//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Cold welcome // Story: Unearthed: Curse Of The Undying // by Talion The DARKandBRIGHT //------------------------------// Details *Thoughts* ~Mental speaking~ "Normal speaking" ~"Mental and normal speaking"~ Songs ...(Radio static)... I was shocked, but I did well to hide it. Somehow Anya's brother had managed to sneak up on us. I was angry at myself for letting my guard down. I had gotten too comfortable and allowed him to go unnoticed by my own safe guards. Although I wasn't expecting to meet Anya's brother this way, I wasn't entirely caught off guard by this. We were really close to the Dead Mountains now. Seeing as he wasn't attempting to attack me right away, I lowered my sword back into it's scabbard and moved to stand next to Anya as I studied her brother. The first striking thing about Velirin was the deep dark blue scales across his whole body, except for his stomach scales which transitioned into a very light sky blue color. He had many spikes across the back of his head that led down along his spin all the way to his tail, becoming a thick cluster of spikes which kind of resembled a porcupine. There was also smaller clusters of spikes on the elbows of his forearms, all of which were an icy blue color along with his claws. Velirin was tall. Almost three feet taller and longer than Anya and his body was a more bulky build. The last thing I noticed was the color of Velirin's eyes. They were a dim amber color that stood out among his blue scales. "Velirin?" Anya asked in shock. "Anya." Velirin replied. Anya didn't know what to say. "Velirin... I-" "Are you that suprised to see me, Anya?" He asked her. "How... Why... are you here?" She asked him. Velirin walked towards Anya. "I should be asking you the same, Anya... I must say that I am greatly surprised to see you return." He said and smiled at her. "But I am very happy to see you again... Collais i chi." ("I missed you.") Anya looked down when her brother stood in front of her. "Collais i chi hefyd, Velirin." ("I missed you too, Velirin.") I raised an eyebrow as I listened to them speak in what I assume is their own language. Velirin leaned in and hugged Anya, which she returned. "Rwy'n falch eich bod chi'n ddiogel, Anya ... roeddwn i'n poeni amdanoch chi." ("I'm glad you're safe, Anya... I was worried about you.") Anya smiled as she pulled away from him. "Thank you Velirin, but you need not have worried. I am capable of taking care of myself." "We're family Anya. I will always worry about you." He told her. "Thank you." She said with a smile. That language. It sounded so familiar to me, but that shouldn't be possible. Velirin then turned to me. We both stared at each other with blank expressions. Neither of us blinking or moving a muscle as we studied each other. It was a little difficult for me to read the emotions in his eyes. But even though he was trying to hide it, I was able to tell that he was greatly curious about me. I did also sense that he felt somewhat threatened by me. Anya noticing the tension rising from our staring contest, attempted to speak. "Velirin-" "What are you?" Velirin asked me, interrupting Anya. "I am a man." I replied. Velirin raised a brow and tilted his head slightly. "A man?" Anya moved to stand next to me as she spoke. "Velirin, this is Talion Drust. My... friend." Velirin looked at Anya. "Your friend?" "Yes Velirin. My friend." She replied. Velirin turned back and walked over to me. I stood still as he leaned down a little. "I have never seen or heard of your species before. You look so similar to Equestrians and yet so very different... You are not from anywhere near these lands or their's are you?" "No. I am a stranger to your kind and these lands." I replied. "Then, where are you from?" He asked me. I hesitated for a moment. I could instantly tell his intentions of trying to get answers from me. "A land farther than your mountains can see and your oceans reach." He seemed unsatisfied with my answer. "Why are you here, Talion? What has brought you to our lands?" "Solitude." I simply answered. I could tell he wanted to know more but seeing as he wasn't getting anything out of me, he signed and dropped the questions for now. "It would seem that these lands are where most would find it. Solitude always seems to draw us to the Smoky Mountains." Velirin said. "Velirin, is that why you're here? So far from home?" Anya asked. He turned to her. "Nid chi yw'r unig un sy'n dod yma yn ceisio'r distawrwydd, Anya." ("You're not the only one who comes here seeking the silence, Anya.") "I came out here many times before in search of you and to bring you home. But..." "But?" Anya asked. Velirin smiled. "I grew to enjoy the quiet, the peace I felt away from the dead mountains. So I started coming here just as often as you did." Anya smiled at him. "I am happy to hear that I wasn't alone out here all along. I just wish you would have told me sooner than have remained silent." "So do I." He said. "Velirin, if you were always out here with me, why did you never reveal yourself to me?" Anya asked. He sighed. "Because out here, alone, you were at peace. I didn't want to take away that peace... Not after the way I've treated you." Anya leaned her head against Velirin's. "You're my brother Velirin. You would never have taken away my happiness. You would have only added to it." Velirin looked down. "I was going to follow you... I would have followed you, but... I was scared that I had finally drove you away." "You were always welcome to join me, Velirin... You still are." She told him. Velirin looked back up to her. "I'm glad to know it... I was afraid that you wouldn't return." Anya briefly turned to look at me for a moment before facing Velirin again. "I've come home now, Velirin. I'm done running... I'm done trying to fight for something that I already have." Velirin looked a little surprised at her and turned to me. "Talion, did you have anything to do with bringing my sister home? "Hehahaha. It is more like Anya is the one bringing me home." I replied, causing Anya to blush. "But yes. I showed Anya what she had before it was lost to her." Velirin smiled at me. "Thank you Talion. "Not to sound disrespectful, but I didn't do it for you or me. I did it for her. She had something to lose." I told him. He stared at me in surprise for a moment, but smiled again. "Either way Talion, you brought her home. Something that I doubt I would have been able to do. You have my gratitude." He bowed his head lightly to me. I returned his smile and gave a small bow of my own. "You are very welcome." Velirin looked back to Anya and she smiled as well. "Come on. Let's get out of this storm." He told us and turned around. Anya tilted her head in confusion. "Storm? What sto-" Just as she asked there was a flash of light quickly followed by the distant sound of thunder over head. We both looked up and saw a large storm that was coming in from the north. It was just starting to cover the Sun and the winds were now picking up. "Ah. That storm." Anya said. I was a little surprised that the storm had made it overhead so soon. I was at least expecting it no sooner than later in the afternoon. Guess the winds picked up faster. "Come on you two. I have a cave not so far from here." Velirin called over. I walked over to Anya and she lowered herself to the ground, allowing me to climb up on her back. After I got in place, Anya stood up and began following Velirin, who gave us a curious look but continued on ahead in silence. I tilted my head a bit as I observed his walk. It was slow and a bit uneven on his right. Almost strained. And his wings were pressed against his side instead of relaxed like Anya's were. *He's hiding something. His silence shows it.* ~Sometimes, silence is loud.~ I turned my head to the side in surprise. ~Diaphanous?~ ~Listen closely and watch carefully.~ Diaphanous told me. ~Velirin?~ I mentally asked him. ~Their eyes were on the boy...now they see you... Tred carefully, for they are near.~ He said. ~What? Who Diaphanous?~ I asked him. "Talion?" Anya pulled me away from my thoughts. "Yes?" I replied. "Are you alright?" She asked. "Of course. Why do you ask?" I quickly replied. "Well, you haven't really said much since you met Velirin." She told me. "Sorry... I've just been thinking about you and your family. This is the first time I met a relative of yours." I told her. "What do you think about my brother?" She asked me. I thought for a moment. "He's an interesting dragon... I'm really surprised that he was able to sneak up on us. Especially considering his size." I said. Anya smiled. "Heh. Yes, Velirin has always been faster and better at hiding than me. Guess it would also explain why I never saw or encountered him out here before." I smiled as well. "It would also explain why I was able to find you so quickly when we first met." "Hey, to be fair, it was only because I caught you during your climb that you discovered me." She told me. "To be fair, I discovered you way before that." I told her. "What!? Now I know I'm not that bad at hiding!" Anya exclaimed. "Again, to be fair, I didn't first find you with my eyes, but with my mind." She turned her head to look at me. "So I was never truly hidden to you?" "No, you weren't. But don't feel bad. Had it been any other being, you more than likely would have gone undetected. It is very hard for anything or anyone to stay hidden from me, however." I explained. Anya turned back and continued following Velirin in silence again. I looked back over to said dragon and thought about Diaphanous's warning. *Listen closely and watch carefully.* I took in a deep breath before closing my eyes and sending out an echo psychic wave towards Velirin. I did well to avoid his mind as I was sure he would be able to sense my intrusion. As I scanned over his body, I sensed how tense he was. His body language spoke of nervousness and fear? Of what? I continued to search when I felt something else. He was injured. I reopened my eyes and looked to Anya. I was about to tell her when I noticed that there was something on her mind. "Anya, are you alright?" I asked. She looked up ahead to Velirin for a moment before replying. "Yes, I'm... just a little worried." "About?" I asked her. "About Velirin... and my parents." She answered and looked down. I began rubbing her neck to comfort her. From what I have seen in Anya's memories and what little she has told me of her family, I understood what she was feeling right now. Perhaps it was best I not tell her of Velirin yet. "I abandoned them, Talion. I left them behind to chase after an impossible dream... I was so angry at them, even though they were only trying to protect and take care of me." Anya told me. "Anya-" She interrupted me before I could start. "Don't Talion... Please don't tell me that everything is alright. That it will be fine when it won't... I hurt them Talion. I hurt those closest to me." I leaned forward against Anya's neck. "I'm here for you Anya. I always am." Anya stopped walking and closed her eyes as they filled with tears. "The last thing that I said to my mother and father was 'I hate you...It is unforgivable, Talion... I am unforgivable." "No Anya. You are wrong. No one, no matter who they are or what they did is ever beyond redemption. Forgiveness is given to us all." I told her. Anya looked at me again. "By your God?" "If you ask it of Him." I replied. Anya scoffed. "Why? Why would He? I'm a dragon, not a human. He doesn't know me nor do I know Him." "My God doesn't care what you are, only who you are. And He does know you Anya. He knows you more than you know yourself." I told her. "Then He knows what kind of person I am and what I've done. I am not worth forgiving." Anya said. "You are to him. We all are... That is why He sent His Son to die for us so that we could all be freely forgiven." I told her. Anya looked surprised. "But why?" I smiled at her. "Because, He is our father in heaven, who loves us so much that he made a way that we might spend eternity with Him." I reached into my coat and pulled out Aden's dog tags. I held them for a moment before putting them around my neck. "He forgave me, Anya. He will forgive you. All you must do is ask it of Him." Anya looked down and closed her eyes. "I... I would like that very much... to be forgiven." "As would I." We both looked up and saw Velirin standing in front of us. He really is good at being quite. "Velirin I... How long were you listening?" Anya asked. He smiled softly at her. "Long enough." Tears had started to fall from Anya's eyes again as she spoke to him. "Velirin... I'm so sorry for what I've done to you... for everything." Velirin leaned his head against Anya's. "Please forgive me, Velirin." Velirin nuzzled against her and smiled. "You are forgiven, Anya." Anya closed her eyes and smiled in relief. I felt her mind and body ease as she leaned more into her brother and I smiled as I watched them both. Snow had started to lightly fall around us as the storm finally made it overhead. After a short while longer, Velirin and Anya pulled away from each other. "Thank you so much, Velirin." Anya said. "Did you really believe that I wouldn't forgive you, Anya?" He asked. Anya looked down. "I... I did. I was so scared that I wouldn't have been welcomed home... By you, mother or father." Velirin pulled away and looked down at Anya. "Anya." "I want to forgive them... I want them to forgive me." She said. "Shhh... Not now, Anya. Not here." Velirin turned and motioned towards a cave a few yards to our left. "Come." He said and walked towards the cave. Anya lingered for a moment so I reached up to rub her neck. She turned to me and gave me a small smile before following her brother into the cave. As soon as we entered the cave, I hopped down from Anya's back and began examining it. The cave opened up from the entrance into a surprisingly large wide space. Easily big enough to house three dragons about Velirin and Anya's size. The roof seemed to rise up at a steady angle before vertically dropping towards the back of the cave. I noticed that towards the back of the cave the stone was a rusty looking red. Probably a natural iron deposit. The last thing I noticed was a large pile of snow and different plants, that I assume, Velirin has been using as a nest. Another cluster of bushes and small trees laid against the wall. Velirin had made his way towards the plants and began moving them around to make another nest. "How long have you stayed here, Velirin?" Anya asked. Velirin paused his work and looked down for a moment. "Since you've been away... I never returned home. Not after-..." He didn't finish. Anya approached her brother. "You've been out here alone, waiting for me?" "Yes... I just... couldn't return home... I needed to find you. To know that you were safe." He answered. "Velirin I-" He interrupted her. "It's okay Anya. I'm okay now that you're here... Now that you've returned home." Anya looked down. "Yes... Home." I watched them both, particularly Velirin carefully. Velirin continued to make the nest while Anya sat down and watched him. I leaned against the wall near the cave entrance as I observed them both. "You know, you don't need to do that Velirin. I am perfectly capable of making my own bed." Anya told him. "Oh ya? Than why is it that I was the one always making and cleaning our nest for over fifteen years?" Velirin joked and started breathing a thin layer of ice onto his work. "Hey! That was over three decades ago! That doesn't count anymore!" Anya retorted. "Only three? You're not lazy are you Anya?" I asked with a smile. "Ha! Me? Lazy? Do you even know who you're talking about?" Anya asked me. "I know exactly who I'm talking about." I replied with a smirk. "Of course you do." Anya rolled her eyes. "Alright, step aside, Velirin. I'll finish mak-" "All done!" He interrupted her before she could finish. "What?" Anya turned towards Velirin to see that he had finished making a nest out of the plants and snow. "Oh... Thanks." Anya said and walked over to the nest. Velirin stepped into his own nest and laid down before turning to me. "I'm curious, how did you two meet, Talion?" I looked over to Anya for a moment and she looked at me. She smiled and laid down on her side before nodding to me. "She caught me." I answered Velirin. "Caught you?" He asked. "Yes." I turned to him again. "Over a month ago I had been climbing up the mountain slopes that led into the Smokey Mountain range. Although I may have picked the wrong time to do so because a storm had just started when I was approaching the upper levels of the peaks." "Did you wait it out?" Velirin asked me. "No. Despite the storm I had desided to push forward since I was so close to the top. That led to me losing my balance and being blown off the side of the mountain." I paused to look at Anya. "That was when I was caught by your sister. We officially introduced each other a few days later and we've been traveling together ever since." Velirin looked a little surprised and turned to Anya. "I... didn't know you traveled so far from home." "Well, it was the first time I've been away so far." Anya replied. "That was very dangerous of you, Anya. To go so close to Equestrian borders." Velirin told her. Anya sighed and looked down. "At the time, I was willing to go so far, if only to escape my walless prison... for a time." Velirin looked down for a moment before turning back to me again. "Tell me the truth, Talion. What brought you here to these lands? Why did you come?" Anya looked to me a little concerned for me. ~Talion.~ ~Do you trust him, Anya?~ I mentally asked her. ~Of course.~ She answered. ~Truly?~ I asked again. ~With my life.~ She replied without hesitation. I took in a long breath and exhaled before returning my attention back to Velirin. "I originally came here in hopes of remaining hidden and unknown to the people of these lands." I smiled and motioned towards Anya. "As you can see, that hasn't gone to well." "Heheh. No it hasn't." Anya commented. "I can see that." Velirin said with a smile. "Yes, well I hadn't expected to find or have been found by a dragon, not at least until I had traveled farther inland anyway." I told him. *I hadn't expected to have been found at all.* Velirin turned to Anya with a smile. "Mae'n ffodus ei fod wedi dod ar eich traws, Anya. Efallai na fyddai unrhyw ddraig arall wedi bod mor gyfeillgar." ("He is fortunate to have encountered you, Anya. Any other dragon might not have been so friendly.") I looked down in thought as they spoke in their own language again. That language sounded so familiar to me. "Rwyf innau hefyd yn ffodus fy mod wedi dod ar ei draws. Arall efallai na fyddwn wedi dychwelyd atoch fel hyn." ("I too am also fortunate to have encountered him. Else I might not have returned to you this way.") Anya replied. It almost sounds like... My eyes widened in realization as I picked up some of the words they were speaking. "Yn ffodus." I said, causing Anya and Velirin to look at me in surprise. "Ádh mór. Gu fortanach. Diouganer. Gwynnvys. Aighoil... Yn ffodus." ("Fortunate.") I repeated the same word in Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Breton, Cornish and Manx before coming back to Welsh. Anya stared at me in confusion and curiosity. "Fortunate? Talion, what are saying?" "Incredible." I said to myself. "What?" Velirin asked in confusion. "It's Welsh." I said as I turned back to face them. "What is?" Anya asked me. I chuckled to myself. "That language. It's Welsh. Or at least a distant variation of it, but much of the words seem to be the same or similar. Like a mix of Celtiberian, Galatian and Gaulish. I was repeating the word fortunate in the languages Irish, Scottish Gaelic, Breton, Cornish, Manx and lastly Welsh to connect the language family." Velirin looked absolutely baffled. "Welsh? What are you talking about? Our language is Ddraig. I don't even know what those others are." "Ah. Sorry about my ranting. I've forgotten just for a moment who I was talking to. Your language, Ddraig, seems to closely be related to Welsh. "Welsh... Is that the language of your country, Talion?" Anya asked. I chuckled before replying. "No. Well I mean, there are no doubt some people who speak it in America, like me, but Welsh is predominantly spoken in Wales. A small region on the west central part of the British isles. English is the most common language spoken across my country, along with French, Japanese and Portuguese." "English? Like Equestria? Just how far away is your country?" Velirin asked me in confusion, causing me to realize what I was saying. "Farther than your mountains can see and your oceans reach." I quickly replied with the same answer from earlier. He snorted at my reply. "What about the other languages that you spoke of?" "They are a part of the Celtic language family. Irish, Scottish and Manx form the Goidelic languages. Welsh, Cornish and Breton form Brittonic. All of which are Insular Celtic languages. Not many of them are spoken today." I explained. "That is incredible. I never knew that your kind have so many languages." Anya said. I smiled at her. "You have no idea. But what I find more incredible is the fact that our two very different and separate race's have had a similar language development... I guess now we can add Ddraig to that list." It truly was fascinating. I could hardly believe that there was this much similarities to this world and mine. Well I guess that I shouldn't be too surprised. There was silence for a moment before Anya started up conversation again. "If dragons and humans have never met, how come we have such close languages?" I scratched my chin as I replied. "Well... Our races might have actually met before." Velirin tilted his head at me. "What? No that can't be possible. Everything about you is unfamiliar to me. Even the elder dragons have never mentioned anything about your kind and we have a very strong memory when it comes to ancient history." "We had, Velirin." Anya said as she looked down with a frown. Velirin closed his eyes and sighed. "Yes. Had." Seeing what wounds this was touching upon, I quickly answered Velirin's question. "There are old books and texts that mention dragons and other mythical creatures of legend and myth our ancestors may have encountered. Many of which we befriended or fought with." Velirin looked very interested. "Humm. So what you're saying is, our ancient ancestors may have been friends and or enemies long ago. Do you happen to know which, Talion?" I paused for a moment to think about my answer. Even though I have been with Anya for over a month, there is still so much about dragons that I don't know about. I have no idea how dragons hold to past grievances. The last thing I want to do is set the stage for war between our races in the future. I just hope other dragons are just as forgiving as Anya and Velirin. "If all of the stories and records have some truth to them, then we were both." I replied. "We were both allies and enemies?" Anya asked me in curiosity. "Not necessarily." I began explaining. "There are some stories where humans and dragons were close allies. Humans would often offer gifts of gold and jewels and the dragons in turn would allow us to ride them as mounts. It's where the title Dragon Rider came from. Some even believe that humanity had taught dragonkind how to speak long ago." Velirin snorted at the idea. "And what of the other stories?" I hesitated for a moment. "Many, if not most in the old days saw dragons as evil creatures spawned from the devil. There are stories of warriors leading crusades to slay them. It's where the title Dragon Slayer came from." "What?" Velirin asked me in shock. "Wha- Why, Talion?" Anya asked in disbelief. I sighed and looked down for a moment. "It is believed that dragons were nothing more than beasts who would burn and destroy our homes and devour us for food. It is not uncommon for a human to think of a dragon as nothing more than an animal or evil monster who would kill and eat us if we ever met." Both Anya and Velirin were staring at me in complete shock. (Sigh) "I'm sorry. These are just stories. They might not even be real." I told them. "Or they just might." Velirin said with a look of anger and disgust. "If the dragons you speak of were anything like Bahamut and his wretched spawn. Filthy worms." I looked a little surprised at him. "What?" Velirin shook his head and looked back to me. "We dragons of the west are nothing like the ones you speak of, Talion. Devouring the flesh of another sentient being goes greatly against our nature. It is barbaric. Those who are evil and foolish enough to commit such a heinous act are cursed and become nothing more than animals themselves." I looked down and sighed. "Act like an animal long enough and sooner or later you'll become one." Velirin nodded and finished. "We are nothing like the worms in the Badlands who call themselves dragons." "Well I'm glad to know it... But if you don't mind me asking, why is it that I hear you and Anya refer to the Badland dragons as worms?" I asked Velirin. Velirin huffed in irritation. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he had great hatred for them. "They have forgotten their place, our history and wisdom. They cast away their own names and heritage for a small amount of power and wealth. They were the ones who willing followed Bahamut and forsook everything that made them true dragons. Thus they became more like the animals others claim us to be." I looked to Anya for a moment who was looking down in anger. "I see." Anya sighed. "They never learned from their mistakes. In fact they merely embraced their own fate and abandoned all hope of ever changing." She looked up to me. "That is why we are divided, Talion. We in the west seek what we lost, while they in the east seek to bury it." I pondered this new information for a bit. I was greatly relieved to learn that the dragons of the west had some sense of being civilized. It was a good thing I had chosen to go west than east. But now I was starting to wonder just how different these two dragon kingdoms were. "I'm curious, do all dragons speak the same language? Or is it different in the west from the east?" I asked them. Anya answered for me. "For the most part we all speak the same language, but many of us will also often use the tongues of other races. Other than old Ddraig, our race only holds to one language." "Interesting." I said. "How many languages can you speak, Talion?" Anya asked. "I can fluently speak, read and write in over fifty different languages." I answered. "WHAT!?" Both Anya and Velirin shouted in surprise. I rubbed my ears for a moment. "I should probably refrain from revealing such revelations about myself in the future." "Just how many languages does your race have!?" Velirin asked. "Many. But not everyone of my kind can speak more than one or two languages." I replied. "Then how is it that you seem to be so knowledgeable yourself?" He asked me. "As I have explained to Anya before, I have a very powerful memory and am able of recalling much of what I learned years ago." I answered. "So you're a scholar." Velirin said. "Heha. Yes, I suppose I could be. But I only learned these things as a way to pass time. I am and always well be a soldier at heart." I said. Velirin raised a brow. "A soldier?" I froze at the realization of what I had told him. "What purpose does a soldier have, traveling alone in unfamiliar lands?" He asked me. "I answered truthfully, Velirin. I came here to remain hidden." I told him. "So then, you're a deserter." He said. I turned towards him with a look of anger. "I am many things, Velirin. But I am no deserter. Do not assume so again." That was enough for Velirin to refrain from discussing it more. I could tell he was a little intimidated by me for a moment. Even Anya felt somewhat intimidated. I shook my head and sighed. "I am not here to flee from my country or to bring war to yours. I was a soldier, Velirin... A long time ago." Velirin stared at me for a short moment. "How old are you, Talion?" I was reluctant to answer as I have already revealed too much of myself to him so soon. But given how old he was and I have already told Anya my age, I decided to answer. "I am one hundred and thirty years old." I answered. Velirin once again looked shocked. "One hundred and thirty years?" "He's like us, Velirin." Anya said. "As in, he can live just as long?" He asked her. "Yes." I answered grimly. "And yet you sound as if you wish you weren't immortal." He stated. "I have my reasons." I replied. Anya could sense what I was feeling and knew better than to press the matter. So before Velirin could ask more questions, Anya drew his attention and shook her head at him. Velirin looked skeptical, but decided to drop it. ~Talion.~ Anya mentally called to me. I looked over to her and she motioned for me to come, so I pushed myself off of the wall and walked over to her while she made a place for me to sit. Velirin raised his brow at the sight, but chose not to say anything. He looked to Anya for a moment before turning back to me. "I realize that I have been the only one asking personal questions thus far. I do apologize for my rudeness, Talion. I'm sure that you must have some questions for me in return." "Actually, I only have one." I said and turned to face him. He looked at me curiously. "What is it?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why are you really here?" For a moment, Velirin returned my stare and said nothing. "You are so eager to ask me this question, surly you would be willing to answer it in return." I said. "In return? You have not given me a single straight answer from where you are from or why you are truly here." Velirin told me. "Nor am I required to. I don't owe you anything." I told him. Anya started to sense the rising tension and spoke up. "That's enough, Velirin." Velirin frowned at her. "I want to know more, Anya. What is he hiding?" "Velirin, stop." Anya told him. "No, I don't think so." Velirin stated as he moved to sit up. "Velirin liste-" He cut her off. "No you listen! First you challenged father, then you ran off, leaving me behind, disappearing for over a month and then suddenly returning home with a soldier of an unknown nation!" He stepped in front of her as he finished. "I waited and suffered long enough for you. Now I want answers, Anya." Anya just stared at her brother in shock, not knowing what to say. Before anything else could be said, I spoke up. "War." Velirin suddenly looked to me. "War?" There was a long silence following before I spoke up again. "I bring war... It follows me everywhere." He looked at me in confusion. "What are you talking about?" "Tell me Velirin, do you know what knowledge is?" I asked. "Tell me." He replied. "Knowledge is power." I looked down at my hands and clenched them into fists as I finished. "And it is something that I have a great deal of." Now Velirin was more shocked than before. "Then... you are being hunted?" "No... Not yet. And I intend to keep it that way." I said and walked to Anya's side. "Make no mistake, Velirin, I trust no one. Not even myself. I tell you these things only because of Anya. She trusts you and I trust her, but do not think for a second that what I have can be gained for your own benefit." Velirin frowned at me. "Is that a warning or a threat?" "Take it as you will." I replied, crossing my arms. Velirin stepped closer to me and growled. "Be very careful of your next words, Talion. A dragon's ire isn't something just anyone or anything encurres lightly. You'll do well to respect that." What I said next visibly shocked him. "I do not need nor want your respect and you have not earned mine. I have nothing to prove to you, boy. Anya was looking very uneasy at what was going on. "You dare?" Velirin asked me. "I do. So why don't you drop the visage and show us what you're really hiding." I told him, holding my ground. He looked livid. I knew he was ready to attack me. "That is enough, Velirin!" Anya shouted. "Why is he here!?" He shouted in return. "No! I've answered your questions. We both have! Now you answer mine!" She stepped between us both and spoke in a low voice. "Why are you here, Velirin?" Velirin chuckled and shook his head at her. "What? Did you honestly think that your actions wouldn't have any consequences, dear sister?. The day you left father, he became greatly enraged... Especially towards me." He leaned closer to her. "I may have forgiven you, Anya, but mother and father are not so forgiving." He turned and lifted his right wing to reveal four large gashes across his side, causing Anya to gasp at what she saw. "Father gave me this... He believed I could have done more to stop you. They both did... Maybe I could have. " Velirin told her. "Yes, you could have." I told him and he turned back to me in anger. "I wasn't certain before, but I am now... I finally see what kind of dragon you are, Velirin. A cowered and a deserter." "HOW DARE YOU!?" He roured at me. I stepped towards him. "I dare because when something's wrong, it's wrong!" I pointed an accusing finger at him. "I have seen how you've treated Anya! She came to you, trusting you, begging for your help. But you turned your back on her more times than can be counted for in a single lifetime!" I took another step forward. "Anya's absence hasn't changed you, Velirin. You drove her away. You don't deserve her back." Quite frankly, I was surprised that he hadn't attempted to kill me yet. I suppose it was because of Anya. Velirin, at this point was breathing heavily in rage. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that he knew how right I was. I saw the shame that he was hiding. He knew what he did to Anya. "There are very few species in the world who would dare challenge a dragon. Even fewer who would live after. The only reason I have not destroyed you is because of Anya." He said between his teeth. "Don't let her stop you from trying." I told him and reaching for my sword. "ENOUGH!" Anya roured. "I will not be sidelined in this!" She looked down at me with a frown. "I do not need you to speak for me and fight my battles, Talion. Nor do I want you to." She looked back to Velirin. "And you. Don't you dare attempt to bring harm to, Talion. Because if you hurt him, you will hurt me." Velirin looked at Anya in shock before reverting to anger. "And what about me, Anya? How much have you hurt me?" She looked down and closed her eyes. "We both hurt each other, Velirin... We are both to blame for this... I'm so sorry." Velirin stared down at her for a moment before sighing and closing his eyes. "So am I." She looked back up at him in confusion. "What?" He opened his eyes and looked at her with a very serious expression. "We're done here... It's time to go." "What are you talking about, Velirin?" She asked, stepping back. "We are going home, Anya. Now." He said and stepped towards her again. It was my turn to stand between them. "No. I don't think so." Velirin growled at me again. "I don't care who or what you claim to be, Talion. Nor who you are to Anya. Do not get in my way." "Anya's not going anywhere with you." I told him. "Yes she is! Anya belongs with her family!" He shouted at me. Anya stepped in again. "I chose where I belong, Velirin! And I belong with Talion!" Velirin withdrew from her in shock. "Wha- What are you saying, Anya?" Anya stepped by my side to confront Velirin. "Our journey together ended the day we chose our separate paths to follow, Velirin. It was you who abandoned me. You're the one who walked away." "Anya I-" This time she interrupted Velirin. "It is over, Velirin. I'm not going home. I won't stay where I am not wanted. And if you, mother or father can't accept my choice, then so be it. Because I don't need them anymore... Just like I don't need you." Velirin stood in complete shock. Not saying or doing anything as there was nothing he could say or do. The last thing that Anya told him had stung the worst and it was visible across his face. After a moment of silence, Anya turned and slowly walked towards the cave exit. I could see the pain on her face as a few tears fell from her eyes. "Come Talion... We're finished here." She said and walked out. "So it would seem." I said in a low voice and followed her out. Velirin remained still as he watched us leave. Just as we made it to the exit, Anya paused and turned her head slightly towards him. "It was good to see you again, Velirin... One last time." With that, we both stepped out of the cave and walked towards the forest amongst the falling snow. Before continuing, I stopped and looked back to the cave. *Pain... follows me where ever I go.* This is why I distant myself from others. Why I don't get involved. Or at least I try not to. Every time I hide myself, there is always someone who finds me and pulls me back out to the light, only for them to suffer for it and fall into the very darkness they tried to save me from. "Anya." I called and she stopped, turning her head slightly to look at me. I reached up and placed a hand on her shoulder in comfort. "I'm so sorry." She closed her eyes and leaned her head down against me. "Please... don't ever leave me, Talion." I leaned in and hugged her. "Never, as long as I shall live. I promise you." "Thank you my mate." She whispered as she cried. After a long moment, we pulled away and wordlessly turned back to the frozen forest. "TALION!" We both heard Velirin rour from behind us before hearing what sounded like cracking glass. I quickly turned around just in time to see a large spiked ice sphere flying directly towards me. I only had enough time to pull up my arms to brace myself right before I was hit. "Talion!" Anya shouted. The ice sphere exploded on impact and sent me flying in the opposite direction. I screamed in pain as I crashed into several trees and fell back to the ground. The snow covered forest floor did little to cushion my fall. I quickly tried to move and stand back up, causing pain to shoot up throughout my body. Looking down I saw ice spikes impaled across my body. My breath became ragged as I tried to pull out one particularly large one in my right side. ~Talion.~ Suddenly a shadow loomed over me and I looked up to see Anya staring down at me in fear. This was the first time outside of my memories that she has seen me this close to death. We both heard a loud thud and turned to see Velirin walking towards us with his wings raised. His amber eyes were now burning red with rage. "You've taken someone who belongs with me." He said in a low menacing voice. Anya swung around and stood defensively in front of me. "Stay away, Velirin!" "No." He said before lunging towards Anya's side and swinging his claws at her. Velirin was fast. Faster than what I had expected given his size. Anya screamed as she was knocked over and before she could recover, Velirin jumped straight up into the air and twirled, swinging his tail like a whip. He struck Anya in the chest and sent her flying backwards into a few spruce and pine trees, which collapsed under her weight. While Anya was stunned, Velirin landed and turned towards me again. "It didn't have to be this way. You could've walked away." "Y-You could have been there for Anya when she needed you most." I managed to cough out. Velirin grabbed and lifted me with a claw before slamming me back down to the ground. "You know nothing! Everything I have ever done was for her! I chose to help Anya when she wouldn't help herself!" I spat out blood onto his claw. "You chose the wrong side." Velirin lifted me up again and was about to slam me back down before stopping. "Hehehaha." He stared at me in shock, confusion and anger as I began laughing. "Hehahahahaha!" "What is this? What are you laughing for!?" Velirin demanded. Slowly I looked up at him with a wide grin and glowing eyes. ~"You chose... poorly."~ ++ Anya struggled to push herself up. She was shocked by her brother's attack. That tail whip to her side was so unexpected that it knocked the air out of her lungs. She managed to stand up straight and shake herself before hearing a loud rour from Velirin. She quickly turned towards his direction to see him flying backwards into a row of pine trees. She gasped as she saw her brother land on his side with a loud thud. He rolled over with a shocked look on his face. "Impossible." Velirin said in shock. She looked back to Talion and saw him standing and glowing with darkness. Eyes ablaze with blue light. ~"It is you who knows nothing, Velirin. You don't understand a thing of what Anya's been through."~ "Talion?" She called out to him but he didn't respond. "So quick to think about Anya." Velirin started as he stood back up. "You forget what I've gone through for her. What I'm still going through." ~"And she has to suffer for you!? Now that is cruel."~ Talion said. "I've suffered for Anya every day of our lives and she has ignored that! There is the cruelty!" Velirin shouted before rushing towards Talion and unleashing his frost breath. Anya could only watch in fear as her mate and brother charged towards each other. "Talion! Velirin!"