I will be your reaper...

The Dragon Council: Part two

Third Person POV

The Elders probably thought they could easily intimidate a pair of eight-year-olds. Unfortunately for them, one of the eight years olds was Aradia who was scowling at them as they stared down at her and Erebus. A few of the Elder scoffed and muttered. One of them was loud on purpose. "Look at this rude girl...And what is that little thing behind her doing?" He figured that the murmuring would hide his voice among the others but he was sorely mistaken. Erebus flinched and a loud growl reverberated through the room. The room fell silent and Aradia made a point of slowly having her eyes land on the loudmouth "Hey you." the man flinched at being addressed. "So what if I'm rude? I was prepared to come in and greet you all politely, yet you all sit up there, glancing down at us like we're dirt beneath you, exerting your aura to apply pressure...I'll be as rude as I damn well please. How about you all come and sit face-to-face with us instead? And who are you referring to as 'that little thing'? His name is Erebus, use it or I'll come up there and do the same thing to your face." Dia nodded her head to Levian's face which visibly stiffened. Murmurs filled the room again, but only one person began to laugh. A woman wiped tears from her eyes and stood, coming down to where Aradia and Erebus were. She took a seat down there instead. "I like this little girl. She reminds me of Latla and Noros." Aradia gave the woman a polite curtsey and a smile. She had perfect form, causing the woman to clap in awe. Aradia gently ushered the nervous Erebus forward who gave a quick but polite bow before hiding back behind Aradia. Some remarked that there was no way the boy was a Dragon, he was much too timid. Aradia scoffed loudly, drawing attention back to her "That's why he has me. I make the people that look down on him swallow their teeth." Silence fell again and two others came down to join the twins with a cheeky smile. Aradia gave them the same respect as the other woman, as did Erebus. "You wanted to test our blood, right? Get me the strongest Dragons blood, I'll show you just who you're belittling." Aradia looked at Levian and asked him to fetch a knife. The man scrambled to do so, coming back within minutes. Cal stood from this throne and stood in front of the twins. "Opsola? So you're the strongest!" Cal nodded with a smile and reached for the dagger, walking to the large golden bowl beneath the thrones. He cut open both palms and stood, filling the bowl as much as he could. Aradia walked over and healed his hands with a smile. Cal leaned down to kiss her forehead and Dia beamed at him, taking the dagger and repeating what he did. She didn't need to bleed long, her blood had already set alight and began to consume Cal's blood. A brilliant white flame crawled up the height of the building and burned at the mural on the ceiling. Everyone got up and backed away, but Aradia stood unfazed, still pouring her blood into the bowl. When her hands had healed naturally, she walked back to her brother with a grin. "See? There's no need to be scared, Erebus. These corpses have nothing on your big sister". She wiped her hands on a towel that Levian had prepared. The man was looking at her with the utmost respect and awe, causing Dia to sigh. "Don't be a puppy, Levian. Just be yourself." He nodded at her with a smile. More and more people came down to where the twins were, getting as close as they could without feeling the heat of the flame. After ten minutes, the flame began to die down and they got closer and closer, taking their seats on the ground. Aradia looked into the eyes of those from earlier that belittled her and Erebus. "Well? Do you only know how to flap your gums when you think someone is weaker than you?" The malicious smirk on Aradia's face caused them to feel a mixture of anger and shame.

The woman that came down from the start stood from the ground and dipped her head in respect to the twins "I'd like to recommend we awaken your bloodline. Though, we can do it bit by bit. Being around Dragons for a while will influence your bloodline anyway, so I think it's a good idea". The idea was agreed with by most, the rest staying silent. Aradia looked up at Latla and Cal "What do you think, Makka, Opsola?" The two looked at each other and whispered for a moment "If that's what you want, Moxt Steco". Cal grinned at her while Dia huffed. She turned to Erebus "If you don't want to, brother, I'll refuse." He looked at his sister for a moment and then looked at the kind smiles of those who sat on the floor. He began to relax "I...Would like to. I-I also would like to learn more of...The language..." Dia nodded with a grin and turned back to the council "Alright, we'll do that. I'd also like to request a language teacher for my brother, please." Aradia dipped her head respectfully to the well-mannered members of the council, completely ignoring the rest. A younger member of the council stood up from his place on the floor "I can teach him the language. If you'll allow it of course. And...What about you? Would you also like to learn?" Aradia shook her head "Vucoti Vs'shtakvi" the man beamed at Dia as she confidently told him that she already knew Draconian. "It's one of the languages I'm fluent in." Noros leaned forward "What are the others you're fluent in?" Dia held up four fingers "Draconian, Elvish, German and Japanese. I'm still learning others, but I'll ask for a language teacher for them when I visit. Ah, that reminds me, Makka...If there are any of the human languages we wish to learn, can we add it to the curriculum?" Latla nodded and Aradia happily patted Erebus' head, knowing there were a few he wished to learn.

Latla clapped her hands together to get everyone's attention and then Sabrina appeared with two crowns. An Elder still on the upper level stood abruptly "You can't be serious! You're going to crown them?!" Latla nodded her head with an eye roll "So what if I am? Cal and I have taken them in as our children. I suggest you sit down, you'll be outvoted if I ask for opinions." The man clenched his jaw, falling back in his seat as the crowns were placed on Aradia and Erebus' heads. Cal and Latla stood, reciting Draconian while dropping their blood into a chalice. Sabrina collected the chalice and handed it to Aradia. They were instructed to sip the blood. Erebus took a healthy sip and passed it back to Aradia who probably wanted him to go first because...She snuck a look at Latla and Cal, their faces dropping when they realised what she was thinking of doing. Aradia took a large gulp but left some blood in the chalice. She was fine...Was she? She shook her head, Latla and Cal rushing to her while the ground-floor Elders attempted to catch her. However, the one to catch her and grip her firmly in his arms was Levian. She gasped, his hand on Aradia's forehead "Princess! Open your eyes!" A few of the upper level council members snickered, remarking 'That's what you get when you're arrogant'. Aradia grinned, the upper level becoming quiet. She cackled weakly "Keep...Your Elder seats warm...For me...Ba$tards..." Levian was panicked as Aradia stopped breathing. Cal grabbed her and ran out of the door with Latla, Noros, Sabrina, Levian, Erebus and Mirax following closely. They all got into the car and Latla yelled at the driver to go to 'Anders'. He nodded, speeding openly. Within minutes, Cal opened the door and rushed out, kicking the door to what seemed like a random family home off its hinges. Latla scurried inside yelling for 'Ander'. The man came rushing down the stairs in his pyjamas, noticing the child in Cal's arms. "Dear creators, she's not breathing" Ander said as he snatched her from Cal, running into the living room and clearing his dining table. "Honey! Aleesa! Eight-year-old girl, not breathing!" Anders yelled for a woman, Latla freaking out. "Anders, she has multiple bloodlines, she's more than a tribrid! We agreed at the council meeting to crown her and awaken her dormant Dragon bloodline, but I'm not sure if it was the disregard from the Elders or the pressure or what...She chugged from the chalice!" Mirax cradled a crying Erebus who was struggling, trying to get to his sister. Noros stood in shock by the door and Levian was just staring at his shaking hands "I finally met...Someone great to serve...She can't die..." He muttered, falling onto his backside. Sabrina saw a woman struggling with medical bags at the top of the stairs so she rushed to help her with a small smile, the two coming down and placing the bags on the table. Anders was attempting CPR on Aradia and Alessa was prepping medical equipment. Cal ordered Mirax to take Erebus and Noros to the car and tell the driver to lock the doors. She nodded and did just that. Latla sat on the stairs of Ander's home, her hands buried in her hair. After a few minutes, Ander slowly stopped and crumpled his face. "Time of death...9:03 am..." Latla stood and screamed No, trying to run to Aradia but was stopped by her husband. She pounded on his chest, still screaming "I need to go to her, Cal! She's our Hianag! Let me see her!" Cal couldn't bring himself to say anything as he sobbed, Latla coming undone as she collapsed onto her knees "She only just called me mama! I didn't have a chance to call her daughter yet! I need...I need to just look at her one more time...Just once...Okay?" Cal helped Latla to her feet as she wobbled over to Aradia. She reached a shaking hand over to her face and bawled "But she's still so warm...I..." Alessa and Ander were mortified. Seeing their King and Queen in bits and being unable to save this young girl was horrific. Sabrina helped Levian up off the floor and escorted him to the car. Alessa sniffled "Your Majesties...You should take her home..." Latla nodded with hollow eyes "You're right...Let's take her home and put her to sleep, Cal." Ander's face twisted in agony, recognising that his Queen had fallen into the abyss of grief and beginning to deny reality. Cal couldn't even say anything. Latla smiled as she scooped up Aradia and walked to the car, climbing inside. Erebus crawled over to her and sniffled "D-Dia is okay right?" Latla nodded with a bright smile "Dia is just sleeping, darling. We're going to go home and put her to bed. Okay?" Erebus nodded, knowing no different. Noros on the other hand looked between her mother and Dia, absolutely horrified. She could sense that Dia wasn't breathing, so why was her mother saying that she was just asleep?

The car was silent. Latla climbed out when they had reached home and she took Aradia to her own room, tucking her into bed and laying a kiss on her forehead. Erebus wanted to crawl into bed with his twin, but Cal told him that he couldn't tonight because Dia was still injured. Erebus nodded and went to his own room to read a book. Noros looked at her father "Dia is...So why is Mum saying she's sleeping? I don't understand..." Cal kissed Noros' forehead "Your mother...Is grieving right now. She is refusing the reality in front of her, so we're not going to mention that Dia isn't asleep, okay?" Noros slowly nodded, looking at the door of Dia's room. The girl wandered over to her mother and smiled "I'm glad Dia is okay, mother. How long do you think she'll be asleep for?" Sabrina's lips pursed and she looked away. Latla chuckled "Oh you, you're so excited to play with her already, huh? Given how badly she was injured, maybe she'll be asleep for a few days. We should let her be, she'll come out when she's ready, baby" Noros nodded, turning around and slowly making her way to her room to crawl under her covers. Cal told the assistants to get settled in the guest room for a few days. They both helped Levian to his room and put him into bed. He was in complete shock. Cal sat next to Latla and stared at her "Latla...I think it's time we finally deal with the council...We let it go on for too long and Dia got injured..." Latla nodded firmly "Indeed. I'll begin gathering evidence and then we can finally sort them out once and for all. I can't believe the pressure they exerted on the twins today...Dia was valiant, a true little warrior. I'll have to take her to a good bakery when she wakes up" Cal nodded at her "That sounds nice. That little food gremlin...Would love that." Cal stood and quickly walked to his room, closing the door behind him as he began to sob.

The world was hateful. The divine were spiteful...