On the Evil Scale: Keeper of La Tecla (The Key) Book Two

The Shadowed Ones shrieked loudly, hovering above the ships, just wanting to feed off the energy and magic that they sensed below. As they heard the whistle that controlled them, they cried beginning to swarm the figures on the wall that blasted them with powerful Jinn and arcane magic.

“We’ll take care of the creatures, you tend to the men still aboard the ships!” Azir instructed firmly, “Go…”

Wyatt nodded, then turned, ordering the Guardians to attack all of the ships. As he sprinted down the walls’ length, he glanced back for only a moment, watching as the Jinn swung their massive Scimitars, slicing the Shadowed Ones in half, destroying them completely. Just as he broke his gaze, looking toward other Guardians, instructing to have the Ravens released from their aviaries.

The men nodded, then teleported in individual abilities, appearing at the Raven aviary, listening as the black birds squawked loudly. Once the cages were opened, the birds flew in a thick black mass, knowing where they were needed as they turned, swarming toward the wall.

Although their swords destroyed the creatures 99% of the time, the Jinn found it difficult to strike for they needed to get close enough to strike and wouldn’t take the chance of getting too close. Dropping their weapons Azir, Natash and their kin gathered back-to-back, all reciting a spell in their African tongue, creating a bright green hue on their hands that then began highlighting their tall frames. Suddenly, they glanced toward the sky, hearing the Ravens, the birds flew high around the Shadowed Ones that began feeding off the small feathery creatures. The Jinn didn’t flinch as their bodies fell on the walkway of the wall, or over the ledge. Continuing his chant, Azir frowned as he and his kin’s forms glowed brighter with each phrase of the chant.

The Demon Guardians nearby on the wall, watched as the Jinn had seemed to be absorbing energy from an unseen source, creating what looked to be a pulsating like force. They were fascinated then moved on, after hearing Wyatt’s voice summoning them to their duties.

As their magic grew stronger, the Jinn released a blast of the energy, creating a bright flash if light that blinded the Guardians and men still aboard the hovering ships, while leaving the Shadowed Ones in a moment of suspended animation. Continuing their chant, small orbs appeared with a yellowish center, twirling and encircling the creatures that were being pecked at by the remaining number of Ravens.

“What was that light?!” one of the men shouted, after the occurrence ceased. Gripping his weapon, continuing to look around, he suddenly heard creaking above from the tall masts above. Raising his gaze, he shouted aiming his rifle, “They aboard…they’re aboard!”

Wraiths, including Nick, Caleb and Justin lept from the masts in an incredibly dramatic fashion and just as they were inches from landing on the deck, they vanished, leaving the soldiers confused. Appearing behind the soldiers, the Wraiths hissed then sped through, breaking necks or plunging their hands through their chests and backs, or even managing to feed in the process, both on blood and essences. Some of the Wraiths however, were wounded but healed, then attacked the assailants before continuing to race across the deck. Caleb and Justin, both utilizing guns as their preferred weapons of choice, enjoyed the feel of shooting their guns, hearing the bullets firing and the echoing pop that lingered behind.

“Caleb, Justin!” Nick shouted, watching as Shadowed Ones that had not been effected by the Jinn’s magic, plunged downward toward the two men. As he sped forward, pushing them to the ground, he sadly suffered what it was like being fed on by the Shadowed Ones; he let out a loud scream, feeling the creatures drain his energy that felt like pins and needles but moments before they drained him completely, he fell to the ground as the Shadowed Ones began twitching as they hovered in place behind him for feeding off Wraiths was unnatural, because even though they’re living supernatural beings, they are still not quite alive and don’t have the pure essence that the creatures need to thrive on like that of mortals or Shayds, Demons or half-breeds. Rolling along the ground, moaning in pain, Nick felt both Justin and Caleb pulling him into their comforting, brotherly embraces, then he and they, watched as the Shadowed Ones began curling awkwardly within themselves, shrieking loudly as their bones broke before they exploded, turning into ash that blew in the wind from the constant flapping of the Ravens nearby.

“Are you all right?!” Justin worried, glancing down at Nick.

“N-no…” he hissed, looking at his friend with tired eyes that were surrounded by dark shadows, “not really, I n-need to feed.” he felt a hunger like he never felt before.

“We have to get him out of here!” Caleb worried, holding him close.

“Get him to the hospital, I’ll meet you there!” Justin urged, “Go…”

Tucking his guns back in their holsters strapped on his thighs, Caleb then wrapped an arm around Nick’s waist, lifting him to his feet, and wrapping his friends’ arm around his shoulder, he shuffled just a few steps forward before teleporting to the hospital, appearing in one of the emergency rooms, calling for help.

Grunting, releasing battle cries, as did my fellow warriors, we had just a moment’s break, watching the sky as the Jinn’s magic exploded in a series of bright lights and orbs.

“Abraxas…” I called for the dragon that answered my immediate summons, stretching out his wings before touching the ground, “do it now, burn them all!” I ordered, pointing toward the ships that still hovered above the wall.

“With pleasure!” the Zyphyn roared as he turned his body, soaring back into the air like a rocket with scales glowing red before his small form morphed into a large size than Axeon, keeping his own form in the process. Releasing powerful roars that shook the foundations of the island itself, he turned his focus upon the ships, flapping in place.

Glancing at the sky, Justin watched as Yzavela’s dragon heaved in a deep breath, bellowing a flame.

“Everyone off, everyone off now!” he shouted urgently, pushing the other Wraiths and Demons toward the rails, “Off NOW…” he and the others lept off the rails and in perfect timing too, and as they all landed on the walkway of the wall, they sprung to their knees, then turned, watching as the dragon released a powerful bellowing flame, raining fire that scorched the slate rock, melting in some places.

The Jinn ceased their magical bindings of the Shadowed Ones, they knew to avoid dragon’s fire for it wasn’t a force of magic that they could manipulate.

Hovering in place, flapping his slowly, Abraxas continued breathing fire upon the ships, creating a gust of wind that caused the ships to sway in place, detaching the bridges that kept the ships connected to one another. As they loosened from their hooks, they crashed to the ground, or onto the wall, smashing into pieces that bounced here and there. Releasing a loud guttural, screech-like roar, he turned swinging his massive tail through the air, breaking the tall masts and sails that crashed onto the decks below. The Zyphyn seemed to enjoy his act of creating chaos, while turning his body around in a fast-spinning motion, sucking the smoke from the fires and once creating a grand whirlwind of suction, he stretched out his wings, releasing the hold he had, and once doing so, the pressure was thrown outward and the ships violently crashed into one another, while their hulls exploded from the pressure put on the steam engines and pipes. The dragon roared yet again, holding his head back, releasing another blast of his intense dragon’s fire that melted the ships, sails and all of the metal gadgets, bolts, nails and other attachments in seconds. Once the fire had been unleashed, the dragon grabbed hold of the nearest ship with his massive taloned feet, twirling it around before throwing it to the ground outside the wall, near the outer gate, avoiding the homes and other structures.

Steam spat from the pipes of the other two ships, continuing to overheat, creating a loud explosion as their propellers failed to keep their bulks afloat; they came crashing down upon the wall, breaking into two pieces from the impact; the mast snapped from the deck, landing awkwardly on the ledge of the waist-high wall, blocking the path while the deck plunged outside the gates.

As Abraxas continued destroying the ships, the third ships exploded, startling those on the wall and the ground; the Demons and Jinn had quickly shielded themselves from the falling debris that scattered in all directions.

Among the destruction of the ships, the Jinn continued destroying all of the Shadowed Ones, encircling them in massive orbs that kept them in place. As smaller lights seemed to branch off the largest ones cast, they multiplied, crisscrossing over the other like an X, the two containment-like bubbles and strings or orbs spun just like a nautical sphere and while it rapidly twirled, the magic seemed to squeeze the creatures closer together into a tighter, more compacted mass, then in the final moment, muttering the last word of the chant, the Jinn had released their magic, watching as the orbs exploded, emitting a light with faint symbols hovering momentarily, before looking as if they, and the ashes of the creatures, were sucked into a void.

Running around the estate grounds, after hearing Yzavela’s loud and telepathic voice, but distant verbal words shouting to escape the area, the Demons created domes that shielded them and comrades as they crouched down, feeling the weight of shattering planks and gadgets or gears, bouncing off their barriers that cracked in some places from the persistent pounding.

As I ran covering my head from the falling debris, I tripped on one of the planks of wood, falling forward. Glancing at the sky, watching as debris fell around me, I crawled backwards on my hands, then I immediately curled myself into a ball, creating a barrier of my own that unfortunately shattered in minutes as the debris continued its fall from above. Holding onto Zanzabarr that lay beside me, I then reached over, covering his large body with my own the best I could. Once fallen, leaving smoke and fire burning everywhere, I tapped the large wolf to stand, but the weight of a large plank crushed my legs.

“Sh*t…” I moaned attempting to break free, but it was too heavy, I couldn’t even move it away with my Telekinesis. Grunting deeply as I closed my eyes continuing to move, I panted.

Zanzabarr barked as he jumped in place, then attempted pulling at the plank with all h is strength, but the iron metal beam inside, and the ore dusting off the wood, burned against his mouth and paws. He released low whimpers, rushing forward wagging his tail as he lay beside his pack mother that breathed heavily, exerting herself from her failed attempts.

“F*ck me…” I cried out, then turned to Zanzabarr who whined, “I want you to go…get out of here, go!” I ordered, but the wolf didn’t obey, instead he lay his head down continuing his loud whines, “Fine, be that way!” I groaned then screamed, for the constant friction of the plank squeezed heavier on my legs, “Son of a b*tch, sh*t!” I spat, then raised my gaze behind and above me, where a male figure slowly approached, “Anthony!” I called out, thinking maybe it might have been him, but they didn’t answer. Frowning, knowing he would have answered me, I managed to engulf in my Aura thinking it might have been an injured soldier ready to strike me down and looking around for a weapon to defend myself with, nothing was close enough, other than smaller planks of wood that could be used, if thrown the right way. Watching as Zanzabarr lept to his feet, growing aggressively and protectively, I reached gripping his collar, waiting to give the command to attack, watching as the figure grew closer but because of the smoke clouding my vision that lacked my glasses that I lost upon my fall, my eyes burned.

Walking through the smoke and fires around him, Molock waved his hands outward, parting a clear path toward the young half-breed and her hellhound. Standing there, inches away from her, he watched her.

“Molock?” her voice questioned curiously.

“Hold still.” he urged, standing above her, then reaching out both his hands making a fists, as if grabbing hold of something, quickly he pulled his hands backwards, removing the plank that was thrown far away, landing among other debris and rubble from the ships. Taking a moment to kneel alongside her, cautious of the hellhounds’ guttural growls and slathering jaws, he examined her legs then gazed into her eyes, scanning her soot-covered face, before reaching for hands; for a moment, he noticed her hands were noticeably petite, “Are you okay?” he showed concern for her, helping her to her feet.

“Yes, thank you.” I limped in place, grunting from aches stomping across my body, then flinched feeling the stabbing pains from the graze near my ribs, “What are you doing here?” I looked at him.

“Did I not tell you to be careful of falling debris? Yes, but look what happened…you didn’t avoid the one thing I told you to be careful of! You’re either brave, or stupid.” Molock barked with agitation.

“I didn’t plan this, nor did…” I attempted to argue but Zanzabarr’s deep growls continued as he gazed behind Molock’s godly frame; I watched as two soldier lunged toward him with blades in hand, and before the Sumerian could turn, I pushed him aside, focusing a fiery blast of energy that rose from my feet, up through my body, before it gathered in my hands. Creating a large orb that swirled, creating the intense heat given from the fiery nature, I turned to my right looking as if I passed the orb to someone but then pushed my hands outward, releasing the power that awkwardly imploded the two men in half. I lowered my hands, breathing heavily, watching as Zanzabarr rushed forward, ripping at their intestines, making sure they were lifeless.

“Thank you.” Molock appreciated, “But that was unnecessary.”

“You’re welcome.” I turned to him, then felt weak in the knees, falling into Molock’s comforting embrace; his muscular arms caught me before falling to the ground.

“That’s the first time anyone has ever saved my life.”

“You saved mine, it’s the least I can do.” I looked around.

“Mm.” the Sumerian smiled, then helped her to her feet once more.

Holding onto the black leather gauntlets strapped on his forearms, I glanced up at him, watching as he slowly withdrew his hands, taking steps back.

“Wait…” I called out to him.

“You need me no longer, Demoness.” Molock laughed. As he turned, he disappeared in a bright swirling red flame.

Huffing, I moaned then looked around, beginning to call out for my friends then paused, raising my gaze, watching as Abraxas continued to release blasts of fire that filled the sky with hues of red and orange, making his point known that he was powerful, and the protector of the island. Between the glow of his fires, and that of the Jinn’s magic, it was quite magnificent to behold.

“That’s my boy!” I praised softly, then looked to my right, hearing a man calling my name, “Anthony?!” I called out, but it was Hiromi, “Hey…” I rushed toward him.

“Aye, are you all right?” the Asian man studied her and her injuries.

“I’ll be fine, you?”

“Yes.” he nodded, “Come…” he turned, walking with her.

“Mother…” Abraxas roared.

“I’m fine, finish them!” I instructed, glancing at the sky.

“As you wish.” the Zyphyn then turned, focusing on the ship hovering above the harbor and RP&V, watching blasts of arcane magic being exchanged.

The residents in their homes stepped outside, hearing the explosions and as they glanced toward the wall out in the distance, they watched as a large black dragon eerily soared above the rooftops of the homes, creating an unsettling gust of wind. Following his intended focus of direction, the residents watched as a ship hovered above RP&V, and while some grew fearful, others like Leonus and Thomas ran down the road toward Ravenstone Manor; no one realized how extensive Yzavela’s warning really was.

“Leonus!” Heather shouted worriedly.

“Thomas!” Louisa could be heard as well.

The two wives, among many others, watched as their husbands, even brothers or partners ran down the road, rushing to protect what they called home, while others drove in their trucks and Jeeps with their weapons in hand.

“There!” Wyatt pointed toward the sky where the Zyphyn soared in closer advances, “Everyone of, EVERYONE OFF NOW!” his voice shouted loudly, pushing other Guardians off the deck of the ship. As he lept over the railing, landing on one of the nearest rooftops, one of his boots slipped off the tiles, causing him to lose his footing, and as he fell forward, rolling over the ledge, he bounced off one of the canopy overhangs that braced his fall before roughly landing on the hard cobblestone streets. Grunting deeply feeling the hard stone, he glanced as the sky toward the ship, watching as many other figures jumped off board before the dragon set the ship aflame with just one swerve of his head, releasing one singular blast of fire that roared with such ferocity, Wyatt could hear it screaming and crackling as it burned against the wood. Pushing himself to his feet after Justin had appeared, the Wraith and Demon sought shelter beneath the gazebo, while other Guardians stood close against the buildings of the shops and storefronts, watching as the black dragon grabbed hold of the ships’ hull, then with one strong flap of his wings and turn of his body, the ship was thrown into the Irish Sea where figures that had jumped into the icy waters, began swimming quickly to shore, hoping to avoid the crash that caused the waters to swell and rise violently in large waves that thrashed against the rocks, “Jes*s Chr*st…” Wyatt slurred, watching as some of the debris crashed atop the rooftops and in the process, destroying some of the solar powered panels that the businesses had installed her their own purchases.

“He’s got nothing to do with this mate.” Justin pondered bluntly as he looked at the Demon.

“Mm.” the Guardian nodded, then whistled, instructing the others nearby to start gathering those that fell into water, “Justin…” he had turned to the Wraith, “go to the hospital and make sure Nick is all right, hmm?” he nodded, “Go…” he quickly pushed him back, “GO!”

The Jinn and other Guardians that still lingered on the wall, veered over the wall, taking notice of the stillness that lingered among the smoke and fires. Appearing below, Azir and Natash waving smoke that was too thick, away with a gesture of their hands outward. As it cleared, they immediately began inspecting the bodies that lay spewed everywhere or pinned beneath debris that fell upon them. Worrying, the hoped some of the figures weren’t anyone that were important to Yzavela, or her herself.

“Yzavela!” Azir shouted, “Yzavela, where are you?!”

Natash searched through the rubble, kicking planks aside when she gasped, stepping on a broken blade. Carefully moving her foot aside, she knelt down, picking up the broken pieces.

“Azir…” she whispered, looking at him, “wasn’t this?” she felt tears sting her eyes.

Worrying greatly, Azir turned, frantically searching through all of the bodies they came across.

“Yzavela!” Anthony shouted worriedly, coughing from the smoke; he wouldn’t rest, pushing aside him cuts, scrapes and bullet wounds until her found her, “Little Yza!” he screamed pleadingly, continuing to look for her petite frame that he loved so much.

“Anthony…” Derek walked alongside him, “you need to rest, take it easy.” he held a hand to the gunshot wound that bled maybe a little too much.

“I won’t rest until I know she’s all right!” Anthony growled firmly.

As voices began calling out to one another, everyone had gathered in a large circle, limping or shuffling in place.

“Bloody hell mate, are you all right?’ Erik worried about Jonathan, as he glanced down seeing blood had stained his pants near, what was a bullet wound, “Were you shot?”

“Yeah, but I’m fine.” Jonathan rasped, “And you, your father?”

“I, uh…haven’t seen him around yet.” Erik turned, looking for him.

“Where’s Yza?” Sarah wondered, holding onto Jonathan.

“Yza?!” Jonathan called out.

“Keeps?!” Erik shouted worriedly.

“Azir, where is she?” Natash worried.

“I don’t know my love, I…” Azir rasped, then turned, hearing blunt coughs. Through the smoke that still swept across the estate, he and Natash watched as the young woman’s petite figure emerged with a man at her side, and large wolf on the other, “By the Elders…” he softly praised, rushing toward her, “Yzavela, you’re…” he studied her frame was ignited in her Aura.

“Go with it…” I moaned, “and please, don’t touch me. I don’t want to burn you.” I held up my hands, “Please…”

“Dear child, are you all right?” Natash inquired, “You’re injured…” she gestured toward the young woman’s side that she tried concealing.

“I’ll be fine.” I groaned deeply, “Just another day in on the island.”

Knowing that the young woman was trying to lighten the mood, she handed her back her broken sword.

“Thank you.” I complained, then coughed once more, the glanced at both Hiromi and Zanzabarr that seemed bothered by it too. Looking around, I began calling for my friends and Anthony.

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“Yza?!” Anthony shouted, hearing her voice calling for him. As his dark eyes continued searching through the smoke, letting out a few more deep, muffled coughs, he spotted her petite figure shuffling slowly, “Yzavela!” he ran forward, ignoring his wounds for all he wanted, was to hold her in his arms.

“Anthony!” I shouted, seeing him coming toward me. Rushing into his arms, holding him close, I whimpered and cried then looked into his eyes, before kissing him longingly.

“Oh thank god…” he prayed thankfully, looking down at her, cupping her face in his hands that trembled with fear that he lost her, “thank god you’re safe.” he grinned.

“Me too…” I held him close once more, running my hands down his chest before leaning in, not wanting to let him go. Listening to his steady, but heavy breathing, I found it soothing before I let out a deep moan in discomfort as one of his hands grazed across the wound near my ribs. Pulling away, and glancing down, the tips of his fingers were spotted with blood.

“Oh my god, are you wounded?!” he worried, quickly scanning her.

“Just a graze, and some cuts and scrapes, definitely some bruises.” I moaned, then studied him, seeing he was shot yet again, “Nevermind me, you’re shot…again?” I studied the wound that was through and through, “Anthony, this is has to stop.”

“Shh…” he pulled her into his arms, “shh…” he closed his eyes, as he leaned his head against hers.

“Erik?!” Hiromi swept past Anthony and Yzavela’s reunion, looking for his son, “Erik?!”

“Father?!” the young man’s voice hollered nearby.

Turning around, Hiromi watched as his son approached, walking alongside Jonathan and Sarah. Rushing toward, he quickly hugged him then pulled away with relief, before glancing at Jonathan and Sarah.

“Are you two all right?” he grew concerned, seeing Jonathan’s blood on his pant leg and a deep scratch on Sarah’s face.

“We’re fine, just banged up a little.” Sarah grinned.

“Yes, thank you.” Jonathan nodded, “And you?”

“Aye, I’m good.” Hiromi gave a cheerful thumbs up, even now.

“Right.” Jonathan shook his head with a faint grin, then raised his gaze past the man’s shoulder, watching as Anthony and Yzavela still shared their tender moments. Feeling the loss of having that closeness with Sarah, he glanced down at her momentarily, looking into her big blue eyes, but said nothing as he then glanced at his feet, feeling a little awkward.

“You need to go to the hospital.” I feared, holding onto Anthony.

“As do you.” he argued, “That cut is pretty deep.” he peeked at the deep gash on her side, seeing it had stained the fabric of her blouse, tearing through the leather of her bustier.

“Damn…this was my favorite bustier.” I complained femininely.

Anthony chuckled, shaking his head, then placed a kiss to her cheek.

“Here, allow me…” Natash stepped forward, examining both of the wounds, “they’re not too bad, if you would like me to heal you, I can.” she glanced between the man and woman that shared a quick, but appreciative glance before nodding. Offering them a smile, with a closer step forward, she took her stance according to the location of the wounds, then placing her hands upon them, hearing their faint grunts, she rasped, “Shh, be still.” she reassured, then closing her eyes, muttering words in her African tongue, her hands began glowing in a faint green hue that pulsated softly.

Anthony and I felt an intense heat emanating from the Jinn’s hands, followed by a brief tickle along the skin that tingled momentarily. As we looked at one another, then toward the Jinn, she pulled both her hands away, rubbing them together slowly, before lowering them to her side.

“All done.” the Jinn reassured them with a nod.

Examining the wounds, they were healed, leaving faint scars behind.

“Wow, that’s amazing.” Anthony admired, then looked at her.

“Gotta love magic.” I praised.

“Just a little something we do.” Natash grinned, raising her hands.

“Thank you.” Anthony nodded.

“Thanks you.” I added.

“No need to thank me, but you’re welcome.” Natash bowed her head, then turned to Azir who approached.

Glancing around, I turned toward the gates, seeing my friends nearby.

“Go…” Anthony urged her forward.

Squeezing his hands, offering a loving smile, I rushed toward them, sharing an awkward hug.

“Are you guys all right?” I worried, studying each of them.

“Do you really care?” Erik mocked, then grunted, feeling a hand slap the back of his head, “Ow, what the f*ck was that for?” he leered at his father.

“Don’t you ever…speak to her like that!” Hiromi pointed a finger at him, “Who are you, because you are not my son!” he turned, walking briskly in fast strides.

Looking at Erik, I shook my head in disappointment then turned to the gates, hearing Derek calling for me. Glancing past Erik’s shoulder, I watched as he pointed toward Justin, Wyatt and other Guardians that were either wet, or limping from injuries suffered from their attacks on the ships. Running toward them, I scanned them all, each and every face, nodding and sharing brief handshakes as they reached out.

“What happened out there?” I inquired curiously, standing next to Wyatt, who held a hand to his ribs.

“You need to talk to your bloody dragon, tell him to wait next time?” Justin hissed, “He almost burned us alive.”

“And some of us didn’t appreciate the late night swim in the bloody freezing f*cking waters either!” one of the other Guardians groaned in complaint.

“Yeah, I didn’t get a chance for much of a landing either.” Wyatt let out a deep grunt, flinching and arching his back, then threw his left arm backwards, popping his dislocated shoulder back into its socket.

I flinched, hearing the bones snap back into place, then glancing at the dark eyes through the lingering smoke, I looked for him but my tired eyes saw nothing but stars gazing back.

“I can’t believe this.” I huffed.

“Neither can we.” Justin hissed, shaking his head, then spotted blood staining her blouse along her side, “Hey, were you hit?” he gestured at her.

“Yeah, yeah I was but…” I looked at him, “Natash, the Jinn there…” I turned, gesturing across the field toward them, “healed it, nothing to worry about.”

“Nothing to worry about?” Wyatt argued, “Yza, this can’t happen, you can’t keep getting injured or next time you might not have the Jinn,m or any of us around to help you.” his words were blunt, but sincere.

“I know that.” I frowned, looking at him, “And it’s not like I asked for all of this sh*t to happen to me, or to you, to any of us, or this place.”

“I’m sorry.” Wyatt apologized, “I didn’t…”

“don’t worry about it.” I dismissed the argument, then glanced at the sky once more, hearing Abraxas’ loud roars vibrate along the ground beneath our feet, “Abraxas!” I called out telepathically and verbally.

“Mother!” the Zyphyn answered her, releasing another piercing roar. As he landed gracefully near the manor, the force from his wings had unintentionally spread embers that turned into a quick fires but as he swerved his head around, he exhaled a cool breath that extinguished them, “Mother, are you all right?” he worried, standing tall, watching figures scamper around in fear from his grand size and appearance.

The Jinn stood in amazement, for the only dragon they had ever seen, was Axeon. As Azir and Natash took steps forward, cautiously and respectfully admiring the Zyphyn’s beauty, they paused watching as the dragon stretched out wings, releasing a loud screeching warning, as his large Amber eyes glared and his snout vibrating violently as he snarled his massive white teeth.

“Easy Abraxas…” I called out, “they’re friends, you know that.”

“He is unique.” Azir admired.

“Yes he is.” I turned, snuggling with his snout, or as much of it as I could that is.

Abraxas’ eyes scanned the Jinn and the other figures standing nearby. Offering a nod in respect, he nudged Yzavela’s petite form, receiving a faint giggle then reached out to her mind, wanting to know if she’d like him to return to his smaller, natural size. Glancing down at her, he received an affirmative nod then closed his eyes, feeling her hands stroking the larger patch of scales beneath his chin.

“Everything is done, so yes…please shift.” I nodded, then turned to the Jinn, “You might want to step back a bit, he’s going to shift.”

“He’s going to what?!” one of the other Jinn questioned curiously.

“You heard me, Sir.” I nodded, then gestured for them to stand back. As Anthony approached, holding me close, we watched Abraxas hold his head high with wings stretched out, and scales glowing brightly in a red Aura of his own, “Amazing.” I smiled, watching as his larger form began shrinking smaller, and smaller, until there he was, he had morphed into his original size that flew forward, landing in my arms, “There you are…” I stroked his scales, then glanced at the Jinn.