It was an unspoken feeling they all felt among themselves and it was well known between them all except possibly Dan, that Areia only put up with their idea of friendship cause of Dan. Cyra knew this, Thranduil did too, Antrea could feel her coldness towards anything aside from Dan but didn't exactly think it was that deep, she did help her when she was brawling her eyes out back then. The dragon was gone, leaving the entire terrain in complete disarray, everything they've built so far in ruin, Thranduil was wounded, Antrea fixed him up instantly, Cyra refused her healing she didn't feel like it and would rather heal in her own pase, The dragon was gone and clearly took something important from Dan cause he wasn't waking up and it didn't seem like he'd wake up anytime soon or ever, According to Antrea he wasn't dead, but just a shell, Apperantly what the dragon took contained Dan's soul and life essence and unless returned Dan's as good as dead.
They all glanced nervously at each other, one thought going through their mind, if Areia's not dead she's bound to come around sooner or later and if she eventually does, how will she take the news?
The village was partly shattered cause of Cyra's crash, lucky for them the dragons didn't seem particularly interested in the village at all, and the damage done to it was just a byproduct of their fight, The destroyed buildings and wounded people were repaired and Healed, The people were not in bad spirits as no one died or was wounded for long, it seemed all good, the only devastated one currently was Antrea. Dan was placed in a saperate house that he and Areia built for fun by hand, no magic involved, it was a shabby sturdy piece of construction, but they ended up using it as their safe haven, he lay on the bed still lifeless, cold, Antrea stared at him from the side of his bed, she could do nothing but cry.
"If only I wasn't too much of a coward, she sniffed, If only I had decided to go on the offensive, the dragons were not even that strong, if only I had just had the courage to fight back rather than run, then maybe, just maybe the outcome could be different, her tears streamed down her face rapidly. Thranduil stood outside the door, he also had his chest filled with guilt, He was a mage and pride himself in it, but he was by far the weakest In the group and it clearly wasn't even close, but no one knew that better than Thranduil himself, he bit his lip in anger, if only he could have been stronger, then maybe just maybe something would have changed.
Cyra was currently going about the village checking for any sign of distress, Thranduil caught her running around looking for who to help, she was clearly trying to get her mind off things and it was working wonders for her, Thranduil didn't disturb her and let her be, he occasionally caught her crying and puking behind houses but didn't say anything about it.
Areia didn't come back for days, But eventually she did, it took nearly 6 days for her to make her way back to the village and it was night time when she did. She feet heavy as she dragged her tired body into the village, it was the most pain Areia had felt since she was alive, it dislocated her two arms she used to instinctively block at the moment of impact, thought she fixed them later on by hitting herself against a rock, her legs still weak and heavy, her body practically screaming," you're not even supposed to be moving" her vision blurred as she passed the village gate, she heard whispers but didn't have the strength to make out what they're saying, occasionally she stopped to ask someone of the villagers where Dan was, many didn't answer her, some tried to throw her off her game, but Areia wasn't stupid, all the people trying to keep him away from her only makes her want to see him more, was he injured? She thought, If so at least I need to be by his side, it's the least I can do. She dragged herself walking slowly around the village where kids played and men yelled and laughed, the torches were blinding, but she didn't bother anyone anymore, if Dan was injured she knew where he would be, and she headed there. Cyra spotted Areia first, and subconsciously dropped the basing she was holding, Areia was completely battered and pale, taking a punch like that from a dragon is no easy feat, and it seemed more impossible to take one and actually survive.
"Are you ok? No what am I saying? You don't look ok, she fawned over her. Thranduil got up from the log he was sitting on and poking the campfire, Antrea was grooming her feathers, they all looked like they hadn't slept in years, Areia scanned the surrounding.
"Where's Dan? She asked weakly. The air became as silent as a graveyard, they all avoided her gaze.
"What? Is something wrong? She asked staring blankly at them her voice shaky.
"You should heal before you go see him, Cyra suggested coming close.
"Touch me and I'll break your fingers, Areia hissed.
" No need to get aggressive Areia, Thranduil said standing up, Antrea got up too staring at her in fear.
"How can I not be mad? I fell in a freaking Volcano after being lunched halfway across the continent, and I make it back but no one seems keen to answer my question, and it's just own question, I don't care about the dragon that attacked, she said her voice growing, I don't care about this village, her voice growing even louder, I just asked where is Dan and that simple question can't be answered by anyone? Including you guys? Of course I would have found himself if I could sense his mana, but unlucky for me, Dan's mana seemed to has disappeared," now before I truly get mad, I'll ask again," where's Dan? She asked coldly.
"I think it's best if you know, Cyra muttered, despite Thranduil's signs that she should keep silent. " You've known him longer than any of us, she said opening the door for Areia to come in, you deserve to know more than any of us, Areia followed Cyra and giving Thranduil a death stare she got in the house. Wooden chair Dan had chiseled himself, lay around not beautiful but important, a piece of artwork of a bird Areia tried to paint on Dan's recommendation, the house was calm, Cyra led her down the hallway, they had discussed what they had to do if Areia were to come back, they were to keep her away from Dan as long as possible, till they have new leads, Cyra didn't say anything at the time but wasn't up for it, She walked and stopped Infront of a door, the door to the room Dan was in, Areia stared at her, then opened it slowly.
"According to Antrea the dragon took his life essence, Cyra muttered, and unless we find a way to get it back, he's practically dead. Cyra couldn't make out Areia's facial expression as she stared at Dan laying on the bed not moving, not smiling, not crying, not joking, not patting her head and giving her reassurances, Areia let out a little squeak and Cyra closed the door then went outside. Unable to hold back her tears, she darted outside ignored Thranduil's call and ran into the darkness.
"What do we do? Antrea asked Thranduil. What can we do?
"There's only two things we can do," 1 leave Dan as is, the repacaution, Areia never leaves that room and remain broken probably ending her own life too, Also Dan's an Error with him gone the balance of the world should be returned.
2. We storm the Realm of the Dragons and get Dan's soul back, Perks we get Dan back.
"Storming the dragon realm it is, Antrea said without hesitation, I fucking fell like murdering one or two, she barked.
Thranduil stared at her, during her time of grief, her sadness had slowly turned into anger and a sense of vengeance towards the entire dragon race. He couldn't help but smile. But he knew the task wasn't going to be easy, throughout the history of the world there had only been one documented case of 2 humans raiding the Dragon realm, and it was until recently he found out, it had happened decades ago, about 20 years infact. They're names are forever written in Gold, Arthur Shula and Flynn Andre. Their reasons for going there was unclear but like us they seemed determined to get someone. But before trying to get there we need to be able to cross dimensions, we already got that covered since we have you, he flicked Antrea on the head also we need a powerful sword man strong enough to hold the barrier while we cross and then we need a mage and something anchoring us to the dragon realm, Dan's orb should serve that purpose.
"Are those all we need? Seems too simple if you ask me, Antrea Interjected.
"Not quite, we need the blessing of three powerful beings strength wise or not, normally you should serve and become one , Thranduil continued, but it must be from someone who isn't coming with us to the dragon realm, And they're practically a handful of people with that type of authority.
"How about I help, A voice came from behind them, Thranduil jumped startled, Antrea struck the man he caught her arm, Antrea's feathers enclosed him, sending light beams through the man and holding him there, he couldn't move rather could only hold onto Antrea's arm and making it seem like he was in the jaws of a large Venus trap fly.
"You're a strong one aren't you, she chuckled towards Antrea and you clearly don't belong here.
"Why are you attacking him, Thranduil asked.
"Dragon, Antrea responded coldly," and a strong one at that,"
Would you pls remove your restrain, He smiled, I'm just here to have a conversation if possible help you, his red eyes and flaming red hair gleaming in the campfire.
"Nah I rather kill you right here, Antrea said lunging at his throat with her other hand, it connected. But his skin was though not like Antrea didn't know that already.
"If you could kill me you would have done so already rather than restrain me, by the way have anyone told you how pretty your wings are? He smiled. Antrea let go of him in a daze and walked off giggling.
Thranduil stared at her," unbelievable all it took was a compliment?
"Shut up, she said sweetly still in a daze.
"I think for your sake you should avoid Bars and pubs, Thranduil scoffed.
"So? Thranduil turned to face the man, What do you want to talk about?
"No need to be so tense, he said sitting on one of the logs rounding the campfire, I'm not going to do anything shady, I'm Dan's uncle or whatever and his mum's brother, long story short I owed her a favor, 6 infact so I'm here to repay it, simple enough.
"And how do you plan on doing that? Thranduil asked.
"You're slow aren't you, the man said mockingly, I'm a dragon so definitely I can take you to the dragon realm directly, isn't that better than looking for powerful figures around the world? Besides if the boy's life essence was taken by the dragons they definitely have a plan with it and if by chance that plan involves destroying it then he'll be dead for sure, simple as that. Of course my Nephew should be able to enter the dragon realm himself, but he clearly doesn't know that, he's half dragon after all.
"Why are the dragons getting involved now? Thranduil asked, they've always stayed out of world ending situations without intervening, it's always been their way through out history.
"Well it was their way, The man said waving his hand two tea cups appeared and a tea pot, he poured on the two and handed one to Thranduil, Antrea came back," I want one too, and add lots of Choco pls.
The man stared at her in shock as she materialized another cup and turning the tea in it, he placed his hand in it pocket and brought out a small package, he squeezed it and emptied the chocolate contained in it into Antrea's tea, she accepted it with glee, humming as she floated round the campfire taking sips from the tea, the dragon noticed her wings aren't flapping.
"An odd one isn't she? The man said to Thranduil, By the way I'm Bora, well of course I can't tell you my dragon name, but you'll just have to stick with that, he stretched out his hand and Thranduil shook it reluctantly.
"I didn't poison the tea you know, At least Dan drank it in the past without hesitation, it seems you're more skeptical than him, he eyed Thranduil's untouched tea. Thranduil still didn't drink it or seem Inclined to, The dragon stared at him sipping his tea.
"Like I was saying, it was their way until recently, a dragon got involved with a human and changed the shape of the world without knowing it," and that dragon to break that rule was none other than Dan's mum and my stupid sister, Bora continued. She was always an odd one even before coming in contact with that human, he smiled, always trying to sheer up the dragon realm even though she knew it was a gloomy hell hole ruled by power. Of course I had always looked up to her, she was one of the guards.protecting the dragon realm and one of our strongest thrump card, he said smiling despite himself. But she snapped, when her best friend died to the hands of the dragon king, she flew into a bloody rage, I've never seen anything like it even the dragon king couldn't stop her, she was the cause of his current weakened state after destroying half the realm she disappeared into the human world vowing to never come back.
Bora looked at Thranduil square in the eyes," are you familiar with the soul stone?
"They're only a myth, Thranduil confirmed.
"Myth? You amaze me kid, Bora laughed, yeah I did once think it was a myth too, until the dragons got their paws on one, it's the first I've laid my eyes on since I was born and mind you I've been around for thousands of years." Are you familiar with the second human settlement? Aside from Hav'al that is.
"You mean the floating kingdom, Euistoria? Thranduil asked, they're cut off from the rest of the world, what does this have to do with them?
"Don't tell your friend, but I'm sure you know what a soul stone does and why it's extremely extremely rare? Bora smiled wickedly.
"Yeah, it's a piece of unholy artifact, that can indefinitely ulter the memory of it's said target, that's what I read anyways, Thranduil added.
"You're right on the money, Bora said pouring himself another cup of tea, And can you guess who the target was for the dragon to acquire a soul stone?
"Are you saying the Euistoria is in possession of Soul stones? Thranduil suddenly said loudly, Antrea looked down at them.
"One at a time young one, ona at a time, Bora said calmly taking some biscuits from his pocket and giving some to Antrea," now answer my question, do you have an idea?
"Taking into consideration what you said so far and the fact that you don't want Dan knowing I would assume the target was his mum, Thranduil said uncertainly.
"Rightly so, Bora confirmed, What Dan knows about the whole situation is this," his mum is in the dragon realm, other than that he has no clue what's going on," the last he or anyone saw his mother was 7 years ago, before the fall of the human kingdom and before he became wanted,she didn't just disappear, she was targeted as as you can possibly know you can't fight a soul stone, it only holds the memory of one and can only be used once, but it was highly useful when capturing her, she didn't know what hit her, I witnessed it myself, of course I couldn't do anything about it at the time I was just a spectator, she reverted back to herself before she met any human or even fall in love with one, it was like a miracle. She had forgotten everything and only remember the time she was a guard and a certain village she usually takes refuge in, her best friend was also artificially created to keep her from going rouge like in the past, and it's clearly worked well, I haven't seen her leave her cave when I visit the dragon realm, she's always sitting on her mountain of gold, and the worst part is for some reason he can no longer transform into her dragon form, that angered the King bitterly, but there was nothing he could do about it, regardless of her dragon form or not, she's a Force to be reckoned with.
"Why are you telling me all this? Won't Dan or Areia be more suited for all this? Thranduil asked.
"Have you seen my Nephew rampage before? Bora smiled, his sharp teeth gleaming.
Thranduil shook his head, the time he had spent with them he hasn't really seen Dan lose control, but he heard from Cyra that he had only done so once towards her and it wasn't a pretty sight, of course Areia had more experience in that aspect, but knowing Areia she definitely won't say anything if asked.
Of course, he avoids it really well, but I think he's nearing his limit, the boy is fighting is biological composition as well as running from the sphere, and also fighting powerful foes, they're not a good combination of you ask me, Bora continued. He's a dragon and we're often driven by the strong urge to destroy, of course my Nephew knows that, but try hard to keep himself from going dark, I spoke with him a while ago about it, but he definitely won't listen, be cherishes that girl too much,the ninja or whatever she is, But whatever I've seen him rampage before and he was only an infant then, the bloody kid blew up a large island, lucky it was owned by the Shula family and empty of people, if my sis hadn't stepped in I'm sure he would have blown a bigger chunk of the planet off, Bora laughed, of course they didn't know I was watching, a handy ability I have.
My point is, You seem level headed, if Dan were to find out his mum who missed her cherished husbands death and the fall of the human kingdom cause she was trapped by the dragon king in our realm, he definitely would go berserk, after all I know how loving their family was, even I envied them at times, Bora smiled. Now for the Human in Euistoria, how do I put this, they're definitely an Interesting bunch, they're strong though not stronger than dragons for obvious reasons, but they're strong, really strong, is all I can say about them, over the years they've been planting seeds, changing the world little by little, one of which was handing the Soul stone to the Dragons, I can't clearly desern what they're after but it's definitely up to no good, Bora huffed taking the last bite of his biscuit.
"By the way, how's she holding up? Bora asked," the white haired child I mean, you'll definitely need her if you're going to the dragon realm, and what about the hero girl?.
"I can't really tell, Thranduil said staring at the house," though I think she might be broken, he said uncertainly.
"Ah pangs of the heart, Bora smiled," it definitely hurts more when you're in love, he laughed. He got up and the cups disappeared including Thranduil's undrank tea, think about all I've told you so far, by tomorrow make a decision, I'm a busy man, and I definitely won't be around for long, favor or not, he teleported.
Thranduil stared Into the flames,"Antrea what do you think about all this?
She fluttered down her wings brushed his face and he felt a warmth he had never felt before, the wings disappeared she walked around in het hoodie and sweatpants, kicking ashes with her sneakers," I'm not a thinker, but I definitely wasn't to save Dan, so I think we should take his offer, she said,"I mean his tea and chocolate was pretty good and has a good eye for taste, she blushed.
"Are all Angels this easy? He asked, infact I think you should avoid parties too before you're picked up.
"I don't know what you're talking about but that sounded like an insult, she huffed.
Thranduil found Cyra high up in a oak tree quite a distance from their abode she was staring at the moon, no one knows why but wolves always go with the moon and this was exactly the case," what did he tell you? She asked without looking down at Thranduil.
"A bunch, he said taking a seat on the root of the tree," and a way to get Dan back, he added.
"I see, she replied.
"You know being this gloomy doesn't suit you, he picked up a mushroom studied it closely and tossed it away, the crickets chirping went silent for a while, howls hooted bats fluttered about and an extremely cold air blew by, Thranduil shivered.
"You should go back to the campfire before you freeze to death, She said staring down at him, her brown eyes gleaming in the little moon light that managed to make it's way down the canopy of trees.
"Being this gloomy doesn't suit you, he repeated.
"Who are you to tell me what suits me or not, She said slowly staring back up at the moon.
"He's not dead you know? He's alive and kicking so don't start mourning him like he's dead, He sighed and sneezed.
"You don't have to tell me that, I know that. Have you told Areia? She asked.
"I couldn't bring myself to enter the room, I looked through the keyhole, she's just sitting there staring at Dan, deadeyed and not moving, still covered in wounds, from her face she had been crying, I just couldn't do it, I left Antrea there to keep watch of things.
Cyra sighed," I'm a really horrible person you know? She laughed to herself,"don't speak," you know I seriously considered leaving Dan as is? Yeah I know that evil of me, but I wondered, he's just one boy that destruction and death dogs his every step, if he's gone it could save more lives than we know, I pondered it for a while, every hero has to make sacrifices everyday. She laughed again, I keep hearing voices, instructions rather, Cut him down it always says, Always repeating that sentence, cut him down, I'm a hero and Dan's supposed to be my greatest threat and enemy but I can't bring myself to look upon him with hatred neither can I bring myself to strike him with the blade. Do you know Dan activates my blade? I didn't know either until recently, I hate being the hero, I'm practically a little stronger beastkin, what's the point of my existence if they're countless people stronger than I? If someone is in danger and the peace of the world is being threatened by such powerful beings how can I defeat them. You know after my sister died, I went to the village and found the sphere, I was scared out of my wits, even though it wasn't them I took it out on Areia and Dan, man did I get a beaten from Dan, she laughed heartily.
"So what are you going to do? Thranduil asked her softly.
"What else is there to do, she smiled, we have to get Dan back, for our sake and Areia's, out of all of us it's a known fact that she had been through the most hard times,Cyra said jumping and swinging by down branches till she was on leveled ground with Thranduil, we can't let her lost her only anchor to life now can we? She smiled stretching her hand towards Thranduil, he grabbed it and she pulled him up.
"Uh, Guys! You should come see this, Antrea yelled above the trees, they bolted out of the woods Antrea flying above them towards the cabin, a large mana signature had appeared out of nowhere and seems to be spiraling out of control.
"It's Areia,I don't know what went wrong but her core is going haywire, Antrea screamed trying to yell over the strong wind that was suddenly blowing over the cabin, The mana pressure was immense and none of them could go towards the cabin.
"How's this possible, Thranduil yelled walking towards the wind slowly, using his magic to fight it, it was a fruitless and futile endeavor, he was struck back as far as the forest where they came from, The roof and half the cabin had been blown open, Areia still sat there staring at Dan, not moving.
"Cyra pulled Thranduil said before the storm blows him out of sight," what going on she asked taking heavy steps towards the cabin, still holding on to Thranduil.
"You know how almost everyone will with an affinity for magic has a core? Thranduil asked.
"Yh," Cyra confirmed, what of it? Antrea fluttered Behind Cyra, she was then shielding them all from the strong winds.
"Normally just like our heartbeats we're not manually controlling it, so is a mana core, I know Areia had strong magic even though she doesn't use it, her magic is and mana is immense, so basically this is the first documented case of a mana core failing on its own.
"And what's the cause? Antrea asked.
"I don't know take at look at her yourself, she definitely heavily wounded mentally and Physically, She's practically dying without even knowing it, her core needs to be activated manually either by her or like how you push the chest of someone who almost drowned, by someone else, I doubt she can do it on her own or would feel Inclined to do so, which means one of us has to do it, Thranduil yelled despite the loud winds and thunderstorms brewing, Rain was falling heavily like the sky had burst open.
"Areia you pain!, Cyra barked, Just snap out of it already, he's not dead you know?
"That wouldn't do much in this situation, Thranduil calmed her down, she's heavily wounded, I doubt she'll have have the strength to contain it even if she wanted to, I mean you saw the state she was in, she was barely standing.
"So all I have to do it hit her with my mana right? Antrea asked.
"Yh, but how are you- he hadn't finished before Antrea teleported in a flash.
"Pls don't kill me, she cried as she slammed into Areia Headfirst, They both tumbled away from Dan, Antrea noticed the storm hadn't reached Dan, She raised her left hand not wasting time, it glowed golden then injected it into Areia's chest, Areia lay still throughout the whole ordeal, Antrea on top of her, She kept pumping mana into her, it took a while, Areia eyes started getting their cold purple colors back, She grabbed Antrea who shrekked by the throat, tossed her aside and doubled down, puking blood and whatever else came out, the wind calmed down, the rain slowed and soon stopped, Thranduil who was floating like a flag at this point only holding on to Cyra's Arm fell down with a thud.
Areia folded and twitched, clearly In immense pain, Antrea walked close to her and patted her in the back, healing her slowly, it took about another minute for her to notice Areia was crying.
Don't worry Antrea muttered, her wings unfolding to it's full glory showing the entire surrounding with a soft white glow,"he's going to be alright, she said softly stroking her slowly, it was a really majestic and pretty sight, Soft feathers falling over Areia that turned to golden dust as they hit her, mending broken bones and torn tissues instantly, any that didn't touch Areia fell on the floor and instantly sprouted flowers.
Thranduil and Cyra stared in awe, one thought going through their mind," she really is an angel.