Fantasy Hallowed Voyage

[BugDozer73]

For miles we trudged through the forest, as it changed gradually with more and more growth, until I relied heavily on my blade to cut away the brambles and thorns and ivy and vines. The ground had become permiated with the thick humidity, and began to give way to put boots. Through our path forging, the sun began to set. As the shadows grew in the dark, with eyes I had never seen, but I pushed on silently. For the first time in ages, Ali wasn't being a fuckinn dick. It was rather refreshing. After hours of walking, we came to an almost clearing, and the sun hung low in the sky, stretching the shadows of the world to their longest. In the clearing I saw shapes moving around systematically, but unidentifiable In The darkness. They looked almost human, however. And along the ridge of the horizon was a machine, with sparks flying off it. It had something large shakled down, with wires and chords running up to what looked like some sort of egg. The machine began to glow, and lighting struck, and the thing that was shackled began to violently thrash and roar, and I nearly screamed. "That's an elder dragon! That's impossible! What are they doing to it??"

 

[Brendanfp]

I tried to maintain self a safe distance away from the Thorin as he swung his sword wildly through the overgrowth of the forest. I didn't even know that he still had a weapon on him and not having one myself, I was in a bad position. Thoughts of ditching the young king flooded my head, and every time I saw an opening my brain would shot to disappear into the wilderness, however my body would never move. I sighed silently and decided that I would just follow Thorin until we reached some sort of civilization, then I would be gone with the wind.


I heard his slashing stop as we reached a high ground which over looked a clearing in the forest. As Thorin looked down to the clearing his eyes widened with shock.


"That's an elder dragon! That's impossible! What are they doing to it??"


Memories from the conversation with the Oracle resurfaced. I was supposed to speak with the elder dragons, that was the Oracles prophecy for me. I ran closer to join Thorin and see just what this majestic beast looked like.


As I looked down upon the clearing I saw a frail creature struggling against black chain which were engraved with several runes that run the length of the chain. The runes pulsed a bright blue, and with each pulse the creature seemed to grow weaker, but more enraged. The demonic mana which flowed through my body made it easier for me to see at night, and I could clearly see several men and women who shuffled around the clearing. Some of them were chanting and some were poking and prying at what seemed to be a giant rock which was long and slender.


All the sudden there was a burst of blue energy that run up the length of the giant stone, and then in the next second a burst of lightning, which lit up the clearing for an instance. The flash of lightning revealed several wire that hung off of the rock...no it wasn't a stone but a machine of some sort, and at the stop of the machine was a dark egg of some sort.


The creature in shackles let loose another roar of both pain and anger. The beast spread its massive wings as it continued to struggle against the chains. I saw that Thorin was right, the creature was some sort of dragon, and what ever these people were doing to it wasn't right.


"We have to help."

 

[BugDozer73]

I didn't respond, Ali's words not making it to the part of my mind where I processed sound. Instead, I had already locked my thoughts on my current motion of sprinting from the clearing towards the machine. I drew my sword, letting the ring cause all the dark creatures, once wandering about, to turn their attention to me and shiver under its shrill cry. They began to turn to meet my charge, in an attempt to halt my approach on the machine: My sword whirring into action. As I slashed and hacked wildly with deadly presision through the hoards, I realized they were once men, by they're sunken features, hallowed eyes and wrinkled and painted skin. Some sort of darkness had passed the members of this clan and turned them into these... unholy things. They moaned in demonic fashion and moved quick, swinging their arms around like weapons. Shadows seeped off their garbs.


Lost in thought, I nearly had my head taken off by a creature that ducked behind me and twirled a long sweeping blow at my head, striking the air where I had been before ducking. I rolled and brought up my blade, parrying the on coming attack, then halting, missing the killing blow and forced to retreat slightly as they pressed on.


"Whats the matter with you??"


They're people! I can't kill them...


"They may have been people at one point in time, but they're souls are lost, thorin. The darkness in their hearts has expunged all traces of humanity from their bodies. They are now servants of a dark master, and they will kill you if you keep holding back!"


"But..."


As I opened my mouth, I stumbled back to avoid an oncoming blow, and tripped over a rock, falling hard onto my back. The dark spawn moved in, and my heart stopped.


He swung down, and I rolled, letting my arm rise in a deadly ark, passing through the midsection of the creature, which fell in two pieces, which withed up into smoke.


"see?"


I nodded with a new grim determination, and relaunched my attack, now felling the should left and right, like a storm of blades. I made my way over to the machine, looking at the contraption and analyzing it as best as I could while fending off the words of darkness.


I looked at one wire in particular, step sided a leaping goal, twirling and beheading it before sliding away from a swipe behind me, to which I turned and grappled with the thing, and threw it against the hull, and drove my sword through its belly into the metal. The machine began to spark and smoke, and the dragon began to thrash about with more fury.

 

[Brendanfp]

I watched as Thorin rushed out from our vantage point, across the clearing, and straight for the mechanical pillar. I could hardly believe that such a brash person existed, and coming from me that was a statement. I maintained my position and observed as Thorin began to engage in combat with the enemies below. I would have preferred a more strategic approach to the situation, but the king seemed to be very confident in his combat abilities. Hopefully he wouldn't get himself killed, but then again what did I care.


"That foolish boy", I mumbled to myself.


I didn't have a weapon on me, I knew very little demonic magic as it disgusted me, and I was still getting used to the feeling of being filled with demonic mana, however I knew that I would have to help in the battle or things would turn south very fast. I scoped out the area where Thorin was fighting and saw that much of the enemies were focused on him, this left them open to attacks from the back, and I decided that that would be my best course of action.


"If anyone is being foolish it is you", came a deep voice from behind me.


I turned to see a dark figure behind me, and it was the same one from my last night in Akron. He still wore the same dark cloak which I had received and so I couldn't make any of his features.


"Were you really about to run out there with no weapons or spells, are you that dense boy ?", said the figure as it approached me.


"What are you doing here Azil ?", I managed to say through a cloud of my own fear.


"So Levia told you my name eh ? Well from on its Master Azil to you boy, and as for how I got here don't worry about it. What you should be focused on is this task I have for you.", he paused for a moment an then continued.


"You see those dark creature down there that your friend is fighting ? They are ghouls, dark creature transformed from the bodies of dead mortals through dark magic, and they seem to be blood-bound to a powerful vampire. They have a considerable amount of strength, but they lack real intelligence and can only take orders. Your friends should be fine, as long as he keeps his distance. "


I was taken aback by the sudden influx of information I was receiving, and wished I had time to write this all down.


"So what do you need me to do ?", I asked feeling bad that once I again I was not only at the mercy of a demon, but I was also taking advice from him.


"I'm getting there, boy. I need to make sure you can handle that mana, before I take you on as a student. Now look down in the clearing. That chain that binds the dragon, it is demonic in origin, so breaking it should an easy task for you, just concentrate as much mana as you can into one spot on the chain and it should snap. However if you are unable to complete this task... I will end you. Worthless maggots are useless to the king."


I processed this new information in my head. I was utterly terrified of the demon, Azil on account of what he did to me the last time we met, I was also enraged that such a demon dared to command me around like some errand boy, but most of all I was curious of what I could actual achieve with the help of this demon. I felt guilty that I saw a world of possibilities before my eyes, and in the end I could always use this knowledge against the demons once I had amassed enough.


"I'll do it", I said as I looked up to see that the dark figure was already gone.


I looked back over to the clearing and to my surprise Thorin was still alive, but he was irrelevant to me now. I rushed into the clearing and ran straight towards the demonic chain which restrained the dragon, and as I reached the chain the dragon began to reel back and thrash in fury.

 

[BugDozer73]

One particular dark creature approached slowly through the oncoming waves of the other things that fell before my blade, and seemed to examine me from a distance. From the tiny glances I stole between slashes, the creature was different.


Before I could examine it further, it withdrew its head, which i quickly realized was not in fact its head, but a dark cowel that had been drawn tightly around its-or rather, his face.


it was dark, sickly and pale, with hallowed yellow eyes that stunk of decay. His hair was stringy, black and matted slightly. He smiled at me, a smile which held no actual joy or happiness.


"Thorin Nahiri... You're a long way from your kingdom, little one."


I cleared away a wall of darkness with a wave of my sword.


"How dare you capture this creature. Release it."


His cold chilling laughter filled the opening.


"You can have it. Im finished here."


I felt confused. What was it he was doing?


"What have you done?" I demanded, brandishing my sword at him, and felt my courage and self-righteousness waiver at the whole air of cliché.


"Hush child."


His words were followed by an outstretched hand, from which black tendrils shot forth and made contact with my form.


I began to convulse as spasms of pain wracked my body.


I screamed and dropped my sword, clutching my chest, and felt my heart beat begin to slow.


"THORIN!!! Fight back!"





Adamine frantically screamed in my mind, begging me to hold on, but my vision began to darken.


Somewhere in the background, I could hear the dragon roar in outrage.


I dont.... I don't have the orb...


"Thorin, you don't need it! its all in your head, you can do it! You need to hold on!"


I need help..


"Thorin..."





The hand on my chest wrapped around a small glass object.


The vials...





Without looking, I hurled the object in my hand in one last painful motion, which broke near the mans feet, releasing a free cloud of toxic gas and a pool of corrosive acid at his feet.


He fell back in shock, clutching his throat and eyes that were exposed to the debilitating gas, freeing my body from suffering. While he chocked and sputtered, I struggled back to my feet, my eyes begging to emit embers. I felt and anger rise up in me, and a red aura began to glow softly around my body. A few ghouls attempted to lunge at me, but bursted into flames in the closer proximity.


I cupped both hands and focused the flowing mana....


Subconsciously I realized that for some reason the blockage to my fire mana had been breached, and now flowed naturally through me.


In my hands grew a small ball of flame, and I pulled them apart from one another, splitting the growing flames into my hands, their flames licking the spaces between my fingers like the hands of men outstretched through prison bars.


I thrust them forward, one after the other, and sent the compact balls of fire stinging forward and striking the ground around the man, lifting the (now) shattered stone and wood into the air with the force of the explosions, allowing the flames room to spread.


I felt the flames, no warmer than my own skin to my own senses, race up my arms, my sleeves beginning to tatter and burn away.


I gritted my teeth in anger, and directed my open palm forward, and unleashed a roaring blaze of heat and destruction, but as my flames hit, so did a bolt of dark energy strike the risen hand of the man, outstretched to the sky, which impacted with enough kinetic force as to push me back several paces. When the dust cleared, he had vanished.


I felt the flames around me flicker, then falter, until they had fled from the world, waiting patiently to be called once again.

 

[Brendanfp]

I grabbed onto to a portion of the the darkened silver chain, which bound the dragon which was trashing on the other side of the clearing. The chain was cold in my hand and as I examined it further I saw that each link was marked with a demonic rune. They seemed to be high level demonic binding runes mixed in with mana siphoning runes which would increase they strength of the sliver chain as well as sap away the mana being produced by the dragon, and this process was no doubt harming the dragon as well.


You are thinking too hard Ali just focus on the task.





I began to force all the demonic mana from through out my body towards my palms and into the chain. The runes began to glow with black light which stood out against the silver chain, and the chains themselves grew colder as I poured more and more mana into to the chains. Small cracks began to form as the links vibrated with power.


Holy Shit, Azil was right this is easy


The chains vibrated faster and with a smile on my face I prepared for them to shatter but they didn't, and all the sudden there was a black spark as mana was rejected from the links and straight up into my arms causing an acute pain. I dropped the chain and examined my throbbing arms. The veins in both my arms were bulging and throbbed to the rhythm of my heart beat. I cursed and as I did a dark arrow whizzed by my head and into the patch of grass beside me. I gazed over at the arrow which seemed to be made of some sort of demonic mana. I glanced back over to where I had emerged from the forest and there stood Azil, right on the edge of the clearing holding a large exotic bow which seemed to be made from the horns of some enormous beast and was bound with silver thread. He notched another arrow of demonic mana and waited.


"Worthless maggots are useless to the king", the memory of his cold voiced which echoed through my head.


I quickly grabbed the chain a second time, and begun to start the same process over again. I had less mana this time though and my arms stung with each movement I made, but I feared what the demon would do next.


"Ali please stop this, whats makes you think you can break the chain with less mana than before ?"





Levia always chimed in during bad situations, but this was just outrageous. I ignored his voice and continued channeling my mana. Stress from the last few days had finally accumulated on my body, and I was paying the price.


"If you don't let me help you now you are going to die, Azil wont go back on his word."





Once again I ignored the persistent demon, and focused all of my attention on the daunting task ahead of me. My arms throbbed harder and harder and the pain went further and further up my body as the runes began to glow once more. However despite my efforts the links didn't even budge this time. There was another spark and once more my left over mana was rejected back through my palms and into my arms. The pain from the shock almost made me black out this time. I fell back on to the dirt and began to breath heavily as I fought through the intense throbbing ache which now extended all the way up to my shoulders.


"You weak pathetic fool, just accept my help, there is no lucking out of this one, your friend is engaged in his own battle, you left Ifrit on the beach, the Oracle and the Elvin girl are probably both dead, so do me a favor and just let me help you."





I turned my head towards the tower and saw bright burst of red heat along with tendrils of dark mana. Levia was right even Thorin couldn't help me now but that didn't matter, I couldn't give in.


I have told time and time again that I will never give in to your temptations so please fuc—





My thought was interrupted by a new pain which bloomed in my left thigh. The pain was sharp and intense however it was much more contained to a single point. I looked down at my thigh and saw the dark arrow which stuck out from the other side. I slow trickle of blood began to run down my leg, and I slowly feel into despair. I glanced up to see that Azil had already notched another arrow, his final arrow, and I instantly got the message. I slowly took the chain into my hands once more as a tear rolled down my face.


Why was I so weak, after all these years of studying and learning so much about the world, but without the proper power what good was that knowledge.


"Ali I have that power. It's all yours, and all you have to do is ask. Either that or you die here and now."





I thought about it for a second. I still harbored so much hatred towards the demons for what they did to me and my people, and nothing that Levia or any other demon could ever offer me would ever make up for it, but at the end of the day I am only human, at least I hope I still am.


Levia I don't want to die, so please lend me your power.





There was a cold sensation on my chest. I glanced down to see a faint glow coming from beneath my shirt. I reached under and pulled out Levia's Amulet. The dark crimson gem was glowing, which I had never seen it do before. It begun to glow more intensely and obsidian chain grew colder. It felt like a dark door was being opened up and behind the door was a being pure evil, but instead of being scared I gave into the powers of amulet and found myself being filled with mana. The blinding pain in my arms began to die down, and the wound on my leg slowly closed up. I felt born anew and was enjoying every second of this power.


I looked down at the chain which had been cause me nothing but pain. The anger and pain only fueled my power further as I took the chain into my mouth and bit down hard. I watched as the chain snapped before me, releasing a surge of energy which did nothing to faze me, but instead shattered all the links of the chain. I glanced back to the forest where Azil once stood, but he was long gone. I growled in frustration, as I looked down at the now shattered chain. It was so easy and with this power I could do so much more than the old me ever could. The power from within the amulet was calling to me, and I wanted me to use even more of its power and thrust that door wide open, but I hesitated. I suddenly remembered that I had used this power before at least twice before.


The being on the other side of the door wanted me to open the door even further but I began to resist that call trying to regain my senses. I remembered now how this power always left its mark on my body whenever I used it, my hair and my eyes were the result of me falling victim to this demonic power in the past. Memories that I had forget began to come back to me, screams and pleas of people who I hurt the last time I gave into the amulet, but I wouldn't let that happen this time. I focused all of my will power to close the door and seal the amulets power off once more, and the amulet ceased to stop glowing I felt completely drained and fell to my knees. I let out a smile, because this time I was able to retain my memories and hold my self back from hurting anyone else.


Maybe I am getting stronger.





But something felt off. I felt something strange that didn't belong. It was in my pants and though it wasn't painful, it was very uncomfortable. I slowly reached down my back searching for the anomaly, but my hand stopped when it reached the base of my spine. Something was there that wasn't there before, and then I remember what happened that last two time I used the power of the amulet. I reached down into my linen pants and pulled out a long black tail of hardened flesh. I remained horrified as the pointed tip of my tail instinctively flicked back and forth.


Well this is new.

 

[BugDozer73]

I turned to find Ali shatter the chains with a mind numbing blast of dark energy. The metal seemed to disintegrate in his hands, and he collapsed. Instinctually, I rushed forward, coming to his side, and found him examining his.... tail??


What an odd turn of events, and once I had finished gawking, I recomposed myself enough to say "Well thats unfortunate."I was interrupted by deafening roar came from the dragon, now freed. I turned to find it floating in the air, its body slithering in the air against a ghost wind, and it sat there, staring at us... it was massive. Its eye was bigger than my head. I felt a vibration bore into my mind, much different than the voice of adamine:


"King thorin..... You have risked your life to rescue me. For that I am grateful. I know why you are here. Climb on my back, and I will take you where you wish to go."


I nodded and stood, walking tentatively towards the beast, and looked back at ali, waiting for him to follow, but he seemed to be deep in conversation with the dragon as well.

 

[Brendanfp]

I watched as Thorin slowly approached me, however his eyes did not meet mine. He continued to approach me with his eyes fixed on my new appendage. He began to say something with a smug grin on his face, but I couldn't make it out through the new voice which penetrated my mind.


"Ali of Zaria you have risked your life to rescue me. For that I am forever grateful. I know the answers for which you seek. Climb on my back, and I will take you to a safer place so that me may discuss more."


I looked over at Thorin and noticed that he was looking around and seemed a bit occupied as well, and I turned my attention to the freed dragon who was descending to the ground.


I began to walk towards the dragon as he had commanded, figuring that Thorin would probably be accompanying me.

 

[BugDozer73]

Both myself and Ali mounted the dragons back, and in a a quick moment, with a roar and an excitement of being rid of the shackling, It took off into the sky. I held onto its golden mane, closing my eyes and a yell, caught in my throat at the sudden altitude. I felt all my muscles tense as my stomach dropped, and I clenched my teeth to restrain myself from screaming... and vomiting. For a good 10 minutes we soared over the scenery, the lush forest and a large waterfall, and descended into a clearing, with several buildings constructed in the center. We touched down as the residents gathered around, gawking at the sight. I quickly rolled off the dragon and clung to the earth, silently praising all the gods for my safe return to the stable ground.


The residents were collectively slender, but compact. They looked keen and quick, and completely shocked, not just at the ride alongs, but also the dragon itself, which was strange considering how common dragons were here.


"I have been freed from prison by these men: My jailers were the missing prisoners. I instruct you to relight the beacon so that we may re-enter the Cave of the Elder Dragons."





His voice struck out once more in my head, as well as the others, I assuemed based on their compliance of his wishes. Several men left the crowd and hastily made their way back towards the town.

 

[Purize]

I stood up, feeling fully refreshed and rested from our short stop next to the river bed. It was time to move again. The Oracle got to her feet, standing next to me as she casually brushed off dirt and shrubbery from her cloak.


"Where to now?" She asked, looking around our immediate area.


I stretched and looked across the river where the small clearing laid out on the other side. There was an almost unnoticeable space in the treeline. It was narrow, but wide enough to be what I expected was a makeshift path through the forest.


"We have to get across the river." I replied after a moment.


"Easier said than done..." The Oracle said, glancing at the rapidly flowing waters before us. I nodded in agreement and pointed to the other side. "Look. Do you see that tree at the edge of the river there? There are some vines hanging off of it. If we can get to the other side without slipping or falling over, we can use that to climb out on the other side."


She looked at the tree, seemingly unconvinced. "I'm more worried about the getting across part."


I laughed and took my first tentative step into the river. "Come on now, milady. You're not afraid to get a little wet are you?" Snickering some more, I began to make my way across. The Oracle made an annoyed huffing sound, and climbed in after me.


Then came a noise. It was soft at first, but powerful. Like air being pushed aside by something... something like wings. I snap my head up to look at the sky. "Do you hear that?"


The Oracle paused and looked up in confusion, "What do you—"


A mass of color then appeared in the sky, interrupting the Oracle. It soared over ahead, and disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, in the direction we were now headed... across the clearing.


"A Dragon!" The Oracle shouted and almost slipped on a rock and into the river. I blinked and started moving again. "Let's go, We should head in the direction it was going and follow. It could lead us somewhere."


The Oracle nodded and we continued to make our way across the river. As planned, we used the vine to hoist our selves out on the other side.


"Are you okay?" I asked her once she climbed out, breathing heavily from the effort.


"I'm fine" She nodded and waved it off. "Let's go."


Together, we jogged across the clearing and ducked into the pathway I'd seen from the riverbank. It was slightly grown over, but it obviously lead somewhere. I was glad we had gotten some rest before continuing our trek through the jungle.

 

[Brendanfp]

The flight was tranquil and the scenery was magnificent. Honestly I wish the flight would have lasted longer, however I don't think that Thorin shared my enjoyment. Upon landing I watched the hot head praise the gods for our safe landing, as I dismounted the dragon. We had landed in a rather large and elaborate village town, and already I could already notice that some of the towns people were fearful of me. Mothers held their children back and Fathers held their hands close to their blades, and then the dragon's voice once again rang out in my head.


"I have been freed from prison by these men: My jailers were the missing prisoners. I instruct you to relight the beacon so that we may re-enter the Cave of the Elder Dragons."





All of the villagers looked up at the dragon, and then began to shift around once more, however there was still some doubt in their eyes. I concluded that the dragon must of spoken to all of us at once, and among these people his word was taken very seriously. The towns folk all began to move towards the back of the town, and the dragon as well as Thorin followed. I ran to catch up and then leaned over to Thorin and began to whisper.


"Hey, during the flight here I felt a same tingling sensation I get when I get too close to that elven girlfriend of yours", I teased.

 

[BugDozer73]

His words stung me in a way that surprised me. What did I care if he talked about Fae that way? I barely knew her. I felt my face flush, though, which irked me to know end. "Did you have your balls busted in the fight too?" I shot back. A pirate, a good pirate, could hold his own just as well verbally as well as physically.


There was a flash of yellow that flew into the sky, way beyond the clouds, which encaptured my attention. Before I could ask if that was the signal, deafening roars came from the summit of the mountain in the center of the island.


"The cave is open once more. We shall go to my brethren. They will much want to meet you both, as well as your other friends."


Other friends?





I followed the dragons gaze, which had drifted to a hill beyond the lush green of the jungle, and waited.

 

[Purize]

Gradually, the trees began to thin out. The once narrow path began to widen until we could see a new clearing up ahead. The sun had begun to set in the sky now, but it was obvious we had found the right place. Shadows danced and shimmered in the light of torches which lit up small village buildings.


"We're here." I whispered. "Stay close."


We began to slowly advance into the village, but so far there were no other people around. "I capable of handling myself, you know." The Oracle smiled and gave me a sideways glance. "I may seem young and delicate, but i'm no pushover." She held her head high, a ghost of the neutral, expressionless Oracle i'd first met showing through in her eyes. "In that way, we have a bit in common." her voice dropped to a murmur.


I turned my head to look at her, though she was focused on the path ahead now. "I meant no disrespect, wise warrior." I said, a smile playing over my lips.


We weaved through varying sizes of thatch-roofed houses until we came upon another clearing surrounded by little village huts. In the center was a small crowd of people... and a massive dragon. I gasped aloud and stopped. The Oracle went still beside me and her breath caught. "Look! It's Thorin and Ali!" She pointed, and sure enough, there they were standing by the Elder Dragon. Immediately, I ran forward.


"Thorin! Ali! Thank the gods you're alive!" I dashed up to Thorin and enveloped him a sudden embrace that I didn't even plan for. The Oracle ran up behind me and stopped a few feet in front of Ali. She looked breathless, but relieved, and gave the two of them subtle nods. "We weren't sure if any one else had survived..."

 

[Brendanfp]

"Did you have your balls busted in the fight too?", Thorin retorted.


It was common knowledge that a pirate, a good pirate, could hold his own just as well verbally as well as physically, however I was now aware that the seafaring king's verbal skills were not as polished as his combat skills. I smiled devilish as I opened my mouth to deliver a witty retort that would have surely scared the king's royal ego, but an all too familiar burning sensation scrambled my thoughts and caused me to shift my focus.


"Thorin! Ali! Thank the gods you're alive!"


Suddenly Thorin who was standing beside me was swept up in the arms of a familiar elven girl. It was Fae and with her presence pain was to follow. I had relaxed my guard as well as my mana which made my body vulnerable to her angel like aura. I quickly began to saturate my body with my mana, instantly diminishing the burning sensation to a subtle irritation. I tried my best to hide the frustration on my face, as the Oracle ran up in front of me, oddly causing my tail to curl reflexively.


"We weren't sure if any one else had survived...", she started.


"Yea that storm was rough, but there are a couple of surviving sailor from the crew back on the shore, being tended to by Ifrit. I'm really glad that you made it out safe though..."

 

[BugDozer73]

I felt my heart stop as I was swallowed up in the quick embrace of the Elf. I gingerly wrapped my own arms around her and dipped my head into her shoulder slightly to hid the reddish hue on my cheeks.


"Im glad to see you made it too." I said slightly muffled. I pulled away, trying to get my emotions to calm down. I couldn't even tell what they were supposed to be anymore.


I looked back over at the dragon and turned to stand right next to Fae and pointed.


"That is one of the elder dragons. We helped him: He was being.... Im not sure actually. But he was captured by some guy with some dark powers. He was strong. Really strong. I think he might be connected to the purge."


"You are wise, king thorin. But I must insist that we make our way to the hidden sanctum now. Time is short, and your roles in this world are only just begging. All of you, climb on my back, and I shall take us to the others."





I nodded, though I didn't quite understand what he meant. I offered Fae my hand. "Ready?"

 

[Purize]

I released Thorin and looked down at his extended hand. I took it gently, still shocked that i'd summoned the gall to hug him in the first place. After taking his hand, I looked up at the Elder Dragon. He was huge and magnificent. Just being in his presence was empowering. "I'm ready..."


The Oracle, however, was busy staring... or rather, gawking, at something. "Is that... a tail?" She asked and pointed a dainty finger behind Ali. "Ali, I didn't know you had a tail." She continued on, sounding almost thoughtful of her observation. I peeked around Thorin to look at Ali with vague curiosity.

 

[Brendanfp]

I observed Thorin as he and Fae embraced, if I didn't know any better I would have thought that he too felt the burning sensation that she emitted. However I was not naive, I knew that he wasn't feeling my pain and discomfort, quite the opposite. I rolled my eyes and began thinking of my next move, and how I would be able to finally ditch my so called fate-bound companions.


"Is that... a tail?"


My thoughts stopped all together as I reactivity turn around to see the Oracle standing behind me, wide eyed and gawking at my tail.


"Ali, I didn't know you had a tail."


A new feeling washed over me. It was a feeling that had not felt in along time, embarrassment. The Oracle was not the first person to notice my tail, I saw many other towns people who stared at my tail as well as my other unique and demonic features, but they didn't bother me. The truth was that I was used to being judged by others solely based on how I looked, however I had learned over the years to tune out society. The last time I had felt this feeling was when I lived with my people, people who I actually cared about, back when I was truly young. I wondered why I was feeling this way now, when everyone I truly cared about was long dead.


"Whoa, would you look at that I do have a tail", I said with a forced smile, before walking over to Thorin and Fae who were getting ready to mount the dragon.

 

[BugDozer73]

"I think it suits him" I added with spitefully playful tone, helping Fae onto the dragons back, before quickly placing myself atop behind her. "Come on sunshine." I added, in Ali's direction.


From atop the dragons back, I could see the glowing thatch roofs beneath the blazing setting sun. The trees were green as the day, hot. The people were still gathered around the scene, but passively observing. I put my hands gingerly on Fae's waist, which seemed like an attempt at being flirty, but in all actuality I was worried for another terrifying flight.

 

[Purize]

I situate myself gingerly on the back of the dragon, feeling amazed and uneasy at the same time. Silently, I refrained from making the joke concerning if anyone knew how to fly this thing. The Oracle scrambled up the beast until she sat just in front of me. She looked entirely unamused to have to ride the dragon.


I felt the presence of hands slip around my waist, making my stiffen. I raised an eyebrow and turned sightly. "Are you okay back there sea-legs?"

 

[BugDozer73]

I felt my face flush red. "Oh, uh fine. Yeah just making sure you were..... sitting.... with good posture?"


I silently cursed myself for being so blatantly stupid, and withdrew my hands, taking instead to hold tight to the yellow flowing main of fur that ran along the dragons back.

 

[Brendanfp]

I watched as the half god, runaway king, and continuous thorn in my side  lost his nerves to the elven girl who sat in front of him. A devilish smile spread across my sun kissed skin. I made my way over to the dragon who glanced in my direction, as if beckoning me over to get on his back. So far the Oracle sat in the front, Thorin in the back, and between them was the accursed Fae. I decided that the best course of action would be to sit in front of the Oracle, since she was the only won didn't threaten my health and well being.


I put my hand on the flowing blonde mane of the dragon and then with one tug, I pulled myself onto the back of the dragon right in front of the Oracle and behind the pair of large majestic wings. With a powerful roar the dragon began to flap his wings creating gust of wind behind us. I smiled once more as I felt the energy of the dragon surging with each flap of the wing. The Elder Dragons represented everything I wanted from the world power, knowledge, and respect. The surge of emotions once again produced produced an unforeseen movement in my tail, and as I looked back I saw my tail sway back and forth lightly brushing against the Oracle. I opened my mouth to apologize, but with frightening power and speed the dragon took off.

 

[Purize]

I rolled my eyes and returned my focus to the front, waiting for Ali to join us. He positioned himself in front of the Oracle, who watched his every move. His tail tickled her face and she had to fight the urge to sneeze. When the dragon suddenly surged upward for take off, a shrill scream escaped her lips and she grabbed desperately for Ali, clutching her arms tightly around his waist and burying her face into his back. I held onto the dragon's mane just in time, the thrill of flight leaving me wide-eyed and speechless. 

 

[BugDozer73]

As we took off into the Air, I felt a panicking sensation welling up in my core, but I restrained myself from leaning forward and holding on tightly to the Elf before me. We soared over the lush forrest below, gaining speed, which made the greens and yellows and blues beneath us begin to blur together. For a long time, or perhaps it just seemed that way, we ascended higher and higher, soaring above the gradually more burned stone surface of the mountain side, until finally we reached a ledge, with massive doors carved intricately. The Elder Dragon descended and landed comparatively gently, sending out a small dust storm from where his feet made contact with the ground. I quickly dismounted and brushed my cloak off, quietly soothing my own nerves. The dragon told us to wait where we were, and stepped forward, before unhinging its jaw and exhaling a powerful blot of electrical energy, which struck the door and rippled along its surface like a Spiderweb blowing in the wind.


For a moment, nothing happened. Then a loud boom echoed through the air and the doors slowly began to open. The dragon gestured with his head for us to follow, and So we did, walking close behind him down a dark corridor. Its expansive darkness left me feeling like I was in a much larger space than I could visibly see, but it often created illusions like that, and was near impossible to make 100% sense of my surroundings. In fact, I felt this way up until we reached a large- No, not large, Gargantuan Cavern with 4 other massive entrance ways like the one we have just made our way through, leading to the center platform, which had several massive burning braziers gently casting glow to tease the shadows. I walked towards the Center with Awe, letting my eyes drift around the limitless cavern until a loud boom and an increase in the amount of light snatched my attention. It was At this moment when I found myself surrounded by 4 other massive, exotic looking dragons.


"The Elder Dragons..." I whispered, awe struck. 


In unison, the 4 spoke. "You are Correct, Thorin Nahiri, King of Akron. We are the Elder Dragons of the Island Tu'ru. You have rescued one of our Kin, and put an end, if not a Stop, to the plan of one of the henchmen Of the Purges leader. For you and your friends help, We offer you all our thanks, as well as tokens of gratitude to help guide you on your journey. But first, Oracle, step forward. We wish to know more about the path that lies before you four." 

 

[Brendanfp]

I endured the ride as uncomfortable as it was. It was all too much, I had never spent so much time with a group of people since my days back in Zaria. The Oracle was even starting to grow on me, which was worrisome. I realized that if I didn't do something soon to get out of this predicament I might end up a permanent part of the strange ragtag group. As the dragon landed, I consolidated my thoughts and waited for the right opportunity to voice my idea. 


We all slowly dismounted the dragon as he began to move forward towards a massive stone door, which was carved with intricate ancient designs.


"Stay where you are", the dragon's voice boomed in my head.


I watched in awe as the dragon reared back his head and unleashed a stream of electric energy from its mouth which slammed straight into the ancient door. There was a loud buzzing sound as the ancient design began to light up with the bright stream of energy and slowly the door began to open. Slowly the beam came too a stop, and the gigantic door swung completely open. I was speechless as the dragon swung in the direction of the doorway, beckoning us to follow him.


We all followed the Dragon through the massive doorway into a cavern of complete darkness, even my eyes which could see through the darkness could see nothing. The room seemed to be infinite, but I could feel something powerful deep within the room, which sent a wave of energy down my spine. A spark of electricity came came off of the dragons way which lit my surrounding for but a second, and I saw that we were current walking a sizable stone walkway which went forward into the darkness. I question myself on just how big this cavern was. Soon the stone pathway came to an end and there stood an extensive platform in the distance which was lit by the faint glow of several oversize braziers crafted from darken basalt and lit with mysterious blue flames. The pathway was connected to four other pathways, identical to the one we had just traversed, and on the vast stone platform was a majestic sight.


We came too the massive platform and joined four other dragons who stood there, with their heads held high as they looked down upon us. I had doubted our dragon guided before, but now I was sure that he was one of the legendary elder dragons, keepers of the largest collection of information ever recorded. I looked straight up and at first it was hard to make out, but the faint glow from the braziers assisted me in seeing what was hidden in plain sight. Tears began to fill my eyes as I saw something I found even more majestic than the Elder dragons, the Ancient Records of the Elder Dragons.                    

 

[Purize]

The Oracle had long since collected herself from the flight and was as distant and refined as ever. She took a few delicate steps forward with her head held high before she took a slight bow before the dragons. 


"Ancient Ones, these three heroes are part of a larger, individual prophecy shown to me by Tempus himself. They are destined to join with the arms of the Circle in the Capital City and help combat the impending blight that is once more taking its hold over Nymserine." The Oracle lifted her head when she finished speaking, allowing her cool blue eyes to meet the gaze of the dragons. 


I watched on in awe and silence. I felt so overwhelmingly small and insignificant in this room. The space was cavernous and vast, the dragons high and mighty. Even in comparison to Ali and Thorin, I was small... Even in order of importance, I felt I finished last. So the Oracle's words shocked me a bit. She made the three of us sound like were a big and important part of something. She believed that we could really be held up to the high expectations that laid before us... but I wasn't so sure I believed it myself.