9- Reconciliation
#11 of The Legend of Rift Book II: Resurrection
Sithris groaned as he stirred, his body still reeling in pain. His closed eyes stung and his stomach felt like it was churning. An almost hot heat surrounded him, like a fire that wouldn't burn him. Forcing open his eyes, he saw the sunlight radiating throughout the cave. The heat around him shifted, causing him to look down before jumping up with a terrified yelp. The warmth had been Rift, and the sleepy orange dragon began to stir.
A growl emanated from the orange dragon, his paws suddenly pulling Sithris back down before re-closing his eyes.
"If I had a problem with it, I wouldn't have dragged you in here in the first place." Rift said, his voice calm.
"So... you're not gonna kill me?" Sithris whispered, trembling.
Rift lifted his head and opened his eyes again, staring straight into the black dragon's eyes.
"Sithris, If I wanted you dead, I'da done it already. I'd say I needed a pillow, but you have no padding on ya, so just enjoy the warmth."
Sithris nodded slowly, hesitantly closing his eyes and snuggling against the warm dragon.
The rising brightness of midday finally won over the black dragon's stirring mind. He moved his paw around, realising the absence of his scaled companion. Must've been a dream. He reasoned. He never would have...
The sound of grass under paws outside caused sithris to look outside, before an orange head poked into the cave, a net full of fish hanging from his left horn.
"You're up! Just in time for some salmon." Rift said, his voice peppy.
He lit the fire with a small burst of flame from his maw and began skinning, deboning, and gutting all the fish. He shocked the already stunned Sithris when he turned to him with a friendly smile.
"I woke up a little bit ago to you chewing on my tail, so I figured you'd be hungry. Come, sit over here."
Sithris slowly processed what Rift had said before he hung his head in embarrassment, his stomach growling at the smell. "My sincerest apologies! I hope I didn't harm you."
The orange dragon laughed. "Don't worry about it. You weren't trying to physically bite it off, so we're cool."
Sithris came to his senses and started backing up. "Who are you? How is this cave suddenly not collapsed? And most importantly, what have you done to Rift? He was never this nice."
"I am Rift. I pretty much recreated the cave by melting the rock." The orange dragon said, before looking Sithris in the eye. "As for your other question, I guess you could say I woke up to myself."
Sithris just stared at him blankly.
The orange drake sighed. "After you got in my face, it really made me think on how horribly I've been treating you. It was wrong. I was acting out because you seem like someone I could relate to, but everyone I manage to befriend always ends up dead or worse off than if they hadn't met me"
Sithris looked away. "So, you thought it'd be better for me if I wasn't around? You were hating me to protect me?"
Rift nodded.
Sithris cracked a smirk. "And here I was thinking you were just weird."
Rift smiled again. "I'm an orange and silver dragon with a big hole in my chest. If that wasn't weird enough for you, I don't know what is."
Sithris offered a paw. "You mentioned last night you wanted me to hang with you on your journey, correct?"
Rift nodded slowly, taking the paw in his. "It would be an honor."
The black dragon rolled his eyes before surprising Rift by pulling him into a hug.
Rift went stiff, before finally relaxing and hugging back, "T-that's something I've needed for a long time... thanks... Sithy"
Sithris stared at Rift with a blank face. "Don't call me that."
Rift nodded as he took the fish off the fire. "Let us eat, then we'll head for White Isle."
Sithris sighed as he and Rift moved on. He grit his teeth as every step ached. To make matters worse, he wasn't even walking. "Tell me again why you must carry me?"
Rift stopped and turned his head to look at Sithris. "I patched you up the best I could, but you're still too weak. We need to find you some dragon fruit."
Sithris looked at the ground. "Why dragon fruit?"
Rift smirked and rolled his eyes, starting to walk again. "Not only is it delicious, but it speeds up the healing process almost instantly. We both need it as I'm still not 100 percent. We aren't too far now."
Sithris nodded before a distant snap caught his attention. "Hey, Rift, what's that?"
Rift took in the scents and growled. "Not now..."
Sithris looked at him in confusion before a large group of Cheetahs surrounded them. A distinctive feline stepped up to them, a snarl on his face.
The cheetah was one Rift recognized instantly, much to his diamay. "Of all the things to expect, I wasn't planning to visit you Prowlus."
Prowlus snarled and slapped Rift in the face, eliciting a terrified yip from Sithris. "If it isn't the traitorous dragon himself, why does a wanted criminal enter my lands."
Sithris looked at Rift with a confused face, the orange dragon sighed. "Carmine took my guardian position, didn't he?"
Prowlus nodded "He sent out a capture on sight order on you for assaulting an innocent dragoness."
Sithris stared in horror at Rift. "Y-you didn't..."
Rift clenched his teeth. "I-I didn't mean to. She tried to seduce me and caught me off guard. I-I instinctively swung my claws and hurt her."
Prowlus huffed. "She doesn't hold you against it. Unfortunately, Carmine dislikes you more than I do. He's using his status in power to overshadow the other guardians."
Rift swiped angrily at the ground. "Why the hell do I keep giving second chances if everyone uses it for revenge? He's as corrupt as Malefor and still hated I was offered the position first."
Sithris saw the distress in his partner and leans his head against his. "Mr. Prowlus sir, are you taking my friend in?"
The Chief shook his head "As much as I'd like to, I find more enjoyment at the idea of Carmine being taken down."
Rift nodded "It will be some time before I try, I'm on a personal mission. We only came into the valley for some dragon fruit."
Prowlus motioned for the cheetahs to return to their village. "You have 30 minutes, Find your fruit and get out.
Rift bowed and went in search of some.
Sithris stared at the bush of pink, spiky fruits. "They smell absolutely amazing, I can't wait to stuff my face with them."
Rift glared at his companion. "You will eat only one. It takes 2000 years for them to grow back."
The blue drake squeaked and nodded, slowly taking a bite. Ancestors, this is the most delectable fruit ever.
Rift rolled his eyes "You have that face, the same one that Kara had when she first tried it."
Sithris tilted his head "Did you not enjoy your first dragon fruit?"
Rift shook his head "I had taken down my first ape stronghold and I was in a pool of my own blood. I fell unconscious during my first bite. I don't remember what happened after. I woke up in my cave while Kara took care of me."
Sithris rolled onto his back and wiggled wildly, taking his time to nibble the fruit. "I feel amazing, like I'm fully healed!"
Rift pulled himself up and smiled. "It is quite amazing, but it's time we get going."
Sithris jumped up and nodded.