Chapter 5-Dealing with a Dual Persona
The utter blackness penetrated through her thoughts and the black dragoness lifted her head. Arxa, as she was called by many who knew not what she had gone through over the years since her hatching, growled as she found that thick black chains had been wrapped around her body and latched to the walls around her. She had no recollection of escaping last time from those chains but she supposed she had.
Hunger scraped at her but the dragoness merely shut her mind away from the physical needs of her body. There was more going on with her than any other dragon knew that lived in this dismal place. She was Narssia, the dragoness once bonded to the Atlantean king Dartz but that had changed once her bond to him had been broken because of another dragon killing him. This had changed her, corrupted her mind and shackled her spirit so that the same darkness that her rider had once used came back to haunt her as she had used it before, only one though, and she had accepted out of weakness.
That same power had formed the monster that lurked deep in her mind. The presence of Arxa could be felt constantly by the female but she tried her best to fight it. However, she was fighting a losing battle as to how long she could hold onto her sanity and not let the magic-formed presence control her.
Narssia could already tell she was weakening against it. Terdon's murder had been a mistake, a fatal flaw on her part as she had tried to see if the sheer will of her thoughts were enough to hold Arxa back and it hadn't. The fury-driven, created from magic, dragoness spirit had taken control and had slaughtered the innocent blue dragon.
As if on cue, Arxa's rich with anger voice rose from the depths of Narssia's mind, her tone more loathing than the black dragoness had ever heard it before. Stupid Protectors and their offspring. If it wasn't for them, Makiar to be precise, I would be out gathering more abilities.
Maybe this is for the better? Narssia suggested, trying to keep peace between herself and the insane dragoness who lurked within her mind.
Arxa snorted. Better? You really want better from that traitor of a dragon? If Makiar had her way, we'd be dead now.
Exactly my point, Narssia hummed, pleased that Arxa was getting annoyed with her now.
Still ticked over Mirage's death I see.
No, that's not it, Narssia snapped back, only to have Arxa chuckle in amusement.
I believe it is. You were quite close to him from the time you two spent together. Being frozen for an entire year must have impacted you some, not to mention how it affected Mirage.
Do not bring him into this. He is dead! Narssia roared, struggling against the chains to further prove her anger.
Ah, he's dead. Uria should be dead after all the times he has died already, and let's not forget Finca who, if my memory is correct, should have died six years ago.
By your . . .
Narssia hissed angrily and shut her eyes as the only door to her small chamber was opened. Through the blackness, she could feel heat upon her scales as the clicking of another creature approached her.
I assume you're awake, the familiar rough voice of Makiar rippled out to Narssia and she fought to keep herself in control.
Arxa growled softly in Narssia's mind but, surprisingly, kept herself under control and didn't assume command over the body that they both had full access to. Narssia was grateful for the fact that Arxa allowed her time to think, and allowed her control when she was the true owner of the body anyway.
I am awake, Makiar, she snarled as she opened her eyes, blinking as the red dragoness seemed too bright in her dismal world that she lived in now, being chained up in a dark room and all. However, your mental inquiry that Arxa is in command is false.
You don't know the real answer either, the ruby dragoness hissed as Narssia lifted her head to better see the maddened eyes of the red female.
Point taken but I have less restraint over Arxa then I have ever had. Her eyes locked with Makiar's own. Kill me, please.
The red dragoness looked away, breaking their connection. Her tail swished through the air slowly as the seconds passed and Narssia felt herself grow more and more stretched. Arxa wasn't fighting the normal way but instead by attacking through her connections to others. Some connections were fragile, a few were broken already, but Narssia felt the pain from each one as the dark female that lurked in her mind hesitated near every one of them.
You know Narssia, Makiar began, her voice low and giving the impression that she was tired, I can't bring myself to do it. She looked back at the distraught dragoness bound by chains. To me, you are like a daughter, although I can't say I have approved of certain things you've done.
You monster! Arxa's voice rippled through the air, making Narssia cringe as the dragoness' thoughts were loud enough to make her head hurt. Why keep us alive then? She gave you an order so carry it out!
Makiar snarled, narrowing her eyes. Who am I to take orders from, Arxa? You're the reason why she is in here and you know it. Besides, she requested it of me not ordered me to deliver the final blow to her fragile frame.
If I had my way, you would be dead Protector. Arxa's anger lashed out at Narssia's mind even more forcefully.
Makiar snorted in amusement. I feel the same way about you.
I existed far before you were even born. Such is the way of the darkness that fuels my soul.
Your soul? You don't have a soul as far as I'm concerned, Makiar snarled softly, glancing at the chains that bound the joined presence of Narssia and Arxa.
Just end this, Narssia whispered, straining with every fiber in her body to stay in control over Arxa.Please Makiar, make this misery stop for me.
I won't kill you, but I can ease your pain should you allow it, Makiar whispered in response, her yellow eyes bright with eagerness.
What are you going to do? Narssia whispered back, struggling to remain in control.
Makiar hummed softly as her eyes flickered to the chains that bound Narssia. Her frame shivered with anticipation as Arxa grew more angered with each passing moment.
Lower your head, she intrusted Narssia as the younger dragoness did what was asked of her. Close your eyes and don't open them no matter what I say, understood? Narssia growled softly, indicating she had heard.
Fight me like the dragon you are, Makiar! Arxa snarled as Narssia cringed in pain.
Oh, I am. I know more about fighting in the mind then you would think I do.
So what? It doesn't help you any, Arxa snapped back.
That's where you're wrong. The mind is fragile, able to be swayed easily. Given enough pressure, it can crack to the influences around, and in, its barriers, Makiar retorted.
Realizing her chance, Makiar assaulted the joined mind of Narssia and Arxa. She hoped there was a way to break apart the two and drive Arxa out of the weakened mind of Narssia. What she found was the exact opposite of her intended thought however.
Driven back into her own mind from Arxa's presence, Makiar tried once more and was repelled again. The ruby dragoness wasn't ready to submit just yet and drove back in for the third time, only to be accepted by Narssia, who was holding off Arxa.
The crystal-like appearance of Narssia's mind gave proof to Makiar just how fragile she was. She could break at any moment and then Arxa would have full control. Makiar wasn't about to have that happen!
Why come to find me in this broken place? Narssia asked as she brought together her strength to shield Makiar from Arxa's fury once more.
Because of what I intend to do, Makiar replied. Have you ever had your identity erased from the minds of those that know you?
No, but I see where you're going with this. You want to erase Arxa, correct?
Sort of. I want to fuse together you both but Arxa is being . . . Makiar paused, searching for the right word.
Difficult? Narssia suggested. Don't worry about me, focus on stopping her right now. The rest will fall into place given enough time.
As you wish, Narssia. I offer you the best luck that you survive, Makiar hummed.
The same goes to you as well, Narssia snorted. Now go, leave before she gets . . .
An icy surge of power, raw to the extreme, shoved into Makiar, forcing her to leave Narssia's mind once more. She didn't try to reenter but instead blinked in shock as the chains that bound the younger dragoness began to shake and rattle. Narssia growled softly, squeezing her eyes shut as the chains rattled more forcefully.
Makiar took a step back, debating on calling for Uria, when the chains snapped away from the wall and the dragoness that was held by them stood up. When she opened her eyes Makiar knew that the fight was lost on Narssia's part as Arxa's whitened irises gleamed with madness.
You tried to kill me, she hissed, adapting her voice to match Narssia's own tone. Why should I let you live then?
Because of her compassion, Makiar snarled right back, unafraid of the powerful dragoness that now held command over the body of a young dragon that was forced to be alone in the world due to the death of her rider and her mate at such a young age.
Compassion is a weakness of your race. I need no such feelings to ensure that I get what I want.
There in lies your weakness Arxa. You thrive for power yet feel nothing when you get it, Makiar snorted.
Liar! I feel its strength empowering me further when I obtain it, Arxa hissed in response, her white eyes focused on Makiar as she advanced toward the red female.
You think you can kill me and get away with it? If so, think again.
Arxa snarled, her eyes narrowing to mere slits as anger took over. She sprang, snapping at Makiar as the dragoness backed up and slammed her tail on the door to be allowed to exit but the door failed to open. Makiar glanced around, trying to find another way out but there was none. It was going to be all over . . .
Makiar! Finca's roar caught both of the dragons' attentions and Arxa snarled brutally.
The door sprang to life as its locking mechanism disabled and Makiar slipped through the small crack that she tore open with her claws. That same door also allowed for Arxa to escape as she powered her way through its tough, metal surface.
Makiar, are you all right? Finca questioned as the red dragoness tried to make sense of what happened just prior to her friend saving her life.
I'm fine Finca but we have bigger problems now. Her eyes locked with Finca's. Arxa is loose.