Misted Deceit

River Main

The next day, they ate a quick meal before heading off. Autumn Breeze led them along a path that skirted the deepest parts of the forest, as they couldn't risk any more enchantments. The early morning mist still clung to the trees and ground, unwilling to release its hold on nature. But Breezy kept them going; over the years, Forrest realized, she must have learned how to counter the magic.

The day wore on slowly. The ninth hour had barely passed and yet they'd been hiking for several hours. And Breezy expected to reach the River Main by noontime, but Forrest doubted her. No sign that they had begun to approach a body of water was visible. Sharing his concerns with Orchid, she reminded him, however, that a forest was very different than the flat plains they were used to. The river could be anywhere and they wouldn't be able to tell. He still had his doubts.

Bored, he watched the trees pass and the scenery change as they drew closer to the mountains. Vegetation turned sparse and rough as plants here grew to survive, not please. The ground soon became more rocky and hard, leaving the lush moss behind. Stones cracked beneath their feet, resulting far too many cuts and bruises.

"Breezy!" Forrest called, "Are we nearing the end of the Woode?"

"No. That is still a long way off. We are coming to the river, though. I don't know why, but the land around it is rugged."

"Ah. How much longer to you think?"

"Fifteen, twenty minutes? We'll stop before then, though."

They kept walking, with Forrest much more cheerful than before. Knowing the river was near gave him enthusiasm. The mood seemed to lighten and the trip less daunting. And, in time, the sound of rushing water was audible. It filled the forest with its laughter and fed the trees, which were once again vibrant and lush.

Just as they could catch a glimpse of the glittering river, they stopped. Breaking out a minimal amount of food, the dragons consumed a small lunch. However, Breezy didn't allow them to leave right away. "As soon as we cross the River Main, we'll be in hydra territory. Stealth and secrecy will be absolutely necessary. And no one is to enter any water body, at all. Hydras can live and breath underwater, but I'm guessing you already knew that," she finished quickly.

Orchid looked at her, confused, "So, we are going to have to fly?"

"No! Well, I mean, uh...That is not necessary. I just think it would be better if we remained on land."

Forrest glared at Breezy for some time, trying to place a claw on his suspicion. He was about to give up when it struck him, "You've been here before! You've been to Sylldol!"

She stared, dumbstruck, "Yes-I...How did you know?"

"Easy enough. You knew about Water Falls and how to safely travel the land. Plus, you knew about the southern passage, which most dragon has never even heard of. And she's right, Orchid, we can't fly; the hydras have built special traps designed for the dragons," he stated.

"Oh," was all Orchid said. An awkward silence settled over the group.

Breezy was the first to break it, hesitantly, "We should get going. We don't need to waste any more time."

In agreement, they rose and headed towards the river. Forrest contemplated all that had just occurred. He'd gotten the truth from Breezy, but it was only part of the puzzle, he was sure of that. She was still hiding something. However, he worried that whatever she knew would have a major effect on the result of their endeavor.

It was only minutes before they arrived at the banks of the river. A pebbly shore led down to the rushing blue water. Small green plants dotted the bank, giving it a spotted affect. The opposing side looked almost identical, save for the pebble path winding into the forest. The river seemed to glow from beneath, something that was apparently normal in the Woode. Aquas and greens swirled together, creating a vibrant mixture of hues.

Autumn Breeze saw his fascination with the river and jerked him back. "Don't let it enchant you! Fight it!" she said frantically. Her voice cleared his mind and he stepped into the water. It was bitterly cold and numbed all of them almost immediately. Focusing on each step, they moved further out. Suddenly, a small ripple in the river caught his attention. That's funny. But, we're nowhere near it, Forrest thought, confused. "Breezy, Orchid, look!" he whispered. They stared in the direction he had pointed, where the movement had grown.

"What is it?" Orchid asked.

"I don't know. It just appeared. Breezy, what do you think this might mean?" he waited for a response. None came. "Breezy?" he called turning around.

She was gone.

"Where could she have gone?" Orchid glanced at the riverbank, turning her back to the disturbance in the water. Something dark slipped through the water, something big.

"Orchid!" Forrest screamed, seeing it, "Look out!"

Three heads, all a mottled shade of green-blue, rose out of the water and wailed. Seven more sets appeared, encircling the two dragons. Forrest snarled, the familiar clenching in his stomach quickening. Fire flew out of his mouth. The hydras scurried out of the way, agile in the river. Retaliating, they all sent streams of black venom towards him. He ducked and rolled, pulling Orchid with him.

Sucking in deep breaths, they dove under the water, traveling with the current down to the sea. But the hydras had beat them. Not three wingbeats ahead they waited. Having little experience with swimming, Forrest couldn't stop, and he rammed into them, surprising them more than himself. However, they recovered quicker than he did. Pinning him down on the bottom of the river, he struggled to rise, his air supply quickly diminishing.

Roaring, Orchid tackled the three holding him down. Clawing furiously to the surface, Forrest heaved in large mouthfuls of air before joining Orchid. He snarled, and attacked.

One of the hydras slammed its full body into him, sending him staggering back. He lashed out with his tail, whipping it along his opponent's chest. A thin, red line appeared, but as the hydra lowered into the water, the line disappeared. Taking advantage of his surprise, it launched itself again at him. Swiveling to the right, he missed its charge. Raising up on his hind legs, he clawed at the air, and fell on the hydra, crushing it. One of its heads, however, snaked around and latched onto his shoulder. Suppressing a scream, he angrily fired at the head, burning it to a crisp.

The other two heads writhed in pain, pushing Forrest's strength to its limits. A snarl chiseled on his face, he managed to grab hold of its remaining necks and snap them. It fell into the water, limp.

"Orchid!" he yelled, pressing his wing against his bleeding shoulder, "The water can heal them! Drive 'em out!"

"Found that the hard way!" he heard her respond as three more advanced on him. All of them simultaneously spat venom and again he rolled out of the way, but only after a searing pain bloomed across the horn on his wing.

Lights flashed.

A great battle raged on; hydras pitted against dragons... "We need the phoenixes. Without them, I fear that we won't be able to win this one..."

Darkness came...