Sirona told Nelanna to stay put, leaving her to watch as the angel made her way over to the dragon. The red haired maiden pursed her lips a little; she wanted to go see the dragon, too! But she obeyed, waiting patiently as the dragon finished off its foes, and turned its attention to Sirona.

Its size wasn’t anything spectacular, just large enough to be ridden by a person or two, which suggested that it’s still very young. Its armor was black as the shadows surrounding them, making it very difficult to be spotted. However, the flame-like glow emanating from between the armor scaling on its chest made it easier to spot. Its blazing eyes turned on the angel as she warily approached, earning her a warning hiss -not one like that of a cat, nor a snake. But one that sends chills down one’s spine- and it turned to face her defensively with its head low.

Nelanna started getting a little nervous; even from her distance she could see something terrifying in its eyes. They were vicious and wild. This dragon was not one to be approached carelessly. And so, she crept closer as quietly as she could so she could help Sirona should the dragon strike.

At first, he listened to the angel’s words, and even seemed to contemplate. He allowed her to approach, but still remained guarded. She explained that she and her companion weren’t there for his gold, and that they could help each other. But there was a problem. It may be able to understand them, but it still was a dragon. A fire dragon, no less. One that is driven to gold and treasure. It had come once the mines were opened, the scent of gold filling its flaring nostrils. Blinded by the gold, it was driven down, and killed everyone and everything in its path. Gold makes the beast go mad, as if it were put under a spell. Such is the curse of being a fire dragon.

Once Sirona got one step too close, it’s eyes changed, alarming Nelanna. “You lie,” the dragon hissed in it’s own language. The scent of gold was keeping him from seeing reason, and briefly he was reminded of how untrustworthy people were. He raised his head like a snake preparing to strike and puffed out his blazing chest. Then, he struck down at her.

“Look out!” Nelanna shouted, leaping forward to stand in front of Sirona protectively. She raised her arm to block the attack as if it were a shield, which reminded her that jumping to save Sirona wasn’t necessary. The angel had a real shield. Her forearm was soon impaled by the dragon’s large snake-like fangs, and then she could feel a burning sensation enter her arm like liquid. She yipped at the pain, clenching her teeth to try bearing the intensity. Then, once it pulled away, it dashed into the darkness and vanished.

Nelanna clenched her arm, blood oozing out of the wounds and running down her hand, dripping onto the cave floor. The burning sensation slowly grew more intense, expanding up her arm at snails speed. “I’m sorry,” she groaned at Sirona, realizing how foolish she was. But she couldn’t help it. Her body moved on its own, leaving no time for thought.

For a moment the angel thought that the dragon would accept her words, but then it spoke and her face paled, uh oh! She held her shield up and used her right hand to assist in bracing it, starting to build up some magic to project around her to further protect herself. But then Nelanna called out and Sirona felt the woman’s weight hit her and throw her off balance as Nelanna ended up taking the worst of it. Sirona’s eyes widened in horror as she saw the dragon’s fangs sink into Nelanna’s arm.

It was over with so fast before Sirona could gather herself, and the dragon was gone down the tunnel again out of sight. Sirona watched it for a moment before moving quickly to Nelanna’s side and examining her wound. Sirona dropped to her knees beside Nelanna and gently took the woman’s arm, right through and Sirona could smell the venom in the wound, Nelanna must have been in serious pain. At Nelanna’s words Sirona looked to her and smiled, reaching out with her free hand to gently cup Nelanna’s cheek. ”Shh, save your strength, apologies aren’t necessary, you saved me.” Well, no, Sirona possibly had it handled, but it was the thought that counted. The fact that Nelanna would not hesitate to jump in front of a dragon for someone she just meant that Sirona now had that much more respect for her than she had before.

Sirona shifted around carefully so that she was resting on her knees and placed Nelanna’s head in her lap. ”Relax, take a deep breath, I’ll do my best.” Sirona smiled and closed her eyes, hands wrapped around the wounds, it might cause more pain but it was how Sirona’s magic worked and she wasn’t bothered by the blood either. She just hoped any venom wouldn’t affect her just by skin contact, that it needed an open wound to do anything harmful.

Sirona’s hands started to glow as she closed her eyes and focused on the wounds. Her magic was warm and comforting in its feeling, at least to most it had felt like that the few times Sirona had used it, that was how they described it. She focused first one purging the venom from Nelanna’s body, drawing it back out from the same wound, it would likely sting but there was nothing Sirona could do for that help except keep going. After she everything that she could Sirona then focused on healing the wounds, closing them quickly but neatly as well, whether she left any kind of scarring was to be seen. But Sirona would do her best to help Nelanna.

It was the least she could do.

Nelanna knew that Sirona was only trying to be nice; Nelanna’s sacrifice was completely wasted. Her angel companion was completely capable of handling herself, and her shield would have protected her from any attacks the dragon might have thrown at her. But the elf didn’t say anything, other than a brief, “Some Champion I am,” before laying her head down on Sirona’s lap as she was guided.

The burning in her arm continued to grow, and so did its pace. Only minutes ago it was creeping up her arm, but now it felt like wildfire spreading within her. Soon enough her entire body felt feverish, so much so someone might think that she was set on fire just by touching her skin. And the heat only grew, her breathing becoming more shallow and quick. There was a sting in her arm that almost went completely unnoticed as the poison was extracted. However, the damage had already been done.

Unbeknownst to the women, this venom was far different from any other. Though the liquid part had been removed, it was the manna filling it that does the damage. The mana is harmful, and the moment it enters a victim it uses the liquid venom to move through the body faster, but the liquid itself is not necessarily needed. And so the two can be separated, with the mana binding with Nelanna’s, leaving the liquid venom to be extracted. In other words, it’s the mana left behind that continued the painful attack.

At first it seemed extracting the venom was beginning to work, until the mana reached its climax. The heat in her shy rocketed, causing her to scream out as if she were being tortured. It only lasted a few seconds, but to her it felt like an eternity. Her body searing so badly she started to wish it would all just end. Then the paralysis set in. From a body trembling uncontrollably from pain, it gradually slowed, her breathing settling and her eyes shutting until she feel unconscious. Well, partly. She could still hear, smell, but feeling and moving of any kind were beyond her now.


Deeper within the mines, the dragon lurked. Once he had finally left their sight, he reverted back to his human form. He had lost control of himself that night, but something about seeing that woman leap to protect the other without hesitation struck something inside him. There was a flicker of sanity returning, enough to bring himself to become human again so his violent urges for gold made him kill more people.

He leaned against the nearest wall, face in his hand. He was furious. Those women had done nothing wrong. On the contrary; they wanted to help. And yet, he attacked them, poisoned the one with his deadly venom. God he hated that venom. He had sworn so many years ago that he would never use it again, having seen its terrifying impact on people. Death by it is excruciating. That woman didn’t deserve that.

Just then, a scream echoed down the halls, reaching his ears and filling his heart with alarm. His head shot up, body spinning around to look behind him. That scream…it came from the direction the women were. It had to be the redhead! “Tsk,” He furrowed his brow with a snarl, clenching his fists. She was dying no doubt, and that scream would surely attract more danger. In her state she won’t be able to fight, and her companion won’t be able to fight and protect. He had to help, keep the one safe from harm and see if there’s any way he could save her. He knew of no anti venom, but he had to do something!

He raced down the halls, cutting down any undead that got in his way with his scythe until he entered the cave once more. There, he found the angel holding the other who was already paralyzed. He approached the two, pretending he was just another adventurer who happened to be nearby. “What’s happened? I heard a scream?” He asked, looking over the two firmly, worriedly.

Despite her best efforts Sirona was losing the fight again the venom that was now in Nelanna’s system. Nelanna’s fever continued to worsen and Sirona ramped up her healing as best she could, but despite her best she was losing. She had managed to remove the physical venom but now sensed that this wasn’t normal, it was feeding off of Nelanna’s own mana to continue to spread!

When Nelanna screamed that shook Sirona from her concentration, her healing magic fading as a result. Her skin seemed to be on fire to the angel’s touch. ”Nelanna, hang on, please, hang on!” Sirona spoke, desperately trying to think of something to help. Nelanna started to go still and Sirona feared the worst. No! This wasn’t supposed to be! Nelanna wasn’t supposed to die here after defending Sirona! The angel didn’t think she’d be able to live with herself if someone died for her! ”Nelanna? Nelanna, I’m going to get you to a healer!” Sirona said a few tears in her eyes and evident in her voice as well.

She stood, in time to hear the man behind her and she spun. Unable to draw her sword in time a short blade snapped out from the wrist of her right gauntlet while a small magic shield formed from a gem embedded in her left gauntlet. She glared at him, she didn’t need this right now! He did seem worried though, asking what had happened and saying he had heard the scream, that wasn’t hard to miss in the tunnels as the sound bounced around the walls.

Sirona put her weapon and shield away, the blade snapping back into place with a click. ”She was bitten by a dragon and its venom is beyond my healing ability. I need to get her out of the cave so I fly her to a better healer.” She replied curtly going over to Nelanna and carefully bending over and scooping up the woman in her arms, proving that she was a bit stronger than she looked, but then again she wasn’t human anyway.

With Nelanna safely in her arms Sirona looked to the man again. ”If you’re willing to help please lead the way and look out for undead. If you require it, I have some coin on me you can have once we get back to the surface, otherwise, step aside.” Sirona gave him a moment to think and with or without him the angel started back the way she came with Nelanna in her arms, careful not to accidently bump Nelanna on the stone walls.

Despite her pain, despite her paralyzed body, Nelanna was most alarmed by Sirona’s voice. Guilt swelled in her heart for making the angel suffer. She wished she hadn’t been so reckless. Heh, she supposed she was grateful Kohaku hadn’t come with her this time. She’d never hear the end of it, and he’d never allow her to go out on her own every again. Cecil would probably do the same thing. Though, most would be annoyed about it, she found it touching. It meant they care for her.

Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted from the ground, as well as hearing the sound of a man’s voice.

He blinked when the angel lifted the redhead, wondering why he wasn’t the one doing it. Naturally the man should carry the woman, but he supposed that’s because men are normally stronger. This angel, however, appeared as though she could handle herself. So, he went along with it. As she mentioned the elf was bitten by a dragon, he raised his brow in feigned surprise. “A dragon with venom? I’m not sure a healer can…” he allowed his sentence to fade, deciding against saying something that could possibly upset the angel. Despite his doubts, he supposed they needed to think positively.

“I don’t want your money,” he replied, nodding in agreement to the angel’s suggestion. In truth he wanted to make up for what he had done, or at least be there with the elf if he couldn’t find a way to help her. Then, he turned and began leading the way. He didn’t really know the way back to the surface, however, his sharp nose allowed him to pick up scents from outside. He led the way down the halls, fiery eyes illuminating like the glow of a fire through the darkness, scythe in hand in case any danger got in their way. He glanced back every once in a while to see how the elf was doing, worry showing slightly on his features. “Did you get a good look at the dragon?” He suddenly asked, pretending to be curious as to what happened exactly.

Sirona shot the man a look when he started to speak of the dragon’s venom, that wasn’t helpful right now. Besides, it wasn’t like Sirona hadn’t been thinking that herself anyway. She made her offer if he helped her or get out of her way and she nodded to his reply, that was good of him. It was rare to see someone who would do something for strangers and not expect payment in return, she would still keep an eye on him just in case but for now what choice did she have?

He led the way for Sirona who was now carrying Nelanna in her arms like a sleeping child. After a time in silent walking the man asked if Sirona had gotten a look at the dragon. ”A little to close to be honest. I had a shield up and am wearing armour which would have helped protect me, but Nelanna shoved me aside to save me and ended up getting bitten. The dragon though, wasn’t overly large, probably not very young for their kind, or just a small breed. Black scales that blend with the shadows, yet it had a glow from around the scales that betrayed its presence in the shadows at the same time. I thought I could reason with it, explain that we weren’t here for its treasure, but it didn’t believe me and attacked. Its fangs were like a viper’s. But after it struck it fled down the tunnels.” Sirona explained.

As they came back outside again Sirona inhaled deeply of the fresh air before looking down to Nelanna again. She studied the woman for a moment before looking back to the man. ”Thank you, I won’t soon forget your help.” With that she opened her wings to take flight. ”Hold on, Nelanna, it might get a little cold in the air.”

The man listened, making a point to act as if nothing she said sounded very familiar. He remained quiet, even after she had finished speaking. He wanted to say something on the matter, but his knowledge on dragons might make him suspicious. He supposed he could pass as someone who studies the species, a dragon expert of sorts. Which, he was in a way. But that’s only because he is a dragon.

He took a turn down one of the halls and saw a light at the very end. “This is it,” he murmured more to himself than the angel. Once they emerged from the darkness, blinding light flooded his eyes, making him close them for a moment until they adjusted. This was a clear sign that he had been down in the mines for quite a long time. An owl griffon was present, and the moment it noticed the elf it came closer. A familiar perhaps?

The angel suddenly voiced a brief thank you, and prepared to take flight, the man’s heart dropping to his stomach. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed her arm from slight panic. “Wait,” he said, then paused as he started wondering what the heck he was doing. Why didn’t he want her to take the woman to a healer? Was it because he knew there was nothing they could do to help her? Did his guilt drive him to want to stay by her side during her final moments? No, he wasn’t that kind of person. Well, he’d never admit it, not even to himself.

Suddenly, he felt his mana pulse like a heartbeat. And then it happened again, and again, until it became steady and constant. It felt similar to the feeling of pressing his fingers to someone to feel their pulse. Like there was another heartbeat inside him. He glanced at the elf, eyes widened with shock. There was no way…

“Uh…” he started again, looking back at the angel whilst trying to regain himself. He let go of her arm and stepped back, straightening his expression to a serious one. “You shouldn’t move her any more than you already have. The poison’s toxicity will only grow if you do so, bringing her death closer faster. That’s how dragon’s venom works. But it’s also works like a snake’s. It won’t last forever. So the best thing to do is keep her still here and let the venom run its course. It’ll wear off soon enough, and keeping her still will raise her chances of surviving this,” he paused to let his words sink in, the his eyes lowered and softened as they looked upon the elf, unaware that she too was beginning to feel a second heartbeat slowly sink in line with her own.

She could hear their conversation, curiosity growing. Who was Sirona talking to? How did he knew so much about dragons? Despite her pain, she summoned all of her strength to attempt opening her eyes. At least one. And somehow, they slowly opened just a little. Not enough for her vision to be clear, so everything was blurred. But the first person she noticed was the man. Messy black hair, and flaming eyes. Those were the only details she could make out before the paralysis overthrew her once more.

Before she could take off Sirona felt the man’s hand grab her arm, saying for her to wait. The angel turned and faced him, staring, annoyed she had been interrupted. When he only stammered at first she narrowed her eyes. ”What do you have to say?” She questioned, the annoyance dripping from her voice, and she was about to take flight again when he finally decided to speak in full.

He now claimed to know about the dragon’s venom, contrary to what he had been leading Sirona to believe up to this point. Yet his words to the angel’s ears rang true and after studying him for a few moments she knelt down and carefully placed Nelanna on the ground in as comfortable position as she could. The owl griffon’s presence hadn’t been lost on Sirona, but when it had approached when they came out of the cave and didn’t attack she assumed it was a companion to Nelanna. She looked to the beast, her words carrying magic in them to allow it to understand her should it want to. ”You are her companion, yes?” She asked.

After she got her answer Sirona looked back to the man again, her face taking on a neutral expression now. ”What do you know of this dragon? You made it sound like you didn’t know anything before, yet suddenly, when I can get her to a healer, you expel knowledge of it. I want you to explain why you didn’t say anything before, and, pray to the Gods that you are correct, if she dies here because of what you say…” She trailed off and let that hang in the air as she knelt back down next to Nelanna and held her hand, praying that she’d make it through this ordeal.

He watched as the angel contemplated his advice, his hard expression unwavering. Then finally, she gently set the woman down. He released a light sigh, visibly relaxing a little as his face softened. He crouched next to the woman, eyes gazing upon her flawless face. Despite the pain he knew she was in, she looked so peaceful. A result of the paralysis, unfortunately. Suddenly the angel turned on him, questioning him as he suspected she would. But before speaking, he reached down and pressed on the elf’s wrist lightly, placing his other hand over his chest. As he thought, her pulse was in line with the second one he felt beating within him. He could feel her heartbeat, and…wait, was there another one? It was far fainter, so much so he could barely feel it at all. She must already have at least one other familiar.

With a heavy sigh, he sat next to the elf, making himself comfortable before looking back at the angel. “And I wasn’t lying,” he finally replied nonchalantly. “I was speaking about dragons in general, the actual race. Lions and tigers are both in the large cat family, yet they are both different. Judging by the behavior and looks, one can decipher which is a lion, and which is a tiger. It’s the same with a dragon. The fact that this one could use poison shows that it’s somehow related to a green dragon, which is known for its poisons. It must be treated the same as a green dragon.” He sighed heavily, “I was going off of my knowledge of the dragon species. I suppose you can say I’m a dragon expert.”

“I understand you may be suspicious of me, but you can count on my advice. Green dragons are much like poisonous snakes, in both looks, and venom. It will wear off soon enough. Your friend will be fine.” He glanced back at said friend. He was certain that his poison somehow accepted her own instead of attacking her like it normally did. The two merged, creating the bond of a familiar and Master. He almost snarled at the thought, looking away from the elf.

Sirona stood in silence as the man explained himself some more about what he knew of dragons. He sat down next to Nelanna and Sirona stepped around to the other side of the woman and kneeled down watching him. ”Your advice is all I have to go on right now, so I hope that you are correct.” She replied, yes she was suspicious, but Sirona usually was around people she didn’t know. Not that she knew Nelanna very well but Nelanna had quickly proven herself in a fight, so far this man had not.

After some time had passed Nelanna seemed around to rouse and Sirona smiled as Nelanna came to more she seemed ok. Sirona looked up to thank the man but he was gone, but, how?! How did he leave so fast that Sirona hadn’t seen him go?! Saving that to think on later Sirona turned her attention to Nelanna giving a smile as the woman came to fully. ”Easy, Nelanna. How do you feel?” Sirona asked, assisting Nelanna to a sitting position if she wanted it. ”You have been out for a few hours, would you like some water?” Sirona reached for and grabbed her water canteen and popped it open, holding it for Nelanna if she wanted a drink, helping her if needed.