The Last Dragon

Chapter 10 - Taking A Chance

"It's worth the risk, though, right?" Eri walked towards the glowing current, where it dipped from the sky almost close enough to touch. "What're the odds of something going wrong?"

"Well, I've never done this spell with others. She's part Air Mage, so that'll make it easier. Hold on to me and hold tight to each other. Even in spirit form, you'll be able to hang on. I'll keep us together and guide us as best as I can." The big knight stepped beside Eri, right under the current.

Eri held his arm out, and Ilia dashed over. She wrapped her arm around Eri and gripped the big knight's woolen tunic with pale fingers. Eri gripped his master's belt and held Ilia tightly against his side.

Her stomach jolted and her head felt floaty. She pressed her head against Eri's side and focused on holding as firm as she could. Everything went black. Colours burst around her and rushed past. No, she was rushing past them, being carried by the current. They still had form, still looked like themselves, but were translucent, almost silhouettes of light. Was she seeing their souls, or their magical essence, or something else?

Ilia jolted again and felt her feet hit something solid. Eri pressed her to his side firmly, keeping her upright. Her knees buckled, but she didn't let go. After a few deep breaths, Ilia straightened up and looked around. They were in the mountains.

A small path led down into a valley. A dragon lay at the bottom, its side heaving with each slow breath. It hissed and belched a flame out at someone. A few large boulders hid them from the view of whoever was attacking the dragon.

Ilia scrambled up the boulders and peeked over the top. A man in the black armour walked around the dragon. Other mages stood around, back out of flaming distance. Eri and the big knight joined her. Ilia glanced at the massive man as he muttered under his breath. They dropped back from the boulders.

The big knight's armour appeared around him, shining in the sun. "Stay here and stay hidden, girl."

Eri's armour flashed over him. He nodded to Ilia. "We'll be fine. Keep behind cover and don't let them know you're here."

"Come, Eri." He drew his sword and charged around the boulder, shield raised, fireballs shooting from his sword tip.

Eri pulled his sword from the scabbard and followed his master. Ilia huddled behind the rock, peering out at the black knight. Was it the same one, or a different one? She had to help. Her friends were charging into danger. She couldn't sit here and let them get hurt.

The dragon's side heaved again, a deep rumble with each breath. Its golden eye rolled towards Ilia. She pressed her hand to her heart and gasped. Energy flowed into her, rolling and moving and energizing her in waves, matching the dragon's breath.

A fireball flew past and spattered on the rocks behind her. Ilia darted out and to another boulder closer to the dragon, keeping low in a crouch. Please, let the rock hide me, she pleaded. Let the mountains be like a forest to me.

She hurled herself behind the next boulder as lightning flashed where she just was. Ilia peeked out again. Eri shot fire from his sword, his shield reflecting lightning that the mage hurled his way. The massive knight fought three mages, his sword flashing in the sunlight and shimmering with fire.

The dragon was one more quick dash away. If she could get close, maybe she could heal it. Ilia ran from her boulder and tucked in against the dragon's side, back near its shoulders. She scurried up along the scaly neck and spines, to the creature's head.

A golden eye looked right at her. Ilia raised her hand to the dragon's nose. Power flowed through her and into the dragon, every ounce of healing she could muster. She could do this. She had to do this.