The Dragon's Embrace

Chapter 9: Friends in High Places

~Javi~

Once Titari shouted to run, Javi couldn't fight the instinct. He immediately darted to the right towards the forest that surrounded the meadow they had camped in. He froze under a tree when he heard Rowan call out for Rhyden. His eyes then widened as Alara went down the hill towards Rhyden who was trapped in a net. Javi gasped and was about to call out to Alara to get away from the net until Rhyden told her to stay away, then watched him vanish with the shadows. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw Alara take off into the woods across the field.

He then turned to see Avis and Genesis standing beside him, frightened. He looked down at them with concern. His instinct immediately told him to comfort them like they were his shaken siblings in need of a big brother, but the truth is, he was just as shaken as they were.

While he was scared, he felt obliged to take charge and keep them protected, "We can't stay here. They will most likely try to find us. Follow me" he said, starting to walk deeper into the forest, using his tail to usher them along.

"Where are we going, Javi?" Avis asked, keeping her head low, Genesis keeping quiet on her shoulder.

"Right now, as far from those people as possible. But, it is very strange how they manage to track us down constantly..." he muttered. He looked down at Avis, seeing a frightened look on her face. He could only imagine what she must feel right now. She had just lost Farceil and she is traveling with six dragons she hardly knows. Her whole world had slipped back into its bleak and unpredictable self, just like when she lost her parents. He frowned and spread his wing over the two of them, "Hey, don't worry. We'll be okay. Let's just find the others and get out of this forest before they find out where we are." He told them.

Avis turned her head back towards Javi before nodding, keeping close to the fire dragon as they walked.

Javi smiled down at her, keeping his footsteps light, making sure that he didn't leave any tracks to be pursued. He then heard the crack of thunder above their heads and Javi looked up at the sky, seeing the lightning rip across the sky.

The sound of the thunder startled the two beneath his wing and Avis pressed against Javi's right shoulder before looking up at the dark sky.

Genesis made a cowardly squawk, knowing what followed the thunder. Avis looked up at the phoenix on her back, whispering comforting words.

Javi looked down at the bird. "I guess it's natural for a phoenix to be afraid of rain. It's their natural enemy. But what confuses me is that she's afraid of rain, when she's lived in a swamp most of her life." He said to Avis.

"Just because she has lived in a swamp most of her life, it never meant she liked it." She said.

"It's just strange." Javi said as they walked. As he walked, his mind drifted to the other dragons. He knew that they made it into the woods safely, but he never knew if they were being pursued. He didn't even know if any agents were following him, Avis, and Genesis as they speak. Chills then shivered down his spine at the thought. He couldn't help but look over his shoulder just in case. He then let out a sigh when he saw nothing there.

He continued on and his head swiveled when he heard the crackle of a branch under a foot. He flared his wings in defense, baring his teeth. It was then that another lightning bolt ripped through the sky, illuminating the forest for a few seconds, giving him enough time for him to recognize Tayon, and Titari hiding behind him.

Javi let out a sigh, letting his heart settle "I nearly attacked you two!" he said, walking over to them.

"Javi, you're okay!" Titari said as she ran up to him, smiling.