Dragon's Roar - 13. Chapter 13

Dark-like flames swirled and danced within his hands before being snuffed out in an instant. A toothy smile spread across Urien’s face as his abilities continued to grow and reach new heights. “Urien, come with me,” Mordred growled. Urien shrugged, eager to see what this was all about. He had been keeping tabs on Mordred and was frustrated at the realization that he fully mastered the dark powers he absorbed from his mistress. “It would seem as though they have begun to make their move and the newly formed Knights of the Round are already becoming an annoyance in my plans,” he growled.

“Why not just crush them before they can establish themselves further,” Urien questioned eagerly to see if this situation could be shifted more in his favor.

“I am not as foolhardy as the late mistress; their abilities are not to be underestimated and do not forget Levi and Merlin are still within the walls of the Kingdom. A battle against forces of that magnitude would not work well in our favor.” Urien smirked while clenching his teeth, Mordred again proving to be more level headed and willing to look further down the road than Morgana ever did.

***** 

Zephyr flew straight up into the sky tucking his wings spinning to avoid blades of water and shards of ice. He took a glance towards the ground before colliding with Vicky’s calf as she kicked him down onto the ground. “Sloppy,” Vicky spat. “When dealing with multiple high-level opponents taking your eyes off the battle for even a second can mean death. Zephyr, you are a dragon of the wind, you should be more agile than what you are displaying in these sessions.”

“Vicky, can you seal my sight?” Vicky smiled, equally impressed and pleased Zephyr seemed to be picking up on what he needed to do to continue his progression to the next level.

“Now, you are thinking like a fighter worthy of your heritage,” Sune chuckled, he was impressed with Zephyr’s growth although maybe growth was the wrong way of thinking about it. New truths, allegiances, and titles seemed to have increased Zephyr’s desire to prove himself. Sune could safely say Zephyr was probably at a higher combat ceiling than they all were when Morgana made her reappearance. Sune nodded towards Vicky confirming the spell was in place, and it was time to bring their feathery friend to the next level.

***** 

“Knights of the Round, who would have thought we would be bestowed such a grandiose title,” Sage laughed as he stroked Bastion’s face. It took all his willpower to hold back the dam of tears threatening to burst as Sage looked over his beloved, pale and unmoving except for the subtle rise and fall of his chest being the only indication he was still alive.

“That which you seek is not something that can be found but something that must be earned, for it can change the landscape of this world, be that for its benefit or detriment that has yet to be determined.” Sage shook his head trying to clear the voice from his head, partly from not wanting to deal with the cryptic meaning, instead wanting to focus his energy and attention on Bastion.

***** 

“These episodes are becoming more frequent; I am not sure I can continue to support the idea of you being out there without me like this,” Jin held tight to his mate as Levi stopped convulsing in his grasp. “I know you are out there searching for answers, but I feel like the more you push yourself the more the condition seems to get worse.”

Levi pushed back, getting lost in the warm embrace of a raging volcano that was his mate. The visions, the words, the body aches, and the scar of darkness were all getting worse by the day. Levi knew without the power of light to combat the forces and affliction of darkness, there would be no positive outcome for himself, Bastion, or the very things he sought to protect in this world. “I have no choice but to push on, you understand that better than anyone else. We don’t know what to expect from Morgana, be it her schemes or another attack; with the current state of affairs, we may not come out alive this time.” Levi sighed as Jin pulled him closer, the battle mostly went their way before this, but it seemed they were running up against a wall that they didn’t quite know how to get over just yet.

Levi drifted through the skies, eyes closed as he basked in the sunlight and felt the wind beneath his wings. He found comfort above the clouds still energized by the majesty and wonder the world had to offer, but there were times this all felt like a dream. He smiled to himself letting out the mighty roar of his dragon when a pulse of energy struck his core. Levi shifted still high in the sky as he tried to pinpoint the source, he was equal parts excited and worried as he felt the familiar pulse of light magic, but why now?

***** 

Sage felt him wandering, he couldn’t decipher what was real and what was being made up in his mind. Memories flashed before his eyes, some of which he could recall, and some felt foreign yet familiar to him. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and memories. Sage felt as though he was slowly losing his grip on reality as the face of a woman he didn’t recognize appeared before he willed it away. Sage willed his thoughts on a singular focus, the man he loved, the man who accepted who and what he was with little hesitation. Bastion was at the forefront of his mind, the anchor in the storm raging within him and everything faded away in a blinding flash.

“The brighter the light, the deeper the darkness,” a voice echoed

Levi cleared the debris with explosive force, his spear in hand. The demi dragon floated before him with rainbow translucent wings and horns as blades of light surrounded both. “The trial of light has begun, it would seem, and I am not a fan of fate's cruel intentions,” Levi snarled, his right claw enshrouded in flames and lightning as his left claw was encased in ice and wind. Levi narrowed his eyes, staring at the being before him. “You will not take my friend; he will overcome the trial raging within. We will not be victims of the stars and will walk the path we see fit,” Levi roared with unfamiliar energy swirling amongst his own as the two beings crashed against one another.

***** 

Mordred and Urien fell to their knees, the veil of darkness feeling as though it had been ripped back as if shrinking away from something. Urien recovered slightly faster and nearly crawled away to his chambers, locked behind his door he flexed his claw willing the darkness to his palm, but it was faint and slow to respond. The voices that had been present had nearly gone silent only faint whispers at the edge of his mind.

Mordred raged as he reclaimed his footing, the darkness swirled around him like a dark cape before fizzling out of existence once again. He knew what this was, the seal of light had been breached, a task he had seen to completion when the last white dragon’s blood had spilled. She had no heir, and the bloodline should have vanished forever, yet he felt the disgusting warmth that radiated throughout the air. The true power of light had returned to this world, should the young royal master the power of light before he could drain the core of darkness from within Urien, he would be outmatched in the worst of ways.

***** 

“I am coming my beloved; you cannot lose yourself to the overwhelming glow,” he rested his weight against his sword as his shirt hung over his shoulders. “The light can be just as dangerous as the dark if one strays too close, he needs me as I need him.” Bastion, feeling stronger than he had since being struck with his affliction slowly followed a path seemingly forged for him alone, every step he took he felt the burden of darkness lessen, gaining strength with every step towards his heart. “Wait for me Sage, I am coming for you.”