Prince of Dragons

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Davina. Their—her name was Davina. Who...was Davina again? And then it hit me. Davina was the deity of Beauty and Fertility.

Why....was the deity of beauty and fertility here?

"I-I..."

Davina chuckled with a flawless grace, and stepped around me, causing me to turn to keep her in my sight. "Because you are special, sweet Drakell. And you protected a very special part of me I hold dear in my heart."

My brows furrowed and a frown tugged at my lips. "I...when did I do that? W-Who did I save?"

She stared at me, still with that soft smile on her face. I stared, and stared, trying to find an answer when it suddenly clicked. An impossible thought. An insane thought. And the more I searched, the clearer it became, as well as the more shocking. Their faces...the same soft cheekbones...the grace at which they carried themselves. Not to mention the names. Davina. Davian. Didn't he name himself?

You are a wise little thing, aren't you? Her smile widened. Indeed, that precious little boy is of my blood. My happiest moment was when he came into my life. And now he is a grown, beautiful young man.

Her lips, finally fell and a look of profound sadness fell across her face. I hated what happened to him. She looked at me. Through no fault of your own, Drakell. So do not blame yourself for what befell my child. He was such an exceptional child, you know. Although I left him in the care of your father, I still kept a close eye on what I held dear to me. Davian was incredibly smart. He was imbued with magic when he turned 5...he got a burst, and teleported. A mishap. An accident. Something he could not help. What happened then...was unfortunate....however, it was not your fault, Drakell. And because of you...my child can finally live the life he deserves.

That is why I appear before you now. Why I've halted Cryone's visit. You saved something precious to me, and thus I wish to return the favor.

She gazed behind me with sad eyes, prompting me to glance behind me. The wave of sadness that slammed into me nearly caused me to fall to my knees. I watched, heart tight in my chest, as an image appeared in the void. One of a dark forest. And two dragons rushing to me with screams of horror. My limp, bloodied body laid on the dirt and leaves—lifeless, cold. I could barely watch the scene in front of me as Alaban grabbed my unmoving body and held it close to his chest as a heart wrenching sob poured through his lips. I...I began crying when Narvi grabbed the both of us, tears in his eyes as he held Alaban's sobbing form, and my lifeless one.

They need you. They care for you.

The scene flashed, and now they were on the road. They road only one horse, with Alaban at the front, and—my heart clenched even tighter—my body in the middle, and Narvi was at the rear, his head leaning against my back and silent tears streaming down his sleep-deprived face. Alaban looked just as bad, his eyes barely open, yet a set determination on his face that tugged at my heart.

The scene flashed again, and now they were along a cliffside, a-and there they were. Make-shift tents made from the foilage around them...sun dragons of all ages rushing to their long lost family. Yet...the joy on their faces quickly fell when they saw the shape, he was in. Then the shape I was in. Sun dragons were smart, though, and I could see them slowly piece together a rather sad conclusion. And what it had meant to one of their own.

Alaban was speaking, but I didn't hear a word he said. He seemed distraught, and looked as if he was pleading them for something. They said something back. And...his form collapsed as more sobs shook him to his core.

Tears were streaming down my face at this point, and I reached towards Alaban, wanting to touch him—let him know I was still here...but the scene again changed in front of me.

This time...my body lay on a make-shift bed...stiff, unmoving. Alaban sat next to me, just staring at me. I don't think he even blinked. My heart clenched painfully in my chest, and this time, I moved and sat down in front of him...or...the image of him. My heart sank at the blank look in those amber eyes...he looked broken. Heavy bags hung under his eyes, and the man's cheeks looked sunken in, as if he hadn't eaten in a few days. My heart broke to see him like this, and I lifted my hand...only for it to stop just before I touched Alaban's face. I pulled my hand back, and inhaled shakily, peering behind me to see the being still watching me. Studying me.

"W-Why are you showing me this?" I asked, wincing when my voice cracked on a sob I held back.

I want you to understand, you are loved, Drakell. Do not let the fault of one man, ruin your chance to be with another. A good man. Both of them. She sauntered over to me, placing a hand against my cheek. Her palm was soft, and warm, and that warmth seemed to pass through me as she smiled. I told you, dear Drakell, I owe you for saving my son's life.

"Ah, this is the one you spoke of, Davina?" Another voice filtered through the darkness—soft, and unidentifiable as male or female.

I turned, eyes widening as another form appeared before me—though not in its impressive state, I would assume. They appeared to me as my height, their skin dark like mocha—eyes completely white, with a slight glow behind them. They wore their white hair as dreads, and though their jaw was strong, they held a femininity to them that told me they liked playing with the bounds of gender.

They walked towards me, smiling as they approached. "Hmm...Drakell Emon Valkeria. A kind hearted man who has seen much loss in his life. A protector of the innocent. Hello. I am Albador, Deity of Creation and Prosperity. A dept must be paid.

I was stunned. More than stunned, actually. My mind could not fathom the intensity of what was happening. I mean....I-I was dead and now in the presence of two deities?! Could the dead even have panic attacks? Because I was incredibly close to having one.

But there was one thing I did know. I had to get back to them. Alaban...Alaban needed me, I could see that. He was breaking and I-I couldn't let that happen, not to him. I wouldn't allow it. I couldn't allow it. I needed to get back. I needed to tell him how I felt. I needed him. Just as much as he needed me.

So, I squared my shoulders and looked Life in the face, heart pounding in my chest. "I want to live. A-Alaban needs me. Narvi needs me. My family needs me. I can't let death be my fate, not today. Not now. Please...I-I beg of you...I'll do anything. I-I just want to live."

Albador watched me, lips pulling into a wider, kind grin. They looked to Davina, who gave them a slow nod, as if she approved. And Albador looked back towards me—the void around us stretching, and twisting, and seemingly moving at the speed of light.

Ba-dum.

A shock jolted my body, causing a me to gasp with wide eyes.

Ba-dum.

Ba-Dum.

BA-DUM.

My body jolted...and a stream of fresh, cold air...filled lungs that had once gone still.

A/N: Ooooooooo Shnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaapppppppppp

O.O