Dragon Aster Trilogy

2: GODS OF WAR



Sybl’s psi had sent a rush of panic through Kas before it was abruptly cut off. He tried to stay focused as he looked for Cirrus’ psi, which could be where she was now, but he didn’t answer him. He looked out the window as the dragons filled the smoke-blackened sky, while the Harbor tried to get control over the fires raging through it from the Phoenix’s fall.

The dark green dragon in the distance took the lead of the flight towards Atrum City, before suddenly doubling its speed and heading straight for the black spire of the Atrum. General Dyaus hit the castle with the force of the titan that he was, and his claws smashed through the windows of the throne room in an onslaught of glass and debris. Then Dyaus snapped several Threads in his mouth and whipped his head back, before unleashing the flares of fire at them.

Gwa ducked behind Kenshe as Kas pulled Tenu behind him while the fiery lashes flew past them. They collided against the door of the throne room, melting it into the walls around it.

“They must have been just waiting for the Awls to flee the City so they could attack!” Gwa shouted to Kas.

Sybl, where are you? Kas pleaded by psi.

Dyaus swiped his claws across the room again, and they ducked and rolled out of his reach. The dragon was taking full advantage of how Sybl’s energy defied the Laws of Aragmoth with somns versus souls. She was still alive, but where was the question. Suddenly the dragon let out a frustrated cry when something struck Dyaus from above. He lost his grip and fell to the base of the castle with an avalanche of black stone.

Another streak of lightning came out of the dark sky and struck the General again, nearly rendering him unconscious. Kas looked at Tenu as her black eyes saw something in the storm that he could not see.

Gwa gulped as he looked out the window. “I think this is where they trash our winnings.”

Kas frowned at his griffin somnus friend.

Moon flew at the castle next, leaving Sybl from his hand in the shattered throne room as he gripped with his other clawed hand the windowsill. Then the black dragon sprung off of the castle and back into the fight.

“Sybl!” Kas called to her. She dizzily looked at Kas for a moment, before he hugged her to make sure she was alright. He could see what was wrong when their thoughts met on those of Hain.

“He’s gone…” she said, as Hain turning into ashes replayed in her mind and ended with her shivering.

Kas looked back out the window as the castle and city surrounding it shook with the presence of two dozen High Guard. The True had taken up defensive positions and chose their winged-targets, while the somnus Packs worked to restore some sense of order in the city.

Sybl pulled away from him and looked at Tenu, who seemed the calmest of them all.

“He’s waiting for you,” Tenu said, continuing to stare out of the window. In the center of the city, Damek had unsomned into his human-like appearance, as white flames reflected off of his golden armor from the lightning storm overhead.