FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

DHW

Part 10-1

Confusion

………………

Watcher

Pain; like a cold blade piercing through me; pounding in my head as I fall on my knees. I feel freezing, ice cold tide washing over me. And that call… that voice shouting in my brain, a desperate call for help. A cold chill run down my spine… it had been ages since I heard, since I felt that sensation; that feeling of despair; of impending doom. Last time it occurred… it was to never be felt again, leaving me broken, decayed, crippled with pain.

Emptiness had filled my heart and soul that fateful day, leaving me emotionless, remorse stabbing my flesh, regrets following me everywhere I went. Why did it have to happen again? I tried to stand up again, my vision blurred, my energy drained as I stumbled forward on wobbly legs. "Ares…" I whispered, my head throbbing with pain. I tried to focus, concentrating on the source of the dolor weakening my body. As my power fled I teleport, stuttering on my feet as I appear on a jagged edge, tiny pieces of rock falling as I step on the fragile ledge. The scene that unfolds before my eyes is almost comically awful, the entire place seemingly frozen, a picture of general shock and fear. In the center the first thing I see is Kyo, staring with wide eyes at something, his jaws dropping in disbelief on a silent word. Next to him stands his rider, as dumbfounded and clueless of what is happening, his hand paralyzed over his sword's hilt. Then, right behind come that green dragon; his mate; the one I tried to use as a bait to lure Kyo out. I catch a glimpse of the green drake's rider but he is no matter. What catches my attention is what stands, slightly on the right, almost perfectly aligned with Kyo. There, on the alley's gravel floor, shimmering in daylight I discover a large block of whitish ice, translucent enough to allow any bystander to see what is lying in its center, a small inky black form twice smaller than its frozen prison. "Ares…" I gasp, recognizing this congealed face. Yet his facial expression is odd; out of place. He isn't scared; far from that; instead his eyes are closed, a sly smile floating on his lips. He looks relaxed, appeased… why? I try to locate what froze him, my eyes falling on tiny black fragments glinting under the blazing sunlight, scattered, blown apart, black snakes of dark energy slithering away, dissolving as they flee from the broken shell.

Suddenly; appearing in the bottom of my eyes; two black forms running toward the ice block, unaware of the danger. As they stepped forward, disturbing the frozen scene like two rocks thrown in a peaceful pond; a dark light envelopes them; stopping them in their desperate speeding race. They came to a stop, staring at their own paws revealed in full display as their camouflage was wiped away, shocked by the power of the magic that had just struck them. They backed away, darting defiant glares at everyone in sight. The clacking sound of metal boots against the pavement filled the silence as rows of armored guards rushed on the scene. "Secure the area!" yelled their chief "let nobody out." "Yes sir!" yelled his men as they took position, forming a wide circle around the group, blocking all exits, their spears pointed toward my two minions while other had their riffles aimed at the rest; another squad rushing; swords unsheathed, encircling the ice block as it started melting under the sun's radiant heat. "Come on guys… don't do anything foolish…" I grumbled, my fingers teasing my swords, ready to jump in battle; my eyes going in every direction, trying to find the one that set the trap on; sadly it's a cunning one as he keeps himself out of sight; I can only feel a powerful energy emanation. I concentrate again on Skel and Tormis as they try to flee. "Stay where you are! You're under arrest!" shouted the captain. The twin brothers exchanged a short look as they turned around, rushing straight for the barrier of soldiers blocking their only exit. "Open fire!" screamed someone. Luminescent rays of magic flew through the air, raining around the two black forms. The retaliations were quick to come, black bolts of lightning shot from their maws, striking like thunder two guards, their metallic armor channeling the blow, electrifying them as they fell to the floor, eyes bulging, mouth agape, drooling as they convulsed on the ground. A gap was open in the soldier-made wall; a wide hole for them to slip through.

But fate had a cruel sense of humor as one of the brother fell down, toppling over as after a sphere of energy hit him. The other; at this stage I didn't know who was who anymore as the remaining one slowed down, turning his gaze toward the other as he rolled down in the dirt, dazed. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion, the only sound I could hear being the ragged beating of my heart. The only still standing drake turning around; rushing toward the soldiers blocking his way out. A new salve of energy rays surged in his direction, traversing the space at light speed, striking him right in the face. He fell down, skidding on the ground as he stopped right before one of the guard's boots.

I could only watch powerlessly as black lines materialized on the floor around them while they were trying to recover, a circle surrounding them as the lines joined in the center, magic glyphs popping around the outer rim of the circle. A terrified shudder ran through my body, my hands squeezing my swords hilts in fear; I knew what it was: a summoning circle. What could it bring? I had no idea but it was surely bad for us.

The soil turned a deep black, swallowing all light as it converted every inch of terrain in its reach. The two brothers looked surprised as the dirt and gravel melted into a black sticky goo that clung to their paws. The large pool formed on the ground started boiling, large bubbles popping at the surface. The two dazed brothers tried to get a grip on the situation, snarling menacingly at the guards as they closed in. That was the only thing they could do, going back slowly, glaring at the guards as they walked in time, pointing their rows of weapon at the two defenseless creatures. My hands gripped my swords as I unsheathed them; I couldn't stay there and let that happen; I had to do something. Maybe create a diversion? Or run straight ahead in the guard lines, creating mayhem as they would escape. "Ordan wait!" yelled a voice in my head as I made the first step forward. I staggered back, grimacing as a heated presence manifested itself in my head. "Gohr…" I grumbled. "Stay where you are… it's a trap!" he hissed. I looked around, diverting my eyes from the main event; looking for that pesky lava worm. Although he was far from small and easy to hide it took me some time to spot him; hidden behind a line of thick bushes. I stopped, impressed by the fact that, even with his impressive proportions no one seemed to have noticed him; the only trace of his presence being a low orange glow and a few molten traces where he had stepped.

From his vantage point he had a much better view of the scene than I. "I can't let them get caught like that!" "They put themselves in that situation alone! Let them learn their lesson the hard way." "But… but…" "They will be fine! Beside they are alive; if they wanted them dead don't you think the ground would already be tainted red?" "True…" "So shut up and let's see what happens. Beside… I think its part of their plan." "Because you can see a plan in that mess?" "Your little… puppet is a cunning one… I bet he has everything under control" I highly doubt that but… what can I do? I stare helplessly. The pool in which Skel and Tormis are dipping seem to have grown with each step they take, the black material thickening, sticking to their paws, attaching them to the ground by thickening strings of the gooey substance, making each step more difficult. I can see them grumble, pestered by the gunk attaching to their paws, turning them heavier, clumsier. Suddenly a loud gasp echoed through the tensed air. One of the two appeared to be stuck, something grabbing onto all his paws at once, holding him in place. I recognize him now; it's Skel, terror reading on his traits as he tries to free himself, pulling and tugging at the goo coating his paws. But the things seems to have become completely solid, denying him all motions as he squeals in panic; trashing against his magic bonds. Tormis turned around, hearing his brother's desperate cries for help. Yes… as he tried to reach him it was just to find himself immobilized well, stuck in that shifting sand of a magic goo. I can only witness as the two brother stared at each other, utterly afraid, trying as they might to free themselves… but it was merely useless; the gunk crawling over their body with each motion. I cannot bear the sight and simply turn away, clenching my fists, holding back as best as I can the desire to quench my rage in their blood.

Even if they were sometime annoying I had come to enjoy the company of the two brothers I had recruited so long ago; even Ares… even after he tried to overpower me I still liked him… maybe he was just the grain of salt my life had been lacking for so long. Yet I was powerless; it was obvious even for a fool that the moment I would show up would sign my death warrant; I could just observe the scene from afar as it unfolded before my eyes. The two brothers were trying to escape the vile thing crawling over their scales; now surrounded by guards yelling at them. Still; even cornered these two had resources as a dark ball flew in the air, crashing right before the soldier as it exploded, throwing all the men away. Sadly, as a triumphant smile grew over their lips; as they exchanged a satisfied grin the ground below them shook violently, the boiling liquid licking at their scales began steaming, more bubbles popping out everywhere. Brutally the two brothers vanished, swallowed by a geyser of the dark goo as it erupted from the large pool;; reaching high in the sky, inky droplets raining back down everywhere, vanishing instantly as they hit something solid. "Dark magic… at its full power…" hissed Gohr "It was wise to not underestimate that guy." I didn't listen to what he said; only staring at the eruption of enhanced fluids. Finally it came down, splattering on the ground, forming dark puddles that would soon dissipate. There, in the middle of the alley two frozen figures stood, two outlines made of a shiny, shimmering black material, paralyzed in their last stance; their traits frozen on an expression of fear; their faces stuck in a position with their maw agape, trying to scream or take a last breathe I can't tell. Nevertheless I can see in impressive detail their body, their muscles tensed beneath the material now soaking in their scales, the gracious curve of their claws; the rows of teeth stuffing their mouth.

It's like whatever had been cast on us has mimicked them perfectly. I shiver… imagining in fear what else he could do. "I have to admit he does gorgeous statues." mumbled Gohr, as shocked as I. "You're complimenting him?" "No… just saying that your puppet do… nice models. Also… I know the perfect place where they would fit in." he added. "Yes… me too…" I chuckled, guessing what he meant. "So what do we do now?" "The only thing we can do now; hide… and look for an opportunity to strike." "And them?" "We can't do anything for them now. Let them be taken away for now… and we'll watch how it goes on." I cringed; I didn't like that plan but… what else could I do beside blindly following orders. "What have you got yourself into Ares?" I hissed, vanishing in thin air.

………

Kyo

I'm trembling, stuck in a pose of surprise, my jaws parted open on a sound that would never come out. A second ago I was bathed in sheer happiness, shivering at the simple idea of having my brother back. It was… unbelievable! I had thought him dead for years; I thought I'd never see him again. And still… here he was… standing in front of me; trembling as much as I did, struggling to let a simple word slip past his lips. How could have fate guided us on the same path; how was it possible that he was there? What vile trickery had him arriving here? Had it been… what had happened to him? Had he been given to the empire for some weird reason? Had he been kidnapped? I didn't know but my only desire at that instant was to find out; to talk to him; to hug him with all my might, to bask him in my affection. Yet he was slightly shivering, like he was nervous. I could understand that; we hadn't seen each other for a decade at least so… I must have changed a lot. I am almost sure I have nothing left of what I looked like as a kid where he hadn't change the slightest.

Even pronouncing that word… Alckor… felt weird to my ears; I hadn't pronounced it in so many years. Even him looked surprised; like he hadn't heart it himself . However he seemed to have understood as he called him back by his name, his voice trembling, full of emotions. I had shuddered in turn, joy flooding my system as he responded.

Sadly… it was all too beautiful to be true wasn't it? In a split second the world had stopped before my very eyes as I caught a glimpse of a man in the corner of my right eye; a man holding a small crossbow with one hand, pointing it in my direction. I had identified him way before I saw his face, hidden under a hoodie. My brain was thinking at light speed. Why? Why was the guy that had saved my butt a few weeks ago aiming a weapon at me with a finger on the trigger? Why would he possibly do that? I wanted to scream, to shout, call for help but a knot had formed in my throat, denying every sound out. I could only stare helplessly, one eye on the man, one eye on the white youngling observing me with that same look of cheerful happiness. Suddenly I noticed an odd detail, something I hadn't seen before. He wasn't aiming at me! No… instead he was… oh no. In fact, what his weapon was pointed at was the white dragon's chest but why? Why would he attack an innocent youngling? Was there something I was missing?

I had no time to ask myself these questions as, without a sound a small yet sharp arrow burst from the weapon; its sharp metallic end glinting in the light as it flew toward us with only a light whistle. No time to scream, no time to warn the still smiling, trembling dragon before me the projectile was upon us. I expected to hear loud shrieks, to see vermillion blood gosh out, to watch him fall, wounded. Instead a dark smoke puffed between us, separating us with an elusive wall of swirling darkness. I cough; the suffocating smoke burning my throat, filling my lungs. What trickery was this? What just happened? I try to look for him yet tear fill my eyes as the thick smoke makes them ache badly. Did he just try to fumigate us? The thick fumes keep spreading between us, swallowing us in its unreachable slithering snakes. Finally, as the blinding smoke finally sprays out I look around; trying to see what has happened. In shock I discover a dark form standing right in front of me; exactly where the white drake stood an instant before. I back away, trembling on wobbly paws as I discover is… simply monstrous, ugly, disgusting body; no word could possibly describe what I was seeing. How was it possible? How could have he turned into… this… thing? His eyes searched for mine; deep purple sphere of death where but surprisingly I could see fear in them as he tried to meet my gaze. I trembled, even with that new look there was still… something familiar in these eyes; something that makes me shiver. But… is it even possible? Or is it just another trick. In the end I have no time to ask myself all these questions. Before my eyes the dark creature is thrown away, shoved to the side by a beam of pure energy. I stare as he rolls in the grass, large frozen shards protruding from his flank. I gasp in horror as enhanced ice started spreading over him, coating him in a shiny black layer. Soon half of his body was trapped in the magic ice; yet he still wasn't trying to free himself; simply staying there; eyes closed, a smile plastered across his face; calm… peaceful as the ice slowly took over his body, grasping him in its cold embrace.

This smile was so… disturbing; so… out of place. Why would someone be smiling in such circumstances? What had he been trying to achieve? Mess up my mind? He surely did.

Finally the ice swallowed him, only leaving a gorgeously shaped block of pure black ice illuminated by the sun; majestic peaks like blazing flames raising toward the sky.

I stood there, breathless, frozen as he was, cold seeping under my scales, every inch of my body tensed like a rope, staring at the ice block that once had been the one I was talking to a split second ago. I couldn't believe it. How was that possible? He… my brother… he was right there, right before my very eyes, talking to me then… an instant later he had vanished; that thing taking its place.

I kept watching that black shadow trapped in its prison of ice, smiling meaningfully at me. What was the meaning of such a grin? It didn't look wicked or mischievous, only… happy… satisfied; such a disturbing expression in that precise moment. Who was he? What was he? I didn't know.

I had no time to wonder as I caught a sound, the noise of claws on the ground. I looked up, two black forms were running in my direction; their black bodies easily spotted in the colorful environment.

I focused all my attention on them; yet I couldn't bring myself to move just a claw, forced to immobility by fear as they came closer. I had no idea of what was happening, I was helpless, staring at them as they closed in, two shadows hovering over the ground, running straight for me.

However I could easily notice something strange in their expression; they weren't looking aggressive; neither were they seeking a fight, their eyes stuck on something else than me, their face wearing an expression of raw fear, of worry, of panic.

In an instant they had vanished, drowned by an eruption of darkness. When they came out they had also changed, as if that obscure brightness had transformed them. They stopped, staring at themselves in awe, amazed and terrified, afraid and panicked all at once. My jaws dropped, my eyes wide open to the point of feeling sore, my heart racing, my brain thinking at light speed. "No… it… it can't be…" I gasped.

I watched, speechless, like everyone else did as a squad of soldier seemingly popping out of nowhere appeared, blocking their only escape route; leaving the two scared demon whelps only the option, going straight forward, right into the ambushed mage ready to cast another spell. It hadn't been the first time I witnessed the use of magic in a fight but what Owen was capable of doing was beyond all belief. It was like the world obeyed him, he could bend reality at will; he had such great knowledge and power; it was like he had known all along what they were.

I wasn't expecting to be offered a first seat place to see his power in action.

The two drakes… if they still could be called so were slowly trying to back away, barking and growling at everything and everyone, trying their hardest to look menacing and dangerous, but even their savage behavior, long sharp claws, deadly looking fangs, and apparent eagerness to fight until death harvested their decayed soul from their dead body wasn't enough to cover the traces of fear on their face, the worry in their gaze as they tried to look for an escape, the shivers shaking their body. These two… were terrified.

They had good reason to be as the ground beneath their paws started shifting, becoming gooey as it darkened, sticking to their scales like glue. In a minute or so their paws were dipping entirely in a large puddle of that strange vile material staining their scales with a shiny blackness. They started noticing the change, the trap slowly setting around them, leaving them nowhere to go.

In a way I felt sad for these two, they were afraid, frightened like the kids they were. They were no warrior, no bloodthirsty creature, no fighter, no powerful beings, only children lost in a battle they shouldn’t have been in. Yet… why did these two kids decided to so suddenly show themselves in the light? My eyes were going from the two rather similar looking males to the ice blocks standing proudly in the scorching sunlight, already melting under the relentless assaults of the sun beams, rivulets of water falling along the jagged edges. All of a sudden it made sense; they were not trying to attack me; they were coming to their… friend's rescue; that explained why they had run so recklessly toward us.

A loud shriek echoed in the near perfect silence, bringing me out of my thoughts. Before me one of the demon seemed to be stuck, trapped in the black goo the soil had become; his paws firmly planted in the thick liquid as he tried to pull away, his whole body arched as he tried to put himself out of the shifting material, letting out loud desperate whines, begging for help. The other stopped barking, turning his gaze toward the other. Yet, as he tried to get closer it was to find himself held in place. They stared at each other, helpless, powerless as the trap enclosed around them. The despair in their eyes was heart breaking; I swear I could almost see tears rolling down their cheeks. I couldn't watch this any longer. I looked away but instead my eyes fell on the other drake, still trapped in ice, frozen on that same disturbing smile, so peaceful, so… satisfied; like he had found the answer to something important.

However there was something strange with him, something even more intriguing than that mysterious grin; his appearance was odd, unusual: at first glance he looked like a regular demon but after a closer look I could pinpoint plenty of unusual details going from his general shape, frame, scales that were more suiting for a dragon. What was he? Why that weird camouflage if he was a… usual dragon? Or was it another trick?

In the reflecting surface of the ice I saw an immense column of blackness erupt from the ground, the earth rumbling as the pool started boiling raggedly. The two vanished in the geyser of ink black goo. I took a step back, amazed and terrified by the height it reached, such power, such mastery, such skill was impressive.

When the geyser came down there was no trace of the molten goo left, like it had been wiped away by an invisible hand. The only thing left… was blood chilling. A silent gasp escaped my mouth; everyone taking a step back as they discovered. In front of us, where a mere instant ago two living beings were standing there were now two statues of an obsidian blackness displaying two beasts frozen in their last expression, a face of the purest deepest fear. I couldn't believe my eyes; the goo had soaked deep in them, drenching their scales in that same sticky material before it had hardened, paralyzing them completely, even the interior of their mouth, their eyes and many other parts were coated in that same goo now tougher than stone.

I had seen many horrible things, spilled blood, death, discarded bodies but this, that picture, the sight of these two younglings paralyzed in an eternal fear marked me, marked my soul forever.

I couldn't bear this any longer but wherever I would look I would only find pale faces staring in the same shock at the scene.

"That was a close call!" shouted a voice as the hooded figure emerged from the bushes, closely followed by an immense blue dragon that had somehow managed to sneak in the foliage. Every pair of eyes instantly pointed at him as he crackled his fingers, wearing a satisfied grin as he came closer to the two statues staring at one another. "What a marvelous piece of art!" he exclaimed, patting the still dripping slick surface "who wants a beautiful pair of demons? Come on they're cheap!" he shouted, mimicking a merchant. No one moved, only a few grunts escaping grimacing mouth or maw. "No one? Really? Alright fine. Gentlemen I leave this two to your benevolent hands but don't try to break the shell before my arrival."

One of the soldiers made a gesture toward the other and in a perfect sync they stepped forward surrounding the two statues as if they could move at any moment while another took a horn and breathed into it, producing a loud deep noise as five gryphons dived straight toward the ground, flapping their feathered wings as they landed, sending aaves of dust and rocks in all direction. I watched as they tried to move the cumbersome statues, the grape of soldiers putting all their combined efforts in that difficult task.

"You can thank me for hanging around a bit longer otherwise you scaled butt was toasted." let out Owen as he casually walked in our direction, wiping his gloves clean of the dark gunk staining them. "We could have handled these maggots on our own thanks." harshly spat Kaos, popping next to me in a puff of dark mist. "Oh really? I highly doubt that." "May I know why?" "Judging by the face your little… protégé is making he wouldn't have been capable of moving a claw. Am I right Kyo?" I gritted my teeth, snarling in annoyance, trying to gather myself. "He took me by surprise." I hissed, not letting a single hint of my disturbance slip behind a cold mask. "Indeed… I saw that. However you were lucky he was more nervous than you… he didn't even spot me." "He was focused…" I growled. "So concentrated he didn't give any attention to his surroundings." he chuckled, giving the slowly melting ice block a gentle poke. "Regardless I'll have to admit it was a cunning strategy nonetheless. I didn't expect such a bold attempt would work but it actually did give quite some result. Too bad the source of his camouflage was so easy to detect… and destroy." he sniggered, sweeping away the few shards left of the broken crystal with a kick. "Also… who was he disguised in to be able to get so close to you?" "Mind your own business." I hissed, darting meaningful eyes at him.

Fear had given way to anger; shock to questioning, happiness to pure fiery rage burning through my veins. This… wicked creature had crossed a line, his daring attempt triggering something wild inside me, something that burned bright with the fire of hatred and contempt. "It must be someone important…" he mumbled, ignoring my warning as I growled menacingly "Although I'm surprised you didn't try to protect your… how to put this? This little helpless whelp of yours. Were you lacking clairvoyance?" he let out, his voice full of disregard. "Watch your tongue…" I rumbled, my claws digging long lines in the ground. "I don't know what happened but that little worm managed to blur my sight, I couldn't see any damn thing right." "Hmmm… fascinating. I have to admit I sensed the same disturbances in his aura." "Perhaps it came from that crystal he was wearing." suggested Kaos. "Probably…"

The crystal…. I turned my gaze toward the shattered remains, purple-black fragments lying in the dust, enhanced, pulsing with the last strands of magic trapped inside. Intrigued I reach out with a claw, feeling the dark power radiate from it. "Kyo don't…!" yelled someone. Too late, a tiny lightning bolt surged from one of the glowing fragment, slithering in my direction. I grimaced, a stinging sensation spreading fast through my paw, sparks of pain traveling through my whole leg. I can feel the darkness seep inside me, but unlike before; unlike when the Watcher broke that crystal in order to awake Kaos; contrary to that time I don't feel an overpowering tide of obscuri¤r trying to submerge me; no; completely the opposite, I feel good, like a part of me had been given back, had been put back to it's rightful place, a missing fragment finally returning where it belonged.

I step backward, my paw tingling weirdly. Before me the crystal fragments are still where they were but all of them have lost their glimmer, now only displaying a black lifeless surface. "He… he has drained it!" gasped Owen, falling onto his knees "How are we supposed to find out a thing if you keep destroying the few clues we have?" "Shut up at once!" roared Kaaos, earning for a brief attention the attention of the whole crowd.

"Kyo… are you alright?" asked Allen, speaking for the first time since the whole thing had begun. "Yes… I think…" I mumbled, trying each limb to see if everything was alright. Everything seemed to function; perfectly answering to my commands. "Am I dreaming?" asked someone behind my back. "No… I see it to…" replied someone else. "How is that possible?" This time I recognized Owen. "Oh no… nn no… that's not good… not good at all…" whimpered Kaos. "What… what's happening?" I asked; panicked, turning around, feeling the atmosphere tense around me. All of them were wearing stunned faces, staring at me in a mix of surprise, curiosity… and fear. "Can someone tell me what's happening?" I roared; no one seeming to have the guts to tell me what I couldn't see. Finally it was Tarken who stood forward, taking a deep breath. "Kyo… you're glowing…"

"What!?"

………

Allen

I was trembling, speechless. When that white dragon had appeared I had sprung on my feet, my hand gripping the pommel of my sword, unsheathing a few inch of steel. I had kept my eyes glued onto him, suspicious. I felt the maelstrom of emotions ravage through Kyo's head, flooding mine as well. I grimaced, stuttering as I tried to withstand the flow of his mingled feelings. Thankfully I managed to stay clear only slightly dazed. He was now facing my dragon, trembling, nervous, sweating, his breathing shallow. I could almost hear the ragged beating of his heart. I heard the only spoken word as the two gazed deep in the other's eyes. "Alckor" what was it? Was it a name? A word of draconic language? An insult? A greating? I didn't know but Kyo's sheer overpowering happiness was telling me it was good. Yet all of a sudden everything went bad; a dark choking smoke, a different drake standing where the previous one; ice trapping that said drake… and so many other things.

In the end I hadn't even draw; my blade still nestled in its sheath. I had been powerless, incapable to do a damn thing. If this freak had attacked; what would have I done? If he had managed to carry out his plan what would have I been capable of doing to protect my dragon?

I could only blame myself. It had smelled fishy ever since he had popped a few meters away in the alley but I had been incapable to determine what he was.

As I looked around I realized everyone was in the same position as I; their weapon held in their hands but no one had attacked; even Kyle, the first one to jump in the battle was there, holding his trusty shotgun with one hand, the barrels pointing down.

We had gone through battles but such a simple trick had left us doubting. How much of a fool was I?

Once again we were saved by another, by the same hand that had already saved us so many times. It was starting to become a habit, a habit that made a bitter frustration rise in me, the sensation of being weak.

My fists clenched on nothingness, my teeth gritted as he came closer, smirking satisfied; and he even had the boldness to taunt us.

His words were sharp daggers stabbing my flesh but I couldn't deny they were right, we had been incapable to defend ourselves; incapable to see the danger coming right for us.

Although I wanted to punch something I had to stay focus, think straight and learn from our previous mistakes.

Actually his question was right; who was that guy? Why did he cause such a surge of emotions, such a shock on Kyo? Why was he even so harsh answering? He seemed as frustrated, as angry as me. My eyes went from my dragon, growling and snarling to the ice block where another was resting, caged in a frozen prison. Who was he? Where did he came from? I had no clue yet… that face had something… familiar… like… like I had already seen it… but where?

I lost myself in my memories, trying to find that missing detail, that same face… but where?

The murmur of voice drew me out of my thoughts, noticing everyone was looking at Kyo who was showing his back to us. I didn't know what had happened but I could feel a shift in Kyo's energy, a darker side rising up, taking over his body. I watch in horror as a dark light pulses from his gleaning scales, reddish sparkles crossing his blue eyes, an unusual aura appearing around him, basking him in an obscure glow. I took a step back, knowing all too well what would happen. I heard Kaos' whimpers as he backed away, the glow around Kyo intensifying. Finally he turned his face toward us, his blue irises almost entirely turned red, only a few shrinking blue areas left. When his voice rose it had deepened, tainted of dark hues yet… he didn't seem to notice it. The growing river of darkness started seeping in my body, my vision darkening, like a veil was covering my eyes. "Not again…" I thought, trying to fight it, to resist the vile influence. I felt a hand on my shoulder, gripping it with such force I felt my bones bend. I gritted my teeth, throwing a curious look on my left. Kyle was next to me, holding my shoulder in his strong large hand. I blushed, my cheeks becoming warmer as they turned red. It was the very first physical contact I had with him in several long weeks and to be fair I had been craving for it. I looked at him. Our eyes crossed; his were looking… I wasn't sure… but they looked worried, like he was actually afraid. But for what reason? Was he feeling the same danger as I? Did he knew thee threat coming for us? Or was he afraid for another reason? Worried about something else? Could he feel my struggles as I tried to resist the wave of darkness eager to crush my soul?

I didn't know but I wished it was just that; that he cared for me; and that sense of fear in his eyes as he crossed mind only confirmed that first thought. That grip on my shoulder, that reassuring presence by my side, it was all I needed to fight the shadows trying to take over my mind. Slowly his grip faded away, my bones aching from the amount of pressure he had put on me. Nervously I started wiggling my hand, both to shake off the pain and find something to hang onto. I flinched, my fingers making contact with something soft yet rough to the touch. I looked down; my finger had instinctively found his hand hanging limply along his body. Without hesitation I grabbed his, mingling my fingers with his, feeling him tense at the unexpected contact. I saw his cheeks warm up, turning red as he looked away, nibbling his lower lips. Our eyes crossed, embarrassment flushing our faces red as we both looked away, toward my dragon, our hands still tied together.

Before us Kyo continued to change, his eyes now a crimson red, his slitted pupils staring at his own paws, his lower jaw dropped in shock, letting us see the inside of his maw where fangs were elongating as more stuffed his jaws. The blue scales taking a reddish taint; his wings undergoing the same treatment. Before our eyes he started growing, growing exponentially, growing until he had doubled in size; even making Voire, the ever stoic dragon; who was still bigger by the way; back away. His transformation went on for about a long minute, his claws lengthening in one burst, gleaning in the sunlight as they became sharper, deadlier as new muscles bulged under his scales, the thorns on his back closely followed as did his horns, every inch of his body thickening, becoming much stronger, much scarier. He arched his back, letting out a deep rumbled growl, baring his fangs in a twisted grimace as two large red scars materialized behind his wing. A split second later, in a loud squeal; as scales split and bones cracked; two new appendages burst from his very flesh, extending until they reached the same length and size than his original wings.

Soon after it was all over; he stood there; head bowed down; panting and growling deeply, gathering himself after what had happened; his eyes slowly going up; observing us with these two fiery orbs. A cold chill ran down my spine as I clutched Kyle's hand tight, mine feeling so small in his large palm as he answered, gripping mine even tighter.

I didn't like to see Kyo like this, I found that form all but the dragon I had bonded with, all but friendly, all but adorable, only fierce and evil as his own darkness poured in my head. Everyone seemed in the; same contemplative state, fear making their hands shake, their faces frozen in a similar expression of utter terror as they discovered the other side of my dragon. I took a deep breath, calming the quick beating of my heart, focusing on keeping my mind clear of the humongous darkness he kept unconsciously pumping in my mind.

However, as another minute of silence went by I felt the dark power withdraw, leaving my head, replaced by that familiar warm presence of Kyo's soul nudging against mine like he had been doing since we had talked in our room. It was as if he was trying to tell me "I’m there… I'll always be there to protect you.". A relieved shiver traversed me as I recognized that sweet contact. "Are you alright big guy?" I enquired through our link. "I'm alright… just… what happened?" "I don't know… it felt… so weird?" he mumbled, looking at his own body in curiosity.

"Stay where you are!" yelled a bossy manly voice. I looked back, a new squad of soldiers coming in full force, carrying some big weaponry. Before I could even move a finger they had formed a large circle around… around Kyo?! I gasped, astonished as I saw them raise their weapons, aiming at his head. I threw a quick look to my surroundings; Kyle was speechless, his shotgun had fallen to the ground. For me he was one of the most fearless person I knew, one of the bravest, if not the most courageous; and here he was, staring wide eyed at Kyo, although he had already seen him before. The first guards ware still around the two captured demons, dumbly looking at their weapons. The only two people that seemed to have not let themselves be overwhelmed by fear were Tarken, lightly smiling, watching his mate with a lustful expression, slightly wiggling his butt, hardly hiding his arousal as he took sneaky glances down between Kyo's hind legs, not bothered a single second by the size difference or that terrifying beast he had become. The other one was of course Owen, leaning against a nearby streetlamp; arms crossed over his chest, casually examining Kyo with a sufficient expression, lips pinched as his eyes said "I've seen better." How could he stay as calm in that situation as my dragon was getting surrounded by two dozens of guards heavily armed and ready to shoot. I couldn't let this happen; I had to do something. I let go of Kyle's hand, stepping resolutely forward. "Hey what do you think you're doing?" I yelled, attracting all the eyes as I closed in, shoving two guards away. "Step aside; we're taking care of the situation." ordered their commander. "Which situation?" I growled. "We're neutralizing the threat so get away and let us do our job." he grunted, eyes fixated on Kyo.

"Me… a threat…" he gasped, astonished "do you hear that! Seriously these guys have shit in their eyes." "Keep quiet filthy beast." grunted their chief, glaring menacingly at Kyo. Kyo's eyes ignited, his crimson red irises burning with the fire of rage as he bared his fangs, lowering his large snout to the man's level, a black smoke oozing from his maw and nostrils as a deep rumble made his throat vibrate. "Call me a filthy beast one more time…" he hissed, puffing that acrid smoke right in the man's face, causing him to cough as his face disappeared in the choking hot cloud. The next instant I heart weapon being armed, aim steadied as the soldiers took a better grip on their weapons, all aiming at Kyo's head. "Stay where you are!" ordered a voice, it's owner only earning a menacing glare and another burst of black smoke right in his face. "Get away from my dragon!" I yelled in turn. "It is yours!?" asked the commander, looking straight at me with a look of utter surprise painted on his face. "Oh course it's mine!" I grumbled, shoving my open palm right in his face, forcing him to see the mark stretching on my palm, ultimate, undeniable proof of my bond with Kyo. The next thing I knew was that I had a riffle barrel pressed in my back, the contact of cold steel making me shiver as adrenaline shot through my veins as I clenched my fists, ready to attack. A low growl echoed over me as something hid the sun, casting a large shadow on me and the man behind me. "Leave my rider alone if you don't want to be burned alive." growled Kyo, dark heated sparkles raining on the armored guard, the acrid stench of fire and smoke filling the air as heat blasted over me. The man obeyed, terrified, keeping his shaking gun pointed alternatively at both of us. "Tame your beast if it is yours." growled the chief, hand nervously gripping his own weapon, a massive looking handgun with a wide barrel. "It would be easier if all you dumbasses weren't around menacing him." "We are doing our job." "Of what? Attacking an innocent dragon?! Great job guys!" I shouted, sarcastically applauding "I feel much safer now!"

We stared at each other for a long tensed minute, assessing the other, ready to fight with, right above us, dominating us from all his height Kyo, his fire ready to burst from his slightly parted maw, his claws scrapping the dirt impatiently. I froze, discovering in the reflecting surface of his polished armor a sight that frightened me to death. The face I saw was the face of a complete stranger staring at me with empty milky white eyes pulsing with an evil glow. I took a step back, shaking my head; trying to clear my mind. I understood; I understood now; the darkness, that vile stream of energy had infected my mind, influencing my very thoughts, guiding each action. I looked up toward Kyo, his eyes had become a blur of rage and bloodlust, his desire to fight visible on his face, a vicious grin twitching his lips. I pressed a hand against my head, trying to resist that devilish embrace trying to subdue me. I took another step back, my strength abandoning me as I stuttered, trembling on my feet as I felt like they would give way under me. I could feel ¤;he burning gaze of these red eyes fixated on me as they followed me, curious, intrigued, expecting.

As I tried to focus, to fight that overwhelming power

A shiver ran down my spine, had Kyo succumbed to his own inner darkness; had this only crystal shard contained enough energy to break the fragile balance, making him fall forever in that dark side?

A loud bang shattered the silence, the loud noise of gunfire bouncing in the immense crater, attraction every gaze toward its source. I stopped breathing, a brutal surge of energy forcing the shadows to withdraw out of my mind. I turned around, as everyone did to find Kyle holding his shotgun in one hand, a finger firmly pressing the trigger, the two barrels pointed toward the sky, a whitish trail of smoke coiling as it escaped the hot weapon. "Enough!" he growled his voice cold and calm as he spoke out loud "Everyone calm down and put their weapon to the ground." "Who are you to give us order? Drop your weapon now!" grumbled their chief. "You're really starting to get on my nerves." grumbled Kyle, walking toward the man with determination glinting in his eyes. Before anyone could more a finger his fist flew through the air, slamming right in the annoying man's face. A loud cracking noise could be heard miles away as the man screamed in pain, staggering back, both hands pressed to his nose, vermilions rivulets gushing between his clenched fingers.

"Much better when you shut that big mouth of yours…" sighed Kyle, wiping his blood covered hand against his shirt. A sly grin curled my lips as I watched the man holding his nose, grimacing in pain, mumbling words under his breath under the amused gazes of his own men. It was quite satisfying to see that idiot suffer. I let out a low chuckle, right before another; much deeper one shook my body. Right above me Kyo was watching, a wide grin plastered across his face, his mischievous gaze observing with a pervert satisfaction the blood dripping on the ground. I had no time to speak nor to open my mouth, a dash of green traversed my sight right before Kyo's eyes burst wide open, his jaws opening on a high pitched squeak as he, for some unknown reason he tripped over and fell to the ground.

Right behind him stood Tarken, his face as cold as the one of his rider as One of his paw was firmly squeezing something, something that made Kyo cry out in pure pain, his suffering blooming in my head, erasing all the last traces of darkness clogging to my mind. Before my amazed eyes my dragon's eyes caame back to blue, as if they had been washed, cleaned of that red stain. Soon after his scales had followed, the red parts finding back that deep blue color I loved so much as he began shrinking, that second pair of wings soon vanishing, absorbed in his body as he came back to his usual proportions; all the while squawking under his mate's tight grasp around his nut-bag. "That… must hurt…" I grunted, grimacing as more of his pain flooded my mind, a lone tear slipping from my eyes. "Yes… he knows quite the spot." replied a voice. I flinched, that voice… it was… Kyle. I turned around, he was watching the scene, cringing just like me, as if he felt the same pain; his gaze was almost… compassionate; understanding. "How can you feel that?" "Nah I don't feel it… it just looks horribly painful from here." "Please stop! It hurt!" whined Kyo, confirming our thoughts as he tried squirming out of the steel grip squeezing his balls. "Not until you've calmed down." "But I'm calm!" he squealed. "I highly doubt that…" "Let go of me! Please." begged Kyo "I… I won't do anything." "Let him go Tarken… I think he understood." I shout to cover Kyo's heartbreaking whimpers. "Alright." he sighead, letting go of his prize.

Kyo stood up, trembling, the last tears falling, looking at all of us in turn, staying a while longer on me. In these two deep blue orbs I saw sincere worry. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft and enquiring. "I'm fine." "I'm sorry Allen… I didn't mean to… I… I don't know what… happened." "It's alright big guy it's alright." I whispered, rubbing his snout as he nuzzled my cheek. "I'm surprised you managed to… resist it so well." "I have to admit you impressed me too Allan." said Kaos, entering our conversation "I know only a handful of peoples who can do that." added Tarken, like he had heard everything.

"I'll put you all in jail for this!" roared the commander, having finally recovered from the blow. "He is still here?" asked Kyo. "Darn it… I haven't hit him hard enough…" pestered Kyle. "Harder and he was good for the hospital." I giggled.

………

Owen:

"What a strange way to attack" I think, playing the scene again and again in my mind. Sure the attempt was bold but pretty effective; whoever he had disguised himself into he had a surprising deceiving effect on Kyo. Who could it be? A friend? Family? I'd bet on family. Although I have to give them that their strategy was very clever nevertheless; if only that little runt had been more careful; he would have notice me with ease and if he had been more cautious with his so unusual aura I wouldn't have sensed him coming from miles away.

Yet; that little whelp had everything to succeed; he had that innocence of younglings, that timidity that was very unusual for any demon. Nothing seemed fake in the way he acted, his nervousness, his anticipation; everything transpired honesty; so much honesty that without that weird shifting energy emanating from him I wouldn't have been able to spot him and he would have slipped right under my nose.

However… there were a handful of even more awkward details, thing that didn't make any sense: like why these two demons had ran so helplessly toward Kyo. At first I had suspected they were here to harvest our dear old demon friend Kaos while Kyo was busy with the other in a classic pincer maneuver or using Kyo's focus against him to attack him from the front. But even that didn't make any sense; with their friend neutralized they should have avoided such approach, beside my position was a dead giveaway after shooting an ice beam at the first one; yet they had ran straight into battle, oblivious to my presence. Which led me to the most important question: was it even an attempt to steel Kaos, or was it something else?

"Don't torture yourself with these foolish questions." grunted Voire in my head, glaring at the three immobilized creatures "It doesn't matter why or how they tried; what is important is that they failed." "You can't deny it was an incredibly ingenious plan." "Poorly executed but you're right they deserve some credits… even though that plan was too much to carry out for these whelps." "Indeed."

A deep crackling noise made me flinch: next to me the half melted ice black was leaking water on the ground, tiny white cracks appearing on its slick surface. "Oh dear that one is gonna unfreeze soon." "And these fools are oblivious to it." grunted Voire. "Let's take care of that before we get a much worse situation on our hands."

"Owen wait!" he shouted in my head, his voice trembling with uncertainty "Have you made up your mind on what you wanted to do with these two?" "With what Kaos told us and what I see right now" I mumbled, my eyes going over the immense black form with shinnying red eyes, dark energy pulsing in his veins "They need a proper training before that power consume them both." "Agreed; Kyo's energy balance is only holding by a few strings; it is highly unstable and a tiny little thing could break that fragile equilibrium." "And cause him to fall forever." I ended, taking a long deep breath. "I'm disappointed to see this old timer of a demon is too afraid to do a thing to help him. He knows the danger but he let it happen." "I wouldn't say that he is afraid… more like he is not ready to admit his little secret." "I don't get it." "Helping Kyo would force him to open his mind and give Kyo all the knowledges to tame his powers." "And probably bust him out in the process… I see…. Just like I said he is scared." growled Voire with an obvious disregard. "Maybe you're right but it is not our priority now. Beside…I still want to conduct my little test." "Do you still think it's necessary?" enquired Voire, excited hints peaking in his voice. "When have made some… progresses but I don't think they understand each other fully so yes, this test is necessary." "Can't wait to see that." he giggled, his impatient reaching to me, making a devilish smirk curl my lips.

Before us a curious scene was unfolding, Kyo's mate had grabbed onto the transformed dragon's sack, causing such pain that it managed so turn Kyo back to his normal self. "That's… a way to… get rid of darkness I suppose." mumbled Voire, as shocked as I. "I'll keep that one in mind. But don't let appearances fool you… the dark power is still there, lingering in his veins, it has only been pushed back but Kyo is still tipping over the edge." "Also… do you know why this crystal had such an effect on him?" "I have no clue. Hmmm… actually that's something I'll have to investigate later. But first let's finish this business." I grunted, throwing a glance at the cracking ice block, it's shiny surface covered of cracks, cold water streaming down the surface, glinting in the sunlight.

I step forward, taking a deep breath "Gentlemen gentlemen! Please! Contain yourself, we have more pressing matter to discuss of." called Owen, putting himself between us and the guard. "And who exactly are you?" "It is none of your business; just know that I'm a friend and an ally of the empire…." "We shall see about that…" he grumbled, getting in a more formal stance. "Actually… I would like to help you." "I'd be curious to see how." "It's simple; firstly you are misunderstanding your target." "You dare question our judgment?!" "No not at all but this dragon you are menacing now is no threat to us." "What! But…" "Indeed no…; you are actually attacking a loyal rider of its majesty the emperor." "Impossible…" he gasped, his face becoming paler than snow. "Let's say he had just been too… curious with dangerous magical artefacts. Am I right Kyo?" "Yes… I'm not touching that thing again." he growled, getting on his paws as his mate let go of his prize. "Glad to hear that but back to the main subject, your true target… or targets, the real threats right now are right there." I explained with that same calm tone, waving my hands toward the three paralyzed dragons. The man looked dumbfounded, nut understanding a thing of what I was telling him. "These three are highly dangerous beasts that need to be taken care of as soon as possible to avoid a… onslaught." The word seemed to do its effect as the man's gaze fixated on the three petrified creatures. A louder breaking noise filled the heavy silence, the block falling on its side, losing a large slope of ice that in the next seconds shattered on the ground, forming a large pool of freezing cold water on the ground.

"I think you'd better hurry before that one unfreezes." I suggested. The commander took a few seconds to find his composure. "Everyone with me now!" he yelled, running toward the three trapped demons, his men quickly following behind "Get me some chains now!" he shouted as his soldiers took position.

………

Kyo:

Pain, electrifying jolts of pure suffering coursing through my body, shouting up my spine directly in my brain as I roared my suffering to the sky. I felt that paw gripping my exposed balls so tightly, causing tides of humongous pain to roam through my body, putting me through a great deal of pain as the grip tightened, my nuts aching, throbbing painfully as I crouched low; letting out high pitched whines as that strong rough scaled palm squeezed harder and harder around my sack, increasing the pain it sent billowing through my frame like a thunderstorm as stars danced before my eyes. I tensed, afraid that he would rip them from me at that rate, more unbearable pain washing over me as he gripped tighter, drawing a louder squeak from my mouth.

Yet, as painful as it was to endure there was something relieving in that suffering. It felt as odd to say as it was to think but I couldn't deny that fact, the more he hurt me the more I felt the control come back to me, the darkness retreating, twisting in that same pain. There were still there, but weakened, still lurking, awaiting for their moment to come back in full force but; with his help they had been pushed away, leaving me free of my moves.

I felt my body shrink, muscles vanishing, that second so unusual pair of wings dissolving in a puff of dark fumes as I recovered my normal proportions. It felt awkward to be changing, shifting like this all the time, different types of energy flowing, mingled inside of me, taking over in turns but overall it was delightful to be back to normal, free of my moves and thoughts. "Thanks Tarken…" I whispered, cringing as he kept a steel grip on my aching orbs, managing to squeeze them as hard even though they were better protected in that… form…. His face was expressionless, his eyes cold and focused, his mind unreachable, a fortress nothing could breach; a foreign place to me. "Tarken…" I called, using the only thing with which I could still reach him "You… you can let go of me now…." he didn't flinch, ignoring my call. "Tarken… please… let go… you're… squashing me…" I whimpered, pressed hard against the rough ground, the only part of my body still up being my hindquarter.

"It's alright Tarken you can let go of him!" shouted Kyle, coming closer, examining me like a new discovery he had just made, scanning me with expert eyes. Tarken grunted, his grip loosening until the contact of his rough insensitive paw left my plump spheres jumping in their hiding, sending bursts after burst of pure pain in my body. I fell limply to the ground, wincing as I tried to recover. "Sorry for that Kyo…" whispered my mate in my ear, leaning over me in a soft cuddle, his paws softly rubbing my flanks as he nuzzled my neck. "It's alright…. Damn that hurts." I whined, grimacing as another bolt of pain shook my body "you… you're done… what was needed… thank you…" "My pleasure…" he purred, nibbling my chin. "Just… please don't do that again… that was creepy. I… I really thought you were about to castrate me." "It wasn't my intention Lyo… please forgive me; I wouldn't have dared to remove these precious beauties from you. But you have to understand I have to take some precautions." "Precautions?" "I'll tell you later… for now, we have some more important questions to solve."

With a furtive kiss he separated, leaving me alone as I got on my paws, shaking the dust of my scales.

"Are you alright Kyo?" asked a voice coming from below. I looked down. Allen was there, watching up to me, worries painted on his face. I lowered my snout, nuzzling his face gently, feeling these soft hands pat my scales, a sweet warmth seeping under my scales as I closed my eyes, giving in that soft embrace, feeling these lurking darkness in my body crawl away. It felt good to have him so close. "Are you ok Kyo?" he asked, still rubbing my cheek. "I'm alright… and you?" "A bit dazed but nothing worrying." he replied, a relieved smile forming on his lips as he hugged my snout. "I'm… I'm sorry Allen… I… I didn't want to drag you into this again. I… I don't know what happened to me; that… that crystal… the energy it held… it was… overpowering… I… I could do nothing against it." "It's alright… it's alright… don't blame yourself for that." "I should have been more careful…" I huffed, tears rolling down my cheeks "if only I hadn't touched that cursed thing…" "It's ok Kyo it's ok…" "Allen… how can you be so… calm? I… I could have… infected you with them again…" "You did Kyo you did." "What! So… how can you forgive me?!" "It wasn't as bad as last time." "What!?" I yelped, drawing away with a gasp. I stared at my rider in awe, were my darkness leaking into his mind, turning him in something awful? "Don't be afraid Kyo; I mean I managed to keep control." "Barely…" grunted Kyle, entering our conversation. "I'm sorry all the same… I should have been more careful!” "At least next time you'll know not to fool around with demonic enhanced artefacts." grumbled Owen, examining the shard I had accidently drained "Still… it's amazing nevertheless how you managed to drain it; there isn't even a single sparkle left." "Is that… normal?" I interrogated, a cold sweat running down my spine. "Yes… but not really…. You see it is fairly common for dragons… like most of the living beings to be receptive to that energy; in fact it acts as a catalyst, amplifying the dark part that is already deep within every people; even the rightest one have it, hidden deep within. Only a small number of people can withstand it, even achieving immunity." he mumbled, throwing Tarken a meaningful glance.

My eyebrows rose; why such disregard in his voice as he glared at my mate? "These people are not the greatest; they just had the knowledges and trained following the old ways. Instead of learning how to control it they trapped it, caged it, buried it deep within."

Tarken snarled, glaring menacingly at Owen as he toyed with a still full crystal fragment, faintly glowing with the dark power swirling inside it. "However…" continued Owen "there is something odd in the way that thing reacted to you, it is easy to absorb dark energy; even a whelp can; but in that case… there was something wrong with this." "What exactly?" "This thing did not only react with your dark side which to be fair is fairly… prominent…" he grunted. I knew that my whole body was basked in a dark light, an aura of shadow coming from inside, slipping between every scale. "Not only did it intertwine with yours fairly easily; in seemed to be… resonating with your energy. Which brings me to the main question, where does that thing c…" he asked, raising the tiny jagged shard. Before he could finish his sentence the fragments started throbbing, jumping in his palm, radiating a blinding purple-black. With a light sound it cracked, broke, freeing a tiny snake of energy, forming in mid-air, curling and twisting on itself. Deep within I felt a sudden shift, darkness surging from the depth of my being. I didn't have to look to know my aura had increased, a bright glow enveloping me now, pounding in time with the energy held in the shattered crystal. Before anyone could react the thing leaped forward, dashing straight for me and, without the slightest sound penetrated my flank. I gritted my teeth, stumbling back; my energy balance shifting slightly, the darker side becoming much more powerful. "Holy crap… that was unexpected…" gasped the stunned mage. "Kyo are you alright?" shouted Allen, rushing to my side . "I'm… I'm fine… I guess…" I growled, trying to calm the ragged beating of my heart, coping with that renewed energy boiling in my flesh. My voice had deepened, sounding like the rumble of thunder. "This is definitely unusual… but fascinating…" he whispered, grabbing another piece "why is it reacting like…" once again the crystal imploded, another snake of energy rushing to me.

I stuttered, trembling on wobbly paws; my energy balance becoming more unstable, darkness threatening to take over. "Stop… stop this…" I growled, snarling annoyingly; my voice even deeper, my muscles bulging, swelling as I grew again. "Fascinating…truly fascinating." he mumbled extending a hand to grab another shard. Gunfire ripped the silence, the remaining fragments blowing as pellets shattered them to dust. "Don't touch that you fool!" yelled Kyle, his weapon aimed at the ground. "I am not sure it was such a smart idea to destroy them." chuckled Owen, amused as a handful of energy worms rushed toward me, homing on me like I had a target painted om my back. I roared, darkness surging through my body as I once again transformed, standing tall on my paws, power like fire blooming in my veins. However this time something was different, this time I had control. I stood up, fluttering my wings, trying to get used to that new form, to that new strength coursing through my veins. "Incredible… absolutely incredible." he shushed, circling around me from a safe distance. "You're proud of you now?" I hissed, darted angry eyes on him. "I am not but it brings a new light to the most recent event." "Clarify your thoughts…" I hissed, my voice joined by Allen's as he stepped closer, rubbing my foreleg until I lied down for him to rub my flanks, making my scales tingle as I let out a low purr. Even in that form my scales were still so sensitive to his treatment.

"Well… this crystal didn't held any kind of energy, no… far from that, it held a tiny minuscule amount of your energy Kyo." "What!?" we all gasped, a chore of stupefied dragons and humans. "How is that possible?" enquired Allen. "The only possible way I see is that they managed to get their hands on some of It." he let out, his words having the effect of a small bomb. "How…?" gasped Tarken, staring at me like I could bring him that answer; but even I was clueless. "You mean…" began Allen. "They managed to harvest it." I roared, finishing the sentence as I sprang on my paws; fire blazing in my irises. "Impossible." cut Kaos, intervening for the first time, his voice as sharp as a razorblade, leaving no space for protest "I would have felt it." "They can also have gathered residual energy from previous fights and encounters; you have been spending if not wasting a lot of energy lately." "These scums." I spat, glaring at the three beasts barely visible behind the walls of soldiers keeping them captive.

"Excuse me sir…" called a shy voice. We all turned our gaze toward a man advancing slowly, holding his helmet in one hand, the other gripping an automated crossbow. "What shall we do of these… things?" he asked, waving a shaky hand toward the three glossy polished statues that some time ago were living beings. He was obviously addressing to Owen. "Why are you asking me? Dispose of them as you see fit." "We'd like to but they are… stuck…""What do you mean?" "Well… they are… glued to the ground and we can't move them."

As if to prove his words three gryphons took flight, holding thick chains in their talons, they rose into the sky, trying to pull the petrified demons with them but the damn thing refused to move; the pavement crackling as the mighty feathered beasts flapped their wings with all their might until, in an ear splitting noise all the chains broke at once and heavily fell to the ground in a cacophony of torn apart steel. "See…" "Oh dear…" mumbled Owen "tell your chief to stop; it's futile! I'll help you but wait a few minutes please." "Yes sir." "And what about the other?" "We're awaiting the neutralizing chains and we'll transfer him to the jail." "Good good… make sure he is kept under constant surveillance… we don't know what he is capable of." "And the two other?" questioned the young soldier. "They won't be any troubles until they're freed from their prison; just wait for me and get a few sets of these chains of yours… we'll need them; but for everyone's safety don't touch anything." "We'll do as you say sir." "Good good…" "And tell your commander that I'll personally take care of that runt's interrogatory." I growled, my claws digging in the floor, tearing through the grass and dirt as anger washed over me, hatred and contempt failing my heart as I laid eyes on that sleeping frame dipping in cold waters.

"Mighty… respectable dragon… I… I think we won't be able to… access your request." he gasped, shivering as I craned my neck down to meet his gaze. "Why?" "Well… usually this task is given to a lawman… and in some extreme cases to the emperor himself… never to… any of your kind… even less if they're implicated in the affair." "Let's make an exception this time then…" I hissed, pestered by these stupid laws. "I'm sorry… but we can't do that… beside I'm not even sure they'll bother with an interrogation or if they'll just execute them in public place." "The wisest solution." approved Owen, soon followed by an army of nodding heads and snouts. "These vile creatures deserve to die; don't bother with them Kyo they're not worth your interest." spat Tarken in disregard. "It isn't that creature that interests me… it is the information it holds." I grunted, a wicked smile twisting my traits "and I'll gladly extract them from him." "What information?" wondered everyone, their voices mingled together in that simple question that; I knew was on every lips. "Why did he try to use that silly camouflage…" I barked, my fire welling up in my mouth as I only seek revenge, my only desire being to scorch that smiling face in the fiery inferno of my breath. "Why is it bugging you so much? It was just a foolish plan." huffed Allen, leaning against one of my legs. "A plan that almost succeeded but foolish all the same." agreed Owen.

I snarled, a low growl escaping the barrier of my gritted fangs. Anger was filling my veins, guiding my very thoughts; I wanted to send them all away; my only desire was to rip that little brat apart for what he did and had done before; not let anything get in my way as I would quell my anger in demonic blood; but I couldn't do that; they didn't know; none of them knew the reason of my anger. Maybe Tarken did… but could he recall it? I turned my face toward him, our gaze crossing a mere instant before he nodded acknowledging. He understood; he remembered.

"You wouldn't understand…" I finally let out, lowering my snout to the ground. "Listen Kyo; I saw that look on your face when he showed up; I saw that glint of happiness in your eyes; I understand that it was someone dear to you; I understand the pain it might have been to lose him… or her… and the joy you felt when you thought they were back." strong hands gripped my snout, forcing me to meet the gaze of the still hooded figure "But don't let your frustration lure you; it's exactly what they want; they've found a weakness in your shell, don't let them exploit it; don't let them get under your scales."

I shook my head, freeing myself from his tight grasp. "You don't understand…" I growl, baring my fangs "none of you can…". "We do… we understand your feelings more than you imagine." he sighed. something warm and soft made contact with my snout, something small, something so tiny it felt like a bug clinging to my scales. I looked down, discovering Allen, staring at me from below, an understanding expression as he fondled my scales, making me shudder under his skilled touch "We've all lost people we cared for Kyo; we all went through the same painful moments. It is just a bad time to go through… nothing will bring that beloved one back." "You are well-placed to know that Kyo." added Tarken, sinking the knife deeper in the wound. "You don't understand." I rumbled, breaking that enjoyable contact "it is no friend nor mates… it… it's… family…" I let out, my voice a barely audible squeak, my throat knotting, my heart tightening as this painful word full of bad memories escaped my mouth.

Family… almost a cursed word for me. Family; what had always been denied to me; family… what I only knew for a few years; family, vague elusive memories I desperately clung to. Family… what had continuously brought death, sorrow and regrets in its wake every time I tried. Family; what always broke apart, leaving me always alone. Family… a desire that had brought me nothing more than suffering, putting me under a constant trial for only a vain hope.

In the corner of my eyes I spotted Tarken lowering his snout, sharing in my pain, so deeply understanding my feelings.

"Family?" repeated Owen, rubbing his chin with a finger "that brings quite an interesting topic… may you share this with us Kyo." "Mind your own business! It only concerns me." "Then I think we have a problem." "There is no problem… I'll take charge of his interrogation… he won't keep his secrets for long and soon… he'll tell me what I want to know… then he'll have my permission to die." I growled, my voice darkening as it deepened. "I can't let you do this Kyo." "Oh really… why?" "Because I can't let you close to him." "Why?!" I roared, towering above him but he didn't look terrified a single second despite the menacing thing glaring down at him. "Because either way it's gonna get nasty!" he yelled, daring to cross my gaze. "Why either way?" I interrogated, that detail managing to slip past the rage clouding my mind.

"Don't you get it you stupid lizard brain! It is bait, a trick! This camouflage was only the first part of the plan! Can't you see it you dummy? It was all to destabilize you, to trigger you; to blind you for the real plan. Because At the second you'll be in range that runt will set his real plan into motion. That or you'll rip him to shreds." "I admit that this idea is… tempting…" I hissed, my claws excitedly curling inward. "That just confirms what I feared…" he sighed, raising a hand. His finger snapped, that sound echoing in the heavying silence. I arched my backs, preparing to strike. But, before I had time to even raise a claw something latched onto my shoulders, pulling me down as something gooey is splattered across my scales; sticking to me like glue as I winced, forced to bend down by an unimaginable force. I grimaced, pushing against whatever tried to hold me down, my muscles stiffened as I tried to extricate myself of it. I threw a quick glance back, discovering large tough looking rings tied around my forelegs, larger collars looking things were wrapped around my shoulders and haunches, attached to thick ropes that vanished into the ground below, dragging me down them until my chest met the hard stone. Another collar enveloped my neck, preventing me from squirming. How could he do that to me?!

Enraged I trashed against my bonds, trying to bring them to break; but these were magical, impossible to destroy with brute force. Fire welled up in my throat, a dark ball shimmering as it formed in my mouth, my eyes homing at Owen. He was a friend bus I didn’t care. He had saved me a handful of times but he didn't matter. He dared to stand in my way he should pay for that.

Suddenly a shadow dashed before me, putting itself between me and my target. I gasped, closing my mouth, swallowing my fire, choking as I coughed, thick black smoke puffing from my mouth. "A… Allen…"

………

Allen

"What have you become Kyo?" I asked myself as I stood before him, shielding a man I knew could defend himself on my own. I must have looked pathetic compared to the immense monstrosity that once was my dragon. Yet my simple presence seemed to have a much more benefiting effect than any spell as he stopped, staring at me in a mix of surprise and shock.

I took all my courage and took a step forward, walking toward him calmly. "Stop this nonsense Kyo! He isn't your enemy." "I know…" he growled, still trying so break free from his magical chains "but I need to know… I have to know!" "We won't let you go; not until you've calmed down." "And until you've given us all the details on the person that demon was disguised into." added Owen right behind me.

Kyo looked away, lips sealed shut, nodding his head slightly. After a long minute of complete silence he looked again at me, taking a deep breath as he spoke, exhaling a new wave of acrid black fumes. "I can't tell you… not now… I… I still can hardly believe it myself. It's so… amazing so… improbable. I can just tell you it is someone I lost a long time ago… back when I was a little whelp; a person that mattered more than anything else to me; someone I would have died to protect. That's why I need to know." he whispered "that's why I need to hear the truth from his mouth."

I nodded, smiling in satisfaction "you can let him go now…" I said without looking at the one I was talking to.

In a split second all the chains disappeared, dissolving in thin air as Kyo stood up again, stretching his limbs. "Thanks for trusting me Allen." "Don't make me regret it." "I won't…" he whispered, nuzzling my face with his large snout, his tongue slathering my whole face in slimy saliva in one swipe.

"Albright then, now that we are… starting to know what is happening here could we stop trying to jump to each other's throat and focus?" asked Owen, looking the other way, toward the first demon, carried away by ten men keeping a close eye on the beast tangled in chains and rings all linked to a pulsing crystal.

"Make sure no one touches him until I'm back." ordered Kyo, determination turning his face cold "I still want to make him talk…" "I'll try my best but promise me to not kill hi,m… I'd like to study him for a bit. Actually I have never seen a demon like him before and it is making me quite curious." "I won't…" huffed Kyo.

With these words he turned away, flapping his powerful wings as his crimson red eyes wandered in the bright blue sky. "Wait where are you going!" I yelled. "I need to be alone for some time… to figure everything out and…to just sit down and chill." he shushed, hugging my face again with that bulky snout of his "but don't worry… I won't be far; and if you need help just call for me; I'll be here in the blink of an eye." "Don't make me wait for too long." "I promise I'll be quick… beside you have your own problems to solve." he giggled, winking meaningfully as he gently pushed me away, his snout bumping in my chest.

With a last warm smirk in my direction he took a few steps back and in one powerful beat soared into the sky, his powerful wings flapping rapidly, carrying him away.