Dragons Of Magic V2.0
Chapter 5
Death Incarnate
Jose Philipe Mendola
Authors Note: I'm sorry for the blatant delay in chapters. Until recently, I was mired in my Tenchi Survivor, but like all things good and popular, including our NC-17 fics, the Satan spawns known as FanFiction.net administrators have banned it. Looks like I'm going to need a new idea. I'll let you know how it goes. Until then, keep reading and enjoy.
Legal Notice: I still don't own any of these characters, places or backgrounds, just their actions. Any problem with me using them, you can reach me here. Jose@Eat$hitAndDie.com. Thanks.
The dragon nation (what remained of them) flew over the craggy hills and mountains of Urborg. The hills themselves were rough and sharp from the once active volcano that rested here. Now there was only heat, pumice and on occasion, a small cloud of sulfuric gas. Those clouds made for a very bad trip over the area.
'This place sucks.' Treva whined.
A bad trip indeed.
Not far from where the dragons currently were, a battle raged not too long ago. The forced of Dominaria, some living, others dead, rallied together to try and beat back the Phyrexians. For the time being, that one area was quiet.
'Almost there.' Rith said to Daragaaz.
'Where are we going again?' Dromar asked.
'I don't know, but it had better not be too hot or cold there!' Treva bitched.
'I really wish she would shut her trap.' Daragaaz said. Rith flew up beside him.
'Not to worry, I'm LOUD when I want to be.' She grinned and blinked her eyes in the way an over (under?) sexed pervert could.
Daragaaz shook his head in disgust, not from the dirty mental pictures Rith was sending him, but at her repeated attempts to get him in bed. Daragaaz drove forward, just in time to avoid Rith's groping hand.
'Damn.' She said as he flew ahead of her.
The rest of the dragons flew behind, blindly following Rith's lead. Together they trekked forward, to their goal of absolute power.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was not too far over the mountains they flew until Rith signaled for a drop. Landing on the rocky hills, they could see the battlefield called Urborg Swamp.
'I bet THAT smells bad.' Treva stated.
Daragaaz looked around. Near them on the flats, steam and sulfur vents shot out a frequent burst. Near them were pools of boiling black liquid. The air reeked of brimstone and death. The smell of death itself radiated out of the nearby swamp. The remaining few from the Dragon Nation landed.
Rith clapper her hands together and licked her jowls, as if looking over a large meal.
'Ok.' She said 'Let's begin.'
'Begin what?' Daragaaz asked.
'Our next resurrection.' Dromar said as he pulled on a black cloak. Treva and Rith were doing the same.
'I think I missed something here.'
'Look,' Rith said 'believe it or not, this isn't one of my sex games.'
Daragaaz let out a sigh.
'The next Dragon God lies at the bottom of one of these tar pools, and we have to find him.'
Daragaaz looked around. The pools of bubbling black liquid were indeed pools. Quite sizeable pools. There were 4 of them, give or take a few. Daragaaz looked back to Rith. She was averting her eyes and whistling without tune. She knew something. Behind her, the remaining 4 members of the Dragon Nation, give or take a few, were already bound and gagged.
'You have no idea what pool he is in, do you?' Daragaaz asked.
'Well-' Rith said, trying to defend herself.
'There are 4 pools, and 4 dragons left. I see what's going on here. You're just going to sacrifice them one at a time, and hope to throw them into the correct pool. Well, I like the idea.'
What? Was that really Daragaaz agreeing with a sacrifice? He HAD been feeling odder than normal since the Gods had begun to awaken. He was feeling like he was filling slowly with power. Hell, Daragaaz was sure he could go 4 rounds in the sack with Rith. What?
'Hmm.' Rith said 'Now he's getting it.' She tossed him a black robe 'Put this on. Come on, we don't have all day.'
For some reason or another, Daragaaz put it on with gusto. This was great. Sacrifices than ritual SEX! Wait- what?
Rith stood over the first pool and motioned for a 'volunteer'. She pulled out a small ornate dagger. Dromar hustled one over toward Rith. She placed him in front of the tar pit and raised the dagger over her head.
'We pray to the dark Lord that you show yourself. Let this mortal's blood show you the way!'
With that said, Rith brought the dagger down onto the back of the gagged dragon. The dagger sank in deep and was pulled out. The dragon stood for only a second, and then fell face first into the pool. With that, the Dark Ritual was complete. What a turn on. What?
Daragaaz and the rest of the Dragon Lords watched as the body sank into the dark abyss. The pool hissed and steamed, but there was no sign of any other dragon Lord.
'Damn it.' Rith said 'Looks like no one is in this one. Ok, let's move on to another pool.'
The dragons tromped over to another tar pit, where the ceremony was repeated. This time, it was a blue female dragon to be sacrificed. After a few (surprising) lewd comments from Daragaaz to the blue dragon (He was STILL not feeling like himself), she was ceremoniously stabbed and thrown into the pool.
It was strange, ever since he had began freeing the Dragon Lords, Daragaaz had felt more and more powerful with each one freed.
'I'm hungry.' Treva whined 'I'm tired. My Feet hurt. This is stupid.'
'We'll eat after the next pool. But until then, take your complaints and SHOVE it.' Daragaaz said, taking power by the neck and using it.
'That was odd.' Rith said 'You gave an order.'
'Shut your trap.' Daragaaz said, then snapping back to reality.
'What?' Rith said sounding more surprised than angry.
'I mean-' wait that felt good. Damn good. Tie to assert power. 'I'm sorry. I meant 'Shut your trap, BITCH.'
'I love it when you talk dirty.' Rith said as she moved to the next pool.
The next dragon to be sacrificed was a white dragon from the plains. He had served as a powerful medic, and all-around comrade, but Rith needed a sacrifice.
'Stop your whining and get sacrificed.' Daragaaz said as he pushing the white dragon forward 'Your being destroyed for a cause.'
Again, a Dark Ritual, and again, no Dragon Lord.
'I'm beginning to think this last dragon does not exist.' Dromar said 'I suggest we find him soon, less I go off in search for gold.'
'I'm hungry.' Treva reminded the group. 'Can we find something to eat? Preferably a Bone creature?'
'Fine, fine.' Rith said 'We'll go out and look for something.'
'How about him?' Daragaaz asked, pointing behind Rith.
Out of a forested area behind the dragons, a young man stepped into a clearing. He was dressed in black pants and a heavy shirt that has a gray skull embroidered on it. His hair was short and brown, and he wore two monocles, one over each eye. Were they called 'glasses'? He looked around, clearly seeing the dragons, but he motioned to the woods. From out of the woods, a decaying horse-like creature emerged. On it, another being rode dressed in a yellow cloak and facemask. It's glowing red eyes were the only visible facial feature on it.
'Only a moron would want to eat either on of them.' Rith said quietly to Daragaaz.
'Hey, he'll work.' Treva said, spotting potential food. She took a step forward.
Rith held out her arm to stop Treva from advancing.
'What's the deal? I'm famished.'
'Let's get someone ELSE to get him for you.' Rith said. She looked over to the last remaining dragons. She pointed at one of them and it began to shake its head in protest. Rith pulled out her dagger as a point, and a green dragon stepped forward. Rith walked over to the green dragon and gave her some orders. After a moment or two of threats and promises, the green dragon stated walking toward the traveling mages.
Daragaaz, not content with the green dragon's attitude, cast a simple spell on her as she walked by. She twitched a little, and then bared her teeth. Bloodlust. Daragaaz then watched in wonder as she staked up to the two wandering travelers.
The green dragon stepped in front of the mage on foot. He stopped short, and then took a step back to look up at her.
'Hello small mammal.' The dragon said 'How would you like to come with me?'
The mage narrowed his eyes at the dragon and stared at her. Not breaking eye contact, he addressed his master.
'Master Gorfiend, shall I destroy it?'
The green dragon did not move. It just stood there, teeth and claws bared.
'It is under a simple spell.' The yellow-clad Master Mage answered 'Just wait.'
'This could be bad.' Rith said.
'Why's that?' Daragaaz asked.
'Just watch and wait.'
Bloodlust still in her veins, the green dragon stepped forward. In response, the walking mage raised a fist in front of his face. Black and red mana crackled down his arm in small jags of mana lightning.
The dragon moved down to eye level with the apprentice mage. Her eyes, once blood red, began to clear.
'Crap.' Rith stated.
The green dragon blinked a few times and looked around, confused s to what was going on.
'The spell has worn off.' Teron Gorfiend said 'Cast yours now.'
Teron's apprentice mage placed his hands together in from of his face. Black and red faded so blue could replace it. The green dragon, already affected by the mage's spell turned back to face him. The mage began to chant an incantation.
'We have to stop this.' Daragaaz said 'We can't let him have our sacrifice.'
'No kidding.' Treva said 'that's; my food that's going to destroy her.'
'No.' Rith said 'We together are no match even for Mage Master Teron Gorfiend.'
'Gorfiend?' Daragaaz repeated.
The apprentice mage now began to pull his hands slowly away from one another, so a blue force bubble was formed. Once he had it at an appropriate size, he moved his hands forward so the bubble encased the dragon's head. With the bubble around her, she eyes shot wide open.
'Bravo young Master Jose.' Teron said 'Perhaps you WILL move onto bigger and better things.'
'Rather a live dragon that the life force of one. Though I'm not sure what to do with her.' The apprentice replied.
The mage stopped and they continued walking down the path. The green dragon followed its new master.
'Well now we're shit out of luck.' Rith said 'We're out one dragon.'
'So we had better got this next pool right, huh?' Daragaaz asked.
The Dragon Lords looked at their feet, hiding something.
'What's going on here?' Daragaaz questioned 'What are you not telling me?'
'Hey Daragaaz.' Rith said, tossing him the dagger 'Why don't you take the next sacrifice?'
All doubt cleared from Daragaaz's mind. He pulled on the robe and dragged the hood over his head. Pointing to the last dragon, another feeling of absolute power came over him.
Rith leaned closer to Dromar and Treva. She began to talk to them as Daragaaz began the fake ritual.
'I think this may prepare him for the final sacrifice.' Rith said.
Dromar opened his mouth to say something.
'Any word about Rosdower and I'll kill you. Anyway, after he does this, we move.' Rith pulled a more ornate dagger out of her robe 'done or not. Let's go.' They broke the group and went to join Daragaaz.
'And with this sacrifice, we offer his blood to pave your way! I have seen the structures of blood and bone marrow. Blood to you! I am the Wolf!'
Daragaaz cut the dragon from the collarbone right up to his jaw line. The dragon pitched forward and landed in the tar. The body sunk and Daragaaz waited. The ground began to shake.
'I think this is it-'
The shaking was actually three dragons running to pull the robe off him. The dagger was taken away and he was marched to another tar pit. Once in front of it, he was stopped.
'What's going on?' Daragaaz demanded, still feeling the mysterious feeling in him. Rith stepped up next to him as the other two dragons held him in place.
'I have to be honest with you cutie.' Rith said 'the whole sacrifice thing was a set up.'
'What?'
'See, we didn't really need any mortal dragons.' Dromar added 'just one certain dragon.'
'No.' Daragaaz said, starting to catch on.
'You see, your no normal Dragon Commander.' Rith started 'you have the body and soul of a god in you. Hell, you ARE a god, but you don't really feel it. The only way to get Crosis out and wake Daragaaz is by SACRIFICING Daragaaz.'
'This makes no sense.' Daragaaz said.
'Hey, I didn't write this. Anyway, we had to make you the final sacrifice, just to make sure that you were indeed DARAGAAZ Daragaaz. So I'm sorry buddy, but now it's your turn.'
Rith put the dagger in Daragaaz's hands. As he looked at it, she shoved him in.
'See you on the other side.' She said as his head sunk under the tar.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Daragaaz sunk into the tar. Very soon he could hear nothing but the blood in his ears and his own slowing breath.
Something was happening. Daragaaz could feel raw power building up in him. It was either that, or he was dying. But to get to one, you had to do the other.
Still the feeling of more power, and still he was dying.
Oh shit.
No more breathing, no more blood in his ears. He was dead. Betrayed by his own kind. Dead to betrayal.
So this is what being dead is like.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'I don't think he's coming back. 'Dromar said.
'Could we have gotten the wrong Daragaaz?' Treva asked.
The black pool roiled and bubbled. White steam began to form on the surface. Something was defiantly happening.
'No.' Rith said 'He is the one. We will wait.'
The tar pool was reacting violently indeed. From the depth of Gods-Knew- where, a red liquid came up with each burst of heat. Whatever was boiling off, it produced a foul smell.
'This looks promising.' Dromar said as the pool began to swirl in a vortex.
From the center of the vortex, a black-scaled hand emerged. Along with it, an arm. Behind that, a whole dragon torso climbed out. The tar seemed to roll off Crosis like water. He was a cobalt black dragon with burning blue eyes. His body was stacked with powerful muscles, and he dragged a powerful tail behind him. As he finished getting out of the tar pit, Rith approached him.
'I am Rith.' She said 'this is Treva and Dromar. You, like us, are a god.'
Crosis looked around. Nothing but green trees and clear blue skies. It was too damn happy around here.
'My life is pain and misfortune.' Crosis said sadly.
'Oh no.' Treva whined 'He's a pessimist.'
'I am Crosis, Death Incarnate.' He began 'Why have I been summoned?'
'The dragons are a forgotten power. With the awakening of the fifth and final one, we are now invincible.' Dromar said.
Crosis looked around at the dragons around him.
'Correct me if I am wrong, but there is only four of us here.'
'Oh damn.' Treva said 'Daragaaz is still in there.'
'Now what do we do?' Dromar asked.
Rith, thinking fast, pulled four poles out from under a rock. They were a good 20 feet long, and were painted orange and white.
'Ok everyone,' Rith said, handing out the poles 'take one and shove it in the tar. If something pulls back, pull it in. It's probably Daragaaz.'
The dragons nodded in agreement and went to work.
It did not take too long before Dromar got a tug on his.
'I think I got something.' Dromar hauled hard on the pole and pulled out a skinny, tar covered dragon.
'Daragaaz?' Treva asked.
When Daragaaz was pushed into the tar, he must have weighed close to 700 pounds. Once he was pulled out, he was now close to 400, and packed with muscles.
'Well SOMEONE looks good covered in tar.' Rith said 'What say you and I go find a way to get that off of you?'
Daragaaz attempted to pretest, but the tar that built up around his mouth made it impossible. Rith closed in on him, but Daragaaz brought his hand up and pushed her away. Rith was left with a black handprint on her forehead. While she attempted to clean it off, Daragaaz had manages to get Dromar to cast a water spell that would clean him of the tar.
Now that he was free of the tar and his once encumbered body, there was no real need to talk. He was raw power. All five of them were.
'My friends,' Rith said as she spit some tar out of her mouth 'we are now the most powerful force on Dominaria. We must now wage war on everything that opposes dragons.'
'What exactly opposes dragons?' Treva asked.
'Everything.' Rith replied.
'Then I suggest we start with that.' Dromar said, pointing up into the sky.
The dragons looked up and saw a sky ship cruising around through the clouds. It would be perfect to test their powers on.
'Yes.' Crosis agreed 'A fine test indeed.'
'The ship is it.' Rith confirmed 'Let us take flight, brothers and sisters. Let us begin our cleansing.'
The Dragon Lords took to the sky to intercept the ship. This would indeed make a fine test for Daragaaz to display his power. Rip the heart out of the ship.
Tear Weatherlight a new one.
Authors Notes: Well, one more chapter to go. IF you read Plains Shift, you know what happens. The problem is, that's not the way it works for Jose. Next chapter to hit soon. Be sure your there to read it. See you there.
Chapter 5
Death Incarnate
Jose Philipe Mendola
Authors Note: I'm sorry for the blatant delay in chapters. Until recently, I was mired in my Tenchi Survivor, but like all things good and popular, including our NC-17 fics, the Satan spawns known as FanFiction.net administrators have banned it. Looks like I'm going to need a new idea. I'll let you know how it goes. Until then, keep reading and enjoy.
Legal Notice: I still don't own any of these characters, places or backgrounds, just their actions. Any problem with me using them, you can reach me here. Jose@Eat$hitAndDie.com. Thanks.
The dragon nation (what remained of them) flew over the craggy hills and mountains of Urborg. The hills themselves were rough and sharp from the once active volcano that rested here. Now there was only heat, pumice and on occasion, a small cloud of sulfuric gas. Those clouds made for a very bad trip over the area.
'This place sucks.' Treva whined.
A bad trip indeed.
Not far from where the dragons currently were, a battle raged not too long ago. The forced of Dominaria, some living, others dead, rallied together to try and beat back the Phyrexians. For the time being, that one area was quiet.
'Almost there.' Rith said to Daragaaz.
'Where are we going again?' Dromar asked.
'I don't know, but it had better not be too hot or cold there!' Treva bitched.
'I really wish she would shut her trap.' Daragaaz said. Rith flew up beside him.
'Not to worry, I'm LOUD when I want to be.' She grinned and blinked her eyes in the way an over (under?) sexed pervert could.
Daragaaz shook his head in disgust, not from the dirty mental pictures Rith was sending him, but at her repeated attempts to get him in bed. Daragaaz drove forward, just in time to avoid Rith's groping hand.
'Damn.' She said as he flew ahead of her.
The rest of the dragons flew behind, blindly following Rith's lead. Together they trekked forward, to their goal of absolute power.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was not too far over the mountains they flew until Rith signaled for a drop. Landing on the rocky hills, they could see the battlefield called Urborg Swamp.
'I bet THAT smells bad.' Treva stated.
Daragaaz looked around. Near them on the flats, steam and sulfur vents shot out a frequent burst. Near them were pools of boiling black liquid. The air reeked of brimstone and death. The smell of death itself radiated out of the nearby swamp. The remaining few from the Dragon Nation landed.
Rith clapper her hands together and licked her jowls, as if looking over a large meal.
'Ok.' She said 'Let's begin.'
'Begin what?' Daragaaz asked.
'Our next resurrection.' Dromar said as he pulled on a black cloak. Treva and Rith were doing the same.
'I think I missed something here.'
'Look,' Rith said 'believe it or not, this isn't one of my sex games.'
Daragaaz let out a sigh.
'The next Dragon God lies at the bottom of one of these tar pools, and we have to find him.'
Daragaaz looked around. The pools of bubbling black liquid were indeed pools. Quite sizeable pools. There were 4 of them, give or take a few. Daragaaz looked back to Rith. She was averting her eyes and whistling without tune. She knew something. Behind her, the remaining 4 members of the Dragon Nation, give or take a few, were already bound and gagged.
'You have no idea what pool he is in, do you?' Daragaaz asked.
'Well-' Rith said, trying to defend herself.
'There are 4 pools, and 4 dragons left. I see what's going on here. You're just going to sacrifice them one at a time, and hope to throw them into the correct pool. Well, I like the idea.'
What? Was that really Daragaaz agreeing with a sacrifice? He HAD been feeling odder than normal since the Gods had begun to awaken. He was feeling like he was filling slowly with power. Hell, Daragaaz was sure he could go 4 rounds in the sack with Rith. What?
'Hmm.' Rith said 'Now he's getting it.' She tossed him a black robe 'Put this on. Come on, we don't have all day.'
For some reason or another, Daragaaz put it on with gusto. This was great. Sacrifices than ritual SEX! Wait- what?
Rith stood over the first pool and motioned for a 'volunteer'. She pulled out a small ornate dagger. Dromar hustled one over toward Rith. She placed him in front of the tar pit and raised the dagger over her head.
'We pray to the dark Lord that you show yourself. Let this mortal's blood show you the way!'
With that said, Rith brought the dagger down onto the back of the gagged dragon. The dagger sank in deep and was pulled out. The dragon stood for only a second, and then fell face first into the pool. With that, the Dark Ritual was complete. What a turn on. What?
Daragaaz and the rest of the Dragon Lords watched as the body sank into the dark abyss. The pool hissed and steamed, but there was no sign of any other dragon Lord.
'Damn it.' Rith said 'Looks like no one is in this one. Ok, let's move on to another pool.'
The dragons tromped over to another tar pit, where the ceremony was repeated. This time, it was a blue female dragon to be sacrificed. After a few (surprising) lewd comments from Daragaaz to the blue dragon (He was STILL not feeling like himself), she was ceremoniously stabbed and thrown into the pool.
It was strange, ever since he had began freeing the Dragon Lords, Daragaaz had felt more and more powerful with each one freed.
'I'm hungry.' Treva whined 'I'm tired. My Feet hurt. This is stupid.'
'We'll eat after the next pool. But until then, take your complaints and SHOVE it.' Daragaaz said, taking power by the neck and using it.
'That was odd.' Rith said 'You gave an order.'
'Shut your trap.' Daragaaz said, then snapping back to reality.
'What?' Rith said sounding more surprised than angry.
'I mean-' wait that felt good. Damn good. Tie to assert power. 'I'm sorry. I meant 'Shut your trap, BITCH.'
'I love it when you talk dirty.' Rith said as she moved to the next pool.
The next dragon to be sacrificed was a white dragon from the plains. He had served as a powerful medic, and all-around comrade, but Rith needed a sacrifice.
'Stop your whining and get sacrificed.' Daragaaz said as he pushing the white dragon forward 'Your being destroyed for a cause.'
Again, a Dark Ritual, and again, no Dragon Lord.
'I'm beginning to think this last dragon does not exist.' Dromar said 'I suggest we find him soon, less I go off in search for gold.'
'I'm hungry.' Treva reminded the group. 'Can we find something to eat? Preferably a Bone creature?'
'Fine, fine.' Rith said 'We'll go out and look for something.'
'How about him?' Daragaaz asked, pointing behind Rith.
Out of a forested area behind the dragons, a young man stepped into a clearing. He was dressed in black pants and a heavy shirt that has a gray skull embroidered on it. His hair was short and brown, and he wore two monocles, one over each eye. Were they called 'glasses'? He looked around, clearly seeing the dragons, but he motioned to the woods. From out of the woods, a decaying horse-like creature emerged. On it, another being rode dressed in a yellow cloak and facemask. It's glowing red eyes were the only visible facial feature on it.
'Only a moron would want to eat either on of them.' Rith said quietly to Daragaaz.
'Hey, he'll work.' Treva said, spotting potential food. She took a step forward.
Rith held out her arm to stop Treva from advancing.
'What's the deal? I'm famished.'
'Let's get someone ELSE to get him for you.' Rith said. She looked over to the last remaining dragons. She pointed at one of them and it began to shake its head in protest. Rith pulled out her dagger as a point, and a green dragon stepped forward. Rith walked over to the green dragon and gave her some orders. After a moment or two of threats and promises, the green dragon stated walking toward the traveling mages.
Daragaaz, not content with the green dragon's attitude, cast a simple spell on her as she walked by. She twitched a little, and then bared her teeth. Bloodlust. Daragaaz then watched in wonder as she staked up to the two wandering travelers.
The green dragon stepped in front of the mage on foot. He stopped short, and then took a step back to look up at her.
'Hello small mammal.' The dragon said 'How would you like to come with me?'
The mage narrowed his eyes at the dragon and stared at her. Not breaking eye contact, he addressed his master.
'Master Gorfiend, shall I destroy it?'
The green dragon did not move. It just stood there, teeth and claws bared.
'It is under a simple spell.' The yellow-clad Master Mage answered 'Just wait.'
'This could be bad.' Rith said.
'Why's that?' Daragaaz asked.
'Just watch and wait.'
Bloodlust still in her veins, the green dragon stepped forward. In response, the walking mage raised a fist in front of his face. Black and red mana crackled down his arm in small jags of mana lightning.
The dragon moved down to eye level with the apprentice mage. Her eyes, once blood red, began to clear.
'Crap.' Rith stated.
The green dragon blinked a few times and looked around, confused s to what was going on.
'The spell has worn off.' Teron Gorfiend said 'Cast yours now.'
Teron's apprentice mage placed his hands together in from of his face. Black and red faded so blue could replace it. The green dragon, already affected by the mage's spell turned back to face him. The mage began to chant an incantation.
'We have to stop this.' Daragaaz said 'We can't let him have our sacrifice.'
'No kidding.' Treva said 'that's; my food that's going to destroy her.'
'No.' Rith said 'We together are no match even for Mage Master Teron Gorfiend.'
'Gorfiend?' Daragaaz repeated.
The apprentice mage now began to pull his hands slowly away from one another, so a blue force bubble was formed. Once he had it at an appropriate size, he moved his hands forward so the bubble encased the dragon's head. With the bubble around her, she eyes shot wide open.
'Bravo young Master Jose.' Teron said 'Perhaps you WILL move onto bigger and better things.'
'Rather a live dragon that the life force of one. Though I'm not sure what to do with her.' The apprentice replied.
The mage stopped and they continued walking down the path. The green dragon followed its new master.
'Well now we're shit out of luck.' Rith said 'We're out one dragon.'
'So we had better got this next pool right, huh?' Daragaaz asked.
The Dragon Lords looked at their feet, hiding something.
'What's going on here?' Daragaaz questioned 'What are you not telling me?'
'Hey Daragaaz.' Rith said, tossing him the dagger 'Why don't you take the next sacrifice?'
All doubt cleared from Daragaaz's mind. He pulled on the robe and dragged the hood over his head. Pointing to the last dragon, another feeling of absolute power came over him.
Rith leaned closer to Dromar and Treva. She began to talk to them as Daragaaz began the fake ritual.
'I think this may prepare him for the final sacrifice.' Rith said.
Dromar opened his mouth to say something.
'Any word about Rosdower and I'll kill you. Anyway, after he does this, we move.' Rith pulled a more ornate dagger out of her robe 'done or not. Let's go.' They broke the group and went to join Daragaaz.
'And with this sacrifice, we offer his blood to pave your way! I have seen the structures of blood and bone marrow. Blood to you! I am the Wolf!'
Daragaaz cut the dragon from the collarbone right up to his jaw line. The dragon pitched forward and landed in the tar. The body sunk and Daragaaz waited. The ground began to shake.
'I think this is it-'
The shaking was actually three dragons running to pull the robe off him. The dagger was taken away and he was marched to another tar pit. Once in front of it, he was stopped.
'What's going on?' Daragaaz demanded, still feeling the mysterious feeling in him. Rith stepped up next to him as the other two dragons held him in place.
'I have to be honest with you cutie.' Rith said 'the whole sacrifice thing was a set up.'
'What?'
'See, we didn't really need any mortal dragons.' Dromar added 'just one certain dragon.'
'No.' Daragaaz said, starting to catch on.
'You see, your no normal Dragon Commander.' Rith started 'you have the body and soul of a god in you. Hell, you ARE a god, but you don't really feel it. The only way to get Crosis out and wake Daragaaz is by SACRIFICING Daragaaz.'
'This makes no sense.' Daragaaz said.
'Hey, I didn't write this. Anyway, we had to make you the final sacrifice, just to make sure that you were indeed DARAGAAZ Daragaaz. So I'm sorry buddy, but now it's your turn.'
Rith put the dagger in Daragaaz's hands. As he looked at it, she shoved him in.
'See you on the other side.' She said as his head sunk under the tar.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Daragaaz sunk into the tar. Very soon he could hear nothing but the blood in his ears and his own slowing breath.
Something was happening. Daragaaz could feel raw power building up in him. It was either that, or he was dying. But to get to one, you had to do the other.
Still the feeling of more power, and still he was dying.
Oh shit.
No more breathing, no more blood in his ears. He was dead. Betrayed by his own kind. Dead to betrayal.
So this is what being dead is like.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'I don't think he's coming back. 'Dromar said.
'Could we have gotten the wrong Daragaaz?' Treva asked.
The black pool roiled and bubbled. White steam began to form on the surface. Something was defiantly happening.
'No.' Rith said 'He is the one. We will wait.'
The tar pool was reacting violently indeed. From the depth of Gods-Knew- where, a red liquid came up with each burst of heat. Whatever was boiling off, it produced a foul smell.
'This looks promising.' Dromar said as the pool began to swirl in a vortex.
From the center of the vortex, a black-scaled hand emerged. Along with it, an arm. Behind that, a whole dragon torso climbed out. The tar seemed to roll off Crosis like water. He was a cobalt black dragon with burning blue eyes. His body was stacked with powerful muscles, and he dragged a powerful tail behind him. As he finished getting out of the tar pit, Rith approached him.
'I am Rith.' She said 'this is Treva and Dromar. You, like us, are a god.'
Crosis looked around. Nothing but green trees and clear blue skies. It was too damn happy around here.
'My life is pain and misfortune.' Crosis said sadly.
'Oh no.' Treva whined 'He's a pessimist.'
'I am Crosis, Death Incarnate.' He began 'Why have I been summoned?'
'The dragons are a forgotten power. With the awakening of the fifth and final one, we are now invincible.' Dromar said.
Crosis looked around at the dragons around him.
'Correct me if I am wrong, but there is only four of us here.'
'Oh damn.' Treva said 'Daragaaz is still in there.'
'Now what do we do?' Dromar asked.
Rith, thinking fast, pulled four poles out from under a rock. They were a good 20 feet long, and were painted orange and white.
'Ok everyone,' Rith said, handing out the poles 'take one and shove it in the tar. If something pulls back, pull it in. It's probably Daragaaz.'
The dragons nodded in agreement and went to work.
It did not take too long before Dromar got a tug on his.
'I think I got something.' Dromar hauled hard on the pole and pulled out a skinny, tar covered dragon.
'Daragaaz?' Treva asked.
When Daragaaz was pushed into the tar, he must have weighed close to 700 pounds. Once he was pulled out, he was now close to 400, and packed with muscles.
'Well SOMEONE looks good covered in tar.' Rith said 'What say you and I go find a way to get that off of you?'
Daragaaz attempted to pretest, but the tar that built up around his mouth made it impossible. Rith closed in on him, but Daragaaz brought his hand up and pushed her away. Rith was left with a black handprint on her forehead. While she attempted to clean it off, Daragaaz had manages to get Dromar to cast a water spell that would clean him of the tar.
Now that he was free of the tar and his once encumbered body, there was no real need to talk. He was raw power. All five of them were.
'My friends,' Rith said as she spit some tar out of her mouth 'we are now the most powerful force on Dominaria. We must now wage war on everything that opposes dragons.'
'What exactly opposes dragons?' Treva asked.
'Everything.' Rith replied.
'Then I suggest we start with that.' Dromar said, pointing up into the sky.
The dragons looked up and saw a sky ship cruising around through the clouds. It would be perfect to test their powers on.
'Yes.' Crosis agreed 'A fine test indeed.'
'The ship is it.' Rith confirmed 'Let us take flight, brothers and sisters. Let us begin our cleansing.'
The Dragon Lords took to the sky to intercept the ship. This would indeed make a fine test for Daragaaz to display his power. Rip the heart out of the ship.
Tear Weatherlight a new one.
Authors Notes: Well, one more chapter to go. IF you read Plains Shift, you know what happens. The problem is, that's not the way it works for Jose. Next chapter to hit soon. Be sure your there to read it. See you there.