Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]

Chapter eight: Home sweet home (Not)

I woke up as my head bumped to the ground with a loud thud. My eyes had gone black because of overdue sleep, definitely need to wash them. Later, I went upstairs to the quarter deck to see what was going on. Sean was resting on a hammock, playing his pan that attracted birds while Claes was busy driving. Yesterday, we almost died because of a tornado, and Sean forgot that he was the pilot because he had his distractions. So Claes told him that he's the one who should drive instead.

 

"Morning." Sean stopped to greet me with his usual smile.

 

"Morning. Where are we now?" I asked. Sean pointed to the wooden railing, I went there and gasped as I saw the Northern Quarté burned to ashes. The morning smile instantly dropped. Despite that, I could still see the white snow on the trees. We parked at the burned shore near the icy river. Sean and I followed Claes as we got off the vessel. "Look at this place." Claes warily scanned the surroundings.

 

"Crap, I remember the Northern Quarté used to be white," commented Sean. Before we head to the village, we went around the place to see the destruction's aftermath. 

 

"How could a monster destroy an area this big?" Claes' eyes kept gazing at the horizon.

 

"Claes. It has three heads, man. Three heads! What did you expect!?" Sean exclaimed. I didn't know about this, but I sensed Sean breathing hard, he probably inhaled so many ashes at this point (I thought). We saw the damage, fallen trees, and cracked rocks with the color of death. For me, this place smelled like a dead forest. Oh hang on, it is a dead forest.

 

The entrance to my village used to look so simple, and now, this happened. It had collapsed into a million pieces. I didn't like the view. The walls of the village were not in great shape, literally. We climbed onto the entrance until we reached the other side. "Oh, the heavens." My eyes widened. Behind the fog of ruination, houses, cafes, bakeries, and other stores were destroyed as if they went through a world war. The clouds, instead of white and snowy, had grey ashes falling from them, it made us sick, it made me sick. Sean almost puked out his early breakfast because of the intense smell. 

 

"We have to find the Flash warriors." Claes scanned the area. "And the survivors." As we walked across the fractured street, a hooded figure suddenly appeared from the debris of crumbled bricks, we jumped at the sight of him as if we were seeing death, except for Claes. "Xabe?" the figure with a familiar voice said. He took off his hood, revealing his golden, orange curly hair, green eyes, and chubby face. I soon began to recognize the person before me.

 

 I peered. "Sam?"

 

He bounced over from the building and gave me a tight, irresistible hug. "It is you!"

 

"Ye-yeah. I- It's me. Uh, you can let go of me now." I grunted. Realizing, he quickly let me go. Strangely, my body didn't ache from the bone-crushing hug. 

 

"Oops, sorry. Or sorry not sorry!" Sam blurted at my face.

 

"What on earth are you talking about?" I shot back, weirded out from his sudden burst.

 

"Where were you, Xabe? All the villagers are worried sick until a monstrous, three-headed dragon came from the sky!"

 

"I know. But I can explain later, Sam. Right now, we need to see the others."

 

"It was horrible, Xabe. Most of us were got injured and some tried to help the others but they didn't . . . make it. Luckily my grandma was at the clinic, so she and others in there were safe all thanks to the-". Sam looked at the two behind me. "Why are your visitors here?"

 

"Hi." Sean beamed as he waved his hand in greeting. Claes did not seem to care about seeing my best friend again what with his blank expression as a greeting.

 

"I'm with them actually," I told Sam. "Why are you even here?"

 

"I was looking for the books that I dropped after the dragon arrived. Fortunately, I remember where I dropped it but unfortunately, judging from how this place looks." He showed me his books that are now ragged and torn. "Oh men, these covers were limited editions," Sam whined.

 

"Sam, I need to tell you something." I held a deep breath. "I'm sorry about your book. I feel you, I do, but could you lead the way for us? I have to see them."

 

"No problem." He nodded, already getting over the book covers. We followed my best friend past the bakery, across the bridge, into the collapsed condominium, and there it was, my neighborhood but it was destroyed by you-know-what. I couldn't get rid of the ash-grey color scheme every time my eyes looked elsewhere. A campsite was set up where my neighbors were resting and cuddling themselves for comfort, their faces painted with ash. Even though I haven't seen any dead bodies, their faces seemed to hold an inner pain.

 

Doctor Walden, Nurse Joy, together with other nurses, doctors, and workers in the village helped the people by giving out blankets, supplies of food and water, and a pair of clothes. The Flash warriors were also giving aid to the providers as they do the same. I know, folks, I know . . . magic.

 

One of the Flash warriors came to us. His bronze armor was fully damaged together with his axe. His fair skin, scarred face, and black hair were dirty and messy too, but his golden eyes were clear enough for us to see. "Claes, you're back." He ran toward us.

 

"How are you doing?" Claes asked.

 

"Well obviously, we're not in good shape. But we are still trying to put things together," the Flash warrior replied. "Some of us didn't make it."

 

Claes held the guy's right shoulder with sadness in his eyes. Hearing those words that came out of his mouth hurt me. 

 

Then, the Flash warrior turned to me and said, "Who's this?"

 

"A survivor, but you'll know more soon enough," Claes told him, the warrior should know me as a survivor for a while. 

 

"I see. Thank goodness they found you, kid." He offered me a gentle smile. "Sean." He tossed his head as he saw our companion. 

 

"Tayler." Sean nodded back. We all watched as Tayler went back to the other warriors. 

 

"What's his magic?" That was the first question that came to my mind.

 

"He can unleash explosives from the ground. And a nice guy too. He pretty much likes teddy bears," replied Sean.

 

"Cool," I smirked.

 

As Doctor Walden saw us, he gasped and smiled. "MaXabiere? You're here! We thought you're dead." The rest of the neighbors saw us too. Most of them were shocked because they saw more warriors with me.

 

I let out an awkward laugh. "Never believe in expectations," Worst. Thing. I. Had. Said. Ever. "Do you know where my family is?"

 

"There, in the tent." He pointed. 

 

"Which tent?"

 

"The tent with a sign: 'Get out, Berrygrewd property!' "

 

"Okay, I think I know who wrote that." I gave my thanks to the doctor before he proceeded to the others. When we passed by the similar-looking tents, we were starting to lose hope. Until we saw it, the doctor was right about the sign, and I was right about who made the sign. It's obvious, because of her messy, bold handwriting. I went in and saw my family. Rosie was knitting while muttering words, but she looked relaxed. Henrich sat beside mom, both were asleep. And Mondrea, boy, I've never seen her read before.

 

Rosie was surprised when she saw me first. "Xabe . . . ?" 

 

Mondrea stood up and yelled. "X- Xabe?  XABE, IT IS YOU!!" She ran toward me and gave me a hard slap. It stung. 

 

"Oww! I don't know if I deserve this or not, but I'm so glad to see you." My smile turned into a grimace because of the pain. "I'm glad that you're all alive."

 

"Where have you been?! Do you have any idea what we've been through thanks to that three-headed ugly, monstrous, hideous, terrifying faces with one body! But whatever, I'm glad to see you too!" The three of us had a sibling hug for a moment; tears went down on our cheeks. 

 

"Mondrea, would you keep your mouth shut for the love of-" Henrich stopped midsentence as she spotted me. Mom woke up and her eyes widened at the sight of me. "Xabe, is that you?"

 

"Wow, am I not that noticeable anymore? I'm hurt," I jokingly said. Rosie and Mondrea gently let me go so I can hug Henrich and mom. Oh, it's so good to be home. 

 

"We thought you're dead," Henrich sobbed.

 

"I'm not, at least." I tried to stay strong to keep my tears from falling.

 

"H- how?" Mom was trying to speak, but I calmly stopped her. "Guys, I have to tell you something." I was about to, but Sean, Sam, and Claes arrived at the tent. "Hey, Xabe," Sean said. "Everything okay in there? I heard shouting and a loud slap."

 

Mondrea, being a beloved sister, unleashed her anger at him as she punched him in the face. "You abducted our brother!" We watched as Sean fell to the ground. 

 

"Lesson learned from all of us," Sam still watching. "Never take anything from MaXabiere's sisters."

 

"But, they didn't," I told my family. "They brought me to safety as I survived."

 

"Survived from what?" asked Henrich. Here we go.

 

"Survived from the three-headed dragon," I said. They all gasped. 

 

"That's not true," Mondrea blurted. Henrich shushed her. "I have to show you this." I didn't know how I did it, but I certainly did. Flames of energy came around me as if the energy itself was my shield (I had to spoil this. In some stories, the person cannot activate their abilities unless some certain or uncertain event is going to happen, but mine, whoa, I could control it at my will). My sisters watched me with a blank expression, but mother said, "Unbelievable, the right time has come."

 

All of us turned to her. "The right time? What do you mean, mom?" Rosie asked.

 

"My best friend is an alien?!" Sam said before he fainted.

 

"Girls, your brother is not an alien," Mom spoke. "He is born with magical abilities like our ancestors." Suddenly, Rosie also fainted. 

 

"Mom, why didn't you tell me this from the very beginning?" I demanded.

 

"Because I want to protect you from yourself when you're not yet ready." I saw mom's eyes filled with worry and concern. I did understand her, but telling me late also got me killed. Good thing my magic showed up as an emergency mechanism. 

 

"Your mother is right." Claes turned to my sisters. "Your brother will become one of us."

 

"The Flash warriors," mom said.

 

"Hen," Mondrea said, "Aren't those the warriors who defeated the pirates seven years ago?" 

 

Henrich nodded. "They certainly are."

 

"No way." Mondrea's mind was blown away. "Our brother will be a Flash warrior?"

 

"I have to join, because who knows what will happen to me next," I said instantly.

 

Mondrea fainted too.

 

***

 

The warriors who were sent by Claes have returned for other supplies. My neighbors were happy despite the destruction. Doctor Walden was at ease on his hammock, just relaxing while reading a book. Nurse Joy and Henrich were in a middle of a conversation. They seem to be close friends.

 

I was sitting next to Sam and Sean, who were curious about what had happened to them earlier. (Really? I have two friends beside me that started with the letter S?) I saw mom near the bridge, having a conversation with Claes. I was surprised that our mom could stand up so easily. What makes her so strong? But I'm glad that she's doing fine.

 

"So you're telling me, that you beat the dragons' faces?" Sam asked, recalling what I have told him.

 

"Almost, but I had it."

 

"Wow, I can't even imagine you fighting that thing. It's very risky," Sam said.

 

"But I did have a chance." I looked at my arms, remembering the fight we had. Me against the reptilian monster, about the power I have. It left me in awe. I've never felt so much . . . more. "I have to join them, Sam. I have to."

 

"He's right." Sean supported. "This is the only choice. He can handle himself since he has magic, anyway." I noticed something, in the middle of the night, we were cold, so cold that our skin tingled. In front of us, a campfire was being put out due to the wind. I know what I must do, I hope it works. I lifted my left hand, focusing and thinking about what I'm going to do to control the fire. The fire danced until it grew larger again to its full size. "Xabe, what are you doing?" Sam asked.

 

"Oh, you know, to get ourselves warmed up." The fire grew until it turned back to the way it was. I did it! Sean whistled. "Wow, I guess you don't need any training."

 

"I still have to," I chuckled shyly, "since I'm yet to be a Flash warrior, even at such a young age, and I was thinking that-" suddenly, mom and Claes returned, their expression was serious. "We leave tomorrow," Claes told us.

 

"What? But we just got here," Sean protested, but Claes instantly glared at him. 

 

"Your mother and I talked about bringing you into our academy," he said to me.

 

"It's where you learn about your skills aside from training in a camp." Sean turned to me.

 

"Wait, we're going again? Come on! I've had enough going to places!" I complained.

 

"MaXabiere, we know that moving from place to place every day is very frustrating, but trust us. Your mother here told me so," Claes turned to her. I looked at mom in the eyes. "Mom? What about you guys? I can't just leave you again."

 

"Actually," Claes interrupted. "Your mother and I discussed bringing the survivors to Sotana village, it is near to our academy." I was thinking about a lot of things that might happen to me. Me hurting my legs because of a long walk, boredom striking until forever is gone, and ending up as pirates going round in places.

 

Mom's face looked like she was about to burst into tears. "This place is no longer our home. Some Flash warriors have died risking to protect us until we reach the haven- even it was not enough to secure us from the destruction. Unfortunately, even our trustee councilors sacrificed themselves for the people."

 

All of us took a moment of silence.  "Their deaths will not be in vain," said Claes. 

 

"Well, here goes another trip." Sean sighed, exhausted as I am.