《Order of Dragonblood》


 Downfall Part 1

    The Infinite Father¡¯s beautifully carved wooden statue on the corner of my table tumbles on to the marble floor as a thunderous roar leaves my ears ringing. The crystalline hourglass in its hand shatters on impact. Blue fragments scatter across the floor. I sit up. I know that sound. This is a dragon. Judging by the pitch and flavor of its roar, a black one at that. It is still very young, inexperienced and weak. I raise myself from my chair. As I round the table, I cast a quick glance at the destroyed hourglass on the floor. The bright light of Aditya, cascading through the open window reflects and refracts on the fragments to create a colorful chaos. Destruction can be so very beautiful. As I reach the open window and look outside, I can see my suspicions confirmed. In the distance approaches an obsidian Black dragon glistening like the fragments of the hourglass on my office floor. I look at the giant skull of a red dragon hanging from the wall.


    That was a fight, this child outside wouldn¡¯t even be a challenge. I am about to jump out of the window to teach this upstart a lesson or two. Then I realize something. It is quiet. Dead quiet. No panicked screams and screeches coming from the city. Are those scoundrels to afraid to scream? Or is there something else going on here? I decide to look again. More carefully this time. The Dragon is not attacking the City. Why is he not attacking Asapu? He is headed straight for this temple.


    I decided to take a closer look. Swiftly, I take a small glass vial off my belt. The light-blue liquid inside, seems to have a life of its own. It weaves around, boils and churns. Once I remove the cork from the vial the liquid dies down, like it always does. As if it is expecting something. I place the vial at my mouth take two sips and brace myself for what I know is coming. But, as always, I am not able to fully prepare myself for the surge on energy and power I feel cursing through my body once I swallow the liquid. It feels like a fire spreading from my mouth burning through my body at a rapid pace, leaving me sensitive to the world around me. My senses sharpen and there is a sensation of discomfort as the wave of fire reaches my heart. From one heartbeat to the next I can suddenly feel, touch and taste everything in a 3 feet radius around my, like I am actually touching or tasting it. It¡¯s frustrating, that in these long years of my life, I¡¯ve never been able to control the initial effect it has on me. The great Arahu kak dami should be stronger than that. Anyway, time to find out what exactly is going on. The energy flowing through me is just waiting to be put to use. I focus on the rune of far sight that I imprinted on my iris so long ago. I direct the energy vibrating inside me to the eye and out through the rune. The aura of sensation around me collapses inwards. I can feel the rune activate and for a moment my vision blurs. As my vision sharpens, I fixate on the young black dragon, who is now hovering in the distance above Asapu.


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    The City seems to be holding its breath. Its glistening obsidian scales now almost blind me. There on the Dragon¡¯s back is a small figure I recognize. It is that bastard kid Mereth. If he is here his wretched friends won¡¯t be far. And sure enough, there they are. Walking the streets of Asapu like they own them. And the Akai following close behind. These people should have never existed. I should have erased their kind myself. They are a disgrace to elves and orcs alike. An Abomination! Dogs! There is no reason I have to look a single moment longer than absolutely necessary. I don¡¯t need to be reminded of what happened between elves and orcs after the last war between Inior and Vallar. It apparently only takes two thirds of Tarros to spawn an Abomination of this magnitude. Stop thinking about them. You will do something stupid. They are not worth your anger. They aren¡¯t even worth your thought. Just take a deep breath.


    With a deep breath I drop my concentration on the far sight rune. The energy floods from my eye into the rest of my body. My body tingles as the wave of energy fills up my body. After I am completely filled, it seeps out into the world around me. I am once again exposed to the sensations in my close vicinity. Although, through the use of the far sight rune, the radius of my sensitivity, along with the use of the energy has been reduced. I turn to my desk to seek advice from the statue of Zaman, The Infinite Father. Only to find it lying broken and shattered on the floor. A deep sigh escapes my mouth and I turn to watch, as the Group of vigilantes arrives in front of the temple gates.

 Downfall Part 2

    The heavy wooden office door creaks open, and without turning, I know who is standing in the doorway, with a panicked look on her face.  I turn around and sure enough there she is, the captain of my guard. Clad in shining blue Caeruleum armor with the sigil of the Infinite Father Zaman imprinted on her chest plate, hand on the longsword at her side.


    ? Your honor! They are demanding entrance, what shall we do? ?, she exclaims, while bursting through the door.


    I raise my hand, ? Now, now there is no need to be so aggravated child. Would you please exit the room and knock before entering? Order has to be kept, remember that my dear. ? She looks at me and I can see fear glinting in her eyes as she quickly closes the sturdy Ividia Wood door. I focus my senses on the door and although I am on the other side, I can feel how she raises her hand and proceeds to knock. Then the knock resonates through the room. After waiting a few long seconds, she reenters slowly.  Seemingly having regained the control over her emotions. She looks up at me with steely, determined eyes and salutes by interlocking her fingers in front of her chest, resembling an hourglass.


    ?Your honor what is your instruction for the temple Guard? ?


    ?Well done Scrigafay, my dear, that wasn¡¯t so hard was it? ? Scrigafay slowly nods her head. ? Well these primitives will sadly not respond to reason, you know ?, I say in a discouraged voice. Scrigafay seems to lose hope again, the steely determination slowly vanishing from her eyes. I give her an encouraging smile. ?They are here to have my head I presume. No need to worry. ?Her expression slips even further into a panic ? You won¡¯t let that happen! I trust you and your men. ?, I reassure her. She seems to calm down but looks to be still confused about how I have approached this situation. She simply can¡¯t comprehend that death is inevitable and if you are as old as I am, the thought of it seems surprisingly comforting. From outside the temple gates a second booming roar is heard. ?It seems they are done waiting Captain. Would you now go attend your duties? May the Infinite Father be with you. ? I turn around and leave her with a perplex look on her face. She stands up straight, salutes and leaves my office without another word. The Heavy Ividia Door slams shut, like the closing chapter of her so youthful life.


    Without hesitating I speak out ?Tran O Mar, did you really think I did not realize you snuck in while I was talking to Scrigafay? Do I have to make you knock as well? Where is your respect for the Order we are destined to preserve? ? The air shivers as a figure in the corner of the room steps out of the shadows between the bookshelves.


    ?Yes, your Honor, I apologize for my actions, punish me if you and the Infinite Father do so desire. ?, Tran O Mar says in his soft and raspy voice. I have found that I come to find his voice more and more despicable the more often I hear it. ?But your Honor, if I may ask, why aren¡¯t you telling Scrigafay the truth? Why are you sending her and the remaining Guard into a fight they cannot win? ?


    I kneel down onto the cool marble floor and begin to collect the fragments of the Infinite Father¡¯s Hourglass. ?Well Tran. They are expendable. It is that easy. You and the further Silutu on the other hand are not. ? The crystal fragments sting as I pick them up from the floor. They easily pierce the skin of my right hand and are soon tainted red and covered in my fresh, warm blood. Due to my still heightened senses, I feel him taking a deep breath, as if he is about so say something. Before a single sound escapes his mouth, I stop him.  ?You will not fight! Do you understand? You will do what I told you and leave this Town and regroup at the Tower. And I expect you to heed that Order or I will personally remove your head and make Ranul the new Genesis. ?


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    I gently pick up the last fragments of crystal from the marble floor. My hand is now covered in a steady stream of blood. Tran is simply staring at my blood-covered hand. ?What? Don¡¯t act like you have never seen blood before! How many people have you killed? Ah¡­ right, you don¡¯t count them anymore. Well don¡¯t stand there like a fool! Leave! And if you decide to return, I will end you myself. The only blood you will taste then is your own. ? Tran slowly makes his way to the door, looking like a mistreated dog. Then with the copper handle of the door in hand he turns around one more time. Who does he think he is? I told him to leave! He should be a mile away from here by now. This is enough. ? Have you not heard what I demanded you to do? ?, I screamed at Tran ? What are you still doing here? Is This because I said I was going to die today? I know that since more than 1000 years! This is my Destiny! My time has finally come! And nobody is going to stop that from happening! So, if you do not want to be reduced to ashes, I suggest you leave this room at once! NOW LEAVE! ? Without a further word I abruptly turn towards my desk. The door faintly clicks as it is finally locked. I take a deep breath.


    From Outside I, once again, hear the dragon¡¯s booming roar. I step to the window. The Dragon with Mereth on his Shoulders swoops in to attack the gates of the temple. They are greeted by a volley of arrows and spears. The sky darkens, as they descend onto the dragon and its rider. Seeing this I turn away from the window. I know where this is going to end. I don¡¯t have the time to watch the temple fall. I can only hope that the slaughter of my guards will take them long enough for me to complete my work. I take a seat at my desk. Slowly caress the armrest. Feeling the cool smooth Ividia wood underneath my hands I focus the last remaining energy of the vial onto a quill on my table. I fill all of my remaining energy into the rune of scripture inscribed into the quill. After I completely depleted my energy resources a wave of exhaustion sweeps over me. At the same time a feeling of accomplishment washes over me. I have to keep focused my work is not done just yet.


    With wobbly legs I raise myself from the chair. Almost slipping, as the polished marble floor has become an obstacle. I barely steady myself and slowly, once again, make myself to the window. I fully open the silver silk curtains with the Infinite Father¡¯s symbol, the hourglass on them. I finally look outside. The lower levels of the temple have started to burn, the golden flames clashing with the golden light of Aditya, slowly vanishing over the horizon. With my life¡¯s sunset in mind, I open the windows. Still unsteady, I step onto the windowsill. I cast a last glance at my desk. The Quill is floating above the desk. Then it sets down and writes the first words on an empty piece of paper lying on the desk.


    I smile. My Story will not be forgotten. They will all remember the great Arahu kak dami. The great Leader of the Order of Dragonblood. The Protectorate of Tarros. The Champion of Zaman the Infinite Father. The Guardian of Order. It was a steep bloody road. But I would tread it again if given the chance. To please the Infinite Father, I would do anything. I did anything. For over 1000 years I did anything and everything he demanded. I did my part, and I did it well. But now it is time to go. The world doesn¡¯t want me anymore. The Akai have poisoned Tarros. Mereth and his little band of fools have turned the continent against the Order. I know what awaits them at the end of their journey. And without me, they won¡¯t stand a chance. That decision is out of their hands, their fate decided. I decided it. These pathetic worms call themselves ?Heroes?. The only one who could save them is me. Only, I won¡¯t do it. I take a step closer to the ledge of the windowsill. They see me as the Villain. I am a Hero. I saved this Continent. I could save it again. But it seems I am no longer wanted.


    With that, a sly grin forms on my face and I take an unsteady step into thin air. The ground approaches with tremendous speed. Dear infinite Father, take in your faithful servant and let me feast at your table for eternity. I cast one last look over the burning temple. My guards trying to fend off a superior enemy. I just hope that they keep them away long enough for the quill to complete my story. The story of the Order of Dragonblood. A sharp pain explodes in my head, as I impact with the stone pavement. Everything goes black in an instant.

 The Lonely Tower

    Tarander stood up and placed the black book on the small wooden table next to the rough wooden chair he just sat on. He stretched, and flinched, as a sharp pain jolted up his spine. ?Aah! By the Souls! ?, he exclaimed into the large cylindrical room. Nobody responds, but that did not surprise Tarander. It would have been a miracle if somebody had answered. No one had for centuries. So Arahu is dead. Interesting. But why did I have to find out this way? Tarander walked to the fountain in the center of his room, taking a plain wooden cup, dipping it into the water and taking a big sip. The better question is, where the book actually came from. And who brought it here. Casting a glance through his domain, Tarander found no answer to his question. There was no door in this room he knew about. He had tried to find an exit multiple times, but there was no way out of this, this prison of his. A 300 feet tall tower in the center of nothingness. Tarander smirked. And he couldn¡¯t even use his magic to force his way out of the tower. Even the random explosive spikes of power he experienced from time to time weren¡¯t powerful enough to free him. Even though he probably could have levelled a town with the energy released in those cataclysmic discharges of elemental energy.


    It was only him, his thoughts, and his research. For over 1000 years now. He put down the cup and made his way back to the chair and the book.


    ?Come on, get back on track Tarander. Quit wondering about speculations and focus on the evidence you have. Maybe the answers to all your questions are inside the book. ? On his way he passed a large mirror, with unused razors on the marble framing. He did not need razors. There was not a hair left on his body. Tarander looked in the mirror and tried to recall his former face for the thousandth time. But the only thing he saw looking back at himself, was a frail, skinny, old man. No hair to speak of and threads of smokey blue energy weaving and writhing around his body. They emanate from a number of blue crystals embedded into his body. Tarander had tried multiple times to remove the crystals but failed every time. His eyes and veins stand out in their slight blue coloring, standing out from his otherwise pale skin. This gave his whole appearance a rather inhuman look. Slowly he stroked his chin, hoping he would find some sort of stubble. But the only thing he felt was smooth alabaster skin. It was too perfect.


    ?Well old man you could say time didn¡¯t treat you well. ?, he laughed, ? To be fair, you should have died a millennia ago. You know, at a normal age for us humans. ? Tarander laughed again. The laugh quickly turning into a heavy cough as he struggled for air. Shaking with coughs, he stumbled towards his reading chair.


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    Tarander sat down slowly on the old wooden chair and reached for the book with trembling hands. Once he grasped the warm leather binding, Tarander¡¯s body calmed down and he took a deep, although still shaky, breath. Tarander slowly traced the symbol of Zaman¡¯s Hourglass, which was etched into the book cover. Then he proceeded to open the book to where he had left off a few minutes¡¯ prior. He skimmed over the next few paragraphs, pages, chapters. ?Well, I know all of this already. How the Order was formed by a freak accident of killing a Dragon and bathing in its blood. And accidentally swallowing it. Haha! How stupid of Arahu. It worked out for him in the end though. He became the most powerful mortal on Tarros. ? Tarander chuckled.


    Tarander kept skimming trough the book. To his surprise and disappointment, there the book contained nothing new to him. Only things he already knew about. Like the accident at the mines of Aedra. He was even there himself when it happened. That was the origin of these beautiful rocks decorating his body. A memory flashed in his head. A very young Tarander lying in the back of a carriage in a pile of blue crystals. Blood oozing out of multiple deep wounds. The sudden pain as the crystals start to penetrate his skin and the weird sensation of warmth accompanying them. Seeing the wounds on his body slowly closing and healing. Then a long dark silence.


    The book states that Arahu saw what happened in the mines and that he heroically escaped the Akai and Humans that were trying to kill him in there. And because he survived that disaster, he thought of himself as the Savior. The only one who knew what and who the enemy really was. Tarander thought to himself. Arahu is ancient, but how can he then be so blind? From then on, the book illustrated the meteoric rise of Arahu to the top of the Order and the Church of Zaman. Forming it to his sole will. Building an army to defend Tarros from the forces of the North. Waiting to be called upon. To stand and defend the Land as the hero he was. What a fool Arahu was. A cocked smile formed on Tarander¡¯s lips.


    ? You hear that Arahu! ?, he shouted at the book in his hand. ? And what did it help you, you stupid fool. You still killed yourself believing the prophecy was about you! You thought you could make it your own. How could you not realize that you were just a puppet on a string played by forces we don¡¯t understand. There was one thing you were right about though. This was your destiny. ? Tarander gleefully turned to the next page where his hand came to a rough stop and he felt like his heart stopped dead in his chest. The title of this chapter sent shivers down his spine. The Weeping Dragon. That was what he had been looking for. For centuries now. There it was. Finally.

 The Weeping Dragon Part 1

    It was Laugar the 6<sup>th</sup> Zamanis 472 AOM. I was recently appointed Lord of the Order. However, that did not stop me from going on missions with my old unit. We were tracking a dragon for over two weeks now and we believed we had finally gotten close. So close in fact that I believed I could smell its scent against the wind. That morning, I woke up feeling something in the air. And I knew. Today was the day.


    I stepped out of my tent into the warm golden morning light of Aditya accompanied by the somewhat dimmer red glow of Chaya. The clearing was already busy. Tran O Mar had already been hunting and the scent of roasted rabbit filled my lungs. Rani and Caleiden were already packing up tents and saddling the horses. I heard branches crack and a familiar voice sounded.


    ? Arahu, ¡­ Your Honor. I have found the dragon. It is in a town nearby. The villagers are fleeing in a panic. ? Limara stood at the entrance of the Clearing. Panting. I jumped to my feet.


    ? What are you still sitting around? Let¡¯s finish what we came here to do! ?


    I rushed to my tent and hastily put on my set of armor. When I finally closed the chest-piece of the Caeruleum, I looked at my fully clad self in the small portable mirror I always carry with me. As a formal representative of the Order, I have to be presentable, even in Armor. And as I looked at myself, I felt whole. As if I was fulfilling my destiny.


    Stepping towards the small lead box, used to store the blue crystals, I imagined how it would feel to kill the dragon, to rid the world of its evil presence. I grabbed one of the blue glowing crystals. My hands tingling as the energy found its way through the tight mesh of my gloves. I picked up my longsword. Unsheathed it. And then carefully embedded the crystal inside the handle of the sword. As soon as the crystal touched the sword, the runes inscribed all over it lit up. I could feel the sword coming alive, feeling its thirst for blood. Its power at my disposal. Just waiting to be unleashed. It was like a storm. I just had to think, and the sword would go up in flames. I had to restrain myself from doing just that. But I knew that soon enough I could, and something would feel Storms wrath.


    On my way out the tent, I sheathed Storm once more. The rest of the group already saddled and ready to go. I quickly vaulted into the saddle of my dear friend Shadow. A black mare who treated me very well. And she was one of the fastest, calmest horses I knew. The five of us made our way towards the town where Limara had spotted the dragon. The grass beneath us flying by. The fresh morning breeze grazing our noses. Stray branches annoyingly brushing our faces, as we made our way through the forest. We pushed the horses to their limits, knowing that every moment we waste could mean a citizen of Tarros lost. Soon enough we saw a column of smoke emanating from a town nearby.


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    ?This is it! Your Honor! The Town of Hilland. ?, Limara exclaimed. From afar, villagers were visible running away from the town. Or hiding in the fields. The closer we got to the town, the more confused, yet hopeful looks we received from the villagers.


    One of the villagers knelt and called out upon seeing the emblem of Zaman on our armor ? O Infinite Father, we thank you! We are not worthy to be saved. And yet you still send your Avatars to protect us. ? Without paying attention to the villager, we pressed onward. As the group reached the outskirts of the town, we all leapt out of our saddles. The horses, well trained as they were, seemed to freeze in place awaiting our return.


    A swift motion of mine ordered Limara and Tran to cover the right flank, while Rani and Caleiden covered the left. I myself decided to tackle the problem head on. As I made myself down the barren streets of Hilland, a feeling of excitement built inside of me. The closer the center of the town got, the more damaged the buildings grew. Roofs were torn off. Doors unhinged. Windows burst. Even whole houses razed to the ground.


    The town square approached, covered in a dust cloud. I almost tripped, as my foot got caught in a huge gash in the stone pavement. And there, in the gash, was something unmistakable. A dragon¡¯s claw. Kneeling, I pried the claw loose and stored it in a satchel around my waist. Then a loud flap swept through the street. The dust whirled around, revealing the town square. I saw it. In the very center of the town square, it waited.


    An adult green Dragon perched on its hind legs. But something was off¡­ Somebody was cowering in front of the dragon. A humanoid figure. The figure slowly turned around. As our eyes locked, the figure placed its hand protectively on the dragon¡¯s snout. A gust of wind swept through the square. The figure¡¯s cloak flapped, and the hood slipped of its head. It took me a moment. Then the anger started seeping in, accompanying the realization of what my eyes showed me.


    I started walking. I drew Storm. I only had one goal. The Dragon and Akai had to go. Be purged before their festering bond could spread any further and the legacy of elven heritage be forever tainted by orcish blood.

 The Weeping Dragon Part 2

    Anger flowing through my veins, it felt as if Storm was pulling me onto the square. Towards the Akai. It is bleeding from several wounds.


    It looks at me and speaks up in a broken voice. ? Help. ¡­ c-can you help us? We d-didn¡¯t want to harm anyone. The villagers started shooting at us with their b-ballista. ? He points at the dragon behind him. ?You see, there, in Dulgumor¡¯s shoulder? ?, he asked pleadingly.


    I continued to close in on the Akai and its Drago. From the corner of my eyes, I saw the rest of the unit hidden in between buildings. Ready to strike at the smallest sign from me. Having not said a word until now, I came to a halt just a few feet in front of it. I motion to the Akai to come closer. Slowly he took a few steps towards me. I reached out with my free hand, placing it on its shoulder.


    I brought my face close to his and then whispered into his ear. ?I will let you go. Trust me. Once this is all over you can let your soul run free. ? With that, he realized what I was about to do. I felt a wave of energy build inside of him ready to unleash its devastating force onto me. But before he could do any of that I plunged Storm deep into his stomach. The sharpened Caeruleum bladed easily finding its way inside of him. In that moment, the soft slurp the blade made as it entered the Akai¡¯s body was music to my ears. In that moment I had erased the wrongdoing of one of my own people. But that somehow was not enough. The anger just kept building. And building. I had to release it somehow. I looked straight into the Akai¡¯s eyes and ignited Storm while the sword was still embedded in it. Normally I had to focus on the rune of fire inscribed into Storm to set it ablaze. But now only the thought of a burning blade transformed Storm into a whirlwind of flames.


    The squealing noises the Akai made confirmed the intensity of the fire. Storms and my thirst were somehow still not quenched yet. And as our Rage resurged, so did the flame. The pathetic squeals grew louder, and louder. Filling my world. Until they abruptly ended. The following silence was so loud, that I believed I had gone deaf. A charred unrecognizable body limply slipped off my blade and crumbled to the floor.


    A few moments everything stood still. Then an invisible maelstrom of energy erupted. Swirling around. Trying to stand upright I gripped at the remaining energy of the now shrunken crystal in Storms handle. I had used way too much energy on incinerating the Akai. I drained almost all of the rest in the energy and focused on the runes of unyielding all over my armor. The Armor now glowing in a bright blue light I felt heavy. Heavy enough to stand my ground. My unit however did not seem that lucky.


    From the corner of my eye, I saw Caleiden and Rani tumble off the roof, on which they were previously standing. Limara and Tran seemed to have similar problems, as I could clearly hear her voice echo over the square.


    ? Tran, in Zaman¡¯s name hold on! ? A few moments later her panicked voice sounded ? I can¡¯t hold on! Help! Arahu! Help us! ? I focused my gaze in front of me meeting the deep, dark brown eyes of the green dragon trying to push itself onto its feet. Out of the corner of its eyes something that can only be described as a large tear started to roll down its scaly, dusty cheek. Then from the deepest part of my mind, I heard the Dragon speak. It could only have been the dragon. A deep voice rumbled: ? What have you done? How could you! ? The Maelstrom grew to immeasurable strength, ripping open the stone pavement, tearing off roofs and breaking apart trees. Soon enough the dragon and I were encompassed by a tornado of stone and wood. There were only me and it. And I knew there was only one option. I had to end this. To save myself. To save my unit. To save the town.


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    I took a step, and another. Forcing myself forward. It felt like moving mountains, but I had no choice.


    ? What? How are you able to move? Who are you? ?, I once again heard the dragon¡¯s voice. I couldn¡¯t distinguish exactly, but it sounded somewhat scared, but curious simultaneously. Knowing that I could scare it, I pushed myself even further. All while staring into the Dragons eyes, showing it that I in fact was not scared in the slightest and had only one goal in mind. There was a very hurt and aggressive look in its eyes. Suddenly that changed. It looked Understanding. And Empathetic? It didn¡¯t matter. It was only trying to make me insecure. Question myself. Poison my thoughts. I would not let that happen. I pushed forward even more, now standing face to face with the Dragon.


    Before I could do anything, the Dragon lowered its head. Something hot dropped onto my helmet and my heart froze. But then I saw a big drop of shimmering liquid drop to the floor in front of me. Was the dragon still crying? But why?


    ? I understand you. ?, the Dragons voice rumbled in my head. ? You were different. Misunderstood. But I can change that. I can show you who you really are. ? I looked up at it. Deep into its teary eyes.


    ? I know exactly who I am! ?, I snapped. A glimmer of realization sparked in the dragon¡¯s eyes. But it didn¡¯t move. It just looked at me with a deeply understanding, melancholic look. That did not change, even as I plunged Storm right through its lower jaw. I held it there. Looking into its eyes as they grew dull. It looked back. Slowly the Maelstrom around us calmed down. Pieces of Stone and wood hit the floor. Tumbling around. Why did it take so long for the Dragon to die? I used the last of the energy in Storms grip to activate a frost rune on its blade. I drained all the energy out of the crystal. I could feel it breaking apart. It was not enough.


    The dragon was still standing over me. I needed more energy. I focused even harder on the rune of frost. Biting my lip, I closed my eyes. Every bit of mental energy I had left I poured into the sword. I heard myself letting loose a bloodcurdling scream. Then there was a cracking sound. Opening my eyes, I saw cracks forming on the dragon¡¯s. Its eyes still fixated on me. And a frozen tear tumbling down its now dull and lifeless scales. As the frozen tear hit the floor and shattered the dragon collapsed onto the floor. Storm got pulled from my grip. For a moment I stood there. Proud of what I had done. I had saved everyone. I took a step to pick up Storm. Everything just went numb, and I collapsed onto the floor. Once I hit the floor everything went dark.


    The next thing I remember is feeling a hand on my shoulder. Shaking me. Slowly and carefully, I opened my eyes. Everything was sore. I felt like the world was crushing me. My vision was blurred. Light blinded me. A humanoid figure was crouching in front of me. It said something. I heard the sounds but couldn¡¯t make out the words. I tried to sit up. Very quickly I realized that was not going to happen as I almost immediately lost consciousness. I couldn¡¯t tell how much time had passed. I opened my eyes. And I was very relieved. I could see again. It was dark. Chaya solely hanging in the sky. Spreading a dim red light. I had been unconscious the whole day. Or even longer? I looked around. Moving my head proved to be very painful.


    ? Slowly. Don¡¯t move to much your Honor. ?, a familiar voice said. Tran O mar stepped into my vision. ? Here drink this. ?, he said lifting a small pot to my lips. After a few painful sips. I managed to speak.


    ? Where are the others? Limara? Caleiden? Rani? ? He looked at me. A steely look I had never seen from him until now. ?They are gone. I couldn¡¯t do anything. If that dragon wasn¡¯t dead, I would kill it right then and there! ? Tan¡¯s eyes darted around, fixating on something in the distance. ?Tran? What is it? What do you see? ? Without saying anything he picked me up. I winced. Needles of pain stabbed me as he turned me around. ?What is it? I don¡¯t see anything. ? Tran pointed at the sky. And there in the night sky bright as day, the weeping dragon constellation. But something was wrong.


    It took me a good while to figure out what was wrong. But as I did, my body just shut down. And once again there was darkness. The Constellation normally had one single tear running down the dragon¡¯s jaw. But now. Now there were two tears. Two!

 Revelations

    Tarander put down the book. Then he took a deep breath. Followed by another. He had a theory of what the dragon Dulgumor wanted to tell Arahu. A very dangerous theory. Very dangerous. Book in hand he pushed himself out of the chair. How long had he been reading? Was it night already?


    ?Tarander you need to keep track of time. You read the whole day again. ? He shook his head, stretching his tense limbs. Flinched as the pain hit him. It wasn¡¯t so bad though. He could still stand. A few slow and measured steps later he reached the large window on the east side of the tower. A small wooden chair awaited him. Tarander sat down, letting out a sigh. Braced himself. After gathering his bravery, he looked out the window. He saw what he had feared he might see. There it was. In the night sky, bright as day, the weeping dragon constellation. Rolling down its jaw were not one, not two, but three tears.


    ? You fool! You blind fool! How could you not have seen that? The first tear appeared as Arahu slayed his first Dragon and founded the Order of Dragonblood. The second tear appeared as he slew the Dragon in Hilland. Not offering help but slaughtering a lost dragon and its rider. But why the third tear? ? Tarander screamed as he viciously scratched his head. A thought formed in the back of his head. Blossomed into an idea.


    ? What died this time? No Dragon? Not Mereth the Akai. But Arahu himself. But that means¡­ That can¡¯t be right! He¡­ No! ? Tarander started to shake his head vigorously. But shortly after, he slowed down, lowering his eyes. ? He is an Akai! I see it now. ?, he said defeated. ?The second tear is not about the dragon. It is him refusing his heritage and¡­ The third tear! The Third tear. It is him dying. Him giving up. The last prime Akai dying. ?


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Yes, yes that had to be it! Mereth is an Akai born from another Akai. Arahu was born from an Orc and an Elf. In the wars he despised so much. Elves and orcs breaking apart the unity of this continent. Breeding the Akai in the aftermath. It is kind of ironic how he is what he hated so much, even more than Mereth was. ? The fool! He killed himself. He was right! He doomed us all! Someone truly believed he was chosen to save us. That he even would save us. Now we all have a reason to cry. ?


    With that Tarander plunged into a fit of maniacal laughter that quickly turned into another coughing fit. He desperately grasped at the armrest of his chair, trying to hold on as his body tossed around. Suddenly, at the peak of the coughing fit Tarander felt a rush of energy building from within. As if every little shard of the crystals within him were set ablaze.


    He braced himself for what was going to happen. Although like always he couldn¡¯t discern the strength and nature of the reaction inside of him. Tarander screamed in pain as every fiber of his being seemed to have been set on fire. He caught a quick glance of his reflection in the Window. There he was. An old frail figure engulfed in blue flames being tossed around on a small wooden chair and a black leather-bound book in his hand. The crystalline shards in his body now burning hot. Searing into his flesh.


    Burning from pain he reached into the book and ripped out the chapter he had just read. With all of his remaining focus he thought of the only one he could trust. His hand clenching the pages Tarander punched through the window in front of him. Glass shards piercing his thin skin. With the pages beginning to catch fire, he let go. Watched as they tumbled through the night, until they vanished from his view. Having lost all his willpower, he slumped back into the chair. The chair beneath him, charred, crumbled from his weight and the flames that have been eating at it. Then everything went silent. Dark. Numb.

 Awoken

    The morning light of Aditya filtered through the windows. Scattering across the floor. Tingling, as Tarander slowly opened his eyes. He still sat in his reading chair, holding Arahu¡¯s book.


    ? How long have I been reading? I must have fallen asleep. So typical of me. ? A light chuckle escaped his lips. The book still warm from his touch felt lighter than it had last night. He paged through the book and then gasped. There were pages missing. Simply ripped out of the book.


    ? B¡­But I could have sworn. ?, he mumbled. The book had been complete yesterday. Tarander was sure of it. He cast a quick look out the large eastern window. It was a normal day. Aditya hanging in the sky. Casting her golden light. Nothing seemed to have changed. He slowly made his way to the small chair next to the window. Sat down. On placed his forehead against the cool glass. What was going on? Was he finally going insane?


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    ? Hello Tarander. I think you have something that belong to me. Would you be so kind to give me the book you are holding? ? Tarander looked up as this dark raspy voice filtered through his thoughts. He didn¡¯t say anything. Who was talking? And as Tarander¡¯s gaze found the window, he saw it. In the reflection of the window a large black figure hulked behind him. Shadows dancing around its form. Two dark red eyes gleaming through the darkness where the face should be.


    Tarander felt a sharp pain as something wound itself around his neck. He got spun around and pulled towards the boiling darkness. He was pulled by a long whip that ended in a claw-like hand extended out of the dark body of the figure. It slowly lowered its head towards Tarander, who flinched back as the foul breath stung in his nose. The whips grip tightened and Tarander was pulled closer to the dark void of a face. As the creature spoke its voice seemed to fill out every fiber of Tarander¡¯s being. ? You can call me Alastor. And we are going to have so much fun together. ?


    THE END