Originally uploaded Dec 18, 2022

Art Pov

Sylvia's large black body tumbled to the ground with a large thud.

"Sylvia!" I rushed to her side. Damn it I thought I would have more time. Blood was rushing from her wound.

"The name Sylvia.... it doesn't really suit this face does it." It that cracks formed on her charcoal skin. As a golden light engulfed her entire body.

From the light emerged a breathtaking white dragon with deep purple eyes and golden runes adjourning her flanks.

"There now... do I look a bit more like a Sylvia." Before I could reply Sylvia quickly resumed her work on the portal.

"Sylvia wait!." Grabbing hold of her she must have noted my abnormal strength. Pushing aether out of my hands I will it to heal the wound on her chest. The purple particles began floating in and around her large wound as it regenerated and mending flesh.

"Aether.... how?" Sylvia looked bewildered

"You weren't the only one hiding things." I shoot back with a smile.

When suddenly the ceiling of the cave exploded. Sylvia used her large wings to shield me from the falling rocks and hid me from view.

"Lady Sylvia, I advise you stop your stubbornness and hand it over. Submit now and perhaps he may even heal your wou-"

Before the Scythe who was floating down to the cave ground could finish his next sentence I sprang into action.

Kicking myself off the ground I propel myself at him like a bullet. Channeling aether into the small dagger in my hand I aim for his heart. He must have not expected it since my attack connected. Sending the Scythe hurtling towards the cave walls.

'Tch, not enough.'

Cadell quickly recovered and looked at me with a confused look and I turn to stare straight into his eyes.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"Scythe boy wasn't expecting that?" I said in a mocking tone.

Cadell didn't respond, and only sneered at my comment. Black flames erupted from him as it rushed towards me in a vertical hurricane.

Activating godstep I allow the aetheric pathways to guide me as I appear in a flash of purple lighting behind the large Vritra mutt.

Channeling aether into my limbs and weapons I strike again. This time for the back of his neck. I couldn't just kill Cadell, not yet. I had bigger plans for him in the future. And I wasn't confident I could kill him yet with my reduced strength. I would just have to temporally disable him for now.

But it seems he was prepared for my next attack as half a dozen of black iron spikes were launched from the cave walls.

Some harmlessly bounced off the my coat of aether while some embedded themselves deep into my body. Launching and pinning me to the cavern walls with their power and speed

Cadell turned to face me once more. "What are you?" he asked

"Don't people usually ask who are you in these situations?" I retorted.

Cadell raised one of his hand to indicate he was going to deliver the finishing blow. When I pushed myself off from the stone walls. Ripping flesh and meat that was pinned to the walls by his obsidian spikes from my body, but I hardly felt it. The rage and adrenaline dampened the pain.

Pumping the very bones and muscles with aether I deliver a powerful uppercut. With enough strength to cleanly remove a regular person's head from their body.

Cadell just grunted as his body erupted into black fire. Forcing me to back away as the fire burned away at my skin and clothes. But this much was nothing. Readying myself as I begin channeling the rest of my remaining strength into my next attack.

When suddenly the colors of the world became inverted and everything seemed to stop.

"Wha- wait Sylvia!" But it was too late she had grabbed the scruff of my shirt and lifted me up. My chest ached as if I had being punched as I struggled to escape from her hold.

"I can't let you do this Arthur."

"No Sylvia I can safe you this time!" I screamed in frustration as hot streams of tears streaked my face.

"You've done more than enough my child. Here take this." From Sylvia's wings appeared a colorful gemstone looking egg. Sylvie's egg.

"No.... it wasn't suppose to be like this... why after all this.... why again."

"Truth be told, I intentionally prolonged the transportation spell so tat I could spend more time with you. I won't ask you to forgive me, but I do have one more selfish request... Can you call me grandma just this once?"

I grab hold of Sylvia's wings with all my strength.

"Grand.... Grandma Sylvia please. I can save you this time."

"I'm sorry my child... this is my fate." Sylvia quietly said with tears in her purple eyes.

"Farewell, Art." With that and one smooth motion of her feathery wings I was spent flying into the portal.

As the nauseating feeling of the portal began to overrun my sense and transport my far away I could make out one last thing.

"Third times' the charm. Isn't it Grey?"