Drekablóð Rising:Fire(Book 1)

Chapter 22 {Ignatius}

"What do you mean?" Anahita asked the young woman, a quizzical look on her face.
   "I really don't want to play twenty questions with you. So sit down like a good little nymph-Drekablóð, and let me explain everything to you all at the same time."
   "But I'm not a Draconigena. I'm just a human and a nymph." Anahita responded back to the woman, clearly trying to convince herself she wasn't the same species as the one that killed her parents.
   The woman looked at Anahita careful as of studying her.
   "What lies has Tarka been putting in your head?" The woman asked.
   "I...don't understand. Tarka would never lie to me. He's the one who saved me from Arnav."
   A chuckle escaped the woman.
   "Oh you have no idea how far humans would go to prevent the Drekablóð race from returning." She said cryptically.
   She's right. Humans would do anything to prevent our return to the top of the hierarchy.
   Sólskin's words did not help in understanding what the woman—whose name he still did not know yet—was saying.
   Well it's not my fault you're so dense. Maybe you've gotten whacked in the head too many times and your brain no longer works properly like it should. 
   Ignatius was about to snap back at him when someone hit him in the back of the head.
   He turned around to hit whoever hit him only to resist the temptation when he saw those forest green eyes glaring down at him.
   "Are you two paying attention? Or do I have to knock some sense into you both?" She growled.
   Stupid Treehugger. Just wait til I get my claws on you. Then we'll see who's scarier. Sólskin growled.
   "Well? I'm waiting for your answer." She said impatiently.
   "Yes. We are." He responded back, ignoring Solskin's useless ramblings about how he was going to beat the shit out of her.
   "Good. I can't have you two staring off into La La Land. The explanation I'm about to give has the most to do with you two since you're still new and Zephyrine is already accustomed with herself and dragon soul.
   "Now pay attention cause I will not repeat myself. That includes you two, Anahita and Orestes. This may not be of importance to either of you yet but you'll still have to go through your first transformation sometime or later. So better listen carefully cause this information might save your life."
   The five of them sat down in a circle with the woman at the head.
   "Now, the origins of the Drekablóð race is a long one so I'm just going to stick with basics knowledge that all young Drekablóð should know before their first transformation.
   "All Drekablóð trigger their first transformation somewhere around ten and sixteen. What triggers it is a variety of causes. Physical and mental pain, emotions, other things that can completely overwhelm a person. If it's not triggered it will happen naturally around the age of sixteen. I think Ignatius can concur with that." She said, looking directly at him.
   He hated how they were all looking at him.
   Why did she have to torment him between him and Zephyr?
   Because she's one of those Treehuggers and they hate dragons that kill trees, like us. Also she can tell how easy it is to rile you up. Don't let that Treehugger think she can manipulate into doing whatever she wants. Sólskin growled once more in clear anger at the woman.
   "So...Ignatius never trigger his first transformation and it did it by itself? Huh, I would have thought he trigger it ages ago by the way he acts. That temper of his will definitely cause some issues." Orestes decided to open his big mouth.
   Ignatius shot him a death glare.
   He thought he had anger issues? He should have met Ignacio. He was the real one with anger issues. Not him.
   Let's burn his tongue off. Then will never have to listen to his ceaseless yapping ever again. Sólskin said with a manic laughter.
   For some reason he found himself actually wanting to do that. It would make things easier if he had one less person to listen to.
   But then again, wouldn't Anahita hate him for doing something so horrible?
   I knew you liked her.
   W-what? Get out of my head! He yelled at Sólskin, feeling his cheeks grow warm.
   Sorry. No can do. You and I are permanently stuck together.
   Damn it. He thought to himself.
   Watch your mouth. Don't make me smack you with your own hand.
   He officially hated his life.
   "Is he okay?" He heard Orestes ask, pulling him out of whatever trance he had been in.
   "Completely normal." He heard Zephyr say.
   "It's natural for the two souls to fight and argue every now and than." The woman said.
   "So another soul is hitching a ride inside of him?"
   He saw Zephyr facepalm herself.
   "We just went over this while he was starring off into space!" The woman yelled in annoyance.
   Orestes just shrugged his shoulders.
   "I swear—That's it. I'm moving on." The woman said in an exasperated tone.
   "The Drekablóð race are shapeshifters that have been revered by all of Elementa for as long as anyone can remember. However, reverence like that comes with a price. Fear. Distrust. Loathing. The humans felt this the most. With fear, hate, and distrust leading their actions, the humans gathered the elves and dwarves as their allies, and officially started the war five hundred years ago by attacking a Drekablóð settlement, killing hundreds of innocents. The humans saw us an abomination for having two forms. We were the monsters in their eyes when they were the true monsters.
   "With the right manipulation of words, anyone can make others believe what is not true. Just like the humans leaders did. They convinced their kind, the elves, and the dwarves that Drekablóð and all magical creatures were evil and needed to be wiped out."
   "So the humans were afraid of Drekablóð—us?" Orestes asked once again.
    For once the woman didn't seem annoyed.
   "Yes. There were forces in the world that were stronger than them and they didn't know how to deal with it. So they let fear into their hearts and attacked us. It is what happens when one feels powerless to stop or control the powers of nature around them. So they seek to control it by destroying it.
   "And I think you all know how the war ended. If not then I'm going to smack you across the head." The woman told them dangerously, clearly not wanting to talk anymore about the war.
   "Nice summary of Útdrátturinn." Zephyr said, leaning against a tree with her hands behind her head."
   The woman shot her look that literally said: "Shut up or else".
   Zephyr remained calm, not evening flinching at the woman's furious look.
   Well we know who Treehugger is going to kill tonight. I'm actually kind of hoping Sparky over there finishes Treehugger off. I really hate her. Sólskin said, sounding like he wanted to see those two go at it.
   He decided not say anything, not wanting to get distracted.
   Good boy. Now pay attention. Sólskin said, definitely trying to blow his fuse.
   He swore he heard Sólskin chuckle.
   Ignatius groaned, wanting to have just one day of peace from the constant annoyance of Sólskin.
   First you want rid of me. Then you accept me. Now you want me gone again. Someone has mood swing problems.
   He clenched his fist, trying to ignore the annoying voice inside his head.
   "So why are we so important? I know a little bit about it, but you might need to explain it all again, Melia." Zephyr said, revealing the woman's name.
   "Zephyrine needs me to explain things again?" Melia said almost in a mocking tone.
   "It's Zephyr. Not Zephyrine." Zephyr growled, definitely hating her real name.
    "Well you were named Zephyrine and that's what I'm going to call you."
   Fight! Fight! Fight! Sólskin chanted over and over again in his head as he tried to listen to what Melia was trying to say.
   "The reason you so four are so vital is because Carmentha foresaw the four of you saving Elementa from the wicked rule and oppression of the Human Kingdoms."
   "But why us four? Couldn't any four Draconigena do it?" Anahita asked.
   "Did you just not hear me say she saw you four specifically saving Elementa. There are no replacements, no alternatives. Your destiny to save Elementa has already been set in stone. There's no way to escape it. The four of you have been tied together in this destiny for centuries. Your fates are forever entwined and nothing can break that." Melia told Anahita forcefully like she was trying to drill it into her head.
   She's a good match for you. You both are stubborn and never know when to give up. Sólskin told him again.
   He just ignored him. He didn't want to hear all of Sólskin's words of them being together.
   "Now, as I was saying the four of you are destined to end the cruel rule of the Human Kingdoms and their opposition to magical creatures." The woman said. "And I don't want to hear how you don't think the Human Kingdoms aren't that bad. Trust me, they are. Your king or queen now may not seem harmful but the moment they find a way to get rid of you they will, no matter what your position is." Melia seem to direct that at Anahita.
   Anahita just kept her head down, clutching her mother's necklace, like she didn't want to believe anything that she was hearing.
   "Now we should get going to Silva umbra where Carmentha can explain everything about restoring Elementa to her prime."
   "So Elementa didn't always look the way it does today?" Orestes asked.
   Melia just nodded.
   "The only evidence of what Elementa somewhat used to look like is left in Silva umbra and The Earth Stronghold."
   "What caused Elementa to become the way it is today?"
   Melia opened her mouth to answer when someone else spoke.
   "It seems the goddess still lives and in Silva umbra. What a pleasant surprise."
   Ignatius turned around to see Keahi Houri, Warlord of the southern steppes, standing on the edge of the edge of the woods with a battalion of soldiers behind him.
   "Thank you, Ignatius Farja for leading us straight to whatever remains of the Draconigena race." Keahi said smugly.
   Melia didn't have time to glare at him as she sent tree branches through the first of the soldiers as they attempted an attack on their small group.
   Ignatius couldn't help but feel guiltly for leading them here to the others—to Anahita.
   Don't feel guilty. It was my fault. I should have been paying attention to my surroundings. Instead I was so focused on trying to get you to the others that I didn't heed my surroundings enough to know that I was being followed.
   Ignatius was surprised to hear Sólskin admit that he was at fault for leading the soldiers here. He never expected him to be so honest.
   Well dragons can surprise you. We're not cold hearted, scaly giant monsters that kill for sport. We have feelings, thoughts, and moral values just like all living things.
   Okay, enough wallowing in your self pity. We got to help the others. We caused this and we are going to fix it. He told Sólskin firmly to catch his attention.
   NO! You're still injured. I will not risk your previously healed injuries in a fight like this. Let them handle it. You're of more use alive, not dead. Sólskin tried to convince him.
   No. I will not stand by while they fight my people. Nor will I cower on the sidelines when I'm more of use on the battlefield, even with only a sword. Ignatius argued against Sólskin as he disarmed an opponent and took his sword and shield as his own.
   So decide, Sólskin. Help me or leave me to fend for myself. Your choice.
   For once Sólskin was silent.
   Ignatius ignored his silence, and fought with Melia, Zephyr, and Anahita; Orestes couldn't do much beside distract the enemy with rocks flung at their heads.
   As they fought on, he heard a familiar voice. The very voice that would haunt him for the rest of his life.
   "Hello, boy. I see you've shown were your true loyalties lie." Ignacio said somewhere off to the side.
   Ignatius turned to face him.
   "At least I'm not taking orders from a mad queen." He growled.
   Ignacio frowned at him. His one russet eye starring at him dead on.
   He hated when that one, lonely eye starred at him. It always sent shivers down his spine.
   "I'm not the traitor to the throne and all of Et ignis In Terris. Nor did I fill an innocent little girl's head full of lies that only got her into deeper trouble than what she would have been in for helping you escape."
    Ignatius froze.
   Elidi was in trouble...because of him. Why didn't he take her with him when he had the chance to?
   "If you come back willing with me, Queen Savita might be lenient with you both after that little escape the two of you pulled." Ignacio offered him. "If I were you I would take the offer. Cause if you don't your friend will be killed, just like you other little friend. The sickly pale one." Ignacio said, smiling wickedly at his reaction to Hakan's death.
   Ignatius clenched his fists.
   Hakan was dead. Elidi was on the verge of being killed if he didn't give himself up. He didn't know what to do.
   "Oh, did I forget to mention that I'm the one who killed your sick little friend. It wasn't quite as satisfying as I thought it would be. But the girl's face was price—,"
   Ignatius roared in anger, and punched Ignacio in the face, sending him stumbling back a few feet.
   His chest heaved in anger as he saw Ignacio wipe blood from the corner of his mouth, almost looking surprised.
   His confoundedness didn't last long, and was replaced with fury.
   "You dare to strike the one who raised you and made you what you are?" He said in a loud voice.
   "You didn't make me what I am." He snarled. "My friends did." He said, including Sólskin, Anahita, and Zephyr despite their little time together.
   "Is that so. Well, friendship only gets you so far, boy. It makes you weak and leaves others with an advantage over you. This is a lesson you've apparently never learned. I guess I'll just have to beat it into you like all the others."
   Then Ignacio swung his sword at him.
   Ignatius ducked, and sliced at his legs, making the Head of the King's Guard jump back in surprise.
   Ignacio's face cleared itself of all emotion, and went into attack mode, attacking Ignatius viscously.
   Ignatius fended off the expert swordsman as best as he could but even he knew when he was outmatched.
He kept going anyways. He wouldn't let Ignacio hurt anyone else.
   After fighting for five minutes, the two of them had scored blows on each other; Ignatius with the most.
   Their were slashes on his arms, legs, torso, and a couple of his face. All Ignacio had were a few on his arms and legs.
   He was so screwed.
   As they continued on, Ignacio sliced through his calf muscles on his right leg.
   Ignatius ignored the intense flaring pain and hot blood gushing from his leg.
   He would not lose. He had to protect the others from Ignacio's wrath.
   On and on the two went, neither willing to yield to the other.
   Then Ignatius's leg gave out, sending him down on one knee.
   He panted heavily as he tried to get back up only to find a cold blade resting neck to his neck.
   "Looks like I'm the victor." Ignacio gloated. "Now, choose, boy. Either come willing or watch all these Draconigena die along with your other friend."
   Ignatius reminded quite.
   "I said choose." Ignacio demanded, prodding him sharply with his sword.
   Enough of this. Let's kick his ass. Sólskin said all of a suddenly.
   He was going to respond when he felt a fiery energy fill his veins and his anger at Ignacio rise rapidly.
   He quickly figured it was Sólskin's doing.
   Growing impatient, Ignacio knocked the blade out of his hands.
Ignatius swatted the blade by his neck aside, and stood up to look Ignacio in the eye.
   He no longer felt afraid of him like he always did when he knew Ignacio was about to beat him senseless for something stupid he did or disappointed him.
   Ignatius had Sólskin and through Sólskin the power to fight back and defend himself from Ignacio's cruelty.
   "What? You think you can defeat me all of a suddenly, boy? Just because you think you're all high and mighty because your a beast with all this power." Ignacio asked. "Well you thought wrong. You aren't the first dragon-blooded monster I've faced."  He snarled with a viscous and feral look on his face.
   I want him to suffer. For everything he's done to me. For killing Hakan. For hurting Elidi. I want him dead.
   Then let's do it. We'll reduce him to a pile of ash. Sólskin agreed with him.
   As Ignacio swung his sword at him, time seemed to slow down.
   Ignatius waited till the sword was in close enough to stop.
   When time returned to normal—for him—Ignacio's face was full of surprise.
   Ignatius stayed where he was, gripping the blade of the sword, ignoring the blood dripping from his hand and the pain telling him to let go.
   "H-how..." Ignacio trailed off, too stunned to finish.
   "Like you said. I'm a beast, and we beast clearly don't have feelings. We're just mindless monsters to you. Well if you want me to be a monster then you got one." He growled at Ignacio.
   Heat traveled up to his hand, warming him whole arm.
   Ignatius would normally let go and freak out that his hand was glowing like a coal in the bottom of a fire. But with Sólskin aiding, he felt no fear. He felt like one with the fire. He was the master of the flame and him alone.
   The sword soon started glowing cherry red where his hand was at.
   Ignacio tried to pull the sword free, though couldn't for his death grip on the sword prevented him. Whenever he tried and his hand got torn, the heat would soothe his wounds and slowly heal them back; Sólskin was right about fire and extreme heat healing him.
   "Arrgh! You crazy lunatic! You're melting my sword!" Ignacio yelled at him as silver beads of molten steel fell to the ground with a muffled hiss. 
   "Be glad it's not your ugly mug, two legs." He felt Sólskin's words force their way out of his mouth.
   Ignacio's eyes went wide in anger, and he took a swing at him.
   Ignatius caught his fist with ease, and squeezed, applying a little heat to burn his hand.
   At first Ignacio's resolve held. When he added more heat or slowly began to break.
   Finally when his fist was sizzling from the heat did he cry out, and Ignatius let him go.
   Ignacio fell to the ground, clutching his blistering red hand.
   Ignatius cast his nearly melted sword aside, and approached him.
   "What? Burning my hand wasn't enough for you? You want to torture me more? Go ahead, boy. But in the end you will be exactly what I said you were. A monster."
   Ignatius balled his hand into a fist, and smashed his hand into Ignacio's face, blood rolling down his face.
   Ignatius punched him hard in the stomach next, ignoring the blood that he coughed up.
   Ignatius continued on, wanting him to suffer for everything he had ever done to him.
   "Hey! Ignatius that's enough." Someone yelled at him.
   He ignored them.
   Someone grabbed his arm and tried to prevent him from punching the barely conscious, bloodied form of Ignacio. He pulled free and punched the man again.
   Ignatius, I think you're done now. Ignacio's unconscious. Sólskin told him.
   He didn't heed Sólskin's words.
   Hey, now that's enough! Get control of yourself now, Ignatius! Ignacio is beaten. Now stop before I make you and trust me you won't like how I do it. Sólskin threatened him.
   He didn't care. All he cared about was making Ignacio feel like he did when he was beaten half to death.
   "Enough, Elddreki." Strong arms grabbed him from behind and pulled him off of Ignacio.
   He turned around to punch them only to end up with his fist caught in theirs.
   "Listen when I tell you to." Melia snarled at him, applying enough pressure to his fist to make sure he got the message loud and clear.
   She tossed his hand away, and said to him, "Go wash that blood off before you attract the wrong attention." Melia ordered him to his annoyance, but he did as he was told.
   "We move out now. I want to put as much distance between us and this battle ground."

P.S. This feels like the theme song for Ignatius, Anahita, Zephyr, and Orestes. The same for Finish Line. I couldn't decide between the two of them.