Array
(
[text] =>
Hey darlings!!!!! It’s been a long time! So I hope you guys enjoy the first chapter of inferno 🙂 just so you know, this takes place about five years after rebirth ends!!!!
CHAPTER 1
“Don’t!” Maja whispered into my ear, keeping a firm grip on my shoulder. “The kings gave us specific orders. We don’t fight until daylight. They’re substantially stronger right now and we’re outnumbered.”
“I never knew you to fear a challenge.” I taunted, my eyes watching the group of nymphs standing there, smirking as if they had won. “They’ll leave before the sun rises. They purposefully called this battle now. They want to win and this is their best bet. They’ll be recorded as victorious by default.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Maja groaned quietly, Her long black nails digging into my arm. “This is suicide Kric. You and I can’t take an entire squad of nymphs and back up is still on its way.”
“We could take them until back up gets here.”
“Yeah if we wanted to lose a few limbs.” She pointed out.
“Stay in the bushes then, but I’ll be fighting.” I moved to stand, feeling a small hand wrap around my wrist in a vice like grip. “What Maja?”
“This is against orders!”
“I’m your commander. I give the orders.”
“Your orders are suicidal. The Kings said-”
“Remove your hand Maja.” I warned, my voice taking on a commanding note that had her releasing me against her own will. “Have I ever led you wrong? Are you not here right now, getting on my last nerve? You have no right to question me.”
“I didn’t mean it to sound as if I’m undermining you. I’m just worried. We’re outnumbered even once back up gets here.” She reasoned.
“Then stay in the bushes.” I stepped away from her, ignoring the desperate look she was sending me. “If you don’t think you’re strong enough, then you’re not.”
I turned on my heel, feeling my skin begin to burn as my scales seared themselves into my flesh. I felt my bones grow, agonizingly more painful than any growing pain i’d ever experienced. In a moment I was twice my size, covered in scales as red as fire and large wings and tail hanging behind me. I felt strong, powerful, ready to take on an army. It didn’t matter my opponent. I would win.
I couldn’t die.
I opened my mouth, a roar loud enough to shake the trees emerging from my throat. I flew into the sky, staring down at the now alarmed band of nymphs who shot their arrows into the sky at me with just their hands and their dominion over the wind. Most of them missed, but one landed directly in my gut.
I should have fell, but the familiar tingling of the arrow being forced out and the flesh healing itself kept me where I was. I opened my jaw, letting torrents of flame out to engulf the clearing. The nymphs dodged, sending more arrows.
‘You’re an absolute bastard of a leader.’ I heard Maja bitch in my mind, her familiar dragon form coming to fly beside me. ‘You’re a suicidal narcissist who’s going to get yourself killed.’
‘Then why did you follow?’ I chuckled, watching her narrowly miss an arrow to the shoulder.
‘Why did I follow?’ She scoffed. ‘You’re my brother Kric. Fly together, die together. I’ll always follow.’
‘How disgustingly sentimental.’ I laughed, dodging a blast of wind that came hurling toward me, ready to knock me down.
I was still waiting for Maja’s retort when I looked over to find her clutching her stomach, her gray eyes wide in shock. ‘Kric.’ She gasped, just before she went hurling down.
I cursed to myself before letting out another blast of fire, using the distraction to catch her before she hit the ground.
——————-
“Seriously Kric, leave.” Maja groaned. “And take these bastards with you.”
“Oh don’t be that way Maja.” One of our fellow soldiers, Ven, insisted. “It’s not our fault they shot you. I’m surprised, you’re usually happier when you’ve just been penetrated.”
“To be fair, Maja only likes it in certain holes. They made a new one.” Trem, another soldier, mused.
“If I didn’t have a hole in my gut right now i’d burn those smirks off your faces.” Maja pouted.
“I thought you liked it in your guts?” Ven teased.
“Kric! Make them stop picking on me!” Maja grumbled. “This is so lame! I’m in the infirmary because of a little nymph arrow. What absolute bull.”
“To be fair, it was kind of an unequal fight. Two against twenty is hardly even.” Trem assured her, “and boy were you the sexiest unconscious body I ever had to fly out of battle.”
“Second actually, since he had to fly me out a few months ago.” Ven added.
“You’re all idiots.” Maja covered her face with her hands. “The worst part of this isn’t even the slowly healing wound in my stomach. It’s the fact that the wound is keeping me from getting away from you guys.”
“Oh come on now Maja. You love your brothers.” I chuckled, kissing her forehead. “‘Fly together, die together’, right?”
“Fine, kill me.”
“She’s so cranky!” Ven pointed out. “Maybe the poison arrow also made her irritable.”
“Hey be serious Ven!” Trem demanded. “Maja’s always been like that!”
“Kric!” Maja whined again.
“Kric!” Ven and Trem mimicked.
“Always trying to tell on us to big brother Kric. You know it’s big brother kric’s fault that you were a human shish kabob.” Ven joked.
“I didn’t hear a single thank you for carrying you here by the way. You’re not all that light anymore Maj. Plus you got blood everywhere. It was like your first period all over again.” Trem reminded her.
“Uuuuuuugh! Thank you imbeciles! Now stop bugging me! I can seriously feel myself healing slower because of you guys!” Maja snapped at them.
“You hear that Ven? The longer we bug her, the slower she heals and can exact her revenge!” Trem pointed out, dropping down beside her on her hospital bed. “I’m not touching you.”
There was a knock on the door, snapping the three out of their argument. “Come in!” Maja called and the door opened to reveal a small little elf I recognized as one of Elijah and Cyans servants.
“Hello beautiful.” I said instantly, watching her cheeks flame as she curtsied.
“The Kings would like me to extend invitation to Commander Kric, to join them at their home.” She recited, her eyes on the ground.
“When?” I frowned. “I’m currently-“
“The Kings extend their invitation now.” She cut me off, looking up at me. “They ask me to tell Commander Kric that this invitation is not one that can be refused. The Kings await you.”
She spun around and without another word scurried from the room. “So how do they figure that’s an invitation? Sounds more like a command to me.” Ven pointed out.
“I wonder what Kric did to get the Kings dicks in a twist.” Trem added.
“It’s probably nothing.” I sighed going to give Maja a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll come back as soon as I’m done. Try not to let these idiots bother you.”
“That’s impossible.” Ven said for her.
“Yes we’re always bothersome.”
———————
“Kric!” I heard a small little voice cheer as I entered the dining room. “Krics here! Krics here!”
“I can see that Ciel.” Cyan assured him, grabbing a hold of his arm before he could bolt from his seat. “Finish lunch first.”
“Kieran!” Ciel, the pompous little prince he was, called out to his friend. “When you’re done with your lunch come finish mine.”
“Okay.”
“No!” Cyan interjected. “You finish your lunch yourself! All five year olds need to eat their entire meals so they can grow up big and strong.”
“Kric tell daddy I’m done!” Ciel whined.
“I think he’s done princess.” I smiled, coming to sit down beside him. “All that’s left are the carrots. Those nasty things are hardly food.”
“See daddy! Kric says I’m done!” Ciel exclaimed.
“Too bad Kric isn’t the boss. I am.” Cyan countered, standing to his feet. “You and Kieran both finish your food. You can play with Kric later.”
“Fine.” Ciel pouted.
“Come on. Elijah’s waiting for us in his study.” Cyan sighed, walking out of the room without even checking to see if I follow.
“I’ll eat your carrots for you Ciel.” Kieran said once Cyan was gone.
“Here.” Ciel scurried around the table to Kieran’s side, placing his carrots on the other boys plate. “You’re the best Kieran. I’m so glad I have you. Here, I’ll eat one of your potatoes for you.”
I smiled, watching the two try to hurry and finish off their meals before Cyan returned. I eventually stood, walking the familiar route up the stairs to the large double doors that the Kings were waiting in front of. “Is something wrong?” I asked, noting the questioning looks they were giving one another.
“Let’s go inside.” Elijah sighed, pushing one of the doors open and letting us all enter. “We heard Maja is in the hospital. We send our well wishes.”
“Thanks.” I answered, sitting in the chair across from their double desk. They say facing me, hands folded. “She’s fine really. I think she’s hurting more having to spend time with Ven and Trem than from her injury.”
“She almost died Kric!” Cyan blurted out, his face turning red. I frowned, knowing this was coming. “You disobeyed our direct orders not to engage without back up! You were outnumbered, you were unarmed! You led her out into a fight that neither of you could have won!”
“I didn’t make her follow. We’re dragons alright? We don’t run away from a fight.” I reasoned. “Maja-“
“Maja is the one who called us!” Cyan cut me off. “Maja is the one who believes you’re going to kill someone soon!”
“What?” I frowned. “When did she call you?”
“Kric, the point is we agree. Two days ago wasn’t the only time you’ve done something reckless. You’re a commander, the other dragons trust you and they’d follow you anywhere. Maja followed you anywhere and now she’s barely healing from a poison dipped arrow wound she got doing something she told you was suicidal.” Elijah explained. “If it were anyone else, they’d be seriously punished for going against our orders.”
“I didn’t go against your orders. I knew we could handle the situation. It’s not like either of us were in any serious danger of dying. I know Maja got hurt but-“
“You don’t see to recognize your own mortality Kric.” Elijah cut me off. “You aren’t invincible.”
Cyan was giving me a look, telling me to shut up. I rolled my eyes. I already knew not to say anything. He didn’t need to give me the death glare. “I’m not saying I am. I’m just saying I’m a winner. I fight and I win.”
“Well Maja fought and almost died!” Cyan snapped. “Maja! Do you even realize that a few inches up and she would be dead right now? What would you do then?”
“I can protect Maja! I can protect every soldier put under my care!” I argued.
“No you can’t! That’s why no soldier will be put under your care!” Cyan paused, looking to Elijah. “You’re being relieved.”
“I’m fired?” I scoffed.
“Kric… Of course not.” Elijah sighed. “If it were anyone else, you’d be gone. Acknowledge that your privilege can only stretch so far. We care for you Kric, but this is over. You’re on leave until we deem you ready for battle again.”
“You can’t be serious. I run the army! Who’s going to-“
“Maja is more than capable of running our army while you’re out. She’s strong, respected and knows you guys aren’t invincible.” Elijah rationalized his decision to me. “She’ll be in charge until you can acknowledge your limitations and the limitations of your soldiers.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding.” I groaned. “What the hell does that mean? How the fuck do I do that?”
“By taking a step back and looking at what exactly you’re fighting for.” Cyan told me. “What are you afraid of losing?”
“Nothing!” I growled. “Princess I don’t need a weakness to run an army.”
“No, but you have them and you need to acknowledge them before it’s too late and you lose everything, your life included.” Elijah said, his tone of voice warning me away from Cyan.
“That’s not possible.” I blurted out, watching Cyan’s eyes widened. “I won’t die. I won’t get seriously injured.”
“You can’t know that.” Cyan hissed, his eyes telling me to shut up.
“I can. If I can prove that, can I have my job back?” I looked to Elijah, who looked confused.
“I suppose Kric, but be realistic. Our bodies all have limitations. Unless you can prove to me you’re somehow indestructible, you’re banned from battle until you realize you’re not.” Elijah sighed.
“Fine.” I stood up. “I’ll be back in a few days.”
“Kric,” cyan warned, “please don’t do anything stupid.”
“What’s stupid is keeping your best asset away from battle.” I grumbled. “If we were all invincible, this conversation wouldn’t be happening.”
“Kric.” Cyan looked shocked. “Whatever you’re planning to do, please don’t. It won’t end how you think it will. Just take a break and come back with a sense of mortality. That’s all we’re asking.”
“Mortality?” I scoffed, turning my back.
“Kric!” Cyan called, standing up. “Kric please think about it! It’s not right! You can’t!”
“What are you talking about?” I heard Elijah ask.
“I just feel like he’s going to do something terribly heartless.” Cyan told him. “And he’s going to hurt more people.”
—————
“Kric’s back!” Ven cheered as soon as I entered the room.
“Please make them leave Kric!” Maja begged, her eyes closed. “They’re so irritating.”
“Did you call the Kings Maja?” I said instead, watching her eyes fly open in shock. Ven and Trem were uncharacteristically silent, waiting for her answer.
“I…” She trailed off as I approached her. She looked trapped, her body tensing as I leaned down and pecked her forehead.
“I’m going to be gone for a while. When you feel better you’ll be in charge.” I told her.
“What? Kric I swear I didn’t ask-“
“Don’t get used to it kid. I’ll be back.” I assured her, ruffling her hair. “So get better soon and enjoy the power while you can.”
“Kric listen-“
“I’ve gotta go.” I straightened, trying not to appear shaken or angry. “Ven! Trem!”
“Yes sir!” They called back.
“Make sure to stay with Maja and keep her safe. Don’t let her out of your sight for a second.” I ordered.
They smiled. “Yes sir!”
Question time!!
-what do you guys think Kric is going to do?
-who’s already in love with Ciel and Kieran?
-what do you guys think about Maja?
-do you guys think the Kings were right to remove Kric from his position?
-what do you guys hope to read in this story?
Remember, a comment on every paragraph will get you a follow, dedication and a double update NEXT FRIDAY!!!! Updates are on Friday just so you guys know 🙂
Thanks for reading darlings!
Vote, comment, follow, etc. <3
[text_hash] => 66c9c214
)