Reborn

21: Found

Breaks:

[L1,2 or 3] represents the beginning of a flashback to one of Elena's past lives. There is more than one past life, which is why I have put up the numbers. Though, these memories are usually told as she sleeps and Elena herself cannot remember them.

[/L1,2 or 3] represents the end of a flashback to one of Elena's past lives.

[P] represents the beginning of a retelling of a memory in Elena's current life.

[/P] represents the end of a retelling of a memory in Elena's current life.

~3~ is just a time skip

AN: There's action here! Let me know how it goes? Also! Enjoy the story! xD

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The dust was still settling in the cavern, golden flecks catching in shafts of broken light. Beneath me, Grougal had stilled. The vast muscles in his neck rippled as his head steadied, nostrils flaring hot gusts that whipped my hair back. His blind eyes shifted toward me, not searching—knowing. Recognition rolled off him like the hush of wind before a storm.

There was no doubt anymore- he could see me. Just... not with actual sight. It made me wonder how exactly he was doing that. Heat radiated up through his obsidian scales, and his chest still rumbled with restrained fury. For a second I trembled, fear flashing through me. He could easily squash me like a bug. But I didn't let myself back down. While I didn't know if he was angry at me or not, I couldn't let this continue.

Eventually I managed to pull my eyes away from Grougal's gaze to check on the others.

From my new perch they looked barely bigger than Moon. There was Amalia and Evangeline, stood beside a stone pillar that looked like it had a hole in it's base. Dally was nowhere to be seen. Ruel on the other hand, was crouched on his hands and knees at Grougal's feet. As for Yugo-

"Elena?!" Amalia's voice cracked, high and incredulous.

Ruel's tone wavered between relief, panic, and disbelief. "She was with the cave-in..! Kiddo— what in the name of kamas are you doing up there?!"

Evangeline's arrow, already notched, trembled. Her aim faltered. Her voice was low, urgent- and chocked full with worry. "...Elena. Get down. Now."

But Grougal's body shifted beneath me, the vast planes of his wings folding inward. Instead of lashing out again, he planted his talons deep into the rock floor and lowered his head slightly, as if in acknowledgment of me perched on his snout.

His voice rolled like a distant thunder clap. "Grougaloragran ends this before the evil devours."

The words vibrated through my bones, meant for me alone.

I swallowed hard, throat raw, but forced myself upright against the weight of his sightless gaze.

"They're my friends!" I told him. Without looking away from him, I yelled to everyone below. My voice broke across the cavern. "He's not your enemy!"

"What are you talking about?!" Amalia demanded, incredulous. "He attacked us!"

I crouched. Planted a hand against Grougal's scale, steadying myself against the thrum of magic beneath it. My heart pounded in my ears, but I held Grougal's gaze from across his snout. "He's angry but— he's just..." My voice caught, softer now as realization dawned on me. "...he's protecting me."

Grougal exhaled slow, hot smoke from his nostrils. Two separate clouds formed above my head and brushed against my shoulders. There was no mistaking it: his wrath had quieted, caged for the moment. As though my realization was the key.