Shadow's Rising {Wing 6} Chapter 8 (part 1)

Chapter 8

The Master

Shadow felt someone shaking him but everything was dark. All he knew was that he was falling, but he had no idea which way he was falling. Up and down became left and forwards then up and back. It made him dizzy but such was the logic of dreams.

He couldn’t form words and every time he thought he found something solid it spun away from him. He had no idea how he came to be here but he wanted the spinning to stop before he threw up. Then a dragon’s talon gripped his shoulder firmly.

Forget… Trust… Obey…

The spinning seemed to stop and he was pulled up out of the dark. Shadow tried to look at the one who had helped him but all he could make out were dark scales in the blurry light around him. He felt himself being pulled towards the entity but part of him didn’t want to leave the darkness behind. It was important to-

Forget… Trust… Obey…

The hand gripping him was trustworthy. The entity above him, safety. Like a father picking up his hatchling, Shadow was drawn upwards. The darkness below tried to reach for him. It was trying to warn him. Warn him about-

Forget… Trust… Obey…

Shadow nodded. Yes... I trust you. The darkness was forgotten now as he reached up to embrace the one who had saved him.

Forget… Trust… Obey… Obey your Master…

Shadow sat up and rubbed his neck which was stiff from sleeping at an awkward angle against the wall. He felt like he had been dreaming about something important but he couldn’t remember what it was. Oddly enough, he felt more refreshed than he had in a while.

I must have had a good deep sleep, he thought as he stood and stretched his legs, tail and wings as much as he could. He was mid-yawn when Boulder bounded over to him excitedly.

“Shadow! Aurora is back! The humans brought her back in the afternoon. We tried to wake you up but you were out cold.”

Shadow’s eyes widened as he looked around. “Really?! Where is she?” Then he spotted her, but before he could race to her side Boulder stopped him.

“She’s sleeping right now. We can’t imagine what she’s gone through, so I don’t want to wake her.”

Now Shadow noticed Aurora was curled up on the floor of the cell with Surge, the proud and cruel Storm Wing, curled protectively around her. They were both breathing slowly as they slept.

Shadow could hardly believe his eyes. In that position she looked every bit like a caring mother comforting her scared dragonet. It reminded him of something as a warm feeling glowed in the back of his mind. He was so glad to see Aurora safe. Her serene face seemed to glow in the dim light of the cell and made his heart grow warm in his chest.

Shadow turned his head to Boulder and whispered, “Thank you.”

Boulder nodded and laid down next to Hailstorm and Gale who were dozing in the warm evening sun shining through the small window.

Shadow sat near Aurora and Surge to watch them sleep. He felt like he could spend weeks just watching Aurora. Each of her breaths, so alive and warm. In the peaceful silence of the cell he felt no moment could be more perfect than this.

After a few minutes his mind began to wander and a question formed. Why is it so quiet? I thought I would hear at least a few thoughts from the humans above.

So you noticed my little present did you? Bellum’s voice answered in Shadow’s mind.

Shadow couldn’t help the smile that broke out on his face. Master! Thank you for doing all you could to save Aurora. I’m sorry for being so weak and foolish. I almost cost her her life.

Well, of course. It is my duty to help my precious student after all. Both that and the silence now are gifts, but you will need to learn how to quiet your mind on your own, so this gift is only temporary. In fact, why don’t we start there for today? I will teach you the technique you will use to block out other voices from now on. Then you must practice it until the sun fully sets.

Shadow nodded enthusiastically and bowed. It shall be done, Master.

Good. But from now on, only answer with your thoughts. We wouldn’t want anyone asking why you are bowing out of nowhere. Bellum sounded satisfied and let the mental barrier around Shadow’s mind fade away. Shadow winced but waited eagerly for Bellum’s instruction.

When you first begin, you will have to think about it consciously, but soon it shall become as natural as breathing. Since you have felt what it is like for me to place a barrier around your mind, we shall start there. Remember what it felt like. Focus on my power, the way it surrounds your mind. Feel how it creates a wall, standing between you and all the voices causing you pain. Bellum’s voice was stern and sounded full of wisdom and experience.

Shadow tried to picture it as best he could, but he couldn’t imagine his barrier being as strong as Bellum’s. The thoughts became slightly muted but Shadow couldn’t maintain his focus for long.

This is so hard, Master.

Bellum replied in a comforting tone. I never said it would be easy. However, this would be far more difficult if you didn’t have my help. Rely on me and I will make you strong. Now, try again. This time, imagine calling upon my strength to do it.

Shadow nodded and closed his eyes to try again. This time, he pictured Bellum with him in his mind, helping him set up his barrier. Bellum’s power flowing through his claws as a powerful barrier formed around his mind. The voices around him faded to faint echoes and it seemed as though the weight of keeping the barrier up became lighter. He held the barrier for almost half an hour before it failed again.

Shadow grinned. Master, I did it! I was able to keep their voices out, he said excitedly.

Good. Keep practicing and you will be able to shut out everyone but me, Bellum praised. I will have you continue training with this until your next lesson. I am quite busy, so I will only be able to teach you at certain times.

Shadow’s tail wagged happily despite his best efforts to keep his joyful response contained. Thank you, Master.

Control yourself dragonet. You are not to show any outward sign of our communication during training, Bellum warned sternly. We cannot let anyone else find out about your power. They will not accept you and some may even attack you in fear of your abilities. They can’t understand what it’s like for us. And besides, you don’t want to burden them anymore than you already have.

Shadow’s face fell and his tail laid still on the floor behind him. Okay, Master.

Good. Train hard and grow strong. You will be of great use someday. To your friends of course, Bellum added as he left Shadow’s mind.

Shadow sighed in disappointment at himself, but quickly determined that he would train as much as he could so that he could help his friends. Maybe then they would accept him. If he was strong, they had to like him.

The sunlight grew slightly dimmer as it disappeared behind the wall of the coliseum, but Bellum had instructed him to train until it truly set, so Shadow did. He blocked out the thoughts of the humans in the city above, and when his friends woke from their nap he practiced blocking them out too. Aurora didn’t wake that evening but Shadow enjoyed watching her until he fell asleep.

The next morning Shadow woke with a groan and blinked the sleep from his eyes. Then his eyes widened along with his smile as he noticed Aurora sitting next to him.

“Aurora! I’m so glad you are alright.” Shadow quickly sat up and hugged her tightly.

Aurora returned the hug. “I’m so glad to see you again, Shadow.” Thank you, Great White Dragon! I was so scared I wouldn’t see them again.

Shadow couldn’t help but chuckle. Thank Bellum. He’s the one who kept you alive long enough for that strange gladiator to save you, he thought, but didn’t say anything out loud as he squeezed her tight. All he wanted was to enjoy the warmth of her embrace as long as he could.

As the others woke up Aurora hugged each of them in turn. Shadow watched her and tried to block out everyone’s thoughts but hers so he could enjoy her gentle voice without interruption. She commented on Boulder’s rough scales but enjoyed his strength and warmth. Hailstorm’s hug was smooth and a little cold, while Tempest’s was a little tight and her scales tough. As she hugged Tempest, she noticed Shadow staring at her and smiled at him over Tempest’s shoulder.

Shadow’s scales were so smooth and soft. His hug was just right and so warm.

Shadow couldn’t help but blush and look away. He tried to block out her thoughts too but it was hard. He had already been blocking out other thoughts for some time and when he tried thinking of Bellum’s power he kept getting distracted by the memory of Aurora’s smile. His barrier collapsed and everyone’s voices rushed back in all at once making him wince.

Aurora walked over with a concerned look. “Are you alright? It looked like you hurt something when you looked away just now.” Was it something I did?

“No. I’m fine. I just thought of something painful. It wasn’t your fault,” Shadow replied with a soft smile.

Aurora sighed and nodded. She smiled a little but the concern never left her eyes. I should probably leave him alone. I just wish I knew what was bothering him. Too bad I can’t read his mind.

Shadow almost laughed bitterly out loud. I almost wish you could, he thought as she turned back to talk to the other dragonets. Then maybe you could understand. But for now, your kind thoughts are more than enough.

Oh, but there is someone who understands. 

Shadow stood up straight the instant he heard Bellum speak. Master! I completed the training you asked, and even practiced this morning while awaiting you.

Bellum’s voice took on a teaching tone. You did well to continue your practice. However, I did not tell you to allow that female’s voice through while creating your barrier.

But Aurora is my friend. I just wanted to-

She is disrupting your training, my pupil. You rely on her to ease your pain, but you cannot rely on others if you wish to become truly strong. She is a distraction that will result in bad habits. If you leave holes in your mental barrier to allow her thoughts through, you will never be able to have true peace. Perhaps once you have mastered my technique I will teach you how to listen in on another’s thoughts while maintaining your barrier, but not now.

Yes, sir. Shadow replied dejectedly.

Bellum’s voice took on a soothing tone. I will teach you many other things. I will show you how to traverse the mental plane and manipulate it as you please. Allow yourself to Forget about her for now. You simply need to Trust me and Obey my instructions. Let your Master show you how to use this power. If you do, all your friends will think only what you want them to when they think of you. They will love and accept you, and most importantly, they will be around to do so.

Shadow felt a tingle in the back of his head as a sense of warmth and safety washed over him at his master's words.

Yes, Master. I eagerly await your instruction.