Pyre Academy

After trekking though the Thousand Pines Forest for several days, Syl and Seb finally reached what seemed to be the pirate's town. The front gate had a sign reading "Keep out" but the guard outpost was empty.

As Seb peered into the town, the buildings appeared to be falling to ruin, with several of the roofs of houses having collapsed inward from the weight of the snow. Syl strode into town confidently, before being pulled back by Seb.

"Something's not right here" Seb whispered.

"They've obviously left, let's just go get the boat" Syl shrugged.

"Okay, but move quietly..." Seb nodded, the two quietly walked into town and down the main street. Everything seemed to be going to plan, when a huge roar echoed across the forest and town.

"Uh..." Syl looked at Seb. A giant shadow covered the whole town in darkness, Syl and Seb looked up to see an ice dragon flying overhead.

"Hide!" Syl whispered and pulled Seb into a nearby shack. They both caught their breath and peeked outside, the dragon was sat down by the docks, looking directly at the entrance of the town.

"Does it know that we're here?" Seb asked.

"It could have been following us here... waiting for an opening..." Syl sighed, and bashed his fist against the wall.

"Children of man, I know that you are there..." A booming voice echoed.

Syl and Seb gave each other a confused look.

"Uh... a talking dragon?!" Syl stuttered.

"Yes, I can hear you, son of light" The Dragon boomed. "Come out, so I can see you and your intentions..." He finished.

Syl and Seb walked outside reluctantly with their hands raised. The dragon moved closer, crushing the nearby buildings with its feet. It scanned them both with its eyes, then focused on Syl.

"You child, have been blessed with light" He said, studying Syl.

"Cursed, Lumina did this to me..." Syl sighed.

"Lumina... she is a troubled soul" The Dragon sighed, the gust nearly knocking Seb from his feet.

"She's a mass murdering psychopath!" Seb shouted.

"Hmm... my Lumina? I know she has fallen from her path, but mass murder seems beyond her" The Dragon turned its gaze to Seb.

"She turned both Terrana and Mystallia to dust, literally" Seb explained.

"I see, then she may be truly lost..." The Dragon gazed to the sky and roared mournfully.

"Uh... if I might" Syl began. The Dragon turned its gaze to Syl.

"What is it, son of light?" The Dragon asked.

"You can talk?" Syl asked.

"Yes, once we could all talk" The Dragon responded. "Back in the city of light, at Lumina Academy, we roosted. We were the defenders of the light and children of Lumina. She was a kind and gentle soul back then" The Dragon continued as a tear formed in his eye.

"Then one day, the city was sacked, and my brothers and sisters murdered. The palace was a bloodbath and Lumina was distraught. For over a hundred years, she and I remained in the ruins of the city, with each passing year, Lumina lost a little more of herself. In the end she cast even myself away. Since then, I flew the skies of Crystalla, meeting the children of my brothers and sisters. I discovered that they had never learned the tongue of man or dragon, and just live from their instinct. Those that do learn how to communicate usually end up being manipulated by mankind." The Dragon explained.

"I'm sorry..." Syl sighed and looked at the ground.

The Dragon smiled.

"I can remove your 'curse' child, if you truly believe that it is such?" He offered.

"I... thank you" Syl nodded, the Dragon took a deep breath, and the light energy drained from Syl's body, leaving him as he was before being attacked by Lumina. The Dragon squinted at Syl.

"You... you are a child of the moon?" He asked.

"Uh..." Syl shrugged.

"No matter, I do know of your intentions... and I will help" The Dragon bowed its head.

"You have no love for Abyssia?" Seb asked.

"Nay, her deeds twisted mankind's hearts and lead to the fall of Lumina Academy. She is unforgivable. The hatred in my heart burns only for her" The Dragon roared, shaking the trees for miles.

"What may we call you?" Syl asked.

"Arranthian" The Dragon smiled, and roared into the air once more, birds fled the forest. "I will fly you to Avadey Docks, once there you will have to make your own way to the City of Darkness, I have matters to attend to, but I will be there to lend you aid when you are in need of it" Arranthian explained.

"Thank you, Arranthian" Seb knelt before Arranthian. The Dragon chuckled loudly and bowed his head so that both Syl and Seb could climb aboard. He then ran toward the forest and began moving his colossal wings before jumping into the air with force and flying high above the world below.

Seb and Syl couldn't believe their eyes as the saw the whole of the Thousand Pine Forest, stretched out for miles and miles. Arranthian roared with glee, happy to have finally made contact with mankind once more. He banked to the left then glided over the ocean, below dolphins jumped out of the water, following the giant shadow of the dragon.

Across the vast dark ocean, the three of them flew onward, toward revenge and salvation. The Dragon, The Child of the Moon and The Survivor of Terrana.