The Fire Within (Book 1 of Dragonfire series)

Chapter 18

My eyes shot open, and I sat up slowly. I was still in the lake. I took a hesitant breath, before gulping down air that shouldn't exist under water. I stood up and froze. Behind me, laying peacefully in the sand, was my body. Oh no, please don't tell me I'm dead. I looked to my left and saw the cave. I ran, hoping I could get answers from Vesta. She greeted me in her classic gold dress.

"You did it!" She said proudly. "You're almost done with your journey, but you still need to go deeper into yourself."

"What do you mean? How much deeper can I go? Am I dead??" I was so confused. I could only go so far before I came out the bottom.

"No you're not dead," she laughed, "you're in a trance like you were with Kokel." This gave me much relief.

"That doesn't answer my first question, how can I go deeper into myself? I'm already at the bottom of the stupid lake I keep dreaming about."

"Who are you?" What? She knows who I am.

"I'm Alena, you know that."

"Telling me about yourself, and who you are, will help you to connect with yourself." I trusted her, and told her about myself.

"I am Alena. I was born on Pyralis and my mother is Vesta. My planet was destroyed by a witch coven, and I was sent to Earth for protection. I was raised by my Earth parents, before discovering I had magic, and I am attending Kronborg Castle," rage was slowly building as I spoke, "I am the keeper of the Dragonfire, but it was taken by some witches. What they don't know, is that they never really took it from me, because the Dragonfire is apart of me, my soul. No one can take my soul away from me. I will see to it that they suffer for what they did to me. I will reclaim what is mine!" The anger bubbling in me was replaced by something more familiar. The empty void in me was slowly being filled. Vesta walked up to me and placed a crown on my head.

"Every princess needs a crown," she spoke softly. "Go, reclaim what they stole from you." That was all the encouragement I needed.

My eyes shot open and I flew out of the water. My wings beating quickly against my back, feeling great as they stretched. My outfit sparkled off the top of the water. I looked at my reflection, and saw nothing but fire. My eyes were dancing flames as power coursed through my veins, loving every minute of it. A fiery shaped dragon encompassed me as I flew out of the forest. It was like my inner beast was completely taking control. In the distance, I saw a laser light show of magic. The air was full of loud pops, followed by yells. Everyone looked at me as I made my dramatic entrance. There seemed to be double the amount of people fighting against the growing creatures. Clarinda's school must have fallen. I could tell how exhausted everyone was, forcing themselves to continue to fight. One of the steeples on the castle was lying in the courtyard, allowing the stingray things to gain entrance into the building. The witches were riding in on thrones made of bile from the undying army. Maybe if I can beat them, the army will fall too.

"Why don't you get up here and fight? Unless you're too scared," I directed at Kiora and Ravyn.

"How does she have any power," they mumbled amongst themselves before joining me in the air. Before either of them could move a muscle, I had already formed fireballs and thrown them. They both crashed into some trees, then flew at me again while they chose an attack. Kiora spun a tornado, which temporarily caught me off guard. I closed my eyes and flew out on instinct. Before I could react, Ravyn was inside my head.

Everything around me is black. A gigantic boot stands in front of me. I look up and see Ravyn looking down at me, laughing at my helplessness. She lifts her foot, but jumps back when I burn her shoe with my fire. She yells and falls back onto her butt. I fly up to her face, and see the reflection of flames in her shiny black eyes. "Goodnight," I say before blasting fire into her pupils, and awaking from the trance.