Merlin's Dragon

Laziness is a deadly thing for an author…

Chapter 10

All hell broke loose the moment that Callisto put his phone away. Balthazar began to hastily interrogate the teen as Drake growled out demands for the master sorcerer to leave the blonde alone. All the while, Dave whined his apprehensions of meeting Taban again as Veronica did her best to calm him. Callisto did his best to answer all questions, only to be mostly cut off by another question or whine sent his way. Purple eyes darted from one person to another as the teen tried to keep up with what exactly everyone was saying.

"What are you thinking telling a stranger where we are? Have you learned nothing from Horvath chasing you?" Balthazar snapped.

"This is Taban, she's a good friend of mine, you can—"

Drake countered, "he's just got 'ere, Merlinian, leave him be!"

"It's okay, Drake Stone, he's worried about—"

"She didn't exactly take kindly to me, Calli," Dave pointed out.

Callisto sighed, "she doesn't take kindly to anyone at the—"

"I'm sure it will be fine, Dave, we're all here, together. Nothing's going to hurt you," Veronica soothed.

"Who is she? How does she know so much?"

"She's just—"

"You attack him physically and now verbally, I thought you were the good guy, Mate."

"I'm not sure you could classify—"

"Are you sure she's safe?"

"Yes, don't even—"

"It'll be fine, Love, I promise."

"Calliso!"

"Bathazar!"

"What if—"

"Dave."

All voices failed suddenly as a knock on the metal door gently pounded its way into the conversation. Five pairs of eyes honed in on the door. Suddenly everyone turned, silently, to Callisto. The teen breathed in relief before nodding to the four magic wielders. He turned away from the crowd and sauntered his way up the rusted staircase to the door. The echo of another pair of footsteps followed the teen. Purple eyes glanced back to catch sight of Balthazar following him at a distance. The sorcerer's body tensed as Callisto made it to the entrance.

The teen turned to shoot a pleading look at the older man. Purple eyes shined with a mysterious look. As Balthazar looked deeper into Callisto's eyes, he could almost see another pair of eyes behind the purple. Eyes of another in the teen's body, the eyes of some unnatural force that remained hidden to all.

The eyes are the window to the soul, Balthazar thought as he watched the other. So why are yours so much like a doorway into another time and life? What do you know, or rather, what do you not?

"Look," A female voice snapped from the other side of the door, "My driver's out here, and probably would love somewhere to eat dinner, if you could give me a name of someplace nice."

The metal muffled some of her words, but not to a point of incomprehension.

"Tell him to go to Zaitzeff," Callisto suggested, his eyes never leaving the sorcerer standing lower on the staircase.

Balthazar nodded slightly in agreement.

"Why don't you trust me?"

"I'm not one to trust anyone, instantly. And you're rather elusive, Callisto."

The teen growled slightly, "you're paranoid."

"Am I?" Balthazar tried to smile. "Not too long ago, the greatest evil this world has ever seen was brought to life in the body of the love of my life, whom I hadn't seen in one thousand years. My best-friend-turn-Morganian was after myself and my apprentice, who is the only person who could have defeated Morgana. Not too long ago, Drake was on Horvath's side and almost killed me, twice. Not too long ago, I died and was brought back to life by Dave." He paused, "am I, really?"

The teen's surprise was overthrown by his curiosity. "So you have decided to let no one else into your life? You may be a sorcerer, but that makes you no less human. And to be human is to long for human contact." Callisto put his hands on the latch of the door. "I do not mean you are wrong, Balthazar Blake. But I also don't mean I'm wrong."

"I've heard words like that before," Balthazar mused, one thousand years ago, he mentally added.

-/-

Taban had only been a block away from the 'hideout' of the sorcerers. Her blue eyes glanced down to the sand-colored ring she held in her hands. No light was emitted from it, no fire burned somewhere deep inside it, nothing came from it. And now, Taban was determined to figure out why. Determined to figure out what exactly was going on, and what her friend had to do with it all. Her driver pulled to a stop, the car smoothly slowing to a final halt. Taban was out of the door before her driver had a chance to unbuckle.

"Stay here. I'll be back in a moment with further orders," she commanded as she moved to the metal gate and entrance.

The chaotic sounds of yelling could be heard from the doorway. Taban raised a brown eyebrow before she knocked to announce her arrival. Silence fell beyond the door. Two pairs of footsteps approached the door from the other side.

"Look," She snapped, "My driver's out here, and probably would love somewhere to eat dinner, if you could give me a name of someplace nice."

"Tell him to go to Zaitzeff," Callisto's voice called.

Taban smirked as she made her way back to her driver. Her instructions were given quickly, and most of them were thrown over one shoulder as she moved away from the car. When she reappeared at the metal door, Callisto was holding it open for her to slip inside.

The small woman moved past her teenage friend to be met by a stranger. She cocked her head slightly as she took in his shoulder-length brown hair, his cold, blue eyes, and scruffy chin. His raw-hide trench coat was worn and old, as were the pants and shirt he wore under it. "Let's see, not Dave or Drake, and Veronica's a girl name, which means you must be Balthazar. The one who attacked Callisto, right?"

"It was not an attack," the man replied, his voice was calm but it held a warning edge to it.

Callisto scoffed behind his friend, "shall we move this down the stairs, or are you planning to interrogate her, Mister Master Sorcerer?"

Balthazar's eyes stayed cold, but he slowly moved to the side to allow the pair to walk past him. The blonde led Taban past the Merlinian and down into the large, open subway turn-around. The remaining part of the group watched the teen approach, their eyes locked on every movement made by the newcomer.

What a cautious bunch, Taban looked each of the trio up and down before flashing a small smile.

"Everyone, this is Taban. Taban this is Balthazar, Veronica, you know Dave, and—"

Taban suddenly interjected, "I know the famous Drake Stone. A pleasure to meet you."

"Well, Mate, I do try to please. After all—" Callisto cut the other off.

"—I am a genuine role model for the city," the teen mimicked the illusionist's accent. Drake sent a scowl in Callisto's direction, but said nothing more.

Veronica moved to Taban and offered a hand. "Nice to meet you, Taban."

"Er, Hi," Dave waved meekly.

"Yes, welcome," Balthazar's monotone greeting muttered.

"Well, let's get down to business," Taban began.

Drake smiled, "Love that movie, Mulan."

"Right? And the ending," Callisto made a gesture by dragging his hands downwards in front, "tears."

"Seriously, Mate?"

"No." Callisto rolled his eyes, "go, Taban."

The brunette turned to fully face the illusionist. "May I ask you a few things?"

Drake shrugged in reply.

"You're a real sorcerer, aren't you?"

"'Course, haven't you seen my shows?" Drake slyly smirked.

"That's how I figured you out. You use real magic in your shows, right?" Taban didn't wait for a response. "I've watched your videos, and most of the things you do aren't possible. You do use cheap tricks throughout your performance, but what really makes you stand out from other magicians is that no one could possibly do what you do with smoke and mirrors. Right?"

The illusionist's smile widened as he bowed as if to a crowd.

-/-

Horvath moved steadily through the streets. To simply attack the 'lab' of the Prime Merlinian was certainly suicide now that both Balthazar and Veronica guarded him. So he would wait and hunt down each pathetic worm one by one. He would be patient, for he knew that paranoia eventually led to madness which was insane enough to cause someone to look for the source of such paranoia. He also knew that curiosity killed the cat. Either way, his annoyances would eventually seek him out. And then they would die.

"Oh, yes. One, two, three, four, and finally, five. All nice and laid out for me," Horvath sneered. "Nothing more than a waiting game."

Black eyes glanced at the metal door leading to the Merlinian training ground. If only he had such patience or another choice in such a situation. The air breathed around him, pulling on his cane. Horvath looked downward to see the rubies glowing for an instant before they once again became dormant.

"What now?"

I am coming, the wind whistled, reaching out to any listening ear.

I am coming, the air cackled and laughed.

I am coming, the world screamed.

Then silence reigned as the wind faded away, only to be devoured by the sounds of a living city. Horvath forced himself to move, although his body now seemed heavy and frozen. His feet moved as though the sidewalk was wet cement, his arms as though through water, his breath seemed to only breathe in smoke, and his eyes viewed the world as though it were incased in fog. The steady beat of Horvath's heart pounded in his ears as his skin became tender and sensitive to even the air about him.

"What's happening?" He ground out as he staggered into an alleyway.

You are mine, I am coming.

"Who are you?" Horvath's breathing became labored. His black eyes once again caught sight of the glow of his new gems.

I am coming.

A cold shiver worked its way up Horvath's spine.

I am here.

-/-

Taban sat on the floor with the others as Callisto moved about the large room looking for chairs. Veronica's gaze traveled from the teen, to the new girl, to Balthazar, and back to the teen. It was only when Taban revealed a sorcerer's ring did Veronica's full attention become focused on the girl.

"Where did you get that?" Balthazar instantly demanded.

Taban stiffened at the tone of the sorcerer's voice, but answered evenly, "obviously on a sorcerer. Some old man who lived in a rundown old building."

"To take a sorcerer's ring is to be punished beyond measure. A ring is a live connection to its owner. It can't be replaced!" Balthazar growled.

"He was dead when I got there," Taban amended. "It's not like he was using it."

"Dead?" Veronica finally entered. "How?"

Taban shrugged, "I don't know, it looked like an animal pack killed him. Scratches and blood everywhere," the girl added as she noticed the paling of Dave's face.

"I-I'm gonna….gonna go help Calli with finding chairs," the Prime Merlinian shot away from the group, one pale hand over his mouth.

Poor boy, Veronica thought as he retreated.

"Anyway," the brunette girl continued. "How exactly does this 'magic' work?"

"Magicians never give away their tricks," Drake's smile mimicked that of a Cheshire Cat.

Callisto called from across the room to the talking group, "someone hit Drake Stone for me, please."

Balthazar flicked his wrist, knocking the illusionist backwards a few feet and causing his head to collide with the ground with a resounding 'thunk'. Drake stayed on his back as he maneuvered his hands into cradling his head. Veronica looked worriedly at the young sorcerer until she noticed one of his hands fixing his spiked, dyed hair. Her brown eyes rolled back to Taban.

"Sorcerer's are born with the ability to use their entire mind, not just the normal ten percent," Balthazar explained. "We are able to use our minds to change the molecules of air and solid objects into that which we want and need."

"So sorcerers are not made, but born?"

"You can put it that way, yes."

Taban shifted slightly, "Moving right along. What about potions and familiars?"

"Potions exist, yes, but are mostly used for healing and rejuvenating," Veronica smiled. "Familiars, now, are rare and hardly seen used. Back in Merlin's time, a familiar meant a sorcery master, that is, a sorcerer strong enough to bond with another creature and bend it to the sorcerer's will. They were helpful, but not always willing."

"There must be a government or regulations from keeping conflicts from occurring between you people," The girl cocked her head.

"Yeah, 'cause we don't have any trouble getting along with each other and not abusing our magical powers," Drake droned as he sat up. Callisto strode over to the group to spray the illusionist with water from a mist sprayer. The magician put his hands up to block the incoming water as he spluttered about his hair and make up. "What are you doing, Mate?"

"When you have a pet cat that misbehaves, you spray it with a fine mist to train it not to. I'm training you. Soon you will be presentable to guests," the teen explained as he moved away to continue his search. "Dave, I know you have chairs down here."

"The main conflict in the magical world is that between Morganians, the followers of Morgana, and the Merlinians, the followers of Merlin," Balthazar couldn't hold back the amused look on his face as he explained. "There are sorcerers who do not take part in such conflicts and are neutral, we are not those people. We trained with Merlin, and will follow him to our graves."

"Dragons? Did they exist?"

Veronica nodded, "at one time dragons would teach the human race how to survive and how to control magic. Then we began hunting them and forcing them to become familiars. Legend has it that they all went to sleep, turning into nature itself, and will only wake when the world is theirs again."

"I've heard, and read, things about Merlin having a dragon," Taban murmured, leaning closer to the sorcerers.

Balthazar nodded, "yes. Merlin's dragon did exist. He was a wingless, gold dragon with purple eyes and a red mane and red fur around the tip of its tail. It was fast as lightening, and was able to control how gravity affected itself. It could attack with purple lightening, and when Merlin died, it vanished."

"Did it?" Taban whispered. "Is it back, then? Prime Merlinian and all that seems like a good time for it to show up."

"Even she knows about the Prime Merlinian," Drake muttered.

"I told her at one point," Callisto called out.

Drake nodded, "that clears that mystery up, then. Thanks, Sherlock!"

"Anytime, Watston," the teen replied.

Balthazar leaned close to the girl, "what do you think you know?"

"Gold, purple eyes, red tips, I wonder," Taban smirked.

Drake's eyes widened, "is that even possible?"

"For a dragon to take a human form, certainly. For a dragon to not realize it's a dragon, plausible, but unheard of," Balthazar answered.

"Well, only one way to find out," Taban smirked as she pulled out her iPod. Her head phones were abandoned on the floor beside her. Her fingers played over the music player for a moment before she allowed a song to fill and echo about the room.

Veronica gasped as she saw Callisto's entire body freeze for a moment as though he were nothing but a picture ready to be framed and hung on a wall. Then his eyes slid closed and his body relaxed into a steady sway that shifted his weight from one hip to another. His head rolled back limply, as though the teen was a rag doll, then slowly tilted just slightly forward. Veronica's eyes widened as the trance took over Callisto's body and the beat of the music became that of his heart. Her brown eyes turned to Balthazar, who was moved to his feet to watch the scene before him. Dave had frozen in his search, mouth agape as he stared at the young blonde. Drake moved into a crouch before standing and slowly moving toward the teen.

"Drake, leave him be," Balthazar demanded quietly. "He is, after all, a dragon."

"I wonder," Taban whispered. "Dave, why don't you go make sure he's okay?"

Dave didn't seem to register the question until moments after it was spoken. He nodded slightly as he crept forward. His footfalls let him to the hypnotized teen before his mind caught up with his body. The Prime Merlinian thought for a moment, pulled out his dragon ring and slid it on his finger. He pointed obviously to the ring before mouthing 'just in case' in Balthazar's direction.

"Be careful, Dave. I wouldn't recommend you do this," Balthazar warned.

The college student slowly reached out to the teen with his ringed hand. A green glow was emitted from the gem of the ring, causing him to pause. Veronica tapped Balthazar upon seeing Drake's ring eerily glowing as well.

"Dave, do as I say, get away from Callisto. Now," Balthazar commanded.

Taban smirked as she changed the song from a soothing melody to a loud, metal, Lamb of God song. Before anyone had the change to blink, Callisto's eyes shot open and Dave was suddenly pinned to the stone ground. The teen crawled on top of the other, moving so his canines were positioned at Dave's jugular. The impending threat hung in the air and no one dared to move.

"Interesting," Taban smiled. "Incredible, really."

She switched songs once again to play a lullaby. Callisto's form instantly slumped into unconsciousness across Dave. The Prime Merlinian did his best to sit up without waking the teen. His eyes pleaded for someone to help him. Drake was at his side in an instant. The illusionist picked up the teen and watched as Dave staggered to his feet. Taban raised an eyebrow before turning off her music.

"That proof enough for you?" She sighed.

Callisto's eyes fluttered open. Purple orbs glanced at Drake then Dave before the teen spoke, "why is it that whenever the three of us are around each other and I fall asleep, it somehow ends me up in a nerd-man whore sandwich? Let me go."

Drake instantly did, and followed by backing away from the teen. Dave followed the illusionist's actions.

"What?" Callisto asked, looking at everyone in the room. "What's wrong?"

"As much as I'd love to stay and watch this play out. I have a driver who is probably done with dinner, and must leave. Have fun drawing sticks to see who breaks the news to him. And Balthazar," Taban turned to the master sorcerer with a smirk. "You say a sorcerer is born, not made. Give me time and I'll prove you wrong."

-/-

Callisto watched, confused, as his friend made her way up the metal stairs and out the door. The look in Taban's eyes as she left had held a mischievousness in them that couldn't be deciphered as good or bad. The teen waited until his friend was completely gone before looking back at the others still with him. Each of them wore a look that read differently to him. Veronica watched him with pity in her eyes, Dave trembled with fear at every move the teen made, Balthazar had a knowing, cautious look written all over him, while Drake was the embodiment of hurt and confusion.

"Will someone tell me what's happening?" Callisto's eyes met each of theirs in turn as he tried to grasp onto some hint, some knowledge, hidden behind each of the other's eyes. "Dave Stutler?" The Prime Merlinian jumped. "Balthazar Blake?" The sorcerer tensed. "Drake Stone?" The illusionist turned away. "Veronica Gorloisen?"

The sorceress watched the teen for a moment before opening and closing her mouth. She looked as though she was trying to break the news to someone that there had been a death in the family. Finally, she tried again, "Callisto. We have always known you were different than any of us, but we never knew why. We, Balthazar and I, came to a conclusion that was just proven right."

"And?" Veronica seemed unable to say anymore, so Callisto turned to her lover. "Balthazar?"

"At first we were afraid that you were aligned with Horvath and other Morganians. We felt a power within you whenever you came around us. We could sense it before we even officially met you. It seemed familiar to us, which led us to our first hypothesis that you were a sorcerer. However, once we met you, we knew that wasn't right," Balthazar trailed off.

"Dave?"

"Taban," the college student began. "She…played some kind of music and you just froze, I mean you just stopped moving and…and you began to sway with the music like you were hypnotized. You're mood changed with every different song she played, and when she turned it off, you snapped out of it."

Callisto listened intently to the shaking voice, before finally turning to the illusionist. "Drake?"

The illusionist made no move to face the teen.

"Drake?" Callisto received no reaction. "Drake Stone?"

The metal door reopened. "Dear God!" Taban shouted, "Callisto, you're a dragon!"

"What?" The teen hissed.

"Yeah," Drake finally whispered. "Exactly."

Callisto watched silently as Drake moved away from him, up the stairs and into the night. "Drake!" The teen finally called as the door closed with a metallic, clinking sound.

-/-

A man walked through the city streets. His head was down and covered mostly by the black hoodie he was wearing. His hands were stuffed into the pockets of his jacket. His loose, black jeans had rips scattered in random patterns around the legs. His black boots clicked against the cement with every step he took. Someone bumped into the man's muscular shoulder, an accented voice muttered an apology as a man with spiked, frosted hair hastily made his way down the street.

The man watched the form of the other vanish into a crowd through dark sunglasses. Black eye brows furrowed as covered eyes stared in the direction the other was rushing in.

"Drake Fucking Stone," The man growled, his voice deep and rumbling. "And that purple-eyed mystery. Where are you?"

A flash of red flickered through the lenses of the sunglasses from the side of man's eyes before he put his head back down, crossed the street, and made his way in a new direction.

-/-

For what it was worth, Dave thought Callisto handled the news better than he predicted. After a few screams and yells, things being thrown across the lab, and the teen knocking his head against a wall, Callisto had calmed down and seemed to be back to his old self.

"Taban always would theorize why my eyes were purple. I'm sure she's excited that she finally got my species right. She only had to go through dinosaur, alien, robot, sloth, demon, and vampire before she got it right," the teen nodded to himself before wincing and placing a hand on his head.

"Yeah, uh, I don't think the whole banging-your-head-against-a-wall-thing was the best idea you've had," Dave smiled weakly. "And for all it's worth, I think you'll make a great dragon."

Callisto gave the Prime Merlinian one look before Dave groaned.

"I'm sappy, I get it." The college student smiled, "and I'm sure Balthazar and Veronica will be able to find Drake before long. You know celebrities: throwing tantrums and such."

The teen smiled, "yeah. Fame gets to a person. Makes them feel important. But you know…I don't think people adore celebrities for who they are, but what they became. I mean, few celebrities realize how lucky they really are. Not everyone can be famous, but everyone wants to be known. I think people adore celebrities because people so desperately want to be like them." Callisto shrugged, "I guess I can't fairly say what humans want anymore."

"Well, I don't mind it," Dave shrugged. "At least I have someone to talk to."

"You're being sappy again."

"Sorry."