Shattering Reality - COLLAB WITH @AtomicDaDragon

Chapter 9

Ella's Perspective

The wind stings my face. Fire is all around me.

A diamond dragon, really? What power do I have?

Well, I can compress anything with the snap of my fingers.

Anyways, a monster is trying to attack me. It's silhouette looms over my crumpled body. And then, I lunge at the figure, killing it. Then I notice it was Serafina. She lays on the rocks, as the ocean sprays in my face, the fire crackling.

The life drains out of her, as blood rushes out of her neck. She can't be saved. I fall into the fire, and let it engulf me, and I wake up to the cracking of the tiny bonfire in our camp.

My dreams are scaring me. I would never kill Sera. Majirica stirs, as do the others.

She roars in greeting, and Alex nods groggily. When I look at Sera, my heart skips a beat. Worry flashes across my face, but she does not notice.

Majirica touches my mind. ''Are you okay,'' she asks in the Dragon Language. I nod forlornly. Alex clears her throat, and we look at her.

'' I was sent to find you, and I did. I must return to the Riders, and you were asked to come, to have training.''

''Training,'' Atomic asks.

''Yes, training,'' she responds. ''Du mirghthdur, ell fabre,'' she chants in her musical accent.

May our secret go unspoken.

''We, the Riders, live in the shadow of the De'lor Mountains.-'' but Sera cuts her off.

''Your JOKING,'' she drawls. The De'lors are the most rugged mountains in the world. Unknown to humans, they are said to be so big not even the strongest Rider Dragon can fly to the peaks, and the human city Dubai could fit across the base of Thuren, the tallest peak, five or more times, with room to spare. No way.

''I am not joking,'' she smiles. ''No one dares venture into their shadow, but us. Only humans and elves have entered in over one thousand years.'' Elves are Dragon Riders too, and are the only elves I can tolerate.

''They are our only safe haven. We need to go.'' I nod in agreement, because it makes sense.

''Who is your leader,'' Atomic asks.

''Elyssia, an elf,'' she says. Maybe the elves aren't so bad after all.

''Look, the elves are good, really. They're the fair folk for Pete's sake. The only ones that are bad, arrogant and self absorbed are the ones that broke away from Eyvor's rule in the War.'' Alex states. I never knew that.

''Eyvor was furious when they broke away to join the forces of evil. Some say they are joining the humans.''

''Isn't that the greatest dishonor an elf can do,'' Serafina asks. Alexandra nods. I groan. Evil elves, humans, and a journey to the biggest mountains on Earth, thousands of miles away. No biggie.

"I was born in the War,'' I mention. They look at me, shocked.

''You all were too,'' I whisper.

''I was kidnapped,'' Sera states.

Atomic stays silent as a stone.

''Yup. I said I was in a war. I never said what one.''

''So little is known about the War. Please, tell us,'' Alex begs. I nod.

''I want to keep it that way. No one needs to know how widespread the suffering was. Swear you will never tell anyone.''

Alex gives me sort of puppy eyes. ''I need to tell the Riders.''

''But they will tell others, and everyone would know.'' I already hate sharing my past. Don't make me tell you so that you can spread the secret.

''No one can get into those mountains, or out, without the Rider's consent. Same for information. If you have information the Rider's don't want out, they will remove it from your mind before you leave the mountains, and give it back when you return. Secure,'' she says confidently.

''Well, how come the people trying to get rid of the humans, evil elves and demons don't let the dragons know,'' Atomic snaps. She looks Alex in the eye. Majirica lands by Alex's side protectively.

''I have magic, Atomic. Don't get on my bad side.''

''Why don't you tell us,'' she growls, slinking closet to Alex with every word, tail lashing in hate.

Majirica snorts a bit of fire, almost burning Atomic. She leaps away.

''They never wanted to,' Alex hisses. ''Only the strongest dragons wanted to help us.''

''And you stole their voice,'' Sera states quietly.

At that, Alex lunges for Atomic, sword out. Atomic pulls out her pistol, but the bullets melt before they hit her. Alex put up a shield with magic. She pushes her sword at Atomic, and Sera jumps in the way with her sword raised in battle stance.

Metal against metal, they fight, skin only a hair's breadth away, then they pull apart to slice at each other again. Blood drips down Alex's arm, and bullets fly.

 Sera cries out in pain as the sword cuts into her skin. Blood drips onto the forest floor.

I lunge at Alex, axe out. She tries to fight us both at once, and Atomic's bullets pierce the silence of steel clashing. And then a low rattle shakes the world, resonating in my chest, then a low rhrrr.

Majirica breaths fire. It scorches the ground, and misses me by a hair. I cry out in shock. The battle stops. We look at each other in shock. Alex then crumples on the ground and sobs. I stare into space blankly. Sera's breathing is ragged. Atomic rushes to Alex, and murmurs something in the Dragon Language. Alex looks up.

''I'm sorry. I went crazy,'' she chokes. I nod, red curls bouncing.

''The dragons do know who we are, and we would let them join, but the Galaxy Dragon Elder forbid it. It's riding your own kin.'' I nod slowly, taking in the battle wounds.

''But they know who we are. They will fight for us. We have some dragons around the world ready to fight at a minute's notice. I wasn't clear earlier, and it almost killed us. I wanted to kill you. I felt like you insulted everything I've worked for. I'm sorry.''

I nod in understanding. ''You can tell the Riders.'' I say. ''But no one else. Swear on that, at least.''

''You have my word.'' Alex says. Majirica repeats the message telepathically. I nod.

''Let's get to the De'lors,'' I say in a matter of fact way.

''Keli dur.'' Alex says. Our wounds. As she says that, we are healed. And we set off, as Alex waves her hand, clearing the emerald hollow of any battle marks.