Chapter 8: Day of the Dragons, Part 1 Alice's POV:

Today is possibly the worst day to be lost in the forests of Daracnia. The Day of the Dragons, a natural occurrence where the Dragon's are the most wild. Back at base we use this day to celebrate dragons and dragon riders alike. To show our support for the soldiers both living and fallen. As me and Ace walked further into the forest a pack of wolf dragons flew into the sky in around 10 dragon's in a pack. I looked over at Ace who was just staring at them in awe. Bella flew up towards the wolf dragons and they flew with her, showing her the way of their pack. Dragons are smarter than most people think, they have impeccable intelligence no human could ever possess, their emotions are raw and powerful. After the pack had left we started to pack up the camp we stayed at last night. "So, you ever seen a Phoenix before?" Ace asked me. I nodded.

"At the base there's a Phoenix nest that holds Regalia, you know the Phoenix Queen?" His eyes widened. He looked at Ameterasu.

"You mean the Titan of a Phoenix that rules the underworld?" I knew Regalia was powerful, but ruler of death, that's news to me. "Yea, she's the mother of mine and my sisters Phoenix's, that's why they're named after a God and Goddess" I looked at Ameterasu.

"Let me guess, Your sisters is called Susanoo?" He nodded and looked at the ground. "Well, we have a long day of travelling and hiding coming up, you and Ameterasu ready?" He nods and starts walking in the direction of the base, I follow behind.

Octavian's POV:

I looked back to see where Arcave was, but I didn't see him. "Arc?" I looked around, where could he be?! Then a large black and green figure appeared in front of me. "Aww, you were worried." Arcave said teasingly. I shook my head and rolled my eyes. "You wish." I stood up and climbed across Xenock's wing and hopped onto Dilitiri. The Prince roared proudly. I stroked the dragon softly. "He was your brother's dragon wasn't he?" Arcave asked. I smiled, a sad smile.

"Centurion was a great dragon rider, everyone looked up to him..." I started. "And I know I can't live up to everyone's expectations of me doing the same. I'm not perfect, and I do things I always regret a lot actually. Centurion knew everything I did and still respected me..." I stopped myself from saying anything else. If Arcave knew what I did in my past... I might lose him too. And I've grown quite attached to the ball of clumsiness, he's a good friend. "Uhh, but enough about that. Wanna talk about you and Alice?" I said. He raised his eyebrow and looked at me confused.

"Huh? What about her? She's my best friend! I've always thought highly of her, and now I know about her other world I am amazed by her!" He said, not what I expected.

"OK, but like, You like her don't you?" I asked. Arcave let out a laugh. I looked at him confused. "You think I like Alice?" He stopped and rubbed his neck. "Octo... I'm gay." My eyes widened in shock, I don't know why I felt a sense of relief. "Oh- OH! Ye, sorry I should've known." I smiled and rubbed my neck. I hopped back on Xenock and we started flying faster. Arcave looked like he was having fun.

We landed just a bit south of where the dragon was spotted. No sign of anyone being here, no dragon scales or claw prints. "It's just a bit North of here Arc." I look at him and he was staring at Mount Ragusane. "Arc? You OK?" I asked. He kept staring in the distance and didn't answer. I tapped his shoulder. "Arc-" His arm swung up and hit my nose. "OW!" Arcave turned around.

"OH MY GODS! I'm so sorry Octo! I blacked out, I thought I saw a woman at the top of that mountain." I stared at him blankly, blood running down my nose.

Arcave's POV:

A lady was stood at the top of the mountain looking down on me, she had a warm familiarity to her. But I just punched Octavian, and I needed to focus on that. "You said a lady was stood on top of Mt Ragusane?" His face looked pale and shocked. I nodded in reply. "That's the last known location of the Divine Goddess..." He said plainly. A Goddess?! I must be going crazy... I mean dragons are real, how farfetched could this be. "Ok, so I assume her appearing to people is normal?" Octavian just looked at me plainly.

"She hasn't been seen in centuries... Seeing her nowadays is prophecised to be a sign of death." My face goes pale, am I going to die?! "Nope, I'm not letting you die." He said abruptly. I look at him with eyes wide. "I already lost one guy I love, I'm not losing you too." My heart skips a beat. Then he realised what he said. "Oh- uh I mean, you're a great friend. I can't lose you. Let's keep looking." I nodded and we moved forward.

Ace's POV:

Hm, im trusting a Dragon Rider to not kill me. Well that's fun. She's not that bad. My last Dragon Rider encounter didnt exactly go too peachy and Alice's dragon is still giving me the stink-eye but we cant win everything i guess. I was heasing towards the dragon base with her when I hear an explosion nearby. "Hey- What's your name, did you hear that?" Alice glared at me but nodded. We headed towards the noise and saw a camp full of soldiers heading north. "We should follow them." I said plainly.

"No shit man, Yes we are following them now stay quiet." She whispered. I don't understand why she is so upset, I'm the one who has to deal with her. We follow behind them to see where they're going, when suddenly they were gone. There is nowhere they could've gone. It doesn't matter though I guess. Behind us I heard a snap, I placed my hand on the handle of my blade ready to fight. I could hear the footsteps getting closet and I pulled my Katana out and swung it around. "ACE WAIT!" I stopped last second, the katana inches away from his face. "Arc?!" Anna said. The boy looked at her, still shocked from me almost cutting him I guess and waved at her.