Invasion and Dragons

by Jekka Jones

  “About time you got your weapon, murderer!” He came at Landon, batting at him like a cat with a wasp—left, right, left, right, back, front.

  Landon fended off the claws. There was no time for thought or planning. All he could do was deflect the talons before they found him and pray his body would hold. Landon dodged and sliced with his sword, managing to inflict narrow cuts into the scales. When the chance presented itself, Landon would stab with his katana and earn a roar of pain from the dragon. Within minutes, trickles of blood flowed from Sri’Lanca’s feet, snout, and tail, but it wasn’t life-threatening.

  From the corner of his eye, Landon saw Sri’Lanca’s tail come at him. He spun to meet it, jumping as high as he could. It was not high enough. His foot caught the top part, and he tumbled head over heels through the air. He landed on his back, and the air whooshed out of his lungs.

  He lay stunned on the grass, his brain screaming at him to get up and run. He felt a tug on his sword arm and turned his head in time to see Sri’Lanca’s tail wrap around his katana and wrench it from his hands. Landon watched as it spun through the air, the blade flashing in the firelight and landing ten feet away from him.

  For a terrifying second, Landon thought he was dead. His limbs wouldn’t move, and he was unarmed. He listened for Myra’s screams but only heard the fire’s crackling roar. Painfully, he turned his head and looked at the forest where Myra had been and sobbed.

  The forest was a raging inferno. It lit up the heavens and warmed Landon’s body like the sun. Smoke poured into the sky, slowly poisoning his lungs. He couldn’t hear her screaming anymore. Had she escaped? Was she saving her breath because of the smoke?

  Was she dead?

  That thought fueled Landon’s anger—fueled him to roll over and force his body to act. He would never forgive himself if she died because of him.

  To hell with everything, he needed the Wizard’s Seal.

  The ground shook beneath him as Sri’Lanca adjusted himself for another attack. Yelling, Landon got to his feet and ran for his sword. It was eight feet away, nestled among some broken branches . . . six feet . . . five . . four . . .

  A roar bellowed behind Landon, and he felt a wave of heat coming at him. He had only one thought, and he followed it. He threw himself to the ground and rolled. He expected the fire to follow him, but it did not. Landon raised himself to his knees and looked around.

  A cry of despair seized in his throat.

  His only defense had vanished in a column of fire. Sri’Lanca breathed a steady stream on the spot where Landon’s sword lay, the flames almost white. Landon felt the heat on his face, and the poisonous fumes made him woozy. He forced himself to his feet and staggered backwards, shielding his eyes from the blaze. Although he couldn’t see anything, he knew his and Myra’s last hope for survival was possibly melting before his eyes.

  The fire stopped, leaving a perfect circle of ash. Smoke curled from the blackened earth, rising to disappear in the sky.

  Landon stared at the ash, too shocked to think. Large feet padding through the grass drew his attention. Sri’Lanca was circling him, creeping closer and closer with each loop. His wings were half open as though for take off, and he stalked along the ground like a cat. He cackled with glee, his laugh ripping the air with an unholy sound.

  “Well played, murderer! For a moment I thought you were going to beat me.”

  Grief and anger welled in him at those words. “We’re not finished, dragon!” Landon hissed, and dove for the pile of ash. If he was fast enough, he may be able to dig through the misshapen pile to the Seal. His father said nothing could destroy the Wizard’s Seal, surely dragon fire was among those. With one touch, he could save himself and—if she was still alive— Myra.

  Sri’Lanca cackled into the night. “This is too easy.” The dragon opened his mouth and a deep orange light glowed in the back of his throat. With a roar, he unleashed his flame.

  Landon raked his hands desperately through the cinders. He felt the heat as the fire sped towards him, and still his scrambling fingers found nothing. He imagined Myra screaming his name, urging him to keep searching.

  “I will not die here on top of you, you stupid thing,” he shouted at the ground.

  His hand touched something warm and metallic. He closed his fingers around the intricate metal loops, and the power of the wizards flooded into him.

  It was wild and sweet. It was everything Diego had described and more. All of Landon’s hurts intensified, before vanishing at once. He felt his bruises and sore muscles, but they did not hinder him. He could do whatever he wanted. The power was his, and a stupid dragon would not defeat him. Landon raised his head to face the oncoming inferno.

  “Stop,” he said. The power flared within him, and it sped towards the fireball like an invisible finger. The fireball dispersed in a shower of sparks, which died instantly. Sri’Lanca growled and sent another ball at him. Landon dispersed that, and the next one. Sri’Lanca roared and breathed a fiery column at him, but Landon snuffed it out with a carefree thought.

  “Just die!” Sri’Lanca screamed at him, flames belching from his mouth. “Lie down and die, murderer!”

  “I don’t think so!” Landon laughed, and waved his hand at another stream of fire. He willed the wizard’s power to seize the fire and twist it into a flower design before extinguishing it. He could control fire! It took more effort and will, but he could do it.

  “Come on, dragon! Is that all you got?” he taunted.

  Sri’Lanca’s pupils dilated, and with a scream of fury, he threw himself at Landon. Breathing fire, the dragon attacked with everything he had. Landon willed the power to thicken the air around him, forming a barrier. The claws, wings, teeth, and tail bounced off the invisible shield like rain against a window. Landon laughed at the dragon, driving Sri’Lanca into an even greater frenzy. Froth sprayed from the dragon’s mouth, and his eyes bulged in fury. Landon relished it.

  “To think,” said Landon, “that I was going to let a giant, overgrown lizard with wings take my life.” He threw back his head and laughed. “You’re pathetic, Sri’Lanca!”

  “Freeze in shadows, murderer!”

  Landon snickered and glanced towards the burning forest. Myra. She was still trapped in that inferno. He glared at Sri’Lanca for distracting him, and extinguished the forest fire with a single thought.

  The orange glow vanished in an instant, leaving pale afterimages in his sight. All was dark, and it took several moments for Landon’s eyes to adjust to the starlight and rising moon. Landon strained his hearing for any sound, but all was silent. A mild worry that Myra was dead pushed its way through the raging power, and Landon started jogging towards the forest.

  “No!” screamed Sri’Lanca, and he threw himself in front of Landon, raising a clawed foot to strike.

  With a flick of his hand, Landon sent a bolt of power at Sri’Lanca, which sent the dragon flying. Sri’Lanca gave a bird-like squawk as he hit the earth, the force of his weight causing several burnt trees to topple. The dragon scrambled to his feet, his sides heaving. He spread his wings, his long neck curved into an s-shape like a snake ready to strike.

  “Give up, Sri’Lanca,” Landon said, willing the power to project his voice so it rang through the night. “Go away or I will kill you.”

  He was answered with several blasts of flame and roars. Landon rolled his eyes, willed the flames into a giant inferno, and threw it at Sri’Lanca.

  “Ha!” Sri’Lanca crowed. “Dragons are immune to fire, Dayn! You will have to do more than that to kill me!”

  “Well that’s annoying,” Landon said. He cocked his head and squinted at Sri’Lanca. “Truthfully, I think the Wizard’s Seal would have no problem killing you.” He waved the Seal, the silver and amber glinting in the moon’s light. “Shall we find out?”

  Sri’Lanca flinched. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  “Test me, dragon. It’s my turn for vengeance.” He took a threatening step towards Sri’Lanca. “
I’m tired of others seeking my life. Ashrin’s death isn’t my fault, and neither is Judan’s. Swear to me that you will never harm me or my loved ones again, and I will let you live.”

  Sri’Lanca spat a fireball into the earth. “I would rather freeze!”

  Landon shrugged his shoulders. “Suit yourself.” He raised his hand, and the power welled inside him. Sri’Lanca opened his mouth to breathe fire.

  “Landon!”

  Landon jerked and looked towards the forest, as did Sri’Lanca. Myra was running towards them. One leg of her trousers was shorter than the other, yet she looked unharmed. He fixed Myra in his sight, drinking in her torn clothes and ragged hair. Her terrified face couldn’t deter the hot joy that had surged through him at the sight of her. She’s alive!

  Sri’Lanca snarled, his yellow eyes boring into Landon’s. “I will avenge my tamer no matter what!” The dragon hissed and lunged towards Myra with a sweep of his wings. She stumbled and fell with a cry.

  “Not so fast, dragon,” Landon whispered.

  It was so easy. Landon thought of Sri’Lanca’s windpipe closing, slow and painful like when Angen would throttle him, and the power responded. The dragon gasped, coughed, and fell to the ground. He clawed at the earth for air; his wings and tail flailing in all directions. He could have stopped the dragon’s heart instantly, but he enjoyed seeing the creature writhe. For once, he was a dangerous enemy, not a crippled boy cowering in the shadows.

  It felt good to be the victor.

  “No . . . please . . . please . . .” wheezed Sri’Lanca. “Mercy . . . please!”

  “Why should I? You haven’t done the same for me.” Landon strode towards Sri’Lanca. He walked right up to the dragon’s head and stared into the yellow eyes. “You’ve done nothing but hunt me, burn my forests, and threaten the ones I love. You sided with my enemies and destroyed not only my parents’ lives but an entire country. What gives you the right to beg for mercy?”

  “Landon . . . mercy. . . .”

  “Hondel’s dead because of you.” Landon didn’t yell. He didn’t need to with the power magnifying his voice. “You took my father across the river and blamed him for trespassing and theft. Well, dragon, you’re trespassing on my land and this is your punishment!”

  Sri’Lanca spluttered words, but Landon didn’t listen. He kept his hold on the windpipe and spread the power elsewhere in Sri’Lanca’s body. Smiling, Landon willed the power to seize the dragon’s muscles, and he began to move the wings and legs like a puppeteer. Sri’Lanca’s eyes bulged with terror. Landon sensed him resisting, but the wizard’s power was stronger. The dragon’s movements weakened, his scales paling as the oxygen in his body was depleted.

  As he watched the dragon die, Landon became aware of the fumes in the air, on his clothes, and in his body. While keeping a mental hold on Sri’Lanca’s throat, he willed the power to split and investigate his own organs. The power sensed the poison clinging to his lungs, stifling his ability to breathe and irritating the sensitive tissue. Without inhibition, he willed the poison to be destroyed.

  The power raced through his whole being, burning and freezing at the same time. Landon shuddered, but as uncomfortable as it was, the poison was gone in seconds. Before the power could seek out other parts of him to destroy, he redirected it back on the dragon. His lungs filled with air, his chest expanding to its full extent. Landon took several deep breaths, exaggerating the motions.

  “No more poison to bother me,” he said, leering at the dying dragon. “You’ve lost, Sri’Lanca. You can’t hurt me anymore.”

  The dragon shuddered. His eyes bored into Landon’s, seeking mercy. Landon returned the gaze, his face warping with pleasure at watching his enemy suffer. Just a little longer. . . .

  “Landon, that’s enough!” shouted Myra, startling him. He had forgotten all about her. She approached him, her face twisted with . . . was that horror?

  “Stop it,” Myra repeated. “You’re killing him.” Tears ran down both sides of her face. That unsettled Landon, and he didn’t know why.

  “I can’t, Myra,” he replied soothingly. “It’s either him or us.”

  Sri’Lanca rolled his eyes onto Myra, pleading. Myra glanced at him and then at Landon. “Maybe, but that’s not an excuse to become a monster, Landon. Stop before you regret it.”

  Landon frowned. “Regret it? Myra, he’ll kill us!”

  “He won’t, Lan,” she replied. “Let him go.”

  “Let him go?” Rage flared in him. Who was she to decide when Sri’Lanca’s suffering was enough? Did she forget that Sri’Lanca had tried to burn her alive and had thrown him around like a rag doll just for the fun of it? She should be grateful!

  “Yes, Lan,” said Myra, her eyes flicking to Sri’Lanca with more urgency than before. “Set him free.”

  Landon glared and bared his teeth. “You’re confused,” he said. “The dragon smoke is getting to your head. Besides, it’s one less dragon to worry about.” He turned back to the dragon, noting with savage pleasure that Sri’Lanca was almost dead. He barely moved, and his scales were now brownish gray.

  An overwhelming desire to touch the dragon overcame him. Watching him die wasn’t enough, Landon wanted to feel Sri’Lanca’s life leave his body. The power swirled faster at that thought, encouraging him to lay a hand on that scaly hide. He took a step towards the dragon.

  Something moved in the corner of his eye. Before Landon could act, Myra grabbed his wrist and twisted his hand, scrabbling at his fingers with hers. With an ear-splitting yell, she pried his fingers from the amulet. Landon cried out in shock as his skin broke contact with the metal. The power was gone in an instant, and the Seal landed at his feet. Immediately, Sri’Lanca took a sucking breath, coughed several times, and moaned.

  All of Landon’s aches and pains returned tenfold. He collapsed on the ground and retched. Every inch of his skin and bones felt like iron spikes had been stabbed into them. Was he imagining it, or did he feel worse than before? Wearily, he raised his head and saw the Seal a few inches away. He reached to take up the alleviating power once more, but Myra kicked it away.

  “Oh no you don’t!” she snarled. “You’re not corrupting my fiancé, you stupid lump of—”

  “Myra . . . wait . . . need . . . it hurts . . .” Landon groaned but his voice was weak. He tried to rise, but exhaustion flooded his body and senses. His vision swirled, and black splotches danced before his eyes.

  Myra didn’t hear him. She marched over to the Seal and stomped on it, cursing like a violent drunk. Her obseneties were the only sounds to be heard.

  The moon was high enough to cast its soft light on the grassland. The oversized twigs of burnt trees and scorched patches of grass were like inky smudges on the prairie. Landon looked around, taking in the devastation before seeing Sri’Lanca.

  The dragon had not moved. One of the wings twitched and the tail was oddly bent into a sharp zig-zag formation. Sri’Lanca’s scales were pale gray and looked feeble. Each breath rattled in the dragon’s chest, much like a man on his deathbed. Landon stared at the huge, indestructible creature, unable to believe what he was seeing. Sri’Lanca coughed, one that caused his whole body to shudder, and a plume of smoke billowed from his nose and mouth. It hovered in the air like a black, poisonous cloud before dissipating. The dragon gave a huge shiver, nearly lifting his head from the ground, and fell still.

  He did not move.

  Landon stared at the body before him. His stomach churned until he thought he would be sick. “What have I done?” he said, his voice cracking. “What have I done?”

  Myra was standing near Sri’Lanca’s head, looking at something. She had gone over after kicking the Seal around a few times. Landon didn’t know where the Seal was now, but it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the dragon. He could not take his eyes off Sri’Lanca.

  “Please, don’t be dead,” he whispered. “Move. Please, move. . . .”

  Sri’Lanca did not move. Landon strained his ears, b
ut they buzzed with shock, masking any sound coming from Sri’Lanca. It seemed like ages before Myra came towards him. “He’s alive,” she announced. “He’s breathing on his own.” She swallowed. “I think he’ll be okay.”

  Landon sagged with relief, the emotion choking him until he thought he would die. He curled into himself and trembled. Myra laid a hand on his back, rubbing back and forth. “It’s okay, Lan,” she said gently. “Everything’s going to be all right.”

  Landon gagged and gazed at her, baffled. “All right? Myra, I almost killed him. I wanted to murder him! I wanted him to suffer and I enjoyed it.” He choked. “I’m no better than Angen.”

  She stiffened. “Don’t you dare compare yourself to that monster!” Myra snapped. “You are nothing like Angen. The Seal was warping your thoughts, Lan, trying to change you. If you had more control, you wouldn’t have gone this far.”

  “I wouldn’t have throttled him, you mean,” Landon whispered. He noticed she had a wadded cloth in her hand. By how big it was and the way she held it, he knew it contained the Seal. Hot shame filled his soul, and he looked away. No matter what Myra said, he had wanted to kill Sri’Lanca.

  Myra stared at him, and he could feel her exasperation. After a moment she said, “We should go before the dragons come and investigate. Can you walk?”

  Landon nodded and climbed to his feet. His muscles shook, and his legs barely supported him, but he stood. His armor was in shreds. It looked more like thin metal streamers than actual armor. He fumbled with the fastenings and let it slip to the ground. His clothes were wet with sweat. In the starlight, he saw darker patches marking cuts. He had a lot around his ribcage.

  He looked at Myra and gestured to the prairie, away from Sri’Lanca. She nodded and stowed the cloth in her pocket before slipping her arm through his. They set off across the prairie, leaving Sri’Lanca’s unconscious form behind. Landon looked to the dark line of hills barely visible in the moonlight. He picked a point straight in front of him and placed one foot in front of the other.