Chapter 5
Weeks turned to months and the months turned to years before Erik had built enough structures. In total, he had constructed six buildings claiming the smaller one as his own. Coming down from the centermost peak, the small lazy stream segmented the plateau roughly in half. The entrance to the cave on one side, the crude stone brick buildings on the other. Their entrances situated close enough to hear the calming burble of the water rolling over smooth stones. A matching small stone bridge had been constructed between the shallow banks of the gentle stream, allowing Erik to traverse without having to jump or get his feet wet.
He moved out of the cave when Helios grew too large for the three of them to live comfortably together, he was currently fixing the slab of rock that he slept on. It was too short again, over time as Helios had grown, so had he. At more than a foot taller than when he had been transported to Terra, he had adjusted his sleeping arrangements three times now. Hopefully this would be the last. He wouldn’t fit through the doors if he kept growing.
Thankfully, his horns had stopped growing when he had reached his current height. Reminded him a little of a bull’s horns, they grew in a constricted spiral pattern that starting just above his temples. They went out and up for a few inches before rounding in and extending further upwards, ending in a pair of wicked points. Their black was in stark contrast to his long white hair that now reached the middle of his back.
Hard muscle and sinew gained from the years of back breaking work carrying and shaping the stone bricks, the changes brought about by the bonding ritual, and his growth spurt had changed Erik into something entirely unrecognizable to anyone who knew him from before.
Helios had changed as well, he had grown to the height of Valora's shoulder. He however, lacked weight which made him look awkward and lanky like a newborn foal. His soft fluffy exterior had long since changed into the protective layer of feathered fur that covered each dragon. His crown of horns mirrored Valora's own, making him look just as vicious, imposing, and regal as her.
Standing and stretching, Erik dusted off his torn pants that seemed barely longer than shorts at this point. Both his shoes and shirt had been ruined in the first year. Half naked and savage looking, he couldn't help but smile. He was finally ready to search for more Stormborn, for his people. Preparations for the new arrivals were complete. All he needed to do now was find them.
According to Valora, the plains where they were now and the closest Human Kingdom were separated by a strip of dessert. Within that dessert, massive ancient stone monoliths were placed at intervals within the sea of sand that acted as humanities' last hope against the horrors from beyond. Only smaller, more infantile Chaos creatures were able to pass into the kingdoms of man, whereas the bigger ones had their life force drained by the pillars.
During their journey, these obelisks, due to Helios' size would be one of the biggest challenges. The pair wouldn't be able to pass through them together. While Erik was safe to get near them Helios would have to fly well above them. At the moment, the plan was to make it to the dessert, rest, and then continue on into the human countryside hoping they would run across one or two Stormborn to bring back to the plateau.
Erik lacked both the knowledge and the means of making a saddle, and so after Helios had grown large enough for flight, they had practiced aerial maneuvers and hand placements that would keep him firmly attached to the Dragon's back.
He left his modest lodgings and crossed over the bridge, heading over to the cave.
Finding Helios and Valora napping, Erik decided that he would talk to the pair later that evening about their plans to depart.
Nestled off in the corner, a waist high rough pile of ore was left untouched. This is where he had dragged all the black and green veined metal that he had found during his stone excavation for building materials. Still undecided on what he would call the strange metal, it was loosely referred to as Green Veined Metal. Until he knew more about it, that nomenclature would have to do. What little he did know about it was that it refused all attempts at manipulation. Magic seemed to have no effect on it. Currently he had no way to use this metal, but something in the way that it negated magic told him that it was valuable and that he should save it for later. Being able to fashion it into a shielding or armor would be invaluable given its characteristics.
Valora woke from her nap first and seeing Erik, questioned.
"Have you finished your preparations then?"
"Yes." Erik replied. "We can leave tomorrow morning just after dawn."
Valora hummed pleasantly.
"That is good news, It will be wonderful to finally have more young running around again."
With all the noise, Helios roused.
"Ugh, why are you so loud."
He groaned, before resting his head back down. Valora thumped him with her tail in response before chiding.
"Although, it does seem we have a few whelps lazing about."
Yelping, having been hurt physically and emotionally Helios snapped at it, catching nothing but air between sharp fangs.
"Still too slow to catch me young one."
She said slyly, hiding more than a bit of amusement in her tone.
"Better than being old."
He quipped, awarding him another tail slap to the face and an angry look from the elder.
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deciding it was better to take the punishment and leave it alone, he hissed and turned towards Erik.
"Truly, we leave soon?"
Excitement radiating in his voice.
"I was just telling Valora before you woke, that we could leave as early as tomorrow morning." Erik replied.
"Yes yes! Let's go tomorrow! The sooner the better! We can go right now!"
Erik laughed before saying, "We could go now, but I think its best we go in the morning. We aren't exactly sure where we are going and I would like to avoid nighttime this side of the obelisks."
Slumping back down Helios huffed a breath that kicked up dust making Erik cough.
"Fine. Come and get me when its time then."
"What will you do in the meantime Erik?" Valora asked.
Thoughtfully Erik pursed his lips and held a hand to his chin before responding. "I think I'll take a bath and relax."
***
Opening his eyes, Erik shot off the rock he was using as a bed. "Today's the day!" He exclaimed. Running around the plateau, he went about his morning routine. He wrapped some cooked meat in a pelt and tied it shut. Running inside the cave he found Helios awake and alert.
"It's time?" He asked.
"You betcha!" Erik said
Rousing from her sleep and lifting her head Valora stated with finality.
"Be careful you two. The future of Dragons rests on you."
"You can count on us Valora. We wont let you down." Erik replied
The pair ran out of the cave and into the morning sun.
Helios dropped down and Erik climbed atop his bond, finding purchase for his feet anywhere he could. Settling into a comfortable position just behind the wings. He weaved his arms into the blanket of dragon feathers and gripped, securing himself for takeoff.
Helios rose and made his way over to the edge of the plateau. Looking over, he let gravity take over and fell forward like they had practiced many times before. He launched downwards pushing off with his powerful legs. They dove down with incredible speed. Helios' wings tucked close to gather more speed. They fell and tears gathered in Erik's eyes, the wind pressure being too much for them. Willing the mana ahead of himself, he cut the wind and created a wedge to divert air and bugs away from his face.
Snapping his wings out, Helios caught an updraft turning their descent into forward momentum. Pumping his wings, they rose to a higher altitude where they proceeded to glide over the seemingly safe rolling hills of the plains surrounding their home.
***
After a few hours of flight, they descended before landing in one of the last patches of green available. A slight breeze rolled over the pair, where they waited and caught their breath. Flying was still taxing on them. Erik could only maintain the wedge spell for so long and Helios was barely large enough for sustained flight on his own not counting the roughly 275 pounds his companion now weighed.
Before them was a sea of dunes where the glaring light of the suns beat down, heat waves rising in the distance indicating just how sweltering the heat was here compared to the gentle temperatures they had grown accustomed to.
Having rested and regained their strength. they set out on foot to save energy.
Cresting a dune, they finally got their first look at the obelisks. Much larger than anticipated Erik was in awe at them, but even more surprising than their size was that parts of them bore a striking resemblance to the strange metal he had found while digging into the mountain side. Stone sporadically met jet black metal with vibrant streams of green running throughout the structure.
Off in the distance, near one of the stone monoliths Erik spotted a group of what appeared to be 50 people. He activated his mana sight. There was no way he would be lucky enough to find any of his kin this soon, but he did so on the off chance that there could be one or two. Instead, Erik's jaw hit the floor. Excitedly, he started towards them.
Something glinting in the distance caught Erik's eye and made him pause, holding a hand to block the light from the suns overhead, he took a closer look.
Men, women, and children all collard and chained together marched in a line towards an obelisk.
If it were just men and women chained together he might have believed they could be criminals. However, there were two things that broke that illusion. First being the dozen or so children and second, every one of the people in chains had the distinct mana color of Stormborn. They reached the stone and formed a circle around it. All at once they placed their hands to it. The metal came to life, a pulse of energy originating from the base shot towards the tip and out into the sky above. As the pulse of energy left the obelisk, those gathered around fell to the ground with exhaustion.
His mood soured the longer he looked. It was no longer a secret why the pilgrimages had stopped. His people had been enslaved.
he stood in shock as the realization washed over him.
His people, his kin reduced to slaves for generations.
Erik screamed unable to contain himself.
Fury replaced his shock and with reckless abandon he shot forward faster than he ever had before.
WAIT! ERIK STOP!
Helios yelled after him knowing that he couldn't assist his companion if he got any closer to the giant stones. Helios's cries failed to stop him as rage blinded him to everything except for breaking the chains that kept his people enslaved.
His feet pounded against the sand as he rocketed forward at terrible speeds. With a guttural roar, Erik challenged the captors. Both hands alight with flames as he let the mana free. Willing it to run wild.
Surprised into action by the sudden attack, the six guards drew their weapons and got into a a tight formation. Reminiscent of a roman shield wall, they raised their shields and held spears at the ready just above. Behind the four melee fighters on the frontline there were two archers supporting them from behind.
Never before had Erik been able to call forth the lightning of his birthright that was inherent to all Stormborn.
Unconsciously and without him knowing, sparks erupted from his fingertips that proceeded to dance up and over his arms. Instinct took over as his head shifted to the side, an arrow whizzing passed, barely missing its mark. Side stepping he dodged the other arrow that harmlessly hit the sand where he was previously. Arriving before the wall of wood and metal, Erik ducked as a spear was thrust forward. Closing his fist against the sparks and flame, he pulled his fist back and with a yell he punched the shield that dared block his path with righteous indignation.
A clap of thunder erupted as the shield exploded in a splintering of wood and Erik's fist connected with the man's leather breastplate with a sickening crunch. The man was knocked off his feet and into one of the archers behind him.
He didn't let the guards recover and sent out flames in a ring around himself to discourage the melee fighters from counter attacking.
With a wicked grin, he shot forward continuing the attack.