The Dragon God (Book 2) (30 page)

Dal-Draydian said, “I am quite enjoying this verbal sparring. Please continue.”

Veric asked, “What are your plans once you are released, Dragon?”

“After I feed on your soul, I will then strike the Horn Kings and drive the realm to their knees to bow to me. Yes, that would be a good start.”

Veric raised his eyebrows, “Indeed, a grand start.” The human turned toward Raina, “If we work together, Elf, we can destroy the gnome host body.”

“This gnome is our friend. We will not be harming him.”

“How touching, but he is already dead.”

At that moment, Rozelle, in her hawk form, screeched from above, alerting Veric.

“Ah, there you are, Druid. How sad, your boyfriend is no more. I hope you have said your goodbyes.” Turning sharply toward the elf mystic, he raised his voice, “Raina, if we cannot combine forces, then the Dragon God will be released.”

Raina replied, “I have my own plans to combat that. We are quite aware of your intentions, Veric. If not the gnome host, then you would most certainly choose yourself.”

“Oh, dear, not me. That is why I have brought others,” he pointed at his adjacent guards who stood ready to implement Veric’s commands. “I plan to rule alongside the new deity, not be the deity.”

Dal-Draydian responded, “Really? You think I would need someone as weak as you?”

“I could assist you in your world domination. Be a voice to announce your arrival. You would surely outlive me, so why not grant me favor
by allowing me to be your advisor?” Veric bowed, “Every ruler has their minions.”

Dal-Draydian beamed at the thought and sat proudly on his makeshift throne. He could feel the power swelling, and sensed that the other entrapped dragons were eager to be released. The human mystic was a fool, but Dal-Draydian looked forward to manipulating him. The dwarves and elves watched in anticipation while bordering the ringed walkway, and standing next to their precious elements designed to thwart his reign. He couldn’t have brought about a better situation than what stood before him.

“Come to me human, and kiss my hand,” Dal-Draydian beckoned.

Veric, tapped his staff quickly on the floor and in an instant he appeared next to the gnome in the center of the room. Dal-Draydian extended an arm. Veric bent to plant his lips on the back of Trillius’ hand in deference for the dragon deity within, and at the same time took hold of the Blue Dragon Stone. He felt a tingly sensation when he grasped the smooth blue rock.

Veric said, “Thank you, Gnome, for fetching me the fifth and final stone.”

Dal-Draydian retorted, “It is I who is giving thanks today.”

“Oh, and what thanks is that?” The mage touched the tip of the gemmed staff to Trillius’ chest. Veric’s cocksure grin faded when it went completely through the gnome’s wispy body. He lurched back in surprise as the shimmering illusion subsided. There was no Trillius, nor the blue stone he thought he held. The wizard, unsure of his safety, transported away from his unsatisfactory attempt, and was now back where he started.

“Thank you for bringing my friends to me,” Dal-Draydian said as Trillius’ body materialized suddenly at the center podium once again. He held up Veric’s satchel and the human, motivated by reflexes, reached for the missing item. The gnome now possessed all five. “We have waited far too long for this, my brethren,” Dal-Draydian whispered as he withdrew one colored stone at a time and placed them into the required location. The swirling vortex below increased its speed.

The invisible assassin, Daysho, watched from the opening leading into the Chamber of Cleansing. He studied the body language of all inside, their mannerisms, and their personalities. Three distinct camps resided within the room: Raina’s team, the gnome, now controlled by an egocentric dragon, and Veric with his guards.

Daysho, hidden from them all, made a fourth camp lying in wait for his opportunity to strike. Veric’s back was to him, but it was still too soon. The mage’s powers were strong, and his magical protections were still in place.

Daysho saw through the ruse. Trillius’ true body, manipulated by the dragon, stepped into the same stream of invisibility he walked in now. The dragon-possessed gnome implemented its illusion spell the moment Veric teleported to his platform. The cunning Dal-Draydian spotted the well-hidden Daysho and cockily gave him a wink, then turned his attention back to the idiotic mage, falling for the illusion. Trillius’ thieving finesse came in handy as Dal-Draydian stole the Bag of Holding from Veric, then returned to his place, causing the alarmed mage to transport back to his original location.
“Veric, you are draining your power more and more. Keep depleting your magic abilities, and bring me closer to my destiny,”
he thought.

A bright light emanating from the tunnel caused Daysho to spin around and look back down the passageway. He squinted to see more clearly, and heard the echoes of several individuals approaching. Through the brilliance, he saw a red-bearded dwarf lumbering toward them, holding what he suspected was the Sky Diamond. Following the dwarf were two ordakians, and a human.
“What group is this?”
he thought. Daysho remained hidden and kept the approach of the mysterious fifth camp to himself. He thought,
“An assassin always needs information before he strikes.”

P
ointing his staff at Dal-Draydian, Veric launched a black ray beam that struck the gnome squarely in the chest, causing him to stagger backward with a loud grunt and then disappear in a wispy cloud. The center of the chamber filled with smoke and the sound of crackling fire.

Veric scoffed “You see, the mighty have fallen.” He turned to Raina, “Now we will discuss your surrender, Elf.”

El’Korr growled, “Dwarves don’t surrender.”

“This one lacks her staff and your meager weapons will not affect me.”

Raina proclaimed, “I have ascended and have access to the highest power, I no longer require a staff.”

“We shall see about your so called highest power.” He turned to one of his men, “You know what to do.” Veric smirked.

The human henchman nodded with a grin, sheathed his weapon, and taking one careful step at a time, approached the narrow, arched walkway.

Turning quickly, Raina pointed at the approaching guard. Bolts of electrical energy shot forth from her hand and streaked toward him. However, the charged light impacted and dissipated against a magical unseen shield made momentarily visible by the blue glow of a fleeting power.

Veric laughed, “Your spells will not touch him.”

El’Korr threw his hammer, which struck the human, shattering his ribs; forcing him off the narrow walkway. His scream faded to silence as he plummeted through the churning grey vortex below.

El’Korr’s hammer returned to his hands. He gloated, “My weapon seems to affect your men just fine.”

Veric growled as he touched his hand to the shoulder of his remaining guard and then tapped the end of his staff on the ground, teleporting himself and his man to the center pedestal where the Dragon Stones rested. He then commanded his follower to stand in the middle of the colored rocks.

Suddenly, as the guard took his position, the gnome appeared out of thin air and hovered before them. “I grow tired of you all.”

Dal-Draydian opened Trillius’ mouth wide, releasing the breath weapon of the ancient dragon. A thunderclap erupted and a brilliant blue-white electrical bolt sizzled through the human warrior and pierced Veric’s body. Both were sent flying across the room. Veric slammed into the wall and fell hard against the floor while the human’s body shattered into dust upon impact. The echoing thunder clap faded and the smell of burnt flesh filled the area.

Dal-Draydian floated and rested softly upon the Dragon Stone altar. With that, a mystical mist materialized and each of the colored rocks began to glow, matching their distinct hue. Sharp beams of radiance suddenly shot into the gnome’s body. Trillius’ chest heaved forward and his arms spread wide.

Bridazak and the others reflexively ducked as a bright light emanated from deep in the tunnel followed by a crack of thunder.

Spilf exclaimed, “What the heck was that?”

“Shut it, Stubby,” Dulgin whispered harshly, “Looks like we are not the only ones in the Chamber of Cleansing.”

Bridazak said, “Manasseh will be coming and we need to get the Sky Diamond inside.”

“Abawken, take point,” Dulgin commanded. “Whatever is in there, I need you to handle it while I place this gem into its rightful place.”

Abawken nodded, and moved forward, scimitar in hand. The others followed.

A hum of energy echoed off the walls and a diffused light beamed out of the chamber in front of them; they were unable to determine its source until a childlike creature came into view. The mysterious light pierced its body and a blue-white glow spewed forth from its gaping mouth and wide staring eyes.

Abawken emerged cautiously from the tunnel, sword at the ready to act against the spectacle in the center of the room. However, when he heard an all too familiar voice call, “Abawken!” he turned quickly in shock and saw Raina, King El’Korr, Rondee, and Xan. A groan coming from his left alerted him to a groggy mystic in black robes, smoke wafting up from his clothes. Dulgin entered with the diamond in hand.

“Quickly, Dulgin!” Raina shouted, “Set the Sky Diamond in place directly in front of you, there is no time to waste!”

The dwarf hurriedly set the Sky Diamond into its designated location. It set perfectly, nestled into its designed home. Instantly, a single ray of light sprung forth, striking the possessed gnome. Then a luminous beam ushered forth from Xan’s Pearl of the Deep. However, the Fire Opal and the Stone of Earth remained in their places with nothing happening.

The popping sounds of bone being wrenched from their sockets and the tearing of flesh reverberated in the room. A skeletal framework of dragon wings sprouted on Trillius’ back. Translucent leather began to form and the gnomes tiny hands elongated into sharp claws.

Trillius’ mouth moved, but a different, booming voice reverberated from his body, echoing throughout the chamber, “I am the Dragon God!”

Raina couldn’t understand why Dulgin’s and Xan’s elements had activated and the others had not. There was a sudden flash of realization,
“Raina,”
she said to herself,
“how could you have missed that?”
She knew what had to be done and called out, “Abawken, join Rondee, and Spilf, make your way to El’Korr!”

Spilf peeked out wide-eyed from the tunnel and saw the elf mystic waving him over. He looked to Bridazak who nodded, giving him the confidence to proceed. He scampered past the human mage who was still struggling to his feet. Abawken activated his blade, flying across the room. Avoiding the morphing dragon, he landed next to Rondee. The dwarf backed away and Abawken stepped in front of the Fire Opal. A sudden blast of light hit the center. There was a noticeable lurch of pain from Trillius as it struck.

Raina shouted, “Spilf, hurry!” The ordakian was the final ingredient to destroy the stones and was steps away from completing the process.

Electrical arcs spat forth from Trillius’ body, hitting all around the room. Buzzing charges of energy sizzled in front of Spilf. He halted, fearful of contacting the discharge, then the bluish light snapped closer to him, forcing him back where another electrical arc flashed behind him. The randomly arching zaps were almost on top of him when Raina suddenly appeared from a dimensional door next to him. She quickly grabbed Spilf, yanked him inside, and the portal sealed behind them.