Eclipsis: Water

Chapter 7

Cetus could not have made it more difficult for Kōri to attempt to climb up onto him. He stubbornly stood at his normal height, not even bothering to lower himself even a couple of centimetres. Kōri wasn't expecting any different, but knowing that Alara had a smug expression plastered on her face without even having to look at her made it all the more infuriating.

"Okay, Cetus, that's enough," Alara said in a serious tone. "We do really need to move."

If the dragon could sigh exasperatedly, he would've. Instead, he exhaled water vapour from his nostrils and lowered himself just enough that Kōri could reach. The ice-fairy clamped his teeth together as he swung his injured leg over Cetus' back. He kept his eyes fixed onto the dragon's scales as Alara hoisted herself up to sit behind him. She pressed the tip of her sword against Kōri's back, just hard enough that he would feel it without her having to explain it was there.

Hold on, Al, Cetus warned, and Alara pressed her legs tightly against the sides of the dragon as he began to run forward. She felt the rush of wind behind her from his wings beginning to flap, and with one bound, he was in the air and gaining height quickly. She readjusted the grip on her blade, pulling it back slightly so as to not accidentally impale the ice-fairy when they hadn't even started their journey to Lune yet.

She saw Kōri wobble and resisted the urge to put her hand out to steady him. They were on a dragon - a moving creature. How difficult was it to make sure you had balance? Alara rolled her eyes in disgust. She wondered if all Lune creatures were this incredibly stupid.

You okay back there, Al? Cetus asked once they reached a substantial height, just above the tree-line.

The air was colder up here, quieter. Alara had never flown this high before. She wasn't a big creature and was always worried that her wings would give out and she would plummet to her death. Dragons didn't have to worry about this - their wings were extremely solid and strong; they could fly for ages without feeling tired. They were lucky to be creatures with stamina.

"Yes," Came her reply, for she wasn't sure whether a pat on his side would be a sufficient enough answer. "Are you?"

Cetus knew what she was referring to - having to have a Moon on his back.

Fine so far. You're keeping an eye on the prisoner, yes?

"Of course."

Make sure we're going in the right direction. I've never flown this far into the forest before, I don't know what to expect.

Alara gritted her teeth. She didn't want to have to speak to that wretched ice-fairy. Right now she had a view of the back of his head. He had pulled his hood up, concealing his pale-blue hair. She was glad; she didn't want to have to look at how it was stupidly tousled and ended in a curl at the nape of his neck. She kicked his heel to get his attention. He didn't turn around.

"Cetus wants to know if we're going in the right direction. You have to tell him if he needs to turn."

She was met with no answer for a second. Rage rushed through her veins. Was she going to have to repeat herself? Did he expect her to? She wondered how easily her sword would be able to pass through the ice where his back was.

"It's the right direction," Came his smooth voice. "I will say if there needs to be a turn."

Cetus huffed in response, but didn't speak. Neither did Alara.

The only thing that stopped it from being silence was the occasionally beat of Cetus' wings, alongside the sounds of creatures that were below. It went on like this for what felt like a long time, at least to Alara. She hadn't realised just how vast the forest separating the two lands were. Every tree looked the same to her. She wondered if the ice-fairy was even taking them to Lune.

"Are you sure we're going in the right direction?" She said, her tone slightly annoyed.

"You think I'm leading you in circles for fun?" Kōri answered.

Alara could hear the smirk in his voice.

He's in danger if he is, Cetus grumbled.

"Wouldn't put it past you." Alara said to Kōri.

"Oh?" He turned his head slightly, the moon casting its light on his face so that Alara could see the shape of his nose. "You say that like you know me."

"You're a Moon." Alara spat, and made no attempt to elaborate.

Cetus growled in agreement.

Alara watched as Kōri turned his head to face her.

"I think it'd be pretty funny if I was leading you in circles."

"Need I remind you that your life is on the line, Moon."

Kōri's smile seemed to increase in smugness at Alara's choice of name, his eyes flicking down briefly to the sword clutched in her hand.

He answered calmly and softly. "I'm aware."

I'd be more than happy to throw him off and watch him shatter on the ground below, Cetus snarled.

"Cetus is threatening to throw you off his back." Alara voiced to Kōri.

His silvery-white eyes seemed to light up at this. "Threatening me? Really? How exciting."

"Stop that. Are you messing with us or not?" Alara felt as though she were dealing with a 6-year-old.

Hold on, Al, and sheath your sword. Get ready to catch the prisoner, Cetus warned, and Alara quickly shoved the blade back into its holder, clamping her legs tighter against the dragon's sides. Cetus tilted sharply sideways, enough that Kōri lost his balance and slipped. Alara moved forward and grabbed his arm, feeling the unnatural coldness of his skin through the cloak he was wearing. His eyes were wide with shock and fright, his feet struggling to find grip on the dragon's side to pull himself back up. The movement had pushed down his hood and the wind was now whipping through his hair.

You got him? Cetus asked, turning his large head to check, and Alara nodded. Cetus had tilted enough that he was still carrying the majority of the ice-fairy's weight, but if Alara let go of Kōri's arm, he would fall without a doubt.

If you accidentally let him go, I will be able to catch him, so don't worry about that.

Alara nodded once more to show she understood, and Cetus turned back around to face the direction he was flying. Alara could almost laugh at the pure fright in the Moon's eyes.

"Still think this is funny?" She questioned.

"You're sick, both of you," Kōri bit back, scowling, the fear seeming to leave his face for a second. "You think I'm the evil one because I'm a Moon, but it's your kind who are."

Alara felt her jaw twitch. "Just answer the question, seeing as this seems to be the only way you'll take us seriously. Are you messing with us or not?"

From Kōri's view, Alara's eyes were so dark they looked empty. It was unnerving to him. A small part of him felt frightened of her.

"No! No, I'm not messing around. How stupid do you think I am? You made it evidently clear what my consequences are."

The wind was beginning to sting his eyes, and he blinked furiously, hoping it was too dark for Alara to see. She had the advantage in this scenario, and it would only add to his feeling of weakness if she thought he was crying.

Alara did nothing but stare silently, as if waiting for him to offer a different answer.

"Okay, Cetus," She said after a couple of seconds, and the dragon righted himself at the same time that Alara pulled Kōri back up, one hand on his arm and one on the rope that was still binding his wrists together. His gloved hands grasped Cetus' spines to pull himself further, not caring if they hurt the dragon. He was angrier than he had ever been before, and had to fight an extremely strong urge to push the water-fairy off and watch her snap her spine on one of the branches below.