Chapter 43: Thalorian

Thalorian stood in front of the impassable mountain. Jiyoda had entered the Arcane State as well. How…

“So this is the Arcane State, I have to admit it feels wonderful,” said Jiyoda, admiring his perfect form.

Thalorian stumbled back. He was panting, exhausted, and Jiyoda wasn’t even getting started, how?

Thalorian put his hands up, even if he no longer had his sword he still had to fight. Thalorian went in for a jab but was sent flying back, and skidded to a stop where Yoru was sitting unconscious.

Jiyoda slowly approached the two of them, his hand raised.

“Die, little dragon.” Mana started swirling around Jiyoda’s arm, crackling and shaking. It was brighter than the light of day.

As the blast approached Thalorian, he braced for death. Thalorian covered Yoru. Please let Yoru survive… he prayed.

The blast was inches away, then… nothing.

Thalorian opened his eyes, Haverian was sitting in front of the blast, blocking it from hitting Yoru and Thalorian.

“Haverian…” Thalorian said, starting to cry.

“Hey,” Haverian coughed up a pool of blood, “Thalorian.”

“Haverian, why?” Thalorian asked, his hands shaking.

Haverian looked him in the eye, “No reason, this is what friends do, right?” Haverian said. “I just couldn’t let you and Yoru die.”

Thalorian couldn’t speak, the words just wouldn’t come out, no matter how hard he tried.

“Plus,” Haverian barfed a little, “I never repaid you for our time in Hirenlia.”

“Wha-what do you mean?” Thalorian inquired, still crying.

“Remember when you covered for me when I stole those apples from the general store? You were grounded for weeks,” Haverian laughed, “all because of some apples.”

“But Haverian, you don’t have to repay me for something that happened thousands of years ago!” Thalorian protested.

“You probably should have said that before I jumped in front of this death laser,” joked Haverian. “Anyway, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Thalorian began to protest but Haverian cut him off, “I don’t think I’m coming back from this. I’ve already died, twice. I don’t think I’m even going to go to the Dream,” said Haverian, bringing an air of seriousness. “Goodbye Thalorian,” whispered Haverian, his skin starting to fall away as he fell into a pile of dust.

Thalorian looked at Haverian’s remains, “Haverian? Haverian!” Thalorian began screaming Haverian’s name over and over again. His pain catching up to him.

Thalorian looked at Jiyoda, his gaze sharp as a knife. Thalorian’s mana exploded all around him, forming shapes and patterns in the sky. “You killed Haverian!” roared Thalorian, shaking the terrace.

“So? He was weak, a bug in my path,” Jiyoda said, unfazed.

Thalorian was already at Jiyoda, his fist raised to the monster's face. Thalorian exploded his might into this punch sending Jiyoda flying back, crashing into another wall. Thalorian seemingly teleported to Jiyoda and began an onslaught of punches straight to Jiyoda’s jaw, shattering it. Thalorian roundhouse kicked Jiyoda’s face, sending him flying again.

Thalorian began another assault, pummeling Jiyoda into the ground.

At this point Jiyoda was bleeding all over. There were bruises on his arms and legs, as well as a swollen dirty face. Jiyoda knew he was going to die, it was inevitable. An angered dragon was too strong for him, all that was left was to give up.

Thalorian approached Jiyoda, “Any last words?” he asked.

“Yes, just a few,” Jiyoda began, not losing the aura of superiority he carried with him. Jiyoda chuckled, “It’s funny. When we first met you were fighting against the power to shape the new world, but now you're fighting with the power, because you're scared of change.” Jiyoda spat at Thalorian, “you disgust me.”

His fist raised in rage, Thalorian delivered the final blow to Jiyoda, killing him.

Thalorian collapsed his knees, exhausted, and just started screaming. Screaming and screaming and screaming. Screaming for Haverian, screaming for Elben, screaming for all that was lost, and maybe there was even a part of him that was screaming for Jiyoda. Maybe part of him even believed that Jiyoda was right all along, maybe.