Originally uploaded Nov 6, 2023
Mordain POV
I finally reached the stronghold's elected leader. While the Asclepius clan and the remaining Djinn who did not take up shelter within their life's work as they called it did work together to build the many strongholds and villages for the Djinn to live within.
We rarely interfered with the Djinn's way of life or culture. They had already lost so much, it didn't feel right for us to step in and take away what little they had left. Unlike the rumors and news that the higher echelons of the Indrath clan spoke of the Djinn were a strangely peaceful race.
Even going through their history there was minimal periods of civil unrest and warfare. Despite their proficiency in both mana arts and knowledge of aetheric arts they forbid them being used for purposes that would put other in harm's way. Yet, they still flourish, spreading naturally to the two continents and ruling over them as benevolent and harmonious people.
And made it perfectly clear how the Kezess was able to decimate them in such a short time with little to no fuss. When the dragons launched their attack the Djinn had no plan on retaliating, only focusing all of their efforts and time into carving out realms within the aetheric void to dwell within.
While their were a couple splinter factions that waged an open war with the asuras, all of them soon uniting under a single banner they did not hold out for long. Eventually being pushed back into their great work. But some decided to stay and we welcomed them into our care when we discovered them.
They were quiet ingenious. Naturally being a lesser gave a different perspective to life and the world in comparison to us long living asuras. What might feel like a fledgling moment to us was decades for them. It was no wonder why they had a deeper understanding of the world's functions and by extension aether.
We asuras were far to high and noble, too full of pride to see the smaller detail that make up reality. We only saw the lands that were below us as a world to be ruled and watched over. Ephetous being completely severed from the outside world only strengthened the feeling of irony.
I landed in front of one of the numerous small wooden cottages that laid that the center of the semi-underground hideout. A wide opening in the ceiling let in the warm light of the setting sun. I could see small children, many of them already possessing various tattoos and marking of purple running around and playing in the distance. As always it seemed almost like a dream with how peaceful and quiet it all was. And the main reason behind my frequent visits.
My flame wings dissipated back into the ambient mana as I swung the door open. Leading me to a quaint interior. A short corridor led the main living space. Dominated by a wooden table that seemed to grow out from the floorboards with three chairs surrounding it. A small fireplace laid in the far left side of the room, casting the already sunlight room in a warm cozy light.
One of my own kin sat on one of the chairs. Her red hair was being gently tossed in the light breeze that came through an open window, giving it the appearance of living flames. Lady Dawn, she was a notable member within our clan. Hailing from a high ranking family of nobles she was still quiet young, yet she gave off the airs of someone in their senior years.
She turned her head to see the source of the noise and saw me. She rose from her seat when she clearly saw something was amiss by my facial expression.
"Your highness?" She questioned as she approached me, her face filled with worry. I politely pushed her away as I questioned.
"Where is Elemide?"
"He just lef-"
Before she could even finish her words I shouted a command to her in desperation as I hurried out the door to warn as many people as I can.
"Gather as many people as you can and get out of here. As fast as you can!"
Bursting out the door I shot up into the air. The mana carry me far up into the air for everyone to see. A visible aura of orange and red outlined my frame as I light up like a beacon. Pushing mana into my throat I projected my voice outwards as I issued an order.
"Gather your families and flee. This is an evacuation, the asuras of Ephetous are-" My echoing words were cut short as I felt the air grow heavier. An violent aura lashed out at me and grappled for my throat as the entire world shook.
With no warning the cavern ceiling that stood above us was ripped open with the sound of thunder. The warmth of the setting sun kissed my skin as the entire cavern was ripped open and now laid bare to the outside world. And flying down in a circle was a squad of dragons. Five of them, each shinning like gemstone in the sunlight
One of the dragons dived down low like a hawk and craned its neck downwards as bright white flames shot out of its maw. Igniting houses and people alike. I could hear the screams of pain as the people's skin were melted from their bones before the screams were reduced to nothingness. Without a second thought my mana flared up again.
The ground erupted as pillars of flames reached up into the sky, searing holes into the dragon's wings as it veered off course and crashed into the ground. I jumped forward, my body bathed in bright orange flames as I lunged for the dragon, who had taken on its human-like form. Donning the skin of an older gentleman he had a great greying beard, his face hardened by his years. His minimal battleplate sported scorch marks and burnt holes that made his dark bronze skin visible.
He stared back at me. His eyes were stern despite his position as mana visibly burned around him, surrounding him in holy light.
"Your highness. Lord Indrath-" He spoke each word with a hint of venom, he definitely wanted to kill me now but he was clearly fearful of his tyrant of a leader.
My weapon shimmered into existence, taking on the worm of a burning spear, with inscriptions and runes running up and down its shaft. In movements that not even the dragon could follow I stabbed with my weapon, Enharle. Directly towards the dragon's exposed throat, hoping to end him quickly, but I wasn't swift enough. A blinding beam of white light intercepted my blow as it nudged it ever so slightly to the left, making me miss my target, instead the shockwave of my attack pulverized a house in the distance and reduced it to rubble and dust.
I then saw a splash of colors. Red, blue, green, and black. Three dragons descended upon me. Wrapped in a golden white light as they transformed into their humanoid forms. Their reptilian faces morphing into those of similar to the lessers.
My body felt heavy as the earth opened up from beneath me and chains of stone violently shut around my ankles and wrist.
"Prince Mordain." One of the dragons spoke. A tall slender woman, pale skin that contrasted with her jet-black hair. Her piercing emerald green eyes peered into mine, and I could feel myself being sucked into them, as a small voice deep within my consciousness beckoned me to not resist.
One of the dragons to her side, a much younger looking male who was well built. Was channeling what I could only presume was the gravity spell that was binding me to ground. I couldn't quiet make out his face with his helmet that covered most of it, but he seemed a bit weaker and less experienced than the rest.
"I know what you are here for." I said through gritted teeth as I pushed back against the earth type spell. I slowly got back up onto my feet as the ground cracked under the weight.
"If you come with us withou-" The female dragon who I presumed was the leader of this particular excursion began to speak but I cut her off.
"I won't return. Unless you ensure me that you will spare them." I said with pride as my entire body turned to flames. The stone chains that bound me bubbled into liquid lava as the dragon casting the spell struggled to keep up with me.
"You and I both know that that won't be possible." She coldly said as her eyes glowed an ominous forest green. At the sound of her words I emitted a powerful pulse of heat that was hot enough to reduce stone to a puddle. Forcing two of the dragons, including the younger on that was casting the binding spell to shield their bodies with shields that materialized in their hands.
Enharle shifted forms again. This time taking on the form of a massive greatsword, with all my might I made a giant swing with it, sending out an arc of lightning and fire. The shields of the dragons shinned in a white light as they took on the full brunt of my spell, absorbing the mana I had channeled.
Two of the dragons returned to their full beast forms. Large powerful swings sprouted from their backs, spending out winds as strong as hurricanes they unleashed a roar. My eardrums popped as I was disorientated by the sound attack. As I staggered back one of my legs were caught on something. Before I could stare down to check I was violently pulled sideways as I almost landed on my back.
With a heave I hurled the vine wielding dragon off his feet and into the air. My reached out with my hand as a torrent of pale blue flames erupted out from my palms, igniting the oxygen in the air I began torching the dragon alive.
Being a member of the phoenix race, our fire type mana arts were unrivaled among asuras. So much so that only the strongest of the dragons could fully shield and bare the full brunt of our fire spells. I could already see his shield begin the melt away along with his armor.
I leapt upwards to meet him midair. My weapon creating streaks of light in the setting sunlight like a falling star. Pushing mana into my arms the spell that was burning the dragon alive died down as I pierced his core. His eyes snapped open in shock as he tried to mutter out some words.
Spinning in the air I threw his dying body towards one of the dragons that looked in awe of his dying comrade. Enharle disappeared from my hands as it forms a ring of fire that took on the appearance of another sun. Drawing in the ambient fire type mana around us and channeling it towards me.
I could feel my skin growing warmer as my core trembled with power. With a simple wave of my hand I sent out arc of firey death that slashed the wings of a dragon, burning holes in its bird-like wings it bellowed a roar of pain. The large reptilian beast glowed with a golden light as it began to transform back into its smaller forms.
In his human form he looked more pathetic. His brilliant silver armor was blackened by scorch marks that revealed bloody wound underneath them. In his hand he carried a twin set of short swords. Which he brought up too late as my hands morphed into phoenix talons and punched through his armor and body.
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Kezess, while being a close friend never fully understood the full extent of my strengths and talents. He didn't need to, he far outclassed any asuras in Ephetous. But these dragons he had sent weren't enough, at least all of them except her.
Just as I was thinking about her I felt a cold hand wrap around my heart. I felt a chill go down my spine as a burning rage and power that rivaled my down challenged me. Turning around I saw her. The female dragon, her jet-black hair was now bleached white. Her emerald green eyes now shinned purple just like Kezess' as golden runes decorated her skin. Giving her an ethereal appearance befitting a true god.
"Prince Mordain. This is your last chance." Her voice was barely above a loud whisper but it shook the very earth.
One of the remaining dragons appeared at her side. The injured old warrior I had encounter first. He was still wounded but I could see from even here the deep cuts and burns I had caused were already growing faint.
I moved slightly when the dragon's arms moved upwards as pointed towards me. There was no spell, yet the mere power and force behind her movement sent out an aftershock that leveled an entire block of houses beneath us as her aura was focused on me.
My body sudden jerked into place as I stood at attention against my will. The runes on her skin glowed even brighter as I could feel the perception of time and space around me being distorted. It was sickening, I felt as though my insides were being flipped inside out as my head rang like a bell.
With a mental tug I called for my weapon. It released its sun like form and turned into a spindly line of liquid fire. It rapidly zipped its way towards the female dragon, aimed directly at her heart. When it was struck out of the air by a sudden wave of frost.
The fifth and final dragon emerged from the shadows, wearing dark red, almost black robes. It was wrapped in dark mist and formless shadows that made discerning its true face almost impossible. The dark dragon held my weapon in his hands. Being reduced to a small spear it seared his skin, blackening his pale, almost paper white skin that looked sickly. It didn't finch, instead it gripped harder on my trusty weapons before it shattered into a million pieces. Raining down metal and mana particles.
I felt the mental connection I had with Enharle dissipate into nothingness as I saw its remains being carried away by passing wind.
The led dragon's hands moved slightly as I was drawn closer by an invisible force, still physically frozen by some kind of aetheric spell I was a sitting duck. When suddenly the slowly building weight of the time spell snapped like a old rope that was pulled to tight.
The female dragon coughed up blood violently as her hold on aether was ripped away from her. She clutched at her chest as she dropped several feet from the air. The dragon by her side caught her before she had plummeted down to the ground, while the other dragon's eyes followed mine to the one who had counteracted her spell.
Elemide, the elected leader of this Djinn colony stood defiant on a rooftop that was partially collapsed inwards. Purple runes of aether burned his skin as he shot me a smile at me, blood trickling down from the corners of his lips.
Mana propelled me forward as I tried to defend Elemide. But I was too late, the dark dragon was engulfed by a dark shadow before he appeared just before the brave Djinn. His arms took on the forms of claws made of darkness as he lunged for the lesser.
When a sudden flash of fire blinded both of us. The dragon was sent flying back into the cavern walls, sending large chunks of the stone wall careening down as it partially collapsed under the force of the impact. Dawn stood, in her full form. Bathing the entire are in a warm orange light as large wings made of fire shielded Elemide. I quickly rushed to her side as I caught Elemide before he fell to his knees.
"Elemide!" I said to him as I supported him in my arms. He looked back at me with his bright blue eyes that reminded me of the summer sky with a satisfied look. The runes that decorated every inch of his body were growing dim as I could feel his life force slowly but steadily leaving his body. Stopping an aether spell from a dragon proved far too stressful for his lesser body. I could see beads of red sweat that soaked his simple robes and could sense the mana rapidly leaving his body. I could have healed him for a time but that would have been only prolonging his pain.
"Thank you, your highness. For the kindness you and your clan have shown for my race." He said as he drew in a deep sigh. Dawn returned back to her humanoid form as she joined me. She looked down at the dying Djinn with sadness in her eyes. Tears that swelled in her eyes quickly evaporated as they touched her warm skin.
Elemide stared past me at her Dawn. His face took on the form of sadness and regret. He pushed himself to stand as he embraced her. She hesitated for a moment before she reluctantly returned his gesture. His skin burned red as it came into contact with hers but he didn't seem to care.
They shared some words that weren't meant for me. I long had suspicions of their relationship. But I never approached either of them about it, instead choosing to leave them be and enjoy the time they could share. But seeing it now seemed like a wonderful things. An asura and a lesser joined in an union, something that was not even dreamt of in the past. Something I hoped would be common place.
We asuras have grown too high and mighty within the confines of the lofty Ephetous. Seeing ourselves as separate beings from the natural world that governed it from above.
With their final words Elemide fell limp within Dawn's embrace. His face forever frozen into that of satisfaction with a hint of sorrow. Dawn carefully placed his body on the ground. We won't be able to give him a proper burial, at least for now.
Both of our attentions were drawn to a loud roar that shook and brought down the already damaged building near us. Covering us in a thick cloud of dust, yet we could still feel the burning rage of the black dark red dragon that was quickly diving towards us in its full form.
I quickly turned to Dawn.
"Go, take the remaining people and get out of here." I hastily told her as I turned to face the dragons once again. When she grabbed my wrist and stopped me. She looked back at me as ambition burned in her eyes.
"No, the phoenixes here shall all stand with you your highness." She said and I could sense the mana signatures of the numerous phoenixes within the now destroyed Djinn stronghold flare up as they were convening on our location. But I just shook my head despite her dismay.
"Take them and the Djinn. This is a mess I created and I must fix it myself. And you carry the future in your hands." I quietly said.
She looked back at me with a surprised look. And I just shot back a small smile.
"I caught on quicker than you think." I said in good spirits.
I then turned to face the dragons once more. This time taking on my full unrestrained form. Giant wings that bloated out the sun dripped with burning lava. Giant talons the size of giant mana beast gripped the dirt as I roared in defiance, the soundwaves dispersing the dust cloud as I revealed myself to my opponents.
My body burned hot with the power of the sun. And the dragons returned my challenge. The remaining dragons also took on their true forms. Encircling me like a pack of vultures, waiting for death. With one strong beat of my wings I took off the ground, leaving a tail of fire that gave me the appearance of a burning comet.
With only three dragons the main problem was their leader. Her black scales absorbed light like the abyss as gold runes ran along her flanks. She was far larger than the other two and now that she was in her full form I could sense her true power.
I thought back to the various spellforms that the Djinn had tried to teach me in the past. Their understanding and viewpoint was far different from us, and even they were unsure if I would be able to understand it despite their teachings. I braced myself as I flew up to meet the dragons. Adrenaline was pumping in my veins as my talons dug deep into the skin of one of the dragons as I spewed white hot fire from my mouth at another.
I was a prince. And it was duty to protect my people. And this was something I have brought on to not only my clan but the Djinn. The least I could do was deal with the mess. If I were to die here than I will have died doing a good thing.
***
Old distant memories of the past faded away as I was awoken by voices. I tried to open my eyes but they did not budge. I urged my body to move but it did not comply. I reached inwards towards my core but it glowed dim, all of it energy sapped away.
I tried to sift through the mess of thoughts and memories within in my mind. But all I was left with was confusion and a pounding headache. But the voices drew closer until I could make out words.
"Why are you telling all of this now Vago?!" A thunderous voice bellowed a question. And a frail sounding voice responded in return.
"Divining the future in a tricky thing. Involving more people would have only ended in splitting hairs."
They were now in front of me now. I could sense their mana signature. It was strange, it was strong and constant. But it felt foreign, it was unlike anything I have sensed before. Their was something more to them than just the mana.
Suddenly my body was partially freed. My eyes pried themselves open as my vision was blurry at first.
"Prince Mordain of clan Asclepius. Fate has beckoned for you to play your role." The old frail voice said proudly as my vision came into focus after a few seconds.
And I was met by an old man draped in long flowing robes of gold and green. A large headdress made of gold gave him the airs of a important and extravagant noble. Despite his old and weak appearance his aura was the most powerful out of the three of them.
A large man wearing bulky armor made of a jet-black material stood to his left. His head was cleanly shaved with purple runes clearly visible.
With a strange figure standing to the right. His body was entirely covered in deep crimson robes and I couldn't see his face. But I could sense from the life force he emitted, he was more inorganic than living being.
"Djinn?" I croaked out in a voice that sounded like I haven't spoken in several years. The two figures behind the old man seemed to study me for a second, but the old man seemed to be oddly happy.
"Correct you are. I have always liked you your highness." The Djinn spoke with joy as he studied me, turning my head side to side with the point of the staff he carried.
As the turned my head from side to side I saw the rest of the large chamber I was held in. Rows upon rows of oval devices lined the walls. All of them glowing a strange purple and gold light. I saw phoenixes, all of them frozen within a moment of time. All of them trapped and visible from the transparent cage of aether that held them.
Anger flared up within me as I reached for mana. With all my might I forced my arms to move. To grab the Djinn by his throat and to question him. Question what he has done to my clan. But the spell that bounded me was far too strong for me to break. The old man only seemed to relish my rage and frustration.
"Don't you remember Mordain? It was only a couple of years ago. Well relatively for you it would have been a couple of what... seconds?" He mocked.
I cast my mind back. When we were still within Hearth. Some of the Djinn had remained with us after we relocated most of the surviving Djinn population as well as my exiled clan. After a couple of years Kezess seemed to have given up his hunt for me and the remaining Djinn.
He probably thought it was a wast of time to fret about a handful of Djinn and a bunch of birds who wouldn't even scratch his skin. And soon after that his attention was drawn to Agrona and the matter of his daughter. Within Hearth we had flourished. Growing the underground place to be a place that resembled Ephetous. A place where my clan called home and settled with the Djinn.
We had enjoyed a peaceful existence when more beings that called themselves Djinn emerged from the Relictombs. They first claimed they had come on peaceful terms and we did not throw any suspicions. The Djinn never were a violent race that sought out war and bloodshed. We welcomed them with open arms when they stabbed us in the back.
It was sudden. At the drop of a coin legions of mindless warriors in blackstone armor marched from portals as they ripped reality asunder and laid waste to Hearth. We tried to fight back but their mastery of aether provided us with no counter and...
"You remember well don't you." The Djinn drew closer, his face directly in front of mine. His eyes glowed a bright green as runes on his face gave off a subtle glow.
I uselessly struggled again, trying to break free of my restraints as I reached for the power I didn't have. Which only seemed to give the old Djinn more joy as he cackled in response.
"Man, I sure do love seeing you asuras struggle when you are dragged down into the dirt with the rest of us."
The large man who was the emodiment of the word warrior stepped up and spoke.
"Lord Vago. What exactly is your plan? Are you proposing we us the phoenixes as-"
"Precisely. Their natural abundance of life force and vivum will prove quiet nicely for our purposes." The one called Vago answered before the warrior could finish.
"Then, why did you make enemies of the Highlords and hand them off to Demeptah." The large cloaked figure spoke in a chant of machinery, a sound that was an assault to the ears.
Vago only gently shook his head as he answered in low whisper.
"All in due time. The Emperor's vision is taking shape."
He then turned his attention back to me. He placed his arms outward in a welcoming pose as he proudly announced to the whole room of my clanspeople still frozen in time.
"Worry not. Phoenixes of Hearth. Your lives will be given new meaning. You will usher in the start of a new era for the Eternal Empire!"
He then focused back on me. As he addressed me personally in a quieter tone.
"And you Mordain, will be a vessel for Him."