Antrea? What do you look like that, Is that a Halo? Why's it black? Thranduil stared at her with mild curiosity.
Her voice rang through Thranduil's head, He gritted his teeth in pain and fell to the ground.
Antrea's halo disappeared she was back to her normal self except she was in rags,"sorry! She yelled, fawning over him, I didn't mean to hurt you, I only meant to speak, She placed her palm above his head, he felt something warm wash over his body.
"Have you seen Cyra or Areia? She asked.
"No, Muttered Thranduil, holding his head, he felt like he took a huge blow on the head with a war hammer, and it wasn't a really nice feeling.
"Where are we anyways? Antrea picked up a large golden goblet, It had ancient marking she couldn't read, She stared around, the room was filled with treasures and gold, it wasn't as large as the others they fought in but it was large, a single gold coin looked like a large coconut.
"I think we were led here, Thranduil got up, taking a quick look around, he nodded,"yeah we were definitely led here.
Antrea forrowed her brows her cowlick waving slightly," yeah I got that feeling too, it's like they're trying to gather us, and if that's the case, Cyra and Antrea should be here soon, she dropped the large cup, and picked up a large head of a golden statue, she laughed at the man's expression.
"It's dangerous, touching treasures you don't know about, you could incure a curse if you're not careful, Traundriil stared at the gold on his feet suspiciously.
"A curse? Sure my powers aren't as holy as any other angel, but I'm one none the less, I'm a walking antidote for curses, Antrea twirled around with the head," I think I've taking a liking to this guy, She stopped Instantly and ran behind a shocked Thranduil.
"What are you-
" A powerful dragon is coming, She whispered, Thranduil felt her trembling behind him, Her feathers burst into dark dusts. He stared at the direction Antrea was looking, There she was, supporting someone, she stepped down from the tunnel, A violent wave of blue hair, Tall, cold looking, but she was different than when she attacked them back at the village.
She stared at them as she walked Into the light, A large star was evident in her pupils, Thranduil felt like running away that instant, He looked at who she was supporting.
"Hey guys! Cyra waved that them, By the sound of her voice and her dragging feet she was extremely tired, She tried taking again but doubled down and puked.
"Easy! The girl with the blue hair patted her on the back, don't try rushing your words, that's if you want to stay conscious.
Thranduil and Antrea who was peeking from his back stared at the sight, it was as if she was helping Cyra.
Cyra looked back up after a while, she looked like a corpse, even her ears dropped, Her hands lay limp,"Sorry guys that you have to see me like this, The blue haired girl helped her up to her feet," have any of you seen Areia?
Thranduil shook his head.
She's coming, the Blue haired girl said flatly. No sooner had she spoken a man appeared his black hair gleaming, His red eyes we're cold and unforgiving, he was tall and muscular, a spear floated beside him, in his arm was a knocked out Areia.
Thranduil had to hold Antrea cause she was vibrating violently," What's wrong? He whispered.
Antrea eyes were darting around frantically," he's strong, she said her teeth shattering, immensely strong, how can you not sense it, was he who Areia was fighting?
Thranduil eyes darted back towards the man as he approached slowly, he felt helpless, He heard The blue haired girl voice of disapproval as Cyra made to attack the man, she collapsed.
"I told you not to over exert yourself, she said coldly.
" But, he got Areia, Cyra protested, her face still on the ground.
"Don't worry, the girl said slowly, he's not hostile, at least not this moment.
The man's voice was metallic, Thranduil wasn't sure if he was trembling himself or Antrea was the one shaking him," Alicia? Were you talked by the king to fight the intruders too?
"Yeah, the blue haired girl replied, though it's more astonishing that he'd ask the second in command of the guardians in this twisted game as well, eh Ryuu.
Ryuu sighed, and looked at Thranduil who flinched under his gaze,no need to panic, as long as you're here you passed and is considered worthy of seeing the king, We're not going to be hostile it's already way past that, he spoke calmly, also I'd appreciate it if you don't make loud noises, she's currently sleeping soundly, he nodded towards Areia on his arms.
"Ryuu, the king would not be pleased, Alicia said coldly, she failed.
"No, she was matched with an opponent way beyond her current level, besides when I saw her she was already beaten up, she had fought may before me, he looked at Areia, Admiration clearly written all over his face.
"But still, Alicia protested.
"Shut up! Third in command Alicia, I'd not hear another word against her, or would you be willing to fight me at full power, His eyes were locked on Alicia, his spear vibrating violently, the room seemed suffocating.
"Alicia stared back, It was clear she was considering it heavily, "She's unconscious, Ryuu, despite her opponent or not, Alicia's voice rang like a bell around the cave walls, the room vibrated.
"I doubt you'd be able to fight me as well as she did, Ryuu, said coldly and turned away, don't make a mistake you'd come to regret, he said slowly.
"Sure I can't beat you, but from this distance I can kill her before you'd be able to know what's going on, You know how my ability works, Alicia's eyes narrowed.
"You'll die with her, Ryuu replied coldly, and it's a promise.
Traundriil stared from one to the other, what could he do, Antrea the strongest of their group was trembling like a mouse, she was crying, she's no good in this situation. Could it be she's able to sense the power around them that I cannot cause she's somewhere around their level or cause she's an angel, Thranduil thought.
Alicia dropped to her knees instantly, Thranduil couldn't fight the force and immense fear that washed over him, he'd give anything to go back to the dark cave this moment, he was brought down to his knees Instantly, Antrea rushed over him, she was fine but it was clear the same force was affecting her too, it's just that she was stronger. The only one on his feet at this point was Ryuu.
"Why are you so blindly obedient? Ryuu said to Alicia on the ground, always by the book.
"RYUU! I THOUGHT I GAVE YOU A CLEAR INSTRUCTION, came a loud voice that rippled through the atmosphere, Thranduil felt like he was gonna die, Antrea covered her head, Cyra gritted her teeth, she made to get up but her body wouldn't cooperate, on the hoard of treasure lay an extremely large black dragon, it was like the room expanded just to accommodate his presence.
"She passed, Ryuu stated calmly, and that's all there is to it.
The large creature eyes narrowed, " SHE ISN'T EVEN CONSCIOUS AND YOU CONSIDERED THAT PASSING, CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY OR I'LL STRIKE YOU DOWN WHERE YOU STAND."
"She's growing my Lord, Ryuu bowed but didn't get on his knees, it's a gradual process, if she wakes up she'd be no doubt stronger than when she was before.
Ryuu opened his eyes, he was suddenly in the air face to face with the massive creature, Areia still in his arms, the creature stared at him intensely, he didn't flinch and stared back.
"IT WOULD SEEM YOU'RE WILLING TO DIE FOR THAT CHILD, A FOOLISH ENDEAVOR, the creature spoke slowly.
"I am and I'm willing to fight even you just to see this flower bloom, Ryuu said coldly, Alicia flinched.
"My King please, he was just-
"SILENCE, the creature boomed, Alicia was flattened to the ground instantly, she couldn't move, NOT ANOTHER WORD FROM YOU ALICIA, PITIFUL. ALWAYS TRYING TO COVER FOR HIM, IT'S ALMOST SAD TO WATCH.
NOW FOR YOU, ARE YOU SURE THIS IS THE PATH YOU WANT TO TAKE?Ryuu could feel his body being compressed by an invisible and extremely powerful force.
"Yes, he said not taking his eyes of the dragon's. The room went silent for a while, the coins rattled on the ground, the world was shaking.
"VERY WELL, BRING HER TO ME, the creature commanded, Ryuu flinched.
" YOU HEARD ME, BRING HER HERE, Ryuu could feel his body working against his will, he handed over the limp Areia towards the dragon, a massive tail the size of an extremely large oak tree lowered the tip touched Areia in the head, she was instantly as good as new, Ryuu looked at this king but he was suddenly some distance away, back to his bowing position before he was before the king, he looked at Areia she was fixed but still out cold.
Dragons are a force of absolute destruction and rarely possess the ability to give life of fix anything, but for a dragon to possess healing magic and one of this scale is extra ordinary," thank you my Lord,Ryuu said still shocked.
The dragon didn't pay any mind to him at all and turned towards Cyra, OH CHILD BLESSED BY THE WORLD, BUT DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT SHE'S CAPABLE OF, YOU COULD ARGUABLY BE THE STRONGEST HERO IN HISTORY, BUT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THE AMOUNT OF POWER YOU WERE GIVEN, IT'S ALMOST PAINFUL TO WATCH, IT'S LIKE GRANTING AN ALL WISHING ORB TO A BABY, IT'LL WISH FOR NOTHING MORE THAN SWEETS.
Cyra blinking and suddenly felt sensation return to her fingers, She tried getting up but couldn't the pressure was still in the atmosphere, she cursed silently.
His massive eyes fell on Antrea, YOU DO NOT BELONG HERE, CHILD. YOU FALLEN WITH NO PLACE TO GO, AN OUTCAST DOOMED TO DIE BY HER OWN RACE, WHY DO YOU TRY SO HARD TO BE SOMETHING YOU ARE NOT? YOU'LL NEVER GONNA GET VALIDATION FROM YOUR PEOPLE, YOU'LL GROW A LOT FASTER IF YOU WERE TO STOP TRYING TO BE WHO THEY WANT YOU TO BE.
"Question, Thranduil suddenly yelled still on the ground, the air went still, Why are you admonishing us? Is there something you want from us? And where's our friends soul.
Even Ryuu was shocked by his sudden audacity, they all stared at him in disbelief, the dragon's head tilted towards Thranduil.
" IN A PACK OF WOLVES THEY'RE ALWAYS THE WEAKER ONES WHO TRYS TO DESPERATELY TO BLEND IN, BEING SMART WOULDN'T MAKE UP FOR THE LACK OF POWER YOU HAVE COMPARED TO YOUR MATES, YOU'RE AN ELF YOU WERE BLESSED BY MAGIC, BUT YET YOU WERE ABANDONED BY HIS FATHER, TURNED TO STONE BY HIS FAMILY, NOW YOU WONDER WITH A PACK OF SKILLED WARRIORS AS THE ONLY LIABILITY WHEN REAL BATTLE OCCURS-
" Take that back- I said take that back! You overgrown lizard!, Cyra yelled, she was on her knees, still struggling with the pressure around her, you have no right to say that to him, keep your bigmouth shut if you have nothing to say but Insults to him, Cyra was staring at the massive figure defiantly, her eyes deep rooted in tears, her teeth barred.
Thranduil and everyone else in the room was shocked, The dragon king looked at her.
ROMANTIC FEELINGS AND IDEALS WOULDN'T HELP YOU IN THIS WORLD, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO LAY IT BARE, IT'S JUST HOW IT IS.
"But don't you think he already knows that! Yelled Cyra, you're just bullying him at this point, you arrogant crocodile!
Cyra was sent feet's Into the ground, there was no loud noise or flashy bangs, just the hole a large amount of steam and Cyra was gone.
"Cyra!, Thranduil yelled.
SHE'S NOT DEAD, SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT THAT, BUT SHE SHOULD KNOW WHEN TO KEEP HER MOUTH SHUT. NOW THEN. The dragon's head suddenly turned towards Ryuu and Areia.
"SHE'LL HEAR MY WORDS EVEN IN HER DREAMS, HER ADVENTURE OF SELF DISCOVERY IS FINE AND ALL, SHE'S STRONG AND HOLDS IMMENSE POTENTIAL, STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND AT THE PEAK OF THE WORLD WITH THE RIGHT MOTIVATION, BUT SHE'S NOTHING BUT A HALF ELF WHO KNOWS NOTHING BUT TO CUT, HACK AND SLASH AWAY. SHE SHOULD COME TO TERMS WITH HER FEELINGS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE, YOUR MAN WOULDN'T BE WITH US MUCH LONGER.
NOW FOR THE REASON I GATHERED YOU ALL HERE, Dan's black orb suddenly floated Into view, Areia twitched in Ryuu's arm, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SPHERE THAT'S AFTER MY GRANDSON. The pressure around the atmosphere faded instantly, Thranduil sat up holding his aching body, he was suddenly flung back by a weeping Cyra, Alicia walked slowly and stood beside Ryuu, her head down.
Antrea took dee breaths, her sweaty face cooling down.
"You did well, Ryuu said calmly, Alicia vibrated.
THOUGH I'D RATHER NOT, BIT IT'LL HE MORE PLEASING IF I SPEAK TO YOU IN HUMAN FORM, I DON'T KNOW WHY BUT MANY DRAGONS HERE PREFER THAT FORM, the dragon stared at Ryuu and Alicia. He sighed, it was like a huge gust of wind, the transformation was Instant, suddenly sitting on the ple of gold, was a man that could have been said it be in his late twenties, his extremely dark hair defied light, his face could not be seen it was covered in thick darkness, his extremely long tail waved lazily, he stared down at them, NOW LET'S BEGIN.
I'M SURE YOU RECOGNIZE THIS ORB WELL, he began staring at the dark orb floating around him, ALICIA MADE A NICE JOB OF EXTRACTING IT, ALSO I COULDN'T FORGET BORA'S EFFORTS IN BRINGING YOU GUY HERE TOO.
"So you mean to say, the orb was a means to gather us all here? Thranduil asked patting Cyra in the head.
" YES AND NO, the dragon answered lazily, I COULD HAVE EASILY ASKED ALICIA TO BRING YOU ALL HERE IF IT'S ONLY YOUR PRESENCE I WISHED, BUT MY GRANDSON HERE WAS ABOUT TO GO ON A RAMPAGE, AND HE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD HE DID, OF COURSE HE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT, I MEAN HE'S UNAWARE OF WHAT ACTUALLY TRIGGERS HIS POWER,he toyed with the orb,SO I HAD ALICIA EXTRACT HIS ESSENCE, IT WAS KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, I KNEW YOU'LL FOLLOW THE ORB HERE TRYING TO GET IT BACK, SO HERE WE ARE, ALSO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE STRONG ENOUGH TO STAND BY HIS SIDE SO I ASKED THE GUARDIANS TO TEST YOU, OF COURSE SOMEONE DEFEATED MY EXPECTATION, THRANDUIL YOU KILLED ONE OF THE GUARDIANS DID YOU NOT.
Thranduil nodded slowly, there was no use in lying.
"NO NEED TO FEEL GUILTY, OF HE DIED BY YOUR HANDS THAT MEANS HE WAS UNFIT TO BE A GUARDIAN IN THE FIRST PLACE, BESIDES HE TRIED TO KILL YOU WHICH IS AN OUTRIGHT DISOBEDIENCE TO THE ORDER I GAVE, IF YOU HADN'T DONE IT, HE WOULD HAVE DIED BY MY HANDS ANYWAYS, SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. THE SPHERE WAS CREATED WITH THE WORLD, ONLY I KNOW WHERE THE PHYSICAL MANIFESTATION OF THE SPHERE IS, BUT EVEN I CAN'T STOP IT, IT'S AN OUTERVERSAL FORCE CREATED TO CURB ANY MASSIVE POWER SUDDENLY BORN INTO THE WORLD, IT HAD ALWAYS LAY INACTIVE FOR AS LONG AS I REMEMBER, BUT I'VE SEEN IT ACTIVATE THREE TIMES, TWO OF WHICH WAS A STIR, IT ACTIVATED ONCE WHEN THE KING OF HUMANS, ARTHUR SHULA WAS BORN, IT ALSO ACTIVATED WHEN IGNATIA COMMONLY KNOWN AS LIZZY SHULA WAS BORN. BUT IT DIDN'T FULLY ACTIVATE, EVEN WITH THEIR IMMENSE POWER.
Ignatia? You mean the rank 1 Ignatia was Dan's mum? Cyra suddenly asked.
The dragon nodded, Thranduil noticed he flinched a little.
"WE THE DRAGONS ALWAYS MADE IT A POINT TO AVOID HUMAN CONTACT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BUT IGNATIA WAS DIFFERENT, SHE WAS ALWAYS BUSTLING TO LEAVE THE NEST, SOMETHING HAPPENED AND SHE RAN AWAY, THE REASON WHILE THE NEST IS SO SMALL IS CAUSE OF WHAT SHE DID TO THE PLACE AND INJURED ME GREATLY BEFORE SHE LEFT, SHE RAN AWAY, EVEN I DON'T KNOW WHERE HER HOARDE WAS, SHE WENT INTO HIDING, FOR AFTER HUNDREDS OF YEARS I GAVE UP TRYING TO SEARCH FOR HER, BUT SUDDENLY SHE WAS BACK AND WITH A HUMAN NO LESS, IT WAS THE MOST ABSURD THING I'VE EVER HEARD, SHE WAS IN HUMAN FORM AND REFUSED TO USE HER DRAGON FORM, SHE WAS INTENDING TO MARRY A HUMAN AND THE PRINCE OF THE HUMAN KINGDOM AT THE TIME, OF COURSE I OBJECTED, NOT CAUSE HE WAS A HUMAN, BUT HE WAS ARTHUR A HUMAN THE SPHERE HAD ORIGINALLY REACTED TO IN THE PAST, BOTH ABNORMALITIES COMING TOGETHER WAS BOUND TO CREATE A LARGE AMOUNT OF CHANGE ON THE WORLD, I MADE A DEAL WITH THEM, THEY'D BE TOGETHER IF THEY REFUSE TO HAVE A KID, IGNATIA ALWAYS BEING HER, DISOBEYED MY WARNINGS AND PUT TO BIRTH, JUST AS I FEARED, IT ACTIVATED, THE SPHERE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'LL JUST COME AFTER YOU IN A HEARTBEAT, OT WAITED, AS LONG AS DAN'S ENERGY LEVEL DOESN'T SPIKE TO A COSMIC SCALE IT DOESN'T ATTACK, BUT IT'LL ALWAYS BE THERE AS LONG AS DAN EXISTS.
"Is there something we can do about it? Antrea asked.
"EITHER DAN DESTROYS THE SPHERE HIMSELF OR HE DIES, IN WHICH CASE THE SPHERE WOULD BE EITHER GONE FOR GOOD OR LAY INACTIVE AGAIN, BUT ONE THING IS CLEAR, NO ONE CAN DEFEAT THE SPHERE APART FROM IT'S TARGET, THE HUMAN KING AND HIS KNIGHT WITNESSED THAT FIRST HAND, NOW THEY'RE NO MORE, SAME WITH THE HUMAN KINGDOM.
"Where's Dan's mother, Thranduil asked slowly, I know she's not dead.
"IT SEEMS BORA WAS RUNNING HIS MOUTH ASIDE FROM JUST CARRYING OUT HIS MISSION, the air crackled, I'M NOT LETTING ANY DRAGON DISRUPT THE ORDER OF THE WORLD AGAIN, ONCE THE SPHERE IS GONE EITHER IT KILLS THE KID OR NOT, ILL RELEASE HER, IF I DO THAT NOW, SHE'S DEFINITELY GOING TO CONFRONT THE SPHERE BY HERSELF IN WHICH CASE SHE DIES.
"But holding her against her will, Does she even know what's going on? Antrea asked slowly, though-
"SHE DOESN'T HAVE A WILL AT THIS POINT, SHE'S NOTHING BUT A PUPPET,the dragon interrupted coldly, IT'S FOR HER OWN GOOD, SHE HAS MEDDLED WITH THE AFFAIRS OF MORTALS FOR FAR TOO LONG.
"But- Antrea fell silent as the king's stare paralyzed her.
LET ME CONTINUE. I'VE SPENT MOST OF MY LONG YEARS RESEARCHING THE SPHERE AND I'VE COME TO A DISCOVERY, THE REASON THE SPHERE EXIST, THERE'S A GOD SOMEWHERE, THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING WE CAME TO KNOW, THOUGH I HAVEN'T EXPLICITLY SEEN IT, BUT I'VE SENSED IT'S PRESENCE TIME AND TIME AGAIN, TOYING WITH OUR WORLD, I'M SCARED OF HIM, AND I WOULDN'T WANT TO CONFRONT HIM, IT'S'S A BEING THAT DEFYS ALL LOGIC, FROM THE WAY I SEE THINGS THOUGH THIS IS MY OWN THEORY THE SPHERE WAS CREATED TO CURB POWERS THAT COULD SOMEDAY REACH IT.
"I don't understand, If there's a being so strong that makes you tremble, what are we to do about it? Thranduil asked, I mean you make us tremble, so what could we possibly do about that.
The dragon stared at him for a while, YOU'RE MY GRANDSON'S FRIENDS ARE YOU NOT? His voice slowly growing down and sounding more human, isn't it befitting his friends fight by his side? Besides my grandson hadn't been truthful with you all, Same with you beastkin.
Cyra flinched and looked at the stone ground.
"Should I tell them or will you? The dragon asked calmly.
"I will, Cyra muttered. Thranduil and Antrea stared at her.
"She didn't look up," Dan has been having problems staying sane, she said slowly it echoed throughout the cave, i don't know how long he had been fighting his destructive urge, but I found out just the week before we met you Thranduil, Dan's uncle visited that night like usual, they talked and he left like a ghost, I approached Dan and asked about it, but he said he was fine, and there was no forcing anything out of him, I'm sure you've noticed his weary eyes by now despite the time he sleeps, he came to me once it was long ago, back when we were still in the village he brought back to life, he asked me if I could fix the mind, at the time I didn't think much of it, but after finding out what he was going through, I realized what he was after that day. Areia doesn't know anything about this though, he made it a point to keep her out of the loop, Cyra felt her sword, then there's also the face that my sword activates when I'm around Dan, it consideres him a monster.
"Thranduil gritted his teeth," I should have known something was up when he killed those worshippers back in Villa, Sure they deserved to die..but the way he did it was gruesome. "Why did you guys keep something this important from us, Cyra's head dropped, And Dan, he has been acting normal all this time while fighting the urge to kill us all, who does he think he is, Thranduil muttered angrily, and from Areia too? She deserves to know more than anyone else, and you Cyra I can't believe you went along with that.
"No need to get angry at them, the dragon said calmly, you're all kids after all, I'm sure they did what was best at the moment, I'm sure he wouldn't have told Cyra if she hadn't found out herself, she's a beastkin after all, they're more preceptive than most.
"Um, Mister....is there a way to cure it, Antrea asked.
"Sadly no, that's the dragon true nature, even now, I'm fighting the constant urge to tear you all apart, he sighed, though I'm not going to, so don't be scared, and I could say the same for all the dragons you've met so far, all except Ignatia, the dragon said.
"So what do we do? Antrea asked again.
"It's highly unlikely that Dan is going to suddenly attack you guys out of the blue, his feelings and bottled up anger keeps building up, with no where else to go, his urge have no where else to go than those momentarily explosions, that always happens around him, though none of you have experienced it first hand, except Areia, honestly I'm shocked she stayed by him even after that, she could have died that day had I not Intervened, I just took her out of deaths roll, but she was still heavily damaged, though that was years ago.
They stared at Areia still sleeping in Ryuu's arm, she was abnormal in every sense.
"So what should we do, Cyra and Antrea asked in sync.
"We can't outrightly cure it, but we could disberse the bottled up energy he had been gathering so far, The dragon said holding the orb.
"How, Thranduil asked.
The king smiled, you'll have to fight him In his error state Till he's able to gain control, The dragon king sharp teeth glittered as he spoke. So who would it be, he grinned.
"They all stared at the ground, They all looked up as Antrea's Hand was in the air.
"Are you sure Antrea? Cyra asked I mean.
Antrea's eyes never left the orb, Quick Question, honestly do you think you can beat me? At least at the moment.
"Cyra's eyes were glued to her feet,No.
"Then it's settled, the dragon suddenly spoke, originally if She was awake, I'd rather she went instead, it would have been a debate between you or are, Right now I can't really tell whose stronger, but though It might be dove girl.
"The king snapped his finger, The entire arena changed, They were in a grand canyon, the sun was shining they could feel it in their skin, but they knew this wasn't the real world, the space was large and went on beyond their sight, Cyra's tail warpped around her waist, she stared around.
" Amazing, Thranduil muttered.
"Is this a gate? Cyra asked.
"You could say that, the king smiled. They were all amazed, Even Alicia started looking around, all Except Antrea, the sleeping Areia and Ryuu.
"Now, I'd summon Dan's real body, and place the orb back in him, He'll be confused, so I want you guys to confuse him to let go, if the normal conventional means doesn't work, I'll have to shut his human consciousness for a while, Agreed?
The group nodded, the air heavy with anticipation. The King smiled, Let's get started shall we.