Parker attempted to break free of his bond. The iron shackles hurt his left wrist, making it impossible for him to move. He tried getting up, only to find his ankles chained to the bed. What an unnatural turn of events!

He looked at Lily. Her yellow eyes were kind, caring. Wait. There was something about her that he recognized… but no! It couldn't be.

"Wait," Parker whispered, confused. "You wouldn't know Elizabeth Bowler?"

"I was one of the eggs that hatched under her watch and yours," Lily shrugged. "I'm sorry you have to go through with this. This was not my intent."

"You're sure you're not Elizabeth?" Parker asked, curious.

"Why would I be?" Lily giggled. She walked away, leaving Parker in a trance. A trance he couldn't escape. If Lily was Elizabeth, then surely, she would know how to make it out of this mess. He couldn't get Elizabeth out of his head. He had to see her again.

Don't think about the future or the past. Elizabeth's words rang through his mind. Live for today, for today is all we have. Even when I'm gone, I'll be with you. Always.

Parker nodded a few times. Tears ran down his face. They were tears of longing, of joy, of hope. He could make it through this… or he was going mad! Seeing Elizabeth in that dragonoid Lily… maybe he was imagining things, but then death had a way of shaking up one's life, as it did his life.

He remembered what Lily said, that Dragon's Hallow was in crisis. This must be it since his brother decided to confine him to the healer's hall. What was he up to? Was there a reason why his brother wanted him locked up? Was it to prevent Parker from understanding his villainy? After all, Parker had once been Maranguan, the dark dragonoid who cursed his life, made him reckless and miserable at the same time.

The villainy part did go away in time, but traces of Maranguan still remained. The dark dragonoid wanted to come out, wanted to wreak havoc upon this village and all the citizens thriving in the Land of Dragons. If Maranguan was out, then no one would be safe.

Could Parker risk such a feat? Show the citizens of Dragon's Hallow who he was? He couldn't bear letting Maranguan out, and yet the lingering darkness pierced his heart. For a moment, he wanted to bring the darkness back, to make him feel powerful.

Feel the power inside yourself, just as Revan and Malak saw once. Maranguan said in his mind. Do it! I know you can! Prove to these villagers that your brother is right about you! He paused, laughing. I know who you really are, Parker Dooley! You and I are the same.

No, we are not. Parker fought back.

Let the beast out! Come on, Parker! Maranguan smiled. You know you want to.

"NOOO!" Parker screamed out momentarily. Sweat poured down his face and red, scaly chest. He looked up, watching the guards look at him, just as Lily and Falkor stared at him with concern in their eyes. He sighed, glad that was over.

"Maybe we should leave him here. He's sick." Lily told the guards, worried.

"Mordru will take care of him when he is ready." One of the guards replied. "Until then, we must keep him confined."

"You don't know what you're doing! STOP!" Lily cried, as the guards unshackled Parker from the bed. The red dragonoid looked at Lily, not caring what happened to him, just that his internal struggle with Maranguan was dampened. "Parker," Lily called, following him and guards outside, "you'll be fine. You'll be okay. I'll be right here with you. Wait!" She brought a water canteen to his lips. "Drink." He did, grateful the fresh water cooled his senses and calmed his nerves. He nodded, grateful for her compassion.

"Thank you," Parker said, weakly. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Prove Mordru wrong," Lily said, as they came to the prison square, where the guillotine resided. "I know you can do this! I know it!"

Parker stared at his scaly, black clawed feet as he climbed up a flight of wooden stairs to a wide, square platform. There was Mordru, enticing the crowd. Parker looked on, as the guards chained him to a wooden post. There were so many dragonoids, dragons, peoples, and creatures awaiting his execution. He kept his head held high as his brother approached, all smiles.

"Let's begin," Mordru said.

*.*.*

References:

Revan and Malak are from the LucasArts video game "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic".