Dragonsoul

Chapter 29

Flickering flames licked the empty air, as fire that was all he was hungrily opened its mouth to the open air, Flame had to try his best to subdue his agitation. After all, human irrationality was not the forest's fault.

Having known the human race for such a long time, the ancient one still could not understand them, especially their inability to follow the rules.

Standing at the edge of the forest and looking at what Leonie and Rim called a training, he could not help but wonder if they were all doomed. Would the duo ever be ready for what was to come?

It was ridiculous to watch their futile attempts at control as Leonie and Nald ran around trying to put out fires accidentally started by Rim. They had their hands full since he seemed unable to hit the target. He hit anything except target.

"Appearing to her, you should not have done. What if her will to go on is gone? Pain works in mysterious ways. Your visit could have left grievous stains." Flame spoke to the empty air in front of him.

"Too proud you humans are. Let us hope you did not leave a scar. Do not contact her again as it will only cause her pain. You know the rules, stop giving her clues." Flame said as if answering to someone's inaudible voice.

"Her father, you might be, but what is best for her you cannot see. Clouded is your reason, but I will not approve of any more treason." Flame said.

Upon listening to the reply, his fire started becoming tamer, his anger extinguished, and his focus shifted on the little girl on whom depended so much more than she would ever know.

The task to guide her fell upon him, but Flame knew that the best way to guide was subtly not entering dreams and offering solutions. Human minds were fragile things, and there was only so much they could bear before breaking apart. 

Although he could not understand why the Fates had chosen that particular girl for such a difficult task, Flame knew he would do everything in his power to keep the girl on the right path. Even if it meant protecting her from her dead father's overprotectiveness.

When Amitola entered the clearing in front of their house, to call the others inside Flame flickered away. He knew very well how perceptive the woman could be. After all, Aqua had taught her well, a crime she was yet to repent.

Amitola's head turned in Flame's direction, having felt a flicker of something. However, she was a moment too late, for all she saw was the forest, the very forest which gave them nourishment and took away the man Amitola loved more than she ever thought possible.

Assuming that she was just tired, Amitola continued towards the trio cautiously since it was clear that Rim did not have as much control of his fire as she would have liked. He did not seem to be focusing enough as if his attention was split, and that was one of the reasons Amitola hurried with her breakfast preparation.

She could see them practicing from the window, and it looked so utterly dangerous, especially for Nald. All Amitola wanted was to call them inside and thus protect them. However, being a mother also meant knowing what the best thing to do was for her children. Instead of panicking and worrying about what might happen to them, she chose the other route, distraction in the form of a delicious breakfast.

As she moved closer to them, a small fireball flew inches from her head and assured her that she was doing the right thing in stopping them. It was clear that Rim was not centered, thus the best thing for all of them was to take a rest.

"Sorry," Rim said, suddenly stopping his attempts of making a fireball.

"That's alright. No harm done." Amitola said as calmly as she could.

"It's time for breakfast. Come on. You need to rest." Amitola said.

Nald and Leonie immediately put down the buckets of water they were holding and followed Amitola back to the house. However, Rim hesitated. He did not move at all.

Leonie could sense that he was not behind her, so she spun back to see him stealing glances towards the forest. The hesitation was evident in his every movement, even by the twitch of his tail.

"Are you coming?" Leonie asked.

"I can't. I am hungry." He said.

"Well, yes, that's why we will have breakfast...Oh," Leonie said, finally understanding what he meant.

"There is not enough food in your house or a few more houses like that for someone with my appetite. I need to hunt. It's just that I don't want to leave you. If we separate, something bad might happen." Rim said.

"Don't worry everything will be fine. We will be safe in the house. Besides, I am sure that you won't be long knowing how efficient hunters dragons are." Leonie said.

"Are you sure it's alright?" Rim asked hesitantly.

"Of course, you are a developing dragon. You need proper nourishment. We will be fine." Leonie said.

"See you soon," Rim said.

"See you," Leonie answered.

The words sounded familiar to her as if they had already been spoken before. However, she shook it off as stress, for having to separate from her dragon friend even for such a short time. Forests were vast, and the other dragons were not kind towards the Green Scaled dragons, so she could not help but worry about Rim.

"Everything okay, my dear?" Amitola asked the moment Leonie entered the kitchen.

"It's fine. Rim just needed to go hunting. He is hungry." Leonie said.

"Will he kill and swallow a whole pig? Or will he be frying some rabbits with his fire and then eat them one by one?" Nald asked in fascination.

"Nald!" Leonie said.

She was trying her best not to imagine Rim feeding because she was sure it was not a pretty sight and hearing Nald say that made the images more vivid in her mind. The fact that a daughter of a Hunter would react like that made her feel embarrassed, but somehow she could not imagine her cute little dragon friend devouring another living being.

"Nald, dear, you better think about your breakfast instead of Rim's. Have you even washed your hands, or did you sit down with dirty hands?" Amitola asked.

"They are clean," Nald said, defensively trying to hide his hands behind his back.

"Off you go. Be a good boy, and wash your hands. If you do that, there will be a surprise for you." Amitola said.

Upon hearing that, Nald was up in a matter of seconds dashing like a young cheetah. The promise of a surprise usually meant sweets, and it was one of the best ways to inspire Nald. Also, it would immediately shift his attention.

"Thank you," Leonie told her mother the moment Nald was out of the kitchen.

"You're welcome, my dear. You know how overexcited your brother can get, don't be mad at him." Amitola said.

"I am not mad. It's just that I have too much on my mind as it is, and I don't need to add to that thinking about Rim covered in blood and worrying whose blood it is." Leonie said.

"He'll be fine. We are not talking about a lost puppy but a dragon." Amitola said, kissing Leonie's forehead.

"Yes, I guess you are right," Leonie said.

Soon enough, Nald was back, and they started having a delicious meal as a family. The smells of delicious food and Nald's excited voice made Leonie remember things as they used to be, the way they would never be again. Still, she focused on enjoying the present moment. After all, it was easier to think things through on a full stomach.