The Dragon Knight Order, page 11
“Sadly for you little Knight, you won’t get the chance to ever know what a Death Knight truly is. But before you die, know a Death Knight has to die in order to become one. Now di…”
“You might want to drop that dagger, Irkanian.’,” said Chairman Zeak holding a very sharp sword to the Irkanian’s neck. “Assuming you do so, I will consider letting you live".
“A very generous offer mage, considering the value this boy holds, I recommend you drop your sword. Judging from your speed and my failure to detect you, I will assume you are Chairman Zeak number 5 on my list. Not even you are fast enough to stop me from slicing the boy’s throat open.” He tipped the edge of the dagger into my neck cutting shallowly at the side.
“You Irkanians never learn do you? We humans never act alone,” sneered the Chairman. In a flash all four Cardinal Dragon Lords in human form had four elemental swords to the Death Knight's various limbs.
“Release the boy and perhaps you will live to see another sunrise. That is if you can convince the Council of your usefulness to them,” said a red haired woman.
“I would rather kill this one. He smells of death,” said a woman dressed in blue battle armor.
“We have our orders Azura. If it can be helped, we are to capture any assassins sent to kill Alex and the others,” said the woman in a green nightdress.
“Silence all of you. We still have to solve this problem. Now, will you let the boy go or do we have to cut off your arms and legs?” asked a voice I recognized as Zetzu's.
“And let live the most promising pupil the Dragon Order has had in centuries? I WILL NOT ALLOW HIM TO LIVE!” he shouted digging the dagger into my neck.
In a second it was over. The Irkanian’s grip on me loosened and I fell to my knees and placed both hands were the Death Knight had stabbed me. Blood ran between my fingers. It was a deep wound but not life threatening.
I turned to see the limbless Irkanian on the floor. He looked at me and between coughs of agony he said, “I have failed… but as one final act of service…. I curse you… Alexander Kerm.”
He started to chant but was silenced permanently by Zetzu.
“Are you alright Alex?” asked Zetzu placing a hand on me.
“Yeah, I think I am…” I said as I staggered a bit.
I heard the red haired woman gasp, “ It’s…. The Eyes of Death...” My vision became red, I felt lightheaded and a sense of panic gripped me. My eyes were closing on their own and then I saw nothing but darkness.
The Reaper
I opened my eyes and stared for a moment at the sky. It was red. That’s not normal, the sky is supposed to be blue. I sat up and looked around, an endless ocean stretched in all directions around me. “Where am I?” I asked myself out loud.
“You are nowhere and at the same time everywhere,” said a cloaked figure that appeared out of nowhere.
“Who are you and where did you come from?”
“I have been called many things throughout history; elves call us The Bringer of Doom; the dwarves whisper our name as the Night Terror; Dragons know us as the Devourer of Lives; Irkanians revere us as their God; and to you humans, I am simply known as the Grim Reaper. Among my people we are called the Magical Eaters.”
“The Grim Reaper… So I am dead then?”
“No, not yet at least. If you die, I die with you.”
“Then where am I? And no more riddles!”
“You are in the place where both our minds meet, a place that is nowhere and everywhere at the same time. What are these riddles you speak of?”
“Where our minds meet?” I asked, ignoring his question.
“Yes, you were cursed by the Irkanian Death Knight with the Eyes of Death.”
“So you are my curse?”
“In a matter of speaking yes, in another no. I am merely a resident within your eyes as of today.”
“I would rather not have magical entities residing in my eyes if possible.”
“It is outside of your control and mine. My people do not share the same plane of existence of the mortal races. We share this planet yes, but we live completely separate and usually it is impossible for us to meet like this. But throughout history, there have been examples of accidents where a mortal is forced to be a host for one of us. We fed of magical energy that is found in our plane of existence however, when two magical capable beings of enough power clash in your plane, it creates portals of magic that allow for our passing into this plane. Normally we would consume all the magic we could find and later find a suitable host that could support us for a while until we could return to our plane. But in an attempt to become their own gods, the Irkanians bound us with magical seals that forced us into whichever host they choose. Since the seal that was placed on you wasn’t completed I have lost a significant portion of my power and will most likely never be able to escape from your eyes. I suggest you remember that you now share this body.”
“So now you’re going to live inside my eyes? There has to be a way to get you out!”
“Consider yourself lucky human. You have gained some of the useful attributes that comes with having me reside in your eyes and none of the negative ones because the binding spell was not completed.”
“Useful attributes?”
“That is for another time. Your mind is starting to stir itself awake. We can only communicate at a subconscious level unless I am physically invoked to the mortal world. This is something I don’t have the strength for yet.”
“You are just like Master Shadow, never answering questions and creating more when you explain something.”
“The obsidian dragon? I suppose you are correct in comparing us when I provide such few answers.”
“How do you know Master?”
“Our minds met at this place Knight and your mind is practically an open book to me. All that you know I will also know and from this day forth, everything you see, I will see.”
My eyes closed again unwillingly.
Darkness. Something wet fell on my face. Rain? No, this is lighter. I tried opening my eyes but they felt heavy. I tried a second time and this time the heavy weight I had felt relented and I opened them. They focus on a face. Adria, tears flowing down her face and behind her stood Ilean, Evey and Axcel. I try to speak, but words escape me. I look around to see Chairman Zeak and Zetzu on the other side of the bed and then to the ceiling. It was white. I was in the infirmary ward again.
“He's awake!” exclaimed Zetzu.
“Indeed he is! How do you feel Alex? The dagger was poisoned with the rare Sabete zap making magic useless in your treatment. The wound will heal itself in due time and you might not be able to speak because of the secondary effects of the poison. If you understand what I am saying blink once, if you don't blink twice,” said the Chairman.
One blink.
“He's fine,” commented Zetzu to Adria and the other two girls.
I lifted a weak hand to Adria's face and wiped a tear that rolled down her face.
“Don't," I managed with great trouble, “Don't cry.”
She nodded wiping the remaining tears away.
I turned my head to face Zetzu. “How long was I unconscious?" I asked weakly.
"Just a day. You should rest. You used up almost all of your magical energy. Once you are feeling better we will move you to the Dragon Hold where Azura and I will remain next to you until Lord Shadow and Vicis arrive.”
“And Lester? How is he?” I asked after remembering how hard he had been thrown.
The Chairman answered this time. “He’s fine. He broke several ribs and one arm and will have to stay here for a few weeks but otherwise he’s fine.”
“That’s good,” I said looking at the roof.
Taking notice of my wanting to be alone, Lord Zetzu suggested they all leave.
“Adria, can you stay?” I asked her.
“Sure,” she said with a weak smile.
“How are you? I mean, I left you in the hands of a team of healers, they should have fixed you up right away.” I asked her taking note of all the bandages covering her, “shouldn’t you be in bed or something if they can’t heal you?”
“I am fine. They had others to worry about. Why don’t you worry about yourself for a change? Always getting hurt and never taking care of yourself. What would Ms. Mary say?”
It wasn’t a question. We both knew what our old caretaker at the orphanage would say. She was trying to make me laugh but I just didn’t have it in me to laugh at the moment. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain emanated from my back and chest.
“You shouldn’t try and move just yet. You have various broken ribs and very serious wounds all over. Since we can’t heal you with magic yet, you will have to heal the good old fashioned way.”
“And what way is that?” I asked struggling with my discomfort.
“Time, the best cure of them all.”
I snorted. If time could cure all of my problems, it would make things so much easier. Looking at her standing there gave me a strange sense of purpose as if I had to move forward even if the world was out to get me. I could tell she was hiding something from me.
“Well if you are not going to tell me what’s wrong, then you might as well leave,” I said trying to force her to tell me. “ You were never a great liar.”
“I guess I wasn’t always the best of liars.”
“And that is something you shouldn’t be ashamed of,” said Lord Vicis walking into the room. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“No,” replied Adria looking away from me.
“Yes,” I said staring deep into the ancient dragon’s eyes. Even though she was in human form, those eyes still looked thousands of years old.
“Well I am sorry for interrupting your conversation with Adria, Alex. I will try to make this as brief as possible but given the subject we are going to be discussing, I doubt brief will be possible.”
“Don’t you think he needs to rest before you start questioning him?”
“Questioning me? What’s this about Vicis?”
“I would prefer if we were alone before we continued with our conversation Alex. Adria if you could excuse us for a while. This is something Alex has to hear and Alex alone.”
“She can stay.”
“That wouldn’t be wise Alex. She might be your dearest friend but there are truths that should remain a secret to the world.”
“She can stay,” I repeated hoping the ancient dragon would accept my wish.
“You are persistent Alex, I will give you that. But please remember when the time comes you will wish she had not listened to our conversation.”
“I will.” I said dismissing the warning. Nothing bad could come from knowing the truth.
“Are you going to ask him about… the…” She couldn’t finish.
“You are well informed aren’t you? Yes, I am here to talk about the Eyes of Death. Judging from your expression Alex, I can surmise you have talked to the creature living in your eyes.”
“That… wasn’t a dream? That thing is actually in my eyes right now?”
“I am afraid so but it seems to be dormant. Your case is different from the ones we have seen. By now your body should have started to consume all magical sources around you and your wounds should be healing on their own at an accelerated rate. Can you tell me what it told you?” There was something about the way she spoke of the Reaper. It was like she hated it and its very presence caused her disgust. But I told her regardless of what I thought she thought of it.
“Useful is not a word that should be used to describe such a foul creature. It disgusts me to think it considers itself useful. The last person to be cursed with the Eyes of Death killed two dragons, several high-ranking Knights, and during his escape, killed an entire village with his body’s magical absorption. Regardless of what had been done to him, he was a coward not to accept the honorable death that the Order had offered him, even if he wasn’t at fault of doing anything wrong.”
“I am only repeating the Reaper’s words. What now?”
“Well… the council voted on what to do with you. Ultimately the decision is up to me and seeing as you pose no immediate threat to anyone, you are to continue with your life as normal. However, that thing is still living inside your eyes and it will take considerable time for us to determine a way to remove it from your eyes, like it or not, it won’t be coming out for now. So to protect you from further assassination attempts and to protect those around you, I have ordered Zetzu to act as your protector and executioner if the need arises. He seems to have taking a liking to you and was happy enough to be appointed your guardian.”
“What would happen if he does start absorbing magic from others?” asked Adria with a worried expression on her face.
“We kill him, for the loss of one can save hundreds.”
There was a long silence. I could tell that Adria was trying very hard to contain her emotions. Despite her cool demeanor she had a frail emotional state.
“You think I am a cold hearted monster for even considering killing him, don’t you?” It wasn’t a question, but it seemed as if she still expected Adria to respond.
“I think you are cold hearted but not a monster. A monster would have chosen to kill him for the possibility of danger that Alex represents.”
“I don’t think it will come down to that. From what I can tell, he’s perfectly healthy forgetting all his injuries of course. But you need to be made aware of how serious your situation is Alex.”
“Trust me, after today I understand it pretty well.”
“You don’t. Not only did defeating those Irkanian send a clear strong message to the Irkanian Empire, but it also stirred Alexandria and the other races. The Emperor had called for the army to reassemble at Stormkeep and from there it they will march towards the border and establish a tighter grip on the zone. The elves have requested an audience with you; stonewalkers all over the land have become interested in you and wish to meet you as well. Finally, the dwarves have sent an envoy to the Emperor agreeing to establish diplomatic ties again if you are to be present at the proceedings. You, Alexander Kerm of the Dragon Knight Order, have become the focus of the world and like it or not, you represent a great threat and hope for it.”
Again a long silence, then a question formed into my head.
“What did the Reaper mean when it said it could physically manifest itself here? If it is as powerful as you say, I believe it could be wielded as a powerful weapon against the Irkanians.”
“It’s a noble sentiment Alex, but what you suggest is simply impossible. We are talking about a monster that could kill several high-ranking Knights and two dragons with ease. It cannot be controlled.”
I felt my consciousness slip again. It wasn’t like before, I was just simply tired.
“Lord Vicis, Adria, I feel tired. I must rest for now. I have no more questions. Thank you.”
“I told you not to call me Lord, Alex,” said the ancient dragon leaving the room.
“Sleep well Alex I will be here when you wake up,” said Adria with a smile.
I closed my eyes, regretting it. It wasn’t always that I was able to see Adria smile with a real smile. I had become accustomed to my own gloominess and hers. As I fell asleep, I entered a dream which seemed more like reality then a dream.
“You are placing too much responsibility on him Lord Shadow.”
“Your concerns are duly noted Zetzu. But for the good of the Order, we need the support of the Twelve Noble Houses.”
“And since when was the Dragon Knight Order more interested in support from the Nobles than the well-being of its members?”
“Ever since we stopped receiving new recruits and our current members died of old age or killed off in combat. I will not argue this with you, Zetzu; you are merely his guardian and have no say in the matter.”
“I am his guardian of my own free will and I stand by my words. Not only have you proposed the poor boy to be the next head of the Order but you have now set him to fulfill that role as well. He might have talent but he cannot survive on talent alone.”
“Enough! What I say is final and as a Cardinal Lord, you are a vessel to the Dragon Council of which I am a member and it is your duty to obey.”
“I am also a free dragon and I shall do as I please!”
“My fellow dragons please do not fight amongst yourselves. We have more serious matters to attend to. This assault on the academy is a very unnerving matter. The Irkanians have never attempted to pull something like this in the past. They have been growing exceedingly bold these last few years and while our power wavers, theirs do not.”
