Chapter 14-Final Release
The soft grey of granite met Arxa's eyes as she opened them. The smooth stone glistened with fragments of jewels still inside but the only thing that concerned her was leaving to hunt. Her stomach growled in eagerness for food and she was more then willing to obey. The very thought of raw meat made her frame tremble in excitement.
An entire month had passed now and, surprisingly, she had not killed a single dragon during that time frame. Sitedal and Jormundur were still asleep, curled tightly into two separate balls of scales. Arxa snorted silently to herself in amusement as she got to her feet and stretched out her long body, hoping to ease the dull ache that lay in her lower back. Rolling her shoulders, she passed the two dragons and brought her gaze to the clear blue sky outside. What would she hunt for today? She wondered as only one thought came clearly to mind: another dragon for its abilities.
The lighter of the two younger dragons stirred some and Arxa directed her attention to him for a moment before he settled back down and she returned her sight to the open air. Verdra had almost been killed by Jormundur, that much she knew of her own accord. Why the traitor dragon's daughter was still alive she knew not but the oath-breaker would have to pay, sooner or later.
Her wings snapped open the moment Arxa leapt out of the cave, glimpses of onyx filling her view for a moment as her wings struggled to adjust to the air currents and keep her afloat in the gentle breeze that the sky offered to her. Arxa knew that she was doing some damage to her wings every time she did that but part of her enjoyed the thrill of having a struggle with the world beyond her small home.
The scent on the winds told her of much. Herds of deer were moving south now and there was an injured dragon in her territory. Did it even know who's land it was crossing on? Arxa snarled softly at the thought of it eating any of the meat she had quick access to from the air. She would find this dragon and ensure that it stayed silent . . . or else.
A sea of green passed under Arxa as she flew with the greatest speed she could muster at such an early hour. The sun had risen, barely above the horizon, yet the earth was not warmed quite enough for her taste. The only clearing for miles soon passed under her and Arxa turned around, dropping herself into a dive and landing in the rugged opening in the dense forest.
The dragon was male, that much the scent on the wind told her. Arxa knew the scent of males differed from the female scent in that the males smelt more like that of fire and smoke then the females ever did. None of that mattered to her though but she preferred to keep such scents and information held tightly in her mind for future knowledge. Such proofed useful when fighting another dragon, or while having to keep Ryta from messing with her head again. Narssia was not getting free anymore. This was her mind now! No one else could lay claim to it as far as she was concerned.
So you're Arxa, huh? A rustling of bushes from behind caused the black female to snarl fiercely and turn around to see the depleted frame of a grey male dragon with a pronounced limp to his right foreleg. His eyes, a mix of yellow and purple, stared at her with expectancy.
Who wants to know? She growled softly, tensing herself as her heart began to race with eagerness.
The name is Rados. I was thought to be dead over six years ago by my mother but I survived as she survived. He paused, waiting for a reply from Arxa. The dragoness only flicked the tip of her tail with annoyance. So you truly are the "Black Menace" that everyone has spoken of.
I know not the term but I am Arxa, captor of the body of Narssia. She is my host, my vessel if you prefer. State your business quickly or fear my wrath.
Rados snorted in amusement. Temperamental are we? I have come only to assure my thoughts that you are the Black Menace, which you ar-
Silence! Arxa roared, snapping out at him, her teeth bared. You speak nonsense. I AM ARXA!
The forest echoed her roar and Arxa rose onto her hind legs, balancing herself with the aid of her tail. Deep in her mind for the first time in over a month, Narssia stirred back into consciousness. She was confused and tried to make sense of how things were as they now seemed to be. Rados reminded her of another dragon, her own son. Jormundur would be pleased to meet another grey dragon if it lived that long.
Let me loose, she growled sharply at the overpowering presence of Arxa, trying to at least speak with the newcomer before he was killed by the dark-magic-presence wanting to make a point.
Why would I? Arxa asked in reply, startling Narssia as she had not excepted an answer of any sort. You know there is not a two-way door to your mind at all! Besides, you lack the power needed to keep me at bay anyway. Remember the incident with Ryta? How you failed miserably at keeping me away even after she reopened the connection between you both? You know what I'm taking about, with utter clarity.
Fine, I agree with you.
Honestly, giving up this soon? I expect more from you, oh strong female. Arxa taunted, mentally smirking as Narssia growled in annoyance.
Narssia sighed and watched as Arxa observed the carefulness of Rados around them since the outburst. You're nuts for trusting anyone besides yourself, she added.
You have the same quality, came the curt reply from Arxa, irritation clearly felt by Narssia through the words that were mentally thought. That's what makes you weak and frail compared to my might. I control every aspect of you now, there is no escape.
Something in Narssia stirred to life at that comment, something she had never felt before in her existence as a rider's dragon. Madness, all-consuming madness. Arxa was wrong! There was more to a dragon then just their mind.
I am not giving up hope, she spat in hatred as Arxa snorted in mock interest. There has to be a way of taking back what is mine.
It no longer is yours, frail one. Arxa paused for a moment. But maybe if you stay quiet and don't try to run, I will let you loose for a few moments. How does that sound?
Die first and leave me to what is mine!
Arxa snorted softly and Narssia watched as she sprang at Rados, snapping apart his neck and absorbing any abilities that he had which were useful to her. The black dragoness spirit that had invaded her body licked her jaws as Narssia roared in anger over the death of another innocent dragon by the fangs that belonged to her but were used by Arxa to kill.
You killed an innocent dragon, Arxa! He did us no harm so why . . . Why end his life?
Because he knew of us. He would tell of what he saw to those murderer-at-heart traitors and they would come after us, Arxa sighed in explanation as Narssia continued to fume silently.
Finally she spoke up as Arxa retook to the air. We could have manipulated his memories-
NO! Arxa shrieked. We will never enter the mind of another dragon. Do you want the magic of the Orichalcos to leave us powerless? If we touch the mind of another dragon and let the connection linger, the Orichalcos will abandon us. It would take everything we have gained thus far and cause a weakness to descend upon our frame that beats even the helplessness of a hatchling. Is that what you want? To be powerless, insignificant?
I understand but-
But nothing! We will strike back when stricken. Fight when the odds are against us, and nothing will change that. The Orichalcos fuels us, offers a gift that your body cannot refuse any longer. You were hatched by the user of the greatest dark magic possible and, over time, you began to hunger for such power as your own. That is why he died, why I took over.
I watched him die, Narssia admitted, mostly to herself. I saw him take his last breath but did nothing to stop Meta from killing him. Was that why you came into me? To be the true dragon that I could never be after he entered the void?
Arxa fell into silence, flapping her wings as she listened for the sound of prey. Narssia felt helpless, trapped in the body that had been her own for over twenty-five years. How could she compete with the magic of Arxa? The dark-magic-presence was strong and often overzealous in speaking of killing the ones who had become traitors to the dragon race. Who were those she spoke of? If it were the dragons that had banded together during the years then Narssia felt that those were not traitors but merely individuals who sought to protect themselves at any cost. Could she be like that one day? Strong enough to counter and overpower the influence of Arxa, ridding the magic-formed presence forever from her body?
It won't work, Arxa commented as Narssia realized that she had been listening in. You are not strong enough, nor can you ever hope to be in order to fight me off through sheer will alone. That idea was tried once before and it failed miserably. She snorted. Just give up.
Never, Narssia snarled as Arxa chuckled softly.
It's your choice then.
Narssia howled in fury as Arxa closed off their connection, focusing on beating her down again. It did no good to argue with the insane dark-magic-formed presence anymore. Arxa was used to such attempts and was rather bored of them now. The chained female panted as the air supply grew thinner. What was Arxa thinking? Both of them would end up dead. What ever happened to one would happen to the other, didn't she know that?
The air continued to grow thin and Narssia struggled, wondering how far Arxa would go before either both of them died or she was beaten down into submission once more. A gasping breath let Narssia and she rested her head against one of the many black walls of her mental prison. She had to think. What could she do to force Arxa into abandoning their reckless flight into a possible death? Nothing came to mind, nothing that would work at least. She had no control over the body, she couldn't force Arxa from command.
Stop this! She roared out in rage as her breathing grew even more labored. I will submit. Just stop before we both die. Please!
Gradually the air returned to its normal level of oxygen concentration and Narssia breathed a sigh of relief. Arxa had listen to her, for once.
I will land, the dark presence assured her as they dove into a shallow dive, touching the ground within seconds.
Once they were safely on the ground Arxa spoke once more. Why did you risk calling out to me? I wanted to be rid of you yet something held me back. How could that be so?
Narssia thought on it for a second. Perhaps the balance of power wants us still alive?
Balance of power, ha. There is no such thing.
There is, Arxa. We are an example of that. I represent the light and you represent the darkness of my soul.
But why save us? I could have killed us both, then you would be with Mirage and your rider again.
Narssia sighed. I don't want to die right now. My children need me.
Ryta saw you fall into what might have been your death. She wants nothing to do with you, believing you no longer exist. Imagine what Jormundur and Sitedal must be thinking. They could turn on us at any moment! Arxa snarled.
She is still a part of me! Narssia snapped back. I will not give up on her so easily as she has given up on me.
The mind is a fickle thing. You could end up turning your back on her as well-
I will not! She is my own flesh and blood, my daughter through Raxmon. There is no way I can turn my back on her.
Arxa quieted for a moment, leaving Narssia in silence. What if she was wrong? What if she did turn on her daughter and denounce her? What would that cause for Jormundur and Sitedal? Maybe it was the right thing to do? Just to turn her back on those that she had loved for years and submit to the darkness of her heart.
Will you become one with me? Arxa asked as she had listened in on Narssia's thoughts. Will you finally give in to what your body so earnestly craves?
Narssia hesitated, unsure. Should she really give up her life just to satisfy the need for power that flowed through her veins? Was that what her rider would have had her do?
I will accept your offer, Arxa, she growled softly, almost mourning the life she had led to this point.
Good.
The darkness enfolded her for only the second time in her life, driving out everything else. She was born of darkness and to darkness she would return. No one could save her now, not even her children.