36. Drakonis
36
DRAKONIS
“ W here is my mate?” Drakonis demanded.
Music in this blasted ballroom was uplifting and happy but, at Drakonis’s demand, it became deeper like an organ. Drakonis did not move his eyes from Hades.
“I knew you would be angry when you got here, but I did not expect you to be so demanding. You must learn to not be so when you serve me,” Hades said.
“Just because Phaedrus has offered me up does not mean I’ll accept,” Drakonis said.
“This deal was done before you were born, I’m afraid. Your desires are not my concern.”
Drakonis drew his swords and jumped towards Hades. The crowd in the ballroom got larger and Hades, despite his size, disappeared.
“Your mate is quite a charmer, Drakonis. Not only does she drag Phaedrus around by a horn tip, but she also brings much joy to me. Has even made me laugh,” Hades’s said.
“She is like the sunrise,” Drakonis said. “As soon as she looks in your direction the world seems brighter.” His words were warm, but his voice was cold.
“Yet she fell for a dragon like you when you treated her so poorly before,” Hades taunted.
“I’m a different man,” Drakonis said.
The music slowed and became light once more. The chandelier changed from gold to dark blue, adding shadows everywhere. Dark black figures, that could have been Hades, were everywhere.
“Indeed, you are. Imagine if Phaedrus would have selected Kazimir. Maybe then she would have bedded and vowed her love to him.”
“Clara was always destined to be mine.” But the mere image of her in Kazimir’s arms made his grip tighter. His already white knuckles became transparent.
“As you were always destined to be the Heir. You cannot pick and choose what destiny fits you Drakonis. You must accept it all, the good and the bad. Being a demigod is hard and lonely.” Hades said.
“A demigod?”
Drakonis’s body turned. He felt like a child in one of his training sessions with Gavril.
Look with all senses but your eyes Drakonis. For evil lurks in all shapes and sizes.
“You did not believe you would remain a dragon when you became Phaedrus’s heir? No. Phaedrus sacrificed himself to me after he stole from me. It was the most noble thing I had seen a mercenary do, for all gargoyles were mindless, just accepting of their depressing fate. And he did it all for the sake of his people’s freedom.”
“He did what any leader should have done. After all, he was foolish enough to believe the Olympians that tricked him,” Drakonis said.
“Indeed. It was unfortunate that he got caught up in Olympian power games.”
The dancers became more translucent. The boldest were a familiar couple. Clara in the dress he had made for her from the scaled lindworm, and Phaedrus dressed as an ancient emperor.
“He has served me for a millennium,” Hades continued. “I promised him freedom if he could give me a worthy replacement. But he said freedom meant nothing if he was alone.”
A plethora of emotions lay trapped on Drakonis’s tongue. His heart sang at seeing Clara once more, happy and not lying in a pool of her own blood. But the image was skewed seeing her in Phaedrus’s arms.
“He can find his own mate, just as I did. I will not sacrifice her,” Drakonis said.
“What are you willing to do for her?” The image of the two faded and the room became black. He could feel death in every speck of dust that floated in the wind. “You have been groomed your entire life to serve me. If you do not do so then you fail to serve your purpose. Your gifts of strength will go to waste. The loss of Ouroboros will be for naught. Your beloved brother will have fallen into madness for nothing.”
“Kazimir made his choices. I am not responsible for them.”
“You are responsible for the Drakaina awakening in the earthly realm. They are the ones that showed him his bloody death from your visit as boys, and they are the ones that drove him to make the choices he did. You are the reason your father is dead, your peasants got cast in a volcano, and why your mother must suffer the loss of her mate to an untimely death.”
Drakonis growled. “I had no knowledge of what was happening.”
“Does it matter if you did? You still bear that responsibility. By the by, would you have even survived without Phaedrus to guide you? If anyone deserves that woman, it is him not you.”
“She is mine!” Drakonis yelled. “Phaedrus may have guided me, but I am the one who always made the decisions. I am the one that worked for my people, and I am the one that protects and loves Clara.”
“Then I pose the same question to you. What are you willing to do for her? Are you willing to sacrifice your freedom? Or sacrifice the one that has already given his life while also giving you the ultimate power a dragon can have?” Hades asked. A true master that would turn the head of any nobles.
“What do you want?” Drakonis relented.
“I want you to prove to me that you do not need Phaedrus as you say, and that I do not need to train you for a millennium like I did him.”
“I wish for details.”
“You are just as cocky as Phaedrus.” Drakonis pursed his lips. “You are familiar with the Titan Gaea, yes? She is planning something and has excised her power over the gargoyles for it; something she only did with Scaeva.”
Phaedrus’s brother. While he knew little of his history, Drakonis knew that he was just as formidable as Phaedrus. The war between them was mutually ended because of all the blood shed between the gargoyles and dragons.
“Your Clara is linked to the Fates in a way I have never seen. I am curious about her destiny but, more importantly, I am interested in her visions. I know she sees someone getting resurrected and I believe it might affect more than the human realm.”
“What could possibly be so dangerous that even the gods would quiver in fear?” Drakonis asked.
“Gods and Titans are immortal. There is nothing that can completely kill us. But there is one in history that perished horribly and, from his remains, came Olympians like Aphrodite.”
The blood in Drakonis’s body became cold. The only one that he knew of was…
“The Titan Uranus.”
Hades did not confirm. The world went black. Even with his senses he would not be able to tell sight, smell, or touch.
“Absorb what is around you, Drakonis. I am willing to renege on a deal with my right hand and give your woman a choice instead of gifting her, if it means this realm will be saved. Because if you fail then all realms will cease to exist.”
“If it was Uranus, why has Clara not seen it?”
“The Fates cannot see the future of the dead. And right now, he is. I do not know why or if Gaea is choosing to resurrect Uranus. On earth, I expect you to track her movements. Infiltrate the Gargoyle Kingdoms of Herrlof and Lada. Figure out all that you can and make a plan on how we combat what is to come,” Hades commanded.
Drakonis’s shoulders were heavier now than ever before.
“I want my freedom and immortality for Clara if I succeed. If I am a demigod as you say, then she shall be at my side for eternity.”
“That woman became immortal as soon as she entered my realm. Phaedrus made sure of that.”
Drakonis gnashed his teeth together. Phaedrus’s actions were less innocent than he believed.
“What has he done?”
“Do you know what happened to the ambrosia that Scaeva took from the gods?” Drakonis arched a brow at Hades’s question. His eyes squinted as light pierced the darkness and he was in a throne room. “The gargoyles drank it and absorbed it into their blood. The nectar of the gods now lies in the blood of gargoyles. It is a secret that only the Gargoyle King, Ragnar Nordskov knows.”
“If the world knew it would….” It would be a hunt. The gargoyles would become extinct. Hades nodded as if he understood what Drakonis thought.
“I could not let my new pets be without, so I blessed them with special powers. Phaedrus feared, just as King Nordskov did, that the knowledge of this power would start chaos in the earthly realm, so he locked them away. Your Kazimir thought that true dragons were the nobles, not knowing that if a peasant was smart enough to dig a little, he would be destroyed in a blink.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Drakonis asked.
“I want you to undo what Phaedrus has done in your group that you have collected. Harness the power I gave you, but do not share it. Clara is fortunate enough to have strong power within her blood but given to the wrong being and it could kill them.”
“You’re saying that Phaedrus gave Clara his blood?” Drakonis was seething. Giving another dragon’s mate blood was the same as declaring war. It was unheard of to mettle in a sacred bond.
“He did what he had to in order to save her life.” Hades leisurely sat on his throne. With a wave of his hand two goblets, made from skulls, appeared in front of him. “There has only been two times when I have allowed someone to leave the Underworld, for once you are here, I do not allow you to leave. Both of those times, humans have fallen prey to their weakness and lost their loved ones. Do not mess this up Drakonis. Get your Clara away from Phaedrus, return to Earth, and build your army and unlock their power so they can withstand the coming war. Fulfill my mission and I will give you your freedom and let Clara maintain her immortality.”
“And Phaedrus?” Drakonis asked.
“Why would you care for one such as him?”
Drakonis hated him. This man groomed him, betrayed him, stole his mate, and bonded with her. But he was also conflicted. Drakonis saw too many parallels between them. Was that intentional?
“Fine. Do what you will with Phaedrus.”
Hades smirked. “Then let us drink to your temporary freedom from your leash.” Being compared to a pet was his worst nightmare. But Drakonis had no choice. His steps seemed loud as he approached the goblet. “A moment.” With a scratch to his digit, black blood entered Drakonis’s goblet, making it glow red. “Now drink.”
With a gulp, Drakonis drank, and the deal was sealed.
“PHAEDRUS!”
Drakonis finally caught up to them. The bastard was rowing Clara through the River Styx towards who knew where. When she looked up and their eyes met, power surged through him. Her smile was wide, and tears glistened in her eyes. His mate was alive. And once he defeated Phaedrus, he could take her back to the world above. Phaedrus did not look startled, in fact he smirked. With a flick of his wings, he left the boat coming at Drakonis just as fast. Clara grabbed on to the sides to not fall.
Swords clashed and light sparked. With every swipe of his curved sword, Phaedrus blocked with his. In complete contrast their bright colors, his sword was one of darkness, with bones as the hilt that seemed to mock him.
“You’re a fool if you think you can defeat me.” Phaedrus stated calmly. “I taught you everything you know.”
With a heavily muscled arm, Phaedrus pushed Drakonis towards the river. He stopped his fall with an arch of his wings, but that did not stop transparent arms from reaching towards him and grabbing at his clothing.
“Drakonis!” Clara yelled.
“Unlike you, I have lived in this realm for plenty of time. I live as Hades, Thanatos, and Nemesis.”
The souls floating in the water screamed at him in agony. The more Drakonis swiped at them the more they grew. With a slap of the water, he managed to escape. Phaedrus was right. He would not be an easy target like Kazimir. He would be a greater foe than even Ragnar Nordskov.
“I do not care where you have resided. You have taken my mate, and I am here to take her back,” Drakonis declared.
Phaedrus’s eyes narrowed. “You will not take her.”
Clang!
Slash!
Drakonis swirled his swords, forming a tornado as he went at Phaedrus from any angle. He managed a kick to the abdomen that knocked him to the grotto in the distance. Hopefully the Drakaina, or creature that lived there, did not seek retribution.
Power grew in Phaedrus’s hand, a blue flame that Drakonis had felt only a couple of times. Like the wind, Phaedrus flew towards him, grabbing Drakonis by the throat and throwing him through the air. Drakonis could feel Phaedrus coming near. He swiped his sword up and the other to the side, using the butt of the hilt to make a hit in his jaw.
“You have learned well.”
Within the close combat, Drakonis and Phaedrus hit and blocked. Hellfire grew in their hands as they collided and pushed them apart.
“Stop! You two must stop!”
Clara’s words rang in his ears, but Drakonis couldn’t stop.
“You betrayed me,” Drakonis gritted.
“I cannot betray someone I never gave my loyalty to.”
Drakonis sliced off a lock of Phaedrus’s silver hair as moved his sword again. Phaedrus managed to lock an arm around Drakonis’s arm and threw him like a discus. Unlike before, Drakonis could not stop himself and dived deep into the soul filled river.
Like pariahs they swarmed him. He would not let this go. He would not be a prisoner, nor give up Clara.
A white light consumed his body as he shot from the water. Like a meteor as he shot towards Phaedrus. Drakonis could not tell where they were at, but they were on land once more. He landed on one knee with one arm in the air, holding the hilt of his sword. He spun as Phaedrus ran towards him. With a clawed hand, he shot multiple fireballs at him, and let a stream loose from his mouth.
Drakonis defected with only a tear across his chest. He kept low to the ground as Phaedrus continued to swipe.
Phaedrus’s eyes widened briefly as Drakonis buried his blade in his abdomen. Then a smile came over his face.
“You have progressed well,” Phaedrus complimented.
Phaedrus gripped the blade in his, black blood coating the blade like wine that slipped from a person’s lips. Drakonis withdrew it quickly, hoping to cause more damage to his hand.
“There is a reason you chose me,” Drakonis answered.
Even with one hand, Phaedrus moved like Aries himself.
“Hades should have had you in chains already.” Phaedrus moved forward and Drakonis back. Drakonis’s knees screamed from the tension, but he held firm.
“I was able to make a deal.” Their blades collided again. Each man pushing forward with all their strength. Their faces close, their breath fanning across each other’s face. “You may have molded me into a replacement, but I do not submit.”
“I will have my freedom. You will not stop me.” They jumped away from each other. “And I will have her.”
Phaedrus did not need to elaborate. They both moved to their toes. Drakonis held one sword horizontally at shoulder length and the other arched above his head. Phaedrus held his one, flicking it to its sharp edge and coating it with hellfire, but this time with a poisonous smoke.
“An emperor always fulfills his destiny young one.”
The two moved towards each other, but before they could collide an explosion of smoke stopped them.
“I said stop!” Drakonis heard Clara instead of seeing her. His blood pumped with the urge to continue to fight, but he had already survived so much. Fatigue was starting to eat at him, and there was no telling how much more strength Phaedrus had after pending leisurely time waiting for him to come.
Drakonis sheathed one sword and moved along the smoke, avoiding shadows. He sensed Clara before he saw her, grabbing her by the waist and jumping into the air. Instead of a boat, he flew as fast as his wings would carry him. Phaedrus roared in the distance, but Drakonis did not look back.
“What was that?” Drakonis yelled.
“Magick I got from Nero before I was taken.” Nero. That bastard needed a good punch in the face. Or multiple. “Drakonis, how are we…”
“I will get us out of here. Don’t worry.”
Hades promised him an escape. Neither Hermes, Thanatos, nor Charon would stop him.
“But Phaedrus…”
There was no fear in her voice. She had the same tone as when he had lost Gavril. She pitied the man; the one that had stolen her away.
Jealousy burned at him even though it was not the time.
A star gleamed in the distance. It was not of Hermes but something different.
I will always guide you. It was Gavril’s voice. There was no mistake. Did he not make it Elysium? The golden light looked like a shooting star, and Drakonis followed it, narrowing his wings to increase speed.
“Clara!” Phaedrus yelled in the distance. It fueled Drakonis.
Down below he saw a familiar path and soon what looked like a black hole.
“Hold on tight princess.” Her arms wrapped around his neck; her face buried in his shoulder. One arm tightened around her waist while the other, with his sword, flew over his face and covered Clara’s head. He trusted the light. He trusted his mentor.
Remember our deal. Hades’s voice whispered into the wind. For if you cross me, the Tartarus will seem like a mere playground.