Dawn of a Second Life by Kathrayne (distant reading .txt) 📕

Prologue

This universe is full of things humans do not know, different realms filled with the strange and unknown, what those in the realm of humans call fictional and supernatural. For those unique authors who wrote about supernatural beings such as fairies, dragons, vampires, werewolves, and even shapeshifters they were gifted with what we call the Sight. Of the six realms together, I live on Fire. This amazingly spectacular planet I call home is made of brightness and luminosity, of fire and light. However, I am not pure blood Fireite. I was born on the planet Terra, but a raging war caused my parents to seek out refuge for me.
The terrain is mostly black volcanic rock streaked with rivers of crimson lava and orange flame, then decorated with onyx lava tubes. There are some spots on the planet where vegetation grows, but it is scarce. This is why the people of Fire are hard core. Having the heritage I have, my skin is pale as the moons at night, but their skin is dark and tough. Our will and determination is just as hard. People of the other realms say we are warriors, and I suppose that name suits us. The Fireites are a great race, a fighting one, and in this race, there is a group of female warriors, called the Dragon Sisterhood. I among those heart achingly beautiful women who men stare at in aw and women turn green with envy. Fire, besides the humans realm, is the only other world where females are free. We fight, live, love, and die of our own free will.

Chapter One

The warm air rushed through my hair, dry and hot like the rest of Fire. The steady beat of my dragon’s wings were in time with the beat of my own heart. Rage is my dragon, unlike any other in this realm. Ruby says that it is because he has a Terrainian owner, but no one really knows for sure. Most of the dragons’ scales are different variations of red and gold, but Rage’s is dark emerald green, the same color as my eyes. He is larger than the size of the average house, with eyes that glitter black like a starlit night. His wings are not leathery like others, but like a bird, full of soft feathers the color of green gems. He is light weight, built for speed, but muscled for battle. His talons are curved and razor sharp, his spikes just as keen.
We are flying over the River Pele, a deep gorge of molten lava. There are a few teens swimming in it, but I know better. I am not a native of this realm, and if I get anywhere near that river, I will burn to a crisp. Fireites have this ability to swim in lava like can swim in water. It is really neat to watch them being able to swim in it without dying. We pass over, a gust of hot air layering my skin like a blanket. Below us is Inferno Castle, where the royals live, as well as me. It is huge and gothic styles, opened to the volcanoes below and to the two suns above. There is a lava fall in the middle, spitting out neon orange and bright crimson flames. The smoke hangs thick in the air and as I stare down at the palace, it is then that I see Topaz staring up at me. Her short blonde hair curls at her chin, framing her elfish face and highlighting her high, proud cheekbones, her delicate nose, and wise eyes. She is the queen of Fire, and a great one. She is wearing royal clothes, which is quite odd for her. The garnet dress flows from her small frame to the granite floor of the dragon hanger. At her side is Terror, her golden dragon, and at the other side is others to who I do not think I have seen before.
The people with her are clearly not Fireite. Their skin is not as dark, appearing more like mine with its pale complexion, and they look as if they are suffering in their clothes. They have on pants and boots, jackets and shirts, as well as capes. The usual Fireite attire is minimal, since it is so hot here. Right now I have on a black top cropped at my navel with a low cut neck line and the straps of it are about a half an inch thick. The pants I have on are tight and breathable, allowing comfort and movement as well as protection from the heat. They were made from tailors, as well as the special fire proof boots that end at my knees. The tops of my breast appear creamy white at the neck of my shirt, curving smoothly. I am by no means modest, for these people have seen me since I was just a baby, however I am no harlot either. I have a slim waist line, but with curves that just about every female Fireite envies. Ruby, my life long friend, says that it comes from my family, and that if anyone is jealous of me then they will have to deal with her. Believe me, that is something you do not want to see, or be a part of. At their waists are swords, on the backs are bows and arrows. I know we have a reputation, but do they see us a such a threat.
She send a sign for me to come down. I do not have to let Rage know, for we are one. Once a dragon bonds with its rider, they will have no other. Together they form a connection so strong, there are some who can talk to their dragons with their minds, and vise versa. Though I am not of this nation, am one of those people. It astounds Topaz that this has happened. Ruby says that it is because of my open mind and free heart. I just smile when she says something about it. Rage and I are now plunging towards the hanger at a speed that could rip me clear out of the saddle if I am not careful. I stay close to his side, my cheek almost touching the sleek green of his scales. When the visitors are cowering back in fear that my dragon will plow into them, he opens his wings and glides gently to a stop. On his taloned feet, he gets down to a crouch so that I can dismount.
I bow low to the ground as soon as my feet hit stone. “Milady.” With my right fist clutched to my heart, I bend at the waist and eye Topaz’s hem on her dress.
“You may rise, Emerald.” Her voice is like the wind, clear and strong. As I straighten, I see her turn to the men who look shockingly similar to me. A strange twist pulls in my gut and my instincts are telling me something is wrong. I go back to the last few weeks. I have not gotten word from my parents. They live in another realm, and when I was little they sent me here to be safe. There is a war going on, a dangerous one unlike any other. They had fears for my well being and sent me to live with the Dragon Sisterhood, to learn from them. Every other week or so, they sent me letters about them; how they have been faring, what my world is like beyond Fire. Recently, however, I have gotten nothing.
“As you asked, gentlemen. I present to you, Princess Emerald of Terra.” I raise my head at my formal title. I am royalty, that is true, but who are these people to come here looking for me.

Chapter Two

“Princess Emerald.” They looked utterly shocked, like they have seen something insolent. I raise my eyebrows together, watching as the visitors take a step back. “This cannot be.”
“And just why not, might I ask, Lady Valerie?” Topaz moves towards me, gesturing with her hand. “She looks just like you.”
I can hear Rage getting closer to me. He thinks I am in danger. A low growl escapes from his broad chest, filling the air with an threat yet to be carried out. The meaning is simple, ‘watch yourself’. Apparently the significance is clear as day for the guests, for they get on their knees in a bow.
“Forgive us, my lady, for we did not expect for you to be, well, um.” The male stutters, looking at his wife. It is then that I actually look at them. Lady Valerie has wavy brown hair, pinned up on the top of her head elegantly. She has a plump figure, skin slightly lighter than mine, flushed from the heat. Her eyes, which are right now stuck to the area in front of my feet, are bright cerulean blue. Her husband is much of the same with the same body shape, skin color, and hair, but his eyes are brown. The boy, on the other hand. I really only have one word for him. Sexy. Even underneath all the clothes, you can tell that he is well built. Muscles appear on his tanned arm where he has rolled up his shirt sleeves. His skin is almost the same color as mine, which is saying something. His hair falls like white gold, curling over his brown silk collar, the same color brown as his eyes. I struggle not to stare, but it is hard.
“You have to remember, Terrainians, that this young lady here, although of your race, was raised Fireite. You would do well to acknowledge that, for she has a temper of her own to rival any of my people.” Topaz threw her arm around my shoulders, grinning from ear to ear. She was clearing loving their reaction to my state. She has told me before that the Terrainians are more modest in their clothing, but I clearly had no idea until now. The woman herself was pretty much dressed from neck down. Even her hands were gloved.
“Yes ma’am. I ¾” The man spoke now, but was cut off by a scream.
“Rachel!” It came from above us, probably about two levels up. “Get away from there!”
It was a mother, young and beautiful. I have seen her many times in the palace, as a nursery worker. She has a child of her own, a year old little girl, names Rachel. There was a tumbling of rocks from above, small ones the size of my fist that had came loose from the siding. Then time seemed to slow down. There was a small squeal, like a babies laughter, little daredevil, and then down she goes. All we see really is a small blonde haired little girl in a little red dress falling down.
Time seems to slow down like I am moving through thick, sticky molasses.