Chapter 9 Last Battle
Last Battle
They were flying so fast that the ground beneath them was a blur.
But his other senses told him that there was little to see below them.
Fields of corn and wheat that waved softly under the dying night’s last breezes.
Single family homes where the lights were mostly out except for a lone garage light or a faint night light shining out through gauzy curtains by a child’s bedside.
If they hadn’t been shifted, Caden’s eyes would have been watering so badly that he wouldn’t have been able to see anyways.
A thin, nictitating film covered their eyes.
It was something that Caden hadn’t realized before.
Now, he was completely aware of every little difference in their Dragon form from their human one.
He wanted to memorize every second of it.
He’d lost this for a short while and he never wanted to again.
Will never leave you. Promise, Iolaire cooed softly to him.
Right. I know. I just… are we going to get to the sun in time, Iolaire? Caden pushed the past trauma away for the present one. I can still hear her heartbeat, but it seems weaker than when we started.
A lot weaker actually. In the beginning of their flight, Chione had actually looked up at them and smiled. She’d given a weak laugh as they launched up into the sky.
“Tilly will be so--so jealous that I get to fly with both of you,” she’d rasped out.
“Sphinx’s have wings, Caden. She will fly back beside us,” Valerius had answered, his voice strong even as his eyes were filled with worry.
“Oh, I might need some--some resting time before I can keep up with a Dragon. Even the smallest, if fiercest, Iolaire,” she’d breathed out.
Their heart had thudded heavily in their chest. Both Caden and Iolaire could hear how hard she was trying to make them believe she’d be around to fly back.
She didn’t think so. They’d flown even faster and covered several hundred miles in less time than Caden thought possible.
But there was no sign of the sun. Caden wondered if they would have to fly all the way to New York City to find it.
How far was it from Reach? By car over 12 hours drive. By plane about 2 to 4. By dragon?
If Raziel was carrying her, she’d already be there! But our wings aren’t as strong!
Iolaire let out a determined twitter and they made themselves even more aerodynamic, by flattening their ears to their head and thinning their form out. They were already keeping their forelimbs tight to their body.
He’d smelled dew on fresh cut grass and the exhaust from car engines when they’d shot over small cities and towns. There had been the bright arteries of highways and airports. They’d had to even dodge some planes a few times, though those were rare at night.
One plane though had come so close that they’d seen the pilots inside the cockpit pointing fingers at them, mouths open, and eyes wide.
They’d looked back after they passed to make sure their wake hadn’t harmed the aircraft in any way.
But the plane was still headed in the right direction and at the right altitude.
Small faces were pressed to the windows.
This red-eye flight would have quite the tale to tell.
He hoped it would be one of awe and not terror or sadness.
Chione must make it! Caden thought. She’s still alive. There’s still a chance!
They chanced a glance down at their passengers.
Valerius was practically invisible in their claws.
He’d ducked inside, balling himself up tightly, after the first hour.
It was cold up here and he was naked. There was no Dragon in his chest to keep him superheated warm.
And Iolaire had only ice breath to give.
Chione was wrapped in the foil blanket that gave far more warmth than one would expect, but he wasn’t sure if that was what allowed her to keep her head and feet somewhat extended from their claws.
Her eyes were closed and her normally dark gold skin was much paler than it should be. But her heart was still beating.
How much longer would it be though?
He’d never wished they were bigger. Small but mighty. But a larger span. More strength to fly. Even the ability to send warm heat over Valerius and Chione with a quick breath would have been better.
And their wings were already tiring. Actually, they’d been tiring about 100 miles ago, but they kept flying, kept beating, kept going. But they were much slower than they had been. The ground wasn’t a blur any longer.
We need Raziel, Caden thought.
Iolaire twittered softly in agreement. We have only ourselves. We must keep on, Caden.
Yes, we must keep on, Caden agreed.
They pumped their exhausted wings and looked for light on the horizon.
The Behemoth landed heavily behind them. Raziel swung its massive head around, red eyes narrowing. The others did the same. Mephous let out a cloud of green smoke. Light flashed from Evren’s eyes. Zephyra reared back and flapped its wings, the air seeming to thicken.
The Behemoth cringed for just a moment. It’s dirty yellow eyes widening with fear upon seeing them all there waiting for it. It looked wounded, broken. The wings were battered. Its body was bruised and bloodied. Caden and Iolaire had done well. They had sent the Behemoth back.
But at what cost?
That was not a thought that Raziel had ever had.
Victory was all that had ever mattered. If others died because they happened to get in the way of its battle so be it.
That was the cost of its protection and strength.
But now, Raziel felt differently. Its stomach knotted at the thought of any of its people being hurt.
And Raziel knew that the Behemoth had taken lives.
It could smell the blood and death on it.
Not Iolaire’s, not Valerius’, but human lives and maybe some Shifters too.
These beings depended upon it and the other Dragons to protect them.
They would never take that lightly again.
We will never let down our guard again, Xipil hissed. Its flame-like eyes were narrowed to slits and magma dripped from its snarling jaws.
There will have been losses, Scylla admitted softly even as clouds gathered above them for a storm. This should never have happened.
Our enemy is now exposed. We will not forget, Zephyra intoned. Its wings quivered and the air smelled of ozone.
We will make the Behemoth pay for every life lost, Mephous snarled.
Poisonous gas flowed along the ground in green waves towards the Behemoth. The Behemoth shifted its forelimbs as the green smoke curled around it and then let out a hiss as the poison scalded its scales. But then it lifted its head and spread its wings to make itself look bigger and unconcerned.
You’ve come to destroy me? You waited to destroy me? The Behemoth asked with an almost chuckle.
You are done, Behemoth! Evren slammed its tail against the ground.
You won’t hurt anyone--Dragons or people--anymore! Lana cried as she rose up by Eldoron.
The Gold Dragon looked askance at the Behemoth with narrowed eyes. I’ve always believed there was beauty in everything and everyone, but I see now that I was wrong. You are without any hint of it!
Vain, pathetic Dragon! The Behemoth puffed itself up. I will have your beauty for myself. My whole purpose is to rule you!
Never! I will never bow to you! Eldoron stamped one large forelimb.
Eldoron is a glorious Dragon! You are nothing! Lana added.
All of you will bow! All of you! Especially you, Raziel! The Behemoth chuckled.
Scylla glanced towards Raziel then. Its expression was one of controlled anger.
Scylla’s tail thrashed across the ground.
The Blue Dragon was outraged by this usurper’s words.
Raziel, however, felt an icy calm. This was bluster.
If the Behemoth had anything up its sleeve it was to delay and try to lure the other Dragons back to it. Raziel would not allow this.
Surround it! Raziel commanded its kin.
No longer were these Dragons outsiders or invaders or enemies. They were kin as Mephous had named them. More than allies or friends. They were family. Iolaire and Caden entering their lives had brought that home to Raziel and now the Behemoth had clarified Raziel’s thinking.
With pleasure, Mephous said.
Mephous, proud and tall and wreathed in poisonous smoke, walked directly past the Behemoth to get to the far side.
The Behemoth and Mephous eyed one another like the apex predators they were, but while Mephous gleamed with strength, the Behemoth was murky with guile.
The Behemoth’s tail suddenly shot towards Mephous’ side, but magma coated it and the Behemoth let out a shrill scream.
All eyes turned to Xipil. Quiet as a mouse, despite its huge size, the Red Dragon had risen up on silent wings and taken its shot to protect Mephous.
The Green Dragon lifted an eyebrow in surprise.
Raziel fully expected Mephous to claim that Xipil’s action was unneeded, that it had everything under control. But things truly had changed.
You are the one alone now, Behemoth, Mephous hissed as gouts of poison poured from its jaws. No one to protect you. None to care when you fall.
And if the Behemoth’s tail had been fast to strike, the Green Dragon’s tail was faster.
It slammed into the Behemoth’s right forelimb, knocking it out from under the heaving body.
The Behemoth staggered and went down with a boom!
Mephous did not press the attack. It and Xipil made their way to the opposite side of the Behemoth and turned to face Raziel.
The others began to fan out as well. Scylla and Zephyra stalked along the outer sides of the circle around the Behemoth.
Mist obscured most of Zephyra’s body except for its eyes that glinted and never left the Behemoth.
Scylla’s mermaid-like tail swished dangerously back and forth as if it was preparing to leap.