Xian Xi

I watch for any form of reaction from her,curious to know my face. Her face remains blank - an unreadable mask.

She just nods and walks off.

I follow her at a distance noticing the way her hips sway at her every movement.

I shouldn't, but I just do.

I look around for a weapon just incase she decides to attack them against her own words because no one has ever known demons to be trustworthy .

They start retreating a she starts approching them,their expression wry. Jakota raises an eyebrow at me,questioning.

But suprisingly she dosent make to attack them…she actually talks to them ,but I can't hear what she is saying .

Arcane is the first person to respond to her, beckoning for the extra five people to come forward.

Don't tell me they are planning on sending those people before them.

Then they also pushed Huang forward, seeming as if a debate would to break out otherwise.

Why is everyone trying to be the hero? I ask myself.

Then, I realize that I'm doing the same thing - putting the lives of others before my own.

Since when did I become like this? Selfless, hanging at the expense of others.

"Move away!" She says.

Everyone steps back.

She draws in a deep breath and bites her arm.

As blood drips down her arm, she starts transforming. First her wings and claws, then her black scales.

The sixteen year old looks like he might piss in his pants. Not just him, everyone watches with trembling hands and white faces - including me.

Jakota reaches for the hilt of his sword, only to realize that he no longer has one.

Her wings flay out, long and broad, raising dust with every powerful flap.

Her large claws grind into the rocks as she settles on the ground.

But, the most intimidating feature is her eyes - I had been to disgruntled to notice them the time she saved.

They look like the embodiment of wickedness, bleeding red fire hotter than the sun.

Does she breathe fire?

Her tail flutters, landing on the ground heavily. A mini earthquake ensues, forcing everyone to jerk in alarm.

She wasn't this formidable the first time I had seen her transform.

She snarls, her teeth bared as if in lust for blood.

"Get on her back." I call across the the first set.

No one moves, each trembling visibly now.

"She won't hurt you. It's alright." I coax the boy, holding out my hand.

He takes it hesitantly.

I place his hand softly on the scales of her lowered neck.

She grunts, but stills.

Encouraged, the boy strokes her.

I wonder what she must be thinking. I know one thing for sure - she'd want to kill me for making her do this.

The boy climbs upward, perching himself at the base of her neck.

"What do I hold on to?" He asks.

Realizing that they could easily fall off, I glance back at the others for suggestions.

The obvious solution hangs in the air, unsaid.

No one would dare to put a leash on such a creature.

I move to stand before her cautiously.

She heaves a heavy breath, nearly blasting me away.

I manage to hold my ground.

"Dove. We might have to… set up a rope about your neck. It's just for them to hold on to for the duration of the ride. Afterward, it would be removed. Do you consent to this?"

Her large eyes close and flutter open, staring at me leisurely.

Does she understand me?

"Give me a sign if you consent to this."

She lowers her jaw to the ground, snorting.

Realizing that no other response is forthcoming from her, I turn to the cluster of frightened people.

"Is there any rope?"

They all exchange glances.

"We might have to tear our robes to makes one." Rames points out.

They all stare down at the hems of their filthy robes.

"Would it be strong enough?" Kross asks, skeptical.

"It's not like we have a choice."

One of the women taps my shoulder.

"I can weave the strips." She volunteers.

I nod, gesturing for them to begin.

I lean down as well, ripping off the edge of my once-white-now-brown robe.

The woman - Thalia, I think - goes around collecting the strips.

Jakota is the only one who hasn't ripped the hem of his robe. He just stands by the side, staring sheepishly.

Thalia stops at him, raising a questioning brow.

He grudgingly leans down and tears off the beautifully embroidered hem. I want to stop him, but decide against it.

Thalia collects it from him, offering a warm smile - as if she understands his sacrifice perfectly.

Rames rubs his back, but he jerks away with a glare.

As soon as the rope is ready, the first badge mounts.

With a loud roar, Dove takes off.

The rest of us have to shield our eyes from the waves of dust and debris left in their wake.

"Now what?" Rames asks, wiping dust off himself.

We all glance at him.

"What do you mean?" I ask, brows raised.

He tilts his head comically.

"I meant, what happens next?"

I stare at them, watching as they disappear further into the clouds with every flap of her might wings.

"Now, we wait."

Jakota lets out a strangled cough.

I catch the looks exchanged between them just in time.

"What?"

None of them meet my gaze.

"What are you not telling me?"

"Don't take it the wrong way, Xian Xi. But, what if she doesn't come back? How do we even know that she would deliver the others safely."

Uncertain myself, I look away.

"I just have to trust her. And I know she will come back."

None of them seem convinced, but their worst fears are allayed somewhat.

"How long do you think it would take to the Continent and back?"

"There's no way of telling time in this dark place. We'll just have to content ourselves to counting how many times the tides washes on the shore." Choi says, his poetic wisdom shining through.

"Why don't you play us a song while we wait?" Rames suggests.

He settles down on the ground, laying his instrument on his lap. We gather around him, each needing a soothing respite to escape the hopeless world surrounding us.

As soon as he strikes the cord, the melody seems to moves through everyone.

Everyone falls silent, some nodding to the rhythm, some listening with their eyes closed.

When the song ends, my eyes flip open. I want to hear it over and over again - that's how wonderful his playing is.

Jakota has fallen asleep, leaning against a rock. His hand is draped across his belly protectively.

"You know the continent is not safe. What do you think would happen to them?"

I had avoided that line of thought. Part of me is relaxed because Dove would be with them - not that it guarantees anything, of course.

"We don't know anything for sure." I say, passing along a calm I don't feel.

Jakota only stirs, mumbling something indistinct in his sleep.

Kross crosses his legs over mine, yawning from exhaustion.

"Since I know you're right beside me, I'll give in to the urge to sleep overwhelming." He says, smiling.

I resist the urge to shove his legs off mine.

"Considering that she was tied up the last time we saw her, how did you guys end up so close? I could see it in your eyes that you trust her - something you never did with any of us." Choi leans in to whisper.

I contemplate his words.

I do trust her - to an extent.

There's no predicting her next move - she is as unpredictable as they come - but she won't dare disobey her master.

I never even got to ask what happens is she refuses to obey me. This whole master-servant thing is completely new to me.

"She's my servant." Is all I say.

"Servant? How did that come about?" He asks, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Long story. I don't understand the mechanics governing the relationship myself."

He leaves it at that, for which I am grateful.

Then, the ground starts vibrating beneath us.

Jakota awakes with a start, once again reaching for a nonexistent weapon.

I shove Kross's legs off, scrambling to my feet.

The horde of demons fill the landscape of the hill. They've caught up with us.

Rames pulls to his feet, gathering some rocks from the ground.

Then, as if by some command, they start descending the hill at the same time. They look blood-hungry.

Needing no further warning, we scramble away, running as fast as we can.

My injured leg slows me down. Everyone is way ahead of me.

Then, Jakota of all people looks back. He curses loudly before coming back for me. Rames looks back as well, slowing down.

Jakota reaches me just in time, slinging an arm about my shoulder firmly.

He pulls me along, still cursing.

"You don't have to help me." I mutter, breathless.

"Shut up, will you?" He says, his voice clipped and equally breathless.

Rames too comes up to my other side, offering support as well.

Why are they risking their lives for me?

"Your dragon lady might not come back to meet us alive, Xian Xi." Rames says.

I've never agreed more.

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