"We've all changed and grown over the years, Viper. Well? Show that you really can still hold such a title. I'm waiting." Thynorth drew his weapons- a pair of kukri's, carefully watching and studying both Xulred and Franerra. He whispered a word and small carnivorous plants popped from the floor. As if the chains were meat, they began to chew on them. Soon enough, I was no longer restricted.77Please respect copyright.PENANAVu00Nfvtqc
77Please respect copyright.PENANAa3kddV1Vbc
"Don't you dare," Franerra shouted.77Please respect copyright.PENANAl6ue7FvxmD
77Please respect copyright.PENANAfdrPPN5T29
I walked past my mate, "Don't I dare what, Franerra?"
"You're just going to make things worse for you if you fight. You don't know what you're dealing with."
"Those are some mighty strong words coming from a dragon thats so young and inexperienced."
"Don't test me!" I frowned at her. "Test you? I've no need for that. Get it over with. You hate me right? You're furious? Go ahead. Kill me as you wish." She looks just like me when I was a dragonling. Angry and hateful. Wanting to take out her pain on the world.77Please respect copyright.PENANA3ccaMFxVZD
77Please respect copyright.PENANAw7Rng85UCI
She wasn't going to come willingly. That was clear.77Please respect copyright.PENANA2ufanaoJrC
77Please respect copyright.PENANAqo91hkHUyT
"Show what you really are."
I couldn't help but laugh. Young and foolish girl. She'll learn in due time. "There's nothing to show, but this." I whispered a few ancient words of a language little know. And a circle of fire surrounded her burning up to the ceiling. A simple but powerful spell. An uncommon one at that.77Please respect copyright.PENANAje5q4uZbrJ
77Please respect copyright.PENANAQcYY5Xlh6Q
The smoke of the flames will put her into a deep sleep, and there's nothing she can do to counter it. Not unless she was a chaos dragon as powerful as I.
Thynorth walked up to it, studying the flames. "Where's Xulred" I asked.
"Gone. He vanished into thin air. When did you master this?"
"During my time away for the past ten years." A lie. I mastered this far before then, during the time that I was... me.
The flames soon dissipated leaving a charred circle around our unconscious daughter. He picked her up oh so gently. His eyes were soft but there was a lot of pain as he studied her face.77Please respect copyright.PENANAYIrL9AC3TE
77Please respect copyright.PENANAC17bsI0fBI
"Em's spell... I can take only one of you back with me."
"Take her." No need to ponder on this. "I can find a way out."
"Are you sure? What of everyone else?"
"I'm sure. And they'll make it out. We can't take care of it now, but we'll find a way. Go. I'll see you soon love."
He looked up from Franerra but didn't say a word. He knew I meant it and that's all that was needed. Thynorth whispered "North star above the tallest mountain. Winds from the roaring seas. Path of the young traveler. I ask, please take us home, as it must be."77Please respect copyright.PENANAHFgn7AuV4I
77Please respect copyright.PENANAZEJn5bkcrm
To my right the air began to sparkle and distort. Hazy. A portal. "I better see you soon," he said.
"You will" I said back with my thoughts.77Please respect copyright.PENANApm9USqc9eo
77Please respect copyright.PENANAFUnjM0yOeI
He smiled, glanced at me once more and stepped through the portal vanishing almost as if he was never here.
They're safe. Now it's time to get out of this hell hole.
***
Thynorth
"Where's-" Em paused, looking at Franerra. "Oh... Is she okay?"
"She's fine. But she didn't come willingly. When she wakes, I'd be surprised if she doesn't try to leave." My voice was starting to shake. I keep holding back tears. I have my daughter back and yet it doesn't feel like I have her entirely.
"We'll put her in one of the guest rooms. I'll put up spells so she can't go back to him. Nor will he be able to reach her. She'll be stuck in this form as well. From there, you'll just have to find a way to gain her trust and show her the truth." I grimaced at the thought of putting her in a room. No dragon entirely enjoys being in such small spaces. Along with staying in their secondary form for long periods of time.
"I know this will be difficult for you and her but-"
"We'll make do. Thank you for your aid Queen Emarenthae. I will find a way to repay you."
"My pleasure. Is Amanice okay?"
"When I left, she was. She said she'll find her way out. All I can do now is trust her."
***
Amanice
"You need me. Stop pretending to be something you're not. You won't be able to escape without-"
"Shut up," I whispered to the wretched side of me, "I know that." As I walked to the arched doorway, my only way out of the throne room, I succumbed to the real me. I tore off that mask. I unlocked my mental cage.
This is just temporary. It's only temporary.
I opened the doors, and began my walk down the corridor. A few guards noticed me, swords drawn. I grinned, "Lobhadh." Rot. Their flesh and bones then decayed quickly. Their final screams were satisfying. Like the first breath of a crisp morning. I continued my way out weaving through corridors using my basic knowledge of palaces to find the court yard. Any person I passed that I considered a threat rotted away to nothing.
It was a relief. It was comforting. This feeling of knowing they're afraid. The smell of death around me. The strength and power no longer shoved down.
I loved it all.
I finally shifted back into my original form and launched myself high into the sky. Arrows wizzed past me or bounced off my scales. But once I was above the clouds nothing reached me. At least for the moment.
I couldn't let my guard down. There's still wyverns more than capable of getting to me and making this more difficult.
But... I wanted more death. I wanted more of that fear. More. More. MORE!
No... I'll have that soon. Just not now.
Knowing I was in Nijuid's Capital, Cyleq, I flew north west towards Jorn. It wasn't long till I heard wyverns behind me however.
Do it. Do it. Do it. My mind screamed at me. Tear them apart. I turned around facing two wyverns and their riders.
"Careful!" The rider on the left shouted "She's an old one."
The other laughed. "Older just means they're slower."
"No. She's Asikoitae. We should leave her be."77Please respect copyright.PENANA4pVa1mQKah
77Please respect copyright.PENANAlZeLrmR3pF
A wyvern said to them.
"She's dead," the right one scoffed. "She hasn't been seen in-"
"WATCH YOUR TONGUE,' I roared. "Don't dare stare at death and spit at their feet. Bhaint as."
Reap.
A thin black cord of fire wrapped around each of their necks tightening slowly. Black flames consuming their skin. Their eyes were full of panic. They thrashed. Then the cord finally cut through their flesh and bones.77Please respect copyright.PENANAbtVnjOJWKy
77Please respect copyright.PENANAxt4xXhEMIl
As their bodies and heads began to plummet towards the earth I couldn't help but admire the face of complete fear...
Gaping mouths wanting to unleash a scream that never came. Wide glazed eyes.
I missed this. I missed the look of fear. Though I still craved more, it was time I got out of this damned place. So I flew and I didn't rest until I saw the plains and rolling hills of Untja, A peaceful kingdom belonging to the humans...
ns 15.158.61.19da2