Thick tension lay over them, clinging to each heart, as chilling sweat oozed down each face and bodies quivered in helpless fear. It was pure instinct for survival, and Sam felt a desperate need to flee this ominous figure perched high above him, crowned under the shadows of the trees. However, his body performed in utter defiance, paralyzing him against his will.
The girl drew her finger on Sam and his crew. Her voice was a silken, menacing whisper. "Ahyoooo, I'm here to clean up this mess. Any objections?" Sam's voice caught in his throat, refusing to string the words.
"Flame Dragon Breath: Crimson Tempest." A great mana circle blossomed from her finger, casting a whirling tempest of flames across the landscape, which then tore across and incinerated foul remnants of Crimson Rot in a purifying blaze.
She cast her gaze at Maximus and the rest of his crew. They saw her eyes on them and fell to one knee, their right hands pressed against their chests in respect.
"We salute the great Fire Dragon. It is our honor to stand in your presence." The woman jumped down in one smooth movement, her presence weighing upon them like a burning weight.
Their bodies quivered beneath her aura, held by some power beyond them. "Did you think yourselves worthy of my presence?" she asked, her voice like molten steel.
"I came because of him, my crux." Gliding to Drake, she leaned in close, her fingers barely grazing his cheek as she smiled icily. Then, she turned to face Maximus. "Who's in charge here?"
Maximus stepped forward, his voice even. "That'd be me." She squared, her gaze like burning embers as she advanced. "Consider yourself lucky. I could have you pay a heavy price, but that again would only serve to provoke him further.
She glanced briefly back at Drake, continuing with, "I have cleaned all the Crimson Rot in this village; there's no reason to stay in it. You'll be carrying him on your back as you leave this forest until he awakens."
With quick efficiency, they packed up and prepared to leave the mist-shrouded forest, knowing the quiet flame dragon followed behind them.
Two days later, on the dense fog of the forest and under the midnight sky, three small tents had stood erected, their dark shadows dimly cast on to the ground. In one of the shadowy-colored tents, Drake suddenly awoke with a dull ache all over his body.
He let out a groan as he stretched; the joints creaked beneath the stretch. Dizzy, he got up unsteadily; his legs were trembling. He stayed like that for a moment, steadying himself with his hands on his knees. He went out. "Aa-aa-ah," he yawned deeply, his arms swung wide, head thrown back, eyes shut instinctively against the night.
The soft crackle of a nearby fire caught his attention, and he glanced over to see Maximus, thoughtful by the glow of the fire. Drake walked over, sinking down beside him. "Why don't you get some rest?" Maximus turned, his gaze settling on Drake.
"You're awake. I decided to stay on guard, just in case." Drake lifted his gaze, staring up at the night sky, twinkling with stars. "I miss home… Mom. I hope she's not worried, searching for me," he said, his words coming as a deep sigh.
What Maximus felt, though, was curiosity stirring in his eyes. "If I might ask, did you have something with the flame-Dr." He stopped immediately upon receiving an intense aura of bloodlust from the flame dragon's tent. Immediately, he shut up.
Drake now awake glared at him. "What was it you wanted to ask?" Maximus shook his head. "Nothing important, just… I wondered about his Majesty's last moments." He hung his head, and a shade of sadness fell across his face.
"Honestly, he went into the afterlife at peace, without regrets." Maximus looked again at Drake. "I see," he whispered, rubbing his face with a tired hand. "So, now that you've delivered the message, what's next?
Drake clasped his hands together. "I am going to join the Diamond Mage Academy." Maximus stood up. "Then we should hurry.
The academy's entrance program starts in two days. Aa-aa-ah," he yawned and stretched. "I'll leave you on watch for the night." He disappeared to the tent Drake had just exited.
The next morning, Drake lay asleep next to the faintly smoldering embers of the night fire. He stirred, an itch flaring in his ears and nose, and groggily scratched the spots, half-awake.
A sharp feminine voice reached his ears. "Why did you let him spend the night out here, in the cold?" Drake rose, squinting against the morning light, his eyes struggling to adjust as he took in the scene.
The lady was standing, scolding Maximus and his companions. "What's going on?" he mumbled, still groggy. They turned to him as the flame dragon strode over, an impish smile spreading across her face.
"Awake at last, my crux," she purred, clasping his right hand in both of hers and tugging it against her chest. Drake opened his eyes, befogged. "Who are you, and what do you do?" His foggy gaze clashed with hers.
Puffing her cheeks in a low growl, vibrating in her throat, her hold on him stiffened. "Xena," she pronounced. "I'm one of your partners-to-be."
Drake wrenched his hand free, a flash of annoyance in his eyes. "Let go. I don't know what you're talking about." Unfazed, Xena wrapped her arms around his hand once more, pressing it closer. "I said let go," he snarled, squirming, but found her grip impossible to break.
He appealed with his eyes to Maximus and the rest, but they looked away, pretending not to see anything.
Max diffused the tension with a nod: "Let's move on. Drake has a deadline he must make at the academy." Xena released his hand almost slowly and moved further, the fog-shrouded forest eventually giving way before them. But Xena remained close to Drake's side, hovering in that manner that spoke volumes of demanding his attention.