Chapter eighteen: Clash of Beliefs
Stun washed over me like a violent river as my eyes doubled their size. I felt my body become slowly faint. It was as if matters couldn't get worse. To think I had the slightest faith about the Black Dragon's assistance prior to this. But now? All that hoped was shattered in several shards of dis-belief and fear. Soren stood in front of us, triumphantly holding his edged sword with the dragon aurora tightly swung around his neck.
Zoteaki took a few deep breaths trying to fully understand the situation. Pausing, I watched as Kia scrunched her nose nervously whilst Lethe tilt his head in the utmost form of confusion.
"So we really do meet again." Mutters began to escape my parted lips as I kept a fixed glare on the black dragon.
"I assumed you were different than the others at Gann. But the white dragon? Humph, surprise." Soren snickered, lightly swinging the blade. Amber fell behind me and quivered next to Lethe and Kia. Obviously this man scared her, but for reasons unknown.
"You know him, Nall?" Zoteaki sounded from my side. Shaking my head rapidly in a reply, I watched as another sly grin passed the man's lips before he summoned black wings on his form. Stunned, I took an alarmed step backwards and glowered at the man.
"What the-!" I stammered.
"Black wings. A gift from Ghaelon." Soren replied with amusement passing his lips. It was a long moment before any one could reply. It was as if stun had a grip upon the five of us as we starred in dis-belief at the dragon's wings. They seemed of glowing black feathers, unlike any dragon. I was snapped back into reality when Amber strode to my side, body shaking immensely.
"You're.." Amber began but Soren laughed shortly.
"You remember me? Go figure.." Soren smiled and then glared at her defiantly.
"I swore I had killed you."
"Killed? What is he talking about?" I asked, turning around to watch Amber's face turn pale from shock. Lethe ran in front of the three of us, leaving Kia in the back of the pack. Unsheathing his blade furiously, Lethe took a step forward to the black dragon.
"Black Dragon, I am the next dragon master, Lethe." He spoke proudly. "As a guardian of Lunar, the dragons and the goddess Althena herself, I will not let you harm the other three dragons." He replied harshly.
"Do you think the mere threat of a boy scares me?" Soren asked, furrowing his eyebrows.
"Laugh all you want, but I'll be the one to knock some painful sense into your thick skull." Lethe hissed, about to engage in battle. However, Kia had run up in back of him and dragged him back to our sides. Just in time also, seeing Soren had violently swung his blade and missed Lethe's arm by inches.
"Don't do that!" Kia scolded.
"He was threatening Amber.." Lethe attempted but received a smack across the face from his friend.
"That doesn't matter! I-We can't afford to lose you." Kia reminded him sternly. Lethe sighed and watched as Zoteaki approached the black dragon cautiously.
"What is it you want with us, Black Dragon?" Zoteaki called out, as me and Amber exchanged glances for a few moments.
"Nothing much. Ghaelon sent me here to be rid of you." Soren silently laughed, sending stern glares at all of within a single movement. Heart-dropping, I remember the man's strength from back at Gann. He had taken me down in a single blow. How could we possibly duel against him!
"How is that nothing much?" Zoteaki demanded, unsheathing his blade also so it's tip met his enemies.
"It shouldn't exert me all that much effort to kill you all." Soren shrugged then glanced back at Amber who still bore the same, pale expression. "Especially the Red Dragon. She seems to in shock to realize what is going on. Humph, maybe even the mere sight of me is making her queasy." Soren chuckled.
"Shut up." I hissed, unsheathing my blade also and taking a step closer to the enemy.
"Hmm? I see you have no aurora like the others. Poor dragon." Soren taunted, spinning his blade in an amused manor. "If you want, I'll just kill Red and leave you all for another time. Doesn't that sound like a nice deal?"
"Over my-dead-body!" I snarled, lunging forward and slicing into the air. Unexpectedly, I had slashed into nothing, as I stood there. Soren had disappeared and re-appeared on my other side.
"The wonders of teleportation." He sighed aloud.
"Nall!" Zoteaki replied harshly as I felt a sudden jolt of anger. Glancing down at the bracelet, I noticed it was the main source of anger and pain that had rushed into me. "Keep your cool!" Zoteaki glared.
"You're..." I began but fell to my knees painfully. Zoteaki blinked a few times then noticed I was clutching my wrist. A light blush of embarrassment passed his face as he took a few deep breaths, enough time to allow myself to arise to my feet and recollect my thoughts. "I forgot how powerful these things were."
"I will all leave you be if you can defeat me in a duel." Soren suddenly called out. All our gazes fell upon the mercenary once more. "And by that I mean her." His finger fell upon Amber's pale expression.
"Amber!"
"Am!"
"What!"
We all sounded off in confusion. Why had he chosen the weakest and most stunned member of our group. Surely he wasn't that low of a fighter to pick someone like Amber to spar against. It took a few more minutes for Amber to shake her head and then stare angrily at Soren.
"..." Her voice fell silent.
"Do you accept? Or must I cast Dark Dragon Oblivion upon you all and end your lives so sharply?" Soren asked, holding the aurora.
"Black Dragon Oblivion?..." Zoteaki stammered, starring at him.
"Why yes. A simple incantation Ghaelon taunt me. Sends all creatures to limbo instantly. You will be forever caught in the brink of neither life or death. Forever tortured." Soren cackled, and then held his blade tightly. "So what will it be?"
"Come on Amber." Lethe nudged her on from her side.
"Do you really have to think about your answer?" I asked from ahead.
"...You're." Amber began stammering once more. She dropped her blade to the ground and it made a loud clang. Turning my head sharply to see what was wrong, I became petrified when I saw the forbid look on her face now. Looking like she had been taken over by some sort of spectrum, her face gave off a ghostly white glow. Blinking a few times, my heart-dropped as Soren chuckled lightly. Glaring back at him, I watched as he passed through our group and right up to Amber.
"Why don't you enlighten the others about what your rambling on?" Soren snickered, starring Amber directly in the eye. Even from where I stood, I could see how bad Amber was shaking. Shaking her head furiously, Amber began to stutter out words before she snapped her eyes shut as tears fell.
"You're... the person who murdered my mother and father that night!" Amber whimpered.
"What!" Lethe hollered out before anyone could have anytime to react. Anger flashed through the young dragon master as he raised his blade just to be stopped by Zoteaki. Amber buried her head into her hands as Soren began to chuckle lightly, as if he found this all amusing.
"You've got to be kidding me.. " I groaned angrily.
"As I told you that night, if we were to ever meet again, you'd receive the same fate as your parents if you were ever to oppose me." Soren reminded Amber, starring directly at the weeping dragon. After another moments passed, Amber recollected her emotions and starred him back into the eyes, speechless. It was as if thousand of memories were sent straight into her thoughts all at once.
"That's cruel.." Zoteaki growled, glaring at Soren from afar.
"Amber, you don't have to fight him" I reminded her. If it came down to his 'Black Dragon Oblivion' I was sure the rest of us could easily take him down. I mean, four against one does sound fairly easy. Then again, he was a dragon like us, totally unpredictable.
"Please, violence isn't the answer" Kia warned, clutching her necklace with all her might.
"Stop preaching!" Soren snarled, glancing over at the young blunette, with a low growl. However, he paused and starred at her for a moment before whispering to himself. "Hmm, Ghaelon will want to know of this for certain."
"..." Kia did not reply but looked downward.
"Don't yell at her! You're really getting on my nerves. For a dragon you don't have much respect!" Lethe growled, trying to slash once more at the black dragon, but found himself being stopped by Zoteaki once more. Sighing, I turned the younger warrior.
"Lethe, watch your tongue. This isn't your battle" Reminding Lethe, he looked downward before glancing back up at me with even more anger flashing in his eyes.
"But nall! Amber needs someone to stand up for her" Lethe protested, face now turning red.
"She'll be fine on her own, for now." I attempted, glancing at Amber who was still shaking, and scared beyond belief for what she had just found out. Gulping down the fear I had collected about this whole thing, I watched as she shook her head.
"So what will it be?" Soren asked, starring back at Amber, daring not to blink.
"I-" Amber stammered but couldn't get out any more words.
"Lost for words, precious? My have you grown beautiful." Soren began to taunt as he extended a hand to touch her face but she slapped him away.
"...I will never forget what you did to me and my family. You sick coward." By now she had broken down in tears again. Burying her face again in her hands from shame, she turned her back on Soren and continued to ignore the rest of us.
"If it's a duel you want, then present yourself that way. Don't go bringing up the past like a coward," Zoteaki hissed, unsheathing his blade and watching the Black Dragon sway on his feet proudly. Nodding sternly, I crossed my arms.
"Damn right," I agreed, giving Zoteaki a light smile.
"So, what will it be, Amber?" Soren asked, obviously ignoring the two of us.
"I accept your duel." Amber spoke suddenly, turning around, blade now in her hand. Heart falling a few more million feet, I shook my head furiously. Had Amber just agreed? Of all the people to be stuck in a duel, it had to be Amber. She was the weakest member of our group, because of her curse. And that meant she was an easy target for Ghaleon and his minions.
"What!" Lethe snarled, clenching his fists tightly.
"No.." Kia whispered, looking away.
"Please, all of you, let me do this. If I don't do this, we'll all die anyhow.. so let me do this." Amber told us, exchanging glances to each member. The wind gently blew the stray strands of her hot red hair. Sighing miserably, I walked up to her side and muttered.
"Amber, if you start losing I will jump in and kick his ass." I told her.
"Nall.." Amber whispered back, starring me in the eye before addressing Soren once more. "I'm ready Soren."
"Good, very good. Come with me." Soren began but glanced at Lethe and Kia for a few moments and squinted his eyes." And by that I mean the three dragons. You two, make yourselves useful and do something for your friends. Go shopping"
"...We'll catch you later." Lethe groaned, not too pleased with the sudden request.
"Please be careful Amber."
"Keep faith in your heart." Kia told Amber before walking off with Lethe. Watching the two members walk off, I glanced back over at Zoteaki. His eyes were peeled on the Black Dragon, and by the means of the bracelet, I could feel nothing. He was not angry, nor happy. Something peculiar, but I didn't push on the issue.
"My only question is why are you siding with Ghaelon?" Zoteaki spoke, raising an eyebrow.
"His ideals are simple. With his take on this world, I could easily become the most perfect and immortal creature ever, blessed as a dragon and a magical emperor. You three are just useless rubbish I will be rid of now. Slowly, one by one." Soren chuckled then scowled back at Zoteaki. "And besides, as if I have to answer that question."
"Pfft, says you." Puckering out my bottom lip, rather annoyed, I tried to make sense of Soren. What good could come out of Ghaelon's brutal insight on this world. Sometimes things just didn't make sense to me. And they probably would never.
"Up yours" Soren snickered, sending with an angry glare.
"Whadda say!" Flashing anger, I lunged forward but Zoteaki halted me by placing his sword out in front of me. Glaring down at it, I attempted to push it away but Zoteaki kept his grip firm.
"Stay back Nall. This is Amber's fight, remember" Zoteaki whispered, watching me intently.
"Go ahead Amber, kick his ass." Giving in, I turned to Amber and sighed.
I watched in brutal agony as Amber and Soren made their way into the city's central arena. As I had learned from the others, the arena was always open for friendly sparring. However, I wasn't quite sure that this could be considered friendly, and at the very least sparring. This was more of Revenge Killing type thing for both of them. Either way, me and Zoteaki stood at the bottom of the arena, glancing up at the small plateau where the two dragons stood, facing each other. As people passed by, they only cast a single glance before dismissing the scene and heading on their ways.
"Raise your weapon, girly." Soren commanded as he unsheathed a rather large blade. It glowed an eerie dark aurora and wrapped around it was everlasting electricity. Blinking widely, I turned to Zoteaki as sweat began to roll down my face. I wouldn't want to be Amber in this case.
"For the sins and hatred I have because of you, I will kill you!" Amber hollered, unsheathing her blade and charging at Soren.
As the fight began, I watched as Amber charged head first, swinging her blade at Soren. With each swing she took at him, he easily blocked it and sent a strong counter blow. They were locked in the heat of a swing block battle before Amber had rushed to the corner of the arena and began to pace around the arena. I saw no real point in this, but I watched in fear.
Soren clutched his blade tightly, as the electricity slightly turned a dark blue. It seemed like his dark vacant eyes seemed to glow like blue fire. As if it wasn't bad enough, Soren extended his black wings once more and hovered in the air, just above Amber's reach.
Glancing up at the dragon, Amber hissed and extended her own set of scorching red wings. Stunned that when it human form dragons could reveal feather wings, I watched as Amber flew to the same height, holding her sword tightly.
"Are you prepared to face your destiny?" Soren asked, beginning to spin the sword rapidly.
"Come and get me." Amber called out as she unexpectedly was shot downwards against the arena in a sharp bolt of lightning. Arising to her feet, she withdrew her wings and stood in horror as the field began to fill with an electrical storm. This wasn't making much sense, as I glanced at Zoteaki who seemed to be quite into the action.
"You're.. supposed to the be the Black Dragon. How can you use such power?.." Amber panted, darting the bolts that came spiraling at her.
"Simple. Ghaelon has shown me a way of dueling you dragons could never dream of." A light snicker crossed his face as he lunged at Amber with his sword. She barely missed the blow but was sent flying backwards off the arena and at us.
Being flown into Zoteaki, the blue dragon fell over with the weight of another. Anger rushed through me as I ran onto the arena, death flashing in my eyes. How dare he hurt Amber!
"Amateur" Soren sighed, shrugging his shoulders then noticed I had took a step up on the platue.
"How dare you hurt her!" A low growl escaped my lips as I reached for my sword. Unsheathing it and watching it gleam in the sunlight I starred the black Dragon in the eye. "I may have lost back in Gann, but I'm not prepared to lose her. Prepare yourself!" I chanted lunging at him.
"Nall!" Zoteaki called from off-arena angrily. However, I was paying no attention to him at all.
"You're going to pay for hurting her!"
The battle was similar to Amber's. I couldn't really remember the details of every move we had done, but I do remember being caught in the middle of the electrical storm he had used in offense against Amber. Swinging my sword to block the lighting away, I felt the sharp jolt of the energy rush through my veins. Oh yea.. Metal and Electricity don't mix.
"You're weaker than the girl!" Soren laughed, stepping over to me as I kneeled weakly.
"I won't lose to you." I panted, glaring up at the dragon. A smirk crossed his face as he held the blade tightly before raising it in the air.
"Say good-night and good-bye to this world, oh white one." He began but I had suddenly reached out with my sword and stabbed him in the lower chest. Dropping the electric blade on the ground, Soren clutched his side as the storm began to subside.
"...You're defeated." I murmured, attempting to stand back up. Blood oozed from the Black Dragon's wound but his eyes began to glow a piercing red as Zoteaki came running onto the arena, Amber in arms. He immediately stopped when he saw Soren's new reaction.
"Wait, stop!" Zoteaki demanded but Soren arose to his feet.
"I REFUSE TO LOSE TO YOU!" Soren hissed, ignoring his blade.
"Face it, I'm better than you now." I replied smugly, arising to my feet through the pain.
"I refuse it!" Soren hissed as he waved his hands in the air.
It was as if I had been warped through time and space. My body became weightless as my molecules became light as air. eyes snapping shut, I felt an eerie purple light glowing around my body. every time I tried to breath, I found there was no air and my throat tightened. Gasping for air, I soon began to feel like I was falling. Falling down to nowhere. It began to feel like forever before anything started to make sense. And that was when I crash landed onto a hard stone marble floor. Head hurting badly, I felt the sensation of fainting as my body became numb. Whatever had just happened, I didn't want to experience it again.
"Nall, awaken."
Yawning, I felt the familiar presence of my dream-like talks. Snapping open my eyes, I was greeted by a poking Jessica. Eyes widening, I tumbled backwards on my human bottom and starred up at her. She looked just like she did during Alex's journey. Not a day older. Tilting my head, I reached out to feel my head. No blood was there... so I had won the fight after all?
"Jessica?" I asked meekly, starring at her with a bit confusion. Usually I was in my dragon form during my dream conversations. But this time I was in the same old human form. Biting down on my bottom lip, I watched as the half-human paced back and forth in what seemed like a dark room that had no beginning or end, nor ceiling or floor. Just vast emptiness.
"Nall, this isn't good." She puffed out her cheeks and turned to me. "Ghaelon is planning on releasing the ancient god Zophar to wreck havoc upon Lunar. He's trying to manipulate the four dragons to sacrifice in order to release the seal on Zophar. It's said that dragon's lives alone can break the seal and slowly recreate the ancient god."
"Zophar?" I asked, cocking my eyebrows. Arising to my feet, I examined her stop, and stare at me. With a gentle nod, she crossed her arms and pouted slightly.
"Yes, Luna told me about him. They say that he attempted to destroy the Bluestar during a war." Jessica began. "And now Ghaelon wants to use his power so he can truly harness the power of Lunar and become the God Of the world." Jessica growled, as her blue eyes watched me.
"Uh-huh..." This was all a bit too confusing to take in at the moment.
"So, Nall. I want you and your friends to make sure he does not bring back the Ancient God Zophar. If he does, it will surely mean destruction. Please. And if you fail, except a swift kick in the ass from me." Jessica flashed a grin.
"Oh, that really makes me feel so much better." I pouted lightly.
"And Nall?"
"Hmm?"
"You will be faced with many difficulties ahead of you. Keep strong to your dreams, and keep your friends close. Show them that they matter to you. And remember, don't underestimate Ghaelon's power of persuasion." Jessica reminded me, stepping right up to me and placing her hand on my shoulder.
"And do try to keep Amber inline. She reminds me too much of myself." Jessica sighed lightly.
"God no. She's like a loose bullet!" I exclaimed. How great it felt to actually be in conversation with my old friends once more.
"She may have a troubled past, but her future is bright. Now when you awaken, you will be in Ghaelon's Castle. Make sure all of your comrades' escape from there. And about the legendary lost twin dragons.." Jessica trailed off.
"Legendary Lost Twin Dragons... like the Kuzo!" I exclaimed, being filled with much excitement.
"Where did you learn of Kuzo?" Jessica asked, flashing a smile.
"That island I got ship-wrecked on. And what's the other dragon?" I asked. Maybe someone had told me before, but right now I wanted to reconfirm my information. Jessica sighed and nodded her head.
"Her name is Selph. Once you depart from the castle, seek her out. If you cannot find her location, look for assistance in your party." Jessica reminded.
"How will they know?" I asked curiously.
"Nall! The time has come for you to go back and leave Ghaelon's Castle. Goood luck! And by the way, I opened your lock for you." Jessica grinned and kissed me on the cheek. "Make sure Lunar doesn't get destroyed, mkay?"
"!..."
I awoke in the middle of some jail cell. Glancing around, I starred at the metal bars and sighed miserably. Jessica was right, I was in the middle of his Castle I guess. Glaring at the door that led to outside my cell, I took a step backwards when I saw it was unlocked. So she was telling the truth and our conversation really did happen!
Exiting my cell easily, I glanced around. This room seemed like a huge multi-leveled prison. Heart-sinking, I looked up to the six levels above me and two below me. This was going to take awhile to find everyone and free them. But I promised Jessica I wouldn't leave anyone behind. And that's exactly what I was going to do. I couldn't let an old friend down!
"Now to find the others..." This was going to take awhile.
AN:
Long chapter.. soo.. filler-ish.. And yes, I've got lots of chapters done. The next few chapters will just keep getting better as we build to the stories Climax. DUn dun dun! Anyway, update in about a week! Pr