“Ha!” Hope cheered, looking at the empty countertop.

“Looks like I knew what I was doing after all!” She beamed, Halo chuckling as she watched.

Suddenly, Draco perked up from his nap, “I smell blood.”

Hope froze, Halo looking up and sniffing the air before widening her eyes.

It’s not unusual for any of them to get injured, but for Draco to point it out…

“I smell it too. Hope-”

“Libera!”

Hope shouted the incantation, bursting out the TITUS’s doors and running towards the city.

At her words, Halo and Draco became engulfed in light and quickly shot past Hope. Hope panted as she ran, her breathing labored as panic etched across her features.

Backed into a corner, Aaren and his team regrouped across from the weakened members of Gale Force.

Aaren readied his magic as he raised his sword, preparing to finish them with his next attack.

Silver stood upfront, her swords at the ready to counter as she kept glancing at the others behind her. Mizu and Kiara were right behind Silver, bruised but ready to help defend the others if need be. Rachel stood behind them, however she clutched her shoulder as she swayed, the blood loss catching up to her as she struggled to remain conscious.  Behind her, Karla and May lay, knocked unconscious from the blast from earlier.

Aaren’s sword ignited, his comrades behind him as he moved to make his finishing blow. When suddenly, an explosion of light crashed into the ground between both groups, blowing Aaren and his team back as two roars pierced the skies. Aaren looked back with a glare as two large full-fledged dragons stood protectively in front of the girls. One silver dragon with blue feathers and golden markings and another dark blue spiked dragon with torn yellow wings.

Draco roared once more at Aaren and his team, blue lightning crackling off the ground as dark storm clouds rolled in.

While Aaren and his team avoided Draco’s attacks, Halo turned around to address the girls.

“Quickly girls, hop on,” Halo addressed, lowering herself for them.

Karla and May, now awake, helped each other onto Halo’s back as Kiara and Mizu followed behind them. Rachel struggling to stay awake, resigned herself to Silver’s aid as the two climbed onto Halo. With everyone on, Halo stood up and spread her wings, turning to Draco beside her.

“Go on ahead, I’ll follow once I’m done here,” Draco growled.

Halo hesitated before she spoke, “Just don’t kill anyone.”

As Halo flew off into the clouds Draco chuckled under his breath, “I make no such promises.”

A bomb rolled toward Draco and seeing it, Draco smashed it as it exploded beneath his claws.

“I don’t think you understand your situation right now, so let me lay it out for you,” Draco growled, his yellow eyes glowing beneath the stormy sky.

“You’re lucky my master has ordered me not to kill, otherwise I’d devour you where you stand,” Draco glared before spreading his wings and flying into the thunderclouds above.

Hope wandered through the streets of Cedarwood as the streets resumed their usual bustle. The rain only lasted about five minutes before the sun peaked out again, Hope taking cover under a shop. During that time, Halo contacted Hope telepathically.

Hope, where are you?

In town, but I’m safe. I’m currently hiding from the rain. Are the others-

They are fine. Most of them had only minor bruising. Rachel was the most injured and Silver is treating her injury now, but aside from the effects of blood loss, she’s assured me she’s fine.

Hope sighed in relief. At least they are okay. That’s all that matters now.

You made a good call Hope. It might have been a different outcome had you not summoned us.

Yeah… I guess so. Has Draco returned yet?

No, not yet, but he said he would follow shortly. You should hurry back as well. It’s not safe there, Halo cautioned.

I know, I’ll be back soon.

Hope however, had no intention of returning anytime soon, instead wandering between the shops alongside Cedarwood, as she listened in to the city gossip.

Hope. What do you think you’re doing? Draco growled telepathically.

I’m gathering information on our opponents. How come you’re still here? Hope questioned.

I’m not as naïve as Halo. I know you had zero intension of returning right away. And whether I like it or not you are my master, leaving you on your own would be foolish.

I thought I told you not to refer to me that way. I’m no master nor mistress, Hope complained, furrowing her brow.

You know just as well as I, that Dragon Tamer mages are mages that form contracts with dragons, as evident by the mark on your back. In exchange for their aid, dragons are given safe passage into Etherea from our world Dragonia. By definition, you are a master.

Yes, but the rules never state that you must serve with absolute obedience either. You have a free will of your own. Your only obligation in the contract is to protect me. If I were to die you would simply be sent home, no punishment. The only time you would be punished-

Is if the contracted dragon kills their master. There punishment is a tormented death, Draco replied coldly.

Yes, but if you want to go home so bad, I don’t see why you should hover over me in the clouds. If I die from my own foolish actions that doesn’t break the contract, Hope argued.

Even dragons have honor. What good would my status be in Dragonia if I simply watched my master die?

Enough with the master! For goodness sake, can’t you just call me by my name!?

Draco just chuckled. Hope shook her head wandering the streets as she continued to listen to the city gossip. It wasn’t hard to gather information about the AMG. Most information was apparently rather public, and with recent events, it was all anyone was talking about. The AMG, the Anti-Mage Government, a group of non-magic people working together to exterminate all mages from this world for the sake of peace. In their eyes, mages were evil, and it seems their influence is spreading fast.

 It’s horrible…to others, we are seen as the enemy, even if we never did anything wrong.

“Hurry! Hurry! I heard he was giving out autographs!”

“Seriously!? Ah!”

Hope blinked, awakening from her thoughts in surprise as rushes of girls hurried past her. Looking ahead there was a small mob of people gathered around one guy. He had ruffled blonde hair and deep green eyes, and he seemed to be wearing some type of uniform.

“Ladies, Ladies, one at a time. I promise I will get to all of you,” he spoke gently.

“I own all your magazines Calen!” one of the ladies shouted between the girly screams.

So, he’s a model, Hope thought walking past the mob.

“I’m honored, but I’m even more honored by having all you ladies here,” Calen remarked with a model smile.

Ugh, and a playboy, what a creep, Hope thought, rolling her eyes in disgust.

“To be a model and an esteemed member of the AMG, how do you do it Calen?”

Hope widened her eyes at their words, turning back to the man.

“It’s no trouble at all ladies, snuffing out evil in between my time with you is easy,” Calen chuckled.

Evil? Hope felt hollow, imagining other innocent mages, people like her, falling victim to someone like him. Hope clenched her jaw, the very thought making her feel sick as she withheld a low growl.

How can he just brush it off like that? The idea of-? Hope turned around and continued to walk away not wanting to listen anymore.

“Young miss? You with the blonde hair. There’s no need to be shy, I’ll make time for everyone,” Calen called out.

Hope stopped; fear washing over her as Draco called out to her telepathically.

Hope-!

Enough.

Hope turned; her expression darkened compared to her usual bright personality. Her eyes were deep teal pools, each expressing her untold pain as she gazed back at the man before her.

“I show zero admiration to murders like you,” Hope spoke coldly, before she turned and walked away.

Her look caught Calen off guard. No one had ever looked at him like that. People always showered him with praise and affection. I mean sure, there’s been people who have expressed hatred towards him, enemies obviously, but no one has ever expressed such pain before him before. Calen stared, completely at a loss. It wasn’t until the surrounding girls went back to showering him with affection again that his attention returned back to them. However, no matter what distraction plagued before him, he still couldn’t get her out of his mind.

Hope rounded the nearest corner she could find as casually as possible before leaning against the wall to catch her breath. Her heart hammered in her chest, tears building in her eyes as her mind replayed her impulsive action. That was dangerously close, and she knew it.

As Hope caught her breath, Draco spoke to her.

Hope are-

I’m ready to go home now, Hope muttered shakily, trying not to let the tears fall from her eyes.