32. Drakonis
32
DRAKONIS
T here was no more opulence in the palace. The screams of his people cast in the volcanoes never left him. The shaking fear of noblemen and noblewomen alike disgusted him. They had been warned numerous times, but they chose Kazimir and now their bed was made. Alastair, Vladislav, Bringas, and, normally neutral, Duke Komnenos joined him decked in the armor dyed in his dark navy colors. Rectangles of bronzed plates were laced in horizontal rows along their shoulders and chest with under armor made of the hardest scales underneath. Bronzed spikes arched from his shoulders up to his helmet less head, and cerulean scaled pants protected their legs, made with the strongest diamond. All their boots were heavy with steel at the toes. Weapons sat at all waists, swords, spears, bows, and arrows. It was time to end this. He would hurt none that willingly sided with him.
His eyes scanned the Great Hall. His mother was finally in front of him, but she was pale with wide, baggy, eyes. Terror was etched into every fiber of her being. She moved her lips, but he could not interpret the words. He took a step toward her, and she shook her head. His father’s throne was empty.
“Ah, your highness.” Valen approached him, Loukas Dagron on his heels. Drakonis bared his teeth at the lack of respect when neither bowed to him.
“Did ya forget ya manners?” Alastair said behind him. “I’ll be happy to remind ya’.”
“You are the one that must show respect Duke Doukas. That is, if our emperor lets you maintain your title.”
“My faction will never lose their titles,” Drakonis answered, sticking his arm straight out so that Alastair would not jump at the poor excuse of an Earl. “I demand you show respect those of higher rank, as our laws dictate.”
“I will show no such respect those that collaborate with the enemy Prince. For it is my prince that will be the emperor. An emperor that is not afraid to show the true power of a dragon.”
“True power is not what we saw!” Viscount Bringas declared. “You used my family against me to condemn innocent people.”
“If it is what we must do then you must comply!” Valen yelled.
“Do not pretend that you know what is best for these people!” Duke Komnenos bellowed. “As a Minister of Rites, I know what is sacred to our people. And you, Earl Zenos, are nothing but a fraud.” Scales gleamed against all his allies. The ones on his side being responsible for war and foreign relations, there was no way that he would lose against Kazimir. Not when he had all the strength.
“If anyone knows what’s best for my people, it is I.”
From behind the Emperor’s throne, Kazimir appeared. His amethyst eyes were narrow and his lips thin. He was not dressed in armor but in the robes and crown of an Emperor.
“You dare disrespect our father.” Drakonis growled. All but his faction bowed.
“Father made his decision,” Kazimir stated.
“He did no such thing,” Drakonis countered. “The decision has not been made public nor privately.”
“Father believed for the longest time that I was indeed the Heir.” Kazimir’s tone was calm. Too calm. “The ancestors chose me all those years ago, and it would have remained that way if you would have stayed dead in that temple.”
Drakonis pursed his lips. “If not for the Drakaina, I may have been. But it is clear to me now, after revisiting who the ancestors truly chose.”
Kazimir’s had a crooked smile. “Gavril was clearly in your favor, as were the nobles behind you. Everyone could not sing enough of your praises brother. Even mother, greatly favored you. But I have had enough games.” His mother had wide eyes as she looked at Kazimir.
“My son, I have loved you…”
“Silence!” Kazimir bellowed.
Yelena had never let either of sons show disrespect. They were to be the example to our people. Drakonis’s hand fell to the hilt of his sword. Now that they were adults that would not change.
“She is our mother!” Drakonis bellowed.
“And I am the emperor!”
From behind his body, Kazimir threw an object to the ground. Gasps and screams filled the room. Drakonis felt vomit build in his throat. His blood boiled. It was his father’s head. Kazimir had taken their father’s head, and who knows what he did with the body.
“You killed our father,” Drakonis whispered.
“He made the wrong decision,” Kazimir answered. “Until your wench came to Ouroboros, he promised me the title of Crown Prince. Then after you two returned from the ruins it made him doubt. I had to take what was rightfully mine before it was given away.”
“This is treason!” Alastair yelled.
“Your reign is not legitimate if father did not rightfully choose you!” Drakonis said. “And I will have revenge. Draw your sword Kazimir, for we will end this once and for all.”
“Yes, brother, we shall. But on my terms,” Kazimir said.
The Pythia stood near Yelena. His mother, normally so strong, was terrified as the Pythia stood with her hand on the back of the throne. Hooded soldiers guarded the dais.
“Mother has agreed to my rule, yes.” Yelena nodded but did not speak, her eyes never leaving her husband’s head. “And now I will be supported by the gods. Valen.”
“I said unhand me!”
It was as if a demon was taking over him as she came into view. Clara, his mate. But Nero had sworn to get her out of the country. How was it that she was here? Where was he?
Drakonis fought the emotions that wanted to explode from within him. He was no use to Clara if he acted rashly. But his hands flexed against his sword. His scales raised and glowing.
“Release her Kazimir. Clara has no part in this.”
“That is where you are wrong, brother.” Valen forced Clara to Kazimir’s side. She struggled against her ropes, until Kazimir held a dagger to her neck. Her breathing became heavy as she glared at him. “The one destined to be the true leader of our dragon brethren is the one Phaedrus has selected. This woman is the one that will choose him.”
“I told you I do not choose him!” Clara screamed.
“Hush.” He yanked Clara by the back of her neck. It was a scream that pierced his very heart and soul.
“It’s a trap Drakonis! Don’t let him get to you! Don’t awaken!” Clara yelled.
Murmurs filled the room. Kazimir growled.
“Woman you will awaken the dragon within me!” Kazimir yelled. “The Pythia told me it was I who was destined to be the Heir.” Clara’s eyes widened.
“A lie uttered by a false prophet. Those of us that are of the gods cannot lie.”
Drakonis’s eyes cut to the Pythia. The woman’s face was red in embarrassment. One of her guards whispered in her ear and started to draw the weapons. Clara screamed as Kazimir gripped her tightly, drawing a line of blood from her throat.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
“Drakonis, remain as calm as you can,” Vladislav whispered.
“If you don’t gain control, the Empress and your mate will be in danger.” Duke Komnenos said, placing his hand on Drakonis’s shoulder.
“If those of the gods cannot lie then awaken me! The Pythia completed the job that you could not! She figured out who the Heir was, and you will do your part! Make up for your failure!”
“Phaedrus would never choose someone as cowardly as you to be Heir,” Clara said. Even with a dagger to her throat she did not let up. “A true emperor would never stoop as low as you have. How could someone who cannot even face his enemy head on hold the power of life and death himself?”
“Silence!”
Clara’s scream stirred his heart. Lightning crackled in the dry, rainless, sky.
“May the dead that I resurrected cast nothing but curses on you, if you rule this land. May the people revolt as flames awaken those beneath you.” All three of Clara’s eyes were opening and looking directly at Kazimir. She had gripped on to his skin, digging her blunt nails into his wrist and drawing blood. “You wish to know your future Kazimir? You will gain what you desire. You shall gain power over those unfortunate enough to remain in Ouroboros after the Heir’s awakening.” Wind circled the two. Drakonis moved but was held back by his allies. Kazimir was stunned, stuck in his place. Clara’s voice became deeper. “I warned you of your path if you continued with your decisions. And now it will come to pass. The true Heir of Phaedrus will awaken. An event you, and Phaedrus, will force. It is an action that will kill my beloved but will save the continent. Drakonis’s name will go down in history while yours in ruin. Once your hooded ally is done with you, you will rot in the deepest part of the Underworld, with Hades making you his jester. You will become the picture of what a dragon shouldn’t be. A spineless, fearful child who used cowardice to drive him, instead of a pure ambition to lead his people to greatness.”
In a rage, Kazimir slit Clara’s throat. The scream that left her throat was soundless. He dropped Clara like rags, staring at his bloodied hand. The wind and thunder drowned out her fall as she collapsed in a pile of white silk.
His world became silent, his mind finally snapping. Lightning and thunder rolled through the purple sky.
From hellfire we are born
Through greed we are contained
Hear our voices
Hear us sing
Welcome our hero
Our chosen one
“Join me in my revenge,” Drakonis said his words monotone as if he was in a trance. The voices that filled his head would become free. They would pillage as his brother did. This world would burn. “May our army gather to defeat the false ones!”
“Drakonis?” His allies were reaching out to him but then were blown away by a gust of wind.
“You will all bow,” Drakonis said. Just like he commanded a powerful pressure fell on everyone, including Kazimir. Drakonis’s streaked hair, became white as pure snow; his ice blue eyes glowed into the deepest cerulean, and his scales glowed as if from Hades’s hellfire. Golden horns burst forth arching above the crown of his head. Wings ripped from his back, not like the ones in his dragon form, but white leather with flames as the edges. With every step, Kazimir struggled with movement. Drakonis concentrated his power above his brother. He would meet Hades this time.
Your soul is returned
You are our salvation
Death will not defeat you
Rebirth will save you
Take the woman’s strings from the Moirai
For she is our mother
For you both will follow Nyx into the darkness
The words were foreign, but Drakonis couldn’t comprehend as much as he tried. As if possessed by the gods themselves, Drakonis raised his sword above Kazimir’s head.
“Die,” he said.
“Dra..kon…” His eyes moved. His mate looked at him through dark waves. Her bloody hand covered her throat, and light was fading quickly. She opened her mouth to speak but no words could escape. She was….alive…
His sword only had to come down a couple more inches to impale Kazimir, but he could not continue. He ran to Clara’s side, cradling her head.
“You’re a fool,” he said. Why did she have to say what she did? Why did she have to provoke his brother?
Drakonis tore a piece of cloth from the bottom of her dress, wrapping it around her throat.
Her eyes became wide as she pointed. With a flip, Drakonis jabbed his sword behind him, impaling whoever dared to try and approach him.
“I’m with my mate,” he said. His eyes never leaving Clara’s. With a flick of his hand, a gust of wind pushed everyone back. He only wanted his mate. She had to live. He ignored the chaos and clatter around him.
Red soaked the cloth quickly. Clara tried to open her mouth, but blood began bubbling. Drakonis did not know what to do. He kept layering cloth over it and putting pressure on it. He had seen many of these injuries on the battlefield. All were lethal.
Clara’s hand was weak as she took his cheek. She could not speak but mouthed words.
I. LOVE. YOU.
No. No. No. Drakonis would not have it.
“Clara, I will not lose you to the Underworld.” He was shaking as he brought her up to his neck. If she died, then his soul would die too. Fuck the continent. Fuck his destiny. He would do nothing he was asked until he got his mate back.
“F-fin..d…m..me.”
“You must not speak,” Drakonis said. He kissed her lips. She coughed and more blood came up. She was trying to communicate with him. Her eye glowed, followed by her body. She grabbed his face with her hands.
Find me. She sent the thoughts to his mind. Do not leave me there alone.
“I will come for you,” Drakonis said.
I love you. Clara pushed to him.
Clara’s, normally warm, hands became like ice. Her beautiful caramel eyes were closing.
“Clara! No! Clara!”
Magick, like a curtain, wrapped around the two. Golden runes glowed along their bodies as he held her up, kissing her throat. Just last night, they were sharing in each other’s warmth and whispering their love for one another.
“She will be mine.” Drakonis looked up from the ground. Phaedrus stood, almost like a ghost. His smile was victorious. “I told her I would never let her die. Not after waiting all these millennia for her.”
“Bring her back,” Drakonis roared. Phaedrus was unphased.
“Her mission from the Moirai was to awaken you. I have trained you your whole life for this. Now it is time for you to fulfill your destiny.”
“I will do nothing until she is brought back to me!” Drakonis answered.
“Let’s see if you can find her then,” Phaedrus challenged.
All of Clara’s warnings rifled through his brain rapidly. One moment she was in his arms, and the next she wasn’t. White flames raised above them in a circle then Phaedrus, and Clara, were both gone.
“CLARA!” Drakonis’s roar shook the castle.
The slow motion he had caused now erupted in movement. Kazimir stood on shaky legs.
“Capture him!” The Pythia yelled. Guards surrounded him, but his eyes only focused on Kazimir. Silent tears fell down his scaly cheeks. This bastard.
“I have put up with you even when you tried to kill me. I tried to understand you and play your games,” Drakonis said. “And you took away the one thing that mattered to me. You killed my mate.”
A purple light encompassed Kazimir’s body. He was transforming on his hands and feet, his normally slicked back hair whipping around his crown.
“You can’t be the Heir!” Kazimir bellowed. “You stole my destiny! Just as you have stolen everything from me!”
“You’re wrong Kazimir,” Drakonis said. “This destiny was never yours to begin with.”
Swords swung and transformations happened. Lightning stuck the castle, starting a fire that reached the skies. Drakonis allowed the power stewing in his body to explode as he transformed. His beast form was larger than any dragon that had ever been seen. His body was the length of the palace, but white like the stars, his horns and wings were the brightest shade of gold outlined in Hades’s flames. It was the easiest thing to grab Kazimir’s beast by the throat and cast him through the air. With a flex, he flew towards him. Kazimir blocked and they began to bite and scratch each other.
Kazimir released fire towards Drakonis. Drakonis dodged, attempting to circle Kazimir in a tornado.
“Are you happy with what you have done to our home?” Drakonis yelled . “You have killed father and oppressed our people!”
Ouroboros was not the lively town it was during the festival, but a river of sorrow with flames, lava, and smoke.
“We needed a new start,” Kazimir answered. “We rose from ashes when Hades cast us into that hellfire and now, I will bring us…”
“Shut the fuck up!”
Drakonis grabbed Kazimir by the neck. He ran Kazimir into a tower, the stone collapsing under their strength. Drakonis’s leg tore through Kazimir’s chest. He turned before Drakonis could reach his underbelly.
“I will not fall for your disgusting words! Because of you we have lost innocents! You have bred violence and confusion in our populace. In this state, an enemy will easily take us!”
“We are stronger Drakonis! I’m sorry you cannot see that! And neither could father!”
Kazimir kicked Drakonis, making him roll off the building and hitting the stone wall that acted as a gate to the palace.
“This never had to be the answer! You are my brother! You could have came to me!” Drakonis said .
“That would be admitting defeat!” Kazimir roared back. He threw flames towards Drakonis, thinking him weak. Drakonis stood on his four scaly legs, opening his mouth and swallowing them, as if drinking water.
“You have all but invited chaos into our lands. You have forced my mate into the Underworld. There is nothing I can do to protect you now.”
“I do not need your protection! I hope you rot in the Underworld with that so called mate of yours!”
There were no more words. Kazimir narrowed his body, descending onto Drakonis.
Drakonis turned his body, using his tail to hit Kazimir into his belly and casting him into the lightning filled sky. Drakonis roared as he flew upwards and took Kazimir by the throat with his teeth. Kazimir roared moving his head back and forth to be released. Kazimir tucked his serpent tail under his body and ran it through Drakonis’s thigh. Drakonis howled, flexing his wide wings. Kazimir let out a laugh, in a faux victory, but Drakonis grabbed him by the wing with his teeth, ripping it off. Black blood fell from the wound, falling on Ouroboros like rain.
“You have taken everything from me. And now I leave you to your fate brother. May you be happy with what you have chosen.”
Kazimir fell from the sky. His scales were dimming but he still moved. It wouldn’t be long until he either transformed from the pain or if he died. Drakonis didn’t care either. He arched his wings and flew back to the castle. The Pythia stood at the entrance with a row of soldiers, staffs glowing. They raised them, magick shooting towards Drakonis. It grabbed onto his four legs like rope. He screamed, casting his head back. Fire built threw his neck and upwards towards his mouth.
“You will die for what you have done to my mat,.” Drakonis said, his forked tongue leaving his mouth.
The tips of his wings were like the stars that fell from the sky the night he and Clara were in the dracora blossom forest. Opening his mouth wide, he cast a blue and white fireball to the magicians. Magick folk, so cowardly, hid behind a barrier. Of course they could not fight him face to face. He did not have time for such games. He continued his flight, using his spiked tail to whip the staffs, and the magicians, from their post. Let his people have their way with them.
Drakonis heard a familiar voice yell his name. He flew up the castle and stood on the domed ceiling, looking down at the mess of the Great Room. His mother had tears running down her face as she looked at him with a huge smile.
“My child.”
At Drakonis’s entrance, all fighting seemed to pause. He blew fire to those that wore Kazimir’s red armor.
“All that have sworn loyalty to me will come.”
His mother was weak. He allowed her to climb up on his neck and jumped into the sky once more. He and his allies would convene at the Ruins. Kazimir had said he would raise Ouroboros from the ashes just as Phaedrus did. Once he obtained Clara, he would watch from the shadows as his brother slowly realized how delusional his plan really was.