I don’t know what’s going to happen, nor does everyone else, but anyone who stands in our way should be scared, very scared. I have some of the biggest, baddest monsters behind me. Change is coming whether they like it or not. They either get on board or they die.
By my hands.
I’ve faced down human monsters, men who’ve tried to kill me. I’ve met a mob boss and been stolen. I’ve been killed, experimented on, trapped, and locked away. Hurt, raped, and tossed out like trash. I’ve seen the worst of this world, but also the best...in those men waiting for me.
Nos kisses me and leaves, allowing me to have a moment to myself, and I smile into the mirror. The good makes the bad all worth it. Every inch of pain, every brutal touch or punch. I would endure it again and so much more to find the happiness and love I have now.
But...these enemies are new, and I have a feeling before this is through, I will see a lot more bad. I’m hoping the good still outweighs it. My hate for the council and what they did is gone, and in its place is a fierce burning of love and strength.
They need me.
The way I once needed them.
It’s time.
A noise startles me from my reveries and I turn as I see a flash in the mirror behind me. I have a split second to see the blade coming towards me. But it’s enough.
I catch the dagger, and it cuts through the skin on my hand, my blood filling the air and only making me act faster. The man’s eyes widen as I jerk on the blade, wounding myself further and yanking it from his hold. I twirl it around and imbed it in his stomach. He falls backwards, his eyes wide as he cups the blade protruding from his body.
He looks down and falls to his knees, blood pouring from the wound. It’s a killing blow, I know. He tumbles to the side, his eyes blinking in shock as I stroll closer.
“What…are you?” he wheezes.
“A monster, baby,” I purr, as I crush my foot into his windpipe. He would have died anyway, and I know he wouldn’t tell us anything. But one thing is for sure—someone wants me dead...how exciting.
Just then the door bursts open, my monsters filling the frame with a snarl. “What happened?” Griffin demands, coming over and yanking me away from the dead man as Nos and Jair kneel at his side.
“He tried to kill me.” I shrug, my grin growing. “I guess someone wants me dead.” A rumble goes through the room, only widening my smile. “Looks like we have a killer to hunt.”
“Why is she smiling like that?” Aska whispers to Dume, who snorts. “It’s both terrifying and a turn on.”
“You have no idea. Just you wait, dragon.” Griffin laughs. “Our mate just realised that she can get her hands bloody, ain’t nothing getting in her way.”
I guess we have more threats to deal with than we thought. The human hunters are still out there, some witches managed to escape, and now someone is trying to kill me...isn’t this going to be fun?
Once a monster, always a monster…just with a crown now.
I hope they run far and fast, and aren’t afraid of the dark...because that’s where I live and I’m coming for them.
They should be afraid, very afraid.
Aldros, Lord of Flames
Deep in Klasfor...
The healer winces as he covers the talon gash with ruebc paste. “My king,” he whispers, bowing his head, his frail frame shuddering under my gaze as I swivel to stare at him from atop my golden throne, my subjects observing me from around the room. “This is healing nicely.”
“Good, leave,” I order, and turn back to watch my people. That foolish child had tried to defy me. To stop my plans, to defend his former king who left without a care for his people. Who forsook us, for them. For the humans. It was all too easy to kill him. I did not expect him to escape Klasfor and travel into their world as a warning though…never mind. It has happened and now they know we are coming.
“It is time the world remembers who we are!” I roar as I get to my feet, and every dragon’s gaze turns to me, my crown glowing under the fires of our home. “We hid away, afraid to anger them, afraid to kill. To get bloody. We hid and we waited, forgetting who we are. Under his rule and his family’s, we became weak!”
Growls sound around the room as I watch them with a smirk. “No more, we are not weak! We are dragons! We are the great riders! They will tremble when they see us coming, they will scream when they hear our roars, and when we take their world, they will fall to their knees before me. Your king!”
Chanting emanates from the crowd as they tip their heads back and fire escapes their mouths. Just then, the great doors at the end of the hall open and my unrest, my guards, drag in three women.
Three witches.
They come willingly, not even fighting the restraining grasps, their eyes cold and knowing. I gesture for them to be let through as I sit back down on my throne. The unrest throws them before my feet, they kneel there, heads unbowed. Disrespect! How dare they! I am a king!
“False king,” one of them sneers with a laugh.
“No tricks, witch,” I snarl, leaning forward, the throne creaking under my weight. “You are here for a reason.”
“We know why we are here, false king, it will not change what is to come. You think to weaken them, to stop their sources. It will not matter,” another argues.
“You cannot stop fate,” the other concludes, and then they all smile at the same time. I hate witches.
“Fate? Oh, my little witches, fate has no hold on me, it cannot control or order me to do its bidding.” My people laugh with me and I glare at them. “But your fate rests here,” I state.
Standing, I step down the ruby-encrusted stairs, my bare chest glistening under the fires above, highlighting my scars from the many battles I have been in and won. Leaning down, I bend to look into their eyes as I speak, so they will not mistake my words or intent.
It is time.
What I have been waiting for, planning for centuries. It is finally here…
“It is time for Askaliarian to return home and take his place in my army. Their world will become ours, it will burn under our feet as I rule from high. War, little witches. We are going to war, and you are to be the first casualties.”
Turning away, I smile at my unrest. “Burn them,” I order, as I head back to my throne, and the sound of flames fills the sacred temple, their screams soon following.
As they shriek, their skin melting and bones scorching, I chuckle.
Askaliarian, I am coming for you. You and your world. They will both be mine...