LOST INNOCENCE: BLURRED HUMANITY

The Quest for Glory- Dragon Chronicles

Ryu had taken Phantom to a secluded area. It looked untouched, like it had been separated from the rest of the world. There were mountains, grasslands, caves, gorges, volcanoes, citadel..
"What's a citadel doing in this land,my love?", Phantom broke the silence by his question.
Ryu grinned at his question. He spoke in his majestic voice", You don't need to call me lord all the times. You have earned my respect to call me by my name,Ryu. And about that citadel,it's the stronghold of the Royal Dragons. No one other than those of the Royal Dragon blood can enter there".
"So it means that I'll not be able to enter inside", Phantom said in a flat voice devoid of any emotion.

"No Phantom, you're wrong. You carry the mark of the ancient dragon on your body. It's my gift for you. Consider it as a token of our friendship", Ryu told Phantom in his usually thunderous voice.

" You've bestowed me with great power and now with a dragon clan badge also. You're truly magnificent, my Lord", Phantom said with his knees bent on the ground.
"Didn't I told you earlier about that Phantom. Stop it my friend, you're making me feel old", Ryu laughed and his laughter echoed throughout the whole land.
Phantom was struck by the calmness of the area. He was getting restless with each passing second.
"Greetings my Young Lad, it's me Chivoka. What you're feeling right now is because there is another sentinental sword. She's my wild sister Makashi,the Soul Eater. She has power over life and death and wields enormous amount of power and killer intent. She was once the Mistress of the Lord of the Royal Dragons . Her killer intent is so powerful that it blasts away the Gods too. She's way too stubborn at the same time and this is what makes her impossible for anyone to wield her. A battle was once raged between the God of Heavens, Azazul and Makashi. They fought to a stalemate with Makashi gaining a upper hand . But Azazul, being himself, called upon other Gods for his help. But they too can't defeat her. So they devised a devious plan and sealed her in a sword, in a hope that no one can wield her,because of her deadly power. She's enraged ever since. The sword passed down ages,but not even a single soul or dragon lords could wield it, thus she's still untamed. Since Ryu had put his faith in you, so my faith is automatically put in you. You've the ability to change this vicious cycle of destruction in all the relams. Let's face her. It's your test", Chivoka cut off the mind link.
"So it seems Chivoka had already explained everything to you. She's as wise always. Let's go then. We shouldn't be waiting", Ryu flapped his gigantic wings creating a storm in the process,while Phantom used his magnificent speed to dash towards the gates of the citadel.
"Fast. More than I've ever imagined. You'll truly become a formidable warrior my friend", Ryu said to himself with pride swelling inside him.
Ryu and Phantom both reached the enormous gates of the citadel. It was gigantic,more than Ryu himself. The gates seemed to be unending. Phantom was struck with amazement on seeing the beauty of the designs made on its wall.
"This citadel was made by none other than Makashi herself. She had made truly a masterpiece. Wait until you reach the gallery,my friend,you'll be more fascinated than ever. Now let's call the guardian dragons", chuckled Ryu. Phantom just nodded in affirmation.
Ryu struck a beam of neon fire on to the gates. The gates beamed in green.
"Halt! Who dares to enter the citadel? Not even the Gods have access to this citadel! Who are you? Wait! Neon fire! He's Ryu. Open the gates Roku", said Rakas, with a genuine smile on his aged face.

A feeling of nostalgia hovered over Ryu as he saw his old friends Roku and Rakas. Roku and Rakas,both are the guardian dragons, who are said to be more ancient than Mikasa herself. They both helped Mikasa rise to glory. Both of them are real glory of the forgotten majestic powers of the universe.
"Long time no see, you've become soo mean these days Ryu", said Roku sarcastically as he and all others erupted in laughter except Phantom.
"Yes indeed,he has become much more aloof with us. He hadn't paid us a single visit for all these years and now all of a sudden, came here banging the gates", Rakas said in a jovial tone with fake tears forming in his eyes.
"Oh come on Rakas! You know how much I care about you. And you Roku, you are the one who guided me to my inner powers, don't you forget that", Ryu retaliated with his own sarcasm.
Then the laughter died out as the temperature in the gallery became to increase. Roku and Rakas both tensed when they laid their eyes on Phantom. They could feel a great amount of strength and power emancipating from him, dangerous yet calm.
"Whoa,Ryu, you didn't say that you're bringing a friend of yours. Who's this young fellow? He seems strong and has the power which I remember slightly. Who's he!", Roku asked Ryu and thus the tension eased away.
"My friends, meet Phantom, my new friend. He's a formidable warrior who is here to pass the test of the Challenge of the Lord's. And about that power that you mentioned earlier, he had befriended Chivoka and both are getting well together. She had been training him in his mind relam ", Ryu said proudly.
"Oh my goodness, that's absolutely fantastic. So Phantom,my boy, you're here to pass the test. Then you should have something up your sleeves in order to face the mightiest of the dragons,if not the strongest of all the entities in this whole relams. Please step forward and stand in this circle", Rakas told Phantom as he nodded.
Phantom stood in the circle as both Rakas and Roku opened their mouths and flames engulfed Phantom. Two flames were dancing around Phantom, one azure and the other black. The flames slowly subsided back into the ground and Phantom stepped outside the circle.