A Legend... or Destruction?

[Relairah]

This is a continuation of A Villain... or a Hero? found here by myself and Xenoxice if you're reading along

iC:

For weeks, Xavelthius hunted. He commanded Zenithe and Jolene to question villagers and those they encountered for information since Xavelthius could not transform. Or perhaps didn't want to. Each person who knew something, or had heard a tale lead them one step closer. They headed further and further north, not even sure precisely where they were going.

Finally... they reached the great city of Ebernum. The white walls glistened in the sunlight and Xavelthius' dark form was even more stark in contrast to the mountainside. Their most recent inquiries had said there was someone like he had described, a craftsman who had been a part of the city since as long as anyone could remember.

Now as they entered the great gates, they would see the city was alive and bustling as people scurried about the market place. Travelers, merchants, vendors, and all sorts of odd folk were about. It seemed the city was entirely accepting of various races and types so long as no one caused any trouble. Guards stood posted at various points about. But they seemed mostly stationed only to keep the peace as a contstant reminder to the inhabitants.[/center]

[Xenoxice]

This new city they had arrived at, Zenithe had only passed through once or twice.  He wasn't very familiar with the people in it nor their attitudes but from the looks of people and creatures around him, they didn't mind pretty much anything at all.  Still this didn't put him at ease.  Looking around he tried to find the place a few of the travelers they had questioned along the way mentioned.  It was too crowded to see on street level where anything was so he decided to find an alley and jump to the roof of a nearby building for a better vantage point.  In the distance he vaguely made out the details of a craftsman shop that stood out from the rest.  It had what resembled a deformed dragon emblem as a logo with the name 'Nethal's Iron and smithing.'  Zenithe shook his head slowly with a not so surprised look of disbelief on his face.  That's just like you grandfather.... how in the world have you stayed hidden so long with such obvious clues to where you are.... his thoughts he kept private to himself but as to not arise any suspicion with Xavelthius, he leaped down back into the alley and reported to him where he had spotted the craftsman building that matched the clues they had gathered from others.  "Be ready Jolene... I don't know what's going to happen when we get there..."

[Relairah]

Their questioning and journey lead them to somewhat the outskirts of the city... though not entirely too far away. A modest shop with countless refined and specially designed goods. Soon... Zenithe would be greeted with an old yet familiar face...

Salathen had the same silvery hair as Zenithe, though it was cut short. His eyes were a brilliant blue, and his clothing was a simple pale tunic over dark tights and brown leather boots. A simple band was about his waist, though it carried various weapons. He looked up as soon as Zenithe and Jolene would enter the shop. Despite his age, he was quite youthful. He stopped dead in his tracks, as if he didn't believe his eyes.



When they had initially left, Jolene had leaned into Zenithe's form. She took his warning to heart and held his words dear. She knew they were true. But it was different to hear him say it in her mind. She wished she could tell him not to worry. That she could fend for herself. But she had never faced such a foe as this. And in her gut, she knew she needed to stay on his good side.

As they hunted, she mostly kept to herself, letting Zenithe do most of the talking as Xavelthius instructed. Even if she were to help, she wouldn't know what to ask or where to start. Even given Zenithe's memories... they were his.

At last, they had reached the city. And soon they were approaching where the remaining Kodalis family member resided. They stepped in... Jolene couldn't imagine what it was her beloved was feeling. She laced her fingers through his hand, walking close beside him. And soon, she was greeted with a face. One that she only recognized from foreign memories and she waited patiently.

Xavelthius hung back, letting Zenithe and Jolene enter first. But he was not so far as to let them try and escape. Though certainty seemed to emanate from him. Perhaps he felt even if they tried they wouldn't get away. At last, he had revealed that he could indeed transform into a humanoid form as opposed to his draconian form. Though he made it quite clear it was only for appearances and for convenience around a city such as this where humans were tiny in comparison to his gargantuan form. They were already near the edges of town. It would not be difficult for him to return to his true form should he desire to do so.

[Xenoxice]

As he walked into the shop where his grandfather reside, his crimson gaze met his deep sapphire one.  Standing silently for a moment making sure they were the only ones in the store, Zenithe held out his hand  with an orb of black smoke that formed into and revealed the still open box before him.  "I wish we had met again under better circumstances grandfather..." he whispered quietly.  "But.... he's been freed." he finished his sentence with a rather gloomy expression.  "He wishes to settle things with you... I'll help you in any way I can, just let me know what to do."  Zenithe for the first time seemed to be at a complete loss for words.  Seeing his grandfather for the first time since he was a child and for all he knew it would be his last time seeing him ever again.  He knew Xavelthius had to have a weakness as everybody does but what it was, was unclear and uncertain at this point.  "What will you do grandfather?  What would you have us do?"  He motioned towards himself and Jolene.  "This is my mate Jolene.  I wanted to introduce you at some point, but not like this."  He looked into his grandfather's eyes for wisdom and advice before Xavelthius came into the store and interrupted them.

[Relairah]

Salathen stared at the box as Zenithe produced it, and finally moved forward until he stood close enough to embrace him if he so desired. He reached up his hands, closing the box. "Zenithe... perhaps it is only fate that brings us together now. Forgive me the time I haven't been there. Keep that box close. You may yet need it again." Salathen turned his gaze toward Jolene. "If you are Zenithe's, that speaks enough for you as it is. I am only glad I could see that you have found happiness, my grandson." He paused once more, and stepped back. "Xavelthius will not wait. You must go. Now."/color]



However brief the interaction was, Jolene could tell there was so much unspoken beneath the surface. No time. No time. She felt a slight blush at Salathen's words to her, but as quickly moved on as he instructed them to leave. She had a feeling Zenithe wouldn't settle for that so easily. "We can't abandon him, right? Not when we basically brought his death to him! Right?".



Just as Salathen warned the two to leave, Xavelthius was stepping into the shop. He was no larger in human form than the other men near him, but his presence was of one powerful and used to commanding others. His hair was long and as black as his scales in dragon form and he was dressed entirely in black. Only his lime green eyes peered out, still cat-like slits despite the human transformation. His skin was dark as well. He seemed as if he were in and of itself the darkest of shadows. "You've had enough time for your pathetic goodbyes. Salathen, you will pay for the wrongs done to me... and my beloved." With that he lunged toward the other, producing a dark blade from beneath his cloak. Salathen met him equally. In human form... he stood a chance. Or at least, for now.

OoC: O....M.....G!!!! I just had the CRAZIEST idea! What if Xavelthius was indeed growing more powerful and commanding the Guardians BUT he hadn't yet reached his full power. And then when Xinkerra died, in a similar way to what's going to happen with Zenithe, he suddenly exploded with power, etc? O: And then of course they had to all seal him away for his blood lust and destructive evil. BUT what if his sword is made from a similar ore or if not then one also powerful and mysterious? O: And then Zenithe sees his blade and is like gadidhgihpiadjkdsg XD what choo think?

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe smiled tenderly for just a moment as he heard his grandfather's words.  Jolene's words penetrated his mind and rang loud and clear to him.  Only in a brief moment he gained a stern expression full of resolve.  "No.... We're not abandoning him.  Xavelthius will be taken down one way or another right now.  We stand and fight him when he engages."  Their reunion was short lived as he heard Xavelthius walk into the store.  He could see the icy stare he gave his grandfather and the cold lifeless words uttered of revenge.  When the two met blades, Zenithe stared Xavelthius down from behind.  "You're not facing just one enemy this day Xavelthius!"  Leaping in front of him to stand by his grandfather, he drew his own blade and struck against Xavelthius attempting to push him back by combining his strength with his grandfather's.  "I refuse to let my grandfather fight alone and you will not have your way with this world!  We will not be controlled by fear!"  His gaze was firm and his mind made up as he confronted Xavelthius side by side with his only living relative left.  In his mind he spoke to his grandfather.  "What are we going to do?  Do you have an plan for defeating him right now or just stand your ground until you form a plan?"

[Relairah]

Salathen had wondered if this day would come. There had been that chance. Now as he looked into Xavelthius' face, he saw nothing of the family member he had once known. No traces whatsoever. It was like this being was an utter stranger. He had long since grieved the entire situation when it had happened so long ago. Yet somehow, seeing him, stirred all the memories of the events long past. And this time, he knew it would not end the way it had before. At least... he wouldn't witness such.

As his grandson's voice came to his mind, he felt a twinge in his heart. How could he give him false hope? And yet how could he tell him the truth of the situation. "No plan for now, Zenithe. We must simply do our best to defeat him." For a brief moment, Salathen's eyes took in Zenithe's blade. He had never seen anything like it - even for all of his own skills and his years in this world. His gaze snapped back to Xavelthius as he barely managed to block a strike from his sword which would have otherwise cut him in half. "Zenithe... your blade... what is it?" he asked. He could sense something special about it. But what he didn't yet know.

Salathen stumbled back, eyes calculating every movement of both his enemy and his allies. Xavelthius attacked ruthlessly, pushing him back and back, his strikes both frequent and powerful despite the largeness of his blade. Pushing off from one attack, Xavelthius stepped back. He sheathed his sword and clapped his hands together. An enormous blast of dark energy burst forth, similar to the one that had come from the box when he had first been released.



Rather than watching the blast and its effects, Xavelthius followed the energy into Salathen, using sheer force to propel him backward. For anyone that might be nearby outside the building, they might be in for a sever shock as the sound of exploding wood echoed and suddenly Salathen's and Xavelthius' bodies burst from the building in a tumble. As they rolled away from the city, Xavelthius transformed into dragon form, his enormous figure easily dwarfing everything around him. Salathen followed suit and followed Xavelthius skyward.

Salathen's own form was impressive. His scales were a glimmering white, highlighted in the faintest of blues and his powerful wings carried him with ease. Still... even his span wasn't nearly as large as his opponent's. In response to Xavelthius' blast before, Salathen opened his mouth, white hot fire blazoning through the sky. They clashed, becoming a tangle of claws and teeth and roars echoing.



Jolene leaped back as Xavelthius walked in and so quickly began his battle. He had hung back only to allow them goodbyes? She stared at him. In human form, she could still sense his malice...but somehow it wasn't as intense. Perhaps that was why suddenly Zenithe's disposition changed. She had a feeling there was more to the picture... but she wasn't sure what it was. She also went on the attack, though wasn't sure what she could do much other than trying to strike blows here and there. He seemed incredibly adept at fighting all three of them...

As Xavelthius' attacks focused on Salathen, she tried to strike from other angles. He seemed to block her on each attempt though. His strength was staggering. With each attack, he pushed her back with his arm, easily tossing her to the side as if she were merely in cat form.

As she watched the two burst outward through the back of the building, she gathered herself once more, following. She felt so useless, so puny. What could she possibly do against these ancient dragons? As she stepped outside, all she could do was look skyward as the combat continued.

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe attempted to make his own strikes while standing next to his grandfather even though they were being pushed back and the attacks more focused on his grandfather and merely blocks against himself.  He heard his grandfathers voice ring in his mind and for a moment, Zenithe didn't answer.  Not until after the two had been blown out of the building and shifted skyward did Zenithe sheath his blade and follow suit.  Zenithe would only just now demonstrate how high his level of mastery in shifting was when what seemed to be in a single fluid movement, he leaped from the ground and the moment his feet left the dirt beneath them, the shift began and ended in what seemed to be less than a second.  The moment after the shift was complete he gave a mighty thrust of his wings sending dirt, debris and loose chunks of wood from the broken building flying as though they were mere dust.  He shot into the sky like a rocket to try and aid his grandfather who was fighting at quite a high altitude now.  "Jolene, stay on the ground and hide for now.  Guards will be around shortly to investigate that noise and what happened.  They aren't like the ones in Escavas.  They're used to dealing with and catching all matter of people, creatures and even shifters."  His voice was commanding but gentle and loving.  He couldn't help but worry for her safety now that Xavelthius was back. 

His attention shifted towards his grandfather.  "In regards to your question earlier about my blade, to be honest with you even I'm not entirely sure of it.  It took me years to track down the ore that make up its composition and to my knowledge I used the only bit of it in existence.  I know its harder than any normal metal that can be forged from regular materials and the colors change becoming brighter and more opaque when it meets water but aside from that I don't know what mysteries nor powers, if any, lie hidden within it.  Why do you ask?  Do you sense something about it?"  His voice was calm as though holding just an everyday conversation with him all the while he continued to propel himself at rather impressive speeds towards his grandfathers and Xavelthius' location until he finally caught up and threw himself into the fray to fight alongside his family.

[Relairah]

The white dragon teamed up with his grandson seemed to push Xavelthius back, if only for a moment. To Zenithe's mind he responded, "I sense not much more than you already know. I did notice that there was something different. I had never seen anything like it in all my years. It may very well be enough to pierce a dragon's scales. I feel you may also need it yet. But time will tell." Balls of white fire burst from Salathen's hands and throat as he fought, though Xavelthius seemed to dispel them with dark energy blasts. The energy seemed to have a life of its own, cackling like lightning and sending blasts flying in random directions. Some even struck past the fire balls and landed blows. Salathen knew that it would be only a matter of time... He sought more to weaken Xavelthius than to defeat him - for even that had been something all of them working together the last time had been unable to do. Hence why they had sealed him.



Jolene listened to Zenithe's instructions. She knew he was right... and that soon unwanted company would arrive. She didn't much care about her reputation. She was known as a thief. But she didn't want to risk taking on a group of guards at the moment. In fact, her wound from her last fight hadn't yet been tended to and she was drained already. She needed to recoup. She made her way away from the city and into the trees, searching for herbs. She wasn't sure how much luck she'd have in these mountains... but she prayed she'd find something. All the while she got as far from the craft shop as she could.

[Xenoxice]

Fighting alongside his grandfather Zenithe always thought it would feel like a dream.  But under these circumstances it felt more like a nightmare.  Fighting against a behemoth with such power and abilities was frightening.  "I never once thought about it being able to pierce dragon scales... Perhaps you're right..."  As he maneuvered around and dodged attacks, he began to feel unsure about the events unfolding.  Why is this happening... How are we even going to be able to defeat this creature... he thought silently to himself.  Every now and again he would give quick glances towards the trees where Jolene had hidden herself making sure she was okay.  "I don't know how we're going to beat you Xavelthius, but mark my words, either you will be sealed away once again or you will die!"  His words were firm and strong enough to have the will to try and back them up as well.  All he could do for right now is devise a way to take him out or at least wound him enough to be sealed again while still blocking his attacks.

[Relairah]

Salathen was pushed back and knocked to the side by Xavelthius. A roar escaped him and he regained himself, beating his wings. But by the time he had regained, he was hit full on by one of Xavelthius' energy blasts. Black lightning danced about his figure. Whether or not Zenithe's sword would be the key to this battle, time was running out.

Salathen surged forward, clashing with Xavelthius once more as the creature had aimed an attack toward Zenithe this time. Salathen bore the brunt of the attack, and together the two of them went plummeting through the sky.



Xavelthius used his wings to catch the plummet, not allowing Salathen to push him toward the earth. He sunk his claws into Salathen's belly, snapping at his face, his throat. As they rolled, he gained the advantage, sinking a hold into one of Salathen's wings and tearing it from top to bottom. Xavelthius laughed heartily at Zenithe's words. At that moment, he pulled Salathen toward him and in a mighty thrust threw him downward while using Salathen's body to push him further into the sky.

His expression was a wicked grin as he watched Salathen fall, unable to regain himself with his tattered wing. His roars were bellowing, carrying in every direction and even to the city below. The crash as the white dragon's body hit the earth was like thunder and left a crater and many broken trees in its path. Salathen seemed to try to rise, shaking his head to clear it and tried to fire another blaze of white fire toward Xavelthius who was coming straight for him.

Xavelthius grasped the fire in his palm, merely flinching at the pain and sent black lightning cackling and intertwining with the stream of flame all the way down into Salathen's face. He landed with force, pushing the white dragon's body back into the earth. "I want you to feel the pain I have suffered. If not in your soul than your body will know it."

His wicked expression never altered. He seemed to take pleasure as Salathen's fight and strength waned. The white dragon gave one last attempt, striking at him with tooth and claw. But Xavelthius returned the blows. Salathen did not have long left.



Meanwhile, Jolene had managed to find some medicinal herbs. She removed her shirt, tearing the end to make herself some bandages. She hissed as she pressed the herbs to her wound. At least this would do for now. She wrapped the strips around her middle, and donned what remained of her shirt. She definitely needed some new clothes, she thought...

She gazed skyward. Even from a distance, she could make out the forms of the dueling dragons. 'Please be okay, Zenithe,' she thought to herself. Then she saw it... as the white dragon fell.

She leaped to her feet, ignoring the throbbing in her side. She moved toward where they had fallen. She was thinking of Zenithe... but also his grandfather. It couldn't be over already. Not like this.

[Xenoxice]

Zenithe was unsure of what to make of the duel between Xavelthius and his grandfather as he attempted to help.  The difference in strength was clear to anyone who would have witnessed the battle occurring.  His grandfather was not only losing ground in the fight, but losing his life as well.  He watched as they both plummeted and the maneuvers Xavelthius pulled to turn the fight ever more in his favor.  He threw himself into a nosedive to try and catch up to his falling family member only to watch with horror as his grandfather hit the ground with incredible force and snapping trees like they were twigs.  Realizing he had no place in the battle, he spotted Jolene and flew over to her quickly, shifting back into his human form.  "I cant..." he spoke quietly with a heavy breath.  "He's too much for me, I'm no use against him in that dragon form..." he shook his head with eyes closed.  His thoughts traveling to his grandfather.  "I'm so sorry... I tried but I can't get him.  Maybe my sword is strong and sharp enough to pierce his scales but even then, how can I get close enough to him in this human form to use it?  He'd destroy me in an instant like this..."  his words were shaky and uncertain.  All he wanted to do was protect the ones he cared for.  He was about to lose his grandfather, it would be a heavy loss indeed and it would hurt badly.  But then he began to think of Jolene.  How would he feel if she got hurt or even worse?  It would break him.  How would he fight Xavelthius then?  Many thoughts came to his mind even in these brief moments but none hurt more than imaging the loss of his mate.  "Jolene..." he spoke to her mind, "Run..."

[Relairah]

Salathen coughed, struggling to rise as Xavelthius pushed him into the earth once more. "Do not apologize to me, my grandson. Live. My fate was sealed in ages past. But you must go on with me in your memory. And you must do all you can to protect what you have now. Have faith in yourself. For you may yet stand where I have fallen." They were the last words of an old dragon.

Not long after, Xavelthius sunk a blow into his chest and Salathen was gone.



As soon as Salathen was dead, Xavelthius turned, eyes narrowing as he searched the landscape around him. Despite the fact that Salathen had cleared many trees in the surrounding, there were plenty more expanding outward where he knew that his descendant and that pathetic girl were hiding. "I will find you. You have betrayed me just as my comrades did before. You sealed your own fate when you stood beside Salathen. Face me! Face your fate. Or bend to my will and swear fealty to me. I am the one true master and this world is mine!"

The ground rumbled as Xavelthius stepped forward, black lightning cackling from his throat as he cleared himself a path through the forest. In a powerful leap and flap of his wings, Xavelthius went skyward once more, searching from birds eye through for Zenithe and Jolene.

"Come now, Zenithe Kodalis. That girl isn't worthy of you. A lowly human scum. Join me and find one truly worthy of your title. Your blood." Apparently Xavelthius had noticed Jolene's lack of dragon form.



As soon as Zenithe was near her, she ran toward him, breathless. "Oh my stars!" she gasped, throwing herself around him. "I saw them fall." No matter what form, she was able to access her cat senses with ease. But she didn't even need them now. She heard everything except for the mental words. They must be nearby. Her gaze had drifted through the trees to where Xavelthius and Salathen were.

She snapped her focus back to Zenithe as he told her to run. She nodded, grasping his hand. She would not run and leave him behind. She would not lose him. Jolene took off, ignoring the underbrush that scratched at her skin. They needed to get as much distance between Xavelthius and themselves as possible. As Xavelthius cleared away the forest before him, she felt the ground quake as trees fell. But then it stopped. Where was the black dragon now? She was panting, senses alert. He must be above somewhere, she deduced. "Zenithe. We can't outrun him. What does he want?" she asked.

[Xenoxice]

Allowing Jolene to take his hand, he began to run with her.  After hearing his grandfathers words, Zenithe began to feel a little more hopeful, but began to shake with frustration and anger after feeling his presence disappear knowing that he was now gone.  His last living relative... dead.  Xavelthius' words filled his mind as he continued to run with Jolene.  Her words soon brought his mind back to reality.  "I am aware we can't outrun him.  And he's trying to convince me to join him, saying you're not worthy enough for me.... but this ends here...."  Zenithe stopped dead in his tracks and looked towards the sky, speaking in his mind so both Jolene and Xavelthius could hear.  "You will pay for what you've done Xavelthius!  I hold no grudge against you, but you have killed in an act of revenge against my only remaining family... You have taken away something dear to me out of cruelty... and for that... justice will be served!"  Zenithe's pupils dilated to their most narrow point. He pulled his hood back and began shifting back into his dragon form once more.  "I will not let you take any more innocent lives to accomplish your own selfish ambitions and twisted dreams!  The world belongs to no one man nor creature but to all!"  Launching himself from the ground even harder than before, he flew into the sky to meet him head-on.   Unafraid, without a trace of doubt and full of resolve now, Zenithe faced his destiny straightforward.  "I swear on my title as a Guardian of the Night, you will fall by my hand this day!  Mark my words!"

[Relairah]

Xavelthius had not yet found them. But that changed as soon as Zenithe was suddenly bursting skyward toward him. "And what makes you think you can suddenly beat me now? Your precious grandfather was no match. But if you really want to take me on so be it!"

Xavelthius dived toward his descendent, releasing a blast of energy toward Zenithe as he flew. "Don't be so blinded by grief. After all you lead me to him when you could have feigned his very existence. His fate was sealed when he locked me away. Innocent blood was on his hands. He was no more innocent than a tried and charged criminal. But you, Zenithe, have the world before you."



Jolene watched as Zenithe suddenly turned, transformed, and charged for Xavelthius. "No..." she thought. "Zenithe, no!" She looked around desperately. Wasn't there something she could do?! Here she was, again, completely unable to do anything! To even help in the smallest of ways. What good was her small magic against that of a dragon? Particularly one as powerful as Xavelthius! He had taken down Zenithe's grandfather already. She wondered what Zenithe meant when he said Xavelthius was trying to get him to join him.

So far she was thinking of nothing that might help. There was no way she could even discover his weakness. At least she didn't think so. Her normal feisty nature seemed squelched by Salathen's death. She didn't want to lose him. "Zenithe! Please! Your shadow can cloak us. We can regain our strength." 'Will this battle lead him to Salathen'so fate? So soon after we've found each other? ' Jolene couldn't help wondering to herself.