Zoe had taken him to visit the air benders with her, and to say he was amazed by what he saw was an understatement. They had set up an entire city on an island that they had managed incredibly well so it could support the large population. Zoe and Remi had visited them at least twice a year since they healed her after she was captured by Drago, but this was the first time that she had asked if he had wanted to come with her. Thomas, or Tom as Zoe insisted on calling him, had decided to stay in the village with Zeb and Alice, the village becoming a sort of headquarters for their plans that they were finally putting into motion. Thomas had travelled with them for a month before deciding he should stay in the village as he believed that he was slowing them down, Phoenix being unable to keep up with the furies over long distances. Hayden had just turned 25 and Zoe would turn 24 in a couple of weeks.
They were currently in the arena with Amber, Jacob and Gus with the six dragons, discussing the upcoming battle, Zoe doing most of the talking.
"I'll stay here and train anyone who wishes to join you in the world Below, but for now I think its best if Amber and Jacob go with you in case of a surprise attack," Gus said. "Are you two ok with that?" he asked the twins who both nodded. "And you can bring us updates or requests for help," he added.
"Thank you so much," Zoe said.
"It's not much, but I can't send people with you who are unwilling to go," Gus explained.
"I completely understand and I wouldn't expect anyone to come if they didn't want to, you and everyone in this city have already done so much for me."
"Promise me you'll come to us if you need us or refuge."
"I promise," Zoe nodded.
-o0O0o-
The four of them were packed and getting ready to head back to the world Below, Zoe, Amber and Jacob saying their goodbyes to the people that had come to see them off, Hayden just smiling and nodding towards people who wished him well. He watched as Gus pulled Zoe and the twins into a hug, ruffling their hair.
"I trust you'll look after my trainees?" Gus said, coming over to speak with Hayden.
"Of course."
"Good lad. It was nice meeting you, Zoe speaks very highly of you too," he said as they shook hands.
"It was nice meeting you too," Hayden smiled.
"You lot better be off so you have enough time to reach the village before dusk, I doubt Uri will want to create four portals."
-o0O0o-
Zeb and Alice being the people they were, insisted that the four of them stay with them at their house. Hayden and Zoe now shared a room there, Zoe's old room being occupied by Celia and their youngest child, Jamie, taking over Remi's old room who was living with one of his mates. Amber and Jacob were given Jamie's room while they were there, the two children being told they would share rooms for a bit, the three year old delighted that she would be with her 18 month old brother day and night.
Remi had come sprinting towards them when he saw them land, knocking the wind out of the three air benders in a bone crushing hug before shaking Hayden's hand. They had dinner outside in front of a fire as per usual, Alice, Zeb and Thomas getting to know Amber and Jacob whilst Celia and Jamie played with the dragons and Remi, Zoe sitting next to Hayden who had wrapped his arm around her waist. It was a peaceful night and Hayden felt like he had everything he could ever ask for; he had his dragon, his girlfriend, his best friends and their family, and his girlfriend's chosen family, all enjoying the night and each other's company.
-o0O0o-
Hayden should have known that the perfection he had in his life wouldn't last. Sure, he still had everyone with him and the battle preparations were coming together as well as they could, but he had his Dream the other night, so now he knew that his time was more limited than he would have liked.
The Dream; its the thing that every fury rider has, and the thing that every fury rider dreads. The last lesson Max gave him was as he was taking his last breaths, telling Hayden about the Dream, and that would be Hayden's last lesson to Zoe too. A fury rider will Dream anytime from one year to one day before they die, the Dream showing them how they die. There is nothing they can do to stop it or alter the outcome; when the Bewilderbeast decides it is their time, they must accept it. Hayden now knew that he would die at the hand of Drago in the upcoming battle, Atlas dying with him as their life forces were tied together. He hadn't told anyone yet, and he probably wouldn't either. He would just speak to the people he wanted to before the battle, thanking them for everything and giving them one last goodbye that they wouldn't understand until he was no longer with them. He decided that he would just enjoy the time he had left; he would spend as much time as he could with Zoe, finish off his projects in the forge back at their house, go for drinks whenever Zeb would offer and above all else, he'd spoil Atlas, the one being that was always there for him, through thick and thin. He and Atlas would pass together, rising up and joining the other fury riders in the stars, and he would watch over Zoe until she joined him, but hopefully not for many years.
-o0O0o-
Everything was going well, they were almost all ready. Amber and Jacob had just left to visit the air benders and update them on the situation, bringing back any other air benders that wished to join the fight. Another week and they would be ready to take down Drago and his dragon army, but that meant only a week was left for Hayden and Atlas.
The last three months since his Dream, he had gone back to his house and finished everything he had wanted to in the forge. He had also found the dagger he had made for Zoe when they had just met but had never given her. She had replaced the dagger when she had visited the air benders at some point, so he saw no need to give it to her. Instead, he had just wrapped the dagger in some neat cloth, writing her name on it in case she found it after he was gone. He also wrote a letter to her that he left on the table in the kitchen where she would find it if she ever came back to the house. Hayden had also spent every spare second with Zoe, Atlas and Zeb and his family. He never went back to visit his parents since they had practically disowned him the last time he saw them, something he had only told Zoe about after she interrogated him when she saw that he was out of sorts. Atlas knew their time was coming too, he would have had the Dream the same night as Hayden, although neither of them wanted to discuss it.
He was leaving the market with Zeb when he decided he would speak to him. "Can we talk somewhere?" he suddenly said.
"Sure, where?" Zeb asked giving him a concerned look.
"The forest?"
"Lead the way."
-o0O0o-
"What's going on? You've been zoning out quite a bit lately and seem quite flat," Zeb started on him as soon as they reached the forest.
Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, Hayden opened his mouth, "I'm not going to see the battle through."
Zeb's face immediately turned to one of concern and heartbreak. "You had your Dream?" he asked sadly.
"Yeah," Hayden sighed. Most people didn't know about the Dream, but Hayden had spoken to Zeb about it just after Max had died.
"How long ago?"
"A few days after we got here with Jacob and Amber."
Zeb just nodded. "How?" he asked quietly.
Hayden looked at his friend, searching his eyes. "You can't change it, no one can."
"I know, I just wanted to know so I could be with you."
"Drago, at dusk," was all he said, Zeb nodding.
"Have you told Zoe?" Zeb asked.
"No, and I'm not going to either. It'll just distract and worry her," he said, shaking his head.
"You need to say something to her," Zeb insisted.
"I'll talk to her before the battle but I'm not telling her that I'll die during it," he sighed. "But if I don't get to tell her about the Dream, can you tell her for me?"
"How am I supposed to say no to you when you're on your last days?" Zeb huffed, clearly not happy with what was asked of him. "But I'll do it," he added.
"Thank you," he breathed in relief.
"Can I tell Alice?" Zeb asked.
"If you want to," he shrugged as Zeb pulled him into a tight hug. The two of them just stood there holding each other, Zeb crying softly as Hayden tried to blink away a few tears.
-o0O0o-
The war horn had been blown six days early. They were meant to go to him, but Drago had come to them. Jacob and Amber weren't back yet. And he wasn't ready to die. He wanted to grow old with Zoe. He wanted to marry her and have a family. But that's not possible when you're the fury rider. When you're destined to die young.
He was strapping on his armour in his and Zoe's room at Zeb and Alice's. Zoe was out making sure people were adapting to the new situation before she would come and get ready herself. That was when he would speak with her, thank her for being in his life and making the last six years the best of his life.
Zeb and Alice came into the room, both looking miserable, Zeb dressed for war and Alice ready to head to the healing hut. No one said anything, Zeb and Alice just taking it in turn to embrace him, both of them with tears in their eyes.
"You'll look after her?" he asked them, referring to Zoe.
"Of course," Alice whispered. There was both too much and not enough to say, what do you say to your two friends when you know you won't be with them by the time the sun sets?
"Say hello to Max for us," Zeb said with a small smile.
"I will."
"We should probably get going," Zeb said with a shaky breath after a moment of silence. "I'll see you out there."
-o0O0o-
Thomas was walking through the backyard to saddle up Phoenix when Hayden decided to head over to him.
"Everything ready?" he asked Thomas who turned to face him.
"Just about."
"Good. Hey, I need to ask you a favour."
"Sure, what is it?" Thomas asked in a bright tone.
"Once the battle is over, I need you to watch over Zoe and make sure she's ok, make sure she's happy," he said in a low voice.
"Uh ok. Is that all?" he asked, clearly confused.
"For now. Thank you for all your help."
"Oh its nothing, I'll see you out there," he said with a smile.
She had just gotten back to the house and was strapping as many weapons to her person as she could when Hayden came in.
"Ready?" she asked with a smile which slid off her face as soon as she saw his expression. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said, forcing a smile onto his face and pulling her against him, wrapping his arms around her.
"Spit it out," she said into his chest after a minute of silence.
Unwinding his arms from around her and taking a breath, Hayden spoke softly. "Thank you."
"What for?" she asked confused.
"Everything. Being the most amazing person to work alongside as fury rider, being the most amazing girlfriend. Making me smile whenever I think about you, for making me laugh when I thought I couldn't," he listed whilst staring into her eyes. "I just want you to know that no matter what happens, no matter where I am, I will always love you. I will always be with you, even if you think that you're alone, I'll be there."
"What are you not telling me?" she asked, searching his face for the slightest clue. She could see the inner turmoil behind his eyes, the sadness and underlying worry that he was trying to hide from her. Instead of answering her, he just pulled her close, kissing her softly. She melted into it, Hayden walking her backwards until she was wedged between him and the wall, one of his hands cupping her cheek, the other wrapped around her waist, both of her hands fiddling with the hair at the back of his neck.
"I love you so much," he breathed in between kisses.
"I love you too," she mumbled against his lips.
-o0O0o-
Even though Drago had brought the battle to them, something they definitely didn't want, things were so far going ok. A small portion of Drago's dragons had sided with them as soon as they saw Zoe and Hayden with their furies, but the majority were too afraid of Drago to disobey him. Drago's ground forces were being managed by benders that hadn't bonded to dragons with the aid of the few of Drago's dragons that had changed sides. The riders from the village and surrounding islands, along with a group of Thomas' friends from the Academy were assisting in the air, driving Drago's dragons towards Hayden and Zoe so they could remove the dragons' armour whilst Uri and Atlas attempted to release them from Drago's control. Much to her displeasure, Drago was yet to make an appearance himself.
-o0O0o-
Zoe and Uri had gone to destroy the ships that were heading towards the island that no doubt were carrying more hunters and armoured dragons. Uri and Sharpshot flew past each ship's main mast, wrapping metal chains around it before flying to the next one. The chains were only long enough to wrap five ships together, but that was enough for Zoe. Once her two dragons had finished their job, Uri hovered above them all, Atlas temporarily joining her. Both dragons took on a glow, Atlas a deep blue and Uri are more of a violet. Releasing an ear splitting screech at the same time, Uri and Atlas fired a shot each into the air, Drago's dragons that were on the boats breaking free and flying around the two furies before heading towards the back of the island where villagers would calm them and remove their armour. Once the dragons were out, dark storm clouds began to form overhead, courtesy of Hayden, bringing thunder and lightning with it. Zoe directed the lightning, one in five boats being struck, the energy dancing across the metal chains and onto the next four boats, setting them all aflame. On the lead ship that had got a whole lightning strike to itself, Drago finally emerged.
-o0O0o-
The sun was starting to set and Zoe found herself fighting furiously against five of Drago's commanders. She was running low on energy, her dual swords slicing with less precision every minute that passed. Uri and Atlas were somewhere above, directing the dragons that were willing to fight. Hayden was fighting Drago not more than ten metres from her. All she needed was one second where she could shift her focus from her swords so she could use her bending to get rid of the ones she was fighting, but she was too tired to split her focus more than she already had.
The perfect opportunity presented itself when the five she was fighting turned to face Drago after he shouted out, but she also turned to see why Drago had made such a noise. Her blood ran cold when she looked over her shoulder to see Hayden doubled over, Drago's bull hook pierced straight through his middle between the chink in his armour, blood pouring out of the wound at an alarming rate. "No," she whispered. Seeing Hayden collapse to the ground made something inside of her snap. "NO!" she yelled, a blast of energy exploding from her and knocking everyone in a 50 metre radius to the ground. She sprinted towards Drago who was leaning down to pull his bull hook out of Hayden's body. Gripping her swords, she let the wind carry her the last few paces as she brought both of her swords down in an arc, one blade slicing Drago's arm cleanly off from the elbow before the other struck his shoulder, completely severing his arm. But the damage was done, he had pulled the bull hook from Hayden's body, damaging the wound further and allowing more blood to leave his body.
She wasn't thinking, her body fuelled from rage and worry. Standing over Hayden's body, she sent a wave of wind and earth towards Drago, knocking him back towards the edge of the cliff. With one final gust, Drago was sent over the edge with the pieces of his severed arm, a dragon ridden by his sixth commander catching him before he could hit the waves below. Another burst of energy, this time ice and lightning, shot out of her hands, striking Drago's remaining men that hadn't fled with Drago himself. Zoe didn't care if Drago had lived or died, all she cared about right now was saving the man she was standing over protectively.
She knelt down next to Hayden who was still conscious and coughing up blood, moving his hair out of his eyes to help calm her before she summoned water to her hands to heal him. Zeb landed on Rocco just behind them as the water encasing Zoe's hand begun to glow.
"No," Hayden managed to choke out as he coughed up more blood, pushing her hand away.
"What do you mean 'no'?" she demanded, tears starting to gather in her eyes.
"You can't save me this time," he struggled to say.
"Of course I can, I still have enough energy-," she tried.
"No, it's my time."
"It's not-"
"Just let me speak, please?" After Zoe nodded, he continued, "the fury rider's time is up when the Bewilderbeast decides it is. When its your time to go, you and Uri will both have a Dream that shows you how you die and you'll have this dream anywhere from the day before you die to the year before. There is nothing anyone can do to change the outcome, so you must accept it. I had my Dream a few days after we returned from the air benders, and now is my time," he said, growing weaker with every word.
"No," she whispered. "I'm not ready for you to go." She was crying now, her tears carving tracks down her face, Hayden reaching a hand up to wipe a few from her cheek with his thumb.
"You'll be ok, remember what I said to you this morning. I believe in you to end the hunters, but you must find the next rider first." At that moment, Zoe heard a screech. Looking up, she saw Uri and Atlas land, both of them making a beeline towards their riders. Atlas lay down next to Hayden, his head resting between Zoe and Hayden's head, Uri lying down behind Zoe so the two riders were encircled by their two dragons.
"Don't leave me," she sobbed, clutching onto his hand, Atlas and Uri nuzzling her.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear and then cupping the side of her face. "C'mere," he mumbled, lifting up his arm so Zoe could lay down next to him. She carefully shifted her position so she was laying against him, tucked against his side with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. Atlas stretched his head over to her so she could rub his head and give him one last goodbye as Sharpshot came over to them, nestling himself into the small gap between Zoe's stomach and Hayden's side. The five of them just lay there trying to make the most of the last moments they would have together, a large group beginning to congregate around them with Zeb, Alice, Remi, Thomas, Amber and Jacob, who had returned mid battle, at the front with their dragons.
"I love you," Hayden managed to say before he pressed one final kiss to her lips, resting his head back against Atlas' front paw. He smiled as he looked down at Zoe who was holding onto him with one arm as if it was her life that depended on it, her eyes squeezed shut but the tears still escaping her eyes, her other hand stroking Atlas' muzzle. He turned his head to look at the group around them, making eye contact with Zeb and Alice, he smiled and nodded their way before turning his attention to Uri who was whining and nuzzling him gently.
"You take care of her, girl," he said to the white dragon, receiving a lick to the cheek in response. "And give her this for me later, ok?" he said, slipping his whistle over his head and into a small compartment on Uri's harness. "And if she ever needs me, tell her to blow into it three times, just like always," he added in his head, too exhausted to speak out loud. Letting his head fall back onto Atlas, he took one last moment to appreciate the stars in the sky and the weight of Zoe and the dragons against him.
"I'll see you up there," she barely heard him whisper before she could no longer feel the ragged rise and fall of his chest nor Atlas' warm breath on her arm. She refused to let him go, not wanting to believe he was gone.
"Hayden?" she whispered to him. Receiving no response, she gently sat up, shaking his shoulder. "Hayden?" she said more loudly. "No, come back," she cried. A lump formed in her throat so large that she couldn't swallow. She could barely breathe through her nose and lungs that felt like they had been pierced. She was starting to tremble as she watched the body of her human partner and his dragon slowly rise up above the ground and towards the sky. She felt Uri move so that she was curled around her, crooning gently, Sharpshot crawling into her lap. She watched through her tears as Hayden and Atlas' bodies rose higher and higher, taking on a glow as they began to turn transparent. She watched as they disappeared from sight before a flash lit up the sky, a new constellation appearing above them of that of a man and his dragon.
She felt an arm wrap around her shoulders and pulling her close. She recognised Alice by her scent from being in the healer's hut, a mixture of healing herbs, cotton and smoke. She slumped against the woman next to her, tears streaming down her face as Alice just rocked her back and forth, running a hand through her hair.
She didn't know how long they stayed like that, but when Alice finally helped her to her feet, no one else was around. Alice led her back to the house, Uri padding next to her and Sharpshot on her shoulder. When they entered the house, Zeb, Remi, Thomas, Amber and Jacob were sitting silently in the living room, Celia and Jamie still with Zeb's mother. They looked towards the two women as they came inside, no one saying anything. They sat there all night, no one saying a word or moving except to take a sip from their mug of ale that Zeb had given everyone just after the moon had risen. Zoe just stared at her mug, her mind numb and her heart broken, Uri curled around her and Sharpshot in her lap.