The Elementals (2/2)
"I have no time for that!" she howls in anger instead of answer Dakka's question.
Without even looking at Dakka, she brushes past him and points a clawed hand at Lord Fheldin. "YOU!! What made you think I agreed to having your ritual happen here? No! I won't allow it!"
"Sinria…," Fheldin says. "You know that a sacrifice must be made to complete the ritual – a sacrifice of both Drakin races. It's the law."
Sinria looks down with an expression of grief.
"Grandfather…?" Dakka asks. "Do you think we can do this another way?" He doesn't know what this "sacrifice" is for, but if it's cause this Elemental to react this way, then it must be bad.
Sinrai answers instead of Fheldin. "No. As much as I hate to admit it, Drakavar needs her sacrifices." She turns to Dakka. "Every Elemental in the Firmament dreams of the day she gets to be taken by Drakavar, but that doesn't mean I like to say goodbye."
With that said, Sinria doesn't bother talking anymore. She lets herself disappear once more – leaving Dakka and Fheldin all alone in space once more.
As soon as the Star Elemental is gone, Dakka turns to his grandfather and crosses his arms. "Is this hardly necessary? I don't know what this ritual is, but it sounds serious. Couldn't you just hand your position over to me and move on with your life?"
"No!" Fheldin immediately shuts Dakka down on this. "The Hal'nithkin ritual is a MUST."
Seeing Dakka's stubbornness starting to creep in, Fheldin sighs. "We're not supposed to talk about it too much outside of the Ritual itself, since the gods don't like any dragons who perform this ritual. They often hunt us down."
"But why?"
"The Hal'nithkin ritual is a spell I learned from my father," Fheldin says solemnly. "I want to take you to HER Realm. We're meeting Drakavar herself."
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"Tali! Grath! Hala! Tel!" booms a powerful woman's voice across space, "Stand at attention! The Goddess demands a sacrifice!"
Instantly, a chorus of voices floods Sinria's mind. "ME!" "MOTHER!" "CHOOSE ME!" "I'VE BEEN OBEDIENT… so far…!!!" "What's the dragon goddess like? Do we get to meet her?" "I wanna go!"
All the Elemental spirits of the planets and moons orbiting Sinria all sing their desires in chorus.
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"What's that sound!?" Dakka roars in confusion.
In front of him, the gaseous planet he was marveling at earlier starts pulsing, and the colorful streaks on its surface start to drift off their course and contort. On the planet's surface, the storms rage so fast that the air starts to ignite on fire.
Even Dakka can see the planet start to turn red, as the atmosphere is consumed in fire.
Perhaps even worse, but Dakka can feel a great drumming pulse deep in his soul. It's as if the planet itself is crying out for some deep longing.
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"CHILDREN!" Sinria dragon-roars at them all, "Why do I hear more than 4 voices? I only called for 4 children! Everyone else, continue marching on your path and quiet down! I'm not accepting any volunteers from any planets with moons. If you go, what're you going to tell your daughters?"
All 10 planets in this star system quiet down, though the moons get even more excited. As Mistress Sinria's granddaughters, the moons are used to being ignored by everyone. They're always treated as cannon fodder by the larger planets – little shields to soak up the asteroid impacts – keeping their mothers looking pretty.
Realizing that one of them might actually be chosen, they all leap for joy.
…However, their excitement is quenched when the Star Elemental adds, "Beljun has more moons than anyone else. She'll be the one donating a moon."
…Hence, why she called for those 4 children.
Geez. Why can't these little brats listen the first time?
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"I've heard them," Fheldin mutters softly while his eyes are closed. "The elementals are ready." He turns to Dakka. "Try flying now. You have the power for it."
Fheldin then points downward at the moon nearest them. "That moon is the only celestial body in this system that's still happy. I don't have to ask. Sinria. She's the one."
Dakka reaches his Dravar out to propel himself forward, and he surprises himself when he lurches forward with far more strength than he was anticipating.
'Why do I feel so powerful suddenly?!' Dakka smiles in delight.
'What?' Sinria's voice whispers in Dakka's mind, 'You thought to compare me to those little amoeba Elementals? Those things can barely think.'
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A few minutes later, Dakka arrives at the destined moon, just behind his grandfather.
When he DOES arrive, he looks and sees the old dragon on the surface – down on one knee and placing a hand on the dusty, white ground.
As soon as Dakka sets his feet down on the moon, a familiar golden radiance flashes in front of them, and Sinria appears. At her side is a much smaller Elemental.
Looking at the Elemental's childlike face, silver hair, and 3 horns, Dakka can't help but bend down and pat her on the head. "How are you? Aren't you adorable?"
"Of course I'm adorable," the child tilts her head back and snorts disdainfully.
"Tali," Sinria smacks her daughter upside the head. "Be respectful. He has 6 horns, so he outranks you."
"But he didn't pass the trial yet, grandmother!" Tali protests. "He doesn't have the right to command me."
Sinria shakes her head. "I picked you because I thought you were the most well behaved out of my grandchildren. I can't have you angering the Empress, now can I?"
Tali looks down with a tearful frown. "I'm sorry." She turns to Dakka and bows respectfully. "I'm sorry to you too."
"Did I hurt you?" Sinria asks while softly stroking the Moon Elemental on the back of the head.
The Star then gets on one knee and embraces the 3-horned… dragon? "I'm sorry. I'm going to miss you, Tali."
"Don't be sorry!" Tali jumps up and down in excitement. "I'll get to meet many new friends in the Empress's court! I'll tell you the news as often as I can! I'll say hi!"
Sinria wipes her tears on her granddaughter's hair and says, "Make sure to tell your sisters and cousins all about how beautiful the Empress is."
Indeed, no matter how much the Star doesn't want her daughters to go away, she can't hold them back from a once in a lifetime opportunity like this.
"Are you ready?" Fheldin asks the Star and Moon Elemental.
Sinria steps back and bows head. "Take good care of her," she says softly before disappearing in a flash of golden light.
With the Spirit of the Star gone, Fheldin clasps his hands, closes his eyes, and bows his head. Without even saying anything, a powerful pressure starts leaking out of him, and the moon they're standing on starts rumbling and humming.
But, the moment Fheldin opens his mouth to speak, everything goes silent again. It's as if the universe won't allow any outside noises to interrupt the sacred word on his lips.
"Dravar-ree."