Chapter Nineteen

The battle with the dragon and through the portal�

The room echoed with a devastating roar from the dragon as it strutted out from within its cage. Its head swayed back and forth as it looked from side to side, surveying the area with its sense of smell more then sight. The dragon's massive jaws then came open as it let out another earsplitting roar, its gaze locking onto the three girls.
However not one of the girls wavered their gaze as they stood before this horrific creature with resolve. Tygra looked to Jade, her voice shook slightly with fear yet powered with determination. "Where's the stone?"
Jade raised her hand towards the dragon. "There." The two girls looked up to the dragon's gaze. "You see how its left eye is red? That's because its pupil is the stone." Her hand lowered to her side. "If we want the stone, we have to defeat this dragon."
The girls stood at a standstill with this horrific beast as they stared at one another; the group of girls and the dragon. Smoke seeped from the creature's nostrils as it opened its mouth revealing its large carnivorous teeth.
Jade's eyes widened. "Get down!" She stepped back tugging down on the girls arms. "Now!"
The three dropped to the floor just as the dragon breathed fire out over their heads. The spray seemed to last a lifetime as the girls stooped down for fear of being set ablaze. Once the creature discontinued its assault, Tygra jumped to her feet and with a few quick strides towards the creature she brought back her left hand gathering the moisture from within the air, forming a stream of water. The liquid curled up into a large ball hovering above her hand and as the dragon opened its mouth for another attack, Tygra threw her gathered water filled with her energy and threw it. Just as the flames began to come from the creature's mouth, the ball of water connected with them, turning the roaring blaze into nothing more then hissing steam. The ball forced its way through the flames extinguishing them at the source; the dragon's mouth.
The dragon's head jutted back from the force of Tygra's attack causing the creature to leap back on its hind legs. Its head moved from side to side as water and steam streamed from its mouth and nostrils. The creature landed back on all fours, shaking the floor beneath the girls' very feet. Its eyes glared furiously at Tygra, the one who caused it such discomfort, and reared back its head opening its mouth wide, readying itself to spew its scorching flames on her, yet nothing came. The dragon moved back slightly, seemingly baffled on what was happening.
"Good job." Jade said approvingly looking to Tygra. "Now this should go a little easier."
"That was the plan." Tygra said giddily. Though this was her first real battle she wasn't as scared as she thought she would be. In fact, she never felt more alive. She held out her left hand gathering whatever energy she could and within seconds a hilt with a lengthy sharp blade, the steel curved ever so slightly, appeared within her grasp.
Star's eyes widened as she looked to the sword Tygra summoned to her side. "I didn't know you could do that!"
Tygra looked to the sword. "Oh, I learned this from Drake." She smiled slyly. "I figured that I could learn something from him while I was with him."
Jade shook her head in approval. Maybe her being taken by Drake wasn't such a bad idea…not if she could steal some of his tricks. She turned her gaze back to the dragon; it stepped towards them. She sucked in a deep breath, "Get ready!" and took off running directly towards the dragon at full speed, her figure nearly a black streak before them.
Tygra looked to Star. "You ready?"
Star glanced down to the blade held within her grasp, nodding briefly before looking back up to the dragon. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Jade slowed her pace once close enough to the dragon. Its gaze locked onto her as it stepped back in surprise of her sudden appearance. The dragon then raised its right arm, the razor-sharp talons angled downward to strike Jade with any given opportunity. Jade eyed the beast just as it watched her; both waiting for the other to make a move. The creature however wasn't as patient as Jade and brought down it claws is one swift downward motion. Jade sneered as she dove off to the side, the dragon's talons embedding themselves into the stone floor. The dragon tugged gruffly on it arm to pull itself free but to no prevail.
The beast turned its head to the sound of hastened footsteps, seeing Tygra and Star rushing towards it each ready to carry out the final blow. Though Star was quick footed Tygra was considerably faster with her light weight weapon and bolted out before her sister and jumped, bringing her blade down and buried it deeply into the dragon's chest.
Tygra backed away from the creature as it sputtered in pain, glaring angrily and accusingly at her as it lowered itself to the floor panting laboriously from its punctured lung.
Jade walked up to the side of the dragon's head, watching the creature carefully as it began to breathe its last breath. "Good job." She then dug her hand into the dragon's left eye. The dragon cried out agonizingly before allowing its head to fall back to the floor with a devastating thud as Jade pulled out what looked to be a pebble from its reddened eye.
Star stopped dead at the sight, cringing her nose at the sight of Jade's blood covered arm and hand. "That's…so sick…"
Jade looked to her briefly, "It was necessary," she stated then held up the pebble within her grasp. "This is the jewel in which we need."
After a moment of silence Tygra took a step towards Jade. "So, now that we have the jewel, where is this portal you spoke of?"
Jade pointed back with her blood covered hand towards where the dragon had initially come. "It is back there in the other room"
The three girls walked towards the back of the room to where there was a separate section of the room. In this section was a platform in the back of the room. An archway was set before it; a clear gem adorn in its center.
Star looked to the platform doubtfully. "How's it work?"
Jade walked towards the platform. "It is powered by magic." She looked back to the two girls confidently. "This tower was originally built as a household for Lecriema's followers. The room above this room was the original holding place for the Lecrimian's Jewel, until Drake took over." She sighed before continuing to walk towards the platform. "Anyway, we must hurry; otherwise all of your troubles will be for nothing."
The girls followed after Jade towards the platform and watched as she raised the jewel out before her. The clear gem embroidered within the archway began to shine, resonating with the jewel within her hand. Jade then stepped onto the platform and turned back to the girls. After a few quick strides the two girls joined Jade on the platform.
Star looked around briefly. "What do we do now?"
Jade merely smiled as she clenched her hand over the jewel. The gem grew an even brighter shade, nearly blinding the girls with its intensity. A few moments past before the girls were able to regain the use of their eyes.
The three found themselves now in a completely different room. On either side of the room were statue of a dragon, much like the ones on the wooden doors they had initially entered from. The two were reaching out above the center of the room and in their talon grasp was a sphere with the patterns of green and blue; the earth. Directly below the sphere was a white alter, made of marble, just as the rest of the room.
“I’ve forgotten how beautiful this room was.” Jade sincerely said walking over towards the alter. She ran her fingers over its shiny surface. "Strange…" she looked back to the girls who had made their way over to the alter as well. "I was expecting Drake to be here, waiting for us."
“I’m sure it’s nothing." Tygra said in a reassuring tone. "You're just nervous because we haven't much time left at the moment to complete this spell."
"You’re right. I’m sure you're right. I must just be paranoid. My long journey is so close to being finished.” For the first time, Jade allowed a trace of happiness cross her face surprising the two girls. They had rarely seen her smile and when she had, it just didn't seem to fit her. This smile however, it just seemed so...natural
“Hey, Jade?” Tygra questioned, grasping her attention.
“Yes?”
“After we’re finished, why don’t you tell us about how you know this place?”
“I-I’ll think about.” Jade said, and then promptly changed the subject. “Ok. Tygra, give me your necklace.”
Tygra took removed the necklace from around her neck and handed it to her. Jade did so as well with her necklace before placing the two together on top of the alter and placed the jewel over the necklaces.
“It doesn’t fit!” Star exclaimed stunned.
“No. I need you and Tygra to make it fit.” Jade explained.
“How?” Tygra asked looking down to the necklaces and jewel.
“Tygra, go on the right side of the alter. Star, go on the left.” Jade ordered.
As they went to their designated places, Jade walked behind the alter and faced them both. She took the spell out of her belt. “Can you see this?”
“Yes.” Tygra said looking contently at the spell.
“Wait a minute! I thought Drake had that!” Star exclaimed. “How did you get it back?”
“Well, you know when he first attacked me but didn’t realize I was there? I took that opportunity to take it then.”
“But wasn’t it inside his vest? How did you get it without him noticing?” Star asked pressing the issue.
“It’s the technique of a thief, isn’t it Jade?” Tygra questioned slyly.
“Ok, enough. We don’t have time for this.” She looked to both Tygra and Star. “Alright, both of you put your hands over the necklaces, then say coalesce.
They both placed their hands over the necklaces as they were told.
“Coalesce.” They said together; their voices seeming to be has one.
The necklaces soon began to glow along with the jewel. Then the three pieces began to form together as one.
“Whoa.” Star said in amazement not being able to believe her eyes. I might as well believe it…after everything that has happened, I'd be crazy not to…
The necklace was finished in a matter of seconds. The two pentacles have merged into one, forming a perfect ten-point star, with a single red gem in the center.
Jade picked up the necklace and placing it around her neck and clasping it in the back. "Finally…" She then looked up only to see Drake come up from behind Tygra.
Before she could say anything, he grabbed her, holding a dagger to her throat. “I'm sorry but I can't allow you to finish this quest of yours" He tightened his grip around Tygra's waist as she struggled against his grasp.
"Drake don't-!"
“Say goodbye, Tygra.” he said in a cold playful voice. He then kissed her on the cheek, only seconds before slicing her throat.