‘With this much dark magic, the Noxious could bring the Dragon of Death back,’ said Xing. ‘We cannot let that happen.’
Buttons turned to the children. ‘We thought we were asking you to join a war where we had an army, but it appears we are only four.’
‘Eight,’ said Charlotte in a loud, clear voice. ‘There are eight of us in this, not four.’
‘Charlotte’s right,’ Billy said, buoyed by Charlotte’s determination. ‘With us, you’re stronger, aren’t you? And we have powers too. We’re still with you.’
He felt Spark’s pride within him like a gentle glow.
‘We need a new plan,’ thundered Tank. ‘We do not have the time nor the luxury to mourn our lost friends. If anything, we owe it to them to do what they could not – to stop the dark magic that has poisoned our realm.’
‘We are greatly outnumbered,’ said Buttons. ‘And the nox-wings who did this are strong with dark magic.’
‘At least you – I mean, we – have the element of surprise, don’t we?’ said Dylan.
‘That is true,’ said Xing. ‘I propose we go straight to that wretched red dome and attack. They will not be expecting us. They won’t know we are strengthened by human bonds, and that our humans have powers.’
‘We can be your secret weapons!’ said Ling-Fei.
‘I had forgotten how hopeful humans could be,’ said Tank. ‘A stealth attack is a good start, but before we go to the red dome we need more information.’
‘Silence,’ said Xing. ‘Someone is approaching.’
A large dark shape emerged from behind a boulder. It was a new dragon, almost as large as Tank. It had dark orange scales and a monstrous head with huge horns sprouting out of it.
Billy tensed and gripped tighter to Spark. But, when he felt her relax, he relaxed with her. She must know this dragon. ‘Dimitrius! Old friend, you are alive!’ Buttons said, moving closer to the orange dragon. ‘I hope my human tongue approximation of your name suits? For our humans.’
‘I am indeed alive,’ said the orange dragon. ‘And yes, that is fine. Always so considerate of the humans. I must say I am surprised to see you four. And you have new names – Buttons, Spark, Xing, Tank.’
Dylan leaned in near Buttons’s ear and whispered loudly, ‘How does Dimitrius already know your names?’
‘Names are a core part of a dragon’s identity,’ replied Buttons. ‘We can always tell the name of a dragon who has bonded with a human. Our bonded names give off a strength that other dragons can sense as clear as the colours of the sky.’
‘Why, that is a cute human you have there, Buttons,’ said Dimitrius, a wry grin touching his lips. ‘A bit weak, if I had to judge. But you’ve always had a soft spot for humans.’
Billy felt Spark shift below him and sensed her growing wariness. Maybe Dimitrius wouldn’t be so eager to help in the way they’d hoped. ‘We’re sorry it took so long for us to get here,’ said Spark. ‘The Dragon of Death locked us in the mountain between the realms.’
‘Yes, I know about that,’ said Dimitrius.
‘And you did not… try to rescue us?’ said Buttons.
‘I am sure he did,’ said Tank. ‘But remember, four human hearts were needed to open the mountain to the realms.’
‘Yes,’ said Dimitrius. ‘And you are back now.’
Billy began to worry that maybe the dragons had been wrong to put so much faith in Dimitrius. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but there was something off about him, something he didn’t like. He could sense Spark felt similarly.
‘We are, but I fear it is too late,’ said Spark. ‘Dimitrius, what has happened? We saw the cave and the horror that was left behind. Did any of the clan survive the nox-wing attack?’
Dimitrius stared at Spark for a long moment. And then he let out a sound so horrifying that it took Billy a moment to realize it was a laugh. ‘A lot has changed since you left, Spark.’ Dimitrius spat on the ground as if saying the name left a bad taste in his mouth. ‘My priorities have… changed.’
Electricity buzzed in the air around Spark. ‘What are you saying, Dimitrius? I saw a vision – the Dragon of Death is returning. The Noxious are growing in power. We must act quickly.’
Dimitrius stepped closer. ‘You are right. The Great One, or “the Dragon of Death”, as you call her, is returning. I realized after you left how wrong we had been. The Great One had offered us power, and like fools we rejected it. I knew we had to bring her back. And that she would reward the nox-wings who could prove their loyalty.’ He turned a sharp eye on Spark and the other dragons. ‘I hope, of course, that you will join us.’
‘You’ve become a nox-wing!’ Buttons exclaimed, horrified.
‘We will never join the Dragon of Death,’ said Spark vehemently.
‘I thought you might say that,’ said Dimitrius. He stood on his hind legs, extending his body to its full length. He looked skywards, holding out a paw and turning it to the sky. He seemed to be concentrating intensely and his entire body quivered. Billy followed Dimitrius’s gaze and gasped. One of the stars in the sky was hurtling towards them.
‘Look out!’ Billy shouted as the star shot into Dimitrius’s open claws. Dimitrius lowered himself back to the ground, the star hovering above his right paw. ‘Serving the Great One has its… benefits,’ he said with a devilish smile.
The air hummed with tension. Spark and the other dragons shifted into protective stances.
‘Now, I am going to give you and your group one last chance. A choice. There will be a reckoning for those who have crossed the Great One. But for you, Spark, I think concessions can be made, given our unique history. Your group, the humans included, can join the Noxious. We grow in strength every day, while the rest of the realm weakens
