Finding my way through spare parts to my makeshift room, I started to change. “I don’t know. It’s…enlightening in my opinion. There’s lots of history to learn about. They say the reason King Vulwind became such a powerful dragon is because he studied the history of warriors.”
Finished, I came out to Reepida’s direct stare. She gaped. “Are you planning on becoming a priest?”
My jaw dropped. That was her conclusion? I suppose I wasn’t very clear in expressing my feelings toward her, but I was new to humanity and she wasn’t. “No.”
Reepida finally asked, suspicious. "So, why do you visit the temple so much?"
I shrugged aloofly. "I want to be initiated as a Rykrinan."
She dropped the bag of iron bolts in her hands. I started picking them up as they spilled over the ground. "Why?"
I shrugged. "No reason to be Umbran, defiantly never joining Seerxi, and I hate being Lauphai. If I do this, there will be nothing but me left. You can't keep thinking of me as a magic user. I'm just human. I'm just LoiTtar."
She scowled. "Rykrinans don't live under the same roof of the opposite gender not married."
I put the bolts aside and took her hands in mine. "So, then marry me. Solve this terrible dilemma."
She just stood there and gawked at me for a long moment. Finally, she muttered her reply. "You want to marry? Me?"
I scoffed. "Do you see anyone else around? Of course you. Will you say yes?"
Another long silence fell between us, until a shocking downpour of tears spilled over her face. "Yes."
I embraced her, unsure what else to do. This is a victory point for the human LoiTar.
Chapter 14: Intruders
The days were becoming short, now just a week from the Fall Feast, which was the date of both our marriage and my initiation to the Rykrinan faith. We walked side by side, laughing for laughter’s sake. We finished early and now were coming back from a flight over the clouds.
Tired, we retired to the house. Reepida was describing her ails with her new hammer-arm design, and led me to her room to show me. As I descended into the room, I noted the new cleanliness. Before, papers covered it, but now everything had its place on the aging shelf and her desk. I made a note to myself to make her a new shelf.
She shuffled the papers, and I came closer to look over her shoulder. Her drawings varied from brief sketches to complete, detailed designs. I leaned my head on her shoulder lovingly. She glanced back mischieviously, and flicked me. "Not now. In a week. Aren't you paying attention?"
I shrugged, rubbing my nose. "Sure I am. I'm paying very close attention."
She grumbled shyly. "Not like that."
I laughed, picking her up and swinging her around. It was a new habit I learned from the temples. The act made her wrap her arms and around my neck and laugh in surprise.
Reepida started. "You're my champion. You should know, I do—"
Before she could finish the alarm sounded. Dangerous intruders crossed the lines and not a Lauphai this time. Still, with rate and tune of the alarm, the intruders were coming weapons ready and quickly. Without hesitation, I let Reepida go retrieve her sword while I summoned my mecha body from the barn. I become skilled enough so that I could remain somewhat mobile and distant while controlling the mecha.
A moment later, we were out, in front of the house, prepared for anything except what came. A full-grown dragon, larger than I had ever been, was charging us. There was a flash on my mecha’s gamut, warning me there were two intruders, and one of which was a very quick human.
I sent my mecha forward, clashing with the oncoming dragon in exploding battle.
The flesh dragon twisted with experience, gapping his jaws to catch my one weak spot, my neck. Had it been long ago when battle was fresh in my mind, I could have won this fight in a few movements. Not to mention that not only was I slow, but my opponent was well trained for mecha fighting. I was starting to realize I wasn't fighting just any dragon. Gold wingtips, ashen body, shiny, silver claws, eyes glowing with power. This was the King of Dragons, Vulwind!
My human body was surprised and my mecha paused, giving Vulwind the chance to snap at my neck. If I was fighting the King of Dragons, he must assume I was a Seerxi Mecha Dragon controlled by a Lauphai. Fourteen years ago, I would have acted like the mecha dragons Vulwind had fought; scared, old-fashioned, inexperienced as a mecha dragon, reptilian, and most importantly, angry. I was not that dragon. In fact, I’m not a dragon, I’m a Rykrinan now. And that would be my advantage.
I spun around, spreading out my wings and turning on my rockets. I knew how to control what I had, and better, I was of a design meant to last through Lauphai lightning; Vulwind’s metal claws couldn’t scratch me. The only thing I had to fear was if his strength broke my neck. I slapped Vulwind’s head aside with my tail and landed, racing around him with my agile body.
Suddenly the hairs on the back of my human neck rose; someone was behind me. Having to concentrate all my physical strength on my mecha, I was paralyzed. The second human, a female, tried to slash my throat with her dual blades, but Reepida’s mechanized broadsword caught both of them. My Seerxi glanced back at me, giving me a wink. I tried to grin back, with little success.
Something bothered me. I mean, aside of the fact that the most powerful dragon was attacking me in my most vulnerable stage of life. Oh, and the fact that my lover’s life was at risk didn’t help. Vulwind was a dubbed Rykrinan like myself, and my attacker from a moment ago was red haired and green-eyed. Ah, Rykrinans were attacking us. Benjamin’s warning came to mind. Never take the life of a Rykrinan, or it will doom you. Save a life and you will be protected.
My jaws were just closing over Vulwind’s neck when I pulled back, refusing to take my victory. I looked back to Reepida. She was a fighter, yes, but neither of us have recently fought, aside of verbally. If this were a verbal fight, Reepida would be victor over us all. That Rykrinan, however, was very skilled with her blades, and just as she pulled Reepida’s broadsword aside with one dagger, she when for a neck blow with the other.
Letting my mecha body collapse in Vulwind’s jaws, I returned to my human body. In a fluid movement, I caught Reepida around the waist and pulled her under my protection. Magic teemed at the tips of my fingers, begging me to call out lightning. That magic, the lightning would prove I was just a Lauphai. I would die before that would happen.
I glanced over my shoulder to see the female had stopped her bombardment and stood in somewhat shock. I spun around, keeping my Seerxi safely behind me. A flash of exhaustion overcame me. Controlling the mecha from such a distance without really leaving my body was taxing me. Vulwind came trampling over to finish us off when the Rykrinan female stopped him.
She spoke, concisely, not taking her narrowed green eyes off me. “Stay back, Vulwind. There’s something not right here, I can sense it.” Addressing me, she queried harshly. “What are you doing?”
Feeling my heart start to hurt in my chest and my lungs vacate the air, I gave her a look of perplexity. My voice was a sound of pain. “What?”
The Rykrinan asked again, more directly staring into my eyes. “What are you doing, Lauphai? Why are you protecting your puppet? Why don’t you just portal out of here?”
The words started to connect in my mind. I was starting to feel light headed. “I—I’m protecting my Seerxi. I’m not…Lauphai.” I was astonished at how uneducated I was coming across. I glanced back at Reepida, who looked at me tensely, her eyes shining with concern. So long ago, I would have hated those scarlet eyes. Now they were the velvet that returned strength to my limbs. I had to stay around. I had to protect the laughter we had. I cleared my voice. I turned back to the intruders, trying to straighten my back. I lifted my chin painfully, feeling dizzy. “I’m not a Lauphai. I’m Reepida’s champion. I’m the protector of this place. I am that mecha dragon, and I am this body’s owner.”
Vulwind’s massive body shrunk into human form. He raised a doubtful brow. “What? Ar
e you daft or something? Renu, let’s just take his head and solve this problem. All the mecha dragons will collapse without the Lauphai who controls them.”
I swallowed nervously. Wait. There were other mecha dragons out there? The rumors were true, then. The Seerxi had started it again. Reepida seemed to realize I was distracted and spoke up. “Don’t you dare! He may be a bit daft, but he’s not a Lauphai anymore. He wasn’t one to begin with.”
Before Vulwind could speak up, Queen Renu queried, addressing me. “Explain yourself.”
My Seerxi met the eyes of the Umbran-Rykrinan Queen. “He’s daft, remember? He was the mecha dragon, but long story short; he was transfer to the body of this Lauphai on accident and has been with me since. He’s having a Rykrinan initiation ceremony in a week, not to mention our wedding. We’ve been through enough, so leave us alone. We don’t know the whereabouts of your Lauphai, but this is not him.”
Queen Renu lifted her hands in defense. “Whoa, there, girly. I take it back. He’s your puppet.”
Vulwind stepped forward, glaring at me. The pain was starting to fade, but so was my sense of ground. He spoke up. “Say that we believe you, which, frankly, I don’t—”
The Rykrinan interrupted, glancing at Vulwind. “I believe them. I’ve never seen such an odd pairing, and I doubt I will see it again.”
Glaring at his companion, the Dragon King continued. “I don’t. But if I did, do you really want me believe the most famous Mecha Dragon designer in the world did not work on this new project? That you know nothing about it, nor your Lauphai…friend here?”
I lifted my hand in objection. “I’m her fiancé.”
The world vanished and I collapsed into darkness.
Chapter 15: Revenge Box
My dreams were a twist of memories. I remember burning the lake. I was confused. I landed. And then, out of nowhere, a monster dog, a puppet the Lauphai used control caught me. Wait. Reepida said a Lauphai sold me back to her. So, I had met a Lauphai. If Lauphai were forbidden, why was he so much in the open? Ah, he was by the lake. That lake was far in the east, toward Seerxi. I had flown in that direction to wreak my revenge.
I sat up, breaking myself free from the dream. I looked around. I was on the bed in Reepida’s room, and my Seerxi and the intruders were present as well, staring at me in shock. Reepida rushed to me. “LoiTar, you’re awake. Are you feeling all right? Can you breathe?” She waved her fingers in front of my face. “Can you see me? Do you remember me? Can you feel you fingers and toes??”
I caught her hands with mine, and held her gaze as I talked. “I’m fine. I just remembered something. I did see the Lauphai near here.”
Surprise flickered in her eyes, and the intruders, now interested, came over. “What do you mean?”
I bit my lip, trying to recall any details. “Remember the Lauphai that sold me back to you?”
She nodded. Vulwind raised a suspicious eyebrow. My Seerxi scowled. “You can take what customers you can. What about him, LoiTar?”
I queried. “Do you remember ever working with him before? I met him by the lake in the east, after I tried setting it on fire. He used his jackal beast to catch me. Why would a Lauphai be so east? Isn't the nation of Lauphai west of here?”
Reepida paused to think. Queen Renu asked arbitrarily. “You tried to set a lake on fire?”
I shrugged. “What can I say? I was angry.”
Vulwind interjected. “What part of Dragon-Crest are you from?”
A grin spread over my face. Did he believe me, or was this a test? “Far north. Just between Glacier-Fire and Heaven’s Embankment. You know, I grew up with tales over your strength. Every dragon aspired to be like you.”
He scowled. “They don’t anymore.”
Indignant I noted. “I still do. After all, I’m a dragon-turned Rykrinan also.”
Reepida had disappeared in our conversation and now returned with a map in hand. “It would make perfect sense for them to be there. Under the lake, there are a series of tunnels. Because the lake is salt water and fish die on the shores yearly, no one goes near there. And, LoiTar, that’s some thirty miles from here; not close.”
Vulwind and I spoke in unison. “For normal people and I am not normal.”
Queen Renu crossed her arms. “I think we know that. Let’s go, Vulwind. We need to shut this thing down completely.”
I chimed in with Reepida. “We’re coming too.”
Vulwind grumbled. “Why? We don’t need you.”
I glanced at Reepida and replied. “Just consider yourself tools in our very aged revenge box. We both got something there we need to finish.”
Chapter 16: The War She Fought
It was nice to glide beside another dragon again. Not to mention my childhood hero. Mother dragons didn’t point out to the hatchlings that they should try to be like their fathers; they told their hatchlings to be like Vulwind. When people needed an example of strength, they used Vulwind. I was flying with him.
Reepida muttered aloud. “I think I haven’t seen you this gleeful since I said yes to your proposal.”
Turning to look back at her, I winked. “Don’t worry it’s still you I’m going to marry. We’re almost there, so prepare.”
Just as I spoke, I spotted the lake. We spiraled through the night sky, just over the clear blue waters. Although dark had long set in, the moon’s almost full light lit the world with a pale glow. I tried to recall the best I could in what direction specifically I had gone after steam had ruined my sensors. I soared close to the waters, scanning every place. I closed my eyes, turning off my screen and simply flew; going through the motions, I had in my dream, everything down to the details.
I opened my eyes in time to avert a direct crash to land in the sand, beside the waters. I found it, the spot I had stopped before. Reepida spoke up. “If your senses are right, then their alarms must be blazing. It’s now or never.”
Simultaneously, we swooped down on the sands, sprinting toward the entrance to the tunnels. Before I could reach it, the mangled jackal burst from the sands and charged me. A thin metal pole shot from air and pierced the monster’s skull, pinning it to the ground. Attached to the pole was Queen Renu, who jumped off her victory and started her own sprint to the entrance. A solid metal door sat up ahead down the tunnels. Reepida jumped off just as I braced for smashing through it. The Seerxi didn’t know what hit them; or at least, so I thought.
As the door came crashing down, I entered a room. It was so much like the auditorium with the tables of bodies from my past, I paused in bewilderment. I remember, the last time, I had set everything on fire. Here, among the Seerxi stood model dragons, much similar to my slightly older design. They stared at my arrival.
Reepida had caught up to me, holding her breath. “They stole my design. How did they do that?”
It must have happened after they caught me by the lakeside. They used my designs. Was my discovery by Reepida in the desert sands perhaps set up to manipulate her to innovate my new design just so they could copy it? Did the Lauphai, whose body I now inhabit, trying to take me back here to study me? What was happening?
Vulwind didn’t wait for a “go-ahead”. Instead, he roared fire, crisping the bodies. When I did that before, the bodies had exploded inexplicably. It wasn’t my hot fire; it was the Lauphai covering his tracks. The same would repeat again. I could see their plans unraveling before me now. They would send more Lauphai after my mecha body later, when I was weak, vulnerable. I picked up Reepida with my tail and sprinted ahead of Vulwind. This time, I would catch that Lauphai. Closing my eyes, I took half my attention from controlling my mecha, and focused on finding that Lauphai.
I was Rykrinan now. And Rykrinans can sense the evil of magic. They could hear evil’s unspoken nature. They can do that because they are a purer group, untainted by magic. I would be the same. I would be pure and I would know wrong from right. I would know good from evil.
I could hear it. The cries of innocence. The pain of a fas
t heart, or empty lungs, or burning skin, the pain of suffering was overwhelming; the torture of sacrifice. The Lauphai was trying to portal out of his disaster. I returned my focus on my mecha, swiftly making my way to Lauphai. Reepida saw him before me, and had her sword in hand. Before he could vanish, my jaws shut over his leg, heaving him up.
I heard Reepida explain something, in a voice far different from what I ever heard. “Have you ever heard of malklite? They used a rare Rykrinan stone when they first landed here, back when they had to fight you all. After you took what was important to me, I found away to pay you back. Rykrinans shape malklite into necklaces and use them to purify Lauphai. But the process is slow and painful. I’m Seerxi, not Rykrinan. Seerxi don’t like being messed with. This sword will destroy every piece of magic, every rank you have ever accumulated. Everything you made your life out to be, I’ll take it away. Let me purify you.”
In the motion she used to dismount my shoulder, she sliced down the Lauphai. The wound sizzled green, glowing like an infection. The hire the rank, the more the powers, the more deadly it seemed the malklite would be. The Lauphai screamed in my jaws, twisting in burning pain. He hadn’t screamed when my jaws clamped his legs, but this sent him into a panic. I could see every mecha dragon collapse without their controller.
Horror rose as I watched Reepida take the sword to herself. I wanted to drop the screaming Lauphai, but that could give him the chance to run. Why Reepida? I remembered; Reepida had accumulated magic within herself as well. The malklite would affect her just as much. It had affected her. I leapt from my mecha body, letting the Lauphai go and caught my Seerxi with one arm and held the blade with the other.
As though proof of my own purity, only the slight sharpness of the blade itself hurt rather than the ethereal effects of the malklite. Queen Renu rushed over, taking the sword away from us. I wrapped my arms around Reepida, whispering urgently. “It’s over. It’s over now.”
Her nails dug into my arm, crying her frustrations. “No, it’s not. I’m still tainted. I have to use the sword. I have to make up for my mistake. I was too weak to win against them. I let them be the victor.”