Dragonsoul

Chapter 57

Author's note: I am not entirely happy with the way this chapter turned out so I am open to any constructive feedback even more so than usual. 

Black and white. Good and evil. Fear and bravery. The everlasting dance of dominance, of power and struggle. If one prevails what happens to the other?

The rest they were able to acquire was not a long one, but enough for all of them to feel refreshed and ready to face whatever stood in their way. Still, they did wish to possess more knowledge of their enemy. Yet, for the time being, they decided to focus on the earth elemental and the possible ways to stop her.

"What are we going to do now?" Leonie asked, clearly unhappy that they had no plan that they could follow, no easy way out.

"I should go back to my house, get my strongest potions ready. Then we will have to find a way to track down Adamina. Assuming that she is the source of all this, stopping her should end all our troubles." Toras said, pointing towards the portal and the snow-covered world beyond it.

"Ah, Toras, don't you wish that things are so easy? But they never are, are they?" Amitola said.

"Well, we can always hope for the best. After all, no matter what happens, one thing the enemy can never do is crush our spirit." Toras said, looking at Amitola.

"Maybe not our spirit, but they can definitely crush us." Rimar suddenly said.

"Why would you say that?" Toras asked, following the dragon's gaze.

What he beheld was not very encouraging, but as the Mage, he was determined not to show how uncomfortable he was with the sight before them. After all, if one of the oldest beings showed fear, what were the others supposed to do.

"What is that?" Nald said enthusiastically, approaching the portal.

"Some kind of ice monster would be my guess," Toras said, positioning himself in front of the curious boy.

"Ice Monsters. I can see at least three of them approaching the yard." Leonie said with her Hunter's eyes more accustomed to judging how dangerous a situation is.

"Very well, Amitola, you and Nald stay here. The portal won't allow anyone or anything to reach you. Rimar, you and Leonie should fly above these ice creatures since you two work best when you are in the air. Also, that will give you the advantage over those things, whatever they are." Toras said.

"Aren't they living beings, like trolls?" Nald asked, curious.

"No, I can't sense any life energy coming off of them. They seem to be mere constructs of ice and snow. They are tools controlled by someone we cannot see." Toras said.

"Toras, are you sure I should stay here? Won't you need my help?" Amitola asked.

"Yes, I think you should stay here and don't worry, Nald is here to protect you," Toras said, giving Amitola a meaningful look.

Amitola instantly understood what Toras was trying to achieve and was grateful to him for caring so much about her children. It was his way of preventing Nald from trying to help in the fighting, thus getting injured.

After all, Leonie and Rimar had a lot of fighting experience, unlike Nald and Amitola who were unprepared for combat. The safest place for them was in the cave. Furthermore, Toras accomplished something that did not even occur to Amitola. He managed to make it appear as if Nald had a crucial duty to uphold. 

To a brave little boy, such was Nald, that was the only thing that could prevent him from going into the battle. Otherwise, he would insist on helping his big sister. To protect him, Amitola was ready to do something she never saw herself doing. She was prepared to let Leonie fulfill her destiny without her trying to shield her from her fate.