Rise of the Darkness

Darkness Has Risen

Jheecu

Two Weeks Later

"Four dragons will merge into one. I am the one whose mind will survive. The rest shall be absorbed into me, giving me their combined strength and magical ability. A new Joining, of sorts," Harogbas said.

"There is no other way? Must you proceed?"

His snout touched the top of my bowed head. "No other way. This is for the best," Harogbas said.

"Do you think it will work? Will you even survive?"

"I put my faith in these dragons. One of them is very smart with transformation magic. He usually does not cast the spells himself, but he designed the one to hatch conjurers, and none have died from it. He says this is safe, so I believe him."

"But why you?" My voice beginning to waver a little, fear of losing the only dragon I love threatening to rear its ugly head. The time has finally come for this transformation experiment. Despite all the reassurances I have heard, my mind cannot help but imagine the worst-case scenario happening.

"You know. Because I have a grand vision, and only I can accomplish it. But I need the ability to do so."

His snout moved away, and I looked him in the eyes. "You better survive. I'll chase you to the spirit realm if you don't."

"Don't. Live the remainder of your life. It may not be long, but maybe you can see a new age begin."

I growl. "I'm not sick. I feel fine."

He said nothing, but his face shows nothing but doubt. I have heard the whispers of other dragons, silent words about cancer within my body. Apparently, they have had an effect on him.

"I mean it. I know how I feel. I'm still alive and that will not change."

"However long you live, I do not plan on leaving this world prematurely."

He left the room, turning back to me for a moment when he reached the passageway. "The future will be bright," he said. I nod. Banish the shadows and you are left with light. Light and hope, freedom to be dragons without hiding.

Now I wait for Hernat to tell me things are ready. Preparations must not be interrupted for the sake of their success. Finally, after some time, he comes.

"There are others watching," he warns.

"I expected that." We walked into the designated room far away from my residence. I see the other onlookers filing in, but it hits me that other Laku were allowed to watch. Even the Dragon Foes, which make up a larger number than anyone let on to me about. They part around me, aware I want to be close, even though I can just stretch my neck above most of them. I want to see and be close to the only dragon I can really love. And they part, and I do see. No one wants to mess with a large strength dragon. Least of all one closely associated with a leader here.

Four dragons stood facing in different directions, tails intertwined in a chaotic pattern borne from the simple fact that all four are different types of dragon. Harogbas represented the strength dragon. I do not recognize the other three. The rest of the crowd stand twenty feet away from the chanters. I sit a little closer.

A ring of spirit dragons stood around them, heads bowed and eyes closed. Their lips moved soundlessly, not willing to betray the purpose of this spell. But everyone here knows the purpose.

Minutes passed, with nothing happening. Harogbas' claws stretched out, trying to dig into unyielding stone. He said he was the main dragon of the group, that his mind and personality will be the one that survives. He never said if the other dragons will change who he is.