"Mystic is going to the main land to try to control those humans," he stated. "She is going to get herself killed if she goes and I cannot let that happen. You follow her where ever she goes and make she is safe. I cannot leave my kingdom unguarded, I will join you as soon as possible!"
Dusk nodded and flew in the direction of that Mystic had taken.
Night watched for a moment and then went to tell his followers that he would be leaving.
Mystic could not get over the nerve of Night. He had actually told her that she couldn't go. She was so angry at the thoughts of him that she didn't even realize that she had just flown over the main land. All she could think about was him, his charming good looks, his power and his intelligence. Mystic tried to shake him from her thoughts and focus on the matter at hand but she found that it was impossible, all she could think about was Runner. Mystic landed on a cliffs face and searched the land. It was much different of course then the islands she was used too. The land itself and the creatures of it were all different. She looked around and wondered where all the humans were or even if it mattered. Mystic wondered how she would go about making these humans praise her. She was far superior and she knew they would realize that right off the bat by her large figure. The fact that she could, fly, swim and walk the land. Mystic stood as she heard the ground rumble beneath her. She looked to the east and coming over the horizon were small figures moving fast.
Mystic jumped down from the cliff and stood upon the ground, looking in the direction of the figures. She stared at them as them came into view. These were the humans that the dragons dared not to talk about and on horse back. They were coming right for her but she stood her ground.
Dusk was just above Mystic, watching the scene unfold though he wasn't sure what to do. These humans were not much of a threat to her and would probably flee the second they realized she was there but if they escaped, they would tell the kingdom that a dragon was lose and every dragon slayer of the land would be after her. Dusk crouched down and prayed that this turned out all right.
Mystic stood tall and lightly extended her wings. She bared her teeth and waited. Watching their every move as they got closer and closer.
A man, riding in the front was the first to notice Mystic, standing proud in front of them. He reared his horse and came to a stand still, the rest stopping as they realized what he saw.
"Dragon!!" a young lady screamed.
"Back to the castle, hurry!" a man yelled.
The horses, prancing about in the commotion, whined and reared, then the group bolted away from Mystic.
She was watching them for a moment, studying their moves when she realized how scared they were of her. Mystic roared once and chased after them. She took long strips and would catch up to them in no time.
Dusk felt like covering his eyes. Instead he whispered to himself, "No Mystic, no, stay!" Dusk spread his little golden wings and took off after her.
"Faster, faster," the men called as they noticed the dragon was chasing them. "To the castle quickly!"
Dusk looked to where they were heading and was so shocked to almost stopped flapping his wings and fell.
The castle was right in front of him, Mystic was running right to the castle.
"Oh Lord, Night Runner better hurry up!" Dusk prayed.
Mystic was highly amused to watch the fleeing humans. Never had she seen something so scared of her before. She growled once more and picked up her pace.
They were climbing the hill and Mystic figured once she was at the top she could jump into the air and fly right above them. She watched closely as each of the human's disappeared over the top and went down the other side. She spread her wings as she approached the top but as she went to jump she felt her body freeze up at the sight. Mystic gave up on the chase and stared. Before her was a massive stone building surrounded by hundreds of little wood houses. Filling the paths were humans, hundreds of humans. Mystic felt herself taking a step back in fear but stop herself and stepped forward, slowly and not taking her eyes off the place. It was not long until she heard a familiar cry.
"Dragon!!"
She watched the mass chaos in the streets and everyone ran around. This brought a smile to Mystic face. She spread her wings and jumped into the air, heading for the village. She pin pointed places and sucked in a deep breath and then blew out fire through her nostrils. She smiled as the small house caught on fire and the humans within it fled. She repeated this several times, each time she was more amused.
King Darthcon watched from his castle, his knights waiting to hear his command. He sighed and looked at them, watching him with adoring eyes. "I thought we had got rid of all the dragons. This one must have been hiding in the swamps. The retired dragon slayers that live in the mountains, how fast can you have them here?"
Sir Frederick stood and replied, "I could ride my horse and have then back here in less then a half an hour my Lord."
"Good now go and hurry," the king replied.
Queen Catherine ran into her husbands arms. "What is going to happen?"
Darthcon stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. "Do not worry my queen, everything will be okay. This dragon will not get away."
Dusk was perched on a nearby rock,
his eyes darting about at the chaos. He could not believe that this was happening. He knew that if Mystic didn't stop then she would for sure be killed. "Stubborn," he muttered under his breath.
Mystic brushed past a human girl and sent her flying as she made her way to the castle.
She was so caught up in the fact that she had never seen anything like it before that she didn't notice as she went over the wall, all the humans that were guarded with crossbows. As she went to throw a fire ball at the door, she roared out in pain as something sharp went through her right wing. She looked at it only to see a large hole. Mystic glared at the humans down below her. As she felt another stick into her left, hind leg, she snarled in fury and headed in their direction.
She took in a deep breath and shot another fire ball in their direction. She watched them go sprawling. For good measure, she swung her tail in the direction of a human and knock him into the wall. Mystic smiled at that and hoped to herself that it really hurt him. She paused for a moment and rested on the top of the castle, surveying the land and the frantic humans.
This sight was pleasing enough to make her laugh, something she hadn't done in a long time. As she looked to the north of her, she could see several horseman coming towards her, screaming wildly.
She raise her brow and as she thought about swooping down and attacking them, she saw something silver, flying fast towards her. Mystic tried to dodge but it was to late, a large arrow shot through her wing. Mystic hollowed in pain and tumbled from the castle's roof.
She looked up to see the humans loading the ballista again, the thing that had hit her down the first time. Mystic got to her feet and raced towards them, trying to forget the sharp pains in her wings.
There were ten dragon slayers racing around, getting things loaded and standing on guard. As they noticed the dragon advancing on them, archers got lined up and opened fire on Mystic.
She felt the first arrow plunge into her neck, the following one into her shoulder. Mystic was no longer able to run and collapsed to the ground, panting.
She rolled over, trying to get up but the pain was too great. She closed her eyes and wondered what brought her to this end. As she tried once more to stand up, she felt another arrow hit her arm and then her neck again, finally one hit her chest. Mystic did all she could to stand but it was hopeless, she laid on the ground unmoving and waited for her end.
Just as she shut her eyes, a figure flew over head but she could not stay conscious long enough to see who it was.
he swept across them and sent them flying.
He stepped forward and broke the ballista and grabbed ahold of one of the horseman,
snarling at him and then tossing him to the side. He paused and watched closely as the humans fled.
Night remained still a moment until they were at a safe distance and then threw a fire ball in their direction as a warning. He turned to see Dusk landing at Mystic's side. Dusk looked Mystic over and then looked up at Night with worried eyes. Night walked over to them and looked down at Mystic, who was breathing slowly but unconscious.
"Come on," Runner said in a soft voice. "Let's get her home."
Dusk nodded slowly.
Night Runner had did his best for Mystic, all that he could do now was wait and see if she made it through the night. Dusk was outside the lair, guarding, while Night was lying at Mystic's side, too afraid to fall asleep. He watched her chest rise and fall, more steadily now then before. He had managed to cease all the bleeding and help her heal. He was sure that she would make it through the night, that she would wake up soon, because she had too.
Night Runner had never felt what he was feeling towards Mystic. She had managed to do the impossible to him, she had made him fall in love with her and not even wanting too. Night Runner didn't know what he feared more, her not waking up or her waking up and wanting nothing to do with him. He needed her more in his life then he needed anything and he knew it would destroy him if she rejected him.
Night's eyes opened quickly and suddenly as he realized he had fallen asleep. Inside the liar was light now as the sun shone through the cave door. He immediately looked at Mystic, who was still lying beside him, eyes shut and breathing normally. Night couldn't help but smile at the sight of her beside him. He looked her over then rested up against her more and laid his head upon her neck, closing his eyes and falling asleep once more.
Mystic Shadows woke to horrid pain that stretched throughout her body and it was uncomfortable to breath. She felt light headed and as she opened her eyes, everything was blurred. She shook her head and waited for everything to come into focus, the first thing she saw was Dusk, standing in the doorway, smiling at her. It took Mystic a while to realize that it wasn't only her he was smiling at, she looked down and saw Night snuggled up against her, asleep.
Dusk crept up closer to her and whispered, "How do you feel Milady?"
Mystic smiled down at Night and then looked up Dusk. "Horrid but it will pass of course."
Dusk smiled and nodded, watching Mystic's eyes go back to Night, a smile growing upon her face as she looked at him. Dusk walked up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Mystic stared at him for a moment, almost knowing what he was about to say to her.
"It will just kill him if you leave him," Dusk said.
Mystic nodded and as she went to replied, realized that she almost felt the same way. "I know," she said in a low voice.
Night Runner's eyes opened slowly and as he realized Mystic was smiling down at him, raised his head quickly, wondering if she was going to be mad at him.
"How do you feel Mystic?" he questioned.
"Better, a lot better and it will pass like every other pain in my life," she replied.
Dusk slowly crept out of the lair, not wanting to disturb them.
Mystic added, "You stayed with me, all night long. You went after me, even though I had been so rude to you, you saved my life after how I treated you, why?"
Night stared for a long time then let his eyes fall to the floor. "Because I knew that I couldn't let you be harmed, not any more." Night placed his hand over hers and looked at her. "It would have just killed me if anything had happened to you Mystic."
Mystic could feel her stomach tighten and she knew where this was leading, she stared at him for a long time, not saying a word because she really didn't know what to say. As she looked into his eyes and saw the sincerity in them, she felt a warmth within her, one that she thought had been long lost.
"Mystic I want you to stay here with me," Night Runner continued. "I want you to be at my side and every since I heard of your tragic story, I wanted to give you what you have been searching for. The rightness of ruler ship. Now I know that you have gone through a lot and you believe that no male is worth your trust but in time, I will prove to you that you are wrong."
Mystic Shadows smiled weakly at him. She wanted nothing more then to believe him but the fear locked inside her wouldn't let her. She never wanted to be hurt again like she was in her past. As much as she felt for Night Runner, she knew that she could never learn to trust him.
Mystic looked down at the ground and spoke softly. "I know that you are sincere my Lord but there is just no way I can be with you. I just cannot do what you wish of me Night Runner, I am sorry."
Night tried to do everything he could to hide his disappointment as he stood. He looked her over and told her, "That is fine and I understand that you will not rule by my side and so, then you will rule alone Mystic."
She glanced up at him quickly, her eyes searching his face to see if he was serious. Mystic swallowed hard as she realized that he was, but before she could stop him, he continued.
"I give you my land and from this point on you are it's only ruler and can do what you wish with it," Night Runner paused and then bowed to her. "I shall be leaving your land now Goddess Mystic Shadows, good day."
Mystic was in too much shock to speak. She was frozen in awe as she watched him turn and walk from the lair, spreading his wings and flying from her sight, he really was serious. Mystic swallowed hard and continued to stare at the sky long after Night had disappeared.
Dusk walked into the lair, a confused expression on his face. He looked Mystic over and then asked, "What happened, where is Lord Night Runner going?"
Mystic took in a deep breath and blinked, looking down at Dusk, her words came out slowly as she said, "Your Lord has given me his land and left."
Dusk smiled as if he knew that this would happen all along. He bowed to her and said, "Aye Goddess Mystic Shadows, whatever you wish of me I shall do for you, call when you need of me, ask what you will of me."
Mystic ignored his loyal statement and questioned, "Is he really never going to come back? Did he really love me that much to give up everything for my happiness? He has to be coming back, right Dusk?"
The small golden dragon shrugged. "I would not know Goddess, but I doubt it, he is good to his word."
Mystic nodded slowly, still clearly in shock and deep in thought. There was a long silence in the liar until she stood and turned to Dusk as she walked from the lair. "What do I do now?"
Dusk was beaming with happiness that she was excepting what Night had given her. His replied was easily stated, "Now you rule."
Mystic paused and thought about it, then smiled, her thoughts of Night. She looked at the lightening sky, the blue moon light above her to the west,
starting to fade away and the golden sun showing it's glow over the horizon. She couldn't believe his kindness, his tenderness, his love. Mystic walked until she was out standing on the edge, Dusk right behind her. She looked over her land and smiled brightly.
Dusk walked as she eyes light up with happiness. They started to glitter with the light of the sun shining upon her as if she was about to cry.
"What are you thinking about Goddess Mystic Shadows?" Dusk questioned curiously.
Mystic smiled and responded, "Oh please Dusk, call me Goddess Mystic Runner."
Dusk was confused by this and it clearly showed on his face. "What Milady?"
Mystic turned her gaze back to the horizon. "You heard me," she said in a light tone. "I know he will be back for me, I just know it."
Dusk smiled brightly and walked up to her front and leaned against her front leg, making himself comfortable as Mystic sat, both watching the sunrise. Dusk sighed and replied, "You know Mystic Runner, I believe you will be right. I know, you'll be right."
Mystic nodded and looked to the east with Dusk, both of them waiting until Night returned to take his rightful place at Mystic's side, as Lord and as her mate.
