Three Turns Champion
R.R. Turock
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2012 R.R. Turock
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Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyright property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or noncommercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.
To Leia, Mom, and Dad

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Fire and Sand
Chapter 2: Alive Again
Chapter 3: A Means of Survival
Chapter 4: Fighting and Champion
Chapter 5: Safety
Chapter 6: A Strange Turn of Events
Chapter 7: The Truth
Chapter 8: Flesh or Metal?
Chapter 9: Last Feast of the Summer
Chapter 10: Conversation
Chapter 11: What Not to Ask
Chapter 12: A Choice I Can Make
Chapter 13: My First Victory
Chapter 14: Intruders
Chapter 15: Revenge Box
Chapter 16: The War She Fought
Chapter 17: Champion
About the Author
Other Books by R.R. Turock
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Coming Soon
Sample Chapter from Time Before the Wolf: 


Chapter 1: Fire and Sand
Every part of me burned, as though I was set on fire. My soul didn’t want to leave my body. Perhaps it’s better put that I shouldn’t have left it. I struggled, it wasn’t time and I wasn’t going to die in a place like this. It was just too wrong.
 I writhed and then withered more, leaving my large, green, scaled body to collapse and entered the mechanical replication. As I did, my vision faded to black. Slowly, the haze started to retreat. I glanced at the Seerxi guard, who was looking right back at me with his analytical mechanical eye. He scratched something on his paper with his clockworks hand. Something dark, inhuman, impossible must have been going through the clogs and clicks he had for a brain to do this to me. What else could explain it?
I roared in pain, choking on the fire caught in my throat, unable to breathe it out. All the sudden there was a screeching, metal against metal, and I lifted my heavy head to escape it. The cacophony of mechanical parts clinking together was overwhelming. Pain sapped through my wire veins, as I turned my head. Looking through a screen, I saw something lumped in the corner of the room, a larger scaly body, a dragon’s body. I struggled, panicking, realizing that that was my body.
I couldn’t swallow, and I wasn’t breathing, I wasn’t living anymore. Searching for an escape I tried to calm. I started looking around. The walls were brick, the ground was swept clean of dust, and there were metal bar separating me from another room, and the roof was high. Everything in my head ached; cracking like broken bones…I choked for air, trying to breathe again. But I couldn’t breathe, and when I glanced down to watch my metal paws stretch and flex in the strange, perfunctory way of Seerxi mechanics.
Turning to my side, I saw two men- safely behind bars- staring at me. They’re dark scarlet eyes were narrowed, fascinated by my bewilderment. I struggled, rose, and opened my mouth to roar, to breathe fire, to cry out, yet no sound escaped me. I crashed into the bars, scrapping at the Seerxi. They just stood there; scribbling onto there ever-so-fascinating reports.
As I struggled to stay alert everything started to fade away again. The sense of ground disappeared- swallowing me into oblivion. When I came to once more my cage had changed, it was smaller now. My screen took in vast amounts of information, almost too fast for me to follow. It was all brick, except one wall of iron bars, which allowed me to peer into a hall, leading to a single door of possible escape.
This was an animal cage. I wasn’t an animal, well, not just an animal, I was a dragon. More than that, I was the Dragon of the North! I will not be defeated by…well…losing…my body…well, my soul was still here, and as long as I had that, I would have my will and my way!
Standing, shakily adjusting to my mechanical limbs, I lunged out, scrapping the wall of bars. Seeing as I was unsuccessful, I let rage boil in me and threw myself against it. There was a soul-shuddering creak, and I did it again and again, each time harder. At the end of the hall, the door opened, pouring in a flood of light, blinding me.
Two guards, both with metallic arms, ran in, pointing a control panel at me. Angrily, I intended to reach out, but none of my limbs moved. I remained, frozen in position. This was impossible, I couldn’t control my body, I couldn't move. That flat piece of metal could control me.
Infuriated, I let my brain scrap the edges of the screen, searching for what froze me and how to deal with it. In several seconds, something popped up in my gamut, a red box with scribbles on it. Frustrated, I willed it to disappear and it did. As soon as it vanished, my body dropped free of the control, crashing into the bars with all my weight. In fear, the Seerxi scattered. The bars ripped out of the brick, permitting me an escape.
Without a second thought, I galloped free, smacking an enemy aside with my new tail, letting the mecha joints in it to ravel and unravel as needed. I unlocked my jaw with a mental command, coming into a large, unknown room. What I had broken into was a factory. Hundreds of Seerxi turned to me from the tables, tables covered in bodies. Hundreds of bodies, both human and dragons. Fear clenched my stomach. One of these bodies was probably mine.
In my fury, I willed fire. Oil filled the sacs in my lower jaw. There was a small click and fire billowed out of my mouth. The boiling flames scattered the Seerxi and lit the bodies in an explosive fashion. I lifted up, forgetting I didn’t know how to fly with this body. Determined, I forced out my wings. The wing-summoning turned on rockets that unexpectedly launched me spinning into the air.
In moments, I was crashing through the wall and into the open skies. The Seerxi building shrank behind me as I soared higher and higher. Pleased with my new-found freedom I twisted and twirled in the air
Red lights flashed across my screens and my rockets sputtered, spouting grey smoke. With the failure of my rockets came the folding of my wings. Suddenly I went from ascending to very quickly descending. I was, in short, falling. Falling! But I was a dragon! Dragons have fights during flights and don’t fall!
I overrode the commands that closed my wings and they spread out half-hazard. The rockets still wouldn’t turn on again. I beat my wings furiously to little avail. The miles between me in the looming ground shrunk quickly. The wings barely slowed my crash landing.
Upon impact my systems shutdown. Unsure of how long it had taken to reboot, I turned my cracked screens on. I was deep in sand, and most of my systems still offline, or so said my screen. Creaking, I climbed out of the sand dune. Regardless, I had to get as far away from the Seerxi as I could. There was a desert between Seerxi and Lauphai. So I had to be careful not to cross into Lauphai territory. If I just go north I would be in Rykrina, and then I would be just south of my home mountains in DragonCrest.
The red light from the flight was still flashing. The word highlighted in red was unknown, so I searched my database for something similar. The synonym was food. This body lacked nutrition, or fuel to survive. Nonsense, I made it through winters with no food- so I would survive this too.
My body moved leisurely, with stiff strides barely pulling me up the hills of sand, dragging my broken wings. There came a point where my limbs wouldn't move and my systems gradually turned off. I should have been at least allowed to die in my own body. Why did this have to happen to me? If you save me, God, I promise I won't eat humans on a daily basis. I just want to live my happy life as the meat eating, sack of bones dragon I was before. So why do I have to die now?

Chapter 2: Alive Again
After what felt like just a moment following my screens shut off, they rebooted again. A wet rag spread over my brand new, unbroken screen. As the rag retreated, I looked into the face of my savior. A female Seerxi. I was recaptured!

Looking to see what new cage was set up, I held my breath. I was in a large room of sorts, a work place in a hay-full barn house actually. Through the cracks in the old wooden blanks that made up the wall I could see the desert. My attention returned to the female Seerxi, who smiled at her work.  She spoke up. "Now you look all nice and shiny. Here, let's connect this final piece to turn on your spine and see what you can do."
Happily, stinking Seerxi, I’ll crush you in my jaws. Energy sizzled through my wires and I tested my new legs. Where the first trial had been painful and my metal legs shook under my tremendous weight, the second trial was different. This time I rose without consequence. Nothing creaked, everything moved lithely, and every joint was oleaginous.
No red lights flashed in the gamut of my new, cleaned screen. It felt like I was in a flesh body in its cohesiveness. Whatever changes this Seerxi made were perfect. Green lights blinked for every part between my wing tips to my enhanced claws.
As she watched me flex at my new found dexterity, her grin grew wider. She spoke quickly. "I knew you were alive in there. You were such an old model I thought you may have died. After all, most new models expire after a only few months. Even older models had a limit of two years. But you, I thought could be different, you would survive anything. It's a relief the Rykrinans finally shut the Mecha Dragon Project down...."
The flood of new information overcame my data banks. How long was I shut down? Only a few weeks at most, right? And since when did Rykrinans have power over Seerxi? Now, how do I ask any of this?
Leaning down to glare into the Seerxi's face, I forced her back. She lifted her hands defensively. "Whoa, boy. You probably don't know this, but you shut down fourteen years ago. All the surviving mecha dragons died three years ago, in the Land Wars. It was a long shot with you, just spending that time turning you on, so don't kill me over it. Besides, if you break down again who better to fix you than an exiled Seerxi in the middle of the desert, huh?"
I would have growled if I could, but only a gurgling sound of clinking joints conveyed my feelings. Walking past her, I pushed through the barn doors. My temperature rose quickly in the sun. Beside the barn sat a small mud hut.
The Seerxi came beside me. Gesturing to the hut, she began the tour. "That's my house, this place; the barn is my workplace. Behind it is my iron kiln and the forge. We're ten miles from the nearest town. If you want to leave you can, but I will warn you there are no other Seerxi Mecha dragons or the builders around- after all, it’s a forbidden practice now. I’m not really a mecha builder, so I just put you together with my spare pieces and my own designs. I used to trade for mecha parts with Lauphai and do jobs with them, but since immigrations tightened up I really can’t, so don’t get damaged for awhile."
Goodness, this Seerxi could talk and talk. Forget staying here, I would return to the mountains and stay there until my mecha soul dies. Carelessly turning around, swinging my tail I barely missed swapping the Seerxi aside and took off for flight.
This time, at least, I didn’t go spinning oddly in the air. Instead, like real dragon wings, they glided, bringing me gently higher and higher. I was free again, and this time there would be no crash landing. Moments later I was over the town the Seerxi spoke of. It was time to verify her information. The town below timed mildly with life as the few residents went about their day. A traveling merchant spoke on a scaffold to his mixed audience of Rykrinan and Seerxi peoples.
His voice bellowed over the gathering crowds. “Selling fifth year Mecha dragon parts. See here, you won’t find finer claws.”
A member of the crowd spoke up, her ridicule followed by laughter. “Unless you go to Reepida, she’s got a fine collection. She even sharpens your tools sharper than that for free when she comes on festivals.”
The merchant cleared his voice. “And see my collection of fourteenth generation nuts and bolts-”
Another member spoke out. “She’ll cook you brand new bolts if you give her the metal or a meal!”
The merchant tried again, speaking up for himself. “This Repida, she wasn’t a renowned merchant in the wars like I was, was she? Isn’t she that Seerxi exile?”
The crowd roared to her defense. “If she were allowed to return, she’d stay right here! She’s practically an An Ren in these parts.”
The merchant continued his side of the argument. “Well-”
Bleh, human problems. I was bored and moved on. It appears the Seerxi was telling the truth, so I won’t have to go back and kill her. I continued my flight, breaking away from the spiral I was making over the town toward the east. If I were flesh and bone I would have enjoyed the freshness of the wind over my wings. I missed that feeling. In fact, I missed any feeling. I wasn’t even hungry, after sleeping for so many years. Could I even call that sleeping? Could I take naps in flight like I use to? Why did those wretched Seerxi do this to me? I will burn them all down before I return to the mountains.
Angry, I swirled around. Something sparkling caught my eyes. I glided down, spiraling over a blue, shining lake. I saw a horrific creature in the waters, copying my motions. His wings were like that of a corpse, thin, bare, and metal. His body was heavy with wires and his neck was long and spiked with glowing red lights flickering beneath pale faux skin. His muzzle and head were the worst pieces of all. It was so unnatural, as though someone skinned a dragon’s head, gave is adjunct teeth and unblinking red eyes. Red like a Seerxi’s. It was me down there. I was that disgusting hybrid of fear and misunderstanding.
The oils in my mouth burst into flames and I seared the surface of the glittering blue lake. I would burn every Seerxi to the ground. I would never forgive them. And I would start with that town. Then I would fly back to that Seerxi compound and fry every living creature on my way. My flames burned every bird on the lake below. It seemed hotter than my natural fire was before. Even the water steamed into a fog so thick it sent my sensors array.
Just to stay flying I soared above the steam further east, shutting off the fire. I shut things off now! I was a machine. An ugly, unfeeling, flying disaster, just like the walking monsters called Seerxi. I went to land a distance from the lake, but my systems failed me again, making me misjudge how close the ground really was. I tumbled into the sands. Unlike the last time; my coated armor spared me complete destruction. My plan for revenge was needed to be put on hold. It was just until my systems finished fixing themselves; if they did that anymore.
Suddenly the sands burst out alive behind me. An unfamiliar monster was charging me. It looked so unreal, utterly demented. Its body was like that of a jackal but a thousand times larger with a torn face to the point of showing bone. One eye hung loosely from its socket. The other eye was simply a glowing blue orb. Its claws popped out visibly like a cat’s that hooked into my shoulder mechanics. I wasn’t even edible, how could I be attacked? Before I could even back away its ugly massive jaws crushed my neck, forcing me to shutdown.

Chapter 3: A Means of Survival
I rebooted to hear the words of the Seerxi, Reepida. “You really just bring me trouble, you know that?” My screen flickered on. At the edge of my screen’s gamut I could see the female Seerxi tending to my neck. Her face was redder than before and her eyes seemed swollen. “I swore I was never going to trade with those…. awful Lauphai again. I never wanted to see them. Thanks to you, I did. How could I reject you, hanging there so broken? That’s really cruel, you know. Being left broken.” 
She cut a wire and reattached it somewhere else. “I told you not to get damaged. I didn’t have the parts to fix you. Now you really owe me. It’s been three weeks since I took you back. If I don’t leave in two days, I won’t be on time for the festival. It takes three days to get to town! And I haven’t finished the tools or most of my work for that matter. I need another four days. Can you make time stop for me, huh? You better remember this about me. When I hold a grudge, I don’t forget it.” 
The wire in her hands sapped and she fell over backwards. She seemed really cross with me, almost as much I was with all Seerxi. I should be grateful, I suppose. This was a second time she rebooted me. Still, anything Seerxi needed to die. But if I was damaged before I finished my revenge plan, I would need this Seerxi’s help again. Fine, it was decided. I would stay with this Reepida until I was fixed, and I would leave her alive just in case I was in trouble again.
She remained relatively upset as she fell into a silence, plugging in more wires. She sighed, leaning her head against my armored shoulder. Humans were truly bizarre creatures. She sunk to the ground, turning around so her back was against my forearm and wrapped her arms around her knees. My enhanced hearing picked out her barely audible whisper. “I really hate those Lauphai.”

Well, I wasn’t fond of them either. They were the oddest of human subspecies. They were lanky, tall, violet eyed, black haired, and bad tempered, not to mention over the brink of insanity. They would massacre entire villages without reason, shoot dragons out of the air with their renowned lightning-summoning ability to take life forces to enhance their abilities and use the bodies as puppets. Some rumors say that the reason why no one sees Lauphai children is because they eat them. In general they were very hated and despised by others.
Seerxi, another odd subspecies, however, would trade with anyone in the name of study, even with the Lauphai. Seerxi can often be found cutting of natural parts, like arms or eyes, to better the limb in the name of science with their mechanical inventions. It was probably a Lauphai that showed the Seerxi how to pull out a soul from the body and put it into another. I heard Lauphai used that power to enslave their enemies, using them like puppets. I had always thought they were just scary stories dragon mothers told their young to keep them from straying from the pouch in her jaws. Obviously I was wrong.
Reepida stayed silent for a while after. I wasn’t sure she was going to even fix me. Finally she stood, wiping her face. She pulled tool from the table and started again. Human moods were too unstable for me to follow. Perhaps she could be in a dragon-like mood and just take her frustration out on me. I wish I could supervise what she was doing, but even hours later I remained unmoving.
She worked so quietly now, I was nervous. When we first met she was talking non-stop and repaired me very nicely. Please make her happy, God, I promise I won’t kill her if she repairs me nicely. I spent the entire night worrying. Then there was a click and I could move my legs. I stood abruptly. What a relief. She didn’t take her anger out on me. I was repaired. Not fully, but repaired nonetheless!
In my joy, I decided I would award Reepida. As she turned to walk away, I wrapped my tail around her and lifted her to my back. I noticed there was a change in my body weight. I was a lot lighter, my body thinner, and my wings longer. I was changed again. My stride broke out of the barn and took me soaring into the skies. Rising higher and higher I remembered that humans needed air and glided lowered. Glancing back, I noted Reepida was holding tight, but laughing. Good, she was happy, now my repairs would be quicker and better.
Within moments I was spiraling over the town and started on our way back. I didn’t know how much fuel I had in reserves and it took quite a lot to fly. Four miles before reaching her home, I landed running. This was my first success in landing since being turned into this monster and I ran with glee. I wish I felt the air brushing against me, glancing back again, I could see Reepida was enjoying it. I would find consolation in her joy.
Coming up to her home, I skidded to a stop. Stooping in a bow, I lowered myself to let her off. She seemed windblown remained stunned for a moment before hopping off. She turned, patting me slowly. “Thanks, dragon fellow.”
I nodded briefly. I nudged her toward her hut. Now, go to sleep human and come up with some great ideas on repairing me. Ideas like giving me eyelids, a way to fly without draining myself, or anything. She stumbled off out of sight. Making certain she made no detours, I returned back to the barn. I wonder how long a meal lasted for a human. When I was flesh and bone, a meal could last me three or four months. Humans were so much punier; a meal probably lasted them a few weeks before they got hungry. What did humans eat? I never had a chance to ask, I was always too hungry when I came across them.
I sat on the scaffold with the tools. I glanced around, taking in more information about my surroundings. The barn was actually very large for humans. In fact, I doubt she made this by herself. They say jobs like blacksmiths were supported by local villages.
I heard one time King Vulwind, the master of a thousand years and capable of magic-like abilities, had a blacksmith cover his claws in a metal that was so hard swords couldn’t even scratch it. I was made of Seerxi metal, so I could probably dual him in a fair fight and hold my own now. I was probably the only dragon who could rival him in his glory.
Last I heard of the great king, he was sleeping in the forest for a few years when Rykrinans found him snacking on local cattle and had him cursed to human form and trapped him somewhere. Oz of the DragonCrest Fleet had taken over temporary control in his majesty’s absence. I wonder if King Vulwind was back yet. I wish I could ask.

Chapter 4: Fighting and Champion
It was a matter of hours later that I heard banging behind the barn. Suspicious of intruders, I snuck stealthy around. The kilns were burning hot as Reepida boiled her metals. Glancing up, she spotted me. “Morning, er, evening. I still need to trade in parts in town to finish your repairs, so I’m cooking up some tools. Also, I was thinking, if you could fly me to the festival, I will have the time to finish my work here.”
Sure, Seerxi, whatever you want so long as you repair me with super undefeatable armor. I laid down, watching her work. Although I didn’t get tired as when I was flesh and bones, doing something familiar made me feel more dragon like. My systems slowly closed down one by one during my wait until my screen finally shut off.
Days later, Reepida turn my systems back on. I looked over. She had several bags tied to a single bar, and was dressed in more raiment than before. She had taken her eyepiece off and let it hang on a string around her neck, replacing it with goggles. The afternoon sun was fading to evening and everything seemed ready to go. I stood, shaking off the sand that had settled on me.
The Seerxi addressed me. “Now, when you fly could you hold this bar, that way we could carry my work with us. Then we can make a sale in town and get you new parts.”
I nodded briefly, pulling her up on my back and locking my jaws on the bar. I lifted it with surprising ease. I had imagined lifting so much iron and bronze would be straining. Even my stride-into-flight was not hindered by the extra weight. My long wings allowed us to glide quickly and safely into town. The town was lit up with colorful strings and hundreds of lanterns hanging between houses and homes. Loud music was echoed by the cacophony of voices.
Reepida carefully led me through town to her scaffold that the previous merchant had stood on so many weeks ago. We were a spectacle in the crowds. Children and adults alike pointed and gawked at me. Everyone was so colorfully dressed for the Rykrinan Feast, it was hard to tell who were Rykrinan -who would be in awe- and who were Seerxi -who would be curiously envious.
An elder spoke to Reepida as she set up her tools. This useless human chatter was slowing Reepida’s set up. I listened to it in my annoyance. “Ah, I see you’ve made yourself a helper, Reepida. I hope it wasn’t because you were so lonely all the way out there. Some of us were worried you were going to miss this Feast as well.”
Reepida waved the concern off. “Nonsense, I only missed the last few feasts because I was unwell. I’m not that much of a recluse yet, Elder. I found this mecha in the desert sands; I didn’t make him for company. He’ll probably leave once I repair him.”
Yes, and be on my way to wreak unmatched revenge. Don't worry, I'll return if I'm damaged. The elder glanced at me. “You better not leave her, you clunk of metal. Reepida needs a strong friend to protect her out there. See, because of you she even came this time. Now we don’t have to send her food by mule. Not to mention no Lauphai will touch her ever again with you around.”
The Seerxi female growled unhappily. “Elder! I’m fine on my own. Besides, I was planning to come this time no matter what.”
The Elder shook her head insistently. “If you hadn’t, I would have had to move the feast to your forge, young lady. You better come, or at least send word that you’re not. You make my hairs grow white from worry. You make me as religious as a Rykrinan, praying everyday for you.”
You and I the same old-human-Seerxi. This Reepida makes me pray really hard. And alarm rose in me. Unsure what it was, I glanced around. Looking down, I spotted a small hooded human standing beside me. She looked up, tossing back her hood. She had the soft face of a child, but her brows wrinkled into the concern of an adult. Her hair was red as Rykrinans hair could get, but her eyes were glazed over white rather than the natural green they should have been.
She appeared to be staring into my eyes as she spoke. “For give your foes, love your enemies, and you will find peace in yourself, LoiTar.”
Heh? The elder noticed the bizarre little Rykrinan. She smiled broadly, making her face more wrinkly than it was before. “Ah, Young Lady Makui Ren, please, come over here. I would like you to me our local Seerxi Smith, Reepida. Reepida, this is Lady Young Makui Ren, a prophetess of central Rykrina. You came all the way here from the capital, did you not? It’s quite far to travel from.”
Reepida gave a slight, respectful bow. Odd, most Seerxi looked down on Rykrinans as a weak, superstitious people. Still, the female Seerxi spoke in reverence to the little prophetess. “We welcome you to these far parts. I really don’t know why you would come here, but thank you anyway.”
Young Lady Makui took Reepida’s hand in her small ones. “For give your foes, love your enemies, and you will find peace in yourself, Reepida. You suffer the same affliction as your friend, LoiTar.”
Who’s LoiTar? Reepida blinked in surprise. “Heh?” She regained her reverence. “Excuse me? Who’s LoiTar?”
The little prophetess gestured to me. “LoiTar. Didn’t you give him that name?”
The Seerxi paused, stunned. “Well, I was considering it. LoiTar, as in fighter and champion, since he always seems to get in fights when I’m not around. But how did-ah, prophetess, I forgot.”
Wait, my name is LoiTar now? I was always too young to have a name before, but I’m not even really alive, how can I have a name? Young Lady Makui nodded. “I will return to the capital now. May God and his righteous servant An Ren look after you.”
With that, she turned away, disappearing into the crowds. The elder Seerxi nodded wisely. “She may be a child, but she does say the right things.”

Chapter 5: Safety
It was almost dawn when Reepida finally decided to pack up the few unsold tools. With the streets desolate, Reepida finally looked at me. She hadn’t done so since the prophetess gave her the adage and left. I was starting to worry the Seerxi Smith had forgotten I existed.
She spoke softly to me. “What did she mean you and I suffer the same affliction? Are you hurting in there? Are you suffering? Did I just bring you back to suffer? I didn’t even think about it when I repaired you. I didn’t think you wouldn't want to be repaired.”
I could ask the same of you confused little Seerxi. You have no right to butt into my business. You didn’t bring me back to life; I just never died to begin with. And who said we were friends to begin with. I curled my tail around her and hoisted her on my back. The bags were fuller than when we come, but still it was light for me. We could think about what some half-sized Rykrinan said when we get home.
The flight was short and we were unpacking in no time. I lifted all the “heavy” metal into her forge while she filled her mud hut with plants, bread, and meat I wish I wanted to eat. I wanted to eat again. Fueling up was nothing like eating. Alarms popped up when I needed fuel, but I would not have known if it didn’t. And most importantly, when I was full I didn’t feel the satisfaction food used to give me.
Again, Reepida went to sleep shortly after. Humans were punier than I had previously thought. My systems continued to run regardless of how long it was on. I waited until the following dawn for her to wake up. Still, she remained in the house. Tired of waiting for her, I poked my head through her fabric door. She was sitting at a table with a pen in hand and paper before her, still in the same raiment of the feast.
She glanced up in surprise. “LoiTar? What is it? Is there a problem?”
I looked around. I had never seen inside the hut. And I was confused just looking at it. It was made of two rooms, technically three, if you count the basement. The hatch door was open, and below was the bedroom, with another desk and papers covering the floors.
I assumed the room adjacent to this one was the kitchen. But the room I currently peered in was certainly a sight. Two glowing blue bushes stood in the back corners, and tracing around her empty walls hung hundreds of bells. I had never heard a single bell since I was turned on, even when it was windy. And this room had an open window. Even now, the bells remained silent.
Reepida followed my gaze. She nodded, understanding my confusion. “This is my alarm system. Every bell covers a different place. If anyone aside of you or me comes within a five mile radius, they will ring. And I have a special tune for when it’s a Lauphai intruder. Not one of those creatures can step foot in this house, I made sure of that.”
I nodded briefly, so not to hit the roof or floor. She was a lot more paranoid than I thought. She wasn’t kidding when she said she was fine by herself. I glanced at her paper, nudging the table to hint at my question. She glanced down at it. “Ah, I was just working out you schematics. There are a few changes I’m trying to make to help you to consume, store, and conserve your energy. I can’t imagine you flying all the way back here just to get more fuel.”
I nodded again, this time setting my head on the floor. Reepida stared at me blankly. I suppose she didn’t sleep since she was still wearing the same thing. That’s a nice thing about being metal; I don’t have to bath or shed skin. She looked down at her hands. She shook her head. “I should probably change. I'll be right back.”
The Seerxi slipped down the hatch way in the floor for a brief moment. Then she was back, dressing in her loose tongs and a sleeveless tunic. It was a relief to see her more relaxed. She needed to sleep because her puny body wouldn’t be able to fix me if she didn’t. When she tried to leave through the door, I just opened my mouth, a stern warning not to leave.
Frustrated, Reepida sat back down. “Are you trying to send me to bed or something?”
I nodded eagerly, accidently hitting the roof, shaking dust on us. Sighing, she went back down the hatch. If she thought I’d leave because of it, she was dead wrong. I watched as another day passed through the windows. Finally it was sunrise and I made the gurgling sound of my mechanical parts to wake her up.

Chapter 6: A Strange Turn of Events
It was almost three weeks after my repairs were finished that I realized I forgot my revenge plan. We had been so busy I forgot why I was here in the first place. Seerxi traders from far and wide came to visit Reepida, trading, buying, and selling parts. Now and then, she had me make deliveries in town or farther towns, but never in the direction or even as far as the lake. Sometimes my excitable Seerxi would come with me and we would just fly around for fun.
Every now and then we had visitors asking about me or young men and women wanting to become Reepida’s apprentices. There were several merchants who wanted to buy me, and some of them were so insistent I had to fly them out at the edge of town to discourage them. Once there was a Seerxi that wanted me to duel with his mechanical dog, but Reepida chased him away; saying she didn’t want me fulfilling my namesake.
I was sitting down in the barn as Reepida tried a new design on my wings, telling me stories of the Land Wars I had missed in my fourteen years of sleep. I was peering through the cracks in her very aged wall, when I remembered my first thoughts here. I remembered how I hated all Seerxi but had to put a pause on my plans in order to get repaired. Now, I hate all Seerxi expect Reepida and the ones she liked. I was supposed to leave, but I didn’t. I don’t know why I didn’t. I just didn’t.
Reepida was talking about the Land Wars still, but her mood took a darker turn as she spoke about her people’s involvement. “The Seerxi Council was resistant to entering the war. It took a long time before Queen Layic and her sister Renu had finally convinced the Seerxi council to join them in the war against the Umbrans and Lauphai. They didn’t find out that the Mecha Dragon Forces were actually Lauphai-inspired until the end of the war, when King Vulwind heard the dying thoughts of one. They say his fury was so great, if his powers were restored at that point, all of south Rykrina and North Umbra would have been burned up in ashes.
"It was then when their majesties proclaimed that all Lauphai and Berserkers must return to their home country and not trade with outside countries for the next two hundred years. The Lauphai had corrupted Umbra and Seerxi. It was because of that, that I was exiled long before the Seerxi ever joined the war. It was back when I was a professor of mecha schematics at the Academy of Science and I spoke out again the Immortality Project. I said that, just as traditional Seerxi believe, everything has its clock. No matter if you put your soul in a body of metal, you could only live so long as your clock ticks. I refused to waste my time building something that would not work.
"That was saying that the Seerxi Council were of a lower intelligence and I would not help them be forever. Such a statement in and of itself was heresy worthy of death. But because my death would be a statement that freedom of speech was impaired, I was exiled here. I only heard stories about the end of the war after that. Here, in unmarked territories, the idea that Lauphai were prohibited from travel is a joke. They could portal jump to wherever they wanted.
"At the time, I had lots of Lauphai trade partners. They would find parts for me by any means. I could get my hands on the latest equipment from the Academy of Science for the trade of a stronger staff, collars for their monstrous pets, enchanted rings, and so one. I learned minor magic tricks from them. Like the bushes that create the alarm system you saw in the house, or to make metal flat without hammering it, minor enchantments to enhance the value of something.”
She paused. I had never seen her practice magic before; much less knew she knew anything about it. If she learned so much from the Lauphai, why hate them? If I had learned something good from the Seerxi who chained me to this body, I might not hate them. I lifted my head, looking over at her. Reepida was deep in thought, and her expression was almost as pale as a ghost.
I nudged her with my head. Jolting with surprise, she tumbled back. That was not the affect I wanted. Smiling, she continued. “I never had real magic in me. I was just a Seerxi practicing a methodology. I heard dragons can learn magic-like tricks with age. They say King Vulwind was quite a master himself. But I never had magic in me.”
Well, honestly, I never really cared either way, Reepida. If you had been a Lauphai, you would have not repaired me and I would have killed you for that….if I had had the energy to do so. But you’re a Seerxi, and I would have still killed you, but I didn’t because I’m very good at coming up with reasons not to. But you don’t know that, so you’re just going to continue looking slightly crazy and slightly sulky.
I shifted me wing to get her attention on it, rather than her human qualms. She grinned, nodding understandably. Suddenly, a piercing sound pounded in my head. It was one of the bells, but this tune was very different from customer's arrival, it was much more concerning. I stood, folding my wings and glancing at Reepida. Her face had gone pale again, making me worry she might faint in this critical time.
She whispered the word, but I knew it before it left her lips. “Lauphai.”
Her worst nightmare materialized before us, in the barn house. He was just like most Lauphai, tall, lanky, pale, with powerful violet eyes, long ashen hair that darkened the shadows on his gaunt face. He lifted his hands. “I want your puppet, Reepida. I hear you made him nicely.”
My Seerxi Smith moved in front of me. “He’s not for trade. Get out of here before I remove you, permanently.”
The Lauphai shrugged. “I realize that Head Mage had wronged you according to your hybrid of Rykrinan and Seerxi ways, but you became more powerful because of it. Don’t be so angry with us, and just give me the dragon and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
I didn’t realize, but Reepida had already gotten a glowing sword in hand. “Give me back my innocence and peace of mind.”
The Lauphai’s expression fell to madness. “How about I take the rest of your mind instead?”
I pulled Reepida out of the way with my tail as the Lauphai cast his spell. The curse hit me like a tidal wave and I could feel its power pulling at me. It was the same burning sensation that had pried me from my flesh body. Now a whirlpool of air swirled in front of me, threatening to take my soul into it. My screen started to crack and I was almost gone. Just over the edge of the whirlpool I spotted the Lauphai grinning crazily over my suffering. Reepida charged behind him.
A lesson all dragons learn when they first learn about the Lauphai is that a spell cast will not be stopped if a Lauphai dies; in fact, the curse may never end because of it. It would suck us all into the whirlpool with no hope of escape. With the last of my energy I wrapped my tail around the Lauphai and pulled him in with me. If I was to be sealed into the whirlpool, then I would take that Lauphai with me and the spell would break.
My plan didn’t go exactly as I planned.
My metallic body fell over limp, yes. I closed my eyes, too afraid to see the void within the whirlpool. Wait, I closed my eyes? And did I just see my own body fall limp? I felt the ground under me and the whirlpool was gone, so what happened? Had the whirlpool been satisfied with the Lauphai soul alone?
I opened my eyes to see Reepida bringing her sword down on my head. I croaked painfully. “Reepida don’t! It’s me, LoiTar!”
Wait, I actually spoke. I had a voice? I looked, foreign hands were raised in my defense and Reepida stopped, too shocked to move, or even breath from the look of it. These hands were mine. I felt my face in horror. This was worse than be metallic. I was even uglier now. My life just kept getting worse.
I rose slowly, hands up in defense. Carefully I pried the sword from Reepida’s still hands. Her eyes rolled back in her head and keeled over, unconscious. In a shaky attempt to catch her, we collapsed on the ground. This body was so puny I wanted to rip my soul back out and put it in the metallic monster’s body.
I rolled Reepida off me, sitting up. I was human, sort of. If Lauphai, in all their madness and sadistic nature can be called human, yes, I was human. I looked over my bony arms and wiggled my toes. I was flesh and bone again. Sure, puny, but alive again. And did it hurt.
Everything ached. And stunk. I had forgotten what it was like to smell again. About to puke from my overwhelming stench, I attempted to carry Reepida into the mud hut but could only make it to the door before being repelled, so I left her there.
I made my way to the water for the forge. Some times Reepida used it for showers. Once there, I spotted my reflection. An interesting thing about Lauphai was their lack of facial hair. To make up for the trait, they grow out this disgusting, uncouth, mane of hair. I doubt this man ever showered, willingly. How did he live with himself?
I grabbed a knife from Reepida’s sets of knives and started sawing at the gnat’s nest call human hair. The idea hadn’t sunk in yet. I was human. I really was. I could talk, feel, and live. I could eat. Actually, I realized, I was really, really hungry. I stopped halfway through cutting my hair and had already pried off the sweat filled clothing of this unhygienic Lauphai and started looking for any food Reepida left in the forge.
In moments I found beef jerky and ate through it quickly. However, it was difficult to swallow. I was thirsty, so I drank from my shower bucket. The water tasted like mud, but I drank it anyway. I use the leftover water over my shoulders, but that was all that was left.
The well water was in Reepida’s kitchen, which I couldn’t enter. Then I remembered she had made me make an opening in the roof for rain to fall in. In my starkness, I climbed weakly to the top of the hay roof, near the opening. Peering down, I looked at the glittering, unattainable water. I licked my newly parched lips. This body was dry already with the sun beating my bare back. The water was too far down for me to reach. Lying flat, I scrapped hopelessly at the water’s edge. The sand had dried to my skin, causing irritation.
Reepida’s voice broke my attention, as confused and weak it was. “LoiTar?”
I looked over hopefully, forgetting I could speak and gestured to the water. Her eyes widened the more she looked at me. Swallowing to make my throat moist enough to talk, I tried to answer. “Water.”
She blinked a couple of times before nodding. “Get off the roof first…I will be right back…”
The hay scratched at my skin painfully as I slid off the roof and tumbled into the burning sand. Rolling onto my back I watched as a dark blanket was tossed over me. Confused, I pulled it back, sitting up. Reepida, had her fingers splayed over her face as she handed me the pitcher of water. I drank it gratefully. “What’s wrong, my Seerxi?”
She shook her head. “Have you any decency? You look…crazy. What happened to your hair? And your clothes, for that matter?”
I shrugged, happily licking my lips. “The clothes stunk. The hair did too.”
Raising a brow, Reepida sighed. “I still can’t believe it’s you, LoiTar. You look so…” she shivered, turning her back to me. “…Lauphai. Wrap the blanket around yourself and go into that barn, I will be right there.”
I stood. “What do I need the blanket for? It’s hot.” I started jumping from foot to foot as each sizzled. “Very hot.”
Reepida shook her head again. “Just do it.”
Without further objection I quickly moved to the barn. The doors were a lot harder to go through as a human. Inside was my collapse mecha body. I nudged it with my toes. With no surprise, it didn’t move. I sat on my mecha shoulder. The metal was very cool, but not comfortable. I don’t understand how Reepida ever rode me. At that thought, my Seerxi walked in with a bucket, pants, rags, and a pair of scissors.
She began, tossing me a rag. “Use this and the bucket of water. We don’t have a lot of water, so you’ll just have to settle with a rag wash. When you are done, put on these pants. Then call me, and I will fix your hair... and find you a makeshift shirt.”
With that, she was gone again. I wasted no time cleansing myself. I savored the coolness of the water, but pinched my nose at the smell of my hair. Uncomfortably putting on the pants, I peered out through the barn doors, calling for Reepida and retreated back in. She came with a brown tunic. “This was all I could find, so turn around and let me cut your hair.”
I obeyed, sitting on my oversized paw. She cut away at my hair silently. I started to remember how much she hated Lauphai. And now I was one of them. I cleared my voice. “I’m a dragon from far north DragonCrest, not some Seerxi’s quest for immortality, and definitely not a Lauphai.”
Silence fell between us again. The last long strand of my hair fell to the floor. She lean her head on mine. It felt same as when she rested on my shoulder before. Relief flooded my veins; there was still a connection between us. A friendship. Her voice came out softly. “I know. It’s just when I see that pale face, those violet eyes, I just don’t know what to think. It’s as though I’m staring into the face of an enemy.”
My voice went softer then I thought it could. “I know. It felt the same for me. Looking into red eyes, eyes like machines. Looking into the eyes of my enemies.”
Reepida replied, choking on her words. “I knew you hated Seerxi ever since that Feast, I just pretended not to. Do you hate me?”
I shrugged. “I hate all Seerxi.” I felt a twinge of guilt, and added. “Except Reepida and the Seerxi she likes. After all, she’s my Seerxi.”
She mumbled softly. “I heard dragons were possessive. You know, you were right about something.”
Curious, I queried. “About what?”
Reepida sighed softly. “Your hair does stink.”

Chapter 7: The Truth
Adjusting to a mammal’s body was more difficulty than was to the mechanical one. At least the mecha body had been mildly similar to my dragon body, as inaccurate and ugly it was. This body wasn't. It ate, drank, slept, and needed a lot more…effort into understanding it.
Another change was now that I could talk, I found there were lots of things I had to argue with Reepida about. In fact, there were very few things we agreed on. She wanted to sell to outside dealers for one price, I thought another was better. After all, I used to have a panoramic view of her customers who thought I was just a machine when I made deliveries. The experience, I argued gave value to my suggested price.
Another change was that I wanted her to buy more meat and she wanted me to eat more vegetables. We did agree, however, that there was enough bread. I spent much of the time running, exercising, and hammering to keep my puny body less puny. That’s how I justified getting more meat. Because meat was rather expensive in these parts, she said to even consider being a vegetarian. That suggestion ended very quickly.  It ended with us both working in the forge full time so that twice the amount of the tools were sellable and we would start a garden, cook our own bread, and we would have enough money to buy meat.
There was only one real problem that bothered me about this ugly, puny, body; Reepida wouldn’t look at me often. Even now as I worked across her in the forge, smashing down a long sword and she checking the melting irons. I glanced up, looking over her. As a dragon, I thought she forgot I existed. As a man, I knew better. Instead, she may even want me not to exist.
I wondered whether I should leave her in peace. But now, in this body, my only choice would be to go to the country of Lauphai. I wasn’t really a dragon anymore, after all. I could spend hours staring at my posed mecha body, wishing to return to it. At least as the metal monster I could pretend I was a dragon. I could be the one who hated the one I loved. I could then hate myself for my own reasons, not someone else’s.
Forgive your foes, love your enemies and you will find peace, LoiTar. So she said, and I did try, but now I was the foe and enemy. Reepida interrupted my thoughts. “That sword doesn’t need to be hammered any more. Just sharpen it…”
I looked up. She was looking over her own work. I set the sword by the spinning wheel and sat down to grab the lever that made it spin. What would King Vulwind do if he were me? After all, he managed to resurface in all these years, so he must have faced hundreds of difficulties to come back. If he were here, what would he say to me? Wow, you have a really puny body. Hmm, that sounds like what I would say to me…
I finished smoothing the swords, but left the actual sharpening until later, leaning it against the wall. Another feast would be in a week, and we had finished every delivery until then when I was the mecha dragon, so now we were getting work done early. I left the forge to wash up. It was my turn to attempt to cook. I took a rag to wash myself, wiping down my sweat. Looking into the bucket, I gazed into my relatively new face.
My hair was short, my eyes still violet, but my face wasn’t gaunt or pale. Instead it was strong- for a human that is, and I was a deep tan color. Relieved, I sighed. Aside of violet eyes, I looked nothing like a Lauphai. Pleased, I splashed and dried myself.
Reepida had made me the exception; I was allowed in the house, at least the upper floors. I had no reason to go below, so I didn’t fight her on that. In the kitchen, I fetched vegetables that my Seerxi liked and chopped some meat and put it in a pot. I was trying to copy a soup I remember seeing briefly in town. All I know was there was vegetables and meat in it and the sauce was creamy. Oh, and it was a northern Rykrina meal called stew. So, in essence, it was close to my old home in DragonCrest, and therefore I liked it.
I heard Reepida come in. She started down stairs. To see if I could get her to talk to me more, I queried. “What was that soup called again?”
She popped her head in the kitchen. “How many times do I have to tell you? It’s called stew.”
I shrugged. “I never had to cook as a dragon, so why should I be good at remembering names of things related to it.”
She looked at my work with a raised brow. “Are you trying to cook it again? Don’t forget spices.”
Reepida had given me an earful about it the last time, so I didn’t forget them. I tried ignorance. “Where are they again?” 
Sighing in her annoyance, she came in, checking a cupboard. I had moved them, hoping she would spend more time in the kitchen with me. My plan worked without a hitch. She finally found them, glaring at me. “Why did you put them back so randomly, or did you forget where they go too? Seriously, they just go in the cupboard, it’s not that hard to remember, LoiTar.”
I shrugged again. “It is for me. This puny body has an equally puny brain.”
She set the spices beside the counter, muttering under her breath. “You’re not so puny anymore.”
I glanced at her in surprise. “A compliment?”
My Seerxi looked away. “Just pretend you didn’t hear that. You may not remember anything, but you have good ears.”
A grin spread over my face. “Another compliment?”
Shaking her head, she slapped my shoulder. “Fine, no more for the day.”
I caught her hand, leaving the soup to bubble. “I like it when you’re like this, not ignoring me.”
She stared at my hand holding hers. I let go, returning to the soup. She mumbled. “I don’t ignore you.”
I argued, stirring the soup furiously. “Yes, you do. I get it, I try to focus when working, but even when we’re eating, you never look at me. I looked at you when I didn’t like you. Can’t you just forgive me?”
She turned around. “Forgive you for what? You did nothing wrong.”
I put the soup aside. “That’s what I want to know. I never asked you to save me out of the dunes. You did it all by your lonesome.”
She finally turned around to face me, glaring into my eyes. “I wasn’t trying.”
That anger was familiar. I made her upset again. “You weren’t trying what?”
Sighing, Reepida got the bowls out of the cupboard. I now wonder why she had two of everything when no one came here to stay, much less to eat. It was just her before me, right? She began. “I was trying to just run. I wanted to leave this place. Go home to Seerxi.”
I queried softly. “Why?”
She shook her head. “Why not? Don’t you want to go home after something awful happens? Didn’t you want to just see dragons after what the Seerxi did to you?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
My Seerxi looked out the window, seeing into a distant past I wasn’t a part of. “I wanted to see Seerxi. I wanted to see anything other than Lauphai. But when I saw you in the sand, I saw a way to destroy them. You could burn them down. Since you’re a mix of Lauphai magic and Seerxi mecha, you would be relatively indestructible, plus with my enchantments, you could make it to central Lauphai without being completely destroyed. It didn’t cross my mind that you could have thought the same of me. A tool in your revenge box.”
Revenge box, I liked that. Pouring the soup in the bowls, I asked softly. “What made you stop?”
Reepida sighed. “You did. You ran away. And a Lauphai brought you back to me. It was just so wrong the way it all happened. I didn’t want to do anything but destroy you I was so angry. Rather than killing all Lauphai, you brought them back to my doorstep. I let you sit there for days before starting repairs.” She looked down in her soup in shame. “I wasn’t until I remembered how awful it felt to be suddenly alone. I remembered what a relief it was to find you in the desert. You were my own broken angel God sent me to fix. It turns out I was just as broken.”
I gritted my teeth bitterly. “And then I turned into your worst nightmare.”
She shrugged this time. “I suppose it’s only fair. After all, I’m yours.”
We set the bowls on the table. There were two chairs. It was a table made for two people. I questioned, very quietly. “Who sat here before me, Reepida?”
My Seerxi didn’t look up surprised. “A Lauphai did. Rykrinans always warned me not to ever associate with Lauphai. And he was one of the Head Lauphai. He was my most common visitor. We were on relatively good terms. He was more cohesive than other Lauphai. He said he was on his way becoming what all Lauphai strive to be, a Berserker. The highest of all Lauphai kind. Then he could join the nomadic Berserkers in their travels around the world. It sounded good, right. But he lacked one thing, one key difference stood in his way, in the way of all Lauphai.”
Folding my arms over my chest, leaned back. “What was that?”
Following my example, she explained. “There are four ways to be a Berserker, be born one, or make a Lauphai in your place by one of three ways.”
I raised a brow. “Make a Lauphai? How?”
Reepida sighed. “By three ways. The hardest and most costly way is a transmutation, from which you create a living disaster through found objects, which would cost a limb. Mate with an equally ranked Lauphai, have a child, fight to the death between you and your mate and the survivor must bring the child to the Berserkers. Or lastly, harbor magic in someone who is in no way a Lauphai, which he did to me.”
Nodding, I recalled. “And you were already on your way to learning magic, so why not?”
My Seerxi shook her head. “I had a target planted on my head.”
Having lost my appetite for my quickly made soup, I pushed it away. “What did he do to you?”
She stood, turning away. “I’m going to change downstairs.”
Before she could go, I called out. “Then how can you even let me in your house?”
Reepida paused, before looking over her shoulder, her crimson eyes sparkling unnaturally. “You’re a dragon from the north, right? One day, you’ll slip back into that mecha dragon and fly away. I’ll never see you again.”

Chapter 8: Flesh or Metal?
By dark I cleaned up and was sitting before my prompted up mecha form, staring into my mechanical eyes. I would return, no matter what. Leave this body. What did breathing matter when my heart wouldn’t beat? I placed my hand on the body. God, let me be this ugly beast. You’ve given me everything I asked for. I’ll try really hard not to ask for anything else. Just let me into this form. I became a man on accident, didn’t I? Let me be a dragon! Numbness crawled up through my legs.
I was sure dawn light was warmly spraying over me, but I didn’t open my eyes. I had to be a mecha dragon. I had to leave. Remember, LoiTar, remember. Every fiber had been wire. I was first a flesh dragon, my soul was that. Then I was mecha dragon. I had had a soul of a mecha and dragon. I would have that part of my soul back. I was hard, impenetrable metal.  My heart would hurt in this form. I wouldn’t have a heart.
My legs, they were light as air. The mecha beast stood. My neck was long, clinking chain mail. My mecha head lifted. My sight was a screen, interpreting data. My Seerxi crossed into the gamut of my screen. I looked down at my Lauphai body, who sat cross-legged, hands together on my lap. Reepida had reached me, shaking my body. My hearing, what did everything sound like from this body?
Then I could hear what she said, like a whisper in the back of my mind. “LoiTar, don’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Don’t leave me.”
I tried to answer. I have to do this, my Seerxi. It hurts too much to be Lauphai, to be human. I have to take what’s left of me to the mountains and disappear. That would be better, wouldn’t it?
She didn’t hear me. “Please, don’t leave. You aren’t Lauphai to me now, your LoiTar. I love you because of it. Because not matter what, you never change. You’re not a mecha some Seerxi made. You’re not Lauphai. You’re a dragon from the far north. You’re LoiTar. A champion who didn't ever get to be a victor. You’re my champion.”
I held my breath. My champion? As she is my Seerxi, am I her champion? That’s right. I was a dragon. Not any dragon, the dragon of the north, and I would not give up. On anything. I clenched my fist. I was human again. Catching my breath, I opened my eyes, glancing at Reepida.
I cracked a smile. “Your champion?”
She returned the grin, wrapping her arms around my neck. “And don’t you forget it.”

Chapter 9: Last Feast of the Summer
I tightened the ceremonial belt around me. Now I could control my mecha body with ease and we could leave later to the Feast. It would be the first feast I was actually attending as a man. Luckily, it wasn’t my first time in town. A time before I could move my mecha body, we ran out of food and had to make an expedient trip to town. Then and now I wore goggles that were tinted on the outside but were clear on the inside to hide my violet eyes. After all, Lauphai were not allowed to cross the border and we didn't want to scare anyone.
I found a new difference in this human body as Reepida met me in the barn. As a mecha dragon, her feast raiment just seemed a hindrance. As a man I made different observations. Her hair was unclasped and hung loosely around her shoulders, only restrained by the goggles she strapped on for the ride. Her new outfit was a loose crimson dress with gold details. Were she red-haired, I would have thought she was a beautiful Rykrinan. Had I really not seen it before?
Ignoring my long stare, she passed me. She spoke up. “I made a few differences in your mecha body. See, here’s a seat in the chest, so you don’t fall out. I’ll be here, imbedded in your back, mostly out of the wind. Like it?”
I nodded numbly, still thinking about how different she seemed now. I couldn’t understand it. How could I not been attracted to her before? She grabbed my arm and pulled me to my seat in the dragon and I shook off the haze. Closing my eyes, I shut the door over me and curled my tail around Reepida, lifting her into my back. Picking the bar up, I started off, flying to the town.
Soon enough, we were there, unpacking. People still stopped and awed at me, but more with admiration than shock as I weaved my mecha body through the crowds. I received warm gasps of surprise when I shut off and stepped out on our scaffold. The crowds clapped eagerly. The same elder came to visit Reepida, bringing the questions asked by the crowds to her. “Who is this young man? We saw him before, but you never told us.”
My Seerxi glanced back at me. I came over, shrugging. “I’m a friend from Seerxi. She wrote me that she wanted a friend, so I came over.”
Reepida’s face softened to a smile, looking over at me. She reinforced my spun tale. “Yes, you did say I should have someone to be with me, Elder.”
The elder nodded wisely, pleased. “I’m glad to hear it young lady. Ah, I forgot, three young Rykrinans from the temple wanted to see your mecha, but they were such shy little things. Here they are, come on children, don’t be afraid. This is Reepida, and her friend, what’s your name, young man?”
I grinned. “Actually, I share the dragon’s name, LoiTar.” The children peered up at me as though I was an ancient cedar tree too tall to climb. I suppose I was, but I knelt down, querying. I suppose I had a soft spot for hatchlings even as the fierce dragon I once was. “Want to ride him?”
Reepida glared at me. “Fly slowly.”
I winked at her and the children cheered. “Stay right there.”
I sat into my seat, closing the door. In a moment, I had three little Rykrinans soaring through the air, carefully keeping an eye on them. They whooped and screamed, and I think one ate a bug. I flew them around the town back down to the edge of the town and walked in, letting them stand and brag to the people below. Other children clamored at my feet for a turn.

Chapter 10: Conversation
Around midnight I stopped give rides so the parents and temple priests could take their children home to rest. Several priests stayed around to chat with me. One, a young man, was eager to know how I rode the dragon. He remarked. “I would have sworn it was magic, I was a magic-seeker in the Land War. I could find a magic using Lauphai within twenty miles. But this feels like something else.”
The other priest, a much older man nodded. “And I remember mecha dragons had souls attached to them. At first, I was skeptical of you, young man. There was no chance you were a Lauphai, after all, Lauphai despise children. There was a chance you were a Berserker, but you lack any magical strength for that.” He leaned forward to whisper in my ear. “The Seerxi may not be able to tell your body is Lauphai, but Rykrinans have a much stronger sense of it.”
I glanced over at him nervously. The younger priest was nodding in understanding. I queried. “Did you turn me in?”
The older shook his head. “No need for that, we were just wondering if you would tell us yourself. After all, if you aren’t a magic practitioner, no Rykrinan should have a problem. I would rather encourage and guide a Lauphai rather than scare you into magic.”
The younger joined in. “In the war, I once caught myself causing Lauphai to use magic, rather than not; I’ll never forgive myself because of it. If the Lauphai could stop using magic, then would there never be wars as devastating as the Land War again.”
The older finished. “Besides, around here, one can’t be too afraid or superstitious as in the north. You are welcome to visit our temple in town if you like. There’s a lot to be learned from one another.”
I queried. “Learned?”
The younger chimed in, putting an arm over my shoulder. “Rykrinans have a fit when there is a couple staying under the same roof that isn’t married. Call us traditional.”
I raised my brows. “What does married mean?”
The older smiled. “Now that sounds Lauphai. Ask the lovely Reepida some time. I have a question, who are you exactly?”
Grinning, I saw Reepida wave me over, and answered as I left. “A dragon.”

Chapter 11: What Not to Ask
The flight back was arduous, leaving no energy for questions. With our new supply of food stacked away, we headed off for bed. Lying on the haystacks in the barn, I studied the roof in exhaustion. The conversation with the Rykrinans played over and over again in my head. I was surprised with their reactions; in fact, I’ve never been more surprised in my life. After all, this was my first real conversation with other men.
Rykrinans. Quite something. Now I feel a little bad for eating them as a dragon. I could have learned a lot if I had stopped to have a conversation before eating them. But then again, I suppose I had a mind of a dragon. And I suppose dragons were the only non-religious speaking animal there is, and the main topic for Rykrinans was religion. I closed my eyes, letting the world fade from my mind.
My dreams only brought about fear, anger, and dissonance. I was a dragon again, gliding low to the ground when I was hit by lightning. It wasn’t powerful enough to kill me, but I was stunned, landing gently. It hurt badly to be hit, so I curled up to heal.
The next thing I knew, I was in a white room, facing hundreds of clockwork-faced Seerxi who had chained me down. I want to be free, so a pull with all my might. In the distance I think I hear another dragon, I cry out to be heard, and I yank harder. The final time rips the chains from the ground, and I see a smile creak across a Seerxi’s face. I was strong enough for him. That’s when the burning starts. I burn hotter than the summer sun.
A yank on my shoulder woke me from the nightmare, leaving me sweaty and panting. I swallow nervously. The morning light brightens Reepida’s face and I sighed with relief. Shaking her head, my Seerxi sits next to me. “You usually run before sunrise, but I didn’t see you out there and…I don’t know. I just…”
I sat up next to her, grinning. “Are you worried I’ll fly away?”
Pushing me away, she bit her lip. “I knew you wouldn’t. Are you all right? You were thrashing about.”
I shrugged. “I just slept too long. That’s all. Ready to start up the forge?"
She nodded, keeping a concerned eye on me as we made our way to the ever burning kilns. After stocking them, we went about our daily chores quietly, until I spoke up, clashing as Reepida started speaking up at the same time.
Clearing my voice, I offered. "You go ahead first."
While checking all the iron molds, she queried. "What did the Rykrinans talk to you about?"
I shrugged, checking the gears in the Seerxi hammer-arm, a device Reepida used for full hammering strength. "Nothing much, except they know that I'm Lauphai."
My Seerxi spun around. "Why didn't you tell me that last night?! How did they find out?"
Remaining passive, I kept from smiling. "They said that Rykrinans are better at detecting even small levels of magic."
Worry spread over her face. "What are we going to do?"
I shook my head. "They said they wouldn't turn me over to the authorities since I'm not a magic practitioner. They also said something, and when I asked them something they said I should ask you."
She seemed to have calm down. "What is it?"
Replacing a gear, I looked over my work proudly; I was getting more skilled with Seerxi designs. "What's married? They were saying it was unsettling about us living together while we were not 'married'."
Reepida suddenly became agitated. "Why does everyone have to bring up marriage?! For the last time I'm not getting married ever!"

Chapter 12: A Choice I Can Make
I didn't ask her again, and reserved further questions for the Rykrinans. After careful planning, I made a trip to the temples with staffs and urns in tow. Reepida didn't join me this time, busing herself with oiling the gears in her hammer-arm.
In a short time, I was spiraling over the temples. The children spotted me faster than prey and made a fuss twice as loud. Upon landing, I was paraded by half pints from every angle. The head priest shoveled through to greet me. "You are quite something, young man. Ah, you needn't wear those spectacles here."
I spoke quietly. "But I'm....Lauphai."
The children joined our conversation with an argument. The children from the feast argued. "You're not Lauphai, your Rykrinan." They turned to the head priest, trying to convince him. "He's not Lauphai, he's Rykrinan. Master, he's Rykrinan like us."
I glanced, puzzled. The head priest sighed. "We were just having a history lesson about how Rykrinans came from somewhere far away and were forced to land here, in Llenova. Even young Rykrinans can sense the difference in Lauphai ranks. You’re far below, so your magic content is too slight to be considered a danger around here. Besides that, the children love you. Were we northern Rykrinans, it would be different."
The younger priest from the feast came over. He spoke urgently. "I went to bring Sir Benjamin and his disciples some tea, but when I returned, all three of them were gone without a trace."
I queried. "Who is Sir Benjamin?"
The head priest answered, smiling, unconcerned with his vanishing guests. "In the Rykrinan temples, there are two individuals that have stood out in our two hundred and eighty years here. An Ren, who brought life back to our scriptures, and her grandson Benjamin, who is both a prophet and a priest with unimaginable powers. He is behind every victory in Rykrina's recent history."
Curious, I asked. "What did he want with us in the middle of nowhere? I mean, doesn't he have more important things to tend to?"
The grin returned to the head priest's face. "Actually, he came about a vision about you. He comes to warn you to "never take the life of a Rykrinan, or it will doom you. Save a life and you will be protected." Sir Benjamin seemed very concerned. Ah, I would like to warn you as well, there are rumors in the north that the Seerxi picked up their Mecha Dragon Project, and soldiers may even be on their way there to check."
I nodded. "I will be careful. But first, why I came here. I asked Reepida and she was angry. What exactly is marriage?"
The priest scratched his chin, glancing down at the children. "A better talk for the inside. And I have a suggestion after." Once inside and alone, the elder priest began again. "Rykrinans define marriage as a union between one man and one woman before all peoples and righteous before God. We see it as beyond important for couples who live together."
I sighed. "But if everyone already knows, we are already married, right?"
The priest shook his head. "No, it's a ceremony that binds you together. It means you should love one another. Reepida has a difficult time because she feels uncomfortable with a man courting her, especially after she was attacked by the Lauphai. Besides that, her Seerxi upbringing dulls the meaning of marriage. Seerxi seldom marry for love. Rather, they marry for convenience, and this marriage would be inconvenient."
Folding my arms over my chest, I questioned. "Do Lauphai marry?"
Taking a sip of his tea, the priest replied. "They have no such word. That's their problem. Their lack of marriage constantly shrinks the number of children, which makes their child sacrifices very scarce, which lessens their powers. That's why a number of Rykrinan and Umbran children disappeared in the war."
My face paled. Child sacrifices? I heard of dragons eating their hatchlings or the hatchlings of others, but that was only out cruel necessities, never ceremonial reasons.
The priest consented. "Why do you think we hate magic? Because it screams of the blood of innocents. However, people seldom talk about it and thus they seldom know about it. My I pose a question to you?"
Still stunned, I nodded my consent.
He continued. "I was wondering if you would like to be initiated officially as a Rykrinan."
I blinked. "You can do that?"
He grinned at my continual shock. "Yes. Actually, after the war, even the King of Umbra was initiated to the Rykrinan faith. And the King of Dragons, you may be familiar with, was also initiated. If you like you can be admitted to both the faith and the people if you want."
Combing through my ashen hair, I grinned. "In that case, if I could, I want to be Rykrinan. Do I need to do anything?"
The elder priest seemed pleased. "Just come to the temple before the feast to the temples for a few weeks, and we will prepare you."
This was what I needed; an official way to renounce this Lauphai body but embrace being human.

Chapter 13: My First Victory
I sighed, dusting off my mecha dragon on my return from the temple. I felt proud of myself. I visited the temple so often now; I knew all the priests and children by name. And on every return I learned something new about the world of humans, and more importantly about marriage. Although my initiation ceremony was still weeks away, most people knew me as a Rykrinan man.
The only one who did not understand my change was Reepida. She couldn’t seem to understand why I visited the temple on days I didn’t need to. The leaders just told me to explain to her the reason when I felt it was the right time. They however, didn’t not explain in detail when this “right time” actually happened, so I normally avoided the topic altogether.
Today, Reepida grumbled at my arrival. “We have a customer coming in a few hours for the digger, so change back to work clothes.”
I teased, her, winking. “Now or after you leave?”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Have you learned nothing from the Rykrinans? Really, I don’t understand why you spend so much time at the temple. It’s not like I dislike Rykrinans, but there’s only so much religion one can take in life.”
Finding my way through spare parts to my makeshift room, I started to change. “I don’t know. It’s…enlightening in my opinion. There’s history to be learned from it. They say the reason King Vulwind became such a powerful dragon is because he studied the history of warriors.”
Finished, I came out to Reepida’s direct stare. She gaped. “Are you planning on becoming a priest?”
My jaw dropped. That was her conclusion? I suppose I wasn’t very clear in expressing my feelings toward her, but I was new to humanity and she wasn’t. “No.”
Reepida finally asked, suspicious. "So, why do you visit the temple so much?"
I shrugged aloofly. "I want to be initiated as a Rykrinan."
She dropped the bag of iron bolts in her hands. I started picking them up as they spilled over the ground. "Why?"
I shrugged. "No reason to be Umbran, defiantly never joining Seerxi, and I hate being Lauphai. If I do this, there will be nothing but me left. You can't keep thinking of me as a magic user. I'm just human. I'm just LoiTtar."
She scowled. "Rykrinans don't live under the same roof of the opposite gender not married."
I put the bolts aside and took her hands in mine. "So, then marry me. Solve this terrible dilemma."
She just stood there and gawked at me for a long moment. Finally she muttered her reply. "You want to marry? Me?"
I scoffed. "Do you see anyone else around? Of course you. Will you say yes?"
Another long silence fell between us, until a shocking downpour of tears spilled over her face. "Yes."
I embraced her, unsure what else to do. This is a victory point for the human LoiTar.

Chapter 14: Intruders
The days were becoming short, now just a week from the Fall Feast, which was the date of both our marriage and my initiation to the Rykrinan faith. We walked side by side, laughing for laughter’s sake. We finished early and now were coming back from a flight over the clouds.
Tired, we retired to the house. Reepida was describing her ails with her new hammer-arm design, and led me to her room to show me. As I descended into the room, I noted the new cleanliness. Before, it was layered in papers, but now everything had its place on the aging shelf and her desk. I made a note to myself to make her a new shelf.
She shuffled the papers, and I came closer to look over her shoulder. Her drawings varied from brief sketches to complete, detailed designs. I leaned my head on her shoulder lovingly. She glanced back mischieviously, and flicked me. "Not now, in a week. Aren't you paying attention?"
I shrugged, rubbing my nose. "Sure I am. I'm paying very close attention."
She grumbled shyly. "Not like that."
I laughed, picking her up and swinging her around. It was a new trick I learned from the temples that I could do, and I used it often. The act made her wrap her arms and around my neck and laugh in surprise.
Reepida started. "You're my champion. You should know, I do lo-"
Before she could finish the alarm sounded. Dangerous intruders crossed the lines and not a Lauphai this time. Still, with rate and tune of the alarm, the intruders were coming weapons ready and quickly. Without hesitation, I let Reepida go retrieve her sword while I summoned my mecha body from the barn. I become skilled enough so that I could remain somewhat mobile and distant while controlling the mecha.
A moment later, we were out, in front of the house, prepared for anything except what came. A full grown dragon, larger than I had ever been, was charging us. There was a flash on my mecha’s gamut, warning me there were two intruders, and one of which was a very quick human.
I sent my mecha forward, clashing with the oncoming dragon in exploding battle.

The flesh dragon twisted with experience, gapping his jaws to catch my one weak spot, my neck. Had it been long ago when battle was fresh in my mind and my reactions would have only been enhanced, I could have won this fight in a few movements. Not to mention that not only was I slow, but my opponent was well trained for mecha fighting. I was starting to realize I wasn't fighting just any dragon. Gold wingtips, ashen body, shiny, silver claws, eyes glowing with power. This was the King of Dragons, Vulwind!
My human body was surprised and my mecha paused, giving Vulwind the chance to snap at my neck. If I was fighting the King of Dragons, he must assume I was a Seerxi Mecha Dragon being controlled by a Lauphai. Fourteen years ago, I would have acted like the mecha dragons Vulwind had fought; scared, old-fashioned, inexperienced as a mecha dragon, reptilian, and most importantly, angry. I was not that dragon. In fact, I’m not a dragon, I’m a Rykrinan now. And that would be my advantage.
I spun around, spreading out my wings and turning on my rockets. I knew how to control what I had, and better, I was of a design meant to last through Lauphai lightning; Vulwind’s metal claws couldn’t scratch me. The only thing I had to fear was if his strength broke my neck. I slapped Vulwind’s head aside with my tail and landed, racing around him with my agile body.
Suddenly the hairs on the back of my human neck rose; someone was behind me. I was paralyzed now, having to concentrate all my physical strength on my mecha. The second human, a female, tried to slash my throat with her dual blades, but both were caught by Reepida’s mechanized broad sword. My Seerxi glanced back at me, giving me a wink. I tried to grin back, with little success.
Something bothered me. I mean, aside of the fact that the most powerful dragon was attacking me in my most vulnerable stage of life. Oh, and the fact that my lover’s life was at risk. Vulwind was a dubbed Rykrinan like myself, and my attacker from a moment ago was red haired and green-eyed. Ah, we were being attacked by Rykrinans. Benjamin’s warning came to mind. Never take the life of a Rykrinan, or it will doom you. Save a life and you will be protected.
My jaws were just closing over Vulwind’s neck when I pulled back, refusing to take my victory. I looked back to Reepida. She was a fighter, yes, but neither of us have recently fought, aside of verbally. If this were a verbal fight, Reepida would be victor over us all. That Rykrinan, however, was very skilled with her blades, and just as she pulled Reepida’s broad sword aside with one dagger, she when for a neck blow with the other.
Letting my mecha body collapse in Vulwind’s jaws, I returned to my human body. In a fluid movement, I caught Reepida around the waist and pulled her under my protection. Magic teemed at the tips of my fingers, begging me to call out lightning. That magic, the lightning would prove I was just a Lauphai. I would die before that would happen.
I glanced over my shoulder to see the female had stopped her bombardment and stood in somewhat shock. I spun around, keeping my Seerxi safely behind me. A flash of exhaustion overcame me. Controlling the mecha from such a distance without really leaving my body was taxing I was overextended because of it. Vulwind came trampling over to finish us off when he was stopped by the Rykrinan female.
She spoke, concisely, not taking her narrowed green eyes off me. “Stay back, Vulwind. There’s something not right here, I can sense it.” Addressing me, she queried harshly. “What are you doing?”
Feeling my heart start to hurt in my chest and my lungs vacate the air, I gave her a look of perplexity. My voice was a sound of pain. “What?”
The Rykrinan asked again, more directly staring into my eyes. “What are you doing, Lauphai? Why are you protecting your puppet? Why don’t you just portal out of here?”
The words started to connect in my mind. I was starting to feel light headed. “I-I I’m protecting my Seerxi. I’m not…Lauphai.” I was astonished at how uneducated I was coming across. I glanced back at Reepida, who looked at me tensely, her eyes shining with concern. So long ago, I would have hated those scarlet eyes. Now they were the velvet that returned strength to my limbs. I had to stay around. I had to protect the laughter we had. I cleared my voice. I turned back to the intruders, trying to straighten my back. I lifted my chin painfully, feeling dizzy. “I’m not a Lauphai. I’m Reepida’s champion. I’m the protector of this place. I am that mecha dragon, and I am this body’s owner.”
Vulwind’s massive body shrunk into human form. He raised a doubtful brow. “What? Are you daft or something? Renu, let’s just take his head and solve this problem. All the mecha dragons will collapse without the Lauphai who controls them.”
I swallowed nervously. Wait. There were other mecha dragons out there? The rumors were true, then. The Seerxi had started it again. Reepida seemed to realize I was distracted and spoke up. “Don’t you dare! He may be a bit daft, but he’s not a Lauphai anymore. He wasn’t one to begin with.”
Before Vulwind could speak up, Queen Renu queried, addressing me. “Explain yourself.”
My Seerxi met the eyes of the Umbran-Rykrinan Queen. “He’s daft, remember? He was the mecha dragon, but long story short; he was transfer to the body of this Lauphai on accident and has been with me since. He’s having a Rykrinan initiation ceremony in a week, not to mention our wedding. We’ve been through enough, so leave us alone. We don’t know the whereabouts of your Lauphai, but this is not him.”
Queen Renu lifted her hands in defense. “Whoa, there, girly. I take it back. He’s your puppet.”
Vulwind step up to me, staring me in the eyes. The pain was starting to fade, but so was my sense of ground. He spoke up. “Say that we believe you, which, frankly, I don’t-”
The Rykrinan interrupted, glancing at Vulwind. “I believe them. I’ve never seen such an odd pairing, and I doubt I will see it again.
Glaring at his companion, the Dragon King continued. “I don’t. But if I did, do you really want me believe the most famous Mecha Dragon designer in the world did not work on this new project? That you know nothing about it, nor your Lauphai…friend here?”
I lifted my hand in objection. “I’m her fiancé.”
The world vanished and I collapsed into darkness.

Chapter 15: Revenge Box
My dreams were a twist of memories. I remember burning the lake. I was confused. I landed. And then, out of nowhere, a monster dog, a puppet the Lauphai used control caught me. Wait. Reepida said it was a Lauphai that sold me back to her. So it was a Lauphai that I had met. If Lauphai were forbidden, why was he so much in the opening? Ah, he was by the lake. That lake was far in the east, toward Seerxi. I had flown in that direction to wreak my revenge.
I sat up, breaking myself free from the dream. I looked around. I was on the bed in Reepida’s room, and my Seerxi and the intruders were present as well, staring at me in shock. Reepida rushed to me. “LoiTar, you’re awake. Are you feeling alright? Can you breathe?” She waved her fingers in front of my face. “Can you see me? Do you remember me? Can you feel you fingers and toes??”
I caught her hands with mine, and held her gaze as I talked. “I’m fine. I just remembered something. I did see the Lauphai near here.”
Surprise flickered in her eyes, and the intruders, now interested, came over. “What do you mean?”
I bit my lip, trying to recall any details. “Remember the Lauphai that sold me back to you?”
She nodded. Vulwind raised a suspicious eyebrow. My Seerxi scowled. “You can take what customers you can. What about him, LoiTar?”
I queried. “Do you remember ever working with him before? I met him by the lake in the east, after I tried setting it on fire. He used his jackal beast to catch me. Why would a Lauphai be so east? Isn't the nation of Lauphai west of here?”
Reepida paused to think. Queen Renu asked arbitrarily. “You tried to set a lake on fire?”
I shrugged. “What can I say? I was angry.”
Vulwind interjected. “What part of Dragon-Crest are you from?”
A grin spread over my face. Did he believe me, or was this a test? “Far north. Just between Glacier-Fire and Heaven’s Embankment. You know, I grew up with tales over your strength. Every dragon aspired to be like you.”
He scowled. “They don’t anymore.”
Indignant I noted. “I still do. After all, I’m a dragon-turned Rykrinan also.”
Reepida had disappeared in our conversation and now returned with a map in hand. “This would make perfect sense. Under the lake there are a series of tunnels. Because the lake is salt water and fish die on the shores yearly, no one goes near there. And, LoiTar, that’s some thirty miles from here; not close.”
Vulwind and I spoke in unison. “For normal people and I am not normal.”
Queen Renu crossed her arms. “I think we know that. Let’s go, Vulwind. We need to shut this thing down completely.”
I chimed in with Reepida. “We’re coming too.”
Vulwind grumbled. “Why? We don’t need you.”
I glanced at Reepida and replied. “Just consider yourself tools in our very aged revenge box. We both got something there we need to finish.”

Chapter 16: The War She Fought
It was nice to glide beside another dragon again. Not to mention my childhood hero. Mother dragons didn’t point out to the hatchlings that they should try to be like their fathers; they told their hatchlings to be like Vulwind. When someone needed an example of strength, they used Vulwind. I was flying with him.
Reepida muttered aloud. “I think I haven’t seen you this gleeful since I said yes to your proposal.”
Turning to look back at her, I winked. “Don’t worry it’s still you I’m going to marry. We’re almost there, so prepare.”
Just as I spoke, I spotted the lake. We spiraled through the night sky, just over the clear blue waters. Although dark had long set in, the moon’s almost full light lit the world with a pale glow. I tried to recall the best I could in what direction specifically I had gone after steam had ruined my sensors. I soared close to the waters, scanning every place. I closed my eyes, turning off my screen and simply flew; going through the motions I had in my dream, everything down to the details.
I opened my eyes in time to avert a direct crash to land in the sand, beside the waters. I found it, the spot I had stopped before. Reepida spoke up. “If your senses are right, then their alarms must be blazing. It’s now or never.”
 Simultaneously, we swooped down on the sands, sprinting toward the entrance to the tunnels. Before I could reach it, the mangled jackal burst from the sands and charged me. A thin metal pole shot from air and pierced the monster’s skull, pinning it to the ground. Attached to the pole was Queen Renu, who jumped off her victory and started her own sprint to the entrance. A solid metal door sat up ahead down the tunnels. Reepida jumped off just as I braced for smashing through it. The Seerxi didn’t know what hit them; or at least, so I thought.
As the door came crashing down, I entered a room. It was so much like the auditorium with the tables of bodies from my past, I paused in bewilderment. I remember, the last time, I had set everything on fire. Here, among the Seerxi stood model dragons, much similar to my slightly older design. They stared at my arrival.
Reepida had caught up to me, holding her breath. “They stole my design. How did they do that?”
It must have happened after I was caught by the lakeside. They used my designs. Was my discovery by Reepida in the desert sands perhaps set up to manipulate her to innovate my new design just so they could copy it? Did the Lauphai, whose body I now inhabit, trying to take me back here to be studied? What was happening?
Vulwind didn’t wait for a “go-ahead”. Instead he roared fire, crisping the bodies. When I did that before, the bodies had exploded inexplicably. It wasn’t my hot fire; it was the Lauphai covering his tracks. The same would repeat again. I could see their plans unraveling before me now. They would send more Lauphai after my mecha body later, when I was weak, vulnerable. I picked up Reepida with my tail and sprinted ahead of Vulwind. This time, I would catch that Lauphai. Closing my eyes, I took half my attention from controlling my mecha, and focused on finding that Lauphai.
I was Rykrinan now. And Rykrinans can sense the evil of magic. They could hear evil’s unspoken nature. They can do that because they are a purer group, untainted by magic. I would be the same. I would be pure and I would know wrong from right. I would know good from evil.
I could hear it. The cries of innocence. The pain of a fast heart, or empty lungs, or burning skin, the pain of suffering was overwhelming; the torture of sacrifice. The Lauphai was trying to portal out of his disaster. I returned my focus on my mecha, swiftly making my way to Lauphai. Reepida saw him before me, and had her sword in hand. Before he could vanish, my jaws shut over his leg, heaving him up.
I heard Reepida explain something, in a voice far different from what I ever heard. “Have you ever heard of malklite? It’s a rare Rykrinan stone they used when they first landed here, back when they had to fight you all. After you took what was important to me, I found away to pay you back. Rykrinans shape malklite into necklaces and use them to slowly purify Lauphai, to make the process less painful and diminishing. I’m Seerxi, not Rykrinan. Seerxi don’t like being messed with. This sword will destroy every piece of magic, every rank you have ever accumulated. Everything you made your life out to be, I’ll take it away. Let me purify you.”
In the motion she used to dismount my shoulder, she sliced down the Lauphai. The wound sizzled green, glowing like an infection. The hire the rank, the more the powers, the more deadly it seemed the malklite would be. The Lauphai screamed in my jaws, twisting in burning pain. He hadn’t screamed when my jaws clamped his legs, but this sent him into a panic. I could see every mecha dragon collapse without their controller.
Horror rose as I watched Reepida take the sword to herself. I wanted to drop the screaming Lauphai, but that could give him the chance to run. Why Reepida? I remembered; Reepida had accumulated magic within herself as well. The malklite would affect her just as much. It had affected her. I leapt from my mecha body, letting the Lauphai go and caught my Seerxi with one arm and held the blade with the other.
As though proof of my own purity, I experienced no internal pain from the malklite, only the slight sharpness of the blade itself. Queen Renu rushed over, taking the sword away from us. I wrapped my arms around Reepida, whispering urgently. “It’s over. It’s over now.”
Her nails dug into my arm, crying her frustrations. “No, it’s not. I’m still tainted. I have to use the sword. I have to make up for my mistake. I was too weak to win against them. I let them be the victor.”
I glanced back, seeing the Lauphai trapped by Vulwind. My hero, but not my champion. My champion answered my ever prayer, with yes and sometimes with no. My champion fought until the end, pointing me to this moment. Giving me the words to say to the one close to me. I whispered into her ear. “No, never. I’m the victor of your heart. I am your champion, my Seerxi. The war was fought long ago, and we won.”

Chapter 17: Champion
I leaned back, looking over the forge. Everything was new. The entire temple, not to mention friends in town, had helped set it, our house, and the workhouse-barn up. Now, this was much better. The forge was much closer to town, so that we weren’t completely isolated. I made my Seerxi stay at our old place for the past few days, so it would be a surprise. For all she knew, I was doing something at the temples, perhaps the after effects of our marriage. I replayed the memories of our wedding just two weeks ago, over in my mind. I had my initiation at dawn, and in the evening we had our wedding.
Oh, our wedding. The entire town was celebrating with lights and drinks and dancing and other disruptive human activities. The Seerxi elder who always prayed so hard for Reepida cried equally hard. And, most importantly, we had no unwanted guests.
Luckily, we sent away our intruders with their Lauphai prize and the Seerxi project was officially and permanently shutdown. The Seerxi Council publicly renounced Reepida’s exile. I smirked to myself. She still agreed to marry me and stay here, in the middle of nowhere. The world was once more at peace. Or at least our part of the world.
I looked up at the clear skies. God, I won’t say I have one last request. After all, we all know that isn’t true. But my most earnest request is that, no matter what, stay the champion that conquers. A champion that can bend swords into tools. A champion who answers the pleas of a petty dragon. A champion that watches out for a dull-witted, body-switching Lauphai.
The elder Seerxi walked a blindfolded Reepida to me. I put my arm around her, whispering into her ear. “I have a surprise for you.”
She growled angrily back. “When you flew me here two hours ago, you said you would be gone a minute. You left me with the Elder, and I got lessons on baby-making I never wanted to think about. This better be good.”
Grinning, I undid her blindfold. I savored her look of absolute shock. I spoke up after a minute. “Our house has three more rooms, you know, for kids. I was thinking, if we have a daughter, which I think we should really try for, we should name her Makui.”
My Seerxi nodded absentminded. “That sounds great, my champion.”

About the Author
R.R. Turock is a college student working with different styles of writing. She has written several other short stories and plans to publish further. She lives with her family in Southern California.

Other Books by R.R. Turock
The Fox and the Flute
Time Before the Wolf

Connect with Me Online
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/RR_Turock
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003923120175
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/crowne
My blog: http://rrturock.blogspot.com/

Sample Chapter from Time Before the Wolf: 
His voice rose to warn the caravan. “Raiders!”
My mind raced a thousand miles as I mounted his horse after Father, riding away from the group. Malec and the crew moved at a right angle from us, trying to split the raiders.
Wait, raiders? So close to the city? Since when had that ever happened? How come I hadn’t seen them earlier? Braiding my fingers tighter together around Father’s waist, I summoned up the little courage in me to look over my shoulder.
I blinked several times. I couldn’t believe it. Fear surged my mind even as a buried my face in the safety of Father’s back. The bulk of the raiders were swarming after us. Just the two of us.
Not even Malec’s ploy to split the group had worked. I feel the exhaustion of the desert air slowing my sweet, show-performing mare. The sound of thundering, arid-weathered hooves pounded closer to us. What do we have that they want? What?
Before I could think any further a heavy, fully muscled, sweaty body smashed into me, pushing all of us off the horse and rolling into the sand. We quickly recovered, jumping sorely to our feet. The raiders trampled in circles around us, forcing us back to back, preventing escape.
Having a closer look at them, I noted the dark clothing and veils. Father carefully unsheathed his heavy iron sword. Swallowing nervously, I spun my twin daggers out of my leg bindings and into hand. Customarily, I juggled or balanced the pair on my fingertips, and on some occasions I tossed them with well-practiced accuracy at targets, but today I reserved to tightly holding them.
The raider who had tumbled into us now stood, sword ready, facing Father. Like an alpha wolf going for the throat, the raider charged. Father easily parried the attack with his lighter blade, returning it with a dual swings attack, one swinging emptily at the legs to scare the raider into a lower defense and then slicing up the suddenly unprotected chest. The attacker collapsed backwards as two fresh raiders replaced him.
Working as a team, the fighters moved simultaneously, unanimously, and symmetrically. Swords clashed and Father spun just barely out of the way. The duo sliced from opposite directions. One blade was stopped while the other slid over Father’s forearm. That was my signal. I scoffed. “It’s time I change.”
Moving in a fluid motion, I took the vanguard position in front of Father and slipped between the duo. In equal motion, they swung their blades at my legs. Using their shoulders as stilts, I heaved myself up to safety. Maintaining my momentum, I pulled myself around the attacker to my right, hooking my leg over his head with a grappling technique. My weight, not as light as I’d like, overturned him.
Taking the opportunity, Father reentered the fight, flipping the partner over his shoulder and onto the raiders’ back, out of breath. We returned to being back to back. More confident, I lifted my chin.
Fatigue licked my lips, leaving me dry and weak. The long day was taking its toll at an unpleasant time. The labored breaths of Father worried me, as the raiders smirk. This was a well orchestrated fight with well-practiced men, advantageous for them. This time all the men closed on us with their spears.