Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Priestess of the Moon: Return of the Lunar Dragon ❯ Attack ( Chapter 12 )

Kiya rested in the small hut she had been given a few days ago. Outside, she could hear the clanging of swords and the sound of bows firing as the people of the village prepared for the battle. Parties of people had left a while ago to spread word to other villages of Kiya and finding people willing to join the army that was beginning to form, what people started calling the Army of the Moon. She didn't name it; it just started being called that. She couldn't stop the people from calling the army that, although she had explained that they were fighting for themselves, not for her. She also couldn't stop them from bowing or curtsying to her either. But she knew she had to deal with it. At least they weren't throwing themselves to the ground anymore.

 

Outside, the horn sounded and Kiya stood. She walked out of the hut and down the steps wrapped around the great tree where her hut had been built. She got to the village's entrance and saw Alron there, watching the approaching group of travelers coming. A second look told Kiya that these weren't just travelers, but an army. And not just any army, but a Lupian army. She gripped her skirts tightly at the sight of the dog demons. She was so use to Keilila that the sight of full blood Lupians sent a small shiver down her spine.

 

They had the same look as Keilila, with the white ears and white hair and clawed fingernails, but the similarities between her friend and these demons stopped there. The Lupians had two, horizontal, jagged stripes coming from the hairline in the place where ears would be if they were human, either light violet or electric blue. Their ears were much larger than Keilila's were and their claws were longer. Their white hair was much longer as well and seemed, if possible, even whiter than Keilila's. They had longer fangs and were taller and narrower of face with high cheek bones and strong jaws on the men. They all walked tall, cloaks made of white wolf fur, and armor made of burnished steel, molded to fit each individual snugly that they wore over clothing a lot like what Keilila wore, except they were red and gray instead of white. Their swords were the same as Keilila and hung from their waist.

 

The one in the lead, Kiya guessed, was the one in charge. The cloak he wore was the full pelt of a wolf, minus the head and legs, with two tails. His face was hard and had an elderly look to him. The other Lupian at his side was much younger, his cloak a lot like the leader's except it only had one tail. The younger one didn't wear steel armor, but the leather tunic and white clothing of a Warrior-Mage. Kiya saw others dressed like him among the warriors. The army came into the village and stopped a few feet away from where Kiya and Alron stood. The leader and the young Lupian walked over to them and bowed.

 

“Greetings, Elder Alron,” the leader said in a deep voice, “We have come to serve.”

 

Alron bowed to the leader. Welcome, Sessroth,” he said, “We accept your offer to help.” Alron then waved a hand to Kiya. “I present to you the Priestess of the Moon, Kiya.”

 

Sessroth's eyes widened slightly in wonder, and then he gave a bow. “I had heard that you had returned, Priestess, but I didn't believe until now.”

 

“No one will until they see me,” Kiya said with a smile, “Thank you for coming, Sessroth. We will need your help to fight in the upcoming battle.” She heard footsteps behind her and she turned, seeing Reiku and the others coming to join her. Keilila's ears flattened against her head when she saw Sessroth though.

 

Sessroth's ears laid back as well at the sight of Keilila. “So,” he said coldly, “this is where you went, and to think that I thought that you were finally driven out.”

 

Keilila sniffed and stood tall. “I left searching for the Priestess,” she said just as coldly, “since I am part of the Prophecy.”

 

Sessroth let out a bark of laughter. “Your father was truly a fool,” he said, “creating a half breed such as you.” He turned and said, “Come, Lendell. We will set camp nearby in the village. We will speak later Elder Alron.” Then the Lupian leader returned back to the army.

 

Lendell looked at Keilila for a moment longer before following Sessroth. Keilila snarled softly before turning away. Kiya looked at her friend for a moment before looking at the others. “I didn't know that there was such a…tension…between Keilila and her people.”

 

“You have to think though,” Ryudo said softly, “Keilila is a half demon. Of course that some of the Lupians would dislike her for what she is.”

 

Kiya hissed softly and shook her head. “Well, I'm not going to allow that,” she said bitterly, “One, I refuse to see my friend treated that way. Two, I cannot have any distrust between anyone, or we'll never win this battle.”

 

Ryudo nodded and looked over to the Lupian army. “So that was Lendell,” he said softly.

 

“What?” Kiya asked

 

Ryudo blinked and shook his head. “Someone Keilila knows. It isn't my place to say.” The monk then sighed and said, “Well, best be back to preparing. There are a couple of young ones here who have the ability to be a channeling monk. I have some training to do if they are to use their power to fight. I will see you all at dinner this evening.”

 

Kiya nodded and let out a soft sigh. They all had a long way to go before the battle. The arrival of the Lupian army was wonderful and helped with her growing army a lot. But it wasn't enough, not even close.

 

~*~

 

Daorth walked through the dark corridors of his fortress. Slaves scuttled by, groveling to him as they past. He couldn't help but smile with glee. Riverside was his completely now. This was only the beginning of what his kingdom would be like after he won this battle. He continued down the corridor, deeper and deeper to the underground.

 

He got to one of the lower chambers before stopping. There, he took out a dagger and placing the tip to his outstretched palm, he made a cut deep enough to allow blood to drop to the ground. “I think you have suffered enough, Aubrey,” he said softly, “Now rise up and serve me.”

 

The ground began to shake and a large crack formed in the stone. Then the ground burst open and a furious roar erupted from the ground. A sleek, black dragon shot up from the ground, its mouth opened wide showing its deadly fangs that dripped with venom. It let out a roar as it clawed its way from the ground. Once out, it stood before Daorth, breathing heavily. The dragon had spikes running from the back of its head, down along its spine to the razor sharp, arrowhead-shaped tip of its tail. Its claws were long and deadly looking and it had two twisted horns on top of its head. It was Aubrey himself, in his dragon form, rising from the underworld. His soul was now black and twisted. If there had been a chance of his turning back to the light before, there wasn't now. Evil seeped through his veins, blacker than night.

 

Daorth smiled and raised a hand to stroke the demon dragon's snout. “Are you ready to serve me now, Aubrey?”

 

:Yes my Lord,: Aubrey snarled in a deep rumbling voice.

 

“Good,” Daorth said softly, “then go and bring the werewolf to me. But he must be brought back alive.”

 

:I will do as you say,: Aubrey said, :the werewolf will be brought back alive.: The dragon then spread its wings and flew out of the chamber. Daorth hurried after it and went outside. He watched as the dragon flew in the direction of Anthrowood. Daorth smiled wickedly. With the werewolf, the Priestess will come to him. Then he will make her an offer that she couldn't refuse.

 

~*~

 

Keilila stood on one of the bridges that were between two trees. Her arms were crossed over her breasts and she stared out in the distance. She could see the sun setting from here, over all of the smaller trees. She looked down and she saw people bustling around, children running about chasing each other, trying to get in as much play as possible before their mothers called them in for supper. Keilila could also see the Lupian camp from where she stood. She growled softly under her breath. Ever since her father was killed, Sessroth had taken over and tried everything that he could to push her away. He seemed to be the only one with a problem with the fact that she was a half demon. Everyone else didn't seem to care and if they did, they didn't say anything and they treated her with the same respect they gave everyone else. And Lendell was here also. She didn't know if she would be able to bear having him so nearby and unable to speak with him. That's why she had left without a word; she couldn't bear saying good bye to the one she loved the most.

 

“Keilila,” a voice said behind her.

 

Keilila turned and gasped softly. “Lendell,” she said.

 

The young Lupian Warrior-Mage walked over to Keilila and stood beside her. He rested his hands on the railing and looked ahead, not seeming to see anything. Keilila couldn't help but look at him, drink in the sight of him. He was the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. His long white hair fell bone straight down his back; his body was slim but muscled, without a bit of fat on him. He was tall, Keilila herself only up to his shoulders and his eyes were deep gold. His face was calm and sincere, not hard like his father's, the stripes on the sides of his face an electric blue.

 

The two of them had been in training together, once it was discovered that they had the Mage gift. They had been childhood friends before they went into training and remained friends, despite Sessroth's wishes. Friendship grew to love and when they became Warrior-Mages, they became lovers. Sessroth had been enraged when he found out and forbade Lendell from being with Keilila. But Lendell and Keilila kept their love secret and it grew. Then Keilila had left, once the Wise One told her of the prophecy. She didn't get the chance to say good-bye.

 

“I missed you,” Lendell said after a while, “When you left without a word, I grew worried. I thought I would never see you again.”

 

“I would have come back,” Keilila said softly, “it's just that I had to go. The Wise One said I had to.”

 

“I know,” Lendell said, “I went to the Wise One the morning after you left. She told me that you had left, but wouldn't tell me where. I couldn't go after you because my father would have sent the entire army after me to drag me back.”

 

Keilila snorted and looked down at the camp. “Your father is so blockheaded. And I don't care that he's the leader.”

 

Lendell chuckled and said, “Yes, he can be that way. But it doesn't matter now.” He turned to Keilila and took her hand in his. “I have found you and we're together again. Nothing will separate us now. I will stand by your side to the Final Battle itself. I will not lose you again, Keilila Hairachi.”

 

Keilila looked up at Lendell and saw that he spoke the truth, right from his heart. “But your father,” she said bitterly, “he'll make sure that we are separated. He won't allow…”

 

“To hell with my father,” Lendell said sharply, shocking Keilila, “He cannot choose who I love. And I love you Keilila.” Then Lendell kissed her.

 

Keilila felt warmth flood through her body. She wrapped her arms around Lendell's neck, pressing her body close to his. This is what she had longed for. At that moment, she didn't care about Sessroth or the fact that she was half demon, Lendell a full demon. All that mattered was this moment, in the arms of the one man she ever loved.

 

Lendell finally pulled away and looked at Keilila. “Keilila,” he said softly, “I…”

 

Screams filled the air and Keilila turned her head and looked down. Everyone was looking up at the sky, pointing. Keilila looked and felt every hair on her body stand on end. A huge black dragon was hovering over the village, eyes glowing red in the darkness.

 

“A Shadow Dragon,” Lendell snarled, drawing out his sword, his ears laid back. Keilila did the same and looked down again. Her blood froze at what she saw coming from the forest beyond the village. A thousand dark elves were marching towards the village, each holding sharp, wicked looking swords.

 

:Disgusting little creatures,: the dragon roared, :time for you all to die!: Then it swooped downward towards the terrified village folk. Keilila ran across the bridge and down the stairs wrapped around a tree, Lendell right behind her. She ran at the incoming army of dark elves and raised her blade.

 

A snarling from behind her drew her attention away from the dark elves. Looking behind her, Keilila saw a bear size wolf charging full force at the descending dragon. She watched as Reiku sprang in the air and sank his teeth into the dragon's neck seconds before it hit the ground.

 

The dragon roared as it hit the ground, stumbling slightly as it landed. It reared up on its hind legs and swiped at Reiku. With a strangled cry, the wolf flew through the air and hit the ground nearly thirty feet away. The werewolf tried to get up, turning back to his human form doing so, but failed. Keilila started towards Reiku to help him, but the dragon came between her and him. The dragon held Reiku down with a claw, pressing him into the dirt.

 

:I have what I came for,: it hissed and it wrapped its claw around Reiku tightly and went airborne again. :Kill them all,: the dragon told the dark elves as it flew away.

 

Keilila whipped around as the dark elves let out an evil cry and began their charge. Keilila braced herself, steeling herself for the attack. She heard a terrible scream and turned around to see Kiya on Keioke's back. The Lunar Dragon was screaming out her battle cry and then she took flight and began pursuing after the shadow dragon. Then the first of the attackers came and Keilila had to concentrate on not getting her head chopped off by the dark elves flailing swords.