The Rogue Rider (An Inheritance Fanfiction)

Chapter 41: The Sword and the Gun

Ragin felt an ugly twist of joy inside Akaysha. The insatiable need to set the world alight made her inwardly writhe in anticipation. He could feel her calling upon wild magic despite having no intention of using it, just to help feed her insanity. The most horrific part of it was a confidence that she could indeed set the world alight, and the will to do it. She knew no one would be able to stand in her way. There was no one strong enough. Anyone that attempted to do she would crush without a second thought.

'It would be my pleasure,' she purred to Tharin, spreading her wings and flicking her tail.

The rider felt sick to his stomach. The madness assaulting her was unlike anything he had felt before. To take over Alageasia and rule it would be something he would understand. Acting out of revenge was something he would understand. Any reason or whim to do what she was about to do was acceptable. But there was no reasoning, no will behind her thoughts. Only a desperate lust to splinter the ground and burn all life. It was like that was the only action that would give her satisfaction.

Akaysha's new mind burned at their bond, threatening to overwhelm him. He had to force himself to remain open to her, knowing that it was the only way to reach her. Maybe... maybe if she remembered him, who he was, and what they had been through. Maybe then she could see him again. Maybe then she would love him again. But as he dug further and further into her conscious all he found was more pain. She didn't attempt to stop him, seeming to enjoy his ever shattering heart.

The worst part about Tharin's spell was that she did remember everything. She remembered the love they used to have for one another, how he had raised her, their difficulties and triumphs, but none of it meant anything to her. She even remembered the pain she went through when Tharin cast the spell, but it was like she didn't care about any of it. She had completely rejected who she had been and embraced her new self.

Desperation flowed through Ragin, and in a last ditch effort mentally called her new twisted true name in an attempt to control her as Tharin had done, but she reacted like a snake. The wild magic coursed through her and slammed into Ragin, splintering the column he was trapped against and sending him through it and onto the ground, winding him as well as breaking several ribs. She hissed, taking a step back and shaking her head as she felt the physical pain he was feeling, closing herself off to him as much as she could.

Tharin simply watched the two with a sickening smirk. Ragin groaned, laying on the ground, too dazed and disorientated to do anything else. The man turned back to Akaysha, and a silent conversation passed through them. While Ragin didn't hear anything, he felt a wave of nausea at the glee emanating from the mad dragon. With a rumble of delight, she leapt into the air, beating her wings and flying into the storm with a surge of magic. It was quickly followed by a screaming roar that felt like ice, sending chills into anyone that heard it.

Tharin sighed contently, before turning toward the prone thief, "Now, Ragin my boy. What should I do with you? Unfortunately, until we destroy the dragon-rider bond I can't kill you, as much as I'm sure you would want that. But I can still make your life miserable."

Ragin heard footsteps approaching him and panicked slightly, trying to draw his arms under him to move. As he did though a wave of dizziness made him collapse back onto the ground. The footsteps stopped near him and a foot was pushed into his back, causing him to groan out loud. Tharin laughed at him, shaking his head.

"I could break into your mind, force you to swear loyalty to me and then fly with Akaysha again? If that's what you want. Though I do not think you quite deserve to fly with such a beautiful creation," he sighed again, "Oh she is better than I could have ever imagined. Did you feel that desire in her? It rivals even my own!"