Raziel was about to cut off any comment that Mephous was about to give as it would go against its plan, but Mephous got ahead of Raziel.
There is no greater dishonor than failing kin, Mephous said with a simplicity and straightforwardness that had everyone blinking who knew the Green Dragon. I fight by my kin’s sides. I hear their calls and I come. My strength is needed for triumph against our enemies. To not come, to not fight, is to be nothing.
Raziel shifted its weight as it went from looking at the Green Dragon--who bowed its head at Raziel and Raziel responded in kind--back towards the other Dragons.
The past is the past, Raziel intoned. You cannot undo it. You can only go forward. You are free now to do as you wish. But you have a choice.
You’d let us leave? The light purple Dragon almost looked eager.
You can run away and hide, Mephous said dismissively.
You can leave, Raziel agreed, but none of the Dragons moved. Or you can stay and fight with us. Earn back some of your honor or, Raziel’s red eyes narrowed, get your revenge. Whatever motivates you matters not to us.
But we’ve lost twice! The sunny yellow Dragon moaned. Hurt. Hurt and lost.
But not with us! Lana cried as it came out from around Eldoron’s big butt. If you fight with us, we’ll win!
Can you not do this without us? The blue Dragon with white frills asked.
Raziel tried not to be disappointed at the fact that these Dragons were not jumping at the chance to at least get revenge for their enslavement, but Raziel saw that they had been beaten down. They were afraid. Their confidence had been shattered.
We can, but the Behemoth will rise again and come after you once more. We will be here again once more in time, Raziel answered. But the choice is yours.
There was silence except for wings fluttering and claws tapping on the ground. But that silence was broken when Lana cried, Uhm, guys, we need you to make a choice now! The Behemoth is here!
Last Battle
They were flying so fast that the ground beneath them was a blur. But his other senses told him that there was little to see below them. Fields of corn and wheat that waved softly under the dying night’s last breezes. Single family homes where the lights were mostly out except for a lone garage light or a faint night light shining out through gauzy curtains by a child’s bedside.
If they hadn’t been shifted, Caden’s eyes would have been watering so badly that he wouldn’t have been able to see anyways. A thin, nictitating film covered their eyes. It was something that Caden hadn’t realized before. Now, he was completely aware of every little difference in their Dragon form from their human one. He wanted to memorize every second of it. He’d lost this for a short while and he never wanted to again.
Will never leave you. Promise, Iolaire cooed softly to him.
Right. I know. I just… are we going to get to the sun in time, Iolaire? Caden pushed the past trauma away for the present one. I can still hear her heartbeat, but it seems weaker than when we started.
A lot weaker actually. In the beginning of their flight, Chione had actually looked up at them and smiled. She’d given a weak laugh as they launched up into the sky.
“Tilly will be so--so jealous that I get to fly with both of you,” she’d rasped out.
“Sphinx’s have wings, Caden. She will fly back beside us,” Valerius had answered, his voice strong even as his eyes were filled with worry.
“Oh, I might need some--some resting time before I can keep up with a Dragon. Even the smallest, if fiercest, Iolaire,” she’d breathed out.
Their heart had thudded heavily in their chest. Both Caden and Iolaire could hear how hard she was trying to make them believe she’d be around to fly back. She didn’t think so. They’d flown even faster and covered several hundred miles in less time than Caden thought possible. But there was no sign of the sun. Caden wondered if they would have to fly all the way to New York City to find it. How far was it from Reach? By car over 12 hours drive. By plane about 2 to 4. By dragon?
If Raziel was carrying her, she’d already be there! But our wings aren’t as strong!
Iolaire let out a determined twitter and they made themselves even more aerodynamic, by flattening their ears to their head and thinning their form out. They were already keeping their forelimbs tight to their body.
He’d smelled dew on fresh cut grass and the exhaust from car engines when they’d shot over small cities and towns. There had been the bright arteries of highways and airports. They’d had to even dodge some planes a few times, though those were rare at night.
One plane though had come so close that they’d seen the pilots inside the cockpit pointing fingers at them, mouths open, and eyes wide. They’d looked back after they passed to make sure their wake hadn’t harmed the aircraft in any way. But the plane was still headed in the right direction and at the right altitude. Small faces were pressed to the windows. This red-eye flight would have quite the tale to tell. He hoped it would be one of awe and not terror or sadness.
Chione must make it! Caden thought. She’s still alive. There’s still a chance!
They chanced a glance down at their passengers. Valerius was practically invisible in their claws. He’d ducked inside, balling himself up tightly, after the first hour. It was cold up here and he was naked. There was no Dragon in his chest to keep him superheated warm. And Iolaire had only ice breath to give.
Chione was wrapped in the foil blanket that gave far more warmth than one would expect, but he wasn’t sure if that was what allowed her to keep her head and feet somewhat extended from their claws. Her eyes were closed and her normally dark gold skin was much paler than it should be. But her heart was still beating.
