The shot of hope

13

Rose

Feeling my eyes well as the guards went dead silent before I heard a deep growl as I turned to my left where I'd left Kim as her eyes swirled entirely black as Sam rushed over to her as he grabbed her by her shoulders trying to shake her out of it. Watching in fear as black spikes ripped from her back but she kept her eyes dead on the guard who'd insulted me as I realised she didn't care if they insulted or hurt her but seeing me upset set her off like a starving lion near lazy sheep. Her wings changed as I heard her bones break as they shape shifted as I remembered back to one of the books in the library that had records of avians, they could shift with each species having a different forms, ekes usually shifted into small mammals like rabbits or deer spirits, Kiki's were bigger, usually tiger spirits or elephant spirits while kiosk were the bigger and due to their possessive and aggressive behaviour they had the heart of a dragon spirit.

"Kian! Calm down!" Jake called out as Sam was thrown, the other dangerous factor was having another side meant if they lost country because of any reason than that side took over.

"Run!" I yelled to the guard as other guards tried to shoot cross boys at her but that only led to her swinging her tail and knock a few over while the other two flew into a wall.

"Rose! Lead her away!" Jess yelled as she threw me a red cloth as I shook it to try and get her attention as she ignored it as she ripped into the disrespectful males chest, effectively killing him as it was another twos fate before she swung her tail as I didn't have time to duck before she swiped me as I cried out as I landed in the mud making me look over as kian clearly still recognised me as she rushed over as she was twice the size of a elephants as she towered over me as she picked me up gently in her mouth before flying away as I lost consciousness due to hitting my head on the fall.

Time skip

Blinking my eyes open as I didn't feel any bruises from the knock making me wonder if Kim had healed me, rubbing my head as i looked around the large cave as I laid in a nest type bedding of soft leaf's, her now white feathers. Hearing a loud gush of wind outside the cave as it's entrance was covered by vines as the large dragon creeped in silently while carrying a sheep in its mouth as it set it down carefully in front of me and by the way her eyes were still in a dazed state I knew kian was still in control as her eyes remained fully black.

"Kian?..." I spoke up with a shaky voice as the dragon tilted its head in confusion of my fear.

"I shale not hurt you my love..." a voice echoed through my head as she nudged the sheep, "you must eat..."

"I cant eat that, it's raw.." I sighed as I climbed out of the bed only for her to place me back in.

"I shale retrieve you food, you stay here..." she muttered through my head before walking away before disappearing.

Standing up as I did the exact opposite, walking toward the entrance as I pushed the vines out of the way as the sounds of birds filled my ears as I looked out at the beautiful waterfall as winter came to a end as ice had already started to melt and it felt refreshing to have the warm sun on my skin. Walking toward the water as I pulled my shirt and pants off before diving in as it was cold but better than being dirty, I doubt anyone would be around and since kian was lurking I didn't have to worry, looking up as she flew over before landing down onto the shore

"I told you to stay put" she rumbled, the sound vibration from her chest but the words through my head.

"I was covered in dirt" I sighed as she turned to my clothes before pressing her snout to them a as they cleaned them selfs making my theory of the bruises correct.

"How are you feeling?" She questioned while slowly walking in as the water warmed as I watched the ice melt from her using her powers, "is that better?"

"Yes, thank you" I smiled, "and I'm okay... just shocked you know? Never though I'd ever see a dragon before..."

"Never though I'd fall for a human.." she grinned as she flopped into the water and it was shallow as it only just passed my waist meaning it barely covered her though he size also meant she soaked me with the splash though I only laughed softly.

She watched me as she turned her head when I looked back at her trying to fall me, "where is Kim?"

"She is resting... it can cause some stress to her body when I cause a involuntary shift.."

"Is she gonna be okay?" I spoke concerned as I laid down in the shallow section.

"She shall be okay" she reassured.

"Good.." I smiled as she lowered her lead to rest beside me as I reached out and ran my hand along her fluffy smooth skin as she closed her eyes.

Soon standing and pulling my clothes on after using my cape to dry myself as a thought came to mind, "why have you never shifted when we were in danger before?"

"I was in a deep sleep, usually visiting a spirit tree keeps my connection with Kim strong but after years of not visiting I'm much weaker than before... Your instability though woke me..." She explained, "I've only been watching through Kim's eyes this whole time... Not having enough strength to shift.."

"Was it painful?" I asked as I tied my hair into a bun.

"No... Just lonely.." she sighed as she leaned down before bumping her head into me softly as I stumbled slightly but hugged it knowing she wanted it as she let out a soft rumble from her chest and her head was the size of me making it difficult to do so, letting go as she picked up a crate of something in her jaws.

"Why haven't you visited the spirit tree?" I questioned as we headed up into the cave.

"There are not many left... The only one left in our proximity is the river... It's not just trees but it's said that when humans try to kill a spirit tree its ashes floated into the river... Which is why I came here....." She explained while laying down in the nest as I crawled in before laying down as she simply pulled me into her paws as she rested her head and neck around me.

"Does the river help replenish your strength?" I asked.

"Yes.." she muttered as I reached my hand out and ran it along her face as she closed her eyes in almost grief, "it's a scar from when I'd tried to save my parents... But I was too young and weak so I shut myself off after that.. Kim eventually stopped trying to summon me and I regretted not helping her sooner..."

"It's not your fault Kian..." I spoke softly as she opened her eyes as the black orbs swelled with tears as if no one had ever muttered those words, "you were a child.. dont expect to be able to a battle you werent supposed to be born into.."

"Thank you dear..."