The moment the light faded I found myself lying on the ground and as I slowly sat up I heard a woman's voice. Looking around me I saw someone walking towards me and I stared as Bianca made her way towards me, a slight smile on her face.
"Bianca? But you're...well not alive." I muttered, not wanting to say 'dead' because that's just rude. Though she didn't seem to mind as she reached me and offered me her hand. Wordlessly I took it and with a strength that surprised me she helped me to my feet.
"Yes you are correct about not being alive, as you put it, however my spirit lives on." Bianca explained and I smiled, happy to finally met her face to face. When my face fell suddenly she frowned. "What is troubling you, young one?" She asked and I started to tell her and as I did I felt hot tears running down my cheeks.
"I'm...dying aren't I?" I whispered and she gave me a slight nod. "Now...Quiksilva will be alone and...Moordryd..." I swallowed then, reaching up to wipe my tears away and that's when Bianca stopped me. Gently taking hold of my wrist she slowly shook her head.
"There is a way to prevent your death...but only if you want to remain as the Light Booster. You need to make a choice." When I brightened she chuckled and took a hold of my hand. "Its not a choice to be taken lightly. If you chose to continue on as the Light Booster, continuing my legacy, it would mean leaving your past self behind. Leaving behind any chance of finding your home again and that's a choice you must make now."
"If I choice to live, I lose my family?" I asked and Bianca nodded. "That's a huge descion but...I care about Quiksilva and my friends."
"The Paynn boy as well?" She asked and that's when I grinned, as I remembered the last kiss we shared. "He is the current Shadow Booster and so much like my love. Look inside and make that decision, the one you know is right." After the longest minute of my life I made up my mind and after taking a deep breath I spoke.
"I want to be the Light Booster, for as long as I'm needed to help stop a dragon-human war. I can't leave Quiksilva behind and...Moordryd needs me. Even if he acts like he's a jerk I know there's good inside him. What do I need to do?" I answered and Bianca smiled at me, taking my hands in her's before she told me what to do.
"Close your eyes and repeat after me...unlock the light." She said and as my eyes closed I began to whisper the words. Slowly but surely the gauntlet began to glow and I started to speak louder and louder. Soon the gauntlet began to grow warm under my wrist and encouraged by this I started to shout.
"Unlock the light! Unlock the light!" I cried out, wanting so badly to keep fighting and that's when I felt my tears flowing down my cheeks and as they began to land on the gauntlet it pulsed with a warm light. Without opening my eyes I heard the sound of my own beating heart and as I kept speaking the beat of my heart sped up, going from a sluggish thud to a even faster pace until I cried out.
And that's when my eyes shot open and I found myself lying on my bed. Confused and feeling very woozy I stared up at the ceiling, trying to figure out just where I was. Then I heard the sounds of someone sobbing and as I tilted my head I saw Moordryd. My eyes adjusting to the dim lights in the room I focused on Moordryd and that's when I notice that his head had drooped slighty, eyes downcast. Then as I watch on he wipes at his eyes and I let out a sigh. Instantly he hurriedly wipes his eyes, afraid that someone might catch him crying but as he goes to stand, intending to tell the intruder to leave him in peace, he sees that I'm awake and his pale grey eyes go wide in shock.
"I'm alive...I don't know how but..." I mutter exhausted after having survived my near brush with death and as Moordryd keeps staring at me I finally frown. "Are you going...to say anything?" I whisper and he moves closer, taking my hand in his and after a long few seconds he mumbles something. "Moordryd?"
"You're alive but...didn't you..." He trails off, swallowing the lump in his throat and I reach up, trying to give him a hug. Which fails as I'm just too weak to move though I notice Moordryd lean forward and before I'm ready he kisses me. The kiss confirms that I made the best descision and despite feeling like I got trampled by a bull class dragon I return it, overjoyed at being alive. Moordryd breaks off the kiss after a few seconds and as he strokes my chin he seems confused and happy, all at the same time. But when my eyes start to close he almost panics until I sigh.
"I'm fine...just really, really tired. You're welcome to say...with me...if you want." I mumble before sleep overcomes me and as I drift off Moordryd finally lets himself cry. Once the tears stop flowing he rests his head on my chest and as he listens to the steady beat of my heart he begins to doze, not waking even when Connor, Lance and Artha come past to check on me. Fearing the worse they are shocked to find me asleep and alive.
"Rayne's alive? But how?" Lance asked as he stood outside the house and even Artha seemed confused.
"Maybe its her gauntlet. We don't know enough about so maybe it saved her." He suggested and Lance just crossed his arms, clearly not convinced.
"I think you're right, Artha." Connor answered and both of his sons' jaws dropped. "That gauntlet is powerful so it is possible that it had a hand in her miracluos recovery."
"So Rayne's alive because of it? Wow that's a pretty powerful gauntlet. I wonder what else it can do?" Artha replied and Connor chuckled before he herded his two sons towards their bedrooms.
"Tomorrow I'll do some research on the subject but right now its bedtime for you two." Connor told them and despite their protests they headed off to bed. As the sun rose the next morning Moordryd stirred as he heard the sound of the door slowly opening and as he lifted his head, rubbing his eyes as he did, he noticed Connor walking inside.
"I came to check on Rayne." He told Moordryd and as he moved to the side of the bed, Moordryd stood and moved back a little. Kneeling beside me, Connor spent the nextfew minutes checking my pulse and my wounds before he stood.
"Is she going to be okay?" Moordryd asked and Connor raised an eyebrow at the young Paynn, who mirrored the gesture. Then Connor chuckled which surprised Moordryd before he gave him a smile. "Well?"
"Rayne needs to be patient and wait for her wounds to heal but...she'll survive. I think that gauntlet of hers saved her somehow. Though I'm not sure how. Can you watch her for me while I get you and our patient something to eat?" He asked and Moordryd opened his mouth to protest, to say that he wasn't hungry, until his stomach betrayed him as it let out a growl and Connor tried not to laugh at the blush on the young Paynn's face. As he walked away, still chuckling to himself, Moordryd glared at his back before he returned to me.
"How did you...never mind. Just...get better quickly, okay? I still need to teach you to race...better." He told me, sitting down and pulling the chair closer. And that's when he heard a faint noise, almost like a giggle and as he moved even closer I opened my eyes. "Wait you're awake?" He muttered and I grinned up at him.
"Only for the last few minutes but...yes. Thanks for...staying with me." I told him and he snorted, acting like it wasn't a big deal and I giggled before I felt his hand squeeze mine.
"Not like I have somewhere else I need to be." He replied avoiding my eyes and I sighed, giving his hand a quick squeeze.
"Okay...what's with the tough guy act? I know you were crying before and you know...I don't think any less of you. I like the softer side of you as well...as your strong side." I told him and after a pause I sighed.
"You do?" He asked before he blinked and I giggled, enjoying the expression of confusion on his face. "Whatever." He added before he leant over and gently kissed me, reaching across and stroking my cheek. Even weak I kissed him back just as deeply, so happy that we were together kiss ended moments later as we both heard the sounds of footsteps and Moordryd growled, making me giggle as he looked towards the door.
This time Artha and Lance walked in, each holding a bowl of something I couldn't identify but nonetheless smelled great. Of course as I sat up to eat I found myself having a little trouble and that's when I felt Moordryd wrap his arm around my shoulder, keeping me steady. Giving him a quiet thank you, which he acknowledged with a slight nod, I took hold of the bowl and as I started to eat I found that while my stength hadn't returned my apatite had and in a few minutes I had finished. Giving me a amused look Artha took the bowl from me and I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
"How did you...well not die?" Lance asked and both Artha and Moordryd shot him a frown. But I just chuckled at the question and once I got my thoughts together I answered him.
"Well I'm still a little shocked but its because of my gauntlet and...Bianca." I replied as I held it up and Moordryd grinned as Lance and Artha looked in, blinking.
"The previous Light Booster from 3,000 years ago. Try to keep up." Moordryd snorted and Artha glared at him before I yawned, suddenly really sleepy and ignoring his rival and younger brother he focused his attention on me. "You should get some sleep. You did have a near death experience." He pointed out and I snorted this time bfeore I lay back and as my eyes drifted shut he gave me a slight smile.
"I saw that. Is she your girlfriend now?" Lance asked, grinning from ear to ear and to his and Artha's surprise he actually grinned.
"I suppose so. Now I'm going to finish my meal in peace so if you don't mind..." He told Artha and Lance, the former rolling his eyes before he walked towards the door. Just before he left too, Lance whispered something to Moordryd and he chuckled before the youngest Penn joined his brother.
"What did you say to him?" Artha asked as they walked towards the front of the house and once out of earshot Lance grinned.
"I said Rayne has a crush on him. But I think he knows that already." Lance answered and Artha laughed as they went looking for Quiksilva.
The next time I woke up I found myself alone and for a while I hate to admit it but I started to sulk, right up until I saw the door open and I brightened as Moordryd walked in.
"Hey." He said as he walked over but before he could sit down I shifted over, wincing a little from the pain in my stomach and patted the bed. "Are you sure?" He asked and I rolled my eyes, again tapping the bed with one hand and he sighed before he sat down. For a long while we didn't speak and that's when I noticed a slight frown on his face.
"Is something the matter?" I asked and he glanced up, fidgiting with the blanket. "You can tell me."
"I know but I feel a little responsible." Moordryd admitted and I sighed, reaching over and intwining my fingers through his right hand.
"Look you didn't attack me...or throw me off the track. You don't need to take responibilty for every painful thing that happens to me." I pointed out and after a few seconds of looking into my eyes he managed a grin. Then he moved closer and as his lips met mine I tightened my grip on his hand, feeling him squeeze my hand just as tightly. Even when the kiss ended Moordryd moved behind me and gently started to rub my shoulders, just wanting to be near me for as long as possible.
"That feels nice...can you keep doing that?" I asked and he chuckled, putting a little more strength into his backrub and I smiled. After a while I tilted my head back and his shoulder massage slowed a little as he leant his head down and kissed me again, then his mouth found my throat and I sighed. Soon he stopped rubbing my back altogether, kissing me a little harder and as he trailed kisses down my neck I couldn't help it as I let out a groan and Moordryd paused.
"That's interesting. You're hurt and yet you make that sound." Moordryd commented and I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose.
"I didn't mean to." I protested as I frowned at him, silently willing the pain in my stomach to kindly leave me in peace. "Look can we just forget it and move on?" I asked and Moordryd gave me a grin before he started kissing my throat, ignoring my protests that I needed to rest.
"You can rest later. Besides you're not exactly pushing me away." He told me, wrapping an arm around my waist and holding me against his chest he continued kissing my throat and then my neck. Really I wasn't too annoyed at him, especially when he nibbled my throat but as he set his other hand down on my stomach I suddenly gasped. "But I didn't even...are you okay?" He asked instantly removing his hand from me as I whimpered and when I could finally speak I shook my head.
"My stomach...really hurts." I whimpered and after a moment I removed my medallion, returning me to my usual self and that's when I saw the wound on my stomach. "Is this...from the mag-blast?" I asked as I gently pressed a hand to it, only to winch as the area just above my navel began to throb.
"That's right. Is it really bad?" Moordryd asked, his arm now supporting me and I sighed before I looked up. "Sorry of course it hurts. You almost...died from that wound."
"I'll be okay...maybe not right now." I answered as I leant against his side, the pain dulling a little but still persistant, reminding me of how close I'd come to losing my life. "I'm sorry we can't...um..." I blushed a little then and Moordryd just laughed, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
"If you want to you can..." Moordryd never did get to tell me his suggestion when I yawned. Seconds later I lay back and he rolled his eyes at me, though I did see a slight smile appear before he leant over and kissed my forehead. When I fell asleep he climbed off the bed and walked towards the door, giving me one final glance before he left. After he exited the house he tapped a button on his ComLink and almost instantly Cain's face appeared.
"Moordryd, where have you been?" He asked and just for a moment he grinned. "Out on a date with Rayne?"
"Never mind that. Where are you right now?" Moordryd asked, keeping his voice as low as possible. "Then I'll meet you there." He told him and hung up before his best friend could get a word in.
Hurrying towards the stable he found Decepshun and she seemed to know what he wanted when she magged him, heading for the doorway. Before they could sneak away Quiksilva gave a snort and Moordryd sighed, jumping down and moving over to my dragon.
"Rayne's going to be fine but you need to stay here. I'll come back soon but I need to check on things at the compound first." Moordryd whispered and when Quiksilva gave a growl he shook his head. "I promise I'll come back for her when she's better. Okay?" He said, feeling pretty silly asking a dragon for permission to leave, not sure if my dragon understood, but Quiksilva finally nudged him. "Thanks." He added before Decepshun magged him and they left as quietly as possible.
Glad that I was going to be alright, Quiksilva wandered over to the back of the stable and lay down, giving a snort before he closed his eyes.
Now confined to my temporary bedroom at the Penn Stables I was finding it pretty boring just lying on the bed and after a while of tossing and turning, unable to sleep, I decided to go and vist Quiksilva. Which would involve a little sneaking around and risk, eg; getting caught for Connor, but in the end I just couldn't take sitting in here another second.
So I made up my mind and after climbing to my feet and walking to the door, carefully poking my head into the hallway to make sure no one would see me. Finding the coast clear I grinned and as quietly as possible I snuck outside. I didn't even notice how quiet it was outside as I walked towards the stables but just as I went to take a step through the doorway a hand clamped down on my shoulder and I almost screamed.
"And just where do you think you're going?" Connor asked and as I tried to think up a plusable explation as to why I wasn't resting, raised an eyebrow at me. Just then I heard a growl and a silver and black shape shot over to us, bowling me over. Moments later I was laughing uncontrollably as Quiksilva licked my face and even Connor chuckled at the sight.
" Hah! Stop it, 'silva! I'm happy to see you too, boy!" I giggled and once he stepped back Connor helped me up. "Okay this is gross." I muttered as I tried to clean the dragon slobber off my face and just as I finished Quiksilva licked me again, undoing my efforts. "Eww! Fine I give up."
"Someone's happy to see you." Artha commented as he walked over with Lance in tow. the latter alternating between me and his Vidgame.
"Well I haven't exactly been active lately so I'm not surprised he's so glad to see me." I replied, giving Quiksilva a rub on his snout and he growled, nuzzling my leg. "Is there a dragon race today?"
"Yeah in two hours so we're heading to the track." Artha explained as Beau and Fracshun appeared and once they saw me they charged over. For the second time in a few minutes I ended up on my rear as they both licked my face though it wasn't like I minded. Once I was helped up, this time by Artha, I heard Parmon and Kitt call out.
"Shouldn't you be resting?" Parmon asked and I crossed my arms at him.
"I'm fine. Besides I needed the fresh air and...okay why are you all looking at me like that? I got hurt, big deal." I sighed and that's when I heard another voice and I cringed slightly.
"Rayne you should be inside." Moordryd told me, Decepshun walking over and I groaned almost face palming as I turned to face him. "Here she goes again." He muttered and Lance grinned, suddenly more interested in my comeback then his game.
"Hey I have every right to complain about being cooped up. But now I'm outside I'm going to watch the race." I shot back only to see Connor, out the corner of my eye, frown at me and slowly shake his head. "Look I'm better now so..."
"You need to stay inside and let your wounds heal." Connor pointed out and I shook my head this time, getting annoyed at the eldest Penn. "No buts."
"That's not fair. I'm going and no one's gonna stop me." I growled and to everyone's disbelief I stroemd over to Quiksilva, who looked from me to my friends and back again. "Come on." I told him but he tilted his head at me, not sure if this was such a good idea. "Oh not you too."
"See even your dragon knows what's right." Connor said and I spun around, making everyone stare.
"Its not right to keep me here! You're not my father and..." I trailed off then as the first few tears started to hit the ground and I turned my back, hurriedlywiping them away. "I'm going whether you like it or not." I added and this time Quiksilva magged me, sensing a dramatic shift in my mood and as he raced away, Moordryd frowned wondering why I was so upset.
"Come on, Decepshun we need to follow her. Without us who knows what trouble she'll get herself into." Moordryd told his dragon who instantly rushed after Quiksilva, quickly catching up. "Rayne is something wrong?" He asked and I tried to snort, letting out a sniff instead and he knew that something was really bothering me. It took a few more minutes before he could get an word out of me and even then he couldn't understand what I had said. Knowing I wouldn't come out and tell him, not right away anyway, Moordryd sat on Decepshun's back and as our dragons walked side by side I sniffed again.
"I made a choice." I said turning my head slightly to look at Moordryd who was watching me, not sure what I meant. "To stay alive I...gave up on finding my family." I sighed and he frowned, still not completely sure what I was telling him. "Don't you get it?! I'm never going home because I wanted to live!" I shouted as Quiksilva slowed and before the eyes of two dragons and the guy I cared about I jumped down. Wanting to be anywhere but here I tried to run away, only for Moordryd to leapt down and race after me, grabbing my arm and I whirled.
"Stop running from your problems and tell me what's wrong!" Moordryd shouted and I cringed as I lowered my head and he let go off my arm, gently wrapping an arm around my shoulders instead. "What did you mean by losing your family?"
"What I just told you. Bianca told me that the only way to survive my fatal injuries...was to give up ever finding my way home, back to my family. So now you know what I had to lose to stay here. I gave up so much and now...I can't go home. So where do I go from here? I have nothing left." I answered, no longer caring if anyone saw my tears falling. When I began to sob, suddenly feeling so lost Moordryd carefully wrapped his arms around my shoulders and as he pulled me into a hug I threw my arms around him. Burying my face in his chest I sobbed, my fingers digging into his jacket as I cried my heart out.