Chapter 19 (Xena: the flame dragon)

Tension gripped everyone, sweat

slicking over their skin, tremors wracking

their bodies. Sam (Rotwalker), driven by

his instincts, desperately wants to flee

the dangerous figure perched high in the

tree. But his body betrayed him, no

matter how he tried.

The young lady raised her right index

fingers at Sam (Rotwalker) and his crew.

"Ahyoooo, I'm here to clean you, you

mess. Any objection." Sam yearned to

speak, but his mouth remained

stubbornly shut.

"Flame dragon breath: Crimson

Tempest (5 circle)." A massive mana

circle blossomed before her finger,

unleashing a swirling vortex of flame that

swept across the ground, consuming all

the Crimson Rot in a cleaning blaze.

She turned her face towards Maximus

and his crew. Noticed her attention, they

all kneel with their right leg, placing their

right hand on their chest.

"Greeting the great fire dragon. We are

honoured to be graced with your

presence." The young lady instantly

leaps down towards them.

Their trembling bodies become glaring,

chocked by her pressure.

"Did you all think you were worthy of my

presence? I showed up because of him,

my crux." Walking directly to Drake, she

bends down, touching his cheeks and

smiles. She turned to the mercenary.

"Who is the leader?" Maximus steps

forward. "That me." She stood back,

walking towards Maximus.

"I could have made you pay the price in a

severe way, but that we only provoked

him." She turned her head briefly

towards Drake's position, then back.

"I have taken care of all the Crimson-Rot

in the village, so it is meaningless to stay

here any longer. You are responsible for

carrying him on your back while leaving

the forest until he wakes up."

They park all their gear, ready to leave

the fog forest. Maximus supported the

unconscious Drake, walking between his

crew. They begin their journey, existing

in the fog forest under the watchful gaze

of the flame dragon who trails behind

them. Two days later, within the fog

forest, just a few meters from its

entrance, at the darkest part of the night.

Three portable tents are set up. Inside a

dark-coloured tent, sandwiched

between the other two. Drake, abruptly

waking up from his sleep. He feels

several arches all over his body. He

stretches every part of his body to

alleviate the pain.

He feels dizzy as he stands up, causing

his leg to wobble precariously. He

quickly gets hold of himself, steadying

himself by placing his hands on his

knees for a moment. He stepped out of

the tent, moving slowly.

"Aa-aa-ah." He released a sharp sound,

his mouth widely open, arms stretched

sideways, torso bent forward, and his

eyes quickly closed in a reflex.

Sounds from a night fire caught his

attention. He glanced in the direction.

Maximus, spotted next to the nightfire,

was lost in thought. Drake walks up to

him and takes a seat. "Way, don't you

take a nap?". Maximus turned to him,

gazing at Drake.

"You're awake. I decide to stay awake to

protect everyone in case of danger."

Drake lifted his head and gazed at the

dark clouds, twinkling with stars.

"I really miss home, mom. I hope she's

not too worried, searching for me." He

murmured, letting out a heavy sigh.

Maximus watches him, curiously pique

"May I ask, did you have any relationship

with the flame, Dr...." He started but

abruptly stopped when he sensed a

bloodlust emanating from the flame

dragon's tent. He quickly shut his mouth.

"What did you want to ask?" Drake's

eyes widen, his attention now fully on

Maximus.

Maximus nodded. "Nothing much; I just

wanted to ask about his Majesty's last

moments." He lowered his head down; a

flicker of sadness crossed his face as he

recalled the memory.

"To be honest. He left this world with a

smile, free of regrets." Maximus looks

back up at Drake. "I see," he said,

robbing his face with his right palm. "So

what's your plan that you've delivered the

massage?"

Drake folds both hands together. "I plan

to join the Diamond Mage Academy."

Maximus stands up.

"That means we need to get out of this

forest quickly. Since the academy

entrance program starts in two days. Aa-

aa-ah," he yawned.

"I'll leave the surrounding surveillance to

you. I need to get some rest." Maximus

heads back into the tent, which Drake

emerged from earlier.

Next morning, Drake was sleeping next

to the extinguished nightfire. Stirring as

both ears and nose inches. He rubs at

the inching spots, still half asleep, when

he hears a feminine voice.

"Why did you make him pass his night

outside in the cold?" Drake stood, his

vision blurred as he tried to stand up.

The morning light stings his eyes. He

squinted, trying to make sense of the

scene in front of him.

A lady shouting at Maximus and his

colleagues. "What going?" Drake

muttered, his voice groggy. They all turn

to him; just as the flame dragon raced

over to Drake, a grin spread across her

face.

"You're finally awake, my Crux." She

exclaimed, wrapped her arms around

Drake's right hand, and pressed it tightly

to her boobs. Drake blinks at her, still

disoriented.

"Who are you and what are you doing?"

Stared at her in confusion. Her cheeks

puff up, and a low growl sound rumbled

in her throat as she tightened her grip.

"My name is Xena. One of your partners

to be."

Drake pulls out his hand from her grip.

"Let go of my hand. I don't understand

what you are talking about." Xena,

undeterredly, wrapped her arms around

his hand again, this time holding it even

tighter to her boobs.

"I said let go of me." Drake snapped,

struggling to free his hand, but finds it

impossible this time. He turned to

Maximus and his colleagues, but they all

averted their eyes and pretended not to

see what's going on.

Maximus decided to break the tense

atmosphere. "Let's get moving," he said.

"Since Drake needs to be at the

academy before the D-day." Xena freed

Drake's hands.

They all proceed, emerging from the fog

forest. However, Xena clings to Drake,

vying for his attention.