The Black Monster: The Beginning
Part 10
Belzac studied the young blonde man intently and nodded to him.
"It is good to see more survivors," he paused, "welcome Syuveil; I hope you plan on joining us in our plight."
Syuveil watched him with a confused gaze.
"We will be declaring war on the winglies."
The young man laughed, "You can't be serious."
Shirley gave a slight smile, "I wish we weren't but Belzac is right. When the time suites us we will engage in battle."
"But there are so many of them, and they are far more powerful than any human army altogether."
"You underestimate us Syuveil," Belzac grinned.
Syuveil shook his head, "I have heard of your power of the dragons, but with so few…I see no great outcome in this…only death."
"We have no other choice," Shirley started, "submit now and the world is lost to the domination of the winglies, but fight back and they will realize they misinterpreted our strengths."
"Shirley is right," said a voice from behind.
They turned to find Zieg and Kanzas walking towards them.
"Nice to see you made it back safely," Zieg said with a grin.
Rose blushed slightly, "I'm sorry…"
Shirley stopped her, "don't apologize, you did well. Kanzas hold your tongue."
Kanzas fuming, his face reddened to the brim, was ready to scream out his fury but pursed his lips and turned his back on them.
"So I see you warmed up to the women," Zieg snickered at Syuveil who gave a slight glare, "either way…it's good to have you with us."
Syuveil nodded in silence.
"Listen," Zieg said with a sigh, "I know the three of you are filled with doubt and fear, but you will come to see what an advantage we have over the winglies. They have no idea what they are up against."
"But so few…" Syuveil started up again.
"The number does not matter," Shirley interrupted, "the power we wield is greater than any band of humans could possess."
Zieg nodded, "it is true, and I know it sounds unbelievable but you will understand soon…"
"Can it be a little sooner?" asked the raspy voice of Kanzas, "the children can learn more when we get there."
Shirley rolled her eyes then nodded, "Kanzas is right, we should be on our way in order to make it there before nightfall. The Emperor will be waiting."
They all agreed and soon Zieg took a hold of Rose while Belzac took Syuveil and Kanzas with Damia. Together they left the makeshift camp behind and set for the deep blue hues of the sky.
Rose marveled once again at the sights her eyes were given. Such beauties she could never imagine and to see them with her, the man of her dreams.
"So…this Emperor," she started, "who is he?"
"He is a leader among men, a great warrior with such intellect and insight that no other can compare," Zieg paused, "He taught us, me and the others, to look past our fears and hold on to something great."
"The dragoons?"
Zieg shook his head, "emotions and dreams, what we wanted to accomplish. Only after we had a full view of what we wanted to achieve did he teach us how to attain this power.
"What did you want to accomplish?"
Zieg held is eyes off in the distance, and after a pause he said, "To save humanity and to find something true to hold on to."
Rose studied him for a while after he said this. She could see a great deal of emotion in his eyes, determination in his rugged looks. He was willing to do whatever it took to save mankind. Inside her heart sighed, she wished she could be the same as he, and Shirley.
"When did you meet the Emperor?"
"About a month before I met you."
"And already you have received this power?"
Zieg nodded, "Belzac was first, then me and Shirley. We found Kanzas not long before I found you."
They were gathering so quickly. It was only at this moment that Rose realized how set they truly were on defeating the magical winglies. Only then that she understood suddenly how much she would mean to them. Yet with so much doubt and the lack of self-determination Rose felt herself falling to a breaking point. She could not honestly see herself in battle, could not bear to think about killing someone. She was no warrior…she could be of no use to them.
After a moment Rose felt Zieg's gaze upon her and she looked up at him in silence. He knew what she was thinking but he also knew she would get past it like Shirley did, like he did.
Hours upon hours passed and the blue hues of the sky began to redden as the sun sunk below the horizon. Pinks and grays followed its descent and as Rose looked ahead their colors created an illuminating backdrop to the wondrous city below. An array of stone columns and towers filled the vast city. Below lights could be seen in windows and peoples were moving about. They passed above a group of workers constructing an enormous monstrosity that Rose could not make out, but it was soon out of sight and out of mind as they neared the largest building. Wide from below she glanced up to see it divide into seven towers. They landed at the base of this building and after gaining a sense over self on land once again she took in the sights of the city, the beautiful stone building and the intricate carvings within, how the setting sun seemed to make everything glow. This city caused something to swell inside her, a feeling of joy and tranquility.
"Rose?"
She looked back at Zieg.
"Are you ready to meet the Emperor?"
Her stomach twisted into a knot. This emperor would see how useless she would be to them. How much of a burden she would put on their shoulders. What would he do? Send her back out on her own?
Despite her troubling thoughts Rose nodded and Zieg led her and the others into the great stone building. The halls were dimly lit as was the room they were led into. However this room was quite large and contained a throne at one end. Sitting upon the white throne was a man entirely cloaked in robes and a headpiece, wielding within his hands an intricately designed staff. Zieg and his partners bowed in this man's presence and Rose felt the need to as well.
"I am glad to see you have all returned," The man said and Rose could practically feel him beaming, "and with you comes new hope. Please introduce me."
Zieg nodded, "my Lord, this is Rose, Damia and Syuveil."
The Emperor nodded to each of them and even though she could not see his face Rose knew he was smiling.
"Three more potentials," the Emperor began, "well done to all of you. We are making great progress. Soon we will be able to fulfill our duties."
The cloaked man paused, "before anymore discussion however…I know you must all be exhausted. Please make yourselves comfortable, food will be brought to your rooms in a moment. Take your time to relax, tomorrow we will begin."
With that the Emperor bowed to them and left through a door to the right of the throne.
'We begin?' Rose thought.
"Alright I will show you to your rooms then." Zieg said after a moment.
Belzac, Shirley and Kanzas stayed behind however while the other followed Zieg into the hall. Up many sets of stairs they reached a long circular corridor and looking out of the stone set windows Rose could see they were atop the point where the seven towers had been. He led each to their own room, first Syuveil, the Damia, and at last, Rose. He stopped at her stairway and studied her.
"How are you feeling?"
She paused before she could respond, searching all of her emotions, "lost…unsure…"
Zieg smiled, "that will change within the next few days."
Rose looked off to the corridor windows, "I hope you are right," she sighed, "I keep having this feeling that I am no good."
"Trust me Rose, we all thought that in the beginning, even Kanzas, but we grew, we learned and you will too, just give it time," he paused, "Now get some rest, you have a big day tomorrow."
He smiled at her then turned and walked off down the corridor. When she could no longer see him Rose found her way up the stairs into her room. As soon as she entered she felt at a loss for words. It looked exactly as her room back with her father in Furni. Was this some kind of trick? The same bed, mirror, the chair in the corner by the window, the comforts of home she thought suddenly. She smiled it was confusing to her mind but she did not care, it was home and all she wanted was too sleep and dream as if none of this had happened, save for meeting Zieg of course. She sat upon the edge of the bed and looked out the window at the darkening sky. She wondered what the Emperor had planned for tomorrow, and whether or not she could grow like Zieg said. She closed her eyes and leant back upon the soft covers. On the outside she lay calm and relaxed, falling into a peaceful sleep while inside her mind battled her fears as the doubts rose to overwhelm her.