Book 2/29 - Of Fire and Darkness

Ring - 6rh
Realm - NETHERHEIM


Abel had not flown as fast as he was flying right now. The beats of his wings as he flapped and pulled himself farther from their chaser and closer to Melody was like the claps of thunder in a bad weather. Weight was a thing in flying he'd realized. It was why Melody had pulled ahead. While the muscles needed for flight meant that he should have been faster it also he was slower.

Atleast that was the explaination he was giving himself. Grimcrusher was held tightly in his palm waiting for its master to use it. Abel honestly' didn't want to use it. When the Spawns had told them about the Shardoways he'd imagined and thought up lots of ways he and Melody could get one. The Primordials were definitely not with them though.

The air vibrated. His sensitive ears rang with the noise and his skin and scales pricked with the warmth of the sun mixed with a familiar sensation. He turned sharply wings folding around him. Facing the storm of dark red flames he utilized Fiendish leap, flapping his wings and shooting up and out of the flames path while simultaneously blasting out hot winds that blocked any stray flame. He met gazes with the singular reptilian eye of their hounder.

Beating his wings more took him higher than necessary. But it was necessary. He dropped curling his wings behind him and dipping in a slanted formation. The reptilian eye followed his movements. Large wings beating slowly and yet powerfully as the thing twisted its serpentine neck to face him.

'Infernal Glide'. He spread his wings hot air carrying him up in an updraft and gliding past the massive maw that would either crush him or burn him. He spun like a jet and brought his wings in. Right above the things back he dropped. The beast turned its head to face its body and he could see the bright lights building up at the back of its throat.

'Too Late'. He pulled his legs up and brought the Grimcrusher down on scale. Hellfire erupted from the connection, a smoldering roar of black, red and purple flames that ate through the scale and down into the skin. The light that was already out of the creatue's mouth died off in a roar of pain and its head jerked up.

Grimcrusher rose again to deepen the hole in the scales when something smacked him off. He felt the pain and then pressure as he fell down like a stone to the ground. Trying to beat his wings caused spikes of pressure on his back. Grumbling he spun midair to face the ground racing for him.

Death from such a height was of little concern to him for reasons. One, he'd faced worse in real life. Two, he wasn't sure if the fall would kill him and three he still had skills to use. Grimcrusher has been lost from his grasp when he was smacked away. Abel didn't mind. He could still feel it as it fell.

The ground arrived. Hands pointed down and a thick column of fire shot out from borh palms striking the ground and cutting off his velocity. The flames sputtered out instantly and he dropped rolling to his feet.

A look told him what happened. The strike had broken the bones that attached his wings to his back and torn some muscles as well. "It fucking grounded me". As if in answer the thing's roar thundered around him. It had shot down after him and the incensed look in its eyes told him it was done hunting.

Abel scoffed. Something told him if this was reality he'd be more frightened. 'Maybe. It really depends on if I'm me or this'. He'd seen what one strike of his had done to it's scales. And he didn't even power up a strike. Simply an eruption.

"Where the fuck are you?". He cursed eyeing the direction he could feel his mace in. It was too slow for his liking. Then winds struxk him and raised dust around. 'Ah'. He felt that annoying heat again.

'Well it's a dragon. Breathing fire is its best offence'. He grumbled even as he darted to the side The roaring of fire and explosion of its force when it met the ground sent a burst of memories through his mind.

'Bloody game' His palm shot out and the smack of impact against it made him smile.

The dragon was blind with him standing close to the fire and within the smoke and dust. Moving his wings revealed it was mending but not completely healed.

'Need to get to you'. Without his wings he didn't have a fast movement skill. He'd been focused on it and attacking skills.

His eyes narrowed on the space between him and the fire. Abel had been next to so many flames in reality. The heat of a camp fire, that of a burner, explosions and even wildfire. The heat he was feeling now was low.

Another roar, this one of pain took his mind off the thought and back to the dragon. It was trying to flap it's wings but seemed to still be crashing. Right at him. With a dash he cleared the landing spot.

BOOM!!

The dragon scraped through the ground and stopped.. Shadows pooled off his skin and Melody stepped out. She looked up at him with big wide purple eyes. "Don't to that again". His eyes narrowed. 'Was she worried. Sue lookef worried '. Their eyes turned back to the big lizard when it roared.

Abel had to appreciate the thing before them. It was huge. Very huge. Too huge. The ground trembled as it dragged itself on its feet. A single wing furled while the other tried to help it balance. Black scales reflected the fires around. It fixed those reptilian slits on them. Abel moved his wings. They were eighty percent healed. Enough to fly off but still a warning that he needed other mobility skills.

'Wait. If Melody can do the darkness thing shouldn't I be capable of it?'. He searched his capabilities. Unfortunately the dragon was on its feet. Wings or not it was a predator. An Apex one. A cut on its wings wouldn't keep it from having the cores of this creatures. It knew it had to hurry. It dashed forward.

"Kid. Listen to me". His eyes flickered to the thin sword in her hand. It was covered in black with dark gases rolling off it. "If you're gonna stay here then make sure not to clash head on with that thing. We might be stronger but it's got weight and we lack leverage. Go for the ankles, or the back joints". She nodded.

"Good. Now go". She melded into the ground and the dark shadow raced away. "Anario?". The Spawn attached to Abel stretched from his shadow with his head mounted on a creepy long shadow neck. "What exactly can you do with your shadow self. I need a way to move around without my wings".

Anario seemed to be considering it. "The faster you and I take down that thing the less Melody and in turn Telemra gets in danger". It opened its mouth anf a smile spilled on its features. Abel turned away to hide the chill that smile gave him . He watched the dragon rush at him instead as Anario gave him the information he needed. "That's good". His mind was specifically on attentive to one of the mentioned skills.

Without another word he dashed forward. Yelling loudly he ran at it. 'Keep it distracted while Melody works on its mobility'. He jumped aiming a smash for its face. The large beast pounced as well. Then it blurred and popped out of existence.

"Behind". Yaito's pipsqueak voice screamed from whenever the two fairies were hiding and following the fight from. Abel turned sharply, his eyes widening in shock as five slashes raced for him. Each one tearing a gorge through the ground. Healed or not Abel didn't hesitate as Abyssal Wingbeat shot him up and Fiendish leap activated with the next flap. The slash marks passed him with a roar like fire. Floating in place Abel glared at the dragon testing its injured wing.

It flapped it once, then twice. 'Its healed?'. Angered Abel flew higher and higher. Below the dragon had healed all the injuries and pushed on his hind legs to boost it's flight. The ground fought with wind, fire and sand as it rose. The sound of flesh, and fibre tearing echoed in its sensitive ears and then pain bloomed on its side. The beast had no time to figure out the sensation as gravity seized it. It tilted and when it flapped it felt wind rush through its wings but at an angle that was frightening.

It fell fast, spinning and twirling before hitting the ground. Red reptilian eyes accessed its left wing and it shook in rage. The entire thing had been cut off. It was on its feet the next second and it's long serpentine throat vibrated with the rage in its body as a war splitting roar shook the land.

It had lost rulership of the sky and was nothing more than a wrym now. It bared it's fangs around seeking the enemy. Melody rose from the pool of its shadow and with an excited smile she sliced from left to right with her Nightblade.

Melody loved the darkness. Ever since she could remember it had sheltered her. Kept her safe from the those in the light. Her brother had always been in the dark with her to protect against the light. It was why her card choice had been simple. Melody had never thought of how lucky or good it was that her choice had dragged her into the Star Rings. And then Abel had told her of the traits and she knew immediately that The Dark One was her bread and butter.

She didn't just control or manipulate the darkness, she felt she was it. It was a trait to her. Abel didn't realize it was the reason that the spawns were so favourable to her. While she had no idea the spawns would end themselves if she commanded it.

So when she used Darkness to coat her Nighblade and cut her enemies, the blade carried more danger and the task felt easier for her. Shadow strike made it so the cut was hidden, the body not even realizing it and been cut or stabbed until she was safely away. Umbra dash helped her put distance between the hind leg and her and brought her to the forelimb. She was cutting through that spot Abel had pointed out for her when the dragon roared in pain. She was at the other foreleg and slicing harder.

This time she added two more skills. Gloom strike cut deeper and sent a sluggish energy into the dragon's limbs while Ebon Strike sapped essence from it and sent to her. Her scales and horns burned with bright red flames as she felt invigorated. Spinning she activated Unbea Dash again only to fall through a pool of darkness. The ground shook and shattered as the dragon's tail struck true.

It swayed with fatigue and rage. Its tail was dragged back and the spot that had been caved was empty. Melody shot out of the shadow its left hind limb cast.

"Thank you Telemra". Umbra Dash still active took her to the last leg. Shadow Strike, Gloom Strike and Ebon Strike bit deep and she was gone, sinking into the shadows. The dragon roared again.

Still it couldn't bring its attention to the pest at its legs for a reason. It could still see the shape of the one with the accursed mace flying above. Each time it roared in pain the thing swooped down and then away as it readied itself. The beast knew, it was trying to strike once it was disrracted. It, a True Abyssal Dragon, hunted. It seethed with rage while willing it's wings to heal faster.

It could do it quicker. But it would suffer the same fate that the Sykerians would suffer. Phantom pain. It didn't see itself to be in such trouble to take such a life changing risk. Another pain came from its legs again and it snarled. It really wanted to burn that pest but it dared not take its eyes off the main threat.

Unfortunately for it that didn't stop Abel.

BOOM!!

Pain, sound, heat and force rattled the back of its head. It's legs felt weak as pain and dizziness raced through it. The back of its skull was on fire and it was already staggering on one leg. It let out a weak roar of confusion and all around it the earth peeled. Fires broke out and the air itself became blades to cut at its enemies. It shook itself.

It was the True Abyssal Dragon of NETHERHEIM'. One of the few around. It would not be brought down by ants. Reality flared and the wing that was drooping, slowly getting healed reattached itself to its side. It reared both wings up. Abel saw the fire and heat gathering beneath both appendages. His scales itched.

"Run!".

Melody didn't need to be told twice. She vanished into the land and Abel turned. 'Bloody movement skill'. He darted forward creating as much space as he could between both Dragon and himself. The Dragon flapped.

It wasn't a star detonating. It wasn't an orbital strike. Abel saw it more as nuclear. The mushroom cloud of fire and gas rose and then spread. There was no high and no lows. It tore through the earth, burned the air and illuminated the sky. For a split minute the Abyss became a kingdom of the light.

Abel tried flying up and away. He couldn't. "Anario!. Melody!". The Spawn understood the message. It waited as Abel dropped like a missile, Grimcrusher striking the ground and causing a Molten Rift. It fled from his shadow.

"Yaito follow". The fairy ignored him snuggling into his black hair even as hellfire licked over his body. Grincrusher vanished as he held the earth torn in two with his arms and burrowed into the space created. Like a long tub of hellfire. Then the explosion of flames and wind struck.

It wasn't just fire, it was earth, wind , pressure and chaos . He could feel it as it struck and ripped at his scales and flesh. He hunkered down even more, his wings wrapping around him like a comforter. He could feel the pressure as it was struck by earth, wind and debris. Could feel the warmth as he was burned.

"Warmth". He opened his eyes. He could see the flames rushing past him. Flowing over his scales, through his horns, dancing off his wings and gathering at his palms. Abel felt confused. Yet he wasn't stupid. He was scared of fire as all normal humans should be. But once again he forgot he wasn't human. Atleast not in here. His musings would have been right in a way.

Humans made fire, it didn't stop fire from burning them. Matchsticks, flamethrowers , dynamites and missiles. Various tools of war and destruction. Yet their maker were also burned. His instinctive nature while different in a way still translated. Wings did not make him fear falling any less. Scales did not refute the pain of a stab or possible death.

Abel could tear the ground into Molten Rifts and bring out hellfire and lava. Blow up a surface with Hellfire Eruption but he never considered himself able to actually ignore burns. He'd noticed it before with the dragon's fire. Feeling the heat but not to the degree he should have with the proximity. But his mind had never actually locked on the why or how or even the remote possibility.

But now he could feel the energy rolling through and over him. Docile, unharmed and even better he felt comfortable. The moment his mind registered that simple fact his mind was torn from his body. Abel soundlessly screamed. His body's mouth was shut, eyes opened as it weathered the storm of the explosion. His mind ascended sharply. The scene shrunk down. He took in the sight before him. Right at the center of the eruption was the mighty dragon still in its position. It's wings fanning the flames of destruction it had wrought.

To the west he found Melody. Well he didn't exactly see her. But he knew it was her. If she wasn't the one actively generating the thick ball of darkness then it was Telemra and Anario. He would have smiled if he could. Then the scene changed.

Abel shivered at the sight. For a moment he felt worried. 'Did it grow?'. He watched as wings that could blanket the sky flapped He watched as it, a dragon with scales so black they stole the light rose. He watched as four pairs of green eyes locked on him. He felt a shiver of fear run through him. It didn't move anymore as flames rolled off him. The creature controlled the flames without even moving or twitching. The fires gathered around and above it. Spears, blades, meteors, sheets of fire. Different shapes and sizes were formed and flung at him in the space of seconds. The attacks flew through the air and straight for him.

Abel watched in panic as the attacks reached him. The scene changed the moment it struck. If he had a body he would have stumbled or fled. Still he understood. As the flames obeyed the dragon's every whim, bending and spiraling in intricate patterns so too would he control fire's very essence, mastering the ability to call forth flames from the smallest spark to the most ferocious inferno. He knew instinctively it would never be about power or authority but skill and mastery. Knowing what he wanted.

The new scene showed an entity seated like a bored child on top a mountain. Below was a horde of creatures. He couldn't make out most of them but he knew they looked dangerous. The entity waved his right hand and and fire spread amonsgt the beasts. He could feel the blade of heat even from this distance. Abel knew instantly that fire would burn him. The same dragon as before appeared. It flew above the monsters and the fires blazed brighter with each beat of its wings. And yet he could feel the flames grown cold and the air chilly. Even without actively seeing it Abel knew that he could make the flames burn whom he wanted. Spare those he wished and even freeze those he desired to. He had completely authority of its temperature as well.

The scene warped like reality was blurring. Then he found himself on a battlefield.

He knew it was the same or closer to the same scene as previously. The dragon flew above, the demon stood next to him. So close he could almost see its features. And yet he couldn't. 'Darkness'. The entity was obscured of darkness so deep it was unending. Only two purple glows stared around. 'The Primordial'. It was hard to not connect the colors.

His attention returned as the dragon roared.. Fire descended. He felt an existential dread roll through him. This flame was different. Something made him take a step from the Demon to his side. A shadowed hand rose. Dramatic and unnecessary. Fingers snapped. It was like the call for death. In a circle fire washed from the demon and spread. From above the dragon flames reached the ground as well.

Then the flames vanished. The ground was shown. The monsters gone. All that was left a void of darkness beneath him. Fire could end all things. The choice to leave either remains or nothing at all was his. 'Not even the ground was left'. He stared at the void as the scene around him faded.

He raised his eyes to find he had been looking up into the dark sky. Shrugging off how weird that was he looked around again. Fortunately he wasn't in the midst of the horde again. Something was wrong. There was no burning no explosion of flames. The dragon sat to the side. And the demon was the one floating this time. He could see shadowy wings.

Abel didn't understand what this scene was showing him this time. He remained there for a long time watching with a frown as the monsters tore out their hearts and feasted on them. Creatures lashed out each other for no reason. He watched a monster rake down one ams rhen holding a shiny orb in its mouth it moved away. Another had a gleam he recognized in its eyes as it darted for the one with the orb.

'Greed'. But it wasn't just greed. It was anger., rage, envy, lust. 'But there's no fire'. He was confused. How did the demon do this without the flames. 'Wait. Calm, patient creatures led on another path. Their rage, lust, envy and greed stoked. Like flames'. Abel focused on one of the monsters searching for something. He wasn't sure and after a long time of finding nothing he turned to rethink his idea.

It was a blink of light. A little flash. Barely seen. Barely seen because this one had been untouched. As if to agree with his thoughts the light blazed brighter. The monster locked it's eyes on the one it had been watching. Then it dashed for its prey.

'To affect the hearts of man. The Great Evil Indeed'.

He was back in the roaring fires. Like nothing had changed. But one thing had. His eyes followed the notifications in his vision. His lips slowly and surely stretched into a smirk. Hia mind spread the knowledge he'd been gifted.



**You have gained Domain - Fire**

**Domain of Fire**
The source of Life or Its End. Fire, an eternal force, signifies both creation and destruction. In the vast expanse of the cosmos, it stands as the beginning and the end, a symbol of energy's raw power.

(Your Portfolio grants you authority over certain aspects within your domain. Depending on your location the authority shows you how much power you hold over a portfolio)

**Portfolios
Flames:The essence of fire, from the smallest spark to raging infernos. Abel commands the very substance of flame, igniting and extinguishing it at will.

Heat: The warmth and scorching temperatures that fire produces. Abel controls heat, capable of raising or lowering temperatures in an instant.

Destruction: The power to consume and annihilate through fire. Abel revels in the chaos and ruin that flames bring, reducing all to ashes.

Passion: The intense emotions that burn within, from love to rage. Abel stirs the hearts of mortals, inflaming their desires and angers.



Abel could not and did not try to stop the smile that spread on his face. Neither did he think twice to grab and call upon the flames that spread past him. His smile jerked as he realized his limiter. 'Essence'. Grimcrusher appeared in his palm and with a flap and blast of the fires around him he tore through the storm and straight for the source.

'Essence won't stop this'. The fires he drew flowed and poured into his Mace. In one second he was right beneath the monster. Reptilian eyes locked on him. Abel was not the kind of person to bask in another's death. Even criminals. A life was precious. He stood by that. Unfortunately for the dragon, this was a game as far as he was concerned and even if it wasn't he never held back against murderous humans let alone beasts.

His Mace felt heavy from all the fire it was dragging in its demonic skull head. He didn't care. His muscles bulged as he swung it up in an upper cut that the dragon had neither the time, speed or weight to dodge.

The collision was Abyssic. The blast of force and power terrific. It's head snapped up and the long serpentine neck followed. His fangs peeked out of his mouth as he smiled wider. The weight in his Mace doubled as more fire was sucked in and more of his essence vanished. Only a quarter left.

He envisioned himself next to that large throat. The fires around him imploded him. Then exploded right in front of his destination reforming him.

"Haha". He laughed as he swung.

BOOM!!

A choked and gurgled roar escaped the things maw. But it was still alive. Just choking on its crushed throat and lower jaw.. Darkness gathered above. Abel's eyes glinted. He didn't expect or see any lightning. After all this was no Thor.

"It's My Melody". A streak of black like an orbital strike from the darkness struck the Dragon's skull.


_


A moment ago.



"Run!". Melody understood that tone. It was danger. She grew up with it. She didn't need to see why. Her feet turned her body. Her eyes found her destination.

Umbra Dash.

BOOM!!

The roar and raging of heat, fire and pressure behind her was ignored. She half sunk and Shadow glided. Then jumped out and kept running. She leaped over obstacles using them as footholds to dart forward. Her wings flapped, her legs kicked. She was half flying half running.

"Go. Go". Telemra screamed at her from her shadow. But the shadow was shrinking rapidly. The next boulder she leaped off was evidence as she spun like an arrow facing the fire for just a minute. It was at her toes.

Darkness was not fast. Compared to light it lacked speed. Shadow gliding would leave her inside the darkness when the fire roared over her. She could feel the heat roasting the tips of her wings. Then a shadow leaped out from behind a boulder.

"Anario". The wrapped her wings and the scorching stopped.

"Devil say. Run".

"Where?". Risking a glance to her side she couldn't see the end of the chasing fire.

"Devil stop. Send me. We slow. Us protect you".

Melody wasn't dense or naive as much as she looked so. If the devil couldn't outrun it and he knew then he'd sent Anario to protect her. 'But it's a game'. She didn't see why he would bother if he knew it wasn't real death.

Telemra melded with her body.

"Telemra no!. Go!". The spawn's shout sounded desperate. Melody didn't like it. It was similar. It was like her brother blocking their father's belt strokes. Urging her to stay back. That was real life. And now she and her brother lived separately from that monster of a man. Still she'd never for once protected her brorher. Even when he left for school he made sure to take her with him.

Melody bit down on her lower lip. This was a game. If she was going to die then it wasn't real. She grabbed at the spawns. There was nothing heroic about her actions. The spawns were as real as the game made them. They'd said nothing about a respawn mechanic. The Spawns screeched as they were bundled and tossed into the shadows at her feet. How she did it didn't even cross her mind as she spun.

"Like Big Bro". Her expression was illuminated by the bright light as the Wal of fire crashed down on her. Melody didn't feel fear. She just wanted to hide from the light. To keep the spawns hidden from the light. That was all she saw. The light to reveal her hiding position. The sway and bob reminding her of her father's torch as he searched for her in the dark corners of their house.

Her lips moved. Words tumbling out. Silent and yet audible only to her ears. "You can't see me". The flames roared past.

Darkness. Silence. Just nothing. Her skin tingled as she felt the attention of something on her. Two purples stars fixated on her. Then they were gone. Hidden in the darkness. Melody felt like smiling but had no cheeks. She didn't understand why.

She was standing on soldi ground. Melody didn't get why standing on ground stood out to her. She was in the center of a green plain. Hills and mountains to the distance blocking off the horizon. 'Where am I?'.

The familiar sound of wings beating alerted her. Without a body it was impossible for her tó move. She could only see. It was a dragon. But this one was bigger and quite different from the one they were battling. The difference was like night and day. The dragon's wings were spread wide as it moved overhead. As it crossed, Melody noted the shadows it cast on the plains. These shadows stretched and twisted, enveloping everything in sight. With each beat of its wings the dragon shaped the shadows into living entities that went forth in all directions. Then the dragon vanished into the horizon leaving behind the shadows it brought. Looking back she noticed a form standing in the middle of the plain to her left. It was in a part of the plains that had not been covered by the dragon's Shadow. The shadowy figure raised an arm. Even from the distance she could see the purple orbs similar to the stars. She witnessed it manipulate the shadows around it, weaving them into various forms. A single shadow split into a multitude, creating an army of indistinguishable figures that melted into the surroundings. Melody saw one explaination. The shadows were hers to bend to her will, using them to cloak her presence, create illusions, and strike fear into any like her father. She has the authority to use them as long as she knew what she wanted both as a defensive and offensive tool.

She was back in the darkness with the purple stars. Then the darkness vanished. She stood in a world plunged into night. The shadowy figure was there, its hand raised. The darkness deepened suddenly with a flex of its fingers. It was like it took a button and dialed tfrom 10 to 0. The land was wrapped in a thick, impenetrable veil. Nocturnal creatures stirred from nowhere and everywhere.

Above the same dragon circled. She noticed the white tiny stars in the night sky for the first time and watched them twinkle faintly, their light barely penetrating the thick darkness. The dragon's influence dominated the night, guiding the creatures that thrived in the dark and altering the very fabric of nocturnal life. She could see them shake and shiver, their roars grateful, their heads bending to laud her. They were empowered by the absence of light and were grateful for it.

She could feel the pulse of night's majesty and her connection to it. Sense and understand how to command the hours of darkness, influencing and commanding the creatures of the night and bend the world to her will and controlling the actions that unfold when the shadows shroud and the sun sets. 'More faith points'.

The darkness came back with the Purple stars. Melody waited for the scene to change. But it didn't. This time she saw the dragon appear. It shot past her silently without any pressure or wind. Only when it got to the stars did she see how large it grew as it went. It grabbed the two purple stars in its hind paws and the light was snuffed.

Yet she could see somehow. See the shadowy figure appear and grab the dragon's paws. Slowly and without strain the paw was opened, claws peeled back for light to spill into the darkness. Melody didn't like the light but it didn't stop the understanding from becoming present. The darkness harbored secrets, protecting them or revealing them to those who seek power. She understood how to uncover hidden truths, wielding the power of secrets as both a weapon and a shield. But it wasn't just about secrets. More things could be hidden. Edges, cards and more. She could either release these knowledge into the world or keeps them buried forever. She felt the power of secrets and things unseen, knew how to uncover them, protect them, or wield them to manipulatez help or bring down others. Guarding Secret Knowledge.

The stars vanished. The plains returned. Green and bountiful. Creatures, She tried to remember their names. 'Verdanis' stood in a scattered crowd wielding weaposn. The sun vanished covered by a large and round sphere and she could see the wave of pure, unrelenting terror that engulfed the Verdanis To the side she watched the Shadowy figure feed on this fear. Streams of black and purple flowing to it. It grew larger with it each of the strrams empowering it, with every terrified breath of those around it.
The figure appeared amidst them and she could see the fear increase. Melody didn't like this one.

Looking up showed the dragon. But it was different now. Where it was simply flying around uncaringly it was diving down like a black missile of death. It's eyes glowing with a terrifying intensity, and Melody could feel and see the fear radiating from every being below spike in intensity. The understanding that came was not appreciated. It was like showing her everything her father was.

She understood how to draw on this primal emotion, using fear to dominate, control, and subdue both enemies and followers, feeding on the terror they create to grow even stronger. She learned how to instill it with a glance, a word, or a simple shift in the darkness.

She was back in the stars. Then she felt herself dragged to them. Melody kept thinking about the fear she could cause. How it was similar to what her father could do. Yet she couldn't help but wonder how he would feel before her. The reminder it was nothing but a game saddened her.

The Spawns hid in caves to avoid the Wolves or whatever they were called. The dragons terrorized from the sky. And she knew the spawns also were terrified of the Behemoths. All creatures who brought fear. Knowingly or unknowingly.

The pull became gravity and she found herself in the realm. Shooting for a black ball within the raging storm of fire. To the side she found a crazy sight. Abel held his Mace and had a sadistic grin on his face as he looked ahead. She didn't need to look to know. It was the dragon.

She gasped as she entered her body. Her arms were up and from them poured shadows. Anario and Telemra were still fighting their spherical cell. She willed the orb shrink and coat her. Dragged the sphere holding her spawns. Yes they were hers. No one would make them feel fear again in their own world.

She spread her wings. The Orb clinging to her skin like jelly. She flapped and jumped simultaneously shooting like a black bullet out of the storm and skyward.