FSE

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DHW

Part 6-4

Risky rescue

………

Kyo:

What was that?

I come to a stop in the middle of the road searching in all direction for what I just heard. It was… like a call in the distance.

• What's wrong Kyo? Ask Tarken.

• I heard something.

• Really?

• Yes… but I don't know where it comes from?

• I heard nothing.

• Must have dreamed.

But, a minute after I hear the same call. I stop again and search again?

• Didn't you heard something?

• No nothing Kyo.

• I'm sure I heard someone calling.

The third time I can clearly understand the word screamed by the voice "help!"".

• Am I becoming crazy?

• What do you hear exactly?

• A voice… screaming.

• You're the only one who heaar that. Say Zarakay it's dead out there.

• But I promise you I heard something.

• I trust you Kyo but there is nothing, no human in this area.

• It must be Allen missing you a bit.

• You must be right.

But, just a few seconds later this same voice comes to my ears, almost shouting in my mind the same pleading call for help.

• Ok I definitely heard something?

• But no one else does Kyo.

• Am I mad?

• No you're not I hear it too. I think we're the only ones who do.

• Why?

• Because I think it's in our head?

• You mean my head, you're only a renter. I should make you pay a rent.

• Seriously?

• Yes… there is no small profits after all.

• Bastard making profits on my back on a poor little gentle thing like I.

We both laugh.

• What's so funny?

• Nothing… just a Joke between us.

I realize we have talked at the same time, making a strange mix with our voices.

• I don't like this voice. Mumble Zarakay, shivering slightly.

• Really? I find it quite useful. It could be interesting to use it when we'll be in front of the emperor.

• I can make my presence even more noticeable. Say Kaos.

I feel my left eye tingle and blink it several time until it stops.

• Oh shit. Squeak Zarakay in fear.

• What happened?

• Your left eye turned red.

• That's cool but please Kaos stop that.

• No problem just give me a….

His sentence stop in a long roar of pain. The same voice yell the same thing, the same desperate call for help. An unbearable sound fills my ears.

• Make it stop! I scream.

It last for maybe three seconds before vanishing.

This time I recognize the voice.

• Allen.

• What?

• It's… It's Allen. He… he is in danger.

I turn around and look at the other direction.

• We don't have time for this Kyo. He decided to leave, he pay the consequences?

• No… I won't leave him behind. I'm not gonna leave anyone else behind.

• So we keep the eggs.

• They don't belong to you.

• Neither to you.

• You know that if Allen die Kyo will follow.

• It's not my problem. It will even make things better. Say Zehyr rider, a man that never liked me since we first met.

Everyone look shocked by his words

• What did you dared to say? Roar Kaos, appealing next to me.

He come closer to the rider until he come face to face with him.

• Do you want me to unleash my wrath upon you.

• I don't fear you demon.

• You should. Hiss Kaos.

Before the rider can even think of his next sentence he is violently hit by an energy burst that makes him fall from Zehyr's back.

• Listen carefully human. He rumble with this dark voice of his. If you let Kyo die I'm gonna make sure you'll suffer and I can promise you you'll never find peace even in the cold arms of death.

Zehyr heavy paw fall on him, pinning him to the ground, making all air contained in his lung to flee.

Slowly he lower his head until he is an inch above his rider, in his eyes a fire burning, his fangs barred as a long growls make the rider shake in fear.

• We promised to serve, to make the hammer of justice fall on the ones who deserve it, to never leave anyone to the hands of our enemies and to do even the impossible to protect the lands and our allies. Did you forgot our promises!

His rider stay silent.

• Wether you want it or not I'm going with them, stay here like the coward you are.

Those words seems to make his rider react.

• Fine. He say.

• I'm glad to hear you finally understand.

• If there is some ass kicking in the process I'm in too. Say Kyle, loading his shotgun with two new shells.

• I'll never let Kyo go alone. I'm coming too. Say Tarken with determination.

One by one they all join me.

• I'd like to accompany you but I have no dragons to carry me. Say Astuna.

I crouch and extend a wing to make her a nice way to climb.

• Please have a seat.

She climb on board and seat between two spikes where Allen used to do.

• Ok simple rules, keep all members inside, grab a hold of the spikes in front of you and never let go of it. In case of a crash please follow the safety procedure.

• Which is? Ask Kyle, amused.

• Prey for god's mercy. Oh and also please don't scream too much when I take off.

I earn a poke on the snout from her staff.

• Shut up and fly already it's not my first time.

• Miss yes miss! Enjoy your flight.

With that said I jump in the sky, stretching my wings and flapping them quickly to gain altitude. On my back I hear Astuna screaming in pure fear, holding tightly to whatever she can. When ground become only a vague form down below I level my flight and head to the north, the wind carrying me in the right direction. Mere seconds later the others join me and we fly in a tight formation.

• Let me help you. Say Kaos with a gentle tone.

• How?

• Let me take control.

• No.

• Come on you won't mind an extra set of wings.

After a short reflection I leave him the control, his dark energy flood my body as the changes I'm used to now occur.

I can hear Astuna scream in surprise when my body transform below her.

• Kyo you could warn us before doing such things. Mumble Zarakay.

• I almost got a heart attack. Say Tarken, shaking next to me.

I ignore them and we keep flying.

• Thanks Kaos. I whisper.

Soon we're closing in to the place when the calls come from. Below us an immense forest stretch itself to the horizon, hiding everything in an ocean of green.

• There is a lake below. Announce Tarken.

• The calls seems to come from here.

• So let's go. Say Kyle impatiently. Let's kick some demon ass.

• Be careful with what word you use when you talk of those of my kinds. Not all of them are evil like you think.

• Not my problem if they stand in my wan they're gonna have to deal with my little friend there.

• Are you talking of me? Ask nervously Tarken.

• No I'm talking of my shotgun. He is more reliable than you.

• Stop arguing and get down already. I roar, taking back the reins of my body.

We dive toward the ground, gaining so much speed as the grounds close in so rapidly. At the last second, as the three tops are just below my wings I lever my flight and flare my wings to their maximum to slow down. I land a bit roughly in the clearing, gliding on the grass; throwing dirt in all direction. Astuna falls of my back and roll on the ground next to me.

• Worst landing ever. Announce Tarken as he lands softly.

• Last time I travel on a dragon's back.

• Sorry I underestimated the distance.

• Not only the distance. Grumble Astuna.

I lift myself up and look around but I see nothing, only this peaceful place and this large lake where the sunlight reflect itself.

• It's too calm. Whisper Kaos.

• It's what I think too. It smell ambush from a mile away.

• So… where is Allen?

• I don't know.

I search for a long time, waves of pain ravaging my so damn painful head. The longer I wait, the worst it becomes, pain blooming in all my body, I feel like an entire team of human workers was hammering my head from inside it, my vision become a blur, my strength leaves me, replaced by a strange weakness. I feel strangely sleepy and can't muff a long yowl.

• Kyo… please… please don't fall asleep. Beg Kaos in my mind.

• I'm so……… tired.

• What's happening to him? Ask Tarken worried.

• I think its Allen. Say Zarakay.

• What do you mean?

• You probably know that if a rider die, his dragon will follow him and I think it's what is happening. Explain Zehyr. Kyo's life is slipping away as Allen's is dying in the hands of the Watcher.

• Guys! Call someone.

• We must find Allen as soon as we can… we don't have much time left. Say Kaos in an alarming high pitched voice.

• Guys! Calls the same voice again.

• Where might he be? Ask Tarken.

• I have no clue about it, his mind is forbidden to me… I… I'm dying and I can't do a damn thing about it. Growls Kaos in frustration and desperation.

• Can you stop crying and come here for god sake! Roar Fafnhyr.

• What have you found?

• I think I found him.

• Really! Scream Kaos in pure joy even waking me up. Where?

• Just here… but I prefer warn you he isn't in a good state.

• Let me see him. I order before jumping on my paws.

He rush to Fafnhyr, give him a quick loving nuzzle and turn my gaze to the grass patch that Fafnhyr is pointing.

• Oh my…. I Mumble.

In front of me, lying in the grass, on his back, a dark hilt protruding from his chest but no blood, the wound seems not deep enough to cause death. What I see is worse than death. From the wound, like from every inch of his skin a dark liquid ooze, covering him in a thick layer of blackness.

• No…. I cry.

• The bastard dared to…. Roar Kyle.

• Stay focused. Order Kaos, his voice covering ours.

• What can we do? Ask Tarken.

• First start by pulling out this fucking dagger.

I carefully grab the hilt between my fangs and pull it out. The dark strangely curved blade slip out of Allen's chest followed by a trail of liquid darkness.

• Fuck… a ritual dagger. Mumble Kyle, suddenly terrified.

• What's the problem? I ask, letting go of the cursed weapon.

• This kind of dagger are used by demon priest to infect other with their corruption, those blade are impregnated of a liquid that ensure the corruption to take control of the victim much quicker than any other method, just a light cut is enough to infect someone.

• And… the worst… are the consequences. Say Kaos in a desperate tone. You see… the corruption will spray through is body until it completely takes control of him then… I guess you see what's coming next… am I right Kyo?

• What's coming next? Ask Zarakay.

• The corruption will take over me, using the bond between me and Allen to subdue me.

• And I can't do a damn thing about it. Roar Kaos in frustration.

• What do you mean?

• I can't protect us both… I mean if I protect Kyo I'll have to expose myself and I know this son of a bitch will use it to take me… but… If I protect myself I'll have to let the corruption subdue Kyo and… in the end it will be the same result, with just a little more blood spilled.

He stay silent for a long minute then roar.

• I'm dying again and I can't do a thing about it. Are you happy Watcher! I know you're there and that you hear me! Are you satisfied of what you've accomplished!

His words slowly become nothing more than a pitiful cry.

• Can't you do something for Allen? Ask one of the riders. We could protect you while you do so.

• I can't try an ancient reversing spell… but… I don't know if it will work… I've only seen this ritual once and it… didn't worked out so well.

• I'll help you. Say Astuna.

• Thanks… I owe you this one.

Astuna comes closer and sit by Allen's side.

• Give me a sec to remember the spell. If I do one single mistake all is lost.

Kaos as appeared in his smoky form, staring with empty eyes at Allen, looking very focused. After what feels like centuries he start to talk, the words at first mumbled under his breath are filled with darkness but seems ancient. Just their guttural sounds sends shivers down my spine. A dark circle draw itself on the dirt, melting the grass above as reddish glyphes start to glow, from the center appear a large symbol which grows until it fills the circle.

It takes long, too long, I feel the corruption grows, my strength weakening as Allen's mind vanish. I'm frustrated, I let him go, ÅI didn't had the balls to tell him the truth and now… he is there, lying in the grass before me, on the brink of… death because of me. I can't bear this any longer, I walk in circle, growling and snarling, clawing at the ground. Finally I charge my energy and shout several dark blue balls in all direction. Some lands in the forest, blow, shattering threes and starting several fires, blue flames devouring the forest as thick column of smokes rise in the sky, some other disappear in the distance. I feel weaker, my paws barely hold me but I scream.

• Come here demon, get out of the shadows and dare to fight me!

………

Watcher:

I'm observing the scene from above, on top of a rocky hill, I see them coming in, Kyo's crash-landing.

• Damn… even I land better than him. Growls the dragon.

I see them group up around Allen, I can't hear them but the look of their faces is enough to understand. When the deep dark voice of Kaos rises I see the young dragon walk back, shaking in fear. Hearing his desperate calls makes me smile. When I see the circle appearing I can't stop laughing.

• Is he really trying this spell? Idiot! It never worked and don't work anymore.

• It means nothing.

• What I want to say is that this spell is uncompleted and no one ever managed to make it function and we developed ways to make sure it will never function at all.

At this precise moment a large blue ball fly just above us and hit the ground far behind us, making the forest catch fire.

Kyo's voice, filled by anger and despair, rise, blooming like thunder, taunting me, inviting me to a fight.

• You want to fight… well… I'll oblige.

I call my slave.

• Unleash your wrath my slave, make river of their blood, and kill them all.

• Can I go to?

• No.

• I mean, when this essence would be extracted.

• Not until then.

• Fine.

………

Kyo:

I stop, my throat is painful after all those screams but… it feels so good to let all those feelings go out.

• It's not the best idea ever. Whisper Tarken, throwing nervous glances around us.

• I don't care! If I have to die I want to die in combat!

• That's prideful, stupid and useless Kyo. Comment Kaos, stopping his incantation for just a sec.

• Shut up and finish this fucking spell. I growl.

• You could at least show me a bit of gratitude Kyo.

• Stop talking and finish this spell already.

• No one loves me.

• To be more honest you should say everyone hate you.

• Snap out of it Kyo. Say Tarken before slapping me across the face a dozen of times. My cheeks are burning with a dull pain, at least he didn't used his claws.

• The corruption is starting to take over him. Say Kaos with a so calm voice.

• No it's false, I'm perfectly fine?

• Are you sure of that?

I slowly lower my head.

• You're right, I feel it. It's so… insidious.

• I know. Say Kaos.

• Watch out! Yell Kyle, pointing at the sky above.

Tarken, in an instant react and push me, pinning me on the ground as a dark thing fallen from the sky land in a powerful shockwave, dirt flying in all direction. From the point of impact, from the deep hole it created rise a black outline, not human, but not an animal either. It looks more like a mix of both, an abomination of twisted flesh with claws too big for him, radiant red eyes, a face that a mad smile make even more terrifying. His body if it can be called a body is only flesh and steel plates agglomerated together.

• The beast! Scream one of the rider.

• Don't tell me it's this invulnerable shit Allen's father told us about.

• It is! Reply another, drawing his sword.

• In formation! Order the chief.

They circle around the beast, ready to attack.

The creature jumps in the air and land ´behind them.

• Don't let him time to attack! Scream someone.

They all jump on him at the same time but he manages to dodge them before attacking, his claws missing the face of one of the riders. The fight begin like this, just a succession of attack, block and dodges, no one manage to hit the beast but neither does it. It's fast and agile but also strong enough to make a dragon fly on a dozen of meter with just a punch.

• Do you think you can finish alone? Ask Astuna.

Kaos nod, concentrated on his spell.

Astuna leaves him and join the fight. Soon everyone is fighting except me, all the riders attacking it with swords, Kyle firing bullet after bullet on the thing, the dragons try to claw and burn it but he avoid them.

• Swords do nothing to him.

• Bullets to… I'm out of ammo, shit!

• Our fire too. Zarakay on your left! Yell Zehyr.

Astuna lift her staff that start to glow. She yell a few words and, from the top of her magic staff burst a giant ball that hit the monster right in the face. He stagger back but quickly regain composure.

• My spells are barely effective on him.

• So he truly is immortal?

• It's what it looks like.

Suddenly, coming from nowhere an arrow hit the creature, piercing through his thick armor before exploding. The beast is knocked down and stay on the ground for a second or two before jumping on its feet. I feel energy rising in me, invading every fiber of my being like a furious torrent ravaging everything in its path.

I jump in the fight.

• Hey… dodge that! I roar.

He turn his eyes in my direction but it's too late. He just has enough time to lift his hands and prepare himself to take the hit. I don't think he had time to realize he was already dead. My claws pierce through his armor, chest and whatever is inside then get out in his back, destroying his spine at the same time.

I realize I had closed my eyes and reopen them to see impaled on my claws, dark blood oozing from every wounds on its body. He is there, silent, paralyzed, his arms falling limply against his body, his head lowered. He is dead… I know it even before I take out my claws of his body. The vision of his bloody corps is so satisfying but it's not close to enough for me. I jump on his body and start to tare it apart, ripping out his arms and legs of his body, splitting him in half, cutting his head with my teeth, reducing him to a mess of bloody spare parts. I end this massacre with a mighty roar, savoring the victory as much as the taste of blood in my mouth.

………

Watcher:

• In one hit. Whisper the dragon, shocked by the violence and the disgusting things Kyo is doing. I think I'm gonna stay far from him.

• One hit… one fucking hit. How can he possibly do that!? It was supposed to be invulnerable to everything.

• Well… not to everything.

• Shut up. Do you know what it coast to create one slave like him.

• Nothing.

• Yeah… in that case nothing but normally it require several spells to submit it then transform it.

• Oh….

• At least we still have the advantage.

………

Kyo:

I finally lower my head and take a look at my own claws and discover in shock that they have doubled in length, well only on the paw I used to stab him.

• What the fuck just happened to me?

• I'm gonna vomit.

• That… that was really nasty.

• Damn I can't believe he killed it with one hit.

• He could have done this earlier it would have avoided to loose ammos and spells.

• What are you complaining about? I rumble.

• Nothing… just saying.

• Do you want to try these? I ask, snarling as I expose my elongated claws.

• No thanks.

I hiss, scaring everyone.

• Are you finished?

• Almost.

………

Kaos:

This spell is so complexes, my memories of it are full of holes, I have to focus my hardest on every word to make sure I don't make a slight mistake in their meaning, pronunciation and place in the incantation.

I'm relieved to know this slave is finally gone but… what I fear now is the darkness in Kyo's mind. When his voice come to my ears I can't suppress a shiver of fear. His voice seems lower, more deep and, when I look at him I see his slightly darker eyes.

Regrets flood me. There are so many things I'd wish to tell you, So many truth I've hidden to you I want to tell you. But we're missing time and your judgement is too blinded, my words would fall on deaf ears. Sorrow fills my old heart… or maybe it's you.

………

Kyo:

Why is it taking so long?

• Hurry up we don't have all day? I growl.

• I can't go faster. A simple mistake could kill you both.

• Fine… but do it faster please.

• I'm already doing my best.

• It's not enough.

• Please Kyo could you keep this mouth of yours shut. I'm trying to focus. Ask Kaos, still pretty calm.

I lie in the grass near Allen and observe him as the invocation circle glows more and more, the brightness of those ancient glyphs blinding me.

Finally, with one last word Kaos finish the incantation. The circle emit a blinding flash then vanish. When my sight stop failing me I see Allen, still lying in the thick grass, covered of the same rubbery substance. What's different is that I don't feel this vicious corruption in my brain. I'm relieved. Access to But… Allen's mind is still denied to me.

• Is there any change? Ask Kaos.

• I feel better. I answer.

I see in his eyes it's not what he is talking about.

• It… It's still as strong as before.

• It not what I want to know but thanks for the info.

• Oh… I… I still don't feel him.

• That's… not good.

• Do you think the spell worked?

• I don't know.

I observe Allen.

• Allen… Allen… do you hear me?

No answer.

• Allen… please… wake up.

Nothing moves.

………

Watcher:

• Yes… that's it… come closer.

………

Kyo:

I'm just above Allen when suddenly his eyes snap open, revealing two empty black sphere.

• No….

I'm paralyzed by the sight of those dark eyes staring at me. It can't be happening. I cry. I don't have time to move out of reach Allen's hand stick to my chin. It feels warm and kind of sticky. I start to panic when I feel like something is drained of me. In my head I feel Kaos starting to panic too.

-He is draining me. He scream. Do something.

I can't, I'm… paralyzed; held in place as Kaos' soul is absorbed, extracted, taken away from me. Finally I manage to break free, breathing hard.

• That… was close. Mumble Kaos.

I think right now, if he had a body he would have hugged me.

In front of us Allen slowly get up and mechanically walk in my direction.

• Allen… stay where you are!

He don't listen to me.

• Allen don't come closer… I don't want to hurt you.

He keeps walking.

• Kyo he won't listen to you….

• I… I can't… hurt him….

• Kyo it's us or him… choose for our sake.

Allen is by now so close to me I could touch him.

• I'm sorry. I cry.

I shoot, a small blue projectile, but, at point blank it's enough to send him fly away.

Pain floods my veins as I feel the same pain he feels as he lands in the grass.

………

Watcher:

The brutal shock with the ground is all that it takes to make me lose control and snap back to reality.

• That… definitely must hurt.

• Of course it does.

Kyo:

I run to where Allen landed, near the clear waters of the lake.

When I manage to get to him I discover him like he used to look like. This human body missed me so much. He is just lying in the grass, naked, eyes closed, breathing slowly.

• Is he…?

• Dead. No. Let me some time to examine him.

I hear the sounds of the other running to us.

• How is he?

• I don't know. Reply Kaos. Just leave me a second.

Kaos; with extreme cautions examine Allen, from inside.

• It's weird. He finally say. It's like he was sleeping.

• Let me see. Say Astuna.

She cast a spell just over Allen.

• You're right he is in coma.

• In… coma.

• Yes… It seems to have been caused by magic.

• Even better.

I can't hold the tear that had been buildup in my eyes anymore and let them fall.

• Leave us alone. I ay in a low voice.

• Kyo….

• Leave… us… alone. I hiss.

• We can't… he is still there.

• LEALE US ALONE! I roar, dominating them all as they all bow before me.

In the blink of an eye all the dragoms take flight, flying away, except for Zehyr who stay perfectly unmoving.

I turn my eyes in Astuna general direction and say.

• Please Astuna… leave us some privacy.

She don't say a word, climb on Zehyr back and disappear in the clouds when he take off and rise in the sky.

• Should we leave to? Ask Tarken.

• No… stay.

• Ok… if you insist.

Tarken Sit in the grass. I do the same, staring at Allen like I was seeing for the first and last time.

• It's done… we've lost.

• What! Scream Tarken.

• Tarken would you mind slapping him for me… you see I have no paws to do it myself.

• Don't worry I was already thinking about it.

The paw I totally saw coming hit me in the snout, leaving deep cuts behind.

• Idiot… just stupid… whelp.

• Are you done?

• No look at me. Order Kaos. Look at me!

I lift my head to cross those two red orbs.

• Nothing is lost. He is… far from winning. Don't even dare to give up now.

• What can I do? Allen is in coma, the Watcher is on our back and won't stop there we both know it. What option is left to us?

• Fight! Roar Kaos. I never saw you abandon like this.

• Never give up never surrender.

• That's the spirit.

A small grateful smile form on my lips. He surely know where to hit to make me react.

• So we keep going?

• Of course. We're going to this fucking human capital and we're going to show them what we're capable of.

• That's the best thing I've heard of the day. Say Kyle.

• But… before we do that… let's take a short break there.

• Good idea.

We stay like this for what feels like eternity or maybe it's just fifteen minutes. Suddenly I get up and come even closer to Allen where I sit down.

I hesitate for a long minute then say, so nervously.

• You know Allen… I… I have something to tell you. I'm not even sure you can hear me or understand me at all but… I must tell it to you. It had been on my heart for too long. Back in the tavern… nothing happened between you and Kyle… It… it was all my fault. I lower my head in shame. I…couldn't hold myself… couldn't contain the urge that took over me. I made a mistake and I paid the consequences. I… I did this… because… I… I…. _he words stay stuck in my throat and only some pitiful whines get out. I try a different approach. You see… when we met… I did something wrong, the wrong way to be more precise. The bond between us… it's… it's… too deep… to…. Once again my mouth fails me. I… I… I made the biggest error of my live and now… the consequences of this error… put us all in a life threatening danger because I… I…. Why can't I say it? Frustration grows inside me. Why am I even bothering you with this? You can't hear me. How can I say it to you if I can't manage to say it for myself?

I brutally get up and walk to the lake.

• Where are you going?

• Nowhere…. Just going to clean myself… I'm covered of demon blood.

• Don't take too long.

I enter in the water and walk until just my head is above the surface. From there I start to swim until I reach the center. I clean myself like I can, erasing all traces of the beast's blood on me. I drink some water to purge my mouth of the taste of his filthy blood and rotten flesh.

Kaos appear in front of me, copying my moves in the water even though swimming isn't required.

• Why can't I tell him?

• Maybe you lack a bit of will.

• You know… your spell wasn't even needed. He was right… I don't have the balls to tell him what I feel.

Strangely I see Kaos looking somewhere else.

• We should go back to them and leave this place.

• Indeed.

I turn around and see on the shore Kyle, sitting next to Allen, looking at the sky, his cheek flushed red. I can't hear what he is saying from there and I can't stop myself from wondering. The closer I come the more I hear. Talking never was easy for him and, right now it seemed harder than ever. When I'm finally close enough I hear clearly what he is saying. It sounds like a love declaration. When I walk out of the water and shake it off me it's to see Kyle tenderly kiss Allen on the lips. This sigh of those two man kissing, those lips upon my riders own is enough to make my claws curl inward, digging in the dirt. A snarl of hatred form on my lips, revealing my barred fangs as a deep rumble comes from the depth of my being.

• Don't be jealous Kyo. Say Kaos, trying to calm me.

• How dare he? He is mine!

• Don't let your emotions fool you Kyo.

I come closer. There, as I'm just above him, snarling and growling that I see him slowly open his eyes. Instantly my heart swells with an immense joy and relief. Just to see it all break when Allen slowly hug Kyle and hold him closer.

………

Watcher:

You're not going to leave this place Kaos. I growl.

Every strategies I used failed.

If I have to kill you I won't hesitate.

My bow appear in my hand, a black glowing arrow materialize itself, ready to be shot. I prepare my shot, draw the arrow, and aim for the black dragon's neck

• Prepare to die Asshole.

• No…. Hiss a dark voice near my ear.

• What?

A heavy paw falls on me, pulling me back. I let go of the arrow which loose itself in the sky above us.

• What are you doing?

• Silence. Growls the same voice.

I'm pulled backward on several meters until we reach the forest, my back hitting every rock, every root on the ground.

• What are you doing idiot!?

• Silence. He hiss again.

He finally let go of me but, before I can even move I see his snarling face above me. His mouth is open on a forest of sharpened fangs, thick black saliva streaming from the side of those gaping maws, his eyes completely black only cut by a purplish pupil. What has happened to him? He pins me to the ground under his heavy clawed forepaws and keep me there, growling and rumbling.

I try to fight, to squirm out of his grasp but only manage to grab a hold of the pendant and break it. When the enchanted gem falls on the ground he start to shift, for an instant he just become a dark outline of a dragon then start to grow, not much but enough to dominate me from his new height. I gasp in horror when is body is fully revealed to me: he has grown much taller and larger, his neck seems to have elongated, his body became more muscular, muscle bulging under the thick layers of scales and skin, his wings have grown too to fit his new size, his tail as doubled in length and thickness and ends in a strange blade. All his scales turned to black, except for his underbelly who became a deep purple. On his back long spikes sprung everywhere, from his shoulders to the base of his tail. The long line of spikes on his spine had grown too. His claws are twice longer than before, one of them tipping over my chin.

When he lower his head I realize it changed too, the horns on the back of his skull grew like the rest and even twist slightly upward. In his open maw I discover a second set of sharpened teeth, even more dark thick globes of saliva rain down on me. The weirdest thing is the black smoke that escape his mouth and nostrils with every breath. When I breathe into it air miss me, my lungs seems to burn when I swallow this soiled air. I start coughing.

• Please don't blow this shit on my face I can't breathe.

With a long growl he lift his head a bit still snarling and rumbling deeply in his throat.

• What's wrong with you?

He shove me harder in the dirt.

• Let go of me or I'm gonna make new boots of your scales.

He just snort.

Slowly he roll me over until I face the dirt then slowly crouch over me. I feel something poking at my back. I shiver when I realize it's his hardened cock. Adrenaline shoot in my veins, my blood is pounding in my ears. In one swift and desperate move I manage to kick him right in the private parts. He squeak in pain and bow, loosening his grip enough for me to escape and roll over.

I end up on my back and crawl away from him until I find a large trunk to support me.

I come face to face with him, just a snarling and growling beast, bending over, ready to attack. He jump, maws open, claws extended heady to tare me apart. I roll aside. He rams himself in the tree. He takes a few uncertain steps back, half dizzy. I mustn't leave him enough time to react. A single word is necessary. On the ground below him appear a large black circle. He want to take off but he has just enough time to leave the ground before a long and thick tentacle grab his hind paws and pulls him to the ground, some other burst from the dirt and coil around his wing base, tail, forelegs and neck, a last one muzzle his snout.

He try to free himself of the magic thing holding him in place but only earn an extra tight tentacle squeezing his throat until he pass out.

• That… was a close one. I whisper, panting.

I don't understand at all what got him so mad. I circle around him, deeply absorbed by my thought, observing his new body. I wasn't careful enough. I never checked his state and let the transformation happen. I missed every clue I had, every slight change in his behavior was a warning I ignored. Now his transformation came to an end. Moreover he doesn't look exactly like one of us. Physically he looks like an average demon, a pretty good looking one even if he kept his dragon body that just seems to have adapted but mentally it's completely different: if he had been one of us he wouldn't have attacked me he would just have bowed before me.

What has exactly happened to him? This exposition to the dark energy had unforeseen consequences. Also… there's still a question that need to be answered: how did they managed to create the pure dark energy that infected him? For the first time in ages I'm lost. I don't even realize I stopped and that I'm standing there staring at him.

• What am I going to do with you?

I sit next to him and slowly rub the scales of his neck. They still look pristine and so soft to the touch but something is… different. I observe his new form. In some ways he don't look so different. Only a long minute later do I smell the strong musky scent coming from him and notice his erected member.

• How can he manage to get hard in this kind of moment? I observe it with more interest. It had change too: it gained two maybe three more inches in length and look thicker, it still had this pointed tip, this tapered barbed flesh ending on this still too big knot. When I touch one of the barb I find it firmer than before, and also even more sensitive. I hear him moan. I look in the other direction and discover him, eyes open, staring at me with a goofy smile on his face. I tighten the bounds around him until he make some muffed suffering sounds. After five minutes of patient waiting I disable the spell. He slowly get up, stretching his limbs and wings.

• Are you calm now?

• Silence. He hiss.

• I take that as a no.

• If you want to stay alive shut up.

• You know I could find you scary if you weren't hard.

Surprised he curl his neck to see his hardened flesh.

• It's nothing.

• Enough to make you look ridiculous.

• Fuck you.

• What happened to you?

• It don't concern you. Nothing concern you anymore.

• What is that supposed to mean?

• All your technics to catch them failed. All your tricks were useless. Listen carefully now we're doing it my way.

• Who do you think you are to give me orders?

• I'm better than you indeed.

• How can you prove it?

He stay silent this time.

• What are your methods anyway? Just running into battle without a plan.

• It's better that making plans that doesn't work.

• So what's your plan?

• We catch with them and we finish what we started, you get your essence and I get my vengeance.

• Nice plan. I say, clapping my hands together. A plan meant to fail.

He roar. Some crest I hadn't seen flare around his head and a strange fine like membrane appear below his chin giving him quite a fearsome look. But not enough for me. In a mere second my sword is drawn and already deeply buried in his side, half of the blade protruding from his flank. He gasp in sheer pain and tense, blood filling his mouth and streaming down his chin.

• Listen carefully you wild beast. You're in no position to give me any orders can you understand that?

• As much as you're not to.

• When you decided to come with me you promised me obedience do I have to remind you?

• Promises are meant to be broken. He hiss.

I don't see what comes next. He stab me in the side, his claws sinking in my flesh. In answer I push a few inches of sharpened steel inside him.

• I… am free of my actions and have to answer to no one. Not even to you.

• In some other time and places I would have encouraged this kind of behavior but I won't let you ruin everything, not today. Do you hear me idiot!

• You're not even capable of neutralizing a lone dragon you don't deserve my obedience.

• A lone dragon who is stronger than he want us to believe.

• Only for you. He spit.

I make the sword move in the wound, earning some delightful whines of pain.

• Please stop… it hurts.

This high pitched voice almost missed me but completely takes me by surprise. What is exactly happening to him? This time when I look at him I see no difference.

• Please…. He beg. I'll obey… don't kill me….

This pleading face could stop even the coldest person. I take out my sword. He gasp, cough and spit more blood. He does the same, more slowly and carefully than I, shaking while he do so. He observe in horror his paw, coated in blood.

He finally take a look at his new body?

• What have I done? What happened to me?

• I'm asking myself the same questions?

• I… I'm sorry… I… don't know… what took over me.

• I don't care but don't ever do this again. Next time I won't be merciful.

To give my words more weight I lift my sword and put the edge close to his throat. To my own surprise he take a step and put his head on the flat side, the edge grinding against his scales.

• Please do. He whisper eyes closed, waiting for the blade to cut through his throat. I slap him and sheathe my sword.

• Are you mad?!

• Maybe….

He start to cry silently.

• Don't have time for this shit. Come on we've got to move on.

We start to walk, slowly. My hand pressed against my flank, blood pouring out between my fingers. Pain, like electrical shocks shake my entire body as the familiar tickle of magic makes it known to me that I'm starting to heal.

After a mile or less maybe I hear him slow down.

• Ordan….

I continue to walk.

• Ordan…. He calls again.

• What?

• It burns.

• What do you…? Oh shit…. I freeze, words stuck in my throat.

In front of me the young dragon is standing, from the deep wound blood gushing. It has a strange purple color and look too fluid. What's really terrifying is what it does, it flows on his scales, producing a strange fumes. A smell of burned comes to my nose. I run and sit next to him. I take a sample of his blood on my finger and immediately regret it: I grunt in pain as my skin start to melt, dissolved by the powerful acid. I quickly wipe my hand on my coat. The acid pierce a hole in the thick fabric in a blink of an eye.

• Ok great your blood is acid.

• Please help me… it burns. He squeal.

I don't hesitate and rip" a large portion of my coat and apply it on his scales wiping it clean of the blood before throwing the soiled fabric away from me which quickly dissolve, devoured by the acyd.

• Ok now that it's done lets heal you.

• Thanks. He whisper.

I try to cast several different healing spells but none of them seems to work. I just manage to stop the bleeding. Even the skin touched by the acid on my finger don't want to heal.

• It's strange. It seems to deny magic healing. If I give you the incantation can you try it yourself?

• I can.

He repeat the incantation and, after some failures he manage to cast it and, slowly the wound close itself, flesh, skin and melting scales regenerating. When it's done he crouch on the ground.

• Are you ok?

• I feel weak.

• Because you are.

• No… I mean… I… I have no energy left.

• Don't tell me you used all your energy.

• I think so.

• Great. Can you walk?

• No….

• Great now we're stuck.

• I'm sorry.

• Me too.

I look at my damaged coat.

• I think you own me a new coat.

• And maybe a sword.

My eyes widen when I remember my sword is coated in his blood.

• Fuuuuuuck!!!

I draw it to discoverr the coated half-eaten by the acid, barely hanging by some thankful not too damaged steel, the edge ruined, useless, the glyphs erased, the thicker middle section destroyed too.

I quickly clean it by using the grass as a towel to avoid it to be further damaged by this cursed acid blood.

• This sword survived countless fight and treatments, plunged into lava, survived some incredible forces that tried to break it… but you managed to destroy it.

• I'm sorry.

• You can be. This sword was more important that anything in this world to me.

I throw the useless sword away, it breaks on impact.

I lie against his side, staring at the deep blue sky?

• What can I do to be forgiven? He ask, putting his scaly head on my shoulder, waiting for some rubs.

• Nothing.

He follow my gaze and like I do, look at the sky, thinking.

Slowly his eyes turn in my direction, his iris once again wearing his ice blue, so appeasing color.

• What do you have in mind?

• A way to forgive myself. Give me your hand please.

• Ok….

I show him my open palm. He burry his snout in then close his eyes.

I'm too late to react. I feel this almost unbearable warmth invade my body, coming from this cold scaly snout. When I finally manage to take away my burning palm it's already too late. I can just witness powerlessly the mark drawing itself on my hand and, in my mind this too familiar sensation as he stare at me, eyes slightly glowing, a contented smile forming on his face.