6- Fire & Lightning
#8 of The Legend of Rift Book II: Resurrection
"I'm coming with you"
Rift's jaw dropped in disbelief, his eyes locked with the black dragons. He simply stared for a few moments, before straightening up and sneering.
"No, you aren't. I stayed here like you asked, ate your food, and now I'm leaving, by myself." He stated firmly, stomping his foot to emphasise.
"I already told you that I can't in good conscience let you go out there to get yourself killed. Seeing as though you insist on leaving so soon, the only option I can think of is to accompany you." Sithris said, tightening the straps around him. "Besides, I assure you I can be to your benefit, should anything happen"
Fed up with having to deal with this crazed dragon, Rift strode across the ground towards him, flames crackling from his maw menacingly before a crippling pain shot through his chest. He fell to the floor, the pain forcing him to curl up. A few agonizing minutes passed, before the pain finally died down and allowed him to uncurl.
He glanced up slowly, expecting to see a look of triumph but instead finding a look of sadness and sympathy on Sithris' face. A paw was offered to him, but he turned his head away and shakily forced himself to his feet.
I don't want him to come... but he's right. I can hardly move without aching. If that happens again in a fight, I'm done for. And I can't do much if i'm dead. He thought, huffing in defeat and turning towards the door. "Fine! But as soon as I'm better, you leave me alone."
Sithris nodded and smiled. "Deal. However, I'm going to lock down your fire for a bit. Just until I'm sure you're not going to try and roast me. Now, shall we..?" He asked, waving his paw in a gesture to the door.
Rift went to snarl but turned as he heard a slight fizzling noise, and watched as the door swung open slowly. Light shone through the second door, and Rift was all too eager to get out into it.
"Fine. Whatever. Let's just go..." He said begrudgingly, dragging his feet as he walked outside, followed by a smiling black dragon.
Six hours had passed, and they had stopped for the third time. Rift was lying on his belly, his head pressed to the floor and his front paws pressed to his ears. Sithris had insisted on taking breaks so Rift wouldn't push himself too hard, but every time they had stopped, Sithris had started humming.
If he doesn't stop... I may have to kill him. It doesn't even have any rhythm to it! He's just humming for the sake of it! Rift thought, glancing over and growling.
"Would you please stop?"
The black dragon turned away from the little metal contraption he was fiddling with and gave Rift a confused look.
"Stop? But I'm almost finished. If I've done this properly, it should be able to-" He began, before Rift cut him off.
"Not that thing, the humming! It's driving me insane!" He snapped, rubbing the side of his head.
Sithris blinked, his head tilting.
"Humming? Oh, was I? I hadn't even noticed. My apologies." He said, giving Rift a smile before returning to his contraption.
Rift sighed in relief and closed his eyes, relaxing for a few minutes before he heard it again. He snapped his head towards Sithris, rage in his eyes. He opened his muzzle to start yelling, but was cut off as Sithris stood up and spoke before him.
"Alright, we can start moving again." He said turning to Rift and smiling. "Don't just sit there surprised. Come on!"
Rift felt his eye twitch, before he shook his head and stood, leading the way again.
A few hours, another break and a pain attack later; the sun had dipped below the horizon, the night lit by the stars. Sithris had started a small fire, which had taken far longer than it should have.
"We could have had that fire earlier if you'd just let me use my fire." He grumbled, his tail flicking around impatiently.
Sithris simply shook his head, back to focusing on the small contraption of his. "I already told you I would prefer you to not toast me. Besides, I don't know the full extension of this wound. You had a pain attack right after you tried to use fire. There could be a link."
Rift sighed and went back to watching the flames, his eyes instinctively flicking around him whenever he heard something in the woods around him.
"You seem to have made some enemies." Sithris said, not lifting his head. "Perhaps too many for one dragon to deal with?"
Rift scoffed, raising his front and shaking his head. "I didn't make any enemies. I was happy being wit- alone. They came to me. They attacked for no reason."
Sithris nodded slowly, putting his metal object into one of his pouches. "Regardless, I believe these enemies of yours aren't planning to simply leave you alone," he said, turning his head out towards the dark. "Are you?"
Rift went wide eyed, bolting to his feet as he heard a cackle.
"You are right on that front, Dragon. But your orange friend is mistaken. He lives, therefore, he has made us as enemies."
Both dragons watched as a figure strolled up towards them, stopping at the edge of the fire's light. Black eyes shone in the darkness, lips peeled back to show the sneering grin of the ape Rift had come to despise.
A growl rumbled in his throat and his claws dug into the ground. "FeS! Didn't have enough last time?"
FeS sneered and brandished his sword, pointing it at Sithris. "Do not think so highly of yourself whelp. We would have had your head, were it not for this one."
Rift turned to Sithris, who had casually stood up and brushed himself off. He went to stop him, but Sithris began speaking.
"Ahh, I thought you looked like one of the creatures I had sent scurrying. Now, may I ask what we owe this visit to?"
FeS shook his head slowly, his smirk never leaving. "You are dumber than you look dragon, and that's saying a lot. We were going to take his head and be done with it, but now you have shown us we need yours as well."
Sithris tilted his head, looking around as a circle of apes slowly surrounded them. Cackling and chittering filled the air, the light of the fire seeming to be the only area of safety.
"I do not wish to relinquish my head, as I tend to use it occasionally." Sithris said, rubbing his neck. "Would you care for something else?"
FeS lowered his head and laughed. "Funny creature. I will give your head a pretty mantle when I hang it. We may stuff your body and use it for target practise too"
Sithris nodded, lowering his chest and stretching. "I suppose there is no way to talk you out of it then. Shall we set the rules then?"
A roar of laughter surrounded the two dragons, and even Rift gave Sithris a funny look.
"Rules!?" FeS spat. "What makes you think you can set rules!?"
Sithris gestured around at the circle of apes. "Well, there are many more of you than there are of us. While we may be naturally bigger and more durable, I do not believe the sheer number against us is very fair"
Rift fought hard to not slam his head into the ground. Is he serious!? We're outnumbered a thousand to one, and he's taunting them!?
FeS grinned, stepping forward into the light of the fire. His brown fur lit up, showing the patches and lines of baldness from scars. "Alright dragon, I'll set you your rules. We will fight. We will win. You will die. Understand?"
Sithris smiled, a smile that seemed way to kind in this situation. "Ahh, you have humor. Well, Fes, was it? It was good to meet you. Let us begin then."
Rift looked around him in a panic, watching as the apes began to close in. He turned to Sithris, shaking his head slightly.
"What now, genius? All you've done is rile them up" He hissed, pressing his side to him and facing the other way.
"Rile them up?" Sithris asked, glancing up to the sky. "Oh, I was simply intending to stall."
Rift turned to him, disbelief flicking across his face.
"Stall!? For what!?" He growled, following his gaze up.
The night had gotten a lot darker all of a sudden. The stars had become obscured, and the moon shone only as a dim light through the thick blanket of clouds that had rolled in.
"I smelt rain earlier, and a higher level of static in the air, so I knew we had this incoming. I was just hoping to let it reach us first." Sithris stated, spreading his wings. "Do you think you could hold them off for a moment?"
Rift looked around quickly at all the blades and weapons that were quickly getting closer, shaking his head as a drop of water hit his nose.
"Hold them off!? For how long!? Why!?"
Sithris looked at him, smiling as a flash of lightning cracked across the sky. A small hint of that madness from earlier shone through.
"Oh, not long. Just gotta make a quick fly."
Rift swallowed and nodded slowly, putting his trust into this dragon. "What have I got to lose?"
Sithris nodded, crouching down and bracing. "Your life." He said, before launching himself into the air.
Rift turned his attention back to the apes, most of which had turned their attention to the dragon that appeared to be fleeing.
"Ha, for all his talk, he sure left you quickly" FeS sneered. "No matter, we'll hunt him down next. Apes, ATTACK!"
Rift sighed and lowered his head, quickly pulling on all the energy he could muster. I hope you got something Blacky, I can only do this once...
He closed his eyes and rose off the ground slightly as ring of light appeared around him. It drew closer to him as he curled up, pulling the flames from the campfire towards him. All at once, he opened his fiery eyes and spread himself out, launching all his energy as a ring of fire that burned through the first couple circles of apes. Screeches filled the air as all the campfire went out, the only light around caused by the flaming apes.
Rift fell to the ground, panting and shivering with weakness as all his energy left him. He looked up, seeing the dark silhouette of Sithris above him. "Your... turn..."
Sithris beat his wings quickly, rain hitting his body harshly. He caught the flash of bright light below him, but didn't slow down to look. He'll be okay...
Reaching the height he needed, he stopped and hovered, glancing around quickly.
"Come on... come on..."
A flash filled the sky nearby, and he grinned. "Perfect."
He reached up and pulled his goggles on, before turning his body down and beginning to fall. The wind whistled past him, his wings pulled close to his body. He looked down, seeing the apes begin to overwhelm the orange dragon.
A loud screech filled the air, and he quickly spread his wings out, holding himself firm as a bolt of lightning hit him. His eyes squeezed closed, and he fought every other muscle in his body to hold himself aloft.
Rift weakly threw apes off of himself, his stamina rapidly disappearing. He looked up just as Sithris began to fall, watching with confusion as the black dragon plummeted. What is he...
He gasped as a bright light filled the sky, forcing him to quickly close his eyes and look away. All the apes around him seemed to have suffered the same, as the attack on him seemed to stop for a moment.
A loud thump filled his ears, and dust flicked up against him. Risking a look, Rift cracked open his eyes and looked in stunned silence.
Sithris stood before him, but he was different. His normally black body seemed to practically glow and hum. His wing membranes had turned a bright blue, with arcs of electricity jumping around them. Small black spines ran down his spine, sparks connecting each one down to his tail.
The very air seemed to crackle with energy, and Rift found it difficult to breath. Sithris stood for a moment, before tensing and roaring. The roar sounded hollow, with a high pitched screech carrying all around them. His wings spread, and the arcs glancing across them lanced out around, hitting the ground and apes without mercy. Holes were blown into the dirt and creatures alike, until a large circle around them was littered with bodies.
Rift shivered as Sithris turned to him, and watched as he offered a paw.
FeS snarled with hatred and spoke in a foreign tongue, fading away into the darkness. "You're both dead. All alive, retreat!"
Sithris stood, motionless, still holding his paw out to Rift.
Rift sighed and lowered his head. Grumbling to himself, he pressed his paw into Sithris'. "Don't think this makes us friends."
Sithris simply nodded, and Rift gasped as his paw clenched involuntarily. His body locked up for a moment, before he suddenly felt his energy returning. He gasped as his muscles seemed to move without any effort on his part.
"W-what's happening!?"
Sithris smiled slightly. "A temporary energy boost. It'll run out shortly, but we need to move now."
Rift attempted to nod slowly, but his head whipped around rapidly. He was pulled to his feet, and Sithris glanced around.
"Which way?"
Rift looked around, his surroundings lit up by the light given off by his companion. He found the way they had come from, and pointed back in the direction of travel.
Sithris nodded, and began to sprint. Rift wondered how he was ever going to keep up, but found his body zooming across the ground. Some way to travel...
Rift collapsed as they reached a clearing, the miraculous energy that had flowed through him suddenly disappearing. He panted, his earlier exhaustion returning. Sithris laid next to him, his body having resumed it's normal appearance.
Sithris looked around, whistling softly as he ran his eyes over the beautiful lake they had come across. "A very nice place... How much further till we reach our destination?"
Rift managed to slow his breathing down, and froze as he saw where they were.
"Home..." he breathed softly.
Sithris turned to him, going wide eyed before turning back to the view, his gaze noticing a hole in the large stone behind the lake. He nodded slowly, before turning back to Rift.
"Come on then, let's get you in and out of the rain."
Rift dragged himself back to his feet and stumbled across the clearing. Stopping for a moment at a wooden cross, he lead Sithris into the cave. He headed straight for his bed, collapsing on it and sighing in exhaustion.
Sithris sat and glanced around, taking in his surroundings.
"Nice place." He said, smiling slightly as he got a grunt in response.
Curling up and resting his head on his tail, Sithris flicked his eyes around the cave. He was about to doze when he heard a sigh, and watched as Rift stood up.
"You really should be res-" He started.
"I will, i just have to check something. Stay here." Rift said, turning tail and heading out of the cave.
Sithris lifted his head for a moment, before nodding and laying it back down. "Don't be too long"
The sound of thunder woke sithris from his daze, and he glanced around quickly.Where... oh, right... He turned to the bed, expecting to see the orange dragon, but only seeing the empty bed. I must of been out from a bit, where is he then..?
Pulling himself to his feet, Sithris poked his head outside the cave. The rain had gotten worse, striking the ground with enough force to leave little divots in the dirt. Lightning flashed in the distance, briefly lighting up the surroundings. Looking over towards the woods they had come from, he saw a flash of orange at the other side of the lake.
The rain masked the sound of him trenching through the mud, but did nothing to mask the sound of whimpers as he got closer to Rift. He ran his eyes over the orange dragon, who was curled around the wooden cross they had passed earlier. If it hadn't been for the whimpering, the water running from his eyes might have been mistaken for the rain.
"R-Rift..?" He whispered, not sure what to do.
He heard a sniffle, before Rift raised his head.
"I told you to stay inside the cave." He stated plainly, staring at the cross.
"I... You didn't come back. I was worried. With your injuries, death isn't an impossibility." Sithris said, turning his head away.
Rift sighed slightly, a sob being choked down. "Death isn't a worry. I already died when I lost her."
Sithris turned back to him, meeting his eyes. They were hollow, like he was missing a vital part of himself. He turned to the cross, a simple thing made with a couple of sticks. Putting the pieces together, Sithris nodded slowly and hung his head.
"Your mate, I presume?"
Rift simply nodded.
"My sincerest condolences. I had no idea."
The two stayed in silence for a while, before Sithris swallowed and lifted his head.
"Come on, I understand you are hurting, but it's not good for you to be out in the cold and wet all night. We had an exhausting trip, and you need to rest."
Rift shook his head, curling closer around the cross.
"You go. I'll... see you in the morning..."
Waiting for another moment in hope he would change his mind, Sithris sighed and turned away, walking back towards to cave.
Stifling his desire to cry, Rift curled up tightly against himself, his wings the only shield from the weather.
"I will find a way to fix this... I will see you again. I promise."