The Dragon Gave A Loud Scream

By TheBlackFox

 

 

"Ride, ride my see-saw. Take this place, on this trip, just for me"

-The Moody Blues

 

 

When light faded back into the world, it was only to reveal something far worse than the darkness.

An arena, whose central feature was a cluster of large, and possibly carnivorous, jungle plants and flowers in hues of livid green.

Suddenly a terrible roar split the air. The blooms shivered as a massive, green and blue spiked form erupted from within.

A dragon--?!

"Gillwing!" NiGHTS cried aloud, the first he had said in such a way since their merging. If he's here, Wizeman knows about you.

"You said we might get unwanted attention," Claris whimpered. "He looks vicious."

The dragon's scream became deafening, and made all the more painful due to NiGHTS' sharper senses.

Vicious is an understatement. Things are going to get rough.

He was getting closer.

NiGHTS took a breath to steel his nerves, then arced up and towards the monstrous reptile like a fireball.

"No. NO. NOOO! NiGHTS!"

Hush. Let me protect you. Trust me.

 

 

A wise person once said every wyrm has its weakness. The trick, of course, was finding that weakness.

Staring at the oversized jaws, NiGHTS had a growing idea what Gillwing's might be. He also knew whatever he did, he'd have to do it quickly, before there was more than an angry dragon to worry over. The thought was never far from him, though he hid it from the human he was protecting. Worse things would come. Far worse things. It was only a matter of time.

Putting on speed, NiGHTS dove in front of the nose of the beast, narrowly missing the teeth that snapped at him. Just as Gillwing missed, NiGHTS turned upwards again, coming under the monster's head. The dragon roared and bit at the air in blind rage, searching for his missing prey.

I hope this works...

Spinning into a drilldash, he slammed against the underside of Gillwing's neck. The softer scales gave way quickly under the pressure.

Snap!

Off came the dragon's head, with a horrible despairing cry. The body recoiled and thrashed, rolling backward upon itself and across the greenery.

NiGHTS darted quickly out of the way.

"I-is it... over...?" Claris asked timidly, shuddering. Had NiGHTS not been watching the spectacle closely, Claris knew she would have had her eyes shut tightly against the dreadful sight.

No...

Claris couldn't quite tell if that was in answer to her question, or for the fact the dragon's body was still twitching...

"Oh no..." she echoed the sentiment when she realized with dawning horror...

Another, identical head had sprouted from the neck of the beast.

The dragon gave a loud scream, advancing on them even faster than before.

 

 

Claris was thankful once again that NiGHTS was in control and not her. He moved with such amazing speed, deftly dodging away from Gillwing's jaws and forcing the dragon to loop back around the arena for another attempt-- he was far too large to turn around.

I promise I'll protect you. On my life and what honor is left to me, I swear it.

With that vow, NiGHTS went in for another assault.

Thrice again the dragon was decapitated. And again it was futile, the head just kept growing back.

NiGHTS dived down out of the way of Gillwing's snapping mouth.

The third head lost seemed to tell, Gillwing was weakening, but so was NiGHTS. Claris felt it as a disheartening and tiredness of the soul. Years of imprisonment had taken their toll on his endurance and vitality. His chest was starting to heave. But he was still resigned. He would protect her or die trying.

"Come and get me, Gillwing." The solemnness was soul shattering.

The Nightmaren beast screamed and advanced.

"This thing is like a hydra..." Claris squeaked in terror.

Did you say... hydra? NiGHTS asked, with interest.

"I... yes."

With a deep, shuddering breath, he went in for one last offense.

 

 

NiGHTS changed tactics.

Instead of knocking the head off, he put on speed, using his mastery of the air to put some distance between him and the dragon, but not too much.

That done, and with more grace than any mortal flying creature, he made a steep, curving dive. His startrail shed brilliant cornflower sapphire sparks in his wake as he spun into a drilldash. Arcing back up to meet the stars that still hung in the air, he crossed over them and finished a perfect circle shape.

The monstrous Gillwing should have been simply too large to fall prey to such a maneuver, but each regrowth of his head had cost another segment of his body.

...

Crack!

...

With a final rending scream that shook the whole mare, Gillwing was defeated.

The battle was won, but the war was still left to fight.

And for tonight, NiGHTS was exhausted. Slowly he lost height, drifting back towards the ground.

Not too bad for someone out of practice.

"Told you you're the good guy, NiGHTS," Claris teased.

She could have sworn she felt a warming in the cheeks at that; NiGHTS was blushing in embarrassment

"The modest hero I see!" she laughed, making the blush go from warm to hot.

I'm not a hero, Claris...

"What's that? Uh oh... My alarm clock is going off! I'm waking up!" her voice was panicked. "I don't want to face those monsters alone when I sleep again!"

Be strong. I'll protect you from Wizeman. You need only think of me and I'll be there.

At that moment their bond was broken. Desperately Claris grabbed at his hand, crying. Her form started to glitter and fade away.

"Remember my name!" he called to her just before she faded out entirely.

With a start, he realized he had a clear view of Nightopia again.

From inside the Ideya Palace...

 

 

"Urmn... N...NiGHTS..." Claris mumbled sleepily, then wondered why she said it as she opened her eyes.

The sunlight was streaming in from her window... and hitting her face. She rubbed her eyes and yawned, feeling gritty stuff against her knuckles. Ick.

"Urrrmn..." she mumbled again. The bed was warm and comfortable, the sheets had been freshly laundered the night before, and still smelled of lavender. Her grandmother's quilt was soft under her hands...

She rolled over onto her stomach and pulled the pillows and blankets over her head to block out the light.

Going back to sleep sounded like a great idea. She didn't feel too rested for the eight hours she got... weird dreams...?

Vague shadow-memories still lurked at the back of her mind, but even now they were fading with the light of dawn.

Wait... a second...

Daylight...?

Claris suddenly felt wide awake. It was a school day, wasn't it?

"Crud!"

She leapt out of the bed and hurried to get dressed. Pillows flew in her wake.