Disclaimer: I don't own Esca, there would be WAY too much fluff and romance if I did... Not that that would be a bad thing, I personally think...
A/N: Well, my loyal readers, I hope I haven't lost some of you in the last few chapters, I dunno maybe school was getting me down or something... This is just a VERY unpredictable fic at times; I don't really know where it is going either... Once I've finished I'll probably combine some of the chapters so it won't look so intimidating. I'm glad that most of you have stuck by me, I really appreciate it, because I love to write these, and your praise keeps me going... So, once again, thank you my friends, I will continue my fic, until I've decided that I've already made it too long and you people will all die of boredom if I go any longer... Review when you're done, thanks! ^_^
Chapter 37: Dragon Revealed
Daren looked up at Memoria in disbelief.
"I'M WORKING FOR HIM?" He asked in anger.
"Yes Daren. One of the Dragonslayers died in battle the other day and we need a replacement. I think you will suffice being good with a sword and all. And being under Dilandau's rule might help get that stubborn streak out of you!" She replied her eyes cold.
"You'd just get in the way if you remained here. You will train alongside the Dragonslayers and when Dilandau has finished your training you will come here and we will march onward to battle and the glorious future that is in store for us!" She laughed, but it was more of a cackle.
"You have this all planned out, don't you?" Daren asked mockingly.
"I suppose so. I've waited, ever so long... And now, my dreams are beginning to unfold. She snapped her fingers and two guards came in, carrying a limp prisoner.
"Yes, excellent. Maybe this one will tell us the secret." She whispered just loud enough that if you strained your ears, you could hear.
"According to the Utavu clan, this one put up quite a battle." A guard commented.
"They had to use Wuru powder to knock her out." The other said.
"Their leader demands double the usual pay for their services." The first guard added.
"If those morons weren't so good at tracking down people, I assure you, their little village would be in flames by now, and it may still be that if they don't work on lowering their demands. I should have had Dilandau torch that village when he first told me about it. Tell them that next time you see them Viru." A dangerous glint in her eyes, as though daring him to defy her.
"Yes Milady." The guard replied, as they bowed their way out of the room, prisoner still in their custody.
"What is the Utavu clan?" Daren asked in confusement.
"You sure like to ask questions, but this one I will answer." She lazily replied.
"The Utavu clan is from outer Ispano. Rejects I guess you could call them. Never interested in building guymelefs, they were outcasts, knowing that if they were found, they would be killed for they are thought of as a bunch of useless menaces, and by the Ispanos cowards. They are small in size and gifted in sorcery and tracking. When someone wants someone or something found, they hire them. I found them camped in Eastern Zaibach, no doubt trying to find refuge away from their country's borders. I should have destroyed their whole village, but I decided that I could kill them later, after they had done my bidding. They threatened me with their magic, not that I'm that afraid of it mind you, noting that the Zaibach sorcerers have stronger powers than all of them combined, so we settled on an agreement. The first five years, they would work for us free of charge in exchange for protection from their homeland and the other countries. When the five years were up, I decided that they suited my taste as soldiers, and we agreed in payment for further services, although I no longer guarantee their protection." She finished, taking a breath.
"They're the ones who brought you here in the first place, after all you are the dragon, a piece of the puzzle, waiting to be found..."
"I'm no dragon! I'm prince of Fanelia, Daren Sidan de Fanel, son of Van and Hitomi de Fanel, descendant of Atlantis! Nothing more!"
"But you are incorrect Daren. You have heard 'The Legend of the Black Dragon,' have you not?"
"Of course I have, it's a common Fanelian tale." Daren replied in disgust at her stupidity.
"Then you know how it goes, when evil is to arise, a Draconian child is born, destined to become the dragon that will save his people from certain doom?"
"That's just a bedtime story, nothing more..." Daren muttered.
"Sorry brother, but it is more fact than fiction as I will reveal to you tonight..." Daren looked angrily, as she paused, wanting to leave him in suspense.
"Ever since I became empress, I have strived to find the element that will operate this machine..." She said, pointing at a large metal contraption on the other side of the room.
"This machine can fufill your deepest desires, making them a reality. But something is needed to make it function correctly. After Emperor Dornkirk had the Atlantis machine up and running, he had planned to tamper with this device to try to make it work. But alas for our poor Emperor, his ideals were never reached, for he met his death on your Uncle's blade..." She remained silent for a moment in respect for the dead Emperor.
"My sorcerers found Leon Schezar's journal again, which was taken from us many years before, and found entries about this machine that he had written in ancient Atlantis writing. Being part Draconian, I was able to read it without the slightest difficulty. The writing said, 'Find thy path with fate in mind, for this machine is the only one of its kind. Past, present, future revealed, from this machine hence commeth all that has been sealed... You will find thy calling, thy strength; thou shall exceed thy peers, if the dragon is brought here. A touch of silver, a touch of blue, the dragon's weakness, it is true. His scales are black, his eyes are green, beware, for he is more dangerous than he seems. Your fate be changed, your goals reached, if you listen to what has been preached...'"
"That is the weirdest thing I've ever heard..." Daren commented, looking quite bewildered.
"Why do you think I'M the dragon anyway? I think you've gone off your rocker..."
"Silence fool!" She commanded as he bit his lip so hard, it began to bleed.
"You are what I've been searching for, with you, I will finally reach my ideals... My fate will be altered, and I will live in eternal bliss!" She cackled after this comment.
"How can you even understand what those idiots were trying to say? Were they PURPOSELY trying to be confusing, or is it another one of our 'special' talents?" Daren asked sarcastically.
"Anyone with half a brain knows what they're trying to say... They're saying that all my wishes will come true now that I have you, the dragon..." She muttered.
"FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I'M NOT A DRAGON YOU MORON!" Daren said in fuming rage.
"Fine then. I'll prove it to you myself." She declared, walking over to him.
"Oh no. That's not necessary..." Daren said under his breath, backing away from the insane empress.
"Aishita modokono berlulu dushiti..." She began to mutter, her eyes closed.
Daren felt an odd sensation as she continued her haunting chant.
'What's happening to me?' He wondered as his voice became hoarse and then he couldn't speak anymore. His back began to split open and his body felt like it was on fire. He screamed in horror, since that seemed to be the only thing left he could do, but the scream turned into a roar. His hands and feet became clawed as he began to grow higher and higher.
The empress stopped chanting as she looked up in wonder at her work. Before her stood a dragon. His midnight scales illuminated from the chandeliers glow, his eyes a blazing green that seemed to look into your very soul. Dark green wings emerged from its back as it hissed in fury. Each of his feet as big as a carriage, his limbs as long as tree trunks, he was indeed a sight to behold. The dragon growled fiercely, fire shooting out of the abyss that was its mouth.
"My... you're looking a tad different today brother..." She commented with a smirk. She began her incantations again and slowly the dragon shrank in size, turning back into its original state, being a dazed Daren.
"What just happened?" He asked in between bewilderment and fury.
"I simply showed you your true form brother..." She replied sweetly.
"Believe me now?"
"What did you just do you witch?!" He yelled at the still smiling empress.
"Just like I said, I simply revealed who you really are... You should be thanking me, now you won't have to go through an identity crisis..."
"But it proves my point... You're the dragon that we need for the machine, and once I've found out how it works, my bright future lays before me..." She snapped her fingers a few times and some guards escorted the still gaping Daren from the room.
"Yes... soon all my dreams shall become reality..." She whispered, as the night went dark.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Creepy... Well, I had intended for this chapter to turn out differently, this just came up when I was thinking about the whole dragon thing, so this was the result. If her incantation has any REAL words in it, then it is merely coincidental since I just made up her chant from scratch... Hope you liked it! Review, next chapter tomorrow maybe... Arigatou and Sionara! ^_^
~Trunks Gal~
A/N: Well, my loyal readers, I hope I haven't lost some of you in the last few chapters, I dunno maybe school was getting me down or something... This is just a VERY unpredictable fic at times; I don't really know where it is going either... Once I've finished I'll probably combine some of the chapters so it won't look so intimidating. I'm glad that most of you have stuck by me, I really appreciate it, because I love to write these, and your praise keeps me going... So, once again, thank you my friends, I will continue my fic, until I've decided that I've already made it too long and you people will all die of boredom if I go any longer... Review when you're done, thanks! ^_^
Chapter 37: Dragon Revealed
Daren looked up at Memoria in disbelief.
"I'M WORKING FOR HIM?" He asked in anger.
"Yes Daren. One of the Dragonslayers died in battle the other day and we need a replacement. I think you will suffice being good with a sword and all. And being under Dilandau's rule might help get that stubborn streak out of you!" She replied her eyes cold.
"You'd just get in the way if you remained here. You will train alongside the Dragonslayers and when Dilandau has finished your training you will come here and we will march onward to battle and the glorious future that is in store for us!" She laughed, but it was more of a cackle.
"You have this all planned out, don't you?" Daren asked mockingly.
"I suppose so. I've waited, ever so long... And now, my dreams are beginning to unfold. She snapped her fingers and two guards came in, carrying a limp prisoner.
"Yes, excellent. Maybe this one will tell us the secret." She whispered just loud enough that if you strained your ears, you could hear.
"According to the Utavu clan, this one put up quite a battle." A guard commented.
"They had to use Wuru powder to knock her out." The other said.
"Their leader demands double the usual pay for their services." The first guard added.
"If those morons weren't so good at tracking down people, I assure you, their little village would be in flames by now, and it may still be that if they don't work on lowering their demands. I should have had Dilandau torch that village when he first told me about it. Tell them that next time you see them Viru." A dangerous glint in her eyes, as though daring him to defy her.
"Yes Milady." The guard replied, as they bowed their way out of the room, prisoner still in their custody.
"What is the Utavu clan?" Daren asked in confusement.
"You sure like to ask questions, but this one I will answer." She lazily replied.
"The Utavu clan is from outer Ispano. Rejects I guess you could call them. Never interested in building guymelefs, they were outcasts, knowing that if they were found, they would be killed for they are thought of as a bunch of useless menaces, and by the Ispanos cowards. They are small in size and gifted in sorcery and tracking. When someone wants someone or something found, they hire them. I found them camped in Eastern Zaibach, no doubt trying to find refuge away from their country's borders. I should have destroyed their whole village, but I decided that I could kill them later, after they had done my bidding. They threatened me with their magic, not that I'm that afraid of it mind you, noting that the Zaibach sorcerers have stronger powers than all of them combined, so we settled on an agreement. The first five years, they would work for us free of charge in exchange for protection from their homeland and the other countries. When the five years were up, I decided that they suited my taste as soldiers, and we agreed in payment for further services, although I no longer guarantee their protection." She finished, taking a breath.
"They're the ones who brought you here in the first place, after all you are the dragon, a piece of the puzzle, waiting to be found..."
"I'm no dragon! I'm prince of Fanelia, Daren Sidan de Fanel, son of Van and Hitomi de Fanel, descendant of Atlantis! Nothing more!"
"But you are incorrect Daren. You have heard 'The Legend of the Black Dragon,' have you not?"
"Of course I have, it's a common Fanelian tale." Daren replied in disgust at her stupidity.
"Then you know how it goes, when evil is to arise, a Draconian child is born, destined to become the dragon that will save his people from certain doom?"
"That's just a bedtime story, nothing more..." Daren muttered.
"Sorry brother, but it is more fact than fiction as I will reveal to you tonight..." Daren looked angrily, as she paused, wanting to leave him in suspense.
"Ever since I became empress, I have strived to find the element that will operate this machine..." She said, pointing at a large metal contraption on the other side of the room.
"This machine can fufill your deepest desires, making them a reality. But something is needed to make it function correctly. After Emperor Dornkirk had the Atlantis machine up and running, he had planned to tamper with this device to try to make it work. But alas for our poor Emperor, his ideals were never reached, for he met his death on your Uncle's blade..." She remained silent for a moment in respect for the dead Emperor.
"My sorcerers found Leon Schezar's journal again, which was taken from us many years before, and found entries about this machine that he had written in ancient Atlantis writing. Being part Draconian, I was able to read it without the slightest difficulty. The writing said, 'Find thy path with fate in mind, for this machine is the only one of its kind. Past, present, future revealed, from this machine hence commeth all that has been sealed... You will find thy calling, thy strength; thou shall exceed thy peers, if the dragon is brought here. A touch of silver, a touch of blue, the dragon's weakness, it is true. His scales are black, his eyes are green, beware, for he is more dangerous than he seems. Your fate be changed, your goals reached, if you listen to what has been preached...'"
"That is the weirdest thing I've ever heard..." Daren commented, looking quite bewildered.
"Why do you think I'M the dragon anyway? I think you've gone off your rocker..."
"Silence fool!" She commanded as he bit his lip so hard, it began to bleed.
"You are what I've been searching for, with you, I will finally reach my ideals... My fate will be altered, and I will live in eternal bliss!" She cackled after this comment.
"How can you even understand what those idiots were trying to say? Were they PURPOSELY trying to be confusing, or is it another one of our 'special' talents?" Daren asked sarcastically.
"Anyone with half a brain knows what they're trying to say... They're saying that all my wishes will come true now that I have you, the dragon..." She muttered.
"FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I'M NOT A DRAGON YOU MORON!" Daren said in fuming rage.
"Fine then. I'll prove it to you myself." She declared, walking over to him.
"Oh no. That's not necessary..." Daren said under his breath, backing away from the insane empress.
"Aishita modokono berlulu dushiti..." She began to mutter, her eyes closed.
Daren felt an odd sensation as she continued her haunting chant.
'What's happening to me?' He wondered as his voice became hoarse and then he couldn't speak anymore. His back began to split open and his body felt like it was on fire. He screamed in horror, since that seemed to be the only thing left he could do, but the scream turned into a roar. His hands and feet became clawed as he began to grow higher and higher.
The empress stopped chanting as she looked up in wonder at her work. Before her stood a dragon. His midnight scales illuminated from the chandeliers glow, his eyes a blazing green that seemed to look into your very soul. Dark green wings emerged from its back as it hissed in fury. Each of his feet as big as a carriage, his limbs as long as tree trunks, he was indeed a sight to behold. The dragon growled fiercely, fire shooting out of the abyss that was its mouth.
"My... you're looking a tad different today brother..." She commented with a smirk. She began her incantations again and slowly the dragon shrank in size, turning back into its original state, being a dazed Daren.
"What just happened?" He asked in between bewilderment and fury.
"I simply showed you your true form brother..." She replied sweetly.
"Believe me now?"
"What did you just do you witch?!" He yelled at the still smiling empress.
"Just like I said, I simply revealed who you really are... You should be thanking me, now you won't have to go through an identity crisis..."
"But it proves my point... You're the dragon that we need for the machine, and once I've found out how it works, my bright future lays before me..." She snapped her fingers a few times and some guards escorted the still gaping Daren from the room.
"Yes... soon all my dreams shall become reality..." She whispered, as the night went dark.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: Creepy... Well, I had intended for this chapter to turn out differently, this just came up when I was thinking about the whole dragon thing, so this was the result. If her incantation has any REAL words in it, then it is merely coincidental since I just made up her chant from scratch... Hope you liked it! Review, next chapter tomorrow maybe... Arigatou and Sionara! ^_^
~Trunks Gal~