OOC: open/ no real plot yet and open to anyone. Although I would like to keep it at or below 3 or 4.

Dripping water, screeching bats, and the dull sound of a dragon snoring are the sounds one would hear if they walked into one of the many caves on an unnamed island off the coast of Alageasia. It was a nice, bright, sunny day outside of the cave, and Xelin was sleeping it away. His dull black scales matched the dull black and gray rocks of the cave almost perfectly, so the only way anyone would know he was there was because of his loud snoring. He had been asleep for most of the day now, and didn't plan on waking up until night fall. He didn't venture out during the day because he was too easily seen in the bright sun light, whereas he could easily hide when needed in the dark cover of night. His tail twitched as he dreamed, the bottom of his 4 tail blades lightly tapping the rocks as it did. He wasn't dreaming about anything special, and it switched randomly. One moment he was hunting, the next, flying, and the next he was dreaming about sleeping. He was completely relaxed, and not paying attention to his surroundings as he assumed he would be relatively alone here on the island.

"This is ridiculous. ."The voice emitted from a young boy, fourteen, with snow white hair and pale, gray eyes. He was shirtless, lying on the back of a gigantic komodo dragon as it made it's way through the trees and underbrush. Hissing quietly, the huge komodo dragon turned his head to gaze over his shoulder at his young master, who was gazing at a piece of parchment paper, twisting it this way and that. "This is the hardest treasure map I've had to try and read yet. I don't understand it at all. . and why are there two X's?!"
The boy shook the paper with irritation, balling it up and tossing it somewhere far away with a little burst of air emitting from the tip of his fingers. He sighed deeply, placing his hands behind his head and closing his eyes. He swung his leg off his animal guardian's side and let it dangle as he spoke.
"I'm starting to think the greedy merchant stole our ten crowns. The map was a fake, Aziel. I knew it!" He frustratingly brought one of his hands up and banged against Aziel's tough hide. He knew it wouldn't hurt him.
Aziel looked ahead and smiled to himself. His young master had plenty of little tantrums that he quickly over came.
Relax, Irlais. We'll find another map.
Irlais didn't say anything, just made a noise that half-agreed. He played with the strands of beads that hung down from his hair, keeping his bangs together. The clicking noise they made calmed him. It was when Aziel stopped walking and rumbled a growl that Irlais opened his eyes and sat up. There was, yet another, cave. It was the hundredth one they'd seen so far since coming to the island. But this one was different: There was a snoring like noise coming from it. Catching Irlais attention, it enticed him to hop off Aziel's back and make his way closer - barefoot - to the entrance.
Come on, Aziel. . maybe there's a beast to fight inside.
A little less enthusiastic, Aziel made his was into the cave right beside his master. Of course they weren't going to fight a beast, Irlais knew that. But it was fun to imagine.

Irlais and Aziel were silent now, wondering aimlessly through the cave. Aziel was on alert, ready to sink his teeth and claws into anything that threatened to harm Irlais. And Irlais was carelessly looking around, up at the ceiling, and at the walls, a little smile planted on his face.
He ran his hand along the cave wall and stopped periodically, as if he saw something that caught his eye. But nothing of interest truly did until he was far enough into the cave that he saw something glittering gold. Irlais wasn't a full though. He could tell it wasn't any kind of treasure or a crystal of some sort embedded in the wall of the rock. They were eyes.
He didn't hesitate. He spoke quietly, taking a few steps closer so he could see what or who the entrancing eyes belonged to. Though he still couldn't clearly see.
"Sorry to intrude. Is this your cave?"

A deep growl raised up in Aziel and he about lunged forward, but Irlais simply held up a hand that froze the komodo to the spot, his growling silenced.
His head leaned to the side as he watched the dragon show itself. He knew the other was trying to scare him away by snarling, but it didn't work. Irlais didn't have a true sense of fear. He knew there were times when he didn't feel right about certain things but fear didn't quite make sense to him.
He took a few steps forward, Aziel staying where he was as much as he absolutely hated it, and raised his hands slowly to show he didn't have anything to harm the other.
"Fine. Don't speak. But you don't have to pretend to be scary. You won't hurt me if I don't give you reason to. And I'm not going to hurt you. Promise."
He smiled a genuine smile and and reached out with one of his hands, as if to place it against the others nose in a friendly manner. "Let me show you. ."

Irlais dropped his hand, tilting his head before looking to the side, a frown forming on his face.
"I'm sorry. . I didn't mean to disturb you. . I was simply curious as to what was in the cave. I heard snoring. .and thought maybe a beast lived in here." His gaze fell back to the dragon, a small smile returning to his lips. "I found a beast, but it's not the raging monster I thought it would be."
Aziel fidgeted nervously back where he stood. He didn't think the dragon would harm Irlais, but he didn't feel right being so far away from him and another creature, just as big as him, stood not a foot away from his young master. Irlais sensed his nervousness and became a little annoyed.
"Aziel. . I'm hungry. ."
I'll find you something to eat. . Reluctantly, Aziel turned away from the two and headed out of the cave silently. Irlais sighed and plopped down on the ground of the cave, crossing his legs. He lifted his head back up to gaze a the dragon, speaking quietly.
"He means well. . but he fusses and worries too much. I'm Irlais. What's your name?" It was obvious by the way he sat that he wasn't planning on going anywhere, unless the dragon came with. Irlais, to put it simply, was hooked. He'd found someone interesting and wanted to know more about the dragon.

Xelin stared at the boy, amazed at his lack of fear. If he so chose, Xelin could eat the boy in no more than two bites, but it was as if the boy didnt care! When the boy called him a beast, he snorted in disgust. He hated that word, as it implied that one was nothing more than a stupid animal, which he was not. He looked past the boy when he spoke of bein hungry, and saw the lizard leave the cave. As the boy began speaking, Xelin began to loose the ability to concentrate and began ignoring him, until he requested his name. Well Irlais, my name is Xelin. And i suppose it is nice to meet you. he said, with about as much emthusiasm and feeling as the rocks around them. He could tell by the way Irlais was siting, that he was going to be there a while, so he laid down and rested his head on his paws, waiting for the next question.

Irlais chewed on the inside of his cheek as he listened to Xelin. Something he habitually did for no particular reason.
"So how come you didn't want to talk to me at first? And how come you're in this cave. . all alone."
It was probably clear that Irlais didn't give much for personal space when it was the little things. He was a good kid, for the most part. Straight forward, but open minded and playful. He wanted know more about he dragon. It may have sounded cheesy, but he wanted to become friends.

A grin that seemed to plaster itself on his face grew instantly when the dragon asked why he had come to the island. "My guardian and I are treasure hunting!" Then just as quickly as the grin appeared, it vanished into an annoying frown as he looked the other, throwing a pebble he found on the cave's floor. "But it was a fake. . so now, we're just here because we haven't left yet."
He shrugged it off, as if it was no idea, and gazed back at the dragon with a tilt of his head, his gray eyes abruptly grew the size of saucers as he thought of something.
"You can fly! You're a dragon. .so you have wings. Do you fly often? Or do you stay on the ground most of the time. .and sleep?"

"Maybe you're right. But there's never any harm in trying, especially if you luck out get more than what you gave to get it in the first place, you know what I mean?" He stood, brushing his trousers off and examining himself as he continued. "Why don't you like flying? It's one of the most amazing things in the world!"
He looked at Xelin oddly, as if he couldn't possibly fathom why anyone wouldn't want to fly. And if they had wings, of all things, why wouldn't they? He grinned again, holding his arms out and spinning around in small circles as he spoke. "The feeling of nothingness beneath your feet! The wind in your face! The speed! Feeling so free and powerful! I bet I can fly just as good as you! If not better."
He stopped spinning around and looked at the dragon with a smug, little grin, as if challenging him.

Irlais made a face as he watched Xelin disappear into his shadow and come out of his own. It both bemused him and made him envious. It was a cool trick. Irlais turned towards Xelin when he mentioned him having no wings and he had to suppress laughter by covering his mouth. After a moment, he moved his hands and spoke with a grin.
"You don't need wings to fly. Wings just make thing easier. I don't need wings. And that's not true, you know. There are shadows in the sky, if there are clouds."
His grin grew a little, as if he felt smart for thinking of it.

"Then figure it out." Irlais said bluntly, that little grin still on his face. He turned towards the entrance to the cave, walking slowly towards it as he held his arms out again, pretending to balance on something that wasn't there. "Ignorance isn't always bliss. If the old ways aren't sufficient, find new ways to do something. Inventing is one of the greatest wonders of man kind."
It was obvious the boy wasn't completely naive. He had some smarts to him, or ambitions, to say the least. He looked over his shoulder momentarily at Xelin before looking ahead again.
"Now. . are we gonna fly, or what?"

Irlais followed quietly behind Xelin, gazing over his dragonic body and mentally taking notes. Studying was something he did habitually now. His brain was like a young child's: a sponge willing to soak up any and all knowledge around it. Except his mind did it forcefully, without him having to try. But he'd never been too close to really big dragons. He was particularly scared of them, just worried they would squash him accidentally.
When they reached the cliff edge, Irlais looked down with fascination, eyes growing wide. The adrenaline was already starting to pump through his veins.
When Xelin jumped, Irlais watched with envious glee as he spread his wings and started to fly.
When Xelin turned around to start looking for Irlais, he'd find he wasn't on the cliff anymore. But in the air, catching up with him from behind.
He was running, as if he was on the ground, but with extreme speed. He was making a flickering movement with his hand constantly, right before his foot stepped down onto whatever wasn't there. He was literally running on air. And he didn't seem to be struggling or having a hard time keeping up either.
The wind blew in his hair and the grin on his face was one of pure joy. He locked his eyes on Xelin, grinning like a kid who just got the best toy ever for Christmas. He yelled over the wind, acting as if what he was doing was as natural as anything.
"That's amazing! Your wings are so big. .! Is it hard to flap?"

Smile fading, Irlais cocked his head to the side before realizing what Xelin was talking about. He looked down at his feet, supposedly running on nothing, before looking back to Xelin with another big grin.
"I control the air! I have power of the wind. Watch this!" His face twisted into an expression of concentration and focus as he brought his arms up suddenly and began moving his hands in a sphere, quickly. He was momentarily suspended in midair, having stopped creating the smaller spheres of air he was using to run on. But he created the bigger sphere of air so quickly, he was able to step onto it within seconds and let it propel him at least thirty feet higher into the air.
Then he began free falling, that grin of pure bliss returning to his face. It fell and fell, until he was about fifteen feet from hitting the water's surface. He brought his arms out in front of him and began spinning rapidly. The air around him forming into a rocket like shape around his body. When he hit the surface of the water, it instantly jerked away from him, swallowing him completely in the next second.
He was under for quiet a while before he suddenly burst from the surface near the cliff wall and began running on air again, slowly making his way upwards, as if traveling on an invisible spiral staircase. He started slowing down, the closer he reached to the top, as if starting to struggle. But made it to the top of the cliff and jumped to land, falling onto the grass on his back. He was huffing and puffing, but the grin was on his face, as always.

Irlais let out a breathless laugh as Xelin spoke. It took him a moment to catch his breath before he hopped up and stretched his arms high over his head. His shoulders popped before he turned to Xelin.
"Nah. . I don't use my wind for attacking. Only defensive purposes. Not much I can do besides giving someone windswept hair." He plopped down on the grass with his legs crossed, annoyed, and rested his chin on his hand, his elbow on his knee. He was dripping wet still, soaked hair plastered to the sides of his face and his forehead. "That's why I use my inner powers. And my rune stones. Without my rune stones and other powers, I truly don't think I'd be able to actually fight anyone. I'd always be running." His eyes narrowed at the ground. "I don't run."
He sat momentarily, staring at the ground like he'd stab it to death if it moved. But he abruptly snapped his head up, standing with a small shrug of his shoulders. "At least, not if I can help it. Running does nothing but prolong the inevitable."
He crossed his arms over his chest, grabbing each of his upper arms as he looked to the side. He was still ticked. He'd had issues with his element for a long, long time.
"With fire, you can burn your enemies to a crisp. With Earth, you can constrict them with the soil that gave them life until they're crushed into dust. With water, you can extract every ounce of water from an enemy until they're shriveled into nothing. Not much you can do with air. So I stick with my magic and my fighting skills."

Irlais didn't let up for a moment. Something was wrong. His head was hurting and he almost didn't let up. But the pressure abruptly released when he forced his arms to fall to his side. He raised one to his head though, holding his palm against his temple and closing his eyes for a few seconds, breathing deeply. His voice was quiet.
"That was. . odd."

A chill trembled down his spine and he lifted his head when Xelin spoke. He nodded once.
"The headaches have only been recent. . I'm sorry about not letting go sooner. . I don't know what happened." He stayed silent a moment, before lifting his head and letting his hand fall, concern in his own voice, though he didn't bother trying to hide it. "Are you ok?"

Irlais stood there, staring at the place where Xelin's fire had gone, eyes wide.
Black fire? Now that's cool.
He looked back to Xelin when he mentioned his guardian. "Aziel? No. . actually, no, not usually. ." Irlais looked around, worry creased his brow, but it faded slightly as he looked back to Xelin.
"He's probably just sunbathing. If something had gone wrong, He'd of contacted me. Or I'd of felt it." He said this, but even as he did, he wasn't quite sure of himself. He wasn't going to make Aziel come back just yet. And he knew Aziel would worry if Irlais suddenly just contacted him. He shook his head slightly, rubbing his temples before another shiver ran through him. "Geez. ." He murmured, taking a deep breath and blowing out his nose slowly. The water on his skin and in his hair turned to steam before he made a swift movement with his hands and the air around him suddenly picked up with intense speed. It only lasted a few seconds before it ended. Irlais was completely dry, but his hair was messier, almost standing on end. He laughed a little, fixing it. "So. .what other ideas do you have. .?"

Irlais just finished his hair when Xelin began drifting off to sleep again. He blinked, moving over to stand in front of Xelin's face. He leaned over, resting his hands on Xelin's nose and pushing down a little. He sounded almost like a younger child.
"Xelin. . . wait. . tell me first. Sleep afterward, tell me first."

"..w..whoa. ." Irlais took a step back as Xelin shook his head. He crossed his arms over his chest, thinking a moment. "Fine. Sleep. I'm going to go practice."
Irlais smiled a little at Xelin before turning away and running to the treeline. He was excited about trying his knew trick.

-an hour later-

Irlais stood straight, arms by his side. His head turned towards the next stalagmite and he moved into the same stance as before. But before he could begin to increase the pressure surrounding the stalagmite, a man walked out from behind one of the others, a devilish grin on his face. His hair was black, his clothes were worn, and his skin was a deep caramel color. He had many scars on his face and the skin that was revealed, making him a very recognizable man.
He came up behind Irlais, gently setting a hand on his shoulder. Irlais didn't move until the man said something and he stood straight again, staring off into space with his glowing eyes.
"Very good, Irlais. You've all ready mastered your new trick. He'll be happy to hear that you're improving. You can rest now." As if he'd flipped a switch, Irlais's eyes returned to normal and his hands immediately shot to his head, clamping it as he began to yell out and double over in pain, but the strange man caught him and laid him to the ground gently. His touch had caused his scream to be silenced almost immediately. He moved hair from the boy's face. His eyes were closed, as if he were asleep. The man stood, sighing, and turned to leave out the entrance he'd come through, speaking out loud to what he thought was just Irlais, even though the boy couldn't hear him.
"Don't worry, Irlais. The pain will end soon. ." And then he was gone.

Irlais didn't wake up until a few minutes after they'd landed safely outside of the ginormous, overflowing cavern. It began with a small stir, until the pain set in. Irlais shifted to his side, curling into a ball and gripping his head with fierceness he hoped would make the pain fade. Thankfully, after a few minutes of breathing deeply, the pain began to recede. To prevent another headache, he slowly unraveled himself, sitting up and finding Xelin in his gaze. He grew confused, and looking around didn't help the matter. He slowly stood, wobbly.
". . . Xelin? What's going on. . ."

Irlais looked at him as if he'd gone insane.
"Wait. . .what?" Irlais felt dizzy suddenly. Obviously, they're was something wrong. Something happened moments ago and there was a huge chunk of it missing from his brain. He raised a hand to his temple, not because it hurt, but because self consciously, he did it out of habit now. "Man? My eyes?"
He was in the beginning stages of his true power, also known as the Godly Curse. It was Aziel. He slithered from the underbrush on the opposite side of Irlais, who spun around. But he wasn't talking to Irlais, he was talking to Xelin. Irlais suddenly got angry.
"And where were you?! So much for a guardian!" The insult didn't even phase Aziel as he stopped, lying himself down.
I couldn't find you. I couldn't contact you. My apologies. .
Overall, it didn't even seem like Aziel and Irlais even enjoyed being around each other. For a bonded Allatik to his guardian, it was extremely unusual that they seemed so distasteful when around one another.

Irlais didn't answer, crossing his arms over his chest and turning his back to the both of them. He wanted to throw a tantrum, like a child. But he wouldn't let himself do that. He wasn't a child.
Aziel gazed at the boy momentarily before looking back to Xelin. He completely ignored the second question and focused on the first one.
Godly Curse is Irlais's true nature. He may be a boy, but he's got a God inside him. One that could wipe out this entire island in one swift motion if that side of him were to be released. He can't control himself when in that state and he's only ever lost control once his entire life, almost killin-
"SHUT UP AZIEL." Irlais screamed, his voice cracking. His hands were at fists by his sides, eyes full of hatred and anger, but there was a soreness and sorrow filled wetness somewhere there, too. He was silent for a long moment before turning away and bursting through the trees with amazing speed, most likely from a blast of air he created.
Aziel watched him go, not bothering to try and stop him in anyway. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, his tongue causing a hissing noise to emit as it momentarily left the confines of his mouth.
As you can see. . he's sensitive about it. .

Aziel began moving himself towards the treeline when he stopped himself, hearing Xelin's next question. He was hesitant, speaking with slight joy in his voice as his scales pulled back on his face to reveal what was supposed to be a smile.
. .more. . treasure hunting. Irlais is quite the land pirate. After answering, he began towards the treeline again.

Irlais smelt Xelin coming. Not that he smelled, but the air around them both sent is scent brushing past Irlais and he knew he was coming before he'd landed. He was huffing, hands in fists. Even when Xelin spoke, he didn't let up or turn around, but his breathing slowed.
It took him a moment to understand what Xelin had said and he turned around, confused. He had no idea what business Aziel had planned. But he didn't like the sound of it. .
"What're you talking about? We don't have any plans for when we go back. I didn't even know we were going back. . did he say anything else?"

Irlais shoved the ball of anger he was wielding deep down inside, trying not to get angry. It was rare that he ever got angry and when he did, it was bad. Not only that, he'd had to learn how to keep his emotions under control a long time ago, lest his 'other side' be released.
He looked to the side slightly, not being able to fathom a single reason why Aziel would lie. He shook his head slightly, starting towards the treeline. If Aziel was looking for him, he'd of gone back to the cave to wait. That's where he'd go.
"I should talk to him then. . obviously, he's got something he's not telling me. ."

Irlais blinked a few times, staring at the tail the blocked his path before lifting his head to look at Xelin oddly. After the black dragon spoke, he huffed and crossed his arms, furrowing his brow.
"What are you saying? I am calm." Despite his words, he frowned, eyes narrowing. He wasn't irritated at Xelin, he just wasn't a very good liar.

Irlais's jaw stayed tense for another moment before he finally let out a sigh, hands falling to his side again, his gaze cast downward a moment before he lifted it to Xelin, his voice softer.
"All right. . all right. I'm calm, promise."
The corner of his lips edged upwards a little.

Irlais nodded slightly, waiting for Xelin to take off before bolting through the trees to the cave.
When he got there, Aziel wasn't anywhere to be seen. For a moment, Irlais thought maybe he'd been wrong about Aziel coming to the cave, but then realized he could've very well been inside. His jaw tensed, Xelin's words coming back to him.
It could very well be a trap if he went inside. But he could take care of himself. And knew for a fact that if he called for him, Xelin would be there in a heart beat. He didn't know how, but he knew. So with that, he headed inside.

It was a trap. If by trap, someone meant "nothing happened". Irlais walked into the cave casually, as if nothing was wrong, even though deep inside, he was actually slightly worried. But nothing happened. He found Aziel lying down, close to the entrance of the cave, and went to stand by him.
"Aziel. .what is this about more treasure hunting?"
Aziel startled, as if he'd been asleep and lifted his head with sluggish speed. I see Xelin got a hold of you. . . He sighed. It was supposed to be a surprise for you, Irlais. I'd made a deal with a merchant, promising he'd have legit treasure, a whole bunch, waiting for us when we went back to the mainland. It was going to be a little gift for you.
". . .and that was the business you were talking about finishing, too?"
Of course. I must still keep up my end of the bargain.
"And what's your 'end'?"
Irlais was beginning to ask too many questions and he saw that when Aziel rose, as if appalled, and spoke with annoyance.
You think I have something to hide? You don't trust me, Irlais? [i]Master?[/i]
Irlais stared up at him, his heart skipping a beat and his eyes widening in realization. Never in his life had he been scared of Aziel. Never. He hadn't felt fear in so long, that he had begun to forget what it felt like. He wasn't one to fear. Until now, when Aziel rose up before him, as if to challenge him. Irlais took a step back, murmuring quietly.
"I have always trusted you. But the way you're acting now tells me I've been a fool. .stand down, Aziel, or I'll make you. ."
A deep, anger filled hiss emitted from Aziel as he jerked towards Irlais, causing him to flinch backwards. No more orders from you! No longer will I babysit a pathetic, selfish brat that doesn't even belong to me!

Irlais almost turned and ran for it, but it was then that he saw the glint of Xelin's eyes, just like right before he found him. He smiled, on the inside, before looking back to Aziel. He summoned every ounce of courage that was uselessly lying around inside him and narrowed his eyes to Aziel, putting strength behind his voice.
"I said. . to stand. Down. Do as I say, Aziel." He pronounced every syllable slowly, warning the komodo dragon. But it didn't phase Aziel. He snarled, a vicious growl ripping from his throat as he lifted himself up onto his hind legs. With his great size and weight, stepping on Irlais would crush him almost instantly. When Aziel came down, Irlais almost didn't make it out of the way. He dodged by throwing himself to the side, rolling away. When he came to a stop in a crouch, he glared at Aziel.
"Traitor!" That ball was forming in his throat again, threatening to spill his emotions but he refused to let it do so.

Irlais was stricken when Xelin attacked Aziel, causing him to roar, veering back on his hind legs again. Irlais took a step back, so many emotions rushing through him at once. He yelled out, but doubted Xelin heard him over Aziel's hissing and thrashing.
"Wait! Don't. ." Irlais wanted to reach out and separate them both, but he knew very well how stupid of an idea that was to even consider. He took a step back, each step slower, until he finally turned and made a run for it.
Just as he exited the cave, Aziel threw Xelin off with surprising strength and hissed, eyes aflame with hatred.

Aziel wasn't expecting Xelin to be ahead of him at all, having not yet witnessed his powers. And when he was hit by the black fire ball, he roared, veering back. He almost collapsed, the fire having singed his scaly hide. Many scales were missing now, revealing the beginnings of his tender skin. He turned towards Xelin with severe distaste and lunged, but collapsed to the ground abruptly before his feet could leave it.
Soil and rock had made it's way up Aziel's legs, all four of them, and had hardened them into place. Aziel howled when he saw Irlais come out of a grouping of trees near Xelin. He was holding a small stone in his hand. His face held the look of what he should've been: a small, lost boy, confused.
Aziel writhed where he lay, struggling against the earth to no avail. Irlais murmured quietly to Xelin, looking to the ground instead of him. He couldn't seem to meet anyone's eye.
". .don't kill him. Even if he did betray me, don't kill him. He's still a life. He's still a living thing." He lifted his gaze just slightly to Aziel, still struggling with hate and vengeance, before letting it fall again. "Though that's all he is."

Aziel tried very hard to keep himself from struggling any more as he heard Xelin's questioning. Yet again, a deep serpents hiss escaped from him as he eyed both the dragon and his former master. But he didn't speak. He kept silent.
Irlais's eyes narrowed as he stared at Aziel's defiance. He'd heard the gist of what Aziel had told Xelin from in the cave and right now, it was taking everything inside him not to kill Aziel himself. But he knew, deep down, he would never be able to hurt the big komodo intentionally. .
". .hit him with another fire blast." On the other hand, he knew Xelin had no problem with it.

Aziel hissed, watching the memory with distaste. But he didn't answer. He wasn't going to, either. He'd had enough. If he died here today, then so be it. He cared no longer. He stayed silent for a long time before Irlais's eyes narrowed. Angrily, Irlais started forward.
"You've been lying to me from the very beginning. You've been planning to turn me over to a megalomaniac at my own expense. You tried to kill me, after years of hiding all of this from me. I trusted you! You manipulated me, betrayed me!" He was standing directly in front of Aziel now, his face contorted into one of pure anger. He raised a hand to Aziel, speaking with acid.
"Tell me who the man was. .before I crush your lying, reptilian hide to dust."
Aziel stayed silent a moment more, opening his unscorched eye to gaze up to Irlais. The rest of him didn't move. He didn't hesitate with his answer. You won't do anything. You're a pathetically weak child.
Irlais sneered, before howling. His eyes began glowing like before and he tensed his hand without hesitation, the hand by his side forming into a fist. Instantly, the pressure around Aziel increased and the komodo choked out a hiss, struggling painfully. But Irlais didn't let up. Slowly, the pressure increased even more and the earth around Aziel began cracking and crumpling, the sphere of compressed air seemed to be growing as it strengthened.

Xelin watched and listened as Irlais vented at Aziel, as was his right. Aziels responce caught him off guard, he had expected him to try and calm Irlais. But what Irlais did shocked Xelin even more. He had known the kid was pissed, but he didnt think Irlais was one that could kill. Irlais,enough! Xelin yelled into the boys mind with the force of a rock slide. His voice exjoed threw the boys mind so loudly, Xelin could hear it in his own. He hadnt intened for it to be so loud, but he wanted to stop Irlais before it was too late.

He wishes to harness Irlais's powers and use him as a lethal weapon to aid in an upcoming war. That is all I know.
Enh, why not? If he was going to die, he might as well take out that fool with him. He had nothing to lose any more, other than his life. And he saw how well that was going to turn out. One way or another, he was going to die, whether it be here or when Lukia found out he'd lost the boy.
Irlais brought a hand out and rested it against Xelin's wing momentarily. This was all too much for him to take in. . he couldn't believe his ears. His voice was quiet, almost inaudible.
"Why me though. ." He let his hand fall from his head to his side and he suddenly looked a lot older then fourteen, worn and tired.
Destiny has a way of pissing people off. It has nothing to do with you, but everything at the same time. You were just unlucky. .

Irlais did as he was told, sort of stumbling as he sat down and crossed his legs.
Believe me, I have no idea. I only know what I know from over hearing his majesty. For years, Lukia has been secretly capturing dragons with a strange device that gives them no choice but to be controlled by him and him only. And as he's been capturing dragons, he's also been killing of a special kind of people, called the Allatik's. Which is what he is. No one knows his reasoning for any of this, but him. I doubt anyone but the people he reigns over knows anything about the war at all, even. Aziel hissed quietly before continuing. Which in turn, means I know nothing about it, other than that it will happen. Unless that boy brings down Lukia Ursl. He is the born savior of his people, the babe with white hair. He is one of the most powerful beings known to man kind, which is why Lukia Ursl has been keeping his eye on him from the day he first lost control. That's everything I know.

"I've never healed someone else before. ." He murmured quietly, frowning as he glanced in Aziel's direction. "But I guess I can try. ." Irlais waited another moment before standing and moving closer. Aziel hissed almost immediately, causing Irlais to continue cautiously to Aziel's side, where he proceeded to hold both of his hands out. He took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as he focused. It took him a moment to find what he wanted inside himself. But when he did, his hands began glowing faintly, a light green color. He hovered them mere centimeters over Aziel's damaged scales, slowly healing them.
Aziel tensed himself and resisted writhing. The tender skin where his scales no longer were was extremely sensitive, even though Irlais was reluctantly healing it at this moment. It took maybe ten minutes for Irlais to heal all of the most sensitive areas of Aziel's tough, reptilian hide. When he finished, he took a step back, breathing a little hard with hands in fists by his side.
". .there. ."

Irlais backed away further when Xelin crushed the earth around Aziel, who flinched at the threat once free. He hissed, before turning away and bolting for the tree line without further ado.
Irlais stared after him, so many things rushing through his head. He was suddenly very tired, as if he hadn't slept in days. He thought he might fall asleep and never wake up again. After Aziel was long out of ear shot, Irlais glanced to Xelin, shuffling his feet and wrapping his arms around his stomach. He felt small, suddenly, compared to Xelin.
A thought occurred to him, something that had been on his mind from earlier. His voice was quiet, small, and, just like his eyes, had a hint of loneliness to it.
". .how do you cope with being alone?"

Irlais watched Xelin, leaning his head to the side as he explained. His story was way different than his. He had a home. Parents who loved him, an entire village that cared for him. But he'd left them behind because of a single lie. .
When Xelin explained that he wasn't really alone and rubbed his snout against his stomach, he laughed, bringing his hands up to rest on the dragon as he murmured.
"Stop, stop. .I'm extremely ticklish."

OOC: ToT quit iiiit....I told you that Xelin doesn't want a Rider!
Xelin: yes I do...
me: SHUSH!

IC:
A mischievous grin came across Xelin's face when Irlais announced that he was ticklish. "Is that so?" He said, and continued to gently poke and rub his snout against the boy's belly and sides.

OOC:. . . .XD
-siiiiiigh-
. . .You tell 'em Xelin. . xD

IC:
Irlais stared at Xelin momentarily as the mischievous grin took its place upon his snout and he started to back away as the black dragon began poking his stomach more. His laughter slowly turned to giggles until he tripped over something and fell onto his back, grunting, but still laughing. He sat up slightly and ran his arm across his eyes, to wipe away the wetness that had begun to form. Then he looked up to Xelin and smiled a little.
"I like your scales. I don't care what anyone else says. Shiny is so overrated, anyway. ." He laughed a little more, starting to stand.

Xelin stopped when Irlais fell over, still grinning. He backed p a bit to give the boy room to get up. When he complimented his scales, Xelin's face became hot; thank goodness for black scales. "Thanks...no one's ever complimented me before..." He looked at Irlais, as a strange feeling came over him. A feeling of rightness. Like, he was supposed to be with Irlais. He couldn't explain it, even if he wanted to. Suddenly, he remembered something, stories that he had always regarded as just stories. He remembered hearing about the Dragon Riders, and how the dragons bonded to a two-leg of their choosing, and how great and untold powers were bestowed upon them after they bonded. Xelin began to wonder if there was some part of him that knew he should be bonded to Irlais, while another part wondered if he was just being silly. "Irlais...have you ever heard of the Dragon Riders?" He asked, sitting down.

OOC: Nooooo! T_T

After he stood, he smiled at Xelin for thanking him. He was brushing the dirt off his pants when he asked him about the Dragon Riders and it caused him to hesitate, thinking. He crossed his arms over his chest, trying to gather what he knew about them, only to find out that it wasn't very much at all.
"I've heard about them. . but I don't know much, coming from a land without them. . weren't they the protectors of something at one point?"

Irlais was silent the entire time, sitting himself back down in front of Xelin with his legs crossed. He focused entirely on the stories, his interest growing more and more. When Xelin finished, he was still silent, letting his gaze fall as he thought for a short moment.
Then he abruptly sprang to his feet, jumping just a little higher than the average person with his arms in the air. when he landed, he stuck his fists up like he was going to fight Xelin as he spoke with excitement.
"That is so COOL! All the fighting and adventures and power! And Eragon, he did a number on that old geezer, Durza! It's too bad he and Saphira didn't stick it to Galbatorix though!" Irlais made a face, slamming one fist into the palm of his other hand.

Irlais calmed down a little and rested his hands lightly on top of the other on Xelin's snout, tilting his head. He spoke quietly, curiously.
". .But, Xelin. . why are you telling me all this? Are we going to try and gather up Dragon Riders to stop Lukia whats-his-face or somethin'?"

Irlais stared at Xelin with a little bit of both surprise and uncertainty. He looked off to the side, as if contemplating to himself for a moment. Finally, he spoke quietly.
"My entire life, dragons have made me nervous because of their size. They're so much bigger than me and so much more powerful, I'm afraid they'll step on me like a bug." He hesitated again, before lifting his gaze to Xelin and continuing. "But, despite you being a dragon, I wasn't scared at all. It was the exact opposite, I didn't want to leave your side. . is that why? Or am I just being silly. ." He raised a hand to rub the back of his head as he glanced the other way.
"Because. . if I were to become your Rider. . I would have to follow my guts and do just that." He smiled a little, glancing back to Xelin a moment before letting his hand fall.