Asuna turned away. The black dragon... was it dead? It probably was. The thorn had struck its chest, probably its heart or lungs, and it was already heavily injured from the start... She felt a small pang of emotion. She hadn't known the dragon, but it hadn't seemed to be a cruel type. "May good hunting and happiness follow you wherever you go." She whispered, closing her eyes before turning back to the clearing. The large dragon was splayed on the ground, trying to break the many chains that held it. A few dissolved as it twisted and turned, but it was still a long way from breaking out, so the furred dragon had directed its attention to something else. It was roaring at a... what was that? Was it a skeleton? She blinked- it was. The skeleton was... well, a skeleton. Its bones interlocked together and it moved fluidly and smoothly as if it were alive. In fact, just now it was leaning over the black dragon, something gleaming in its mouth... a jewel? She frowned and looked closer, creeping a few more feet towards the edge of the branches. The furred dragon looked angry, and, remembering the magic he had used, Asuna wouldn't have wanted to get onto his bad side, but the skeleton simply opened its mouth and let the gem drop. She curled her tail over her legs as a cold shiver went up her spine. She'd heard rumors about them... was it? The furred dragon had suddenly halted and was staring at the skeleton in realization, bristling. Her attention was focused on the furred dragon... until something seemed to happen to the black dragon. Asuna froze. Its scales crusted over with a strange coating, and its eyes blackened into dull orbs. What was going on? She leaned closer and edged along, making sure the branch didn't creak. As she looked over the edge, her tail swished from side to side, hitting a bushel of leaves and making them rustle. Asuna froze. Oops.
(Is it bad that I never figured out that Amelia was going to be reborn as Loretta until Irides dropped the gem into her mouth?)