Knowledge Is Power

After washing up, I crawl into bed without caring about anything else. Mago had been talking nonstop about the creatures, but it went in one ear and right out the other. I was just too tired. As soon as I close my eyes, everything fades away.

Suddenly, I find myself in a familiar place staring into familiar eyes. I blink, trying to allow my poor brain a moment to process everything as the large dragon says, [You've been a busy little witch. You've found pieces a lot faster than I thought you would.]

I ease myself down and sit on the ground as I tiredly say, "The faster I find them, the faster I can release you. Plus, the ley lines in this word are much larger, unlike anything back in our world. The Artifact is reacting to it and bad things are happening. Worse than what should have happened anyway."

The dragon snorts as she says, [Yes, I've noticed the increase of power, but I had not realized that this was a whole new world. Tell me, little witch, what is my power being used for?] I silently debate with myself before saying, "I'm not entirely sure. It's killed animals and also affects plant life, but today I came across something a little more disturbing."

I lift my hand, rubbing my sore neck before cautiously continuing, "It brought the dead back to life." The whole space grows heavy as the air turns hot. I feel my forehead breaking out in a sweat as I look up and find a very pissed-off dragon.

She grits out, [My magic is pure! It should never be used for something so vile! You witches may mess with necromancy but we dragons respect life and death!] I lift my hands, trying to calm her as I quickly agree with her, "You're right, I'm sorry! That's why I'm racing against time to stop it. Even I don't like necromancy." I shiver a little when I think about it.

Her expression lightens a bit as she huffs out in annoyance, but she no longer speaks. We both sit in silence before I break it by asking, "Are you the one who lent me the black flames?" Her large golden eyes sweep over to me before narrowing.

She looks me up and down before saying, [No, those black flames do not belong to me.] I frown, thinking back to the black flame wall I walked through to get here. If they didn't belong to her, and they didn't belong to me, who did they belong to and why could I now use them!?

Her golden eyes take on a thoughtful look as she slightly tilts her head and says, [The black flame belongs to the first witch.] My thoughts come to a screeching halt at her words. The first witch? Wait... my bloodline is a direct line from the first witch! Was that why I was able to use it?

So the flames were mine?? Excitement bubbles up within me but it's short-lived when I hear the dragon sigh. I look up at her to find her looking away as if her mind was a million miles away. I blink feeling awkward again. I should be considerate... considering that she's been locked up in here for god knows how long.

Why was I brought here again?? Suddenly, her voice fills my head sounding slightly sad and wistful, [The first witch was something witches and warlocks now wish they were. She was all-powerful and with her leadership, witches, warlocks, and dragons were unstoppable. They were a bond of three, backed by lore. It's a shame though... When she disappeared, the rest began to crumble.]

I frown, looking at her with confusion, "Disappeared? Didn't she die in the heroic battle of nine?" The dragon snorts and says, [History is written by winners. It's nothing but a tale. The first witch didn't die, she disappeared.]

Suddenly, I feel my world tilt. Everything I knew was based on the things I learned in books and the things that were taught to me by others. If none of that was right... what else was missing? Why would they lie about the first witch though?

I suddenly look up and ask, "Did you know her? The first witch?" The dragon watches me closely before saying, [Yes, I met her. She and I were very close but when she left, it severed the bond that we shared.]

Her golden eyes show years of pain and sadness, so deep and profound, I find myself struggling to look away. I softly say, "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just trying to better understand." The dragon sighs before looking away again and saying, [Aren't we all, little witch?]

We sit in awkward silence some more before I softly say, "You already know that I'm Lyra, what may I call you?" The dragon turns to look at me but remains silent for a long while before saying, [I am Abellona, the last remaining dragon of the Dragona race.]

A shiver runs through me as her words bring a wave of goosebumps through me. She may be locked up in the Artifact, but she is old and wise, powerful and swift. She was a warrior. I look into her big golden eyes as I declare again, "I will stop at nothing to free you Abellona. This is my promise to you."

She blinks before slowly smiling and saying, [I always did have a soft spot for arrogant little witches.]

Suddenly, my eyes flutter open, and I find myself lying in bed back at Bolin's. I softly whisper "Abellona... Abell, I will set you free and allow you to fly once more." I turn, pushing the covers back to sit up when I see the pink flower slowly flashing.

I smile, 'little Mei sent me a message' I lift my hand, calling the flower over. As soon as it's in my palm, I push my magic into it. My smile freezes as I hear screaming and crying. "Lyra!! Some bad men are here looking for you!! Whatever you do, don't come back!"

More screaming and things breaking can be heard before everything grows silent. Only two people come to mind. Dade, and Aiya. Aiya should be busy settling within this new world, but Dade has had time to dig.

Mago curses and says, "That's one hell of a way to wake up. That's the girl I first saw after coming here, right? Who's looking for you? Do they have a death wish??" I grit my teeth, ignoring him as I quickly get up.

I throw on the new black dress that Bolin had given me and quickly walk out of the room. As soon as I make it to the front gate, Bolin appears with a frown. When he sees the look in my eyes, he instantly asks, "What's wrong?"

I look up at him and say, "I need a ride." He blinks before slightly smirking and asking, "Where to my lady?" He lifts his hand, holding it out in front of me with a devilish grin. His eyes dance with eagerness and delight.

I give him a dark smile of my own as I lift my hand and place it in his while saying, "To smoosh bugs." He pulls me to his chest with a doting smile and says, "Your wish is my command."