The Last Rest
The last few meters it was getting harder and harder to get her feet off the ground. With every step she took through the snow, she breathed heavily in and out. She knew, she was at the end of her strength. She knew, she had to go further.
"Just a little longer. The tip can already be seen."
While all other noises slowly began to fade, Keldrya could be heard as clearly as on the first day they met. She felt tears run down her face. She would let him down. Their powers would fail before they had reached their goal. She had endured so much. It couldn't have been in vain.
"You can do it. I'm with you."
"I am sorry."
"There is nothing to apologize for, my dear. If anyone has to apologize, it's me. I made you give me an impossible promise."
She could feel his soul rearing up inside her. By now the warmth he'd created for her was just a tiny spark. Anya began to wonder if maybe she wasn't the only one at the end of her energy.
There was the neighing of horses in the distance, but she dared not turn around. The sight of General Ortekan would rob her of the last hope she still had. Suddenly she stumbled. Desperately she tried to hold on to something. Her stiff hands felt through the snow as she began to slide down the slope. The stones tore wounds in her palms, but she held on to them.
"Anya!"
She could hear the panic in Keldrya's voice. Pressing her lips together, she struggled back up and began climbing the hill on all fours. With disbelief, she saw the three towering stone slabs emerge in front of her. Did she really made it to the top?
The sight gave her new strength. She continued to climb until she came to a halt on all fours in front of the stones. Breathing heavily, she stared at the gray structures. Even in the dark of night she could see that runes had been carved into it. Slowly she held out her hand.
"Don't do that!"
General Ortekan's voice was close behind her. Her hand froze as steps drew near.
"Anya stop doing it. Come back with us. If you let the dragon free, your life will be over. If it doesn't kill you, I'll do it. But I swear to you, here and now, if you come with us, the prince will reward you with your own kingdom. You have just let yourself be misled. Don't throw your life away "
Anya felt that it was getting harder to open her eyes. She could hardly get a clear thought.
"Anya," Keldrya's voice was like a comforting hug, "I don't want you to die."
"I know."
Her voice trembled as her tears began to flow again.
"But you are worth it."
She heard Ortekan scream as her hand touched the stones. Then there was only a warm, orange light around her. A bloodcurdling roar filled the mountain and everything around it. No human or animal was capable of such a roar. The world blurred before her eyes and the last thing she saw was a dragon, made of pure light. Then everything was dark.