A/N: Sorry about the wait. Wanted to leave you guys with something just in time for Christmas.
Enjoy and see you in 2015
Victoria opened her eyes at the blinding sun carefully. Beside the bright light, she was quickly becoming aware of the sweltering air on top of her. And it had an absolutely retched stench.
It was almost like...
...hot breath...
She dared to look up.
It had to be...something big...
And it was.
"I have a bad feeling about this."
Andre took little heed of Jadelyn's doubts as they deftly penetrated the castle's walls.
He leaned his back against the stone and slowly advanced the length of the wall with Jadelyn close by, looking nervously from her rear to the direction they were going and back again.
"I know you are apprehensive," Andre whispered to Jadelyn. "But we are capable. Our history of being kept hidden from Noxymis' view has given us a rather reliable mental map of this palace's catacombs."
"I know," Jadelyn nodded.
"Do not for a moment doubt your abilities or intelligence. We have made it this far - that has got to count for something."
Andre looked around and swiftly made it across the width of a corridor and held his breath, listening intently to make sure there were no other footsteps nor anyone else attempting to hide their presence. After feeling satisfied, he waved for Jadelyn to join him.
"How can you be so brave?" Jadelyn asked, not intending for it to be aloud.
"My father..." he swallowed. "Once taught me that bravery is about being afraid but going forth into the fire..." he turned to her. "Or the blackest night without hesitation."
Jadelyn took a deep breath and released it.
"You are afraid, too?"
Andre gripped the handle of his sword hanging from his belt.
"Of course, princess. Why would I not? This man, this thing, murdered my father - the strongest man I had ever known."
They started down the wall of the corridor careful not to make a sound loud enough for it to carry.
"But I cannot allow it to rule my mind," Andre continued. "The fear, I mean. It will make me useless in battle so I try to ignore my own comfort. I think of those I love and how my in-activeness or folly would not aid them in the slightest."
Right now, all Jadelyn could think of was her Victoria and what kind of grave danger she could be in on her account. The guilt was the only thing as strong as her fear.
The scree of a massive crimson-colored reptile sent Victoria straight to her feet, much to the annoyance of her head. Now she was plagued with a migraine at a time when it was very crucial for her to keep her wits about her.
This dragon was not unlike the smaller, green one. Other than being covered in red scales; standing there on all four feet, it had to be as tall as the highest tower in Reinhart castle from head to talon.
The neck came down quick, the bad breath shadowing her once more. Victoria tried to run for cover but the dragon's head was in hot pursuit. She ran in a most erratic fashion to try and lose it but the beast's snake-like neck kept up with her path. Her ears began to shatter at the booming sound of its mouth coming down to close and instead breaking the rocks apart with its powerful teeth.
Victoria jumped between two sides to a chasm in the mountaintop but with a swipe of its mighty tail, she was sent flying.
Taking advantage of her being disoriented; the dragon pinned her down and gnashed its teeth at her The mouth opened, revealing a foul and slimy tongue. She struggled to free herself but her strength was of no significance in this situation. She shut her eyes and braced herself for being licked by the grotesque tongue as it descended upon her.
Her mind raced. "Blasted thing trying to savor me; different from the hairy monster from the caverns."
It was wet and forceful, but surprisingly cold to the touch. Feeling disgusted by the sentiment that she might have tasted good, she looked into the beasts' eyes. As she stared up into them, something inside her began to make her feel at ease. Victoria couldn't describe it but she was curious as to what was going on. It had tasted her with its tongue and yet it doesn't proceed to devour her.
It was just...regarding her.
"What do you want, creature?" she asked of her destroyer.
As if in response, the claw upon her chest lifted as did the dragon's head.
"Is this true?" she pondered. "Is it letting me go? Perhaps it does not find me appetizing."
Victoria could see in the distance toward Rosym and saw what looked like two distinct shadows joining together.
Clios and Demian clanged swords with one another.
"Brother! So we meet!"
Clios smirked at his younger brother's declaration. They continued to bang weapons back and forth whilst on their horses. They respective men respond in kind. It had to carry on as if it were real for a moment.
"Tell me, are we about ready?"
"The dark lord anticipates this melee with great relish. He is watching from the main balcony, no doubt."
Clios hopes his brother was right. Noxymis would grow suspicious if the fight wore on any longer and there were no slain yet.
"Have your co-conspirators penetrated our king's castle?"
"Sadly, I cannot see them. That was the point after all."
They rode around in an awkward circle, feigning trying to stab the other and blocking any attacks.
"I suppose it is no or never," Demian acknowledged.
"Aye, yes" Clios nodded. "Let us give him hell, brother."
Demian and Clios both whistled, alerting the other soldiers. The two brothers charged forth toward the castle with the others in hot pursuit.
"FOR THE KING!" shouted Clio with his hand raised. Beckett and Demian were among the first to repeat the battle cry.
"What have we here?" Noxymis raised his eyebrow. He turned to his feathered friend perched beside him. "Bartleby, it would seem that my new captain of the guard has betrayed me and what's more; my old captain remains. What an exciting display, was it not?"
The bird responded with a call.
"I believe a grand show like this ought to be...rewarded with another."
Noxymis went over to a basin and waved the stone over the clear water.
"Elemental of all the elements; be at my command. Rise like the sun and charge through the land like a raging fire through a forest. Give me a flood to end all floods."
A cataclysmic rumbling shook the ground as the insurrectionists attempted to keep their wits about them, continuing to storm the castle.
Beckett looked to his left and his face went deathly white, "LOOK!"
Demian's eyes went wide and he quickly turned to his older brother who was just as beside himself with fear.
From around the bend of the mountains came a torrent of blue water, frothing at the front like a mad wave. It was taller than anything fathomable in the minds of these men.
"Follow me to higher ground, men!"
Demian rode away from the pack and toward the foothills adjacent to the castle. They weren't too steep; ideal enough for riders on horseback. Impressed by his quick thinking, Clios made sure the others followed.
Before long, the water levels began to rise. Many made it up to safety but several men were swept up in the tidal wave. Their panicked horses were done for.
Noxymis glared at the rebels from afar.
"Now you see."