Death and Howls Part Twelve: Love and Friendships!

Darwin:

A soft voice begged for help in my head, Acer asking what was wrong. Fighting the urge to run to it, Helios seemed to be throwing a fit in his stable Shit! That wasn't like him at all. Crossing my hands, no battles had been planned today and it was a rare day off. Seeing him like this told me that he needed to get out and as soon as possible at that.

“Do you mind if I take a flight?” I inquired with a million dollar smile, a long sigh drawing from his lips. “I need to clear my head for the meeting tomorrow. Please?” Huffing out a quick fine, Luna waved at me while walking Felina to the classroom. A sorrow hung over her, my heart aching for her. Old memories haunted her soul, the claws of agony digging into the tender tissue of heart. Sprinting up to Helios, a blast of hot air had my ivory blouse fluttering away. There was no need to be rude, the damn dragon was going to take to the sky regardless of his attitude.

“Someone is in my head.” He growled in agony, my attempts to calm him down failed spectacularly. Throwing me on his back, hot air blew my hair back. Zooming through the sky, my arms couldn’t hold on tight enough. Trees became a village, Helios refusing to slow down. My pleas fell on deaf ears, my scythe threatening to fly off out of its case. Landing in the clearing outside of a rundown village, familiar snorts and snarls had me searching for the poor dragon in trouble. Hopping off, my palms rubbed his snout. Pressing my forehead to his snout, a cloud of gas knocked him out. Apologizing as I hid behind a tree, the hunters were already on him. No wonder the dragons back home stayed hidden, the worn faces of four slender dark elves glared at him. Locking him down with my bond, raw rage had the tallest one’s face growing quite red. Like hell, they were going to take my dear Helios away. Cloaking myself in an invisibility spell, my bond with him had a dome humming to life. Blasting them ten feet away from him, I used the opportunity to sprint to about where they would land. Pulling out my scythe gingerly, punishment had to be delivered. Death was deemed to be the last resort in my mind. Although, arrest could prove to be rather difficult. Watching them struggle to their feet, they limped towards the village. Jumping into the tree, the branches creaked in protest with every leap to the next one. A cloud of dirt threatened to expose me, my landing feeling a bit clumsy. A migraine throbbed to life, the effects the gas on Helios were passing to me. Swaying slightly, a blunt object to the back of my head whisked me away into a rough slumber. 

Groaning awake, blood soaked the back of my head. Grumbling under my breath, chains bound me to a wooden spike. Helios lay in a net, my heart shattering. The dark elves tossed my scythe around, a low growl rumbling in my throat. As if it wasn't bad enough to be in this shitty situation, the annoyance of treating my scythe like a toy did little to ease my fraying nerves. The chains absorbed my attempt to melt them, the dark elves giggling like fucking maniacs. If I couldn’t make it, then I was going to need back up. Rolling my glass ball out of my pocket, a couple of swirls called the twins. Leaning over their own, their tired smiles had guilt rising within my soul. Please don't be in the middle of something.

“Help.” I grunted through gritted teeth, both of them hanging up. Settling into my situation, Lottie would tell me to use my wits. A small argument broke out between them, Helios beginning to stir. A blast of energy knocked him out, my heart feeling seconds from beating out of my chest. A house divided couldn’t stand but a united one could. Clearing my throat, my sly grin had them marching up to me with huffs.  Leaning down close enough for me to see the key swinging on the tallest one’s neck, her fingers snatched my chin aggressively. Keeping her there with a defiant look, the frayed rope gave out. Catching the key in my palm, a tuck into my sleeve dissolved any clue of their future mistake. 

“How did you get to become the leader?” I questioned bitingly, her grip getting stronger. My jawbone creaked ominously, a slap to the back of her head had her hands dropping to her side. Gray skin glistened in the early morning light, cold jet black eyes glaring into the other one’s. Smashing her fist into her face, my scythe skidded to my feet. Maneuvering my arm through the chains, the key clicking into place had me sighing with relief. The chains rattling to the dirt had their heads snapping in my direction, a steady stream of curse words flooding from my lips. Popping to my feet, a couple of dragons roaring an half hour away granted me the confidence I needed. Snapping their heads up to the sky, Helios tore the net to shreds. Taking off into the sky to escape, my chance to find the other dragon presented itself. Pushing off the loose dirt, a couple of kicks knocked them out. Hitting the dirt with dull thuds, the thought of restraining them crossed my mind with every footfall away from them. Thankfully, a scythe could slice through anything without magic. Groaning to their feet the moment I skidded into the nearest rock home, a cold breath on the back of my neck had me leaning against the door. Horror rounded my eyes at a snarling light pink dragon with violet horns and violet wings. Pressing one of her violet claws into my throat, the rattling door gave her pause. Death by a dragon wasn't on the plans today!

“My name is Darwin and I am Helios’ friend. Master seems a little harsh.” I stuttered nervously, the key glistening in my palm. “I have the key to set you free.” Showing her the key, her harsh expression softened to one of appreciation. Extending her claws, the wood groaned in protest as she held it shut. Yanking on the chain until the locks clanged to my feet. Jamming the key in, click after click had her chains loosening. Clanging to the worn wooden floor, her snout rubbed against my face. Tapping the floor for any hollow spaces, her free claw pointed to the large hole in the corner. Knocking out a bit more of the back, her claw pushed me out. No way in hell was Helios not going to get his family.

“Run away and don’t look back!” She pleaded with tears in her eyes, surprise rounding her eyes as I stepped over the debris pile with my arms folded across my chest. Disappointment mixed with sorrow, her protests falling on deaf ears. Mor and Torg stepped in behind me, the pink dragon hissing. Calming her down by petting behind her ears, their matching armor causing my brow to cock. Of course, they went all out. Happy to see them here, the situation got a bit easier for us all.

“Don’t you dare tell Acer about this!” I barked impatiently, the dark elves banging on the door. “Did you see Helios on the way here?” Shaking their heads, a new level of panic set into my eyes. Pushing me aside, the new dragon rescinded her claws in order to let the door swing open. Spinning their blades over their heads, black water filled up the space. Smacking the side of her leg, a head nod told her to leave with me. Understanding with a brilliant smile, we made our way out to find Helios. Placing me on her back, she took off as lightning brightened the darkening space. Zooming over the trees, every flap had my heart beating faster. Losing my best friend was not in my cards today!

“I am Dusk, the dragon of the night.” She spoke softly, her voice nearly lulling me into a deep slumber. “Ice and snow is what rests in my soul. Not one person has been kind to me. Well, until now.” Hugging her neck, a heart of snow floated from her snout. A strangled cry from my dear Helios had us landing a couple of feet away from a decaying church. Hopping off, a horrific sight greeted me. Oak had his sword over Helios’ heart, my desperate no stopping him. Silent tears stained my cheeks, Oak’s sadistic grin meeting my numb expression. Flicking off his blood from his ornate armor, his wicked laughter echoed in my ears. 

“Such a precious thing and you look like you are about to shit your pants. What are you going to do, boy? Are you going to let him die? I already cut these off!” He bragged with an even bigger grin, his blood soaked hand holding up his wings. Rage mixed with sorrow, my hand reaching for him. Helios, I need you! I need you, damn it!

“Funny thing is that dragons bleed out real fast but you must have known that already.” He continued maliciously, throwing them to my feet. “Fight me! Show me your quills, damn it!” Praying to the god of death within me to return my powers, my veins glowed to life. Shaking with rage, the bastard murdered my dragon. A cloud of dirt had us snapping our head to the left, the golden armor of Acer shimmering in the light. His blade was at the ready, black wind powers and golden wind powers swirled around the two of them. Half of me wanted to fight for him, the other half seeming paralyzed with fear at the state of Helios.

“Get your dragon to safety!” He ordered with his tired look through his helmet, his head cocking back. “Time for a visit with dear old father. Use your magic to replace what once was lost.” Hesitation lingered in my eyes, the two of them becoming balls of black and gold in the sky. Trees crashed around them, his sharp order rang out through the sky. Stumbling over to Helios, his wounds were nearly fatal. Sobbing into his scales, no spell came to mind. The twins crunched to me, bags of medical supplies bouncing off of their hips. Torg pulled me aside, his palms pressing together. No words could make this situation any better.

“Mold him a new pair of wings while we work on the others. Metal would be the best. Get to it!” He suggested with a gentle smile, his hand patting my shoulder. “Panic later, okay.” Rushing off to tend to Helios, the tears never stopped cascading from my eyes. Pressing my palms together, nothing came to mind. The chaos erupting around me had every breath shortening, a clammy sweat soaking my skin. The world began to spin, my heart seeming seconds from beating out of my chest. Every attempt failed, sheer frustration making the panic attack all the worse. 

“Work, damn it!” I screamed into the sky, time slowing down as metal groaned into golden wings. “Helios is mine and I need him to live, damn it!” Swaying from the sheer power it was taking, the cold dirt caught my face. Acer rolling to my body, cracks exposing serious injuries. Cupping his hand, any magic I had left sealed his wounds shut. Nasty scars would remain but my friend would be okay. A rough darkness stole us both, his wheezy thank you more than sufficing. 

Groaning awake in my cabin, the faces of my friends blurred into clarity. Shoving them out of the way, my bare feet barely touched the floor. Pounding out of my cabin, the other generals pleaded for me to slow down. Sprinting until I couldn’t anymore, the magical burns poking out of the gauze had my body feeling the wave of raw agony crashing over me. Dropping to my knees, a fully recovered Helios scooped me up. Pushing off the dirt, his gold wings shimmered in the early morning light. Such a sweet moment was tainted by too many negative emotions.

“I am so sorry!” I sobbed uncontrollably, my arms wrapping around his neck. Glancing back at me with a devilish grin, confusion fused poorly with my guilt. Grinning ear to ear, his heart rate sounded like thunder in my ears. 

“Darwin, I am going to live. Please calm down!” He joked lightly, humming a song. “You helped me find my mate. Don’t think that I am going anywhere. My job is to lead the dragons in battle, the sole difference being that I have someone to come home to. Besides, your friends really came through for you back there. What a bunch of keepers!” Stammering out pathetic whimpers, his twinkling eyes met my wet eyes. 

“My wings are the coolest!” He bragged while flipping through the sky, his tongue sticking out. “Wings or death? The choice seems rather clear to me.” Accepting his good mood, he landed back in the courtyard. Patting my head while setting me down, an ice heart met his smoke heart. Smiling softly to myself, hope could be found in my dear friend remaining by my side. Providing him with the space to get to know his mate, Acer’s footfalls had my ears pinning back. Smashing into me, his scars had that guilt returning awfully quick. Releasing me, my eyes welled up again. The twins ran up to his side, one of them had my boots hanging off of his arms. Luck had most certainly graced me with them.

“Next time tell me that something is wrong!” He berated me while shaking my shoulders, his brotherly care warming my soul. “I doubt that anything could have changed. When will you realize that you have us, damn it!” Mor and Torg began to yell at me as well, Acer shutting them down with a raise of his hand. 

“That is enough, boys!” He snapped hotly, his eyes flitting between them and me. “Tavern for a hearty breakfast and perhaps a cool beer. I have so much to tell you. Please let me pay my dear friend back.” Accepting my boots, our simple outfits of ivory cotton blouses and pants made us look like brothers. Shooting out a quick fine, the sound of my family approaching had me grinning ear to ear. Catching Felina in my arms, her questions shot out of her mouth a mile a minute. Setting her down with a head pat, her matching blouse and pants outfit looked adorable on her. Luna came into view, my heart skipping a beat. Our twins snored in slings, her arms opening up for me. Spinning up to her, my lips kissed hers feverishly. Releasing her from my spell, her hand cupped my face. Snuggling into her palm, a serene expression came over my features.

“Join us for a picnic later. Rose and Acer will be there. Have a nice breakfast with the boys.” She urged me with a peck on the cheek, her eyes watching Helios cuddle with Dusk. “What a pretty girl. I wonder who she will choose as her rider. Do you want to see Helios, Felina?” Jumping up and down, Felina’s boots kicked up a trail of dirt. Waving goodbye to them, Acer draped his arms over my shoulders while I slid my feet into my boots. Following them to the tavern, Mor wouldn’t stop talking about how awesome Acer was. Rolling my eyes, Acer winked in my direction with a crooked grin. 

“Let’s face it! None of us are as cool as Darwin. That guy has our god of death within him.” Acer chuckled heartily, his hands resting on his hips. Felina calling out to me had us spinning on our heels, a dragon mark glowing on the back of her hand. Leaping into my arms, Felina wrapped her legs around my waist. How could I say no?

“Dusk chose me!” She squealed excitedly, her arms draping around my neck. “Can you teach me how to ride?” Promising her with my real smile, her lips pecked my cheek adorably. Acer invited her to breakfast, her eyes lighting up. What a lovely sight! Making our way into the tavern, the bartender shouted out a hearty hello. Taking our usual spot by the fireplace, Felina plopped herself on my lap. Watching her tail wag, her ears bounced with every one of Acer’s fun adventures. Plates of eggs and sausage were set out next to the basket of  toasted bread, Felina digging in. Examining her closer, she seemed to be a healthy weight. Ruffling the top of her head, she accepted my plate graciously. Kissing the top of her head, her free hand held mine. Rubbing the back of my hand, Acer’s scars had my head bowing in shame. As his second hand man, I had failed at my job. 

“You didn’t expect me to come so don’t let that weigh on you. Besides, Helios was of the utmost priority. Without your presence, the chances of standing up to my old man were slim to none.” He assured me while dropping another sausage onto Felina’s plate. “In fact, it was nice to save you for fucking once. Let’s ask for help next time.” Flashing him a genuine smile, our brother-like bond had grown stronger. Happy to have them in my life, Felina began to ask the others all kinds of questions. Settling into the warmth of the moment, life sure had a way of reminding you of what could be lost.