In the darkened skies of the early evening, purple hues heralded the coming of the night - in the distance, the sun yet cast deep shadows from the monolithic mountains known as the Thunderblacks.
Over one such peak, a large, crimson eyed dragon with coal-black scales and massive black wings watched, searching for the one he had heard about.
A massive dragon, said to be as old as time itself. Perhaps old enough to remember the age that he himself had once lived in.
Marakai, the Lost Prince, held little hope of finding a possible link to the long past. But a little hope was what had brought him here. For the reforging of a nation could be nigh, and if this supposed great dragon was who he thought he was...
Well, a little hope, at least.
But he'd been flying up and down the range for hours, circling outward from the Aerie gradually. Wild dragons galore had investigated him, some even answering his roars and telepathic queries with attacks. But the authority if a royal could be heard in his challenge, and all had backed down in fear.
He was losing what little hope he had started with, but he gave one final attempt, here on this peak. He reared back slightly, his eyes flaring bright as fire. Lunging forward quickly, his mouth opening widely and issuing forth a bit of jet-black flame, along with a thunderous roar. Accompanying this was one last telepathic broadcast.
Urra'vin, if you still exist, answer me!!
"A lost creature, crying out my name," the answer would be like a mental pang. "Marakai. Prince of none. Ruler with no land," the human that approached, clad in charred armour, some shreds glowing with a warm orange, smelled ofof dragons. And the voice was familiar. Though far more angry, far more bitter than the lost prince may remember it.
"At the turning of an age, an old friend attempts to find me," Urra'vin glanced up at Marakai. "But for what reason? And why not sooner."
Even on a dragon, the twitching of an eye could apparently be comical, as this happened when the elder dragons mental response boomed inside his mind. Recovering shortly after, Marakai looked downward, spotting the diminutive form far below.
He quickly shifted his form, draconic features seemingly melting away to reveal his large frame, standing nearly seven feet in height, garbed in black armor seemingly made of his own hide. He lifted a massive, single edged great sword - perhaps recognized as his fathers - to rest upon one shoulder, a long iron chain attached at its hilt.
He leapt almost casually off the edge he stood upon, coming to land lightly near the older dragon.
"Come, now, Urra'vin. I'd have come sooner, had I been able to."
He looked to his old Clansmen, a passive glow in his crimson eyes. "I was outside of time, apparently, set to hibernate after being brought near death after the defeat of mybrother." That last word was spat rather viciously, and his eyes even flared with hate at the memory.
"He cost me thousands of years, years that I will never get back. And in that time, I find that our once great kingdom has been erased from history. I was looking for anyone who might remember that age, so long ago. And then your name reaches my ears."
"I didn't ask for your excuses, Marakai," he answered with a soft snarl. The armoured warrior folded his arms and gave Marakai a vile look from behind his visor. "Your brother is but a whelp. He himself holds no power. The creature backing him, however, does."
The dragon shook his head. "But regardless. You have spent thousands year outside of time. I have seen the turning of ages. Wars and battles passed during your absence. People I, we, were once acquainted with have died." He let out a bitter growl. "And you missed a lot of burials. Once I performed. Their corpses became heavy to carry. You were nowhere to lend a hand in carrying them."
Urra'vin turned around, shaking his head. "Then you create it without me. I have found at least some peace in serving the First Flame."
Marakai's face contorted in rage, more and more with each word the elder dragon spoke. His eyes flared brilliantly, and he found it hard to restrain himself.
In the end, he was unable to. That sword of his collided heavily with the stone wall beside him with an enraged swing, the blade burying itself several feet into the rocky surface. While the dust cloud cleared, the only sounds heard were small stones bouncing across the rocky ground, and the soft tinkling of iron chain as it swung from the swords hilt.
And then came Marakai. He was much louder.
"You dare speak of burying the people we knew!? Friends and comrades?!" Within a single stride, he stood in front of Urra'vin, blood red eyes filled with a primal rage glaring hotly into Urra'vin's.
"Where were you, Urra'vin!?!?" his roar echoing throughout the canyon, loud enough to rattle the stones he'd dislodged before.
"Where were you when that whelp slaughtered the clan? Where were you when I buried my father? My mother and my sister? The thousands of our people my brother killed that day!?"
One massive hand grabbed at the front of the armor Urra'vin wore, fingers wrapping In the metal, bending it with a screech. He was in the others face now.
"You speak as if I committed some great wrong when it was you who fled with the rest!!! You had the gall to call yourself a friend and you fled like a coward, leaving me to bury our entire kingdom!!!"
He released him then with a shove, and turned away, walking back to lay a hand upon the hilt of his father's blade, stuck as it was in the mountain. With little effort, he ripped it free, lowering it to touch the stone ground.
Keen red eyes flared over his shoulder at Urra'vin. "My father would be proud of me Urra'vin. Could you say the same?"
(Uh-oh. He's pissed. o.O;; )
"I was burying my child," Urra'vin hissed, his hand snaking up to grab Marakai's collar and tug him closer. "The newborn that died in the war you caused." He answered in kind, eyes flaring equally to Marakai's. "I cared for you. For your sister and mother," while Urra'vin didn't screech. The anger and resentment in his hissing, bitter voice was more than apparent. "I cared so much for her."
Anger soon replaced by sorrows, more than visible in his eyes. "I regret running. But I wanted to keep what I still had alive. But Hassana killed herself, because my child died."
Urra'vin glanced at Marakai, gritting his teeth. "Did you ever stop and think how difficult the decision was? It was wrong. Hassana would have died either way. And I spent the rest of my days, the thousands of years, able to regret that decision."
A bitter chuckle came from the elder drake. "No. I can't. I loathe myself more than you could ever hate me or Kranath combined."
Marakai's eyes came to close, and he lowered his head. His hair, grown long enough in his depression, fell to cover much of his face. When he looked up again, he looked tired, worn. The look he gave Urra'vin then was a stark contrast to the rage he'd given before.
"I'm sorry, Urra'vin. I thought....I thought that what I did, I did for the world. Kranath was seeking to bring the beast here. He wanted to bring Tiamat to earth. I was able to kill him before he succeeded....but at a great cost to myself. To you. I cannot possibly offer enough of an apology, but....I am sorry." He turned away again, looking up into the deepening night, the first stars appearing out of darkness.
It was a moment before he spoke again, and his face remained skyward when he did.
"I've heard many things over the last couple days...nine days ago, you may have noticed the moon, even in its fullness, gave no light. I was atop the ruins that night, and I saw it clearly, far to the south. You...you remember the site of the Tenkou clan, yes? I defeated Kranath there, finally. Deep in what is known now as the Moraki desert. I heard from a friend who saw him."
He turned again to face Urra'vin, his eyes hard, yet at the same time, fearful. He took a single step towards him, and stopped. He looked down at the ground again, eyes hard and burning - in the darkness, the glow from his eyes was enough to illuminate his face. His shame.
"I don't know how. I don't know why, but somehow, all those years ago, I failed. I know I killed him. I tore his body asunder and scattered bits of him about the city of the Tenkou clan. But he's back. He lives again. It's not done yet."
"Perhaps," he shook his head. "But in the process, you took away my world. I do not blame you. I merely tried to preserve." He took a deep sigh. "You needn't apologize. It wasn't your doing. It was Kranath's."
Urra'vin had said enough and decided to listen now. The words angered him to no extent. A rage he had forgotten long ago. One he hadn't felt in ages.
"Perhaps I may be of assistance?" A soft, feminine voice resounded, a woman suddenly stood next Urra'vin, clad in dark robes. Platinum hair swaying softly. A large, silver mask perched infront of her eyes.
"First Fire," Urra'vin answered as he immediately dropped to his knees.
Marakai arched a brow quizzically. Who was this masked woman, who could bring a dragon as old and jaded as Urra'vin to his knees with but words and presence?
He lifted the hilt of his sword, turning it on end so its tip rested against the earth. First Fire. Urra'vin had mentioned that before. Name, or Title? The woman smelled deeply of the arcane, he noted, and he instantly wondered what she was.
"I apologize, but I you have me at a disadvantage. Who are you, that Urra'vin serves? First Fire is something I've heard of only just now. Is it your name, or an honorific? And I must apologize if I offend....I am Marakai Trin, once prince of these lands, in an age....long past. I am....acquainted with Urra'vin from long ago."
"Mayhaps, Dragonkin," she answered with a soft smile. "But I know thee, by thine energy, thou hath disappeared quite some time ago."
She shook her head at Urra'vin. "Rise, friend, I hath stated that thee needn't bend thine knee for me," the dragon nodded and pushed himself up again. Valia glanced back at Marakai and approached. "I am Valia Inferum," she stated. "A being of pure fire, made up of the First Flame," she stated easily. But, seeing Marakai was confused by the title prior, an explanation was in order.
"Most dragonkin revere me as their creator."
Marakai was silent for several moments, baffled. Creator? Maybe some dragons - he'd heard of his kind sometimes being created through pure elemental magic, much like some of the aberrations that could be found walking the earth. But not him. But his reply was thus:
"....not disappeared. Merely...asleep. Nearly dead, possibly, but not gone."
He then smiled a little bit. "And I don't wish to dispute your words or your claim, but I know of at least three beings who would deny that. First," he raised one finger, "there's me. The Aerie Clan has its religion based around our creation. Second," another finger rose, "there's my bastard of a brother, who serves one of the storied Gods. Third," last finger, "there's the Dread Queen herself. This is who I was telling Urra'vin about, and I know for sure she exists. My brother was and most likely is again accompanied by her essence, and is acting as her avatar. I killed him once - the beast has apparently been gathering enough power to resurrect him."
He lowered his hand, then, and lowered a flat stare. "But I am not here to discuss creation of Dragonkind. There are far more sinister things at work. Again, I apologize if I offend. But my brother, Kranath, wishes to free the Dread Queen from her prison of ice and stone....there." He turned and again lifted his free hand, pointing at the full moon. "Tell me...." he said, a grim smile on his face.
"....when was the last time the moon remained full for nearly a week? The bitch comes, and I intend to stop her. But I cannot do it alone, not this time."
Valia shook her head. "Urra'vin was also raised with thine doctrines," she gave him the gentlest of smiles. "I do not feel insulted or offended by those who choose to believe differently. It is quite the claim after all. But pose thyself this question. Who gave thine creators the spark of life?"
She shook her head, leaving it at that question. "I needn't thine answer, merely ponder it when thou hath the time to. Meditate on it if thy wishes."
She nodded slowly. "Thine truly cannot witness the moon," she answered, tapping the silver mask. "Though, I hath sensed magicks on the rise that should not exist." She shook her head. "And thou wished for the help of an old friend?"
Urra'vin glanced at Valia, then at Marakai. "I'd help you," he snarled softly. "But she won't. She remains completely neutral through all conflict."
Marakai nodded. "Well, I honestly wasn't expecting to find another here anyway, so a gain of one is still an accomplishment, in any case."
He looked back up to the moon, and pondered for a moment. "I have a plan..in a sense. I want to rebuild the Aerie." He then lowered his gaze, to look Urra'vin in the eye. "I know the old Clan doesn't exist anymore - I have no delusions that it does. But if I can gather others to face him - prepare for him - we'll have a much better chance..... Urra'vin, you serve another now. But I must ask, not as a prince, but as someone who doesn't want to see that beast cover the land in death. Will you stand by me, just for this?"
He stepped toward the other, and looked down slightly to meet his gaze. "The Aerie would be open to you, of course, and the armory. I think I may still have something of yours, besides."
"Mayhaps, Dragonkin," Valia answered with a soft nod. "If thee require guidance, thou can findeth me on this very mountain," with that, the robed woman turned around and walked away. Slowly fading out as ashes streaked away by the wind.
Urra'vin met Marakai's eyes. "And as a friend?" He inquired, folding his arms. Before arching an eyebrow. "I'd be surprised if my axe survived all these ages without proper care."
Marakai gave a short laugh, and nodded. "Of course, as a friend, if you'll have me as one." He then looked and gestured towards his sword.
"I'm sure you're aware who's sword this used to be. I carried it, ever since Kranath's slaughter of the Aerie, and it rested with me for all those years in a blasted cave. It's still flawless, through battle and time." His grin widened.
"I'm sure your axe is fine. Dragonstone is truly wondrous in its timelessness and durability. This sword will likely outlast the both of us, and I'm sure your axe is no different."
The younger Dragon then turned to the side, looking in the direction of the Aerie. "...would you like to see your old home again, then? All the lower levels survived, but the castle itself was....destroyed when I drove off Kranath. That's....going to take some work."
(I have a rough description of the Aerie saved on my phone if you want me to PM it to you, HK)
[I'll check it out when I can, friendo]
"Always," Urra'vin answered, shaking his head. "My initial anger was.. Undeserved. I should save it for that impudent shit Kranath."
He nodded at Marakai's remark. "It's as brilliant as ever," Urra'vin replied with a nod. "So, the mountain cleaver still rests in the amroury where I left it, in one piece."
He followed Marakai's gaze. Inclining his head with a soft sigh. "Let us depart then, I'm sure the ghosts of the past would love to meet me once again."
Marakai nodded. "Yes, unfortunately there's not much other than haunting memories and sadness in those empty halls. We'll need to go on foot to get inside...I think both of us transformed would be far too large to enter the ground entrance, and the sky plaza is destroyed."
He turned to look at Urra'vin with a wry grin. "Do you remember the way? Or shall I have to hold your hand like a new hatchling?"
Urra'vin shook his head. "We cannot change the past. However, we can determine at least a bit of the future," he sighed softly. "And we'll tear Kranath from it."
He glanced at Marakai again, snorting as he felt slightly offended. "I'll wipe that smirk of your face." The retort was accompanied by a smirk and a soft chuckle.
"There's the Urra'vin I remember." His grin widened. "And you're welcome to try - I'll take you on any day. But let's get you armed first, hmm?"
He began walking, then, his sword hefted over his right shoulded.
"And I surely hope we're able to. I was barely able to by myself, and I had to goad him to anger and force him to transform. Which, believe me, that's easier said than done - he's an unfeeling monster."
He gave a bit of a sigh, and shook his head. "If we can gather others to our cause, it will be much easier to fight in numbers rather than single combat."
"A sparring is always good," he answered, cracking his neck. "But retrieving weaponry would indeed take priority," the dragon stated as he fell into step next to Marakai. "This time, there are no mistakes. Kranath may be unfeeling, but he has created something frightening." He glanced at Marakai.
"An ancient dragon warrior with nothing to lose anymore," he took a deep breath. "Perhaps, but maybe he is also grouping with others. I know he's prideful in his own twisted way. But he's not a fool."
Marakai nodded sagely. "Indeed. And he's got Tiamat on his side - that's something we don't have. Her influence can be a powerful thing....likely, he'll be gathering others just as fast."
He gave Urra'vin a sidelong glance. "My memories of combat are still fresh on my mind...I haven't been listing about in these canyons for millennia. I don't knoe what all you've been up to since...everything. Can you still fight?"
"It's sad Valia isn't intent on joining us. She'd be a powerful ally," he answered with a soft shake of his head.
"These muscles may be old and strained. But they'll never forget the weight of a weapon." He rolled his shoulders to augment his statement. "I promise you."
"I would think she may have a change of thought, though, if Kranath does succeed in bringing the beast to the mortal plane. Tiamat would likely seek to snuff her out, too. Give it time..."
At Urra'vin's second comment, Marakai chucked, and held out his sword, horizontally and one handed. "Here, then. Carry this until we reach the Aerie. There's plenty of innocent rocks for you to warm yourself up with."
"I-..." He seemed to silence for a moment, frowning softly. "She's not easily snuffed out. In all the years I've known her, she fought but once," he smirked slowly. "Even I was scared. That woman didn't even flinch when an entire army disintegrated before her."
He shook his head. "There were no ashes or remnants. They just disappeared, completely consumed by black flames."
He rose his hand in refusal and smirked slowly. "That thing's too light," he said with a soft grin. "As soon as I pick up my axe, I'll be warmed up."
"Black flames, you say? That makes me wonder....You do know why my father was called the Blackfire king, yes? I carry the same trait. I wonder if it's related somehow...?"
He shook his head and shrugged. "Nevertheless. If Tiamat returns, all will be pulled into conflict, I'm sure. If the power Kranath wielded before is any indication, she'll be a force to reckon with."
At the last comment, he smiled and replaced his blade at his spot on its shoulder. "Indeed, you call that monstrosity an axe, but it's more battering ram if I remember. Less elegant even than thisblafe I carry now..I look forward to testing against you, Urra'vin."
"I recall such, but.. She explained it as having access to any kind of fire she required," he nodded in agreement with Marakai's statement. "Indeed, that is why we would need others."
He folded his arms as he walked, glancing at Marakai with a grin. "You weren't complaining when that potato knife of yours couldn't get through the gate. Ofcourse I had to make sure we had an entrance on foot," he snarled softly.
"Bah, this 'potato knife," he said, holding it up one handed, "has served me better than your glorified club will any day. Heh. Axe. Don't make me laugh." He looked to his sword - all of six feet long, it's blade almost a foot and a half wide, and almost three inches thick near its flat edge.
"I would have cut it down eventually. I'm still trying to figure out why my father let me take his sword with him...though I suppose the practice helped."
They were nearing the ground entrance at the foot of the shattered peak, their destination growing closer with every step.
Urra'vin snarled in response. Though, it wasn't his usual, agressive type of snarl. It was what, in the past, had passed for him laughing or chuckling. A sound he without a doubt would have heard for the first time in ages. "You keep telling yourself that," he snorted.
"Eventually is the keyword. We would've died of old age if I let you."
As they reached the entrance, Urra'vin stopped momenarily, sighing softly. "I haven't set foot in here for ages."
Marakai nodded. "I'll have to pre-warn you...it's not like you remember. Like I said, the lower levels are intact, all the way up to the shrines to the Three. Above that, though...there's nothing. My fight with Kranath, after he killed everyone...I think I did more damage than he. It's just collapsed rubble."
The area they stood in stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the mountains - a perfectly round plaza of worked cobblestones, laid completely uniform and flat. Against the side of the mountain in question, there was naught but raw stone, but for one round piece that was uncannily smooth.
The Prince moved toward this round stone, placing his hand upon it. As he did, it erupted into a brilliant blue light, and Marakai spoke, his words in rough, gutteral draconic.
"I am Marakai, last son of Trin. Following me is the Flame guard, Urra'vin. Allow us passage."
As he spoke, the flesh on his left shoulder began to ripple, the skin separating to reveal a mark Urra'vin would remember well - the mark of the House of Trin, the same mark that once flew on the Blackfire banners throughout the Aerie and high above, before the Peak was Shattered.
The stone of the wall began to fold in on itself, an ancient magic still present after several millennia. The opening created was truly massive, easily large enough for two transformed dragons to walk shoulder to shoulder.
"Well...here we are. I apologize for the honorific...but, that's how I think the magic would recognize you." He turned around to look at Urra'vin.
"Welcome home, old friend. I'm afraid it's not the happy place in our memories, though." He offered a sad, small smile, and strode into the darkness. Some distance in, he stopped, placing a hand on an ancient stone statue of a dragon - one of many lining this hall, ancient guardians long dormant, illuminated from above by a massive hanging braziers full of fire.
Looking up at this guardian, a worked statue made to look like the dragon form of his Father, a single tear rolled down the large man's cheek.
"I am prepared for the worst," Urra'vin grumbled. "It is but stone. The losses we have suffered were far greater."
He followed Marakai in, before glancing up at the blue light, glancing at the mark on his friend's shoulder. "It has been a long time since I saw that insignia," he murmured with a sigh.
He fell into step next to his fellow dragon. "Mayhaps, it is an old title, but apparently still useful."
Urra'vin grew silent as Marakai welcomed him home again. After such a long time, after having the Aerie in ruins for so long, without having properly fought for it, Urra'vin still blamed himself. He merely wished to safe what was dearest to him. Only to have her end up dead.
And the Aerie followed. Having his commander, his friend, welcome him back to the place he deserted took a heavy load off of his shoulders. And it was out of character for the bitter dragon not to make snarky comments, but here he stood. Speechless.
But his friend was doing even worse. He walked over to Marakai and rested a hand on his shoulder, lightly shoving him aside. He took up position infront of the statue. And with a loud metal clunk, his fist hit his own chestplate, followed with a bow as he paid his respects to the dead.
He then glanced at Marakai. "He would be proud, friend. And he would be even happier to hear we are once again rallying together to finish our work."
"Above all else...I dearly wish he looks down on us with a smile." He looked up at the statue still, and lowered his head. "Father...I avenged your death once before, as promised.... but now it seems I must do so once again."
His head raised again, and when he opened his eyes the light was as twin suns, so bright they were. "You, mother, and Vinderaelh. I will avenge you again, over and over if necessary. You, and everyone else."
He mirrored Urra'vin, one hand thumping against his leather clad chest, a salute to the dead.
A salute to his king.
A whisper then, not even loud enough to echo in the large chamber. "I swear it."
He took a step backwards, and looked to his friend. "Urra'vin.... let's brighten this place again. Bring others here. Be a people again. I don't care to rule - I just want to see this place alive again. Seeing it empty like this, it kills me."
His hand found his way to Marakai's shoulder, resting it there after a firm slap on the shoulder. "I promise you that he does," Urra'vin swore.
He stepped back to allow Marakai enough space to pay his respects aswell. The Flame Guard turned around, hitching his thumb in his belt, waiting.
As his friend spoke again, Urra'vin nodded slowly. "I understand. We'll find other people as soon as Kranath announces his presence. People will be afraid. And they will join us if we present ourselves as the opposing force."
Marakai nodded, clapping a hand on Urra'vin's shoulder. "Thank you, Urra'vin. It means alot, more than you understand. Come, let's go dust off your bladed monstrosity." He offered a weak smile, and turned to move down the hallway, looking pointedly ahead as he passed several more of the stone guardians.
He even ignored the two thrones and the statues behind him depicting his mother and father, heading instead for a ramp extending upwards, curling around to follow the wall of the large, circular atrium.
Urra'vin gave his shoulder another firm squeeze, before letting go. "It seems the mountain splitter'll sing again," he answered, offering a faint smirk to Marakai. He fell into step next to his friend, glancing at the throne with empty eyes.
It was then that Urra'vin made a decision. While he didn't care to inform Marakai, he swore to restore the Prince's status. And improve it.
Not as a prince. But as their king. The successor and the person who would banish Kranath and Tiamat. He finally found a purpose once more. He wanted to see Marakai on that throne.
But, now they needed to rebuild. After all, a phoenix burned brightest after its rebirth.
"Of course. And we'll see just how well your ancient bones have stood up to the wrath of time, eh? I'm suddenly feeling glad I got to take my eon-long nap." He gave a wistful smirk as they continued upwards.
Before long, they found themselves at the spell door before the armory. He gestured Urra'vin forward with a smile.
"The Aerie shall recognize you as Flameguard, still. Please, do the honors."
"They're as strong as ever," he answered with a soft snort. "Just a bit creaky. Needs a bit of practice," he admitted with an annoyed sigh, before standing next to Marakai, before nodding. The ancient magics here were baffling. He knew the Aerie at its full glory, the magic utilised was more than impressive. Yet for it to have remained after such time.
"First Flameguard, Urra'vin. Open thee," he commanded.
With a heavy sound of grinding stone and a burst of blue light, the door sank into the floor. Beyond was a large room, with six racks spanning the entire length of the space, full to the brim with Dragonstone weapons and armor. Each piece looked as if it were forged yesterday - not even dust tainted these timeless arms.
At the far end, as if enshrined with armor, was a truly massive weapon Urra'vin would recognize well. Something truly fit for an elite soldier of a dragon kingdom.
"Of course, Kranath would seek slaughter in a time of peace...but, at least that means these are all here for us now." Marakai leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. He gestured inside with a nod, smiling. "There, sir, your sweetheart waits just beyond."
He glanced at the armours, frowning softly. Pieces of equipment and weaponry he recognized quite easily. The other Flameguards' equipment. He shook his head with a soft sigh, looking at the set of armour and the massive ax.
"He would, no doubt," he answered. "But we'll find him easier that way." He walked into the room, stepping past the armaments of his fellow warriors, meeting the massive weapon that had waited for him for countless ages.
He closed his hand around the shaft and lifted it, taking a deep breath, before smirking. "It's lighter than I remember."
"No doubt. It doesn't carry the burden of duty anymore. Your axe, my sword...they're weapons of revenge, now." Marakai had followed Urra'vin inside, and stood behind and to the side of him. However, he found himself instead looking at the armor just beside the axe.
".....This here...I remember this." He raised a hand to the Dragonstone breastplate, and beat a fist on it.
"It was made well. If I remember correctly...it was supposed to be yours. An Honor, from my Father."
He gave Urra'vin a sidelong glance. "You'd never be able to transform while wearing it, but it's likely more durable than what you're wearing now. Not saying I'd spar you while you've got it though - that wouldn't be fair. Not at all." He offered a wry grin.
"Well, it should fit you. That is, of course, if you haven't gotten too soft to wear it."
"And quenched with blood they will rest," Urra'vin shook his head with a soft snarl. "I look forward to the day we can lay down these arms without regrets or unfinished oaths."
Urra'vin followed Marakai's gaze, before laying eyes upon the massive armour, the question did rise as to why it was posted next to his weaponry. His scales, even in human form, easily took most punishment. Armour wasn't too much of a necessity for him.
"Too soft, pfah. As if," he snarled in response, tracing a finger across the design. Even for the armour that was usual for the Flameguard from their time, Urra'vin's once again was that bridge too far.
It was massive.
"Heh, we'll see how soft you are yet. Now that you're reacquainted again, bring your axe to the plaza outside. We'll find someplace outside to spar...I'd rather not read up any more of this place than I have already."
Marakai clapped a hand on Urra'vin's shoulder, and grinned. "I'll see you in a couple minutes."
Without another word, he left the armory, and made his way upstairs. He had some memories to look into.
He made his way to what was once his sister's room, standing for a long time in front of the door. He couldn't enter - both his parents and his siblings rooms were locked to any but those whom they belonged to. He supposed that, as he was king by technicality, he could override it by command, but...
...that just didn't seem right.
"Sister... Vinderaelh. My baby sister. I'm so, so sorry I haven't been able to say this to you before, but I'm sorry. I'm sorry you didn't get to live the life you should have. I'm so sorry. But...things will be better, okay? I've found Urra'vin! After all these years, that crusty old dragons still kicking...I know you would have liked to see him again..."
His hand was placed against the door, this door that was all he had to serve as her grave marker.
"I love you, forever. Please look down on your brother with pride."
Urra'vin nodded as he crossed looks with the forgotten Prince. "Don't dawdle too long," he answered, before he turned around. He shouldered the large axe as if it was nothing.
He made his way down the stairs, back through the massive hallway to head outside, waiting for Marakai at the entrance they went through at the start.
It wasn't long before Marakai stepped out of the dark hallway again, turning to lay his hand on the small pillar of stone that had opened the Aerie to begin with. When the gate sealed again, he turned to spot Urra'vin there.
"Apologies. I wanted to pay respects to my sister...I hadn't been for awhile. Now, let's find an area we won't mind tearing up, eh?"
"No need to apologize," Urra'vin answered as he turned to face Marakai, shaking his head slowly. "It's been along time since you had the chance to."
The dragon rolled his shoulders, holding the weapon in one hand. He nodded in response. "Somewhere in the mountains, I reckon."
Marakai nodded, and started walking. "It's a shame the roads and stairs didn't survive the tests of time, it'd make it much easier to get around..."
He gave a sigh, and glanced back to Urra'vin, looking over one shoulder. "There ought to be something close by...actually, that might do. I imagine it'll get bigger while we're sparring." He grinned, and pointed to the side, to what appeared to be a wide gully, the only obstructions being several large boulders that likely wouldn't survive anyway.
"This should do nicely."
Urra'vin fell into step next to him, smirking softly. "You'll be fine. Just need to stretch your legs," he answered easily, hitching his free hand with his thumb onto his belt.
He followed Marakath into the clearing, glancing around. "It should," he answered with a soft chuckle. He made his way towards one edge of the clearing, lifting the axe from his shoulder and letting it clunk against the floor.
The stone underneath cracked due to the sheer weight.
Marakai stood about twenty feet opposite the other dragon, lowering his sword to allow it's keen edge to rest against the stone. He smirked, looking at Urra'vin with his axe.
"You know, people look at me and ask if I'm compensating for something with my sword....I wonder what they'd say to you?"
He gave a laugh, and made ready, gripping the hilt of his sword with both hands, lifting it up to hold it parallel to the ground, his body twisted to the side a bit.
"I invite you to make the first strike, Urra'vin. Come at me."
Urra'vin smirked. "My dick parallels this axe," he answered with a wry chuckle. "You remember what happened to the last person that made that insinuation. I got married to her," he snarled softly.
He placed both hands on the axe, lifting it slightly off of the ground. And then he surged forward.
He lifted the axe and slammed it down on Marakai, turning on his heels, body canting slightly as he did.
"If it did, you wouldn't be walking. Somebody else would be swinging you around like a damn club."
That said, he prepared for Urra'vin's attack, making last second adjustments on his grip. When the axe fell, he lowered the end of the blade, sliding one hand down to grip the flat edge. Thus reinforced, when the axe hit it may as well have been hitting a solid wall - when the weapons collided, there were no sparks, no fragments, nothing but a tremendous shockwave pushing the dust outward.
Before he could be pushed downward from the force of the blow, Marakai shifted his sword to position it perpendicular to the blade of Urra'vin's axe, and with a rasp as the blades slid against one another, stepped away to allow the axe to fall to the ground.
Free from under the others weapon now, he completed his movement with a heavy swing toward his sparring partner, the broad flat side flying toward Urra'vin rather than the edge in a full-bodied baseball swing.
The ground cracked under the weight of the axe, while it was ages of decay for Urra'vin, he still knew how to fight. He was a natural born warrior and a proficient killer. By no means would he be staggered.
Urra'vin pulled the weapon from the ground, setting it straight and slamming it into the ground once more, the rock underneath it cracking as he threw his weight behind the massive shaft, taking the full-bodied baseball swing head on.
And as he did, his feet also dug into the ground, cracks appearing in the stone all around.
As the major force of the blow was absorb, he raised his weapon slightly and forged a sudden step forward, to knock Marakai off balance.
Marakai leaned into Urra'vin's shove to avoid stumbling backward, his feet sliding against the stone. The force of Urra'vins push actually sent him back far enough that he had to shove his sword into the ground to kill the momentum.
He straightened with a grin, and ripped his blade out of the ground. "I can already tell, this is going to be fun."
Without further warning, he leapt up and toward his sparring partner, and brought his blade down with a two handed, downward swing, the air whistling as the keen blade cut through it.
"I promise," Urra'vin insisted with a soft grin, before sidestepping he whistling blade, letting it slam in the ground. Rocks exploding under the force of the swing.
Urra'vin circled his axe and slammed the backside of the hatchet down against the blade of the sword, circling the shaft up to aim a strike with the polearm's blunt side against Marakai's shoulder.
Marakai accepted the strike to his shoulder with a grunt, and turned away from it.
"Oh, you promise? I swear. More fun than you've had, living in that cave," he jeered, a smile on his face.
With a heave and a groan, he lifted both his sword and Urra'vin's axe into the air, pivoting and stepping from underneath the axe to send the hilt of his sword toward Urra'vin's jaw.
The hilt smacked against his cheek with an audible crack. Yet, by no means was Urra'vin staggered. A thick, slightly bleeding bruise was left on his cheek. Urra'vin sent a tremendous frontal kick at his partner while Marakai was still in his face, aiming to wind him and knock him back.
If he managed to at least create some distance, he'd grip the axe with two hands and aim a slam for Marakai's stomach with the back of his axe.
Marakai stumbled backward from the force of Urra'vins kick, admittedly off guard. He'd just thought to rebalance himself when suddenly be felt as if a boulder had been launched at him, and he was suddenly flying backwards toward the mountain side.
His gut hurt terribly now, but he wasn't done - he swung his weight so he was hkrizonfal, his feet pointing toward the rocks behind him. When he connected with the mountainside, the rock crumbled beneath him from the force.
And then he kicked off, sending pebbles and dust flying ad he launched himself upward and out, twisting quickly in the air with his sword held up and down close to his body. At the apex of his flight, still twisting about in the air, his blade suddenly jutted outward - with him and his sword spinning, he looked nearly like a giant saw blade. With a harsh yell, he pushed his spin harder, and the blade came down toward Urra'vin's shoulder, the flat edge turned to deliver what would be a bone-crushing blow.
Urra'vin shouldered the axe, watching Marakai with a grin. They could cut loose like this, they were both extremely durable, more than even regular dragons, they wouldn't inflict any severe wounds at any rate.
The yell, however, caught him off guard and soon, Marakai was flipping his way over to slam the large sword on top of his shoulder. The sound of creaking metal snapping and the cracking of bone resounded. Yet Urra'vin could only grin. He answered by stepping forward, not mindful of his painful shoulder in the slightest, and aimed a headbutt at Marakai's face.
Marakai may have shattered bone with his last strike, but a headbutt from Urra'vin was legendary. The prince saw stars when the attack connected, and he stumbled backward. He felt like his nose had exploded, and he tentatively brought a hand up to investigate.
Maybe exploded was an understatement. His nose was pretty much gone. Where most people might get angry or simply fight, he instead laughed.
"Okay...I deserved that. How about we fix ourselves before we continue? You at least should fix your arm."
He dropped his hand back to his side, droplets of blood flying off of it.
"And what the hell is your head made of?"
"I've got a pretty thick skull," Urra'vin answered with a grin. He glanced at his shoulder and tore the pauldron off, before popping whatever was left of his shoulder back into what was left of his socket. "It'll heal," he assured, rolling his shoulder and raising the axe again.
"Ready to go again?" He inquired with a soft grin.
Marakai gave a shrug and grinned around his broken face. He then turned, holding up a finger, and spit out a tooth.
"Yeah. And that tooth better grow back, or next time I'll use the sharp side of the sword."
He stepped forward, resuming the position he'd had when they'd first started.
"I'll let you go first again. You're in worse shape than I am." He smirked slightly, showing bloody teeth.
"Ooh. Dangerous," Urra'vin answered with a grin, mocking him slightly.
"No, you make a move now, let's see what happens," the dragon said with a smirk, circling the axe and letting it thud down to the ground.
"....well, if you insist." Marakai gave a crooked grin, and was suddenly moving in a charge, his grip tight on his blade. When he was close enough to attack, he twisted midrun, turning full circle with the blade extended, lending his strength and weight into a broad horizontal slash.
The axe didn't move. It remained against the ground as Urra'vin forcing his weight against the shaft to catch the massive blow.
He pulled the axe up and forced forward, his weapon scraping against Marakai's. He shoved the blade out of the way and slammed the axe down next to the hilt, aiming to hook his axe behind it and pull the weapon from Marakai's grip, accompanied by a shoulder charge to his chest.
Marakai released the hilt of the blade when Urra'vin tried to pull it from his grasp, instead moving his hand to clamp an iron grip around the others wrist.
He relaxed his body, holding tightly onto Urra'vin's wrist, and when he took the shoulder charge the momentum swung him around in such a way that he was behind the other, a huge fist aimed at the back of Urra'vin's bead.
Urra'vin altered the grip, and instead got tight hold of Marakai's wrist as well. As the punch was thrown for the back of his head, he ducked under it and grabbed the wrist with his free hand, dropping the axe in the process.
And he quite literally aimed to pull Marakai ontop of his shoulders, before tilting over and slamming him to the ground.
Marakai's breath left him as he was slammed into the ground, the stone beneath him shattering.
He looked up at Urra'vin with a grin after just a second, and planted both his feet on Urra'vin's chest, rolling backwards and aiming to toss him backward.
The feet connected with his chestplate and slammed him backwards in a stagger, allowing for Marakai to get to his feet.
Marakai scrambled to his feet, and immediately dove for his sword, hefting it upward.
"Grab your axe. I'm not interested in a brawl - show me what you're really made of!"
Urra'vin smirked in response and took several steps towards his axe, pulling it up from the ground. "You asked for it," he answered.
And like that, he charged forward with a massive vertical swing from the axe, aimed at Marakai's shoulder. It was however with the back of the axe, so he'd basically inflict the same wound Marakai inflicted upon him earlier.
But it wouldn't be so - his eyes were used to tracking a much faster opponent, his reflexes similarly attuned.
The sword was already at his shoulder, and all he had to do was quickly flip it so it was lying flat, the blunt side resting against his neck. He lowered his body as he did so, bracing for impact, and ready to shove upwards at the point of contact.
He'd show Urra'vin how that blow was meant to be blocked.
Marakai caught the blow and forfed him back. Yet the look on Urra'vin's face was not of surprise nor of awe. A grin formed qs he used the momentum Marakai gave him to turn the axe and aimed to ram the end of the shaft against his chest. The dragon even took a step forward as he did, adding even more power to the already tremendous force.
So many hits to the midsection was sure to leave some nasty bruises, even through his armor. The Prince stumbled backward, grunting when hit, a hand coming downward to cover the wound.
Marakai doubled over when he caught his balance, and coughed, spitting out a bloody glob of saliva. He then straightened, wiping the blood from his chin, and grinned. That had hurt like hell.
Time to kick it up a notch, then. His eyes flared a brilliant red, and suddenly a long spike shot from his skull, nearly a foot long and jutting from above his temple. His skin took an odd gray color, and odd patches of scales spread over one arm, his fingers lengthening into talons.
His pupils had completely disappeared beneath the red light, and Marakai's grin was now filled with fangs.
"Sorry for the handicap.... But if you're going to show me what you're made of...I'm not going to pull any punches anymore."
His voice had an odd, grating quality to it, as if his vocal cords weren't meant for speech.
That dangerous grin grew wider still, and suddenly that sword was a whirlwind as the Prince spun with it, winding up for a vicious blow, the flat side of the sword flying towards Urra'vin's midsection.
"Halfling form, eh?" Urra'vin inquired with a soft grin. Well, he viewed this as an invitation. And he would indulge.
Marakai, from his experience would only have known Urra'vin shifting to his halfling forma only once. And it ended with an entire legion being torn apart by but one man. And not through enormous speeds, which he didn't possess. Not through the augmented strength, which was dominantly present.
But through the sheer durability of this form. A rain of ballistas, a volley of rocks from various siege machines, bombs and even tar and flames were thrown at him. And he was wounded, badly so. But the dragon did not back down. He did not die by any means. For some reason. His halfling form was more durable than his dragon form.
His teeth lengthened into sharp fangs, claws errupted from fingers that slowly turned into black scales. The grin of Marakai was paralelled by the grin Urra'vin gave him. The blow connected, ribs cracked andand even flesh tore as Marakai's blow managed to break his rips and shred his lung completely with it.
But Urra'vin didn't do as much as budge. "Feels like a mosquito stung me," he snarled, gripping the axe and thumping the flat top forward for Marakai's face.
Marakai took the hit to the face, but Urra'vin would feel a shock similar to hitting a rockface with a stick.
The axe bounced backward, and the half-formed dragon Prince offered a smile that would give children nightmares.
"Urra'vin...no love taps. Please."
Marakai's form was similar - his strengths were durability, and a near unending limit to his stamina. A light trickle of blood ran down his nose, and then nearly instantly stopped.
Suddenly the arm covered in dragon scales would shoot forward, directing an open palmed strike toward Urra'vin's chest.
"Jus' showing my appreciation," he grunted with a grin that paralleled Marakai's.
Urra'vin stepped aside from the palm strike, ducking and shuffling the axe over his back. He momentarily let go of the haft to grip it completely at the end, aiming to send a massive strike to his spine.
One that, even in the current form, would no doubt send him flying.
And if it was anyone normal, their spine would be dust if it hit.
Marakai knew the attack was coming - he could hear the air whistling over the monstrous weapon as it flew into his back. But he welcomed it, anyway.
The strike, aided with a quick twist on Marakai part, ended by sending him hurtling forward... Or it would, if Marakai hadn't used his free hand to grasp the hsndle just below Urra'vin's hand.
And so what happened was instead a repeat of the move he'd done earlier, swinging from the handle of the axe rather than Urra'vin's arm, and ending behind the other with the flat edge of his sword leading rather than his fist.
Even with his back feeling as though he'd been pummeled by a Titan, he grinned nearly manically. This was going to be fun.
As Marakai flipped over him, Urra'vin let out an almost bestial roar, slamming his elbow backwards to have it collide with the Blackfire Fang. Yet the rocks underneath them would crack as the force was propelled downward.
A true fight of colossi.
Urra'vin turned around with the flinging of his elbow, turning his axe to hook it behind Marakai's blade, aiming to pull his defenses aside.
Marakai released the Fang, aiming to cause Urra'vin to unbalance himself as he pulled both weapons to one side. Both hands now free, he aimed his massive scaled, clawed fist toward the side of Urra'vin's head on a straight punch.
His other, human hand held at his waist, palm open and ready for defense.
The Fang was knocked aside. And the wrist headed for the side for his head was caught between his razor sharp teeth. Marakai managed to dislodge at least a few. And his jaw took quite the hit. But so would his hand.
With a roar, Marakai ripped his hand back out of Urra'vin's mouth, noting a loss of weight. He glanced down at his hand.
Ring finger was gone. It'd grow back. Eventually. Maybe Urra'vin would choke on it. Marakai chuckled darkly as he looked back at Urra'vin's face.
The hand that wasn't currently mangled clenched itself into a fist, aiming an uppercut into Urra'vin's solar plexus. Maybe that finger would come out, after all.
As Marakai glanced at Urra'vin's face, he spat out said finger. "I believe this is yo-" blood splurted from his mouth as he recieved the blow, but by no means was he down for the count. The uppercut had him doubling forward. And he used thatt momentum to attempt another headbutt for Marakai's mouth.