Author's Preface
Ryan stepped over Ixur's brother's dead body and led them out of the inner sanctum.
As Ryan stepped outside, Queen Alessia and Tyrus stood waiting for them. Turux stepped out from behind Alessia and smiled at Ixur. Ixur stood and gazed upon the battlefield, his eyes wide as he watched his clan flying away for their lives. Shadow Dragons covered every inch of the sky, raining shadow magic down on the Green Dragons one by one. Ixur watched as their acid magic hit dragon after dragon and had no effect. He looked toward the front gate and saw it. Alessia's army hadn't moved past the front gate at all. His entire army was being demolished by the Shadow Clan.
Ixur looked back at Fyz and spit out the apple. "Why have you waited until now to rejoin dragon society?"
"Fate. Timing. Coincidence. It is all as our Mother God sees fit."
"I see. So what happens now?"
Turux stepped forward. "Call out and tell your clan to stop. End this once and for all. Spare them the death that awaits should this carry on."
Turux coughed, and blood splattered on the ground. Fyz let go of Ixur and rushed to Turux as Alessia also rushed to his side. Turux looked up at Fyz. "I am so happy to see you again."
A tear ran down Fyz's cheek. "I am happy to see you too. Let's get you somewhere safe." Fyz looked at Alessia, who nodded.
Two wings sprouted from Fyz's back as she picked him up and flew off into the distance.
"So, do you wish to see the end of your clan today, Ixur?" Alessia turned and looked at Ixur.
Ixur sighed. He took a deep breath and roared. "ENOUGH! STAND DOWN!"
Every dragon, including the Shadow Dragons, stopped. Some floated in midair. Others' claws stopped right before they came crashing down on a Green Dragon.
Poyq roared next. "Shadow Clan, retreat down the mountain!"
Every Shadow Dragon immediately flew off into the distance toward the royal palace.
Ryan looked at Tyrus. "Not bad for a two-legged creature, huh?"
"I still say we could've just rushed head-on and maintained a speck of pride."
Alessia chuckled as she grabbed Ixur. "My husband will decide your fate." She looked at Ryan. "Shall we go?"
Ryan nodded as they walked through the carnage of the battle. Ixur could only look out at the Green Dragons torn apart by shadow magic. Some had deep claw marks in their chests, while others had limbs torn clean off. He hung his head and refused to look upon the rest of the battlefield.
Back at the palace, Poyq escorted Ixur down to the basement. Inside were rooms with runes and glyphs engraved into the stone and bars. They prevented any type of magic from being used and also stopped dragons from transforming out of their humanoid forms.
Poyq threw Ixur into one of the rooms and slammed the door behind him. "Get comfortable. You'll be in this cage for as long as His Majesty sees fit."
Poyq turned and walked away as Ixur put his back against the wall and slid down until he was sitting on the cold floor.
Upstairs, Ryan and Alessia rushed to the infirmary. Inside, Olar and Alyssara waited for them. Alyssara was crying while Olar remained quiet, yet he couldn't hide the sadness on his face. Alyssara rushed forward and hugged her mother.
Olar walked up to Ryan. "My father wishes to speak with you alone."
"Me?" Ryan pointed to himself.
"Yes."
Ryan sighed and looked at Alessia.
"Go. What he wants must be important." Alessia wiped the tears from Alyssara's cheek.
Ryan made his way into the infirmary. Two White Dragons stood over Turux, using their healing magic. As Ryan approached the bed, Turux sat up.
"Leave us."
The two dragons nodded and walked out, closing the door behind them.
Turux coughed and looked at Ryan. "Please, sit."
Ryan nodded and sat.
"I see you've been busy with my kind since your arrival."
"Fucking tell me about it. So why did you wish to see me exactly?"
"Well, I assume you have questions, and I wanted to thank you for everything. I can't give you much, but I can give you some answers."
"Finally. I have more questions now than when I first showed up."
Turux laughed and coughed hard for a few seconds. Ryan stood from the chair, but Turux raised his arm.
"It's fine. While I have time, let me tell you a story."
Ryan slowly sat back down.
"Almost sixteen years ago, I had just become king after my father passed away. Shortly after that, Fyz took Olar back to the Shadow Clan."
"Who could blame her?" Ryan said. "Sorry, that was rude. Continue."
"Anyways, one night, after a heated discussion with my brother Ixur about why he should have the throne, I went out to the Outlands where I first met Fyz. I prayed to our god. I prayed for guidance on how to deal with my brother and how to free the Shadow Clan from their stupid prophecies and beliefs. I simply wanted peace, and I wanted Fyz and Olar back by my side."
Turux coughed again, and blood trickled down his lips. He wiped it off with his arm. "I was pulled into a white space, outside of myself."
"Been there, done that." Ryan chuckled.
"Yes, it was very odd. But there I saw our god and the Goddess Vesha sitting at a table. They beckoned me, and I obliged. There, I was told that if I wished to have my prayers answered, they needed something from me in return."
"Selfish fucking gods. For all the power they have, they always ask for things in return."
"Be that as it may. I was told what I had to give up was power and life. Would you care to guess why?"
Ryan stared at Turux without saying a word. Turux chuckled and coughed again. "It was for you. They used my power and life force to carry your soul from where you were to this world. They didn't tell me why or who you were. They only told me a prophecy: that until the Man of Shadows appeared and united the dragons, I would live. Afterward, I would pass, and my prayers would be answered."
Ryan shook his head, stood and walked toward the window, staring out at the scene below. Shadow Dragons were mingling with every other clan. The dragon army had just witnessed the Shadow Clan dismantle Ixur's forces and put an end to the conflict. Ryan smiled for a moment before he turned back to Turux.
"Why would you do that? Why would you even consider it without any sort of explanation? I'm not entirely sure if I was in your shoes that I would've made the same decision." Ryan slumped down against the wall below the window. "Now you're paying a price for me, and I didn't ask you for that."
"There is purpose in everything, my dear boy. I simply trusted my god that she would keep her end of the bargain. Surely you have those who you would lay down your life for."
Ryan shook his head. "I did, and I do now. But still."
Turux raised his hand. "Don't feel bad. I made this decision for my people and the ones I love. Do not dishonor my sacrifice. You did something no one else could do for a thousand years. I am not sure what their plan for you is, but it is a path you must walk nonetheless."
Ryan stood. "I will walk my own path."
"I sense that from you, but surely you have seen thus far that your path has been laid out before you already. Our fates are intertwined. I have come to terms with my path, you must do the same."
"You're shitting me right. Your god took your life away, caused you to suffer. Simply to bring my soul to this world. And you're just fucking so proud of it. It's irritating to see honestly."
"Why would I not be proud. I know the stories of how dragons came to be, including the shadow dragons. You hold the power of the one who created them. And now, you have set my first love, my son, and her people free. You have spared my wife and the rest of dragon society from another civil war that would have destroyed us."
"I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be sent here and do all of this. I sure as hell didn't ask you to give up your life for it, tell me the truth and leave me to somehow stand in front of your loved ones knowing that truth."
"That is correct, you didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be born as a dragon and be feared by every being on this continent. I didn't ask that my first born son, the rightful heir be taken from me over an egg of a Primordial dragon that wouldn't hatch. But, we are here, and those things happened regardless." Turux coughed once more.
"I am not saying it is fair, but you are on a path regardless if you like it or agree with it. You also hold an ancient power for a reason. I hope one day you will find out the reason why. Until then, continue down your path and stay true to your own heart. Just as I have done. Now I do have one more request of you."
Ryan lowered his head. "At this point, can I really say no?"
"You can, but I will be forced to use the fact that I am giving up my life so you may have a second one." Turux smiled.
Ryan looked at him and smiled back. "Oh, we would've been good friends for sure. Ask away."
"Watch over my children. They have grown attached to you. I am not sure where your path leads, but if your strength ever wavers, call on them."
Ryan nodded. "Fuck, you aren't going to let me just walk away cleanly are you. Fine, I can't really say no to you anyways."
Turux coughed once more. "I do not wish to take up any more of your time. Know this before you go, trust the gods. You may have reasons for your hatred of them, but they do have your best interests in mind, and I believe you play a role in the safety of many in the days to come." Turux laid back on the bed. "Please send in my family on the way out."
Ryan bowed and walked out of the room. He stopped in front of Alessia. "He wishes to see you all."
Ryan stepped aside as Alessia, Alyssara, Fyz, and Olar walked in. He watched them enter the room and close the door, knowing full well the events that were about to take place.