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Erionda could tell by the sound of his foot steps that Kilian was catching up to her. And rather quickly too. Not wanting to be beaten to the next dragon Erionda attempted to pick up her pace but was too late. Kilians grip held firmly to her wrist, pulling her back to him. Raising her hand in surprise, her sword clattered to the ground. Erionda placed it against his chest. She could feel his hard muscles shift below the fabric parts of his armor. Blushing deep red as his lips connected with hers.

Closing her eyes into slits, as she shifted to kiss him back. She was startled by a loud cry from one side. Her head flipping to the sudden sound as she gasped. Both her Drakein were sending images of pain and fear at the sound of the roar. Something worse than they had ever seen was sitting in the large opening up ahead. Her eyes grew wide as the remembered fear flooded back to her. Her body only just starting to turn to run out of the tunnels before Kilians arms moved to hold her fast.

A gust of wind forced Erionda's face into the crook of Kilians neck for protection against any loose debris. She could feel the moisture against the walls strike them as the wind continued before dying down. Feeling his arms fall away was almost a frightening thing. Wincing Rio turned grudgingly towards the tunnel's exit. "All the Drakein look afraid Kilian. I- I don't know whats got them so upset!"

She didn't want to move ahead. For fear of Alpha or Beta laying in wait for them. Her eyes shifting to search Kilians face before she tried to force the lump in her throat down. She couldn't show fear in front of him. She wasn't a weak or helpless girl anymore. She was a warrior, a fighter, and a powerful one too. Bending down to pick up her sword, Erionda hurried into the next cavern. Her mismatched eyes searched the room with confusion. It was only an Ayrala.

Gripping her sword tightly Erionda burst into the cavern with a yell. Her free hand extended out. Palm facing the dragon as the droplets of water from earlier formed into sharp thin needles of ice. Stopping only a few feet from the dragons head, Erionda let the ice fly. Quickly dispatching the dragon letting two Ayrala orbs appear inside the dragons dust.

Sheathing her weapon, Erionda turned to smile at Kilian. Tilting her head to the side as her hair fell away from the slightly exposed neck. "Well that's three to your two. So far I'm winning."

She was about to retort but the warm fingers that lightly trailed up over her neck stopped her as her eyes closed. Erionda teased him unmercifully with light brushes of her fingers along his back. Leaning away in case he tried to capture her for another kiss. Just enough to taunt him. Smirking as she took another step back.

Uassae moved up behind Kilian with a snort. His eyes blazing as he glared down at the Oblivionite before him. "I'll not have you leading her into any traps Oblivionite. You better make sure your intentions are there." Growling as he moved on he nuzzled Erionda. Ignoring the puzzled and somewhat embarrassed look on her face.

Lanzecki chirped as he mocked Uassae. Making sure to stick his snout in the air as he moved, his claw catching on the tip of a outjutting rock sending the Keindred rolling forward and crashing into the elder Drakein. Rio put a hand to her mouth as she tried to stifle her giggle. Only Lanzecki would react in such a manner. And if Uassae knew she found it amusing, he'd be storming off in who knows what direction only to pout.

Shrugging her shoulders at Kilian, Erionda spun on her heals and moved on into the tunnel. She was moving slower than before yet something up ahead gave them a light to their surroundings. She could feel the temperature change as her ears popped with the shift in pressure. If it was a Firani up ahead she was doomed. The hybrid tensed and reached for her blade. Aiskala Dovaa were weak against the Firani, and while Tilawen was a Firani. Erionda lacked experience with them. Unsure how to proceed Erionda resisted the urge to look back at Kilian for reassurance. She was strong she didn't need to show such weakness.

Erionda cursed under her breath at her hesitation. She had allowed Kilian a chance to catch up to her score of dragons. She couldn't allow him to finish! Not alone! Twisting the hilt Erionda pulled her shield from where it rested firmly on her back. She was going to need it now if she wanted to survive against her weakness. Rolling her slender shoulders to alleviate some tension Erionda moved into a quick run. Her body darting around the side of the dragons body before it burst into dust.

Groaning at the quick defeat Erionda's eyes fell on the glinting red orb. Stepping forward she knelt down beside them. Her fingers moving out to trace along the smooth surface. She had never seen one before. At least not to her recollection. As far as she could remember her parents had never brought home Firani orbs. And Aquon prized his beyond life itself, considering he was a Firani Dovaa. The memory of him made her shudder and pull her hand away as if it had burned her.

Wincing Erionda quickly moved her hand out and snatched up the orbs. Handing one to Kilian. "Our sacks sure are getting full of these orbs." Turning to look at the even dimmer tunnel Erionda couldn't help but wonder out loud. "Have we only just begun our decent?"

Erionda followed Kilian towards the next tunnel. Another Firani? Erionda muttered with a marked frown. She didn't like them so much. Taking in a shaky breath Erionda readied herself for an attack only to be beaten to the kill once again. Kilian must have taken her seriously when it came to the challenge. He was now ahead of her in kills and that was an unfortunate thing. She didn't like to be beaten at games. And certainly not when it came to dragon slaying!

Ignoring Lanzecki's protests to continue further into the cave. Erionda pushed on ahead. It didn't seem that with all these dragons progressively getting stronger that Beta or Alpha would be hiding down here. She had seen a Drakein attempt to dismember Beta in hopes of making her die a pure creature instead of the mixed breed she was. Erionda shuddered at the thoughts. Glancing at Kilian she stooped to take up the orbs and offer him one. "I wonder if that means further down we will run into Aiskala dragons." She hadn't had the chance to notice the way the fungus cast light about the cavern.

Erionda blinked at the sprightly Keindred. Until now she had seemed afraid of moving towards the dragons. She gave the Kiandri a weak smile as she moved to stand. Making sure everything was in it's proper place Erionda moved towards the next tunnel. Was it possible for the tunnel to have infinite caverns in which dragons lived? She was silent as she moved through the narrow tunnel. Though she was silent she was exited at the same time. Since the Kiandri fight she had not faced so many dragons consecutively. It was almost blissful with the amount of orbs they were able to collect so far.

As she entered the next cavern Erionda paused. Her eyes grew wide as they fell on the puddle like pond in the center of the room. The star like moss and fungi covering the walls and ceiling made the room appear enchanting. Her heart skipped a beat as she walked towards the pond. Completely unaware of any dragons in the room.

She had found her favorite location in all of Eowyn. The caverns temperature was not hot, and the beauty around her was unsurpassed by anything she had ever seen before. Kneeling at the waters edge, Erionda dipped her hand in with a giggle. She didn't want to leave this room. It was like she had always pictured her favorite place in the celestial plane. And it was here and accessible to her.

Her eyes turned instantly back to her Drakein and Kilian. She wanted to share this precious moment. This place with them. To let them know she had found beauty that both hid her and comforted her.

Erionda's heart squeezed as she took in the sight of the dragon. A deep breath was being inhaled. Instinctively Erionda knew exactly what the dragon was about to do. "Kilian!" Erionda screamed. Moving to stand up, stepping forward her feet hit the water. The flames that erupted nearly stopped Erionda's heart in her chest. She couldn't tell if Kilian had been struck or not.

Unexpected tears flooded her eyes. "Kilian!" She yelled again. Racing along the ponds edge towards the dragon. Ice trailed in her wake. Stopping as she caught sight of Kilian striking the dragon. Her heart skipped another beat. He was ok. He was alive! He had scared her. "You idiot! You completely scared me! I..." Her voice cracked as she turned to look away.

Taking in a deep breath she forced the tears down. Walking close to him Erionda paused. She gazed up at him with a fierce rage blazing behind her eyes. Raising her hand she quickly moved to strike him across the face. How dare her scare her like that. Clenching her jaw as the tears spilled forward Erionda moved to head towards the next tunnel. He had already scared her once before. How many more times was this going to happen?

Erionda flinched as she heard her name. She could hear the tone in his voice. Her actions before had torn at her. His voice only tore at the guilt even more. She attempted to brush the tears away before turning towards him but didn't have time. He was already holding fast to her wrist. She didn't fight Kilian as he spun her around to face him. Hiccuping against the pain, her fear, and her overwhelming emotions.

She stared at him before turning her head away. She couldn't bear the hurt, the slight pink tint to the skin where her hand had connected with his cheek. The emotions on his face hurt just as much as her own. He had scared her! She didn't even flinch at the tight pressure on her arms. Lowing her head shamefully Erionda let her hair create that familiar barrier of safety. Was it even proper to speak up? She was a pathetic Hybrid. And he, a full blooded Oblivionite.

They could easily be friends, but for her to admit she had feelings towards him would only bring him disgrace. His release after the dragons call only brought her to her knees. She had no idea how to react to his question. Gritting her teeth she pulled herself together. Turning in time to see him slay another dragon. Flinching as he drew close to her. Part of her expected him to strike her. To induce the same amount of pain. She would willingly take it. She deserved it.

"I thought that dragons breath... had hit you." Rio finally snapped. Turning to head down the next tunnel.