Page 41 of Embers to Flames

Hand in hand, we begin our journey back, the path winding through the canyon. The sun dips below the horizon, casting the canyon in a warm, golden light. The air cools, and the shadows grow long, the darkness of night gradually enveloping us. We walk in comfortable silence, the bond between us feeling stronger than ever.

A rustling sound interrupts the serenity of our hike back. We both turn towards the source of the noise, alert and on edge. Through the foliage at the edge of the trail, emerges a figure cloaked in darkness, its face obscured by the shadows. For a moment, we freeze, our hearts pounding in our chests. It takes a step forward, and we can see the glint of its eyes reflecting the dying light. It appears to be watching us, studying us intently, almost as if it knows our every move.

“Who’s there?” I whisper, my voice trembling with fear. I can feel Theo’s body tense beside me, his hand gripping my shoulder tightly. The figure remains motionless, silent, and ominous. It takes another step forward, and for a fleeting moment, I can see a glimpse of its face before it drops back into the shadows. It looks like a stranger, a traveler perhaps, yet there’s something about it that feels alien, as if it doesn’t belong in this world.

Without warning, the figure lunges towards us, its arms outstretched. In a panicked frenzy, Theo pushes me behind him, protecting me with his body. As the figure lunges, I can feel its icy breath against our faces, and the scent of something foul and otherworldly fills the air. Theo’s wings unfurl, and I can see the determination in his eyes as he prepares to defend me against whatever this creature may be. He stands between the figure and me, threatening it to move.

“Stay back or I swear by the Gods; harm will come to you sir,” Theo warns, his voice firm and unyielding. The figure, still shrouded in darkness, doesn’t budge. Its eyes seem togleam with malice, and I can feel a wave of dread wash over me. Theo’s muscles tense, and I can see the feathers on his wings ripple with anticipation. But the figure seems unfazed by Theo’s display of power. Its presence is palpable, a darkness that seems to seep into the very air around us. The canyon, once a peaceful haven, now feels like a trap, as if we are prey to something far more sinister than we could have ever imagined.

A primal scream echoes through the canyon as the figure violently shoves Theo aside, sending him sprawling to the ground. Its dark eyes now train on me with a hunger that sends a surge of fear through my body. My heart pounds in my chest as I take a step back, nearly losing my balance. I scramble to steady myself, frantically searching for an escape from this unfathomable danger. But before I can even take a step, a deafening roar shakes the very earth beneath us. Turning in terror, I witness a horrifying sight that freezes me to the core. The figure stands still, transfixed by the terrifying display unfolding just above us, and I am left trembling in disbelief and dread.

Chapter Eighteen

Theo’s wings are spread wide into the air, his body glowing with a fiery light that seems to burn away the darkness, as he begins to… change. His skin ripples like the surface of a disturbed pond, muscles swelling and expanding as scales emerge like shimmering, iridescent armor. His bones crack and elongate, contouring his elven form into something both majestic and terrifying.

With a guttural roar, his face pushes forward, nose and mouth merging into a snout full of dagger-like teeth. Horns spiral from his temples, curing back like the branches of ancient trees. His fingers fuse and stretch into claws. Each one capable of rendering steel as easily as paper. His wings, oncea feathery display, are now bat-like and leathery, spanning wide with razor-sharp edges that glint in the dim light of the moon. The air around him crackles with energy, charged with power beyond comprehension.

As Theo’s body transforms, his eyes blaze with intensity, and the color of his scales shift like a kaleidoscope, from a fiery orange to a radiant white, then eventually settling into a breathtaking combination of gold and white. His new-found Dragon form seems to contain the essence of both sunlight and moonlight, illuminating the dark canyon with a mystic glow.

And then, with the speed of a falling star, Theo lunges at the figure. The wind howls, the earth trembles, and the sky darkens, as if the world itself is reacting to the presence of this monstrous being. The figure, seemingly frozen in terror, doesn’t move. It’s as if it knows what’s coming. It knows it’s not ready and that it’s about to face its doom. Theo’s jaw unhinges, revealing a row of razor-sharp teeth that glint in the moonlight. And with a thunderous roar that sends shockwaves through the air, he spews flames from his mouth, scorching everything in its path. The flames erupt from his maw, like a raging inferno unleashed. They dance and flicker, painting the air a deep, fiery crimson. The heat radiates out, scorching the very atmosphere around them.

The figure, too terrified to move, is engulfed in the blaze. It shrieks, a sound that cuts through the air like a thousand shattered glasses. The light from the flames casts grotesqueshadows on the canyon walls, twisting and contorting into nightmarish silhouettes. And then, just as suddenly as it had erupted, the fire subsides. The world is left in silence, other than the distant crackle and hiss of Theo’s flames dying down.

The mysterious figure, a shimmering silhouette against the moonlit sky, begins to dissolve into thin air. Slowly at first, wisps of smoke rise from its form, curling and twisting like snakes as they reach towards the stars. The figure's once defined outline blurs, its edges softening until it becomes nothing more than a fine mist hovering in the night. As the mist swirls and dances in the updraft of lingering heat, I catch a fleeting glimpse of Prince Ruvyn in its dissolving shape, sending chills down my spine with the haunting realization. Finally, the mist dissipates completely, leaving no trace behind - just like the figure that had captured my curiosity and fear.

The canyon is left in an eerie quiet. The only sound is the distant wind, whispering through the rocks and shrubs. Theo’s voice rings through my mind.

“Are you alright, my sweet?”

“Theo… you… you shifted.” I struggle to speak. “But how?”

“I don’t know, something in me just… ignited. I couldn’t let anything happen to you.”His tail flicked behind him, a subtle display of his protective instincts. “I was afraid, but I knew that I had to protect you at all costs. I vowed to be your protector.”

He slowly lowered a wing towards the ground, the movement deliberate and careful, beckoning me to climb up hismassive frame.“Now, my sweet, it is time for you to learn how to ride me in my Dragon form,”his voice spoke softly within my mind.

I guide my way up and onto his back. His scales are surprisingly smooth to the touch despite their sharp appearance. As I settle onto his back, a chilling realization hits me.

“Theo, that figure… it was Prince Ruvyn. He was spying on us. He knows I’ve been turned into an elf.”

Theo’s eyes narrow, a low growl rumbling from his chest.“Prince Ruvyn? But why would he care so much?”

“I don’t know,” I reply, my voice trembling. “Why would he go to such lengths to watch us? What does he gain from knowing about my transformation?”

Theo’s voice is firm in my mind.“Whatever his reasons, we must be cautious. His interest in you can only mean trouble. But remember, I am here to protect you, no matter what. Now, hold on tight.”

Wrapping my trembling arms around Theo’s broad, scaly neck, I can feel his muscles tense beneath me. A low rumble builds in his throat, growing into a powerful roar that shakes the very air around us. The sound reverberates off the canyon walls, echoing into the night like a primal declaration of our presence.

With one fluid motion, he spreads his majestic wings and with a grace that belies his size, he launches us skyward in one fluid motion. The ground falls away beneath us, and my stomach lurches with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. Each powerful beat of his wings sends tremors through his body andinto mine, creating a rhythm that feels like the very pulse of the earth itself.

I look down at the ground below, which now appears like a miniature world with tiny specks of buildings and trees. The rushing wind whips through my hair, tugging at it like playful fingers, and I can’t help but laugh in pure exhilaration.

Theo’s gentle voice breaks through my thoughts,“Lean back,”he whispers,“Trust me, my sweet.”

I hesitate for a moment, my fingers instinctively tightening on his scales. But as I gaze at the star-strewn sky above us, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. Slowly, I relax my grip and lean back, spreading my arms out wide to welcome the wind.

We glide effortlessly over the canyon, and I marvel at how something so massive can move with such grace. It feels as if we are skimming the very edge of the world, close enough to touch the twinkling stars above. In that moment, suspended between earth and sky, I feel a freedom I’d never known before.

Time seems to lose all meaning as we fly through the night. My heart races with a cocktail of emotions—excitement, awe, and a deep, abiding love for the incredible being beneath me.

---