Isabel didn't know where she was.
It was a foreign land to her. Yet, it seemed vaguely familiar. Scorched earth stretched as far as the eye could see. This could have been her home, or it could have been some other land beyond the horizon. It didn't make a difference to her as there was no one else to keep her company other than her shadow. She was alone in a cold world. Strange. The fire inside her was gone. It was almost as if she was back to the way she was before. Before she acquired her abilities. Before she started a taboo and passionate relationship with her mother. Before she lost…
She lost…
''Are you thinking about what they said?''
Isabel sharply turned to confront the speaker.
It was Jess. Her voice echoed into the void.
Isabel frowned before staring at the ground. ''I already know that I'm wrong. I don't need them to keep telling me that.''
For whatever reason, her voice was lighter than usual; like a child unable to contain their boiling emotions. She hugged her knees and arched her back, fighting back the tears that threatened to come out. She heard Jess moving closer until her closest friend was sitting next to her.
''You're not wrong.''
''I can't have children. I can't be mated with.''
''Yes, you can,'' Jess said before getting flustered. ''It's just that you would be the one doing the things.''
Isabel held back a smile. It amused her to see how bashful Jess would become whenever the subject of mating would be discussed. They knew their place. One day, when they came of age, they would have to ensure the survival of humanity by bringing the next generation into this world. A world as dark and barren as the one that Isabel could see right now. Even when she glanced upward, she couldn't tell if she was looking at the ceiling of a shadowy cavern or a starless night sky.
''No one would want to do that with me,'' Isabel said.
Jess fidgeted next to her. It looked as if her friend had more to say, but she kept it to herself.
''You'd find a mate,'' Isabel continued. ''I'm certain that you would have many children.''
''I'm not sure I would like that…''
''I don't think we have much of a choice.''
Jess's lip twitched, almost forming a smile. ''If I had my way, I'd like one child. I wouldn't care if they were a boy or a girl. As long as they are happy and healthy.''
''As my mother would say, those are two luxuries that cannot be afforded in this world.''
Everything went quiet. For a split second, Isabel feared that Jess was gone and that she was alone once again. She looked over and saw that Jess was still next to her, quiet as ever. Isabel let out a sigh of relief. She dreaded the idea of never having Jess by her side. When Jess found the courage to lock eyes with Isabel, the two of them stared at each other as if nothing else in the world mattered.
''I hope to be a good mother,'' Jess said.
''You will be. I'm sure that if you ever need help, my mother will always be around to offer guidance.''
Jess nodded eagerly. ''The three of us together would make a lovely family. Wouldn't you agree?''
Isabel wanted to say yes. She fully agreed with Jess's statement. But, there was something that stopped her from answering. Her blood ran cold. It was as if an invisible force was pressing the same end of a knife against her back and mocking her, making it seem like the possibility would never occur. Isabel tried to shake those negative thoughts away. ''Alongside whoever you are to be mated with.''
A look of sadness flashed across Jess's face before she settled and kept her gaze fixed on Isabel. ''Them too. And if I were to have one child, I think I already have a name decided.''
''Really? What is it?''
XXX
Isabel's eyes fluttered open as she rolled to her side and the front of her body brushed against her mother's back. Nothing had happened between them. It was too soon after losing Jess. Her death still shrouded over them like a seemingly never-ending void.
She rubbed her head and pondered. Was that dream a memory? Pieces of it seemed familiar. It was too painful to go looking into the past, especially at this current moment in time. She had to be prepared. The King could strike at any moment. Her skin flared up whenever she thought about it. She had no knowledge of the King other than vague whispers. Yet, it felt as if she knew the beast intimately. Was this a connection that was shared between the dragons? The theory that she could die if she killed the King seemed more plausible by the day. The worst feeling imaginable to her was being left alone.
If she dies…her mother would be alone.
She glanced down at the sleeping woman next to her. Thankfully, they had the privacy of the tent to stop anyone from getting suspicious regarding their closeness. They could always make an excuse for it. But, that could only go on for so long. Isabel wondered what it would be like to have an open relationship with her mother. She wanted a life where they could grow old together and live happily. However, there were only two roads ahead. Either the dragons continue to rule and humanity lives on a knife's edge. Or…Isabel succeeds in her mission and kills the King, resulting in her death. It all felt like a cruel joke. Why couldn't she be allowed to find happiness? Why must everything be stripped away from her? Her teeth were bared and her skin rippled with heat as her anger threatened to take hold.
Suddenly, she felt a hand touch hers and she was immediately calmed.
''Are you alright, sweetheart?'' Helen asked, leaning up so that she could kiss Isabel's cheek.
Isabel's bottom lip quivered as she looked away. ''I'm scared.''
''Oh, I am too,'' Helen came up and wrapped her arms around Isabel. The two embraced as the Dragon Slayer was given the comfort of resting her head on her mother's shoulder. ''I wish there was another way. I don't want you to keep putting yourself in danger.''
''I know. But, I'm the only one that can do this. I just wish I knew what will happen at the end. If the King dies, will I…''
Helen cupped Isabel's face and forced her daughter to look directly into her eyes. ''Let's not think like that. I try not to think about the fantastical too often. It helps keep me grounded. I've always been preoccupied with history and what has come before. I want to look to a future where we're together. I will keep the hope alive that you will make it. You've been such an amazing and strong young woman. I know that if anyone can create a fantastic miracle, it would be you.''
The strength of her words and the fierce determination Isabel found in her mother's eyes were able to quell her dread. She reached up and took Helen's hand, brushing her thumb over the knuckles tenderly. ''Thank you.''
Isabel put all of herself into the next kiss, which Helen happily returned with just as much love and adoration.
Just as Isabel was wishing for this moment to last forever, she felt her heart skip a beat…and not in a good way.
Something was wrong. She was on edge without warning. Suddenly, an excruciating pain erupted throughout her body, causing her to buckle over and collapse to the ground next to her confused mother. Helen was calling out to her, but Isabel could hear anything. She couldn't even hear her own screams; the only reason she knew that she was screaming was because of the pain in the back of her throat. Isabel had never felt anything like this before. It felt like dragon claws were tearing into her skin and splitting her head in two. She cried out for the pain to end. Then, everything went deathly quiet. It sounded like she was submerged in water. Yet, everything around her was still ongoing. Helen had rushed out of the tent to possibly call for help. Isabel had no way of knowing as a booming voice dominated everything else.
''Human.''
The voice was godly and made Isabel tremble like never before.
''King Verlundathrone.'' It wasn't a question. Isabel knew without a doubt that she was in direct contact with the King of the Dragons. ''Where are you?''
Out of the corner of her eye, Isabel could see her mother who had brought Jon and Nakotah with her. They seemed oblivious to the loud voice that seemed to be crushing Isabel's skull. Only she could hear the King. She gulped and feared the worst. Could he kill her without any effort? Was this the end already? She never even got to put up a fight. Isabel's heart raced and she found it difficult to breathe as she feared the inevitable end.
''Do not worry, creature,'' Verlundathrone cackled darkly. ''I am not going to kill you like this. You have been quite the thorn. I want to make this entertaining. Come to the surface and face your destiny. If you refuse…''
The pain ceased instantly. Isabel was left hanging on the King's word. The next few seconds seemed normal. She could hear the others again. Her mother had her protective arms around her still-shivering body. Isabel tried to make sense of what happened. That threat wouldn't be left unchecked. Something was bound to happen. She could feel it.
The whole cavern quaked violently. The tent above them collapsed in on itself, trapping the small group for a brief moment before they were able to scramble free. Isabel and Helen watched as everyone scurried to safety. Rocks and debris rained down upon them like a tremendous storm. Panic consumed the colony. People were tripping over each other in a desperate attempt to escape. Isabel noticed a particularly large slab of rock being ripped from the ceiling and falling towards a family running as fast as they could. They weren't going to make it; so, Isabel leapt into action. She rushed to them before jumping high into the air and kicking the rock with enough to shatter it, sending the remains careening against the wall and out of harm's way. Once she was back on the ground, she hurried to help anyone else in need until the tremors finally subsided. Peace was restored, if only for a short while.
''What was that?'' Giovanni shouted as he and Erika helped people to shelter.
''They're here,'' Isabel answered.
He stared upward in disbelief. ''That's impossible. We're too far beneath the surface for them to cause this level of damage.''
''It was the King. He's with them…and he's calling to me. He wants me to face him.''
Isabel was speaking to the few that were closest to her, including Giovanni and Erika. However, she soon realized that she was speaking to everyone. They were on edge. Their lives depended on her. Isabel had never felt a weight like this before on her shoulders. It was all or nothing now. There had to be no hesitation. Just as the King said…she had to face her destiny.
''Get everyone to safety,'' Isabel commanded the crowd.
They didn't need to be told twice. If this was just a warning, no one wanted to imagine the kind of damage the King could cause if he was intent on bringing death upon them. At least Isabel had a fighting chance. That's what she hoped. She watched as the crowd gathered into small pockets and led into different caverns.
Amidst the countless faces, she saw her mother. The two women locked eyes one final time. The tears in Helen's eyes were evident. There was no time for them to depart with a hug. Isabel couldn't waste another second. If the King was kept waiting for too long, he might try and cause another cataclysmic quake. Turning away from her mother and walking toward the cave that led to the surface was among the hardest things Isabel had ever had to do in her life. One step after the other. Isabel marched along and prayed to the heavens. She didn't know if anyone was listening. Some people believe those that passed away were watching from above.
''I need you, Jess,'' Isabel whispered to herself. ''If mom can't be by my side right now, I want you there with me. I don't want to be alone. I don't want to die alone.''
The pain in Isabel's chest was heartache.
She hurried to the surface. There was no further attempt by the King to bring down the earth on top of the colony. He must have known that Isabel was on her way. Could he sense her? Was her connection to him as strong as any other Dragon? Isabel wasn't sure if that was an advantage or disadvantage. Every stride forward felt heavier than the last. Before long, she saw an opening that took her out of the cave.
There was no turning back now.
The end was near.
Isabel emerged from the cave, stepping on a blanket of ash. The sky was an ocean of swirling darkness as she saw shadowy figures soaring through the clouds. Isabel's blood ran cold as all of the Dragons began to descend. There seemed to be no limit to their numbers. Gargantuan in size, they came in a variety of shapes and colors. They would almost be considered beautiful if not for their imposing scale and their beastly intentions.
''Look at the little plaything,'' one of the Dragons spoke, eyeing Isabel with great fascination.
''Let's see how quickly she turns into ash,'' another Dragon snarled, flames flickering between their fangs.
Isabel swallowed her fear. ''I'm here for King Verlundathrone. Which of you is he?''
The Dragons shamed her by laughing. Their booming cackles made Isabel's bones shake. She was surrounded. But, she held strong. They wanted her to be afraid. The least she could do was refuse them that courtesy. Her eyes flashed from one Dragon to the other, trying to pick out the King. However, in her heart, she knew that it was none of them. She couldn't explain it, but there was a feeling gnawing at her, telling her to look up. As soon as she did so, the fear was clear on her face.
''Shit.''
For a second, she thought that the world was ending. An immense shadow broke through the clouds. The sonic boom could be heard for miles. Isabel had never seen anything so frightening. Six limbs stretched outward as the massive entity landed; perched on the towering remains of a structure from the old world. Two large wings expanded, encompassing the sky. Its head alone was the size of most of the other Dragons. Isabel wouldn't have needed a connection to know that this was the King of the Dragons.
''I'm surprised you came, human,'' Verlundathrone said.
Listening to him like this was somehow worse than when he spoke inside Isabel's head. She felt her whole body trembling under the weight of his voice.
''You didn't give me much of a choice. But, I guess it saves me the trouble of hunting you down.''
''A Dragon being hunted? No creature in the universe can topple us.''
Isabel sighed, steaming drifting out from her open mouth. ''Maybe not. That's why I'm lucky that I'm part Dragon.''
The King seemed unfazed by Isabel's retort. The Dragon Slayer was burning with energy. Steam erupted from her body, followed by flames coming out of her mouth, similar to a few of the Dragons that taunted her earlier. Her clothing was reduced to cinders as her powerful body was engulfed in an overwhelming fire. Her primal urge to kill was given free rein, causing her to release a mighty roar. However, none of the Dragons were afraid of her show of force. Some were amused. Some were offended. Others, like the King, were intrigued.
''Show me what you can do.''
As soon as those words left the King's mouth, Isabel leapt into the air, her flame-engulfed fist raised as she confronted him and placed the hope of humanity in her hands.
XXX
HELLO MY SWEET SUPERSTARS! ARE YOU READY? THE FINAL BATTLE IS ABOUT THE BEGIN. THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE THE PENULTIMATE CHAPTER. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO READING IT. WRITING THIS STORY HAS BEEN SUCH A BLAST AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU ALL HOW IT ENDS. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR GIVING THIS STORY A CHANCE. THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE ARRIVING IN A FEW WEEKS, AS I'M WORKING ON OTHER STORIES AT THE MOMENT, BUT THE FINAL TWO CHAPTERS WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT. STAY SAFE. TA-TA FOR NOW.
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