The Dome

The Western Wind

Soaring high in the sky, Zeus watched the ground beneath him. Cathrine and Greer rode silently, looking in amazement at the view.
"Where exactly is he taking us?" Greer questioned.
"To be completely honest i'm not sure" Cathrine admitted.
A dark streak caught Zeus' eye, sending him soaring down. He caught Cathrine and Greer off guard as he picked up speed. Now gliding close to the trees, Zeus followed the streak.
Thomas looked back at the flying beast, his eye widening.
"Z-zach.."
Zach was distracted by his own speed before acknowledging Thomas.
"Huh..oh uh yeah?"
"We're being followed"
"How? Im the fastest thing alive" he laughed.
Cathrine moves up from Zeus' back to his neck, peering down at the streak.
"No way..." Cathrine's eyes lit up.
"What is it?"
"I-i'm not to sure but i have a good guess."
Zeus closes his eyes and the air around his wings became thin. His speed increased tremendously as he caught up with Zach. Zach, furious with the beast, picked up his pace. He eventually crashed into a tree and Thomas fell with him. Zeus roared and passed his intended landing zone. He roared once more down near the trees, sending a wave of air to ripple outwards in the ground. Trees were bent back and Zeus landed safely.
Both on the ground in pain, the boy's groaned.
"C-cmon zach look where your going"
"I-it isn't easy with you yelling in my ear!" Zach retaliated.
Cathrine and Greer hoped off of Zeus, noticing the boys instantly. Cathrine gasped and ran by Thomas' aid, Greer running to Zach's.
"Are you okay?" They both asked them, anxiety striking their voice.
"Well this idiot got me distracted.." Zach motioned towards Thomas.
"Me? The idiot?" Thomas stood up, pulling his fists up. "You wanna tell that to my face?"
Zach stood up slowly and pulled his up.
"Hell yeah i do.." he coughed blood down onto a root of the tree. Cathrine jumped and grabbed Thomas' fists, his eyes drifting to hers.
"Stop before you make yourself look like an idiot." she stated.
Greer kicked Zach playfully and he turned.
"Ow!" he rubbed his leg. She gave him a deep stare and he pulled his fists down.
Zeus turned to face the four. His eyes focused on the tree as though it was alive. One of the branches began to move on its own, reaching down toward Greer. Zeus roared and the four jumped.
"Woah...how'd you get that thing...?" Thomas asked.
"He's not a thing. He's my Dragon alright and we just had a connection." she smiled looking at her beast. Cathrine noticed Zeus' fixed eye and turned to look at the tree. She screamed.
"WHAT THE HELL?"
The four turned and saw the tree come alive as the bark split open into eyes. It starred at them and it's branches reached out. Zeus stomped his foot, causing a miniature tornado to form under the group sending them flying up. The tornado brought them back to Zeus and on his back. The tree, angered, pulled itself out the ground with its roots. Many other trees came to life, surrounding Zeus. He turned frantically watching them, his teeth showing. The four shook on top of Zeus.
"J-just let him do his thing" Cathrine told them in an attempt to comfort.
The trees all simultaneously attacked, slashing and grabbing Zeus. He roared into the sky and lifted his wings, slamming them down. The impact cracked the ground as they lifted off the ground. Some trees still held on as their branches wrapped around his legs. Unable to shake them off, Zeus turned back and looked at the four on his back.
"W-what?" Cathrine stared at him. She then peered down, noticing the hijackers. She took a deep breath.
"Everyone hang on for your life. I mean that." She demanded.
Thomas grabbed onto Greer and Zach's backs, holding his legs tight around Zeus' back. Cathrine leaned down gripping on his scales and closed her eyes.
Zeus then strafed forward at a tremendous speed, piercing the sky. The haunted trees lost grip and plummeted to their death. Relieved, Zeus slowed down and glided. Everyone was still on his back, shaking nervously.
"Holy crap..."
"Her dragon is pretty damn cool ain't it?" Greer asked Zach.
"I mean..maybe not as cool as-"
Zeus roared into the air, a large vortex jetting outward. He then turned his head to face Zach. Amazed, Zach shut his mouth and sat comfortably.
"Yes he's pretty damn cool" He muttered.
The four flew until the daylight faded. The group fell asleep right on Zeus' back, trusting in that he won't make any wild maneuvers. Zeus stayed in a direct path west. He flew over the Shiva Desert calmly and quietly. His wings made little to no noise as the group slept. He landed down in an empty field hours later and pushed them down onto the soft grass where they slept soundly. He laid his body around theirs as though they were his kin. He then placed his wing over them like a canopy. Zeus then fell into a deep sleep.
___________________________

Footsteps echoed through the cave as the figure walked. A loud growl rattled the inner walls, bringing it to a halt.
"WHAT HAVE YOU COME FOR?" The loud voice questioned. "YOU'RE OF NO USE TO US."
The figure smirked and looked down into the darkness of the cave.
"Oh but master I am. I know the whereabouts of these newcomers to the lands."
Silence struck the cave, moments passing like a century. Covered in a black cloak and carrying a mystic staff, Edan floated out from the darkness. He glared at the figure, smirked and straightened his back.
"We're interested." He spoke soft.
Two large red eyes opened beyond the darkness, staring down at the figure.