Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 59

Anthony could hardly believe his eyes. There she was—Vagatha, a sprite, just as she had claimed. Everything she had told him wasn't just a fanciful tale; it was real.

"Cover your eyes," she instructed.

Obeying, Anthony shielded his face as Vagatha radiated a brilliant light, almost as bright as the sun. The serpent hissed, practically blinded, slithering back and giving Vagatha the perfect chance to unfurl her wings and soar out of the trench. In a fierce display, she unleashed waves of intense heat at the wicked reptile, searing it with her fiery blasts.

Curiosity piqued, Anthony uncovered his eyes and climbed up the trench to witness the battle. He watched as the serpent thrashed about, hissing furiously, its eyes glowing like molten coals. It lunged at Vagatha, but she was swift, darting aside and firing heat waves crackling with energy. Each shot struck the serpent, causing it to writhe in agony, its scales sizzling where the flames made contact. At one point, it attempted to coil around her, but her skin burned its tail—too hot even for a cold-blooded creature.

With one final blast, Vagatha ignited the serpent, its form engulfed in flames. Once the dreadful creature was reduced to ashes, she willed the heat to sink deeper into the ground, extinguishing the fire to protect the surrounding forest. All that remained of the serpent was a pile of smoldering remnants.

"I usually like all animals, but snakes are a bit of an exception for me," she said, approaching the edge of the trench where Anthony stood, still awestruck. "Are you okay?"

"I think so," he replied, blinking in disbelief. "This was... real, right? That actually happened? I'm not hallucinating from blood loss and head trauma, am I?"

"Well, you can't hallucinate the smell of burning reptile flesh, can you?"

"No, I guess not."

She extended her hand to him, effortlessly pulling him up as if he weighed nothing. "So you really are a sprite?" he asked, astonished.

"Yes," she nodded.

"Then I guess I'm doubly sorry for not believing you."

"Water under the bridge. Now that I've changed back, I can find Mother Carmilla much easier. Want to help me look?"

"Of course."

"Let's get going then." She walked behind him, slipping her arms beneath his.

"Wait a second, what are you doing?"

"Well, we haven't had much luck searching from the ground, so we might as well try an aerial view."

"You mean... fly?" he squeaked.

"Well, what else do you think my wings are for?"

"But I don't have wings! I can't fly."

"I know that. That's why I'm grabbing you. I'm going to carry you."

"Uh... no thanks."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. It's just that I have a slight fear of heights, that's all."

"Look, I really don't feel comfortable leaving you down here while I'm up there. That snake attack means Madame Katia is after me again. Now that I'm not human anymore, she can't kill me. But once she realizes that, she'll probably turn her sights on you. Fortunately, she can't fly, so being up in the air is the safest place for you right now."

"Uh..." He glanced up at the sky. "I don't know."

"I promise I won't drop you. You'll be perfectly safe."