Initium Novum: Dracones #1

Test of Fate (2)

The break of the early lights of Daen dared not to pass until the group was almost half way through their test. In which only few events took place.

The group of lads and lasses walked on through the thick of trees whose barks were unmistakingly marked with the lines of claws, the marks dug deep. Undoubtedly it was a mark of territory, the animal that marked it. Other groups run through the destined path comparable to someone with fire licking at their heels, but Zar was wary daring not enter and making the group pause alongside him.

They had yet to notice that the territory was marked and would only waltz in if not for Zar.

Why the instructor decided that this be the way where the inexperienced recruits should take crossed his mind but no plausible answer came forth neither was the need to warn the others.

Zar stood and stared, with quick realization he saw that many others that were previously left behind came rushing past them not bothering to observe nor feel wary of the pressure emitting from the territory. And with a bit of hesitancy Zarmeideus called forth his agitated teamates.

Gretta irritated at him for not making the quick decision to run in as everyone else, she then decided it be better if she said zilch not wishing for a re-run of her embarrassment once again.

Though against the black haired boy decision.

Demisus agitation was based through the fact that the black haired boy seemed suddenly tense at the sight of the thickened area though not sure if he was correct. Body language was not a strong suit for him, and neither was nothing else.

Thailia laid at rest her thin arms firmly wrapped around Zar's throat. Her deep agitation rooting from not finding a comfortable position in her sleep, squirming trying to change positions. More than half heartedly the black haired boy desired to drop her where he stood already tired of her constant moving on his back, merely grunting now when he felt the slight movements.

Motioning for the others to follow he walked silently. The group entered the forest that emitted the forebearing aura surely the others could sense the danger only if they paid a little more attention but that was unlikely.

They walked the trail that never seemed to end and the trees looked to get thicker as they loomed and cause shadows above their heads. The trail was oddly irregular sometimes moving from a fat pathway where all could walk side by side to a thin one where they walked in a single file.

Luckily, for the black haired boy no conversation was struck, the groups social butterfly was on his back sleeping soundly, the boy Demisus was too awkward and non social to even think about how to start one and the other girl Gretta wished not to even impose one tho wanting to talk in delight with Zarmeideus.

It felt as if hours have passed with bodies sticky with sweat and morning changing to noon where the sun scorched their skin.

The body on top of Zarmeideus had started to squirm some more the sight of someone who was to awaken.

Her eyes bulged open, not knowing where she was or why for some seconds, thighs unconsciously tightening around the muscular body bringing her. Eyes frantic in search of something familiar for this was not her bedroom. A distant part of her felt the throbbing at the side of her head and the memories of what perspired returned her big eyes widening further after which she realized she was being carried.

However that was not what shook her into her new found squirming it was who was carrying her. Not something expected and her body continued on the torment of moving on Zar's back, cheeks and ears both flaming.

She jolted when she felt his large hand holding down her legs his arms around her thighs. A shiver wracked up her spine not being able to fight the deeper shade of colour off of her cheeks.

In an instant her body fell through the air and as quickly as she realized she was dropped she landed and a biting pain shot up her flat bum. Her face was unbelievably red she stood on wobbly feet holding her bum and rubbing it.

She looked up at the perpetrator of her fall maybe to apologize or question him, it was unknown, only to be met by his firm back his form already gone ahead leaving the doe eyed girl partly miserable.

Gretta ushered over to her side flocking around a hen to its chick, the short boy behind Gretta was also worried but too shy and reserved to actually go forth. Thailia could still see and feel his worry through their thin energy bond tho not so much.

The three were caught off guard when Gretta growled wanting it to sound guttural and deep, probably to feel more intimidating in her competitors presence. Only said growl came high pitched almost choke like not the sound she aimed for.

The girl with the flaming hair uttered a short "jerkwad" meant to be under her breath but could not whisper, all in the vicinity heard.

A snicker erupted from Thailia in front of her and Demisus only little ways behind mouth was agape knowing this girl was not one to just randomly curse.

Tho said jerkwad continued walking maybe not hearing after all. Right....

Gretta went back to checking the minor injuries of her friend the girl emotions ran wild changing from concern to immediate anger and then back to concern. The anger still present in her eyes tho clouded over by the much stronger emotions.

She then felt guilt.

Demisus noting the terse air realized the discussion that was to take place needed not his presence, quietly excusing himself he moved speedily to the boy who saved his life.

The two walked slowly behind. Gretta not saying anything but feeling whilst crushing leaves under her feet aggressively.

The anger of hers was something she couldn't determine, knowing fully well she was trying to pass on the blame. Something that often came to her shallow mind. She didn't know what caused it tho, maybe some of the anger was directed at herself for being beyond daft and not at least trying to think through her decisions rather than acting impulsively; even so she felt it was someone else's fault not hers it was his.

The anger bubbled.

Thailia walking along side her holding onto the taller girl's arm the excited short girl coming back in full probably wanting Gretta to believe that she was quite fine. The winces could still be seen on her face the sign of pain somewhere she then inched her hand to gently rub the aching flesh of her butt.

Once more Gretta blamed him if not for the cold boy dropping Thailia maybe she could walk without feeling the throbbing in her bum constantly. Maybe if said boy was not so indifferent in both face and body to Gretta's efforts to match him this wouldn't have happened, even so after the mistake the boy still had an air of not caring not even acknowledging the mistake she made that could have led to their doom. For some odd reason the thought made her angrier.

"Gretta, you have no need to worry about me."

The high pitched voice of the injured called up after realizing Gretta was listening to none of her ramblings, Gretta's face set in a deep scowl.

Gretta turned slightly a pained forced smile on her face.

It's all your fault. A subconscious thought one she did not want to believe. She dared not to admit it, but the slight guilt she felt before prevailed and intensified.

Thailia clutched at the side of her head in obvious pain when a new throbbing came forth after paying no more mind to her bum.

It was Gretta's fault after all the same sentence repeated and the pained expression took over her face.

Thailia noticed and tried to console her friend.

"Gretta as I have said before I am fine, in fact I feel extroidinare." Thailia tried to send the happy feelings of hers through the bond to the other. They went unnoticed.

Thailia continued to speak the little happy smile she seemed to always wear watered down.

"Listen I-."

"No Thailia, you listen how can a person feel so after what have just happened, especially if it was someone who held them dear and vice versa. How could I- me out of all have been so reckless in order to partake in some stupid competition that seems not to exist to the other counterpart and cause you- you to get hurt. Why insist you are fine when clearly you are not I see the pained look on your face because honestly you are not that good at keeping your emotions hidden. Knowing that the pain have been from myself makes me want to not forgive myself so why? Why do you even try when you know it is my fault."

She sounded desperate, a plea of question not going unheard.

Thalia looked at the girl, wondering what ever happened in her past for her not even ignore what Thailia herself had told and insisted to blame herself.

"Gretta, you forgot that it is I who chooses to forgive you, it's not your fault -not really at least-" Thailia whispered that part. "If I dont blame you for what happen you really have no need to blame yourself, and if you don't stop blaming yourself I won't talk to you ever again. Plus if ever you still feel guilty there is always a way for you to make it up to me." She smiled cheekily.

The thought of Thailia, her first real friend, not speaking to her was enough to make Gretta nod her head but still find it hard to actually forgive herself.

"Now stop with this foolishness and let's catch up to the others." Thailia jogged slightly in front.

Feeling only partly reassured the flaming haired girl vowed in mind to not put those she partly and fully cared for lives at risk no more.

The lass jerked to reality when the soft hand of Thailia that wasn't there before, dragged her across the area to catch up to the two lads.

When the lasses catched up conversation seemed to spark quickly when the bubbly girl came forth, even the shy boy Demisus made his input at times but never Zar for he never missed the conversations, not saying anything.

They walked for a while, in the forest small critters made little to no sounds watching yet another group pass their home. Since walking the group had not picked up on any signs of other people on the same path, by then the forest area was deadly quiet not a single chirp in range.

Almost empty, almost but it was not the critters were just hiding. Perhaps the group should too.

Before realizing along with the forest the group had also fallen silent, following the lead of the forest daring not to make a sound.

The forest pulsed with energy and seem to tremble and cower at a force that suddenly was emitting a mass of dangerous waves.

Even those oblivious with no survival instincts could feel it.

Something akin to a crawling insect rippled across the groups skin. Before it stung pricking against skin, non-existing hair stood on end, and wide eyes looked around they suddenly felt it, the ones who were not aware before. Fear fell on them.

Before, the walk was already perplexing enough just from walking in the unknown territory, now the three behind of Zar seem to want to bolt but stuck to his back in obvious fear of what could be lurking around them.

Except for one who seem to want to be independent, it was fake as she stayed too close for it to be real, the other two clung to the black haired boy whose face was stuck in stone.

The group had not yet came cross anyone until now.

Up ahead one could notice a group of lasses head to head with a group of lads it was surprising how the eight people could fit on the extremely narrow path. Just behind them a large clearing was spotted void of tall grass or animals and the end of the territory, and it was the start of a cliff just some ways off, Zar finally breathed a sigh of relief feeling that a doom that could have befallen on them will soon pass.

The two groups face off to each other, but was obviously shaken by the aura in the forest some visibly shaking acting tough but in all everyone seemed scared to death.

But neither backed down, nor take a step forward seeming to be in a heated argument where none won.

The voices got louder when Zarmeideus and the others walked towards them as they were blocking the path, his eyes already in a glare.

"-You dare not to grant me passage, who you think you are. Do you know who I am? Or my father? You dirty little ras-" A girl, platinum blond locks and brown eyes,-average looking- who seemed to be at lead for the lass group spoke but was interupted. By the boy of the lads group who seemed to have equal amount of power as her if not more.

Some odd reason he caught Zar's eyes.

The boy was tall almost at Zarmeideus height, with golden blonde hair that fit him immensely. It was short barely touching his lashes but spiky. His skin was tanned not so different from those around him but with more bronze to the mix. The same skin looked smooth and tight with muscles no blemishes in sight.

And his eyes- his eyes they were green and seemed to glow with ferocity as he interupted the girl, Zar was intrigued.

"Of course dear, but how do you think me granting you passage will make amends for what you had done to us prior, you thought you would have gotten away when you pushed me back down that darn slope huh!! Matter a fact-" the attractive blonde turned to the the girl who flushed, her dirty deed exposed.

Smirked at her as her face darkened further, unexpectedly she fell. What happened soon processed in the minds of others seeing the gorgeous golden blond palms outstretched towards where the girl previously stood.

He pushed her.

Very ungentleman like.

A wicked grin spread across his face.

People gasped at what he had done to her, the girl on the ground teared up no longer having the guts to face him for no one had ever treated her that way.

The grin only seemed to spread wider, a mischievous glint flashed through those glowing eyes of his then the cold eyes came back that seemed to hide alot. The same way how Zar wore his, and the black haired boy deemed he did not like it.

The dangerous intensity of the forest seemed to be only felt by those who were not as transfixed on the situation. It seemed the more they stood and looked at the bawling girl the intensity of the forest aura became very unbearable.

It was then that the eight in front of them realized the new addition and turned to the other group with scornful looks not wanting any of Zar's group to pass.

Zar no longer looked at him almost forgetting about his presence if the blonde boys heart did not thump in his ear. Which was beyond bizarre.

The girl who was on the ground rose, hand wiping away at tears.

She said "You want to pass too, huh? you have to go through us." Her hands made a circular motion towards the eight of them, weird.

That now she referred with 'us' after the two groups seemed to be at a tense position with each other.

Before Zarmeideus could even reply to her, Thailia beat him to it.

"We did not mean to interrupt-"

Why would she even say that? Zarmeideus thought.

"We only wish to pass, with out causing more trouble than necessary, and you guys.... could just go back to whatever you were doing."

Gretta face palmed, Zarmeideus internally face palmed and Demisus knew not what to do, finding nothing wrong with his friends request.

Her natural kindness came through not wanting to be in any type of negative situation, even so it was stupid they would want not to go down without a fight only because the normal looking doe eyed girl asked nicely.

They had been standing there arguing, going at each others necks for what seemed like an extremely long time about over fifteen minutes.

The platinum blond inched away from the golden blonde most likely not wanting to get pushed to the ground and being embarrassed, again, beyond belief.

This time the golden blond spoke.

"Why in Daen's name would we do that?" His voice took the tone of incredulous.

"B-because you are all nice and understanding people." Thailia stuttured.

Someone snickered.

"No sweetheart, we are not. Don't you remember in this test we are enemies the survival of the fittest. The win cannot just be given away to your opponent can it. If so what do you think will happen? Hnn."

The blond's eyes glittered coldly at the girl, not smiling as he once were. Zar pushed the small girl behind him only stepping forward from where he was previously at the back, he faced the boy that was almost his height looking down on him.

Zar' eyes glared deeply at him, not wavering a bit even as he felt a strange emotion hit him.

To the blond, Zar's eyes were strange, and pulsing when he looked in the narrowed eyes. Both pairs of eyes were in slits neither looking away nor showing the simplest signs of submission.

For both were of dominant origin. They glared the intensity getting to those around them, amidst the stare- down a thread linked them together, thin fragile looking in the depths of their minds. But strumming to the mounts of energy between two. None noticed that something not apart of the body before, was present.

The blond's eye twitched he struggled to keep contact. The black haired boy's aura getting to him and quickly realizing that he was not his match.

The golden blond was about to relent not able to take much more of the intensity, he was almost at that point, almost.

Before something different approached.

The large group of twelve suddenly froze; bodies stuck, breaths hitched, hair raised and lumps were formed in the throat.

They felt it, something crawling towards them slowly, observing with dark eyes. The recruits did not want to turn around to see what it looked like. What made their bodies tremble with fear.

They heard a growl, a deep guttural growl enough to shatter the wall around their dam of fear. The air stunk with it, no noise came from the area.

Cept for the loud steps the beast took towards the large group after smelling the sweet scent of fear, it growled louder making sure it's presence was know.

No one dared to breathe, Zarmeideus's small group closest to it with backs facing it, instinct told them not to run away, something newly awakened in their bodies screaming survival. It said submit not run dont move just submit.

And they did.

Out of the three one still trembled Demisus, he was closest to it, sniffing at the short boy's back with Gretta in front of him who was several feet away behind of Thailia.

Zarmeideus left him there.

As soon as the black haired boy stepped aside it looked like the beast took the opportune to arrive at that given moment appearing around the shy boy.

His first idea was to bolt, he would have. However he was lost somewhere in his kind, his legs stayed rooted to the ground, he dared to never leave his spot.

His heart nearly flew out of his mouth when he felt a hot breath at his neck, the neck that was flung to the side in submission.

It stunk, the scent of rotten flesh thick from the animals mouth. It's retched lips raised in a snarl.

Demisus did not look at it but from his peripheral vision he saw the black lips and muzzle but Demisus closed his eyes not wanting to look at such a terryfying thing.

Soon it left Demisus's body, and tho relieved the boy still did not move.

The thing, whatever it was, walked forward muscles under black fur tensing and relaxing. It passed Gretta and Thailia deeming none of them a worth.

Then it reached the two boys, one heart thumped loudly and that same one's body was tensed to the point it may have hurt, eyes still locked from earlier only it was no longer a match between the two.

Blue eyes looked on into green ones and Zar not even glitched when the animal came close.

Zarmeideus turned his head slightly, a manner in which he was still showing submission as to not let the animal attack him, let's just say the boy was curious.

First he saw the large appendage someone would call it's head. The width itself was that of two well built men's torso.

It owned a snout weirdly, shorter than a wolf's with saber tusks the size of an arm, yellowish in colour and sharp.

The maw was huge in its own right most likely able to swallow a man whole, it sneered at him the only other hostile thing it did rather than growl all the time and under the slick with spit flaps one would call lips were rows of sharp looking canines, Zar did not know how much.

The sneer led up to wrinkles unto the snout next to the eyes,slit like beady looking things the colour of moss. He growled louder making those who could not stand pressure stagger, the animal paid no attention to them.

Zarmeideus looked away, knowing looking on in its eyes could initiate a challenge.

The animal snarling stopped when the boy turned away the animal waited only a few more moments before it left.

Zar caught a look at the rest of its body, firstly it was huge, to the point where and orke or two could ride the beast. It's head already had towered over him and the animal only lowered it to observe and sniff him, the height where the animal stood would only reach a quarter of where Vader would have stood.

It's back was hunched with head forward, shoulder blades wide with two tails both thick and furless but with the colour of its fur.

It walked over to the others the remaining eight.

Maybe just maybe they could make it out alive.

But...

Daen was not on their side at that time.

The beast drew near, rearing it's ugly head towards a girl.

She had a weak heart, the walls around her fear overflowing no longer could take it.

She felt to vomit from the putrid smell before she screamed, shrill it was, and she was terryfied to the core for she was to die.

Everyone truly held their breaths seeing the beast launch back with a screech going on his hind legs, underbelly showcased to the girl for a second before it lunging for the frail thing.

She died and no one waited around to register the shock of a dead comrade before a different person screeched out.

"RUN!!."

All scattered, the plan to show submission was all thrown away seeing the girl passed on to her doom.

The beast no longer sought to show mercy and turned to kill, a wanton.

The strange muzzle was already dripping red with the blood of the young girl her body no long recognizable, the blood staining nature's beauty.

The animal had already turned towards it next prey. It lunged faster than they could run, ripping the boy in pieces his scream not even had enough time to release from his throat.

The golden blond boy long gone, Zar just registering this.

The three Gretta, Thailia and Demisus all threw their selves at Zarmeideus trembling at his back.

Zar wondered why had they not bolted yet, for if not the beast would notice them standing little ways bsck.

And he wondered why not take the risk of running when the way to finally getting away was through that darn beast. Surprising was it, for at the side was clearly a narrow path, the slope steep not somewhere where large number of people could run side by side easily but a means of escape.

Now all was left, was to bipass the beast, that caused a rampage on the other eight students. Who ran wild nor even feeling for their comrade as they tried to get away.

The four snuck past fear thick only waiting to move forward when the beast tore through its prey's skin. It made the three feel guilty for they were using the death of others as a means of escape for themselves and not even tried to aid anyone. For they were weak not powerful to even take on something like that.

Moving along to left side of the clearing Zar's permanent frown deepened but he paid no mind to the sound of tearing flesh and screams of death, it was the farthest from the beast and closer to their means of escape.

The running around of the small beings were like that of pigs without heads, running wild. Drawing in the attention of the beast even more. The beast tore through flesh even more, the bloodthirsty feeling made a sense of glee come upon it from its numerous kills.

Its black fur glistened in the sunlight, the blood the cause of the effect, and moved upon its next prey crushing the person in an instant under its massive talon filled paw. The body of the person was half crushed a bloodcurdling scream canme from deep in their throat, no one dared to attack the beast nor help the person whose death bed awaited.

Only one.

The golden blond boy came forward after witnessing his first ever made friend being dealt to death in a brutal way.

A half sword glistened in Daen's rays something he picked up after his attempted escape only to see the broken sword laying on the supple grass.

The light shined in the beast's eyes.

The blond sneered a new hatred boiling deep in himself for the thing who crushed the girls legs with each push from behind, a pool of her own blood formed around her. It was that other blond he had pushed down earlier passed out from the toll on her body.

He looked at the girl then at the beast afterwards raising the half sword at the beast, issuing a fight between the two, before hold the sword in a professional way green eyes glaring darkly.

The hulking form of the beast crouched low getting ready to launch itself at the brave boy forgetting the maiden at its feet.

The boy ran forward and the beast did the same meeting in the middle the boy swung the half sword forward, grip tight, to the beast that rose it's talons to clash against the sword.

A clanging sound was heard the strength of the strike was enough to send the boy back a few paces, before he launched again bringing the sword to s***h against the sharp talons that were already coming his way in a matter of seconds. They exchanged several blows, the beast trying to use its tusks as a means of piercing through the human flesh, to hold him in place.

The half sword was held horizontally when the boy blocked the tusks, it slides down the large teeth which was only ways from piercing through the small beings pectorials.

After holding the tusks off the boy ducked avoiding them for his strength could not match this animals.

He rolled to the beast under belly giving a quick strike for the beast was still distracted in finding the blond. The underbelly was only remotely soft, and a plus factor was what incredible wound would a half sword make to a beast of this caliber. Though it still hurt and caused a thin rugged sword mark, the animal yelped and jumped to the side exposing the boy. It was now thoroughly finished with its toying around with the minor beings.

The animal only used some of it power hidden under its thick skin, the tails of the beast striked hitting the boy from his side. The boy's body flew through the air towards the edge of the cliff, sword discarded somewhere.

The blond took a hard fall from the velocity and height that his body was moving caused pain, after landing and rolling a couple feet to the edge.

The beast stalked to him watching it's prey heave and grunt from pain and attempted to rise. The animal was quick to stop him from getting up again, he already caused alot of trouble and pressed his claws in his body. Drawing little blood.

The long talons of the black animal tore through the flesh of the boy and dug deeply.The pain the blond felt ached badly along with a burning sensation like nothing before, his insides felt hot and familiar.

The blonde screamed out his voice getting raw towards the end.

Fortunately it was enough to get the black haired boy's attention.The blond winced whilst the animal prepared to give him a quick death. The blond eyes closed waiting.

They were along the narrow path way several others in front of them, racing down the steep slope in a jumbled fashion.

He left the four, them not realizing he had turned back, he witnessed the golden blond slowly being torn apart. Rational thinking went through the window and Zarmeideus charged, hand drawing near to the red striked ground to place in his palm the half sword only a little ways from the beast and boy.

Merely a flash away Zar jumped upon reaching in good range to subdue the beast onto said animal's back landing with a loud 'thud' before drawing the half's sword and plunger-ed it into the space between it shoulder and upper right back.

The animal screeched not registering something on its back, the animal growl feeling the rush of pain with the sword wedged deep in it shoulder blade.

His head turned to its back, neck not long enough to reaching it's back before try to nip at the offender only to fail, and pose as if chasing its own tail spinning in circles away from the blond. Zar could only sigh in relief at this prospect, why he did not know for it was only today did he meet the blond.

Oddly that time he was unfocused, strange, from what he usually was like, eyes on the prize.

That cause him to fatally fall.

Him and the beast, down the cliff towards a large water body at a still below them.

First it felt like nothingness the atmosphere keeping his body light, speed picking up, wind lashing in his face.

Zar liked it, the feel of air. Not worried for his safety in the least but for the beast, it screeched at its side, not knowing anything other than the earth beneath it paws.

The half sword still engraved in his shoulder. Zarmeideus hurried to pull it out moving through the air towards the beast, red blood flying from where the sword was lodged previously.

The animal screeched more. And Zar let go half sword it falling from his palm and together they fell, the black haired boy thoroughly liking the lashing of the wind before hitting the water at the bottom too quickly for his liking.

The water was cold, teeth shattering like home. Zar sunk through the extremely deep water with an endless pit underneath him.

His vision a little blurry ear filled with water, only the beating of his own heart could be heard through the soundless space.

Beside him he saw the large beast rise paws drawing through the water for a fight to the top, it swam to the banking a so did Zar rising as well hands falling in the smooth motion of swimming, his breath was still held for a long while. He passed through the surface of the liquid the clearing of the liquid in his ears made him aware he was once more breathing in Csedea's warm air.

Zar looked at the animal it leaving him in the water by himself, the black thing shaked out its fur and proceeded to walked to the tree line a little stagger in its steps.

It then looked back making mild eye contact with the boy. Startling enough, the animal let out a deep howl, it was long and deep something Zarmeideus didn't know what it could possibly mean, before the animal left.

The recruits came rushing towards the bank, whispering amongst themselves a few left, three, including the passed out platinum blond whose legs were sorry excuses of what it was before (being carried by an aquintance) and excluding the golden blond he was there face in a frown.

Along with the group of three Zar had came with.

He rose out of the water body soaked, hair bun very loosely wrapped, to the point of pulling out, stringy and now tangled.

The onlookers gazed on in awe at him, the tunic clung on the boy's body. Zarmeideus sighed hating the attention as he was not at a worth for it.

He turned from them, merely sparing a single glance towards them, turned to his group and looked on at the finish line that sat ways in front of them.

Departure was the only sure way of ridding themselves from the unfortunate trip, silence reigned between each and all no words for there was nothing to be said when shock claimed the mind in surprise.