Spike: The Last Draconian

by Maneiac


The Necromancer and The Swordsman: Act III

Dameion

        
“You can sleep on the floor tonight, most dogs usually do.”

I gave a chuckle from my position against the attic door, my arms crossed and my head facing down so that my chin touched my chest. If you didn’t know me, you would’ve probably thought that I was asleep. My chuckle and smirk went away, for I grew bored waiting on some type of rebuttal from Spike. Guess I know who wears the metaphorical pants in that relationship.

        Shoving myself quietly from the door with my back, I proceeded to make my way down the fifty, dark-brown stairs that had led me up here. Spike was probably going to have a cow once he found out that I sold his location for measly humor.

        It would be a struggle for me to care less, actually.

But that’s not important. What is important, is that I’ve become the target of a lethal man. And not just any man at that. Once I remembered how I ended up outside the wall, I quickly told Maxxis about the whole thing. He swallowed a lump in his throat at hearing me mention Fei-Kuu, which probably means he got his ass handed to him by that same snake. He immediately cancelled what he was doing, which was relaxing in the bathtub in some bubbles, and decided to become my mentor in fighting.

I assured him that he would be wasting his time. I made extra sure to mention the fact that he got creamed by Fei-Kuu before, which in turn, made me refuse his proposal altogether. Needless to say, I had difficulty trying to escape on that sudsy tile as he tried to devour me in anger.  How this city allows cannibals like him is beyond my comprehension...

“The fact still remains that I have to find some type of mentor for myself. I’m getting tired of being knocked unconscious, with or without my say in the matter. I should probably head into town; visit a few ale houses, converse with the townsfolk. It wouldn’t hurt to start my search now. I’m not even weary from today’s activities, so tonight’s...or today’s, not a bad time to hit the streets.”

I’ve been told by Arma many times over, that my face has the tendency to give off a serious complexion. She chalked it up to me having a ‘mean face’, and that it was actually adorable. Bah, worthless bar-wench couldn’t tell a plank from a 2x4! Last thing I need is for her to start judging my facial expressions.

Now that I’ve found a niche to end my pleasant mood from earlier, I deemed myself worthy of the Zistralian streets as I headed through the front door and onto the front porch. just as I was about to reach the first step, I felt someone tug on my robe. Turning my head to peek over my shoulder, I quickly deciphered the focusing image as Maxxis.

“...How may I help you, Maxxis Murdok?” My voice was bitter, making Maxxis snort in what I can only guess was amusement. It was confirmed to be just that, however, when he briskly walked out to the side of me. The bastard even went so far as to move that same hand onto my shoulders, bringing me in close to his rather rank body.

Never have I wanted to punch someone so bad...

“About that time in the bathroom...” He trailed off, waggling his eyebrows at me. Yep, this guy deserves it.

“Get away from me,” I remarked coldly, descending the steps quickly and setting up a pace of walking that I was comfortable with. It didn’t take long for me to hear the near thunderous footsteps of the giant scarlet teddy bear behind me. I turned to him with a pleading expression, “Why don’t you just leave me alone? Can’t a Prince enjoy a night out on the town in solitude?”

“Well a Prince needs his bodyguards, so I guess I can be that for tonight...or today. Semantics, who needs em’ right?” He waggled his eyebrows at me again, making me roll my eyes at him in response.

“Then be a good bodyguard and make yourself scarce. You’re only needed when trouble arises, and I don’t think there’s going to be any trouble tonight.” I deadpanned, knowing full well that he couldn’t see the anger on my face as I began to walk faster. His tree-trunk legs irked me as they bristled against one another roughly, adding to the cacophony of unneeded noise that was Maxxis Murdok.

“Aww, don’t be such a party pooper Dameion! I’m sure we’re gonna have the time of our lives out here on these streets! WOO!!!”

Maxxis I swear to everything that’s...

I turned on him suddenly, too suddenly. Our snouts collided, making me wince as he staggered back from me., “ENOUGH,” I yelled, my voice dripping with annoyed anger, “Your very presence is the bane of all things chivalrous and moral! I will not stand for your intrusions any longer! You are dismissed, Maxxis Murdok!”

I was rewarded with a crimson fist hitting my face, sending me flying backwards. I landed on my butt, scooting up some dirt with it as I shook my head to clear the stars I was seeing. Maxxis was shaking the hand in which he probably just struck me with, looking at me with scorn etched across his face.

“Who the hell do you think you are!? I’m Feral Maxxis; one of the strongest draconians who ever lived! If you think I’m some carpet for you to walk all over, then there’s more fists for your black ass over here!” He accented his angry tirade with a middle finger.



Wait.......yellow? I thought I was supposed to be seeing red, not yellow! In fact, that’s really all I could see!!! Where the hell am I!!??

---

“Relax, my Prince,” I don’t know where it’s coming from amidst all this yellow...smog, but that voice spat boy out like it had a bad taste to it, “You’re in your Magical Core, or Mana Pool...however you wish to address it. And I...” The voice trailed off as my eyes were blinded with an intense white light, making me shield them against the blinding flashes.

They stopped just as quick as they came, revealing to me a monochromatic field. The moon was white, the grass a deep black that had slivers of white on the tips from the said moonlight. Even my body, was the monotonous black and white of...wherever, I am now. I also noticed how there were no stars and no sky...but there was a feeling of nighttime...is that weird?

I can’t really describe this place accurately. It just feels so foreign and distant from my body, but here I am amongst its black blades of grass and the glowing orb in the white sky. My ears swiveled as I heard the tell-tale signs of someone walking up on me from behind. I grinned inwardly, thinking that I would surprise him with a hook he wouldn’t see coming right about....NOW!!!

Turning on my heels as quickly as possible, I quickly brought a fist across the space in front of me. It caught something, making me smile before I noticed that my attack had been stopped by a pinky finger.

I DON’T EVEN...

“ I say, now that was dumb. Is this really how a Prince should conduct himself, especially when dealing with other sentient beings? Honestly, the only difference between you and Maxxis Murdok is the feathers on your body!” The Draconian said as he adjusted the crystal monocle over his right eye with a grey claw.

I growled at being insulted, especially when said insult was comparing me to Maxxis, of all people! “I don’t know who you think you’re addressing like that, but I don’t really see a future for you if you continue to do so,” I yelled as I threw another punch his way, knowing that there was no way in hell that he would be able to block it on time since I’m so close to him.

I wasn’t expecting to eat dirt...however.

“OOF!” I yelled in pain as my face instantly became better acquainted with those black blades of waving grass. Funny, since I couldn’t feel any type of breeze flowing.

“That, my boy, is strike two. My patience is reaching its conclusion, my Prince. I am not here to fight you, but to train you. There’s no need for you to go into town seeking guidance on how to fight, not when I’m here.” His voice did not match his body. His voice was unnaturally deep, and seemed to echo with every word he spoke. The body the voice was occupying, however, was the very definition of small and in-shape. He also had armor that covered everything except for his...well, I can’t really tell what it covers from down here.

But, that’s a three-toed foot digging into my back for sure! I also felt my arm extended directly into the air with my wrist twisted backwards...quite painful. My body was completely immobilized just from one technique. I was trapped with nowhere to go and no way to escape.

“Now, I’m going to let you go. Should your stupidity know no bounds and you attack me, you’ll be sorry.” He accented that last word with a painful dislocation of my arm that was raised into the air, my eyes going wide and my mouth opening in a yell of pain from it popping out of socket. I felt him get off of me as I stood up immediately, putting my arm that wasn’t dislocated over the one that was. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a smidget of dirt, grass or dust from when I was grounded.

“Who are you and where have you taken me?” I asked, giving a wince of pain soon after. The draconian put a thumb and index finger to his chin, stroking it like a master of...something. As if confirming an answer, he lowered his claw and pounded a fist into an open hand.

“I’m you, Dameion. As for where you are, I believe that has already been answered good sir. This is your Magical Core, an-”

“That’s bullshit,” I interrupted with a deadpanned voice and expression, “You can't be me. I’m; me! That just doesn’t make sense!”

“I realize that this is a lot to take in, but it’s the truth. I am you...or rather, your inner potential. For now, you may address me as Monochrome, ol’ chap,” I nodded in faux understanding. I have no idea what’s going on right now, but what I do know is that this guys is dangerous and has the potential to kill me if he so wishes.

“I best stay on his good side. He seems like a dapper man, one who still upholds the chivalry of old. In a way, he could be me.

“As for why you are here...I’ve thought it over for a thousand years; your Millennial Sleep, and have decided to make myself known. All dragons and varying races thereof will create something like me during their slumber, safeguarding their skills and memories until they reawaken. The problem is; however, that you weren't the one who made me,” Monochrome turned on his heels and began walking away from me. He gave no sign of wishing me to follow, so I merely remained in place and watched him as he went off.

He didn’t get too far before his head turned to look at me, “Are you coming, my Prince? There’s...something you should see before you wake up.” He sounded almost bashful...hesitant even, as if what he was going to show me would either break me or make me. Or him, for that matter.

I said nothing as I began walking towards him, my mind running relays with thoughts ever coming. “Why did he decide to show himself now of all times? I was just getting ready to face Maxxis in fisticuffs...Maybe it was to protect me? No. That’s not right. I fought with Maxxis before and almost died, but he didn’t appear. So what can it be...I wonder...”

Well I did wonder...right up until I felt something grab, me by my neck and yanked me backwards. Surprised by the pain from the pseudo-strangle, I quickly brought my arm up to hit the joint of the arm the offending hand was connected to, releasing my neck almost instantly. Just as I was about to deem Monochrome dangerous and punch him in his face, he held up a colorless claw and asked me silently to wait.

“Before you find yourself on the ground again, I want you to look at what you almost plummeted into,” he jerked his head to cliff that I was oblivious to until now. I peered over the edge of the grass to behold something...breath taking!!!

   

           

       “Is that...Is that yellow lightning!? But how!? it’s only supposed to be blue as far as I know!? Wait; I could’ve been electrocuted!!” I exclaimed in shock at what I was beholding.

“Yes and no. Before your eyes lies the element of magic that suits you best. Lightning; one of the Subs for Wind Magic, my Prince. Can you not feel the tingle,” Monochrome said as his voice rose with excitement, “Can you not feel the power!? You’ve never used this particular kind before, and I think you’ll come to find that it can be the most lethal type of magic there-”

“No,” I interrupted, “I don’t think its best for me to get mixed up in magic. Not after it got someone killed. Valara may have lied to me, but if I hadn’t been going to her house everyday to learn magic than she would still be alive. I appreciate the offer for this, but I don’t need it.” I promptly turned away from the edge, beginning to walk away from there.

Monochrome caught up to me and ponded an authoritative hand on my shoulder, planting my feet into the ground at how hard he slammed his hand down on me. I grunted in pain as I felt the arm from earlier being popped back into place. I had completely forgotten about it!

“Now sit still and wait,” He barked angrily as he stepped into my view again, “It wasn’t because you were learning magic that Valara died, my Prince. It’s because you were weak!!! You're a hypocrite!!! One moment you claim weakness was the cause of her death, and now it’s because you went there to learn how to get stronger!? You're only in this for yourself!!!” Monochrome yelled vehemently, slapping me in the face.

My head jerked, blood leaping from my mouth like an escaped convict over a waterfall. I swung a fist in retaliation, only to have the attack stopped by that same pinky finger.

“It is because of this selfishness, that those who are close to you eventually go away. When you came to Zistral; after having your memory flashback, you didn’t even mention Artemis and Zerris to anyone. You wouldn't of cared less for their whereabouts, or if they are deceased! When Valara called for help, you left her at the hands of Fei-Kuu and ran to save your own life!!! What makes you more special than anyone else!?” He got a manic look in his eyes. Even though he did not have pupils, I could feel his manic stare.

I tried so hard to get free, but I was stuck from the ankle down in the unforgiving ground. I tried everything to escape, even biting my arm hard enough to wake me up. Nothing worked.

“Is it these trinkets,” He asked with venom and hysteria as he found my earrings and ripped them out. I screamed in agony as my ears jerked towards his body, a warm feeling which I knew was blood coming later. I was panting from pain now, and some of the blood had already streamed its way into my eye, causing me to close it on instinct, “Is it your pride!?” Monochrome uppercutted me from the earth, my body actually gaining some altitude before slamming back-first on the ground.

The air left my lungs, as did a little blood. I had internal bleeding for sure, but I couldn’t move anything on my left side because of a sharp pain coming from there. I assume he fractured a rib or two. I grimaced as I felt a three-toed food collide with my stomach, stomping me into the ground in a perfect indent of myself.

“What makes Dameion think the world should be offered to him on a fucking platter!? Who is this mortal that wants what is his, but works not to achieve it? You’re worse than scum, Dameion, and it’s showing. At least, real gentlemen like myself have the decency to control our brutish nature, whereas you tend to show your ass to anyone immediately.” Monochrome shoved his face into mine and for the first time, I could see that ridiculous top-hat he had stationed on the crown of his head. just a simple black top-hat with a silver ribbon around it.

That didn’t stop me from spitting a loogie in anger at him. It slapped against his monocle in a spray of mucus, saliva and blood. He growled menacingly as he stomped on my stomach with little effort, making the indent deeper and nearly shattering my lower half. He may be scrawny, but this guy packs a wallop behind every punch and kick!

“Even now you make no vow to change your ways. It’s as if you never cared for others. It’s as if you couldn’t care less how much they were hurting from your decisions, how much their hearts cried out to you. I showed you that dream with Artemis for a reason. You weren’t even thinking about how she felt when you coaxed her into almost having sex with you. In fact, you were so wrapped up with killing Dergan that you let her run off after breaking down! That’s not gentry at all...it’s barbaric!!!” A hook to the face had me seeing stars.

“So now I ask you again, Prince Dameion. Are you willing to learn true power; to unlock your hidden potential with combat, so that you can use it to help others and become the true ruler of Mythril? Or, would you rather die at the hands of a figment of your imagination?” Monochrome narrowed his eyes at me, ready to deliver the final blow based on the answer I give.

“............Fine,” I winced at the expansion of my lungs, causing some part of my body to rub up against the broken ribs on the left side of chest, “I’m tired of seeing those who I care about either die or fade away. I’m tired of being responsible of said deaths or fadings because of my weakness in combat or cowardice. No more. Make me all that I can be...Monochrome. Let us....as weird as it sounds...unlock our potential together.”

Monochrome nodded and fluffed the frills of the blouse hidden underneath his blood-splattered armor, “Alright then, my Prince. You’ve made a wise decision on this day,” A smile was thrown in my direction as he raised his foot off of me and offered a hand for me to use in order to get up.

I stared at the limb for a while, half-expecting it to turn into a fist and end my life somehow. But that would be stupid, seeing as how I conceded. I accepted the gesture of good will, his strength easily helping me get up onto my feet. I was still aching in certain places from my injuries, but I felt that the danger was over for now.

“As I’ve said earlier, I’m the very embodiment of your memories and hidden potential. The one who created me was not you; however, but Dergan. I don’t know why he did so. But all of that’s irrelevant now that he’s in the dirt somewhere and you're here. Ah, but what do I know,” he waggled his eyebrows at me like Maxxis does, but the difference was that I didn’t feel like hanging him by his wings for it. “Now. shake my hand and back away from me. After that, you’ll wake up feeling stronger...a lot stronger!” I shook his hand as quickly as possible and noticed the suit-cuffs around his wrists.

This guy was a gentleman if I’ve ever seen one!!!

Monochrome tipped his hat at me before I felt the world around me become hazy, “Then it’s a deal, my Prince. I look forward to our next chat. But until then...”