Marica
(#21513471)
the soul witch
Click or tap to view this dragon in Predict Morphology.
Energy: 50/50
This dragon’s natural inborn element is Light.
Female Bogsneak
This dragon is hibernating.
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Personal Style
Apparel
Skin
Scene
Measurements
Length
5.69 m
Wingspan
4.65 m
Weight
442.31 kg
Genetics
Swamp
Poison
Poison
Obsidian
Stripes
Stripes
Obsidian
Underbelly
Underbelly
Hatchday
Breed
Eye Type
Level 1 Bogsneak
EXP: 0 / 245
STR
7
AGI
5
DEF
9
QCK
5
INT
5
VIT
9
MND
5
Biography
"My dear, with my help, I can free you from the misery in your life."
~
Marica, Part 1, Volume I
Freedom.
~
Continued from Pierce Part 1
He could hear hushed voices as he felt a strange pulling sensation. Were they whispering to him? When his body jerked back, Dewlap snapped wide awake and gasped as he glanced wildly around him. There was nodrake else with him except the brightly dressed Wildclaw beside him. The brilliant orange eyes of the young dragon were round with fear.
“D-Dewlap?” Pierce’s voice trembled. “W-where are w-we?”
The white and black Nocturne took in his surroundings. The room that they were in had walls, ceiling and floor made entirely of compact dirt. Ancient, cracked, and mouldy wooden tables leaned against each wall. On top of every table sat squat candles, their wax oozing from the heat of the dancing flames. In the centre of this room, just in front of both dragons, stood one table. On its flat and splintered surface, there they saw two porcelain jars.
He had seen those jars before...
Dewlap tried to move, but when he struggled, something around him tightened. He stopped and looked down. His body and wings were bound in thick green vines, as were Pierce’s.
“Hello, Dewlap, darling.”
He knew that voice, but he saw nodrake else. Dewlap’s body shook.
“Oh, dear me,” the voice chortled deeply. “I’m still invisible, aren’t I? Let me fix that.”
Right before their eyes, Dewlap and Pierce could only stare at a large green and black shape appeared in wisps of smoke before becoming solid. Beady yellow eyes mocked them.
Sitting on her thick haunches, the splotchy green she-drake spread her stocky arms wide as she smiled toothily. “It’s been too long, hasn’t it?”
Dewlap only cocked one dark brow in confusion. Her voice and colours were so familiar, but her shape was all wrong. He still knew, though.
“Marica?”
“So nice of you to remember me, despite how I now look,” the she-drake chuckled, lifting her long claws to inspect them as she smiled.
“What happened to you?” Dewlap asked, his pale eyes had now widened.
“I became better,” Marica simply replied, lowering her paw. “That pathetic Snapper you once knew is no more, true, but...” she paused her singing to chortle, “just wait until you see what these new paws can do.”
“Tell me why we’re here, or I’ll—” Dewlap gasped as the vines strangled and choked him when he tried to struggle. A faint light glowed from one of his pale paws, but it was quickly extinguished.
Marica laughed. “You poor thing. You haven’t forgotten, have you? Though you may be a wizard, you’re still not as powerful as me. After all...” Marica trailed off and she gestured to Dewlap. “Go on, say it.”
When the Nocturne narrowed his eyes in defiance, Marica’s grin spread. “If I have to pry the words from you, I will.”
Dewlap only glared.
“Very well,” Marica said, shrugging. She lifted one paw again, and pressed the tip of one claw to Dewlap’s chest and dragged it up along his throat to his lower jaw, and the she-drake smiled wider as Dewlap croaked out a forced melody.
“It was you who taught meeee!” the Nocturne sang unwillingly.
“Now, was that so hard to say?” Marica chuckled. “You’ve certainly grown more stubborn since we last met.” She stopped to think for a moment. “Now where were we? Oh yes! Why you’re here. Just why would I want to capture two soul-searchers?” She glanced back and forth between the two other dragons in front of her. “Can anydrake guess?”
“B-because...”
Marica’s yellow eyes stared into those belonging to Pierce, and the young Wildclaw immediately shut his jaws in fright.
Marica smiled. “Don’t be shy. Do you know why?” she sang. When Pierce didn’t answer, Marica continued. “Because I know that dragons with your power have experienced great pain when seeing into the minds of others.” Her grin deepened. “But I can free you.”
“What do you mean?” Dewlap snarled. “The last time I’d asked you, you couldn’t help me, because it’s impossible.”
“Since I’ve gained my new claws, I’ve discovered it is possible! In a way...” Marica released another deep chuckle.
“You can really free me from this power?”
“Pierce, no!” Dewlap screamed. “She’s lying!”
“Bind his jaws,” Marica said as she ruffled the withered leaves on the vines, and they instantly slithered up and wrapped around Dewlap’s mouth, making him unable to speak as he struggled to shout muffled words. Chortling, the green she-drake faced the young Wildclaw once more. “After bringing you here, I’ve already tried with Dewlap,” Marica glanced over to the Nocturne, “if he remembers...”
Dewlap furrowed his brows. He did recall the feeling moments earlier, but he hadn’t known what was going on.
Marica fixed her eyes on Pierce again and continued. “I was merely trying to free him from the power that caused nothing but misery in his life. But since his magic must be protecting it, I could not remove it. But you...” she trailed off as her small yellow eyes looked intensely into Pierce’s orange ones before finishing, “are not so magical. So shall we try?”
Pierce focused on the she-drake’s black palm when she’d raised it in front of his eyes. He couldn’t remove his gaze as he soon began feeling an odd tug. A moment or two passed before his body jerked back and the Wildclaw gasped frantically as he tried to lean back away from her.
“Hmm, it must be your ability protecting you, then,” Marica said, narrowing her eyes and slightly frowned. When Dewlap mumbled something unintelligible, she turned her attention to him and smiled again. “What did you say?” she asked and waved her paw, removing the vines from Dewlap’s pale jaws.
“What did you do?” the Nocturne barked.
Pierce’s teeth chattered. “Sh-sh-she—she—”
Marica sighed, but still retained her toothy grin. “I suppose that now the time has come. Sooo...I know you haven’t seen all my trophies, dragons who have come to me for help and begging to be free,” Marica slid back towards the centre table. As she leaned across its surface, she rubbed both of her large paws over every inch of one of the porcelain jars. “Of their miserable lives,” she added, chuckling.
Dewlap didn’t speak. With a sinking feeling, he knew what was in the jar, but still he prayed to the Eleven that he was wrong.
“And why don’t we discuss our little powers?” Marica resumed her song. “Yours have let you see into the minds of others.” With one paw, she began twisting the lid. “But mine?” With a free paw, Marica reached inside the jar.
A weak white light illuminated the faces of each dragon as Marica pulled something lean, white, and translucent from the jar. Realizing with a shock at what he was looking at, Dewlap quickly averted his gaze. Pierce’s entire body shook as he stared in Marica's direction.
“Mine have let me hold and capture sooouuuls!” Marica finished singing. The green she-drake softened her voice as she rubbed her claws along the ghostly thing she held. “Tell me, Dewlap, what was this Spiral’s element?”
As the disembodied soul wailed and moaned in protest against Marica’s touch, Dewlap thought he could feel his heart break. “Damn you,” he hissed, closing his eyes tight.
Marica laughed. “Oh there’s no need for that kind of talk,” she tutted. “All I did was do as this poor dragon has asked of me.” She withdrew one paw and used the other to back the Spiral’s ghost up against the side of the jar. Marica rested one claw under its chin and lifted its head as it looked up at her with utter despair in its large eyes. “Dragons like this one have begged me to remove them from whatever misery was in their lives, and that’s what I did. I freed their souls from their fleshy prisons,” she chortled deeply.
Dewlap shuddered as he slowly opened his eyes. “Then...that feeling...” he trailed off, not wanting to finish.
Marica laughed. “Now you’ve got it! However, I could not extract your souls,” she told Dewlap and Pierce. “It must be your ability protecting you,” she sighed in disappointment. “It’s just such a shame you never took after me when I taught you magic. We could’ve been unstoppable together! Reading the minds of our enemies! And freeing the soul leaves the body unharmed.” Marica continued stroking her claws along the underside of the ghost’s chin. The splotchy she-drake smiled down at it as it still quietly wailed, desperately trying to wriggle out of her grasp. “But then,” Marica added, “she turned you against me, didn’t she? And you left me for her, didn’t you? That,” she paused, another deep chortle vibrated her throat, “Spiral.”
The disembodied spirit wailed once more, and Dewlap felt something inside him begin to burn. The Nocturne turned his pale head to face Marica, and furrowed his brows as he narrowed his eyes. Baring his fangs, a deep growl escaped him.
The other two dragons froze as they felt the air all around the room vibrate, but Marica and Pierce cast quick glances in every direction, not knowing where the source had come from. The Spiral’s ghost turned its translucent head to look directly at the furious Nocturne as the jar just behind it trembled.
Shrugging, Marica said, “Must be another clumsy Imperial trampling by my tree again,” she chuckled. “I don’t know what you’re so upset about,” she continued when she finally noticed Dewlap’s frown. “I’m only using the power I was given, as you yourself have done, I’m sure,” she finished, laughing.
The soul-Spiral felt another tremor through the air and from the jar against its back when the Nocturne growled deeper. Flicking one white ear back, several silent moans were heard from inside the porcelain jar. The ghost sighed, and the jar quivered, slightly at first, then the rocking soon turned more fierce.
Sharp and jagged shards of the jar exploded in every direction, and Marica whipped her paw away in stunned silence, her small eyes became round and wide as she watched the Spiral she’d been holding spin towards the other souls as they were being sucked towards Dewlap.
The last thing the Nocturne had control of was widening his pale eyes in horror as he saw the cloud of writhing spirits fly in his direction.
As the ghosts began entering Dewlap’s body through his eyes, the Nocturne’s body convulsed after each soul wriggled to get inside. Hold him! the voices shouted in his head. Dewlap, don’t fight it! Dewlap could only struggle for a moment or two before he had no more control over his own body, and his attempts soon ceased. That’s it, the voices hushed. Easy now. The white and black dragon’s breathing slowed. His eyes opened, glaring, glowing, and orange, staring into the shocked yellow of the green she-drake before them.
Marica stared straight back, dumbfounded. Smiling crookedly, she chuckled nervously. “Now, Dewlap, dear. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s a terrible idea. You know me, don’t you? Am I still not your old friend?”
An incredible heat flashed through Dewlap’s body, and it seared the vines that bound him and Pierce, setting their bonds ablaze and then disintegrating to ash that drifted to their feet.
Marica dropped her smile. “Oh.”
One of Dewlap’s paws was raised, and it began to glow with a crackling light.
“Sweet Weaver,” Marica croaked.
Dewlap fired—
—and Pierce shut his eyes tight against the blinding concentrated bolt of light that headed straight for the large she-drake. He opened his eyes after a moment. A hole had been burned into the wall ahead, but the Wildclaw could see no trace of Marica. Had Dewlap—
His thoughts were interrupted when crumbs of dirt and muck showered down on his spiked head. Glancing up, Pierce saw a long tail dangling out from the hole in the ceiling and heard scratching as the tip began to disappear. He moved to tap Dewlap’s shoulder, but the old Nocturne had already seen where the she-drake was escaping to.
“Come,” Dewlap’s voice ordered, gripping Pierce’s gloved paw.
~
Marica, Part 1, Volume I
Freedom.
~
Continued from Pierce Part 1
He could hear hushed voices as he felt a strange pulling sensation. Were they whispering to him? When his body jerked back, Dewlap snapped wide awake and gasped as he glanced wildly around him. There was nodrake else with him except the brightly dressed Wildclaw beside him. The brilliant orange eyes of the young dragon were round with fear.
“D-Dewlap?” Pierce’s voice trembled. “W-where are w-we?”
The white and black Nocturne took in his surroundings. The room that they were in had walls, ceiling and floor made entirely of compact dirt. Ancient, cracked, and mouldy wooden tables leaned against each wall. On top of every table sat squat candles, their wax oozing from the heat of the dancing flames. In the centre of this room, just in front of both dragons, stood one table. On its flat and splintered surface, there they saw two porcelain jars.
He had seen those jars before...
Dewlap tried to move, but when he struggled, something around him tightened. He stopped and looked down. His body and wings were bound in thick green vines, as were Pierce’s.
“Hello, Dewlap, darling.”
He knew that voice, but he saw nodrake else. Dewlap’s body shook.
“Oh, dear me,” the voice chortled deeply. “I’m still invisible, aren’t I? Let me fix that.”
Right before their eyes, Dewlap and Pierce could only stare at a large green and black shape appeared in wisps of smoke before becoming solid. Beady yellow eyes mocked them.
Sitting on her thick haunches, the splotchy green she-drake spread her stocky arms wide as she smiled toothily. “It’s been too long, hasn’t it?”
Dewlap only cocked one dark brow in confusion. Her voice and colours were so familiar, but her shape was all wrong. He still knew, though.
“Marica?”
“So nice of you to remember me, despite how I now look,” the she-drake chuckled, lifting her long claws to inspect them as she smiled.
“What happened to you?” Dewlap asked, his pale eyes had now widened.
“I became better,” Marica simply replied, lowering her paw. “That pathetic Snapper you once knew is no more, true, but...” she paused her singing to chortle, “just wait until you see what these new paws can do.”
“Tell me why we’re here, or I’ll—” Dewlap gasped as the vines strangled and choked him when he tried to struggle. A faint light glowed from one of his pale paws, but it was quickly extinguished.
Marica laughed. “You poor thing. You haven’t forgotten, have you? Though you may be a wizard, you’re still not as powerful as me. After all...” Marica trailed off and she gestured to Dewlap. “Go on, say it.”
When the Nocturne narrowed his eyes in defiance, Marica’s grin spread. “If I have to pry the words from you, I will.”
Dewlap only glared.
“Very well,” Marica said, shrugging. She lifted one paw again, and pressed the tip of one claw to Dewlap’s chest and dragged it up along his throat to his lower jaw, and the she-drake smiled wider as Dewlap croaked out a forced melody.
“It was you who taught meeee!” the Nocturne sang unwillingly.
“Now, was that so hard to say?” Marica chuckled. “You’ve certainly grown more stubborn since we last met.” She stopped to think for a moment. “Now where were we? Oh yes! Why you’re here. Just why would I want to capture two soul-searchers?” She glanced back and forth between the two other dragons in front of her. “Can anydrake guess?”
“B-because...”
Marica’s yellow eyes stared into those belonging to Pierce, and the young Wildclaw immediately shut his jaws in fright.
Marica smiled. “Don’t be shy. Do you know why?” she sang. When Pierce didn’t answer, Marica continued. “Because I know that dragons with your power have experienced great pain when seeing into the minds of others.” Her grin deepened. “But I can free you.”
“What do you mean?” Dewlap snarled. “The last time I’d asked you, you couldn’t help me, because it’s impossible.”
“Since I’ve gained my new claws, I’ve discovered it is possible! In a way...” Marica released another deep chuckle.
“You can really free me from this power?”
“Pierce, no!” Dewlap screamed. “She’s lying!”
“Bind his jaws,” Marica said as she ruffled the withered leaves on the vines, and they instantly slithered up and wrapped around Dewlap’s mouth, making him unable to speak as he struggled to shout muffled words. Chortling, the green she-drake faced the young Wildclaw once more. “After bringing you here, I’ve already tried with Dewlap,” Marica glanced over to the Nocturne, “if he remembers...”
Dewlap furrowed his brows. He did recall the feeling moments earlier, but he hadn’t known what was going on.
Marica fixed her eyes on Pierce again and continued. “I was merely trying to free him from the power that caused nothing but misery in his life. But since his magic must be protecting it, I could not remove it. But you...” she trailed off as her small yellow eyes looked intensely into Pierce’s orange ones before finishing, “are not so magical. So shall we try?”
Pierce focused on the she-drake’s black palm when she’d raised it in front of his eyes. He couldn’t remove his gaze as he soon began feeling an odd tug. A moment or two passed before his body jerked back and the Wildclaw gasped frantically as he tried to lean back away from her.
“Hmm, it must be your ability protecting you, then,” Marica said, narrowing her eyes and slightly frowned. When Dewlap mumbled something unintelligible, she turned her attention to him and smiled again. “What did you say?” she asked and waved her paw, removing the vines from Dewlap’s pale jaws.
“What did you do?” the Nocturne barked.
Pierce’s teeth chattered. “Sh-sh-she—she—”
Marica sighed, but still retained her toothy grin. “I suppose that now the time has come. Sooo...I know you haven’t seen all my trophies, dragons who have come to me for help and begging to be free,” Marica slid back towards the centre table. As she leaned across its surface, she rubbed both of her large paws over every inch of one of the porcelain jars. “Of their miserable lives,” she added, chuckling.
Dewlap didn’t speak. With a sinking feeling, he knew what was in the jar, but still he prayed to the Eleven that he was wrong.
“And why don’t we discuss our little powers?” Marica resumed her song. “Yours have let you see into the minds of others.” With one paw, she began twisting the lid. “But mine?” With a free paw, Marica reached inside the jar.
A weak white light illuminated the faces of each dragon as Marica pulled something lean, white, and translucent from the jar. Realizing with a shock at what he was looking at, Dewlap quickly averted his gaze. Pierce’s entire body shook as he stared in Marica's direction.
“Mine have let me hold and capture sooouuuls!” Marica finished singing. The green she-drake softened her voice as she rubbed her claws along the ghostly thing she held. “Tell me, Dewlap, what was this Spiral’s element?”
As the disembodied soul wailed and moaned in protest against Marica’s touch, Dewlap thought he could feel his heart break. “Damn you,” he hissed, closing his eyes tight.
Marica laughed. “Oh there’s no need for that kind of talk,” she tutted. “All I did was do as this poor dragon has asked of me.” She withdrew one paw and used the other to back the Spiral’s ghost up against the side of the jar. Marica rested one claw under its chin and lifted its head as it looked up at her with utter despair in its large eyes. “Dragons like this one have begged me to remove them from whatever misery was in their lives, and that’s what I did. I freed their souls from their fleshy prisons,” she chortled deeply.
Dewlap shuddered as he slowly opened his eyes. “Then...that feeling...” he trailed off, not wanting to finish.
Marica laughed. “Now you’ve got it! However, I could not extract your souls,” she told Dewlap and Pierce. “It must be your ability protecting you,” she sighed in disappointment. “It’s just such a shame you never took after me when I taught you magic. We could’ve been unstoppable together! Reading the minds of our enemies! And freeing the soul leaves the body unharmed.” Marica continued stroking her claws along the underside of the ghost’s chin. The splotchy she-drake smiled down at it as it still quietly wailed, desperately trying to wriggle out of her grasp. “But then,” Marica added, “she turned you against me, didn’t she? And you left me for her, didn’t you? That,” she paused, another deep chortle vibrated her throat, “Spiral.”
The disembodied spirit wailed once more, and Dewlap felt something inside him begin to burn. The Nocturne turned his pale head to face Marica, and furrowed his brows as he narrowed his eyes. Baring his fangs, a deep growl escaped him.
The other two dragons froze as they felt the air all around the room vibrate, but Marica and Pierce cast quick glances in every direction, not knowing where the source had come from. The Spiral’s ghost turned its translucent head to look directly at the furious Nocturne as the jar just behind it trembled.
Shrugging, Marica said, “Must be another clumsy Imperial trampling by my tree again,” she chuckled. “I don’t know what you’re so upset about,” she continued when she finally noticed Dewlap’s frown. “I’m only using the power I was given, as you yourself have done, I’m sure,” she finished, laughing.
The soul-Spiral felt another tremor through the air and from the jar against its back when the Nocturne growled deeper. Flicking one white ear back, several silent moans were heard from inside the porcelain jar. The ghost sighed, and the jar quivered, slightly at first, then the rocking soon turned more fierce.
Sharp and jagged shards of the jar exploded in every direction, and Marica whipped her paw away in stunned silence, her small eyes became round and wide as she watched the Spiral she’d been holding spin towards the other souls as they were being sucked towards Dewlap.
The last thing the Nocturne had control of was widening his pale eyes in horror as he saw the cloud of writhing spirits fly in his direction.
As the ghosts began entering Dewlap’s body through his eyes, the Nocturne’s body convulsed after each soul wriggled to get inside. Hold him! the voices shouted in his head. Dewlap, don’t fight it! Dewlap could only struggle for a moment or two before he had no more control over his own body, and his attempts soon ceased. That’s it, the voices hushed. Easy now. The white and black dragon’s breathing slowed. His eyes opened, glaring, glowing, and orange, staring into the shocked yellow of the green she-drake before them.
Marica stared straight back, dumbfounded. Smiling crookedly, she chuckled nervously. “Now, Dewlap, dear. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s a terrible idea. You know me, don’t you? Am I still not your old friend?”
An incredible heat flashed through Dewlap’s body, and it seared the vines that bound him and Pierce, setting their bonds ablaze and then disintegrating to ash that drifted to their feet.
Marica dropped her smile. “Oh.”
One of Dewlap’s paws was raised, and it began to glow with a crackling light.
“Sweet Weaver,” Marica croaked.
Dewlap fired—
—and Pierce shut his eyes tight against the blinding concentrated bolt of light that headed straight for the large she-drake. He opened his eyes after a moment. A hole had been burned into the wall ahead, but the Wildclaw could see no trace of Marica. Had Dewlap—
His thoughts were interrupted when crumbs of dirt and muck showered down on his spiked head. Glancing up, Pierce saw a long tail dangling out from the hole in the ceiling and heard scratching as the tip began to disappear. He moved to tap Dewlap’s shoulder, but the old Nocturne had already seen where the she-drake was escaping to.
“Come,” Dewlap’s voice ordered, gripping Pierce’s gloved paw.
...
Marica gasped as she wriggled her barrelled body through the vertical tunnel, digging her long claws deep into the earth as she desperately climbed until she reached the base of a wide hollowed tree. Squeezing herself out, she scrambled as fast as her stocky legs could carry her. She didn’t look back when an explosion sounded directly behind her.
Dewlap and Pierce had shot up through the tree, completely destroying it in the process. The eyes of the Nocturne flashed as they changed colours, from orange to red, and blue to aqua. The spirits of each dragon inside screamed when they caught sight of the green she-drake once more.
Get her!
Make her pay!
Dewlap himself had no control over the enraged roar that escaped his throat, and he charged after Marica, beating his black wings wildly as he left Pierce forgotten.
She took us away...
...from everything!
Pierce watched in shock as Dewlap flew after Marica. He watched the Nocturne fire different coloured bolts of light as he followed them, flapping his wide wings. The young Wildclaw saw Dewlap’s shots keep missing as Marica kept dodging just before each bolt missed her tail. Pierce caught up to Dewlap and pushed the Nocturne’s pale paw to one side, causing the next shot to strike another tree, setting it afire.
What is he doing?
Fool!
Pierce shrunk back as Dewlap’s eyes glared into his, but he stayed put and stared back. “Dewlap, listen...”
Dewlap’s paw shoved the young drake aside, leaving Pierce tumbling through the air before he returned to the ground to land. Gazing after the Nocturne once again chasing after Marica, Pierce furrowed his brows and sprinted after them.
Now Marica was beginning to tire. As she slowed her strides, the sound of Dewlap’s flapping wings grew closer and louder.
She has to pay.
Marica turned around and fired back—
—but her shot was immediately deflected by the blast from Dewlap’s paw.
She promised us.
Marica tried again as she dodged and weaved between the trees backwards, but still she failed against this new power.
And she ripped us from our lives.
Dewlap raised both paws as Marica tripped over a fallen and rotten log, tipping over and she landed on her wide back. Different colours shifted in Dewlap’s eyes and glowed from his palms as he readied to fire another shot.
But then...
One voice in Dewlap’s mind made him pause as his eyes turned aqua. When they shifted back to bright orange, they saw a brightly dressed Wildclaw in front of their vision, standing between them and their target, the sparkling wings of the teenage dragon spread wide open.
Dewlap’s eyes changed to their normal green before turning orange again. He glared. “Move,” the Nocturne’s voice growled.
Under Dewlap’s fierce expression, Pierce trembled, but he didn’t step aside. “N-no.”
The Nocturne’s eyes then became a deep blue and he looked away. “Silver, your hesitation has cost us our revenge,” his voice cracked. Blue eyes turning back to aqua, he continued. “She doesn’t deserve to—” he began before stopping, aqua eyes shifting to orange. “She deserves pain! She deserves to know how we felt when she took us! When she took you!” his voice shook with fury. Dewlap’s expression softened as he sighed, his eyes changing back to aqua. “But then we’d be just like her. Is that what you all want?”
“You should listen to that one,” Marica’s voice shook as she smiled crookedly. The she-drake then clamped her jaws shut when Pierce whipped his dark head around to look at her and he hissed, the spines and feathers on his head standing straight up.
Dewlap’s own head was turned to face Marica again, his eyes turning the fiery orange and fury shook his voice. “You don’t get to speak,” he snarled to her before his eyes changed back to blue. “But Silver, you were somedrake’s Charge...” Dewlap’s dark eyes closed as he trailed off. When they opened again, they were back to the bright aqua. “It was my mistake to leave her.” The eyes of the pale dragon flashed crimson. “Because you thought Marica would help you. But she tricked you. She tricked all of us. And for that, she must—” The eyes suddenly caught sight of the black jewellery that decorated Marica’s wrists, ankles and neck, and to the ones that pierced her wings. His white head facing Pierce, Dewlap’s voice ordered, “Hold her down.”
The Wildclaw didn’t hesitate. He shoved Marica to one side, rolling her over and he stood on her hind legs with his, gripping her forepaws tight. The green she-drake tried to struggle, but froze when the pale face of Dewlap was now shoved into hers, his red, yellow, and green eyes flashing as they stared into hers with absolute hate.
Dewlap’s mouth opened, but no words would come. Instead, he sighed, pointing his claws to each piece of jewellery and fired thin bolts of light, turning them to dust. Marica opened her mouth to protest, but a sharp look from the Nocturne quickly shut her up.
“If you take any more souls and control their bodies, we won’t be so merciful in the future,” Dewlap’s voice spat.
Marica nodded her head furiously.
“Let her go,” the white and black dragon told Pierce.
The Wildclaw looked hesitant for a moment, then stood up off of Marica, leaving the chunky green dragon to scramble to her feet and she skittered off into the darkness as fast as her thick legs could move her.
Dewlap, it’s time.
The Nocturne’s eyes were once again their normal green, and he directed a soft smile to Pierce. “Will you help me release them?”
Marica gasped as she wriggled her barrelled body through the vertical tunnel, digging her long claws deep into the earth as she desperately climbed until she reached the base of a wide hollowed tree. Squeezing herself out, she scrambled as fast as her stocky legs could carry her. She didn’t look back when an explosion sounded directly behind her.
Dewlap and Pierce had shot up through the tree, completely destroying it in the process. The eyes of the Nocturne flashed as they changed colours, from orange to red, and blue to aqua. The spirits of each dragon inside screamed when they caught sight of the green she-drake once more.
Get her!
Make her pay!
Dewlap himself had no control over the enraged roar that escaped his throat, and he charged after Marica, beating his black wings wildly as he left Pierce forgotten.
She took us away...
...from everything!
Pierce watched in shock as Dewlap flew after Marica. He watched the Nocturne fire different coloured bolts of light as he followed them, flapping his wide wings. The young Wildclaw saw Dewlap’s shots keep missing as Marica kept dodging just before each bolt missed her tail. Pierce caught up to Dewlap and pushed the Nocturne’s pale paw to one side, causing the next shot to strike another tree, setting it afire.
What is he doing?
Fool!
Pierce shrunk back as Dewlap’s eyes glared into his, but he stayed put and stared back. “Dewlap, listen...”
Dewlap’s paw shoved the young drake aside, leaving Pierce tumbling through the air before he returned to the ground to land. Gazing after the Nocturne once again chasing after Marica, Pierce furrowed his brows and sprinted after them.
Now Marica was beginning to tire. As she slowed her strides, the sound of Dewlap’s flapping wings grew closer and louder.
She has to pay.
Marica turned around and fired back—
—but her shot was immediately deflected by the blast from Dewlap’s paw.
She promised us.
Marica tried again as she dodged and weaved between the trees backwards, but still she failed against this new power.
And she ripped us from our lives.
Dewlap raised both paws as Marica tripped over a fallen and rotten log, tipping over and she landed on her wide back. Different colours shifted in Dewlap’s eyes and glowed from his palms as he readied to fire another shot.
But then...
One voice in Dewlap’s mind made him pause as his eyes turned aqua. When they shifted back to bright orange, they saw a brightly dressed Wildclaw in front of their vision, standing between them and their target, the sparkling wings of the teenage dragon spread wide open.
Dewlap’s eyes changed to their normal green before turning orange again. He glared. “Move,” the Nocturne’s voice growled.
Under Dewlap’s fierce expression, Pierce trembled, but he didn’t step aside. “N-no.”
The Nocturne’s eyes then became a deep blue and he looked away. “Silver, your hesitation has cost us our revenge,” his voice cracked. Blue eyes turning back to aqua, he continued. “She doesn’t deserve to—” he began before stopping, aqua eyes shifting to orange. “She deserves pain! She deserves to know how we felt when she took us! When she took you!” his voice shook with fury. Dewlap’s expression softened as he sighed, his eyes changing back to aqua. “But then we’d be just like her. Is that what you all want?”
“You should listen to that one,” Marica’s voice shook as she smiled crookedly. The she-drake then clamped her jaws shut when Pierce whipped his dark head around to look at her and he hissed, the spines and feathers on his head standing straight up.
Dewlap’s own head was turned to face Marica again, his eyes turning the fiery orange and fury shook his voice. “You don’t get to speak,” he snarled to her before his eyes changed back to blue. “But Silver, you were somedrake’s Charge...” Dewlap’s dark eyes closed as he trailed off. When they opened again, they were back to the bright aqua. “It was my mistake to leave her.” The eyes of the pale dragon flashed crimson. “Because you thought Marica would help you. But she tricked you. She tricked all of us. And for that, she must—” The eyes suddenly caught sight of the black jewellery that decorated Marica’s wrists, ankles and neck, and to the ones that pierced her wings. His white head facing Pierce, Dewlap’s voice ordered, “Hold her down.”
The Wildclaw didn’t hesitate. He shoved Marica to one side, rolling her over and he stood on her hind legs with his, gripping her forepaws tight. The green she-drake tried to struggle, but froze when the pale face of Dewlap was now shoved into hers, his red, yellow, and green eyes flashing as they stared into hers with absolute hate.
Dewlap’s mouth opened, but no words would come. Instead, he sighed, pointing his claws to each piece of jewellery and fired thin bolts of light, turning them to dust. Marica opened her mouth to protest, but a sharp look from the Nocturne quickly shut her up.
“If you take any more souls and control their bodies, we won’t be so merciful in the future,” Dewlap’s voice spat.
Marica nodded her head furiously.
“Let her go,” the white and black dragon told Pierce.
The Wildclaw looked hesitant for a moment, then stood up off of Marica, leaving the chunky green dragon to scramble to her feet and she skittered off into the darkness as fast as her thick legs could move her.
Dewlap, it’s time.
The Nocturne’s eyes were once again their normal green, and he directed a soft smile to Pierce. “Will you help me release them?”
...
Both dragons had wandered through the dark woods, using the glowing mushrooms as their sources of light as they passed. Neither dragon nor spirit spoke for some time as Dewlap and Pierce walked side by side, though Dewlap thought he noticed Pierce’s jaws open and close several times, but every time he turned to look at the Wildclaw, Pierce would glance away.
He looked into me. When Marica held me.
A lump caught in Dewlap’s throat, but he swallowed it. I’m sorry. I don’t know how or why we have this power. And Marica should never have...
She only abused her power. But maybe you and the young one were given yours for a reason.
Yes, Dewlap thought bitterly, to invade the minds of my love and the king’s son and leave them unable to forgive me.
Which prince do you mean?
Dewlap hadn’t realized he’d closed his eyes until his head knocked against something rough and hard. He lifted one paw to rub his forehead and opened his eyes. He’d walked into a tree. When he saw Pierce look back at him quizzically, the Nocturne laughed. “Fine, fine. I’m fine,” he said as he caught up.
I knew three princes that live in the castle on an island just beyond these woods, the same spirit thought to Dewlap.
You mean Mud, Red and Rocky? Dewlap asked.
That’s them! How did you meet them?
Rocky was the one whose...soul I’d searched.
I see. Does anydrake else know?
I never intended to tell his sister, but then I thought she deserved to know what was going on.
And how did Coral take it?
Dewlap faltered in his steps before continuing. Oh. I meant April. What’s your relationship with Coral?
I was her Charge.
That stopped Dewlap. The Nocturne slowly closed his eyes. “Oh no...”
Pierce halted and glanced back at him. “What?”
The older dragon’s green eyes shifted to aqua as they looked at Pierce. “I’m sorry. Just give us a minute.” I shouldn’t have left her, Silver thought to Dewlap. She must’ve been devastated that day.
Why did you? Dewlap asked him. What did you think Marica could’ve done for you?
Silver hesitated in responding, but then he sighed. Before I found the Clan, I’d heard tales of a dragon that lived in this part of the forest alone. A dragon with incredible power to help those be free of whatever their troubles may be. All my life...when I’d been alive, you see...I was always so cold, since I was very young. The older I became, the colder my body felt. I travelled from clan to clan, looking for others for help, but their doctors never knew what was wrong with me. When I met Coral, the very first thing she told me was that I was her Charge, and she immediately brought me into her clan, keeping me warm by keeping close. And then...one day, I eventually reached the point where I could no longer be outside without almost freezing to death. When I felt I had to stay inside, so did Coral. I never minded her sticking to my side, of course, I cared about her, too. But...one night, I had decided once and for all that this wasn’t how Coral should spend her life, cooped up inside because of me. So I snuck out. I flew as fast and hard as I could towards this forest. To where I hoped to find the dragon who’d help me. And then I found...her. I had no idea what she was truly capable of, but I was desperate. I wished for Marica to free me from my perpetual cold, so that Coral wouldn’t have to keep worrying about me. And then...
When Silver had trailed off, Dewlap paused before finishing for him. And then...she took you, didn’t she?
Marica ripped me from my body.
Dewlap shut his eyes tight in an effort to stop himself, but he failed. A single tear slid down one pale cheek. “Oh gods...it’s all my fault...”
“Dewlap?” Pierce asked quietly, tilting his head.
Dewlap, no. You mustn’t think that, Silver thought.
“But it’s true,” Dewlap croaked. “Marica would never have started taking the souls of Spirals if I hadn’t told Marica what I could see...if I hadn't left with Trove...”
But isn’t it because you love this Trove?
Of course.
Then it was Marica’s own choice to do what she did. It wasn’t your fault. And you left her to be with your mate because you knew what Marica was doing was wrong. By choosing the path you walk now, you saved us.
Dewlap opened his sore eyes and two more tears rolled down his face.
Please understand, Dewlap. What’s done is done, and we can no longer return to our bodies. We've been gone for so long, it would be too painful. But now we are truly free.
Dewlap slowly inhaled and released a shaky exhale. How come you didn’t leave with the others?
I may have been a Lightning drake, but I’d like to be by the Sea. It reminds me of my Guardian. Will you do that for me?
A small smile escaped Dewlap. Of course.
“Dewlap?” Pierce asked again, this time looking away. “I’m sorry. I won’t search anymore.”
He’s a good one, that one, thought Silver. Just curious.
Dewlap glanced over to Pierce. He is.
Both dragons had wandered through the dark woods, using the glowing mushrooms as their sources of light as they passed. Neither dragon nor spirit spoke for some time as Dewlap and Pierce walked side by side, though Dewlap thought he noticed Pierce’s jaws open and close several times, but every time he turned to look at the Wildclaw, Pierce would glance away.
He looked into me. When Marica held me.
A lump caught in Dewlap’s throat, but he swallowed it. I’m sorry. I don’t know how or why we have this power. And Marica should never have...
She only abused her power. But maybe you and the young one were given yours for a reason.
Yes, Dewlap thought bitterly, to invade the minds of my love and the king’s son and leave them unable to forgive me.
Which prince do you mean?
Dewlap hadn’t realized he’d closed his eyes until his head knocked against something rough and hard. He lifted one paw to rub his forehead and opened his eyes. He’d walked into a tree. When he saw Pierce look back at him quizzically, the Nocturne laughed. “Fine, fine. I’m fine,” he said as he caught up.
I knew three princes that live in the castle on an island just beyond these woods, the same spirit thought to Dewlap.
You mean Mud, Red and Rocky? Dewlap asked.
That’s them! How did you meet them?
Rocky was the one whose...soul I’d searched.
I see. Does anydrake else know?
I never intended to tell his sister, but then I thought she deserved to know what was going on.
And how did Coral take it?
Dewlap faltered in his steps before continuing. Oh. I meant April. What’s your relationship with Coral?
I was her Charge.
That stopped Dewlap. The Nocturne slowly closed his eyes. “Oh no...”
Pierce halted and glanced back at him. “What?”
The older dragon’s green eyes shifted to aqua as they looked at Pierce. “I’m sorry. Just give us a minute.” I shouldn’t have left her, Silver thought to Dewlap. She must’ve been devastated that day.
Why did you? Dewlap asked him. What did you think Marica could’ve done for you?
Silver hesitated in responding, but then he sighed. Before I found the Clan, I’d heard tales of a dragon that lived in this part of the forest alone. A dragon with incredible power to help those be free of whatever their troubles may be. All my life...when I’d been alive, you see...I was always so cold, since I was very young. The older I became, the colder my body felt. I travelled from clan to clan, looking for others for help, but their doctors never knew what was wrong with me. When I met Coral, the very first thing she told me was that I was her Charge, and she immediately brought me into her clan, keeping me warm by keeping close. And then...one day, I eventually reached the point where I could no longer be outside without almost freezing to death. When I felt I had to stay inside, so did Coral. I never minded her sticking to my side, of course, I cared about her, too. But...one night, I had decided once and for all that this wasn’t how Coral should spend her life, cooped up inside because of me. So I snuck out. I flew as fast and hard as I could towards this forest. To where I hoped to find the dragon who’d help me. And then I found...her. I had no idea what she was truly capable of, but I was desperate. I wished for Marica to free me from my perpetual cold, so that Coral wouldn’t have to keep worrying about me. And then...
When Silver had trailed off, Dewlap paused before finishing for him. And then...she took you, didn’t she?
Marica ripped me from my body.
Dewlap shut his eyes tight in an effort to stop himself, but he failed. A single tear slid down one pale cheek. “Oh gods...it’s all my fault...”
“Dewlap?” Pierce asked quietly, tilting his head.
Dewlap, no. You mustn’t think that, Silver thought.
“But it’s true,” Dewlap croaked. “Marica would never have started taking the souls of Spirals if I hadn’t told Marica what I could see...if I hadn't left with Trove...”
But isn’t it because you love this Trove?
Of course.
Then it was Marica’s own choice to do what she did. It wasn’t your fault. And you left her to be with your mate because you knew what Marica was doing was wrong. By choosing the path you walk now, you saved us.
Dewlap opened his sore eyes and two more tears rolled down his face.
Please understand, Dewlap. What’s done is done, and we can no longer return to our bodies. We've been gone for so long, it would be too painful. But now we are truly free.
Dewlap slowly inhaled and released a shaky exhale. How come you didn’t leave with the others?
I may have been a Lightning drake, but I’d like to be by the Sea. It reminds me of my Guardian. Will you do that for me?
A small smile escaped Dewlap. Of course.
“Dewlap?” Pierce asked again, this time looking away. “I’m sorry. I won’t search anymore.”
He’s a good one, that one, thought Silver. Just curious.
Dewlap glanced over to Pierce. He is.
...
The two dragons continued their way through the forest. Looking up, they could see the sky pale as it changed colours. Dawn was on its way, and the forest ahead was thinning. A wide expanse of water could be seen through the trees before them.
Dewlap’s green eyes changed to aqua as he bounded towards the great Sea, and slid to an abrupt halt at its edge, letting the water lap eagerly at his claws as he stared to the horizon.
Will you tell Coral what happened? Silver asked. That I’m now free?
She won’t believe me, warned Dewlap. She’ll turn mad with grief and blame me.
I just thought she should know. But...you’re right. I don’t want her to wrongfully accuse you. Since you’re a wizard, perhaps you could find a way to show her?
Dewlap silently considered the possibility. I’ll try.
Thank you.
Ready?
Yes.
Dewlap lowered his head to the sand below, his eyes finally turning back to green as they opened wide, and the small, ghostly image of a Spiral began leaving his body. Silver seemed to float as he stepped lightly onto the shore, his large white eyes gazing across the Sea in longing, but he didn’t move for several silent moments. He turned to look back at Dewlap, a gentle smile on his small and translucent face, but the Nocturne wasn’t looking at him. Silver tapped Dewlap’s paw with his and the old dragon flinched, bits of sand flew from his claws when he lifted his paw. The spirit pressed the flat of one of his palms to Dewlap’s, and the Nocturne froze. Silver kept his paw pressed for a few moments longer before finally stepping back. Turning around so that he faced the Sea one final time, he sighed, and drifted up into the air before slowly vanishing, and he was gone from sight.
Pierce stepped quietly up to Dewlap’s side and followed the pale dragon’s gaze. “Is he free?” the Wildclaw asked.
Dewlap allowed a small smile to escape him. “Yes.”
A loud snap sounded somewhere behind them, startling both dragons. Pierce leaped backwards and tripped over a large rock, falling over onto his side and against the sand. A lean blue-striped shape suddenly sprang into view and began wrapping itself around his arms and wings.
Dewlap raised a paw and readied to fire, but he stopped when he realized who it was.
“Told you I’d get ‘im!” Aerico shouted triumphantly. The Spiral tightened his serpentine body around Pierce’s as he squeezed. He clamped the Wildclaw’s jaws shut with both white paws when his catch tried to scream and struggle.
Dewlap could only stand and watch in horror as Pierce looked up at him with pleading, round eyes. The Nocturne’s heart lurched when three more draconian shapes revealed themselves as they strode towards him, two pairs of brown wings and one pair grey flared in anticipation.
“Dewlap distracted ‘im for me!” Aerico exclaimed, grinning.
“That so?” Bogatyr asked. “Then I suppose this makes up for letting him escape last time,” he smiled beneath his wolf’s cape. “Good work, boys! The king and Mudflat will surely be pleased when we hand over this troublemaker.” The orange Nocturne gestured to Dewlap. “Care to keep him contained for us?”
Dewlap didn’t answer as he still stood in stunned silence, his gaze meeting nodrake’s but Pierce’s. The young Wildclaw stretched his neck to reach for Dewlap, but the white and black dragon took a single step back. Turning his head away, Dewlap pointed his claws down in Pierce’s direction, and green light snaked from his claws towards Pierce, and wrapped themselves around each of the dark dragon’s limbs, wings and finally jaws as Aerico slithered away. When Pierce was fully bound, Dewlap lowered his paw, not meeting his gaze.
“Now,” Bogatyr continued, “we have a dragon to deliver.”
Ari, Bogatyr, Aerico, Astraeus, and Dewlap sprang into the air, each paw grasped a rope of light that led down to an illuminated net that held the captive Wildclaw below them. The sky and clouds above them soon turned grey and rain sprinkled down on each head. Pierce had ceased his attempts at escape, gazing up at Dewlap. The Nocturne glanced down at him, but the young, brightly dressed dragon below closed his orange eyes and turned his dark head away.
Dewlap felt a twinge in his chest.
What have I done?
The two dragons continued their way through the forest. Looking up, they could see the sky pale as it changed colours. Dawn was on its way, and the forest ahead was thinning. A wide expanse of water could be seen through the trees before them.
Dewlap’s green eyes changed to aqua as he bounded towards the great Sea, and slid to an abrupt halt at its edge, letting the water lap eagerly at his claws as he stared to the horizon.
Will you tell Coral what happened? Silver asked. That I’m now free?
She won’t believe me, warned Dewlap. She’ll turn mad with grief and blame me.
I just thought she should know. But...you’re right. I don’t want her to wrongfully accuse you. Since you’re a wizard, perhaps you could find a way to show her?
Dewlap silently considered the possibility. I’ll try.
Thank you.
Ready?
Yes.
Dewlap lowered his head to the sand below, his eyes finally turning back to green as they opened wide, and the small, ghostly image of a Spiral began leaving his body. Silver seemed to float as he stepped lightly onto the shore, his large white eyes gazing across the Sea in longing, but he didn’t move for several silent moments. He turned to look back at Dewlap, a gentle smile on his small and translucent face, but the Nocturne wasn’t looking at him. Silver tapped Dewlap’s paw with his and the old dragon flinched, bits of sand flew from his claws when he lifted his paw. The spirit pressed the flat of one of his palms to Dewlap’s, and the Nocturne froze. Silver kept his paw pressed for a few moments longer before finally stepping back. Turning around so that he faced the Sea one final time, he sighed, and drifted up into the air before slowly vanishing, and he was gone from sight.
Pierce stepped quietly up to Dewlap’s side and followed the pale dragon’s gaze. “Is he free?” the Wildclaw asked.
Dewlap allowed a small smile to escape him. “Yes.”
A loud snap sounded somewhere behind them, startling both dragons. Pierce leaped backwards and tripped over a large rock, falling over onto his side and against the sand. A lean blue-striped shape suddenly sprang into view and began wrapping itself around his arms and wings.
Dewlap raised a paw and readied to fire, but he stopped when he realized who it was.
“Told you I’d get ‘im!” Aerico shouted triumphantly. The Spiral tightened his serpentine body around Pierce’s as he squeezed. He clamped the Wildclaw’s jaws shut with both white paws when his catch tried to scream and struggle.
Dewlap could only stand and watch in horror as Pierce looked up at him with pleading, round eyes. The Nocturne’s heart lurched when three more draconian shapes revealed themselves as they strode towards him, two pairs of brown wings and one pair grey flared in anticipation.
“Dewlap distracted ‘im for me!” Aerico exclaimed, grinning.
“That so?” Bogatyr asked. “Then I suppose this makes up for letting him escape last time,” he smiled beneath his wolf’s cape. “Good work, boys! The king and Mudflat will surely be pleased when we hand over this troublemaker.” The orange Nocturne gestured to Dewlap. “Care to keep him contained for us?”
Dewlap didn’t answer as he still stood in stunned silence, his gaze meeting nodrake’s but Pierce’s. The young Wildclaw stretched his neck to reach for Dewlap, but the white and black dragon took a single step back. Turning his head away, Dewlap pointed his claws down in Pierce’s direction, and green light snaked from his claws towards Pierce, and wrapped themselves around each of the dark dragon’s limbs, wings and finally jaws as Aerico slithered away. When Pierce was fully bound, Dewlap lowered his paw, not meeting his gaze.
“Now,” Bogatyr continued, “we have a dragon to deliver.”
Ari, Bogatyr, Aerico, Astraeus, and Dewlap sprang into the air, each paw grasped a rope of light that led down to an illuminated net that held the captive Wildclaw below them. The sky and clouds above them soon turned grey and rain sprinkled down on each head. Pierce had ceased his attempts at escape, gazing up at Dewlap. The Nocturne glanced down at him, but the young, brightly dressed dragon below closed his orange eyes and turned his dark head away.
Dewlap felt a twinge in his chest.
What have I done?
Continued in Bogatyr Part 1
~
Marica, Part 2, Volume II
Unforgiven.
~
Continued from Mudflat Part 2
Marica, Part 2, Volume II
Unforgiven.
~
Continued from Mudflat Part 2
Flower cowered behind Dewlap as she stared past him to Marica, her large green eyes stretched wide in horror as she kept them on the large she-drake. She could feel Dewlap shaking, but couldn't tell if it was from fear, fury, or both. They only watched as Marica grinned wickedly while the four dark metal rings that had kept Flower under her spell now close around Marica's thick wrists and ankles.
Marica chuckled at Dewlap's pathetic attempts to conjure up any sort of sparks with his trembling claws.
“What's wrong, Dewlap?” she chortled. “Aren't you glad to see me? It's been too long.”
“Not long enough,” Dewlap snarled, flaring his wings wide open to shield Flower. “Stay away from us!”
Marica took one step closer, showing her fangs in a toothy smile. “What are you going to do to protect her? You can barely lift your claws.” She then glanced over to where Mudflat's ashes lay. “You should be thanking me. With that fool out of the way, you can tell me what you did with my souls.”
“They never belonged to you!” Flower cried before Dewlap could answer.
“Flower, darling,” Marica purred. “Haven't you been a good girl and collected any new souls for me?”
Tears now began spilling from Flower's emerald-green eyes. “I would never work for you...” she whimpered.
“And I see you've been led here by somedrake else,” Marica noted as she looked around the castle's main foyer where the three of them stood. She took another step, this time with a bright yellow ring of light that spread out in one wide ripple that spread across the stone floor, up that main stairs and lighting up the dark walls. A moment after the light died, Marica added, “Who else is here, Dewlap?”
The pale Nocturne's heart jolted but he managed to keep steady. “I don't know what y—”
“Don't lie to me, my sweet,” Marica laughed. “I know you don't live here alone,” she said, then twirling one wrist until the metal bracelet on that arm rose to her claw. “All these dozens of rooms can't possibly be just for you.” As she spun the metal ring around her claw faster, she finally flung it into the air, until it danced downward to the ground, and vanished in a small flash before her feet.
“Dewlap...” Flower's voice quaked as she tried to warn him.
“And where's that snake Lumiere?” hissed Marica.
Dewlap said nothing. Where was Lumiere? Not here, where they needed him the most. Marica seemed to know the Imperial wasn't near, as well, for she smirked at them now.
“Such a pity,” Marica said, feigning a pout. “But,” she added with a toothy grin, “I think I know some dragons who might.”
A flash, followed by a puff of smoke, appeared to Marica's left. With a single breath, she blew away the cloud of smoke—
—and Dewlap thought his heart might stop at the sight now revealed to him.
Bound tight within the enlarged metal ring...were all of the Spirals that called this castle home. Dragons that Dewlap had come to call his friends and family. Alyss and Twig hugged Pigeon tight, the three of them crying for Ophelia. Prosper clutched little Amity to his chest. Aerico strained to reach for his sword that hung at his waist, but his arms and tail were too tightly bound for him to move and reach it. All of them had fear and confusion in their eyes and voices. And at the front, held tight by Lillith and Trove, with tears in their eyes...wailed three small bundles.
Dewlap's own fear instantly melted away into blazing hatred as he turned his eyes on Marica again. His claws glowing brilliant green, he lunged at her—
—only to be knocked back by a blast of yellow light, fired from Marica's black palm.
“Not so fast,” she tutted, waggling one claw. “I thought you'd want to introduce me to your little family first.” Spinning the the ring so that Trove now faced her, Marica cupped the grey Spirals lower jaw in her large paw. “Trove, honey, I see you and Dewlap have gotten quite comfortable,” she said, grinning down at the three crying hatchlings.
“Marica!” Dewlap roared after Flower helped him back to his feet. “If you touch any of them...I will kill you,” he growled deep.
“And who's this?” Marica pressed, spinning the group around again until Bubbles was now face-to-face with her. The little Spiral swallowed hard and trembled all over before the huge green dragon as a deep chuckle rumbled in her throat. “I must thank this one for visiting my old tree and leading my puppet to you all.”
“What!” squeaked Bubbles. “I didn't—” he stopped, freezing, then he remembered. But he had. Panicking, he cried out to Dewlap. “I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! Bogatyr wanted me to check it out andashadowthingchasedme!”
Fury burned inside Dewlap. But no, he couldn't be angry with poor Bubbles. It was Marica. She was to blame.
Dewlap stood taller, spreading his feet and splaying he claws. Each clawtip glowed brilliant green and he glared fiercely at Marica.
“Are you ready to fight for them all, Dewlap?” the witch wondered. Snapping her thick claws, Flower vanished from Dewlap's side and reappeared in the tight circle with the other Spirals. “Because you and I both know that I'm not leaving empty-clawed. You owe me those souls back.”
“No soul belongs to you! And I will NEVER forgive you!” Dewlap bellowed, baring his fangs. And with another roar, he flew straight at her.
Helplessly, Flower and the others could only watch. They screamed and wailed for Dewlap as he blasted bright green beams at Marica, and missed as Marica fired yellow streaks of light at him, all striking him back and knocking him down.
The old Nocturne was tiring quickly, for he was still weakened by the transportation spell earlier. Yet still he kept firing. As his shots collided with Marica's, the very walls shook. The ground rumbled as both witch and wizard battled.
It all seemed to last an eternity, but was over within a few minutes. With one final blast by Marica, Dewlap crashed to the ground in a crumpled heap. One of his wings hung limp at his side, and he fought to stand again, wincing and hissing in pain as he struggled to rise and put weight on his broken right leg.
“Marica, stop!” begged Flower over the other Spirals' cries. “Please...don't do this...he didn't do anything to you!”
Marica opened her toothy smile to speak, but instead it was Dewlap who answered.
“Oh I don't know, Flower,” he wheezed. “I only refused to join her, or tell her what my soul-searching power could see...which is gone, by the way...freed other souls from her, and now released you from her spell.”
“Your soul-searching can't be gone,” Marica seethed. “That's impossible! How can that be?” she demanded.
“Wouldn't you like to know,” Dewlap spat. “But you know what? I will never stop fighting you...however long it takes...until Lumiere comes back,” he added with a sneer, seeing Marica shake with fury at the mention of the Imperial's name. “I'll just have to keep stalling until he returns, so he can send you back where you belong...back in—”
But Dewlap couldn't finish as another bolt of yellow light fired from Marica's claws and struck him down. Trove, Flower, and the other Spirals all wailed, begging Marica to stop.
The witch only kept her beady yellow eyes on Dewlap as she ignored their pleas, and her scowl curled back up into a smile.
“Let them go, Dewlap,” her voice soothed. “You don't need them. Would they really accept you if you were still a soul-searcher? I told you I wouldn't be leaving empty-clawed.”
Dewlap lay motionless a few moments more. When he heard Trove's voice ring above the rest, he struggled to stand once more. He inhaled sharply in pain. When he stood on both feet again, his pale green eyes stared straight into Marica's yellow.
His stomach twisted at a new thought before he could speak. He could barely fight Marica now, and with Lumiere and Alga gone with nodrake knowing when they'd return, what choice did he have left to save them but this?
“Then leave them...and take mine instead,” Dewlap said, trying to keep his voice steady. His heart broke as he listened to Trove's cries, their hatchling's wails, but he couldn't bear to meet any of their tear-stained faces. But only Sylvester remained silent now as the others cried out in protest.
“You would give yourself up willingly for these Spirals?” Marica wondered, her eyes and teeth flashing with interest.
“I will,” promised Dewlap. “If you promise to release them and never take any other soul ever again.”
“Fine. You have my word,” Marica promised, dragging one claw over her chest to mark a glowing X. “If you also agree to never fight against me or try to escape me. Your soul will of great use to me as I pursue its secrets.”
Dewlap resisted the urge to shudder, remembering when he had discovered Silver's spirit trapped in Marica's grasp, his ghostly wails still echoed in Dewlap's mind.
“You have my word,” Dewlap agreed, marking a bright green X over his own dark chest.
Tears streamed down Flower's face as she and the other Spirals struggled against the bonds still. When the gold-and-purple she-drake then looked over to Sylvester beside her, she could see his bright gaze fixated on Dewlap in hard concentration. When she tried to speak to him, he didn't answer, only staring to where Dewlap stood.
So it was agreed. Marica would have to strike Dewlap down one final time. The Nocturne shut his eyes, refusing to let any tears fall. Never again would he listen to Trove's sweet voice...their hatchlings' laughter...never would he see them grow. He would forever belong to Marica as she would continue her 'research' with his soul.
He breathed in deep and released a slow exhale, readying for Marica's blast that would soon end his life.
But everydrake else would be free from her.
He now heard her fire...
...he could make out the bright flash from behind his closed lids as it shot towards him—
—and he heard a loud gasp that was not his own.
Dewlap's eyes flew open, and he stared into those belonging to Sylvester, who now stood right before him.
Sylvester stood rigid, his spotted wings outstretched and frozen in place. His large eyes peered into Dewlap's, and though they looked sad, but his jaws quivered as he tried to smile up to the Nocturne. The dark Spiral tried to speak, but instead he choked, his throat bubbling and a small trickle of crimson dripped down the side of his mouth. He began to crumple to the ground as his legs could no longer hold his body up.
“No,” Dewlap croaked as he tried holding Sylvester up, but then slowly and gently lowered him down.
Dewlap's vision blurred as his eyes began to sting, tears threatening to fall, and his face turned to a fierce scowl. He turned, ready to to charge at Marica again, but what he saw instead baffled him, and he stopped.
Marica tried to speak, but couldn't. She tried to scream, but nothing escaped her jaws. Her joints cracked sickeningly as she fought to move her heavy limbs. Her scales hardened, turning to wood. She clutched at her throat, her eyes bulging out in terror, until they too, turned to solid wood. Her wings and the fins along her thick neck stiffened, as did her tail, and legs, and she crashed onto all fours, no longer mobile.
Marica was no longer dragon, but a whole wooden statue, and the ring that bound the Spirals vanished in a flash, yet they stood still, holding one another in fear and confusion.
Sylvester choked again, and Dewlap limped back to his side.
“Just hold on,” Dewlap told him, his voice shaking. He craned his neck to look back to Alyss, who shook his head in sorrow.
No...no...Sylvester couldn't die!
“...Dewlap...” Sylvester said, his voice hoarse.
“Don't speak,” Dewlap hushed, his vision blurring again. “Just rest...”
“...I...I'm sorry...” Sylvester said softly. “...That wasn't...my best trick...” he added with a weak smile. “...And...” he gasped lightly, “...and I'm sorry...for...what I did to you...years ago...I hurt you...”
Dewlap shook his head, thinking back to when he and Sylvester first met, and the younger dragon had used his magic to force Dewlap's eyes to meet his, causing the Nocturne to search his memories by mistake.
“Don't,” Dewlap said. “That doesn't matter now...it was my fault...”
“...But...” Sylvester started again, “...at least now I'll...be with my best friend...one last time...” When his cyan eyes began to peer up past Dewlap, he added with a whisper, “...I can see Tuuli...”
Dewlap cast swift glances around, but he couldn't see the Tundra's spirit himself. “Please don't take him!” he cried out, then looking back to Alyss again. “Help him!” he begged.
“There's nothing I can do for him, Dewlap,” the doctor said quietly.
“...What...what do you mean I can't come with you?” Sylvester now asked.
“Dewlap, look!” Flower exclaimed, pointing to Sylvester.
Every Spiral and Dewlap looked to Sylvester now with wonder. The dark dragon's shallow breathing became more steady, his eyes brightening, and his began lifting his head on his own. He gasped once and sat straight up, meeting every dragon's eyes with a puzzled look.
“What just happened?” he asked them all.
“You're not dead,” Flower said with a beaming smile. “You broke Marica's promise by trying to sacrifice yourself for Dewlap, and her magic turned against her.” She looked over to the wooden dragon that now took Marica's place.
Sylvester's cyan eyes stretched wider in amazement. When he looked back up at Dewlap, the Nocturne now smiled down at him.
“Ta-daaa,” the Spiral said, grinning.
Trove rushed to Dewlap, along with Lillith as they carried three tiny bundles with them. Trove nuzzled Dewlap as tears cascaded down her grey face, and he embraced her tightly, their hearts swelling as they both looked down to their hatchlings, who smiled up at them with their gums.
“Thank you,” Trove said to Sylvester. “You saved him...you saved all of us,” she added, her voice filled with joy and her eyes filling with more tears.
Sylvester lifted a claw and opened his jaws to speak, but then a single blinding flash illuminated the castle and he stopped to look up at two new towering figures.
Lumiere now stood before them all, his blue face curious as he raised one white brow. Alga stood beside him, refusing to meet the Imperial's eyes as she, too, gave Dewlap and the Spirals questioning looks.
“Soooooo what did we miss?” Lumiere asked with a smile.
Alga shot him a warning glance before she asked the others, “Where is everydrake else?”
Dewlap rolled his eyes up at Lumiere, and pointed down to the floor with one claw. “Undercaves,” he replied with gritted teeth.
Marica chuckled at Dewlap's pathetic attempts to conjure up any sort of sparks with his trembling claws.
“What's wrong, Dewlap?” she chortled. “Aren't you glad to see me? It's been too long.”
“Not long enough,” Dewlap snarled, flaring his wings wide open to shield Flower. “Stay away from us!”
Marica took one step closer, showing her fangs in a toothy smile. “What are you going to do to protect her? You can barely lift your claws.” She then glanced over to where Mudflat's ashes lay. “You should be thanking me. With that fool out of the way, you can tell me what you did with my souls.”
“They never belonged to you!” Flower cried before Dewlap could answer.
“Flower, darling,” Marica purred. “Haven't you been a good girl and collected any new souls for me?”
Tears now began spilling from Flower's emerald-green eyes. “I would never work for you...” she whimpered.
“And I see you've been led here by somedrake else,” Marica noted as she looked around the castle's main foyer where the three of them stood. She took another step, this time with a bright yellow ring of light that spread out in one wide ripple that spread across the stone floor, up that main stairs and lighting up the dark walls. A moment after the light died, Marica added, “Who else is here, Dewlap?”
The pale Nocturne's heart jolted but he managed to keep steady. “I don't know what y—”
“Don't lie to me, my sweet,” Marica laughed. “I know you don't live here alone,” she said, then twirling one wrist until the metal bracelet on that arm rose to her claw. “All these dozens of rooms can't possibly be just for you.” As she spun the metal ring around her claw faster, she finally flung it into the air, until it danced downward to the ground, and vanished in a small flash before her feet.
“Dewlap...” Flower's voice quaked as she tried to warn him.
“And where's that snake Lumiere?” hissed Marica.
Dewlap said nothing. Where was Lumiere? Not here, where they needed him the most. Marica seemed to know the Imperial wasn't near, as well, for she smirked at them now.
“Such a pity,” Marica said, feigning a pout. “But,” she added with a toothy grin, “I think I know some dragons who might.”
A flash, followed by a puff of smoke, appeared to Marica's left. With a single breath, she blew away the cloud of smoke—
—and Dewlap thought his heart might stop at the sight now revealed to him.
Bound tight within the enlarged metal ring...were all of the Spirals that called this castle home. Dragons that Dewlap had come to call his friends and family. Alyss and Twig hugged Pigeon tight, the three of them crying for Ophelia. Prosper clutched little Amity to his chest. Aerico strained to reach for his sword that hung at his waist, but his arms and tail were too tightly bound for him to move and reach it. All of them had fear and confusion in their eyes and voices. And at the front, held tight by Lillith and Trove, with tears in their eyes...wailed three small bundles.
Dewlap's own fear instantly melted away into blazing hatred as he turned his eyes on Marica again. His claws glowing brilliant green, he lunged at her—
—only to be knocked back by a blast of yellow light, fired from Marica's black palm.
“Not so fast,” she tutted, waggling one claw. “I thought you'd want to introduce me to your little family first.” Spinning the the ring so that Trove now faced her, Marica cupped the grey Spirals lower jaw in her large paw. “Trove, honey, I see you and Dewlap have gotten quite comfortable,” she said, grinning down at the three crying hatchlings.
“Marica!” Dewlap roared after Flower helped him back to his feet. “If you touch any of them...I will kill you,” he growled deep.
“And who's this?” Marica pressed, spinning the group around again until Bubbles was now face-to-face with her. The little Spiral swallowed hard and trembled all over before the huge green dragon as a deep chuckle rumbled in her throat. “I must thank this one for visiting my old tree and leading my puppet to you all.”
“What!” squeaked Bubbles. “I didn't—” he stopped, freezing, then he remembered. But he had. Panicking, he cried out to Dewlap. “I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to! Bogatyr wanted me to check it out andashadowthingchasedme!”
Fury burned inside Dewlap. But no, he couldn't be angry with poor Bubbles. It was Marica. She was to blame.
Dewlap stood taller, spreading his feet and splaying he claws. Each clawtip glowed brilliant green and he glared fiercely at Marica.
“Are you ready to fight for them all, Dewlap?” the witch wondered. Snapping her thick claws, Flower vanished from Dewlap's side and reappeared in the tight circle with the other Spirals. “Because you and I both know that I'm not leaving empty-clawed. You owe me those souls back.”
“No soul belongs to you! And I will NEVER forgive you!” Dewlap bellowed, baring his fangs. And with another roar, he flew straight at her.
Helplessly, Flower and the others could only watch. They screamed and wailed for Dewlap as he blasted bright green beams at Marica, and missed as Marica fired yellow streaks of light at him, all striking him back and knocking him down.
The old Nocturne was tiring quickly, for he was still weakened by the transportation spell earlier. Yet still he kept firing. As his shots collided with Marica's, the very walls shook. The ground rumbled as both witch and wizard battled.
It all seemed to last an eternity, but was over within a few minutes. With one final blast by Marica, Dewlap crashed to the ground in a crumpled heap. One of his wings hung limp at his side, and he fought to stand again, wincing and hissing in pain as he struggled to rise and put weight on his broken right leg.
“Marica, stop!” begged Flower over the other Spirals' cries. “Please...don't do this...he didn't do anything to you!”
Marica opened her toothy smile to speak, but instead it was Dewlap who answered.
“Oh I don't know, Flower,” he wheezed. “I only refused to join her, or tell her what my soul-searching power could see...which is gone, by the way...freed other souls from her, and now released you from her spell.”
“Your soul-searching can't be gone,” Marica seethed. “That's impossible! How can that be?” she demanded.
“Wouldn't you like to know,” Dewlap spat. “But you know what? I will never stop fighting you...however long it takes...until Lumiere comes back,” he added with a sneer, seeing Marica shake with fury at the mention of the Imperial's name. “I'll just have to keep stalling until he returns, so he can send you back where you belong...back in—”
But Dewlap couldn't finish as another bolt of yellow light fired from Marica's claws and struck him down. Trove, Flower, and the other Spirals all wailed, begging Marica to stop.
The witch only kept her beady yellow eyes on Dewlap as she ignored their pleas, and her scowl curled back up into a smile.
“Let them go, Dewlap,” her voice soothed. “You don't need them. Would they really accept you if you were still a soul-searcher? I told you I wouldn't be leaving empty-clawed.”
Dewlap lay motionless a few moments more. When he heard Trove's voice ring above the rest, he struggled to stand once more. He inhaled sharply in pain. When he stood on both feet again, his pale green eyes stared straight into Marica's yellow.
His stomach twisted at a new thought before he could speak. He could barely fight Marica now, and with Lumiere and Alga gone with nodrake knowing when they'd return, what choice did he have left to save them but this?
“Then leave them...and take mine instead,” Dewlap said, trying to keep his voice steady. His heart broke as he listened to Trove's cries, their hatchling's wails, but he couldn't bear to meet any of their tear-stained faces. But only Sylvester remained silent now as the others cried out in protest.
“You would give yourself up willingly for these Spirals?” Marica wondered, her eyes and teeth flashing with interest.
“I will,” promised Dewlap. “If you promise to release them and never take any other soul ever again.”
“Fine. You have my word,” Marica promised, dragging one claw over her chest to mark a glowing X. “If you also agree to never fight against me or try to escape me. Your soul will of great use to me as I pursue its secrets.”
Dewlap resisted the urge to shudder, remembering when he had discovered Silver's spirit trapped in Marica's grasp, his ghostly wails still echoed in Dewlap's mind.
“You have my word,” Dewlap agreed, marking a bright green X over his own dark chest.
Tears streamed down Flower's face as she and the other Spirals struggled against the bonds still. When the gold-and-purple she-drake then looked over to Sylvester beside her, she could see his bright gaze fixated on Dewlap in hard concentration. When she tried to speak to him, he didn't answer, only staring to where Dewlap stood.
So it was agreed. Marica would have to strike Dewlap down one final time. The Nocturne shut his eyes, refusing to let any tears fall. Never again would he listen to Trove's sweet voice...their hatchlings' laughter...never would he see them grow. He would forever belong to Marica as she would continue her 'research' with his soul.
He breathed in deep and released a slow exhale, readying for Marica's blast that would soon end his life.
But everydrake else would be free from her.
He now heard her fire...
...he could make out the bright flash from behind his closed lids as it shot towards him—
—and he heard a loud gasp that was not his own.
Dewlap's eyes flew open, and he stared into those belonging to Sylvester, who now stood right before him.
Sylvester stood rigid, his spotted wings outstretched and frozen in place. His large eyes peered into Dewlap's, and though they looked sad, but his jaws quivered as he tried to smile up to the Nocturne. The dark Spiral tried to speak, but instead he choked, his throat bubbling and a small trickle of crimson dripped down the side of his mouth. He began to crumple to the ground as his legs could no longer hold his body up.
“No,” Dewlap croaked as he tried holding Sylvester up, but then slowly and gently lowered him down.
Dewlap's vision blurred as his eyes began to sting, tears threatening to fall, and his face turned to a fierce scowl. He turned, ready to to charge at Marica again, but what he saw instead baffled him, and he stopped.
Marica tried to speak, but couldn't. She tried to scream, but nothing escaped her jaws. Her joints cracked sickeningly as she fought to move her heavy limbs. Her scales hardened, turning to wood. She clutched at her throat, her eyes bulging out in terror, until they too, turned to solid wood. Her wings and the fins along her thick neck stiffened, as did her tail, and legs, and she crashed onto all fours, no longer mobile.
Marica was no longer dragon, but a whole wooden statue, and the ring that bound the Spirals vanished in a flash, yet they stood still, holding one another in fear and confusion.
Sylvester choked again, and Dewlap limped back to his side.
“Just hold on,” Dewlap told him, his voice shaking. He craned his neck to look back to Alyss, who shook his head in sorrow.
No...no...Sylvester couldn't die!
“...Dewlap...” Sylvester said, his voice hoarse.
“Don't speak,” Dewlap hushed, his vision blurring again. “Just rest...”
“...I...I'm sorry...” Sylvester said softly. “...That wasn't...my best trick...” he added with a weak smile. “...And...” he gasped lightly, “...and I'm sorry...for...what I did to you...years ago...I hurt you...”
Dewlap shook his head, thinking back to when he and Sylvester first met, and the younger dragon had used his magic to force Dewlap's eyes to meet his, causing the Nocturne to search his memories by mistake.
“Don't,” Dewlap said. “That doesn't matter now...it was my fault...”
“...But...” Sylvester started again, “...at least now I'll...be with my best friend...one last time...” When his cyan eyes began to peer up past Dewlap, he added with a whisper, “...I can see Tuuli...”
Dewlap cast swift glances around, but he couldn't see the Tundra's spirit himself. “Please don't take him!” he cried out, then looking back to Alyss again. “Help him!” he begged.
“There's nothing I can do for him, Dewlap,” the doctor said quietly.
“...What...what do you mean I can't come with you?” Sylvester now asked.
“Dewlap, look!” Flower exclaimed, pointing to Sylvester.
Every Spiral and Dewlap looked to Sylvester now with wonder. The dark dragon's shallow breathing became more steady, his eyes brightening, and his began lifting his head on his own. He gasped once and sat straight up, meeting every dragon's eyes with a puzzled look.
“What just happened?” he asked them all.
“You're not dead,” Flower said with a beaming smile. “You broke Marica's promise by trying to sacrifice yourself for Dewlap, and her magic turned against her.” She looked over to the wooden dragon that now took Marica's place.
Sylvester's cyan eyes stretched wider in amazement. When he looked back up at Dewlap, the Nocturne now smiled down at him.
“Ta-daaa,” the Spiral said, grinning.
Trove rushed to Dewlap, along with Lillith as they carried three tiny bundles with them. Trove nuzzled Dewlap as tears cascaded down her grey face, and he embraced her tightly, their hearts swelling as they both looked down to their hatchlings, who smiled up at them with their gums.
“Thank you,” Trove said to Sylvester. “You saved him...you saved all of us,” she added, her voice filled with joy and her eyes filling with more tears.
Sylvester lifted a claw and opened his jaws to speak, but then a single blinding flash illuminated the castle and he stopped to look up at two new towering figures.
Lumiere now stood before them all, his blue face curious as he raised one white brow. Alga stood beside him, refusing to meet the Imperial's eyes as she, too, gave Dewlap and the Spirals questioning looks.
“Soooooo what did we miss?” Lumiere asked with a smile.
Alga shot him a warning glance before she asked the others, “Where is everydrake else?”
Dewlap rolled his eyes up at Lumiere, and pointed down to the floor with one claw. “Undercaves,” he replied with gritted teeth.
Continued in Coral Part 2
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