She could taste his longing as he peered back into those times and his desire to share the happiness of those days, though they were far from ever being possible again in the world they currently lived in. He explained that the republic at its peak stretched to cover the entire world, though it only lasted a few decades before Phoenix brought the peace of the world into a waking nightmare. Destroying many beautiful cities, universities, libraries, great advancements in technology and medicine, the human population nearly became extinct under her wrath and those of her followers that desired to destroy everything their combined races had accomplished together.
Watching those painful memories made Ange almost want to cry in despair for all the loss, Showl’s feeling overwhelmed her and she had to break away from his mind before she found herself on the floor curled up in a ball and wondering how he managed to keep himself composed. There was a little solace to be had, Showl explained a few of the great cities still existed though many had become modern cities. Only one laid in ruins still untouched, as for the only library and university that still existed from ancient times was the Tower of Ingled and it was nowhere a grand as the others that had existed.
They also covered history before and after that time to current events, many of which Ange was surprised she hadn’t been aware of. What disturbed her more was the knowledge that the Adherent had roots, connections in many organizations, from the military, corrupt politicians, to even the criminal. The Sky Warriors also had many connections, thanks to Ileana, some were shady, but desperate times often called for desperate measures. Often not, both dragon factions often had influenced important events and changes in the human world, for good or for ill.
The many subjects of science were interesting at times, making her realize how everyday events occurred, from weather to physical and kinetic forces such as gravity or conduction. Showl especially did not let up on this subjected, insisting it was the core to understand even the most basic magic.
She was not particularly fond of math but she endured the subject nonetheless. She often looked forward to the physical activities more than the intellectual ones. Every two days she would have an hour or two to exercise, complete obstacles, or work on battle forms and stances. She hadn’t even been able to try her armor on, she hadn’t even laid eyes on it yet since Showl had hidden it.
To her annoyance, Showl had insisted she was not ready to handle a weapon till she could actually keep up with a Dragonbound physically, in speed, strength, and endurance. At that rate she believed she was actually going to forget how to even defend herself. Amaris and Chrysaetos were often her partners in this field of education, while Showl worked out on his own as well, either in his human form or his dragon body. Mostly he trained in his dragon body, working on acrobatic flight patterns. Corvus often joined him or Falco or even Grace.
Once in a while the ancient dragons would show puppy like behavior and begin to play, which at first caused Ange confusion because she had thought they were fighting since they used their teeth and claws. Amaris had assured her that they were only playing, happy and excited to have a new dragon among the family and explained when a dragon was feeling particularly over joyous or furious their minds would sometimes slip into a more primal and animalistic state.
Ange knew immediately that her friend was right, she had felt the change in set of mind when Showl had reacted to the friendly advances of the other dragons. It was amusing and surprising so feel his mind happy and unburdened and it made Ange happy to see him in high spirits compared to his usual quiet and sad mindset which he had the majority of the time when had nothing to occupy himself with.
Today she was learning a new set of exercises to improve her strength and flexibility, something she was sure she didn’t need improvement in. Yet strangely enough she had noticed a gradual and steady increase in her athletic skills since she had begun her training after her arrival. If Showl was right, her body was changing into that of a Dragonbounds’ and if her suspicions were right, it was due to the exchange of blood during the bonding ritual.
“Amy, where is Saeto today?” Ange asked curiously as she flexed her arms between the posts on either side of her. It was a late and warm afternoon as the suns began to set in the sky.
Amaris stopped her stretching and turned to her, oddly she was serious today. “Saeto went off with Grace for a while,” she replied.
“Why?” Ange asked stopping her stretches to look at her friend and her shadowed expression.
Amaris smiled slightly, though it was obviously forced. “As you know, spring began eighteen days ago, every few years…” she frowned seeming conflicted, “dragons mate.”
Ange froze and stood up straight. “Oh,” she blurted out suddenly understanding. “Grace is trying to have babies?”
Amaris nodded. “She hasn’t tried in twenty years though, not since the last clutch…it very depressing and something no one really likes to bring up,” she admitted quietly.
“Oh,” Ange repeated a bit confused. “They haven’t been successful, not even once?”
Amaris shook her head sadly.
Ange frowned, wondering how many clutches Grace and Chrysaetos had lost, but she imagined that was a touchy subject she shouldn’t even be asking.
“Very true,” Showl’s voice chipped in.
Ange growled annoyed as she turned her gaze out over the ocean where she could see a faraway white figure practice flight patterns with another black shape.
“Is it safe for them to be away?” Ange asked concerned. “I know the mist protects us from the Adherent…won’t they know that Grace and Saeto are gone, weakening the magic that protects this place and decide to attack or even attack them?”
Amaris let out a small laugh. “No, no, Grace and Saeto are still here, just at the top of the island where they made an aerie ages ago. We just don’t disturb them for a few weeks.”
“Oh,” Ange echoed. That makes more sense.
They were silent for a while as Amaris resumed her stretches.
Ange wondered vehemently when anybody was going to touch the subject of magic with her as well as more information pertaining to dragons and their Soulbounds, so far she had been left in the dark. She hardly knew anything more than what she was knowledgeable of since the day she had arrived.
“All will be revealed to you in good time,” Showl assured.
Ange frowned irritated. “Amy, this is so annoying!”
Amaris jerked up from her stretch baffled. “What is? The stretches? Did I make it too boring again?”
“No, no!” Ange assured heatedly. “I’m talking about this mental bond I have with Showl, I swear, I can’t have one private thought without him dropping some annoying comment or another.”
“Oh,” Amaris replied relieved as a giggle escaped her. “You’ll get used to it.”
“I rather not,” Ange snapped dropping to the ground furiously and relaxing her legs.
“But it’s important to have a powerful bond with your dragon, after all, your thoughts are supposed to be conjoined when facing a challenge or foe,” she stated serenely as if she was repeating something she had heard.
Ange glared at her unimpressed as she sat down as well.
Amaris sighed depressed. “Let me guess. I sounded just like my sister right now, didn’t I?”
Ange smiled smugly as she nodded once.
“Ugh!” Amaris groaned as she rested her head on her hand as she slouched forward. “Well, that is sure depressing. But it’s true, you and Showl need to learn to get along, but it’s going to take some time and effort. Trust me, Corvus used to be the most annoying person of the face of this planet for me, even more annoying than my sister!”
Ange frowned finding that hard to believe since they were obviously so fond of one another.
“It just gets so infuriating,” Ange admitted tiredly. “I feel like I’m always in a bad mood. I don’t understand how he can hear all my thoughts but I can’t hear a peep from him unless I reach out to him
. It’s so unfair, I wish he would stop criticizing my every passing thought!”
“Hasn’t he told you?” Amaris asked surprised.
Ange leaned forward. “Told me what?” she asked suspiciously.
“Look,” Amaris began sitting up straight, “why do you think he can hear everything you think?”
Ange shrugged since she didn’t feel his presence in her head so she really didn’t know.
Amaris sighed. “Sheesh, no one bothers explaining the important things around here, do they?” she asked rhetorically to herself. “You have a piece of his soul in your body, that’s why! Think of it like a two-way connection, he can hear everything going on in your head because a part of him is always with you, the part that makes a direct and solid connection between the both of you. Now, if a piece of your soul was in him, you’d be naturally hearing his thoughts all the time like they were your own because the mind naturally tries to stay connected with its stranded fragment.”
Ange frowned. “So…you’re saying he’s not doing it intentionally?”
Amaris nodded. “Exactly. But don’t get me wrong, you can still hear his thoughts, you just got to reach for the part of his soul in you and open up to it, then you can hear him without diving into his head but that takes practice and concentration.”
“That must get confusing,” Ange observed feeling suddenly bad for Showl. “Having more thoughts in your head then just your own.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t feel too bad for them,” Amaris sniffed. “They have far more evolved brains, it’s all just child’s play for them. They can stop whenever they want,” she added.
“Then why won’t he stop!” Ange snapped outraged losing her momentary sympathy. “I know that he knows that it bothers me.”
“Because he obviously doesn’t want to,” Amaris replied. “Corvus explained it to me once, it’s because they were so disconnected with themselves and others that they can’t help but feel a bit overprotective of their Soulbounds once they find and bond with them. It’s in their nature to make sure we are alright all the time.”
“Well, I sure am not going to be alright with all this eavesdropping,” Ange snarled.
“Then why don’t you just block him? It won’t be pleasant for him but you’ll have your peace and quiet,” Amaris suggested.
Ange perked up suddenly eager. “You’re telling me I can make this stop?” she recalled the sensation when Showl had blocked her from his thoughts and wondered why she hadn’t thought of the idea before.
Amaris nodded sheepishly.
A sudden heavy thud rocked the marble platform.
“I rather you not,” growled Showl’s deep voice.
Ange nervously turned her head to gaze into a pair of giant yellow eyes as Showl stretched his neck towards them. His overwhelming size made them look like ants as they fell into his shadow.
“It is as you said Amaris, we need to learn to work together,” he reminded sternly.
Another loud thud rocked the marble balcony but to their right. Corvus clung to the side of the mountain side with his claws, his wings stayed partially open to balance out his weight as he peered down at them.
“You are obviously not making the experience easy for the girl, Showl,” Corvus interjected quietly. “I made the same mistake which only resulted in years of bitterness and fighting between me and Amaris. Give her space, when she’s ready to have her mind mingle constantly with yours, she will do it. For now, pushing her will not help.”
Showl turned his head to the black dragon and snarled furiously.
Corvus simply blinked his strange white eyes and continued to stare calmly.
“Showl, stop growling,” Ange growled. “Besides, they have a point. You’re making me hate this more and more.”
He whipped his head to her, angry and baring his black teeth. “No. You are my Dragonbound and I say you need to get used to it. If not we will never be able to get along.”
“I am a free person,” she snarled venomously as her blood boiled under her skin. “You will not decide how or when I should like or do anything. I’m only asking for some privacy, I don’t need your snide comments every other second! How would you like it if I reprimanded you for how you think?”
He let out a thick snarl and crouched low, his hot breath suddenly in her face. “There is nothing wrong with the way I think.”
“And neither is there anything wrong with mine!” she whipped out violently with her thoughts, he recoiled with a furious roar and spun away furiously, his tail lashing only a few feet about their heads shuddering the air violently around them as he took off. She could feel his anger burn through their connection and hear faint curses in the dragon language she had been learning recently, though she didn’t catch or understand anything he was muttering to himself.
Corvus observed with a steady gaze, sniffing the air for a moment before extending his inky wings and flying after him from a distance.
Ange snorted and turned her eyes back to Amaris who was staring at her surprised.
“Can you teach me?” Ange asked trying not to snarl, her voice still came out harsh.
Amaris chuckled slightly and nodded. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I would think you think yourself as a dragon. It’s funny how you hold your ground against Showl even when he’s in dragon form.”
“How is that funny?” Ange asked hotly.
Amaris leaned back relaxed and smiled amused. “Most people are intimidated by a snarling dragon, I bet if you could, you would bite him,” she laughed.
“I bet you would do the same if you could,” Ange countered with contempt amusement in her voice.
Amaris smiled widely. “I was more afraid of Corvus when I was in your situation than you seem to be of Showl. Course, that’s our little secret, I’ll never admit it if you mention it.”
“Really?” Ange asked surprised.
Amaris nodded seriously, her eyes distant and bothered. “When he was furious he was terrifying to me,” she admitted quietly. “Nothing is as scary as an angry black dragon.”
Ange was silent, she couldn’t relate. She admitted Showl was a bit scary, not that she would admit it to anyone else but she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, and she had never been afraid to state her opinion. So why should she start now? Vera and the rest of the guild hadn’t respected her for nothing.
“So, how do I block him from reading my thoughts twenty-six hours a day?” Ange asked curiously, trying to break the awkward silence that had settled.
Amaris returned her eyes to her with a smile and a spark of mischief.
“This might take you a while, and it’s hard to keep up without constant concentration. As you get better at it, it will become second nature, but I warn you, it’s impossible to keep up in your sleep without a spell,” Amaris warned.
Ange nodded, ready and she sat up straight.
“Okay, close your eyes,” Amaris instructed.
Ange closed her eyes without delay, darkness existed behind her eyelids as she guessed where the exercise was heading and dived for her mind.
“Now dive into your mind,” Amaris’s voice echoed into her ears and into her mind. “Look for Showl’s piece of soul within yourself. I can’t help you find it, this requires a little soul searching. Remember, his soul fragment is tightly woven into yours.”
Her voice hushed into silence as Ange concentrated. She dived searching for something significant within herself. It was dark as she traversed past her thoughts and memories, she reached the core of her mind with ease where the energy burned that allowed her to control properties outside of what was once reality for her.
But she knew this wasn’t it and she found herself at a dead end. Then she recalled something even more significant and she plunged for the core of mana and pushed herself deep within it. It was like swimming against an unrelenting and violent tide. It brushed and burned her with heat and cold, blistering her mental presence within herself. It was an odd situation that didn’t make sense but she contin
ued to punch through.
She plunged past the energy and found herself lost in sudden darkness and cold. She searched in confusion into the shadows as her mind sharpened to make sense of the darkness. Deep within suddenly she realized a black sun burned faintly, flaring shadowy purple light and spinning slowly. Encompassing the area the dark sun laid within was a shimmering wispy fabric, spinning and swirling with strange lights.
Dark grays and faint blacks rung through the creamy low grays of the fabric. She could sense it, it was her soul, her essence, her very being, and through its shot strands of gleaming silver white and she sensed Showl’s presence immediately within the soul fabric from these strings. As she watched they spun out in a spiral to the center, reaching for the small black sun yet staying a measured distance away.
She reached for the strings then paused, confused and puzzled by the black sun that seemed to try and swallow all the light around it. She warily reached for it, pausing uncertain, sensing danger from the burring cold concentrated darkness. Ignoring the behest of her instincts she reached for the darkness and touched it, her mental image’s hand melted into the shadows and a quake suddenly shuddered through her mind.
The blinding strands of light from Showl’s soul dived violently and suddenly as they were swallowed instantly by the sun, yanking and pulling her soul along. Her breath caught in her chest painfully as a wave of blistering cold surged from the sun and exploded outward, the warmth of her body began to vanish in less than a heartbeat as her heart stuttered in shock.
“No! Don’t touch that!” screamed a horrified voice in her head, vibrating and shaking through her mind.
She gasped and recoiled from the suddenly blinding golden sun, withdrawing from it and it died instantly into black shadows once again, rejecting the fabric of her soul and pushed it away.
Ange’s eyes snapped open as she gasped a painful breath.
Amaris gasped as well, eyes wide open as she stared at Ange.
Sky Warriors: Poleuthan's Thief (Sky Warriors Saga Book 1) Page 28