The Dragon's Embrace

Chapter 8: Foresight

Alara could hear the cracking of trees above her head, the stench of ash making her wrinkle her nose as she opened her eyes. The familiar orange-red flames licked at her from every angle and she found herself running through the swamp. She panted heavily as she ran, looking for a break in the trees so that she could escape the burning swamp. She then looked back to realize that she was completely alone. W-where are they!? She thought and looked around. "Farceil!" she cried, looking for the elderly swamp dragon, but saw no traces of life around her. She continued to run until she stumbled into a large pool of swamp water. She shook her head and looked around "Javi! Rowan! Anyone!" The green dragon cried out before she heard a loud crack. She looked up before she was distracted by the distant voice of Rowan, crying out her name. She gasped "Rowan where are you!" she called before the crack grew louder and she looked back up, but was too late to move from the path of a huge falling tree. She gasped and shut her eyes.

Alara woke with a start "Farceil!" she gasped, looking around. She then found the elderly dragon sleeping a little farther away. He had woke to the younger dragon's cry and he lifted his head "What is it?" he asked. Alara panted and got up, scrambling over to him "I had a dream... The... the swamp was on fire, and I was running from something, I don't remember what. It seemed so real..." she said.

Farceil's eyes widened and looked at the ground. "This may be more than a dream. Perhaps this could be spirits warning you. About what is to come." He said, his eyes narrowed in seriousness.

Alara looked down "If it is a vision, does that mean it will come true?" she asked. The older dragon smiled "Perhaps it was a vision of what could happen if nothing is done about it. You can still change the future." He said.

Alara thought for a moment before nodding and she quickly went to Javi, nudging his arm "Javi, Javi wake up." She said. Javi's eyes fluttered open at Alara's prodding "What? What's wrong?" he asked. "You need to wake the others. We have to leave, now." She said. "Why?" he asked. "I can't explain now, we don't have the time. Get them up. We have to leave this swamp." She said, nudging him till he got up.

Alara then went over to wake up Avis and the sleeping phoenix beside her. "Avis, come on, we're leaving." She told her. Genesis blinked and looked up at Alara, cawing. "That means you too, Genesis." Alara said before she headed back to Javi, the familiar white light wrapping around her as she shifted into her dragon form. Once she saw that the other dragons were awake, she ran to the mouth of the cave "come on, we have no time to lose." She said with urgency in her tone.

She watched as they exited the den one by one, followed by Avis and Genesis. She looked back into the den to check for anyone left inside. She then saw Farceil, standing in the middle of the cavern. Alara tilted her head "Farceil? What are you doing? We have to leave." She said.

The old dragon looked at Alara and smiled "No. You have to leave. I can hold them off while you get away. Besides... This swamp has been my home for centuries. I'm not going to let them take it without a fight." He said.

Alara shook her head "But... I have so many questions to ask! You can't leave us yet!" she said with worry. The old dragon only smiled at her with a look of peace in his eyes. "My role in this mission has been carried out. You have no longer use of me. Find Sylvestra, she can keep you safe." He told her.

Alara could feel the tears tugging at her and she shook her head before walking back in. She sniffled and nuzzled Farceil's shoulder and extended her left wing around him "Thank you, Farceil. For everything... I'll never forget you..." she said before hesitantly retracting her wing and pulling away.

Farceil smiled at her "You remind me so much of Varous. He will forever live on in you. Therefore, I am eternally your friend, in life and in death. Now go, your destiny is plotted out ahead of you, and you must follow it." He said, gently pushing her away.