War of Chaos Chapter IX

IX

With spoken guidance, the black dragon carried his elf friend to a district that he recognised as Tyburn. Where he landed, he already detected the aura of the elves before he could hear the tip. He alit upon a garden that seemed to take up a block. How he loved to see nature. The elves seemed to be enjoying each other’s company. However, there was more. He detected the energy signature that he was glad to find. By the time the dragon’s feet touched the ground—except that of his wounded leg—the elf hopped off and orated, “There is more to tell you than where we shall be found.”
Hearing the comment, a few elves were pushed out of the way, so five men were seen. They all had black hair. They wore black overcoats over black trousers, matching vests, solid-black ties, and white shirts. Ares turned to Eimhin, and asked, “Where were these fellows found?”
Eimhin replied, “They managed to find us.”
The formally-dressed man, possibly the leader, added, “We detected the signature of dark energy that only a dragon could bear. I told my men here that we should follow its bearing.”
“When did you detect my energy signature?”
“Just when the sun began to rise”, the man responded.
Ares gave a sign with his paw for them to approach, and the five men in their matching suits reluctantly complied. The black dragon leaned his head forward and asked, “How is it that a dark sssorcerer sssurvived in an oppressed country for a century?”
“My name is Mihangel. My men and I really ‘ail from Wales. My grandfather served you before your clan began to fall apart. His son, my father, taught me everything they both knew. We laid low in Wales, refraining from using magic. The five of us stayed together, watching each other’s backs. We all managed to keep our energy signatures isolated, so only those bearing dark energy can detect those bearing the same, namely us.”
Ares easily showed his interest. “Would you carry out your family’s legacy, ssorcerer?”
The wizard said, expecting someone he didn’t see, “Give me a knife.” He somehow sensed an elf approach him, presenting a knife, which he took without looking at it. He slit the palm of his right hand and held his out. The dark sorcerer continued, “I swear my loyalty to thee, Dark Dragon, chieftain of the Dark Kingsmen.”
Ares ran his forked tongue over the wound and hissed, “My name isss Aresss.”
One of the Welsh men cleared his throat, and Ares turned his gaze to a taller, slimmer man. He spoke, “As the first deed to you, sir, if you would like me to heal that wound of yours…”
Mihangel added, “Trust him. He specialises in health.”
Ares, still having his gaze on that man, nodded slowly, giving his approval.
While that wizard was searching for the wound so he could tend to it, Eimhin approached the dragon again, orating, “We ‘ave also decided on what will act as the safehouse for us elves… and wizards. ‘Tis on the first block east of this. We ‘ave established where our own tavern would be, where we can keep our supplies and go over our strategies. I tip my ‘at to thee, Darkness, for you managed to divert public attention long enough for us to declare the property ours. We still need time to set up our workspaces, but there shall be no problem as long we ‘ave the right protection.”
The black dragon grimaced once he felt something hit him where his injury was, but then it went away. He adjusted himself before answering, “So, you want me to give a proposal?” He shifted his gaze to the wizard and called, “Mihangel.” He gave the sign, and the wizard approached him. The dragon orated, “As of now, sorcerer, you are to be referred as ‘General’. You are to lead those who fight. For the time being, however, two of your men should search the city for anyone in whom they see potential, and those that can be influenced to learn dark magic. You and the others shall run security of the safehouse. Understood?”
“Understood, Master Ares.” He bowed and departed, to spread the word. He was correct that there was more to say, but not other orders for him.
The dragon focused once again on the elf. “As for you, Eimhin, take note. To the blacksmiths: build badges that bear the symbol of the Dark Kingsmen, the symbol being the shape of a dragon’s open claws with a crescent,  facing one another.”
Eimhin stated, “Understood, sir.” He then changed his tone, asking, “Business with another dragon to se’ ul?”
Ares said plainly, “Precisssely.”
“’Ow soon will you depart?” the elf asked.
Ares responded, “Tomorrow morning. I need to regain my energy. I think your friends could use your guidance.”
Understanding that last statement, Eimhin said, “Thank you, sir”, and bowed before heading to what was to masquerade as a tavern. Ares sighed once he was left alone in the park. He tried hard already to avoid showing weakness. He knew what the next day was. He knew that he was only subdued for hours, having ended that fight during the sunrise. It was still a day before his anniversary, a kind of day all the humans wanted to make special. It only depressed Ares. He felt insignificant to even those who had just met him, and that made him feel so alone. Ares thought once again, “The past is the past, but it looks so much better than today.”

The black dragon departed England the following morning, without letting anyone know. His newfound followers did know that he would be leaving in the morning, but not when. Ares was awake before dawn, and found himself a meal in whatever bit of wilderness he could find. He took flight and hoped that no one would catch up with him. The last thing he wanted, was people—and dragons—concerned about him.
Ares didn’t even ask for directions or anything significant about where he was going. He only knew that his heading was southeast. It was hard as well. Knowing that name of the country wasn’t good enough. There was no pattern or landmark that would tell him where he was. He had never explored there before. He could determine the significant difference of the shadows and the sun’s position. He could feel how long he flew, and hoped that he was in the right range.
As the dragon lowered his altitude, he realised, unfortunately, he didn’t know what the language or accent of the people sounded like. Where he hovered above land, was past a high hill. He was fooled at first, thinking that it was a mountain. He would’ve loved if there was a civilisation on a mountain, but that was difficult.
Ares flew up and went back to the hill. A thought then occurred to him. He closed his eyes and relied on his own energy sense. No kind of signature was isolated. There had to be something, anything. When he sensed no energy coming from the village that he neared, he widened his range, and found no other energy signature. Something was wrong. There was no energy signature that he could detect. Wizards would only pick up his if they found him where he stood. If there were no wizards around him, this had to be the place. He searched around the city that he saw, and later spotted what appeared to be a temple. This was something that really interested him.

The dragon found his way to the structure, which appeared to be a series of pillars holding the roof up. He did notice that it was much damaged. Many pieces were broken or shaved away over the many decades of conflicts. Ares looked around when he was actually in the building. The wallpaper that told stories like art could truly do, was faded. The statue of what was possibly a depiction of a god, was broken down. The carvings had cracks as well. Ares had never seen this place before, but thought it was desolate. He closed his eyes again and tried to sense other energy signatures. His range was wide enough for him to know if there was any wizard or any magical being. Once again, he felt no kind of trigger. Suddenly, questions ran in his mind. “Was he here? Did he kill all the wizards and the dragon? Where am I? What is this place? And what happened to the civilisation?” He sighed. “How ironic. I convinced myself that I fuel conflicts, and I killed many. I never thought that I would feel sad for a city without life.”  He could feel himself choke, and he felt his eye leak a reflective tear. He never would’ve guessed that he would grieve for more than just the mother of a chick that he never saw hatch. Even though he thrived on conflict, he never would’ve committed murder. There was no point in that. He never would’ve killed someone on cold blood. If only he knew what happened. He felt terrible about all the possible deaths of beings that he never knew.
He let it all out as he lowered his head. His solemnity generated thick black tendrils reaching to the sky, causing the sky to darken with thick clouds. To join the tears shed from his own eyes, the natural tears fell from the sky and decorated the stone ground. Before long, heavy rain poured, but it would’ve done no good if it was to conceal the dragon’s tears. Such was not the case. His sadness influenced a storm. He could feel the raindrops tap his scales and his folded wings. As much as he loved the feeling of the taps upon his hide, it wouldn’t cheer him up. He could feel only sadness at the moment, and to make things worse, there was no one there to comfort him. It was just like his years as a hatchling: already an outcast, and not knowing where he belonged.
(The small young dragon collapsed upon the hard stone floor of a cave. It seemed like an ordinary day. It really was. He was already told to stop thinking about his hatch-day. No one would care if he was chosen so quickly to be the successor. He had spent too many days on breath control. It was still daylight, and he had grown weary from the lessons. He had learned to fly, and how to use his claws. It was on this day that he was taught finally to attack by breathing fire. He didn’t care that he had to refrain from showing weakness. He was weak now. Ever since the intense training began, one question ran through his mind: “Why me?” Pressure overcame him, and he buried his muzzle as he sobbed.
(Someone familiar to him, eventually spoke, “I found him, My Lord.” He was too fearful to make a move. He wished he could just be alone. Alone as he was among dragons of his age.
(A paw tapped on him, and the small dragon instinctively retreated to the end of the cave. How he hated the time the chieftain pulled him away from the comfort of his mother’s hold. His own spot in the caves owned by the chieftain and his wizard generals, was the only comfort he could get anymore. Footsteps could be heard retreating, the wizard being possibly dispatched for another task. The colossal dragon could see potential in his apprentice, not just with fast learning and not just already knowing that he could create dark energy.
(The sound of a paw scraping against the stone approached the small shadow-like dragon, and he muttered through a sob, “Please… leave me be…” The large paw lifted off the ground, and the hatchling’s teacher and superior departed.
(When finally lifting his head, which had already grown his three horns, the hatchling saw a wooden case planted next to him. Curiosity then got the best of him, for he opened the case and found something to fuel it farther: a cluster of black pearls. The rare black pearls were collected by sailors from the United Kingdom, and given to the clan, knowing of their interest. These pearls were brought together to form a fang. At that time, the message was unclear, but he couldn’t care less. So, he carried the cluster in his maw, heading for the opening of the den, and swiftly tossed the cluster.
(The chieftain was disappointed that the possession passed down for generations, was rejected. As much as dragons loved gems and metals, this hatchling couldn’t be satisfied by something so valuable to the clan. Even the chieftain knew how unhappy the hatchling was.)
Ares could still not get the thought of death and losses out of his mind. It was like the years he would’ve spent grieving for his loved ones took its toll on him. The land appeared very dry before he landed and found this place. Now his tears could have threatened to flood the city around him. The only dead beings significant to him, were those of his clan. He could not determine how to feel if he did see them die.

Before long, the somber dragon detected the energy signature of another dragon. However, his guard was down long enough to feel himself being shoved, and he and his attacker rolled along the stone floor. After three turns, he found himself with his back on the floor, and he was pinned by the shoulders. One wing was forcibly tucked underneath him, but his other was still useless. His bloodshot eyes saw only the colour blue. To be more precise, it was azure. The shade matched the sea reflecting the clear day sky’s colour. It was the one. Now the black dragon had his mind on the dragon. He panted before muttering, “’Tis you… the Water Dragon…”
The peculiar azure dragon looked upon him, sharing his sense of surprise. She thought for the proper response, and commented, “And I have not seen a black dragon at all.” Her voice was as female as any human, and it was the same with her accent. Ares knew that this dragon was female and originated from Greece, but was always mobile.
“If you have a fight with the Dark Dragon, be done with it”, Ares blurted. That aroused the dragoness’s surprise. She knew word of the Dark Dragon disappearing. She never knew how he had been alive for all this time, and without seeming to age. Though very hesitant, she pulled away, so Ares could lift himself. Once the azure dragoness backed away, Ares rolled over and turned right around so he could face her. He had no reason to strike, and showed that by folding his wings. “What is this place?” he asked.
The dragoness replied, “This is a temple that we call the Parthenon. You are in Athens, Greece.”
Ares said, sounding sly, “So, we finally meet. If I am correct, you are the first female in generations to head an elemental clan.”
“You are. I was given a simple name: Aquarius.”
“And my name is Ares.”
The azure dragoness tried very hard to refrain from raising her wings. She narrowed her yellow snake-like eyes, and neared her snake-like snout to this newcomer. “So it is true. The Dark Dragon is named after the god of war, and maybe the most brutal of the Olympians. From information I have listened to, you really lived up to being the embodiment of violence itself.”
Ares, having not made a move as the Water Dragon slowly circled him, spoke, “I am not the only dragon that is depicted as a mindless monster. I am not the only dragon to be feared. Am I the only dragon who believes in honour?”
Now that made Aquarius pause. She went around him again, so she could face him again. There seemed to be a shine on her scales from the rain that still poured over the land. “I do fight honourably”, she spoke. “If anyone comes toward me, to even threaten me, I prepare to fight. It is only natural. Any kind of sailor from the continent shall have my guidance when they request it. I have a unique gift. I can hear almost anything when I am below the surface of water, even when the source is from above the surface.”
“You did find me here. How?”
“Why, the rain, Darkness. I could sense the rain come upon the land, and that it was not natural. I located the source of the energy that influenced this weather: you.”
“I must confess, Aquariusss”, Ares said seriously. “I accompanied wizards of mine on missions. On thisss… specific one, disaster awaited. The ship that they were on, was attacked by pirates. They knew of the pattern used by sailors working for my clan. So, they hoped to find treasure from the ship. There were no losses, but my followers… sssuffered terrible injury. The amount of supplies deteriorated, and with how they went on, they were bound to ssstarve to death before reaching our destination. I resorted to finding them sustenance from the deep… I ssstole from you, one of your minions. A squid. I killed it instantly, and fed it to my followers. I had to do it. I wanted no one’s deaths on my conscience…”
“So, you were the reason I was one squid short… Still, that was bold of you. You really do try to put others before yourself. Because of that, I can forgive you.”
“I care not if you refuse to forgive me.” He maintained his serious tone. “You trussst no one, Water Dragon. Even if there are wizards that strictly follow your element, you have no personal followers. That is not a clan.”
“You judge to quickly, Darkness. My followers are always with me. I can always make the sea creatures do my bidding. All the lesser dragons—those incapable of any element—they pledge their allegiance to me. I am the one who turns the useless into useful.”
Ares sat down and crossed his paws. He sighed before speaking, “Aquarius… what happened to your country? I tried sensing other energy signatures, but there are none. Why is there no other kind of creature here?”
Aquarius followed suit, lowering herself to the ground. She curled her tail. “The Light Dragon brought about the near extinction.” Ares didn’t bother to repeat those last two words, and let the dragoness continue. “He challenged many other beasts. He went to the nearest country to where the two of you came from. He chose this country. All the beasts fought valiantly, but most died in vain. All the savage beasts of the mountains and the creatures of the forest were killed so brutally. Even the great one-eyed giant suffered the same fate.” She looked down very somberly. “The bird of fire can always evade demise, but could not make a difference. Another idea of dragons, was the Chimaera. Fearsome as they are—or were—they ended up as no match for the Light Dragon. In a final effort, the Cerberus opened their gate to what we long ago named The Realm of Hades. I authorised such a thing, and I am much ashamed of it, but it was the only way.” She blinked rapidly, feeling her eyes well up. “Only a few remain now, hidden away, where they cannot be found until the gate opens.”  She finally let her tears fall down her scales of the ocean’s shade, making stripes that looked a little darker. Ares felt like he could cry as well. He never would’ve depicted the dragon of the sea as sentimental. Still, he instinctively shuffled toward her and placed his good paw over her shoulder. The dragoness lowered her muzzle and rested her head on the black dragon’s shoulder. He felt the same way she felt. They were both devastated by the losses from their sides. He wondered if there was anything else she had to say, but he decided not to press her and instead let her release her emotion. The dragoness slowed her sobbing and pulled away, to look at Ares. To him, Aquarius had nothing to lose. So, why would she avoid showing weakness?
He whispered, “Aquarius… I loved someone… I need not have been told that she is long dead… Does having no mate, mean not having your heart broken?”
“Are you always filled with riddles, Ares?”
“Many run in my mind. ‘Twas no riddle that I influenced the Wind Dragon to fly to Africa and conflict with his opposite.”
The dragoness blinked slowly. She hissed, “So it truly was you.”
“I encountered him once. He challenged me, and I managed to tear a hole in his wing. My dark energy rubbed off on him. The rest spoke for itself.”
She rubbed her eyes with a paw to wipe her tears. “That is another story I must tell. Following the defeat of the other beasts of our country, the Wind Dragon, calling himself Daedalus, questioned himself of his own loyalty. He had already loathed himself for a long time for the humiliation that resulted from his conflict with the Earth Dragon. They suffered the same amount of losses, and after much brutality, the fight ended in a draw. He wanted more since his return. So, he worked very hard to become Greece’s champion. He got the government involved, wanting them to resort to the old way, and failed to convince them. Then he met the Light Dragon, giving him the push that he needed.
“Daedalus found the followers that he could relate to: the Harpies, who acted as guards of Greece. Like you find battle your game, the Harpies find their game seduction. Daedalus challenged the queen of the Harpies that way.” Aquarius then became angry as she continued. “He pretended to flirt with her as a way of enchantment. She was very difficult to tempt as Harpies thrive on torment and tricks. In the end, Daedalus resorted to violence, assaulting the Harpy queen. Making the Harpy clan see that the Wind Dragon is superior, they reluctantly pledged their allegiance to him. He stole the Harpies from Greece.”
“Wait”, Ares interrupted. “If all those other beasts perished, how did the Harpies survive the assault from the Light Dragon?”
“The Light Dragon challenged the Chimaeras first, believing that they relate closest to dragons. News of the Light Dragon slaying them, quickly became a topic of conversation. That was when the one-eyed giant wanted to prove more powerful than him, but was slain as well. That led him to the mountains, where our most iconic savages resided. While the Light Dragon was focused on them, the Harpies made their routes to elude him. Daedalus stayed low during the assault. That made him loathe himself more, finding that others depicted him as a coward.” She looked down at the damp ground, and dripped of the rain water from her scales.
“Then what happened?” Ares pressed on, his curiosity fuelled.
Aquarius looked up again, replying, “Daedalus spent years tracking the Light Dragon, until he stopped in the western world. If news that I picked up is correct, Daedalus told him that he wanted to be on the winning side. So, Daedalus, having the Harpy clan under his control, became an ally of your opposite. He is the only elemental dragon allied with the Light Dragon.”
“I understand that you refuse to say his name”, Ares commented.
“Saying the name now repulses me.” She went on sarcastically, “A dragon of the perfect element, having the perfect name.”
Ares sighed before stating, “I need you, Aquarius. You, the sea, are freedom.” He then orated, “Those who sail, have their idea of freedom. Your friends that live beneath the surface, can see as much of the world as they please. I know nothing of your family’s clan, Aquarius, but you must gather what allies of yours you can. I find that the only way to restore the balance of the elements, is to declare war upon the Light Dragon’s clan, a siege by the clans of all other elements.”
The dragoness bared a bit of her fangs, like a smirk, and stated, “I have operatives following me, who have been living in the west for a few years now. I do have wizards, but they are scattered around the world. I can contact them, as I have a connection to them.” Now this surprised Ares. Then again, he knew nothing about this peculiar beast. He reached his good paw out, to pat her.

Their appointment was interrupted upon hearing gusts blow, and the two grand reptiles turned their heads, finding a long and slender cloud of black smoke. It dissipated to reveal a man in black robes, and having black hair and perpetually narrow eyes. It was the wizard of the east. Ares chose to be blunt, and hissed, “Kuro, what is ssso damn important that you had to come here so rudely?”
The wizard followed suit, speaking, “Ares-sama, I sensed a disturbance emitted from you. I talked my sensei into letting me track your aura.”
“Sadnessss is not enough to make you think there is an emergency. I gave off no distress. You still have business to attend to, no?”
“My sensei has charged me with giving lessons to new recruits”-
Ares cut him off, blurting, “Then get on with it! Next time you come up to me so unexpectedly and I am not in need of aid, I will make you remember that you must respect my choices.” The glare of his red eyes toward the eastern mage, was enough to remind him.
Kuro nodded, and waved his arm, surrounding himself with a cloud of smoke that dissipated as fast as it was formed, and he was nowhere to be seen.
The black dragon instinctively looked back at the dragoness when she said, “So you now have allies from Japan?”
“The Kage Shinja, to be exact. That wizard and the grandmaster are the ones that saved me. They freed me from the prison I was in over the past one hundred years. They were the first to pledge allegiance to me. They will not officially be Dark Kingsmen as they are not from the United Kingdom, but they are my sworn allies as we share the element.”
Something suddenly came to the dragoness. She asked, “How did you treat those that failed to carry out your wishes?”
“The acts that I choose depend on how major it is, the task that they fail. Normally, I would demote those who walk the battle field if their mission fails. The same goes with those that insult their honour, or mine. ‘Tis those who defect to the enemy in any way that are put to death. That is why I instated a blood oath as part of the tradition.”
Aquarius looked at him intently now upon hearing about the Dark Dragon’s way of judgment. She stated, “Despite my low numbers, water wizards are loyal to the dragon that always travels the world, be it whether called upon or not.”
Ares nodded. “My comrade the Ice Dragon believes the same kind of thing.” He changed his tone, thinking aloud, “You must enjoy the rain as much as the oceans.”
“Like with the past wars over Greece, arrows will rain over the Light Dragon’s domain.”
“Is it true, what he is like? I know that he challenged the other creatures in the United Kingdom. I know that he challenged the Ice Dragon, and then the Fire Dragon.”
Aquarius explained, “He did go to the west. The Light Dragon found himself in what is now the United States, which became its own country ninety-six years ago. It was much unexpected, what he wanted. He was in search of challengers, but instead found a new land, and hoped that he could rule over it. The Light sorcerers were authorised to build him his own territory while finding other recruits for his own military. He gained his soldiers through conscription and extortion. The mortals were of course threatened by the dragon, judging that he would kill every last one of them.”
Ares blurted, making his anger obvious, “That is a blasphemy! It goes against the rule that he and I both live by!”
“There is more than that”, the azure dragoness continued. “What he wanted for his own territory, was shown with the large barrier, inspired partially by the Great Wall of China. The barrier was as high as the keep of a castle from Medieval Times, and very hard to penetrate, generated completely by magic. This territory is believed to be in the centre of the United States, and runs through the borders of fours states. Anyone who was still inside when the barriers were perfectly erected, were ordered to remain inside. For decades now, the people have been living in fear of the Light Dragon and his wizards. The non-magic folk following him have been forced to follow only orders.
“Even worse, his presence has now interfered with the natural cycle. The air should be growing colder now, yet it was very warm this time for these decades. Plants and crops flourished and the animals and humans never went hungry for at least a few years. That later came at a price. After those few years, plant life started to degrade and water has been needed more and more. The sun and the light energy became torturous, and countless areas descended into chaos.
“It was just two years ago, there was an event to take the Light Dragon’s mind off of the people’s complaints. A new government began, and through a successful debate, Canada was birthed. I was there, and picked up news then. The Light Dragon was convinced that the people of the country he was raised in, deserved to keep their domain. Nobody knows when, but he is likely to attempt derailing the new country’s Confederation. With the superstition that grew, there was a rumour that someone of the new country, named McGee, was killed under the Light Dragon’s orders. I myself doubt such, but someone said it for all the more reason to hate the Light Dragon.”
Ares hissed, “He fails to see that he long ago gave everyone a death sentence. He insultsss his family’s honour, and that of every dragon bloodline.”
Aquarius stated, “What I inform of thee is truth, Ares. No one knows what the truth does.”
“And there is always something more valuable than reflective ssstones.” He bared his teeth as if he was grinning. “You have given me the perfect birthday present.”
Now that surprised the azure dragoness. She asked, “You were hatched on thisss day?”
“The last day of November. And I thought that I would have another miserable hatch-day.” Then there came a prompt for him think for a moment. He didn’t want the elves to make a fuss over it. Furthermore, telling his new clan would be too late when he was to return to London. If there was to be any celebration, he would’ve hated having a party.
As if she read the black dragon’s mind, Aquarius offered, “You are more than welcome to stay here for the night. You are not the only dragon to prefer a chapel.”
Ares leaned in to nuzzle the dragoness and placed a paw on her shoulder. He breathed, “Thank you, Aquarius.” She wasn’t someone he would have felt romantic for, but he did find that he shared a bit of perspective with her.
The two dragons were at least at a truce, knowing that they shared an enemy. Ares never took the time to seek Aquarius out when he made alliances with other dragons. The only thing that he believed he shared with Aquarius, was the skill of stealth. He did know how to swim, but wouldn’t hold his breath for as long as his friend Viktor could. He didn’t know for certain, but there was a rumour that Aquarius was born with gills, giving her the ability to breathe underwater. Yet, she was breathing on land. Judging that the ocean’s queen would feel insulted, he refrained from asking. Another thought that had him smiling, was that Aquarius enjoyed the rain as much as he did.
Since Ares was more of a night dragon, he simply watched his acquaintance sleep. Suddenly, he felt the sadness creep up to him again. He sighed softly as he looked upon the peaceful creature. The only recent dreams that he remembered having, were painful to him. Aquarius seemed to be in the beauty of the dream realm.