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

Adjusting the lenses, zooming in closely, Derek recorded thermal images that roamed through the streets, leading to and from the Great City. Sharpening their figures and shapes, weapons and species that appeared on the iPad’s screen, the Nightwalkers were easy to locate and identify, watching as they sped through the streets, giving off their cooler, blue body temperatures. As the hordes clustered in larger numbers on the streets, he couldn’t believe his eyes, removing the goggles for just a moment, making sure he was seeing things correctly.

“So that it then? There they are?” the Samoan muttered softly as he looked at Azir.

“Indeed, but that’s not all.” the Jinn moaned in complaint.

“Right.” Derek raised the goggles against his eyes once more, then he unintentionally exaggerated more than he expected, watching as the tall, burly Trolls tore down remnants of what used to be dwellings or business, and apartment buildings that still stood in their complete structure, “Are those Tr-Trolls?!” he watched as they swung spiked maces or metal clubs, overturning vehicles in their search for any or all stragglers and rebels, “And what the f*ck are those scaled things?”

“Yes Derek, they are Trolls and those scaled things? They’re Zarooks, the most vile and unnatural lizard-hybrids conjured from the darkest depths of the world’s most toxic waters in the Amazon.” Azir replied, “They’re also very venomous and carnivorous.”

“Zarwhat?”

“Zarooks.”

“Right.” Derek nodded, “So they’re like the Wraiths?”

“Excuse me?” Azir glanced over his shoulder.

“You said these Zarooks are venomous, like Wraiths when they bite.”

“In a sense yes, very much like Wraiths inflicting your kind.” Axeon added knowledgeably.

“Do you have enough from the ground?” Azir questioned bluntly.

“Yes, why?” Derek answered, quickly skimming through the images.

“Because it’s not just the land we have to worry about, but the skies.”

“The skies?” Derek leaned in closely.

Azir nodded, pointing ahead, gesturing toward the distance ahead.

Derek frowned, following the Jinn’s point of direction; his dark eyes observed figures and beasts gliding or soaring through the air. Using the goggles a third time, he captured incredible snapshots of both of the creatures, while not believing their existence.

“They can’t be real…” he muttered, “they can’t be.” he referred to a swarm of the Harpies, “The Shadowed Ones yeah but…this can’t be real.” he glanced at the iPad, studying the incredible snapshots of the creatures that looked as if they posed for the captures images.

“I assure you Derek, they are real.” Azir answered worriedly, “I have not had the pleasure of encountering the Harpies in battle but I have heard of them, and what they can do. They too, like the Zarooks, are carnivorous and will shred their victims apart with their talons, and rip the flesh from your bones if given the chance.”

“R-rip the flesh from my bones?” Derek complained humorously, “I didn’t need that mental image at all, thanks.” he continued observing the enemies of the land and sky, “Wait, what’s that?!” he pointed out toward a thick mass concealed within the dark cloud swirling above the Great City.

Axeon abruptly paused, creating a sudden jerk forward, as if frozen in place. Flapping his wings, keeping himself in a hovering position, his eyes stared toward the city with a great hesitance and despair. He groaned deeply, worrying the riders upon his back. Listening to their persistent complaints and worries, he didn’t answer their inquiries.

“What’s going on?” Derek questioned.

“I don’t know.” Azir frowned, “Axeon, what do you sense?” his voice finished telepathically.

“I cannot go any further.” Axeon answered, “It is too dangerous.”

“Hey, come on…what’s going on?’ Derek removed the goggles, then tapped Azir’s back.

“He says he can’t go any further, and claims that it’s too dangerous.” the Jinn fretted, “And I must agree, it is too much of a risk. Tell me that you have gathered enough information on your gadgets?”

“Y-yeah.” the Samoan nodded, tucking the equipment away.

“Very good.” Azir affirmed, then instructed the dragon to flee.

Without argument, Axeon turned his body, swiftly returning to the island, passing through the barrier of which had been renewed during the passing days and weeks. He listened to silence of the riders upon his back, and focused on the air ahead of, scanning the area, watching as the Ravens squawked and swarmed around him before scattering off as he snapped his large jaws in annoyance of their presence. Once he returned to the island, landing on the cliff side, he turned his head, watching as the two men slid down his neck, landing roughly.

“Jinn, do not make me return to that place. No matter the cause, or instructions, I will not. There is something there that I thought was long gone, but it lives.” Axeon warned the Jinn, “I do no understand how, but he does. Why do you think the land is in such destruction in such a way? No man or machine can create such damage with fire.”

“You don’t mean…” Azir gazed upon the great dragon that stood tall above himself and Derek, “the Red Death?” he finished verbally, “How is that possible?! I banished him into hibernation in another dimension, it can’t be!”

“Red Death?” Derek questioned, glancing back and forth at the Jinn and dragon, “What’s the Red Death?!”

“It is not your concern.” Azir argued, turning to the Samoan, “Axeon, return to your cavern. I will visit you again later.” he nodded.

The great dragon bowed his head, then lept off the cliff side before he soared high into the air above the two men. Soaring higher into the air, he then turned, diving downward, disappearing somewhere close to the rock walls.

“Azir, don’t tell me it’s not my concern!” Derek argued bluntly.

“But I am!” Azir sneered.

“All right, you know what?! I sense you don’t like me very much, and I don’t care I’m used to it, but if we’re going to fight alongside each other, together against those f*cking things out there that are coming this way?!” Derek pointed toward the distance, “Then you’re going to stop keeping me in the dog damn dark and answer my questions! I have seen a lot of sh*t over my years, but those things, those Harpies and Trolls, Zarooks and whatever else out there?! We’re f*cked man!”

Approaching the Samoan swiftly before he could react, Azir flipped the man to the ground, pinning him place with his magic. Leering at him with hands glowing in a dull pulsating green hue, he huffed.

“I don’t care what you think, keep your opinions to yourself or I will throw you over that cliff and into the sea.” the Jinn warned then as he turned, sweeping the Samoan across the grass, he held him over the ledge of the cliff, “What you think, or have to say, is none of my concern so I suggest that you keep it to yourself, is that understood?!” his deep elegant voice was blunt and threatening.

“Go ahead…drop me over the cliff!” Derek taunted, “I would like to see how you explain it to Yzavela how and why I didn’t return after I agreed to help her!” he waited but the Jinn above kept quiet, “Exactly my point, now let me go!” he flashed his yellow eyes, “The Keeper’s a tiny little thing yes, but how is she, no matter how powerful she is or might be, going to fight them?!”

“I have fought these creatures before Derek, excluding the Harpies so I know their strengths and weakness. With my experience and that knowledge, we will defeat each and every one of them, regardless if you’re present.” Azir leaned forward, leering down at the man laying on his back, “And as far as Yzavela, she’s stronger than you think, and she will overcome this one way or another.” he clenched his fists, “Plus, you forget that she has all of us…” he pulled his hands away, dragging the Samoan away from the ledge, “behind her, so she is not alone.” he finished, releasing his magical grasp.

Grunting as he quickly pushed himself up, Derek huffed shaking out his jacket and adjusting his bag once more.

“It’s the one way or another that I’m worried about.” he moaned as he stood, dusting grass and dirt off his cargo pants, “Now, I think I have the right to know what the Red Death is, don’t you think? That way I can be prepared for it…” he sneered at the Jinn.

“The Red Death is an adversary that we fought once before.” Azir’s deep voice cracked, “He is cannot be easily defeated, surely you had noticed the scars among Axeon’s scales during our flight yes?”

“I wondered, yes.” Derek nodded.

“Axeon barely survived that war, and he will not survive it again.” the Jinn fretted worriedly, sensing the dragon’s uneasiness from beneath the ground, “That is why he was hesitant to continue further toward the Great City, that thick mass you saw slithering within the clouds above the city? That was the Red Death, and the damaged caused by fire on the mainland was by his fire, nothing else. So now, surely you can understand why I’m not in the mood to answer your pestering or ridiculous questions on the spot, because now I have to think about my kin, wondering how we are going to help Axeon defeat this beast a second time, and it is not going to be easy for he will come with a vengeance like no other, especially against Axeon.”

Remaining silent, Derek realized he wasn’t making things easy.

“I-I’m sorry.” he apologized sincerely, “Really, I am. It’s just…all of this sh*t is new to me, but does Yzavela know about the Red Death?”

“As far as I know, no but she has her secrets from her past that she’s entitled to keep to herself.” Azir affirmed, “However, I am sure that she would tell us more about it, if she knew.”

“What is exactly, this Red Death?”

“A fire-drake.” Azir pondered bluntly.

“A fir-what?”

“A fire dragon, or a serpentine.” Azir grunted impatiently.

“Ah, right…” Derek nodded, visually picturing the beast.

“And no, even what you’re thinking is nothing close.” the Jinn looked at the Samoan, “He’s ancient, powerful and vile, caring for nothing but himself.”

“Then why is he doing all of this, destroying the city for no reason?”

“Because as monstrous as he may be, he’s bound to the Necromancer, enslaved to do his bidding. He wears a collar, more like a shackle around his neck that Drakuul had infused with the darkest magic in this world that can bind the dragon to his will. However…I think he is only biding his time for the right moment to kill the man himself.” Azir shifted his stance, “No beast or dragon, should have freedom or their life taken from them and now that he’s been released from the void that my kin and I imprisoned him in, he will fight with such a rage that not even Axeon can go up against by himself, for they were younger dragons then, both from different worlds and in the care of two different Immortals.” he looked at Derek who stood listening attentively, “If they were to fight now, Axeon would stand no chance, for the Red Death has grown more powerful and in size. I sensed it tonight, as did Axeon who isn’t the young dragon he once was and I fear that this war…” he sighed heavily with despair, “will destroy him. After tonight, he won’t be carrying the extra weight of riders, he needs to gather all of his strength for what’s to come.”

Derek ran his hands through his hair, nodding in acceptance, then he asked softly, looking around.

“One thing.” he raised an inquisitive finger.

“What!?” Azir complained.

“If you say this fire-drake is bound to the Necromancer, what about Yzavela’s dragon? Isn’t she controlling him, keeping him from being a free dragon?”

“No, that Zyphyn is entirely different.” Azir spoke knowledgeably.

“How so?” Derek wondered curiously.

“Because he was gifted upon her, and bonded with her in ways that Axeon did not with Marxus or myself. It might seem unnatural for a simple mind as yours to understand, but this is much more intricate than any of us, even myself, can ever understand.” Azir finished, “Now, I think enough has been said and done, it’s late.” he turned away, “Go to bed, we’ll meet in the morning then discuss everything seen here tonight.” he finished over his shoulder then disappeared.

“The Red Death.” Derek mumbled shuffling away from the cliff side, “Right.” he shook his head, “Another dragon, just great.” he reached for the bag, beginning to skim through the images as he took a stroll through Ravenswood, returning to the wall.

Stirring restlessly in the cavern, Axeon paced nervously with thoughts racing through his mind of what slithered in the air above the city; he knew another war was to come, but this time, he would be prepared, and wouldn’t make the same mistake that he made 100 years ago. He is older and stronger now, but so is the Red Death, and even though he wasn’t a dragon bred for war, he would fight and defend the Isle. Managing to find a comfortable place, he laid his head down, falling asleep but not without the haunting images of his past flashing like a movie or slide show in his mind:

Talons clashed against each other like blades, and their hard bodies pounded against one another while their roars or pain, triumph and anger pierced the air while a war of their Masters, fought their own war on the ground. Exhaling fire at one another, having no effect on their sleek scales that were version of their own armor stronger than iron, it wouldn’t withstand damage from another dragon’s talons and teeth. In ancient dragon’s language, the Blue One and Red Death had spoken.

“Why do you fight, Blue One?” the Red Death slithered horizontally in the air, squinting his yellow eyes, “We are of the same kin, we do no obey these Immortals. They do not rule over us, they are nothing, so why do we not just attack them now while they are consumed with their own hatred? We could be Kings of this world, just you and I, with no one to command, or bind us to their will.”

No, I will not join you!” Axeon roared, “I fight because it is right…” he flapped heavily in place, “and you are not of my kin, for we are from two different worlds.” he blinked, “I do not follow a Master’s command.”

“Do you not?” the Red Death mocked with a deep laugh, “Are you not fighting on behalf of the Immortal because he commanded you to do so?”

“It is not what you think, I have offered my assistance freely!” Axeon roared in protest, “But I would not expect you to understand, you are not free.”

“No, I am not…” the Red Death roared fiercely, “and it is because of the Immortal and his pathetic magic that has bound me to his will, but if I had a choice, I would have devoured him the moment that he disturbed me from my slumber away from this mortal world.”

“And for that, Red Death…I am sorry, but I will not allow you to destroy this place, for I have sworn to protect them, because it once was the dragon’s code to fight alongside mortals. It is our duty!”

“Duty?!” the Red Death roared once more, “It is not my duty to live among, or fight alongside the mortals. They are nothing but insects on the ground that consume anything and everything around them!” he snapped his jaws at the air, then twitched his talons of his massive clenching feet that ran along the length of his body, “You are loyal, I am not, and I will not show them the honor they demand, for they had never shown me such!”

“Says the beast that is shackled by an Immortal!” Axeon argued, “If I am not mistaken, you are following his commands, are you not?!”

“I have no choice but to obey!” Red Death sneered.

“There is always a choice, but you choose not to another path!”

“Do not speak of things that you do not understand!” Red Death let out a deep roar, then lunged forward toward the opposing dragon. As he collided with the Blue One, he wrapped his long serpentine body around the dragon’s neck and tail before stretching his jaw wide, sinking his teeth deeply into the dragon’s shoulder just above his left wing, then twirling around, his talons sliced through the dragon’s blue scales before throwing him through the air.

Axeon woke from his slumber, looking around the cavern. Hearing a series of loud booms as thunder clashed in the sky, he shook his head, listening as it sounded as if dragons were at war. Standing slowly, he twitched his wings then scanned the cavern restlessly. Approaching the exit, rain poured in torrents trickling inside, polling in large deep crevices. Pushing himself off the ledge, flying high into the air as he spiraled upward, releasing loud roars of anger and rage, camouflaged within the thunder. Lightning flashed, as if Thor struck his hammer, revealing Axeon’s form among the dark clouds.

Guardians on the wall, particularly the Wraiths, listened as the roars from the thunder, held something else among the loud booms. As they stood beneath the canopy-tents, peeking through the plastic windows and panel above their heads, they watched as the islands’ dragon flew among the lightning.

“Hey, look…up there!” Nick wondered, pointing upward, seeing the dragon’s form.

“I wonder what’s wrong with him?” Caleb muttered.

“Maybe he’s singing?” Wyatt wondered, looking at his comrades.

Nick and Caleb laughed, but continued watching the dragon.

Returning to their room, Azir was quiet, making sure that he didn’t disturb Natash who lay sleeping. Slowly removing his clothes, taking a shower, he then felt hands wrapping around his waist. Glancing just slightly over his shoulder, there his wife and Queen stood, looking up at him. Turning to her, he reached out, holding her closely, feeling their naked bodies pressing against each other but passion was the last thing on his mind. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head upon her shoulder, feeling her hands caressing up his back.

“Azir, my love…” Natash spoke softly, pulling away to look at him, “what happened?” she looked into his golden eyes with her own, then she flinched, hearing the thunderous booms of nature and dragon, “What in the Heavens is that?”

“That, my beauty…is Axeon.” Azir answered, turning off the water. Opening the shower, reaching for a towel, quickly tying it around his waist. Handing her one, he watched as she stepped out, quickly wrapping it around her body. He didn’t look at her because he wasn’t interested in her beauty, but the worries of Axeon and what fate had in store for the island consumed his every thought.

“Azir, my love…talk to me.” Natash reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly before she stepped closer, placing her hands on his bare, wet chest, “You have never kept things from me, do not start now.” she ran her right hand along his cheek, then around his chin, stroking his goatee.

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” he grinned at her affectionately, reaching for her hands, kissing them quickly. Leading her back to their bed, they lay there, propped against the headboard. Holding her close, the Jinn King relayed the events of the night, then listened as Natash let out gasps of shock, hearing about the Red Death’s presence, “I can’t help but wonder how it was possible he could have escaped, much less Drakuul being capable of releasing him from that prison that we trapped him in.” he glanced at her, “This is beyond anything that we can understand, there’s more magic at work here and that is what my biggest worries are.” he frowned.

Natash worried, leaning in closer, laying her head upon his shoulder. Telling him that there was nothing he could about in that moment, she suggested to let it go for the remainder of the night for it could be their last moment tomorrow. Holding him closely, she closed her eyes, listening to his steady breathing.

Azir ran his left hand down her back, then closing his eyes, they both fell into a deep slumber, paying no further attention to the thunder and Axeon’s powerful roars.

Laying in Anthony’s arms, I moaned in complaint, hearing my phone beeping loudly. Turning over, reaching for the gadget on the table by the bed behind me, I squinted my eyes, reading a brief message from Derek, stating that he gathered pictures and videos of the legions that we faces from the mainland. Glancing at Anthony, taking in the sight of him, I frowned, then replied to the message, sending it to others in the process that we were to meet in the manor’s main lounge. Once it was sent, I laid the phone back on the table, then laying on my back, I stared at the ceiling for the longest time before drifting back asleep.