2 Aliferous

There was an unpleasant shift in the air. It was the unusual heat that pressed my shirt against my skin. Sweat trickled down my spine and disappeared beneath the collar, but when the vindictive dragon's shadow eclipsed the pouring rays of sun did I cowardly retreated, a couple of steps before I willed my feet to jump when it violently slides its boundless tail to render me off the usually clumsy balance I have. I couldn't gather my wits faster, because if my initial defence was a reflex, the adjacent move of it was quicker. It was big- humongous. And I can't seem to compress the scene, I got knocked out even before I knew what was transpiring. On the ground with a sting pulsing by the elbow, I stare at it, grasping for its pattern.

It wasn't preying on me. It was awaiting a litigation from me- as if figuring the brilliance of mine that woke him for this round. As if he was smelling my fear as I suspect his play.

But that's the felony. I barely am a vessel of use- he could only be equal if he was as unwanted as a cold loaf of bread.

My lack of tendencies seems to respire its patience as a crackling breath resonates- the brewing shame in me was scolding me to man up. Only that I wasn't a man, so I did what a woman would.

I looked to Castle- and I was blessed that she understood my impression. And then a series of shots rang. It rained down the scales of its neck as it fettered, shaking its head with a roar so high, its screech, a cry of frustration. And with its release thundered a wave of fire. Setting a part of the arena ablaze. There were screams, trampling people being saved by the guards. But none of that mattered to us, because it breathing down their neck was an accident. But when it did to me- it was an attack.

It was legitimate.

No guard or security will occur to save us.

I held my breath, my lungs burned for the denial of death. For an end.

Sealing my lips and my eyes obedient on it, I idled for its rage to burn me to crisp. But I get tackled to the ground once again, my sides scrape against the gravel as Dorin shoved me away. A trail of fire lights the line where I had stood earlier. The taste of metal on my lips was evidence of my mortality. While the dragon stood tall with bullet holes decorating its coat like a prize. I was bleeding and hurting everywhere. I watch as Dorin raised his hands - simultaneous in its motion as the dragon inhaled.

And then, all I saw was red.

Heat.

A radiance so ferocious that I felt like I was being bathed in a tub of sizzling water.

But then I saw what the commotion was- the fire extinguishing the fire. None won. Their can't be winner when there's an equal.

The dragon craned when its breath fades, Dorin was breathing so heavily that I doubted he could keep himself up. Dorin wasn't prepared when its teeth came down to him, picking and throwing him across. I couldn't scream. Even when Castle looked like she would- she cannot.

Then I couldn't see where Dorin was, not when I was compelling my feet with a ferocity so strong, that everything felt trivial in comparison than a thirst to kill it.

So when the dragon compounded its victory call- I delivered a poisoned arrow to its unhinged and open mouth. Sowing it in its fleshy throat. When it cries in response to the injury, I clutch my side guessing the number of ribs that might be broken.

But there wasn't much time to lament my discomfort while it was recovering from it. In midst, I hoop a rope and fling it towards its scales, it fastens itself as Castle surveys my motive when she locates me reaching for the sword while clutching on to the erratic beast's reins with my life.

She nods at me, attaining whatever weapon she had on her to buy me time.

Time till I need fence to get to the crown of its head.

The poison from the arrow had rendered him slow, not that invincible now, is it?

It groans again to the hideous attack Castle managed to rake through. It takes me my entire life spans luck traded to get past its tantrums. When I pull myself up and embraced its ghastly, slender neck- it wiggled to flick me off. But I was as stubborn as it comes to me with my beliefs- I need this ugly bird to die.

I need to know that Dorin is alive and is comprehending suitable vowels to write me an apology speech.

I need to know if Castle will be able to hold it longer.

Crying out I jam the knife and twist it enough to unpack a vein of its blood. It was dark brown, thicker than any animal's blood I have seen, it coats the back of my hand as I swallowed a gag. When its action coursed in a manner that seemed sluggish, I let go of the tense hold on its scales and stretched for the skull.

It doesn't move or crash my unnerving journey. I almost savor the success before it screeches brazenly, its wings rise on either side of me, my poor body refused to listen to what my brain had to offer. For the second time in a day, I was serving close to death.

This fall was pristine.

Clean and so much more agonising when I knew I was in a pitiful exhibition.

But is it all I will be? An unknown stranger in foreign land who died at the hand of a dragon. A segment of weekly gossip in gentleman's club, a mystery to historians. A donated corpse for Ventims experiment.

I cannot let that happen, not when I got this far.

It's extraordinary how it waits for me to get on my feet every single wise I am in a state of vulnerability. As if it's against its morals to attain against a helpless heap. Hissing at the clawing bites in my ankle I stood, breaking through blood and cuts as it charges against me.

Only this time I don't move.

I was immensely tired of running, defending and hiding, so when it ducks to bite through my existence, I hold its gaze with an order.

"Cease"

I say.

Loud enough for it to hear.

Close enough to know that I was heard.

"You will refrain from hurting me, from henceforth"

My vision blurred at the avalanche of emotions that kept surfacing in me. The sensation was nothing to what I had ever come to experience. I was unaware of what I was doing, but I know I was desperate for it to listen.

And then I saw its eyes obtain a shade of tainted orange, and then I felt it. Its resentment crumbling. I could feel everything that it was- each beat of it's pulse, the nick of doubt and a unique kind of realisation in it. I gazed into its eyes as i struggle with at the display of raw respect in them and what to do with it.

And then I couldn't stop.

Not my mouth- not the words.

"I want you to surrender in defeat" the power in my voice betrayed to align with my battered body. My actions scared my own self as even the dragon took a step away.

And still, I wasn't done. Not when I seem to have lost control over what I was committing to.

"I want you to obey me" then I pause, my chest rising and falling at the thrill of power that concealed me in the moment.

And then I rectify.

"You will, obey me"

It was a ridiculous notion to believe it would. But what's far more absurd was-

It did.

It closed its eyes and descended into submission.

P.s unedited.

I think we are getting to prepared for new kind of journey now....i am excited of our little timo to meet some...ahem ahem* new people in this new world. So don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts. It helps me shape the story for real.

Take care and don't miss your dental appointments. Speaking from experience.