A Light in the Shadows.

The Battle

I woke up in the morning, Jelequi still in my arms. I shook my head, grinning. Jelequi yawned, beginning to shift awake. I lay peacefully there. "Good morning..." Jelequi mumbled. "Good morning," I replied. Jelequi smiled, sitting up, rubbing her eyes. "Did I fall asleep on you again..? Sorry about that." Jelequi said. I said "it's fine," smiling. Jelequi smiled softly, "Should we head to the shop?" "Okay" I said. Jelequi took my hand, pulling me up to her feet. Seraphina said "I guess I should go soon..." "Oh, alright.." Jelequi said, "But not yet so we still have a little time. Well, do you want some breakfast?" "no thanks... thanks anyway." "Alright." Jelequi smiled. We headed down, heading into the shop. Xentri was already there. "Hi Xentri," I said, yawning. "Hey." Xentri said blankly, sitting at the counter, reading. I sat down reading as well. Jelequi smiled, standing behind the counter. We sat in silence before I told them I had to go. "Aww.. alright.." Jelequi said disappointedly, hugging me. I hugged her back, wishing I could hide in Jelequi's arms, forever in this safely and comfort. "See you soon," I said. "Yeah.. soon." Jelequi smiled softly. I smiled back. Jelequi let go reluctantly, smiling disappointedly.

I flew away.

When I got back I shut myself in my room with the angry bananas who had been fed and all that but seemed very clingy. "I'll bring you next time" I promised him. He forgave me, probably sensing my anxiety at being in the same castle as Melina. I went to the library and made my way to the back of the library. At the back were all my favourite books. I picked out one and started reading on a couch. As I started reading the first sentence of the book a feeling of absolute contentment washed over me. I almost cried in relief. My mind calmed down and I finally could just release myself from reality.

Prolouge.

It was a dark and stormy night. Lightning flashed and thunder filled the sky. A pair of red eyes snapped open and the monster that had been sleeping for a thousand years slowly shifted awake...

I read and read until the book was over. Good thing it was a nine book series.

I went up to my room realizing how late it was. I went to sleep, dreaming.

Melina haunted me. She picked me up by my shirt and flung me over a cliff. I tried to turn into a dragon, but I couldn't. I fell and fell, but I landed in Jelequi's arms. She caught me. I leaned on her, knowing she would always catch me.

I woke up, realizing I was ready to talk to Melina again. I knew it was too early, given she seemed to sleep until noon. I got out another book and went down to the kitchen to stress eat. I laughed to myself as I sat in the kitchen socializing with the cooks like the improper queen I am, hiding my emotions like the depressed teenager I am. I finally got the courage to go knock on Melina's door. I heard a resigned "yes?" "melina... can I come in?" "Okay" she replied. I came in and sat at the foot of her bed, giving her space. "I'm sorry..." I said. "It's fine" "I still want to be friends with you though. You're an amazing friend that I don't want to lose" I said. "Really?" she said her face lighting up. "Of course," I promised. I sighed, relieved. "Sorry for doing that," Melina said. "It's all good. I know how hard it is to keep your feelings in." I said. "Sorry for running off and disappearing for two days." I said. "Three" Melina corrected, laughing. "So, we're all good?" I asked. "All good," Melina promised. I smiled and she smiled back. I was so relieved that there were no bad feelings. "So how are you feeling?" I asked. "Better knowing i didn't break our friendship" she replied. "Me too," I admitted. I said "well i should probably go" she nodded, and I left. I got caught up on the battles. Falling into my normal routine. I fell into my bed exhausted at night. I had no dreams, and I woke up happily in the morning. I had no dreams which was a blessing. I walked out of my room, and a guard rushed up to me.

"The volcano is under attack" she said urgently. "From who?" I asked. "Dragons like we've never seen before." my eyes widened. "Oh no" I whispered. "They're here." "get the guards ready," I ordered. "All of them." "put the villages into lockdown and post guards to protect them" she nodded, running off. I thought of telling the elf queen, but that would be showing that my kingdom was showing weakness. Also room for an attack. I was overly suspitious, but for a reason. I knocked on Melina's door, waking her up. "What?" she asked. "The kingdom is under attack. Stay here and dont come looking for me." "where are you going?" she asked. "To fight." "no, Seraphina." "Yes, Seraphina," I replied. "I'm sick and tired oif this war, and I'm sick and tired of not doing anything. I'm sick and tired of this rebellion and it's time I show them what the supposed pathetic hybrid child queen can do" I snarled. She nodded, seeming to understand. "Just be safe," she said, pulling me into a hug. "Its war. No one's safe, and if we dont take risks, then it wont ever be safe." I whirled through the castle. I saw Melodani flying through the castle halls, her movements showing panic. "Melodani, what's wrong?" I asked. Melodani quickly bowed, "Queen Seraphina.. The guards informed me about the attack, and they say you have not sent any messenger to the elves..." Melodani said. "You say that as if i'm obligated to tell the elves. And hint, i'm not. This doesn't concern them." "I know you are not obligated to, I just believe it would be best to tell them... They would be able to send over some of their army to help us with our problem at hand.." "or to attack when we're weak" I snapped. "They won't attack us!" Melodani yelled, covering her mouth, "Sorry for yelling your majesty..." Melodani bowed again. "I just want the best for the dragons... I believe dragons will be safer with help from the elves.." anger rippled through me. "i dont trust the elves as you do. And its fine. Drop the formality, we don't have time for it." "Alright.." Melodani stopped bowing, "I know you don't trust the elves, but it isn't your job to protect the dragons. Getting help from the elves would protect more dragons, and cause less deaths all together.." she didn't understand. She was just soft and she thought all elves were great just because she was in love with one. Reality check, most elves hate or fear dragons. I was in love with an elf too, but I still saw the truth. "or it might cause more deaths because the elves recognise our weakness and take advantage of it. I know it's my job to protect the dragons, I just don't believe the elves will help us with that. I know how elves fear and hate dragons. There are elves who want our skin to sell. There are some who wish us dead because they think we're mindless killing machines." I snarled. "I'm not angry at you by the way..." I said, because I knew I was angry right now. "I should just go... I will be back to assist after I do something." Melodani said, "I need to talk to my girlfriend..." Melodani quickly flew off without another word. "Hey. don't tell the elves!" I yelled, but she was gone. I growled. Now I was angry. Breathing heavily, I continued through the palace. I found a guard. "Listen, find melodani, and tell her she's forbidden to tell the elves other than her girlfriend, and her girlfriend is forbidden to tell anyone. By order of the queen." he nodded, flying off. I hoped the news didn't reach Jelequi, she would panic, and i didn't want to tell her until it was over and i was okay. I flew out of the castle, and straight onto the battlefield. These were large dragons. They were what I had feared. They were the universe dragons. I dove straight in, jumping on a dragon that was cornering one of the soldiers. I snapped his neck, my stomach turning at the sickening crunch as his blood spilled onto my claws.

My senses sharpened and all I could focus on was the battle. I let my rage fill me, leaving no mercy for the dragons that had invaded my home. I flung myself through the battle, helping the dragons that needed it, and letting my rage and grief make me stronger. I soon found myself targeted by an exceptionally strong dragon. She had a scarred cruel face with glowing red eyes. She was twice my size, me being a teenager still. Her eyes were sharp as we faced each other, waiting for the other dragon to make the first move. Like a relationship. I thought stupidly. It's awkward and tense waiting for the other dragon to make the first move. I hissed, using my small size to roll under her and tear my claws over her underbelly. She let out a growl of pain, smacking my head hard with her tail. It was me who let out a roar of pain, as the battle set in. strike, parry, bite, claw, survival instinct. I jumped on her back, sinking my teeth into the vulnerable scales at the base of her long neck. She roared, and the coppery taste of blood filled my mouth. She flipped over, somehow pinning me to the ground. I gasped as her razor sharp claws dug into my chest. I struggled but it was no use. Suddenly, she let go with a howl of pain. I saw lyka, a wild gleam of adrenaline in her eyes, she had sunk her claws into the huge dragon's wing, nearly tearing it off. In a silent agreement, Lyka and I faced the huge dragon, attacking as if we were one dragon. Soon the dragon snarled and retreated. "Lyka, you saved me," I said. "I owe you my life." "Well, my debts paid then," she said, confusing me. "What do you mean?" I asked her. "Ever since I was a child I've wanted to fight, to make the world a better place. You took me on as a cadet and made my life what I always wanted it to be'' she said impatiently. "Nice fighting by the way!" she said. "I always thought the rulers would suck." she informed me "i have mild anger issues, also mild paranoia" i said dryly. She laughed before saying "back to the battle?" I nodded, stretching my wings and flexing my claws. We went on to defend our home.

I was getting exhausted. I was covered in blood, and I felt like I could sleep for a week, and on top of that I was worried Jelequi had heard about this and was putting herself in danger for me.

I saw Melodani fly over, carrying people. I recognized at least 3 of the people. Amharic, Maersial, and Xentri. "Melodani, what did I tell you!" I launched immediately into furious ranting "and amharic and xentri? Amharic!? Where's jelequi?" I said, panicking. Melodani landed, letting them down. "Jelequi is at the shop." Amharic said, "Xentri didn't let her come, so she just tried to help with potions!" As saying that, Amharic tossed a healing potion to me. "Save it for the people that need it" I growled, tossing it back, though suddenly feeling the burning pain in my chest. "We'll talk about this later melodani." I hissed. Melodani let all the other people off, which I could tell just by all the hair colours, were Amharic's family. "Don't you dare die" I hissed to Xentri and Amharic. Amharic shrugged, taking out a bow. Xentri took out her battleaxe. I said "by the way this is Lyka" I introduced to the others. They nodded. Xentri looked around, seeing the battle. I spun around, just as a dragon launched himself at me, I flung him off, pinning him down and killing him. "And I hope you're prepared to kill the dragons trying to kill you" I said. "Of course!" Amharic said, shooting an arrow at a dragon that was about to attack one of the cadets. I nodded before whispering "keep the enby amharic, blue haired person, safe. If you can, also watch over the white haired girl if you can" to another dragon who nodded and stood beside the group of elves. "Okay. thank you guys" I said. "I won't forget this." and then I flew off to tackle another dragon.

I had lost track of time, but these dragons started retreating. Slowly, slowly, slowly.

It felt amazing to help. To not sit there while a battle raged and lives were lost. This time I did something. I was cut in more places than I thought was possible and I think I broke one of my claws and part of my horn. My body was on fire, but mentally? I had never been better. I clawed my way through the last dragons with the help of the soldiers and finally, finally, finally. We won the battle. It had been hours and I was exhausted. Nonetheless, I called for the healers, started collecting the bodies, grieving all the dragons lost. They had friends and family and a life. My eyes filled with tears, hating these dragons and all that they did.