The Dragon Within

by SlyOkami

  “You run away and after seeing that you were wrong…you dare comeback!?” She asked once more, grasping her hand while taking a step back.

  Erik’s calm and cold gaze fell upon her, he studied her briefly. Kayle felt like he was dissecting her through sight, the most minute glances covering her entire body before settling on her eyes. “I apologise if that is what it seemed like, I’m afraid I lied. I never actually left.” Erik said, causing her eyes to widen. “You and your people were relying too heavily on me, I felt pressured. I simply wished to dis-”

  “Really?…That’s your excuse?” Kayle said, cutting him off. “You really think I’m going to believe this crap? No, Erik. You’re not going anywhere near my sister ever again. You’re just as bad as Klein!” Kayle said, reaching for her short-sword. “Come on then, bring me anybody that fought alongside you that day. You can’t, can you?”

  Erik faltered at her words, meeting her eyes which were full of rage. He really couldn’t, not without giving away who he really was. And here? In the middle of a Druvian military camp? Killer of Azruxan or not, he was still the Destroyer.

  Yet, he was saved from her questioning as a few people stepped out of the tent. “What is this commotion out here?” General Henry asked, glancing about before landing his gaze on the two of them. “Miss Selene?”

  Kayle turned, letting go of her still sheathed sword. “I apologise for the disruption General, this man was just about to leave.” She coldly implied.

  “Kayle? What is-” Thea began as she stepped outside, her eyes widening in shock as she saw Erik. “E-Erik?! You’re…alive?” she asked in surprise.

  Henry, seeing that this was a personal matter, decided to head back inside.

  “That I am, did you think otherwise?” Erik said with a smirk.

  Kayle glanced in between them in confusion, “Sis? What do you mean?”

  “You wanted someone that could prove where I was, Kayle. Why do you not ask your sister? She saw me.” Erik added.

  Kayle’s gaze froze on Thea, “You…did?”

  Thea opened her mouth but closed it immediately, what was she supposed to say? That she bonded with the Destroyer and that was Erik? Would Kayle believe that? Thea glanced around, this definitely wasn’t the place to explain these things either. Inwardly apologising to Kayle as she responded, “Y-Yes, Erik was with the mages below…” she lied.

  Kayle’s eyes widened as her face flushed red, immediately she turned to face Erik. “I-I’m so sorry!” She apologised, bowing her head before him. “W-Wait so that aura…That was you wasn’t it?!” She then exclaimed, rising back to meet his gaze.

  (“Aura?”) Erik mused, he did sense an oddity from the wall but he hadn’t cast any enhancement spells over the defenders?

  “Y-Yeah, that was Erik!” Thea said as she approached them, “Just how he enhanced me back at Beckton!” she added in an attempt to craft an excuse.

  Which Kayle completely bought into, opening and closing her mouth, unable to think of a response.

  “I’m afraid it’s not something I can do all the time,” Erik continued with the obvious ploy, noting to himself to question Thea later but agreeing with whatever she had plotted. “It did cost my v-body five years of lifetime.”

  The two then noticed that he had gotten taller, “F-Fi-Five years!?” Kayle stuttered in exclamation and surprise. “S-So you’re older than me now!?”

  (“I already was…”) Erik wanted to say, “I guess so, as far as physical age goes.” he instead said.

  “A spell that takes five years from the user? I was unaware you had such a mage in your repertoire Lady Selene.” said Sol as he, Drew and the Bishop stepped out of the tent. “I have had reports of a strange magic effecting our troops, but none of the mage clans could identify it. Might you introduce me this mage?” the King asked as his gaze fell solely on Erik.

  “King Sol Druvia, ruler of Druvia within the continent of Druvia.” Erik said with an amused tone, meeting the boy’s gaze with his own, colder stare. The rest, Thea and Kayle included, bowed before Sol.

  “Mage? Would you not show respect before your King?” The Bishop asked with a raised brow, seeing that Erik did not bow. Thea’s expression paled severely at this.

  “I have no connection with your empire, neither have I made use of any of your kingdom’s services. I have no reason to prostate myself before you.” Erik explained, surprisingly calm.

  The Bishop was about to add onto that but Sol cut him off before he could, “It matters not Samael, the man has gained my respect if anything. Five years of his life he sacrificed for Druvia, that in my eyes is enough.” the King said, yet his eyes spoke of a different understanding.

  Causing Erik to narrow his, (“This child…Interesting.”) he thought, holding back an amused smile.

  Sol had figured him out.

  “T-This is Erik Fireborn, your majesty. He is…not under my employ. Erik is the mage that aided my platoon defend the people of Beckton.” Thea explained with some agitation in her tone. “Erik is a hermit mage, he has knowledge of many magiks unknown to us, including being an expert demonologist.”

  “Ah…the one that sliced off that merchant’s leg?“ Sol mused.

  “Slaver, I believe would be more appropriate a word, sire.” Erik said, the last word somewhat hesitantly.

  “Hm, yes I’m afraid the Sinbeni have a history with the Xilfir people. We cannot say much about it, politically speaking it is a taboo topic with them.” Sol explained, “But Sinroz is there and Druvia is here. I shall see to it that your crime is abolished, personally, that part of their culture sickens me too.” the king said with a sigh.

  “Speaking of Sinroz, do you require any resources for the journey Lady Selene?” Sol then asked.

  “No sire, the duchy can afford.” Thea responded.

  “Drew, we have other things to attend to do we not?” he then turned to the Arch Duke.

  “Yes, sire. Shall we be off then?” Drew asked while glancing at Bishop Samael.

  The three most important men in the Druvian empire moved along, everyone still tense as they continued to bow. All but Erik, who calmly watched them leave.

  “You have a death wish.” Kayle said as she rose back.

  Erik chuckled in response, smirking as he noticed a crow watching him from afar. (“If only you knew…”)

  Ch 16 - Solarion

  Erik followed Thea and Kayle inside the large villa, not quite a mansion but close. “I knew you were nobility but, just what rank are you?” He asked while glancing about the lavish home.

  “Marchioness, directly below the Duchess.” Thea answered, “I technically have ownership of all the land my father looked after but…His ways were so effective that the land basically runs itself now. Not a lot for me to do…”

  “I see…” Erik mumbled as he gazed at the paw of a Dragon displayed as a trophy over the wall.

  “Father was…a bit of a decorator…” Thea said, noticing the trophy, her body stiffening and expression paling slightly.

  Erik hummed in response, deciding it was better not to speak his comments out loud. “Thea can I speak with you for a moment?” He then asked, glancing at Kayle who immediately made herself at home. Having collapsed on the very comfortable looking sofa, her eyes wandering to sleep.

  “D-Don’t worry…I’ll be h…ere.” Kayle sleepily said, completely worn out.

  “Yeah…this way.” Thea guided him through one door and then several others.

  “Human homes of rank never quite sat right with me…What do you need all this space for? It’s not like you’re hording a treasure within it all…” Erik asked, “Elves make use of small space rather efficiently and Dwarves have their massive machinery so they’re excused but…Blazes be.” He then said, glancing around the main hallway as they walked through.

  “Ah…our people see the owning of land as something of prestige, it is a showcase of wealth.” Thea explained as simply as she could, now arriving at the centre of the villa. A s
mall garden at the very centre of the building, the sky completely open overhead.

  Erik only hummed in response as he stepped out into the garden, glancing around at the many exotic flowers and plants. It reminded him of the Elven kingdoms.

  “Before you say anything…Erik I need to ask. Before the battle, at my father’s funeral. Why did you tell me that you were leaving?” Thea asked as she herself gazed at the garden, her eyes landing on the central decoration. A bush formed into the shape of a bow, a mass of roses at the centre growing about a metal rod that was held by two wires which were tied to both ends of the bow. A second metal rod laying within the curved bush.

  “I was teaching you a lesson, what did you learn from that scenario?” Erik asked as he also found himself staring at the family crest.

  “Learn?…I don’t…” Thea began, but stopped herself. That horrifying moment, she had indeed learned something but was too afraid to accept it.

  “What did you think? What did you feel?” Erik asked once more, a stern tone about his words.

  Thea’s gaze lowered to the ground, “That we people…Humans, Elves and Dwarves…we have our limits. So do the demons but…we cannot even see that height, all we see is what lays beyond our limit. A height we will never even reach, their limit something we will never get to see. That…that is why we need dragons?”

  “That is what I used to believe, that is what made me rampage. Truth is, I do not know the answer to that question either. The God that gave me new life told me that the answer to this question is what I must learn.” Erik said with a dreadful sigh, “But, your people proved me wrong. Did you not see it, Thea?”

  He turned to face her, “The Anomaly that flowed out of your being, that was no spell of mine. That was no magic of mine. The worth of your kind, what is it? Could it be this power? Is power the worth my elders wished me to see? I do not know.” He approached her, his eyes cold and boring into her mind. “Which is why I need people like you, to teach me.”

  Their eyes met, Erik remaining solemn while Thea felt a warmth gather on her face.

  “Xilfir.” Erik abruptly said, causing Thea to finally blink.

  Four dark elves appeared behind Erik, one kneeling directly behind him while three others kneeled behind the first in a line. “You’ve called, master?~” Spoke the first in Elven, words Thea could not understand.

  “Speak Common, so she may understand.” Erik told the Xilfir, as he stepped aside. “These, are my followers. As you probably already know.” He told her, “This is the leader of the dreadblade cult.” as Erik began to introduce them Thea’s eyes widened in understanding. These were the infamous bandit cult that plagued the kingdom, the same cult who’s violent and bloody acts seemed to cease on Erik’s arrival.

  The same Xilfir, judging by their slayer equipment, that aided in the battle for the capital.

  Makaela stood to meet Thea’s eyes, a glint of annoyance in the dark elf’s as they met. “Makaela Xilfir, Lady Selene I presume?” the elf asked with narrow eyes and a venomous tone.

  “Makaela, you will show respect to my Champion.” Erik then hissed, sensing her annoyance and bloodlust.

  The Xilfir commander immediately fell back to her knees, “Yes, master~” her usual amused and sensual tone returning.

  Thea cleared her throat, “So…are they all your Champions or?” she asked.

  “No, a Champion’s bond goes much deeper. You can will out much more of my power. The Xilfir are my followers, while you are bound to me by soul they are bound to me by body. Like family, they are akin to my children.” Erik explained, “As such I cannot bind any of them as Champions, for we already have one bond and that would have to be broken first.”

  The last part seemed to cause Makaela some annoyance.

  “Either way,” Erik continued while glancing among all of them, “I expect you all to get along. Mostly, Thea and Makaela, you two will be spending a lot of time together.” He then said, causing both of them to look at each other in surprise.

  “Wit-With her? Why master?” Makaela asked, stopping herself before she almost spoke out in elven.

  “I wish to test with this aura that Thea produced, the connection seemed stronger between her and my Xilfir. From my knowledge, Aura magic is more powerful the closer the two targets are, caster and imbued.” He explained while stepping to stand in front of Makaela, gesturing for her to rise.

  She did.

  Makaela whimpered as Erik grabbed her chin, “This could improve both your powers, and my understanding of it. Do you understand Makaela?” He asked with a low draconic voice.

  “Y-Yes master~” Makaela said, trembling beneath his grip, her eyes wide and brimming with lust. Falling back to her knees once Erik let go of her.

  “Then command of the Xilfir within Druvia will fall under…Pyra, you will remain here.” Erik told the tallest of the dark elves, the silent Xilfir nodding her head down. “Then Zentha, you will leave with your unit further north. Spread out among the duchies, create a communications system with your sister Pyra.” He then told the short bald Xilfir, she nodded too.

  His gaze then fell on Ascal, “Ascal, you shall go along with the crimson mercenaries to Fort Gilded Rock. Spread out some units to the other forts too while you’re at it.” He told the male Xilfir, who also nodded in silence.

  “You heard our plans?” Thea asked in surprise.

  “Of course I did, I also plan to come to Sinroz with you.” Erik said while glancing back at her, “I will not allow this world to fall into chaos because of your people’s mistakes. No, I will force tranquillity if I have to.” He turned back to the Xilfir, “Zentha, leave immediately, Ascal and Makaela, make preparations.”

  The three dark elves rose, bowed and then dissipated into bursts of shadow.

  “Thea, how were you planning to get to this other continent?” He then asked her.

  “Eh?- Oh. I was going to move with the crimson guard until fort Gilded Rock,“ Thea began to explain, ”and then take some escorts through the eastern villages and cities, the region of Crodor. Then through the rest of the Dwarven region of Gorinid, till we reached the shore at one of Gorinid’s ports. Where we would take naval transport.”

  “Crodor? Gorinid? What are those?” Erik asked sternly, he wasn’t completely privy to how Druvians marked geography.

  “They’re provinces, Druvia is divided into four duchies of which each is divided into four provinces. Crodor the border province, Gorinid and Deibrin the Dwarven provinces and lastly my home, Ejul. Those four make up eastern Druvia’s duchy.” Thea answered before asking, “What did…your kind use to map out the world if not name parts of it?”

  “Locations of interest, mostly other Dragon’s liars, places of power and historically important areas or constructs.” Erik responded briefly before changing back the subject, “Either way, who did you plan to take with you on this journey to Sinroz? I presume your sister Kayle is one?”

  Thea shook her head, “No, I will ask Kayle to stay here in the capital.”

  “So, the journey is that perilous or is Sinroz such a dangerous place?” Erik asked.

  “Sinroz, it is a continent divided into two kingdoms.” Thea began explaining,

  “Sinbeni in the desert plains, a culture entirely based around political power. A kingdom where assassinations, poison marketing and changes in rule became the norm. It is called the kingdom of serpents.

  Then there is Zrosa, the kingdom in the jungle. A culture entirely based around the mindset that the strong shall always prevail over the weak, that physical strength and resolve of heart will always rule over the mind. It is known as the country of beasts.

  They are both very dangerous but Sinbeni…it is much more so. And that is where we’re going.”

  Thea shook her head once more, “Kayle is strong but…I will not allow her that close to people so dangerous. No, I will insist that she stays here.”

  “And you believe that she will agree with that?” Erik asked, “What if she d
oes not?”

  “She will, I will make her understand.” Thea promised, to herself if anything.

  Erik gazed at her nervous state briefly, (“Humans, bonds of family going beyond ours of pride. They interest me, how deep does this ‘Love’ go?”) he thought, studying the woman before him with detached eyes. Before turning to Pyra who still lay kneeling by them, “While you make her understand, I have some business to attend to. Where shall I meet with you?”

  “The eastern gate, the crimson guard will gather there. We’ll meet there.” Thea told him, as she turned to gaze at the family crest once more.

  Erik nodded down at Pyra, “Let’s go.” he told the Xilfir.

  Pyra stood up and rested her right palm over Erik’s chest, chanting something beneath her breath before both of them suddenly disappeared in a burst of shadow.

  Thea briefly watched the shadows dissipate into the rising sun’s rays of light. Her gaze staring up at the sky, (“I’ve looked at him all wrong…”) she thought, now realising what sort of being Erik was.

  What kind of person a Dragon was. With child-like curiosity and pride deeply rooted into his bones. Knowledge beyond the other races’ yet little understanding of those races, a lack of understanding brought on by a Dragon’s stubborn upbringing.

  Thea sighed, (“Why do I feel like this? What…do I even see? Was it really just that brief…contact?”) clutching her chest as she pondered her emotions. Then resigning herself to not knowing why, she decided best to face her sister now, sooner than later.

  Thea walked away from the garden, walked back through the villa until she reached the living room where Kayle had collapsed. She stepped over to her sister, Kayle laying on the sofa, still wearing her uniform while asleep.

  An angel, Thea thought. The young girl having the world’s freedom to do whatever she wanted, the money and backing to go and become what she wished to. Her elder sister shouldering all their family’s responsibility for her, Thea would do anything for her sister Kayle.

  She sat down next to her head, watching Kayle sleep soundlessly while caressing her hair. Kayle smiled in her sleep at the gentle touch of Thea’s fingers going across her hair.