Chapter 55

Chapter fifty-five— Dragonspyre’s Ruins

          I felt a tingling sensation in my chest, as if my heart itself had ‘fallen asleep,’ just like what it feels like when you sit on your foot too long.  It felt as if I was in a dream, and I was just staring into a black void, feeling calm and rested. Like being half asleep, but your eyes are open, and you are oblivious to the world around you.

          It was nice. Quiet. The silence brought peace, and the peace of mind bought me serenity. I felt whole, no longer stressed. I didn’t think of anything like that. I didn’t even think about where exactly I was.

           I sighed in relief, but then I realized that I couldn’t breathe. My airway was blocked, like I had some food in my throat. But it didn’t seem solid. It was like a wall of water.

          Specks of light started forming in the darkness, and they whizzed around like little fireflies. Squinting, I opened my mouth as if I was to vomit, because that was what I felt like.

          Suddenly, a full blast of colors smashed into my vision. It was flashy, then blurry, and then jumbled together like a puzzle. It hurt my eyes at the direct light, and I suddenly felt everything. All the pain I felt and everything I yearned to turn off. I took deep breaths, loving the feelings of breathing and ending my suffocation. My whole body felt soaked to the bone, but my face felt a warm wetness, possibly I spewed water from my mouth.

          My whole body felt intoxicated with pressure. It was as if my body had been sucked of all oxygen and replaced with water, and then switched at the last second.

          The blurriness of the world slowly moved back into clarity, and I was staring at a pair of dimly lit tan hands, glowing a white-like light, almost as if they were orbs.

          Looking more closely, I saw the details. Moonstone eyes, amber-like skin, and pale lips looking closely at me, silver strands of hair hanging over her face like a curtain, one hand over my heart and one hand over my face. It was Bell. She was safe. I closed my eyes in relief.

          “Is she alive?” Nikki’s face loomed over me, her red hair tickling my face, making me open my eyes.

          “What are you talking about?” I grumbled, but even that sound made me cough like crazy. I felt a little bit more water rise up from my throat, and I spit it out in disgust. “It’s not like I-“hack, hack. My coughing is annoying. “Almost drowned.”

“It’s alright, Bell. I got her. Go find the others.” Nikki leaned down and put her straight hair behind her ear, looking messy and almost wavy, still a sunset red when wet.

I sat up in shock, making me have another fit of coughs. “Find the others? Where are they? Are they alright?”

“Mary, calm down.” She pushed me back on the sodden wooden floor, but she looked fearful herself. “We will find them.”

I choked back a sob, and immediately turned off my feelings. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle this. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, and I feel myself go limp. Stony. Then I open my eyes. “Are the pirates gone?”

“Bell washed them right out with her… Tidal waves. It was incredible. Here.” Nikki took out wash cloth from her bag, and dipped it into the water that still covered the boat. She reached forward, attempting to touch my head-

“Um,” I leaned away, surprised. “What are you doing?”

“Your hurt, smart one.” She managed to touch my temple, and I jerked at the pain. It was like a very, very sensitive bruise. Her towel came back golden colored, and I grimaced when I realized it was my blood.

“How bad is it?”

“You hit your head pretty bad. You’ll be alright, though.” She dabbed a bit of white solvent on my wound, and stood up. She looked to her left, in the distance. “I think Bell found Elizabeth. Fiona, Ronan, and Abby are inside, trying to get warm. You should go too.”

I stood up, coughed, and started to follow her.

Nikki smirked. “Of course you won’t.”

We walked towards Bell, who was doing her little ‘summoning water’ powers to do CPR out of Elizabeth. I hated the sight of Elizabeth, how limp and sickly she looked, until water sprayed out of her mouth and she looked alive again.

Elizabeth began to cough and Nikki nodded at Bell. “I can take care of her.”

I began to walk around, to find anybody else. Sophia was the only one left. If she was dead, then we were all dead, because she was the fiercest fighter. The one who won’t hesitate when preparing for the kill.

The one who could probably kill Malistaire, if I couldn’t save him first. Save him, that is, from our own defensive reflexes. If I could show him the wiser side, then maybe he will change his mind. Stupid, I know, but it’s worth a try.

“Over here!” Bell shouted from across the deck, somewhere in the rubble. Most of the crates and food we had were scattered around, now inedible. I wondered how long it was going to take to get to Dragonspyre; hopefully not long, because of the lack of food we have now.

Scattering through the rubble, I thought about Bell, and how she seemed to know where everybody was. Maybe it was her skills in nature, but so far, her powers have been the most radiating and fascinating.

When I caught sight of Sophia and Bell, I now know why Nikki had been so calm waking me up from my watery peace. Bell was practically reviving everyone; pulling the water from their lungs out of their bodies so they could breathe. Disturbing to think about it so intensely, but truthful all the way.

Once I saw that Sophia was alive, I turned back and decided to check on Fiona and Ronan. Making my way through, splashing puddles with my feet, I walked past my room of which the door had been blown out by me.

Opening the door to the Captain’s quarters (which thankfully was not blown out by a spell), I saw Elizabeth and Abby huddling in the corner with blankets, shivering. Ronan was still pale, but he seemed less shaken. He was holding Fiona’s hand, while she healed her wound. They must have taken the dagger out of her leg sometime, because it was out. I tried not to think of how painful that may have been.

“Ronan?” I asked, making my voice stony and calm. “How long is it going to take until we reach the portal to Dragonspyre?”

“At the rate we were going, it would have been about right now when we would have gone through the portal.” Ronan sighed, turning his head toward me. He looked tired, and I could see an aftershave forming on his face. Checking his watch, he continued. “But because of the attack and the loss of supplies, I’d say it’s about another day. Maybe tonight.”

“Damn it.” Elizabeth groaned, and I when I looked over to her, I saw a few bruises on her face, lit from the candle she was holding. She looked like a gorgeous gypsy. “I was hoping to go home sooner than tonight.”

“I know how you feel.” I smiled in sympathy, sending her my careful glance. “I’ve been a ways from home for three years.”

Abby sighed, and put her chin in her hands. Her hair was still wet, clinging to her temples and hanging heavily over herself. “Where will we live when this is all over?”

I brushed my wet hair back, putting it into a bun and wiping drops of water from my face. “In a land far, far away, where there are stars that span the horizons every night and where a castle of marble sits in a nest of hills and trees, near a lake that shines like glass, and enchanted forests for creatures and magic.”

“A place for peace.”

“And clarity.”

“And happiness.”

We all stared dreamily off into space, wondering if life was really going to be like that.

“I can help, you know.” Bell appeared in the doorway, Sophia scooted past her, dripping wet. Elizabeth and Abby ushered her over to the corner and she sat down with them as they put blankets on her.  She smiled, teeth chattering. Bell continued. “I can make wind push the boat.”

“You can?” I sat up, suddenly ecstatic.

“Yeah. It will tire me out in the end, though. I’ll need some rest.” Bell turned to Ronan, who was looking at Bell rather admiringly. “Are you stable enough to steer?”

Ronan gazed up into Fiona’s eyes and I heard Elizabeth giggle. Something was definitely going on between them. “Will you be alright?”

“I’ll be fine. Go ahead. I’m a healer.” Fiona was smiling, and I noticed a happy twinkle in her eyes. Something that made her honey colored eyes shine like stars.

Bell and Ronan left the room in a quick hustle, and everybody else was left in the quarters, the warmest place in the ship. We broke into the tea cabinets and drank cold black tea, which tasted like dirt, but it was something.

“Ever wonder why Malistaire was so power hungry?”

“Because of the control.” I laughed, taking a sip of tea. “Because of the luxury, the superior feeling of being worshipped. To always be loved or to be feared.”

“To be able to make pigs fly.” Elizabeth added, smirking. “Then everything impossible can become possible.”

“I wonder…” I frowned, thinking. Should I say it? “If Malistaire ever loved me.”

“You asked him that, remember? You know his answer.” Nikki told me with great sorrow in her voice. I wondered if she ever thought about my position, how she had experienced a loving father, and I had never had one.

“Yeah, but…” I leaned my head to the side, twisting my hair with my fingers. Despite my hate for this man, there were times when I wanted him to love me as his daughter. Of course, I never would want to be hugged or comforted by the man who killed everybody I loved. I just wanted a father. “Every father ought to have loved his child at least for a second.”

“When he first saw you,” Abby spoke up curiously. “He didn’t kill you. You told me he was interested in you, and seemed to care.”

“Well, he doesn’t care anymore, that’s for sure.”

The ship lurched a little bit, and my tea trembled in my hand. Slowly, the ship began to move at a faster pace, and I could hear the wind howling outside, and the water pushing against the boat. “Here we go.”

Elizabeth stood up and looked out the window. “It’s definitely working.”

“Then we should be there soon.” I put my hands behind my head and leaned back, closing my eyes. “And everything will be okay.”

The ship began to rumble, and I jerked awake. Looking around, everybody was waking up from the daze of boredom and sleepiness.

“Whats going on?” My voice shook, and my stomach growled.

“Are we going through the portal?”

“No.” I looked around, and dishes began to fall from the shelves. “No, going through portals are always smooth.”

“Then what is it?” Elizabeth exclaimed, looking fearful. She tightened the blanket around herself, looking anxious.

“I’ll be right back.” I gained my balance through the shaking of the boat, and succeeded walking up the stairs to the deck.

Walking onto the deck was like walking into a nightmare. The air was suddenly hot and humid, and it smelled like something was burnt. The land before me shocked me.

“Mary!” Bell ran up to me, appearing out of nowhere. Her eyes were wide. “We passed the portal to Dragonspyre, but something’s wrong.”

“Everything was shaking. It’s not supposed to be like that. What happened?” The others were walking upstairs, and crowding around us as Bell attempted to explain. Ronan was at the steering wheel, apparently having a difficult time steering.

“Dragonspyre is in ruins, Mary. You can see it if you look close enough.”

“What do we do?” I gaped at the island before us, shocked. What could we do?

“Wait.” Sophia squinted, and I swear her eyes switched into a telescope. “I think I see people.”

I turned and walked to the front of the ship, put my hands on the wooden railing, and leaned forward. I scanned the island, and I saw two people standing on the edge of the dock. There was no beach, just a wall of rock and a place for a boat to park. “Who are they?”

“They look tall.”

“One of them looks like a tan guy, and another one is bald man with a long cloak.”

“Who are they?

“Oh, move over.” Elizabeth pushed us away so she could see and she did a sharp intake of a breath. “I think that’s Wolf.”

“Is he the bald one?” I joked.

“No. I recognize his jet black hair.” Elizabeth squinted even more, trying to get a closer look. “Yeah, now that we are getting closer, it’s definitely him.”

“We’re docking!” Ronan shouted out and he turned the wheel to the right. “Hang on!”

The boat rumbled, and I hung on to the railing as we jumped up and down from the shuddering of the boat. I wasn’t sure if it was just bad parking or the complicated area.

Ronan stepped away from the wheel and threw the anchor down into the water, and began to lower the large ramp. Since we had no luggage, we walked towards the ramp together, while Fiona limped beside Ronan. Walking down, I could see the full view of the people waiting for us.

Cyrus Drake and the boy who must be Wolf Deathbringer.

I was remotely glad to see Cyrus again; despite the state I was in the last time I saw them. Actually, I don’t remember the last time I saw Cyrus, but it didn’t matter. It was a relic of my old life, and I smiled. 

Wolf was handsome, I suppose. He had raven black hair, tan skin, and remarkably dazzling violet eyes, which was strangely memorizing. He had a warrior’s form, just like Caspian, except Caspian’s shoulders had been broader. Wolf was taller and muscled, and his eyes lit up when he saw Elizabeth. He ignored the rest of us.

 “I don’t know how you knew we were going to be here, but I am sure glad to see you.”

“My, you’ve grown since the last time I saw you.” That actually was a nice thing to be heard from Cyrus Drake. I didn’t think he’d actually remember me. He also looked overwhelmed and much older as well. He looked up, his piercing blue eyes sharp like diamonds. “It’s good that you’re here.”

“Yes.” I smiled. I turned to the others, and they looked both terrified and fascinated of this place at the same time.

“Wolf!” Ellie smiled and embraced Wolf with a huge hug, which he didn’t give back. He looked down at her and raised his eyebrow.

“Ellie, you know I don’t hug.”

“You know that I give hugs, though.”

“Ellie?” I laughed. “I didn’t know you had a nickname. You should have told us, because everybody does.”

Wolf turned to me, and folded his arms. He stared at me, and I felt like I was being interrogated with those creepy purple eyes. “So you’re Mary.”

There was something strange about him. Something that told me ‘he’s the boss, don’t mess with him.’ I only got those vibes around Malistaire and my sisters when they’re being really bad-ass. I didn’t particularly like it, so I replied with irritation. “I would know who I am.”

Wolf merely nodded, looking somewhat interested in me. He looked around, surveying us. “What? Nobody is going to introduce themselves?”

“You didn’t.”

Wolf’s mouth lifted at the corners. “Everybody knows who I am. I am epic.”

Sophia rolled her eyes. “I’m Sophia.”

“Danielle, but people who are smart call me Bell.”

“Abigail.” Abby was staring at Wolf with strong dislike, which I found strange. Her cat eyes seemed to be following his every move. Was Wolf really not to be trusted?

“I’m Nicole.” Wolf’s gaze turned to Nikki. Wolf seemed to find her the least interesting, almost boring. I cocked my head when I saw his violet eyes flick from her toes to her head, as if he was testing her.

Wolf smiled, looking satisfied. “Welcome to Dragonspyre, home of the doom and gloom and whatever the hell happened here, which I don’t feel like explaining. Ask the old guy.” He used his thumb to point at Cyrus. He turned his heels and began to walk away.

He was a strange boy. Elizabeth, or Ellie, I suppose, stepped forward. “Wait. Why are you leaving?”

Wolf laughed, and continued walking, not looking back. “I need to talk somebody. You’ll see me later.”

          “He has no right to talk about Cyrus like that.” Abby defended, glaring as Wolf strutted away.

          Cyrus cleared his throat, a deep and heavy cough. He opened his mouth, looking strangled, as though he didn’t know what to say. This was strange for a teacher like him. “Yes, indeed, it’s quite a happy reunion. Now look around you, and tell us what you see.”

          I then saw where we were really standing in. It was a clearing, surrounded by tall buildings of blue, red, and black marble. Everything had a kind of swirling or dragon-like pattern upon it. However, past the tall buildings, there was something else. Bricks. Wood. All over the ground in a heaping pile. It was as if many of the houses had exploded and pummeled down to the ground. “What happened?”

          “Malistaire.” Cyrus’s voice broke, and he looked dejectedly in my eyes. I imagined having Malistaire as a brother, and not as a father. I felt sympathy for Cyrus, but glad that I wasn’t the only one who had a strong urge not to kill him, for family’s sake. To make him feel pain, but save him from his own darkness as well. “Dragonspyre was attacked a few days ago, by these wretched things. Men with great powers, dark powers. Almost like they were demons in disguise.”

          I swallowed. The F.N. had done this. “How much damage was there?”

          “The Necropolis, the Great Spyre, and the Academy were saved.” Cyrus spoke once again. He hadn’t changed since I’d seen him; still in his myth robes, still bald, and still stubbornly rude and moody. The Necropolis, I remember, is where my family is apparently buried. I have no idea where the Great Spyre is, or what it is, but I do believe that the ‘Academy’ is the Dragonspyre Academy. “But everything else is in ruins. Everyone who survived is now living in the Academy, and there is barely room. It’s been quite difficult.”

          “Why are you here in the first place?” Bell asked, finally speaking up. Nobody seemed to know Professor Drake except Nikki and me, but Nikki barely knew him still.

          “The Headmistress of Dragonspyre Academy is dead.” Cyrus’s glass-like eyes glittered in the moonlight, making him look eerie. “And the Headmaster of Ravenwood has come to help, for he believes he can help.”

          “Who is protecting Ravenwood, then?”

          “The teachers, along with the powerful wizards scattered around Wizard City that are helping.”

          I turned to Nikki. “You should tell the Headmaster about your father.”

          Nikki’s eyes widened, suddenly looking deathly pale. “I…”

          “Wait a second.” Cyrus stepped forward, and grabbed Nikki’s shoulder. We reacted, but stopped when we realized Cyrus was only doing it because Nikki was already struggling. “I know you.”

          “No you don’t.”

          “Could it really be you?” Cyrus leaned in, fixing his eyes on her as if he was seeing imaginary dust. “After all these years?”

          “Nikki, what is he talking about?”

          “Stop it.” Nikki demanded, and Cyrus backed up, looking immensely shocked.

          Cyrus studied us carefully. “Priestess Melissa Nicole DeLancre never did tell you about who her father really was, did she?”

          “I’m telling you to stop.”

          “You left.” Cyrus had a sudden fire in his eyes, and back then, I would have been greatly terrified. Now, I was just curious. “You were supposed to take his place.”

          “I couldn’t.”

          “So you just forgot about the Council? Your duties?” Cyrus’s voice rose and I’ve never seen him so angry. I fought back the urge to become intimidated by him, and held my tongue.

          “I can’t forget!” Nikki snarled. “How dare you tease me so?” She turned around, eyes closed and arms across her chest in a fury.

Nikki cannot forget one moment of her life. As an Angel of Remembrance, she remembered every single moment that she ever lived. It’s sad, really, because she yearns to forget at least one thing. To not remember would be bliss to her.

“Your father was the leader of the High Council, Melissa. When he died, you inherited the throne, and used it wrongly.”

I turned to Nikki, my mouth gaping open, staring in accusation. “You’re damn royalty?”

Nikki turned around, her eyes full with tears. “It’s how I knew so much about the Council. I couldn’t tell about the Council at first because I was the head priestess of the whole society. I didn’t want people to know. I couldn’t rule it, I wasn’t worthy.”

“You never told us.” I gritted my teeth. Usually, I would comfort her, but I was pissed. “How many other secrets have you been keeping from us?”

“We will deal with this later.” Cyrus’s voice boomed out like a wall between Nikki and I and everyone else freezed. I wasn’t sure how the other’s were dealing with Nikki’s little dirty secret, but I was really pissed off. One secret is fine; sure, we can get over it. But a second secret- a secret this big?

“Where are we going to stay?” Bell’s voice was like cold stone. She was angry as well.

“Dragonspyre Academy is the safest place at the moment.” Cyrus explained. “You will have to share a small dorm together.”

“We have like, seven people.”

“One is a male.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Cyrus blew it off with ease. “Dragonspyre Academy is completely packed. It’s lucky that you have somewhere to stay at all. The only way you can get a larger room is if you sign up for the making of food and supplies.”

Ronan looked around at the females around him. “I’ll do it.”

“I’ll do it too.” Fiona looked up at Ronan and smiled. I almost laughed when I saw they were holding hands; were they together?”

“What about school?” Nikki asked. I glared at her, hating the sound of her voice right now, especially when it sounds like nothing happened. “If we are preparing for a war, we need training.”

“You will have thirteen hours of training and school, just like everybody else.”
 Cyrus explained as we gaped at the amount of hours. “The schools of Ravenwood will be taught, along with other things that will be needed in battle, such as Defense and Archery.”

“We will need time to get allies.”

Cyrus turned to us. “You will have time to do that. For now, we can only keep this place safe and hidden from my brother. If we don’t, we’re all dead.”