Restful sleep found Fiero, Arik and Maxius at last. There dreams were of rolling through the skies and the ocean and of days when they were all younger. But still there was something missing. Fiero kept seeing flashes of two unknown dragons in his dreams. A golden one and beautiful green one. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recognize either of them. But for some reason he didn't feel any danger from them. Atleast he and his brothers were free and the pain was almost gone.As he flew high over the mountains he heard someone call to him. A chill ran through his mind. He knew that call. It was her. The bronzes sweet call that froze his mind and put him back under her spell. He tried to resist but she was more powerful then he was. Fiero concentrated on his brothers and found that he could keep a small part of himself free of her control. He knew the more he fought, the more he may be able to finally break free. But for now, he knew he was back in her control.
[ You are my weapon now.] She said. [ Take your brothers and destroy. Destroy every city and town you find. Kill everyone you see! Go now!!]
[ ARGGGGHHH!!! ] Valen screamed in pain and fell from the sky. Rage and Denner dived down after the falling dragon and caught him before he crashed into the ground. Gently the two dragons lowered him to the ground where he shifted to his human form. As Jandar jumped from Rages back Dreik brought his boulder down carrying him and Jade to rest a few feet from the stricken dragon. Jade jumped down and ran to her leader.
" Valen!" She called lifting him into a sitting position. " What happened?"
" Its our brothers." He said. " She's got them again. There minds are searing with pain again."
" Got damn!" Rage slammed his fist into Dreiks boulder." This his got to stop!"
" Easy love." Jandar took hold of his fist to make sure he hadn't hurt himself. " Don't do that again. Hurting yourself won't help." Jandar scolded him.
" I know." Rage said as he kissed his mate. " Its just so frustrating. Every time we think were close, she finds a way to thwart our progress."
" Can you still track them?" Denner asked.
Valen closed his eyes and concentrated. He saw Fiero carrying Maxius with Arik next to him flying. They were attacking a small city. Burning and causing tornadoes to rip apart the city.
" We have to hurry." Valen said. " Its happening again. There on the attack."
" Then climb on and rest." Dreik said. " I'll do the flying now."
Jandar and rage both put an arm around Valen and helped him to the huge slab of rock Dreik was controlling. jade helped him settle himself in a position that was comfortable.
" Your sure the tree of us is not to heavy?" He asked.
" I could lift a mountain if i have to now." Dreik smiled. " You just rest and let me take care of it."
Rage shifted and Jadar climbed back on his back. Denner transformed into a large eagle, he spread his great wings and took off.
[ Lets go.] Rage sent. He took off then Dreik lifted his boulder and easily took them into the air after his companions.
[ How far away are they?] Denner asked.
" Just over that ridge ahead of us." Valen answered.
Climbing higher they noticed how grey the sky was. There nose told them it was smoke. Something was burning over there. They all had a feeling they knew what was happening over there.
" Please tell me that's not what I think it is." Jade said. She strained to try and see over the ridge.
" We'll know in a minute." Dreik said.
In a line they breached the top of the ridge. What they saw shocked all of them. The town below them was totally covered in flames. Every house on shop was a blaze. They saw no running people, but they did see burning bodies.
" Heaven help us!!" Jandar whispered.
[ Who could have done this?] Denner sent.
" Fiero did this." Valen told them. " I can smell him in the air."
[ No, Muerte did this.] Rage said. [ Fiero doesn't have this in his heart. I doubt Polan would do this.]
" She's that powerful?" Dreik asked.
" Havnt you been listening to Aramis and Jax?" Jandar asked. " Goddess of death. Yes, she's that powerful."
[ Then what chance have we got against her?] Denner asked. [ She can take control of us just as easily.]
" No she can't." Jandar reached up and touched the salvation stone embedded at his throat. " This prevents her from controlling us. And you forget. We have Aramis on our side. Life will overcome death."
" You hope so." Dreik called out.
" Wrong. I know so." Jandar said. " Its one of the first rules of magic. Good overcomes evil and life overcomes death. We'll win this battle, we just have to keep fighting."
[ There not here anymore. We move on.] Rage said. [ Which way Valen?]
[ North and hurry. There heading for another town.]
Far in the north the trio of dragons saw in the distance a large city. Fiero groaned in his mind.
[ Not again!!]
Arik flew up next to his brother and looked over at him. His mind was so jumble he could no longer send his thoughts, All he could do was obey what she put in his head. Fiero could see the tears of pain in his eyes. Deep in his mind he knew he was screaming for Fiero to help him. Fiero pushed out out with his mind and sent soothing thoughts to both his brothers. A stabbing pain came back at him. He pushed it away seeing the relief come over there eyes. There pain had been relieved for the moment. Now to the task below them. Winterhaven.
Realizing when they were, the dragons put on more speed. There could only be two destinations for the dragons. New Keanna or Winterhaven and both meant disaster.
" There heading to Winterhaven." Jandar said to Rage. "We have to stop them before they get there."
[ I'm calling Ono to be on watch just in case. He can put Ariel in the bay to stop Maxius.] He sent back to his mate. [ You call Insa. Have him put the city on alert. They have magical shields that should hold them off until we can get there. Denner, Dreik we have to move!! Lets go!]Prafa was quiet since the attacks from Balthazar had stopped. And that put the whole city on edge. Tanis and Athene were on the gate talking with Adam when they heard from Ono what was happening there.
[ We can be there to help in an hour.] She sent to Ono. " Tanis, get mother. we have trouble at the Manor."
" Whats going on?"
" A dragon attack."She told them.
" Dragons fighting dragons?" Adam shook his head. " What can we do to help?"
[ Nothing.] Ono said. [ Your safe there. Besides I don't trust Balthazar. This is the perfect time for him to attack. Stay there and keep your eyes open.]
[ If that's what you want.] Athene sent. [ Promise to let me know what happens.]
[ We will.] And he was gone.
" I'm scared Tanis." Athene sat down on a bench on the wall. " Father's been to quiet. I know he's up to something."
" So do I." Adam told them. " And I think I know what."
Both Athene and Tanis looked at the large friend. Tanis still amazed at the change in him. Last time he saw Adam, he was the warrior Sting. Strong and simple but loyal to his mother. Now look at him. Tall and handsome with a clear thinking mind again.
" What are you thinking?" He asked.
" I think he's building a army fashioned after my warrior form. Can you image that?"
" I hope not." They heard out of the air. A second later Atol appeared smiling standing next to a woman with sparkly hair the looked a lot like there mother. The three stood there with there mouths open staring at Alea. A little uncomfortable at the stares, she smiled and greeted them with a nod.
" You see it to I guess. Atol looked at Alea to.
" What in the world are you talking about?" She frowned.
" You'll see." He said. "Where's you mother?"
" In the house." Tanis stammered. Atol and Alea started down the stairs and Tanis and Athene went to follow. Atol stopped and looked at them.
" I think this is going to be a private meet." He said. " You two stay here."
" But mother might.."Athene started.
" Stay!" He turned and led Alea down and up the street. Alea was by now getting a little annoyed by all the secrecy. And goddesses weren't really good with annoyance. The walked to the back of the town to a small house with a sign that read Blacksmith. Atol knocked at the door. An elder bald vampire opened the door and greeted them
" Lord Atol." He said." I'm pleased to see you. Come in. Who is this beautiful..." His mouth dropped open.
" That's it!" Alea said." Whats going on? Whys everyone so shocked when they see me?"
" Usher," She heard. " We have guest?"
Atol stepped out of the way to reveal a beautiful white haired woman that could be her twin. Alea and Angela stood the in shock staring at each other.
"Angela, meet Alea. The goddess of the moon." Atol smiled. " I thought you should meet."
High on the tallest mountain on Keanna a magical light flashed and a tall handsome god appeared. Aramis stepped out and walked out aways and looked up into the sky. In his mind the saw memories of his home on Fortis. All his brothers and sisters. There homes and palaces on that beautiful mountain in the sky. He remember his parents, beautiful Saila, goddess of the heavens and Rimnar the eternal one. He was in need of there help right now. For his only they could advise of how to destroy his own wife, Muerte the death goddess. Aramis sat himself on a ledge overlooking a distant range of mountains. It was beautiful up here and quiet. A perfect place to find them.
" Father, Mother!!" He called out. " I need your help. I can't forgave all the death she has bought of the world. All her evil deeds. She has hurt some of us and destroyed many people. What do I do? Binding her powers and imprisonment is not an option anymore. She would just find a way to free herself and it would start all over again. I have what I need to bring an end to her. But I won't do that without your council. Father?"
Lightning flashed and the mountain rumbled as clouds rolled in and covered the sky. A single beam of light broke through the clouds and shine down on him.
MY SON, YOU KNOW WHAT MUST BE DONE. SHE HAS BROKEN EVERY LAW I EVER MADE FOR US. AND MUST BE PUNISH.
" But death father?" Aramis said. " Is that the answer?"
IT IS HER WAY. SHOULD HER PUNISHMENT BE ANY DIFFERENT THEN WHAT SHE WOULD HAND OUT?
" I don't know." He said.
: You once loved her my son. Can you condemn her now?:
" She destroyed that love, Mother." He said. " She is the one forcing my hand here. This is not something I want to do."
THEN YOU HAVE YOUR ANSWER MY SON. YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. SEND HER TO US. WE WILL CARE FOR HER.
" Yes father." He put his head down. " I know what to do."
ARAMIS. YES I KNOW YOUR NEW NAME. IT PLEASES US BOTH. DO NOT LET HER DIE IN THE UNDERWORLD.
: If she does, she will be unstoppable:
The clouds began to break out as there voices faded.
FAREWELL SON. BE CAREFUL. SHE IS POWERFUL.
And they were gone.
