8: Darken, The Fall of The Great Dragon

Chapter nineteen: the Great Dragon (Althaeon)

I awoke at first light, rolling over in bed to see Violet still asleep. I kissed her cheek and whispered, "It's time to awaken, love."

"I know," she murmured, her eyes remaining shut. Mornings had never been her forte.

"You don't have to come with us," I assured her. "I would prefer you stay here where it's safe."

"If I did that, I would never be able to forgive myself," she said, sitting up in bed. "Your mother tried to kill me, and you lost your brother because of it. I need to do this."

"i have told you countless times," i sat up with her, rubbing her back. "none of this is your fault. are you even able to fight? i have never seen you do so."

"I can fight," she declared, rising to her feet and donning her nightrobe, as she preferred to sleep without clothes. Casting a glance back at me, she affirmed, "I am a type of demon; I possess another form. Moreover, my duty is to protect you while you're in your coma—that is the sole role I shall assume."

"As long as that is all," I agreed. "But if things turn bad, leave me behind."

"you know i cannot do that." she went into the changing room. "i cannot live in a world that you are not by my side."

I blushed slightly as I donned my attire, first a chest plate accented in black and gold, adorned with the motif of a golden dragon's head at the center, flanked by dragon wings of the same colors. Vambraces and gauntlets in matching hues enveloped my hands, forearms, and elbows, each armament boasting golden spikes, yet permitting flawless range of motion. Completing the ensemble were greaves and armored boots, both black and gold, the former etched with the design of golden dragon wings on the outward-facing sides.

Violet stepped out from the change room wearing a tight purple blouse that shows off her curves, with a black metal breastplate, that covers her shoulders, and breasts, with a ridiculously thick leather corset that laces in the front, going from her underbust to her waist, both with golden swirls and accents to them.  A black metal back plate with gold accents is affixed to her breastplate and leather corset, designed to allow fluid movement.

She wore a black metal helmet adorned with gold, designed with openings at the back and sides to accommodate a ponytail and horns. Her arms were encased in black metal vambraces highlighted with gold, crafted to cover her forearms and elbows while allowing seamless movement. Her hands were clad in purple leather gloves, reinforced with black metal plates and gold trim, shaped to leave room for her demon claws to emerge. She donned skin-tight black leather pants and black metal greaves with gold detailing, which snugly embraced her lower calves and knees. Completing her attire were black leather ankle boots with a heel, fortified with black metal plating and gold accents.

In other words, she resembled a warrior goddess.

"Why do I have to wear such ridiculous armor?" she asked, looking at me with her arms crossed.

"So you stay safe," I answered. "If you are so insistent on coming along, I do not want you to remove even a single piece of that armor."

"Fine," she sighed, "but I feel weird wearing it."

"You look gorgeous, though," I told her.

"Don't I always?" she laughed.

"Valid point," I nodded. "We should head to the throne room."

"We should," she agreed. "If you think teleporting that many is too much, I need you to tell them right away."

"Don't worry," I smiled at her. "I can do it, that's why I have you to keep me safe."

we headed to the throne room where people were flooding in, filling the room, all wearing various armor with weapons of all types. i located Alexander and father.

"Are you ready for this?" Father asked, looking uncertain himself.

"Honestly?" I inquired, "No, but I need to be. We must save Mother. However, I am somewhat upset that I will become useless after getting us all there."

"But you will be a key player in this just by doing so," Alexander told me.

Thorne and Lunar approached us, Lunar glaring at my father with hatred in his eyes. "Everyone is here. It is time."

"Does everyone know their role?" Thorne inquired.

"They do," Alexander confirmed. "I distributed the plans this morning."

I glanced over at Violet; that explained how she knew her tasks. Turning back to the others, I asked, "Who's going to deliver the pre-battle speech?"

"I will," Alexander declared. "If I am to lead these people afterward, it must be me."

"Wait, what?" I turned to my father in confusion.

"He is going to assume the role of the Great Dragon," he explained. "Regardless of the outcome."

"Mother will not be pleased with that," I said.

"I think she will actually be relieved," Father replied. "She never aspired to be a queen, much less the Great Dragon. The role was thrust upon her against her will."

"We will see once everything is settled," Alexander stated, the anxiety in his voice unmistakable. he walked up the platform to my throne and cleared his throat as we joined him. "Thank you all who have chosen to fight by our sides this morning." 

His voice was as strong and clear as ever. "You all have your assignments for this battle. We are fortunate in that we know what we are facing. While some of you confront the undead army, others will tackle the Cult of the Dragon, and a few of us will engage the Great Dragon herself."

"I cannot guarantee that you will all survive," he continued. "However, I promise to do everything in my power to ensure your safety." He paused for a moment. "Our objective is to neutralize her and strip her of her powers, but it may become necessary to kill her. If we can spare her life, I will assume the role of the Great Dragon and compel her to atone for her crimes."

A murmur arose from the crowd, but he disregarded it. "I will not conceal this fact; the only certain method to end her life, without beseeching the gods, is through my own sacrifice. This has been a consideration for a lengthy period," he declared. His gaze shifted from his wife to the assembly. "Should the battle appear futile, with no prospect of victory, I shall forfeit my life, and consequently, she will perish."

"In which case," he did not pause, "if I am to die, I want to pass the title of the Great Dragon onto my nephew, Althaeon Heartfire. It is clear that this world will always need its Great Dragon, and as such, I will pass it onto him to be just that, as he is the only true dragon among us all. So, in just a few moments, Althaeon will teleport us straight into Alexandria's throne room where the fight will begin. Again, I thank you all." 

Alexander turned to me, and I could only stare at him in disbelief before saying, "Why didn't you discuss this with me first? I don't want this."

"Neither do I," my uncle told me. "Which is exactly why you are the best choice for the role. It's how your mother ruled so greatly before her fall."

"It's time," I told them. I focused my powers on every single person in the throne room, my hands glowing in the process. I pictured the throne room of Drakaria, my former home, in my mind.

We now all stood in my mother's throne room. I felt dizzy; Violet rushed to my side, helping me to the ground. "Easy there, love."

I nodded, my eyes feeling heavy as I lay on the ground. "I am trusting you to keep me safe..."