Chapter 6
With precise accuracy the disk slices through the cables that attempt to hold the Elder down. The disk returns to its rightful owner; I make sure of that. People are fleeing from the Elder. He stands on his back legs and spreads his wings. He is quite easily one of the largest dragons I have laid my eyes upon. He is a most handsome dragon with scales the color of a deep blue ocean. I again perform the customary bow: kneel down and bend extending my hands in front of me placing my palms planted on the ground. He is roaring ferociously. "Zerra!" I hear Banner shout my name. The ground trembles as I feel the Elder put his front legs down. "Rise Zerra of Abarath," He says to me telepathically because it is tiresome for a dragon to speak with the mouth. He speaks in the language of the dragons. I rise. "It is I who should bow to you." He bends his front legs and bows his head make his neck vulnerable.
"Rise," I say wondering why an Elder should be bowing to me. "What is your name?"
"Ah. Of course. I am Shanahan, Elder."
"Elder Shanahan," I bow at the waist, "why am I here?"
"My Magic called you here for you are chosen Zerra."
"Chosen for what?"
"Place your hand that you may see." I step forward and place my hand the bridge between his eyes. The blue glow overtakes me.
Banner couldn't understand why Zerra would take the Captain's shield, until she freed the dragon. Then she bowed in front of the raging beast, was she mad? "Zerra!" He tried to get her attention draw her away from the beast. It didn't work. Fury wouldn't let anyone go near the dragon or her. So he was sitting there waiting after the interrogation from Fury. They all watched as she "talked" to the dragon in that strange language. It was like she was talking to a brick wall because the dragon never replied just watched her. "Where did you find her?" Stark winks at him, pulling him out his trance.
"Um…well the sky?"
Stark laughs. "Good one. Good one."
"This is not a joke." Leave it to the Captain to take things too seriously. "I mean we have a huge beast over there talking to someone we can't trust."
"I think we can trust her." Agent Romanoff surprises everyone.
All of the sudden, a bright burst of blue light sweeps over the area.
A sweeping scene of the original Abarath and then the scene after it was destroyed. 'He will attack again.' Elder Shanahan narrates in the background. 'He is building an army of dragons whose spirits were too weak. He wants to colonize Earth, for it has resources he needs and because there is a large population that can be turned to slaves. If he succeeds he will then colonize other worlds growing more powerful with each world he conquers.' Images of him, an army of dragons flying, the attack on Earth, all flood my mind. 'Zerra you are chosen to stop him. To bring Emai where there is Denai. If you fail:' Elder Shanahan shows me an image of a decimated planet, enslaved people, and horrible monsters that pretend to be dragons. It is a scene identical to Abarath after…
'Where is the sword?'
"It separated when I came here."
'You must find it. You need the sword but you also need The Book of Magic. You must try learn the spells by the time he attacks on the Beniata of the Lune.'
"Wait a minute realization sweeps over me. You're Elder Shanahan?"
'Yes.'
"THE Elder Shanahan? Who crafted the very sword that chooses? Who taught Ravi and Ryu?"
'Yes I am one and the same. Now Zerra there is one more pressing item: he will not know you are on Earth until you are ready to reveal yourself. With that I will finally retire.'
"Wait you mean…?"
'Yes.'
"Alright then. Farewell Elder."
I remove my hand from his forehead. He smiles with sad eyes and then says "Zerra, I have a gift for you. Come close to my eye." As I walk along the length of his snout to the eye a vile forms in my hand. I know what he is going to give me. "Hold the vile close now."
I hold the vile as close to his eye without touching it. He tilts his head and into the vile drops a few of his tears. "Thank you Elder."
"You know what you must do," he says in perfect English through his mouth. He wants the others to know. Then he says to me telepathically, "Do not waste my precious gift."
"As you wish Elder. One more thing:
Aftanaked kba vescu fuysked
waynat vescu etbu.
Aftanaked Taenac. Poiy Taenac."
"Thank you Zerra." He looks toward the sky and starts to flap his wing. He flies. I hold my hand up to stop Dr. Banner and the others from following. He flies until he is nothing but a speck in the clear blue sky. Then he is gone.
"Mae notch aveyk Taenac."
Author's Note: A translation of what Zerra says will be explained later so pay attention. For now know that it is a sacred prayer said when a dragon "retires." That is all.
