Crisis: Chapter 32

Chapter 32. “Not our victory”

Steel was finishing his bandaging when he heard powerful lightning. He left the tent hurriedly leaving all medical equipment behind and looked forward to find the source of that thunder.
“Arriate?” He asked with disbelief, as he couldn’t see anything, but already pulling back army of Esteralldo. He had some very bad feelings about this all. The fire breather ran forward with his arms bleeding, as bandages were hanging loosely from those. He bounced from the ground and started flying. No one tried shooting him, which was a good sign; the fights were over. But what about his friends? And then, he noticed some truly devastated battlefield: hundreds of slashes covered the hill at which just a moment earlier two magicians have fought. Celeste’s army was in horrible disorder, they all looked as if some sudden light had blinded them for the moment. He landed by some noble.
“What happened?” He asked the wyvern.
“Some fire dragon challenged king Hechizo at that hill, but then dragon was wiped out by powerful stream of energy. The light of that magic was so intensive that I can’t bring my soldiers back to order.” Wyvern complained.
“What about two dragonesses, one gold and one black?” Steel asked, stressed.
“I think Esteralldo’s army has taken them. I don’t know, maybe they’re somewhere around. We’ve send several spies following the army, but I have no news from them yet.” Noble shrugged helplessly. The fire breather just hissed angrily and rushed forward to the battlefield. He had to find Flush first, then girls. He ran to the hill quickly. The air here felt so… dense with magic palpable for even normal dragon. There could also be felt characteristic smell of ozone, just like after some great storm. He looked around and then, he spotted some strange hole in the ground. It wasn’t long and thin like others, but round, on the line where other slashes were the most dense. That must have been line of that lightning, as dragon guessed. He approached to it quickly and then, noticed somebody.
“Is that… Flush?” Steel whispered with disbelief. In a hole deep for three meters, there was laying the magician. The fire breather jumped down to him and put two fingers at his throat; he could feel pulse, even if very weak. The unconscious dragon had no bruises or wounds except for a left horn cut off in half of length, scratched arm and quite deeply slashed left cheek. Steel guessed that Flush had lowered the ground before him just before the lightning reaching him. He smirked. “That was a clever one.” He had to admit. Then, he flew up.
“Hey! Bring here a medic! The one that fought Hechizo is still alive!” He shouted loudly. Then, he flew back to the magician, took him on back and started carrying downhill. There was no time to waste, he should be put in warm room and provided some comfort for him to cure. He started carrying him downhill carefully, two medics were already running to him.
“We’ll take him from here.” They assured, as they took Flush from another fire breather.
“He’s not seriously wounded, only needs to rest in warmth, regain strength.” Steel informed them.
“We’ll take care of that.” One of wyverns said. “He’s state is stable, we’ll take him inside the city and there check him more carefully.”
“Fine. Just make sure he’s fine.” Steel pleased. Then he ran back downhill to where he had met a wyvern noble just a moment ago.
“Welcome back, dragon. Have you found your friend?” The noble wondered.
“Yes, he’s doing relatively well, but medics should take him to the hospital quickly.” The fire breather explained and wyvern watched him with astonishment.
“Is he… alive?”
“Apparently, he is.” Steel smiled slightly. “Could you ask your soldiers about those two dragonesses I have mentioned earlier?” He pleased.
“Someone had just told me he saw them being taken by Esteralldo’s main forces, as captives.” The noble explained and the fire breather hissed furiously.
“Then send someone after them!” He was angry by how horribly the situation was developing.
“There are troops following it, don’t worry. Now, don’t bother me anymore, I still have plenty of work to be done here. I’ll give you an escort to take you to Esteralldo’s castle. Or rather hospital, with your wounds.” The wyvern said and Steel had no other choice, but to agree helplessly. Within a moment, there appeared four soldiers that were ordered to take him to Esteralldo. The fire dragon didn’t oppose with soldiers that took him, even if his blood was boiling. He really wanted to argue with the wyvern, but he knew there was no point; it was whole army that had Arriate and Aura, and haste wouldn’t be a good advisor. He jerked his head to see Flush; medics were already taking care of him. All wyverns were watching him with something that he’d call a fearful respect; he must have pulled quite a show when fighting Hechizo. Steel reached Esteralldo in no time. All the fights were over now, special units quickly pacified citizens some of whom even started going out at the streets. They all were so happy, as they realized the conflict was over, but anxiety could be noticed at faces of some of them; few knew something was wrong. But this minority disappeared in crowd of joyful celebrating of the end of war. The majority didn’t even consider the idea of having lost the war. If Celeste’s warriors were still at the streets, but not attacked by anyone, it could mean only one; a royal duel had finished the war. All Esteralldo’s citizens knew that their king and queen were probably the greatest warriors of whole north. Besides, who would even consider a scenario when your own kingdom loses independence? Almost no one, especially when there were still no news from the castle. And so, they believed they had won. There could be heard completely spontaneous acts of euphoria, random loud exclamations of happiness, praising the homeland’s soldiers and curses at the foreigners. Steel watched with pity some high-ranked Esteralldo warrior listening to an old female thanking him for protecting their houses. This general, captain, lieutenant or whoever he was, as one of only few for the moment being, perfectly knew that they had lost, but he just couldn’t tell it that old wyverness, even if every second of listening to her thanking had to be an unbearable torment. He had just finished talking with her when Steel was passing by him.
“So this is how Esteralldo’s independence dies. Among euphoric applause of its own citizens.” Steel said silently. From his voice wyvern could clearly read that the fire breather wasn’t allied with Celeste Tribu, observed the situation developing, but not supporting them at all.
“The true dishonor is not to die fighting for your kingdom’s freedom, but live on having lost the fight, youngster.” He replied sadly. “My name is General Sullivan. Yours?”
“Steel, the fire breather.” The dragon introduced himself. “Pleasure to meet you, general.” He said, but wyvern didn’t say a word more, only smiled weakly. Something must have cracked in him that day, he looked as if he didn’t know what to do about himself anymore. Steel kept walking, watching around this blissful unawareness of almost whole Esteralldo. Soon, they all would wake up from this beautiful dream of freedom. Sadly, it was only matter of time, most likely hours. Steel kept thinking of that as he was heading to Esteralldo’s castle. The way took him not so long, lost in his thoughts he didn’t even notice when they were already in there. He had to admit that the castle was simply beautiful, covered with waterfalls of intensively green vine. Still, he didn’t care about those much, but asked his escort to lead him to two dragons in the castle; Idris and Ñeque. He had to tell them the news as fast as it was only possible. He found them waiting near the Throne Hall, in some apartment where Leal ordered them to stay.
“There you are, Steel!” The ice dragon smiled with relief. “Are you alright?” He watched friend’s bandages with worries.
“Just scratches, nothing dangerous.” Steel belittled his wounds.
“What was that lightning? Where are the others?” Idris asked impatiently.
“Flush fought against Hechizo and that lightning was used against him.” The fire breather explained and oracle watched him with horror written all over her face. “He’s alive, he managed to avoid evaporating, somehow.” Steel explained quickly. “But he lost consciousness and has a nasty slash on his face. Still, nothing endangers his life.” He assured.
“And Arriate and Aura?” The ice dragon asked.
„Hechizo took them as captives when he was pulling back with the remaining of his army. Soldiers said they saw them not wounded, only captives.” The fire breather said angrily. “After that lightning no wyvern but several spies dared to follow them.” Ñeque hissed furiously.
“We have to talk with Leal right now. We can’t let Hechizo do anything to them.” The ice dragon decided, determinate to do whatever it would take only to protect his sister and cousin.
“I’ll talk to her at the next opportunity.” Idris assured.
“We’re going now.” Ñeque just couldn’t wait.
“No, Ñeque.” The oracle forbid him, standing between him and the door. “Think about this. Leal ordered us to stay here. The more we obey her in little things, the more she will trust us. And still, she’s already busy with the mess in the town, so I doubt if she’d find time for us anyway. Steel said that spies are following Hechizo and so, at this moment there can’t be done anything more than locating him to prepare to ambush him.”
“And what if anything happens to Arriate and Aura?” Steel argued.
“Hechizo took them captives not to simply kill them. Besides, Leal said that he’s the king of old generation, loyal to all royalty’s rules. Let me remind you that both Arriate and Aura have royal blood flowing in their veins and so, Hechizo won’t touch them. His dogma doesn’t allow wounding an unarmed royalty member, just like Leal can’t do harm to Espada, but treat her with dignity, keep in golden cage.”
“Will he even treat them as royal blood? They’re dragonesses, not…” The fire breather wanted to disagree.
“Queen Espada treated me as prince when she learnt who my father was, not caring about my race.” Ñeque interrupted him. He simply had to agree with the oracle. “Idris is right.”
“So are we supposed to do nothing?!” Steel hissed angrily.
“We need to be patient for that we could reforge Leal’s victory in our own.” Idris disagreed. “For once in your life, think of consequences of your actions, Steel.” She suggested with hint of malice in her voice. The fire breather sighed deeply with surrender.
“So we’re waiting now.” He summed up with helplessness. He didn’t even want to fight with Idris like he’d always do.
“Don’t worry, we’ll  get Arriate and Aura back soon. We only need to be patient a little.” Ñeque assured optimistically.

Flush looked around, wondering where he could be. The world around him was made of white crystals, some of them looking really solid, but others shattered, crushed. He didn’t feel hot or cold, not even the lightest blow of wind, no sunrays warming his scales. That place was creepy.
“You’re surely wondering now where I’ve brought you, or rather, where I helped you bring yourself and I don’t mean brink of life and death at which you’re standing now.” This same, familiar voice from before said loudly. Flush looked around, but he couldn’t see anyone.
“Who are you? Where am I?” Flush asked.
“Don’t you worry, please. You are safe.” The voice assured. “This is the world of your mind, nothing endangers you here. You can’t die due to starvation, suffocation or thirst, as it’s not your body what you see, but soul. Not your muscles that move you, but your mind.” He explained.
“Mind?” Flush whispered and then, not moving wings but by an order of mind, he started lifting his body slowly.
“You’re starting to understand, as I see.” The voice said proudly.
“Apparently.” Flush agreed. The more and more he heard it, the more it sounded familiar to him, but he couldn’t say who that was. “Will you show yourself?” He asked.
“Fine.” The voice agreed and then, Flush noticed some dragon behind him. The most of his scales were red except for the yellow ones covering his belly. He looked almost this same like Flush only older for fifteen, maybe twenty years. The only difference were eyes; these weren’t azure like Flush’s, but gold.
“I wonder if you recognize me.” The stranger grinned.
“Are you…” Flush felt creeps across his body. He started to understand why this person was so strangely familiar. “Dad?” He whispered with astonishment. The other dragon grinned.
“Flush Senior, at your service.” He smirked, as bowing slowly. And then,  he felt his son hugging him.
“Dad!” Flush was so happy for that for the first time in his life, he could meet his father. “It’s so good to see you, dad!”
“It’s good to see you too, son.” His father agreed, delighted for that he finally could talk with his only child. No words could express their happiness.
“But… How is that even possible?” He asked with disbelief. “I thought you were dead, dad.”
“I’m not, but I’m neither alive. I am trapped somewhere in between.” The older fire breather explained.
“How did you do that?”
“Once after my death, the Guardian of Lives allowed me to return here for just a moment, to comfort your mother. I believe you’ve heard that story.” Flush Senior guessed and his son nodded. “I tricked Guardian of Lives, even if it sounds impossible. That unusual happening created an opening for me to escape death. Just a week ago I learnt how to use it. Thanks to it I was able to transfer my soul to the closest to me living person in the world.” He put a talon on teenager’s chest. “That’s you. I’m sealed within you, bound to your life energy.”
“That’s why you could use it to create that shield before me and lower the ground.” The wizard understood now.
“Exactly.” His father agreed. “But once I’m here, we can go a step farther than just escaping death.”
“I don’t understand.” Flush watched his father carefully.
“In this situation, I could be revived.”
“You…” The teenager didn’t know what to say. “Do you really mean it?”
“Of course I do, even if it won’t be as easy as it sounds.” The older of dragons assured confidently.
“How can we do that?”
“I’m still not exactly sure, but I know what we’ll huge amount of energy.”
“You mean magical.” The wizard guessed.
“Red magic, to be precise.” Flush Senior specified. His son watched him carefully.
“Blood magic? And how am I supposed to gain huge amount of this energy without hurting anyone? I assume just mine won’t be enough.” The teenager asked.
“I’ll figure something out. We have time, after all. The first problem would be where to store this energy, since your body can’t keep too much of it at once. We will need two or three Hechizo’s crystals.” The older of fire breathers suggested.
“And how will I get them?”
“Celeste will soon send their units after the Esteralldo’s king, that’s for sure. If you were in that group, you could steal some of these.”
“Hardly possible, but I’ll try. Still, the problem of life energy itself remains unsolved.” Flush noticed.
“Give me some time, son. I’ll find a way through that obstacle sooner or later.” The other fire breather assured.
“I’ll try to find a way too, I’ll tell you if I come up with something.” The young dragon smiled. “So you’ve been watching me for some time already, haven’t you?”
“I kept watching you and your mother when I was dead, now I can only see what you see.” The former detective explained.
“Speaking of whom, mom will be delighted when she hears the news.” The teenager noticed. “Even if there passed so many years, she didn’t even consider finding herself another mate or even forgetting about you. She keeps looking back to the times when you were with her. She managed to put her life back together, not without my help as I have to admit, but she never forgot.”
“I know.” Flush Senior smiled slightly. “But could you not tell your mother a word about me, once you meet?” He pleased, but his son watched him carefully.
“Why? She’d be so happy.” Flush Junior noticed, surprised.
“I want it to be a surprise for her. Once I regain my body, I want to see her spontaneous reaction. I really wish for that I could explain her everything personally, just like I did to you.” His father explained.
“Oh, that would make sense.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
“Should I tell my friends?”
“I think it would be better not to tell them. You already have enough troubles and this would only complicate the situation.” The mature fire breather suggested.
“I guess you’re right.” His son agreed. “We have quite a mess here, don’t we?” He noticed with amusement. When speaking with his own father, whole their situation seemed so… unreal.
“Certainly you do, but I’m sure you’ll find a way out of this all.” Flush Senior watched his son proudly. “Anyway, it’s time for me now. You should go back to your friends.” He said. Then, his son lowered his head sadly.
“Oh… If you say so.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll meet again.” The older fire breather smiled encouragingly, as patting son’s head. “I’m so happy for that I could meet you, son.”
“I’m happy for that I could see you too, dad.” Young wizard couldn’t disagree. He hugged his dad strongly, so delighted with his presence. And then, his vision started blurring until it finally blacked out completely.

It was already the evening when rumors of Esteralldo’s loss have already spread through the city. The town streets, orange due to the setting sun, were almost completely empty. The silence fell upon it as its citizens were slowly realizing that it had been the last day of their independence. The euphoria from several hours earlier had faded away to be replaced by despair of citizens, unable to do anything to change their situation. Through the main streets of Esteralldo, there were marching soldiers of Celeste Tribu. It was traditional procession of the victorious soldiers through the conquered city. It was leaded by Leal, on her right, there was Dominar. She stepped through the second greatest wyvern city with pride and confidence and so did her officers and soldiers. How could she be not proud when for hundreds years of existence of these kingdoms neither of them was even close conquering another and Leal succeeded within just several weeks? General Sullivan was watching celebrations through window, staring at his new formal queen with disdain. Not even a drip of royal blood flowed in her veins and yet, she claimed to be a new ruler of Esteralldo. She even called him to come next day and it could mean only one thing. He was to swear his loyalty to this usurper like the other generals already had. To refuse would be to renounce his beloved country. To kneel before Leal would be to betray its people who fought with all their might against her and now, watched her victory in hateful silence. Sullivan sat down, took a short knife and slit his veins and put bleeding arms on the desk before him. He didn’t die in battle, but he would never allow Leal to use him, even if it meant taking away his own life. That was the least he could do to wound enemy; not let it use full warfare potential of newly conquered kingdom. The Esteralldo’s general was sitting steadily, waiting with dignity for darkness to spread around him.

Steel and Ñeque were watching the procession from their quarters near the Esteralldo castle. The ice dragon kept staring at Idris, walking right by side of queen Leal.
“Some wyverns will truly hate her now.” The fire breather noticed.
“We don’t care about them, but Leal. Idris is right that if she plays loyal to Celeste in such situations, it could bring us closer to being released.” Ñeque argued.
“As long as she only plays loyal.” Steel muttered skeptically.
“She’d never side with Leal!” Young medic disagreed harshly.
“I hope so too.” The fire breather smiled sadly. “But I’d prefer to be careful about her. You should as well. She’s a selfish person and you’ll have to temper her sometimes.”
“Possibly.” Ñeque agreed reluctantly. “I trust her. If she finds the proper balance between playing loyal and being loyal, it will be priceless to us.” He noticed.
“Help her in that. She will need it, even if she hates receiving help. Leal will put her through great temptations in the nearest future.” Steel warned perfectly knowing that Idris wouldn’t listen to him at all. They didn’t get along really well.
“I will. Don’t worry about that.” Ñeque promised. “As she said, we shall reforge Leal’s victory into our own.” He assured confidently. Steel just smiled slightly. Both of them were full of hope for the future.