“He took a shot on the path here!” “Stay with me torl! You cant die here!”

The thunder woke me. Wall of bright blue lightning formed outside. Rain cascaded. “What a way to scare us.” I looked at the doorway. “Dreyah..” she walked over to me and smiled. “Welcome home.” I wrapped my arms around her. “Its all my fault..”

She lowered her head and rubbed my shoulder. “We know about the thing. Its gone off into the dark zone. It killed almost fourty men without raising a hand. He had black lightning.” “I cant win…hes too strong.”

“Hush my child. I promise you will become stronger.” I felt a pain in my head. “AHHHHGGGG!!!!” I saw him. “Tell your precious mother…I will be the one to conquer two worlds….i will be the devil to bring both worlds within arms reach. I will bring two universes together. This is the last time I will see you. Please get stronger.” I was screaming in pain. “HE…Wants to bring……mine and your worlds into the same existence!” I felt her hold me.

“Come now. Its time to eat.” I got up and found some clothes to wear. I walked into a grand set of halls. I followed the voices down to a great ball room. “Ah! There he is!” I saw dreyah walk to me with a scruffy looking man. Maybe in his thirties. “Torl. This is ash. Viceroy of the confederacy. “Pleasure to meet you.” “I can say the same.” we locked eyes. He looked like he had seen hell. “They call you the storm.” “They?” I looked over his shoulder to see men, women, and half bloods. All cooperating. “How long was I out for?” “Two weeks. You are lucky the arrow went the way it did.” “well….i uhm…it was good meeting you.” I walked off to a table and began stacking my plate. I hated these social things. I always have. “Well hello…fabled hero of the west.” I looked up to see a tall woman with yellow eyes. She was a dragon half breed. Silver haired, curvaceous body. And a face that just look perfect. “Half breed right?” “Yes. I am head of the military council of draconia.” “So. Youre sophias cousin.” “How did you?” “Your face is similar.”



“Well….why don’t you come sit with me?” she grabbed my hand and led me to a table full of women. “Great. Just when I wanted to wallow in silence.” Oh hush. Lighten up and drink this.”

I took a sip. It was milk, honey, and rum. “So tell us how you did it?” “Did what?” “The battle. You single handedly defeated a battalion of legionnaires!” “It was simple. I drew everything I had. Focused it and just let it go.”

I began eating. “And you also slept with my cousin.” I coughed. “Excuse me?” “Isnt that why she rejected you? She fell in love. After you made love.” She snickered. “What a foolish little boy. Thinking some one of prestegious blood would marry you? A mortal?”

I stood up and got behind her smiling. “I love reality checks.” I held a hand out and let lightning run over my hand. “Reminds us who has power. And who of us are power…don’t they? I like you…youre sharp, mean, cold, and so damn pretty. But if you think I will let nobility step over me…please understand this. I almost wiped you out once.” I patted her on the shoulder and grabbed my plate. “Excuse me. Im going to find a less….hostile environment.”

I walked over to a group of older women and asked if I may sit. They said yes and I began talking to them. Within ten minutes I had them laughing. “And so then. This random girl wanders out of the woods and boom! Im stuck with her!”

“My my. What an adventure!” “You remind me of a man I met here. So funny and smart. But he was a royal. No spine at all.”

“In a world in peril..i will try my best to save it. But to save it I need friends. Will you pledge your men to our cause miss shouska?” “Of course.” “thank you.” I shook their hands and kissed her.

I walked to several other groups. I politicked and got support. But then I met an older couple. They seemed keen on me. I sat with them and began to talk. The old man told me about an experiment for the boost of ones magic. It would propel me to new heights as a warrior.

“Torl. Don’t listen to Dr. grantz.” “Its an opportunity. Im not getting any faster. Physiologically speaking.” I was very frank and serios with this state men. because i knew i was at my limit.

“Doctor! You know what happened to the la-“

“The last one couldn’t level cities and shoot lightning. He could shoot blue energy. He was a simple man with a big ego.”

“Doctor if he dies. Im going to throw you to the bugs.”

“Of course maam. Come to my office in the south tower. Top floor.”

I shook his hand and grinned. “Got it.”

I walked away and headed to my room. I got into the shower and leaned against the wall.

“A year… today marks one full year ive been here. its seemed like mere days. but with all of the adventuring… i guess time flies.” I got finished and crawled into bed. I got lost in the large covers and pillows until I felt someone lay next to me. “Not smart to leave windows un locked.” I looked over and rey. Just laying there.

“I like the sounds of a storm.” I held her close to me. “I heard you were quite the politician.” “I tried to be. Social skills work if you work them.” I felt the room go cold. I moved my hands behind rey and pulled her in for a kiss.