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The Dragonblood Chronicles

Chapter III

Ragnarok

The knife's sharp blade bites into my skin as I drag it across my palm. Warm violet blood fills my palm, steaming in the cold night air. I tilt my hand and let the blood pooling in my palm drip onto the ground, pooling in a small pit that I had dug beforehand. My sigil appears the moment the first violet droplet touches the earth. "Bylmalka rienne wylde," I speak, the ancient words echoing powerfully through the moonlit field. Skye, the blue dragon we had rescued from the stronghold, rumbles as she's encased in a violet mist. "Norage thyl manus dorahn inehar." With my uncut hand, I pull a ruby pendant from the pouch at my side and drop it into the pool of violet.

There's a sudden explosion of violet light that chases away the surrounding darkness. When it fades, Skye has vanished and the ruby pendant glows faintly inside of the now-empty pit. "Fancy trick, brother," Amathaeyn teases, rather unimpressed. I glare back at the twin-tailed kitsune. Eltairen, on the other hand, is wide-eyed in wonder. "Quiet, Sparky," she retorts.

"My, how original. Sorry to disappoint you, but you're not the first to call me that."

I sigh. "Would it kill you two to get along? Anyways, Eltairen, come here." She shoots a glare at the other kitsune and walks over. She tilts her head curiously. I motion for her to sit on the other side of the shallow pit. "In my...absence, you remained with Tokala for the entirety of your journey to Holme, correct?" I ask her. She nods in response. "Yes."

"And the two of you got along well?"

"I would say so. I remember one night in Moate Kune in which he laid on top of me so that I would sleep."

"Have I ever told you how I came across Tokala?"

"I don't think so."

"I freed him from a gladiator ring in the southern sands. He secretly followed me for days after without my knowledge, even watching over me while I slept. At first, he was simply repaying his debt, but he became more trusting of me over time. There's a difference between Tokala's loyalty, and his trust. And you, Eltairen, have earned his trust. I would like to entrust you with him. With the coming war, we could all use an ally, a friend."

"I...I don't know what to say. You want me to take Tokala as a familiar?"

"Yes. Creatures can bond to anyone with an affinity for magic, not just summoners. But both the caster and the creature have to be willing."

"I..." she takes a deep breath. "I would be honored."

"I'll teach you how to open your own Summoner's Circle and how to call on a familiar in the morning. But for now, all you need to do is make physical contact with him. Normally, you'd need to form and recite a Summoner's Pact, but because Tokala is already bonded to a Pact, all that's needed is to transfer it."

Eltairen nods, walking over to the bear-sized direwolf. Tokala bows his head to her respectfully as she reaches her hand out to him. The moment her hand makes contact with his bowed head, tendrils of shadow snake up her arm, spiraling around it. They stop at her shoulder before fading. She takes a deep breath, then returns Tokala's bow as he dissipates into shadow. "Okay," I begin, "all the pieces are in place, correct?"

Amathaeyn replies first. "The archers are set up at the pass, ready to split the forces from the leaders."

Eltairen speaks next. "The druids from Holme have made all other paths impossible to traverse. The Knights have no choice but to meet us here."

I smile. "Good. Splitting the forces won't last forever, but it should buy us just enough time for the soldiers to arrive. By the time the moon graces this field again, it will shed light on a new world, free from the poison of the Dragon Knights. Remember, if things start to go south, you two take shelter in Moate Kune. The forest will protect you."

The two kitsunes nod.

We all sit down and rest in silence, the tension in the air almost solid. It's hard to believe that half of a month has already passed. We spent the time gathering forces from across Etekahl. I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head of the doubts and fears plaguing my thoughts. Eltairen's hand finds mine and squeezes it reassuringly.

. . .

A single blazing arrow soars into the dawn sky and explodes into a red flash. I rise to my feetpaws. The two kitsunes follow suit. Eltairen grips her sword and Amathaeyn straightens his robe. I produce a shining silver key and a dark amethyst crystal from the pocket of my cloak, eyeing the other two before nodding. They both return the nod.

Suddenly, the field starts dying around us. The grass turns black and the ground becomes ashen. The chill of the air becomes sharp as a feeling of dread washes over the area. My eyes go wide. "No," I whisper, my stomach dropping. Screams echo around us as ash starts raining from above. Five horrifying figures surround us one by one. The first to appear is a towering minotaur-like creature with the head of a bull and the body of an anthropomorphic direbear. The second is a hulking Griffon with the wings and tail of a dragon. The third slithers up, a massive serpent with bat-like wings and four arachnid legs on each side. The fourth leaps from the shadows, a creature similar to an owlbear, but with the front body of a hawk and the rear half of a direfox. The fifth and final Syl Grimm pounces down from above, a giant weretiger with a shark's tail.

A long moment passes as the five nightmarish creatures glare down at us with bleak, soulless eyes. "Why...why are they just standing there?" Eltairen asks, true fear in her eyes. A shudder of dread wracks my body. The sunlight catches the jewel in my hand, making it sparkle. All five of the Syl Grimm recoil, growling and hissing at the sight of the amethyst crystal. "Are they afraid of the jewel?" Amathaeyn asks. I raise it and they back away. "Or what's inside of it," I state.

Amathaeyn looks at me. "But they'll strike as soon as we move."

"Yeah. Eltairen, we need a shield strong enough to hold them off for just a moment. Can you do it?"

She thinks about it. "I don't know. Magick is pretty thin here."

Amathaeyn replies. "Remember, your shields are only as strong as your will. If you think that it's going to fail, it will."

She takes a deep breath. "Okay. I can do it."

I tense my body, preparing to spring into action. "Ready...now!"

A wave of solid energy passes over me as I toss the crystal into the air. Eltairen winces as the five Grimm slam into the wall of blue energy surrounding us. Amathaeyn moves with unnatural speed, drawing his sword and slicing through the crystal. The jewel shatters with a blinding explosion of dark purple light. The Grimm hiss and roar as if they've been hurt. The shield shatters as the light fades.

Standing a few feet away is not one, but two large, feral, wolf-like creatures with black fur. They turn to face us, bowing their heads in gratitude. One of the ShadowFey is considerably larger and has sapphire eyes. The other is more slender, and has amethyst eyes. They glance at each other, a silent conversation passing between them in but a moment.

. . .

These creatures freed us, sister.

Indeed. Though one of them lacks a heartbeat.

Before you misplace your judgement, look. They fight the Grimm, as we do.

It seems that our fight is never over, is it, brother?

It would seem that way. But we owe it to her to keep fighting.

Agreed. These Grimm will regret stepping foot on this plane.

Then let us fight with these creatures, they smell of magic.

Alright then, brother. But refrain from accessing your magic. It will not replenish here.

. . .

The two ShadowFey turn away, each facing a different Grimm. They get low to the ground, baring their wickedly sharp teeth and scratching the ground with their jet black claws. I harden with new hope, letting my cloak fall. My emerald green dragonscale armor glistens in the little light that remains in the sky. The armor is light, specifically designed for spellcasters. The two wolves pounce, and the battle begins.

I draw the silver longsword from the sheath on my back and lunge at the weretiger. I attempt to take advantage of its size by sliding under its legs. But it moves with surprising speed, slamming its tail down. I manage to just avoid it and drag my blade across its tail. It does not react in the slightest. It slashes at me with its long claws, but I block with my sword, the heavy blow pushing me back slightly. But then I get knocked off of my feet by a blow to my gut. The creature's claws scrape harmlessly against my armor, but the force sends me into the air. I use my tail to spin around in the air, landing back on my feet in the perfect pose for another lunge. Another slash of my blade hits home on the Grimm's massive calf, a thick black liquid oozing from the wound. I take a moment to look at my companions as it recovers.

Each of the wolves are holding their own against a Grimm, landing strike after strike while managing to deftly avoid getting hit themselves. Eltairen and Amathaeyn are back-to-back, fending off the griffon and minotaur. The griffon is quick but impulsive, and the minotaur is strong but slow. They too are dealing blow after blow while avoiding strikes from the Grimm. A roar from the weretiger snaps me back into focus.

The battle rages on. The afternoon sun blazes at its peak in the sky, dimmed by the mere presence of the Grimm. Eltairen stumbles and I dart over to block a swipe from the griffon. Her white fur is stained red with her own blood, her cobalt eyes clouded with pain and exhaustion. "They just won't die!" Amathaeyn yells, deflecting a strike from the weretiger and sidestepping a charge from the minotaur. His fur is soaked in violet blood that steams in the chilled air, as is my fur. One of the ShadowFey is sent sprawling and the other stands over it to protect it. They are wounded heavily as well. "Valkhael, this isn't a war, it's suicide! We can't keep this up!" Amathaeyn states.

My stomach sinks. The acrid scent of blood is heavy on the air, making my nose burn with every breath. My entire body is laced with pain. The adrenaline that had been keeping me going is running thin. My brother is right. Without our magic, the Grimm are too powerful. A single tear finds its way down my cheek, stinging my wounds as it travels down my blood-soaked fur. We're fighting a losing battle and we're running out of time. I barely see

Eltairen put up a faint shield before the world goes black and my wobbly legs give out. I don't even feel the ground as I collapse.

. . .

"Rise, child," a sweet voice commands. My eyes open slowly. I try to rise, but my body doesn't obey. All I can feel is pain. It roars through my body like a wildfire, searing every muscle. "Your fight is not over. Rise, Valkhael Vanrae." I try again, body screaming in protest, but it does not move. I try to speak, but hot blood fills my maw and I start choking. A woman walks into view above me, breaking the continuous grey void around me. The grey wolfess is beautiful and fair, looking down at me with eyes of shining gold. A fierce calm washes over me. "The worlds of Etekahl need you, my son. By no means is this the final battle. Rise. Rise, and carve your path. Rise, and bring peace." My eyes flutter closed.

Power fills my burning veins, coursing through my body. It overcomes the exhaustion, the pain, the fear. I rise, opening my eyes as a new energy surges through me. "Though fear stalks behind, and death awaits ahead, I shall never run. Though the path is worn and laden with obstacles, I shall never stumble. Though burdens crush my back and blood soaks my fur, I shall never pause." My words echo across the field. I feel my heart stop inside my chest, but I do not stop. "Even as my breath fails, the oath on my tongue shall never be silenced. For it burns within my soul, courses within my veins, rises within my being." Raw power explodes from me, shattering Eltairen's shield and causing the Grimm to stumble. My lungs go weak and my breathing stops. "Even as my life fades, my blade shall never waver, my flame shall never dim, my strength shall never fade." Another burst of power surges from me as the last drop of blood falls to the ground. "For the end is never the end! A warrior's fight is never over!"

My body burns with heat as I reach Ascension. But my power only keeps growing as white angelic wings sprout from my back. My tail lengthens and widens, becoming the long, spiked tail of a dragon. My blood-stained fur shifts to violet as draconic spikes form along my spine. Golden flames line my wings as they shift from angelic to draconic. My body expands rapidly as it's lined with smoke grey scales. My bones crack and shift as my legs and arms lengthen. When my feet touch the ground, I am a massive feral dragon with smoke grey scales and violet eyes. I lift my head and roar, golden flames pouring from my maw into the sky. I lower my head and snort, sending two rings of black smoke from my nostrils.

With my new body's strength, I leap onto the weretiger, crushing it beneath my front legs. My wicked claws pierce the Grimm's chest, impaling the creature. It roars in pain as I rise on my hind legs and rip it in half, tossing the tattered halves to the side. The griffon is incinerated in a jet of golden flame that rushes from my maw. Amathaeyn grabs Eltairen's unconscious body and runs for Moate Kune. The wolves leap onto the serpent, ripping into it with their teeth and claws. The minotaur rams into my side, barely managing to push my massive form an inch. I wrap my tail around it, dozens of spines pushing into the creature. I constrict my tail and it cuts into him like a saw. I whip my tail so that the spike on the tip of it rushes into the Grimm's skull. I drop it as it goes limp. The final Grimm starts running away, but I catch it in my maw and snap my jaws, ripping and crushing it. I take to the skies with my flame-lined wings and soar across the field. I help the forces we had gathered defeat what remains of the Dragon Knights.

My blossoming magic starts to fade. I collapse in the center of the field, the flames lining my wings dying out. I give a final roar as my body's strength wanes. I curl up on the ashen dirt and close my heavy eyes. With my final breath, an orb of violet flame leaves my body as it rapidly melds to stone. The orb rushes off in search of a specific creature as the two ShadowFey bolt into the mist-soaked forest.

Dyahl appears around Eltairen's shoulder as the orb of flame pushes into his chest, painlessly becoming part of the familiar. Amathaeyn looks at the small dragon with painful understanding as the female kitsune stirs, eyes going wide in panic as she looks for the lupine summoner. Deep down, she can feel his absence. But she refuses to accept it. Amathaeyn grabs her shoulders and looks deep into her teary eyes. "Calm down! He's not dead!" he states strongly. As if to prove his point, Dyahl nuzzles her cheek. Due to the bond that she shares with Valkhael, she can sense his spirit inside the pseudodragon. Once she calms down, Amathaeyn explains what happened to the summoner.

"On to the heavy shit. How much do you know about Etekahl and the Remnants?"

"I know that long ago, the world was split into six pieces and that nobody knows exactly why."

"Well, that's not true. The world of Etekahl was separated into six different parts. As for the reason, the magick flowing through the world was so strong and bountiful that it drew the attention of the Grimm. Six incredibly powerful mages split the world to trap the Grimm inside of the center of the transdimensional rifts. The void in the center was supposed to ensnare the Grimm until the mortals could discover how to defeat them. The mages spent their lives crafting artifacts and researching each Remnant. Things were fine for a long while. Until a Grimm by the name of Shaikhal found its way out of the void. This weakened the rifts. Now, the Remnants are collapsing. The only one who knows how to re-form Etekahl is trapped in the Between, if she's even still alive. I can travel freely between the Remnants, and I've noticed that they're dying. All six worlds full of clueless mortals are dying."

"Well, how do we fix it?"

"Only the Researcher knows. We need to find the six journals that she left behind and use the information inside to put the Remnants back together before the worlds collapse. I know of only one person who might be able to help us."

"Who?"

Amathaeyn's face hardens. A breeze ruffles through his bloody fur. "Eltairen, it's time you met Viyala."