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Chapter 8

Alex and Runetide reached the shore a little over two hours later it was twilight by then, Alex walked out of the water he breathed out and he felt a burning on his neck, they were on a nondescript beach with sandy dunes and grassy foothills he looked around it was fully dark on the beach.

Remember Runetide said, no magic.

There was no moon the only illumination came from street laps on the top of the small hills the wind was blowing hard, sending I chill there Alex.

'Coast is clear' he said, he snorted.

Runetide rose slowly from the water cascading off her skin she crouched low using her tail she covered her tracks, in three strides she made it across the beach she grabbed Alex and placed him on the top of the hill, She was silent she took this sort of thing very seriously she didn't talk she just waited for me give the all-clear.

When Alex did Runetide Started and breathed in deep, 'it smells different here.'

'A good different?' Alex asked.

'salty' Runetide replied.

'K then' Alex said, 'not sure how to reply to that.'

'Ok' Runetide said, 'haven't been here in about a hundred and fifty years, but this looks like somewhere near what they call now the dragons cove, an ironic name.'

'Our target is in upper Archericon.'

'I'm aware of that' Runetide said, 'as the crow.-'

'Raven' Alex interjected.

Runetide sighed, 'as the raven' she emphasized, 'fly's it's only two hours.'

Alex yawned, 'I'm going to sleep.'

Runetide sighed, 'am I going to have to carry you?'

Alex raised his hands above his head.

Runetide sighed heavily and muttered something under her breath she picked up Alex and cradled him she started walking, the salty air permeating everything then she started to run, it was almost pitch black apart from lighthouse and light created by manmade lights, she moved like a shadow a brief flicker dismissed as a trick of the brain as soon as she was gone, trying not to jostle Alex as she moved further towards upper Archericon, she had to slow down be more careful she used her tail to carry Alex she was very careful not to wake him they would both need their strength she didn't know exactly what for, but she had a suspicion.

Once Runetide reached the more populated parts of Archericon however, she had two choices either go around which would mean another four or five hours going around the denser areas of human habitation, as it stood there weren't many places to hide as it was.

She gently lowered Alex to the ground unwrapping her tail she breathed in deep she prepared herself for what her dragons called compression, an incredibly painful process, Runetide would compress her body to make it smaller there where downsize, she became denser her reactions slowed it became an effort to walk let alone speak, being in this state also made dragons feel bloated and uncomfortable.

That was before the compression started as Runetide laydown, she remembered trying to explain it to Alex how it felt she smiled as she grabbed the nearest tree ripped it out of the ground and clamped it between her jaws.

She visualized the runes she had carved into the base of her skull, closed her eyes, it will all be over soon she thought she spasmed bit down on the tree trunk suppressing the raw of pain, the transformation only took in between ten and fifteen minutes but the pain made it seem like it took forever.

It feels like full-body constipation a concentrated burning pain in all over your body and about halfway through you get something like growing pains an intense pain that spreads through your bones, it feels like your bones are on fire it slowly spreads until it reaches your skull.

It felt strange being so small she was now only two meters tall, Runetide tried to stand but her legs failed she dragged herself up and leaned against the splintered remains of the tree, she was shaking she clenched her fists and breathed in she felt a hand on her shoulder he looked up she felt his had warm and the warmth spread through her, she gradually opened and closed her hands Alex helped her stand.

'You ok?' Alex asked concerned.

Runetide shook her head, it's just strange she looked Alex, I just feel so heavy.

She tried to take a step, but her body was slow she Started to fall Alex tried to stop her, but he just got dragged down as well.

Alex stood, 'Runetide we need- '

'I know' she snapped back, 'but this dam body' her ton softened, 'just, just give me ten more minutes.'

Alex nodded, 'you need another boost.'

Runetide tried to shake her head Alex got the message 'I will go and she about public transport and clothes.'

Alex left Runetide to get accustomed to her new body he went to Find them away to upper Archasia.

Runetide breathed in, struggling to rise she got on all fours and managed to get onto her knees she fell over twice, she felt presents around the edge of her mind she let it in.

are you ok the voice in her head said?

Fine, she replied.

no, you're not you don't you just use magic.

you of all dragons should know why we are all on her territory.

the other voice sighed.

what does it matter if she detects you?

You didn't know her you dad did I took enough of a risk with Alex lending me his strength I seeing as you have yet to tell me why I'm here I'd rather she did not know I was here.

It could take you days to adjust to your new body.

I know that but I have Alex hear to help.

And your appearance?

I will use some native magic.

Fair enough, how long until you are here?

Runetide paused, about an hour and a half.

See you then.

Runetide felt the presence leave her mind and concentrated on standing, by the time Alex returned Runetide had stated to walk haltingly but it was better than nothing.

She heard Alex exclaim as he fell, she almost laughed.

He emerged carrying a plastic bag and two transit cards.

Runetide walked slowly and mechanically towards Alex.

Alex sighed, 'Runetide you in no fit state to move.'

'no Alex if she knows. - '

'what are the chances that she already knows.'

'Alex. - '

'what is the chances' Alex over-road her.

'high' Runetide admitted.

'so, then why are you trying to put yourself through. - '

'I need. - '

Alex grabbed Runetide's hands 'Runetide' he said deadly serious 'look into my eyes you don't need to prove anything to me I know that you feel that you failed me, you got out alive you have trained me you made me better than I was' Alex embarrassed Runetide 'it's ok.'

I released Runetide She looked determined, 'right then' she said, 'let's do this.'

Runes glowed dimly on her shoulder and strength flowed through Runetide.

'How long can you keep this up for?' Alex asked.

Runetide flexed her hands enjoying having full dexterity back.

'I think maybe four hours so then another six to recharge, what did you get me?'

'I got you a dress sorry, I did need to estimate your size.'

Runetide held up the dress 'this is not going to fit me.'

'Well,' Alex said, 'you are two meters tall, you're taller than almost everyone I know, I'm only at waist height I don't know if I can even reach your shoulders.'

'That still doesn't change the fact that this dress won't even cover my legs.'

'well, they don't exactly make cloths for dragons now do they.'

Runetide consisted 'that's true the number of times I have almost tripped over my own tail, it's very uncomfortable to wrap your tail around your legs, but I digress.'

'Well you can't just walk into J-mart I don't think that people will react to a two-meter tall blue-skinned dragon.'

'Fair enough' star said, 'so what do we do?'

'I have to go in and a bigger dress' Alex said, sighing 'you should have seen the look I got from the cashier any way off I go.'

While Alex went to get a dress that would fit, Runetide worked on her face making it less dragon-y after some work using some illusion runes and the necklaces Alex had got her she slid it on her face was still there but to everyone else, she looked like a perfectly normal human, with a perfectly forgettable face Alex came back with a sea blue dress that would fit, she wrapped her tail around her legs and slid the dress on put on the black coat with a high collar and they were ready.

Runetide sent out a message, delayed fifteen minutes be there in two.

They taped on their transit cards and off they were, on the one-and-a-half-hour trip.

The carriages where mostly empty and it was still pitch black outside, but that didn't stop Alex looking out the window seeing the slow and gradual change from concrete jungle to forest by the station lights, by the time we reached upper Archericon Alex could actually see trees, he stepped out onto the lichen-covered ash felt the clock told him to two in the morning.

He could see from the vantage point that the station offered the general store which was closed and someplace called tin-pan alley an old-style pizza restaurant the town was called sky-would-way, it consisted of one two-lane main street covered in shops and highway that ran parallel separated by a train line that was cut deep in a valley, There were trees everywhere all gums and the like and grass.

Alex had Finished looking around he nodded to Runetide, she flowed him down to street-level as they exited the station, a small red car came by briefly blinding Alex Runetide held onto his shoulders.

'So, Alex asked what now?'

'We wait' Runetide said, with a forced claim.

So, they stood there it was bitterly cold Alex shivered.

Runetide put a hand on Alex's shoulder then a black van came around the corner at the top of the street, it came to a stop in front of us the sliding door opened, a man poked his head out he looked to be in his late seventies and was bolding he was wearing a plain red shirt, muddy brown eyes and glasses.

'Get in' he said in a gruff voice.

Alex jumped in Runetide had to almost bend over double to get inside the van, she shuffled around but was too tall to sit in any of the chairs, so she just sat on the ground the old man smiled

'let's go' he said his teeth were not in a good way.

We all sat in silence slowly rocking Runetide would occasionally have to grab onto something to steady herself.

I looked over at Runetide, 'you ok' I asked concerned.

'Yes,' she said, almost mechanically.

'What's got you so worried?'

'Well now that you mention, it how much can we trust those twelve after burning gods know how many worlds to the ground why would they change her minds all of a sudden? And why would anyone trust them.'

'Oh,' Alex said, 'I thought you might be worried about the fifteen dragons I have never met trying to eat me but yes, there's also that they could be lying.'

Runetide snorted and smiled sardonically, 'thanks for the words of support I for one have faith in your ability.'

Alex shrugged his shoulders; Runetide shook her head, 'we're all going to fucking die.'

Alex reached over and touched Runetide's arm, 'I'm sure it will all go Fine.'

Runetide nodded just then the van stopped.

'Ok,' the man said in his ruff voice, 'out ya get.'

I unbuckled and stood first the man put a hand on my chest, he nodded to Runetide 'you first.'

'For friends of yours,' Alex said, 'they seen rather jumpy.'

'They just want to make sure I'm me.'

Runetide stepped out and a massive black scaled hand grabbed her and lifted her up.

'Hay' Alex shouted

He pushed the man aside and jumped out of the van, he stopped Alex had gotten used to Runetide but this was something completely different, it was hulking massive it stood head and shoulders above Runetide Alex had seen male dragons but this one, he was massive arms the size of several trees he didn't have hair, instead it had spines and frills, two ram-like horns and on its back a set of wings demon-like and twice the size of the dragon it's self but the legs digitigrade, with three toes most unsettling where the eyes a burning crimson red.

Alex watched in horror as the massive dragon lifted Runetide up to its jaws, but it didn't open them only sniffed her.

'Runetide' it said in a deep guttural voice that was also somehow a whisper, 'it is good to Finally see you it has been too long,' it looked down at me I could feel my heart rate increase, 'and to see your friend in the flesh Finally.'

Runetide nodded 'yes,' she was not used to being in her current position, she was being to work out why humans tended to shit themselves when they first meet a dragon.

The black dragon laughed it was not pleasant, it lowered Runetide to the ground than in one swift movement picked up the van and crushed it with the people still inside Alex gasped Runetide didn't even flinch, the black dragon dropped the car it hit the ground with a deafening crash Alex looked up.

'sorry about that' but the deep guttural voice didn't contain a shred of sorrow that he could detect, Alex stepped back he could feel the adrenaline surging through him, Runetide's hand was in his shoulder he heard her voice in her head don't do it don't turn around just trust me.

I do but this one.-

I know she replied he can be a little overzealous but he didn't kill them they will wake up in the morning with no memory of what happened to remove the evidence, the black dragon he just wants to like to his now-dead father.

So, why is he letting these dragons through?

Runetide Stated speaking out loud 'I already explained this there's a war going on, one between Aborwrath and everyone else, if she and her friends come here, then earth needs to be ready' she sounded almost frustrated, 'plus' she continued, 'you have an interest in this working too.'

The black dragon nodded she's right you know humanity doesn't win if Aborwrath comes through and they're not ready.'

I looked up at the massive black dragon for what seemed like a very long time, 'ok' I said.

'Right' Runetide said, 'what did you call us to hear for?'

'You are one of the dragons with a strong connection with the planet, the black dragon said.

'Yes', Runetide said wondering where this was going.

'which means you hear and see things others don't.'

'So, you want me to spy for you' Runetide was confused 'why I through everything was going according to plan.'

'It was until one of our own betrayed us, she was unable to see past well her own past she had a history with Aborwrath she fought her on no less than three occasions and so was not open to an alliance for the sake of the earth, but she was not born on this earth she doesn't understand the way you do,'

Runetide nodded, 'so what do me and Alex have to do with this why are and more importantly who are we spying on?'

Although Runetide asked the question she already knew the answer she had suspected but Serafin was not here something must have happened.

'There is a child that goes to one of the schools around here by the name of Farren, we believe he has had contact with Serafin.'

'You didn't kill her?'

The black dragon sighed 'no I couldn't bring myself to do it, but she survived and escaped I'm am now regretting that decision.'

Runetide was relieved more than anything else three on one wasn't exactly fair, but still, she had known Serafin a long time and the shit she had been through and if they had she might be a little more inclined to rip the black dragons throat out then help him, but as it stood he was Gellot's son but still, he and the twins very realty spoke even back then when we were a tight-knit group but after the incident.

'Who is Serafin?' Alex asked, interrupting Runetide's thoughts.

Runetide was about to answer, but the black dragon cut her off.

'A traitor' he growled.

Is she? thought Alex thought then he gestured and the black dragon, 'you are here to stop Aborwrath coming through because she will try to exterminate the population, but then you hear a voice in your head calming to be dragons not loyal to Aborwrath and your just like' Alex did his best impersonation of the black dragon.

'yes, you have burned and committed mass genocide on no less than three worlds probably more, but you want to help these little guys out to they don't get their world burned.'

'Forgive me' Alex said, 'if this sounds a little dumb' Runetide put a warning hand on his shoulder Alex ignored it 'why not just influence humanity's technology yourself.'

The black dragon laughed shaking his head 'you don't get it do you your planet isn't the only one being threatened hell there are hundreds maybe thousands of worlds under threat from Aborwrath's grasp, she kills anyone who disagrees with her with every world destroyed her Amy's grow, if she finds dragons they either join her or die we are the lucky ones, we have survived multiple worlds thanks to both Runetide and Serafin, but we are not enough so when we hear someone offering us reinforcements of cores we say yes.'

'So, Serafin didn't see this' Alex asked.

'Sadly, no she was too blinded by her hatred of Aborwrath.'

'But she knows that this isn't the only world being attacked right?'

'yes.'

'What!' Alex was rather surprised, 'then why?'

'She was the leader of our little group me and the twins we mostly preformed a draconic version of guerrilla warfare, but things changed Serafin formed a friendship with one other human on world number three Aborwrath killed her and that happening only months after the destruction of her homeworld and then losing that world too, the burning hatred, it burned deep within her who knows what would happen she was already irrational and volatile.'

It had started to sink in, 'how are you all still alive' Alex asked in awe.

'Serafin gave us gives us randomly selected coordinates that will shift us to an inhabitable planet in this galaxy.'

'Then how does Serafin not want reinforcements?'

'We told her but she can be very unstable' he snorted, 'I would know' he rubbed his lower jaw, 'ever since the loss of Anna she has been a little jumpy especially when it comes to staying hidden, but then again given what happened last time I can understand that'.

'What happened' Alex asked intrigued.

'It doesn't matter I've gone off-topic' the black dragon looked at Runetide, 'this is going to be dangerous I understand that you and Serafin have a history.'

Runetide nodded 'yes that's why I'm here, but in what way is it going to be dangerous?'

'We need her to know that we have him which means.'

'Which means' Runetide interrupted, 'were going to have to do it Infront her Serafin.'

'Should I be concerned?' Alex asked.

'Yes,' Runetide said 'very I don't think Serafin is going to care very much whether or not we were friends once, she tends to be very protective of her friends and while we will be trying to grab Farren and get out of there, she will be trying her hardest to kill us or at least very badly hurt' she shook her head 'you should have seen what happened last time.'

'That's not going to happen' the black dragon said, 'we want you to grab him and use him if he has a connection to Serafin make her surrender then we let the other dragons in, then we see humanity grow then once they strong enough we may even start to fight back against Aborwrath, start a resistance.'

'cool sounds fun' Alex said, 'and after that what like we kill all the bad dragons hear and then we just move on Finding more to kill', the black dragon nodded, 'honestly' Alex said 'you had me up until the war with the dragons who are very likely going to slaughter us all.'

'I can't do anything about it, if you want your race so to survive then this is what needs to happen.'

Alex was shocked 'what? to save my race' he pointed at the black dragon, 'you just decided that to save my race get up caught up in a war we don't want any part of so, we can fight in a war'.

The black dragon nodded.

He turned to Runetide, 'you agreed to this.'

She seemed a bit defensive, 'well yes.'

'Why' Alex asked angrily, 'I sure as hell don't want to get involved is a galaxy-spanning war.'

'It doesn't matter what you think' the black dragon said, 'your race is set on its path it may take a century or two Aborwrath will find us again.'

Alex stood there he looked to Runetide he looked up at the massive black dragon, 'fuck' he almost shouted.

'Alex' Runetide said, 'we need you for this c'mon' she said.

The black dragon turned, 'the dragons are coming in a week we need Farren by then' he looked at me, 'you have a decision to make' and with that, he walked away.

'What do you know of this war?' Alex asked Runetide, 'it's not a pretty tail and by the sounds of it'

'Yes,' Runetide said it's not Aborwath wants dragons to own everything but we can only try to hold one planet at a time and if we fail Aborwrath destroys the planet, we use the magical surge to survive, to get to a new world as for Serafin, I have fought beside her before she is one dragon you don't want to fuck with' Runetide sighed, 'but if she tries in to interrupt the ritual that may result in the deaths of a dozen dragons.'

'Why?'

'She thinks that we are putting this planet at risk of invasion before we're ready and all she knows is that there are four other dragons, one she hasn't seen in a very long time me and three that have betrayed her and this world to Aborwrath, quite possibly the person she hates most in the universe and on top of that everyone else she knows is dead, or scattered threw out the known universe.'

Runetide turned to Alex, 'people in desperate situations to things that may be detrimental as in world ending, you don't need to agree just understand that if we can't control Serafin then she may end up killing us all.'

'how would she even do that?'

'by killing everyone.'

'yes,' Alex said exasperated 'but how.'

'by destroying the planet.'

'What' Alex froze 'she would do that?'

'I don't know,' Runetide said, 'remember she thinks that this is it she is the last dragon that can stand against Aborwrath and her army of deranged insane dragons humans and the like, she now may have a human she considers a friend but if destroying the planet will kill Aborwrath which it might if she is not prepared and save her and her friend, then Serafin may do it.'

'ok,' Alex said, 'I'm with you to save this planet.'