Farewells

I rolled out of the way just as the jet of flame passed me. My skin felt like it shriveled up. My hands were grasped tightly around the bow and arrows. I quickly got up and vaulted over the couch. Nafia roared in frustration and turned her head to snap at me. Without thinking I crashed through the window that she had already broken through. The wind whistled in my ears as I plummeted down to the ground.

Crack! I hit the ground hard. I screamed in pain as I tried to get up. My leg felt like it had branded by the sun! It throbbed with pain as I carefully got up. Roar! I looked up as Nafia pulled her head out of the window and flew down towards me. I dove out of the way as she flew by. Suddenly, she turned around quickly and tried again to get me. I dodged her again but this time I managed to plunge one of my arrows into her eye. She screeched as blood squirted out of her wound. She quickly snatched me up and flew away. I shimmied out of her claws and landed on the roof of the house. Before I could slide off of it, I grabbed a tile and began to climb up to the very top. I had a hard time balancing due to the steeple type of roof. Nafia slammed down on top of the roof and roared defiantly. I stretched my arms out for balance as the roof trembled under her weight. I held up my bow and knocked an arrow. Before she could let loose another blast of flame, I released the arrow and it soared through the air. Nafia growled with rage as the arrow planted into her snout. With one mighty flick of her tail, she sent me flying off the roof.

I landed hard on my back. When I breathed in, no air went in. I gasped for air like a fish out of water. My vision was hazy and I searched around for Nafia. There she was, the giant blue blur heading right for me. I tried to get up. I couldn't. All I could do was one last thing. I knocked my remaining arrow on the string and aimed right for the blue blur which was almost upon me. I had to do this.

"I can do it…I can do it…I can…can do," I whispered to myself.

Suddenly, the feathers on the arrow burst into flame. I jumped in surprise but realized that it was probably enchanted. I let go of the string. I didn't hear any cry of pain and I knew it must have missed. I cursed. But, I stared up at her with a small smile on my face. The last thing I could do before I die was at least smile look like I wasn't afraid. Nafia opened her mouth and I felt the heat. But when she reached me, she kept flying and flew right over me. She crashed to the ground, and the ground shook. I rolled over to look at what happened.

Nafia was back to her human form. Blood soaked her clothes. She lie sprawled on the ground, her chest rising and falling in panicked breaths. I crawled over to her and gasped. An arrow protruded from her neck and the tip came out on the other side. It was soaked in blood. She looked at me with pleading eyes. I almost felt sorry for her.

"Rest in peace, Nafia," I said.

Her chest stopped moving, and her body relaxed. I put my fingers on her eyelids and closed her eyes.

"And good riddance."

I looked back to see Navarog who was leaning on Kendra for support. He smiled at me. I smiled back.

"You did it, Hazel!" Kendra cried.

I smiled even bigger. "Yeah."

"Let's go, Gavin," Kendra said.

"Gavin?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's my human name," Navarog explained.

"Alright, Gavin, I'll be behind the house if you need me," I said.

Kendra led him to the porch. I limped over to the other side of the house. There was no one there. Good. I leaned against the wall and sighed. I'd get my leg looked at later. Right now, I just wanted to relax. I sat there for a few minutes. I thought about Nafia and how she died. It was just luck. I wasn't even that good at using a bow and arrows. I rubbed my leg. It was a close one for sure. A twig snapped from somewhere to my right. I jumped and looked to see what it was.

"Why are you here alone?" Gavin asked me.

I shrugged, "I don't feel like celebrating. To be honest, I feel a little guilty. I just killed someone."

He limped over to me and put his hand on my shoulder.

"You just slayed a dragon. And besides, she was going to kill you," he said.

"I know, but I'll still feel like I committed a crime."

He chuckled. "Don't worry you'll feel better soon."

He pulled me in and kissed me. My body flooded with warmth. He rested his hand on my cheek and the warmth intensified. I stood there for a few seconds until I couldn't take it anymore. I pulled my head away.

"You feel better?" he asked.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I tried again.

"Nav- I mean, Gavin, I-" I couldn't speak.

"Right, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me," he said as his smile faded. He began to limp away.

"No wait! I don't mind, it's just that it was a little sudden," I blurted out.

He turned to face me.

"Well, come with me to the porch then," he said, changing the subject.

I followed him out from behind the house where everyone was waiting.

"Congratulations, Hazel!" they all cried in unison.

"Hazel, I'll fix up your leg after everything has been settled," Ruth said to me. Turning to everyone else she said, "Everyone, we have some business to attend to in the dungeon. You too, Navarog."

We all walked into the house and to the dungeon. As we walked through the corridors, I tried to block out the creepy noises and voices. Finally, we stopped in front of a door. Stan stepped up front and brought Gavin with him.

"Navarog, we all want to thank you for helping us today. But, as caretaker of Fablehaven, I cannot ignore that you kidnapped Hazel and destroyed part of the house. So, in order to prevent this from happening again, you will be put in the Quiet Box," he ordered.

"What? No!" Kendra protested, "Grandpa, he helped defeat Nafia and saved Fablehaven! You can't put him in the Quiet Box!"

I was surprised at Kendra's sudden interest in Gavin. I limped over to stand next to Kendra.

"Yeah! He saved us all!" I defended. I remembered back to when Stan explained to me what the Quiet Box was. I didn't want Gavin to go in there.

Kendra looked at me with a smile on her face.

"That is true, but he still needs to be punished for what he did in the past," Stan argued calmly.

Before Kendra could say anything, Gavin limped towards her.

"Don't worry about me, Kendra. I know what I did and I must be punished. As for you, Hazel, I hope you don't get to sad that I'm gone," Gavin said.

I punched his arm with a smile. "You know I'll miss you."

He limped towards the Quiet Box. Stan looked at us.

"Kendra, Hazel, I let him come out once a week, but that's it," Stan sighed.

"Thank you, Stan!" I said.

He grunted. I knew he disliked the idea of having the Demon Prince as our friend.

Gavin stepped into the Quiet Box. "I'll miss you two," he said as the door closed.

I waved to him and smiled. The Quiet Box suddenly turned over, to reveal another door. Everyone walked away, except for me. I hopped towards it. Resting my hand on the door, I knew that he was in there somewhere.

"Good bye, Navarog," I said and limped away.

NOTICES

Heyo! Sorry it took so long to post this last chapter. I was really busy with school and sports and music. This is, unfortunately, the end! So, I know some people weren't very happy with the way this story was going. So, that's why, I might write a sequel! Please, please, please, write a review saying whether you liked the story and want a sequel or you didn't like it that much and don't want a sequel. Please don't write anything negative. If you didn't like it, then just say so without saying anything hateful. Thank you and I hope you enjoyed! XD