Destroyers Of Time
Chapter Eight: Good bye Sacred City
By: Efra
"Damn contraption!"
"Maybe it would work if you stop nearly breaking it in half…"
"Shut up woman!"
"Fine… I'll leave you to your lonesome."
Albel glared at the young thief as she left. He could have sworn he heard her mutter "hopeless bastard" under her breath. Albel grumbled and returned to trying to get the communicator to work properly. Just when he got it to work a scream came from outside. Albel jumped and fell backwards in his chair. Albel cursed under his breath then ran from the room. When outside he found Elvy pushed into a corner and a huge black dragon not to far away. Albel raised a brow. " Don't tell me your scared of a small harmless dragon?" Albel teased. Elvy tried her best to glared at him but when the dragon snorted she returned to the state Albel had found her it. A man jumped off the dragon his huge black plated armor clanking loudly.
Albel placed his nonclawed hand on his hip. The Dragon Brigade solider made his way to him falling on the way under the sever weight of his armor. Albel looked at him strangely. The man panted when he finally reached Albel. "Albel Sir…. King Airyglyph…requests your presents back…. at the…castle…" The solider reported after he caught his breath. Albel looked more annoyed then ever. "Why can't I ever get away from him…" He muttered. The dragon gave a quick snap towards Elvy. The solider quickly turned around falling over once again and restrained it. But try as he might the dragon would not listen to him. Albel then stepped in front of the dragon. They stared at each other for a moment then the dragon bowed its head. "You need more training." Albel said. "Uh…. ye…yes ….Sir…. please forgive me sir!" The solider stuttered. Albel sighed. "Tell that worthless King of yours I'll be there shortly." Albel muttered. "Yes sir!" Then the solider climbed rather quickly on to the dragons arched back then took off.
Albel gave a sideways look to Elvy. "You can come out now. There isn't an anymore big mean dragon." He said. Elvy stood up slowly not looking at Albel. Albel smirked. "What still to scared for words?" He teased. Elvy only pushed by him and back into the castle. Albel watched her as she wandered by Nel and around the corner. Not wanting any conversations with Nel Albel quickly took off for Airyglyph. He passed Roger who was showing off to his friends while standing on a rock. He passed Valkin who was napping in a tree. But he swore he saw a familiar face leaning against the alley way but when Albel went to investigate they had vanished.
When he finally returned to Airyglyph the town was very gloomy. There was not a soul in site. An ominous fog was drifting happily through out the cold snow blanketed town. As Albel walked shadows seemed to stalk him. When Albel reached the castle it was missing the two guards that usually stood their posts. Albel pulled the Crimson Scourge and stepped inside. The castle was just as empty as the town but was certainly more cheery. Then he heard a familiar voice echo through the hall. Albel ascended the stairs. Then stepped around the corner in a predator like manner. King Arzei was sitting on his throne as usual. The obviously new Dragon Brigade solider was kneeling before him unable to stand back up. Now Albel could see just how young the solider was now that he had discarded his helmet.
Albel leaned against the corner staring at Arzei. Arzei must have felt like something was burning into him because he looked up suddenly. He smiled warmly at Albel. "There you are. I was beginning to worry." He said. Albel opened his mouth slightly. "Thank you for coming so quickly. Now this young man can relax." Arzei added and stood up. The young Dragon Brigade solider pulled himself up with a grunt then bowed as well as he could to the King before scurrying out. "Is that all you called me here for? Because you were worried?" Albel sneered. Arzei sighed. "Well I'm sure you've noticed that the streets are empty?" Arzei asked. Albel nodded. "All the people are either leaving or hiding inside their homes." Arzei said leading Albel into his private quarters. "Why?" Albel asked curiosity getting the most of him. "Well about two days ago a young man came to me. Very strange looking man as well. But he asked me where the Crimson Scourge bearer was to be located." Arzei said sitting down and motioning for Albel to do the same. Albel didn't obey and only stood more curious then ever.
"Well?" Albel demanded. "I refused any such information to him." Arzei replied. "He said he understood my decision and was glad to be escorted out of the castle." Arzei added. "And yet I don't see the point of you calling me here just to tell me that someone was looking for me." Albel muttered. "Well that's not what I called you here for. You see just yesterday. There was a ruckus outside. That same man had broken a young child's neck right in front of her mother. So naturally the guards restrained him and brought him into the castle. He demanded to see me." Arzei said looking glum. Albel's expression had changed immediately at this information. "I granted his wish… do you know what he told me?" Arzei asked. Then Albel noticed his arm was bandaged heavily. Albel looked from his arm to his eyes. "He told me that every time I don't cooperate with him he would kill another child in plain daylight." Arzei continued. "Then he used a strange black fire that immediately burned through the soldiers armor and left them all as a pile of bones." Arzei then gripped his arm. Surprise and anger ran through Albel's whole body.
"I just got rid of that bastard!" Albel screamed. Arzei jumped at his sudden remark. "You know him?" Arzei asked. "Of course I do. He's been destroying everything in his path!" Albel snapped. "I'll murder that damn Preatorian!" Albel yelled at the ceiling. Arzei blinked. Albel was already heading for the door. "Wait Albel!" Arzei called standing up. Albel glared over his shoulder. "When he burned my arm… he told me his name…it was Clous not Preatorian." Arzei said. Albel turned back to Arzei his eyes wide. What? There are two of them now?
Then the door burst open. Albel turned around to find a badly burned and bleeding Valkin. He was carrying an unconscious and very much bleeding Roger in his arms. "Al…bel…" He managed to say then he fell to his knees. Arzei ran around his desk and knelt to his side. Albel did the same. "There are two…of them…the Destroyers…Of…Time… Aquios…" Then Valkin fell unconscious. Albel jumped to his feet and ran from the castle. Damn it! I shouldn't have left them alone! Elvy…Nel… Fayt I wish you were here…
