Derpy sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the journal. The apartment had finally gone quiet. Tracy had gone to bed after sorting through bills; Jubilee was asleep. Mia curled beside him, and Sphinx kept watch at the foot of the bed.
His aching shoulder brought back Miller's voice from his final weeks at the warehouse: Three units behind, Derpy. Three years of overtime, insults, and injuries. And now he didn't even have a job.
"Glad that’s over," he muttered, though the bills said otherwise. At least Miller had been a problem he understood. Celica was something else entirely.
He set the journal beside the yellow bracelets, switched off the light, and eventually fell asleep.
There was no floor or ceiling, only darkness and drifting embers. Celica stood among them in a dress like molten gold and ash, her eyes bright with dangerous pride.
"Where am I?" Derpy demanded. "Somewhere between what you are and what you might become," she replied. "That doesn’t answer anything."
Celica lifted her hand. The embers stopped. "I am Celica’s Embers. A legacy. A Calamity. A dragon’s inheritance."
"An actual dragon?" "Do you know another kind?"
She approached. Derpy raised his hand. "Stop." Celica bristled. "We already have an agreement." "Exactly. I’m reminding you of it. My family and pets stay safe. You don’t use me. You don’t change me against my will."
"You are standing in my realm and still giving orders?" she asked, furious and almost impressed. "I’m reminding you of your promise."
"Why choose me?" he asked. "Because you said no," Celica answered. "Others would beg for power. You demanded conditions. It infuriates me." Her mouth almost curved. "And interests me."
Her gaze caught his injured shoulder. For an instant her hand rose as though to help, then fell before he could notice.
"You’re rather fragile, aren’t you?" she said instead. "Excuse me?" Derpy heard only the insult. Celica turned away before he could see her concern.
A yellow bracelet appeared on his wrist. Derpy tugged at it. It would not move.
"Take it off." "It is a tether, not a shackle." "Then prove it." Celica’s jaw tightened; she eased the pressure around his wrist. "A bond is only as strong as those who maintain it."
Seven distant lights appeared in the darkness. Celica watched them without smiling.
"The others," she said. "Other Calamities. You must gather them."
"No." Derpy folded his arms. "I don’t even understand the first one. Explain why they’re scattered and what you expect from me. Then I’ll decide."
The embers flared. "Do not mistake silence for ignorance!" Celica snapped. Derpy stumbled and caught his shoulder. Her expression softened for one unguarded heartbeat, but he was looking down.
"Careful," she said, hiding it. "You might hurt yourself." "You’re the one shaking the place!"
"I’m not promising to gather anybody," Derpy said. "But I’ll listen." Celica regarded him, frustrated and intensely curious. "Very well."
Beyond the seven lights, something seemed to shift. Celica’s smile vanished. "Stay close," she said before she could stop herself. Then, sharply: "Don’t wander off."
A pale crack opened beneath Derpy’s feet. Celica reached for him, a flash of fear crossing her face where he could not see it. The dream shattered.
Wind struck Derpy’s face. The sky was real. The forest below was real. "CELICA! THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE AGREEMENT!"
Mia and Sphinx tumbled through the air nearby. Derpy twisted toward them, but the trees were already rushing up.
Below, Lenora stood near a small campfire. A scream made her look up. Someone was falling straight toward her.
"WAIT—!" she shouted, trying to leap aside.
Derpy struck Lenora squarely. They rolled through the grass in a heap as leaves and ash scattered. Mia and Sphinx landed nearby, scrambling upright.
"Am I dead?" Derpy groaned. "No," said the furious girl beneath him, "but you’re about to be."
"SORRY!" He scrambled away, clutching his shoulder. Lenora pushed herself upright, sword within reach.
Then the crest beneath her clothing burned hotter than it ever had. She gasped and pressed a hand over it. A pulse of light escaped between her fingers, then faded.
Why now? She looked from the mark to the stranger who had fallen onto her. Was it because of him? She couldn't tell.
"Are you okay?" Derpy asked. Lenora kept her hand over the lingering heat. "Who are you?"
"Derpy." "Your name is Derpy?" "Yeah. I get that a lot."
"Where did you come from?" He glanced helplessly at the sky. "I wish I knew."
Lenora studied him. He looked frightened, not triumphant. But the crest had reacted at the instant of contact, and she could not ignore it.
Part 1.5 — Questions Beneath the Trees
Lenora retrieved her sword without raising its point. The stranger sat in the grass, with a dog and a black cat close beside him. Both animals watched her every move.
"Stay there," she said. "I’m not trying to hurt you," Derpy answered. "Then start with the truth."
Derpy glanced toward the campfire, then at the journal lying beside his knee. He had no idea whether Tracy and Jubilee were safe or how he could get home.
"I went to sleep," he said. "I spoke to someone in a dream. Then the ground disappeared."
"Someone?" Lenora asked. "Celica. She’s tied to that book." He gestured toward the journal but did not pick it up.
Lenora's gaze shifted to the yellow bracelets on his wrists. The crest's heat had begun to subside, leaving behind an uneasy throb.
"You expect me to believe that?" she asked. "Not really," Derpy admitted. "I barely believe it myself."
Lenora moved between him and the trees, keeping the campfire to one side. She was not ready to trust him, but she was not leaving an injured stranger alone either.
"We’ll talk by the fire," she decided. "Keep your hands where I can see them."
"Fine. But Mia and Sphinx stay with me." Lenora looked at the animals. "As long as they don’t attack."
Derpy rose carefully. The journal felt warm when he lifted it. Lenora noticed his wince and the way he favored one shoulder, but said nothing.
The crest gave one last faint pulse. Lenora tightened her grip on her sword. Whatever had brought him here, she would get answers before she lowered her guard.