Flame Rider II: Rise of Chaos

A New Beginning?

I dreaded what could have happened. The possibilities were running rampant in my mind. Blaze could have been killed again, he could have been captured, or he could have been broken mentally or emotionally. Anything was possible.

When the human drop-ship landed, I searched desperately for my boyfriend, and…there they were, waiting for the others to get off first, before they too disembarked.

I was aware of Dragono slowly making his way towards the drop-ship, as I entered it, and moved over to where Erath was being helped up by an exhausted Blaze. When I was close enough, I heard Erath gasp in pain.

“Erath!” I yelled in worry, as I brought his body to my own, “Are you alright?”

“Fine, thanks to your brother,” my boyfriend responded, “Don’t worry about me, just don’t worry, I’m fine.”

I nodded, before spotting her. Elyse was helping one of the wounded Marines down from the drop-ship, her face grim. I took a step towards her, before feeling a hand clamp onto my arm.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” I heard Blaze whisper, “She’s changed, and deserves another chance.”

I shook Blaze’s hand off my arm, before marching up to Elyse. When she saw me, she had a look of worry etched into her expression. Looking behind me, I saw her face become scared.

“I know I killed your brother a year ago,” Elyse started, “But I did that because I thought…”

“Cut the bullshit,” I hissed, “my brother says that you deserve a second chance, but he’s been through hell. I am less inclined to trust you.”

“You’re gonna kill me now, aren’t you?” Elyse asked.

“No, I’m just gonna watch you,” I replied, “And if you do a single thing that suggests that you can’t be trusted, then, while…you get the idea.”

*-*-*-*

I was about to step into the dangerous conversation between Elyse and my sister, when I felt a powerful presence storm my mind.

‘Your defences have become sloppy,’ a great voice grated, ‘time in the Nether Realm has done you little good.’

‘Who are you?’ I demanded, ‘And who said you could enter my mind.’

‘Surely you have not forgotten your own Dragon,’ the voice thundered, ‘If you have, then you are a very poor Rider.’

‘I have no time for games,’ I retorted, ‘reveal to me your name or else…’

Then it hit me. The voice was that of Maria’s Dragon, Dragono Shadowflame. I swallowed thickly, as I remembered what I had done to create the bond between Dragono and Maria.

‘What is it that you want?’ I asked, regret clouding my thoughts.

‘She’s in trouble,’ Dragono replied, ‘Anna has a strange being inside her, and I need your help.’

I soon had an image of the camp, and headed towards where Dragono had said the elf was resting. When I reached the prefab, I saw Joseph and a small dragon outside.

I knelt down in front of Joseph, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“She’s sick,” Joseph said, “There’s nothing me or Carlos can do…”

“Who’s Carlos?” I asked, before waving the young teen down, “Doesn’t matter now. Can I go in?”

“If you can help her,” was the reply.