The Dragon Witch

by Drako

  Brandon looked to his brother. “Aren’t you the demon god now? Shouldn’t you be doing things down there?”

  “I’m one of many, apparently,” Demun replied. “And it can wait until this is done.”

  “By now you should be able to sense Victoria, as well as Balthas,” Jarel told Brandon. “Go to her, and lead her to Balthas. She must deliver the killing blow. You may follow your instincts from there.”

  Brandon stood up. “This should be interesting.” He extended his hand to Phil. “Are you coming?”

  Phil took his hand and the room went dark for a second before they vanished.

  “Do you see what I see?” Demun asked his grandfather.

  Jarel smiled. “Yes, but keep it to yourself. He’ll figure it out in his own time.”

  Thirty Seven

  Victoria was waiting in the Rose Realm. She had the strongest urge to remain here. And she hadn’t been alone. Ares was there with her in the ruined coliseum. The bodies had been cleaned away and they were just waiting for some sign of Balthas. And suddenly, he appeared in the middle of the battlefield.

  “This is odd,” Victoria muttered.

  “Yes, it is, but you might as well kill him anyway. I’ll watch your back,” Ares told her.

  Victoria flipped high into the air and came down behind Balthas. He jumped, surprised by her arrival.

  “What are you doing here?!” he demanded. “Your business here is done!”

  “Oh, no it’s not,” she replied. “You’re still breathing.”

  Balthas scowled. “You are determined to die. I’ll sacrifice you the same as I did that pathetic human.”

  Victoria responded with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head, knocking him to the ground. “That 'worthless' human is worth far more than you could dream of. But I’m going to enjoy making you pay in this life before you go to the next.”

  Balthas began to push himself up. “I will not be felled by you.”

  She could feel him beginning to gather his power, though he seemed weaker than before.

  “What’s the matter?” she taunted. “Feeling a little tired? Did your master forget to tell you the results of your ritual?”

  Balthas didn’t respond, choosing instead to cast his first spell. Sand floated in front of him in a tidal wave that he sent at her. Victoria flipped up again, this time over the tidal wave to land behind him. She elbowed him in the back of the head, causing him to stumble forward. He spun around and shot a blast of fire at her. Victoria spun away from it and shot a blast of violet light at him that struck him in the chest. Balthas went flying across the battlefield and Victoria was already casting the next spell, creating a geyser of sand that took Balthas high into the air. The next part of her spell froze him in midair while sand swirled around him.

  “Bastard, let’s see how you like having your own trick used against you, only better,” she muttered.

  She held up her hand and a ball of fire appeared. She waved her other hand and the sand dropped. As it did, she hurled the ball of fire at Balthas and struck him, delighting as he burst into flames, his clothes the first thing to burn. He howled in agony as he hit the ground but despite the fire he began to stand. As he did, Victoria appeared behind him and brought her sword to his throat.

  “I believe I told you this would happen.” With that, she slit his throat and let him fall, burning and bleeding out at the same time. She waved her hand and the flames died out but the blood flowed quickly. She actually watched as the life flowed from him.

  The area went dark for a second and when she could see again, Brandon and Phil were in front of her. Brandon strode over to the body and his right hand glowed as he reached down to it. Or more accurately, inside it. He growled and yanked his hand out, grasping Balthas’ soul by the throat. He gestured at the ground with his left hand and a giant chasm opened from which flames sprang out. Walking over, he held Balthas over the flames. He waved his hand and the body was tossed into the flames, and Victoria swore she saw a large black hand grab the body and drag it down.

  “You disgusting, disreputable creature.” Brandon’s voice echoed, this time with power. “You are a servant of the Prince of Darkness. In his name, you sacrificed an innocent human who desired nothing more than to live his life in peace with the people he loved the most. You gave him to your weak, pathetic, cowardly god to give him entrance into my world, the mortal world. Do you deny it?”

  Balthas could only choke as the grip around his throat was that of a god, and as such he couldn’t breathe.

  “Do you feel the flames of hell burning at your feet right now, mortal?” Brandon glanced down at the flames. “Tartarus is a horrible place. It’s filled with every horror you can imagine and so many more that you can’t. And you are going to venture there. There in Tartarus, each day you will be ritually sacrificed in the exact same manner as Adonis. Every punch, every kick, every cut, every stab will be replicated. From the moment you began chasing him out of this arena to the moment he took his last breath, you will go through it all every single day for eternity. When the ritual is complete, you will spend the evening in cold unforgiving darkness tortured by the foulest of demons personally reserved for my army. These are demons not spawned by Lucifer or Desdemona, or any other pathetic demon god. These are the creations of Erebus, and they make your master look like a bitch. Enjoy.” With that he tossed Balthas into the chasm, where those same black hands sprang up to take his soul down to Tartarus.

  The chasm closed and Brandon turned to the others. Ares appeared at Victoria’s side.

  “Get the hell out of here. I’m destroying this place,” Brandon told them.

  He suddenly shot high up into the air.

  “We’d better go.” Ares grabbed Victoria and Phil and shot up after him.

  Brandon floated in the air above the coliseum, having transformed to his alternate form. With an occasional flap he kept his position and extended his hand. As Ares and the others joined him, he extended his power and the arena exploded.

  “Was that really necessary?” Ares asked.

  Brandon turned to look at him, his eyes unreadable. “If my aunt had died three days ago, and her pain had started here in this arena, would you want it to stand after her murderer had been dealt with?”

  Ares couldn’t argue with that. Brandon took Phil from him.

  “We’ll see you in Solaris.” Darkness overcame the area and the two vanished.

  “I suppose we should meet them there,” Ares commented.

  “In a little while, sure. I’ve got other ideas.” Victoria grinned.

  Ares grinned back. “I think I’ll like this idea.”

  Thirty Eight

  Brandon stood over a grave in the mortal realm. There’d been a large turnout for Adonis’ funeral from the high school. Anaya had come with Theo, but like the others, she left him alone to have his final moment with Adonis. Now he stood alone over the grave, his mind dark and brooding. He was joined shortly by Phil.

  “You know, I feel guilty now,” Brandon commented.

  “Because you planned to leave him after the battle?” Phil asked.

  Brandon nodded. “Even now I know it would have been for the best, but it doesn’t change the feeling.”

  “I understand. But we can give him something he asked for, can’t we?”

  Brandon raised an eyebrow in question.

  “He wanted us to be friends,” Phil explained.

  “Do you think we can do that without any bitterness?” Brandon asked.

  Phil nodded. “Other than the fact that I owe you one ass kicking, I think we’ll be fine.”

  Brandon gave a faint smile. “I suppose you’re right, even though you’ll never kick my ass.”

  “Don’t get cocky just because you’re a god.”

  Brandon rolled his eyes. “Look, I’ve got to go into Shevat, the demon world, with my brother to face the Demon Gods. Do you want to come with?”

  “It’s not like I’ve got anything holding me her
e.”

  Off in the distance, Jarel stood with Hera and Zeus.

  “At least they can help each other through this,” Zeus commented.

  “Yeah, but inside Brandon is raging,” Jarel replied. “It’ll be a while before he calms down.”

  “His punishment was fitting for Balthas,” Hera said thoughtfully. “Passing judgment seems to come natural to him.”

  “Eventually he’ll find out that Adonis’ soul isn’t in the underworld, and then we’ll have problems.” Jarel sighed. “We need him focused for the battles at hand. We have too many enemies.”

  “He’ll focus,” Hera told him. “He has no choice.”

  Victoria stood at her bike, watching Brandon at the grave. Ares appeared next to her and placed his hands on her shoulders in a comforting gesture.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked her.

  “I’m still healing from the battle, but nothing too major,” she responded.

  “You should have gone to see Apollo or Odele by now.” Ares turned her to face him. “Why are you being unnecessarily stubborn, woman?”

  Victoria chuckled. “I’m not in pain so I hadn’t thought about it. I’m fine, Ares. Really, I am.”

  “I think you still need to go see one of them now, preferably before you’re sent out into the field again. After all, we can’t tell when the next battle will be.”

  “You’re getting fussy. Isn’t that uncharacteristic of the war god?”

  Ares narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me take you to the healer myself.”

  Victoria rolled her eyes. “Bite me. Odele will be at the house anyway. I’ll speak to her when I get there.”

  “Get there fast, woman.” Ares vanished.

  Victoria hopped onto her bike. Not that she was obeying Ares or anything, but it couldn’t hurt to get looked at before everyone arrived.

  Everyone met at Brandon and Demun’s house after the funeral. They sat in the living room and just took the moment to rest.

  “So, does anyone know what’s next?” Andreas asked.

  “We’re going to Shevat to deal with the Demon Gods,” Demun replied, answering for himself and his brother.

  “I’ve got a wedding to prepare for,” Victoria stated.

  All eyes turned to her.

  “What?” she asked.

  “A wedding to who?” Andreas asked.

  Kazarian hit him in the arm. “Don’t play stupid. Clearly it’s Ares. My question is, when did you two decide that?”

  “I decided it earlier today,” Victoria answered.

  “You mean he hasn’t asked you?” Phil asked.

  Victoria rolled her eyes. “Do I look like the type of girl that waits for a man to ask? I want him, so it’s settled.”

  A deep laughter filled the room as Ares appeared. “As it just so happens, I’m in agreement with the sentiment. Although it would have been nice to have been asked. I’d have totally gotten a kick out of seeing her get down on one knee with a ring.”

  “This marriage will be short-lived if you start getting all sappy on me,” Victoria muttered. “Now, we’re getting married and that’s that.”

  Ares laughed again. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Well, now I know who to appeal to when I need Ares to give me my way,” Kazarian commented.

  Ares scowled and Victoria punched him in the arm.

  “Ow, that hurt,” he mumbled, rubbing his arm.

  “You were going to argue and I don’t like wasted time,” Victoria replied.

  “Anyway, I guess that leaves me here to prepare for the next battle.” Andreas turned to Demun. “What happened to your grandmother, anyway?”

  “She’s in Shevat, plotting and scheming as usual,” Demun answered. “As long as she stays the hell out of my way, I don’t really care what she does.”

  Brandon began to tap his fingers on the arm of the chair. “I’m ready to get going. This meeting with the Demon Gods isn’t going to go well and I’m looking forward to knocking them around until they cave in.”

  “Or we destroy them,” Demun added.

  “You brats better be back up here for my wedding or I’m coming back down there and dragging you here,” Victoria warned.

  Brandon snorted. “Trust me, we won’t be missing your ceremony.”

  “Well, since we all have separate missions, we might as well get started.” Ares grasped Victoria’s shoulders. “I think we have to visit your parents, don’t you?”

  “Like they need to approve my choice of marriage. My father has been trying to set us up the whole time.”

  Ares blinked in surprise. “You knew that?”

  Victoria smirked. “Of course I did. It was pretty obvious.”

  “We’re going to talk.”

  Victoria laughed. “Yeah right. We’ll talk.”

  The two vanished.

  “That was fucking nauseating,” Brandon muttered.

  “All these couples are beginning to unsettle my stomach.” Demun looked at Andreas and Kazarian. “No offense.”

  Andreas shrugged. “None taken. Are you heading out now too?”

  “Might as well.” Flames encircled Demun as he vanished.

  Brandon grabbed Phil’s arm and the room went dark before he followed. Immediately after, Jarel appeared.

  “I’m certainly glad I don’t need alone time right this second,” Andreas muttered.

  “You can plow your husband after I leave,” Jarel replied. “I have to warn you of what’s to come next. You’re here on the front lines to deal with it, though I’d rather you come to Solaris to plan an effective strike.”

  “This must be bad,” Kazarian commented.

  Jarel took a seat in the armchair by the window. “It is. Lucifer is now in the mortal world. Now that he’s here, he will beguile the entire human race, or at least the weakest minded ones. That means the majority. He will convince them all that he is the one true god and they will flock to him. There is no avoiding this. That means that humanity will turn on those that don’t believe. They will happily slaughter in his name. We are entering dark times now. And he’ll be here the entire time bearing a familiar face with all of his power. Odds are, you won’t get close enough to him to slay him.”

  “So what are we to do?” Andreas asked.

  “I need you to prepare for our battles with Typhon. I’m afraid Lucifer must be left to the boys when they return.” Jarel frowned. “I hate to do it, but it will take my full power to destroy Typhon once and for all. And the creatures he and Echidna will bring will require my best.”

  Andreas looked to Kazarian, who gave him a nod.

  “Then it looks like we’ll be coming to Solaris,” he told his father.

  Jarel nodded and vanished. Times were going to be dark indeed for the mortal realm and all others. The war of the gods was in full effect and every one of every race would be caught in the crossfire.

  Epilogue

  Cronus walked the rows of graves until he found the one he was looking for. He tapped the ground with his staff and the ground parted.

  “Rise, you miserable creature,” he ordered.

  A robed figure emerged from the casket in the grave. “My lord Cronus, how delightful to see you.”

  “I should have left you in there.” Cronus frowned. “If I didn’t need this distraction to ensure my victory over Zeus, I’d have done so. You’d better hold up your end of the bargain, Lucifer, or I’ll cast you into Tartarus myself as a present to Jarel.”

  “Have you succeeded in forging an alliance with Typhon?” Lucifer asked.

  “Of course I have. Do you think I’m as pathetic as you?” Cronus turned away. “Clean yourself up and get to work. When I come down here again, humanity had better be enslaved, and they’d better understand that the one true god they should bow to is me, not you. Otherwise your head will decorate my mantle when I take Olympus from Zeus.”

  Even without seeing his face, he knew Lucifer smiled. “But of course. All will bow to the true god king, Cronus.�
�

  Cronus vanished. Lucifer laughed. He was in the mortal realm, and in the end, all would know him as the one true god. However, he would pacify Cronus for a while. All would bow to Cronus when the god ventured to earth, but in the end, they would honor him. Finally, the human race would be his slaves, and there wasn’t a damn thing the gods could do to help them.

  Don’t miss the book that started it all

  The Lost Dragon

  Andreas was born a Spartan warrior, long before human history even records Sparta existing. He served directly under Ares, until the day his lover was killed on the battlefield in front of him. On that day, he met his father, the mysterious Black Dragon God known as Jarel. From then on, he served his father faithfully, enforcing the laws of the primordial embodiment of black fire and father of the paranormal. Now, in these modern times, he hunts the rogue vampires and their leader. Little does he know, there's more to this than vampires simply turning against his father.

  While protecting the lovely Cassandra Odele, Andreas must battle forces he doesn't know as he attempts to stop the resurrection of the Titan king, Cronus. Added to his problems, he now has two teenage nephews to see into adulthood. Of course, there's always a twist when dealing with the gods, and Andreas will come face to face with his past, leaving him to decide which is more important, his soul or the world?

  Also, don’t miss this addition the series

  The Dragon Hunter’s Guide

  Here we have the go to guide for the Dragon Hunters. Here you can find complete bios on all of your favorite characters. Also, the history of the races is here in plain text for you to read. To add to that, some of the characters offer their voices to answer any questions you might have. And as always, the Black Dragon God himself, Jarel, has to have his own input on everything. Meaning you'll get some direct answers from the father of the Dragon Gods and creator of the paranormal races, including an actual listing of his laws. And he'll just randomly throw in his opinion because he can. (You try telling the guy he can't do something and tell me how it turns out for you).