Geoff came to Mansel with objects in old fabric that he cradled in his
arms. Quickly he sat them down on the table catching his breath from the
jogging he perspired before arriving at the monastery. " What are they?"
Mansel questioned looking at Geoff. " Take a look for yourself ". Mansel
stressed advertising the stare he placed on Geoff's appearance. His hands
were drenched in blood and the rest of him shared the same fates that the
survivors had who were lucky to live. " What happened to you Geoff?" Mansel
asked. Geoff looked sullenly on Mansel", that's not important and I'm sure
Drake will tell you, he was there I don't want to remember it", he paused
blocking the horrific even from his memory," What's important is what's on
the table" Geoff said pointing toward the objects. Mansel swallowed not
wanting to know. " I'll be back later, there's something I need do". With
that, Geoff left the room and headed towards the lower parts of the
monastery.
In the silence of the room, Mansel cautiously approached the objects in a rag of fabric. His hand shook bitterly as he reached toward it then carefully un-wrapped the fabric. " The gems!", he gasped," Geoff how did you?". He paused looking around the room not realizing that Geoff had already left. " I must get these to Martian Orodruin", Mansel mumbled to himself. He gathered the four gems with his arms and proceeded swiftly out of the room to find the old priest.
With a loud rattle, Geoff stumbled into the old dungeon running toward Drake. " I found the gems were safe!" he said confidently. " What are you saying Geoff" Drake asked giving him an accusing look for waking Grace. Geoff motioned Drake to talk somewhere else. Drake paused looking toward Grace. She sat up stretching her long feathered wings from her leaving Geoff in a stare. " What's going on?" Grace mumbled. " I'll be right back Grace" Drake promised as he followed Geoff into another room to talk about the great discovery. After Geoff and Drake had left, curiously Grace investigated a pile of woven books on the floor right next to her. Slowly she began weaving through the pages of one book smiling at all the pastel colored pictures of dragons, until she came to where the dragons were being slain by knights. Disgusted she frowned closing the book and returned it with the others.
Minutes after Geoff and Drake returned. " What's wrong Grace?" Geoff asked questioning the frown on her face. Grace looked toward him in reply", everything you create is destroyed.". Geoff opened his mouth to say something but held back. " I'll return later you guys, there's something I need to do", after Geoff left for the castle leaving Drake and Grace alone. As Drake came to rest beside Grace, her bright beady eyes peered into his. " Drake, I realized many things, also noticing very much of the disturbed". "What's that?" he asked. " There is one thing I'll never understand. Why people hunted your race to extinction." Graces face faded as her watchful eyes dropped to the floor. Drake reached toward her lifting her head up to meet his eyes," Miracles do happen and with you being here it changes history, it changes a lot there's still hope and there's still time don't lose faith". Grace softened a smile at Drake. Then drew closer to him until she leaned against his body snuggling with a carnation blush verifying her face. Drake's features puckered in surprise and he hid a blush of his own.
Mansel rushed into a room throttling the door open violently, and started Martian Orodruin. Panicking Mansel dropped the four gems he had with him onto a table, while tripping over books and items on the floor. " What do you have there my son?" Orodruin asked standing from his seat and set down the scroll he was reading. Mansel tried to tell him but was exhausted catching his breath fiercely. He gathered towards the gems pointing out what he had brought. Orodruin walked over to the table examining them then smiled bellowing out", excellent my son! We are saved". He then patted Mansel on the back of the shoulder in gratefulness for retrieving the gems.
During the late hours of the morning, Geoff made his way to the castle to help with the mess the battle and fires left behind. When he arrived strangely knights and people stood frozen as if being placed in suspended animation. Under the clear bullet blue sky, their faces were painted white. They had been wounded by fear and injured in doubt. A little way ahead and to his left Geoff saw something issuing from the shadows. From the darkness, a loud growl seemed about holding an evil purpose in remorseless cold blue eyes that sank into Geoff beyond the horror of any dream. Geoff noticed the many people in panic but couldn't understand why. Then currently Griffin appeared from the shadows. His voice carried like thunder", Why Geoff! Just who I was looking for". Geoff glared at griffin placing his hand by the hilt of his sword. " You realize if any of these people move I'll start killing them off like sheep" Griffin issued with a smile that could blind eyes and a soul to tarnish silver.
" What is it your twisted mind wants!" Geoff sneered, then threw his sword out. " The gems" Griffin said simply. " Why should I tell you where they are?" Geoff asked. " Because if you don't it will cost you your life". A monk from the monastery, who witnessed the argument between Griffin and Geoff, sank behind the doors of the castle gates. He then turned and ran back to the monastery in absolute fear. Once he arrived there he shouted in panic," Geoff and many others are being held hostage by the red dragon at the castle!". Mansel looked slowly toward Martian Orodruin. " He's after the gems"; the old priest paused," and must think the boy has them". " We must get to Drake", Mansel insisted," He's the only one who can stop Griffin". The both of them after left the room to grab Drake.
Drake smiled at Grace lighting candles in every room with glowing incense. Afterward she joined Drake resting by him by the mount of pillows. " So what do you think their going to do with the gems?" Grace asked. Drake thumbled with the dragons talon that had been given to Grace, his face frowned and he reassured his thoughts carefully," I really wouldn't know Grace". He stared blankly toward a dim candle. Graces smile faded as she brought her knees up, folding her dove-white wings fourth. " I'm sorry Drake.", she said grabbing his attention," I guess I'm getting to caught up in all the excitement that's happened and I'm always wondering if its all a dream". " What do you mean" Drake tilted his head with a questioning look and from time to time twitched his spiked tail. " It sounds silly, but coming from a world of technology to a place where there are battling knights, evil, flying dragons, and to Jedi monks" Grace giggled. " Jedi monks?" Drake smirked. " Yeah Jedi monks", Grace smiled then continued," this is a place that has to be believed to be seen.its all to much for me almost like I'm in a movie and must bleed to know that I'm alive or if this is real or not".
" Grace." Drakes voice softened. Then was boomed out by Mansel who rushed into the room telling Drake the bad news. After he heard the news, it wasn't long before Drake arrived at the castle with Mansel. Orodruin and Grace following behind. Inside they could hear Griffins voice booming like a choir and Geoff arguing back. Drake glared at the closed gates of the castle and threw out his wings climbing into the air causing a distraction for Griffin, while the others moved in silently through the doors and into the crowd hoping to save Geoff. " Let him go!" Drake yelled as he landed between Geoff and Griffin. Griffin smirked his cold blue eyes caught a glimpse of Grace and Mansel within the crowd. "Nice try but if your attempting to save everyone I'm afraid it won't work" Griffin said a smile twisting his face. " Why did you come here?" Drake glared. Griffin sighed out of impatient anger", I've only come for the gems and if Geoff here I know who does". He paused giving Mansel and Grace a glance. Fear struck through Mansel quickly at the pierce of Griffins cold eyes and he stumbled back. " Your angel of dragons must surely have them, she's part of them! And is the key to my victory!" Griffin dictated.
" Leave her out of this!" Drake snarled baring his teeth. Griffin's eyes flashed with a burning anger and he threw himself at Drake swiftly imbedding his talons into his neck. With a quick reaction, Geoff ran toward Griffin with his sword and slashed at him causing him to scream out in a vicious cry that caused the crowd of people to move back against the castles walls. They ushered in fear. Showing his bared teeth, Griffin came toward Geoff, who held his sword just feet beneath Griffins neck. Geoff swallowed a certain regret as Griffins growl rattled through him, shaking all his internal organs. Geoff stepped backwards only having little room between himself and the crowd of terrified people. Griffin noticed satins of blood weeping through Geoff's clothing identical to the injuries he left on Drake. Griffin came to a yielding stop staring coldly into Geoff's eyes, realizing why Geoff and Drake shared similar injuries. "So.Drake shared his heart with you!" Griffin said and lashed out toward Geoff grabbing his sword and through him back against the stone floor. His rage turned into a cackling laughter. Grace and Mansel watched as if in slow motion, watching as Griffin hurled himself toward Geoff and impaled him swiftly.
Afterward he stood moving back a couple of paces hoping the results of his action would finish Geoff and Drake off for good. " Geoff! Drake!" Grace screamed out in horror as she persuasively hurried toward them but was held back by Mansel's strong hold around her arms. Drake meeped out a cry of pain then fell limp to the ground. Geoff also recoiled, lying within a pool of blood that spread quickly like the spill of oil. Drake remained conscience while Geoff was unfortunate. A sudden hush even for Griffin came over the court until it was broken by Graces scream. She cried out alternately raving, shouting, and tearing hoarse sobs in a painful voice that filled the room with a heavy string of sorrow, melting the hearts of people in the moment. Mansel pulled Grace toward him trying to comfort her and drowned out her voice within his holy robes. But she urged back toward Drake jerking away from Mansel and brought herself to where Drake was.
Mansel along with many others could do nothing but watch. They watched huddled all in a big circle, hushed and stared surreptitiously. " Drake." Grace asked in a faint voice that could not be heard by any other. Fading away and very weak Drake gazed into Graces sparkling eyes filled with sorrow and confusion. With a clawed hand he gently placed it onto her face whispering", it was never a dream Grace.". His breathing became shallow as he felt Geoff's pain more than ever, like a thousand piercing knives stabbing his heart all at once to deepen the pain from the sword that had been impaled into Geoff. He could feel Graces fingers threading over his claws. Drake tried to tell her something but his vision became blurry and the room began to spin. " Drake!" Grace muffled out her heart shattered like glass on the inside and felt Drakes hand slowly slide from her cheek and then fell limp to the floor.
Griffin stared, the shadows covering his face and his heart stiffened now. Tears stained the faces of many individuals after witnessing such a sadness known to soon and could have only been saved to late. After several minutes of silence Griffin came from the shadows with the devils smile. He began a speech with the people who said nothing but stared at him bitterly. Grace looked toward Griffin with an avenging look as she made her way towards Geoff's body, with the sword spiked from it. She wrapped her fingers around the hilt and stood from her kneeling position. Mansel watched her whispering something to himself with his rosary held tightly in his hand and the beads of sweat peering down his face.
" Consider your protector of the realm and noble knight dead", Griffin bellowed out toward everyone," at last victory is mine as it had meant to be". Grace yanked the bloody sword from Geoff and screamed out running toward Griffin from behind, catching him off guard and immense surprise. He spun around directly at her ready to stop her but by then it was to late. He was brutally stabbed with the sword just inches away from his blackened heart. He screamed out in a monstrous roar clenching a clawed fist over the sword and backed away from Grace. All around him, cries broke out. Grace backed away from Griffin who struggled against the floor in a shock of pain.
Griffin rose from the floor, many people including their king fled from the castle, shoving and crying out in panic until only five souls remained. Mansel and Orodruin stood in silence watching Griffin pull the silver blade from his scales and snarled baring his teeth at Grace. A flash of rage flickered in his eyes," I cannot believe the ancients entitled you guardian of our race!". Griffin slowly stepped toward her in a stalking pace. Mansel feared the worst as he looked onto Geoff and Drake. He noticed something extraordinary. The pools of blood that puddled the ground beneath them were usurped and dissolved slowly away; their wounds healed and became extinct as if no injury infuriated them at all. A smile came across Mansel's face as he came to realize that Griffin calculated the perfect mistake. " This has to be a miracle". " What my son? " The old priest approaching from behind. " When Griffin stabbed Geoff he and drake shared the same fate but what Griffin didn't realize that by stabbing Geoff he could not kill the both of them since they are binded with the life force from Drakes heart", Mansel explained. " Orodruin smiled giving Mansel a pat on the shoulder", you are very observant".
Mansel's features quoted", but what puzzles me is if all dragons know of the life force.why did Griffin impale Geoff?". Mansel's conversation was quickly erased by Griffin's startling roar. With his rage at its peak Griffin drew closer to Grace," you realize I once lassoed your beauty with a pitiful rope". Griffin cornered her; he noticed he had trapped her and that she had no place to run. " But in the end I achieved nothing.". He continued proceeding closer to her. " This is not good." Mansel mumbled watching Griffin
" It's not like you to attack Dragons" Griffins voice lowered as he had Grace cornered against the wall. " Witness what mankind had done to us over the centuries". Griffin raised an open clawed hand above Graces face. He placed her in a frozen trance. Graces eyes dilated, fading in color. Soon everything around her, the room Geoff and Drake along with Mansel and Orodruin were blotted out in darkness. Reflections of visions came to her quickly. She witnessed the horrible fate that humans put Dragons through. She heard the screaming cries of hatchlings as they were being slaughtered their eggs being crushed. Their mothers slain as were their fathers. Others were slaughtered for sport and sold for profit. Then the voices of slayers and those who feared dragons hollered out thoughtless words, their hearts blackened and wicked. As increasingly horrific visions came to Grace, Griffin began to cast a horrible spell on her.
His voice rang through her ears", where were you guardian of Dragons when we needed you the most! Where were you when humans enslaved us! killed us!, used us for pleasure and profit!, feared us and placed us in misery to their own dark desires, giving us a bad name!. You could have saved us all. But instead you hid in the shadows and went into a sleep for thousands of years only to be reawakened when it's to late!". Just then, a white haze flashed into Griffins eyes, he pulled away from Grace in horror, only to see what his future would become. Still frozen with in the trance Grace could feel her entire self being swallowed by darkness. It was like the black sands of death were sucking her down with them in agony of their haunting shadows. Grace screamed out as she took one last breath suffocating within the darkness.
Tears of blood shed from her eyes. A black velvet color consumed her wings turning her feathers completely black. She then collapsed lifeless against the stone floor. Out of nowhere, a ball of flame was thrown towards Griffin. With alarm, Griffin ducked the ball of fire, throwing himself around to see Drake and Geoff standing there. Justice imprinted itself on their features. In silence, Griffin glared over at Drake then slowly spread his mighty wings taking off skyward and retreated from the area of the court. Moments later, Mansel and Orodruin along with Geoff and Drake rushed over to Graces lifeless body on the floor.
" What's happened to her?" Geoff asked, and then glanced down toward Grace. Beside Mansel, Orodruin placed a hand to his snow white beard and stroked it in deep thought," This is a case of fate, a destiny meant for the fallen". " What are we standing around for? We have to help her!" Drake protested. He stretched his wings out fully from himself and hovered just above Grace. Geoff kneeled down beside her and studied the stained blood tears on her face. His own eyes widen and he shouted out," her eyes are dilated, I'm not getting any pulse! And the worst thing, she's not even breathing!". Orodruin and Mansel gasped. Drake pushed Geoff aside as he had something in mind. Carefully he placed his clawed hands just above Graces torso and began to perform a respiratory trying to bring her back to life. " Drake!? What are you doing your going to crush her!" Geoff shouted in panic. " I'm trying to save her life Geoff!" Drake snapped back. He continued to jump start Graces heart. Mansel and Orodruin stood back and watched hushed in silence.
Graces skin turned deathly pale. Her temperature had dropped extremely. Each time Drake constricted his strength to bring her back he failed and had no success. " Come on wake up!" Drake shouted, breathing fiercely as he pushed his clawed hands down on Graces torso trying his hardest to restart her heart. Geoff shook his head looking to the floor in lose predicament. For several minutes Drake presumed respiratory on Graces, limp body. Out of the spur of the moment, Geoff approached Drake shouting, " Drake stop! Can't you see this is just not working! She's gone!". Drake's heart leapt into his throat and he tried drowning the pain but it wouldn't leave. He turned to Geoff baring his teeth and snarled;" I don't care what you say I'm not giving up!". Geoff slowly stepped away from Drake with a glare of confusion. He shook his head and bitterly watched as Drake gave every bit of his strength to bring Grace back to life.
" Don't die Grace!" Drakes voice cracked, as he strived to plummet every, last exhausting strength into Grace's motionless body. Just when all hope was lost, Grace awoke gasping in a breath of clear air and cried out in shock. Geoff, Mansel, and Orodruin sprang their heads in surprise witnessing the miracle. Their eyes glistened with excitement and with relief that they did not lose a good friend. Exhausted and out of breath Drake peered at Grace. His eyes burned with a haunting sadness. Weakly Graces trembling hand reached toward Drakes face and a faint smile dwelled over her cherubic looks. Gently Drake suspended Grace within his arm letting her head rest within one of his hands. He drew his wings over her body giving her a light hug and whispered by her ear", I'm so glad that you're okay".
Observing Drake with Grace, Geoff's eyes softened, his face glowed with a warm smile, as he said nothing for several minutes. " It has been quite a day." Orodruin said looking onto Mansel. " I agree" Mansel added fixing one of his robes," we should get back to the monastery, we all need our rest". Geoff nodded looking toward Drake then back at Mansel and Orodruin. Afterward the group of five all took Mansel's advice and headed back.
It had been quiet for the next few days. Moreover, for the days that passed, the more dangerous things were becoming. The silent voices of angels carried an angelic glory and sang with the melody of sorrow. Monks gathered at the Monastery chanting their silent prayers, mourning for the loss of people that died in the battle during the invasion at the castle. Others like the wealthy celebrated believing that Geoff and Drake had once again vanquished the evil. But their had been no evidence that could verify the evil had been destroyed. In addition, the peace that came would only be a calm before the storm.
That evening at the monastery, Orodruin watched the three red stars closely. They twinkled brightly in the star constellation Draco. He shivered from the sudden change in the wind. Behind him on the balcony, Mansel approached him considerably silent carrying the four gems that possessed the souls of the ancient dragons. Without realizing it Mansel had been shaking with fear and assumed the worst of the prophecy dragon- stigmata. He reached over with on hand and tapped Orodruin until he grabbed his attention.
Orodruin never turned back for an instant. Instead, he watched the fireworks cracking off into the distance rising in vibrant shades of colors over the castle. " It amazes me that they celebrate at a time when fate is near" Orodruin said in a disturbed voice. " It's tonight isn't it?" Mansel asked, then nervously handed Orodruin the gems. Carefully Orodruin took the gems then turned towards Mansel," we must get to the temple of Eternitie Vertrie ". " What is that? And where?", Mansel said with a questioning look. Orodruin shut his eyes briefly then reopened them taking a deep breath," Eternitie Vertrie, from the dragons speech is the temple of eternal life it is where the four ancients had cast the guardian of dragons to sleep and had her carefully guarded until she was needed to save their race from the dragon of chaos known as the shadow dragon who brought death to the land and possibly all living things. This temple is a very secret omen and exists within the lands and mists of Avalon".
" That's fascinating", Mansel said", but how will we know when this evil comes and how do we get to the temple?". The old priest bowed his head, his eyes looked into Monks and replied in a stern voice," I suggest we go there soon, I have knowledge of the temples location and predicting on the dragon constellation this prophecy will be about to unravel soon".
Within the darkness of the eclipsing moon, Griffin swayed about the night's sky. He rose high then dove swiftly to the solid earth, reaching for the ground with his talons and broke the wind with his wings. With a silence, he landed carefully, on the soft cool blades of grass, snapping his wings back crisply. For a moment, he looked around himself then reached toward his mouth with a clawed hand and took the object he stole from the monastery previously when Geoff and Drake had been with the others at the castle. Glancing at the necklace with the dragons shaped around the emerald blue diamond heart, he held it up to the milking moonlight getting a better observation and suddenly he recognized what it was in an instant. He had seen it at the imperial ball. " The heart of the dragon.", he whispered", this is extraordinary. With this I can retrieve the four gems".
With the dark idea, Griffin summoned the deaths of fallen dragons within the fires of Lucifer's hell. The heart of the dragon suddenly lost its blue emerald color and shaded itself to the deepest black. " Revenge is at hand", Griffin dictated then closed his eyes casting his last spell bringing forth a horrible fate. Around him, the haunting cries of tortured souls echoed within the dismay of a demons fortune. Fires from every angle exploded rising from the ground like geysers, and shifting from the dark emerald came a thin mist swirling like plutonian coasts twisting and striking hues of black lighting rising around Griffin's draconic structure. Once he was swallowed in the dark Salem, the emerald heart of the dragon burst into flames and then was crushed beneath Griffins foot. Griffin screamed back in agony and suffered from the burning pain wroting through out his body. Griffin's last call of a dying cry echoed out into the dangerous thick night and after, grew quieter.
From the dark shadow of the moon leached fourth a black dragon as dark as satins soul, Griffin was no more. Eyes gleamed as red as blood penetrating prey with one glance. Issuing from the shadows the demonic dragon stood brief in epic silence shooting a glance toward the castle watching the fireworks boom off in the distance and after gave out a sound screeching out and frightened any forest dwelling creature in the area.
Geoff sat alone on the steps leading up and into where Drake would sleep. Geoff could strongly feel Drake's heart heavy with sorrow concerning Grace becoming weaker and growing more ill as time passed. She was giving up on all hope and the most that Geoff, Drake, Mansel, and Martian Orodruin were depending on.faith. Drake caressed his claws through her white cherubic curls while she slept. He then approached his best friend," Geoff.I think she's dieing." Drake said fatefully peering a glance at the sleeping angel who was waking. " There's nothing we can do Drake.", Geoff replied," we have tried everything we possibly could to heal her but nothing seems to work".
Grace cried out grabbing Geoff and Drakes attention. " I feel like my heart is breaking.", her eyes tracing the ceiling," why am I so sad..". Geoff rose from the steps and knelt down beside Grace", it will be all right Grace me and Drake are here for you. Once we get you to where ever it is we must bring you to then everything should fine". Slowly Grace shook her head closing her eyes, trying to shut herself and the entire world out of existence.
Within the dawning light of the eclipsing moon, a head fourth into the smoldering night brought the storm of the dark. Over miles of coasts and the land came a rumble rising to a deafening crash and roar.
In the silence of the room, Mansel cautiously approached the objects in a rag of fabric. His hand shook bitterly as he reached toward it then carefully un-wrapped the fabric. " The gems!", he gasped," Geoff how did you?". He paused looking around the room not realizing that Geoff had already left. " I must get these to Martian Orodruin", Mansel mumbled to himself. He gathered the four gems with his arms and proceeded swiftly out of the room to find the old priest.
With a loud rattle, Geoff stumbled into the old dungeon running toward Drake. " I found the gems were safe!" he said confidently. " What are you saying Geoff" Drake asked giving him an accusing look for waking Grace. Geoff motioned Drake to talk somewhere else. Drake paused looking toward Grace. She sat up stretching her long feathered wings from her leaving Geoff in a stare. " What's going on?" Grace mumbled. " I'll be right back Grace" Drake promised as he followed Geoff into another room to talk about the great discovery. After Geoff and Drake had left, curiously Grace investigated a pile of woven books on the floor right next to her. Slowly she began weaving through the pages of one book smiling at all the pastel colored pictures of dragons, until she came to where the dragons were being slain by knights. Disgusted she frowned closing the book and returned it with the others.
Minutes after Geoff and Drake returned. " What's wrong Grace?" Geoff asked questioning the frown on her face. Grace looked toward him in reply", everything you create is destroyed.". Geoff opened his mouth to say something but held back. " I'll return later you guys, there's something I need to do", after Geoff left for the castle leaving Drake and Grace alone. As Drake came to rest beside Grace, her bright beady eyes peered into his. " Drake, I realized many things, also noticing very much of the disturbed". "What's that?" he asked. " There is one thing I'll never understand. Why people hunted your race to extinction." Graces face faded as her watchful eyes dropped to the floor. Drake reached toward her lifting her head up to meet his eyes," Miracles do happen and with you being here it changes history, it changes a lot there's still hope and there's still time don't lose faith". Grace softened a smile at Drake. Then drew closer to him until she leaned against his body snuggling with a carnation blush verifying her face. Drake's features puckered in surprise and he hid a blush of his own.
Mansel rushed into a room throttling the door open violently, and started Martian Orodruin. Panicking Mansel dropped the four gems he had with him onto a table, while tripping over books and items on the floor. " What do you have there my son?" Orodruin asked standing from his seat and set down the scroll he was reading. Mansel tried to tell him but was exhausted catching his breath fiercely. He gathered towards the gems pointing out what he had brought. Orodruin walked over to the table examining them then smiled bellowing out", excellent my son! We are saved". He then patted Mansel on the back of the shoulder in gratefulness for retrieving the gems.
During the late hours of the morning, Geoff made his way to the castle to help with the mess the battle and fires left behind. When he arrived strangely knights and people stood frozen as if being placed in suspended animation. Under the clear bullet blue sky, their faces were painted white. They had been wounded by fear and injured in doubt. A little way ahead and to his left Geoff saw something issuing from the shadows. From the darkness, a loud growl seemed about holding an evil purpose in remorseless cold blue eyes that sank into Geoff beyond the horror of any dream. Geoff noticed the many people in panic but couldn't understand why. Then currently Griffin appeared from the shadows. His voice carried like thunder", Why Geoff! Just who I was looking for". Geoff glared at griffin placing his hand by the hilt of his sword. " You realize if any of these people move I'll start killing them off like sheep" Griffin issued with a smile that could blind eyes and a soul to tarnish silver.
" What is it your twisted mind wants!" Geoff sneered, then threw his sword out. " The gems" Griffin said simply. " Why should I tell you where they are?" Geoff asked. " Because if you don't it will cost you your life". A monk from the monastery, who witnessed the argument between Griffin and Geoff, sank behind the doors of the castle gates. He then turned and ran back to the monastery in absolute fear. Once he arrived there he shouted in panic," Geoff and many others are being held hostage by the red dragon at the castle!". Mansel looked slowly toward Martian Orodruin. " He's after the gems"; the old priest paused," and must think the boy has them". " We must get to Drake", Mansel insisted," He's the only one who can stop Griffin". The both of them after left the room to grab Drake.
Drake smiled at Grace lighting candles in every room with glowing incense. Afterward she joined Drake resting by him by the mount of pillows. " So what do you think their going to do with the gems?" Grace asked. Drake thumbled with the dragons talon that had been given to Grace, his face frowned and he reassured his thoughts carefully," I really wouldn't know Grace". He stared blankly toward a dim candle. Graces smile faded as she brought her knees up, folding her dove-white wings fourth. " I'm sorry Drake.", she said grabbing his attention," I guess I'm getting to caught up in all the excitement that's happened and I'm always wondering if its all a dream". " What do you mean" Drake tilted his head with a questioning look and from time to time twitched his spiked tail. " It sounds silly, but coming from a world of technology to a place where there are battling knights, evil, flying dragons, and to Jedi monks" Grace giggled. " Jedi monks?" Drake smirked. " Yeah Jedi monks", Grace smiled then continued," this is a place that has to be believed to be seen.its all to much for me almost like I'm in a movie and must bleed to know that I'm alive or if this is real or not".
" Grace." Drakes voice softened. Then was boomed out by Mansel who rushed into the room telling Drake the bad news. After he heard the news, it wasn't long before Drake arrived at the castle with Mansel. Orodruin and Grace following behind. Inside they could hear Griffins voice booming like a choir and Geoff arguing back. Drake glared at the closed gates of the castle and threw out his wings climbing into the air causing a distraction for Griffin, while the others moved in silently through the doors and into the crowd hoping to save Geoff. " Let him go!" Drake yelled as he landed between Geoff and Griffin. Griffin smirked his cold blue eyes caught a glimpse of Grace and Mansel within the crowd. "Nice try but if your attempting to save everyone I'm afraid it won't work" Griffin said a smile twisting his face. " Why did you come here?" Drake glared. Griffin sighed out of impatient anger", I've only come for the gems and if Geoff here I know who does". He paused giving Mansel and Grace a glance. Fear struck through Mansel quickly at the pierce of Griffins cold eyes and he stumbled back. " Your angel of dragons must surely have them, she's part of them! And is the key to my victory!" Griffin dictated.
" Leave her out of this!" Drake snarled baring his teeth. Griffin's eyes flashed with a burning anger and he threw himself at Drake swiftly imbedding his talons into his neck. With a quick reaction, Geoff ran toward Griffin with his sword and slashed at him causing him to scream out in a vicious cry that caused the crowd of people to move back against the castles walls. They ushered in fear. Showing his bared teeth, Griffin came toward Geoff, who held his sword just feet beneath Griffins neck. Geoff swallowed a certain regret as Griffins growl rattled through him, shaking all his internal organs. Geoff stepped backwards only having little room between himself and the crowd of terrified people. Griffin noticed satins of blood weeping through Geoff's clothing identical to the injuries he left on Drake. Griffin came to a yielding stop staring coldly into Geoff's eyes, realizing why Geoff and Drake shared similar injuries. "So.Drake shared his heart with you!" Griffin said and lashed out toward Geoff grabbing his sword and through him back against the stone floor. His rage turned into a cackling laughter. Grace and Mansel watched as if in slow motion, watching as Griffin hurled himself toward Geoff and impaled him swiftly.
Afterward he stood moving back a couple of paces hoping the results of his action would finish Geoff and Drake off for good. " Geoff! Drake!" Grace screamed out in horror as she persuasively hurried toward them but was held back by Mansel's strong hold around her arms. Drake meeped out a cry of pain then fell limp to the ground. Geoff also recoiled, lying within a pool of blood that spread quickly like the spill of oil. Drake remained conscience while Geoff was unfortunate. A sudden hush even for Griffin came over the court until it was broken by Graces scream. She cried out alternately raving, shouting, and tearing hoarse sobs in a painful voice that filled the room with a heavy string of sorrow, melting the hearts of people in the moment. Mansel pulled Grace toward him trying to comfort her and drowned out her voice within his holy robes. But she urged back toward Drake jerking away from Mansel and brought herself to where Drake was.
Mansel along with many others could do nothing but watch. They watched huddled all in a big circle, hushed and stared surreptitiously. " Drake." Grace asked in a faint voice that could not be heard by any other. Fading away and very weak Drake gazed into Graces sparkling eyes filled with sorrow and confusion. With a clawed hand he gently placed it onto her face whispering", it was never a dream Grace.". His breathing became shallow as he felt Geoff's pain more than ever, like a thousand piercing knives stabbing his heart all at once to deepen the pain from the sword that had been impaled into Geoff. He could feel Graces fingers threading over his claws. Drake tried to tell her something but his vision became blurry and the room began to spin. " Drake!" Grace muffled out her heart shattered like glass on the inside and felt Drakes hand slowly slide from her cheek and then fell limp to the floor.
Griffin stared, the shadows covering his face and his heart stiffened now. Tears stained the faces of many individuals after witnessing such a sadness known to soon and could have only been saved to late. After several minutes of silence Griffin came from the shadows with the devils smile. He began a speech with the people who said nothing but stared at him bitterly. Grace looked toward Griffin with an avenging look as she made her way towards Geoff's body, with the sword spiked from it. She wrapped her fingers around the hilt and stood from her kneeling position. Mansel watched her whispering something to himself with his rosary held tightly in his hand and the beads of sweat peering down his face.
" Consider your protector of the realm and noble knight dead", Griffin bellowed out toward everyone," at last victory is mine as it had meant to be". Grace yanked the bloody sword from Geoff and screamed out running toward Griffin from behind, catching him off guard and immense surprise. He spun around directly at her ready to stop her but by then it was to late. He was brutally stabbed with the sword just inches away from his blackened heart. He screamed out in a monstrous roar clenching a clawed fist over the sword and backed away from Grace. All around him, cries broke out. Grace backed away from Griffin who struggled against the floor in a shock of pain.
Griffin rose from the floor, many people including their king fled from the castle, shoving and crying out in panic until only five souls remained. Mansel and Orodruin stood in silence watching Griffin pull the silver blade from his scales and snarled baring his teeth at Grace. A flash of rage flickered in his eyes," I cannot believe the ancients entitled you guardian of our race!". Griffin slowly stepped toward her in a stalking pace. Mansel feared the worst as he looked onto Geoff and Drake. He noticed something extraordinary. The pools of blood that puddled the ground beneath them were usurped and dissolved slowly away; their wounds healed and became extinct as if no injury infuriated them at all. A smile came across Mansel's face as he came to realize that Griffin calculated the perfect mistake. " This has to be a miracle". " What my son? " The old priest approaching from behind. " When Griffin stabbed Geoff he and drake shared the same fate but what Griffin didn't realize that by stabbing Geoff he could not kill the both of them since they are binded with the life force from Drakes heart", Mansel explained. " Orodruin smiled giving Mansel a pat on the shoulder", you are very observant".
Mansel's features quoted", but what puzzles me is if all dragons know of the life force.why did Griffin impale Geoff?". Mansel's conversation was quickly erased by Griffin's startling roar. With his rage at its peak Griffin drew closer to Grace," you realize I once lassoed your beauty with a pitiful rope". Griffin cornered her; he noticed he had trapped her and that she had no place to run. " But in the end I achieved nothing.". He continued proceeding closer to her. " This is not good." Mansel mumbled watching Griffin
" It's not like you to attack Dragons" Griffins voice lowered as he had Grace cornered against the wall. " Witness what mankind had done to us over the centuries". Griffin raised an open clawed hand above Graces face. He placed her in a frozen trance. Graces eyes dilated, fading in color. Soon everything around her, the room Geoff and Drake along with Mansel and Orodruin were blotted out in darkness. Reflections of visions came to her quickly. She witnessed the horrible fate that humans put Dragons through. She heard the screaming cries of hatchlings as they were being slaughtered their eggs being crushed. Their mothers slain as were their fathers. Others were slaughtered for sport and sold for profit. Then the voices of slayers and those who feared dragons hollered out thoughtless words, their hearts blackened and wicked. As increasingly horrific visions came to Grace, Griffin began to cast a horrible spell on her.
His voice rang through her ears", where were you guardian of Dragons when we needed you the most! Where were you when humans enslaved us! killed us!, used us for pleasure and profit!, feared us and placed us in misery to their own dark desires, giving us a bad name!. You could have saved us all. But instead you hid in the shadows and went into a sleep for thousands of years only to be reawakened when it's to late!". Just then, a white haze flashed into Griffins eyes, he pulled away from Grace in horror, only to see what his future would become. Still frozen with in the trance Grace could feel her entire self being swallowed by darkness. It was like the black sands of death were sucking her down with them in agony of their haunting shadows. Grace screamed out as she took one last breath suffocating within the darkness.
Tears of blood shed from her eyes. A black velvet color consumed her wings turning her feathers completely black. She then collapsed lifeless against the stone floor. Out of nowhere, a ball of flame was thrown towards Griffin. With alarm, Griffin ducked the ball of fire, throwing himself around to see Drake and Geoff standing there. Justice imprinted itself on their features. In silence, Griffin glared over at Drake then slowly spread his mighty wings taking off skyward and retreated from the area of the court. Moments later, Mansel and Orodruin along with Geoff and Drake rushed over to Graces lifeless body on the floor.
" What's happened to her?" Geoff asked, and then glanced down toward Grace. Beside Mansel, Orodruin placed a hand to his snow white beard and stroked it in deep thought," This is a case of fate, a destiny meant for the fallen". " What are we standing around for? We have to help her!" Drake protested. He stretched his wings out fully from himself and hovered just above Grace. Geoff kneeled down beside her and studied the stained blood tears on her face. His own eyes widen and he shouted out," her eyes are dilated, I'm not getting any pulse! And the worst thing, she's not even breathing!". Orodruin and Mansel gasped. Drake pushed Geoff aside as he had something in mind. Carefully he placed his clawed hands just above Graces torso and began to perform a respiratory trying to bring her back to life. " Drake!? What are you doing your going to crush her!" Geoff shouted in panic. " I'm trying to save her life Geoff!" Drake snapped back. He continued to jump start Graces heart. Mansel and Orodruin stood back and watched hushed in silence.
Graces skin turned deathly pale. Her temperature had dropped extremely. Each time Drake constricted his strength to bring her back he failed and had no success. " Come on wake up!" Drake shouted, breathing fiercely as he pushed his clawed hands down on Graces torso trying his hardest to restart her heart. Geoff shook his head looking to the floor in lose predicament. For several minutes Drake presumed respiratory on Graces, limp body. Out of the spur of the moment, Geoff approached Drake shouting, " Drake stop! Can't you see this is just not working! She's gone!". Drake's heart leapt into his throat and he tried drowning the pain but it wouldn't leave. He turned to Geoff baring his teeth and snarled;" I don't care what you say I'm not giving up!". Geoff slowly stepped away from Drake with a glare of confusion. He shook his head and bitterly watched as Drake gave every bit of his strength to bring Grace back to life.
" Don't die Grace!" Drakes voice cracked, as he strived to plummet every, last exhausting strength into Grace's motionless body. Just when all hope was lost, Grace awoke gasping in a breath of clear air and cried out in shock. Geoff, Mansel, and Orodruin sprang their heads in surprise witnessing the miracle. Their eyes glistened with excitement and with relief that they did not lose a good friend. Exhausted and out of breath Drake peered at Grace. His eyes burned with a haunting sadness. Weakly Graces trembling hand reached toward Drakes face and a faint smile dwelled over her cherubic looks. Gently Drake suspended Grace within his arm letting her head rest within one of his hands. He drew his wings over her body giving her a light hug and whispered by her ear", I'm so glad that you're okay".
Observing Drake with Grace, Geoff's eyes softened, his face glowed with a warm smile, as he said nothing for several minutes. " It has been quite a day." Orodruin said looking onto Mansel. " I agree" Mansel added fixing one of his robes," we should get back to the monastery, we all need our rest". Geoff nodded looking toward Drake then back at Mansel and Orodruin. Afterward the group of five all took Mansel's advice and headed back.
It had been quiet for the next few days. Moreover, for the days that passed, the more dangerous things were becoming. The silent voices of angels carried an angelic glory and sang with the melody of sorrow. Monks gathered at the Monastery chanting their silent prayers, mourning for the loss of people that died in the battle during the invasion at the castle. Others like the wealthy celebrated believing that Geoff and Drake had once again vanquished the evil. But their had been no evidence that could verify the evil had been destroyed. In addition, the peace that came would only be a calm before the storm.
That evening at the monastery, Orodruin watched the three red stars closely. They twinkled brightly in the star constellation Draco. He shivered from the sudden change in the wind. Behind him on the balcony, Mansel approached him considerably silent carrying the four gems that possessed the souls of the ancient dragons. Without realizing it Mansel had been shaking with fear and assumed the worst of the prophecy dragon- stigmata. He reached over with on hand and tapped Orodruin until he grabbed his attention.
Orodruin never turned back for an instant. Instead, he watched the fireworks cracking off into the distance rising in vibrant shades of colors over the castle. " It amazes me that they celebrate at a time when fate is near" Orodruin said in a disturbed voice. " It's tonight isn't it?" Mansel asked, then nervously handed Orodruin the gems. Carefully Orodruin took the gems then turned towards Mansel," we must get to the temple of Eternitie Vertrie ". " What is that? And where?", Mansel said with a questioning look. Orodruin shut his eyes briefly then reopened them taking a deep breath," Eternitie Vertrie, from the dragons speech is the temple of eternal life it is where the four ancients had cast the guardian of dragons to sleep and had her carefully guarded until she was needed to save their race from the dragon of chaos known as the shadow dragon who brought death to the land and possibly all living things. This temple is a very secret omen and exists within the lands and mists of Avalon".
" That's fascinating", Mansel said", but how will we know when this evil comes and how do we get to the temple?". The old priest bowed his head, his eyes looked into Monks and replied in a stern voice," I suggest we go there soon, I have knowledge of the temples location and predicting on the dragon constellation this prophecy will be about to unravel soon".
Within the darkness of the eclipsing moon, Griffin swayed about the night's sky. He rose high then dove swiftly to the solid earth, reaching for the ground with his talons and broke the wind with his wings. With a silence, he landed carefully, on the soft cool blades of grass, snapping his wings back crisply. For a moment, he looked around himself then reached toward his mouth with a clawed hand and took the object he stole from the monastery previously when Geoff and Drake had been with the others at the castle. Glancing at the necklace with the dragons shaped around the emerald blue diamond heart, he held it up to the milking moonlight getting a better observation and suddenly he recognized what it was in an instant. He had seen it at the imperial ball. " The heart of the dragon.", he whispered", this is extraordinary. With this I can retrieve the four gems".
With the dark idea, Griffin summoned the deaths of fallen dragons within the fires of Lucifer's hell. The heart of the dragon suddenly lost its blue emerald color and shaded itself to the deepest black. " Revenge is at hand", Griffin dictated then closed his eyes casting his last spell bringing forth a horrible fate. Around him, the haunting cries of tortured souls echoed within the dismay of a demons fortune. Fires from every angle exploded rising from the ground like geysers, and shifting from the dark emerald came a thin mist swirling like plutonian coasts twisting and striking hues of black lighting rising around Griffin's draconic structure. Once he was swallowed in the dark Salem, the emerald heart of the dragon burst into flames and then was crushed beneath Griffins foot. Griffin screamed back in agony and suffered from the burning pain wroting through out his body. Griffin's last call of a dying cry echoed out into the dangerous thick night and after, grew quieter.
From the dark shadow of the moon leached fourth a black dragon as dark as satins soul, Griffin was no more. Eyes gleamed as red as blood penetrating prey with one glance. Issuing from the shadows the demonic dragon stood brief in epic silence shooting a glance toward the castle watching the fireworks boom off in the distance and after gave out a sound screeching out and frightened any forest dwelling creature in the area.
Geoff sat alone on the steps leading up and into where Drake would sleep. Geoff could strongly feel Drake's heart heavy with sorrow concerning Grace becoming weaker and growing more ill as time passed. She was giving up on all hope and the most that Geoff, Drake, Mansel, and Martian Orodruin were depending on.faith. Drake caressed his claws through her white cherubic curls while she slept. He then approached his best friend," Geoff.I think she's dieing." Drake said fatefully peering a glance at the sleeping angel who was waking. " There's nothing we can do Drake.", Geoff replied," we have tried everything we possibly could to heal her but nothing seems to work".
Grace cried out grabbing Geoff and Drakes attention. " I feel like my heart is breaking.", her eyes tracing the ceiling," why am I so sad..". Geoff rose from the steps and knelt down beside Grace", it will be all right Grace me and Drake are here for you. Once we get you to where ever it is we must bring you to then everything should fine". Slowly Grace shook her head closing her eyes, trying to shut herself and the entire world out of existence.
Within the dawning light of the eclipsing moon, a head fourth into the smoldering night brought the storm of the dark. Over miles of coasts and the land came a rumble rising to a deafening crash and roar.