It was almost sunset by the time they returned. Arin’s skin blistered under the dreadful sun. A few Crimsons crashed, too exhausted to land. Doctors began to carry the wounded inside. A few dragon and griffin veterinarians tended to the injured in the middle of the courtyard. Oshwa and Arin watched from afar. He looked down at her and smiled, ruffling her hair playfully.

“We did a good job preparing for them,” Oshwa stated as a few Crimsons were carried past them. “Lucky for us we have the best doctors in all of Fynne!”

“Why did we even attack?” She looked up at her feathered friend troubled.

“We have many towns and forts throughout our territory. A town was attacked, and they stole our eggs in hopes of raising them as Others.”

Arin opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. Mila dismounted Gage, helmet off his head. His hair was knotted and splotched with blood. A medic approached him and he shook his head, gesturing to someone else. He turned to them, shocked by Arin’s presence. She hid behind Oshwa as Mila approached them. He almost collapsed in front of the two.

“My king, you need help.”

“I’m fine. Just incredibly tired,” he paused. “Thank you for alerting everyone, Oshwa, but . . . how did you know? Wasn’t it your day off?”

“Arin and I watched through the Sphere of Visions. She helped me fill out the report and everything. If it wasn’t for her then I wouldn’t have been ready for your return. So, you should probably thank her,” Oshwa explained. They looked down at her. Mila didn’t try to hide his disgust.

“So, Arin, you wandered the hallways without any supervision?” Mila questioned. Arin remained quiet, she had no interest in talking to him.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. She glanced at Oshwa hoping he would help.

“Look at me when I talk to you,” Mila spat, Arin did so. “You are to never leave your room again, if I catch you outside again I’ll strangle you on sight. Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” Arin muttered. Mila smirked with approval.

“Go,” he ordered. As Arin turned to leave a Crimson landed behind Mila.

“T—the river! It’s completely dry!” the Crimson exclaimed. Arin turned back around listening intently.

“How convenient,” Mila grunted.

Arin fought an urge to grin. “I’ll take care of it,” she suggested and the three looked at her stunned. “I’m in fighting shape, and the only one who isn’t doing something.”

“Send a Master Rank, send a Rank One for all I care but not her!” Mila pleaded, Oshwa shook his head.

“Arin is right, and if there are Others then she could possibly disappear from you.” Oshwa winked at her. Mila’s eyes lit up at the idea.

He knows I can redeem myself with this task.

“Fine. Go, and make it quick,” Mila snarled pointing to the gates.

“I won’t disappoint you, I promise.” Arin practically skipped with elation out of the courtyard, through the open steel gate. As she left, it closed behind her.

***

A few hours passed. There were no hints to why the river was empty. She had crossed a small bridge towards the beginning of her adventure, it would probably be a long walk to figure it out. She investigated the river basin. Fish rested at the bottom for now, a few puddles for them to splash in. The river almost seemed artificial, it was a nearly perfect funnel with a few banks. A little wide, whatever blocked it must be giant.

Arin continued marching upstream. She followed the river around a sharp corner. A steep incline stood before her. At the top of the rocky mound were boulders blocking the river from continuing. Water flooded around the blockade into a deep pool at the waterfall basin.

If Arin wanted to solve this, she would have to climb. Arin stood at the bottom of the hill, examining the rocks. Most of the boulders were damp, puddles from the loose water collected inside the crevices. Arin seized the top of the first rock, hoisting herself up with ease. Arin paused, making sure her balance was steady before climbing higher. Since she survived the test weeks ago, this should be a breeze. At one point Arin made the terrible mistake of looking down. If she fell now it might mean certain death. Her stomach lurched forward. Gaze up, grip tight. Arin continued. Only a few left; then this first challenge would conclude.

At last she reached the top, a sense of triumph overcame her. I did it! Now to fix this, oh Mila will be so proud of me!

She examined the four boulders clogging the river. The rocks were piled high, half the size of the biggest one, protruding out of the overflowing river. Mud squished under her training boots as she approached the bank. This part of the river was most likely as tall as her. Arin would never be able to move it, but she had to try.

Arin stepped into the frigid water, whining about the temperature. Her fire would definitely be useless in this situation. She paddled to the wall of stone. A small oval shaped rock floated on the surface of the water. Clay covered most of it.

Arin scooped up the somewhat small object in her arms. It suddenly swayed back and forth, she dropped it in shock. The rock was alive!

It shook a little more in the water. Arin carefully picked it up again, eyeing it suspiciously of what this could be. The rock stopped its feisty movement. Using this opportunity Arin treaded back to the bank where she set it down. Arin examined the stone. Underneath the hardened earth was a layer of obsidian. She understood what it was now.

An egg.

Arin could only stare at the inert object. She had to take it back with her. After watching everyone fight with a partner she desired her own. Arin moved the egg onto a soft patch of grass, trying to make it comfortable. Hopefully, the creature inside appreciated her efforts.

She hopped back into the water, swimming to the massive rocks. Arin pressed her hands against the tallest boulder. She would never be able to move such a massive object. Regardless, she continued to try. This was her chance to prove herself. She had to prove herself to Mila. The current began to add strength to her efforts. Her hands ached by the time it started to move. It scraped against the ground as it neared the edge.

Finally, the first one rolled over the edge. Before she could move to the other colossal rocks, they had tumbled over. Water roared again, but the current didn’t drag Arin over. It went around her.

Arin wrung her blistering hands confused. What kind of supernatural phenomenon was this? Arin made her way back to the bank, the current continued to flow around her.

She dragged herself out of the water, mud stained her blonde hair. The river rushed back to life. Arin placed the egg in her lap, thinking. Wondering how the boulders could have possibly moved. Stories filled her head. According to Coyasko this world was inhabited by invisible spirits. She refused to believe that these invisible creatures existed, let alone help her.

This is a world of fantasy, what may be a legend may actually be true.

Her feet dangled below, Arin continued to watch her victory make its way to the Crimsons. Slowly the boulders sank into a dark hole at the bottom of the pool. A shadow darted upwards in the depths. Arin caught its movement, anxious again.

Fleeing was a good idea, but maybe it was nothing. She backed away, clutching the egg to her chest.

A triangular head rose out of the water. Slit eyes locked onto her. Spikes jutted out of its neck. Frills opened wide as the beast hissed.

It was a leviathan. It had to be.

The leviathan species was mentioned in many legends from the books she read. “In that day during the creation with a great guardian watching over the sea, came a leviathan. The guardian drew his acute sword, great and strong. The leviathan fell. The guardian will punish any monster or fleeing Abyssal. Leviathan is a twisted serpent and he will slay the reptile that is in the sea.”

“Are you the one who dropped those boulders on my head?” the leviathan growled.

“I—it was an accident I promise.”

“Oh so you accidentally dropped massive rocks on my head?” Before Arin could defend herself he continued, “and you just so happened to roll them where I was sleeping? I don’t think so.”

He roared, saliva flying out of its mouth. Arin stumbled back, squeezing her eyes shut. Why did Oshwa not warn her about this?

Someone rushed out of the forest, firing an arrow at the leviathan. Arin faced her hero. An Other nocked another arrow to his string, preparing to fire.

“Leave now, beast. Leave or I fire again,” the Other demanded. The leviathan growled.

“Stupid, uncultured mongrels,” he snarled before he pulled his head back under the water.

He placed his arrow back in his quiver before swinging his bow over his shoulder. “Are you all right?”

She backed away timidly.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to scare you, kid.” He looked around, “where is your home? Got any family nearby?”

“Not like you should care. Others hate everyone!”

“That’s not true. We only hate our enemies . . . which is only the Crimsons! Even if you were a Crimson I would let you go.”

“Why? All you do is kill them!”

“Well you are obviously a Crimson. Look, squirt, I don’t know what lies they feed you but I’m only saying this once. We don’t go around burning your villages to the ground, we only attack the capital and all forts in our way. The only exception was that nearly pointless raid just to snag a ton of eggs.” He shifted his focus to the egg in her arms. “Well would you look at that. Hand the egg over, kid, and I’ll let you go unharmed.”

She placed it on the ground, readying herself, fists up. The Other doubled over laughing. He raised his fists as well.

“Stupid kid, I guess I’ll have to teach you a lesson after all.”

Arin desired to use her fire. She would not let him take this egg. She would not let him enslave whatever this creature was.

The Other charged, swinging his gloved fist at Arin’s jaw. She pulled her head back before driving a knuckle into his plated chest. Fingers throbbing, wrist numb, Arin was at a disadvantage. He smirked, grabbing her arm. His grip tightened as he dragged her to the river. He pushed her into the calm current.

Sinking was an odd feeling. Her body almost numb as she drifted to the waterfall. At the last moment, she swam to the bank again. Arin clutched muddy grass gasping for air. The Other placed his foot on her head.

“I think I figured out who you are. You’re that human filth that Croun complains about, aren’t you?”

“Maybe, maybe not. Who I am is none of your business.”

As he began to lift her out of the water, she sucked in a deep breath. Arin threw herself back in the water, pulling the Other with her. Her victim was too surprised to even realize what was happening. Arin made her way to the surface, breath almost gone. Rough hands pulled her back down. His hood was pulled back revealing his humane features. A pair of gray eyes glared at her, his blue hair swayed in the water. Arin snapped out of her daze and began to kick the Other in the arm.

Arin became desperate for air, lungs burning. She tried to activate her flame but couldn’t. All she could do was heat the water. Arin focused on her hands. Pulling the invisible energy to her palms. Summoning her strongest heat yet, bubbles erupting between them. He released her, both resurfaced gasping for air.

Arin began to paddle towards the bank, trying to out-swim the Other. Like a great lion, the Other lunged at her, both underwater again. Water flooded her mouth. Kicking, punching, drowning. After a few kicks to the wrist, he released her. Arin desperately swam to the surface, coughing violently. She had to run.

As she paddled back to the bank the Other chased after her. Arin managed to beat him to shore; however, she was only able to take a few steps. Her opponent tackled her. The two began to wrestle, he landed a punch square into her shoulder. She grabbed his wrist biting it. Screaming, he tried to pull away from her.

They both released one another. Arin bolted to the egg, nimbly scooping it up with one arm. He stood up again, striding after her. Arin made a sharp turn to the edge of the waterfall. Hopefully the leviathan wouldn’t eat her when she jumped. The Other reached out to grab her but it was too late.

She jumped.

Underneath her, the water was mostly still. The leviathan wasn’t there anymore. Arin hugged the egg tightly as she fell. Eyes squeezed shut. She crashed into the water, the egg almost flew out of her hands. Arin allowed herself to sink for a few moments, the water churning violently around her. Resurfacing, Arin gasped. Arms and legs weak, chest tight, lungs burning. She swam to the closest bank, hoping earnestly that the Other wouldn’t follow.

He didn’t. He was standing at the top, watching her. Like Arin, he was completely surprised that she had the courage to jump. Arin climbed onto the bank, trying to catch her breath. She stared at him a moment longer before fleeing downstream. He might change his mind and chase after her, Arin had to get a far lead. Turning the corner, she looked back at the waterfall.

He was gone.

Arin stopped, trying to catch her breath. Her clothing was drenched, the sun was quickly making its descent leaving her in almost absolute darkness. Arin made her way back home scrutinizing the egg at several different angles.

I have an egg! Does that mean that whatever is inside here is my partner? Then I’ll show everyone! I’ll show them that I belong, because I am a Crimson if they like it or not. She began to run again, heart pounding against her chest. Adrenaline mixed with some new feeling gave her all the energy needed to continue. As the stars appeared, she understood what she was feeling deep in her heart.

Hope.