Rise of the Darkness

Rite

Jacob

    Master waved me into the Elders' hut, then followed. He already told them we would be coming. Inside only the spirit Elder, Nukaso, stood waiting in dragon form. Instead of the magical fire, a bed of pine needles filled the center, almost large enough for a curled fortune dragon.

    "Novayar, welcome. You have discovered how to use your magic and thus are eligible to undergo the Rite. Are you ready?"

    No, not really. No one would tell me what it entails, not even Oculeera. If it involves magic, then this hut will burn down without others using their magic to guard against my uncontrolled fire breath. Finding my own magic and using it seems to have opened up a flood that I cannot yet control. I almost said no out loud, but, as a dragon who is supposed to save the world, I will be pressured to say yes. And of course, Mother would be upset if I did not undergo whatever this is.

    "I guess."

    "Then you must get comfortable in this nest and fall asleep. The spirits shall guide you through the rest."

    Well no snorting flames. "Wait, just fall asleep? What kind of rite is this?"

    "Spirits guide young dragons through the Rite. I can say no more. Rest, Novayar. We shall leave you here and return when sleep is attained."

    Nukaso walked by me and transformed me into my dragon form. "Uh, are you sure this is safe?" I gestured towards the bed of flammable material I must sleep in. "Oculeera called me a flamethrower."

    "Countless generations of dragons have stood here in the same situation as you. As I set up this nest I cast a spell to counteract the fire breathing spell. Such a simple spell as that can easily be negated with the right chants. You can no more blow flames now than when you walk in your human form."

    Well, no flames yet. Still, it makes me uneasy. How effective is this spell, and how easy is it in general to cast spells that prevent others from using magic?

    Seeing no choice, I curled up in the needles after the two spirit dragons left. Not since I was probably a few days old have I slept in this form. As human like as my dragon shape is, I still have folded wings and a tail to think about. After some tossing and turning and shifting and totally messing up the nice, neat pile of pine needles, I finally get comfortable. On my side, tail curled slightly around me, arms and legs splayed outwards.

    When I close my eyes, my mind wanders. My mind always does this, and the more outlandish my thoughts become, the closer I am to sleep. Unfortunately, I am not there yet.

    What is this Rite? I had no clue there was one until Oculeera mentioned it. Is it a secret of the dragons? Mom and Dad mentioned they do not know everything about dragon kind, and maybe they mean things like this. The Elders or Master could have at least told me a little of what to expect. Spirits guiding me, but through what? And continuing to wander about it is sure to keep my mind too active to sleep.

    I snort. I need to distract myself. Easier said than done.

    Oculeera at least could have said something. This Rite might be some big secret, but she is not above bending rules, as she made clear to me earlier today. I wonder if she is mad about being burned, even though she seemed to shrug it off as nothing, and as a result kept me in the dark.

    A pit settled in my stomach. We are supposed to be friends. The prophecy demands that we work together. And we are, but what if I ruined it earlier? Even if I did not, I ought to do something to make up for burning her. Saying "I'm sorry" twenty thousand times somehow does not feel like it will cut it. If I had free time I could draw her a picture, but I have neither free time nor drawing materials. What do dragons do for each other? Master has not taught me any leisure activities of dragons, or even what dragons like to strive for other than to be free.