Dragon Tide Chronicles: Dawn Rising

Chapter 9: A Razed Memory

Chapter Nine: A Razed Memory

We had been traveling all day, least I could actually tell, what with the thick growth of the forest. The events of last night deeply shook me, what with being a second from death by the hands of the Covenant. No one knows for sure what those Remnants are after, but I’m certain I don’t want to find out. Unfortunately, it seems the things I don’t want to meet end up coming right to my doorstep. Lucky me right? I suddenly saw light up ahead, and pointed it out. “Hey Alexander, I see some light ahead! We’re almost out of the woods!”

Alexander has that strange look in his eyes. “In a manner of speaking, that’s true. But in another sense, we only just entered the heart of the woods. Gem Dragonling soldiers are just outside the woods.” He narrows his eyes. “I am NOT in the mood for this today.” And indeed, I saw his anger was now burning in his eyes, just barely contained.

“What should we do, Alexander?” Ore asked impatiently. “We don’t have all day you know.” Alexander just stands there, thinking.

“You’re right. We don’t have all day. We’re going another way. However, we can’t afford to be seen, so… I’ll set up a nice big distraction. Wait here. I’ll give them the distraction of a lifetime.” He takes off. Ore and I glance at each other.

“What do you think he’s going to do?” Ore asks me.

I shrug. “If I know this guy, it’s going to be quite a show. Let’s get an air view, before he starts the show without us.”

We flew up high until we could see the soldiers, and we looked for what Alexander was doing. Both Ore and I had no idea how devious Alexander’s traps were until that moment. Suddenly, heavy gunfire, cannons, the works went off, and caught both the soldiers off guard. It took us a moment to realize it was just a bunch of fireworks, carefully set up to seem like a battlefield scenario. That dragonling was a freaking genius! The soldiers all fell for it and retreated. “Hey pixies! Let’s move! That will not work for too long, we need to move. NOW!” Alexander yells at us.

“Coming!” We both yell. We quickly descend as to not tick Alexander off.

“Wow Alexander, nice distraction. That was well put together.” Ore gives him a rare compliment.

“Why thanks. It works well for idiots. Oh, by the way, look! A distraction!” He points in a random direction. Ore, the occasional idiot, fell victim to one of the most stupid pranks of history. He looked.

“What? Where? I don’t see…. You sneaky son of a…” He only too late realizes what he’s done, and Alexander and I burst out in laughter.

Alexander manages to control himself, and regains his composure. “Alright pixies, let’s just move.” With that, we continued our trek to Sapphiriana.  We continued walking for several hours; occasionally I would stop and admire a beautiful flower, and sketch it. It’s always been a hobby of mine, and I find it relaxing after a hard day’s work. Alexander however would constantly annoy me by asking me to hurry up. I would always respond by throwing a rock at him. Of course, the rock would always miss. We finally arrived at a beach, from what I could tell, it was on the north side of this island. I enjoy the sight, when I catch a look on Alexander’s face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked sharply. He simply and firmly looks onward at something in the distance. I struggle to see what it is he’s looking at, and when I do see it, I gasp. “Alexander…what IS that?!” He says in a low, angry tone.

“That, was the Red Dragonling Isles. When they destroyed our capital, Sunneroria, they unleashed a highly destructive magical burst of energy. The lands are now wilted and burned by the arcane radiation, and it will be many years before life ever comes back to the island.” I just stared at the distant black landscape in a mixture of horror and awe.

That… was where Alexander used to live? That’s so sad… I… “Don’t even think about it, Danica. I don’t want your pity. What good does it do in a world that could care less?” He walks off. “Pixies let’s move! We’re going, now.” I sigh.

“Is his attitude going to ever get an adjustment?” I ask Ore.

“Doubtful. If it did, it would just get even worse.” He replies. “Come on, let’s move. We don’t need to make him angry, do we?” He laughs.

“I don’t see what’s so funny, fairy.” A filtered voice speaks out from behind us. We wheel around, to see a huge group of soldiers behind us. And worst of all, they have guns. Have I ever mentioned how much I think that’s not fair? Trust me, it is never fun to be the one with the front of a gun facing you. “In my opinion, your life is about to become a world of hell.” The soldier that stopped us was a female, and was wearing a tinted crystal like armor. She had sapphire blue hair, a sapphire crystal on her forehead, beautiful blue eyes, and she glittered with sparkling lights that were also a sapphire shade. From what I could tell, she was a person of high command.

“Ah, Commander Filia. How nice to meet you.” Great. Alexander just confirmed that we were dealing with a top military enemy. This was not going to be fun. Plus, I had no idea if I could trust Alexander to not turn us over to Filia in exchange for his safety. I absolutely hate this kind of situation.