The Rider’s Legacy: Chapter 8

Lily and Dawn stared at the man claiming to be Nero. It was his face, his eyes, his smile. Even tracing along the right side of his face where his discolored eye looked at them. He looked like Nero but he had to be an illusion or something like it. Nothing about the man before them felt like their husband.

Both women had the same instinct. They touched their rings and felt one another as easily as breathing. But they stared at Nero and there he was plain as day. The warmth and security they knew every day waking up and going to sleep. It was him.

“How?” Dawn whispered. The light in her stars faded slightly as her heart tore because she wanted to believe that he was here. That he hadn’t been lost to her forever.

“I managed to escape,” he said flashing his smile. “If you’d believe that.”

She wiped her face and glared, “I don’t.”

“I watched you get taken,” Lily said not lowering her staff. “And to show up here, with no one knowing you’re here. I don’t care what my ring says. I know what my heart says and it says you aren’t him.”

They both knew that the man in front of him, no matter how much the magic would say it was, wasn’t their husband. They were trying to figure out how they were going to get Silva away from him let alone Sefirin.

“Daddy?”

All three of them turned and looked at the bed. Sefirin was sitting up slowly, rubbing his eyes. He blinked slowly and looked first at his moms and then focused on his dad. He looked at him and his face broke into a giant smile. “You’re back from the missin!”

“Yes I am. It wrapped up sooner than I thought,” he smiled at him then.

He spread his wings and started flying at him arms wide and then he paused. He stared at Nero, arms spread ready to jump at his father. His eyes blinked once, twice, and then a third time and on that, they blinked horizontally turning yellow. He stared at him and then began to take a hesitant step back.

“Why do you look like daddy?” he said softly. “You’re not daddy.”

Both women’s eyes widened not just because of the confirmation but because he was awake as well. But Nero chuckled going to sit down on the bed. He turned to face Sefirin who stared at this strange man who looked like his father but he could see something else inside him that informed him otherwise.

“I am a friend of your father,” he said and looked at Dawn and Lily/

Sefirin looked past him toward his mothers. He looked closely at them, his yellow eyes focused on them. “It’s okay sweetie.” Lily smiled at him.

“Everything will be okay ola,” Dawn said softly. She was determined to keep her eyes a steady blue at this point. Keep her emotions in check and. The longer he talked the longer they had a chance to figure out a plan and even better they had a chance to get the help their way. Hopefully, Alastor got their soon.

“Will it though princess?” Nero asked.

“You don’t call me that,” she said sharply.

He chuckled again and glanced down at Silva who was still fast asleep and then at Sefirin. Despite everything going on Sefirin was still calm. At ease, “You have rare eyes Sefirin. Did you know that?”

“Daddy says they special.”

“Indeed, they are. Do you want to know why your eyes are special?”

Sefirin glanced at his mother’s but he nodded curiously.

“A long time ago little one, the world wasn’t quite the world you’re used to. The four kingdoms you’re used to didn’t exist. Instead, there were only two factions,” he spread his hand and the floor in front of them changed glowing to life and showing a more reserved version of the map that had displayed in the meeting room.

But there were no kingdoms, just spotty villages. “There were humans,” Nero said making them appear from their villages and huts staring at the sky. “And the dragons.”

The sky suddenly filled with them. Scaled, winged, fire breathing creatures descending upon them. All manner from the four legged variation that Silver had been, the two hind leg and forearmed variation, the version that were serpentine, and the version that had been only two wings and legs. Dozens upon dozens of them.

They attacked the villages burning them to the ground and hunting humanity. The light of their flames illuminated the village and filled Sefirin’s draconic eyes but he didn’t look away. Nero stared as well and swept his hand back. “For generations, the dragons subjugated humanity as a superior overlord. To them, we were nothing but food. However, that changed when humanity discovered this.”

A human on the map came forward and raised their hand producing a ball of light that covered their hand and face. “Is that magic?” Sefirin asked.

“It is. The first spellcaster’s name has been forgotten to time but they changed things. Gave humanity a chance to throw away the chains of their oppressors. A great war started then, one that lasted many long years. Scores of dragons and humans died in the process but no one could find their footing. Until a plan was concocted by the dragons. Nine dragons who were the leaders of their people decided it was time to throw their entire might at humanity. To eliminate them in one fell swoop.”

Nine dragons of various shapes and colors appeared over the map in time to his voice and had Sefirin’s enraptured attention. Likewise, Lily and Dawn both listened trying to guess at where this story was going. In the center of the dragons, a human appeared and Nero leaned forward pointing. 

“That was the plan but then the unthinkable happened. One of the nine dragons and a human met in combat. No different than had been in the past. But instead of killing each other. They formed a bond. A bond that transcended the years of hate between their species. They became the first dragon and rider.”

“Like daddy?”

“Exactly like him,” Nero nodded and the pride in his eyes was tainted by the knowledge of the truth behind his face.

“The dragon and human managed to sway the minds of many of their kind but these eight represented the final obstacle. Only death would stop them and thus they started one final war. One by one the eight challenged the human and dragon and one by one they fell to tooth and to sword.  But not an ordinary sword. A sword capable of slaying any magical beast, including a dragon.”

Lily and Dawn exchanged looks and Nero caught that look, “Yes. The soon to be named, Sword of Ten Souls. The rider and dragon defeated the remaining eight one by one, sealing away the souls of the dragons within that blade. But there was one dragon left to defeat. For you see despite all the good that she’d done she’d done much harm as well. And thus, the only way to atone for that sin was to be sealed away with her kin. It was a choice that nearly killed him to do so but he did it and she became the ninth soul in the sword.

“Oh, I’m sorry little one. I got too wrapped up in telling a history lesson that I didn’t address the reason for our story. You see your father was very similar to that first rider and dragon. Bonding with a dragon, wielded the sword of ten souls, working together to save the world, and having his dragon sacrifice herself for her rider’s future. But she wasn’t lost. She lived on in her rider instead of passing into the sword. But she passed on her gifts not just to him but onto his children as well. That’s you Sefirin.”

“You mean I’m like a dragon?” Sefirin looked at his hands.

“Yes you are. Your sister as well.”

Lily stood up straighter and glanced over her shoulder but then turned her glare onto him, “You’re done with your story then. Why are you here?”

“You didn’t understand it in the story?” he asked raising his eyebrows. “Though I guess it isn’t quite so straightforward. Not yet.”

“Allow me to fill in the blanks for you then.”

The door opened behind them and Alastor stepped inside. As he looked at Nero, the man claiming to be him, he wasn’t fazed. He looked at his sister and Dawn, both who looked at him. He met their eyes one by one and slowly nodded. But he looked back at the stranger. He looked at him closely and shook his head.

“You really look like him,” he put his hand on his hip. “In fact, I think you are him. Physically. But the real Nero. He’s not up here,” he tapped his forehead. “So why don’t we start with what’s your real name and why you’ve taken our friend.”

Nero smiled at the pair of them flashing a grin. He moved to tussle Sefirin’s hair and paused a scowl forming on his face. Shaking his head, it morphed to a smile again and he wrapped his arm around his shoulders, “You’re clever. My name is Daze. And like you’ve surmised I’ve decided to borrow the body of your friend. At least until my goal has been achieved”

Alastor raised both eyebrows. “Daze. That can’t be right. But I’ve seen stranger. And if that turns out to be correct that answers many of my questions off the bat.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“My question is, how did you know about the sword?”

He chuckled, “I had my suspicions on where the sword had gone after the war. After all, it wasn’t left behind in the other dimension. So, it must still be here somewhere. I truly didn’t expect it to be hidden within his body. That was clever.”

“Thanks, but it was a joint idea,” Alastor raised his hands shaking his head. “Your plan though truly is fascinating. Taking my friend’s body was inspired but it didn’t make a whole lot of sense. Even with the sword the thing was still broken. What’s to be done with a broken sword?”

“Something tells me you already have some ideas,” Daze said leaning forward.

Before Alastor responded he took a step back and folded his arms behind his back, “How about we discuss it without the kids present. After all I’m sure they’re far too young for this kind of conversation.”

The air shifted and suddenly two shapes appeared beside Dawn and Lily. A pair of illusory clones of Alastor manifested from the air and in their arms were the still sleeping Silva and the befuddled Sefirin. Nero’s eyes widened surprised and looked at his own arms and beside him. The children he’d been sitting near both fizzled and then disappeared into nothing.

Dawn picked up Sefirin holding him tightly, “Una what’s goin on?”

“Nothing you have to worry about ola,” she kissed his forehead softly letting her eyes blur pink in relief for the barest of a moment. “It’s okay now.”

Lily checked Silva over making sure that she was okay but the girl had managed to remain asleep. “Oh sweetie. You’ve had a long day and night at this rate.”

Daze looked at them slowly and got off the bed. Spreading his arms, the ground shimmered and Lightning and Susan were revealed on the ground. They feared the worst but saw that they were both still breathing. “Well done. You outplayed me here. But if being subtle doesn’t work I’ll take the more direct route.” Nero’s eyes flooded with black magic and he grabbed his stomach doubling over.

Everyone jerked backward getting on their guards. Nero shuddered sinking down to his knees, grunting and groaning. The sounds he made were guttural and all of them could feel the sudden waves of magic radiating off of him. Magic that Dawn and Lily both recognized intimately. Sefirin turned to look at his father with wide eyes. Silva woke up and began to cry, the few times her eyes opened they saw her yellow eyes.

Alastor’s eyes widened, entirely bewildered, “What’s going on now?”

“He’s transforming,” Lily said quickly. “Whatever Daze did to him, is doing to him, it’s about to get a lot worse.”

“Great. Be careful. For all intents and purposes Daze is possessing him. Meaning that’s our Nero in there.”

Lily and Dawn exchanged pained glances and then looked at the children in their arms. Sucking in a deep breath Dawn nodded and turned back toward Alastor. “Alastor take ola and lela and get them far away from here. Find Francisco.”

“Wait what? Are you saying you’re going to fight him?”

“We’re going to subdue our husband. You can help us figure out how to save him but only after Silva and Sefirin are safe.”

“Una?” Dawn looked down at him. “Is daddy gonna be okay?”

“He’s going to be just fine. Me and mommy are going to take care of him. But you need to go with uncle Alastor okay?”

“No. I wanna stay. I gotta protect you.”

“My brave ola,” she hugged him again squeezing him. “You’re going to grow up big and strong one day. But for now you need to let una protect you a little longer.”

Lily shhed at Silva who grew more and more uncomfortable as the magic got stronger. She smoothed back her hair shielding her from the magic as best she could. “Please Al. Get them to safety. Hurry!”

Alastor looked at his sister before nodding curtly. “Okay.” He took Silva in his arms and a clone of him took Sefirin. Sefirin struggled and Silva reached back toward her parents both crying out individually. But Alastor was already moving, leaving the room behind. Dawn and Lily both felt their hearts wrench but focused on the matter at hand.

They saw the scales racing across his skin, the claws growing and digging into the ground. He looked up slowly and his face elongated and angled finally finishing the transformation. Smoke emanated from his mouth his usual yellow eyes had turned black and he leaned backward roaring loud enough to shake the room.

“Are you ready baby?”

“As I ever could be luza.”

Lily spun around and thrust her staff forward wind racing from the tip and hitting Nero square in the chest. He grunted digging his claws into the ground and roared at them both. Lily scowled, twisted her hand, and finally blasted him out of the window. They both rushed forward and Lily jumped out of the window the air gathering beneath her feet.

Nero spread his wings catching himself and looked up to the sky. Lily’s staff slammed into his jaw and the wind pushed behind her and drove the two of them into the forest. Tree branches broke and tore at her skin as they fell before crashing into the ground sending them both sliding away.

Lily rolled to her feet and jumped backward as Nero’s claws sank into the ground. He slid around and dashed at Lily slamming into her. Lily caught his claws against her staff sliding back into a tree. She winced but looked into the darkness of his eyes.

“Come on baby I know you’re in there. You’re stronger than this. Fight whatever he’s done to you. Please Nero!”

He roared in response and she saw the glow in his mouth. She shoved her knee into his stomach, producing a drill of wind and shoved him away as the flames erupted engulfing a tree.  Lily stuck her staff into the ground and held one hand out, rotating her other hand over it. A small whirlwind manifested on her palm just in time as Nero dove at her again.

Cartwheeling aside she jumped backward but he was faster than her. She thrust her hand forward catching his own, the wind stopping his claws from catching her. His other claw came and she caught that with her bare hand feeling his claws dig into her skin. She pressed her forehead against his and met his eyes. “Come on baby! See me Nero.”

He growled at her but she could see his eyes move, wrinkle, and shift with some level of effort. The strength in his arms began to weaken. Lily’s eyes widened and she started nodding quickly, “That’s it Nero. Fight it. You’re in there.”

His jaw trembled and she saw the light in his mouth beginning to gather. Her eyes widened and she tried to move away but Nero’s hand tightened around her fingers preventing her from getting away. She looked into Nero’s mouth and felt the heat of the flames coming. And then light covered her face and she felt cool light on her hands as well.

She was pulled backward and another explosion of light flashed behind her as she rolled backward. She looked up and stared at Dawn, “So glad to see you baby.”

“Couldn’t let my luzo cook my luza now could I?” despite her joke her eyes were a deep yellow as she helped her to stand.

“Dawn I got to him. It was only for a second but I did,” she said almost desperately.

“What?”

“He’s in there,” Lily said and they both looked at Nero as he thrashed and rubbed his eyes. Hissing and snarling he slashed at the ground before focusing on their general direction. Lily reached with her hand and her staff came flipping back into her palm.

“We just have to restrain him then,” Dawn said crossing her arms and one by one the seven orbs of light blinked into existence around her.

Nero leaned his head back and roared the sound echoing throughout the forest. They felt it ripple on the air, covering their faces. He dug his hand into the ground and lunged at them. Lily stepped in front of Dawn spinning the staff and creating a shield of wind. Dawn placed her hand on Lily’s back and both of their eyes glowed white.

Nero’s claws bounced off the shield as he swiped back and forth. He spun around hitting it with his tail which made them both wince but the shield remained. Dawn thrust her free hand forward and the orbs of light moved into action.

They darted at Nero like miniature comets. He swatted and swiped at them, attempting to fly away but the stars knocked him off course. Rolling across the ground he unleashed a torrent of fire at them but it did nothing. A pair struck both his arms while a second pair grabbed his ankles. She yanked back her hand and dragged him to the ground despite his struggle.

Lily spun her staff above her head watching the wind gather. She brought it down, a vacuum of wind pinning him down. Exchanging glances, they nodded and slowly approached. They both wanted to rush but they knew just how dangerous Nero could be in this form. As they got closer Nero struggled harder, snapping his jaws at them. He looked at Lily first and then turned to Dawn hissing.

They walked closer to the wind wall and then sank down to their knees staring at him. His teeth were locked together, his glare fierce but they met it head on. Dawn swept her hand around slowly and the remaining orbs flew to Nero’s mouth wrapping around it like a muzzle. Lily lowered the barrier of wind but kept her hand on the staff. Dawn touched one side of Nero’s face and he stilled as Lily did the same.

“Come on Nemo. You know who we are. We’re your girls.”

Dawn’s eyes melted into pink as she pressed her head against his. “You know us Luzo. Whatever magic that Daze’s put you under, we’ve been through worse. You can fight this. I know that you can.”

Nero growled and this time Dawn could see it. She could see the darkness in his eyes. She watched the black wrestling behind the yellow of his dragon eye and the blue of his human eye. She could see him fighting, struggling, and even more, she could feel the ground rumbling as the magic inside him wrestled with what was within him.

He hit his head against the ground shocking them but they kept their hands on him.

They shouted together, “Fight it Nero!”

He roared into the ground and the fight in his eyes was growing more violent. The black fading before coming back stronger. Going half and half, the color shining through only to be overwhelmed by the darkness. His normally beautiful silver scales were tainted, turning a deep iron grey.

Lily looked at his arms and saw the light flicker at his wrists. Her eyes widened and then grabbed Dawn. She dropped her staff and slapped her hand against the ground. The wind lifted them off the ground and blew them backward. Moments later Nero jerked his hands and shattered the light at his ankles. He threw his head back and tore the light from his mouth and growled.

He roared and they were both blasted off the ground even further away. Lily caught Dawn as they came down but she was barely keeping herself standing. Nero stood upright his face twisted in a snarl and the darkness spread not just in his eyes but all across his scales turning him into a living shadow. He spread his wings wide and flew at them in a blink.

Both Dawn and Lily raised their hands and erected a barrier of wind and light but Nero shattered it in one go. The feedback of the blow sent them sprawling backward. Lily’s legs wobbled and she finally fell to the ground blood dripping down her nose. Dawn saw double and felt sick.

Both felt the ground rumble and turned toward Nero. Dawn tried to conjure another shield but she couldn’t focus yet. Meanwhile Lily could barely focus enough to raise her head, let alone manipulate the wind. Nero clasped his hands together both claws glowing full of magic and he prepared to unleash it when a pair of shapes darted in front of Lily and Dawn.

A pair of dragons, covered in silver scales. One barely standing up on its forelegs with wide wings. Another clinging to the back of the first, infinitely smaller but its tail whipped back and forth and both dragons hissed at Nero. Dawn and Lily stared at the small dragons and then screamed in unison.

“Silva no!”

“Sefirin get away from him!”

Sefirin cried out like a distressed honk and Silva let out a softer cry. Dawn and Lily both stumbled to their feet and ran to their children’s side. Nero growled taking a step forward and then paused, frozen to the spot. He raised his hands slowly, reaching toward them and then it jerked.

He grasped his head, holding it tightly and his wings flared. The two children flinched but didn’t back off and cried out again. Nero gripped his head tightly shaking his head back and forth. His claws dug into his scales breaking them off here and there. He tilted his head back and finally roared. A roar that bled into a scream. The scales along Nero’s body cracked and flaked off, vanishing in a large explosion of black and silver light.

When the light faded Nero sank down to his knees. His shirt was torn to pieces, covered in slashes and the skin beneath it bruised to hell. He was missing scales along his arm and his eyes were barely open. His chest heaved and his hair stuck to his forehead from his own sweat. He fell forward, pressing both hands to the ground panting.

Silva and Sefirin both glowed and whatever dragon form they held shattered as Sefirin stumbled forward. “Daddy! Daddy!”

“Daddy!” Silva repeated.

Nero’s head jerked upwards and his vision was filled with the two of them. They jumped into his arms, wrapping their arms around him tightly and he held onto them for all that he could. “Little ones. What are you two even doing here?”

“We had to. We had to help you,” Sefirin mumbled as he cried.

“Help Daddy,” Silva repeated.

Nero raised his head from their sides and looked at Dawn and Lily as they approached him. “Nero. Please tell me it’s really you.”

Dawn stared at him her eyes the greenest he’d ever seen them before.

Nero looked at the both of them and nodded shutting his eyes, pushing his fingers through the hair of his children. “It’s me babe. It’s me princess. It’s really me.”

And then he flashed his smile, an exhausted smile that showed just how scary this situation had been. The expression mirrored that of both Dawn and Lily and they came over to collapse at his side. They wrapped their arms around him and their children. They held tightly as if the only thing that was going to keep them all together was that.