War of Dark Ages: A Unicorn's Journey

“San!” Commander Kail wasn’t sure if this person was friend or foe, but had heard stories of someone like him.

The man before them stands six feet seven inches tall with short midnight black hair flowing with the wind. His eyes look darker than any night shadows and portray a strength stronger than stars above. As the sun glistens over his light beige skin, his wings stretch up twenty feet, staring at the creature burning on the wall behind Ragnar and Riley. He turns his head towards the woman lying before him on the ground and frowns.

“You’re Skye, correct? The Dragon of the Isles of Dreki. What are you doing here?” Commander Kail demands and remembers stories of this man who could wipe out an entire city with his magic.

“Dammit to hell, that person had to show up right now?” With his daggers drawn, Riley prepares to launch himself.

Ragnar is in a magic casting stance with his hands out beside him and his knees bent a little. His body emits a teal color with sweat streaming down his neck.

“Natasha, go back inside!” Torin orders.

“I won’t leave her behind!” Natasha clenches her fists in front of her.

“She must be the darkness our elder felt earlier! Kill her Skye!” a male voice orders to the left as two more people materialize. Both are covered in robes with dragon horns on their heads and scales on their faces. It was strange that Skye looks more human than dragon like these two did except for his wings.

Skye narrows his eyes looking at the creature they call San.

“You can’t kill her; San isn’t the darkness you’re looking for!” Commander Kail yells and thinks of a way to push him back.

His wings spread out, lowering Skye to the ground. Flexing them high above, they disappear into feathers floating around them and starts to move forward towards her.

With his sword tilted to the side, Commander Kail lunges straight at him.

At the same time Riley jumps high above with his arms crossed in front of him.

In the blink of an eye, Skye sends the commander to the wall behind him, smashing him hard against it. Riley flips backward, landing beside Ragnar unconscious.

Ragnar hesitates again, swearing under his breath unsure of what to do.

“Please don’t kill her! San isn’t what you are looking for!” Losing the grip on his sword, Commander Kail clutches at his wrist.

Skye walks around her and kneels lifting her to a sitting position with her head tilting backwards against his arm. Looking down at the wound in her stomach Skye raises his hand.

The two Dragonar’s smile, “Yes, now the darkness will be destroyed!”

“Brooks, get me my Hammer fast boy!” Gringel stretches his hands to his side, reading himself to attack.

“Not enough time father!” With a grimace, Gringel swears and clenches his fists beside him to watch Skye.

“Please no!” Natasha turns around and buries her face on her father’s shoulder. He places his arm across Natasha’s back and closes his eyes looking away.

Skye, listening to all of them, realizes that a few greatly care for this creature called San. His hands start to glow a golden hue spreading throughout his body as his magic encircles San’s body. The blood on the ground slowly starts to fade away as the wound on her stomach slowly decreases in size.

Commander Kail watches in shock as Skye isn’t killing San but healing her instead. He sinks to his knees grabbing his wrist with a look of relief.

The golden embers around them both started to fade away leaving no scar on her stomach. Skye starts to pick San up in his arms.

Simultaneously, one of the Dragonar’s points his finger towards him. “What are you doing! She must be the evil being our Elder saw earlier! She is the only person to awaken!”

“She is not evil. I will not kill her by my hand.” He gazes down at her realizing she is incredibly light.

“You will betray us again! Dammit all, I knew this was a bad idea! The Elder will hear of this!” A symbol appears before them as they start casting an incantation.

“Alright, then please by all means feel free to come at me.” Skye dares them with intense intimidation as his stance becomes very still.

Both Dragonars glare at him as they stop the incantation. In the next moment, they disappear leaving no trace of them behind.

“She isn’t dead?” Fearfully, Natasha raises her head from his shoulder glancing at San.

“No, San isn’t. Go inside.” Torin commands. She moves from her father walking inside as the crowd starts to dissipate as the commotion ends.

Tapping his foot, Gringel places a hand on his hip, “Your kind isn’t known for being nice, so why did you save her?”

Still looking down at her, “She carries a lot of darkness around her, far too much for anyone to bear. And yet at the same time, she is pure inside. How is that possible?”

“You can see that purity about her then? Can’t quite explain it.” Gringel waves his hand before him, “Bah, never mind. Since this is over, I’ll head back to the forge, Come on Son.” They leave to walk back to the forge.

“I think it is because of who San was before, you have my thanks.” Commander Kail walks over to them.

Riley shakes his head and starts to rise up regaining some of his thoughts.

Ragnar kneels beside him and speaks softly letting him know she is alright.

Riley stands up and looks at Skye holding her in his arms with the commander beside them. He sighs and starts to walk forward to them with Ragnar by his side.

“Will you be staying or heading back as it seems they will be making more trouble for you?” With a glance down at her, Commander Kail purses his lips.

“I will stay and protect her. I still have to find this darkness that is around this area. However, the area in the town itself is covered with it that I can’t seem to understand.”

“I think we can help with that part or at least one of the causes for it,” Riley places both hands on his hips.

“Why don’t you bring San inside so she can rest, and I can get us something to eat as it has been an eventful day,” Torin walks inside the tavern looking towards the right, seeing the large hole in the wall.

They follow inside, and Skye’s hand starts to glow a golden hue as the wall repairs itself by putting in all the broken pieces together. As it was complete, a spot is near the window where she can rest. He walks over, placing her on the bench with a padded cushion underneath.

“Thanks, I had a feeling that was going to take a lot to fix. I’ll admit to being a bit envious that you can do that.” Torin grabs a few plates of ready made food and carries them to the table.

“Don’t ask me to do that very often,” Skye replies dryly and walks over to the table sitting down in a chair. Placing his hands together with his elbows on the table listens to hear running footsteps approach.

At the entrance to the tavern, Latoyia appears with Raden right behind her. “Where are the bastards! I’ll slaughter them!” She looks left and right around the room.

“Calm down Latoyia! Let’s figure out what happened first.” Raden replies in exasperation and reaches out to grab her shoulder. She turns around glaring at him.

“Calm down both of you, San is alright. Come here and I’ll explain what happened.” With a wave of his hand, Commander Kail beckons them over.

Riley shakes his head and smiles.

Meanwhile, Ragnar is sitting with an expressionless face.

They approach them at the table and listen to their tale.

Raden crosses his arms. “There was a creature like that here?”

“I didn’t even realize it, it seems he had a device on him that allowed him to look like something else.” Torin places fresh water on the table.

“Does she need anything?” Latoyia glances at San with a slight pout to her lips.

“She might need some new clothing. I can cover any expenses that arise because of it. How much will it cost?” With a look towards Raden, Commander Kail materializes a card.

“Don’t worry about it, besides I think I have more material that will meet her needs. It might look slightly different but I have something.” Raden glances at Latoyia, “Come with me. We will have it by tomorrow.” They leave the tavern.

“Seems there are a few people that greatly care for her,” Skye glances at the group with his eyes lowered.

“In their own way, she also has made quite a few enemies and inspired quite a few others as well.” Commander Kail’s arm slightly rests on the table tapping his fingers.

A frown descends upon Ragnar as he gives a sigh leaning back in his chair. “This has bothered me, why didn’t her wound heal?”

“You didn’t see it then or was not aware of what the item did to her?” Skye questions them with a hint of disdain.

All three of them gaze at him with the utmost surprise.

“What item?” Commander Kail leans forward with a slight scowl.

“He had a long spike that he thrust through her. Upon connecting to her skin, it paralyzed all her magic so she couldn’t move for a moment. This even stopped all regeneration from her.”

Ragnar rises from the chair, “Then there should be a device still out there I’ll go-”.

“You won’t find it; it disintegrated the moment I reached her side. Whatever that device is, once it is used, it can’t sustain its form when it’s removed,” he replies with more disdain in his voice.

Ragnar falls to the chair clenching his hands on the table.

A silence descends in the room, Riley taps his fingers on the table. “From the sound of it you really can’t stand these items or creatures,” His voice is dry watching him with his eyes lowered.

His posture remains silent, casting a side glance to the commander while lowering his hands. “I have dealt with them on and off. One of them was really powerful. But as many as I have killed, more seem to keep coming back. And the items can also work against you as well which puts them on a different level than normal beings.”

Ragnar takes a bite of food with his hand twitching every slightly.

Meanwhile, Torin places a bottle of Shire on the table with four empty glasses. “Something tells me you might need this, and eat your food. Don’t let it get cold.” He walks away to the counter.

They begin to eat the meal, occasionally sipping the Shire Wine. Skye continues to watch Torin in the back.

“Is something wrong, Skye?” Riley takes a sip of the wine, lowering his spoon.

“This is very expensive stuff. You do realize that?”

“I think it’s alright this time.” Torin winks at the group. “Besides, it calmed everyone down didn’t it?”

At the same time, Ragnar pauses with a spoonful of food in his mouth casting a dirty glare at him. Riley and Skye pause with their drink at their lips and Commander Kail drops his hand on the table pursing his lips.

Torin laughs. “Alright, I’ll go back to my workshop.”

“Seems you have quite the comedian over there.” Skye takes a sip and places the drink down.

“It can come in handy when dealing with difficult situations.” With a glance down at his empty plate, Commander Kail sighs.

They continue to eat their food, and talk about the events surrounding this area.

Suddenly, in a dark hallway, a giant shudder echoes through the chamber as a large man standing six feet four inches tall slams his large fist against it again. “Imbeciles!” He looks up, his eyes blazing bright red as the green markings on his face crinkle together with his rage spilling forward. His long red hair stands on the edge behind him spreading his aura even further. Not even glazing to the left, speaking in a resolute tone, softer than a feather, “Bring the generals to the Middle Room and don’t keep me waiting!”

“Yes Sir!” After his initial shock, departs down the hall.

“How dare they do this!” General Sphital pushes himself away from the wall, unclenching his fist, not caring for the trail of blood falling from his fingertips. Passing a few windows, a glint on his golden armor with an array of skulls hanging on both sides of his hips gleam as their shadow spreads behind him. Stopping before the room, he glances at the person standing before the stairs. “Bring that fool to me at once.”

“I’m right behind you, Sphital.” Not casting a glance at him, they walk into the large room. The floor glows light blue with a spray of white and red stars across it. Surrounding the room are eight large pillars stretching up to a dome above with clear windows inbetween. In the dome ceiling, are pictures of the damned spilling blood from their targets using their hands. From the pillars down to the floor is a stream of fresh blood flowing downward spilling into a small stream creating different sections on the floor. Once they reach the center, it lowers creating a small round platform in the middle enough room for a person to stand.

As a scowl grows greater on his posture, he walks to the southside with his companion behind him. Crossing his hands in front and tapping his fingers, General Sphital waits impatiently for others to arrive.

To the left a woman approaches standing five feet eight inches tall with her long red hair styled up. Her long wavy blue dress with feathers on the side, sways back and forth giving a bow to him and turning to stand in the northwest area.

Three generals walk inside from the left. The one in front wearing a butler uniform with a formal cap over his brown hair, bows to General Sphital. “My apologies for being late.”

“Do not make a habit of it.”

Rising, they walk over to the north east.

Agitated, the one standing to the right of the butler, places his arms across his broad chest as his pirate hat hangs a bit lower covering his face.

On the other side, the general standing six feet nine inches tall with nothing but dark cloth over the body and bandages covering the face, raises a hand to their lips.

The butler glares at both of them.

A few more minutes pass, and light footsteps can be heard. The first female striding stands five feet one inch tall in a leather outfit with a whip resting on her hip. Her short green hair stands to the side with her brown eyes set in a hard line. Behind her, at five feet eight inches tall is another woman in an exotic attire as the dress falls from her lower shoulders down parting at her thighs revealing her long legs with high heels lightly pressing on the floor. Her long curly blue hair falls forward as they both bow to General Sphital and move to stand on the northside platform.

More minutes pass, and the General’s aura increases in the room casting a bloody shadow over the room.

To the right a door opens with three generals approaching. The first standing seven feet four inches tall with no hair, black frames covering his eyes covered in a thin black material bows to General Sphital. “Dearest Apologies for being late, General. We were out on patrol.”

While they are bowing, General Sphital glances at the other two, “Where is Raymen? Why isn’t he with you?”

The smaller general wearing a scholar outfit standing at four feet glances up, “I don’t know. We separated shortly a while ago. He should be here soon.”

He swears.

The group departs for the southeast corner. As the other general standing six feet two inches tall with nothing but chains around him, lightly scowls at the scholar. His black blood veins on his legs prod outward, betraying his annoyance.

At that moment, General Raymen can be seen down the hallway walking slowly towards them. Having a physique much similar to General Sphital, his long black hair stands still as he enters the room.

“Stand on the platform, Now!” General Sphital hisses, his aura causing the room to slightly tremble, shaking the foundation.

With a hard swallow, General Raymen steps on the platform with his eye cast downward.

“Did you or did you not send a person to the Town of Runbay without my approval?” He slowly steps forward, his feet sounding like heavy stones hitting the floor with every step.

“Yes I did, Sir.”

“Why?” General Sphital pauses before him with his scowl intensifying.

“Ever since the Carbuncle appeared, we have not been able to watch her or her actions. I thought it might be best to send a recon over to gather information. They were supposed to leave before she returned.”

“You IMBECILE!” His roar echoes throughout the room causing the blood stream to flow upwards spraying around them. “By doing this, you have caused great harm! You don’t even realize what you have done!”

General Raymen trembles clenching his fists.

“Did you know about this, Lockshmere, Tears, and Eursea?”

After a small silence, General Lockshmere moves forward bowing. “Yes we did. We argued about it but Raymen thought it would be best to gather intel.”

“And didn’t notify me it seems. Do I need to let our Doctor over here have fun with you?”

Silence continues forward as the fear spreads through all of them.

“Step forward for all who knew and decided not to tell me.” General Sphital materializes a long dark bastard sword emitting a nasty blue aura.

General Parsnie from the northwest steps forward in a deep bow.

General Lockshmere, Tears, and Eursea from the southeast corner steps forward in a deep bow.

With no one else moving, his sword gleams while he raises it up. Black wind magic spreads attacking them all at once.

General Raymen is sliced in half falling into the stream below floating around in circles.

In a split second, the dark wind attack forces General Parsnie’s body to bend backwards, slicing her eyes off falling to the floor. Next, it slices her chin off as part of it slightly dangles before dropping. At the same time, while the arms tear from the shoulders, wrist bones further down rip from her hand up along the elbow thrown against the window behind her. As her hand falls down, fingers fall off in different directions while her ears disintegrate, splitting her face into two parts. Just past her neck, it separates descending to the floor with her body standing upwards for a few remaining seconds. Lastly, her stomach opens with her intestine spilling forward, and collapses to the ground smearing a dark red sheet of blood across the floor.

General Lockshmere, Tears, and Eursea in the northern quadrant has their corpses spread out in a similar fashion.

No one speaks a word as General Sphital causes his blade to disappear. “Now, do this again and I shall make your sentence permanent.” He turns around taking a few steps forward and stops. Without looking back, “Oh yes, and be ready for tonight.” Him and his companion leave the room with his rageful aura following in his steps.

Silence grows as everyone continues to stand there.

General Moshi grabs her whip, “Well you really made him angry this time. Dammit, I was going to get a blood bath too for this skin.” She walks left, stepping on General Parsnie’s hand laying in the path. General Fayden, stepping around the bloody pile, walks behind Moshi as the two of them leave.

“What a mess.” General Skii sighs and takes off his cap to salute the fallen.

“You didn’t tell him that we knew but only just recently,” General Upbuh tips his captain’s hat up, glancing at him.

“Would you want to be experimented on by the mad scientist?” General Skii puts his cap back on glaring at him.

General Upbuh shakes his head.

“Let’s go. I personally don’t feel like helping them.” As the three of them walk out of the room towards the east, the five remain where they are in this eerie room.

Outside, the sun starts to set emitting an orange glow while Skye sits back in his chair with his hand on his chin. “This is a lot to think about.”

“Indeed.” Commander Kail regards Torin. “Torin, I actually need to speak with you on a few certain matters. Could we take a walk to the Barracks?”

“Of course.”

They depart the tavern.

“I have rounds that need to be accomplished.” Rangar stands up and bows. “I’ll meet you later.” He departs with his attire incredibly stiff.

“I hope he will be alright.” Riley sighs, placing his drink down on the table.

“About these trees, you think they are the source of this darkness?” Skye takes a sip of water.

“Well.” He turns the glass on the table tapping a finger on the rim. “I think they are a part of it. San hasn’t mentioned why she wants them destroyed but I think there is something past the wall that holds a great darkness inside. One she is determined to keep that way.”

“I wonder if I should check it out.”

Riley scowls at him. “That would not be a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Because at the moment with the dust accumulating at the wall, no one it seems can get near it without being . . . harmed.” ​

“You paused; did something happen?” His hand taps the glass and Skye glances at him with brooding eyes.

“One of the soldiers got a bit curious, and touched the dust that can’t be moved by wind. As he did his arm started to turn to stone. Luckily, one of my men was there and was able to stop it, even reverse it.” Riley reaches for his water, taking a small sip glancing at him.

“So much knowledge is unknown and the only known factor is San seems to be connected to this darkness that started descending the land.”

Riley raises his eyebrows with his voice displaying boredom, “Actually the Guardian Carbuncle mentioned this started at least 20,000 years ago. They haven’t been able to determine where it came from. Until recently.”

“A Darkness from the past. How can someone stay alive for that long? Sorry, it seems I have more questions than answers. So much of this doesn’t make much sense even though I have fought them from time to time.” Skye sighs, casting a look towards San.

A slight movement from the bench causes both of them to look at her. She raises herself slowly to a sitting position, with her hand to her head. Blinking a few times, her vision becomes clearer gazing down at her stomach healed. Her eyes cast confusion and glares at them sitting on the table. “What is happening?”

​Riley places his water on the table. “A lot actually. Let’s see if I can bring you up to speed.” He speaks of the events that occurred afterwards.

After Riley finishes, San sits quietly for a few minutes before looking directly at Skye. “Why did you save me? Surely you are aware I’m a creature of the damned?”

Raising both eyebrows at her, “I was sure you wouldn’t have called yourself that. I did so because I’m curious about you.”

“Curiosity can get you into a lot of trouble.” Her voice grows a bit hard.

A mischievous smile descends. “True, but something tells me I have nothing to fear from you.” At the sight of her looking away, Skye lightly laughs. “But I am curious as to the chain around you, for I haven’t seen it on anyone else.”

“Chain?” Riley taps his fingers on the table.

San snaps her head at him, with a look of pure disbelief in her eyes. “There can’t be a chain on me.”

“There is, but it’s an odd one. It’s dark and surrounds you completely and yet for some reason, it doesn’t look like it is hurting you.” His gaze turns to Riley, “Perhaps this might be responsible for the memory loss?” ​

“Perhaps.” She turns on the bench with her legs falling to the floor revealing the hole in the clothes. “Latoya and Raden are going to be mad at me, aren’t they?”

​​“Don’t worry about it, they are already working on another set for you.” Riley walks over, bending down tying a small sash around her waist covering it up. “There, that should hold for a little bit.” ​​

Silence continues for a few minutes, “Oh that reminds me. Your Skye, correct?” ​​

He pauses holding the glass of water to his lips, “Last time I checked.”

​​Her lips press together for a few seconds, “How…. were you able to heal my wounds?”

​​“Thought that would have been obvious since I am a dragon.” ​​

At that moment, her head tilts, remembering only one dragon creature with enough power to heal wounds like this. She gazes down with her hands clenched.

“San, is everything alright? You seem troubled.” Riley sits beside her.

“It can’t, that place doesn’t exist anymore.”

Skye turns the chair towards her. “What do you mean by that?” His voice sounds rough.

Riley scowls at him shaking his head.

“What type of dragon are you?” Her gaze pierces Skye with a hint of sorrow residing in them. ​

“I don’t know.”

​​Both of them look at him perplexed by his response. ​​

Skye shrugs his shoulders. “Only thing I know is I was born from an egg over 3,000 years ago. The Dragonar’s have been there for a while on the Isles of Dreki.”

“The…Isles of Dreki…. Still exist? That’s not possible!” Her movement becomes incredibly still as her eyes darken, “You’re lying!”

“Why would I lie? I have nothing to gain!” Skye stands up glaring at her.

San stands up standing before him with hatred and sorrow mixed in her expression and posture clenching both hands at her sides. “It can’t exist! You can’t be right!”

“SETTLE DOWN RIGHT NOW BOTH OF YOU!” Riley steps in between them forcing them to separate.

San sits back down on the bench with her lower lip trembling.

Skye turns away, thrusting his hand through his hair.

“San.” Not getting her attention kneels before her. “San?”

Her eyes raise to his with hurt and betrayal showing.

“Why can’t they exist? Did something happen?”

Not answering lowers her eyes, clenching her fists tighter. Taking a deep breath. “Can you tell me more about these Dragonars?”

​Riley casts a glance towards Skye.

He looks away crossing his arms.

Riley looks back at her. “All Dragonar’s have horns on their forehead with rough scales down their faces, arms, and legs. They can also change into a dragon. Most are roughly about twenty to thirty feet long by thirty-five feet tall with large tails. They cast spells with symbols the same way we do.”

“I see.” She smooths out her hands gazing at Skye with sorrow. “I know what Dragon you are, but it shouldn’t exist.”

“What do you mean? Surely a dragon is a dragon?” Riley sits back on his heels glancing at Skye.

“The Dragonar’s are not dragons. Dragons have the ability to sense more of their own kin.”

“Oh! You mean like the creatures before!” Riley exclaims.

“Yes, since all magical creatures are connected by their species. But from what you have stated, you are different from the other Dragonars and are far more powerful than they are.” She looks down at her hands on her lap. “I can scan your magic to find out.”

With an irritated glance from Skye, “Will this hurt?” ​

“No.”

“Alright, Let’s get this over with.” Sarcasm drips in his voice like a hit iron as he walks over to her with Riley standing up and moving to the side.

San reaches up gently touching his cheek causing him to stiffen. Closing her eyes, uses her sensing ability to find the magic lying deep inside him. Her other hand touches his neck and they move downward resting on his chest.

With a glance at a few youngsters sitting at another table giggling, Riley shakes his head and continues watching them.

San trembles for a few seconds, removing her hands and collapses on the bench looking down at her feet.

Skye opens his eyes, staring at her with confusion. He glances at Riley for a brief second.

Riley shrugs.

He stares back at her confused, “What did you learn?”

She shakes her head drawing in a deep breath, “Give me a moment.” Her hand grows still, calming herself down.“I know what species you are, but I still can’t figure out how you would be alive after all this time.”

Peering at her, Riley places a hand on his hip, “Are you saying he is from your time?” ​

“Yes. You’re the last dragon of your kin. I thought they all died out a long time ago which is why I called you a liar. I’m sorry.”

A deep sigh erupts from Skye’s chest. “I’m sorry too. Is there a way for me to find out for myself?”

“Yes there is, but we would need a large place in case you change into your dragon form.”

Riley steps forward, throwing his hands up beside him. “Let’s ask this question instead.” Both of them gaze at him. “How large of a Dragon are we talking here since you said the Dragonar’s are not dragons.”

“Um, well. . . ,” San replies in a small voice and grimaces looking extremely uncomfortable. “Larger than this town?”

​“Larger than this town?!” Skye and Ryler stare at her dumbfounded.

She grows even more uncomfortable and starts tapping her pointy fingers together, “At least that is what they looked like back then.”

A thoughtful expression crosses his face with Riley raising his hand to his chin. “I think I might know of a place. The one where we saw those creatures and freed them.”

“Shall we go so you can see for yourself what type of Dragon you are?” Her gaze rises to meet Skye’s stare.

“Why aren’t you telling me what type of dragon it is?” ​

“Well, you might not believe me,” San casts a glance at both of them.

Riley smiles and lowers his hand. “I believe you, just I’m having a hard time seeing it is my problem.”

​After a few moments pause, San stands up. “Shall we go then?”

​“I can carry her over the wall as long as you can follow behind.” Skye scornfully dares Riley. ​

“I can keep up.” Riley replies with a smirk on his face. ​

They walk out of the tavern and Skye picks San up in his arms, one supporting her back while the other under her legs. He spreads out his wings, “Do try to keep up,” And takes off over the building and wall reaching the road ahead. ​

To his left, Riley is keeping pace with him as they race over quite a few hills. After giving a daring side glance, Riley remarks dryly, “You’re going to slow!” Moving at a much faster pace.

A smile crosses Skye’s face as they both speed forward racing across the meadows. Quite a bit further ahead, a large lake can be seen with two appealing creatures in the sky running across the sky landing at the other side. The winged pegasus lowers their heads to drink as their wings fold inwards resting on their side. One of them raises their head, nicking the other on the neck. While the other glares at her shaking her mane making a noise. Shortly afterwards they spread their wings and fly upwards to the sky revealing their magic underneath as they soar towards the east disappearing from their sight.

​Starting to breathe again, Skye sets her down mystified by what he just witnessed. “What was that we saw?” ​

San walks forward kneeling before the water and reaches her hand out touching it. Ripples move forward across the lake. “They are called Winged Pegasus.”

“I’ve never seen anything like that before, they were. . . “, words start to fail him and looks back at the lake.

​“Majestic?” Riley smiles and places his hands on his hips.

​“Yes. Majestic.” Peering at San with lowered eyelids, Skye places both hands on his hips. “Well, what do I do now?”

“Look deep within yourself. It will feel as if you are falling for a very long time, but it’s there deep inside you. Once you find it, you will know.” Her eyes raise with a grim expression. “This is something you will have to do.”

Skye looks around and spots a larger meadow in this distance. “Well, here goes nothing.”

“Good Luck,” Riley offers.

With a last glance at them, he flies over landing in the meadow near the lake. Putting his wings away, closes his eyes as darkness surrounds him. He opens his eyes to see a realm of pure darkness encasing him and starts to fall down reaching his upwards pauses in his descent. Remembering her words, allows himself to continue falling in this every lasting area. After a brief moment of eternity, he spots a strange light up ahead that feels familiar to him.

Going towards it, an array of embers emitting a white, blue, and red surrounding an incredibly large golden crystal stands before him. He reaches out to touch it and a bright light surrounds him blinding him for a few seconds.

As the light fades, two incredibly huge dragons rest up high in the sky. They are Ancient Dragons. The female is giving birth to her eggs moving them up against the wall with the male dragon nuzzling her offering comfort.

Skye realizes this emotion inside him. He is gazing at his parents giving birth to him and his brethren. Feeling the magical communication that binds them, in this moment he can feel all their emotions. Their love, protection, and an impossibly great fear. He turns around spotting the danger with his Father moving ahead ready to take flight to attack. His mother is laying herself on the eggs with a petrified stare.

In front a tall creature with long blond hair appears and for some reason, Skye is feeling hopeless and frightened. The Blond creature raises his hand and casts a spell shooting upwards that causes the Isles of Dreki to disappear. He turns towards his mother reaching out his hand calling out her name. And a bright light surrounds him and engulfs him leaving him standing again at the large crystal inside.

Closing his eyes as the last thing he remembers is the pain of all his kin dying as they were demolished to ash within an instant. And knowing full well that he is the last of the Ancient Dragons.

Meanwhile, Riley and San watch in the distance.

Skye glows a golden hue with his wings stretching incredibly high above. They cast a blue, red, and white silhouette slightly behind him.

An incredibly large claw steps over the lake with Riley and San standing in between his claws. They move upward as an enormous shadow grows displaying his body while his wings grow spreading across both fields and the forests to the north.

Riley collapses the ground staring at his long neck with his scales spreading out in a shimmering midnight glow. His red ember markings stretch underneath him to his face and wings. His large tail pounds the ground causing the earth to tremble for a moment. Throwing back his large head into the sky, he roars a loud thunder descending across the land spreading all throughout Feldorea.

“What the-”

San moves back gazing up at him with bleak eyes as if she knows something.

Riley stands up and walks beside her. “He is crying. Why?”

San glances at him and shakes her head. “He is the last of the Ancient Dragon that was annihilated in the beginning by The First.”

They both watch him cry for the next few minutes.

His screaming stops and lowers his head to the ground near them with his nostrils a few feet above the ground. As his wings tuck inside, the tail curls brushing across the meadow.

San walks towards him, placing her hand on his jaw unafraid. “You saw didn’t you?”

He closes his eyes, not responding as tears fall down to the ground.

Walking up towards him, Riley places his hand slightly below his nostril. “Are you alright?”

Replying with a deep voice that rumbles through the ground, “Are you not afraid of me?”

“No, I am not. Seems you learned the truth about yourself. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m not alone anymore. I feel the other dragons but I can’t feel my own kin.”

Riley is about to say something when he notices a few people running towards them. “Oh Hellfire.” He runs towards the group of people spreading out his hands, “It’s ok. It’s ok. Don’t hurt him!”

Both San and Skye look in this distance as Commander Kail with a few guards stop along with Madam Cartwing, a few of her students with Torin right behind. They stop as Riley explains it to them.

“I don’t feel like talking at the moment.” Skye starts to turn his head away with his claws curling underneath him.

San reaches out to touch his face and gently lowering it to the ground sitting underneath him. Gently stroking the side of his face, “I’m sure Riley knows. It will be alright. I’ll stay the night with you.”

Skye closes his eyes and lets himself be comforted for the first time in his life. Unsure of what to do and yet at the same time knowing fully aware of what he truly was.

As the morning dawns Skye opens his eyes to see San still sitting in the same position looking at the lake. It seemed sometime during the night, he reverted to his human form and continued to lay on her lap. He sits up and stares at the lake.

San glances at him, “Are you alright now?”

Skye gives a nod and bends one leg resting his arm across it. “Think we should head back. I can only imagine how everyone is dealing with this, not like Riley did,” He gazes across the lake.

“I’m sure it will be ok. They are just learning like you of the old world that I thought died out when I awoke. But it didn’t. Still, it pains me to know that a lot were slaughtered and killed back then,” San continues to stare with a painful expression across her face at the lake. After a few moments, she stands up and starts walking to the south in the direction of the south gate.

Skye stands up and takes one last look at the lake. He hurries to catch up to her, occasionally glancing in her direction.

They turn right and walk towards the South Gate. Riley spots them in the distance, waiting for them. A few guards are standing behind him. As they get closer, He seems gloomy and tired.

San stops in front of Riley tilting her head, “Something has happened?”

“Well, It’s not every day you see a Real Dragon. I can understand why a lot of people are afraid, especially with all that has happened these past few days.” He sighs and places his hand on his hip shaking his head. “We are still working on calming the people down. I think it would be best if you both stayed at the tavern for now till this clears over.”

Skye sighs and crosses his arms.

“Waiting will not change the outcome, let us rest at the tavern. I still have to destroy the trees today as well.” Her eyes gaze down the lane.

“I’m hoping we calm them down by noon.” Riley turns around and walks down the path toward the tavern. They follow behind.

As they pass the beginning shops, she spots all of them are closed. Reaching the path, a loud commotion can be heard.

“I’m sure Kail will manage things here. He is good at that, but at this moment it has been a struggle since Madam Fortun got involved.” Riley sighs, his attitude despondent of the situation.

“Mmm.” San gazes at the center square hearing the commotion grow louder. “How does this Madam Fortun carry such weight around here if she was able to do nothing about Mr. Durdley?”

For a brief second, Riley stiffens. “Madam Fortun came down from the capital about nine years ago. We just all assumed she was trying to help clean the town out.”

“There they are! Bring them to the center square! They are the ones responsible for this!” a young man’s voice commands.

They look straight towards the tavern spotting three men carrying clubs on them. The middle man has dog ears, looking familiar to Durdley’s subordinates.

Crossing his arms, Riley glares causing them to stand still. “I’ve told you San isn’t involved, and I will arrest everyone in this town if you don’t settle down!”

“You’re just collaborating with the Devil again! She brought a Dragon this time! A DAMN DRAGON! And everyone saw it! You can’t hide this!” He screams and points his club at Skye. ​

Skye sighs and puts his head in his hand, shaking it back and forth. “Guards! Bring them to the center square and make sure they stay there this time,” Riley orders.

“Seems we have no choice now but to go there and see if we can solve this mess.” His voice echoes boredom as Skye glances up to the sky.

Meanwhile, the guards grab them and take them to the center square. They are yelling as they are being dragged away.

San turns and starts towards the center square with Riley and Skye following behind.

As they get closer, a loud voice echoes throughout the town center square, “You see! They are protecting her because she can give them power which is all they want! And now they have a Dragon on their side! There she is!” Madam Fortun points her finger at San.

San slowly walks past a few people as they move to the side letting her pass. A lot of Durdley’s subordinates are standing by Madam Fortun. What she can’t understand, and always bothered her, is that Madam Fortun always knew where she was at and was up to.

“Have you nothing to say for yourself Demon?” Madam Fortun condemns her. ​

San frowns and remembers something important with those words mentioned. “Do you work for the Temple of Deirie? Or should I say the non-existent Temple of Deirie?”

​The town square grows silent as Madam Fortun’s face grows red with anger, “So you are going to-”

“Enough! San, why did you ask that question?” Commander Kail steps forward glancing at her.

“The people around Madam Fortun work for Mr. Durdley. I have seen them gather payments and harass other townsfolk in the area. And yet, Mr. Rysen was the only person in this town to call me a Demon.”

Commander Kail looks at Madam Fortun with a frown who is standing in the northern corner with a few guards.

“And it would make sense since that Durdley fellow never seemed to run out of money here in this town. I always thought that was odd,” Torin remarks with his hand on his chin.

More people stare at Madam Fortun with a look of bewilderment as if they can’t believe it was her working behind the scenes.

“That would make sense as to why the original mayor hid all the documents and treasure in his house and why no one could buy it,” Granger replies with arms crossed.

San looks at them, not understanding what they are talking about.

“I’ll explain later San, but it seems you might have found just how high this went. Which is why we couldn’t find anything.” With a swift turn towards Madam Fortun, Commander Kail points his finger towards her. “You were working for the Dark Ones.”

“I’ll not hear another word of this,” Madam Fortun’s face contorts in anger.

All of a sudden, immense danger is felt. San gazes around the center square and turns around to look behind her.

Standing beside the academy building, Skye observes her. “San? What is wrong?”

This terrible feeling keeps growing, and she turns around gazing at the center square just a few seconds of the impending immediate danger. “Look-”.

Skye looks towards the center square as his face pales feeling immense pressure.

A large black cloud appears in the middle of the center square sending an immense shockwave from the center.

San has her hands raised shielding herself from the waves. A few guards fly past her.

Riley braces himself against the onslaught holding both arms in front.

Torin and Granger are sent flying backward to be caught by Skye. He unfolds his wings protecting both of them as the pressure flows past them.

Once the pressure dies down, the eerie and dark cloud starts to dissipate leaving two men standing in the center square with ten others standing behind them in an arc.

Fear immobilizes San for a brief moment, realizing who just appeared before them. Her stance changes as two dark orbs appear in her hand ready to defend herself. She continues to gaze in fear at the smaller man in the middle.

Beside her, Skye lowers his wings and stares at the new enemies in front. The pressure the smaller man gives off frightens him and continues to stare with pure dread across his face.

Torin stares in shock and fear and looks up at Skye, “Why-.” He looks in the direction of the smaller man beside the one in Golden Armor. For some reason, they were more afraid of him than of any of the others. “Don’t make a sound, Granger.” ​

Granger glances in his direction and gives a small nod. ​

Madam Cartwing and her students along with quite a few others were thrown against the wall lying on the ground. Several guards stood before them as they were pushed backward by the sheer force of their power. ​

Several others are also lying on the ground as they shake themselves from their trance and stare at the middle. Commander Kail was pushed back almost to the wall as several men including Ragnar cast shields to prevent harm.

The dark mist at their feet starts to disappear as the one wearing Golden Armor takes a step forward. The companion is longer in shadows, standing four feet five inches tall with rimmed glasses around his face, and pale skin with a clergy uniform.

“Allow me to introduce myself, I’m General Sphital.” He steps forward giving a bow to San, noticing she isn’t paying him any attention. “Why are y-”. A chain tattoo grips tightly across his neck silencing him. He falls to his knees trying to raise his hands to his neck only to cause it to bleed more.

“Guess the time for hiding has come to an end.” With the smaller companion coming forward to give a small bow, he glances up at her for a brief second before rising from it. “Introductions are not necessary.”

San doesn’t respond.

“How dare you!” General Sphital moves his hands up to the chains. “Release me Fallshmere!”

Fallshmere narrows his eyes at him.

At that moment, General Sphital’s hands stop and move to his side, his eyes becoming dark and sullen. Slowly, his body lowers to the floor unable to move.

“I do hate useless distractions.” His piercing gaze moves towards the subjects behind causing them to stiffen. “Do you think you can defy me?” His voice grows softer caressing the crowd watching with an intense chilling atmosphere.

“Do what you want to me! Don’t hurt them!” San’s gaze turns cold with hatred reverberating from her entire being.

Fallshmere throws his head back laughing. With a sinister glare towards her, “And you honestly think you know what I want?”

Several shivers of terror echo throughout her body, silently hoping he doesn’t notice. “What do you want?”

Suddenly, General Shpital on the ground places both hands beside him, raising himself. In a whispering tone, “You were the one who killed Towmsere, weren’t you?” Gasping for breath, he coughs and leans forward with blood streaming down the side of his lip.

Fallshmere raises his hand as a teacup appears in it. Blood fills the cup and he takes a small sip observing him silently. “Yes, I did.”

“Why? Only someone of a rank that riva-” Dread fills his body. His eye turns to Fallshmere kneeling beside him with a smirk on his face. “Your General Lockdanan. It’s not possible! He died!”

“Well, I guess I did.”

General Sphital collapses to the ground, refusing to defy him any further.

“Well, I won’t be needing this disguise anymore.” Fallshmere places the teacup in the air beside him. Feeling incredibly ecstatic, he smiles and grabs his hair up top. Slowly lowering his hand, the face tears off into two pieces. It continues to move down the body splitting apart the small frame with each side falling to the ground. Standing six feet seven inches tall, Fallshmere stretches shaking dead skin from his short ash burnt hair. “I feel so much better.” He reaches inside his thin white lab coat and takes out a pen.

Remember to breathe, San lowers her stance as his aura casts greater darkness over her.

“Ah, that is the look I have missed dearly. One of pure rage and hatred. Those eyes piss me off and yet excite me at the same time.” He takes the tip cup and stirs it with his pen. “What to do now. Do I keep him or shall I play with him?” He takes a sip glancing at Sphital.

“I’ll follow your orders!” General Sphital pleads.

“You a General? I will not have some insolent swine whose allegiance is to The First.” Fallshmere places the teacup on the air beside him. “Mmm, I wonder if that experiment will work?” He takes the pen and stabs himself in his arm. After a few seconds, he removes the pen and starts writing in the air before him. “Mélange of Seppuku” is written in blood and disappears. With his work complete, takes a few steps back and sits in the air sipping his cup of blood tea.

General Sphital’s eyes grow bleak and dull while he sits up as the chain disappears. His hand pierces his chest, removing several bones with tissue and tossing them on the ground. Moving down, he grabs the hip bone tearing from his flesh, and tossing it aside. Black embers arise on the tossed body parts completely causing them to disappear, leaving a trail of blood flowing outward.

A twisted grin appears on Fallshmere glancing at San. “Shall we get back to our conversation, my dear? We have a performance to watch while we can talk.”

“What do you want?”

“You know, I was always disappointed The First never let me near you. I was also jealous of the fact, he kept you to himself and never near any higher or lower rankings.” He pouts while casting a side glance at her.

“Seems he didn’t trust you.”

“True, but then could any of us ever be trusted?” Fallshmere makes his cup disappear while walking to a general standing in a butler uniform. His hand raises to touch the butler’s cheek slowly stroking down. “Always so much fun to see what you can do with your toys.”

The butler general shudders, closing his eyes.

“Oh, the plans I had in mind. All of it got interrupted when that infuriating carbuncle showed up. And then to top that off, you didn’t do what I was sure you would when you woke up.” He stops stroking the cheek glancing at her. “What did The First do to you when he put you in that infuriating time sarcophagus?”

San glances down for a brief second remembering something that always bothered her. Raising her eye to him continues to glare, trying not to betray her thoughts.

Fallshmere walks forward to the dismembered corpse lying on the ground with a few organs still moving. With a wave of his hand, the rest of the organs disappear in an instant. “I wonder what game we. . . Looks like we have company.” ​

San looks ahead of her as she feels a familiar presence. Ahead of her on the other side slightly above the floor appears the Guardian Carbuncle with his tail straight up with his ears set back. He bares his fangs while his whole body glows an amber color ready to attack. More carbuncles descend up high ready to attack glowing blue.

​Another presence is felt behind her, and a large black orb with red markings appears there. The dark liquid drops from the orb disappearing before it hits the ground revealing a most unusual creature. His black wings stretch to the far side across the lane. He extends his long claw-like hands forward while his claw-like feet touch the ground making no noise. As his wings draw behind him, his devilish face gleams with ill intent standing nine feet tall. He walks forward past San standing in front of her. “It’s been a while, Fallshmere.” A voice rings sounding deep and foreboding with a hint of sarcasm. ​

“Nastrond, the Death Guardian. I never would have thought you would step down from your domain.” Fallsmere snipes at him, a scowl growing on his face.

“I thought that would have been obvious since it became clear it was you who awakened. And SHE will not let you have your way.” Nastrond crosses his arms in front of himself standing incredibly forceful and determined. ​

Fallshmere laughs and sneers, “You think SHE can stop me?”

​“Since you have been awake for 20,000 years. You should have found her by now, correct? Since you are the most brilliant of your kind.” Nastrond replies as his sarcasm deepens with every word. “Oh, and if you don’t leave, My friends up there and I will have a showdown with you right here, right now.” Nastrond points upward as several nightmare creatures appear, looking similar to him, ready to attack.

Fallshmere glowers at them and snaps his fingers causing the generals to be shrouded in a dark grey mist as they disappear. “This isn’t over yet.” A larger darker mist covered him. And for a minute, no one could see anything.

“Nice to know you still have your touch Nastrond,” The Guardian Carbuncle replies.

Nastrond orders the nightmare creatures, “Follow them and see if you find where they are returning to.” He turns around as San collapses to the floor feeling exhausted.

​“San!” Riley rushes to her side. ​

San looks up with relief on her face at Riley. She looks at Nastrond kneeling in front of her. “I’m glad both of you showed up. But what about the rules?” ​

Nastrond places one of his giant claws on top of her head. “Rules don’t apply when it concerns someone from the past. She wouldn’t want to see that happen again. We still can’t interfere with mortal workings. However, we can intervene when he is there.”

​“I’m glad.”

​Nastrond rises as a nightmare creature appears behind them, “What have you found?” ​

“A slight portal Sir, We have not had any luck in passing it.” The nightmare bows before the Guardian.

​“Let’s go.” Nastrond walks behind San as they disappear into darkness.

The Guardian Carbuncle raises its head and howls up high. White magical particles descend from above landing on every injured person removing any injury.

Commander Kail looks at him. “Thank you.”

With a nod of his head, the Carbuncles fade in the distance.

Commander Kail orders his guards to arrest Durdley’s men along with Madam Fortun. He continues to issue commands to help everyone get to a shelter and have the guards watch them.

Riley walks with San back to the tavern.

Torin stands up and places his arm around Skye, turning him around.

Skye looks startled and gazes around him.

“Let’s go back to the tavern and rest for the night. Something tells me we will have a busy morning tomorrow.” Torin remarks. ​

Granger speaks up, “I’ll see what I can do to help here. Meet up with you later.”

As Riley and Torin took them away from the scene. The crowd of people was still quiet as what they just witnessed was very terrifying.