21

Blood and Fire

Maim! Kill! Burn! Maim! Kill Burn! These thoughts repeat themselves in Slyfer’s consciousness like a mantra that usually gives one peace of mind this, causes the opposite inside him. Clouds darken wherever he passes like poison it spreads from his body turning brightest day into blackest night. Slyfer is fighting a losing battle inside his mind. But he does not give up, he can’t, he doesn’t want to!

He flaps his wings crushing the air beneath them and it propels him up and forwards, his speed growing with each of his wing-beats. He suddenly senses it. A big light that is not a light swims in his consciousness not far from where he is. Relying on Malgrobin’s memories he knows it’s better to strike from above. So he powers onward up, up and through the clouds once again entering the other world that is so serene. Clouds follow him forming a tail turning black as they do.

It makes him look ghostly. Like a demon spawning from hell! Red eyes glow in the dark black clouds looking ethereal and then as if spit out a black dragon body shoots out of the enveloping clouds to float above the storm. It turns blue again for an instant, the suns bright rays reflecting of off it.

The site is beautiful to behold a lone dragon above a sea of clouds droplets of water shining bright in the sun’s rays. The view around him is staggering! This time however he has no time for it. He does not care about it. Hate and anger gives him tunnel vision. Maim! Kill! Burn! He flies until he is more or less above the big light that resembles a griffin in Malgrobin’s memories.

Cryton follows the little purple light but then it disappears confusing the griffin. He had heard of these lights before. “Fairies, the helpers of dragons. There were once thousands of them but thanks to the mighty power of the griffins and Chronos they almost died out along with the dragons. The remnants have gone into hiding. If I can follow it to its home and report. I will be greatly rewarded!”

The thought of the rewards makes him blind to the danger that is fast creeping up on him! He suddenly hears a roar from above. It makes his heart stop for two heartbeats and when it beats again it races adrenaline rushes through him. The plumage around his neck swells and starts to shake in fear. For a split moment he even forgets to flap his wings to stay afloat!

“What was that! It can’t be can it!” The mere thought of what it may be makes him shake in fear he doesn’t want to think about it, his mind avoids it as if the mere thought about it may make it real! Cryton gives a powerful beat of his wings, turning as he does the thought of rewards and fairies forgotten in his fear.

He looks up, to see hell descend upon him!

The already dark clouds loaded with rain. Turns black as night and starts to grow like an infection in a festering wound. First slowly crawling along but it starts to speed up with every second. He can smell it, sense it even taste it as the corruption spreads. “It’s death!”

Slyfer dives, the evil voices start to laugh knowing it is going to enjoy a slaughter. As if welcoming him the clouds part and then follow as if his body is sucking at them. He senses the light growing closer and starts to pour magic into his maw, feeding it with energy making it hotter and hotter. His stomach swells along with his lungs that are burning with the huge intake of breath.

Maim! Kill! Burn!

He senses that he is nearly upon the pigeon that has simply come to die! The voices laugh louder enjoying it feeding him even more power until the fire inside his maw wants to explode out of every orifice on his body. He opens his jaws. “Gwaaaaahhh!!!” Molten fire shoots out dissipating and eating the clouds like a virus that destroys cells. It starts to spread, a blanket of fire!

Cryton at first sees a faint red light in the clouds. But like the darkness it too starts spread until he hears. Crackling sounds with force. “Fire!” He dives not waiting to see what it looks like. At the same time he activates the anti-magic treasure that was given to him as protection for the mission. These two acts are the only things that spare his miserable life!

The fire breaks through the clouds devouring them as it does. It envelopes the fleeing griffin turning sky blue as the treasure starts to work at dissipating the magic. Cryton lets out an eagle’s cry of fear as he desperately flaps his wings to get out of it. Half falling half flying he finally escapes it but the anti-magic treasure has already started to crack. “I can’t take another hit like that!” His heart races as he redoubles his efforts but his wings are whet making him slower than usual. Then he hears it……the voice of his doom approaching.

“Roooooaar!” Slyfer roars in frustration as he sees the pigeon escape his flames! He gives chase, his wings powering him forward like a hound on the hunt. HE WILL NOT LET THIS PIGEON GO!

Maim! Kill! Burn! Slyfer sucks in another breath to blast the retreating piece of dung. The griffon is bigger than him, almost twice his size! But he can already smell its fear. The smell lets Slyfer’s body shake in pleasure. The griffin kicks it's hind legs that look like that of a lion’s, stark black claws protrude from each of his paws that is bigger than Slyfer’s head. Its massive hind quarters is a golden brown color. Halfway through its pelt turns into feathers ranging from pure white to a dirty grey. Its wings are attached just above where its talons meet with the body. They are beating incredibly fast as the scared pigeon tries to get away. Its plumage swells around its neck almost making it seem bigger than it actually is! The picture is completed with an eagles head. A beak as sharp as knives curves below the yellow eyes ending with a black point, it’s meant for only one purpose. To tare flesh in strips from the griffin’s enemies!

“Pigeon! You cannot run from the answer to your question! I am going to enjoy ripping you apart! Hahaha” Slyfer gives one more powerful beat of his wings causing him to surge forward and he once again opens his maw shooting out a tumult of fire it crashes into the griffin like a wave causing it to veer off to the left to get out of its range.

Cryton nearly pees himself in freight when he hears the incomparably evil voice and laugh. It sends goose bumps up his spine and makes his heart palpitate. He doesn’t have time to think on it as the deathly crackle once again fills his hearing a blast of molten heat is followed by waves of fire swirling around him. They once again go blue as he veers to the left to get out of it. The anti-magic treasure crumbles and turns to dust. Seeing it nearly makes the griffin cry in his frustration.

“I can’t take another hit. If I do I’ll be no better than a roast chicken!” Stealing himself Cryton angles himself in a sharp turn the wind ripping at his wings. The thing following does the same staying close on his tail. “I have to fight! I have no choice!”

Cryton suddenly tucks in his left wing causing him to spin around and look behind him he falls backwards for a few seconds as he takes in the sight of the small dragon behind him. Its scales are black, black as coal the light does not even reflect from it, instead it looks as if it is sucking the light out of the air. Any clouds near it gets corrupted turning black. Red eyes shine out of its black head giving him the feeling that it’s looking directly into his soul, wanting to devour it. The spikes inspire the greatest fear of all! They are black as its scales but what looks like red cracks covers them pulsing as the dragon breathes. The pulsing makes them look like blood spilling out of a charred corpse.

“It’s smaller than me! But it has magic! Dammit if it wasn’t for that…my only chance is close combat!”

Slyfer sees the pigeon finally turn around to face him. Not slowing at all, Slyfer lets out a laugh as he beams down at the griffin turning into a black and red streak that seems to cut the sky asunder. Cryton sees it coming and his eyes narrow. He can’t help but feel some relief since the dragon is coming at him and not firing magic from, long range!

Slyfer sees the change in the griffin but he doesn’t care he wants to taste blood feed on it flesh make it cry out in pain! Maim!........ Kill!..........BUUUURRRRNNN!!!

Baaang! The two flying creatures bear into each other in the sky. The force sends the falling rain scattering in all directions! The two fall for three seconds as their limbs get tangled together! Slyfer swipes with his claws, bites with his jaws, ripping flesh and feathers apart!

Cryton scratches with his talons but the small dragon is too close he only got one hit in before it hit his chest with such force he has no breath. The griffin panics and kicks at the dragon with his hind legs. A lucky hit sends the dragon back untangling their limbs.

The two circle each other searching for weaknesses in the other one. The griffin’s chest is a mess! Chunks of flesh are missing revealing bone! Slyfer has a huge gash running from his shoulder down across his chest where the talon had caught him. The scales around it look crushed! Blood drips from their wounds and it mingles with the rain falling to the earth beneath.

Slyfer starts to laugh, his demented laugh, any creature within ten miles can hear it in their minds.

“What? What is so funny!” Slyfer doesn’t stop. “Hahaha pigeon! Haha before we started fighting I just had to think it and its beautiful! Hahaha!!” The griffin feels fear again the blow he had given the dragon was by no means a minor wound but it is laughing! “What, what did you think!” Slyfer stops his circle and once again attacks the pigeon his wings powering him forward crushing the air around him. “I thought I would make your blood fall like raaaiin!!!” Baaang!!!

Their bodies collide again sending ripples of force everywhere, like a drop of water falling into a tub. The force causes the clouds to part and for a second the rain stops! Slyfer has the griffin’s shoulder in his jaws biting with enough force to break bones. A welcoming crack!! Of bones breaking is like music to the black dragon’s ears! Blood fills his mouth and the griffin lets out a shrill cry of pain. Slyfers claw forcing the griffins head away from his body is suddenly bit into by the incomparable sharp beak!

Slyfer grunts at the pain as his scales along with tendons are ripped from of his foreleg. The pain only makes him bite harder cutting deeper into flesh and bone! Snnnniick! His jaws meet and the griffins shoulder his now completely severed. They fall rolling and thrashing around in the sky biting and hacking and slashing at each other. Until they see the earth coming up fast to meet them.

They both let go and start to brake not wanting to crash into the ground. One of the griffin’s wings is almost useless the nerves and muscles used to control it, right at this moment is being spit out by Slyfer as he laughs.

Slyfer’s left claw that was bitten into only hangs useless at his side but he still laughs! Maim! Kill! Burn! The griffin flaps to climb a bit more but his wing is failing. “It’s time to end this little pigeon!”

Cryton does not say anything he knows it’s useless. He only gathers his last strength readying to defend himself or take Slyfer with him to the afterworld!

Slyfer starts to gather magic in his maw again, but before he can finish preparing the Griffin lunges at him! He sees it coming and flaps his wings in response still gathering magic!

They close in on each other lightning strikes in the distance. Just before they hit each other Slyfer tucks in his wing craning his neck forward! He flips over….Sweeesh!!! Baaang!! His tail hits the screeching eagle on the head. Its head explodes sending blood and brain matter scattering into the air as Slyfer makes a full revolution he opens his maw unleashing the fury of his fire. The already dead Cryton gets burned beyond recognition. His feathers catch fire and turn to ash the exposed flesh starts to bubble and crack then falls off like flakes!

The fire stops as soon as he realizes the pigeon is already.... dead.

They weren’t far from the ground for this last exchange of blows and the body of the griffin hits the ground cracking it. Blood spreads around it seeping into the cracks and mingles with the water and mud.

Slyfer lands holding his one foreleg to his chest that has already stopped bleeding thanks to the “gift”. He steps forward placing his other claw on the destroyed, mashed chest of the griffin. He looks at the sky craning his neck and spreads his wings open lifting them up.

Rooooooaaaarrrr!!!! His victorious roar can be heard for miles around and it makes creatures of all sizes shudder in fear and scamper away.

Not waiting any longer Slyfer starts to feast on his kill. As he does he can feel the power of the griffin rush into him with every swallow. It was over two hundred years old! The amount of energy it has fills Slyfer to the brim. His wounds start to heal faster. The scales on him start to turn back to blue and...... finally his body returns to normal.

Slyfer rolls of off the griffin carcass and spread eagles himself. Laying there he just looks at the sky while his body heals. He starts to laugh not his crazy demented laugh. But his normal one. Even now his heart is still beating fast exhilarated with the thrill of combat. Slyfer laughs because he kept control! It was touch and go here and there but he was always in control!

He killed a griffin! One of the sworn enemies of his people! He ripped it apart! For the first time he feels proud because he killed something. There isn’t the usual pang of guilt or sorrow but pride!

“I am a dragon! I am a ruler of the sky!” He shouts and then begins to laugh again giddy with excitement. Just then he hears footsteps approaching but his senses already warned him that its, no threat.

Trisha runs after the fairies they had heard the roars and bangs and seen the flashes of fire in the sky! When she saw them fall together her heart had stopped in worry. The sheer size of the griffin was twice that of Slyfer’s! “Will he be okay?” She asked to no one in particular. But then she saw the black dragon spin and even felt the power of the blow where she was standing. The molten fire had quickly followed turning water and rain to steam instantly!

They saw the black dragon head for the ground and a second later the roar!! Of victory filled even Trisha’s heart with pride. She wants to shout to the world. “That’s my man!” But her pride soon turns to worry and she starts to sprint in Slyfer’s direction. They arrive a while later. The smell of burned feathers and cooked flesh reaches them way before they reach the crater where the griffins body lays.

Standing on the edge she hears Slyfers happy scream. “I am a dragon! I am a ruler of the sky!” her worry disappears and her beautiful face gets an alluring smile. She climbs into the crater careful not to slip and fall. She turns her face into a mask intent on scolding him for rushing off into danger.

Slyfer is still looking at the sky with a dumb smile on his face when Trisha’s head appears in his vision. Her hair is sopping wet droplets coming from it falls on his forehead. His smile grows even bigger. Seeing his smile Trisha’s face cant keep up the serious appearance and she starts to giggle.

“You may be a sky ruler but look at the state you are in!” Vinx is already in the crook of his neck hugging him she hops over to his chest. “You see! You see why I didn’t want to tell you! She turns around. “Tell him Trisha, tell him how wor… how worried he had us!” With the last words the little fairy starts to cry and she goes on her knees to pound his chest with her little fists.

Slyfer takes the little fairy with his one good arm and puts her against his cheek. “Don’t cry Vinx! I am fine see! And I won!” “That doe…. doesn’t matter!” She gets out between, heart wrenching sobs. Trisha starts to get annoyed because she also wants attention. She aims to sit down next to Slyfer not caring about the rain at all but his voice stops her.

“Trish you have to eat in your tiger form. In order for you to grow you have to eat. You may find it disgusting at first but the strength you gain will feed your other self and make you stronger.” The voices inside her tells her the boy is right and she should take this opportunity. She looks at the carcass, bones sticking out and organs laying around. Gulp! Her mouth goes dry just at the thought.

Slyfer can see the disgusted look on her pretty face. “Change into your other form it will help. Its… it’s what helped me to get over it.”

She changes and at once she can feel the difference. The smell that was disgusting before now makes her mouth water. The humanoid part of her is till disgusted. But the tiger part wants to feast!

The white tiger takes a tentative step forward then looks at Slyfer, as if for permission. Slyfer nods. The tiger walks forward lowering its head, it licks it, as if to taste. Trisha’s eyes grow wide as she feels the power. Without reservation the tiger starts to gorge itself.

An hour later licking its chops. It turns back into the pretty girl. Slyfer keeps his gaze focused on her knowing what comes next. Trisha falls to her hands and knees and starts wrenching. “She is taking it even worse than I did, the first time.” He wants to get up and hold her hair for her but every muscle in his body protests against it.

After a while she finally stops. Slyfer uses magic to catch the rain that is falling and it starts to gather in one place, as if inside an invisible basin. Trisha walks over cupping water into her mouth to rinse out the bile and foul taste. Slyfer’s body shakes and his eyes widen. “Trisha your ears!” Trisha goes stock still not moving. Her hands moves up and she tentatively feels around. Her eyes widen! “I have cat ears!"

Slyfer can’t help but laugh at her reaction. Her cute cat ears fold back against her head in worry. Her face seems like she wants to cry. Slyfer quickly stops his laughing. He forces himself up grunting at the pain. He hobbles over and wraps his good arm around her waist she looks up at him her golden eyes big and worried that he may reject her.

What happens next makes her mind change a hundred and eighty degrees! Slyfer bends down and lightly bites one of her ears! It makes her heart race and she can feel her body temperature rising. “UUUuu.” Her cheeks go red as apples! He lets the one go then gently bites onto the other one gently pulling it. “Aaah!” Her eyes go misty and she leans into Slyfer with his weak body he nearly falls over. But he holds on.

He lets go of her ear and he hugs her tighter bending low he whispers. “My Kitty Cat, I love your ears.” After saying this he goes limp in her arms falling fast asleep.

Trisha catches the limp Slyfer. Her cheeks still incredibly red. Hearing his soft breathing she knows he just fell asleep. The biggest smile creeps onto her face. The fairies are spinning around the two as they sing a sweet song. All… except for Vinx. She floats to one side her little face scrounged up in displeasure. “Hmmpf! I will allow it this one time!”

Trisha doesn’t care she doesn’t even hear. Her head is in the clouds her heart is up there with her. In her mind she thinks. “I will never let him go!”

Slyfer wakes up on a soft moving bed his body still hurts but he can already feel his hand is working properly. He lifts his head. He is lying on Trisha’s back. The tiger fur is so soft he can’t help but snuggle deeper into it. The movement lets her know he’s awake. “Welcome back to the living!” Vinx is asleep in the crook of his neck her little chest rising and falling evenly.

The other fairies glide around the tiger’s body as she walks. One leads in front guiding the way through the darkness. It has stopped raining but it’s still windy and here and there he can still see flashes of lightning in the sky. The long green grass sways too and throw as the wind blows through it gently underneath Trisha. “How far are we from camp?” The fairy in front replies after a few seconds. “About five miles!” She giggles as if this alone is reason to celebrate. Slyfer is too tired and sore to celebrate anything!

“Fairies…” He thinks to himself. He pushes himself up grunting as he does. Trisha stops and cranes her neck to look at him. “Don’t look at me like that! We have to hide what you are just like I have to hide myself.” She can see in his face it won’t help arguing. She lays flat on the grass and he climbs down.

With a white flash, she is her normal cute self again. Slyfer looks at her with a smirk. She opens her mouth to ask what he is looking at. But he grabs her and gives her a quick kiss then lets her go and starts walking. Her face beams with a smile and she starts to follow running a bit to catch up she then takes his hand.

Its not long before they can see firelight in the distance. Slyfer walks a bit faster thinking of the rest he can have when he reaches it. Just outside of the light Trisha stops. “What’s wrong Trish?” “I forgot to tell you we found something on the Griffin. Saying this she swings a bag around that Slyfer has never seen on her before.

She promptly hands it over. Slyfer is impatient to see what’s inside but it can wait till tomorrow. Holding hands again they enter the firelight of the sentries. “Halt! Who goes there!” Slyfer holds up his hand to shield his eyes, the light is hurting them a little after the long walk in the darkness. “Its Slyfer and Trisha, we are back along with some guests.”

“Slyfer!” The familiar voice makes him smile. “Are they putting the green hawks on guard duty now?” The person that the voice belongs to steps out in front of the fire. “Everyone is tired from fighting the crazy powerful winds and rain. We were out scouting so we have a bit more energy.”

Slyfer walks forward and the fairies follow and flit over to the young green hawk scout. She laughs as they dance around her. “They are the fairies and my charges. They were in the main camp but sensing me nearby brought them over. Trisha and I went out to greet them and we ran into some trouble.”

A blatant lie! “But a pretty good one. If I Do say so myself.” Thinks Slyfer chuffed with his awesome lying skills. The scout looks at him for a second then shrugs. "Aldowin has been tight lipped and worried. Pathfinder gave him a pretty hard time wanting to know where the lady was."

Trisha’s hand squeezes a little tighter in Slyfer’s, he squeezes back reassuring her.

This chap was so much work and i still think i did it wrong! Aerial battles are no joke.

Hope you guys enjoy the chappie

Durrandel- i am trying to improve the grammar the words kinda gets mixed up sometimes. I am also trying to figure out where i should put commas and all that stuff to better explain the story. Thanks for your feedback.