Seekers of the Stone Maker
The Last Message

Ana’s mind flooded with memories. She could see her family at the Weary Hearts Respite. She was younger, and her family sat around one of the large tables. Her father and brother had just closed the restaurant, and they were covered in various sauces and bits of vegetables from the kitchen prep that had been prepared and cooked that day. Her mom was laughing at a joke Astra had told.

Her sister was just as charismatic as her father for such a young child. Ana turned and watched as Mikella walked in. She sat beside her, grabbing a plate and filling it with the leftovers from the shift. Branhorn looked tired. Her brother had been working at the restaurant for only a year, and she could see the hard work he put in every day to make his parents proud. He poured himself some wine and ate slowly, his eyes glazed over from exhaustion.

The memory shifted. She was gazing up into the foliage of a massive tree. Though she couldn’t hear his words over the music that seemed to come from nowhere, her father was telling Ana and Astra a story. In the distance, the sun was falling, and she could see both moons, Mirus and Seladon, rising high in the air, followed by an expanse of stars like a cloak trailing behind them.

She could feel Zidingris flex its clawed hand, its talons digging into her arm and side. Ana’s vision blurred, then refocused. She could see Lyla atop the dragon, attacking its spine and wings. Leaf had come down from its horde, pulled out his spellbook, and cast spells from around a pillar. Rhokhishi was flying through the air, the pegasus soaring with incredible speed.

She could feel the pan flute near her face. She blew into it, trying to conjure anything that could help her. A spike of energy shot forward and hit the dragon between the eyes. It roared back in pain, then shook its head, trying to relieve itself of the damage she had caused. Remembering the song in her memory, she tried her best to play it. She struggled to breathe but put everything she had into the moment.

She watched as a golden circle appeared in front of her. It moved above her and grew into a spherical shape surrounding her body. Ana could see the creature’s hand buckled and open against the new force.

Your shield will do nothing for you. Zidingris growled out.

She kept playing anyway. The dragon swiped with its other claw, glancing off the shield and away. Ana could see that wounds appeared on its talons. She wasn’t sure what the song was, but she knew it was working. Free enough, but not out of its grasp, she took a deep breath and played harder. Around her, she could see Trista had managed to get the ice melted enough to get Mr. Muffins and Myla through. Lyla, Leaf, and Rhokhishi were still trying everything they could to damage, but it wasn’t doing enough between Zidingris’ bites, wings, and the rugged ice terrain around them.

They need my help.

She let the tune change slightly and tried to keep up with the improvisation she created with the original melody. From the shield, she watched as it grew larger, causing Zidingris to let go of her completely. She fell slowly, drifting like a feather to the ground. As her golden shield touched the ice below her, tiny beads of light appeared around it and circled her body. Looking at her friends and allies, she pushed the beads away from her. They moved like comets, light golden light trailing behind the silver. As they reached their targets, Ana saw the light wrap around them, protecting them, if only for a few seconds.

Zidingris spread her wings out and flapped them. Ana could see everyone being knocked back by the gust of wind around her, but she was unmoved. Zidingris craned its neck down, reaching eye level with her. It looked like she was filled with rage, unable to speak. Its breath burst from its nostrils, sending frost around the shield. Its mouth opened slightly as she inhaled again. Ana could see the cold, blue and white energy growing further down its throat.

The blast hit the shield, pushing around and beyond. Ana could see Leaf standing in front of her friends. He used the inspiration she gave them to absorb the attack. She smiled, knowing that she could protect them in some capacity and that they were strong enough.

The sound of a large crack ended her smile. Looking towards Zidingris, she could see the slivers reaching up her shield. She knew it wouldn’t last. Knowing she only had seconds left, she placed her pan flute to her chest and cast one final spell.

Across the continent, how far she wasn’t sure, she connected her mind to Mikella. She would only have a brief second to speak, so she said the first thing that came to her mind.

I said I didn’t need you… I lied. Zidingris was too powerful. Save my friends, and please tell my family I love them—even Branhorn.

The shield cracked once more, then shattered. The dragon’s breath blasted against her, and everything went dark.