Other Fan Fiction ❯ Loki's Assault ❯ Return, Part 1 ( Chapter 2 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

By: Vanzan

Part 1: Training

The next day, Nix was woken by a strange shifting in his bed. Opening his eyes he noticed a familiar presence lying next to him. The Bronze dragon was pressed up against his chest, her arms pressed against her body and his own. Her head lay right under his chin, softly brushing against him.

Sibyl?

Nix pulled the covers away from his body and stood up from his bed, Sibyl still sleeping next to his former position. The dragon walked towards one of the windows, and pulled away the curtains, to see a bright light pouring in from the right, the large window the trio had previously entered through.

A flashback of Santimzza came to mind: “I do not sleep. Do not worry about me.”

What had he meant? Nix thought to himself silently, and turned around, seeing Sibyl staring at him with sleepy eyes.

“How are you, Nix?”

“I am feeling rather refreshed. Never have I slept so soundly before.”

“I thought it was frightening to be sleeping in a strange house on such strange beds.”

“Is that why you slept with me? Are you afraid of the difference?”

Sibyl blushed and looked down at the bed, then back up at Nix.

“Yes, that is right…”

“It is fine. You should have just asked. We have known each other for what, twelve years?”

“It will be thirteen in three days.”

“Isn't that your birthday?” Nix smiled. He knew full well what day Sibyl's birthday was. The month of BlueMoon, on the fourth.

“Yes, it is. I still remember back in the meadow at home…”

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Santimzza walked in, looking well refreshed. An odd tattoo on his left shoulder seemed a different blue than his skin, now that he noticed it. Of course, there were the black marks of an ocean, but the water he thought was supposed to be the same as his skin… How odd…

“Do you find something interesting with my arm, little one? Or were you not taught proper manners when talking to someone? Eye-contact boy. It'll keep you alive in the future.”

“um… yes sir.”

-“Sergeant, hurry! Thurkear, let's go! No! watch out for the…-

Nix blinked. Had he heard that? It was like a vision, a quick blur of two humans and something winged moving quickly…

“NIX!”

He opened his eyes, staring up at Sibyl and Santimzza. He had apparently fallen to the floor.

“Stupid Nix. Come on, Santimzza says that we must go.”

“Go where?”

“Why not ask?”

Santimzza rubbed the back of his head. “I am so glad you all care enough to realize I'm still standing here.”

“Where are we going?”

“Back to the Table Room for a mission briefing, then Koran and Srrivarla are to put you two into training groups for two weeks. It'll hone your powers and strengthen your mind.”

“Two weeks? Isn't that a bit long?”

Santimzza lowered his eye-lids in a `you've got to be kidding' kind of look.

“Listen here, Nix. Think of it this way: Humans live to be five to ten decades long. An elf lives to be thirty to fifty. A dragon lives to be two-hundred to six-hundred, depending on what he does with it. Two weeks to us is almost nothing. You need to learn what it is to live forever, in the lives of many other races.”

“I did not know I would live that long.”

“With these reactions, you might not.”

“Why is this?”

“Cormocodrans are ruthless and very tricky. They exploit your weaknesses and slaughter you. Otherwise, the very rare ones with sane mindsets are very good talkers. Lots of info, you know?”

“I didn't.”

“Anyways, let's go.”

Nix and Sibyl put on the rest of their clothes, straightening the beds and stretching their muscles. After successfully waking up, the two dragons left the house and saw Santimzza staring at the sun from his balcony. Approaching him, he leapt off and flew towards the Table Room. Nix and Sibyl followed, talking very little.

***

As Santimzza, Nix, and Sibyl approached the Table Room, they noticed several other dragons flying towards the building: there was Kaip, Gar, Jelk, and Tinska all to their left, apparently having met earlier on.

Santimzza dropped suddenly, and the younger dragons followed silently. As they landed, the group walked up towards the large doors and entered, Santimzza effortlessly opening them. Inside the table was nearly filled, most of the dragons standing in their respective places. Santimzza took his place on the right, and Nix noticed the Thul from before. It almost looked like he had not moved since yesterday.

Gar, Jelk, Tinska, and Kaip all walked in behind Nix and Sibyl, repeating Santimzza's actions towards the table. Koran looked at everyone before him, acquiring their attention.

“Friends, I come to you this day to explain many courses. First of all, the two outsiders have been tested, and one shall grow to be an elemental Kaia like the rest of you. The other, however, shall need the Ji Test to further our knowledge.”

There were a few murmurs around the table and many of the Draken's looked at each other. Santimzza put his right hand on the table and looked directly at Koran.

“Excuse me, Sire. Are you sure Ji is needed? Neither of these two are old enough nor do they possess the ascended qualities of an experienced individual. Might I add that Nix isn't alone in his body. Surely the pressure of two people under Ji would crush his mind.”

Koran glared at Santimzza for a moment. “How did you know it was Nix that was decided?”

“Easy. Sibyl has been giving off the electrical currents from one who has not been able to expel the excess energy surging through her body. She is obviously a lightening champion. As for Nix, can not every one feel its presence? Nix may have met his symbiotic friend, but if not, then he knows of it now.”

He is right, you know. Except, it isn't a might, now is it?

“Why is it so problematic that I have a voice in my head?”

Because they are jealous. They do not want to train you and make you stronger, for then you would have a voice and be stronger than themselves.

“That hardly seems likely…”

Are you questioning me?

“Well, honestly, yes.”

Good. I would hope you would not crumble under a mere threat. Congrats on ignoring the voice inside of your head.

“What does-“

Shhh, I want to hear what they are saying.

“-powerful. We should test its capabilities and his own, so that he can develop what his specialty is.”

Santimzza slammed his fist on to the table. “Damn it Koran. Listen. Nix is a boy, no older than eighteen. Let him train with steel before his mind is shattered when he was not ready. You and I both know what happens when someone not capable of the pressure is put to the Test of Ji.”

I wonder how tough this Ji is. Sounds like fun.

“It sounds lethal. I'd rather not die.”

Really? You think you'll die to a mere test? I think they themselves are calling you weak. If you can't prove to them your worth, you may as well go home.

“I don't think Santimzza-“

What? You've known him for not even a whole night and already you know what he thinks. Damn, you are better at reading someone's mind than I.

“Well, I just-“

You jumped to a conclusion, little Nix. Don't continue your folly. Simply take into account that he does not think you are capable, and Koran wants to know if you are. Prove them all how strong you are.

“But I don't know my limits.”

That, little scale-bait, is because, oops. Almost gave that one away.

“What were you going to say?”

Don't worry about it. Now shut up and quit talking to yourself. Scratch that. Tell them you can do it, regardless of what happens. You'll make it, and that is all the resolve you will need.

“But-“

JUST- Just do it.

Nix was looking at Koran, and now that he was focusing again on everyone else, he looked over at Santimzza for a moment.

“I'll take the Test of Ji.”

All of the Draken Guardians, even the Thul, turned their heads towards Nix. Eyes wide for some, mouths agape for others. Only Sibyl had not shifted to the words escaping Nix' mouth.

Koran slowly walked around the table, almost in a pace-like stroll, towards Nix. His wings folded around him, his tail dragging eloquently on the tile floor. An air of strength, power, and courage flew around his person, and as Koran reached Nix, he stood a good foot over him.

“Are you sure?” His voice was low and almost threatening, telling Nix that this choice was serious.

“I am.” Nix found his voice almost caught in his throat, but he managed to spit the words out.

“Then follow me. Srrivarla, Gar, Santimzza, and Thurkear. Come with me.”

All of the Draken's took Nix out of the Table room, and Sibyl followed.

“Sibyl, you may not want to come. This test is dangerous, and his pain may affect you.”

“I do not care. I'm going.”

“Suit yourself.”

Passing the old cottage from before, Koran bent to the ground in the trees and pulled on a little rope, lifting a hidden door. Leaping into the hole, he was followed by everyone.

Sibyl noticed a large room far below the door, around 8 meters down. The roof was six meters, and eighteen meters wide in every direction. However, the hole was near a far wall, and as she noticed the middle, it seemed to descend several meters down into a sort of inverted dome.

“Nix, go to the middle.”

Koran had his hand on Nix' shoulder. Nix brushed it off and leaped forward towards the middle. Landing with a thud, he turned around.

“Brace yourself, young one. This could hurt.”

Nix tensed his muscles, flexing his hands into fists. Folding his wings against his back, he awaited what was to come.

After about six seconds, Nix felt all of his muscles tense further into pain, almost like a Charlie horse. An unseen force was shoving him to the ground.

“The Test of Ji is one that tests the force of the mind, Nix. You see, the harder it pushes, the more mental activity is needed to remove the force. If you are too weak, it will crush you until your very bones are powder. Show your might, and lift the force. The more power hidden, the more is needed. I pray you make it.”

Baring his teeth, Nix closed his eyes and felt himself fall to his knees. His tail was being crushed into the stone, his wings drooping off of his back. His hands on the stone, he tried to stand, but to no avail.

Let's do this. This is easy, scale-bait. You should be able to blow this off.

“I can't. It is too strong. I haven't the slightest idea as to what to do.”

Ascend

“What?”

ASCEND!

“I don't understand. How?”

Quit bickering, worthless little dragon. How would your real mother and father react if they saw their beloved son crushed under a mere force effect? How would they react!?

“Go away!”

NO! Get yourself out of this. You can't do it, because you don't even know who you are.

“I am Nix.”

You. Are. Wrong.

“What?”

You aren't Nix. Not even sibyl can see you are false. Your parents believed you were real. But you are a fake dragon if you can't beat this.

“I am real.”

You are not. Not if you die here, worthless lump of scales.

“I WILL SURVIVE. I AM A DRAGON!”

Show me spawn of hell, warrior of light. Or should I tell the truth, dragon-with-no-titles? Show your worth.

“Koran, pull him out. Please try!”

Nix began to gasp. It felt as if his face, the skin on his bones, was being pulled away, tearing off. A few scales ripped out of his chest and arms. The claws on his fingers started to crack, bending towards the ground. His tendrils were being pulled out of his head, and his teeth felt like they were going to fall out.

Santimzza had run towards Nix just then.

“No, friend. He can do it. Look…”

Angrily, Nix' body began to absorb the darkness around him, forcing light to fill the area. His eyes were shining white, and his body was giving off an eerie black glow.

“I will survive this, VEX!”

Standing up, Nix roared, knocking everyone in the room over and cracking the stone.

“aaaaaaaAAAAA!”

Lightening crackled around Nix, fire shooting off of his body freezing in the air. A strong wind began to slash at the stone, and the bits of stone began to melt and harden, liquefying and solidifying at the same time. His tendril-horns shortened till they barely lifted off of the top of his head, flattening into real horns. His wings shifted from the manta-like ones custom of a Brass, and spread outwards like a great Silver's. Spines sprouted from the back of his head down his neck and partway down his back. The skull plate on his forehead was melted in, replaced by horns curving backwards around his tendrils.

Roaring again Nix stood up and spread his hands, still clenched. His wings spread outwards, filling a great deal of the space in the room.

Haha, it took a while to coax you. However, how long will you hold your rage, Bloodscale?

“aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

Light shot from his body, blinding everyone as they recovered from the fall. The light shot through the roof, a massive column bringing day to the sky, turning the area into twilight as he absorbed the light and replaced it with darkness. Dissipating, Nix reformed away from the center of the room and was standing next to Sibyl, his eyes open, absent pf a pupil, glowing viciously and staring blankly. He blinked and fell to the ground, barely caught by his friend standing next to him.

“He can't…”

“Oh yes, Koran. He can.”

Santimzza smiled and stood back up, flapping his wings twice and pulling them in close. He reached down and helped Srrivarla back to her feet, and waited for Gar to come stand by him. Koran stood blankly at Nix.

“It is impossible. How could he…”

“The horns. Those tendrils are the key.”

“So he is It.”

“We all train him, it seems. Not one of us can have him for more than one element. I never thought I'd live long enough to see an omni dragon. It explains his darker scales, the tendrils-horns, the presence in his mind.”

Santimzza folded his arms, then walked under the hole and flew out, followed by Srrivarla and Koran.

Gar walked over to the helpless Nix and the confused Sibyl.

“Here, I'll get him for you. Go back to the Table Room.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yea. I'll explain later if no one does. Go to Santimzza's and wait out front for an hour after the sun leaves the sky.”

With that, the blue dragon lifted Nix over his shoulder and leaped out of the hole, his wings lifting high up and out of the room.

***

Turns out, Koran had sent Tinska, Kaip, Vixshra, and one other dragon, Erathial, on a little reconnaissance mission. They were to go to some town called Lind, a bustling port on a far off ocean. Nix had never heard of this town, but apparently it was a major city for the Empire, the major supplier of goods to keep the massive population going.

“Kaip, Tinska, Erathial, Regroup.”

Vixshra was flying ahead of the small group, and Kaip and Tinska were falling behind. He needed all of their strengths to keep this mission afloat. If only Kaip could concentrate and Tinska would quit second guessing everything.

“We are easier targets together, Vixshra. We should separate.”

“We should not. I can protect you all from projectiles if you are near me.”

“Why isn't he talking?”

“Kaip, leave Erathial alone. If he does not wish to speak, then he will not.”

“Why isn't he flying with wings? He just has this black cloak on…”

“Kaip, what did I just say?”

“But I was curious. Christ, bossy little dragon.”

“Damn straight. Now, fly closer so we can enter those woods.”

“What woods?”

“Over there, to the left.”

So Nix, believe me when I said they were not very coordinated?

“Yea, I guess you are right. Hey, how did you show me them anyways?”

Just know that I can and it is useful. I can do a lot, mind you. Just for your information and probably good health, you might want to duck.

“Wh- OW”

Nix was struck in the chest with a metallic nunchaku, flipping on to his back.

“Nix, I told you. PAY ATTENTION!” Santimzza walked over and grabbed Nix' right hand, pulling him to his feet. “You cannot hope to defeat a squirrel with the way you are fighting.”

“I'm sorry. I was distracted…”

“You are ALWAYS distracted. How about we remove that extra being sharing your body. Maybe without that, you'll concentrate.”

I'd like to see you try, little dragon.

“What was that?”

“Um, nothing, sir.”

Nix looked to his feet, ashamed of the voice's outburst.

Listen, scale-bait. I'm here to help you. These insolent half-pints can't aid you. Only I can. Project me.

”What?”

I said… oh right, you are an amateur. Let's see, you are an E-drake, class B, El is Omnion, and Type is A. Got it.

“What are you talking about? Have you gone mad?”

Listen to yourself, child. Anyways, fall to your left knee and bring your right arm to punch the ground in one fluid motion. Also, while you do that, think of your mother.

“Why?”

I didn't stutter, did I?

“No”

THEN DO IT! Er, please?

Nix resumed his focus back into reality, and found Santimzza about to hit him again. Falling to the ground, Nix dove backwards and stood back up.

“Woah, you dodged something. I might have to take a note of this.”

“Hold five seconds, Santimzza.”

“Need to catch your breath?”

“Funny.” Nix then did as he was told and fell to the ground, punching it as his knee connected. Immediately, a blue spark shot from his chest and floated for a moment in front of Nix. It then dashed over to Santimzza, where it changed to green.

Ahh, Projection. So basic, and yet, they do not teach it to anyone any more. What a sad world.

“Nix, what did you just do?”

“Um, I think I just released that thing in my body that everyone has been talking about.”

Hardly. If I were `released' you'd all be dead. Anyways, I asked little scale-bait to project an avatar for me.

“Why?” Santimzza scratched his head for a moment.

“Yea, why? Are you too weak to make one for yourself?”

Again, hardly. I'm too lazy. You doing it for me is much more entertaining, simply because it shows I can teach you things no one remembers anymore.

“So why are you inside of Nix?”

That is for me to know you never to find out. Only Nix will understand in about twelve years. Sorry, no cheats, no shortcuts. You'll have to wait.

“What? Rip-off.”

I'm getting tired of this word. Hardly. You see, I'm going to teach you. I've made up my mind, and you again have that choice I gave you earlier. Yes, or no?”

“I already answered it.”

Yes, but this time, more is at stake than your life. I'm going to teach you advanced lessons, and failure results in the loss of your mind. Temporarily. Most of the time. If you fail the last time, you'll go into a feral state, and if you are far into my teachings, you'll be strong enough to wipe out the Empire on your own.

“That is good, right?”

And every other creature you seem to face. You'll become a quasi-deity, and soon, a demi-god. After that, I'll be forced to kill you myself.

Santimzza had folded his arms and was frowning.

“So you are like, what, a god? Lying around inside of a boy's body? Promising him glory at insane prices? You sound more like a Djinn or an Afrit.”

The green spark suddenly changed to the head of a half-dragon, blue at first, then flickered to something silver. Long hair falling down his back, two silver tendrils falling alongside the hair to his waist. He looked more human at first, but his skin was purest silver. Then he was gone.

I am greater than you, at least, and better than a little ol' Balor. I wrestled Demogorgon, matched wits to a Hive Tyrant, and mocked Asmodeus. Though he did give me that little scorch on the buttocks. Oh well. We never did see eye to eye….

“What are you talking about?” Nix had one eyebrow raised and was staring at the blue spark, as he was now, confused like no other.

Ah, just reminding myself of my fun around, oh, six decades ago. Fun years, they were. Anyways, I'm going to teach you how to channel your feelings into power.

“He should be training himself with me. At least I can show him what I'm teaching him.”

But that is why he should go with me. I gave him untold possibilities. He does not know what he is learning, all the better for his curious mind. Plus, I've been with him all his life. Why wouldn't he trust me?

“Because you existed before his creation, assuming I believe what you claimed earlier. You have outside influence away from him, and could possibly be dangerous.”

Oh, I am not saying I am dangerous. In fact, I could kill both of you rather easily. But, that wouldn't make any sense, as I want to train him to be my apprentice, and to tell him who he really is.

“Fine, I'll go let Koran know that I gave up my supervision for the mind living inside of Nix' head. Good luck, child. I hope your choice does not ruin us all, if at least yourself.”

***

“Koran, sir.”

“yes, Santimzza, what is it?”

Koran was standing on the roof of the Table room, his brilliant, golden wings shining in the sun. His skin seemed to dance with joy, and his eyes displayed a sense of vigor.

“I gave up my position over Nix to his mind.”

“What do you mean?”

“The presence inside of Nix. He spoke before me and commanded I give him up. Nix wanted to accompany this being, so I saw no reason to fight against his wishes.”

“Why do you tell me this?”
“Because I thought I should at least update you on this matter, to at least let you know that this creature is old. Ancient, even, and reeks of the Abyss.”

“Then he must be dealt with.”

“I do not think so, sire. This creature is powerful and dangerous, but there was no such thing as hostility in his form. In fact, he almost seemed of good alignment for us. He spoke of power, yes, like all demons, but his voice seemed to ensure that he had good intentions.”

“Well, Santimzza, we shall wait, until this `demon' shows his true thoughts and intentions. I hope he is for good and not for evil.”

***

Close your eyes.

Nix was standing on his left hand, his wings slowly wafting back and forth to keep his balance, and his feet were straight up in the air. His right hand was displayed far off, straight outwards from his body. Now he was closing his eyes.

“What has this to do with training?”

Everything. Not only mental balance, but physical balance is needed, and without this you'd just fall in two. Or three, depending.

“What does that mean?”

Don't worry about it, scale-bait. Just stand on your hand for one hour. I'll be right back. Now that I'm in an avatar's form, I may as well go get something for you.

The blue spark had shifted to a fain purple, and pieces of purple light started to fall off his form. Suddenly, he popped, and more purpled `dust' shot outwards, covering Nix and the surrounding area. The dragon was standing in a savannah-like area, about a mile off away from the Draken base.

“And here I am, not to worry about a blue spark running around while I am told to stand on my hands.”

You know, you do not have to listen to him.

“Wait, there are two of you!?

No. I am His, but I can also talk to you telepathically because He has been with you.

“Repeat that?”

Just know that I can talk to you. Watch

“For?”

Nix needed no explanation, for in front of him, far off on the savannah, stood a massive red dragon, a True, staring at him. The colossal creature was almost a statue, hardly moving, barely seeming to breath. The dragon was possibly twelve stories tall, maybe more, but it was so far off, that Nix at first thought it to be only a young adult.

“Is that you?”

Hardly. That is what you are to become in eight minutes.

“You two like that wor- wait. WHAT?”

Exactly. Father will show you how, if only he would hurry up. I suggest you do not continue staring at her. She dislikes people staring.

“She? What? I'm confused. Who is Father?”

The creature that has been living inside of you for some time now. He will teach you the ways of the Shifter, the Omni Shaper of Hell, and the Scavenger of the Heavens.

“All three? Oh joy. I don't even know what they mean, what they are, or whatever. Would you two stop talking in riddles?”

These aren't riddles. They are simply words with which mean nothing to you, but to someone of knowledge, may strike him down with fear.

“Then show me.”

Father will.

“If he hurries up”

And with perfect timing, the little spark reappeared, a glass sphere about two feet in diameter. Inside was floating a six-limbed creature, directly in the center. The creature had the eyes of a fly, the antennae, and the limbs of a mantis. Its body was strangely humanoid, but its mandibles gave it a frightening look. The middle arms were held at the hands, pointing downwards, the legs next to each other and pointing downwards. The upper arms were together at the hands, held above the head.

“Hey, I know what that is! It is a Faji! But why is it so small?”

Because that is the essence of one who died by my side. He asked me, and I saved him, if not temporarily halting death.

“Why would you do that? Actually, how?”

I took his soul like he asked me and decided to put it into this sphere. I have several of these, you know. I find wonders, and I combine many things together, and sometimes you just want to save them. You may think it sick, but they ask first, so it is more of a favor than a `hobby' as you might title this. Of course, I found a way to actually revive these beings, bringing them from death. I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to die. I guess some people do not want to see their god yet. Anyways, I'm getting off of track. What was I saying…. Oh, right. I found a way to revive my fallen comrades, and it all involves you.

“How am I supposed to revive somebody? I can't even save them to begin with.”

You saved Sibyl. But that is irrelevant. Your tendrils are actually channels to the elemental forces that surround your form. You didn't know this because you are ignorant, but I forgive you. Drop to your knees again, and quit looking at the dragon. I really do not want to relocate her at the moment. Women, sheesh.

“Ok. Why am I falling to my knees again? To release this other voice in my head?”

Violet! Get out of Nix. I did not realize you were there, but if he had done what I asked, your consciousness would have been reduced to that of a child for about eight decades. I don't want that. You are the only one that isn't completely challenged.

Oh, thanks, Father. I appreciate the `kindness' you always present for me.

Nix suddenly felt lighter, his head having been released from something he never knew was there. Then he dropped to his knees and put his hands forward on the ground, digging his claws into the soft soil.

Then, the glass ball containing the Faji was dropped by the blue spark. Nix didn't understand how the spark could hold the ball to begin with, but whatever. He did not understand a lot of things.

“Especially how a red dragon of such a size could be in a savannah and not be noticed by any of the Drakens.”

As the glass ball hit the ground, it shattered, and immediately the Faji reacted, all of its limbs releasing their hold itself, and spreading outwards. Its body began to grow, spreading out and up, reaching six feet tall and around three feet at shoulder length. Its `fingers' clenched into fists. The Faji had no weapons on its person, and had only silk around its waist and down to what could be called knees. They were like the wind, waving around and flapping in rhythm. It then moved, looking down at Nix with a strange, clairvoyant sight, seeking and understanding all.

“To what do I owe the honor of meeting my savior?”

“Huh?”

Nix stood up, a foot taller than the massive insect. That was when he realized that the Faji seemed to be translucent, his body seeming to be faded. A faint glow was around his form, and random colored sparkles surrounded his body.

The Faji suddenly took his upper right arm and crossed it over his heart to his left shoulder, knelt to his left knee, and bent his head down.

“You are inexperienced, but nonetheless I am grateful. You do not realize what has happened, judging by your reaction, but rest assured all will make sense.”

Approach Master Kitch-Vax. I am sure the flame wants to truly meet you.

Shrugging, Nix took a step towards the Faji named Kitch-Vax, and immediately thought he regretted it. A massive headache, and then it was gone, and Nix was staring at his body, staring back at him.

“What is going on? Why is my body in front of me!?”

Actually, that is a projection of your body, little dragon. I, a near-death, have no body, and my soul is simply reflecting your form. That headache you must have felt was the bonding of my soul to yours, so that my essence was part of your own. You see, at this very moment, you and I are one.

“How?”

It really doesn't matter. All that you need to know is that I am going to train you to fight.

“I already know how to fight.”

You know how to brawl. All that needs is strength, and all anyone needs is a little finesse to defeat you. Apart from poking fun at your weakness, I am going to force you to overcome it and become a fine-tuned warrior in a few days. The reason my friend has given me to you is so that I may be technically alive again, and so that his apprentice can learn the ways of a Faji.

“But you have four arms. How am I supposed to compete with that?”

You'll see in due time. For now, I will strengthen your body so that it may absorb more damage and keep you from flinching.

“Another problem. Did you not just say that you were a spirit? How can a spirit hurt me?”

Hehe, how can I hurt you? How cute.

The Faji immediately performed a back flip, landing several meters back. He landed softly, and then spread his four arms, pulling them behind his back and spreading his fingers. His mandibles spread outwards, and his chest seemed to inflate.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

As he roared, Nix felt his wings pulled back, flapping in the wind he was standing in. The Faji continued to roar, and Nix felt a pang of fear for the first time. This creature was dangerous, and he had been through many battles.

His four arms lowered to a resting position, and the Faji closed his mandibles. He lifted his upper right arm and pointed towards Nix. “Prepare yourself, wyrmling. You are about to feel what you call, `a world of hurt.'” Smiling, the Faji looked downward. Nix decided that this experienced fighter would not let his guard down, so he jumped forward, bringing his left hand backwards. As he closed in on the Faji, he thrust his hand forward, falling to the ground as he lost his balance.

The Faji had shifted slightly, just to the right of Nix' attack.

“You are not even a wyrmling. Egg suits you more.”

Nix pushed off with his hands and kicked at the Faji. The creature responded by grabbing his feet with his upper arms and slamming on his back knees with his lower arms. Roaring in pain, Nix began to twist violently, his tail flying wildly until it hit the Faji in the head.

“Pathetic.”

Kitch-Vax relinquished his hold on Nix and turned around. Angrily, Nix stood up and regained his composure; glad the strong bug did not hit him on his knee caps.

“What the hell was that? You expect me to fight a veteran right off?”

“Yes. You should always expect others to expect the impossible out of you.”

“Why? Did what's his face not tell you I'm a brawler? I can already tell you are luckier. Plus, you have the advantage of limbs over me.”

“I beat a Hechatonchires on my own, little egg. Do you think that was fair? To put more of the fun in that battle, he summoned his little friend, and it was two on one. Call me lucky, egg, and I'll rip out your scales and make myself a necklace.”

The Faji seemed to glare, his two multi-sectioned eyes unblinking and frightening.

“Fine, your limbs do not matter to you, but maybe I am so different.”

“Excuses. You are inexperienced and need to be tempered like steel. In time, you will be a weapon if worked right and if you seem to work with me. Work against me, and you'll end up rubbish, meant for the trash and trash alone.”

“How do I know you can even mend the steel?”

A growl escaped the Faji.

“You Dare question my ability?”

I would do as he says.

“Ahh, I forgot you were here!”

I could kill you.

“You wouldn't. I am your apprentice.”

I could find another one.

The Faji laughed.

“Like hell you could. You are the laziest Daemon I know.”

Shhhh, you aren't supposed to talk about that to anyone.

“Wait, you are a Demon?”

Hell. No, I am a Daemon, with an `A' surprisingly to you mortals, there is a difference. I'll explain later after suck-session is out.

“What does that mean?”

The Faji refocused on Nix.

“He means when you ascend from Egg to wyrmling. IF you can.”

“Bring it, little bug.”

The mandibles on the Faji scratched together twice, almost in anticipation. He vanished and Nix saw the ground, feeling pressure on the back of his neck pushing him forward.

“The egg got pushed over by a bug? How sad. And I thought you dragons were a proud race, and here you are eating the dirt.”

Kitch-Vax, you have to let him attack. How else will he learn? You are too quick for children these days. Life is too easy for them now.

“Is it now?”

Kitch-Vax' mandibles rose slightly to look like a grin.

“That is about to change. I am what the humans could call a Drill Sergeant right now. You will not even twitch your useless tail without my permission for one week. GOT IT?”

“mmfmfm”

“Ah, dirt. I assume it is hard to talk with in your mouth.”

Do not kill him. He needs to be strong for what is to come.

“I understand.”

“Lowly mortal. Lift your filthy claw off of my neck.”

Kitch-Vax looked down at the dragon.

That wasn't Nix' voice…

Immediately the Faji pulled his hand off of Nix' neck and took two steps back.

“Stand, dragon. I am going to give you one objective for the day.”

Standing up, Nix felt a strange, vile need to kill, and then it subsided, like the snap of a finger. Shaking his head, Nix stared at the creature, awaiting his command.

“Hit me under any circumstance. If you can hit me, you do not need any training. Well, I guess that is not true. If a fly can knock you over, you still need some training.”

“I just have to hit you?”

“Precisely.”

“Tell me when to start.”

“Now.”

The Faji stood straight up, four arms hanging at his side, his legs bent slightly to allow his straight posture. Nix began to run towards the Faji, then jumped again, closing the distance quickly. Instead of assaulting him head on, the dragon dove to the right and released a blast of acidic breath, covering the Faji's body.

“I hit you.”

“Hit who?”

Turning around, Nix saw Kitch-Vax standing directly behind him, his arms folded and standing on one foot, his left one crossed over the knee of his right.

“How did you…”

“Remember when I vanished and you were suddenly eating dirt?”

“yes…”

“I simply accelerated my molecules, split apart, and reformed behind you. You are not fast enough to hit me before I dissipate.”

“And how do you know?”

“Because that was a last ditch effort to catch me off guard. Your lack of balance and your pathetic roll only work on brawlers, which I suppose you are used to. I will give you credit, egg. I did not think you were capable of such thought.”

Nix was beginning to feel tired. The incessant insults, the constant wave of riddles, and the assaults of the Faji were beginning to wear him out.

“Plus, your stamina sucks.”

He lowered his head, and turned around.

“Come, little egg. We will make you a wyrmling quicker. Instead of teaching you mistakes, I will really show you how to fight. Maybe that will cheer you up.”

Kitch-Vax began to walk away from Nix, and then he vanished, the air rippling in an ovoid shape before him. Blinking in disbelief Nix ran towards the area where the Faji had stood, and as he stepped forward, he too was sucked into the little portal.

“Ah, Nix, you ran through a teleport without hesitation? I like that about you. You don't seem to hesitate. You will make a good fighter some day.”

Nix did not respond immediately. What lay before him was astonishing. He was standing in what seemed to be a large, roughly cut hold, with sheer walls expanding up around thirty or so meters. On the single, round wall were millions of plants, each ranging in variety of texture and color. Directly in front of him was a waterfall, falling into a pool taking up most of the space. Nix believed the hole was around forty to fifty meters in diameter, the pool about thirty. What made up the twenty meters left that was not the pool was a semi-rocky path running the length of the round wall, reaching over to the pool. Where the waterfall fell, the path led down into the water, straight under at a forty-five degree angle. On his side, where Nix was standing, the path had curved up, leading to about a three meter fall from the path into the water. The semi-rocky path was covered in a strange moss-like substance, some of it violet, blue, and even many patches were red and yellow.

“This place is so…”

“Serene.”

“Yea… it is amazing.”

“I built it.”

Nix stared, his eyes wide in shock.

“How can a killing machine like Kitch-Vax make such a beautiful place like this?”

“I technically created it more than I built it. This is my domain.”

“Wait…. So you are, like, a demigod?”

“No. I am a warrior, and after attaining enough strength, I decided I would create my own plane of existence that I can visit at will. However, my body was destroyed, and I asked the Daemon to preserve my body. Even now I am merely an image were it not for your incredible life force to aid in my existence as we speak. Essentially, we are undergoing symbiosis, because I am the only creature who can visit this place normally. Monks have their Zen temples, and I have my Home. If we are one, I assume you would like to know how to visit Home so you can reach me if we are separated.”

A mouthful for Nix, and he seemed shocked in disbelief.

“He fell in battle. Yet he could create his own plane. How strong is this creature, and how strong was his killer?”

Hehe, his killer was strong. I am envious of this being that destroyed your friend.

“Just who are you?”

This isn't the orb, little dragon. I am more apart of you than the spark and Kitch-Vax are. Besides, idiot, why do you ask who I am? You bellowed my name when you lost several scales and your dignity in a little square room underneath a table.

“Wait, the Table Room? The square room underg- wait, you mean the training?”

Obviously. Scale-bait, remember the word you yelled when you were dying, before your rage saved your ass and pulled you away from that skeleton's fingers?

“Die? Dragon? What word did I say?”

You are an idiot. Do not speak to me until you realize my name. I guess I'll have to wait to train you personally.

“Why?...Hello? Hey, Voice? Where did you go?”

“Nix.”

The voice lulled him back to reality, and the dragon was standing at the edge of the rising end of the rocky path opposite the massive waterfall. The Faji was standing, or rather, sitting, on the water, his legs crossed, his lower arms propped back, his upper arms on his knees.

“And now, we begin your training.”

There was a burst of light, and Nix prepared himself for the worst.

***

“Sibyl, are you listening?”

Sitting at the Table in the massive cathedral, the bronze dragon returned from her daydreaming and was staring at Srrivarla. The strong silver dragon was standing in the middle of the massive round Table, more so a doughnut than a complete circle. Sibyl had been given over to Srrivarla from Santimzza, now that Nix had forsaken the Drakens. Thurkear had sworn he looked for the boy, but he was nowhere to be found, and the dragons did not want to spend extra energy looking for him.

“Are you still dreaming of that troublesome brass? In one quick motion we lose him to some unknown creature. He might as well be dead. Some prophesy I had of his greatness. Oh well, let us look more positive. Could you rename the elements for me?”

Sighing, the bronze dragon lifted her head from her arms.

“Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, and Light. These are the basic elemental creations of this world, accompanied by the natural elements of the ground.”

“Good, you have memory, and a keen mind to compliment it. What are the three Creation spirits and what are their bases?”

“Magma composed of Fire and Earth. Typhoon of Water and Wind. Last, Sonic of Lightning and Light.”

“What are the two remaining forces?”

“Oh, funny. Force and Shadow.”

“What is so special about them?”

Sibyl was growing tired of the lesson. She had been told this twice before, and recited it just as much. She was beginning to hope that this would serve a purpose, but that hope was quickly fading.

“Those two cannot normally mix with the base elements, due to their erratic nature.”

“Good. What happens when four or more bases are put together?”

“Life is created. However, usually neither the mind nor the body can handle the pressure of having access to more than one element, and thus each creature is based off of one element, having greater control with less pressure.”

“Very good.”

“However, there are creatures, commonly called abominations by others of its kind, that have access to more than one element. These `abominations' generally have an odd physical trait that is easy to pick out, something that sticks them out as `different.' These abominations are powerful, and occasionally go mad due to lack of social contact and constant oppression, or even their bodies cannot hold all of the elements composing their form. Abominations recorded generally stick to three elements at most, or just as often two.”

“Now where did you learn that?”

Sibyl smiled shyly at first.

“From Santimzza's library. It is massive, and I was looking up anything regarding Nix' extra horns. I assumed he was an `abomination', but he didn't act similarly to the ones I read about. Plus, Nix doesn't even use one element, much less two or three.”

“That is because he is unrefined, and after his acceptance to the demon, I'm afraid he may have more control than we think.”

Sibyl turned around as Thurkear entered the room, his arms folded and his tail swishing along behind him.

“Ah, I did not notice your entry, Thurkear.”

“That is alright. It is rare I am noticed.”

With a smile, the black dragon took a seat near to Sibyl's, two chairs to her right.

“What is the Clairvoyant Silver teaching this little bronze?”

“I am teaching her the ways of the elements. If she is to train under one, she should understand the balance.”

“Ah, something we must all learn.”

Something about Thurkear put Sibyl off, something about how he was sitting, how he talked, or something about his eyes.

“You shouldn't stare young one. Many dragons do not enjoy being stared at, and just as many are too irrational to hesitate with a weapon.”

Glancing away quickly, Sibyl stared at the table her arms were resting on. Srrivarla looked hard at Thurkear.

“You know, you should not be harsh to a child before she can get to understand this world. Teach them and let them make mistakes. That is how it works. I thought you would know that.”

“Sorry, I never got a `second chance'.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing. Go on with your lesson. I've got some business to get to.”

“Well, I'm actually done. I'm a bit impressed with Sibyl's knowledge.” Looking over at Sibyl, Srrivarla continued. “You can run off to Gar now. He has some sparring he wants to do. You'll find him in the field to the right.”

“Isn't that where Nix vanished?”

“Unfortunately, yes. But do not worry about him. I'm sure he is fine.”

“But you said-“

“Do not worry about what I had said. Just go and practice. It is good to learn in both the mind and body.”

***

Sitting under a little white tree, Gar had two swords, wooden, crossed over in his lap. His eyes were closed, his wings folded over his form, and his ears laid back upon his head. His impressive form was too peaceful to be threatening, and Sibyl approached him under the noon sky. A cool breeze, faring from the sea, blew past the woman, the tips of her wings waving in the soft wind. Today Sibyl was wearing a brassy shirt in memory of Nix' absence. It had been woven from a fine silk, and her friend had gone to great lengths to get it for her. Srrivarla had given Sibyl a few pairs of fine leggings, silver in color, in order to help her train. They were built to allow the wearer to have as much freedom as possible, and to provide as much warmth as one could receive from silk.

“Take a sword.”

As she approached, Gar felt her presence and reacted appropriately. He was to train her in the ways of combat under the sword, to protect her life under all threatening circumstances.

Doing as she was told, Sibyl approached the large blue creature and took one of the wooden swords, holding it awkwardly in her hands. Without opening his eyes, Gar continued to instruct her.

“Put your leading hand further up the shaft of the blade. You will hit harder if a stronger arm can swing it.”

Again, Sibyl did as she was instructed. She usually fought with her claws and teeth, but she assumed a weapon may allow more room to fight.

“Now that you know how to hold it, come at me.”

***

For two years, Sibyl was taught how to fight with many weapons, including a long sword, a short sword, a bow, a pistol, and a shield. She was learned in the ways of lightning, the element she had access to as a creature of this realm.

Over those two years, Sibyl had shared the house of Santimzza, both of them partially brooding. Santimzza for his unknown reasons, and Sibyl, still missing her friend. Nix had vanished those two years ago, and his whereabouts had never been discovered. The scouting party that Koran had sent out returned with nothing, having been misinformed on the location of a village. Everything had become peaceful, and it was such an enduring time for Sibyl, the same thing every day, training with Gar, practicing with Srrivarla, and listening to Thurkear's odd suggestions to Koran, sending more and more parties out to false locations.

Two years, with Sibyl now twenty years of age and more than just an acolyte in the elements and in combat. However, something was coming for her, and she knew nothing of its whereabouts until today.

“Sibyl, come. Today we hold a meeting at the Table.”

“Again Santimzza? Koran is holding more of these every week.”

“Maybe he has news of your love?”

“My love?”

“Nix. I know how you brood over his absence. I too miss him, even though I saw him for a mere night. His alien nature was reassuring, and without him the solitude returns.”

“Yes, you two did have that in common.”

Sibyl had discovered that Santimzza, too, was an abomination, sporting two extra arms that he kept hidden under his clothes to prevent his discovery. Sibyl had also discovered that Santimzza was not truly as alive as she was, but how she had yet to understand. Santimzza truly was something.

“Come, we cannot be late. Koran said it was important.”

“Alright.”

The blue and the bronze each walked to the balcony of the massive house, then leapt from it, spreading their wings and flying towards the cathedral, the home to the Table, home of the meetings to the Drakens.

Upon reaching the doors, the two entered the room together, side by side, Santimzza still a good foot taller than the 6' 2” form of Sibyl. Inside of the cathedral were the members of the Draken base, a good bunch of all the dragons. The only two that were absent were Erathial, the one dragon Sibyl did not even known his color, and Kaip, the female red dragon. The whereabouts of either were a mystery to Sibyl, but she could hardly care less. Koran, as usual, was flanked by Srrivarla to his right and the twin green dragons to his right, Jelk and Tinska. The large golden dragon stood impassively at the other side of the Table, awaiting everyone's silence.

“Everyone, quiet down. Let us hear what is to be said today.”

“Thank you, Gar. Now, as it seems, lately the scouting parties I have sent out to keep an eye on the Empire have been welcomed painfully by many ambushes, with not a village in sight. We have luckily encountered no casualties, but I doubt our luck will hold out. Kaip and Erathial are currently on their way back from one such mission, but I could not wait for their return.”

“So you are here to update us on what we already know?”

Thurkear did not seem happy to have been interrupted from whatever he does. Sibyl noted that he had been actively missing from more than one meeting lately, hardly passable excuses to his absence.

“Thurkear, I called you here to tell you that someone is not as he appears.”

“You mean a spy?”

“Correct, Tinska. Someone is leaking information that is costing us, and if someone here is a spy, I cannot discover whom is may be. Perhaps someone trustworthy, perhaps someone who isn't.”

“I say Santimzza.”

Sibyl looked over in amazement at Vixshra, another bronze dragon.

“Who else? He sits up in his house alone and away from the rest of us. He has all the time in the world for an emissary from the empire to show up and for him to relate information to. Plus, has he not always been sort of an outcast? Look at him now!”

Santimzza was shifting uncomfortably where he stood, not sure as to how he can react. Sibyl understood immediately. Santimzza was suspicious, but for another reason. The blue dragon was an outcast from birth, not from a choice he made.

“Yes, I agree. It would be so easy for Santimzza to be away from everyone. Hell, even that bronze dragon acolyte could be in on this.”

“I have nothing to do with any spying, nor has Santimzza! Look at him! He is quiet and leaves you all alone. Don't bother him.”

A slight beeping sound emanated from Tinska. He looked down and waved his arms, two small black squares appearing in front of him.

“Koran, warning. An intruder is approaching the cathedral.”

“How close?”

“Eight meters.”

“Lightning, to the front. Hurry!”

Santimzza, Gar, Vixshra, and Sibyl turned around and darted, the woman left behind by the elemental masters. The double doors blasted open as the dragons flew past it and into the road, the tall trees looming over it ominously. Sibyl saw a creature in a large cloak, black and covered in several eyes, its head covered and in shadow. On its back were too lumps covered by the cloak. A tail, long and black trailed behind it.

The three dragons landed in front of it, weapons held threateningly. Sibyl bolted out behind them and stood next to Santimzza, a long sword in her right hand and a shield in her left. The remains of the Drakens approached behind her, weapons held out. Koran walked forward, right next to Vixshra and Santimzza.

“Who are you?”

A dark voice reached from the cloaked creature, doubled over as if accompanied by another.

“I. Am. Revenge.”

He took great pauses in-between the words.

“For what? We have nothing you could possibly want, stranger. Leave this place.”

The cloaked figure raised a hand, and to Sibyl's surprise, was draconic.

Santimzza was trembling. Sibyl had never known any of the Drakens to hesitate.

“For. Him.”

The dragon held the `I' like a hiss, and his finger pointed behind Sibyl, into the crowd of dragons.

Koran turned around, trusting Vixshra and Santimzza to have his back.

“If any of you know what this man is talking about, step forward.”

None of the Drakens moved, other than looking around at each other.

“Thurkear”

The dragon breathed his name out, and Sibyl shivered. A tear came to her eye. The black dragon pushed through the crowd of dragons.

“What is it you want with me?”

“I. Want. My. Friend. Back.”

The black fighter looked shocked for a moment, then regained his composure.

“What do you mean?”

“You. Understand. You. Have. My. Friends. Fooled. I.”

The dragon took a pause, letting the `I' hold again.

“I am not so easily fooled, Cormo's.”

There was a murmur of gasps, and everyone looked at Thurkear. He looked around and then back towards the cloaked figure.

“Surely you people cannot believe him. He is obviously lying.”

“Why are you sweating? Are. You. Afraid? Like. Thurkear. Was. In that brief moment he was to die at you four Theta's hands.”

“Is this true?” Koran had been looking back and forth between the two.

Thurkear laughed.

“How did you know?”

“The mind is funny like that, isn't it?”

The doubled over voice was replaced by that of a strong dragon, a warrior. Sort of like Santimzza's…

“So now what? Are you all going to attack me?”

The `Thurkear' stood impassively in the middle of the group of Drakens.

“No. You will fight me. I will redeem my friend's death and remove you from existence.”

“Just who are you? You do not seem fond of keeping your voice still.”

“Santimzza, Koran, Vixshra, Gar, and-“ The dragon hesitated.

“and Sibyl. Move to allow this creature a path to me.”

“No, I will personally deal with-“ Thurkear shot forward through the group of dragons, heading straight for the cloaked figure.

“I will kill you, little dragon, and make my escape with your death.”

A wave of shadow enveloped the hand of the black dragon as he approached the cloaked figure. Flying through the air, the false Thurkear took his shadow-covered hand and took a swipe at his enemy. And stopped.

The false Thurkear's hand stopped in front of the darkness under the hood of the brass dragon. He looked down to see his wrist held by his opponent's hand. The wind created by the black dragons approach blew the eye-covered cloak back, and Nix was unveiled, two scars on his right cheek, his once beautiful brassy scales were littered with wounds and burns. His body was larger, covered in hardened muscle. Even his scales were sharper, almost feral in appearance. But what scared Sibyl the most were his eyes. They pierced her own, angry, almost forgotten and devoid of emotion.

“Too. Slow.”

The dragon, ignoring his cloak, spun to his right, taking the false black dragon's arm with him. He pulled it up and against his enemy's back, breaking it at the elbow. Quickly after that, Nix took his left hand and, palm out, slammed it into the dragon's back, thrusting him to the ground face first.

Angrily, the black dragon shifted to Shadow and stood near to Nix, his right arm hanging to his side, limply.

“What are you?”

“I answered, Fake. Meet a painful death.”

Impassively, Nix raised his tail over his left shoulder. It stood, point forward, for a moment, and then split into four sections, slime dripping from the inside. The split reached down the tail for about three feet, and teeth appeared at the tips. Thurkear roared and dove at Nix, but it was too no avail. The tail launched forward, seemingly endless as it stretched and latched onto Thurkear's face.

Muffled screaming could be heard as the dragon fell to the ground, clutching at the brassy tail, rolling around in the dirt. Blood was falling from the sides of the dragon's face.

“Meet. Your. Death.”

Electricity poured from under the brass dragon's cloak, following his tail. Upon reaching the tip, the energy hit Thurkear and the screaming intensified, his muscles becoming rigid and his lifeblood began to pour quicker. Nix shifted, and his tail released its hold on the dragon's face, then moved to his neck. The `mouth' became a single point again, then darted forward, piercing the enemy's neck and rendering him silent.

Sibyl stared on in horror as the fight was quickly over. She looked at Santimzza, then at the other dragons. She immediately flinched as Nix moved towards the black dragon, nearing his death.

“Poor friend. I missed you the minute I realized what had happened. I only hope your soul can rest now.”

The brass dragon fell to his knees, and he put his hand on Thurkear's nose. From the neck down, the body quivered, shaking like water, and dissolved into the form of a man, wearing the clothes of a Cormo's. The skull of Thurkear was on his head, missing the lower jaw. The bleached bones saddened Sibyl, and she believed many others felt her pain.

Nix picked up the skull and turned around towards the Drakens. His tail returned the hood of his cloak over his head, and pulled the sides back over most of his body. He walked over to Koran, an aura of sorrow accompanying his form. The dragon actually stood around 6' 5”, not much taller than Sibyl. In fact, from what she could recollect, he had shrunk from his usual 6' 8” form.

“Please, Koran.” Nix was kneeling in front of Koran, Thurkear's skull held up like an item for sacrifice.

“Please, hold a funeral for him, at the least. He deserves that.”

“A-alright.”

Koran took the skull and looked at it for a moment. He then turned around and held it up to the dragons behind him.

“Until just now, none of us even knew he was gone. I am at such pain to have his death told to me in such a harsh way. As I'm sure you know now, he must have died attempting to protect these two children. He died doing what was asked, for his friends and people. If only I had not been so disrespectful…”

Koran felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned around to see Nix floating at eye-level.

“You did not know, sir. Let us have that funeral, honor his sacrifice at last, and let him rest.”

Nix looked over his shoulder into the sky.

“I believe he is tired of waiting and would just enjoy a long sleep, and to finally see his end.”

“How do you…”

“Just trust me.”

“Alright.”

Koran began to lead everyone into the cathedral, to hold the funeral at a later time that day.

Sibyl was about to go, but turned around one last time. She noticed Nix about to leave. Angrily she ran at him and grabbed at the left side of his cloak, grabbing his arm. He slowly looked to his side at Sibyl.

“Release me, old friend.”

“Why? So you can go away again!?”

“I am not leaving this time. I am only reporting to Master that I have finished what must be done.”

“Master? Reporting? Why? No, you can't leave.”

“Why again? You cannot stop me, and I have more to attend to before that funeral.”

“Where were you? For two years you were gone. You suddenly show up, kill a man, then want to walk off? What the hell, Nix!?”

“I do not see the problem. I did what I had to, and now I must return quickly so that I may be back for the funeral.”

“Is that why you came back? For Thurkear? Was I never even once in your mind?”

“Of course you were. You are why I am staying.”

“You- wait, what?”

“I must return to Master. I will explain later tonight, after the funeral. There will be reminiscing tonight, before the fun begins.”

“Fun?”

Nix shrugged off Sibyl and began to fade away, becoming lightly translucent, then becoming nothing, right before Sibyl's eyes. She stared in disbelief.

“Nix? Nix? Nix!?”

The sound of feet, and Sibyl felt a hand on her shoulder. The familiar feeling of Santimzza, who had been so fatherly to her.

“Do not fret, child. He will be back.”

“How do you know?”

“We… `Abominations', can understand one another. I know what he is doing. He will be back.”

Sibyl put her hand to her eyes and wiped away the two tears, then stood up and followed Santimzza back to the cathedral.

***

Later that day, Sibyl attended the funeral of Thurkear. It was set behind many trees to the side of the cathedral, hidden in the shadow.

“He liked it discreet, calm, and undisturbed.” Koran had said. Apparently this would be an ideal resting place for the large dragon.

All of the Drakens had arrived, and Sibyl even saw many residents of the nearby village. The black dragon had many friends, and did not discriminate. The only person the young bronze dragon did not see was Nix. She constantly looked around, for everyone stood in a large circle around the burial site for the brave dragon's skull.

“Thurkear was a brave Draken, a warrior stronger than many, older and wiser than most of us. From what I was told, our friend had met his fate at the hands of many Cormo's, though the details are still fuzzy. He was avenged by a renegade of ours, and to him come my thanks.”

Santimzza was standing next to Sibyl, and he suddenly shivered.

Sibyl instinctively looked up at him.

“What is the matter? Are you going to cry?”

“He is here.”

The woman felt her heart flutter for a second. Nix? Where could he be?

Looking around, Sibyl saw Santimzza's eyes looking up at the trees. Following them, she saw a lone figure, sitting on a single branch high atop the tree. His tail hung down, blackened by the shadows that wrapped around him in the nearing darkness. A black cloak draped over his body, he was almost a wraith, looming over the mob.

Sibyl turned around, and stopped, feeling Santimzza's hand on her shoulder. She tried to shrug him off, but to no avail.

“Leave him alone. He said he would meet you tonight. If he wanted to see you now, he would have come down.”

“No, I want to talk to him.”

“Just wait. Approach him now, and he might leave. We have problems dealing with emotions.”

“What do you mean?”

“Shhh, Koran is still speaking.”

Angrily, Sibyl turned back around folded her arms, her wings pulled in tight around her body.

“And to end this, Thurkear was the greatest friend. He upheld all oaths, small and large, and was always there to help you, whether it was out of a fight, or in times of any need. For those of you who did not know him personally, you still may have seen his kindness.”

The radiant dragon took the skull and set it in the hole at his feet, dug in a perfect square and holding two pistols, the weapons of Thurkear.

“Rest in peace, brother.”

Koran stepped back and spread his wings out wide, staring at the sky. The other Drakens did likewise, and a sense of peace filtered through the whispering trees. Sibyl took a moment to look at Nix, and noticed the branch was empty. Sighing, she looked back up at the sky in silence, honoring the dragon.

***

After the funeral, Santimzza took Sibyl back to his home, and Santimzza departed through the door on the balcony. Sibyl remained, staring off into the night sky, the stars fully out and the moon shining its crescent. She put her hands on the railing, shining brilliantly under the pale light, and put her chin on her arms, closing her eyes.

Where are you Nix? You promised, and here I am. Alone… again.

Opening her eyes, Sibyl stood erect again and looked up, sighing and dropping her shoulders lightly. A tear fell to the ground, and the lone bronze turned around, walking to the glass door.

Then she heard a slight thump, like the sound of something falling to the ground. Instantly alert, Sibyl turned back around and ran to the balcony, readying herself for anything. On the ground a cloaked figure was kneeling, dark in contrast to the luminescence pouring from the moon. Sibyl waited on the balcony of Santimzza's home, hesitant to try anything.

It could be anything. Don't jump to conclusions.

The cloaked figure fell to the ground, a waft of dust flowing around its form from the light impact. An arm reached out and propped itself up, a slight shaking following that. Sibyl leaned further on the balcony, hoping against everything it was Nix, and not some other creature or villager seeking help.

The black form finally stood back up, recovering from its fall, and began to walk swiftly towards the house. Despite being able to see in the dark, the pale light was making it hard for Sibyl to see under the hood of the cloak surrounding this creature.

Readying herself, Sibyl was about to jump down and see who or what it was that was walking towards the home, until the cloak flew back over wings flying outwards and lifting the figure up into the sky. The winged figure was not flying, more of a single leap, aided by the massive wings, carrying it onto the rail of the balcony rather lightly, almost like the fall of a feather on a bed.

The cloak wrapped back over its owner, and Sibyl froze, staring up at the cape looming over her.

A flash of brass, and her adversary was behind her, its back against hers.

“Sorry I took so long.”

Nix! It is you…

“I-it is fine. I knew you would not break your promise.”

“heh, thanks.”

Sibyl turned around and looked up at her friend as he did likewise, his cloak barely moving in the light wind, his face completely covered by the darkness cast by the pale light of the moon.

“Can I see your face?”

“It has been some time, my friend.”

Sibyl leaned forward and pulled the cloak's hood back from its wearer, revealing the brassy skin of Nix, the plate on his forehead replacing the horns of other dragons. On his neck was a scar, a massive line reaching down his neck into his cloak. The right tip of his plate was chipped; more so like it broke than was cut. On his cheek were two scars, like those common from dragons wounded by the claws of their peers. His eyes were hard, staring deep into her soul.

His eyes…

Sibyl gasped, and realized that, unlike most dragons, whose eyes were similar to their skin, Nix' were different. His eyes were not brassy. They were a pale blue, almost white, completely devoid of any pupil. In fact, his eyes almost looked like he had no iris, for the blue was too faint in the moonlight.

“Yes, I have sacrificed my eyes, Sibyl. Do not think I had not noticed. However, it is to be expected. I am not a common sight, am I?”

“Why?”

“Why did I sacrifice my eyes?”

“Y-yea.”

“Life.”

“What?”

“I gave my eyes up for another to live. A small price.”

“Wait, you are blind?”

“No, not in the sense you mean. I cannot readily see as well as you do, but it is hardly a hindrance.”

“And what is with those scars?”

“That is what happens when you fight.”

“Yes, but I thought you were training or something.”

“I was.”

“Did you not use wooden weapons or practice slowly?”

“I did not train how I assume you did.”

“What?”

“I trained in experience.”

“What does that mean?”

“My training was to fight for your life and survive by any means necessary.”

“For two years!?”

“Yes. Is that long?”

“It is. I see you passed.”

“What?”

“I see you passed your training.”

“I'm not even halfway.”
“You came here in the middle of training yourself?”

“No. My practice and survival has brought me here.”

“Oh, I've missed you.”

“I know.”

“You did?”

“Yes. I could feel your pain, and it hurt to be away and know it.”

“How could you feel my pain? You were trying to survive while I took tests and fought with sticks against Gar.”

“Shhh, calm my friend. Do not get upset. Just know I understand your sorrow.”

Sibyl lurched forward, wrapping her arms around Nix' torso, putting her face against his exposed chest. She felt the warmth of his skin as his wings wrapped around her, comfort swelling about. Then she realized something.

“Your wings!”

“Yes?”

“What? How?”

“What is the matter?”

“They are like mine! They aren't like giant manta ray wings. They are long and wide like my own. Even larger.”

“Yes, I sacrificed them as well.”

“Why? For another life?”

“For three. It was painful to change them, but in the end, it was worth it.”

“How does changing your wing texture help save someone?”

“I'll explain later, when we have more time.”

Sibyl closed her eyes and felt Nix' chest rise and fall in rhythm to her own.

You are home, Nix…

Suddenly, Sibyl felt as if she were flying, being lifted into the air by Nix. Unable to move out of Nix' grasp, Sibyl opened her eyes and looked around.

No good. His wings are in the way. What is going on?

“Nix! What are you doing?”

“Saving your life.”

The quiet, luminescent view was rudely interrupted by a surge of flaming bolts, flying upwards towards the two dragons. Nix stopped his quick retreat, spreading his wings wide to hover for a moment.

“Sibyl, get on my back.”

“Why?”

“Please?”

Sibyl did as she was told, flying under Nix and then behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck. As soon as she got a grip over him, he fell, spiraling downwards, his wings pulled back and over Sibyl again.

“Don't let go.”

“Again, why?”

Nix neared the ground, and Sibyl felt a few impacts on Nix' left wing, the sound of something heavy hitting a tarp and bouncing off. She felt the sensation of stopping, then the ground was an inch from her stretched feet.

“Let go now, please.”

The bronze dragon relinquished her hold, and gasped. The skin on Nix' back that touched around his wings spread open, revealing the corded muscle underneath. The wings then began to pull in, a single sound, like the slithering of a snake through dew-ridden grass in the morning. Once his wings were in, Nix' skin pulled back together, twin scars on his back where his wings should be.

“What is happening to you?”

“A precaution. That way her can't-wing bind me.”

“Who?”

“The Cormo's.”

Sibyl looked over Nix' shoulder and saw a man in familiar attire to that of a Cormo's.

Nix' tail swished back and forth, wrapping around Sibyl's foot for a moment, then continuing its irritated path.

“Return to Santimzza.”

“But you might need my-“

“I cannot risk you. What happens to me happens. Go get Santimzza.”

Sibyl did as she was told and turned tail, flying straight for the balcony. Upon reaching over the rail, her wings were pushed forward by a massive blast of wind, and she turned around to see what was happening.

Down on the ground, Nix and the Cormo's were glowing, a myriad of colors swirling around them, outlining their form.

The bronze dragon opened the glass door and ran to the end of the hall, whereupon she was knocked to the ground from its sudden shakes. Sibyl lay there, feeling the tremors start to die. She carefully stood once more, and darted to her right, seeking the eighth room in which Santimzza used as his room.

As she neared the door, it opened, and the large blue dragon walked out, arms folded, his head held high.

“Why is an elite Cormo's near my house and no Drakens nearby?”

Startled, Sibyl came to a stop near to Santimzza and turned around.

“Santimzza, you need to help Nix. He is engaging the enemy.”

“Nix? Hell, let's hurry. I'm afraid he may be in trouble. Unless his training has made him this powerful.”

Running back, Sibyl couldn't help herself.

“What rank is this Cormo's, if you know?”
“Of course I know. It is an Upsilon. Nix is too young. There isn't any possible way he has gained the experience. Unless…”

“Unless?”

Sibyl was hopeful of anything that could increase Nix' chance of defeating this creature. It took around six or seven of the strongest Drakens to defeat two Rho ranked Cormo's.

“Unless he can tap into his Abomination traits already. It would give him a rather hefty edge in this fight.”

The two dragons finally reached the glass door and ran to the balcony, and Sibyl pointed to where Nix and the Cormo's had engaged.

“Filthy dragon. Your kind continues to get in our way. Omega Creation will ruin you and your kin.”

“Silence. You bore me, little man.”

To Sibyl, she thought that neither Nix nor the Cormo's had moved. Santimzza begged to differ.

“You see, Sibyl, the Upsilon Cormo's has had countless years of experience, and understands how to engage a foe. Nix, however, is much younger. But what I do not understand, is that he is fighting with a similar edge, as if he had been in this situation more than once. Plus, judging by the debris, they both must have Exalted.”

“Exalted? I have not learned about this.”

“It is when a creature wishes to gain power by releasing the elemental force that creates that creature. The release of that energy is like a small explosion, around eight feet for a weak creature, and up an unreasonable reach.”

“Like?”

“Well, there was a recording of one creature. He engaged a Psi Cormo's, the second strongest in rank. His Exaltation was over a mile wide, changing the terrain to a wasteland.”

“So Nix has Exalted?”

“I believe so. I wonder what his element is. He is a brass, so Fire or Earth are common of his race.”

Santimzza was silenced by a sudden movement, the unsheathing of a weapon that Sibyl just noticed. The Cormo's had pulled out a rather large scimitar, long and serrated on its sharp edge. Instead of two guards on the tip of its hilt, there were four, curving slightly about two inches from where the blade met the grip. Nix did nothing as his adversary released his weapon, and awaited what was to come.

The Cormo's rushed, and was immediately stopped as he was covered in a shower of lightning, hundreds of bolt emanating from Nix' back. The bolts reached from his back around to the Cormo's, like horrible appendages bent and twisting around the Upsilon.

“You failed to guess me, Cormo's. So sorry, but your mistake will cost you.”

Angrily, the Cormo's released six bolts of spiraling light, reaching from his right arm and curling towards Nix. Nix reacted by spreading his wings like a shield, holding them forwards and spreading them wide in a bubble. As the bolts connected, they sparked out like flies hitting a bug zapper.

“How? You have no wings.”

“Really? It looks like I do.”

Nix' wings immediately returned into his back, quickly returning to his body and vanishing from sight.

“Oh, I guess I do not. But where did your Bolts go?”

Snarling, the Cormo's vanished, reappearing next to Nix, his scimitar poised for attack.

Nix sighed and turned around, something metallic deflecting the Upsilon's assault. In his left hand was an exotic weapon, one Sibyl had never seen. It had the handle of a sword, but the blade itself was so strange. It seemed like four blades had been melted down and twisted around each other, ending in a multi-bladed swirl of metal about four feet in length. On the other side of the handle was a long strand of metal, much like a normal blade, except the tip did not taper off to a point, but widened into twin blades curling back towards the handle, like a hook. The two blades reached little more than halfway up the three foot blade. The blade was held in experienced hands, just by how quickly Sibyl saw Nix pull out the weapon. Actually, she didn't even see a scabbard or anything. He just had the weapon in his hand when he had wanted it or needed it.

“You wield the Serangir, wretched Scale-Bait. How?”

“I asked a friend.”

“Don't toy with me boy.”

“Continue, then.”

The Upsilon slashed twice, spinning a 360 as he slashed at Nix' torso then vertically at his head. The former slash missed, and Nix held up his weapon to block the second attack, his left arm barely shifting under the weight of his enemy's assault.

“How can you be so powerful. Seft monitored your training for those two years, and you hardly came to this strength.”

“Seft was right, then. How could a dragon like me be stronger than an Upsilon ranking Cormo's in two years? I am not, to be honest. I simply borrowed something from two of my friends, and something else from Master. I'll give you a hint. If you can hold off your death until tomorrow, you can beat me. The question is: can a Cormo's survive the assaults of Vex and Aknis?”

The names struck fear into the Upsilon, and he leapt backwards, jumping a good three meters. He threw his weapon at Nix, which then split into four and attacked the dragon of their own will.

One slashed at his head, two on each side of his torso, and the fourth awaited the other's attack to finish. Unfortunately, the last weapon would not receive its chance, as Nix spun the Serangir, splitting the two weapons at his torso in half, and then took the bent double blades on the back of his weapon and blocked the third scimitar. He pulled the blade back and thrust forward, shearing the scimitar in half. As he did this, he performed a 360 and bent forward, taking the Serangir out wide, tearing the other scimitar in two. Nix then followed the Cormo's leap, hitting the ground in front of him and bringing his weapon up in a spin, slashing at the right side of the Upsilon's waist. Upon contact, Nix spun horizontally in the air, bringing the multiple blades to bear, twirling and slashing, rendering the flesh of the Cormo's skin. Finally able to react, the Upsilon pulled himself back two steps, and pulled up his right arm. Closing his eyes, runes appeared on his head and a massive group of crystals began to form, pulled together by the Cormo's will. As the crystals took the shape of a spear, he thrust it at Nix, a flash of lightning and it was upon the dragon.

“Not today.”

Nix waved his hand furiously in a horizontal swipe, and a pale green wave erupted from his hand, splitting the spear in half and continuing towards the Upsilon. Unable to react again, he found himself engulfed in the assault, overwhelmed by the energy. The wave split in three, two pars lifting away from it, one up, one down. Upon impact, the middle wave divided the enemy's torso, the upper removing his head, and the lower cutting through his legs. Nix twisted his hand vertically, and the waves did likewise, reforming as one, then dissipating as they reached Santimzza's house.

“I'm sorry, Upsilon. Tomorrow you would have won. Your luck was not with you.”

The brass dragon walked towards the Cormo's and put his hand over the creature's eyes, pulling the lids down. He turned around and swept his hand again, a large chunk of gravel lifting into the air. Nix returned to the Cormo's and picked up each part of him and dumped it into the grave, and upon finishing it, he slowly returned the soil to its place. The dragon then bowed respectively, his wings pulling out of his back once more, and the weapon no longer in sight.

***

“So, Nix, I see you are unlocking your abilities rather quickly.”

“I guess so.”

“What do you mean? You have performed strong electrical based and wind based attacks. That is more than most can say at your age.”

“Two years. That is all I could do.”

“What do you mean?”

Santimzza and Nix were sitting in the dining room, one that Sibyl and Santimzza rarely visit. It was the largest room in the house, composed of the mid-section, with two large rectangular tables stretching several meters, with smaller round tables and many other smaller rectangular tables. Nix and Santimzza were at the head of one of the two large tables, with Sibyl next to Nix. Santimzza and Nix were engaged in conversation while Sibyl listened.

“I'm saying, Santimzza, that two years of surviving, and this is all I could do. Wind and Lightning. Oh, yes, I have Fire too, but that is only three.”

“Three? That is more than most abominations can handle, and surely you must be satisfied?”

“I'm going for all of them.”

“What?”

Santimzza couldn't believe his ears. Nix wished to master every base, all six?”

“Wait, you can't handle six bases, Nix. It just isn't possible.”

“Six? No, I'm going for all eight.”

Santimzza sighed.

“Nix, you couldn't handle Shadow even if you wanted to. Unless it is your base that was created from it, Shadow is too far.”

“I understand the difficulties, but I have other… methods of training with these bases. I broke the rules of existence once, and I'll do it again for Shadow.”

“What do you mean, `break the rules'?”

“Force? It is mine. Well, I cannot control her without Master's help, and I cannot use Serangir without Vex' help.”

Sibyl burst forward, unable to hold her curiosity in anymore.

“Who is Master? And who is this Vex? You speak of them so casually, yet I am too confused to stand it.”

“Master and Vex are the two minds that inhabit this body. Each has their own personalities, but only one can exist without me. Master, whom has declared his name Aknis, exists in another plane of existence and uses an avatar to train me with words.”

“And this Vex?”

Santimzza, too, seemed intrigued by these entities.

“I am the entity inside of this piece of scales. The demon is an intruder, and I will remove him after I am done with MY apprentice.”

Sibyl did not see Nix' lips move, and even believed she heard the voice inside of her head than through her ears. The voice was rough, ancient by all means, and dark, almost… evil.

“So you have two masters, then?”

Nix smiled, slightly.

“Master trained me verbally as a Faji trained me physically. Mentally, Vex trained me, opening the glyphs of the bases in my mind. In truth, the elemental part of me was trained from Vex, the physical one from Kitch, and the mental part from Master.”

“If your master's name is Aknis, why do you not call him by his name?”

“He deserves the title, and I am respectful to him. Vex never wanted a title, as much as I tried, and Kitch-Vax told me that formalities were for wizards and bureaucrats. Aknis told me about many such… accomplishments that I came to call him Master. Plus, I do not know if Vex is male or female.”

“Wait, he lives in your head. Does that not mean he shares your gender?”

“I am so glad I am so easily forgotten. If all three of you were not so important to my future, I'd have killed you for your insolence. Now, if Scale-Bait would have asked, IT would have known I was male. Unfortunately, in all technicalities, I am genderless, but that is irrelevant. It is nearing morning, and I am taking my temporary gift back, wyrmling. I am sure the demon will follow through with his end of the bargain… if he is not too lazy.”

The weapon, Serangir, appeared floating vertically in front of Nix and began to spin. After gaining incredible speed, the weapon simply blinked, vanishing from existence. Following several seconds later, a blue orb, around a foot in diameter, appeared hovering over Nix' right shoulder.

“Yes, pesky mind parasite. I am here to reclaim what is mine. Sorry, Nix. You deserve this power, but not for another two years. Your training is beginning, but my other gift is a week off.”

The voice from the bubble was much softer, a kind, young voice, from a young man in his mid twenties.

“Plus, Nix, it will give you time to… meet more women.”

With a hefty cackle, the bubble spun around Nix' head three times, then popped into nothingness, the room darkening once more due to the absence of the bright light from the strange spark.

“So that spark was…?”

“Master.”

Sibyl giggled.

“You take orders from a bubble?”

“You'd be surprised. He is a bit taller than I, Sibyl. With skin as fare as Srrivarla.”

“He has silver skin?”

“Indeed. He only showed a shadow of his original form, but it was enough.”

“Now, who is this, Kitch-Vax you speak of?”

Santimzza had leaned back by now, folding his arms and eyeing Nix.

“A Faji, like I said.”

“Wait, THE Kitch-Vax?”

“His name is Kitch-Vax. He did not tell me about himself.”

Santimzza almost seemed excited by this name. Sibyl could not help but wonder at the knowledge of the blue dragon.

“Kitch-Vax was the finest Faji in the creation of this world. He halted the assault of three of the hundred-handed creatures on his own. He was also here to destroy the Tempest Lord, Warlord of the Elementals from one of the planes that was discovered by the half-dragon, Verral. Lehamue rest both of their souls.”

Sibyl looked in amazement at Nix.

“You have met this creature?”

“He was one of the three that trained me, with Master and Vex. He taught me how to Exalt, and how to combine two Exaltations to Ascend.”

Santimzza coughed for a second.

“It sounded like you said you could Ascend?”

“That is exactly what I said. It is incredibly painful, but for the three minutes I can withstand it, or rather, stay conscious, I am one hell of a weapon.”

“Hold on. You said you can double Exalt? What do you mean?”

“Ok, so this is my limit when it comes to the element. Each Abomination has a specialty, something that makes them unique. A total of four unique abilities were ever recorded, by an unknown dragon of insane power. I do not know how many I have, but at least two. I have no access to the elements without Exalting. I am a completely neutral creature, as illogical as that is. I Exalt in one element, by sending a surge of earth, air, or lightening. I have to do one at a time in order to gain access to it. Every additional Exaltation takes up a measurable amount of energy, surpassing the initial `power-up'. If I do more than two, I can Ascend with sets of two, so Air and Earth, Lightening and Air, etc, but not in any odd number. I learned that lesson quickly.”

Santimzza was smiling, and tapping his chin with his right index finger.

“You are truly something, Nix. More experience than any youngling of your age, just simply by how you hold yourself. But, if you are as strong as you claim, why did you need your masters' strength for that battle out there?”

“There is another factor I must talk about, one which I cannot control so readily. Santimzza, have you ever heard of Vexinshra, the Bloody Ascender?”

“Yes, why?”

“He discovered something about the body, something different from the base elements of the soul, body, and mind. Emotion. Not like the simple feelings of any creature, but the raw energy it creates. Rage, Love, Sorrow, and Jubilance. Each one of these is dominant over the other three, and it creates the basis of that creature.”

“Yes, I've heard of this myth and hypothetical idea. What about it?”
“It isn't hypothetical. When you Ascend, you take the single elemental force that you have access to, so lightening for Sibyl, and Fire for Koran, and will it into your being. It composes you and gives you life with the other elements, but when you Ascend, you remove the other elements that are simply `there' to give you life, and become a single elemental creature. Or, those non-Abominations can Ascend to their ancestry, so like Kaip, who literally becomes the crimson dragon she originated from. She does not become a fire-based entity, but a god-like animal of epic strength and intelligence. She doesn't know it, but she'll gain access soon.”

“How do you know this? Actually, where are you going with this?”

“Hold on, Santimzza. I know this because dragons have different readings from each other. You are an Abomination, like me. You know I knew this because we have an extra sense for the other creature. Apart from that, your Ascension is different from normal dragons, but I'll get to that later.”

“Again, where are you going with this?”

“You see, there is something else other than Ascension that makes the dragon stronger. In fact, I believe it affects all creatures who can Exalt.”

“Other creatures can Exalt?”

Nix turned to Sibyl and smiled a gleam of energy and restlessness in his eyes.

“Humans, Kobolds, Doppelgangers, Sahuagin, Faji, and so much more. If it has even the glimpse of sentience, the creature can Exalt. For dragons, this thing after Exalting is Ascension. Other creatures may call it whatever they want, but anything can do it.”

“Now, what is it that changes our Ascension?”

“Those emotions I was talking about. It forces the creature to go blind, becoming mad with Rage, or gaining an unbeatable defense through Sorrow. The creature cannot be hint with Jubilance, unable to sit still with their own glee. With Love, the creature is as defensive as Sorrow, but towards that which their love is directed. These creatures that Ascend emotionally are beings to be taken with much hesitation.”

“How do you know this? Have you seen something undergo this change?”

“I cannot see myself, but the Rage is consuming, and when I regained control, I had chipped the side of my plate, torn half of my right wing's membrane off, broken my right arm, and killed two Rho's. It was rather frightening until Vex told me what happened.”
“You are Rage? I could not tell with your Apathy and your passive appearance.”

“Sorry, Santimzza, but Vex was able to train me under many circumstances how to keep my `cool' and prevent my rage from blinding me into Ascension and turning me into a mindless machine.”

Sibyl looked at her hands for a second, resting on the table folded together, than looked up at Nix.

“You were going to explain to me how you lost your sight and why your wings are different.”

“That is right, I was. Well, I told you I had two unique abilities, right?”

“Yes…”

“Metamorphosis is one. I change my body to adapt to the present circumstances. My tail earlier was one of those times, when the Cormo's attempted to Mind Switch me. He attempted to invade my body, and my tail lashed out in the middle of me resisting his assault.”

“Ok, but how does that ruin your sight?”

“My second ability is Life.”

“Life? How?”

“I am an Abomination, with access to more than one base, right?”

“Yes, I believe so.”

“It takes roughly four bases to create life.”

“Yes, that is true.”

“So I take a part of my body, and manipulate four bases in that part and combine it with a dying creature. The new surge of life brings their soul back into the body, saving them from death. I turn the piece of my body I am sacrificing into pure energy, and if the host does not accept the gift, it returns to me and they die peacefully, returning to their deity.”

“So you took your eyes out?”

“No, not really. I simply pulled out four of the bases in my eyes and gave them to someone, renewing their strength. Fortunately, I could take some energy from another part of me and move it to my eyes, regaining slight vision. I had to be able to see, for something is coming up and having slight vision is all I would need.”

“And your wings?”

“My wings were large enough for a creature of my size and a half, so two wings equals three fair sized beings. The only reason my eyes worked is because the energy in them was rather concentrated, and worked magnificently.”

“So if you lost your wings, why do you have those now?”

“Someone gave them to me, because he didn't need them anymore. They readily changed to my skin color and I adapted quickly to using them, but they always remind me of what he did and how I must thank him next time I see him.”

“You mean someone else can sacrifice their limbs?”

“No, he saw me without wings and told me that the only dragons without wings were Zayvies, or those with a scar for memory. I was with him for several months, and in the end he gave me his wings as a parting gift, saying he was going somewhere and he did not need them.”

Nix stood up suddenly and turned around, his back to the two dragons, and Sibyl finally noticed he did not have his cloak with him.

“It is late, my friends. May I still sleep in that same room those two years ago? I have not been on cotton since I left, and the branches leave cramps after a few days.”

***

Nix awoke the next morning, having used the same bed he had the night before he began his training. Sibyl still used her own bed, and as he leaned forward, she was not with him.

Seem being away for two years has split us apart. It is reasonable, and completely understandable. I only wonder how this might affect our friendship. We all have our own destinies, and one cannot wait when given such an opportune moment.

“Are you brooding?”

No, Vex. Just looking back and reminiscing. But enough of this; I think it is time to reveal what I came here to initially do.

“Yes, I believe leaving in the dark was a better plan, Dragon, but yours is more to your persona, not my own. Hurry, we only have twenty-eight hours remaining, and your strange habit of `sleeping' takes up too much time.”

Oh silence. Just because you are immortal does not mean you get to laugh at us. Now let us go, old friend. I have a meeting with Radiance.

***

Over the time he had been gone, Nix had developed a strange relationship with the entities in his head. Vex was the original being, inhabiting his body since he had been brought to this world. Aknis had joined in at the age of twelve, hoping to discuss matters with the creature called `Vex'. Aknis had recently been expelled, of his own accord, and after training Nix for two years, left the young dragon to his own methods and devices with the mysterious Vex.

***

Behind Nix, he realized that Sibyl had awoken, her consciousness returning to her from her dreams. She turned around and looked at Nix' bed. She jumped up and turned towards the door, barely realizing the brass had moved to the window, like those two years ago.

“I told you, lovely, that I would not leave just yet.”
“Feelings can leave you to wonder, can't they?”

Nix turned from the window, his wings folded around his body, unlike Sibyl's ruffled appendages, held tightly against her back was the left, the right one sagging slightly. She shook her head slightly, than looked up at Nix with tired eyes.

“Go freshen up, Sibyl. I will still be here when you return. I promise.”

Hesitating, the bronze dragon folded her wings around her and opened the door, leaving the little room and walking down to the hallway that led to the baths. The baths were apart of a large spring, heated by what Sibyl did not know, and separated by a wall of bamboo for the shy people that entered.

Nix decided that he should keep his promise this time, and sat back down on the bed, his wings lifting in front of him, similar to a dome. A line appeared in the air in front of Nix, wavering slightly. The line then began to open, slowly until it spanned four feet in width.

“Master, do you have any last commands for me before I am turned over to Vex?”

“No, there is nothing I can teach you right now. Enjoy yourself, see the light in people. And the dark.”

Aknis added coyly, though his body was still hidden behind the black sheet.

“So I am released of your service for two more years?”

“Agreed. Vex, don't kill him. I worked hard on this boy.”

“No promises, little demon. While you sit down on your throne and wrestle with the other Demons, I shall be honing the dragon's skills and turn him into an E. Master after the second month.”

“You have rather high expectations from Nix. An Elemental Master in two months? What, do you plan on raising his Exaltation to grade 8 too?”

“His second Exaltation shall be 8.”

“Hmm… don't kill him. I'll come after you if you do.”

“Let us not forget, that there are several… complications with killing this young man. You want him, I need him, and he wishes to live. His training will benefit all of us. Dismiss this Gate, Nix. Sibyl will be back in twelve minutes.”

“You know, Vex, your clairvoyant mind is rather annoying.”

“You won't say that at the end of my session.”

“Strangely, I believe you.”

Nix waved his hand, and the black sheet of energy closed, leaving not a trace behind. The brass leaned back, lying on his bed. He put his arms behind his head and spread his wings, sprawled all over the bed. He lay there for, like Vex had said, twelve minutes, when Sibyl returned, her scales shining and dressed in a tank-top and shorts reaching barely past her thighs.

“I see you are refreshed. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes…”

“What bothers you? I am still Nix, my dear friend. I always have attempted to-“

Nix suddenly twisted his head towards where the window out of the mansion was, and bolted out of the room.

“What is the matter?”

Sibyl exclaimed as she, too, followed the dragon, rushing after him. Nix stopped with enough time to throw open the window, where he ran to the balcony and immediately stopped. Sibyl had little time to halt her charge, lightly running into Nix. Stepping back, she gazed up at him.

“It is too soon…”

“What? What is too soon?”

“My sister is under attack.”

“Your WAIT, WHAT?”

“Adoption. I can explain later. Are you with me?”

“What?”

“Are you with me?”

“Y-yes.”

Nix closed his eyes for roughly three seconds, then opened them up, spread his wings, and dove over the ledge, spiraling to the ground before pulling up and flying forwards.

”I have set up a link between the two of us. I have just alerted Santimzza of our departure, and explained to him that we would be gone for several hours. It is still not too late to turn back.”

“I”

Sibyl shook her head.

“I want to hear more about this `sister' of yours.”

“It is rather quite simple. For my training, I had undertaken many adventures, training through actual experience, not simple hypotheses and assumptions. I wandered upon a small girl, surrounded by dwarves. After an hour or two of persuasion, the dwarves decided to attack me instead, and I incapacitated them, took the girl, and found a tribe similar to her own race. As custom to them, saving someone shows affection for that person. I was to marry her, or adopt her, and since she was much younger than I, I decided adoption and not bother the customs of the people.”

“What race is this `child' of yours?”

“A Naga.”

“Naga? What creature is this?”

“They are serpentine, from the waist down, and humanoid, from the waist and above. Or the Nagaine, pronounced Naw-gaw-een, are more common to people. They are Serpents with the head of a human or other creature. But those are as similar to the Nagas as Humans are to their Gorilla relatives. Similar, but not alike.”

“Ok, so you adopted a Naga child? Why?”

“She was too young to be considered good or evil and the dwarves attacked her because a Naga had assaulted their camp earlier, and they wrongly assumed the child was just as violent. I did not understand why these dwarves were so prone to accusations, but I was planning on investigating. However, I never got the chance.”

“Ok, so why are you seeing your sister again?”

“Like I said, she is under attack. When I took her in, I performed a painful ritual, bonding us together. When she is ever in pain or under stress, it is like fire coursing through my veins, telling me what I must do. Right now, she has an arrow wound, and one of the warrior Nagas are tending to her. The entire village is under assault by something, but for all I know, it could be elves, humans, or dwarves.”

“Or other dragons.”

“Yes, them too. It seems all sentient races capable of Ascending also have a surprisingly large amount of ignorance amongst their ranks. It saddens me…”

“Am I ignorant?”

Sibyl asked this as the two continued their flight. The high sun blazed down, its relentless heat smoldering the very air in which they breathed. Nix had begun to beat his wings quicker, gaining more altitude, and in turn, more speed.

“You understand too much to be ignorant. It is your ability to stay off an action to sit and think upon a situation. It is what I had come to rely on those years ago. Come, let us dive.”

Nix folded his wings and dove down, spiraling into the trees and vanishing from sight. Sibyl then noticed that the trees were a good forty or so feet tall. Hesitating, the bronze dragon followed; instead of spiraling recklessly she hovered down, her wings held high and drifting her into the trees.

Looking around, Sibyl noticed only the shape of broken twigs on the ground, and thus assumed Nix had taken to his feet. Falling to the ground, Sibyl folded her wings in and ran after the brass, hoping to find him quickly. She didn't need to look far, though, for after several moments of running, there was the sound of metal slamming into metal, violently cracking through the forest. Coming to a clearing, Sibyl saw Nix engaged with two creatures, the deciduous trees looming threateningly over them. Behind Nix lay two Nagas, or what Sibyl believed were Nagas. The creatures were male humanoids above the waist, and gray snake tails from waist down. The two males were covered in blood, probably their own. Sibyl believed the creatures Nix was fighting inflicted the wounds, but as dangerous as they seemed, they were no match for his… dance?

Nix was spinning around, a crimson staff in his left hand, spiraling with him in unison, deflecting blow after blow from his adversaries, which were bird men. Or rather, wingless birds with hands for gripping their weapons and black beaks to fit their avian appearance. The two creatures continuously assaulted Nix, one with a mace, the other with a long sword and a shield. Brilliant energy was pouring in bolts from the creature with the mace, flying at Nix, which he promptly deflected with his staff or his free hand. Nix' image appeared blurred, Sibyl noticed, probably due to his spinning and flailing around, leaping over the creatures and around them. He lightly tapped them in the stomach, the beak, their hands, their feet, and their backs, pushing them around, keeping them off of their feet. The enemy with the long sword had delivered two solid hits, but the solidity was due to Nix blocking it with his staff. Swinging it a third time, horizontally, the avian cried out in surprise, as the blade shattered on impact to the staff.

“Uh uh, Keva, flee now. You are weaponless and pose no threat. Leave these people alone.”

“They are evil, dragon. Go away and leave us to our hunt.”

Something flickered in Nix' eyes, and Sibyl felt afraid, just like when she saw him for the first time since his return. She took a step back, and gasped. Nix launched forward, thrusting his staff so far forward that he bent down to the momentum. The crimson weapon had pressed through the Keva's chestplate, and was sticking three feet out of his back.

“No creature… deserves to… be hunted.”

The second Keva dropped his mace and fled, his quick, bird-like feet removing him from the clearing.

The cage of fear wrapped around Sibyl vanished, and Nix pulled his staff from the dying Keva's chest.

“I am sorry your life ends here, brave soul. May your god welcome you into his domain.”

“You… will… pay.”

And the Keva fell over, blood still pouring from under his body. His eyes became lifeless and dull, the lids finally closing over his black orbs.

Nix slammed the staff into the ground and walked over to the two Nagas, upon which Sibyl noticed that they were still breathing.

“Tess, Jaf, will you be alright?”

Nix had knelt next to the two serpents, and his wings were blocking the sun over their bodies.

“If you are quick, you can save the village. I only wish I could have done my part.”

“Jaf, you will not die. I can take you two there to be nursed.”

“No time. Save Sakira and the elder…”

The one called Jaf closed his eyes and his tail curled up, slowly, slowly wrapping closer to his body.

“Leave me, Nix. I will join Jaf, our duty on this planet over.”

“Alright, as you wish. Hang on. I will come back.”

Nix folded his wings tight against his back and darted off into the forest to Sibyl's left, and she decided to follow.

“Who is there? I am not dead yet, Keva.”

“Hold on, I am no enemy. You are a Naga, yes?”

Tess lifted himself off of the ground, blood dripping from several slash marks, accompanied with two scorch marks on his chest. In his right hand he held a bow, and on his back Sibyl noticed a quiver.

“Who are you? Are you a friend of Nix?”

“I am.”

“And how do I know you are not lying?”

“Let me tend to your wounds. You are dying, are you not?”

“I am, but how do I know you will not torture me afterwards? We have not survived this long in this unforgiving forest by trusting every creature that pleads to help us. Damn those birds…”

“If I cannot help you, where is your village? I need to find Nix.”

“The Crimson Wind needs no help. But yes, he will kill you where I cannot. Go then, to the left of this clearing. You will come upon his trail quickly. He never was one to hide.”

“Thank you, I will return here for you.”

“To finish me off? I will be dead soon. Be gone with you.”

The Naga curled his tail around his waist, where he back against himself, keeping his body upright. Sibyl bowed and darted out of the clearing and towards the village.

After several moments, Sibyl found another trail of snapped twigs, a clean line where limbs would not reach, and those that did were shattered perfectly. It was almost like a tunnel, and Sibyl ran through it, hoping it was Nix that had made this trail.

“NIX! Wait up! I am still with you…”

The bronze could not keep running. She was used to flying long distances, not running for so long. After several minutes of rushing leaves and a calm breeze, the trees seemed almost to end entirely, and what lay before her made her gasp. Nix had engaged more than seven Kevas, and, to her surprise, was winning. She had felt no pulse as to him Exalting, thus leaving her to believe he was fighting on his neutral strength alone, without the aid of his energy. The brass was holding twin scimitars, singing in the air as they connected with blade after blade, never stopping to rest. The recklessness of Nix was displayed before her, and Sibyl could only watch as each Keva fell, small wounds kicking them out of the fight. On his final spin, Nix took the side of his red scimitars to bash the last two Kevas in the head, knocking them out and sending them to the ground.

“Nix!”

Two Nagas were battling three Kevas, fighting bravely and keeping well on the defense. The third Keva, however, was not fighting, and was reading something from a scroll. Nix seemed to understand, and he dropped the scimitar in his right hand. Blood from one of the dead Kevas seemed to spiral up to his hand, forming an orb barely an inch from his palm. He shifted to his left, lifted his right hand, and the orb surged forward, slamming into the scroll the Keva was reading. Angrily, the Keva turned towards Nix then screamed, as the blood reached up, tendrils of it slashing at the avian.

Nix picked up his scimitar and rushed forward, his wings still pressed tightly against his back. He slammed, shoulder first, into the nearest Keva, knocking him to the ground. The last Keva looked around and dropped its weapons. The Keva with the scroll finally stopped twitching as the tendrils receded, breathing heavily, but very much alive.

“Why are you here?”

“We were promised Salvation, Scale-bait.”

“You were promised salvation in the name of hunting a sentient race like your own?”

“Naga are nothing like us proud Keva!”

“Silence, old bird. I will slit your throat where you lay!”

“Selk, stand back. Keva, who promised you this… salvation?”

“I will speak no more.”

“Then leave my sight.”

“Nix! He assaulted our village and killed many young men. Will you spare that bird at the expense of our revenge!?”

Nix turned around and swiftly grabbed the Naga by the throat, pulling him down, face to face.

“Revenge is… not something… to be pr… oud of Selk. Revenge leads… to your death.”

Nix released his iron grip from the tall creature, standing roughly seven feet. The Naga named Selk turned around and angrily slithered off, upon which two smaller, female Naga approached him with salves and cleansing equipment.

Sibyl rushed from the trees towards Nix. As she approached him, she noticed the spell-casting Keva had pulled out another scroll, and was reading from it silently.

“Nix! Behind you!”

Quickly, Nix turned around, and as he saw the scroll, the Keva seemed to fade with a crack and a pop, leaving a scorch mark on the ground.

“Let him flee. He deserves to live in shame for what he has done today. Unfortunately, I killed two, so my own conscience is just as clouded.”

The dragon looked over at the mob of Keva he had incapacitated. One began to stir, and he reacted by leaping towards him, his wings spread wide. Nix landed next to the avian, who had nearly fainted at the sight of the him.

“Do not worry. I will not harm you.”

“A little late for that, eh?”

“Here, let me help you up.”

The Keva reluctantly lifted his hand up, and Nix lifted him to his feet.

“What are you doing? I could attack you, you know?”

“Yes, you tried that. I do not fear you, and you should not fear me.”

“Why not? You took out our entire scouting party.”

“Scouting party… damn. I guess you were too small to be an actual assault force.”

“So what now? I really do not believe you can take on an army of Keva.”

“I will if I must. These Naga will survive, and hopefully I will not slay many Keva.”

“How do you plan on winning a battle without casualties?”

“I have my ways. Now, why are your people attacking the Naga tribe?”

“A man came to us and claimed he could stop our people from dying.”

“Dying? You are mortal, Keva. You will die eventually.”

“Please, call me Caleb. Anyways, our people have been afflicted with a disease. It decays our feathers and rots our skin, causing death upon the way.”

“That is harsh. But you say this man claimed he could stop it?”

“He claimed, and showed.”

“So he cured someone?”

“Well, one of his own men was afflicted, and he cured him with a black light.”

Nix sighed and his shoulders dropped.

“He was lying. This man you speak of: was he garbed in all black? Was he adorned with a large brimmed hat, spiked boots and bladed gloves?”

“Why, yes. You know him?”
“Unfortunately. He is what we dragons call a Cormocodran, or for the strong, Cormo's.”

“Cormo's?”

“Yes. Fortunately, each Cormo's wears similar clothes according to its rank, its strength. This one sounds like a little Alpha. They are weak compared to others of their race, but still strong to many creatures.”

“So you are saying he was lying?”

“Yes. Now I plan on negotiating with your cleric friend, and hopefully purging this world of another Cormo's.”

“Hypocrite.”

“Oh?”

“You tell us not to hunt the Naga, yet it sounds like you hunt the Cormo's. Is it not the same?”

“Cormo's are not sentient, only the Cormocodran. They undergo a ritual to gain their strength, destroying any thought in their mind other than domination. As the Cormo's gains power, it gains additional goals, like obtaining an empire, overthrowing the Omega, and whatnot. Omega is the only Cormo's that has a mind of its own, and no two can exist together. “

“Um… odd. So they are like golems?”

“Flesh golems without the smell and twice the bite.”

“Sounds nasty. Wait a minute, I am your enemy.”

“No, you aren't. The Keva's only enemy is that Cormo's, and I shall relinquish his flame.”

“So now what?”

“Take me to your base, and allow me to stop this.”

“Nix!”

Nix turned around and saw Sibyl running towards him. He also noticed that the rest of the Keva he had knocked out were awake and were standing around him, watching him carefully, and their weapons still lying on the ground.

“Come Sibyl, let us take these Keva back to their home, and stop this.”

“What? They just attacked you! They are the enemy.”

“Told ya.”

“Caleb, you aren't helping. Sibyl, they attacked me because I sided with the Naga. I still do, but I plan on setting things right so that neither of these races will quarrel.”

Sibyl eyed the Keva named Caleb, a scar under his right eye, a chip near the tip of his beak. He had the air of a seasoned warrior about him, and Sibyl did not trust him.

“Come, Nix. Let us take our leave if we are to reach my people in time.”

The bird dashed off into the forest, back the way Sibyl had come. The other Keva followed right behind him, and Nix looked over at Sibyl.

“Here we go.”

He folded his wings slowly as Sibyl ran off and charged after everyone, his form appearing as the wind, sifting between the trees and leaves before him. He caught up to Caleb in moments, with the others tagging behind.

“You are no normal dragon, Nix.”

“You are a remarkably bright Keva if I must add. You should lead your people if you listen to reason so well.”

“I… thanks. But why did you listen? You could have killed all of us there, and then slaughtered the rest of us, judging by how you wield those blades.”

“These `blades' are not meant for killing. I attained this power to protect, not to destroy. Right now I am fulfilling my duty.”

“You sound like a paladin.”

“Without the brilliance, eh?”

“I like you, Nix. After this, come visit me. I'll treat ya to whatever it is you dragons eat.”

“Thanks for the offer. I'll remember that.”

“Caleb, ahead. Bohrl approaches.”

“Bohrl? They sent his hide up here?”

“Yes, sir. What shall we do?”

“Avoid him. If the Naga can stall him long enough, maybe Nix here can work his magic like he did to me.”

The Keva veered to the left in the dense forest and vanished.

Nix lifted himself off of the ground and flew through the higher limbs of the trees, his powerful wings easily brushing the twigs aside. Sibyl ran beside Caleb, the remaining Keva, and the two left the trees in a matter of moments, the brass dragon above them.

A large force of Keva were grouped together in front of Sibyl, and she watched as they threw spears at Nix, without hesitation. He promptly began to spin, splitting the sticks where they struck him. His wings began to blur as he swooped up and down, hitting all of the projectiles. Caleb ran through the Keva mob, Sibyl at his side. The creatures noted little of Sibyl, too preoccupied with killing Nix at the moment.

Caleb ran for a tent, a large decorated one, and upon entering, held up his left hand, signaling for Sibyl to stop. As she did so, Nix landed next to her and turned around. He roared, and the flaps of the tent were pulled back, the feathers on Caleb began to ruffle, and Sibyl had to put her hands to her ears for the moment.

Closing his mouth Nix folded his wings around his body and turned towards the tent.

“Caleb! What is the meaning of this? You traitor!”

“Feja Sin, the dragons wish to parley and help us.”

“Help us!? They are tricking you. They are going to kill me.”

Nix walked past Caleb and knelt before the Keva, whom Sibyl noticed was adorned with many red vines, crafted into many shapes and designs, giving him an air of authority.

“Your people listen to you, Leader. This one told me that a man came to you offering a sort of gift from your plague, yes?”

The Keva did not speak, only stared at Nix with hate.

“He is lying to you so that you may destroy the Naga, leaving the forest empty of one more species.”

“What does it matter to me that the Naga are gone? They are nothing more than savage half-breeds.”

Nix stood up, towering over the 5' avian.

“Caleb told me that the plague over your people is lethal. Let me look at an afflicted friend of yours and I'll be able to help. This creature that `wants' to help you is simply using you.”

“How do you know?”

“This is not the first time such a creature fits the description that follows such a story. I myself have aided three other tribes on the brink of extinction. Besides, what have you to lose? Your people are already dying. Why not take the help?”

“Because he knows you lie”

Nix turned around and stared at the Cormo's.

“You are a Gamma.”

“Yes, dragon. Is there a problem with that?”

“No, in fact, I prefer it that way.”

The Cormo's seemed set back on his heels and hesitated for a moment.

“Did you give up your sentience for a demon too? What was it? Power? Strategy? Deception?”

“How do you know this?”

“I've had some contact with your people, and I understand the oppression as a cormocodran. Nonetheless, you made your choice to ascend to a harbinger of destruction.”

“What is it to you?”

“I am the Guardian of Material.”

The Cormo's' eyes widened for a moment, and then he turned and ran, bolting to the side of the doorway. Nix chased after the Cormo's, tearing through the side of the tent and tackling the creature to the ground.

Two more creatures, adorned in blue trimmed, black clothing similar to the Gamma approached and raised their hands. Shards of violet crystal appeared and launched forward, piercing the ground where Nix was laying. He jumped into the air and snapped his wings, sending him spiraling towards the other two Cormo's.

“Now I have Deltas? I will purge your bodies from this sacred world.”

Nix landed on one of the Deltas and slammed his head into the ground. The other Delta waved his hand and vanished, reappearing several feet away and slightly faded. Nix stood up, his tail bashing the Delta on the ground in the head. He ran for the Delta, only to be knocked to the ground by a beam of frost, freezing his right wing in place. Angrily, Nix rolled to recover and began his charge again, keeping a wary eye on the two creatures. Something happened that was too fast for Sibyl to see, but she noticed that as Nix waved his hand, a flash of bright light emanated from his being, and the Delta fell to the ground clutching his right hand… or wrist. She gasped as she saw the hand of the Delta on the ground, writhing and smoking.

Nix' body seemed to shatter into millions of particles, then vanished from view.

The Gamma looked around, fearing for his life. He shouted and gurgled as blood filled his mouth. He looked down at the bladed tail protruding from his chest and turned around to see Nix standing behind him.

“Now, Delta. Your turn.”

Nix raised his left hand and shifted to his side. A whirl of flames began to form around his elbow, then crawled up to his wrist. The flame continued to grow, and Nix opened his hand wide, his clawed fingers spread apart. A yellow circle appeared in front of his hand, which then closed into a point and shot forward, carrying all of the flame from his arm towards the Delta. The Delta vanished and reappeared next to his original location, the jolt of flame missing by a hair. He stood up and fell in half to each side as Nix appeared and raised his arm above his head, a flash of silver glinting in the sunlight.

“May your souls return to Cormocodrans and reunite with your god.”

Nix lowered his arm and lifted his other hand, waving it several times. Patches of the ground lifted into the air, and the bodies of the Cormo's each were pulled into a separate grave. The soil was then lowered over their bodies, fitting perfectly like pieces of a puzzle.

“Nix!”

Sibyl ran from the tent and wrapped her arms around Nix. The brass shook his right wing several times until the ice fell off, the limb shaking from the cold. He folded around himself and Sibyl, his left wing following behind. Nix then lifted Sibyl and carried her back into the tent, where he set her back on her feet.

“Now, Keva, will you let me help you?”

“y-y-yes.”

“I only ask that you call off your men so that my Naga friends may be spared any more injuries.”

The leader of the Keva then nodded to his left and right, and two large avian ran forward, lances in their hands.

“Those two can deal with my men. As for you, you promised to help.”

“I did, and I shall. Take me to your village and I will inspect what all may be infected.”

“Nix, I finally found you.”

The brass turned around swiftly, his wings pulled tightly against his back. He spread his arms to protect Sibyl as he noticed who was standing before him.

“Pheyqua, why are you here?”

“I came for you little dragon.”

“You bastard angel, leave here at- wait. You caused the plague.”

“How could you say such a thing?”

“It is just like your work. I need not see the symptoms to understand what it was used for. Your damn undead army will never return.”

“We will see. Vex stopped me the first time, but he is not here anymore.”

Sibyl looked under Nix' arm, gazing at the creature before her. The being seemed to be male, with dark, nearly grey skin. It was smooth and almost seemed to slide over his body. Two black wings with reddish tips were protruding from his back, reaching through slits in his golden scale-mail. A golden gauntlet was covering his left hand, three metallic streams reached from his index, middle, and ring knuckle up towards his elbow. Only his head and his right hand were bare, revealing his gray skin.

“Leave, you foul example of an abomination.”

“Tsk tsk dragon. Do not be rude to your elders. But seeing as how I did drop in uninvited, I will make a deal with you. I will lift the curse on these little crows if you fight me.”

“Catch?”

“You let out Him.”

“Only if we return to Verzza.”

“Deal. Oh, and one more thing.”

The angel pointed his gloved finger at Sibyl.

“She comes to see.”

Nix clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth together.

“You dirty-“

“Now, now, she will not be harmed… physically.”

The brass dragon looked around at the Keva near him, at Sibyl, at Caleb, then up towards the roof of the tent.

“Fine. I can sacrifice myself one more time.”

“That is what I like to hear.”

The gray-skinned man waved his right hand, and a hole appeared in the ground not six feet from his position. He turned towards it and leaped inside, vanishing from view.

“Where does that lead?”

“Sibyl, it leads to my domain, my Plane. Pheyqua wants it as his own, because he does not possess the particular strength to create one himself.”

“Ok, but why does he want me to come?”

“To see something very dark I had hoped I could hide him from you while we were traveling, at least for a while. I hope you still trust me after this.”

Nix walked towards the hole, a simple gape in the ground roughly six feet in diameter. He walked into it, his body vanishing like Pheyqua's.

Sibyl, however, hesitated for a moment.

“Don't be scared, lass. That boyfriend of yours is a damn good fighter.”

“b-boyfriend? What are you talking about?”

“Oh nothing. Come, we best be hurrying to see the fuss.”

Caleb darted for the hole and dove in, spinning a 360 in the air as he plummeted into the pit. Sibyl then walked to the edge of the hole. She spread her wings, closed her eyes, and slid off of the edge, her wings flapping in the wind above her as she fell. Almost immediately the bronze felt the sensation of becoming lighter and lighter, until she thought she was being blown away, held up in the wind over a blue ocean. She saw a myriad of colors swirling around her until she felt dizzy. Sibyl was then standing on a massive, smooth rock, covered in small patches of moss coming in many warms colors. The rock, however, was not slippery, and seemed to hold to her just to keep her from falling. Walking forward, Sibyl noticed she was in a massive hole, spreading out at least forty or so meters in every direction. On all sides were a single, circular wall made of some gray-blue rock, reaching into the sky. In the middle of the area lay a calm lake, forever in the light of the moon. On all sides of the lake was the grey-blue rock, wide enough for four or five caravans to fit comfortably, like a large road just for walking. The rock gave way like a cliff, though it dropped only five feet, where the rock vanished and gave way to sparkling sand which met the soft waves from the lake.

And in the middle of the lake, meters above it, flew Nix and Pheyqua.

It happened so suddenly, Sibyl believed for a second that she was seeing things. Nix and Pheyqua had connected, the grey skinned creature wielding a long sword, the brass a using his left wrist, connected and staring at each other.

“Release him.”

“Why do you want to fight him, angel? What have you to gain?”

“I have a vendetta, and I intend to destroy him and regain my pride.”

“Foolish emotions. Especially from someone like yourself. What happened?”

“He humiliated me, and I WILL exact my revenge.”

Nix shook his head, and pulled back from Pheyqua, and immediately Sibyl noticed something was wrong. An air of regret seemed to cloud over Nix, her old, jubilant friend. The brass dragon closed his eyes, lowering his face, and allowing his body to fall feet first towards the lake. The angel smiled and started his own descent, flying down, his black wings flapping slowly. A feeling of victory displayed itself over Pheyqua, and his brandished long sword was held high, ready to attack.

“You win.”

Nix plummeted towards the water, but upon impact, his feet did not sink, and instead the water rippled out like a sort of gelatin. His elongated jaw common to most half-dragons began to pull back, until his face was more human than dragon. As he opened his eyes, Caleb gasped.

“He is a demon.”

“Nix is no demon. He is a dragon.”

“Those eyes. Lass, I'm afraid your friend is no longer a natural creature of this world.”

“Don't say that. He is still Nix.”

Then the dragon spoke, and Sibyl found her body frozen to her spot, stricken by fear.

“So, angel, is it time to play already?”

“Stop your mockery, Shija. You die today.”

“So when I'm done and you are dead, those birds won't die anymore?”

“True, that would happen.”

“It isn't a possibility that you will survive our dance. Death isn't so kind to give more than a second chance.”

Pheyqua seemed to become enraged and dove towards the strange dragon, bringing his long sword down on Nix' head. He retaliated by vanishing and reforming with an outline of random colors next to Pheyqua, holding the angel's blade in his hand.

“It seems you missed. Try becoming less predictable and your enemy will not be able to read you like the manual you are.”

“SILENCE YOU HALF-BREED!”

“Tsk tsk Celestial. Emotions lead to blindness, and you can't even hit me to begin with.”

Pheyqua clenched his teeth and angrily thrust to his side, bringing the long sword towards Shija. The dragon spun a 180 and grabbed the weapon from behind him, stopping the attack easily.

“You see, Pheyqua, the reason you lost last time was because you decided to ascend before you could hurt me. You underestimated me and ultimately lost. Listen, I am feeling generous with my toy. If you release the feathered creatures from their curse, I will let you leave with most of your limbs. Whadda ya say?”

“You don't understand how much stronger I've become, Shija. I will defeat you, and when you are gone, I will have no obstacles halting my resurrection of my undead army.”

“Oh, we can't have that, can we? Your unnatural needs must be completed without question.”

Pheyqua eyed the new Nix curiously, not understanding his gestures.

“Oh wait, was that sarcasm? Hmm… I think I am mocking you again. Well, I guess I DO have something to say. Left or right leg?”

“What?”

“I take that as a right.”

Shija kicked Pheyqua in the stomach, his knee driven into the angel's plate, chipping the metal. As the angel clutched his stomach, Shija flicked his left hand at Pheyqua's right leg, which in turn began to bleed profusely, pouring down to his foot and flowing into the lake.

“Hmm… it didn't fall off. I guess you ARE stronger.”

“SHUT UP!”

Pheyqua pushed Shija back with a burst of wind, the angel's wings stretching out from his body. Sibyl, still standing off to the side with Caleb then noticed that the dragon had no wings, and was simply floating in the air, seamlessly moving through the air.

“Aww, is the little child getting angwy? Should I fetch a bottle of milk to calm you down?”

Pheyqua's head began to shake as he clenched his weapon harder, his knuckles turning white.

“ASCENSION!”

~~~

“ooh, now we are getting serious.”

Pheyqua's body was surrounded by fire, spiraling up from the water and forming a circle around him. Inside, Shija could see the angel's body changing. His skin darkened to a black as his hair whitened and grew to his hip. His golden armor was tinted with a reddish hue, and the blade of his long sword was replaced with a shifting flame, waving back and forth dangerously.

“Today you die, Shija!”

“If you hit me, I'll ascend. Can ya do it? Or rather, do you even deserve to see my humble power?”

“Your remarks are meaningless. You still think you can win? I could not attain as much power from ascending as I can now.”

“Oh, so high and mighty. Too good to talk to lowly Shija. I guess we will have to teach ya a lesson.”

Pheyqua waved his blade and dispersed the orb of fire which had then become two strips, each one for his wings, alighting each respectively. He darted forward, leaving behind a trail of flame as he slashed at Shija, his speed greatly enhanced. Shija shook his head, and as the blade reached him, he grabbed Pheyqua's hand, twisted it behind the angel, and kicked him in the back, sending him spiraling into the water, steam reaching for the moonlit sky.

“I gave you a hint, Pheyqua. Success only comes from learning from your mistakes. Always thrusting. Why, keep this up and I might think you have mistaken me for a woman.”

Pheyqua shot out of the lake and released orbs of flame from his un-gloved hand, streaming towards Shija.

“Variety? Have you not heard of it? How about style? Well, honestly I think you have already answered that.”

Shija shifted to his side to allow one of the orbs to slam into the lake. He raised his hands and opened his arms in a circle, letting another ball of flame pass through. Pheyqua continued to launch the flame at Shija. After several such assaults, the dragon seemed to be getting bored.

“Come ooooooooooooon. Attack me! At least try to hit me.”

“Fight me, then”

“Wait, we are fighting? I thought we were still dancing.”

“Silence you insolent pile of scales.”

“Don't talk big when you can't back it up.”

Pheyqua suddenly launched a spiral of flames towards Shija, roughly fourteen meters in diameter. Unable to move anywhere, Shija turned around and crossed his arms. The flames enveloped him, and soon steam began to arise from the searing water.

“Ha. Can't dodge my attacks?”

Pheyqua released his hold on the flame pillar and looked over at Sibyl and Caleb.

“I guess I can start my undead army with you two-“

Pheyqua coughed as he found Shija next to him, his knee in the angel's stomach.

“You hit me. Give my regards to Charon.”

“Wha- how?”

Shija spun, launching Pheyqua from his knee and sending him spiraling over the water. Regaining his balance, the flaming angel flew higher into the air, igniting his body and raising his sword above his head. Shija tilted forward, streaking towards the angel. Pheyqua lowered his blade, sweat building on his forehead from maintaining this form for longer than intended. Shija understood he was new to the Ascension business, and knew he did not understand the principles. A wave of fire erupted from the tip of Pheyqua's blade, and Shija turned on his side and avoided the stream of flame. As he reached the angel, the brass grabbed his collar and pulled his enemy with him in his flight, bringing him against the far wall of stone. Shija slammed the angel into the stone several times, spinning with him and punching him in the stomach twice, once in his jaw, then spun backwards, kicking Pheyqua in the chin, the talons on his feet slashing the angel's smooth black skin. Blood dripping from his nose and his chin, Pheyqua continued to become enraged, slashing fruitlessly at Shija. Responding to his attacks, Shija grabbed Pheyqua's shoulders and head-butted him and then slammed his knee into his stomach again, only this time Pheyqua keeled over and vomited, blood and bile pouring from the many cuts from the dragon's impacts.

“Finisher.”

Shija reached forward and in the span of a second, stabbed through the angel's armor, his hand piercing his skin. Blood erupted from the wound as Shija jerked back out; holding what appeared to be the intestines of his enemy. Gasping from the pain, Pheyqua tried to slash at Shija, but he reacted before the angel. Taking his foot, the dragon pressed it into the flaming creature's right knee, bending it back with several cracks. He then took his other foot and kicked through the hole he had made moments before, his foot reaching in until the armor on Pheyqua's back shifted as he felt his spine rip in half, and Shija's foot was pressed against his armor.

“I don't think I ascended this time. Did I forget old friend?”

Hate and malice was displayed on the eyes of the angel as his body began to dissipate, the blood still pouring from the painful wounds.

“I will get you yet-“ blood flowed from his mouth as he spoke, finding it hard to make audible sounds. “Half-breed.”

The flaming angel's body then vanished in a spiral of flame, much weaker than the first Exaltation he had performed earlier to ascend.

“Come back when you wish to play.”

Shija slowly turned around and stared at Sibyl and Caleb, his eyes staring deep into their souls.

“We have the fabled bronze, and a new companion. Lucky to have friends… Nix”

The dragon immediately arced back and stared up at the moonlit sky, flames reaching from his mouth, eyes, ears, and nostrils, flaring like a raging flame. Convulsing slightly, the flames receded, and two wings breached Nix' skin to return once more, flapping softly to keep the dark brass aloft.

“We are lucky we returned so quietly.”

Nix slowly returned to land, his wings folding around him slowly as he regained his posture.

“He usually enjoys toying with the people I hold dear to me. Such a painful persona.”

“Persona?”

“Let me return to Sakira to see if she is fine. I do worry about her…”

“Alright. Tell me there.”

Caleb simply stared in wonder at the dragons. Such power was only held to the gods, or creatures held in high esteem of such beings. And he was friends with two of them.

Nix raised his hand and waved it several times, until a hole roughly seven feet tall opened up along the blue wall. The brass walked through without hesitating, and Caleb and Sibyl followed slowly thereafter. Sibyl again felt the sensation of become nothing and floating at a rapid speed towards some unknown destination. Finally, her mass returned to her, and she was walking out of a tree, Nix waiting for her. Automatically she walked away from the tree and turned around, waiting for the Keva accompanying her. Upon his exit, the trio looked to their left, noticing the encampment of Keva ready for the assault on the Naga. Nix started off to a run, Sibyl and Caleb hot on his heels. The three happened upon the tent, and without hesitation Nix burst through the flaps of the tent. The clanging of steel told Sibyl he met some Keva.

“Bring me to your clan lord so that we may settle this matter and your people be free of famine and disease.”

“You charge in here and begin barking orders. You dragons all think you are all so much higher than the rest of us!”

“I'm no dragon, but if you want to maintain your pride, I suggest you lower your weapon.”

“Lower your blades, my faithful watchers. He means no harm… yet.”

The two Keva soldiers that blocked Nix were nearly 6' tall, each bearing a broadsword held up in a cross, barring Nix' way. The two reluctantly lowered their weapons, and Nix approached the leader.

“I removed the creator of the pestilence, and the disease should die out shortly. Just as a precaution, I should like your people to throw out everything that were contaminated so that no chances are met. Toss your food, your water, drain your wells, and plough any dirt to freshen the soil.”

“Our people will starve through the winter, dragon. We cannot abandon what we have worked so hard this summer to grow.”

“I will ask the Naga to share with you, and your people can build a bond so that this mishap will never happen again.”

“WHAT!? I will receive no help from a snake.”

“They are no more evil than you, and deserve just as much respect. Give them a chance, or your people will suffer from the remaining parcels of this plague. The choice is yours, leader. Lead your people to their demise, or swallow your pride and trust the Naga.”

“What if they will not aid us?”

“That is up to me, Lord. I will persuade them, if you are willing to listen.”

“I will do what I can to save my people.”

Nix turned from the Keva and his tent, then ran down into the forest, Sibyl and Caleb once more hot in pursuit.

“What did he say?'

Caleb could not contain himself, hoping his stubborn chieftain would listen.

“He will take what help he can, if only I can provide it. I simply hope the Naga will listen this time…”

A massive crash resounded through the trees, and Nix immediately stopped, Sibyl and Caleb bouncing off of his bulk.

“Cormo's.”

“How can you tell?”

“I can smell them.”

Sibyl sniffed the air. Something was different, but she didn't know what.

And just like that Nix exploded into fury, a swirl of wind carrying leaves around his body, his twin tendrils floating up and behind him. His body lifted off of the ground, and he shot forward, a gunshot of spiraling energy searing through the whispering trees.

“Nix! Wait up!”

Sibyl and Caleb got to their feet and began to run as quickly as possible, though simple outmatched by the dragon's fury.

“How can that boy be so angry at just the smell of those… Cormo's was it?”

“I don't know, Caleb. I intend to find out, though. What I can't understand is what he meant by persona earlier.”

“Maybe he is schizophrenic?”

“Nix? No, he is perfectly stable as far as I'm concerned.”

“How long have you known him?”

“Many years. Except for the last two. He vanished and returned with all this power, and so much more mature. He is still very mysterious, and I want some answers as soon as I can get them.”

“Let me in on it. I'm just as curious lass”

Sibyl finally stopped as she saw Nix several yards in front of her, the wind still spiraling around him. His wings were gone, and a metallic disc floated off to his side, the wind concentrated more heavily around the disc, spinning rapidly.

“No Naga will die today, you pathetic hollow vessel.”

“Nix! I did not know you were here today. Come to visit your dear sister?”

“If so much as a scale is missing from her, your death will be late.”

“Late? How do you mean by that?”

“As late as your master's after the incident in your home world.”

This remark seemed to strike a bit of fear into the Cormo's, who was heavily adorned like any other, though his clothes were rather yellowish.

“Let us test each other since last time, shall we?”

“You were only three months into your training, and now look at you. We have reason to fear Vex, if he can make soldier's like you in the span of two years. Think of a decade. We could rule any domain without resistance.”

“Power and power is all you think. You haven't learned, but I have. Come”

The Cormo's lifted slightly off of the ground by an unseen force, then vanished, reappearing next to Nix, a short sword clanging against the talons of the brass dragon.

“You are also darker, dragon. Is He getting to you?”

“When I finish this, he can have me. You will not hinder me today.”

“Hmmph. We'll see.”

The Cormo's slashed vertically twice and spun a 360, slamming the flat of his blade against Nix' back who had deflected the previous attacks. Rolling forward, Nix vanished before he hit the ground, and his knee was slamming against the Cormo's blade pressed against his own stomach. Immediately Nix flipped backwards, his foot hitting the hand of his enemy which was held against his chin. The enemy released a wave of force from a waved hand, and Nix landed on his hands, his wings wrapped around him and using the force to push him further away, landing on his feet. He flipped high into the air, bringing his body to full effect as he slammed into the man before him.

“Why isn't he using his element like we saw before?”

Sibyl realized that Caleb was right. Nix was not using anything other than his physical strength to combat this creature, and a fine foe he was presenting to be.

“Time to raise the stakes.”

The Cormo's pointed his right finger to his left, behind him, towards Sibyl, and a streak of red ripped from his hand, streaming towards the bronze. A black figure appeared in between the two, his wings held in front of him. The wings immediately vanished into a spark of blue and Nix' dimmed brass returned, replacing the previous black. He dashed forward, slashing at the Cormo's with his left hand, keeping his right one held back, for reasons Sibyl did not know.

Slashing to deflect the attack, the Cormo's was too occupied at the moment to notice what Nix had been doing, but if he had, he'd have made it his top priority to vanquish the attempt. After several moments of Nix moving around the man, slashing and biting at him, a skull appeared in his right hand, green emeralds peering through the sockets for its eyes. The Cormo's noticed the gleam, and half-squealed as he recognized his error.

“You can't do that!”

“I'm not pulling all of it. You aren't worthy of it, and neither am I.”

Nix threw the skull up, and immediately his opponent weaved strange magic around his person, fading from view and shifting several feet back in the span of a second.

“Spirit magic is forbidden by Cormo's, but not because it is deadly, you see.”

“I know why, Nix. It is unfortunate that I learned about that… set-back after the ceremony, but I have no regrets now. Power is all I need for joy.”

“Magic of the soul can't come from a Cormo's, for they have none. Only a Cormocodran may learn this, and you still forbade it. Time to show you some strengths.”

Nix' body exploded in a myriad of colors, ranging from violet to red, to yellow and blue, and finally green and orange. The colors were then immediately pulled into his body, which then decided to vanish. The Cormo's was sent flying towards Sibyl and Caleb as Nix appeared, his foot still moving from where it had slammed against his enemy's head.

“You Exalt, I get my spirit. A fair trade, as far as I'm concerned.”

“Is your spirit that much stronger than the demon inside of me?”

“My spirit grows quicker than a demon, because demons are immortal. They don't need to age, for it matters not. Therefore their energy ages at an incredibly slow rate. You are outmatched.”

Nix pointed his finger into the air, and leaves and twigs were pulled up from the wind to twirl around his arm, spinning faster and faster until neither Sibyl nor Caleb were able to see it from the clouding debris. The dragon pointed his finger at the Cormo's, a spear of concentrated wind energy streaked forward, thrusting through the abdomen of the creature dressed in yellow trimmed black. His body faded for a second, and Nix knew that his attack was not lethal. His enemy was retreating, and he did nothing to stop it.

“Next time, I will find aid to conquer this threat.”

Clutching his wound, the Cormo's faded into wisps of shadow stuff, then vanished altogether.

“Yes, like Pheyqua. Always a next time…”

“Nix! Are you alright?”

Sibyl ran up to the dragon, and to her shock his scales were much darker than a dull brass. Instead, they were nearing a grey, a hint of lustrous brass still hidden amongst his skin.

“I will be fine. Come”

Impassively, Nix turned his back to Sibyl and began to run, much slower than before; towards where he thought the Naga village was located. Caleb and the bronze followed him, tagging a few feet behind.

“Hey, Nix? Why ya hate them Cormo's like ya do? I know you hunt them because they aren't natural, but why so emotional?”

“Unfortunately, I cannot contain myself around them, that much is true. As for why, it is a simple feel of revenge that drives me to slaughter any Cormo's that shows a reasonable threat.”

“Revenge?”

“My biological mother was a good brass. She didn't deserve the punishment.”

Sibyl stopped running, shortly followed by Nix and Caleb. Slowly she asked:

“Your… real mother?”

“I'll explain once I know Sakira is safe.”

Nix took off once more, only Sibyl followed slowly this time.

***

“Nix!”

The Naga leaped at Nix, wrapping her arms around his neck and hanging off of him. He returned the embrace and folded his wings around Sakira.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, brother. I am fine.”

Sakira wore a sleeveless tunic, reaching just barely past her waist. Her reptilian tail was colored an emerald green, with black splotches across its back. As the tail neared her humanoid waist, the emerald scales receded to long yellow scales common to a normal snake's underbelly. Sakira's hair was long and wavy, reaching midway down her back, showing a dark violet waving around her. The eyes were soft and violet as well, giving her a soft and gentle look. On her bare, left arm were several wrappings for a make-shift bandage, and she seemed to favor the arm slightly.

“I guess I should not worry. You are capable of taking care of yourself.”

Sibyl and Caleb were standing behind Nix, in front of a hut near the edge of the massive clearing, suggesting the trio had reached the village. Several other Naga were working, cooking, bringing in crops, and fixing the houses. Much to Sibyl's surprise, many Naga did not have smooth, human-like skin like Sakira, instead portraying scales on their entire body. Some had hoods, others had long, sinuous tongues, and all, including Sakira, had large fangs that could move to rest on the roof of their mouth.

“Who is this, brother?”

Nix turned around, Sakir still hanging from his neck, her long tail dragging behind him.

“These two are Sibyl, the bronze dragon, and Caleb, the Keva.”

“You stopped it, right?”

“If you mean the assault, then yes. I have come to ask for piece on behalf of the Keva, and to ask your people's aid to help recover the bird-people's population.”

“Oh…”

Sakira stared at Sibyl, her neck bending backwards at a funny angle. She dropped from Nix' neck, easily catching herself on her tail. As she lifted herself, Sibyl realized that Sakira' body was only two or so feet long. The rest of her body was held up by the tail, making her almost as tall as Sibyl herself.

The Naga turned around and slithered behind Nix, lowering her body till she was nearly perpendicular to the ground, sliding through the grass at Nix' feet, her arms sliding lightly against the ground with her.

“What a strange child…”

“Yes, Caleb. I agree.”

Sibyl and Caleb followed, as usual, wondering if they would ever stop following the dark brass dragon.

After several hours of arguing and persuasion, Nix was finally able to allow the Keva a safe home and convince the Naga to share many crops for the tribe of birds to help their recovery.

“You will see, Chieftain. This allegiance will help someday. Maybe not in our lives, but somewhere down the line this aid will come out.”

“If they betray us, Nix-“

“I assure you, they won't. They need the help at all costs and will most likely welcome all the help they can.”

“He is here.”

Nix had sent Caleb to retrieve the Keva chieftain and bring him here so the Naga chief could talk and understand one another. The Keva walked into the hut, adorned in fine red jewelry, his feathers shining like a new-born ready to fly. However, the huge Naga left him taken aback. The Naga chieftain wore only a cloth vest over his torso, and bow longer than the Keva strapped to his back, and two massive scimitars suitable for his size were held at his side. His torso was nearly five feet long, and his tail maybe ten or twelve, standing him eight feet on his tail and nine feet of tail dragging behind. His body was completely covered in scales, a cobra's hood around his neck. Lastly, his scales themselves were a deep, midnight blue to compliment his violet, slit eyes.

“Welcome to our humble village, Keva.”

“Yes, and thank you for allowing me a safe passage.”

“But of course. We held no quarry to begin with, and will welcome any chance to set things straight.”

“I am surprised you are not angry with my actions.”

“I am rather dismayed by the loss of three brethren and five wounded, but vengeance is not my way. We will promise you what aid we can offer, and hope for a safe return to your own village.”

“We thank you, Naga.”

And with that, the Keva backed out of the tent, turn, and returned to the woods to bring what strong warriors he could to help him with the offering. He understood the Naga were making a massive sacrifice, giving up their crops to feed an entire village, and was grateful for this offer.

“Oh, and before I go, thanks. Thanks to you, dragon, the Keva in this forest will survive that plague.”

Nix jumped down from the branches above, walking from the Keva.

“We come and go - the wind of repentance.”

The Keva chieftain turned around, amazed at the dragon. Finding him gone, he returned to walking into the forest, returning home.

However, Caleb was nearby and heard the dragon himself. He ran back to the hut Sibyl and Caleb were offered temporarily by the Naga. The day was nearly gone by now, the pale moon shining through the leaves of the threes. Nix was not with the two, as he was staying with his sister, Sakira.

“Sibyl! Sibyl come here.”

“What now?”

“I heard Nix recite something”

“Ok. Was he chanting to himself or something?”

“No, I mean he recited a phrase from an old Keva legend.”

“Alright. What is that supposed to mean?”

“The legend was about a ruler who traveled through dimensions and enslaved hundreds of races. After many years, he called upon the power of many dragons, bringing ruin to his own domain, moving to one that better suited him. In the middle of calling the dragons, a creature of unknown origin raised its head and blasted the ruler and his dragons to ashes, saving the world. The creature spoke to all of the beings present, saying `We come and go - the wind of repentance' and vanishing into the wind, his body sifting away like sand.”

“So he knows a phrase used in an old - wait a minute.”

“Bingo.”

“But - what does this mean? Is he that creature?”

“Only time will tell this story, and if it is him, he won't be here much longer.”

“If something does happen, I'm sure Vex can save him.”

“Vex?”

Sibyl realized that Caleb had not been told about the being apart of Nix. Is it a good idea giving the secret out? Actually, is it a secret? Believing it wouldn't hurt, Sibyl explained:

“Vex is the name of a being living inside of Nix. It has trained him to what he is now. In fact, before he trained, he and I were near equals. It seems two years made him a warrior of many elements”

“Wait, you mean he was just as weak as you?”

“Weak!?”

“Well, compared to what he is now, lass.”

“I guess - “

“Sibyl!”

The bronze dragon turned her head towards the door to the hut just as Sakira burst in.

“Sakira, what is it?”

“It is Nix. Something is happening to brother! Follow me!”

The Naga slithered out of the house, much quicker than Sibyl had thought. Despite having no legs, the snake-girl was proving to be a speedy child. As Sibyl ran after her, she almost lost the girl as she took a few turns, driving her into the village.

“Sakira, wait up!”

As she ran though a thicket of dense underbrush, she saw Sakira laying over Nix' body, face-up on the ground. Sibyl ran up to him and asked Sakira:

“Do you know what is wrong?”

“No. He decided he was leaving suddenly then ran out of our home. I followed him, not wanting him to leave so suddenly. I found him passed out here and immediately went to you for your help.”

“Aknis… it isn't….worth it….”

Nix began to mumble, and Sibyl caught the word `Aknis' several times.

“Sakira, help me carry Nix back to your hut.”

“Ok”

Sakira crawled over Nix, careful not to touch him, afraid of hurting him. As she and Sibyl touched him he gasped, his eyes opening for a second, then shutting once more. His skin darkened a shade once more, and it seemed as if his scales were moving, like living shadow covering his body. Not quite black, but too dark for a brass.

“Aknis… you will die… don't die… Master!”

Nix began to cough up blood, his scales shifting in irritation. The blood began to drip past his lips and fell back onto his tendrils. Sibyl could only watch in amazement as the blood began to glow, forming dozens of strange and forgotten runes all over his tendrils, giving the appearance of red war-paint.

“Sibyl, what is happening? Is he dying?”

Sakira was more than worried, and was starting to become frantic. Her only `family' was coughing up blood in front of her, and she couldn't take it.

“I don't know what is happening, Sakira. Calm down first, he'll pull through.”

“You don't know that!”

“Silence. I cannot concentrate with your whimpering.”

“Huh? Who is there?”

Sakira looked up into the trees, looking for something to jump out and attack her.

“I am Nix, and Nix is I. Now if you don't shut up, he is going to do something I warned him not to do yet, and I will be too distracted to stop him at a crucial point. Idiotic pile of scales, I should show Judgment next time.”

“Vex?”

“Hello Sibyl. How are you?”

“Well, I'm a bit worried.”

“As you should be. Now step back.”

Sibyl regained her posture and walked back, Sakira doing likewise, staring up at Sibyl, tears in her violet eyes. What happened next, Sibyl could make no sense of.

Nix' wings reached up and around his body, each scale elongating into a feather, glowing a pale grey as they did so. The blood discontinued its dripping form his mouth, but the runes on his tendrils continued to glow. The feathers on Nix' wings suddenly fell off, spiraling up and completely enveloping his body. The wind from the scales was deafening, and Sibyl could faintly hear Sakira screaming, much less her own voice. As each scale passed by, it faintly nicked Sibyl, scales chipping and little droplets of blood dropping from her arms and legs. Flames erupted from each scale, a searing heat blasting the trees backwards from the eruption, causing little damage but showing much force. After what seemed like a lifetime, Sibyl noticed that the scales had stopped spiraling, and seemed to be frozen in time, sitting in the air, the fire apparent, but neither flickering nor crackling. Liquefying, the scales turned a bright sky blue and fell to the ground, soaking Sibyl and Sakira as the water poured down like rain. As the water discontinued its downpour, the bronze dragon noticed that Nix was laying on his stomach, breathing softly, the runes missing from his tendrils. Shivering, Sakira walked up to Nix and lay down next to him, laying her head on his back.

“He has no wings.”

Sibyl realized that Sakira was right. His wings were gone… again.

“I do not understand. What is the significance of his wings vanishing occasionally while he fights?”

“Nix sacrifices his flight for speed and the ability to further channel the elemental stream that flows through all things.”

The Naga chieftain, Rumos was softly slithering towards Sibyl, the moonlight reflecting off of his deep blue scales.

“How did you know - “

“Vex told me.”

“You know of Vex?'

“Yes, Sibyl. Vex may be apart of Nix, but he is not restricted to his body. It seems the entity is too lazy to explain himself, and is letting my speculation relieve you of your questions.”

Nix lifted himself, and in turn, Sakira, from the ground, shaking his head, his tendrils sliding off his back and onto the ground.

“Wha - what happened? Master!”

“Shh, Nix. Everything is Ok.”

Rumos lowered his body to talk easily with Nix.

“What is it you saw?”

“Master is helping me, but at the cost of his body. I could not let it happen, and sent my soul to his domain to stop him.”

“You know you could do nothing.”

“I had to try.”

“It seems you are returning to your old self, Nix.”

“Say good-bye. Our next adventure awaits us soon.”

Everyone could hear Vex, though it was not their ears that received the words.

“He is right. We must go. Someone is in need of our assistance. We have done what was needed.”

“I'm coming with you!”

Nix was standing now, with Sakira clutching his waist, hidden behind his back.

“Sakira, it is too dangerous.”

“What is?”

“I am going to stop the Emperor from traveling to other planes and assaulting other races. He is tampering with something he shouldn't. Plus, he plans on removing this world so that he leaves nothing behind him.”

“How do you know this?”

“Two years I was gone. You think all I did was train mentally and physically over the elements and through the styles of many weapons?”

Thurkear - Black Dragon

Gar - Blue Dragon

Santimzza - Blue Dragon

Srrivarla - Silver Dragon

Koran - Radiant Dragon

Kaip - Red Dragon

Jelk - Green Dragon

Tinska - Green Dragon

Sinka - Silver Dragon

Nix - Brass Dragon

Vixshra - Bronze Dragon

Sibyl - Bronze Dragon

Erathial - Cloaked

Kitch-Vax - Faji of the Nitmomh Zppm

Lehamue- God the dragons of good alignment.

Keva - Avian humanoids

Naga - creatures with serpentine tails for the waist, and humanoid from that waist up

Pheyqua - Unholy Celestial, lord of the Rotting Land

Sakira - Sister of Nix

Rumos - Naga Chieftain