I will be your reaper...

Warm your seats for me! Part two

Aradia Haven's POV



"As you all have guessed by now, I am very much the kind of person who respects those who respect me. You would absolutely be right to think that I'm rude, disrespectful and stubborn. I'm strong-willed. That is just who I am. But on the other hand...I like to train, I like weapons of all kinds, and I'm well-mannered and respectful of boundaries others put in place. I'm caring and compassionate; if I have advice, I'll give it freely. I'm willing to learn. A lot of you who have gone out of your way to spend time with me this month will know I'm a fierce protector. My brother is and has always been everything to me. We have suffered together, we have laughed together, developed bonds together and we have loved together. We met our family. Our earliest memories are of us together, only us. Then we became a family of eight after spending 367 days in a dungeon with six strangers. Alpha Felix Monroe, Alpha Michael Storm, Luna Heir Jessica Grey, Beta Sophia Miles, Elder Jaxon Beaumont and High Priestess Celeste Hawton. These six individuals became our refuge, our uncles and aunts." I looked up to see Erebus sniffling. I motioned to the door at the back of the call and in came High Priestess, Celeste Hawton. Her fiery red curls and deep purple eyes were memorable for everyone. She was beautiful, even in the darkness of the dungeon. "I invited my aunt Celeste here to assist me with my idea. Since Erebus and I came out of nowhere and are now the Royals of your community, I wished for you all to get to know us better. And not just you all. My assistant is a fantastic man, we didn't get off on the right foot, but he realised his mistake and we bonded quickly. He sent out a special link to the Dragon community and this meeting is currently live-streaming to every Dragon willing to open the link and watch. My idea was for you all to see what I see. To experience what my brother and I have, from our earliest memories. I'll admit, they're not complete. My brother probably remembers less than I do, I know he certainly doesn't remember the dungeon. I didn't until I met Hattir, my spirit animal. He guided me through my worst memory so that I could learn and overcome it. Aunt Celeste came up with the idea of using a memory stone. So, for the last few days, I've been piling every single one of my memories into the stone and today, they'll be projected onto the wall for you all to watch. Think of it like a movie night. Get comfortable, I've had a short life, but my memories since Christmas up until today have been wonderful and full. Thank you for listening, I'll play them now." I nodded to Celeste and stepped off to the side. Celeste set the stone on the floor and used magic to project the memories inside of the stone onto the wall.

They began to play. From blurred running, being captured, being thrown into a dungeon, all 367 days of capture, torture and abuse. Making the blood bonds, our great escape and running through the snow on autopilot. Being saved by Beta Lily Haven. Then it was blank. It started back up again, showing my time in the hospital and Erebus beside me, my outburst at the nurse, gaining even more family - a mother and father, more uncles and aunts, grandparents. It showed all of our happy times and me waiting for Erebus to wake up. It skipped a few blank memories and then showed our birthday and the presents we got, our travel here, the issue with black magic, being with the Druids and our celebrations there, revealing that Erebus and I are in fact Royals of other places as well and Queen and King of the elves. Having to say goodbye to our parents, being here and everything that happened here...Evolution, all of the dirty looks but also the kind ones, my training buddies, everything. The screen went blank again and Celeste picked up the stone, walking away to take an empty seat on the lower floor. I walked back into the middle of the room and looked around. It was pure silence. People were unsure what to think, some were crying, and some had to look away.

"I want to point out that...I have two years worth of memories. In my eight years of life, I have two years' worth of memories. That's okay, maybe I'll remember someday. My brother has no memories of any suffering that we went through and I'm glad. Relieved. I can carry that burden for both of us. So when you sit there and say that he's timid...He wasn't. I was the timid one, the crybaby. I was the one that was protected. Seeing my brother suffering and withering away is what flipped a switch for me. I am who I am today because of him because I love him and never want to see him cry tears of sadness and pain again. My brother is the way he is today because although he doesn't have the memories of the trauma he suffered...His body remembers. He trembles around large men with gruff voices. Why? You saw why. A similar man used a silver whip to scar us every day. Erebus is not timid. He is scarred. But he's here, he survived. He's entitled to be whoever he wants to be. Who are you to say that he's timid and can't be a Dragon? Are you saying Dragons are rough, heartless beings? Because I've seen the opposite. You'll never find anyone nicer and willing to listen than your one and only Prince. If you go to him with a problem, he'll dive in headfirst to find a solution, no matter what. Ever since being here, I've felt welcomed for the most part. But you know what broke my heart the most? ...Finding out the chalice that both my brother and I had drank from one poisoned. By one of the council, no less. Someone we were supposed to trust. I'm grateful that my brother is a stickler for rules and sipped. I, on the other hand, challenged the rules as I usually do and did not sip. Hence, I was almost poisoned to death. Luckily for me, it was a blessing in disguise. But what if it hadn't been? Which of you were going to explain to the most powerful people in the world that I had died? Who was going to go to the Elves and say 'Sorry, your Queen was poisoned in our care'. Which of you are willing to fight a war over my death? None, right? Because you may be powerful Dragons, but the life you live is peaceful and one that you love. It's a life I, as your Princess and Guardian Dragon, want to protect and I will. My respect is earned. Please make an effort with me and I promise that I will make an effort in return."

A man from the upper levels shot up "Are you saying that YOU, a child, are our Guardian? Don't be ridiculous!" a voice boomed a reply "What is ridiculous?! I have seen it with my own eyes!" Elder Rystix sauntered in, his wife at his side. He came over and kneeled to me, as did Nanny Kathra. I quickly told them to stand with a sigh "Your Highness...You have suffered much - Both you and our Prince. You're right, this is supposed to be a haven for you both, a home to return to when you please. And yet, a trusted subject would poison you. Guards!" men came rushing in, kneeling. I placed my hand up and turned to face the upper levels. "I await your confession. Although, know in advance that I already know whose hand poured the poison and whose hand instructed it." Celeste stood, her eyes closed. We all waited in silence...Nothing. I nodded to Celeste who pulled the chalice from inside of her robe and loudly began to perform a tracking spell. A black cloud gently floated up and then paused, trailing to my left...A man with brownish-blonde hair stiffened, my eyes had already been on him before the cloud engulfed him. "Bring him down for me." the commander nodded, sending two people to go and get him. They dragged him down and placed him in front of me. "Point me to the man who told you to do it." he remained still. I let my eyes wander to a man who was seated in a chair closest to Erebus. I grinned at him like a Cheshire cat, watching him grind his teeth together. "I know he took your egg. It is in my possession, you may speak freely" The man before me paused for a second, searching my eyes for the truth. He broke down, spitting a name from his mouth. My eyes swiftly pinned the man I grinned at previously. He was red in the face, fuming. His jaw was clenched. He stood up and yanked Erebus by the shirt, dragging him over and pinning his arm to my brother's small throat. Gasps erupted around the room as Erebus spluttered from the pressure on his throat. I didn't even attempt to make a move, I just stood there. My eyes changed to white with golden speckles and I smiled gently "Bahan. Listen to big sister. You can shift here, alright? Go ahead" Erebus' eyes flashed orange and within seconds, the Elder was pinned under a giant taloned foot. I grinned widely, Bahan fuming. People were in awe at the sight of a pure black Dragon. My eyes returned to their normal colour and I sighed "Bahan, bring him to big sister." I smiled at the large Dragon who happily bounced down with the Elder in his possession. He shifted back when he had reached the floor and Erebus came running to me with fear in his eyes. I tucked him to my side with a large, comforting smile "Ere! I'm so proud of you and Bahan. You both did really well, good job. Why don't you go and sit with Aunt Celeste while big sister gets revenge for you?" Ere nodded and ran to Celeste who snatched him up and was glaring at the Elder sprawled on the floor. The commander came over to kneel in front of me and ask for my instructions, but before he could finish his sentence, I found myself right up to his face, breathing in deeply. I pulled away, staring at him with white eyes that held speckles of gold. "What is your name?" the commander was confused "My name is Zachary, your Holiness" Holiness? Must be a title for the guardian. "Zachary..." I drawled. "Give up your position, Zachary" he looked at me, bewildered and sorrow dancing in his clear grey orbs. He must have thought I was firing him. "Ah, I apologise. I didn't mean it like that. What I meant was, that you're not meant to be a commander. You're supposed to be my sword." murmurs erupted from the onlookers and even the guards. Rystix stepped forward "Princess, are you sure? This is him?" I nodded with a smile "I can smell it. He's meant to be my sword of justice. Aitia agrees and says that he smells like his ancestor who fought by her side aeons ago." Zachary was obviously startled and confused, Aitia came forward to speak "Get the oldest member of your family here. Better yet, get them all here" he nodded and I motioned for him to stand. The guards placed the two Elders in custody and took them away.

After waiting for thirty minutes, a handful of people rushed in and saw Zachary standing next to not only me but Elder Rystix. A woman fell to her knees at my feet and begged but I only looked at her with confusion, helping her up "You must be his mother. He's not in trouble. My Dragon wishes to speak to the oldest member of your family" an old man stepped forward silently. Aitia came closer and breathed in "Yes, it's definitely your family. The scent is stronger with you, you must be closely related to Larcus". The old man was startled and dipped his head to Aitia "Forgive me, but may I ask how you know of my father? He had me very late in his life and I myself am very old. Not many but the oldest Dragons know of him". I nodded "He was my sword of justice" The old man's knees began to shake and Zachary ran over to support him "You are...The Guardian, Aitia..." I nodded with a smile "That's right. Your father was a true sword of justice. I'm glad his line is alive...And the sword of justice falls back into the hands of his blood". I nodded over to Zachary and his entire family looked upon him with awe and pride...Although he was still confused. The old man began to sob and kneeled before me, thanking me. His family followed suit. "Rise. You must be aware that I gifted Larcus' bloodline many benefits and one was the exemption of kneeling to me. I have no intention of ever taking it back." They all stood and my eyes returned to normal. I cleared my throat "Well, that's what Aitia says. I don't understand my role as Guardian, nor the sword of Justice. But I will learn. All I know is that Zachary is meant to be by my side. Aitia says I should take you with me, Zachary. Are you willing to come with me and be by my side?" Zachary raised his head and silence befell the room. He nodded firmly "If that is what your holiness wants, I am willing. I am far from worthy, but I will prove myself." I grinned happily "Great! In that case, you can start by calling me Aradia. Titles are much too distant and stuffy".

I waved for him to lower his head, pressing my forehead to his to allow Aitia to give him her blessing. A white flame mark sat between his eyebrows and I nodded in satisfaction "Aitia says the blessing is called 'Guardian's command'. It's similar to the wolves 'Alpha command', except this is given by a Guardian so it will work on any dragon except the Royals since only I can command them. Until we leave, feel free to continue in your role as a commander. You'll need a good teacher..Hmm.." I looked around the room and my eyes fell on one Elder in particular I waved him over. He was a large man, covered in tattoos and had a stern face. I could feel confidence and power radiating from him "I've researched all the Elders and I know for a fact that you, Elder Kunax, as the best warrior only second to my Opsola. If it's alright with you, can you train my sword?" the Elder was perplexed "Y-Your highness...Surely there are better warriors. You want ME to train him? A-Are you sure?" I nodded happily and he agreed. I told him to work the details out with Zachary and to check in with me daily. I stretched out and huffed "Now I need to get him a sword, huh?" I mumbled after Aitia told me to present him with a good sword. I walked away from the middle of the room and stood in front of Levian "The rest of my schedule?" Levian listed it off and I sighed. I checked the time and sighed even harder. I said my goodbyes and Levian carried me to the car, driving to my music lesson. "That is so like you. You went in, caused a scene and then left like nothing happened" I shrugged my shoulders "Aunt Celeste says to keep people on their toes. I'm doing great at it" I cackled, leaning back in the seat.