Disclaimer: I do not own the original property I am making a fanfiction of. All rights and ownerships are reserved to the original creator(s). I am merely making a fanfiction and make no profit from it. Same goes for any concepts and material from other properties that appear. Images used belong to the original creator(s).
Rated MA, for language, sex, violence, and other mature content.
Author's Note: And here we are with the second chapter. Thank you to all who followed and favored. Truly, I appreciate it all! I apologize for the month or so of silence. Just got caught up, y'know? Meh, All Hallow's Eve is overrated. Everyone forgets turkey and family drama day! Man I want some pie now. (Fuck I just re-read this now I really want pie.)
I have a bit of a question. Now, I have a very good outline for pairings and plot. Those are two things I probably won't budge on (But hey suggest away, people will do it regardless). But with a certain situation arising soon, Kjartan could gain a bit of lightning affinity. Honestly it wouldn't have a real affect on the plot. It'd more act as a bit of… irony might be the word. Hindu mythology and all that with some other stuff. But honestly I'm stuck thinking, 'Well shit he'll just be ridiculously powerful.' Then I think about everything I've set up with draconic powers & LFM and vampiric powers. So would one more affinity hurt? Cain's 'Star of Souls' implies some ridiculous shenanigans. But I mean in the soon-ish future. We got thousands of years to reach canon, he's getting someone with lightning/electric prowess. Just may or may not be soon. Idk. Enough rambling, endnote has more ranting!
Review-
Mailbawx-Thank you for the kind review!
Glad to hear that the similarities aren't glaring, though I wouldn't say based off. I really don't know what word to use...
Pacing was something I thought I might fail at with all the time jumps. Glad to hear that it wasn't terrible.
And for his power, I hope the thought doesn't change with this chapter, especially the first scene. Plus I like watching someone progress with time. Not "Ten years later, MC is now Satan level."
Again, thank you for the review!
"Talking"
'Thinking'
{Scared Gear Spirit/Host talking to another mentally}
{Sacred Gear spirit speaking aloud.}
~Break in POV, time, and or location.
Chapter 2: The Fires of Blood & Bonds That Hold
~Askel
He lunged at his own son. The boy was in outrage mode for sure, if his burning eyes and skyrocketing power weren't already a tell. Each moment Elizabeth threw up a ward, he'd fly at it head first, shattering it like glass. That's where he came in.
As his son tried flying into the woods to find Bova, he'd tackle the boy with his arms. When the two struck the earth the boy's flame would burn the ground. Now they were at the bottom of the lake, a strange slab of marble pressed against his son's back.
'Good,' He thought. Covered in the water's black waters, he used the shadows to bind Kjartan's limbs. Now he struggled. He grabbed to the marble slab and lifted it out of the water. "Elizabeth." One word, quickly said, was all it took for ten scarlet wards to surround the boy. Slowly he carried it to the beach. Inside his son roared, sending shivers down his spine. "How... " he shook his head. "Damn that boy, now he's done it!" His tail struck the earth, claws digging deep into the black grass. He began to turn to the forest, before something drug him by the tail. He turned to see his lover in her savage form.
"Idiot!" She shouted. "Our son is like this and you're concerned about Bova?"
"I'm concerned for him, to the point I want to burn the one who did it to him! When it comes to dragons being outraged and the target, the dragon won't stop until one of the party's is dealt with." He looked into the forest and back at his son. His heart sinking low. "He won't stop until he kills his cousin or he burns himself out. My heart aches for our son," now his throat felt like someone had put an iron clamp around it. "I don't know what to do! Either he burns out his own life force, or him and Bova go back at it. I need my nephews here." His head sunk low to the snow. His eyes covered in near black translucent scales. Snow began to fall upon the grounds. A shattering noise brought his gaze back to his son. One ward gone.
His tail was released. Scarlet and purple locked. Quickly he swapped back to human form to kiss her. Their embrace broke by the sound of falling trees, Tannin appearing.
"CLEAR OUT OF HERE!" His nephew roar.
The choking feeling was gone and his heart lifted only to race. "The hell do you mean? He could be in a critical state and your-"
"Listen to me!." His nephew cut him off. "Pure blooded dragons are born from masses of energy right?" Askel and Elizabeth nodded in unison. "We don't have another form naturally. Devils and angels simply lose access to their natural powers if touch by the star, am I correct on that Elizabeth?" His wife nodded. "What will happen if he launched a star at a dragon?" Shockingly he could hear her heart race. "Those flames..." Tannin trailed off.
"I… it's never been…" She ran towards her son, five scarlet magic circles above him. "Do whatever you can to seal him Askel. Tannin, go get your son." Both dragons quickly shot glances. Both shared a nodd before getting to work.
He poured large amounts of his own life towards the boy. Half of it going to bond with his son's, the other molding into a dome around him. The entire time he wanted to shed a single tear, but he would hold. He needed to stay strong. Needed to hold himself together for his wife and son.
Quickly he turned to scale.
In the barriers one could only see an inferno of violet flames with small streaks of black. 'Good,' he thought. 'That part is dying.' Still something lingered. 'Not once has he roared his flame.'
Soon the father-son duo appeared, Bova gasping. "Just how the hell-"
"Shut it and listen." Askel told him. "He's outraged and-" Another shater ringed through the clearing. Six of the wards in total were gone now. The sphere of violet and black consuming all.
"BOVA TANNIN!" A pillar of violet fire enveloped all wards, barriers, and even the readied circles. As it cleared Kjartan was found in the stood on one knee, breathing ragged. Askel wanted nothing more than to rush towards his son. So he did.
Slowly he watched as his son trembled. Multiple times he tried to stand but fell back on a knee. This time, instead of tackling him, Askel merely curled his snake like body around him, leaving a good meter diameter around his son. Soon a purple dome surrounded them. Before he completed it, he called to the crocodiles. "Life force. Now." And so the two dragons fed their own streams into the weak boy.
As they were in the radiant dome he shifted back to the tall man. His hands gently rested on the boy's shoulders. In reaction the boy flung his head up, eyes still burning, teeth like daggers. But in a mere five seconds his expression fainted from savage to… neutral?
"Son, listen to me." The boy made no acknowledgement. "Relax. You killed him. Can't you feel it?" Lying felt like daggers in his heart, but he needed to do this. "Feel all the life pouring into you. Bova's life force is drawing to the killer." Now the boy glared up at the dome. Askel tightly hugged him. "Please… let this be over." He felt the body in his arms go limp.
~Kjartan
He walked through the black void with no destination in mind. He only hoped to find Asura. With every step he felt weak. To the point of when he was still living human life.
He could only make faint whispers in the void. "Asura!" he called many times. No response. Now he rested on all fours, a faint line of blood on his lips. He felt pathetic. Not because of how exhausted he was, but how he just lost it. Words were simple things. He shouldn't have gone this far. And now he payed for it. He cursed many times before his head hit the cold black floor.
Now a weak violet light shined upon him. {Reckless doesn't begin to describe this.}
"Fuck off," He coughed out more blood. "You think I don't know of my mistake?"
{I think you don't take it seriously.}
If he had the strength Kjartan would stand. "You keep chastising me, yet you did nothing to aid the situation."
The beast had a light chuckle. {That's why you're here. Besides, today we just learned how powerful you really are!} Somehow he was enthusiastic.
"That's what you took from this?"
{... I might have a problem with this type of stuff. Anyways, trust me, if it had escalated I'd intervene. I merely saw no need to draw you in here before. With all who surrounded you I had hope everything would be… well what we've gotten to. You have a flame like no other. From everyone's reaction I'd say you'll be a force to be avoided at all cost.}
Now he had his laugh. "Yet here I am, dying in a void, blood dripping from my own maw… yeah, real powerful." He supported himself on one elbow. "Bova was right. I am sheltered." He shook his head. "Hey Asura."
{Yes?} The being replied.
"If I… once I get better," he said. "Remind me to go explore more. Head into town. I might be more powerful than them, but I still feel a draw towards humans." A few flashed in his mind. He shook his head to get rid of the thought. "I need to mentally improve. Socially as well." He watched as the violet eyes lifted in the air, looking down on him.
{Very well. Once you are strong we head out into the world. We both need it. You shall live life and I will see what this land has to offer.} A violet light filled the void, the great body of Asura finally being revealed. In truth he was a colossal version of Askel, save for the violet eyes. While second to the World Serpent's true length, right now his body of seven hundred meters could beat Jormungandr's current six hundred. Yet even with this his thoughts only focused on those violet eyes. Just like his own.
Soon his vision shifted, now his eyes opened to the sight above the clouds. The sun had fallen and the moon was near its high point. From the leather his hand grabbed he could tell it was Askel's saddle, and he didn't need to guess who had a healing circle marked hand above his chest. She brought him into a strong hug, weeping. With a week arm he returned the gesture. "I'm… sorry." His throat was on fire, irritating with each syllable.
"Just rest," she said in a shaky voice. As he looked around he could see Bova flying to the right and Tannin off to the left of Askel, closer the to black dragon's head. Somehow he couldn't hear their conversation.
As he looked back to Bova his heart became heavy. Their messy fight caused by such simple words. He remembered how it felt to hear that his cousin had died. How he was on the verge of smirking! It scared him, warranted some serious evaluation of his well being. To enter outrage mode for a simple reason such as this proved two things. He was a dragon and a stupid one at that.
Bova switched his position, flying above him. "Cousin… I-"
"Shut it." He cut Bova off. He sighed. "I don't need to hear it to know it." He didn't want to focus on the earlier events. Only took look and think forward. Taking the more literal of the two, he noticed Askel looking back at him. Releasing a soft sigh, he asked, "How bad was it?"
"Very." They all replied. His head slumped back to the saddle. "We're lucky that you pulled through at all. From what I can sense your recovery will take a while." Askel said.
"How long?" He replied.
"Months at the least. Not only did you outrage, but you poured out nearly...gods, ninety five percent of your life force with your attacks." The rest of the ride was silent. He mind ran rapid, everything crossing his mind at once.
'My flame… just what was it? Wait!' Quickly he stumbled to stand. His mother tried to tug on his nonexistent sleeve before he ran down the great tail. He stood near the end, gathered as much air into his body as possible. His abdomen hardened, a rising heat filling him. Roaring, he released a jet stream of violet towards the stars. As he fell back onto the scales he smiled. 'Finally!' A single tear of happiness left his right eye.
He woke in his bed. Instead of the pillows being more against the bed, now they laid against the headboard and he used them as support. Once the sheets would go up to his chin but for now they laid at his waist. He woke up early, both for transfusion consisting of life force and blood from animals. Damn all, swine tasted awful. When he napped he'd train with Asura. His slowly regenerating immortal force might prevent him from heading to the grounds, but he wouldn't lay and do nothing. It was very simple training though, not even in the mindscape was he better.
He would mostly do human level workouts with weights strapped to him, seals embedded to increase the intensity. Humans took risk by doing such training. So did he. Luckily his joints would heal after the muscles improved.
Meditation was kept up. Whether it be the art of the east or draconic LFM, he needed to improve. Both on how to wield and to become simply more powerful... and to not burn through everything. At least with senjutsu he could draw more into himself with the surroundings.
As he was awake, Askel scolded him once, telling him about the dangers of going too far. If he hadn't been stopped, a few things could've happened. In the chance of him naturally collapsing, he could have been aged back into a suckling babe. If he continued his rampage then he would simply die. The latter being frightening because even though they were supernatural, it was unknown where dragons went after death. Unlike other factions being religions to mortals and having their own realms, dragons only had a single world of The Valley. And since no dead dragon had been found there, it was presumed one would return to the universe as a mass of energy after death.
But still, Askel did not ruin the day. After many pleads he finally told some stories. Kjartan asked of the Dragon Kings.
First being one of the dragons of his homeland, Midgardsormr.
In appearance he was simply a large green snake, the only noticeable change being the two fin like appendages on the sides of his head. Being one of the serpents of the three current kings, he ruled the western waters of the world. Primarily the ones surrounding Scandinavia. Even though he is one of the core players of Ragnarok, the king simply prefers to sleep at the floor of the sea near his lands. Unlike his family, he has no interest in the apocalypse of the mortal world. Thankfully.
The came Fafnir, another Norse dragon.
Being the smallest of the kings, a gold wingless western dragon standing at ten meters and twenty in length, Fafnir might be the fastest of his rank. When it came to treasures and other oddities, he was an expert. In history he is the only dragon to come back after a true death experience. This has lead many to seek him out. As a result he is currently traveling the world, only appearing when the kings need to deal with something.
Then came the king of the east, Yu-Long.
In appearance he was a jade green dragon, shifting in size too many times to tell, eastern in looks, and strange personality. While oftenly referred to as the laziest of dragons, he did assist others in infamous journeys of a the monkey king. But that was only once. As of now, he is the most recently crowned and youngest of kings. Currently, it was said he was backing a king in a war off in the east.
Next came aspiring kings. As of now, only two had been ones considered at King's Meetings. One being Tannin, famed for using fireballs and having a charismatic warrior attitude, also being quite powerful. The other was a dragon the same age of Kjartan. She would be the first queen, Tiamat. Not much was known about her, only that she was purely dragon and immensely powerful. She had to be, since that was the only known requirement to be at a moot.
That was it for the kings. As Askel headed off to do one thing or another, he was alone in the hall. After hearing the tales of the Kings, their attitudes, actions… he needed to talk to a certain dragon.
As he entered the mindscape he saw the being appear. Training gear soon manifesting by his claws. He wanted to shake his head but simply said, "No training for now. I want to talk."
{Of what? You're only at fifteen percent. Why not train?}
He nearly scoffed. This man was dense, or simply forgetful. "Because I have other desires. Old fool." Asura half-moaned-groaned. "Anyways, I want your opinion on our kings."
Asura curled back up with a half opened eye glaring at him. There was a certain message, one he couldn't read. {Why?}
Now he did scoff and roll his eyes. "Answer the question you wyrm."
Asura half yawned half groaned. {In truth I don't know. From the few memories there's very little. With some of your's….} The dragon seemed to smile at him. Smugly if nothing else. {Lazy!} His once smooth voice became a grating, thunderous laugh.
Kjartan smiled but was a bit worried. 'He laughs… at our leaders being lazy.
'Thor guard me.'
"I could not agree more." He laid in the grass field. 'Soon I'll bring it up. By the gods…' He shook his head. "We're leaving. Now." And just like that he left the scape and prepared the walk.
Wrapping himself in leathers and dark furs he left the hall. Hope in his heart and a weak smile on his face. Getting to town would be a matter simpler than anything compared to the trainin. Fitting in could become a different tale.
As he reached the outskirts two men with iron axes and round red shields came to him. Wrapped in furs with coifs and leathers beneath. One with a brown scruff lining his jaw and the other with wild blonde hair.
"What would you take from this town outsider?" The bearded man asked.
"A fire, mulled mead, and one day a woman in my bed."
The blonde one barked a grating laugh. "He's with wit like no other kid."
Kjartan nearly rolled his eyes. Older humor just didn't make sense. but he was glad. Having a small sense of humor at his age to fit these two could help. "So, may I enter or shall my balls freeze to my legs?" That was , however, fully intended for all.
The other guffawed. "Alright… alright. We'll lead you around town, but gives us this before." Kjartan looked him in his blue eyes. Said eyes shifted to the blonde man. A nudge of the head sent the man off. Once he was gone the man knelt down to him. Kjartan only being taller than him now oddly. "In the gods do you find strength? Do you hear and see their gifts?"
Kjartan was dense at time, he had to admit that. But he knew what the man was saying. "Some odd omen tells me that we have the same answer about it." The man stood and smiled.
"Truly, one has to be surprised to see you without your father and mother near. Is there a good reason as to why?"
"Only that they are off doing one thing or another. But if I may," He took a breath. "What are you. In terms of the true world. I sense a good bit of strength from your aura but, simply that. Strength. No element of or spellcraft."
The man simply shook his head. "For it is that which makes me true child. You know of berserkers?"
Kjartan nodded. "Men who commit to enragement in battle, often times said taking the form of a forest beast." He took in all the scents. "A bear?"
The man nodded. "And you a dragon. Without the need ot a battle you call upon your power. Many are jealous of that alone. Such beings like you seem so humble at times."
Kjartan rose a hand. "Please, you speak like I am such a creature. Truly I am draconic but I am like none of the ones that surround me." His eyes shifted to town. "Our questions and answers have been given and received. May we?" The man monitend his head towards the bustling place and they were off.
{That went quite well.} Asura commented. {How were you so... nonchalant?}
{Well… I have no reason to distrust him. And even if something did happen, I'd take of it. I'm a draconic dhampir!}
{Ah so you're also a boastful brat?}
{Bite me you old snake!}
With the mental link cutting off with Asura cursing he walked the old dirt roads of town. Greeting those who would actually come to greet him and nearly buying some crafts from the peddlers. While one like him could simply craft something better with LFM, knowing someone actually put time into it made him feel for it to have more value. Stupid in the grand scale but there was no harm to it.
The North port was filled with fishermen bargaining prime salmon and their wives offering shells. Closer to shore smiths worked with no shirt near the burning forges. Bronze shaping into daggers and accessories.
To the east many worked near dead fields to have some crop. One needed some grain to go with the meat. Perhaps he could help.
South was where one could easily see the two largest halls. One for the Jarl and his family, the other for drinking and the sort. Surrounding them was a small clearing and then all the homes.
Uhtred, the berserker, was his guide for the most part. Eventually the man left him. He appreciated the notion of trust but was a bit lost. Not of where he was but simply on what to do. Minutes passed, he walked the docks. Eyes following all the movements of those preparing for more runs, ears listening to the music from both the sea and singers. And something else.
Metal clinks.
Grunts and whoops.
Ragged breathing.
It was a fight. A good one if the heartbeats were any indication. And so he ran from the docks to find the circle. In one of the dead fields a circles had formed. Men and women of all ages gathering to watch. Slowly he passed through to see the fighters.
One was a girl. Near his height but a bit shorter. Near blood red hair and eyes matching. Hair rowed on the sides to stay away fromt the eyes more likely than not. She wore a iron coif that stopped at her neck. Brown leathers covering the metal. A whirling axe gripped in her right, a yellow and blue shield in the other. One could see fur pushing out of coif's ends.
The one whom seemingly charged without end was a boy just his height. Chestnut hair with see blue eyes. His mane was long and tied in the back in a ponytail. Attire made of dark brown leathers. The shirtsleeves showing a bulky form. An axe hacking wildly in his right hand.
He watched as the two clashed. Shields knocking weapons aside, axe trying to cut at the other. Whenever the man made a strong strike the girl would merely dodge or cast it aside with a shield smack. A stupid move leaving yourself open like that. But from the smiles on their faces he knew it was fine.
As the fight went on Kjartan could tell the boy was holding back. Not to mock the girl but because like Uhtred he was supernatural. Now looking at the boy and thinking of the man he drew a few connections.
{So this is what the young do for fun? Well I suppose that in such a boring land this would be the norm.} Asura snapped him out of the daze.
{Shut it. I'm thinking.}
{Then allow me to help! So, crafting a plan to make yourself seem better than the boy?}
{Shut it snake…. and no to your question. Merely remembering things.} In full honesty it became clear who the two were. The looks and yelling of their names were clear indications but who they were to him was the rising thought. {Afia and Bjorn.}
{Wow… real subtle with the naming for the boy.} Asura muttered
Kjartan nearly groaned. 'Zero sense with elders, I swear.' Was his final thought before he went on to the fight.
From what he could tell both were very skilled. Afia had to be to even stay at this level with Bjorn. The boy seemed made to fight. With height and strength he looked intimidating even now. Certainly more so when he'll become a man grown.
As he watched Bjorn he had an idea. Proper combat training had been held off because of the enragement. Perhaps this kid could help.
'Anything's worth a shot' His thought was met with a quick glance from the bear. Fading away in a storm of movements. 'Well… if his father could sense me…' And so he waited for the right time to approach. The fight went on for perhaps five more minutes, ending with the girl near exhausted and the boy wearing a smile.
Afia had a sour look. "Every time…" He heard the whisper, not knowing if others did. A few cheers were given, mainly to Bjorn, and Afia stormed off.
"Come now," Bjorn said. His voice somewhat low and sharp. "We do this for fun!"
Kjartan heard a snicker in the distance. "Isn't the only thing those two do for fun." This time he knew that the quiet tone was meant. Whom said it was up in the air as it was in a collective storm.
That was one annoyance he noticed. All the talking was ringing his head as the fight went on. Before there was no need to focus his senses to fit others. With him hearing the farest chicken squawk things had to change.
As for the smell... one could use imagination.
But with all the flaws a certain appeal was still there. Humans in terms of longevity are worthless. Even the ones who knew of the said truth still pushed into life. And those who lived with a small bit of bliss were admirable. Hell, if he found out about the supernatural and had nothing of it… that was something he didn't want to think of. With a small head shake he returned to the matters at hand. Now noticing Bjorn stand before him.
"So, an outsider wanders in, and views a fight. May I ask your name?" His voice was rather simple. He expected something… he didn't really know. But the simple pitch caught him somewhat.
His manners kicked in. "I'm Kjartan Askelsen. As an outsider I had hoped to find something to occupy me. Tell me if I can find anything of the sort."
Bjorn huffed some air. "Well, unless you want a good brawl with me, willing to stomach the mead, or even..." His eyes trailed off. His head turning back slightly. "Well there is something for those with our… well, caste seems fitting." Kjartan took the hint and followed. He thought that this was… a beginning to what he wanted.
But the walk near bored him to sleep.
From the edge of town to who knows where in the vas forest they went. The two remained silent. Kjartan's began overthinking. Creating situations and solutions in his head every five seconds. Asura counseling him to calm down, but he just couldn't. The thing that irked both beings was the lack of reasoning. Sure, you had the typical wandering where someone can't hear you scream thing. But Kjartan would be fine if something happened. In raw power he was still lacking.
'Thanks Bova.'
Back to the point. As the walk continued he thought of his way out if something might happen. And only one thing kept coming to mind.
Bat Dash. He had hardly used the vampiric magic in him at all. Only for training and practice. But it would prove more effective than deploying wings, touki, or even simply running would not stand against it.
This was becoming an annoyance. He thought conversation would help. There were only a few things to ask.
"So you and Afia. That fight was…"
"Lacking?" Bjorn replied. His eyes didn't even glance towards him.
"I for one found it interesting. Getting to fight like that. I rarely get to do it at all these days.I have my opinion, but tell me, do you think she's good?"
Bjorn stayed silent for a moment. Slowing down. "Well for a human at her age she is very dedicated. But since I've only seen her fight me I make few conclusions. She'll never best me in a one on one combat. But many humans should watch out."
Kjartan rolled his eyes. "That might be an understatement."
"Oh," Bjorn turned to him. "How so?"
Kjartan wandered how he did not know. With a smile he gestured to keep walking and he explained. "I'll take your question as a sign of… well instead of saying that, I'll ask you this. How many human settlements are there?"
"I simply don't know. My education was based on what was really needed and combat. I only know of two places where humans really gather in this world. The town with Jarl Aldon and the place we walk to."
Kjartan thought he would dislike explaining things and discussing history with someone. But he enjoyed it, odd as that was. "The assumption is safe I assure you. In truth there aren't even a dozen. Even with the one we walk to the number is still low. Scandinavia has the most apparently. The town, two places south. Both east and west. Now four apparently."
Bjorn looked awestruck. His eyes shifting away but his mouth still a bit open. "That is…"
"Sad?" He asked. The boy nodded and his heart sank. "I know. Tonight I'll pray to Odin, wishing wisdom upon more of them.' Perhaps that was greedy of him. It ranged in his head. Another whispering about the values of power. For the first time in the while his blood ran cold. It stopped him completely.
"Kjar-Oh Gods!" As he cursed Bjorn looked him dead in the eye. His face went to sad to angered. But more worrisome.
Kjartan's mind was crippled by emotions. A tremble was running, ankles paper thin and shins made of stone. He kneeled..
Breathing at a slow and choked pace. It was a horrid shift of hate and bloodlust. Every instinct said run but he could not move. His senses sped up and his eyes darted everywhere in fear.
"Gods, what was that?" He asked. His hand held onto Bjorn's shoulder. The boy helping him up.
"I can only guess with you… but." His eyes darted. Kjartan looked to him but he caught it as well. A scent, or scents, of wet fur, rancid breath, and the sound of wild howls and whoopings in his ear.
"I know you just fell but can you fight?" Bjorn asked, with no reassurance.
Kjartan could only nod. There was no time to think alternatives. Only how to combat them all.
But he came to blanks. Even as he formed two steps an overwhelming fear and wave of emotions flooded him. He knew the battle could be won. But something about the scent frightened him.
{You don't know where to begin do you?} Asura asked. There was no humor, only genuine concern.
{No not-} A sting of fear. He could feel it cutting his heart. Once more he began hyperventilating. 'What is this?'
{Time for that later.} That voice brought him clarity. {Just listen. You are a draconic dhampir. Act as one with…} And so it came to him. Asura for, all his strangeness, was not a liar. He did have techniques to teach.
First they called upon a great fog. Kjartan stretched the grey with haste. Around him and Bjorn it was thickest, almost masking the sun completely. Even now they could hear the attackers slow. Still going. On the outside it seemed stupid. Neither of them could see through such mystical fog. But Asura ordered more to encompass them, and to lay traps of fire.
Kjartan knew very few wards, only some could be now. Mind that runes alone were hard in teaching and dangerous in practice. This was hardly covered since his fit of rage. The ones he did had two could be used. Mainly a sensor, and of course, a fire rune.
In the tree lining he set ahead a ring of different runes. The first they'd reach was to alert him when someone. Behind that was a ring of embers reading to ignite once again. Whoever this was they had time to arrive.
"So you're actually aware?" Bjorn asked as he staked the ground. Odd, he didn't notice him making or having any.
"Simple terms please." He replied as he stretched the mist.
"I tried for a straight minute to just talk to you. But…" His eyes wandered towards a howl. "You just weren't there."
Kjartan was fully interested considering it was about himself. But he had to ignore it. At least for now. Asura continued. How to get ready. He undid his long furs. Now in his dark leathers he unfurled his wings. As for weapons, he seemed to keep to what he said once.
Two fist of growing and roaring flame. Not the violet oddity, just dragon fire.
He took a moment to breathe. "We got two minutes for them to get here. Mind explaining?"
Bjorn looked discouraged. "If it's a welcome party, we shouldn't be feeling this. But I gotta say.." He looked around what he could see of the clearing. "Fog… didn't know dragon's could do this."
'FUCK!'
{I'll be taking full responsibility.}
His rage could only increase. He wanted his vampire powers to be hidden. A certain trump card if the enemy doesn't know-
He stopped himself on those thoughts. He shouldn't be concerned about it. This was Scandinavia. Home to many of both worlds. Slowly he allowed himself breathing. The weight lifted, his mind becoming clear. 'Gods I'm a paranoid idiot.' His self-harassing-comments would have to wait, as loud roars of flame and wolf broke out. But that was what merely began the battle. A bit over half were still there, weakened as they are. Bjorn charged, plunging spears where he could. Kjartan could see the boy's form shift. Hair all over, a nasty snout, and a body of a fort.
The berserkers, acting vanguard of the northern armies.
As the bear behind him took the strong half, he was left with seven weaklings. Yet all of them totaled above and beyond their comrades. As Asura commanded him, the four charging were impaled by great icicles. The three remaining clashed head on, leaping far past their wounded. He formed a sphere of wind in his hand. Crashing two fist into the ground, he sent the three flying, burning and screaming from the fire addition. With a brief moment of clarity he saw it.
Toros and legs were either blow away or far apart when it came to the ones on the ground. The growing fire searing the flesh. He never had to smell something so wrong before. Near gagging him from the strong stench of it. And viewing it all, this was nightmarish. Icicles plunged deep making slick scarlet snow.
His fire tunes went beyond ruining the bodies. The forest around them became a blaze. The once thick grey fog was now a thin sky of ash.
With Bjorn he had slammed the second one into a falling tree. He turned to the last one. It merely snarled at him and tried to run off. Bjorn seemed to be no lumbering giant, but a force of pure strength and speed. Bjorn took hold and broke the half wolf against a tree.
Only a few remained. {Now find one that's intact.} it seemed Asura was not done instructing. He had his dislike of this situation, but did as he was told. Wrapping his furs to keep his face and breakfast, he walked around the carnage. There was one. A leg and arm gone but his wounds were cauterized.
{Shadows.} It didn't even feel like Kjartan controlled himself. Asura was merely commanding him now. The black around them coiled. Who ever this wolf was, he was about to lose everything. And the wolf knew it.
With a crunched form the wolf shot up, eyes glaring up at him. They were no longer the eyes of a killer. But simply someone deranged. He grabbed the top of the maw and gripped the right side of the wolf's face. Shadows rushing beneath his eyes. With a flame he began to almost branned the wolf. But that wasn't the purpose of all of this.
He was given the lines. "You send twenty or so to fight two younglings, a cub and hatchling. Neither posing any threat until charged by you all. Tell me the reason and your commander." It felt wrong. Not the questioning, not the use of his powers. But how he was just being used as a pup-
"It was…." He increased the heat. "An idea-"
"Who's idea?" He roared. The wolf cried from how loud it was, and being face to chest didn't help with the range. A small trickle of blood came from his ears. A broken thing he was.
'But usable.' With his thought he flared a flame against the wolf. Slowly the black eyes glared behind him. He saw all five in the reflection. Immediately he coated a leg in fire. With a swift turn and roundhouse he detonated the flame near five wolves. Before some could get up Bjorn already began to maul them. With a strong downbeat Kjartan launched into the sky, his evade hidden by smoke.
He took the moment to scan the battle. The most noticeable thing was a single wolf, circling the edge of it all. A wolf with a very familiar smell. Quickly he sent out a bat to spy on it.
Summoning more flame in his palm, he scorched the last few who were still trying to fight. He ignored all the noise, focusing on the task at hand. With his palms downward he unleashed a cone of flame.
A hollow cone.
Bjorn nearly jumped away, but stood holding off two wolfs. His berserker rage and form would gift him enough endurance. As the walls of fire entrapped them, Kjartan could see the last of the wolf's flying out. Burnt and screaming.
Kjartan had to smile at the efficiency of their killing.
~ Askel, New Crucible.
He had been pulled into the ending and beginning of another war.
He would've prefer to stay with his child, and wait for his lover to be back. But when he was told about Tannin and Bova, there was no arguing. Only his rage and departure. It had been a few melina into a new campaign. A rogue faction of Devas had taken a planet as their own, enslaving whatever inhabits there were.
But in their blinding greed, the small nine million forgot the guardians of this world. This realm.
After many encounters, the last years have been victorious. For all of them. Bova had entered High Class. While the boy scoffed at the mention of ceremonies, he enjoyed it all the same. Tannin had gained glory in the more recent slaughters. Earning his title of Blaze Meteor Dragon.
And Askel had enjoyed his new family.
But now it was family that would start this war.
He had been called after being told what happened and once it was confirmed. Tannin and Bova were near killed. It was in the middle of a small fight, but the power was all to familiar for dragons.
Indra's lightning. The same vile, and boisterous feeling crept over the battlefield, and two pillars of lightning almost killed his family.
Almost is not enough to kill a dragon, mind you.
With healing wounds they were sent back to the Valley, and Askel came to the currently forming counsel. Even though many knew of him, Askel barely met new people. Luckily there'd be one person there. One he hadn't seen in a millennium.
Crom Cruach.
"So, we're to discuss this all in fifteen, correct?" His old friend told him. His head dropped, making him brushing away his black and gold hair. "This…" Cruach shook his head. "How has life treated you?"
"Good enough" Askel replied. He wanted to go into detail, but these walls weren't theirs. The area had been fitted for human sized beings, leaving the dragons to shift. Men were all around cleaning and marking the area. A wood akin to dark oak had been used for the walls, and an odd purple and gold carpet in the hall.
"Bah, you're too quiet." Cruach said as he passed the pipe. Askel accepted the offer, hoping for some mental relief. A long breath later and he handed it back. "There must be something you can talk about. I don't wanna carry conversations."
Askel shook his head with a smile. "Too bad. Maybe something later." He trusted the dragon, but wouldn't take anymore chances. Merely mentioning that existence of something notable was dangerous place, and the great area around it, was still being cleaned of traps and weakened fighters.
Cruach flashed a wry smile. "So clear and detailed." With a fingertip of fire he re-lit the pipe. "But, I have a feeling it'll be good. If not," He patted a hand on Askel's shoulder. "Then you are on depressing fuck." No smile. Only a pitiful frown.
'If that isn't true then I'm a wyrm.' He thought. 'Doesn't matter. I have my family, that's enough for me.' He tried to convince himself. It never worked, not once, but he still tried.
The double doors opened and they entered. An old office, kitted with a few stained orange windows, and a round table. Askel took the seat with the windows to his back, Crom Cruach took the seat to his right. Soon more dragons in human form filed in the room.
One man in his oriental robe spoke first. "His grace Yu-Long could not attend. I shall be his acting vassal for this meeting." He took a seat.
Quickly he held a hand to his northern friends. "I know." Fafnir and Midgardsormr wouldn't be here either. That leaving Cruach as his saving grace in this meeting. It wasn't a matter if there was trust between them, but if they would trust him. He didn't want to look at this situation as a great opportunity. But it was.
Askel and Crom would have to prove that.
"How is the tone?" He asked Crom.
Hi friend leaned forward, his hands flipping through reports. "Depends on how we should look at it." He began, brushing some of his gold and black hair away. "The inhabitants of this world are acting appropriately. Nearly ninety five percent are crying for a war, or at least, a punishment to be served.
"As for our people, many are reading to swear fealty. To different lords of course, hoping we're that simple." A few made lighthearted chuckles, shaking their head.
'That's good.' Askel thought. If He and Crom were to persuade them, then all of them have to be in the right mind. Unfortunately he could already see the of in Croms eyes
"A host of three hundred thousand is waiting for the good health of both of them. But it's unclear if that is there true motivation. Many groups would like to see a war between the faction, even the entire species of dracons, to fight Indra and other Devas.
"Battles are already inevitable, in short." Crom flashed Askel a look as he pulled his pipe out.
Askel prepared himself. "Now I can not see into the mind of someone like Indra, only remember my encounters with him. For millennia he had time to prepare for a full on assault."
"Yet he hasn't made a move until this…" One of the counsel said.
"My point exactly. None of our spies have reported movement from anyone of the Devas. If this is to be true, then I doubt this was a whim. It was clear by the death of Vritra and all that followed. Indra seeks war more so than we thought before, if he's willing to assit rogue gods and soldiers."
"So," Fafnir vassal said. A 'man' in a blue robe. "You suggest we retaliate? Do not allow your vendetta to blind you, son of Vritra. What good wou-"
"What good?" And just like that his rage was upon them. "There is not good in any of us this. But we are a people, a faction without match. Instead of helping ourselves we assist those who hide behind our protection. I do not mean to abandon our worlds, but priorites need to be set."
Yu-Long's vassal spoke once more. "I am to be a vassal, only meant to observe, but may I speak my mind." He said rather calmly. But Askel had seen the twitch in his brow before. "Askel, you no longer are a lord. You are an independent party now, one that allied himself with the Norse. What power do you hold here?" He saw the smallest of smiles when the vassal finished.
Before he could reply Cruach stood, entering a coughing fit. "Power? Yes," Crom began with a hard cough. "Let us talk of power. The power I hold alone to charge Indra and his ilk. The ships and men I am more than sure Tannin will call upon. The wrath of any who aren't so-" Askel pressed a hand on Crom's shoulder. In trying to calm his friend he replied.
"Yes, I took up arms with the Norse. Only because when Indra came to my home, no one rallied behind my family. With my mother and friend dead, I had to flee. The one people I could that were ready to take arms."
"And still are." Fanfnir's vassall stood. "I would like to mention, if you, Crom, and Tannin do plan on retaliating, then the Golden King is with you."
"Insanity!" Another dragon roared. Samael was one of the few dragons Askel actually hated. It wasn't that the snake would not back him, but who he did back. Heaven was not one to side with, just about all knew. But even now Lucifer's pet was eager to please the Father. "Indra wields the tool and power to slay near legions of our people."
"If we gave him the chance." Askel replied. "Tell me, Crom, what is the headcount for the draconic horde?"
The room was silent, save for the burning of bud in Crom's pipe. "Billions. Counting every recorded and living dracon, we outnumber the enemy many times over."
"Some of those are children!" Samael retorted. "We need not to draft the population." He looked Askel in the eyes. "An army of reasonable size and power can defeat the lightning fiend. If Indra makes more moves, I shall be by the side of dragons. But I ask, for the people who do not want war, only rally those willing to aid."
"We would never draft." Crom laughs. "Do as you will Samael. But the people are crying for war. We were able to hold against the Vritra fallout, but such a new icon of the people going down…" Askel said.
"No one will forget it, especially with the circumstance. Rogues are usually dealt with by small teams, but the Devas made no such move for ages. Now Indra appears, striking down a war hero?" Crom asked. "People want blood. I say we give it to them."
~(Author's note: Rant and Explanations)
So I can it seems that I can only upload after a month of silence on the eighth of a month…(I swear to god if this doesn't upload on Nov 8) In all serious though I do apologize for the gap. As I said before, got caught up.
Also, I'm trying to fill the thousands of years before canon with something interesting. This is a huge sandbox that still needs to be explore in my opinion. POV will change, some characters won't be seen in chapters, and the cast is mainly OC and severely unused characters. So if you're expecting to see the ORC in five chapters the you are wrong. I don't have anything against fics that do the whole, "Character has X background with X amount of strength and fucks everything in sight." (Some of the funniest ones actually) But as of now, cast is mostly OC and will be focused mainly on the dragons I introduce. That's not to say the main cast won't be seen, opposite really. Red and White have a huge role to play, just... gonna take some time with getting there.
And on the whole lightning thing, I'm setting up something with a lightning based fighter. Depending on where I go Kjartan could gain the affinity but I'm just… iffy I guess. For instance, he'll get light but that'll be so far into the future and he'll hardly use it. His flame and future powers-that actually mean something-we'll be plenty to use. Idk, just vote in the reviews I guess.
Now some may have noticed the drop in quality(if there was any to begin with) compared to the last chapter of 12k and long paragraphs. I'll most likely go back and rewrite a lot of this, but I really wanted to this out. And wit the first chapter I had months of work backing it. A rough draft of 22k with a jumpy plot and poor development. (Lemon and everything… blegh.)
As always, please be blunt in reviews. Mistakes are still plenty in the first chapter, even a contradiction I need to edit.
~Nerdy out. (Sorry for any fuck ups in spelling and grammar.)
