A/n
Here's chapter 24, please enjoy it. My normal disclaimer applies, only own my own characters and musings.
Chapter 24: Returning Home
Our arrival at Carona didn't go unnoticed, as a few inhabitance of the city spotted us as we started our final approach. So, by the time we landed, there was already a crowd gathered and we came under an onslaught of questions. It didn't take long to comprehend that Chizuru and I were recognized and that many here knew who we were. Took time to wade through the crowd, answering some questions and waving off others. However, it was the sight of Arkanis that got the crowd to start parting and it was nice as at least I wasn't really in the mood to be chatty.
Our group followed the old dragon to the temple, hopefully to have a more private and unheard conversation. After we arrived in the council chamber, Arkanis faced us, "Quite an unexpected occurrence this meeting, as far as I know, you," Arkanis said pointing at me, "Are not supposed to be alive. What happened at the realm conference, unfortunate… but the news from Warfang said that you Saber, never made it out of that event."
Thought to be dead am I? Kind of figured that would be the most likely possibility used for an explanation as to me vanishing and not coming back from the conference. Also know there will be ramifications with me still being alive, good and bad with a number of those I knew back Warfang. Yet, that sparks my curiosity upon what did happen at the conference to the others while I had been otherwise occupied. I'd been busy fighting to keep my life from being taken from me, by not one but two of the ancient enemy by the end. So, with that distraction keeping my full attention, I hadn't the faintest idea what those who had been with me had gone through.
Came out of my thoughts when Arkanis continued, "Yet, here you are with one of your companions, along with three others I haven't seen the like of before. A tale to tell I am sure you have of what happened to you Saber."
Have to give Arkanis credit, taking all of this in stride. One of the reasons I'm more inclined to tell Arkanis things, he is willing to listen to me and have an open mind about it. Plus, not only is he seeing me, who was supposed to have kicked the bucket hard. But also, he gets to meet a dragon and two dragonesses that he knows little about, two of those having white scales like myself. Wonder how he'd react should he find out that the older white scaled dragoness is technically, my biological mother? For to Arkanis's knowledge, Umbra is the only mother I have as my origins are extremely confusing and crazy to try and figure.
Although the dragon had been completely right on the money that I had a hell of a story to tell, so I nodded, "You would be correct Arkanis, I do indeed have quite a tale to tell, but I think introductions are the first order of business." I replied in a matter of fact tone.
Arkanis gave a nod to gesture that he agreed with me at the need of introductions and for me to start the introduction session, "Right then, would hope that you remember Chizuru as she came with the group I did that 'explored' Mistborne." I began, gesturing to Chizuru, before moving on to 'my family', "This dragoness behind me and to my left is named Lana, the dragon to my right is Silran and the younger dragoness next to Lana over there, would be named Nadlea." I opened pointing at each named dragon and dragoness in turn as I introduced them.
Didn't mention that Lana was the layer of my egg, yet at least, will wait and see how things will play out and wait for an opportunity. I caught my 'little sister' Nadlea, giving me a bit of a dirty look at referring to her as 'the younger dragoness'. I waved off her expression of displeasure at my reference to her in the introductions. Arkanis did show interest in Lana and Nadlea, probably because of them having white scales like myself, and that's extremely rare… or so I had thought, until visiting Ladius. Had seen a small number of white scaled dragons… or rather dragonesses, since I hadn't seen a single white scaled male dragon now that I take the time to think about it. Since Arkanis only knew two dragons with white scales, those being Koren and myself, no dragonesses, yet here he gets to meet two dragonesses.
He conversed with the three he was meeting, and while Arkanis was doing so, I was taking the time, to assess current standing for me. Now that we have made it to Carona, Warfang is half a day or so away. Hopefully tomorrow, Chizuru and I, likely along with Lana, Silran and Nadlea following, would head to Warfang. I really want to have this trek come to a close, but… if there's one thing I've been forced to learn, then it would be 'it ain't over until you get to the end and the fat lady's singing loud and proud' as it's said. Fate working together and at other times separate, with my bad luck have had lots of fun at my expense teaching me this lesson time and time again. … In fact, my luck hasn't hit me like it tends to as of late… and as much as I REALLY don't want to say it, the current situation is close to a golden opportunity for my bad luck to do its thing. … Please, please luck, don't strike me right now! I'm not in the mood to deal with crap you send my way, all I want is peace and quiet for just a little while. Is that too much for me to ask for? Seriously is it too unreasonable for me to get such from time to time?!
… Should know better by now, the dangers of 'daring' my luck into doing its thing… but silly me, I just can't stop myself from doing it… So, my luck, being as prompt at answering my challenges and pleas as it is, struck me GOOD! This came in an unexpected form, starting with the doors of the council room bursting open. Upon glancing around to see the one responsible for the interruption, I knew I was in trouble! My 'adopted mom' Umbra, stood in the doorway with an expression of irritation, also Tetras, my adopted father was close behind her. Mom appeared to be in a great deal of distress… most likely caused by me and my disappearance. At least Umbra's gaze quickly locked on to me and I took a step back out of reflex… when trouble comes my way that I probably can't get out of through nice means, I say run away fast as you can! A hit or miss on the success of this method, but I'm one to play the odds when I have to.
However, I didn't make it far before Umbra caught me in a hug and the increasingly familiar sickening feeling that comes from being embraced by adults washed over me. Barely heard what Umbra was saying as she hugged me, I think she was expressing her 'joy' of seeing me alive. At least that would be my guess, since Arkanis had said I'm assumed dead after all, it fits the best. Isn't my bad luck a real stinker at being a serious pain in my a**, but if it didn't do that to me, I wouldn't be who I am today. Yes… I recognize, my bad luck has taught some of life's lessons, like the importance of being able to look after and take care of myself being a prime example. Pretty much just shows how my bad luck and I have a love-hate relationship… a commitment I'll probably never get out of and so I've come to accept it as it is.
The feeling of being released from the 'embrace' registered, before my body fell hitting the stone floor below. I still was shaking and trembling as I laid on the floor unable to rise to my paws at all. Was left on the floor as the conversation between Arkanis and the rest in the room minus me continued. I heard bits and pieces of the discussion as I did everything I could to settle this bodily reaction down. Not only was what was happening to me embarrassing to be witnessed by others for me, but it served to trigger memories that I didn't like to recall at all! The times adults, my 'uncle' chief among them, took advantage of me, or blamed me for things that I either didn't do or just used me as an outlet for some problem they were having and overall just in general making my life miserable… were not fond times for me.
It was after a few minutes, when Chizuru asking a question, which I didn't catch and then Arkanis answering that caught my attention, "Hmm, that is very odd that you say that, for it has been just over two months since the realm conference took place," he said.
… I can't have been hearing correctly just now… for what my ears just reported they heard isn't right or possible in the logical universe. In fact, so ridiculous was the line I heard, that the tremors I was dealing with, quickly died down due to the influence of the crazy information that had been just said. The next thing I did was sit up and stare at the old blue dragon, "I beg your pardon, did you just say that the conference occurred two months ago, as in like eight weeks or more passing by?" I nearly demanded of Arkanis.
Everyone in the room were paying attention to me, Arkanis nodded slowly to me, "Yes, the realm conference took place a little over two months ago, young Saber. Why do you question such a thing?" he replied.
No, that's… impossible! Two months cannot have gone by… it makes no sense at all… yet, I can't see Arkanis lying, his body language said he wasn't. So, how could two months passed when Chizuru and I have been gone for about two weeks? It's illogical, the difference in the flow of time mentioned occurred, that doesn't happen! Meaning that if what Arkanis says be true, then either some laws of the universe have stopped working… unlikely, or I'm missing something big! My breathing began to become somewhat ragged as I racked my brain for some sort of sensible explanation that could explain this.
"Saber, are you okay?" asked the voice of Chizuru with a hint of concern in it.
Took a moment to calm my breathing pattern, and held my head in my forepaws, "I have no idea right now honestly. To be told that two months have gone by since that hopeless meeting took place, when I swear it has only been around two weeks, maybe a tad more than that. I do not know exactly what to think at the moment Chizuru."
Glancing over at my female companion, I saw her put a hand to her chin, "I will admit, it does feel strange, for I agree with you that it's been only about two weeks. So, it's very odd to be told that two months have passed, it makes little sense." She mused.
Began to think seriously about how, in any way two months can go by and it seem like two weeks. … but hold on, there was also the time that Chizuru and I were in the… Ethereal Archives. No, that's just nuts, grade 'A' coo coo type of nuts! Granted, I've seen more than my fair share things and ideas that are so insane that you could consider them pretty much impossible. However, to say that the two of us were there for the missing six or so weeks that we are unable to account for is just plain… um what's a proper word or way to say what I'm trying to get across? Let's see… absurd… no, preposterous… nah, inconceivable, nope, none of those words quite say what I want to convey. Uh… how about I just go with 'beyond the bounds of possibility' and keep going.
But in all seriousness, that's the only thing I can think of that would account for this gap of time. Yes, the Archive is a place unlike any other, even I have to concede such a fact. Also can understand that there could be a difference in the rate for the passage of time, also referred to as time differential. However, the last time I was there, I was out that same night and I think Chizuru and me were there around the same amount of time, though I can't be a hundred percent certain. That's what confusing the hell out of me as much as it's starting to irk me, it doesn't make any sense for there to be a difference at all! Felt a hand on my front left shoulder, and upon looking I saw it was Chizuru, "Saber, you're not looking good much at all," she said to me.
I shrugged, "Am confused more than feeling off Chizuru. The only thing I can come up with is somehow and do not ask me how, we were in the Archives for six weeks." I returned.
Chizuru gave me an expression of disbelief, "Saber, that doesn't just not make sense, that's plain ludicrous!" She replied.
"I totally and completely agree with you Chizuru, but, upon further consideration, that's the only idea I can come up with that would explain how two months have passed when for us it has been a little over two weeks," I answered.
"What are these archives you speak of young dragon?" came the voice of Arkanis.
My head snapped forward in line with my body, seeing that Arkanis was still there. I looked around the room and took in that my adopted parents, biological mother, step-father, and half-sister were also still here. The feeling of being caught in something I don't want to be washed over me. I had completely forgotten that they were here in the room, had been focusing on Chizuru and the logic conundrum that the difference in the passage of time was to Chizuru and me. "Um… I have no idea how to explain what I am talking about with words that would make sense." I remarked bluntly.
Arkanis smiled a bit, "It is okay young dragon, by what you have told me so far and what I have understood, you have quite the ability to attract odd and explainable ideas to you." He said in answer.
So, our group stayed in Carona for the night after the meeting with Arkanis, would need the sleep for the final leg of the journey tomorrow. In the morning, we rose on the earlier end of it and headed out on the flight to Warfang. Chizuru was not riding on my back this time, actually, Lana had offered to give my friend a lift. It was very nice of my 'mom' to do so, for the one that is the closest to a 'best friend' that I had before Spyro and still is.
And now that I think about those I had become friendly with, it had been more than long enough of me not seeing them that I felt the absence of their company. I don't know if this is exactly what most would call 'missing' someone, as I've been so used to being alone. It's an unfamiliar feeling for me, I'm still learning to recognize these kind of feelings. Think I've shown and proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that I don't do well when dealing with emotions.
Anyway, the flight was uneventful, I was in the lead, showing the way to go as only Chizuru and I know the way from Carona to Warfang. Lana was behind me and slightly to my left and Silran was also behind but slightly to the right, with Nadlea between the two of them. My 'little sister' was asking what Warfang was like, with Chizuru answering her inquires.
My mood was melancholy, mostly because I was running through what could possibly happen when we get to Warfang. Since I supposedly dead, expect my friends to be happy that I'm not, but that's only part of their reactions. How Lara will take me being gone for two months, kind of worries me. Doubt she will have taken me not coming back from the conference well at all… probably crushed her. … And when I cause Lara to feel pain… I feel like a total jerk and just downright horrible inside.
It was a little after midday, when the sight of the dragon city Warfang came into view, it gave my mood a boost. Upon landing and entering the city by the front gate, saw that today was business as usual here. … Finally, the trek is coming to a close and so perhaps… just maybe… for once, I can get some peace and quiet for even just a little while. My 'family' by my observation, were quite impressed by not just the city, but more than variance of the inhabitance. Saw that Nadlea was in particular… excited at the new scenery and stimulus, it was kind of amusing. Both Chizuru and I shook our heads, I was shuffling forward before I bumped into someone else. Backed up and glanced at who it was I walked into… and it was who I had expected to see… at least, not just yet.
"Ah dude, ya live Bro! Never doubted ya man, knew ya would come back like a boss ownin killer waves with his board dude." Said… you guessed it, Sen, in the… way that he does.
Sen turned, "Hey Sera, guess whose back dudette?! Like we've been sayin to everyone, Bro lives girl!" he called.
Trouble is coming… I feel it! I didn't have to wait long to see what form that 'trouble' had, saw Sera jogging up to where we were, yet upon seeing Chizuru and me, she gained a wide smile on her face. What came next, was predictable however, even as hopeless it would be to attempt to avoid the idea… had to try, "Sera NO!" I shouted as she took a few steps, before she launched herself at me.
Now, Sera may not weigh a great deal, but… as the girl had proven without a shadow of a doubt previously, she doesn't need weight to be a danger to another. Sera's got her monstrous strength that her appearance doesn't show and she knows how to use it! She established a hold around my neck, and then Sera began to squeeze and my wind pipe started to become constricted. I began gasping for sweet oxygen the best I could, however, Sera kept 'hugging' me tighter as time move forward.
It was as I started rasping and had foam begin appearing around my maw when I heard Chizuru, "Sera! You're going to suffocate him, let him go right now!" she demanded.
I would thank Chizuru later, I vowed that when I felt the choke hold release around my neck. I gulped a deep… breath of life giving oxygen and the edges of the grey tunnel that had been forming at the edge of my vision faded. "What is going on?" asked a voice I had missed.
Hearing Spyro's voice brought warmth to my heart, the stress I have been dealing with was fading, not going away completely, but becoming less demanding of my attention. Glancing in the direction that Spyro's voice came from and saw my purple friend AND, he had Cynder in tow behind him. I was about to give a greeting, when Sen beat me to it, "Oh yo dude, I like totally didn't see ya there Spyro. Sera and I were just, ya know, given a totally sweet shout out to bro here, it's sick dude." He said in a matter of fact tone.
Yet, by the blank and confused expressions on Spyro's and Cynder's faces, they hadn't really understood much of what Sen had said in his usual manner of speech. Was about to attempt to translate what Sen just spouted, but once again couldn't as there came more participants. Those participants were none other than Seth, accompanied by Cyra, and I also spotted Tarra a small distance behind the two of them. My presence still somehow when unnoticed as Sera began dancing around like she does when she wears her costumes… she happily does her thing, "It's so amazing~! But it also proves we were right~!" she sang.
My question is, does Sera have to sing her lines like she's in some freaking musical?! Sure Sera's voice is fine and she sings okay, but the way she does it… it's nerve gratingly annoying, and I can't really explain why. It's high time I make myself heard! "Ahem… Sera, contain yourself and your energetic enthusiasm please, Sen what you are saying and specifically the way you are saying it, is not helping much as it is just confusing everyone else." I remarked, before I turned to face my 'friends', "Sorry, was trying to get them to quiet down for long enough for me to give an explanation."
There was silence to my comment, I glance around observing my friends appeared to be in a state of shock at seeing me. I blinked for a moment, "Um, is it so shocking that I am alive and kicking? Think I have proven by now that I am hard to get rid of permanently, but I guess the mistake can be made." I remarked to those there, as much as to myself.
Around fifteen seconds later the silence was broken and I was rushed by the two dragons and two dragonesses, surrounded by the four. They were pelting me with questions, like what had happened to me, where had I been, was I okay and inquires like that. A smile found its way onto my face as the questions kept coming. The questions were not unexpected or unwelcome, quite the contrary in fact, it was the attention and knowing that my presence and its absence had been noticed and felt.
Yet, there was one that I had been expecting to appear in this reunion that had not done so, that being Lara. Actually, I'm surprised that she hasn't popped up yet, it's strange… Perhaps those here will have an idea as to where the gorgeous purple dragoness that's somehow my mate, happens to be. "Say everyone, none you would happen to have seen Lara lately?" I asked in a slightly worried tone. "Was kind of expecting her to appear to find me, she does have a knack of doing that."
"Well…" began Spyro.
The one uttered word said little yet, implied a great deal, though it was Spyro's body language that told me more of a kind of answer to my question. From what I was seeing, Spyro had seen Lara and likely recent, but something about the contact… wasn't nice. Glancing around at Seth, Cyra and Cynder, I saw much the same type of reaction to my question. … I'm getting the impression that my previous thoughts that Lara took my disappearance badly, won't prepare me for what I'll face with Lara.
My reunion with my friends became awkward at my question about Lara and I didn't want that. So, I moved on by asking what had been happening with them, and what they had been doing while I've been away. Asking that dispelled the awkward tension that had been hanging in the air. I listened to my four friends tell me what had been going on with them since coming back from the conference.
Nevertheless, it was Seth and Cyra that noticed the presence of my family, who had followed me here from Ladius. Kind of hard to miss Lana and Nadlea at least, for much like me, white scales stick out here around Warfang. There was a short introduction session between my friends and family, in which Seth had asked me how I knew the three. Since I'm not one for lying unless there's an extremely good, viable reason, I told the truth. Got surprised and shocked expressions at say that Lana laid my egg and so would be my mother. Yet, I can't blame them, hadn't known or expected Lana still was alive until meeting her almost two weeks ago. Having met Bahamut, didn't kid myself in even hoping I would meet my mother, yet here I am with her… I don't know of a better way of saying this.
However, that talk didn't last for as long as I would have liked, as it was interrupted when Spectra appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Apparently, my reappearance had somehow already reached the guardians and they wanted to have a talk. How they had found out I was back at Warfang, when I've only been here for… maybe thirty minutes at the most, I haven't the faintest idea. We were escorted by Spectra herself to the council chamber, so I didn't have much time to gather my thoughts. All of the guardians were present in the room, and when they saw me there were a mix of expressions. Shock was a common to all eight, yet the variance of the other feelings being convey were unexpected to me.
I didn't have the time to fully take in and process what I saw, for Terrador cleared his throat, "A fortunate turn of events this is, to find out that you are alive Saber," he said in… dare I say an almost relieved tone of voice.
Took a moment to think of a proper as well as fitting reply in this instance, then an idea popped into my head, "Well, with what's happened since the conference until getting back here, there are so many things I could say and lots of variations on how I could deliver the point. But, the best way that I can think of at the moment, would be 'I told you so' and even that just does not quite say what I am attempting to get across." I said.
"Saber what are you trying to say?" asked Spyro.
Turned my head to look at Spyro, "Quite a bit actually, first, the conference was pretty much a waste of time like I said it would be. Although, it was not for the reasons that I had originally envisioned or imagined it would be." I remarked.
"What do you mean by that young dragon?" questioned Cyril.
Considered how to reply to that, I don't have the best track record with the guardians. They tend to either not believe what I tell them, though I have little reason to lie, or they don't take what I say seriously. It makes me pose the question is it really worth even bother telling them or would it save time in the end to just keep my trap shut. "That is not the only thing to be looked into, there are need of introductions as at least there are three in this room that I do not know," said Nightbane in a calm voice.
Realized that Nightbane was talking about Lana, Silran and Nadlea, had kind of spaced that they were with us… that's kind of embarrassing. I mean, for me to forget that my 'family' is in the same room… that's just rude of me and makes me a jerk. Was about to introduce them, but Silran beat me to it, "Forgive the late introduction, my name is Silran," my step-father, before he gestured towards Lana, "This is my mate Lana," Silran then pointed his head towards Nadlea, "And this is our daughter Nadlea."
The guardians then took turns giving their names, saving me the job of telling who's who. But that still leave Cyril's question about what I meant by my 'I told you so' comment. It was tempting to tell the dragons and dragonesses exactly what I thought about the 'realm conference' and how it went, but… there would be a lot of profanity flowing from my mouth if I did that. And since my 'mama' is literally in the same room as me right now, I would rather not show her my… extensive vocabulary of curses and cussing I've acquired in my lifetime. I reserve that experience for 'daddy dearest', who has a habit of screwing with my life and then, I unload my arsenal of profanity without regret.
Anyways, on to answering the ice dragon's query, "To reply to your question Cyril," I said with a slight raised voice to get everyone's attention, before continuing, "As I basically said, my opinion of the conference, even before it took place and was reinforced during the conference itself. It comes shortly after you told me what would be involved, my view is, the gathering was a waste of time. Two point in particular contribute to my opinion and had my intuition shouting there was danger ahead; those being involving me and second was involving the apes…" I said and would have kept going, but was interrupted.
"Yes, you said that you would be a bad choice yourself," remarked Terrador.
I glared at the green dragon, "Do you mind not interrupting me while I am attempting to answer the question put forth. You should listen to me… for once, you just might just learn something you do not already know," I shot back, then I continued where I had left off. "I may have said that I was not fit for the job, but there was another reason, two in fact. First would be my attraction for trouble in its various forms, especially the kind that would kill most. Went out fully aware that I would be a target, it would be the third time it has happened."
"Third time? You have been assaulted before now?" inquired Solara.
"Indeed, what horrible news, how terrible, why did you not say anything before now?" rambled Volteer.
I sighed in irritation, "Because most of you do not listen to what I say and actually take it seriously!" I returned, paused to take a few deep breaths to calm myself, "For example, after coming back from the Lunar village incident, was I asked anything about it? No, instead, I was sent back out to do another risky stunt. But back to the previous question, the second point as to why the conference was a waste, involving the apes with everyone else. The apes, though I do not like them or trust them really, everyone else was not even interested or willing to listen to what they had to say. And let me tell you, what their leader said was pretty informative, as it told quite the story about their former king Gaul as well as the purple dragon Malefor."
There were gasps from all but, my family, friends from Earth and myself, I kept going, "The apes were relaxed, more than I would have been with their reputation they have, in fact, they showed themselves as willing to cooperate. They admitted that Gaul had a bad interest in power, but mentioned that Malefor's interference is what started Gaul on his horrible rein. Further details, caught my attention, for it says to me that Malefor was being controlled like a puppet, which the way you talk about him does not come across that way."
"A dragon controlled? That's impossible!" said Terrador in disbelief.
I stared at the 'head' of the guardians, is he forgetting that there's a dragoness in this very room that proves him wrong. I'm talking about Cynder of course, since she was under the influence of Malefor and through him the ancient enemy. Glanced at Cynder for a moment, she was looking at the ground. I faced Terrador again, "Oh really Terrador? If memory serves me correctly and it normally does, Cynder was controlled by Malefor for a time," I returned, before turning to Cynder and bowed, "Sorry Cynder, did not wish to bring that up and remind you of what happened."
So, the 'meeting' continued, I was forced to give a brief explanation about the ancient enemy as they were involved in most of this. I didn't go into a great amount of detail as to how much the ancient enemy had manipulated history here in the Dragon Realm. Had already said a lot that would cause serious reconsideration to be done with the guardians… or so I can hope they will think about what I have brought up. The main point I focused on was the position that they had on white dragons like me or really white dragons and dragonesses in general. Since they don't want white dragons' and dragoness's existence to be known at all and that's been their standing since the Great War, they use whatever means they see necessary to 'take care' of us. My continual existence was very unusual, and so each time they try to bump me off, they are upping their attempts. They just keep underestimating me and that's my saving grace for the time being and I'll take that!
Me appearing at the conference posed a serious problem from the ancient enemy's point of view as it would undo all the work they had done in manipulating history thus far. So, their solution is to cause chaos and amidst that, kill me and likely take care of the evidence of my dead body. That would solve their issue with me and as a bonus, with the apes at the conference, they had a scapegoat to use and not be found out. Things would then likely return to what they had been before I appeared on the scene, or that seemed the idea.
Now, before this time, I wouldn't have considered telling the Guardians any of this, for they so rarely listen to me and rarer still, actually take in what I say and believe me. The difference with this telling that got me to tell them, there were those here who would vouch for me. With what I had said after fighting Zeno, knew my friends who had been there would stand with me in this. Surprisingly though, Lana of all those here was the one vouching for what I was saying. Yet, now that I think about it, she was likely around during the Great War, so she would know about the ancient enemy and some of their methods. What was said made dragons and dragonesses listening apprehensive and nervous. That changed when the conversation switched over to Ladius, as most of the guardians became very interested in hearing about this other city that Chizuru and I had been to. Funny thing though, my relation with Lana never did come up in the conversation at all.
-Scene Change-
When I was finally released from the question and answer session with the guardians, I began to make my way back towards the room my mate and I shared. My walk there wasn't normal to say the least… since I hadn't seen Lara with my friends, I was more than a little worried about her and the worry nagging at me was increasing. Our room was the only other place I could think of for where Lara could be. Yet, I'm also kind of apprehensive about what will go down when I see the purple dragoness that affects me so much. After the last near death experience I had around Mistborne, Lara had got mad at me and that would be putting it mildly from where I had stood. We had a 'fight' or really I had to listen to her tell me in detail, how much an idiot I can be at times. Doubt I'm alone in not wanting to listen to another rant like that, no one wants to be told how stupid or dumb you can be, it's a natural thing I would think. The experience left hurt feelings between Lara and I, which we had settled already since then.
I was drawn out of my thoughts when I found myself in front of the door to the room I had been walking towards. Paused, took a deep steading breath in, before I opened the door slowly and entered the room. The second I entered, my gaze fell on Lara… and let me tell you, I've only seen her in this deep of a depression once! That had been when we had our first shouting match followed by me running away, then me tracking her down, which ended in us being mates. Yet even then wasn't as bad as she was looking right now, it was almost as if she had lost the will to live, which she just might have with me being gone for so long.
Cleared my throat and spoke, "Uh, hey Lara… nice to see you… a-gain…" my voice died in my throat, as I caught a glimpse of the azure blue eyes that I had come to know.
Lara's eyes were hollow, dead looking and it didn't fit her at all… not even a faint glimmer of the happy or cheerful dragoness I thought of as a friend… and more. Her eyes looked so much like her mother Tiamat's eyes… lost and pretty much unaware of the world around her. It seriously scared me to see Lara in this state… and I DON'T scare easily at all! My mate's head came up slowly, her gaze settling on me, but I swear she wasn't seeing me in front of her. I could see the signs that Lara had been crying and sobbing, on a regular basis for a substantial period of time.
The sight was painful to observe… it felt like I was forcibly taking a jagged rusty knife plunging into my heart, then being withdrawn, while being twisted. The motion was being done over and over again… and that was pale in comparison and would've been more bearable than looking at Lara as she is right now for me. I closed the distance between the door and the dragoness I had grown fond of, looking her over as I moved forward. Lara didn't appear like she had been taking good care of herself while I had been away. She was thinner than she would be normally, not hide and bone… yet, but the dragoness certainly wasn't eating like she should, especially when… she's minding for two, since she told me of that impending event before I went off being taken into account.
Just from what I was taking in, the reactions I received from Spyro and the others made sense to me now, when I had asked about Lara's missing presence. They hadn't wanted to answer me as she had been in a poor state and didn't show much sign of improvement in the near future. Clearly, Lara had been suffering with my absence just as I had when being away from her, not in the same exact ways, but still… we have both been miserable with our separation from one another.
Once I had gotten up close to the dragoness, she seemed to 'see' that someone was in front of her. She simply stared at me for a few minutes, before tears began forming at the corners of her eyes. This puzzled me greatly as I was fully expecting the opposite, for there weren't positive feelings showing. Lara didn't have an expression of joy or happiness; no, her face showed heart felt sorrow and misery. It served to increase the pain I felt badly and the ache and pain was horrible to begin with! Swallowed hard to get the feeling of heart wrenching pain to leave my attention that was hogging it all, took some real effort to do so. When I had got the pain to lessen enough to focus on Lara, I was about to inquire about this reaction from her. Yet, before I could say anything, Lara spoke in a hollow, shaky voice. "Why does this nightmare haunt me? Why do the ancestors feel the need to torture me so?"
Her eyes closed and the tears ran down her cheeks… the pain came back to claim my full attention and it was stronger than before. This… pain I was experiencing, was emotional pain, I knew that and I dislike it with a passion. Emotional pain, unlike physical pain, is so much more difficult to ignore and dismiss, heart felt pain like this can't be endured alone… I would know, I've tried to in my younger days, before I learned the self-control I have now. This was the worst emotional pain I have felt in my life, especially since I had closed off my heart to others… Lara had managed to undo much of the work I went through to keep myself safe from being hurt by others. As a way to picture the comparison, the pain and ache in me felt like someone was ripping out my internal organs out of me one by one, then throwing each to the floor hard and laughing at me watching their actions while being in serious pain. It was such an unfamiliar feeling to me… I didn't feel this when I was younger and my soul wasn't layered against such things affecting me. I'm still pretty new to wishing to be around another like I'm feeling right now.
Words failed me at this time, I couldn't come up with any that I saw being able to help Lara as she was. The only thing I could think to do at this moment, was to lean forward and nuzzle my head against Lara's right cheek. Weird that usually, Lara would be the one that would be doing the comforting, yet here I am doing the consoling in this instance. However, odder still, instead of this action helping Lara calm down and reassure her as I expected them to be. For my action should have served as proof that I'm alive and well, which would solve the pain we were both feeling. But, the action seemed to make things worse as she pulled away from my gesture, sobbing denials of me being in front of her.
Yet, I pressed forward and didn't let the dragoness get far, and the two of us ended out on the bed with me on top of Lara. She struggled underneath me, but I didn't let her get out from where she was, pinning her legs down, "Lara listen to me, I am no figment of your imagination or some kind of illusion. I am made up of flesh, blood and bone as real as yours. And most of all, I am not in any way dead and have no intention to be anytime in the near future." I stated firmly.
Unfortunately, it was as if Lara didn't hear anything I said to her as she kept struggling crying harder, which was a blow added to the terrible pain in my heart. I wanted it to stop, I didn't want to have to feel this horrible aching or tearing at my soul anymore! Nonetheless, with what was happening, it also made me angry and I can't explain why the way Lara was acting was ticking me off! But, there was no mistake that this experience was most certainly ticking me off. My blood quickly was brought to a serious boil, to the point that I couldn't tell the difference between what my anger was inciting in me that resulted in feeling burning pain and what the aches and pain was coming from seeing Lara as she was!
If this purple dragoness wants to deny and wave off me being her in front of her… after all the FREAKING weird crap and life threatening moments I endured. All to get back here after the conference, then she had better think fiddle-freaking-sticks of hell again! I'll not allow her to do that to herself or to me! She WILL listen to me, she WILL accept that I'm right here and not some made up fantasy period! End of story! No debate or discussion! SO HELP ME, I'll make her understand what she is doing to me right now and just how heart wrenching and soul tearingly painful it feels!
Words would be of little use while Lara wasn't paying attention to me, so I had to acquire that from her first. And so I did what I believed would achieve what I sot, darted my head forward and pressed my maw against the purple dragoness's own, not letting her refuse my action. In that connection the kiss made, I put as much of what I felt for her in as I could and that was saying something for me, one who doesn't do good with emotions to begin with at all! Shifted my paws from pinning her legs to hugging Lara to me as best as I could with her struggling like she was. My hold was firm, yet not so firm that it would hurt her as that wasn't what I wanted to do. The kiss lasted for a minute, before we parted for air, I kept our faces close though, "For the Ancestors' sakes Lara, I will not let you waste away in misery! Not after the weird things that I have had to endure for the last few weeks that I have apparently been gone for!" I said louder than the last line I had said, it wasn't a shout or bellow, but it wasn't in my 'inside voice'.
My mate heard me this time, and Lara focused on me, her struggling stopped as she kept staring at me. I didn't move from where I was, nor did I let the embrace I held Lara in loosen. "Saber?" whispered Lara with a small tone of hope in her voice. Observed Lara's eyes started to lose their hollow dead look and regain a bit of their liveliness they tended to have. "Are you really here… alive?" she breathed with a tone of hope.
I leaned my head down and touched my snout to hers, "That enough of an answer? Yes, I am here and alive Lara." I returned in a soft voice.
Lara's answer to me was to push herself against me along with wrapping her legs around me, clinging to me as she began to sob and cry once more. However, her crying had changed from sorrow to happiness and joy as she hugged me tightly, "(sob) I thought (sob) I would (sob) never see you (sob) again!" she bawled, her head pressing against my right cheek.
Her body was trembling and convulsing as she heaved with her sobs. I rubbed my forepaws up and down Lara's back in the hope that it would help comfort her. Also wrapped my tail around her own and simply held the sobbing dragoness, doing the best I could to console her as she cried. Yet, comforting Lara wasn't the only reason that I was cuddling with her, I admit it. The urge to be close and in contact with this dragoness was flowing in me and it may be my instincts shouting and screaming this urge to me. But, where I would normally ignore such urges, I gave into it and hugged Lara back and held her to my own body.
Lara kept crying for a while, though the volume of her sobbing died down as time went on, clinging to me all throughout. I'll admit, it felt so wonderful to hug Lara and have contact with her after being denied the ability to do so for the time I was gone. It made me glad I did give into the instinctual urge this time, for it was soothing the pain that had raged through my heart before. Showed the truth of my realization at Ladius, I was and had been missing Lara horrendously! The cure to that was to be with her again and was also what made this feel so good at the moment. In fact, I felt so good, I couldn't help but start licking the side of Lara's head that I could reach. If anyone else had been around, I would have likely not have shown such affectionate gestures, but as its's just Lara and I, no issue of what others thought.
Not too long after I began to lick Lara, I was forced to pause as she pulled her head back to be in front of mine, and I saw her eyes were back to what I remembered them being. Lara smiled broadly before lunging forward and covered my maw with her own, putting her feelings for me into the motion. Instantly, without thinking returned the kiss, enjoying the sensation. We were forced to part for the need of air, but that didn't end the contact we shared. I rolled to have Lara beside me rather than under me, yet even with the shift, Lara didn't let go of me, nor I of her.
… Ahem, let's say, I lost track of time not too long after the start of my reunion with Lara… we had catching up to do and did… and leave it at that. To those who insist for details, my answer to them: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! What Lara and I do when it's just the two of us, is between the two of us and no one else. So, mind your own business you perverts! Private moments aren't up for discussion or for the ears of others!
Anyways, after we had our… catch-up time, which I'm confident left us both very satisfied, Lara was snuggling up against me with her head touching mine. She was crooned softly to me, "Don't make me worry like this again Saber, Please." Lara begged me.
Felt hesitation at the plea, for I knew flat out that she was asking something that I couldn't promise her with any confidence in the slightest. Not with my streak of luck, combined with what fate does, and those two are the main forces I usually go against. Then most of all, the ancient enemy gunning to kill me and that is the most pressing issue that would keep me from promising Lara what she is wanting me to. Lara spoke again when I was silent, "Please Saber, I can't live without you…" she whined to me.
… Girls are SO unfair, their ability to guilt trip you into doing things… it is not fair they can do that and males can't! Frowned slightly as my mate was asking something that was impossible for me to do in good and honest conscience. If I were to promise such a thing, then it would be an outright miracle and then some, if I get close, or even in 'the ballpark' of being able to keep it. I sighed before I spoke, "Honestly Lara, that is a promise I cannot make and actually expect myself to be able to keep." Lara gained a look of worry and sadness, just before I rubbed my head on the crest of hers, "Not because I do not wish to, for I wish I could promise that to you. However, I know myself and what forces tend to follow and affect me well enough to know that my life and peace… rarely meet and when they do, it isn't for very long. I have come to accept that it will be that way for most likely the rest of my life, more so over the last year." I paused, "Yet, with my undull life I live, I have been able to experience things I would not have otherwise. Doubt I would have come to the dragon realm… and probably would not have met you again Lara." I finished.
Lara caressed my jaw with her head, "I am glad we found one another again, have thanked the ancestors many times for our reunion. I am definitely grateful that we became mates," she replied.
She pretty much has said it in my mind, meeting Lara had changed so much, definitely a live altering event in hindsight. No, things coming forward hadn't been all 'sunshine, spice and everything nice', but it certainly hasn't been the usual, 'tour through hell' that my life has been carving a rut with. As Lara kept showing her affections towards me, I leaned into her, to feel her motions more with little thought, and I will give acquiesce in this, Lara cuddling with me felt wonderful, more so than it tends to!
Yet, I couldn't stay completely silent about Lara taking such poor care of herself, "Lara," I started, "I understand that you missed me has its affects, to put it mildly, but you have not been taking proper care of yourself. You are minding for two for however long it will be before you lay… our egg."
At the mention of… our future offspring, Lara's mood seemed to brighten, "Actually Saber, I already laid." She replied.
I blinked, "Oh… is that, so?" I asked as nonchalantly as I could.
Lara nodded and then got off the bed, motioning me to follow her, then she began to walk over to a small alcove in the room that I haven't figured out the purpose for yet. I followed her, wondering what she was doing. But, my answer came as we reached the small alcove, I spotted… what it was that Lara wanted to show me… dragon eggs. Yes, I say eggs in the plural form, for there was not one, but two eggs in the alcove. The one on the left was a light silvery color, though not shiny or anything like that, had a dull gleam to it. Appeared to be made up of scales that would form up a dragon's hide from what I could see from where I was. The other egg on the right was smoother that its companion beside it, kind of like a regular egg you would find at a market, but the shell appeared thicker, also had a faint blue tint to the shell's color.
I turned to Lara, "Okay, good for you and a job well done Lara… just two questions left to answer I think. Which one is 'ours' and who's egg are you looking after? It is nice of you and shows your kind heart, which I tend to not show, but that is who you are Lara," I inquired.
Lara stared at me, before she giggled, "Which one is ours? Saber, you are silly, I laid both these eggs, so they both belong to us," she replied with a little excitedly.
… From the time that Lara had told me that she had been gravid, I had come to understand that my life would change in a way I wouldn't have much say in and yet, at the same time I would have a great amount of influence on moving forward. I'm still very worried about what these two dragonets would have to face during their lives, especially if one of them or both have white scales or inherit other qualities from me. Have experienced enough to know that the ancient enemy would try to kill them if they did have white scales, they'll be in trouble regardless. Then lest any forget, I haven't a clue what a parent is supposed to do or be like, for I've never had a good example, just bad ones. So, I've almost no confidence in my abilities in being an example or a good guide for young dragons to look up to.
My dragoness came up beside me and leaned up against me, giving the side of my snout a lick with her tongue. Still, the fact that I will be getting 'two for the price of one' when it comes to dragonets, hasn't escaped me, was sinking in right now. However, I'm coming to accept what is to come sometime in the near future for me and Lara. That future is just so unpredictable at this point it really worries me.
And so, the 'fat lady' let her voice ring out loud and proud, signaling the end of the trek I had been on with Chizuru. I was thankful that it had come to a close, this last journey had been the worst of the recent ones. Had come the closest to dying on this last one and that wasn't something I wanted to do anytime soon. I still had plans I wanted to fulfill and I had to be alive to do most of them if not all.
It had been extremely stress full and full of unexpected surprises that came out of left field for me. My 'parent problem' has become more complex and it had been complicated when it had begun. Do I dislike Lana as I do the old man? No, I don't dislike Lana, but then I really feel no attachment to her like a child would supposedly feel towards their parents. I feel something towards the white dragoness that had laid my egg, I just can't exactly sum them up well right now. I can't say what it is to have a family, as I haven't had one the majority of my life. The closest idea I have had to a family would be the dojo and that wasn't really a family, more a comradery.
Plus, I'm an expectant… father now, of two no less since Lara laid two eggs while I was away. The future is uncertain, but it wouldn't be dull, that's for sure! Who knows what will happen, yet that's life… guess I'll have to wait and see how things will go.
End of the White Dragon Chronicles part 2
A/n
Yes, you are reading the closing line correctly, this is the final chapter of the White Dragon Chronicles part 2: Crossroads of Time. This is where I'll leave off, and like this part started, there will be a sizable time skip to where part 3 will start. Although, I'm kind of sad that this part is at its close, I'm also kind of relieved that it is. A lot happened and there is still is more to come in part 3. So, please write reviews, they do help improve my writing more than words can say! I don't know when part three will be started, so that will be my answer to those who will ask. I would like to take some time to write in some of my other stories. Hope you have enjoyed the second part of this series, it's been fun writing and developing this story and its characters. See you all in the White Dragon Chronicles part 3!
Dasius
Yes indeed, that's so true!
HolyCross9
For Saber, it is correct.
Rayrudan
Lara knows a good portion of the story of Saber's past, but he hasn't told her everything… yet. What will go on with Bahamut and Lana, haven't decided yet, but I'll address the idea at a future point.