Shadow's Rising {Wing 5} Chapter 12

Author's note: The bolded lines within this chapter are meant to be in the dragon language but I have left them in human for ease of reading and reviewing.

Chapter 12

Through the fire and the flame

Jarid could hardly believe his eyes. Lt. Briar was standing just inside the clearing, but he was far different now than when they had last fought. Before, he had been fighting Lt. Briar the physical combat instructor, now he would be up against Lt. Briar the dragon knight warrior.

After the initial shock, Jarid was slightly surprised by the lack of fear he felt. The armor and dragon were certainly intimidating but he felt nowhere near the same magical aura coming off him as Brazor. Even the Flame Wing wasn’t the scariest dragon he had seen recently. In fact, he rather felt sorry for it. He had no doubt Briar treated it terribly.

“Ha, ha! That’s right, peasant. Cower in the face of noble power!” Dominic laughed. “Shall I cut off his escape sir?”

Lt. Briar growled angrily at his interruption. His furious gaze turned to the young man beside him. “What do you think you can do? You pathetic excuse for a noble. You allowed yourself to be beaten multiple times by this coward, and even shamed the honor of nobility by fleeing in fear from him!”

He grabbed Dominic by his neck and lifted him off the ground. Dominic’s legs flailed and his hands plucked helplessly at the thick fingers encircling his neck.

“I brought him here didn’t I? I did as you asked. Why?” he wheezed.

“I will not allow you to further shame us. If you wish to reclaim even the slightest ounce of honor as a noble, you can serve me as my hostage. There is no greater honor than dying for the cause of a noble. You should know that.”

Dominic’s eyes widened before becoming downcast as he stopped struggling.

“Hmph. seems you know your place,” Lt. Briar grunted before turning his gaze to Jarid.

“I know you commoners don’t have the guts to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve victory. But you… you even saved the one who betrayed you when the slavers came. Such weakness cannot be allowed to poison the nobility any further. If you try to flee I will kill this boy and come after you on my dragon. If you escape I will start killing your friends until you return to fight me. You can’t run away. So come here boy. I will feed your flesh to my dragon and scatter your bones across this forest.”

Jarid was slightly grateful for Briar’s little speech. It had given him plenty of time to re-compose himself, but now he was sick of it. All his old anger was slowly bubbling to the surface. After activating both his mana cloak and physical enhancement he walked across the field towards his opponent. Jarid closed his eyes as he walked forward focusing on his mana and entering the first stage of the dragonthro transformation.

Lt. Briar grinned and held Dominic in front of him like a shield. “There are no dirty tricks in war boy. I will show you the power of a true dragon knight!”

Briar sprinted forward and threw a flame-enhanced punch with his free hand. Jarid’s expression was one of calm fury. He leaned to the side as the punch grazed his barrier, then he placed a hand on Lt. Briar’s breastplate.

“Huh? What do you think you’re-”

Lt. Briar’s armor cracked as Jarid squeezed it before blasting him back with a small explosion in the palm of his hand. The blow sent Briar flying out of the clearing and into the trees. Brazor had called the technique of using small explosions to create force, deflagration. Jarid had enjoyed learning its uses.

Dominic dropped to the ground as the force caused Lt. Briar to lose his grip. Dominic coughed and drew in raspy breaths. Then he gritted his teeth with a glance at Lt. Briar.

“He’s insane. How could he do that to someone?”

Jarid couldn’t believe the irony. “Ha. You are no different, Dominic. In fact, if you continue as you are, I have no doubt you will become just like him. He truly believes he is better than you, just as you did for me. Your refusal to believe otherwise has blinded you and prevented you from any chance at real growth. Leave or stay I don’t really care, just don’t get in my way.”

Dominic cowered under Jarid’s gaze while his face fell in shame. Jarid ignored him and turned towards the Flame Wing. He reached up and crushed the mind gem on its forehead. The dragon’s body wobbled as if unfamiliar with how to stand on its own. Jarid quickly removed the rest of the riding gear strapped to its back.

Standing in front of the dragon he held its head in his hands and pet its snout compassionately.

Leave quickly before your master returns. I am sorry for the pain we have caused. He whispered to the dragon.

The dragon’s eyes widened in surprise and confusion. Then Jarid pushed its head away to get it moving. The Flame Wing glanced back even as it moved away, flapping its wings awkwardly to get off the ground.

Jarid watched it go but the moment was interrupted by the sound of trees crashing down and an arrogant laugh from the edge of the clearing. He turned back to find Dominic had fled and Lt. Briar was emerging from the crumbling trees he’d been knocked into.

“Ha, ha, ha. It seems I was not the only one holding back in our last fight. But I don’t want to play around with you this time,” Lt. Briar spoke, his voice dropping to an ominous growl. “I just want you to die.”

With a yell he threw out a stream of flame at Jarid while leaping forward to deliver a mighty blow.

Jarid saw it coming and sighed. The attack seemed so simple after everything Brazor had put him through. In fact, he was beginning to see this as more as a chance to test his abilities than as a deadly battle. So he decided to use only flames and experiment with everything he had been taught. Jarid condensed a fireball and threw it at Lt. Briar.

The fireball easily cut through the loosely spread flames and impacted Briar before he could even see it. This was quickly followed up by Jarid launching himself towards his opponent with deflagration beneath his feet. The fireball surprised and stunned Briar for a moment, giving Jarid the opportunity to punch him hard in the gut.

Lt. Briar was a seasoned warrior and, almost on instinct, he turned to absorb the blow and threw his own punch at Jarid’s midsection. The blow landed on Jarid’s mana shield which absorbed the damage and allowed Jarid time to react and grab Lt. Briar’s arm before flipping him and throwing him down into the ground. 

Jarid landed and dusted himself off. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he mulled over the impact, or rather, the lack of it. He had hardly felt anything from his opponent's blow.

Lt. Briar quickly scrambled to his feet and roared with rage at the sight of Jarid standing there calmly, before charging him with flame-enhanced fists.

They traded blows with Jarid’s mana shield and Lt. Briar’s armor taking the brunt of the hits. As the fight wore on, pieces of Lt. Briar’s armor began coming off. First his vambraces, then his shoulder guards, his leg pieces and shoes. At last his helmet cracked under the heat and he removed it to clear his vision. As he did so, Jarid used his opponent's temporary blindness to land a clear blow on his face causing him to stumble back. His breastplate was the only piece of armor left on him. The feeling of his fist striking flesh at full force felt disgusting even through the mana shield. 

Jarid shook off the feeling and prepared for Lt. Briar to launch back at him, but the Lt. had paused. He looked at Jarid with hatred and spat out some blood.

“You can’t beat me boy. You can’t escape your tainted blood. Today will end with one of us dead but no matter who it is, I’ve already won. If you kill me, you and your family will be executed for murdering a noble. And if I win…” he smiled with sadistic joy. “I’ll kill everyone you love, slowly.”

A wave of cold washed over Jarid. Lt. Briar opened his mouth to speak but before he could, Jarid dashed forward and punched him in the chest, shattering his breastplate and sending him through one tree and into the next. Lt. Briar coughed up more blood but his teeth clenched in a mad grin even as the blood dripped down his face.

“It’s useless! No matter how strong you are. You will never be able to protect them!” he roared as he launched a barrage of his fastest and strongest spells.

This time Jarid didn’t even bother dodging or using any spells. He simply strengthened his magic barrier and walked towards him. The heat of these flames was barely any hotter than simply walking through the Fire Mana zone. His rage now fueled him as his eyes glowed with draconic magic.

Lt. Briar watched in horror as Jarid seemed to simply walk through the hellfire of flames he was sending his way. He scrambled back and threw out his hand, letting out a stream of flame so intense the grass blackened and the nearby trees were charred.

Jarid continued to walk forward, slow and steady. A deep and menacing growl grew in his throat. His outline black against the raging flames except for his glowing draconic eyes.

Lt. Briar’s eyes widened as far as they would go as he froze at the peak of his fear. Jarid grabbed his arm, cutting off the flames. Then he bent it back until it snapped. Lt. Briar cried out in pain as tears welled up in his eyes. His fear finally tipped over into madness as he started laughing once more.

“Y-You can’t kill me. Ha, ha, ha! I am a noble. I am invincible! Kill me. Just try it. You will never escape. I’ve won! Ha, ha, haaaaaaagh!”

Jarid couldn’t bear to hear the sound of his voice anymore. Grabbing him by the throat, he slammed Lt. Briar against a tree and held him there with magically enhanced strength. Jarid could see the fear in his eyes, but what shocked him was that the cruelty and arrogance never left his gaze even now. Jarid had no doubt he would follow through with his threat if he let him go.

Yet, even so…

Something within him wouldn’t let him crush this monster’s throat. His anger drained away as he was confronted by the reality of killing another person. Could he really do it? Was there no other way? He had always believed that anyone could be redeemed if given the chance, but now he wasn’t so sure.

The smell of blood and the feeling of Lt. Brair's throat in his hands made him want to vomit. He could see the broken bone sticking out of Brair's arm and it made his own arm tremble. As his magic weakened so did his grip on Lt. Briar’s throat. 

The Lt. gasped and pulled at Jarid’s fingers. He could see Jarid’s hesitation and a goblin-like grin split his hideous face.

“You can’t do it. Can you, boy? And here I thought you’d be used to it considering how you dealt with those slavers. But deep down you’re just a scared commoner child. A true warrior wouldn’t hesitate to end his opponent’s life, but you are no warrior. You are no Dragon Rider,” he hissed.

Jarid’s grip tightened again and he raised his fist, charged with fire magic to deal the final blow. His face a grimace, trembling as he tried to force a look of fury. Tears ran down his face from the swirling emotions within.

“He is more of a dragon rider than you will ever be,” a calm and gruff voice spoke from behind Jarid.

The surprise and mess of emotions swirling within him caused Jarid to lose concentration on his magic as he spun around.

“Gunther!?” he called in surprise and relief.

Gunther nodded and came up to Jarid, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Being able to kill does not make you a warrior, and certainly not a dragon rider. The true strength of both is knowing when to spare a life. But you are still young. Such a decision should not be forced upon you yet. Though I fear it won’t be much longer. When such a time comes, remember this. A strong man can kill the weak and defend themselves, but the strongest of men is the one who can defeat the strong while defending the weak. Hesitation can mean death when facing an opponent as strong as you are, so don’t worry about your opponent’s life more than your friends’. Don’t regret it when you make a wrong call. Learn from it and move forward.”

That is how you turn the defeat of failure into the victory of growth, Jarid remembered.

Then Gunther moved past Jarid to stand before Lt. Briar choking on the ground. He glanced over his shoulder.

“You should get back to the academy. When that boy from Grey Squad told me what was happening, Ben had just lost his round. Move quickly since your round may be starting shortly. Don’t worry. I will deal with this man.”

Jarid hesitated for a moment but slowly started backing away. Then he turned and ran, picking up speed as he shook off the horrors of that moment. The smell of blood and smoldering trees hung in his nose long after he had left the clearing, but he couldn't afford to linger on what had happened there. He had to focus. Shadow was counting on him. If Steven lost too, then he would be the only thing standing between Black Squad and utter defeat.

With a burst of wind magic he rocketed off towards the academy, The guards at the gate seemed especially slow letting him back in but the moment the doors opened he sprinted towards the dragon dome. He could hear the chatter of the crowd as he drew closer and when he burst into the arena the crowd cheered with a sound like thunder echoing off the mountain.

The official announced above the crowd. “And Jarid of Black Squad enters the arena with nine seconds before disqualification!”

Jarid was breathing hard and it felt like his lungs were going to explode. Placing his hands on his knees he caught his breath for a moment before walking to the far side of the area where there was a large raised platform at the beginning of an intricate obstacle course. On the platform Logi stood waiting with his hand out for Jarid to shake.

Jarid hopped up onto the platform and went to shake Logi’s hand. As he did so Logi smiled triumphantly and dropped his hand. Jarid stood confused for a moment before the official cried out, “Ooooh! It looks like Jarid was unable to shake his opponent’s hand before time ran out. Therefore he is disqualified!”

The crowd roared in disapproval, they had been excited to see the upcoming match, but Jarid hardly noticed. He froze, unable to accept what had just happened. The lid he had hurriedly shoved over his emotions on the way here was now blown away. He was struggling just to keep his magic in check as his mind roiled.

What did this mean? It wasn’t fair! Who did this? The nobles. They cheated! My fault. Didn’t make it in time. What will happen to Shadow? My fault…

Ariel ran out into the arena and yelled at the official. “Jarid was here in time. It was never stated to any of us that we were required to shake hands. This is completely unfair!”

“Tsk, tsk, young lady,” the official replied in a superior, knowing voice. “If you had bothered to read article 60, subsection 9, clause 21, you would have known that in the event of absence for any official match a countdown will begin; giving the participant exactly one and a half minutes to enter the arena and shake their opponent’s offered hand so the match can begin. Perhaps if you were as studious as Logi you could have warned him. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”

Jarid was still lost in the maelstrom of his thoughts when Logi interrupted them with a pitying laugh.

“Too bad, peasant. Unfortunately the will of the nobility is law, and that law is infallible. Your way of thinking puts our way of life at risk. Don’t get too down on yourself though. You never stood a chance. Besides, who really cares about the lives of a few dragons anyway?”

Jarid’s fists clenched and a dark aura of magic began leaking out as his entire body trembled with barely controlled rage. He quickly turned and walked away before he did something they would both regret. The platform cracked and groaned behind him as he left and the sand steamed slightly all the way to the edge of the arena.

He wasn’t about to give Logi the satisfaction of losing control. This wasn’t over yet. They were tied now and there was one event left. He would save his magic until then. No matter what, they were going to win.

No matter what, he was going to rescue Shadow.