Drake slowed once the palace came into sight. His plans revolved around not going anywhere near the tower. Drake wasn’t a fool; he was aware that his escape had been luck and little more. Eclipse needed time to calm down so Drake knew his best chance at survival was to stay away from the man as much as possible, and to, unfortunately, surround himself with people...
Eclipse wouldn’t be able to trick an entire palace full of people at once, no. He would have done that when Drake and Zidane staged their fight at the last world leaders meeting. Too many clerics, mages and readers were inside researching things— they were harder to fool. As much as Drake hated dealing with the hassle people usually brought, it seemed he didn’t have a choice.
This night had been… successful? He could only hope Zidane had managed to be in the right place and see Eclipse's True Form. He had to have seen it... If not...? Gods, that would make things even more impossible… If this was what it took, then redemption truly was a painful quest. The prince had gotten deeper scars trying to get out of Hades Kingdom than he ever got living in it! Drake could only hope whatever higher power existed would find the agony he suffered tonight to be enough, if only for a while! He prayed for it, begged for it, whatever one needed to do, Drake wasn’t quite sure.
There had to be a reason he had been reminded of what happened when he was so much younger. There had to be someone allowing him to see things from Eclipse’s past. Some force had to be giving him these truths and signals, there could be no other explanation despite how desperately Drake sought out a more logical answer. He'd never been one to believe strongly in anything he couldn't see or feel or sense. He'd learned the religions and legends because they were required, but he'd outgrown them and had, for many years, seen them as silly superstition and fairytale stories... Eclipse had always told him that natural events and magick could explain most of his questions and anything that could not be answered was just ignored; written off as a simple mystery. Eclipse had raised him not to feel the need to believe in anything other than himself; he'd felt no need to seek refuge in a world of fantasy with imaginary deities watching down on him and promising empty promises... until recently, that is. Until he started seeing the proof and even the proof just left him with more questions and fears. After all, with the type of life he had lead it was unsettling to believe that he could be eternally punished by some unseen force for it. He'd broken rules he'd never thought were serious and the consequences... well, they were a lot more real to him. He accepted the presence of this invisible entity with slight reluctance, only heeded by the knowledge that this person was showing him these things for a reason. Besides... what had changed, really? Drake still didn't know if he could change anything, he didn't know if he would be damned on this world as well as the next and he didn't know if his sacrifice would bring the victims of Eclipse and Cináed's murders any peace. Yet he still could not shake the feeling that someone had illuminated a door for him that had always been shrouded in darkness. Drake could only do what he had to do and trust this heavenly being to be just and fair. To hope this deity would forgive him and let the turmoil end… though he often just wanted more proof that this new someone was at least paying attention to his efforts.
I'm trying my best... can't I get some sign on if it's working or not? Are you even watching?
He stepped through the palace doors in hope of escaping the vile monster outside and the pain and agony the cold air brought… only to run into something possibly more painful.
“Drakey! There you ar—why are you bleeding?!”
“… … …” Drake cast a hateful glare heavenward, “I hate you.”
Pricilla pulled him away from the door. “My God, you’re a mess!”
“Oh is that it? It’s your God’s fault?” Drake groaned.
“You look like hell!”
“Well, you seem to be the ruler of that place, so I suppose you'd be the one to know...”
“And you’re freezing!” Pricilla gasped, touching his arm but otherwise ignoring him “Come on, I’ll get a fire going and you can sit by me till you warm up—! Where are you going!?”
Drake had turned and was heading back for the door. “I change my mind, I’ll take my chances with the other monster.”
“What's all the fuss going on in here?” Asked someone with a soft voice that had just walked in the door that was to be Drake's exit. She had brilliantly white hair, a pretty face and shining blue eyes.
Drake stopped, his exit blocked. “... Hello, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth's bright blue eyes seemed to glow at that. “You remembered me! I am so glad! Ever since I met the two of you, Empress Pricilla has been kind enough to let me visit her quite frequently! She has a wonderful palace and...”
Drake looked back at Pricilla while Elizabeth continued.
“Felt guilty, did you?” He said, aside so that Elizabeth would not realize she was being ignored by both the Empress and the Prince.
“Maybe, but I assure you there were other reasons.” Pricilla explained, glancing at the other girl.
“So that you could have another doll to toy with?”
Pricilla smirked, “Maybe I needed another spy.”
“A spy? Her?” Drake raised an eyebrow.
Pricilla gave a wicked smile. “Well of course, Drakey. You've been spending an awful lot of time in Alexandria! It is quite a distance from Shivel and, sad as it is, I just am not able to be there as much as I'd like to be in order to watch you... but people like our dear friend here? She can be in a lot of places with her parent's connections. Beyond that, she's easily swayed and she respects me enough not to try anything with you.”
“Not going to work. She stands out far too much.” Drake countered, crossing his arms over his chest in an attempt to slow the bleeding.
“So do you, Precious.”
“I can out run anything you send after me.”
“Hehehe, we'll see about that now won't we, Darling?” Pricilla giggled, giving a grin.
“Gee, thanks.” Drake droned, rolling his eyes to the side and looking for another exit.
Pricilla caught that familiar, 'how to escape now?' look. “You can't go back outside, Drake! Look at that storm! Didn't you hear the lightning?! It's horrible!”
“Inside bad...” Drake stated. He'd lost a lot of blood already and standing there was not helping. Blood loss was dragging him down from the sudden high and forcing him back to reality. Whatever it was that had let him forget all the pain and cold was fading, quickly, leaving him feeling heavy and unfamiliar in his own body.
“Don't be silly!” Elizabeth added to Pricilla's fight. “You already look ill, going out there will only make it worse! You look like you're ready to die—! N-not to be rude.”
“What's going on?” King Chaucer asked, walking over. He stopped a short distance a way, glanced at the floor and jumped back a few steps. “Gleck! What is all that blood on the ground!?”
... And then the ground opened up, swallowing him whole... Drake sighed to himself, feeling dizzy. “My guess would be blood, on the ground.”
“Well why is there—?” Chaucer looked at the prince with distaste and then slight aggravation. “What happened to you?”
“Oh! Hello Your Majesty! Wonderful seeing you again!” Pricilla declared.
Elizabeth curtsied. “Hello, Your Majesty. We believe Prince Drake to be ill...”
Drake rolled his eyes. “You know what? You're right. I'm probably contagious, you should all stay far away from me.”
Elizabeth gasped. “But what happened?”
“Yes, Drakey! You never did explain why you’re drenched with blood...” Pricilla added on to Elizabeth’s gasp.
“Some irritating individual asked me too many questions so I ate him. Manslaughter gets messy.” Drake grumbled, starting to feel the cold and pain return in force… though he honestly couldn’t tell if that was from Eclipse… or Pricilla.
“Oh, you liar! You're cut!” Pricilla glared at him for a second before coming up with an answer herself. “Oh! You went out hunting alone again, didn’t you!? How can your guards let you go out to do such a dangerous thing?”
“They realize I need to kill something and if they get in my way they will become that something?” Drake guessed, trying to pull his arm away.
Chaucer let out an annoyed grunt. “You shouldn't behave that way...” He shook his head, though, realizing he... he really had a lot to do. He couldn't be standing around here. Without another thought, other than that he should get someone to clean up the blood, he walked away.
Drake watched his 'father' walk off and hated the small pang that hit his chest. Why did that still happen? Why did he feel anything when the King turned away from him? It wasn't like he could ever remember the man being any different.
Never mind that, it was one gone, two to go. Problem was, Pricilla was more persistent than his parents or their guards ever had been...
… Drake knew he could outrun them. They were in heels and despite Pricilla’s preternatural ability to hunt him down, he knew all the secret doors here… but he was cold and tired and hurt… things were getting hazy and he just wanted to get out of there. He wasn't sure what to do, exactly... he'd never been hurt like this and not healed by now, but being around Pricilla wouldn't help. He could have found a medic by now if the Empress hadn't sunk her claws into him. Humans, mages, even animals die from blood loss. Was that what he was feeling? This sudden weight was his body trying to drop while his soul was trying to rise? It was all so strange and he knew he needed to escape but he couldn't see an easy way at doing that.
This was it, then. His only choice would be to kill them.
He was rapidly bleeding to death as it was, and he'd sworn he'd get her even if it was the last thing he'd do... might as well hold to that promise.
Elizabeth didn't understand why Drake seemed to be so angry when they were just trying to help him. Perhaps it was linked to how ill he looked? She had watched him just get worse and worse... Elizabeth knew he was a Fire Elemental... they were rare. None had ever lived where she was from, but she knew the basics about Elementals and he was drenched in flakes of ice.
"Are you sure that you are okay?" She asked softly, trying not to make the prince more agitated.
“I’m fine.” Drake groaned, wanting to get out of there before he got anymore lightheaded... he couldn't remember the inside of the palace ever seeming this dark before.
“You liar! Wait here, I’m going to go find a healer!” Pricilla declared, let him go, and hurried off.
That greatly surprised the Dark Prince. She used to intentionally burn him with ice because she thought it was funny! When he was five and got really sick, she still bugged him for a while till he became ill enough he couldn’t leave his room and people forced her to stop... So… having her willingly leave now, when he could escape, in a place where he knew all the secret passageways and multiple escapes she didn’t know of was very, very shocking.
… I must really be dying… Or I am dead and this is a hallucination or some sort of sign that I’m getting rewarded… no, I must be dying. I have to doubt I’d be going to a good place yet…
Elizabeth didn't know Pricilla as well as Drake did, so although she thought that her statement had been out of character, she wasn't shocked enough for forget about Drake's gruesome-looking wound.
She took a hold of his arm and started to guide him over to a nearby chair.
"Here, perhaps you should sit down?" Elizabeth suggested. She didn't understand how such a horrible wound could seem like no big deal to him. She saw how much blood was around... and her mind started asking strange things, questioning what could survive injuries that would cause such blood loss for so long. She had no idea how long ago it had happened, but Drake had been standing for quite a while even since she and Pricilla had found him.
Drake put up no argument with the white haired girl. He still felt mildly guilty for her last visit to his palace; he did not want to scare her again, and getting off his feet seemed like a good idea… he needed to rest, but he was fairly sure if he laid down he’d sleep for a few days straight. Sitting down seemed safe enough. Maybe Pricilla really would go get a healer. “Thank you…”
“Your Majesty! Sir!?” Pricilla yelled, running over to the King.
King Chaucer turned to look at her. “Oh, hello Empress.”
Pricilla gave a kitten smile and padded her way over. “Do you know what happened to Prince Drake?”
“Rarely, if ever...” Chaucer stated, just as his eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment and he turned away.
Pricilla grabbed his arm. She had no idea why the King always got so busy when something involved Drake, he hadn't always been like that and had only gotten worse, but she knew ways around it. “Me neither! I imagine he went hunting again. He does that quite a bit without his guards, doesn't he? He sure does! Something really ought to be done about it!”
“Yes... What? Oh, yes... something should be done.”
Pricilla stared at him for a while, trying to will his slow brain to work; if only to latch on to the information she was giving him. You would think living around this many scholars and books would have made him wiser or something!!! “By you.”
“Me!?” Chaucer looked at her like she was the one who was out of her wits. “What can I do?”
“Well, he really shouldn't be hunting! You of course want to show concern that he is wounded, but you cannot just let him get away with putting himself in danger!” Pricilla provided. "These castles have walls for a reason, he has guards for a reason, you should remind him of that!"
“I've wanted to... I don't know why I never have... I think I tried, once. I took one of the falcons... Oh, but he won't listen to me. Nothing I do matters anymore.” Chaucer stated, a hint of sadness in his voice.
“Oh, leave that to me.” The Empress purred, “I'll take Drakey back with me! He won't be anywhere near any big monsters like that and I have a lot of special guards who can make sure he doesn't leave the palace. Consider it grounding him for a bit, without the pouting he'd do if he were confined to just one room. You know how vast my castle is! You'll know he's safe, he won't feel like you're against him and everything will be so much better! I'll make sure he understands this is your wish, that as his father you know what's best for him! He cannot argue that, I swear it! He won't have a chance to, this time, and he'll be safe.”
Chaucer thought that through for a very short time. “...Alright. You can do that?”
“Oh, yes, sir. I can and I will. You just relax and forget all about it.” Pricilla grinned, running up to Drake's room.
"What on earth did this to you?" Elizabeth asked again, it sure did look like a claw mark to her, now that she could clearly see the cut and the shreds in his cloathing. The thought that something very close to, or maybe even in the palace was able to do this to the strong prince scared her a little.
Drake was quiet for a minute, just staring off into space. “… A dragon.”
“There are dragons this close to the palace?!?” Elizabeth squeaked, while simultaneously crossing the line between fair-skinned and unhealthily pale.
Drake looked over at her. “… Where is it that you think you are? There are Grand Dragons everywhere outside. Dragon… Palace.” The dizziness was becoming a problem, now. It made him feel sick to his stomach and feel chills as if his skull had turned to ice; an event that usually occurred when a mage, human or the like would be experiencing a fever.
“I guess that must be why you have so many guards here.” Elizabeth muttered, a little reassured but still looking rather ghostly pale. “You should be more careful if there are dragons around!”
Drake had to laugh at that one, which hurt in a few different ways. “The guards are worthless…” A part of him knew he should explain that better, but the thought was forgotten shortly after thinking it up. “It’s what is inside that’s scary…”
“What... do you mean?” The girl asked, looking over her shoulder in concern, or perhaps to see if Pricilla was back yet. "What are you talking about?" She asked again when she saw there was nobody there, not even guards.
“Guards already let the monsters in. Then they ignore it, but it doesn’t go away. Inside... bad. Outside good.” Drake explained, “Safer.” It was then that he realized he was talking an awful lot about things bordering on something he really shouldn’t mention so he changed the topic to one of a more pressing nature, “Is the healer here yet?”
“I-I don-I'll look!” Elizabeth stammered and turned toward the door hesitantly, not wanting to leaving him but accepting that, on her own, there wasn't much she could do for Drake.
She went to open the door, suddenly a bit fearful of the dark and gloomy corridor.
As she reached for the handle, the door started to swing open all by itself. She gasped, jumping back and nearly falling onto Drake's lap. Her eyes fixed on the silhouette in the doorway, as her eyes adjusted, the horrible truth became clear...
“Pricilla!” Elizabeth cried.
Pricilla blinked a bit, shocked at the sudden scream.
“Decaf.” She advised, nodding at Elizabeth before walking past the other girl and grabbing Drake’s arm, pulling him up. “Come on, Drakey.”
“Where?” Drake grumbled, trying to stay awake.
“This way,” Pricilla said and started walking.
Drake almost tripped when she started walking, and the battle to stay awake got a new opponent as he worked harder to concentrate on following her fast-past movements.
“I thought you were getting a healer?” The white haired girl objected as she hurried to keep up. Elizabeth didn't think that dragging the injured prince around was a very good idea.
“What? … Oh!! Yes, yes, that’s where we’re going! Of course.” Pricilla stated, turning a corner.
Drake sighed. “Why… didn’t you just get them to—?”
“Sweety, you really shouldn’t be talking.”
Elizabeth had only been to the palace twice now, on neither occasion had she ever needed to visit the healers. She did notice where they were heading, though.
"Hmm," she muttered to herself. It seemed a little strange to have the healers located away from the center of the palace and instead near the airship docks...
As they approached, two of Pricilla’s guards opened the doors to the dock for them.
Drake hissed and tripped a step as the cold wind from outside hit him and he just barely regained his footing as Pricilla sped up.
“Where—?”
Pricilla had a bag with her, one of Drake's bags, and from that bag she pulled out a rather heavy black blanket and tossed it over Drake’s head as they stepped outside. Both shielding him from the bitter cold and biting rain, but also blocking his sight.
“I told you, sweetheart, you shouldn’t be talking. You're hurt; you need to just relax and trust me so that I can help you- stairs in front of you, darling. There we go. Few more. Alright! See? It’s warmer already!” She declared as they walked into her airship.
Drake was going to argue that there had to be a reason for why it got colder and why it did not seem like they were in his palace anymore… a part of him said the reason was probably bad, this was Pricilla after all. However, he was interrupted by being pushed onto another chair. Also, the blanket had made him warmer and at the moment he honestly couldn’t be bothered by anything else at the moment, though he did try to pull it down so he could see.
Pricilla grabbed his arm. “No, Drakey, leave that there! You’re already so cold, don’t make it worse on yourself! You stay here and behave and I’ll be right back!” She pushed back on his shoulders as if trying to force him to stay in place before she let him go and hurried off. “Ezekiel, tell the pilot to launch immediately.”
“Launch!?” Elizabeth squeaked as she followed Pricilla, “I thought we were taking him to the palace healers!” The look on her face was stricken, she had no idea what Pricilla was doing, and also thought it was an incredibly bad idea to take the Prince away from the palace in his condition. What if he died?! He looked like he was going to die!
Pricilla promptly slapped a hand over the other girl’s mouth. She shot Drake a look to see if he’d heard, but she expected running and screaming if he had and there was none of that.
“… Look, Lizzy, I can call you Lizzy, right? Lizzy, Drake really isn’t one to take safety into consideration. Whatever did that to him is still around, wouldn’t you imagine? He won’t stay inside… he hates inside! This is the only way to keep him safe.”
With Pricilla's hand over her mouth, Elizabeth couldn't say what she really wanted to; that it made some sense, but this still seemed silly. Instead she just nodded. Besides, she knew Pricilla about well enough to know that when she got ideas in her head, it was next to impossible to convince her that she was wrong.
Still, a thought occurred to her that she couldn't ignore and she pushed Pricilla's hand away from her face.
“Won't that creepy adviser guy be angry?” She asked quietly. “And what if they think the Prince has been kidnapped?”
Pricilla considered this, thinking hard. Eclipse could be a problem... But she hadn't seen him. Chaucer wouldn't tell anyone, he wouldn't think to, but if a real problem came up he would... “Oh, Drakey disappears all the time.” Pricilla stated, glancing out the window as the mountain palace started to drift out of sight. “Eclipse won't be much of a problem, anyway, he usually ignores what I do. I don't like him anyway! Something wrong with that guy.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Pricilla, this is dangerous! He's hurt! People saw! They're going to question his disappearance and they'll think he's been kidnapped!”
Pricilla giggled. “Well, technically he has been.”
“Pricilla—!”
“Empress Pricilla! And don't you forget that!” Pricilla warned. “I make the rules, I make the plans, I make the decisions and what I say goes! Do not forget your place just because I allow you in my presence! The choices I make are taken to be the best choices made, Dear, or have you forgotten that my word controls an entire country?! Obviously I know what's best!”
Elizabeth grew quiet, not wanting to cause her parents any hassle by arguing with the Empress. She bowed her head and Pricilla walked off to speak with the pilot. Though Elizabeth wouldn't admit it out loud, she doubted the Empress had any real thoughts in her head about what she was doing. Anyone could see she was madly in love with Prince Drake! Even Elizabeth had to admit to herself that she had a slight crush on him, who wouldn't? He was a Prince, he was strong, he was dashing and quite handsome... it was just as evident to see how deeply he loathed Pricilla! This seemed more like a way for the Empress to get to spend time with him while he couldn't do anything to stop her!
There was no way all Royalty could behave like this or there would constantly be wars... There probably would be one in moments as it was! Pricilla constantly ranted about Drake and how perfect he was, but actions like this made Elizabeth doubt if Pricilla really cared about him at all! Those deep gashes on his chest... They were gruesome! When she looked, she could see the bones that made up his ribs in plain sight! When he breathed she could see movement that should not be visible on the outside and she had to look away.
He was going to die. How he was still alive was a mystery to her as it was, and what would she do!?
People would say she was involved! They would blame her! She was a part of this if she liked it or not! Guilty by association was a prime factor in this world! Oh, her parents would be so shamed for all this!
“Pardon me.”
Elizabeth turned to look at and then moved out of the way of the woman that had come from behind her. The woman walked over to Drake and pulled the blanket down. His eyes were closed and Elizabeth couldn't tell if he were asleep or dead.
“Don't get in her way again.” Pricilla advices, walking up beside Elizabeth.
“Who is she?”
“A healer I have working for me.” Pricilla stated, crossing her arms. “She's never let me down in the past, no matter what.”
Elizabeth stared at the empress in slight shock. “... You really got a healer?”
Pricilla watched the healer work for a bit, her face was mostly emotionless, with only a slight look bordering on being either serious or worried shadowing on her features, “Of course.”
“Why?”
This time Pricilla looked at Elizabeth for a moment. She rolled her eyes and shook her head in disapproval, “Why wouldn't I? You think I'm blind? My ship's deck is stained with blood, that chair is probably ruined and you'd have to be an idiot not to know that's a bad sign. And I am not an idiot, Lizzy.”
“I-I never meant to imply that you were! It's just... Well, we left the palace in such a hurry and I guess I just couldn't figure out why. They have healers there and it seemed safer not to wait or make him move around so much! I just thought that, surely, being in the palace with more people and more healers would be the best idea, that's all! I just couldn't guess what you were thinking!” Elizabeth informed, urgently.
Pricilla scoffed. “I told you I knew what I was doing! ... Wonderful excuse to get to spend some time with my darling and I... and I just couldn't leave him there.” Pricilla had gone back to watching the healer work, “... I've never seen him hurt this bad— not ever. He always heals so fast. Whatever did that is back there... what was I thinking? Sometimes I don't know... but I had to get him out of there because ... I can't risk losing him...”
Elizabeth stared hard at the Empress, but was certain the girl was being honest. It seemed so odd to imagine Pricilla... concerned! About anyone! It was refreshing, in a way. She had an entire continent of people relying on her, depending on her, setting their lives on her desires! To hear she actually did have compassion at least meant—.
“So I'm going to have to tie him down...”
Elizabeth blinked a lot. “...What?”
“Oh, he'll run the second he wakes up. You'd think being on an airship would stop him but it won't. He'll jump right off and then I lose and that simply won't do! He's always with the damn Alexandrian Princess, but he can't get all the way there as hurt as he is!! This is excellent! Ezekiel!! Ezekiel, call ahead and make sure there is a room made ready for Drakey! Make sure that room has locks!” Pricilla twirled around and marched off after her assistant.
... Elizabeth stared the way Pricilla went. “... I have never been so glad to live in Basadayah.” Elizabeth grumbled to herself, “Our leaders might not be as respected... but at least they aren't her!”
It was getting so tiring... How many times did he have to be dragged here? Every time he slept, every time he closed his eyes, this is what he saw. This same damn place with these same damned people tricking, persuading or forcing some poor soul into the volcano he was currently climbing down.
The wind blew and it was a sickeningly warm breeze as if it were some giant breathing down Drake's neck. He half expected to look and see some humongous monster attempting to hide against the rock, and giving how these visions usually went... he didn't dare look. Instead, he focused on what he could see from this new, higher vantage point.
The village was laid out in front of him. A few smaller mountains than the one he was on, surrounding the one he was on. A few manors, houses and what could only be described as shacks could be spotted in the moonlight. There weren't very many buildings that he could see. Mostly just rock caves and thick forest. Volcanic soil often was very fertile, so it wasn't a surprise that there was such vegetation. Some areas, near the water, almost seemed like rain forests. There were farms and ranches dotted throughout the lower levels of the island. The higher you went, the more caves and stone carved villas there were. Upper class took the height, apparently.
There was one manor that stood out. It was one Drake recognized from previous dreams... A manor overlooking the entire island. Set near the more upper class homes, yet set back away from all of them. It wasn't the finest construction of the entire island, but it was close. It was more ominous in appearance as well. Clean and sleek, but with sharp edges and dramatic structures giving it a sinister appearance.
Eclipse lived there.
When he wasn't out hunting for lives to destroy, anyway, that as his home. Eclipse's appearance changed in every dream. He'd have long hair, short hair, no hair... blonde, brunette, blue, red, white, black... His height would be different, his weight and build would alter, too, as well as his skin tone... it seemed to alter depending on who he was going after, but that wasn't always the case. His eye color would change, but it was the same eyes. The same cold gaze and the same cruel smile. The same feeling of dread radiated around him. Drake couldn't miss the signs anymore.
The Dark Prince still couldn't understand why these visions were so real. Why he could feel the sharpness of the stone under his hands, even through his gloves. Why he could smell the sulfur, why he could feel his muscles strain when he'd run or climb. And why... Why did it all feel so familiar?!? The only time he had actually been to this island forsaken by the gods themselves was when he was five. It wasn't just the sights, smells and sounds that was familiar, it was more than that. It was as if he were having déjà vu. He could feel what was coming besides the repetition. After a moment or so, he knew... more.
It was starting to worry Drake that before he even saw them, somehow he could tell who the victim was going to be. Before he could see them he knew who they were and what they looked like and if this was a voluntary visit or if they had resisted from the start.
Couldn't explain why he felt that... and a large part of him didn't want to explain it; he just wanted it to stop. Why did these images keep happening? He stopped fighting them, he accepted that they were truth, not dreams. Drake understood the message now, why did he need to keep being reminded? He understood!!! Everything they would tell him, anyway. He wasn't allowed to ask questions because they would never get answered.
Little bits of information was given. What he was? Unknown. Who he was? He was Dragon. He was the soul these cursed dragon people were murdering people over in order to find. His life gave them strength and his soul kept them alive.
... Why him? Why not. What other explanation was there for that? He was thrown out and eventually picked out at random. Where he was born made no difference, who he was made no difference, his parents made no difference! None of it stopped them from turning him into this... or maybe they hadn't turned him into anything and he was born this way? Would explain why people had always feared him... It could have been anyone else. Someone worthy, someone deserving of this punishment. Was he? What had he done? They had done this to him, that was all. All his actions were caused by what they had done. His thoughts, his movements... they were all under influence, weren't they? Everything Drake honestly favored he had to wonder why. Was it because he truly liked it, or was it because of someone else? Did his taste for darkness come from his soul or Eclipse's influence? Parents, parental figures, guardians, whatever! They were puppeteers and the child was their puppet. Because of his parents weak hearts and foolish choices, Drake was Eclipse's property from day one... it was their fault he was cursed to see these events take place in his dreams...
Ah, now came the main attraction. The event that took place every single time he had these damned dreams! The line of people in blue robes who were about to end a few lives in a burning fury. Drake took some satisfaction in knowing that some of the people in blue wouldn't be coming out of that mountain alive.
There was Eclipse... leading the way. This time he had short gray hair and tiny, deep set, black eyes. He didn't look old enough to have that color hair, either. He was very confident in appearance; a smirk plastered on his thin, bony face.
Skeleton cosplay? Drake wondered to himself, Or have you gone overboard with the skull fetish you seem to have? Despite having gone through this dozens of times, despite knowing they couldn't really see him... there was always fear when the people started appearing. Drake hated seeing those blue robes and there was always the paralyzing fear that Eclipse would see him... Because what would he do? What could he do?
Destiny was cheated. Or it was a fool. The Fates were messed up, they picked the wrong one when they chose to give him these visions. Why not pick someone older? Stronger? Why let Eclipse have found him so soon? Somewhere out there was a better choice. Somewhere out there was a person just dying for this sort of adventure. Someone who would have understood how wrong everything was a lot sooner. Someone who would know what to do about it far better than Drake did.
... Someone who would be strong enough. Even in this dream, Drake remembered the days events as if he had simply been transported to the island now rather than dreaming about the past. He knew he was asleep, knew it was a dream... While he waited for something to happen in the dream he could easily think about the days events... Eclipse was so strong. Too strong. On his own, Zidane wouldn't last more than a few seconds. With his brother and sister's help... it was possible he would last longer, but by how much was difficult to judge.
... On his own, Drake knew he himself would fail as well. Today proved it, did it not? It had been proven a number of times. Eclipse knew all of Drake's weaknesses and had power to create all of them as well. Even with Zidane's help, if they had tried to attack tonight they would have failed. Why did the fates choose him?
The line of people paraded along the path and it was then that Drake realized what mountain he was on— what volcano. He almost jumped off the moment he realized it, but he kept hold of the volcano and moved to a place where he could watch without as high a chance of being seen despite being on the sacred volcanic temple where the murders took place.
He could see the hooded peoples faces better now. Standing beside Eclipse was a woman Drake couldn't remember having seen before. Obviously one of Eclipse's pawns. No one else ever got the privilege of standing next to him. Behind Eclipse and the new girl walked the only person not wearing robes.
Hello and welcome to The Latest Victim. Drake sighed, dully watching the depressed looking man.
This man had stress showing from every part of him. His blood-red hair was streaked in gray and his blue eyes looked faded. His skin was plagued with lines caused by too much worry and made him look much older than Drake bet he was. The man looked around every now and then, but if anyone looked at him, he slowly lowered his eyes back to the ground.
Drake felt an odd twisting in his stomach. Something wasn't right, something was making him feel very anxious. Why? This man was not in chains, he was not tied in any way Drake could see, he was one of the few who seemed to willingly be there... his body language showed he was being submissive. Was that it? The movements were exaggerated. He was trying very hard to look very disciplined. The man was hunched in a bit, making his average sized frame appear smaller. His eyes were wide and his face was a whitish pale that made Drake wonder if he was going to pass out. The man made slow but jerky movements, running his hands through his hair repeatedly, glancing back the way they had come and then quickly looking forward again with his chin tucked down.
... Drake knew body language rather well, he watched people a lot after all. This mans body language seemed textbook perfect for submissive. ... Was he being deceptive, too? Was this man... was he going to fight back!? Was he tricking them? The very idea of it caused Drake to smile a bit. It would serve these monsters right. None of them looked concerned at all. Eclipse was even smiling a faint smile as he walked.
Drake moved in lower to get a better view, but was surprised when Eclipse stopped walking. Nearly instantaneous with that, everyone else stopped, too. The man wasn't as quick to stop and he looked even more panicked by it.
There was a long, shattering pause where no one moved or spoke except for the man who took shivering looks around, seeking an answer.
It was during this time that Drake... noticed something he hadn't before. The group was much closer and rather than looking down across them, he was looking down at them and could see between the lines, literally. It was that sight that made his heart lock and his eyes freeze on what he was seeing.
“Daddy?”
The stressed man looked down at the little girl standing in front of him and he forced a smile with a wave of guilt passing through his eyes. “Serafina, honey, it's still quiet time, remember?”
The little girl... She was seven, eight at most. Auburn hair in long, loose, most likely natural, curls. She had deep blue eyes and wore a moderately expensive looking velvet, dyed a dark purple, dress. She wasn't royalty, possibly a noble but... unlikely. More like a higher ranking middle class than anything else, given by her appearance... She looked like the man could be her relative. Grandfather was likely, but father the most probable even if appearance said otherwise... the stress beaten man would easily resemble her father be it not for the age his worry had put upon him.
... Why was he bringing her there? Why would a father do this to their child? Was she there to watch or...?
Is it her? Is she the one they really want? Drake moved closer, watching.
“... Are you sure you are prepared for this, Archangelo?” Eclipse asked.
The woman standing beside Eclipse looked down at the girl and gave a smile.
The man, Archangelo, looked at Eclipse and Drake saw a hint of anger in his eyes. “It isn't like I have much of a choice—!”
“I gave you a choice.” Eclipse replied, calmly.
Archangelo definitely had rage in his eyes now. “That was no choice, that was an ultimatum.”
“Most people take it.” The woman said, still looking at the girl. “You're one of the first to choose the option you have...”
The man tipped his head down, but his eyes glanced around in disgust. “... If my daughter is who you say then it's my doing... all of this is. Her fire power didn't come from her mother's side... I'm the one who lived where there had been Fire Elementals in the past. She is my daughter and whatever happens to her... I take full responsibility.”
“How noble. Hey there, Fina. Are you ready to see what your destiny has in store for you?” The woman said with a smile.
“Don't talk to her.” Archangelo growled, showing even a hint of dominance for the first time.
“Don't try to give orders.” Eclipse said, glancing back. “You know your life ends here, don't you, Archangelo? No matter the outcome.”
Serafina looked confused, she looked between her father and Eclipse.
“I won't put someone else's life on the line. She's my daughter.”
“How cute. You love her enough to share her fate or perish to give it to her.” The woman seemed amused by this, “What an interesting father you have, Fina—.”
“Serafina.” The little girl insisted angrily and defiantly, glaring at the woman sharply before looking up at her father. “Daddy, what's going on?”
“It's alright. It's going to be fine, my little angel, it'll all be fine. We just need to be quiet for a little while longer.” Archangelo said, trying to calm his daughter.
“You can still save yourself.” Eclipse said, “Archangelo.”
“Why are you doing this!? You know I won't! You know I won't force her through this alone.” Archangelo was so close to breaking into sobs, it was evident in his voice. “Why do you have to make this harder than it already is?!?”
“Daddy... what's going on? Why are we here, who are these people?”
“Friends. Right, Archangelo?” The woman grinned.
Archangelo hung his head, shamed and near tears over it all.
Serafina looked around with predator like eyes. It was apparent she understood her father was in distress. She understood this was becoming bad and for some reason her dad was unable to make things better.
Drake saw it in her eyes before he felt it in the air. This feeling was the only thing he liked about the dreams... in his waking hours, Drake had never even seen another Fire Elemental, but in his dreams, on the rare occasion, one of the victims would show off or use their powers and Drake reveled in that experience. It was exhilaratingly familiar! It meant, without a shadow of doubt, that there was someone else in the world who knew the joys of an internal flame! The feeling itself had always brought comfort to him. This time it also brought the hope that this would somehow end up different... maybe this girl would get away...
The air heated up as the girl cast her gaze upon the people around her. After a moment or so, people began to fidget ever so slightly. Eclipse even turned completely around to face the man who grabbed his daughter's arms.
“Serafina.” He said in a hushed voice, “Don't.”
“Daddy, I think it's time we go home.” Serafina said, “I don't want to be here anymore. Let's go home.”
“Aww...” The woman spoke with a sly smile, “We can't have that now. It's time for you to see if you live or die today.”
Serafina's gaze shot back to the woman. “What?”
Archangelo growled. “You monsters... You're not going to be happy unless you make this beyond as unbearable as it already is!”
Eclipse gave another slight smile. “Then run... Archangelo. Even if you aren't chosen for the sacrifice, you'll die here and if she is Dragon she'll be ours regardless of what you do. Why not run away?”
“I've already told you! I won't!! No matter what you do, I'm not leaving. If this has to be done then I am going to be the one to do it!”
Eclipse glanced at the woman before he turned around again to face the entrance to the mountains underground path. The woman knelt down by the girl. “Your daddy's given up on you, little fire starter. He's decided to kill you today.” With that, she stood up and started walking with Eclipse.
Serafina froze. She looked at the woman and then up at her father, that's when the doors to the mountain chamber opened and the light it caused provided enough light that even a human would be able to tell that these blue robed creatures were as close to demons as most would ever see.
“I'm so sorry... Serafina.” Archangelo said, biting his trembling lip.
The air heated up a tremendous degree. And small flickers of fire darted out around the young girl. “No! No! You don't mean it, Daddy!” The air suddenly became icy cold and Drake knew that was Eclipse's doing as the vile man glanced back. “It is time...” was all he said before continuing on.
Serafina leaned back, refusing to move forward.
Archangelo looked around, fighting back the tears that began to fall. “Serafina—,”
“No! Don't you talk to me! I hate you! I wanna go home!” Serafina struggled to get her firepower to work in the chilly air, but there was no energy around to keep the flames alive.
Archangelo's eyes dulled even further till he looked more like a corpse than a man. He held onto his daughter as she kicked at him and hit, trying to get out of his grasp, before he picked her up and started walking again.
“NO!!! NO!!! PUT ME DOWN! I DON'T WANNA GO IN THERE!! DADDY, PUT ME DOWN!!” Serafina shrieked, kicking and squirming, trying to get free.
Archangelo didn't reply.
Drake watched in horror as the group headed for the entrance. “No...” Why would anyone do that? Eclipse and his assistant had purposefully made this torture as terrible as they could! That poor girl and her father...
Serafina screamed and cried. Begged, pleaded, prayed and none of it took. It was like her father had become one of the mindless zombies in so many stories... but Drake couldn't take it anymore. He got up and ran along the volcano, careful not to trip but he was use to this sort of thing— he lived on a mountain.
Every dream ended in screaming. Every time, every way, with everyone! He'd gotten used to it, but this was driving him mad! Not her! Not like this! Not with her father being the one she was going to eternally think had turned against her! And hadn't he? She had no one... no one while being surrounded by demons while her father marched along with them?! NO!!!
He could see Eclipse as he ran and that nearly stopped him, but he wouldn't let that fear get in the way this time. Drake got to the area over the entrance to the volcano and jumped down, right in front of them...
Drake didn't know if he were seeing things, but for a moment, he saw Eclipse and the entire group stop. It scared him, but he held his ground, blocking the door, even when Eclipse looked right at him, right into his eyes. Even as they began moving again. If there was anything he could do about it, he was not going to let this girl die like all the others had. He had enough screams haunting him and he didn't want her to be among them! Men, women, boys, girls... Eclipse had already proven countless times before that it didn't matter to him, Drake had seen him kill regardless of age, size or gender. Much of the time they were tied up, drugged or tricked to keep them from resisting, but this time Eclipse had undoubtedly provoked a reaction!
... Not this time! If he could, he was going to stop it!!! Serafina would be the last! Drake snarled and roared at Eclipse before pouncing forward, talons extending as his TF blazed into existence. His fangs sharpened and the only thing on his mind was to kill!!
Drake hit the ground behind Eclipse and the woman. He'd gone straight through them... Drake jumped up and turned, slashing his claws through Eclipse's back, but nothing happened. “No!” He went after the woman, next. Raking his razor sharp talons across her spine and the base of her neck.
... Nothing happened. “NO!!!” Drake turned to the father and tried to grab Serafina, but his hands went straight through them. Of course they would... he didn't exist during this event. He wasn't physically there, really, and they were.
“NO! NO!!! Stop! Stop it!” Drake begged, snarling at the people around him. Serafina kept screaming, everyone kept moving... no one noticed him at all, people went through him without showing anything to give away they even could guess that he might be there. Drake kept trying even as the group moved on. Even as the familiar test of burning your hand was done, even as the screams of that moron erupted. What right did that monster have to cry!? He deserved that pain and more! Drake snarled again as the group started down the long steps. He ran to get in front of them again. “Come on!” He snarled at Eclipse. “You damn fiend! I know who you are, you aren't fooling anyone, monster! I'm the one you want!” He hissed. “I'm the one you're after! Let her go! You filthy coward! You have to do that to a little girl in order to look like a villain? Terminat! Futui gura! Du-te dracului! Fire-ai al dracului, Căcănar!! Fricos! Panseluţă!! You monster! Let her go!”
Eclipse just kept walking and Drake snarled, roared, he even clawed at the wall in an attempt to cause something to happen. Why is it he could feel so much yet nothing at all!? Why couldn't he affect anything here?! “Blama!!!” Drake cursed as the group walked past him. He took a place next to Serafina who was starting to lose the small amount of energy she had. Drake wanted to kill every single one of them, but his efforts were in vain... all he could do was watch...
Eventually, Serafina wore herself out. Her screaming died off and her frantic beatings died down to a punch or a kick every few seconds. She looked lost and hurt, but mad as a dragon whose gold has been stolen away. Her father set her down as Cináed took form in his usual over dramatic way. Serafina stood gaping at the large dragon and her father moved away from her, over to one of the lava pools. Cináed roared and it's tail whipped out, throwing a few of the blue robed figures into the lava pools and causing Serafina's eyes to widen. Her father was the next to go. He didn't even scream as he burned...
Drake himself had to fight the urge to run at that. He hadn't forgotten, he just... but no, there was something more important than any horrors he faced right now. So he moved forward and stood beside Serafina, who seemed to be choking in the air around her while she gazed up at the lava dragon.
Prince Drake looked at the young girl and then he got in front of her, kneeling down to be closer to her height and looking her right in the eyes. Serafina didn't see him, it was evident she had no idea that he was even there, but Drake looked at her and put his hands on her shoulders. Even though he knew she couldn't feel it. “... I know you're scared. But... I'll be here for you. You're not as alone as you think, Serafina. Don't cry. Once it's over you'll be far away from this place, forever.”
He heard Cináed roar and the Dark Prince felt the burning heat as the lava dragon threw it's monstrous, fang filled jaws at them, but he also saw Serafina look straight forward... away from the dragon, and it almost seemed like she was looking at him right before the fiery jaws closed around them. He felt the burn all over again, feeling it and, once again, hearing the scream as the innocent victim was killed. Serafina seemed to scream more as a final declaration to the world more than out of fear or pain... right before she disappeared... he saw her soul flee the volcano.
His feet crunched below him on the pumice and shiny black glass he knew to be Obsidians. It was dark again. He could see the village, this time... no doubt in his mind as to where he was. The Occultation island. He knew the terrain, the scent and the feeling in the depths of his soul and they were forever engraved into his mind by now.
No... he could be there with her. Even though this was all some memory, she'd never know he was there because when it had happened he had no way to be... he could be there now.
“Where the hell have you been!?” Zidane shouted. “I've been calling for hours!”
Drake opened his eyes and blinked a bit, looking around. “Well... I'm a busy guy. Would you hold for a moment?”
“Hu? Uh, sure.”
“Much obliged.” Drake put the phone under the pillow that was under his head and sat up on the bed, looking around. “WHERE THE FECK AM I AND WHERE IS MY SHIRT!?”
At that, Ezekiel walked into the room, “Ah. I am sure Empress Pricilla will be glad to hear you indeed did not die of your injuries.”
Drake glared at him. “... This is Shivel?”
“Indeed, sir. This is the palace's infirmary— well, one of the rooms making it up.”
“... And why am I here?”
“Our dear Empress decided you were a danger at your palace, and we agreed. Thus we aided her in kidnapping you again.” Ezekiel smirked, “She does enjoy your company so.”
"And my shirt is...?"
"Can't say that I know."
“You have five seconds to get out of my sight before I kill you. 1. 2. 3.”
“Not to worry, sir, I have my doubts that you can even get off that bed, given your condition.”
“4. 5!” Drake lunged forward and was stopped quickly as his arms were quickly pulled back. The force of it made him dizzy. “...Ow...?”
“Your condition and the restraints.” Ezekiel grinned, “Quite a try though. I have to admit you had me scared for a second, you've broken through chains before.”
“You freaks! You can't tie me up! This is so past illegal!”
“Look again, your Royal Highness.” Ezekiel began, “You are not tied up. Nor are you tied down. For the sake of your health, those restraints simply suggest you remain where you are.”
Drake had already noticed that. He could sit up, cross his arms, move pretty freely, but the chains around his wrists would stop him if he tried to go very far to either side. “Oh, you think you're so clever, hm?”
“At times.” Ezekiel smiled, obviously pleased with himself.
“Mh. You ever think how I can burn you from here?”
“...What? AAAAAAAAH!!! HOT! HOT! HOT!!!!”
Drake waited for Ezekiel to run out of the room before laying back down and picking up the phone again, “My apologies for that. You saw Eclipse's True Form, right?”
“I think so... Unless I saw something else.”
“Was it the most god-awful thing you'd ever seen?”
“...Yeah,” Zidane replied.
“Oh good, you saw it, then.”
