Connection

“What?” Aiden and Vel said at the same time.

“Vel is… A Princess?” Aiden looked at Vel. She was just as confused as he was.

“Correct,” Orren said, “They wanted an heir that might someday put an end to this madness.”

“That was selfish of them.” Vel snarled.

“That’s not fair to say.” Orren said, “They had just become King and Queen before the war happened. They have been battling this for almost nine hundred years.”

“But look at me. I am useless, beaten by one knight.” Vel put her head down.

“For now, but you have him now.” Orren pointed at Aiden.

“Me? Aiden looked confused.

“Yes, you will only get stronger the longer you are in this world, and she will get stronger as well from it.”

“What do you mean?” Vel asked.

“Blue fire magic was once a dragon only trait. Once hybrids emerged, they only grew stronger. But, there was also one big difference. The first time a hybrid used their magic on a dragon or another hybrid, they became linked.”

“Linked?” Aiden asked.

“Yes, meaning the more time they were around each other, the stronger they both got. Now, during times of peace, there wasn’t really a need for that, so it was rare when that happened. Usually, when two were about to marry, it would happen.” Orren said, and it made Vel gasp.

“Marry!?” Vel was shocked.

“It wasn’t necessary. My point is, he has already used his magic on you, which means you two are linked and will get stronger over time.”

“I can still heal others, right?” Aiden asked.

“Oh yes, there will just be no link. Like I said, back then, there was no real need to heal many. So they used it as a sign of affection.”

Aiden and Vel looked at each other. They had both wondered to themselves why, after only a day they felt like they could trust each other. It was the magic that bound.

“Do hybrids live as long as dragons then?” Aiden asked.

“About five hundred years, while dragons can live up to five thousand years,” Orren answered.

“But, my parents age like normal, same with my grandparents,” Aiden asked.

“The dragon gene must have been suppressed by being in your world for so long. The one that made it to your world probably lasted longer, but as the generations went on, they turned more human.” Orren explained.

“Why pick me? Why now?” Aiden asked.

“There is no way of knowing that, I’m afraid,” Orren answered.

“I, for one, am grateful you did. They were bound to find me at some point. I would have easily been taken.” Vel said to Aiden.

“Don’t sell yourself short.” Orren said, “You just need to tap into your dragon heritage.”

“What ability did my father have? From your story, we know what my mother’s ability is.” Vel asked.

“He never used it and never told me,” Orren said.

There was silence for a few minutes. Everyone was thinking about… Well everything.

“Vel?”

“Yes, Aiden?”

“How did you know that blue fire magic had healing properties when we first met?” Aiden asked, but she looked confused.

“What do you mean?” Vel asked back.

“In the cave, you said blue fire magic was said to have healing properties,” Aiden said, but Vel still looked confused.

“That is very strange. I… I have no idea.” Vel looked very confused. 

“I might have an idea.” Orren interjected, “Considering how intertwined blue fire magic is with dragons, maybe it just unlocked that knowledge in you when you saw him use it. You are royalty after all.”

“Hmmm, I guess that is possible,” Vel said, but was still not convinced that’s what it was.

“Something strange is going on here. From everything we have been told, Vel shouldn’t have known about blue fire magic. But… She seems to be just as confused as I am. What does this mean?”

“What happened with the Prince? He became king, right?” Aiden asked.

“We assume so,” Orren said.

“What does that mean?”

“Well, there has been a pattern looking back at the records. You would only see the current Prince until they turned twenty-five. Then they would be crowned King, only never to be seen in public again, and also have a child that same year. It’s been that way since the war.”

“What of the mother?” Aiden asked.

“Never seen.”

“Hm… Strange.” Aiden looked at Vel with a worried look.

*rumble*

Everything lightly shook.

“Orren, how exactly would someone get in and out of here?” Aiden asked.

“There are these devices that open a portal here.” Orren points to a ring on his right hand. “But to get out, there are designated portals to specific places.”

*rumble*

Everything lightly shook again.

“Where is here, exactly?” Aiden asked as he looked up.

“I’m not even sure. All I know is that we are underground.”

*rrrumBLE*

“I think someone knows.“ Vel said as she stood up. “How many humans and dragons are here?”

“About two hundred humans and about fifty dragons,” Sandra said.

“Sandra, do you know where my sword is?” Aiden asked.

“It’s in the room you woke up in. Do you want me to go get it?”

*RRRRUMMMBLLLLE*

“No need.” Aiden shook his head, knowing he could teleport to it. “Vel, you help the humans and dragons escape and go with them in case there are issues there.”

“What about you?” Vel asked.

“I’ll hold them off while everyone leaves. I have a pretty good idea who it is. He will come after me first. Take the safest portal.”

“Be careful.” Vel looked like she wanted to say more, but no words came out.

*RRRUMMMBBBLLLE* 

*BOOOOOM*

They were getting closer as it started to sound like bombs going off now.

“I will, I think I know what I’m doing now. At least, I hope.” Aiden turned to Orren, “If there is an emergency alarm, use it now.” Orren nodded and left the room. A few seconds later, an alarm started going off.

“Okay, here we go. Focus on the sword…” Aiden found his sword and teleported to it. It was the first time not in battle, and the sensation was… interesting. Kinda nauseous but also felt like he already puked. “Guess I’ll get used to it.”

Aiden grabbed his sword and started making his way back to where he was before. As he left the room, he saw people coming out of the doors he had passed by earlier. This was the living quarters for humans.

“Everyone!” Aiden shouted, “Go towards the dragon living quarters! You will all leave from there!” They didn’t know what was going on, but they listened nonetheless.

Aiden took off running so he could get back before they could break through the ceiling. He didn’t go too fast as he helped people along the way.

“KABOOOOM*

Aiden was almost there when the ceiling opened up, causing rocks and dirt to block the big open doors. A dirt cloud covered the area as he heard screaming. Swinging his sword to try and disperse the dirt cloud so he could see what happened. He wanted to break through to help Vel and the others, but some were hurt on this side, and one got trapped under the debris.

“You two!” Aiden pointed at two guys who looked unharmed while putting his sword on his back. “Come over here and help me get him out.”

“Yes.”

“Ok.”

They ran over to the guy, almost completely covered under rubble and a big rock.

“He's unconscious.” One guy said.

“It’s ok, I’ll heal him once we get him out. I’ll lift the rock and you two pull.” Aiden directed them. They looked at each other before kneeling down and getting a grip on the guy's shoulders.

“Be ready,” Aiden said as he gripped the big rock and lifted it. The two guys were stunned for a moment before pulling the guy out.

“He’s free!” One guy yelled. 

Aiden lowered the rock back down and knelt next to the unconscious guy.

“He’s in pretty bad shape.” One guy said.

“He really is.” Aiden was looking at his wounds. “I’ll still try and heal him.”

Aiden placed his hand and the guy's arm, and his hand started glowing blue, then the guy's body. His wounds started closing up, and his crushed bones were forming again.

“What the hell?” One of the guys said in surprise.

“He should be ok now. I just have to heal the others and go help Vel.” Aiden looks at the rubble. “I just hope they are doing ok.”