No vixlore had chased after them yet. Was that a good thing?

Scor landed on the sunny cliff, the clouds were so close to them. He folded his wings, allowing her to dismount. Together they sat at the cliff edge, examining the mountains around them. Below, deep in the valley, was a forest with thick mist settling among the pine trees. A few trees lingered around the cliffs offering little shade from the calm sun.

Coming here was a great idea, it eased her stress and mind. Her anxiety disappeared. Time passed but they didn’t care.

Finally, Arin stood after watching the clouds float overhead for quite some time, “ready to try this out?”

“Honestly, sometimes I think that Mila is trying to kill us. I mean he sent us where there are dangerous monsters,” Scor commented stretching his wings.

“Then that makes two of us.” She kicked a pebble over the edge. “Right before we left Mila said this was where he mastered how to merge with Gage. Coyasko second that. What did they do? Throw themselves off the cliff over and over and have their partner catch them?”

“Seems like a fun idea. The cliff is steep so even if you did jump you wouldn’t crash onto a rocky slope immediately.”

“Wait you actually want me to jump?”

“Well . . . you always fall off of me anyways. This will be great practice for when you do fall!”

“Fine. Give me a few seconds to fall before you so gracefully dive after me like the brave hero you are.”

Arin pulled out a pair of goggles from her saddle pouch, fastening them around her head. Everything appeared foggier now. She shuffled a few steps back before sprinting to the edge. As she jumped her heart lurched forward.

This was a terrible idea.

Arin flailed her arms as she fell. She flipped over to watch for Scor. Her partner had not started to chase after her yet. The ground was rapidly growing, the wind provided no cushion for her falling. When she gazed up again her partner had just started to dive after her. Arin smiled, grabbing her Rainbow Shard. Scor dove next to her, slowing down by slightly opening his wings. She rubbed his snout as the two continued to fall. He wrapped his arms around Arin as she held the Rainbow Shard high. The two were surrounded by the bright red light as they merged into the sun dragon.

Arin dove to the valley hollering in the wind. She flared her wings as the incline of the mountains decreased. Loose rubble tumbled to the valley below. Arin landed on the mountain side, digging her claws into the stone.

Maybe I should practice with my speed and flexibility?

Arin pushed herself off the mountain, beating her wings to gain air. She began to twist her body around tight curves the stone spires had to offer. The way she twisted and flipped was incredibly awkward. Arin continued to fly around the peaks, looping around over and over again.

As she made her way to begin another loop she caught a glimpse of a golden blur. Startled, Arin began to squint at the golden mini dragon. The mini dragon approached Arin and she prepared to breath fire at it. At the last second she stopped, sighing.

Loid.

“What are you doing here?” Arin hissed, her long ears flattened.

“Following you of course—”

“Of course you were. Look I don’t need a bodyguard wherever I go! Especially you, you always get us in trouble,” Arin groaned flying back to the cliff where she first arrived.

When Arin landed she unmerged with Scor. Loid landed behind her. He dismounted the mini dragon who happily went to the closest shady patch. Scor joined the mini dragon.

“When I heard that you went to Sky Peak I was afraid that something was going to kill you. Vixlores are vicious you know. Plus, this time I had permission from Mila to go!” Loid explained avoiding eye contact. Arin smiled at the ground, hoping that he wouldn’t notice her embarrassment.

“Mila probably wants you dead too then.”

“That isn’t important. You don’t have as much experience in combat as me.”

“Don’t worry I know how to fight,” Arin boasted and Loid drew his sword.

“Maybe we should have a rematch, after all we never got to fight that first time.” Arin drew her sword smiling.

“Then I hope you don’t mind losing to me for real,” she taunted. Loid attacked first.

Arin parried Loid’s attack and shoved him away with the side of her blade. She brought her sword down onto Loid while he regained his balance. He stepped aside, sweeping Arin off of her feet. She rolled away from Loid and hopped up, sword ready.

The two began to circle one another, juking and trying to fake the other out. Arin released a weaker fire at him. Loid retaliated with beautiful golden lightning from his fingertips. Both attacks collided, the two pushed back from the small explosion. Loid backed away, suddenly terrified.

Arin approached Loid to continue the spar. The two mini dragons stood hissing and growling at her.

“We need to get out of here!” Loid shouted. Arin spun around. A massive ebony creature flew to the four.

“Others?”

“No, this is worse. That is a vixlore,” Loid explained hurrying to his mini dragon. Arin turned her attention back at the incoming vixlore.

The vixlore was the size of a small regular dragon. It was no dragon but had the stature of an Earthly pterodactyl. Its leather skin was jet black so it was no wonder that this vixlore was mistaken for an Other. It released a shrill cry of pain and anger lashing its spiked tail back and forth in the air.

“We are going to die,” the mini dragon panicked.

“We can negotiate. Maybe it knows English,” Loid suggested and Arin laughed.

“Or we can fight!” Scor jumped to her side, ready to aid her.

Arin held the Rainbow Shard high. They merged. The vixlore sounded a high-pitched cry; she shrunk back in pain. Loid and his golden mini dragon mount flew into the air, hardly phased by the roar. Arin followed.

The vixlore released a weak fire at Arin. She did a quick barrel roll, heart racing from the sudden adrenaline. Releasing a mighty fire, she burned its wing. It began to spiral to the ground. Arin dove after it.

This is the highly dangerous vixlore? Am I that powerful?

The vixlore was frantically beating its wings trying to regain its balance. Arin grabbed its leg with one claw. The vixlore shrieked as she flew back to the cliff. When she gently placed the vixlore on the ground the creature rushed to the edge but didn’t jump. Loid and his mount backed away as the creature began to release cries of fear.

“It’s just a hatchling,” the mini dragon realized. “I think he has been separated from his family.”

“How?” Loid questioned. The young vixlore ended its screeching, turning to the four. It continuously whimpered.

“I think it was attacked. Notice how weak it was prior to attacking us.” The vixlore screeched before resting its head on the ground, releasing a heavy sigh of defeat. “Don’t call me biased but I think Others are behind this.”

“Why?” Arin questioned gazing upon the exhausted vixlore.

“He was screaming about humans in dark robes. He thinks we are affiliated with them.”

“You can understand him?” Scor asked. “Why can’t I?”

“I was born in the wild, that’s why.”

“We need to focus. This means that the Others have vixlores in their possession. We have to warn Mila!” Loid rumbled. The vixlore slowly stood.

The vixlore managed to stand for a moment. He wobbled before collapsing. “Do we take the kid back with us? Do you think family is around?”

The golden mini dragon approached the vixlore, trying to make himself as small as possible. As the mini dragon began to communicate with the vixlore, Loid spoke, “hey, Arin. If the Others do come then what do we do?” He was scared.

“Run,” Arin explained. “The vixlore will come with us too. I know Mila will be mad but it is safer with us than forced to be a war machine for the Others.”

“Sounds good,” Loid shoved his hands into his pockets blushing. “Oh and,” Loid began, his face turning a bright red, “I don’t think I got to say thanks for saving us from the Others during that night attack . . . so uh, thanks.”

“You’re my friend, of course I would save you,” Arin said shrugging with embarrassment.

Loid really likes me. Was it ever since the test or what, but is this why Scarlet doesn’t like me? Is it because—Something smelled foul, like putrid trash that had been rotting for months. She sniffed the air, tilting her head to the sky. Loid began to cough, burying his face in his shirt, fanning at the air.

“Something—something is in the air! Everyone the air is toxic!” Loid gagged.

“Calm down! This is the wilderness it could be anything,” Arin retorted. Fearing betrayal, the vixlore began to release fire at the four. Arin and Loid ducked, backing away to the edge of the round peak. What if it is Others? How did they find us so quickly?

Scor reared onto his hind legs, beating his wings at the air to blow the stench away. The golden mini dragon continued to communicate with the frightened vixlore. It took a few moments before the young vixlore was calm again.

Silence followed. Loid helped Arin onto her feet. Scor scrutinized the sky for any signs of the Others.

Underneath them there was an explosion. Arin, Loid, and Scor hurried to the edge, gaping at the Others below them. From their spot, it appeared that there were six humans, two dragons, and three mini dragons. They were yelling at each other, something must have exploded on accident. Whatever was happening, it was time for them to leave.

“Now we have to get out of here!” Scor panicked. The other mini dragon nodded, relaying the message to the vixlore.

As Arin prepared to mount Scor, the three Other mini dragons appeared, hovering behind the Crimsons.

“Stay away, we were just leaving all right,” Arin growled grabbing Loid’s arm and backing away.

“I don’t think so! You’re on our territory now so technically you belong to us, you little brats!” an Other on one of the mini dragons declared.

“Oh come on, give this young couple some time before we make their life a living nightmare.” It was Kin that spoke this time. He dismounted his mini dragon approaching the young Crimsons. Arin’s face burned in agitation.

“This is nothing like that!” Arin shouted shoving Loid away from her.

“Okay then drop your weapons and we will get down to business!” Kin ordered. The two dragons appeared behind the vixlore. One tackled the child, pinning its head to the ground. Some of the Others pulled out crossbows, aiming them at Arin.

“Why are you aiming for me?” she shouted gesturing to Loid.

“Because you’re actually a threat,” Kin replied. Arin sighed with relief.

They don’t know yet. Remember they can read minds. She lowered her head busying her mind with useless facts about the Reality Dimension.

“If anyone moves then we shoot, got it?” Kin barked. Loid dropped his sword and backed away from it. Arin frowned at him for giving up so easily before dropping her sword too.

“Search them for anything else. I don’t trust their simple cooperation, not from these two.” Kin waved for a few henchmen to advance forward.

“Wait! I don’t have anything else!” Loid gasped.

“Then tell us some important things that will convince me to keep you unsearched, boy.” Loid gazed from Arin to Kin.

“Arin has a Rainbow Shard and she—”

“LOID!” Arin hissed as Others continued to close in on the two.

“I’m sorry but I have to so I can go home to my family, please try to understand,” Loid begged. Arin looked down at the ground again, heart aching at the mention of family.

“Then tell them and betray me. Betray the Crimsons. Just make it quick,” Arin spat.

“Arin is the Fire of Truth. Check her hands for her Mark if you don’t believe me,” he sighed. Kin turned to Arin.

“Is this true?”

“Unfortunately,” Arin replied folding her arms. She glanced at Loid who was staring at the ground, his hands in tight fists.

“By the great Dargon himself! Forget the hunt, we need to go now! Make sure that the Fire of Truth doesn’t escape. Wait until Croun learns about this.”

Arms wrapped around Arin, she screamed and kicked as she was lifted off the ground. Scor growled, barreling towards the Others. They fired small arrows at her partner, all bouncing off his scales. Scor threw the Others off Arin and she held her Rainbow Shard high instinctively. The Others stumbled back alarmed as they merged. The vixlore broke free from the dragon’s hold and released its fire.

Arin was about to roar when another echoed across the sky. Everyone turned to see another vixlore charge to them. This one was twice the size of the child. The gargantuan vixlore released a blistering inferno at everyone, making sure it missed the young one. Arin shielded Loid and his mount with her wings. It was hot, but not as bad as Gargore. The vixlore tackled Arin and blasted fire into her face. She squeezed her eyes shut as her scales protected her. It didn’t hurt.

The young vixlore screeched and the adult stopped, craning his pointed head back to stare at the child. They shared a moment of silence before the younger took off, flying awkwardly as he fled.

Arin staggered to her feet, releasing fire at the Others and they blocked the flames with their own element. The adult vixlore focused on the dragons while Loid and his mount fought the Other mini dragons.

Kin shifted into a bizarre humanoid boar form, now a little bigger than Scor. Orange fur dangled from his husk body. He charged, hooves kicking up dirt. His large tusks aimed at her. Arin reared back, discharging a somewhat powerful inferno. When she went onto all fours again, she panted. Her throat was tight.

“You’re tired, that’s perfect. Just stop resisting and we can end this now, Fire of Truth.”

Arin growled, taking a few steps back. Kin stood on his hind legs, balancing on his hooves. Arin never knew Kin could change into something so bizarre. Covering his face was some sort of stone mask with a jewel in the center. Instead of attacking in this new form again, he shifted back. Claws, hooves, and fire gone. He pulled out a silver sphere from his cloak, she noticed several holes on this new device.

Kin dropped it on the ground before unleashing his fire at her. Arin watched the pores on the sphere open before focusing on Kin. The two charged. Arin spun around to bat him off the cliff with her tail. He jumped over the thin limb, a conflagration of fire came from his hands.

Arin inhaled sharply, but suddenly stopped, snorting. There was some sort of ambrosial scent in the air. It clouded her mind.

Others released a few more metal spheres, the same gas swirling from each of them. Arin and Scor unmerged. He began to inhale trying to suck in fresh air. The two Crimson mini dragons collapsed, while the Others fastened some sort of mask over their own. All Arin could manage for defense against the volatile substance was hiding her face in her dusty shirt.

The adult vixlore continued to fight. Arin noticed that only one of the dragons remained. Others focused on the vixlore, even Kin paid no mind to her.

Arin sucked in a deep breath before charging to the first sphere, picking up the light object, and then chucked it over the edge. She moved to the second and third one, throwing both over the edge individually. Two Others turned their attention to her.

They raised their crossbows to her, she readied her sword. As they closed in on her the vixlore charged forward swinging its tail at the Others. They ducked before firing their arrows at the adult. While they were distracted again Arin focused on the remaining spheres.

Loid rushed to her side, helping her. His face was pale, a little blood rolled down the side of his head. He threw one over the edge before she removed the last one from the scene.

“That vixlore is too strong!” a grunt shouted diving out of its line of fire.

“We can’t leave!” Kin snapped jabbing his sword into its wing. “Not without the Child of Destiny.”

“If you don’t leave now,” Arin sneered, “you won’t have any mounts to carry you back and you’ll be forced to surrender.”

The Others backed away from the vixlore, casting one another looks under their hoods.

“We have valuable information, that is all Croun needs,” Kin explained. “Mount up, we have to go!”

The vixlore continued to attack them, releasing weaker spews of fire from its long, pointed mouth. The Others hurried to their remaining mounts, fleeing the mountain peak as fast as possible. The vixlore did not give chase, rather it remained with Arin growling defensively.

When the Others were out of sight, the vixlore turned to Arin and Loid. It bowed its head before using its long legs to push itself off the peak. With a single flap, the vixlore took flight. Leaving the Crimsons.

Loid faced Arin, rubbing his arm. “So . . . what do we do now?”

“We wait,” she clenched her hands in tight fists. “As soon as we get back don’t ever talk to me again. I’m going to tell Mila what you did today, and I will not defend you for your actions.”

Arin sat next to her sleeping partner, stroking his neck. Loid tried to sit next to her but she glared at him. He averted his eyes from her and sat by the edge, back to her, waiting for his mount to wake up.