{HIATUS} Éternel: Between Two Worlds (#3)

xiii. You're A Dragon, Be A Dragon

Art commissioned by ernieart on Fiverr!

This is one of my favorite chapters by far. If you read the teaser, you know what's coming.

Let the chaos explode.

Warning: this chapter contains brief depictions of blood and gore.

I highly recommend listening to track 43 while reading! Link to the playlist is below since the header is taken.

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³⁹ The birds flew through the ever changing canvas of the sky, as if their wings were fine quills, drawing such vibrant hues. The way they fluttered against the sky was music to my eyes, moving in choreographed melody. My lips lifted upward, watching the animals fly by me, standing on my balcony.

A baby Blissbill landed on the railing, jumping toward me in little hops and a tilted head. I laughed quietly and held out my hand, the small bird stepping onto my palm, chirping as I lifted it up to eye level.

The bird flicked its fragile wings and hopped again, looking up at me with its dark, captivating eyes. I smiled and lifted my other hand, carefully moving my fingers over the bird's head to pet it. The Blissbill jumped in surprise, but I shushed it, whispering assurances that I was no threat.

"Shh, it's okay. I'm not gonna hurt you," I said softly, running two fingers along the bird's head, the animal melting in my palm immediately. It closed its eyes, taking in the feeling of my fingers stroking its feathered head.

With a quiet laugh, I dropped my hand and held out my other palm, motioning for the bird to fly back to its family. It looked back at me momentarily, tilted its head, then spread its tiny wings and flew off into the forests below.

I watched as the bird disappeared, then returned my gaze to the sky, a few dragons soaring amongst the clouds above. A fluttering feeling fell over my heart, watching the dragons so carefree and happy.

Then, all of a sudden, my vision was replaced with darkness and soon an image of a body on the ground, blood pouring from the corpse and a deathly scream emitting, echoing all around my mind.

My sight quickly returned to its original state, leaving me tensed, my heart quickening for a different reason. I jumped at the sound of the doors being opened from behind, but sighed in relief once Tashi's face came into view.

"Your Majesty, have you seen Prince Levi?" Tashi questioned, a slight tone of worry to her voice.

"Is he not in the castle?" I asked, walking beside Tashi as she rushed back inside and down the hall to Levi's bedroom.

"No. I went to deliver something but he wasn't in his room. His armor and swords were missing as well. I called for Cepheus, but he didn't come."

Tashi pushed open the door to his room, letting me enter first. I headed over to his desk, searching through the papers and journals for any clues, Tashi doing the same. I sighed and turned around, placing my hands on the back of my neck as I looked up at the ceiling, exhaling quietly.

⁴⁰ "Your Majesty, are you not worried about him? It's not like him to go somewhere without telling anyone."

"Of course I'm worried. I'm just trying to think-" I began to voice my concern, but I was cut off by the sound of a blaring alarm, followed by flashing red lights, and a recording of my voice saying there was an emergency in the foyer that required medical attention.