Silver Legends.

Silver Legends ~ Chapter Nine

CHAPTER NINE

Another low growl shook Kanika from her thoughts, the half-elf's heart hammering in her chest. Her breath was caught behind the lump in her throat as she took a small step back.

The dragon before her stepped forward, green scales shining in the small amount of sunlight. Kanika's gaze was drawn to the paler scales on the front of the dragon's neck, missing leg, and shortened tail.

"No..." She whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "You're dead."

'Where is your dragon? Call him.' The spiked tail lashed back and forth behind Inokul, the dragon flashing his long fangs.

"W-What?" The dragon snarled towards her.

'Do not assume I lack in intelligence. I could smell him before I even saw you. Call him!' Kanika knew Auriox was gone, she couldn't sense him anymore. She didn't feel the familiar presence brushing against her mind and hearing her thoughts without her having to speak them...

"He is gone. He has been for a long time."

'Yet you are mentally stable... for the most part. Call your dragon.' Kanika reached to her side before holding back a swear as she bit down on her lip. She had left her sword by the river when she ran, only having a bow and arrow.

"Auriox!" She called with no response. "See? He's gone." The dragon bared his slightly yellowed fangs and took another step forward. Muscles rippled beneath scales as he coiled like a cougar watching a rat.

'Then you may die.' The dragon lunged and Kanika barely rolled to the side with a squeak. Bringing up the bow she released the arrow. Even the reinforced metal only left a small dent in Inokul's scales.

"Please, no. You don't have to do this, Inokul!" Kanika begged as the dragon roared, lashing out with his tail.

Spikes tore through Kanika's side as she was slammed back against a tree, sliding painfully to the ground.

Her eyes became hazy as a wave of exhaustion overcame her.

No. She couldn't die like this. She couldn't die under the same tree her father did. She wouldn't go down without one hell of a fight.

A pant escaped her as her entire body trembled, the dragon flashing a fang filled grin. 'You still live? I'm impressed.' A taloned paw raced toward her as she pathetically held up her arms to defend herself. Once again she was slammed against a tree. Crying in pain the half-elf struggled to stand, only to be be thrown into the air.

All air left her lungs as she collided with the ground. Back arched to try and relieve the pain Kanika felt the tears as they began a steady trek down her cheeks.

She lay in The center of the clearing, the dragon circling her slowly. He hissed as he prepared to deal the finishing blow.

With her eyes shut tight Kanika cringed, hearing the movement of the dragon. For a moment she wondered about her family, about how they would react to her death.

Then she remembered why she was even here. Still, she had no clue why her mother reacted as she did.

Another spasm of pain caused the half-elf to whimper, awaiting her end. It didn't sound too bad right now. A retreat from the pain.

That end never came.

Another roar shook the very ground before a loyd crash followed, the girl jolting up in surprise.

The other dragon stood with his back to Kanika, Inokul struggling to his feet from where he had been thrown to.

Silver-white scales glistened in the sun, and the girl could almost see her reflection in them. The dragon roared before turning to face Kanika. Electric blue eyes conveyed his apology perfectly, though it wasn't necessary. She could feel everything he felt through their link.

"A-Auriox..." She whispered. By now his fur had completely fallen away. A darker silver streak ran along his spine, a light blue down his stomach. The spikes on his body had grown and sharpened, and were probably the length of Kanika's face. He exhaled deeply, the air ruffling her dark hair. "You came back."

Auriox let out a sound as close to a purr as he could manage, nudging Kanika's uninjured side with his snout. 'I never left you.' He responded. A single tear ran from her silver eyes before she threw her arms around the dragon's neck. He now stood at about the height of a horse. 'I was not as sick as we believed. I had reached my period of growth, and was experiencing pain from that. It was not your fault.'

Leave it to the dragon to know. Know how she had been nearly eaten away by her guilt for driving the dragon away. As the rider went to reply a massive wave of green slammed into Auriox's side.

Kanika could only watch in horror as the dragons fought, both exchanging deadly swipes and bites. It seemed like an eternity before Auriox clamped his jaws around the neck of the green dragon while slashing at his exposed stomach with his talons.

With a screech of pain Inokul tried to throw the silver dragon off of him. It was useless, however. Auriox would not give up so easily. Inokul lashed out with his tail, the barbs slashing through Auriox's side. The silver dragon was forced to jump back with a scream of pain.

Kanika winced as she felt a small twinge of pain in her side. Dark red liquid stained silver scales as it dripped to the ground beneath him. His left foot was raised from the ground, a wound running up the length of his leg."Auriox!" Kanika cried. The dragon only glanced at his rider before leaping again.

He failed to remember that this dragon was his elder by many years, and many times faster. This time Inokul stopped Auriox's attack by dodging the silver mass, his own blood stained fangs burying themselves in Auriox's throat.

His rider felt a dull sting on her neck as she watched, finding her discarded bow. With a panicked curse Kanika struggled to locate an arrow before remembering she only brought the one with her. That arrow lay a few feet away, snapped in half.

Another scream from her dragon caused the girl to turn, worry written plain across her face.Auriox was losing this battle. He wouldn't last much longer. As these thoughts ran through her head Auriox was thrown to the side, unable to rise again.

A shriek crossed the clearing as Kanika ran forward, red spots appearing in her vision. She was running on pure anger and adrenaline as she crouched by the dragon's side with a whimper.

"I am so sorry!" The half-elf cried before rising, swaying slightly. Nothing but rage filled her mind, blinding her from her pain. Grabbing the shattered arrow Kanika let out a cry, causing the green dragon to turn.

What was this new feeling? This sudden disregard for safety, caring only about the survival of Auriox. Kanika had never felt this kind of urge or protection. Growing up as a half-elf caused her to be shunned, and she had never felt this connection. Not that any friendship could match a dragon and rider bond.

Without hesitation Kanika slammed her fist into the dragon's back. Inokul twisted, so as Kanika drove the arrow through his scales one of the spikes ran straight through her arm.

Only a growl left her as she jumped back, her arm tearing apart as the spike of the dragon easily cut through her skin.

Exhaustion began to set in as the pain finally filled her very being. Auriox sent a whimper-like noise in her direction.

"I-I'm sorry Auriox. guess we couldn't save each other after all." The dragon snarled in anger and narrowed his electric eyes to Inokul. Multiple curses ran through the silver mind as Kanika held her arm tightly. "Calm down, Auriox. I-I am glad you thought me worthy of being your rider." Her eyes began to feel heavy as Kanika stumbled to the dragon's side. A wing wrapped around her in protection as she collapsed on his stomach.

'This will not end today.' Kanika was too exhausted yo realize that this voice was new, a creature she didn't recognize.

The last thing she saw before passing into darkness was a flash of bright violet and glowing golden eyes.