Celphi Versus Mede

Do you know what happens when you tell a divine creature to back off? They do the opposite and take it as a challenge. How about when you say to a dragon who loves gems that they can’t have their treasure? Don’t even imagine it. Or when you tell a phoenix, the sign of resilience, to give up? Might as well ask it to stop its fire.

The day was ending, but the fight for me wasn’t. Clouds resting on orange and purple skies above were torn open by wings, flame, mist and roars. I was weightless, a spec of nothing. Caught between what I would assume to be immortals.

Mede cradled me with impossible care, holding me close, dearly and securely, against the his warm chest, as he tried to keep distance from a raging Celphi. I do not know how we can fly from something as enormous as the current Celphi, but Mede was making it happen.

His feathers flickered with gold and ember. His wings slicing the air in clean, steady beats, and without sound. Around him, the heat was warm and controlled. Comforting even. The cold air from flying that high and that fast was never reaching me.

Did we manage to escape? Oh wait a minute. I am supposed to go back to Celphi. But he’s kinda scary at the moment. This time, I am sure I am just one swallow away.

‘Did we lose him?’ And just as I asked, Celphi came crashing through the clouds. His serpentine body coiling through the sky like shiny, long, silent thunder.

Ok. Deep breaths. THAT is really scary. Looks awesome from afar, but not when I am the target.

His scales that shimmered orange and purple reflected the setting skies. His sapphire eyes wide, with obsession, didn’t break contact with me.

Huhu. Please. This is so horrific.

‘Mede, what did you mean when you said Celphi is the most dangerous at the moment?’ I asked in between deep breaths.

‘Most dragons, when reaching their peak form, become something beyond personality, memory, or restraint. Their transformation is less about aggression and more about losing identity to ancient power.’ He explained perfectly.

‘Something closer to the raw force of nature that shaped the first mountains. As a creature of divinity like him, even I can call them beautiful. And I can also call them terrifying. And his state of mind now is a storm without a center. Just havoc.’ He continued. 'Until they go back to their former form.'

‘Your pet dragon is not evil. Don’t worry.’

‘Why is he giving chase then?’ I asked, ‘If he was just losing control, then he could lose control over there.’ I tried to point but my arms are bound by his talons to my body.

Mede looked like he was about to say something, but he hesitated.

Why are the men of this world so afraid to tell me what’s going on? Celphi also had that same look constantly. The look of hiding things from me.

‘What? Just tell me!’

After some hesitation, he admitted. ‘The last thing he heard was your command to him.’

Really?

After thinking about it, I realised I did scream for Celphi to come to me and don't let me go.

Was Mede trying to avoid putting the blame on me?

I closed my eyes and thought back to Raiona’s note. Mede did cover up for her without her asking. Always by her side. Silently. He was just ready to give support. No blaming. Just solving.

‘Will he return to his human state?’

*ROAR*

Celphi doesn't seem to be pleased that I was conversing with Mede. The distance between us getting smaller by the minute.

‘He will. Eventually.’ Mede looked deep in thought. I felt a wave of stronger warmth covering me as he spoke. As if reassuring me. And it did. I felt it in my soul. Mede is a good person after all.

‘You are not to stay within the same vicinity as him when this dragon form comes to a decline.’

‘Why?

*ROOAAR*

He didn’t like that, didn’t he? The topic of being separated from me.

Wind screamed past my ears as we sped up further. I didn’t even have time to scream before the world became a blur of fire, wings, and roars. Each beat of Mede’s wings churned the wind into wild currents, pushing my breath back into my throat.

Above us, the Celphi dove for us again. Mede darted and spun, shielding me with his wings, sending arcs of fire that scorched the air but never touched me. Celphi lashed out with mist and roaring. His roar is so powerful that the vibration reaching us felt like an attack. Mede’s wings stayed steady. Unshaken. Focused.

I feel it, I feel it in my heart. Celphi is reaching out to me. Not to kill Mede, but to take me.

Two mythical creatures fought around me. For me. As they clashed again, wings striking whiskers, flame against mist, I could only cling to Mede. Every moment suspended in air felt like a life’s worst rollercoaster.

Fearing for everyone’s safety, I closed my eyes and feel through my ears. The hot wind screamed around me. Heart pounded louder with each roar, each impact, and each sudden drop in the air. Mede’s wings snapped open, catching the wind like thunderclaps, and we spun through the air. Celphi and his sky-shattering fury were unmatched.

‘I don't think he will harm me Mede. I know Celphi will never. Ever.’ I said.

‘Prop me down real quick and let’s see if he settles.’ I insisted.

‘The moment I let you go, he might end up killing you.’ I looked at him with disbelief.

‘Not intentional, but the risk is there.’

‘It’s a risk I am willing to take.’

‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘I clearly don’t. No one is telling me anything.’

*ROOOAAAR*

I felt the rush of flame behind us, close enough to singe. Mede didn’t let go. He shielded me with his wings, feathers glowing like embers, his body a barrier between mine and whatever onslaught Celphi brought upon us.

‘We are close to the end of the forest.’ Mede whispered. ‘There would be more support. More of us who can help us stabilise Celphi.’

My relief must’ve been palpable as I felt Mede’s reassuring warmth return.

‘Thank you! Please!’

*ROOOOAAAAR*

The wind split open as Celphi pursued us with amped up desperation this time. I started to feel very cold and in danger. Mede responded in kind and sped up.

Either for concentrating on getting away, or for conservation of energy, Mede wasn't able to emit more flames of warmth for me. I endured the mixture of warmth emitted from his body and the fast, damp air hitting my face and parts of me sticking out from his talons.

‘Sorry.’ Mede said with huffed voice.

‘I don’t know you, but I want to trust that you won’t harm me or Celphi. Though you already did beat him half dead.’ I said as I tried to angle my head so I could speak without air rippling in my mouth in a high-speed chase.

‘Did you just say you don’t know me?’ Mede asked with genuine concern.

‘I really don’t. Did you think I was pretending?’

‘I… I just thought you were being your usual snobby, smarty-pants self.’

‘I am Ina. Human from Earth. Nothing spectacular. Not Raiona.’

Mede was deeply lost in thought. I looked back to see Celphi slowly losing momentum and slowing down behind us. I did not know that he was just gearing up for an attack.

*ROOOOOAAAAAR*

A column of invisible waves rippled toward us. Mede barely managed to deflect it with a spiral of golden flame. His feathers ignited with a different shade of fire. Red. We spun and dove to the ground to avoid more waves. Mede answered with a blazing arc of fire. It hit Celphi’s whiskers, and it scorched the tips.

Worst rollercoaster ride ever. I would vomit, but I haven’t eaten a thing.

Another roar split the air as Celphi lunged. We have manoeuvred out of his mouth, but his claws followed close behind. Raking and stealthy. Mede dodged, pain flashing in his side where Celphi’s claw brushed him.

I felt Mede’s fire trembling, not with rage, but with urgency. He was tiring. Celphi still relentless as ever.

Oh no. I feel bad for Celphi. But Mede is just as poorly. If not worse. Only Celphi got a power-up. Mede has been fighting off old and new Celphi for hours now.

‘Forgive me, Ina.’ Mede whispered.

‘Dragon, I will make a deal with you. Let me have your master until you return to your human state. Once you do, I will return her to you and I will not interfere with your matters.’ Mede spoke with good intention and clear conscience.

For the first time since the chase began, Celphi stopped. The mist cleared. Hints of stars started to appear and line the puprle skies.

Yeah yeah! Good one. Human version would nice please. Mede so smart!

Mede hovered close to the ground. His own wings unfurled and relaxing. The color of his feather changing from deep red to molten gold. The disappearing heat from his body was returning.

Of course! Mede also needed a small rest!…Or did he just say that so he can rest? Without the intention of fulfilling his end of the deal?

Without missing a beat, as if Celphi heard the voices in my head once more, he flew straight into a strike, meeting Mede mid air. No more being gentle. Just desperate to take me now. Irregardles of Mede survives it or not.

‘Dragon you are going to end up killing your master! She is a human! She will not survive your transition!’ Mede screamed with desperation.

Celphi roared. Mede screamed.

Celphi let out a piercing screech, so commanding that it could summon mountains to rise and rivers to pass through land. After his fire cant hold up anymore, Mede used his body and wings to shield me from barrage of attacks. Celphi threw Mede backward with a tail whip that shattered trees below us long before we started falling. We spiraled downward together, locked in flame. Or so I thought.

Mede crashed to the ground, feathers burning at the edges, blood seeping down his chest.

‘MEDE!!!’ I screamed but no voice came out. I was within Celphi’s tight grasp. The coldness and possessive of Celphi’s clench was cmparable to Mede’s warm and secure hold.

Somewhere along the fall, Celphi must’ve taken me forcibly or Mede let me go so that I do not hit the ground on impact.

‘CELPHI LISTEN! MEDE IS GOOD!’ Word finally coming out of me now.

‘Let us all talk. No more fighting.’

As we sped off to the direction we came from, Celphi’s grab onto me tightens some more.

‘I can’t brea~’

His form was shrinking, as was my consciousness.