"Has anyone heard a word from Orym since he left the fairies in Aspara Bough?" Tof turned to Aggar.
"Queen Nuala saw them into Lake Tarsis." Aggar said quietly. "They were suppose to be looking for Jandar but I think instead he went to Aquilona. He knew that would be Talsara's next target. That's where I think he is."
"Not much we can do about Aquilona." Tovar joined Tof and Aggar. "But Dree is a whole different story. I have our men in place around the city. Anyone that try's getting out will get as far as the forest then we'll take them. All we're waiting for is your signal to move in."
"We move in ten minutes." Tof stepped down adjusting his sword at his side. "Tovar, you stay with me, were heading for the palace. Aggar, the docks and whats left of the marketplace. You both have message stones in case we get separated. Find any Dree left in the city and get them to the palace. Get your men together and be ready to move out."
Since neither vampires nor werewolves usually ride horses, they all moved forward on foot. At Tof's signal, Tovar's men shifted to bird forms and flew into the city while the men of Tir Na took wolf forms and trotted in.
[NOW!]
As Munoecus roared, Jandar and Maxius looked up at the massive beast swimming toward the city.
[I don't believe it.] He sent. [It's not possible, It can't be!!]
[I can and it is.] Maxius eyes moldered with old memories. [That's Munoecus and he's mine!]
Kicking into the currant, Maxius launched himself out at the monster closing in on the city. As he picked up speed he shifted into his true dragon form and roared a challenge at Munoecus. Feeling the vibrations of the roar, Munoecus turned and spotted Maxius behind him. Lightning blazed from his eyes as the great eel readied himself for battle
[No!] Laor screamed. [The city. Attack the city!]
As Jandar watched Maxius swan out to meet Munoecus. To the right, he spotted Laor and Orym. With a quick twist of his wrist he summoned his staff from the hidden dimension where he kept it.
[Pyor, Flinar.] He dived out into the currant. [I'm going for Orym. Once I engage Laor, take Mortimer and Orym and get the crown into the city.]
[What about the Coral elves and the Munos?]
[I can hold them back for a little while.] Jandar sent. [But I'll need help with them as soon as you can. Have Caldar send out his troops.]
[I'm messaging Caldar now.] Mortimer called. [Help will be here soon. Quel marth Jandar.]
[Diola lle mellonamin.]
With his staff in his hand, Jandar summoned a globe of power around himself and streaked on towards Laor and Orym. Casting out, Jandar sent a bolt of power at Laor. It knocked Orym back into the warehouse while Laor had seen it coming and dived out of the way.
[Laor Blackhelm, you are a traitor!]
Jandar sailed down to confront Laor. Getting back on his feet, Laor reached out and shot a power ball at Jandar. It hit his globe in a colorful explosion without breaking through. Laor launched himself up to meet Jandar in battle.
[Pyor, Flinar. Get Orym out now!]
[So we finally meet in battle.] Laor floated high in the water across from Jandar. [Good, it's time we see which on of us is the more powerful. You or me.]
[It's power that matters Laor.] Jandar held out his glowing staff. [You should know that by now. The black arts will never stand against the light. Didn't your teachers teach you that lesson?]
[Most of my teachers are dead.] He sneered. [Dead by these very adapt hands.The same hands that will taking your staff and your magic as my own.]
[Good luck with that.] Jandar smiled. [Shall we?]
Without answering, Laor raised his hands and cast a series of blue flames at Jandar. Spinning his staff before him, Jandar swept the flames away and replaced them with golden spikes that shot at Laor. With glowing hands, Laor deflected each spike one by one as they came at him. Missing one, it streaked in to hit Laor in his shoulder. Howling in pain. Laor staggered back and fell to one knee. He looked up at Jandar with such hate in his eyes then conjured a psychic hand to grab hold of Jandar's force globe and squeeze. Jandar stained pouring more and more power into his shield forcing the hand open.He gritted his teeth as the strain pushed at his mind. He so wanted to rest and just lay down and sleep forever but if he did, he would never see Rage or any of his brothers ever again. So instead he forced himself to concentrate and force that hand up and away from his shield. Thinking quickly, Jandar fashioned his own hand in the water that grabbed Laor's hand in an arm wrestling battle.
Standing across from each other, their minds wrestled while Mer men poured out of Aquilona to battle the Munos and Laor's Coral elves. The battle for Aquilona was on. As Jandar and Laor fought, Pyor and Flinar both grabbed an arm and pulled Orym back into the warehouse. They hauled him in with Mortimer in the lead carrying Kearn's crown.
[This is our chance to get the crown into Aquilona before the shiels fall.] Mortimer hurried to a trapdoor hidden in the floor and worked it open.
[No.] Orym pushed himself free. [Jandar will need our help out there. He can't fight this battle all by himself.]
[He's no alone.] Pyor said. [Caldar sent his men out and Maxius is fighting the Eel thing. Besides, your to weak to be of any help . Jandar ordered us to get you to safety and that's what we're going to do.]
[Even if I have to knock you out again cousin.] Flinar helped drag him to the door.
[Now swim if you can. We don't have time to argue.]
[There is something I can do to help Jandar.] Mortimer told them. [He won't fight alone.]
Diving in, the four swam the long tunnel that ran from the warehouse into the city. As they reached the end. Mortimer pressed his hand to a crystal set in the door frame. Lights flared to life as something in the door began to hum and slowly it split in two and opened up. On the other side of the door, a tall Mer man with long dark green hair and regal eyes dressed in a gold harness and kilt stood there waiting for them. It was Caldar Dylani. He reached out and grabbed Orym and ushered them back to the carriage he had waiting.
[I'm glad to see your all here safe. I sent my warriors out every exit after your message. With them went a troop of Coral elves from Dree that had made it here to safety. They went to watch Jandar as he fights that bastard Laor. Is there anything else I can do?]
[Get this to the power station.] Mortimer showed him Kearn's crown. [This should be enough to power the dome for many centuries to come, but we should get it there fast.]
Caldar reached out and took the crown. It was heavy and cold as ice. It looked like it had been made of some strange blue ice with streaks of light that ran through it spinning and flickering on and off. Caldar could feel the power in the crown. It was cold but strangely warm at the same time.
[It's magnificent!] Lights sparkled in the Mer kings eyes from the glow. [This way.]
Caldar opened the carriage door and they climbed in. He gave an order to the driver and they were off speeding to the palace.
In Dree the fighting was going fierce. Aggar and his men had slipped in and battled their way through the city to the warehouse district. Dark elves fought savagely with sword and magic but the warriors of Tir Na and Vasagi were not novices but seasoned well armed fighters. With claw and fang, sword and spells they fought the Dark elves back until they reached the Tavern where the last of the Darkshade warriors had been celebrating the night before.
With what was left of the docks now in their hands, Aggar and his men slipped in and caught the warriors of Darkshade and Melruth completely off guard. Most of them were still sleeping off the night of wine and debauchery when Aggar kicked down the door. Local nymphs had been rounded up and used as please slaves. They screamed at Agger and his warriors entered.
"Do not move!" Aggar ordered as they jumped to their feet. With their hands up, Aggar ordered their weapons collected.
"By order of Orym Dree king of these lands, you are all under arrest."
A few tried to fight back but by now it was to late and a quick death was their prize.
Things went different in the palace. Thought they still had surprise, it wasn't complete. Tovar and his men dropped out of the sky and swarmed the guards at the gate who just had time to raise the alarm. Darkshade and Melruth warriors fought fiercely attacking from the palace trying to defend it but to no avail. This time. they were the ones out numbered and out matched in the fight. Captain Eskowe fought like a mad man slaying many warriors until a man stepped forward dressed in silver armor.
"And who would you be?" He asked.
"I would be Christof Anwar Tyr, king of Tir Na." Tof touched his sword to his forehead then held it out in a warriors salute. "Darkshade, by invading here and many other territories has broken the pact of Fanastra written and signed over three centuries ago by your own kings. By Elven law, Queen Taslsara Darkshade forfeits any rights to hold any lands in Fay Shrea. For this criminal act, she must abdicate her throne to her closest blood relative, that being the crown prince Elan Darkshade immediately. What say you?"
"I don't think my queen cares about a pact made by long dead ancestor." Captain Eskowe laughed. "Nor does she your stupid laws Elven or not. She wants this land and I plan to see that she gets it."
"How?" Tof asked. "Look around you. Your forces are beaten. Your men are either dead or in chains. You've lost Dree and no one's coming to help you. Your queens not even here to watch you surrender."
"They will come," Eskowe yelled. "And who says I'm going to surrender?"
With a flash of steel, Captain Eskowe leaped down to face Tof. He came in quick with his sword then stabbed out for Tof's chest with his dagger. Swinging his sword up, Tof blocked the sword strike then deflected the dagger off his arm gauntlet. Stepping back, Tof and Captain Eskowe started circling getting ready to fight. With the break, Tof thought maybe he could talk some sense into the Captain.
"Why Captain?" He asked never taking his eyes off off him. "Why would a seasoned warrior honored so many times for bravery agree to fight this war? Darkshade never in its long history was so blood thirsty as its been since Talsara took the crown. Tell me why?"
"Because my queen demands it!"
"And if she demands you march your men into the Underworld or Fortis, will you do so blindly?"
"I obey the orders of my queen and the crown!" He sneered. "I am loyal to Darkshade."
"Is that what you think loyalty is?" Tof stopped and lowered his sword point to the ground. "Is that all you are, a mindless minion? What happened to the brave warriors that fought with us in the Vampire/Werewolf war? They fought for freedon not tyranny. They never ever would have stood for Talsara's actions. What's happening in Darkshade? Is everyone under her spell?"
"The queen rules supreme!" He yelled clutching his blades. "It's my duty to follow her commands!"
"It's your duty to protect your land from all threats from inside and outside. " Tof yelled back. "That includes the madness of your kings and queens! You're not supposed to run blindly head first into something that surely will bring Darkshade to its knees. How many must die before you see whats right before your eyes! Talsara will be the end of Darkshade and you know it. The question is, will you help her, or will you help your people? Here is where you must make the choice. Live or for freedom or die for nothing."
Captain Eskowe looked at Tof, his mind still full of rage but the words he had heard were true. Darkshade never in its long honored history had ever been the cause of such destruction before. There had been wars and Darkshade had conquered lands before, but never like this. They had never been the aggressor before and if they did attack, it was because they were threatened, Suddenly for the first time in months, Captain Ganatar Eskowe's mind snapped into clarity. His rage was gone and he dropped his weapons.
"By the gods of Fortis! " He dropped to his knees. "What madness is this? What did she make me do?"
"At ease warrior," Tof placed a hand on his shoulder as the confused Dark elf looked up at him. "The hard parts over. It's almost done."
As war waged on the floor of the Shyr, Mer men armed with tridents and spear guns attacked Munos warriors who fought back sending volts of electricity shooting through the water. One touch and Mer man or Coral elf dropped out for a few minutes. But that was long enough for the Munos to finish them off with their crude spears and clubs.To fight back, the Mer men had only one personal weapon. The ink they shot from veins in their wrist. Clouds of black ink would shoot out a blind and confuse their enemy. Not only could the ink cloud blind an opponent, but the noxious chemical could also render anyone that breathed it in paralyzed. The perfect weapon against the Munos electrical defenses.
The Coral elves on the other had no special defense at all other then there speed and agility in the water. Spread out and in a circle around the two fighting warlocks, Dree's Coral elves kept anyone from getting near Jandar and attacking from his blind side.
But there was one more side in this fight. The Sea life. As Coral elf fought for Aquilona, many sharks, whales and octopi came out of the deep to attack the Munos. Like pit bulls dolphins streaked throught the water head butting the Munos and the Melruth Coral elves, striking and fleeing before the enemy could react. The sharp teeth of bull sharks and great whites tore into the enemy as the long tentacles of giant squid and octopi squeezed their victims to death. The very sea had come in to help defend Aquilona just as it had promised.
As the two warlocks battled, bolts of magic were thrown in all directions causing great explosions on the oceans floor. Waves of power rippled out all around them. Unfortunately in places on the sea floor, there were great pockets of volcanic activity. Huge pools of heat, lava and pressure that sat just below the ocean floor. With all that power being used and the great pressuse of the deep, one of these pockets began to crack. Stream, heat and smoke began to bellow up from the crack as it grew wider and wider. The water was beginning to become unbearably hot. Many combatants were caught as the crack widened and roasted in the heat.
From inside the dome, Caldar ordered his men to back away return and to the city and defend its gate. They were to keep all enemies out while the Tarell and Pyor worked on the crown to install it's power into the dome. As Caldar watched them work, the sound of a cry in pain rang out from the bottom of the tower. Caldar turned and went to the railing and looked down. He saw a figure in a red cloak swimming up the circular pathway to the top.
[What is it Sire?] Pyor asked.
[Treachery.] Caldar frowned. [Flinar, Mortimer. No one enters this chamber until Orym and I return. Do you understand?]
[We understand.] Pulling his dart gun and his axe from his side, Flinar passed the dart gun to Mortimer and they went to stand at the chamber door.
[Are you ready?] Caldar asked Orym.
[What is it?]
[It's a coup.] They stepped out of the chamber. [My overly ambitious brother thinks this is the perfect time to make his bid for my crown. He's about to find out that won't be as easy as he thinks.]
Swimming down the stairway, Caldar and Orym made it down two levels before a group of Mer men led by his brother Kenner met them. They were all armed and looked ready to fight.
[Why are you here Kenner?] Caldar asked with one hand on the blade at his side. [Is this what I think it is?]
[Yes Brother.] Kenner looked at him sternly. [Aquilona has suffered from to long under your weak leadership. The time his come for someone with a more, shall we say a more vigorous ideal of leadership ship to rule.]
[And I guess you think that would be you?] Orym looked at him with doubt. [Your city has just been attacked and instead of defending it, you make it worst by doing this. Some king you will make.]
[Your opinion means nothing here Orym Dree.] Kenner yelled with contempt. [Dree is no more, finished by the Dark elves.]
[And how would you know that Kenner?] Caldar took a step forward. [Unless your in league with Darkshade and Melruth. You are aren't you? You would hand this city, the city your ancestors died building and protecting over to Talsara Darkshade, for what? To be her puppet?]
[Better a puppet leader then a dead man!!]
[We'll see about that.]
Launching himself out into the open area in the center of the spiral walkway, Caldar unclasped his cape and let it slowly drop down to the floor beneath them. With a waved he called his brother to the challenge.
As Kenner swam out to meet him, Orym turned to his Generals.
[This will be between the two Dylani brothers.] He flexed his shoulders. [You all know who I am. I am Orym Dree, King of Dree and in me I have the power to blast any one of you, maybe two into dust. Make a move to interfere and I will kill you, I promise you that.]
As Kenner rushed at his brother, he pulled his own sword and swept at him slicing at his chest. Caldar brought his sword up to block and then spun around and punched out with his free and. That punch hit Kenner in the jaw and dazed him for a second. Shaking his head, Kenner kicked out but missed Caldar. The force of that kick, brought Kenner into range for another series of punches from Caldar. One more to the jaw, another to his chest and one to his stomach. Doubling over, Kenner sneered at Caldar then grabbed a dagger from it's place on his belt. Now armed with two blades, Kenner attacked. He stabbed and sliced at Caldar in a frenzied attempt to would his brother. Caldar blocked and ducked again and again. He spun around and sliced out only to feel the vibrations as the two blades met. with a lucky thrust, Kenner stabbed Caldar in his arm slicing a cut down his bicep. Caldar pulled back but kept on the attack. As Kenner smiled at his small victory, Caldar brought his fist up with a upper cut then another as the hilt of his sword connected again with Kenners jaw. Kenner howled out in pain as he backed himself up away from Caldar.
From the landing where Orym and the Generals watched, Orym saw a flicker of movement. As he watched, a dagger went streaking out from the group of Generals heading straight for Caldar.
[CALDAR, WATCH OUT!!]
As Caldar heard the warning, he turned and lifted himself a few feet in the water. The dagger streaked in and sank into his thigh. Caldar made a grunt as it sank into his leg then reached down and pulled it out and dropped it as his blood from the would spilled into the water.
With a quick look at the Generals, Orym saw a slight smile creep across the face of a general dressed in dark scaly mail and an armored kilt.
[Did you think I was making joke?] Orym raised his hand cast a bolt at the General. Like insects they all dived out of the way leaving the General there alone to feel the burning searing pain of his death. Everyone stood and watched as the body of the General burned.
[The next one to move will get the rest of you a similar death.] Orym's hand still glowed with power. He only had enough power in him for one more bolt and it wouldn't kill but they didn't know that.
Oblivious to what had just happened on the landing, Kenner tried to take advantage of Caldars would. He came in low and kicked at his brothers leg hitting him in the knee. Caldar gritted his teeth and ignored the pain that ran through his leg. When Kenner charged in for his next attack, Caldar spun again and hit hit with a
closed fist that rocked him to the core. With Kenner dazed, Caldar dropped his sword and sent punch after punch into Kenners jaw. One, two, three, four, five times he him until Kenner fell limp. Caldar grabbed him by his red cape to keep him from falling all the way down to the ground.
[Now this is over.] Caldar pulled Kenner back towards the landing where everyone was waiting.
[For you it is.]
Kenner reached in behind his cape and pulled another knife. He pushed himself up to face his brother.
[Good bye Brother!]
Pulling his arm back, Kenner stabbed down at Caldar's heart. Surprised, Caldar grabbed his brothers wrist and with a quick twist, broke it. Kenner screamed out in pain and dropped the knife. Caldar caught it and put it to Kenner's throat.
[Surrender now!]
He made a little cut across his throat to show how serious he was. Kenner cried out his surrender. Caldar threw him down at the feet of his Generals.
[From this day on.] He eyed them all. [I will never see or hear of any of you being here in Aquilona. You are banished from my kingdom for now and evermore. You have twenty four hours, if your still in Aquilona, you will be jailed and put to death. Now get out of my sight!!]
As Jandar and Laor fought, Jandar could feel himself growing tired. After his battle on Vanco island, the trip here and keeping the spell that gave him air going, His was growing exhausted quickly. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up before Laor found an opening and score a hit Jandar couldn't survive. In his mind, visions of Rage and Ono kept slipped in, distracting him. He could hear they were trying to tell him something but he couldn't hear it. Then the message came from Caldar that the Dome had been repaired. The city was safe. He could rest now. Suddenly a voice screamed out in his head.
[NO MY LOVE! YOU MUST NOT FALL!]
[But I'm so tried.] Jandar could feel the pounding on his shield in his head. All he wanted was for it to stop and to rest. Laor's laughter echoed through his mind and he sent bolt after bolt at Jandar's shield which grew dimmer and dimmer by the second.
[Jandar.] Rage's voice broke though all the pain and exhaustion. [I love you. Please don't leave me here alone. We need you, I need you. Don't leave me!]
[I don't have anything left Rage. I'm sorry.]
[Yes you do! Wake the Dragon. He will bring you home.]
[I don't know how.[ Jandar fell to the floor of his globe and passed out.
[Then I will.]
Rage reached deep into Jandar's mind pass his werewolf heritage. Pass the magic and the memories he held so dear and touched something Shayn had put in Jandar and Ono long ago. At Rage's touch, the magic in Jandar's heart reached out and triggered the dragon in Jandar and gave it life.
As Laor swam towards Jandar laughing with hysterical triumph, Jandar's eyes opened radiating the power of a dragon.
[You lose werewolf!" Laor yelled. [I warned you what would happen if you took on Laor Blackhelm. Know I have you and all your magic and power is mine!]
As Laor swam the last few feet to Jandar planning on bursting his shield and siphoning off his magic and lifeforce, Jandar got up on his knees, threw back his head and roared.
[It's not possible!] Laor stepped back as Jandar's body began to grow and change. Hands became claws, his body grew longer and the shield popped out of existence. He grew ash gray scales, a forked tail with twin spikes, wings and a long neck with a vicious looking dragon head with glowing gold eyes and mouth full of razor sharp teeth. As Laor stumbled back, Jandar turned to him and hissed.
[The Ghost is born!]
[Dragon, werewolf or whatever you are.] Laor screamed. [You die today!]
Summoning his magic, Laor attacked shooting massive amounts of magic at Jandar. Folding a wing out to block the attack, Jandar roared then shot Laor's magic right back at him with twice the force that Laor had put into it. Screaming in agony, Laor was blasted back against an huge coral bank where he fell crushed and bleeding.
[No.] Ghost sent bending down and staring at Laor. [You don't get to die so easy. You will pay for what you have done and so will Talsara.]
Ghost picked up Laor and spread his wings and leaped up to bring Laor to Caldar to Aquilona where he would be cared for until he could be tried for his crimes. As he swan to the city, Ghost looked out and saw Maxius and Munoecus fighting in the distance.
[Maxius, I will be right back to help you.]
[No brother. This one is mine. Take care of Keanna for me. Tell Valen, Jade and Arik I died with honor. Farewell brother!!].
[No brother. This doesn't have to be the end. We can beat him together.]
[The sea takes care of it's own. Farewell Jandar.]
Cutting through the water faster than a golden eagle through air, Maxius swam straight at Munoecus. With the power of a lightning strike, the two behemoths crashed together. Powerful vibrations rocked out as they fought. Coiling himself around Maxius, Munoecus squeezed and bit at Maxius trying to rip into his dragon hide. Howling, Maxius beat and raking at the great eel trying to get himself free.Munoecus hissed and stuck at Maxius like a snake. Again and again until Maxius grabbed him by the throat and pushed him back. With a closed fist, he beat at the eel's face breaking it's teeth. In pain, Munoecus sent a charge of electricity surging through Maxius body shocking him almost into unconsciousness. Shaking his head, Maxius took a deep breath and sent a blast of boiling hot water into Munoecus face. As it let go and drifted back from him howling, Maxius slipped around and charged in at the eel.
[Your no God.] He sent. [Ancient or not. But you are a menace to both Aquilona, Dree and the rest of the oceans if I let you escape.]
Beneath the two battling beast, the ocean floor had cracked open and tremendous heat blasted up and out of the fissure. Maxius glanced down and in that instant know what he had to do. Diving down, he pushed with all his strength forcing the eel down into the boiling hot lava. As Munoecus screamed, Maxius roared sending his final farewell out to all the Dragons around the world on Keanna. So died Maxius the elder water Dragon of Keanna. He gave his life to protect Aquilona and the oceans of Keanna.
Jandar takes the form of Ghost his permanent dragon form.
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