It well past miodnight when we arrived back home, and thankfully with no soldiers to disturb us. After our "chat" with the other dragon riders Hestia and I were physically, mentally, and emotionally tired. I dragged my feet through the threshold of the shack and collapsed on the bed. The ground shook as Hess let her body fall. Within seconds we were both asleep, hoping not to wake up for a while.
My dreams were few and far between, tidbits of sounds and images racing in my head. At first it was nothing, just random things in random places, meaningless people and their voices. I couldn't make out faces or words from them, but they seemed like memories. Almost a reconciliation of my life, just more vague and unclear. Everything was moving so fast, until my most recent memories came back. Then everything went black, no image and no sound. I was floating in darkness. I was cold as well, like this darkness had become I ice on my skin. Then I heard it. A voice, but it was faint like a whisper in the wind.
'COME WITH ME.' It said.
I had no choice but to follow the voice. Then feeling of being pulled came along, as if someone was pulling my hand. The sensation continued, until a bright light exploded around me. All of a sudden I was on a mountain side, surrounded by what was once a field. Now it seemed everything around me was dead. Plants were withered to the ground, animals carcasses has been scattered, even the soil was practically ashes. The carcasses were of the creatures that now roam my world, but that was the least shocking thing. What really got me was the human bodies laying with them. This was not of my world.
"This is were the Haze originated from." The voice said.
I could hear it behind me, as if it was a person. I looked back and saw what seemed to be a woman. She was beautiful, with long brown hair, round hazel eyes and light skin that shined like diamonds. Her face was slightly rounded, with high cheekbones, a button nose and small bow shaped lips. She tall, about six feet with a elegantly curved body. She was wearing a long purple robe that embroidered with designs of many mythical creatures. Her dress was light blue with golden embroidery. The design depicted a dragon with scales that were light blue and golden. It had two curved horns on its head with golden and violet eyes. There was golden fur on it neck, like the mane of a horse. It had a long slim tail with spikes on the end. The wings are flared, both on the right side, one slightly longer than the other. It was a beautiful design.
"What is this place? Who are you?" I asked.
The woman smiled, "This is what remains of Eudora, the world of creatures. I am Averia, its last ruler." She said. The world of creatures, could that mean...
"Is this were Hestia's mother came from?" I asked.
Averia nodded. "Salia was born here, she ruled by my side. Now Hestia is meant to lead with you."
"WHAT!" I shrieked.
Averia laughed at my reaction, but I was panicking. Me? Rule? Rule what, a world devoid of life and its existence. She must be out of her damn mind to think anyone can rule this place.
"I do not expect you to take over this world, I expect you to merge it with your own. This world is indeed devoid of life, thus it must be taken and merged to another. With this merge Eudora and Earth can become one and both worlds will thrive. This is the only way for Earth to avoid the same fate."
I nearly choked with this revelation. "Is that why the Haze came? Is my world going to be destroyed?"
"No. The Haze was an attempt to save Eudora from annihilation, but by the time the portal fully opened, it became our only escape route. Now that the portal is closed, the Great Evil has been contained, but this is only temporary. The portal will open again and the Great Evil will come for Earth next. You and Hestia must unite the creatures of Earth and Eudora to battle against it and defeat it back to the depths of creation." She explained, a somber look on her face.
I shook my head, "How? How can we fight back against something not even you can't beat? How can we unite two worlds that are filled with so many wild beasts? Do you actually think that's possible, with the chaos and destruction that has already killed so many. My world is in ruins and even before humans never got along. This won't happen now that they are to scared to accept anything less than what they want." I ranted.
"The process will be hard and long, but with time the best of all can rise to defend the rest that is left. Your world has changed, now you must lead it to a new beginning. One that will allow you and Hestia to fulfill your destiny. Please know that this was always your fate, that you were meant to rule. Nothing and no one can change that, no matter how hard they try. Your true powers are already unlocked. Now you must harness them inorder to fight. Hestia has been able to unlock the ancient magic in her and is training hard to understand. You must too." Averia claimed.
I was speechless, unable to accept that I was always meant for this. Averia gave me a sad smile as if to comfort my troubled mind, but she just doesn't understand. Even to this day, I still struggle to accept who I've become. Now I learn this isn't the end of my change. Now I have to become a ruler? Hell no! Why can't I be normal? Why does the world hate the way my life is? God, if I could kick fates ass right now, it would be done in a heartbeat.
"I know this is a lot, but it's all true. This is not something that can be passed down to another, it is a process that has been in the works for thousands of years. Just know that you are not alone, I and Salia will be here for you and Hestia now. Others will come to aid you in this quest. There will be battles and enemies that you encounter, some will been known easily, others will hide in plain sight." Averia then walk over to me. With the touch only a mother could have, she took me in her arms and embraced me. One hand wrapped around my shoulders and the other stroked my hair. Her action seem to soothe the conflict inside.
"I will watch over you till my death." She whispered in my ears "Dear Anna of Earth, I Averia of Eudora here by proclaim you my successor. The responsibility of leadership and protection fall upon you and Your dragon. My powers are yours as are my throne and crown."
With her proclamation, my vision went black again and I was no longer standing on a mountainside. Instead, I felt the thick blankets of my bed and the warm of the sun. I opened my eyes as my mind took in the final words of Averia. With all she said, I knew that I would have to go back to the group of dragon riders. They were the safest option to rely on now, and Hestia would need help me train them.
I got out of my bed and got some clothes. Since there was a running creek leading into a pond, I would wash up there when it was needed. So that's what I did. My thoughts continued to play out as I cleaned up, still trying to figure out how to tell Hestia all I've learned. This was mind blowing and there was no telling if she would believe me. Hell, I wouldn't believe me, but it was still true. After my bath, I got out some cookware and a flint. Making a fire, I boiled some water to make noodles for breakfast. After it was ready, I called for Hestia to join me.
{_Goodmoring Anna._} She said, her tone cheerful.
"Morning Hess, How'd you sleep?" I asked.
{_Like a log._} She laughed, {_ How about you._}
"Yeah... about that," I paused, wondering if I should really tell her.
Hestia stared intently at me, as if she knew what I wanted to say was important. Her golden eyes narrowed when I didn't speak up, but eventually softened as she seemed to come to a conclusion.
{_I felt a strange energy last night, but because nothing bad seemed to happen, I ignored it. Do you know anything about that?_} She asked, to which I nodded.
I started to tell her about my dream last night. The dead world Eudora, Averia and Salia, The Haze, a great evil, and about us. I went into detail about how Averia described the Haze and how we were to succeed her and Salia. About how our worlds need to merge, and how we are expected to lead others in a battle against the great evil. Hess listend to every word, and nodded along with what I told her. She seemed to believe it all, atleast better than I had believed Averia. She was also excited to know here mother would most likely return to help us, and while I'm glad she believes me I still feel like she already knew this before hand. Hestia denies it, but she clearly had more knowledge than others.
{_Yes I do, but only because I seem to be bound to someone else's memories._} She confessed.
I was shocked, "What? Why didn't you tell me?"
She went silent at my reaction, {_Because I didn't think you would believe me if I told you._}
I shook my head, " Hestia you know that I have complete faith and belief in you. You are my WORLD." I stressed the last word, "Nothing will change that. Your words mean more to me than my own and I would never dismiss them because they may seem untrue."
She nodded, {_If that's the case then there is something else you should know._} She seemed reluctant to say more, but I was already hooked. My eagerness spurred her to continue, {_That day I was captured... The soldiers were intentionally trying to get me, alive. I'm able to remember some of the commanders words._}
I was on the edge of my seat now, "And..."
Hestia gulped, {And... And they said that a man named Lucaus was looking for dragons. That he believed it would help in protecting humanity. But one mentioned that he was looking for a female dragon with a female rider. That he wanted them alive. There would be big reward for captured dragons and even bigger rewards for female dragons and female riders._} She whispered the last part, clearly afraid of what this meant for us.
I was too. Not just for us, but for all dragons and all riders. If Lucaus was looking for dragons to protect people from other creatures, then when the great evil comes it might be impossible to defeat.
I quickly stood up and pack a travel bag. Hestia was still strapped with her saddle, so we could leave sooner.
"We need to head back to Galveston RIGHT NOW!" I shouted, "That guy and his dragon were already caught in a military set trap, and the girl and her dragon are in danger. We have to warn them."
Even though she was still upset with them, Hestia knew I was right. They need are help, and we are meant to protect others. So with a travel pack ready, we set back off into the sky, hoping we can find those riders again. All of us are being hunted, and we need to be ready for an attack.