“How is he?” Kiyan hardly had the strength to stand after he had shifted back to a human form.
“I can barely sense his energy.” Kiyan closed his eyes and saw what Sapphire was talking about. Far different than the bright flashes of blue energy when he bent, the limp elf before Kiyan only had a faint glimmer of energy about him now. Physically he should be able to heal but I don't think he has the energy required to start healing. Sapphire sounded worried and rightly so. Singing Waves was covered in cuts and bruises. Internally he was suffering from the bends as the nitrogen dissolved in his blood at the depth was returning to tiny bubbles of gasses in his blood. Kiyan may have been physically exhausted but his mind still buzzing with the energy he had so rapidly absorbed from the water as a dragon. He placed a hand of the dying elf's chest and began to transfer the energy into the depleted vessel. Kiyan heard Sapphire gasp as the warm glow spread over Singing Wave's body healing his ailments and returning him to health. As the last of Kiyan's excessive energy drained away he felt Singing Wave's chest move as he gasped for air. After that everything became a blur and Kiyan slipped into a much needed sleep.
Chapter Nineteen: Shadows
As Kiyan neared consciousness he became vaguely aware of Luke engaged in conversation with someone. The memories of the last day came flooding back as well as the sensation of an uncomfortable lump of earth below his shoulder blade. His head was still a little hazy so Kiyan chose to simply make the bump disappear rather than move.
“Well, well, good morning sleepy head.” Luke's voice sent a twinge of annoyance through Kiyan's mind as he drew closer to a wakeful state and farther from the comfortable drowsy feeling.
“Oh come now. You can't sleep forever.” Luke again triggered the annoyed feeling. “You have already slept two days and three nights and let me tell you they have long days and nights around here.” This last intrusion swept a few of the cobwebs out of Kiyan's head. His limbs twitched as he realized what Luke had said. Eyes opened and found that a few saplings had grown around him and provided a snug abode while he slept. Luke or Sapphire must have grown it while I was gone. Kiyan mused to himself before the memories of the proceeding events clarified themselves.
“Singing Waves!” Kiyan sat up too rapidly and he held his head until his surroundings stopped spinning.
“I'm fine thanks to you.” Kiyan focused and saw Singing Waves sitting across the room from him. “It took a bit to convince Sapphire that it wasn't you that tried to kill me. I woke up a day and a half before you.” Kiyan could see that there wasn't a trace of the ordeal on the water elf. “I went back in and told the city about those creatures although I think you may have killed them all. Our scouts haven't found anything but the dead bodies of thousands of them. We raised the dome just in case though. Just as a precaution.” The water elf stood up and offered a hand to Kiyan. Kiyan found he didn't need the assistance but took it anyways.
“I suppose I owe you a rematch.” Kiyan felt like he had cheated destiny somehow.
“No you don't. In fact I owe you my life. I saw how you fought.” There was an awed look on Singing Wave's face. “After I passed out, you killed who knows how many of those things. If you unleashed that much power on me, I don't think I could have lasted more than a minute max. To have bent water with you is an honor I will tell my descendants of for the rest of my life.” The wide leaves that covered the doorway rustled and interrupted further discussion as Sapphire entered.
“You are awake!” The look of relief on Sapphire's face told volumes. “You were so cold I couldn't touch you and Luke wasn't even awake for the first day.” Sapphire caught herself and a red color crept over her face before she changed the topic. “I brought some food.” Kiyan only then noticed the brilliantly colored fruit and clusters of nuts that Sapphire was holding. Come to think of it, Kiyan felt an empty pit where his stomach should have been. The delicious food restored the last of Kiyan's strength as the four of them talked and joked about the past few days.
“It turns out that I may be able to exist separately from you but I'm on a leash of a sort.” Luke was relating how he had scared Sapphire half to death on a walk. Singing Waves had been watching Kiyan so they had felt it was safe for a short food excursion. When they had reached about a couple miles or so away Luke had dissolved into a small pile of silver dust. Apparently Luke couldn't maintain a connection over that long of a distance. Sapphire was terrified that somehow Kiyan had died suddenly taking Luke with him. Gathering up the silver dust she had rushed back to the shelter only to have Luke reform when she was less than half a mile away. It had taken a little while but Sapphire was able to laugh about it now.
“I must return to my family.” Singing Waves grasped Kiyan's hand after they had finished eating. “May you always swim in pure waters.”
“And may the stormy skies never harm protect you.” Kiyan finished the traditional water elf farewell. “It has been an honor.”
“The honor is mine.” With that Singing Waves slipped from the shelter and walked into the crashing surf. Kiyan watched the elf disappear from view. He wasn't sure he would have been so willing to go swimming as images of the demon fish flashed through his head.
Kiyan shook his head to clear the haunting memories and turned to Luke and Sapphire. “So? Do we go find the mountain tribe?” Up until now he had felt that the prophecy was merely a hindrance but now he saw it under a different light. It seemed as if it was guiding his footsteps to prevent disasters as they unfolded on the planet. The fight with Sapphire had freed her from the influence of the darkness. If she had lost control in another time and place, she could have been lost in her own mind and caused untold destruction in the process. His battle with Singing Waves had attracted the attention of the demon fish. If he hasn't been there, Kiyan had no doubt that Singing Waves would have engaged them by himself and most assuredly died. When Kiyan killed the massive school of demon fish, he quite possibly had saved the water elf race as a whole. Even if there were more demon fish out there at least the water elves were prepared for them now.
“You think you are ready for another fight?” Sapphire looked surprised that Kiyan didn't want to rest some more after his last battle. “You just woke up from a coma!”
“Na that was just a power nap.” A flicker of a smile played on the corners of Kiyan's mouth. “I've been known to sleep a lot longer.”
“I still think you should rest some more.” Sapphire tried to hide a flash of worry that betrayed her concern. Kiyan was confused for a moment until he understood the worry wasn't for him but was directed towards Luke. They must have spent a fair amount of time together as Kiyan had slept. The thought made him feel uncomfortable as his own thoughts turned towards Terra. It had only been a couple days since he had talked with her but it felt longer. He caught himself being watched by Luke and colored as he realized he had been caught.
“If you are OK I would rather be going. Every minute we wait is a minute lost as the dark lord implements his plans.” Kiyan was eager to get back in the action.
Sapphire grimaced as she thought. “It’s a long boring trip.” She got up and stepped out of the shelter so Kiyan and Luke followed. “It would take days to cross even if we were moving as fast as your boat.” Sapphire gazed out at the unbroken horizon with a resigned look. “We would need food for at least a couple weeks and water.” At the last part she glanced at Kiyan with a raised eyebrow.
“Water isn't a problem.” Kiyan was sure that he could purify the water by carefully freezing it or by simply drawing it out of the air. He grew silent as an idea formed in the back of his head.
“You just stay put here. I'm going to go get some more seeds and supplies. We will need them for the trip.” Without another word Sapphire was off at a sprint that ate up the ground and soon she was lost to their sight.
“Are you thinking what I sense you are?” Luke had a grin on his face.” It would be a lot faster.”
“It would but I don't know if I can fly that long with
a passenger.” Kiyan was still thinking.
“I felt how much energy you can absorb from the water.” Luke scoffed at Kiyan's objections. “You could fly indefinitely with ten elves on board. Don't make me show you the math.”
Kiyan rolled his eyes at the threat. “Time is of the essence.” Kiyan conceded that Luke had a point. “It can't be that bad so I may as well as try.” Kiyan stretched and cracked his neck in preparation. Releasing his grip on his human form he effortlessly shifted into his ice form. From there it was only a second of focus before he had achieved his draconic form. Kiyan looked out over the landscape from his new prospective. Luke was looking up at him and Kiyan began to get an idea of his true size as he towered over the AI. The last worries slipped away as he stretched his wings and gave a couple flaps. Dust and grass flew in all directions from the force of the gale that he stirred up. Kiyan's forelimbs were similar to his hind legs only slightly longer and with more dexterity. Kiyan was bigger than the shelter that had housed them all only a short while ago. Kiyan laid down behind the shelter and wrapped his tail around him as he waited for Sapphire's return.
“We think we might have found a faster way to get across the ocean.” Luke began to explain the new plan to Sapphire but was interrupted.
“You really don't know how far it is. If you make the boat move as fast as it was coming down the river day and night it will still take days at the.. Ahhh!” Fruit, nuts and various plant seeds scattered across the ground as Sapphire rounded the corner and found herself staring into Kiyan's glowing blue eyes.
“This is what I was trying to tell you about.” Luke tried to ignore Sapphire's shocked expression. “Kiyan here can fly us over much faster.”
Sapphire staggered back as Kiyan stood to his full height. “That's Kiyan?!”
“Of course it is Kiyan. I haven't seen any other draconic shifters around here.” Luke acted puzzled as he tried to distract Sapphire from her surprise.
“So that was you! I thought I was seeing things in the dark.” Sapphire looked mad now rather than surprised. “Why didn't you tell me earlier?” She was now looking at Luke. “I thought I was losing my mind.” She realized now that all the food she had gathered was scattered around her feet. “I wouldn't have had to gather so much if I had known.” She looked back at Kiyan and scowled as she examined him. “You have spikes, I would be cut to ribbons.”
Kiyan realized this now and felt the rows of spines on his back. He felt somehow less clothed as he lowered and retracted the sharp defensive spikes that lined his spine. When he was done they were little more than a slightly raised ridge along his back. Luke smiled at Sapphire after the change.
“See? Nothing to worry about.” Luke tried to convince Sapphire.
“Won't he get cold? It looks like he is made of ice.” Sapphire still wasn't convinced. She walked cautiously up to the dragon and opened her eyes wide as she touched Kiyan's scaly side. When Kiyan was a dragon, he may have been composed of ice but the properties of ice shifted to obey his will. Large scales the size of Sapphire's hand covered Kiyan's side and should have shattered with a move but flexed with the properties of a solid and liquid at the same time. As for temperature, energy neither left nor entered Sapphire's hand making Kiyan’s scales feel no cooler than her hand. The light seemed to refract and lose itself as it passed through the translucent scales fading into a pale blue glow.
“I suppose I could ride if you are really careful and don't drop me.” Sapphire stepped back and collected herself.
“I promise.” Kiyan was still startled at how deep his voice was in this form. Luke sprang into action quickly gathering up the scattered food and Sapphire began weaving a bag to store it in. Soon Kiyan had the bag secured on his back and a mat thrown over his shoulders. Sapphire cautiously climbed up and hooked her legs around Kiyan's wings.
“What about Luke?” Sapphire saw there was only room for one passenger and the food.
“What about me?” Luke's eye twinkled as he placed a hand on Kiyan's side. His features melted and a small rivulet of silver nanites flowed up Kiyan's side. Luke was comprised of surprisingly few nanites and in a moment they had reached Kiyan's head where they attached to Kiyan's icy horns. The translucent spikes looked like they had elaborate engravings inlaid with silver when Luke was done. Kiyan rolled his eyes and glanced back over his shoulder. Sapphire's mouth hung open and she was not unprepared for Kiyan’s next move. Instead of leaping into the air like normal, Kiyan simply galloped off the edge of the hill as he extended his wings. The hillside fell away below and they dropped a bit as Kiyan's weight settled into his wings. He glided for a moment as he adjusted for the extra load and gave a couple flaps. Kiyan didn't feel the least strain as his icy muscles were more than a match for his load. Surprisingly Sapphire had not made any noise at his take off. He had sensed waves of fright but she had controlled her emotions with a strong hand. Now as he gained a comfortable elevation he heard her for the first time since take off.
“It’s beautiful.” Kiyan looked down and saw what she was seeing. Sinking into the distance was a view the elf had never seen from this angle. On one side a lush jungle stretched across a basin as large as the eye could see. The blue mountains could be faintly seen fencing the jungle on a couple of the closer sides but on the other side the sea of green undulated over the terrain and merged with the horizon. A few rivers of various size flashed silver in the sun as they divided the green. Below the jungle was broken by the rocky coast and the white surf as the green sea met the blue sea. As far as the eye could see deep blue water sparkled where the swells reflected the light.
A morning breeze was flowing off the land out to sea and Kiyan only had to give an occasional flap of his wide wings to maintain elevation. The coast was soon lost to sight behind them as they sped onward. He bent a soft updraft under him and hardly had to make an effort to maintain his perch in the sky. Kiyan found that the lack of effort and concentration was making him sleepy for some reason. Watching featureless water slide below apparently was having the same effect on Sapphire as she soon slipped into sleep as the sun made itself known in the sky. Kiyan was already bored and he had only just begun. Hours or days still stretched out ahead of him. Kiyan fought sleep until he felt Luke taking control. Sleep took over and Kiyan's mind slept while his body continued under Luke's control.
My experience is that time and with it distance slips by far faster as one sleeps. This arrangement caused the rest of the day to slide into oblivion as they woke and slept periodically. Lunch time afforded Sapphire some excitement as she tried to figure out how best to feed a flying dragon. The issue was resolved by throwing the morsel ahead of them and Kiyan snapping it out of the air with his strong jaws. Not having exerted himself strenuously, Kiyan was satisfied with far less than one would expect for a creature of that size. Slipping back to sleep, it was hours later that Kiyan awoke. He was almost surprised to find the water mere feet below him. Luke was bending it up across his belly and Kiyan could feel the energy being extracted. When Luke had finished replenishing Kiyan's energy they angled back into the air and pressed onward. By this time the sun had slid low in the horizon and the few clouds in the sky took on magical colors. Flying through one of them Kiyan dew the water together into a bubble and formed a thin layer of ice on it. The chilled water was now contained and Kiyan bent it back to Sapphire. Kiyan himself swallowed a couple more with a snap of his jaws. He felt a refreshing energy surge as it flowed into his stomach.
They settled back for another nap and Kiyan only woke when he heard Sapphire exclaiming. “I can see it!” Looking for himself he saw the darker mass of land contrasting with the water that flickered from the light of the stars. Unlike Sapphire's continent, this one was rough and had towering mountains thrusting up as far as they could see in the dark. They flew through the mountain peaks for a little while. Kiyan was no longer sleepy now that he had something to see. His enhanced vision allowed him only slightly diminished sight in the dark. Seeing nothing like habi
tations or civilization they continued winding their way through the silent monoliths.
Soon they passed the jagged peaks and Kiyan realized that they were only the foothills for the real mountains. Ahead of them towered a wall of mountains that made the prior hills ashamed of the designation. These new hills must have been the result of a titanic struggle between two massive tectonic plates. Thrusting high into the atmosphere, these mountains seemed to scratch at the very stars above their heads. When Kiyan reached these loft giants he flapped his wings and sliced through the air in a steep climb. Sheer cliffs and imposing rockslides passed quickly below the group. Wheeling past a mountain side that looked like it had been sliced clean and fallen into the valley far below, Kiyan saw holes in the smooth cliff and could have sworn he saw a figure disappear into the dark recess.
“We are almost there.” Sapphire informed them that over the next ridge should be their destination. Sapphire held on as Kiyan flew almost straight up the next mountain side. Reaching the top he let his momentum carry him higher until he leveled out into a glide. Below him sprawled a hidden valley high in the mountains. Scattered around the valley were farms and dwellings constructed from stone. Here and there light spilled from holes in gigantic rocks that looked to have been setting there for eons. Finding a dark corner of the valley, Kiyan settled down quietly. Soft grass was underfoot and rock walls surrounded the patch of grass. Turning around as he explored his landing spot, Kiyan saw movement from the corner of his eye and bristled at the creatures that he saw. They were huddled in a corner as they appraised the invader to their home. Sharp horns sprouted from the shaggy head of the creatures lending them a threatening element. A quick glance at the shaggy body and six legs told Kiyan these probably were not a threat but he wasn't taking a chance. A slight movement among the otherwise motionless creatures betrayed an elf unlike any Kiyan had yet seen. Hiding between the staring creatures was an elf that stood nearly half the height of Sapphire. This must be a young elf. Kiyan thought to himself. Despite being young, the elf still was stockier and thicker than the elegant wood or water elves. Kiyan stepped forward to introduce himself but stopped when he saw and felt the raw terror rolling off the elf in thick waves.