A gentle breeze brushed against Evosias' cheek, catching a falling tear and throwing it into the wind. The same breeze splayed along Andromeda's neck as if someone was giving her an amazing scratch. It remained for a moment, then it was gone.

Zane took the opportunity to shift a little in the Sultans embrace as he tried to regain his composure. "Forgive me Sultan...I did not think it would affect me so strongly...it seemed that the wound on Connor's back was infested with some form of shadow magic...it took almost everything I had to drive it from his body..." He closed his eyes and let the cool wind blow against his face as he relaxed for the first time in several weeks. He was happy to be this close the the Emperor but at the same time sad, for neither him nor Draygun had spoken to him at all since the death of his teacher. He knew it shouldn't bother him but it was something that couldn't be helped. He was feeling dejected and at this point in time he was in someplace close to heaven actually being held by the Sultan.

"Your effort was both commendable and successful; the blackness no longer plagues Connor," Erindor rumbled in reply. "I wish to convey my gratitude for your services today. I'm sure many, many men and women owe you their lives."

Zane nodded slowly, "I only did what I could. I could not fight, my heart would not let me..and if I had, I am scared to think about what I would have done..healing is something that I do..it is what I am." He sighed softly knowing he wasn't making any sense. So he decided to remain silent so he wouldn't confuse his words any more.

"That's sensible," Erindor replied, feeling the mage was expressing concern for his ability to control his fire, or overall lack thereof. "Would you like to sit upright on the saddle? You may lean back if you'd like; I don't bite."

"...Hard, for the most part," Draygun added in silky draconian ease. 

Erindor rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Which reminds me, my army and I are in a need of a wash." He directed his attention back to Connor, "Sir Connor, I think it would be prudent to find a river to bathe at so we may be most presentable in your city's fine walls."

Zane nodded and managed to put himself into a more comfortable position. He was leaning back against the other males chest. His eyes half closed as he let the soft wind blow over him. "Mmmm...a bath sounds amazing.." He smiled softly and let himself become comfortable.

"I was never partial to be tainted by blood," Erindor replied, looking forward to the opportunity to wash the viscera and gore off of his armor and flesh. 

"The Angora river lies some leagues ahead. I suggest we rest and camp there before continuing on," Draygun advised.

"We should be there before sundown. What say you, Connor?"

"It's a fair decision. Let us make haste to the river. We need to regain the strength in our bodies," Connor said softly.

Patting Zane on the shoulder, Sovereign Erindor maneuvered in the saddle and stood to his full height with his sword drawn, "All forces, ahead to the Angora river! Make haste!" he bellowed, his voice rolling across the lands.

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Malestrom replied, picking up the pace to a trot. Now while a trot may not be very fast, for Malestrom, a trot was about thirty kilometers per hour.

The rest of the Naran army followed suit, keeping up with their leader effortlessly. 

"Excuse me if you would, I am going to keep watch over our flock," Draygun stated matter-of-factly. He leapt from the saddle with a feathery grace and fanned his great wings. Within moments he was soaring at three-hundred meters and sported a silver dragon's body 60 meters in length and a wingspan twice that. His nova blue eyes scanned the horizon for signs of trouble. All was clear...for now.

Evening

As the sun drew near the horizon, its light passed through the brown column of smoke from the battle earlier in the day, casting an orange glow over the hills, grasses, and forests. They were out of Mellankar fields now, and the Angora river was within a stone's throw.

Behind Malestrom welled a great wind as Draygun landed and drew alongside the others, dwarfing Malestrom with his six legged, and five headed chrome scaled body. "We made better time than I thought we would," he noted to the other three as the soldiers from both countries began to refresh themselves in the slightly tannic waters of the Angora. 

Zane had eventually fallen asleep, but was awakened by swift thoughts of darkness. He shivered slightly and brushed it off as afterthoughts of the battle. He looked around and spotted Draygun behind Malestrom in his large dragonic form. "We did?" he asked sleepily before he realized where they were. "Ahh...water...clean water.." he said with a smile.

A white speck in the distant sky appeared and seemed to be heading straight for the two armies and their leaders.

Erindor, having been munching on some dried fruit and venison turned his attention to the cool, inviting Angora river within its grassy banks. Off to the north, the land rose up leaving a short and broad gorge that the wide river flowed through. To the south, sandstone banks left steep escarpments. The Sultan watched his countrymen and women with a fondness in his eye. 

The first thing the Narans would do was not to rush into the current, but to drink heartily. Malestrom followed suit, lowering his head and began to siphon tens of gallons with each gulp. 

"Hungry? Want anything to eat before going for a swim?" Erindor asked Zane, rummaging through his food supplies. 

A shadow drew over the trio as Draygun dipped a great head to the water and caused visible surges in the water's surface as he drank. "I believe Shinya is on her way to rendezvous with us, Sire,"

"Thank you, Lord Draygun," Erindor replied, chuckling at the playful formality.

Zane nodded, "That sounds amazing....I would love something to eat...I used a lot of energy back there and I'm only at half capacity." He smiled as he watched Draygun and the Nara's around them, he had come to know each of them as he had been a medic for all. He had been appointed as the royal medic by those on the council of healers. They knew he was on good terms and wish to keep them comfortable. He hadn't minded but they all regarded him with an odd look in their eyes. He couldn't place it at the time and neither could he now.

The white speck grew bigger and soon it could be told it was a white dragoness with feathery wings. Her great wings flapping in the wind as she tried to keep a straight course.

There was a metallic click to Zane's left before a large leather pack was placed in his lap. "There's dried fruit and bread in there. There's also cheese, depending on how devout a vegan you are," the Sovereign offered kindly. "Lets get down from Malestrom; I think he wants to roll in the waters."

"You can stop showing off, you know," Malestrom said to Draygun as the latter waded into the water.

"Zane and I would like to get down," Erindor said to his companion.

"What? Oh, of course," Malestrom replied hastily, checking his concentration and laid flat upon his belly.

"You? Jealous? I would have never though it possible, my powerful and sleek, Malestrom," Draygun purred to soothe the other drake. The waters were deep enough for Draygun to wet his shoulders, his body acting as a giant boulder to the oncoming current. With a bugle, he flipped sideways and sprayed half of the armies with a wave of water.

"Gah!" Erindor shouted in surprise as the sky was filled with an arcing sheet of water. He threw up a barrier to keep Zane and him dry for the time being.

Malestrom was soaked. "Thanks," he said dryly.

Zane had thrown his hands up and a wall of fire had immediately sprang to life in front of him. It would have evaporated the water save that Erindor had put up his own barrier. He smiled and quickly slid off Malestrom moving away from him so he could sit on a large rock he had seen earlier and opened the sack in his lap. Delicious aroma's teased his nose and he pulled out a large green apple and took a hearty bite.

Shinya landed by Malestrom and Erindor, flapping her great white wings. She gave them all a smile before she turned to the Sultan and gave a bow, "Erindor, I take it your battle was won? I saw the battle from afar, my mind and heart weep for those that were lost and I apologize I was not here sooner to help you. All I can offer is my heartfelt emotions and an invitation to come visit the North when you deem yourself ready." She smiled and nodded, "Yes...the council is very excited about meeting you...the likes have not happened since the great battle of the ice mountains."

With a single bound, Erindor leapt from Malestrom's back and landed nimbly upon the soil of the riverbank, his potent muscles rippling as they absorbed the impact. He returned her brilliant smile with a handsome one of his own, and placed his palm over his heart for a moment in greeting. "This is excellent tidings!" Erindor replied, "I am joyed that in such dark times, peace is still promised." He sighed, walking closer and set a hand to her leg, watching her angelic face, "The Shade is mighty, and this won't be an easy war. However, yes, we did win the fight," he smiled.

Before Zane in the river, the water surged and erupted with a silver meteor. It landed a few meters in front of the man, many times smaller than its original size and changed hue to a gorgeous red. "Greetings," Draygun said kindly, walking to Zane and knelt beside him. "What sort of goodies do you have in there?" he asked, his keen nose seeking out the depths of the sack.

Shinya smiled wider, "That is great tidings, I will be more than happy in this time bring you good news."

Zane smiled at Draygun and opened the bag, "Mostly fruits and cheese, with bread." He laughed and pulled out a large pear. "Here have some, I know you have to be hungry as well. You did a lot in that battle."

Smiling gratefully, Draygun thanked Zane for the pear and took it into his hand. Dray's ravenous appetite hit just then, and he devoured the large pear in a matter of moments. "Sorry," he apologized with twinkling eyes before searching out cheese and some left over dried venison. With a sigh, Draygun reached around his sides and unstrapped the thoracic guard of his Chrysalis armor and let it rest to the side, leaving the rest of his armor for it didn't bother him. "Did the new armor work as designed?" he asked, wolfing down a sharp and tangy cheese not unlike cheddar.

Zane cocked his head to the side, not knowing what he was being asked, "The new armor? I wasn't issued any armor. As I was in the healers camp, they I believe thought it inconsequential for me to have any." He munched more on some grapes as he watched Draygun.

Shinya settled down in a comfortable position and eyed everyone around her, "I see...your armor is quite amazing, may I ask besides absorbing and deflecting magic if it has any other qualities?"

"Well it should clean itself," Erindor stated, removing his armor before going to the river with soap. Malestrom followed suit, buggering his rider playfully with splashes of water or tripping him.

Chuckling, Draygun shook his head. "Its just as adept at handling magic as it is any sort of large and dangerous energy discharge. Examples range from deflecting or stopping the thrust of a sword, shielding against heat and fire, as well as electricity and other harmful radiation. The weaving and construction of the wards was time consuming, but not overly difficult. After one is complete, its simple to transplant the magic upon another as it is forged. I often wonder why we didn't do this sort of thing earlier; I think its going to save a lot of lives." Dray shook his head, "Sorry, I'm boasting. I meant, as a healer, did the armor help to reduce the amount of wounded and the severity of wounds? Overall, I'm still chilled at the sight of all the dead...I can't imagine how much worse it would be if we weren't prepared."

Shinya nodded listening quietly to all the armor could do. With a smile she lifted her head and watched the Sultan, "That is quite impressive, you should be very proud to have thought of something that could ave so many lives."

Zane nodded, "Yes those that came in need of healing, needed minor things, a bruised rib or a cut here and there." He looked back behind them his eyes remembering all of those that had fallen, "We need to make some that will fit the dragons as well..or some type of armor that can deflect giant spears...so many dragons...so many soldiers...I agree, i would rather not think of what would have happened had we not been prepared..."

"Its a sobering taste for the trying times ahead," Draygun replied solemnly. He looked to Shinya and smiled, "Why thank you," he purred. "I wish there was more time to prepare for this war. Its just, lightning war. Not even a week ago we were going through negotiations with both countries. And now..." he sighed, taking out his emotions on an unsuspecting apple.

"Adapting the Chrysalis armor to dragons is certainly very important. It will be able to block multiple attacks from large javelins with various modification. It helped Erador today with Hoshrah, but the wards are a bit weak around the neck, and we can't have that. Thoughts?" he asked openly, watching Shinya and Zane. 

Shinya remained silent as she let her thought fill her mind. She was a brilliant thinker and maybe she could help the armor be perfected for the use of the Dragons. She studied the armor around her, taking it in and looking at it from all angles.

Zane was silent before looking up, "What about combining two different kinds of wards? Like...one for slowing an object down, and...another for....strengthening the muscles of the neck to absorb a strong blow?"

"Strengthening the cellular tissue may make it too rigid and may become cumbersome with movement. I say this because even if the tissues were tough enough and flexible, it wouldn't stop something from constricting an artery or the windpipe. Combining wards is exactly how the Chrysalis armor is put together, so you're definitely on the right track. I think distance is the problem. Two ways to solve that...more magically propagating plates along the neck, or a clever modification to the magic. The latter is most easily applied to a greater group of dragons in a shorter period of time..."

Shinya spoke this time, "What kind of metals do you have that are flexible and...breathable? That aren't resistant to magic, and can be woven with spells and wards? I might have an idea, maybe..."

Zane nodded his mind working again to figure something out, "What about...a ward that affects an area? Like...my mother had a ward around our house, that if anyone with a sickness came into it, she would know, no matter how well they hid it? What about applying some type of ward but with slowing of an object down?"

"Certainly possible. The ward could use the Chrysalis' energy supply to sustain itself just like the main ward from the armor. And as far as a sort of metal to use, it also has to be light. Starmetal, or a particular element that came to us first in the form of meteoroids...er, fallen space rocks," he explained, "but we have since discovered this ore within the ground after various projects. It may not be flexible and breathable, but its sure as hell good at conducting and holding magic. What other sort of metal did you have in mind?"

Shinya smiled widely her large teeth glinting in the sunlight, "Why use metal at all? Why use it if it cannot breath, or allow full movement." She swished her tail around, her eyes bright and cheerful as if she was holding an enjoyable secret. "Why not use something, that can be manipulated by magic and can still conduct magic?"

Zane turned his attention to Shinya, "What do you mean?" He shook his head and took another bite of his pear. "From what I know, even if you fold metal over and over, your just going to make it brittle and it will break in the cooling process. So what can we use that is pliable, and a conduit with magic?"

"Flesh," Draygun stated simply, rifling away at strips of dried meat. "The Chrysalis armor is designed for maximum mobility and temperature management, but still sees some limitations. Its not perfect, but its leaps and bounds over heavy leather, chain mail, and thick steel plates. It possesses the energy of a lightning strike, and I mean one from a good tropical tempest, not something your average mage could conjure. Plates all over the body help to deflect blows should the energy be depleted and the shield weak. They are important because they stabilize and strengthen the shield to contour the body so it may be most effective." 

Zane was momentarily stunned, "But if you use flesh, then you'll end up needing to graft the wards into the skin wouldn't you? And not only that what is to the wards going other than the life force of the one being warded. Each blow diverted is a major strain on the energy that keeps us all alive!"

Shinya shook her head, "Calm little one. Though it isn't a bad idea I was referring to something else entirely. Something that can move with our great bodies and protect us from the most savage of blows." She flexed her wings, her eyes moving to Erindor as she spoke.

Draygun held up a hand as he chewed on his food. Without words, he cast the same hand over to his armor's back plate and manipulated the runes. A circular band of the metal rotated and released a hemispherical aperture with a soft hiss. Inside floated out a clear and flawless crystalline sphere amidst kissing tendrils of soft, white magic. Draygun handed it to Zane and swallowed, "The wards could still be tailored to be run off the energy within this. It would be far more simpler to outfit a greater number of Narans with simple armor than imbuing the wards right into their flesh, hence the plates. Unless of course we were to devise a way to make such a procedure more efficient and practical; which I'm sure there is..."

Shifting his attention abruptly, Draygun turned to Shinya. "Apologies, please, do continue," he said calmly, watching Shinya with a twinkling interest in his eyes.

Zane carefully held the orb, feeling the pulse of magic in it, he was quite astonished at everything he felt as he held it. "This...is incredible..I've never felt any kind of magic like this!" He studied the sphere as he held it, turning it this way and that, taking in everything he could.

Shinya looked at Draygun, "In the North, we have a large amount of diamond quarries. We mine the diamonds, and then use them to make armor. We magically shift certain parts of the diamond structure so that it retains it's toughness, but it is made supple, like silk. Our best warriors are outfitted with this armor and they protect our lands on the outskirts, in case of invasion." She flexed her wings, making a soft breeze that blew all over everyone present.

Giving a smile at the gentle gust that tossed his obsidian hair, Draygun considered her words thoughtfully for a moment or two before speaking again. He watched Zane with a complimented smile, "Thank you," he purred. "It is very pure." Draygun's eyes were positively shining now as they turned to Shinya again, "Such material would be invaluable to the lives of many Narans," he said with a certain tone in his voice as if excited by limitless possibility. "Given that time is a precious resource, may I ask if you know how to weave such magic for diamonds and similar crystalline minerals? We don't have a shortage of them here, in Nara. Diamonds and crystals, that is."

Suddenly, Draygun became so elated that he jumped to his paws. Words being far too cumbersome for the details of his complex vision, Draygun opened his mind to Zane and Shinya and sat down again. From his mind poured a well organized plot of schematics, scrutinized details, magical theory and application. Vivid imagery, knowledge and memories flowed forth for the other two to assimilate. His excitement unrelenting, Draygun cried out, "Its pefect!"

Ignoring the curious glances in their direction, Draygun continued verbally to reiterate the mental information. "Diamond is very tolerant of accepting and storing magical energy! In addition to this strength you speak of, it could feed the same ward that the Chrysalis armor operates with! It would only be a matter of tailoring a tunic and trousers for each of our unique warriors!"

Draygun fell silent with a hand to his chin before his eyes lit up yet again. "I need a diamond!" he exclaimed, leaping to Erindor's discarded armor and used unspoken magic to pluck a diamond from his helm. Draygun pounced back to Shinya and Zane and levitated the 300 karat, 42 facet tear-drop diamond before them. Draygun drew a deep breath, held it, and released the air slowly as his eyes closed and his mind focused singularly upon the gem. His consciousness went out to the compact carbonic object until he reached its atomic level. "Shinya, I need to know if you know how this is done. I can alter its form, but its your unique ways of magic in the north that will make it as you say it is. Can you help me?" 

Zane had been processing all that Draygun had shared with him. It was quite ingenious, very well thought of and insanely difficult to understand if you didn't know the rudimentary levels of magic. He took his time devouring everything that was shared with him and he stored the precious knowledge away in the most securest part of his mind. "Incredible...maybe...with this..." He couldn't begin to explain what he was trying to say so he opened his mind to Shinya letting her feel what he was thinking.

Shinya nodded in response to Draygun's queries, her own mind taking no more than a few milliseconds to look through the information being shared with her. She opened her mind, allowing details and blueprints of other creations of the north to share between the three of them. Though most of them were magic in nature, she made it so it was far easier to understand. When Draygun requested for her help she spoke into his mind, "I do know how it is done, and I will be able to help you. But please, do not allow the logical side of your mind to overpower your thinking. The key to this, is that anything is possible, but not to make it...out of existence. Now, take the structure of the diamond, and let it rotate within your mind, letting the hardness of it etch itself into your brain." She spoke with the voice of one who had taught before, like a teacher.

Doing as he was directed to, Draygun compartmentalized his thoughts and emotions, separating imagination from rigidity, and adding a touch of reality. A distinct vision of the material formed in his mind as the particles of matter vibrated in place, their structure scrutinized with unyielding resolution. Draygun, who moments before was high strung and elated, was now calmer than a glassy lake, his mind purely diverted to and enveloped by the subatomic and eventually the quantum level. He drew another breath, slow and deep, "I am ready." 

Zane watched entranced as Shinya and Draygun both began to stare at the diamond. He was slightly jealous at the fact they could both wield such magics. But then the thought hit him, that he could, but on a different scale. He was practiced at his fire, and his healing magics, they concentrated on all aspects, where he was simply two. He smiled and felt better and continued to watch the two. But something in the back of his mind was bothering him, and he could not place it, a sudden foreboding in his heart.

Shinya smiled and nodded at how Draygun was at the moment, he was a fast learner. She looked at Zane and nodded before turning her attention back to Draygun, "Now, as you have the form and hardness of the diamond in your mind, the key is to not let your logic sway you as you do this, or the diamond will revert to its natural stage. Now...place your thoughts on the diamond, let your will shape it as you wish it. But slowly, do not rush for we are in no hurry..."

"All, is possible," Draygun said to no one in particular as he let go of any notion of laws or boundaries of nature. He felt as if he was in the workshop for the world, and in his hands were the tools to alter the fabric of all things. Draygun did take his time, working at first with one atom at a time, imagining it to be strong, tough, but light and flexible like premium silk. Soon, chains began to form and flex fluidly from tiny pressure changes from the surrounding air. A drain of magic pulled at him, demanding more for the task.

From the macro world, the diamond did nothing for long minutes, rotating slowly in the air. The process was not without its mistakes, and the new bonds of the material were prone to vibrating and shattering, reverting all previous work. Pressing on with patience and growing confidence, Draygun did not falter. Just as slowly as he began, Draygun tried again, pushing much more magic into the energies as he willed the diamond to become exactly what his mind wished it to be.

A ringing came from the diamond in the following minutes as its interior began to glow with a pure, white light. A sense of clarity fell over Draygun as a new sense of order fell upon the diamond. The hard gem rang clear like a bell in a sweet, 3rd octave A before it fell silent and unraveled as if it were a sheet of silk tightly folded into the gem's former shape. Draygun waved a hand before the new material, and it fanned out into a queen sized sheet of shimmering, iridescent silk. A great smile flashed across Draygun's face, pulling his mind away from the material and reached out instead with his hand to touch the feathery substance.

"Well? Do you think it worked?" Draygun asked, feeling foolish for his own self-doubt. 

Zane was in awe, he had never seen anything like it before in his life. He reached out a hand and felt the softness of the fabric/gem. The texture was alien to him, something his mind couldn't comprehend or describe in any kind of thought or detail. "Dray....it's beautiful..."

Shinya smiled knowingly and looked at the sheet with a critical eye. She sent out her own magic feeling along the sheet, looking for small mistakes or any at all. She found none, "You have done very well Draygun, you have created the first sheet of 'kethend ofiln' or in your language, Gem cloth. What you have here is enough for I'd say...a set of pants...or a tunic...because only those with magic can cut it or shape it with their will..."

With a smile, Draygun jumped to his feet again and spun the material around him with gentle magics, as if caught in a slow whirlpool. The pearly, iridescent material caught and flaunted the dying sunlight of the evening. "Lets see exactly how much I'll be able to make them," he said, stripping down to his skivvies and draped the material around himself. Like before, he drove his mind into the material. It was much easier now to alter the structure of its matrix and tailor any form he wished it to have; he was a shapechanger after all. The sheet of kethend ofiln molded to his body for perfectly tailored trousers and tunic. 

His busyness didn't end there as he reached for the crystalline sphere that held the energy for his Chrysalis armor. From it, he derived its complex ward and most of all its stored energy, dumping it into the kethend ofiln instead. His attire shown brightly for a brief moment, then he looked to Zane, "Punch me," he offered.

Shinya watched with enthusiasm as Draygun began to learn the ways of her people, or his people, or their people, whichever it was. When he had fashioned himself a tunic and a pair of breeches, she smiled and nodded in approval. "Very well done Draygun! Not even one of our master tailors could have gotten a tunic and breeches from that!"

Zane looked at Draygun and was in awe of the armor, it was like nothing he had ever seen before. It had to be the most beautiful armor he had ever seen in his life! He was so busy looking at the armor he didn't hear his request, "What?" he asked as he looked up.

Bowing lightly to Shinya for the compliment, Draygun explained, "It was a fairly large diamond, and I think I thinned it out a bit. It should still be sufficient, especially so with the Chrysalis' technique." He looked to Zane and restated simply, "Punch me."

By now, the Naran army had mostly refreshed themselves and were returning to clean their armor and weapons before the evening meal.

Zane stood up and walked over to Dryagun, "You want me to punch you?" He said it questioningly. When he didn't get a response he drew his hand back and curled it into a fist before throwing it forward and slamming it into Dryagun's chest.

There was a dull, warping sound as Zane's fist impacted an invisible barrier and was pushed back with equal force to stop the blow dead. Draygun smiled, "I didn't think you'd actually put so much behind it," he mused with a faux overtone of hurt. Dray gave a wink, "Your turn, Shinya. Flames or ice. Hit me. Actually, I had never asked. Are you a flame or ice breather? Use what you use, and then Zane, use your fire!"

Zane backed away, his hand was fine, though he had been thrown back a little bit by the force of the ward. When Dray told him to use his fire, he smiled.
"My fire is much harder to block than my fist..." He threw his palms out and a fiery blast erupted from them heading straight for Draygun, the fire was so intense that the ground beneath it blackened instantly.

Shinya had watched as well, her eyes taking in the moment in appreciation. When Draygun spoke to her of her breath weapon she smiled, "Ice..." She opened her maw wide and from her sitting position released a giant blast of frozen air that twined around Zane's fire strengthening and doubling the potency.

The force pressing against Draygun threatened to topple him as fire and ice raged together to batter the magical wards to their limits. He braced himself with a leg, leaning into the tempest as it raged about him. The ice drained its strength, but the fire fed it. It was loud, but the Chrysalis ward held strong. "Its mightier with the new gem silk!" Draygun exclaimed. A blast of cold air sneaked past his neck, and again at his feet, "Alright, alright! That's enough!"

Zane immediately stopped letting lose his fire. It came back to him and snaked around him like a long forgotten friend, caressing his skin gently and not burning him. "I know...I haven't...I have forgotten you..and I apologize." The fire burned brighter and seemed to form into a long flaming snake. Its head rested on his shoulder, "I am no longer afraid of you...thanks to everyone here..I know you won't hurt me, and now, we can begin training once again." The fiery snake pressed its nose to his cheek and then slowly melted into the air before Zane turned to Draygun, "That was intense!"

Shinya too stopped breathing ice the moment she was told to. She had watched and felt the armor fluctuate and compensate for the attacks made against it. She was highly impressed and nodded her approval. "I wonder if it can stand against lightning...would you mind if I tried Draygun?"

"In a moment," Draygun said, distracted by Zane and his very lively fire. He walked over to the Fire Mage, "Yes, that was intense," Dray agreed. "It seems your control over fire is quite prodigious; I am surprised."

Zane nodded, "Yea....thanks to everyone here. All of you helped me to be able to control myself and my emotions. I'm not scared of myself any more.." He smiled and lifted his hands above his head, two great columns of flame erupted from them shooting high into the sky before bending over and arcing into a flaming ribbon. He clenched his hands and the fire dissipated. "Thank you...Draygun."

Smiling, Draygun watched the impressive display before he knelt and embraced Zane, rubbing his back. "You're welcome," he replied kindly. Withdrawing from the gesture, Dray watched Zane's eyes for a few, slow moments, "You are to do such great things. Now, if you'll excuse me a moment, a Dragoness is wanting to try and shock me," he smiled again, tousling Zane's blond hair.

"Alright, Shinya. Let me optimize the wards," he said, holding up a hand before going about and fine tuning the magical energies to better match their new host armor. Even if the armor failed, Draygun was in no real danger for he was rather well known for his own abilities to hurl lightning. Getting into a stable stance, Draygun faced Shinya, "Alright, Girl, fire away!" "Zane, you'll probably want to back up."

Shinya stood, bracing herself on all her legs. She straightened her tail out and flexed her wings as if she were gathering energy. She opened her maw and the black cavern seemed to stare down Draygun. A deep collective breath was taken and a pure white bolt of electricity shot from her mouth aimed straight at Draygun, "Now!"

Zane had been waiting on the sidelines. He had hatched a plan with Shinya to test the expectancy of the armor. He jumped forward at her word and sent another gout of flames at Draygun, this time, they charred the grass dead underneath and burned it down to the soil.

Draygun's talons anchored themselves into the soil as the tempest battered the wards and his senses of sight and sound. The thunder was deafening, and the light blinding! With quick words through bared teeth, Draygun optimized the ward to protect his senses. Shinya's mighty lightning coiled about Draygun's form in a tight, fast spiral. The technique gave rise to a magnetic field induced by the spiraling trillions and trillions of electrons, which in turn gave energy to the Chrysalis armor. All waste was directed away towards the ground, lancing and piercing it with fantastic bolts. 

Zane's fire was like a catastrophic wind, pulling and ripping at the ward in an attempt to prize if from Draygun. Some of its heat energy was absorbed, but most of it was deflected because of its shear intensity. "How long can you two keep this up?!" Draygun asked, optimizing the ward to improve its defense. It was a brave thing to do, and Draygun from time to time felt a blast of flame, or even his hair raise up before he could counter with a more sophisticated spell to strengthen the armor.

Shinya dug her talons into the ground rooting herself in place. Her maw opened slightly wider and the lightning grew in size and potency. It slashed through the air forming jagged lines and leaving momentary imprints that faded away slowly. "As long as needed Draygun."

Zane was barely concentrating, he didn't need, to. His fire was like breathing and he could control it now better than he ever could in his life. The fire was burning the ground away beneath it and he pushed harder. Almost instantly the fire burned brighter, seeming to melt away anything in it's path that could burn. The very air around it sizzled and popped with its heat.

By now, Shinya and Zane were drawing a very large crowd, all of which watching with a sort of detached curiosity. "I didn't ask for stronger, I asked for duration, but this is also agreeable," Draygun said simply, his mind calm despite the rippling forces pushing him this way and that. The key to the success of this venture was to soak up as much energy and magic as Shinya and Zane were pouring out. Bit by bit, Draygun manipulated the armor to sap more and more of the blistering fiery tempest and searing, thundering lightning. 

"Got it," Draygun said simply, layering and binding another tweak to tune the ward. Upon this final modification, the armor absorbed nearly all of the energy and stored it harmlessly. The air cooled, and Shinya's lightning no longer struck the ground.

Shinya smiled and in an instant her maw closed cutting the lightning off. "Well done Draygun...you have done something not even our most practiced armorers have accomplished yet. Use this well, and maybe, it will save as many lives as possible in the future wars you might or might not have."

Zane stopped his fire and held his hands close to his chest. He was proud of himself, he no longer feared himself and he was ready to take the next step in his life. Maybe it was time. He smiled and looked at Draygun with the shining smile and nodded to him.

Draygun returned the smile and nodded back, recognizing the Mage's momentous breakthrough. "I hope that we can use this armor for many other things like exploration and mining, and not just war. I hope that by creating proper defenses, we won't have to create more advanced weapons to discourage others from picking fights. But alas, it may only be a hope. Thank you so very much, Shinya. This is an invaluable gift," he purred, going to the dragoness to wrap his arms around her neck in a quick hug before going to Zane and embracing him as well, picking him off the ground even. "Congratulations!"

Shinya smiled revealing her large white teeth. "Your welcome Draygun, and I hope this will be of much use to you as it has been to us. I'm sure you'll find many uses for this." Shinya folded her great wings against herself and sat on the ground, allowing herself some rest from her long flight.

Zane laughed as he was hoisted into the air and clutched to Draygun tightly. "Thank you...for everything Draygun...I wouldn't have been able to do this without you.." He hugged the other male tightly, placing a soft kiss against his cheek.

"Just know that you just helped to save tens of thousands of lives," Draygun purred back happily, spinning Zane in a circle before setting him back on his feet again. He tousled Zane's hair, "You can charge the Chrysalis ward very quickly with your fire, you know. I should like to see you in battle if you feel fit to do so."

"Hail!" a soldier called from the gathering around the three, "Lord Draygun, tell us of your new armor!"

"It is a gift from Shinya of the North! It is of diamond but is tailored so to be as soft and light as silk, this will be our next generation of armor!" Draygun announced proudly, amidst a cacophonous applause. Draygun went back to Shinya and held up his hand, "Give me some skin, Girl," he said, giving a sassy grin.

Zane smiled widely and nodded at Draygun, "I think..I am finally ready to be in a battle and not fear hurting those I care for around me." He lifted his hands skyward and two large orbs of fire exploded from his hands arcing into the sky and smashing together creating a rain of harmless embers on everyone below.

Shinya eyed Draygun with a coy smile, "Seeing as I have fur, that will have to suffice I hope." She lifted her giant foot and gently tapped it against Drayguns hand. She smiled as the force scooted him away from her by a few inches. "It seems to me, that things are looking up for the Kingdom of Nara..and Zellorah."

Knowing the force of her paw was going to send him, Draygun jumped up in the air a few inches before contact so he merely landed gracefully after. "Hell yeah they are," Draygun replied cockily, setting his hands at his chiseled hips and puffed out his muscled chest. "Splendid! More fireworks, my dear Mage!"

"Where is the diamond from my helm?!" Erindor's voice boomed, staring with wide eyes at the helm in his hand. 

Draygun's eyes were twinkling, "I'll give it back," he purred, moving close to Erindor's mostly bare form save for his combat shorts.

Several warriors and warrioresses catcalled and hooted as the pair interacted. "Give it back?" Erindor said, confused by receiving a beautiful silky shirt instead of a large gem.

"And, did you want the rest?"

"Alright, alright!" Malestrom hollered as he returned form the river, dripping wet, "take it back to your tents!"

This caused a wave of laughter from the soldiers and friends around them.

Shinya smiled and laughed despite herself. She lowered her head to the ground laying it atop her feet. "I believe I will get some rest now..I have flown a long way." She closed her eyes and was soon snoring softly.

Zane watched Erindor and Draygun with a smile and sent more large balls of fire into the air, letting them collide into each other and explode, raining more sparks around everyone. "Maybe you should give him the rest in the tent Draygun.." he said with a smile.

Several warriors hooted and whistled upon hearing Zane's words; the Naran people were opened minded so long as the relationship was healthy and happy. "Please, tell us, Lord Draygun and Emperor Erindor, why you have not come forward about this before?" said a deep draconian voice as he came to the front, bowing before the most powerful Narans in the lands. 

"Because, Ankheku, I feared that it was an eccentricity that would bitter your image of your country's father!" Erindor cried out so that all may hear. He had noted by now that most of their forces were gathered around to listen. "I have always loved this love, and I apologize again to those whom I've hurt because of it." The Sultan's eyes flashed to Draygun and Sincalia, surprised to see her standing silently out front along with the rest of her comrades. "I swore I would not keep secrets from you! And I have! The longer I waited the worse it got, and I chose to bury it completely. Hear me, my people. My love for you and this country is unwavering, and I apologize for my feigning. Lord Draygun is my mate, and Rider Evosias is my son; the Prince of Nara!"

Draygun put a supporting arm around Erindor's shoulders as hushed whispers raced through the gathered warriors and dragons. Emotions choked him up as silent tears began to run down his face.   

Shinya though feigned being asleep, let a smile slip onto his lips. She was happy for the both of them. The Northern Wastes were just as open about relationships as the Naran's were. Happiness and love were all that mattered in a relationship. At the mention of Evosias something in her chest tightened and and felt a distant pang of unease she couldn't place, but brushed it off as weariness from her flight. She opened one eye and snorted a soft chilly breeze on the Sultan and his pronounced mate.

Zane smiled and had stood back, leaning against the boulder. He was happy for the both of them, finally able to declare their love for each other. He understood why Erindor had done it and to say he might have done the same thing in his place. He sighed happily and laughed as everyone started to congratulate the pair.

Amidst the compliments and felicitations from their friends and comrades, a voice rang up in question, "How long?!"

Erindor bit his lip, looking into Draygun's eyes, "Shortly after I had become of age. Be honest now! As my people, as Narans, can you forgive me for my folly of the heart; for my hiding?!"

"A man should be able to choose any path he should with whoever so long as they are happy!" a voice replied, resulting in a wave of nodding heads and approving bugles. 

"Very well then! My love is with you all! But I have one more important announcement to make..."

"...He's pregnant," Malestrom cut in with a cheevy smile, his yellow eyes glowing with mirth.

An uproar of laughter followed, consuming both Draygun and Erindor as the latter punched Malestrom in the leg playfully. "No no! I'm not pregnant, and am perfectly male," he smiled, shaking his head. "But I do have one more announcement!" Erindor turned to face his companion, Draygun, with love in his eyes and happiness upon his face, "A proposition," he crooned sweetly, taking his love's hands into his own. "Bring us our swords!" he commanded to no-one in particular, and received Kveykva and Valourne moments later.

Draygun's stomach was doing somersaults in his belly as his heart raced around in its boney cage, his breath quick and shallow as nothing else in the world at that moment seemed to matter to his senses. He could feel that heat again, radiating off from Erindor like physical love, he could smell his spicy scent and nothing but, and only see his handsome face and genuine eyes. With a toothy grin, Draygun reached out and parted some wet bangs away from Erindor's face and kissed his muzzle.

Feeling the hilt of his sword in his palm, Draygun grasped its leather bound handle and held it at his side, waiting for Erindor's next move. It was if the world slowed to an immesurable crawl, both torturous and sweet. Erindor took Valourne in both of his hands and set its tip in the earth before him and took a kneel on one knee, his head downcast towards the soft grass.

There was a great shuffling as the soldiers of the Naran army followed suit, kneeling before their Emperor and their Lord. Draygun was positively floored by the gesture, and his heart sang with light. In this position, Draygun could refuse Erindor's proposal by batting away his sword with his own, or accept it by kneeling and exchanging them. "Thank you," he breathed, closing his eyes as he took kneel on one knee, mirroring his love with both hands clasped upon the pommel of his sword with its tip in the earth, resting to Valorne's right. 

The air was silent and sweet, graced by an intoxicating summer breeze as they sky turned from gold to orange and red as the sun set. "Draygun Salochin Reymyar, Son of the mighty Kamoroko, do you accept my wish for marriage?" Erindor purred, his chest litterally thrumming with soothing vibrations.

Draygun opened his eyes to find Erindor's piercing gaze going straight through them to his very spirit. His gaze was returned in kind, loosing himself in the depths of his love's eyes, "I do, Emperor Erindor. I do, my friend, and I do, my love," Draygun crooned. 

As one, the pair put both knees to the ground and passed one another the hilts of each other's swords. Draygun grasped to Valourne's finely crafted pommel like it was his last hold on reality, gripping and re-gripping the leather of its handle. His stomach was alight with so many tingles, and his spine shivering with chills; it all seemed otherwordly. He lost his breath as he felt Erindor's brow push up against his, and he almost forgot to push back until he started tipping. They breathed as one, listening to the gentle tides of their lungs. As one once again, their hands clasped each other's necks, letting their fingers gently rub there. 

The moment was ready for magic. Gingerly and slowly, a tingling sensation overcame both partners from wherever they contacted their love, moving outwards across their flesh and through their blood. They were soon lost in a glowing nimbus of rose colored light. The form shifted as they stood, and dissipated slowly to reveal a romantic kiss.

A great applause broke out through the Naran ranks. Hooting, bugling, whistling, and blessings were some of the many rejoicing sounds in the cacophony of celebration. War drums were brought out and produced an intoxicating beat for the already thick atmosphere.

"Hail!" Malestrom called.

As one, Erindor and Draygun locked arms raised one another's swords to cross them in an X as they faced their witnesses. They were nothing but grins as they opened their maws and let loose victorious and intimidating roars!

Shinya had been watching with open eyes and a wide smile. She was genuinely happy for the both of them. She was under the impression that they had been hiding for a long time. She let loose a loud bugle of triumph letting it echo over all.

Zane smiled softly watching the two. He was so happy the two of them could finally be together, and not having to hide. They had deserved this more than anyone in the entire world that he could think of. He raised his hands and two giant multi-colored balls of fire flew into the sky. The traveled up and the collided into each other sending a shower of rainbow sparks onto the crowd below.

Going along with Shinya's cue, Malestrom slammed a paw against the ground and roared mightily, allowing his great voice to saturate the air and resonate within the bones of all gathered. "Celebration!" he commanded, grinning wildly.

The beat of the drums brought a lively pulse that soon swept away all inhibition and allow for free expression of joy. As if on cue, Narans everywhere began to jump, hoot, and dance with each other, breaking out food stashes and hidden vaults of wine and other spirits. Even the great drakes bounded and writhed with joy, making for an exotic display of might and elegance. Zane's fantastic fireworks were soon joined by other exploding spheres of light, bringing a rain of all sorts of shimmering sparks throughout the evening air.

The Narans danced as a rotating mass around their leaders, careful of Malestrom's exuberant and impressive dexterity as he too pranced and jumped to the thundering beat of drums. Nothing seemed more alive in that moment in midst of the throng, with the deep sensation of vibrations both through the ground and the air. 

Draygun flashed a blazing smile from Shinya to Zane, his sweet eyes seemingly conveying a current of happiness and love. He didn't want Zane left out, but he would have the honor of a dance first with his betrothed-to-be. Dray watched appreciatively as his mate moved in the most sensual and exotic ways, demonstrating superb skill in the art of show and seduction as his great vermilion body waved and danced, his piercing eyes on Draygun the whole time. Feeling something was amiss, Dray stopped a moment to tailor a pair of shorts out of the kethend ofiln for Erindor by simply changing the shape of his tunic. He offered the shimmering garment to his love, who obliged and fitted his sinewy legs into the material to match his mate.

Erindor then took Dray's hand, spinning them about in a passionate prance, as heavy and seductive as the drums demanded. The world spun by, fixed only on each other as islands of paradise. The matching pair twirled and froliced in a rhythmic trance, coal red skin and matching diamond silk trousers throwing off the light of fires as they sprung up, cooking game meats. The beat pounded faster, stronger, filled with skilled nuances in both the treble and bass, it was nothing short of audible intoxication. All around, bodies spun like frantic dervishes, graceful and carefree!

The beat hammered faster and faster, its percussion a rampant fervor that brought a strobing effect to the ears. It had now far surpassed the racing hearts of those gathered as dirt and embers flew without care! Jets of flame and great explosions rippled the thick air; the sparks were only just starting to fly. Draygun stamped his feet in powerful rhythms, customizing his own beat as he orbited dangerously close to his mate, throwing their heads back in ecstasy! They commanded their own ground, vaulting and moving with flawless improvisation, moving so quickly it was difficult to tell who's tail started and who's ended.

Draygun cast his palm to the air just once, and let out a jet of shimmering magic that exploded and covered the surging masses. This happened again and again, showering sparks in great gyrating spirals, sending shockwaves of electric blue along the ground, only to be reflected by the drums themselves! His maw tore open and unleashed a feral roar of joy, modulating its terrifying tone with a spirituous chant that spread as quickly as wild fire. Soon a great sea of voices waved with the flames and played alongside the great pulse of the hammering drums! 

Paws struck the ground harder, the beat drove faster, and the voices rang stronger! The Narans became a living embodiment and expression of unadulterated euphoria, putting on a show so exotic and powerful it might just put the god's own galas to shame. Scales and skin glinted and shimmered with sweat; throwing off the light of roaring fires and starlight as the party began to progress well into the early evening. There was a sudden crescendo and a thundering crash, bringing all to a stop, locked where they were with their dance partners. The Narans held their exact poses, turning the night air to gales with their strong lungs...

Erindor reached out a hand for Zane and pulled him to them, "You wouldn't mind joining in now, would you?!" he grinned, throwing his head back in a mighty roar. At once, the beat struck up again, this time slower and provocative. Sultry and sexy, even.

To Shinya's immediate right moved a well muscled golden dragon, planting his paws well against the ground as he danced. Golothian looked to catch her eye with a dramatic gaze, one that flitted on and off as he moved to the new beat. All were caught up in the rapture.    

Zane smiled as he moved with Draygun and Erindor. Both moving themselves in time with the beat of the music. He wasn't use to dancing at all, and he started out awkwardly. After a bit he was able to move more comfortably to the music, letting himself go and moving with unnatural grace and exuberance he had never shown before. He moved between the two mighty draconians and turned this way and that, his feet lightly touching the ground and his body moving in exact time with the beats. His hands moved gracefully around him, forming long ribbons of flame that danced around him exotically as dangerous as it was, but the fire did not hurt him. It seemed to make him exotic and ethereal.

"Ow ow!" Draygun hooted, impressed by Zane's example as the man loosened his flesh and mind, letting his true expression shine through with his sensual moves and raw fire. He took Erindor's hand and spun them beside and over Zane, drawing up his fire with their Chrysalis armor in spiraling torrents of shimmering flame. They used their own magic to allow Zane's blaze to caress their scintillating vermillion flesh, allowing the three to dance as one in form and spectacle.

Shinya watched the trio with a smile on her majestic face. When he could no longer be ignored Shinya turned her attention the the Golden Dragon dancing next to her. She rose from her position on the ground and decided to show this yonugling who exactly he was dealing with. She flapped her great wings and took a running leap. In an instant she was in the sky. She turned this way and that in the air, her body undulating with the beat of the music. She twisted in the air her great feather wings curling around her as she for an instant hovered mid-air. In that instant the music stopped, and she fell gracefully before it picked up again and she caught herself and started to move herself in time with the music.

Zame twisted around the two draconians allowing his body to show what he felt for the two around him, for those he lost, for those other had lost, and for those who no longer were in this realm. His body moved in a feverish rhythm, turning this way and that. Fire wrapping around him like silk and then gliding around him. He held a cherub like look on his face, with his eyes closed. He wanted to dance for those around him. In the instant when Shinya froze in the air, and the music stopped, he froze as well. His body rigid and unmoving, like a statue. When she fell, he fell too, his body curving backwards before snapping back up with the beats again.

Draygun gave a wild whoop as Shinya did her thing; "You go, Girl!" He sashayed his hips and stamped his feet, moving with flamelike grace as he watched Erindor and Zane with eyes of joy. When the music stopped, so did everyone else for but those few moments before the rapture continued. Erindor had curved on cue with Zane, matching both of their movements. It was inspiring, this improv, for the creativity of the three seemed to be feeding off each other as they threw something new in as they gyrated to the rythmn. The flashing and flickering lights of flame and magic alike produced the most profound shifting of shadows, warping the sense of depth in the world. Dray and Erin were fixed on a handful of parcels in these moments, and one of them was the beauty of their dance partners, and the pleasure of the company in this dance!

Shinya took a little dive of happiness as she was pushed onward by her friends. WIth a look down at the golden Golothian, she winked and turned around and flew straight into the sky before doing a spin in the air. She flipped her self upside down and seemed to swim through the air, her eyes never leaving Golothian.

Zane let his fire ribbons dissolve before he did a dangerous spin. His body left the ground momentarily before he landed on one of his knees and then lightly sprang back up. His face was covered in a light sheen of sweat. He stopped dancing for a moment to remove his healer's jacket. Under it he wore nothing, his golden sun kissed chest glistened with sweat as he continued to dance.

"YEEEAH!" Draygun cried, beating his fist into the air as the music changed again, inspiring the crowds to jump to its ferocious and thundering pulse. "Go, Baby!" he growled suggestively, watching his fiance and Zane with near equal rapture as he danced with them. Right now, the world seemed utterly perfect.

Letting out a friendly bugle, Golothian stayed on the ground for now, watching Shinya's aerial acrobatics. He admired her form and grace, and felt his own wings itching to join her in the skies. But for now, he would dance and watch, letting off spires of golden flame now and again.

Shinya finally pulled herself from the sky, landing beside Goliathan and smiled at him. "A girl can't be kept waiting, she likes to have those who watch her, follow her." She said this with a smile and a small lick to hi chin before taking back off into the skies.

Zane threw his jacket onto the large rock he had been sitting on earlier and let his body move to the music. Sweat fell off him in rivulets as he swayed back and forth, like a living flame. He was compelled to move closer to both Erindor, and Draygun as he danced.

As Zane moved in closer, so did Erin and Dray. The pair felt an irresistable force between their bodies. Despite the fervor of their movements in the rapturous rave, their grace and canny never allowed them to run into one another. Instead, their bodies would brush and rub on occasion, and not always by accident. Zane was soon surrounded by almost 3,000 pounds of writhing dragon, the heat pouring from them was intoxicating!

Golothian gave off a bugle, and launched himself into the air with the next available drum beat. He crashed his wings against the wind in time with the music's rythym, and curved away after Shinya. Other drakes seemed to like their pair's idea, and began to take to the skies for their own demonstrations. The white fur of Shinya stood out magnificently against the star studded sky, and even more so as the large gemini moons began to light the landscape.

Shinya gace a bugle of her own before diving towards the lake. Her body undulated in perfect time with the music, it seemed to beat in time with her own being. She gracefully avoided other dragons and kept her eyes trained on Golothian, her white wings catching the light of the moons.

Zane felt like he was on fire. The heat around him was intoxicating and he jut craved more of it. He pulled himself this way and that, grazing into both Erindor, and Draygun, not on accident but on purpose. He wove his way around the two, letting his body slide between them.

A hot and sweaty form caught the sense of the great drakes, and they laughed and hooted with content! They responded in kind by ensnaring Zane with their tails, allowing their smooth undersides to encircle and graze the man's chest and belly. They were a beautiful trio, with Erindor and Draygun prancing chest to chest with enough room for Zane and their playful attentions for him. The sound of their breathing was just barely audible amoungst the thundering bass drums and cacophony of shuffling feet and wings, but it was profound enough to draw them into their own world...

Golothian bugled again, gracefully flying after Shinya as he too dodged other drakes. It was soon becoming an aerial ballet of the utmost skill, weaving sleek and shimmering masses by one another in great tides. Despite it all, the golden drake was hot on Shinya's moonslit trail.

Shinya flew around in a circle turning her body thi way and that, letting the light splay across her fur. She couldn't explain it, but this night was special. She flew in a tighter formation, and circled around so she was facing Golothian. She bugled in a flirtatious manner and flew straight for him.

Zane spun in a circle quickly taking his eyes off the ground and staring up into the sky. He jumped left then right, his body swinging in time with each beat of the music. It was addicting, he wanted to keep everything moving, every cell in his body to move. Suddenly, his body felt freer than it ever had, it was as if he was nowhere and everywhere at once! His body burst into flames fire shooting along his body and wrapping around him like the softest of silks.

Erindor couldn't resist a little bit of obvious humor, "Damn, Zane! You're on fire!" he complimented, and then laughed rancorously at his own sillyness. The sultan writhed and spun in his great cavort, taking advantage of all the delights and abilities of the potent organs of strength rippling sinuously beneath his glistening raspberry skin. He watched Zane and his love with joy-brimmed eyes, expressing his happiness with rythymn and pattern, grace and speed. Erin danced with all the energy he ever wished to express in this rapture! The world seemed a simpler, better place now. He was in control again, of his life, of his love, of his happiness...and if the Sultan could, he would celebrate his love and friends for the rest of his formidable life.

Seeing the play of the game, Golothian locked in a flying posture that would allow for instantaneous correction. His expression was that of confidence, like a gold plate upon an impenetrable pokerface. Golothian bugled in reply, carefully controling its tones for a casual and spirited pass at the lithe dragoness. They sailed ever closer in their ultimate game of chicken...

Zane waved and danced, his body gyrating to the quick tempo of the music. The fire swarming on his body swirled and writhed around him, adding an otherworldly affect to him. He seemed like a god of flame come down from the heavens. Everywhere he setpped the grass seemed brighter, as if it thrived off his flame. Everyone around him seemed a little brighter, as if the flames were consuming all theire tiredness, their pain, and replacing it with energy to dance.

Shinya bugled again sending out another challenge, wanting to see how brave he was. She kept aiming straight at him, never taking her lavender eyes off of him. She wanted to test him, test his prowess, how much he fought for something if he wanted it. She could not afford anything less than that.

If they were to collide, it would hurt, but certainly not maim Golothian. His new, but heavily conceiled, worry was for the well being of Shinya. And yet, he knew she would have only one of two answers out of the end of this. If she wanted danger and excitement, she would get it. Staying silent, Golothian's emerald eyes blazed as he beared down upon her, his form unwavering...

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