In a realm filled with perpetual darkness riddled with silence so still it would be the envy of any church mouse. Troy stood in the center of a pitch black world, he was unable to see a thing not even his hand in fronts of his face and each attempt made to cry for help was drowned out by the deafening silence of the void. Horrified by his new found surroundings, he decided to shift into his more monstrous form, to somehow defend himself against the crippling loneliness that now faced him. His torso extended as ribs popped and separated to accommodate the growth of extra arms, rippling muscles throbbed in agony as they expanded forcing a strained groan, burning yellow eyes, pierced the darkness, while his fingers elongated into claws, upgrading the strained groan to an ear splitting roar that was also quickly devoured by the blanket of silence that covered this world. After completing his transformation, he saw a faint light flicker in the distance, which also triggered a flicker of hope in Troy, as he began sprinting towards it with heavy footsteps that would normally sound like thunder on the ground, but were now as tranquil as a baby’s slumber, as he ran the flicker seemed to get bigger which to Troy meant he was getting closer. He was filled with joy at the thought of finally being able to leave this place or at the very least be able to meet someone else here, as the flicker seemed just in reach. At this point the light seemed more like a steady beam than just a mere flicker. He stopped dead in his tracks petrified with fear at what stood before him, or better yet who. Staring directly at Troy with cross slit eyes, filled with a burning gaze, intent on destruction, was Naphro. His chest was bathed in a brilliant orange glow that radiated an immense heat as his shiny black tail tipped with serrated spikes running along its length, swayed menacingly back and forth almost completely camouflaged by the darkness except for the bits that reflected the light emanating from his chest. He wore a sinister smile that exposed a mouth full of inch long fangs that had double rows like that of a shark. His arms were covered in obsidian black scales that extend from his elbows down to the starting of hook shaped claws, they looked rough and rugged, far tougher than any armour he had ever seen. Troy tried to take a step back but as soon as he moved his leg Naphro’s claws were clamped around his throat like a vice grip, raising him off the ground with little effort despite their obvious size difference, Troy could no longer move as chills danced up and down his spine, his entire body felt like it was going limp as Naphro began to squeeze the life out of him, before loosening his grip and still staring Troy straight in the eyes, he spoke with a voice filled with gravitas.
“ How does it feel to know you are my prey? I can kill you anytime I wish, but what fun is that? I will make you yearn for death.”
This made Troy grow furious as he roared.
“ I am no body’s prey, I am a warrior!”
He doubled his fist on all arms as he frantically unleashed a barrage of blows to various parts of Naphro’s body in a desperate attempt to free himself, however Naphro was undeterred, this only made his smile grow even wider as he said.
“ Oh you got some fight in you, or are you just that eager to die? Either way I am happy to oblige.”
The heat radiating from his chest grew even more intense as the brilliant orange glow started to travel from his chest up to his throat, shining a bit of light on Troy’s horrified face as he still desperately tried to punch his way out of Naphro’s grip.
“ Your time is up sir,” Naphro said, opening his elongated jaws to reveal a throat filled with cackling flames and plumes of smoke, Troy’s face went pale.
“This was it,” he thought I’m staring straight at the entrance to hell. Naphro laughed triumphantly before firing a huge plume of flames directly into Troy’s face, searing off his flesh, causing him to howl in pain and fuel Naphro’s delight. Troy’s screams of agony were all swallowed by the hungry silence of the void and his whole body was now being engulfed by the flames illuminating the darkness while increasing his suffering. Every fibre in Troy’s body felt excruciating pain, it was comparable to exploding on a cellular level. The pain finally became too much causing him to pass out, with the sight of his molten flesh falling off his bones being the last thing he ever saw.
“ Troy! Troy! Troy wake up,” pleaded Dax as he repeatedly slapped Troy’s cheeks.
Troy jumped up panting hard, frantically searching the area for any signs of Naphro. Streams of sweat trickled onto the floor and also dampened the fur bed in which he slept.
“Yow you good bro? You were talking in your sleep so I came to check on you. Next thing I know I find you flailing about in enough sweat to drown a man.” Dax said with a worried look.
“ Ugh, I just had the worst dream I’ve ever experienced in my history of dreaming.”
“Really what could possibly be so bad? Also if it was bad it’s technically a nightmare.”
“ Yeah well this nightmare sucked. I was killed by Naphro,” Troy said looking at Dax through his fingers after face palming. A cold wave surged through his body. The soft silver fur stuck to his damp skin.
“ We have to destroy him, he will be a threat to us all.”
“ Damn that fight really had you shook huh? There’s nothing to worry about, he only just awakened he’s basically a baby as far as dragons go. Besides he has no experience with our world, he’ll be history in no time.”
“ Sigh I hope you’re right about that.”
“Come on, we’ll be fine. What you should be worried about right now is the meeting you have with the brothers, and mom.”
“ Tsh, don’t remind me, just when I thought slow healing was a good thing. I should have died in that dream for real.”
“ Well it sucks for you bro no such luck, you’re gonna have to face mom. Also if you’re done being a drama queen you’ve been summoned by the brothers so I suggest you get ready.”
“ Fine give me a minute to get ready.”
“ Sure thing.” Dax said as he jumped out of the den.
“ It’s now or never,” Troy thought as he started to examine his body. It had healed up quite nicely, considering the carnage it endured. The many perforations sustained from the battle were no where to be seen, his body was in peak condition maybe even better than before. Suddenly the thought to check his face ran through his mind. Troy quickly pulled his phone from the pocket of his jeans, switched the the camera and began examining his face. Everything seemed to be in order except for a few cracks along his jaw line. He slowly brought his finger to examine the cracks, they miniature chasms plaguing his face, dry and devoid of life. With a gentle touch of his finger the skin quickly became brittle as it crystallised beneath the weight of his fingers. This set of a chain reaction that caused the entirety of his facial structure the crumble. The epidermis of his skin reduced to nothing but a fine powder carried by the wind and distributed all across the floor. Despite all this Troy was surprisingly calm, after the dust had settled a brand new layer of skin was revealed, much fresher than the one before. A sly smirk crept across Troy’s face as he stared at the remnants of his old face.
“ That douche actually managed to burn through my skin, he ain’t no Jo.......” his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pain running through his chest and torso.
Troy began to writhe in agony as an invisible hand began to etch circular markings into his flesh. Four circles each being parallel to each other connection in the center by spiralling lines as they gave off an eerie green glow that vanished into his flesh.
“Great just great now I’ll be haunted by this forever.” Troy sighed while shoving his phone back into his pocket before walking to the edge of the den and jumping off. The cool wind gently kissed his skin, as he fell head first towards ground, the rich aroma of the marshlands rose up to greet his nostrils welcoming the feel of nostalgia. The gentle rays piercing the heavens caressed his skin with a tender warmth. It had been so long since he had been home, if only it were under better circumstances. Sensing the impending collision, Troy flipped at the last minute, shattering the ground below him with a loud crash. Dex and Dax hearing the commotion came rushing to his aid. The dust cleared to reveal Troy standing in a large crater, brushing off debris. In front of him were too large wolves, one had a shiny silver and grey coat while the other had straight white that was as pure as the morning snow. Both wolves were soaked from head to paws and panting heavily while looking at Troy.
“ Dex, Dax, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you boys fully transformed. I got to say I did not miss it, I really hate looking up to you two.
“Yeah yeah whatever, did u have to jump from the den? You only just finished healing, do you always have to be a drama queen? Dex replied in a deep animalistic voice.
“Dude you may be bigger than us when we’re in half beast state, but you got nothing on our primal stages. By the way what’s that on your chest?”
“Oh this it’s my eternal reminder of our crushing defeat, it will also serve as the fuel for my vengeance.”
“ Wait is that the tattoo thingy that appears on your clans body whenever you lose a battle?”
“Oh really is that what that is? Damn, I never thought I’d see one on you, you never lose.”
“ Yeah yeah rub it in you guys lost too and why didn’t you transform then? Things would’ve been much different.”
“Boy, you know as well as we do that would’ve been dangerous, not to mention we were caught off guard.”
“ Yeah and how about you? I didn’t see you going all out either or are u still unable to control your berserk charge?”
“ Whatever, it is what it is, it happened and we just have to deal with it till the next time.”
“ I guess you’re right, plus that tattoo actually suits you so it’s not do bad,”
“ It’s a symbol of my shame but I guess it does look neat. Anyway where am I meeting the brothers?”
“ Oh yeah I almost for got about that they’ll be waiting for you on the rock that divides night and day.”
“ Alright and I’m guessing one of you will be taking me there ?”
“Sure I’ll take you hop on and please try not to fall a sleep this time,” said Dax with a sly grin.
“ Dude, I told you to never speak of it again, also it’s not my fault you guys are walking balls of fluff,” Troy protested as he climbed up Dax's leg and onto his back.
“Aite let’s go.” Dax leaped over the crater Troy made as he trampled the flora before him. With powerful strides, all that could be seen was a cloud of dust and paw prints in his wake.
“ Ugh, dude you’re wet, damn it why didn’t I think this through,” said Troy as he tried to find a comfortable spot on Dax's back.
“Ha, I guess there will be no sleeping for the mighty Troy today,” he said and leapt into a near by puddle, soaking Troy in the process.
“ Great just great I should’ve taken Dex instead.”
“Pssh you really think Dex would be any better? Besides you know he isn’t as fast as I am.”
“Yeah yeah whatever, just keep running, I can see the other side of the dimension.”
Dax quickened his stride towards the direction of the Dividing Rock. With each pound of his might paws, shockwaves reverberated through the ground, sending large ripples across the surrounding water bodies and signalling his approach. Troy was finally beginning to get comfortable as the undulating of Dax's back while he ran felt like a soothing massage. Pair that with Dax’s fur drying over the course of his running and Troy was just about ready for a nap, he felt so content he was just about to close his eyes, when Dax suddenly stopped, throwing him off his back. This caused Troy to sail through the air and face plant right at the edge of the marshlands eternal darkness.
“ What the hell man give me a bit of warning next time,” Troy said as he gazed up the land of eternal night.
“Hey I did tell you know sleeping bro, plus you know this is as far as I’m willing to go I hate the night lands it’s creepy.”
“Fine I’m basically here anyway, thanks for all your help I’ll call mom for a ride back.”
“Good luck bro we’ll be waiting for you,” Dax said as he turned to head back home, while making sure to splash Troy with another stream before departing.
“What a douche,” Troy said while picking his soggy body off the now muddy ground.
“Time to head to the rock,” he thought as he began walking along the line of literal night and day. The dimension that houses the Vargr Marshlands is the home Fenrir, who left the domain to his sons Hati and Skoll. As Troy walked along the lines he could he the opposing forces of nature caress the sides of his body, the still nights air kissed the nape of his neck while the pure crimson rays of the day danced along his arm, filling it with warmth. A few few steps along the line and he came across the great Dividing Rock that separates the night from the day. An ominous aura filled the air and made it feel like Troy’s lungs were about to be crushed inside his chest, as he gazed upon the so called rock that was nothing short of a mountain. If anyone were to fall from its peak they’d be falling for at least a day. On the side of the mountain where the night prevailed loomed thick eerie fog, jagged rocked sharpened by the water fall cascading down it’s to from a shallow pool at the base that perfectly reflected the star filled night, it was as if a piece of the sky had fallen to the ground. Icy slopes began forming closer to the summit which was shrouded in by an inky darkness. The other side of the mountain was bathed in unrelenting sunshine from red dwarfs, causing it to produce vegetation that possessed a hue of blood. This side of the mountain was also home to a lot of unusual creatures. Seven tailed swallows could be see darting through various kinds of plants and occasionally being devoured by flame newts camouflaged as plants. Flame newts can’t stay camouflaged while eating so ever so often a flash of vivid purple would be mixed in with the bloody red. A stream of pure white flowed through the center of it all forming stray pools as it rages down the side of the mountain.
Troy stood beholding the glorious spectacle, when he felt the very ground beneath him shake. The entire mountain seemed to be quaking in fear as loud booming came from both sides of it. The loose gravel began to crumble and gave way an avalanche of debris. Trying to shield himself from the falling rubble try placed his hands over his face while being covered in dust. As the booming grew louder her could feel the tremors become more violent, it was kind of like when Dax was running. The sounds were getting even closer and the ground felt like it was being shaken in a pattern, almost like walking. Troy then saw two snouts jutting out from the sides of the mountain, just before the shaking stop. Blood curdling roars permeated the air, causing Troy to tense in anticipation.
“We are the sons of Fenrir the devourers of the sun and moon, Hati and Skoll. Stake your claim,” Both wolves said in unison, their voices sounding like a raging storm.
“Its me Troy descendant of the great warrior Shivva, I am here to heed your summons.”
“ Prostrate yourself before the rulers of this realm boy,” Hati snarled in furry while stepping forth from the darkness that shrouds the mountains summit. Stepping into the light revealed his mammoth size, coated in fur as dark as the void of space, in an astral pattern of constellations from his mane to the very tip of his tail.
“ Easy Hati,” said Skoll as he also came down from his part of the summit. He was a bit larger than his brother and dawned a brilliant coat of Scarlett flames that scorched the earth beneath him.
The two wolves sat at the mountain’s base in their respective domains while looking at Troy.
“ Hati there’s no need to force him to bow, he’s a warrior you know how proud he is.”
“ Rrrgh, whatever it’s infuriating that he didn’t listen to us and for what to chase after skirt. I blame you for this you spoil him too much,” Hati growled in protest.
“It’s fine sirs I will bow,” Troy bent the knee and hung his head before Hati and Skoll.
“ What? You will? Well this is unexpected, where’s that rebellious brat Clarita took in some time back? I see your defeat must’ve humbled you.”
“ This is as it should be he disobeyed us. What if something had happened to him? What if our existence was discovered by the humans?”
“ Calm down Hati, I should be the hot headed one seeing as though I am the sun eater. Not to mention I was the one that warned him, yet you don’t see me getting furious. Give the boy a chance to explain himself it’s not like you haven’t been reckless chasing tail.”
“ Fine, and this has nothing to do with me!” Hati growled and glared angrily at his brother.
“ Now Troy what do you have to say for yourself boy?” Skoll gave Troy a glare that made him extremely anxious for he knew beyond the calm exterior was a seething rage.
“ Well sirs as you already seem to know there was this girl that tried to make a fool out of me, she toyed with my emotions and I could not let it stand.”
“ She toyed with your emotions ? Now was that worth starting a fight with the new born dragon over?”
“ Sirs I had no idea he was a descendent, especially not one with draconic blood. It was only supposed to be a squabble between teenagers and before we knew it things escalated.”
“ So you were so cocky you didn’t even bother to check if your opponent was from our realm. Do you have any idea how negligent you sound right now? Also are you telling me that you felt it necessary to transform to defeat a mere human then?”
“ No sirs and I do understand the gravity of the situation I will do all I can to atone for my error,” Troy said as he was now sweating bullets as his heart beat pounded in his brain.
“ Troy the balance between us and the realm of Midgard is a delicate one it must not be upset not matter the cost. You are here by banned from the human realm until we deem you worthy of my return. You should consider yourself lucky you weren’t seen or your punishment would’ve been more severe.”
“ Thank you sirs, I won’t let you down again I swear on my honour as a warrior.”
“Good, we expect your best efforts moving forward. We will be observing you, also a letter will be sent to your school explaining your absence. You are now dismissed,” said Skoll as he turned to return up the summit.
“ Oh, and Troy never let me see you with another tattoo. Do I make myself clear?”
“ Yyyes sir I will never lose again,” Troy stuttered before raising to his feet.
“ That’s good take this time to hone your skills a revolution is coming,” Skoll said as he disappeared up the mountain with Hati close behind him.
YOU ARE READING
A Siren's Song to a Dragon's Heart.
FantasíaA blissful adventure full of mystery and intrigue, follow the main protagonist on his journey of self discovery, adventure, romance and friendship. This is a classic fantasy novel with a few twists for non stop enjoyment, and characters you will gro...
