Hello my dearest readers. I haven't posted much in this fandom lately, Percy Jackson consuming my soul, but I have returned in the aftermath of the latest book with several more fics planned after them.
As the summary says, this is a rewrite. The latest book filled me with unholy rage, and I am determined to fix things. If one has enjoyed the latest book, I'm delighted you managed to find joy in it. For everyone else, please enjoy my attempt at a conclusion to the Dragonwatch series.
Come yell at me on my tumblr: FairyPrincessOfTheDragons
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OO OO OO OO
Seth studied the dungeon corridor in front of him. It was bathed in a red light from the sword in his hand, darker than the last time he wielded Vasilis.
It made sense that it was darker now, his powers in darkness had grown and-
He shook his head and pushed the thought of Blackwell, and who may have died there, aside.
His experiences had made a clear difference to the energy his nature projected.
He glanced over his shoulder, seeing his large misshapen shadow on the rocky wall. His wings made him look strange, he wasn't quite used to them yet.
But there was no one around to look at him though, with all the cells in view empty. He knew there were others nearby, he could sense them. A steady warmth, a steady cool presence at the edge of his senses.
And of course, the wraith at his side remained, absorbing light and cooling the corridor.
He took a deep breath, relishing in the ability to think clearly for the first time since he got his memories back. Vasilis really was a miracle worker.
He felt like he could do anything, take on anyone, but he knew better than to act on that feeling. He knew that the sword had led previous wielders to ruin, and he knew that he could be led astray. He'd opened the Blackwell and nearly destroyed an island after all.
He was brought out of his thoughts by the glint of torchlight approaching. He couldn't hear any walking, but clearly someone was approaching.
It was too tight for a dragon outside of human form, but Seth also couldn't imagine the dragons standing guard in the first place.
He considered backtracking, but his cell would be discovered anyways, and an alarm would be raised.
He needed to take care of the guard—as quietly as possible.
He found it unusually easy to access his power as he let the shadows wrap around him and hide him from view. Vasilis must have been more help than he realized.
He crouched and quietly advanced to the next bend of the corridor, the torchlight growing brighter with every second, but the silence remained. He motioned for Whiner to step against the wall, hiding as well.
He was relying on the shadows to keep him invisible to all and maybe, with luck, the guard would stroll right past him, letting Seth slip away.
The guard turned the corner, stopping. The light from the torch in her hand (he assumed she was a her at least) revealed her appearance to Seth.
She had a sharp, elongated, features, with a soft light gray plumage that darkened and thickened as it covered her body. Vulture wings were gathered behind her back like a shawl, bristling much like Seth imagined his own were.
Her narrow eyes were staring directly at Seth.
"Return to your cage," the guard declared, her voice sounding like three combined.
He didn't know how she'd seen him, but now wasn't the time to worry about that.
"Back off," Seth said fiercely, holding Vasilis out. "I don't want to harm you."
The (probable) woman bared a mouthful of pointed teeth.
"I need no mercy from you, human. Return to your cage or I shall enjoy a feast tonight."
"Get her, Whiner," Seth ordered.
I will not come off victorious against a Siberian harpy, Whiner whispered in Seth's mind.
He faltered, uncertain of what to do even as the blade pulled him forward.
A harpy…
"You wish to cower behind a wraith?" the harpy asked, her voice tinged with amusement.
"I don't want to hurt you," he repeated.
Vasilis had different plans.
"Test yourself against me if you wish," the harpy crooned, sharp claws sliding out of her fingers and glittering in the torchlight. "I am a true artist, and your death will be a slow one."
"I'll be fine," Seth countered, even as he eyed the claws. "You'll not be so lucky. I would really rather leave without fighting."
He'd had enough fighting to last him for a long time.
The harpy hissed, narrow eyes narrowing further. "Come taste the reward of defiance!"
She took a step and Seth touched his power to the torch, willing it cold.
It snuffed out in an instant, and with it Whiner rushed forward and tackled the harpy.
Dropping her torch, she screeched and buried her claws into Whiner's side, throwing him off of her and down the corridor.
Like a whirlwind she spun, her wings flared up and out, making her look far bigger than she was. She faced Seth, feathers fanning out, and then lunged for him as Whiner had her. A gust of foul air fogged his breath as Vasilis pulled him forward, clashing with her claws and burning bright. Sparks flew, from flame and claws alike, as they spun in a deadly dance. Claws flashed and his blade twirled to block. He had no need to guide it, Vasilis wanted to fight, and it knew how to fight.
And thus, when the harpy made a fatal error, extending her arm just a touch too far, Vasilis guided his hand to slice right through her arm. Burnt feathers drifted as the scent filled the air. She shrieked in rage and pain, making Seth's ears ring. He shuffled forward as his sword continued it's motion, flipping neatly in a glittering arc that slashed across her chest.
He nearly fell as she collapsed to the floor, catching himself on the wall.
The harpy lay motionless, red-hot cinders smoldering in the wound.
He felt a surge of victory and elation at the success, rage at her daring to fight him in the first place. He wanted to kill any who dared challenge him. He wanted to show them that he could beat them, easily, with nary a scratch to show for it.
He sheathed the sword and sucked in a breath.
His emotions steadied, soothed without the blade to amplify them (to cause them?) and he paced for a moment to calm completely.
He would need to be careful with that blade, it was going to lead him to ruin if he wasn't.
He turned to the wraith up the corridor and stepped past the harpy (the harpy he killed, he did that, he cut her down while she screamed-).
"Whiner, are you alright?"
Damaged but not destroyed, the wraith assured him. I attempted to fulfill your command.
"I'm sorry," Seth said, frowning. "I didn't realize a harpy could harm you."
He could barely see in the dark, so drew his sword once more. The extra dose of courage and confidence coursed through him, but it made him wary.
He would have to sheath the sword again soon. He didn't trust the emotions it filled him with.
Harpies can torment nearly anyone, the wraith replied. I can sense more surrounding us, do not underestimate them.
"I'll watch out," Seth promised. "Thanks, Whiner."
Must you use the title "Whiner"? the wraith asked.
Seth blinked, "Oh, sorry, it's a joke. When we first met, all you did was talk about how cold and hungry you were."
That condition remains, the wraith confirmed. But when we met, I had been in isolation for a long while. My sense of self had… degraded. The witches aided in reviving me.
"I can give you a better nickname," Seth offered. "I didn't realize it was upsetting."
Though he imagined he would be upset if someone called him Whiner all the time.
It would be appreciated
Seth thought for a long minute, considering a variety of names.
"How about Casper the friendly Wraith? Or just Casper for short."
The wraith seemed to drift for a moment.
What is a Casper?
"It's from an old show, about a ghost. I just thought it would be fun."
The wraith seemed to dip down, It is acceptable.
"Great," Seth said. "Now then, do you know the way out of here?"
I do, Casper replied. You will be grateful for your wings.
"They're temporary," Seth said, remembering what the Traveler had said. "But helpful. Lead the way?"
Casper lead Seth past countless cells, all empty. The hallway wound and twisted and turned, with several offshoots. They seemed to be slowly heading down, taking several flights of stairs as they went. Casper led the way, never faltering in his path, and a few turns later they finally came out at an archway.
Seth faltered, backing away before slipping forward along the wall.
A chilly breeze wafted through the bars, the starry night visible beyond them.
"I thought we were deep underground," Seth muttered.
The opposite is true
Seth walked to the archway and peered at the long drop below. They must've been hundreds of feet above the ground.
"A dragon put me to sleep before I arrived," Seth explained. "Its breath knocked me out instantly."
Your cell was located high within an enormous pinnacle of rock, Casper explained. It was a long climb to reach you.
"You climbed all the way?"
Yes.
Seth stared down, his forehead pressed against the cold bars. There were craggy mountain peaks all around them, creating jagged shapes in the bright moonlight. Most were considerably lower than his current vantage, which seemed to be at the top of a sheer drop.
"Are there stairs up the middle?" Seth continued.
No stairs. No ladders. This portion of the prison is for their most secure prisoners. Though there are many cells, most are tricks.
"I could sense other presences in here though," Seth countered.
There are many other prison sections to this dungeon. All are primarily accessible by flight.
"Or to a good climber," Seth muttered, still in disbelief of the mountains surrounding them. He wondered where they were that they were so high up.
A movement in his pocket brought him back to the present, and he glanced down to see Calvin poking his head out.
He'd forgotten about Calvin.
"Well, we'd better get moving," he declared.
The wraith held up a small pouch.
A gift from the Singing Sisters. Place this silt in a pool of water and you can communicate with them.
"Can't wait to reconnect," he muttered, accepting the pouch.
The Sisters are wise, and until you fulfill their task, your Fate is in their hands.
"Right," Seth said, his mind drifting to the task at hand. "I don't know how much I want them to tell me do, not with this impossible task."
Harpies are coming this way, Casper warned rather than respond. We must move quickly.
Flexing his astrid wings, Seth readied himself.
The dragons wouldn't want him to escape so there would be more threats to come. Likely many harpies, and possibly other beings.
He would need to be quick, and would maybe need to fight more.
He would probably have to do a lot of fighting before the end of his quest.
He was about to cut the bars when he realized something.
"The Unforgiving Blade," he muttered.
What?
"I can't leave without the Unforgiving Blade. It was with me when I was captured. We can't let the dragons keep it."
You have Vasilis?
"But the Unforgiving Blade is too powerful," he explained. "Celebrant already has every advantage, I can't leave this blade with him too. I have to find it."
I can sense the blade, Casper told him. As you should be able to as well. The blade shared a deep connection to the Void.
"I should be able to?" Seth asked with a frown.
Can you sense me?
"Yeah?"
The blade has infinitely more power than me. You should easily be able to find it despite the shields.
Seth took a deep breath and closed his eyes, stretching his senses out.
He searched for the cold, the hunger that the wraith held. He could only feel the wraith.
"I can't sense it."
Search out the Void, pure oblivion.
Seth frowned and focused once more, drawing to mind his first encounter with it.
Endless oblivion, a cold that was colder than cold, cold in a way resembling the burn of fire. A shadow you could never see the end of.
Like a magnet his attention was drawn up, to a slice of Void pulling him in.
He could feel it.
Colder than ice, sharper than Vasilis, darker than night, the presence was unmistakable.
"I found it," he told Casper.
Then you have no need of me. I shall return to the Sisters. May the night hide you well.
The wraith seemed to be expecting some reply, but Seth only nodded.
"Thank you."
Casper drifted through the bars and seemed to glide down the mountain. Seth let out a breath and readied his sword.
"Be ready, Calvin," he whispered. "I'll need your eyes and ears. We don't want a dragon sneaking up on us."
"I'm always paying attention," Calvin promised, poking up again. "Most everything is a predator for me."
The Tiny Hero had been there when Seth was at his lowest and was still by his side now. Seth was relieved. He didn't think he could do this alone.
"Thank you," Seth whispered. "You're a better friend than I deserve."
Calvin huffed, "You lost your memories and had people tricking you. You did the best you could in that situation, and still left them to find out the truth and help others."
"Just look at Vasilis," Seth argued, waving the dark red flaming sword. "It's dark."
"Isn't it the sword of light and dark?" Calvin asked. "It hardly matters if it's dark, you're dark. That doesn't make you bad. You're a shadow charmer, who works in the shadows. If anything, it just means you're growing into your power!"
From the night beyond the archway came heavy wing beats. Seth put a finger to his lips.
Staying low he withdrew from the gate, pressing against the wall and calling cool shadows over himself once more.
There was a long minute while the wing beats, strong and steady, grew louder… and then they slowly faded away. The creature flying higher and around the tower.
"Dragon?" Calvin asked almost too softly to hear.
"Something big," Seth said as loud as he dared. "We need to get going."
"The moon is bright," Calvin whispered. "We should try to get a good look of the land, so we can know what we're up against."
Seth nodded, slipping down further and realizing he still had his sword in hand. He sheathed it, cutting out the light but also allowing them to hide better, and then pressed on his stomach.
He slithered forward and squinted past the bars.
He couldn't see much in the sky, but if he squinted he could see the way stars disappeared behind hidden figures. Wings beat through the air, their sound reverberating. There were clusters of softer fluttering, with squeaks like from bats or mice. There was the occasional glint of moonlight on scales, or dark shapes surging up into the night from another position.
He turned his gaze down just in time to catch a glimpse of a dark, shaggy, shape, as it crossed a light expanse of rocks before vanishing into a stand of trees. There were occasional lights dancing across the ground, fairies maybe?
He frowned down.
"Lots of traffic."
"We'll need to move fast," Calvin confirmed. "Are you sure we need the Unforgiving Blade?"
"If we don't get it, the dragons will find a way to use it," Seth whispered back. "It's very powerful, we can't let them weaponize it."
"Then let's begin. The war is counting on us."
He straightened, his wings stretching out, and drew his sword once more. Carefully he cut through the bars, one by one. He sliced the top, then the bottom, grabbing each before they could fall and make a ruckus.
Once he had the space he stepped forward, and with his heart in his throat, he jumped.
His wings beat hard, catching him and making his stomach drop. Feathers glinted in the corners of his eyes as he flapped his wings and sheathed his sword. He swallowed hard and turned towards the feeling of darkness, cloaking himself in shadows as he did.
If he could hide himself when walking, why not when flying?
He just needed to make sure he was hidden from any other harpies. He was pretty sure he could hide from dragons, but harpies could clearly see him regardless.
He glimpsed various forms from a distance, likely harpies from their size, but there were occasional massive black shapes blotting out stars.
His gaze was drawn to the single tower above him as he flew high.
The solitary keep rose from the towering stone building that held the dungeons. The closely grouped walls, towers, terraces, and balconies were almost dizzying with how high they stretched. It made the mountain below seem much higher than it was. There were many overhangs as well, he imagined they would make good hiding spots.
The sound of wing beats caught his ears and he swooped to an overhand, perching on a beam and letting his wings fold around him like a cloak.
A massive shape swooped past, glittering silver scales catching his eyes before it was gone once more.
"We're not alone," Calvin whispered as Seth leaned to see if he could catch a glimpse of any other threats.
Seth froze, his eyes flicking around.
Surrounding them on the beams were countless dark shapes, and he realized now that they were not just parts of the wall. They were living beings.
He drew his sword halfway, throwing deep red highlights over the scene.
His breath caught, and he managed to just hold back a scream.
His wide eyes took in the dozens of hunched figures around him. Unknown beings huddled on most of the available space atop the supports, many more dangling upside down.
Their faces were- like beasts. Their skin was stone like and craggy, with many jagged dips and spiny bits. Their mouths filled with teeth he could see despite their closed mouths, and crooked horns sprouted from their heads. Their bodies were formed of wiry muscles, extremely pronounced wiry muscles. He thought he could see every line of the muscle, every curl of the veins, even the nerves seemed there. And many had arms twisted in the wrong ways, wings bent in two directions, heads with mouths in the wrong place.
The nearest one turned to face him, only a few feet away.
The brutish creature was rockier than the others he saw, with a strong underbite and fangs gleaming.
"Why… you… here?" it asked in voice sounding much like crashing rocks.
Seth's heart beat rapidly and he licked his lips. If they attacked he might not survive, and it would attract attention.
"Just resting," he said lightly. "I'm a friend."
The being snorted, shaking his wings that moved much like a bat's didn't. "Our friend… dead."
"What friend?"
It keened, curling tight, "Sang Rou."
Seth recoiled as the others stirred at the name, eyes turning to him with glittering gems in the corner of them.
He was fascinated for just a moment at the odd beauty in their pain, sparkling drops falling like diamonds.
Then he realized they were diamonds. The beings were crying jewels.
Sang Rou
Sang Rou
Sang Rou
The name was wailed by many voices, a cacophony of grief that made Seth recoil. Their grief was beautiful, a sharp contrast to their appearance. He mourned for the friend of theirs he didn't know.
"What happened?" he asked softly.
The being curled tighter, whining. "Wyrms come… Sang Rou… no come. Sang Rou gone."
Sang Rou
The air echoed with his name and despite not knowing him, Seth felt tears gathering in his own eyes.
He swallowed hard, "Was he the caretaker?"
Sang Rou
"Sang Rou… speak… us," it croaked. "Sang Rou… know… our words…"
Sang Rou
Wings clashed with the air as they flew to different roosts. The figures curling together with rough creaks and groans, stone cracking along stone as they mourned. Gems glittered along their forms.
Seth was glad he kept his blade mostly sheathed, the wrong move may lead them to swarm him.
He wiped his eyes and took a breath.
Sang Rou
"I'm Seth," he declared. "I'm on your side and I'm here to find out what the- the wyrms are doing."
The being growled, stone grinding and making him wince. "Wyrms… hunt us… No more… walls… only… only hide."
Sang Rou
They were like gargoyles he realized. Did they act like them?
"Did you perch on the castle walls?"
There was a ripple of motion, accompanied by cracks and discordant screeching. Wood creaked.
"We… high… before," the one he spoke to said, wiping his eyes and sending gems scattering. "See so much… Now under…"
Sang Rou
"I'm going to spy on the wyrms," Seth offered. "I need to learn what's going on. Thank you for letting me roost with you."
The gargoyle, he thought it was one at least, tucked his head. He covered one eye and squinted at Seth.
"Safer… hide…. Better… hide…"
"I can't," Seth said. "I hope you get to safety soon."
Sang Rou
He snapped his blade back into the scabbard and dropped from the timber, letting his wings catch him once more. His breath caught, and he pretended the wind was the cause of the tears in his eyes.
Their grief was rough, their grief was beautiful, their grief was painful. He grieved for their friend that was lost and wished he could help them more.
He rose over the overhand, seeing it actually held stables. They were empty though, which he was glad for. Anything in them would've been disturbed by the gargoyles.
His wings flapped hard, bringing him higher, and it was hard to breath. The air was thin, and his head spun.
He forced himself to keep going, determined to escape.
Above him, a sinuous body stirred, winding among the battlements atop a soaring wall. He made sure he was cloaked from sight as he drew closer to what was revealed to be a long Chinese dragon with a crocodile like head. The creature was not yet looking in his direction, and hopefully he would be hidden from its sight regardless.
He arced around the battlements, putting several between him and the dragon while he shielded himself all the more.
From somewhere below rose a chorus of jarring shrieks, Calvin pressed against his leg.
The alarm was raised.
He didn't have much time.
He urged his wings to move faster, twisting around the battlements and passing over the walls a moment later. He heard a scrapping noise as the sinuous body moved, unwinding as the dragons head arced over the battlement.
His heart nearly stopped as he froze in place.
The dragons gaze swept over him slowly.
It's gaze lingered.
He reached for his cold to steel himself against its gaze.
And it's head continued moving past him.
Seth blinked, then let out a quiet breath.
It hadn't seen him.
He continued his flight, careful and steady as he swooped towards the balconies.
Landing was easy as breathing, and he fingered the sword at his side.
With hope he wouldn't need it, he was wary of how it made him feel.
Gently testing the door handle revealed it unlocked and slipped in from the balcony.
He found himself in a bedroom, lit by moonlight to reveal it empty.
He hurried out and into the hallway, eerily silent and empty. The castle felt still, and no lights shown beyond the moonlight.
Was it deserted? The previous occupants (Sang Rou) were dead or gone. Had any dragons chosen to stay in human form? Or would they have invited others to live in the castle? Seth couldn't quite imagine dragons being pleased with a human castle.
He looked around, seeking some hint of which path to take, but it was too dark to see well.
Reluctantly he drew Vasilis once more, confidence filling him as a smile curled his lips. Dark red light bathed the hallway.
It wasn't very large; his wing tips brushed the sides of the walls when stretched out. He let them lift him once more and soared down the hallway. He reached a staircase, leading up to where he sensed the Unforgiving Blade.
He moved quickly, taking the steps two at a time as they were too narrow for flight.
There was a locked door at the top, but with his powers it was hardly an issue. A brief nudge of the cold from within and the door was open, allowing his swordlight to reveal a corridor narrower than the one below.
Were there no guards in the castle? Celebrant was off fighting a war… he stepped forward carefully, letting his gaze drift around the hallway.
He'd expected some challenge here, but so far there was nothing. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
About halfway down the hall he stopped, turning to face the door there. The Unforgiving Blade was beyond it.
He reached out with the coldness within once more but frowned when he realized it was guarded by magic as well as a lock.
He closed his eyes, placing a hand on the door as he focused.
The lock was there- okay and he had the- if he could just nudge the pieces- the magic was in the way.
He leaned forward, pressing harder. Cold leeched into his limbs as he pushed and pushed, straining against the magic holding the lock in place. With a ragged breath he heaved hard, shattering the magic blocking him and opening the lock.
He rubbed his head, feeling like the shards of that magic had embedded in him.
He let himself breath for just a moment, leaning against the wall as he sucked in breath, then pushed the door open.
The room beyond had no windows or any other door. The only light came from his sword, a dark red glare that revealed the Unforgiving Blade dangling from a rope at the center of the room, tip pointing down.
The blade reflected no light, seeming to draw it in instead. The room was darker where it hung.
He supposed hanging it was a good way to handle it not being able to be sheathed.
"You found it," Calvin cheered as they entered the room. "Careful not to cut yourself."
"The wound would never heal," Seth agreed, slowly walking towards the blade. It was oddly entrancing. He wondered what would happen if he did actually cut someone with the blade. He'd killed the other quickly but-
"Is that your satchel?" Calvin asked.
Seth tore his gaze from the Blade, staggering as he did so. When had he gotten so close to it?
He swallowed. He'd have to be wary of both swords he held.
He shook his head, gaze falling on a set of makeshift cubbies against one wall. It held various belongings, cloaks, coats, hats, weapons, and satchels. A leather messenger bag leaned against the side of one cubby.
Seth hurried over, scooping it up and digging through it quickly.
"It's mine," he confirmed. "And my stuff is here."
"Including the pieces of the Wizenstone?"
"Including those."
His gaze shifted to the other items in the cubbies as Calvin continued.
"Good! Now we just need the stone from the Dragon King's crown, the stone from the Giant Queen's crown, the stone from the Demon King's crown, and the Ethershard! Then you'll have all the pieces of the Ethergem."
"More like I'll die trying," Seth muttered. "But at least Celebrant won't have an extra weapon in his arsenal."
He grabbed a cloak from the cubbies, deciding it was probably more likely to fit on him than a jacket, and crossed to the Unforgiving Blade. He used Vasilis to cut the line connected to the hilt, letting the blade drop to the stone floor beneath.
It plunged all the way to the hilt before stopping.
"Now, that is a sharp knife," Calvin said.
Seth crouched and picked up the Unforgiving Blade.
He wondered for a moment at the contrast. One sword blazing with dark light, the other absorbing all light.
He stared into the blackness of the blade, like someone cut a space out of reality in the shape of it. The depths seemed unending, deep and dark and whispering promises of ends and new beginnings.
He moved the sword closer to his face.
"Seth," Calvin called. "Snap out of it!"
Seth jerked, blinking quickly.
He'd been drawn in by the blade again. He dropped it down to his side, blinking at the flames of Vasilis, now even darker. Despite the darkness, their ability to light the room never faltered.
He wondered at that.
"We should go," Calvin reminded him.
Seth nodded, taking a deep breath. He had a long journey ahead of him.
He opened the door and stepped into the hallway-
"You could have fled," a man declared. "Instead you came for the blade, and found it swiftly."
Seth studied the man to his left. He wasn't alone, a woman was with him and another two men stood on Seth's right.
All were tall and strong looking. All carried weapons.
"I'll leave just as fast if you'll step aside," Seth said to the one who spoke to him.
The man had long blonde hair held back in a high ponytail, with chiseled features. He had broad shoulders, yet a sleek build.
The man shook his head at Seth's statement.
"My father would certainly not approve of that. While we'd prefer you alive for now, a gift to Ronodin, we will kill you if we must. If you wish to live, I suggest you surrender now."
OO OO OO OO
I hope you have enjoyed the opening to my rewrite! I have the whole thing plotted out so updates should be weekly, possibly biweekly.
Don't forget to leave a review, they feed my soul.
What do you think of Seth's escape so far? What about Tamryn, my love, who has stopped him? Any thoughts on what he should do next?
Come yell at me on my tumblr: FairyPrincessOfTheDragons
Come chat with me on Discord: : / discord. gg / TYe6zbm