Dragon 1 Chapter 19 (Patreon)

Scarlett walked next to me, her arm looped into mine as she peered up. “You’ve got this.” She’d been repeating encouragements throughout our walk to Bumps in the Night. I wasn’t sure if it was for me or herself, but it was nice to hear, regardless.

As we walked up, I was struck by how different it looked in the light of day from the night. All the scuffs and imperfections were easier to see, worn and showing the building’s history.

In the strobe lights and darkness, it hid the imperfections at night, just like the paranormal that frequented the bar at night. As we walked in, they were all sitting around in plain sight, playing cards or eating a meal. You’d think that was dangerous, but who would go into a nightclub during the day?

“Hello Zach. And you must be Scarlett! I do hope you enjoyed last night.” Morgana came down from her balcony with a little teasing smile on her face. She gave Scarlett a kind smile before her focus shifted to me, her face becoming serious. “Ready for the fight?”

“You talk about it as if it isn’t a big deal. It’s a fight to the death, Morgana.” I met her at the bottom of the stairs. Scarlett followed close to my side.

“Maybe I wouldn’t mind either outcome after you sunk my jag in the Delaware river.” She shrugged and managed to say it with a straight face. A part of me paused as she held it, but then she broke into a big smile. “Though maybe I did have some involvement in that cop case before I ditched you with the car. Really, it’s hard to say who is fully to blame.” I gave her a look, letting her know just who I thought was to blame.

Scarlett looked between the two of us. “Wait, I saw that on the news. That was you?”

I sighed. “Yes. Morgana and I were chasing after the pack that kidnapped Jadelyn. Morgana jumped out of the car and told me to lose the cops. And, she did not say anything about needing to return the car in one piece, so I think I was totally within the bounds of my instructions.” I gave Morgana a look, waiting to see if she took the bait.

“Semantics. But it’s true. That’s why I didn’t take it out of your cut. Cost of doing business, I suppose. At least that one wasn’t a rare model.” I tried not to think too deeply about the fact that Morgana talked about losing the expensive car like I would talk about ruining a shirt.

“So, what do I need to know about this duel? I’m not feeling totally prepared.” I started making my way to the back of the club. I had a feeling the atrium would be our means to get to wherever the duel was taking place.

“Right. Do you want to help Scarlett?” I appreciated that Morgana made the effort to include her in the conversation.

Scarlett hesitated before seeming to decide. “Here are the basic rules. Each participant gets to choose their open weapon. You have to take off your shirt to show you aren’t wearing any armor, but you can wear enchanted items. And, that’s really about it. From there, you fight to the death, and anything goes really.” She looked to Morgana for more information. “I’ve only seen one. I’m not really an expert.”

“Simon is over a hundred years old. So, he’s skilled enough that you have no hope of winning in the skill department. Imagine fighting me with a sword if I was really trying to kill you. That’s what you’re going up against.”

That did not paint a pretty picture. Was I screwed? “What weapon should I choose?”

“He’ll choose a sword. Almost every elf is trained in the sword as part of our early education. You don’t happen to have any hidden skills with a weapon?”

I shook my head, trying to stay optimistic, but the ability to do that was fading by the moment.

“Grab the mace then. The spikey end should go into his skull if you can manage it.”

A snort came from Scarlett over my shoulder. “Sorry.” She added sheepishly.

“It’s okay. I think I can handle that. Spikey mace to the face.”

“Simon won’t be a pushover. If you have the chance to grapple with him, that’s your best bet. Throw down your weapon if you have a chance to grab him and pull him to the ground. Once you are grappling, he’ll still have skill, but your strength has a much better chance of overpowering him.”

We had continued our way through Bumps in the Night, reaching the atrium.

Morgana opened a door we’d gone through before, and I found myself back in the council chamber in the lower circle that was scuffed and burnt.

Jadelyn was there already, smiling and coming to give me a hug. “Thank you for standing up for me; I’m sorry that you got tangled in this duel. Don’t forget that bracer if it can protect you.” She put her hand to my arm where the metal bracer sat under my suit jacket.

I nodded in thanks, and she turned to Scarlett. “You give him a good time before he goes off to battle?”

Scarlett rolled her eyes, swatting Jadelyn away. Pausing before they headed off, Scarlett walked up and wrapped her arms around me, pressing her body against me as she gave me a deep kiss. It was a little awkward with the others around, but I savored it anyway, not sure if we’d get more dates.

When she finished, Jadelyn gave a little whistle, earning herself another half glare from Scarlett. Both girls dissolved into whispers and giggles as they walked away to where the council sat along the top.

I looked around. It seemed like we’d gotten to the site a bit early. Not everybody was there yet. We waited for a bit down at the floor level before a member came over, giving me a brief greeting as they headed up to their seat. It felt more like a spectator sport as they all jostled for front row seats.

Unlike last time, more than the council was showing up; it seemed like it must be open to the public.

I was more than a little nervous, which only increased when I saw the next two people who came through the doors. “Hello Rupert, Detective Fox.”

Rupert gave me a slow nod and then looked up to his daughter and Scarlett. “I hear Scarlett was with you last night.” The detective beside him narrowed his eyes at me in a way that only a protective father could. “I want you to understand that the Fox family works for us, and our safety will always take priority for them.”

Detective Fox nodded in agreement, eying me for a moment before he spoke. “I have no reason to object to you dating my daughter. And as long as it stays that way, you are welcome to pursue her. But you will always be second to Jadelyn. Always.”

It felt like they were trying to chase me off. They were likely used to Chad and other alpha types that couldn’t handle not being first in everything. I’d definitely had her full attention the night before, and her whispers of even more attention on our second date. They wouldn’t chase me away from her so easily. She already felt like mine.

Up on the balcony, Scarlett was glaring at her father as he walked up. She looked between her father and me, clearly curious about what we’d talked about. Jadelyn nudged her, and they went back to whispering back and forth. Jadelyn seemed more like her best friend than anything else from the way they interacted.

“Do not worry about that right now. They were in very poor form to talk to a combatant like that. I do hope they remember those words when they discover what you are.” Morgana said from my side. “Just think about everyone's face when you win. I cannot wait. I haven’t been this excited in a long time. It’s difficult to get one over on the elves.”

I nodded absently, my mind wandering all over as I greeted a few more people. I paused, realizing one face I hadn’t seen. “Is Brent or someone from his pack coming?”

Morgana shook her head slowly. “It would seem not, because here comes Simon.”

Simon came up wearing something like a martial arts gi, but it was too long. It was more like a gi mixed with a wizard’s robe. With him were several elves that looked past their prime, which meant they were old as dirt.

“Greetings challenged. Both of you may enter the arena.” One of the older elves spoke. His face twisted in disgust as he noticed Morgana. “Morgana, please join us to watch the duel.”

“Of course.” She nodded before giving me one last look. “Just remember.”

“Yep. Mace to the face.” I laughed, but it showed my nerves.

Morgana didn’t laugh, instead looking me in the eye and saying, “You can do this. I didn’t put all this work and food into you for nothing.” She winked as she turned to head up with the rest to view.

In that moment, I felt truly on my own for the first time since entering the para world. It was a surreal moment. The training wheels had fallen off, and I was hurtling down a hill. I was about to find out if I could stay upright or crash down into the asphalt.

“Inside.” Simon jerked his head. His punchable Elven face was neutral. He was taking it seriously, and I needed to too.

“Participants. Today we have a duel to settle an altercation that started with one Zach, a lost one new to our world, who physically challenged Simon Greenleaf.” Apparently, Jadelyn’s father was hosting this duel, as his voice continued to ring out across the arena. “Our traditions are what keep us from descending into barbarism, and they must be upheld. A duel to the death has been issued in response to the altercation.” He looked back at his daughter, who nodded firmly. “Given that the offender was new to our culture, I would like to offer one last time to withdraw from this situation and work it out through other means.”

Rupert surprised me with that. I hadn’t thought he’d try to help me get out of the duel at the last moment. I had a feeling Jadelyn and Scarlett, who were on the edges of their seats, had some influence in that decision.

“We of the Elven council have considered the matter, and we can certainly be reasonable within the circumstances. If the offender removes his own arm, we will consider this behind us.” The elf nodded, while murmurs of agreement sounded around him from the other elves.

“What?” It burst out of me before I could hold the exclamation in check. By the stares I got, it was in poor form, but I didn’t care. I’d literally stood up in front of another para, and they thought a fair punishment would be to remove an arm? “I will not cut off my arm. All I did was to stand as he spewed insults. Offer declined.” A growl entered the last bit of my statement, my beast beginning to rise.

The elves glared daggers down at me. I had a feeling that if looks could kill, I’d be coughing blood. But there were a few murmurs in the crowd from the non-elves that seemed more on my side. I caught one person close by murmuring. ‘Heavy handed even for them.’

Morgana had chosen not to sit in a seat, instead sitting on the lip of the raised platform, her legs dangling down. Her voice projected out as she smiled up at the audience. “I’ll give the elves a counteroffer. If you kill Simon’s father for teaching him so poorly, we’ll voluntarily withdraw. I think when this is done, you’ll be surprised.”

Damn, Morgana could bluff.

“Ludacris!” the elves shouted, their eyes raging. “This duel goes on. And on a personal note, I hope you soon crawl back into whatever demon hole you came out of, Morgana. Your entire family should be dug up from their root tree for their impurities.”

Morgana was still, but it was as if the room had just plunged into a polar vortex. I didn’t get the whole meaning of what he’d said without knowing the importance of the root tree, but it was clear that it was something that went deep in eleven heritage.

Rupert slammed down on the stone lip, getting everyone’s attention. “It would seem no concessions are to be made here today. I see Simon has a weapon already. Zach, would you like a weapon of your choice?”

“A mace.” I said, remembering Morgana’s last-minute advice. I guess it was time. I shucked off my shirt and folded it in the corner, hoping I’d be back for it.

Someone I didn’t recognize approached and tossed the weapon down. It bounced off the stone floor, and I scooped it up, hefting it in one hand.

“This is a fight to the death, but mercy may be made at surrender. Attempting to climb out of the ring or use the exit will be considered forfeit, and your life surrendered. Bow to each other, for you should always respect your opponent, lest they get the better of you.”

Turning back, Simon had his robe off his shoulders and hanging from his waist right there, along with a gleaming sword. Simon did a flourish and bowed at the waist quickly, while I just did a quick bob like one of Morgana’s servants.

“Fight.”

At that single word, Simon flowed across the arena, not wasting a second. His sword flashed dangerously towards my chest. There was no doubt, no hesitation as he struck to take my life.

I stumbled backwards, trying to get enough room for the mace to be effective, swinging up hard.

His sword dinged as the two weapons struck, but the sound was so soft, so light, that it didn’t even surprise me as it danced around my mace and swept towards me again.

Simon held one hand behind his back in a fencer's stance as his sword continued to weave forward. I remembered Jadelyn’s bracer and while still holding my mace; I grabbed my other wrist, bringing up the magical shield in time for his sword to scrape the edge.

I pushed forward, using the shield like a battering ram.

For the first time, Simon had to go on the defensive and stepped back, rapidly trying to circle around me. I continued using the shield to batter him away.

“I see.” was all Simon said as he made space between the two of us. I was glad to find that he wasn’t quite as fast as Morgana, but he still moved with a quick grace and a speed that would be beyond the top of human capability.

He reminded me the next moment what made elves supernatural. “Invoktis.” He swished his sword and a small whirlwind sprung up between us and engulfed me.

Once again, I cursed at my lack of mass as the wind picked me up and spun me for just a second. The moment was long enough to feel a sting creep along my back with a new cut, as Simon struck in my moment of disorientation.

I landed, growling at him. The beast hadn’t appreciated the dizzying spell or the cut. It was angry, and it was ready for blood.

“What are you?” Simon asked, looking at me growl. “Some kind of animal? Be civil or I’ll sever your head right here.”

Something wasn’t quite right, though. He had made every effort to end this quickly from the start. It didn’t fit with the shallow wound I felt in my back. He had a chance to end me.

I saw the slightest glimpse of uncertainty on his face now. “You couldn’t cut that deep.” I said aloud, realizing it in that moment. He didn’t have the same strength as Morgana or a werewolf.

“Your blood isn’t limitless.” He snorted. “Invoktis.”

I expected another whirlwind, but I was shot backwards by the same spell he had hit me with that day in the club. Slamming against the back wall of the arena, I could smell my own blood. I stood up, guessing I’d left behind a smear of blood on the wall, but ignored it.

Once again, I raised the magical shield in time to deflect his next attack. Pushing off the wall, I charged him, scooping him up on the shield and plowing forward.

He rolled off my shield at a strange angle and come down on his feet to my side, his sword flashing dangerously before it tore at my ribs. I felt pain, but I could confirm my suspicions. His blade wasn’t able to sink more than skin deep. He did, however, manage a foot-long cut along my ribs.

My body clarified that while not deep, the cut was not pleasant as pain lanced up my side, and I was slow to bring the mace up for the next attack. As a result, the hit caught dangerously close to my fingers.

I could feel the beast prowling in my chest, but something was wrong. It was holding back, almost like it had decided to sit this one out. That was not okay with me, and the last thing I needed was my beast to throw some sort of fit. I tried to channel it and focus on my draconic instincts, but it did nothing.

It watched the fight angrily as I took small losses again and again. I was slowly being worn down. Simon’s skill, plus his ability to disorient and toss me around with his magic, was a lot to keep up against.

My toughness was all that kept me on my feet as he expertly carved my torso with dozens of cuts. It didn’t matter that I was several times stronger than Simon. It meant nothing if every strike I managed to get in was expertly parried.

The crowd was quiet up in the stands, and I couldn’t bear to look up and see Scarlett. I couldn’t see the loss in her eyes. I knew I looked like a mess and everything was pointing in Simon’s favor.

I tried to draw up the heat I’d felt before in my own gut. The only move I had remaining was to cook him alive, as I’d done so many of my enemies up to this point. I desperately wanted to surprise him with a gout of fire to the face, but my breath was only warm with my own exertion. The dragon had failed me. For whatever reason, the beast had abandoned me.

Still, I was strong and durable to where Simon was panting and looking like he might just wear himself out if this kept up. That would be just fine with me.

Simon stepped back, and I expected another spell. But he drew out a flute from his pocket and breathed deep before putting it up to his mouth. There was no warning before the circle filled with fire.

Orange flames wrapped around me, cutting off everything else. But the heat almost called to me. Morgana had always said that one of the most important things was knowing what you were fighting. And Simon hadn’t a clue of what I was. Even if I couldn’t breathe fire, it was still a part of what I was.

As those flames wrapped around me, my clothes burnt and my nostrils filled with smoke, but I felt like I was in a comfortable sauna. The flames didn’t bother me one bit.

This was my chance. I knew I’d be hard to see in the flames and smoke. Summoning all the vigor I had left, I charged him one last time, reaching towards the source of the fire. I couldn’t see him, but I knew the source must be coming from him and that damned flute.

When my hand caught something, I latched on with all my strength and squeezed. The crackle of bones under my hand was all that told me of success, my target still hard to make out within the flames.

The fire winked out, and I could see what I’d caught. Unfortunately, I hadn’t gotten his throat, but I had crushed the bottom of his jaw.

I kept my momentum in the battle, reaching forward with my other arm and grabbing his shoulder, pulling him to me. I had confidence that once I got him in a grapple; he was done for.

“Itotssss” His words came out a slur and only a scant breeze welled up around me, but it was nothing.

Pulling him down to the ground, I manhandled the elf, who had caused me so much trouble. His sword clattered to the floor as I tossed him down on the stone floor. Showing my dominance in front of the arena of people made my beast sing in praise.

“STOP!” someone in the stands screamed just as I pulled him down and put my weight on him. I was seconds away from dismantling Simon, limb by limb.

The scream made me hesitate for just a moment. I went back to lifting his arm to pull it off as the wail continued.

“You will unhand my nephew! You will be fairly compensated for your win.” Panic filled the elves’ voice as the elf that had walked in with Simon stood, gripping the edge of the arena. Their face was bulging with tension veins.

I paused, not sure what would be the right move. My beast thrashed in my chest, angry at my hesitation.

But the distraction was enough to get my fiery blood to cool enough that my brain was mine again. The beast had sat out during the fight, and now it had to deal with my decision.

“Zach.” Morgana’s voice came from the edge of the arena. “I’ll support you whatever decision you make, but know if you let him go, they won’t miss or hurt from the money they owe you. This world is harsher than the one you know; you will need to show your resolve to keep it from wearing you down.”

“Shut up, you stupid whore.” The elf screamed, spittle flying from his mouth.

They clearly hated each other, and that only added to the complexity. Was I stepping deeper into a conflict I didn’t belong in?

My eyes drifted up to Jadelyn, who smiled, but they quickly moved to Scarlett. Her opinion meant the most to me. I didn’t want her to think me brutal if I finished this. But my beautiful woman just looked at me, drawing her thumb to her throat and slashing it across. Her message was clear, and I turned back to the task at hand.

Looking back down at Simon, making sure I didn’t underestimate him at the moment, I decided it was high time to have a quick internal chat with my beast and see if we couldn’t come to an understanding.

I felt crazy, but I talked to myself, to my beast. I… I need you, need you if I’m to survive here. I’ll do my best to be more dragon-like, but if you ever abandon me like this again, I’m going to find a way to fucking lock you away. We are a team.

The beast in me seemed to consider for a moment before I felt what seemed to be like a nod of agreement.

That settled, I let my dragon instincts win. My fingers pinched into Simon's throat hard enough to tear flesh as I savagely ripped his throat out and roared up at the council. I put all the weight of my dragon heritage into my roar.

Everyone up in the council took a step back as the smell of fear washed heavily down from them. Whatever had just happened had struck a cord not only physically, but there was something more to it. Like I had symbolically accepted more of myself. It definitely felt like a step forward towards to my draconic heritage.

The beast settled, and I could feel it come more in tune with me. It was like a mantle was settling down over my shoulder and back.

A yell of rage came from the council above, and the elf who had spoken out raised his arms as a spell came to life in his hands. Before we could find out what he was casting, Morgana was there, cutting him across his face just before he released it.

“What a disgrace, moving against the clear victor in a council-sanctioned duel. I should challenge you and your family. Dig them up from their root tree for the disgrace you just displayed.” Extra vehemence entered her tone as she spat a similar insult right back at him.

He clutched at his face, a mask of rage in the moment. “How dare you.”

“Silence.” Sebastian, who had spoken up at the council before, glared at both of them. “The duel is over. But as for you. You will regret making an enemy of the elves.” The man spat at me and turned to leave, pulling Simon’s uncle as he clutched his bleeding face.

Morgana turned down to me with a smile and a thumbs up.

I smiled back, pulling myself to my feet unsteadily. There was a blur of orange hair before Scarlett jumped down into the arena and wrapped a towel around me, kissing my cheek. She had dried tears on her face from where they must have been streaming down her face. “I knew you’d pull through.”

I rubbed away the tears, not liking them on her face. “I didn’t mean to scare you. We can talk about it later. I was having… issues.”

She shook her head hard, scattering her orange locks into my face before pulling my head down and kissing me again. “No, I should have trusted you.”

We had a moment of quiet before others were around us, and it all became a bit of a blur. Congratulations were given by those who passed by me. Some were genuine, some were clearly faked. But all seemed more wary of me than they had when they’d entered. I was joining Morgana in my excitement at what their faces would look like if they knew I was a dragon.

As they left, my injuries began catching up with me, the pain growing as my adrenaline decreased, but I stayed standing as everybody left, barely.

Morgana kept watch, ensuring no other attackers came for me. Once the arena was empty, she walked over to me. “That was a very different man down there than the one that arrived at my bar only a few days ago.”

I let that sink in.

I was changing. No longer was the top thing on my mind studying for the next exam. Whether by fate or chance, I’d stepped into something completely out of the norm. It was a part of me, and it felt more natural than I would have expected.

Putting my arm around Scarlett, I started heading out with Morgana. A nagging thought circled in the back of my head, as I remembered the few people I’d expected to see that hadn’t shown.

“Morgana, I think we should check on Brent. After what we saw those drugs do to the omega pack, I just have a terrible feeling.”

She looked at me and gave a slow nod. “Of course. It sounds like you are starting to trust your instincts. Let’s see if we can’t get you patched up first and fed. I’ll get someone to tell us where Brent is and we can make a house call.”