15 13...

The perfect Draganoid had it's wits cornered. Human lives in peril, people trying to get as far away from the dangers as possible. Local heroes facing off and helping those in need. All in the days work you might add..

But it just had to go too far..

It had hoped for a better closure, a faster response, a quick ending to today's marsaca.

Instead, it got worse...

It's body begging for rest as it could not take any more hits. It's core hoping for recovery as it was sure it wasn't stable as per earlier stated.

its life on the line of literal fire, ironical if you ask anyone who has ever read tales of the time...

It's concern being the people and their inhabitance. It's friends, what was left of it's family and loved ones.

All to be crushed under the dark conquerors heel if it did not stand it's ground and pick itself up.

A louder roar echoed, signifying the approaching Flaming demi god who currently flew circles above it's prey.

There went another sound, a bit faint as it sounded like it was coming from behind it.

Attention diverted, the draganoid heard it again.

Like a call...

A call it was meant to answer....

"Kai. Kai can you hear me"

It was him. The last person it wanted in this ring of fire.... Calling it for god knows what...

Looking above, a some sort fire ball was coming both their ways.

On instinct, the draganoid pushes itself forward as it gently back slapped the friend out of harms way.

Hitting a debree piece with a painful thud, the protector took the hit.

Shrieking in pain at the instant blow, the draganoid bounces back onto the pile of fallen blocks.

"No!!!". Nathaniel jumped out of his shock as he ran over to the almost lifeless body.

"No No No No!!!".

He saw the mighty figure reform back into the small figure that he loved to cuddle in his arms.

"Kai!". He called again as he ran into the large hole her former body had created.

Sheena had commanded the Sphinx to stand down. She wanted to see how it all played out.

"Nathaniel!... Nathaniel", another voice called.

Sheena met with another human who joined the other with their currently injured and unconscious friend.

Of course this would be the perfect opportunity to end the empress's dilemma once and for all.

But at the moment, she was as pathetic as the others....

"Come spirit. We have bigger things to deal with".

The Sphinx roared in agreement as it returned to it's master's side. The legadarium reappears on her stretched hands as she flips thought once again. Satisfied, she closed said book as the monster resorted to specs of light glitter and dust.

With a final glance at their pity party, Sheena summoned a small make shift like portal so that she could return to the dragon realm.

The rift closing concluded the chaos.

------------

"He's not answering Travis. Why is he not answering". Aria paced the simple kitchen with her cell phone glued to he left ear.

"Busy perhaps". Travis suggested.

She had put him in a situation whereby any answer could stir her up the minute it escaped his lips.

She groaned at his reply. Redialing her son's number for the hundredth time that afternoon.

"Please pick up", she begged. She prayed in her heart, to any living celestial spirit up there to watch over her precious cariño.

The furrows between her brows deepened as the other end of the line went straight to voicemail.

The frustration could not be missed by her lover as he stood from the counter then joined her by her side. Holding on to both sides of her waist, he stopped the pacing.

"If he doesn't call back soon, we'll file a report". He pressed her further to his side.

"How's that love?". He awaited an answer.

"Travis, Nathaniel is out there. He could be hurt, injured even. Filing a goddamn report won't bring my son back to me_"

"No, but it'll help with a search party. Your boy is very smart Aria, I'm sure he won't have thought twice before he found himself a safe place to hide"

"He's not picking up damnit... I need to know he's safe". she snapped.

Aria pulled away from his hold, giving herself some space between them.

Her boyfriend wasn't doing her any help with all his anticipated hopes.

Travis closed the gap again as he reached for her hand.

"I want to see he's safe Travis. I won't forgive myself if anything ever happened to him". She gingerly took his hand in hers as he pulled her to himself once again.

His arms wrapped around her with her head resting on the comforts of his chest.

"I won't allow it. Nathaniel will soon be a part of my life too. That... if he accepts me, but either way, I still need someone who won't mind a ball game or two". He felt her soft giggles tickle where she rested.

"Fingers crossed", she mumbles against his chest.

This may have reminded her that her and her son weren't exactly on speaking terms at the moment. But all that would be settled when she laid eyes on his jades again.

........

Nathaniel's gaze drifted from his friend. The ringtone became an unpleasant noise in his ears as he checked for who in their right mind won't give him the silence he desired to blame himself for what he had done.

"Aren't you gonna get that?", a voice asked from behind.

Anna stood at the entrance of Kai's bedroom, her arms wrapped around her body for suite and her eyes welling up another set of tears.

"It's my mum". He answered bluntly.

"She must be worried". Anna Marie added as she watched him fondle with his phone before slipping it back into his jean side pocket.

He wasn't ready to talk to her. Not after what she did. The promise she broke.

He wasn't that pathetic little boy who mother's sweet words warmed up anymore.

He loved her dearly, no doubt about that. But with what she did... He needed a break.

From all the family drama..

Stressing over the next man his mother might decide to sleep with.

And focus on what mattered..

His mistake.

He couldn't just stay away from her while she did her best. Scared they she might not be able to stop the monster and come back to him.

Scared that she wasn't well enough to take all the hit and protect herself.

He hated himself for doubting her. Because of him, she let her guard down trying to keep him safe, taking the blow that completely knocked her out.

His frown deepened. Muscles tensed as he recollected the pale look on her face when she was down.

It was all his fault.

"Her grandpa said she would need time. He doesn't know how long she'll stay this way". She hiccuped the last part.

Anna had been crying her eyes out since they brought their friend in.

Cleaning the droplets that escaped her eye with the back of her palm, Anna joined her friend by her unconscious best friend.

"I'm worried about her too Nathan". She gave him an assured squeeze on his shoulder.

"But Kai's a fighter. She'll pull through"

Anna wasn't really sure if she was rest assuring him anymore.

Seeing her very good friend in this position broke her. Seeing her other friend blaming himself while loafing made it a lot worse.

Kai's grandfather had he's doubts too. When Anna had asked him about the welfare of their friend, he was hesitant.

His old glares made it very clear...

If she will survive this...

or not...

Time will certainly tell.