stood there for a few moments before glancing over at Zoteaki.
"..." I couldn't say anything to him. What was there to say?
"Nall..." I blinked when I heard him call out. Tilting my head, I stood my position and shoved my hands into my vest pockets. The wind was picking up, and his stray strands of black and brown hair whipped across his face.
"What?" I asked, taking a step closer to close the large gap between us.
"I'm sorry for just now. I just don't want to do anything rash and end up regretting it later." Zoteaki opened his eyes and starred earnestly at me.
"I can understand that, really I can. But you need to learn to live a little. Remember earlier, searching the city? You finally seemed like you were having fun. Don't start acting like you barely know me. And besides, of all the people in our group, I trust you the most. Got that?" I smiled lightly. Stunned, Zoteaki blinked and nodded with a smile.
"You know, that's the most logical thing I've heard today." Eyes seemed to glitter when he spoke as he stroke his chin.
"Come on.." I spoke turning around and beginning to walk towards where Amber and Lethe had run off to. Zoteaki followed closely. I glanced over my shoulder and a light snicker crossed my lips. "Let's go, pretty boy." I grinned, and saw him flash anger then snicker mischievously. Stunned, I began to run ahead, knowing I wasn't getting away that easily.
"Nall! Get back here right now! I told you not to call me that!" He charged after me as we raced to catch up with Lethe and Amber. "Nall!" Zoteaki hollered, closing in our pace.
"Catch me if you can, pretty boy." I joked glancing over my shoulder. However, I wasn't looking where I was going and ended up slamming into the back of Amber.
"Ow! What the-" Amber fell onto the ground in front of her in a crash. Zoteaki skirted to a stop before toppling over us. Shaking my head, I glanced down at Amber who I had just crushed under my weight.
"Oh.. Amber.." Pushing myself off her, I stood up and brushed off the dirt. A few rips were no present in my clothing, but I liked them that way. However, Amber shot up off the ground and turned around, death burning in her eyes.
"I suggest you hide." Zoteaki whispered to me.
"Look where you're going, you fish-brain!" Amber hissed, smacking me across the face.
"Ow.. that hurt." I pouted, trying not to count how many times I was smacked today.
"Is she always like this?" Lethe whispered behind me to Zoteaki. I couldn't tell what he was reaction was, but I had guessed he nodded because Amber shot a deafening glare to behind me. "She's scary when she's mad." Lethe whispered.
"Why.. of all the people to be stuck with, I'm stuck with these idiots." Amber pouted, turned her back to us and trotted forward. Lethe charged up to her side, blushing intensely. Either he was planning on giving her directions to wherever we were going, or he had something for her.
"Look's like the dragon master has a crush." Zoteaki attempted a smile. Glancing over at him, I nodded.
"See, you're much more enjoyable when you're like this." I smiled back, watching the two in front of us walk onward. I began to walk also, in equal paces of Zoteaki.
"I guess you're right." Zoteaki admitted shrugging his shoulders. He placed his hand upon his sheathed sword and glanced at the two in front of us aimlessly.
"Do you really think he's a dragon master?" I inquired, sparing a glance to my friend.
"Depends. We'll find out soon. Either way, I'm eager to be done with this journey." Zoteaki panted, glancing downward at the pavement in front of him. Pausing, I thought for a moment then continued my pace next to him.
"Why do you want it to end so soon?" Honestly, this was kind of fun. These people understood me, and I understood them. There was an inner bonding, and I didn't want to let this go.
"Well, I'm getting tired of Amber's face." Zoteaki cracked a smile then continued. "And I'm getting tired of people dieing." Zoteaki whispered.
"That's what we're fighting for. To stop Ghaelon from killing more innocent lives. He took precise beings in our lives from us. So I want us to stop him together, even if Amber gets ticked." I grinned, passing a hand through my hair.
"You know, that means a lot to me." Zoteaki smiled lightly.
"What, the part about Amber being pissed?" I joked and watched Zoteaki stifle a wave of laughter.
"No, but that was good." Zoteaki admitted, scanning the sky. Another moment passed before Zoteaki spoke out once more. "Are you prepared to engage in battle against the thugs? I'm interested to see who this Kia is. If she means so much to the dragon master, she might prove very worthy to us in requesting his aid." Zoteaki pointed out.
"Battles.." I looked downward in self pity.
"You won't get knocked out this time, I'm sure of it." Zoteaki spoke, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"How can you be so sure?" I asked, eyes flashing with a bit of confusion.
"If you are, I might have to chop off that handsome array of hair and make myself a bracelet." Zoteaki snickered.
"You do that, I will come back and haunt you. And why a bracelet?" I furrowed my eyebrows, watching the blue Dragon.
"It's supposedly a good luck charm. You take a lock of hair that belongs to someone who means a lot to you and it brings you good fortune and luck. And supposedly you're supposed to even know how they are feeling if the bond is strong enough." Zoteaki explained.
"Whoa! Sounds interesting." I gasped for a few moments, and a light smile crossed my face as I took in all his words. "Care to do it?"
"It might prove worthy to us later on if we ever get separated in battle, so yes." Zoteaki always had to have a reason, then again, it felt good knowing there was reason for everything. Extending his hand, he unsheathed his blade and raised it to my head.
"Don't worry, I'll only take off a lock." Zoteaki whispered.
"If you take off anymore, I will seriously hurt you." I whimpered as he lightly slashed a few inches off. He held the white hair in his hand and passed the sword to me.
"Your turn." He spoke, as he began to twist the hair around, using a piece of rope from his pocket. Holding the blade lightly, I sliced a lock of Zoteaki's brown hair and took it in my hands, and clasped it tightly. Zoteaki placed his bracelet upon his hand and took the sword from my hand in exchange for some rope.
"Twist the hair around the rope to make it a secure fit." Zoteaki explained as I fulfilled the task and placed it on my right hand.
"This rocks," I smiled, starring at the bracelet.
"Yea... it does." Zoteaki looked at me for a few moments then noticed Lethe and Amber had stopped a few yards ahead of them was a broken down building, with several windows smashed in. It was at the dead-end of the street, and my heart plummeted when I caught sight of it. Together, me and Zoteaki rushed forward. Silently, I thanked the goddess that me and Zoteaki had had such time to discuss matters.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Amber asked, glancing at the younger comrade.
"My sources don't lie." Lethe pointed out rudely, then melting when he saw Amber's reaction.
"Hey, Lethe is such a boring name; can I just call you Le?" Amber asked smugly. Me and Zoteaki exchanged glances with a bit of surprise-ment.
"Nicknames?..." Zoteaki spoke, as Amber turned to him.
"You can be Z and Nall can be Nally." Amber replied, clasping her hands together.
"What the hell kind of nickname is Nally?" I glared. Zoteaki took a pace up next to me.
"And I don't approve of 'Z' either." Zoteaki grunted.
"Come on, we all need to be tightly bounded at times like this." Amber nodded brightly. Lethe gave a smile and nodded too. Sighing, I was wondering if Lethe was just a pushover to Amber. After a few moments Lethe glanced at the building nervously then to Amber.
"Can I call you Am?" Lethe asked kindly, trying to take his mind off the looming fate that sat in front of us.
"Isn't that what we all call Amber?" I asked meekly.
"Yes it is.." Amber glared at us then turned back down to Lethe. "Sure le!" She smiled then turned to the building. "Now I don't want any wounds, ok? We need to get in there and out with Le's friend, Kiki, got it?" Amber smiled brightly, unsheathing her sword. At her single we all did the same and I felt the familiar weight of my weapon.
"She already named Kia." Zoteaki sighed.
"Tell me about it." I replied with a sigh as Lethe and Amber starred a the building and began stepping forward. We closed in behind them and entered into the darkness right behind them.
The minute we entered we were greeted by a slamming of the entrance door. Heart-stopping, I turned my head to stare at the door, but Zoteaki reached out and stopped my head from turning.
"Raise your blade, Nall!" Zoteaki demanded. Confused, I did as he demanded and rose my blade to my back side near my head. Unexpectedly, a dagger was deflected and fell weakly to the ground. Amber glanced over at me along with Lethe. Zoteaki breathed deeply and glanced around.
"How did you know that was going to happen, Z?" Amber asked, tilting her head as she clenched her sword tightly.
"You must always be two steps in front of your enemy." Zoteaki spoke, in a loud stage whisper.
"Well, thanks. Without that warning, I'd surely be in some serious pain." I whimpered, looking at the dagger. "And I'm taking that I shouldn't pick it up?" I guessed.
"Correct. It could be contaminated with poison. Best not to risk it." Zoteaki scolded.
"Enough talk! We need to find Kia!" Lethe reminded us, charging into the dark hall in front of us. I watched Zoteaki turn tense as he charged after the young warrior. Amber glanced over at me and shrugged her arms.
"You know, Nally, Z isn't as bad as you expect him to be when you first meet him." Amber admitted.
"Yea, Zoteaki's cool that way." I observed, starring at where the two had disappeared at. Me and Amber began to walk forward as we continued our conversation.
"Are you sure you aren't.." Amber began but I glanced over at her.
"Aren't what?" I asked, curiously.
"Falling for him?" Amber asked, turning a dark red. Even though it was dark, I could make out the faintest blush across her face. Stunned, I gripped my sword and swished my hair rapidly.
"N-no!" I stammered.
"Zoteaki's really attached to you, y'know that Nally?" Amber said, almost in a melancholy tone.
"But not that attached." Right?...
"I just thought, I mean, you two are close and all." Amber began but I cut her off by grabbing her by her shoulder.
"He's just a friend, ok?" I asked, as she starred hopefully into my eyes. Even more confused, Amber smiled and nodded brightly. She turned away from me and continued her pace, vibrant red hair swishing once in awhile.
"I believe you."
Me and Amber continued our steadied pace down the hall to where the other two had vanished down. What traps awaited us was anyone's guess, so I stayed alert. Even though Amber gave off the clueless and care-free expression, such as her nicknaming, she did have a good head on her shoulders. Meaning in the thoughtful way not the... interest way.
Shaking my head, I glanced over at her. Sword unsheathed, it seemed to glitter in the dim sunlight that was breaking through the windows that had been bound shut by nailed wood. Just starring at this made my stomach lurch, and increase my urge to just sit and relax with the other two dragons, and possibly the boy.
"Where did they go?" Amber huffed, glancing ahead as her eyes fogged with fatigue.
"Well, I know Zoteaki can run really fast, so he could already be engaged in battle by now." I shrugged, as I kept my eyes firmly upon my path in front of me.
"What about Le? Do you suspect he runs fast also?" Amber questioned, as I heard the gentle 'thurmp' of her shoes. Thrump. Thump.
"I suppose, we'd have caught up to him by now if he wasn't." I pointed out, tightening my grip of my blade.
"About earlier.." Amber began.
"What about earlier?"
"What I said to you on the boat." Amber looked down, in a bit of dismay as she stopped walking. Instantly, I stopped and glanced back at her.
"About?" I began.
"Cursia De Drogoon." Amber whispered, closing her eyes and clenching the aurora tightly. Heart being gripped with pain, I imagined how hard it must be for her to continue on with this battle, knowing she has a promised death-sentence. She may hide it behind smacks and nicknames, but she was a weak and fragile being.
"I won't let you die, mkay?" I spoke with a soft shimmer of hope. Amber opened her eyes and looked at me.
"You'd never do that for me." Amber turned her cheek and sighed heavily.
"True, I've only known you for about a month now, but I'd save you if it came down to it." I declared, starring her straight in the eye.
"You'd save Zoteaki before you'd save me." Amber spoke trying to avert my gaze. Sadly, I was having non of this, so I stepped closer and breathed upon her.
"I've only known him for four months. You both are important to me, and without your help, our prophecy will be shattered. It takes all four dragons to defeat Ghaelon." I reminded her sternly. Then it hit me once more, what was that legend about the additional two dragons? Did they really exist? Would the others believe me if I ever brought it up.
"I don't believe all that, but--" Amber glanced ahead and began to walk on smugly. "It helps."
"Women." I muttered, starring at the floor, sword tight in hand. Once I noticed she had stride ahead, I shot up towards her and continued our march.
"Amber, Nall, I thought we'd lost you." I rose my head as the figures of Zoteaki and Lethe appeared in the close distance, leaning against two walls of the hallway. At least they hadn't found the trouble yet. And as the journey was so far, traveling down this hallway was pretty safe, right?
"We thought you had started the final battle without us." Amber protested as Zoteaki stepped forward.
"And let you both miss out on the fun?" He smiled lightly. Lethe looked distracted as he swayed uneasily on his feet.
"Can I ask you all something?" Lethe asked. Our direction was shifted to the young boy. Amber starred at him hopefully as Zoteaki continued to walk silently to my side and then set his glance upon the young dragon master. Shifting my stare from Zoteaki to Lethe, I began to wonder why I felt so compelled to fight on, knowing full well this would be the hardest quests of my life.
"Go ahead." Zoteaki advised from my side.
"If it comes down to it, I want you three to get out of here with Kia. I can fend them off while you make a run for it." Lethe whispered, unsheathing his sword. I could tell he was shaking, but he never did let into the fear. Very admirable.
"Amber Rosewood never backs down from a fight!" Amber called, raising her sword to the ceiling. In my heart I knew how much guts it took to actually fight on, knowing you could die if the blade of a sword sliced against your skin. For me and Zoteaki, we'd be wounded, but for Amber.. she'd be gone.
"And I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving such a young child here with thugs." Zoteaki added in, glancing at Lethe. His face turned dark red and he stomped his right food.
"I'm not a child!" He glared.
"Yea, Z! He's a young adult!" Amber smiled, walking up to him and placing her arm around the side of him cheerfully. "We're all a team, so we've got to stay positive about our abilities." Amber replied smugly. I watched as Lethe's face turned dark red, or as far as I could tell from the dim light, as Amber did her speech as she held onto him.
"Maybe we should leave these two here and continue onwards?" Zoteaki asked, starring at the two.
"Lethe!" Our heads turned when we noticed, and heard, a young girl running down the hall towards us. Extending my sword from instinct, I pushed Amber off Lethe and stepped in front of the young swordsman. I was about to speak when she came into focus and stopped in front of me. Long blue hair fell down as piercing azul eyes starred in a scared manor at me.
"Kia!" Lethe spoke from in back of me and pushed me out of the way like I did to him.
"That's Kiki?" Amber asked, tilting her head. "Looks familiar." Amber pondered.
I just stood there, watching the young girl. She looked like the age of fifteen, and her resemblance to Luna was stunning. She wore a red dress with a brown shall over it, and a green brooch to pull back her bangs. Her skin was as pale white as you could get, or so it seemed in this dark.
"Kia, I want you to tell us where the thugs are you captured you." Zoteaki spoke, stepping up and glancing at Kia. Lethe paused and nodded brisk fully.
"Who are all you--" Kia whispered shakily.
"Long story, we need to get you out of here. Remember last time?" Lethe growled, grabbing Kia by her hand.
"Last time?..." We all said in unison. I exchanged glances with the other two dragons as Lethe glanced at us.
"I'll explain later! Just please help me get Kia out of here! " Lethe begged.
"Yes! They let go of me when they were ordering that thing to kill me. It's..." Kia began but a long rumble to the ground broke her sentence off. Tumbling sideways from the sudden earthquake, I found myself falling into Zoteaki's arms. I just had to fall into him...
Zoteaki glanced down at me, a little amidst of my position. Sudden redness overcame his face as he glanced beyond me to the hallway where the sound came from.
"It's coming!" Kia began to yell but Lethe silenced her by clasping his hand over her mouth.
"Be quiet, they'll hear us-" Lethe began but was cut off by a ninja appearing before us. If I wasn't scared from the shock before, I would have been know. Remaining in my frozen state, in the arms of my friend, I starred at the clothed stranger.
"Run all you like, you'll never escape here." He snickered.
"We know where the exit is." Zoteaki snapped as I glanced over my shoulder to see his tense face. It was as if this position didn't phase him. I also took in the sight of a pale Amber starring at us.
"Oh really? They don't call this to the Shifting Horrors for nothing." He grinned. I watched, still looking over me shoulders, as Amber screeched out. Zoteaki dropped me from his arms and fiercely turned around, body tensing.
"Ow.." I groaned, falling on my ass.
"The hall! It's..!" Zoteaki began.
"Separated.." Amber finished as she starred a the fork in the hallway we had just come down.
"Yes, and now for the horror part of the name." And with that the ninja disappeared. Confusion filled me before the rumble came again. Scampering to my feet, I pushed Lethe and Kia towards to the middle of our cluster as the dull image of a large creature appeared at the ending of the hall. It looked half bull and half human, with something dripping from it's fangs... dear goddess I hope that's not blood.
"RUN!" Amber screamed as we all turned and began to run down separate halls.
All I knew was that me and Zoteaki had chosen the right hall, and Amber and the other two had chosen the left. Wherever these halls took us, one of us would surely be the loser. And that brought the painful image of death in my mind. As I turned to Zoteaki as we ran down the twisting hallway, I was only filled with dread. Tears formed in my eyes as I slowly realized I could never win. It was a long while before we actually did stop running. Zoteaki paused at the next fork in the road and turned around. Nothing was following us for now. Stopping also, I bent over, hands on my knees, and let tears fall from my face.
"Nall?" Zoteaki asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I don't want to die.." I whispered, standing straight up and looking the blurring dragon in the eye.
"You-" Zoteaki began but I closed my eyes and let another tear fall. "You won't. I'm not going to let my best friend die, ok?" Zoteaki wanted me to confirm it. Cracking open an eye, I shook my head, beginning to feel uneasy.
Ghaelon had to pay, and I had to be the one to strike him down. Hurt him for hurting me and Quark. Rip out his soul for bruising Zoteaki, and slit his throat for making my other friends suffer. And if I died.. all that would be lost. Never before did I fear death as much as I did now.
"Nall?" Zoteaki spoke, shaking. I didn't reply but he unexpectedly reached out and gently wrapped his arms around me. "I won't leave this place without you and the others, I promise. Even if I have to give my own life to make sure of it. This is one promise I am sure I can keep. So stop-" Zoteaki began as my heart plundered from his gentle hug. "crying and let's get out of here and rejoin with the others."
AN:
Dun dun DUN. What will happen next? I don't know. I was going to write the rest for this chapter, but I didn't want to rush it. So expect a long chapter for the next one. And the way this story is changing is confusing me. Anyway, this is Katra signing off!