Eclipsing the Darkness (The Dragon Chronicles Book 5) (36 page)

Eamon’s mind raced. His breath became grunts and growls of rage, and his eyes erupted with red flame as the Dragon’s power coursed through him. He bared his fangs—the Dragon’s fangs—and spewed a massive jet of flame toward the Lifegiver’s cackling form. Absu was engulfed with the Dragon fire, and he thrashed, screaming, as he fell from his perch.

Eamon backed away as the flaming creature descended. The world around slowed, grinding down to a crawling speed. He reared back the Serpent’s Tongue to strike as the crippled body of Absu neared. But then the entity attacked one last time, throwing his flaming tentacles down toward Eamon. The Onyx Dragon struck with all his might, willing the rage of the Firstborn into his blade.

But the lightning fast tentacles dashed his sword from his hand, spinning around again to thrust right toward him. Eamon pushed away to escape, but his power was weakened—too weak to dodge the sharp talons. They pushed through his shoulders, driving him back as his flesh was pierced, pinning him to the wall. He screamed in agony as Absu’s dark power coursed through him, radiating from the wounds that seemed to tear at his very soul.

The Lifegiver landed before him, remaining crouched as he lifted his fearsome head to glare in hatred. He hissed and growled as he slowly crawled forward on all fours, and Eamon’s heart pounded faster with each step. Finally, Absu’s face came within inches of his own; unarmored, and even more fearsome than before.

“It was a noble effort, young Eamon,” the Lifegiver whispered. “I will remember your courage when I move on to the next realm.”

Eamon tried to speak, to curse the Lifegiver, but he was spent. The words fizzled away before he could speak them. He could only stare helplessly and breathlessly as the fanged maw twisted into a vile grin that sent shivers up Eamon’s spine.

“When you meet your father,” Absu continued, “give him my regards, and my respect. He, too, fought the noble fight. I am impressed with you both, and with the people of this world. You have promise, all of you, but now it is time to end this game once, and for all. I enjoyed the fight. You have my thanks, Eamon. May you spend eternity among those you love.”

Absu reared back his head, his glistening fangs bared to deliver the killing bite that would rip Eamon in two. Eamon closed his eyes, his consciousness faded as he saw his mother in his mind. He smiled, warm and comforted, as she opened her arms to embrace him. He felt himself drawn toward her, pulled away from the agony by her love—the love only a mother could give. He wept as her arms closed around him, and buried his head in her robes, surrendering to his fate. She would protect him from the pain, he knew. She would hold him as his soul was freed, and would lead him to his fathers, to stand before them with honor and glory.

He would live forever in the loving presence of his family.

As he sank into oblivion, he heard a cry. Then, Absu shrieked once more, and pain shot through his shoulders as the talons were withdrawn forcefully. He opened his eyes as he fell to the floor, dazed and breathless.

Faeraon stood before him, his back to him, and his blade held out to his side in triumph. He stepped to the side, turning his weary head to Eamon. As the Onyx Dragon met his gaze, the Alvar king’s eyes were ablaze with life. He smiled, turning his head toward the Lifegiver, waving his hand to release a mighty pulse of Alvar magic that sent Absu sliding back on weakened knees.

“Now, Eamon,” Faeraon said. “Send him back to the void.”

Eamon stood, groaning with pain as retrieved he the Serpent’s Tongue. He saw Traegus stand, stumbling forward as he chanted. A black vortex of energy appeared behind Absu’s reeling form, opening up into a portal that howled and roiled with all the chaotic power of the Universe. Two defilers rose from the smoky layer of ethereal fog that had spread throughout the chamber.

They were not the fearsome, vile creatures that Eamon remembered. They appeared noble; white, glowing, and filled with benevolent power that beckoned to Eamon and strengthened the portal that was now gaping wider and wider.

Eamon raised the Serpent’s Tongue, willing the power of the Dragon to fill its blade with the fires of the Earth. It began to glow, and the warmth strengthened Eamon’s body. He charged, leaping into the air straight toward his mortal enemy. He saw Absu’s face cringe with terror as the divine blade erupted with magic, and its bearer fly toward him.

Eamon struck with all his fury, laying open the ethereal flesh. The Lifegiver shrieked in agony. Eamon struck repeatedly, each time driving the Lifegiver back with the power of the Dragon. Finally, the Lifegiver’s hold in this realm was shattered, and he was drawn back toward the open portal. His tentacles caught the edges, struggling to prevent his banishment as his teeth gnashed and his eyes glowed with rage.

Eamon fell to his knees, too weak to strike again. He tried to stand, to deliver one final, devastating blow, but his legs would not obey. He helplessly watched as Absu pushed forward, his tentacles drawing out of the portal and back into reality. Traegus increased the power of the spell, howling in pain as the magic coursed through his body. The defilers growled, willing their strength to hold open the portal, but they, too, were powerless to banish him.

Faeraon turned to Eamon, his lips pursed, and his sword gripped tightly. His form shined, as if lit from within, and charged with the power of the Great Mother. He was divine at that moment, and Eamon felt strengthened by his words.

“I know now why I was spared,” he said, “and why I was brought here.”

Eamon tried to protest, to beg Faeraon not to give himself to the darkness, but the look in Faeraon’s eyes told him it was no use. The Alvar king was the key, he knew. The missing piece of the puzzle that would end Absu’s reign of terror once, and for all. Faeraon’s thousands of years of suffering in solitude would end in glory. He would ascend into greatness, and Eamon would carry on his legacy—the legacy of the Dragon.

Of course,
Eamon realized. That was why he felt a sense of kinship with the Alvar king. He and Faeraon were one, and the same; their souls parallel in the two realms. Faeraon
was
Eamon, on another world.

“The Alvar will serve you faithfully until the end of your days,” Faeraon said. “Goodbye, King Eamon, my brother.”

“No…” Eamon whispered.

Faeraon charged with a cry, his blade pointed forward menacingly. Traegus struggled to hold open the portal as the Alvar king neared it, using both hands to charge the spell with all of his power. The Alvar king leaped into the air as Absu looked up in horror. Faeraon’s blade met Absu’s heart, piercing it with the power of the divine spirit that resided within it. With one last, vile howl, the Lifegiver fell through the portal, pulling Faeraon with him.

Eamon stood, desperately reaching out in a futile gesture to save his friend. “
Faeraon!”
he screamed.

The portal exploded in a burst of divine light, throwing Eamon and Traegus back into the walls. The defilers were vaporized, howling in agony as the forces of the Universe tore their bodies apart. The chamber shook violently, and the stone groaned as it bent and cracked. Pieces of it fell from the walls and ceiling, exploding into dust as they hit the floor. The entire inside of the chamber was being altered; all signs of the Lifegiver’s presence erased as his power diminished. The runes cracked and vanished; the purplish light faded and was replaced by the golden glow of the true structure.

Eamon shielded himself from the destruction, keeping a watchful eye on Traegus as the structure crumbled around them. The walls were shifting, the vault above was closing, and the floor itself rumbled. From the center of the chamber, a dais pushed upward, rising to the height of a man. Eamon struggled to stand, to rush to the aid of his friend, watching as the surface of the dais opened up into a shimmering pool of strange, glowing liquid.

He saw that Traegus was pressed into a corner, conjuring an orb of energy that protected him from the creative force that blasted throughout the pyramid. Eamon grabbed his arm and pulled him up, dragging him toward the chamber’s crumbling door. Traegus was weary, but capable of moving.

“
Come on!”
Eamon pleaded with him. “
We have to escape!”

Traegus grumbled, still somewhat shaken, but managed to run on his own. The two raced through the short hallway to the pillared chamber, ducking and dodging the falling debris. The pillars had begun to crumble, as well, and their golden, inner cores were exposed as the black stone fell away. Here, the taller runes were glowing, but sputtering as their energy drained away into the air. Eamon pulled Traegus through the maze of fallen stone, keeping one eye on the large double doors that led outside.

Once they reached the walkway, they saw that the outer layers of stone encasing the pyramid had cracked and crumbled as the forces of the Great Mother reclaimed it for her own. Stone rose upward as it broke away, and a blinding light had erupted from the pyramid’s apex, lighting the entire complex as it reached up to the strangely lit, dark orange sky. Black clouds had gathered around the column of energy, leaving a giant hole in their midst where the flickering, divine lightning flashed and sputtered.

The walkway shook with the destructive force, forcing the two men to pitch from side to side as they attempted to cross. Great cracks appeared as pieces shifted, some falling away into the clouded abyss below. Eamon lifted and threw Traegus’ smaller form ahead to help him leap across, following before the cracks widened.

Traegus began chanting, trying to gather his power to teleport them away, but the surge of energy from the apex was too great. Every spell he conjured fizzled out before it was completed.

“
Faster!”
Eamon urged him on.

“
I’m trying!”
Traegus howled. “
This body isn’t as large as yours. Its legs are shorter!”

Then, from out of the rolling wall of dust, Titus appeared. The mechanical dragon shrieked as it recognized them, and swooped down to help them. Eamon lifted Traegus onto the dragon’s back, urging the construct to fly him to safety.

“There’s not enough room for both of us!”
Eamon shouted.

Titus squealed in protest, and Traegus grabbed Eamon by his cuirass. “
He can carry us both!”
he shouted. “
Trust me!”

Eamon swung onto Titus’ back, crossing his feet underneath the dragon’s armored belly. Titus leaped into the air just as the walkway collapsed. Its broken sections tumbled down, only to disappear into the haze. Titus flapped his wings hard, carrying the two men away as quickly as he could. Thanks to him, they were safe. Eamon sighed in relief.

“That was a close one,” Traegus said, laughing.

Chapter Thirty Two

As Farouk watched the pyramid’s black stone disintegrate and rise up to the sky, Torak, the kings, and the Knights of the Dragon joined him. They were still several miles from Khem, but everyone in the collective armies could see the dramatic destruction. The energy that spewed upward lit up the land for several leagues, and every ground-shaking explosion brought deafening cheers from the soldiers.

“So Eamon has triumphed,” Hamal said, smiling. “He will be a legend in his own time.”

Farouk nodded in agreement. “It was his destiny,” he said. “He fulfilled it as I knew he would. I only hope that the three of them escaped.”

His gaze returned as another burst of light erupted from the apex. Bolts of magic and Earth energy twisted and sputtered as it shot upward into the dark clouds, lighting them with a beautiful, purplish light.

Farouk was amazed at the grand size of the pyramid’s actual structure. He had never seen it in its original form. He had always remembered it as it was under the Lifegiver’s occupation. In his eyes, it was beautiful underneath; perfectly formed, and encased in smooth, white limestone that gleamed in the moonlight. He could only stare in silence, wondering what ancient and wondrous relics lay hidden inside in its vaults.

“I have never seen anything like it,” Mekembe said. “It must have been built by the gods.”

Farouk knew the truth. The Keeper had built the Great Pyramid with the help of the sages, seers, and druids of the Earth, long ago in ages past. The Lifegiver had claimed it as his own when he appeared, usurping the authority of the scholars who resided there.

“And it will be inhabited by the Grand Druid from now on,” Hamal said, turning to Farouk. “My friend, the abode is yours. I give it to you as a center of knowledge, and to teach the people of the world everything we need to know to ascend this hell we call existence.”

Farouk put his hand on Hamal’s shoulder, feeling a great sense of pride in the young king. “I will do exactly that,” he said. “And it will be a safe haven for all knowledge that the seers of the world wish to store there, to keep it safe from all harm.”

“That is a noble cause,” Hamal said. “I would have it used for no other purpose.”

The Priests of Drakkar abruptly squawked, taking to the air and speeding to the east. Farouk squinted in the darkness to see what had caught their attention. Against the sunrise, he saw the tiny black dot of something approaching in the sky. He smiled as he realized what it was.

“Titus returns,” he said, “and he is bringing riders. Our friends have survived.”

Eamon howled with laughter when he saw the Priests of Drakkar soaring toward them. He raised the Serpent’s Tongue above his head to signal their victory, and Erenoth responded with a long, drawn out screech. Traegus cast a ball of energy into the air that exploded in a cloud of multi-colored flares Thousands of tiny particles sparkled and spiraled as they sank to the ground.

The dragons turned in the air, taking their places alongside their king. Together, they flew to the west in formation, and Eamon saw the many fires that blazed in the distance. Around them were gathered thousands upon thousands of men, mingling together a huge display of unity. There were even red-clad warriors among them, from what he could see, and that could mean only one thing; the Jindala were free.