Touch of Flame

Ravina felt tired and dizzy during the first few hours after waking up. Weakness and occasional disorientation overwhelmed her, exacerbated by the sight of the chaos that had befallen their home after the attack.

“It will be alright. We are already rebuilding,” Malachi assured her, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. “You shouldn’t worry yourself. Focus on your health and rest.”

“No, I’m fine now,” she insisted, her determination driving her to help. There was much to be done. “What about the humans?” she asked, turning to him.

Malachi’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Most of them perished, but we have a few in prison.”

“Let me speak to them,” Ravina requested. 

He hesitated momentarily, but eventually relented. 

Guiding her to the dungeon, Ravina found herself standing in front of a cell, where a man sat in a corner, partially concealed by shadows. His worn and battle-scarred appearance revealed the hardships he had endured.

“Greetings,” Ravina addressed him, her voice gentle yet firm, in an attempt to catch his attention.

Slowly, the man lifted his head, his face partially obscured by the dim light. He seemed to be observing her intensiley. “So, you are with them.”

Maintaining her composure, Ravina contemplated his question. “I am… home,” she replied. 

He rose from his seat, slowly stepping into the light. He was a middle-aged man, strong and tall. Despite the weariness etched upon his face, his features remained sharp and defined. Square-jawed and with a determined expression, he appeared as someone who had weathered battles and emerged with unwavering resolve. 

He narrowed his eyes, skeptical. “Among dragons?” he questioned.

“Among those who share my vision of a future built upon peace and harmony,” she responded firmly.

The man remained stoic, though a flicker of disbelief danced in his eyes. His gaze shifted toward Malachi, standing behind Ravina. “The black dragons seek… peace?” he mused, surprise creeping into his voice.

Ravina turned to the guards, her voice unwavering. “Release him,” she commanded.

The guards hesitated momentarily, uncertainty crossing their faces. They looked over at Malachi, and he gave them a nod to listen. 

The prisoner’s face remained passive as the guard opened the cell door. He didn’t move an inch, even as the door stood wide open.

“Perhaps we could talk in a friendlier environment,” Ravina suggested.

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“Please, come with me,” Ravina gestured for him to follow her. 

Leading him out of the dungeon, they emerged into the open, where the prisoner observed the extent of the destruction that had befallen the surroundings.

Showing no sign of emotion, he followed Ravina to a terrace, where she motioned for him to take a seat. “Some of my men are also imprisoned,” he said, remaining standing. 

“They will be released,” Ravina promised

There was a momentary hesitation on the prisoner’s face, but it quickly transformed when Saul and Noah walked out of the house, engaged in a conversation. Their presence seemed to surprise him, encountering another human in this context.

Ravina seized the opportunity to introduce them, hoping to create a more relaxed and trusting atmosphere. The prisoner appeared perplexed as she mentioned Noah’s name and then he glanced at the weapons they carried.

“Noah? As in Lord Steele’s right-hand man?” The prisoner, now identified as Walker, asked with a hint of recognition.

Noah acknowledged, “Yes. Your name doesn’t ring a bell, but you work for Pythagoras?”

Walker’s lips curled into a faint smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Yes, you have traded weapons before with the head leader.”

Noah nodded, acknowledging the connection. The mention of traded weapons hinted at their involvement as dragon slayers.

As Noah and Saul took a seat, Walker became less hesitant and sat down as well. Ravina could sense the multitude of questions swirling in his mind.

Noah turned to Ravina, taking on the role of explaining. “Pythagoras is the first organization to fight dragons. With the help of your father, they conducted experiments that were performed on him.”

So it was them. Ravina’s thoughts raced as she looked at Walker, whose eyes widened as he put the pieces together of who she was. “You are the missing princess?” He said. 

Ravina only offered a smile as a reply. 

“What brings you here?” Walker inquired, his voice filled with curiosity as he looked at both her and Noah. 

“It is a long story, but to make it short, we are here for the same reasons you are: to protect our people.” Noah responded. 

Walker’s lips pressed into a thin line as he looked around, his gaze returning to Ravina and Noah. “These creatures ruined our lives. Many lives,” he uttered, the pain evident in his eyes. 

It didn’t require words for Ravina to understand the depth of his loss. “I have spent so long searching for all of you,” he continued, his gaze now fixed on Saul and Malachi. “To destroy you, and… you will be destroyed.”

Ravina took a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead. Convincing Walker wouldn’t be easy. “Now, don’t waste my time. If you are going to kill me, do it or release me, but I will not join you.” He said, with a steely firmness. 

Saul and Malachi exchanged glances, a flicker of understanding passing between them. Malachi was about to speak when Noah intervened, beating him to it.

“That is unfortunate,” Noah said, his tone laced with a hint of regret. “I thought you were a soldier. Soldiers die fighting for a cause. Even dying in an adventure, is better than succumbing to bitterness. That is a waste.”

Walker abruptly rose from his seat, a hostile glint in his eyes, as if poised to attack. But Noah was equally swift, already on his feet and aiming his pistol at him. “I can make your wish of dying come true,” he threatened, his voice filled with a chilling resolve. “A captain dead before his men.” 

Walker’s jaw almost trembled from how hard he bit together. Something seemed to pass between them both as captains that Ravina wasn’t sure she understood. 

With the pistol trained on Walker, Noah motioned for him to sit down.

A tense moment passed, and then Walker reluctantly sat back down. 

Noah put his pistol back in the holster. “You can keep fighting dragons, and even if you believe you will win, the price will be many lives. How does that make you more honorable, sacrificing people for your own entitlement to vengeance?” Noah’s words held a weight of truth. 

“Now, don’t waste my time and tell me if you want to fight for something or die. It won’t be the first time I put a bullet through someone’s head.” With a subtle kick, he sent the chair aside and, with one last glance, walked away.

Saul and Malachi exchanged perplexed glances, processing the unexpected turn of events. 

“Well, before you meet your demise, at least have your last meal. Who knows, maybe dragon food will change your mind,” Saul quipped, trying to inject a hint of humor into the tense atmosphere. 

Ravina stifled a laugh, her gaze shifting discreetly to Walker, who remained acutely aware of the gravity of his situation.

“Release my men first,” Walker demanded, his voice tinged with urgency.

“Unfortunately, I can’t,” Malachi responded. “Emotions are running high among our people right now. Your men’s actions have devastated their homes, and they are understandably sensitive. Releasing them would only put them in harm’s way. I can only consider releasing them once I am certain you are calm enough to lead them.”

Ravina silently nodded in agreement. It was a delicate situation, and a premature release could escalate into a fatal confrontation. She empathized with the pain felt by both sides. She held hope that with time and firsthand experiences, Walker’s perspective might shift, and he could see the potential for reconciliation. This method had proven to be the most effective.

However, as gunshots reverberated in the distance, Walker’s attention snapped away from their conversation, his gaze scanning the surroundings.

“They are training with the weapons,” Saul calmly explained, recognizing the source of Walker’s concern.

Walker’s gaze returned to Ravina, his expression contorted with a mix of anger and disbelief. “You are teaching them how to use our weapons.”

Ravina met his gaze steadily. “The weapons do not belong to us. Ares invented them, so he decides who can wield them.”

“You’ve all lost your minds!” Walker snapped, his temper flaring as he rose from his seat.

Ravina tilted her head, her voice calm and resolute. “You must realize that these weapons are used to kill dragons. Dragons do not need weapons to harm humans.”

Confusion flickered across Walker’s face, his brow furrowing. 

“And the dragons you see her have used those weapons to kill other dragons. Our enemies are not humans or dragons, but those who oppose peace, regardless of their species.” Ravina explained, attempting to shed light on the complex dynamics.

His jaw clenched, a battle of emotions playing out within him. Accepting these truths would not come easily, and he would undoubtedly put up a fight against her words.