Haven's POV
From the outside, the cave looked small and eerie, but stepping inside revealed a different world entirely. Crystals dimly lit the path, vines crept along the walls, and strange herbs grew on the sides. As I ventured further, the cave expanded, and I spotted a faint light at the end of the corridor.
I followed it and found myself in a breathtaking sanctuary. A waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear lake, flanked by lush trees and grass. Above, large nests occupied holes in the walls, presumably for some very large birds.
"Is she the one? She doesn’t look like a warrior to me!" A voice startled me, and I spun around to find glistening, fiery eyes staring back at me. I stumbled and slipped on the marble rocks, reaching out for something to steady myself but catching only air. I closed my eyes, bracing for impact.
The landing wasn’t what I expected. Instead of hitting the hard ground or water, I felt as though I was floating. Opening my eyes, I realized I was unscathed. "Am I in Heaven?" I wondered aloud.
"I'm pretty sure Paradise has softer land than my wing," said a large, air-like creature. I yelped, "Who... what are you?!" The creature gently set me down and retracted its wing.
"Ignis, could you light the cave a bit?" A voice suggested. Light filled the cave, illuminating torches aligned on the sides.
"My! She is such a beauty! That boy and she are really meant to be!" I started piecing things together—I was in a cave filled with talking dragons. Exactly what Hercule had warned us about. Scanning for an escape route, I heard a voice.
"You won’t be able to leave so easily." I turned to see a majestic dragon speaking directly to me. "I... I wasn’t planning to!" I protested.
"Good, because I want you to listen to what I have to say." I had no choice—defy the dragons and likely die, or agree and live. "If I listen, will you promise not to eat me?" I asked timidly. The dragons burst into laughter.
"Why did you bring me here?" I asked. "Are you sure we brought you? You’re the one who ventured toward the Peaks," said a rock dragon.
"That’s because I was..." I began, realizing I couldn’t blame them. I had chosen not to call for help when the crazy leaf had brought me here.
"Stop confusing her, Boulder!" A water dragon scolded. "Welcome to our home. I’m Chika, the dragon of water. These are my brothers: Sulya, the dragon of air, and Boulder, the dragon of earth. My sisters are Adara, the dragon of fire, and Ignis, the dragon of light. And our queen, Majesty."
The dragons all started talking at once. Overwhelmed, I shouted, "STOP!" Silence fell. The Queen stepped forward, "Let me speak to Haven."
The other dragons grumbled but retreated. "I know you have many questions," Majesty said, "but let’s leave here first." I nodded and climbed onto her back.
"Ready?" she asked. I gripped her mane and nodded. We soared out of the cave. "Open your eyes; you’re missing a great view," she encouraged. I peered through squinted eyes to see the Peaks’ beauty from above.
"Now, I’ll answer one question a day, of my choice. Today, it’s 'Why?' Why were you chosen? Why the Peaks? Why are you special?
"Long ago, dragons maintained balance and harmony. God created Magix and its rulers, giving preference to its people. But greed led to conflict, upsetting the balance. Since then, relations between Magix and dragons have been strained.
"God promised a prophesied warrior to restore harmony, someone with the Gift to communicate with dragons."
It dawned on me. "You mean... I’m the prophesied Queen?" Majesty hovered above the Peaks’ entrance. "Yes, Haven. You will bring harmony. I’m your spirit. We’ll speak more tomorrow. Goodbye!"
She abruptly threw me off her back. I screamed, but wind surrounded me. "We’ll reach our destination soon," I heard Sulya’s voice.
"There you are!" Flema greeted me at the Tree of Life. She led me downstairs. "Hercule and Felix are waiting. Felix had a great time."
"Haven! How was it?" Felix asked. "Loud yet educational," I replied. "Ah, the Empryean Sphere," Hercule guessed. I didn’t correct him.
"We should get you home," Flema said. School awaited, the inevitable end to this adventure.
YOU ARE READING
The World Above
General FictionFor the first time in the history of Magix, two humans rise to the throne. One, a highschooler; named Haven, as the next Queen. The other a young ceo; named Felix, as the next King. United by a vision to fulfil and a duty to carry out. Together they...
