The Dragon Hunter

28

"On the count of three," Nyx huffed, rolling up his sleeves. That fact that his tattoo no longer faded but was stark against his skin at all times had started to worry him, but he pushed that thought aside and focused on the door before them. Quin had his arms up, as though preparing for a fist fight, as they steeled themselves to charge for what must have been the 100th time in half an hour.

"One," Nyx squared his shoulders. His mind raced as he though of everything that could be happening to Luna and Minx beyond those doors and used it as fuel to make his muscles tense harder.

"Two," Quin breathed. His hands lit up and tiny embers danced through his hair. He was anxious.

"Three!"

As they charged, Nyx heard the subtle click of a lock turning. When he was supposed to hit the wood, there was nothing but thin air. His chin hit the ground hard, and he let out a painful groan. An elegant, streamlined head gazed down at him, black scales lined with blue and eyes curious.

"What are you doing?" Minx asked.

Nyx looked up to see Luna - now carrying a sword, a shield and a book - and Minx flanking a large, glittering dragon. Suddenly, he couldn't form words. He just stared into the dragon's milky white eyes. It sniffed the air and bowed down, low.

"The mystic and Pyron. Ever graceful, as always," It hummed. "I am Eli. You are my Master's friend, are you not?"

"Master?" Nyx chocked as a pair of hands dragged him to his feet. He nodded in thanks to Luna as she let go, then turned his gaze back to the dragon

"I serve the Dragon Hunter," it replied.

Nyx frowned. "Hatchet?"

"Not anymore!" Minx laughed as she helped Quin stand. Nyx couldn't help but notice that the floor was scorched where he had fallen. Embers flew from his skin, catching on his clothes but not burning. He looked confused and a little bit angry.

"What's happening?"

"No time to explain," Luna grunted. "We've got what we need, we need to get back to the others."

Minx whistled, nudging Quin and shooting Nyx a coy wink. "I think something's wrong with Luna. She's being all responsible."

Luna just snorted playfully and started back off down the corridor, her footsteps chasing her all the way. "Hurry up! The sooner we free Meden the sooner I can go back to being dead weight!"

Nyx brushed himself down, wrinkling his nose in distaste as years of dust and cobwebs stuck to his fingers. Minx glanced at Eli and just shrugged before bounding back down the corridor after Luna, and sure enough the old dragon was close behind, holding itself with a steady and almost imposing sense of pride despite the fact it had to duck down in order to fit. Quin darted forwards, taking Nyx's hand and looking up at him, confused.

"What just happened?" he asked as the pair started off after the others.

"Honestly?" Nyx replied, making sure to stay well clear of Eli's long, sweeping tail. "I have no idea."

~

Axel paced back and forth, pulling at his hair as Alistar lay by the fire, swatting lazily at Jags whenever he got too close. His head was pounding, like something was trying to claw its way out, and he couldn't focus on anything for more than a few seconds at a time. His skin was drenched in a thin layer of cold sweat, and he was shaking. Axel suppressed the urge to snarl and bit down on the collar his jacket, feeling the fangs try to force the teeth below them out so that they could take their place. He had roughly three portions of wolf's bane left - four, if he wanted to risk stretching that - and with no sign of Luna and the others he was beginning to think he may need to leave, lest he risk the safety of everyone else. But right now he had to focus on keeping himself together; as leader of his squad and subsequently this group, his duty was to make sure they were ok if things went south. And that meant not going full wolf while they were split up and vulnerable.