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Chaos erupted outside my window, the townsfolk shoving a colorfully dressed man around. Grabbing my scythe, Boran glanced up from his book as I leapt out the window. Shoving my way through the crowd, everyone shooting daggers in my direction. Something felt off, my eyes falling on the paling face of a golden eyed individual. Fluffy navy hair fluttered in the wind, a haughty sneer curled on his lips. Cocking his head back, his colorful suit reminding me of a jester suit. The only thing missing was the matching hat with those damn bells, my grip strengthening on my scythe.
“Don’t you see how violent she can be?” He laughed darkly, leaning forward. “How curious? I was wondering where my boss Wrathia went. Imagine the shock when I found you that you had her in your charge. I came to rescue her but I spread the loveliest rumors along the way. These people aren’t buying it. Nobody in those towns wanted to buy them either. I don’t know what kind of hold you have on them but you have them in a spell for sure.” Playing with my ears, my death glare did little to calm them down.
“Whatever happened to the concept of lips being sealed. That must be dead now.” I mumbled under my breath, dragging him away by his pointed ears. “Do you know what my lips are sealed means? Clearly you lack the concept of it completely. Rumors are a disgusting thing to spread. What the hell is your name you annoying little pest?” Wrathia gasped from her window, her real smile illuminating her face. Leaping out of the window, her arms pulled him into a suffocating embrace. Kissing him hungrily, his navy lips curled into a goofy grin. Spinning her underneath him, shock rounded my eyes. Was he her boyfriend? Boran leaned on my shoulder, his next comment snapping me back to reality.
“I guess even the bitch has a boyfriend.” He taunted bitterly, the townsfolk watching with intense interest. “Nothing to see. Just an idiot reuniting with another idiot.” Wandering back to their homes and shops, his loving gaze fell on me attempting to figure out what the hell had unfolded in front of me. Bad blood still boiled between them which was fair.
“Jester, I missed you. I am sorry I abandoned you.” She chirped cheerfully, my heart melting at another bar of white lightening her aura. “I want to be a better girlfriend.” Locking lips with him softly, his haughtiness melted away. Turning back towards me, a sincere look softened his expression.
“I apologize for my earlier behavior. I have a habit of spreading rumors when I am mad at someone.” He uttered simply, Wrathia yanking on his ear. “I am sincerely sorry. I am her demon familiar. I kind of broke the rules for falling in love with her. Thankfully they let that slide.” Rubbing my forehead, these evil guys who became heroes showcased their quirky personalities in the best ways. Clearing my throat, my companions were going to be the death of me. Boran kissed the top of my head, the ground quaking. The cobblestone gave away, cool air lashed my cheeks. My onyx skirt flew up, Boran enveloping me. Jester grabbed Wrathia. Grunts echoed in the air, their bodies crashing into loose sand. Dismay dimmed my eyes at the cobblestone repairing itself, my mind flicking back to Mishal.
“Did you leave Mishal with anyone?” I questioned wearily, a look of disdain twisting his features. Rolling his eyes, his spiked club rested in his eager palms. Snapping his head in my direction, low growls rumbled in his throat.
“Who the hell do you think I am!” He snapped venomously, Wrathia watching with extreme discomfort. “Of course, Somata is watching him along with the twins! Where the fuck are we?” Struggling to our feet, twisted graying trees lined the blood red path. Dark energy swirled off the navy grass, the combination of the colors unsettling me. Picking up the sand, a quick sniff warned me of an ancient dragon.
“This is a dragon’s realm.” I informed him briskly, resting my hands on my hips. “Perhaps I could talk our way back home. I do have Scarlet on my side after all.” Something still felt off about this, the aura wafting off this dragon reeking of nightmares. The poor thing was sick and he needed my help. Unfortunately, nightmare gremlins would soon be heading our way. Snarls rumbled behind me, hundreds of shadowy creatures with pointy ears padded out from the tree line. Cloudy eyes glistened with malice, the four of us stepping back.
“What now, boss lady?” Jester questioned shakily, pulling a sleek golden cane with a color changing pearl from inside his coat. Putting my hand up in the air, horror rounded our eyes at the rows of sharp fangs. Cursing to ourselves, a solution had to be made. The only problem was that they couldn’t get killed until I cleared the nightmares plaguing the dragon. Scarlet rumbled to life in my head, his voice thundering away.
“Your best bet is to run unless you have more powerful nightmares.” He warned calmly in my head, the irony in tone not helping. “Sniff him out.” Taking a deep whiff, the dragon was slumbering deep in the woods. Leaping over the creatures, a crazed grin haunted my face. Jumping after me, their feet crashed behind me. Popping onto the branch, each hop caused my ears to flap in the sulfuric air. Missing the next branch, my fingers gripped the next one. Dangling like ribbon, Boran and the others froze on their branches. Time to try something new, a deep sigh pouring from my lips.
“Lady Mina! Grant me the power to draw out all of my nightmares.” I chanted anxiously, marbles building in my palms. Spitting out the nightmare marbles choking me, my endless sea of nightmares enough to feed an army. Swinging onto the branch, the last of them landing in my palms. Tossing them in the air, this would damage the dimension for a hot minute. The result being nothing I couldn’t fix, the spell would be worth it. Swinging my scythe, the tip touched the biggest one. Ruby blood plopped on top of our heads, the evil versions of my friends gathering around us. Panic gripped my face, each breath growing shorter. Shake off the fear I yelled at myself, Boran’s face falling at the sight of what I had been dreaming about. Clutching my chest, my heart seemed seconds from beating out of my chest.
“We need to run. My nightmares will devour them if we are lucky. You don’t want to fight the dark version of m-” I ordered sharply, sheer fright claiming my features at the inky eyed version of me blocking my path. Wicked laughter burst from her lips, her scythe spinning in her palm. Charging at me, our blades clashed violently. Flipping over her, my best bet was to run from myself. Increasing my speed, blood poured from my eyes. My nose followed suit, this spell taking a good chunk from me. Blocking her attacks with my vines, a blackened vine blasting through my shoulder. Ripping it out, my own blood painted my cheeks. Taking a deep breath, I needed to push forward. Glancing down, my nightmares were devouring the creatures. Mouthing a silent spell, a cage of silver vines weaved itself over them. My vision blurred, the blue roses ensuring their entrapment. Dragon flames licked my leg, a tiny whimper escaping my lips. How would I kill myself? That question tasted like poison on the tip of my tongue, my mind flickering through the options. Boran called out to me, landing next to me. Wrathia hung upside down from her branch, her face inches from mine. Tracing my cheek, our eyes fell on my evil monster of myself.
“Go ahead. We can manage to fight her off.” She urged with a short tone, her blades shimmering in the moonlight. “Go do your thing.” Thanking her silently, we pressed forward. Branches scratched my face, a steady stream of curse words flooding from my lips at the inky eyed version of Boran. Turning towards me, a bewildered look twitched on his face.
“You seriously see me like that in your nightmares? What the fuck?” He whispered harshly, holding me by the waist. “You know I love you, Dagger.” Rolling my eyes, the blood had stained our clothes a pretty red. Kissing the top of my head, he leapt down towards the evil version of him. Using his attack to disguise my entrance into the sparkling cave, my heart sank at my nightmare copy holding the limp bodies of Jester and Wrathia. Tossing them to my feet, an emerald dragon caught my eyes. Stepping over them, Boran rolled into my heels. Cuts and bruises covered his skin, his muscles in some sort of paralysis. Maniacal laughter burst from her lips, her head cocking to the right.
“Did you really expect them to beat me? Honestly, they don’t hold a candle to our powers. You are weak, and stupid. Compassion is what seems to drive that tiny little brain of yours.” She taunted cruelly, the two of them circling me like a predator circling their prey. “You could have taken over the world by now. Yet you insist on saving everyone! Alas, the price is rather steep isn’t it? Your mental state is a mess, sweetheart. You can’t even go a night without seeing yours truly.” Gritting my teeth, vines curled up my arms. Enough was enough!
“Compassion isn’t stupid or pointless as you say.” I argued venomously, raising my scythe in the attack position. “I have made so many friends in my journey. I didn’t give up my home and arm for you to tell me that I am a freaking idiot. I do everything for my family and yes my friends count as family. I am the queen of this dimension. I take my duties rather seriously. Stand down and let me through.” Boran’s evil twin charged at me, one swift swing beheading him. My shoulder screamed in protest, pure adrenaline permitting it to move. Decaying to dust, the dark me wailed in pain. Scooping up my friends, a vine carried me to the other side. Slamming the black iron doors behind me, I set my limp friends down. Lowering the three foot thick bar down, the door rattled. Rushing over to the dragon, a pair of milky eyes met mine. A tiny whimper escaped my lips as the pain of my wound caught up to me, his rough tongue licking my bloody wound.
“You can leave me to slowly die.” He wheezed tiredly, my palms rubbing his palms. Shaking my head, there was no way I would let that happen. Kissing his snout, joy illuminated his eyes. Chuckling softly to myself, his nightmare was currently fueling the dark version of me.
“Nonsense.” I promised sweetly, formulating a spell. “Relax for a minute. Silver water from my home! Combine with the healing flames of my Lady Mina. Dissolve the nightmares haunting my new friend.” Silver water swirled around my blue flames, the two elements devouring the nightmares tainting his aura. The door burst open, Jester struggling to her feet, her blades quaking in her hand. Unable to move from my task, he spun his cane in his palm. Bells chimed in the air, the sound waves sinking her to her knees. Charging at her, the heel of his golden boots slammed into her jaw. Just a few moments more, a small bit remaining. Growing weaker by the second, her movements became sloppy. Devouring the last of his curse, his aura lightened to a snow white glow. Rising to my feet, childlike wonder brightened my eyes as my shoulder wound healed.
“Duck!” I shouted over the chaos, Jester hit the floor. “Vines, choke her out!” Whipping in her direction, another bunch climbed up her leg. Groaning into a cocoon, a silver rose bloomed around her. Closing up, thorns ripped her to shreds. The spell crumbled as I collapsed into a big claw, the gentle dragon gazing kindly upon me.
“Rest my child.” He thundered serenely, my hands rubbing his onyx claws. Rubbing his milky horns on the rock, he blew a smoke heart. His golden heart knew no bounds, a tender blush painting my cheeks.
“What is your name, you handsome devil?” I queried playfully, Boran stirring awake. “Do you wish to be free from this prison?” Boran panicked at the sight of the dragon holding me in his claws, a single stern look shutting him down. Jester poked at Wrathia, my attention turning back towards the dragon. Kissing his snout, he snuggled his head into my palm.
“I am Emerald, and I will accept your invitation to the surface.” He uttered gleefully, his warmth melting my heart. “Will there be children? I love it when children play with me. I used to watch Sallie as a child and boy was it fun." Boran walked up to Emerald, attempting to figure out how I was talking to him. Playing with my necklace, he pieced it together. Waiting patiently, Emerald rose to his feet. Sliding me onto his back, his golden eyes fell on my dragon arm. Jester loaded up Wrathia, Boran hopping on last. Unfolding a pair of milky wings, his tail wagged with excitement. Bursting from the mouth of the cave, the cobblestone broke upon him flying through. Boran’s real smile never left his lips, Emerald shooting into the sky. Wrathia snapped awake, a scream bursting from her lips. Clinging to Jester, her body trembled in his arms. Hugging his neck, freedom twinkled in Emerald’s eyes. Boran wrapped his arms around my waist, his hair flew back. Enjoying the moment, Darwin was going to love Emerald. Landing in the repaired town square, Salenia bounced up to him. Hugging him desperately, tears flooded from her eyes. Darwin skipped up to me, his jaw dropping at the dragon. Running up to him, his arms curled around his snout. Tears of joy flooded from Emerald’s eyes as Star and Cloud bounced up to him. One by the one the children poured out to see the dragon, my own tears of happiness staining my cheeks. The elation swirling around Emerald melted my heart, Boran helping me down.
“Are you happy or is it the hormones?” Boran teased lightly, wiping away my tears. “You amuse me, Dagger.” Emerald’s tail wagged wildly, his grin growing wider. The children slid down his back, his claws catching them before they hit the street. Darwin waved from the top of his head, blowing me a kiss. Catching, I tucked it into my pocket. Somata stepped out with Mishal, his hands reaching for Emerald. Everyone cleared a path, a low purr quaking the ground the moment Mishal touched his snout. My friends rushed up with a basket of raw fish, Emerald’s eyes lighting up at the fish. The dinner bells rang, my eyes falling on the twinkling stars for the first time. Salenia thanked me silently as she herded her children back home. Placing ten fish on his claw, his controlled flame cooked us a quick dinner. Helios cried out behind me, his claws clicking over to the Emerald. Sitting down in front of him, Emerald turned towards me.
“Is he yours?” He questioned with a kindhearted grin, patting the top of his head with his free claw. “He looks a lot like the dragon attached to your soul. I am sure Scarlet appreciates the ability to see his son everyday.” Scarlet agreed in my mind, his heart swelling at the sight of his son meeting another dragon. Hopping onto the basket, he stole a fish. Emerald passed us a fish, Somata passing me Mishal. Leaning against Emerald brought up tears, the desire to be by Mina breaking me down. Sobbing into my fish, Helios crawled onto my lap. Concern flashed on everyone’s face, broken sobs wracked my body. Darwin plopped down on the other side of me while Boran sat down next to mine. Tears stained his cheeks, our shared grief bringing us closer. Resting his head on my shoulder, Helios stole my cooked fish. Not caring, Darwin cupped my hands. Kissing the top of my hands, his kind eyes stole my heart.
“Mommy, she is only a visit away.” He comforted me with an impressive level of maturity, climbing onto my lap next Mishal. “She probably misses you too.” Smiling sadly to his face, his gentle smile eased my fraying nerves. Embracing him with all of my love, I didn’t deserve such a great son. Pressing his hands against my bump, his lips brushed against the bloody fabric.
“I know that these guys will be lucky to have you as a mommy. I know I am grateful for the world’s greatest mother.” He continued sweetly, squirming out of my embrace to sit on Boran’s lap. “You are the world’s greatest father. They will be lucky to have you.” Wiping his tears away, Boran hugged him like his life depended on it. Seeing the love between them warmed my heart, every cell in me praying for this moment to never end. Thank you Lady Mina for such an amazing son.
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