The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 41 - Rescue Mission

Elissa is not quite sure how, but she moves like the wind; her feet not touching the ground and her pale hair trailing behind like a comet's tail. Only a few moments later, she is standing at their campsite.

Night has fallen now and shrouds the clearing like a blanket. The place is deserted; both the treehouse and Dawn's tent are dark and empty. The waning moon is veiled in cloud and the only light is an eerie green luminescence from glow bugs.

At the sound of rustling leaves, she conjures a ball of fire in her right hand and spins around to see two sets of large eyes glimmering in the flame-light. Of course. She almost laughs with relief and runs over to the two dragons.

Roth greets her with a throaty chirrup and nuzzles his whole head against her body. Flicking the light away, it hovers dutifully and allows her to throw her arms around the dragon's neck. The thought of Darish in Nero's hands is too much and she presses her face against his warm, smooth scales, trying to hold it together.

"Roth, I need your help. I need the others back here as soon as possible. They must still be out with the search party. Can you summon Zane?"

The dragon licks her, which she takes as a yes.

There is a swoosh as fallen leaves vortex upwards, followed by several thumps behind her. We have company.

Without letting go of Roth, her magic reaches out, ready to strike. She identifies them as friends at the same time as a deep voice utters her name.

"Kai! Dusk!" she calls out, turning to face the two towering figures; equally shocked and relieved by their presence. "This is a surprise."

Both Dragonites summon a fireball to add further light to the situation. Kai moves closer, his dark eyes seeming obsidian, as his gaze fixes upon her.

"I was told that you were in urgent need of me." He says it in a way that makes her believe that he would combat any obstacle in his way to help her.

Meanwhile, Dusk holds aloft a flaming hand and stares up at the dark edifice in the trees, studying it almost like one would a book.

Dusk turns back to face her. "Is Dawn alright? Fuego is concerned."

Momentarily derailed, she queries, "Fuego?"

"My dragon. He sensed that Amethyst is unsettled, but she has been blocking him."

Before she can respond, Kai demands, "Where is everyone? Why have they left you alone?"

Her throat closes up, making speech impossible, so instead she unclenches her left hand to reveal the medallion and extends out her arm to him.

Kai's fireball flares as if oil has been poured onto it and flames flicker up his sleeve. "Has he hurt you?"

"H-he ..." Her voice chokes with despair. "Nero has Darish."

Dusk falls to his knees and makes an inhuman sound; it cuts through her like a knife.

She kneels beside him. "I'm so sorry, Dusk. It's my fault. Nero wants me and he's using Darish as bait." Tears start to stream down her face.

Kai's lips curl into a semblance of a snarl, but Dusk ignores the larger male and puts his arms reassuringly around her back. "No, it is not your fault. That steaming pile of excrement is the monster. Do not be afeared. I will go and rescue Darish."

For a moment fear of Corinth swirls inside, but she steadfastly pushes it down. I'm not that same girl.

"Take me with you," she pleads, staring beseechingly at Dusk.