Light/warmth/spirit flowed around her, a promise of eternal embrace, if she would simply let go. She forced herself to maintain a tie to her body, making herself feel the air brushing over her, the scents of the plant life, Semari’s cries coming across some impossible distance as she fought away the mist. There were juddering cracks and skips in the power around her, as time asserted itself, a thousand and more seasons pushed into minutes. Elven souls whispered and whimpered, trying to hold back the storm, falling before the power, crystal fading and cracking as the ancient occupants finally succumbed.

Shifting her mind to adjust to the slow, steady pulse was a challenge, especially with the urgency of her task. Coaxing with thoughts, memories of light and growth, she encouraged plantlife to grow, binding and wrapping around the stone hulk of the dragon. Within the preserved statue, there was still a spark of life, the dragon’s spirit still clinging to its body through the centuries. It was fire/anger/red, an ember of life buried deep within passive stone.

A cry from Semari echoed through her consciousness, close and loud. She didn’t dare open her eyes to the mortal world and risk severing her connection to the spirit of this place, and forced herself to remain calm.

Greetings, honoured of the sky, born of the first fire

The ember crackled and spat, the crack and hiss of fire loud in Parth’s soul as it responded. I greet you, daughter of the ancient woods. Long have I been trapped in this stony slumber. A somewhat irritating weaving – although I was not expecting to meet a herald of destruction here, so it seems the weaving had some utility. Most inconvenient though.

The hissing and cracking of flame grew more intense as Parth answered. Great child of fire, the Songstress has returned. The seal is undone, and cold hate will soon be unleased upon the world once more. Time will seize this place again, and grind it to dust and dirt.

The fire sounded amused. And what of it, daughter of the woods? Time has no claim upon my soul. This slumber has been overlong, but now I wake, and I sense my pet is nearby. With the seal gone, I can be free of your people’s curse. The herald is an irritant, but I daresay some enterprising fools will deal with it. With her master absent from the world, she is little more than a ravaging beast.

The curse binds you even now, and the Songstress draws close. Another shout, this one of pain, cut into Parth’s consciousness, far too close. Semari wasn’t sounding good. Parth risked opening an eye slightly, trying to split her mind between different modes of awareness, the distinct flows of time painful to experience simultaneously. She may be able to destroy even your mighty body. Semari was fighting, bravely and valiantly, but against a target she could barely hit, her effects were limited. Parth tried to keep any emotion from her voice, hard in this place of spiritual openness. And the years have been cruel, binding your form underneath verdant growth.

The fire intensified, as the dragon tried to rouse itself to consciousness, fighting with the curse that had trapped it, hopefully able to sense the outside world, and the sheer weight of growth that had wrapped around it.

Bindcreep vines, most troubling. And all of recent growth, I note, how very inconvenient. I can sense the creature nearby as well. I daresay you wish to bargain in some way, daughter of the woods?

An agreement, rather, most noble child of flame. An opportunity to provide aid to each other.

The fire managed to snort. Flattery is pleasing, but it would be easier to get to the point. In exchange for my aid, then. There shall be… requests. I have slumbered overlong, and have missed the pleasures of the waking world. The survivors of your kin can be of some use to me.

Sights of the mortal world trickled through Parth’s eyes, individual images long seconds apart, Semari injured now, but still moving, fighting to defend her. The mist seethed and boiled, pushing her back, while Semari tried to force it away, buying Parth precious time to bargain.

By my blood I can release you. Pledge yourself to protection of this place, and your requests shall be met.

Semari’s body thudded to the floor, stiff and lifeless stone, thudding into the dirt. The mist took a moment to savour its victory.

The heat rose, flaming and searing Parth’s spiritual form, sufficient energy that she could feel her physical body being affected, hair and skin getting singed. She managed to maintain her focus, even as the pain started to increase, metal in her clothing starting to burn where it touched her skin, her necklace scorching her neck and chest. The vines around the dragon’s body were starting to petrify around it, locking it further into place as the mist encroached again.

Very well, little elf. Release me from this inconvenience and the world shall taste my flame once more, starting with that troublesome ghost. But there shall be a price. Do you agree to these terms?

For the destruction of the Black Songstress, yes, I agree.

You say that now, perhaps you will change your mind in the future! Now release me, I have slumbered far too long, and desire to stretch my wings.

Metal was now scorching her skin, face burning. There was a blast of heat as she returned to her own body, the vines binding the dragons body blackening but holding together. The stone was fading, red scales emerging from beneath. The gigantic head flicked and tossed, lizard-eyes blinking. Parth breathed in, scorching her lungs, reaching towards the vines and cutting herself, blood trickling out. Semari’s petrified body lay on the ground, limbs still extended to fight as the vines withdrew, revealing the full glory of the dragon, able to shake free of the remaining, petrified plants, Parth commanding them as best she could to withdraw. As Parth’s vision wavered in the fierce heat, the dragon reared and roared, sound making even the ground vibrate. The mist boiled away under the heat, further disrupted as huge wings cracked the air, chill night air rushing in as it swooped into the valley.

Parth forced herself to stand, moving away from the circle of burnt foliage where the dragon had been. Her clothing was crinkled and scorched from the heat, as she saw Semari’s petrified body, positioned mid-fight, although she had fallen at a strange angle. She sat down heavily next to the petrified body, gently resting a hand on the stone head. Over the town, gouts of flame licked out, flashes of bright fire against the night sky, stars now spinning faster and faster. Would it be enough? To fight, endure and survive was all she could do for now.