The Desert World

Rating: Blood X3

A/N: This one is a little rocky at the end and the beginning… maybe the whole thing… I don’t know. Enjoy!
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‘Why?’ The woman hung from the beam.

‘Why?’ Coty, Zane, and Fate; they were his family. It grew dark and he found himself in a small room. There was a dark brown table and a matching chair. Both were small enough for him.

Tears fell from his eyes as his body shook. He felt something wrap around him and he looked over his shoulder. A thin black dragon wrapped around him its head draped over his shoulder.

“Why are you crying?” He shook his head. “Well, are you going to tell Kyne?”

“A…h…?” His eyes widened. “Wha…” It cracked and he started coughing.

“Silly boy. We’re in your mind. Here you still have your voice.”

“But…”

The small dragon nudged his head and Mark rubbed at his eyes. “Kyne is helping out by giving you the strength and you’re crying. Why?”

“Because they always get hurt.”

“Everything looks fine to Kyne.”

“Huh?” A window appeared and he walked over. His eyes widened, “No. No. No!” The older brother was looking up at him fear clearly etched on his face. A back clawed hand was wrapped around the man throat and he could see the blood. “Stop, don’t kill him!”

“Kyne don’t understand. Wasn’t he trying to kill you and your friends?” Mark moved away from the window.

“Stop it.”

The small dragon unwrapped itself from him and it looked at him, “If you wish it.” He run to the window and the dragon grinned. The man was all ready dead.

His body shook and he gripped his head with his hands, his eyes were squeezed shut. “No! Damn it NO!” The room dissolved and he found himself looking at the dead man. His neck was crushed and ripped open. He stumbled back and he looked down at his arm it was back to normal but the blood was still there. “Why!?”

A hand fell on his shoulder and he froze. “Mark.”

Looking over his shoulder he found Dryden looking down at him. A battered Randy was looking at him. He moved away only to trip over the body and landed in the blood. A blade point appeared at his neck and he looked up to see Dryden. His eyes were dark and cold, “Where’s Zane?” He turned his head and pointed at the brush next to the tree. “Don’t move.” The blond sat there he didn’t move he didn’t even breath. He had broken that one rule.

‘What have I done?’

Just then Randy grunted out, “What the hell happened here?”

“Tell no one what happened here.” He looked up at the tree. “That goes for you too Coty.”

The white haired male dropped to the ground and Mark quickly looked over where he last saw him. But his body was gone. “If you want me to tell you what happened I will.”

“No need. I’ve seen enough.” He picked up Zane and Coty grabbed Fayt. He handed Zane off to Randy as he walked over to Mark. The blond shook as he got closer. Looking down he found he was covered in the blood.

‘It’s only fair. I was giving two major rules to follow and I broke one.’

Those feet stopped outside his line of vision and he jumped when one of Dryden’s blades slammed into the ground in front of him. “Mark.” He looked up and Dryden stared at him. The next thing he did shocked him. Dryden had dropped to his knees and pulled him into a hug. He didn’t understand, the tears filled his eyes and dripped down his face. He had killed someone, he had… his stomach lurched and he pushed Dryden away as everything he had eaten that morning came back up.

A hand rubbed his back as he coughed and shook. “Get everything rounded up we’re leaving.” He didn’t move from Mark’s side as his body shook and tears silently trailed down his face. “We’re going to have a long talk. Now.” He hulled the boy to his feet and half dragged him towards the sound of running water.

“Dryden, where are you going?”

“Get back to the city I’m going to take care of this.”

Coty was sitting with the small boys in his arms. He was tired it had taken a lot to keep his flame dummy from burning out. Randy was picking the camping supplies up and placing them in the bag. “Think of Zane first before you do anything rash.” He watched as Dryden snagged Mark’s bag from Randy.

The two made their way to the large but shallow creek. Once there he tossed Mark into the water. The blond looked up at him and he felt very small at the moment. “I gave ya two things to follow.”

His head slumped forward and he shook. “I didn’t mean to.”

“Too late.” He flinched and looked at his distorted reflection in the water. The black horns were still there, great now they’ll never leave him alone. Dryden sat on a rock and looked at the boy. “Get cleaned up.”

Mark looked up at him. What was going on? “But…”

“Yer covered in blood. Get cleaned.” He turned and pulled out some clean clothes for Mark.

What just happened? The boy pulled his shirts off and then his pants. His clothes were cover in the blood and he gripped them. Why?

“Catch.” He caught the soap and looked at Dryden. “Wash up.” Then he stood and left him alone.
~~~~

The blond walked over to Dryden, his clean clothes on and a towel over his head. Looking up, Dryden saw Mark and he looked back at the fire. Mark’s blood soaked clothes were in there, burning. “I thought I’d never have to go through this.”

“I’m sorr-”

“Ya shouldn’t be.” He looked at the small boy. “Ya hungry?” He shook his head and Dryden gave a worried smile. “For all it’s worth, ya saved everyone. I don’t think I’d be able to fight them in my condition. Plus Luka would shit cats if he found out I tried to fight.” Mark pulled the towel down till it covered some of his face. “Mark ya broke one rule to keep another, so I’m not mad. Just don’t ever do it again.”

“It wasn’t me.”

“Then who was it?”

“Kyne.” Dryden looked away and sighed as he waved his hand over the fire. It died out and he pulled the towel up to look at Mark.

“Don’t ever do it again, yer lucky it was me and not Troy who found ya.”

“I understand.”

“I’m glad ya didn’t lose yer self. Come on let’s go home.”

Mark stood there confused, till Dryden stopped and looked back at him. He grabbed his bag and ran after him. He wasn’t stupid, Dryden was giving him a second chance and this time he wasn’t going to mess it up.
~~~~

The door creaked open and Dryden glanced around, Mark slipped in. He looked around and made a motion. Dryden sighed and slipped in; when the door clicked shut he turned around. “Well let’s get something to eat.”

The blond smiled and they walked into the kitchen. He let of a rush of air when he noticed that Luka wasn’t around. Right now he needed to take care of Mark. He pulled a plate out and Mark went to get something out of the freezer in the basement. When he came back up, Dryden turned to him. “Okay how much do ya want?” Mark looked up from the frozen meat and jumped back, the meat falling to the ground. “What is…? Luka’s behind me isn’t he?”

He slowly turned around; Luka had a smile on his face, his eyes closed. “Welcome home Dry~den.”

Randy stopped from knocking when he heard a shout and a crash. Zane looked up at him, the small child had a large squared band-aid on his forehead and a smaller one on his right cheek. They stood there till it was quite and then Zane opened the door. “Hello?”

They entered with caution and found Dryden tired to the table chair. He was glaring at someone in the kitchen. “I see Dryden, Luka you in here?”

“I’m in the kitchen with Mark.”

Zane ran into the kitchen and found Mark. He slid to a stop when he saw him. The blond grabbed the bowl from Luka and covered his head as he ran out of the kitchen past Zane. “Why is daddy tied up?”

“Remember when you got in trouble the other day?”

“Yeah.”

“Well daddy is in trouble. He’s in time out.”

There was a loud thud and they looked over to see Dryden had tipped backwards in the chair. Luka chuckled as the male let out a string of muffled curses and he knew Dryden was going to have his revenge later. “Is he okay?”

“He’s fine Randy.”

Mark came back out with a dark gray beanie on his head. They looked at him and he just sat at the table the bowl next to him.

Zane walked over and looked at Mark, “Is Mark okay?” He looked down at Zane and smiled. “I’ll take that this time but you have to tell me next time okay?”

He pat Zane on the head and nodded.
^^^^

Aiden grinned as he picked his kid up. He sat on the couch and held him up in the air. The small child started laughing and giggling. “Show mama you can fly.”

The small boy giggled and held his arms out as he was held up in the air. “Mama!”

Ari’s head popped out of the kitchen and Aiden blinked, “Did he?”

“I think he did.”

“He said it.

“Yep.”

Ari was standing next to them now, she took Kael from Aiden and she hugged the small child. “Mama!”

“Yes and you’re my little Kael.”

Aiden smiled and watched as she hummed while walking back into the kitchen. Kael was chanting Mama over and over again. “Now we have to get him to say Papa.”

“One word at a time Aiden.”

“I know.”

He smiled and looked over at the long bow on the wall.

“Aiden.” She walked out when he didn’t reply only to find him gone. “Aiden?” Looking at the wall she sighed, “He always does this.”

The arrow sailed through the air and slammed into the tree. His eyes were focused as he relaxed. How long has he done this and yet he could never understand why he was this good. Sighing he pulled out another arrow and notched it. He pulled the string back and released, it would have hit the tree if something didn’t fly out and knock it of course. “Luka!”

The grown male was perched up on some target barrels. “Yo!”

“Damn it.”

“Heh you always get pissed. You should know by now I’m going to knock at least one of them off course.” He shifted to the side as something shot past. “Just like I would dodge that. Besides what are you going to tell Dryden if you didn’t miss?”

“It was a rock. Worse it could do it give you a shiner.” He grabbed another arrow and notched it. “Besides what are you doing out here?”

“Looking for you.”

“Why?” There was a twang and thud.

“Don’t know.” He watched as the next arrow slammed into the tree. “Feels like we’re still kids when I sit here and watch.” Aiden lowered his bow and smiled.

“Are you talking about the first time we met or about when we had to go to practice?”

“Whenever.” Looking up he watched the night sky above him. The stars dotted the sky as there was another thud. “You still remember the first time we met?”

“Yeah.” He looked at him and shook his head. “An arrogant little brat who demanded to be best friends, then tried to outdo me in long distanced attacks.”

“Hey I tried.”

“And fail.”

“Wrong weapon.”

“Till you almost gave the teacher a concussion with your toy sword.”

“He moved at the wrong time.”

“How many daggers did you go through till you found the right ones?”

“Too many to count.” He muttered as he looked away.

Aiden looked at him and shook his head. He looked back at the tree and sighed. Walking over he pulled them out one at a time. “Luka?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks.”

He looked at him suspiciously, “For?”

“Everything. You’re a good friend.”

“Damn it Aiden if you keep talking like that you’ll make me cry.”

He started laughing, “You’re such a softy.”

“Bah… like hell.” Luka watched as he placed the arrows back in the sack he had and he picked it up. He slipped to the ground and walked after him. “Is everything alright?”

“Yeah I’ve just been thinking.”

“Uh-oh, that’s not a good thing.” The bow smacked him over the head and he yelped. “Damn it.”

“I’ve been thinking of something else.”

“Like?”

“Why was I left out in the middle of a forest?”

“Your thinking of that again, jeez, talk about staying in the past.”

“I just want to know why I was left there.”

“Who cares you have a family here. Remember Ari and Kael, along with everyone else.” Luka had his hands behind his head. “Besides, it wouldn’t be the same without you around to cook during the festivities.”

“Of course that would be the only reason for you.”

“Ouch man that stung. No I wouldn’t have the only person who can see me and not what I am.”

“There’s Dryden and Ari.”

“You’re my best friend. Plus I still have that arrow.” Aiden stopped and looked at him. He sighed and smiled as Luka grinned at him.

“Big dummy.” The two walked together in silence as images from the past filled their heads. Moments the two spent together doing things from nothing to anything that kept them entertained.

“Hey we’re going to be best friends okay!” Aiden looked at the kid in front of him. His small bow was sitting on the ground as he was trying to fix his arrows.

“Who are you?”

“The names Luka. What’s yours?”

Aiden picked an arrow up and held it out by the tip. “Aiden.” Luka grabbed the end of the arrow and grinned. “If you lose it I’ll stop being your best friend.”

“Deal”
^^^^

Kairu looked at the cave in front of them.

“The rumors say this is the place.” Rollin was scratching his arm where something bit him. “Even the village people won’t go near it.”

“I see. Let’s go.” They walked in and he growled out. “Will you quit scratching it’s annoying me.”

“You! I was the one bitten.” He grumbled as they walked further into the cave. It was dark and creepy as they walked and he kept waving his arms as he walked through a spider web. “Damn it that’s the tenth one. How long it this damn tunnel?!”

“We’re almost there.”

The tunnel stopped and opened up to a large underground cavern. When Rollin walked to the edge of the ledge they had walkout on, he gapped. A whole city stretched out beneath them. You could hear the liveliness of the city as it echoed throughout the cavern. There was even a large lake. He turned to Kairu, “Holy shit this is bigger than the Hidden City.”

“No this is the Hidden City. Yours was made to throw off people like thieves and bandits. An age old agreement between the two cities.”

Rollin watched as he walked over to some stairs. “Wait we’re going down there?”

“Yes, we have to find Raanan’s host.”

“Oh.” He quickly followed after and they made their way down into the city.
^^^^

Aiden smiled as he finished the plate of food and handed it to Dryden. “Here you go.”

“Thanks Aiden. Man that was one hell of a meeting. I don’t know who wanted to jump that damn guy more, me or Troy.”

“Bastard pisses me off.” Troy growled as he looked at Dryden. “Why did you hold me back?”

“Because we need him to think this place is safe for other Dragconian so that families can have other families from over there visit them.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” He ate the food and Troy looked away feeling stupid once again. A plate was sat in front of him and he started to eat.

The brunette chuckled and looked at the two. “I’m just glad you two have different eye colors. Do you know how tired I’d be from hearing Luka complain about someone pulling pranks on him?” The two grinned and Aiden gave a sigh. “Please don’t do anything stupid.”

“What us?”

The way they said it together scared Aiden a little. “Okay.” The door to the small food shop opened and someone walked in. “Hey welcome, what can I cook for you?”

Aiden sighed once the new customers were served their food, he was feeling tired lately. “Odd, maybe I’m getting sick.” He walked into the back to get some items. His hands closed around a large flour bag and he pulled it down.

Troy and Dryden were on their feet when they heard a loud crash come from the back room. Dryden ran around the counter as Troy jumped over. People in the shop were standing and murmuring as they waited. “Someone get Eva!” It was Troy who shouted out the door. “Well are you deaf, go get help!”

Aiden was out cold on the ground; Dryden’s ear was pressed to his chest. “He’s not breathing!”


Luka looked up when there was a load sound from the study. He walked in and looked around, he found the glass case broken and the small arrow was snapped in half. The only thing keeping it together was a thin strip of wood. He walked over and looked at it.

‘Please…’

A door slammed open, “Luka!” It was Ari; she quickly made her way to where he was at. The words that came out of her mouth were muffled and he gripped his fist.

He was out of the room.

“Luka!” She looked over to see the broken arrow and tears fell from her eyes. “Please come back.”


Aiden laid on the bed; the sounds were the same as he stood looking down at him. The soft whooshing sound as he was helped with his breath and the annoying beep from that damn machine. Ari stood next to Luka; he had his arm draped around her shoulders as she tried not to cry. Kael was outside the room with Dryden and Troy. She tried so hard not to cry but she couldn’t hold it back when she heard Kael call out.

“Papa!”

“You stupid idiot, wake up. Can’t you hear him? He’s finally calling out for you.” Her body shook and he hid her face against Luka.

He listened to the soft sobs coming from the strong lioness. “Papa!” It kept beeping and beeping in time with the boy calling out. “Mama! Papa!”
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Okay… now I’m going to have to think long and hard on the next chapter. It might be late… sorry if it is. Oh yeah if i planed it out right then we're only half way there. Give or take a few chapters.
Shade:)