14 Parting Ways

Zenith finally reached the entrance of the cave and walked out. The sunlight pierced his entire being. He momentarily close his eyes, shielding himself from the sun.

Slowly opening them, he continued walking to an unknown direction, completely lost in thoughts. All these years, his master who had cared for him, fed him, and even loved him did not tell him the truth. He gritted his teeth in frustration and destroyed a nearby rock, causing some of the smaller species to run way in fear.

He stood in silence and reminisced the times when he was always shunned from other kids and people who considered him a monster, due to his powers.

No matter the case, Zenith stood strong against them many times. However, deep within there was a hint of sadness and longing; wanting to be accepted by someone and to be loved.

"Zen! I've been looking for you; where did you go?" Zenith turned around to notice Indra head towards him.

"Oh, hey buddy." Zenith replied and continued to look down on the floor.

"You know, back in my planet, there were times when I felt so angry, wondering what made me any different from those people."

Indra immediately took a seat next to him by a tree and listened to him talk.

"They would always give me this stare, as if I didn't belong there at all. Then I met my master for the first time. He accepted me for who I was and loved me like his own son. Since then, I never cared about who I was. I only wanted someone who would accept me and be honest with their true feelings. But… 'sob'…'sob'...today, even my master betrayed me…" Tears started to flow uncontrollably out of his eyes, as he clutched his chest hard.

Indra came closer and placed a hand on his shoulder and comforted him. He decided to remain quiet, because all Indra wanted now, was to be by his side, like a true friend.

"Buddy, what do I do? I am confused and lost now. I need answers, as many as I can get." Zenith replied as he wiped his tears.

"Just do what your heart tells you to, because no matter what, know that this brother will always be there for you." Indra softly said.

"Thank you, buddy, I feel much better now. Listen I have a request." Zenith stood up as he turned towards Indra and smiled in appreciation.

To him Indra was another person who truly accepted him for who he was. Never once had Indra asked him about his identity or his origin. He always judged people off their character, not their appearances or status.

Fully aware, Zenith finally came to a decision.

"I think I am going to go back to my home planet. Sorry, though I promised to come with you." Zenith pleaded.

"No problem."

"Wha-"

"I said sure. I understand, if I were you, I would do the same. So you better keep your promise alright?"

Indra smiled, fully aware of Zenith's intentions. He thought it would be better for him to return to his home and find all the answers he needed to look for, instead of going to earth with him with a distraught mind. Zenith, who heard Indra's reply, nodded with determination.

"I will, thank you buddy. So now that the crystal is yours, when do you plan on leaving?" Zenith asked.

"I was thinking of leaving with you, when you were in a better state of mind; but since we are parting ways, I will leave immediately. My people are waiting for me." Indra replied solemnly.

Finally, he was waiting for this very moment, to return to earth and defeat the Dark Wolf faction and his worst enemy, Daemon.

"Wait buddy, do you know how long you've been trapped within the neutron star?" Zenith could not help but ask. He wanted to make sure Indra knew how long it has been.

That question appeared out of nowhere.

"Obviously-" Nonetheless, the remaining words never came out of his mouth.

His heart rate spiked and sweat started trickle down his forehead. He slumped down in both knees, as he discerned how he missed such an important point! What if he had been trapped for so many years, the people he desperately wanted to save, were no longer alive?

Noticing his strange behavior, Zenith immediately rushed towards Indra and helped him up.

This was the first time he had seen Indra display such turbulent emotions on his face. Despair and fear were clearly present in his face.

"Are you ok? What happened?"

"I don't know how much time had passed while I was trapped. When I reach earth, what if I do not save my people in time? What if it was too late? I'm scared Zen!" Indra replied nervously. His instincts were now screaming, telling him to head to earth as soon as possible.

"I need to go right away. I will collect the crystal from Thromier and head out. I do not want to waste any more time. Take care, I will see you soon." Indra hugged Zenith and immediately rushed back to the cave.

"Buddy! Good luck!" Zenith shouted as he watched Indra leave. As soon as Indra disappeared from his view, Zenith wrapped himself in his red aura and flew away, eventually leaving Draconian planet.

Within the cave, Thromier who was waiting for Indra and Zenith, only saw Indra rushing towards her hastily. Noticing the worried look on his face, she could not help but wonder what made him so anxious.

"Are you ok?" Thromier asked.

"Sorry, but I have to head back to earth as soon as possible. Do you have the amethyst crystal?"

Indra said as put out his hand. Thromier nodded and asked him to follow him.

The cave was quiet for the most part, and empty with rocks and green crystals shining resplendently. After entering through another hidden entrance, they finally reached a place where the temperature soon became hot. Upon his first glance, Indra noticed a huge barren like land that seemed to stretch without a limit. Many small hills were covered, and within the depths of those hills, was lava flowing incessantly throughout.

As they entered through the mouth of the hill, they landed at a small rock, near the lava. A red light shone, illuminating the area throughout the hidden parts of the hill. Indra's eyes eventually landed on the crystal, which was seated right in the middle of the burning lava, unaffected by it's temperature.

Without further ado, Indra jumped into the lava lake and started to swim towards the crystal. Frightened by his antics, Thromier never expected him to let alone go near the lava, but also start swimming in it.

'What on earth is his body made of?'

Unaware that Indra had once been trapped within a neutron star, which was a few million degrees hotter than lava. Thromier started praying for his safety. Within the lava, he finally reached the center of the lake, pulled the crystal out, and swam back.

"Aren't you a full of surprises? Even a true dragon must be careful when dealing the molten lava." Thromier said.

"It just seemed like an ordinary lake." Indra shrugged in response.

"Why even argue with you" Thromier shook her head and gave up.

"So how do I activate this crystal?" Without wasting time, Indra asked impatiently.

"Focus on a place which you are fully aware of. Even a single doubt will cause you to be lost in an unknown part of the universe. Although you can use it three times, use it wisely." She warned Indra.

"Understood, once again thank you Thromier." Indra bowed with respect.

"You are welcome and thank you for saving me and my child Indra. You are always welcome here at Draconian planet." Thromier slightly bowed.

Nodding his head, Indra closed his eyes and activated the crystal.

'Swish'

Just like that, he disappeared. Thromier turned around, and used her senses to locate Zenith, only to notice him exiting the planet's atmosphere.

'So they parted ways huh? I hope you both succeed in your endeavors. Oh fathers, forefathers and our humble ancestors, may you watch over those two.' Thromier silently prayed and headed back towards her haven.

Few days later another spaceship arrived in Draconian planet. Two elderly couples could be seen exiting the ship with a walking stick in each of their hands. The man maintained a fierce gaze, while the woman remained calm and steady.

They both wore blue robes with black outlines by their collars and had a blue sapphire gem embedded to their breast pockets.

Behind them were hundreds of warriors, and their aura remained hidden like a calm ocean.

"Hmph! That is why I told you to send more reinforcements with her! It has been days, and there was not a singly reply from her transmission device." The man replied in irritation as he continued to walk.

"Calm down honey. Her vitals show that she is alive, so let us find out what happened. To rush things, would only lead to our doom." She replied and halted her steps, right outside the Demonic Tarragon cave.

The moment the couple halted, the remaining soldiers also halted, while some gathered to their front, to protect the couple from any danger.

"Search throughout the cave, do not fight any monsters for now. Our priority is to rescue, then kill, is that clear?"

"Yes, my lord!" Upon his orders, all the remaining men in the back rushed in with speeds that exceeded Meres' in his demonic form.

"It seems that someone else retrieved that crystal."

"No matter. We shall spare him since the person we need to rescue is not in danger. If anything were to happen, they would not live to see this day." The elderly man gritted his teeth in anger, eventually breaking his stick.

"This is your tenth stick today. How many more are you going to break honey? " The elderly woman replied. The old man remained silent and continued to peer at the cave. Soon the men who entered the cave appeared with a person who remained unconscious. The elderly couple rushed to the person and looked at her with full of love and anxiousness.

"An attack to the life force? Whoever it is will pay!" The old man screamed.

"Will you shut up?! You are too loud! Besides weren't you saying earlier you were going to spare him?" The elderly lady yelled back at the old man, finally quieting him down.

"Everybody listen up! I do not want a word about this when we reach the Ice Venerate Palace. Do I make myself clear?" The elderly woman replied as she flared her aura against her men.

"Yes, Palace lord!" They shouted without any hesitation.

"Good. Honey, did we get a reply from them?" She asked.

"They said, they are ready to attack in due time, and will send the coordinates to us. They did send us a great gift after all; what a mysterious faction." The old man could not help but shake his head.

"Perfect, now everything is in plan. Once we heal our grand daughter, we will assist the Dark Wolf faction. Move out! " The elderly woman, then signaled her men to retreat.

This was the calm before the storm, as the main story was just up ahead.