Ash thickened as the couple advanced up Mt.Vesuvius' side. Zelda squirmed harder than before. She had to get free. Grunting, Felix set her down her feet. "You can walk from here." He stayed sharply before shoving her forward. Zelda stood firm. She would not budge. Shaking his head, Felix went in behind her, attached a rope to her wrists, and pulled her along. Zelda muffled a scream as he yanked on her rope. The restraints were so tight they cut into her skin with each movement.

Glancing upwards, black clouds covered the sky. It looked more like night time then afternoon. Hearing voices, she lowered her gaze. Felix brought her before a group of people. Several inhabitants stood before them, holding cloth above their heads, trying to ward off the ash and dust. Zelda swallowed a lump in her throat. How could her fiance do this? If her intended had any feelings for her, he would sweep her off her feet and take her to Rome away from the eruption. Not towards it to be sacrificed.

Felix tugged on her rope sharply. Zelda squealed and fell. Moaning, she rolled on her shoulder, then slowly rose to her knees. "Ladies and Gentlemen. You all know the legend of Ember, now I bring you the woman that will please the dragon and save Pompeii!" Cheers erupted among the onlookers. Zelda bowed her head. She was no savior, in fact, she felt more like a prisoner. Shaking her head, tears ran down her cheeks. She wasn't ready to die. 

The cheers stopped and Felix pulled on her bonds once more. Zelda rose to her feet and stared into his face. "We should get moving before the magma falls," Felix stated. Zelda nodded her head. She couldn't find words. Felix moved in behind her and pushed against her back. Zelda began walking reluctantly. Her gaze scanned the congregation as she walked. Her eyes rested on a small girl about 4 years of age clinging to her mother's leg. Hope shone through her eyes. Zelda looked away and proceeded up the volcano's side. 

The volcano roared above them. Ash fell on their skins. Zelda whimpered as the ash burned her skin. She glanced up towards the volcano. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her back. No, she had to stop feeling sorry for herself. She had to do what was right for the townsmen. Whatever lurks below the volcano's surface is coming for them. Though she wasn't ready to die, she couldn't turn back now. 

A firm hand pressed against her back. She stumbled forward. "This wasn't supposed to happen." A warm voice whispered in her ear. Zelda shuttered. "I had hoped we could have a long happy marriage with children of our own." Felix chuckled as he ushered her along. "I know you're disappointed that our wedding will never come to be, but think of it this way. You're saving Pompeii from vast destruction." Moving in front of her, he stared into her eyes. "I promise if legends are true, you're death will not be in vain."

Tear's welded up in her eyes. Of course, this would be as hard on him. Zelda yearned to speak to him. Argue her case. If they left now, they could make it to the bay in no time and sail away to safety. She didn't have to die and he didn't have to sacrifice his future. Felix had started moving once again and she followed. She gazed up towards the sky. What should have been bright suns, blue sky, and fluffy white clouds, had been transformed into an angry stormy sky by a cloud of ash. 

A whimper emanated from her gage. Zelda turned her gaze back towards the destination. The trembling beneath their feet worsened. Boulders from the volcano's side began rolling towards them. Felix grabbed her and rolled out of the way. Zelda breathed hard as she felt him pulling her closer to him for protection. A smile spread across her face. Though he would be the reason for her demise, he still cared. 

Grunting, Felix pushed down on the rocks and rose to his feet. He reached down, picked Zelda up and pushed her back on her way. Staggering, Zelda refused to budge. "It's no use delaying the inevitable." He said sharply. With one final shove, Zelda began walking once more. The company progressed once more up the mountainous slope. As they neared the cone, the sky glowed orange. 

Whispering a silent prayer, Zelda swallowed a lump in her throat. This was it. The time had come to meet her creator. The company around them paused. Felix and Zelda continued upwards without them. Traveling about ten feet, the couple halted in front of the mouth. Lava boiled deep within the volcano's crevasse. "I'm sorry, Zelda. The villagers need a fearless woman. You were the only one I knew. Please accept my apologies."

Turning her head, Zelda couldn't bear to listen much longer. True she would be looked as a savor if all goes well, but what about her father? How would he cope with the news of her demise? Zelda shuttered. She could not bear these thoughts much longer. Casting her gaze into the burning lake below her, her thoughts wandered to her father. The last time she saw him, he was passed out on the floor. She did not want to remember him like that. 

Lifting her head up, she straightened her back. She glanced over at Felix. The lava illuminated him. Zelda could tell he was having second thoughts as well. The man lifted his head up and turned towards him. "Better now then never." All Zelda could do was a nod in response. She faced the lava one more. It boiled, steam rose from the crater. Most people do not know how and when. She wished she was one of them. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Felix move behind her. The tie that held her gage in place fell. Zelda quickly spat the one in her mouth on the ground beside her. "W-why did you do that?" She whispered with a raspy voice. Sighing, Felix ran his hand through her hair. Her auburn hair glowed in the firelight. 

"I do not want to remember you this way. All tied up and scared. I want to remember that brave young woman I was going to marry." He stated as he combed her hair with his fingers. 

Releasing a sigh, Zelda continued watching the lava boiled. She wished he would stop delaying her death. His strong hands gripped her shoulders, hoisted her in the air and threw her over the age. Zelda screamed as she plummeted towards the lake of fire. Lava flew up as she splashed landed. Zelda's body ached as the lava singed every hair and blackened her porcelain skin. 

Sweat poured down her face. She felt like she was being baked from the inside out. Zelda prayed for relief. She prayed for a quick and painless death. Her body sank lower in the volcano. The lava rocked her as if in a sea. The agony from the lava subsided into blissful calming. "Zelda," A voice whispered. A voice whispered. It was soft and feminine. 

Though she sunk in the blazing heat, a chill raced up her spine. Somehow, she knew the voice. She couldn't place it yet it sounded as familiar. "Zelda, go to sleep. Tomorrow we're heading to Pompeii." A baby cried in response. A woman with dark brown hair and a bright purple dress, such as she wears. Came into her view. A rumbling awoke her from her slumber. 

The heat intensified. Zelda screamed wishing for relief. Squirming, she felt her bonds melt off. Her hands were free. Gritting her teeth, she began swimming upwards. Her arms felt weighted down. It took everything in her to advance upwards. Images of her father grazed her mind. Anger boiled her blood. Felix took everything she carried for away. She refused to let him get away with it. 

Crying out for vengeance, the volcano pushed the lava towards the upper cone. Screaming, she shot out of the lava and gripped the side of the cone. The lava spewed upwards then began flowing down the sides. Shaking her head, the world around her began vanishing in a daze. A growl resonated in her throat. It was beastly. Zelda struggled to stand on the rocky surface. 

The volcano shook beneath her feet. She held on to the rock surface. Moaning, she turned to her right and gazed into the burning river. Her porcelain skin had been replaced by red scales. Her eyes were slanted as a reptile's. Her body had grown to over ten feet high. Lava splashed on her back, the remnants soaked into her scales, wings began forming. Zelda slammed a claw down in the dirt. Arching her back, she raised into the air and flew towards town.