Modern Dragons: Ash

Ch. 4

Soren

Magic. Yes, a single word to explain all the crap going on. Oh and I can't ask questions either or else I'll get shot. Can't believe I'm even following this chick. It's too bad she's got my only answers or else I would have left already.

"We should stop and rest soon," I said breaking the silence.

"Hey, you can stop whenever you want. I never asked you to come along. Besides, pause for dramatic effect...," Lyra pushed aside a branch of leaves to reveal, "Oh no,"

"What is it- Oh,"

Hell had fallen on the town in front of us. Fire burned from building to building. Screams faintly reached where we stood. In the skies above dragons circled like vultures over prey.

By the time I had taken it all in, Lyra ran toward the battle. Not wanting to lose her I shot out of the brush to give chase. "Hey wait up I want to help!" I shouted.

Without breaking stride she shouted back, "Help if you want. I'm not responsible for what happens to you," With that she slowed down enough for me to catch up.

When we reached the town a man in military uniform greeted us. "Welcome back ma'am," he said with a salute.

Lyra rolled her eyes, "What's the status corporal?"

"Just a young one, not a problem for you,"

With that Lyra nodded and took off. I was left behind with the corporal. The man looked at me and said, "Come with me, you'll want to see this,"

The man and I walked side by side down the ash laden streets. Farther ahead I could hear a loud roar. I turned to the corporal and asked, "What is going on here?"

Keeping his head forward he replied, "The young dragons want to prove themselves to the older ones, at least that's what we think. They attack every few weeks, nothing we can't handle though- We're here, stay close. You don't want to draw attention to yourself."

We exited around a corner to a courtyard, a wide open space surrounded by half destroyed shops. In the center stood Lyra having a stare down with a dragon. The beast had brown scales and stood about half as tall as the buildings around us.

The corporal led me to some overturned tables outside a destroyed restaurant. Many other people were also taking cover. Some wearing a uniform like the corporal, most however, wore everyday clothes. A quick look around revealed people all around the courtyard. How many people live here?

A loud roar from the dragon broke me from my thoughts. Lyra returned the favor with a roar of challenge. With that the beast began an assault of snaps and claws. Pushing Lyra back as she dodged strike after strike. Cheers erupted from behind the cover.

It's like it's a show in an arena. As if this is man versus the lion. All for the cheers of the audience.

Lyra continued to dodge the assault. When she saw an opening she jumped to the side pulling out two pistols. Before the dragon could react she fired into its side. The beast blew fire in her direction. Lyra ran towards the fresh flames and slid underneath the scorching fire. In a single move she pulled out her machete and cut along the dragon's underbelly. In response the dragon exhaled fire beneath itself.

Lyra climbed up its tail and onto the dragon's back. When the beast realized she was gone from beneath it, it turned its head to look at her.

Lyra wagged her finger at the head, "Now now. No cheating with the fire now." She unsheathed her machete and went to drive it through the beast's head.

A loud thrump went through the area. The dragon flapped its wings forcing a wind that caused everyone to duck. When I poked my head back out from behind the table I saw Lyra pinned to the ground. The dragon had its foot on top of her. The beast opened its mouth and roared.

Lyra coughed a few times and wiggled free her arm. "Looks like it's my turn to cheat," She raised her free arm and pointed her fingers like a gun. When the dragon roared again an audible click was heard as an explosion erupted from her fingertips. The energy from her hand exploded out the other side of the dragon's head. For a second it stood there, then it slumped over to the side. Lyra pulled herself out from under the clawed foot and sat against the corpse. With the last of her energy she shouted out, "Dinner's on me!"

Cheers erupted from the courtyard. I felt as though something wasn't right. Remembering what I saw earlier I looked up to see three dragons circling and one of the was diving toward the square. Oh no this isn't good.

The dragon hit the ground hard. Cracking the concrete and kicking ash into the air. A shadow leaped from the building behind me. A loud slam came from where the shadow landed kicking even more dust and ash into the air. Through the cloud I could see flames dancing with the shadow as I could hear every blow.

When the dust settled I could see who the shadow really was. A teenager stood in front of the beast. His short black hair waved in the breeze, a smirk on his face as the dragon in front him breathed heavily. He stood casually as the dragon fell to its side and let out one last huff before collapsing dead.

The boy extended out his arms and slowly spun, shouting out, "Are you not entertained!"

The crowd cheered.

With a heavy Spanish accent he continued, "Sorry I couldn't put on a better show. This thing was about to kill our commander. I don't think that would be good-"

In the middle of his speech one of the other dragons in the sky came down and hit him with its tail. The dragon smoothly landed as the boy was launched across the courtyard and into one of the buildings. The green beast roared to the sky. It stood as tall as the surrounding buildings. It walked over to where it threw the kid. The people watching the battle ran away from the dragon. As the dragon neared the building a sound like a sonic boom resounded through the area as a spear lodged itself into the side of the beast.

A deep voice boomed throughout the square, "Enough! This ends now,"

I looked across the way to see a tall man with messy brown hair holding a shield in his left hand. "No one else will be hurt today. Now, may I have my spear back?"

The dragon roared in response.

"Fine, we'll have it your way,"

The newcomer dash forward toward the dragon. The beast roared fire at him. In response the man blocked the flames and ran past the dragon, ripping his spear out of the beast. He turned around, his shield up and spear poised to strike. The man and beast circled around the arena until the man stood in front of me.

When it seemed the fight was about to begin the last dragon in the sky came down and landed with a flap of its wings. The two dragons stood in front of the spearman. The pair breathed in preparing to fire. There is no way he can take two at once. Doesn't matter who he is.

Without thinking I vaulted over the table, the corporal failing to stop me. I pushed the man to the side, catching him off guard. He fell off to the side and I stood facing the dragons and closed my eyes.

I am not important. Take me instead.

Instead of a fiery death there was only silence. I heard whispers all around me. I opened my eyes to see the two dragons with their heads bowed. After a few seconds a male voice echoed throughout the courtyard, "We apologize my king. We had no idea you were here," The green dragon rose his head after saying this.

A female voice echoed, "Please, take this gift as our apologie," The other dragon rose her head.

The dragons lightly blew a purple flame that swirled around me and dissipated into the surrounding area.

When the flames died down the pair took off into the sky and flew away. The man I pushed over stood with his spear pointed at me. He bashed his shield against me, causing me to fall. He pointed the tip of his spear against my neck.

"What do they mean, king?"