Fated to rule

Eclipse of the mind

Dendrick and Gellerion arrived at the place where the messenger disappeared. It was obvious while there still was his shiny helmet lying on the ground. 

"This is the location. It dragged him this way," pointed with his finger, "but that's all I know, unfortunately." "Alright, let´s hope the abductor didn´t make many turnings. We will go straight and see where we get. By a stroke of luck, we will find Norrick." 

They didn´t know that their friend was captured, the only thing they knew, was that Norrick had some troubles.

...

After a whole night without any chance for slumber, Norrick was completely out of condition. His eyes were red-rimmed and his face with powerless expression was sufficient sign of his state. Each moment he fell asleep, Meliana woke him up and kept whispering him the same thing as before, just closely, right into his ear. That was happening for some time until she noticed somebody got to the nearby forest, surrounding the caves. Her eyes turned blazing purple colour and with a scream disappeared in shadow. A few seconds later, Norrick got off.

...

As both of the saviors were breaking through the dense bushes, Meliana appeared in a form of the shadow in treetops above them. She moved in the left direction and lost behind the trees. 

"That´s the thing which transformed into a woman!" Shouted Gellerion "We have to follow her before we lose her completely." He was ready to start running. 

"No, hold on!" Stopped him Dendrick, "I think she wants to deceive us. Don't follow her."

After a short amount of time, thinking about what he said, Gellerion admitted it. 

"Well, maybe you are right. I haven't thought about it that way. What shall we do then?"

"Let's stay on our way, and if she comes again, just ignore her. Maybe she will try something else. Don't trust anything or anybody except me." "Alright," assured him Gellerion.

Seeing the fact that it is Dendrick, accompanied the boy, she stopped her poor attempts of distraction and decided on trying more aggressive ones. 

Suddenly Norrick's voice could be heard: "Help me. Please, somebody!"

Noticing it, Gellerion started running towards the source, regardless of Dendrick´s following. Fortunately, the taller man was able to catch him quickly. Now both saw their friend, sitting under the tree tied in cobwebs. It was impossible to see him in the face and that was why they needed to get closer. With slow steps, they approached the ranger. Being aware of the possibility this whole situation is a trap, Gellerion unsheathed his blade.

When they were almost by Norrick's side, he disappeared, and their way was now full of spiders ready to attack them. Far from them was standing Meliana and chuckled. "Kill the older one and capture the boy!" Commanded.

Dendrick quickly shaped into Tarrtas. Spotting that, Gellerion was shocked as he saw it for the first time, but at the same time happy. He had no longer an unarmed fellow-fighter by his side, although furious, muscular beast with sharp fangs and claws. They were killing everything that came in their way. Previously old, calm man, loving almost all animals, was now tearing one spider after another. Gellerion was improving his combat skills every time he chopped off some part of the creature or blocked, dodged their attack. Going through the horde of spiders they saw, where are the beasts coming from. The m******e continued until they got to the caves from where all of them came. Suddenly they stopped appearing.

"What's wrong?!" Said Gellerion with a dark purple flush in his eyes that disappeared in a second. 

Dendrick quickly transformed back to his human form and turned in Gellerion's direction.

"We should be glad there is no more of them. Remember, killing is nothing you should enjoy, even though it is a spider who is your enemy."

"Hmm," retorted the boy.

Both of them now saw a man lying by the entrance of the largest cavern.

"Wait, maybe it is another trap," uttered Dendrick.

"Second time? That would be too awkward," swung Gellerion his hand. 

He had nothing against this comment and walked right behind the boy. 

"It is him! Thank God, we found him. Hey Norrick. It's me, Gellerion." Saying that he placed his hand on the ranger's shoulder and squeezed. No reply came. 

"No! You can't be dead! Please." The boy was close to tears when Dendrick got closer.

"What's wrong?" 

"I don't know. He is not replying. Is he dead?"

"Let me see him." 

Norrick's skin had whitish colour, same his lips. After touching his forehead, Dendrick noticed Norrick is also hypothermic. At last, when he tried to listen if his friend is breathing, a sign of relief appeared on his face. "He isn't dead. This headstrong dumb is just sleeping. Nevertheless, his condition is in really bad shape."

"Is he going to be alri…" Gellerion's question was interrupted by something. 

The ground started shaking and small rocks were falling from the tops of the caves. After some time it stopped. 

"What was that?" Asked the boy once again. "I don't know," said Dendrick discomposedly. 

Loud, angry scream of something really big could be heard from the deep bottom side of the cavern. The whole cave was shaking and rocks began falling again. With each step of the monster, getting up from the bottom, the quake grew stronger.

"I think I don't want to know." Saying that Dendrick transformed and gestured on the boy to climb on his back.

Gellerion quickly took Norrick in his arms and got on the Tarrtas. The scream was getting closer and closer. Now was no time for slow passing through the forest. They had to escape from it as fast as possible. That's why Dendrick suffered a lot of scratches during the run. Suddenly, a huge bang and after some time cracks of trees crushed by large stones were heard. The scream was now clear as the monster got out of the stone cave. Dendrick was forced to turn his way sharply otherwise they would be all smashed like the trees.

Finally, they got off the damn forest. The monster didn't follow them there, fortunately. The homestead was near, but Dendrick couldn't continue. After Gellerion got down and pulled Norrick with him, he transformed back. 

"I am sorry. You have to go on your own now." Saying that he collapsed in the grass. "I am not leaving you here. Come on! We are so close." Placed Norrick over the shoulder, with second hand helped Dendrick get on his feet and then was supporting him while walking towards his home.

All together arrived at the entrance gate. Gellerion was able to open it with just one hand, the one, where he had Norrick. He let them rest on the hay where Gellerion was sleeping yesterday and brought them water. Dendrick drank from the whole pail and then passed it back to Gellerion. 

"Thank you."

 Now he tried to wake up Norrick, this time successfully. When he fully came to senses, started questioning.

"Who are you? Where am I?! Why am I here?!! Where is Meliana?!!! I want to get back to her!! Let me go!!!" Shouted and his eyes turned deep black.