Atlantis

Rivelry

Rahn excused himself before the entry to the grand room leaving me all alone to go in. I was late of course but he told me that was only natural since I was the main topic of gossip. Apparently Victor having a date was a rare occurrence and it was usually due to political reasons. I slowly opened the door and crept inside without drawing much attention.
The guards gave a slight nod as I walked towards the large group of people. Music I've never heard before touched my ears as the people around started to dance in the middle of the room. I watched fascinated by all the different dresses. If this was a small party I couldn't imagine what Saturdays will be like. I watch their dancing hoping to learn how it went without practicing by myself. "Would you like to dance my lady?" it was someone who had thought I wanted to dance.
"Sorry I was looking for someone." I lied.
"Oh really? Shall I help you find them?"
Please leave me be. "No that won't be necessary but thank you." I went to leave but he caught me by the hand.
"I don't believe I've seen you here before whats your name?"
"I really am looking for someone so could I please go now?" I pleaded. He kept holding onto me though. "I don't wish to cause you any trouble sir."
"No trouble at all," he said.
Annoyed and frustrated with the turn of events I pulled my hand from the man's. "Get lost before I do something to make it so you can't get back." I threatened in a low voice. I hadn't used my dark nature in such a long time that I actually put on a slight smile as the man hurriedly dismissed himself from my presence.
"You are one evil girl." I turned to see a sweaty but handsome Jerry leaning against the wall.
"What happened to you?" I asked ignoring his earlier comment.
"Girls happened. I don't hate them but they can become suffocating after awhile. If you see one warn me." he was a little out of breath and I remember that he was kinda like a celebrity here in this world. Fan girls I thought rolling my eyes.
"What are you doing here?" I asked with crossed arms.
"Hmm it would have been better with heels and without leggings but it works."
I knew it! "That isn't the point Jerry now answer the question."
"Amanda asked me to look after you." he answered bluntly.
"Oh yeah where is she?" I scanned the crowd but can't see her or the man called Clyde. He was a tall elf how can you miss someone like that.
"Not here. In fact all three of them are gone. It's just you and me in here." he said. I feel a pain go and pierce my heart at his words.
Why was I even here? My doubt about this whole night came back to haunt my every thought. Along with it came the sense of losing control. I started to hear voices echo in my ears and a loud one came through yelling and screaming words that made me anxious. I looked around trying to find a way to escape the oppressing noise. The door seemed to move closer to me but at the same time I knew that is further away. I took a step towards it but something stopped me. I turned to find Jerry who quickly wrapped his arm around my shoulders and guided me out of the room.
Once outside he went with speed to the gardens just down the hall. He sat me down on a bench then knelt down in front of me. "Are you okay?" he asked in a voice that rang in my ears.
The voices had stopped but one still went on with hushed words. Why did it keep going like that? Stop I thought covering my ears. It was Jerry again the emotions he had were all over the place. "It's okay Jeremiah you aren't alone in this. You can rely on me." I placed his hand between mine and gazed into his golden eyes. "It will be okay." I said not really understanding what I was doing. Pulling his hand I embrace Jerry and let the voice go hearing everything it had to say. It doesn't mean I listened but the words I heard engraved themselves somewhere in my mind.
"Why? Why are you doing this?" Jerry said on the verge of tears. "No one supposed to know this, what are you?"
"Shh let go of it."
"I can't."
"You can don't worry I'll catch you."
"preposterous." he let go of his last emotion and I was inside his mind watching his life go by. His mother was a dragon, the people dragon, his father was a vampire. Jerry's existence was scorned as an abomination and he lived his life an outcast at the edge of his mothers village.
He had never met his half brother but as soon as he did he regretted it. Victor was loved more by Jerry's mom than Jerry was and he was ashamed of looking into his mothers life. Feeling like he was no longer part of the family he took part in the dragon people's ceremony. A ceremony in which one got their dragon.
They were flown by another dragon to the endless cave where they were given an hour before the bigger dragons woke from the spell. Jerry watched as everyone got a dragon then waited for death to come as the dragons awoke. Nothing happened though and when he asked the dragons they responded, "You are one who seeks the truth." for one decade Jerry lived with the dragons learning secrets long forgotten to those who lived below.
He left the cave and wandered the mountain looking for the last dragon who had survived the war of Atlantis. When he encountered the dragon Jerry discovered it to be the size of a house cat. It told him things in the old language but more importantly it was the first dragon to ever be created. The dragon told tales of the first queen who created the world that is known today. After all that Jerry was given the ability to tame fire as a dragon does. That was when his hair changed color and his voice changed into one of power. He left the mountains and the Dracos, dragon people, who thought him dead cursed him saying he had threatened the dragons. He laughed saying that was a compliment. They tried to stop him but his power far exceeded them and the dragons they commanded. From then on he searched for knowledge to free the dragons from the man who called himself a hero. His adventures brought trouble and eventually invited an enchantress to his life. She quickly sealed a contract with Jerry hoping to keep him as a pet. He went along with it for knowledge but when the tree didn't bear any fruit he cut ties with the enchantress. Other memories flowed by but I focused on one in particular it was when he tried to summon a familiar to learn about the Realm. The one who showed up was the ghost I had seen earlier. She told him he couldn't summon because of his heritage and listened as he tried to convince her to tell him about the other world.
The ghost had her snake bite Jerry who now had a permanent scare on his wrist which he hid with a leather bracelet carved with dragon runes. I understood now why he found me fascinating I was a cure for his thirst for knowledge. Amanda he knew would become queen and overthrow the necromancer. I was something he had never seen before and his dragons curiosity was kicking in.
I looked down at the sleeping face of a restless creature and stroked his head softly. "Shame you won't be able to cross to the other side. I could've had fun playing with you." Man was he right about me being evil. I couldn't help it my whole life until Amanda had been living in the darkness. I wasn't likely to change in my core just by having a light to guide me. I tried to change but without Amanda I just reverted back not even giving a second thought about the matter.
He stirred gently as I finished looking through his mind. "You awake?" I said in my regular voice. Jerry blinked a few times to adjust to the dark of the night. "I know I was acting weird and I apologize for it. So could you.." I said moving my legs a little. "Get off my lap now?"
He looked down with surprise and then gave a small grin. "Why am I on your lap in the first place?" I blushed and tried to answer but stuttered nonsense instead.
"Get off her right now." someone growled emerging from the shadows of the veranda. I knew who it was by the sound of the voice.
"Who are you?" Jerry asked. Standing up as I felt a coldness where he once was. It was Jerry against Rahn but the winner would not be the dragon. I dared not call out Rahn's name for fear of ruining his plans.
"None of your business." Rahn said calming his tone.
"I'm afraid she is not available at the moment."
"Sorry but you are the uninvited one here."
"Um," I said causing them to both turn their heads. "It's fine Jerry I know this man. Could you leave us alone for a bit?"
"Sure." he said reluctantly looking over his shoulder as he walked away. I felt something slide through my hand as he walked away finally turning his head. I closed my hand around it and instantly Jerry stopped and touched his throat. It was something was attached to his neck and came to my hand. I let go and Jerry walked on again giving a slight shrug. Interesting I thought as he left my sight.
It was like an invisible chain. I felt it run through my fingers then stop as I tightened my hold. It would certainly be useful in the future. I let go and felt it disappear but I knew I could always get it back. I turned to face a very disgruntled Rahn.
"I thought you said this was your true form?"
"Doesn't mean others have seen it. Only those I choose can see me for what I really am. You better learn that true forms aren't always as easy as the outside." Rahn said coming closer. "You've formed a chain haven't you?"
"And if I have?" I countered with a raised brow.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me up towards him. His face looked conflicted it was struggling to judge wether or not my actions were something to be proud of or to scold. "You don't understand what you've done." he sighed letting me go.
"I think I do actually. I have a link to Jerry now and that means he is mine to command. A useful tool I have required." I said lightly touching where I had been held.
"To treat the people of the sun with such an attitude is unforgivable. Forming a chain is not something you do so casually Emily even if you stand above them show them some respect. Jerry has never once touched the darkness we dwell in. Now he is entangled in your actions." Rahn held his head.
"I let him go then." I shrugged pulling the invisible chain calling Jerry.
"You're going to do what?" Rahn said looking up.
"Let him go. Isn't that what you wanted me to do?"
"You can't just.."
He stopped as I greeted Jerry. "Welcome back bud." I walked over and saw his clouded eyes. "It will be quick." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled my lips up to his. It was supposed to be a quick release but Jerry woke from the trance and subconsciously held me to him. I pushed back and he tightened his grip pulling me into a deeper kiss.
I had kissed before in my darker days and they weren't light smooches either. Mark, my ex, wasn't as good as a kisser but all my past kisses failed to compare what I felt as Jerry kissed me. I gave up but Rahn came and pulled us apart tossing Jerry to the ground.
Jerry seemed to finally understand what had happened and blushed holding a hand to his mouth. "wow!" I gasped.
"What in blazes were you thinking! That was the stupidest thing you've done by far!" Rahn scolded.
"No more chain now." I said with a smile.
"No way.. That has never happened before how did you know that would work?" Rahn said looking at Jerry.
"I followed my instincts and I know from experience they are always right."
"What is going on in here?" it was Amanda and behind her were two others. Jerry didn't move and I smiled. Hands on her hips Amanda stood with pride in light brown dress with white sash. Her dress was loose but curled at the end creating an umbrella shape. She had white tights that lead to soft brown high heeled boots that came to her knees. A sweater veered her bare shoulders and was open at the front making the whole look casual but elegant.
I needed to distract everybody long enough for Rahn to escape. "Mandy!" I cried leaping to give her a hug. She was taller than me with the heels but I made her look away. "Wow I love how your dress turned out and I'm guessing you made the sweater yourself?"
It was a moments distraction for everyone and I heard the shadows whisper as Rahn disappeared. "Who was that you were talking to?" Amanda peered over my shoulder to look but found no one. "Where'd he run off too?"
I backed away and looked around to pretend that I didn't know where the man went either. "Don't know but I didn't get to thank him."
"For what?" it was Victor this time. He wore a red vest over a black dress shit and a cape that symbolized him as the host.
"Pulling me and Jerry apart." I said simply. Jerry gave me a look of horror as I said words that get him killed. I knew to him it was natural to act this way but deep down he could beat Victor.
"What were you doing?" Amanda said with a look that could kill. Maybe he wasn't scared of Victor.
"Yes why don't you explain it to us Jerry?" Victor said without expression.
"I...I.." Jerry stammered.
"Don't yell at him it was my fault. I tripped and Jerry caught me. The kind man from before was just untangling my dress from Jerry's belt. I didn't want to rip the fabric. Plus this all wouldn't have occurred if I didn't go looking for you." I was lying but would all work out if Amanda took the blame for taking off without telling me.
"Sorry you were supposed to be watched by the twerp on the ground. Apparently somebody didn't do their job." she was growling at Jerry who was looking at me with amazement. I smiled like this was all no big deal when Victor caught me in the act.
"Liar," he said looking at me with his all-knowing eyes. I saw them flash red and I knew he had Rahn tell him what happened. Way to blow my favor cat.
"We will talk about such things later then." I said walking to the ballroom while wrapping my arm around Victors all aware of the stare casted by Clyde. "I want my dance before the night is over."
"Me as well," Amanda said grabbing the elf and pulling him along.