Chapter 16 “Meeting”

Akira was not sure what surprised her more. The fact that her theory that she could contact someone through a dream had worked, or the fact that Steeson seemed to be anything but surprised to see her. For a moment she stood, just staring at the man before her, taking him in.

He could not have been many summers older than her. In fact, she would guess that he could only be two summers older than Seth at the most. Like Haiden, he seemed to have a handsomeness about him, yet unlike his predecessor he was taller and looked more elegant, like a man who tried to stay away from work.

“Oh, how rude of me, I shoul introduce myself,” Steeson spoke. “I am Steeson. But of cause, you must already know that,” he stared around him in fascination. “The last thing I remember is going to sleep, so this must be a dream,” his eyes came back to Akira. “I always knew the rider of legend was capable of many things. The time did catch me by surprise but this,” he waved his hand around, “I never considered this.”

Akira didn't reply as she kept her eyes on him, wondering if this man could really be the new rider of the black dragon. He just didn't look the part of a man wanting to take over the lands and spread terror. But then again, as Akira had learned, looks, could be very deceiving.

“So, to what do I have the honor of your company?” Steeson asked as he gracefully began to walk towards Akira. Yet when Akira shot him a warning look he paused. Instead of coming closer he decided on staying where he was.

Putting his arms behind his back he seemed to survey Akira, making her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

“You caused some friends of mine a great deal of trouble,” Akira spoke.

“Ah, a beautiful voice to match that beautiful face,” Steeson's face split into a grin.

Akira did not react but continued to stare evenly at him.

“I see,” Steeson sighed. “Flattery has no effect on you,” he shook his head remorsefully. “Oh well, I'm guessing these friends of yours were in the company of a certain Dominique?”

Akira did not reply, knowing that Steeson already knew the answer.

“Ah, yes,” Steeson looked almost remorseful. “That Dominique was causing me some trouble. I just wanted to talk to him...”

“Sure,” Akira replied. “You decided to talk to him right after he realized the truth and saw your dragon.”

“Deception?” Steeson looked surprised. “Of cause,” he sighed, “poor girl, sorely misunderstood only because she has an odd color compared to normal dragons. Alas, I see that a dragon born with the color black is not accepted around here.”

“With good reason,” Akira told him, her voice hard as she glared at him. She had faced Haiden and Fury first hand, a black dragon only stood for one thing, evil, and she wasn't about to let Steeson convince her otherwise.

“You feel it, don't you?” Steeson asked, snapping Akira from her thoughts. “That feeling that just tells you that you and I can’t ever get along. That we are meant to be, how should I put it...enemies?”

Akira just stared at Steeson sullenly.

“It’s sad really, a legend controlling our every action. Some would call it Destiny, and others Fate,” Steeson continued. “You and Haiden fought because of some legend and now that same legend is pushing you to challenge me.”

Akira frowned, wondering what Steeson was getting at.

“Have you ever not just wanted to step out of the order of things?” Steeson asked passionately as he stared at Akira questioningly, “To make things...slightly different than they are supposed to be?”

Akira was confused and her face must have shown it.

“Oh there I go babbling about things you don't know about...yet,” Steeson grinned. “I'm sorry Akira, I can call you Akira right?” he didn't give her time to respond. “But you'll understand things soon enough...”

“What things...” Akira began.

Ignoring her Steeson continued, “I want to thank you by the way. For without you, I would have no dragon, and without my dragon, all this would not be possible.”

“All what?” Akira growled, her temper snapping. “Tell me what you’re up to!”

“Now, now,” Steeson replied shaking a finger at her. “All things will be reveled in their own time if I told you know where would be the fun in that? Besides, you'll find out soon enough, no need to rush things.”

“Whatever you’re playing at,” Akira growled, “I'll find out and I'll stop you.”

Steeson grinned. “Yes, I do know that Akira. I know you defeated Haiden and I know you think you can do it again. It actually is impressive when you think about it. The rider of legend coming from the past to try and save the future from a terrible evil,” he told her his eyes shining with excitement, “Such heroic behavior, so noble. Coming to a time not your own to save it,” he paused. “I am very sorry to disappoint you though, but there is nothing you can save this time from. You see, Haiden did have one goal I admire, and that was to unite the lands under one rule.”

“And you think you’re the one capable to rule them?” Akira asked.

“Yes,” Steeson replied calmly. “Though what I don't understand, is why you have never stepped up to the plate Akira. You are capable after all. Being the rider of legend you already have the power and the authority, so why not just claim what is rightfully yours and rule the lands? You could after all ensure peace like that once and for all.”

Akira stared at him.

“Just look at you,” Steeson continued, admiration in his voice. “You’re a legend. Anyone would off a rooftop to their death of you told them to without question. You could just snap your fingers and everyone in the lands would stop to listen to you. If you just asked for the things you wanted they would be yours!”

Akira felt something stir deep within her and yet she ignored it. “Yes,” she looked straight at Steeson. “Maybe I have that kind of power. But that does not give me the reason to abuse it!”

“Abuse it?” Steeson seemed surprised. “I'm talking about what is rightfully yours. The first two white dragon riders ruled the lands together did they not? That means that we, as their successors have every right to rule. In fact, it is our inheritance. You could even call it our duty.”

“My duty is to protect the lands and keep them safe, nothing else,” Akira replied without blinking.

“Which is exactly why I'm going to have to step up and do the job you so persistently refuse to do,” Steeson sighed. “That is why I'm going to have to rule the lands, I am after all,” he smirked as he said it, “A rider of Legend of some sort and besides that, I can achieve the power I need to get what I want.”

“So you ARE just after power.”

“Something like that,” Steeson shrugged.

“Just like Haiden ,” Akira mocked.

“Ah, but there is one difference between us,” Steeson replied. “You see, while Haiden had the right idea, he went about the wrong way to get what he wanted,” yet even as he spoke Akira caught sight of a glint in his eyes, a glint that reminded her dangerously of Haiden, a brief glint of madness, a glint of hunger, hunger for power.

“How about you just come and face me face to face and we'll talk about this,” Akira spoke smoothly, her fingers itching to reach for her sword and get rid of this man before her. She didn't know why, but Steeson just made her feel like she had to kill him, before things got out of control. Yet she knew that in a dream she could not touch him.

“Please Akira,” Steeson sighed, “Do not mistake me for stupid. I know very well that you wouldn't do much talking. What chance would I have against you anyway in a fair fight since you have reached full maturity with your dragon and I am nowhere near it?”

“Coward,” Akira told him.

“No, not a coward. Just a man wise enough to know his limitations. You should consider that. We will meet face to face Akira. I can promise you that. But you won’t be threatening me with a sword or any other weapon then,” Steeson told her. The confidence in his eyes unnerved Akira.

“I'll find out exactly what you’re up to Steeson,” Akira warned.

“Yes you will, but only in time,” Steeson agreed. “Not sooner. Your little friends here at the academy won’t get very far you know. They will only do themselves more harm than anything snooping around.”

“He knows,” the thought sent panic through Akira.

“Ah yes, I know about them,” Steeson smiled tightly. “I know they are somewhere in my academy and I would advise you to get them out. Before I find out who exactly they are, for their sake. You see, Deception is not as forgiving as I am and if she were to get a hold of them...”

For a moment the image of Steeson blurred before her and Akira realized that the dream was coming to an end, either she or Steeson was waking up.

“I see our time is up,” Steeson sighed. “I would have loved to spend more time with you,” he told her. “But it seems that we must both go back to the real world. Goodbye my lady,” he bowed like a gentlemen before his image disappeared. Akira stared at the place where he had stood moments before only to find that suddenly she was staring at the stable wall.

Blinking she realized that she was awake. Behind her Redemption stirred. Seth and Will! Akira sprung to her feet. Steeson knew that someone from the past was there to spy on him. She had to get them out.

“Akira?” Redemption thought groggily.

Ignoring him Akira shot a look out of the small window to see that the sun was already up. Panic filled her as she realized that Dominique would be leaving any moment with the others. She had to catch them, she had to let them know that Seth and Will were in danger. As far as she was concerned the plan was over. She knew enough about Steeson to know that there was no way he was a good guy and if he was right then Will and Seth would find out no more than that. She had to get them out of there.

Springing into action she ran from the stables.

“Akira?” Redemption’s confused voice asked as he got up and followed her.

Akira did not bother to reply as she sprinted across the courtyard and towards the academy, ignoring the surprised stares she got from the early risers

“Okay seriously, have you lost it?” Redemption asked as she disappeared into the academy.

“No time to explain,” Akira thought urgently. She heard her dragon sigh and felt him enter her mind in search for an answer.

“What?” he asked moments later as he found it. “You managed? You actually talked to Steeson?”

“Please don't have already gone,” Akira muttered under her breath as she ignored her dragon and continued to run. She skidded down hallways until she reached her room. Flinging the door open she grabbed her boots and tugged them on while with her other hand she snatched up her sword.

“Where was I when all this happened?” Redemption demanded.

“Asleep,” Akira thought in reply as she dashed out of her room and flew towards the lift, catching it just in time to step in with two other students. They both said “hi” but Akira only nodded in response, her mind too busy trying to figure out what to do about the latest situation.

“So what’s the rush?” Redemption's voice asked.

“Steeson knows,” Akira thought in reply as she tapped her foot impatiently. As soon as the lift stopped she was out and in to the next one. The two students behind her just watched, seeming somewhat surprised at her rush.

“About Seth and Will?” Redemption sounded doubtful. “How did he find out?”

“It doesn't matter, he knows,” Akira replied as the next lift began to go up. This time she was in it alone.

“Well, what are you planning to do?” Redemption demanded.

“Well, Dominique, Drake and Kirk are going to meet up with Will and Drake anyway. They'll just have to tell them to drop everything and bring them right back along with them.”

“Right, that easy huh?” Redemption sounded doubtful.

Akira did not reply as she finally reached the floor she was seeking. She threw open the door of the lift and ran down the hallway. Upon coming to the familiar door of the meeting room she flung it open.

Brandon, who had been talking to Drake, Dominique and Kirk, stopped in mid sentence to stare at Akira in surprise. Relief filled Akira to see that the boys had not yet left. Brandon seemed to take in Akira's appearance with one glance, question flashing through his eyes.

“There's been a change of plan,” Akira told them urgently.

The boys stared at her, seeming more than confused.

“Akira what...” Brandon began.

“There's no time, I'll explain on the way,” Akira replied hastily.

“You’re not going to,” Redemption's voice protested in her mind.

“Oh yes I am,” Akira muttered under her breath as the boys jumped into action and made their way to the door. Akira shot Brandon an apologizing look before she turned and lead the way out, hurrying back to the lift.

“Well then I'm coming to,” Redemption thought firmly.

“No, I'll double up with Dominique on Breeze,” Akira replied hastily as she reached the lift.

“But…”

“Ree, we don’t have the time!” Akira thought sharply. The three boys behind her piled into the lift with her and she pulled the lever to go up. “We'd have to change your color in order for us not to attract attention and there just isn't time.”

“Then make time,” Redemption snapped. “Akira I'm coming, you’re not going anywhere without me, especially not to the future!”

Akira did not need to read her dragon's mind to know how he felt. He had thought he had lost her before when she had disappeared to the future without him, he didn't want her out his his sight again. She also knew that if she did not let him come along she would hear it from him for ages to come.

“Fine,” she caved. “Meet us on the roof,” she added as the group piled out of the lift and went towards to ladder that lead to the roof.

“Yes mam,” Redemption thought enthusiastically as Akira scaled the ladder and stepped on to the roof.

“So, are you going to tell us what’s going on?” Dominique, who had gone up ahead of her on the ladder, asked as he stared at Akira curiously.

“First let’s get going, I'll explain on the way,” Akira replied.

Dominique nodded and he walked over to Breeze that had already been waiting for him. Will and Kirk followed his example and mounted their own dragons. Looking around Akira sighed when she realized that Redemption was not there yet.

“Ree,” she thought urgently as she walked over to the edge of the roof and looked down in the hopes of catching sight of her dragon, “Where are you? We have to get going!”

“Don't worry, I'm here,” Redemption's voice thought smugly.

Akira frowned. She couldn't see him anywhere. “Where?” she asked.

“Right. Here.”

Akira felt the shadow fall over her. Her eyes widened as she realized what was about to happen and she attempted to take a quick step back, yet she was too late. A force slammed into her back and she found herself tumbling off the roof.

She fell like a stone, straight down, the wind making a roaring sound in her ears as it rushed past her. For a second she was sure that she heard the boys chuckling at her misfortune, but moments later she was already out of hearing range.

“You are so dead Ree!” she thought as she fell, her hair whipping around her face, obscuring her view of the approaching ground below.

“Oh payback is sweet,” was the reply.

Moments later a large shape swooped past her and Redemption appeared just below her. Reaching out Akira grabbed a hold of the saddle on his back, wondering for a moment who had tacked him up, before she pulled herself safely on his back.

“I swear,” Akira thought as Redemption soared upwards, “Sometimes you behave like such a draglin!”

“Takes one to know one,” Redemption replied.

“I'm human,” Akira replied as she rolled her eyes.

“Really?” Redemption thought innocently, “Could have fooled me.”

Akira resisted the urge of slapping Redemption on the shoulder. No, she wouldn't give him that satisfaction. Ahead she caught sight of the others already on their way. Redemption made his way to them and flew up beside Breeze ad Dominique.

Looking over Dominique raised an eyebrow. “So...how was the view?” he asked with a cheeky grin.

“You could have warned me he was behind me!” Akira told him as she shot him a look of daggers.

“Now where would be the fun in that,” Dominique smirked while Redemption chuckled.

“I think,” Redemption thought cheerfully, “That I like pretty boy over there much better already.”