Announcement: Hiatus

I will be in the philippines until July and will have a hiatus for Revelation of Dragons '15. The same goes for the editing. However, I am amazing and still have The Descendant written up and scheduled. I am sorry but Revelation of Dragons will begin posting again in August. Thanks for your time, dedication, and understanding! -Danieljames Domar
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June is scheduled. July isn't. I'm sorry. I double checked what I said. Sorry for the misunderstanding. 

Week Eight:Research Project

  Mikey smiled under the mask of his. No one knew why he started to wear this green cover but no one questioned it since he was audible. His mother was concerned but understood there were some struggles that he couldn’t muster to tell her yet. Ever since he had can been convicted he had not been taking the rehab classes all that well. He would come home after hanging out with his friend, the ones he had left, and then he’d go out with his other friends from America. She didn’t know how they came so quickly but it was none of her concern since they treated her son like a human being unlike some others.

  He wasn’t perfect at school. Classes were getting harder since he couldn’t speak up freely like he wanted. He was forced to sit at the table that was assigned. To the teachers, it made no difference to his social status. In some classes, he was lucky. In others, not so much.

  On all his test he had received an above average grade. When he asked for help from his two idols, Vile and Xeq, they tried but in the end there was not much that either could do. In America Xeq was in college while Vile was a senior in high school. If Mikey were an American student he’d be an eighth grade while Vile in twelfth.

  The urge to learn about his true self was high. He found a video about a movie called “Wyvern” but didn’t decided to watch it. He could watch PG-13 movies now. He was happy. However, not happy enough. From a video he watch he found out that Wyverns were of many cultures but the one in video was from Norway. He couldn't possibly leave to go there without  permission. Well…. He could but as a thirteen year old out on his own he’d be scared.

  “Tame your strongest fear.” Mikey remembered Vile saying. Vile said that he imagined Mikey be one for panic. That’s what the mask was for. It shimmered when he unconsciously slobbered poison. It absorbed it. His friends thought it was cool. He went with, “I felt like being different for a change” verses “I found out that I’m a Wyvern guys and this human body of mine can’t handle it on its own without the will of my own to sooth it.”

  His friends accepted that. They were all thirteen to fourteen year olds waiting for adventure. In London, the mall was his friends’ favorite place to hang. Mikey decided not to tell of his dragon story until he knew for sure that he could transform and retransform easily. These were his waking hours and he still wasn’t fully awake.

  When he glanced online for information about himself he couldn’t find much. In England he was a known mascot and a fantasy of a variety of video games but that wasn’t enough for him. He found that there were different spellings on his dragon. The spelling of Wyvern as W-Y-V-E-R-N wasn’t dated before the seventeenth century. He found that another spelling was W-Y-V-E-R and that changed in Middle England. In Old French he came across the spelling W-I-V-R-E. Another that he found was spelled W-I-V-E-R-N and lastly, the Latin version which was V-ī-P-E-R-A meaning viper.

  There wasn’t much that he could figure out about himself. According to online statuses, he was supposed to be able to use fire but have a poisonous bite. He, however, could only subconsciously drool his acid and cover it up with a mask made from his skin. He wanted to tell his mother but he didn’t know how she would take it.

  How were dragons even born? Was his mother one? Did Vile and Xeq’s parents have this trait? Vile was different from Xeq. Xeq was a fire based dragon but somehow changed and was now able to use this inner stream of light that he called a Hyper Beam. Mikey laughed the first time Xeq told him. The two brothers scheduled times with Mikey. However, there were some times where they would say that they’d be ‘at the mall’ or ‘at a friend’s house’ when really, they’d be with Mikey. It made him feel important. Although, it also made him wonder why the two bothers seemed so close but distant.

  Vile and Xeq both told Mikey secrets that they hadn’t told each other. He was an only child so he didn’t understand why there was any need to hide something from someone like a sibling. He understood that his parents didn’t have to know everything and the more time he spent over the sea and adventuring with the two the more he understood the meaning of secret.

  He hadn’t told his friends, he hadn’t told his mother, he didn’t even think twice about telling his father. There were individual secrets between him and Vile while there were other secrets between him and Xeq. Vile knew about Xeq’s hyper beam but what he didn’t know was that Xeq came without Vile one early morning and spoke to him in his bedroom. He warned him that he might not be able to see him in the next couple of days. Vile didn’t know that Mikey knew about the Hydra’s heart. However, Xeq didn’t know about the missing dream that Vile so longed for. He knew that he had a dream that played every other night. It wasn’t a nightmare. It was the same dream. It became a nightmare because he let it become a nightmare through stress. He didn’t know what happened to the dream. All he knew was that the dream vanished one day and on nights where he was supposed to have the dream he’d lie awake for hours.

  Mikey found a one hundred and sixteen year old vessel in Norway called the Wyvern. It was a well-known and historical boat. It participated in the 2013 Tail Ships Races and was alerted in an emergency at 5:21 a.m. There were ten people on board that July eleventh. They were found at 6:42 a.m and rescued by 8 a.m. The vessel sunk at 9:37a.m according to rumors.

  It was name Wyvern after the mythological dragon that was featured on Frederick Croft’s family shield. Mikey sighed as he read over the information. It was named after the dragon not before. Norway had to have something. Anything else! He needed to know more about himself and sadly, Vile and Xeq would do their best but even they didn’t understand the concept completely. They made it clear to each other not to tell Mikey. However, both brothers appeared admitted to their fault. Xeq, a nineteen year old junior in college and Vile an eighteen year old senior in high school. And now, there was Mikey, a thirteen year old Londoner, a Wyvern they knew. Together they would search and find but teither way Mikey knew that this new life of Dragons would slowly take flight. .  

Week Twenty Two: The Descendant: The Other Candidate

  The idea was out there but it wasn’t improbable. “Are you suggesting you and Hazel are the two to help her on this journey?” Annabeth questioned.

  Nico tilted his head in surprise. He didn’t even consider Hazel as an option. He only meant someone from the legion. Shrugging, Nico looked at Chiron.

  “I meant someone from the legion. Anyone could be it. But at the same time, this is a quest against the Romans and Greeks alike. Free Prometheus, defy Zeus.” Nico paused. “Well, it looks like you’re out of the picture, Grace.”

  Jason smirked. “I like Elli, I really do. But I’ll agree with you on that, going on a quest to defy my dad might not be the smartest step to take.”

  “Even so…” Annabeth added. “If any of us go, including you Nico, this quest of hers is defying the Gods.”

  Jason shook his head. “I don’t recall anyone getting mad except for my father. What did Prometheus even do again?”

  “He gave Greek fire to mortals.” Nico recalled.

  Piper looked up for her quiet stare at the table at the sound of Greek fire. “Not that I should bring him up,” She said with a sigh but looked at the empty seat next to her that separated her from Nico. She knew why he had done that. Looking at her he gave a silent smirked.

  “Leo would have probably volunteered to help.” She sighed.

  Silence spread across the table again.

  Finally, Jason spoke. “Yea, Valdez would have had fun with a some trickery and deception.” He smirked. “But he’s not here so we can’t choose him.” He sighed. “As much as I’d prefer for him to go.”

  Glancing over his friends at the table, Nico frowned. He shouldn’t lie to them even though it was speculation. Hazel even felt it. Leo was dead. But. Nico sighed. There was something about Leo’s dead that was different. Something he had to tell them about.

  By the time Nico was ready to say anything everyone’s eyes were on him. Apparently they were waiting on his opinion for something. Confused, Nico spoke. “Did…you guys ask me a question?”

  Racheal nodded. “We wanted to know what you thought.” She repeated for him. “I’m not much of a fight so I’m rolled out, Jason can’t go, Piper doesn’t believe she deserves to go but all of us agree that you and Elli are a pair for this, she can be around you and laugh. She’s not on the edge with you, and, don’t take it personal but if anyone can be around you from the moment they meet you without feeling edge, I believe, we believe, that you two are meant to go on this mission together so we want to know what you think.”

  Nico nodded. “I do believe going with her will benefit her but I want to say something else that’s been on my mind.”

  Curious looks altered into intrigued ones.

  “It’s about Leo.” Nico sighed and everyone, except Racheal, sat closer in response. “Hazel felt it too.” Nico frowned. “Leo died.” He paused watching all their looks revert to their silent depressed ones.

  “But there was something else.” Nico sighed. “When it comes to a death people go through anger and denial and I didn’t want to suppress any of that for any of you but there was something I don’t know exactly what but there was something about his death that was different.” Nico spewed and watched everyone return to their curious state.

 “But how?” Annabeth questioned. “That’s not logical.”

  Nico shrugged. “Look, I don’t know. But I wanted to tell you guys. I couldn’t lie to you about it.

  Not when Elli keeps this Detective attitude around me.” Giving another sigh, Nico leaned on the table.

  “Leo did die though.” Nico frowned. “Hazel confirmed it. So I don’t know what it is and don’t get your hopes up too much but all I know is that I don’t usually go on quest with anyone. If anyone was on a quest with me it would be Rayna and Couch Hedge but Couch has a baby and pulling Rayna for some quest we may or may not need her for is out of the question.”

  “Reyna…” Annabeth said looking at Piper. “Why don’t we take this to Camp Jupiter? It shouldn’t take us too long if we take the pegasi.” She smirked. “What do you guys say?”

  Percy nodded. “I’d like to see Hazel and Zhang again, Reyna… I’m not a big fan of but she has her opinion too.”

  “I can go there and explain everything.” Nico shrugged. “It won’t take me but a few seconds to shad-“

  “No.” A voice replied sternly from the door. Entering the room was Will Solace. “What did I say about shadow traveling?”

  Nico glared. “It’s for Elli’s sake and it’s once.”

  “Twice, you’ll have to come back.” Will replied.

  “You can’t go on a quest with Elli. She told me all about it. You haven’t gain your strength back. I’m sorry but if all of you are going to make her head spin and Nico’s the only option I can’t say that I’m going to allow it.”

  Nico rolled his eyes and Will took a seat across from his. “Doctor’s orders.”

  “Where’s Elli anyway?” Nico replied, aggravated that Will was pinning him down.

  “She’s with Celeste.” Will replied. “I told her that it wasn’t healthy to let herself put up those walls of hers. Celeste and her have interacted before and Celeste hasn’t gone on as many of voyages as anyone at this able and hasn’t been around the sick as much as me so I told the two to go down to the lake. Elli agreed with it so you can’t complain.”

  Nico sighed and looked away from Will. He was happy that Will cared but having no one to care about him for most of his was something he sometimes preferred and at this moment, he wished. Will was always yapping at him for something. When Nico was coped up in his room, Will would retrieve him and make him sit with him at the theatre, when Nico walked along, Will would join him, when Nico had something on his mind, Will would nudge him. Shaking his head, Nico looked up at Will.

  “If I can’t go then who can? She can’t do this alone.” 

Week Seven: Worry

  Mioko lit facts about Xeq like freworks. Xeq and Zamer resemble Feng Shu yet they also resemble Yin and Yang? It confused Xeq for a while but then it cleared as he learned that the Yin and Yang meant balance. Dragon being Yang and Phoenix being Yin. They represented everlasting love and symbolized that a man and spouse… Xeq stared at Mioko as he said ‘spouse’ not woman. Did that mean a man could be with a man?

  Personally, Xeq didn’t care. He had his handful of gay friends both men and woman. They were all good people. However, the thought of sleeping with them didn't cross his mind. There had been no interest in swinging that way either. When Xeq finally asked Mioko smiled. “Man chooses what he believes is true.” Was all that Mioko said and continued on with the explanation.

  As long as Xeq paid attention, absorbed all the information, and understood it that seemed to be Mioko’s greatest concern. It was also Xeq’s. He didn’t want to explain this all to Vile. Maybe he could bring Vile here for a lesson or two. He knew that he’d enjoy it. Especially if China was where they were meant to go instead of where they happened to be.

  They represented a love and passion that would last till the very end. Xeq was the basis of the Feng Shui that controlled the comic chi (energy) and forces on earth. He brought prosperity and good luck while the Phoenix was to bring the excellent side of the female.

  Xeq smiled bigger than he thought he would of when he heard that one. Mioko laugh and made a joke. It cause Xeq to blush but he laughed too because it was funny. There was more to the two's relationship than Xeq even considered. The two were meant to strengthen the relationship but it could even ‘relight the fires of a kindling relationship with the fiery energy of the Phoenix’ Mioko said exactly. It didn’t clear up until the next sentence which explained that it was a good symbol of a single female or bachelor looking to find love.

  “Well, she found it so I’m not worried.” Xeq laughed. “And I love her with more passion and words coming out of your mouth right now.” Xeq joked.

  Mioko smiled. “I did say that there were many things to learn did I not?”

  Xeq nodded. “Too many. What are you, my college professor?”

  This time, Mioko shook his head and smirked. “You could learn more from me than any college professor could promise you with two lives.”

  Xeq nodded. “Because you’re teaching me from a firsthand perspective not through the books and ‘this is how it works just cause’ attitude.”

  “Is that how you see your college professors now?” Mioko laughed.

  Xeq would have punched him in the arm if they had known each other longer. Mioko tricked him into saying that. Xeq rolled his eyes. “Yes it is and I would tell them any day.” Xeq smiled and spat back.

  “It would be an honor.” Mioko laughed again.

  The time that Xeq would spend with Mioko was limited. He hoped that he could get back to his brother but it occurred to him that Vile might not even notice that he was gone. Not because Vile and him weren’t close, but because Vile had been speaking to Zamer lately to tell him what Vile wanted to say. This Hydra’s heart interrupted the flow of connection that Vile and Xeq had. Speaking to his brother in person wasn’t so bad. It was the fact that they couldn’t communicate through thoughts that bothered him. Something was with this Hydra’s heart, something that had to do with destroying his connection with his brother.

 --

  Vile knocked on the door reluctantly. If Xeq was sleeping at Zamer’s all he had to do was tell her to tell him. But in the past few days he hadn’t heard a word from either of them. If they were having that much sex he didn’t want to know. He only needed to know about his brother’s whereabouts and since his brother had consumed the hydra’s heart to save him their connection had become murky and then it cut off completely. The two used to know how to communicate over long distance without technology but since the two were normally together or at least had an idea of where each other were at there was no need for the distant communication. Now, he really wish they focused on it because he was getting worried.

  Zamer’s mother answered the door with a smile. She was just as beautiful as Zamer. If Vile didn’t know any better he would call them sisters. At least she was nice. Vile shrugged in his head as he thought of what to say.

  “Vile!” Zamer’s mother wrapped her arms around him. “Son-in-law!” She said again as she squeezed him.

  Vile was careful to not hug her too tight. He always loved her hugs though. They were heartwarming and probably the best compared to anyone else he knew. Xeq and Zamer weren’t married yet but both their families treated the other as if they were already married. Xeq and Zamer both came to the conclusion to wait until after college because their families wouldn’t force them to be at home.

  “Mom.” Vile said with a smile.

  She blushed. “You don’t have to call me that if it makes you uncomfortable, honey.”

  Vile smirked. “No.” He shrugged as they let go of the hug. “That’s why I said it.”

  Vile and Zamer’s mother hadn’t spent a lot of time getting to know each other. He had come over only to stay on the couch and play video games, or to try and pry Xeq out of their house. Sometimes, he would even stay because they were fed up with home. Now, the brothers lived in the same house only a few blocks away from their parents. It was the farthest that Xeq and was allowed to go and Vile had promised that he would help pay bills so Xeq allowed the partnership.

  Zamer’s mom smiled. “Care to come in?” She said seeing that Vile didn’t step a foot inside.

  Vile shrugged. “If you want. I was hoping that I wouldn’t need to pry my brother out of your house again.”

  They both laughed at the remark but then her expression changed in concern. Before Zamer’s mother could say anything, Zamer flashed into the room. Returning to her normal form she let out an exhale of partial relief.

  “Vile!” She exclaimed. “Thank goodness you’re all right.” She paused and then look at Vile in more concern than Vile wanted her to. “You’re here for Xeq aren’t you?”

  Vile nodded slowly hoping that his brother would scare him from behind or run downstairs reluctant to see that his brother wanted him to come home.

  “He hasn’t been here in the past three days.” Zamer said in horror and disdain. “We were hoping that he’d be with you.”

  Vile’s eyes widened. He wasn’t at Zamer’s? At least if he had been he could make a joke or two about it but he wasn’t at Zamer’s? He already checked all the other places that Xeq would disappear to. He decided to save Zamer’s for last because he knew what Zamer and Xeq did in their free time. Vile bit his lip softly.  If he wasn’t here, then where could he be?

Week Twenty One: The Descendant: Choosing

  Nico took Elli’s hand to reassure her. Squeezing his hand in response, she wished she could tell him what she was thinking without everyone knowing but around her were the people she tried to avoid yesterday. She didn’t want to push them away but all of the adventures they had were starting to make her sick. Annabeth with Tarturus, the whole interaction with Gaea, the relationships, and friendships started to weigh her down. Finally before entering the room to talk with Chiron, Elli spoke.

  “You all are friendly and I don’t doubt for a moment that you’re doing this to help me…” She said and took a second to breathe. “But I haven’t gotten used to all of you, despite how much I want to be around all of you at once.” She said, starting to feel more pain about all the truths they held.

  “Tartarus…” She gawked then looked up at Percy and Annabeth then at Nico. “I hope I never have to go there…” She muttered.

  Nico frowned. “We need to tell Chiron and you need to be there.”

  Elli nodded. “I know…” She gulped. “But these people. Not that they do it on purpose but I unwind every person I meet and they, they’re worse than some of the adults at the stations. I’ve analyzed murders, they’re not murders but their lives…” She said shaking her head.

  “Please, can you inform me later? I want to go be with Will or go back to your sister’s room. I’d be much more comfortable there.” She said holding back tears. Knowing the truth was similar to feeling the pain of her friends. How angry they were, how desperate… She couldn’t take it any longer.

  Nico sighed. “You know where Will is, go to him.”

  Giving an understanding nod, Elli hugged Nico, making him blush.

  “Thank you.” She said whipping away a few tears and then turning to the others. “It’s nothing personal…” She said pausing. “Well, for me anyway…” She smirked, these people were practically naked in front of her. “I’ll trust you all will make a good decision.” She said scurrying away.

  Percy smirked. “Man, I can’t even imagine having to go through our lives again and all of at once?” Percy frowned. “I wonder if she knows about Leo.”

  Meeting Percy’s gaze, everyone stood silently at the door. Finally, Jason smirked and turned the knob. Looking up from his desk, Chiron ushered the group to come in and sit around the table. Percy and Annabeth took two seats. Across from them Jason and Piper sat, with a seat in between them and Nico. On the opposite side of him except not leaving a gap in between herself and Annabeth was Racheal.

  Glancing around for Elli and failing to find her, Chiron gave a silent nod to the group. “I’m assuming this is about the prophecy?”

  “Yes.” Racheal said with a smile. “We need to find out who’s going to go with Elli. She can’t go alone and the prophecy doesn’t have specifics on who should go with her.”

  “Not that I want her to go alone…” Nico added quietly. “But maybe this a quest only she can do?”

  Racheal sent a glare towards Nico and Piper quickly added. “I understand where Nico’s coming from, there’s no one else here who’s directly related to her, she said it herself she has no siblings. Her dad might have lied but no one in Camp Jupiter is born under Veritas and we all know how their security system is so there’s no way someone could lie about it.”

  Jason shrugged. “I don’t know, she said the pseudologoi could lie and she wasn’t able to detect it. I wouldn’t doubt that there would be a way to breach the system.”

  Percy smirked, thinking of Terminus.

  “I did know about both camps longer than anyone else.” Nico added. “There is a way as long as you have no bad intentions.”

  “Ambassador.” Annabeth thought to herself but spoke out load. “Did you know anyone who might have stuck out to you?”

  Nico shook his head. “I haven’t visited the Roman Camp since I decided to stay here.” He shrugged.
“No one comes to mind. Michael Kahale crosses my mind but he’d do nothing against Rome, he’s the child of Venus and the side of a football linebacker but that might be the only reason why he crosses my mind.”

  Percy nodded. “That guy is huge.”

  Jason agreed. “He’s a good soldier, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt the legion.”

  Chiron tapped his fingers on his desk. “I know all of you are willing to volunteer to help her but for a quest like this I wouldn’t want more than three to go in total. It’s the general number for situations like this and as Racheal said, there was no specifics on who was supposed to go with her.”

  Piper smirked. “I’d want to go but she already doesn’t trust me with my charm speaking skills.”

  “It’s not that she doesn’t trust you.” Percy tried to explain. “I mean, she knows what you’re thinking so you can’t lie to her and if you do she’ll know and figure out what you’re hiding anyway.”

  Annabeth nodded. “I vote Percy and Nico.” She replied. Meeting eyes with Nico, they exchange understanding glances.

  “She’s most comfortable with Nico and Percy seems to understand her the most. He won’t bother lying to her or thinking to himself, he know she can read his mind and won’t try anything because even though he can be a seaweed brain he’s not stupid all the time.”

  Percy smiled. “Aw,” He grinned. “I’d go but I really think Nico and Will should. They both get along with her fine and she shouldn’t have problems with either of them. If I go she’ll still unwind my life in a timeline and I might give her a headache.” He smirked. “If any of us go with her without Nico she’ll be unwinding our lives with every word, touch, though, and whatever else she can do.”

  Nico sighed. It seemed only logical for him to go, deception and trickery he could deal with, he had nothing else to do anyway but still. Did Elli need to be by him any more than she was? She knew his life. Not all of it but most of it, more of it than anyone at the table had known. Raising an eyebrow, Nico glanced at Annabeth to see if his speculation could be true.

  “What if she needs someone from Camp Jupiter? I you all came together.” He shrugged.

II. Week Twenty: Identification

 Gasping awake, Bahram forced open his eyes. He was dead. He had to be. Or- Feeling the warm covers under his fingers, Bahram shook his head. There was a scent of cinnamon. One he associated with Christmas due to the scents in the mall. Turning to his right, Bahram glanced at the window. Its art reminded him of ones that he had seen in cathedrals. But he knew he couldn’t be in one. After what he had done, there was no going back on his ‘sins’. Letting the sensory sink in, Bahram looked down at the blanket.

 “Mum made it for me.” A low voice commented off to his right.

 Startled, Bahram turned fast. To his right sat a boy his age, dressed down and a girl sitting on the edge of his desk. Tilting his head, he nodded. “She’s blue isn’t she?”

 Rolling her eyes, Dröfn frowned. “Well of course I’m blue, I’m made of water. I thought you of all people would understand that.”

 Smirking, Bahram shrugged. “There’s much that happened today that I don’t understand but want to…” He sighed looking at the boy. “You’re the dragon aren’t you?”

 Glaring, Dröfn owned her mouth to retort. shaking his head, Mikey held up his hand then met her eyes. “Don’t give him a reason to kill me.” He grinned then turned back to Bahram.

 “Yes, I am.” Mikey nodded. “However-”

 “Why didn’t you kill me when you had the chance?” Bahram shook his head. “That’s what we’re destined to do. Kill each other.” Bahram stammered.

 Smirking, Mikey shrugged. “I can’t imagine having to live a destiny.” He sighed. “Especially since I have to live a curse.” He said as he nodded back at Dröfn with a wink.

 Amused and also terrified, Bahram opened his mouth to speak. Pausing for the moment to think, he shook his head in defiance. “How can you say that? She’s important to you isn’t she?”

 Nodding, Mikey smirked. “She is. If you count having to deal with a sea god for a step-pop as important I wouldn’t want to say yes.” He shrugged. “But ay, it all happens for a reason but I don’t believe destiny can say that it has one path.”

 “But that’s what I am.” Bahram held the blanket tightly in his hands. “I’m a dragon slayer and you’re a dragon. We’re not supposed to get along.”

 Sighing, Mikey shrugged. “I don’t suppose having a ‘wave’ for a girlfriend counts as ‘what’s supposed to happen’.”

 Looking up at Dröfn, Bahram smirked. “Does he do this to you all the time.”

 Rolling her eyes, Dröfn nodded. “It’s abuse isn’t it? All this sarcasm?” She spat. “Sometimes I wish he’d appreciate me more, after all, I am his first girlfriend.”

 “I’m also thirteen.” Mikey nodded to himself. “Sometimes I wonder how I managed to end up with a girlfriend at this age.” He said rolling his eyes in the same fashion as her.

 Smiling, Bahram turned away to laugh quietly to himself. “You two do act like a couple.”

 “You’re kidding.” Mikey laughed as Dröfn smiled then gave Mikey a light smack. Rubbing the side of his head, Mikey groaned. “She says I’m abusive but she always does the hitting. I mean, sometimes I don’t deserve it…!” Mikey sighed.

 Turning back towards the two, Bahram smirked. “You’re not denying that didn’t deserve some of it.” Bahram argued.

 “That’s the truth though.” Mikey grinned. “Sometimes I do but not all the time.” He smirked, pulling her down from the desk and setting her on his lap.

 “Could you…” He smirked. “Let me talk to him. I’m afraid if you stay any longer this is going to be a nagging fest.”

 Rolling her eyes again, Dröfn winked at Bahram and smiled. Leaning in to give Mikey a good night kiss, she stood and approached the window. Window fragments of all colors swirling into a vortex, she stepped it and waved Bahram good bye.

 “A portal?” Bahram commented in amusement.

 “Step-pop sea god has broken that window more times than you can imagine. He’s flooded this room and almost destroyed the house even.” Mikey smirked. “Dröfn was getting tired of his impolite ways and asked if he could be more ‘gentle’ when he barged into my room.” Sighing to himself, Mikey shook his head. “Of course, the old geezer can’t exactly be ‘gentle’. He told me that it’s a ‘less chaotic’ way to entering my room. That window stops his from bringing the ocean with him and it makes it easier for Dröfn to go home.” He smirked.

 “Well,” He shrugged, revealing the necklace to Bahram. “She’s never exactly ‘gone’ so I can’t bad mouth her.” He winked. “But that’s the more convenient exit/entrance for her instead of emerging out of the necklace and seeping into my clothes...and…” He shook his head. “You know what I mean.”

 Nodding, Bahram sighed deeply. “Saint George.”

 “Who?” Mikey questioned, sitting forward to make sure he had heard the slayer right.

 “He’s my guardian.” Bahram smirked. “He wasn’t home this morning. He left a note on the table. I need to go home so I can see if he’s home.” He said as he turned toward Mikey who was shaking his head.

 “Tonight you should stay here.” Mikey smirked. “I’d want you to meet my other friends because they’d be able to help you with your situation better than I could because they actually know a thing or two about slayers and well… dragons. But that thing that came after you and the way you killed it.” Mikey shook his head. “I don’t think I want to let you out of my sight until I know what exactly happened to you back there.”

 Fear infused in his eyes, Bahram met Mikey’s calm green ones. They were worried for him. The thought of being worried for someone who was capable of murdering him, or destined to murder him seemed out of the question but somehow, this dragon showed human emotions.

 “Do you consider yourself human or dragon?” Bahram asked quickly, hoping to get through the conversation before he turned again.

 “They told me to embrace who I am.” Mikey said, reading Bahram’s eyes. “Would you like to go where I go when I want to get my mind cleared up?”

 “If what you say is true. I don’t want to be what I am.” Bahram shook his head. “Who I am is a dragon slayer. What I am…” He shook his head again, this time feeling the panic arise. “I’m supposed to be human. That thing-”

 Sitting himself on the edge of his bed, Mikey touched his hand to Bahram’s wrist. “Why won’t we start with something simple?”

 Laughing to himself, Bahram looked at Mikey as if searching for answers. “You have a ‘wave’ for a girlfriend that you call a curse, you’re a wyvern, and you want to help a dragon slayer. I don’t see where simple lies.”

 “It doesn’t.” Mikey smirked. “But why don’t we start with…” Mikey’s eyes lit up as he looked at Bahram. “My name’s Mikey Vaughn. What’s yours?”

 “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Bahram said as his hands trembled. “Mikey…” He smirked, attempting a full smile. “Because we’re not supposed to-”

 “Since when did you follow rules?” Mikey grinned. “Look, mate. You and I are going through something and I’m doing what I can for you. Please, try.” He said as he smirked. “For you more than me.”

 “I follow rules all the time.” Bahram said in amazement. “You don’t?”

 “Not since the incident, no...” Mikey shrugged. “...mate.”

 “Bahram.” Bahram smirked in hearing Mikey struggle to call him a name.

 “Right.” Mikey nodded. “Can I call you Bah?”

 “Ram is what they call me for short.” Bahram laughed. “Why would you want to call anyone Bah?”

 “Well…” Mikey shrugged. “Dröfn’s real name is Bára but her sister’s names only get harder from there.” He replied in dread. Her father’s name isn’t even spelled with one letter as the first letter.”

 “It’s probably because he’s thousands of years old and spells his name with the original alphabet.” Bahram shrugged. “Saint George always told me stories about the Gods. I never believed until I asked one to…” Meeting Mikey’s eyes. Bahram paused for clearance.

 “If it makes you feel better. I’ve killed someone too. He didn’t deserve to died from the poison and acid that I had hit him with but I was so angry I didn’t know what to do. I planned on hitting him but then this whole dragon side of me came into play.”

 “It was your defense mechanism.” Bahram nodded. “I understand that.”

 “Or do you?” Mikey eyed him in concern. “As far as I can tell, we’re in the same boat. How many times have you turned?”

 “This was my first.” Bahram replied in disgust. “I killed him, my first dragon.” He said as he swallowed the lump in his throat. “But I don’t remember how I did it.” He said as tears began to fall. “I blacked out and the next thing I knew the boy was in my arms. A boy. One that I knew was a dragon but he reverted to his human form and I was holding him…” Bahram said as his breaths shortened. “..his blood all over my hands.” He said as he felt the panic arise in him once again.

 Nodding in understanding, Mikey sighed. “Ram…” He smirked. Getting his attention, they met eyes. “I know we met a while ago.” He smirked. “But Dröfn gives me a hug when I don’t feel my greatest. From one friend to another, would that bother you?”

 “Friend.”? Bahram look at Mikey in disbelief. “After all this and you still want to be-?”

 “When I thought I was at my worst, my friends came to from a different country. Dragons.” Mikey grinned. “They’re older than me. Older than us. But I’m sure they’ll be able to help you. With your dragon side at least. I know you don’t want to embrace it but you don’t then it’ll embrace you.”

 “I don’t know if I’m even safe around you.” Bahram replied in terror. “How can you look at me and say that?”

 “Because I was afraid once.” Mikey smirked. “And my friends helped me. They showed me that this part of me, the dragon side, it’s not something to get rid of or pretend that it’s not there. That ‘beast’ inside you so to speak… It’s not a beast unless you make it a beast.”

 Glancing back at the window, Bahram smirked. “Can you go through that portal?”

 “Yea…” Mikey shrugged. “But when would I ever want to? I’m with Dröfn 24/7 as much as I’d like to ‘visit’ the bottom of the sea I think it’s best if I don’t since I have to serve them for the next eleven years.”

 Shaking his head, Bahram glanced back at the portal. “But isn’t a girlfriend nice? Even if she’s not human?”

 “Only those who truly see can tell that she’s not but honestly I don’t know.” He shrugged. “A girlfriend’s a girlfriend..” He shrugged again. “I don’t really have a choice so I’m not sure. The first chance I might get in having a real relationship is when I turn 25. Well, almost 26 since I met them at the end of the year.”

 “It’s not complete torture is it?” Bahram asked, his quivering beginning to cease.

 Tapping the necklace, Mikey smirked. “No. But it does bother me when she ask me to ‘kill’ her ‘psychopathic’ ex boyfriends.”

 Interested, Bahram turned. “ex boyfriends?”

 “Yea… The list is growing but I’m glad that we don’t have to worry about them as much. I sort of it as killing fish, really big massive fish, or serious fast fish, but hey.” He smirked. “I’m serving her so I have to do what she says.”

 “Do you think she’ll add you to that list when your time together is over?” Bahram wondered.

 “I’m doing my best…” Mikey said with his hands up. “I am thirteen so she shouldn’t be mad at me. Especially since I am human.” He grinned. “Part dragon but I’m still human.”

 “Are you?” Bahram asked, his eyes stern.

 “I am.” Mikey nodded. “I drool acid sometimes.” He smirked. “I wear this mask so that it doesn’t destroy anything.” He smiled as he showed Bahram’s the mask made from his own skin.

 “Did it hurt?” Bahram asked as his eyes widened.

 “At first.” He shrugged. “But I was fine.” He grinned. “Imagine your whole arm’s skin ripped off and hanging there, you’re looking at it, and you’re like. Ew! Is that a different layer of my skin?”

 Terrified, Bahram shook his head. “You’re lying.” He said looking away in disgust.

 “Of course I am.” Mikey laughed. “So to answer your question I am human but I am a dragon. But that means so are you. You’re human and a dragon, and you are dragon slayer.” He shrugged. “It’s who you are.”

 

Week Six: Discovery

  Vile stood at the open window. It had a latch that opened outward so that there was an easy escape route to the night sky when either Xeq or him decided to go out for a fly. He stood on the frame and let the wind hit his face. He made sure Gwyne was fast asleep before he took off to the skies. He had even fallen asleep with her for a bit.

  Gwyne and him weren’t dating. As much as he’d love to he didn’t see how she, a normal human, could bare his child or even him. So instead, they slept together. It wasn’t much of a difference except when he found out that she was planning on dating someone.

  It struck him harder than he thought. Her being someone else's… He let the cool night temperature judge him. He was starting to doubt if he should go. They were at his house after all. He planned to make it quick. He had no school until Monday. However, leaving her here all alone would look bad on him. He made sure to leave a note on the table saying that he had gone downtown to get something for her and would be back around twelve. He had his central time watch on. He had to make sure he’d be back by then. It was midnight. He had twelve hours to do this.

  “Vile?” a feminine voice muttered as she groggily walked into the room and rubbed her eyes. “What are you..?”

  Vile turned at a haste, his shimmering blue eyes met hers. “Gwyne…” He said. Crap. I thought she was asleep.

  “What are you doing standing on the window ledge? You’ll fall. Get down from there.” Her voice was soft. He almost forgot that he was about to do something irrational.

  “Gywne.” He said with a sigh. It was dark, so she couldn’t see the gills that engraved the water dragon inside him. Getting down from the ledge, he took her in his arms and kissed her.

  Letting go, Gwyne attempted to place her hand on Vile’s cheek. Taking her hand, he pulled her closer and stared deeply into her eyes. “You don’t want to do that.” He said sternly but playfully.

  “Why? Where you are you going?” Gwyne wondered, not completely awake still.

  “Are you escaping because I’m dating Felix?” she said with a hint of pain in her voice.

  Felix?! My best friend? The one we always made fun of for being a Yankee? Vile intertwined his fingers with hers as he held in the thoughts. You’re cheating on Felix with me? He felt complimented knowing that she liked being with him in bed rather than Felix but she still was dating him. If he had known sooner…

  “Vile?”  Gywne asked sounding ashamed. “Should I go?”

  “No.” Vile said as he kissed her and picked her up wedding style. “Stay with me.” He said feeling a ping of guilt as he imagined his friend Felix glaring at him.

  “I’ll be back in the morning.” He whispered to her as he kissed her forehead and slipped to the window again. His breath was heavy still taking a toll from his last attempt to put Gywne to sleep. Diving into the sky and changing slowly he remembered what she whispered to him the night after her first date with Felix.

  “He doesn’t have to know.” She didn’t say who ‘he’ was, and she was avoiding it because she knew that he might fight for her. “We can be together in the dark.” She said soothingly as they knew what each other wanted and went for it. “Would you say that you love me?”

  The question hung in the air as Vile spread his wings and darted for the skies. He was faster in the water but his brother, if anything, would take to the skies. Where are you? He thought as he searched for any hint that may give Xeq’s trail away.

  He thought about the Hydra. What was it that breached Xeq and his communication? Hydras were distinct by their multiple heads. That was the first hydra on land that Vile had seen since… The thought occurred to him. He never had seen a hydra. Vile glanced down to see the ocean. He was over the Atlantic.

--

  “Are you sure?” The voice was Zamer’s.

 “Yes. It’s the only way. I can’t let him die like this.” Xeq pleaded.

  The two weren’t going out at the time. Vile laid still, chest barley rising.

  “Please.” Xeq was holding Vile’s hand now. “I can’t let my brother die.”

  Zamer stared at Xeq and glanced at Vile. “Normally, the one who needs healing allows me to take their significance from them. Not the person who cares so much allow it.” She spoke with sympathy in her voice but directness.

  “He may lose the memory of you ever being his brother if that’s significant enough.” She warned. “But he’ll lose something he may not want to lose.”

  “His life?”! Xeq spat. This was one of the few times that Xeq ever lost his cool and even one of the fewer times that he would yell at Zamer.

  “My brother means everything. If he doesn’t remember me, the blood that we share is altered, or whatever you say he’ll lose is lost then he can blame me. I’ll teach him who I am again. He just needs to live.” Xeq was in tears this time.

  “He’s been away from them for too long, Xeq. Your brother. There is no blood bonding.”

  Xeq growled as his eyes shimmered silver. “Don’t say that.”

  “He is not your responsibility.” Zamer said flatly as she slowly transformed into her phoenix self. “He is his own.”

  Backing away, Xeq watch quietly as she embraced Vile in her phoenix wings. She let out a cry as Vile began to glow. He was half in reflection form and half not. Transforming back into her reflection self, Zamer laid Vile back on the bed. He was now in full reflection form. She glared at Xeq as she stood at the frame of the door but then turned away, with the memory not that never was.

--

  “Say what?” Vile said as he gasped for air but inhaled water. He could still breathe. He was no longer in the air but in the Atlantic.

  “Protect the underworld.” He heard a voice say. 

Week Twenty: The Descendent: An Additional Detail

  Racheal Dare approached Elli at Nico’s table. Elli had found herself comfortable with Nico’s secrets and slowly eased in on everyone else’s. She had even grown closer to Will Solace as well. When Elli’s eyes met the green eyed girl with frizzy-reddish brown hair, Elli began to get nervous. The girl had been involved with Percy on one of his quest. An Oracle. Someone who could hear prophecies, maybe even see into the future. Adjusting herself, Elli tried to focus on Nico and what had happen to him, at least if she ran through his life it wasn’t something she wasn’t familiar. Nico and the girl hardly had any experiences together which meant Elli wouldn’t have to worry about going into an abyss of secrets.

  “Don’t worry.” Racheal said as she sat across seeing the look in Elli’s eyes.” Exchanging smiles with Nico she turned back to Elli. “I’m only here to tell you that I heard a prophecy yesterday.”

  Elli cocked her head. “A prophecy? My mother only mentioned a quest…”

  Racheal shrugged. “Yea, well, the Goddess of truth didn’t tell you the complete truth.”

  Elli sighed. “How is that believable?”

  Rachael smirked. “I know, hard to believe the Gods ever leave out details but they do.”

  Elli looked at Nico in fear. Assuring her, Nico nodded and then looked back at Rachael as if telling her to spill the beans already. Racheal nodded and spoke.

“To truth will lies fall and bow, through blood will two take a vow, one shall rise and one shall bind, deception, trickery, and overall, despair will rule and by a betrayal will one comprehend the enemies hand, with similar weapons but opposite strengths will one save or one will state, the true hero of the battle will find themselves not under Olympus but under the Universe itself.”

  The three sat in a silence for a moment. Finally, Jason Grace joined the table and broke the silence.

  “How’s it going guys?” Jason asked, he was already done eating.

  Nico shook his head. “Not well, Elli’s quest came with a prophecy.”

  Jason’s eyes met Elli’s. “Is it bad?”

  Racheal looked up and ushered Annabeth and Piper to sit at the table before she repeated herself. Once everyone was situated she repeated the prophecy and looked at the others for advice. Elli was the first to speak.

  “I understand the last part, it says that the hero of the battle will find themselves not under Olympus but the Universe itself.” She smirked. “It’s talking about truth. Truth not being Greek or Roman.”

  Annabeth nodded. “Well, okay. That’s the least of your worries.”

  Piper nodded. “Deception, trickery, despair, and betrayal?” Piper shook her head. “At least no one dies?” She tried to sound reassuring.

  Jason smirked. “I don’t know, Pipes.” He shrugged. “’One shall rise and one shall bind’ doesn’t sound clean to me”

  Racheal shook her head. “Through blood will two take a vow.” She paused. “That could me family or actual blood.”

  Elli looked up at them in amusement. “I don’t have siblings. I’m adopted.” She shrugged. “At least, if I had siblings they weren’t adopted with me and Vas made it clear that I was the only Triad there.”

  “There is a betrayal.” Nico shrugged.

  The glare Elli had given Nico shot through him. Turning back to his food, he took a bite to avoid conversation.

  “I know Vas didn’t betray me because I had a dream about him…” She sighed and all everyone at the table looked at her. “It showed me this room and this lady. Vas was chained to the wall but when this lady talked to him he responded with glowing eyes.”

  “You mean…?” Jason looked over at Annabeth for confirmation.

  “Possibility.” Annabeth frowned.

  Looking back at Elli, Annabeth sighed.

  “What is Jason suggesting?” Elli looked at Annabeth in concern.

  Annabeth returned the look. “Your dad could be possessed. It’s similar to the Ara that’s on you. It doesn’t show but it’s there. It can control when it speaks and if this whole time…”

  Elli shook her head in protest. “No, Vas protected me but even if he was possessed the whole time he didn’t always know where I was at. He had his job and I had mine. I didn’t have a cell so we communicated through letters.”

  Annabeth looked at Piper as if they were having a silent conversation.

  A smirk appeared on Elli’s face. “You don’t believe me.”

  Annabeth turned to Elli and opened her mouth to protest but Elli put her hand up. “I can tell when you think I’m lying or when you’re holding something from me. It’s hot wired, remember?”

  Annabeth sighed. “I was wanting Piper’s opinion on the situation.” Annabeth shrugged.

  Elli shook her head. “If that’s how you want to work it. But I don’t get this whole prophecy I mean, opposite strengths?” She frowned. “As much as I hate to say it my strength comes with me being able to tell the truths from the lies in anything. How could someone have the opposite of that?”

  Piper shrugged. “Maybe it’s talking about a charm speaker or Hazel’s magic. Something like that. I mean, it doesn’t work on you.”

  Nico shook his head. “That doesn’t mean they’re opposites.” Piper looked at Nico with a smirk.

  “Charm speaking doesn’t work on Elli but Elli can still tell when you’re telling the truth or not so you can’t block out her ability meaning they can’t be opposites.”

  Jason shrugged. “I have to side with Nico on this one.”

  “Even so.” Racheal interjected. “How could something be the opposite of the truth and lies?”

  Elli sighed. “The pseudologoi can stop me from being able to sense any lies.” She said, wishing she was wrong. “Those are spirits of lies and I can’t tell when they’re telling the truth or not.”

  “Not that they would.” Jason added.

  Elli nodded. “But either way, I still can’t sense it when they’re around maybe this enemy will have a pseudologoi with them?”

  Rachael shrugged. “It’s possible.”

  Annabeth sighed. “But then again, anything is possible.” 

II. Week Nineteen: Believing

 Watching the crystals of ice form on the edge of the mirror, Bahram closed his eyes. His breath had puffed up in smoke before him, this was his chance. It was a dragon. That feeling he had dimly with that dragon before had surfaced and now, he knew. This was what he had trained for. Meeting his luminous cyan blue eyes he nodded to himself. His chance had come. Now the other dragon had no leverage.

 There was no rumble. But he knew that the cold was the worst element this dragon could have. Saint George had trained him in the arctic for as many summers as he could remember. He thought that man was crazy but as he ignored the warnings from the teachers and closed the door behind him, he knew that the saint would never wrong him. Glancing back to the door that had sealed shut with ice, Bahram faced his opponent. A boy stood, quivering, not out of the cold but out of fear and confusion. Bahram knew those eyes too well. Taking a step towards the boy, Bahram held their eye contact fast.

 His eyes weren’t shimmering. The boy knew nothing about changing between their dragon self and their human self. This boy was inexperienced. Pity would have surfaced within Bahram if it wasn’t for the eerie feeling that had ticked away at Bahram’s self conscious.

 “Where’s Saint George?” Bahram finally said after a long pause and seeing ice crystals form in every direction of the boy’s stance.

 Frightened, the boy starred. Annoyed, Bahram tried again. “Saint George.” Bahram repeated standing strong. “Where is he?”

 Shaking his head, the boy began to twitch. Wide eyed, the boy turned on his heels to run. Erupting from his back sprung wings. Lashing out as he turned was a blue tail with spikes. Letting out a silent roar, carried by the wind and blizzard that had approached, the dragon thrashed about.

 Spirit. Bahram thought to himself. He had to conjure up his spirit to bring forth his weapon to kill the dragon. He had summoned it a few times in the arctic but he hadn’t managed it anywhere else. Shaking, out of frustration, Bahram forced himself to sit. The ice wouldn’t hurt him. The blizzard couldn’t kill him, If this dragon were to get away, he would never forgive himself.  Focusing all his energy to center himself, a bloody scream breached his senses. Wide eyed, Bahram froze as the outcome engraved into his mind.

 Gasping, his hands trembled. In his arms, the boy spazzed with blood seeping from his mouth. Cold expression caressing Bahram’s face, Bahram felt the cold liquid on his fingers. Terrified, he clutched the boy in his arms. Blood. He never imagined killing a dragon to be the same as murdering someone his own age. How did he kill him? Bahram’s heart raced he began to twitch. He had accomplished what was set to be his destiny. To kill his first dragon was to make history. Although, somehow he felt different.

 Saint George. Bahram thought. The boy knew nothing about Saint George. Which meant one conclusion, the other dragon knew. However, how could it be possible? At the temperature that the dragon had brought forth with the blizzard, there was no normal human or creature that could stand the ice. Whipping off the blood from his fingers, Bahram watched as it crystallized on contact with iced over grass. Where was he supposed to put the boy? Would it be considered murder? He was a dragon. Holding the boy tight Bahram shook.

 “You aren’t fully human. You’re using a human form because that’s how this age works. You’re blending in. So please return to your dragon self so no one thinks that I murdered someone instead of killed my first dragon.” He whispered, taking the boy’s hand in his own. Laying the boy down in the first shelter that Bahram could muster to, he watched as the blizzard began to whistle.

 After killing the dragon, the blizzard should have stopped. No one else had the power to control the harsh weather. Shaking his head, Bahram smirked. Saint George always talked about the Gods. There were Gods of many cultures. Looking back at the frozen corpse, Bahram sighed. He didn’t want to sacrifice the dragon/boy but if he didn’t want anyone to witness or explain how he made it through this icy hell of a storm, he had to do something.

 Crossing his legs, Bahram sat down next to the body. The boy wore no uniform which meant he either skipped school or this blizzard had been going on since this morning. Either explanation made sense to Bahram. The air compressor might not have been messing up on it’s own. Maybe the weather did something to it.

 Focusing his energy all to his center once again, Bahram licked his lips to speak. “I pray to thee, Hindu god Shiva, take this offering and stop the storm.”

 Allowing himself to settle in silence, Bahram felt a warmth caress his face. Slowly opening his eyes, Bahram stared, stunned as the corpse erupted into flames. Watching it burn to cinders, Bahram bowed his head speechless. The Gods were real. Though he could never remember which God meant what or the thousands of stories Saint George would tell. Standing, Bahram’s eyes widened.

 Feeling his energy begin to focus, Bahram shook his head. This wasn’t what he wanted to be. Where was he? Looking around to find nothing more than empty space, Bahram nodded to the darkness. He had been here before, there was a sense in his familiarness. Calming, Bahram crossed his legs and closed his eyes. As if peering through a glass, Bahram smirked at the figure cross legged before him.

 The body was nowhere to be found and the storm was becoming stronger.Facing himself, Bahram smirked. He was shaking. As if reading a book aloud, Bahram began to speak. “One must have peace within to tame the beast, the storms, and to choose his own path.”

 Gasping, Bahram grabbed the first threshold he came in contact with. He was no longer in his meditation state. Recollecting his thoughts, Bahram stood, looking down at where the body had been. The blizzard hadn’t stopped. However, there was a new confidence within Bahram, one he had feared to open up to. Looking up at the blurred blizzard sky, Bahram focused his attention to the coldness, the cold that hadn’t breached his mind at all since he had exited the school.

 Saint George had made him do something similar to this once before. It was the first time he has seen a iced over dessert. At that time, he thought it was a conscience but now, he knew that there was more the snowflakes, and whistling winds.

 Eyes shimmering a darker blue, Bahram slowed his breath. Stepping out from his shelter, he watched as the blizzard slowly began to fade with every step. Saint George would’ve been proud if he had seen him in action, Bahram thought to himself. A dragon’s death, stopping a storm on his own, finding out that Gods actually existed. Pausing, Bahram took a moment to sit and close his eyes to thank the God. Though, he apologized for not remember what the God represented.

 Entering back into the school, Bahram walked passed the shocked stares and glances. Hearing the news cast over the intercom, Bahram smiled. Now if only the Saint would tell him where he had gone.

--

 Mikey amusingly nodded to himself as the clouds parted. That definitely had nothing to do with mother nature. If there was ever a set mother nature. Feeling the dragon’s presence slip away, Mikey shrugged.

 “Looks like I might have ‘jumped the gun’” Dröfn said as she attached herself to his side.

 Rolling his eyes, Mikey shrugged. “I don’t think waves can jump.”

 Aggravated, Dröfn punched Mikey lightly. “It has to do with that dragon slayer…” She said rubbing her cheek against his arm. “Something happened to him.”

 Raising an eyebrow, Mikey looked down at Dröfn. “Your dad said that the dragon slayer was a boy?”

 “Why wouldn’t it be?” Dröfn questioned in confusion. “Why would a woman want to kill someone as sweet as you?”

 “I got your dad to trap you, your sisters, and your mother, in jail for like a night.” Mikey laughed to himself. “You call that sweet?”

 Frowning, Dröfn crossed her arms. “Well, maybe not everything you do is sweet but you’re a sweet guy. You’ve taken care of some of my boyfriends for me, you’ve cuddled with me, you-”

 “Thanks.” Mikey smirked, taking Dröfn by the arms. “But back to what I was asking. Is it a guy?”

 Dröfn shrugged. “That’s what I thought.”

 “That’s obviously what you thought.” Mikey nodded. “But I guess it would make it easier on me to fight another guy. I can’t imagine having to go up against a girl dragon slayer.” Mikey shook his head. “I wouldn’t want that.”

 Looking up at him, Dröfn cocked her head. “Are you saying that you would be weak against a girl dragon slayer?”

 “Maybe.” Mikey shrugged. “I don’t like hurting girls.”

 “If she’s a dragon slayer I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t be considered ‘hurting a girl’.” Dröfn smirked.

 Shrugging, Mikey nodded. “I guess you’re right.”

 Smiling, Dröfn grinned. “Of course I’m right. But I am curious how the storm cleared up.” Dröfn smirked. “Daddy said that this storm was personal. But I could hear the news from your necklace, no human could have stood out there. Do you think your dragon slayer might be magical?”

 “‘Magical’ would probably not be the word I’d be using.” Mikey shrugged. “But after having to deal with you and the Gods, hearing about Vile and Xeq’s crazy adventures, and seeing that I still haven’t managed to figure out how to stop this drolling acid problem…” Mikey shrugged. “I wouldn’t say I’d put it passed him or her.”

 Dröfn frowned. “I hope they’re not but my father said that there was more than one force in this storm.” She sighed. “Which doesn’t make sense because then maybe the slayer started it and someone ended it, or someone started it and they ended it, or maybe they both died and that’s why it cleared up.”

 Mikey shook his head. “I don’t think the dragon slayer’s dead.” He smirked. “At least, I wouldn’t hope. I don’t like knowing that people died.”

 “But he’s going to come after you if he is alive…” Dröfn sulked.

 Shrugging, Mikey pulled Dröfn in for a full hug. “Don’t worry. If I’m not meant to defeat this person then you won’t have to deal with me for the next nine years.”

--

 Walking past where he had taken shelter earlier after the fight, Bahram sighed. It was for the better and the Gods… They even helped him. Well, a God helped him. Which meant that he was doing something right. Checking to see if anyone was watching him, Bahram approached the area. Nothing marked that he has been there but something else drew him towards the cover.

 Putting his hand on the side of the building, Bahram closed his eyes to listen. Hearing a shuffle he turned towards the noise to meet eyes with a wrinkled human figure. Well, he would have met eyes if the figure had one. To him, the figure almost looked like a naked human except for the fact that it looked genderless, without any sexual orientation for him to pin point.

 Standing a good six feet tall, with a hunch, the figure tilted its head at Bahram. Throwing itself forward, its face opened up to scream and show the emptiness within the creature. Eyes widening, Bahram stepped back. Feeling a blood boiling sensation his blood he charged forward, watching as his hands morphed into claws, his torso split from the middle, and ice began to crawl over the cramped space.

 Wings breaking into the building, Bahram gasped in his own thoughts. As anger, fear, and confusion arose he felt his own mind slip away. Before him, another dragon, a dark green without a snout but a...was that a beak? Blur shifting to his eyes, Bahram embraced the imbalance, finding himself in the dark.