𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒

ººChapter Elevenºº

When I opened my eyes, all I could see was a snowstorm. Wind and cold were moving me in every direction they pleased. All I knew is that I have to move forward. Someone was summoning me, I could feel it, so I did. Every step I took was torture for me. I thought it would kill me.

I don't know for how long I was walking, but somehow I reached the Ice Dragon Temple. I heard about it, and I thought it was just a fairy tale. Well, I guess, in every tale, there is a grain of truth. The legend tells that this temple was made for summoning the great spirit of ice for protection from enemies, and it worked really well. Centuries before me, our ancestors had a really strong bond with Ice Dragon, but as time past, we've become more cruel and selfish. Instead of living in harmony with these magnificent creatures, we start to hunt them down. Eventually, dragons vanished. Some said that they are hiding in the mountains, some that they went into the Underground Kingdom, some went into the deep waters...

The atmosphere around this place was different. As if this temple wasn't empty, no, it was alive. Someone was living there. I've become sure about it with every step I took. When I was inside, I could not catch my breath. Everything was made of ice and it was marvellous! Due to the daylight, ice was looking like a diamond. In front of me, and in the middle of the place, was standing a huge statue of the sitting dragon with his wings open wide, made of rock but eventually as time went by it was covered also by snow and ice.

I went deep in the temple as I found myself walking into a cave, only sound the howling wind was reminding me of the surface. I went deeper and deeper into the mountain, all sounds of the outside were now silent, I could hear only my cold breathing. When I finally went out of the dark tunnel, I found myself in the place, that was made of ice, remanding me of the unperfected sphere. huge needles were appearing in some places. This place was huge and in the shadows, on the other side, I found three eggs.

I was amazed by sight of the dragon eggs, they were bigger than normal ones. I heard some hissing that was coming from the ground, as I saw a snake, and from what I saw she was huge...for a snake, she crawled to the eggs and then I realised that she was hungry and she wanted to eat them up. Grabbing her tail and pulling her back, I was in front of her, to defend these unborn ones.

The snake hissed louder as she 'stood' in all her hight, opening her side umbrellas and that's when I realised that it was a Mountain Cobra. She opened mouth and roared with notes of high pitched hiss.

I could easily kill her by cutting her head off, but who an I to take someone's life.

She attacked first, trying to catch my head, but I made a wall made of ice, which confused her. I did the same from all her sides, sort of squishing her. I added small needles on the inside so I will stab her. Snake starts to hiss in pain and agony. Moving snake and ice glazers that she was surrounded, I moved them out of the dragon nest. The ice cracked into the pieces and the snake crawled away, leaving me alone.

It took a while to process the whole thing. After some time I looked back and saw pair of blue diamond eyes was looking at me through the shadows. I heard the voice in my head

Come.

I obeyed and stepped closer to the white dragon that was laying, protectively blocking any access to her eggs, by her huge massive arm. This dragon was gorgeous. Through the eyes full of mystery and savageness, they were soft and calming. I bowed my head in respect. "It's an honor to meet you" She let out a low, but soft growl.

What's your name child?

"Kayla"

Hm, I'm Taskina. I don't have to tell you what I am, you already know. Raise your head child, and sit.

I didn't say a word, just obeyed and sat on the cold ground. I looked into her eyes and they looked really familiar. "Milady, may I ask you why I'm here?"

I didn't hear such nice words in centuries, she chuckled, I've summoned you because I want to offer my help

"Your help?! But why?! Our people were chasing, hunting, and killing you!"

Not all of them, your gran parents were the ones who were hiding us, I wanted to return a favour. And war is the perfect opportunity.

"But how Milady?" I didn't realise that my voice cracked. There was a moment of silence. We were looking into each other's eyes, it calmed me.

Like my mother.

Taskina moved a little bit changing her position, laying more like a pride lion I would say. She leaned her nose to one of the eggs, softly pushing it forward. Due to the ice that was blocking a bit of the way it almost falls from the small icy cliff that formed along time ago. I grabbed it and wrapped my arms around it. It was I size of the big baby I would say. I moved forwards to place it back but Taskina growled as I stopped.

You saved them from huge Moutain Cobra, and I'm returning a favor by giving one of them... An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, and Life for a Life. It's the ground rule that all of us follow. Deep inside, you know that.

I looked at the egg and then back at Taskina, there wasn't any sign of hesitation. Full of shock and new emotions I nodded as I held an egg close to my chest.

"I'll take care of it"

No, you Both will take care of each other.

"But how? It's so small..." I heard a laugh threw the whole ice space.

Child, don't underestimate dragons. Since war is almost knocking in your door, you must have someone that can help you to let out your power, and guide you with that.

"How can you do that?"

Gemini's Curse. When you will create a bond between each other, you both will become stronger, seeking power from each other, but also we become As One. It means that if something is wrong with each of you, you will know that and it will affect you somehow either physically or mentally. If one of you gets injured other will instantly have it too.

"How should I create such a strong bond, Taskina?"

You already creating it, by holding tightly, it's listening to your heart. Take proper care of it, give it love, talk to it-

"Like my own child" she didn't respond only growled, it sounded more like a 'hmm'. This realisation made me even more terrified than I expected but also exited. After a moment of calm silence, I spoke "Thank you Milady, how can I even thank you more"

One's a year, on the coldest day of the year, set her free.

"As you wish Taskina" she leaned forward, so did I. Our foreheads made a contact, placing my palm on her scaly skin. She was warm, even though she's an Ice Dragon. At that moment I felt safe, protected, and calm.

Goodbye...Mother

I heard her solid growl before a snowy storm surrounded me, I held little egg close to my chest, as then we felt into the darkness.