Chapter 21

Metal Bat took a moment to regain himself. His head was swimming as he tried to shake it clear. "Son of a bitch, my head…" he muttered. His hand reached up to hold on to his brow, when his fingers felt something strange. Just before his hand could touch his own forehead, he felt the polished stone. Peering up, he just saw it, the strange black stone floating over his head. "What the hell is this?" he said.

"No… IMPOSSIBLE!"

"It's not…" snickered Sonic. "You miscalculated your own power, as well as the orb you used…"

"What are you saying!" The head druid demanded.

"Yeah, Sonic, what's going on?" Bad asked.

Sonic stood yet kept his head lowered towards Bad. "The orb of Osiris, isn't meant to take one's power for the sake of it. It judges the character of those who possessed great strength and abilities… You morons assumed using the orb will allow you to obtain the Shadow King's abilities for you have been versed in this sort of thing… but you are wrong. The orb judges those who use it, what purpose as well as it allows the legions at risk to decide who they wish to follow" he said as the sinister grin spread. "We heard everything spoken, we would never join the likes of you. Our king understand his role, his strengths and is still learning. However, unlike all others before him, he bares no greed to add to the legions for the sake of it. Even I witnessed first hand how he values life like Death does. A life isn't taken for granted, nor is it to be taken for the sake of power."

{You lust for such a thing, the orb was wise in knowing where the Shadow King's strength belongs. I am surprised it even worked considering it took five of you to bare equal that of the King's power in such a high stake gamble.} Said Bloodbore. {You mortals, never learn…}

Bad slowly picked himself up off the ground, from there he walked pass the druids to the shadows they themselves obtained, Bad felt for these poor souls, unable to think for themselves. His hand raised as a pulse of power came from them. The smoke cleared, the soul began to glow as their features began to return.

The shadows that regained themselves froze. "I… can see again… I can… control myself once more…" they took notice of Bad and instantly bowed to him.

"Think nothing of it…" then he turned to the Dragon king. "Who here is a healer!? I need to help him!"

The black fire was removed, however as it went out, Bad realized the dragon no longer breathed. "No…" he whispered. He was too late to save it, but then, his sights turned to the druids.

"My King… it wouldn't be enough to bring the dragon back," Sonic said gently. "A dragon's soul can equal to that of twenty thousand, depending on how old it is, this King was quite ancient…"

"FUCK!" Bad protested, but there was something he could do. His hand went onto the snout of the Dragon, he sent his own energy into it. 'Stand as a shadow for the moment, I will release you when you are ready…' Bad thought.

Yet, nothing happened. "What are you doing!? You are going to waste a dragon's soul like this? THIS is the most powerful thing in this world, your power will triple or become even greater if you consume it!" the druid protested.

"Shut the hell up." Bad snapped back. "I ain't in this for power. I want him to have a chance to say goodbye to his people and family. And one other thing…"

Bad paused as he felt it, the growing presence that began to make the air around him thicken.

"Oh? Pray tell, what is it?" the druid asked sarcastically. "No matter, Brothers! Together, strike down the Shadow King!"

Their hands extended, Bad braced himself to be struck by a powerful force, however, nothing happened! Not even the Druids could understand it. "Our power… Elder brother what has become of our power?!"

{Foolish mortals…} sighed Bloodbore.

"Sonic?" Bad asked. "You know something about this too?"

Sonic's grin merely widened. "But of course my King. As we explained, the orb takes power from all involved and then gives it to the one it deems fit… their power, although barely enough to make this transaction possible, was taken… but given to you. For it deemed you worthy to possess it!"

"NO! That's impossible!" the head druid shouted.

Bad however smiled as he peered up. "I wouldn't be worried about where your power has gone… I would be concerned about who you pissed off…" he said and pointed up.

The druids barely turned when they were snapped up into the jaws of a massive shadow dragon. Bad could even hear them scream as they were swallowed whole and alive, but it quickly vanished.

He approached the King with caution. The two stared down each other as Bad came a little closer. "I am… so sorry I couldn't help you…"

Bad expected the King of the Dragons to give him hell for it all, but it was remarkably complacent. {Death… wasn't what I expected it to be, but to be reborn through you, it's remarkable and feels like a great honor.}

"Either way, I want to make sure you get to say your…." Bad paused. He felt his heart suddenly stop in his chest, then a pain surged through him. He gasped for air as he was rendered to his knees.

"MY KING!" shouted Sonic.

"Can't… breath… heart… stopped…." He said in between short intakes of air. "GGGGAAAAHHHHH!"

Bad caught himself before hitting the ground, as he did, sweat came off his brow. Bile began to build before he expelled it unexpectedly. Bad trembled at the sight of it, it was nothing but blood. But the pain in his heart only grew worst as he felt something in him was just severed. "Garou?" he whispered. Then a sense of urgency came over him. "Find Garou!" he ordered.

The shadows vanished in search of him, Bad however began to feel sick.

He had always been able to sense him… why couldn't he anymore?