As Remuria and Sedris materialized on the crimson moon, reality shifted violently around them, wrenching their senses into disarray. Their vision blurred and swirled, leaving them momentarily disoriented. Remuria's heart beat fast, her pulse pounding in her ears as the unexpected arrival jolted her senses. She blinked rapidly, her eyes adjusting to the crimson environment around her.
Sedris, instead, was consumed by a wave of intense nausea that surged through his core. The abrupt and violent teleportation was unlike anything he had ever experienced. He clutched at his churning stomach, desperately trying to suppress the overwhelming urge to vomit. The sensation twisted and churned within him, threatening to spill out. Riding the back of a wild Kharkar now seemed like a leisurely joyride compared to the torturous sickness that Vhael's spell had wrought upon him.
Remuria placed a comforting hand on Sedris’s trembling back. "Are you alright?"
Sedris managed a weak nod, his face contorted in a grimace as he struggled to maintain his balance. "I'd like to think so," he managed to mutter before his stomach rebelled, expelling its contents in a violent upheaval.
Remuria did her best to offer solace. With gentle, soothing strokes, she patted his back and adjusted his position to alleviate his discomfort. "There, there, take it slow," she murmured.
Sedris battled against the noxious inertia that held him captive, the minutes feeling like an eternity as waves of sickness threatened to overwhelm him. Finally, with a mixture of relief and exhaustion, the retching subsided, allowing him to regain a semblance of stability. He stood shakily on his own, casting a grateful gaze towards Remuria. "Thank you for that... erm."
“It’s Remuria.”
“Right, apologies, I’m not very good with names.”
“It is quite alright, are you able to walk?”
“Yes, I think I am.” Sedris replied, heaving his wraithbone glaive, “let us go.”
The pair threaded cautiously through the surface of the crimson moon. Both travelers were weary of the overt silence which shrouded the place. Sedris walked while gripping his glaive, eyes always darting around his surroundings. Meanwhile, Remuria had also done more of the same: having conjured Oros herself, her senses heightened to any signs of danger.
Until suddenly, the pair came face to face with a ghost of a man, one who seemed to have possessed a regal poise in life. Though he was almost completely translucent in his ghastly form, the man’s long beard and aging wrinkles were still visible. Resting atop his head was a shattered crown, one that should have been adorned with gems, but now only home to empty holes where such luxuries should have been. Perhaps this man was a king of sorts, once, his fine silk robes and tunic would have confirmed as much, but he seemed far closer to a disheveled peasant now than a ruler.
“Greetings, Remuria,” the man said, his voice warm and respectful. "And to your companion as well," he continued, turning his gaze towards Sedris.
Sedris glanced at Remuria, seeking confirmation. "You know this person?"
“I can’t say I’m aware,” Remuria replied, "forgive me, but do I know you, Sir?" she inquired, addressing the ghost.
The ghost chuckled heartily before responding, "Why, I am Hadaron, the former king of Ishgria."
"My lord?" Remuria gasped, immediately bowing in respect. Sedris, however, refrained from following Remuria's gesture, refusing to bow to a ruler he did not serve.
"You may rise, Remuria. I am no longer a king. Just Hadaron," the ghost reassured her.
"Forgive me, old habits die hard, Your maje- Hadaron," Remuria replied, correcting herself.
"So you were a king before? What happened?" Sedris inquired
"I was poisoned, a tale as old as time," Hadaron replied, bitterness seeping into his words. "I've always had enemies, and somehow someone managed to mix poison into my wine."
"That is… unfortunate," Sedris sympathized.
Hadaron smirked slightly. "Such is the life of a ruler. In all fairness, there are much worse ways to die."
“If I may interrupt, your majesty, I am curious as to how or why you are here now?” Remuria interjected.
"I am not sure. After my death, I found myself awake in this strange realm and have never been able to leave since," Hadaron replied, his ethereal form shifting uneasily.
“Is that so? But I heard that there was a gate here that could lead to the material realm.” Remuria mentioned.
“Indeed, that is why we came here in the first place.” Sedris added on.
“Of course, the gate, I’ve tried using it before: to no effect, since I am what I am now.” Hadaron said light-heartedly, poking a hand through his ghastly body.
“Isn’t there a dragon protecting the gate?” Sedris pressed.
“Yes, indeed, and I must impart one piece of wisdom to you both regarding the creature.” Hadaron said, his eyes darting between Sedris and Remuria.
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“And what may that be?” Remuria asked.
“That the dragon you seek is close to death, you need to make haste, you will not be able to use the gate without its approval.” Hadaron said.
“Wait, can you explain-” before Remuria could finish her sentence, the ghost of Hadaron had vanished.
“Is it normal for your kings to give cryptic messages before vanishing?” Sedris asked, not a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
“No, but I have a bad feeling about this.”
“As do I. I can’t help but feel as if we are being drawn into something that we should not cross.” Sedris mentioned.
“But we do not have much of a choice, sadly.” Remuria said.
“You’re correct in that regard.” Sedris replied.
And so the pair continued on their march across the surface of the crimson moon. Only marginally more at ease than when they first arrived.
***
Sedris's voice shook with a mix of awe and apprehension as he spoke, unable to tear his eyes away from the imposing figure in the distance. "Is that...is that supposed to be the dragon?"
Remuria's brows furrowed, her voice held a hint of uncertainty, "I see a colossal gate looming behind it, so it seems likely."
At the heart of a gargantuan crater, laid the gate to the material realm and the dragon which protected it. However, it was far from the majestic creature of ancient legends. Its once magnificent scales now appeared sickly and mottled, their luster tarnished by the passage of time. Each breath it took was labored, rattling within its emaciated frame, as if the weight of existence burdened its very being.
The dragon's wings, once expansive and awe-inspiring, now hung tattered and frayed, resembling faded remnants of a forgotten glory. Its once fierce and piercing eyes were clouded with an unsettling haze, lacking the vitality and fire that one would expect from such a formidable creature. Its body contorted with deformities, as if it had suffered innumerable trials and agonies throughout its long imprisonment.
“I believe your former king mentioned something about the dragon being sick, I thought he was joking at first, but I suppose not.” Sedris muttered out.
“I also thought that we may have had to fight the creature-.” Remuria heard the sound of dozens of footsteps behind her. Instinctively, she tensed and turned around, drawing Oros out. Sedris followed suit, readying his glaive.
“Be at ease, comrades.”
Seeing the red-cloaked figures approaching, Sedris breathed a sigh of relief. Though Remuria was still alert at first, she dismissed Oros once she realized why Sedris was so relaxed.
“Ah, Akon, it’s just you.” Sedris said with a hint of relief, lowering his glaive, “and I see that you have brought the rest of the Red Reavers with you.”
“I’ve managed to find all of them, except for Zia and the Princess of Ishgria.” Akon replied.
“I’m sure they will find us eventually, with this place being as empty as it is, they’ll have to get here eventually.” Remuria said aloud.
“Wait, I smell something.” Sedris said, “It’s blood.”
“I smell the same, though there is a familiar scent mixed in.” Akon agreed.
“Is this a good sign?” Remuria asked.
“Depends on your perspective.” Sedris said, still trying to make out the scent, “ah, nevermind, it’s just my sister.”
Remuria's brow furrowed in confusion, her gaze narrowing as she saw two figures in the distance. A sense of dread coiled within her, briefly, only to be replaced by a surge of relief as she recognized the familiar silhouettes.
The figures drew closer, their forms haggard and stained by battle. Remuria's heart skipped a beat as she took in the scene before her. Rhea, her red robes now tattered and smeared with blood, bore the weight of Zia upon her shoulders. Zia, her body battered and broken, still managed to cling to her twin axes somehow, almost as if she were unable to let them go no matter the circumstance.
Once she recognized the figures, Remuria immediately rushed towards them, “Rhea! Are you alright?” She called out.
“I’m fine, Remuria.” Rhea managed to say with a weak smile.
Sedris, in contrast, seemed less concerned. He casually walked up to the princess, before gesturing to take Zia off of her shoulders, “I’ll take care of my sister, princess.”
“Please do.” Rhea said, more than eager to let Sedris take Zia off of her shoulders.
“You two look like you’ve been through a lot,” Remuria said with a worried tone, trying her best to wipe some of the blood off of Rhea’s face, “what happened?”
“Basilisks…” Zia muttered out weakly, she was still conscious, if barely.
“Ah, so you can still speak sister, excellent.” Sedris quipped, carrying Zia back towards the other Red Reavers.
“Hold on, basilisks? We never fought anything of the sort.” Remuria looked towards Rhea, hoping for answers.
Rhea took a deep breath, before letting out a deep sigh, “I was confused myself, but yes, me and Zia did indeed battle several basilisks before we made it here.”
“You must have the worst luck.” Remuria said, wiping off more of the blood on Rhea’s body using the tip of her gray robes.
Rhea gave out a brief snort, “It’s fine, we made it, somehow.” she said, “so, how’s progress on finding the dragon?”
Remuria pointed towards the gargantuan figure resting in front of a large gate in the distance, “the dragon is right there, although, I’m not sure if it’s in the best of health.”
“Is it sick?” Rhea asked, pacing around to get a better view of the dragon.
“I believe so, he hasn’t moved much at all since me and the Red Reavers came here, and his breath sounds like it’s made by a creature in much pain.”
“Doesn’t sound like he’s as dangerous as the harbinger made it out to be.”
“Who knows,” Remuria shrugged, “the dragon could still be very powerful for all we know, I suggest we should still exercise caution when approaching it.”
“Fair point,” Rhea agreed, “once Zia has recovered, let’s head to the gate and see what we can do.”