The Desert World

Rating: Not too bad, fighting, cussing, and some minor fluff.

A/N: Enjoy the story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was quiet… too quiet. Luka lowered his book down and looked over the back of the couch, the house was empty. Where was everyone? Placing the book down, he got up and looked around the house. It was a guest house that Shasa had set up for them. He gave an irritated sigh as he remembered was she had told him.

~~~
“You are not to leave this house without someone with you.” She said as she was walking out of the house, “I don’t need something like last time happening.”

“Wasn’t my fault.” Luka mumbled.

Shasa turned and gave him a dark look, he backed up. “I mean it.”
~~~

Luka pushed a door open and stopped; he leaned against the door frame. Dryden was stretched out on a bed; his right arm was wrapped around the pillow under his head while the other hung over the edge of the bed. Every now and then his hand would twitch; Luka walked over and sat on the floor at the end of the bed. He had his arms folded and resting on the bed, tipping his head to the side he smiled.

Dryden pulled the pillow over his head and mumbled something. He lifted the pillow up and glanced at Luka, “It’s really hard to sleep when yer staring.”

“But it is fun watching you sleep.”

The blunette let the pillow cover his head as he sighed. He tried to go back to sleep, picking the pillow back up he couldn’t see Luka.

Luka poked the pillow and Dryden moved it fully away from his head, “What?” The man in front of him was knelt on the floor and he was grinning. “Luka!” He could hear the warning in his voice.

“I’m not doing anything wrong.”

Dryden rolled over his back faced him, he poked his back. “What?”

“It’s noon why are you sleeping?”

“No I’m not going anywhere.”

“It really sucks when you do that.”

He rolled back over and looked at Luka, “Where do you want to go?”

“Home.”

“Luka… you can wait till the end of the week.”

“No I can’t,” he placed his hands together and lowered his head, “please!”

“No!”

“But.”

“No.”

“I…”

“No.”

Luka opened his mouth.

“No.”

He let his head drop onto the bed, “I can’t even leave the house.”

Dryden placed his hand on his head; Luka placed his hands on Dryden's hand. “It’s only a week.”

“I know.”

“It won’t be that bad.”

“I hope.”

They sat there till Dryden heard the front door open and Demi came running in shouting, “Hilfe(1)!” He shot into the room and dove under the bed. Luka jumped back and both of them looked under the bed. Demi was in the corner and shaking. Dryden sighed and got on the floor, he was halfway under the bed when something touched his leg. He hit the underneath of the bed and pushing himself out he sat up.

“What the hell?!”

Luka held his hands up, “Wasn’t me!”

“Sorry.” Nico held his hand up, “It was Skip.”

“Who the hell is Skip?” He pointed at Dryden’s side.

“That’s Skip.”

He turned and found a white seal looking at him, “Okay.”

“He’s a different type of seal, he hasn’t lost his fur yet.” Nico walked over and picked him up, “Plus he hasn’t grown that much. I saved Skip from some hunters.” Skip jumped from his arms and flopped on the ground, he climbed under the bed. Demi hit the bed and quickly climbed out from under it, Dryden grabbed him before he could run out the door.

“Whoa, Demi it won’t hurt ya.”

Demi watched as Skip came out from under the bed, it bumped into his leg and he jumped a little. “Okay you can go up against things that could kill you but you’re afraid of a seal.” Luka scratched the side of his head. “I don’t get it.”

Dryden sighed as Demi relaxed and he let go of him. “He’s never seen a seal,” he knelt down and looked at it, “and neither have I.” He ran a hand over Skip’s head and smiled. “He’s soft.”

Luka crouched as he ran a hand over the seal’s head, he glanced up at Nico. “What do you mean by hunters?”

“What you haven’t heard, there’s a price for every half-breed caught. The hunters were here trying to clear out most of them but Shasa stopped them.”

Dryden’s hand stopped, “What about…”

He felt a hand on his back, “Don’t worry Randy will keep an eye on them.”

“And you?”

“Come on if they couldn’t catch me before what makes you think they’ll get me now.”

“You never know.”

Demi poked the seal and it turned to look at him, “Fuzzy.”

Nico looked out the window, “Crap I forgot, he’s going to tie me up by my feet.”

“What is it?”

“I’ve got lunch shift, but Demi flipped out when a whale passed over the dome.”

“It was a whale.”

Demi held his arms out to his side, “This big.” Dryden ruffled his hair and smiled.

“Don’t worry it can’t get in.”

The wolf boy sat down and tugged on his ears then he stopped. “Ears.” He pointed at Dryden.

Before Dryden could do anything Luka grabbed one and rubbed it. “Wow it feels soft.” Dryden jerked away and covered them.

“No touchy!” Luka glanced behind Dryden.

“Your tail is out.” He pulled Luka around and pushed him on the bed.

“No!”

Demi jumped up and looked at them. “We leave now.” He grabbed Nico and Skip followed after them.

Dryden turned to leave when Luka grabbed and held onto him. “What so wrong with touching your ears?”

“Nothing!” He huffed and folded his arms. Dryden yelped when he pulled him down onto his lap. “Luka!” The blunette struggled and Luka let him go. “No.” walking over to the door he stopped and looked at him, Luka looked like a puppy that just got kicked. Turning he walked back over to him.

Luka glanced up at Dryden, “I know. You don’t like your ears and tail.” Dryden sighed and sat down next to him.

“Let’s go somewhere. Show me around, ya know the places you and yer mom went to.” Luka turned to him and smiled. “Let’s get out of this house and before ya know it we’ll be back at our home and in our bed.” He looked at the bed he was setting on, “This one is too small.”

“Okay I get it.” Luka wrapped his arm around Dryden’s waist and pulling him against his side, he kissed his forehead. The sliver band was still there and he smiled. “How about tonight?”

“Luka.”

“Please.” He nuzzled Dryden’s neck. Dryden sighed and moved away, he had stood up and walked out the door. The red head sighed, “Damn.”

Looking back into the room, “Maybe tonight, now come on!”

“Okay!” Luka followed after him. Once outside he wrapped his arms around Dryden’s shoulders from behind and kissed his cheek. “Love you.”

Dryden smiled and rubbed his arms as he tipped his head back. “You tell me every day.”

“Because it’s true and I want to tell you every day.” He started laughing as Luka nuzzled his neck. “So I’m going to keep on telling you for as long as you want.”

“I’d love that.” Turning around Dryden leaned up and kissed him. “I think people are staring now.”

Luka chuckled, “Let them stare.” He grabbed Dryden’s hand. “I’ll show you the best place to eat.”
^^^^

Mark walked down the one of the halls in the Main Tree. He was pulled a cart full of tools behind him. Jaden had asked him to get his tools as he ran to check on his sister, she was sick with the flu. So here he was pulling a cart full of tools behind him. At least he could keep his mind off of all that buzzing in his head.

He stopped at a fork in the hallway and sighed, ‘Great… which way do I go?’ Letting go of the cart he dug in his pockets and started flipping out. ‘Oh shit! I lost it!’

Looking at the two halls, he sighed and then nodded. ‘Left’

He walked behind the cart and started to push it up the slightly inclining hallway. “…rk…”

Mark stopped and looked around, he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. ‘What was that?!’ Turning around he saw no one and there was no one around. He pushed the cart, his senses were on high.

“…ark…” It was a soft whisper he looked around as he pushed the cart faster.

Mark just wanted to get to where Jaden was at.

“…Mark…” He froze, something was behind him. Slowly turning around he stopped, standing a hundred feet from him was a dark figure. The boy turned and ran leaving the cart, he’ll get Jaden to get the cart. The lights went out and he ran faster. Then he hit something hard stumbling back he looked up and paled even more. The figure grinned, its red eyes glinting in the dark. Then it grabbed his left arm a searing sensation shot through his arm.

He clawed at the hand as he dropped to the ground, it hurt. It felt like someone was pouring scorching hot water down his arm. Then it stopped, his arm fell to his side and he looked up. What was going on? A hand touched his forehead and he blacked out.
^^^

“Help!” Luka sat up.

Dryden jerked awake and quickly sat up, “What is it?”

The door opened to the room, Demi and Shasa were standing there. Shasa had a wooden stick in her hands and was ready to kick ass.

They looked around, only to find Dryden trying to calm Luka down. “What happened?”

“I don’t know!” Luka was shaking and then he slumped over against Dryden. “Luka, what’s wrong?” He placed his hand against Luka’s forehead and quickly pushed him down. “Get something cold he’s burning up.” Dryden climbed out of the bed and quickly pulled the thick blanket off of him.

Demi ran up to him with a bowl of lukewarm water. “Will help.”

“Thanks Demi.” He dipped the cloth in the water.

Shasa walked over, “I’ll go get a doctor.”

Liam ran in after Shasa left, “What’s going on?”

“Luka’s got a fever, I think he passed out.” Placing the cloth on Luka’s forehead he pulled a thin blanket over him. “Come on Luka.” He lightly touched his face, it was hot. “I need to know what’s wrong.”

Walking over Liam placed his hand on Dryden’s shoulder, “He’ll be fine. The fever will be gone in a few days.”

“Are you sure?”

Liam nodded, “It happens every now and then but he’ll get better.”

“I’m not use to this.” Demi whimper as he looked at Dryden’s upset face, he laid his ears back and tugged on his shirt. Dryden looked down at him.

“Luka get better.” He smiled and hugged Demi. “Dryden not heiter(2)?”

“I’ll be happy once he’s awake.” Sitting down on the bed he ran his hand through his hair. It was matted with sweat.

Shasa ran into the room with a doctor following behind her. He looked at Luka and nodded, “I’ll need you all to leave.” Dryden didn’t move when everyone else did.

“I’m not leaving!”

The doctor sighed and pointed at a wall, “Then stand over there.”

Minuets passed as the doctor checked Luka. He didn’t take his eyes off of him for one second, “Well, he’ll be fine.” Dryden blinked and looked at the doctor. “It’s just the flu, brought on by stress, lack of sleep, and over working himself.” He closed his bag. “Bed rest till the fever is gone.”

“I’ll make sure.” The doctor nodded and left. Dryden picked the cloth up off of his head and soaked it in the bowl of lukewarm water. He placed back on his forehead and looked up when Liam walked in.

“When he wakes up give this to him and he needs to drink plenty of cool liquids.” Dryden took the pack of medicine from him and nodded as he sat down. “You should get some rest while waiting.”

“I can’t sleep next to him.”

“Why not?”

“My body temp is too high for him, I could make it worse.” He rested his back against the bed side table and smiled, “I’ll be fine.”

“Well Demi is sitting outside the door and I’ll be in my room, if anything happens just shout.”

“I will.” Liam walked out of the room and Dryden sighed, he reached to run his hand over Luka’s only to stop before his hand touched. “What is going on?”
^^^

“Mark!” He slowly came to as someone shook him. “Mark!!!” His eyes slowly opened up to see Jaden and strongly built man leaning over him. The man had short dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. “Randy do you think he’s…” Randy was a bear demon that lived on the edge of the city in a wooden house. The man took in kids who were left in the woods or watched kids for parents who have to leave to go somewhere.

“No. Mark, get up.” Randy shook him and sighed when he closed his eyes. “Mark.” His voice was deep and rough as he spoke. “Get a hold of Dryden. Tell no one but him, I’ll take him back to the house.” Jaden quickly ran off down the hallway as Randy picked Mark up. When he stood he was tall, taller than Luka at six foot nine inches. He gently wrapped Mark in his jacket and hurried down the hall. Someone had found the boy down the hall out cold, the cart was left abandoned fifty feet from his body. “Mark, you need to stay awake.”

Mark’s left arm twitched, as he opened his eyes. He moved his left arm and looked at it, nothing was wrong. But it didn’t feel right.

“Can you walk on your feet?”

He nodded and Randy sat him down, pulling on the jacket he covered his arm. They both walked down the hall and Mark grabbed the cart as they walked by. Was it just a dream or did that really happen.

“Tell no one what happened.”

Mark looked at him and gave a nod.

Randy ruffled his hair, “You’ll be fine.” He looked at Randy and smiled. After losing his wife and kids he decided to help out those who needed it. “Zane and Fayt are worried about you.”

Of course Zane would know what happened the boy and he shared a mental link. Mark ran a hand over his arm, it was cold. What was going on? He heard someone laugh and he spun around the cart bumped into him as he looked around. The dark figure was standing in the hall and that was when he realized that hall… that hall lead to the treasure room.

“Mark?” He looked at Randy and then looked back at the hall, the figure was gone. Randy looked at the hall and looked at Mark. Something had scared the boy and he placed his hand on his shoulder. “Come on lets go.”

They walked away from the hallway. Something told him that the dark figure was somehow related to the box and his dead father.
^^^^^

Dryden woke up when he heard a sound. He looked over to find Luka trying to stand up, “If ya stand up I won’t be able to catch you if ya fall.” Luka looked over at him and shook his head.

“So you let me fall and hit my head?”

“If it’ll knock some sense in yer head, then yeah.”

“You can be mean sometimes.”

The blunette stood up and placed his hand against Luka’s forehead. “Yer still too warm. The doctor told us that you are to stay in bed till yer better. You should be glad yer missing the funeral.”

“Really!”

“Don’t be happy about it!” He picked up the pill packet and handed it to him. “Do ya know how hard it is to wake ya when yer sick?”

Luka popped them out of the packet and swallowed them dry. “You have any water?” Dryden handed him a cup and Luka quickly drank his water.

“You were out of it for two days.” He reached out and grabbed Dryden’s hand. “Before ya passed out you shouted for help.” The small male covered his hand and knelt down in front of him. “Luka what were you dreaming that night?” Luka glanced away and Dryden reached up, “Yer hiding something.” Dryden let go of his hand and sighed, standing up he turned away.

‘Here it comes.’

Turning back around he looked at him, but he didn’t say anything. He stood there staring at him, “Till the fever drops I won’t be able to sleep with ya in the same bed. My body lets off to much heat for someone with a fever.”

“So where will you be sleeping?”

“Dunno. Floor or couch.”

“Oh okay.”

“Luka…”

“It was a bad dream that’s all it was. A very bad dream.” He ran a hand through his hair and Dryden grabbed his hand, “What?”

“Ya say that but cha’ya don’t think it.”

“All that just from one movement.”

“What did ya dream of?”

“Do you really want to know?”

Dryden was in front of him, “Tell me what it is that ya saw?”

Luka sighed and let his head drop, “A black dragon and a person running down a hall. Then there was an egg, a black one. I’ve seen it…” He looked up at Dryden. “I stole it.”

He watched as Dryden turned away, his face was blank. “Where is it?”

“I gave it to dad.”

“Luka, where is the egg?”

“In the vault.”

“Where is the vault?”

“In the Main Tree.” He watched as Dryden walked toward the door. “Dryden what is going on?” Stupidly he stood up to fast and then he tipped. Dryden grabbed the back of his shirt, “That was close.”

He let go and Luka fell the three inches on to the floor. “I’m going to get yer father. That egg was supposed to stay sealed away.”

“Why?”

“Four dragons together calls the fifth and ya don’t want the fifth to visit.”

“What’s so bad about this black egg?”

“If it hatches then it will search out the last known descendent and try to take over that body.” Luka looked up at him from the floor.

“Then you might want to get there soon.”

Dryden turned to see Liam standing in the door way, a letter in his hand and a bird on his shoulder. “Why?”

“Mark collapsed in the hallway that leads to the vault.” The small male walked over and grabbed the note out of his hand. “Jaden also wrote that he keeps holding his arm and something happened after we left. Found him in the room with the egg the boy looked like he saw a ghost.”

“I’ve got to get there.”

Luka pushed himself up, “I’m coming with!”

“No!” He blinked at the harsh reply.

“And why not?”

“Yer sick.”

“You’re carrying a child.”

“Don’t start. Mark could be the descendent and with him near…”

“The chances of it hatching are high right?”

Dryden nodded at what Liam said, “Since I was young, I was taught that the black egg is the last key. I need to take it back to where it was hidden and seal it.”

“You’re not going alone!” Luka yelled as Dryden left the room.

“Then get better!”

Liam chuckled and looked at Luka, “I would have said it was a normal flu, but…”

“I know, I know!” He slowly stood up and walked over to the bed, he fell face first into the mattress. “This sucks ass! Mother has an evil sense of humor.”

“So do you.” Dryden walked back in and dropped his bags on the floor. When Luka looked closer he noticed that his bag where in with the rest. “As soon as we get there you are getting into bed and I don’t want ya to move till yer better!”

“Yes sir!”

Dryden rolled his eyes as he started to pull cloths out and place them inside the bags. He walked over to the window and opening it he pulled out a dog whistle. “We’re leaving once Demi gets here.” He blew the whistle and then closed the window, “We’ll meet ya at the city.”

Liam sighed, “I can’t believe your getting out of this.” The blunette picked the bags up and walked out of the room, “I’ll help you with those.”

Luka slowly stood up and moved over to the door. Everything was going fine, so why is everything going south?
^^^^^^

Mark looked around, it was dark out and he knew no one would be around. He quickly ran over to the hallway and slipped under the ropes. The door was at the end of the hallway, all he had to do was get in and find out what was in that box. Once at the door he reached out to grab the handle only to have it open up by itself.

He walked in and moved around the items, it was dark in the room but he was able to see well in the dark. The blonde pushed open a door and found the room with the box. Walk into the room he was knocked down. When he looked up the dark figure was looking down at him. It grinned and leaned down, grabbing his chin, “The little dragon came to me… how nice.”

The burning pain shot up his arm and he jerked away from it. ‘What was it?’

“What you haven’t figured it out?” It grabbed his arm and pulled him close. “Did you forget what daddy taught you?”

Mark tried to pry its hand off of his arm. ‘Hurts!’ He bit down on the hand and the figure howled in pain. Turning he scrambled towards the door.

“No you don’t!” It grabbed Mark and hung him upside down. “Your mine.” Mark swung up and slammed his forehead into its chin. The dark figure dropped him and growled as he scooted back away from it. His back bumped into the podium just as the dark figure snarled and sent a wave of energy at him. Both he and the podium hit the wall and the box pop opened. The cloth wrapped item fell out and rolled across the floor towards him. They watched as it rolled and it bumped Mark’s leg.

An image popped into his head, it was his father fighting someone to protect something. “Help me!” The dark figure dove for it and he scooped it up and ran out of the room.

“You little brat, give that to me!”

He ran around a corner and almost ran into the dark figure. Mark backed up and clutched the item closer to himself, he shook his head. Turning he ran, slid around a corner and somehow managed to squeeze into a small area. The dark figure ran past and Mark curled around the item. He wanted to help but he wasn’t strong enough, he couldn’t do it alone. ‘Dad help!’

The cloth caught on fire and Mark almost dropped it. When he realized it wasn’t burning him he watched as black fire consumed the cloth. When it was done an onyx egg was in his arms, he held it close to himself. ‘Just like dad, I’ll protect you.’ Then the egg caught on fire and he watched as it slowly became another form only to change and then disappear. He looked at his hands and his eyes widen. The egg vanished, how was he going to explain this to Dryden?

“Found you!” Mark jumped and then he looked over to see the dark figure. It grabbed him and pulled him out. “Now where is…” it sniffed him, “you fucking absorbed it!” Black fire engulfed the dark figure’s hand. “I was going to let you live so I could use your body but I’ll just find another one.”

Mark’s eyes went wide and he tossed his arms up. The lights came on and the last thing he saw was Jaden, Randy, and Ari in the doorway when everything disappeared. He blinked and saw trees. Then he was falling.

The small boy blacked out as he crashed into something and then it went dark.
^^^

Jaden was pointing at what he saw, “That thing tried to kill Mark.” The figure disappeared and Randy turned to Ari.

“Dryden.”

Ari was about to say something when Jaden yelled again, “Mark just disappeared and so did whatever that thing was!”

“Jaden!”

“What?!”

“Calm the fuck down. You two look around the city make sure he didn’t jump somewhere he shouldn’t be.” Ari was rubbing her forehead. “I’ll send Darian to find Dryden.”

“Why not Zachariah?”

“He and Troy have their own opinions about the boy.”

“We’ll be going now.” Randy grabbed Jaden and pulled him along. Ari walked into the vault like room and looked around, when she found the open door she looked in to find the place trashed.

“Fuck the eggs gone.”
^^^^^

Mark came too with someone looking down at him, he sat up and his head collided with the other person’s. “Ow!” His eyes watered from the pain as he looked over, Luka was holding his head

“If Luka’s here…” He scrambled onto his feet and looked around. They were in a clearing and Luka was the only one there. Where was Dryden?

“Yes I’m here; he went to get some food for you.” Luka was rubbing his head. “Damn you have a hard head.” Mark looked at him and Luka stopped. “You can’t talk, so how did you… I…”

“It because he’s now half Black Dragon and half Blood Draco.” Luka and Mark looked over at Dryden. Mark waved his arms and Dryden chuckled. He dropped two dead rabbits wrapped up in a cloth onto the ground. Dryden tapped his head, “You can talk with us like you do Zane. The black egg gives you the mental and dark powers.”

He looked at both of them and smiled, but that smile dropped when he saw the dark figure in the bushes. Dryden turned around to see what Mark was looking at. “Dryden?” Luka was glancing around him. “What do you see?”

“Nothing.” Mark slowly backed up and Dryden looked back at him. “Mark you need to eat something before you drop on the ground.” He sat down and started to skin and gut the rabbit, when the smell hit Mark’s nose his stomach growled. Luka glanced at him and slowly moved away, “Luka!”

“What his stomach sounded like a wild animal.”

Mark stuck his tongue out at him and Luka gave him a glowering look. “Will you two stop fighting like children?!” He looked at both of them.

“He started it.”

“I’m finishing it!” He pulled out a skewer and placed one of the rabbits on it. Then he placed it over the fire. Grabbing the other rabbit he pulled some meat off of it and washed it off. “I don’t need to hear you two fighting as we head home and you need to tell me how you ended up falling from the sky.”

Mark growled and looked away. He knew he would have to tell them sooner or later. The blunette placed a piece of meat on another skewer and held it over the fire. The boy waved his hand and Dryden pulled the piece of meat off and placed it on a plate. He did this nine more times and then handed the slightly cooked meat to Mark. He sniffed it and looked at Dryden.

“If your father can do it, then so can you.”

He sighed and picked a piece up, Luka gagged and ran over to a bush. Mark looked at Dryden, he pointed at Luka.

“He’s getting over the flu, the idiot wouldn’t stay behind.” Dryden stood up, “He should be better in the morning.”

“Demi?”

“He’s getting food for himself.” He stopped and looked at Mark. “We also have one more in our little group.” The small male walked over to Luka and knelt next to him.

Mark nodded and he looked at the strip of meat in his hand. He quickly ate it and the rest, if he ate it fast enough then his body wouldn’t try to get rid of it. One day he would be like his dad, one of the few Blood Dracos, who could eat fully cooked meat without getting sick.

He looked up and saw the dark figure still staring at him. There would be no way for him to get it; he’ll make sure of it. Mark could feel his left arm grow warm; he’d fight to the bitter end just like his dad.

Dryden looked over at Mark as he rubbed Luka’s back. Something big is going to happen. He smirked; he dared someone to hurt Mark. It would just give him a reason to fight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(1) Hilfe! = Help!
(2) heiter = happy

And it’s done! Yes! Holy crap! Sorry about that I got this really cool idea for a drawing and the down side is that it’s too big for the scanner. Sigh and I’ve been working on that while working on this and a short… very short story. Tell me what you think.