Slay the Dragon

CHAPTER 8 - ERYS

The afternoon sky was too bright for Erys’ eyes … that he almost forgot he was in the gathering of the Lawdras with his father at Volcron’s Temple.

“They did it all wrong …” King Sevyrion said, looking down. “My father … my grandfather … all of my ancestors made a mistake. War and bloodshed would never end our conflict. It can only be resolved in a peaceful way.”

“We Lawdras are strongly against it, My King,” Forsyr replied. “It would mean your death if you would fly south to the human empire.”

“No …” Sevyrion shook his head. “I am the only one who can make the peaceful bargain with the human emperor. I have the gold, diamonds … anything they would want in return for the Orb of Phlareus.”

“The humans can never be trusted!” Mydrad argued. “We aren’t certain if they plan to return the orb to us.”

“I’m afraid, I have made up my mind already, my dear Lawdras,” King Sevyrion said.

“Listen to them, father …” Erys spoke in his mind but he couldn’t move his mouth. “You’re making a mistake.”

At one blink, everything faded into darkness … and the only one left was him and his father.

King Sevyrion turned to his son and formed a sad smile on his lips. He knelt down so he could be on the same eye-level with Erys.

“Promise me, son …” the king said, their golden eyes came in deep contact. “Promise me, you’ll do the right thing.”

Before Erys could reply, he woke up—his breath and his heart racing like a stallion. In the middle of the night it was, he realized, as he gazed at the stars through the arch window.

Something felt odd for Erys. Normally, he wouldn’t be awoken by a dream at night. Something outside must have awoken him.

Erys stood up barefooted, walked over, and looked down through the window. His eyes snapped open at what he saw. “What’s happening?”

From the foot of Volcron to beyond the trees and meadows, hundreds of dragons stood facing the volcano—mostly were mondras, all transformed into their full form. It appeared the whole Draconian Realm had been gathered here tonight. When Erys gazed up to the dark skies, he could see it—swarms of dragons from a far distance flying his way. Was there some kind of emergency he wasn’t aware of?

Erys almost jumped when the door of his chamber slammed open.

He turned around and found the two Lawdras, Forsyr and Mydrad, outside panting as if they had been chased for hours. Their conditions looked bad; cuts and bruises on their faces and bodies.

“My King! We have to leave.” Forsyr barged in while Mydrad stayed out of the door, looking consciously on the hall.

“Why are you here? And why are the dragons coming here at this hour?” Erys said, looking confused. But instead of replying, Forsyr grabbed a hold of Erys’ arm and dragged him out of his chamber.

“Hold on, why are we leaving? Where are you taking me?” Erys wanted to ask a lot of questions, but Forsyr was not answering.

The three of them rushed through the tunnels when a sudden quake hit Volcron for a short moment. Tiny rocks and dust fell on their path as they hasted through the maze tunnels beneath the crater of Volcron. Erys’ chest pounded fast—his mind still clouded, wondering what’s going on. Was Volcron erupting? Was it under siege? Were the humans here already?

“Forsyr!” Erys pulled back his arm as they were climbing up the circular staircase. “Tell me what the hell’s going on!”

Forsyr and Mydrad exchanged glances with worried eyes before answering. “Our people are revolting, My King. We don’t have time to explain further.”

“Revolting?” Erys yelled out, his voice echoing in the dark tunnels. He recalled what happened on the hearing the previous day. It didn’t end up well … in fact, it only made their conflict worse. Erys felt stupid for making such a foolish act. He didn’t know it would reach into something like this.

“Where are the other three Lawdras?” Erys asked as they continued hasting to the stairs.

It took the two old men a few moments as if it was too painful for them to tell. “Yrinth and Prodrag were … killed on their sleep … My King,” Forsyr said with a hurtful voice.

Erys parted his lips as he shut his eyes in tears ... A sudden sting of pain shot his chest. Their own brethren had killed them? No … he himself killed them, he thought. If only he listened to the Lawdras who were against his idea of the hearing, they would still be alive by now. He made the same mistake again … the same mistake his father and his brother did. He’s such a fool … a damn fool … a foolish king.

“This is no time for mourning. Ovylion is clearing the path of our escape. We need to rush now,” Mydrad told him.

Erys wiped his tears and pulled himself together. Ovylion was still alive. If he too would die this night, Erys wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. Another quake occurred, and it seemed to come from the top of Volcron’s crater—at the dragon temple.

“Where are our mondras? Where is Mondramyr Legad? Shouldn’t they be defending Volcron by now?” Erys said as they picked up their pace on the long, circular steps. If only the walls were not too narrow, they would’ve shape-shifted and flown up already.

“I’m afraid they had all been part of the revolution, My King—including Legad.”

Damn it. He should’ve known. Legad always asked him about letting them go south. It was his father, Erys realized. Legad lost his father during the battle, and the entire time he had been boiling with a thirst for vengeance inside. He only kept it before. But now, that must’ve been the reason why he joined the revolution.

The growling dragon screeches grew louder as the three reached the temple. The battle had already destroyed most of the stone pillars around, Erys observed. A strong gust of cold wind blew everywhere as Ovylion, in his full form, rampaged against the other dragons from Seagrad, including Igryth. Ovylion’s body appeared to be longer than any normal dragon. Lawdras had unique forms, possessing four wings with bodies of gigantic snakes.

Mondramyr Legad, on his red-scaled dragon form, landed a direct hit against Ovylion with his strong tail. The impact slammed Ovylion against the dragon throne—breaking the black glass into pieces. He roared in agony as he tried to get back on his feet. Cuts and blood spread all over his body from the sharp claws of the enemies.

Erys breathed fast in anger, feeling the burning fire within him. Ovylion’s dying. He wanted to help … he had to. But before he could transform into his Primal Form, Forsyr stopped him.

“You shouldn’t. It would draw more attention,” Forsyr yelled out from the loud, screeching noise around them.

Erys hesitated, wanting to help Ovylion so badly. But Forsyr was right.

The three of them grew out their wings on their backs to escape.

However, Igryth caught a glimpse of Erys. He called out and commanded the others to get the king. In just a manner of seconds, about five dragons turned their heads; the next they were crawling wildly towards Erys. The ground shook again.

“We have to go … now!” Forsyr called out as he and Mydrad flapped their wings to ascend.

Erys clenched his fists as he took a short glance at Ovylion. Igryth and Legad were still clashing with claws against the injured Lawdra.

“I’m … sorry …” Erys muttered a curse as he began his flight. He had to go, otherwise, Ovylion’s efforts were all for nothing.

Erys followed Forsyr and Mydrad, ascending higher and higher into the dark skies.

It was a clear night, unfortunately, so they couldn’t hide from the clouds above. When Erys turned back, swarms of dragons were already tailing beneath them. His eyes shifted to Ovylion, lying on the ground, all b****y and injured.

Erys bit his lower lip in anger. He wanted to transform. He wanted to go all out and kill those damn traitors. But he just remembered; acting on his own would cause more trouble. He needed to heed the Lawdras now more than ever.

“They’re almost after us … hurry,” Erys called out as the wind blew against him.

They flapped their wings, harder and faster … but it’s still not enough. More dragons came to tail them. They’re flying all so fast. By their speed, they could catch up very soon.

Mydrad must have noticed it when suddenly he slowed down and turned back towards the dragons following them.

Erys widened his eyes and shouted, “What are you doing? Mydrad!”

He tried to call the Lawdra out again and again, but at that moment … he understood.

Mydrad shape-shifted into his full form—the huge, long body of green scales and dragon skin. He breathed in and blasted fire out to the dragons. The wide, raging flames didn’t stop them—it’s only blinding them for a period of time.

“No …” Erys’ eyes watered as he turned his face ahead. His escape had cost him the four damn Lawdras. He brought their lives in danger that he couldn’t even imagine the worst possibilities for Ovylion and Mydrad.

Erys wrenched all of his muscles out of frustration. He never expected this to happen at this worst. He expected the worst … but this was far worse than what he thought. It shocked him, but it hurt him more. He couldn’t believe this night would be the end of him. He had lost … so much—it’s too much.

Erys wanted to cry and grieve … but he needed to be strong. He’s still alive, and he still had Forsyr. They needed to hide for now before the dragons could catch up with them.

“Forsyr …” he said, wiping the tears in his eyes. “We’ll go to that place.”

***

Erys couldn’t help but let his tears fall along with the Draconi Falls. His regret and anger overwhelmed his sorrow. He and Forsyr stayed in the cave, completely hidden behind the waterfall. It’s the place which only he and the Lawdras had known.

“Forgive me, Forsyr.” Erys said, his voice echoing in the cave as he clawed his fingers against the ground. “All of these happened because … because I didn’t listen to you.”

“My fellow Lawdras served our kings up until their last breath. They were good men.” Forsyr nodded sadly.

“You five were the only family I had … but now …”

“My King,” Forsyr said. “Mourning their deaths wouldn’t make a difference. What matters now is of what you’ll do after this.”

“I …” Erys wiped his eyes. “I don’t know, Forsyr. I can’t make any more decisions alone. I’ve had enough already.”

“You’re not alone, My King. I’ll be here guiding whatever decision you make.”

“I can’t stay here …” Erys shook his head, knowing they would capture him if they spot him in the isles.

“What do you want to do now?”

Erys gazed into the waterfall. He wanted to save his realm. He wanted to end the bloodshed of his kind, no more wars, and no more deaths. But if he would go south, it might kill him just like his father and his brother.

“I’m afraid, Forsyr. I’m afraid I would end up just like my family.” Erys hugged his knees.

“Your fear won’t do you any good in making decisions. Whatever it is you’re thinking, make sure it’s right for you and for everyone,” Forsyr told him.

Right … Erys recalled what his father had told him just before he left for the south and never came back again. ‘Promise me, you’ll do the right thing.’ He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before looking back at Forsyr. “I have to get the orb.”

“If that’s what you want, then. But you’ve never been to the human lands before. And humans can never be trusted.”

“It’s the only way I could stop the humans from destroying Draconos,” Erys said. He thought about the dragon eggs in Aggronar, the future of their realm. He had to do this, as King and as the last Hyborn.

Erys knew he was the last hope of his kind, to end the war and to save everyone from destroying each other before the comet could come.

Forsyr studied him for a moment. “Then I shall come with you.”

Erys’ face was enlightened. It gave him relief and hope. He couldn’t do it alone. He couldn’t make any decisions alone. Forsyr was the only one who could help him and guide him along the way.

“Wherever the King goes, his Lawdra shall follow.”