Celphi Versus Mede

Do you know what happens when you tell a divine creature to back off? They take it as a challenge and do the opposite. 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. The clouds resting on orange and purple skies were torn open by wings, flame, mist, and roars. I was weightless, a speck of nothing, caught between what I could only assume were immortals.

Mede cradled me dearly and securely, against the his warm chest, as he tried to keep distance from a raging Celphi. I don’t know how we can fly from something as enormous as the current Celphi, but Mede was making it happen.

His wings sliced the air in clean, steady beats without sound. Around him, the heat was warm and controlled. Comforting, even. The cold air from flying that high and that fast never touched 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.

‘Did we lose him?’ I asked, and right then Celphi came crashing through the clouds. His serpentine body coiled through the sky like shiny, long, silent thunder.

Ok. Deep breaths. THAT is terrifying. Looks awesome from afar, but not when I’m the target.

His scales shimmered orange and purple, reflecting the setting skies. His sapphire eyes, wide with obsession, never broke contact with me.

Huhu. Please. This is horrific.

‘Mede, what did you mean when you said Celphi is the most dangerous at the moment?’ I asked between shaky 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 yet nothing made sense.

‘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. His state of mind now is a storm without a center. Just havoc.’ He continued. 'Until he goes back to his former form.'

He added softly, ‘Your pet dragon is not evil. Don’t worry.’

‘Then why is he giving chase?’ I asked. ‘If he’s just losing control, he could lose control over there.’ I tried to point, but my arms were bound to my sides by his talons.

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 always had that same look. That 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?

Thinking back, I realized I had screamed for Celphi to come to me. To never let me go.

Was Mede trying to spare me the blame?

I closed my eyes, remembering Raiona’s note. Mede had covered up for her without her asking. Always by her side and ready to support. No blaming. Just solving.

‘Will he return to his human state?’

*ROAR*

Celphi clearly didn’t like me conversing with Mede. The distance between us shrank fast.

‘He will. Eventually.’ Mede’s voice softened. I felt a wave of stronger warmth covering me as he spoke, as if reassuring me. And it worked. I felt it in my soul. Mede was 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 Mede sped up. 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, shoving my breath back down my throat.

Above, Celphi dove 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 thunderous roars. The vibrations from his bellows alone felt like attacks. Mede’s wings stayed steady.

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 shut my eyes and listened instead. The hot wind screamed. My heart pounded louder with each roar, each impact, each sudden drop. Mede’s wings snapped open, catching the wind like thunderclaps, and we spun through the sky. Celphi’s fury was unmatched.

Poor Mede…

‘I don't think he will harm me Mede. I know Celphi will never. Ever.’ I said, hesitantly. ‘Put me down real quick and let’s see if he settles.’

‘The moment I let you go, he might end up killing you.’

I looked at him in disbelief.

‘Not intentionally. But the risk is there.’ Mede explained.

‘It’s a risk I’m willing to take.’

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

‘I clearly don’t. Because no one tells me anything.’

*ROOOAAAR*

I felt the rush of cold air behind us. Mede shielded me with his wings. His body became a barrier between mine and whatever onslaught Celphi unleashed.

‘We’re close to the end of the forest,’ Mede whispered. ‘There will be more support. More of us to help stabilize 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, genuinely concerned.

‘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.

*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.

I didn’t know that Celphi falling back was just him gearing up for an attack. Another roar split the air as Celphi lunged. We have manoeuvred out of his maw, but stealthy claws followed close. One raked Mede’s side, pain flashing across his face. I felt Mede’s fire trembling, not with rage, but with urgency. He was tiring. And Celphi was 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 hold your master until you return to human form. Once you do, I will return her, and I will not interfere with your matters. Ever.’ Mede said clearly. His good intention and clear conscience was apparent.

For the first time, Celphi stopped. Mist cleared. Stars peeked through the purple sky.

Yeah! Yeah! Good one. A human version would be nice. Mede, you genius

He hovered close to the ground. His wings relaxed, feathers fading from deep red back to molten gold. His warmth returned.

Of course. He needed rest too. Or… did he just say that to buy himself time?

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. Irregardless of Mede survives it or not.

‘Dragon, you’ll end up killing your master! She’s human! She won’t survive your transition!’ Mede shouted desperately.

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 no longer in his arms. Celphi’s cold, possessive grasp had me. Whether he ripped me away or Mede let me go so that I do not hit the ground on impact. I didn’t know.

‘CELPHI, LISTEN! MEDE IS GOOD!’ I shouted desperately. Words finally coming out.

‘Let’s just talk. No more fighting!’

Celphi only tightened his grip.

‘I can’t brea…’

His form was shrinking. So was my consciousness.