LOGINElaina stepped out of the small cabin, brushing her hair back as her eyes adjusted to the morning light. Then she saw Drake standing a few steps away, looking already dressed and prepared.She could tell there was something different about him so she approached him. “I noticed you didn’t sleep much last night.”“You are right, I didn't” he replied while avoiding her gaze.She frowned and asked, “Is everything alright, Drake?.”A brief silence followed before Drake spoke again. “I’m leaving.”She paused brushing her hair, clearly surprised, “Leaving to where?”“For Cradle of Flames today,” he added as he finally turned to look her in the eye. The determination in his eyes made her still.“Today?” she repeated, her brows drawing together. “But why the sudden rush?”Drake sighed “Because waiting is costing us more than we realize.” he answered. Elaina shook her head in disagreement, “But we’ve been waiting for the right moment…”“And what if that moment never comes?” Drake cut in, his t
Elaina hesitated, unsure of if it was appropriate to tell him what Ryker wanted a secret. Then she thought that it probably didn't matter anymore, she had already seen it. So she answered, “Drake…”“What is it?”“It’s Ryker… During our training, I found a huge weight of sadness in his mind, it was twice as huge compared to other emotions and worse still, he had built a wall around it to hide it”“Sadness? Wall? I don't understand, what does that mean?” Drake asked, more concerned now. Elaina sighed, “I tried to ask him about it but he was reluctant to answer and then I lost control and unintentionally forced him to tell me… he's been struggling badly with his farm…” She then proceeded to tell him everything in detail and the more she went on, the more Drake's frown deepened. “Your power… You can control memories and cause temporary hypnosis? Fearsome!” he commented, finding it hard to choose between being impressed or worried.Then he paused and looked in the direction that Ryker ha
Days passed too quietly, waiting had never been easy, but this kind that came before war felt heavier than most. So instead of letting it get to her, Elaina chose not to sit still. If she could not fight yet then she would prepare.The clearing behind the hideout had become their training ground, it was secluded and shielded by tall trees that kept wandering eyes away. So on that day, Elaina stood facing Ryker for training.Drake leaned against a nearby tree with his arms folded, watching quietly.“Again,” Ryker said, stepping back.Elaina nodded and she closed her eyes briefly, centering herself the way Drake had taught her and focusing on the energy around her. She had been using her free time to learn more about her dragon powers from Drake and Ryker, and it was during the early stages that she discovered that she had the power to delve into any dragon’s soul. She used a deep connection like she did with dragons at the tower back then, to enter into their consciousness and feel a
Skyrend Citadel no longer felt like home. It still stood tall, just as it always had, with it's towering walls that surrounded the city like Drake remembered. The walls did not change, not the buildings too or the street paths… but everything else was wrong.Drake stood at a distance cloaked in Aurora’s disguise and watched the day to say activity of the city. He did that everyday and he could tell, something was off.There was a darkness clinging to it now. Not the natural kind that came with the stormy night but something more sinister and it felt like it had seeped into its very foundation.He off course knew it had to be Vaerik's doing. How cruel could he be?Even from where he stood, he could feel it the tension and fear in the air. The people moved around while watching their backs and guards walked around like they were mini gods. They had become too aggressive and was ever ready to draw out their weapon against anyone who tried to oppose them.This was not the kingdom he had o
In the throne room of Vytharion, Vaerik leaned back against the his seat with one arm placed lazily over the armrest and his fingers tapping slowly against it. He was restless and trying so hard to contain it, he didn't want to lose himself over a small matter or let people see him so affected. The room was silent and yet it did nothing to quiet the anger and hatred inside him. But how could he stay still when his sworn enemy might be returning?Drake.The name alone felt like a thorn lodged deep beneath his skin.At first, he had dismissed the rumours of his return flying around. He thought it was just whispers carried by weak villagers clinging to hope like it could save them. He had heard foolish stories of fallen kings returning or saviors rising from nothing so he paid no heed and calculated that it would die soon.But he was wrong, the news kept spreading like wild fire. His name was everywhere, from the streets, to the guards and even his council. It irritated him greatly to
The kingdom had not seen celebration in a long while so everyone basked in it. Music played in the halls and candles were lit in every corner. Tonight was a different kind of celebration, it was for their heroes. Elaina stood at the edge of the hall as her eyes looked over the gathered crowd. There were Nobles, warriors and servants in attendance, everyone had come together out of gratitude to appreciate what Elaina and the others had done to bring back peace and equality to the kingdom and to send them off for their journey to Vytharion. “For someone who doesn’t like attention, you’re handling this quite well.” Drake commented as he stared at her with amusement in his eyes. They had walked in together and stopped to take the crowd in. Elaina glanced at him and rolled her eyes, “I’m enduring it,” she corrected. Drake smirked. “Same thing.” She shook her head though the corner of her lips lifted just a bit. Across the hall, Sachin had already made himself comfortable, a goblet i
Elaina gulped, not sure if she should tell him what led to her discovery. She was about to open her mouth to reply to him when Drake began reading the first page. She exhaled in relief to know it was a rhetorical question.Drake read out some lines and it sounded strange to her ears. She had never
“Welcome back, Lord Xavier” Guards who were lazing around immediately straightened and greeted. They couldn't hide the surprise on their faces to see him. They had thought he would be out longer or at least inform them of his arrival beforehand.They all bowed their heads with guilty look on their
Xavier hissed in frustration and irritation for the umpteenth time. He was not happy at all and he didn't know who else to blame but himself.When the king had extended an invitation to go hunting together, he had been overjoyed and thought the king wanted some quality time with him but it was the
What was that?” Elaina asked in surprise after the glowing disappeared. She didn't feel any different so she couldn't tell what the glowing meant.“I… I have no idea, this has never happened before” Drake replied, still perplexed. It seemed like a lot of strange things happen when it came to Elaina







