Mega Dragon: Harbinger of Death

YEELVA'S PARTNER

It was nice to see Aroha happy. If Yeelva and Adamas weren’t causing so much trouble, she just might have been having the time of her life. “I got my eyes on you, mister,” she grinned. In a few moments, Ara had switched partners with someone else. Many ladies wanted nothing more than to have a dance with Ara and Zenon and they would often get lost on the dance floor. But both Zenon were determined to work their way to their targets.

Kiro had nothing to say to Aroha. All he did was smile awkwardly at her. Ara had told him to smile if he had nothing to say. It was a lot better than his bland face. Unfortunately, it was creepier than it was comforting, but it amused Aroha nonetheless.

“Sorry about how we met. I misjudged you,” Aroha said.

“You’re just figuring that out now?” Kiro replied.

Aroha held herself from hitting him. He did have a special way of getting on her nerves. “My sister, do you like her?” she asked.

“She’s nicer,” Kiro replied blandly.

Aroha was getting closer to hitting him by every word that came out of his mouth, but that would only be proving him right. Besides, he wasn’t wrong, as annoying as that was.

“In a special way,” she added.

“I don’t know what you mean by that, but if both of you were drowning, I’d save her first.”

“Then that means you do?”

“Because master and prince Zenon would try to save you first. I certainly do not want to see her hurt because they forgot about her,” he added.

“You think I’m a burden?”

“I think Zhiyi needs someone to care for her as those two care for you. I don’t know why, but a part of me wants to always keep her safe.”

“So you do like her!”

“I still do not understand what you are getting at.”

“You do!”

“I’ll be taking her off your hands as well,” Zenon said as he took Aroha’s hand. “Finally,” he chuckled.

“Was it so hard to get past the horde of ladies back there?” Aroha goaded.

“You noticed?” Zenon asked.

“Who wouldn’t? Even Ara is getting lost. I wonder if Vela will make it.”

Zenon chuckled. It would seem that they were paying as much attention to he and Vela as they were paying to them.

“I have something to ask. Do you like Ara, or do I maybe have a chance?” Zenon asked.

“Do you like Ara, or do I maybe have a chance?”

That question rang inside Aroha’s head like the early morning bells back in Juza. It had been a long time since she heard them – just under a year, a few months at best but the events that had occurred within that time made it feel like decades. Her heart skipped a few beats. Zenon might have noticed so as well. The answer to that question was a mystery to her as it was to Zenon. But she was silent.

“Aroha?” Zenon beckoned. She had spaced out completely. “You don’t know either, do you?” Zenon said. There was a hint of sadness as he smiled. His eyes gleamed when she chuckled. Did he perhaps have a chance?

“I guess we’ll never know,” she teased. Typical Aroha. But at least it saved her the trouble of an honest answer. An answer she wasn’t quite sure of herself.

Zenon and Aroha spent the rest of the dance enjoying each other’s company. Ara’s gaze was enough to cut still as he gawked at the two. Luckily, Vela had gotten to him on time.

“I have to say, it’s a lot easier to catch Adamas than to get a dance with you,” she teased.

“And yet here you are and Adamas is still on the loose,” Ara riposted.

Vela had caught him at a bad time. She could tell. The wrinkles on his forehead, his pursed lips, and his deemed eyes. He was jealous alright.

“So, it’s official?” she asked. If she couldn’t get his mind off it, she could at least toe the line.

“What is?” Ara blushed. A very rare sight.

“Don’t play dumb. You and Aroha.”

“It’s just a dance. It’s nothing serious.”

Vela wished it were true. The larger part of her stay in the capital she spent with Ara. So, she knew him just as well as to know that he wished he was wrong. That there was a future between him and Aroha. And his rival this time was his rival in every other thing – his best friend Zenon.

“If you say so.”

“You don’t believe me?”

“Like hell, I don’t. you don’t even believe yourself,” Vela goaded.

If Ara had still been staring at Aroha at the time, he would have noticed her frown as he and Vela laughed together. And Aroha couldn’t have noticed Zenon’s disappointment as well. Luckily for them both, someone took Aroha off Zenon’s hands. It was Yeelva's dance partner!

She had become quite the star, Aroha. Or was Yeelva messing with her again? Zenon and Ara kept their eyes peeled. Even Vela, who wished nothing more than to enjoy her time with Ara had to pay attention. Kiro and Zhiyi as well.

“I have to say, you’re a lot more stunning up close,” he said. He wore a smile that reminded her of Ara. It reeked of confidence. Confidence to be able to get anyone they wanted. No wonder Yeelva chose him.

“Did Yeelva put you up to this?” Aroha asked. Everyone knew she came with Ara. And yet, he flirted with her like he didn’t care.

“Miss Yeelva? No. why’d you ask?”

“Trust me, it’s not worth the stress.”

“You don’t like my company?”

“I don’t care enough, honestly.”

The man smiled. “Is this about prince Ara?”

“Bingo.”

The man was silent. Aroha stared at him intently. For some reason, something about him was familiar. It wasn’t his face. She would remember if she saw a face like that. His long dark hair was tied into a ponytail. His face was slightly pale, but in a good way. It screamed innocence, but noblemen were rarely ever that – innocent.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” Aroha asked. She had only ever been in Juza and the capital. Even within Croft kingdom, there were many places she was yet to visit. She was certain he was an emissary from one of the invited kingdoms, most likely from Galan since he was with Yeelva, so there was almost no way they had met before. But yet, he felt so familiar. At first, she wrote it off as a weird feeling, but the more they spoke, the more certain she was that she had seen him somewhere.

***

If Ara had still been staring at Aroha at the time, he would have noticed her frown as he and Vela laughed together. And Aroha couldn’t have noticed Zenon’s disappointment as well. Luckily for them both, someone took Aroha off Zenon’s hands. It was Yeelva's dance partner!

She had become quite the star, Aroha. Or was Yeelva messing with her again? Zenon and Ara kept their eyes peeled. Even Vela, who wished nothing more than to enjoy her time with Ara had to pay attention. Kiro and Zhiyi as well.

“I have to say, you’re a lot more stunning up close,” he said. He wore a smile that reminded her of Ara. It reeked of confidence. Confidence to be able to get anyone they wanted. No wonder Yeelva chose him.

“Did Yeelva put you up to this?” Aroha asked. Everyone knew she came with Ara. And yet, he flirted with her like he didn’t care.

“Miss Yeelva? No. why’d you ask?”

“Trust me, it’s not worth the stress.”

“You don’t like my company?”

“I don’t care enough, honestly.”

The man smiled. “Is this about prince Ara?”

“Bingo.”

The man was silent. Aroha stared at him intently. For some reason, something about him was familiar. It wasn’t his face. She would remember if she saw a face like that. His long dark hair was tied into a ponytail. His face was slightly pale, but in a good way. It screamed innocence, but noblemen were rarely ever that – innocent.

“Do I know you from somewhere?” Aroha asked. She had only ever been in Juza and the capital. Even within Croft kingdom, there were many places she was yet to visit. She was certain he was an emissary from one of the invited kingdoms, most likely from Galan since he was with Yeelva, so there was almost no way they had met before. But yet, he felt so familiar. At first, she wrote it off as a weird feeling, but the more they spoke, the more certain she was that she had seen him somewhere.

“Have we met?” Aroha asked.

The man chuckled. “My lady, I’m sure you’d remember if you met someone like me,” he gloated.

“I actually concur. But you look awfully familiar. Perhaps you’ve visited Croft before?”

“Well, I’ve been around for a while. You might have seen me. And I have to say, you’re the first person to say that all night,” he added.

“I see. That would make more sense.”

“You really are a thorn in the foot, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“So perceptive. I apologize about this in advance,” he said as he pulled Aroha closer to him. He didn’t look strong but he was. Aroha struggled to break free to no avail even though he held her to himself with just one hand. That did not go unnoticed to Ara and Zenon. The man knew that. Before they could act, he and Aroha magically appeared at the top of the podium. A wizard was what he was!

“Relax. I don’t need to hurt her. Yet,” he said. The fangs pointed at him were as clear as day. He expected that much. The question was how he intended to get out of the hole he dug for himself? What plan did he have to go against the most powerful individuals on Maori – all four of them were present in that hall.

Jerome cast a spell that put up a barrier around the hall. No one could go in or out. It would take a large amount of energy to break through and certainly enough time for Ara and Zenon to catch up with him. Yeelva and San too, if they had any intention of helping. Since it involved Aroha, there was a strong chance that she would just let her be. Or maybe she would help to force Aroha to be indebted to her. It all depended on her mood.

“What do you want?” Ara asked as calmly as he could. His hands shivered in rage as he barely contained his fury. That man better know that there was no way he was leaving that hall alive.

“Attention. I need all of your attention. This lady is simply collateral damage. She’s not the target. At least today.”

Aroha could feel her energy leave her like running water. She was barely holding herself up, much less having enough strength to pull away from the man.

Ara turned to Yeelva in rage. “What is the meaning of this, Yeelva? Why is your partner doing this?” Ara asked.

“You heard him. I’m just as confused as you are.”

“You expect me to believe you’re not working together?”

“Relax. No fighting. I’m the one you should be worried about,” the man said.

Jerome walked calmly towards him. His steps were steady and his aura was calm. He was the only one in that hall who could afford to remain such.

“Careful wizard. You don’t want to get too close,” the man said. He was wise to be wary of Jerome. He was a handful and any wizard’s nightmare. But it wasn’t news that he would be at the ball, so Jerome was certain that he might have contingency plans. Whatever they may be meant little to him. A one-on-one magic fight was one that he could not lose.

“You truly are a coward, hiding behind that mask,” Jerome said. He uttered a spell that the human mind could not comprehend. No one could make out the words. It was a language that humans could not comprehend. Like sand falling from a mold, the man’s appearance wilted to what was a more familiar appearance – Adamas!

“So, it was you after all. Stay back, Ara and Zenon. I’ll deal with this,” Jerome proclaimed.

“I wouldn’t be so confident. At least, not with the lady in my hands,” Jerome goaded.

“What lady?” Jerome asked.

Adamas looked to his hand to see Aroha replaced by a mold of clay. Aroha was now in the hands of Jerome.

“You have nothing to save you now, Adamas.”

***

Jerome walked calmly towards him. His steps were steady and his aura was calm. He was the only one in that hall who could afford to remain such.

“Careful wizard. You don’t want to get too close,” the man said. He was wise to be wary of Jerome. He was a handful and any wizard’s nightmare. But it wasn’t news that he would be at the ball, so Jerome was certain that he might have contingency plans. Whatever they may be meant little to him. A one-on-one magic fight was one that he could not lose.

“You truly are a coward, hiding behind that mask,” Jerome said. He uttered a spell that the human mind could not comprehend. No one could make out the words. It was a language that humans could not comprehend. Like sand falling from a mold, the man’s appearance wilted to what was a more familiar appearance – Adamas!

“So, it was you after all. Stay back, Ara and Zenon. I’ll deal with this,” Jerome proclaimed.

“I wouldn’t be so confident. At least, not with the lady in my hands,” Jerome goaded.

“What lady?” Jerome asked.

Adamas looked to his hand to see Aroha replaced by a mold of clay. Aroha was now in the hands of Jerome.

“You have nothing to save you now, Adamas,” Jerome said.

“Unfortunately for you, Sorcerer Supreme, I'm not the one who needs saving. You're not the only master of the dark arts here!” Adamas exclaimed.

“Grandeux Ectis,” Adamas chanted. A black orb emanated from Adamas that threatened to swallow everything around it.

“Excelsia!” Jerome conjured a force field that pushes everyone around away. A mighty spell it was for it to push the likes of Ara. Dust filled the area as the force field pushed everything within its path. But as the dust settled, both Adamas and Jerome were gone.

***

The atmosphere was like anything before. It was dark, but somewhat illuminated as well. The walls were made from the same black gooey substance that Adamas created earlier on. Jerome knew well what that spell was the moment it left Adamas’s lips. An enclosed space that can only be left of the user is defeated or if he permits it. It would have been useful to have either Ara or Zenon by his side. Maybe even both. But such tactics were only used to isolate people. Whatever reason it was that he dragged him out of that space and potentially the others as well, he couldn’t have Ara and Zenon away from the real world. He could manage himself. He was a Sorcerer Supreme after all – the highest rank a sorcerer could attain.

“You do not want the rest of the world to witness your death, Adamas? Trapping yourself like this is unwise,” Jerome scoffed. His eyes were sharp. Sharp enough to cut through steel as he focused on the opponent before him. It wasn’t always about who was the more powerful wizard in a battle between two sorcerers. Timing and concentration paid a big part in such battles. Sorcery was about deception. By how well you can play the cards given to you. Even though Jerome could not quite evaluate how powerful Adamas was, it was unlikely that he possessed more magic than he did. Yet, he would not let his guard down for a second. Not even after he took down Adamas.

“Tell me something, Jerome Leroya. What is higher than a Sorcerer Supreme?” Adamas asked. Jerome was silent. The sorcerer supreme was the highest attainable rank. Anything after was certainly a myth. A myth that he was certain did not exist.

“You don’t know? Did you really believe that you were at the top of the food chain? Why don’t you guess?”

“Enough with this chatter. Incendo Alerca,” Jerome chanted.

Fire engulfed the entire space threatening to devour both Jerome and Adamas. It was destruction incarnate. Of course, Jerome was immune to his own spells, but surprisingly so was Jerome.

“You don’t get it, do you? I didn’t separate you from the others by mistake. You didn’t save them. I was never targeting them. How can you not remember a thing?” Adamas said.

“If you have so much time to talk, then I guess you’ve really given up.”

Jerome’s eyes glowed like they did when he protected Aroha from Yeelva. The walls of the subspace that Adamas created began to c***k. It could only withstand so much of Jerome’s powers. Adamas’s eyes narrowed. His once lax posture straightened and readied himself for the storm to come.

“Come,” Jerome ordered, forcing the space between him and Adamas to close.

“Nullify,” Adamas said, returning things to the way they were.

Jerome was wide-eyed. It was the first time anyone had directly countered that ability. It was one of the most powerful spells in his arsenal. Something only a sorcerer supreme could conjure.

“I had my suspicions. You’re a Sorcerer Supreme as well, aren’t you?” Jerome asked.

“Not quite, unfortunately. I’m something more.”

Jerome’s eyes narrowed. What could be more than the Sorcerer Supreme?

“I’m here to deliver a message from the first,” Adamas said.

“And who might that be?”

“The first Sorcerer Supreme, of course. Yuri Azar!”

“Nonsense. The mad wizard died years ago.”

“And yet, here we both are.”

“We?” Jerome questioned. He knew that it might just be a trick by Adamas to stall time or poison his mind, but there was so much he didn’t know. In a way, he saw it as a chance and it only made him more susceptible, he worried.

“You really don’t know. You’re the third vessel as I am the second. Shall I fail, you are to take my place in finishing the Master’s work,” Adamas said.

Jerome had heard enough. He armed himself ready for another round of battle. Adamas reciprocated this time. “Perhaps our fist will communicate better,” he said.

They rained a fury of attacks on one another, neither being unable to gain the upper hand. Adamas focused more on counterspells and evasions while Jerome was all-out attack. He wanted nothing but to destroy Adamas there and then. But as that fight would prove, they were equally matched.

“You’ve grown into a fine vessel. Stay alive if you can,” Adamas said as he disappeared.

***

“I’m here to deliver a message from the first,” Adamas said.

“And who might that be?”

“The first Sorcerer Supreme, of course. Yuri Azar!”

“Nonsense. The mad wizard died years ago.”

“And yet, here we both are.”

“We?” Jerome questioned. He knew that it might just be a trick by Adamas to stall time or poison his mind, but there was so much he didn’t know. In a way, he saw it as a chance and it only made him more susceptible, he worried.

“You really don’t know. You’re the third vessel as I am the second. Shall I fail, you are to take my place in finishing the Master’s work,” Adamas said.

Jerome had heard enough. He armed himself ready for another round of battle. Adamas reciprocated this time. “Perhaps our fist will communicate better,” he said.

They rained a fury of attacks on one another, neither being unable to gain the upper hand. Adamas focused more on counterspells and evasions while Jerome was all-out attack. He wanted nothing but to destroy Adamas there and then. But as that fight would prove, they were equally matched.

“You’ve grown into a fine vessel. Stay alive if you can,” Adamas said as he disappeared.

***

A few moments earlier,

“You have nothing to save you now, Adamas,” Jerome said.

“Unfortunately for you, Sorcerer Supreme, I'm not the one who needs saving. You're not the only master of the dark arts here!” Adamas exclaimed.

“Grandeux Ectis,” Adamas chanted. A black orb emanated from Adamas that threatened to swallow everything around it.

“Excelsia!” Jerome conjured a force field that pushes everyone around away. A mighty spell it was for it to push the likes of Ara. Dust filled the area as the force field pushed everything within its path. But as the dust settled, both Adamas and Jerome were gone.

Ara and Zenon searched frantically for Jerome, but there were no signs of him. The entire ball had been thrown into a state of panic and Aroha had lost consciousness.

“I’ll take Aroha to the healers nest. She’ll be fine,” Vela offered. She waited for Ara to give a response but he was still in a state of shock. “Ara!” she beckoned one more time. She never called him by his name alone in a public gathering, but the seriousness of the situation forced her hand.

Vela’s voice sprang Ara back to focus. He hadn’t even realized how tightly he was holding on to Aroha. Right before he disappeared, Jerome had thrown Aroha to him. He was glad that he was able to do that much. Having to protect Aroha and fight off an enemy like Adamas at the same time would have been herculean. There was no telling what type of trap Adamas had in store for Jerome, but for some reason, Ara wasn’t so worried. He felt a certain confidence that Jerome would be able to take care of himself.

“Pan, please accompany them as well,” Ara said. Pan had left the king to oversee the happenings of the ball on the king’s orders. And just as he feared, their enemies did not relent. Pan agreed without any question and he left with Zhiyi, Vela, and Aroha.

“Kiro, you’re with me,” Ara said. “Where’s Yeelva and San?” Ara berated. The accusation in his voice was clear for all to hear.

“We’re right here. Relax,” Yeelva said without a care in her voice. She was enjoying the show. However she could contribute to making things worse for them, she would have. But certainly not under the close watch of Zenon Lo. He had barely taken his eyes off either of them the whole night. San simply nodded his head to show his presence. There had been nothing suspicious about him the whole night, which in a way also felt suspicious.

“Good. Help me see the rest of the guests back to their quarters, will you?” As polite as that may have sounded, it was no request. Nonetheless, they all obliged without question. The guests were divided into groups of four. Each person was responsible for one group, while Kiro scouted through a more general area. The safety of the guests was paramount. If anything happened to them while they were in Croft kingdom, it would trigger an effect opposite to what the king was working towards. The entire capital was on high alert. Guards patrolled the streets in search of Adamas, who they were all certain they would never find. But they searched for him all the same.

Vela and the other quickly approached the healers nest. But as they got closer, something worried him. It was faint, but he could sense a suspicious movement not too far off from them. Everyone other than the guards should be indoors. And he was certain he knew the movement of the guards well enough. He trained a handful of them after all. As much as he wanted to check it out, Ara instructed him to stay with Aroha and the others. If anything happened to them while he was away, he would never be able to forgive himself.

Vela could see the worry written all over his face. “If you need to leave, we’ll be okay,” Vela said.

Pan shook his head. “The prince’s orders come first,” he said.

“Then let us reach the healers nest first. We’ll be fine there. I could accompany you back while the grand healer examines Aroha if you don’t mind?”

“I appreciate that, but that won't be necessary. My guts tell me that the presence I sense is one of them. That is the only reason I’m considering leaving you at all. Healers nest or not.”

“We’ll be fine. Go do your thing,” Vela said.

Pan nodded his head gratefully. There was no way he would let the enemy escape. He would apprehend them as quickly as he could and head back to the healers nest to check on the girls. That was his plan. But before him, stood the biggest obstacle he could fathom.

With rage in his eyes, he charged at the intruder. “You traitor!” he cried.