Avalar

It was the day of Iris’s funeral arrangements. To keep my mind busy, I was in a field of gold. Picking and bundling it. I made many trips to and from the same trailer until…

Avalar!!” My name was yelled from across the field.

I stood up and saw most of the others were carrying their bundles back to a trailer. I picked my bundle of wheat up and walked it all the way to the shaded trailer. I got there and I heard someone fall. I turned just to see that a whip popped them as the one on the ground got hit.

“Avalar, my next in line for commander, come hither and sit in the shade next to Chieftain Flame.” I heard my Boss say as I turned back around toward him.

“No thanks, Boss Man. I would rather make sure no one out here gets hurt while I burn up. It isn’t right for someone to fall and they get the whip.” I said as I grabbed a bandanna and started to walk back into the field.

“Don’t you disregard me, little man!!” My Boss snarled at me.

I felt the power in his voice, and I stopped in my tracks. I stood there, waiting, as I felt the Earth disturbed. I knelt down and felt a presence of some Vulcanite’s miles away. I stood up and stomped my foot. I changed into my Shelldor form and started to run toward the South.

“Stop him!! He mustn’t reach the fence!!” I heard my Boss yell as more feet started running after me.

I ran and they gave chase. I ran and ran until I got to the 30-foot fence made of logs and stone. I was breathing hard. They stopped a few feet away from me. I could see they weren’t breathing as hard as me. They started walking closer to me with their hands outstretched ready to grab me. I was backed against the wall when my Boss walked right up to me in between the hands. I crouched down in fear as he stood there looking down upon me. My form shifted back to my elf form and he held his hand out like he was holding something. I couldn’t tell what it was since I held my head down with my arms across my ears. I felt dizzy as I slid down to the ground as I felt a foot upon my shoulder. It pushed me against the wall as all I could see was a shadowy figure and a bright white glow around what looked like hands. My eyes closed and I was out cold. Next thing I knew, I was back at the field. Not in it, but on the outskirts of it in the shade next to whom seemed unfamiliar to me. He was a Shelldor, for sure but whom?

“Ugh… My head. Who are you?” I asked as I sat up and rubbed my head.

“Lie back down and rest, dear Avalar. You are no condition to work nor to run that field.” The male voice said as his hands touched my shoulder.

“Who are you? Where am I?” I asked a little more irritated.

“On the other side of the wall, Once mighty and tall. I saved you from one you called Boss, Cruel and weary but was you gonna be toss. My name is one you know, look in your heart and debt shall not owe.” He said as he turned his face toward me.

I recognized him immediately. It was my half-brother and full brother to White Feather, Smokey Road.

“Smokey Road!! Why did you save me, dear Brother Road of Smoke?” I said surprised.

“I saved a friend, from his end. Sister Dove sent me, to retrieve.” He said as he turned his head forwards again.

“Do I really need to rest?” I asked as I stared at his smokey gray color.

“Rest before your test. I will protect you, from those harm they do.” Smokey said with a slight smile.

I laid back down and I heard him stand up. Then, I heard him do his battle screech and I fell asleep.

Lolo

“Father!! Thank you for coming. What do I owe the pleasure of your presence?” Master said as she smiled at the man.

“No need, Rose Petal. I brought a gift for you.” The man said as I watched Fada get uneasy.

“You mean Deathly Hallows is a gift from you?” She asked as she smiled wide.

He nodded as she walked to the other side of her desk. Father got really uneasy and his fingers started to twitch more and more as they talked. I swallowed hard as I tapped Father on his shoulder, and he looked at me. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He stood there silently until someone called me. We snapped our necks toward Master Rose.

“Death Keeper… Death Keeper!! Pay attention, now. I need you to take Deathly Hallows to the stalls and make him muck. Then, I want you to find me Daru Daru and update me on her healing progress. Also, bring her here to me, even if you have to help her out.” Master Rose said as she looked at me with her sincere smile of hers.

“Y… yes, ma’am. Let us go, Deathly Hallows.” I said as I saluted to her and then started to push father out the door.

We walked out the office and the door closed. Father and I looked around and then at each other. I looked at him angrily and pushed him toward the back of the home toward the pens. We got there in silence and grabbed a rake, shovel, and a wheelbarrow. I gave them to father as he looked at me confused. I made sure no one was around before I looked at him again.

“Why, Fada? Why are you here with a master and not free?” I asked him angrily.

“It was a deal I made with The Old One to leave Iris and Deera alone.” Tara said as he looked at me with sad eyes.

“No… NO!! Mada is the only one free out of four now. How could you leave her be? How can you live with that as your choice? I don’t even want to know your answer. You are now dead to me Fada. Enjoy mucking the stalls.” I snapped as I walked away from him.

“Please, son of mine. You need to understand my point of view. It was him hurting your mother and your sister or taking me as a slave for him and his horrid daughter.” Tara tried to explain to me as he went to touch my arm.

“Don’t touch me low life!! You no longer hold authority over me, Deathly Hallows.” I snapped back at him as I moved my arm from his grasp.

I walked away back toward the home as I felt something gnawing at my heart. I ignored it and got to the porch where I saw my whiny little sista, Iris and what looked like a Shadow thing right next to her. I shook my head and looked at her again. The Shadow thing was gone from beside her. She tilted her head a little bit and looked at me confused.

“Get up, Daru Daru. Master wants to speak to you.” I snapped at her as I tapped her right knee.

“Get away from me, asshole!! I don’t need you!! Stop touching me!!” Iris snarled as she twitched her head back and forth.

I couldn’t be mad at my sista. I knelt down and touched her knee. She stopped her head twitching and stared straight at me. I smiled at her as I saw the wrap around the lower part of her right leg. She started to cry and hugged me. I hugged her back as a tear rolled down my cheek. I heard her heart race and then slow down as we hugged each other. I helped her stand up and walked her to the Master’s office. She stood on her own as I opened the door and propped it open. I walked back over to Iris and grabbed arm. We walked in and Master stood in front of us. I let go of Iris and closed the door. Master cleared her throat, making me jump just a little bit.

“Death Keeper!! Report about her health and how she is healing.” Master said as Iris and I stood at attention.

I opened my mouth to speak but, Iris held her hand out. I looked at her as I felt the gravity on me get heavy and I fell to the floor. I tried to stand up but to no avail.

“I am healing just fine. What do you want to talk to me about, Rose Petal?” Iris asked as she held her hand parallel to the floor even though she nearly fell.

“I just wanted to check up on you and see if you had any updates about our rivals.” Master said as she looked at Iris.

“What is the plan?” Iris asked as her hand relaxed and the gravity around me lifted back to normal.

She caught sight of me from the corner of her eye and looked at me with a smile. I stood up and brushed myself off. I stood tall and stared at Master.

“What plan, my dear?” Master’s father asked as he stood up.

“The plan to capture the last Night Draginucous, of course.” Master lied to him.

“Are you sure there is any of them left?” Her father asked as we all stared at her in astonishment.

“I am quite sure there is at LEAST one of them left in this land. Now that I have you, Daru Daru, on my team. WE can find and kill h…” Master never finished as I interrupted her.

“NO!! YOU didn’t need her to find him or her. YOU COULD HAVE USED ME!!” I snapped at her as I touched Iris’s arm.

Master stared at me confused. The chair her father was in screeched backwards as he stood up. The office door opened a little bit and we saw heads pop in. He walked over to me and stared at me in admiration but also anger.

“What do you mean by that, young warrior?” He asked as he grabbed me by my chin, pushed Iris backwards and turned my head side to side.

Iris fell and I got angry as I said, “I will show you, Old Man.”

I turned into my Draginucous form and stood over Iris, who laid on the ground, unmoving. They all stared at me, astonished and amazed. The old man walked up toward Iris and I lowered my body and pushed him back. I scooped her up with my tail and walked out of the office. I ran to Father, who had just finished the last barrow full of manure. He looked at me and I motioned for him to follow me. He nodded as we both ran to a four-foot fence. I jumped over easily, and father did the same. We ran until we a saw a tree and a Smokey Gray Shelldor, running toward us. Someone else was under the tree. Was this Shelldor protecting her?

Smokey Road

“Stay away from this tree!! They will be free!!” I yelled at them as I ran toward the intruders.

A Draginucous? Why is a Draginucous this far from the mountain range? They stopped in their tracks and I could see 2 Elves with the Draginucous. A male and a female elf, how curious. I stopped in my tracks as they stared at me.

“Why are you here, Draginucous dear?” I yelled as I looked straight at the female elf.

“I am here… because my… *sighs* my Masters father pushed my sister and… and…” The Draginucous said as he set the female elf on the ground and started to cry.

“You said Iris. Can I look at the miss?” I asked as I kept my eyes on the miss as the Draginucous turned human.

“N… NO!! You cannot touch her!!” The boy yelled at me just as I noticed incoming arrows.

I ran and stood between all three and put my hands in the air as I yelled, “Protect these lads from arrows a blast. I need thy shield to attack thy yield!!”

My shiny blue shield appeared on my arm and I touched the backside of my shield as the arrows got closer. It got bigger and I held it above me and the other three as the arrows rained down upon my shield. My feet started to sink into the ground as the arrows kept hitting my shield. After a few minutes went by, the rain of arrows subsided, and the ground was halfway up my shin. I pulled out of the ground and I tapped my shield as I noticed a feather behind the female’s ear. I shook my head as I walked away from them.

“Th… thank you, sir. Thank you for saving our lives.” The boy said as he looked at me.

“Is that Iris? Can I look at thy miss?” I asked again as I looked at the other male elf.

“What is your name, kid?” The other elf asked me.

“My name is no guessing game. The boy and girl know my name, Merle.” I said as I looked at the tree.

I took off before I heard an answer. They followed me to the tree as Avalar moved. He woke up as I pushed the group away from him. I came back and he looked at me funny.

“Matter not that here they got. Feel better now since chest with no cow?” I asked Avalar.

“Yeah, friend of mine. Can you let me see who you pushed away, Road of Smoke?” Avalar asked me as he stretched.

I motioned them to walk forward and they did so. The only one that wasn’t moving at all was…

“Iris!! Is she alright, Lolo Dawn?” Avalar asked as he stood up and walked up to them.

“She is unresponsive to anything we do. She is breathing shallower and shallower by the minute. We must get her back to…” The male elf said as Avalar touched Iris’s hand.

“No. Set her here Lolo and I shall give my life for her to stay alive.” Avalar said as he pointed to the bottom of the tree.

The boy did as Avalar told him. He set the female elf at the bottom of the tree and stood back. I stepped forward to ask Avalar a question. Avalar looked at me.

“Brother of the Seven Seas, her life you cease?” I asked in curiosity.

“No, Brother Smoke. I am ceasing mine so Iris can live. Lolo and Paypa, will you guys back away a few more steps please.” Avalar said as his body shifted from human to his Shelldor look.

All three of us males walked a few more feet back as he put his hands above the females chest. He took a deep cleansing breath and let out slowly. The boy elf watched in anticipation. He wiped away a tear. His horn glowed a Maroon color.

“From body to soul, give her my soul to live as I shall take her suffering. Mote it be and results we shall see.” Avalar chanted as mist started to surround him and the female.

His body and female’s body glowed a bright white as a ball of gold and a ball of red switched places. The gold was Avalar’s and the red was the females. The light disappeared from around them as Avalar fell to the ground and the female sat up rubbing her head.

“My… body doesn’t hurt no more. Why?” The female asked as the boy touched her leg.

“Avalar took your suffering from you. He saved your life.” The boy said as Avalar sat up and looked down at the ground.

He stood up and wobbled as I could see he was in pain. The female stood up and went to touch Avalar as all of us heard running footsteps and they were coming toward us. The female pulled her hand back and bit her lower lip.

“Go… *painful inhale* go before they find you three. Brother Smoke, take them home. Ugh… be free, my dear flower of the North.” Avalar said as he looked at us through the corner of his eye.

“I can’t leave you out here, not alone. I will…” The female elf said as she cut off as we heard Avalar gasp for air.

“Go!! Now!! I will be fine.” Avalar said as he gasped for more air.

The female turned around with tears in her eyes, and ran off. The boy and the male elf ran after her. I followed behind them and looked back at Avalar. As a cloud of dust and horses surrounded him, I watched as he showed his fighting side but alas he didn’t show it for long. He was shot with an arrow into his arm as a big black horse appeared out of thin air. It gave me chills as I watched as Avalar mounted the big black horse and rode off. They gave chase after him until they were no longer in sight. I followed the 3 Elves to their home.

Avalar

My friends and Paypa ran until they were out of my sight. I stood a little wobbly as the footsteps of horses came into seeing range around me. There was about 10-12 riders and horses. I grabbed my sword and went to swing but my arm was hit with an arrow as my father’s big black stud showed up. The arrow went straight through my arm. He split the crowd of other horses and the riders started to panic as their horses got out of control.

“Hello, Midnight of the Dark Feather. Can we get out of here?” I asked the stud as I touched his head.

He threw his head up and down. I mounted up and grabbed a handful of his thick, gorgeous mane. He took of as fast as he could run and they ran after me. I started to gasp for air when I felt my horse stumble and we fell down the cliff side. The riders didn’t follow me down. I laid there as my body went into shock. I heard Dark Midnight Feather snort and stand up. I couldn’t move at all. I couldn’t even speak. I saw the shadow of a figure. It was male but different build.

“Shhhh… my son. I shall heal you right here but not now. They haven’t left yet.” The figure said as he touched me.

He hid in some bushes nearby as one of the riders got off her horse. She chose where to put her feet and got down to where I was laying. She touched my forehead and I felt my heart jolt and get warm and fuzzy inside. Who is she, though?

“Raya!! Is he dead or alive?” A male voice yelled down at her.

She snapped her head around toward the voice and yelled back, “He’s alive but he needs healed before he can move with us.”

Raya, Raya, Oh!! I know who she is!! She is a young sorcerous known to travel the world looking for more magical being capable of having strong Magic.

“Heal him enough for him to move and grab his horse he rode. Put a rope around that horse of his and get back to the castle quickly, young sorcerous. It is dangerous out here for you.” A young male said as he dismounted off his horse of pure white and he grabbed her horse’s reins.

The other riders except for her and one other up top rode off. Her hands glowed a reddish brown color as it healed me. I relaxed as the pain went away. She whistled and her horse slid down the cliff side and stood next to her. I sat up and looked straight at Raya. I was fixing to panic when Dark Midnight Feather trotted up and put his muzzle next to my shoulder. I stood up with his help and mounted the mighty steed.

“Please, do not go alone. It is dangerous out her to be on your own.” She said as she mounted her black steed.

“Tch. Aren’t you supposed to be at that stupid castle with Princy up there?” I asked with a snicker.

“The castle isn’t stupid and I came to get you, my warrior to my sister. What is your name, warrior?” Raya asked as she walked up beside me.

“For one, I am no warrior and two, I am not telling you my name, elf.” I snapped as I kicked my horse into a trot.

“You ARE a warrior. How come you have survived this long without a father?” She asked as she trotted her horse up to mine.

“Leave me alone, motherfucker!!” I snapped at her I spun my horse around and hers stopped in surprise.

Raya looked at me and sighed. She turned her horse away and her horse climbed up the cliff and to the top. She started talking to the guy up there and I guess he slid down the cliff. He fell halfway down and hit his arm on a rock. He screamed and held his arm. I dismounted and ran to him. I got there and I could tell his arm was broken.

“Hold still, princy. Your arm is broken let me set it and heal you.” I said calmly as I grabbed 3 sticks and a small rope I had on my belt.

“Why should I trust you, mutt?” The prince snarled at me.

“For one, I am all you’ve got down here and two, mutts are dogs. I am Avalar of the Seven Seas. I am the son of Sinbad of the Seven Forests and Amilia Diera.” I said calmly as I lightly grabbed his lower arm.

“You’re a successful Heraldor of an elf and a Shelldor. How strange. Most of the ones we meet have no magic or life skills.” The prince said as he relaxed his arm.

“This is gonna hurt a lot. It will help it heal properly when I use the spell. You will need this to bite on.” I said as I put a stick in his mouth and the other two on each side of his arm.

I looped the rope around the sticks and his arm. I pulled tight and pushed the bone until it made the satisfying pop sound to make sure it was back in place. I felt his arm and it was popped in place. I took a deep breath and looked at the Prince to see him crying.

“The pain will only be temporary after it is completely healed.” I said as he looked at me.

He nodded and I put one hand above the arm and put the shield above him and I. I said the spell quietly as flaming arrows came pouring down from the sky. His bone healed quickly back to normal and there was no more pain. He looked at me with a smile as he wiped away beads of sweat off my forehead. I dropped to my knees exhausted from holding the shield and healing him. The arrows stopped as I dropped and I was breathing hard. I passed out before he could help me stand up.

I woke up as I felt movement underneath me. I opened my eyes to see my horse walking with me on his back. I looked ahead and saw he had a rope around his neck. He was following the prince and the sorcerous.

“Ugh… where are you take me and my horse?” I asked as I sat up and sat upon him properly.

“We are headed to the castle of King Theodore and Queen Crow Feather.” The prince answered as he lead the way.

“Why there? Why can’t I go home?” I asked as I looked at the sorcerous.

“Your light bulb came on when you came back from the other world. You have strong magic within you, Avalar. When you healed the prince’s arm while having a shield up, I could see the strong magic within you. Hey, where are you going?” She explained as I cut the rope and ran off away from them.

“I am going far away from that castle. If they see me, they will want to kill me. I have a bounty over my head and my father’s head too.” I snapped at her as I stopped my horse.

I spun him back around and he ran toward the village of Gory Death. We stopped as we got to the gorge near the Village. I got off of him and let him find some shade to cool off. He did so as I walked to the edge of the gorge and scaled how deep and how wide it was. It looked to be about a 400 feet down and about 30-35 foot across. I could hear the thunder rolling in the distance. I knew I couldn’t leave while the storm was rolling in or my horse and I would surely drown in the river down below. I could hear yelling from down below. I found a slick path that goes down toward the voice. I followed my gut and made marks on the ground and in the wall as I walked down the path. The voice got closer and closer as I walked down deeper and deeper into the gorge. I got about halfway when I heard the crying in my ear and it started sprinkling. I looked to my left and saw a little Shelldor girl crying as she stood there. I touched her shoulder and she looked up at me. I sensed something was wrong with her but I couldn’t figure out what it was.

“Shush little one. Ye shall be safe with me. Follow me, little one.” I said as I smiled at her.

“Where are you, big brother?” She asked as she touched my arm and felt blood on it.

“Can you see me, little one?” I asked as I knelt down to her height.

“N… no, sir. I am blind and you are hurt. Let me heal you now, big brother.” She said as she touched the arrow wound.

I flinch back as it stung when she touched it. I pulled my arm backwards and touched her head. The thunder rolled and the lightning struck down near by. She yelped and hugged my leg. It started to rain and I picked the little girl up. I started to climb the path again when suddenly my foot got near the thin path edge. My foot slipped and we fell down sideways.

Will Avalar and the little girl be okay from the fall or is Death waiting for them at the bottom?

Tara

My daughter, son, a Shelldor I didn’t know, and I ran until we got to my house. We touched the gates as we were all out of breath.

“Feather of purity, why do you have in it?” The Gray Shelldor asked as he caught his breath easily.

“I have this feather because a Shelldor saved me and said that Avalar and White Feather would know who’s it is.” Iris said with a smile as she opened the gate to the yard.

We walked into the house as Deera came running into the house. She hugged me as she cried. Iris dropped to her hands and knees. She gasped for air as Lolo tried to comfort her. The gray Shelldor stood back as Sinbad came into the house.

“What in Aria’s good name happened to you three? Smokey Road, my son!! Explain this and where is Avalar!” Sinbad snapped as he scam from left to right.

“I don’t know the full story, but Avalar is free. He is on the run like fingers on trigger of a gun. Ask the man and his band. They know the rest if this is a test.” The Gray Shelldor said in rhymes.

“For fuck’s sake, son!! Speak normally instead of rhymes!!” Sinbad snarled.

“As I said, I don’t know the whole story. All I know is Avalar is on the run after I saved him from his Master’s wrath. The rest I do not know, Lolo carries the rest in tow.” Smokey Road said with a slight smile like he twisted the truth or something.

He looked at me and he was pissed. He stormed towards me and Deera as I tapped Deera. She looked at me and let go of me. She moved beside me as Sinbad stomped closer to me. His sword appeared and he stopped a few feet away from me. He drew his sword and got into his battle stance.

“What happened to you three?” He asked me as he swung his sword at me.

“The Old One pushed my daughtren down and Lolo protected her. We ran until we got to your son and he did the Soul Exchange Spell. It healed Iris but he took her suffering from her. Last I saw of him was when he was surrounded by horses and riders from your sister’s castle.” I explained the best I could as I dodged his attack.

“My sister? Oh, that bitch!! She has been after Avalar for eons now. I need to go pay her a visit.” Sinbad said as he put his sword away and looked at me.

“Please, don’t do it alone.” I said as I set my hand on his shoulder.

He looked at me as tears welled up in his eyes. Then, came a knock upon the front door. I answered the door and saw it was a Shelldor with a curve so smoothly made that she almost looks like a toy.

“Hello, how may I help you?” I asked her.

“My name is Crow Feather. To be more precise, I am Queen Crow Feather.” The Shelldor said with a smile.

“Hello, Sister. Where is my son?” Sinbad asked as he pinned his ears back.

“I came to see if you have my son and the young sorcerous.” She snapped as she started to push past me.

I put my hand on her shoulder and pushed her back a little bit. She looked at me surprised like she hasn’t been treated like that before. I just looked at her with no emotion and brought my hand back down to my side.

“What was that about? Why do you have no emotion, young man?” She asked me surprised.

“I took The Oath when I was little, and no one enters my home without my say so.” I said calmly.

“Ugh… fine. May I come in and talk to you guys?” She asked with an attitude bigger than her manners.

“Yes, madam. Come and sit in the couch in the living room. I will see if my wife will…” I said as I heard Deera come up to me.

“I will make some raspberry chocolate tarts for you, my dear.” Deera said as I heard Lolo and Iris start screaming at each other.

She walked in and her tail hit me in the arm. I rolled my eyes as I closed the door behind me. She sat on the couch next to Sinbad. They glared at each other.

“Where is my son?” Sinbad asked as he stood up.

“I don’t know. He was supposed to arrive at my castle about 3 hours ago along with my son and the young sorcerous. Maybe you took them!!” She snapped at Sinbad.

“How can you know that for sure, you bitch?” Sinbad yelled back at her as he pulled his sword out of its scabbard.

“Now, now. No need to be so hasty toward each other. Here is two kids now. Who are they?” I said as I stepped in between them.

I went to the door and saw a hooded girl and a kid with two sticks wrapped with rope on his arm. I cleared my throat and walked them in. They both bowed to Crow Feather and looked at Sinbad with disgust.

“What happened to your arm? Do I need to fix it?” Crow Feather asked as she lifted the boy’s arm up.

“No, madam. The Chosen Warrior healed him, but we lost him halfway toward the Village of Gory Death. We don’t know which way he went. We are so sorry, madam Feather.” The hooded girl said as she stood up.

“That’s my boy!! I taught him well. Wait, did you say you lost him?” Sinbad celebrated at first, but pure worry crossed his face.

“Y… Yes sir. The young man disappeared at the Gorge that is halfway to the Village. His mighty steed was in a cave about fourteen feet away from the path at the top of the gorge. That is all we know. We had to turn back and get our horses here quickly. There is a storm rolling in and it is one that it isn’t safe to travel in, sir.” The hooded girl said as Lolo walked back into the house, soaked from the rain.

“The horses are put away and dried off. They have stall blankets on and are fed from the long journey. They are taken care of and the rain will not get to them. Maximus Sun is the white horse; Nightly Ghoul is the solid black and Ginger Snap is the Chestnut. Who are each of you?” Lolo asked as Iris handed him a towel to dry off enough for him to walk through the house.

“I am Raya the Young Sorcerous, and this is Prince Snow, son of Queen Crow Feather and King Theodore. Who are you, wet one?” The hooded girl answered them as she looked at Lolo.

“I am Iris Tatiana Freedom, a Black Draginucous hybrid and this is Lolo Diera Free, an Elven Hybrid. Our mother is Deera Freedom, a Black Draginucous, and Tara Diera, an Elf.” Iris said as she walked over to Raya.

The rain poured as we played board games and ate as the storm continued.

Will it let up or will it keep at it?

Avalar

I held onto the little girl and turn to where the point of impact would be my back. I tried to teleport us to somewhere else but it failed. My back hit the ground hard and it knocked the breath out of me. The girl climbed off and I felt her hands get warm. I felt blood pool under me as I looked at her. She started crying as the wound on my arm healed and I sat up. I stood up a little wobbly as I started to catch my breath and I looked at her.

“Are… are you alright, little one?” I asked her as I looked up toward the top of the gorge.

“Th… Thank you, brother. I am fine. We need to get up there before the water rises any further.” The little girl said as the water started to rise from the bottom of her hooves to the middle of her leg.

I picked her up and started running down the gorge until I got to the thicker path. I started climbing up as the girl started to squirm. I tapped her head a little bit and she froze like a statue. I started climbing again as the rain started to pour down. The river started to rise quickly as I ran up the path. Halfway up the path, I ran into something, more like someone. I was breathing hard as I made my shield and put it above me and the little girl. The rain was pouring down so much that it was hard to see. The lightning lit things up temporarily and the thunder kept rolling and crackling.

“Put the blind one in the basket and we will hoist her up.” The figure said as it lifted a finger of bones and pointed at a slightly visible basket nearby.

“No, madam or sir. I cannot accept that offer. I have to carry her up the gorge myself. It is the Shelldor way.” I told the figure as I walked passed him slowly but surely.

My feet kept slipping but would grip as I would step on the muddy path. The rain let up a little as water started to lap at my feet. I looked back and saw the water rise and fall. I wave came through and caught me and the little girl as I tried to climb. I put her on my back and swam for the edge gorge. There!! A cave, dead ahead. I heard the mighty black steed neigh and he jumped in after me. He got to us quickly and I stepped on. I pointed toward the cave and he swam to it. He climbed in and I climbed off of him. I put my jacket on the girl as I could see she was shivering.

“What about you? Aren’t you gonna get cold? Is the rain coming back? Is it gonna come in here? Where is Maynard and Sleek Foot?” She asked.

“Slow down on the questions, little one. I am already cold as it is. The rain has slowed down temporarily. No, it won’t follow us inside. Who is Maynard and Sleek Foot?” I said as I touched her shoulder.

“Maynard is a Draginucous friend of mine and Sleek Foot is a friend from school.” She said with a yawn toward the end.

“Sleep, little one. I will keep watch over you and my steed as you guys sleep.” I said as I walked to the entrance of the cave.

‘Aria Damn it!! I sound a lot like Brother Smoke when I rhyme!! Are you testing me for something? Oh well, I guess.’ I thought to myself as I heard the thunder roll and watched the lightning strike.

I stood as I heard the mighty steed and the little girl sleep. I yawned as I watched the rain pour down as I could see 2 figures in the sky. The lightning lit the sky and I could see a small Draginucous and a small elf. The lightning struck the ground and the two of them were scared beyond belief. I whistled at them and they saw the cave. They came toward the cave and landed square on my chest as I fell onto my back from the impact.

“Sorry, mister!! We are lost and we can’t find our friend Sharrow Shrale.” The Golden Draginucous said as they both climbed off of me.

“It is fine. Maynard Freedom, isn’t it?” I asked the Golden Draginucous.

“Y… yes, sir. I am she. This is Sleek Foot, an Elf.” The Draginucous said with a stammer.

“Must be Killer’s kid and you must be Celia’s kid. Great!! Now, I have 3 little ones to look after while the storm passes through. Why must you test me, Aria?” I snapped as I stomped around angrily.

“Chill near fire since you must easily tire. Sit, and enjoy the treat of sweet. Cold you must be, you lot of three.” A strange voice said as something lit up the cave.

I looked and saw an old and raggly looking guy sitting at the edge of the cave.

“Invade my home, now do you have a comb? No? Oh well, I guess I must go. Soon to meet with Aria, fighting in her arena.” The old man said.

“Don’t go, sir. I have a comb, right here.” I said as I fumbled around in my pocket and found the black slick comb.

I offered it to him and he gestured for us to sit by the fire. He took the comb and started to comb his hair. He wore a toothy grin as we sat by the fire.

“Are they your children or are you guardian?” He asked me as we could hear the rain slow down.

“Neither sir. I found the little girl that is sleeping and was helping her when I found the cave for us to get in before the rising water was an issue.” I explained as the heat dried the water and mud onto my legs.

“Need not to say more, for I shall open for you a door.” The old man said as I could see he had a couple of feathers behind his ear.

“What is with the feathers, if I may ask?” I asked with curiosity.

“Have you never heard of a Song Bird, of the tales are true if ever heard.” He rhymed with ease.

“I have heard of them. I thought all Song Birds were female. My father told me that Song Birds were female and all the males either migrated away or was killed.” I said as I stood up.

“Settle, settle. No need to be a hot kettle. Not to be a bother, who is your father?” He asked with a toothy smile as the two kids had fallen asleep.

I took my shirt off and covered both of them. I sighed and looked at the old man.

“My father is a Shelldor known as Sinbad of the Seven Forests. What is your name?” I said proudly.

“My, my. No patience means no maintenance. Manners is right while you have no reason to be beguiled. Importance of my name is no longer a game. My name is Raphael of the Caves.” He said as he bowed and his form shifted to a younger version of him with wings.

“What the? How old are you?” I asked him in curiosity.

“My age is as old as a newly sprung sage. I am only 17 years old. As old as the miss you call Iris. Is she with you so cows can go moo?” He said as he sprung back up and smiled at me.

“Stop rhyming all the time!! It is annoying and you sound like Smokey Road!!” I yelled at him and the flames bursted toward the ceiling.

He looked at me surprised as my horse walked over toward me. I put the three kids on his back. I nodded and he walked them out of the cave and into the pouring rain.

Killer

“Where is Maynard, Forma?” I asked as I looked into my little girl’s room.

“She was playing in her room!! Why are looking for her?” Forma, a Silver Draginucous, yelled from in the kitchen.

“She’s not in here or anywhere in the house. Where is that little brat?” I growled as I got angrier by the minute.

“Let me call Celia and Amilia. Let me see if they have their kids.” She snarled back at me.

I rolled my eyes and sat down in my chair at the breakfast bar. She picked up the phone and dialed a number.

“Hello, Mrs. Diera? Yes this is Forma. I was wondering if your kid was with you at all… No? Well, our kid is missing too… Amilia called you and was panicking because she lost her two children?!? Oh, thank you my dear. Talk to you soon. Bye-bye.” She said as she talked on the phone.

Her smile went from happy to worry then to anger. I stood up as she started to cry. I walked over to her and hugged her. I soothed her until her tears stopped flowing.

“Why are you crying, my beautiful piece of silver?” I asked her with a gentle smile.

“Amilia is missing her two kids, Celia is missing hers and we are missing ours.” She said with a sob.

“I will go look for them. I need you to stay here and wait for her if she returns here.” I said as I walked toward the entrance of the cave we called home.

Forma nodded and I transformed into my Draginucous form and took off, looking for the three kids in the pouring rain.

Will he find the three kids or will he give up?

Iris

“I am going outside.” I said as everyone played board games and the thunder roared and the lightning struck the ground.

“No, daughtren. You cannot go out in a storm like this. It is to dangerous for you or even Lolo. Amilia, calm down. The kids will be okay.” My father, Tara, said as he we all watched her pace and look through the window periodically.

“I need to find them or something bad might happen. I don’t know what it would be.” I said as lightning struck the ground and the power in the house went out.

“Fear not dear children. To search for them, I have sent a wren.” A female voice said as a puff of gray and white mist appeared out of thin air.

The smoke cleared and we saw a tall young lady wearing a white suit and a sword within its sheath. We looked at her, awestruck and confused.

“Are you the Fae known as Sparky?” I asked her as noticed my mom walking toward her.

“Indeed, Iris. What seems to be the predicament here?” She asked as she bowed.

“Your Storm Lightningbird, the Fae that help my great grandmayma Cotton Eye.” Deera said as she took something out of her hair.

“I see you have the family heirloom passed down from Cotton Eye, to her daughter, Corn Flower, to her son Draco who gave it to Lavender who now passed it down to you, Deera. She has kept her promise to pass her story down and you see they are true.” Storm said with a smile.

“I am going out there, whether or not you like it.” I snapped and left out the front door as the rain poured down.

I transformed into my Draginucous form and tucked my wings as I ran off. I ran down the streets and down the alleys. I stopped for a moment and saw something golden in the sky. I flew up to the sky and got to the golden glows level. I flew faster and above him. I saw a field below the golden glow. The golden glow was a Golden Draginucous. I closed my wings and I hit smack dab onto this Draginucous’ back with no issue. It caused him to go off balance and we tumbled through the sky, falling… falling… until it crashed into the muddy ground. Lightning struck a tree nearby as I looked at who this Draginucous was.

“Who are you? Why are you in the sky near my home?” I asked as the glow of the fire from the tree lit up the area near us.

“It is me, you idiotic girl!! It is only your Uncle Killer!! Get off me so we can get out of here!” Killer snarled at me as he pushed me off as we heard crackling from the fire nearby.

He stood up and stretched his wings out. He took off to the sky as a burning branch landed on my tail as I went to take off. I screamed and Killer kept flying away. I landed and I screeched as I heard a quite a few footsteps running toward me then, everything went silent as the rain came pouring down. I looked around and couldn’t see anyone. I was soaked… I was alone and cold. I laid down and I heard rustling near by as the rain slowed down once more. Then there was nets everywhere and I was pinned by these nets and a cover was set over my body and I heard talk from the two I could see in front of me as I felt something poke or pinch my thigh.

“Kuyini lesi sidalwa? Gcina ukhonjiwe! Asifuni ukuba avuke! What is this creature? Keep her pinned! We don't want her to get up!” A male voice said in Zulu as he pointed at me.

“Angazi. Ngicabanga ukuthi ingabe i-Dragon Kin. I don’t know. I wonder if she is a Dragon Kin.” Another male said as he looked at me with curiousity.

They came closer to me as I went to stand up. I fought the nets that draped over me, but it wasn’t for long. I fell to the ground out of breath as one went to touch my head. I growled as his hand got closer. He pulled his hand away and motioned for something to be moved forward. I heard multiple clicks and a couple of people climb over something metal. They closed the cover and the rain poured down as the nets were cut.

“Release her!!” Someone yelled from across the way.

The last rope was cut, and I ran straight forward until… BANG!!! I hit the front of a cage. Flashbacks went through my head as an engine revved up and we started to move. I screeched but no answer. They put a cover over the cage as we moved away from the area I was hurt. I transformed back into my human form and started to cry. A few hours later, we had arrived in a town that was cheering. I peered out the back of the cage where the cloth was split. I could see a town and a bunch of Vulcanites following the truck. The truck stopped and I heard someone clear their throat.

“Sibambe isidalwa esingavamile ku-zoo yethu!! We have caught a rare creature for our zoo!!” A male voice yelled as the cover was pulled from over the cage.

“What is this creature? She look human!” A young woman said in English the best she could.

“We think she is a… What the fuck? Where is the creature we caught last night?” The male asked as he looked down at me.

“Wh… what creature?” I asked with innocence.

“We caught what looked like a Dragon Kin, you bitch.” He snapped at me.

“Don’t call me a wench, or else.” I snarled at him as I hit the front of the cage, causing him to fall down.

He climbed down and opened the cage as he said, “You i-bitch!!”

I transformed into my Draginucous form like what they captured last night, and he closed the cage door. I stayed silent as I hit the cage door with my head.

“She is no rare creature!! She is a Dragon Kin, Sergeant Herald. She is the one you said, and I quote, ‘High Commission Baldur, Nancy, Drake and I need to find that girl and study her.’ Unquote. Is that not what you said?” A young lady said as she held her head down with a hood upon her head.

“Yes. She is going into the Zoo so we can study her better. Put her in the Dragon Fighting Ring for now!! Put a muzzle on her also while you’re at it.” Herald yelled as he hit the cage door.

The truck started to move, and I hit the side of the cage, causing the truck and the cage to flip over. The cage door opened up as I stood up and started to walk out. Then, ropes and chains were thrown around my neck and feet. They pulled the ropes and chains tight, which caused me to fall to the ground. They tied my wings down and put a muzzle over my nose. I pulled away from them, but the muzzle stayed there on my face. I growled as I fought the ropes and the chains as they pulled me away from the truck to something called the Dragon fighting arena.

“Let her go, guys!!” One of them yelled as they got to the entrance of the arena.

They all let go and everything except for the Muzzle got loose. I stood up as they all backed away. I turned around to see them close a big metal door. I turned around as I heard a wooden door creak open. I walked over to it to see that there were actually different types of Draginucous in this arena. There was the Wooden Draginucous, Metal Benders, Air Makers, Fire Flickers, War Machines, Aggressive ones and Water Hummers. The only one they were missing was… a Black Draginucous… like me. I walked out and the wooden doors stayed open. The other Draginucous stared at me like I was a threat. A red eyed Draginucous with blue fur and broken horns walked up to me.

“Who art thou enters thy arena?” He asked as he looked at me up and down.

“I am Daru Daru, a Black Draginucous. You must be Droopy’s older brother, Draconian the Aggressive.” I said as the muzzle made me look weak.

“Weak are you or strong, are you?” He asked as he grabbed the front of the muzzle and put my head down to where the strap showed.

He growled and I felt his warm breath upon my neck. He gently grabbed the strap and pulled up with it. It pushed against my face as he pulled. He took his paw and cut the muzzle strap. He let go of it and I stood up. The muzzle was no longer on my face. I looked at him and bowed my head in respect. He growled and walked away.

“Fight me, young dark one. See who is strongest.” He challenged me.

“No, Draconian. I will not fight you.” I answered back as I stood my ground, spread my wings wide open and I noticed that there was some… no… a lot of Vulcanites gathering around the top of the arena.

The other Dragon Kins backed away into where I came out. Those doors closed, leaving Draconian and I in the arena. The top of the arena was chains and he lifted his arms which had his wings on them.

“Draconian!! I don’t want to fight you! I want to be friends!!” I snarled at him as I lowered my body.

“Fight thy leader known as Draconian!!” He snarled as he lunged at me and the crowd cheered.

I dodged and he started to crawl all over the walls as I watched his every movement. He roared and jumped at me again. I moved as he launched toward my wings. I tucked them in and jumped up onto the top of the stone wall where the chains met with them. I looked down at him and growled. He hit the ground, face first as I climbed back down the wall. He and I fought like that for almost two hours with him breathing fire and I, dodging his attacks. He sat up, shook his head and looked right at me. He was breathing hard and I noticed his right eye was hurt and blood was running down his face. He growled and lunged at me again. I stood there, hoping that he hurts me. No, that is not what happened. He stopped right in front of me and bowed. I changed into my human form and sat on the ground. He did the same and sat right in front me.

“I… I submit.” He said while out of breath.

“Let me help you heal, Draconian. I know how to use magic, or I can use my medicinal kit with you.” I said with a smile.

“Can you use the kit on me, so you don’t have to waste your energy?” He asked me as he looked at me with worry,

“Not an issue, my dear blue brother.” I said with a wider smile.

I stood up and walked over to him. I grabbed the vial and a rag that was in the bag I kept with me all the time. I opened the bottle with my teeth and put a little bit of the goop that came out onto the rag. I told him to hold still and he just sat there like a statue. I dabbed it on the wound where his right eye was, and he flinched as it stung the wound. I put a gauze pad over the eye and then wrapped it, so the gauze stayed in place. I got done and put my supplies away. He looked at me and he slightly smiled at me. I helped him stand up and he bowed to me.

“What are you doing?” I asked him as I watched him kneel down on one knee, fist over his heart and leaned slightly forward.

“Bowing to thy new leader, of course.” He answered me as the door opened and out walked the others.

They gathered behind him and bowed down to me. I shook my head as I heard a loud ringing in my ears. I put my hands over my ears, and I screeched. The ringing in my ears continued until I punched the concrete wall. My punch caused a hole in the wall and the others were now on their Draginucous forms except for Draconian. He watched me as I paced back and forth… back and forth.

“Kuyathakazelisa. Akaphenduli ngendlela efanayo neye-Dragon Kin. Udinga ukuhlukaniswa ngokushesha. Interesting. She doesn't respond the same way as the other Dragon Kin. She needs to be separated immediately.” I heard Herald say as I looked up at the chain roof.

“Inohlonze impela. Mbuyisele kulelo gumbi kuze kuphinde kubonwe okunye. Ngubani esingamethemba ukuthi uzokuthumela ukuze sazi ukuthi udla hlobo luni lokudla? Very interesting. Get her back in that room until further notice. Who can we trust to send in, so we know what kind of food she eats?” A female said as she looked at Herald.

“Put chains around her wrists and bring her to the palace. The King would like to see this young thing in person, Nancy.” I recognized that voice as Drake.

“Why me? Are you that crazy? Do you see how many Dragon Kins there are down there? I will be slaughtered within minutes.” The woman I now recognized as Nancy said.

I spun around, looked up at the three of them and snarled, “No.”

They looked at me surprised at what I responded with. I growled and climbed up the wall. I got to the chains and climbed through. They backed up a little bit as I stepped through.

“Can you not see they are miserable?” I asked them as I fell to my knees.

When my knees hit the concrete floor, they noticed the bandage on my lower right leg. Nancy lifted the hood off of her head and Drake stared at me. Herald walked up towards me but stayed a full 10 feet away from me.

“How can you tell they are miserable?” Herald asked me.

“I know because that place is boring as all get out. Fighting is not the answer for entertainment for us. We need something else to do. Please, let us go instead of keeping us.” I begged as I sat there looking at Herald with pleading eyes.

“No!! You are to go to the King so he can see you.” Herald snapped at me as he put chains around my wrists and tightened them.

He dropped the chains into Nancy’s hands and walked away from us angrily. Nancy walked toward a tall and grand sight of a castle that was about 30 miles away. We started on our long but silent journey to the castle as it started to sprinkle.

Avalar

“How come a pretty little Songbird is here and not in the caves on the other side of the world?” I asked him as he fixed his blue topcoat.

“What a rude question, may a make a suggestion? The others are Jealous, while one specific female is reckless. She is beautiful and cunning yet, oh so stunning.” Raphael said as he spun around and walked toward the entrance of the cave.

“Stop right there, Raphael. I want to talk nicely and no rhyming. They irritate the crud out of me.” I said as I put a barrier up at the entrance of the cave.

“I see. We can talk and we can walk. Shall we, Avy?” Raphael said as he stopped at the barrier.

“What is her name, sir? I want to help you find this young beauty of yours you miss, oh so dearly. What does she look like?” I asked him as he pin around to look at me.

“She is a Songbird like me but long flowing red braids. She is about my height and one wing was broken last time I knew. Do you know where she might be?” He said in curiosity.

“The Zoo. I have seen someone similar there.” I said with a smile.

“The what?” He asked in surprise.

“The Zoo. I have seen her before. Let us go to the Zoo tomorrow. I need to go home because of my mom. I… I think my mom is freaking out.” I said as I looked at him with a slight smile.

He nodded and I walked out of the cave. The sun was shining down upon me as I climbed up the rest of the way up the path. I whistled and a white and red paint mare showed up. She nickered at me as she saw me. I mounted the mighty girl and took off at a dead run. Then I heard flapping of feathered wings above me. I looked up to see Raphael. I stopped my mare at the edge of a forest. Raphael landed beside me as I dismounted and heard something rustle nearby. The mighty mare pinned her ears back and started shaking her head.

“Easy Strawberry Cream, Easy. What is it girl?” I asked as I looked at where she was pawing towards the brush nearby.

Then, another Songbird bursts out of the brush and runs smack dab into Raphael. She was out of breath and one of her wings was wrapped up. She tried to get up but kept tripping over her wing that was free. I grabbed her and pulled her backwards.

“Why are you running?” I asked her as she stepped back from me.

“Running from the hunt, or I got the bunt. Let me get going and no need for knowing.” She said as she was out of breath.

“Jeselynn? Is that you?” Raphael asked as he recognized her by her wings.

“Yes. It is me. Is that you, Raphael, my love?” She asked as she looked at him.

He smiled and hugged her. She hugged him back and she started crying. He opened his wings and wrapped them around her as they went down to their knees. He comforted her while I watched my mare keep her ears pinned. The bushes rustled again as my mare walked over to the bush. She put her head into the bush and had grabbed something that started screaming. She pulled it out and we saw it was a dog.

“Kill it, Strawberry Cream.” I ordered her.

The mare did as I said with one strike to its head. I mounted the mare and turned around.

“I did my job, Raphael. Thank you, for this. I shall take my leave now.” I said as Raphael and the female stood up and they both smiled.

“No, thank you. You brought me to my love back to me. We will come and visit soon.” Raphael said as he bowed to me.

I nodded and I rode away on my mare. She ran as I heard the two of singing Soldier.

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoTPaHTh-Mk )

Killer

“Iris!! Did you find the… Where did she go?” I asked as I looked back to see she wasn’t behind me.

I turned around and flew back to where we landed. She wasn’t there and I transformed into my human form. I was starting to panic when a black horse with three kids showed up.

“Maynard, my child!! Sleek Foot, my niece and White Storm, my other niece. Who might you be, mighty steed?” I said as I grabbed each kid and smiled.

“This is Midnight of the Dark Feather, Uncle Killer.” The Blind girl named White Storm said as the black steed disappeared into thin air.

“Shall we get going before the rain hits again?” I asked as I started walking back toward the home of Deera.

The kids followed as we trekked through the forest of trees and into the clear where a little road was. I nodded and all three girls walked onto the road next to me, holding hands. We walked until we got to the door of Deera’s home and saw there was no lights but candlelight inside. I knocked on the door and someone opened the door. Lolo stepped out from behind the door and smiled at me. He gestured me in. I nodded and the three girls walked in front of me.

“Amilia!! Celia!! I have your children!!” I yelled and heard a pop then a couple of people running.

In came Amilia and Celia. Amilia stopped short and knelt down in front of White Storm as Celia did the same in front of Sleek Foot. Amilia looked at me as I put my hand on Maynard’s shoulder.

“Who does she belong to, Killer?” Amilia asked me as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“She is my daughter, Maynard.” I said as everyone else came into the room.

“Amazing, brother-in-law. She is built like you, yet she has silver hair. Who is her mother?” Tara asked as he studied Maynard as she hid behind my leg.

“Her mother is Forma, a Silver Draginucous.” I answered as the thunder rolled again and the lights turned on.

“Killer!! Where is Iris?” Deera asked angrily as she walked toward me.

“I don’t know, Derry! I lost her at the forest after I had taken off again.” I snarled as I spun around and walked toward the door.

“Go back out and find my sweet Iris!! She could be lost or even worse hurt or dead!!” Deera said as she started crying.

I closed the door and walked over to her. She kept crying as I hugged her, and we went to our knees. She cried on my shoulder as I stroked her hair to calm her down. Tara walked over and grabbed her by her elbows, gently and lifted her to her feet.

“Please go find our daughter before she or anyone else gets hurt.” Tara said as he nodded at me.

The door burst open and lightning illuminated behind the wet figure of black. He staggered in and we could see it was Avalar!!

“Avalar!! You are home!!” Amilia said as she hugged him.

She backed away and added, “You stink also. Go get a shower.”

Avalar nodded and counted how many were there. Then, he realized Iris was no where to be seen.

“Lolo, Paypa, Onto Deera? Where is Iris?” Avalar asked as he spun around and faced Deera and Tara.

“She went out to look for the three kids and you. She had attack me since she didn’t know who was flying near this house. After I took off, I didn’t hear her screech, scream or yell. I went to ask her if she had spotted them when I noticed she wasn’t behind me.” I said as I set my hand on his shoulder.

“I am going back out to find thy young flower.” Avalar said as he looked at me with tears rolling down his cheeks.

“No need to do that, young Heraldor. I know exactly where she is.” A male voice said as a puff of black smoke appeared.

“Avo Nightwing!! What a lovely surprise, you’re not disguised.” Stormy said as she walked in and saw him in the same apparel as her.

“As I said, I know where thy lady is that thee is looking for.” Avo said as he bowed to us.

“Well, where is she?” I asked him as I walked over toward him.

“She is on her way to the King of the Vulcanites. I do not know his plans for her, but someone needs to go save her. Though, the young Heraldor and you Dragon Kins cannot go. If you guys do, you will be captured and put into a zoo.” Avo warned us as Avalar started to walk to the door.

“Is that true?” Avalar asked as he stopped and looked at Avo.

“It is true. The Vulcanites put creatures that are rare into a zoo. They do not treat them right either. They have seven types of Dragon Kins and that is excluding, Black, Golden and Silver. They have one of Hellenfire’s brothers.” Avo said as he looked toward Deera.

“N… No. It has to be Benjamin or Bloodstone. Isn’t it?” Deera said as she wiped away her tears from her eyes.

“That would be wrong, young Deera. The one they have is Draconian.” Storm said as she grabbed Avo’s hand.

“We must be going. Only those with magical experience and that of an Elven from the Southern Forest shall know where to go. That is all we can give you.” Avo said as he titled his has as to say goodbye.

Then, there was a puff of smoke and both Avo and Storm was gone. We all looked at each other and all sighed. Everyone else sat down as Avalar and I paced the floor. We all were thinking when the three kids came in and White Storm ran into my leg.

“I… I am sorry Uncle. I didn’t mean to run into you.” She said as she lifted her head toward me as I looked down at her.

“No worries, young one. Maynard!! Sleek Foot!! Be more careful of where you lead her into a room.” I said as I looked at the other two girls.

“Yes sir.” Both girls answered as they bowed their heads.

The three girls left the room and we started thinking again.

“I shall go retrieve her. I know the king well. He is part of the High Commission and I know who is part of it. He can take me there.” Badilia said as she stood up.

“Oh? Who is this mystery man you speak of?” Amilia asked as she stood up.

“His name is Baldur Blood Moon. He is known as Baldur of the High Commission or High Commissioner Baldur.” Badilia said as she looked at Tara.

“Why did you hide this information from me? He could have thrown me in jail for using a Killing Potion on one of my old Bullies from EU.” Tara asked as he grabbed her arm.

“Maybe, he should have thrown you there but at least he knew you were part of my family and didn’t throw you there to rot!!” Badilia snapped at Tara as she yanked her arm away from his grasp.

“The rain has stopped. Strawberry Cream is outside so you can use her to get to Baldur’s place.” Avalar offered her.

“No need, young sire. Her ride is already here. Where do you need to go, my Bad Badilia?” An Elven man in a fancy blue get up walked in.

“I need to go to the High Commission leader, The King of the Vulcanintes.” Badilia said as she looked up at him.

“Alright, my dear one. Do I know you from somewhere?” Baldur asked as he looked up to see Tara standing nearby.

“This is Baldur? Dude, I know you from… umm… Elven University.” Tara said as he held his arm out to Baldur.

“That’s right!! The Smarty Party Pooper Tarantula at EU. I remember now. You and I were bunked together off of campus. Nice seeing you, Tara.” Baldur said as he grabbed Tara’s forearm and shook them as they said OI! and let go.

“How long has it been?” Tara asked him with no emotion.

“Same as always with no emotion and it has been at least a good 8-10 years.” Baldur said with a smile.

“Wow. We need to invite the graduates of 2090 for a University Reunion.” Tara suggested.

“Why do you need to go to the King of the Vulcanites, my dear?” He asked Badilia.

“Iris is going to be there because she was captured and I want to negotiate with him about her. Also, the Dragon Kins cannot go along with the Heraldors and the Shelldors.” Badilia said as she sighed.

“Let us go before nightfall comes and the Dire Wolverines are out.” Baldur said as he held his hand out for Badilia to grab.

She did so and we all watched her step into a small horse drawn carriage. He got up into the driver seat and drove the horse to haul the carriage. The horse took off at a trot and all that followed was a trail of dust.

Iris

“Where are we going, Nancy?” I asked her as the chains got tighter and I was yanked forward.

“Did you not hear? We are going to the King of Vulcanites.” Nancy said as she put her hood up.

We stayed silent for 10 miles before she needed to rest her feet. We found a dead tree and she sat down. She nodded for me to sit but I refused to sit.

“Sit down, Iris. We have a long journey ahead. Sit, sit.” Nancy insisted.

“No, madam Nancy. We must get moving before another storm hits. I can smell the rain from it. It is only 20 miles North of the castle and it will reach there by the time we get there if we leave now.” I said as I listened for other footsteps.

She stood up and rolled her eyes as she started walking. I walked behind her as I heard thunder roar in the distance. We walked the last 20 miles and we reached the gate of the light blue colored castle. Guards opened the gates and I looked up toward a balcony when I something move. It moved out of sight as Nancy and I stopped as guards gathered around me. It started to sprinkle when the guards gathered around.

“Men stand down. What is this young Dragon Kin’s name, Nancy?” He asked as the guards stepped back as what looked like the king, walked up closer.

The king was dressed in all dark blue and some gold. His eyes were turquoise colored.

“My name is Iris Tatiana Freedom, sire. I shall speak for myself as I am a Hybrid.” I Growled as Nancy opened her mouth to enter as she bowed.

“Well, well, well. Father, can I have her as my maiden?” A prince asked as he stood tall behind his father.

The prince was tall and had locks of gold with a black streak in it. He had one eye that was golden and one blue eye. He was dressed in white with a red and black fur lined cape dragging behind him.

“No, son. I want her down in the dungeons until her attitude changes. This type of attitude is very disrespectful, not just to me, but to me. Take her there, guards.” The king ordered.

“No, father. I will teach her respect myself. Let me have her as my maiden.” The prince said as he grabbed his father’s arm.

“As I said, no. She is to dangerous for you.” The king said as he looked at his son in the eyes.

“So, your saying that I can go on dangerous quests for my pleasure and yet you say a beautiful Dragon Kin is too dangerous for me? How is that fair, father? I want to give it a shot.” The prince said as he glared at his father.

“Fine. Nancy, go back to the town and have General Herald go search for a Silver and a Golden Dragon Kin. Guards, stand down and go back to your posts.” He said as he spun back around and walked away.

“What is your name, dear Dragon Kin?” The Prince asked as he held his hand out toward me.

“Did you not listen earlier?” I asked him as I started chewing on the chains around my wrists.

“Stop chewing them chains, my dear. Also, no, I wasn’t here for that. I just returned from a quest and came over to see what was going on.” He said as he tapped my head.

“My name is Iris Tatiana Freedom. You don't tell me what to do! Why am I your maid?” I snarled as I looked up at him.

“Please, I have needed someone to help around with cleaning my room, polishing my armor, sharpening my weaponry and more. Follow me, please. Everyone else is scared of your kind.” He said as he took the chains off of my wrists.

“Who are you then?” I asked him as I walked behind him.

“I am Prince Singe and the King is my father. I couldn’t see someone as pretty as you down in the dungeon. Please, stay silent until we get to my room.” He said as he spun around and bowed to me.

I nodded and we kept walking through the courtyard. As we walked into the castle, the guards blocked my path. He whispered into their ears and they stepped out of my way. We walked through the halls as other women Vulcanites screamed and squeezed themselves to the walls. We walked up 3 sets of stairs and got to a door. He turned around and set one hand on my shoulder.

“You better learn respect quickly and change that attitude around my father. Also, excuse the mess in my room.” He says as he looked me in the eyes and spun back around.

He opened the door and in he walked. I walked in after him and saw his clothing was everywhere.

“This looks like my brother’s room.” I said as I started picking up his armor and weaponry off of the floor.

“You have a brother?” He asked as he closed the door.

“Y… No, no sire. I do not have a brother.” I lied as I set his armor on the table nearby.

“Don’t lie to me, young lady. Who is your brother? Who is your parents?” He asked me as he slammed his hands onto the table.

I backed away and knelt down. I looked up at him as he looked back at me with curiosity. He shrugged it off and ordered me around for the rest of the day. That same night, the King came and got me. He told me to sit and look at the moon. I did so and I fell asleep about an hour later. Morning came and I was returned to the prince’s room before he was awake. The prince woke up and looked at me. His first order was to get him his clothing and I did so. I did everything he asked me all three days. I was there for three days before he asked me again.

“Who is your brother? Who are your parents?” He asked me as I sharpened his sword against my tail.

“My brother is Lolo Diera Free. I only know my father.” I halfway lied to him as I knelt down onto the floor.

“Who is your father?” He asked me as knelt down in front of me.

“My father is Tara Diera of the Southern Forest. Why do you ask?” I said as I looked at him and a knock came upon the door.

“Come in.” He said as he stood up and helped me stand up.

“Um, sire. The King wants you and thy mistress in the throne room immediately.” A male servant said as he opened the door and walked in.

“Alright, Benjamin. We shall be down there. You may go.” The prince said as he nodded to the male Vulcanite.

Benjamin left quickly and the prince spun around and looked at me. He walked over to me and sighed.

“I know who Tara is and I want you to follow me and stay silent.” Prince Surge said as he spun back around and grabbed the door.

He opened it and we walked out of his room. We walked down the 3 sets of stairs, down a different hallway until we reached a big room decorated with drapes of light blue and gold. We walked in and I saw my Aunt Badilia and a man that I did not know.

“Prince Surge, this is Badilia Diera and Baldur Blood Moon of the High Commission. Badilia knows this Black Dragon Kin you have as a maiden.” The king said as he pushed me down as he said the last part.

I fell to my knees and Badilia looked at me as I stayed knelt on the ground. Prince Surge helped me stand up and dusted me off.

“I am ready with an offer to trade for her.” Badilia said as she looked at me.

“What is your offer?” The King said as he sat down in his Throne chair.

“I am offering my life for hers. Kill me and let her go.” Badilia said as she stood up tall.

“Interesting. That will be a big no on my part. Leave, now.” The King said as he looked at me with disgust.

“Please, sire. Her family is worried about her. Please, take my life for hers.” Badilia begged as she knelt down in front of him.

“I said no!! Get that through your dumbfounded head!!” He yelled as he pushed her back and snapped his fingers.

Guards showed up and grabbed ahold of her. They drug her out of throne room while she was screaming. Baldur stepped forward and cleared his throat. The king looked at him and motioned him to speak.

“Sire, why did you decline the young lady's offer?” Baldur asked as he bowed to the king.

“She was a nuisance, or a thorn in my side. She also had the wrong kind of offer.” The king said snyly.

“But, father. She knew my maiden. She was willing to give up her OWN LIFE, for my maiden to go free. Do you have no compassion?” The Prince finally spoke up.

“I plan on never giving her up like we did with your other maidens of gold and silver.” His father said as he stood up.

“What do mean by that?” Prince Surge asked.

“A black Draginucous is rarer than that of the Night Draginucous we have downstairs.” The King said as he glared at the prince.

“There is more to life than collecting rare creatures and making them MISERABLE!!” The prince snapped at his father.

They were silent for a while until the prince motioned me to follow him. I nodded and started to follow him out until Baldur grabbed my arm. I glared at him as the prince walked on. He saw that I was Moon Blinked.

“Please, defend your Aunt Badilia. Please, do it for yourself, not me or your family.” Baldur whispered to me.

“Sorry for my language. Would you kindly fuck off?!” I snarled as I pulled my arm away from his grasp.

He stared at me as I walked away and turned a corner to see the prince waiting for me at a corner. I smiled and bowed to him. He sighed and looked at me with curiosity.

“Is something wrong, your majesty?” I asked him as I stood back up.

“What the hell was that? What gives you the right to say the f-bomb? You know what? I don't want to know the answer. Just follow me to my room.” He said as he stormed off and I followed him.

We got to his room and he pulled his shirt off. I caught it and put it in his basket. I picked the sword back up and started sharpening the sword again.

“How can you say that to the High Commissioner? You're going to be thrown in jail now. Oh, clean up your act from now on!!” He snapped at me.

"No, I won't, sire. I will make sure of that.” I said as I examined the blade and started sharpening it again.

He looked at me and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“Mr. Blood Moon knows my family, including my mother.” I said as I put his sword in its sheath and put it up on the wall.

“Did you say he knows your mother? Who is your mother, young Dragon Kin?” He asked as he looked at me, surprised.

I stayed silent and he made me do chores left and right. He made it like torture. About a week, maybe two months, or maybe a year. I don't know. The pain and the suffering was too unbearable.

“Last year, you said he knows your mother. Who is your mother?” The prince asked me again.

“Yes, he does know my mother. Her name is Deera Diera or also known as Deera Freedom. She is a Black Draginucous like me. Oh no. I said too much.” I said as I looked at him.

“You know what? Be free, my maiden.” He said as he opened the doors to the balcony.

“What?” I asked in surprise.

“I said, be free. You can go now.” He said as he walked me to the balcony.

I transformed into my Draginucous form and looked at him as he looked at me with awe. He nodded.

Will she fly off or will she stay?

Badilia

“Let me out!!” I yelled as I hit the metal door.

“Why should we?” A guard asked right outside the door.

“Because if you let me, I will reward you, handsomely. I will also keep it a secret from the king.” I said as “he” turned around to look at me.

“No, sister Badiliana. I will do no such thing.” She said as I recognized her to be my sister, Celia.

“Ceca? Is that really what you wasted EU for?” I asked her as she smiled her sweet and innocent smile.

“You wouldn’t know about EU like I did. Leave me be, unliker of the King’s order.” Celia said as she turned back around as her name, Helena, was called.

The king, the prince and a few guards came down a set of stairs as the bells rang. I started to panic but Celia stayed calm through it.

“Helena!! Did you let the Beast go?” The king asked.

“No, sir. I have stood here for the last couple of hours.” ‘Helena’ said as she stood up straight.

“Did YOU have something to do with it?” The king asked as he pointed at me.

“N… No, your majesty. I would never do something like that. Who would do something like that?” I said as I looked at him with disbelief.

“Father. As I told you before, I let her go. She was unhappy and she wanted to go home. The trick is that I put a tracker on her so we can go find her Draginucous family and capture them. Think of what kind of work we could do with them.” The Prince said as he stood in front of the king.

“Gather your men, son. Helena, release her and Baldur, take her back to where she came from. Make sure they are following you at a distance.” The King said as he and his son left with Baldur in tow.

Celia let me out and followed me into the lobby where Baldur and his carriage were sitting. I whistled and in came Avalar and his trusty mare, Strawberry Cream. I waved at Baldur bye as I climbed onto that mare and The King went to grab Avalar. The mare reared up and took off before the King could get ahold of him. We heard hoof beats behind us as the mare raced down the path and took a left turn. The mare ran and ran until we got to the gorge. She slid to a stop and Avalar got off.

“What are you doing, young Nephew?” I asked as he slid me forward.

“Saving you and Iris. When you didn’t return within 4 days of when you left, I came in search for you. Strawberry Cream, take her home and stay there.” Avalar said as he pet the red and white mare.

She took off leaving Avalar and the group of men around him. After a while, I couldn’t see him anymore.

Avalar

As the sight of my pretty mare and my Onto Badilia left, the Prince and his group of 15 others show up around me. The prince got off his horse as I knelt down to the ground. He stopped and looked at me with curiousity.

“Stay back, or I will jump!” I snapped as I stepped closer to the edge of the gorge.

“Woah, woah, woah. I won’t come any further. What are you? Are you an elf or a Draginucous?” The Prince asked as he grabbed his sword.

“I am a hybrid similar to Iris and yet half of me is an elf and half of me is a Shelldor. They call me a Perfect Unicorn Heraldor.” I said as my sword appeared within my hand, my sheath upon my left hip and my true form showed up.

“It is true. Father must see that you are taken well care of.” The prince said as he stepped closer.

“Who is the King? Who are you lot?” I asked as I snapped at them and swung at him.

He swung and blocked my swing. He pushed me back and my foot slipped over the edge. I started to fall when the prince grabbed my wrist and started to pull me up. He pulled up onto the ground and he let go of me as I dropped my sword onto the ground. He backed away from me as I looked at him.

“Why’d you save me, mortal?” I asked as I stood up and looked at him.

“I am Prince Singe, son of King Uther. Leo!! Forma!! Arrest him and take him to my father.” He ordered as he stood tall in front of me.

Two guards, one man and the other a woman with silver hair and no armor. They grabbed my arms and pushed my sword away from me. The Prince stood tall and watched as they grabbed me. He grabbed my sword and looked at it.

“This is the Sword of Camerone. Camerone is far from here, young one. Why does a young man like you have it?” The Prince asked as he saw the mark of his people on it.

“You damn dirty Vulcanites took our land!! You pushed us from our rightful place to rule the land of the Flightless and Righteous!!” I yelled as I fought their grip.

“I think I will keep this sword.” He said as he kept looking at the sword.

I made the sword disappear as he tried to grip it from thin air. He looked at me with anger and motioned them to tie my arms down to my body. They did exactly that and tied to the saddle of a horse.

“Leo! Take him to my father and help him keep an eye on that little rat.” The Prince said as a black mixed male grabbed the reins on the horse I was on.

“Yeth, sire. I shall do that.” He said as he mounted the other horse and looked at me.

We took off at a trot and out of sight of the Prince. He stopped the horses and let them drink some water. He knelt near the water and started washing his face. I cleared my throat as I noticed a star on his forehead and a feather behind his left ear.

“You must be a good friend of my father.” I said as I watched him wash his face.

“Whath do you mean by that?” He asked as he looked up at me.

“You know who my father is, correct?” I asked a little irritated.

“Your fatha is Sinbad of the Seven Forests. Youth are his son, Avalar of Seven Seas. Also, son of Amilia The Highest Rank of Soldiers for war.” He said as he shook his hands off and mounted back onto the horse.

We rode off until we arrived at the castle made of blue as I saw the king walking toward us. He got there and he dismounted off his horse.

“Yourth son had me bring this young Heraldor to you.” He said as he bowed to the king.

“There is no such thing as a Heraldor. Only Shelldors like you are the only survivors.” The King said as he looked at me.

“You must be King Uther. He isn’t lying, sir. I AM a Unicorn Heraldor. My mother is Amilia Diera and my father is Sinbad of the Seven Forests.” I said as I walked closer to him.

“Tell my son to go find this young man’s father, Leo. Guards!! Take this young but rude man to the dungeon.” The King said as Leo mounted his horse and rode off.

I was taken to a cell underground and put in between two young ladies. Will I be able to escape from here or no?

Iris

I flew away from the castle and I flew as far as I could until I was tired. I got tired about 200 miles away from the castle. I landed and changed into my human form. I yawned and laid down on the ground in the forest nearby. My human form changed from human to my Draginucous form. I slept hard and night had fallen, and I could hear the rain pouring down. Then, a net was thrown as I heard shouting behind me. I tried to fly away, but the net pinned me down to the ground. I roared and tried to burn the net made of… Steel wires?!? This isn’t fair.

“Let me go!!” I snarled as I tried to lift my wings but couldn’t.

All they could hear was roaring from me. I was out of breath as they drug me into a cage, and I was too tired to fight the cage. They pulled the net off and I stayed still.

“Breng haar naar het kasteel!! Ze moet naar de koning en prins worden gebracht!! We zullen die beloning krijgen!! Get her to the castle!! She needs to be taken to the King and Prince!! We shall get that reward!!” Someone yelled in Dutch from Belgium.

I lifted my head as I looked at the figures that captured me. I noticed that they were short. I watched them as they talked in Dutch. I couldn’t understand them. I transformed into my elven form and sat down. I wanted to ask them, but they didn’t understand my English. They watched me in fascination. The cage started to move, and I noticed that the town nearby was getting smaller. What did they want with me? After about a couple hours of the cart rolling, it stopped, and they handed me a jacket to wear in this rain as it poured. I put it on, and it pleased them.

“What do you want with me?” I asked them as I started to get cold from the chilly wind as the cart rolled.

“We go to king. We take you to king now. We get reward for return of you.” One of them said as she looked at me with her hood up.

“What are you guys?” I asked the rain stopped pouring.

“Elven Dwarfs. No more questions. We almost to king.” She snapped at me as she looked ahead of the cart.

I stayed silent and the sight of the somewhat familiar gates appeared ahead of the cart. The rain started to pour again. The gates opened with a squeal and we rolled through. A couple of guards closed the gate as the cart came to a stop and I heard the familiar steps of King Uther walking up to the back of the cage. He appeared and I stared back at him.

“There she is. The beauty and pride from my sons grasp.” King Uther said as I just sat there, and he opened the cage door.

He held his hand for me to grab as I looked at him. I grabbed his hand and he helped me out of the catch. He nodded to the guards and they pushed the Elven Dwarves out of the yard.

“Let us go in and get you some dry clothing. You can borrow some of my clothing, my dear.” The king said as he and I walked into the castle.

He walked me to his room, and he showed me to his shower. I looked at him confused.

“Take a shower, my dear. Do you not know how?” King Uther asked as he looked at me in curiousity.

“I know how, sire. I just wasn’t expecting this kind of treatment from you. When you first saw me, you didn’t want anything to do with me.” I said as I walked back into his room and grabbed some clothes that would fit me.

He chuckled and walked out of the room. He shut the door as I walked back into his bathroom. I took the jacket off turned the water on. I took my shirt off and started brushing my hair with my fingers. Well, it was easy brushing my hair because I have short hair. I took my shirt off and stripped my wet jeans off. I got in the hot shower and I scrubbed myself from head to toe. I never heard the door open until I turned the shower off and went to step out when I saw Prince Singe. I stopped moving and he noticed me. He ran out of the bathroom yelling sorry. I got dressed quickly and walked out after him. I walked down the hall until I got to the Throne room where I heard the prince and the King talking. I walked in wearing a white shirt with brown pants and a blue cloak. The prince blushed when he saw me and looked at his father.

“She is back, my son. You can ask her; I was nice to her.” King Uther said as he stood up and bowed to me.

“Was he nice to you?” Prince Singe asked me as he did the same as his father.

“Why are you two bowing to me?” I asked as I stepped back a little bit.

“You are the chosen one to bring us the end of the war we have been fighting.” Prince Singe said as he stood up.

“The war? What war?” I asked as I looked at them confused.

“The war against the Shelldors Kingdom in Matador. We need that kingdom to rule.” The King said with a smile as he sat down on his throne.

“No, you don’t. You have the land here. It is miles away from them and yet you want more land? How is that fair? How is that fair not just to me, but to them and the others that live there?” I questioned them as I paced slowly and looked at both of them.

King Uther looked at me and said as he stood up, “What did you just say?”

“I didn’t say anything. I asked you two, not one, but TWO!! I asked you two questions. I don’t like it when I have to repeat myself!!” I snarled as I paced back and forth… back and forth… back and forth faster.

“Calm down, young lady.” The king said as he stepped away from his throne chair.

“Me calm down?!? Why are you telling me what to do?!?” I snarled as my tail appeared and my horns started to grow from my head.

“Calm down, madam Iris. Calm yourself. Think rationally and not irrationally lash out. Please, calm down.” Prince Singe said as he grabbed my shoulders and made me face him.

“I… I am sorry. I didn’t mean to lash out like that. I am so sorry.” I said as I looked at him.

“Just go to my room and clean in there while father and I figure out a few things.” Prince Singe said as he let go of my shoulders.

I mumbled to myself and stormed off to the prince’s room. I walked in and slammed the door. I started cleaning the room as I heard them yelling at each other. I calmed down after… was it 30 minutes, maybe an hour or two? I don’t know for sure. When the Prince came in, ne slammed the door and started to pace as I started sharpening his sword again.

“Why can’t father listen to me? Am I just something to order around? This is so frustrating!!” Prince Singe said as he slammed his hands on the table.

“Your father is a stubborn man. He is stuck in the old ways instead of looking for peace within the towns nearby. No, sire. You are his son, not a servant.” I answered as I walked over to him and set the sword on the table in front of his hands.

“Are you trying to comfort me?” He asked me as he looked at me and noticed that the sun was setting.

“Yes and no, sire. I was just trying to tell you the truth about your father.” I said as I watched him start to yawn.

“Go to bed, young maiden. You can sleep on the balcony if you want.” He said as he finished his yawn, got into his pajamas.

I bowed as he crawled into his bed. I pinched the lights of the candles out as I sensed something… no. I sensed someone’s message to me. I walked out onto the balcony and I listened to the message.

“Where art thou Iris? Let us know so we can save you.” Is what it said.

Lolo… Lolo… That name rang a bell, but I don’t remember who that is exactly. I curled up on the balcony and fell asleep. I woke with a start when I heard a familiar yet not, scream from someone in a message. I stood up, dusted the dirt off and started cleaning the bedroom again. The familiar yet not, scream got louder as I walked out onto the balcony and looked down. I saw a couple of people. Then, Prince Singe came up next to me and cleared his throat. It startled me a little bit.

“Who are they?” I asked him.

“Don’t they looked familiar to you?” He asked me as I kept looking at them.

“Yes and no. The one with golden hair looks familiar but I cannot recall who he is. The one with black hair who screams looks familiar like she is a part of me.” I said as the female screamed again.

“Would you like to see them up closer?” He asked as he held his hand out to me.

“If you do not mind, sire.” I said as I grabbed his hand.

“I do not mind, young miss. Let us head down there now.” He said as we walked into his bedroom and walked down the stairs.

We walked out through a door and into the courtyard. I saw both of them in a cage. They looked at me as I saw them. I went to turn away when the King saw both of us.

“Lovely to see you this morning, young miss. How did you sleep?” The King said as he bowed to me.

“I… I slept fine, sire. Who are these Draginucous?” I said as I looked at him.

“The male says he is Killer Freedom and the female just screams. It’s like she is waiting for a response. Do you want us to shut her up?” The King asked me as he pointed to each of them.

“No, sire. Let me see if I can talk to the female. Let Killer go and let him return to his home. He is not needed here.” I said as I walked up to the cage.

“Iris? Is that you?” The golden one asked as he looked me.

“My name is Daru Daru. I am a maiden for Prince Singe. You may go, sir.” I said as they opened the cage.

“Do you not recognize me, at all?” He asked as he stepped out of the cage.

“Leave here and go home. I do not recognize you, stranger.” I said as he looked at me shocked.

He ran off as the female screamed again. My heart ached as the scream tugged on it.

“Ma’am? Why are you screaming?” I asked her as they closed the cage again.

“I am waiting for a response from my daughter. Do you know where she is at?” She asked as she looked up toward the sky.

“Who is your daughter? What is her name?” I asked her.

“She goes by Iris in her elf or human form and Daru Daru in her Draginucous form. Last I saw her has about 14 months ago. She was only 5 foot 6 inches with short light purple hair and her eyes were the same color. Where could she be?” The female asked me as she wiped her tears away.

“I am Daru Daru, daughter of Tara Diera and Deera Freedom and Sister to Lolo Diera Free. I am your daughter, ma’am.” I said as she watched me as I started to pace in front of the cage.

“Is this your mother? A puny human?” The Prince asked as he walked up closer.

“She isn’t a human, sire. She is a Pure-blooded Black Draginucous in her human form. Please, let my mama go. She doesn’t need to live in captivity like I do.” I said as I looked at the King.

“Let her go, father.” The prince said as he stood next to me.

The King motioned them to open the cage and they did. She stepped out and walked over to me. She let me look at the heirloom clip.

“Keep it safe, my sweet Daru Daru.” She said as she put my hair into a low ponytail and pinned it.

She transformed into her Draginucous form and flew away. I watched her fly as tears welled up within my eyes. The Prince set his hand on my shoulder, startling me. I grabbed his wrist and flipped him over, causing him to land on his back. Once I let go of his wrist, I realized that I just hurt the prince. I backed away, gasped and held my hands over my mouth. It knocked the prince unconscious.

“I… I am so sorry, sire. I… I didn’t mean to do it.” I said as the guards rushed past me and gathered around the Prince.

The prince laid there as a couple of guards grabbed my arms and put chains on them. I looked at the guards with tears in my eyes.

“Take her to the dungeon and put her in a cell, ALONE!!” I heard King Uther yell as he rushed past me.

“Sire, please. I can help him. I caused it to happen, let me help him!” I yelled as the guards started to pull me away.

“You have done enough. Take her away.” King Uther said as he lifted his son’s head.

They pulled harder on my wrists but I yanked harder, causing them to fly a few feet in front of me. I took the chains off my wrists and ran over to the King and Prince when a familiar grip grabbed my shirt. They pulled me back and held me back. I fought the grip but to no avail. All I did was tire myself out within 30 minutes. I screeched and everyone, including that someone, covered their ears. I dropped to my knees and the last thing I remember was seeing a white Draginucous above me.

Who is the White Draginucous? Is it Lolo, Celestial or some friendly stranger?

Lolo

I picked her up as everyone backed away from Iris’s body and me. I picked her up and ran back the way I came. I came to a halt about 30 miles from the town and set Iris on the ground. I laid down next to her body as it got dark quickly. I watched her body twitch every now and again. What happened to cause her to screech to answer my message? I don’t think I will ever know why she answered my message 14 months later. She is so innocent and so hardheaded that I love her for who she is.

“Night night, my lovely sister.” I said after I yawned.

I laid my head down and within a few seconds I was asleep. Daybreak came and I woke with a start as I heard leaves rustling. I looked around and saw that the wind was blowing through the trees and bushes. I carefully stood up and picked her up. I set her upon my back and walked toward home. I walked and walked until I got to the house. I was breathing hard as I laid down on the lawn. Our neighbors watched as I slid Iris carefully off my back. Once she was on the ground, I changed into my human form and laid there next to my sweet sister. She was taller than me. She must be about 7 foot and I am only 5 foot 6 inches tall. I heard a door open and I looked up to see my… I mean… our mada and fada standing there in the doorway. They ran over and I saw them kneel down next to Iris and I. I felt fada grab my shoulder and try to move me away from Iris. I kept ahold of her since I was still weak from saving her.

“Let go of her, Lolo. She is home. We have to get her inside.” Fada said as I kept ahold of Iris.

“N… No. I cannot let her go. Last time I did that, I lost her for 14 months. I need to be with her. Let us rest here.” I said as my fada separated my hands from Iris’s body.

“She will be safe. I promise. We are not going to hurt her at all. We will let her rest before we do anything else with her.” Fada said as he helped me stand up as my legs decided to finally work with what little strength I had.

Mada grabbed Iris and carried her into the house as Fada helped me walk in. Mada set Iris on the couch and everyone started to gather around her.

“Back away from her!! She needs space!!” I yelled as Fada sat me down in the chair near the couch.

They backed away from around her as I stood up and sat on the floor near her. I stayed there as days passed and people came and went. I didn’t eat or drink anything as Iris laid there, on the couch, unmoving. How could an innocent thing like her have so much trouble in her life?

“Lolo? Is that you, you scrawny thang?” A familiar female voice asked.

I looked and saw a female figure with 3 sets of ears. I transformed into my Draginucous form and stayed over Iris. I growled as I recognized her as Nekimi, a Shape Shifter. I felt lightheaded and changed into my Elven form. I looked at her with anger and disgust.

“Why are you here?” I asked her with anger as I looked at Iris.

“I came to check on you, my dear Lolo. You don’t look good, dear. What is wrong with you? What happed to your sister?” She asked as she stepped closer.

“Stay away from us!! You ruined my life when I was with you!! I told you, I never wanted to see you again!” I snarled at her as I got lightheaded once again.

“I just want to make sure that you and Iris are alright. I see that you haven’t eaten in days. Iris needs you to be strong, dear Draginucous.” She said as she set a bag down near me and left out the door.

“W… Wait!! Nekimi!! I am so sorry for yelling at you!!” I yelled after her as I stood up and walked to the door before falling to my knees.

“Lolo, dear. Are you alright?” She asked me as she walked up to me and helped me stand up.

“No, Nekimi. I am not alright. You were right. I haven’t eaten in days, neither has Iris. What did you bring in that bag?” I said as she helped me walk up to the chairs near the couch Iris was on.

“I brought Rabbit Stew, your favorite.” She said as she went and grabbed the bag and opened it up.

She brought out two bowls, two forks, two napkins and a big bowl of rabbit stew. She poured some of the stew into a bowl and handed it to me. I grabbed a fork and ate the stew. Well, not just eat, but gobbled it up in nothing flat. I smiled as she wiped the corners of my mouth. Mada walked in and saw Nekimi. She started to growl, and I stood up to explain to Mada that she was a friend of mine. She had brought some food for me to eat.

“Mada, please don’t get mad. She had a feeling that I needed some support and brought food just in case.” I said as I nearly fell to my knees since I was still weak from not eating for so many days.

“Fine but, she isn’t welcome into this family.” Mada said as she turned around and walked away.

I bowed as Nekimi helped me stand back up and walk me over to the chair. I sat down as she poured me another bowl of the stew. I scarfed that bowl down and I was full. I yawned and stayed near Iris. Nekimi picked up the bowl and put them up in the bag. She left as I sat there near Iris. I yawned and laid my head down for just a single moment when I fell fast asleep with my hand upon Iris’s shoulder. I woke up the next morning with a blanket over me and I noticed Iris wasn’t laying on the couch. I heard someone walk in and I looked to see who it was. Fada had walked in and motioned for me to follow him.

“What is wrong, Fada?” I asked as I stood up and followed him into the kitchen.

“We have something to tell you, Lolo. It… *sighs*… It is about Iris.” Mada sad as Tara stood behind her.

“What is it? Is she alright? Where is she?” I asked so frantic as I looked around for her.

“We don’t know for sure where she went. She got up sometime last night and disappeared in a flash of light.” Mada said as tears started to well up in her eyes.

“What?!? We have to find her and fast!!” I yelled as I turned around and stopped immediately.

“Why did you stop?” Fada asked as he took a step away from mada.

I saw Iris standing in the doorway from the kitchen to the Living Den. I started crying and I fell to my knees. I felt her touch my shoulder and then her arms were around me. I wrapped my arms around her and gripped her shirt. I cried as Mada and Fada saw her hugging me. They came over and hugged us.

What will happen Next? Is it the end or will the Ultimate foe show up?