Twins Nix and Flamma turned sixteen the day after the last academy test, so they were forced to wait for the next month. After almost missing it, they realized that they were Dragon Riders along with a childhood friend of theirs, Leo.
On the way to...
Nix inhaled sharply, and slowly nodded. Tornado's thoughts suddenly disappeared when she jerked back from her hand, taking several steps back and staring at Nix with confusion and fear in her sky blue eyes.
Azula was looking at Nix curiously and worriedly, waiting for her answer. Nix swallowed nervously and glanced at Tornado, who slowly nodded her head, and spoke carefully. "When I touched Tornado, I heard her thoughts in my head."
Azula's eyes widened in shock, and her head whipped around to the specified air dragon, who inclined her head ever so slightly. There were several gasps and every dragon snapped their heads to look at me warily. Azula stared at Nix and spoke slowly. "Are you serious?" Nix nodded her head solemnly.
"If you are truly serious, then touch Lacus, my water dragon, and see if you could see his thoughts." Nix nodded again, and stood up, brushing herself to remove any dirt and walked toward Lacus, who was waiting for her silently. Everybody in the clearing, which were only the mages and Riders, were quiet to see what would happen.
Right when Nix was within arms length of Lacus, she stretched out to touch its snout, and barely brushed it when thoughts of curiosity rushed inside her head. Lacus's thoughts took a sharp spiral to shock and disbelief as he could feel her in his mind. From his mind, Nix could hear Azula pummeling Lacus with questions, but one stood out to Nix. What the hell is wrong with this girl to be able to hear your thoughts, La?
"There is nothing wrong with me Azula, thank you very much. Keep in mind I can hear your thoughts as well when I touched your Bonded," Nix snapped, snatching her hand back and whirling on Azula with a glare. She froze in shock, but almost immediately looked guilty and said, "I'm sorry, but I just wanted to know how you can do this."
"Well, if you wanted to know, who could've asked, not insulted me when you thought I couldn't hear. And I don't know, I've never been able to do this before. Do you have an idea?" Azula was about to answer when a deep male voice suddenly cut through and spoke. "It seems like you have the ability of the mind. It basically means that with a single touch between any living thing and your skin, that you're able to break through anything's mind barrier and hear their thoughts. I bet the only reason it's surfacing now is because the stone triggered your ability and now you will be able to sense anything's thoughts, even plants, with just a touch of your fingers."
Nix whipped her head to Terry, who had spoken for the first time, and locked eyes with his caramel ones. Nix blinked, realizing she had never taken a good look at him since he had been mute. His hair was the color of the dirt on the ground, with hints of lighter brown. His skin was dark and his eyes were a warm caramel.
Everyone seemed stunned to hear him speak, but then the man in their thoughts raised an eyebrow and mildly stated, "We're going to be very late if we don't leave now."
Azula yelped in surprise, and quickly started barking out orders to hop on the dragons. Flamma raised a single eyebrow at her sister and gave a look that said, you will be telling me the details later. Nix nodded and slowly walked forward to Tornado, who was watching her with warier eyes, and hesitated before jumping on. She looked directly at the air dragon for permission to once again break through her thoughts, and Tornado nodded her consent, albeit reluctantly.
Nix approached and paused for a moment, steading herself. Then, with a deep breath, she reached out and in one smooth motion jumped onto Tornado's back and swiftly wrapped her arms around her sister's waist, which was thankfully clothes and not like the usual crop tops they wore, so that Tornado's thoughts only flashed in her head for a moment. Nix stayed silent even when Flamma twisted around to check on her, expression concerned.
When Nix shook her head, Flamma frowned but turned back. Tornado crouched, and then with a single flap of her four wings, lifted into the sky and turned to fly west, where the Drago Academy. The reason Nix didn't say anything was because her mind was carefully going over the detail of the last hour. She went from an odd girl in the village hunting for her family, to becoming a soon-to-be Dragon Rider, to discovering that she had the rare ability to sense anybody's thoughts with a touch, to flying on the back of a dragon with her twin to attend the Drago Academy. She couldn't quite believe that this would become her life, a life of adventure and danger, with a partner who would know her better than her own twin. Someone who she would be able to count on, no matter what, who would always be by her side.
Nix felt a single tear slide down her cheek, and she knew it was a tear of pure happiness and joy at finally being able to express herself freely, in a way that even her twin hasn't seen. Nix had hidden things in her mind, in her memory even, that her sister didn't know. With a dragon who would accept and understand her every thought without question.
Nix was so wrapped up in her head she didn't realize her hand had slid down until she felt the rush of thoughts in head. She could feel Tornado's mind jerk in surprise and quickly spoke. I'm sorry, I'll get out of your head now. I didn't mean to touch you.
Right before Nix took her hand away, Tornado spoke up. No wait. I can feel your emotions now that I concentrate because you're in my mind. Why are you so happy and sad at the same time?
Nix blinked in surprise and hesitated, teetering on the edge of reluctance and relief. She wanted to tell someone what was happening, but wasn't sure if she should tell and air dragon she just meant. She decided to do it. I'm just happy because of how my life changed so fast. Others may be resentful to be torn away from family, but the fact that the stone glowed golden for me means I will finally have someone who will never judge me for who I am, or for who I may be. I'm simply content for that.
Yes, well, I think I know how that feels. My Rider died nearly 20 ago, and though I'm still alive, I feel hollow. I still remember the decades of loneliness spent inside a cramped shell, and when I finally hatched, I remember looking into my Rider's bright blue eyes and thinking to myself, this is my partner for life, my best friend.
Another single tear slid down Nix's cheek when she heard this. Her heart ached for two reasons. One, for the dragon who's Rider died, leaving her with a broken soul. And two, her heart ached for her best friend, the one whom she would love without fault, and whom she would tell everything to.
Tornado cleared her throat through the mind bond. As much as I would love to continue talking to someone who understands, we're here.
Nix's head snapped up, and she stroked Tornado's smooth scales one last time before taking her hand off. Her breath caught.
It looked beautiful. The castle was huge, placed on a hill, with a stunning mountain scene right behind it. The castle itself was a bright white with gray, triangular tops and a red front. The trees on the ground were luscious and bright, with a few red and orange leafed trees. An enormous lake glittered like crystals, reflecting the light off of the snowcapped mountains. The castle was high enough that the lowest of the clouds past around the middle of the castle. Nix couldn't even imagine living there, but she would be soon. In a few minutes, her world would change, forever.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
