The Ember In The Dark novel Chapter 26

Dad was a great flier. He knew how to fly so that I felt safe in his arms. I've always called him my shadow protector. He's always there but unnoticed until you need him. He gives Ash and I space to discover ourselves while still staying involved. He doesn't pressure us into anything and lets us decide what's best for us. I'm definitely a daddy's girl.

I enjoyed the flight over the ocean. I had no idea it was so far. I realize why Eric said I would be gone for a while. Dad let me touch the ocean water as we flew by. It was really nice. I could tell dad was getting a bit tired from carrying me so long though. Usually when you bring your child they are small and not an almost fully grown adult.

We approached an island that looked like it was glowing red. I could see dragons flying around it. The largest dragons I had ever seen. Their scales shone so brightly under the sunlight that they almost blinded me. I got a little nervous as we approached.

I could see a volcano in the center of the island and it looked active. The heat radiating from this place could be felt a mile away. I was sweating by the time we got there.

"Dad, how can you stand this heat?" I asked him as we landed on the shore. The sand was as black as obsidian.

"I don't feel it. Haku keeps me from getting hot. I was hoping maybe Lien could still help cool your body even behind a barrier." Dad pursed his lips a little disappointed.

'I can have Lien give me some of her magic through the barrier and maybe that will help?' Talia offered.

'Might as well try.' I didn't know that was a possibility.

My body started to feel cool suddenly, like ice had just been poured over me. The sweat on me dissipated into steam.

"It worked." I said out loud a big smile on my face.

"What did?" Dad looked at me puzzled.

"Talia was able to give me a little of Lien's magic to help cool my body." Dad and I were smiling real big at one another.

He seems so excited about me having a dragon. I hadn't realized how sad he was that I didn't have one before. He never let on about how he felt and I appreciate that.

"Come on. It's this way." Dad took my hand and led me down a path.

Large trees I'd never seen before shaded the path. The trees looked almost like leather. They were dark, giving off the appearance that they were burned, but they were shiny and thick. Down below grew wild dragon lilies that were all set ablaze in the center. The further down the path we went the darker it got and oddly enough colder.

When we reached the end of the path we came upon a fork. There were three paths in front of us. Dad stopped right in front of them and let go of my hands.

"Alright my little ember of fire. From here on you lead us. Your dragon may be in a barrier, but knowing she's there you should be able to focus and feel her if even the slightest. She will tell you which way to go. Listen closely." Dad pushed me a little, making me take a step forward.

I closed my eyes and tried to focus. I could feel Talia and I could feel this sort of muted part of me. I focused on that part listening closely.

'Let us out' A dark voice rang, almost making me lose focus.

'Ember, be careful.' A voice I didn't recognize sounded. It was majestic yet extremely powerful. Her voice sent a calm air about me, a confidence I hadn't felt before. 'Don't focus on this part of yourself for long.' She warned.

'Lien?'

'Yes my girl. You found me. It's so wonderful to meet you.' She sounded so emotional. I mean I was pretty emotional myself. 'Listen Ember, I'll tell you which way to go now. Do not focus on this part of yourself again. It's dangerous. You give the darkness power when you do.'

I felt my chest tighten at her words. I want her to be out here with us. She shouldn't be locked away.

'Okay. I'm listening.'

'You'll take the path to the left. From there you will go off trail. Your father will question you, but tell him that is the way. You'll go off trail when you see a light blue tree. Follow the blue trees to a cave. The cave will be covered in ice. Enter it. When Yukina asks you why you disturbed her from her sleep, tell her that her daughter has found her way. She will bless you with her magic. After that you will head up to the volcano, with her blessing and magic, you'll ice your hand and grab the magma from the volcano. Turn the magma to ice and eat it.'

There was so much information to remember. So many questions to ask, but I could tell that I had no time. It felt like Lien was being pushed aside by the darkness. I snapped back and looked back at Dad, trying hard to remember everything she said. Thank God I have a good memory.

I took the left path like she said, but I was worried I went the wrong way when I didn't see the blue tree. After about 10 minutes I saw it in the distance, a deep contrast against the dark trees. It was the lightest blue, like ice. It was smaller than me. More of a sapling than a tree.

"Wait Tot. We can't go that way." Dad sounded nervously.

"She told me this was the way and that you would say that. Trust me dad. She said to follow the blue trees." I gave him a reassuring grin and he nodded his head. His face looked worried, like he knew where we were headed.

"What else did she say?" Dad was suddenly curious.

"Um that we'll come upon a cave in ice and I need to enter it." I started recalling, dad seem to tense at my words. "She said to tell Yukina that her daughter has found her way or something like that."

"Her daughter?" His voice sounded surprised but also amazed.

"Yeah, that's what she said. I am supposed to receive her magic and her blessing then go to the volcano and turn the magma into ice and eat it." I was proud of myself for remembering it all.

"Ember, I don't think you realize what this means." Dad stopped walking for a moment and I turned to look at him, a bit confused. "Yukina is an original dragon. No human side in her. From what your dragon said it sounds like you have Yukina's daughter in you. Ember that's a very powerful dragon. An old dragon spirit from an original dragon. I can't believe it!" Dad was giddy with excitement and pride.

"Really?" I had no idea Lien was so powerful.

'That explains her arrogance.' Talia laughed inside me.

"Let's go! Lead the way, my powerful daughter." Dad smiled so wide.

We continued walking till we saw the next tree and turned toward it. After about 15 minutes we made it to the icy cave. It was cold and odd compared to the heat of the island. It was light amongst the black and red of this place.

Dad waited outside the cave, he said it wasn't for him to enter. I crept in slowly and carefully. I didn't want to slip on the ice. There was nothing to hold onto. The entire cave was ice, walls and ceiling. It got darker as I ventured deeper. Talia's sight was the only thing making it possible for me to walk right now.

"Hello?" I called out. I heard a rumble and some rocks shifted. The ground shook under me and I knew Yukina was moving.

Her large body came into few as she stepped towards me. Her scales were white and light blue like the trees that led me here. She was a different kind of dragon than dad. She made me think of the kinds that the Japanese draw. No long wings, just a long slender body that coiled on the ground under her. She looked down at me, her intense light blue eyes stared angrily at me.