Chapter Text
On a cloudy, moonlit night, Claudia stood on a rocky terrain, gazing desperately up at the sky. She was choosing which Star she thought would illuminate in the sky when he finally would return. She sighed at the lack of movement, the waiting, the anticipation that gave way to lacking. Her green eyes scanning in-between the clouds, afraid she had already missed it. "This is the right day, I'm sure of it," She turned and started pacing. "I know it is, I checked the days, 'Seven years and nineteen days.' That's what he said." She stopped and turned her gaze back up to the sky. "But where is he?"
Her short, white hair blew in the breeze, almost as if it was trying to distract her from her concentration. She moved her dark, twisty staff from one hand to the other and had shifted her feet at least a thousand times. She had no idea how long she had been out here waiting for him and not knowing the time lapse was working on her anxiety. She stopped pacing, took a deep breath to steady her breathing and then she sat down on the cool ground. She closed her eyes and let the held breath out, then started chanting, "There's no synonym for cinnamon." Her voice echoed through the empty terrain around her, she tried to ignore how that amplified her loneliness. She chanted this phrase many times until the words started to get fuzzy and her body felt calmer again.
While her eyes were closed, the clouds moved and a Star twinkled in the sky almost as if smiling at her chant. The breeze picked up a bit and Claudia opened her eyes looking around. She saw nothing different and no one around her. She groaned loudly and quickly stood up on her feet again. "This is stupid! I should have seen something by now. Stupid clouds. What if I'm in the wrong location?" She glanced around and spied a mountain scape in the distance. Her cloak danced in the breeze as she walked toward it with her staff in hand, aiding her walk.
As Claudia was focused on the mountain range, she noticed a flash of light go through the sky in her peripheral vision. She stopped in her tracks and looked up just in time to see a Star glowing brightly, it was growing bigger and bigger by the second. Then, as if it exploded into movement, it streamed across the sky. Forcing the clouds to part from its path, it descended closer to her. Her eyes widened in shock as it barreled straight for her. Her heart racing, she lifted her hands to shield herself out of instinct. At the last moment, it veered to the left and out of her path. It touched down on the ground, and the figure of Aaravos walked out of the brilliant light. The light itself seemed to be being absorbed into the Star on his chest. He took a few steps toward her, his feet bare against the ground. Silver, viney ankle bracers made of metal, crept up his shins. Matching pairs adorned his forearms. Wispy, purple cloth draped around his body, varying in different shades and lengths. His long silvery white hair, moved in the slight breeze around them. His eyes glowing a brilliant, pink magenta with radiant suns for irises. His eyes faded to a dull pink and his yellow irises lost their glow. The Star on his chest ebbed into a translucent gray, hiding its own brilliance.
"AARAVOS!!!" Claudia shouted with astonished joy. She ran toward him wanting to close the distance that had been plaguing them both for seven years. His eyes widened at the speed in which she was full on running at him and his mouth curved up into a grin. He opened his arms, already welcoming her into a hug. Aaravos spread his feet into a wider stance and leaned down a bit ready to catch her. Claudia crashed into him full force, he chuckled and bear hugged her, picking her up and spun her around to take some of the momentum away. Claudia laughed at his playfulness as her face lit up with the movement of being spun around.
When the spinning stopped, he set her back down on the ground. A wide smile on his face as their eyes were locked. He lifted his elven fingers to her cheek and rubbed a tear off with his thumb. "Claudia." he said, his voice reverberated around her. Dark, mysterious, and full of affection. Just the way she had remembered it. Light goosebumps trailed up her arms at the sound of his voice. "Your hair is even shorter now." He commented, as his yellow eyes shifted to her stark-white hair.
"You came back," she said through exasperated breathing. "I knew you would, but I'm still so amazed by it all."
"Of course, I came back," he said, his voice low, gaze never breaking. "Did you doubt me?" Laughter bubbled up in his words.
"What?" Claudia gasped and feigned offense, she placed her hand on her chest playfully indignant, but a smile crept upon her lips. "Never."
Aaravos and Claudia shared a wide smile and laughter for a moment. She twirled her staff and then turned and continued to walk toward the mountain scape in the distance. Aaravos leaned his head away nearly dodging her staff and then smiled mischievously but followed after her.
"Oh, my god, there's so much I have to tell you!" Claudia blurted out as she grabbed his arm close to the elbow.
Aaravos raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his yellow eyes. "Oh, do you now? I'm intrigued. Do tell, Claudia."
"Well, there's this new place called Everkynd."
He chuckled, his yellow eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Everkynd?"
"I know the name is kinda tacky, right?" She giggled almost breathlessly.
"It sounds... ambitious. What's this place about, exactly?" He leaned closer to her.
"Well, I haven't really been there myself, because they are from there, but it's a place where everyone can live together without fighting, or hatred."
Aaravos' expression turned thoughtful. "Sounds like a dream, Claudia. Who are 'they'?" He nearly whispered it, right by her ear. His smiled softened as she started talking over him slightly out of excitement. He knew she sometimes became easily excited.
"But it isn't really working, everyone there is..." She stopped mid-sentence and looked over at him confused. "Umm, you know, Callum and the gang."
Aaravos' face lit up with recognition, and a hint of warmth. "Ah, yes, the young ones. I remember them."
Claudia leaned her head back and laughed, a snort erupted from her nose. "Well, they aren't so young anymore, and neither am I."
Aaravos' gaze lingered on Claudia's feathered cloak, his voice low and sincere. "I can see that, Claudia. You have changed so much. You really have grown into a striking and beautiful Dark Mage." His smile returned. "One of the most powerful Dark Mages in all of Xadia."
Claudia smiled and brought her finger to his nose and tapped it, playfully, "Actually, I'm not so sure about that statement anymore." She wiggled with excitement as if she was holding on to a secret.
"Do I detect a hint of mischief in those green eyes?" Aaravos smiled. It faded slightly. "You're not going to make me guess, are you?"
She smirked. "Tempting, but no." She turned toward him. "I have found and been teaching Dark mages all around Xadia!" She clapped her hand in front of her, bursting with pride.
His eyes widened with surprise, as a look of Pride seem to melt into them. "Have you?! You've been quite busy. I knew you had it in you, just as much ambition and leadership as your father."
Her green eyes misted at the mention of her father, she tried to keep a wistful smile on her face, even though her heart ached. "He'd probably be so proud to see me now."
Aaravos placed his hands gently on her shoulders and leaned in meeting her eyes. "Yes, Claudia. He would be. We both are very proud of you." He opened his arms and wrapped them around her. "So proud."
She held him for a moment and when she pulled away, she sniffled and wiped a tear away. "Would you like to see the camp where I am training the Dark mages?"
As he pulled away, his eyes lit up with excitement. "Yes! I'd love to see this camp of yours. By all means, lead the way."
Claudia tightened the grip on her dark, twisty staff that held a glowing white orb, the Moon Primal Stone. She started walking toward the Mountain in the distance once more. "But it's so far from here," she said as she came to another stop. "It's quite a walk."
Aaravos smiled. "Say no more, I can get us anywhere you need and fast." His hands came out of the midnight cloak he was wearing, swiftly he started drawing a draconic rune in the air. Claudia's eyes went wide with slight fear and her hands darted out, grabbing his hands in mid cast. The glow of magic faded from his hands and the air he started drawing. As his hands were captured, his eyes went wide in shock and his lips parted slightly.
"Claudia....what?"
"No, no magic. Not tonight, not here," she hissed near his ear.
"Why-?" Aaravos started but Claudia's head snapped toward the sky, soon a dark shadow covered them as Callum and Erzan soared overhead riding a rather large and grown Azymondias, also known as Zym, the last Archdragon. Callum glanced down at them for a split second, and his eyes went wide in recognition.
Callum squinted his eyes with a feeling of determination as the figures of Claudia and Aaravos disappeared behind a rock as they flew over. "Bring us down Zym," Callum said, his voice dark and mature. Azymondias, flapped his wings and veered to the left to circle around. Wind gusts from his large wingspan blew small rocks and leaves on the trees as he landed on the ground. Callum and Ezran were taller now, strongly built adults. Callum with his brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, his face showing a bit of stubble. He reached into his bag and pulled a piece of rolled up paper out. Ezran's dreadlocks pulled into a similar ponytail, a dark brown beard that grew along his jawline, the sword of his father shaped like a crown upon his brow. Ezran and Callum leapt off the back of the Arch Stormdragon and Ezran pulled out the Novablade from the sheath at his side, ready for a fight.
"Put that away," Callum called over his shoulder as he was searching the map against the area they were. "I told you not to bring it."
"Why?" Ezran flipped the blade over his hand, then tightened his grip on the hilt. "Are we not here to kill him again?"
"No, we are not going to use that because of what it is, Ez." Callum explained. He glanced at the boulder and tree that were in the way when they were in the sky, he tilted his head slightly intrigued by it.
"Well, what is the point of having this to fight a Star-touched being, if I can't use it?"
"Do you not remember what happened last time?" Callum asked. "Last time, an Archdragon bit Aaravos and he exploded and - and killed the other dragons." Ezran frowned and lowered the sword but did not put it away.
"Well, then what is the plan?" Ezran asked. "Do you think you can actually find another way?"
"Find him, and trap him again, of course," Callum glanced around. "Speaking of that, I know I saw them. Where are they?" Callum glanced around at the mostly empty terrain, with a mountain scape in the background, but his eyes kept coming back to the boulder and the tree almost a whole foot in front of them.
Claudia's heart was beating fast, she wasn't sure if the spell she used to disguise them as nature would hold or not. Callum was staring right at her, and it was making her very nervous. She held her breath, afraid that one tiny twitch could cause the illusion to fade. She could feel her lungs starting to burn until she was sure she'd pass out from the lack of air. Every second that passed felt like an eternity.
He knows! There's no way he doesn't know. He's just messing with me, right? Can he see through the illusion? Claudia thought as she felt cold sweat bead at her temples. Her body felt hard like stone. She couldn't move, couldn't wipe it away. She knew this was part of the illusion. Stupid, stupid, stupid, we should have left sooner. How long has it been, seconds, minutes?
Claudia, relax. Callum cannot see you, you are safe for the time being. Listen to my voice, all you need to focus on is your breathing. Let out your breath slowly and then take in air slowly. Aaravos' dark voice echoed directly into her head without moving his mouth. Claudia's eyes widened at the sound of his voice resounding in her head, she shifted her green eyes over to him standing next to her. It had been seven years, and she had almost forgotten what it felt like when he used telepathy.
But, what if Callum hears my breath? What if he finds us? I can't lose you again, not again! Claudia's mind echoed back with panic wrapped in every word. Aaravos' mind chuckled in response as if her fears were the most untrue thing he'd ever heard.
That will not happen. Just breathe. His voice held a level of certainty that she could not fathom how he had, but she slowly let out the held breath.
Callum leaned closer to the rock and the tree inspecting them with curiosity, he had a hunch but didn't want to act without some sort of proof. As he leaned in, he noticed that the Key of Aaravos in his satchel started glowing. He glanced down at it and saw the symbol of Moon primal glowing a bright white. He moved away and then back to make sure, and it reacted the same. Then, he walked over to the tree, and he noticed it also glowed on the symbol for Moon. Hmmm, fascinating. He thought. What sort of tree and rock would be emitting Moon magic? Then, he noticed the cube flicker with another light, a sparkling purple. His eyes widened as his heart rate spiked at the implications already running through his head.
Aaravos.
Azymondias moved his rather large head and sniffed the air. He growled lightly, his body producing electric ripples all around him. "I smell.....moon and rot, like death." His piercing blue eyes turned into slits as he regarded the tree and rock.
Callum felt the fear running through him. Even though he'd trained for seven years for this very day. He was terrified. He tried not to let the fear show on his face, but his body language was rigid and told on him. "Welp, I don't really see anything over here other than a tree and a rock. Maybe we should spread out and search the area." Callum turned away and purposely pretended to be searching a different area. He was muttering incoherently to himself for effect, while Ezran and Azymondias watched him with confusion on their faces. Ezran and Azymondias gave each other a quizzical glance.
Is he getting cold feet, already? Azymondias mused in his mental link with Ezran.
Ezran chuckled lightly. "That's not very nice, Zym."
Ezran turned and walked after Callum, but Azymondias stayed by the tree and the rock, still staring it down, unblinking, before finally turning his head. Then, suddenly, they all stopped in their tracks as they heard a very loud, comical sneeze come from the rock. Azymondias was the first to react, he whipped his head back around. He knew he was right about the tree and the rock. He started to growl at it again, a low guttural sound revibrated from his throat. The stone started to ripple, and the illusion gave way. Ezran turned looking over his shoulder just in time to see Aaravos and Claudia appear out of the illusion. The rock and tree completely gone. Callum stopped dead and sighed, his head bowed and shoulders slumped forward. He knew what that was. He'd been quietly letting them escape out of fear and now it was not possible.
Claudia gasped and covered her mouth, mortified. "I'm sorry, I couldn't hold it." She whispered to Aaravos. He smiled with a gleam of interest in his yellow eyes.
"Don't worry, this was inevitable." He lifted his elven hand and held it toward Azymondias. With a strong flick of his wrist, Azymondias was thrown out of the way by his telekinesis. The Archdragon’s eyes widened as he was involuntarily thrown through the air. He opened his large wings and flapped hard, arresting his fall before he hit the ground. He hovered, lightning crawling over his teeth, staring down his targets.
Ezran's grip tightened on the Novablade still in his hands, anger flooding through him. How dare he touch Zym! His blue eyes locked on his targets. His feet moved before he had time to plan, he had to put himself in the way. To stop them.
"Ezran! No - you can't beat him like that," Callum called from a distance behind him.
"It's nice to see you again, King Ezran," Aaravos' smile never faded as he took a step forward, he gave the royal a small head bow out of respect. His eyes shift to the Novablade he was wielding. "If I were you, I would listen to your brother. He seemed to be the only smart one in your group."
Ezran stopped in front of Aaravos and Claudia, he saw the insult wrapped in mock respect, and his brow furrowed further. He stared at Aaravos, he had made his move and put himself between a Star-touched elf and his friends. He knew he couldn't win, but he refused to back down. "I'm not afraid of you, you will never win."
Aaravos' smiled widened, as delight gleamed in his yellow eyes. "Well, then, by all means..." His eyes shifted to the Novablade. "DO IT! Show me you're not afraid, young king. After all, a sword drawn is a sword in use." His eyes darted back to Ezran's face. "It will only kill you and your friends if you do."
Ezran's hand was shaking, not out of fear, out of raw fury. He knew in his bones the Star-touched elf was right. The tip of the Novablade dipped down, the point coming to a stop on the ground. His hand still wrapped around the hilt, knuckles growing white. He bowed his head and clenched his fist, not in surrender, in rage. A single tear hit the blade. Claudia's green eyes widened in surprise, for a moment as her lips curved into a smug smile. He's winning. Of course, he is. She thought as her green eyes now rise to Callum and Zym, the only threats left. Why was I ever so worried?
Aaravos' smirked as his eyes squinted lightly. He had seen this a thousand times. The moment that hope died. He tilted his head slightly. "Wise move, your majesty. Mercy suits you." He took a step toward Ezran, his voice dropped to a purr in his throat. "You see fear can be usef---" Aaravos didn't get to finish, his head snapped over as the sound of lightening cracked through the atmosphere. Ezran was kneeled down almost like defeat, angry concession. A silent agreement that he wouldn't attack. But Azymondias had made no such agreement.
He roared, lightning breath left Azymondias' mouth, engulfing the surrounding area in a bright, white-blue hue. A sizzling crackle emitted through the air as the ball lightning headed straight for Aaravos' chest. Aaravos closed his eyes and raised two elven fingers in front of his face, as Claudia had started chanting her words backwards and crushed something in her hand. He moved his hands through the air fluidly, while writing several draconic runes, with his fingertips. Callum's eyes widened and he tilted his head, fascinated. He didn't realize Claudia was casting as he had never seen this sort of Sky magic before. Aaravos cast a three draconic rune set. They glowed in light-blue and then vanished. Then, the lightening scattered around what seemed like an invisible wall around him. Electric sparks rained down like cold, falling stars.
"Nwod meht gard, psarg gnihtirw." Claudia chanted as a giant, purple phantasmal octopus erupted through the ground. Something blue oozed out of her hand. Azymondias' eyes went wide as the octopus' tentacles darted out and wrapped around him. Callum tore his eyes away from Aaravos' magical display just in time to watch Azymondias becoming surrounded by Claudia's Dark magic. His eyes widened in recognition as they drifted back to Aaravos. He gasped as if having an epiphany.
"I see it now, Sky magic doesn't stop the Lightning," Callum whispered. "He just gave it somewhere else to flow." His green eyes flicked from Aaravos to Claudia's lips. He reached for the staff on his back, his jaw set as he never took his eyes off Claudia. With his free hand he drew a few runes he remembered while studying Earth primal. He knew he was mixing something that wasn't technically a spell. "Vekrash terrachok," he whispered. The words felt like gravel in his mouth. Foreign. Not his normal magic. The earth split open as several, pale-green vines shot up and coiled around Claudia’s ankles. They were fast and hungry. No, idea what they were hungry for. Dark magic, maybe? They climbed up her calves, her thighs, cinched around her wrists like shackles made of roots. Not to hurt her. To hold her.
It worked? It WORKED! Callum thought with enthusiasm. Well, kinda. He saw the vines twitching as if he was losing control of them. Earth magic was not his forte, it fought him. Every vine felt like trying to move a mountain. He concentrated harder and the gem on his staff turned green. "Stop, Claudia. Release your spell." His voice cracked, not because of fear, because of the effort it took. Callum grit his teeth, pushing harder, tiny hair line fractures erupted on the green gem on his staff, as the staff itself seemed to tremble in his hands.
Then, as if the sun was rising, Aaravos opened his golden yellow eyes. The world around him snapped into sharp focus. He assessed the octopus's tentacles wrapped tightly around Azymondias. Then, his eyes shifted to the vines wrapped around Claudia, they followed them back to Callum. Aaravos tilted his head slightly, intrigued. He took a step forward, just one. "Quite ambitious, young mage." He put his hands behind his back, holding them. He regarded Callum as if he were a teacher and Callum, his unwitting student. "I see you have quite a fascination with Primal magic, Calvin."
Callum's breath hitched and the vines around Claudia shuddered slightly, as if he was losing his control. Calvin? He's been gone seven years, seven. And the first thing he does is get my name wrong? He felt the anger boiling in his blood, but he took a deep breath to steady himself. The Earth magic was grinding against his bones, to hold it for this long. He swallowed as he poured all of his concentration into the spell. Aaravos had done Sky magic as if it was just like breathing. Like it was nothing. His offer was tempting and he hated himself for feeling that way. He chose to ignore him altogether and tightened the vines around Claudia's body.
"Callum," Ezran corrected with grit teeth and anger in his eyes.
"Yes, whatever." Aaravos' eyes never left Callum's face. "I can show you how to harness every Primal, if that is what you wish." A smile curved his mouth.
Claudia moved her hand, with effort, and broke one of the vines holding her wrist. She reached into the inner workings of her dark cloak and pulled out a necklace with a bright-red dragon scale attached to it. The scale of Shiruakh, an Archdragon who died fighting a Star-touched elf. She held it up and started whispering to it, then her eyes glowed red. And a blast of fire erupted around her body, killing all the vines that were holding her captive. They glowed like hot red coals and peeled themselves off her body, falling to the ground in crumpled ashes.
Aaravos' smile widened, he hadn't even glanced at Claudia behind him. It was as if he had already known she could handle it.
Callum's eyes widened as he realized that his vine spell was incinerated in a matter of mere moments.
Claudia smirked with satisfaction as a pair of black and red wings emerged out of her back. Dark-red scales climbed all over her body, originating from that red dragon scale necklace. Her octopus spell still actively wrapped around Azymondias, who was struggled to be free from it. She squeezed the tentacles just a bit tighter. "Leave us alone, or bad things will happen to this Dragon."
"Oh, Claudia. You've... exceeded every expectation. I'm proud of your resilience and achievements. The scale of Shiruakh suits you." He looked at her from over his shoulder, his yellow eyes gleaming with approval. "However, there's no need for... unpleasantness. Release the dragon prin...." Before Aaravos could finish what he was saying, Ezran jumped to his feet and rushed at Aaravos while he was slightly distracted.
Ezran came in fast and furiously determined to gut Aaravos no matter what that meant. He had heard enough talk and was ready for some kind of action. Aaravos heard the foot falls and turned his head just in time to see Ezran darting at him with the Novablade gripped with both hands. Callum and Claudia stared at him in non-believing silence that was deafening. For a moment, the tentacles surrounding Azymondias stopped squeezing and gave a bit of slack as she watched Ezran run. It was enough for him to burst free. He pushed the tentacles off him with all his might. He started flapping his wings to climb higher than her spell. Claudia let her spell go as she looked over at Aaravos with wide eyes. If Ezran landed a hit on him, he could explode killing them all. There wasn't enough time for Aaravos to cast anything, so he didn't cast. Didn't flick Ezran aside. He watched him close the distance. He didn't even appear to be scared or surprised. Ezran came in swinging the blade, it sliced dangerously close to the Star-touched elf. Aaravos tilted his head away and then side stepped. Ezran stopped and took another slice behind him as he turned. Aaravos leaned away, the tip of the blade whistled by his ear. Ezran heaved, he didn't scream though every cell in his body demanded it. He just breathed in and out, like he was ten again in the training courtyard in Katolis holding a heavy wooden sword. As if his father was right behind him saying, Don't attack where he is, Ezran. Swing where he has to be next. Ezran's eyes dropped to Aaravos' feet, his next attack wasn't a swing it was a scythe. He swept the Noveblade low and fast. Ezran smiled knowing that he would hit for sure this time. But the Novablade whiffed right through him, it happened as if in slow motion. One moment, Aaravos was there and then for a split second his body seemed to phase out of existence. As Ezran glanced up, he saw Aaravos' yellow eyes wide with shock. You CHEATER!!! Ezran's mind shouted.
"Stop moving!" Ezran growled. Another swipe, the Star-touched elf was nimble and ducked, the Novablade took off a snippet of his long white hair. A smile curved his lips.
Aaravos' white hair drifted down where the Novablade clipped it. His smile stayed soft, not cruel, just confident. Annoyingly sure of himself. “Are you sure that's what you want, your majesty?”
"EZRAN STOP!!!" Callum's voice cut through the cool night air like lightning. "Don't! It's not safe!
Ezran didn't stop. He ignored the painful pull in his heart at Callum's words, the desperation and fear in them. He pushed past it. He was so close to what he wanted to do, even though a part of him knew it was wrong. He swung the blade once more, the Novablade came down hard aimed at the Star-touched elf's collarbone. Aaravos moved toward it this time, like lightning his hand sprung out. Ezran gasped in stunned silence for a few seconds, staring at what just happened. Two elven fingers had stopped it, that's all it took. He caught the flat of the blade between them just mere inches from his collarbone. Ezran was breathing hard, sweat starting to bead at his temples. Aaravos, on the other hand, was as cool as a cucumber and didn't even seem to be exerting himself at all.
He.....he caught it? With two fingers. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! Ezran shouted in his mind
Aaravos didn't move, didn't push Ezran back. He just stood up while holding the blade between two fingers. His sunset irises drifted down, not to Ezran's hands, to the blade itself. For a second, his eyes tracked the magic veins along the ancient bone. It was not pulsing like it does in a storm. There seemed to be something different, they seemed muted. As if someone had dampened its magic. His eyebrow arched a fraction, like a scholar that noticed someone had torn a page from his favorite book. "Hmmm," he mused as he moved the blade by a few degrees. He did not take it from Ezran, though he could have done so easily, he was testing its weight. Ezran tightened his grip on the hilt, afraid Aaravos would disarm him. But, he didn't look at Ezran, yet. His eyes still on the weapon for a beat longer. When he finally looked up and meet Ezran with his gaze, Ezran attempted to take the blade out of the Star-touched elf's grip. Nothing. It didn't even budge. Aaravos' smile slyly. "Your weight is too far back, young king. You are off balance, attacking out of anger instead of from your center." He paused, his fingers shifted in the flat of the blade. "If you insist on using a weapon like this....I could teach you how to wield a blade of this caliber, correctly."
"I don't need your help," Ezran lied.
Aaravos didn’t argue with the lie. He just tilted his head, sunset eyes still patient. Then, his fingers moved. It was not a yank. Just a shift of pressure on the flat of the blade, timed with Ezran’s own pull, and a twist of his wrist, barely more than turning a page of a book. The Novablade slid free from Ezran’s grip like it wanted to go to him. No pain. No red knuckles. It was just... gone.
Ezran stumbled half a step forward from the sudden lack of resistance. Before he could recover, Aaravos was already moving. He stepped in, close but not threatening, and placed one hand on Ezran’s shoulder. Not a shove. He guided him back exactly one step, then pressed his other hand against Ezran’s hip, nudging his feet apart. “Your center,” Aaravos said quietly. He tapped Ezran’s sternum with two fingers. “Not your shoulders. Not your anger.”
He assumed his own stance and pointed the Novablade at Ezran - hilt facing him - offering for him to take it back. “Again. From here," he commanded.
Ezran stared at the offered hilt. His hand was shaking, for the first time he felt actual fear, from realizing how little it had taken. For Aaravos to disarm him. Why is he handing it back? Does Aaravos want to die?
"What? Don't help them! Why are you helping him, he is trying to kill you!" Claudia shouted from in the air watching the scene unfolding before her. The leathery black and red dragon wings flapping with time keeping her suspended a few feet away. She was irritated, as the look of confusion, hurt and jealously seemed to flare across her face. Claudia started casting what looked like a fireball in her hands.
"No, Claudia, they have the right to at least try." He said without taking his eyes off Ezran. Claudia seethed, she could not understand why he would be encouraging this. She shut her hands together ending the spell.
Ezran's hand slowly drifted toward the hilt, it hovered near, still shaking from the fear that taking it represented. If I don't take it, I'll look weak yet again. What kind of King do I want to be? Would a good King have taken the sword back? Would my Dad have taken it? But then, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Ezran! Don't take the sword, it's obviously a trap!" Callum called from behind him.
His trembling hand closed around the smooth, cold hilt. He didn't feel confident, but he made his choice. The King who doesn't hide behind fear. Aaravos yellow eyes were trained on Ezran's movements, his lips up turned into a faint smile. He didn't flinch, as his fingers let go of the flat of the sword. His eyes never left Ezran's as the sword slide out of his grasp.
Callum's breath caught in his throat, as he realized that Ezran took the sword again. His face sunk and was replaced with a mildly annoyed look. Oh, Ez. You are fool hearted. We had a whole plan, and you can only think about the pain Aaravos caused. Why can't he just listen to me? His primal staff felt useless in his hands, but he gripped it tight as the same fear started to rise from his stomach again. He needed something to grip tightly as the thought of everyone dying tonight ran through his head. Azymondias kept his piercing blue eyes on Ezran, waiting for any movement to happen. He was circling around in the air about 50 feet off the ground. He would strike again on the right conditions. But, for now, he waited and watched.
Do you think the Star being wishes to die, Ezran? Azymondias thought through the link to Erzan. You are still a great King, even if you put the sword down.
Ezran swallowed hard at Azymondias' words, wise for his age. He felt the weight of the sword and the crown on his brow. His dearest friend had given him permission to give in and not be seen as weak for it. Tears started to well in his eyes, but before he could do anything a shrill voice disrupted his thoughts. "NOOO!!! Not AGAIN!!" Claudia screamed as she swooped down, Shiruakh's scale at her throat burning red hot against her skin. She wrapped her arms around the Star-touched elf's waist and yanked him up. Not with her own strength, but with the inherent strength of a long forgotten Archdragon. Aaravos' eyes widened at this but still didn't leave Ezran's face. Ezran's eyes mimicked Aaravos', as Claudia flapped her wings hard and lifted them both off the ground and into the air.
Aaravos watched his own feeling mirrored in Ezran's eyes as Claudia brought him higher into the sky. "How tragic, King Ezran. The girl saves a monster to spare the King." His dark voice still held silk, even with the wind tearing at them. "Tell me, does mercy feel lighter than the blade?"
Ezran stood below them, small against the sky and the mountain scape. He said nothing in response as he gripped the hilt of the Novablade tighter. He did not lower the sword, he simply stared at them rising into the sky. Crown still heavy, the hilt still cold against his palm. He watched as the choice he didn't get to make was escaping his grasp. The wind blew his dread locks around. He did not drop the blade, he did not speak. He only stared and in doing so, he chose. Out of the corner of his blue eye, he noticed Azymondias flapping harder and heading toward them. The clouds in the sky darkened and a bolt of lightning split the air just a few feet away from Claudia and Aaravos. The wind was charged with the smell of ozone and burned dirt. Azymondias roared and dove toward them, as lightning poured from his throat. Twin bolts circled around each other, sharply aimed at Claudia. It blazed toward them, but Aaravos didn't look at Azymondias, he glanced up at Claudia. "Where are you taking us, Claudia?
"What do you mean?" she replied through clenched teeth, her arms shook holding his weight.
"Where do you need to go?" He asked, his voice still calm even though lightning was emanate behind him.
Claudia's dragon wings beat hard keeping them both up in the air. "To the Dark Mage Camp." She glanced out at the mountain to their left in the distance.
"Drop us down," Aaravos commanded, he wasn't looking at the lightning. He was gazing into her big green eyes, trusting her completely with it. Claudia's face turned stern with determination. She didn't think, she just obeyed. She stopped flapping her wings, folded them in behind her, and they started dropping like stones out of the air toward the ground below them. They fell fast as the lightning merely singed Claudia white hair.
And think about the Dark Mage Camp, hold it in your mind's eye. Aaravos' dark voice resounded in her head. Claudia closed her eyes as they were in complete free fall. She did not even worry about the ground or gravity.
Azymondias' eyes went wide in disbelief as he watched them fall like rocks. He dove straight down after them determined to not let them get away. The wind screamed past his face as her dove after them. Aaravos closed his eyes and a sparkling purple portal opened up beneath them. Aaravos and Claudia dropped through it with ease, and then the portal closed right before Azymondias could get there in time. He stopped diving and opened his wings to stop his descent.
When they come out of the other side of the portal, somewhere Claudia had let go of him, but still had her eyes closed, trusting him. His yellow eyes turned to a sparkling white hue, as did the star in the middle of his chest, and all the little freckled stars on his face and body. He used his telekinesis to stop them from continuing to fall. They landed on the ground feet first just a few yards away from the Mountain side, soft and controlled, as if they had not been falling at all. Claudia opened her eyes as her feet touched the ground. Aaravos glanced around as his eyes were changing back to yellow. "This doesn't look like a camp, Claudia."
"Oh, yeah, that's the best part, it's behind Moon illusions and Dark magic." She smiled and then she held her hands out in a fighter's stance, palms open, as if she was going to fight him. He arched his brow in response but took note of the playful smirk on her face. "Dance with me," she said. Her voice low and confident, her eyes reflecting adrenaline and defiance. His favorite recipe. "It requires a dance," she urged.
Aaravos put his hand up to hers and smiled, playing along, intrigued. "Does it, now?" She started circling him with their hands touching, he copied her movements with her, they stayed facing each other, eyes locked.
"How will you know what movements to make?" Her smiled faded slightly.
He chuckled. "Do as you would do, I can see your mind, I will merely follow."
Claudia gasped as her eyes widened slightly. She felt how semi-invasive yet intimate it was. He didn't ask, he was already there. Already seeing her most private thoughts. Her hand drifted away from his for a moment. Fight or flight. Her body was choosing flight for a second. He smiled at her response, didn't speak, didn't chase with words. He just moved his hand after hers. Touching it again with the back of his hand. Warm, gentle, insistent. A question to not leave without any sound. Claudia stared at their joined hands, then back at his yellow eyes. Her hand didn't pull away again. She let him have it, let him follow her, let him see.
They started circling again, and then she turned away, and flipped around to her other hand, in a fighter's stance against him. As if he already knew the cue and the dance, Aaravos followed her movements. The back of their hands and their wrists touching, again. Warm skin to skin and their pulses synchronizing. They began circling each other in the opposite direction as before, eyes still locked and smiles of trust forming on both their face. Then, Claudia had crushed something in her other hand as green ooze ran down her fingers. Aaravos squinted his eyes at her almost as if he knew what she had done. They, pulled apart in rhythm and made a few hand gestures as a purple flame emerged above their hand. Dark magic was the key to this Moonshadow dance, whatever it was in her hand had died so this spell could live. They flipped it around their hands a few times and rejoined their wrist together again. The two flames became one as they did, it grew in size, as purple light illuminated both their faces. Then, they joined hands, palm to palm grab and lean back stretching their other arms behind them. As they pulled each other back, they both took a step beside each other still holding hands, they leaned the other way. Balancing each other. They both let go of their hands as the purple glowing flames started to circle around them. They twirled around into different stances in sync. They both bowed to each other and then stood again. Aaravos smiled at her. "I liked this dance, Claudia. We should do this more often."
Claudia's smile faded quickly as her eyes looked past him to the mountain side's stone walls. Her expression became more upset by the second, her eyes widening and her lips forming a slight frown. The purple flame circling them slowly faded into sparkling dust. "What? Why is it not working? This is the magic dance to get into the illusion."
Aaravos glanced over Claudia's shoulder to see Azymondias flying in their direction, with Callum and Erzan in tow. "Well, we are about to run out of time, Claudia."
Claudia turned and glared at the trio coming their way and back up against the wall. "I know, I know! Why didn't the dance spell work! That's exactly how we made it!"
Aaravos leaned against the wall with her and started drawing Draconic runes. Claudia seemed horrified into silence and staring.
An eerie silence seemed to take over as Azymondias came down for a landing not even 20 feet from them. Claudia clenched her teeth and started digging her hand into her back to find another magic creature to kill for her spells. As she was digging, a pair of pale white hands with long, blood-red fingernails silently phased through the stone wall they were leaning on. They came out and grabbed Claudia and Aaravos by their clothing. Aaravos and Claudia had enough time for their eyes to widen in suspenseful surprise before being yanked through the mountain side illusion against their will.
(CHAPTER END! Sorry it was soo long!)