Happy Turkey Day, fellow Americans! And welcome readers to the seventh chapter of Twisted Realities: Part One. This chapter is the storm chapter… and the first official showcasing of Stargazer's power.
Or one of them.
So please, enjoy the chapter.
Chapter Seven
Three days.
It had been three days since the group consisting of one potentially senile old man of a storyteller, a young boy who was chosen by a sapphire dragoness as her Rider, that said dragoness flying high in the sky and a wild dragon whose soul was as free as the drafts in the far reaches of the upper atmosphere had left Therinsford.
The fourth day just had to ruin the 'nice streak'.
Thunderheads formed to the southwest late into the third day, but had stayed in the distance. Brom had hoped that they would skirt to the south, but the dragons could sense otherwise.
Late that evening, when the campfire was nothing but cinders and charcoal, Saphira spotted the male dragon staring off in the direction of the storm clouds. The lightning that crawled and flashed through the clouds was reflected within his scales even when the storm was likely hundreds of miles away. Getting to her feet, she made her way over to the crystal dragon and just sat there silently beside him. If he had noticed her presence, he didn't make it known.
You should be asleep. Stargazer's deep voice softly told her after some time of them sitting in silence, making her flinch in surprise.
Leaning herself against his bulk, she replied, still staring off at the light show. So should you.
The male dragon shifted slightly, diverting her attention from the approaching storm.
What is it? She asked, tilting her head.
I know what it is you are trying to do. I am no fool, Saphira. The dragon rumbled, shocking her. I will tell you right now, do not try to get close to me. I do not care what your instincts tell you, we are not mere animals that react to them on a whim. You are above them. Stargazer lowered his head to look directly into the female's eyes. I am sorry, but I cannot be your mate, little one. Those sapphire eyes began to water along the bottom edges as Saphira fought off her tears, but he continued, not allowing her to break eye contact. I cannot be that which you desire. At least not yet. I swore an oath to ensure you and your Rider make it through this upcoming conflict, preferably in one piece for each of you. Losing me as a lover would destroy you, but losing me as just a friend, a comrade, would be much more bearable. I do not wish to leave you, but the world is a cruel and unpredictable place. The female was visibly shedding tears, stifled sniffles leaving her, and it tore into Stargazer's heart, but he steeled himself and finished his soul-crushing speech. I cannot be your mate yet, but I can be your friend. Saphira, you are a gorgeous female, make no mistake, for there is no equal to your splendor. Any male dragon would be blessed to be your mate. But you are very young and even if you choose me, for the time being, I will reject you. I do not want to fight you. I–
He was cut off by a paw slamming into the right side of his muzzle, cracking several scales and breaking his eye contact with the female.
Why are you so heartless? The dragoness cried, smacking the crystal dragon yet again. How are you able to know what I am wanting through my actions? Am I truly that obvious? Why can I not read you the same way? When Stargazer did not respond or retaliate, the female spun around, smacking the dragon across the face with her tail.
And still, there was no response from the crystal dragon.
The quiet sobs from Saphira that could be heard by the male as she made her way back to the camp haunted Stargazer, but he dared not speak.
It tore him apart inside, but he knew it was for the best.
After a couple minutes of staring at the ground in silence, Stargazer sighed and raised his head to the starry night sky, admiring those twinkling bright lights in the heavens above.
Little did he know, a certain heart broken dragoness was watching him in disbelief as his form glowed a brilliant purple for a few heartbeats before returning to normal. Turning around, Saphira made her way back and curled around her Rider.
She made damn well sure that her back was facing the direction of the male dragon seated not so far away.
-x-
The next morning brought more than just the rising sun.
It was accompanied by an unusually upset Brom, who started chewing out the wild dragon when Saphira told him what had transpired between the pair at night.
"You did what?!"
I told her the truth! Stargazer snapped, baring his teeth, which caused Eragon to flinch from where he was standing next to Saphira as they watched.
"You may have doomed your race, you fool!" The storyteller shot back, not intimidated in the slightest.
The male dragon's eyes lit up, casting the human in a glow of purple as thunder rumbled ominously in the distance.
He had likely broken Saphira's heart, yes, but he had done it out of securing a potential future with her. There the male dragon was, putting greater priorities before a petty relationship, and he would not be called irresponsible.
Especially by a mere human of all things.
What did you just say to me? The dragon growled as Saphira stepped forward in an attempt to diffuse the situation.
Please–
No. Stargazer's voice was calm, yet there was an edge to it. The tone brokered no lies and challenged the old human to repeat what he said. What. Did. You. Just. Say.
Realizing his mistake, Brom tried to step back, but the crystal dragon pounced, pinning him under a paw.
I will not be spoken to like some child, you senile old man. Stargazer snarled, saliva from his teeth dripping onto Brom's face. Nor will I tolerate being treated as some animal to be used to breed. Saphira locked her eyes onto Brom, rather disgusted upon hearing that. In case you hadn't noticed, there is a storm coming, and I'm not just talking about the weather. If you want to take your chances without me to act as a possible ally alongside you, then say the word and I'll leave. Let me make something clear to you all: I do not need any of you. You need me more than I need you. I am doing this because I was forced to by agreeing to the terms laid before me. Eragon cleared his throat, and the crystal dragon slowly turned to him. Yes?
Gesturing toward the pinned human, who was rather pale, the boy spoke. "I'm sorry for his behavior, but could you release him? I kind of need him to train me."
Looking between the two humans, Stargazer finally relented, lifting his paw. Just remember who's actually living a lie between the two of us, Brom. The dragon growled lowly, causing the younger pair to look at the storyteller. Not telling is essentially lying by omission in my homelands. Have fun sleeping with that knowledge.
And then he walked off, Saphira following close behind.
-x-
As the day progressed, the once distant storm clouds were upon the group by the late afternoon hours. From his place on the ground, Eragon could see a ripple in the air racing toward them.
Turning his face upward to the dragons, he sent a mental shout to Saphira. Saphira! Land!
Luckily, the crystal dragon was already in motion.
Grabbing the smaller female, he held her close and tucked his wings, dropping like a lead weight.
The dragoness tried to fight him, but his thunder-like voice, filled with a calm confidence, stilled her. Do not struggle. Trust in me as I do you, little one.
The air screamed in their ears and clawed at the dragons' faces, but their scales protected them as they plummeted at break-neck speeds toward the ground below.
Flaring his wings rather late, Stargazer righted himself before landing heavily on his hind legs. Turning to the humans behind him on horseback, he barked a single order.
Brace yourselves!
And then it hit.
Wind mixed with dirt and debris slammed into the group, sending Saphira airborne until she crashed into Stargazer. The male arched his neck downward while wrapping the dragoness in his wings, securing her against his chest, and anchored himself with his claws. From her place cocooned against him, she could feel the growl resonating deep within his throat.
Raising his head, Stargazer turned to the humans hunkered down behind him.
Eragon! Brom! Get in front of me! The dragon ordered, and the two horses carrying their human companions did as he asked, albeit slowly.
"What is your plan?" Brom hollered over the screaming wind and pouring rain, but he received no answer.
Once they were in position, Stargazer felt a tingling across his body, almost akin to a shiver, like static electricity causing hair to stand on end. Acting upon what his instincts were telling him, he slapped his tail against the ground, sending a shockwave through the wind and rain. The crystal dragon let loose a mighty roar, though it was no ordinary roar. This was a demand. A demand that even the elements kneel before him. An order to follow without question.
A statement.
He was king.
And nobody would tell him what to do.
Not even the weather.
I am the Storm Wielder. I will not be pushed around by some petty clouds and a pesky breeze! His voice, not spoken within their minds, roared within the storm itself as the rain, wind and clouds seemed to freeze in place. That single horn crowning the top of his proud head was glowing with a divine blue-ish purple light, a halo surrounding his very being. Small purple and blue lightning bolts flickered across his scales as his voice carried across within the storm. Know your place, for it is not here. Not today! The air itself shuddered at this, but the dragon was not yet finished. Disperse at once and hinder me no more! Begone!
With an ominous, howling screaming sound, the storm tore itself apart, dispersing in all directions. Within minutes, what was once a mighty storm was nothing more than harmless, wispy cirrus clouds in the upper atmosphere.
Turning to face his awestruck companions, Stargazer swayed on his feet before falling onto his side, kicking up a small dust cloud upon impact.
As his vision darkened, a pair of sapphire blue eyes entered his field of view and he couldn't help but admire them.
The dragon then closed his eyes, succumbing to his exhaustion, and everything went black.
A voice caused him to snap his eyes open, and he spun around, only to freeze at what he saw.
I see someone's been busy as of late.
-x-
Can I get a #Cliffhanger in the comments?