Regal Of All

Chapter XIV

Chaotic. Beautiful. Phantom. Epic. Fearsome. These are the words that my mind is chanting so I don't shock myself into a state of overwhelming.

I felt unbalanced, unsteady; just trying to hold on so I don't tumble over the edge of this cliff into the jagged rocks below, the forest being at the foot of the mountain, on the other side.

It was godly, such an immense power that shook the air and made the sturdy mountain tremble. It was more than me, more than any person, more than everything. Pure, horrible grandeur. It was larger than anything I'd ever seen (besides maybe this mountain us three girls were climbing up) it must be 60 feet tall, or a hundred, I don't know.

It's head alone could've blocked out the sun from where I was crouching, spiraling whatever fell victim in it's shadow into darkness as black as a soul. A coldness frosted over my skin, making my hair cold to the touch and my eyelids frosted into staying open to absorb whatever was going to happen next. Like when you know it would be smarter to move and look away but aren't bothered enough to do so, so you sit there, dazed, and gaze wondrously at the magnificent terror before you; a riveting story where you anticipate what comes next, but stay and wait all the same.

It's eyes taunted me as if to say, you silly child, such a daring and brave yet foolish girl. It flapped it's wings for the hundredth time it's been in my view. But there was still such a tremor of a wave by it's wings of sheer power that radiated danger and magic. So much that the wave ripped through the air and crashed into anything that was in this wave's path which sent me slamming into the ground, my shoulder rolling into the wall of the mountain. A fantastical beast, a vision of a monstrous awesomeness that earned it it's famous titles.

"Please." I asked it, a flimsy whisper of a negotiation that was so tender that the sharp winds whipped it away, even the most tuned ear couldn't have heard that word.

You know I won't help you, so go along. Run along back to where it's much more desirable and with your friends, it said to me, before things get ugly. I guess it did hear me after all. For some  unfathomable reason this gave me confidence to let a few more words tumble out of my mouth.

"Once upon a time a there was the Golden Age when people and creatures grew to be comrades and co-existed in one pretty little world. Once upon a dream, I believed that it could happen again. And I still do. Please." I said louder, more clearly this time.

It remained hovering just a little bit above me, perhaps thirty feet or so, as I laid on my stomach on the barren walkway the traveled up the mountain. The waves from it's strong, massive wings created a warmer but even stronger wind. I grew weary quickly as I laid on the stone. The other two, Leonora and Acacia must have been hiding somewhere nearby. After all, I was the only one that was willing to temp fate and turn a dare, the challenge, of the Pugnam Games and use it to my advantage. Making a deal with a dragon.

Or maybe it was stupidity, I'm not sure right now. Since I'm now kneeling along side of the mountain where there's a sharp bend in the path, so all I can see is gray skies with blue clouds and streaks of sunlight. Then, there is air, until the green tops of the trees come into view and I inch forward closer to the ledge to get a better view of the beast which remains in my center view.

A high-pitched yelp zapped out of my mouth as a single, tiny blast of red fire spewed from it's teeth-lined jaws, aimed right above my head. My second warning. Three times charm, I thought, having no clue what the odd phrase meant. Child, don't be so silly. You know better. I told you to leave, and I know you listened. But now you and your friends must obey. It told me sternly.

I answered. "I need help. I know how to save your dragon folk and help my people. I'm asking you as another child of nature, another soul, a friend, an ally. Please, good dragon."

It replied, How would you know if I am good or not? And I am not of nature, I am of magic. I've already told you no, don't make me become any more angry, it would not fair well to you or your friends. anyway, you cannot help my brethren or have anything to bargain with.

I showed it my necklace, only I knew the real power it possessed and the dragon too. The ability to communicate with dragons of like-mind. The good ones.

"I have this and if we succeed, you, me and my friends, then I will give it you and your freedom. Also, I know you're a good dragon because the three of us humans would've been roasted once within range, without hesitation. Please, you are a fine creature. Help me do a fine deed."

It's eyes fixed on me. Some elongated brief time had passed before it responded, I don't know how much, the sense of time is very much muffled up here in the clouds. It had such dazzling eyes, a solemn wisdom glowed in the depths of the golden amber iris. What is it that you wish to accomplish, dearie? 

I struggled to my feet. "To kill the evil Dragon Lord, Ignis."

I can fly you and the other two warriors higher up this mountain, but I am only allowed to get so close to His lair without invitation. Although all of us dragons are brothers, Ignis does not take kindly to those who impose.

"Thank you so much." I smiled and bowed slightly. His eyes seemed a bit warmer, or maybe it was just my imagination. I've always been fond of dragons, but now I think this one in peculiar is growing fond of me, too. He was circling around, farther down below, waiting I presumed.

I clobbered around the bend and found Acacia pale-faced and frozen in a position of firing a poisonous arrow, aimed to where my newly befriended dragon had just been. Lea was next to her sword drawn but lowered, she looked at me with alarmed eyes when I came around and was twirling her braid.

Acacia stared at me with wide-eyes and her lips set in a straight line. She dropped her defensive stance and instead took it upon herself to violently shake my shoulders. "Are you crazy?! What were you thinking? No- forget I said that, I don't want to know. The three of us made a deal, even if we didn't speak it. You and me were teamed together, and Lea very smartly joined us. We all have our jobs to do, and you just messed with that big-time. What just happened?"

Lea put her hand on her shoulder. "Acacia, calm down, she's not hurt. And KK? Why were you over there- alone? And what was with that dragon not blowing you into a pillar of ashes?"

I had no idea what to say or do for a few moments, then remember the look in the dragon's eyes, he was waiting for us. I simply shouted into the air below the edge, "Come up, now!" and told the girls, "Take a breath, hold trust in me and jump, and fall into the sky."

I pulled Lea and half-pushed Acacia and she half-jumped over the edge, threw myself over and held on for all I was worth.