Dragon Realm
Episode 41
The Horned Sword was now in his right hand, even though the lion bird was left-handed. Reaching down with his free hand, he released his own sword and threw it to the side. He then swung the sword to his left. A final move placed the dark sword into its empty sheath.
He would only carry one emergency package stored in the palace guard barracks. That and a sack of water will give him the sustenance he needs. The gryphon prepares to hunt; no animal will hunt on a full stomach. Regardless of his diplomatic means, there would always be a part of him that belonged to the wild.
Bloody Styx and sister Hestia will cross paths tonight. Not as bad as the nights when they met, but it's still time to be alert.
He laughed bitterly. When is there a night to be alert?
...***...
MADRAC/SHADE SURRENDERED TO HIM. Although the witch's face remained unclear, the aura of evil around her was quite clear by now. That Cabe had missed it before meant a lot to the shadow magician's power.
“The time is not right. We have to wait until the beginning of the eleventh hour.” He might be smiling. “It gives us time to talk, if you want.”
Cabe glared at him.
"no? There's not even a question? How about this? How do I know all about you and your situation, hmm? I believe you know that I only retain a portion of the memory after each reincarnation. ”
Despite his anger, Cabe finds himself listening.
“We are entering a new era, Bedlam. The rule of the Dragon King is dying. Putrefaction. Gold was an emperor who moved between quiet reason and uncontrollable paranoia. Most of his brothers betrayed and quarreled.
They were no longer the cold and efficient rulers of the land. They've captured your grandfather's last weapon. They have been infected with a disease called humanity. In time, all but the lesser drake will lose his right to be called a true dragon.”
"What do you mean?"
A low laugh. "He spoke! What I mean is this. Have you ever noticed how the firerake, especially the dukes and the Kings themselves, almost always parades in an almost human-like form?”
"They always do."
"Wrong. The first Dragon King never changed shape. Only after they learn the wonders of man do they begin to take on a nearly-human form. Females find this easier, although they cannot master many other spells.
It became so common among firerakes that eventually its abilities became inherent. At the same time, they weaken the abilities that originally belonged to them.”
One of the Quel approached, a large ornate crystal on the creature's arm. Cabe firmly ignored him. "What does this have to do with what you're talking about?"
"Everything!" The person who now called himself Madrac pointed to the sleeping Quel row. “Before the days of the Dragon King, even before the Seekers, this land was ruled by the creatures you saw before you. Their kingdom, at its peak, was larger than the reptile kingdom.
As their strength and avians crumbled, the dragons entered the ground and grew. Strength shifts, some become inactive, others hold more control.
Shade went back to his custody. “Quel is eager to continue the ceremony. They do not understand that it should happen at a certain time.” He leaned over and whispered to Cabe, although it was likely that his non-human allies could not understand. “This will be an important time for all of us. For a short time, you will have unimaginable power.
After that, Quel will be released and I will achieve what I have avoided for countless years. Escape!"
Flicking his finger, the witch pointed at the creature. Cabe looked from one to the other. He doesn't like what he does.
"What the hell is going on?"
“Time is getting closer. We will continue with the introduction in a moment. I fear I should shorten my story. Suffice it to say, the power that controls me is all that remains of that ancient age.
What was dominant when Simon met you preferred to leave this new world, but what is now in control of my actions awaits this new age. With the Dragon King's dwindling powers, Quel and his ancient ways will rebuild themselves and mankind will not take control of this land. He will live only to serve.”
“Like you?”
An open palm flashed across Cabe's face. There was anger on the other hand even though the feature could not reveal anything.
“When power takes over, I will be freed from this ridiculous curse! I'm going to be Madrac! Only Madrak!” Shade looked up. "But I'm afraid the rest should remain a mystery to you!" She laughs.
Crazy, Cabe thought to himself. From one madman to another madman! He turned his head and caught a sinister look from Quel. Facing the Dragon Monarch was already bad enough, but now people would face this threat. He struggled to move, but to no avail.
Shade turned away from her. The hooded Necromancer spoke words that sounded very familiar to his captive, even though he knew he had never heard the language before. Unpleasant dark smoke tendrils appeared around Shade's head.
Quel was staring at the smaller crystal in Cabe's chest. It began to glow, barely noticeable at first, but increased in intensity as the clock drew nearer.
The cloaked figure was absorbed in his spell. Cabe doesn't care. His attention was fixed on the thing on his chest. Everything else fades into insignificance.
As the eleventh hour drew closer, the crystal began to tremble. Worse, he could swear that it was slowly sinking into his chest. But there was no pain, no blood, just tingling.
Quel shifted nervously. It must not have been ready for this incident. The long face turned to Shade, but the witch was still busy with her casting.
The monster, who was more afraid of interrupting the ceremony, remained silent but stared at the sudden incident with great trepidation.
Like a creature trapped in quicksand, the jewel sank deeper into Cabe's body. Horror replaced by attraction—and something else. Cabe understood that this would not hurt him, but help him.
Looking at the part of the ghost that was being blown by the wind, Shade moved swiftly amidst the resurgence power, his hands darting to and fro, each movement adding to the mist and swirling objects. Quel who was sleeping shivered into one. Cabe's guard became distracted by the commotion of his people.