The Desert World

had to fix some mistakes

Rating: Not much to worry about.

A/N: Enjoy the chapter. I think I did better in this one, it kinda sucked to me. Not my best but not bad either. Decided to update earlier. On to the story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luka sat in the kitchen, looking out the window. Razz mumbled something and Luka gave him a bored look, “What’s wrong with you Razz?” Topaz sat draped around his shoulders sleeping.

“If you want to stop him, then go.”

“No.”

Razz’s eye twitched. He growled and picked up the broom, “If you don’t stop moping I’ll beat you with the broom.”

“No.” Razz swung at him and he ducked, just as the back door in the kitchen opened. Dryden walked in, “You done?”

“Nope, need water.” Dryden for the last two day spent, from sun up to sun down, running around the whole oasis area. Luka pouted, “You could join me.”

Razz blinked and pointed at Dryden while looking at Luka, “Did you tell him yet?”

“About what?” Luka asked.

“You know you and the desert.”

“What about it?” Dryden was standing next to them with a glass of water.

“Why I avoid fights or lot of physical activity in the desert?” Luka sighed when Razz nodded. “All the heat makes it hard for my body to function normally. That’s why I’m more active at night.” Razz coughed and Luka kicked him. They both glared at each other.

“Okay, so ya can’t take the heat. Good thing I can.” Dryden took a sip of the water and smiled, he felt something rub against the back of his foot. He glanced at the counter island to see three dragons looking at him. His eye twitched, looking down he jumped up into Luka’s lap. Luka caught the glass of water that Dryden almost dropped. “Get that damn thing away from me before I burn it alive.” The ten foot boa constrictor known as Piper was sliding by.

“Ah man Piper I told you to stay in your cage. He’s scared of you.” Razz picked her up and turned to Dryden, “She means no harm, she just likes you.”

The snake’s head turned to him and Dryden ‘eep’ed, “It’s staring at me.” The tongue flicked out and Dryden twitched then passed out.

“D-Dryden.” Luka shook him gently, while Razz left the kitchen. Placing the glass down, he grabbed and held Dryden’s hand. “Dryden it’s gone.” Luka sighed and sat there with Dryden in his lap. ‘Might as well make the most of it.’ Just then Ari walked in to find Luka with Dryden in his lap.

“What happened to him?”

“Piper.”

“Ah! I see,” Ari pulled a chair out and sat down, “I wonder what he’s getting ready for?”

Luka smirked and shifted Dryden so he was laying with his head against Luka’s shoulder. “Beats me.” Aiden walked in and looked around, he saw Luka. “Hey Aiden.” He sat down and looked at Dryden.

“What…”

“Piper.”

“Oh. Luka tell Ari to leave me alone!”

“And why is she bugging you this time?” Aiden leaned over and was about to say something when a hand landed in his face. Dryden was glaring at him, “D-Dryden he was just trying to say something.”

Dryden shook his head, “Sorry reflex.” He slid off of Luka’s lap and stood up. “I’m going to finish running.” Luka pouted and Dryden sighed, “Today is the last day.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.” Dryden drank the rest of his water and walked out. Luka leaned over and watched through the window. The small teen took of jogging again.

Luka turned to Aiden to say something when Ari asked, “So who was your first?”

Both Luka and Aiden gapped, “Ari!” They both yelled.

“I thought so.” She grinned, “So who was top?”

“Ari!” Luka hissed.

“You keep giving it away.” Ari said as she stood up. “Well I’m going out to run with Dryden.” She walked out of the house and Luka let his head fall to the counter top.

“She knows.” He glanced at Aiden, “What is it?” Aiden was staring at Luka.

“Did you find out about…?”

“It was his father.” Luka said, he lifted his head and smiled, “Two reasons, one we know and the other he won’t say.”

Aiden sighed and pushed himself up out of his seat. “Well I’m going to send Liam a report about what’s happened so far. Should I tell him about you and Dryden?”

“Do whatever you want.” Aiden chuckled and patted him on the back. “Aiden, do you trust Dryden?”

“Do you?”

“With my life.” Aiden smiled at him and walked out. ‘You don’t trust him do you?’ Luka sighed and let his head fall on to the counter. Razz walked in and glanced at Luka.

“This is a no moping zone get out.”

“No.” Razz growled and was about to whack him with the broom when the door slammed open.

“Luka!” He sat up and looked at Ari.

“What is it?”

“Dryden he’s fighting someone. I don’t know who it is though.” Luka was already pulling his boots on. Once they were on he was out the door as he followed Ari.

“Luka don’t overdo it!” He waved back to Razz as the door closed.

‘What the hell is going on?’ Luka wondered.
^^^^^^

Dryden jumped back as a fist came out of nowhere. He couldn’t see their face but the fighting was too familiar. Grabbing the fist he flipped them on their back and placing his knee on their chest, he pushed down. “If you don’t tell me who ya are I’m brake yer rib cage.” The person was six foot that he could tell, was good at fighting, but the hood was hiding his face.

“Why should I tell an imposter who I am?” the person snarled.

“Imposter, who am I impersonating?” Dryden twisted his arm, “Tell me ya evil little bastard.” The guy cried out and swung his fist Dryden jumped back. Landing on his feet, he backed up. The cloaked person rushed him. ‘Idiot.’ He jumped, placing his hands on his shoulders he flipped over; pivoting on his feet he turned and slammed his foot into their back. Wincing as his leg started to throb. Knocking them on to the ground, he sat on their back. “If you don’t tell me I won’t move.”

“Dryden!” he looked up and saw Ari and a weary Luka running towards him.

He was tossed and Dryden found his self flipped on to his stomach. Dryden snarled and tried to struggle free. There was a loud clang and he saw one of Luka’s knifes land in the sand; he glanced up and saw a black and gold sai held in a hand. He defiantly knew those weapons, “Luka don’t hurt him.”

“Why the hell not?”

“He might be my brother.”

“I’m not your brother. My little brother is dead; he was killed by a wild bear.” The person growled.

“And who told you I was killed by a bear?” he yelled back.

“Father did.”

“Well there’s ya fucking problem, ya went and believed the bastard.” He felt the grip on his arm tighten, “Go ahead and break my arms, I’ve been though worst ‘cause of the man.”

“What do you mean?” There was another clash and Dryden growled.

“Ari… back off!” The shifter stepped back and stood next to Luka, who was panting. Dryden saw this, “The man that I looked up to as a father sold me into slavery ‘cause I was a Carrier and ‘cause Spike’s blood runs in my veins.”

The grip loosened, “What’s the name of your wolf pup?”

“Demi, our older brother Darian has a lover who’s a shifter, named Spike, which saved my ass that one time.”

“Prove that you’re who you say you are.” He hissed. Dryden sighed and relaxed his body. Then turning his head he showed the back of his neck.

“Top of my head.” The person placed his weapon away and ran his hand though Dryden’s hair, it stopped over one of the horns on his head. “Now do ya believe me? If ya want more, look at my forehead.”

The hand left his arms and he smirked, pushing himself up and knocking the person off of his back he sat down on the sand. “You’re really alive.”

“So which one are ya?”

He pulled the hood of and Dryden grinned, “You can’t even recognize my scent.” The man had three red marks on his nose, pale white hair that hung to his shoulders, and forest green eyes. The man stood and held his hand out, Dryden grabbed it. Pulling him up the man yanked Dryden close to him and hugged him.

“Aw come on Zachariah, I’m not I kid anymore.”

“Hush I haven’t held my little brother in eleven years. Holy shit eleven years, you’re sixteen. You need to get home and your baby name. You lost your baby name, come on tell me what your new name is?” Dryden smiled and pushed away from Zachariah.

“It’s Dryden.”

“Dryden Dracen, catchy. Now important things first, we got to get you home, now.” Zachariah was walking back and forth in front of him. “You need to get ready for the ceremony.” The older Dragconian was listing off things and Dryden sighed. His brother get this way sometimes, it was better to let him be.

Motioning for Ari to head back, Luka stood next to Dryden, “He’s not leaving without me.”

Zachariah stopped and glanced at Luka, “And you are?”

Rolling his eyes, Dryden brushed his hand over Luka’s, a move that didn’t go unnoticed by Zachariah, “This is Luka.”

“How old is Luka?”

Luka answered, “Why the hell do you want to know?”

Zachariah walked up to him, “You and Dryden……” he stopped and looked him up and down. Leaning over to Dryden, he asked, “He’s a half breed isn’t he.” Luka frowned.

“I’m standing right here.” Luka growled.

“Yes he is and you will drop it or I’ll tell mom who owns those books.”

“How did you?” Zachariah gapped and then he smiled, “You’ve never changed.”

“No I’ve changed.” Dryden whispered, he hugged himself and looked down.

Zachariah growled, “Shirt off, for every mark on your body I’ll carve one into father.” Dryden didn’t move. Placing both of his hands on the teens shoulders he asked, “Please as your old brother will you let me see.”

“As long as ya leave father to me, I want to give back everything.”

Zachariah sighed and nodded. Pulling his shirt off, he let it drop to the ground, Zachariah let his head hang. “I failed as a brother.” He looked at Luka and growled, “You ever make him cry or hurt him I’ll kill you.”

“Zachariah.” He glanced at Dryden his eyes were giving of a pissed vibe. “That noble side of yer’s is a little too noble.”

“As older brother I get to threaten him. It comes with the territory of all older brothers.” Luka sighed.

“He has a point, Dryden.” Luka swayed a little and shook his head. “I need to sit down.” Dryden grabbed his arm and placed it around his shoulder.

“Lean on me. Let’s get ya back to the house.”

“No, the water.” Dryden looked at the water hole behind them; it was closer then the house.

“Okay, just hold on.” Dryden slowly walked, with Luka’s sluggish steps.

“If I pass out you’ll have to carry me.”

“No way in hell I’ll be able to carry yer heavy ass.” Zachariah walked ahead of them and hopped on to a rock. Luka stood with the water lapping at his boots. Kneeling down Dryden pulled off one boot than the other, “Will I get to see what ya look like, when ya come back up?” He stood up and Luka smiled and leaned down. There was a cough and both glared at Zachariah.

“What, I had to cough!” Dryden sighed.

“I’ll be waiting.”

Luka walked forward and dove into the water. Dryden walked over to the rock and glared at Zachariah. “What?”

“Go home I’ll be there at the end of next week.”

“I can’t do that. I was sent to find help and instead I find you. The whole main village is over run by people trying to find you.” The man leaned forward and pulled his cloak off; underneath he had on a white and red vest with blue shorts. His feet were cover with sandals; Dryden looked at the mark on his left arm it was the same as his. He rolled the cloak up and placed it in his lap.

“Fine but I’m not leaving till the end of the week. I need to get stronger for the damn thing anyways.”

“Dryden, are you getting cold feet?”

He watched as Dryden walked back to the edge of the water, that’s when he noticed the slight limp. “I’m still stretching my sore muscles. Then I’ll go back with you to get rid of those bastards.” Sighing, Zachariah knew Dryden was avoiding the question.

“Then I’ll wait. I’ll put up camp out here and wait for when you leave.”

Dryden fidgeted, “How’s mom.”

“She’s still kicking, painfully.” Zachariah mumbled, “She yelled at me to go find a wife.”

The small teen laughed and stretched his arms up. Ari appeared with some towels, “Dryden is Luka in the water?”

“Yeah.” Something wet smacked him in the head. It was Luka’s shirt, turning he could see half of Luka’s head above water, his eyes staring at him. “Oh, now yer in for it.” Dryden took a few steps back and then ran forward, jumping he landed next to where Luka had dove back under.

Ari sighed and shook her head, placing the towels down she looked at Zachariah. “I’m Ari.”

He glanced at her and smiled, “Zachariah.” She nodded and turned to leave. “Hey, that Luka person.”

“He would never hurt Dryden,” She walked off towards the house. After a few minutes Zachariah stood up to leave. Then Dryden appeared and swam over to Zachariah.

“Yer leaving?”

“Going to get my tent set up.” He dropped to the ground and watched as Dryden disappeared back under the water. The small teen appeared and laughed.

“You should eat dinner with us. Get to know everyone.”

“Come and get me, when it’s time for dinner.”

“’Kay!” Dryden felt a tug on his foot, “I’m coming, gees!” Calling out to his brother, he watched as Zachariah turned around, “Tell mom I’ll be home to get rid of the trash.”

Nodding, Zachariah walked away.

Dryden felt himself being pulled under and lean arms wrap around him. Luka turned him around and kissed him. Pushing on his shoulders he quickly swam to the surface, taking in a breath of air, Luka appeared next to him. “I wish I can stay under with ya.” He watched as the water ran down over his skin.

Luka smiled and shook his head water droplets falling from it, “I like you the way you are right now.” He pulled him close and quickly kissed him. Dryden wrapped his arms around his neck and smiled. Both teens were happy to be there right now. The smaller teen let his hand run over that silvery colored skin. Pulling away he stared at him.

“It feels like skin.” The necklace hung from his neck and Dryden ran his hand over it. He leaned up and kissed him.

Luka gave a pleased sound and kissed back, Dryden had his arms around his neck. Pulling Dryden closer to him… “Luka!” He growled.

Both of them stared at the shore it was Aiden. He gave another growl and holding onto Dryden, “Hold on!” Luka swam to shore. “What is it?” Luka walked up to Aiden, Dryden followed him.

He held the paper out to Dryden, “How much of it is true?” Dryden took it and read over the paper as Luka grabbed a towel.

"How did you figure it out?”

“Your mark gave you away.”

“Most of it is true,” Aiden gave a scowling look, “But my father did sell me.”

“Luka read the paper.” Dryden handed him the paper all the while staring at Aiden.

Luka glanced over it and then looked at Dryden, “Dryden… are you really?”

“The heir to a whole race, yes he is.” Everyone looked over to see Zachariah standing with a canteen in his hand.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Luka asked him.

“Ya never asked.” He walked over to his shirt and pulled it on. He glanced back at Luka to see his skin back to its normal color, “If ya don’t want me to stay, I’ll get my things and leave.”

Luka walked over and grabbed Dryden, “I don’t care. If this is why you need to get home then I’ll come with you.”

Dryden sighed and looked over at Zachariah, “That’s not why.”

“Than what is it?”

Zachariah stood up from filling his canteen and said, “Because the power that comes with being the heir could either kill him or make him go insane. Dryden the tugging has been getting stronger, right?”

“Yeah, sometimes the only way to make it go away is to sleep or run.” Dryden pulled away and looked at Luka, “I didn’t lie to ya or anyone.” Luka sighed and shook his head.

“All you had to do was tell us.” Aiden growled. “If we had known we could have gotten you there sooner.”

“I’ll tell ya whatever ya want to know. I just don’t want to be treated any different.”

Walking over Zachariah placed his hand on his shoulder. “We need to leave in the morning can’t wait till the end of the week. If the tugging is that strong, we need to leave between now or tomorrow.”

“We’ll leave tomorrow morning.” Luka said to the small teen, Aiden was nodding.

“Fine.” Dryden agreed as he walked away. Luka fell in step next to him, “I’ll be fine Luka.”

“How do you know?”

“Yer scent gives ya away.”Dryden stopped and looked at him. “If I go insane, don’t stop Zachariah.” Luka stopped to look at him.

“Dryden, are you asking me what I think you’re asking me?” He nodded, “No.”

“Luka!” he looked at him, his amethyst eyes stared at him. “I won’t hurt ya or anyone else.”

“But…”

“No! Just this one thing, do it for me.” Dryden was looking at him with fear now, “I don’t wanna hurt anyone.”

Luka caved reluctantly, “Fine.” Luka scratched the back of his head, “Look Aiden’s not trying to be mean or anything he just doesn’t like it when people hide things.” Nodding, Dryden turned and walked off, Luka stood there staring after him. ‘Something big will happen soon.’
^^^^^^

Dryden stood over his bag, he was gripping the straps. It was getting stronger. ‘Stop, go away.’

The door opened and he saw Luka standing there, “Dryden, you ready?”

“Yeah.”

He walked up to Luka and smiled. “Let’s go.” Dryden smiled, he was going to walk by but Luka stopped him. “Dryden.” The small teen looked up at him.

“What is it?” Luka pulled his chin up and kissed him; he wrapped his other arm around Dryden’s waist and pulled him closer. A thud could be heard as Dryden let his bag fall to the ground; he reached up and treaded his hands into Luka’s hair. Luka could hear a noise come from Dryden as he deepened the kiss. Pulling back both stared at each other, “Damn.” Dryden gave his head a good shake as Luka laughed and pulled him close. He rested his forehead against Dryden’s.

“I’ll always love you.”

Dryden blushed and looked away, “Ya love making me blush don’t ya?”

“Yes, I do.” Luka hugged him and then let go, “Come on let’s get out of here.”

Dryden picked up his bag and closed the door.


Luka was jerked awake by Dryden. “Hey, come on stay awake.” The scenery speed by as they drove though the desert, Aiden was in the front with Zachariah directing the way. Ari sat in the back with Luka and Dryden. Topaz, Violet, Blue Fire, and Crimson laid in the back with the bags. Dryden was leaned back watching the clouds. They were getting close to the forest and beyond that the ocean. He couldn’t wait to get home.

Dryden quickly leaned forward, his head hung between his legs. Mind numbing pain had just shot through his head. He squeezed Luka’s hand as the pounding slowly went away. “Hey, are you ok?” Dryden nodded and Luka sighed.

Zachariah reached back and ran a hand over Dryden’s head. “His horns are growing.” He glanced back at Luka, “We have a week and a half at the most, I think. I can’t tell as well as our mother can.” Dryden sat up and shook his head, “How’s the head?”

“Feels like someone is trying to split it wide open.” Dryden laid his head on Luka’s arm and closed his eyes. Luka gently squeezed his hand and smiled when he return it.

“Aw, how cute the love birds are cuddling.”

“Ari, do you have to tease everyone.”

“Yep, it’s fun to tease you Luka.”

Dryden sighed and let his mind slowly close off the sound, he focused on Luka and his scent. ‘So relaxing.’ He thought, as he snuggled closer to him. He couldn’t wait to get home get rid of those pain in the asses and spend some time with Luka, after he got rid of this annoying thing inside of him.
^^^^^^

~Wake up!~

Dryden snapped awake and clutched his head. ‘No not now.’ Zachariah looked back when he heard a noise, he saw Dryden clutching his head.

“Aiden stop!” The vehicle jerked to a stop and a sleeping Luka and Ari jerked awake. Both cursed when their heads smacked the back of their sets.

“What the hell man?” Zachariah grabbed Dryden from Luka’s side and pulled him out by the arm. “Hey what’s going on?” Ari was about to move when Aiden stopped her.

Zachariah grabbed Dryden’s chin and lifted it up, “Open your eyes.”

He did, “It feels like my head is going ta blow.” Zachariah noticed the red rimming his eyes.

“Sit, don’t move.” Dryden flopped on to the ground as Zachariah walked back he saw Luka, “Stage one. Nobody goes near him till I say so.” He grabbed his bag and walked over to Dryden before anyone could say anything. Dryden had his head between his legs and was clutching the fabric of his shorts in his hands. His shirt and vest lay next to him.

Zachariah knelt down and opened the bag, “You need to focus.”

“What do you think I’m doing?” he growled. His brother pulled out a bottle and his canteen. Placing it down, he nudged Dryden.

“Lay down.” The small teen did as his brother said and stared at the sky. “Now you need to focus or it won’t work. Please don’t make me have to do the other thing.” Dryden looked at him and smirked.

“How stupid are you?” Dryden looked passed him to see Luka watching from the sand rail. Zachariah glanced back and sighed.

“If you have to focus, then focus on him.”

“Will it help?”

“Yeah, now you need to look up.” He stood up and jogged over, “You come on.”

“Huh? What for?” Luka was climbing out of the sand rail as he asked.

“I’m going to need your help.” They walked back over to Dryden.

He sat up, “What the hell Zachariah?”

“Sit on that side.” Luka nodded and sat down. He took Dryden’s hand in his. “Dryden you are to keep yourself focused.”

“You are an ass.” Luka sighed and shook his head.

“Dryden.”

“Fine.” He lay back down and looked up at the sky. Zachariah grabbed the bottle and opened it. The smell hit Dryden in the face and he jerked back up, Luka covered his nose. “No way in hell.”

Luka gagged, “What the hell is that?”

“Dryden.” His brother growled and grabbed the canteen. “You will take it or I’ll force you.”

Luka squeezed his hand and Dryden glanced at him. “Fine I’ll take it.”

Dryden watched as Zachariah poured the water into the bottle and closed the bottle. “When I pull it off you have ten seconds to drink it all.” Then shaking the bottle for a few minutes he opened it and dipping a finger in he pushed Dryden’s bangs back to show a silver band wrapped around his forehead. He going from one side to the other with his finger, waiting a few seconds he pulled it off of his head. “Here all at once.”

Dryden sat up and took the bottle; placing it to his lips he drank it. After drinking his hand flew to his mouth, “I think I’m going to be sick.” When the feeling passed he could feel his head throb painfully. “Zachariah is my head supposed to hurt this bad?”

Zachariah touched the top of his head, “They just lost a centimeter. At least it’s working.” Luka let his breath out but winced when Dryden gave his hand a squeeze.

“Are you ok?” Dryden looked at Luka and smiled. He reached down and picked the silver band up it was half a circle. Holding it up to his head he pushed it back into place.

“Dryden eyes.” He turned to Zachariah and he looked at his eyes, “Okay, that should hold you till we get there.”

Dryden slowly got up and stood, his vision started swaying. ‘What the hell?’

Luka looked at him, “Dryden, what’s wrong?” his head was down and he wasn’t moving. “Dryden?” Just then Luka felt himself being pushed to the ground, then there was a loud clang as metal met metal. Looking behind him he saw Zachariah with both sai swords out and Dryden had a short sword. He rubbed at his eyes, where the hell was Dryden hiding that thing? Zachariah blocked as Dryden brought the weapon down, catching the blade with his weapon. Dryden picked his leg up and it hit Zachariah in the ribs, “Wait…” Ari and Aiden had grabbed a hold of Luka to keep him from running out in to the fight. They both dragged him back towards the sand rail.

“Sorry Luka but we can’t let you get hurt.” Ari said. Luka glanced at her and then at Aiden.

“Don’t even try anything,” Aiden tightened his grip, “I know what you’re thinking.”

Luka hung his head, “I just can’t sit and watch this.”

“I know Luka, but what about your family, your dad still needs your help with taking care of things back at the village.” Ari said to him, he looked up and watched as Zachariah disarmed Dryden. The two stood staring at each other.

‘If only there was a way,’ Then it hit Luka, yep he was an idiot and he knew Dryden would kill him if he did what he was going to do. ‘Here it goes.’ Aiden felt Luka shift his arm and he tightened his hold. He leaned back and Aiden relaxed for a second. That was all he needed, Luka shifted his feet, “Sorry.” He yanked his arms out and knocked Aiden and Ari down.

He ran over and half way there he yelled, “Dryden, subsisto!”(1)

Dryden froze in that spot, stopping only inches from gutting Zachariah with his claws. His whole body shook as he fought against the command. Luka stopped next to Zachariah, who had fallen down trying to avoid the claws. “He’s not moving,” he looked at Luka, “what the hell did you do to him?”

“Your father did something to him so that a certain language can control him. I know that language too. My mother use to speak it, I learned it from her.” Luka said to him as he helped him up, only to push him out of the way as Dryden struck out.

“Watch out!”

Ari watched as Dryden moved forward, “Luka!!”

Luka had wrapped his arm around Dryden’s arm. Zachariah hadn’t realized he had held his breath until he had let it out. He was glad Luka was not hurt, but he was glad that he didn’t have to see what would have happened if Dryden had found out. Then he saw the blood, ‘Fuck.’

Luka winced as he kicked Dryden’s feet out from under him and pinned him. “Dryden, Excito sursum!”(2) Dryden blinked and his eyes focused on Luka.

“Lu…ka.” Luka freaked when Dryden passed out.

“Hey Dryden,” Zachariah walked over and looked down at Dryden.

“He’s out cold. There’s a cave nearby, can I’ll carry…” Luka had already picked up Dryden and was headed for the vehicle. “Okay, you carry him.” Aiden was about to climb behind the wheel when Zachariah stopped him, “I’ll drive, I know of a place we can stay.”

“Sure.” Aiden walked around and got in. Ari looked at the small teen as Luke laid him down on the seat between them.

“Luka are you ok?”

“It’s just a scratch.” Aiden clenched his hand and spun around in his seat.

“Just a scratch, my ass!” Both Luka and Ari jumped when Aiden yelled at him. “There was a reason why we were holding you back and that scratch is it.” Aiden was jabbing his finger at him, “When we get there and there is water I don’t want to see you out of it till that ‘Just a scratch’ is gone. Am I clear enough?”

“Crystal.” Luka said, he looked down at Dryden.

“Shit, this is more stupid than when you tried to climb that damn tree.” Aiden had turned back around and was facing forward.

Zachariah sighed and started the vehicle. “ETA is ten minutes.”
^^^^^^

Luka climbed out and then reached in to grab Dryden. Ari stopped him, “I’ll take care of him, you go take care of yourself.”

“Okay.” He straightened his back, grabbed his bag, and walked over to Zachariah, “Water, is there any?”

“Follow that small stream over there; it should lead to a spring of water.”

“Thanks.”

He stopped Luka, “Thanks for earlier.”

“No problem.” He walked off deeper into the cave. Luka stopped as he looked at the cavern he was in. You could fit a three story house inside of it and still have room left over. There was a hole in the ceiling that let light stream inside. A pool of water took up a third of the cavern, and a giant boulder sat next to it. Walking over he looked at the water, clear all the way down.

He pulled his shirts off and then undoing his pants he pushed them off. He rummaged around in his bag and pulled out a pair of black shorts, no way in hell he was dive in there butt ass naked. Luka pulled them on and sighed. The good thing about them, he wasn’t naked going in. he didn’t have to worry about the others walking and seeing him without cloths on. The bad thing, they fit like a second skin. Usually he wore them under his pants but lately he just didn’t feel like it.

Reaching for his pants he sat down and dug into his pocket, he pulled out the silver bracelet. ‘I still need to give it to Dryden.’ Then tucking it back into his pants pocket, he sat the pants back down and slipped in to the water.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(1) subsisto! – stop!
(2) Excito sursum – Wake up!
Hope you enjoyed. I’m so going to have a hard time with the next few chapters. Oh shit this is getting harder. Well the next one is going to be about the past. I’m going to go watch my dad shoot people on Call of Duty 3.
Shade