FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

-S-

** **"Lance!" I cried, trying to rouse him but to no avail. What was wrong with him!? Could a Rafflesia have gotten him?! I checked over his body and noticed a small gash in his armor near his shoulder. On closer inspection, I saw that along with the gash was a wound that leaked green pus. I knew pus was normally clear, so I knew this was no normal pus.

"Get him to the healers! Quick!" I ordered, alerting everyone that Lance had in fact been hit with Rafflesia poison. Necross took care of it and carried Lance over to the healers, placing him gently down on a makeshift bed. The healers went to work immediately as I tossed a light orb over their heads for better vision. The day was getting late and the sun offered us very little light. Everyone was just as worried for Lance, but we had to keep our distance from the healers to give them some working space. While that was happening, everyone kept themselves busy by cleaning up the base and burying the dead.

No warriors of the light had participated in this battle, on my orders, so I had to find something else to occupy my time with. Jace was busy restoring the land to its original state as to not alert any person who might come upon it. Kia was doing her best to help out, providing clean water by purifying the local water, Penelope was sweeping up the area with her wind magic, and Necross was helping with physical work. The best I could support the effort was providing some light with my magic. I would occasionally check back on Lance to see how he was doing, glad to know that he was improving.

His sudden collapse scared me. I thought it had been him using too much of his energy in the fight. If we had lost Lance this early, it would be a tragedy to us all. Lance...he may seem naïve and timid at times, but he had a strong heart. He just had to see what he was truly capable of. The other champions and I have been encouraging him to do so and I'm glad he's taking our advice. I wouldn't like to lose a friend like Lance. He's sweet, kind, and a fun person to be around. He and Necross seem to be good chums. They're always hanging out with each other.

As the last of the area was cleaned up, and everyone was returning home, Necross, Penelope, Kia, Jace, and I went to check on Lance again. We were glad to see that his breathing was normal and the poison had been cleansed from his body. He was sound asleep and needed his rest.

"I'm glad he's okay. Thankfully it was only just a small dose of the poison," Kia commented.

"It takes a lot of strength to fight against a Rafflesia's poisons. He's a tough one all right," Jace added.

"He saved my life, so I'm glad he's alive too," Penelope said, still grateful for his timely rescue.

My hand lightly touched his shoulder, "You were amazing Lance. I'm glad to have a friend like you," I said, making him stir and speak my name for a second.

"Aww...he's dreaming about you!" Kia squealed, clapping her hands lightly. I blushed at her comment and thought of what he was dreaming about that involved me in it.

"Do you think he likes Silnis?" Penelope joined in with Kia.

"He could! They would make a totally cute pairing though!" Would we? Why was I thinking about this!? Ugh. . . .

"You wouldn't mind it though would you?" Necross whispered, looking at me with curious eyes.

"N-No...I don't mind if he likes me in that way...," I softly said as to keep Kia and Penelope from hearing. I've never been in an actual relationship before, but I knew that I liked guys more than girls. I've just been busy with The Elements and schoolwork to consider a love life.

"So you're fine with it?" he asked.

"Yes. . . I'm fine with it. It's his life and he can live it how he chooses, " I defended.

Necross just smiled and ruffled my hair playfully, "I was just curious. No need to get riled up. Besides. . . you two would definitely make a nice pair. " He winked before I turned away, flushing crimson red.

"L-Let's all head back home. It's getting late. Will someone help me return Lance home?" I asked. Necross volunteered and I summomed a portal for us. Jace and the others left through a seperate portal as Necross carried the sleeping Lance in his arms and followed after me through the portal. We appeared in his room and Necross set him down on his bed. Thankfully his armor had changed back into his normal clothes or else a fire would have started in his room.

"Sweet dreams bud," Necross wished him, pulling the blanket over him.

"Good night Lance," I wished him, my armor flashing back into my clothes before Necross and I stepped back into the portal. We both arrived back in Pacema's Sanctuary and I immediately headed towards the Private Quarters, Necross walking to another part of the sanctuary.

My room was built the same as everyone else who slept in the Private Quarters, but I furnished and decorated mine with items of my own tastes. I had a queen-sized bed with dark blue sheets and a pair of pillows, a metal desk that sat in the corner, a small stereo system, and a shelf of storage bins for numerous things I kept. There was also a small walk-in closet that I kept most of my clothes in. I quickly changed into my sleepwear: a pair of lounging pants and a t-shirt. Lying on my bed, my mind thought back to the events of the day--particularily Lance. He really did so much for us today. It's hard to believe that he defeated the Earth Guardian, but he did. It would have taken all of our efforts if Lance had not been a part of our team. I chuckled, thinking that fate had probably led him to us. Kia and Penelope's conversation from before remained in my head, troubling me. Did Lance really like me that way? I wouldn't know what to say if he confessed to me. I couldn't say no. Who knows how he would take it? Besides...he's not that bad looking. I mean...he is my type of guy: strong, handsome or cute, fit, kind, shy at times...--let's just go with gentle giant. Wait...why was I thinking about this?! Ugh...I never understood love and its workings.

Iris popped his head over my bed and I reached out to pet him. He hissed in delight, nuzzling against my hand. Glancing over at my clock, I saw that it was only 9:30 pm. It was too early for me to sleep anyways. Maybe a walk would take my mind off romance for a while.

"Come on Iris. Let's go for a walk," I suggested, walking out of my room as he followed after me.

-N­­-

"Hah! Argh!" My fists met with leather as I threw some punches at the punching bag hanging before me. I was strong enough as it is, but a little training never hurt. Besides...it helped me to let off some steam, especially after today's events. I punched the bag one last time before throwing a kick that sent it flying upwards before swinging back down. I stopped it easily by grabbing it and unhooked it before setting it down with the rest. Taking a seat on the bench, I wiped myself off with a towel as I thought about Lance. That dragon...getting hit by a Rafflesia and still going up against an Earth Guardian. He impressed me more and more. That only made me like him further, in more than one way.

"So this is where you were at Necross," I heard Silnis say from beside me, smiling his usual smile.

"Oh, didn't hear you coming in Silnis," I said, scooting over to allow him to sit.

He took the seat and played with Iris for a bit, the snake loving the attention he was receiving, "So Necross...what's your opinion about Lance? I'm just curious." I had to chuckle, remembering my conversation with Lance starting out with a similar question.

"He's a strong person with a big heart, but he still needs to realize his true potential. I know he'll find it eventually," I simply put it, content with my answer.

"Is that all? I was expecting you to say more than that. You and Lance seem to be good friends," he stated, petting Iris while talking to me at the same time.

"Well...I think he's very cute. I especially love it when he blushes. It just makes me like him even more. He's just the right amount of strong and delicate for me to be the dominant one. He would make such a wonderful submissive partner in bed...blushing and being so timid. Grr...he riles me up just as much as someone else does...," I told Silnis, unashamedly letting out my feelings for the smaller topaz dragon. I looked at him and he didn't seem fazed at all by my confession. Instead...he giggled.

"So that's why your so close to him?! Oh Necross...I should have known! Hehe...no wonder why you're always being so playful around him! This explains it all!" he concluded, still giggling, "So who's this other person you like?" So...he didn't know? Hmm...I'll make him guess, just for fun.

"You should know him of all people Silnis! He's a very close friend of mine, and he's always been there for me. Any guesses?" I asked, not expecting a final answer. He shook his head, clueless, "Ok...let's see...he's very kind, compassionate, strong-hearted, loyal, smart...sounding familiar?"

"Jace!? But's he and Kia are together!" he assumed, shocked.

"No!" I laughed, enjoying this little game.

"Well it can't be Cody. I can tell he's not your type. It can't be Tec either.... How about another hint?" he asked, trying to figure out my "mystery" lover/crush.

"He doesn't give up in a fight. He'll do whatever he can to win the battle. And if anyone he cares for gets hurt, you better watch out! He has two personalities, but doesn't know it. He adores seafood, and can't get enough of sweets," I went on, seeing a slow dawn of realization coming into his eyes. My heart was beating faster, ecstatic that I was going to confess my feelings to Silnis, "He's beautiful like the moon, sweet, one of the most lovable people in this world, the only human I've ever fallen in love with, and his name is...."

"Silnis...," he answered, referring to himself.

"That's right Silnis...I love you," I told him, leaning in as he looked at me with those gorgeous silver eyes of his, "And I'll prove it...." With two inches of space separating us, I went in and pressed my muzzle against his lips. My extended tongue snaked into his mouth and tasted every corner of his maw. I shivered slightly, having one of my long-desired fantasies come to fruition. My body and mind was screaming with heavenly joy.

"N-Necross...," he gasped through the kiss, but I ignored him and pressed further into his mouth. My hands instinctively wrapped themselves around Silnis and pulled him tighter against my exposed chest. His hands touched my chest and it sent vibes of pleasure up my body. Silnis started to push away from me slightly and I quickly received the message, stopping myself before I did something I would regret.

"Silnis...," I whispered, my eyes swirling into a pink hue. I hoped he could see and feel the love I held for him. If he could accept my love and return the feeling, than I would be complete...well partially. There was Lance too, but I'd get to him sooner or later.

"N-Necross...I never knew you...liked me that way," he said, blushing and averting his eyes from mine. I chuckled to myself, seeing how cute Silnis was being in front of me. He only made me love him even more!

"Well it was kind of your fault actually," I teased, making him look at me with shock and confusion.

"What did I do!?" he questioned. I laughed and gave him a peck on the cheek, turning up his blush by another level.

"I'm just teasing you, but I've had a crush on you for the longest time. You helped me out of my terrible life, being my light in the darkness, and you attracted me like a moth. Silnis, you saved me when I needed help most, and now I want to repay you...," I said, my gaze never leaving his.

"So this is just repayment?! Necross...I don't understand...," he said, baffled.

"No, this isn't a simple debt I'm repaying you. Silnis, I truly love you, but there is no good way I can repay you. So if you'll let me love you, and return that love, then I will repay you with my own life. If anyone wants to hurt you...they'll have to go through me first," I proposed, giving him a serious expression.

"Necross...you would do that for me? I-I just don't know what to say. This is just so...sudden!" he commented, "I-I need time to think...."

"Take all the time you need. I'm a patient dragon," I stated, not wanting to pressure him. He sighed, head in hands as Iris loomed near his face, tilting his head in puzzlement, "But know this Silnis...even if you never give me a reply, I'll still protect you." He considered this thought, standing and moving forward two steps. He paced back and forth, Iris slithering behind his footsteps as he contemplated everything I had just said.

"So Lance...you love him too?" he asked me, receiving a nod. Would Silnis not approve of a polygamous relationship? "How is this going to work Necross? For me at least.... I've never been in a relationship before. What if I mess up? What if I don't live up to what you expect of me?" His eyes looked to the floor, lost and confused.

"Hey...don't worry if you mess up. And knowing me, I would never think anything bad about you. All you need to do is be yourself. That's all," I tried to console him, putting away my playful side for his sake at the moment. I gave him a friendly hug, not feeling any resistance from him. That was good at least.

"I still need to think about this Necross. I'll...see you in the morning...good night," he told me, breaking away from my embrace before leaving the room. He glanced back at me and offered me a small smile before disappearing behind the door.

"Good night," I said, wondering if this would harm my current relationship with Silnis. No, Silnis wouldn't do that. He was to good-hearted to sever our friendship over a simple love confession. I just needed to give him some room and time. For now...I would play the waiting game. But, there was Lance. Hmm...I have flirted with him in the past before. Maybe it was time to step up the game? I chuckled to myself, thinking of some new ways to romantically tease Lance.

-L-

We were having such a blast! The dining hall was filled with champions and warriors alike! Music played as we all conversed and hung out. It was nice to see everyone having a good time together. Everything was so perfect here and now. Nothing could go wrong!

"Hey, Lance, you daydreaming again bud?!" Necross approached me from behind, slapping my back playfully.

"Nah, just thinking about how awesome this party is," I told him, taking a sip from my soda can.

"Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more," he said, giving me a small peck on the cheek. Strangely enough, I didn't blush or get embarrassed. Instead, I smiled at Necross like him kissing me was common.

"Haven't had enough of me yet?" I questioned, grinning. He growled in a low tone, moving his head closer to mine.

"You know me Lance. I can never get enough of you two...," he said, winking.

"I'll say," Silnis commented, walking up to us with the brightest smile, "You two enjoying the party so far?"

"Do you need to ask?" I replied, receiving chuckles from the two of them.

"It's a great party Silnis. Just like you my little light bulb," Necross teased, tousling with his hair again like he always does.

"Ugh, sometimes I envy you two dragons for not having hair.... Anyways, the slow dances are going to start. Any one of you two care to be my first dance of the night?" he asked us, reaching out a hand as an open invitation. Necross and I exchanged glances, both of us wanting to jump at the opportunity. Should I? Hmm...why not?! I reached for Silnis' hand and found that Necross did the same, our hands touching each other's.

"Oh, you can go first Necross," I offered, pulling my hand back.

"No...let's all go...together," he proclaimed, grabbing my hand and Silnis' before pulling us onto the dance floor. The pop music from before tuned down to a slow and gentle dance music. I didn't know how this was going to work with three partners, but somehow Necross made it work. Holding each other's hands, we swayed our bodies back and forth. It was awkward at first when I noticed that we were the only ones on the dance floor, but Kia and Jace soon joined us. Within minutes we were surrounded with dancing pairs.

"This is quite romantic...," Silnis noted, smiling to himself.

"We could make it even more romantic by-" Necross was about to suggest when I cut him off.

"Don't even think about it." We all chuckled, continuing to slow dance with each other. I gazed into Silnis' silver eyes, noticing just how pristine and beautiful they were. His hair still smelled like his shampoo from this morning. And the way the trail of blood from his forehead flowed down the side of his face...wait...blood!? There was blood coming from Silnis' head, and his clothes started to tear and rip in several places. His clothes blurred and I could see his armor start to shift into form.

I pulled away from the dance, bumping into another dancing pair and reeled away in horror when I saw that two gaping holes appeared in their chests, blood gushing out. Looking back at my partners, I saw that Necross had switched to his armor which was battered and missing some parts. Blood stained some parts of his body as he and Silnis continued to dance without noticing that I was gone. I felt my clothes start to shift and noticed that I too was covered in blood and beaten. What was going on!?

"The end...," A sinister voice whispered inside my head before the dining hall burned away to a different place--a battlefield, specifically New York City. Everyone had suddenly changed their positions, frozen in mid-strike. The city looked just like any other battlefield in a movie: cloudy, gloomy, bloody, and chaotic. Turning myself around, I got a full view of the horrific battle. What used to be the streets were now covered in countless bodies. The warriors were busy fighting monstrosities of a wide diversity, some familiar.

Taking a step forward, time continued and I was quickly forced into the battle. My sword appeared just in time for me to impale a demon in the chest. My body, which was full of life and energy before, quickly drained itself in seconds! A hellhound jumped at me from atop a car and I threw my sword up to slice it in half. Gods...my sword was getting heavier to lift. I was too fatigued.

A high-pitched scream echoed out before a beam of light shot down from atop a building and incinerated a line of unfortunate monsters. A ball of light shot down and blinded a majority of the monsters in the area before Silnis flashed down and slew the disoriented monsters.

"Fight on! Do everything you can to stop them!" Silnis commanded, easily dispatching a shadow wraith until another shrill shriek pierced the sky. Silnis reacted quickly and flashed out of the way before another light beam shot down where he had been standing before. He reappeared on top of a car and shot out a volley of homing light missiles that were aimed at a building roof. A blurred figure quickly disappeared in a flash of light before reappearing behind Silnis and meeting blades with him. I couldn't see who it was. Their entire body was being distorted by light that it was hard to depict what they looked like.

"Enough games Silnis! Time to end this once and for all!" the person exclaimed before tripping Silnis, jumping back, and sending out their own light missile at the car, exploding it with Silnis.

"Silnis!" I cried, running towards him before a pillar of fire stopped me. I should have been immune to fire and heat, but I cringed at the flames before me.

"Wanting to help your mate so badly Lance? Too bad, because you're going to have to get through me first!" a familiar voice said to me. The flame pillar dispersed and standing before me was an imposing figure. His facial features were indiscernible as flames covered it like a mask, only revealing his red eyes that seethed with rage. Before I could react, he threw a punch to my muzzle, sending me flying back a few feet. A broadsword appeared in his hands, the blade red in blood. Grasping my own sword, I charged at him. He dodged my attacks, actually grabbing my sword by the blade and pulling it away from my grip. The butt of my sword slammed into my gut and made me crumble to the ground. My adversary was merciless as he gripped my head in his large hands, lifting me up effortlessly and crushing my skull little by little.

"So weak...you have already lost! You and your fellow champions have all lost! The Elements have seen this day coming and tried in vain to prevent it, but their efforts are wasted! You and all of your friends' efforts were wasted! Gaze upon your precious Elements as they will all fall one by one!" he exclaimed, flames from his hands swimming into my eyes with searing pain. I saw each Element's hall being surrounded by demonic monsters, led by a Chosen of Chaos. The champion and warriors of each Element tried their best to defend the hall, but I watched as our forces quickly fell by the enemies' overwhelming numbers. I was shown the final moments of each of my friends as they valiantly tried to put up a last fight, but were swiftly killed by their chaotic opposites. Finally I saw each Chosen of Chaos approach an Element, grasping a dark orb in their hands. Holding the orbs out, a wave of dark energy enveloped the Element, a dark laughter being heard as the Elements all cried out in pain.

One by one I saw an Element fall to the darkness, breaking the balance of the world. The wind would die, the water would surge towards the land, and the earth would shatter and break apart. Chaos had finally broken Balance and now ruled the world.

"No! No!!" I screamed, hearing the sinister laughter in my mind.

"Soon...," it hissed. I woke up, gasping for breath as I fell out of bed and knocked over my nightstand. My lamp shattered and my parents were in my room in a split second.

"Lance! What's wrong sweetie!?" My mom screamed, running over and holding me as I finally regained my breath and was panting hard now.

"I-I...had a bad dream.... I-It's nothing!" I lied, not wanting to repeat that dream to my parents.

"It's nothing!? Son, you knocked over your nightstand and broke your lamp! And you're breaking out in cold sweats for crying out loud!" My dad pointed out. With a shaky hand, I touched my face and felt the cool touch of sweat.

"Do you want to talk about it dear?" My mom asked me in a soothing tone.

"N-No. I'm good. Can you two just...go back to bed?" I asked them.

"Are you sure dear? I'm worried for you and-"

"Please...mom," I said, trying to refrain from yelling at them. She thought for a moment before nodding, leaving with my dad.

"If you need anything, we'll be right in our room, okay?" she said. I nodded, hearing them close the door as I sat on my floor, thinking about that freak dream I just had. No...it couldn't have been a dream! I-It was a vision.... A vision of the future.... "Soon..." is what the voice had said. Soon....