Legon Restoration

by Taylor, Nicholas

  He turned his head back to his men, "ON ME! ON ME!"

  He yelled at Ankle and pointed. Ankle led his men while holding off a group of Calvary. Barnin spurred Poison, running around a formation of Dark Warriors, out flanking them. Let’s see how you do with this! He galloped up, catching the formation off guard; too late, they were unable to bring pike men to the rear. Barnin drew his sword, leaning over. Poison slammed into men, jumping over others. Barnin attacked with his blade as men pushed back, his men following suit. He couldn't see the Dark Warriors faces behind the cloth but he guested they wore surprised looks; Poison glowed yellow, the enemy blades being deflected. Barnin broke into a clearing. Before him were two Venefica on horseback, these two were the objective. He charged a war cry making his throat hurt. He ducked and wove as spells came from the startled Venefica.

  To his side several men went down, but Poison rushed on. One of the Venefica turned, Barnin's other unit had flanked them from the other side. Barnin rushed forward, Poison slamming into the Venefica's horse. Barnin stabbed at the Venefica, who pulled a blade, blocking with unnatural speed. Heath’s magic was gone and Barnin wasn't fast enough to block the Venefica's slash across his chest. Two more came and he barely deflected them. The Venefica grinned, swinging; Barnin raised his sword knowing he couldn't make it in time.

  His eyes went out of focus as he thought of Samantha and that he wouldn't see her again. Then his arm vibrated. Barnin looked shocked seeing his blade blocking the Venefica who also looked surprised. Barnin felt a mind, "Sara!"

  Her voice was strained. "Yes," she growled, "I'm not losing another friend, I don't have much left finish this!"

  Barnin smiled, "With pleasure."

  Barnin rammed his shield into the man destabilizing him. He swung at Barnin but they were now physical equals and Barnin could tell, extensive magical training or not, the Venefica was no swordsmen. He attacked with all his might. The Venefica blocked a few blows and then Barnin stabbed, feeling his blade sink deep in the other man’s chest. He fell from his horse. Next to him the other Venefica turned, but Barnin was already on him removing his head. Sara's presence left Barnin.

  Barnin turned to the infantry, the joy of victory filling him. Pain stabbed in his gut. He looked down to see the tip of a spear in his belly, blood coming from the wound. He grabbed the spear with weak fingers; it was pulled from him by the Dark Warrior holding it. Barnin pressed his hand against the hole in his gut feeling his life flowing from him. He grasped the horn of his saddle, his own blood slicking his grip; he tottered and fell from his saddle.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  City of Ash

  "I often felt as though the weight of the world rested on the shoulders of my sister and me, the Perfectos Compatioa. We felt this way because the weight of the world truly did rest on us. A weight we did not have to bear alone, thankfully."

  - The Everser Vald

  Sasha looked out over the battle field, the dome lighting the ground and hills. It was late in the night, she wasn't sure when but she knew it was well past midnight. She could feel her brother waking up and readying himself for more fighting. He'd defeated the Iumenta class eight that day; it had an immediate effect on both sides. For the Elves they'd been bolstered, the Iumenta it seemed felt opposite. The Iumenta spent the rest of the day losing air space, resulting in ground casualties as well. The dome was falling, but how much longer would it take?

  The air above flickered with dragons jumping in and out of the area.

  "Why do they jump out of the area?" Sara wondered beside her.

  Sasha looked to her friend, covered in other men’s blood.

  "We hold the northern air space along with the surrounding area. They need to feed Ascended, but more important they cannot place all of their units here lest we attack Impa cities. So they jump in and out," Sasha explained.

  "But what if the crystals are destroyed?"

  Sasha shook her head, "The dome has to fall for that to happen. That won’t happen for some time still I think. And besides, the Capital is not far, so the Impa could jump Ascended there instead if needed."

  But Sara's question got her thinking. Why did it have to take so long for the dome to fall? She had ideas of how to deal with the Iumenta crystals, didn't she? Had a plan even, a plan she wasn't planning on using until they were nearly ready for the dome to fall...she excused herself walking off briskly. The fighting died down at night, only the Elves keeping a large force in the area. She poked Legon with her mind and made her way to Sydin's hanger.

  The big black dragon slept in a large hanger. She walked up nudging his nose. He didn't respond.

  "Sydin!" she said loudly knocking on the top of his head.

  He opened an eye.

  "Wake up!" she said again.

  "Sasha, what is it?" he asked not sounding happy to see her.

  "I want to attack the dome," she said honestly.

  "OK, you go right ahead and do that dear," He said still sounding out of it.

  "I think I can crack the defensive crystals," she said.

  His eyes opened, "What?"

  "I can take them out Sydin, I know I can, but I'll need help."

  "I'm listening."

  Legon walked over to her, she waved him over, "We need to hit the dome hard and now, take the air space so they can't jump anyone in."

  "We can't hold that space for long Sash," Legon said.

  "You won’t have too, if you attack the dome it will stress the crystals and I can hit them."

  She looked into her brother’s eyes, sending a mental argument his way. Legon looked at Sydin, who still didn't look convinced. He looked at the dome.

  "Sydin," Legon said. "Even if Sasha can't do anything, we need to start working the dome over."

  Sydin agreed.

  Legon looked back to Sasha, "OK, you have your chance." Then to Sydin, "Give the order to scramble, all hands on deck."

  Sydin rose, "Yes Un Prosa. Sasha the attack will begin in ten minutes."

  She bolted from the hanger over to her work area, waking up team members. She tapped massive store crystals as she went.

  * * * * *

  Legon took to the air as sirens blared. Ground units didn't know what to make of anything so they just stared up as hundreds of Ascended took to the air.

  Sydin's voice boomed to all, "We are taking the airspace above the dome, hold and bombard the dome," was his simple order.

  Legon's guard formed up around him, all tapping into his mind. Joining him was the Ascended from Sasha's guard. "Sevens up front, stay tight," he ordered. They complied without comment. The dome burst with activity, sirens sounding. Anti dragon flack filled the air. Legon rose sharply, coming high above the dome as others engaged Iumenta Ascended. High above he turned in the air, angling down, "On me!"

  He dove, pushing wards out away from his body as he plummeted. The dome grew in size. His unit wove in the fighting, coming on a heavy layer of anti dragon flack. His vision tinted purple as his wards activated, deflecting flack. They extended far enough to protect the others. The air was a blur of fire and magic, he could make out Iumenta on the dome.

  "Cynta, Opes" he said.

  They darted below him, pushing out wards, focusing all their power on them. Legon let his wards fade, reaching deep, pulling power, and sending dozens of breaking spells at the dome along with the others in the guard. Other units were doing likewise.

  * * * * *

  Keither stumbled to where Sara stood transfixed. "What's happening?" he asked.

  "I don't know," she said taking his hand sounding scared.

  He tried not to look at the dome, the lights made him feel sick and the sound...all around people, even Elves watched, not knowing what was going on. Keither had never seen anything like it. The battle raging was so fierce.

  He heard an Elf yelling in Glosso. "What are they saying?" he asked Sara.

  She looked at him, "They are saying the Everser Vald is attacking the dome..."

  A
dull roar built as word spread, at first Keither couldn't make it out but then he could. They were cheering, they were shouting support, some clapping others just yelling and still others chanting. The humans started to cheer as well.

  From the center of the Elves’ camp a bolt of ruby flew across the field to the dome. There was a bright flash and a crack, the dome flickered and Keither heard the Elves yell louder. Sara started to cheer too and Keither found himself joining.

  * * * * *

  Legon pushed harder on his spells, feeling the dome fighting him. The air around him was filled with explosions; several dragons had already been forced back away from the battle but Legon wasn't going to stop. A flash of scarlet came from the camp, smacking into the side of the dome. There was a brilliant flash and Legon heard a crack. The wards of the building flickered and he felt a few spells for just a moment hit the white surface.

  Sasha! he thought.

  He expanded his connection to her, "You did it!"

  "I need help!" she said.

  Legon spoke to all the Ascended in the area. "Did you hear that? Did you hear one of the defensive crystals break? My sister did that and she needs our help! Attack with everything you've got, go full power!"

  He roared, diving at the building, letting power fill the air. The Ascended bellowed in agreement, the sky lighting brighter than noon with their magic. Again Sasha fired and again there was a crack. Legon got closer to the dome, the anti dragon flack failing. The third time Sasha fired there was another crack and Legon saw the opening of the dome flicker.

  He folded his wings, dropping into the opening. He was plunged into chaos. He landed on the stone floor, empty hangers all around. He spewed forth lavender fire killing all in the area. Opes, Sydin and Cynta joined him in the dome. Familiars from all of the Elf Ascended flooded in taking out infantry.

  "The crystals!" Sydin said.

  Legon looked to the walls, seeing large blocks where they'd be. He fought through pricks of pain from arrows. Three of the blocks were blackened. He went to one that was not, smashing it with his tail and claws. It broke, as did others as the Iumenta fled.

  "The dome is down!" Iselin said from outside, "Its wards have failed."

  Legon came to his senses looking to Sydin, "The Capital." The old dragon nodded and they flew out of the dome.

  * * * * *

  Edling stood, nervous. He knew his part in this mission, had known his part for some time. He just didn't think it was going to happen tonight. Emma stood with him.

  "I can't seem to remember why Sasha and I have to go again," Edling said.

  Emma smiled comfortingly, "We can't take chances, jump crystals are tough, Legon and the others won’t have long, and you have the best knowledge aside from your wife."

  He nodded. He knew why he had to go. He tried to tell himself that everything would be ok. If he was being honest what had him bothered the most was that Sasha was going and he wouldn't even be with her to protect her. Not that he could protect her if he was with her anyway.

  "You protect me," her mind interjected in his.

  He was about to answer when he felt Legon's mind touch his, "Edling get ready, I'm going to fly over."

  Edling walked away from tents and looked towards the dome. Elves were flying in and out of it, ground units climbing the sides, but it still shone alabaster in the night. Legon's form came toward him. Edling glowed lavender and he flew up in the air with a jolt. Legon passed under him. Edling landed on Legon's shoulders, sticking in place. Wind blew through his hair pulling at his clothes. He'd been on a dragons back before but not a fully armored one that had been fighting for a week.

  The metal of Legon's armor was dingy and scratched, blood stained it in spots and Edling could make out scorch marks. It's amazing what they can live through he thought. Legon turned in the sky, heading back toward the dome. As he did so Edling felt Legon connect him with the rest of the Ascended. His head hurt with the noise of dragons yelling orders and reporting in. It was hard to make out what was going on but from what Edling could tell the Iumenta lines had split and they were scrambling to reorganize themselves.

  Despite the still raging battle Legon flew toward it. Edling looked behind to see Cynta carrying Sasha. He looked forward, gripping onto Legon's neck. They didn't meet any resistance as they passed over the dome. The Elves were pushing the Iumenta away.

  Sydin's voice boomed, "Legon I need to stay here and command the Ascended in the area."

  "Right, I'll take command," Legon said and then spoke to the Ascended assigned to the mission. "This is Legon of House Evindass I am assuming command of this mission. Squads report in."

  As the dome faded behind them Edling watched as Ascended formed up behind Legon. The precision in which they flew inspired him.

  "Edling, you remember what we are doing?" Legon asked.

  "Yes I do. I am to assist you in taking out a jump crystal." He sighed and thought of his wife being across town doing likewise, he wished Legon was with Sasha.

  "You worry about her."

  "Don't you?" Edling asked.

  Legon took a moment, "Yes I do. I'm going to be honest with you Ed, there is a very real chance that we won’t survive this. We have to take those crystals out at all costs...if it makes you feel any better the Iumenta will likely target me, as I'm a class eight."

  "So we are the ones that are most likely to get killed?" Edling asked, oddly feeling better.

  Legon was close to the hills and Edling could start to see the horizon glow orange. They were close to the city now, it wouldn't be long. Edling thought about what needed to be done, thought about everything that they had learned about the Iumenta crystals. Sasha had proven that they knew how to break them effectively. But this time it would be Edling in a building with hostile Iumenta and Ascended flying all around him.

  They crested a hill and Bailaya came into view. The city sparkled even at the late hour. Edling heard the sound of air raid sirens. Ascended filled the sky. The Capital had a small contingent of Ascended to guard it, on top of that the sky was flashing as new Iumenta jumped into the city’s air space.

  "Hold tight!" Legon said.

  Umbra and a group under the command of a red dragon named Lamma took the lead with a few others. Legon bid fair well to Cynta. Edling closed his connection completely with Sasha; if something happened to one of them the other couldn't have it affecting their part of the mission. Edling felt weak. Legon's mind joined more fully with his and instantly he felt his confidence bolster. Sasha told him this would happen connected with Legon; he was a natural born fighter and leader.

  Edling braced himself as Legon veered toward the north end of town. Lamma and her squad rushed forward, sending magic at the Iumenta coming to meet them. Legon's guard came in tighter. The air rent with the sound of magic on ward. Edling's confidence vanished as Legon swung in the air dodging magic. It didn't seem to affect him. Edling's mind was a buzz of the talking from the other dragons, "Up up up!", "To your left!", "Fade back..." he tried to block the voices.

  The sticking spell was getting a work out and Edling used magic to steady his gut. He opened his eyes to a collage of color. His vision flashed purple as Legon took hits. The big dragon wasn't affected. Legon tilted in the air and Edling almost screamed as an Iumenta collided with them. Legon batted the Ascended away, resuming his original course.

  Edling could see where they were heading. The building looked nondescript, all in all a very good hiding spot.

  "Take the air space," Legon said.

  Umbra and Opes moved over the building, effectively making it so the crystal could no longer bring in reinforcements.

  "Here we go Edling!" Legon said diving at the building.

  Legon and the others fired spells at it. The air around it lit with wards that soon broke under the onslaught.

  Edling was concerned by the large group of Iumenta on the roof, though this didn't seem to bother Legon in the least bit. As he came to the roof his familiar detached from b
ehind his horn to be joined by the familiars of all the other Ascended. Legon breathed straight fire on the roof, burning the wooden structure. Under the dilapidated wooden building stood a sturdy stone one and Legon landed on it, his tail blade glowing. He hit the building, opening it up. Edling saw the jump crystal inside, bringing him clarity.

  Legon tore his way in the building and on top of the crystal. Edling cleared his head, guiding Legon in how to best use his magic to break the crystal apart. There was a great crack. Edling watch the crystal split. More, it needs to be broken more! Legon's claws flashed amethyst as he dug them in. Chunks broke away as Legon poured energy into breaking the crystal. Finally with a snap it broke in two. Legon jumped from it, hovering. He sent more spells to break it up.

  "It's done, it's done!" Edling yelled out loud.

  "You're sure? We don't get another chance at this," Legon said.

  Edling thought for a moment "OK, well I guess it wouldn't hurt to break it up a bit more or maybe burn the place to the ground."

  Legon didn't give a sarcastic remark but spewed a river of lavender flames. Edling heard the crystal shattering into a thousand pieces as the building began to burn. Legon launched into the sky. Edling hadn't been paying attention to the sky. Now that he did he wanted to go back to the jump crystal. Several of the Elves had perished, holding off the Iumenta. Edling knew that Legon had used a lot of power already and he didn't know if he could fight. Edling yelped as he was sent flying from Legon's back to rest on that of Iselin's.

  "Sorry Edling," she said dodging attacks. "I'm more nimble, you'll stand a better chance with me."

  He looked to see Legon crash into a large Iumenta.

  * * * * *

  Sara sat on the edge of the cot checking her patient’s vitals. His eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him, "Welcome back, it’s been a while."

  He started to sit up but she pushed him back down, he put his hand on his forehead. "Wh-what happened" Barnin said in a rough voice.

  "You were stabbed in the gut. It's a miracle you lived, honestly," Sara said. "That was five days ago," she added.