Dragon Tide Chronicles: Dawn Rising

Chapter 74: The Last Wind

Chapter 74: The Last Wind

Ramok looks down at me, chuckling.

“I see you bear the semblance of a dragon. But, does your Voice match?”

I smirk, before letting loose my mightiest roar I could. The roar rumbles with the power of lightning and wind, and carries my desire to win.

Ramok snarls, apparently satisfied.

“Even so, your power is far too weak to stand against me. What good will your puny power do against my great and expansive power?”

“…That is a good question, isn’t it?” I think back to a few minutes ago, when Danica and I were at Feltatus, observing the battle through a scry sphere.

Danica looks at me, concerned.

“Do you think that Xah’mmad will win? They’re really unleashing havoc on the landscape.”

My eyes, filled with worry, only add to her fears.

“No, I don’t think he can. He is strong, but he is not as strong as his little brother. He knows it. I think he’s only trying to buy more time for us.”

She gives me a questioning look. “Time for what?”

I sigh. “He is hoping we have some sort of battle plan, I guess.”

“But do we have one at all? I mean, how are we supposed to fight him off? He’s bigger than this whole city!”

As Ramok rises to attack me, my thoughts trail off to the old days. Back when I served under Alexandi in his grand court.

I remember, in the middle of the war, while attending to him, a discussion we had.

“Alexandi, why don’t you end this? With your power, you could crush them all! We could win in less than a minute with your strength!”

His shiny black hair gleams in the light and majesty of his courtyard, a soft expression of inner calm in his rich blue eyes. He faintly smiles at me.

“My my, Alexander. Do you not know why strength must be used in restraint? If a mighty warrior uses his full power, and was capable of wiping out all armies that ever came before him, why not use that power to rule the world and make the world full of peace?”

I have no answer for him.

“It’s simple. With power comes responsibility. If used considerably and with caution, power is no bad thing. However, abusing one’s power only leads to hatred and destruction. Even if I were to unite the world with my power, all would hate and resent me for it. Plus, a warrior who does not heed or fear his own power is a fool. He hurts not only his enemy, but his friends and loved ones. The pain created creates hatred, and hatred leads to conflict and war. One day, I hope to establish a world free of pain and tyranny.

I wish… to create a world of peace. Not of pain. That is why, Alexander, I will not destroy the fairy race. If this war is to be won, it should be won with honor.”

He smiles at me softly.

“So tell me, my brave general, what is it that causes you to want to wield power, to grow stronger? What is it that you want to fight for?”

I think long and hard, and finally it just naturally comes out.

“I want… to protect my comrades, my friends, my family, and my nation. I fight…”

I gaze on Ramok with fury, resolve burning through my veins.

“I fight to protect the ones I love. Those who have no reason to fight, to live, they have no reason for being, they give up. You chose to give up, but I never will. Not ever.”