Alright! This is the last chapter before the Epilogue, guys! It's been fun to write this and get the positive feedback. Like I said in an earlier chapter I'll still probably write little Minecraft fics later on with Ari and Mnem but this story and its plot has finally come to an end. I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did~
Edit: With this chapter, I really do suggest listening to 'Victoria' by Krypteria. c:
EDITEDIT: Okay guys! After this I should be done. I'll keep searching for things to fix up, but I think this is the only one that'll really matter.
Sand. It was everywhere, but that wasn't what bothered her the most. No, no, she wasn't bothered by sand. It was the blood that bothered her. Even the blackened waters that lapped at the shore had gained a red tint to it, leaving behind rust-colored residue on the sand it moved over.
She had only taken three steps forward when the two familiar men appeared in front of her, landing on their backs and groaning in pain, much as she had when she arrived. She stepped back with surprised eyes, watching Mor stand and help Vreagon to his feet.
"What…what are you guys doing here!" she hissed, earning a huff from Vreagon.
"Making sure you don't get yourself killed. We've been here once, this place is far beyond our ability, and you should know that."
"But… but Mnem – "
"No. No buts. We aren't-"
"I'm not leaving him here again!" Ari snapped, pushing past them and marching toward the sound in the center of the island.
Sure enough, they found him. He was laying in a small bed, his eyes closed and his skin pale. The only evidence to his being alive was the chest slowly rising and falling. She touched his hand and felt the tears burning in her eyes, clutching the hand tighter. He twitched slightly, his lips parting a little further. Eyes slid open and he looked at her slowly, a small smile appearing on his lips. He tried to speak but clearly hadn't the energy, exhaling loudly and closing his eyes again.
"Don't worry, Mnem." Ari spoke softly, frowning in anger toward the creatures that had imprisoned him. "I'll take care of this, and I'll bring you home, and I'll help you recover." She spoke softer, now, turning away from the man, unable to see him any longer. "…I promise."
She stepped through the island with her hand on the hilt of her sword, brown hair hanging in her eyes as she moved. A slight breeze, the first she'd ever felt here, blew through and moved her hair, her lips drying out. She licked them again and stopped, hearing the heavy breathing.
Vreagon was first – he drew his sword and Mor drew an arrow, aiming at the shadow as it snarled. Ari stood calmly in the face of the creature, staring at him, unmoving. Its purple eyes would never blink, she knew it without anybody having to tell her, but she wasn't about to back down.
"Help him." She hissed, pointing in Mnem's direction. The creature broke eye contact for a moment to look over, and it looked back at her, shaking its head with what seemed like a grin.
She didn't even flinch as the sword was pressed through it, nor when the arrow pierced its skull.
"You."
"Me."
Ari stared at the Dragon as she tried to lift her head, her eyes angrily burning into Ari's own.
"You are foolish to have returned."
"Foolish? No. I am not foolish; it is you who is foolish for believing that I wouldn't."
"You're too late, anyhow. Not only do I hold control over your little friend…" The Dragon smirked, her scales turning a soft tan, her body decreasing in size. Ari stepped back, her jaw dropped. "…but it also seems that my little boys have found another substitute." Ari backed up slowly; her head tilted in nervous confusion and soon, fear.
The Dragon now had pale flesh and long black hair, deep green eyes shocking Ari into silence and stillness.
Ari had only just barely jumped out of the way when the Dragon attempted an attack.
The battle began, one with a sword and the other with claws, the clanging and clashing of metal ringing in Vreagon's ears. He couldn't jump in without risking the injury of his friend, and Mor couldn't get a clean shot – they were forced to stay on the sidelines for now, and Ari was happy for it. This fight was hers and hers only.
The shadows shrieked as their queen was cut by the brunette's sword, running toward the battle in anger. The two boys screamed angrily and took out their fear on them, slashing and hacking at every figure that came too close.
The Dragon brought her claws down toward Ari and the girl ducked, rolling away from them and bringing her sword up, blocking another attack. She felt the anger boiling within her and she became reckless, violence growing.
She was knocked onto her back with an 'oof' and she looked up, gasping as the blade was kicked from her hands. Without a weapon she was powerless. She looked up with burning brown eyes, clenching her teeth as the Dragon made her way closer, closer, and closer still.
An arrow sped straight through. Ari gasped, watching it as it went through the Dragon's chest and stuck into the ground as it descended. She smirked, watching the woman scream and hold her wound. In anger the Dragon reached out, gripping Ari's throat as she growled, much like the black shadows outside. A serpentine tongue slipped from her lips as she grinned cruelly, raising the claws to the girl's neck. Ari writhed against her, clenching her teeth in anger. In a desperate attempt to gain release she spat in the captor's face, finding herself being dropped.
She should have known it would happen – after all not everything goes the way you want. She barely realized what was happening until the woman grew in size, angry howls erupting from her throat.
Ari grabbed her sword and ran, assisting in taking out the shadows while escaping from the Dragon before she was fully grown.
Too late, it seemed, as the howl signaled her readiness to fight.
Ari watched the giant creature fly out of the large cave and over their heads, wings flapping hard enough to push her and everyone else to the ground.
The dragon took another turn, screaming in anger, diving toward the girl. Everyone else moved, including Mor and Vreagon, but Ari remained, frowning deeply and waiting. Just as the dragon came close enough Ari dived away and back, grabbing hold of the smaller hairs on the creature's side. As far as she could tell the Dragon couldn't see or feel her and she climbed higher, onto the Dragon's back, her hatred growing even stronger. She winced and pushed herself closer to the body as the air increased in speed and decreased in temperature. She forced herself to keep climbing, her eyes glaring up at the top of the creature.
Down below, Vreagon watched the girl climb. He jumped and laughed, Mor joining him after a moment. Mor drew his arrow and shot at the creature, hitting it directly in the tail, causing her to move back toward them. Vreagon copied his sister's action and followed her up the side, Mor running alongside them and distracting the creature before she could react to the two on her back.
Ari looked at Vreagon and laughed, speaking loudly over the rush of air, "Coming to join me, eh?"
"Yeah. Seems like a good time for a ride."
Ari snickered and made her way up to the head, nearly losing her grip twice. Vreagon saved her the second time, grabbing her hand before she fell and allowing her to grab back onto the Dragon. She sat on the Dragon's neck like a horse, straddling the skin and lifting the sword.
The blade made a sick 'squelch' as it penetrated the Dragon's old and tender scales, the screaming alerting the brunette of the wound's effectiveness. "You will not hold control over Mnem!" She screamed, bringing the weapon down once more. Vreagon grinned and did the same to the thing's back, slicing the skin and muscle. He could hear the ripping even over the wind, and he grimaced as blood flew back and covered him. He spat it out, crawling toward his friend on the neck as she clutched the hair, the speed increasing. Vreagon lost his hold, gasping and yelling as he slid down the side.
"NO!" Ari screamed, releasing the hair and diving to save Vreagon, grabbing the hair with one hand and the man with her other, crying out in pain as her shoulder popped. She trembled, hissing in pain as she felt the muscles burning. They were finally descending, coming closer to the ground, faster and faster. She could release Vreagon and he'll have a better chance – and she would be able to jump from the back before the impact.
Only when she released Vreagon she fell as well, her breath hitching in fear. It was too high – they'd die for sure! She squeezed her eyes quickly, gasping and finding herself praying.
Please, don't let me die here. I just want to bring Mnem home, is that too much to ask…?
The necklace glowed, the white color of the pendant growing into crystal, the colors blinding as the subtle light in the sky caught it. The light reflected from that to the amethyst around it-
She found herself slowing. Vreagon, too, slowed in his descent, and Ari's feet touched the ground gently. She collapsed as soon as the necklace ended in its glowing, breathing heavily and looking at it in shock. She moved her hands along the stone beneath her, sighing-
Wait.
This feels… this stone feels like the necklace. Could it be that… is it made out of the same material?
Sure enough, both the color and the feel of it were the same.
She closed her eyes and stood slowly, helping Vreagon to his feet. She hadn't the time to question the necklace much longer – the Dragon crashed into the water, throwing the waves further toward them and splashing them. Ari yelped and covered her eyes, Vreagon doing the same and grimacing, spitting out what little had gotten in.
"…At least I'm not bloody anymore…" Vreagon mumbled, earning a soft giggle from the girl. Mor sprinted closer, gasping and doubling over.
"I thought you two were fucked!"
"…We did too, actually." Ari chuckled. She looked at the boys as they stared at her necklace.
"…What even happened-"
"Doesn't matter. We need to get to Mnem."
She dropped at his side and Mnem's eyes slid open, head turning to face her. He looked more alive, now, his skin regaining its color. "…Ari?"
"…Mm. It's me." Ari chuckled and hugged the man, the necklace glowing softly as their chests touched, glowing a soft pink. Neither noticed, and they pulled apart, Mnem standing weakly and Ari holding him up, pulling him through The End, looking back as the Dragon roared in fury. Ari looked at Mnem and he nodded, grabbing her hand as the group launched themselves further, making their way back to the portal.
She heard it, loud and clear. She couldn't see anybody speak, but they did just that – for as they all raised their arms to the sky and fell to their knees, she heard the same thing repeat, over and over, in many voices. "Our Queen will forever live, our Queen, Our-"
"We've got to move."
Ari moved them through the portal and they looked up. Mnem stood over the portal and at the blocks for a moment before seemingly getting an idea. He began to sprint, listening to the others following close behind.