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Chapter 23: A return to see the House's deepest secret
Darkstalker slowly wakes up on ice, his consciousness returning as he can feel the powerful presences all around him.
Ice and Snow, embers and wind, mist and wind, spark of light and shock, olmukara...
They all surround him and colour his mind, altering his feelings and desires as he opens his eyes to see the dark blue shape of a huge dragoness. Recognizing Akhanta, the nightwing gazes upon her giant body. And while the dragoness has a lot more things going on in her mind, she appears to be serene and looks at him with visible affection…
I… Hello Akhanta.
Turning his head to the left, the young one sees Kraydirn, sat down like his kin and staring straight into him. But his gaze is not too serious, the seer could even say he is relaxed as he smiles slightly…
You are here as well?
Turning to the right, Darkstalker looks at Xamirh, whose mind is occupied by him and his state more than anything else. But it is difficult for the seer to determine for now if the yellow great dragon sees him more as an element of some grand plan or as a dragon with his life, as the two vision seem to both take a lot of space in his mind…
I… I suppose you are doing some progress… I should be glad, at least for now...
Standing up on four, the nightwing fully turns to face the two giants behind him. Gazing upon red and orange scales first, the seer sees Azykan worrying for him in a corner of his mind despite his more neutral expression…
Why do you have to be here? Why do you have to look at me?
Looking at the green and blue scales reminiscent of Ayirn, the young one sees the mystical dragoness is happy to have him awakening in good shape, even if she is bit too interested in his potential and what he represent for the seer's taste…
Still haven't changed that way to think about things like myself…
Seeing Darkstalker's expression face, the dragoness of magic grows a bit confused.
Yes, I can and do judge you each time I see you. One day, I hope you will be forced to confront that.
Turning his head to face the dark blue dragoness and feeling something solid at his neck, the nightwing realizes his wears an object.
Looking at it and taking it in his claws, he discovers it is a blue crystal with a few symbols engraved in it, attached to a chain around his neck. Looking at the rest of his body, the young one spots two other crystals of the same colour, one attached at the middle of his tail and another at the end of it.
- "Darkstalker"
The nightwing turns back to face the speaker directly, Xamirh. And it is with a surprisingly personal tone that the yellow dragon tells his question.
- "Oij uthu-mej surh toijyl?"
Despite the many words unknown to the young one, the question is a simple one from what he can make out of the great dragon's mind.
How do I feel?
The nightwing takes a moment to sense all of his body, moving slightly each part and then drawing drops of essences out of him… Having no trouble using any muscle and holding some power at the tip of his claws undisturbed, the smaller one answers with a satisfied voice.
- "I feel well Xamirh."
He could have retained himself from saying words they do not understand, but with such a context, Darkstalker trusts the yellow dragon to receive his message, and it seems he was right to trust him.
Taking a step back but keeping two talons on the ground, the titanic being maintains that closer and more personal attitude, expecting the little one to come to him by himself… Looking around him, the nightwing casts a glance at the four others great dragons before accepting.
As the giant turns back, Darkstalker goes at his left side, quickly joined by Akhanta in their starting march…
As the five titans surrounding him walk in silence, their overwhelming steps hitting the stone, the seer regains full reason and begins to seek answers to a question he now sees is of the utmost importance.
In what situation am I truly in?
Gathering his will, the nightwing confronts reality head on. He is alone, he has been completely taken out of Pyrrhia and brought to that ruined world. Without his scroll, he has no magic, and his enchantments do not even work anymore as he was burnt during his banishment. Now, he is kept under the watch of five great dragons who want him for his essences. Such beings are the only ones that have survived and they try to restore their world. And he was going to help them and do as they say whatever he wants to or not...
Reflecting on the past, Darkstalker tries to remember all the most important points, the fundamental pieces of knowledge he learn from this world.
They have far more essences outside of them than inside, use crystals and recipients to store the power under solid and liquid form. And the Pyramid contains a lot of them, with the Laboratory and its final room having the most of it…
Such energy can be used to increase one's physical abilities, invoke elements like ice and snow with Kraydirn, heal like Akhanta, and create objects in the sky from what I have seen.
My essences might be necessary for the creation of these celestial objects, but I'll have to see if that stays true...
Of the five great dragons, Kraydirn is the most powerful, with Ayirn just behind who seems to use more raw essences than invoking elements.
I can also connect with them and share my essences, increasing their power and mine as well…
But these corpses in the lab near that titanic crystal, what are they for?
It doesn't matter for now, I'll get the answers later...
Having the important points in mind, the seer begins to speculate on a plan he so desperately needs.
If they have so much essences at their disposal, I can absorb enough of them from containers to acquire the power to stand against all of them. But just having a lot of power won't suffice if they are intelligent, and the time I'll have to spend absorbing essences will make me too suspicious, without even counting the fact they can sense me and my power…
And what happens when I rise above them all? What do I do?
I don't know how to return to my world, and they really don't seem to know the existence of other worlds before I arrive…
It seems I'll have to be patient, far more patient than before…
Finally, the young one reluctantly reaches the only conclusion he could with his lacking knowledge.
For now I must follow them and gain their trust, even that of Azykan and Ayirn, that is the best thing to do if I want my situation to get better…
.
Climbing to the final stage, Darkstalker can feel the air becoming… different. As it blows a little for the first time since he came to that damned realm, he realizes the tiniest bit of power is inside. But such a thing could only be possible if there something giving energy to the air, a source…
Arriving at the top, the nightwing can see a creation the Five had done during his last slumber.
Bringing pale light to the place and to this world, a giant orb of blue light tainted by silver dominates the skies, its power far greater than the little star Ayirn made before, or even the barely formed moon Darkstalker made with Kraydirn.
But still, something is not right…
As the yellow great dragon stops, so do all the others, leaving the young one circled by the five titans. And as they depart to go to each end of the place, the nightwing is left with the magical dragoness being the closest to him.
Not wanting to see her, Darkstalker focuses on the celestial orb instead, a polite way to fake ignorance and excuse non-decision as no words have been spoken to him. And it works, as after a moment, he himself is lost, gazing at the object so adamantly even a seer could not see any ulterior motive…
So you are what they created, and of course some of my essences flow into your very entity…
I don't know how much time it would have taken for me to forget about the moons, but thank you for making me remember of them despite your flaws.
And flaws are many for everyone to see if they look the right way… But it certainly is an improvement over the first two attempt as one not looking for essences will only see a big and well shaped orb of light. However, when one looks deeper…
It is… impressive how so much power can take such a beautiful if imperfect form, it makes me wonder what we I really do, what are the best I can do with essences…
At least I know what I'll do once I come back to Pyrrhia and settle in peace with all the power needed.
And to say I questioned the utility of your kind… I guess I'm a bit too impatient...
- "Darkstalker."
The nightwing lowers his head, and taking his time, turns around to face the one that wronged him the most since he came to that world.
- "Ayirn." Replies the nightwing coldly, staring straight into her eyes as hatred comes back quickly and competes with his fear.
Facing the great dragoness with seriousness and barely hidden hatred he should not have shown, his disdain for her finally settles in his mind and overwhelms his worries, giving him the will to stand against such a dragoness...
Surprised, Ayirn starts to understand who the nightwing really is, seeing him still defiant and arrogant in the middle of the Five, when he never stood a chance to even one of them and he had to learn that hard way.
With a sadder face, the dragoness of magic rises a talon to reach the sky and unfolds her wings. Infusing her paw like of torch, she then retracts it to designate her chest before extending it to the young one…
As silence reigns, Darkstalker takes a step forward, then another and stops there, all while looking straight into the great dragoness' eyes with that still angry and judgemental face. And for a long moment, Ayirn stands to him, maintaining that sadder expression but not bending to him, which makes the seer on the verge of bursting in rage, with each second adding to the realization she never showed nearly enough remorse for what she has done to him.
Then, the cracking sound of lightning begins to be heard as the essences of the hateful nightwing leaks through his black scales tainted by blue, his dress and talon-bands not fully hiding the power manifesting.
And the great dragoness sees that clearly like all the others, confirming if she could not sense it that the young one is ready to harm her like before.
Sighing, Ayirn prepares to defend herself and fight back, her blue and green scales glowing more intensely, marking the preparation of her essences…
- "Kwulen."
Dark blue scales come suddenly between the two, marking the intervention of Akhanta. Her face says it all, if there is one dragon that is really unhappy about the situation, it Is her. And turning to face the great dragoness, she speaks to her firmly.
- "Ayirn, Darkstalker surh heia lihotu sif ashek kes uthu."
- "Yth kenib, ikul yth iujash thotias kumista eiuf omej olum qezom." Answers the dragoness, annoyed by the situation and about what she anticipates her kin will do.
Turning over to the young one, the giant dragoness looks down for a second before regaining her firm stance and staring directly into him.
- "Darkstalker, ignum yth."
It is with these words the dark blue giant bluntly leaves the top of the Pyramid with the nightwing under the watch of her four kins, feeling no pressure as she climbs down a stage with him and walks toward her chamber once again…
.
Opening the large door, Akhanta enters as soon as she can, only casting a quick glance at the young one before settling in her pool, seemingly tired but not physically.
Unfolding her wings partially and relaxing all parts of her body one after the other, she, for a short moment, totally ignores what happened and what is around her as she closes her eyes and simply moves her paws along her body…
Staying in front of her, the young one looks at her, a bit confused, but does not say a word. And after a moment of seeing her content, he himself lays down, beginning to take a break and relax...
Looking at the crystal he wears, the nightwing can sense it possesses some energy and seems to connect with his own essences. It does not take long for him to figure out what is the object's purpose.
Well if it can passively absorb some of my essences, I wonder if it can do that for any other sources… And can I draw power from it too?
Holding the precious gem in his claws, Darkstalker deepens his connection with it and tries to apply his will…
After a moment, its essences leaves to join the nightwing's flesh, but it is definitely reluctant to do so.
- "Darkstalker."
The great dragoness stands up, her majestic form ready once again, and leaves the water to reach the exit with a new goal in mind. And following her graceful body, the nightwing walks silently in the corridor one more time…
Darkstalker is starting to get used to it after so many times, but that does not mean it makes the lonely feeling fade away. Of course, the young one can always gaze at what is depicted on the walls, think for himself and check the mind of the one at his side, but…
As time passes, he kind of feel a little… empty. He should not let that feeling distract him, things are still serious and from what he sees, Akhanta is going to the depth of the Laboratory again, but he can not focus totally.
At the beginning, he was alone with nothing but a single light in the distance to pursue. Travelling such distance, he had to force himself to focus and keep his sanity in check to succeed. And his efforts paid.
Now he "lives" in that Pyramid housing the five great dragons, but it is still not enough for him. Like this world.
The more he marches on the stone, the more he misses the presence of others, even that of boring dragons, who as long as they added to the ambiance, would make him put his pride aside and accept them...
Not that the place is uninteresting, the young one clearly finds it impressive and mysterious, and he would love to explore it more in details… Maybe he could if he was not under the care of another, obligated to follow him or her, but for now… he can not.
.
Akhanta, it's not that I don't like you... well now that I think about it I realize… No, you're the one that love me and protect me the most, I can't remain untouched by your actions and intent.
Though please, could you slow down and look at me for once?
But she does not, the dark blue giant continues to descend into the depth of the building at a relatively fast pace, leaving the nightwing's thought unanswered. And that frustrates him.
It frustrates him because it makes him look distracted, and a bit dumb to himself. Then, he tries to defend himself and inevitably his buried desire, the reason behind his thoughts, bursts out, making him realize how desperate he is, and finally loneliness hits him right in the heart…
Darkstalker starts to hiss, irritated by where his train of thought is going, but still, the dragoness does not look at him nor slow down.
Why am I even letting myself be preoccupied by such trivial matter, if I really need to get her attention, I can just speak to Akhanta directly.
Looking at the dark blue giant and her firm mind, the great dragoness never looked so imposing, at least not for so long as her spirit does not falter. And appearing too shy and hesitant, it is with the sound talon-steps that the nightwing gives up on his idea after seeing no breaks in her seriousness despite him waiting for the opportunity.
Because of that failure to act, the nightwing quickly becomes ashamed of himself…
Why I am such a coward now! I wasn't like that before, I wasn't like that…
Looking at the ground, in a way defeated, Darkstalker continues to walk alongside the dragoness for a long moment before they arrive at the Laboratory...
Finishing to climb down the many steps and entering inside with the determined dragoness, the young one begins to gather his will and refocus his mind as he thinks again of a plan, or at least he pretends he has a plan he can complete easily…
Now is not the time to mope Darkstalker, we head on to the deepest part of the lab, so stand up and use your brain!
Going through the room on the left like last time, the two dragons begin their journey to the end of the long corridor...
Marching through it all over again makes the nightwing realize how empty all of that room is, especially now that Xamirh is not at their side like before. It almost feels like something is missing, like a single great one is not enough for him to be uneasy in such a place.
And passing near so many doors, one each ten seconds, the young one can only imagine what is behind each of the ones they pass by...
Surely a lot of them must be full of tools and instruments, of objects related to essences and their manipulation. They have all the time in the world to experiment after all, and some of their memories show that…
Though I wonder if they stored their things properly or just dumped them? But they wouldn't do the latter right?
Maybe I'm giving them too much credit, the treatment they gave me wasn't very… polite, so who knows…
.
Approaching the end, the young one regains his seriousness, trying to put aside all his feelings and focusing on what they get closer to.
A peculiar atmosphere settles as an aura of the tremendous power becomes gradually stronger and unavoidable for one who can sense essences, Darkstalker strengthen his will despite his growing fear.
Something important, something he has not been prepared for, something far… beyond him waits at the end.
The first time he was brought there, he had been absolutely unaware of what it really was, as such a Thing can not be understood that quickly, especially for a stranger like him, for a beginner and an ignorant. The nightwing thought he would be learning and making a plan on the way, how wrong he was...
Walking alongside Akhanta at the same pace, each step seems for him to be opposed by an invisible force, barely perceptible at first but becoming noticeable enough to be annoying as time passes.
Getting closer and closer to the final door, the young one is no fool, he knows the only one that can stop him is himself, and what is truly behind the final entrance scares the deepest part of his mind, so he has to cheat…
Focusing only on the pure power, Darkstalker tries to wash away the visions of its others aspects, of its roots and where they spread, of the matter it infects, of the flesh it corrupts, of…
Why do you refuse to look straight into the Heart? To see the bigger picture?
You can cover your eyes all you want, you will still see the truth, and willingly.
That Power is not so different, you know that?
I think deep inside, you know, so why don't you listen to your heart?
You made one your complete puppet, and you planed to take control of fate itself as you knew you would never be free without taking control of everything…
But you were not fast enough, and now you regret it since the day you failed spectacularly.
Tell me, what would you do should the future of the ones you value is about to be taken away, bit by bit, until there is nothing left,
Forever.
…
We both know your answer to the question, so why don't you go forward, plunge into the darkest depth of the unknown, take the sacred blade and point it both at your enemies and yourself?
…
Why I am even saying this? It has already happened.
.
- "Darkstalker."
The great dragoness stops before the two titanic doors, and turning back, she stares at the nightwing she decided to bring all the way here.
The seer stays in front of her but snaps back to reality, becoming suddenly attentive to her every movements and thoughts, and after a short moment, he sees her wings falling behind, then her head lowering a bit and her talons starting to shake.
Sensing her breathing becoming less steady, the young one realizes the wall that is her firm stance is cracking, as does her mind beginning to be worried for him, remembering clearly how ugly it was the last time he came here…
The tail of the dark blue giant curls around Darkstalker who watches her stand up a moment later, having resolved her doubt as she looks at him with confidence.
Turning her back, the great dragoness forces the titanic slabs of stone to move away from her path, putting her full strength into her talons and proving herself to be the lord of this place… The sound of the entrance opening only adds to its ominous ambiance for the nightwing, but as he thinks of what he will have to face, a giant wing finally extends over him.
Looking at Akhanta, the smaller one sees her still worried for him, she perfectly knows how badly he handles such proximity to the monolithic crystal, but it has to be done…
Walking through the most important and powerful room there is, the young one sticks to the great dragoness' side, focusing on her being, on her mind and body to not gaze upon that strange world they dive into, and it seems to be working.
He feels uneasy and starts to have a headache, but it is still somewhat manageable as he ignores his surroundings very well, only seeing shades of colourful light at the border of his sight and not sensing anything accurately…
.
The dark blue giant stops, forcing Darkstalker to do the same almost instantly. Now on the soft ground near the crystal of Power, the nightwing looks at the dragoness for guidance, not daring to do anything without her.
But as she gazes directly upon the Crystal, the young one fears he might have to do the same…
Looking at her scales as long as he can, hoping he will not have to see what is before him, the nightwing quickly runs out of time as Akhanta's head leans toward him and pushes him forward with her enormous talon.
Obligated to do it, Darkstalker reluctantly turns his neck, bringing his view closer to the pulsating Power, the amalgamation of essences so gigantic it could easily assimilate all of his being and be almost unchanged, or maybe not considering the uniqueness of his essences…
Turning his head, the nightwing's eyes pass over the corpses of some… unfortunate souls? quickly before beginning to see the Crystal. But as he stares first at his closest area, the young one spots very vivid vines and fleshy matter covering it and the ground as well as connecting both tightly.
Feeling and seeing the tremendous quantity of essences flowing and pulsating, Darkstalker is touched by morbid curiosity…
Is this... some sort of heart? Is there something living here? I can almost feel it...
Is this a nest? Do these corpses can and will be resurrected?
Are there eggs hidden somewhere?
The nightwing does not have to wait for long to get his answers. Finally looking straight into the monolithic gem, he discovers the closest thing that looks like the inside of an egg without any sort of shell, expect it is far bigger than any such thing.
And it is far too intimately attached to the shining sides to not be dependent of the Crystal and all of its power…
- "Darkstalker."
Getting his attention, the great dragoness extends a talon and brings a claw very close to the crystal his neck wears.
Extracting a bit of its silver essence, Akhanta then points her paw at the cocoon of silk and flesh, of colourful lights, confirming his contribution to the thing, and what it really is as the seer sees the concepts the dragoness associates the cocoon with…
Impressed? Maybe that is to be expected, you are so young after all…
But maybe it's finally time you say hello to your future daughter…
So why don't you take a step forward and get closer to what you wished for so long?
Say it, say them, say the names you dreamt of giving after achieving your goals.
.
Darkstalker clenches his paw and teeth.
Frozen in absolute shock and confusion, his mind becomes a battlefield between awe for such an egg and the essences, horror for its overwhelming power, and anger for the twisted mockery of an idealized future he wanted to have with Clearsight that thing represents, the child he can see in that Thing.
With a final spark of hope and love, of desperation and want for affection as well as giving it that acts as a stab in the heart getting deeper and deeper…
Incapable of managing his torrent of emotions, the young one is quickly taken over by its strongest one, the one he came back to more and more as he gradually lost control of the situation, of so many events that kept on piling, of his entire life.
Bright and chaotic flashes can seen all around his body, immediately drawing the attention of the great dragoness.
With a face full of regrets, she faces Darkstalker once again, hoping he does not fall into that madness but preparing for the worst. Still, she can at least try one thing before deciding to knock him out, she needs to bring him out of here, and fast…
Taking a step closer to him, the dark blue giant makes the young one jump back in reaction, his face now fully dominated by rage, his power completely manifests into a mix of fire and lightning.
- "CLEARSIGHT!"
In an instant, the violent union of flame and thunder is unleashed in destructive arcs that Akhanta has to reflect immediately.
Invoking an almost offensive shield, the dark blue giant sends the attack back to Darkstalker. And before he can finish his roar, the nightwing is struck down by one of his thunderbolt as all the others crash into the ground near him, throwing him far away as they tore apart the ground he stands on with an explosion.
A thud is heard as the young one slams into the soil, rendered gravely wounded and unconscious, his body burnt, his dress becoming tainted certainly because he is bleeding.
Having just witnessed all of the scene, Akhanta rushes to him, horrified by what happened...