The Dragon Children Chapter XIII: Ariel

Sophia was an apprentice to the Spirit Mage, Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a tall man with white hair and blue eyes. He was three years older than Sophia, who was in her twenties at the time. She had come here five years before with her dragon, Minerva. She was told by Iawia that she was to be taught by him. During that time, their relationship had blossomed into a closer one, more like lovers. She soon gave birth to a green-haired joyful girl named Ariel.
When Ariel turned seven years old, she was bonded to a White Dragon named Cirrus. Two years later, a young boy and his black dragon arrived at their doorstep. The boy's name was Stephan, and his dragon was named Kor.
"The dragon's voice is in my head and always makes me do bad things." Stephan explained. "Can you help me stop it?"
"The fact that you have come to me is proof that you have hope. " Ezekiel said.
For four years, Ezekiel was able to help Stephan suppress Kor's influence. Then Stephan met a beautiful woman with long, flowing red hair and green eyes. Her beauty bewitched Stephan and he fell in love with her. This woman was Pandora. In time, she was able to seize his will and became her servant. He no longer attempted to suppress Kor's influence. After that time he returned to Ezekiel and Sophia.
"I see the prodigal son has returned." said Ezekiel. "Have you turned from Pandora's influence?"
"No." said Stephan. He pointed at Stephan and drained his life energy from him within moments.
Ariel rushed to her father's side.
"What have you done to him?" she asked.
"You will join him, child. Don't fear." said Stephan. He killed her as well.
Sophia saw the whole thing, but was too stunned to act.
"Why are you doing this?" she tearfully asked.
"Pandora knows she cannot kill you yet. You cannot die until you have completed your mission. Pandora has sent me to convince you to reconsider."
"Do not let him convince you." said Minerva.
Sophia shook her head. "I will defy you and Pandora. I will make sure you pay, not just for my grief, but all the grief you have caused."

Chapter XII: Sophia's Home

The Resistance arrived in a village. Sophia did not want to be here, and Joanne could see this.
"What is wrong, mother?" she asked the blue-haired priestess.
"This is where I lived before I began my journey to recruit followers."
"This is where you were born?" asked Damien.
"No. I was never actually born. I was created to save this world. This is where I learned my purpose."
The village was surrounded by oak trees, maple trees, and trees unlike those on Earth. Some had green leaves, while others were as colorful as rainbows. Birds flew freely, oblivious to the humans and dragons. Lizards crawled up the trees looking for tasty insects. Bees were pollinating flowers so new ones could bloom. Farmers were plowing their fields. Cattle were lazily chewing on grass.
"It's beautiful here." said Cypress, Damien's dragon.
"Yes." Sophia said as a tear trickled down her cheek. She walked into the village's graveyard, passing by several tombstones. Then she stopped two. One beared the name Ezekiel, the other, Ariel. It was here that she stopped, knelt, and wept.
Karin looked at Ariel's grave and noticed that the tombstone said the person inside only lived for ten years.
"Who was this person?" Karin asked.
"She was my daughter. I remember how it felt carrying her inside me. My first child. She had beautiful green hair that I never tired of combing. She had sparkling eyes as green as the foam of the sea. She had an almost ceaseless zeal and an infectious laugh. I enjoyed every moment I spent with her. That is until Stephan killed her."
Sophia turned to see silent surprise in the girls' eyes. The same person who had killed their parents and burned their house down had also killed this innocent child?
Sophia said. "I have come to terms with her death. But there are times I admit I wish she and her dragon, Cirrus, were still alive. Perhaps I was allowed to give birth to her so I could understand what it is like to hold a life in your hands. I would not regret giving birth to a life like that.