Chapter 62-Revelation
For the past month, Narssia had sensed a strange unease in Arxa, a sensation she had not expected to arise within the dark presence that had taken over her body. As more time passed, she found herself drifting, barely able to form coherent thoughts and knew that Corruption had been silent to her for nearly the same amount of time. Whatever the reasoning was, Narssia figured her eventual betrayal would clarify her thoughts on the mutual lack of communication between them, something that pleased her to think about when she could gather the energy to even remind herself that the malice won't control her forever.
Narssia listened as Arxa informed Jormundur of her intent to leave for a time and put him in charge over the clones, realizing she was paranoid over a rebellion like Gregal had tried to start even with such a firm grip on every clone's life. Although she silently disproved of letting the greyling take charge over the hybrids, she understood the apparent reasoning as they left the cave, the sensation of flying again bringing a calm to her scattered thoughts. Vanz had loved flying with her, even though their time spent together had been limited up until right before his death from the born-again Protector Meta who had killed both him and Mirage in cold blood to, unfortunately, bring about the rise of Corruption's magic once more.
I hope I'm not interrupting your peaceful thoughts, Arxa growled as the sudden connection startled Narssia.
Why would you think that? Narssia snapped back, snarling under her breath as the rekindled interaction reminded her of how brutally she had treated Jormundur during their visit to the past.
Arxa snorted, flapping her wings as she settled into a low wind current that took her towards the string of mountains that bordered the northern territories. I know you've been sulking and it's not good for you, is it? The apparent difficulty sometimes to even remember your own name . . .
A snarl rose from Narssia's throat before she could stop herself. Liar! My thoughts are as clear as when I was back in the past . . . She paused for a brief moment, deciding how best to approach the subject with the dark essence that had settled inside of her. You've seemed distracted as of late, though. I can sense that something is bothering you, isn't it?
Nearly three minutes passed before Arxa softly answered, I believe your reconciliation with your former rider was more physical then mental. You may laugh at this but I feel a protectiveness I have never felt before over this body . . . and I believe I know the cause-
Pregnancy, Narssia commented, cutting off the dark spirit as the thought came to her over what she had done with Windra once he confirmed it was the human she had once known now in a dragonic form. Why wait this long to tell someone?
Jormundur wouldn't have believed me and I hid it well from even myself until this morning when horrible pain racked me. Based upon previous dragons I have encountered, the sensation I felt meant the eggs would soon be ready and I knew better then to lay them in the cave . . .
For once my wisdom is greater than yours, is it not? Narssia snorted in amusement as Arxa dove into a shallow dive, soon landing on a small plateau.
The flat land was barren, red rock that gave little comfort as Arxa laid down, closing her eyes as a brief tremor shook her body. Narssia felt a brief sense of pity for the dark spirit but ignored it and turned her focus instead to sensing the consciousness of the new dragonets within her own body. It wasn't long before she noticed two tiny sparks of life's essence encased within separate eggshells and it soothed her to note that each dragon embryo seemed perfectly healthy.
Two eggs shall be delivered upon this dry land, Narssia hummed softly as another twinge of pain rippled through Arxa.
Why does it hurt so much? Arxa hissed through clenched teeth to keep from roaring in aguish as her talons scraped against the muted crimson shale under her.
Your- Our body is fighting it, malicious spirit. I suspect the prolonged exposure to Corruption has lowered your pain tolerance and so you feel the agony as I did when I laid the eggs that would become Jormundur and Sitedal . . .
Arxa snarled in reply, flaring her wings in protest as another tremor of pain racked their joined consciousness. Ignoring the defiance of the one she was trying to help, Narssia listened to the steady heartbeats of the two young as each egg was laid within several hours. By the end of the ordeal, she knew Arxa was weakened by the strain and vulnerable but her attention remained solely on the dragonets as she examined the eggshells out of curiosity. The first her gaze fell upon was a grey egg with small veins of yellow crossing over it while the second was pitch-dark with a greenish tint in various places.
Can you tell the gender? Arxa panted, opening her eyes to look over the eggs herself as Narssia hummed softly.
It's too soon but, from how the eggs look, my guess would be male and female. A low growl rose from her throat as Narssia paused, feeling the exhaustion of her darker half. Jormundur is likely to start the war sooner than you wanted . . . you know that.
I do, Arxa confirmed with a soft hiss as she pulled the eggs close to her side with a wing, curling around the offspring of her host.
Why leave him in charge then? The clones are far from ready . . .
Arxa sighed, lowering her head down onto her front taloned feet. As odd as it may seem, Narssia, I want this to be over. Amia created an imbalance when he made the clones and I cannot hope to fix the disruption of the natural order by myself. I need as many copies to die as possible against the Compound's forces . . . yet Tanui will be a different case indeed due to his unique situation . . .
Verdra had heard of the newcomers among them but had not gotten the chance to see how the offspring of her deceased brother were doing until she found herself walking down to check on them as Ladetis coming back had brought fresh perspective into the events surrounding his disappearance. She knew her mate could speak for hours on the cloning process and decided to leave the subject of the mad hybrid alone as she felt it was best for Sitedal and their son to speak in private over the traumatic events. Having been raised upon the land by herself, she was not familiar with the disturbing subject as well as those that had lived through seeing the horrible outcomes and quickly put the thought from her mind as she rounded a corner to come face-to-face with a middle-aged woman whose entire legs consisted of metal.
Retreating a step, Verdra studied the human before her as her sudden appearance had not startled the woman as she had expected. Deep lines carved into the female's face as violet eyes that seemed half-closed were bordered by thin strands of newly growing black hair. Arms ridden with muscles crossed over a thin chest as the dragoness caught a glance of a bandage around the individual's neck. Her eyes were eventually drawn to a small pendant hanging around the woman's collarbone, the engraved symbol being two triangles connecting in the center as the top one was flipped over and met the much larger bottom one to form a design that Verdra was unfamiliar with upon viewing it.
Forgive me, human, I did not mean to intrude upon your personal space, Verdra addressed as she lowered her head in respect, noticing a second later the sheath that hung at the woman's waist as the ankle-length black cloak she wore had prevented her from seeing it beforehand.
"It is of no issue, Verdra," the female responded as she lightly dusted off her grey tunic, chuckling when Verdra raised her head back up and hissed softly at the mention of her name by unfamiliar lips. "We share a mutual friend and he has told me much about you."
Are you Nethial? Verdra asked as she realized her father had spoken at length with Nethial after the two offspring of her deceased brother had come in to be examined.
"You would be correct," Nethial answered as she lowered her arms to her side, meeting Verdra's gaze and holding it until the dragoness looked away. "I know that Tanui is held within these walls down below." She laughed softly, gripping the pummel of her hilt. "Your father certainly is brave to risk so much with keeping the clone here."
Yes, but I suspect you know more than I do on that subject. You were his love when he was young and you are Raoul's mother . . .
"What are you getting at? Tanui had feelings for me only because of the memories he had from Tamli, nothing more. While I encouraged this, I realize now it was a mistake," Nethial admitted as she crossed her arms over her chest once more.
I did not mean to intrude upon your personal life, fallen one. Having the clone here places a stress on every individual within these darkened halls, you know this to be true from your own experience with him.
Nodding her head in agreement, Nethial glanced past Verdra for a brief second before her attention returned to the black dragoness. "I would go to see him but I fear Tamli wouldn't approve of it given our risky reunion. My own son even turned against me but I can't blame him after what I've done."
Finca hasn't told me much but I'm guessing you denounced the Order you were raised in and turned to Corruption.
Turning her head away, Nethial pressed her arms tighter against her chest as her chin lowered to rest on her collarbone. "You're right," she whispered, closing her eyes as Verdra sensed a lingering sadness rise into the woman's tone. "The darkness seemed so tempting and I was weak to embrace it."
Even the strongest dragons fall from grace, Verdra hummed as she took a step forward and placed the tip of her snout on one of Nethial's arms in comfort. My own mate is one of Arxa's sons. Talk with him if you want to.
Brushing the gesture away, Nethial lowered her arms back to her side before she muttered, "Forgive me, Verdra, but I can't burden him right now. I . . . I have other things I must attend to."
Nethial walked past Verdra a moment later, her head down and her eyes dim as the dragoness turned to watch her go down the hallway that would lead to the cell block where Tanui was being kept. Informing her father should have been her first priority but Verdra ignored her instinctual urge and, instead, chose to follow after the former rider only to see if what Nethial said was the truth. After only taking a few steps, the dragoness stopped and lowered her head, realizing that her behavior was exactly what Tamli would have done. She had sensed the unease and uncertainty within the woman while they talked but there seemed nothing to be concerned over. It was probably just nervousness over Tanui's imprisonment, she reasoned as she shook her head, deciding to continue with her idea to visit Malie and Tyst.
Jormundur had been most surprised when Arxa had left him in charge and then flown off as the behavior was most unusual for the dark dragoness. He wasn't very concerned until several hours had passed and she had not returned. Calling for one of the clones, he paced the entrance to the cave, running a list of possible reasons through his mind as he waited for the dysfunctional hybrid to show up. Hunting never took her long and she usually didn't leave him in charge when she went to get food, but she had been rather quiet as of recent.
"Yes, Great One?" The clone asked as it entered from a narrow side-passage, brushing back a strand of its white hair out of its face.
Gather the others, Jormundur requested as he realized the reason for her disappearance. We strike those that would defy us at dawn.