Zephar and Alicia ventured to the east as Jax had directed them. The trip was long, but very pleasant for them. They took several breaks, making the trip take a little over a day. Eventually, a mountain with clouds surrounding the top came into view. They ascended upward toward the rocky formation until they pierced the clouds. When they reached its peak, they were struck in awe by the sunlight and rainbow hovering over the top. They were too dazzled to notice a pair of soldiers heading towards them. They had spears against their throats by the time they finally noticed. They looked much like urkrai, both with scales blended in with the rocky texture of the mountain. The only difference they could see was their eyes. One had green eyes, the other blue.
"State your business," the green-eyed lizard demanded.
"We wish to see the Rainbow Dragoness," Zephar said as he stared at the point of the spear with a hint of fear in his eyes..
"What business do you have with her?" the blue-eyed one asked as he tightened his grip on his weapon.
"We just want to talk to her," Alicia stated.
"How do we know you're not urkrai spies?" the green-eye said rudely.
"What would give you that idea?" Zephar added.
"You came from the west, did you not? That means you came from the Trinity of Shadows, which makes it very likely that you're spies for those brutes."
"Stand down, boys," a voice suddenly ordered. The two guards responded immediately and looked behind them. Alicia and Zephar followed their eyes and saw another urkrai approaching. His scales were a lush forest green, and his eyes were frost blue. He carried a bow and a pouch of arrows, making it clear he was an archer. "They just came to talk, didn't they? Nothing really suspicious about that." The two guards could only shake their heads. "Go back to your posts. I'll deal with our guests." The duo didn't say anything else, and did as they were told. The archer waited until they were out of earshot before turning his attention to Zephar and Alicia. "Sorry about that. Our guards like to interrogate strangers before letting them walk around up here. But it's all just to make sure they don't cause problems later. Now, you wanted to speak with Raven?"
"Raven?" Alicia said,"Is that her name?" The stranger nodded and smiled. He turned around and signaled them to follow.
"My name's Zuumot," he introduced, “I serve as the second commander to the urkrin that dwell here.”
"Alicia," the fairy replied.
"Zephar," the phoenix said after.
"Pleased to meet you." he greeted. “So tell me, what interest do you have in Raven?"
"I really don't think it's us with the interest," Zephar chuckled.
"We're here for Ridley," Alicia stated.
"The Hellfire Dragon?" he asked reluctantly, "So you're friends of his. That’s surprising. I didn't think he had any. I didn't even know he allowed anyone into his home."
"You have no idea," the phoenix said with another chuckle. The lizard turned around and made a gesture with a finger.
“Come with me, then.” They did as he instructed and stayed close behind him.
After following the same path for some time, they eventually came across a lit cavern. The three entered, but there was nothing to see but dimly lit torches.
“Rez!" the lizard called out, "are you in here?"
"Is there something you need, Zuumot?" a distant voice echoed. As it faded, an elderly urkrin came from one of the chambers at the back. His scales were pale yellow and withered from age, and his eyes were light brown. He wore a hooded cloak, but not the hood, and held a wooden staff. His appearance made them believe he was a sorcerer. He stopped in front of Keen, then noticed Alicia and Zephar. "Who's this you brought with you?"
"Alicia and Zephar," he answered. "They came from the Trinity to see Raven."
"Really?" the old man gave them a hard look, and rubbed his chin. "I am Raz Austrius. Is there any particular reason you want to see her?"
"I think we covered this with the guards," Zephar smarted off.
"Don't get smart with me, bird. You're in our domain now, and we can make sure you don't leave here alive if you don't cooperate."
"Never mind him," Alicia added, "We just want to talk to her." She noticed he was holding a rose. It looked similar to the one Ridley gave to the dragoness. Alicia whispered into Zephar's ear about it. He thought for a moment.
"Where did you get that?" he finally asked.
"Raven came back with it late last night. Said she got it for herself while on a walk, but I can’t help feeling that she’s not being entirely honest with me." His grip on the plant tightened.
"May we speak to her?" Alicia asked. Raz thought long and hard about it as he rubbed his chin again, then finally sighed.
"Raven, would you come out here for a moment?" he shouted towards the chambers at the back. Footsteps could be immediately heard approaching. The dragoness Alicia saw in the forest came to light.
"Yes, father?" she spoke.
"Father?" Zephar said curiously.
"I'll tell you about it later," Zuumot assured.
"These two want a word with you." Raz stated.
"What do you two want with me?" she asked, staring at them.
"Where did you get the rose?" the phoenix questioned.
"You came here to ask me about a plant?" the dragoness pondered.
"Just answer the question." her father added.
"I picked it while I was out for a walk," she answered.
"Really?" Alicia looked at her unbelievingly, "If I recall, it was more like a gift than a souvenir."
"Why would you think that?"
"How well do you know Ridley?" Zephar added.
"What does the Hellfire Dragon have to do with this?" the elder said with suspicion in his eyes as he glared at the dragoness.
"My friend here saw the two of them together," the phoenix answered. Raz looked up at Raven with a look of disapproval and disappointment.
"I knew you were lying. Why didn't you tell me this?" he snapped.
"Because I knew how you would react," she said, looking away from him.
"You know," he stated, "it hurts that you lied about where you got this rose. Even more that you failed to mention it was a gift from a male. It simply hurts beyond words to know this male was Ridley."
"He's not what you think he is, nor is he anything like you said he was," she protested.
"Well let's think about 'what he is' then. Ridley was a human, and humans are selfish, arrogant, and dangerous. There’s a reason we don’t associate with them. They’re only ever out for themselves. Ridley hunted the Hellfire before him for selfish reasons. He can’t be trusted."
“That was over five hundred years ago," she argued, "A lot can change in that time."
"But some things tend to remain the same," the old man said profoundly, "For all we know, he may just be using you so he can break his curse, and eventually use you as a reproductive tool to spread chaos."
"Bite your tongue, old man! He would never do such a thing!" Zephar snapped. Raz gave him a cold stare.
"You could at least meet him yourself and get an idea of what he’s really like, if you're so worried about it," the dragoness suggested.
"You expect me to go to the Trinity of Shadows, knowing full well our bloodthirsty cousins wait in the darkness for an easy kill?"
"Actually, I was thinking the opposite." she proclaimed, "What if he came here?"
“What makes you think he'd leave the Trinity?" he gave a very stern look. Raven looked at Alicia and Zephar, giving a smile as she did.
"Because he'll have a reason to," she looked back at Xeno. He stared at her for a moment, then finally nodded. He agreed, but wasn't very happy about it.
"Will you be able to convince him?" he said looking at the pair.
"We'll try, but we can't promise he'll come," Zephar assured. Without another word, Raz nodded to them and left the room. Raven waited until he was out of earshot before speaking.
"So you know about me and Ridley?" she asked. They both nodded.
"What are your intentions?" Alicia said, noticing her bashful expression.
"Are you trying to purify Ridley of darkness?" the phoenix added.
"Well, that's just it. I didn't sense any darkness inside of him," the dragoness answered. Zephar cocked his head.
"None whatsoever?"
"No. If there was anything dark about him, it’s long gone now. I found it peculiar that a dragon of his stature would have no evil in his heart. I became interested. I just had to know who he was, what he was like. I wanted to know what centuries of pain, sorrow, and loneliness turned him into. Plus, I can't help but notice how cute he is." She turned away, blushing slightly from embarrassment. Zephar was about to make a smart comment. Alicia noticed and quickly smacked him on the beak, and stopped him.
"So you do like him." he said, rubbing his beak.
"Very much so," she answered.
"So, how do you want us to bring him here?" Alicia asked.
"Like I said before, you'll give him a reason. Just tell him I'd like to see him again, and that I'll be waiting for him. That means he must come." After giving her suggestion, she left towards her chamber. The fairy and phoenix turned their attention to Zuumot..
"Care to explain, now?" Zephar asked.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot," he admitted, "About twenty years ago, Raven's homeland was attacked. She was still an egg then. The assailants killed everyone they could find, including her parents."
"So how did she end up here?"
"Raz was close to her parents, and happened to be visiting at the time. Before they were found, they gave him the egg and asked him to protect the child, no matter what." Keen thought to himself for a moment. "I guess that's all he was doing."
"Who were the assailants?"
"I don't know. He doesn't talk about it. I always assume it's too painful for him to think about." He noticed Zephar give a yawn, and seemed ready to pass out. "Why don't you get some sleep? You can go back to the Trinity once you are properly rested."
"Thanks a lot,” Zephar added.
----------
After a well earned rest, Alicia and Zephar prepared for their return to the Trinity to deliver Raven's message to Ridley, hoping that he would accept, but had doubts about it. Back at Mt. Chronicle, Ridley was laying under the flower tree just outside his cave. He was staring at a pendant he was holding in his paw. It was a silver jewel with a rose engraved at the center. The lace was like a woven thread. He continued to stare at it, and eventually, a tear came from his left eye. He wiped the tear with his other paw and continued to look at the pendant, and started twirling it. He gave a depressing sigh as he thought to himself.
"Is something wrong, big guy?" a familiar voice spoke. It startled Ridley and grabbed his attention instantly as he heard wings flapping towards him. The flapping stopped as he heard something land on a branch above him. He looked up to see Zephar and Alicia staring down at him.
"No, it's nothing." He clenched the pendant and hid it under his paw, but not fast enough for them not to see it.
"What's that? Some kind of jewelry?" Zephar asked.
"It's none of your concern," the dragon said in a low, depressing tone, looking away from them to the ground. He looked back up to them and asked,"Is there something you two need?" Alicia and Zephar looked at each other, thinking of what they should say.
"Are you up for a trip?" the phoenix asked.
"That depends," the dragon said curiously. "Where are we going?"
"Not us. Just you." Alicia stated with a faint smile.
"You want me to go somewhere alone?" He started to grow suspicious, "Why?"
"Because this mostly concerns you," Zephar added. He noticed Ridley's suspicion growing and tried to avoid eye contact.
"Why's that?"
"We'll get to that in a moment. So hush up and pay attention." Zephar's sudden response shocked Ridley and made him quiet down."We need you to go to Rainbow Peak."
"What makes you think I would want to go there?"
"Because a certain Raven is waiting for you," the phoenix answered. Ridley looked at him for a moment, then slowly turned to Alicia and gave her a cold stare.
"You told him?" he said irritably,"I thought you said you didn't like gossip?"
"He already knew I followed you," she answered, "I didn't really have a choice." Ridley's stare began to settle down, and turned into a comforting gaze.
"Is she really waiting for me?"
"Yes," Zephar added. "That means you must go."
"I know what it means," he replied. He thought for a moment, then sighed. "I'll go. But there's something I need to do first." The two nodded in understandment, quite happy that they were able to convince him, but were unsure how. They were sure Raven had a lot to do with it.
----------
Ridley headed down toward Jaxl’s chamber, hoping he would be there. Fortunately, when he entered his guard's chamber, he was sitting at a table reading a book. He was so into it, he didn't notice the dragon walking in until he was directly in front of him.
"Ridley," he addressed as he put his book down, "I wasn't expecting you. Is there something I can do for you?"
"Yes." the dragon eagerly answered,""I need to go to Rainbow Peak, and I don't expect to return for some time. I need you to keep an eye on Kaiser Zel. Let me know if anything comes up."
"Of course," he acknowledged.
"Has Rishk learned to warp, yet?"
"Yes, I believe he has."
"In that case, bring both of your brothers if you come. Alicia and Zephar as well."
"I'll have Rishk bring us there as soon as something comes up," Jax answered.
"Thanks, Jax." Ridley turned around, and as he was about to leave, the guard spoke once more.
"By the way, what business do you have at Rainbow Peak?" he asked, knowing full well what might be going on. Ridley stopped in his tracks, but didn't respond for a moment.
"It's private," he replied. He turned around and faced Jaxl, giving a soft smile. "But I have a feeling you'll find out soon enough." His guard only stared at him, giving no response whatsoever, and watched Ridley as he left the study. Once he was outside again, he spread his wings and took to the skies.
He had been flying for hours. When he felt he was getting closer to Rainbow Peak, he landed in the forest surrounding it. He had a look around. The scenery was much more pleasant than the Moonlight Forest. He suddenly caught the scent of a nearby animal. He looked around to find a goat chowing down on some grass. Ridley felt his stomach growl, making him realize he hadn't eaten for some time. He decided to go for a hunt before meeting Raven. At the same time he had noticed the goat, someone else was intending on killing the same animal for nourishment. On the branch of a distant tree lurked Zuumot, who had spotted the goat from afar. He grabbed his bow and took out an arrow, pulling back and aiming at his target. The moment he took his shot, Ridley lunged for the goat. The arrow struck him deep in the right shoulder. He collapsed to the ground in pain from being hit. The goat ran off as the dragon hit the dirt. Zuumot’s eyes grew wide from shock at Ridley's sudden appearance. He rushed down over to him to get a better look, and to see if he was dead. As Ridley struggled to stand, he began to hear the urkrin drawing closer. He looked in his direction and started growling ferociously.
"Sorry about that." the archer stated, trying to calm the dragon down, "I wasn't expecting a dragon to jump in front of the goat like that." He looked at Ridley's wounded shoulder where the arrow had hit. Blood could be seen seeping from underneath. Zu approached him, then stopped when the dragon snarled and bared his teeth. "Take it easy. I just want to help you."
"Why would I want your help?" he stated, "You just shot me."
"Because I'm the only one around for miles. I don't expect anyone to come by anytime soon." Ridley stared at him for a moment, then felt a sudden burst of pain from the wound, and groaned. His tone began to grow weak. "If I don't take it out now, it'll get infected." Ridley began to calm down and tried to relax. He knew the archer was right. He rested his head on the ground and closed his eyes. Zu got a grip on the arrow and yanked hard. Ridley yelped as the arrow came out, then felt relieved. The urkrin looked at his blood covered arrow, then at the wound it left. "It looks deep. Can you stand?" The dragon tried to, but his front limb wouldn't respond.
"No," he answered. Zuumot grabbed hold of him and helped him up, supporting him by holding against his side.
"Let me take you to Rainbow Peak. Our healers can help you." He started walking with him, continuing to support him."Name's Zuumot,, by the way. So, who might you be?"
"You don't know me?" the dragon asked.
"Should I?" the archer replied.
"If you've heard the stories, then you should. I'm Ridley."
"The Hellfire Dragon?" the archer said in surprise, realizing who he was helping, "I've heard people mention you, but they never mentioned what you'd look like." Zu thought to himself for a moment, "Now that I think about it, we were expecting you."
"We?"
"Well, Raven and I mostly. We told the others the Hellfire might be coming, but most of them didn't believe you actually would. Some didn't like the idea too much."
"That doesn't surprise me." Ridley said lowly, and gave a depressing sigh..
"Don't take it personally," the lizard said as he laid a comforting hand on him, "I said some didn't like it, not all. A few of us don't mind you at all."
"Like who?"
"Me, for instance. If I didn't want you here, I wouldn't be helping you right now."
"So how come you're not against it?" Ridley asked.
"Because Raven seems to trust you," the archer answered, "And that's good enough for me."
"You know her well, then?" the dragon questioned further.
"We're pretty close. I was only a few years old when she hatched. She's like a sister to me." Ridley became upset as a memory came to mind from hearing the word 'sister'."Is something wrong?"
"No, I was just reminded of something," he assured.
They've been walking the same path for a while. After what seemed like hours, they finally reached the peak above the swirling clouds. Zuumot brought Ridley to the healing chamber, where the medics did what they could for his wound. Though they couldn't heal it completely, they managed to stop the bleeding and a possible infection, and wrapped a cloth-like bandage around his shoulder. The healers were some of the few who didn't mind his presence. They informed him not to move around too much until he was fully healed. He was able to stand on his own again, but his shoulder still hurt slightly from movement, thought not enough to stop him. Zuumot escorted him to Raven's cavern once he was able to fully support himself. When they arrived, the urkrin stopped at a sort of fork in the caverns, divided into four paths to take..
"Head down the far left chamber. Her room is at the end," he kindly said. Ridley nodded and followed the lit sconces that brightened the hallway.
