Epilogue
EPILOGUE
-In Ouroboros-
K azimir crawled on his hands and knees across the once opulent floor. His bastard brother had escaped, taking a new army, their mother, and all those that were skilled in the art of war.
Digging his claws into the stone frame, he pulled himself up to look at his lands. The volcanoes of Lav were overflowing with heavy smoke and lava, the creatures that lied within it moving as dolphins did in the sea. The pristine gardens that had once surrounded the castle, were now dead. Beautifully crafted statues were chopped into pieces, the dracora blossom trees in the distance were nothing but branches, and the skies were poisoned gray.
“Your imminence…” Kazimir looked over his shoulder. Valen was nearly cut in two from shoulder to naval, looking almost as if he was a puddle of blood on the ground. Loukas Dagron was unconscious on the floor his body sprawled out.
“This was not what was supposed to happen… “ Kazimir breathed heavily. He was supposed to have obtained Ouroboros, made Drakonis submit, and expanded his influences. He had most of the nobles after spending hundreds of years gaining their alliance and establishing his dominance. Most of the degenerates were either dead or had escaped. But death hung in the air. He was emperor, but emperor of a husk of a country.
“So, you’re awake.” Footsteps entered the halls. Kazimir froze. “Funny you would allow yourself to live after the chaos you have made. An epic failure I must say.” The man’s voice was cheerful. It clashed greatly with the menacing yellow eyes that glowed from beneath his hood. His navy cloak was pristine, but his hands adorned with gold were coated in both dry and fresh blood.
“We have not lost yet,” Kazimir said. He tried to stand tall, fighting the scream of pain in his spine. “An emperor always finds a way.”
The hooded man laughed, walking like a drunken fool towards him. A light brown curl peaked out.
“You are emperor only in name you fool.” Kazimir opened his mouth to say something but was knocked off his feet. The man had punched him in the jaw. Kazimir’s purple scales flickered. He caught himself, kneeling before this cowardly bastard who he did not even know the name of. Black blood leaked from his mouth. “I warned you not to harm Clara Katsaros. Not only did you disobey my command, but you also murdered her.”
“It was necessary she die. I needed Drakonis to…”
The man punched Kazimir again. When he fell flat, the man picked him up by the throat. His fingers nails were as blunt as a human, but his strength was that of at least an orc. Kazimir clawed at the hand, but the man didn’t even flinch.
“I backed you as emperor because I needed an army. We made an agreement.” With a flex of his hand, Kazimir screamed. His power was draining, flowing into this person. A pulse reverberated in the room and the castle shook. The nobles that were weak on the ground screamed. “I have made sure your allies lived. It seems they will need to make up for the soldier you have lost.”
“Nobles…do not fight…”
Another squeeze. His air was thinning, his vision blurry.
“You do not have a choice anymore. You, and that Pythia, will pay for the decisions you have made,” the hooded man said.
With another pulse in the room, a bright light erupted in tentacles from the floor. The man threw Kazimir to it, and the others lifted. Tentacles became chains, wrapping around their waist and neck. The once noble dragons pulled at their restraints but were shocked.
“To ensure that you do not try to run,” the man said. “After all, an emperor is never to abandon his people, even one of puppets and slaves.” Kazimir’s eyes widened. His every nightmare was coming true. He almost died in the Ruins, his people killed by the monsters that haunted him as a child, and now they were bound like degenerates.”
“I command you to release me!” Kazimir said. The others looked at him with wide eyes.
“You will be free. In time.” The man strode across the room again, stopping before a bowing Kazimir. “Ironic, isn’t it? You have murdered your own father, and turned against your family to avoid a destiny like this? Was it worth it?”
Breath froze in his lungs, only released when he was kicked in the stomach.
“Rest up, your imminence. For tomorrow, you start making good on your part of our deal.”
Kazimir’s howl of pain was drowned out by the silent cries of death and the laughter of his greatest nightmare come to life.
-In Khepri-
“Ah! Clara darling!”
Clara smiled as Yelena approached her, hugging her neck.
“Your majesty,” she said. Her touch was warm and homely. Without the stares of noblewomen, she could relax an express as she wished.
“Do not call me by such a formal title. Just simply Yelena, or perhaps, mother?” Clara blushed. Yelena’s bell like laughter filled the air as she laid her hand on the side of Clara’s face. “You still react with such adorable expressions. You are my darling son’s mate. I can think of no other that would have been able to stand by him during this time.”
“Where is he?” Clara asked.
“He and the others are in the war-room. King Nordskov had some tasks he requested their assistance on.”
Drakonis said they would live in the tunnels of Khepri, but this was the farthest from what she imagined. There was no sun, moon, or sky, but a teal chandelier illuminated the area. Other gems sprinkled along the stone like stars. Yellow gems lit paths, homes were built within boulders, reminiscent to Zillah, and in the center of it all was a river with water that looked like the purest crystals. A makeshift castle was built into the stones that branched off a grand waterfall, oval in shape and carved intricately.
“The smiths have been making strides,” Clara said.
Yelena beamed. “The soldiers have been reinforcing walls, and smiths have been working with magicians sent by King Nordskov and King Rasmussen. The Drakaina, have made a barrier that would make us invisible to any that may come across us. With time, we will have a thriving metropolis like before.”
“And food?”
“I have been leading a project. We will have plenty of food storage and can assign a faction to be hunter gatherers. Until then we will need to be mindful of what we consume. Lord Basil Akitas has been very helpful with his knowledge of works. He has said that with a few strategically placed canals, we may be able to grow some of our sustenance.”
Yelena took Clara’s hand and tucked it in her elbow.
“How was your meditation, dear?”
“Eventful.” Clara’s eyes studied everything around her. Lord Nero had told her the Pythia had disappeared, leaving not a trace. It was too dangerous to return to Ouroboros so there was no telling if she was dead, trapped, or hiding with her crones.
They are doing well, Phaedrus whispered in her mind.
They are, Clara answered.
Drakonis had told her that she had done nothing but been a blessing to his people. With her connections to Herrlof, they were able to get everything they needed faster than expected. Phaedrus had soothed her, saying that she was not a catalyst in the demise of Ouroboros, but a guiding arrow to their future. The Fates had deemed her path in life, and this was what was meant to be.
But all she saw was her own people. Xenakians suffered so when they moved to Oceanus. They were ostracized and started forgetting their own culture as they assimilated to the merpeople.
“Something troubles you,” Yelena stated, walking along a path towards the castle.
“I worry about the future,” Clara answered.
“Were it not for you there would be no future for my people. I would have lost both my sons and husband.”
“But had I not shown up to find the Heir, maybe this would not have happened.”
“If the gods were going to send someone to disrupt our lives, I’m glad it was you.” Yelena was a blanket of comfort. She lifted Clara’s hand up towards her lips and kissed her knuckles. “I have been so worried for our future since Drakonis was born. When you said you were looking for the Heir, I knew it was only a matter of time before things changed with our people.” She stopped along a bridge, touching Clara’s chin, and turning it towards the moving bodies in the distance. “But look at what you have helped us create. I have never been so connected with my people. I can now see the smiling faces of young dragons, learn from the women weavers and artisans, and understand the suffering they had to endure.”
“But you have lost your mate, your husband, and your son,” Clara said.
“But I still have Drakonis,” Yelena answered. “Gavril started preparing me for the worst the moment you stepped on the soil. And my husband, while I hope he has reached Elysium, was a damn fool. He allied himself with the wrong son and did not realize it until it was too late. He has died from his own actions that have nothing to do with you.”
Yelena pulled her again. The soldiers stood at attention and bowed to the two women.
“You give Drakonis purpose and freedom. Something I never could allow him. Do not focus on the guilt you feel, dear. For it will do nothing but soil the present. I have learned that all too well.”
“Clara.” The two women looked up. Drakonis appeared at the top of a staircase. She could not help the smile that came to her face as he took her in his arms. “Your meditation went well.”
She nodded. “It seems I am more connected to the Fates than I thought,” Clara said.
“That is a good thing,” Yelena said. Drakonis kissed her forehead.
“Mother, I believe Adad wishes to visit the new temple.”
“Ah yes,” she said. “I will find him. Goodbye my dear. I will see you at dinner.”
“What temple?” Clara asked as a soldier escorted the empress away.
“It will be a hub. Adad wishes to continue his work as a Minister of Rite. It will be a place we hold ceremonies, rituals, court, and war council.”
Clara nodded. Drakonis buried his face in her neck, lifting her up, and holding her by the bottom. He kissed her pulse. She wrapped her arms around him. It was an instinctive comfort that they had both come to enjoy.
“I know I have been quite busy. I hope you have not been lonely.” Drakonis said, nipping her chin.
“You have to do what you must,” Clara answered. “Just as you need to do your part I must do mine. The Fates only speak to me when they wish, and it is quite exhausting.” They also spoke in riddles and seemed to enjoy frustrating her. “Phaedrus helps when he can.”
His name made Drakonis growl. “I do not like how he possesses you like he did me.”
“I wouldn’t say he possesses me. He cannot control my body as he did you.” Clara said.
“But he has access to your every thought and emotion.”
“I can cut him out. I do so when we have these moments together.” This time with Drakonis was more sacred than any vision. He was her heart and life. No matter how busy the two of them were they always made time to see each other; whether that be sleeping, eating, or bathing. “I will do what I can so that you and your people do not continue to suffer down here. I do not want to cause resentment like the Xenakians.”
“There is no suffering princess. If anything, it is refreshing that we can start anew. With the Drakaina, we are learning our ancestors’ ways, and we can get away from that caste system that made many suffer. It does not matter the color of one’s scales. And all are enthused to learn about the magick that resides within them.” Drakonis touched her forehead with his own. “You must let go of this guilt. I cannot see you suffer any longer.”
“With time.” She would not be able to fully rid herself of it until they had figured out the new evil. Drakonis told her about Hades. That the war she saw in the future could mean the possibility of a Primordial being resurrected. It made her shudder to think of the possibility. “As long as we are together, I will heal.”
“And we will both be happy,” Drakonis added. The kiss they shared was sweet, but it ignited a familiar fire that she knew was going to grow.
“We will thrive.” Drakonis added, kissing her deeper. “Now, I do not believe I have an appointment for quite some time.”
“Oh really?” His devilish smile made one show on her lips. “Whatever will you do?”
Drakonis purred, nipping at her lips. He turned, with her in his arms, and made their way to their bedroom. There was so much chaos in the future, but for now she would enjoy the present. For it was the present that mattered the most.