Twilight Elysium

Chapter 8: Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high

Take a look, it's in a book, a reading rainbow

"Santana? Why is it that I always find you either passed out or broken?" Esidisi's deep voice echoed through the spiraling staircase. He hoisted the unconscious body of the young god in his arms. He cradled Santana's delicate head in the crook of his arm. "Gods, you're either getting too big or I'm getting old," Esidisi groaned, "not to mention you're always getting yourself into some type of kerfuffle." Esidisi talked to himself as he brought the orange-haired god out of the Forge.

~

Sister Anita had arranged for a caravan to help you to Nezetaran. It was a two week's ride west, but it would be worth it to get the stinging sensation out of your arms. The grey color had sneaked up a tiny bit, but it didn't look any worse than the last time you looked at it. Sister Anita had made sure to give you some clean spares of clothes.

You were helped into an overly luxurious covered wagon. The seats were covered in soft cushioning, and the floor had a rug on it. The rest of the caravan chose to walk beside or behind the main wagon. You lay down across the seats and make yourself comfortable. You look around at all of the small trinkets that were scattered here and there.

There were mostly precious gems and knick knacks. They all were slightly, burnt? You pick up a small sapphire only to find that it was cracked down the middle. Everything smelled slightly singed, too. You saw the soft glinting of a metal piece in the corner. You put the sapphire back in its place and scoot over to the shining metal. You felt the leather spine of a book. Could it have been?

You pull out a leather bound book that was surprisingly still intact.There was no damage to the cover or any other part of it. Its thick leather strap that held the book closed had been unclasped. You flip through the worn pages of the book to find that it was indeed the very book that your mother had given to you the day prior. You let out a shaky sigh and hug it to your chest.

"I miss you, mom."

~

You spent the next few hours flipping through the book. You even fell asleep a couple of times with it clutched to your chest. You found yourself lost in the world of the gods.

"Esidisi cut across his palm and squeezed, letting his blood spatter all over the ground as if to make a statement to the bystanders that gathered in a circle around him," you read to yourself quietly, " With a snarky grin Esidisi shouted, "Now, is there any one else who wishes to meet a premature death? Or-" The God of War was interrupted by an earsplitting roar from above. He turned his head to the sky and he was met with the ruby red scales of a dragon wyrmling. He smiled."

"The god of war licked the blood off of his hand and sealed his wound. No sense in giving himself a handicap. The observing citizens scrambled and scattered away in fear of being eaten by the wyrmling. The young dragon came hurtling towards the Earth before landing gracefully on his forelegs. "Leave my territory or face my wrath, sell-sword!" The wyrmling hissed in shaky common tongue. Esidisi laughed warmly and sheathed his scimitars. He gave the young drake a big grin and placed his hands on his hips. "I happen to know someone that put your pitiful species on this earth, you worm!" Esidisi taunted, obviously trying to get a rise out of the drake, "best show some respect to the one that gave you your breath!""

"The young dragon scrunched up his snout in disgust. Who was this angry little human? Why did he insist on being so irritating! He could feel the cone of fire build up in his throat. Esidisi continued to taunt the flustered youth, "Oh, angry are we? Then, come, let us have a taste of your fiery breath, shall we?" Esidisi sat down in front of the wyrm and held his arms out to his sides. He was inviting the fire breath from the wyrmling.

""Then taste the wrath of Xydras!"With an angry roar, the wyrmling let out a cone of fire, approaching the cocky 'sell-sword'. The drake let out every bit of flame that he had left in his throat. The dragon let out a toothy smirk and waited for the dust to settle to see what was left of his opponent. He froze when he heard a hearty chuckle. The young drake gawked at the man who was still seated comfortably in the same seat."

" Esidisi stood, slowly stalking forward. With a flick of his wrist, a sharp object was embedded into Xydras' snout. The drake roared in pain. How dare he?! The dragon was sent into a fit of rage. He flailed his tail and swiped with his forelegs, only to have another object impale him in the shoulder. The muscles around the impaled areas froze up and Xydras couldn't move his left leg. The red drake was hit with metal piercings one after another, causing his muscles to freeze up. Xydras fell to the ground with a pained roar."

"Esidisi sauntered over to the collapsed drake. Xydras let out a pitiful whine. Esidisi watched as tears slipped out of the poor wyrm's eyes. He gave a smile. "Just," the dragon begged, "get it over with. Kill me." Esidisi sat down and pulled the dragon's head into his lap. "Come now," Esidisi soothed, stroking the wyrmling's slicked back horns, "let us not dwell, hm?" Esidisi pressed a light kiss to the dragon's snout after plucking his dagger out. "I've failed my clan," Xydras cried, "I deserve this." Esidisi laughed again, "No, I know someone who would be cross with me if I did. Perhaps I can offer you a compromise?" He slipped his nose piercing and earrings out and placed them under the dragon's talon."

"Pure Tenaseran gold, I'm sure it would look pretty in your hoard, now wouldn't it?" Xydras grit his teeth as best as he could. "Don't pity me," Xydras hissed, trying to hold back his tears, "I don't deserve pity from a human." Esidisi stroked the dragon's frills lightly. "Perhaps we can come to an agreement," Esidisi soothed "What if I were to let you redeem yourself by allowing you to serve under me? Would that suit your fancy, my Xydras?" "Why would I serve a hu-" "You keep using that word, but you are very sadly mistaken. You dragons don't know the true rulers of this world, do you? My Lord Kars had me endow you with the very fire breath that you tried to flambe me with. So, what do you say, Xydras?" The dragon shut his eyes in thought. If this man wasn't lying, then it would surely restore his honor. "What would you have me do?" He inquired. "Why, what you are best at! Pillaging and destroying along side me!" Esidisi exclaimed. Xydras sighed softy and nuzzled Esidisi as best as he could. He was too tired to form words, so he hoped that it conveyed his acceptance."

Your eyes grew tired and you let out a big yawn. You turned over on the floor and shut the book. Closing your eyes, you tried your best to fall asleep in the noisy cart.

~

Xydras took his time to make it to the ruins of Cigam. He looked around the burnt city with disgust. Whoever had done it was clearly looking to create chaos rather than loot. There were still remains of family heirlooms and other various precious materials. If he didn't have a mission, he would have taken some back to add to his hoard or melt down for his bath. He let his large tail knock over any remaining buildings without any care. Xydras saw a few stray humans scurrying about.

He decided to make his own fun by following them around. Xydras ducked behind a semi intact building. The dragon watched as they filtered in and out of debris looking for precious items they could pawn off. He let out a low purr to startle them. They jumped and looked around in fear. Getting bored of waiting, Xydras pounced out in to the middle of the street.

Loud screams came from the humans. Xydras plucked one of the humans from the pile of rubble and held it to his face.

"And what might you be doing, robbing the grave of a dead town?" He asked, blowing a small puff of sulfur into the human's face. The human cried in fear.

"I WAS LOOKING FOR THINGS FOR THE CARAVAN!" They shouted, their tiny voice barely reaching his ears.

"Caravan?" Xydras inquired in his low, purring voice.

"YES! THE CARAVAN TAKING THE GIRL WITH THE GREY ARMS! THEY SAY SHE CAME FROM CIGAM!" The tiny human screamed. Xydras wasn't satisfied with his information, but the human had already soiled their pants.

"Which way is the caravan?" He asked in a quieter tone.

"N-NORTH-"

The gargantuan red dragon placed the human back on the ground and took to the skies.

A/n: Do you guys even like this book? Or should I just give up? Any feedback at all would be helpful, thanks