Nothing to say this time. Now Chapter 25.
Chapter 25
Hearts of Cinder and Mind of Darkness
Xadia Forest
While traveling through Xadia, Claudia was playing with some adoraburr. "Aw, you're so cute." Claudia said to the adoraburrs, before taking one, and putting it into a jar. "Just too cute!" Claudia said, as the adoraburr freaked out. That's when Whimsicott came out of hiding, grabbed the jar, and then fired a burst of sparkly wind, sending Claudia flying. "Why can't I have anything cute?" Claudia asked herself, as she got up, and noticed the army leaving her behind. "Hey, wait up!" Claudia said, as she ran after the army.
Back with the army, Soren noticed Viren talking to no one, which confused Soren. So Soren moved up to Viren. "Hey, Dad?" Soren asked Viren. "Soren." Viren said to Soren. "I just have one question. Now that we're in Xadia… or should I say, New Katolis?Or East Katolis? Or Katol-east?" Soren asked Viren, making Viren roll his eyes and sigh.
"Get on with it, son." Viren said to Soren. "What's the plan?" Soren asked Viren. "You do not need to concern yourself with the plan." Viren said to Soren. "I mean, you do have a plan, right?" Soren asked Viren. "My plan will be revealed at the appropriate time." Viren said to Soren, annoying Soren.
"I am a Crown Guard. Shouldn't the leaders know what's going on?" Soren asked Viren. "Enough, Soren!" Viren said to Soren, shouting at Soren. This made Soren feel bad, and Viren sigh. "If you want to lead, you need to learn how to follow. And if you want to learn to follow, You need to learn how to shut your mouth." Viren said to Soren, with a busy tune in his voice.
Soren then looked away from Soren. "Perhaps you could look to Prince Kasef for an example." Viren said to Soren, as he looked at Kasef, who was just riding his horse, and was quiet with a serious look on his face.
That's when Viren went ahead, and Kasef moved up. "You think you're so great, with your quietness, rugged battle stance, and your horse with kind eyes!" Soren said to Kasef, as Kasef rode past him.
Far ahead Viren started to talk to Aaravos. "So, that is the plan?" Viren asked Aaravos. "To fulfill your wishes, of course. Is your wish to rule Xadia?" Aaravos asked Viren. "I wish for Humanity to flourish and it cannot flourish with a knife forever at its throat." Viren said to Aaravos. "So, you wish to conquer Xadia?" Aaravos asked Viren.
"No. No, my goal is a bright future for humanity." Viren said to Aaravos. "Right. And this bright future will require us to conquer Xadia?" Aaravos asked Viren, cracking a smile. Viren sighed. "Yes. yes, perhaps." Viren said to Aaravos. "The key to achieving your noble aims for humanity is simple. It's the same as it has always been." Aaravos said to Viren.
"The key is the Dragon Prince." Viren said to Aaravos. "Yes. You must take down the Dragon Queen and capture the baby dragon. Then you will have the attention of all the world, and the power to do what you want. Not even the twins will stop you. But first there is something we need here in Lux Aurea." Aaravos said to Viren, as they could see the great city in the distance.
"You want us to attack the stronghold of the Sunfire elves? But we need to preserve our forces for the final confrontation." Viren said to Aaravos. "Viren, I'm nothing if not elegant and efficient. We'll risk as few lives as possible. One." Aaravos said to Viren. "Ah, mine." Viren said to Aaravos. "Yes." Aaravos said to Viren.
Storm Spire
Meanwhile, the gang was walking up to the base of the mighty Storm Spire, with all of Allen and Drake's Pokemon into their Pokeballs, and Sandile and Darumaka following them. "So, this is it. The Storm Spire." Callum said to everyone. "Yup." Rayla said to everyone. "And I take it the Dragon Queen didn't make her lair at a nice kinda halfway-up there kind of place?" Callum asked Rayla and Kali.
"Nope. Tip-top!" Rayla said to Callum. Zym flew onto the moon mount, as was worried. "Aw, Zym. Don't worry You're about to meet your mama!" Ezran said to Zym. "Yeah, so let's get moving." Kali said to everyone, as they started to walk up some stone stairs.
Lux Aurea
In Lux Aurea, Janai and Volcarona walked up to Khessa in the throne room. "Your radiance, another human has some to Lux Aurea. He requests an audience." Janai said to Khessa. "You see, sister? You bring one human, and the next thing you know, we are overrun with them. Throw him in a cell." Khessa said to Janai.
"But this human is the King of Katolis!" Janai said to Khessa. "Oh? Then put him in the extra-nice ring of fire." Khessa said to Janai, not carrying. "Sister, this human claims he knows what happened to Queen Aditi." Janai said to Khessa, surprising everyone. "What does he know about our grandmother?" Khessa asked Janai.
Storm Spire
Meanwhile, the gang was still walking up the Storm Spire, with Callum, Rayla, Allen, and Kali walking in the back of the group. "So, uh, when we get up there, are we gonna tell the Dragon Queen we're… a thing?" Callum asked Rayla. "Uh, I don't think it's gonna come up." Rayla said to Callum. "Oh, I see. You're saying we should hide it from her. Kind of a secret, forbidden-romance situation?" Callum asked Rayla, making Rayla smile.
"Yes. Yes, that's right." Rayla said, as she, Callum, Allen, and Kali stopped. "The Dragon Queen must never know!" Rayla said to Callum, putting a finger on Callum's lip, with a playful tune in her voice. "I understand. The world just isn't ready for what we have." Callum said to Rayla, with a playful tune. This made Rayla tap him, and he chuckled.
"Do you hear that Allen? We have to betray our dragon because we can't show our love." Kali said to Allen, with a playful tune, and leaning into Allen. "It's truly a dark day for us." Allen said to Kali, wrapping an arm around Kali, making them both laugh.
"Wait. you two got together. When?" Callum asked Allen and Kali. "Right after you two got together. Let's just say the desert was a good place to be honest with our feelings
And we'll keep the secret, but if someone asks about us, we're going to tell them. After all, we can't be white dragons if we lie." Allen said to Callum, before they all went after everyone.
That's when they moved up to everyone, and noticed them standing in front of some kind of gate with some writing on it. "Rayla, Kali, any ideas what we're looking at?" Drake asked them. "This is elven writing." Rayla said to everyone. "Can you read it?" Callum asked Rayla.
"It says… "Prepare to draw your last breath"." Rayla said to everyone. "Well that's intiving." Drake said to everyone, before they went through the gate.
Lux Aurea
Back in Lux Aurea, Viren was taken before Queen Khessa, with a bunch of guards in the throne room, pulse Janai and Volcarona. "What do you know of my grandmother?" Khessa asked Viren. "Allow my people safe passage through Xadia, and you will know the truth." Viren said to Khessa, making Khessa chuckle. "Your people? Do you bring farmers and poets, or do you bring an army?" Khessa asked Viren, standing up.
"Humans bring nothing but trouble, and you are like all the rest." Khessa said to Viren. "If you allow us to pass, we have no trouble with you." Viren said to Khessa. Khessa and Viren then stared at each other for a few seconds. "Hmm. we will see if we can trust you. The Light will decide!" Khessa said to everyone.
That's when the guards forced Viren to the floor, and they lowered their magic staff at Viren. The staff let out a blinding light, and Viren looked away. "Look into the Light!" Khessa said to Viren. Viren groaned and looked into the light, and that caused Viren's sick skin to be revealed, disgusting everyone.
"Your true form is revealed. Ugly and evil. I am not surprised." Khessa said to Viren, as Viren turned back to normal, and she walked to Khess Viren. Khessa then made Viren look at her. "But don't give up hope, you will be purified." Khessa said to Viren.
After that, Janai and Volcarona left for the prison, where Amaya and Falinks where locked up, with Mizo and Scarlett in the cell, talking to Amaya and having a fun time as they all sat down.
"Oh, if you think that story is funny, let me tell you about the time Azmia gave Janai an earful, and since Janai had no idea what she was saying, Azmia ended up writing everything and threw the crumbled balls of paper at Janai." Mizo said to Amaya, sign language to Amaya. This made Amaya giggle.
That's when Janai and Volcarona walked through the fire wall. "Mizo, stop telling her stories like that." Janai said to Mizo. "Hey, I'm just passing time." Mizo said to Janai. "Well, bad news, my human friend. Your king came seeking passage." Janai said to Amaya, with Mizo sign language for her.
This surprised Mizo and Amaya. "What? That's impossible." Amaya said to Janai, with Mizo translating. "I agree with her. Why would a little kid show up here?" Mizo asked Janai. "A little kid? He's a grown man, and the Light revealed his true nature. Tainted with darkness, rotten to the core. Such an arrogant man." Janai said to everyone, with Mizo sign language for her.
"Wait a minute? Amaya, please tell me she is not talking about that bad man from your kingdom?" Mizo asked Amaya, sign language. Amaya shook her head yes. "Oh no. Janai, we have a major problem." Mizo said to Amaya. "What are you talking about?" Janai asked everyone.
"That man is no king. He may be the most dangerous human in the world." Amaya said to Janai, with Mizo translating, as Viren was being taken to the tower in the heart of the city. "No matter. The queen sentenced him to be purified. After the ritual, I doubt there will be anything left of him." Janai said to Amaya, with Mizo sign language, and she walked away.
But that's when Mizo and Amaya grabbed her arms, and forced her to turn around. "You don't understand. If he's here, everyone is in danger. We have to stop him!" Amaya said to Janai, with Mizo translating. "She's right. From what she told me, that man will bring ruin to us all." Mizo said to Janai.
Storm Spire
Back with the gang, they were still walking up the Storm Spire, with Zym having a good time, and everyone else having a hard time breathing. "How tall is this thing?" Callum asked everyone. "Tall enough that the air's getting thin." Allen said to everyone.
"Maybe we should just rest here for a second." Rayla said to everyone, as she got onto her right knee, and everyone stopped walking. "Guys, we can't stop here. We have to keep going." Ezran said to everyone. "We're not prepared for this. Back home, when we climb mountains like this, we bring oxygen tanks, so we can breathe. It'll only get worse from here." Drake said to Ezran.
"We don't have a choice." Ezran said to everyone, as he started to move. Drake groaned and everyone went after Ezran.
Lux Aurea
Back in Lux Aurea, Viren, who was in white robes, was taken to the top of the tower in the heart of the town and was forced to his knees, with a massive ball of light in the top. Under the ball of light, was a giant magnifying glass, and a beam of light in front of Viren.
The mage in the room cast a spell, trapping Viren in glowing elf letters. "There is nothing to be afraid of. The light from the Sun Forge is one of purification. It will only remove the parts of you that have been touched by Dark Magic." Khessa said to Viren, as the mage started a ritual. This caused the magnifying glass to turn and the beam of light to head to Viren. This made Viren worry a little.
Back outside, Janai, Volcarona, Amaya, Falinks, Mizo, and Scarlett were running to the tower, with Amaya back in her gear, and Falink was a team again. And Mizo was now wearing black leather armor, with a gold armor glove, sleeves, and shoulder on his left arm, a wooden bow with gold blade on the edge of the bow, and a quiver with some arrows on his back.
"The ritual has started!" Janai said to everyone, as they stopped. "We have to stop him!" Amaya said to Janai, with Mizo translating. Then Amaya ran ahead with Falinks following. "Mizo, go to your family, if things go bad. Keep them safe." Janai said to Mizo, before running away. "Stay safe you two." Mizo said to Janai and Amaya, before he ran back into the city.
In the tower, Khessa gave Viren a mean look. Ugh! Humans disgust me." Khessa said, as she walked past Viren. That's when the beam of light hit Viren. "Your kind could not be satisfied with what you were given. Sp you take what is not yours. You take it within you, and you turn it to filth." Khessa said to Viren, not looking at Viren.
And that's when things went bad. Viren's eyes went black, and his skin turned sickly. To add the gross factor, Aaravos caterpillar started to cra out of Viren's throat, and it was much bigger.
This surprised/grossed everyone. The caterpillar jumped out of Viren and onto the mage's staff. Then like a snake, slithered up the staff and bit into the mage's neck. That's when black energy flowed into the staff, and the sun in it turned black, like a solar eclipse.
That's when Khessa finally turned around, as saw as the sun of the Sunforge also turned black like a solar eclipse. That's when red energy came out of the sunforge, and the sky turned black. Then Aaravos took over the mage's body, and cast his ghost image over the mages body.
"Your arrogance is so predictable." Aaravos said to Khessa, before the guards charged at Aaravos. But Aaravos carved a purple S symbol and slammed the staff into the floor, sending out a pulse of energy, killing the guards and sending the guards flying into the walls.
"You allowed my vessel to walk right into your court, and then you rough him directly to the source of all your power?" Aaravos said to Khessa, before laughing. "Oh, the irony is wonderful!" Aaravos said, before petting his caterpillar. "You're just like your grandmother." Aaravos said to Khessa, as he walked to her.
Khessa tried to back away, but Aaravos used the staff to stop her. "Would you like to know the truth of her fate… before you face yours?" Aaravos asked Khessa, pulling her close.
Aaravos then whispered something into Khessa's ears, surprising Khessa. Then Aaravos flicked Khessa's chin, as Khessa started to burn like paper. Khessa screamed in horror, as she fell over the edge, turning to ash as she fell.
Below Janai, Amaya, Volcarona, and Falinks saw Khessa's death. "NO!" Janai shrieked. Janai then turned on her fire mode and charged. But Amaya tackled her to the ground. Janai tried to get free, but Amaya grabbed her. And even with Janai skin burning her, Amaya still held on.
Janai looked at Amaya, and noticed the look of sorry in her eyes. This made Janai turn back to normal. "No!" Janai said, as she started to sob, with Volcarona, and Falinks trying to comfort her.
Back on the tower, Viren walked to Aaravos. When he reached Aaravos, Aaravos held the staff and caterpillar towards Viren. With a smile, Viren took them. That's when Aaravos dropped the mage's body, and became a spirit only he could see.
Storm Spire
Back with the gang, they were all panting, and getting slower and slower with each step. "The air's so thin. I can barely breathe." Callum said, before falling over. That's when Rayla ran up to him and caught him. "Thanks." Callum said to Rayla.
But that's when they fell to the rock. "It's too much." Rayla said, before passing out. The next one to pass out was Kali, luckily Allen caught her. "We just need some…" Allen said, before leaning against the wall, and slid down with Kali in his hands. Then Allen passed out. Then one by one, the Pokemon started to pass out.
Above them, Ezran and Drake noticed everyone. "Zym, we can't leave them here." Ezran said to Zym, with Zym being found and ahead of everyone. But Zym wasn't listening, and ran ahead. "That kid... What are we… going to… do with him…" Drake said, as he and Ezran went after Zym. "I don't know if I can keep going. Zym" Ezran said to Zym, before falling down, and Drake catching him. But that's when Drake fell to his knees, and he and Ezran had a hard time getting up. That's when they fell to the tock, and passed out.
The next thing they knew, Zym was licking their eyes, waking Ezran and Drake up. "Zym, how long was I out?" Ezran asked Zym, as Drake looked at the path ahead, and noticed the dragon they saved back in Katolis standing in their way.
"Uh. I think you should ask her." Drake said to Ezran. Ezran then turned around, and moved behind Drake with Zym in his hands. That's when Ezran realized it was the dragon they saved. "Hey! I've met you before, when you crashed." Ezran said to the dragon. "Yes. it's good to see you're doing well…" Drake said to the dragon.
The dragon growled at Drake. "Her name is Pyrrah." Ezran said to Drake. "Pyrrah. So what brings you to this fine part of the world?" Drake asked Pyrrah. Pyrrah raised her claw, making Drake and Ezran worry. But that's when Pyrrah slammed her claw into the rock, and carved out a symbol of a gust of wind. It took Ezran and Drake a couple seconds to understand what this was. "I understand!" Ezran said to Pyrrah. "So what's the word?" Drake asked Pyrrah.
Human War Camp
Back with the army, they made camp, and they could see the distortion of Lux Aurea. While watching, Claudia gasps, as she notices Viren walking up, with the staff in hand, his sick skin for all to see, and Aaravos' caterpillar now the size of a large snake.
Once Viren reached the army, everyone stopped doing what they were doing, and turned to Viren. "Dad?" Soren asked Viren, confused by Viren's new look, as Viren walked past him, Claudia, and Kasef. Viren said nothing, and they followed him, as Viren stood in front of the army.
"I have been granted a great gift. The power we need to defeat Xadia and save humanity is now ours! We must evolve. When we strike against the Dragon Queen, we will face elves and dragons, and they will rain fire upon us." Viren said to the troops, surprising all of the troops. "But with this gift, I will inoculate you. And instead of destruction, that fire will be our nourishment! Now, come forth." Viren said to the troops.
But none of the troops stepped forward in fear. "Do not be afraid. You will understand when you see the first to change… my own beloved son, Soren." Viren said to the troops, before turning to Soren. This worried Soren. "Step forward, my son. Let me help you." Viren said to Soren, holding out his left hand.
"I don't wanna do this." Soren said to Viren. "Step forward." Viren said to Soren, with a commanding voice. "I… I'm afraid." Soren said to Viren, looking away from Viren. Viren got mad, and was about to yell at Soren, but Kasef spoke first.
"I am ready!" Kasef said to Viren, getting Viren's attention. "I am ready to receive the gift!" Kasef said to Viren, making the troops gasp. Viren then placed a hand on Kasef, and walked Kasef to the troops. Viren looked back, and gave Soren a disappointing look, making Soren feel bad.
As Kasef got ready, Soren stepped back. Viren then cast a dark spell, making the dark sun in the Sunfire Staff glow black and firing black light. Everyone watched this with many different looks on their faces.
That's when the light hit Kasef and black energy covered his body. When the energy left his body, Kasef started to change, his skin broke apart, with the cracks having a fire glow, Kasef got bigger with his clothes ripping apart, then his body started to look like harden magma, with his heart a pool of lava, his eyes turned black with red iris, and lastly Kasef mind was completely gone. He was a monster, no longer a human.
This horrified Claudia, made Soren freak out quietly, and the troops gasped. Soren knew what his father would do, and while everyone looked at the monster that was once Prince Kasef, he ran away, with Claudia noticing.
Storm Spire
Back on the Storm Spire, Ezran and drake moved to Callum, and shook him. "Guys! Wake up! You gotta wake up!" Ezran said to Callum, weakly. This woke up Callum. "Callum, perfect. Just the guy we need." Drake said to Callum, weakly. "We know how to fix everything." Ezran said to Callum, as he took Callum's book. "The gateway wasn't a warning. It was the solution!" Ezran said to Callum, as he started to draw the symbol Pyrrah drew.
"What? What are you talking about?" Callum asked Ezran. "To make it all the way up, you have to draw your last breath. It's a rune, Callum! And the trigger words are Ventus Spiralis." Ezran said to Callum, panting a little, and showing Callum the symbol.
"How do you know all this?" Callum asked Ezran. "I met an old friend." Ezran said to Callum. "We'll tell you more later. Just cast it already!" Drake said to Callum. Callum then picked up the book, and began casting the rune, with everyone panting.
"Ventus Spiralis!" Callum said with the last of his strength. That's when sparkly blue winds swirled around everyone, making everyone breathe normally, and wake everyone but Rayla up. "Whoa! What happened? How can we breathe normally?" Allen asked everyone, as everyone took a lot of breaths. "Tell you later. For now let's just enjoy the feeling of breathing. It's a good feeling." Drake said to Allen.
That's when Callum noticed Rayla wasn't up, and moved to her side. "Rayla, wake up! Come on!" Callum said to Rayla, as he helped Rayla up. Rayla then started to cough as she woke up. 'We're going to be okay!" Callum said to Rayla, before they kissed each other, surprising Ezran, Drake and Bait.
"Hey, that isn't part of the spell." Ezran said to Callum and Rayla. "Yeah, what's up?" Drake asked Callum and Rayla. "Uh, yeah! So, uh… you two were gone for a while, and now, uh, this is a thing, so…" Callum said to Ezran and Drake, as Rayla used her hand to hide from embarrassment.
"What?" Ezran and Drake asked. "While we're letting out things that happened while you were gone. Me and Kali got together as well." Allen said to Ezran and Drake. "Let me get this straight. While we were gone, Callum and Rayla, and Allen and Kali, became lovers?!" Drake asked them. "Wha…" Ezran said, as he and Baits jaw dropped, holding the end of the what.
Human War Camp
Back with Soren, he was running, and running anywhere he could go. That's when Claudia ran up to him. "Soren. What's going on? Where are you going?" Claudia asked Soren, as she got in front of him. "I can't stay here anymore, Claudia. You've seen what's going on. What Dad turned Kasef into. What Dad turned into." Soren said to Claudia.
"Maybe he's just doing what needs to be done." Claudia said to Soren. "Claudia, you're changing, too. But it's not too late. Come with me, Claudia. You can leave him!" SOren said to Claudia, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Please, Soren, don't… don't do this to me. Don't make me choose. Not again!" Claudia said to Soren, forcing Soren off her, and looking away with her eyes closed.
.Soren lowered his head for a few seconds. "Okay." Soren said to Claudia, making Claudia open her eyes and look at him. "Good bye, Clauds." Soren said to Claudia, offering a goodbye hug. "No!" Claudia said, stepping away from the hug. Feeling sad, Soren walked away. "No! No, no, no!" Claudia said, as Soren walked away, and she didn't move.
Back with Viren, with Kasef on his left, and Saleer on his right, Viren got ready to turn all the troops into monsters, with both his staff and the Sunfire staff in hand. "Now, it is time for all of you to embrace this power!" Viren said to the troops, with Kasef roaring.
And whether they wanted the power or not, Viren crossed the staffs, and casted the spell to turn them all into monsters. As Viren cast the spell, the fires in the camp turned purple. And in a matter of moments, all the humans turned into monsters. Aaravos gave Viren a smile for his work. That's when Claudia walked back to the camp, and saw what Viren did and gasped.
Storm Spire
Back on the Storm Spire, the gang was almost on the top with the moon right over their heads, when Drake, Allen, and the Pokemon, roared in a rage, and started to slam their heads into the side of the spire. "Allen! Drake! What's wrong?!" Callum asked them. "I don't know. But I feel something really bad. And I'm very angry! Drake said to Callum, as he kept slamming his head into the side of the spire.
They did this for a few seconds. "Sorry. I don't know what came over us." Drake said to everyone, as they rubbed their heads. "I'm just glad you got it out of our system. The Dragon Queen's lair is just up ahead." Rayla said to everyone, as they finished walking up the last few steps.
A couple seconds later they reached a roped bridge, with a large entrance on the other side. "We're here. I can't believe we've made it!" Callum said, as they started to cross the bridge. When they reached the other side, an elf and Pokemon greeted them.
The elf was male Skywing elf, who had short light periwinkle blue hair in a undercut style, various marking stretched along his face, and runic style ones on his arms, two curved horns on both sides of his head and their coloring fading from dark to light, he was wearing some type of elven armor, with jutting neck piece and long skirt, underneath his outerwear, he had baggy pants accompanied by metal boots. And in his hands was a staff with a blue orb surrounded by wings.
The Pokemon was a medium size black bird with red face and neck, white chest, red talons with black claws, and two thin long tail feathers with the feathers tip being red. The Pokemon sat out on the elf's right shoulder.
"Interesting a Swellow." Allen said to everyone. "Swellow?" Ezran asked Allen. "Here." Allen said to Ezran, pulling out his Pokedex.
Swallow / Sellow Pokemon / Normal + Flying Type / If its two feathers are standing at attention, it is proof of good health. It soars elegantly in the sky.
That's when they reached the elf, and Allen put the Pokedex away. "We've brought him home. Azymondias, the Dragon Prince!" Rayla said to the elf, bowing and holding a hand to Zym. "He's here to see his mother." Ezran said to the elf, picking up Zym. "And may I ask who we are speaking to?" Allen asked the elf.
"My name is Ibis. and it makes my heart leap to see that he lives. But you're too late." Ibis said to Allen. "What do you mean by too late?" Allen asked Ibis, as everyone got worried.
Hello everyone, I hope you like this chapter. Please follow or review if you like this story.