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Araglas melted into into that kiss, his mind going numb, and his body being set ablaze. His world only revolved around that kiss, he couldn't believe he had found someone to love and love him, it truely was a maricle. A noise brought him crashing down to the real world. Opening his eyes he spotted two maids and a butler staring at them, the butler was trying to shoo the younger girls away but they would ignore him and continue to stare and giggle. "Evosias...." he said reaching for the others mind.

"Mmm...yes, I know...", Evosias replied, drawing out the kiss to a close with a reluctant to part tongue. He watched Araglas for a moment, moving a hand to run it through the silky blond hair. "Alright, goofy thing...I do believe I'd had to resort to creativity to get from out of this one; not that I'd want to if we weren't in the Main Hall of course," he giggled.

Araglas smiled with a blush and watched out of the corner of his eye as the maids and butler went off down the hall, the two maids giggling and the butler shaking his head. His eyes went back to Evosias's and his own lit up. He gently placed his hands on Evosias's chest and pushed himself up into a sitting position. He gave a wink before he stood up. He brushed his pants off and he gave Evosias a mischivious grin, "Stay still..." he said as he raised his hands towards the other male, "I think I have just about the most creative way to get you off the ground..."

"Oh really? Are we still talking about my body or a part of it?" Evosias replied, setting his arms behind his head, blowing Araglas a kiss as he waited for the suprise. "So long as you don't mess with my water all too much, I'll be happy. Otherwise I'll have to resort to morphing into steel, you see," he explained, watching Araglas with curiousity in his violet eyes.

Araglas blushed softly and grinned, "Your safe with me..." he waved his hands in a slow circular motion. The air around them became thinner as he drew the moisture from it. slowly he settled the water around Evosias, and giggled as it slid under him getting him slightly damp, then carefully he used the liquid to slowly lift the other male into the air, taking care not to drop him, Araglas concentrated and finally set Evosias on the ground with a grin, then he dispursed the moisture back into the air. "Like I said...very creative.."

Evosias shivered, grinning as he shook some water from his mane. "Oh quite...it was rather exciting," he replied, gently poking Araglas on the nose playfully before form changing into said metal. "I'm a little screwy this way...think you can get used to that?" Evosias asked with a metallic humm to his voice, metallic flesh polished like a mirror. 

Araglas blinked as he watched Evosias transform, his eyes traveled over the new metallic skin in wonder, he gave it a soft poke, the giggled, "That's very interesting..." his stomache at that exact moment deicded to give a mighty growl for food, causing Araglas to turn beet

"Quite," Evosias said, changing back before taking a step that would crack the marble floor. "Helps in battle really, Andromeda refuses to fly me in that form however," he mused, noting Araglas' belly growl for food. "Come, lets get your belly filled up, then we can impress one another with our creativity a bit later," Evo said, winking as his hair and eyes turned a pink not unlike the colour of Araglas' blush.

Araglas blushed a little darker and nodded, he smiled though, happy that he could feel this way. He patted his belly, "Soon..we are almost there." he looked up at Evosias and giggled before walking a little ahead then turning back, "Well?" he asked in a light happy voice.

"...Well what?" Evosias replied, giving a confused face for the first time since he had encoutered Araglas. "Soon, we are almost there..." "...Wait, where's there if you don't know where there is?" Evosias asked.

Araglas blushed as his stomache gave another growl, "I was telling my stomache we are almost there..to get food, which I don't know where it is, which is why I said well, so you could follow.." Araglas really hated it when he acted strange, it was hard for him to try and explain his ways to anybody.

"Oh! Well that makes right perfect sense, sorry my brain is apparently firing crossways; needs food," Evosias replied, giggling as he skipped up to alongside Araglas and caught his hand. "Well come along then! Lets get that belly of yours fed...and tell me, what sorts of deserts do you enjoy?" he asked, gently pulling Araglas along.

Araglas laughed and felt a shiver go doan his spine as Evosias grabbed his hand, "Deseerts...I haven't actually ever had a desert...save for that hotcake I had earlier today...I've...never had the time or the luxury for them." he looked to the floor sadly, as another impact of sadness hit him from being the Goddess's wittness.

Evosias felt Araglas' emotions fall into regret and despair, the feeling being like a gentle breeze and far detatched from him. "Hey now..." he crooned softly, reaching over with his other hand to hold Araglas' while he rubbed Araglas' back. "Better late than never, eh? Come, skip with me!"

Araglas pulled himself from his misery and gave Evosias a weak smile, "Skip...I have not done that since I was a child." he pulled away from Evosias and stood still for a moment, then he recalled memories of his childhood, which were so far away, he remembered how to skip. A smile lit his face as he gave a few practice steps and giggled as a large smile stole over his face.

"There go you!" Evosias laughed, skipping around him playfully before holding out his hand for him, "we'll start out slow, let you regain your youth as it were," he replied, giving a very inviting smile.

Araglas smiled and took his hand, "I haven't done this in such a long time...." he took a few skips pulling Evosias along with him. Then he smiled, "I think I have the hang of it...which way to the food?" he asked with a grin.

Evosias came up quickly, skipping lightly and nimbly, "This way," he said, nodding to guards as they flew through the portucullis opening. He brought them to the cooling streets of the evening; the sky just a bit purple and blue at the horizon yet. Evosias lead them another hundred yards down another curving, wide street or two to the warm inviting lights of a rather luxurious looking restaurant. "Just here," he said when they reached the doors. "Thing is, they don't like my style...sooo," Evosias willfully altered his attire to something black and classy, trimmed in a while collar and cuffs. "Shall we?" he asked, offering his arm.

Araglas was a bit surprised by the granduer of the restaraunt, he had never really eaten at such a extravagant place. His eyes went to Evosias's change of clothes then his own, "Is what I am wearing acceptable?" he asked softly. He was rather nervous, but still took Evosias's arm.

"Quite...watch," Evosias replied, "just don't let go until we're sitting," he instructed. A few moments later from where they embraced one another, Evosias morphed to cover Araglas in a suit similar to his own. "Nothing crazy now, I'm litterally all over you...and I like it," Evosias said, grinning as he stepped with Araglas towards the doors and to the hostess' stand. "Goodevening Ma'am, table for two please."

"Right this way, Sirs," she replied properly, taking up menus and lead the way.

Araglas blushed at the feeling he was experiencing, it was, like being underwater, but being able to move more freely. His eys glanced around the restaraunt, it was mind boggling, the way people put so much into looks and appearances, it had always baffled him. Blushing he realised that the comment Evosias had made was quite true.

"Would a booth for the two of you be alright? Its large, but we typically don't have big groups coming in this late," the Hostess said, leading them to a corner booth with a view of a large stone fireplace. 

"Oh, perfect, Mademoiselle," Evosias replied as he moved to sit down; stretching his arm in the process until Araglas sat down as well.

Araglas moved and sat just a bit from Evosias, his eyes lit from the many candles and the frieplaces. "So much light....and so..elequent...what is wrong with being casual..I find it makes for a better atmosphere.." he gave a wiggle as a shiver went down his spine.

"Doesn't matter so much with us..." Evosias replied, setting an arm around Araglas and snuggled up to him. He gave his partner a light shoulder massage invisibly through the "suit". "Umm, Mademoiselle? Could you see to dimming the lighting a bit? It seems more like a banquet hall that way," Evosias said.

"I shall see what I can do," she replied, setting out the menus and departed.

"So tell me...have you heard of this sort of game called, joust?" Evosias asked Araglas, nuzzling his neck softly with small furtive licks.

Araglas was feeling several things at once, the shoulder massage was melting him into the seat, while the attention to his neck was drowning his sense of place and time, he only barely understood the question, "N...no..I..haven't..." his eyes were half closed as he was melting under Evosias's touches.

"Oh good..." Evosias breathed, his cool breath ghosting by Araglas' ear. "Its a two person game...one person sets a pair of fingers or their hand on the other's knee and draw it up their thigh until the other yells out "Joust!" when they find it uncomfortable," he explained, expanding that massage to Araglas' back.

Araglas blushed and nodded, his mind was slightly muddled at the moment, with the dimmed lights, and the massage on his back and shoulders, and the whsipering in his ear, "..what...happens...if you...don't..yell..joust..?"

"That's up to the disgression of the player...and if it were me; naughty, wonderful things," Evosias whispered back, running a caress from Araglas' ankles all the way to his chest. His eyes were sparkling, and more than just reflecting the soft candlelight. 

Araglas shivered as he felt a wave of pleasure roll from his toes to his chest, he bit his lip to stop from moaning aloud, not wanting to draw attention to them. His mind was fuzzy and the added dimness of the room made it seem like a dream, "...might have..to find..out..sometime..." his words were lower than a whsiper, he did not trust himself to speak too loudly.

"Aye...sometime," Evosias replied, lulling into a daze from Araglas' warmth. He gave Araglas another bodily caress, though didn't give him the chance to say, "Joust." With a sweet grin, Evosias gave a long, light lick to Araglas' nape before gently ceasing the affections; a waiter was drawing near. "Sorry...didn't hear you say joust..."

Araglas blushed and moaned ever so softly, then he immediatly bit his lip and coughed into his napkin. His skin was crawling with shivers, and he was loving every second of it. But his attentuion now turned to the waiter that was nearing their table, he was glad it was dark, or else they could see his deep red blush.

"And what would you fine gentlemen like this evening?" the Waiter queried, whipping out a small notepad and quill. 

"Well, what are the specials?" Evosias replied, politely moving his attention to the man.

"The pig roast, a tossed salad, and a light chardonnay. Also we've a serving of steak-tar-tar with the same side and drink...fresh baked bread is always included as a side," the Waiter recited eloquently. 

"I will have the steak-tar-tar, with a fruit salad...and, a bottle of champagne, two glasses as well," Evosias replied. "Have any idea of what you want?" Evo gently asked Araglas, finally opening a menu. 

Araglas blushed as he opened his menu and studied it, I think..I'll have a slightly roasted Rainbow Fish, with a tossed Salad, and a small glass of Red Wine.." he set his menu down and blushed again as he looked at Evosias.

"Very good, shall be out in about ten minutes," the waiter replied, strutting off with the menus. 

"Oh good...just enought time for a round of joust," Evosias mused, giving a stretch. With Araglas so near, he could think of nothing but actions of love; yearning to have attention from the other. My god he wanted the food and then to find a private location...no no, that was too fast. Evosias' head was spinning.

Araglas nodded and blushed at Evosias's comment, he smiled suddenly when he realized he could play this game too. He concentrated, and used the moisture in the room, to slide it up Evosias's leg slowly. At a death-like pace, it was cold, and wet.

Evosias gave a gasp, shivering in a sort of bitter sweet pleasure. He buried his face in Araglas' shoulder, yearning for the mysterious feeling to creep higher, to truly shock him with its cold, wet sensations. "You, naughty...boy," Evosias breathed, giving little licks to the underside of Araglas' jaw.

Araglas was sorely tempted to make the water travel higher, but the arrival of their food took his stomache by storm. "It smells good." He could see the waiter not to far away with their dishes.

"Damn..." Evosias whispered softly as the strange pleasure trip left, though his stomach quickly took charge as he inhaled the scents of food through his ultra-sensitive nasal passages. "Oh goodness, here it comes!" he said happily, savoring the taste of raw meat already.

Araglas smiled then pouted when the waiter walked by their table with the tray of food, "I though..it was ours..." he pouted and rested his chin on the table. His nerves were back in order now, and his mind was clear again.

Evosias nuzzled his neck lightly, kissing it gently. "My my we can get quite lost in one another, can't we?" he said, straightening his back alittle, simply watching Araglas, studying him. "I can feel your very heartbeat...its quite, intimate," he replied.

Araglas smiled and blushed, he rested a hand on Evosias's and concentrated, "I...can..feel...your..entire body...everything..the..water in your body..runs..everywhere..and..I am..with it.." he sighed softly as he let the connection break and he smiled softly at Evosias.

"And you are in it," Evosias replied, chuckling as he gently squeezed Araglas all around in a sort of all over hug. "You're a very unique induvidual, you've just the nack of saying the most precious things, just like you did. You're rather endearing," he said, kissing Araglas just behind the ear purely out of affection.

Araglas shivered at the hug and the kiss, his mind was going fuzzy again, "I...am...just...honest..." he sighed happily and relaxed into those feelings of bliss.

"Honesty ranks high in my virtues list," Evosias replied, cuddling his partner affectionately. "I think...I smell your trout and my raw meat..." he said, and sure enough a waiter came through the doors to the kitchen with a tray laden with their dinner. "Oh boy..."

Araglas's own mouth began to water as he smelled his food. "That..smells really good." His mind was hoping that it tasted as good as it looked.

"Well there's only one way to find out...eat some!" Evosias replied enthusiastically. "Thank you," he said politely to the waiter after their food was served and wines poured. "Well...dig in," Evosias said, winking.

Araglas nodded and started to slice his fish into small pieces, and when he came across bone, he would push it to the side of his plate. "It looks so good.."

"Might just taste as good as it looks," Evosias moaned, swallowing his first tender bite of raw meat. He was a dragon, and he enjoyed the taste of well prepared raw meat from time to time.

Araglas nodded, he had never been much of a big meat eater, he loved fish, and fruits and vegetables. That had been his diet over the many years of his life. He speared a bit of fish on his fork and ate it, it was sweet, and smokey at the same time, "This..is really good!"

"I'm glad you like it, 'tis my favorite place to eat out; something I don't do very often," Evosias replied, introducing the second detail with a slightly diminished voice. He savored another bit of tender flesh from his meal before following it with a washing of champagne. "Could I have a small taste of your fish?" he asked, refusing to chuckle as his gutterball mind found another double meaning to that.

Araglas nodded and speared a piece on his fork and held it out for Evosias to try, "Here..its really tasty, sweet and smokey at the same time!"

Evosias grinned and nodded, delicately dabbing his maw with his tablecloth before wrapping his long draconian tongue around the sweet morsel. He chewed slowly, savoring the juices and flavors. "Oh very good...not unlike yourself, save for the smokey part," he grinned, swallowing luxuriously.

Araglas blushed and quickly speared a piece of fish into his mouth and chew it, his face was as red as a tomatoe, but it was good the lights were dim.

Chuckling, Evosias affectionately rubbed Araglas' arm. "Though, I am a sucker for campfires...goodtimes swapping stories and roasting food over a good ol' bonfire, then perhaps you'd be smokey," he said, nudging his companion's shoulder, giving a wink. Evosias simply couldn't stop smiling.

Araglas nodded and blushed catching what his dragon companion was hinting at. He giggled and looked around, "This place....is very romantic..."

"I thought you'd like it," Evosias replied seriously, watching Araglas with deep affection. "I've always had good memories within these walls, from the food to the company," he explained, putting an arm around Araglas' shoulders and hugged him tightly, eating with his left hand instead.

Araglas blushed and nodded, though he relaxed in the other's embrace. His food was all gone, and he smiled as his body started to feel better. "I'm glad..." he smiled and took a sip of his wine.

"Feeling a bit better with food in your belly?" Evosias asked, nuzzling his partner's neck, planting a sweet butterfly kiss on Ara's cheek. "You know...would you mind if I called you Ara? Ara and Evo, I thought it'd be sweet," he said, letting his silky, hot pink hair fall onto Araglas' neck and shoulders as he leaned his head against the other's.

Araglas nodded to his first question, but then he blushed at the next, "Ara....I haven't been called that since..well..." he closed his mouth and took a sip of his wine, he wanted so badly to say yes, but his memories were pushing on him that the name was private, a battle of turmoil raged inside of him, finally he closed his eyes and concentrated, almost instantly, every wineglass in the restaraunt busted apart, the liquid inside spilling everywhere. He looked up at Evosias in apology and smiled softly, "Yes...you can call me that...I like the sound of it...Evo..and....Ara..."

Evosias looked rightly troubled, drawing away from Araglas slightly to finish his meal. He lightly dabbed up the spilt wine on their table, containing its bloody flood before popping the last of his steak-tar-tar into his maw, chewing happily. "Perhaps, I should refrain from using it if it brings up something painful from your memory..."

Araglas shook his head, "No...I want you to use it...I..just had some internal issue to work out...I apologise for making the mess..." heclosed his mouth as he felt a sudden distance form between himself and Evosias. "Please exscuse me..." he left some money on the table for his part of the meal and left the restaraunt. He made his way dowmn the street before he saw the inn. He managed a weak smile to the propriator before making it to his room and releasing the spell on the handle and shutting it behind him. He threw off the beaitufl cloak Yuki made for him and placed it on the table, he proceeded to curl onto the bed in a tight ball. He wished over and over again that he could be free of the Goddess's work, but he knew that wish would never come true.

Evosias gave Araglas a few moments to be alone, and so he collected himself at the restaurant; leaving money and a tip before leaving. As soon as he cleared the doors, he shed his suit at will and sprinted. His gait was exceedingly smooth and long, his paws quickly pattering against the street...his nose telling him Araglas had retreated to his inn. Evosias form shifted into a metallic dragonfly before entering the inn, flying in when the door was opened by another. He stealthed his way to Araglas' quarters, hoping his companion had not sealed the door. Well...then again, going in would be quite creepy. Morphing to himself again, he lightly wrapped on the door, just as he did earlier in the day. "Araglas, are you in there?"

Araglas pulled his pillow close to him, "Y-yes..." he hiccupped and two tears leaked from his eyes. He could sense the other on the otherside of the door. His body water was slightly shaking so he surmised that the other was worried. He shivered and hugged the pillow closer to himself.

"...I'm coming in, alright?" Evosias replied just loud enough for Araglas to hear and understand, no louder. His hand went to the doorknob, bracing for a recoil if in fact it held some trace magic. When his palm rested on nothing but chilly metal, he sighed and turned it, walking through and locking the door after he closed it softly. Evosias cautiously strode deeper into the temporary abode, stopping when the sight of Araglas' grief ridden body came into sight. 

Throwing caution to the wings, Evosias removed the metal belt of his clothing and set it aside, leaving his loincloth for decency. He strode in and crawled onto the bed on the side Araglas' back was turned to. "Shhh...sh-shhh," he shushed silently to soothe Araglas. Evo inched over and snuggled up to Araglas, cradling his weeping lover in his arms; chin resting on Araglas' blond hair.

Araglas cried silently, he spoke after a minute, "Please...don't worry for me...you deserve someone btter than I...I who am cursed with doing the Goddess's duties...you deserve someone to be ahppy with...someone who isn't like me...emotional scarring, bad memories...someone who isn't a ticking time bomb." he tried to move away from the other, to rise out of the bed.

"I am happy," Evosias replied simply, deeply troubled by Araglas' grave state of despair. He felt his companion fight to move away, so he let him up; reading it that he had moved in too close too fast. "If that's truly what I thought about you, then we'd only be friend. But I don't, instead I see a greater friendship, I see love, even a future. We all are bombs, and we all struggle...but sometimes we need another to carry us. Will you let me be that other?"

Araglas sighed and moved to look out the window. "Im so scared...it's all new to me...Im afraid of making a mistake..like I did earlier...I felt the space grow...between us...I...I'm scared of losing you...or of making a mistake...I'll lose control..and destroy more..."

"Your magic is intense, and I was suprised," Evosias replied honestly. "Like how a cat licks himself to calm, I finished my meal...though I remind you I did not let go of you," he pointed out, watching Araglas from the bed. "There was no space then, but you're trying to put one in between us now. If you're so scared of loosing me, why try loosing me?"

Araglas stared out the window, "I know....but...it felt like it...this giant space...seemed to vcoem between us...I saw you...and you were so far away...out of my reach...then I felt a warm hand on my shoulder..telling me to leave, that it wpould do no good to stay."

"...Erm, that was my hand, again, still on your shoulder," Evosias replied slowly for clarity. "...And I was still eating, you know us dragons...raw meat is quite enticing. Its not as you think it is, alright? Can you live with that alternative?" Evosias asked, sitting up out of the bed, taking a step towards Araglas. "I always find my way back anyways..."

Suddenly realization hit Araglas and a deep rage filled him, it seemed to bibrate in the room, "You...you did this...why..why do you try and tear us apart...I will not let it happen..I will NOT" with those words a sreak of red lightning flew across the sky and a few bottles in the room exploded, their liquids hanging in mid-air.

Evosias instinctively erected wards, wards so powerful they hummed and luminesced a bright blue, electrons arcing from spot to spot. They encased him and Araglas, "Andromeda! I need you NOW!" he called out with his mind, drawing upon her magical fountain to power the shields. "Now might be a good time for some warm introductions with the Goddess, no?"

Araglas turned around, his eyes glowing a slight blue, "I warn you now..this vessal has a duty...it has a duty to the world. He cannot be destracted from it." his voice had a double toine to it, and the other tone sounded feminen.

"Incorrect," Evosias growled, broadening his shoulders, buffing out his arms and legs, and bringing his core into compact curves. He was toned and muscle bound, the floor creaking as his mass increased proportionally. He bared his teeth, "It is your duty that is the worldly one," he challenged, allocating his wards around himself; adding another layer of protection by shifting to pure titanium...several floorboards cracked. "If this worldly duty is peace, let me remind you...whoever I am adressing, that I've a similar duty...unless you've not been doing your duty and watching over your children to know enough that some of us down here on this earth are trying for peace, including myself. Seems almost ironic that a man of peace is to go through life alone...it would seem appropriate he would be with others of like goals; banded together in peace. What is your quarrel with me?"

Araglas stepped forward the wards crackling with energy then shattering, "You are to close to him. If you cause him pain, or if he loses you, there will be a catastrophy greater than anything he has done before. He has lost two people in his life before you, his brother not of blood, and a friend not of blood, but he has no memory of the friend. I will not let him kill any more because of this thing called love. It makes him unpredictable and uncontrollable. His duty is to be witness."

"Thing called love?!" Evosias roared, rumbling the room by stomping his heavy paw. "I do understand your concern, but part of his frustration is that he can NEVER get close to anyone! And when he does, and they are still mortal; and you don't let him help them....Oh you've some nerve WOMAN!" he cried out, wanting nothing more than to free Ara from her. "Leave now! Or I swear on your good name all your children will disown you!"

Araglas stepped forward the other wards shattering around him, he made his way close to Evo and laid a hand on his chest, and slowly Evo's skin returned to normal. "I am here..on this earth...when I find you both..I will make Araglas understand, and he will leave you..wheather he wishes it or not. You will not stand in my way. If you do, you will regret it.slight sizzling sound could be heard from where his hand was connected to Evo's skin.

"Nay, you will regret it, BITCH!" Evosias roared, collecting all the power of his being and more, blasting the concentrated energy through the contact throwing Evo from Ara; the blinding energy richocheting throughout the room until it lifted a chunk of roof from the inn and shot for the sky; a bolt of blue against the bolt of red. Evo might be mortal, yet he was not one to be trifled with. His skin returned to its metallic sheen; a splitting headache in his head as he picked himself up off against a wall, going to Araglas quickly. "Please tell me that was enough to shake her, if not, I'm becoming an atheist and hosting the most powerful holy war this world has seen."

He was completely serious. 

Araglas was standing there like nothing had happened, though his eyes were red now, "I commend your efforts my child. But I regret that if we ever meet in person. I will kill you. That is a promise." he light faded from Araglas's eyes and he slumped to the ground unconcsious.

"I HOPE TO HELL WE DO YOU ABOMIDABLE WHORE!" Evosias shrieked with such passion blood flew from his maw. The bolt hit the heavens and exploded, showering the lands below in daylight for a few moments. He knelt beside Araglas, tapping into his unconcious and pieced together his mind, "Ara...you in there somewhere?"

Araglas's body remained limp, but his mind was slowly comming together, "Yes..I'm here...she's never done that before....she pushed me completely away...her mind and thoughts are so enormous...its like a small world in the size of a grain of sand. Wait...your bleeding...are you ok? I can sense the blood..you have a bruised lung and a torn artery in your side, what happened"

"Watch this...or, sense it..." Evosias replied, concentrating on the damage he had not felt because of the adrenaline that was vibrating his body. Within moments, the damaged tissue repaired itself, leaving only caking blood; a precious part of himself that he'd have to replace through food, water, and rest. "I gave her a lightning storm," he said, referring to the sprites and gigantic jets that were shooting high voltage blasts high into the atmosphere and beyond. "If she wants to learn what love can do, then she'll learn it...I care not how powerful she is, no mother is this cruel."

Admist the settling carnage came the whistle of dragon wings traveling at an emergency velocity. Andromeda crashed to the ground outside of the inn, the street shaking with chunks of stone flying up in places. "Evosias?! Araglas? What went down here?!" she demanded, warily eyeing the intense atomospheric lightning that was sparring at the heavens from horizon to horizon. "You used an incrediable amount of power, you could have killed us!"

Araglas's form stirred as he tried to move, "My body is too weak to move right now. I think she used alot of my energy. I apologise for whatever happened, I let my defenses down."

Andromeda used her teeth to rip away the remains of the exterior wall, "Evosias, meld your magic with my own; heal him and give him his strength back," she said, allowing sufficient energy transfer for a healing.

"I'll make sure to keep praying, just to the other gods and goddesses now," Evosias replied, closing his eyes as he began clearing the remanents of the Godesses' energy from his aura. "She left quite a mess, I'm not impressed with her; she should work on her people skills," Evo mused, setting golden hands on Araglas' brow and ribcage, gently trickling energy and life back into him.

Araglas felt a warm light filter into his being and he managed a smile. "Thank you both..." he took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

"Just never thought I'd have to support the slander of a Goddess," Andromeda replied, staring bullets into Evosias.

"Oh don't you start with me..." Evosias warned, feeling her gaze.

"You're so young yet, Evo...barely thirty..." she began.

"And what does that have to do with anything?! I am as powerful, as capable as I believe I am! Help me believe! That's all I ask," he replied, letting open the floodgates of energy to Araglas so he may heal faster.

Araglas was able to sit up, "Thats enough..no need to wear yourselves out. I can do the rest." He held his hand over his chest and the water in his body quickly went to work fixing and healing his drained body.

Evosias gave him just a bit more to be helpful. He nodded and stood, growling viciously as he stalked away to the door of the room where the proprietor was banging on it furiously. Evo opened it casually, "Sorry sir, had a run in with a Goddess, damages shall be paid in full plus a grievence charge...here's the downpayment," he said, summoning his heavy gold link belt and handed it to the man. 

"Somebody care to fill me in? The energetical interference retarted the capacity for mental communication," Andromeda explained, watching both Araglas and Evosias for an answer.

Araglas stood up but wobbled a little, "At the restaraunt, I felt...like something bad happened, then I came here to think...Evosias..followed me...to make me feel better...and then I realized the Goddess has tricked me into trying to leave Evo...then...I gor mad...blew apart some bottles, and then she took over my body, aftert hat..I have no idea..."

"After that she threw any attempt at peace out the window and tried to kill me," Evosias replied, returning after placating the shocked proprietor. "Hypocratic bitch," he cursed. "Oh yes...mission of peace, and yet she threatens to kill...I think she is not what she is believed to be," he growled, kicking a large piece of debris out of his path.

Araglas shook his head, "No..she is exactly what she is a Goddess, and I am her favorite subject. And she doesnt want to lose me...but she will if she keeps this up. I am still in her service...I will till I die."

Evosias scoffed and ignored his past statement entirely, or tried to. "Come, I'll pay for different room...we should get some rest. Tomorrow I'm traveling to the Empire City of Ivory in Nara to negociate with the nation's leader. You're quite welcome to join..." he said, going back over to Araglas, pain in his eyes. "Despite all, I will stand by you, even if it means death...and even after the vanquishing of my flesh, my soul will fight until the battle is won."

Araglas glanced around and put what things that weren't ruined back into his sack, "Ok.." he didn't like the sound of his beloved dying for him. He wanted him to live. He took Evosias's hand and kissed it gently.

A wry smile tugged at Evosias' cheeks in the dark. "In a way I thought I had found my own peace in love...apparently there is nothing in this world you won't have to fight for," he said so softly his voice was barely audible. Andromeda gave a coo, feeling his despair. Evo cast a glance at Andromeda and tidied his emotions, keeping them from affecting him physically. "Come...lets arrange that new room..." he said.

Araglas nodded and smiled softly, "As long as your with me...I think I could win any fight that comes my way." he giggled and walked out of the room with Evo.

"Careful, women aim for the heart," Evosias replied, nuzzling his companion's neck affectionately, comforated a degree by his words. Evo simply walked down the hall where the proprietor was already standing with keys. "There will be no demolition in this room..." Evosias assured, shying away from the glare he received. 

"I shall be at the castle...it only takes a few moments to fly down here. Call me if you need me," Andromeda said, taking off outside.

"...Would you like for me to stay the night here? I believe there's a couch someplace. If not that's fine...well she'll proably just kill me in my sleep. I'll make sure you're all settled then I'll see you in the morning for breakfast, how's that?" Evosias asked.

Araglas looked around, he already had his staff and his bag with him, his other things were at Evosias's place. He looked at room then at Evosias. "Would...you mind...if...I....stayed with you?" he asked timidly.

"So long as you don't mind having to use stairs to get to a bathroom," Evosias replied. "Should be no problem...alright, we'll do that then," he nodded, smiling. "Come'on," Evo encouraged, telling the proprietor to keep the money for that room as well and just forget it.

Araglas smiled and walked with him, "I'm sorry if I'm being a bother..." he said softly.

"You're being not bother at'all," Evosias replied, "its your friend who's the bother," he mused, striding along quickly; Evo was excited. "And to note, people will find me exceedingly difficult to terminate...even if I'm splattered to bits," Evosias told Araglas in a way to assure he wasn't going anywhere.

Araglas nodded and kept his pace with Evo, "That's good to hear..." he said softly. He looked behind and giggled as he saw several bottle shaped liquids floating after him, "Would you have any spare bottles in your home, I need to re-bottle those liquids."

Evo looked around and laughed when he spotted the bottleless liquids following Araglas obdiently. "I'm sure I do," he replied, nodding. Evosias formchanged as he walked, falling to all fours in his Dragon form on the street outside. "Flying isn't so bad once you get used to it. Just hang on to my mane," he said, lowering his chest to the ground.

Araglas smiled and gently got onto his back then twirled his hands ino the other's mane and held on, "Im ready..."

"Now...we need a way to reason with the Goddess. We're both on missions of peace; I really don't see much of a conflict of interests...and it is she afterall who's threatening to have you go stirr crazy by breaking us apart...have any insights?" Evosias asked as he broke into a gallop, spreading his wings for lift. They were soon well above the city.

Araglas shook his head, "The Goddess....cannot be reasoned with..I have seen many try, and the fall before her wisdom. She is careful in he words, and rarely loses her temper. But...I think I am her weak spot..."

"I am not discouraged, I would like to see her wisdom save her from this hole she's been digging for herself for the past few thousand years," Evosias replied, shaking his head. It was madness to have a diety to be so stubborn, ruthless, and uncaring; especially one that was supposed to be an idol mother. "Her attitudes do not impress me atall. If only the population knew of her actual disposition." he hissed softly.

"It was cause mass hysteria and an uprising not seen for a mellinia...it would be causing more harm than good. She is a Goddess, what need has she for mortal emotions?"

"To understand the lives of her children! If there's no understanding, there's no empathy. She views us as irrational, short lived beings...what we are is far beyond that. A bit of immortality lies within us all; she should not treat us so," Evosias replied, watching the upper atmospheric lightning probe the heavens with a feeling of safety; like it was shielding them from the equally unstable entities from above.

Araglas nodded, "I understand..but she does not...she thinks herself above emotions and that is why she she is the way she is." he looked up at the sky with a sigh.

"Then together our destiny shall be to teach her the lesson of love..." Evosias replied, alighting on his balcony gracefully, sauntering in shortly after and lay on his belly so that Araglas could climb down.

Araglas blushed and smiled happily, "I'm glad..."

Evosias smiled, "Well are you going to slide down? Or is this your way of telling me you want a sleeping partner?" he asked, suddenly standing very quickly to buck Araglas into the air. Before his companion came back down, he spun onto his back and caught Araglas on his chest, wrapping his wings around him. "Mmm...how's that?" he asked, licking Araglas' face.

Araglas gasped slightly then made an odd noise as he landed on Evosias' chest. He felt comforted by his wings, and laid there happily for a moment, he felt like he was protected from everything that wished him harm.

"You're fortunate you've found some of the most powerful allies; and even dragons and gods battle like beasts," Evosias replied, sure of his power; he could feel it in every nerve, every sinew. At a moments notice he could slay hundreds, destroy citadels...but at this moment, his duty was to protect his love, and so he would with all his being. 

Araglas smiled and nodded, "I am...I am the luckiest man in the world.." he sighed happily and snuggled closer to Evosias's chest. 

"Thank you," Evosias replied, his chest hummning in content. "And you're quite welcome." He gave a light sigh, wondering just what he was going to do with Araglas and this Goddess situation. Despite his angst towards her, he would have to find some form of communcation; whether that be a shrine or through another god or goddess...they needed to reason with one another, reasonless actions weren't going to cut it.

Araglas had fallen asleep, he had been warm and content where he lay, and now he snored softly.

Forgetting his woes as he gazed upon the serene face of his companion, Evosias smiled, gently licking Araglas' face; careful not to wake him however. With a bit of doing, he slithered his way on his back into his chambers, pushing himself in with his legs and came to rest finally on his four poster by the eastern wall. Evosias changed back to his usual self, arms still wrapped around his companion as he watched the lightning storms above. 

"Mother Goddess, I apologise for our encounter earlier...please, talk with me, we both need understanding..." he lightly prayed in an ancient tongue; he was a man of peace in his core, even if he had to fight for it sometimes.

Nothing happened for a moment, then a small bird flew across his vision, it was white.

The vision, fleeting as it was brought about such a serenity in Evosias that he sighed and repeated the apology again, this time with message of gratitude. He smiled, suddenly gripped by exhaustion as his adrenaline broke...and so he covered him and his companion in a thick blanket, his magic ceasing the lightning storm in the upper atmosphere. For now he felt quite safe.

---

"And I..." Jaiden looked up at Aurelia with a new smile."...am glad that I could be with the most beautiful girl I have ever met...the one who brought me to such a magnificent place." Lightly, he kissed her. "As I said before... I want to stay here so I can be with you for eternity. There's nothing better than that. Believe me." He chuckled. "Compared to the Shadow Kingdom Zellorah is heaven. I'm being honest...I never want to go back to where I came from until Shamus is gone for good. You'll see...that when the war is over... and when I take you to see that horrid place... you'll understand why you had found me by the lake lonesome... the reason why I only had with me my falcon and my horse...You're the reason why I feel more at hime than I have ever been in my entire life..." Jaiden suddenly grew a little bit shy after he realized how much he had talked. He thought he spoke too much, especially of his feelings. Jaiden was used to keeping in mind that actions did indeed speak louder than words, but he meant everything and he wanted to share his thoughts with Aurelia ever since she had brought him to Sar'dan in the Zellorah Kingdom.

Aurelia smiled at Jaiden then slowly wrapped her arms round his waist and hugged him gently, resting her head on his shoulder. "Zellorah is now your home, and always will be. You will always be welcome here." she whispered.

"Thank you, Aurelia... Thank you..." Jaiden thanked as he embraced her in his arms and laid his chin on her head. "Because of you, I at last have someone precious to protect. If you call, I will be there for you... I will always be there for you, remember that." His eyes caught the awe-inspiring moon that shed light onto the two of them, causing their clothes and hair to glisten in the beauty of the night.

"Even if theres a spider?" Aurelia said then laughed softly. "I am terribly afraid of them." She pulled away from him but still held onto his hand as she cast her gaze to the moon as well.

"Yeah..." Jaiden laughed. "Even a spider..." He picked a rose and handed it to her softly. "My love for you will last longer than a rose... be careful of the thorns."

Aurelia took the rose and smelt its sweet scent. "Thank you Jaiden, you really are wonderful. I'm glad I met you..." She glanced round the courtyard and sighed. "It is getting late."

"You're welcome," Jaiden said softly. "Yes, I know. The ball is probably over and being cleaned up. I need to meet with your sister so I can swear my allegience to Zellorah."

"Do you wish me to come along?" Aurelia asked him.

"I'm not forcing you, but you can if you want to. Yet... I also think you should get some rest." Jaiden smiled.

Aurelia smiled. "I will be fine...and it shouldn't take long for you to speak with her, right?"

"Right," Jaiden replied with an assuring nod. "Then let's go. I aslo need to get my sleep," he continued with a laugh.

Aurelia laughed with him then began walking, still holding his hand. "Mira may still be in the ballroom...or she could be in her private study by now..."

"That's true... We also should check the throneroom first just in case,"Jaiden said as they entered the castle.. A few moments later he came into the throneroom, but no one was there. "Better check the ballroom then..." He headed for the ballroom, leading Aurelia with his hand. After coming through the double-doored corridor that led into the ballroom, Jaiden looked around, but still no sign of Mira OR Connor. Everyone else were still dancing. He listened as they were told to stop. Jaiden watched as Caanan made a fast announcement and then left the stage. Hurriedly, Jaiden made his way to meet with Caanan and the first thing he asked was, "Caanan! Do you know where Queen Mira has run off to?"

"Uh..." Caanan was hesitant to answer. "Well... all I can say is that she ran off with Connor during one of the fifth songs we played tonight. I haven't seen them since. I have a hunch but... I'm not sure if I should mention it." He chuckled, crossing is arms. "They have been gone for a while so... I would guess that they should be down from the upper levels by now."

Jaiden grew a little uncomfortable with Caanan's answer. "You sure?"

"Yeah," was Caanan's only reply.

"Alright..." Jaiden said with a sigh. "I suppose it would be best to go back to the throne room and just wait..."

"Good idea," Caanan laughed. Then he left to get himself one last drink before the night would end.

Liliana had stopped snaking her way around the ballroom, looking at the person making the announcment, wondering who he was, or the person who had made it a point to speak with them. "Why have you told me to come here?" Was all she muttered to herself.

Aurelia glanced round the room then back at Jaiden. "You go onto the throne room while I say farewell to everyone here...it would be rude if none of the royals was here to say goodnight." She let go of his hand then disappeared into the crowd.

"Of course.. I understand. Take care of yourself, Aurelia!" Jaiden smiled as he watched her and then came into the throneroom. Then he saw the two. Connor had kissed Mira before he entered the ballroom, passing Jaiden. "Queen Mira?" Jaiden said while coming towards the throne. He saw as she was sitting there quietly, looking at him with a confused face. He saw her smile which allowed him to grow more confident. He was nervous. He never did anythoing like this before. He wasn't sure if she would ignore his offer or accept it.

"Yes?" Mira said quite sweetly, raising her hand to cover her mouth. "What's the matter?"

Jaiden swallowed hard when he reahced the front of the throne. He drew his sword before kneeling on one knee and placed the sword tip to the floor so his hands could rest on the cross-gaurd. With his head bowed he said," Queen Mira of the Zellorah Kingdom, please accept my sword. I want to swear allegience to you to fight against the Shadow Kingdom."

"Do you promise to be loyal only to Zellorah and her people, Jaiden?" Mira asked with a hint of concern in her voice. "I accept your offer." She smiled again. "But I also need to test it." Mira stood, peering down at Jaiden. "Hand me your sword."

Jaiden laid the sword across his hands and lifted it up so Mira could pick it up. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," Mira said with a small laugh. She took the sword by the hilt. She gently touch each shoulder with the blade as she said, "Jaiden, in you I have my trust. I know your past, for I have seen you too many times to count. Your father was a worthy man before he died. He was a knight... and because I trust you, you will be named a knight after your father..." She held the sword down by her side. "Stand, Jaiden. I need to speak with you face to face. It's better that way."

Jaiden stood obediently without speaking, but in his heart he wanted to say so much. He was so happy that he at last found a kingdom to remain in peace. Most of all, he gets to stay here with Aurelia. That meant more to him.

"Jaiden," Mira said calmly. "To see if I can truly trust you, I need you to speak with the leader of the Naran Empire in order to carry out negotiations. My griffin winters shall go with you. I will give you a map, so do not worry yourself, alright?" She grinned agian. "You must leave tonight."

"Of course, my queen," Jaiden replied. "I'll do anything I can that will benefit the kingdom."

"Good..." Mira said, delighted. "Now go. I bid you leave. I suggest that you say good-bye to Aurelia. She would like that."

"Thank you!" Jaiden thanked before he left the throneroom. He knew that tonight would be when his very first adventure would begin. He entered the ballroom and began shouting for Aurelia. He was so joyful. "Aurelia!"

Liliana was still within the Ballroom, most of the guests had left though there were others still around, but did not provide her with nearly as much cover as she had before. She quite clearly heard the name being shouted and she looked instinctively in the direction of the loud noise, wondering what was going to happen, or be said. "God why do I feel like I should be sneaking around, what are you up to?" Whispering again to herself, scratching her arm a little nerviously.

Aurelia glanced over at Jaiden but finished saying farewell to the people she was speaking with. Finally she moved towards him. "Whats wrong?" she asked when she reached his side.

Jaiden faced her with a big smile on his face and took her hands in his. "I'm a part of the kingdom now!" he said excitedly. Then he peered down at the floor. "But..." He moved his eyes so both his and Aurelia's met, "in order for Queen Mira to completely trust me... I'll have to go away for a little while to talk with the Sulton of the Naran Empire... I have to leave tonight...and... I wanted to come say my farewells to you before I would have to leave..." Jaiden's voice became more saddened. "I'm going to miss you, Aurelia."

"You can't leave me here alone! Let me come to!" Aurelia pleaded.

"Great idea!" Jaiden said before giving her a soft kiss. "You can come with me! Mira's griffin is coming, too! I'm not sure who else so far... she never mentioned anyone else..."

Aurelia smiled happily. "This shall be some adventure! I can't wait now to begin!!" She started planning in her head the things she would need to take with her.

"I don't think we'll have a need of bringing much." jaiden thought for a moment. "When I was on my travels my falcon Hex did most of the husting and berry searching for me. He helped me find a lot. I'll just have to get him, but I'm sure Winters will contribute. He's a griffin and therefore a better hunter than me." He laughed.

"What time do we leave? And how are we getting there?" Aurelia asked curiously.

"We leave whenever we are ready, but it has to be tonight. I was thinking about going horseback. What do you think?" Jaiden asked.

Aurelia nodded. "That would be wonderful, shall we go prepare then?" she asked him as she took his hand.

"Yes, that would be great!" Jaiden replied, taking her hand. Then he led her towards the large castle corridors.

"What sort of things will we need?" Aurelia asked as Jaiden led the way. "I've never been outside Zellorah..."

"I used to travel a lot, so all I'll need are my weapons, my falcon, and my horse Rox. We'll do alright." Jaiden smiled once they reached outside. The stars were still glittering their magnificence in the dark sky.

---

Everyone had generally gone, she had been left, in the main hall with a few of the other guests who were mostly leaving or finishing drinks. She sighed, he had got her to one of these events and nothing happened, or he did not tell her what she was doing there. She idolly walked towards one of the banquette tables, mostly stripped bare but there was a few scraps of food left there, she nibbled a little on something that had obviously gone stale, refusing the temptation to eat anything else with a little more flavour, thinking what she was going to do now.

Flitting through the evening skies on wings of fire; a small messenger drake dove into the castle, swooping through corridors and archways until he came upon the ballroom. The Messenger Drake paused for but a moment, hovering as his molten white eyes searched for Yuki. A streak of flames signaled he had found his target, and landed on her shoulder as light as a songbird, the flames on his wings dissipating. "You've been summoned by the Sultan; he wishes to hold council with you," the messenger said, giving his message.

"Arigato my friend" Yuki whispered lightly to the drake perched on her shoulder before giving it a light kiss and stroked it a little before standing gracefully, "Would you like to return with me or fly?" she asked it kindly.

"If you would be so kind to have me return with you I would be most grateful. Five hundred miles isn't easy to fly in a few hours," Arigato replied, nuzzling her cheek affectionately. "Aaaaaand, where do you want me? Perched here?" he asked, grabbing little bits of her clothing in his talons.

"Perch where ever you feel most comfortable, but on my shoulder is most fine," Yuki replied earnestly with a smile.

"Then I'll stay here. Ready when you are, Yuki," the petite Messenger Drake replied.

"Hold on tight then for I do not wish to lose you, otherwise the Sultan maybe upset with us both" Yuki said simply as she rose gracefully from her seat. She glided quietly across the room unnoticed by anyone and followed her nose till she came to a quiet garden and pulled out her fans, she looked at the petals on the ground that had been blown around by the wind and smiled, "We shall travel as particles in the wind" she said with a smile and snapped her fans open and in a couple spins she and the small drake had vanished in the winds and just petals followed her trail.

"Maybe I should've flown!" Arigato exclaimed as he was atomized, arriving within the borders of the Naran Empire with Yuki in a fraction of time.

Liliana blinked, she watched the woman and the drake disapear, here eyes wide with shock. She quickly shook it off, and noticing that most had left, she began to move, but instead of leaving the castle she decided to wander the halls, trying to find out why she was sent here.

---

"Ok, if your sure." Aurelia replied.

Jaiden's mind was changed when he remembered what magic he was taught. He sighed with a grin. "Wait... we don't need to travel... I have my magic... Feel like going through a portal?"

"A portal! Oh wow! I've never travelled that way before!" Aurelia replied exciedly.

"You'll enjoy it! I promise!" Jaiden said happily.

"So it doesn't hurt?" Aurelia said sounding slightly worried suddenly

"No! Not at all! It's perfectly safe!" Jaiden smiled.

---

Suddenly, a fairy appeared in Evosias's room, glowing brightly and wings like a dragonsfly. Her hair was a gold like sunset. She had this grumpy face when she saw Evosias trying to sleep. The fairy was hoping to find him awake and ready to leave the room. "Hey! You...! Wake up, you big sleepy head!!" She mumbled under her breath, brought out a feather, and tickled Evosias's snout. "Wake up! Wake up! Queen Mira has a message for you! Wake... up!"

Evosias smiled as he heard the petite and rather soprano voice of the fairy. "Yes, I'm awake," he rumbled, opening a single eye, watching her glowing form. His smile grew, "Well aren't you a welcome sight..." he complimented, breathing deeply as he shifted his arms around Araglas and laid his head back down on the pillow, "...what is her message?"

Araglas shifted and opened his eyes, he spotted the fairy and smiled like a child, "A fairy..." he hadn't heard what it said cause he had been still asleep.

"Shhh shh...she's come with a message from the Queen," Evosias said, stroking Araglas' hair to calm him. He opened his eyes, giving the fairy his undivided attention.

Araglas yawned and nodded, "I wonder what she wants...early in the morning...while people are still sleeping...make it rain on her..." he said this all to himself in his head as he stared at the cute fairy.

The fairy grinned at him with a raised eyebrow and ,at last smiling completely, she clapped her hands together. "Finally!" She folded her arms. "Lady Mira has a request for you. She wants you to watch over Jaiden to make sure he does his duty as directed by the queen herself. Jaiden leaves for the Naran Empire to seek negotiations with the Sultan Erindor. He's taking with him Winters the Griffin and possible Princess Aurelia as well. Oh, please be good!! You can take Araglas if you want...BYE!" Then she vanished with a poof instantly.

Araglas blinked and blinked again, he had no idea what just happened, but the cute fairy was gone now, "Sleep..." he slumped his head back against Evo's chest and slowly drifted back into slumber land.

Evosias' exhaustion had completely left him, and he sat bolt upright, "I'm...a...chapherone?!" he said indignantly to no one in particular. Evo sank back to the bed, groaning with his hands over his face. "...Damn fairies..." he mumbled, "...and who the hell is Jaiden?" Evosias searched his memory and drew a blank. "Oh the Sultan will not be impressed...Ara, we've an early morning tomorrow; we've to beat our own delegate party to Nara."

Araglas mutteredsomething incoharent in his sleep and snuggled closer to the dragon. His hair had fallen and covered some of his face.

The fairy appeared again in a flash of light that could blind a person. "Oh! Sorry!" she said quite quickly. "Jaiden is the new kid who's now a member of Zellorah... hm..." she flew around in thought. "Oh! yeah! He's also Aurelia's boyfriend. Jaiden and Aurelia were the ones who you, Araglas, fell onto when you tripped. The fairy groaned. I'm so anoying, the thought mischieviously and laughed. "Cherios!" Then she vanished again.

With a sigh, Evosias' mind put name to stranger and lay back down, deeply troubled now. The sight of his snoozing companion was very calming, and he dropped back into a welcoming state of exhaustion. "Sleep well, my lovely lil' companion," he said with a healthy degree of posessiveness as he cuddled around Araglas, quite happy to see his face last before dozing off into the rising tides of sleep.

Araglas was surrounded by warmth on all sides. He smiled and opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Evo, with his tongue lolling out of his maw in his sleep. This made Araglas giggle softly. He looked around the room and spotted what he thought could be a washroom and quickly and smoothly climbed off the bed and went in to clean himself and make himself presentable.

Evosias' violet eyes awoke to an empty and moonlit blue bedroom. He gazed up at the moons, already past their zenith and racing one another around the world. His first thoughts went to Araglas, "Andromeda...where is Araglas?"

"Finally, you're awake!" she exclaimed, having cleared most of the alcohol from her system and was irritable from a hangover of draconian proportions. 

"...Aye, now, did you see him?

"Wash room...get some breakfast and saddle up...we've to be there at sunrise," Andromeda replied. 

"So long as you let me sleep in the saddle," Evo replied, sitting up from his warm bed grudgingly. 

"I'll see what I can do," she replied, standing and shaking in the next room. The dragoness began preening her plum scales as Evosias trotted out and up the stairs to his washroom. 

"Araglas, you in there?" he asked, gently wrapping on the door.

Araglas opened the door and a billow of steam came wafting out behind him, "Sorry, just finished up. The water will stay hot for as long as you need it, I'll cool it down later." he smiled and placed a chaste kiss on the Draconian's cheek, before walking to the bedroom to change into his formal wear.

Evosias was in and out in a matter of four minutes, sporting relaxed casual wear when he came back downstairs. His rider clothes were in his wardrobe in his chambers, so he knocked politely again, "I'll get breakfast started..." Evo said, moving to the kitchen and began the prep for fruit pancakes.

Araglas was glad he had remembered to bring his pack with him. He pulled out a pair of powdery white with a hint of blue in them dress slacks. He slid into these with no difficulty. He slipped a pair of padded boots on next that were white. He chose to keep his shirt and cloak off till the last second so that they would not get ruined. He opened the door and walked down to the kitchen.

Giving a low wolf whistle, Evosias winked at his companion, dishing out breakfast on black plates already. "Well well well, we certainly have a flare for style," he said, taking their meals to the dining room table, which was really still in the kitchen. "Come eat...I hate this early morning stuff until we get in the air."

Araglas blushed and smiled, "Well..I want to make a good impression...you don't think it's to much?" he twisted his waist so that the legs of his pants could be seen. The pants were a soft white color, with baby blue trimmings. On the bottom hem just above the trim was a small blue dragon. The boots were white as well with small golden trim on them. "I don't want to over do it...but this is what I always where to things like this." He ruffled his blond hair and smiled sheepishly.

"You look very handsome and elegant," Evosias replied, studying what he was wearing. "It'll be perfect, I myself certainly wouldn't be wearing just my usual attire when visiting the leader of a foreign country. He smiled, finding little odd affectionate things about Araglas, the last one being how the ruffled his hair...perhaps the slightly timid smile as well. "Raspberry bananna pancakes and some bacon...I also have packs for us for the journey."

Araglas smiled happily, "That sounds wonderful! Wait until you see the shirt, it is beautiful! I had this outfit made for me in the Northern Countries, where I could wear it outside and not freeze, but it is also soft enough to not stifle me on warm or hot days."

"Mmm...I'm liking the view as it is now," Evosias said, taking their plates to the table and sat. He studied the muscles of his companion's torso and belly, watching them flex and contract as he moved; the broad shoulders accenting it all very nicely. "Come, eat...we've little time."

Araglas blushed as he felt Evo's eyes wander his body. But he smiled as his eyes found the food on the table. He was dreadfully hungry. He gently kissed Evo on the cheek before sitting down and eating some of his food instantly.

Evosias couldn't tear his eyes away for some time. It wasn't until his stomach used vile means of extortion via hunger pangs did Evo finally give in to his food driven appetite. The pancakes were light and fluffy, and their fruit inside was perfectly sweet and ripe. "Boysenberry syurp?" Evosias asked, pouring out cups of some rather strong and exotic coffeew.

Araglas nodded, the smell of the coffee was strong and made his mouth water even more than it was already over the scrumtious pancakes. Swallowing the load in his mouth he smiled at Evo and took a sip of his coffee.

"Its a special brew...bit more special for my cup after I add this," Evosias said, adding a bioluminescing potion from a bottle he had procured from a lacqured lock cabinet on the wall of the kitchen. "Special organisms that evolve from the hydrolisis of sulfur and a certain bacteria..." he said, measuring out two tablespoons. "I used far too much energy in my fit of anger against the Goddess; this will help replenish what I wasted...and what I took from Andromeda."

Araglas nodded as he watched Evo add the strange concoction to his coffee, he nodded, "I..am sorry about that...I should never had let my defenses down like that.." he said softly as he poked at the remains of his pancakes,

"Don't apologise," Evosias replied, not taking his intense gaze off of measuring another teaspoon of the sapphire liquid. "There were better ways to handle that than using all my energy and, quite selfishly, most of Andromeda's energy. I'm quite exhausted right now...bit hard to tell I suppose, If I've to cast magic in the next few hours I might have to take a rather long nap shortly after," he explained, stirring his coffee and drank half of it. Evosias hissed, "Gah...hot and a bit on the nasty side...but hey, it's free energy," he said, tensing again as he drank more, returning to his pancakes. 

Araglas nodded, his eyes watching Evo closely taking in as much as he could of this moment. He didn't want to forget a single detail of it.

Evosias noted Araglas' intense study of him and the surrounding elements only after he had sated his growling stomach. He looked up somewhat sheepishly, ruby cheeks bulging before he furtively chewed once and swallowed. His violet eyes rested on Araglas', "...What're you thinking?" Evo asked softly, taking his drink and polished it off.

Araglas blushed softly as he realized he was caught. He gave a soft smile and shook his head, "N-nothing....just...." he gave a small laugh as he tried to figure the words and shrugged when he could not.

He nodded, accepting a wry grin and silence as an ample reply before clearing his spot. "Andromeda!" he called over his shoulder, the violet dragon rustling around in the den. 

"Yes?" she replied groggily.

"Are you good for a flight?" Evosias asked tenderly, though with a tinge of annoyance from her lack of control with the ale.

"As you like to say, Evosias Nollux; lock and load," Andromeda replied fiercely, standing; the saddle from before still on her back. "Get on," she commanded, baring her teeth.

"I love it when you get sassy," Evosias replied, chuckling softly. He watched his lover set his finished dishes in the sink. "...Flying won't be so bad...you'll be able to sleep most of the way if you'd like," he reassured.

Soonthereafter, all three took to the early morning skies, the riders garbed in a blanket to help stay the chilly air. Andromeda seemed intent on not wasting a moment; and within a few minutes, Sar'dan was no longer visible.

Go to Naran Empire

---

"Oh good." Aurelia replied smiling. "I am looking forward to this trip, and I am most glad that I will be going on it with you."

Jaiden nodded with a smile. "It will be great now that you're coming..." He looked towards the castle foyer corridor and sighed. Then he peered into her gorgeous eyes. "Ready to go?"

"Oh! No...not at all! I cannot travel in my ballgown...I won't be long!" Aurelia said quickly before kissing him on the cheek then running off.

"Be careful," Jaiden said with a smile while watching her go. He decided to be patient and wait.

---

Liliana nibbled her lip as she walked the halls, feeling a little tired but nothing that she wasn't use to, and her mind already alert that she probably shouldn't be here to begin with. On walking down one of the many halls, something caught her eye. She walked over to a hanging of swords, and frowned heavily and reached up, picking up a glimering hilt of a weapon she knew all too well. "Why are you following me?" she whispered to her weapon, fastening it around her waist.

Aurelia ran quickly through the corridors but skid to halt when she saw Liliana. "Are you lost?" she asked curiously as she had never seen this girl around before.

Liliana blinked and looked to who was speaking to her, looking quickly behind the girl and back to her. "Oh, erm no miss. I'm just making sure that none of the halls need cleaned after the guests had left." Hoping that her bluff held some strength, even though it was a little odd.

"Oh you work in my castle...you must be new because i've never seen you before...whats your name?" Aurelia asked.

Liliana nipped her lip a little between her teeth, making sure she was paying attention. She done a light curtsy. "Liliana, Miss."

"Well Liliana if you have fulfilled all your duties for the night then will you help me pick out a suitable outfit for travelling, I just don't know what to wear!" Aurelia cried.

Liliana stood up straighter, taking by suprised by the womans plea, then quickly got her composure back. "Of course!" she then coughed a little. "I mean of course Miss."

Aurelia smiled. "Well lets go then!" she said urgently then began walking on quickly.

She meeped and followed on, making sure the sword was still on her hip and walking in tow behind Aurelia.

"So what do you think would be suitable to wear for meeting the leader of an empire?" Aurelia asked as she opened the door to her private rooms.

Liliana felt very out of place, but she had to keep going with the farse for now, well until the woman had left. "I don't know miss. Something simple and elegant?"

"A simple yet beautiful dress?" Aurelia asked as she closed the door after making sure Liliana was inside.

Liliana nodded. "I'm guessing that the leaders you are meeting will not apreciate it if their guests out stage them." biting her lower lip a little. "Something softer."

Aurelia laughed slightly. "Ah yes I can see what you mean..." she said leading the way through her own private living room to the room that contained all her clothes.

Liliana followed, wondering how she was going to get out of this situation and out of the castle, she knew it was a bad idea to follow his 'sugestions', but he was so convincing.

"Is something wrong?" Aurelia asked glancing at Liliana. "You look worried."

Liliana quickly straightened up. "Oh no miss, I guess I'm just getting a little tired. I've not been sleeping well."

"Oh how terrible. Would you like a cup of tea or something?" Aurelia asked looking concerned.

"Oh no it's quite alright." Smiling to Aurelia trying to turn the attention off of her. "We have to get you packed for your trip."

"Alright if your sure." Aurelia said slowly then walked on towards her clothes. "Well all my beautiful yet simple dresses are in this wardrobe." she said opening a large wardrobe to reveal a large selection of dresses. "Do you see anything suitable?"

Liliana stepped forward and had a quick look through the dresses, one thing she knew was colours, and she began to pull out a couple of dresses. "This one looks nice, oh so does this one. Oh Oh This would be fantastic!" Placing the dresses on the bed nearby.

Aurelia smiled. "How about...you take first pick...for helping me you may take one of those dresses you like and keep it."

Liliana looked at her in surpise, taking a moment before refusing. "On its ok, its the least I can do."

"But I never wear half these dresses so you'd be doing me a favour." Aurelia replied as she picked up a light blue dress.

"on really your too kind. I'd have no place to keep it as well." Liliana insisted, she didn't feel like taking a total strangers dress, especially since she's been lying for the most part.

"Oh well if your sure...what do you think of this one?" Aurelia said holding te blue dress up.

Liliana smiled, a little relieved. "It's really pretty."

"Do you think this would do? Would the naran empire be impressed?" Aurelia asked.

Liliana thought on it for a moment. "I donno, its a nice dress. I know, put it on and I can probably tell better."

"Alright." Aurelia said with a smile then quickly disappeared behind a changing screen. Changing quickly she stepped back out wearing the light blue dress now that had long loose floaty sleeves and was tight round the waist like a corset.

Liliana looked her over, walking around her, making sure the skirt of the dress was sitting right, and when she got back around to Aurelias front, nodded. "It'll be perfect."

Aurelia smiled. "Thank you for all your help!" she said happily as she twirled and admired her reflection in a mirror.

Liliana smiled back to her. "It's ok, least I can do."

Aurelia began fixing her hair now, just letting her long curls be loose with the sides pinned up. "I guess this means you can go home now right?"

Liliana smiled to her, she didn't want to seem too keen to get going, letting her words slip out half not thinking. "I'm ok to stay nearby if you need anymore help with anything."

"Oh no, you have worked hard I am sure in this castle, you have the right to go home and rest. Thank you again for your help." Aurelia said as she finally placed her delicate tiara atop her head.

Liliana nodded. "It was fun helping you pick out dresses miss."

Aurelia grabbed her silvery coloured cloak then walked to Liliana. "I'll walk out with you." she said smiling then walked on to the door and opened it.

Liliana took a breathe in relief, walking with Aurelia. "I hope your meeting with the Leaders goes well."

"So do I...but I shall be leaving most of the talking to Jaiden as I know very little about such serious discussions." Aurelia replied with a smile as she exited the room.

Liliana thought on who this 'Jaiden' could possibly be. "Well I hope he makes the right decision."

"He will..." Aurelia smiled. "Jaiden is the most wonderful person i've ever met, and I hope I get to stay with him forever."

Liliana smiled, but deep down she felt Jealous of the girl, she could go find someone that would compliment her and Liliana could not risk havign anyone get hurt by it. "Sounds like you're in love."

Aurelia blushed but nodded. "Yes I think I am." she said looking at Liliana. "He is so wonderful but some people might not accept him because..." she glanced round to make sure no one was listening. "...he's from the shadow kingdom."

Liliana bit her lip a little, she knew of the Shadow Kingdom, how it was filled with monsters demons and evil men, and could have well been the origin of 'it' but she didn't want to offend Aurelia by voicing her causion of Jaiden. "I guess, never judge a book by it's cover."

---

Liliana sighed as she moved around the castle, she had said her fairwell to the princess and began to search out the castle again, the sword seemed to follow her in the quieter areas, finding itself on the wall with other coat of arms and other hangings on the wall. She didn't dare touch it, after all she was just posing as a hand maiden and they are not armed with anything bigger than a skinning knife.

War was waged from the Shadow kingdom against Zellorah so, in the throneroom, Mira had met with Connor because he seemed to have wanted to talk with her about the issue. He explained that he would be more than willing to lead an army to the western regions of Zellorah in order to gaurd the cities from any attacking forces from the Shadow Kingdom. She paced around and began to argue for fear that she might lose Connor to a possible battle, but Connor persisted because he wanted to protect Mira and her kingdom at all costs. Realizing that Connor would never give in when it came to protecting her, she agreed and let him go. She said her farewells and kissed him good-bye. After he disappeared, she looked down upon an engagement ring upon her finger.

Connor soon left the city with an army of three hundred, leaving the other three hundred behind to gaurd the cities. They set up camp on the western areas, in Mellankar Fields, where they spent a few nights. Then there came a time where Connor decided to do a little spying too see what the Shadow Kingdom was up to in fear that the Shadow Kingdom might be planning something horrid. He ransformed into his wolf form and headed there for a temporary mission.

Exhausted, Connor returned to his army from his tiring quest. He had learned more about the enemy than had first hoped. Despair tugged at his heart for a time after he became his human form again. He immediately informed his troops about the horrible tidings from the Shadow Kingdom. He couldn't help but weep because he was firghtful for the fate of Zellorah, especially for Mira herself. A battle was drawing near and it was up to he and his men to stop for Aurelia and Jaiden. Connor's only hope now was that Naran had agreed and was willing to help. Otherwise, if they decided not to, the Zellorah Kingdom would surely fall to her knees. He ordered his army to prepare for the forthcoming onslaught. They waited... and waited. Waiting only caused Connor's heart more worry. What if he failed his loved one? What if he died and Zellorah was crushed under the cruel weight of Shadow? Only the outcome of the future skirmish would tell.

On the deep horizon of Mellankar Fields, the army of the Shadow Kingdom marched towards Zellorah. Upon seeing this, Connor ordered all of his men to form a staggered formation in the fields farther away from the camp so they could draw the enemy from the main camp. Connor climbed up into the saddle of his horse, Swiftlin, and took the front of the barrier of soldiers to lead them. Swiftly, Connor had soldiers to create lines of controled fire for his archers with buckets of oil beside them; They readied their weapons on the eve of battle. It was only a matter of time before Shadow would arrive for the carnage.

When at last the enemy arrived, Connor demanded the archers set loose their fire arrows upon Shadow. As the fiery rain fell upon the darkness, several evil men came to their deaths into the dirt. Disquieting, pregnant clouds crept into the atmosphere above them, sending chill drops of liquid onto the earth below. Fire arrows could no longer be used, for the flames were washed out on contact. Connor cursed the weather under his breath before he shouted out to his men. "Forwards for Zellorah!" he cried as he charged towards Shadow upon the fast hooves of Swiftlin. He and his men clashed with those of the Shadow Kingdom and the battle had finally began under the darkness of the swirling storm. Lighting flashed ominously through the sky, sending purple streaks into the ground. The blinding bolts spread like sickening spiderwebs. Cloud water pounded heavily on the armor of both kingdoms as they fought like lions over a carcuss. Blood soaked the earth as it poured from fresh wounds brought by brutal weapons of all sorts. It was then that Connor turned his eyes up to the sky only to see Shamus riding upon his dragon Hoshrah, when he had the capability to. Hope drained from his heart upon seeing bright red flames shoot from the dragon's mouth. He could plainly see that they were about to land and scatter the warring ones, and when they did, Shamus threw himself off of Hoshrah's back with sword drawn for battle.

Shamus, in all his love of warfare and bloodshed, attacked with waves of fire into the enemy in his hatred for all life that served good. This was his day to show his adversaries why he stands for the darkness that motivates his soul to carnage. His expression was chill, holding no emotion, but his very presence caused the warriors of Zellorah to fear beyond belief. He knew they were afraid, but they didn't show it. He wished they did so he could be satisfied in knowing that he had proof that they did fear him. He wanted to know that he had already won. Slicing through the skull of an enemy, he growled loudly, wanting all to hear his rage. Shamus pounded on helmets to cause confusion, he ripped his way through limbs, hacked his sword on necks, and carved out devastated eyes from their sockets. In this terrifying passion, Shamus slaughtered countless lives. He cared nothing for them, having not one ounce of regret for what he was doing. Now, his main objective was to find Connor and kill him before the skirmish was over.

I am going to make a bloddy human salad out of these bafoons! Hoshrah roared in his thick, rough voice. After crunching into the skull of a Zellorah victim the red dragon took to the skies to prepare himself for his next move. He made a turn that led him back down towards his enemy and, once he came close enough to the onslaught, he siezed several warriors with his front and back talons. Swiftly, he flew higher into the gray, pounding his massive wings, which created strong zephyres across the landmass. when he got hundreds of feet up in the air, he discarded the bodies like a tyrant would his useless servants. Hoshrah did this several times, not yet satisfied. He would be pleased when shamus was pleased. It was that kind of a connection they had between dragon and dragonrider. Carnage! fire burst from his maw like a swirling tornado of fury towards the clouds. The dragon stayed where he was in the sky, flapping his wings enough just to remain at the same altitude; whcih was about four hundred feet from the ground by estimate. His gaze lingered upon the battle below as water dripped from his body; water from the rain. Hoshrah spotted Connor on his left and relayed the information to his rider. He drank in every ounce of detail about the happenings. Shamus, connor is about fourty-eight feet in front of you. you cannot see him yet because of the number of enemies in your way. surprise me with your next brawl tactic. Connor doesn't even know how close you are to him. So, if you can use your forces to surround his small number, you have already won... unless you have other plans?

I'm going to kill Connor before all of this is done. I want to make sure he is slaughtered before I mobilize my forces further, Shamus replied morbidly before plunging his sword into the mouth of an enemy. Blood slid like snakes down his sword as he pulled it from the throat of the carcuss. They are all going to die! "You all will die by the time i'm through with you!" He siezed a sharp, black spear from a body of the fallen and cast it with all his foul strength into the hearts of six men who were immediately sent into the black void. The dea were thrown on top of each other backwards only to reveal the skirmishing likeness of Connor upon Swiftlin. Shamus malevolently grinned; he had found him. There was something in the Dark Lord's eyes that burned and it was kindled by the greatness of his hate and his malice. In all the world, there was nothing that could match the shadow within his mislead heart. It was concieved of his own mind that he was the darkness and that no one could stop him from his sinister quest of ridding the earth of the innocent.

Caanan Shail entered the battleground with the strongest men of his clan who were garbed in their thickest armor and were armed with their most terrible of flamberges. Caanan, with his claymore held ready, charged with his clan into the fight to help out Connor and the rest of Zellorah. the group fought ferociously to divide the hadow kingdom's forces. Many died, but it was the price they had to pay in order to protect the lives of their kingdom. the power of their arms was equal to the strength of their hearts.

now, Connor had seen enough of the bloodshed at hand. Too many were dying just because of the unrighteous decision of one single, evil-consumed, wretched Drow elf whose thought process was twisted and bent to serve the mispercieved purpose of darkness. This man, yet young in his years, witnessed cruel deaths like none other, for what it seemed. Men were torn in two, skulls were shattered, collar bones were severed, hearts were shred; whole bodies were ravaged, splashing blood on distressed faces and battered armor. Connor had seen the last emotions marked on the visages of the dead by their final moments, moments where they had proved their courage and loyalty to their country and for the righteous. It was in this that they proved their worth, deserving every bit of freedom that could be offered. those of them whom yet lived would have that freedom when Shamus would be overthrown. when he saw the true face of his enemy somehow Connor knew that the outcome of the battle would be decided through a single duel. Shamus was there glaring with a sinister grin from the shadows of the skirmish. There was nothing to save Connor's heart from fear except his courage, which was inspired by his love of seeing his people with liberty. That people was threatened, so Connor had to make a way to rescue them from the fingers of evil or the race of innocent men was sent into the black for eternity. He was willing to risk his life to defend his race, even if it meant fighting Shamus himself. One question resided in his mind, a question he had been pondering for several long hours. Was Shamus a coward? Connor dismounted his horse to engage upon Shamus for a one-on-one duel. He could tell Shamus desired it by the flicker of the evident lust of carnage in the Dark Lord's eyes. "why do you come to make war with the free people of Zellorah?" Connored asked angrily without rasing his voice. "What have we done to you that built up this malice?" he stepped forward, eyes peering coldly into Shamus'. "Tell me!" Connor shouted in all his rage. "What have we done!"

Still grinning, Shamus used his left arm to wipe away someone else's blood off of his face and ended up smearing it across. Honestly, he really didn't care about how he looked at the moment. "The place of cause is vacant. The answer you seek does not exist. nothing. Yet there is only one question i have an answer for. I shall give you three guess, he replied sinisterly. "And if you do not bear the correctquestion within three, i will have to burn the disgusting, human flesh from your bones. i shall savor your screams of horror, little mouse." He also stepped forward, eyes ever staring. Shamus raised a fist to his face; the fist became swallowed in a fierce flame that brought no harm to him at all, rather it was fed by his own hatred. "so, what shall it be?"

What the grinning Shamus did not realize in his moments of bloody hatred was that of five waves of Naran enforcements aimed to take the Shadow Kingdom's troops on their flank. A haunting roar from none other than the King of Drakes thundered through the chaos below, followed by a thousand other rich and thunderous voices from creatures that lived and breathed war. Lightning illuminated the dark forms of the fleet, dropping thousands of foot soldiers who either flew or parachuted to the ground.

The ground troops were as organized as a librarian's bookshelf, and tore off towards the enemy troops at speeds of galloping stallions. Armed with arbalests, crossbows, and bastard swords, a veritable storm of professional warriors tore into the confused Shadow Kingdom forces like a hot knife through butter. 

Moments after the first collisions of high strength steel and flesh, the turgid sky became ablaze as one thousand drakes unleashed a new sort of rain; fire. The incoming missiles ripped scars into the earth, blasted away the Dark Kingdom's artillery, and roasted swaths of hideous creatures and evil men. 

The storm had allowed the Naran Empire a complete surprise attack; victory was assured.

"HOSHRAH! an Emerald drake howled, sailing out ahead of the attacking waves. Blue plasma ripped from Erador's maw and nostrils like bullets, aimed to explode across the Red Dragon's back and wings. "Its time to meet your maker, Sketh're!"

Atop his back stood Draygun in the saddle, his arms outstretched as electrical energy from the clouds conducted into his flesh and condensed on his nerves. "Erindor, we have Hoshrah! he announced as Erador unleashed a second volley of twelve after the first was dodged by the dogged drake. 

"Jump!" Malestrom cut in, racing in an arc to catch Draygun on his back before Erador collided with Hoshrah. 

Without hesitation, Draygun leapt as planned from his brother's back and spread his limbs. A great black mass shot into view just below Erador carrying the Naran flag and a devilish rider of red, devilish to the Shadow Kingdom's troops that was. Dray's hands clamped onto the rear horn of the saddle and pulled himself into it. "Eat his heart, brother!" Draygun called to Erador before he pulled his mind away and held to Erindor for support as Malestrom banked and dove, taking them right to the heart of the battlefield. 

"UNLEASH THE DOGS OF WAR!"

A blinding crackle split the sky as Draygun unleashed his pent up electrical energy. The quadrillion volt blast arced from his outstretched palms and tore holes through the chests of beasts and evil men, quickly killing off numbers in a fifty foot blast radius. "Good luck, my love!" Draygun called to Erindor before leaping off again, his great wings slapping the air as he took Kveykya in hand and dove for the sea of beasts and men. His landing crushed a Kull, blood tarnishing his pure flesh. "May the Gods show you as very much mercy!" he cried, tossing men and beasts from his path with incredible strength.

"FATHER!" Evosias cried from overhead as lightning above and fire below illuminated the violet form of Andromeda. The young warrior took after his father and crushed the skeleton of an enemy to soften his landing. 

The pair stole a precious glance at one another and simply nodded, spinning away to fight back to back.

"To hell you wretched beasts! I will carve out your corrupted hearts!"

Another shock of lightning - Draygun and Evosias had joined hands, channeling their powers and sent out a paralyzing wave of electrons that sent hearts into fibrillation, charred flesh, and snapped muscle from bone.

The assailing army dove on them, and Evosias was separated from his father,a fact only cemented when he felt cold steel break his ribcage. He howled, and then sneered, shape changing away from the blow and rent his attacker's head from its thick neck with his sword. "ANY MORE TAKERS?!"

This display did little to hinder the warring spirits of the monsters he faced; the challenge seemed intoxicating to them. It was like watching moths fly into a torch's flame, each one snuffed out with a quick slash to the brachial, corodid, aorta, spine, neck, or cranium. His flesh turned to metal and simply rippled when struck. 

Evo paused in awe to watch his father step past a pile of bodies and bodily throw himself into the next throng in a great warrior's leap. This was his lineage; and his blood boiled for war. True to his heritage, the young warrior carved away his foes with impunity; and he was damned good at it. 
 
Nearby, Draygun watched as a fellow comrade was cut down. The brave Draconian dropped to his knees, taking his murderer down with him by the teeth. "Heiunku!" Draygun roared, his eyes flashing a murderous shade of gold as he sheathed his sword and cleaved helms and chests with his bare fists. Bodies were hurled dozens of feet; there seemed to be no end to the Demigod's furry.

An angel fell from the sky in the form of a cunning scarlet dragoness. She hit the ground, a javelin protruding from her back. With a last act of defiance, the dragoness burned away the army before her with her dying breath. Her spirit would never be captured.

Evosias' indignation hit a breaking point. Soon all the rules of confrontation were cast out, and he rent limb and head from each of his victims with nothing but his teeth and blade like claws. Soon a dozen of Nara's finest had gathered around him and his father; they were gaining momentum. 

---

Connor smirkedm immediately knowing the question that would end this pathetic game of whits. It was obvious that shamus was just toying with his mind. "Why are you doing this? For what reason, Shamus?"

"Wipe that grin off your face, Connor. It's not over yet," Shamus laughed darkly. The both of them walked sideways in a circle, keepinga firm eye on each other. "My answer is this: as long as I own the title Dark Lord, i shall kill the innocent and expand my world of darkness until it is spread to every godforsaken corner of the earth. My conquest shall not be stopped by the sickening likeness of you."

"Yet i stand like a stone wall on your wretched path. I shall not be moved to let you, the king of the damned, through. Why should I step aside to let pass the unrighteous? Answer me that," connor replied bitterly. As soon as Shamus halted, Connor did as well. He didn't want to fall for any of the tricks that could be tucked within the sleeves of the malign Dark Lord.

"Because... bringing destruction to Zellorah shall better th elives of the world," Shamus replied slyly. "What have you to lose?"

"Everything..."

Laughing, Shamus conducted the first move of the duel by swinging his sword from the side. "Fool!" The attack wa parried and now he and Connor were pushing against each other's strength to try to gain an advantage over the other. Shamus brought his smirkling face close to Connor's. "you have nothing to lose just like the slave who has been sentenced to the gallows. Mira Hawthorne's kingdom is of naught and deserves every little ounce of slow torment possible. Hear my words and have pain, knowing you fight for something that was never meant to be." The Dark Lord licked his lips, taking a sick enjoyment in the conversation. "now, tell me... How do you feel?"

---

Nara!? Hoshrah bellowed in bewilderment and in sheer hostility. ERADOR! I SHALL KILL YOU EVEN IF IT IS THE LAST THING I SHALL EVER DO IT THIS DISGUSTING WORLD!!! Hoshrah sen t out a wave of fierce flames towards Erador, and as soon as the smoke cleared, he rammed his body into Erador's with full force. He sunk his teeth ruthlessly down into the emerald, scaley neck of his foe, hoping to reach a weak point. YOU SHALL FOREVER BE MY BLOOD ENEMY, ERADOR! YOU AND YOUR PASSION FOR JUSTICE SHALL FALL BEFORE MY HATRED AND STRENGTH! I WILL TEAR YOUr FLESH TO PIECES WHERE YOU SHALL BE A GRUELING FEAST FOR CARRION BIRDS!

"I will shatter and castrate your disease riddled body and boil your flesh in your own blood before slowly gnawing your head from your cervical vertebrae! YOU WILL DIE AN OUTCAST! YOU WORM! YOU ARE NO DRAGON!" Erador howled, his mouth attacking the part of Hoshrah's neck right behind his skull with viperous speed. His powerful hind limbs kicked at the soft flesh of the other dragon's underbelly, and all his talons searched for his black blood. He was thankful for the new Chyrsalis armour; it had just saved him from a crippling blow to his neck. As soon as he gained horizontal dominance, Erador kicked off of Hoshrah with all his might and sped upwards, looped backwards, raced towards his foe at an attack speed, and unleashed a spray of blue plasma missiles; its magic enforced properties being much hotter than fire. 

A streak of gold shot up from the ground and broadsided Hoshrah with devastating force before breaking off. Golothian had joined the fight. "For victory! My father! My King!" the dragon exclaimed, rounding on the enemy and inhaled deeply; ready to open up the heavens with his fire.

"NO Golothian! This worm is mine!" Erador challenged, crashing into Hoshrah as lighting streaked across the black sky. He wrapped his limbs about the red worm and dug his talons in; ready to eviscerate him in just a few deft movements.

Golothian snorted and circled at a distance, calling out to Malestrom.

The Great Obsidian drake snapped his head in their direction, and his heart went out for Erador. "Do not interfere. If the worst is to come, I shall break every last bone in his frame, tear every muscle in two, roast his internal organs and char his flesh with my flaming hatred!"

His anger boiled over and vaporized a swath of the attacking army, turning sand into glass. Survivors were crushed by his bludgeoning tail. 

Erindor sent a message to Golothian, "I'm glad I'm on their side..."

Roaring in pain, Hoshrah felt the missile attacks batter his scales and skin. One was sent into his right eye, which burst with blood over the side of his face. His wings were becoming ripped and he knew that another blast like that would send him to the soaked earth. After he was brutally rammed into his side, he drew his claws through Erador's own wings and blew harsh flames at his enemy's skulls. TAKE THAT, INFIDEL!!!!! not a moment too soon, Hoshrah laughed morbidly in unision with his master who was on the ground yet dueling with Connor. Truthfully, if it wasn't for Shamus poisoning Hoshrah's mind, the red dragon would have been free from devastation, but Nara and Zellorah had no choice but to kill him. Hoshrah's mind was captivated by insanity and bloodlust. I AM NO WORM!! he shrieked in a mad fashion. I AM HOSHRAH!! THE DESTROYER OF YOU SOUL! AHHHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!! He whipped his spiked tail around and struck Erador across his underside. YOU FOOLISH INSECT!! AHHHAAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!!!

Erador howled as his vulnerable membranes were ripped by Hoshrah's mad scratching. The searing heat over his head didn't help either; it was a good thing he closed his eyes in time before the blast blackened his scales. He grappled with Hoshrah just as furiously as the other drake battered him, but the strike from his tail left a clean puncture in Erador's abdomen as his new magical armour failed. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH!" Erador roared, kicking and clawing furiously. He relished in the feeling of the flaying scales beneath his talons. Erador broke off and went for the worm's tail, but a sudden jerk from Hoshrah caused Erador to bite down on some vulnerable flesh. 

Erador tore it clean off from the worm's underside, cleansing his mouth with a wave of fire before pounding his wings to prepare for another attack. He was making good on his promise of Hoshrah's fate. Shattering his body was next...

Hoshrah bellowed with ground-shaking roars as Erador tore his flesh and felt his scales being painfully pulled from his body. Blood poured from his wounds like water draining from a broken basin. He no longer cared, for Hoshrah drank in the agony as if it was fine wine. There was nothing to bring Hoshrah back into the realm of the sane-minded; he was lost. The crimson dragon thrust himself into his opponant's stomach and then crunched down on the area beneath Erador's neck, hoping on drawing more blood. AAAHAHAHAAHAAAAA!!!!!!! DIE!!!! DIE!!!! DIE!!!!

And draw blood it did. Erador let out a mournful bugle from the pain. He flew with the motions of Hoshrah now to ensure the dragon didn't do more damage to his neck.

Erindor noted the most recent attack. "MALESTROM! NOW!"

He hardly even had to give the command.

With all the might and love of life left in him, Erador thrusted his hind legs into Hoshrah's belly, burying his talons in the hot flesh and hooked them. Like an eagle carrying a fish, Erador crashed his wings with such fervent the torn membranes tore even further under the strain, showering Hoshrah and the lands below in the sacred blood. 

A screaming mountain came for Hoshrah's head with all the passion of protecting a deeply close companion. Malestrom's monstrous jaws snapped open and closed in time to deprive Hoshrah of his lower jaw, releasing Erador from the death grip. 

Erador beat his wings and carried the battered Hoshrah beneath him, using his tail to swat away any further attack. He focused his mind on the Red Dragon and drove a fiery probe deep into the evil conscience, wrestling now to gain mental control. "SUBMIT!"

Hoshrah plummeted down towards the ground, the thin skin of his wings had torn apart completely, leaving him incapable of flight. Blood traveled through the open cavity of, what used to be, his mouth and pooled to the mud in thick quantities. In the pain, his muscles spasmed as he tried to get up from the water-logged dirt; the blood staining every inch of his torn body. His body quivering, he found it hard to move as his body seemd to become heavy to bear. His head lolled like the arm of a doll on its last string. Hoshrah was dying, he knew that much of himself. Shamus... forgive me... I have failed.... The dragon growled bitterly, peering up at Erador and Malestrom with the last of his two eyes. I...will.... not.... give in... He said, as he choked on his own blood. The amount of blood he lost became his last as he died struggling to get back onto his four feet. Eyes turning up into his draconic skull, Hoshrah's body collapsed and the malign dragon finally fell.

Roughly landing beside the fallen Drake, Erador went to the corpse bearing an expressionless face. As his last act to remove the tormented and twisted Drake from the physical world, he severed Hoshrah's head between his jaws and held it in his maw as a trophy. For Erador, the battle was over; he had suffered too many grievous injuries and would have to retreat for medical attention. With a scowl, the Dragon King of Nara decided to forgo the ritual of eating the heart of one's enemy; Hoshrah's would probably be too bitter to enjoy. With a limp in his gate and shaky muscles, Erador lumbered to the Zellorah camp, dropping the bloody head of Hoshrah and curled up around a fire as a team of healers filtered their way to him.

"Fight bravely, and for the Gods' sake, keep that blasted army away from this sanctuary," Erador said to Malestrom, who was circling overhead in concern.

Erindor let out a long pent up breath, "Its always such a close match when dragons fight," he noted, "I'm heartened we didn't have to pay a grievous price just to put down a cocky darkland country such as this."

"Aye, the fight may have been won, but the battle rages on. We should find Draygun and your son and join their force," Malestrom suggested.

"Make it so."

With the aid of the skilled Naran warriors, the Generals of Nara were happy to see that the armies of Zellorah had reorganized and strengthen, pushing the Shadow Kingdom's forces right into the advancing Naran army. The Shadow Kingdom could do nothing but retreat to the foothills. 

While the battle held much promise, it was still young and passionate. It would be hours before the beasts and evil men of the Land of Shadow succumbed to the omnipresent force of the Naran army. 

Out ahead of the friendly forces, Draygun, Evosias, and their group of elites made for their fifth charge, aiming to disable a line of ground to air javelins. Andromeda whistled along and simply picked up one of the machines and tossed it into another before looping back up into the dark sky.

And so the battle dredged on.

"All Generals, this is Scimitar, initiate attack plan Sigma Delta. Its time to make some jam between scaly toes," Erindor announced to his command branch as Malestrom took them to the front lines.

As the men and women under their command signaled ready, Malestrom fired off a severe volley of fire missiles. The projectiles charred away the enemy in a swath wide enough for Malestrom to land...

...All around them one thousand drakes were descending, their indomitable might on the ground would now be fully realized and unleashed.

The army of the Shadow Kingdom though it was being thwarted and defeated at every turn kept their attacks going as if they had no fear of dying or losing the battle. The men of the army kept swinging their swords doing their work as well as they could do, killing anyone who got to close, be it human, draconian, or dragon. Many of their ballistas had already fallen several dragans. As the sun set over the field of battle a great cry tore from their lips and they surged outwards from their pinned location. They hacked, clawed, bit, punched, gored, decapitated, and killed anything in their way.

A bolt of black lightning fell from the sky and struck the ground in the middle of the Shadow army. When the light cleared Niros the Shade stood on the rapidly blackening ground. He wore suite of black leather and chainmail armor. He looked around him with disgust and then anger. He was not pleased with what he saw. He growled loudly making those nearest him shiver with fear. He threw his right hand up into the air and started to chant in a dark and evil language. Instantly the sky started to darken, black roiling clouds swept the sun from view and pushed all trace of the light save for a grey like twilight that filtered through the clouds. A thunderous roar sounded from the Shadow Army as the grew hearted at the sight of Niros. Niros in turn placed his hands on his chest and started to chant again. The air around him started to crackle and spark, purple electricity crackled into existence around his body. It coelessed into a bubble-like sheild around him till he threw his arms out sending the wave of electricity outwards. It passed harmlessly through all the soldiers that were fighting, but when it came into contact wsith a dead soldier, be it Zelloran, Nara, or Shadow Kingdom, they rose from the ground their eyes glowing the same purplr color and started to attack the Nara's and Zellorahn armies. With an evil smile Niros drew a thin wicked sword from his belt and charged into the battle himself hacking, stabbing, and slashing at all in his path.

Erindor's eyes seemed to blaze fire as his lenses focused on the Shade. "DECAPITATE THE DEAD!" he called out verbally and mentally as he drew his sword; Valourne, its titanium edges glinting with a blood thirsty twinkle. 

"CRUSH THEIR SKULLS! SHRED THEIR FLESH! DRINK THEIR BLOOD! PULL THEIR ENTRAILS FROM THEIR SHELLS! FEAST UPON THEIR HEARTS! TO BATTLE BROTHERS AND SISTERS!" Malestrom roared across the plains, suddenly turning into a nightmare. The Obsidian Drake hewed and shredded, cutting through the crazed army with his massive claws, blazing fire, and sheer might.

Niro's introduction into the battle had been both spectacular and well planned. He had not bet on one factor however; Draconian pride. An air rippling roar overtook the cries of the attacking army as the Naran Army tripled its ferocity. No one, ever, defiled their race, their ancestors, or their comrades as Niros was doing. Soon it was them who was doing the decapitating, hewing, goring, castrating, and smashing. Their teeth glinted with blood amidst crazed grins of blood lust, and their claws hung the sinewy remnants of monsters and men alike.

A veritable wall of fire erupted from the Dragons, turning the enemy and the land into pure carbon as they charged, leaving nothing but dust in their wake.

"At last, a worthy opponent!" Erindor growled with such a pleasant ferocity he shivered with excitement. The Sultan gave a tremendous war bugle and leapt from Malestrom's surging back, landing in time to hew a furry, yellow fanged and blood matted monster in half. 

His presence was instantly felt; and for the first time in the battle, the warriors of the Shadow Kingdom truly felt fear as the Light bore down on them. Erindor danced with his blade, moving many times faster than a normal lowly human his size ever could. Dozens would succumb to his blade, renting bodies in two or three pieces before their head was removed.

Another roaring cheer spread across the Naran army in a wave.

Evosias would see another side of his father he had never known before. 

Anger pulsed from the Demigod with such radiance that searing white lightning flew from his form and obliterated the bodies of his enemies. He now above all had a singular focus; Niros. Dray walked with impunity, his body resisting all attacks as his flesh turned to metal. "I CHALLENGE YOU, NIROS DATANYA!" Salohcin roared, his voice amplified far beyond any mortal's vocal range. Another transformation turned him into a five headed chrome Drake that barreled towards Niros. Lightning flew from his maws and tore up the ground in great seething cracks, from which lava violently erupted. "FACE THE LIGHT!" he screeched, erecting a shocking white nimbus of magic about him before locking his lightning on Niros...

...The Shade would no doubt feel a not so pleasant buildup of static charge.

"You've tipped the scales too far. It's time for a balance!"


Niros would not have his army decimated more than it was. Throwing a Nara soldier to the side as if she were a rag, he chanted a new spell. Dark shadows rose from the ground taking human shapes. These shadow people were incorporial to attacks from the Nara and Zellorah, but they could cause all the damage they wanted. Whenever they touched a soldier or Draconian, welts would appear, bones would snap, numerous gashed and cuts would appear. Some soldiers even lost their minds at a touch from these shadow people. Turning to face his new oncoming challenge he threw out his hand chanting again in his spidery language and a wall of black energy surrounded him, cutting of the lightning and static charges that had been racing towards him. Using the same language he chanted and threw the black wall of energy at Draygun, but it morphed itself into an arrow of darkness aimed at his heart.

"AAAARRRGGGHHH! CUT OFF THE HEADS OF THE FOUL RESULTS OF NECROMANCY!!!" Caanan shouted to his warriors as they broke through a line of living dead soldiers. The disgusting, glowing green eyes of the dead brought no fear to Caanan and his forces. They had prepared for this very moment, for they had readied themselves for anything. They were full of valor, cutting through enemies on their path no matter what kind of enemy it was, whether living or undead. They wacked and hacked with their claymores and flamberges, piercing through opponant armor and flesh. Heads of the living dead were thrown everywhere onto the blackened dirt to waste away in the vortex of time.

Draygun's body became a morphing mass with a tunnel at the center of his chest. Niro's projectile flew clear through, but not to the other side. With a grin, Draygun reformed and coughed; Niro's own arrow flying out back at him with breakneck speed as a searing spot of light. A blinding shaft of light tore from the same maw and struck the dark Sorcerer's wards, quickly draining them before his attack would strike Niros directly . It was pure light and goodness; Niro's true bane, and Draygun was saturated with it. "YOUR OWN FEAR SHALL BE YOUR POISON!"

The arrow whistled between the Shade's legs and ruptured atomically as it struck the earth some distance behind him. The magic split and fused atoms in a miniature atomic event from the combined energy of Niro's Dark magic and Draygun's Light. The result sent out a devastating effulgent shockwave that disrupted the Shade's magical hold on the land and the air. The morning sun shone briefly before it was swallowed again, only it seemed it had come to Earth in the form of Draygun as his form was practically blinding to behold, strong enough to leave streaks on one's vision. Dray reared and poured lightning from his maws, holding Niros in his laser like spotlight whilst hundreds of millions of volts of electricity ripped at the ground and the Shade's wards, fighting joule by joule with the Shade's dark forces. 

With Draygun distracting the Shade, Evosias and Erindor took up the command of the front lines. The spells to dispel the phantom warriors of the Shadow Kingdoms were complicated but effective, ultimately rendering them useless or turned them against their own kind. Most of the warriors in the Naran ranks were magically proficient already; they knew these parlor tricks and simply laughed before continuing to kill their fill. "FIGHT US YOURSELF, PUSSY SHADE!" the Army would taunt, accelerating their constricting advance on the Shadow Kingdom army. A veritable fireworks show of magic erupted thus from the Narans, with the Riders and their Dragons casting deadly plagues of curses upon the enemy.

Niros held his hands before him bracing his feet against the ground. The amount of power and energy that was threatening him was something he had never faced before. He had always been faced with weaker opponents, even his brother had been no match for him! His wards and shields were starting to buckle under the continuing onslaught of the attack from Draygun. Growling loudly he opened his thoughts to all of his troops. He knew this plan would go against the wishes of Shamus, but at this point he didn't care, all he wanted was to crush these fools beneath the crust of his heel. "Shadow Knights, on my order I command you to deliver The Sanction!" He knew every soldier here would do exactly as he said. Now all he needed to do was buy his troops time. Thinking fast and using all the knowledge he had attained over the years of magic he spoke a long and complicated spell. It took several precious minutes but when he was done, he knew it would work. Dark tendrils of energy broke off of him and surrounded the beam of electricity and light that was coming from Draygun. It snaked around it like ivy clinging to a tree. it traveled halfway up the beam till they got close to Draygun but they stopped. Instantly Niros released his barrier and threw it at the beam deflecting it and causing it to travel towards the line of Nara and Zellorah troops. An explosion of light and darkness rocked the earth sending dust and dirt into the air. Hundreds maybe thousands were incinerated upon contact of the light and darkness. But it gave The Sahdow Knights the time the needed to gather into formation for one last deed.

The line of Shadow Knights were like a black blight upon the land. They stood row upon row upon row. Only a few ten thousand strong left. Each one of them started chanting in the language of magic, each drawing a cerimonial daggers from their side pouches. A dark chain of energy connected them all as Niros himself stood at the head of the head of them. He raised his hands, his faced darkened by the energy and the magic he was congregating. The soldiers grew louder in their chanting, and the energy binding them grew darker and stronger. As it reached the peak of its power each soldier stabbed their daggers into their hearts. It was a terrible sight to behold, tens of thousands of soldiers falling to their knees, each bleeding from their mouths and eyes and ears. The magic connecting them growing so much more powerful as each body became lifeless. But as their bodies fell to the ground, a small orb remained linked by the dark energy. All these orbs, remained floating in place till Niros himself cried out in the language of magic making them all shoot at him and enter into his body. The sky clouded over again, and the ground darkened till it was dead beneath the shade. A million cries of pain and torture issued from his mouth and mind breaking past all berriers of the Zellorah and Nara troops driving them to their knees. A soundless implosion of dark energy blossomed around Niros obscuring him from sight and sound. As it cleared away it was sucked into Niros' body driving him up into the air. As he fell back to his feet his body was etched in dark energy, his eyes now glew blood red. He turned those eyes upon the two vast armies before him and smiled evily. "Our names are Niros! We freely give our spirits so that he may make our wishes come true. We give him everything. All we wish is for the death of those who denied us." The ground around him withered to nothing as he stepped forward casting his eyes to his enamies. "We shall destroy you all..."

Caanan and his warriors fought their way and found themselves battling besides the honorable sovereign Erindor and Evosias. "Nothing could get much better than this!?" Caanan laughed as he decapitated a zombie. "This is HELL!!" He kicked at the stomach of a Shadow soldier, throwing it back several feet and into its allies. "Enjoying..." he continued sarcastically. His warriors sent several more heads into the air and shot off blasts of red magic, which sent enemy armor to ash. "Hah! There we go now! Take'em down to the very last one!" More surges of crimson energy were sent to ravage armor and flesh to make the opponant more vulnerable to attack. Most of the magick attacks brought dizziness and confusion to Shadow Kingdom attackers. "Fantastic! Good work!"

"You pathetic WORM! By the Gods you shall perish!" Draygun roared fiercely, hot wiring his powers to his magic and opened all five of his maws. From him poured the divine, saturating the air with such light that mortals have never seen before. With a mighty paw, Draygun swatted Niros into the air like some limp rabbit before holding him in a field of tightly bound magic that fed voraciously on the attempts of counter curses. "This is what happens when somebody gets goddamn cocky!" he roared, ripping his white feathered wings open and beat them furiously.

The power that radiated from him matched Niros' in every factor, impeding or negating the other's goals of sinister evil. His wings stirred currents that shimmered and warmed the air, and the dark, dead sky above began to stir in a wild vortex as lightning forked through from the heavens. Surrender just wasn't an option for Niros or his damned army anymore; utter destruction was.

"FOR FAR TOO LONG YOU HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO LIVE! LET THIS BE YOUR CALLING CARD FROM HELL ITSELF! YOUR SOUL BE DAMNED!"

Time ground to a halt for but a moment. Blood droplets paused in the air, dust stopped and glinted in Draygun's Light, and then a mighty clap of thunder took the wind out of everyone's chests. 

The dove had beat his wings, and from his chest exploded pure energy! A spherical mass of rippling and shifting Light grew outwards, slowly at first, engulfing Draygun and the Shade before it accelerated out to the troops, pushing and pulling the air as its shock wave hit. 

The Twisted Knights of the Shadow Kingdom were brought to their knees as the Zelloraines and Narans were lifted their feet, wounds healed and weapons restored. The light of the sun burned through to the blood soaked ground, and the earth gave a great heave on the exact point where Niros and Draygun stood.

A certain Sovereign turned his eyes to watch in horror as the earth erupted in a great blast of fire and lava, throwing up a mountain of rock. The cataclysmic event swallowed Draygun and his opponent fully as the bowels of the Earth flung rock and lava thousands of feet into the air.

"DRAYGUN! NO!" 

Inside the eruption existed the planes of Heaven and Hell, brought together by these two powerful Demigods. The power of their influence had been so great that the realm of Earth at that point had buckled and shattered, engulfing them both in a trillion tons of molten and jagged Terra. Draygun's raging sapphire eyes didn't leave his magically bound opponent; his full concentration solely placed on balancing their combined powers.

A new voice rang through Draygun and brushed aside Niro's impenetrable mental barriers, it was a voice of a God, speaking through Draygun as the Mother Goddess had through Araglas. "Niros Datanya..." Kamoroko rumbled with undeniable presence, his hot breath ghosting past Niros' flesh as a phantom, exposing Niro's mind to a savage fire with limitless bounds. "...This battle you cannot win, for your further attempts will only be met by my son's Divinity; a goodness your loveless heart has never known and is your bane. Your greatest strength is a double edged sword, my fiend; and its being held to your neck..."

Draygun's soul filled with a powerful love he had only come to know in dreams and meditations where his divine father had come to visit. All fear was dispelled and a new well of courage and will built up within his ribcage, beating as fast as his hearts. 

"FOR MY FATHER! FOR MY BROTHER! FOR MY SON! FOR MY LOVER! AND FOR NARA" Draygun roared, his mental voice radiating out through all those minds on the ground who watched in terror as the Earth bled from its belly. "Enough, is enough, Niros," he growled, and he meant it.

Five intersecting beams of divine Light derived from courage and love ripped from Draygun's maws and held Niros in their focal point, rattling his wards like they had never been rattled before, shaking his bones like they had never been shaken before, and giving his retina's a new set of scar tissue.

They were now being driven up by the column of erupting earth...

...and a large, singed white feather floated down to land by Erindor's feet.

The Sultan picked the feather off of the ground and looked up with a great sadness, silently praying to the Gods. Five beacons of hope tore through the column of erupting earth, their pulsating depths capturing attention with reverent awe.

"Endgame, Niros..." Draygun warned.

---

Aurelia looked at Jaiden and smiled before removing her safety belt. "Yes, it is wonderful up here. Did your father never let you on the dragon?"

"No.." Jaiden said sadly. "We never had time to spend together because he was always out fighting the Shadow Kingdom in the last war Zellorah had. The last I saw my father he was leaving for a battle on the fields. He was riding his dragon as he left. It was his last flight and I never saw he and his dragon again."

Aurelia grasped Jaiden's hand and leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I am sorry." She said quietly. "Do you miss your father?" she asked before glancing out at their surroundings wondering were they were before looking back at Jaiden.

"I do," Jaiden said with honesty. "He was the only one I ever looked up to before Shadow kidnapped me." He kissed her cheek in return. "But I have you now," he continued with a smile. "The only thing I can do is to model after him."

Aurelia nodded. "I'm sure your father would be very proud of you Jaiden." she said quietly as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. She smiled pleasantly. "I'm glad I met you..."

"I'm glad as well because, if it wasn't for you, I would be wasting my life away in Shadow," Jaiden replied, smiling. "Thank you...and thank you for believing that I could change."

Aurelia smiled again and laid her head against Jaiden's shoulder. "I wonder how long it will before we will be home. I can't wait to see Mira."

"Same here. I'm curious about what has happened since we've left." Jaiden sighed, looking out of the side window.

---

Yelling in sheer anger, Connor threw his foot into Shamus' stomach, which caused the Dark Lord to fly back into the ground. After Shamus got back to his feet, Connor advanced on shamus, raising his sword to strike, but it was instantly blocked. Again and again he attacked shamus, yet every one of them became stopped. Connor heard Shamus' morbid laugher echo is his ears as he continued, despising it with every fiber of his being. There was nothing he hated more than Shamus' cries of grueling amusement.

Parrying a blow, Shamus said, "That is all the answer I need!" Shamus remained laughing in unision with his dragon for some time as he backed of over dead bodies and through pools of blood. He was satisfied that the soldiers were leaving he and Connor alone to fight, maintaining a good distance away.

They found themselves dueling at the edge of a cliff that led hundreds of feet down to a long river, which was the River of Storms. They battled viciously on an earth that had now turned to ash from the darkness brewing within the battle on the ravaged fields. Realizing that swords were no use, they decided to continue fighting with magick. Blasts of energy were shot out as shamus as he returned in kind with bursts of fire. As lightning struck at the world around him, Shamus used the opportunity to send what was left of the earth to flame. Walls of hot fire rose from cracks in the ground, barring in the two and keeping Niros' army of dead out. "Now... LET'S PLAY!!" Shamus shouted, impatient for Connor's death. He shot out a massive inferno towards Connor, sending his enemy to the very depths of the gorge.

"AAARRGGG!!!!" Connor plummeted down between te widely spaced cliff and was thrown in the wall of dirt across from Shamus. With a huge splash, Connor fell into the river. Just when Shamus was about to leave the area, proud with his assumed achievment, a gargantuam beam of light was sent up from the gorge, throwing liquid from the river thousands of feet high, which rained down upon Shamus and the area around him. As the light disappeared, Connor was found standing in a fit of rage at the edge of the cliff. Screaming angrily, she shot a massive wave of light energy that hit Shamus directly, casting him far back onto the ground a hundreed feet away and brought an end to the flames his opponant had forged. "DEFILER!!! DESTROYER OF THE INNOCENT!!! CARNAGER!!! KING OF THE DAMNED!!! PULL YOUR FORCES BACK NOW OR I WILL SLAY YOU! YOU SHALL BE THE ONE WHO WILL BE LEFT TO ROT, FOR YOUR VERY BODY DOES NOT DESERVE A PROPER BURIAL!! DIE, DARKNESS CONJURER!! AAAAHHHHH!!!!" Connor shot out another strong blast of light energy towards Shamus without even waiting for the Drow Elf to get up. The blast left a gaping crater in the earth's surface. Hands glowing with powerul light magick, Connor bitterly walked towards the giant whole and peered down only to find Shamus still alive. The monster had blocked the attack with a defensive barrier of fire. "GET UP!" Connor shrieked.

Shamus, growling, vanished in a cloud of black mist and reappeared behind Connor. "Since when did you have power like this?" he said bitterly as a stream of blood main a trail down the side of his face; he had been thrown back against a boulder after the first blast. He also had several cuts and bruises from the magic scratching against his skin. He knew that the magic could only harm those with powers of darkness. shamus wasn't happy at all. "SINCE WHEN!"

"Since you came into the picture, Shamus... I WILL RID THE WORLD OF YOU!" Connor sent more light attacks at Shamus, but his enemy vanished in mist again only to appear somewhere close by. Grinning, Connor's entire body began to glow and he let out a powerful surge of energy all around him, throwing Shamus and some undead warriors across several feet of the fields. Connor himself was wondering how he had even aquired this magic. His powers must have finally matured at a young age. Connor was a sorcerer now of equal strength to Niros. Zellorah and Shadow were at last tied magickwise.

"Damn it!" Shamus stepped back as he made odd swirls with his hands to cunjure up clouds of sheer darkness. They covered over Connor to ensure that he couldn't see anything that was around him. Black lighting struck his opponant in an invisible so Connor would not be able to realize what was going on. Shamus laughed histarically, believing Connor was at his final moments.

Just when Shamus thought he was dead, Connor let out a blast of light energy to rid the shadows around him. He could hear Shamus' growls of anger and utter bewilderment when he appeared before his enemy's eyes. "You thought I was dead..." Connor said, his voice a little calmer than what it was before. Before Shamus could say another word, Connor released another surge of energy at Shamus, once again throwing the Dark Lord back. "Be gone!!"

"NO!!! I WON'T BE KILLED BY THE LIKES OF YOU!!!" And before Connor could attack, Shamus vanished in an ebony mist once more and was never again seen on the battlefield. He had fled.

---

[battle will contuinue down here ^_^]

Another beam of light tore through the darkness to accompany that of the others. This time, it was Connor overjoyed with his victory over Shamus. "OUT WITH THE DARKNESS!! ERINDOR! ERADOR! DRAYGUN! MALESTROM! EVOSIAS!! BRING DOWN THE BEAST!!"

Niros howled mightily at his constraints, at the pain that was now his to bear. It felt so delicious, it was everything he had ever wanted to feel. Every nerve in his body was screaming, every cell, every atom, it screamed in agony. And then..his mind was rent open before the majesty of a god. And he knew what it felt like to meet an equal. An equal in knowledge, in power, in life. The light that had outshone him was suddenly dwarfed by deep dark shadows that twisted and turned from his body. It snaked and churned till Niros was no longer there. Till it etched along the beams of light till they reached the five heads that were shooting it. They struck out into the minds, shattering their defenses, smothering them in darkness, and a voice, so malevolent, so evil, that madness was the only escape echoed into Draygun's mind. "Do not think we are done Kamoroko, we will never be done, until I have reined down destruction upon all those you love and care for..I shall never sleep. I shall never rest, I shall be there waiting and watching, seeking my chance to take my revenge..and fear my name again as you once did...I am Daerus! The pathway of death and shadow, I fill your dreams with nightmares, and I steal the lives of those you love! AND I AM FREE ONCE AGAIN!" An explosion of dark energy rent the air around Niros and Draygun, sending both armies from them, killing many. Niros floated above Draygun, his red eyes glinting black. "I will never be gone..I shall live forever as a god on earth..I..will never end.." In a gust of wind he dissapeared, ending the battle but not the war.

"You are no god," Draygun replied after the protective shield of Kamoroko pulled away from his mind. As the earth below him settled, Draygun spread his white feathered wings and laboriously pumped them to fly. 

On the ground, the Narans picked themselves up and dusted off their Chrysalis armour, which had protected them all from the magical blast, albeit not always in mint condition. Erindor gave the order, and not one of the Shadow Kingdom soldiers was to be allowed to live. It was a harrowing massacre, as the mortals on the ground felt to work out their frustrations of helplessness by cutting down their enemies. 

By sundown, casualties rang in at 2,302 Naran warriors killed, along with 32 of their dragon comrades and four Riders. These were disheartening figures to the proud people of Nara; twenty-one percent deceased was nauseating, as most of the proud men and women were seasoned warriors centuries of age. Their losses would produce profound ripples. 

"Toss the enemy shells into the bowels of the earth!" Erindor growled, recognizing a great a many of the faces of his countrymen and women. The crater's seething lava made an ideal spot to cleanse the area of the Shadow Kingdom filth, and so thousands of bodies were turned to ash.

"...Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..." Draygun whispered beside Erindor's side, having spent the remainder of the battle at Erador's side to heal the wound at his belly. 

Evosias' strong footsteps moved towards them across the blood caked ground. He stood beside his parents with a stoic rigidity. "First he goes after my Lover, then my country, and then my Father," he growled, baring bloody fangs as his eyes flashed lightning. "This bitch will pay. WE MUST CRUSH THEM NOW BEFORE THAT WHOLE COUNTRY EVEN KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED HERE!"

Draygun wrapped his sore arms about Evosias. "We've faced many evils...fortunately evil comes in one brand. You've seen it all when you've seen it once; Niros will get what is due."

Metal rasped against hardened leather as Erindor sheathed the bloody Valourne and embraced both Draygun and his son within his war battered arms. He couldn't find the words to share in this moment, only profound happiness that Draygun had fought to save them all and survived. A great feeling of kinship settled over the trio; feeling that they were a united family.

A Draconian courier ran to Connor's side, "Brave Sir Connor, your presence is requested by the Sovereign. If you would follow me on your steed."

Connor nodded once to the Draconian before whistling for Swiftlin. "Such shall be done without delay." As soon a his white horse appeared, he mounted onto the saddle. "Lead the way," Connor said, feeling the weariness set itself upon his shoulders. He couldn't stand the sight of the dead because it pained him to such a terrible extent. No one deserves to die like that, he thought, sadly, Humans and Draconians alike... the darkness is so wretched that it will even go against the most innocent of hearts...shall it all end? Or will we be trapped in the shadow of the enemy forever? Only the gods know...

"We must only be vigilant and true to our hearts and in our actions," Draygun replied solemnly to Connor's thoughts. "This is no new clash. Aye, the weapons of war may have been evolved grotesquely, but forces of divine and evil have been constantly pushing on one another. This is but another eruption in the passion. The Divine will prevail, as it always has. Have faith," he assured, watching Connor arrive on his handsome steed, Swiflin.

Connor smiled. Your words are wise and true, Master Draygun. He looked around in hopes of finding his good friend Caanan. "Caanan! Where are you?" he said, raising his voice just enough for his companion to find him. Swiftlin whinneyed and bobbed its head up in down as if entertained by the happenings around it.

"Right here! I'm right here!" Quickly, Caanan ran up to Connor with what was left of his warriors. "I think I've had enough for today!" he laughed heartily. "Hewing off heads, crushing ribcages, battling with the undead... it had deffinately been enough.... but, to be honest, I don't think that's the end of it. Something tells me there'll be more pathetic distrubances in the future." He took out a cloth and cleaned off his sturdy weapon.

"I envy your jovial sense of victory," Erindor rumbled austerely. 

"The day is ours, we finished the lot!" Evosias protested, wanting his father to feel the magnitude of their victory despite their heavy losses. 

But too many good men and women, friends, had given their lives. Would more have died if they bid their time? ...Certainly.

Erindor smiled grimly, "I have wandered this earth long enough to experience the spoiling of war's fruits. I am as my people feel; and today spells the beginning of a long and bloody campaign."

Nevertheless, Erindor broke from the embrace with his family and raised his bloody sword high. The Sovereign of Nara climbed to the top of a hill of dead Shadow Kingdom soldiers and crushed the helm of a corpse with his paw. He gripped Valourne's blade in his right hand, letting the blade cut into his flesh as he sent his head back and bellowed a great roar. Hot blood ran down his forearm as he drew another breath and howled again; his cry declaring victory.

The cheering outcry from the Naran army was deafening. 
 
Connor and Caanan joined in with the glorious cheers. smiles bloomed on their faces like blissful spring flowers. Actually, in a short matter of moments, a sorceress used her magic to allow beautiful flower petals to fall elegantly from the sky as the sun revealed itself, gleaming with a pure and vibrant light. When the cheering was over, Connor peered down with a grin at Caanan. "You know... you were never really good with being optimistic," he joked.

"It's the truth, isn't it? The war's not over yet. Even though the battle was won, doesn't mean we can stop preparing defenses against enemy plots. You never know, Connor. Especially how the Shadow Kingdom displays itself. You never know what they'll do next... It's possible that Shamus will want revenge." Caanan shared Connor's grin with a laugh.

"I honestly agree. But... remember, my friend. There are also times to just set those thoughts aside to enjoy the victory." The young sorcerer gently rubbed the side of Swiftlin's neck.

Draygun watched Canaan with a woeful gaze and set an arm around his son and began walking. The pair stopped cold in their tracks as they saw hundreds of their comrades placed into carriers for the home trip. Worse yet were the teams of drakes working to lift and fly their fallen kin. 

Dray growled in frustration.

"What is it?" Evosias asked.

Shaking his head, Draygun's eyes took in the carnage; "For all my power, I cannot reverse death. Such a precious and relatively fleeting existence we all have."

"Andromeda!" Evosias exclaimed with a grateful smile, breaking free of his father and ran to her. She had returned from the healers after having a wing patched back together.

"Little one," she crooned, lowering her head to Evo as he leapt and wrapped his arms around her neck and hung there. 

"...Erador? Draygun whispered, seeking out his brother's mind. 

"Here," The drake smiled, nuzzling Draygun's shoulder from behind. Erador succumbed to the same affections that Andromeda was graced with. "We should return to the Zelloraine leaders, we bear even better news for Connor."

The ground trembled as Erador approached, extending his mind to calm Swiftlin. "Sir Connor, congratulations are in order," he smiled, opening his maw and spat out Hoshrah's head. "Your mortal enemy is heavily weakened."

Smiling, Connor dismounted his horse and came over to Erador with the air of the calmed. Onc he reached the honorable dragon, Connor bowed in respect. "No, if it were not for you and your heroic companions there would not have been a victory. I thank you, Erador, for ridding the world of that foul monster." In a quick motion, he turned to all of them with tears glistening in his eyes. "I thank all of you for coming to aid Zellorah! We would all be dead if it were not for you! You have the thanks and respect of all Zellorah!" Connor smiled blissfully. "Sovereigns and nobles of Nara, you saved us and we are in your debt."

Zane walked up tot he party and bowed before them all. He looked very different in the white clothing of the healers. He had decided for the moment of the war to join the healers and help them all that he could. He had healed many in the hours of the battle. He had even tende dot Andromeda's wings. Now he had been asked by the healers to come and work on the Royalty of the nations. "My Lords, and Sultan, Princes, and Kings. I am here to see to all your wounds and make them as good as new." Though his face was bright and his cheeks flushed, his eyes were clouded with loss and pain. He was still not over the death of his master. He didn't think he would ever be over it. But he knew he had to press on till he couldn't go anymore. Shaking himself from his dark thoughts, he smiled and nodded, "Who would like to be first?"

A rather large force nuzzled Zane between the shoulder blades; it was Malestrom. The large Drake had weathered splendidly through the combat, but his wounds were beginning to weaken him.

Erador's eyes went nearly round as he bounded closer, licking at a wound. "Zane! Help me with these arrows..." he commanded, gently using his tongue to remove each shaft that had lodged itself underneath Malestrom's scales. 

Sovereign Erindor had since returned from this victory roar and made to rush to Malestrom's side. A hand caught his elbow and he stopped, "Let g-"

"Shh..." Draygun crooned, passing healing magic to Erin to scarlessly heal his wounds. After assuring that Erindor wasn't bleeding anymore, Draygun wrapped an arm about him and walked towards Malestrom and Erador, stopping by Connor and Canaan. "Are you two hurt?" he asked, his eyes looking for any grievous wound that would need immediate attention from Zane or himself.

"No..." Connor smiled. "I am fine. Thank...." Without any notice, his sight began to flicker. The very world around him became black, causing him to fall backwards into Caanan's arms. Caanan's armor became soaked in blood from a wound on his companion that had not been realized before due to the series of events.

Shocked, Caanan carefully came down to his knees right before he felt Connor's forehead. Then he looked down at a free blood-stained hand and was afraid for his friend. "Connor, what happened to you? Erg!" Growing furious, Shamus growled. "He's still alive though... The wound must have been made during his battle with Shamus Firenox..."

"ZANE!" Erindor bellowed to the healer, "Malestrom will be fine; I can attend to him. See to Connor, now!" the Sultan ordered in the severity of the moment. 

"Caanan..." Weakily, Connor opened his eyes and sat up. "I'll be alright." When he tried to stand up, a wave of pain swept over him, which sent him to his knees. "What is going on? Just a moment ago... I was fine..." He reached a hand for his back and was devastated when he found out what was wrong. A long gash, surrounded by intense burns, marked his back, giving him no mercy whatsoever. "Curse you, Shamus!" Now he was just becoming curious for the reason why he didn't feel pain earlier. Had his mind finally grown conscious of what was around him after he had succeeded in defeating Shamus? He wasn't all too sure. He rolled over on his back, which somehow soothed him because his body was able to relax from the stress put on it. "I am a fool..." He just stared up at the sky, eyes unmoving. "I shouldn't have pushed myself so far. I could have ended up paralyzed..."

Zane had already called on the healing energy to fix Malestrom's wounds, but at the roar of the Sultan he instantly severed the connection and raced over to Connor. He kneeled by him and placed his hands against his chest. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting his magic seek out the hurts of his body and pains. He jumped up and pushed everyone away from them. "I need space! Everyone back up...and someone be ready to catch me.." He stood over Connor and started whispering softly, it was soft and deep, unlike his normal voice. A soft white light surrounded his hands and travled through the air to Connor like a white gas. It slowly curled around his body like silk and gently lifted him into the air. He rose as high as Zane's mid-chest and he stopped. Zane was still chanting but it was higher pitched now, and faster spoken. A white light now traveled in the white mist that covered Connor. The light seeped into his body, taking away all pain, all hurt, all fatigue. It seeped around and inside him like water. Warmth traveled through Connor, taking all the pain with it. But when it reached the wound on his back, it receded slightly. Sweat beaded Zane's forhead as he started to outright chant. His voice was strained and tired, all his energy going into the magic to heal Connor. The white light was changed slightly as a red light mixed with it. It swept over the wound of his back and into it. A black mist instantly erupted from the wound wafting into the air around them. It slowly dissipated after a few moments. The wound slowly started to repair, the muscle and bone, then the veins and tissue, and lastly the skin. Still chanting, Zane lowered Connor back onto his back. When he severed the connection to his magic, he groaned softly, and fell backwards towards the ground.

The Great Healer did not have to fall far before great arms arrested his fall and pulled him close to the Sultan's chest to keep his white clothes pure and free of the ground's muddy blood. "Thank you, Zane," Erindor rumbled. "Tell me when you have the strength to walk again," he continued, glancing over to Draygun and his son, Evosias before walking to Malestrom, who was gingerly shaking in pain. 

"Back up," Erador warned, feeling an instinctual urgency of sorts passing over him. He knew it was magic; and he couldn't retard its blessing by hesitating. "For my Malestrom," he crooned softly, touching the tip of his muzzle to the obsidian drake's shoulders. An emerald flash of light erupted outwards with a gentle wind, an effect that dislodged and disintegrated all those arrows. 

Malestrom gave a low rumble as his pain was relieved, arching his back into the sweet magic as his body was mended. "Thank you, Great Erador," he said, bowing his head and shoulders to the Demigod.

As Rider and dragon rejoiced, Evosias and Andromeda turned back to Connor and Caanan, "Sir Connor? Are you feeling well again?" Evosias asked tentatively, kneeling beside the recently healed leader of Zellorah. He gave a glance to the right, "If Hoshrah's head wasn't so damned ugly, I'd have it taxidermied for you as a trophy of today's achievement," Evo chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Laughing at Evosias' words, Connor looked up at him with a smile as Caanan lifted him up from the ground. "I shall be alright. I thank you and Zane for the aid. You have no idea. Once again, I am in your debt. Zane saved my life, so I shall dedicate my sword for what he believes in. I shall defend him like I am Mira." He gave an asuring nod to the both of them, including Andromeda. "I may be in good health now, but it might be a small amount of time before I can walk on my own again. My estimate is about a couple hours perhaps," he continued, leaning against Caanan who supported him by wrapping his friend's arm around his shoulders. Chuckling, he peered over at Erador and grinned. "Erador, you killed the beast, so it shall be your trophy. To be honest, if I had it, I'd keep the skull proped up on a spear or a stake to scare away the lot of the foul breed. It would just be a horrid thing to look upon though. Indeed, he is the most wretched of dragons I've ever seen. He gave your beautiful race a bad name. Besides, Erador, if you have young ones some day, you can tell of your glorious victory against the draconic fiend of the Shadow Kingdom, and if they ask in doubt, you'll have the monsterous head to prove it." Glancing over the battlefield, he grimaced with sorrow for the small numbers of remaining soldiers alive. "How fared you all? And how many of your kin managed to stay standing after the onslaught with Niros, Evosias? I have lost many, sadly, and my armies have been weakened severely by the massive lost. I fear that I may not have enough for another attack by the Shadow Kingdom."

Evosias hung his head, rubbing Andromeda's jaw as his eyes swept across the blood soaked terra. "...Two-thousand, three-hundred and two warriors, thirty-two dragons, and four riders..." Evo replied solemnly, his mind silently reeling behind his eerily calm exterior. "About a quarter of our forces today; one of the largest tolls in Naran military history over the past five centuries," he said, feeling his eyes sting. "The Shadow Kingdom will fall, be it by my fathers' might and superior leadership and the 34 million souls willing to fight for our Great Empire and all her allies, or by me. This Shade is dancing with destruction..."

"I am sorry for your loss, Evosias. You and your father must be devastated as greatly as I am. My love, Queen Mira, shall be disheartened by these horrible tides. Niros? Yes, as it would seem." Sighing with a grief in his heart, Connor looked back over to Evosias, not with a frown, but with a smile. "Though, we must rejoice for the victory and for those yet alive. A toast must be made in memory of those who faced life's worst. Everyone showed exceptional courage and perseverance in battle. They will all be celebrated in the dining hall of Zellorah Castle. Yours shall deffinately be commemorated as well. Please join us in the return to Sar'dan. It wouldn't be a complete toast without your family and your kin. Your armies played a major part in this story. I would hate for you to go unnoticed, especially since you saved our lives from utter extinction."

"We would be honored," Draygun replied for Evosias, coming to his side. He was airing his white feathered wings before scooping his son up in them.

"Daaaaaad!" Evosias protested.

Draygun simply chuckled, "Our forces must return to Nara. But, I will celebrate with you in your halls, as well as our Generals and all those here who are fit enough to shake the earth with their joviality."

The ground trembled as Erador strode near and sat close behind his Rider and his son. "His skull shall adorn the proper location...but I have to find his jaw; Malestrom deprived him of that to get me out of a pinch. My apologies for not being able to do more in this battle, the worm was more careless than I had originally thought," he said. 

"That's wonderful. I feel honored myself actually. Your race is truly tremendous," Connor replied smiling, warmly. "I am only glad that you're alive, Erador. Just like your fantastic companions and Mira, you mean more to me than precious stones. You and your dragon kin grace us with your presence. Please do not apologize, for I know that you have done the best you could to help rid the chaos. You have done your duty and it shall not be without praise. Well faught. All of you!" Taking the chance to stand on his own, he stepped forward weakily with a slight stumble and bowed to them out of unmatched respect for Nara's grand warriors and dragons. "I appreciate all you have done. Your couragious and compassionate deed of helping Zellorah shall be noted in the scrolls of our history and shall be cherished until the end of time itself." His legs gave out on him, causing him to fall backwards into the arms of Caanan who loyally caught him so he wouldn't fall. Connor laughed in spite of himself. He ignored his plight and continued, "Tell me what you wish and it shall be done."

Draygun and Erador smiled, replying in perfect synchronous, "We wish only for what you yourselves wish for; the removal of the scourge that is the Shadow Kingdom and its leadership, and the worldly return to peace," they replied. 

"We are heartened we were able to help. Despite what we've seen today, I believe that this campaign can indeed work in our favor with our peoples working together. This is not so much a war on you, as it is a war on all who stand for what is just and fair in the world. United we stand." 

Draygun smiled up at Erador at his last statement, reaching a hand up to meet Erador's cheek and rubbed it. "A thought to your earlier compliment, our race is as much a part of yours as it is part of the dragons...we are all, tremendous," he smiled. Draygun's eyes softened as he watched Connor, "You yourself fought a tremendous fight as I did. Won't you let me give you strength?" Draygun offered, furling a wing against his back and extended his hand out to Connor.

Connor took the Draconian's hand, not for just the aid offered, but in friendship. He was so gratified for Draygun's help because it wasn't often found during dark times such as this. "Companions then," he said as he felt a soft breeze blow through his hair . The wind was picking up, but it was very comforting. If it was to rain later in the afternoon, it was possible that it might help sooth any uneasiness and sorrow. Connor was determining if peace would ever show itself again. Truthfully, he wasn't sure; however he knew that anything could happen. Hope was all the two light kingdoms had now besides each other. For the hour, things would be safe and a good time to begin recovering from battle.

"Companions," Draygun smiled, sending spiraling emerald tendrils of healing magic across Connor's forearm. "Just something to get you back on your feet," he smiled warmly, gripping Connor's hand tighter as a soothing wave of energy passed from the Demigod to Connor, revitalizing him. Draygun finished with a simple handshake, "Our army is ready to mobilize again, should your own people need assistance we will be happy to give it before we move on."

"Excellent, Master Draygun. I appreciate it," Connor said happily, feeling new strength pour into his muscles. "And thank you," he continued warmly. "Let us march to Sar'dan together." After returning the handshake, Connor whistled for his horse. Once she arrived, he mounted Swiftlin and took the reigns into his gentle grip. He gave a confident nod to Draygun. "Are we ready, everyone?"

"Just about," Caanan said right before he climbed into the saddle of his horse. He motioned for his men to do the same and then looked at Connor with a laugh. "There. Now, my men are."

"Excellent, we shall move on foot. We wouldn't want to frighten your countrymen by flying. I expect about half of our army to come and celebrate with you, if that's alright," Draygun said, embracing an emotionally torn Evosias. The advance of Erindor caught his attention for a moment before he hid the silently grieving Evosias from view with his protective white wings. 

"Its good to see even I get a break from all the decision making," Erindor mused, holding the dazed healer, Zane, in his arms yet. "Let us rejoice and take our minds away from the darkness of today and revel in its light and promise. Although my mind wishes for it, it is no time to discuss the future campaign. Lead the way, victors of Zellorah," the Sultan congratulated, teleporting his way to the saddle at Malestrom's back.

"Why do you always get the fancy mount?" Malestrom mused, licking his Rider's cheek before drawing level with Connor, Caanan, and their men.

"Although I wish greatly to join you all in your festivities, my Rider and I are in no fitness to carry on. We must return home until called upon. It was an honor to fight with you and your forces, Sir Connor, and you, Brave Caanan. May the battlefields tremble again with our might," Andromeda said, looking to Draygun with pleading eyes; a direct reflection Evosias' wish to have him join them.

"My dear, sweet son...I'm sorry but I must go with the others to Sar'dan. The troops need me near for morale, to hear my blessings," Draygun replied gently. "Shhh...shh, I know," he whispered, coddling a miserable Evosias. "I will be back to your aid soon. Would it help if Erador accompanied you? He already has to oversee the ceremonial formalities concerning...the effects of war."

"If you must. I do want to see both you and Erin home soon. Don't take too long. Ugh, and tell him to stop carrying around that Mage when he has a son to help support!" Evosias replied, glaring out at Erindor from behind Draygun's wings. "I feel like such a young child...its embarrassing."

"In a sense, you are my sweet son," Draygun replied with bright eyes, giving his son a kiss on the brow, "but you are also a powerful and maturing man. It doesn't matter how old you are, emotions are ageless...but the sorrow you feel shall pass, and I will help you, as will Erindor." He turned them to face Andromeda and gently withdrew his wings. 

"Be swift, my Amethyst Princess. Guard and protect Evosias as you always have. May your flight be as gentle as your grace," Draygun crooned, rubbing Andromeda's snout.

"Such a smooth talker you are," she sassed, licking the side of Draygun's face before she drew Evosias close with her fore paw and held him to her chest. A soft, somber hum came from her bosom, "Come'on, Lil' One...lets get you home," she said, laying down so Evosias could climb onto her back. 

"I swear, you've grow another inch in every direction," Evosias said as he sat upright in the saddle, wiping away tears with the back of his hand. "Take me from the sorrows of war, Girl...take me far from here. Take us," he paused, making eye contact with Draygun, "take us home."

"Such a good boy," Draygun said to himself as Andromeda and Erador flew off together in the direction of Ivory. 

"Oi! Erin! Might you have a little extra room for a particular individual of significance?!" Draygun called to Erindor. He jogged to catch up, shifting into a golden eagle and alighted upon Malestrom's saddle behind Erindor. "If you are wondering when is the proper time to be a father to Evosias, it is now, just so you know."

Erindor shifted Zane in his arms and leaned back into Dray's chest, "I do know. I've been just a wee bit busy, as you may have observed," Erin replied.

"You know what I think? I think you've been busy for too long, and by the power invested in me as the son of a God, I implore you to take a vacation from that stressful reality and portage over to a calmer, deeper river; family," Draygun urged, brushing Erin's mane aside to lay a small kiss at the back of his neck.

As the two draconian leaders spoke of love and family, Malestrom nipped at a roan that was beginning to fall behind. "You seem pensive, Sir Connor. What is on your mind? Excluding weighty matters of war, of course..."

I miss my loved one Mira, Connor replied in a concerned tone. I'm worried about her right now. She was rather crestfallen before I left. [sorry, guys. XD My creativity is at a slow today. ><]

[no worries I didn't get a chance to reply till now, my other one was lost like a week ago and I haven't had time to redo it so I apologize for that and I love you all]

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