Dragons in My Mind

Chapter one

dragonsinmymind — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 01:55:47 GMT

Gentle autumn rain knocked soothingly on our tent. Shira, my older sister, lay by my side, sleeping peacefully. I could hear her breath, her chest rising. And falling. She was pale, especially now, in the moonlight. That was the only time Shira wasn’t yelling at me. She has a toxic personality, always on edge, hot-headed. I was a classic image of a blondie. Kind, naive and a bit dumb. Everything about me irritated my sister: my posture, my tanned skin, my heterochromia (one eye amber, one green), my positive attitude about everything. I never cried. I never put up a fight, felt sorry for every single thing, from a distant relative who passed away, to a bug who was accidentally squashed by the wheels of a bicycle. I chuckled. I remembered when me and Shira were inseparable, but why did that change? I slowly drifted to sleep, gently holding my sister’s hand. Half asleep I heard someone calling my name, a voice creaky as an old house. “Numelinne…” I couldn't open my eyes to face it, to capture the moment, yet I felt the voice flowing like raindrops into my ears. I fell back to sleep.

What happened? Shira shook me awake. Once I opened my eyes she turned away and scoffed. “Can you walk?” I nodded and slowly stood up. Only after I was on my feet, I noticed where we were. It was mostly dry, cracked dirt, disturbed by lonely patches of yellow grass and thin, bumpy trees as far as I could see. It felt so unreal, so manmade…

Chapter eighteen

dragonsinmymind — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:39:01 GMT

In an hour, Turab led Nume to the Barbarian village. As they walked, Nume's nose was bombarded with vomit-inducing smells such as rotten cabbage, manure and dirt. The barbarians weren't known for their tidiness. It's more the opposite. They are a dirty, cockroach-infested nation. Turab smiled. "You must not know why I know this place so well. I am part barbarian. I was born here, but because of my natural, ash-black hair I was abandoned. I was also weak, scared and a wimp. Everyone who saw me whimpering in the corner, said "Aw, he's no good." And left. And I was all alone until I decided to train myself. Because of that I am here with you." Turab ruffled Nume's hair. Andrew added. "Turab is very strong! Not like me…" "Andrew! Don't call yourself weak! You aren't! If someone is, it's me. I abandoned my only relative, my sister, Shira." Large tears dripped from her eyes. She clenched her sword in heart-tearing pain as she remembered Shira's gaze as she flew away. Nume knew she was nothing without her sister. But then she remembered what Shira said to her one day. "Nume, you are like an iceberg. Some only see some parts of yours and the rest is hidden below. You may be ashamed of some of it, but it is a part of you." All Nume's sadness and guilt was replaced by warmth within. She smiled at Turab, tears glittering in her eyes.

Chapter seventeen

dragonsinmymind — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:33:36 GMT

Giant trees rocked from side to side in the damp, swampy wind. Turab shivered. He was scared. There was only one thought in his aching mind "How strong is Nume?" She then sheathed her sword and slowly but steadily went in the other direction. Tears flowed from her amber eyes. "I need to find my sister!" She said to herself. Nume clenched her fist. "Wait!" Shouted Turab. He grabbed Nume's hand. "Are you fine?" Nume cried out. "No, I'm not! Ok?" Her horns pierced her thick blonde hair. She gasped. The thing she least wanted to happen was there. Andrew's jaw dropped. "I didn't even imagine that Kiodera weren't extinct, let alone slay dragons. You do know that you are related to them?" Andrew pulled out a piece of worn and shabby parchment with grassy symbols and shapes. Nume, to her own amazement, read quickly and as if she had done it a lot of times. "Light and dark shall stand together to overthrow Death of its shady throne." Turab tried to make out even one word, but was met with unknown letters, which he was unable to at least look at without his brain boiling. "We've heard that you are going to the Barbarian village, aren't you?" Nume nodded. "I'll lead the way." Turab said.

Chapter sixteen

dragonsinmymind — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:29:08 GMT

“Turab, we can’t fight off this wind dragon anymore!” Yelled Andrew. He was a red-haired skinny youth, about 16 years old, dressed in clothes that were far too big for him. Turab, on the other hand, was bulky and broad. Bright blue eyes shone from under his messy, ash hair. “Hold on, Anderew! We almost got it cornered, but you panicked!” He yelled.”Get yourself together!” “I’m trying!” Cried Andrew. He never considered himself particularly strong or capable of doing so much as pinning down a young wind dragon, whose only powers were to breathe out obscuring clouds of steam and to send rain, hail and snow. Turab and Andrew were like Yin and Yang, different, but good friends.
Nume watched the fight closely. Something unseen kept her from interfering, although she wanted to help badly. A little thread that kept her away burst. Next thing Nume knew, she was on the ground. With the might of two months of vigorous training, she assassinated the dragon with one slash. Andrew and Turab looked at her like at a god of fighting. Andrew dropped his sword. A beast they fought for hours was dead. He felt relieved. The young girl was not only strong, but beautiful too. Andrew desperately wanted to know her name.So he asked. "Could I know your name?" "I am called Nume." She answered.

Chapter fifteen

dragonsinmymind — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:25:42 GMT

The Devil's larva stood as still as a rock. Nume nodded to her sister and let go of the arrow. By Shira's control, she aimed for the creature’s giant ears. It shrieked in pain and tumbled on the ground. The larva was disoriented for a few minutes, just enough for the sisters to sink their blades into it. But then, something unexpected happened. The Devil’s larva stood up and threw Nume and Shira aside. It let out a yellowish cloud of gas. It looked the same as the cloud of gas that Nume saw at the Dragon selection. Her first thought was to run away as far as possible before the toxic gas spread. Shira did the same. They sat in the leaves of a pine tree. While safely hidden, the girls shot arrows at the confused larva. It didn’t die, no matter how many arrows reached it. There was obviously something about the larva that was special. “Oh stop jumping around!” Said Nume gliding off the pine and cutting off all twelve of the larva's legs. Instead of being motionless, it hissed and started to turn to ash. “Oh, right! Devil’s larvae die when all of their legs are taken with one cut.” Shira slapped her forehead. Nume understood her body language and asked. "If you knew this, why didn't you tell me?!" Nume sheathed her sword. "Why would you keep that from me?!" Shira was silent. After all, she didn't know either. The cold night air smelled of rain. Small raindrops fell like tears of a crying titan on the ground. Shira turned and ran. She wanted to get far from Nume's spiky mustard gaze. She jumped and transformed. Black as night, she flew away. Nume fell on the ground, crying real tears, indistinguishable from the rain. "How could I push away my only family?" She cried out. Her wet hair drooped down on the moist dirt. A sharp, decaying stench hit her nose. She looked at the larva's corpse. For some reason, it slowly turned to ash. After a few minutes it wafted away like it was never there. Nume stood up. She was exhausted from the fight, but she didn't let that stop her. The girl transformed and flew over the forest canopy. She looked around. With a corner of her eye, Nume saw a bright flash of red sparks. She glided there. She saw two people, dressed the same way as her. They were dragon slayers.

Chapter fourteen

dragonsinmymind — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:22:15 GMT

Shira fell on her knees. They defeated the harpy. Nume was completely exhausted. She let go of her sword and fell. Shira dragged herself to her sister. "Nume, please. Don't die. I am sure you won't. You have lived through many bad times and battles. You will make it." Shira sobbed. "Why is it you who always gets the worst?! It was always me who won every time, it was me who always had luck. Why is it you who is lying there? You almost gave your life for me." Shira grabbed Nume's vest. " If only I could give all my talent, strength, happiness and luck to you. Then maybe you would still live." Shira wailed. Large tears rolled down her cheeks." We shouldn't have gone on this journey" She thought. Nume was still cold and unresponsive. Until a slight heartbeat pumped Nume's blood. Shira didn't feel it, she was hugging Nume's limp body. Nume weakly and wearily put her hands around Shira. "You don't have to sacrifice your future for me." She smiled. "Just be by my side." "Aaaaahhh, of course! Don't ever scare me like that anymore!!" Shira cried.
~~~
Surprisingly fast, Nume and Shira recovered and continued the journey north. Shira ruffled Nume's hair. "I wonder how you recovered from your injuries." "It's a mystery." Said Nume and looked at her pendant. This time, the girls rested and were even more energetic, so they easily went through thick bushes. "Yeah, you really showed that harpy who's the boss!" Shira reminded Nume for the fifth time. "You were amazing!" Shira was blabbing away, but her sister didn't listen. She focused her attention on a bird flying by. Then she saw a weird flower. After a few minutes, Shira noticed that the landscape was repeating. "Are we lost?" Nume looked at their map."Umm, yes I think we are." The forest was alive with sound. Birds chirped, cicadas buzzed, the creek ran melodically along its path. All this reminded the girls of a symphony and all of the animals and plants were the musicians. Until a strange sound appeared.

Chapter thirteen

dragonsinmymind — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:18:30 GMT

Chapter twelve

dragonsinmymind — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:13:31 GMT

Nume's body stiffened. Somehow, the gnarled creature seemed oddly familiar. "You seem startled. Is a low form of life like you jealous of my godlike form?" It spread its wings. "I give you my permission to admire me." "Admire?... The only thing that I want to do when I see something like you is retch." Nume tightened her hands. "In that case, die!" The creature bolted toward Nume, slashing her hip with its gigantic claws. Blood spurted on the withered grass. Nume thought about Shira, sleeping there, in their tent. Shira was one year older than Nume, better than her in almost everything. Luck was always on her side, she never lost. Nume, on the other side, was weak, timid and kind. Some people said she would never amount to anything, but tonight was not the time to be scared. Nume was facing an unknown monster that could have any powers imaginable; she had to be ready for anything anytime. "That really sent you flying" laughed the creature while Nume stood up from a broken tree. For now, it was just casting simple, but powerful attacks. The girl was so much as a toy for the vile beast to play around with. She couldn't land a single hit. Her shoulder was dislocated and bleeding. Nume concentrated and ran toward the creature to chop it, cut it with her blade and forget this night like it never happened. However, luck was not on her side this time. Nume missed and crashed into an old oak tree. Everything around her darkened and faded away like morning mist. Nume had a dream. Shira came to help her with the beast. She said that it is a harpy, so it possessed sound related abilities. Then her sister smiled and Nume woke up. Nume was still on the same spot, but this time Shira was shielding her. So it wasn't a dream? Nume stood up, ignoring the pain. "No, you've fought enough! Nume this isn't a joke!" Shira was concerned about her sister. "N-no, I must help you." She said, wearily. Her strength finally left her and she dropped on the ground. Nume was panting, gasping for air like a fish, taken out of water. Her ears rang, her muscles ached, her heart beated so hard, she could feel it echoing deep inside her head. Yes, she was wiped out, but unlike Shira, Nume would never back down, she would never surrender. The girl gathered her remaining strength and stood up. With Shira by her side now, she was more sure of herself, more determined that tonight, she would be the winner. She put back everything that held her back and jumped. It was a truly majestic move. She flew, only without wings, like a goddess of her battle, skewering the cursing, furious harpy alive, like a shish kebab. The creature smirked and opened its mouth. Only then, Nume's blank head was struck by a sudden realization: harpies can send sound waves over 10 meters away. "No!" Shira ran, enraged, to the squirming harpy. She split her head with one slash.

Chapter eleven

dragonsinmymind — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 18:11:31 GMT

Shira and Nume took their belongings and set foot outside their cozy and warm home. Their understanding of the danger of this journey was clear as glass. They had to travel for an excruciatingly long week through the vast forests, high hills and deep rivers. Shira, as always, looked on the bright side. “ At least we’re together." She grinned at Nume.

~~~

Nume and Shira made their way through thick underbrush, withered shrubs and spiky, leafless bushes which clung to them like a lonely child, desperate for attention. The sisters shook off the spines from their clothes and went on no matter the obstacles that were in their way; brambles, rocks, and animals, big shrew like animals were particularly abundant. Winter was on its way, freezing the air, water and ground. Herbs and grass slowly became a pretty silvery shade of white. Every single breath Nume or Shira took, created a miniature icy cloud in front of their faces, enveloping their faces and blocking the girls' sense of smell and sight. Little cuts and bruises covered Nume and Shira's muscular legs. "How much longer?" Shira moaned. Nume took a look at their map. A thin long pencil drawn line connected the barbarian tribe and the Ghost plains."Quite much. We should find a place to stay for the night." They constructed a small tent, just big enough to accommodate both of the sisters. The night was promisingly calm like water in a pond, but Nume couldn't help but feel a slight nervousness and felt like something terrible was coming their way.

~~~

The setting sun was bloody red in the ochre sky. Shira peacefully slept on the rocky and moist floor. Nume didn't sleep. That innerving feeling gnawed at her, not letting her sleep. She gazed at the patches of the beautiful moon, rising up in the sky. It was very quiet, only a quiet chirp of birds dared to disturb the still cold air. Nume decided to go out for fresh air. The girls' fire crackled pleasantly. It made Nume feel drowsy. She sat down near the fire, but her rest didn't last long. Suddenly, the girl heard a strange yelp in the distance. All Nume's drowsiness was gone in an instant. She reached for her sword, only to find nothing. Aw, shoot! Nume forgot her sword in the tent. As quick as lightning, she sprinted there to get it. As she ran back, the girl honed her ears to determine from which side the ominous sound was coming from. Nume realized too late that the source was right behind her. Claws slashed in a mere centimeter from her head. She ducked down and turned back. The sight that hit Nume's eyes was terrifying at least. Bright red bulging eyes pierced the darkness. Its feathery wings spreaded widely, almost two and a half meters wide. Big claws on the creature's wings and on its gigantic feet that reminded Nume of bird feet. "Well what hasss we herrrre?... " It hissed threateningly as it approached.

Chapter ten

dragonsinmymind — Sat, 06 May 2023 11:48:58 GMT

"Nume? Nume!" Shira tightened her hand around her sister's. "Did, I... Protect you?.." Nume said quietly. "Yes, you did." A new wave of tears flushed down Shira's ebony eyes. Her sister survived from an attack of an elder dragon. The girls seemed to forget about the marvelous transfiguration.

~~~

From that day Nume has been studying her body's abilities. Only now Ginalas' words made sense. "You are not human." And Nume wasn't. She was truly confused not just by her transformation, but also by her miraculous healing. Her multiple fractures healed in less than two weeks! Shira didn't really care about the incident, but she promised herself that she will always protect her little sister. They still slain dragons, only now they always stuck together, no matter what happened.

~~~

One day, Rios hurriedly whacked open the door of the house where the sisters were at the time. "Nume, Shira! I have heard that four dragons teamed up with the barbarians!" He sat down. "Barbarians are a powerful race, but with dragons..." Shira turned to Nume. "So, what do you think?" "I think we head out" Nume answered.