Sona was awe struck standing at the door leading out into the hallway. "Twice?" He questioned as he locked the door to their room and left. 'Deltune kissed me again. That's the second time. On top of Elandeli, that makes two girls who have kissed me now. I was never this popular with the ladies in my world. ' Sona thought to himself while he walked to the stairwell. "I guess that's your doing, huh, Arzotz," Sona spoke aloud while he shut the door behind him.
"Sona," A voice whispered in the stairwell. The voice came like a cold breeze and brushed against Sona's face.
"Who's there?" Sona jumped back and got into a defensive stance. The voice did not answer and Sona felt chills creep up his spine. "I don't have time for games. Answer me!" Sona shouted into the empty stairwell but was left without an answer. "What the hell? I need to speak with the Headmaster today. That wasn't natural," He muttered and sprinted down the stairs. 'The sooner I get out of here, the safer I will feel.' He thought to himself but his momentum came to a sudden stop when he ran into something. Sona fell backwards and quickly sprung back up. "What?"
Sona looked up at the tall figure that stood before him. The being radiated pure light and warmth, brushing away the darkness that Sona sensed. "Sona. It's a pleasure to finally meet my champion," The voice boomed loudly and Sona feared somebody else would hear this man's thunderous voice. "Fear not. Nobody can see me or hear me but you. Allow me to introduce myself," The voice boomed outward again and the man stood tall. "Arzotz, God Of Life, Light, and New Beginnings. I did not wish to reveal myself to you so early, but it seems Eslios has found you. That is not what I planned, but even a God's plans can be unraveled. We must speak now," Arzotz finished his introductions while he waited for Sona's response.
"Arzotz, Del's father? Who's Eslios? What are your plans for me? Why was I given these powers? Are you sure you chose the right man? What if I don't live up to your expectations?" Sona spouted out every question that had bugged him since his arrival.
Arzotz raised his hand to silence Sona before he burst into a hearty laugh. "One question at a time, Sona. I will answer three of your questions for now. Eslios, God of Death, he is my brother, but also my mortal enemy. We have been at war since the beginning of time. You were given these powers because I feel a strength that emanates deep in your soul. Your ability to draw other people to your side will unite this kingdom. You have been chosen as my champion and thus I have absolute faith in you. As for my daughter," The man gave Sona a stern look and he felt a murderous aura. "My daughter gave up her immortality for you. If you hurt her in any way," Arzotz did not finish this sentence. He merely smiled at Sona with a toothy grin and left the torture to Sona's imagination.
Just as quickly as he arrived, Arzotz was gone in an instant. Sona was left with a bitter taste in his mouth. "If Eslios has found me, then I must redouble my efforts, push my body beyond its breaking point. Let's go, Sona. Master awaits," Sona worked up the nerve to keep walking, his body still trembled from this encounter. 'That presence...was pure evil. I could feel Eslios's murderous gaze on me.' Sona doubled his pace and raced to Saphira's place in the woods.
Saphira had been busy preparing everything for the Rite of Transfer. She had several shiny scales laid beside a blackened pit. Rocks surrounded the pit with fresh wood laying in the middle. "There. Scale of Dragon, Ancient Yarl Tree Bark, Blood of Master," Saphira muttered under her breath and double checked her ingredients. She was about to venture off and look for Sona when she heard heavy footsteps approaching rapidly. Her nostrils perked up and she smiled at the scent. "Sona, it's about time," She chastised him jokingly and froze for a moment when she noticed he was winded. "What's wrong, Sona?" Saphira questioned and walked over to him. She wrapped her arm around him and led him to a nearby seat.
"Master, I have to tell you. You must know the whole truth," Sona paused and watched his hands tremble. 'I still feel his eyes on me.' Sona thought to himself. His cold hands were enveloped by a set of warm, velvet hands. He looked up at Saphira who possessed a worried look on her face. "I am a servant in service to Arzotz. He gave me my powers so I could fight Eslios as his champion. He found me, though. Eslios found me and it was only because of Arzotz's interference that I--" Sona's voice was cut off by the warmth of Saphira's embrace.
She had reached her arms up and wrapped them around Sona's neck. Gently, she pulled his head into her chest while she stroked the top of his head. "You are safe, Sona," She tried to sooth her trembling student. 'I can almost taste his fear. He is telling me the truth. Then I must speed up his training.' Saphira held Sona tight against her chest until the trembling stopped. "Are you okay?"
Sona nodded his head as he wrapped his arms around Saphira. "Can we stay like this? For awhile, anyway," He asked shyly and held onto his Master. 'I never had a person like Master I could rely on. I'm to blame for that, I know. I wasn't a kind or compassionate man, but that's going to change. I will live a righteous life and become this world's savior.' Sona thought to himself and Saphira felt his body shift.
"Good. Steel your resolve, Sona. You are Arzotz chosen and I don't think he could find a better man even if he looked for a millennia," Saphira felt his strength return and she broke away from the embrace. 'I haven't felt this way in a long time. He makes my heart quicken and my face burn. I chose the right man.' She thought to herself as she felt her cheeks begin to heat up. She rose to her feet and took Sona by the hand. "We must start the Rite Of Transfer. Follow me," Saphira spoke as she easily pulled Sona to his feet. She led Sona by the hand and the two of them walked around to the back of her cabin.
The backyard was alight with candles, the massive treetops above blocked out almost all light. In the middle of the candles sat a ring of candles, just big enough for two people to fit. "We will begin the transfer shortly. Sit here on your knees," Saphira instructed while she pointed to the the spot in the middle of the circle of candles. Saphira disappeared inside for several minutes before she walked back outside. In her hands she carried a small necklace with an amulet attached to the braided leather. "Sona, you have to be absolutely certain this is what you want. Once I perform this rite, our fates will become intertwined. I can only pass my powers on to one person. Once it's done, this will be permanent," Saphira gave him a chance to change his mind, but she could already tell his answer.
"Oh, Spirit of Dragons, oh Ancient Lord. Saphira of Dragonkin and Sona of Earth, bind these souls and unite their fates. Give my chosen awesome bliss and a power to rival the abyss," Saphria chanted these words, and with each word her voice grew louder. The sky overhead darkened even more and thunderous strikes could be heard. The wind whipped around the two, snuffing out the candles flames. "Sona of Earth, pledge yourself to me and become my mightiest warrior; The Legendary Slayer of Evil, a Dragoon! Once you bond your life to mine, you must kiss me to start the transfer," She continued with the ritual as everything around them faded out.
Sona's face turned deep red at her orders. 'K-kiss her? To start the transfer? I don't understand, but I trust her just as she trusts me.' Sona thought to himself before speaking again. "Saphira of Dragonkin, I make this promise as I bind my soul and fate to yours. Together our lives shall be intertwined," Sona shouted over the storm blowing around them. He hesitated for a moment when Saphira closed her eyes, but he knew what must be done. Without any further delay, Sona pushed his face closer to Saphira and closed his own eyes before pressing his lips against hers. The two shared a passionate kiss as the storm began to die down. Saphira parted her lips and a stream of bright lights flowed from her mouth and into Sona. This part of the ritual took well over ten minutes before it was complete.
Sona was too embarrassed to open his eyes, but when he felt Saphira's soft hand caressing his cheek, he had to take a peek. Sitting in front of him was his Master gazing at him with tender eyes. "You survived a life of hardship all alone. I now understand the pain you suffered in silence. You are not alone anymore, Sona. You have friends, and I know you'll make many more. You also have me, now. Forever. We will share a life time of memories, both present and past," Saphira reached out and started running her fingers through Sona's hair. "Do you feel different?"