The Dragons' Crystal

Chapter Thirty-Four

"What's this?" Darius' father smiled at me, though it wasn't one made of kindness or out of amusement. Instead, I saw him accepting the challenge I had just presented. 

I hadn't planned on replying to him, but the realization that Allira and I were now together and both equally present interrupted that idea. She practically took over. "King Caliban, you will answer for your crimes! No longer will you rule over this land and torment the poor people that live here. No longer will I let you ruin this position. You can either admit defeat and I'll spare your pathetic life or I will not hesitate to end you on this floor here, and now. The choice is entirely yours." The voice that came out of me was one I almost recognized. I could hear my actual voice underlying the louder one. I could recognize the tone was similar to the one I had heard in my dreams. I wanted to spare a glance back at Darius, wanting to give him one last smile, but my head wouldn't budge. Allira was in control now. 

"You think I'm scared of you?" Caliban steadied his hand out to calm the guards beside him. He started to chuckle, giving a shrug. "You really think that myself, the king of dragons, is frightened of a tiny little spirit that lives inside a crystal? That has taken over the body of a human? What do you have now that makes you more powerful than before?" He taunted, walking towards us. He had a saunter to his walk, almost as a bigger taunt than his words. I could tell he wasn't afraid. He wasn't worried at all. 

My hand raised. I had given all effort entirely to Allira. She knew what she was doing. I wasn't about to fight anything. I was somewhat curious as to what Caliban had asked. I didn't understand why she was able to fight him on her own now. If she was just going to do it now, why run away in the first place? What made this time any different? Thankfully, I didn't have to ponder it for long. Brilliant flashes of purple light burst from my palm, hitting several of the candlesticks down. The guards were quick to put out the fires. "You don't know how this crystal truly works. In the hands of a dragon, I am powerful. This woman's lifeforce is the crystal, therefore all the power inside of her belongs to me. I am stronger than ever before because of her. I chose her for a reason." My other hand raised, shooting directly at the rows of seats that rested on either side of the room. The light blasted out, causing the areas to crumble. 

"Odelle?! My dear, whatever is the matter?" My mother stood at the entryway with open arms as I came home, sobbing. 

"Momma, they called me names! The other kids don't want to play with me! They said I'm ugly!" I wept to her, finding comfort and sanctuary in her arms. 

She lifted me from the ground, carrying me inside. The door shut behind us. "Oh my darling, I am so sorry. They just don't understand you."

"What is there to understand?" I couldn't have been more than six years old. I had forgotten about this day, but for some reason, I could recall it now. It was repeating itself for a reason, I supposed. "I'm just like them!"

"I'm happy you see it that way, Odelle. They think you are different because they've been raised to think that way. They don't understand how filled with love your heart is and how you give the best hugs and tell the silliest jokes. This world is a cruel place, especially here. They will tell you things that push you down. They will try and taunt you and try to overwhelm you and break you down, but you mustn't give in. You are far stronger than they ever will be, Odelle."

Caliban cleared his throat, glancing at each thing destroyed. "The woman will be destroyed in this process. I thought you were about saving innocent lives and protecting those in danger. Is this not completely against what you believe?" A smirk caught the edges of his lips while he crossed his arms. He had stopped walking, leaving several between the two of us. 

"This woman knows what will happen and faces it without fear. This woman will save the lives of thousands upon thousands and the world will remember her name for as long as time itself exists. She will be celebrated and cheered for. Children will be named after her when her story gets told. She will forever exist within the hearts of the people and the stories they will write for her. This woman will die a hero, but you?" I returned his smirk. While I had been nervous before Caliban had showed up, especially about how this was going to go down, it had all since faded from me. Allira was in control. This was my destiny. Everything was going to happen exactly the way it needed to. "Your death will be celebrated. It will become a holiday among this land and they will sing about how joyful they are about your demise. Do not worry for us. Instead, worry about you and where you'll be heading once we're done with you."