Dragon's Soul

by Bri Sailor

  Descended:

  Dragon’s Soul

  By Bri Sailor

  © 2020 B Sailor

  All Rights Reserved

  Prologue

  “Fire!” shouted the battle-weary captain at the top of his lungs as he pointed his sword to the skies.

  Lightning crashed in the dark clouds above them. Catapults hundreds of feet tall stood at the ready. The soldiers followed the command and unleashed fiery payloads towards the skies. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed again and the outline of a massive winged beast could be seen behind the clouds. The flaming projectiles found their target and massive explosions shook the sky. A loud, feral, screeching roar pierced through the air.

  “He’s weakening!” shouted a blood-soaked officer.

  All around the battlefield catapults and arrows were flying in a never-ending volley towards the beast. Bodies were strewn about the burning ground; man and demon. Hundreds of years of fighting had culminated into this moment. Every tribe, kingdom, nation and people had come together to fight against the Darkness incarnate. Béloneras gave another screech before falling out of the clouds. The titanic dragon furiously beat his wings as he flew over the human armies, belching his flames as he went. The screams of the soldiers were drowned out by the thunder and lightning.

  The battle raged all around. In the center of the chaotic battlefield was a gathering of priests. Hundreds of them stood around the edge of a massive pit that was magically being dug into the earth. A protective spell that looked like a bubble of light shielded them from the dragon’s fury. High above the pit hovered four other priests. They were different from the ones below. Their hair was completely white and their bodies each had an iridescent aura around them. They focused all of their energy on the spell that they were creating. Directly across from them was a massive portal that was open to a mountain range. Within the mountains another gaping pit had been opened into the side of the largest peak.

  “Khá! Hurry! We don’t have much time!” shouted a priestess wearing bright blue robes, her eyes burning bright blue.

  “I’m almost done, Aznu! Now, Morlex!” shouted the other priestess, her burning red eyes matched her fiery robes.

  “Émox!” Shouted a priest with glowing purple eyes and purple robes.

  Béloneras flew overhead once more and dove for the priests. He spewed white-hot flames.

  “Now!” shouted Émox with his glowing green eyes and green robes.

  The priests let out ear-splitting roars that sounded like hundreds of thousands of voices roaring in unison. They each turned into solid crystal beings and unleashed an explosion of light towards the dragon. He tried to move out of the way but it was too late. The light hit the beast and enveloped it. The concussive force was so great that it knocked the priests out of the air.

  The dragon screeched as it tried fruitlessly to fight the spell. Millions of eyes stared in terrified awe as an inky black cloud was being pushed out of the dragon. It separated and tried to get away but was instantly trapped in a bubble of light. The entire earth shook as a low hum vibrated everything. Béloneras was suddenly sucked through the portal and into the hole in the side of the mountain. The hole instantly closed around him and the portal snapped shut. The bubble holding the black cloud fell into the earthen pit with unnatural speed and slammed into something hidden in the darkness. The four priests suddenly appeared around the pit and looked over the edge into the darkness. Deep within they could see the glow of a crystal that had trapped the black cloud. It had been split into two massive pieces during the spell. One was pure and the other had turned completely black.

  The priests looked at each other. Aznu and Khá looked at each other and flicked their hands. The pure crystal disappeared out of the pit and reappeared at their sides. They looked over at Morlex and Émox and stood with their arms outstretched and each let out a final roar, the earth trembling at the power, as streams of blue, red, purple, and green energy flowed from their bodies to the crystal. The energies took on the shape of dragons as they coalesced around the crystal. As the last of the energies flowed out of their bodies, the priests collapsed and the pit was sealed off by magic and earth. The four priests looked at each other in relief. It was over. Their brother was sealed away. It was done.

  Chapter 1

  The witch’s evil maniacal laugh could still be heard on the wind. Cora’s chest felt as if it were encased in steel as she fought to breathe. Her muscles ached as they continued to constrict around her heart. Fiery hot tears streamed down her dirt covered face. The pressure behind her eyes was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Her body was heavier than lead as she struggled to wrap her arms around herself. The light from the divine tattoos that traced over her entire body faded and turned gray. Grief wracked her small frame. The warm, humid breeze blew strands of her sandy blonde hair in her face. The priestess felt herself sinking deeper into the muddy battlefield. Birds chirped as they flew across the clear blue sky. She turned her gaze towards that gods-forsaken hilltop. All around her life seemed to move in slow motion.

  The Aznurro and Quinmor armies had the Black Army completely surrounded, cutting off any escape attempts as some of the defeated soldiers tried to scramble for their lives. Many had dropped their weapons and fell to their knees in defeat while the vast majority seemed to walk around in a daze as if they had just been woken up from a horrible nightmare. Cora watched as Ehren, with blazing blue eyes, charged to the hilltop like a madman hell-bent on destroying an invisible foe. The black mist that had enveloped the witch Lusha had disappeared, taking her with it. Across the battlefield the priestess could see blood and dirt covered Arainya and Toran pushing their steeds to their limit. Kova, covered in mud and blood as well, had leapt off of a towering catapult that she had lit on fire and was now sprinting towards the hill as well. Joslette and Doan were on the far side of the battlefield but had seen the flames and heard the roars. They were both racing towards the hill as well.

  Something overcame Cora as all of the grief condensed into a rock in her belly that began to burn with an unnatural heat. She slowly stood up out of the mud, her entire body shook uncontrollably. Her limbs were tingling and the air around her began to crackle with electricity. A raw rage began burning deep inside her. Mud dripped off of her and her breathing was slow and deep. The ethereal tattooing on her body had an otherworldly glow and her eyes were solid golden light. Her muddy silver dress whipped around her body as the wind picked up. Dark gray clouds gathered above. All of the soldiers within a nearby radius were filled with such dread that they ran away from her in fear. Their legs giving out from the sheer terror as the air around Cora rippled and fluxed.

  #

  Ehren couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t. His legs churned beneath him. His sister wasn’t dead. The she-devil Lusha had only bewitched his mind. Cora was wrong. She had to be. Whatever has happened it would be okay, the priestess had saved Atreyis once before and she would do it again. The prince weaved through the soldiers as silence blanketed the battlefield. His stomach was clenched and he felt nauseous. Grief gripped his heart and anger boiled in his veins. He raced to the top of the hill not noticing the gathering clouds. His legs burned as he climbed. His curly brown hair was matted with sweat to his head and face. The once shining armor he wore was covered in marks and dirt reminders of the vicious battle. As he crested the top his heart stopped and his burning blue eyes returned to their normal sapphire color as all of the blood drained from his body.

  There in the warm sun lay the still and deathly pale bodies of Ky and Atreyis. The warrior’s shredded armor and clothes were strewn about. All of the earth around them was scorched and smoldering. Ehren couldn’t look at his sister and ran over to the nearby warrior and rolled her over. His stomach turned as
the blood poured out of the gaping wound in her chest. Her gray skin was covered in mud and blood. Loose white hairs blew in her face. The silvery tattoos on her body almost looked black. The prince choked on his sobs as reality quickly set in as he scrambled over to his sister. Her once tan skin was now gray as well. Her white hair was darkened with mud and dirt as blood trickled out of her mouth. Ehren’s hand shook as he reached towards her bloody abdomen. He fumbled as he tried to rip off her chain mail. He threw the heavy armor aside and gingerly lifted up the bloody portion of her shirt. A long gash had gutted his sister from below her navel up to her ribs. Ehren’s entire body shook as he held her in his lap. Tears flowed freely.

  “No! Atreyis!” he cried. “You can’t…I’m so sorry. I was supposed to protect you. I’m so sorry. So sorry. So sorry.”

  Kova, Arainya, Toran, Joslette and Doan finally caught up. The Wilding queen was covered from head to toe in the rusty, dried blood of her enemies. Her brown braided hair was caked in mud. The Aznurro queen’s light blue battle dress and armor were covered in dirt and blood as well. Her chestnut brown hair was still tightly braided. Her blue eyes filled with tears. The battle-weary king was like the rest. Covered in mud and drying blood. His once highly polished armor was dingy and full of marks from swords and spears. The gray in his dark brown hair seemed even more pronounced as all of the color drained from his face. Joslette remained silent sitting astride her steed. Her curly black hair blew in the wind and through her tears she sent a prayer up to the Goddess. A battle-weary Doan staggered with heavy steps over to the warrior and dropped heavily to his knees.

  “Atreyis!” screamed Arainya as all of the strength left her body and she fell to her knees.

  “Atreyis…Ailana has forsaken us.” wept Toran as he dropped to his knees in utter defeat. All of the color had drained from the king’s face as he sobbed. Kova stood in stoic silence over the fallen. She closed her eyes and offered up a prayer to the goddess. Doan gently lifted up Ky’s head and rested it on his knee as silent tears fell.

  “I’m sorry, kid.” he whispered. “I should have been here sooner.”

  Arainya hugged Toran close as she choked on her sobs. Ehren cradled his sister’s head close.

  “It can’t be over.” whispered Ehren as he searched his father’s eyes. “It was never Atreyis and I. We weren’t what you thought we were, father. I am not part of the goddess’s weapon. The prophecy was never Atreyis and I. Not long ago we discovered that it was Ky who was part of the prophecy. It was them.”

  Toran’s brow furrowed and he sniffed. “I don’t understand. How can that be?”

  Ehren took a deep breath and wiped his eyes. “When we were at the palace in Thaemo, Ky and Atreyis were both attacked by Lusha. In their sleep she drew them into the realm of spirits. I saw it with my own eyes. Cora sent me there as well to rescue them. What I saw…they had transformed. They became dragon-like and were fighting against a demon. Against her.”

  Arainya shook her head in anger as her eyes burned blue. “I don’t care about prophecies! That witch took my daughter from me! She will pay! Blood for blood!”

  The skies suddenly darkened. Everyone looked up in fear.

  “She’s returned!” gasped Toran as he fumbled for his war hammer.

  The hairs raised on Ehren’s arms as he clenched the hilt of his sword with a white-knuckle grip. Thunder rumbled and lightning crashed. A bolt of lightning struck the ground nearby, blowing everyone back and momentarily blinding them. When their eyesight returned all they could see was a glowing Cora standing before them. Her now pristine silver dress blew in the wind. The tattooed lines on her face, neck, chest, back, legs, arms, hands and feet were shining a bright gold light. Her eyes were bright gold as well and an iridescent aura outlined her body.

  “C-C-Cora?” stammered Arainya.

  “What—” breathed Toran.

  The priestess calmly walked over to the bodies of her friends. Ehren noticed her feet weren’t even touching the ground. She knelt and placed a hand on Ky’s forehead and closed her eyes. Minutes seemed to pass before she opened them again and frowned. She walked over the Atreyis and did the same. Everyone watched with baited breath. Suddenly, the priestess’s eyes flew open. She jumped up and raised her arms. Atreyis’ body rose up in the air and hovered before the priestess. Cora clapped her hands together and then opened her arms wide. Long golden tendrils of light crackled between her hands and covered the princess’s body, stitching together her wounds. The ground began to shake as her voice boomed across the battlefield.

  “Ám s’hé Thóhhém ílsár’lámé. Í sónnálh thóyu ló thíwé thóyur mílé lórsé ló né. S’hím mílé vvám náhél d’yu thóyur ílsár’lámé éwím. Íl vvímm dé rés’yurléh!”

  The entire battlefield was instantly covered in darkness. What fleeing Black Army soldiers there were, were stopped in their tracks. They dropped to their knees and their eyes went wide in shock. Their mouths opened and smoky white tendrils poured out. Cora inhaled deeply, sucking in their life forces. Ehren, Kova, Toran, Joslette, Doan, and Arainya scrambled to get out of the way. The priestess suddenly stopped. Out in the battlefield the soldiers fell over still alive but drained of energy. The priestess blew out her breath. The pure white light raced in the princess. Instantly, Atreyis gasped and fought for her breath and her eyes shone with silver light.

  Chapter 2

  The cold winds of the mountain blew fiercely around her. Nya hugged her thick woolen cloak tighter. She had long left her horse behind as she made her way up the side of the mountain. What steps were carved into the rock were covered with a few inches of snow. The early autumn snow had only just begun. She trudged on, determined to make it to the small temple. The hermit-like priests that lived there had trained her in her youth and were the same that discovered that it was she who was to be the next Keeper.

  She pulled her scarf over her face and looked up. There. She could finally see the temple. It jutted out of the side of the mountain like an odd, displaced cube. The roof was sloped in such a manner that swaths of packed snow slid off when it became too heavy. The freezing queen picked up her pace. Within minutes she reached the thick wooden door to the temple. It bore similar carvings to those that were on the doors and houses of her people. Whales, bears, lions, and horses. She pulled the door open against the wind and slipped inside before it slammed shut behind her. The temple immediately opened up to a small room with a simple altar baring an obsidian statue of the Goddess with the red dragon Khá loyally by her side. Along the walls of the room on both sides were roaring fireplaces. Nya’s heart swelled with pride as she stared at the banner over the altar. The familiar deep wine-red and a golden-threaded dragon, the traditional, the true banner of the Khénnan royal family and people. Through everything that her people had been through: the death of her husband, his brother’s evil, Lusha, the once endless tribal wars; the priests of the mountains remained true to the crown. Nya’s ears perked at the sound of soft footsteps. A small, and slightly hunched with age, priestess shuffled over to the unexpected visitor.

  “Welcome, traveler!” she smiled. “We welcome all. Though it is an odd season for a visit. The time of spring and summer pilgrimages is long over. Something of importance must bring you through such cold.”

  Her thick, wine-red robes hung loosely on her thin frame. Her snow-white hair was neatly braided and wrapped around her head like a crown and was held in place with a golden dragon pin. Heavy wrinkles and lines were worn deep in her dark skin and her smile was bright. Nya threw back her hood and her smile glowed.

  “Nothing could keep me from seeing you.” she said warmly with a tear in her eye.

  The old priestess clasped a weathered hand over her mouth and gasped. The tears began to flow freely.

  “My Queen!” she cried happily. “You are alive! I knew that witch lied! The Goddess always protects!”

  The woman fell into the queen’s arms and hugged her tight. Nya hugged her back and refused to let go. F
reya had been like a grandmother to her and was her primary instructor into the priestly arts.

  “I missed you so much, Freya.” sniffed Nya. “You have no idea what a relief it is to see you. I feared that Lusha had long-ended your order after I left.”

  Freya took a step back and looked deeply into Nya’s eyes.

  “You needn’t fear. I can handle myself. You know that!” she smiled. “Besides. I don’t see what threat a bunch of introverted, solitary priests on the side of a mountain pose to the likes of her.”

  Nya wiped a tear away. “Of course.” she joked. “How could I be so foolish?”

  Freya waved her in. “Come in. Come in. Sit by the fire and warm your bones.”

  Nya took off her cloak and hung it to dry near the fireplace. She sat down in one of the warm wooden chairs and sunk into the cushions. Waves of nostalgia washed over her. Freya watched the Keeper intently and patiently waited. After a few moments of bliss Nya sighed deeply.

  “Not long after my husband was murdered by Lusha and Ultrek, I gave birth.” she looked over at Freya.

  The old priestess nodded knowingly. Nya continued.

  “My mother helped me flee the palace. She knew what would happen if Lusha knew that an heir. Mere hours after Ky was born we were riding through the forest in the light of the full moon. Initially, we stayed at the Temple of Ages. But after a time it became too risky. I became obsessed. I believed that because both Ky and the Seal were in the same place, it increased the chances that Lusha would find us. So, I foolishly left. Mother had found a small farm that had been abandoned so we claimed it as our own. Shortly thereafter, I began my journeys back and forth between the temple and our new home.”