Sol Regem Part Two

For a long while, the team had waited in their hiding spot peeping out to see if Sol Regem would move. But it would not. He was standing between them and their path into Xadia.

"Maybe I could conjure up fog to cover her scent and we sneak right by him?" Carol suggested.

"That won't work. His scent is too powerful. He roasts us alive,"

"I could use a spell to…"

"No, we are not taking that chance,"

"Shall we try and run for it?"

"That won't work either. He'll bite us in half or slam us with his tail,"

"So sneaking is out. Running is out. Fighting is out," Carol listed the options with her fingers. "What's left?"

"Burning to death,"

"Definitely out," Carol hugged Zym and Felix.

I'm scared. Whimpered Zym.

"What do we do then?" Carol asked.

"It seems like we're gonna have to do what you said before. Try and talk to him. Stay here everyone," he moved to come out into the open but Felix "Don't worry buddy. I'll be fine. Just stay hidden everyone,"

"Please promise me you'll be careful," Carol implored.

"I will," He stepped out into the open, the girl's nervous eyes eying him over the rocks every second. "Might Sol Regem!" he called out, attracting the dragon. "I am Raylan of the Moonshadow Elves and I mean you no harm!" He bowed.

Sol Regem's head leaned down towards him with his long neck and he sniffed making Raylan's bangs fly up and about. "What are you doing?"

"I am bowing mighty Sun King,"

"I mean what are you doing here?"

Raylan held his head up high. "We have been travelling in the human kingdoms on the business of Queen Zubeia. And I humbly ask that you'll allow me and my companions to travel back into Xadia,"

"What kind of business would send you to the wretched human lands?" As he spoke, Sol Regem's face leaned forward towards Raylan making Carol's heart jump.

"We are bringing back someone incredibly precious to Xadia. The newborn dragon prince Azymondius,"

The moment he said that Sol Regem burned into a terrible tantrum. "Lies!' he roared in his face. "You dare lie to me? The Egg of the Dragon King was destroyed!" he stood tall, about to charge up his throat with fire.

"No! Wait!" Raylan begged. "I have him here!" Quickly he rushed back towards Carol's hiding spot and she gave him Zym who was too scared to come out. "The Dragon Prince lives! And he's very cute! Isn't he?"

As he held up Zym high, the baby dragon held his wings in front of his face. Sol Regem leaned forward, sniffing the newborn baby. "How is this possible?" he questioned.

"It's a miracle. He needs to go back to where he belongs. Please allow us to pass through so he can be reunited with his mother,"

Sol Regem calmed down. "I do not understand how the dragon prince came to be in the human lands….however, I will allow you both to pass back into Xadia. But not the filthy human and that filthy creature who are cowering nearby," he snarled.

Felix growled at the dragon for calling him and his person 'filthy'. Carol however felt disheartened.

"Sol Regem…" Raylan tried to speak up.

"It's okay," Carol spoke up. "You go on. Take Zym back to his mother,"

"No! Carol, we're so close!" Raylan walked back to her and Felix. He didn't want to say goodbye. "We've already come this far together,"

"Ray…getting Zym to where he belongs is all that important. Just tell the dragon queen what my family and I did to get you this far," she was upset to say goodbye but she didn't want to keep them away from home. "Felix and I will go back home,"

No. Zym jumped into her arms before she could turn away. Don't leave. He hugged her tightly, moaning.

We can't say goodbye. Begged Felix at her feet. Over the last week, he and Zym had grown very close, becoming best friends in the process. He didn't want to let one ginormous dragon scare them away.

Before Raylan could say something, Sol Regem emitted vulgar cackles from his throat. "Home? No," he shook his head. "There are two choices. You all die. Or just the wretched human dies," Felix growled at him as he leaned his head forward. "And that creature who isn't from Xadia will make a tasty snack,". Felix panicked and hid behind Carol's legs.

Raylan stepped forward; his eyes frowned. "I agree with you Sol Regem. Some humans are evil. "But not her. Not Caroline," he spoke up with deep veneration. "The only reason the dragon prince is alive is because of her. She left her home and family to save the egg and she sacrificed everything so that Azymondius could be born," he turned his head and looked at her with deep appreciation. "She's noble and true. When she found the egg, she could have taken it for herself and had me killed even though I came to kill her family but she offered it to me as a sign of peace. Because without knowing me or anything about me, she saw past human hatred and did what she knew was right. She's smart and kind and funny and brave and she's…" he closed his eyes as he expressed the biggest smile she had ever seen. Her cheeks blushed. No one had ever spoken about her like that the way this handsome Moonshadow elf was doing right now. "…my friend. My best friend,". She was truly touched by his friendship. He held out his hand and she clasped. Zym and Felix shared smiles with one another as they held their clasped hands up. "So please…allow her and her fox companion to pass through so I can reunite the dragon prince with his mother. Because without Carol, I don't think I can do it on my own,"

Sol Regem remained sceptical. He leaned forward and smelled Carol. Suddenly he flew into a rage. "I smell death!"

The group gasped. That simple spell Carol had used to free Pyrrah from her chains had tainted her with that atrocious practice of magic.

"No!" Raylan cried, determined not to give up. "Carol's different!"

"She's no different!" Sol Regem scraped his claws against a rock. "She rips the life out of innocent creatures!"

"Mighty dragon it's not what you think!" shouted Carol up to the sun king. "It was just a simple spell. I needed it to free a dragon. There was no other way to save it. But I hate dark magic and I promised myself I would never use that black magic again. I'm not your enemy!"

"I don't care!" Sol Regem shouted. "For such an atrocious act you must die!" he prepared to fire. "Give me her or I kill you all!"

Quickly the group ducked back behind the rocks, out of sight, panting heavily. Their plan had failed. Carol looked at her hands. She couldn't believe that she reeked of dark magic; she was afraid. Felix warbled and purred into her hands. She peered back over and saw that the dragon still wouldn't move. "I'm sorry Raylan. But if me dying is the only way you and Zym can get through, then I'm willing to pay that price. Just promise me you'll take care of Felix," she prepared to stand up and give herself up.

No. Zym leapt into Carol's hands and hugged her chest. Please. I don't want you to die.

"That's not gonna happen," said Raylan determinedly.

"There's no other choice,"

"I won't let you!" snapped Raylan stubbornly. "Your family told me to protect you!"

"What other choice do we have?"

"We think of a new plan. Sol Regem can't use his fire breath all the time. He needs time to recharge every now and again," he looked at the dragon they saw Sol Regem's long neck slowly burning from his stomach from bottom to top, warming up.

Please don't give yourself up. Felix hugged her tightly. There's always another way.

"I know we can find a way to all get into Xadia," Raylan said positively. "Together we can think of a plan,"

Carol thought for a moment. "Maybe we can trick his senses. Perhaps I could use Aspiro to blow my scent to distract him,"

"That wouldn't be able to distract him long enough to get through this canyon,"

"Time is up!" roared Sol Regem. "Give her up or you all die!"

"Give me your cloak," hissed Raylan.

"What?" Carol asked.

"If I wear it, I'll smell like you. I'll lure him away and you and the boys make a run for it,"

"This is crazy. He'll burn you to a crisp,"

"Don't worry. I'm too fast for him. It's the only plan we've got,"

"Can't I just use my spells?"

"He'll be too powerful. Now give me your cloak,"

Carol reluctantly pulled off her cloak and passed it to him. He smelt it.

He gagged. "Yuck! That stinks!"

"You try wearing a cloak that hasn't been washed for two weeks,"

He pulled it on. "Okay. If I don't re-join you guys in five minutes, leave without me,"

"That's never gonna happen. Please promise me you'll be careful," she implored.

Sol Regem's thundering feet pounded towards them.

"Here goes nothing," Raylan stepped out into the open. Sol Regem caught the scent of Carol's cloak. He sprinted back the opposite way. The dragon chased after him, moving past Carol and the petrified fox and dragonling. As Sol Regem chased Raylan away from the passage to Xadia, Carol picked up her companions and made a run for it as fast as she could.

As Raylan led the dragon away, huge paws tried to crush him but he leapt and flipped out of the way.

Carol finally reached the other side and made it to the passage that would take them to Xadia safely. She panted for dear life. She had never felt so worn out in her whole life with all that running. She fell to the ground. Felix and Zym licked her face. They peered over and saw Sol Regem's tail.

"Come on Raylan," she hoped he would be alright. She looked towards the canyon passage into Xadia. She was not gonna leave without him.

Raylan managed to circle back around, dodging Sol Regem's humongous paws again.

"Foolish human!" he roared. He smelled Carol's cape towards a row of tall rocks that formed some arches. He fired.

Raylan felt the rage of the Sun King's fire behind him. He dodged behind a rock wall and the fire flew past him, just missing him. He panted. He looked left and the rest of his team. But just then he heard giant stamping and the next thing he saw were rocks falling onto him.

Carol and the others could only watch in horror as the rocks fell right onto Raylan, sending clouds of dust flying in their faces. They coughed. Zym flapped his wings to draw it away. They peered anxiously, hoping Raylan was okay. He pushed some rocks out of the pile. He was alive but bruised and stuck.

"We have to help him," said Carol. "Stay here you two,". She placed them down and started running to Raylan.

But Raylan heard growls and saw Sol Regem approaching. He shook his head across to her, signalling her to hide.

Reluctantly she did and ducked back again behind the boulder with Zym and Felix. "We gotta do something," she whispered. Her eyes scanned for a solution. She saw an archway. "I wonder,"

Raylan tried to free himself but his body was stuck tight. Sol Regem's growls grew louder as he approached him, smelling Carol on her short cape still attached around his neck. He looked across to signal Carol to make a run for it with Zym and Felix but he saw her doing a throwing motion.

Throw it. She mouthed.

She wants me to throw up on the dragon?

Carol drew the Aspiro symbol and did the throwing signal again.

This time Raylan got it. He pulled off the cape and threw it. Quickly Carol cast Aspiro and she sent a gust of wind carrying her cape away, leading Sol Regem away. Moving her hands, she manipulated the air to lead his head through the archway. He breathed fire but just missed the cape. He tried to pull his head back but his six horns trapped him. He couldn't pull his head out.

Curses! His thundering roars echoed through the canyon.

Quickly Carol dashed over to Raylan and helped him out of the boulders.

"Are you okay?' she asked.

"I'm just a bit bruised. Good thinking with Aspiro," he complimented.

"Wasn't gonna leave you behind for one moment," she said. "Let's go. That arch isn't gonna hold him forever,"

Raylan saw her cape on the ground and picked it up, handing it to her. "This is a cape of good luck. Let's go,"

They picked up Zym and Felix and made a dash for it as fast as they could along the canyon passage that would take them into Xadia. They sprinted for what felt like hours until they finally came to a pathway that zigzagged its way up the canyon wall to the very top. "Just gotta make it up there and we'll be safe," said Raylan.

"Let's rest for a bit," Carol was exhausted. She pulled off her knapsack and pulled out some juice to drink before handing it to Raylan who took a long needful sip. "You sure nothing is broken?"

"I've dealt with worse," he said. "You okay?" he noticed she was a bit down.

"I never wanted to use dark magic back there," Sol Regem's hateful words had affected her completely.

"You did what you had to do. You saved that dragon and me. Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to if it means something good comes out of it. You know I never thanked you for saving my life back there,"

"Well, now I can thank you for risking your life to keep me safe from that giant blind dragon. Even though I'm tainted with the same magic that banished humanity from Xadia in the first place,"

"That doesn't matter. You have good intentions. And you know in your heart that dark magic is the kind of magic no one should ever use. You were quite amazing with Aspiro. The way you manipulated those wind currents,"

"It was just my instincts telling me to move the air as if my hands are wings,"

Zym and Felix laughed. They fed some berries to the two companions before they played together.

"Come on," Raylan said. "If we can make it to the top, we can make camp up there for the night,"

"Let's go," Carol stood up and knelt down for Felix to climb up onto her shoulders. Zym went onto Raylan's. They began making their way up the pass. For a long while, all was silent. They had managed to make it halfway up. When suddenly, they heard a booming roaring from the pass they had just walked through. It was Sol Regem.

Felix who had woken quivered. Zym's grip on Raylan's shoulders tightened.

"Oh no," Carol panicked.

"Run!" Raylan pushed her forward. They started running up the rest of the way, turning their heads as they saw the bloodthirsty, blind dragon stamping through the chasm to try and reach them. He had known they had managed to make their way here.

The two teens carrying Felix and Zym panted for dear life, getting exhausted every second. They couldn't give up. They were only three stretches from reaching the top when suddenly Sol Regem raised his front left hand and sent it flying towards them.

"Look out!" Raylan pushed Carol and fell backwards himself. Sol Regem's claw missed them but it destroyed a section of the pathway. It drew back.

"You both made a grave mistake!" his voice boomed, sniffing at Raylan. "You allowed that dark mage to escape!"

"Stop!" shouted Carol, steering his attention away from Raylan and the Dragon Prince. "It doesn't have to be this way!"

"You die!" Sol Regem prepared to fire.

"Carol!" screamed Raylan.

Sol Regem fired but Carol drew the Aspiro Frigis symbol and she blew a powerful gust of ice and it protected her from the fire. The fire drew back, singing the edges of Sol Regem's face.

He roared. "How is this possible? Boomed the dragon. "How does a human have a primal stone?"

"I don't. I formed my own connection to magic. And I won't be afraid to use it on you if you don't allow us to pass through and bring Zym back to his mother,"

"So be," Sol raised a paw to try and strike her but Carol cast Fulminus and struck one of his horns, making him stumble back.

"Come on Raylan!" Carol held out her hand to him. He looked down and saw the large gap between them. "You can do it!"

Raylan did a running jump. Zym flapped his wings and managed to help him reach the other side. Carol caught him and they made a run for it again but Sol Regem tried to strike again at them. They dodged. They dodged again. He kept on attacking more sections of the pass but kept on missing them. They were very near the top but the archdragon would not give up. With no choice, Sol Regem flapped his wings and prepared to fire again.

"Incoming!" Raylan screamed.

"Get behind me!" Carol cast Aspiro again and swirling her hands, she created a windshield that protected them from the fire until Sol Regem was out of breath. They made the final stretch until they were at the very top of the wall. They had made it.

"We made it," panted Raylan.

"Not quite yet," Carol saw that Sol Regem was now circling the sky around them. "He's never gonna stop,"

"I'm not letting him kill you," said Raylan, determined to keep her safe. Sol Regem dive-bombed him. They managed to dodge out of the way but his tail smacked the ground and they were separated. Zym with Raylan. Carol with Felix. Raylan bashed against some rocks and was knocked out. Zym whimpered licking his face.

Carol rolled painfully on her side, unable to get up. Felix purred. But Sol Regem smelt them by her cloak and saw there was only one way to save her. He grabbed her cape and ripped it off her neck running across the grass drawing Sol Regem's attention. He prepared to fire again. The human mage manage to push herself up a bit but her eyes enlarged when she saw her best friend about to face the wrath of the dragon. "Felix," she tried to get back up but she was really battered by the dragon's attack.

Sol Regem fired. And the fire struck Felix. Before Carol could do anything, she saw her cape burning to ashes.

"It is done," Sol Regem said cruelly. And he flew into the sky back towards the canyon, disappearing into the setting sun.

Carol stood up and saw nothing but flames everywhere. No Felix.

Raylan regained consciousness and gasped seeing Carol alive but no Felix. He dashed over to her with Zym who was now stricken with tears. His heart broke as he watched her cry. He knelt beside her, clasping her shoulders. "I…I'm so sorry," he sniffled.

Carol just threw her arms around him and he embraced her tightly. First, she had lost her mother. Then her father. And now she had lost her best friend who had sacrificed himself to save her from the blind dragon who just refused to see the goodness within humans.

Zym whimpered; Felix too was his best friend. He howled into the silent wind as the sky turned dark. He howled again. He looked at the scorched, smoking earth burning before them. He dropped his head in grief. Just then he saw flaming red. He saw Felix, burning dark red, flames on his head. The end of his tail was now golden and he had golden stripes along his body with a matching underbelly and golden eyes. He was alive. He barked.

You're alive. He jumped for joy. His joyful voice echoed through Carol's mind. She let go of Raylan and her heart jumped with elation as she saw her fox alive. Differently coloured but alive.

Felix emerged from the flames. "Is it really you?" she asked.

Yes. He barked. The flames burning on his head were extinguished. He jumped into her arms and she hugged him tightly, shedding tears of joy.

"I thought I lost you," she sobbed. Felix licked her face. "How are you still alive?"

I have no idea.

"Did you know you could do that?"

He shook his head.

"That was some move Felix," complimented Raylan, stroking his forehead. "Wow, you're very warm,"

Carol placed him on the ground again and he and Zym jumped for joy around each other. Zym pinned him to the ground. And licking his face with electric kisses making the two still tearful teens laugh.

"What's important is we've all made it," said Raylan, smiling. He saw the edge of the cliff and led them towards it. "Welcome to Xadia, Princess Caroline,"

Carol felt herself soaring at the beautiful sight of the magical eastern side of the continent. She saw forests and lakes and mountains. And they were all spectrum of magical colours. "It's beautiful. We've made it,"

"We've still got quite a journey to make," said Raylan. "We walk through the forest tomorrow to my home,"

Felix and Zym admired the sight together. Just wait till you're back home with your mother. Said the Firefox to his best animal friend.

Do you think she'll love me? Asked Zym unsurely.

Of course, she will. She'll be so happy to see you alive. Felix nuzzled him and he nuzzled back.

The group exchanged happy smiles with one another and they took another wonderous glance at the magical lands which they would journey through to complete their quest.

Ezran, Willow, Corvus, Caldor and Bait saw Katolis in the distance. The children's hearts sank seeing the kingdom which their father had ruled for years.

"I know how difficult it is for you two to be here," comforted Caldor. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you two if you need anything,"

"Thank you Caldor," said Willow.

"I know this is might a surprise for you…" began Ezran. "But do you think you could be an advisor to me please?"

Caldor was surprised. "I'm not really sure I can accept my king. It wouldn't be right,"

"You should Caldor," Willow encouraged kindly. "Without you, we wouldn't be here right now and you uncovered Viren's scheme and you've risked everything to protect us. It would be right for you to take this offer,"

Caldor still wasn't certain. Nevertheless, he glanced determinedly at Ezran. "If you believe it is what is right, then I will gladly be an advisor to you, my king,"

They flew over the village. Many citizens saw them. They gasped. But when they saw who was it, they became more surprised.

"Is that the king?" one of the boys who bullied Caroline asked.

"With the princess and Caldor?" the other one asked.

Pyrrah was extremely nervous. "It's okay, girl," Willow gently stroked her neck. "It's okay. Nothing's going to happen,"

They flew over the castle. They saw soldiers. But like before at the fortress, they dared not to fire. Pyrrah still growling a bit, gently landed in the huge courtyard and Caldor and Corvus dismounted before helping the children off. When King Ezran was amidst them, the soldiers bowed.

"No harm is to come to this dragon," said Ezran. "It saved our lives and gave us a ride home,"

"But your Highness, this is a…" the soldier was interrupted by the loyal Caldor.

"The king commands it," he said. "Such a creature who helped us will not be treated with cruelty,"

The soldiers bowed.

Ezran was nervous about being back again.

"Are you ready?" Willow asked.

"If I can be honest…I'm not," he confessed. Bait croaked.

"I'm here for you," Willow took his head. "We all are,"

Ezran looked up and saw Corvus and Caldor bowing their heads. Holding onto his sister's hand, he walked towards the main gates which were open. Then they came towards the Great Hall which Caldor and Corvus pushed open and inside were Opeli and the High Council. Willow guided Ezran towards his throne, the royal seat which they used to play around all the time when their dad ruled their kingdom. Ezran stood in front of the chair. And Opeli approached the throne holding up a box with his father's crown. Everyone bowed before the new king.

And so did Willow. Ezran remained uncertain. All he could now was rely on his sister and those whom he trusted deeply. It had been his destiny to be king since birth. And now he had to take up that mantle and try to be a great king as his father was.

That's the next half of Sol Regem done. What did you all think? Felix is a Firefox. And Caldor has been chosen to be an advisor to King Ezran. I hope you all enjoyed it including the new extra scenes and dialogue. Please let me know if there's anything you want to happen in Season 3 or 4. Additionally, there are photos from season 5 on the internet. If you all look at them, do you want to send over any comments about what you think is happening in those scenes? If you do it would be really helpful thanks. Kiuthreed09, it would be so cool to do a cross-over between Dragon Prince Eragon, Raya and Last Dragon and HTTYD. I would just need to figure out when I'd be able to do it as there are other stories I need to write. In the mean time, maybe you could think about what you'd like to happen in the story. In the meantime, see you all next week in the next episode. Ta-ta for now.