Week Twenty Six: The Days To Remember

  Mikey scrambled up to meet the window. Four knocks meant Vile was visiting. He hadn’t heard from him for days. Tomorrow would be Monday, when both of them went back to school. Mikey grinned as he opened the window. Vile sat on the ledge of Mikey’s window. Smelling the cool sent of the sea, Mikey smirked and urged Vile inside. Shrugging, Vile closed the window behind him and took a seat at Mikey’s desk.
  “Looks like you haven’t been home for the weekend either.” Mikey smirked, mask still on his face.
  Vile nodded but then looked over at Mikey. “Are you suggesting you went somewhere are well or are you suggesting that you know my brother had taken off?”
  Mikey looked at Vile in the best convincing confused look he could give. “I went out to go check out my origin.” Mikey shrugged. “Why?” He tilted his head. “Xeq hasn’t been here all weekend either, long actually, where is he?”
  Vile sighed. “You know, I haven’t known you for long but you sure would fool me if I couldn’t tell that you were lying.”
  Mikey frowned. “I’m telling you what I know.”
  “Not all of it.” Vile said with a sigh. “But I’m not going to worry about it too much. He’s heading over here anyways.”
  “He is?”! Mikey grinned. “Oh great! Then I can tell you what happened to me this weekend.” He smirked. “Well, it’s nothing to get excited about but I did go do something.”
  Vile nodded. “Same here.” He sighed. “I never thought I’d have to kill someone again.”
  “Again?” Mikey raised an eyebrow. “Have to?”
  Vile frowned. “The first time was an accident, the second time…” Vile sighed, “This time I had to do it.”
  Mikey looked at Vile in concern. “Any update on the heartbeat?”
  “It’s back.” Vile shrugged. “But only because Xeq did something.”
  “Can you two communicate?” Mikey asked in excitement.
  Vile shrugged. “I haven’t tried.”
  Hearing five knocks on the window, Vile and Mikey looked up, grinning, Mikey opened the window. Stepping in and embracing Mikey, Xeq gave a sigh. “You have no idea how tired I am little man.” He grunted.
  Mikey smiled. “Yea! I have a lot to tell you to but first, you tell me how that operation went.”
  Xeq shut the window and sat on the bed next to Mikey, back facing the Mikey’s desk. “It was awful I tell you. I found out some interesting facts about me and Zamer, we have some Chinese deal called ‘Feng Shui going on. Then the hydra’s heart literally killed me and rebuilt by system and now I’m like this.” He shrugged.
  “What do you mean like this?” Mikey questioned.
  Xeq shrugged. “I don’t know how to explain it. I feel stronger, my heart beat is stronger too, I feel alive, alive more than before. It’s great. All I hope is that I can still communicate with Vile.
  Well, we can always fine out. Vile smirked making Xeq turn in anger and amusement.
  “You’re supposed to be in the Atlantic!”
  Embracing a tackle hug from Xeq, Vile corrected him. “The Mediterranean is where I landed actually, I got to see the lost city of Atlantis as it was all those years ago through a spirit.”
  Xeq grinned. “How was that?”
  “Gorgeous.” Vile nodded. “Our architects are missing out.”
  Xeq nodded.
  Mikey smiled. “Okay, so who’s stories first? Big Brother, Little Brother, of Mikey?” He grinned.
  Xeq and Vile looked at each other than at Mikey. “Since you went out without supervision I get the little man gets to go first.” Xeq smiled. Vile nodded. “Brother drama can wait, tell us what happened to you.”
  Mikey sighed. “Okay. So,” He breathed in and gave out another deep sigh. “I have a girlfriend now?” He shrugged.
  Xeq and Vile exchanged looks and then spoke in unison. “You’re thirteen.”
  “And?”! Mikey said with a laugh. “It’s okay I didn’t want her anyway, she’s way to old for me but she’s supposed to be heading over here, he glanced at his clock, at six.”
  Vile looked at the clock in amusement. “It’s Monday?”
  “Ready for school in the morning?” Mikey grinned.
  Vile groaned.
  “Anyway,” He grinned. “So I was upset about hearing my mother and father talking so I left and went out to go to our spot but then my wings wouldn’t let me land and I kept going. I met this goddess of wisdom, who didn’t gave me much but anyway, named Vör. She lead me to this ship that was sacrificing their navigator, which I thought was stupid, to the goddess Rán and because I didn’t want the guy to die I tried saving him which didn’t go so well at first but then I teamed up with the God Ægir who sure does yell a lot to try and put Rán in her place. She turned into this water wyvern and then tried to kill me with her wave children. Luckily, I outsmarted her and with Ægir and I guess Vör’s help I managed to imprison Rán for the night but as it turns out Rán is actually Ægir’s wife and he only helped me because he thought it was funny and now I have to serve her and her daughters.” Mikey grinned, catching his breath.
  Xeq grinned, nodding in approval. Touching the bottle of Akvavit, Vile shook his head. “Looks like someone had a little too much fun.”
  Mikey shook his head. “I only drank one!” He protested. Exchanging glances again the brothers laughed.
  “Heads or tails.” Vile smirked at Xeq.
  Shaking his head, He let out his last laugh and then nodded. “I should explain myself it’s only fair.”
  “I went out because I felt horrible, the ‘hyper beam’ as I call it kept happening over and over until finally, I reached my limit and fell.”
  “You reached your limit?” Vile said in amazement. “We’ll we’ve only shot for India.” He shrugged nodded in understanding.
  Xeq nodded. “If it weren’t for Mioko I would have died. I woke and found myself in a cave, later after Mioko, this Chinese dragon, explained Feng Shui to me, something about me and Zamer’s relationship, I went into transformation with the hydra’s heart.” Xeq and Vile met silent eyes and then Xeq continued.
  “After you successful went through your transformation, I managed to get my heart beat back.” Vile smirked.
  “You couldn’t feel yours either?”
  “It would fade in and out. I thought I was dying but I was fully functional.” He shrugged. “But as for me…” He sighed.
  “After seeing Atlantis, all these spirits kept calling me the reincarnation of this Lernean Hydra, a hydra with-”
  “-nine heads.” Xeq nodded.
  “Yes.” Vile sighed. “Don’t feel too bad, bro.” He shrugged. “It is what it is.”
  Xeq shook his head. “I killed your brothers, I consumed your brothers.”
  “Well, now we now the rumor’s true then.” Vile shrugged.
  “No.” Xeq shook his head again. “I don’t want anyone else to go through that. I don’t care how true the rumor is.” He sighed. “It’s not worth the pain.”
  Vile smirked. “I ended up going to the Lerna cave where I was supposedly supposed to be guarding the entrance to the Underworld-“
  “You mean Hell?” Mikey wondered.
  Vile shook his head. “Don’t get me started on the arguments.” He smirked. “Technically yes.”
  Sighing, he continued. “But I went to the cave, killed what the Greek’s call ‘shades’ or otherwise known as ‘shadows’ and then the Atlantis spirits disappeared from my head so I guess they went to the Underworld. I seriously don’t’ know why they would want to go but whatever floats their boats.” Vil sighed.
  “After that I ran into Heracles-“
  “You mean Hercules?” Xeq questioned.
  “Spare me the headache.” Vile sighed. “Heracles is roman while Hercules is Greek.”
  “There’s a difference?” Mikey and Xeq asked at the same time.
  Vile rolled his eyes. “So I ended up killing Heracles because I found out that I’m poisonous too, more of a deadly poison rather than an acid and then I met the my friends Taco and Curt.” He grinned. “Taco’s the crab zodiac and Curt is the reincarnation if Ioluas.”
  Xeq laughed. “I thought Taco meant octopus in Japanese?”
  “It does.” Vile shook his head.
  “Taco and Curt even left the battle to go get Gelatos.” He shook his head.
  “Seriously?” Xeq and Mikey laughed.
  Vile nodded with a smirk. Telling the story to them didn’t make it seem so horrible now that they were all back together. Sure, Xeq felt different but at least he communicate with his brother again and Mikey, enslaving himself to a girlfriend? Talk about a rough start. Staring at the alarm clock, Vile sighed. If he didn’t get some shut eyes soon he’d be dead by the time he’d need to sleep. For the most part he was good with time zone changes but lately, he had been through more than he wanted to muster.
  “I don’t mean to break up the party, but it’ll take a minute to get home and I think I’ve been through too many time zones for my liking.” Vile yawned. “I think I’m going to hit the sack.” He said and then remembered his encounter with Hera disappearing making him hiss.
  Xeq nodded. “Wait for me, bro.” He grinned. “Mikey needs to sleep, he gets to meet his new girlfriend tomorrow, and when we get home, I’m driving you to school, you’re not ‘walking’.”

  Giving Mikey one last hug, Vile took the skies first and the Xeq followed. They had a lot of explaining to do when they got back but for now, Xeq was happy enough to have his brother back and to see Mikey. Closing the window as the two departed, Mikey face planted on his bed, two hours of rest was probably not healthy but then again, he was a dragon, he’d have to deal with it. 

Week Twenty Five: Recap

  Xeq took to the skies. Leaving Mioko, the wolf, and the kitsune was hard but still, he had to get to his brother. His heart beat steady and he felt the air once again. Darting through clouds for amusement, Xeq never thought he’d know what it was like to fear never flying again but now here he was.

  Mioko told Xeq that he would have to make the trip every now and then to continue training. Xeq agreed even though he was planning on stopping to rest for a few hours since the timezones were different the closer he got to his hometown.

  He made a couple of suggestions as he danced amongst the cloud, which was too low for his liking but he felt the need to be a bit more reckless. He could probably stop at Mikey’s for a bit since it wasn’t exactly him using all of his energy. After all, Mikey’s parents love him and Vile. They wouldn’t think twice about letting him stay a night. Maybe even a week if it ever came down to it.

  The transformation made him feel invincible. There was no doubt that Xeq was born again. The powers that came with this Hydra’s heart consumed him and made him a new dragon. Xeq nodded. The documenters of dragons would have to make a need species for his kind. Then again, were there are documenters. Xeq smirked, maybe he should do it. Shaking his head as he thought of the pain he had gone through he frowned. No, if anyone was stupid enough to try that he have to kill them instead. He gave up too much for these powers. He had to die and hope that the hydra’s heart who rebuild him. Who was there to say that it worked more than once? What other hydras were there to try it on? Xeq’s eyes widen, there was him, but he didn’t know if he was considered a hydra since he didn’t start out as one.

  Xeq shook his head. And then there was Vile, the only original hydra left from that hydra he had defeated. If anyone touched his little brother he’d take them out faster than they’d blink. Xeq sighed. He hoped that he could find Vile, since Vile fell into the Atlantic he wasn’t worried, he would wake up breathing at the bottom of the ocean but he’d be alive and that’s all that matter.

  Xeq sighed. Vile, where are you?

--

  Hera embrace Vile as Vile, Curt, and Taco entered his hotel room. “You did it!” She exclaimed with a beaming smile.

  Vile growled and pushed her away. “I killed someone.” He shook his head.

  “But you have not trouble hearting your heartbeat yes?”

  Vile’s eyes squinted, touching his chest he balled his hand into a fist.

  “All that for a heartbeat?” Vile bared his teeth. “I call that a chance to lose it.”

  Hera frowned. “Now. Now, Vile.” She shook her head. “Don’t get upset, your brother did qute the trick, he did.”

  Vile raised an eyebrow. “My… brother?”

  “Yes! The one you call ‘brother’?” Hera questioned. “Of course, your real brothers are dead but you ‘brother’ has been reborn!”

  Vile shook his head. “You’re not making any sense.” He frowned.

  Hera smiled. “You’ll find him at that poor excuse of a Norwegian Dragon’s house.”

  “Mikey’s?”! Vile exclaimed and then lunged at Hera.

  Hera smiled, then faded, leaving Vile to crash into the foot of his bed.

  Laying on the floor, Vile groaned.

  Taco grinned. “Critical hit!”

  Curt and Taco high fived and laughed before the two helped Vile up. “Don’t be too harsh on yourself, Vile.” Curt smirked.

  Vile sighed. “I came out here to find my brother, Hera spews nonsense and then tells me the location of my brother.” Vile frowned. “Should I go home and wait for him there instead?”

  Taco shook his head. “If that is what you left for then go and meet up with him.”

  Vile shook his head. “I don’t even know where he is right now, where he was…”

  Curt shrugged. “Ask him when you see him.” He grinned. “All you have to do is make sure that you meaning us and our amazingness!”

  Vile let out a smile laughed. “Sure thing.”

  “And don’t forget.” He grinned. “You changed this generations fate!” He smirked. “Now that Llyod’s not here to play the part the twelve labors won’t be done and none of that mess technically happened in this time period.”

  “Or, they could be done by someone else.” Taco shrugged.

  Vile sighed. “Not in the mood to think that someone else is going to come after me okay, Taco?”

  Taco nodded. “Well, you’re brother’s not going to get any closer and you sure are not going to get any happier if you stay here sulking.” Taco grinned.

  “We give our emails and we stay in contact?”

  Vile shrugged and then looked at Curt.

  “Sure!” He smiled. “Why not?”

  After exchanging emails, Vile, Taco, and Curt headed back to the beach where Vile said good bye to his two new friends. Taking to the skies, he watched as Taco and Curt high fived once more and then Taco jumped into the water, reverting a crab and then oddly changing into little hot dots and then disappearing. Curt on the other hand did the human approach of leaving the battle ground and entered his car, driving off and heading to the airport so that he could go home.

  Vile would have offered a ride but he wasn’t sure if Curt could take the altitude. After all, he hadn’t read anything or Iolaus. Maybe he could when everything settled down but for now, he flew until he found a comfortable place to dive. He usually took to the skies, pretending like he was closer to Xeq because he could fly but swimming was faster and more of a clam trip for him. Feeling the water against his skin and his wings transforming to gills he smiled. He’d emerge at the lake side where the three would usually go to train and then head to Mikey’s by air. It was good to see the little guy again, hopefully, nothing too bad happened while he went searching for his brother. 

Week Twenty Four: Lerna Part IV

Vile slammed himself into Heracles with all his might. He didn’t want to fight but Heracles sure didn’t seem like giving in any time soon so Vile did what he had to. He felt the emotions twist inside him. I’ve killed before but I never wanted to do it again. He thought as he coated his body with poison.

  Heracles cringed and slammed into the sand. “Iolaus!” He exclaimed.

  Vile shook his head. “His name’s Curt.”

  Awaiting a reply and not getting one, Vile turned to look for Curt. By surprise he found no one, not even Taco.

  “They left?” Vile said in amusement.

  “They what?”! Heracles said, he could feel the poison infect his blood.

  “They left,” He said reaching into Heracles back pocket.

  “Don’t mean to violate you there, bud.” He shrugged.

  Heracles glared. “You poison me and you’re worried about touching my gluteus maximus?”

  “Glut-?” Vile flipped open the reincarnated Heracles wallet. “No one says that.” He shook his head.

  “I will come back,” Heracles growled. “I will kill you next time.” He said as he gagged into the sand.

  Vile sat him up in effort to help.

  “I didn’t want to do this to you, Llyod.” He said closing the wallet.

  Llyod looked at him with wide eyes. “My name is-“

  “Llyod.” Vile said putting the wallet in Llyod’s hand. “Llyod Estaras.”

  Vile tried to make it easier for him to go so he held the Llyod’s hand send more poison into his system. Every time he threw up Vile sent a small current of water to wash it away. At one point, Llyod said thank you and began to slip away.

  Vile sighed.

  “Hydra! Heracles!” Curt yelled from a distance.

  “You two done with your little fit? We got Gelatos!”

  Vile squinted his eyes. “They left to get gelatos?”

  Llyod gave a small laugh and then gagged again after Vile sent it away, Llyod smield. “We are in Greece.”

  Vile shook his head. “Now you have time to be funny?” He shook his head. “You’re on the verge of dying man.”

  Appraoching them, Curt and Taco exchanged glances.

  “I take it the Hydra won?”

  “Name’s Vile but yet.” Vile smirked. “He was seriously going to kill me and I poisoned him.”

  Taco looked at Vile’s hand holding Llyod in curiosity and then turned back to his gelato.

  “Well…” Curt shrugged. “Didn’t know what you wanted kid so I got you vanilla…” He gave a small smile.

  Heracles shook his head. “I will die soon.” Muttered, leaning back. “Don’t bother.”

  “Iolaus?” Heracles said, a few moments later with his eyes closed.

  “Yea, Heracles?” Curt said with a smirk.

  “Thank you for supporting me even though it reminded you of a game.”

  “A book actually.” Curt grinned but then nodded.

  “I don’t worry.” Curt smiled. “You made a good Don Quixote.”

  “I am heroes of heroes.” Llyod shook his head to the best of his ability.

  “Right!” Curt grinned. “You make a good Heracles too.” He smiled.

  Hand going cold, Vile released it and turned to Taco and Curt.

  “You left to go get gelatos?” He said with an eyebrow raised.

  “They Hydra says as he finally kills off the enemy.” Taco added.

  Vile rolled his eyes. “I already told you my name’s Vile and what was I supposed to do, I wasn’t exactly going to test the theory about the asexual thing.”

  “You’re asexual.” Curt said in amusement.

  Vile put his palm to his face. “Ugh.”

  “Hey man, all I’m trying to do is lighten the mood.” He shrugged. “After all, Zeus is probably going to be pissed off that I left Heracles die like that.”

  “You mean Jupiter?” Vile looked up in confusion.

  “Who?” Cirt questioned.

  “The roman version of Zeus.” Vile replied.

  “Actually, when I read over the myths it never mentions Jupiter it always says Zeus.”

  Vile looked at Curt with a nod. “I noticed that too.” He raised an eyebrow. “But it always says Heracles not Hercules.”

  “Hercules!” Curt exclaimed, dropping some of his gelato in the process. “That’s who the other person was!”

  Vile again looked at Curt in confusion.

  “It’s nothing.” Curt grinned handing Vile the Vanilla and Caramel gelatos. “When I first met Heracles he introduce himself as Heracles and I couldn’t stop laughing. It wasn’t until he didn’t leave that I found out he was dead serious. Curious, I went with him. He kept talking about how many adventures we had in the past and I wasn’t sure what he was talking about considering the kid’s younger than me but anyway. I had this thought that Heracles sounded like a mixed up version of a name I had heard as kid while watching Disney.” Curt smiled. “And now that you say Hercules I remember!” He grinned.

  Vile shook his head taking a bite of the caramel gelato and setting the vanilla one in Llyod’s hands. “You didn’t bother to look it up?”

  Curt shook his head. “The guy wasn’t always with him. He came only around this time and kept talking about that lion first and then you once I saw him rip the lion apart.”

  Vile sighed. “This gelato doesn’t seem as tasty anymore.”

  “Maybe it’s because you’re sitting next to the guy you killed?” Taco questioned.

  Vile frowned. “No shoot Sherlock.”

  Taco tilted his head. “I like Sherlock Holmes.”

  Vile sighed and Curt laughed.

  “We should probably do something with his body so that no one find it?” Curt suggested.

  Vile shook his head. “Isn’t he supposed to be immortal?” He said looking back at Llyod who was getting more pail by the second.

  “He sure is decaying fast for a mortal,” Taco said with a mouth full. “That’s for sure.”

  Vile sighed. “You two are hopeless.” He said letting a drip of poison fall from his finger.

  “Oh!” Taco noded. “I was wondering when you were going to do that but since you kept feeding it to him I guess you were doing him a favor.”

  Vile frowned and Cut raised an eyebrow. “Feeding it to him?”

  “I was holding his hand for comfort.” Vile smirked. “But I was also trying to get him to get it over with.”

  Curt nodded in understand. “Ah, hey. It’s the kid’s wallet. Did you find out what his name was?”

  Vile nodded. “Llyod Estaras, Eighteen, December Thirteenth was his birthday.”

  “Son of Jupiter, huh.” Taco nodded.

  Curt and Vile looked at Taco in bamboozlement.

  “Jupiter is the ruler of the end of November and most of December.” Taco smiled. “Read your Zodiac every now and then, it might give you some clues as to what you should do for the future.”

  Vile sighed. “I think my history’s pretty well written for me.” He smirked.

  Carry Heracles in his claws, Vile flew over the Argolic Gulf.

  May we meet in the next life. Vile thought and Curt shouted. Taco agreed. The two sat steadily on his back. Watching Heracles hit the water made Vile cringe.

  Curt patted Vile’s back, part of it anyway, and yelled so the dragon could hear him. “It’ll be okay buddy. But hey, we should hang out a but so that you can recover before you go home!”

  Home. Vile thought as he looked out at the aimless sea and sighed. 

One Shot: Tower of Babel

This is a fun story I did in response to my friend's drawing. 

Drawn by patbunNF

Happy Holidays to all of you and I hope to see all of you next week with the rest of the story in Revelations of Dragons.!

  The stories passed down through generations of the tower destined to reach the sky, to reach the heavens. Different variations of this tale have been told, the most popular speaks of the tower being incomplete and destroyed by a God and in some people’s eyes ‘The God’. This variation of the story is quite complex. The location of the tower is unknown. Some say it fell with Atlantis, others say it is located in the Bermuda Triangle but in my family of the Zohans we believed in the guardian and the Gods.

  Among a multitude of mountains stood a tower encasing the crystal of truth. Rumor was, if anyone were to touch this crystal they would gain all knowledge and be all knowing. Three generations ago, my grandfather went to search for this ‘Tower of Babel’ and until recently told me about his journey every visit.

  Now, I am here to tell you about that journey and what he saw. He told me to never pursue this gorgeous place. Sadly, I swore on my blood that I wouldn’t. So, if you are brave and reckless enough to pursue the journey I will not stop you, but what I will do is warn you of the troubles that you will face.

-Juvan Zohan

--

  Only those of a true heart may be in the presence of the crystal of knowledge. Guthrav Zohan was the only recorded man to make the journey and live. Due to him being the only conquer of the quest, not many believe him but he never let that stop him from telling his tale.

  Guthrav Zohan was persistent in finding his path to all knowledge.  In fact, he was so persistent he left his family, only leaving a note of reminder that he would return. Listening to all the different stories of Babel lead him to Pakistan, Iran, and then Iraq (The land of Shinar otherwise known as The Holy Land).

  Avoiding the battles of man, Guthrav left the Holy Land to pursue the Tower of Babel elsewhere. He again set out to listen to the tales of Babel, writing them and comparing them. This lead him to the Lost City of Atlantis where he turned on his heels. What he found, he did not speak of but summarized it to me with ‘my experience of pursuing Atlantis lead me to knowledge, knowledge that I wish I could erase’. 

  Finally, when Guthrav was about to give in, Guthrav was lead to these unknown mountains. Many small villages were known throughout this land and all of the ones Guthrav encountered were peaceful. To try and make up for his absence at home, Guthrav searched the mountains for special gifts finding only minerals found on the mountains and views he could only tell of their beauty.

  Then one night, Guthrav took shelter in one of the small caves, only big enough to fit a small family for a shelter. Satisfied with his written work for the night, Guthrav slept near his dull fire to keep him warm. Drifting off to sleep, Guthrav suddenly awoke to the sound of a screech. When the screech was first heard he thought that it was a bird but Guthrav knew the sounds of the bird in these lands and that was not one of them. Curious, Guthrav sat up and turned towards the entrance of the cave and with a heart stopping gasp, a gust of wind swished through the cave, putting out his fire but leaving Guthrav in awe of the bulk of the creature. That night, he swore he would pursue the creature since the night would hide the mystery despite the side.

  That next morning Guthrav rose and quickly ate his breakfast that some villangers had prepared for his journey. Not knowing where to start, Guthrav headed towards the sun, all he knew was that the creature had passed his cave. As Guthrav used his climbing skills to scale the side of the mountain, Guthrav found animals that he didn’t believe were real. Below him were half bull half men that scouted the routes that the villagers warned about. He believed they were called Minotaur.

  Little pixies and fairies danced around Guthrav as he made his way towards the sun. They spoke none but were as amazed as he was at the sight of another being. Sailing from one mountain to another by using his equipment Guthrav took his first break. Eating a small snack and sitting by a small fire, Guthrav’s eyes widened at the sight. Heading north, was what he thought to be a bird once again but there was no doubt, this creature was not a bird. Its wingspan was longer than a vehicle he had ever seen, the sound that came from the creatures chest was a mix between a roar of a lion and a screech of a bird.

  Adrenaline rushing through him, Guthrav headed in the direction that the creature was flying and as he came closer he found that even after four days of pursuing the creature continued to fly in the same area. This only meant one result. The creature was guarding something. Ecstatic, Guthrav quietly side across the mountain to get a closer look. If he got too close to the creature it might mistaken him for a threat and he didn’t want such mistake. If Guthrav couldn’t find the crystal of knowledge in the tower of Babel he would at least let his story end with this magical creature.

  Laying in the shadows, Guthrav silently watched as the creature spread its wings to do its daily scout. Wide eyed, Guthrav pushed himself against the mountain as the creature flew lower than he had expected. Holding back a gasp, Guthrav noted exactly what he saw in his journal.

  “Its scales were outlined in black and filled with a bright red. Its wingspan was of at least four car lengths; two cars for each side. On the underside was a lighter color but the shimmer announced it to be a protective coat not easily broken by a missile. On its chest was what I thought to be a gem but as it flew back I realized it was a crystal. Its eyes were a darker red than its scales but it had a trail of thicker scales that traced down its tail and went up to its head. I assumed the creature had no visual ears but maybe it could hear through other means.

  Seeing a minotaur enter its territory it roared a warning. The half man half bull charge but had no luck going against the flames of this creature and with the sharp claws that it had, the creature slashed through the army that appeared after the fallen minotaur. Scared as I’ll ever be in my life, I watch the creature soar higher into the sky to continue its route. As it left and became a small spec of black in the sky I realized that the creature I had saw was indeed of legend, but as I stayed silent and still I found followers similar to this creature but not the same.

  These creatures were of many colors, most were solid and not as huge. In comparison to a person they were still massive but to the previous creature, there was a difference. Many of the creatures had two wings and four limbs. I was amazed to see one with two limbs and a beak and then a three headed creature, that was what I believe to be called a hybrid. But the name of the first creature slipped my mind. Slowly making my way to where the creatures were coming from I gawked at the sight.”

  There, a few mountains away was a tower marked with a glass encase of a crystal. The building was a sea green and the top was far up in the sky but below the crystal was a blue sphere like gem. Flying around it where more of these creatures that Guthrov encountered. Circling around the tower were many more of the creature. Heart beat visible out of his chest Guthrov’s footing slip and he bit his lip to silence his panic but it was already too late, approaching him, and fast was the dragon with the crystal in its chest.

  Loosening his equipment, Guthrov dropped and came to find one of the smaller creatures catching him from the fall. Amazed and frightened, Guthrov was forced to face the intimidating creature. Crystal shimmering, the huge creature headed towards the tower and the dragon that had caught Guthrov followed close behind.

  Looking at the view from the skies opened up Guthrov’s eyes to another sense. The mountains seemed so tiny but as he had been climbing and scaling them for weeks he knew that the view was an illusion to the reality of it. The same had been for the creature and the one under him. The creature that was generous enough to save his life had at least a ten feet wingspan. Holding tight, Guthrov was set down at the bottom of the tower where the creature with the crystal landed and stood tall next to the entrance.

  Approaching the entrance, Guthrov looked up the tower from the base, amazed by height that was unknown to his eyes. Next to him the creature bowed down, allowing Guthrov to reach out and touch the crystal that was embedded into its chest. Jaw dropping, he stared at the creature as it spoke to him through his mind.

  “I am the Guardian of The Earth, you seek the crystal of knowledge in which I warn, whta you will learn may not be what you wish. The truth is a sacred weapon, only those who have a true heart will make it passed the Gem of Earth and only those who are true to themselves and the ones they love may live to touch the crystal of knowledge.”

  Guthrov was too amazed to speak. Turning to face the doors he watched as they creaked open and the marble floor was revealed. Stepping away from Guthrov the creature spoke once more. “Mortals like you call us dragons, as you saw, there are many of us and many kinds. If you live I shall take you to the edge of our territory but I must warn you, no mortal has yet passed and I am the only one of my kind to ever step out of the tower.”

  Swallowing his shock, Guthrov spoke. “Even dragons have tried to touch the crystal?”

  “There is only one choice, to be of the Earth or of all knowledge. You are to choose when you step inside. There is a nympth that has lived through the gem of Earth and I am the only other creature who has touched the crystal of knowledge. Go forth, choose and may the Gods be with you.”

  Stepping into the tower, Guthrov described the building as a place of concentrated energy. Every step was easy matched to a step taken if there was a hurricane swirling around a man. Voices filled his head and illusions surfaced trying to lead him in different directions. As Guthrav made his decisions to walk passed the different cravings of the world, Guthrov found himself about to slip away from his own skin when he entered a glass room with a blue gem in the center. All of the pressure of Guthrav’s body ceased and Guthrov rested until he believed he was ready to go on.

  A stair case lead to another path and Guthrov had to face different trails. These trails were of curiosity and emotions. To find the crystal, Guthrov had to learn what he truly wanted and what was truly important to him. Once he found that, he was able to find himself in the glass room with a crystal. Amazed, Guthrav approached the crystal but was distracted by a calling from above. Looking up, Guthrov saw another gem, one that pulled at his heart. The Gem was green and made him feel strong. Shimmering off the crystal was an illusion of a shadow.

  “You are not of the Earth and you have presented yourself to knowledge but there is more.” The shadow paused. “There is all power. No one has yet to claim the power of all, if you wish you may pursue your journey to the most concentrated source of power on Earth and possibly in our star system but choose quick for power’s doors will only stay open for a moment.”

  Facing the shadow, Guthrav gave a smile. “My weapon is knowledge.” He bowed, watching the door that held another staircase close.

  “Very well.” The shadow said, disappearing.

  Reaching out for the crystal, Guthrov felt his body numb and a force compress around him. Taking a step back, the shadow reappeared.

  “Do you not believe in the power of knowledge?”

  Guthrov shook his head. “I do not believe that I am the mortal destined for all knowledge.” He paused and thought of the dragon. “I pursued the Tower of Babel and I found it. My mission is complete.”

  The shadow nodded and the glass behind it opened up, there the Guardian of The Earth waited for Guthrov. Joining the dragon, the dragon questioned Guthrov.

  “Are you positive that you do not want the power from the crystal of knowledge? The trails are only meant to be taken once.”

  Guthrov nodded. “I am positive oh great one, the legend will come true one day but I will only tell of the tale to those who care to listen. This, is the true story of Babel.”

  Taking off, the dragon took Guthrov to the edge of the territory. Turning its back, the dragon spoke once more.

  “You are wise, Guthrov Zohan may you live to tell the tale and lead the legend to its rightful trial.”

--

  Today Guthrov Zohan’s journal is passed through the generations and even though I may be the last to have spoken with Guthrov Zohan I am proud to say I will lead the legend through this story and I will bring them to their destined path.

-Jovan Zohan

--

If you want to me write about the Tower of Babel I will see to it. But unless someone speaks up this will remain a fun story that I will leave as is. Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed the story. -Dj

Week Twenty Three: Lerna Part III

  Taco watched as Vile pinned Heracles and Iolaus then began to taunt them with his poison. What made Taco wonder was why he didn’t send the poison to his claws and end the battle? Instead, he found Vile looking gripping Heracles and Iolaus and laughing hysterically.
  Eyes reverting to their normal green. Vile looked down at the new Hercales and Iolaus. “Do you really want your lives to end this way?” Vile shook his head.
  “Why don’t you end it already, serpent scum?” the new Hercales glared.
  “Because Heracles isn’t who you are and I am not the reincarnation of the Lernaean Hydra.” He said shaking his head. “Why do we have to reenact history? Isn’t that what history books are for?” He sighed. “So we don’t make the same mistake twice?”
  Getting off Heracles Vile stood at a good distance allowing the two to stand. Beside him, Taco made an astonishing face. “What do you think you’re doing?”! He shook his head. “Take them while they are weak!”
  Vile shook his head. “My reflectioned name is Vile. This here is Taco, he’s quite amusing. What are your names?”
  The reincarnated Heracles. “I’ve been living as him for so long…” He muttered. “I…” He smirked. “I don’t remember my human name.”
  Vile shook his head. “You’re not…” He shrugged. “Well, you’re not  creature so I guess you don’t have a reflectioned self and a trueself.”
  The new Heracles looked at him in confusion. “You do not consider yourself human?”
  Vile shook his head. “I may live amongst the humans but I will never be human.” He said allowing a smaller version of his wings to arch out.
  “My name is Curt.” The reincarnated Iolaus shrugged. “Heracles here has been dragging me along for five years now. I think the guy’s twenty but I never really checked his wallet. I thought of this more as a reliving Donquixote. You know, when the guy lives as a knight and has all his adventures, fighting giant windmills?”
  The reincarnated Heracles looked at Curt. “You think of me as a madman?”
  “I’m not as stupid as the squire.” He shrugged. Then he smirked. “Actually, I’m not stupid at all but I find you too amusing to leave on your own.”
  Turning o Vile he began to laugh. “I’ve seen so much since I’ve met this guy, it’s incredible.”
  Vile smirked. “You are the reincarnated Iolaus though.”
  Curt shrugged. “Sure! If that means I can have his wife later? I’ll go for it. But at this rate of hearing about her killing him with your poison after you die? I don’t think I want to be a part of that.”
  Vile shook his head. “I don’t want to kill him.”
  Curt nodded. “And I’m sure if the dang kid remember who he really was he wouldn’t want to kill you either but we met five years ago, I felt bad for the kid and then I realized I could shot an arrow or two.” He shrugged. “So I left my life and hung out with the little guy until he met the real Nemean Lion.” He smiled. “Now that, I have to say was impressive.”
  Vile grinned. “How easy was it?”
  “Well.” Curt looked at the new Heracles who was still stirring in denial of his broken destiny. “He straggled it to death.” He shrugged.
  “Yup.” Taco said with a clap. “That’s how he did it the first time too!”
  Shrugging, Vile looked at the new Heracles. The guy was older than him but he couldn’t be by much.
  “There is more to this life than destinies, Heracles.” Vile said taking a friendly step forward.
  “Maybe it’s time to actually go and be with your,” He coughed, “Wife?”
  Heracles looked up at Vile, after looked at his feet. His eyes shimmered and he tightened his fist. “No.” He growled.
  Vile looked at Curt in amazement. Curt shrugged and stepped back as if telling Vile good luck. Taco looked at Curt with a small laugh. “No reason, huh?”
  Curt grinned. “I guess not.” He said knocking an arrow into his bow. “Back you vital beast!” He yell and Taco dodged. “Oh no!” He exclaimed. “He got me!” H said pretending to fall and then knocking the arrow away with his claw. The two laughed and then turned to Vile and Heracles, who had both changed in aura.
  Vile stood his ground as Hercales charged. Dodging but slamming his tail into Heracles, Heracles grabbed onto Vile’s tale and in attempt to save himself, Vile turned himself into his trueself but still slammed into the ground a few feet away from Heracles who had thrown him.
  “I am a demigod!” Heracles growled. “I am to be hero of heroes!” He exclaimed.
  Vile reverted to his reflectioned form. “It’s not real, Heracles. We don’t have to fight!” He yelled.
  Taco shook his head and Curt sighed. “There’s a gelato place close to here, you want to go?” Curt asked with a grin.
  Taco looked at Hercales and Vile. “Well…” He shrugged. “I don’t want to annoy the fates being all buddy buddy with the enemy…” He grinned. “But…”
  Curt shook his head. “I can always get someone to go get it but I doubt this fight will end any time soon.”
  Taco shrugged. “I doubt that.” He smirked.
  “Why’s that.” Curt said looked at Vile who wasn’t changing into a dragon again but dodging the rocks that Heracles was throwing at him.”
  “Because, Vile has a kind heart. He may have the blood of a monster but I can see that he doesn’t want to kill Heracles.”
  Curt shook his head. “You see, that’s where you go wrong.”
  Taco looked at Curt in confusion. “Heracles wants to kill the poor guy.”
  Taco sighed and looked up at the sky. “I shall return with you after my galato!” He grinned looked over at Curt who was already on his feet.
  “Let’s rewrite history.” Curt said showing Taco the way to his car.
  “Indeed!” Taco grinned, glancing back at Vile in Heracles one more time before joining Curt.
  “What flavor do you think they’d want?” Curt said as they walked away.

  Taco shrugged. “The two can go get their own for all I care.” He grinned. 

Week Twenty Two: Lerna Part II

  Emerging out of the water was another man, around the age of Xeq. Vile stared down at the man in hope and somewhat confusion. Smiling, the man transformed waved at the reflection in the water and Vile looked to see his trueself and the man’s trueself. Vile sighed, he didn’t remember a crab in the story. Then again, he didn’t remember Heracles having any help either.
  “Summoned by Hera and at your service!” The man said with a grin. “My, it took you longer than I thought to get here, I’ve been waiting for some years now. Those two always sit there waiting for their fight to show up but you never come. I do, but the tragedy is yours, as well as mine, however!” The man grinned. “I am not one of Heracles twelve labors so even if I fight him alone, and beat him I might add, there’d be no point to the fight.”
  Vile rolled his head. “And your name is?”
  “Taco!” He grinned. “My mother named me octopus because that’s what she thought I was but I am no octopus I am a crab.” He beamed.
  Vile shook his head. “I’m supposed to go into battle with you? Aren’t crabs a bit small for the job?”
  Taco shook his head. “When I reveal my trueself you’ll see that you’re mistaken.” He paused to inspect Vile once more. “Well, Hydra, why are you alone, Hydras have more than one head you know?”
  Vile gave out a long sigh. “I have a brother but we’re not blood apparently. And if I did have siblings…” Vile smirked. “They’re long dead.”
  Taco shook his head. “You could cut off your head and then you’d have two!” He exclaimed. “I think they call it asexually reproducing.”
  Vile’s eyes went wide. “I rather not think about that.” He said feeling sicker in his stomach. “Rather…” He sighed. “Are you ready?”
  Taco looked at Vile shrill thrill and happiness. “I’d die for you. That was why I was taken from the stars!”
  “Like the zodiac?” Vile asked in amazement.
  “That’s exactly what I am!” Taco grinned.
  Stepping onto the sand, Vile and Taco walked over to the said Heracles and his partner. Once there, the pairs stared at each other. Heracles looked at Vile in amusement.
  “You…” He muttered, reluctantly keeping his hands. “I killed a lion some years ago and I’ve been coming here since. No one told me that the next labor would consist of waiting.”
  Vile shrugged. “Well, I’m not necessarily in the mood to kill you either Heracles.” He shrugged.
  “Lernaean Hydra has nine heads. Where are your seven other halves?” The man reincarnated as Heracles glared.
  Vile sighed. “They’re not halves because half means two…” He paused to shake his head. “But there is only me, and this is my ‘gifted’ partner sent by Hera to make sure you don’t kill me.”
  “This is impossible.” The guy said with furry. “I am to defeat all nine of your heads not only you!”
  Vile laughed louder than he thought he would making even Taco look at him in confusion.
  “You want to know why you don’t see my other ‘halves’?”! He shouted and gave himself a small laugh. “Because my brother killed them all and not my blood brother either.” His eyes gleamed green.
  “My own brother that I’ve been living with for all my life killed my actual family.” He smiled, feeling his blood rush through his veins. “Now there is only me and I am all powerful.” He hissed switching into his trueself.
  Taco stared in fear along with the reincarnated Heracles.
  “There was a rumor that if you eat another dragon’s heart you gain the powers of that dragon and more!” He shouted. “My brother tested that theory and now he has gone missing.” He grinned. “I went out to go find him and then landed in the Atlantic where I then was lead to here to fight you.” He smirked
  “Did you know that Atlantis is beautiful?” He began to growl and laugh hysterically.
  “Iolaus.” Hercales muttered as Vile went on. “Now.” He nodded.
  Changing into his trueself Taco blocked the arrow and then slashed at the two.
  “That’s what you get for forgetting me!” Taco grinned.
  “In the original death of this hydra, we cut off his head and burned the neck.” The reincarnated Heracles said to the reincarnated Iolaus. “Are you ready my nephew yet not nephew?”
  Reincarnated Iolaus smirked. “I’m so older than you.” He shook his head as he shot another arrow.
  Vile looked down at the battle. No one had taken a second glance in their direction and it made Vile at ease. No one had to see him do this. Lifting himself off the ground with his wings he looked down at the reincarnated Heracles.
  “Do you honestly believe you’ll get anything out of this?”! He shouted.
  The reincarnated Heracles shouted back in glee. “I am the hero of heroes!”
  Vile shook his head and shot a current of water at the new Heracles and his helper Iolaus.
  “I don’t want to kill you.” He said as he watched the two scramble for ground.
  “You’re not supposed to fly!” The new Heracles yelled and then curse at Zeus.
  Vile shrugged. “Well too bad.” He said as he reverted to his reflectioned form and spiraled down. Confused, the three stared at him in amusement.
  “Do you want to commit suicide?” The new Iolaus asked waiting with an arrow ready.
  Vile grinned as he slammed his tail into the new Iolaus and new Heracles. “No,” He smiled. “Reckless is what I would have called it.” He grinned as he pinned them both down with his claws and felt the poison drip from his lips.
 “Do you remember how you were killed the first time?” Vile grinned at the new Heracles.
  Heracles squinted his eyes. “My wife had poisoned me with jealousy.”
  “Actually.” Vile’s eyes gleamed a deep oceanic blue. “It was my poison.” He hissed.

  

Week Twenty One: Lerna Part I

  Vile stepped onto the beach in anticipation. Hera was confident that this reincarnated version of Heracles was going to be there waiting at the cave. Vile was glad that hardly anyone was at the beach. If he had to 'kill' someone in front of the whole city he wouldn't be able to live with himself. Then again, the original Lernean Hydra didn't care about mortals. That must be Vile's down fall. 

  When Hera told Vile about how Heracles had died the first time, Vile wasn't surprised. Love was powerful and so was jealousy. What made Vile's spirits somewhat happy was that he was the key to killing this new Heracles. As he approached the cave, Vile's blood began to boil. Tightening his fist he remembered what Hera had warned him about. 

  He wanted vengeance. Heracles had killed him in his past life and even though Vile didn’t actually remember his past life he’d feel obligated to avenge himself. As Vile got closer to the cave Vile remembered the eight headed hydra that had come to attack him and his brother. Why was he remembering them now? Vile’s eyes widened. He had never heard of a land hydra. But, he had never run into any other Hydra. Feeling a cold chill down his spine he could hear Hera’ voice at a distance.

  What is it warrior? She asked.

  It occurred to me that I’ve never seen another Hydra nor a Hydra on land. There was a hydra my brother had saved me from. He consumed its heart and that’s what lead to this whole mess. Do you think…?

 Hera was silent. Vile rolled his eyes as he stood in his tracks.

 Hera. Do you know of any other Hydras in Greek Mythology? I mean, I can’t recall any but I don’t know much about my heritage.

  Suddenly, one of the voices from Atlas screamed. Descendant! Help us!

  Surrounding Vile were shadows. Vile cursed under his breath as his eye glowed a luminous blue. Hera made a bold comment to correct Vile’s terms as he changed into his true self. In Greek, these shadows were not called shadows, they were called shades. To Vile, it didn’t make a difference but apparently, if he called him shadows they would get even more aggravated with him.

  Letting out a warning screech, Vile checked his situation. Slash his tail out, Vile watched as the shades passed through his attack. Frustrated, Vile tried another tactic. Slashing his wings to send the air as a blade Vile watched and hissed. If a physical attack wouldn’t work, how would he get a solid hit to them? Smiling, Vile’s eyes met one of the blank faces of a shade. If he couldn’t touch them, then they couldn’t touch him, hypothetically speaking.

  Landing on his back, Vile cursed again. The shades could touch him but he couldn’t touch them? Angry, Vile looked at the Shades’ feet. Shouldn’t a shadow have, well, a shadow? Vile checked around to looked at the other Shades as the flew at him. They also didn’t have shadows.

  The time was twelve in the afternoon and the sun was overheard. Shades without shadows? Or a shadow not having a shadow? These had to be cast somehow. Vile looked down at his own palm claw in curiosity.  In the background was nothing, only the sand. Standing, Vile charged at one of the shades. He had no other choice. Running through it with no luck, Vile twisted around and slammed his tail through them. He was supposed to be the guardian of the Underworld. Why were these shades attacking him?

  Roaring in aggravation Vile searched his memory for anything that would help. If he ran into Heracles now the shades could attack him but then again, would they? Scanning the area Vile wondered where the reincarnated Heracles was. After all, Vile only had one head to slay and he didn’t want to find out if he turned into a two headed hydra if the guy did cut his head off. He didn’t want to live with explaining the predicament to his brother.

  Shaking his head, Vile’s eyes narrowed. Nothing around him had a shadow, but, that might be the key to taking these lunatic shades out of his way. Laying low to the ground, Vile looked up at the sun. He was going off speculation. Vile sighed, then again most of what he had done in the past twenty four hours had been off of speculation. Standing around him, the shades waited for Vile to move. Seeing that he wasn’t planning on it, they struck and to Vile’s surprise, one began to dissolve as he touched it leaving a glimpse of a shadow behind. Alarmed the other shades began to his. Vile brushed his tail out as it laid in the sand and he swapped his claw with the sand to the shades in front of him. Lurching out, Vile growled at the remaining shades. In the back of his mind, Vile could hear the spirits of Atlantis.

  Home! We’re home! The exclaimed and Vile rolled his eyes. Oh thank you descendant. We are forever in your favor! Slowly, the air around Vile began to loosen and Vile’s head began to spin, glancing at the water, despite the shades standing in front of him, Vile leaped into the water. Feeling the cool water hit his skin, Vile’s head turned to face the beach where he had parked.

  In the distance was a man of six foot tall. Vile didn’t know the guy’s exact height but he could tell that he was taller than himself. Lashing his tail back and forth, Vile slipped deeper into the water to watch the man. The eyes were an oceanic blue, his hair was a golden blonde, and he had broad features. Next to him was a shorter man, still taller than Vile. The man had to be at least five foot eight inches. In his hand was a bow and on his back were some arrows. Vile cringed and watched as they approached the cave. As a dragon, Vile never felt like a snake but today, as of the moment he hit the water, that’s how his actions made him feel. He was watching the two as they set down and spoke to each other probably about their days. Hera didn’t mention Heracles having a partner in his journey, digging his claws into the sand underneath the water, Vile attempted to calm himself. If he acted rash, he’d lose the opportunity to hear his heartbeat again. Looking away from the two for a moment, Vile brushed away the thought of the Hydra and its offer of immunity. Did Vile want to be immortal? Raising his head up, Vile hissed and ducked as something emerged out of the water next to him.

Week Twenty: Brotherhood

This was supposed to publish on the 6th. I guess I forgot to queue it in. My apologizes everyone. 
--
  The first sense that Xeq tuned into was his hearing. In the distance he could hear little droplets of water. As his mind began to clear he could hear a waterfall. Then, his fingers twitched. Feeling the rock of the cave, Xeq noted that he was using his fingers and not his claws. Alert, Xeq searched for his single heartbeat. At first hearing nothing, Xeq thought of a command for his body but failed. In response, the temperature set his temperature and quietly, but stronger then before, was his heartbeat.
  Eyes forced open, Xeq stared at the ceiling. Cuddled up in his arms was a warm fuzz. Looking down, Xeq's confused look change to a relaxed one. In his arms was the Kitsune, her light orange red fur sparkled. Readjusting, Xeq ran his hand through her fur. As he did, her ear twitched and she let out a long sigh. Smiling, Xeq looked up to the sound of paws emerging from deeper in the cave.
  "She insisted to be the first one to see you when you awoke." The wolf's voice had an edge of alertness that alarmed Xeq.
  "Turns out she's the first one you see but I am the first to see you." He grunted in attempt to laugh.
  "Did I do something while I was going through that phase?" Xeq questioned, still feeling the uneasiness of the wolf.
  "No, you did cause quite a rumble." The wolf's reflection form didn't sooth Xeq's nerves any.
  "Yea..." Xeq smirked. "My apologizes."
  The wolf nodded as he leaned his back against the wall to face Xeq. "She's very fond of you."
  Xeq shrugged not sure how to respond he hadn't exactly spent any 'emotional' time with her.
  "She believes that you have a kind heart, dragon. What do you say?"
  Xeq sighed. "I do what I have to."
  "How's the hydra's heart working for you?" The wolf said nodding his head.
  "I feel a stronger pulse, and colder but I think it's because of my blood. I' not exactly warm blooded."
  The wolf's unreadable expression slipped a small smile at the corner of his lips. "Mioko said to let you rest after you stopped your tantrum. I understand that you're brother is out at sea. Do you honestly think that this heinous act will purify you?"
  Anger swelled up within Xeq. Feeling the Kitsune's coat in his hands, he managed to silence it and then speak. "I didn't ask to be purified. I wanted to save my brother."
  "From his own kind, asking him to come home and be one with them?" The wolf asked with a raised eyebrow.
  "No." Xeq shook his head, sitting up and placing the Kitsune on his lap to continue stroking her. "I didn't know Vile was part Hydra. All I knew was that he was adopted. Had I known that the hydra was there to negotiate then I wouldn't have attacked but as I entered the scene, Vile was on the ground in agony."
  Letting a silence settle between the two, Xeq sighed. "I heard a rumor that a hydra's heart can make another dragon stronger. Actually...  The whole rumor is that if you eat another dragon's heart than you can receive their abilities and such."
  "And?" The wolf questioned, his tail twisting in anxiousness. "What have you found to be true and to false?"
  Xeq smirked. "I... I don't know if I can use fire anymore. What I can use is this inner light type attack. I call it 'hyper beam' since I can't think of what else to call it but it's strong and I don't know how to control it yet. I thought if I let the heart consume mine I'd feel better and I do...." He sighed. "But I feel farther from Vile than I ever have since he's entered my life. I was able to use the power but the more I used it the harder it was to talk to Vile through our 'connection'."
  The wolf nodded. "This connection, I assume most dragons have it?"
  Xeq shrugged. "I've only interact with a few in my life. That'd be a question for Mioko."
  Turning, both Xeq and the wolf faced the sound of sandals approaching them.
  "Ah, I see you've awaken." Mioko smiled. "I am glad."
  "How long was I out?" Xeq asked in concern.
  "Two days." Mioko nodded. "I don't assume you're trying to leave in that condition are you?"
  Xeq frowned. "My brother's in trouble. I don't care if he's not my full brother and I don't mind not being able to connect with him but I need to find him."
  "Vile is a water based dragon, no?"
  Xeq shrugged. "He's faster in the water. I can say that much but he's a flyer too."
  Mioko looked at Xeq in amusement. "A flying hydra?"
  Xeq shrugged. "I don't know how that works. I mean," He paused. "There's me. Chinese Feng Shui but part Hydra."
  Mioko shook his head. "You two might anger the Gods if you're not careful."
  Xeq sighed. "The Gods?" She raised an eyebrow. "Since when did dragons become religious?"
  Mioko smiled. "You should not insult the God, young dragon. They are quite powerful beings and they help bring peace to our world."
  Xeq shook his head. "Peace?" He looked at Mioko in concern. "Do you know what's going on outside this cave, Mioko?"
  Mioko nodded and smiled. "Indeed I do but it is not our place to change the world, or the political systems and such. My role is to protect the natures of the world. To preserve the knowledge and cherish what the humans do not. We are here for our purposes. Humans are here for theirs."
  Xeq shrugged. "So then, how will we know who's telling the truth about what?" Xeq frowned. "I mean, as for the explanations of the world?"
  Mioko smiled. "That, young dragon, is for you to decide. As I have told you how I feel of this world, you must make your own view and stand by it but do not close your eyes. For one belief leads to many and more shall come to pass."