United Against Hate: Chapter 17

A tenseness hung on the air, making it heavy like the calm before the storm. Before the thunder boomed and the lightning struck. Emeralda stared at the sky, the direction of what had caused her unease. She chuffed letting out two short streams of fire and narrowed her eyes trying to get calm.

But then she watched as the pinprick of darkness appear and grow into a dark portal above the wall. The magic struck her, made her recoil in unease and fear. She spread her wings stepping back. But the void didn’t remain for long. It closed quickly and a man stood in its wake.

Daze took a very slow very deep breath of the Free City air. It had been a very long time since he’d been here. It had changed in many ways that he hadn’t anticipated but thought were beautiful. He walked toward the edge of the wall and folded his arms. He knew that his brother was here and he couldn’t ignore the fact that he wanted to see him again. Perhaps to taunt him. Perhaps to talk to him.

Or perhaps he just wanted to show him how far he’d come. The mask and armor were gone now. Feeling the warmth on his natural skin was not something he’d had in a long time. He’d almost forgotten what it was like. All this thanks to the power that he had gained from his sword.

Hopping down from the wall he landed on the proving grounds and walked toward the crowd that had assembled to meet him. He watched Nero and his wives, along with their children stand together. They were overshadowed by two dragons, imposing over one another.

He saw Ryza and her partner’s approach. He was all but sure had achieved immortality. She had grown infinitely more dangerous in her eternity than when they first met and he was eager to test himself against her.

But more than that he saw Sehren. The set of his jaw, the solid line of his eyes. His brother wasn’t interested in talking any longer. He was ready to do what he must and Daze respected him all the more for that. Thunder cracked above them and lightning flashed.

“You’ve assembled quite the party Solaris,” Daze said as he appraised them. “What do you hope to accomplish?”

“Where is Silva Daze?” Sehren asked calmly.

“The child of mixed blood,” Daze recalled. He reached over his shoulder and drew the blade from nothing. “Well the blood may no longer be mixed the way it once was.”

Nero stomped forward flames leaping from his mouth, “What did you do to our daughter?”

“Nothing that she didn’t volunteer for,” he said narrowing his eyes. “Sacrificing herself for her little sister. Truly admirable. You raised her well.”

“Sacrificed?” Sofie repeated and her eyes widened. “For me?”

Sefirin shook, “Does that mean Silva’s?”

Dawn wrapped her arms around both of her children but her fingers were shaking.

Ryza stared at the sword and her silver eyes grew brighter. She stared at the orbs in the sword and could feel herself growling. “Demon. Time. Faerie. And Zodiac. What have you done?”

“I’ve taken the proper steps to ascend to godhood.”

“You’ll bring the goddesses’ wrath down upon us all.”

“You grossly overestimate the goddesses’ power. But feel free to try and stop me if you can.”

“Not in our city,” Alison replied spreading her arms. “Make him leave.”

“Gladly,” Nero darted forward enveloped in silver light.

He charged into Daze picking him up off the ground. His wings spread and helped him pull the mage into the sky, throwing him into the desert. He unleashed his flames scattering dust and heat into air. Staying aloft he unleashed another wave of hate filled fire turning much of it to glass. But as the flames died down Nero saw Daze in the center, glowing.

Daze was covered in a white glow, a glow Nero’d seen before from the hands of his wife. Daze’s eyes locked with Nero’s and suddenly the sword was coming for his head. Diving away to safety, he watched as a black crescent carved through the sand obliterating it. That was when a shadow passed over Nero’s head.

Silver came down from the sky, her full weight and power crashing onto Daze. He slid backwards in the sand, his hands creating a black shield to hold her back. She brought out her flames but the shield was protecting him. So she brought down another massive claw on his head.

Deciding it wasn’t worth it to block he leaped backward as the sand exploded from the force. Sliding backward he dug the sword into the sand to keep himself steady. Sefirin sprinted past him his spiked scales catching the lightning that flashed above. He roared and in a flash of magic, he grew to ten times his size as a third massive dragon.

His elongated jaw opened and closed around Daze’s figure intending to bite him in two. But Daze kept him from closing his jaws entirely. Roaring he spun tossing Daze out of his mouth. Turning quickly he slammed his tail into Daze’s chest and sending him flying away.

Daze dug his feet into the ground and spun getting his bearings. Nero flew forward landing between his partner and his son, overshadowed by the giant silver dragons. All three leaned back and unleashed their flames in one giant wave of heat.

Daze’s white eyes turned starry and he thrust his sword forward. The flames split in two directions around him turning the sand to glass under the heat while his glow protected him from the rest. Swinging his arm to the side he turned the flames away entirely. “Truly the power of a dragon and rider is fearsome.”

The sand erupted on either side of him as large glowing bone hands wrapped around him. They grabbed him and shoved him down into the sand. His sword was forced away, unable to swing. Ryza walked through the sands both Snow and Stephanie at her side, fully wolfed out.

“Stay down and make this easy Daze.”

“For who? You or me?”

The bones shattered and he flipped getting to his feet. The white orb in the sword faded as the black one shone brighter. Daze looked down at the weapon that he carried and then up toward Ryza. “You wish to try your luck against me then?”

He sprinted at them moving like a blur across the sand. Before he could get to her Snow got in his path. Her claws flashed light lightning and deflecting the black sword in its path. Defense turned to offense and her claws managed to slice through his shirt here and there. But she realized quickly that she wasn’t doing real damage.

He grunted turning to block a blow, this time from Stephanie. She came forward and wrapped her arms around him pinning him down as best she could. He growled and spikes exploded from his skin, stabbing at each of them.

Stephanie hopped back letting out a whimper and both Ryza and Snow howled in a shared pain. Daze turned quickly bringing his sword down on Snow but a shield of white protecter her. Gunshots rang out and they bounced off an equally white light appearing around Daze’s body.

Narrowing his eyes, he stared at Vincent as he shot another round from a borrowed rifle. Daze smirked and appeared in front of him so fast that Vincent missed it. He barely had time to draw his own sword as he blocked Daze’s swing, his sword shattering in the process.

“An ordinary man challenging me? You’re either brave or foolish.”

“Probably both,” Vincent smirked. “But you took the bait.”

He shut his eyes tightly throwing a small cylinder at his face. It flashed brightly and Daze snarled as the light and dust blinded him. He swung wildly but Vincent had already dove away, his job done. When Daze’s vision cleared, the wind picked up and he was launched into the sky.

He struggled as the winds buffeted him back and forth. And then the ice came. Starting on his hand, it moved across the rest of him encasing him. It overlapped, grew thicker and thicker until he was frozen solid held aloft by the severe winds. And that was when Emeralda’s green bulk took over.

She came down her jaws closing around his frame and crushing. She landed in the sand and spat the half that was in her jaws. The rain started coming down turning the sand into mud. Sofie looked at her partner and then felt a shift in the air. It was aggressive and violent. Sofie’s confusion was plain and she looked at her partner. “Em what’s happening?”

“I know not hatchling. Be careful.”

The black light appeared in the sand and then flew to Daze’s body on the ground. The light circled around him, covering his body as he got off the ground slowly. He cracked his neck back and forth and looked at each of them.

“That,” he looked at Alison and Lily as they landed on the sand. “Was impressive. I was almost concerned. But now it’s my turn.” Raising the sword high in the air, the starry stone began to glow. The mages and spellcasters assembled tensed ready for almost anything.

But then they were frozen. A wave swept over them robbing them of the ability to move. Not like when he stopped time because he could see them all struggling. It was a powerful alternative he had discovered. “So that’s the power of a Zodiac. At least one of many.”

Chuckling he leaned forward then ran at his newly frozen opponents. He brought his sword down ready to cut down Ryza when Sehren’s staff stopped him. The brothers met eyes for the first time in years.

“Of course you can break out of the Zodiac’s hold. That shouldn’t have surprised me.”

“You took Pisces,” he said grimly. “Are you prepared for the consequences of that action?”

“You put too much stock in the power of Gods Solaris,” he spun around and kicked his brother. Black spikes exploded out of the muddy sand closing in on Sehren. Spinning his staff, Sehren blocked them, hopping backward and spreading golden dust as he moved. Daze jerked his hand backwards and a spike appeared behind Sehren skewering him through the stomach.

But the damage didn’t stick.

Time rewound itself until Sehren stood locked with his brother again. As he jumped back he swerved and jumped around the spikes. He watched his brother call the massive spike and jumped backwards going right over the spike. Pointing with his staff the air exploded in front of Daze forcing space between them.

Sehren landed, spun his staff around, and slammed it into the ground. Golden light washed over his companions and they all jerked forward. Some stumble and some fell at their ability to suddenly move again.

Daze landed properly and stared at his brother, “I’m having too much fun with you clearly. But you all aren’t a threat. Not really.”

“You underestimate them too much Daze. Or perhaps you overestimate yourself instead,” Sehren told him turning his staff in his hands.

“Is that so Solaris? Then show me what they can do,” he turned the sword in hand again and this time his eyes with brilliant golden light. “Let’s see them handle this.”

His golden light swept over them and this time everything stopped. The raindrops in the air, the lightning flashing in the sky, the mud at their feet and every single one of the people Sehren had brought together. Except for Sehren himself who had prepared for this.

Sehren moved his hands but Daze wasn’t going to allow him to cast another spell. He attacked his brother and it took everything for Sehren to stop his brother. Daze’s blows were faster and far more precise but somehow Sehren was keeping up. Daze spun around and thrust his sword forward, a black spike jutted out hitting him in the leg.

Stumbling Sehren looked up, watching Daze bring his sword up high. Before he could use his magic again Daze suddenly turned as a shape barreled into him. The demon let out almost a laugh of glee as it swiped at the crazed mage.

Ryza ran over and helped Sehren back to his feet looking at him grimly, “On your feet Solaris. We’re not done yet.”

“So you learned a bit of time magic yourself,” he said surprised.

“Just enough to make conversation,” she replied then glared watching her undead demon chase after Daze.

Daze was on the back foot, but after blocking another fast strike his eyes glowed along with the sword. He stepped to the side and started avoiding the attacks as if he saw them before they happened. Sehren watched him but couldn’t sense any other time magic from him.

Daze raised his hand and caught the wrist of the demon which made it tilt its head shocked. Daze looked at it and a smile formed on his face. Swinging with the sword a massive black crescent flew out and cut through the demon from hip to shoulder. Stumbling backward the demon sank to the ground in pieces.

“Looks like Trouble Maker is in trouble,” she said scowling. She looked at the frozen rain in front of her and back to their allies stuck in time. “I don’t know if we two can handle this on our own.”

“I don’t either,” Sehren held his staff out. “But I’ll still try Shina.”

“As will I Solaris.”

But before they could get ready for another spell to be cast or another blow to be thrown the rain came down. The lightning flashed above their heads and thunder cracked. Daze leaned forward coughing into his hand. He spat a black liquid onto the ground and stabbed the sword into the sand. Despite his appearance, his body was still weak.

“What’s wrong with him?” Lily asked.

“He looks sick,” Nero glanced at her and then to Sehren.

“If he’s sick then we take our chance the moment we get it,” Alison said quickly and swung her hand down the rain quickly turning to ice.

The others didn’t hesitate, Lily, Dawn and Ryza casting alongside her. Not missing a beat the dragons stood and let loose their fire again surrounding him from all sides. But Daze didn’t [aise. He grabbed his sword and spun stopping time. The wave swept over them flash freezing the world.

Sehren felt it go off around him and it was different. His own eyes had to burn gold to fight off the effects of it. His eyes widened and he nearly collapsed from it. Daze walked toward his brother slowly the effort noticeable. Sehren already started casting a spell to undo the magic.

Daze wasn’t about to let him do that. Leaning back he threw the sword at him, end over end. Sehren’s eyes went huge and he dropped to the side avoiding the blade. Spinning around he thrust his staff at him and the wind kicked up.

But the magic ended as Sehren cried out and the sword dug into his shoulder. He stumbled forward and gasped as the sword jerked out of his flesh. It flipped until it came back to Daze’s hand, the orb glowing as the constellation spun around him.

Sehren held his shoulder, his eyes shut tightly. He felt his blood running between his fingers and glared at his brother. Daze walked forward slowly and swung the sword back and forth slowly.

“Nifty trick right Solaris? Maybe I should have started my hunt with the Zodiac,” he coughed again and the mask formed against his face protectively. “Seems like time isn’t on my side Solaris.”

“Don’t call me that. My brother Luna called me that. And e died the moment Daze attacked our home and stole innocent lives for the sake of revenge.”

Daze closed his eyes and felt another cough coming but he fought it. Instead, he looked at his brother and finally stood. “I made no false pretenses that I wouldn’t have to kill you Sehren. You could believe me if I said I wish I didn’t.”

“Just like I wish I wouldn’t have to kill my brother. But like I said, Luna is dead. And the only one before me is Daze.”

“And I guess the only man in front of me is Sehren,” Daze lowered his sword as he took a step back, a portal opening behind him.  “Well Sehren. My goals are almost achieved. One more stone and my ascension will be completed. The next time you see me you’ll me. I’ll be a god. And this will be the end.”

He disappeared through the portal and it closed behind him. The rain came pouring down and the storming resumed. The explosion of magic as their attacks resumed echoed.

Ryza gasped stumbling forward, “What the hell?” She grinded her teeth together her ears flat against her head as thunder boomed again. The others took stock of what happened and made their way to Ryza and Sehren crowding around them.

“What happened? Where is he?” Nero asked quickly.

“Gone,” Sehren grunted. “My brother had more tricks up his sleeve than I gave him credit for.”

Snow changed back and shook her head, “And he used them against us numerous times. What the hell was that Ryry?”

She took one of her hands and sighed, “Time magic. You get used to it.”

“Do you?” Stephanie asked wrapping her arm around her.

“Eventually.”

“So is he gone?” Sofie asked hesitantly from Emeralda’s side.

Sefirin growled as his scales faded away and he shrank in size. He came back to his normal self and fell to his knees exhausted. Nero grabbed his shoulder helping him stand properly. “You did good son. Rest.” Sefirin nodded quickly and Lily held onto him. But he looked toward Sofie and shook his head. “He’s not gone. Not even close.”

Alison spread her arms, “He just showed up in the Free City. That man’s beyond dangerous. We can’t let him do that again. We need to be ready. Did he give any clues as to what he was going to do next?”

Sehren shook his head slowly, “No. Nothing concrete. And honestly, I don’t know what’s going on in his head anymore. My brother is long gone at this point. He’s as much a stranger to me as he is to you all.”

“You’re smarter than that Solaris,” Ryza said staring at him. “Think. What did he say?

“He said. He said the next time we meet he’ll be a god.” Sehren thought seriously going into his head for a moment. “The soul of a demon. The power of time. The soul of a faerie. The soul of a Zodiac,” Sehren looked down thinking and then it dawned on him. “The soul of a dragon. The last being in this world to have the power he needs.”

Snow motioned behind them, “There’s two dragons right here.”

“No. Knowing Daze. He wants the strongest dragon possible,” Sehren looked at Emeralda and Silver both who came closer and stared down at him. “I’ve got two ideas of where he might be going. One is a legend to the south and another is a myth. And I hope to the Gods Daze believes in legends.”