Embers in the Dust

Leaf and the others watched through the rift created by Kirdoth. It was clear that the dragon would keep attacking until freed of Lyla, like an animal losing a pest. His body coursed with energy, and he tried to think quickly of a solution.

He glanced about, looking for any sign of inspiration to come, which would help him save Lyla, but nothing came. Looking at his friends, he was stopped by an odd sight. Before him, he saw a single golden thread. He was unsure what it was, but it was pulled tight, and connected to an energy barrier that surrounded him.

“Do you see that?”

“What?” Myla asked.

He raised his hand to the thread. Near it, he could hear a voice emanating from it, Helena’s voice.

“I think Helena is trying to listen in, but can’t.”

Leaf looked at Myla, and saw threads leaving her body to connect with the rest of the party. He counted, seeing one for him, Lyla, Mr. Muffins, and Rhokhishi, then noticed another.

“Myla, do you have your mind linked to others? Or just us?”

“Just you all. Why?”

“There’s another. It’s not fully connected though. Here.”

Taking Myla’s hand, he lifted it near the thread. She closed her eyes and listened.

“Wait. I know this voice.”

“Who is it?” Mr. Muffins asked.

“It’s Odin. He’s not connected to me, but he’s closeby.”

“Do you think you can contact him?” Leaf asked.

“I think so.”

He helped her grasp the thread, then stepped back. He couldn’t hear her thoughts, so he waited until her eyes opened wide.

“I think… I might have a solution.”

She released the thread and held her hand out in front of her. Myla concentrated for a moment, and then gasped in shock as a black orb appeared before her. Stretching her hand out, it grew in size. Carefully, she brought her hands together, then forcefully pulled them apart. Leaf watched as the orb grew, then shifted. Once it reached a foot in radius, he noticed that he could see through it. Just beyond the space he could see, Lyla lay on Kirdoth’s back, fighting to stay on.

“You can create rifts now?” Mr. Muffins asked.

“I-I don’t know. I can’t hold it open further, though.”

“I’ve got this.” Leaf added.

Funneling his magic to the rift before him, and to Lyla, he felt the pull in his stomach as he teleported through it and landed on top of the dragon. He thrust his staff between two scales to keep balance. He was unsure where he was, but he knew Lyla was here, and he would help her.

“Lyla!” He screamed over the rushing of wind that surrounded them.

“Leaf!” She exclaimed.

“Take my hand! We’re getting out of here!”

Lyla pulled herself forward slowly, trying to not be shaken off by the dragon. Scale by scale, she moved forward, until she was close enough to reach out to him. Leaf grasped her hand, turned to the new opening created by Myla, and focused. Seconds later, he felt the ground beneath him again.

“Now! Close it!” He shouted as he turned to Myla.

With a loud grunt, she clapped her hands together, and the spherical rift closed immediately. As she did, Kirdoth shrieked as the castle’s defenses shot forward. Balls of energy hurled toward Kirdoth, striking the dragon. Before they could see if it caused enough damage to drop the creature, the rift closed before them.