Several days before the Camarth Castle incident….

  Thomas was experiencing all kinds of feelings, ranging from terrified to exhilarated. It could only happen because he was a passenger for a wyvern rider he dated, Adeline Rochefort, who was riding with him on the back of her wyvern, Swift.

  It all started from their second date, in which their lunch talk turned to an offer to ride together on the back of a wyvern. Considering Thomas’s fascination with dragons, he couldn’t refuse the chance to be a rider, even if it was just to be the passenger of a proper rider. He did not mind having to ride a wyvern instead of a dragon: like Adeline, Thomas considered them to be dragons all the same.

  Once Thomas assured Adeline that he was ready, she told Swift to fly slowly. Even after she said that, her wyvern partner flew as he usually was. Thomas felt like he left his soul back on the ground by how fast the wyvern ascended. He had ridden on the back of a dragon before, but that was when she was descending, and a slow descent at that.

  Thomas thought it was because wyverns were different. Adeline’s comment revealed a different reason.

  “Whoa, Swift! You’re going to throw us off!” she exclaimed. “Slow down!”

  She felt a playful feeling from the wyvern as he vocalized himself. It was something best described as ‘mischievous’.

  “Damn it, Swift!” she said, but with a playful tone. “Don’t scare him on his first ride!”

  “I, uh…I’m fine!” said Thomas, amidst the wind blowing on his face. “Don’t worry about me!”

  Swift finally slowed down when they reached the skies. Adeline sighed but then noticed that her passenger was grabbing the saddle a bit too hard, to the point his knuckles were white. She couldn’t look back, but she could easily tell what Thomas was feeling right now.

  “Thomas,” said Adeline. “Look around you. What do you see?”

  Thomas forced himself to open his eyes after the wind blowing on his face had lessened. What he saw caused all his fears to go away.

  The Manarithian countryside was in full view, all in its unobscured glory as seen from the sky. Thomas had only ever dreamed of this from reading books about dragon riders and their exploits, along with some adventure fictions that he bought several times. They had always described the joy of flying, the freedom of the sky, and the enjoyment of the passengers who, in many of the books, were observers and not riders by trade.

  Thomas was speechless, in awe of the forest and the Carlesi mountain range that he had never seen from this height before. Henrietta’s flight was short and too close to the ground for comfort. This was truly the first time the young human had witnessed everything and got himself in awe.

  The silence signaled Adeline that Thomas was enjoying the view. She had seen the view thousands of time since childhood, riding different wyverns with her parents as part of her family’s business. Now, as a member of the air corps, her focus was more on security and air traffic safety. Manarithia had more than just military riders; there were private riders, adventurers who partnered themselves with either dragons or wyverns big enough for flight.

  She was not working now, but that did not mean her responsibilities were gone. Right now, she acted as a tour guide.

  “My family’s ranch is over there,” said Adeline, pointing south. “You can’t see it from this distance, but they raise wyverns.”

  “You raise wyverns?” asked an astonished Thomas. “I did not think of that. I thought dragons were all wild until they found the right rider.”

  “The dragons are,” clarified Adeline. “Wyverns are docile enough to be raised in a farm like horses.”

  “Does Swift?”

  “Swift’s a bit complicated. I found him as an egg with my empathic abilities. Apparently, his parents left him, though we suspected they died during hunts. He’s not necessarily a wilder. More like a foundling.”

  Swift let out an growl that sounded like a bird’s call. Only Adeline could sense what he was thinking now.

  “I know, Swift, I know,” she said, patting the base of the wyvern’s long neck from where she sat. “I’m glad we found you.”

  “I can’t imagine what you felt when you first take flight. I’d certainly not pass the entrance exam if I first reaction is to tuck my head.”

  “I got the same reaction as you are when I first took flight. I got past that years ago. You know, the bay’s usually the best view, but unfortunately, not so much these days.”

  “Yeah, it’s a shame. I’m sure once we clean it all up, the view is going to be marvelous.”

  “Then get to it,” said Adeline with a smile.

  Their conversation was quickly cut short when Swift turned his head towards Aldimar and growled. His emotion, that of worry, alerted Adeline that something was wrong, and she followed the wyvern’s head.

  “A black smoke?” said Adeline. “Someone must’ve caused a fire. I should alert the fire brigade and—”

  Her comment was immediately replaced by an audible gasp when an explosion happened. The explosion was violet or purple in color, with coldness instead of warmth. Thomas recognized the fire. He knew someone who cast that fire spell before.

  “Oh no,” he said, terror apparent in his voice. “Not her again….”

  “Who?”

  “Mizzorra. I fought against her before in Carlesi. I can’t believe she’s here.”

  More explosions, this time big enough to destroy a row of houses and part of the town’s wall.

  “Oh my god,” said an aghast Adeline. “She’s destroying the town….”

  “She must be chasing Shana. Damn it! I need to get to Princess, Adeline. Land me near the shed!”

  “What?! After that explosion?! You’ll die! And who’s Princess?”

  “That’s the injured dragon I am taking care of! She’s also a target! Please get me down there!”

  Adeline complied, directing Swift to fly towards the seaside area. Almost immediately, Swift sensed danger, and quickly made a barrel roll to the right to evade a purple fireball shot to the sky. Thomas was almost thrown off his seat if it wasn’t for the safety belt Adeline asked him to wear.

  More dragon and wyvern riders took flight to assess the situation from the sky, each dodging the fire projectiles shot against them. Swift flew daringly through the fireballs and the projectiles, close to the top of Aldimar’s tallest building. His flight intensity left behind a gust of wind strong enough to blow some people off their feet.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  They finally reached the shed, with Adeline letting Thomas off Swift’s back. The young mage immediately tried to run towards the shed before he bumped into someone. Rodvar was surprised by Thomas’s sudden appearance.

  “Thomas, lad! Where have you been?!” he asked with a worried tone.

  “I’m away. Is she—”

  Rodvar stopped him from saying anything else. “Don’t, lad! We better keep her safe.”

  “It won’t help against mages, Rodvar,” said Thomas. “She exuded a particular magick unique only to her, a heat signature or some kind. I can sense it beyond that shed, and I bet Mizzorra’s already knew where she is.”

  There was an explosion close to the area. Someone was closing in at the area, just as they predicted. Thomas hoped it wasn’t Mizzorra, because he knew how outmatched he was against the deep elf.

  “Mizzorra? That’s a Fel’uven name!” said Rodvar, tightening the grip to his hammer. “They came this far from the mountain?”

  “They’re coming for Shana, just like in Carlesi,” explained Thomas. “And probably He…Princess. And me.”

  “You? Why you?”

  “I cast the fire that caused her to scream in agony.”

  “Shit.” Rodvar sighed. “You’ve made a dangerous enemy, lad. Her people are responsible for ruining our kingdom, scattering us through the land. They don’t shy away in using black magick to get what they want, corrupting them in the process.”

  “I can see that.”

  “First Sybarians. Then Fel’uvens. By me beard, I don’t need this in my retirement.” Rodvar immediately turned to Adeline. “You, lass. Take Thomas and get to Camarth for reinforcement.”

  “No!” said Thomas, readying his spellbook. “I am not leaving you or Princess behind. I want to fight.”

  “Don’t be daft, lad! You are no match against a Fel’uven witch!”

  “I must! I’m through running away again. I am not leaving my sister behind, not when she needs my help the most! I will never forgive myself if I am not standing by her side when she wakes up.”

  Rodvar tried to protest, but Thomas’s determined look told him that the young human could only be dissuaded by a knock to his head, one that Rodvar was tempted to do. But he knew the mage had a good reason to risking his life, and as a dwarf, he admired that, as foolish as it is.

  “Och, you stubborn lad,” said Rodvar, scratching his balding head. “Fine, then. Lass, I’m sure you know what you’re going to do.”

  Adeline was also trying to protest, but Thomas, aware of her problems, said, “Adeline, everyone has their own strengths. I know you hate being the messenger, but you said it yourself. There is no one in the air corps faster than Swift. Please, you have to help us the best you can.”

  Swift nudged her, trying to convince her that Thomas was right. Adeline had no choice but to agree.

  But before she could take flight, Rodvar saw a cloaked figure standing nearby. He sensed danger. Lethal danger.

  “Watch out!” he warned.

  It came just as the figure cast a dark spell that opened a portal. From within the portal, a mass of creatures, shrouded in black, came rushing out of the portal and immediately attacked Swift and Adeline. Thomas, owing to his prepared spells, managed to cast a spell instantly, creating a barrier that stopped them from overwhelming the wyvern rider team.

  “Adeline, go!” exclaimed Thomas. “Take flight! Go, now!”

  She did not hesitate to do what Thomas asked her to. Swift roared and beat his wings to take flight rapidly, leaving behind a strong gust of wind that caused Thomas to lose balance.

  “A fucking Pale Wraith?!” said Rodvar. “With a portal spell?! What in the world is going on?!”

  “I can’t pretend I know what you’re talking about, but I’m sure it’s bad,” said Thomas, while keeping his attention to the rapidly cracking barrier. “I only stocked five barriers. We need a plan.”

  “I have one already in mind. Disengage.”

  “What?!”

  “I’m not finished. Get to the shed.”

  Thomas agreed that it was the only way they could protect Henrietta while also protecting themselves from the horde. They immediately ran back to the shed, entering it through the side door. He immediately barred the door and the big, shed door. He knew it wouldn’t be enough, so he relayed his plan to Thomas.

  “Listen closely. The shed can hold the horde well enough without your barrier spell, but we will have to eventually deal with the dark fire. How long can you maintain your barrier spell?”

  “Until my magick reserve is out. Beyond that, I’m using my own lifeforce.”

  “Then you cast them only when I tell you.”

  “Two against a horde. Our chances are quite slim.”

  “That’s the uncertainty of adventuring, lad,” said Rodvar with a smile. “You either survive until you retire and beyond or die with no way out. We can only hope for something good to happen.”

  “Something good….” Thomas immediately looked at the slumbering form of Henrietta. He knew it was a long stretch, but he believed in his sister.

  As the banging on the shed walls started, Thomas focused on casting his spell, while beginning the second part of his plan.

  “Henrietta, I know you can listen to me,” said Thomas. “Get up from bed and help me. We are being attacked!"

  How long has it been?

  It was a question she couldn’t answer. Wherever she was, time progression did not matter. There was no indication of time progressing, with the sky being perpetually clear blue, and the water still and clear. The only changes she knew were when she created ripples on the surface of the water, or when she caused the water to evaporate.

  But none of those changes were permanent. The water she evaporated with her intense fire did not seem to lose its volume. She could never drown, not dip her claws underneath the water. She was, for all intents and purposes, standing on the surface of a still water that went to infinity. She could neither feel thirst nor hunger, once again removing any indication of time progression.

  The only thing she knew was boredom, only staved by her own desire to get stronger. She had something to do on that infinite plain, and she would do it.

  And after some time, she did it.

  Henrietta looked at her work: steams of evaporating water caused by her use of Zulkiris’s fire. They would soon dissipate, but she saw what she did, and she smiled to herself, though she wasn’t sure if she was smiling or not, given her unfamiliarity with draconic expressions. She could look at her own reflection, but it was currently occupied by her only companion in that infinite horizon.

  To her satisfaction, Zulkiris the Dragon Goddess of Fire gave her approval with a nod. Henrietta wasn’t sure if she was smiling or not, but deep down she knew Zulkiris was satisfied.

  “You’ve made quite a progress understanding my fire, Henrietta,” said the Fire Goddess. “And you didn’t let your rage blinding you.”

  “I know my limits. Still, I wonder if will be able to apply everything I learned her when I wake up. This is still a world inside my head, isn’t it? I’m still asleep in the real world.”

  “You made a good point,” said Zulkiris. “In truth, your body will need to adjust to the knowledge you gained oneirically. When you wake up, start with something simple before you use the physically taxing ones, lest you suffer more injures that you don't need. Your injuries from the earlier attack haven't healed completely yet."

  “Onei…what?”

  “Dreams, Henrietta. The skills you gained in your dreams,” elaborated Zulkiris. “You will remember what you learned in here, but real world situations differ with situations in which you are in right now.”

  “Say, how long have I been asleep? I don’t feel tired despite the intensity of my training.”

  “It has been a month since your coma, give or take a week or so,” said Zulkiris.

  “A month?!”

  “But here, time holds no meaning. What is essentially a month can be a year in this scape. Or even a decade. Perhaps even a century. Granted, diving deeper and deeper into your subconscious risks your mind becoming trapped to the point where you will live your whole life, be reborn, relive it, and restart the cycle once more, while your body only ages an hour. Heaven turns to hell if you’re being reckless.”

  “I’d…rather stay on the safe side, then,” said Henrietta, shuddering from Zulkiris’s explanation. “Oh, I’m starting to miss the real world. I hope I don't have to deal with the corrupting magick.”

  “You can wake up whenever you want. Your first outburst burned out the corruption within you. If you want to wake up now, you…wait.”

  Zulkiris looked towards the distance, prompting Henrietta to follow her gaze. There was nothing there. Zulkiris noticed her confusion.

  “Perfect timing,” she said, further confusing the human-turned-dragon.

  “And you could explain for once instead of being so cryptic all the time,” said Henrietta.

  Zulkiris apparently understood her complaint. Out of thin air, a wispy white ‘screen’ appeared in Henrietta’s vision. It showed the interior of a barn, with two people conversing towards each other. She immediately recognized the blonde person speaking to Rodvar. He also turned around and look at Henrietta.

  “Henrietta, I know you can listen to me,” said Thomas. “Get up from bed and help me. We are being attacked!”

  “Thomas, cast the barrier now! Quick, lad!” said Rodvar, prompting Thomas to turn around and cast the barrier just as something crashed through the door.

  “An attack?!” she said, voicing her surprise. “When was this?”

  “Now,” said Zulkiris with a growl. “I can sense the dreaded magick. They began their attack just now.”

  “What?! Then tell me how to wake up, right now! Thomas is in danger!”

  “I’m aware of that. But the process is not as simple as just waking up. Remember what I told you of your limits in the real world." Zulkiris sighed. "I was hoping we have more time.”

  “What do you mean by that?” asked a puzzled Henrietta.

  “When the time comes, I’ll explain everything. Go and help your brother.”

  “Tell me what to do,” said Henrietta.

  Zulkiris opened her wings. In a blink of an eye, the serene dreamscape turned nightmarish, with fire bursting out into pillars of flame that were approaching Henrietta menacingly.

  “Prepare yourself for a rude awakening.”