The Mask of Simeon

Armored Scavenger's fan-fiction.
This is the third part of the series: The Scavenger Series #2: The Four Terrors
The prequel to this story and the second part of the series is The Ancient Beast. The sequel is Mystical Collaboration.
Happy reading, and helpful comments are welcome! :D
Some characters are from the Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland.
== Prologue ==
It is a year when the sands of time have begun to cover the world, and the dust of history began to pile up. It is a time before the age of dragons...it is the time before the scavengers rose and fell.
The ancient sand formed dunes on the desert and the sky was blue and clear. The world was new and undiscovered, but it was an ancient world that had been there forever. It was a world fit for one species to explore and live on, to build civilizations and master the continent. It was a world fit for humans, a time long before the skies were filled with dragons; it was a time when people had freedom. 
A sign of the first civilization stood in the desert, proud and domineering over the land below and reaching to the heavens. On this ziggurat, on this temple, stood the foundations of power for thousands of years to come. 
On top of it stood a man, and he looked over all that was his and all that was to become his in the years to come. This man spoke a tongue that would be lost to history, and he ruled over people that would survive only in a few ancient writings that no one would be able to read.
The sun would still be there, the moons would still be there, and so would the sand and the earth. However, his legacy would only survive if his descendants did as well. 
The man gazed up into the sky, and a gust of wind cooled his face as the sun warmed it at the same time. Something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He stared at it, displeased and vexed. 
In the blue clear sky flew a dragon, but a dragon from a different time. These were dragons without queens, without kingdoms, and without the strength or organization to threaten the man or any other human. It was a dragon that knew nothing about the future of its species, of how they would one day take Pyrrhia from people like the one standing on top of the ziggurat. 
The man watched it soar across the sky, and his eyes became slits as it appeared to edge closer, even if for a moment. 
The man worried about the future of his people, about the future of the dragons, and about what the world would become when he was gone..
But what the man worried most was about being forgotten. He wanted his name to be known for forever, he wanted his legacy to last, and thus he never wanted for who he was and what he did to be buried deep in the sands of time, lost forever and known by no one. 
He would not let that happen. Whatever it took, he would always be remembered, he would always live on, and his people would always survive so that his legacy would last to the end of time. 
== Part 1: The Mask ==
=== Chapter 1: Stories ===
"The Mask of Simeon?"
The young cultist looked at the scroll which depicted some sort of mask. The mask was grey and in the image of a man's head. On top of the head was a sort of cap, and it also had a long beard curled down past the end of the neck. The mask looked almost lifelike with its perfect details and neat decoration. But its eyes were very disturbing; they were black and empty holes, waiting for someone to wear it and look through them.
From its nose to its nostrils and to its mouth, Konrad could see how it looked like, but he could not read the text that was written around the image.
"It is the mask, the object I need to reclaim my throne!" declared Dmitry, the man who lost his throne in Zelengorod, who had it stolen from his brother and his wife. Dmitry closed the scroll and stuffed it gently into his bag, and the two continued to walk to a destination Konrad did not know.
"How will this help you become Tsar again?" pondered Konrad, who still was not sure whether to help this man or not. They walked down a path that Konrad had planned on following to return to his cult, the Cult of the River Mazur. Konrad agreed to listen to what this former tsar had to say, but deep down he knew this was his best, and possibly, his only choice. Ever since his mission failed and the city he was sent to was destroyed, what did he have to lose?
The two walked down along the rushing stream and lush grasses, straying off from the indicated path. Dmitry took glances at the river, which he seemed to enjoy watching.
"I will tell you later, when we are safe from prying eyes and ears. Tonight, when we are sure no one will know where we are. I fear this is far too dangerous to explain right in the open, right now. If anyone knew what we were doing they would be after us!" the tsar explained, showing a bit of anxiousness. 
For the rest of the day the two traveled, resting for drinks from the river and discussing things they observed. Dmitry talked about his life as a Tsar.
"Remember this, Konrad. Even when you think you have the trust of someone, they might only use that for themselves. I learned that the hard way, my boy. What a fool I was!"
The two traversed further and further away from the mountain and into the forest, deep into it. The river disappeared and only the tall trees were visible. Night had long passed when the two stopped for the night. Dmitry was certain no one would find them there, so he built a small campfire to warm them up and illuminate the world around them.
Dmitry and Konrad sat together, sharing a hare they had hunted a few hours back.
"The Mask is very important to me, Konrad. If I had it then I could prove to the world that I am the rightful Tsar. The boyars, rich men and women in Zelengorod, would have no choice but to give me the throne, whether they like it or not."
Konrad munched on his piece of meat and asked a question that had been burning inside him. "But why? Why would it convince them?"
Dmitry went on with his tale. "My boy, the Mask is the most important item ever made. It was created thousands of years ago, when us humans still ruled the world. The first Tsar, Simeon, ordered that a mask be made to crown his successors. But then, when the dragons rose, the mask was lost." 
Dmitry paused to looked at the fire.
"Some time later, a group of people claimed to have possession of the mask. The new Tsar demanded it be returned to him, but they refused and went into hiding ever since. If I could get it back then I could show everyone I had found the lost mask, and everyone would praise me and they would crown me with it just like the tsars before me. My wife would have no legitimacy holding the throne, and then I could get back what is rightfully mine. The mask still has to exist, it has too!"
Konrad looked into Dmitry's eyes and could see the fire in them, and not just the fire that they had built.
"But... I don't know where it could be! Have you heard anything about a mask? Sometimes the smallest clues can show the big picture. Please, if you know anything about masks, tell me. I beg you, please help me," begged Dmitry, holding his hands together, shaking them frantically.
Konrad went through his mind and his memories.
Masks...the Mask of Simeon...masks...what could help me?
Something in his mind triggered a memory. It was a long shot, but it was something.
"I know of another cult, the Mask Cult. Perhaps they know something..."
=== Chapter 2: The Cult ===
It did not take long for Konrad to spill all the information he knew about the Mask Cult. He didn't care about sharing that knowledge, since it was a rival cult that deserved to be crushed and wiped out of existence. Those cultists were more secretive than his cult, however, they were a larger cult, according to the stories he had been told from other Mazur cultists. He had basic knowledge of all the cults, and why they were wrong in every way.
The Mask Cult was a cult that worshiped a mask of some sort, like he did the river, though he really didn't have much zeal for it. 
Konrad explained a lot to Dmitry, who was very eager to listen. And the man was able to fill in some holes to Konrad's story, like that the mask was stolen from the Tsars long ago and that they became fanatics, worshiping a mask that they didn't need. The mask was nothing more than a symbolic item, but an important one for Dmitry, who couldn't understand why they found it so valuable.
Nonetheless, the two waited until dawn to travel once again. Konrad knew that a lot of the cultists lived in the northeastern part of Pyrrhia where the Shogun lived. The Shogun ruled his nation, a nation that lost more than half of its land after the war. Now a new war might break out between the Shogun and his rival, the Qian Emperor. The cultists have managed to live virtually undisturbed, since they left the Shogun alone and because he himself relished their attitude towards dragons. 
"I don't know exactly where they are, but they are on that northeastern peninsula, away from the rest of the world. They must be hiding in the forest so that the dragons won't find them or destroy their precious mask," remarked Konrad as they traveled to giant evergreen forests where the temperature began to drop. 
"But there is a rumor that they have built a wooden town in the middle of the famous Kuroyako Forest, the only important forest the Shogun still controls. Legends say that spirits haunt the forest, keeping travelers away, and if not then they are never seen again. It's pretty creepy, and we have to be careful." 
The story of wanderers getting lost and never coming out sent shivers down Konrad's spine. Dmitry was far less shaken than the cultist thought the man would be.
"Bah, my boy! My money is on that the Shogun killed them, or the cultists, not some absurd story of spirits! I'm a ruler, I know reality from fiction, and unless they really got lost, starved or eaten by a bear or wolves, they were killed by people."
After a few days of traveling, the two managed to get into the heart of the Kuroyako Forest, which really didn't seem different than any of the other ones. But it was the forest closest to the end of the peninsula, where the sea was wild and cold. Konrad had a strange feeling about this forest and had nightmares when he slept. Dmitry had a lapse or two of worry, but he trudged on when Konrad was no longer useful as a guide. Dmitry would find the town himself. 
Never in a million years would Konrad have thought that they would actually find the town. It really did exist, deep in the forest, hidden and entirely self-sufficient. 
A circle of rocks surrounded the outskirts of the town, a sort of defense that the two took advantage of for hiding behind. Konrad studied the town. 
Houses were randomly placed around a designated center of the town, which had some sort of stone monument. People were walking in and out of their homes, men, women, children, and soldiers all called this place home. This had to be the place, this had to be the location of the mask. It was the safest, largest, and most well-hidden settlement Konrad had ever seen. Who would come here?
And how were they going to get in and take the mask? There were many armed guards walking around, but something else caught Dmitry's eye, it seemed. For the rest of the evening the two stayed behind the rocks, and for the night they would rest. 
Dmitry pulled Konrad close to him, like a father does to his son. The two had bonded closely during the whole journey, and Konrad felt like this man was more of a father to him than his actual one. Dmitry put his hand on the cultist's shoulder, and the two looked at each other through the dark of the night.
"I am so proud of you, Konrad. I thought that since you were a cultist you would be evil and hate me. But you're different than them, you are special. You helped me find the mask, well, hopefully it is here...but it makes no difference! You are a good person and I would brag about you to everyone if you were my own son!" Dmitry confessed, looking very happily and proudly at Konrad.
Proud of me? Like a father? 
"When we get the mask we will live richly and in comfort. We were rejects before, but we will show the world and life itself that we can overcome anything and everything! I could never have gotten this far without you, thank you Konrad, thank you," nodded Dmitry, who was close to breaking down. The two hugged each other tightly.
"And thank you, Dmitry. But how will we get the mask? There are only two of us and so many of them," Konrad pointed out, wanting the hug to last forever. The Tsar's arms felt safe and secure, but also loving.
Dmitry let go of Konrad and took a glance at the town. It was in slumber, but many guards were still out. 
"Do not worry, my boy. I have an idea..."
=== Chapter 3: The Plan ===
For the rest of the night the two kept watch over the town from behind the rocks. They took turns sleeping so that they could look out for any cultists that happened to walk by. Konrad watched as the guards walked around the town, making sure no one even got near the center. At the center, where the monument lay, was a plethora of soldiers forming a defensive circle. 
Morning came all too quickly for Konrad, who was anxious and a nervous wreck. Dmitry was far calmer, and could see that the cultist was not. Dmitry didn't say a word about his idea, but in no time he was getting ready to carry out his hypothesis. He had Konrad sit down on the grass and he reassured his partner.
"Konrad, before I say anything, I want to know if you trust me, do you really trust me?" Dmitry implored, looking serious.
Konrad responded honestly. "Of course I do. I trust you!"
"With your life?"
Konrad hesitated for a moment, but he never doubted Dmitry up to this point. "With my life."
Dmitry smiled, but that smile quickly faded away. He pointed at a section of the forest where fog was beginning to appear. Konrad looked in confusion, and then pointed at himself, questioning. 
"Me? Go there? Why?" he blurted out, worriedly.
"I saw a dragon fly over there and it must have landed on the ground nearby to rest. For our plan to work we need to get rid of these terrible cultists, and that is where you come in. I need you to wake the dragon if it is asleep, and then lead it to the village. All of the guards will come to attack it, and that is when we go to look for the mask in the town. But we need to hurry so that it doesn't get us, or the guards if they manage to fight it off. Do you understand?" he explained very bluntly.
Konrad nodded, but he also shook his head.
"I can't do it! What if it kills me?" he whimpered.
Dmitry looked in Konrad's teary eyes and placed his hand on Konrad's back. "Do not worry, I know you can do it. I trust that you can do it, but can you trust me and yourself? You will not fail. You are not going to die," he pledged, pressing Konrad close to him. He patted the cultist's back and went to hide behind the rocks, ready to spring into the town when everything was ready. 
Meanwhile, Konrad looked wide-eyed into the foggy forest, where a dragon awaited him. He took a deep breath and walked reluctantly into the unknown. He looked at every tree, every rock, and every blade of grass. He turned back to take a glance at Dmitry, who was watching the town intensively. 
I do trust him, just like how he trusts me! If he knows this will work, then I am sure I will do MY part! He is counting on me, I am counting on me.
The Mazur cultist tip-toed slowly through the surrounding forest. The fog was getting thicker, but not thick enough that he couldn't see anything in front of him. After a few minutes, he saw a shadow in the distance, its body rising and lowering as it slept. It was the dragon. Konrad approached it very carefully, but something in his mind slowed his steps. 
It looks...familiar?
As he got closer he could make out the dragon's characteristics. White scales...whip-like tail...flat head!
Konrad froze.
IT'S THE BEAST FROM MITTERSCHLAG!
Konrad screamed, very loudly!
The beast woke and it stretched its neck to look at who had awakened it. It opened its orange flaming eyes to look at Konrad, who was already running to the town, not looking back and screaming in horror. He ran and ran, he jumped over the rocks and into the town. The guards saw the dragon and all of them moved in to push it back and force it to fly away.
They left the center unguarded, and that was when Konrad saw Dmitry leap from his spot and rush towards the monument. The guards were being slaughtered and the houses went up in flames. Dmitry had reached the monument, and at the same time Konrad watched people flee from their homes and into the forest. 
A stab of guilt hit the cultist. They deserve it...right?
When Konrad reached the center, he saw Dmitry standing still. Konrad watched the man, who looked as if he was waiting for something, or someone. He had something in his hands, the club that he carried with him during the journey. 
Konrad stood right next to him. "So, this is where the mask is."
Dmitry found a small niche in the monument and from it he pulled out the mask. It was grey bronze and it looked just like how the scroll depicted it. The metallic beard flowed down from the head, and every detail was so precise that it was perfectly life-like. Dmitry peered into the holes that were eyes and got so lost in thought that he forgot about the boy who was behind him. 
"Great thinking! Now we have to get out of here before that beast gets us!" chimed in Konrad.
Konrad had no time to react when the club smashed into his head and the wind was knocked out of him, sending him down into the dirt.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" gasped Konrad, who was laid out on the ground, staring dumbfounded at Dmitry, his friend...
Dmitry was walking away until he heard Konrad. He stopped for a moment, then spoke.
"You have served your purpose, my boy. You are no longer of use to me, but do not worry, you will live to see Pyrrhia change forever!" he said in a monotone manner.
Konrad was so confused and didn't understand a word Dmitry was saying.
"But we were going to live comfortably together! I was going to live with you when you got your throne back!"
Dmitry was silent.
"I TRUSTED YOU! YOU WERE LIKE A FATHER TO ME! TRAITOR!" Konrad screamed.
Dmitry turned around, and in the background Konrad could see the burning houses and the beast walking towards them.
"Dmitry was like a father to you. I never was. I don't care about you any more than the rest of the world does. But I must be frank, I would have never gotten this without you."
Konrad laid speechless on the ground. His eyes were filled with tears that formed a puddle under him. 
"I'm not going to kill you, I want you to see the consequences. I want you to see what is going to happen, all because of you. If you survive it doesn't matter, no one will believe a cultist like you, a cultist wanted for murder!"
Dmitry walked towards the beast. Konrad gasped again. Surprisingly, the man climbed onto its back and the dragon let him. Dmitry held the mask in his hands and looked at Konrad with an expressionless look.
"Thank you, and I really do mean it. Watch the world change right before your eyes, and when you do, know that it is of your doing, your fault. Pyrrhia will be a better place, but a place where you won't belong!"
The beast lifted off into the air with Dmitry on its back. They flew out of sight, leaving Konrad laid out on the ground. The things Dmitry said came back to him, and it stung him:
"You do not have to decide yet, my boy. Just walk with me and I will explain how. It won't be easy, but it can be done. Just trust in me, and you will be fine."
"Remember this, Konrad. Even when you think you have the trust of someone, they might only use that for themselves. I learned that the hard way, my boy. What a fool I was!"
"I am so proud of you, Konrad. I thought that since you were a cultist you would be evil and hate me. But you're different than them, you are special. You helped me find the mask, well, hopefully it is here...but it makes no difference! You are a good person and I would brag about you to everyone if you were my son!"
" Dmitry was like a father to you. I never was."
Konrad weeped bitterly into the night, the flames of the town taunting him with twisted warmth. He blacked out, and life went on as if nothing had ever happened.
== Part 2: The Premonitions ==
=== Chapter 4: The Cage ===
"Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh..." 
My head hurts. Where am I? Who am I? What am I doing here?
A moment passed.
Oh, yes, I remember now.
It had been a long time since things were normal. It had been months since he had ever talked to anyone, let alone see another of his kind. Now he was living in a cage, like a pet hamster or song bird. Dry and uncomfortable hay and wild grasses formed the pile he slept in every day, for as long as he could remember. But he could remember further back, back to a time when he was someone, someone the world knew. 
The bandage on his arm became irritably itchy and it was time to finally take it off for good. The blood had stopped days ago, but much of the pain remained. His body hurt, from his head to his arms to his legs and even to his nose. But he was getting better, he was healing quickly. The fresh cold air made him feel amazing whenever he was taken outside of the cave. 
On this day he felt unusually better, especially after that brief headache. They used to be very common, but now it appeared that they were finally ending. His muscles were sore from lack of movement, but he figured once he was well enough he would be able to be active once again. One thing he didn't lack was rest, however, after many long weeks of it he was starting to feel the boredom of lying down for most of the day. 
He sat up, looking around the world he lived in. The giant metallic cage kept him from escaping and also kept him safe. More than once a hungry passerby would come along, but they never made a meal out of him as of yet. Old grass and hay was all over the floor, and he was slightly annoyed that it wasn't replaced for him every once and a while. Then he bit his own lip when he realized he was thinking as if he was a pet. 
The flapping of wings and the sound of talons on the rock floor caught his attention. He also heard voices, both feminine. They sounded different than most of the voices he had heard, but it was becoming the new normal to him.
"Maybe he's better today. You never know," said one of the voices, a soft and gentle one.
A second voice responded, this one anxious and worried. 
"I don't know, Sunny, he's been moping around in his cage doing nothing ever since I found him. All he does is clean that little suit of armor he has with him. But most strangely, he wanted feathers! Three moons!"
"Bandit acted just like him, Avocado, well, minus the feathers, but maybe Shiny is lonely," Sunny suggested.
Avocado sighed. "I've been looking for another scavenger for weeks! I am lucky to have even found Shiny at all! He's sick, he's been sick all along. I'm worried..."
He understood every single word they uttered, and the thought of that still amazed him. Then he realized the reason behind that led him to his current state. Two dragons walked into the cave room, both of them young and looking concerned. One of them was a tawny gold, a desert dragon, but she lacked the poisonous barb on the end of her tail. The other dragon was a bit larger, and her scales were mostly green, but patches of white were appearing. 
"Look! He's up!" cried Sunny. The two quickly made their way to the cage, peering through the bars at him. He half expected them to be larger than him, but they must not have finished growing yet. He himself was almost as tall as the SandWing, and if he stood up straight the top of his head would reach the bottom of the RainWing's snout. 
"Shiny, you're up! Are you feeling better?" asked the now pink Avocado. She was overjoyed and relieved at the sight of the scavenger. She stuck one her talons through the cage bars and gently poked him in the side. He grunted from some displeasure, but he felt some affection and coughed. He wrapped one of his fur blankets around him and stood up. 
"He's standing up. Wow!" remarked Avocado once again. Her eyes were looking at him curiously and happily, along with those those of Sunny. "Maybe's he gotten better after all those days of doing nothing."
The man in the cage was standing, looking at the two dragons. Instead of fear that most would feel in his situation, he felt safe and more at home than ever. For a long time they took care of him, fed him, and gave him a place to stay, even if he was just considered a pet. He gazed behind him and spotted his armor.
It was armor he was proud of and one he trusted with his life many times before. He looked up and down the plate armor, decorated with golden images and the leopard pelt that hung over the shoulder. Then he looked at the two massive wings on its back, made out of two wooden arcs and feathers that he had collected. He had washed and polished the armor and his clothing, but it was a long time since he had worn them.
Today was a new day. He went over to the armor and took a few minutes to put on every piece of it. The dragons looked in pure interest as he put the suit over his body. He stepped into his dull golden boots and put his belt around himself. On his belt he attached two scabbards, one long and thin, the other shorter and curved. Into one he put his sword, and into the other he put his saber. He had attached his holster to the belt as well, with his flintlock pistol inside it. In addition, he attached his ceremonial mace to his belt as well. Lastly, he put on his decorated lobster-tail helmet with ear and nose-guards. Most of his face was masked, except for his brown eyes. Around his neck he placed a silver chain, which held a small blue topaz gemstone. 
"He looks terrifying now, and tough," Sunny commented, with a little shock.
"Just how I found him, but not pathetic anymore," said Avocado proudly.
"Look at those wings! And that armor! It reminds me of the NightWings', but never have I seen it on a scavenger before!" Sunny looked at him from every angle. 
I finally feel myself. I finally feel... like Wladyslaw Nowak.
=== Chapter 5: Into the Wild ===
It has been so long, how much has the world changed? Is the war still raging on, is my brother safe, is 'he' vanquished once and for all?
"Hi Shiny!" greeted Avocado, who was smiling and feeling very happy. "I'm Avocado, your owner and friend! Now I can finally have fun with my scavenger, Sunny! Maybe he will do something interesting for a change."
I have to get out of here, I need to go back and see if everything is alright. And, Avocado, my owner?
Wladyslaw looked at the RainWing in confusion. Then he began to remember everything that happened since that one fateful day. He and Clauseus, an evil animus who wanted to destroy all of the dragons, fell off of Jade Mountain. Wladyslaw had seen no other way of stopping him, so he decided to give his own life in order to end the madman's. Miraculously, he survived. Nowak remembered the bumps and bruises of when he rolled down the peak. He didn't fall straight to the ground, but rather he crashed into multiple rocky platforms. He had to climb down most of the mountain, but the fog had made it difficult. He luckily found a cave system that took him back to the earth. He managed to travel to another cave further away, but he was too exhausted and wounded to head back home, not with the war taking place. However, he hadn't expected that he would spend multiple months there.
A dragon arrived into the cave one day, and he was terrified of her. He tried to run away, but was caught. He had lost all sense and after falling and crashing into stone, the wound on his arm reopened. He bled, and nearly died once again. Somehow he had ended up here, for at least a few weeks. 
Wladyslaw looked around and saw an opening in the cave, the entrance. He pointed his finger at that entrance, hoping the dragon, Avocado, would take him there. Both dragons looked at where the scavenger pointed.
"Maybe he wants to go outside?" suggested Sunny, the yellow dragonet that Wladyslaw believed was a desert dragon.
"Of course! Maybe he wants to tour the academy!" gasped Avocado.
"Orrrrrr, he wants to get some fresh air or something. He's been in that cage for a long time. I'm sure even scavengers need to be let out every once and a while."
"Oh. Well, come on, Shiny, its time to go out into the rest of the world. I want to see you in action. Any kind of action. Thank you, Sunny, for everything."
Sunny smiled and Avocado lifted Wladyslaw's cage. The scavenger inside lost his balance and fell to the floor, where his armor made a clang as it hit the cage. Avocado had her talons securely on the cage and she flew out of the room. 
"Well, I don't know if you are interested, but this is Jade Mountain Academy! Dragons from all the tribes come here to learn. I think something bad happened here, but no one has told me anything. Anyways, look at all the colorful dragons..."
Jade Mountain? I'm back!? 
Avocado quickly brushed past a NightWing, as she tried to avoid him completely, and she kept the cage as far away from him as possible. Those actions sent Wladyslaw flying through the cage and smashing against the bars. 
Before long they were outside, and there were many other dragons there too. Avocado didn't greet any of them, she just flew straight to a forested area, and from her lack of care for the cage, Wladyslaw knew she was excited. The RainWing landed on the ground next to some trees, and opened the cage door to let Wladyslaw out. The scavenger walked out, thanking the moons he could once again breathe in fresh air. His cage had begun to smell, and this clean air was greatly welcomed.
I'm out. I have to go, I need to go back to my people, my king. East is that way, I'm sure I can make it. 
"Now, Shiny, what fun can we have out here? Can you climb trees, or can you catch some prey?" asked Avocado excitedly, looking at Jade Mountain for a second. But her pet had already left. 
Wladyslaw walked into the forest hurriedly, but some minor and annoying pain kept him from running as fast as he wanted. He had no time for dragons or cages or mountains. The war could still be brewing, and his allies would need every leader they could get. 
"SHINY!!!" screamed Avocado loudly. "Where are you, where did you go!?" Avocado turned from pink to white in a matter of seconds. She held her tail in her talons and looked at every possible place her pet could have gone.
"Please, Shiny, come back..." she begged, tears beginning to form in her eyes.
Wladyslaw walked away, but his very being was beginning to shake. I'm sorry...but I have things I need to do. People are counting on me. I can't be your pet, I just can't...
Then a sharp pain squeezed Wladyslaw's brain. The pain was unbearable and so sudden that he crouched onto the ground, holding his head. It was painful; it felt as if someone took his head and twirled it into the air, spinning and spinning it around quickly. He closed his eyes, but he didn't see darkness.
He saw colors, dim warm colors forming images. Those images were unsettling, even before he could tell what they were or what they represented. They became clearer and clearer, and the pain became numb.
=== Chapter 6: Images ===
Everything was a blur, the colors made no sense and the images were indistinguishable. Slowly they were forming together, creating new colors and new images. The dark became bright, but it did not stay that way for long. 
In his mind, Wladyslaw saw only dark, but a dim light was rising in the background. Everything was black and white, there was no color to the world. Wladyslaw realized that the dark was not all one shape, there were lighter shades that made up trees swaying in the wind. The grass was black and eerie. A waterfall was flowing, but its beautiful color was replaced by a disturbing white stream. There were no animals, not even any birds or squirrels. There was no noise either, the world was silent even though the waterfall crashed into a pool and the wind gently moved the pines. 
Wladyslaw saw the world, but why was he seeing it? What was the point of all of this?
What is this vision? I have never seen anything like this before.
Then he saw color, glowing bright yellow orbs were flying down a hill, and others through the forest. They made no noise as well as they moved around freely. For some reason they made Wladyslaw happy. In all of the darkness and the creepy world of no noise or animals, these orbs put Nowak a bit at ease. The orbs met together above the waterfall and began to dance in the air. It was strange, but suddenly the water became blue and fish jumped out of the pool. The grass and trees around it became green and filled with life, gradually spreading throughout the entire forest. Even the sky was gaining color and Wladyslaw could hear the wind and waterfall. Everything seemed to be the way it was supposed to. 
What is this place, why am I looking at it? My head was in terrible pain and this is all I get to see!
Suddenly a flash of light tore through the vision. It appeared to be nothing, the world had not changed whatsoever. Wladyslaw thought it was just his imagination, but for some reason he couldn't believe any of this was. He looked around, and to his surprise he saw the orbs changing. They slowed down their cheerful dance, then they hovered above the ground in a perfect row. 
What?
Small black shapes were forming on each of the orbs, and they realigned themselves to create the most ominous faces Wladyslaw had ever seen in his life. Two round black circles formed the eyes, and the rest formed a creepy smile; there was no nose nor any other feature. They all seemed to stare at him, even though he wasn't really there. They edged closer and closer, then nothing.
Three moons...where am I now?
Wladyslaw could hear his own breathing, then images flashed right in front of him clear as day itself! He saw scenes of battle, scenes of pain, people dying, dragons dying, the world falling into chaos! They were all coming right after the other and the scenes began to repeat. Battle, pain, people, dragons, the world. But every once in a while he saw the orbs and their faces appear in between the scenes, closer and bigger every time they appeared. 
Then once again there was nothing. Then an image of something else appeared, someone. Right in front of his eyes Wladyslaw saw a haunting figure come within a nose-lengths to his own. It was terrifying, even more unsettling than the orbs, it made Nowak scared like he had never been before. The figure wore a mask and looked to be lifeless. That was until he saw two eyes appear out of the holes of the mask. The eyes looked him in the eye and it breathed heavily and raggedly. It hissed though its mouth was shut. The mask stared down at him with giant eyes that made Wladyslaw's own open. It moved closer and closer as his head went back. 
Then it was gone and the scene of the waterfall reappeared. But it was not the same world anymore. The waterfall was not blue, but rather red. It smelled just like the time Wladyslaw had sliced an enemy in battle. The trees were bare and the wind was no longer swaying them. There was no grass, only dirt. The sky was red as blood and there was no sun or any moons that he could see. The orbs were still there, but they had changed. They had bodies now, bodies wearing ragged and ripped black clothing and they each reached out to him. Their cold black lifeless eyes followed him wherever he went.
Without knowing it he said something out loud.
Four terrors...the scarred wounds will reopen and this world shall pay the price!
All noble and royal blood will water the earth,
The ancient beast will rise to cleanse,
The will of the fallen shall return,
And the masters shall rule again.
Can this fate be changed,
Or will man and dragon fail once more?
The vision ended, and something was poking Wladyslaw in the side.
"Shiny...are you alright?" asked Avocado, worried and poking her claw at the scavenger. Wladyslaw woke up on the ground, looking into the RainWing's giant eyes.
=== Chapter 7: Thoughts ===
Wladyslaw stared for a long time, not thinking about anything or even realizing he was living and breathing. 
The trance was finally broken once Avocado began to stamp her feet, trying to get Wladyslaw's attention and break his dazed state. Nowak shook his head and began to look around at everything, the trees, the grass, the sky, and the mountains. Nothing had changed. 
Nothing ever will...
The man got up and began to walk away, constantly reminding himself that the world would always stay the same. The sky would always be blue, the mountains would always be tall, and the grass would always be green. Battering those thoughts into his mind couldn't prevent him from seeing the vision again and again, though. 
He resumed his journey of returning home, back to his people and his king. He carefully stepped over large rocks and kept his balance when the land became uneven. He could hear the sounds of larger footsteps following him, but he only regarded it as background noise. He had a job to do, he had no time for a dragon to be going everywhere he went. However, he did walk as though he wanted the dragon to stay close to him, something about her made him feel safe.
"I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" yelled Avocado suddenly and unexpectedly. 
Nowak turned around to glance at her, her scales had turned a fiery red. She had her wings open to appear very intimidating, her eyes were filled with rage, and he she was gritting her teeth. Nowak slowly and cautiously took steps back as Avocado came closer. 
"I have done so much for you, and you don't care! I thought you would be a great pet, no, a great FRIEND! What do I get out of helping you?" she hissed menacingly. 
Wladyslaw held his breath as she took a close look at him, her snout almost touching his face. Her eyes peered into his, trying to find his face under his nose-piece and helmet. He looked right back, half-terrified and half-irritated as well.
I can't stop know, I don't have time for this!
"Nothing! That's what I get. I should have let you to rot in that cave all alone because obviously you didn't deserve my help. Now I regret having pity on you...you scrawny scavenger snack!" she shouted, then muttered something under her breath as she continued to shake her head at him. 
He turned around and began to hurry off when she said one final thing. "I hope you make it to where you are going, because at least I care about the well-being of others more than my own."
Nowak stopped completely and froze. Those word stung him harder than any wound or any insult he had ever received. He stood in place, considering. He had never once thought of how this dragon was feeling. 
Avocado watched as Nowak went over and sat on a large boulder. He took off his helmet and looked at it silently and glumly. All this time he had been worried about his country and the war, two things that were important to him, but he had completely ignored the RainWing whom he owed his life to. If it was not for her, he wouldn't have been worrying about anything, let alone sitting on a rock thinking about his situation. His vision may have disturbed him, but he wouldn't have seen it had it not been for Avocado, who thought about more than just her own problems. 
Avocado was about to fly away when Wladyslaw spoke for the first time in months, and the first time ever to this dragon. Avocado had never known that this scavenger could have communicated to her with more than just vague expressions and hand gestures. 
"I regret all of this."
Avocado halted her ascent and turned her head in order to look at Nowak, confused and surprised. She furrowed her brow and stared at the man even though she had never wanted to see him again.
"What?" she asked, her voice still filled with remnants of her rage and loud ranting.
"Forgive me, for I have hardly even considered your existence," Nowak apologized. 
Avocado turned her entire body, listening carefully. She was told that scavengers couldn't speak to dragons when she was at Jade Mountain Academy, but clearly they had made a mistake; this one could speak and understand her as well. 
"I'm sorry that I have been so selfish lately, but it has been a rough couple of months. If things were normal maybe I would have been friendlier and paid more attention to what you did for me. I haven't even thanked you, yet it is because of you I am still here." Wladyslaw continued to look at his helmet, sitting on the rock with his back towards the dragon. He got up and trudged over to the RainWing, letting her see his face showing pain and sorrow.
Avocado didn't know how to respond, so Nowak did. He went up to her and patted her leg remorsefully. He didn't feel good about what he did, or rather what he didn't do. He also didn't want this dragon to think that all of his kind acted just like he did; he wanted to show her who he really was and who his fellow people really were. 
"What do you mean 'normal'?" asked Avocado, with Nowak not expecting her to ask such a question right after his apology. If she had already forgiven him then he would not have to worry about her and himself being on unfriendly terms. 
"Hmm?" he responded back.
"You said things were not normal, so that's why you have been totally ignoring me," she pointed out.
"It is a long story and I will tell you it, but may I ask you a favor? I don't deserve this, but can I ride on your back to where I need to go. It is too far to walk, but I understand if you don't want to have anything to do with me."
"No, no, NO, well, I mean, yes, yes you can ride on my back!" Avocado blurted out, her expression changing and her wings starting to turn pink. "I don't mind! We can finally be friends!" she said with glee.
"Thank you, for everything." Wladyslaw climbed onto the RainWing's back and pointed in a direction. "East. I will know where you will need to land. I hope no one will see us," he explained as he got himself comfortably seated. 
He was heading home, but now with a new friend. A friend who took care of him and allowed him to go back home, even if he felt that he didn't deserve it. He looked at the blue sky above and the green trees below. The world had remained the same the entire time, but he was heading back to a place he may not even recognize. 
=== Chapter 8: Unwelcome ===
The trip to the Kingdom of Bielska was one that was very quiet and calm. It had seemed just like yesterday that all of the dragon tribes were fighting a war that would never have seemed to end. Wladyslaw Nowak was surprised to see that there was no more fighting and no more bloodshed. When he asked Avocado what had happened, she took the time to explain everything she knew, which wasn't really a lot. She had been in the rainforest the whole time and she had only recently learned that there was even a war going on in the first place.
They quickly flew over MudWing territory, also home to the Aredonians. The Aredonians were a great military power, but when they landed at one point to rest, Wladyslaw noticed something odd. When he went off into a forest, he discovered a small patrol camped in a ditch. Expecting to see Aredonian troops, he was surprised to see Zelengorodian soldiers instead. Zelengorod had been allied with Wladyslaw during the early parts of the human war, until their Tsar died and they themselves plunged into civil war. Perhaps they were back in the war, why else would they be on another nation's territory?
Soon after that they finally made it to the border of his kingdom. The Union of Bielska and Kosburg was a mighty nation, and should have managed even with his disappearance. Nowak thought that once he returned he would resume his duties as Grand Hetman and continue to lead his troops into battle against the enemy. However, everywhere he went was quiet. 
Avocado took in all of his explanations with interest, and even commented how cool she thought his kind was, saying it was far more interesting than most of the dragons she knew. The only thing that threw off Nowak was the lack of surprise in Avocado's tone, and when he asked why she was flustered on why she should be. 
"Did you expect that we were this complicated? I thought all dragons thought we were dumb and tasty, like most people think that all of you are unintelligent monsters that just want to kill and kill," explained Wladyslaw after the two had landed. They would soon be crossing the border.
"I didn't even know what you were before I met you. And ouch, you all think we are monsters with no brains. I haven't even killed anything in my entire life! You don't look tasty at all, eww," retorted Avocado, who was making her way through tall grasses. 
"Honestly, I too thought all you did was hoard up treasure, burn down our homes, and kill each other. When I heard you had queens and some sort of war going on, something in me changed. I began to make connections. We aren't so different, minus the scales, wings, hair, and number of legs."
A sound made Wladyslaw slow his pace. It was the sound of horses approaching. With the land being flat it was easy to spot three mounted people galloping towards them. Avocado stopped to look and listen.
"What are those creatures? Oooo, are those MORE scavengers on them!?" she exclaimed excitedly.
It was the border guard, which meant something had changed. 
They are back. That means...the war is over? 
Usually there were border guards patrolling the farthest outskirts of the kingdom during peacetime, clad in uniform and on quick horses. During war there would be no patrols, instead entire armies would be waiting until they heard news of any attack. 
"Stoj! Stop! HALT!" ordered the leader of the patrol. She was in the lead on a brown horse, with two other soldiers right behind her, one male and another female. "Sto..."
At the sight of Wladyslaw she quickly stopped her charge and remained sitting on her mount, looking at him in disbelief and surprise. The other two also realized who they were stopping and had no idea what to do from that point on.
Avocado watched curiously, but the three guards were paying more attention to Wladyslaw than she had hoped. 
"YOU!?" asked the male guard, shaking his head as if this couldn't have been happening. 
"It's him, he's alive! But how? He fell off the peak!" uttered the other female.
The leader raised her hand for silence. She cleared her throat, but when she tried to talk she couldn't find the right words.
This lasted for a short while, until Avocado finally broke the wait, which she was good at doing.
"WELL...! Now what? Any food, what do you scavenger like to eat?" she wondered out loud.
The three guards finally noticed her presence and backed up their horses a few paces. They didn't hear any words coming from her mouth, only strange roaring and dragon sounds. They didn't understand her.
"You there! Mr. Wllaad...yslaw Nowak...you...y..you keep your distance, sir! Don't bring that thing into our land! Or else, or else the Grand Hetman will get you or worse!" barked the lead guard. She then added in a less serious, more pleading tone. "Please, sir, go away."
What!?
Wladyslaw looked in confusion and shock. Why wasn't he allowed to go back home into his kingdom? It seemed that the war was over, possibly. But he was a hero, he saved Pyrrhia. He should have been getting a hero's welcome, or at least allowed to return. Nothing made sense to him. 
Grand Hetman? I AM the Grand Hetman, thought Nowak with turmoil and a bit of agitation. There is only one! Was I replaced? Of course, they all thought I was dead. I need to see my king, so what if these guards or that hetman of theirs is keeping me out. It's my home, my people, I will not stand for this.
"Come on," beckoned Wladyslaw as he took a step forward towards the retreating guards.
Avocado stretched her legs and neck and began to follow the tiny scavenger. 
"Why didn't I understand them? All I heard was some squeaks that sounded like yibble, yorble, and yap! They sounded angry, though," she pointed out.
"It is a long story, and I'm afraid there is another one I need to find out. Let's go, I'm going home," declared Nowak passionately.
From far away the lead guard took a look back, paused, and then continued on her way.
=== Chapter 9: The Village ===
With confidence and without fear, Wladyslaw and Avocado ventured through Bielskan territory, hoping to eventually reach the royal castle hidden away in the western mountains. They met no other patrols on their way ever since the first encounter at the border.
Wladyslaw asked Avocado to slow down her quick pace and let him enjoy the sights and sounds of his home. Avocado did the same, but with less enthusiasm. She noted the flat fields and the tall mountains in the distance, but she really wanted to get a move on, especially if she was going to see an actual scavenger den.
At night they rested, and during that time, as Avocado slept, Wladyslaw began to have visions again. They were only parts of his original vision, but the terrible images flashed through his mind, preventing him from sleeping for a while. Some new images came to his mind, one of a strange man he believed looked familiar. He had almost forgotten he had seen these visions due to the excitement of returning home. 
Hills and valleys began to take shape as the two flew overhead. Wladyslaw spotted something, thanks to his background knowledge of the area they were flying over. He could see a forest, a river, and foothills in the spot he was directing Avocado to fly to. They landed in a small clearing, and Nowak only had to walk a short ways before he reached his destination, the village of Koniecpol. 
The small village was quiet, but was not short of life. It was a poor settlement on one of the farthest reaches of the Kingdom. Peasants made up most of the population, who were specialized in making bread, butter, and shepherding sheep. Nowak could smell fire burning and livestock. 
He entered the village with Avocado right behind him. He saw people going about their business, some smiths forging tools, farmers harvesting crops, and children running around in playful merriment. They had little and their life was simple, but to them they were truly wealthier than any king, any noble, and any merchant ever. They didn't care about money or treasure or luxurious rooms. This was what they wanted.
Men and women spotted him and stared at him with interest. Many villages in Pyrrhia barely ever get visited by strangers, and most of them do not even interact with the nation that ruled them. Children looked and pointed at him, young men watched him with awe, women with first love, and older men with mistrust.
Wladyslaw looked at them, too. Then Avocado came barreling through the sky, startling the entire village. Screams filled the air and people began to run for their lives, but Wladyslaw, in a commanding voice, urged them to not be afraid.
"This dragon will not harm you! We are friends, and as the Grand Hetman I tell you that this colorful dragon is peaceful and is only curious to learn more about you."
A small group of them stopped and looked back, then returning to make a small crowd in front of him. Most of the others hid in their homes, looking through windows, or from behind logs or houses. 
"Is that really you, Wladyslaw?" asked a voice from the crowd. Wladyslaw looked around to see who it was, but then he saw someone in the doorway of a wooden house. It was a man who he knew well.
"It is you! Oh, Wladyslaw, come inside, we need to talk," beckoned the man. Wladyslaw looked at Avocado and told her he would be inside one of the homes and that see could look at the den, but not harm or touch anything.
"I will certainly not!" squawked the RainWing. "Though, everything looks so interesting and new..."
Wladyslaw entered the house of the man who called to him. Inside, his spirits rose. 
"Wladyslaw, you're alive! Oh thank Heaven you are with us! Everything is so horrible, but now that you are here maybe I can get through another day," said the man, embracing Nowak briefly, but tightly.
The man was someone who Nowak knew well and trusted with his life, and one of his best friends. The Union was ruled by a King, and there was one Grand Hetman that commanded the armies. Below him were two Field Hetmans, one from Bielska and one from Kosburg, where the title was more commonly known as Grand Marshal. The Field Hetmans were the generals that actually led the armies in the battlefield, and they helped the Grand Hetman successfully fight in a war or maintain law and order.
This man was the Field Hetman from Kosburg, Grand Marshal Caspar von Hauser. 
Caspar led Wladyslaw into the room and told him to make himself comfortable. He then went off to fetch food and drink for his guest. He left Nowak, but there were three other people in the room.
"Sire!" exclaimed one of them.
"Aleksander! You're here!" Wladyslaw said with shock and happiness. He was smiling and could see the mercenary grinning as well. They had last seen each other on top of Jade Mountain, right before Wladyslaw fell off and was thought to have perished.
The woman sitting on the couch stood up. To Wladyslaw's surprise, it was the leader of the border guard he had met a few days ago. She was in uniform, but without a hat he could see her dark brown hair in a fashionable style. 
"I am Kyra, my lord. I apologize for my sharp words, but I had to warn you in some way. But I see you didn't heed them."
Kyra had a distinct accent that sounded to Wladyslaw to be foreign. But before he could ask he noticed the third person sitting in the back of the room, appearing to avoid the eyes of Nowak. Wladyslaw stepped closer, but stopped when he recognized who it was.
Zytosz.
It was Sergeant Zytosz Matejko, former soldier under the command of Wladyslaw, now traitor to his whole country. He betrayed his kingdom during the war, defecting and joining Clauseus. Now he was here, sitting mere feet away from his former commander.
"Yes, it's him, Wladyslaw, the viper is among us. But don't expect him to talk, he can't," explained Aleksander.
"Why not, is he too ashamed to even utter a word?" suggested Wladyslaw.
"No," replied Caspar, returning from the other room with a tray of bread, butter, and various types of vegetables. "He had his tongue ripped out, he can't talk anymore. He found us a while ago, but instead of throwing him out or killing him, we decided he could stay, but he isn't allowed leave this room. So far he hasn't."
Zytosz looked down sadly, and Nowak couldn't help but do the same. This man had betrayed him, but yet he felt pity for Zytosz. Why he betrayed him he would get an answer later, perhaps in writing, but for now he needed to see his king.
"I cannot stay long, I must speak with the King at once. Is the war over, did we win?" he asked.
"The war is over, we won, sir," replied Kyra.
Wladyslaw sighed with relief. "But do you know where Jan is? This is very important nonetheless."
Aleksander stood up and went over to his former employer. He put on arm around Nowak. "I'm sorry Wladyslaw, Jan is dead."
=== Chapter 10: Royal Blood ===
The news hit Wladyslaw hard and he had to take a few moments for the words to sink in.
King Jan was a very good friend of Wladyslaw, ever since they were young adults in the world. They helped each other, and they became very powerful people. Jan was a mentor and teacher to Wladyslaw, but now his friend was dead, murdered in cold blood by a cult.
Caspar, Aleksander, and Kyra all explained the events that took place ever since Wladyslaw fell off the mountain and had supposedly perished. 
The war ended when King Clauseus was defeated. The armies of both sides of the war were within eyesight of each other at Jade Mountain. Their entire forces was there, and if the battle had taken place the winner would have had all of Pyrrhia for the taking. But there was no battle, because without Clauseus to unite the Coalition it soon fell apart. Their armies were spared, but the borders were drastically changed. New nations were formed and old land was returned to their owners.
It was a lot of information to take in, but then they began to talk about more recent events.
"A few weeks ago, on one fateful night, a very serious series of events took place throughout Pyrrhia. Assassination attempts were carried out against all of the rulers..." explained Caspar.
At the moment those words were uttered, Wladyslaw's mind began to whirl slowly. There was a twinge of pain, but numb enough to keep himself from showing it.
"They were targeted against the rulers who fought with the Anti-Coalition. Some of them survived, and others died of other causes unrelated to that night," said Kyra.
Aleksander made a mental list of the rulers and began to talk about what happened to each one. "King Jarl of Kalda caught his attacker and brutally executed him. The Khan might have been dead if not for a patrol that arrested a group of people performing strange activities near his border. Grand Master Antile died of old age, and you know what happened to Jan."
Kyra continued the list. "Let me see, oh, right. Ares was found dead in his bed, his neck slit. Argus of Aredonia almost died when an undercover assailant tried to stab him, but Argus escaped with only minor injuries thanks to his guards. Queen Iris was spared, but all her personal guards were found murdered."
"Obviously we thought the Coalition nations were behind this, but their rulers were targeted as well and those of the new nations. The Shogun was poisoned, Coalt of the Texuicins was killed after a stranger challenged him. One of Catherine of Zelengorod's soldiers took a bullet for her, Lord Cork of Terchen was almost crushed by a falling boulder, and the Grand Duke has been receiving death threats ever since," said Caspar.
Wladyslaw looked all of them, hoping and wishing this was all a joke. Maybe he really did die on the mountain and this was all something that wasn't real, or maybe he was dreaming. Realizing it was all very real, he placed one hand to his head and asked a question.
"So what happened to the nations? How serious was this and who has taken control?"
Caspar seemed to know everything and talked on and on about the topic. "Since Ares lost his throne to the new Emperor Justinian, it really was just unsettling in Cecuria. The Shogun's brother took over the Shogunate, and a new king was chosen for the Texuicins. So far only the Qian emperor and the Aerulien pharaoh weren't targeted, or they just aren't admitting it. But the two places of real worry are in the desert and here, in Bielska."
Kyra interrupted, like she really wanted to tell this part.
"The desert is on the verge of chaos and war. All of the Sultan's family was murdered, his wife, his children, his siblings, his cousins, and his aunts and uncles. There is no heir to the throne, and the Sultan is growing very old, he could die at any moment. If he does, danger alert! The Guardians of the Obsidian Scepter are getting more aggressive, this could be their chance. I heard that they might have an alliance with the pharaoh in exchange for land if the cult actually takes control."
"And what about here, in my home!" screamed Wladyslaw, who knew the desert was important but news about his home was far more dire to him than anything else.
Aleksander answered this question. "You know how things here work, Wladyslaw. When one king's reign ends, a new monarch is elected by the nobility to take his or her place. The elections will start in three weeks, and everyone will meet in the royal castle to vote. What worries me are the candidates." 
"Who are the candidates?"
"One of them is the king's son, Andrzej. He's not ready, he's too young and inexperienced. Worst of all, he doesn't even want to be king. But do you know who's even worse? His opponent, Czeslaw Kiel," he replied.
"Oh three moons...not Kiel."
Czeslaw Kiel was a very fiery and arrogant warrior and nobleman. Wladyslaw remembered the times when he met the man. Kiel wanted very badly to be one of the Field Hetmans. But Wladyslaw had other plans, he couldn't trust Kiel nor did he like the man. Kiel took the news badly and was left with the rank of Captain. Kiel was dangerous and hated Wladyslaw a lot, but many of the nobles liked his spirit and visions.
"We all know who the nobles will vote for. But Kiel is crazy! He wants to wage war against Zelengorod, against Aredonia, and reunite the Union by force. He has even said he would start a new campaign against dragons, THREE MOONS KIEL!" roared Aleksander, who then cursed under his breath.
Wladyslaw looked worried, but suddenly visions were moving around in his head. He crumpled to the floor with Caspar, Kyra, and Aleksander watching in horror.
"All noble and royal blood will water the earth! All noble and royal blood will water the earth! ALL NOBLE AND ROYAL BLOOD WILL WATER THE EARTH! " Wladyslaw recited, pain banging in his head.
"Three moons Wladyslaw WHAT IS GOING ON!" shrieked Kyra.
"Four terrors...the scarred wounds will reopen and this world shall pay the price!
All noble and royal blood will water the earth,
The ancient beast will rise to cleanse,
The will of the fallen shall return,
And the masters shall rule again.
Can this fate be changed,
Or will man and dragon fail once more?"
Wladyslaw collapsed on the floor, his eyes wide open and his breathing abnormal. He was shivering, he was pale and his expression was purely terrified. It was as if he had seen something that scarred him forever.
"Wladyslaw? WLADYSLAW!" screamed everyone in unison.
"Three moons what do we do! What happened!" yelled Kyra.
Caspar looked at Wladyslaw, then Kyra, then Aleksander. Finally he looked out the window into the world outside. He looked northwest. 
"We need to get help. I know of only one person who has the only hope of actually doing something or explaining what this is."
Aleksander took his gaze off Nowak, and looked directly at the back of the Grand Marshal.
"Who?" he asked. Meanwhile, Zytosz had sat stunned the entire time, only forgotten because of his inability to speak. For the first time he came over to kneel by Wladyslaw.
Caspar looked carefully at the wind blowing the trees. He breathed heavily.
"Only an animus could have any knowledge of this. Only Razyn can help us now."
=== Epilogue ===
The world is tense and blood still filled the air, the land, and the sea.
A small village was in slumber on a cool summer night. Tranquil breezes swayed the trees and made each and every home a little more comfortable. Accounts of secret raids were clearly remembered in the minds of every adult, but the children knew only of mischief and laughter.
If not for a mistimed glow of light, the night would have ended in sweet dew on grass and birds chirping happily to welcome the sun. That flash alerted a nearby hunting party, and at that moment their fate was sealed.
A young boy was sleeping in his specially made bed constructed by his father' strong sturdy arms. It had swirls and images of animals engraved into it, along with hearts, the sun, and the moons. Covering him was a woolen hand-knit blue blanket knitted by his mother with her sweet gentle hands. He dreamed of playing with his friends the next day in the forest, hoping that they might find a dragon. He was sound asleep when his mother barged into his room and grabbed him from the bed. He tried to grab and hold onto his blanket, but he would never lay hands on it again. 
Screams shot out as men, women, and children were all thrown out of their homes and into the ground outside. They were torn out from their beds as they slept, but each and every one of them knew what was going to happen the moment hands were placed upon them. 
The small child was ripped out from his mother's arms after she carried him away from their home, lit alight by the hunters. The blaze illuminated the entire village and the surrounding area, every home burning. It was his father who took the child away from his mother.
His father with the same hands he used to make the bed. It was the father who taught him how to be a gentlemen and how to build things. It was the father who always brought back prey from the hunt and shared it with the village. It was now the father who had fear all over his face and his hands trembled for the first time in his life. The man lowered his son to the edge of the village near the forest.
"Run, son! Go away and let no one ever know who you truly are! Mother and I love you, always..." said the father in tears. The boy hesitated, he couldn't understand what was going on. Suddenly his father was then grabbed by a hunter and a sword went through his back and out through his chest, his eyes looking straight at his son, and he did not scream in pain. The boy's eyes went wide, and then he saw his mother in the background, hurling blue flames at the hunters, who shot her down one arrow at a time. He began to tear up, but when the hunter turned her gaze towards him he ran.
The little boy ran and ran away, never taking a look back. Men, women, and children were being executed by sword and arrow for reasons he didn't understand. He didn't understand that he was different, and he didn't understand why that made any difference. After running a far distance, he collapsed to the ground and weeped the night away, crying himself to sleep. Flashes of blue and green light sparked back at the village, but by dawn it would never happen again. 
The hunters had exterminated the animuses, and made sure they would never cast another spell, meddle with the nations again, or raise another child with love and compassion.
They made it clear that the world was no longer welcome for them, until the last of them finally fell. It also planted a seed in the boy's mind, a tree that would change him forever, and grow a forest that would change Pyrrhia.
To Be Continued...Category:Content (Armored Scavenger)
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Fanfictions (Fanon)