Fiery Wrath (A SCANDAL fanfic)

Chapter 16 - Dragon and Human

Haruna stared up at the castle in awe. The great doors lay in front of her, guarded by knights in magnificent armor. The walls were HUGE, and she did mean HUGE. They had to extend at least 50 meters straight up, and even higher were the beautifully decorated towers. On top of each tower were the Dragon's nests. She wanted to stare more, but they were entering the building. She followed behind, still clueless about what she was going to tell the King.

"Ok men!" The leader called out once they had entered the castle. "First me and five of you will go and report to the king. The rest of you wait here, and when we come back, you're all dismissed. But first I need to pick who will come with me." He looked around deciding who he wanted to come. Haruna tried to look tall so she would get picked; this was the perfect opportunity to meet the king.

"John... Daniel... Maddie... Benjamin... and Henrik." Haruna jumped at her 'name' being called. But then she glanced over at Luis, and saw that he was crestfallen. His 'name' hadn't been called. Haruna would have to talk to the king without him.

"Follow me!" The leader yelled. Haruna followed, not having any other choice. She lagged at the back of the group, not wanting to face the King alone, without Luis. But they were already in the room, and she bowed down to the King out of obligation.

He looked down on them from his throne. "What news do you have?"

The leader cleared his throat and respectfully, although nervously, said, "We have destroyed the evil men of the Dark King. They will not wreck their destruction on the Fire Kingdom."

The Fire King was unresponsive for a while. But then he spoke in a pleased tone. "Good. You may go."

All of the men and Haruna were relieved. They bowed down and were about to leave when the King called out. "Wait. You. Stay here." His finger was pointed at Haruna.

Haruna turned around. "Me?"

"Yes, you. The rest of you may leave."

Haruna twiddled her thumbs, not knowing what to say. Once all of the other men had left, the King addressed someone hidden. "This is her, isn't it?"

Then out of the darkness came a voice Haruna absolutely dreaded hearing. "Yes, I believe so. Thank you for... bringing her to me."

Haruna stepped back in shock. "What are you doing here?!"

"Me? Oh, nothing in particular." And out of the shadows stepped Chris with an evil grin on his face. "I just came here to fetch a certain... someone." And with this his grin grew.

"What do you want with me?!" Haruna shouted, her fists bursting into flames.

"I don't want anything with you." He jumped down in front of Haruna. "However my King thinks you are interesting, and so I need to capture you for him."

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Haruna screamed, unleashing huge bursts of flame.

"Now, now, all of this violence is unnecessary." The Fire King stepped down from his throne, absorbing Haruna's fire on the way. "We can easily capture her... without getting hurt."

"What are you saying?! Leave me alone!" Haruna yelled.

"But unfortunately, that won't be possible." And Chris, who had snuck up behind Haruna, grabbed her shoulders. His magic seeped into her causing immediate unconsciousness.

The King grinned. "See? Wasn't that all easy?"

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Luis was anxious. He hadn't been chosen to go, but Haruna had. It all seemed too deliberate. Separate, then strike. His anxiety only rose when the leader returned... but only with four soldiers... and the absent one was Haruna. His instincts screamed at him to rush to her aid, but he held off for the moment. If he just ran willy-nilly at the King he could get in serious trouble.