Hope was all set to yell at Draco again, but when she opened her eyes, she wasn't in the room from before. She was in a deep cavern. It kind of reminded her of Helm's Deep from Lord of the Rings. With black pillars every hundred meters that stretched to a ceiling she couldn't see. Hope felt tiny, but mesmerized.
"Where am I?" she asked.
Draco appeared at her side. She looked different yet again. She looked young and beautiful and full of life and sanity. "We are somewhere evil," she said quietly. "Someplace you will have to go."
For a moment, Hope didn't understand. Then it clicked. "You're talking about the quest Hecate wants me to go on."
Draco nodded, her face grim. "The original plan was for you to receive more training, but the monster is awakening faster than we'd thought."
"I don't get it," mumbled Hope. "If you're my subconscious, how come you know things I don't."
Draco smiled kindle. "There is much for you to learn baby dragon."
"And why do you keep calling me that?"
"There isn't much time to explain, he is awakening and only you can stop him."
"Stop who?"
Draco pointed. Hope nearly fainted. Sleeping in the deep caverns was an enormous black dragon with what looked like purple ribbons covering in body in a mess. Hope looked closer. No, those ribbons were spells of binding.
"Don't get any closer!" snapped Draco, dragging her back. "Your mere presence could break the spells and set him loose on the world."
"But who is he?" asked Hope peering around Draco to see the dragon again. She didn't see down he could be dangerous. He just looked like an old sleeping dragon.
"That creature is the most evil thing in existence," said Draco. "And it is said only another dragon can kill him." She looked at Hope pointedly.
Hope laughed weakly. "No," she laughed. "Oh gods, you really are crazy. I can't kill a dragon! And I am no dragon!"
Draco bend down to Hope's level, her hands on the girl's shoulder. "Yes, you are, and it is your destiny."
"No, you're crazy," she insisted, shaking her head. "Send me back home! I want to go home!"
Draco stood, her eyes suddenly had a dark glint to them. "As you wish."
Hope's gut churned and suddenly she was flung backwards. Her head hit something hard, and when she reopened her eyes, she wasn't in the cavern, but she wasn't at camp either, at least she didn't think she was.
Everything was ash. Draco stared at her. "This is what will happen if you don't fight," she told Hope.
"Where am I?"
"Home."
Hope shook her head. "No, that's not possible."
Draco was getting very frustrated. "For the love of--" she snarled. "What will it take for you to believe me?!"
Hope stared at the ashes for a moment. She blinked. What was that? She bent towards the dust sifting it aside. Then screamed.
Draco smiled. "That will also happen."
Hope didn't say anything. She couldn't. She reached out towards the body, hoping it was an illusion. It wasn't. Her hand touched cold skin. Then she looked hopelessly at Draco. "I don't want to be here," she said sobbing. "Let me go."
Draco nodded. "I presume you've learned your lesson for now, baby dragon. I'll see you again soon."

---

Hope opened her eyes slowly. Almost afraid of what she would find. Then she smiled. "Pollux!" she screamed, pulling the boy in a bone crushing hug.
He yelled and fell over, taking her with her. "Um, what are you doing?" he asked when she didn't move and kept hugging him.
"Don't ever do that again!" she told him.
"What did I do?"
"You died."
"Um, pretty sure I didn't."
Another voice spoke up. "Now I'm confused."
"You're always confused, Leo," said another.
"How do you think it'll take for her to notice us?" asked a third.
Hope looked up. She was surrounded by all the cabin counselors at camp at the big house. "Okay, now I'm confused."

Notes

Finally: some questions will be answered. If Hope does go on a quest who do you guys think she will take with her?


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--Kim