Arwick (A Light Of Roria Sequel)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Addisyn

You come seeking the relic?

Joash immediately spoke the moment we landed, lying in front of the entrance to a cave, clearly guarding it. I assumed his egg lay comfortably inside.

As we stood upon Vaylark's peak, I glanced below, where the fairies of Edena resided. The peak was not particularly high, maybe one thousand feet, but where it lacked in elevation, it exceeded in width. Vaylark was almost the length of the land, curving around the forest's edge to form a U-shape but stopping at least several miles where we made our original landing. The vast forest lay snug on an island of rock, surrounded by ocean as far as the eye could see. What lay past the waters, other than the direction we'd come from, I did not know. I could only assume they were just as ruthless since Edena was so protected from dark magic.

"Is the relic inside that cave?" I pointed toward the entrance.

Joash nodded. I felt it when I placed the egg inside. It was no easy feat. The space was barely wide enough for my neck and head, but I sensed the relic was not far.

Jake looked at Joash the way I had—with awe and fear. Joash glanced toward Jake but seemed to pay little attention to my friend.

"I am literally staring at a dragon," Jake started out. "Dragons are real. I mean, he followed us here, so I knew they were real, but that wasn't up close. Now it's up close, and this is insane."

Ignoring Jake's astonishment, I answered Joash, "Yeah, but this time it's up to Jake to get it." I smirked. "Turns out I'm not the only chosen one."

Jake winked. "What do ya' think? Am I more of a Harry Potter type or a Percy Jackson?"

I rolled my eyes, unable to keep from laughing. "Let's find this rock before it goes to your head."

Aasim snickered, staying close while Jake followed us into the cave. The rocks were jagged and reminded me of the labyrinth caves from before. A jolt of anxiety stirred inside my very blood, and I lost my footing. Catching myself, Jake quickly moved closer to my side, touching my shoulder in concern. "You, okay?" he asked. Aasim was quick to ask the same.

"I'm okay," I told them both. "This place just brought me back to the labyrinth caves, and I just...I don't know."

Jake rubbed my arm. "Hey, that place messed with all of our heads. It's okay. We won't get lost in here."

With a grateful nod, we traveled deeper inside the cave and began to lose the light of the sun, causing Jake to pull his sword from its sheath. Looking back, I asked, "Where'd you get the sword?"

"Matthew. When you were in your mom's place because, well, you know." He was talking about my crying fit but didn't say it aloud. "He gave me this. Said that divinity had instructed him to make it long before we even arrived, and when he saw me, he knew it belonged to me."

The blade began to glow, illuminating the cave. The pommel was shaped to resemble the head of a dragon, its mouth open and teeth exposed. A thick leather was fastened to the grip, and the cross guard was made of a stone similar to obsidian, causing the glossy black to stand out against the long silver blade.

While we passed the dragon egg, I paused, somehow knowing the creature inside was ready to emerge. The egg began to shake, jostling about until Joash poked his head inside the cave.

Something has roused her! She senses her chosen one! Aasim moved curiously toward the egg, a long breath released from his snout. I have never witnessed the birth of a dragon.

"Woah, it's hatching." Jake moved beside me, pointing at the egg that began to crack near its center.

She finally comes! This man is whom she is to choose. She is his watcher.