King Ryu slowly descended and all of the performers stopped and looked at the large dragon king. He sniffed the air more and slowly made his way through the crowd. Everyone moved aside to give the king his space. As he got closer to Adeline, Evander made sure to slowly stand in front of her.
"Is everything well your highness?" Evander asked.
"Evander…you surprise me," came the calm reply.
"Surprise your highness?" Evander responded calmly.
"Yessssssss. This being looks very much like a fairy, but she smells of human blood," King Ryu said, now looking at Adeline up and down. That made the entire room go quiet. Adeline could have sworn she heard her own sweat drip down her face. The dragon king looked at Evander with his cold yellow eyes. "You know my policy about humans."
"Your Highness….you must be mistaken. Do you not see a fairy in front of you from the butterfly clan?" Evander said, now gently motioning to Adeline's wings.
"Evander…you are a young, but wise magician. Your race is known for being cunning and intelligent. However, this particular fairy lacks one thing…." King Ryu smirked.
"I am not understanding what you mean," Evander replied. For he knew that if he openly admitted that Adeline was a human, her life would definitely be in danger.
"This particular fairy demonstrates fear…." King Ryu said lowly, showing a toothy grin. "Fairies and dragons have lived side by side for years…they have no reason to fear us. But THIS fairy is covered in fear."
And with that, Ryu sniffed the air and looked carefully into Adeline's eyes. "You are no fairy young one…you are of human blood. And I do not tolerate humans in my realm."
And with that, Ryu let out a snarl that shook Adeline to the core. But as he lunged for her, Evander rushed in front of her and took the blow.
"EVANDER!" She screamed.
"Adeline move back!" Evander said, now trying to block the dragon king from Adeline. But Evander being attacked made Adeline so angry that she let out a shout that made Ryu look at her in surprise.
"YOU MONSTER!" Adeline bellowed, now feeling herself grow larger and larger and larger! Colossus gave a small smile as Adeline too became a large giant! She then angrily grabbed King Ryu and tossed him into the wall! Evander looked at Colossus and nodded, now understanding that the giant gave Adeline some of his power!
King Ryu got up briefly and shook some dust from his face. He then saw his soldiers getting ready to attack her, but he put his hand up.
"NO! She is mine!" King Ryu thundered, now turning into his pure dragon form and running at Adeline. Now feeling scared, she tried to move back but he grabbed her in his arms and threw her outside in the field. A bit dazed, she gasped as the large dragon king now sat on her legs and pinned her arms down.
"You may be a giant, but you are no match for a dragon king." He smirked.
"G-Get off me!" Adeline demanded, now seeing the others running to help, but were held back by the dragon soldiers.
"I think not. You humans are nothing but trouble. That is why I DESPISE YOU ALL!" He snarled.
"But why?! I've done nothing to you!" Adeline protested.
"Your kind wiped out the Midwestern tribe! Dragons have traveled the Earth for millions of years always searching for new places to colonize. The midwestern tribe landed on Earth, but were driven to extinction by your "Knights" as you called them!" Ryu snarled angrily. "That is why every human I meet I kill…why?...because that's exactly what you all have done to my clan! Your knights of the medieval age even killed the innocent eggs they found!"
Adeline looked intently into his eyes and then let a tear fall down her face. At the sight of the tear, Ryu paused and stared at her hard.
"I-I'm sorry King Ryu. I'm sorry for what Earth people have done. Trust me…they haven't changed much. If anything, they don't even care for their own. That's why even I don't fit in on Earth. But not everyone is evil…just some," Adeline said sadly, now turning her face away, expecting something terrible. She then felt something touch her face and saw that Evander was standing next to her, ready to help defend her if need be.
But Ryu only stared at her. He saw her slowly changing to her human form and he changed back to his more kingly dragon form.
"You…are not like the other humans." Ryu said, now sniffing her. "You are of human blood, but something is different. Your spirit is different from the other humans I have met."
"That is because your highness, she is a part of us. She will now be a part of Cirque Mystique." Evander replied.
Ryu glanced at Evander and back to Adeline. "I will spare your life Adeline because you have accepted the responsibility of your people. No other human has done what you have. However, you still have to give me something to earn your freedom."
"Yes?" Adeline said, now afraid.
"You and I must make a pact that you will never betray me or my kind. If so, I will destroy Earth in a matter of seconds." Ryu said dangerously and his eyes narrowing. "Do you agree?"
"I-I agree," Adeline said, now shaking.
"Good…now give me your hand." Ryu said, placing his hand out. Adeline shakily did as she was told and felt him bite her hand. She cried out in pain and he bit his hand too. Once they both cuts on their hands, he placed his hand over hers. Adeline then watched in shock as a bright yellow light was surrounding their hands! Then in a flash, it was gone!
"What on Earth was that?!" Adeline said in surprise.
"That was a blood oath. You have promised to never betray me and I accept your promise," Ryu said calmly. "Young human…you have earned your freedom."
And with that, Ryu looked at Evander. "Thank you for the performance. I will be calling back on you in the future."
And with that, he opened a portal to the next realm and opened his large wings and flew back to his castle. Adeline just stared at him in awe but she fell down to her feet in exhaustion, clearly shaken up. But she felt better as the griffins, centaurs, and Evander walked over to her.
"Easy now…you're alright," Evander whispered, now cuddling her to his chest.
"I-I can't believe what just happened!" she gasped.
"Now take it easy…what is most important is that you are alright," Evander replied calmly.
"Adeline…you earned the respect of the dragon king. No human has ever done that," Colossus said.
"But I have you to thank! Your power helped me a lot!" Adeline said, now turning and hugging his leg.
"I wouldn't let him harm you Adeline. After all, you belong with us now." The giant cooed, now patting her back.
Evander smiled at the bond between them and then glanced at the sky. "Come everyone. We are heading to the next realm. Adeline, this realm will be a lot safer for you and you will probably enjoy it more."
"Where is it?" she asked.
"It is the Pegasus and Unicorn realm. They love entertainment and when new individuals visit. Theirs is known as the most peaceful realm in the galaxy." Evander replied.
"Last time we were there, we stayed a whole week!" A mermaid chirped.
"And wait a moment…didn't you say we had two more realms we were visiting after the Pegasus realm?" A griffin asked.
"Yes," Evander smiled gently.
"Where are they?" A minotaur asked.
"You all will see. Now let's move." Evander replied, now glancing over and seeing Adeline talking to some firebreathers. Adeline was getting more and more accustomed to being with her new family, but she was a human.
"Evander…do you really think this is a good idea?" a centaur asked.
"What?" he asked.
"Well…Adeline is a human and this is not her world. Are we really doing the right thing by connecting her to us and taking her away from all that she knew on Earth?" a centaur asked.
"I have already thought of that. Do not be concerned, when the time is right…Adeline will know what my final decision will be. But until then…she is one of us." Evander said gently, now walking over and placing a hand on the centaur's shoulder and leading the way to the next realm.
guestsurprise: What do you think guys? ;) Another realm is coming up.