Chapter 4
Silver and Star had been traveling for nearly a week. They had already passed into the land of eternal flames and were staying in a small town, which was roughly a day's walk from Brenton. The town wasn't much, just many small buildings made from clay. The largest being a temple to Pyron. The hotel they we're staying in for the night was rather small but it had its perks. The food served there was like a homemade meal, delicious and filling. There was also a small hot spring behind the building.
Silver was just stepping into the hot spring to relax. When he was completely in the water he let out a sigh of relief. "Hot springs work wonders on sore muscles. I hate having to sleep on the hard ground." Silver took a deep breath and went under completely. He saw someone coming into the hot spring but he couldn't tell who because the water distorted his vision. When he came back up for air he was shocked to see the person was Star, wrapped up in just a towel. "H-huh? Star, what are you doing in here?"
Star smiled at her mate, "It's mixed bathing Silver. Come on don't tell me your embarrassed to be in the same hot spring with your mate? You're going to have to get used to this. We're mates so this is going to be a common thing." Explained Star. She walked over to Silver and cuddled up close to him. His embarrassment slowly faded away as he got used to it. He wrapped an arm around Star to hold her close.
"You're right. It's kind of dumb for me to be embarrassed about being like this with the one I love," said Silver. "So how do you feel after being away from home for so long?"
"Truth be told, I miss my home and Zephyr as well. But at least I'm here with you. You make me feel safe in unknown places." Answered Star.
Silver smiled and held Star closer. "That's good to know, Star." He pulled Star even closer and kissed her deeply. They soon became lost in the kiss. Each wanting to let the other know how they felt about the other. They became so lost in the kiss that they didn't notice that someone had gotten into the hot spring. They kept kissing till a loud cough snapped them out their deep kiss. They broke their kiss looking about as red a molten hot fire.
"You two should really go back to your room if you're going to do that," said the new man. He had black hair and wings that were like any other dragons. They were long and skin webbed between each bone in them. He had a stern look to his face that is typical to fire dragons. A large scar traced its way down his right eye that could have been either a sword slash or a claw mark from another dragon. He had a muscular shape that showed he was trained to fight and many scars showed signifying that he had been in many battles. His tail was under the water but it was scarred as well. This man was clearly a veteran from many battles and wars. There was a strange reddish tint around him, which was not a normal thing.
Silver tensed. This man made him feel on edge, as if he were about to attack them. "Who are you?"
"My name is Kai. I know why you have come to this land, moon dragon. You come searching for the direct descendant of Pyron," answered Kai. "My lord has sent me to find you. He knows you want him to join your cause."
"How does he know this?" asked Star.
"That is none of your concern," scolded Kai. "He sent me to tell you that he will join only if you can beat him in combat. But I must warn you, no one has bested him in battle ever."
"I accept his challenge," declared Silver. "I have yet to lose a fight myself. If he is as strong as you say he is then this will be a great battle."
"Very well. We will leave tomorrow. So rest now and be prepared to leave early." Kai got out leaving and Star stuck her tongue out angrily at him.
"I don't like that guy Silver," said Star. "Something about him just makes me on edge."
"It's because he is the father of the current descendant. The red tint he has around him causes those near to feel on edge, as if he'll attack them," explained Silver. "He's right. We should get ready to go for tomorrow," Silver started to get up but Star held him in place.
"Come on, it's my first time in a hot spring. Let's stay in a little longer," said Star. She started using big pleading eyes that were impossible to say no to. He sat back down and Star hugged him tight and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Silver."
"No problem. Besides a lot of tense muscles are finally loosening up. Plus I can relax here with you." Silver put his arm around her again to hold her close to him. The two sat together in silence for awhile, enjoying the hot springs. After awhile they decided to get out and head back to their room. The two fell asleep with Star using Silver's chest as a pillow.
The next morning they met Kai out front. It was so early the sun was barely starting to rise. The three took off into the sky, Kai leading them. Below them the entire landscape was nothing that matched the name. Lush green forests grew in abundance and animals of all kinds could be seen. A river cut through the center of the forest and emptied into a small lake. Soon they could see the city of Brenton. It was massive. The many buildings towered above everyone. In the back of the city a large palace raised twice the height of the other buildings.
The group descended in front of a large red obelisk with markings at the base.
"The castle of Pyron, the warrior of fire. All who are descended from him live within these walls. They are the masters of the Feral Fire style, masters of close combat, lord of the flames. The greatest warriors born in millennia." Silver translated for Star who had never learned the draconic language.
"Are fire dragons really that strong?" asked Star.
"Some are. Like the fire descendants. The others can be beaten if you use water." Explained Silver.
"Oh."
"Ok Kai lead us in. I'm ready to fight your son." Kai led them through a maze of hallways up to the top of the castle. When they reached to top floor they were met by large doors emblazoned with roaring fires. Kai pushed them open with ease. Beyond them was a large room that looked like it was built for battle. Hardwood floors gleamed in firelight. In the back of the room sat a man that was possibly as old as Silver. He looked exactly like Kai so that lead him to believe that this guy was Kai's son. The two were exactly alike except he didn't have as many scars as his father.
The young man stood, spreading his wings. "Welcome to my castle, moon descendant. So I believe you have accepted my challenge?" he asked.
"I accept. But first I believe its common courtesy to introduce yourself before you fight someone." Answered Silver.
"Ah, yes I forgot. My name is Ragnar Flarius."
"I am Silver. Now let's begin." The two took on their fighting stances. Silver wasn't using his sword to make the fight even. This would be a battle of martial arts. The two waited for the other to make the first move. Apparently Ragnar was impatient because he charged first. His fist burst into flames, aimed right at Silver's head. He dodged and delivered a blow to Ragnar's ribs.
"Heh. Looks like I'm going to have to get serious." The two became locked in combat again. Each using master level techniques and never letting the other get at an opening. Each time he struck, Ragnar's attacks blazed with fire. The two continued to match blow for blow. The two were equal in strength but soon the battle would have to come to an end.
"I think it's time we went all out don't you think Silver?" asked Ragnar.
"Heh. You're right. Let's go all out and release our true strength," answered Silver. He threw his arms back and roared, "LUNAR RELEASE!"
Ragnar made the same motion but yelled, "PYRO RELEASE!". The two of them began to grow in size, each becoming more dragon than human. Their faces changed into maws filled with teeth as sharp as daggers. Their hands turned into large claws. They became more muscled and more ferocious. Soon two large dragons were standing in front of Star who was wide eyed with shock. The two of them were several times their normal size and the aura they gave off was immense. They started fighting again and each blow shook the foundation of the building. Ragnar struck with what looked like his most powerful technique and Silver dodged it with ease then struck Ragnar in the stomach and kneed him in the chin. He crumpled to the ground, shrinking back to his original size.
"Match over!" shouted Kai. He walked over to his son and checked his injuries. Many large bruises and several cuts, one being on the opposite side of his father's scar, down his left eye. Silver walked over back in his regular form.
"That was an incredible battle Silver," admitted Ragnar. "I would be honored to join the cause of one as strong as you," he kneeled and saluted with his right arm across his chest. "I pledge to serve your cause and protect the world from Gneicht." A silver full moon tattoo shimmered into existence on the back of his right hand.
"Why did that moon appear on his hand?" asked a confused Star.
"That happens when one pledges themselves to serve another. Although the tattoo is different depending on the race of who you pledge yourself to," explained Silver. "In this case, a tattoo of the full moon."
"Oh. Hey how come I don't have a tattoo then?"
"Because you and I started this cause. So those who pledge themselves to the cause serve us both."
Hearing this Ragnar couldn't help but laugh. "This'll be the first time I think anyone ever heard of a dragon serving a woman. This may be a strange union but I'm already part of it. Besides can't have Gneicht destroying our world now can we?"
"That's right," answered Silver. "Now we need to plan our next course of action. We don't know where the next descendant is."
"I believe I can help with that," said Kai. "The next descendant is in the land of blistering winds. You won't be able to fly there because of how powerful the winds are on the other side of the mountain."
"So we're going there next?" asked Star
"Yes, but I invite you all to stay the night before you head out. We will give you enough supplies to last the journey to Yama Village," offered Kai. "Besides I must talk with my son and help him prepare. He has never left this land," Ragnar groaned in annoyance at his father. "I'll show you to your room for the night."
"Thank you for your generosity," Replied the moon dragon couple. Kai smiled and led them out of the room and down a vast hallway. There were countless rooms that were exactly alike. They eventually reached a room with doors twice the size of the others. On the doors was a crescent moon.
"This is where the moon descendants would stay during business with the fire dragons," explained Kai. He pushed open the large doors with ease. The room had a large bed in the back placed under a window that showed the beautiful full moon. "And you are welcomed to stay here for-"he was cut off by Star who ran and jumped onto the bed.
"Finally! A real bed again!" she shouted in joy. Kai gave Silver a look that said why did you pick her as your mate? Silver glared at him and Kai held his hands up in defense and left the room closing the doors behind him. Star was smiling like a child enjoying getting to sleep in a real bed again after all their traveling.
Silver laughed, "Star you act like such a child sometimes."
"I do not!" shouted Star throwing a pillow at Silver who dodged it. She groaned and continued to throw more pillows at him. He kept dodging until one hit him square in the face. He pulled the off only to have his face covered by Star who kissed him quickly, smiling happily.
"And that's how you acting like a kid sometimes is a good thing," explained Silver. "You never stay mad at me for long."
"Yeah you're right." Star let out an exasperated yawn. "I'm tired. Let's go to bed." Silver picked Star up bridal style, which she always enjoyed, and used his tail to put the pillows back on the bed. He walked over and set her down and crawled in next to her, pulling the covers up and wrapping an arm around her. The two mates soon fell asleep in the large bed, the moon shining its light down on them.
Meanwhile back in the room where Silver and Ragnar had fought, Kai was training his son and teaching him the final secrets of the Feral Fire Style. Kai jumped into the air and descended into a drop kick, his leg engulfed in flames. Ragnar caught the kick with his bare hands but suddenly received a slam to the ribs from his father's tail, a sickening crack filling the room. Ragnar dropped to his knees clutching his side in pain.
"Son you will need to use these techniques to help Silver and his cause to defeat Gneicht and protect the world. Now stand and prepare yourself." Ragnar did as he was told, rising unsteadily to his feet. Kai's right fist burst into flames, but instead of charging to punch he slashed his hand over the flames, sending the fire at Ragnar like projectiles. He managed to block several of them, but the rest hit their mark leaving several burn marks on his arms and torso.
By midnight their training had ended and Kai sent Ragnar to rest so his wounds could heal. Being a dragon his recuperative abilities were ten times faster than humans. A serious wound would be healed with a single night's sleep. Ragnar had learned the final secrets and was ready to fight any enemy that dared stand in his way.
The next day they were all ready to go. Ragnar's father and the whole fire dragon army had come to see their leader's son and his companions off on their journey. Kai had given them better traveling clothes, a cloak for when it rained to keep them dry, thicker clothes for the windy valleys, boots for hiking in rough terrain, plenty of food and water to survive the trip, and enough money in case they needed to restock or rest at an inn. He had also taught them how to change their human feet into dragon talons so they could climb easier and to hide their wings and tails to pass as humans in places where dragons weren't welcomed. Rangar was dressed the same as Star and Silver, only he was wearing a fire red bandanna showing he was a proud warrior.
"I wish you safe luck on your journey," said Kai. "You have the support of the fire dragons in your fight against Gneicht." The entire army of fire dragons and Kai saluted them with their right arm crossed in front of their chest. Hundreds of full moon tattoos shimmered onto the backs of their right hands.
"Thank you for your support, Kai," replied Silver. With that the group turned to leave and headed off towards Yama Village, and the descendant of Yamanu, the great wind dragon. "Let's go guys. We have a wind dragon to find."