Tale of Zraeyla

Chapter 1

I ran quickly through the forest as the specters lured their way in behind me. They were fleeting in behind me fast, Speeding through the foliage and undergrowth. They seemed to be enjoying the chase. I was quickly running out of breath and needed to find somewhere to hide pronto. From here I could only see two options. The waterfall in the distance, or The forgotten caves. I chose the caves.I doubt water would stop agents of Xiala. Running with the last of my strength I cut my way through the dense vegetation. I looked back only to hear the specters chilling words. They seemed to be talking as one voice. "You shall not escape me."

I quickened my pace once more and saw the clearing. Dew on the long field of grass shimmered in the morning sun. The rock wall loomed in the distance and I could see many cracks and openings where I could reach the inner cave system. I crawled into one of them in hopes of losing the specters. The opening was tight but that was intentional. The specters would have to take a different route making it unlikely that our paths will meet again. That being said I have no idea what I may be slipping into. The light from outside started to dim and I knew I would need an alternative source of light. "Lumos", a quick muttering under my breath paired with a little concentration and light burst from my hand illuminating the tight passageway before me.

As I slipped further into the cave my skin began to crawl with a familiar feeling. Rift essence. Some people call it magic. I know it to be a wondrously natural, but yet supernatural phenomenon. This cave must be a centurion mine. Centurion is a sort of crystal that has naturally formed the ability to draw and store energy from the rift. Humans and dragonkin alike have the ability to manipulate this essence and see it even given enough time consumed in its presence. Centurion glows brightly with a beautiful multi-color aura when it is saturated with rift essence.

I finally burst out into a huge cavern system. In the distance, I could hear the howls of the specters as they tracked their own path that probably leads to this cave somewhere. I'll need to find a way out as soon as possible if there was any hope of losing them. My eyes adjusted and I was amazed to see centurion glowing across much of the cavern walls, ceiling, and floor. The density of the crystals seemed to grow towards the middle of the cavern where a huge crystal spire had formed. The crawling sensation on my skin had grown to a hurricane force by now. It was utterly impossible to ignore although my years training with my master Leon had prepared me for such events. He is as humble as he is wise. Considering we live in a tree I am not sure how much more humble we can get really. He really is the wizard archetype.

Concentrating now I could clearly see another opening on the other side of the cavern. It could very well be where the specters will pop out but I decided to chance it. I sprinted for it but before I could reach mid cavern everything started shaking and a fully grown Female dragon emerged from behind the spire now thoroughly pissed. She was a beautiful and menacing sight as she swung her body around to face mine. Her snarl turned to a wondrous gaze as soon as her eyes locked with mine. I couldn't look away even if I wanted to. There was something about the eyes. So familiar. But I couldn't place it. A couple seconds passed by and then I began to see the rift essence drift away from some of the crystals and form a highly energized ball around me. The intensity of the energy formulated around me caused me to feel nauseous. Really nauseous. Oh wow.

"Zraeyla!" I jolted awake, my hair matted and stuck to my face from sweat. It was only a dream. The same dream that has been haunting me for weeks now. Realizing I've been summoned I rise from my slumber. The air felt thick and sweltering as the morning temperatures began to rise. I quickly realized the air was also thickening with black smoke. Every breath began to feel like fire in my lungs. I started coughing and sputtering, and tore my bedroom door open only to be engulfed in a cloud of sulfuric gasses magnitudes worse than what had managed to slip in already. What could Leon have gotten us into this time? I braced for it and sprinted down the hallway and stairs to find Leon scrambling to open windows and put out small fires.

Leon sees me coming and starts shouting commands like a maniac. Leon is a master practitioner of rift magic and I am his apprentice. I have been with him for as long as I can remember. The story Leon tells me is that I was given to him to raise by the Dragonkin royalty until maturity. When that is I'm not sure. I've never pressed about my past because I know I won't get far. Leon is just as ignorant about the subject as I am. "Zraeyla! I've accidentally ignited the cinder root!" He chuckles surrounded by the chaos. Sometimes I truly do think he is mad. "Help me put out these fires would you?" He runs over to me carrying two pales of water and hands me one. I look for the biggest flame I can douse and find it on top of the kitchen table. Aim, fire and Got it. The only thing I can think about is what Leon could have possibly been doing with the cinder root. That is a specialty ingredient Imported from the second continent Difaye. I sailed for three days to the capital city of Dresh to locate it. Cinder root only grows in the plains outside of Dresh and is apparently extremely volatile. Both of which Leon neglected to inform me about when he sends me off to fetch the vile root. It's amazing how he forgets to mention something like that. I start sarcastically imitating Leon, "Oh, I need you to go fetch this root. I'm not going to tell you where to find it or that you could potentially blow your arm off."

Leon snaps his head over to me, "Oh come on. If I had told you would you have gone to get it? I doubt it. I knew you would be okay. I have trained you well. Always remember though, there is more to be learned. Always more." He chuckles again. It's actually more like a cackle this time. Leon is still spry for his old age. He is coming up on 152 years, magically extended of course. That is one of the many benefits of being in the presence of centurion among other things. I've learned that despite what I may think, Leon is usually right. He has the benefit of experience.

I give him a smug look, "Yes, yes I know. The learning never ends."