FSE

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Chapter 9

"What's the matter?" Axton's smile slowly faded from his face. "Isn't this good news? You have a family!"

"No.." Infinity said softly. "It's not." She paused for a moment before telling him everything that had happened. The arena, the red dragon, and what she had chosen to do when faced with the decision the wizard had presented her with.

"No..." Axton dropped the book in his hands, it landed on the floor with a thud. "How could.......That....Monster...H-he." Axton stuttered, his face drooping. "I am....So sorry....I came in here all happy.."

"He made him insane." She murmured through blurry eyes, shaking her head slowly. I had to...It was him or me....Him or me. She felt Axton grab either side of her snout, and pull it against his forehead. She felt tears start to stroll down her cheeks as she closed her eyes.

"It's okay." Axton said, his voice but a whisper. "Infinity it's okay."

She just continued to sob silently, her heart aching. She even ignored that he had used her name. Him or me....Him or me....Him or me.. She felt the human hold her head tighter, as her tears soon were joined with his own. They continued to sit in silence as the human ran a hand up along the top of her snout. She pushed him away, striding across the room in silence. Away from his bed she laid down on the floor, putting her head in her paws. She felt him take a seat beside her, as she gave a snort in response.

"I am not leaving you right now." Axton said softly.

She stared at her tail, unmoving, her mind still trying to wrap itself around what she had done.

"Infinity? Are you okay?" Axton asked, then quickly smacked his head. "Of course not Axton..stupid.."

I killed my father....She continued to stare at her tail, her eyes going blurry once again. Maybe the lich is right....I am a monster.....I think I would have done it even without his choice....

"Whatever you are thinking....It's not your fault. I mean..How could you have even kn-" Axton shut his mouth and hung his head.

Infinity shook her body, and grabbed Axton in her paws, and dragged him against her chest. She felt him hug her back as she draped her head over him and began to cry again. I'm so sorry.....I'm sorry.... She held the human tighter, his warm body against him was a relief to the ever encroaching cold that was gripping her senses right now. She curled around the human, not relenting in her hug. I have you Axton....You're all I have... She opened her mouth and began to lick across his head.

"Hey!" he says softly, pushing her away half-heartedly. Although as she did not relent his protests soon died away.

She could feel her breath slowing with each lick on his face and head. Cleaning him the way she was doing was like shelter in the rainstorm of her life. With each lick she could feel the numbness that had been in her start to fade away.

"Do you....need...me to...just stay here Infinity?"He asks, trying to speak between licks of her tongue. "I'll do whatever you want....I want you to feel better."

She stopped her licking, giving the human a small smile. She laid her snout down next to him, closing her eyes. She felt Axton sink deeper into her embrace, as he caressed the sides of her snout.

"I'm sorry..."

She thought she heard him mention something about using her name, but it ended up being nothing but a dull sound of nothingness as she soon felt sleep take her from the waking world. Perhaps there she would be able to escape what she had done...

* * * * * * * * * * * *

She awoke softly from her sleep, to Axton trying to wiggle free from her grasp. She opened her eyes to see his face fill with determination as he was trying to pull his leg free.

"Almost there..." She heard him mutter softly.

She let her grip loosen on him, causing the human to suddenly fall forward with a yelp. She heard him softly hit the ground as she quickly closed her eyes. She imagined he was looking to her right now, wondering if she were actually asleep. She let out a deep breath, twitching her tail. She heard him let out a sigh, gather some of his things, and leave with the creaking of their door.

When she was sure the coast was clear after several minutes she rolled over and stretched her wings wide. She could feel a tingle of sadness still lingering in her bones as she thoughts went to the dead red dragon. He could have been an asshole... Her ears perked up as the door Axton had left through suddenly opened once again. Her eyes narrowed on the form of three nervous looking goblins who funneled into her room, their bodies shaking.

She raised her head to inspect the rag wearing goblins, who bore no weapons from which she could see. She tapped her tail against the ground and tried to not take too much pleasure when she saw them all jump in surprise. Despite this, one of the goblins seem to take a large gulp before approaching her.

"We were sent here to take you to the room of illusions." the goblin stuttered, never once looking her in the eye. "The master said he had something special in store for you today."

She sighed, stretching out all her limbs like a cat. She ended this by giving the goblins are large tongue curling yawn, making sure to show off all of her white teeth to them. She smirked as several frightened murmurs were tossed around. "Very well..Lead the way." she nodded. She tapped her tail against the ground as the lead goblin seemed to just look at her frozen in terror, beads of sweat dripping down his green face. "Lead the way." She repeated, her tone hardening.

"The master also told me to inform you that if you were displeased you could eat us."

"Lead the way goblin. Lucky for you I find the taste of you and your kin disgusting." She snorted. She could feel the impatience beneath her scales. She followed the scared little beings after they gave out a squeak of fright, making her roll her eyes. She strode several paces behind them as they lead her down the ebony hallways of the tower. The first thing she took note was of these hallways was the fact they were made for someone vastly taller than even her. Why have hallways so big for you Lich? The thought came to her as she passed an archway outline with gold runes. She stopped for a moment as the goblins kept at their pace. It looked almost as if the runes had been carved in with a talon of some kind. She held up her own, than looking back to the runes. Was this made by a dragon?

Realizing the goblins were now at the end of the hall she quickly closed the distance in nearly a sprint. Her scales clinking alongside her talons clacking on the stone that seemed polished to perfection. With another collection of shrieks she came to a stop behind the goblins. They did not question why she had decided to suddenly run at them, and she did not give an explanation as they started down a large onyx staircase made out a metal that was cool beneath her paws. Her tail swished slowly behind her as her eyes traced along the stone walls, trying to mentally commit the path to memory. When she finally came to a stop down the winding hallway at the bottom, they were in front of a massive wooden door, that was at least three times her wingspan in width, and three times her height. The same runes that she saw before were painted right on the door, like large gash marks of gold.

"You have to say open in draconic." said the lead goblin. His voice full of worry, as she saw him flinch. Then give her a bow so large his pointy nose almost made contact with the floor.

"Open" she said in her native tongue, she saw that several goblins backed away from her.I guess they don't know draconic then.

The large doors cracked open to reveal the a vast landscape of trees, grass, and the shining sun. She blinked her eyes, striding carefully into the place. She lowered her snout, sniffing at the grass, and moving some of it with her forepaws. It has to be the room I was in last night. The thought swirls within her mind, as her eyes narrow. It's just an illusion again. Her ears perked up as the door behind her shut with a thunderous slam, that made her jump in surprise. She turned back to find that it had vanished, leaving only a vast expanse of green behind her.

She looked up to the bright blue sky, with fluffy white clouds slowly drifting along. She let out a sigh as a breeze ran across her snout. I wish it was real...She takes a few more tentative steps, her tail dragging along the ground. Despite knowing in her mind it was all an illusion she found herself finding it easy to get lost within it. Everything just felt so real, from the grass, the breeze, to the sun shining down and warming her scales. She laid down, spread herself out, and rolled to expose her belly to it's warm rays. It even feels....sooo..nice. She smiled, letting out a small snort. She stayed like that for several minutes before she started wriggling her whole body on the the grass. She opened her eyes to find the wizard standing several feet away from her, with his arms crossed, gazing out to the vast sky as if he were lost in thought.

"Ah Infinity...It is a pleasure to see you.. I take it you slept well?" he asks with a grin forming on his face.

She narrowed her eyes at the memory of yesterday, and what she had done. What HE had made her do. However despite all that she did have to admit the rest was in fact nice. "Yes." She spat out, disgusted in herself for that fact.

"After we had your little test the other day." The wizard held up his hand as he began to circle her. "That a wonderful creation...and dragon such as yourself should not be....Diminished. Especially if you are going to be one of my finest minions!" He turned to gesture to the vast bright areas around her. "So you will find animals in here for you to hunt and test your abilities. I also will allow you to test your magical abilities in here." He spun around with a grin. "I find dragon's with magic of course to extremely more useful...Especially when dealing with......obstacles." He clasped his hands together. "I have such BIG plans for you Infinity! Wait until you see what the future holds for you....for Axton...for me!" his face curls into the evil smile she knew too well, and it made her shiver beneath her scales.

"Now if you excuse me dearest Infinity. I have to go make the life of my apprentice a tad hard today with his lessons." The wizard clicked his fingers together, and with a click he had vanished into thin air with a crack.

Is he really gone? She stood up, looking around suspiciously. Her tail thumped against the grass as she resettled her wings against her back. She held up a paw, once again looking around. I think he might actually be gone. She twirled her paw, feeling the magic that swirled around her body. She figured it was like this for all dragons, as she pushed out with the same paw. There was a sudden burst of flame, as a blue bolt of fire flew out from her grasp. It exploded against the dirt, throwing up a shower of gravel. She snorted, eventually trying out more of her magic. The time passed for her a she found herself able to throw a fireball, turn invisible for a short amount of time, and lastly be able to summon and throw lightning bolts. She smiled at the last one as she liked how the electricity danced around her paws before losing it. She was actually surprised things were coming to her so easily. Perhaps it might be like this for all dragons. She narrowed her eyes, and he kept this from me...stopped me.. Her stomach gave a loud grumble, drawing her attention to a group of deer she spied near the forest's edge.

Well I have not actually hunted prey before. She tilted her wings, and swooped down towards the creature, who was yet aware of the apex predator now gliding towards it. She felt her heart quicken in anticipation as she neared the deer, claws outstretched she could already taste the animal that was going to relieve her of her hunger. She was so close and.....The deer rose it's head and bolted at the last moment leaving her talons slashing at empty air. Damn

She dipped her membranes, changing direction to continue her pursuit of the deer. She smacked herself on the snout, remembering she could just turned invisible. With a quick touch to her chest, and a twist of her tail the scales on her blended perfectly in with her surroundings. With another flap of her wings she closed in on the deer, who was slowing down, most likely thinking itself safe. She did another dive, angling her wings so they hardly made a sound with the gentle curve she made. In an instant her claws found purchase in the deer, easily ripping the creature's life from it. She feasted on the doe, amazed the wizard had been true to his word. WIth a satisfied burp she was finished, than burned away the remains. That felt right. She twitched her tail, looking out into the forest. Such a simple thing...that felt so good. She kneaded the ground with her claws. To imagine I could have been doing such things.....if he had not stolen me from my home... She growled in the back of her throat, imaging the lich's black soul-less eyes. There was suddenly a crack of a twig that drew her attention.

She snapped her snout around to also hear the soft sound of rustling leaves. She spies a nearby small bush with a clear silver scaled tail sticking out. It swished back in forth, like she did before she would playfully pounce. Is it an illusion? She thought, tilting her snout to the side and taking a deep sniff. The air smelled like it was another dragon, mixed with the scent of rain. She stood there for a moment longer as the tail swished again, whatever this dragon was waiting for it clearly thought it was hidden. She took a slow step towards the bush, lowering her head to be close to the ground. If I touched it...clearly it would be an illusion right? She reached out with one of her paws, and a silver wrymling bounded out of the bush. He held out his white membrane wings wide, and glared at her with his bright blue eyes.

He let out a small roar, clearly meant to be intimidating but Infinity chuckled at how adorable it was.

"I am warning you I am dangerous!" The wrymling shouts, puffing his small chest out. "I am the mighty Covrias!"

She just continued with her chuckling, this illusion if it was one was very cute. "Mmmmm." She studied him carefully from snout to tip, "Dangerous."

"What's your name?" Covrias asks, scampering way. "Yes I am very dangerous!"

"Infinity." She replied, feeling her eyes softening. Even though she knew it was an illusion she could not help it.

"Have you seen my mother?" He tilted his head to the side, bounding back towards her. "Her name is Seogheith." He held his head up high, looking in several directions. "She told me to wait here while she visited her friend about my sister Adalina."

"Your mother?" She asked, tapping her tail against the ground. She rose her snout to carefully look around to the trees. "I am sorry little one, I have not seen her at all."

"Drats." Covrias stomped the ground with a paw, and thrashed his tail. His head than drooped, "I just want to find her." He looks back up to her, his snout forming a smile. "But you're a good hunter right? You could help me find her!"

"Okay..where can we start?" She laughed, looking around. Momentarily forgetting she was talking to an illusion.

"Well.." the dragon looks around, than pointed with a black talon to the trees. "Maybe if we look in that direction. There was a river that way...I think i saw her last there." He let out small roar before bounding in the direction he had pointed. "Wait until you meet my mother. You are going to love her! She is stuck as a human at the moment." He wrinkles his snout, "Something about babies and my sister Adalina!"

She follows after him, but soon finds the wrymling is faster than he looks. She is soon far behind him, having already lost sight of him and following by scent alone. She swerved around a large tree, and slammed into another one it seemed. She fell backwards onto the ground, shaking her head as she held it in her paws. She blinked her eyes glaring up at tree, and realizing it was not a tree at all. But the towering form of a green dragoness. She was twice the size of Infinity, with scales that looked like glistening emeralds in the sunlight. She glared down at her with bright purple eyes with an amused look on her snout. Infinity felt herself shiver under the gaze of the large dragoness, and slunk away. Even for an illusion it was rather frightening.

"What seems to be the matter little one?" The dragoness says, slinking over with her bright white teeth on full display.

Infinity did not say a word as she continued to back away from the illusion. She hoped it was an illusion at least.

"Has a dwarf caught your tongue little whelp?"

"N-Nothing, you just startled me." Infinity found her voice, gulping.

"Oh good....You can talk."

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be able to?" She replied sarcastically.

'Oh my dear, that tone is one you do not take with me." The dragoness rose her head and glared down at her with a predatory look. "You don't even carry yourself like a dragon. Are you perhaps a mortal in disguise?" She snarled, snapping her snout closer. "Well...I suppose not." She rose her head once again to her full height. "Than what are you doing here........Unless...." Her eyes suddenly widened. "Ooooooo" The dragoness threw her head back and let out a loud deep laugh. That seeemed to radiate in the very air around her. "How did he keep YOU from me?" The dragoness once again looks down to her, her eyes starting to glow, as she gave one last chuckle.

Infinity continued to back away from the dragoness who would follow her with every step. She cocked her head to the side, confusion filling her mind.

"Why the look of utter confusion dear?" The dragoness moved closer and grabbed Infinitie's snout with her onyx taloned claw.

Infinity tried to jerk away from the dragoness. She started to try and look for the fakeness of the illusion. She had to dispel it right now, it was getting too real for her. Her eyes scanned the great emerald dragoness from head to snout, but finding nothing to help her dispel it. This is an illusion right?

The dragoness laughed, watching her movements. "I will put your little mind at ease...This is an illusion...But I can CLEARLY see you....Now what is your name little whelp, that is roaming around MY tower?" she spoke louder, her eyes starting to glow even brighter.

"Your tower?" Not the liches? Infinity trembled as the world around her faded away, until nothing remained but a black void around her and the dragoness towering over her.

"Well it once was anyway....But you trade in a few things...sacrifice some pieces for the greater game..."

Infinity nodded slowly. It seemed to be the safe thing to do.

"You have not answered me little black dragon." She started to circle infinity, "Your name...speak it."

"And why should I tell you?" Infinity glared at her, watching the other's movements carefully. She twitched her tail behind her, already tensing her muscles.

"Oh." She chuckled, "Such defiance in your eyes." She turned her head slightly to the side. "Because it's polite to answer your better."

"Well I would rather not until I get YOUR name." Infinity growled.

"Oh dearest...you nor anyone else gets my REAL name....That was given long ago to someone else..." The dragoness rose her head, staring off it seemed into the distance to something Infinity could not see. 'But you may call me THE EMERALD LADY."

"Than you won't get my name either. You may call me NIGHT RISING!" She spat out loudly, baring her teeth.

Emerald Lady just chuckled deeply in the back of her throat. "Oh Night Rising....You will be seeing me....and I cannot wait...." The dragoness faded away before her very eyes with one last chuckle.

Infinity blinked her eyes to find herself in the arena again, the sand covering her paws. She let out a breath of relief. She flicked some with her talons. How can I use her?