Against Scarlet and Loid’s plan, they were not chosen. Two moons watched the Crimsons overhead. Both small crescents left the sky as a blanket of stars. After the Crimsons left, the three Rank One students skulked outside, their chain armor jingled in the silence. Protecting their chests, shoulders, and other important limbs were light steel plates strapped tightly to them. Never before had she worn armor. It was a bit heavy on her shoulders and would cause stiff muscles tomorrow. Arin and Loid brought swords while Scarlet decided that a bow would be the best choice.

Hiding in the shadows were their mounts: two older mini dragons and Scor. Each clad in armor as well. Seeing Scor in silver, Arin realized that look suited him. She mounted Scor anxiously, seated in the center of his back. Arin had to bend her knees to avoid kicking Scor’s wing membrane. Reaching into one of the saddle’s many pockets, she pulled out a rope with two clips at each end. Scarlet and Loid managed to harness themselves to their mount faster than Arin. Tied to Scarlet’s saddle were five quivers, each tightly sealed so no arrows were lost.

“Let’s go. Remember, float behind them until the battle starts. According to our textbooks the main weakness of this place is the spires,” Loid reminded as they took off.

“This is still a terrible idea. Remind me why we are doing this again?”

“Everyone here wants to destroy the Others and gain freedom. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow, so we want to avenge our fallen brethren today.”

“We’re going to die.”

“You would be surprised how awful they are at defense after five attacks. Trust me, we will be fine. If other students can go then we can go.”

The night guards didn’t notice them as they lifted off. They flew over the nearby forest. The various scents of Fynnian nature overwhelmed her nose. The wind was silent, the air warm, the sky empty of clouds. It would be hard to ambush.

It took a while before the mountain strip appeared. The snowy mountains she fled to was further west. Arin looked down again, trying to relax. She spotted an odd formation of trees ahead. They were flattened as if something had crashed. There could be an injured Crimson stranded.

“Guys, wait.”

“What?”

“Something crashed down there.”

“Where? I can’t see anything!”

“Ugh, never mind. Go on ahead, I’m going to check it out.”

“All right, be careful.” Scarlet gestured for Loid to continue.

Scor dove, cold wind stroked her hair. Goggles protected her eyes. He flared his wings, jerking Arin back. Landing gracefully on top of a fallen tree, she unharnessed herself. No one was around. Whatever knocked the trees over must have been massive. Close to the wreckage was a pool of water, resting on the opposite side of the bank was a large stone with the Crimson insignia carved into it.

“Look partner! Something just flashed near the water!” Her apparent “partner” was pointing at the bank. Arin was too surprised by the title to notice.

“Did you just call me partner?” she asked bewildered by the title. Scor tilted his head at her and his pointy ears drooped.

“Aren’t we partners?” Scor questioned and Arin nodded her head quickly.

“No one has ever called me partner before. Let alone a dragon!” As she spoke the water began to undulate.

“Mini dragon,” he corrected snickering. Arin rolled her eyes as she noticed the sharp, slightly transparent object below her.

Arin bent over, picked the object up, examining it in her hand. It was the size of her palm, she lifted it in the dark sky trying to get a better angle at it. Arin had no idea what this bizarre object was. A piece of glass?

As they wondered, the water catapulted skywards, dousing the two in the pond water. They jumped back, almost fleeing the scene. A massive golden serpent hovered over the pool. The transparent creature had long, muscular arms, legs. With a face of a dragon, two whiskers floated in a languid motion. All of its long body was clad in golden scales. Towards the end of its tail were more strands of long white hair flowing gracefully.

“Do you seek the legendary Rainbow Shard?” the creature questioned in a deep and authoritative voice. Arin stared upwards in awe.

“Uh . . . is that what this thing is called? What exactly does this thing do?” He lifted his head higher as if inspecting them.

“The item that you cradle causes two to become one. I am Dargon, the Guardian of Partnership,” he introduced, bowing his head.

“Awesome . . .” Arin whispered to herself. He smiled, obviously hearing her statement. So spirits do exist . . .

“Do you wish to learn how to merge?” Dargon questioned. Scor and Arin nodded. “All you need is trust.”

“Trust,” Arin repeated. Dargon began to fade, but Arin shouted, “wait! I need your help!”

“The answer to your question is wait, Arin. All you have to do is wait,” Dargon answered and he disappeared with a bright flash. Golden sparkles fluttered to the ground, disappearing in the water.

Wait . . . wait for how long? More importantly how did Dargon know who I am and how did he know my question? How did he know that I was seeking the Children of Destiny? She wanted to continue pondering this odd encounter but Scor’s squealing interrupted her train of thought.

“Come on! We need to help Loid and Scarlet! We can use our Rainbow Shard and merge and destroy the Others!” Scor cheered enthusiastically.

Arin mounted Scor and placed the Rainbow Shard in her saddle pouch. Once harnessed to him again he took off with even more adrenaline. If what Dargon said was true, then perhaps they could merge. If they could accomplish such an act, then she would show the Others to fear her, and the Crimsons to respect her.

***

By the time they arrived the battle had already started. Crimsons and a few Others engaged in aerial battles. Crimsons were dropped off on the ground, fanning out to infest the inside. Arin watched everyone, fascinated by their teamwork.

This was the same fort she saw through the Sphere of Visions. It was a massive cube, metal spikes protruded out of the sides. At the top of the spires were several harpoons, most unmanned. There were no noticeable stables for the fantasy beasts of Fynne. Were they locked in cages inside?

One by one Others began to station at the harpoon launchers, firing the medieval torpedoes at Crimsons. A few were shot down from the projectiles.

“We have to do something about those harpoons.”

Scor nodded charging towards one. An Other swerved the metallic bow around so that it was aimed at Scor. Arin thrust her palm forward, fire following her movement. Scor did a sudden dive, jerking Arin back. Her friend dodged incoming projectiles with ease. However, his rough motions caused a slightly sickness to consume Arin. He landed on the flat top releasing violet lightning. The Others ducked out of the way. Arin fumbled with her harness trying to unclip herself.

“Can’t you be faster?” Scor growled swiping his claw at a charging Other.

“Sorry, I’ve never done anything this stupid before.”

An Other charged at Scor from the side, jabbing a spear into his armored ribs. Arin unleashed her fire at him, taking the attack on Scor personal.

“You know what, I think it is best if I stay on.”

Scor rolled his eyes. “You know if I’m going to be doing all of the work I might as well choose if we do something this stupid!”

Arin pat his neck before unleashing a fist of fire at a nearing Other. “Can we talk about this later?”

Scor released lightning, grumbling to himself. A crossbow swerved over to face the two. Her mini dragon roared, jumping off the roof. Arin bit back her scream, clutching the saddle edge with pale fingers. Scor spread his wings, soaring back into the air.

“We seriously need to take those things out!”

“But how?” Scor flew over the top of the fort, examining the weapons.

Boom!

There was a loud explosion as one of the crossbows ignited in a giant flame. Arin looked around for what the source was. Scor spotted the cause before her.

“An archer! The Crimsons must be using explosive arrows or something! Maybe with my lightning and your fire combined we can create the same effect,” Scor theorized. Arin nodded, lighting her hand aflame.

“Worth a shot!”

Scor dove to a harpoon, lightning sparking in his mouth. In sync, they both released their elements. With Scor, her fire was summoned easier They created a small explosion rendering the crossbow useless.

“Yes!” they both cheered.

“Now, just about what feels like a hundred left!” Scor commented, diving again.

Others rushed to the edge of the roof, wielding spears. As Scor approached, they fired their pointed sticks at the somewhat big mini dragon. Umbrage by being targeted, he escalated, avoiding the spears. Focusing on the energy at her palms, Arin’s fire appeared. Arin protected her partner, launching embers at the Others. Scor dove, flaring his wings at the last minute to land smoothly. Arin rocked back, ending her flame early.

Others closed in on the two. Fire chased them away. Their cloaks were incredibly flammable, she didn’t want to terribly hurt anyone. To substitute for death, she lit their clothing on fire. Watching them stomp on their cloak was a satisfying feeling. If Arin missed an Other Scor would smack them away with his tail.

There was a loud crash, distracting everyone. One of the steel crossbows was thrown off the pinnacle it rested, the weapon completely smashed. The fighting continued after everyone realized what had happened.

Others began to retreat, many heading downstairs. Were they boring them?

Arin and Scor took off, rejoining the warriors in the sky. A great shadow blocked out the moons. Above them was Croun and his dragon partner. She roared earning the attention of everyone.

“You fools fell into my trap! Get them!” Croun held his own Rainbow Shard high, merging with his partner.

He was a bit larger than his partner. An ominous purple replaced pink scales. Wicked horns curled from the side of his head, pointing forward. Silver spikes lined his triangular jaw. So this was the power of the Rainbow Shard.

“Everyone fall back!”

“I’m not going to let you leave! Kill them all!” Croun roared chasing after the Crimsons. “I’ll show you what happens when you dare think you can succeed in your rebellion!”

“We have to distract Croun. He needs me alive, so he won’t hurt us. Attack him from behind, okay, Scor?”

Her partner nodded, “I hate this plan, but I trust that you’ll help us make it out of this.”

Scor managed to fly above Croun unnoticed. Many of the grounded Others were retreating inside. Croun was too focused on the fleeing Crimsons to notice the willing fighters. In sync, Arin and Scor unleashed their element. Croun paused his pursuit, he wasn’t hurt. He slowly turned to the two, purple eyes glowing in anger. Inhaling, a deep growl gurgling in his throat, he released a mouthful of purple lightning. Scor flipped out of the way. Arin clutched the reins as he flipped around.

Scor dove at Croun. Claws outstretched, ready to inflict damage. Croun seized the two, holding them tightly in his claws. Croun stared at the two, trying to recognize them under their armor and goggles. As Arin struggled to free herself, Scor’s teeth began to glow a dark violet. He bit down on Croun’s thumb. The king hissed and released them, flailing his claw wildly. Scor retreated out of his reach. Her partner released magenta lightning, determined to damage the great dragon hovering in front of them. Croun endured the blast, laughing.

“You’re powerless against me if you can’t merge!”

“We can fight, you shouldn’t underestimate our power!” Scor snarled. Croun batted him away with the back of his claw.

They flipped over and over in the air. It was sickening how fast they were going. Scor managed to catch his balance, shaking his head dazed. Arin swayed back and forth for a moment, trying to regain her vision. Croun began to focus on the two while Others pursued the fleeing Crimsons.

Scor and Croun released lightning at the same time. Arin contributed her fire. They tried to push each other back, fighting for their own lives. Arin squeezed her eyes shut, hating how high they were.

“Looks like your friends are in worse condition than you two,” Croun chuckled gesturing to the retreating Crimsons. They were surrounded, attacked over and over by Others. None fell. They were standing strong.

No . . .

Her thoughts flashed back to Ms. Holt fighting the Others. How she was powerless to defend her. Now she was powerless again. She failed to talk her poor friends out of this.

I can’t watch this again.

Then do something.

“Croun, stop now!” Arin slipped her goggles off, throwing it at him. The plastic bounced off his scales, falling to the ground. Croun gasped, staring at her dumbfounded.

“How adorable that the little Plaque-Reader came straight to me,” Croun growled regaining his confidence.

“Of course! While both sides hate me you are by far more evil. What do I have that would cause you to do so much damage?”

“You can find the Children of Destiny! With that force of power on my side I will destroy the rebellion!” Croun dove at the two, claws outstretched. She could feel Scor’s fear. His sudden uncertainty. She placed a hand on his neck reassuring him.

Their pulses were in sync. She wondered if Scor was thinking the same thing. They evaded the attack. Her partner swiped his claw at Croun’s ear as he dove past them. Croun flipped over and slammed his tail into Scor’s lower back. He managed to catch himself, unfortunately dazed by the blow. Croun released more lightning at the duo. Her partner tilted his body to the right, dodging the attack.

Croun dove at them again. He was so determined to defeat them he failed to see the Crimsons were able to rescue those on the ground.

Fire erupted from Arin’s palm, engulfing his snout. He flew back, raking his hind leg down Scor’s side blindly. Her shoulder was gashed too. Croun flipped over again slamming his thin spiked tail into Scor’s back. Barely missing Arin. Scor fell, unable to regain his balance. They crashed in the withered trees. The thorny branches jabbed into their sides.

Croun circled them like vulture. Waiting.

Scor was unconscious on the dry ground. “Scor . . . Scor, have to get up. Please!”

Silence.

She shook him, hoping he would awaken. “Buddy, get up! We have to fight!”

Nothing.

“Scor . . . Scor?” Tears stung her eyes. She killed him. She killed her partner. “Buddy . . .?”

He coughed and wheezed, opening his eyes slowly. He sat up eyes fixated on Croun. “Now what?”

“Did you really just fake your death?” She wiped her forming tears away. “I thought you died!”

“Excuse you I did not fake my death. Can we please focus on the massive dragon that wants to kill us?! What do we do now?”

Arin cast him a suspicious look before trying to think of something. Her sword would be useless like her fire. They needed something new. “The shard-thing!”

“Will it work? I mean do you trust me enough to pull this off?”

She fiddled for it in the pouch. When Arin pulled it out she lifted it high.

Nothing happened.

“Let’s go back and fight. We can try again when we are in the air.”

He lifted off again, quite shakily, giving Croun the battle he desires. The king dove, roaring. They expected a swipe but instead Croun slammed his claw into Arin, throwing her away from Scor. Breath knocked out of her, Arin feared the long fall. She almost fell off Scor, only the harness keeping her in the air. She screamed trying to mount again, trying to grab the saddle top. Croun swooped back into the air then charged once more at the two. Scor was too worried about Arin to pay any attention to Croun.

“Watch out!” By the time Scor realized what was happening it was too late.

Croun separated her from the saddle by swiping his claws through the wire, harness now useless. She flailed her arms to grab something as she plummeted to her doom. Scor chased her reaching out to save her, eyes watering. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. The shard in her hand began to glow.

A bright rosewood light covered the two as they merged. All of her terrible memories came flooding back. The saddening feeling of abandonment, hopelessness, betrayal. She looked up at the sky, at the thousands of stars above her. Why were these memories bothering her now?

The Rainbow Shard disappeared once they finished merging. She was a dragon now too, smaller than Croun but still bigger than her small human stature. Creamy white scales were neatly placed across her body. On the front of her muscular, yet slender, legs were rosewood scales. Her silver chest and wings bore the symbol of a dark red sun. Three heavy horns protruded from her head, all of them smooth and pointing down her spine. Each one was the color of her rosewood scales. Claws replaced toes. Ending her merge, a tail appeared.

Not long ago, Arin wondered what it was like to fly. Now she was experiencing it. Her first few wingbeats were awkward as she adjusted to this new form. It was like Scor was controlling that part of her. Breathing fire was the same as summoning it from her hands. A strong force of invisible energy gathered by her mouth, ready to combust. The sun on her chest began to glow, signifying that her flame was ready. Arin inhaled, summoning fire. Everything felt so natural. She overwhelmed Croun with her fire, before advancing closer to him. He was dazed, dumfounded by her ability to merge. She bit into his wing, claws dragging down his stomach, trying to penetrate his thick scales.

Croun scratched her vulnerable face. Arin snarled, biting his wrist. He roared thrashing his hand around wildly. He charged his ice breath but she held on. She had to be brave, she could not retreat. Croun released the ice, to her surprise it didn’t hurt terribly.

Arin pushed herself away from Croun, beating her massive wings rapidly to stay in the air. Others flew to Croun’s aid, but she smacked them away with her tail, sending them hurtling to the ground.

Below her were shouts. She growled at the event happening. A Crimson was being dragged inside, a crowd of Others surrounding him.

If I don’t leave soon I’ll end up like him. It’s time that we both leave. She dove ready to help him escape. Croun allowed her to rush to the Crimson’s aid. Arin landed a bit clumsily, almost falling over. Others unsheathed their weapons preparing to jab at her. Arin’s fire scared most of them away. With a lash of her tail the guards were thrown away from the wounded Crimson. Croun landed behind her.

He pounced, pushing her over. Arin inhaled, fire sparking in her mouth. She twisted her neck up to Croun and fired. He jumped back, flapping his massive wings to keep his balance. Arin stood again. They circled each other.

The Crimson was pulled aside from the battle. Others created a wide ring around the two.

Croun chuckled as he continued to prowl, “by the spirits. You really can merge.”

“So what?”

“Very few can do it, Arin. However, you’re still new to the art. You can’t beat an expert like me.”

Arin lunged, mouth open wide. Croun growled leaping at her. He clamped his jaw around her forearm. Arin clawed at his face, trying to push him away. Croun released her, moving back.

Arin scurried to her feet and rushed to the Crimson. The Others ran out of her way as she grabbed his limp body. She bounded forward another step and then lifted off. Croun took off as well. Others mounted and pursued the two dragons.

Arin did her best to speed up. Go faster. Please go faster.

Croun roared as he raced ahead of the Others. “Come on, Arin! You dragged yourself into this now quit!”

Arin escalated into the sky. She would never be able to hide, she would need one more distraction.

Below her was a lifeless forest. The dry, dead trees surrounded the small fort for perhaps miles. Arin descended so she was barely above the trees; the Others followed. With the release of fire she lit the brambles aflame. Croun cursed as the embers spread. Half of the Others left to tend to the conflagration. Croun continued to chase after her, quickly closing in.

She spun around releasing more flames, throat dry from the use of so much of it. The Others stopped as they were scorched. Croun halted, watching her disappear in the incoming clouds. As Arin fled the fort, the wounded Crimson cradled in her arms, Croun’s roar echoed into the night promising imminent revenge.