The Amethyst Flame

Chapter 20 - In a Single Night

I relived Zaxl's ordeal in a first-person view. I saw through his own eyes the horror that happened that night, but with my consciousness attached to it. It was a surreal experience, and I regretted putting him through it. Nonetheless, it was the only thing we knew that could help us.

The ambush began, and we watched in terror as Draulters were slain by the dozen. No mercy was given to anyone, and the humans delighted in the slaughter of innocents.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and I was beginning to question Jethro's plan. Why did he think Maelfor had controlled Jedemis? This made little sense to me. Despite this, I stayed in the vision.

Despite being massively outnumbered, the Draulters put up a courageous fight. They fought to their very deaths and showed no sign of weakness. There was one that speared at least twenty-six men while dying from his wounds. His blood was the color of jade and shone brilliantly even in the dead of night. He succumbed to his injuries yet died with a smile.

Inspecting the men he killed, I noticed an odd mark on each of their necks. It was reminiscent of an ouroboros and seemed oddly familiar, even though I had never seen it before.

"Zaxl, is this the mark of Aekthes? Who is that anyway?" Jethro asked curiously.

"It very well could be, yes. Aekthes was a legendary dragon who terrorized the kingdom of Jokkam for decades until being slain by Bonham Nightingale in the year of the blood moon. Before she was decapitated, she unleashed pieces of her soul across the entire world. Those who were easily corrupted were cursed with the mark, as were all of their descendants. She sought to have power even after her death. Some say that he created her to be his servant."

"The beholder had that mark! We need to go to Jokkam to look for more clues. No ordinary man can defeat such a powerful being!" Jethro exclaimed.

"What are you suggesting?" I asked in confusion.

"Bonham Nightingale was a wizard! We need to find his descendants and ask them to help our village. Surely someone so legendary has records?" Jethro excitedly spoke.

"I assume you want me to travel with you?" Zaxl asked with a sigh.

"You assumed correctly," Jethro replied with a chuckle.

"Why should I?" Zaxl asked in an annoyed tone.

"When was the last time you truly felt alive?" Jethro asked him in complete seriousness.

"I... can't remember. I lost everything..." he whispered.

"Anything lost can be found again. You don't have to go, but it kills me to see you wasting away like this," I spoke with a deep sigh.

"I'll go. It's time to find out what it means to truly be alive."