Dragons

"...la convention est dans trois jours, ne venez pas sans lui."

I could hear the sound of a third person in the room as I approached with sudden caution. His voice carried an aura of flames and danger, unlike Derek's own which was a more subtle mask of darkness and solitude.

"Oui, votre Éminence. Je ne vous décevrai pas."

That was France-lyse! Her voice was tainted with fear, and I could hear the trembling in her throat. The door was slightly ajar and I could make out the shape of Derek whose back was facing the exit. France-lyse stood where I had left her. Her head was lowered, and her feet were shaken. I could not see the third person. The only visual indication that someone else was in the room was the strong glow of fiery light that seemed to shine from my blind side.

"Bien sûr, vous ne pouvez pas vous permettre de me décevoir... et France-lyse, gardez votre animal de compagnie sous un bail plus strict."

I could taste the sneer and volume of distaste in his voice as he spoke.

"Oui, votre Éminence.", France-lyse said, bowing to the ground as the glowing visitor's presence evaporated.

I burst into the room, hitting Derek slightly with the door. He stumbled a little, grunting as he turned to look at me. His face was distorted with disgust. Issh. France-lyse lifted her head, and smiled at me. The fear that had enveloped her was gradually reclining.

"Wow Seer, you really came in time to save the day.", he spat disdainfully at me.

"You flatter me, Fangsie, seeing as you did much of the saving yourself.", I said with a smile on my face.

He rolled his eyes, and chuckled, brushing past me and leaving the room.

"I would be outside after I have paid for these.... Do not look for me.", he called out.

For a brief moment, I stood, staring at where he had left. The memory of all that had transpired in the room had returned, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. I could feel her gaze on my back, burrowing into my soul.

I turned to face her, a weak smile on my face.

"Grab your things, let's go.", she said, standing up. She dusted her body, looking briefly at me as she picked up some of the bags filled with clothes that were scattered around.

She brushed past me and I held her wrist. I could feel her tremble.

"Who was that?"

She attempted to free herself from my grip, pulling her hand gently. I searched her face as she hid from my gaze. What was she hiding?

"If you do not tell me who that was that had frightened even Derek, I will not go to with you to the Ngor Convention."

She raised her head, looking sharply at me. Her eyes were hardened as she searched for the bluff in my statement. I retained my pokerface.

Of course, I wanted to attend the convention. That was my main reason for coming to Dakar. The research I had made on the events surrounding my sister's death had led me here. Everything seemed to be connected, like one big web. I knew France-lyse had had something to do with all this, or at least, she knew who did. She was a powerful player in this conspiracy, and I knew she was the one that had tampered with my memory. There was still the case of the girl in the wall. If I was ever going to find my sister's murderers, I had to uncover whatever ploy France-lyse had employed. I had no evidence though, nor concrete proof. Just a feeling.

"Somethings are better left unsaid.", France-lyse said, releasing herself from my grasp.

"Oya na, watch and see... Omo werey.", I said, picking up the remaining bags and walking out.

The walk home was in utter silence, asides the occasional vrooming of cars driving by. Derek seemed very meticulously engrossed in his warfare against the forces of sunlight, and France-lyse appeared to be buried in her thoughts.

I sifted through the contents in the bags I held, trying to feel a connection to their pasts. It was my feeble attempt at learning to master my so-called "most powerful in the world" abilities.

We reached the apartment, each grateful in their own way. Derek's sighs of relief resonated throughout the building, as he took off the cloak he had clad himself in. I turned to walk into my windowless room, dropping the bags on the floor as I jumped onto the bed. It's soft void swallowed me up.

"He is called the Dragon."

"What?!", I sat up, startled. I had not noticed France-lyse walk into the room. She wore a long pink singlet with thin straps, with nothing on the inside. It was difficult to keep my focus on her eyes.

"The person you had asked about...", she said as she sat down next to me on the bed.

"He is called the Dragon."

I folded my arms in anticipation of some further incomprehensible nonsense.

"Why is he called the Dragon?", I asked, prompting her.

"Legend has it, that before the Great Revolution began, the world was ruled by Dragons. Strong, fearsome creatures that could reduce civilizations to ashes by simply breathing down fire from the skies."

"Like Vampires, they have a very long lifespan...but, nothing is ever truly immortal. With the advancement in technology, the Dragons were driven, one by one, close to extinction...as were many other creatures."

I listened in unexpected awe as France-lyse told me how gifted and majestic those creatures, that is, Dragons, were. They were apex predators, with hides so impenetrable, spears and arrows bounced off like paper.

"The dragons, just like humans, are ruled by a system and a leader. The person you had asked me about, the one who had been in the room with us, was the King.", she said.

I saw fear, so strong, flash in her eyes as for a moment she seemed to reminisce.

"Dragons are known to be ruthless, crafty creatures, destroying all in their path to get what they want... But, even the dragons fear him. He makes the devil look like an Easter bunny. No one dares challenge him, not even the goddess. He is pure evil incarnate."