Shadow's Rising {Wing 6} Chapter 12 (Part 1)

Chapter 12

The Champion

Shadow felt the floor rumble beneath him as he woke. Looking around he recognized the cell he had been placed in the night before. It was a large cage, about the size of a horse stall. It would have been tight for a fully grown dragon, but for Shadow, there was just enough room to stretch out his tail and pace around a little. The cage sat on a large platform and he could hear the sounds of the crowd directly above him.

Just as he was about to listen in to hear what was going on, Shadow felt Bellum’s presence enter his mind.

It seems you have finally awoken, my precious student. Do your claws not itch in anticipation of the flesh they will tear into? He, he, he, Bellum chuckled menacingly. Though I suppose such things are not to your liking. Perhaps a fulfilling meal instead? Fresh meat always tastes the sweetest. Ha, ha, ha.

Shadow’s stomach growled despite his revulsion at the thought. He hadn’t eaten a proper meal for a while now and the guards hadn’t fed him anything today so he was practically starving. Even so…

The thought of eating a human like Jarid is… blegh, Shadow thought to himself. If I did something horrible like that, Jarid would-

Jarid, Jarid, Jarid, Bellum hissed. I cannot understand why you are so enthralled by a pathetic human. You call out for him even now when you have such a powerful teacher by your side. He is not here. I am. He cannot rescue you. I can. He is not your master. I AM!

Shadow was taken back a little bit by Bellum’s outburst but he quickly calmed himself and spoke in a far softer, more caring tone.

I apologize for my fury. I am simply vexed that after all I’ve done for you, you still don’t seem to trust me.

Shadow instantly felt bad. I do trust you, Master. I just… You see, Jarid and I are… he trailed off, unsure what to say.

I understand, my dear student, Bellum comforted, his voice sounding sweeter by the moment.

You do? Shadow asked hopefully.

Yessss. I do.

Bellum’s presence seemed to draw Shadow in until he was completely enveloped. His master’s sweet words seemed to come from all around him.

You don’t have to worry… forget, trust, obey. Just let your trust in me grow deeper… forget, trust, obey. And deeper… forget, trust, obey. Until all your worries are forgotten… forget, trust, obey. Until you can obey without thinking… forget, trust, obey. Fully trusting and obeying your Master.

Shadow’s head started to nod slowly and rhythmically as he lost himself in the bliss of his master’s words. Bellum’s presence in Shadows' mind grew even stronger as he continued.

Trusting and Obeying your master is so easy... forget, trust, obey. So natural... forget, trust, obey. Simply listen to my voice and obey. Obey by forgetting. Forgetting all about your fears. Forgetting all about your worries. Forgetting all thoughts of resisting my commands. Just Trusting and Obeying them. No more thinking. Just... Obey.

A small warning flame flickered in Shadow’s mind, telling him that something was wrong, but it was quickly swallowed by the bliss of Bellum’s words and he nodded in agreement.

Good, my wonderfully obedient student. If you continue to obey I will make you my apprentice. You will have all the power in the world, but even then you will continue to obey. Using my teachings to do all that I ask. I will give you everything you desire, and you will do everything I desire. But for this to happen you must obey. Obey and forget. Forget about him. You need only me.

Forget about Jarid.

For a moment Shadow’s mind seemed to pause as he worked through the mire of pleasant feelings to understand what he had just been told. The warning flame in Shadow’s mind was back and it was burning brightly now. Shadow shook his head as he began to notice the fog filling his mind. Shadow removed himself from Bellum’s enrapturing presence as he regained his senses.

N-no. No! I won’t forget Jarid. Why would I do that? Shadow couldn’t believe he had been on the verge of forgetting his brother.

Bellum didn’t miss a beat as he continued in his soothing tone. Perhaps I acted a bit too soon. But we are out of time. That human is holding you back from achieving your true potential. His naive ideals will prevent you from doing what is necessary to achieve your desires. I merely wished to release you from such constraints. If you are to become my apprentice you will need to let go of all that is holding you back.

Shadow shook his head. I don’t want the kind of power that means giving up my own brother. I love him.

Bellum’s tone dropped to a more serious growl. I was hoping to spare you the pain that killing the champion will have on your conscience, but you have ruined that idea. Now all I can do is to aid you in killing him. You are too weak, my stubborn pupil. You will undoubtedly hesitate when it comes time to deal the finishing blow. Allow me to control your body during this fight. Your mind is too resilient for me to take it by force, so you must disconnect yourself of your own accord.

Shadow knew it was true that he didn’t have the heart to kill someone. Perhaps that was why he felt so compelled to do as his master told him. After a brief internal struggle, Shadow agreed.

I will give you my body, Master. Just tell me how.

For a brief instant Shadow could almost see a draconic toothy grin on the mental plane as Bellum smiled. Very good. Just use the same body controlling technique I gave you to sever your own connection to your body. You can restore the connection whenever you like, so don’t worry about… Ah, the time is finally upon us.

Shadow cocked his head in confusion for a moment before the ground suddenly shook and the platform he was on began rising. As he looked upwards a hatch slid open above him and the bright sunlight blinded him. The roar of the crowd was deafening but thankfully Bellum was still blocking out their thoughts so it didn’t overwhelm him right away.

As Shadow’s eyes adjusted he found that his cage was now standing on a small raised platform in the center of the arena. He looked around and saw humans filling the stands all around him while a shimmering barrier separated them from the arena floor while still allowing them to see everything happening within. There was even a special seating area with wealthily dressed patrons sitting in it. Shadow had no idea which one was the king if he was even in attendance, but he did feel an intense gaze on him from somewhere in those seats.

A man dressed in flashy golden attire stepped out onto a platform just below the special seating area and the crowd’s cheers slowly died down into an excited murmur. The man began to speak in a loud voice and Shadow recognized him as Spectaculum, the announcer.

“Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests and noble patrons. Welcome to the final climactic battle between this year’s champion and the last of the Night Wings. I hope you are ready for a fight for the ages. Standing before you in the arena is the last of the Night Wings, captured and brought here by our own noble dragon hunters!”

The crowd roared, jeered and booed as Spectaculum gestured to Shadow. Then he held out his hand to a large gate on the far side of the arena.

“And facing him today, we have the champion who has fought his way through our tournament with skill, inhuman strength, and flame magic powerful enough to rival the mightiest Flame Wing… Sir Dra~~~~~!”

Shadow winced as a feeling like ear barotrauma overcame him. Everything started sounding muffled and his head ached. He rubbed his ear to try and ease the feeling but it didn’t help. Then he noticed the gate opening on the far side of the arena. The large black boxes around the arena started blaring a song (‘Gladiator’ by Zayde Wolf) as an armored figure slowly entered the arena. The cheers from the crowd were almost louder than the song as men roared and girls screamed before fainting into their friends arms.

The armor was not in typical gladiator style. It was made of shining silver metal and covered him from head to toe. His helmet was completely enclosed except for two eye holes that left the champion’s face in darkness. The chestplate had visibly exaggerated abs embossed on them.

Despite the situation Shadow felt a laugh bubbling up inside him, but it was not the exaggerated abs that caused this feeling, rather it was the fact that almost every inch of armor was covered in stickers!

There were stickers advertising smiths, the adventurers guild, and a few other knightly wares, but there were also stickers for a bakery, tea shop, and even a pet food store. He looked so ridiculous that Shadow could hardly believe this was really happening.

The champion raised his arms and turned around to show off both himself and the advertisements to the crowd as they applauded him. Then the music died off and a pair of squires sprinted out to the champion carrying buckets. They proceeded to quickly remove all the stickers and shine his armor before hurrying out of the gate as it closed, locking the champion in the arena with Shadow.

“And now,” Spectaculum announced, “we will bear witness to the final fight of the Night Wing tribe! This fight to the death will be one for the ages. Champion! Stand you ready?”

The champion raised his gauntlet into the air.

“Very well. Release the beast! Let the final fight of the tournament of champions… Begin!” Spectaculum shouted, clapping his hands together as a loud gong was sounded.

The cage opened and Bellum whispered into Shadow’s ear. It is time, little Night Wing. Surrender your body to me. I will help you kill this human champion and, in doing so, rescue your friends from this place.

Shadow looked at the human champion with an ache in his chest. He couldn’t see the champion's eyes so he had no idea what he was feeling and Bellum was blocking his mind reading. Perhaps he was a kind soul who was forced to fight, or he could be taking sadistic pleasure in the pain he expected to inflict. Either way, Shadow felt relieved he wouldn’t be the one fighting him.

I’m sorry.

And with that final thought, Shadow delved into his own mind and severed the connection between his mind and body.