The Fifth

Chapter 5: Thunderstorm

"Ok everyone ready?" Yoon asked. Everyone nodded and said their goodbye's to Ik-Soo, warned them to be careful on their way to save the black dragon and waved his hands.

It was a warm sunny morning, which was the perfect weather to start their journey. As always, Yoon was guiding them whilst the others would either fool around, which was mostly Hak and Keiji calling each other names or just having a chat.

"Ok, I've guided us all in the centre of the four tribes, so that we can think for a while of the whereabouts of the black dragon." Yoon said standing in front of the group, whilst looking at the map.

"Where do you think we should start?" Jae-Ha asked.

Everyone stayed silent, not knowing where to look first.

"Let's think...which tribe do you think would have a higher chance of capturing the fifth dragon?" Yona asked, folding her arms.

Everyone looked at each other and nodded.

"We all agree on which tribe we are going to look into first?" Yona asked. Everyone nodded in response again.

"Ok, let's go. Lead the way Yoon." Yona said.

And one by one, they all walked to the one tribe that they know would have a higher chance because of their alliances with So-Woon as well as previously when they went out of their way to capture and try to poison Yona but it was Hak in the end who was hit by the poisonous arrow.

"What do you think the black dragon looks like?" Kija asked.

"Good question actually." Yoon replied, trying to think hard of the number of possibilities.

"Hopefully, she doesn't look like the female version of you." Hak chuckled, which got Kija annoyed and chased Hak around in a circle. Eventually, it annoyed Yoon.

"Shut up, you guys stop acting childish! Or else I won't cook any food for you guys!" Yoon shouted. Hak and Kija stopped running and apologized to an angry and annoyed Yoon.

"Do you think she'll have black hair?" Jae-Ha asked.

"That's a possibility." Yoon responded and Shin-Ah nodded in agreement.

"But even if we are going to have difficulties finding her, I'm really excited to see the black dragon." Zeno added. Everyone nodded and smiled in agreement, except for Yona who wasn't paying attention.

"What's wrong, Yona? Why are you spacing out?" Haku asked as he looked over at Yona's anxious face. Yona didn't snap out of her thoughts, so Haku had to snap his finger in front of her face.

"Oh, what. I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention." Yona responded frantically.

"It's alright. What's on your mind?" Yoon asked and everyone stopped walking, so that they were paying attention to Yona.

"Well, there is actually a clue to find the black dragon." Yona said. Everyone was so confused and didn't know what to say.

"So, Ik-Soo actually warned me before I left to help prepare for the trip. He said that he fears that something dangerous might happen between the black dragon and I." Yona said nervously. Everyone started getting worried, especially Hak. He didn't want to Yona to be in serious danger.

"I know it's nerve-wrecking but...I'm strong enough to handle it. Whatever kind of danger it is I'll always be prepared." Yona said bravely.

"Well, you aren't alone Yona. We will be there to help and protect you." Hak replied. Everyone nodded.

"So, shall we continue?" Yoon asked. Everyone cheered and continued along the path to the fire tribe.

Suddenly, the rain started pouring quickly with the thunderstorm attacking like arrows from the dark sky. The four dragons, Hak, Yoon and Yona ran into a random cave to take shelter from the storm. Hak and Kija were voted by Yoon to go and chop up some wood for the fire pit since they were misbehaving, whilst Jae-Ha and Zeno were preparing the sleeping bags. Also, Shin-Ah and Yona were helping Yoon prepare and cook the food.

"Here are two cloaks. So that you won't catch a cold." Yoon said, taking out the cloaks from his backpack and handing it to Hak and Kija. They wore it and told everyone that they were off.

A few minutes later, a drenched Hak and Kija wearing cloaks, came back with logs that were carried on top of their shoulders and started building the fire pit. Yoon thanked them but Yona and Zeno were to busy chuckling at the fact that Hak and Kija looked like they have been caught in a whirlpool. So, Hak decided to creepbehind Yona and hug her from behind as her punishment for laughing at him. This made Yona really annoyed, leading to a bickering fight between them. Everyone laughed, which made Hak and Yona also laugh along as well.

After the meal, everyone went to bed except for Hak who has always been awake to stand guard. It was his duty to protect everyone but most importantly Yona. He couldn't lose her, let alone leave her unprotected.

"Hak, why aren't you sleeping?" Yona asked slowly waking up and walking up to Hak.

"Because, I'm on guard duty." Hak responded, looking out at the pouring rain. Yona wished that there was something she can do to free him from the agreement he made with her father about protecting her. Yona got up, sat next to Hak and wrapped the blanket around both of them. Hak was a bit taken back by Yona's gesture. He looked at her and was about to thank her but she fell asleep, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Hak..." Yona said softly and sleepily. Hak turned around to listen attentively.

"I...promise...one day...I'll be the one...protecting you." Yona said before she instantly fell into a deep sleep. Hak chuckled lightly and pulled Yona closer to him.

Meanwhile, at the palace...

"That's it for today." Soo-Won ordered. After the guards finished violently attacking and abusing the black dragon with empty buckets in their hands as well as small knives thrown to the ground. Soo-Won still wasn't able to get any confirmation from the black dragon being able to fight beside and serve him.

"I can't stand being here all night." Soo-Won impatiently said.

"It's starting to pour heavily. We should get back to the palace immediately to discuss about the future." Kye-Sook said and bowed.

Soo-Won nodded and the guards made way for the king to walk out of the room. Soo-Won looked back at the black dragon's weak and lifeless was lying on the cold, icy and wet concrete ground, whilst being chained to the walls as well as her neck like his pet. Then, he turned away, showing no mercy or sympathy. So, the guards locked the cell door and walked out of the room to stand guard.

After the attack, Ahmya was heavily breathing, watching the moon fade away from her eyes. She thought about her memories with her father and tears started running down her face. She promised her father that she'd never cry but she had to. She wanted to escape so badly but her condition wasn't dependable to fight. Blood was pooling everywhere on her face as well as from the little sliced cuts on her arms and legs. She can feel her stamina slowly fading away and her eyes shutting by itself and the last thing she saw was an open door with a man in a cloak standing right in front of her very eyes. Then, suddenly, her view turned dark.