We exited into a great clearing dotted by few banyans. The sky was clear and the light of the sun temporarily blinded us. But when our vision returned, we could see not far from us, nearing a cliff, the prince.
He was frozen, frightened by what lay before him. A great serpent that stood more than thirty times greater than us. Its body like a snake, its color black, and its wings outspread so wide that it seemed to encompass the entire clearing.
Its form so great that we were all in both awe and fear of its dreadful splendor. The aged hide didn’t detract an ounce from its perfect form. Its red eyes looked to us with malice. The beast seemed ready to strike. It roared to the heavens!
The sky above shifted hues till it looked as like a dusk stained in blood. The sun itself became eclipsed. Ash fell from the sky. The world became as like an island covered by a sea of blood. The ground cracked and lifted. As the ground lifted, we were brought alongside it into the air.
It seemed a council of dragons had emerged, for all about us flew smaller fiery serpents of similar likeness. They encircled us. It seemed we were to meet our end.
My eyes flashed with another image. A symbol of likeness to the one heralding the Immortal Flame. By its fires I could see the name of the beast, its associated attributes, elemental affinities, all coded into the form of a hymn.
It moved to the corner of my eyes. It resembled a view I was much familiar with in my past, one I scarcely engaged. I came to understand what it was, but the world didn’t resemble at all what, in my mind, I thought it should’ve been.
At the time, I thought perhaps this was the world’s way of communicating with me. To guide me in what I needed to know and how to act. Never in my previous life did such a thing occur. I supposed it was a quality unique in Arhmanah, to at least me, and with my gift, to now you.
Thus, with this new founding, I resolved myself for the battle ahead.
I looked to the cowering girl beside me, and said, “Fly princess! Seek cover behind the rocks.”
She did as I bade. The area was clear and a direct line of sight I had to Varey. It would prove difficult to reach him. For I saw the serpents blaze fire in their mouths, ready to launch their streams should I cross. I wouldn’t let them have their way.
I mustered my courage and raced to the prince. Just as I expected, the streams of fire came. Yet, I could see, through my mind’s eye, the trajectory of the fire. I danced and dodged with ease.
Though my movements were quick, my form was still small, and I hadn’t the power to evade completely. My robes became singed. That was fine. The prince was in sight, and I wouldn’t let him fall!
The beasts, one after another, sought to stay my advance. They flew toward me and sought to strike against me. I evaded their claws, their beaks, their sharp teeth. But the elements proved difficult against.
They circled me and flapped their wings with such intensity that whirlwinds issued toward me. My body was cut and blood trailed along its ends. I reinforced my feet as much as I could, but my hold of the elements was much too weak. It broke all too easily, and I was pushed back.
As I tumbled to the side, the beasts broke their attack and flew straight toward me. I saw an opening. A small one. I had to take it!
The multitude of the horde came in reach, and I at that moment, burst the earth beneath my feet with fire and wind propelling me. My body seared from the exploding force. I could see the layer of skin peel to almost reveal the muscle. Yet the serpents burned in my flight.
I flew toward the prince. But just as I was to land, the surface erupted. Large pieces of rock and a great degree of dust effused into the air. I couldn’t see before me.
Something was strange. I felt sure that I should’ve reached him. Did the serpent before us blast the ground? The dragons were for the most part idle. As if they watched. Why then had I failed in my attempt?
My answer was to come.
The dust cleared. And I saw the prince wielding a short blade. From his hands coursed the elements. Air and earth were his current affinity, and he looked my way.
“Don’t think me to be a coward!” he shouted.
His words would’ve held more weight were it not for his feeble attempts at masking his fear. I could see through the facade that he hadn’t a wit of what he should do. We were supposed to run; not engage!
“Varey, you fool, don’t seek to battle!” I cried. “We haven’t the skill nor power to fight such a beast!”
“Then let me die here, and have ballads sung in my name!”
He was a fool, indeed. The qualities of his name had more control over his actions than I thought otherwise.
I hadn’t a choice but to help. I looked to the sea of dragons that encircled us. Their forms basked in the red glow of the sky was ominous. They seemed to enlarge the farther they were. That’s when I noticed something.
I could see a faint red haze marking the line of their forms. They ever so slightly wavered.
I rushed to the prince’s side and wondered whether I would face resistance. I didn’t. This was all the proof I needed.
