Chapter 4

She didn’t remember much of the flight other than the wind stinging her cheek and that Crimson was flying at an unnaturally fast pace.  Then she spotted the cluster of boulders that marked the edge of Drakania and Diavum, and realized just how far and fast Crimson had flown.

 

“What’re we doing?” she asked, dismounting and stepping over the border.  The air immediately felt different; there was less tension and the Diavian forest seemed so much more quiet when compared to Drakania.  There were no growling from random wild dragons, nor were there lacerti scampering around, chirping and trilling.  There weren’t any birds flying about as she had remembered.  Maybe it had something to do with Crimson being present.

 

:Sending your letter: Crimson said.

 

Amber furrowed her brows, removing the letter from her bag.  She did remember something about needing to send it, though she could just give it to her mother and sister now that she was back home.  Maybe she could even see her friends, even if Crimson was almost always against that idea.

 

“I’ll just give it to them,” she said, voicing her thoughts.  “I won’t be long, I promise.”

 

Crimson’s eyes seemed to flash purple and she turned away.  Amber ignored her dragon’s sudden change in mood and continued making her way through the forests.

 

She took a detour to her former training field once she knew she was out of Crimson’s line of sight.  Her head cleared as she walked, and when she reached the clearing, she was able to think freely for the first time since…she couldn’t remember.  I miss home was her first thought.  Her second thought was maybe I should tell them, “them” being her family.

 

The wide stretch of grass had gotten longer over the past two weeks, as she wasn’t running across it every day.  The trees hadn’t changed much; still bearing scars from her many intense and sometimes overly emotional training sessions.  Deep gouges and slashes were present in several tree trunks, so similar to the marks Crimson would sometimes leave on rocks or trees.  Others had black burns that ran along the bark, some had fallen over, the stumps charred and still had remnants of ash coating the surface; the result of her attempting to harness her powers despite not knowing much about them.

 

She ran her fingers along some of the trunks, letting them spark and glow as she traced patterns overtop knife slashes and burnt wood.  She kept her mind calm, focused, and concentrated on not letting her emotions get the best of her.  Crimson had mentioned something to her a few days ago — and by mention, it meant that the dragon just made a sarcastic remark, her first one — and she said that her powers were affected by her emotions, similar to the dragons’ fire.

 

It seemed to be working and she managed to burn her initials into the tree trunk without anything exploding or suddenly bursting into green flames.

 

:Are you done yet?: Crimson’s voice suddenly sounded in her ears and she started.  A burst of green exploded outwards as she whirled around, expecting the dragon to be standing right behind her.  There was just a ring of trees that led into the forests.

 

“No,” she said, and she swore she heard Crimson huff with impatience.

 

:Hurry up, then:

 

Amber ignored her dragon and slowly made her way through the forest.  Crimson could wait a few more minutes, maybe an hour or even longer, and so could whatever she was planning.

 

The path slowly changed from trodden branches and leaves and dirt to gravel, then to cracked cobblestone that gradually became more and more whole as she walked.  She reached the edge of the forest relatively quickly, and found herself stopping right before the path that’ll lead into Liavis.  She knew there was no need to be nervous; she had only been gone for two weeks and there was a good chance that not much had changed.

 

The streets were still as busy as she remembered, but she paid little attention to that this time.  There was some sort of demonstration going on in the middle of the courtyard, and that was what her eyes had been drawn to, much like everyone else who was in the vicinity.

 

It appeared to be a friendly spar, as far as she could tell, and she could see the Captain standing off to the side, calling instructions that were lost over the chatter of the crowd.  She seemed to have arrived just as the match was ending and when she managed to push herself to the front of the cheering crowd, it was over.

 

“Amber?”

 

She spun around when someone’s hand suddenly latched onto her shoulder.  Her face broke into a smile when she saw Melody, who was bursting with excitement.

 

“Hey Mel,” she said cooly, concealing her own happiness.

 

“How’s the exploring?” Melody asked, looping her arm through Amber’s and pulled her to the edge of the makeshift arena.  “Casmir, Amber’s back!”

 

“I, uhh…” Amber ran through several things she could say and ended up settling on, “I found some stuff that my dad marked on his maps.”  She decided to not mention Crimson, the Drakanian City, or any other dragon-related things in case word got out and the ruler ordered a full scale invasion on Drakania.

 

“Really?” Melody waved a hand, prompting her to continue.  “What kind of stuff?”

 

“I found these clearings and some cool rocks.” she replied, doing her best to keep her responses detailed, but vague at the same time.

 

“Any dragons?”  Casmir joined the conversation.  He was slightly breathless due to the sparring match and had his blue coat loosely draped over his shoulders.  A silver medallion indicating his rank as a Regia Liavis soldier glinted in the sunlight.  “Did you meet or find the Unlocked?”

 

“Y—” Amber caught herself.  “No.  For both questions.”

 

:Are you done yet?:  Crimson’s voice was more impatient than ever.  :I thought I said to hurry up:

 

I’m busy, Crimson, Amber thought, not daring to say it out loud like she had in the clearing.  I’m catching up with my friends.

 

:The letter?:

 

Still need to deliver that.

 

:Humans are slow and procrastinate a lot:

 

Again, Amber ignored Crimson and focused on her friends, who had struck up a conversation with each other while she had been talking with her dragon.  Now Casmir turned to her with a raised eyebrow and said, “What’d you think?”

 

“Sorry, I zoned out,” she muttered, looking over their heads, searching for her mother and sister.  “Come again?”

 

“Mel and I—”

 

“But mostly him,” Melody cut in.  Casmir waved a hand at her to stop interrupting.

 

“—we were wondering if you want to join us and a few other people from Autarcus for dinner.” he finished.  “Y’know, to catch up.”

 

Crimson whispered another :Amber, hurry up: in her ear and she quickly said, “I-I have to find my mother and sister”, even though she did want to catch up with her friends.  She had missed them even though she was only gone for two weeks.  “I have something for them, and…I’m sorry, next time I visit, I promise.”  She almost cringed at the blatant lie.  It was highly unlikely that she would come find them again.  She doubted that she’d even return home.  She knew that Crimson wouldn’t want her to for reasons that she didn’t know.

 

“It’s alright,” Casmir’s voice sounded slightly strained, though his soft smile never wavered.  “Family comes first, always.”

 

She ducked away before her guilty conscience could make her change her mind and she started down a familiar path; one that ran past several artisan shops and nearly to the edge of the forest.  Her house came into view and she paused right at the gate.  Her nerves had shot up again and she almost turned away, but the thought of facing an impatient and probably upset Crimson made her pause at the thought of turning back.  She walked down the path, and ignored Crimson’s repeated reminders to “hurry up”.

 

She stood on the porch for several minutes before she ultimately decided to knock.  Her hand had barely touched the wooden door when it swung open, revealing Evangeline, who was practically jumping with joy when she laid eyes on her sister.

 

“You’re back!” she exclaimed.  She pulled her sister inside and slammed the door shut.  “How’s Drakania?  Are there any dragons?  Did you find the Unlocked?”  She paused for breath and the onslaught of questions continued.  “I heard that the Unlocked is a girl, but that’s what people around school have been saying.  Did you meet her… them?”

 

“I’ll tell you everything inside,” Amber said, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that no one was following her.  She was ushered to the dining room and sat down, with her sister sitting directly across from her.

 

“Where’s Mom?” she asked, feeling around her pocket for the letter.  She slid it across the table to her sister, who grabbed it and started reading.

 

“She’s out,” Evangeline replied, her eyes skimming over the page.  Her eyes widened and her head snapped up.  “You met a dragon?” she asked in a hushed tone.  She read over the line several times and gasped.  “The dragon is a princess?”

 

“Ye—”

 

“Next thing you tell me, you’re the Unlocked.”  Her eyes flicked up from the paper.  “You’re not the Unlocked, are you?”

 

Amber didn’t respond, and that was enough for her sister to piece things together.  She gaped and dropped the letter onto the table.  “No, you’re not the—”

 

She slumped in her seat and nodded wordlessly.  “I…didn’t know how to tell you guys.” she finally said after picking at the tablecloth for a few minutes.

 

Evangeline scoffed, shaking her head with disbelief.  “We would’ve kept your secret.” she said gently.  “You know Mom is super protective of us since… y’know, Dad.”

 

“Yeah,” Amber agreed.  “I’m sorry.”  She gave her sister a hopeful glance.  “You won’t say anything, right?”

 

“My lips are sealed.”

 

She smiled and rounded the table, crushing her sister in a hug.  “Thank you,” she breathed.

 

“Now that the emotional, mushy stuff is done, can you show me your powers?” Evangeline asked.  “I mean, if you want.”

 

:Amber, where are you?: Crimson sang and her thoughts clouded over again.  :Are you done yet?:

 

“You alright, sis?”  Evangeline’s voice was enough to temporarily clear her mind.

 

“Yes.” Amber murmured.  She smiled wider to cover her confusion and said, “With the stone, I can do this.”  She let her palms glow green and an energy ball came to life.

 

Her sister didn’t bother disguising her awe and for a moment, she felt the warm feeling of acceptance spreading through her veins before they were replaced with paranoia.  She gritted her teeth and made the energy shine brighter until it looked like she was holding a fallen star in her hand.  Then she dispelled it, the room seeming to become darker as the light faded away.

 

She created the wispy dragon next, molding it to resemble Crimson.

 

“This is the dragon I met,” she said as the energy dragon flew around Evangeline’s head, much to the latter’s amusement and delight.  “Her name is Crimson and she’s the Princess of Drakania.”

 

“Does that mean you’re friends with the dragon royals?” her sister asked, letting her hand barely graze the energy dragon’s shimmering scales.

 

“Sort of,” Amber said, spinning a finger and making the green dragon fly toward her.  With a snap, it disappeared, leaving behind particles of light that fizzled out when they landed on the ground or table.  “I haven’t actually met Crimson’s parents, she said they’re away, doing important royal stuff.”  She didn’t mention that Crimson’s parents were actually dead and Crimson herself had been exiled from Drakania.

 

“Can I meet her?”

 

“Sure, one of these days, maybe.”  Another blatant lie.

 

“I…have to go,” she said once her sister finished clapping and cheering.  “It’ll be dark soon, and I still have lots of exploring to do.”

 

“I’ll write again!” she called as she quickly bolted out the door, darting into the forest where a certain dark red dragon was pacing around impatiently.

 

​

​

​

 

:You are the slowest human I’ve ever met: Crimson hissed once Amber pushed the branches aside and reentered the clearing her dragon was waiting in.  :You are also the only human I’ve met: she added, albeit more quietly.

 

“I’m sorry, I wanted to see my friends.” Amber said, making a point to ignore the dragon.

 

:Your friends are gonna find out about your abilities, your gift:  Crimson seemed smug as she spoke.  :You also told someone, who?:

 

“My sister knows, and that’s all.”

 

:Sister?:  Crimson circled her.  :Won’t she tell?  What about the person who told everyone?:

 

“He’s fine, he hasn’t said anything,” Amber insisted though her words were mostly to reassure herself.  “What is it that you need?”  Impatient dragon, she added silently.

 

Crimson didn’t respond and just stared in the direction Amber came from.  Her eyes glinted, and she turned, slinking deeper into the forest.  She glanced back once, prompting the girl to follow her and continued on her way.  Occasionally, a flash of green could be seen from ahead as Crimson blasted trees and foliage out of her way, completely ignoring the path she could’ve taken.

 

The thick, heavy blanket of confusion settled over her again and she quickly sped up her steps, catching up to Crimson.  She climbed onto the dragon’s back, who didn’t protest and instead, took off running deeper into the trees.

 

Night slowly crept upon the land and Amber found herself becoming more and more drowsy as the sky grew darker.  In contrast, Crimson’s energy seemed endless, and she kept circling the small campfire that was built.

 

“Crimson what is it?” she asked as she watched her dragon circle around her for the tenth time.  She rubbed her eyes and yawned, about to fall asleep.

 

:I’m bored: Crimson replied.  :I realize that the dragons don’t have much to do other than walk around in the tunnels:  she paused her circling and said, :Now that I’m no longer in Drakania, there’s so much more I could do:

 

“Want to go fly around?”  Her words were slurred and she yawned again, silently hoping that Crimson would let her sleep and would go fly around herself.

 

Crimson’s eyes lit up, quite literally, as they flashed a bright purple, and she bounced up.  :We can fly above the human city: she suggested.

 

Amber suppressed a third yawn and climbed onto the dragon’s back.  “Scenic sunset flights make me sleepy,” she said, gripping onto the scales tightly as Crimson tore through the treetops.

 

:We’re not going on a scenic sunset flight: was the only response she was given.

 

The flight took little time and the city was asleep by the time Crimson and Amber reached it.  The former was excited, occasionally doing twirls and barrel rolls in the air as she flew.  The latter was exhausted, with the only thing keeping her awake being the sharp gusts of wind that blew past, stinging her cheeks and knuckles.

 

Crimson spread her wings, soaring above the sleeping city and eventually landed in the empty courtyard.  She tucked her wings close, head turning around as she took in her surroundings with interest.  She pranced to a closed shop that sold different jewelry and gasped.  :Amber, there are so many Dragonstones here!: she exclaimed, trying to bite the window open.  When that didn’t work, she fired a small blast of fire at the stone fountain at the center to create a light source and the uppermost bowl promptly exploded into shards of quartzite and marble that showered down, bouncing off of Crimson’s scaly body.  A bright green flame remained, hovering just above the small jet of water that sprayed from the destroyed top.  She screeched with glee and was about to fire another blast but was stopped.

 

“Don’t,” Amber said quietly.  She gathered the chunks and placed them by the edge of the fountain.  “It’ll only raise questions.”

 

:What questions?: Crimson scoffed and charged up for another blast.  :You aren’t gonna be here in the morning so why do you care?:

 

“My family still lives here and I don’t want them to wonder why the fountain blew up.” she deadpanned.  “And the Regia would ask questions too.”

 

:Still, you won’t be here when they wake:  The dragon’s eyes flashed purple, the effect mirrored in Amber’s.  :Right?:

 

Amber blinked, rubbing her eyes and peered at the stone chunks she left by the fountain.  “I…I guess.”

 

:Exactly: Crimson said.  :So, why not have some fun while the night lasts?:

 

“S-sure.” she nodded hesitantly in agreement and started to pace about the courtyard.  Then her eyes cleared slightly and she raised a hand.  “Wait, but…”

 

Crimson ignored her, firing a large stream of fire at the fountain once more.  This time, Amber didn’t move to stop her as her mind was further cocooned with a tangled web of reassurance, created by the dragon.  Her eyes flashed purple and green as she, too, joined her dragon amidst the fiery wreckage that was the courtyard.

 

Her mind felt more muddled and confused than ever as she threw green energy balls left and right.  But, she was aware of Crimson beside her, roaring with glee and excitement with every stream of fire she fired.  She was aware that the courtyard was a mess of broken stone and burning piles of wood.  She was aware that the plumes of smoke rising from this one section of the city would no doubt be visible to those on watch at Regia Liavis.

 

She didn’t stop, despite knowing all this.  She didn’t know why she didn’t stop.

 

:Isn’t this fun?: Crimson asked, pausing to let Amber climb onto her back.  :I’ve never had this much fun since…well, since Drakania crowned Zircon and Azurite as her rulers:

 

She just held onto the scales tightly and muttered, “Where to next, Crimson?” in that dead, monotonous voice.

 

The dragon took off into the sky, observing the small embers and flames that remained lit in the darkness.  She flew towards another area of the city, though she kept the courtyard in her line of sight.

 

:Come on, Amber, don’t keep all that anxiety and anger locked up: Crimson prompted.  She flapped her wings and flew over the city.  :You’re FREE:

 

It might’ve been because she was motivated by Crimson’s words, or it might’ve been because she’d snapped, but Amber created a glowing ball of energy, brighter and larger than any she’d created before.  She flung it, farther than she initially predicted but that wasn’t going to stop her.  The ball, the first of many, flew over the roofs; a bright streak of light amidst an inky sky.  One would’ve thought that it was a shooting star.

 

Once the ball had been airborne for a few seconds, she concentrated, clenching her fists tightly as the ball morphed into the wispy dragon she’d shown Evangeline only mere hours ago.  But this time, the energy dragon wasn’t playful or tiny, it was large, it resembled Crimson, even roaring loudly as it dove down toward the courtyard and surrounding buildings.

 

:Whoa, that’s so cool!:

 

“Thank you, Crimson,” Amber said stiffly as she prepared to throw another glowing ball.

 

Her eyes glowed; a bright green that managed to overpower whatever hold Crimson unknowingly had on her.  At the same time, her necklace pendant sparked and grew warm as she surrendered to the power, letting it take over her mind.

 

​

​

​

 

She stared down from her spot on the cliff at a field of green and gray smoke.  Beside her was Crimson, curled up and asleep, her energy finally spent.  

 

The main Liavis courtyard had been reduced to rubble by her and Crimson, with a few tongues of fire still remaining even after she had tried to put them out.  They were small though, so she wasn’t as concerned about them as she was about the larger fires that were put out.

 

Her mind had finally cleared after she shot about five or six balls of corrosive energy, and by then, there was already a large wall of fire separating her and Crimson.  In her panic, she had lost control of her abilities, causing the fire wall to flare up, burning brighter than ever as it boxed her in, like a warm, yet suffocating embrace.  A radius of corrosive energy thrown out from her arkey surrounded her;  glittering emerald web of poison that burned through anything it touched.

 

She had bolted from the scene, tearing through crackling flames and ducking under crumbling beams and stone.  Crimson was nowhere to be found, but that had been the least of her concerns.  She just wanted to get out of there, to escape from the fire that she had helped cause.

 

She still didn’t know why she had done that… no, she couldn’t remember why she had done that.

 

The fire had mostly been put out, and that was after she got Crimson to carry pieces of the broken fountain bowl, still partially filled with water, and had thrown it over the flames.  A smokescreen of dark gray and pale green was thrown up almost immediately, obscuring her vision and tickling her nose.  Her dragon had disappeared, vanishing into clouds of gray and she had wandered around the wreckage, not daring to call for Crimson in case people were nearby.

 

Then claws had come out of nowhere and lifted her, dropping her onto a stretch of grass that led to a cliffside.

 

“Crimson, what have you done?” she whispered, wishing that the smoke and devastation would disappear if she closed her eyes long enough.  She turned to the dragon, her eyes no longer glowing, nor were they green or an unnaturally bright shade of purple.  Instead, they were filled with terror and anger at the thought of having done such a thing, and exhaustion from spending too much of her energy.  “What did you make me do?”

 

:I helped you: Crimson replied, lifting her head drowsily.  :I helped you become the Unlocked:

 

“But I already am the Unlocked,” she hissed.  “I have the stone!  I’ve had it for two years—”

 

:I helped you unlock what you’re truly capable of doing: her dragon retorted, some annoyance and impatience seeping into her tone.  She sat up and her wings flared open.  :Aren’t you glad?  No one will dare mess with you now:

 

Amber scoffed with disbelief and stormed away from the taunting view of the destroyed city courtyard.  She ignored Crimson’s confused and apologetic calls as she ran, not bothering to read signs she passed, nor think about where she was going.  She found herself in the courtyard and was again overwhelmed by a raging storm of conflicting emotions.  Anger and fear swirled around her like a cyclone, settling on her shoulders and weighing her down as she slowly picked her way through the ruins.

 

Very slowly, almost reluctantly, she created a smaller and more harmless ball of energy to use as a lantern as she walked.  She found the broken fountain and sat down cross-legged, letting the energy ball float around her.  It took the shape of that tiny wispy green dragon and she laughed bitterly, suddenly unable to stop an onslaught of tears from pouring down her face.  She remained by a pile of broken marble and quartzite that was supposed to be the main support pillar, alternating between periods of hysterical sobbing and silent contemplation.  The green dragon seemed to match with her mood, also alternating between flying around agitatedly while letting out confused screeches and hovering in front of her without making a sound.

 

Liavis seemed to slowly wake around her as people poured into the courtyard, soft whispers of confusion spreading through the crowd as they noticed the smoke, the chunks of broken stone and pieces of blackened wood.  She could see figures wearing the Regia Liavis colors of blue and silver, asking the citizens to “remain at home while we figure out what had happened”.

 

From her place beside the fountain, she could see them; about seven or eight young adults, each one wearing a dark blue uniform trimmed with an even darker blue.  At the front, she spotted Casmir, calling instructions and directing others to spread out.  She knew that he wanted them to find if there were any survivors and casualties.

 

She ran, stumbling as her foot caught on a loose chunk of marble.  Shouts came from behind her and she ran even faster.  Without thinking or stopping, she turned and raised a hand.  A jet of green shot from her palm, causing yells of panic to ensue from her pursuers.

 

You are so dead, some voice said in her head.  It wasn’t Crimson.  It was missing the underlying condescending and disbelieving tone.

 

You don’t say? she thought with sarcasm.  She was sneaking a glance back when she froze.  Her eyes met Casmir’s and he didn’t look happy.  Her running slowed until she came to a stop, paying no mind to the other Regia soldiers that surrounded her.

 

“Amber?” Casmir asked, as if he wasn’t sure it was her.  Then he visibly sagged with defeat as the realization sunk in.  He looked around, taking in the smoke and broken marble and burnt wood, like it was the first time he saw the scene.  His voice sounded accusing as he asked, “What’s going on?”

 

“I…”

 

“I thought you left.” he said, stepping closer.  He lifted his hand and Amber felt hands restrain her and stone cuffs locked around her wrists.  The warmth from her arkey that she had gotten accustomed to feeling disappeared, leaving her cold and empty.  She didn’t resist, knowing that doing so would only make things worse for her.

 

The cuffs around her wrists seemed to grow warmer as her soul seemed to grow colder.  She fiddled with it, hoping that the burning sensation would go away.  It didn’t.

 

“I thought you were visiting your family,” he continued.  He sounded so sad and confused, which only made her feel sad and confused.

 

“I was,” she said quietly as she felt her throat close up, both from the terror at getting caught and having to face one of her closest friends as he looked at her with confusion and betrayal.  “I…”

 

“Casmir, what do we do with her?” one of the two people who restrained her asked.  She wasn’t sure if she should thank them or not for speaking so she didn’t have to.  “Should we inform Regia Diavum?”

 

“This is the Unlocked, right?” someone else asked.

 

Casmir stared at her for what felt like forever before he finally responded.

 

“No,” he said.  Though his voice was barely above a whisper, it seemed to carry across the entire city.  “We don’t know if she is actually the Unlocked.  Put her in a cell at Regia Liavis.  I’ll ask her some questions later.”  He paused, giving her another glance.  “If she isn’t the Unlocked, I’ll let her go.”

 

Crimson? she asked as she was being escorted to the blackstone manor that overlooked the entire city.  She hoped her dragon would respond, though she wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t.  I’m sorry.

 

:Drakania’s sake, what did you get yourself into?: Crimson asked, sounding genuinely confused and concerned, which was a first for her.

 

“I’m so sorry,” Amber murmured out loud, knowing that the soldiers heard her though the words themselves were meant for Crimson.

 

She closed off her mind as she walked, knowing that the less Regia knew about Crimson, the better.  She had already messed things up; her powers had messed things up, even though they were supposed to act as a safety net for her to fall on in situations like the one she just experienced.

 

“Casmir?” she dared to ask.  He didn’t turn around or make any indication that he heard her.  Ignoring the sting in her chest at the silence, she continued, this time directing her apology to him.  “I’m sorry.”