I sat staring at the flicker of the flames from the campfire in front of me, pulling the blanket Gerrard had given me taut around my shoulders.

When Gerrard had found me, I was getting ready to stab myself in the heart with an imaginary dagger, which in reality turned out to be an energy ball that was oliterating my energy supplies fast. He had shaken me and shouted my name before I woke from the reverie that I was in. Then he pulled me out of the fog and into a clearing up ahead where we set up camp. The greenish fog lay still a few hundred yards behind us.

"It was magical," Gerrard said, "the fog. I could sense the magic within once I became aware of it."

I sat quietly, my mind occupied with the images of my hallucination. Gerrard explained to me that the Air Nation must have used the fog as a protection measure. He said that the air particles in the fog were thick with hallucinagenic molecules and that the Air Nation probably wanted to drive away anyone that came too close to it to prevent them from finding their location. 

After Gerrard explained all of this to me, he sat beside me silently. He didn't try to comfort me by putting his arm around me or anything. He just sat and stared at the fire with me. The silence between us stretched out, encompassing us like the fog had. After a long moment, Gerrard finally spoke again.

"What did you see?" he asked.

I didn't answer. Not right away at least. Instead, his question triggered tears to well up in my eyes. The images from what I had seen flashed in my mind's eye. The grief that overwhelmed me enough to drive me to suicide just an hour ago returned. But this time, I fought it off. I clutched the water stone on the necklace that Trey had given me and calmed my nerves. Once my emotions were in check, I answered his question.

"I saw my worst nightmare," I said, my voice hollow, my eyes still fixated on the dancing flames in front of me. "I saw a battle, and Trey and I were facing off. And I was losing and he was relentless. And he hated me for betraying him, for working with the dark side, for lying. He hated me so much that even when I begged and pleaded for him to stop hurting me, he didn't. And when I told him I loved him, he told me he hated me. And then he killed me. And the worst of it was, he felt no guilt for doing it," I told him.

Gerrard didn't say anything. And why would he? He had warned me from the very beginning that my actions, once known to Trey, would be my ultimate downfall. He had told me to keep my distance from Trey, to keep my emotions under control. But I didn't listen. Instead, I went ahead and got engaged to Trey. And with my worst fear come to life in the fog, the reality of my mistakes became so much more certain. And that hurt.

"What did you see?" I asked after a long moment of silence. 

"I saw..." he trailed off, licking his dry and chapped lips. "It doesn't matter what I saw. What matters is that we got out of there," he told me.

"How did you fight it off? How did you stay in control?" I asked, finally tearing my eyes away from the fire to look at him. He looked straight back at me, the reflection of the flames dancing in his blue-grey eyes. 

"I knew that you were somewhere behind me and that you needed my help. My concern for your safety and the promise that I had made to protect you overcame whatever I saw," Gerrard replied.

My eyes welled up with tears.

"I wish I had the same strength as you," I said.

"It has nothing to do with strength, Caley because you are very powerful. It has to do with conviction and remembering what you are fighting for. If you love Trey and you know that he loves you, then you need to have faith that everything will turn out just fine. But if your worst fear is that he will leave you once he finds out what you've done, then maybe you two shouldn't be getting married after all," he said. 

His words cut through me like a knife and triggered tears to form in my eyes. I looked back at the flames in front of me, trying to gain control over my emotions. Instead, the dwindling fire blazed brighter and hotter, turning white-blue in color. The heat made the air crackle around us as the flames rose higher and higher, trying to lick the low hanging branches of the trees around us. Gerrard stopped the emotional and magical loss of control and returned the fire to its normal flicker. I simply stared at it, not saying anything.

His words, regardless of their truth, hurt. And maybe it was because they were true that they were so painful to hear. He was right, after all. And I was beginning to think that it was the case that Gerrard was usually right rather wrong. 

If I had enough faith in my love for Trey to accept his marriage proposal, then I should have enough faith that he would forgive me for betraying him and working for the dark side. My worst nightmare was irrational, but wasn't that the point of fears? For them to be irrational and not make sense? It is the unknown that is the most feared and once we rationalize our fears and understand them, they are no longer scary.

So by Gerrard's logic, I shouldn't be afraid of losing Trey forever. 

But I was. 

"I'm sorry," Gerrard said after a moment. I glanced up and shook my head.

"No, you're right," I replied.

"No, I shouldn't have said that. It was harsh. I'm just tired and I was taking it out on you," he said.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you're still right," I replied. He pursed his lips and I sighed. "I shouldn't be afraid of losing Trey. I know he loves me, but I'm afraid that it won't be enough. Yes, I accepted his marriage proposal. Yes, I love him enough to want to marry him. And I know that he loves me enough to want to marry me. But there are some deceptions that even love can't forgive. And that's what I'm afraid of," I explained. "It doesn't make sense, but that's the thing about fears. They aren't supposed to make sense," I added.

"Maybe we'll find the countercurse before we get a chance to test that out," Gerrard offered. I managed a small half-smile. 

"Maybe," I replied. 

"I think we should call it a night. We're safe from danger now and I put up protective spells that won't let the fog penetrate in case it moves," he said. I nodded. We put out the fire and then went inside of our tent. I tried to sleep that night, but my thoughts were plagued with flashes of the nightmare that had come to life inside of that fog.

                                           ~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning, I awoke feeling unrested and tired. My muscles hurt and the soles of my feet felt like they were bruised from walking on them for so long. But we knew that we must have been going in the right direction if the fog was designed to be a protection mechanism. The Air Nation must have been close.

 We packed up our camp and by the dawn's light, we resumed our ascention up the mountain. The air was colder than usual, which made sense because we were quite a bit higher up on the mountain than we were before. Our breaths came out in shallow gasps and we found ourselves stopping frequently out of oxygen deprivation. Usually we wouldn't stop to eat lunch, but this time, we were so exhausted after a few hours of hiking up that we had to stop and rest. 

"I can't even make fun of you for being out of shape now," Gerrard said, his lips slightly blue from the cold and lack of oxygen. 

"My lungs feel like someone lit a match in them," I replied, rubbing my hands together to stimulate blood circulation. "How long do you think it will be until we find them?" I asked. Gerrard looked up, as if trying to see if he could see the tip of the mountain we were on.

"I have no idea. It'd be so much easier if someone just found us like Rowan and Anoki did," Gerrard answered. I nodded in agreement. 

Just as he said this, we heard a rustling in the bushes near us. We both stood up immediately, completely on the ready for a surprise attack. We looked around, circling the perimeter of where we sat. I conjured up an energy ball and Gerrard checked for life forms. Just as he reached the bush where the sound came from, something jumped out at us.

"Surprise!!!" it exclaimed. I let out a terrified scream, but when I saw what it was, I felt foolish. 

On the ground in front of us was a small elfish-looking creature with amused black-brown eyes. 

"Anoki," I said. The creature giggled gleefully and then transformed into the tall six-foot man we had met in Aghbad. 

"It is I!" he exclaimed, cackling as if he had just pulled the funniest prank on us.

"You son of a bitch..." Gerrard said, shaking his head at the shape-shifter. 

"Have you been following us this entire time?" I asked, reaching forward and hugging our old friend.

"Yes and no," he replied. I gave him a look. "Ok, yes. But it was only because I had nothing better to do!" he said. "Also, you left Aghbad without saying good-bye," he added. 

"We already had our good-bye," I pointed out.

"But I wasn't satisfied," he said. I rolled my eyes. 

"Why did you wait this long to show yourself?" Gerrard asked.

"I wanted to wait for the right moment. And the right moment was precisely when you missed my presence!" he answered giddily. I shook my head at him.

"How did you get through the fog?" I asked.

"You forget what I am," he replied.

"Shape shifters aren't affected by magic in the same way we are, remember?" Gerrard told me. I pursed my lips and nodded.

"Lucky you," I mumbled. 

"Ah, cheer up, Caley Lucia! Now we can journey together to this Air Nation you seek!" Anoki said. 

"How did-" I began, but stopped.

"He's been following us," Gerrard said, answering my unasked question.

"I realize," I said. "Do you have any idea where it is?" I asked Anoki. 

"Not a clue, but that's the fun part!" he exclaimed. I groaned and his eyes brightened. "I have an idea!" he said. "How about I fly up to the top so I can see if there is any civilization up there?" he suggested.

"That's the best idea I've heard in a while," I said. 

"Do it. And we'll wait here," Gerrard added, nodding his head. Anoki saluted us and then transformed into a bird that was native to the forests we were walking in. With a ruffle of his feathers, he flew up into the sky to get an aerial view of our surroundings. We arched our necks back to watch our little friend fly up into the grey sky. When he was out of sight, we looked at each other.

"I didn't think we'd see him again," Gerrard said.

"Me either. But I'm glad he's back. I needed a third side-kick," I said. He rolled his eyes.

"I am not a side-kick," he said. 

"Sure you are. I'm clearly the hero in this journey," I said. 

"Right. Ok," he said sarcastically.

"You're just sour because you're not the hero," I mocked.

"With the number of times that I've saved your ass so far, I might as well be the best god-damned hero there ever was," Gerrard said. I stuck my tongue out at him and he rolled his eyes at me again. A few moments later, Anoki came back, his feathers slightly damp. He transformed from the bird to his human form, standing upright at his full six feet.

"Two things," he said, slightly breathless. "One, there is a storm approaching. Quickly," he said. "And two, the mountain is flat at the top. I cannot see any sign of civilization, but I may not be able to if there are protective enchantments around the nation."

"If it's flat, it's perfect for people to settle," Gerrard said.

"You think we're heading in the right direction?" I asked.

"We have to be. There was the fog and the location is perfect for a community of monks," Gerrard replied. I shrugged and looked at Anoki.

"You willing to transform into a giant bird or something to fly us up there so we don't have to walk?" I asked. 

"The world's laziest heroine," Gerrard commented. I reached down and picked up a pebble. I weighed in my hand for a moment before throwing it at Gerrard. He moved it away easily with magic, quirking an eyebrow. I sloped the ground beneath his feet so that he lost his balance and fell. This made Anoki shriek with laughter. 

"What were you saying?" I asked Gerrard as he stood up, brushing dirt off his pants. He glared at me. Anoki was still laughing. Gerrard reached out and slapped him over the head.

"Oh, shut up," he muttered darkly. Anoki stopped laughing, but his eyes gleamed in amusement. 

"I can only transform into things that exist. Giant birds, unfortunately, do not exist," Anoki said. 

"Well, hawks can like pick up human beings, right?" I asked.

"I have a better idea," Anoki said.

"What?" I asked.

"A dragon," Anoki said, raising his eyebrows mischeviously. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Dragons are real?" I asked.

"The Fire Nation found a way to create them. They took the DNA of a bird and inserted the gene that allows fire masters to manipulate fire into it. Then they inserted that DNA into the egg of a lizard. The result was a dragon," Gerrard explained.

"How do you know that?" I asked, slightly amazed. He shrugged.

"I had some extra time when we were in the Fire Nation," he replied. 

"Ok, well, then. I guess transform into a dragon and fly us up there!" I exclaimed. 

"You will have to give me a moment. I have only transformed into a dragon once before. It may take a few tries to get it right," Anoki said. "Step back, please." We did as we were told and took a few steps away from our stranger friend. He chewed on his lip for a moment, his face scrunched up in concentration. Then, he closed his eyes and with a whirl, he transformed into a lizard with very small wings.

"Whoops...not quite," the creature said, in Anoki's voice. He whirled again and this time transformed into a bird with scaly wings. "Still no," he said. With another whirl of color, he transformed once more. This time, however, he got it right.

In front of us stood a large dragon, about 15 feet in length. It was red and black and gold in color with amber colored eyes and slits for pupils. The scales were thick and glossy and the wings were shiny and webbed. The sight was both frightening and magestic. 

"How do I look?" the dragon Anoki asked. I had to stifle a laugh. The sound of Anoki's voice did not match the exterior appearance of the dragon at all.

"You might want to work on the voice if you want to appear as menacing as you look," I suggested. Anoki huffed, letting out a puff of smoke from both nostrils.

"Well, climb aboard, then. I want to find the nation before the storm settles in," Anoki said.  We both went up to him, but I hesitated.

"Uhhh...you first," I said to Gerrard. He shook his head at me and then strode forward. He grabbed a hold of one of the angled scales and then pushed himself up onto the ridge of Anoki's back. 

"Bloody hell this feels awkward," Gerrard mumbled under his breath, shifting to adjust himself.

"You're telling me," Anoki responded. I bit my lip to contain my laughter.

"All right, help me up now," I said to Gerrard. He reached out for my hand and then dragged me up. I sidled myself on Anoki's back and wrapped my arms around Gerrard's waist.

"World's bravest heroine?" Gerrard joked. I punched him in the stomach and he laughed, coughing. 

"Ready to go?" Anoki asked. 

"What do I hold onto?" Gerrard asked.

"My scales," Anoki replied.

"Won't that hurt you?" he asked.

"We'll find out," he said. Gerrard gingerly took hold of two of Anoki's massive back scales. Anoki roared, breathing out a narrow flame from his nostrils.

"What?!" Gerrard shouted, pulling his hands back in fear. Anoki chuckled, his back vibrating underneath us with the rumbles of his laughter. 

"I'm only joking. It doesn't hurt," Anoki said. Gerrard muttered some obscene profanities at Anoki under his breath. "You know, dragons have supersonic hearing. So I heard that," Anoki said.

"Good. You were meant to," Gerrard replied.

"Ok, kids. Let's settle down now. Anoki, we're ready when you are," I said. Gerrard took hold of the two scales again and Anoki stood up on his four legs.

"Hold on tight!" Anokie cried. He began walking forward first and then broke out into a run. I clutched onto Gerrard and closed my eyes shut. From his running position, Anoki took off into the air. 

"OH MY MERLIN!" I heard Gerrard shout over the rush of the wind in my ears. My eyes watered from the force of the wind and the bitter cold of the air. I clutched onto Gerrard for dear life and prayed to Mother Nature to keep me safe. 

After a few moments, we leveled off and the sound of Anoki's wings quieted down next to us. I took a chance and opened my eyes. The sight below was breathtaking.

"Oh. My. Merlin," I whispered as I gazed at the world below us.

"I know," Gerrard replied.

We were at least a dozen thousand feet in the air, maybe even more. Below us, we could see the tips of the mountain range, the bases covered by a thick, misty fog. We floated through the thick clouds that were full of rain water getting ready to burst.. It felt like we were flying through the heavens and looking at the world below. It was spectacularly beautiful.

"Do you see the flat top below?" Anoki asked. We looked down and sure enough, surrounded by tall peaks was a mountain with a flattened tip. It looked almost like a gigantic scissor had cut through the mountain rock and sliced the peak clean off. 

"It has to be there," Gerrard said to me. "Yeah! We see it! Take us down there!" Gerrard called out to Anoki. Anoki circled lower, but then stopped.

"There's a force field of some sort," Anoki told us. Gerrard stretched out one hand and checked for protection enchantments. Sure enough, the space in front of us lit up a bright blue, indicating the presence of a protective barrier spell.

"How will we get through?" I asked. 

"We're going to need permission," Gerrard said. 

"And how do you suppose we do that?" I asked.

"Circle closer to the base," Gerrard told Anoki. Anoki did as he was asked and dipped lower and lower until we were mere feet away from the flat base. 

"Conjure up an energy ball," Gerrard told me. 

"What?" I asked, taken aback.

"Just do it. If they think someone's infiltrating, they'll send someone out to check on us. Then we'll have our way in," Gerrard said. I frowned and nodded, conjuring up an electrical energy ball. Gerrard did the same. "Ready?" he asked me. I nodded. We both lifted our hands up and then, together, threw the energy balls at the spherical force field. The two balls struck the field, creating red lights which no doubt signalled to the people within the force field. They did no damage, as suspected. Anoki dipped down a bit lower. If Gerrard and I jumped, we would be able to reach the base once it was lifted. 

After a few quick moments, we saw a glimmer on the side of the force field. From it, as if from nowhere, emerged a person wearing a thick woolen grey robe and a staff. He looked around and then spotted us, his eyes widening. He shouted something incomprehensible and then made to turn around.

"Wait!" Gerrard shouted before the man went back inside. Anoki brought us as close as he could to the person.

"We're not enemies. We're Magii. We come in peace. We're looking for someone that was here a few years ago," I said quickly, hoping that the man understood English. The man looked angry and unconvinced. 

"Look, I'm one of you," Gerrard said, pointing to his blue-grey eyes. The man turned his attention to Gerrard and when he saw his eyes, his expression relaxed. He tapped his staff on the ground in a successive pattern and the the barrier lifted just enough for two people to fit through. Gerrard and I jumped off and landed roughly on the base of the mountain peak. 

"We'll see you later, buddy," I said to Anoki.

"It was a pleasure working with you again," Anoki responded. The man stared in horror at Anoki who looked back at him gleefully. Anoki intended to look amused, but it came off as a grimace in his dragon face. 

"We'll see you soon!" I said to him. Anoki nodded and then, with a great gust of his wings, he disappeared into the dark grey clouds. 

Once he was gone, we turned our attention to the man.

"Thank you for letting us in," I said to him. The man ignored me and turned to Gerrard, bowing his head at him. Gerrard glanced at me and shrugged. Then he, too, bowed his head at the man. The man gestured for us to follow him inside. Once we stepped in, he sealed the wall again. We walked behind the man and Gerrard whispered to me, "For once, the color of my eyes didn't get us tortured."

I grimaced back at him. 

The night was still young.

________________________________________________________

A/N: I'm baaaaaaaack! Sort of.

A few updates, since you've been so patient.

1. I am happy to tell you that I will be attending pharmacy school next semester, starting in August. :) I didn't get into medical school, unfortunately, although I am wait-listed at one school. But I'm happy with my decision. I'll be able to work with doctors if I get to become the pharmacist that I want to be!

2. I'm graduating college in less than a month. Things are getting pretty hectic for me. My friends and I are going to be all over the country and we're trying to spend as much time together as possible. I have senioritis really bad and I've been extremely nostalgic lately. Life goes by really fast, so enjoy it while you can.

3. I have to take summer classes. Efffff my life. So I may or may not be able to update very quickly until like, July.

4. Thank you all for all of your comments supporting me and wishing me luck in my future! It's a relief to finally know that I'm going to graduate school and that I'm going to make something of myself in the future. Thanks for being patient with me, too. I don't ask for much from you guys, but I do ask you to be patient with me. 

5. The Air Nation is going to be short. I'm only going to write one chapter with them at the Air Nation. Caley and Gerrard's next stop is going to be MUCH more interesting.

6. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think will happen in the Air Nation!

Until next time...

XOXO