426. Season of night, 6

(Rose)

The cities of sun were the most technologically advanced and richest cities on Earth, a century or two ago.

They were also the battlefields of the last great wars.

Waterloos.

Three places on Earth I can start considering for the future of my travel.

Now that I’ve seen the ruins of the source of T.I, at least a little, I would be able to compare to the sun ruins architectures.

I’ve found what I wanted in a way. A new objective for my journey.

What I should have considered more carefully, was the reason why Yaelun wanted to come here.

As she said, no one comes here without a clue of what this place holds.

I accepted her vision, I tolerated her faith and aim, preventing me from visiting anything else further in this place.

Yaelun wanted to dig deeper. No, it was more than that.

I assumed we shared the same innocent curiosity for this place. I was wrong.

Yaelun wanted more from this place.

And suddenly, all hell was loose.

~

My new friend suddenly pushed me out of the empty tower violently.

The ground was shaking. Before the dark monster jumped into my field of vision, what I saw was Yaelun, entering the main tower by force.

He slipped inside a hole in the front wall, a dark beast now after him.

I was already hurt by how violently I had been pushed out.

But what strucked my heart, as I went to pick up my sword lying where I left it, it was that sad truth.

Aïsshean and Yaelun were going to fight like beasts, and I wasn’t sure on which side I wanted to stand.

It’s a very painful feeling.

I already hear that there’s a fight beginning out there.

Picking a side with either of them would feel like I’m betraying a friend I trust.

R - Shit...

Deep down, I know who is on the right side. And this will feel like a real betrayal if I can’t stop it.

It still pains me.

I’m running toward the main tower from which flames and beastly yells come out.

~

Inside the main hall of that wider tower, everything is burning around, though I don’t see any wood or carpets.

They both spit fire at each other. The black predatory looking animal is stronger and agile, but not smart enough attack like wolves would. The dragon is ironically afraid of the fire, but now fighting with a different ferocity.

The dragon wants the treasure. It wants the power that lies below us...

He doesn’t hear my voice yelling them to stop.

I can feel his hatred unbound.

The dragon wants the power to destroy a god... He feels like a demigod, burning with a hatred for his creator.

A wrath I wasn’t able to see when they met and made their deal.

The dragon negotiated while it was in a weak position. But now, it wants to unleash its wrath and domination.

It wants to seize its opportunity to transcend and overcome its creator.

I can’t really recognise him without a sharp pain in my heart.

The dark beast is chomped by the powerful jaws of the dragon. A large piece of the black thing is removed. Blood is sprayed over the fires of this hell. Yaelun swallows it. The demon still fights.

In the distance, behind them, I see another set of doors. The path to the sanctuary. I rush for them, avoiding their fight. I eventually reach them, and they both see me.

The dark one was about to explode with rage, thinking I was about to try openning them to enter the inner chamber.

They see me holding my ground, my back against the doors.

The dark one is surprised. Now Yaelun feels betrayed, and his wrath overflows.

He wants to destroy his god... At any cost... Would he just look for a common artefact to turn on Nightmare, I probably wouldn’t attempt to stop him. But here... With what lies below our feet...

I can’t allow that.

Now I respect the will of that cursed family, with that monster as warden.

The power of the source will stay hidden here, and we won’t disturb it as we have no solution over it.

What lies below is too big for me, and right now, I would never trust my dragon friend to have a wise use and control over it.

Nothing is wise in this room where flames run along the walls like fumes or waters.

Yaelun tries to strike me with his tail. I avoid it, and hesitate to strike it with my sword. I’m reluctant.

But he tries again. He’s fighting us both. I have no choice but to fight truly. Blood, flies along with my apologies. I tear up, but I show no weakness in my arm.

Yaelun should panic and flee, reconsider his mind. He chooses the other end against all my expectations. I’m bitter.

Why? Maybe because of his birth, under the lord of nightmares...

Such a sad waste...

I cut his tail one slice shorter at each attack he sends against me. Blood flows.

R - Just fly away Yaelun! You don’t have to die here!

It seems he does in his mind. He manages to throw away the dark one outside with a violent shock.

He turns around to face me, still back against the door.

My calls remain unanswered in any way.

I’m facing a friend for the first time. It’s really painful and bitter.

I know I should aim for his wings if I wanted to pin him down, but I want to leave him a way to escape.

I’m blocking the way and defending, not hunting him.

His jaws, open wide, are diving toward me with murderous intent. I ache.

I jump on the side, and run along his body. It’s risky, but less than being where his jaws can reach.

I could behead him there, but again, I hesitate to strike for a second.

His first wing strikes me as he turns around, to face me and the dark beast to returning to battle.

I shed a tear. I don’t leave him the time.

I reach him and hold my sword high. I strike with all my strength.

The spine breaks, blood gushes out. My sword goes through the muscles of the neck and gets stuck in the remaining flesh below the neck.

Yaelun’s head and neck fall. The body twitches and collapses.

The head still moves a little, while bleeding out.

Goodbye my friend... I’m sorry.

~