Neron's Calling

Neron and Sonnis sat side by side hand in hand looking out over the lava. Her face was flushed from a long and lovely day, she was stuck in a happy bliss with him that she never wanted to leave. She wanted to believe everything she had done had lead her here to this intense happiness.

The only damper was Rissa.

Rissa was nagging her that she thought something was wrong with this whole thing. But Sonnis brushed her off with increasing irritation. She did not want to leave Neron or the fortress.

Finally fed up she yelled at Rissa, "I'm finally happy here, why would you want to try to take that from me!" Then she stalked out. After that Rissa backed off, though she would not apologize to her. Sonnis had no desire to mend their relationship either, besides she wanted to spend most of her time with Neron.

She glanced over at Neron who suddenly had a concerned expression.

"I have to go Sonnis," he told her.

"Will you be back soon," she asked. Kicking back slightly and laying down across the warm stones.

"I don't know," he said in a small voice. "I think you should wait for me in your room."

"Oh," Sonnis said, slightly disappointed, "okay."

Neron walked her to her room and left with an assurance to return soon enough.

Neron was being summoned by his father, and he didn't know why.

He felt a sense of nerves. As he walked his brother sidled up with him.

"Father called?" The Wither asked him. He nodded somewhat stiffly. Xeo turned back to his god form and walked with Neron. "I hope your little girl is as smart as she is pretty."

Neron blushed with anger, "back off Xeo. This isn't about her."

"Your blind Neron." Xeo said. "And your about to see why."

Neron didn't reply. He walked more briskly.

Xeo rolled his eyes and followed, "your lucky though, to get such a pretty one. I think I will have to get my own. Think I could?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Honestly, back off." Neron said angrily.

"Touchee, about as touchee as Ilo."

"You tried this with a goddess?"

"Sure I did," Xeo said with a grin.

"How'd that go for you?"

"She despises me."

"Unsurprising," Neron muttered. He had reached the castle.

"Good luck in there," Xeo said. He winked at Neron.

Neron walked in with measured steps.

When he reached the throne room he slipped inside. The Ender Dragon was curled up around the throne. When Neron entered he raised his head.

"Welcome my son," he said.

"You called me father?" Neron said. He took a bow and settled into the room.

"I did indeed."

It was then he noticed Balyn hoovering near the dragon. She seemed bristled with the tension.

"What is it father?" Neron asked.

"I have grown much stronger," he told Neron, "I am close to my full power now, except one thing."

"What is that?"

"I need one more aid, a very special aid." He told Neron. "You have the power to get it for me."

"Of course father," Neron said. But he felt tense and unhappy, for he knew what was coming.

He wasn't truly sure he would deliver.