Chapter Text
Knight didn’t move a mussel, one hand gripping the hilt of his sword as he and the dragon had a silent stare down. His mind was racing, did the dragon recognize him? Would this turn into a fight? He hoped it didn’t but Knight was prepared to battle if he had to. He’s fought human opponents before, how different could a dragon-like human be?
...very, he supposed, they decimated an entire field of monsters with ease.
Knight was prepared to draw his sword when the other opened their maw to speak.
Though what was said completely blindsided him.
“Oh and who are you supposed to be? You’re clearly not from the mala tribe!” The dragon exclaimed, looking frustrated. Knight blinked in surprise but kept his defensive stance. But he only managed to make a noise of confusion before the dragon lifted their arms and started ranting.
“I knew they were struggling due to these sudden attacks but to send some weak looking human to face me?? This is insssssulting!” They hissed out the last word, kicking up a pile of ash that used to be a monster.
“These ssssstupid monsters show up and distract the tribe so they’re not able to battle me at full ssstrength! Then I decide to make their fight easier by handling some of these waves myself, but these ssssoot beings don’t even put up a fight!!” The dragon hissed and stomped their foot on the ashes while growling, knight couldn’t help but call the scene a tantrum.
“I’ve been starved of a good fight for too long! And these pathetic ash beings are to blame! I can’t even talk to Fire Spirit as they’ve shut me out! And now ssssome pathetic knight comes to challenge me! You aren’t even worth the effort!” And with that they looked back at the human, glaring, though after a beat, their wings flared and they suddenly grumbled.
“...you’re not even here to fight me, are you human?” At this point they just look... tired, frustrated and exhausted.
Not something Knight would have expected from a dragon, even one turned human-ish. But slowly, he shook his head.
“No, I’ve been traveling to find Fire Spirit myself.”
“Oh great, wonderful! Praise the sun! This is bullshit..” Pitaya’s tone was drenched in sarcasm as they grumbled and turned away, kicking at a rock at their feet before falling into quiet muttering.
Knight is absolutely reeling. Of all the outcomes he’d anticipated for this interaction, the great red dragon throwing a tantrum about having crummy fights was not one of them.
Nor them seemingly not recognizing him... Knight decided he’s going to be glad about not being recognized for his acts for once.
Especially if it means he doesn’t have to fight this dragon... again. So with a somewhat relieved sigh, Knight took a step back.
“Well... I should get moving then-“
But almost as if they remembered the human was there, Pitaya turned back around.
“Now hold on there, little knight! I’m not done with you” the man flinched, but looked back towards the larger being,
“You spoke of Fire Spirit...Why are you looking for him anywaysss?” Pitaya glared at the human in suspicion, if Knight didn’t know any better he would have almost called it some sort of protectiveness.
When this whole situation is over Knight is asking Fire spirit why he never told him that Pitaya was still around, especially if they have some sort of bond.
“Because he’s my partner, and has been missing with no contact for several weeks now. I’m worried about his well being.” Knight answered honestly. He decided to leave out the part about suspecting he was corrupted however, if this dragon does seem to care about Fire Spirit it’d be best not to worry them for now.
Said dragon seemed to process this information. Blinked once. Then exclaimed,
“Wait... you’re the human Fire Spirit is dating?” The dragon blinked in disbelief.
“W-what’s that supposed to mean??” Knight snapped back, feeling suddenly defensive at the tone the other used.
Pitaya looked the human up and down a moment, before squinting, then shrugging.
“Not sure what he sees in you.”
“Hey!”
Knight did not come here to be judged by a dragon who seemingly knew his boyfriend and had some unspecified bond with them!
But he quietly huffed and turned away, he didn’t have time for petty squabbles he had a field to cross!
Albeit a flaming one.
With all the ash monsters gone he could get a proper view of the terrain, and Mala Sauce was not kidding when she said it only gets hotter. Amongst the heat were fire geysers that erupted at various intervals, ravines that hissed with steam, various lava pits that bubbled, and of course with the added threat of ash monsters appearing, travel would be no easy feat.
But if it meant getting away from a bratty dragon then he would deal with it.
Knight started walking away, unsure exactly how he’d cross such dangerous terrain but he was determined.
However he didn’t get far before the dragon yelled.
“Oh no you don’t!” And with one hand they picked up the knight like a kitten. The human yelled in surprise as Pitaya placed him next to them.
“You can’t just walk there! You’ll end up burnt alive before you make it twenty feet!” They exclaimed, Knight crossed his arms, he’s getting really tired with this cookie by now.
“Do I have any other choice? Now if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to keep moving.”
“Oh no you’re not! I’m not letting you walk to Fire Spirits place!” They huffed, placing themselves between Knight and the direction he was going, yet before the human could say anything the dragon pointed to themself.
“I’m going to fly you there! Got it?”
Knight blanked.
“...what!?”
“You got cotton in your ears? I’m flying you there! It’s faster and you won’t die halfway there!” Pitaya seemed to have made up their mind, which only left Knight even more confused.
“Why??” Knight found himself asking, the dragon huffed and looked away.
“Look, Fire spirit clearly cares about you, so you’re likely the only human who can talk him out of whatever the hell has gotten into him.” They shuffled a bit on their feet, tail twitching, before they grumbled. “And I’m not... good... at the talking... thing.... So I can’t do it.”
Knight would have sworn the other looked almost embarrassed to be admitting that. But before he really got the chance to process it, the dragon spun to face away from knight, their wings becoming engulfed with a red flame before they became larger, Pitaya looked back at the human and called,
“Well come on then! The sooner you get there the sooner this mess gets fixed and the sooner I can battle the Mala tribe again!” Knight felt himself reeling once again but decided it would be unwise to decline this offer. Especially when oh so generously given to him by a dragon. So with a nod he jogged over, hopping onto the others back.
Pitaya took a moment to make sure the other was secure before saying.
“You better hold on tight, because if you fall I’m not catching you!” And that was the only warning knight got before they took off.
Knight kept his head down as the dragon flew through the air, wind rushing past as they soared through the skies. He was holding on tight as if he’d slip off at any moment. Pitaya apparently found this amusing as they let out a laugh.
“Not a fan of flying little knight?” They teased, Knight just managed to gather himself enough to find his voice, all so he could stumble out.
“J-Just let me know when we get there”
The other only laughed again, and knight could have sworn they started flying faster
Knight wasn’t sure how long they had been flying, couldn’t have been longer than a few minutes, it felt like hours with how he was holding on for dear life,
But Knight felt when they had moved to hover in the air, an hesitantly dared to look up.
When he did he spotted Fire Spirits home.
It was an old castle fortress he found and then decided to clean up since ‘it looked way too cool to just leave’ and honestly, for fixing it up mostly himself Knight had to admit it looked pretty solid.
Though the dark bricks making up the walls felt colder for some reason.
It did not help how the place was swarming with ashen cakes
Pitaya hissed as they gazed at those ash monsters swarming the place, however it didn’t look like an attack like they did to the Mala tribe... Knight hummed in thought.
“Mala Sauce’s suspicions must have been right, they do seem to be originating from here” which made it a very real possibility Fire Spirit was behind this.. or even made these monsters.
“Of course She was right, that human’s got a good head on her shoulders!” Pitaya retorted, Knight wasn’t entirely sure what to make of that but shook his head.
“Regardless! There’s too many of them”
“Don’t doubt my strength, I can take them!” Pitaya grinned with eager confidence, but Knight had a feeling. He didn’t know much about corruption, but he heard it works with what the person already feels, making them into their worst self.
But still their true self was underneath it all.
And if his suspicions about fire spirit being at the head of these monsters were right.
“Let me try something first” Knight found himself speaking, Pitaya glanced back at them in surprise.
“...You’re kidding?”
“Weren’t you the one who said Fire Spirit would listen to me? Let me try that first... if it doesn’t work then we do your plan”
“Your funeral, little knight” the dragon huffed, but after circling the fortress once more they found a spot to land. Knight slid off the others back as he looked out at the scene.
They were near one of the gates, ash monsters turned their attention to the duo. Pitaya has their sword out, growling with anticipation.
Knight kept his sword in its hilt. He noticed something almost immediately, none of the monsters were attacking, even though some looked very eager to.
So taking in a breath, he called out.
“Fire Spirit! I’m here, let me in!” His voice echoed off of the walls, and for several moments, there was silence.
And then there was the creek of the gates opening, and the ashen cakes stepping aside.
Knight had to fight back the proud smirk he wanted to give the dragon for proving them wrong, but now wasn’t the time.
“...well then...” Pitaya grumbled, both surprised and disappointed apparently. Knight gave them a glance then stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the palace.
Knight had only been to Fire Spirit’s place once before, he remembers it being brighter, livelier, and hotter.
It felt like walking through a familiar place that had changed suddenly. The inside was dimly lit, various torches threatening to go out with a simple gust of wind. And the place was noticeably cooler, especially when compared to the outside. Knight shivered, but he couldn’t tell if it was from unease or the chill.
Even if some called this place a fortress, it wasn’t very big. Fire Spirit bragged about how he found this place ages ago and worked to renovate it himself, and even a legendary cookie with a lot of time on his hands can only do so much on his own.
Which made it easy for Knight to find the main areas. The hallway opened up into what he could only call a throne room, it was decorated as such, with singed curtains and banners, as well as a few posters and drawings taped onto the wall. It was pretty clear someone much younger than him had been the artist.
But Knight didn’t let himself linger too long, he saw his destination ahead, he had no doubt Fire spirit was in there.
Waiting
His pulse raced with anticipation, but he kept his guard up. He didn’t want this to turn into a fight, but it was best to be prepared for one regardless.
And so he stepped past the arching entrance
And when he looked up towards the center of the room, he saw him,
Fire Spirit
But he didn’t look like himself, he had on a bulky cape with shoulder pads reminiscent of a bat, and generally his body looked darker, duller, ashen, especially compared to the bright orange and reds he usually was. His once flaming hair looked to be nothing but smoke, only a few remaining glows of cinders indicating the fire hadn’t died out, knight suspected he could actually touch it now.
The Lord Of Ash looked over, no charismatic smirk on his once lively face. But he almost seemed amused when he greeted.
“Hey Knighty...”
Knight couldn’t hold himself back. He couldn’t stand to see Spirit like this. What had the Enchantress done to him to cause his endless fire to nearly go out?
Knight ran over to the other, disregarding his own safety as he reached for him.
There was no resistance as Knight gently cupped the Ash Lord's face with his hands.
“Oh Fire Spirit”
Slowly, the other leaned into the touch, sighing.
“I didn’t want you to see me like this...”
His tone was one of despair, and yet a quiet acceptance. Knight got the distinct feeling he had been hiding himself away on purpose.
Gently, Knight pushed one of those stray cinder hairs behind Spirit’s pointed ear.
“What happened? Who did this to you? It was Dark Enchantress wasn’t it?” Knight spoke, concern dripping from his voice.
The other pulled away slightly, as he recalled the events.
“I... was ambushed, she must have messed with my place as a trap... got me alone and... I couldn’t escape the dark.” The Lord Of Ash looked to the side, not meeting Knights gaze,
All for the best, as Knight’s expression fell.
An ambush, a cowardly tactic, yet effective as it worked to corrupt them all.
He knew very well how hard it was to fight off an army on your own.
“I should have been there with you-“ Knight found himself muttering, all at once Spirit’s gaze was back on him, a brief look of panic in his eyes.
“Knighty... Knighty, no she would have gotten you too... or worse” the Lord Of Ash gently held the hand still on his cheek.
“And... knowing you were still out there.. alive and safe, away from her reach... it’s the only thing that kept me going like this.” There was a dark chuckle, knight felt his heart ache.
Fire spirit was always one to fight to the bitter end,
And even when his flame threatened to flicker out, he was still holding on by a threat.
Knight wondered how much longer he could last.
“I’m going to save you,” Knight declared. Determination flaring. “I’ll find a way to save you, and the others! No matter what it takes. I promise!” Fire burned in the human’s eyes. That spark of hope that the Lord of Ash had lost in the darkness.
Slowly, the other cracked a smile.
“I know you will Knight'' And with that, he leaned forward. Pressing a gentle kiss on the man's forehead.
Knight felt a warmth settle in his chest at the action, but it was unfamiliar, almost burning, red hot magic, almost like.
Knight gave a quiet gasp, but before he could ask the other spoke.
“I don’t know what lies ahead for you, but you’ll no doubt have to face Her soon. I’d be a terrible partner if I didn’t try and help how I could.” Fire spirit placed his free hand where Knights heart was, where the fire burned just under the skin.
“So, I gave you my blessing. I can only hope it’ll keep you safe...”
Finally, hesitantly, the two separated. The Lord Of Ash sighed and tapped his staff on the floor.
“...I’ll try and hold out as long as I can, but I don’t think the Enchantress will be happy when she realizes I’ve stopped making monsters for her...”
“Then I’ve got no time to lose” knight nodded.
“I have to find Wind Archer first though.” He needed to, he needed to be sure of his fate, Spirit seemed to understand this and hummed.
“Do what you have to, I haven’t seen him since...” Since he got corrupted, Knight realized. He reached forward and took the other’s hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“When this is over, we’ll all get together and do something. Maybe a picnic? The Hollyberry kingdom should be harvesting the berries in the soda sea by now” knight gave a small smile, the ash lord hummed,
“...a bit early to think about celebrations isn’t it?...”
“It’s never too early to hope for the future” Knight smiles, the other rolled his eyes, that brief smile had fallen by now. But he looked serious as he said.
“Pitaya flew you here right? Ask them to fly you to Archie’s forest, it’ll be faster... tell them it’s a favor to me if they get huffy about it”
Knight nodded, deciding now was not the time to ask about Fire spirit and Pitaya's apparent friendship. So finally, hesitantly, he let go of the others hand.
“I’ll find you when this is settled.” Knight promised, and with that, Knight hesitantly pulled away.
Before Knight left the room, he gave one final look back at the Lord Of Ash, the other giving a small wave which the man returned.
He hoped when this was over, he’d never find himself in a situation where Spirit looked that hopeless ever again.
The walk down those cold hallways was silent, save for the echoes of his footsteps, his mind racing as he processed everything.
He had to find Wind Archer,
Fire Spirit didn’t have much time left,
How long until he Enchantress realizes the Dread Tyrant has been frozen,
And how long did he have until the enchantress enacted some unknown plan?
He didn’t have any answers, he just had his own part to play, he had better start thinking of solutions soon, for everyone’s sake.
And as Knight stepped out of the fortress, the gates closing behind him, a fiery resolve burned in his chest.
He’d find a way to save everyone, to save Fire Spirit.
And as he looked over at the dragon, who surprisingly had been patiently waiting this whole time, his resolve only burned brighter.
It was time to head to Wind Acher’s forest.