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Epilogue part 2

As Arctic Wind predicted, the testing began anew after their brief reprieve. This time the excuse was to reestablish the connection that was lost. Tough as it was the teen gave it everything he had. Days spent with mind-numbing pain that left him aching for days. Yet he couldn’t seem to do it with pain alone, nor from the spells they forced him to cast. He’d get close, close enough that he could almost taste the ice licking at his soul. Yet each time he’d come crumbling down, crashing back to the earth. Frustrations of the magisters began to mount in the days without much progress. Their secret plans for the storms clearly hinging on his participation.

The clouds outside had continued to swell, and rumors abounded in terrified whispers at what was befalling the countryside. They spoke of demons, fiends, death, and terrors the likes no one had seen ever before. Villages were being pillaged, hamlets outright destroyed, commoners were being slaughtered like cattle. Each day brought more terrible reports, more death, more suffering. It was all it took for Hadariel to not break down under the weight of such news. But this made Theren desperate, and desperate men become cruel.

The elven wizard promised him that torture and pain would be the norm if they could not find his connection. So of course they tried it. So many ways in which they could tie him down, cut his flesh, burn his veins. Each one proved more cruel than the last. Each one left him gasping, nearly blinding, and praying it to stop. He stopped begging them of course, as they’d already proven they would be willing to do anything to reignite his spark. One thing was evidently clear after a week of such torment, was that physical pain to himself would do nothing. It only made Theren shout at his colleges, and Hadariel laugh to himself at their feeble attempts. Yet, in such desperate times even worse things could be concocted and Theren was no exception.

Peasants and commoners began being dragged to his feet. Beaten and bruised nonmagical souls that begged for an end to their suffering through cracked lips. He demanded to know what they were doing but was only given his audience’s torture as a reply. With grim purpose he was made to bare witness at their cruelty. Blades slicing through flesh and bone of their living victims. Their screams came in the hundreds, blood curdling things that twisted around Hadariel’s ears like a troublesome serpent. He was forced to watch, unable to look away as each pitiful cry called out for someone to aid them. He demanded for them to stop, so many times his voice hurt from the effort. He eventually grew tired though, realizing it didn’t matter. Each soul snuffed out before him was just another added to the list. The list that Theren and his ilk would have to answer for.

One day after a session of this brutal torture he gathered what courage he had, screaming at Theren with fiery eyes. “Why would you even do this? What have they done to you?”

“The question you should be asking yourself is why aren’t you stopping us.” Theren sighed, waving in the next batch of victims. “Eventually you will crack. It only needs the proper motivation. I’m certain of it. I think the answer is that you really don’t care about these people.”

They brought in a solitary woman this time, dressed in tattered rags. Her face was drained of all color, her eyes as wide as saucer plates. She pulled at the gnolls holding her, shrieking with untolt terror as she saw the fresh coating of blood in the chamber.

“Please don’t do this.” He begged to his captors; eyes wide in horror as they placed a knife mere inches from her retina.

“Then you know what to do.” Theren hissed, bidding the horror to begin anew.

Each day he was practically reduced to an emotionless husk, slumping back to Arctic Wind’s home. He remembered each sullen face, every pleading cry. The organs and blood that plopped from their cut bodies. Theren’s snide remarks about his love for this ate away at him, twisting like a knife in his gut. He was dragged like just like all the other days, right back to Arctic Wind’s cave. The only place that felt like any sort of home, a bastion against the evils that lurked within these halls. Even the rumors that she’d killed hundreds of before was little concern. For how could he judge the only person that cared about him?

“There we are.” The gnoll guards tossed him before Arctic Wind’s claws like discarded garbage. “Bringing your boy back. Unharmed and in one peace. Hard to say that about all the people he let die today.”

“Think he likes seeing all the blood and guts? Must be some kind of freak if he does.: Chuckled the other, giving his partner a playful shove. “Hey, maybe he gets it from the dragon eh?”

Arctic Wind descended like an icy gale, silencing their prattle with a threatening growl. “If you have a brain rattling around between your ears, I’d silence myself. Either wise you’ll find yourself dead if you keep this up.”

“Like you’d go hurting one of us.” Sneered, leaning back with his furry arms crossed. “Ole Theren and the magisters have you right under there thumb. Pet dragoness some of the boys call ya.”

“Oh of course. The pet dragoness. How amusing of a title that your collection of dullards has given me.” Arctic Wind fluttered her wings with an upbeat yet threatening tone. The other guard who knew better slunk away as the dragoness advanced on his college. She chuckled in a mocking way, dragging one claw across the stone as she advanced. “I must apologize to our dear wizard and master. You’re so right my good gnoll.” She pat him gently on the head. “How good of you to point that out. I imagine a promotion is in order for you.”

The effect was almost instantaneous. The gnoll’s fur frosted and chilled, crawling like deathly rivers down his skull. He only released a momentary scream of terror, before the coming cold extinguished it. The air grew still with his passing, with only the movement being the mist curling off his frozen corpse.

“It looks like it went to his head.” The dragoness cackled, throwing back her neck. “Guess they can’t find good help these days.” When the other gnoll didn’t join in the celebration of his dead partner, the dragoness snapped her wintery glare to him. Growling malevolently in the back of her throat as the furry guard began to scamper away from her sight. Lest he to be turned into a permanent resident of these halls.

“Where are you going little dog? Are you not going to drag your friend out of here?” She curled around Hadariel, thumping her tail like a threat. “Or are you going to get a cleric to raise him? I’ve heard if you act quickly you can save them. Though I don’t know if Theren holds your lives in high regard!”

“What horrors did they subject you today?” Arctic Wind curled in her neck, an unusually delightful swish about her tail. Either she knew something, or the act of murder really got her mood going. “I’d do so like to keep counting things they deserve to die for.”

He slumped to his bed and told each life that he saw wither before him. He spoke for minutes perhaps an hour, who was to know. His voice was scratchy and throbbed his throat by the end of it. To his expectation, the death of mortals did little to goad her. She simple pulled away, a dismissive snort and glare to the exit.

“Though I do not weep for your kind. It’s such a needless waste of lives.” The dragoness slipped away, pouncing to her perch. She pulled out a few books and started to flick through them with her telepathy. She was doing that more and more as the days went by. Why, she didn’t say. Always a playful swish of her tail and a smirk.

He curled in on himself, picturing each person that’d pleaded for him. Their voices scratching at his mind, pulling icy tethers down his spine. He could see their tormented faces, beaten and bruised, all calling out for someone. For him to save them. Yet here he was, unable to do anything. Magical prowess he’d been gifted, yet unable to lift a finger to save one life. He pulled his legs tighter against his chest, whimpering into his flesh. Doubt had never clouded his mind more than this. Hopefully he’d figure something out and put an end to this living horror. Though that would have to be post poned, for Theren seemed to be out of patience.

He returned with the terrified gnoll, along with at least a dozen mages and a whole company of armored men with sharpened spears. Their armored plates gleamed with brilliant white runes. They read ice in draconic, clearly someone had come prepared. His face was read, his muscles were tensed, and his brow was furrowed.

“Pack your things.” Theren growled, “No longer shall the words of this dragoness plague your thoughts.”

His heart skipped a beat. They were taking him away? The only one in this world that cared about him? Knew he was even alive? “You cant!” He shot from the bed, his voice all but crumbling. “I’ll try harder. Redouble my efforts. Gleam through the pages till my fingers bleed!”

“And you forget yourself.” Artic Wind’s voice chilled the air as the dragon slunk towards the cavern floor. Her claws were dragged along, whispering sweet death to those that heard them. “He is my treasure if I recall. He is mine to dismiss as I wish. You knew this when you gave him to me Theren.” Her eyes narrowed. “Never invoke a dragon’s jealousy.”

But this time, Theren didn’t slink away. Nor did he flinch. He gestured to the scores of humanoids behind him. “But I am, and will be leaving with him. I tire of your plots, your plans and your schemes. I’ve been patient and easy. But now you’ve gone too far.”

“The death of a simple gnoll? Don’t tell me your heart is so easily wounded.” She chuckled, curling around Hadariel like a wall, eyeing the gathered men like morsels. “Or the next few moments are really going to make you weep.”

Her threat hung in the air, froze the blood of those who heard it. Bloodshed was mere moments away. Theren seemed to see this too, coughing and composing his stature.

“Dragon. The storms only increase in size. We must try something else. I’ve been patient and lax during this trying time. But something has to be done.” He gave her a nod and gestured to his forces. “If you force my hand. Then we shall of course spring into action, and you will be slain like the others of your kind.”

“What sweet words you soothe my heart with.” She growled, leaving long jagged lines in the ground where she kneaded. “Should I do the same?”

Could she win? Hadariel’s heart was racing. He couldn’t lose her as well. “Don’t do this! Any of you. We’ve done everything you’ve asked. Death will do nothing but go against your cause. Right Theren?” He waved his hand, ignoring that he’d drawn all their attention. “What will you do then? You’d have failed.” He gestured to the white dragoness standing over him. “She makes things better. Helps me focus. Taking her away will do nothing but doom this to failure.”

“Is that so?” Theren’s eyes darted between the two. The other mages muttered and proceeded to make poses for the coming fight, but the elf stopped them with but a wave of his hand. His look didn’t change. “Grab your things.” He rose a finger, “You won’t be seeing her again.”

“Make peace with your gods then puny humans.” Up went feathery wings, shimmering with magic that sent frosty tendrils to the air. “For mercy has no hold on my heart.”

Her coming roar thundered through the cavern, but instantly dulled. This was to happen; was sure to be had, blood destined to be spilled. Her death though, and he couldn’t fathom what’d he’d do without it.

“I won’t be going!” He announced with the voice of a thousand men. It drowned out the dragon, silenced the mages, and drew every eye once upon him. Like serpents his robes fluttered on their own accord, dancing to an alien wind.

Red tinted his vision as a coldness wrapped around his heart. With an icy breath the connection was back, spreading inky black through his veins. “And I’d like to see you attempt to try and take me.” He rose to the air, suspended by their shock and awe. Magic devoid of light swirled around his limbs, blackened eels collecting in his open palms. The shackles that’d been fastened to his wrist and ankles slipped away, crackling like softened crackers on the floor.

“His eyes!” One mage yelled, “The devil is back! God preserve us, it’s back.”

Excited murmuring filled the cave, as Theren gave a twisted smile. Not saying another word.

“Do I make myself clear?” Again, he pulverized the cave, shaking loose any snow that Arctic Wind had neglected to. Stalagmites close to them shattered, showering screaming men with shards of dulled rock.

“Oh, crystal clear young one.” Theren nodded with a grin. “It would appear my thoughts on the dragoness were misplaced.” He gestured to how proudly she stood, giving her a bow. “Clearly she is of much use. I bid you two the most delightful of evenings.”

“Night then.” He growled, escorting the departing mages and their guards with his icy stare. With a wave of his hand the door slammed shut behind them, hopefully catching a gnoll in the rear. The man’s smile made him shiver. Whatever it meant It could certainly not be good. Especially with the storms raging outside.

“Well that was unexpected. He certainly is getting bolder.” Arctic Wind padded a few steps, stretching as though it was no big deal. “Must be getting scared if he’s that desperate to fight. Think the last time we did most of them perished. Shame that he escaped.” She sighed, wiggling her tail. “Pity that fate would reward his luck over mine. Yet here I am, disappointed at least some of their blood hasn’t spilled.” She turned to him, pinning her flared wings. “What do you think? Next few guards we turn into permanent residents?”

He shook his head.

“You’re loss.” The dragoness leaped to her perch. “Unfortunate for the next for guards isn’t it?”

*

Days crawled by as reports started to filter in once more. Desert storms that’d spread for miles, One could see them devouring the horizon from anywhere in the citadel. Their shimmering multicolored lights, betraying the devastation they were bringing. From growths of bizarre, man-eating plants. To pillars of human flesh, oozing puss along their bloodies surfaces. Vines draped through these places, coated in human teeth and bone that oozed crimson slime.

From crackles of unholy lightning came beasts of un-natural size, with teeth and claws that could rip through flesh and steel alike. Armies had been mobilized to ward off such intrusions, but it was like fighting a sinking boat with a bucket. They just kept on coming.

He’d sit and stare at the storm’s flickering in the distance. Arctic Wind would be at his side, She’d insist to not let doubts whisper to him, or fear grip his heart.

“So.” He finally rested a hand to her forelimb, not even getting the slightest of chills. If anything, she was starting to feel warmer. Something he’d have to write down later in his books. “Going to finally tell me what you have in store?”

She peered down with a neutral look upon her features, not a growl to be found. He’d often suspected that her revenge upon this place was upcoming. It seemed only perfect in a way. One great event that the mages would be preforming. What better way to spell their doom then with it?

“How clever you are human.” She smiled wickedly, her teeth not bringing a hint of fear. “Very much like my son.” She gestured out to the clouds, seeming to touch them with her feathery wings. “They expect you to take care of all this. Shut the initial portal your father brought about.” She shifted from claw to claw, a growl growing in her throat. “Save the world for all your kind of course. Their troubled actions rewarded.”

“Quite the information you’d learned. Surprised that Theren let you know this.”

“Perks of being the warden.” She shrugged. “I still hear things. People flock to me rather than him. Mark my words, there will be a grand ritual.”

“So this ritual.” He rubbed his chin, “What’s it going to do?”

“Act like a funnel. Suck back in all that has been spilling out. The disturbance will seal the portal, thus ending this little problem of theirs for good. But there is something they don’t want you to know.” She pulled him close, her voice but a whisper. “That you’ll be at your strongest when you connect with the portal. Every ounce of that devil inside you magnified to no end.”

But what did that mean? His fingers traced along her snout. “But what must I do?”

“There will be protective wards. Meant to shield them from the demons.” Her eyes brimmed with malevolent intent. “It would not be hard to will them into the portal as well. For it won’t just be the mages of this tower. But every wizard of the council. All the ones responsible for the expansion. My people. Your mother…” It was if he could see the bliss dancing in her eyes. “Imagine that…A life being tortured for their misdeeds.” She rumbled, practically shivering. “How it stirs my heart.”

“Everyone?” He stilled, tracing several scales as he weighed the magnitude of what she was asking. All their lives? He’d just had the magisters to blame. She was set on snuffing out so many lives that-. He thought of his mother, the slaves that they’d been. He saw his father, beaten and killed in front of his eyes. Dozens of commoner’s faces haunted his next few thoughts. The fire inside him flickered with life.

“Everyone.” She voiced with a rumble. “Imagine the sweet vengeance.”

“And the change for my people.” He said softly.

“Yes that of course as well.” Her threatening coo stoked his inner flame. “Every misdeed of their regime snuffed out in a single day. I think you might be a savior, a hero.” The dragoness rose up, chuckling with a grin. “One bright new future for Rothdell don’t you think? The corrupt heart ripped out in one glorious day.”

Yet a hint of innocence sill lingered within him. “But not all of them are guilty.”

“Neither was dragonkind. Yet they came just the same.” She growled. “All of them are equally accountable for my valley’s falling.” Arctic Wind’s harsh snort heated the air. “My family-” She suddenly nosed at him to be quiet.

“Whats-“

“Their ears will be with us in a second.”

“But-“ He looked but was silenced with another nose.

“Shh, mind the tongue. Remember what I told you. When to do it.” Draconic eyes narrowed to slits, a seriousness setting in them. “You’ll remember right?”

He didn’t think otherwise. She’d not let him down. Though he had the order, he just needed to figure out exactly to do as she wished. He nodded, at least to set her mind at ease. “They’ll pay for everything they’ve done. You can count on me.”

“See? There’s my human. Always looking out for me.” She rumbled. “Now come, we’re going to fly about. See what these storms of theirs are doing.”

“By fly, do you mean on you-“

“No.” She laughed, “I’ll carry you.”

They were stopped at the main gate by a half dozen guards in red tabards. Pikes and spears were suddenly at the ready, an uneasy silence was ended by the dragoness’ threatening growl.

“How cute. Theren assigned you to keep us did he?”

One man nodded nervously, his spear wiggling in his grip as the dragoness set her icy gaze onto him.

“Thought you’d might try it.” Said a braver man. This one held up his chin. “Said to not take to your intimidation.”

If that was to dissuade her, Hadariel didn’t see it. The dragon merely tossed back her head and had herself a great laugh. As she slammed down her claws the gathered guard’s leapt back in alarm. Her yes burned with murderous intent. “Then Theren doesn’t truly respect me. Tonight, as the last night before the epic struggle between mortal, demon, and my human.” She flicked back to Hadariel. “He needs some fresh air, relaxing temperature. You know what.” She sighed, rolling a claw. “I’m in no mood to go on with this. Move aside or die, the choice is yours. Or unless you get off from being killed by a glorious being like me? Then by all means stay.”

The guards swallowed as her teeth glistened in the air. “Well…No one said that miss dragon.” He whispered to the others of their plight, getting nods in agreement. “You know what? I think we just heard our boss saying you’re allowed out now. Yup, right this way. Have yourself a fresh day out.” The guards parted, bowing till their helmets came off.

He bid the guards a swift thank you, following the dragoness like a lost puppy. By the time he’d thought any more on the coming day, she had him swiftly in her claws. “Now why are we flying?” He managed to question as soon as her wings brought them into the sky. He’d moved past squeezing his eyes shut, instead watching everything shrink below him as they ascended in a tight spiral.

“Some say its relaxing to fly before life and death. Letting the thrill and rush of flight fill your veins with excitement. Even at my age, when the luster of it should have worn…I Instead find it just as appealing as in my youth.” She took a drag of the air, resting her wings in a glide, perfectly content to drift in silence. Yet, he was not.

“We don’t plan to die right? Surely that’s not the plan? One grand revenge that ends up with you dead as well?” He laughed nervously.

She joined him, “Tis a figure of speech young one. I don’t see death chomping away at my scales. I’d predict that both of us survive the endeavor, stronger than when we began it. Leave death to the fools that got us here. Let it chomp, tear, rip, and devour each and everyone of them.”

He smirked, catching a peek of her eye as she rambled on. “So, you do care about me now?”

She sighed, kneading him with her claws. “Like a dagger you poke in at my sides. Could you not simple let it rest? You’re aware I could drop you for such pokes. Demons don’t scare me.”

He shifted within her claws, setting his sights for the chaotic energy spreading through the desert sky. Despite knowing what lurked within the crackling clouds he found them oddly relaxing. Course was that the steady beat of the dragoness’ wings? Or the soft clack of her ivory scales? He sighed and watched the mismatching colors swirl like a thick fog far below. It was easy to forget that closeup it was rather horrific.

But that was not drew his focus for long, instead that was reserved for the dragon carrying him. She was like an angel before a tide of darkness. Her presence brought light to the blackened towers that she curled around. The beat of her wings a comfort to the rapidness of his heart. It was almost peaceful from this height, as she glided, taking a long draw from the air. He inquired her thoughts when the silence became too much for him, and his limbs embraced by the wind’s chilly touch.

“Just been a long time.” She peered down, cerulean eye winking in the light. “Was starting to think this day wouldn’t come. Call me sentimental. Seeing all the plans you long for, suddenly coming to fruition. Nothing can be as sweet. I guarantee you that young human.”

It was hard to not smile along with her, but he couldn’t. Within her eyes lurked his mother. Whatever warmth was to be found was soured and tainted. She must have caught on because she quickly glanced away.

“There’s no shame in missing those you love. Even if things happened between you. Just be clear on who was responsible.” Her horned head flicked downward towards the catacomb like keep below. “The mages down below.”

He didn’t reply as he held her close, the dragoness bringing them to their usual secluded spot atop the tower. Arctic wind set him down before she landed, summoning up a miniature harp with a tap of her paw and a draconic hiss.

The air all too hot and dry filled with the pleasing sounds of a ghostly player as the dragoness settled onto her haunches. She bid him to rest, sit between her, nestle up to her chest. When he did she started to gently hum, tapping the stone with her tail. Though she seemed relaxed, the stone beneath them was anything but. Frost had started to collect around her edges, dusting the brown with thin layers of white.

To what bizarre behavior he didn’t know, but he forced himself to relax. How he wished to have her confidence, her trust. Somehow, they expected him to perform some miracle. But when he tried to voice his concerns he was met with a tender lick upon his head. Whispers of encouragement in his ear. His troubles seemed to whisk when she started her humming again, the heaviness seeming less so.

Her scales somehow seemed far more comfortable than the most delightful of couches. Her tone, soothing and uplifting. Hadariel slumped against her scales, letting her claw rest on him, pulling him softly against her chest. Together they stared out into a broken horizon. The multicolored storms crackling to an uneven tune. He was sure they heard some thunder in the distance, but intertwined with phantom screams. Or at least he hoped they were phantoms. He couldn’t help but shiver, thinking about what lay ahead.

“Fear not. For all you need is me child.” Arctic Wind’s whisper brought warmth, pulling him closer in a hug. “And the cunning method in which you used that caged devil.”

He rested his head against hers, agreeing without a hint of resistance. By her words he could feel his confidence stir. “Just don’t leave.” He pulled her snout into a hug. “You’re all that I have left.”

She sighed, giving him one last lick before setting her head down to rest. “How fitting the gods saw to leave us to right this terrible wrong. To rid this world of these magisters and save the world in one fell swoop. Legends will be spoken of this moment.”

“Yea.” He said hesitantly, rubbing at her scales. “But you care not for these things, so why mention them?”

She peaked back with a cerulean eye. “Because you care of such things. If you’re not going to appreciate the effort, then I’m going to simply not bother. Waste of my breath and all that.”

“No no.” He smiled and stroked her cheek, earning himself a heartwarming rumble. He thanked her for effort.

“Well you’re welcome then.” She flicked her tongue at him. “Besides, is that not what young teens like you dream of? To touch the history books you write with your limited time?”

He’d thought that way years ago. Possibly even months before, yet each day in this place was eating away at any dream of that. “Possibly so.” He said solemnly, averting his gaze and searching the horizon for answers they’d never give. “But I think I’d just be happy to survive and leave this place.”

“Wouldn’t we all.” The dragoness’ words lingered on the air as she joined him. “All will be determined tomorrow.”

“Are you scared?”

The air crackled with her laughter. “Me?” She fluffed her wings, eyes bouncing. “Of what?”

“That…” He rubbed his neck, feeling smaller under her gaze. “I won’t be able to turn it all around.”

“Oh Hadariel, didn’t I tell you demons don’t scare me? They freeze all the same.”

“And what about an army of Rothdell’s finest? Mages?”

“Oh those things?” She thumped her tail, joy draining from her like a damn. “More fuel for their pyre.”

“But when that’s done. Will that be enough?”

“Not till every mage that raised a flag to my valley is dead. Till each of their orders is frozen and left blood stained upon the sands.”

“What if no one is left to have hurt you? Nothing but families of related people that know nothing of their ancestor’s guilt?”

She didn’t answer but the snort of air was rather telling. “Think you better focus on tapping into that portal’s power. Then we can focus on what happens after, don’t you think? Here you are, like a gryphon mother, counting our fledglings before they hatch.”

A horn’s call blasted through the air, alerting all that one arm of the wizarding council had arrived. The dragoness held him closer than ever before.

“So it begins.”

Chapter 24

His last night was filled with endless preparations. Flipping through pages of his demotic books before sleep snatched him from the waking world. Countless spells he’d already prepared for what might prove useful. Protective wards, swift illusions, to any attack that held even a trace of cold. They hated cold after all. Though with each passage he committed to memory, his thoughts never strayed too far from the devil inside him. Would he be able to maintain the connection? Arctic Wind certainly thought so, and he was glad for her words.

For while he was a mess of tangled nerves and spells, her aura was the upmost example of calm. She reclined away on the floor, flicking through her oversized tomes. She’d gone to the caverns of her home and procured various amulets to tie around her neck, or chains to adorn her horns. Magical items to be sure, but she didn’t seem keen on telling him exactly what they were. When not preparing for battle, she’d simply returned to her perch, gazing long fully at her hoard. Almost as if she’d never see it again, determined to burn every inch of it into her mind. She’d fallen asleep up there, resting her head on her claws. Filling the cavern with her snores.

By candlelight he continued, even as the tiredness weighed heavily on him he still gazed upon his bestiaries. Expertly drawn images of fiends that they might face, inked in every horrific detail. There were balor’s , great beasts that stood three times the height of a man, carried whips of flame, and carried on gigantic bat like wings. Bebeliths, spider like demons with venom that could melt human flesh. Or perhaps the winged terrors with their seven limbs, each coated with poisoned barbs. These and more which would be awaiting them. What then? Could he prepare for every outcome? Everyone was counting on him. The country, the mages he despised, and even the sleeping dragoness he’d grown to care for. With everyone desperately counting on him he couldn’t fail, using that to push on with his final preparations.

Somehow as he took in the lonely seconds, he could almost hear his mother whispering amidst Artic Wind’s overpowering snores. He flipped page after page, recalling the nights he’d stayed with her to create this first one. How proud she’d been. When sleep came for him, he had enough clarity to drag himself to Arctic Wind’s side and slip himself between her claws. Scaly snout rested beside him, pulling him closer into a growing sea of comforting scales. At this point there was no longer the chill, but an all encompassing warmth that delighted him to no end. He sighed and settled onto her. If this was to be his last night alive, he didn’t want to spend it alone. With a heavy sigh he closed his eyes, and let the ever chasing sleep have him.

That night his dreams were filled with long lost memories. Friends popping in from his youth. None of them yelled or questioned him, merely helping him traverse a vast field of vibrant grass. They’d frolic and enjoy the warmer weather, tossing him smiles or brilliant balls of light to toss back. Here there were smiles, a hearty meal was being shared by them all. His favorite dish of honeyed salmon and roasted zucchini.

Laughter dulled thoughts of what was to come. The breeze tickled cheek and cloak alike. Even Artic Wind was found within such a comforting sight, unburdened by her frosty powers. She was sharing in the pleasing atmosphere with a great big grin. Her vengeance nothing but a distant thing. She was delighting the party goers with tales of her youth. Her children sprung into existence not long after her mentioning of them, nuzzling and smiling as their great mother met them in kind.

He sat along a benched table, one his mother was on beside him. She hugged him, smiled and offered him of the food they’d acquired. Of course, he partook. He laughed, cheered, even danced when he was offered. Frolicked around the dragons and friends like he didn’t have a care in the world. He even pointed out to all present when the great dragoness started to join in, leaping around them like a crazed horse.

But eventually everything had to come to an end. The pleasing tones grew soft. The food ran out, the sun soon started to depart from the world. Bathing everything around them in a dwindling twilight. His mother pulled him close for one tearful good by, wiping away his tears.

“You’ll do me proud.” She squeezed him tighter, massaging the back of his head. “Like you’ve always done.”

How his heart throbbed. If only this wasn’t a dream, so he may relish every second of her presence. With a wave of his eyes he awoke, to find himself alone with no dragoness to hold him.

What he was greeted to was a wall of tan colored cloaks wrapped around a dozen stern looking humans. One stood out from the rest, a woman with onyx hair intertwined with various beads and cloth. Her eyes, while bright blue were not filled with warmth, but instead like a void that drew everything in. She stood straight, flourishing a cane that she slammed to the cavern floor with a clack.

“So this is the boy that is told to deliver us from evil?” Her wizened face wrinkled as she searched him up and down. “Not impressed. I hope Theren’s faith in you is well placed?”

“And you are? “Spilled from his groggy mouth as he wiped his eyes.

“Aghast Merryweather the third.” The confidence she exuded rolled off the tongue in a practiced voice. “Council mage of Rothdell. You may hold in your awe of course.”

“Oh.” He said flatly, sitting up and yawning. These were the people Arctic Wind was truly after. The heads of the magical council. “Nice to meet you.” He bowed graciously, “I take it that the other council members are here?”

She nodded swiftly. “Aye. All in this pursuit to put and end to the demons. Pull it off and you might be a remembered a hero.”

“So I’ve heard.” He snatched up his robes, striding down under the hoard of silent eyes.

“You won’t be wearing those.” Aghast snapped, waving her hands to one of her guards. “You’ll be wearing this.”

What was procured was a baby blue robe, folded and placed into his arms. The stitching was brown and plain. To be honest, part of him was rather disappointed.

“If I’m to have you represent our nation. I’m at least going to give you everything you require.”

“And this?” He shook the cloth. “They look like normal robes.”

“That’s the point isn’t it.” The woman hissed. “You make the magical things mundane looking. Then no one suspects.”

“Right.” He held it out, “And you want me to….Infront of you all?” he blushed nervously, glancing to the others.

“Go. Get dressed.” Aghast snapped. “But don’t dawdle. We have potions and enchantments to give you.”

“But what of Arctic Wind?” He glanced around, not seeing a speck of her tail anywhere to be seen. He eyed her usual; spots as he unfolded the robe. Turns out it was more intricate than he’d imagined. It had a thin layer of toughed material underneath. The cloth itself felt rather light, but tickled at his fingertips and radiated with an ancient power. Whatever these were he was certain they were magic. Powerful magic if he had to bet.

He flipped on the oversized robes, getting a sudden jolt of refreshness. Like he’d slept ten hours and overcharged with electricity. He wiggled his fingers as the sensation traveled down his arms, and the robe shrunk to a near perfect fit.

“Fascinating.” He burst out, folding in his arms.

“Yes.” The woman sneered. “Quite so. Parlor tricks in comparison. We call these the Mage’s robe of power. They not only give you more power, but let your spells be craftier.

“And what about Arctic Wind?” He hadn’t forgotten her despite the gift.

“The dragon?” The woman scowled. “Theren grabber her for something special. A vital part of the coming spells.”

Ice slithered from the walls to his heart, coiling into a heap in his gut. “A…vital part?”

As if reading his face the woman leaned back, arms crossing against her chest. “Interesting. You care for the frost drake?” She laughed almost in disbelief as a murmur rose about the guards. “You’re aware how many she’s killed right? How many families she left in tatters? How many orphan’s she’s made?”

He didn’t say anything as he recalled those looks in the dragoness’ eyes. That all encompassing obsession. He’d believe she’d do anything to meet her goals. “I’ve been told all that.” He brushed the robes, slinging his pack to his back. “I can only judge on what she’s shown me. And she’s done more for me than this whole tower. “

“And what I said doesn’t give you pause?” Her brow rose.

He shrugged, “I’ve been tortured and subjected to inhuman conditions for months on end. Pardon me if I don’t care about the lives she’s taken. So, lets get what this all has been for done shall we?”

She didn’t have a retort for that. Her cheeks filled with red. Had she not known? She snapped her fingers as if to recover from the silence, ordering her men to get into positions. “Then right this way child. Have to get you all drugged up on our concoctions before you even set foot in that place.”

“Its not like the world hangs in the balance right?” He snarked as the guards grabbed him tightly by the wrists. “Hey, hey. I can walk you know. Legs healed up real good after they cut into them.”

They shoved him roughly in response.

“Be careful with him.” The woman sneered. “We do need the brat alive and well.”

“You mean for now.” He shot back as they led him from Arctic Wind’s home. “I’ll try to not mess up. Think you’d be more grateful for the hardship I endured for your country.”

The woman shoved him the shoulder, right through the door. “You’ll also excuse my sympathies. When this whole affair was brought on by your kind. When you didn’t know your place.”

The halls of the citadel had never been traveled as quickly as he did now, almost set to the tune of his racing heart. It pounced in his ears as they force fed him vials and potions. Dozens of things that he lost track of. All meant to boot his maximum potential. Every time he thought the last one would come; another was clogged between his lips.

Then came the enchantments of all sorts. Ones meat to protect him from spells and blades. So many that his hair felt like it was wiggling from all the magical power encircling him. But yet, through all the magical colored spells he thought of Arctic Wind, and what devilish part she played in Theren’s plan. Although he could guess given the man, and it did little to ease his worry. His breaths quickened with every sound of his boots as they trudged along the hall

He could taste the tension that hung in the air. The worried glances from not only the guards but the woman herself. It appeared even they were not as confident as he was led to belief.

“Try to not look positively terrified.” He casually shrugged. “Otherwise you might spook me.” He

“Don’t worry.” Theren emerged from the hall, flanked by his own large mass of mages and guards. Each one decked out in various jewelry, magical aura’s lightning up the very air. “We have this Aghast. Plus, we have the others. You can rest assured that my project will do wonders in ending this whole threat. Though just to be sure.” He precured an iron collar from his fellow brethren, clasping it around Hadariel’s neck.

“Where is Arctic Wind?” Hadariel hissed.

“Around.” Theren waved away his concern, and pressed a hidden button on the collar

With a clack it shook, jabbing Hadariel’s neck with a sharpened point. The mage shook and gasped, fingers grasping at the cold steel.

“Just a precaution to be sure. So you don’t have another incident in the desert.” Theren clapped his hands, sliding over to Aghast with a grin. “See? Everything is in control.”

“I hope your right.” Aghast starred daggers at the elf. “For your sake. I’ll have you held responsible for everything you’ve done in this place. When you lost the mother…”

“That.” Theren composed himself. “Particular thing has been replaced. Don’t you worry.” The elf gave a malevolent grin as Hadariel rose, gasping at the dry air.

“Still don’t trust me?” He glared at Theren, pressing a finger to the other.

“Just a precaution is all.” He smiled, but Hadariel didn’t buy his sincerity.

He felt along the smooth surface as the mages opened the gate with a dull thud. Hot air burst through the archway, ruffling all their hair. The colored clouds had only brightened, growing larger by the moment. No, not larger but coming closer.

Rainbow lightning tore the sky asunder, letting loose an ear-splitting thunder that shook the very earth. With it came a billowing wind, heating the air to an uncomfortable degree, filling each breath with a thick smell of sulfur and brimstone. He was directed to series of carpets of various shapes. Brightened colors laced with gold stitching on either side of the fine cloth. They hummed with power as he was led onto them, startling him as it rose with but a hissed command.

With that they flew like gryphons over the dunes of sand. The heat whipping at their cheeks with each passing moment. Silence overtook their collection, only broken by the sound of his heart in his ears. When he asked of their destination it was told to him it had to be the dig site. The location his father first found the demotic shrine. It was only there that his magic could reach its strongest, and put an end to this madness.

“And we’re not taking any chances.” Theren stated coldly, resting a firm hand on his shoulder.

It was hard to not tell when they’d arrived at the dig site. Ranks of armored soldiers were spread out like a garden of steel and leather. Intermixed within this multirace coalition were the many colored robed mages of the different council members. Each of them bringing their various colleges and lords to better aid them. There were mounted on horses and other large beasts that would suit them. Camels with billowing barding to rhinos with gilded armor, he thought he saw some summoned elks wrapped in decorations of shimmering flowers. Each a perfect example of the unease hanging about them. You could say it wrapped around them tighter than the chain and plate they wore. Was sharper than the spears and swords they carried, and far deadlier than even his spells he could call upon. In an uneasy silence they strolled forth, splitting the sea of people like a prophet to a sea.

Whispers circled around them, passing from one fearful person to the next. Within them he caught fragments of what was to happen, if this boy could save them, and the horrors that would be sent against them. He chose to stare at his feet, unable to meet any of them in their eyes. For, how could he? Especially as Artic Wind’s plan whispered to his ears.

Their tabards made little consequence to him. The colors they proudly displayed lovingly woven around symbols of various houses. From numerous bright painted things to more duller tans and greens. Banners hung in various hands to signify their regions, which mages they were aligned with. Though of them all, the largest was a banner with the symbol of a green magical eye at its center. The one reserved for the council of magi and the forces they wielded directly under them. But even the men and woman of this section looked ever trouble. Possibly that was the most alarming. How they followed him like a shadow, gripping tightly at their weapons.

He was brought to a platform risen above the sea of flesh and fur, draped in carpets of bright orange hanging along every curve. Steps were stitched with vibrant runes that seemed to shimmer in the heated air. Along the corners rose four pillars of pristine salt stone, pictures of horses and angels chiseled into their surfaces.

Air around them rippled with a soft light, giving off a warm hue as he passed the first two. Runes below his feet hummed to life as the multicolored sky split open by the brilliant lightshow of fragmenting lightning.

Atop the platform were the mages, surrounding a darkened and weathered stone. One that was adorned in scorches and claw marks, as if it were used for something fouler than they were letting on. Atop its flat surface were cloves of garlic, surrounded by a thin circle of salt. The men were whispering various prayers with bowed heads, while pulling strands of water from the air and depositing them into a bucket.

He spun around as the wind howled like an untamed beast, flaring up all their robes. He stared out to the soldiers ready to give their lives. Beat back the hordes of unholy might with a promise that a young teen could deliver them to victory. He tried to search passed them, not meet one in the eye. For if they knew what was required to achieve this power, would they be so willing to usher him in as a savoir? Though for all his effort he could not find what he sought, a sign of the dragoness that’d trained him.

“Where is she?” He turned to Theren with a snarl. “She’s supposed to be here right? A weapon to use against the demons?”

But the elf was smirking. Sending shivers down Hadariel’s spine. “Bring her out!” The man cried, spreading his arms as if to summon a dozen people.

Burly gnolls were dragging along a hefty chain the size of their forearms. The links connecting all the way back to a collar around Arctic Wind’s throat. She followed them as the iron iced over, malicious eyes staring at each of them as her claws touched the sand. If not for the coming events, Hadariel bet these men would all be dead.

Across her scales were dark red splotches in various spots. Not a single portion of her was denied their presence. They glistened in the sunlight like pools of wet ink. Were they hers or those of her attackers? When her tail twitched Hadariel did with her, when she limped, he winced. Then she nearly stumbled to the sand and his heart broke.

He called out to her, she turned to him with blue slits. Pain swirled about them like an unruly storm, mixed with the flames of her wrath. As he pulled against the firm arm of Theren she looked away with a snort, almost as if counting all those she’d have to end for this slight against her pride.

“What have you don’t to her?” Hadariel screamed to Theren, slapping the elf’s hand away. “You didn’t say you were to hurt her! I swear, if you do anything to her I’ll-“

“Nothing yet.” Theren was a fortress of calm. “If all goes according to plan.” He nodded to the lady. “And I have no reason to think it will.’

“You bastard!” He clenched his fists till they whitened and shook.

“Now Hadariel. Tis not time for threats or petty acts of defiance. Look around you.” He swished his arms to the crowds. “We’re here. Destiny in the making! History you can witness. When the demotic invasion was brought low by the magisters.”

“And the souls they had to sacrifice to get there.” He shot back with his venomous tongue. “Leave out that tiny detail won’t you.”

Theren shrugged. “They won’t write that. No one ever writes that into history books. Remember, history is written by the victors. All they’ll remember today is that we saved the world. Not a soul will care how.”

Cold words that stung, even despite the heat about the air. But Hadariel was not given time to voice his displeasure, as yet another potion was jammed down his throat.

“Mind the tongue brat.” The woman general hissed, crossing her arms. “No one likes a youth that doesn’t have the sense to still their wagging tongue.”

“Now I think it’s time we go over the plan. And of course what is to be expected.”

He spat out the last bits of potion with flames in his eyes. “Couldn’t have thought of that last night? When I was preparing every damned thing?”

Theren simply smiled. “You had so much to prepare for. This was just a minor thing. What do you think we brought all these brave and heroic soldiers here?” The elf rose his voice just so those closest could hear. “They will be buying you the time needed for the spell. To put an end to the storms, and banish all the demons it’s been leaking out since your father opened the damnable things.”

“Wait…The soldiers…” Eyes traveled to the collection of steel and flesh. Were the demons going to be coming to them? One last attack to stop the mortals from sealing them out? Some of those presented before him probably didn’t even have any magic! Simply a trusty weapon at their side and courage to back them up, all facing down the strongest the hells had to throw at them.

“Yes. What did you think they were going to be for?” The woman chuckled, “Decoration?”

“Can…” He tried to hide the reservations in his voice. “Can they even do the job?”

“Well enough.” Theren chimed in coldly, this time lowering his voice. “You don’t need much for meat shields to be around. The fact they remain will do enough. We all know what’s at stake. The only important thing is ending the storms. Their lives, our lives, everything else is secondary to that.”

“Right.” He rubbed his chin, staring up to the swirling clouds above. How small he felt at this moment, as the gargantuan, multicolored massed tumbled above. “And how is the spell going to work?”

“Its going to link you with their magic. Use that wretched being your bound to. Guide it’s magic into their own. You will take that magic and cut it off. Like a pair of scissors to a piece of taught string. The soldiers will hold the line until you do that. With the magical support we brought, this should be a feat we can handle.”

The Aghast scoffed, searching Hadariel up and down. “Hopefully he means.”

“Such doubts you have Aghast. You’ll see. Hadariel, despite his rebellious nature has quite the talent. We’ll have these demons cut off and your forces victorious. Then you lot can go back to ruling over that collection of buildings you laughably call a city.”

“And you can be stuck in that tower. Till the end of time, sharing cells with the other dangerous things you keep in there.” She flicked her neck back towards the dragon. “Let’s not speak again what kind of mistake it was keeping that monster alive.”

“She’s had her uses. Just look.” He patted Hadariel’s shoulders with a grin. “Helped produce this thing here. You’ll find everything has a use. Hers just so happened to be this.”

“Indeed.” She growled, turning to bark orders to her gathered men.

As she gave her commands, Theren leaned down and whispered into Hadariel’s ears. “And don’t think of doing anything brash. Or claiming you can’t find the trigger.” He gestured to a pair of ballistae that were being whirled out. Each one bearing a jagged tip that winked in the storm light, and told stories of what carnage they’d inflict on Arctic Wind’s chest.

“If you kill her.” Hadariel hissed back, “You’ll die. Before any of those demons, you wont escape.” He turned, grabbing at Theren’s collar with all his fury. “You’ll die slow.”

“Oh Hadariel.” Theren brushed aside his hand with a sigh. “How cute of you to make threats in this time. But its good you reinforce my thought. The way you look to her. Ever since your mother’s passing I thought it might not happen again.” He pointed and clicked his fingers. “But here? I think that’ll be the missing trigger to get you over the edge. I hate to do it…I truly do…But the world is at stake.”

“Then I’m glad you consider your life secondary.” He almost drew blood to his palms with how tightly he clenched his hand. Already flickers of cold were swirling around his heart, tracing icy talons, primed to sink in with but a moment’s notice. “So give me the time.”

“Of course.” Theren stood straight as battlements were risen from the very sands. Shaped by wizard hands into whatever they needed. Walls and columns, shields and arrows slits. Even upraised towers for ranged attackers to shower down their assault to any foolish enough. It wasn’t fancy, but it didn’t need to be. One giant fortress of crudely shaped stone, and the brave defenders who manned it.

Magical runes sprung into existence to hover in the air, enchanting those closest to them with various spells. The air was filled with all manner of shouts for countless of minutes as enchantments and last minute buffs were spread about to complete the final touches on their gathered army. Till every bit of worked stone was covered in etchings of magical might.

The mages procured a tightly bound scroll, unrolling it upon the stone slab behind him. Hadariel’s hands were guided downward, pressed firm against the icy surface. Like it’d been resting for days within the snow’s clutches. When they told him to repeat after them he did so, letting the snake like sounds flow from his mouth. It was bringing life to the tendrils of ice within his soul, starting to spread it through his veins with every shaky breath. His eyes closed as he tried to ignore the rising temperature that licked at his skin, the heavy brimstone pungent in the air, and the humming of far too many spells plugging into one area.

He felt deep within himself, like reaching a hand into a chilly pool. Ripples of the deep cold spread fast through his veins like a wildfire. Thoughts of his mother constructed a bridge from which the devil could spread from within. His back arched as he unleased a mighty gasp, each bit of him icing over. He couldn’t scream as the air around him sparked to live with an invigorated hum. It was like he was drowning in the wintery waters far to the north, the air in his lungs quickly leaving him.

Panic welled for just a moment, until he gathered it all into a single point. He opened his eyes as he felt the caged devil squirm against his grip. Part of it loathing how he was using it. Up went his hands as he repeated the mage’s chant, connecting his soul to the circling clouds above.

This is going to take awhile. So he flowed his hands around the air, feeling as though he was moving though sand. Little motes of dark shadows started to drip from him as his words took on a near monstrous growl. But it was not to remain calm, their foes would not let them make such a ploy un noticed. The demons offered their rebuttal.

Monstrous creatures materialized outside the protected walls they’d summoned. Beings that consisted of thousands of snarling fangs, too many mouths to count along their jelly like bodies, or beings that spit sharpened daggers from their maws. They were joined with litteral thousands of bat winged beasts, snarling and brandishing cruel looking spears in their talon lined claws. They descended and scattered up the stone walls with a nightmarish scream, that burst ears and fragmented skulls with it’s coming.

Hadariel’s neck shook as twisted claws and teeth leaped upon the readied defenders like a tide of unholy death. Arrows loosed into oily skin, swords lashed out to bite at thorny hides. Steel met teeth in a cacophony of battle. There was blood, of all different colors. Some even spraying across the stone, melting all it touched.

Keep focus. Was all he could whisper to himself, wishing it was his mother. Despite the spells, despite the number of men gathered before them. Still heads were thrust onto pikes, soldiers bisected in various ways. The most unfortunate of the souls were thrown from the walls to the tide of snapping teach, and torn limb from bloody limb.

His hair shook as spells were loosed from all around him. Nailing what demons had slipped through their wall of flesh and courage. He could feel the flames of fireballs hitting so close they warmed his cheek, or hear every syllable of a spell to hurl lightning across the sky. He willed it all away, letting every bit of his being focus on the task at hand. Let them play their part, he had his to play.

“You’re doing fine my boy!” Theren shouted, using spells to rip apart a twisted creature that was impaling humans and elf alike on it’s thorny hide. It’s victims crying out a final time before it’s bulk collapsed and took them with it to the next life.

Swords tasted flesh, blood ran like a river. The air thundered with battle all around them. Men screamed, demons shrieked, a cacophony of suffering and pain given life. The ground shook with unholy might as corpses were ground beneath cloven hooves. Yet still the Rothdellians held.

Battle cries resounded like a thunderstorm as the might of mortals unified into a bastion of hope and steel. Demons fell like wheat as magically enchanted weapons cut and ran them through. Archer’s hands were like blur’s constantly keeping their quivers empty. It was thanks to them the wizards could even cast unabated. Not to mention the storm of clerics that were throwing up wards, healing the wounded, or smiting unholy hides that crept too close.

All of then fighting, bleeding, dying. All of them for Hadariel. The hope he could succeed. He willed the magic to flow through him faster. Not letting a single moment of hesitation grip him. He couldn’t let them down. Not with how much they were suffering for him. Yet as he pushed the tether did not increase. It was as if he’d came to a brick wall, resisting each attempt to flick it away.

“Problem boy?” Theren shouted amidst the carnage, shielding them from a demotic glaive.

Hadariel bit his lip as he tried to weave another rune, forge the connection he felt was rapidly slipping through his magical fingers. He eyed Arctic Wind, who despite the scenery looked on in a state of utter calm. She was even glancing at her claw as if nothing was the matter. “No! I’m alright!” He insisted, making another runic gesture as Theren eyed him down.

Sweat beaded on his head as the force of the magic weighed heavily on his senses. Building up pressure till his temples ached with pain. He was going to lose the connection; it was fading fast. Everything they’d suffered for would be lost all in a matter of-

“Fire the ballistae!” The order was like a signal fire in the shadowy night. Everything else falling deathly silent.

He cried out as the cruel soldiers pushed the lever, gears sprung into place. The whole machine shook with malevolent intent, burrowing the jagged tipped harpoon straight into Arctic Wind’s chest. The dragon coiled in on herself, letting out a heart wrenching scream as blood copiously ran down her ivory scales.

Tears sprung to his eyes as he screamed her name, the second ballistae releasing its deadly payload. Just like the first it seemed to slow down time, cleaving easily through her hide like butter. He stood frozen as she collapsed, gasping for air through blood drenched teeth. The ice swirling inside him started to grow, the devil banging against its magical prison.

“Was that not enough? He snapped to Theren, eyes brimming with fire. The demons around them forgotten. “Save her now. Or everyone dies.”

“No.” The elf hissed, giving the order to fire yet again. “Finish her!”

The last ballistae fired, it’s dull thunk resounding through the air. Sharpened death raced towards his draconic protector. Yet with a sudden jerk of Hadariel’s hands it stopped, halting midair before it fragmented and splintered. Reduced to mere ash at the coiling of the teen’s hand.

Hadariel once more had control of the fiend within. He connected the tether with a mere thought, easily whistling to himself. With but a mere gesture the men who’d fired the ballistae were lifted and tossed over the walls towards the ravenous hordes of demons. No doubt meeting a gruesome end per dozens of sharpened teeth. With blackened flames licking at his robes he snapped to Theren, relishing the devilish smirk he felt spreading to his lips. He’d waited months for this.

“Save the dragon!” Theren cheered, waving to a series of cleric close by. “The boy has found the connection! Save her!” The command only saving his life for more minutes.

Once the portals gone. He dies. He glared upwards, letting what power curled around him shift to his fingertips. With a breath the air flared around him, adding it’s scream to the chorus of death around him.

The tether exploded in strength. With a flick of his wrist on one hand he continued his weaving of spells, the other dishing out destruction to demons foolish enough to get closer. Though Theren had taken to defending him, he couldn’t help but lay his spells closer and closer to the mage. Hoping that one little misstep would spell the elf’s doom.

But the demontic hordes never tired. Surging as if strengthened through their ranks. Guards fell to twisted pikes, flaming blades. He witnessed a whole platoon of archers disintegrated by a fattened creatures wretched bile. They came over the sizzling bodies, claws casting defenders aside. They swarmed together, their eyes locked onto him. Through blood-lust or alien intelligence he knew they knew his purpose. Kill him and everything would stop.

“Close it! Close it now!” Theren shouted in desperation, clinging to a risen block of stone he willed into existence. The section he’d been defending with was starting to crumble, dying cries of soldiers replacing their courageous shouts.

He could have. He had the ability to do so. But that’s not what Arctic Wanted. Memories of the place flashed before his eyes, souring the images around him. Or perhaps it was the ice in his gut, and the dragoness’ scream that whispered to him. The last living soul that he cared about whimpering in pain. What pity he had drained, and all that remained was the dying gasps of his mother and his own fractured screams.

Where was Arctic Wind? . When the grand trick would be reversed? Would she not be around to witness the final flick of the spell? She was nowhere to be found. She wasn’t in her spot that she’d been in, only a pool of dried blood left where she’d been.

“Hadariel! Close the portal!” Theren screamed, raising barricade after barricade to slow the swing of demonic claws, narrowly avoiding talons meant to cleave of his head. “You mustn’t tarry!”

Oh I will. He closed his eyes, blocking out the cries of the dying. He could practically feel the rancid breath of their enemies on his cheek. He had to finish it now. Opening his eyes he flared out his arms, ripping through the air with crackling surges of power. Brilliant light surged in all directions, cleaving through the sky with a thunderous cry that splintered the very air. He could feel the portal, know what it sought. The allure of pulling back its fiendish children. With a thought he imagined all those around him, pictured who and what they were. Humans and elves clad in robes and chain, the ones who’d hurt him and Arctic Wind. When he opened his eyes the portal hummed with power. It would take them as well.

Chaotic energies swelled and screamed around them. Sickly, malformed faces pushed through the clouds, screaming with dozens of alien mouths and dozens of slitted eyes. Gravity itself seemed to bend the knee, starting to lift men and demon alike around them like puppets on a string. Together mortal and demon screamed together.

“What have you done boy?” Theren’s eyes swelled with fear as everything started to slip the bonds of the earth, all spiraling upwards into the chaotic clouds. “What have you done!”

“I promised you didn’t I?” Hadariel used a spare hand to dig his arm to the ground, shifting and twisting the sand around him to hardened stone. His limbs pulled upwards, tugging him into the chaotic energies, but found him quite immovable.

Shouts and screams joined roars as those not lucky enough to find something to cling to seemed to pounce to the clouds. They vanished in crackles of light, loosing their despair for all to hear. Not knowing that they would be getting much worse on the other side. Hopefully they died on the trip. Unfortunately, Theren had proven smarter than most of the gathered forces, taking hold to the sands like Hadariel.

Curses and shouts were flowing from the wizard’s mouth. Wrinkling his reddened face like a prune. It was all he could do as debris raged around them, ripping holes through his robes. Some soldiers who’d taken hold of such things found their safety betraying them, carrying them to the clutches of some unknown hell.

“Hit the control!” Aghast screamed as the safety of her magic constructed fort gave way, letting her depart the earth.

So Theren did, flicking his wrist. But nothing happened, the Elf’s eyes filled with fear.

The collar around Hadariel’s neck flickered like a candle, eventually slithering off his shoulders like an eel. “To think that it would hold me.” He replied coldly, wiggling one of his hands to Aghast’s right around. She hadn’t done much to him, she deserved at least a quick death.

“You’ll pay for that child!” Theren roared. “Just like your father, you’ll be lost to the nine hells!” The man started casting some spell, but it never finished.

With a slash of his hands the spell sizzled to Hadariel’s delight. Lips curled into a smile he savored the delight of watching as Theren’s arm holding him safely bisected at the joint. Blood sprayed in copious amounts as his tormentor screamed his despair. Desperately he tried to preform another spell, one last trick to save his life. With another flick Theren’s other arm was lost, dooming the malevolent elf to multicolored sky above.

With a flash of light his revenge was complete. His tormenter lost to the nine hells. He could almost cheer in victory, but instead he cried with a drooped head. Months of insurmountable torment loosing down his shivering cheeks. He wailed as the wind’s thrashed against his skin, sucking up every other mortal unfortunate to be here. It was then that Arctic Wind strolled back through the sands, casually observing the carnage wrought as if it were a pleasant field. He nose twitched as she watched dozens of final souls slip the bonds of the earth. She seemed unaffected by the portal, and set her sights for him.

“You’re alive!” He screamed, the tears given life anew, “You’re alive!”

“That I am.” She strolled to him, flicking her neck as if to show she hadn’t a scratch on her. She planted her haunches on the twisting sand, pinning her wings to her back. Despite the chaos swirling around them, she looked positively calm.

Beneath him his stone began to shift. What spell he’d woven had started to dim. Or perhaps the chaotic energies above proved unstable. Regardless, terror found him as he began to move. How was he to shut this down? “Arctic Wind!” He screamed out.

But the cold steel of her gaze found him, barren and without a glint of mercy.

“You have to help me.” His muscles strained as he pressed his other hand to the ground, shifting that as well to stone.

She looked around, shaking her head with a defeated sigh. “That I cannot do.”

“But you’re unaffected!”

“This?” She tapped her scales with a claw. “An illusion I’ve weaved. I’d not be caught dead here. I’m safely away, not even troubled in the slightest.”

“You left?” His muscles screamed to him. “How am I supposed to shut this!?”

The dragoness stared up, brilliant electricity winking off her scales. “In that, you are the key. When you cross threshold it will collapse on itself. The clouds will vanish, the sands will settle. It will be as if nothing had transpired here at all.”

She played him this entire time. Risen ever higher only to be pushed in the final moments. Months of planning, worming her way into his thoughts. Despite all the kindness she’d shown him, she’d known this would happen! Around him winter took its hold, chilling him to the core. “How can you simply sputter such nonsense? Did you not care an ounce?!” He screamed with a crackling voice, tightening his grip on the ground shaking around him.

“Its actually quite difficult.” She stated flatly, shifting from claw to claw. “For I did start to care for you. That in was the problem wasn’t it. You were to be my executioner’s axe, not my companion I grew weak over.” Her wings flared out as she waved a forelimb. “All my enemies are defeated in a single day.” She bowed her head, closing her eyes. “Truthfully Hadariel, you have my eternal gratitude.”

“Well fuck, good load of shite that does me! That the best you can do? Some meaningless words?”

“To be honest.” She squirmed, “I tried to find another way.” She grew silently, not meeting him in the eye, “Time after time I inquired, yet this was the only way. I at least came to watch. Offer you my thanks and final respect.”

His hand slipped, but with a flash of magic he’d regained it. The sand around cut at his exposed skin, but it was nothing next to how she’d hurt him. “Yea. How are you going to do that? Make me feel really special as I die!”

“My name is Sondras.” She sighed, glancing up once more to the vortex. “It wont be long now.”

“You…You..” She gave that to him as her final act? What should have been an honor instead felt like a bitter stain spat at him. He sputtered in a cold fury, lost for words. His safety block lurched, the sand shifted, and with a chilling cry he was sucked up into the humming sky. He screamed out as terror flared like a beast inside him.

“Farewell Hadariel! Sondras called after him, turning her back and fluffing out her wings. “I’ll remember you always!”

“You utter bitch! I hope you rot! May demons piss upon your corpse!” He shook his fist at her dwindling shape.

The wind carried him, upwards into the maws of his doom. He flipped to his back, facing the mirage of colors crackling with energy before him. In a way it was rather beautiful. The colors all crashing against one another in a ravenous hunger. Waiting to cruelly devour him up in a blinding flash. Lightning danced far below his boots, circling, cascading as if to create the portal to swallow him. It thundered and nearly broke his ears.

Here is was. His death. Betrayed by a friend in the scheme for her revenge. Just like his mother had warned him about. He closed his eyes, letting everything go. Without the knowledge of his demise, it might actually have been peaceful. The warm wind caressing his face, the weightlessness. To bad it had a final stab of cold to his heart.

Cold?

The connection to the portal flickered to his senses, like faint whisper to his soul. It lurked deep within the hidden spots of his mind. Could it be that he had a chance after all? With a calming of his breath he focused his thoughts, drifting inwards to the center of his soul. It felt all too familiar, like a well-known song from his youth. He just had to follow the melody to his safety. Like a conductor he held out his arms, letting the musical notes of the spell play him like a marionette. Perhaps the devil didn’t want rest in a realm of demons after all.

Symphonies of music coursed through his mind, flashing treasured memories before his eyes. All he had to do was shut it off. Ironically just what Theren had wanted. He pictured the tether in his mind, one piece of taught string. Up went his arms, a mental sword was shoved into his hands. He screamed and brought the sharpened blade down.

Titanic thunder tore the sky apart. Colors shifting like a never ending rainbow now drained into the clouds like the pulled plug of a tub. Round and round they swirled, swallowed by the portal that brought them. From them came whitened clouds in a near tidal like wave. Shining blue returned with but a wink of the eye, like nothing had ever happened. The humming had stopped, the portal was gone.

“Whoooooo!” He belted, loud as he could. He’d done it. The portal had obeyed his command! Just as his mind bubbled with a dozen questions, gravity reminded him that it was the true victor here. With a not so gentle tug he began to plummet, to the golden sand dunes below.

Wind whistled past his eyes, watering them each passing second. Normally falling from such a height would be terrifying, the desert sand rushing up to crush his fall, the harrowing minutes passing in doom, but he had the spell featherfall. The magical equivalent letting wizards flip off gravity’s deathly kiss. With a flick of his wrist and recitation of the magical phrase he’d be safe to…No magic came.

Oh you got to be kidding me! He did the spell again, staring at his fingers to make sure he traced the rune for air correctly. Yet again nothing happened.

I did everything right!

His eyes widened as the sand dunes raced faster towards him. Yet again he found himself staring death in the face, traded one demise for another. After all that? All the struggle? He screamed his last note, covering his eyes for all the good it would do. Fate it seemed would have a different plan in store, for the sudden stop never came.

The ground kissed him with the all the ferocity of a sea of pillows. The sand flew in all directions as the teen tumbled head over foot. Bouncing for at least a few dozen feet before coming to a stop on his back. The sky above spiraled, seemingly a mirror for his thoughts. He’d somehow survived a fall from thousands of feet. All without the benefit of a spell.

Am I dreaming?

He poked his chest. It certainly felt real. But what had done it? He shot up, sand pouring from his frazzled hair. Across the dunes his eyes traveled, searching out for answers and finding them in the form of a dragoness standing close in.

She was clearly happy as white limbs were cantered into a blur. The hint of a smile was peaking from her snout, clearly trying to be hidden by draconic pride. “Oh good.” She skidded to a stop, her tail happily betraying her now flat tone, “You’re alive.”

“Artic Wind!” He shot up, ignoring the final moments as he bound over the sand. In this moment, he only cared that he was somehow alive. He screamed his happiness to her, kicking up the frosted dirt below as he slipped and tumbled headfirst into the sand. He sputtered out dirt that angrily clung to his tongue as he was lifted by a white claw, forced to peer into her joyous eyes.

“Can you at least wa-“ She was silenced by his arms weaving around her snout.

“You came back! You came back! I knew you weren’t a cold hearted bitch!”

She murmured her reply into his robes, eventually plucking him off with a fluff of her feathers. “Oh good, you’re in a clingy mood.”

“How could I not be? You saved me!” He plucked at his robe, “Unless ‘ve gained a resistance to the ground.”

“Yes, yes.” She pulled back her head with a throaty chuckle. “Now a great magician is indebted to me. Could be useful down the path ahead.”

Path ahead? He was still trying to settle down his head as he wiped his brow, glancing around at all the scattered sands. There was no sign of anyone. Not a speck of armor, blood, or even stone. He collapsed to his knees as a sudden wave of relief washed over him. “It’s over.”

“In away.” She rumbled, “This chapter anyway. Never again will those fools trouble dragons again. Not to mention your mother was avenged. How did it taste?”

“Good.” He didn’t look up, laughing his misery away to the sands below his hands. “How about you? Are you finished? Was that everyone? Can you go back to your family?” He turned to her with an honest look, meeting her bulwark like reply.

“For a time. Not all of the mages have been eradicated. They still hold sway over the magic-less population of your country.” She took a heavy sigh, lashing her tail across the sand.

Even after all this time? After her greatest victory? He rested a hand onto her forelimb.“Are you sure? After all this time….They’d want to see you.”

“When it’s finished.” She hissed, staring off to the horizon. “Not a moment sooner.” She turned away with a flick of her tail, peering over her shoulder when she got a few paces away and he wasn’t following. “Were you deaf? You’re coming aren’t you?”

Was he? Her expression spoke of a caring dragon, clearly not for others, but him at least. He had no home to return to. No mother to shelter him under a caring shoulder, no friends he’d wish to see, no family to call his own. Yet the dragoness remained, the white scaled angel that saved him. Even if she’d been willing to let him die. He nodded, but couldn’t’ rise. Soreness weighing him down as he laughed. “I wish I could! Too tied Sondras.” He giggled at her name, not believing that he’d won the name of a dragon. Had she been sincere? Or simply letting him know cause she expected him to die?

Again she sighed, but not stopping from her returning and plucking him up with her claws. “I can carry you till you’re fit. Then we shall procure a harness that will work with my scales.”

“So… I can fly with you?” He weakly smiled up at her smiling snout. “Not a mere package?”

“It would appear you’ve gotten an upgrade. Leveled up some might say.” She rolled her head away from him, avoiding the twinkle in his eye. “But don’t go making me regret it. Or I shall reconsider this partnership of ours. And we can figure a way for you to repay your debt.”

With a low rumble she pounced to the sky, spiraling up above the sand dunes. With her wings she brought the teen’s spirits heavenward, letting the caress of the sky wash over them. He smiled and shouted his joy, letting the gods themselves know his joy. Hadariel, for the longest time in awhile, was free. No one would take that from him again, not as long as he had Sondras by his side.