Mazrim and Kairi sat outside the castle, feeling as if an eternity had passed. “How long have we been sitting out here?” said Kairi.
Mazrim glanced at his watch, and then back at the girl. “About…fifteen minutes.” Kairi hung her head between her knees and sighed. “You are correct, though. It has seemed like a much longer period of time. What is keeping his royal pain-in-the-assness?”
After staring Xero down for what seemed like an eternity, Drake finally cleared his throat, which at his size and strength felt like a small typhoon. “Many centuries ago, your father, despite lacking the intelligence, ruthlessness, and cunning needed to properly rule over the dragons, somehow managed to ascend to the throne. Naturally, a few like-minded council members such as myself objected to his softening views on the cattle-”
“Don’t call them that,” said Xero.
Drake emitted a noise that sounded like a grunt and groan intermixed. “Very well. His softening views on ‘non-dragons’ raised alarm amongst members of the council. We decided that, in the interest of our species’ survival, we had to eliminate your father before his reforms came into law. In that way, my path to the throne would be clear, and the kingdom would be safe.”
Xero came close to striking down Drake, but suddenly realized that, unfortunately, he still needed him alive. “Then you admit to my father’s murder?”
“No, of course not,” said Drake. “Somehow, my accursed brother managed to discover about the conspiracy, and had my fellow conspirators executed before we could even hire an assassin. I was fortunate that my connection was not discovered, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he learned the truth. To preserve my life, as well as the heritage of our people, I escaped to one of my many fortresses and hideouts.”
“Do you expect me to buy such a preposterous story?!” shouted Xero. “What are you hiding?”
“NOTHING, YOU LITTLE BRAT!” shouted Drake. “Xero, have you thought about the one person who knows for sure who murdered your father? Have you even considered traveling to confront this being?”
Xero shook his head and stepped towards the exit. “Search the Land of the Dead,” shouted Drake. “Speak to your father’s spirit. Perhaps it will have some answers. I even heard that one of your human allies located the island’s location; perhaps he will help.”
Xero stopped dead in his tracks. “How…How do you know about my actions in RPGC?”
“I have been keeping watch over you for some time, Xero,” said Drake. “You are my only nephew, as well as the Bahamut, after all. I must ensure the best for our people.”
Without even acknowledging Drake, Xero pushed the heavy gates open and exited the ruined castle. Within minutes, he and his allies were on their way to RPGCity.
After a few minutes, the same figure that had invaded Xero’s kingdom emerged from the shadows, his face still covered by a mask. “You are a very bad liar, Drake. I tell you to distract the Bahamut, and you send him RIGHT where he needs to go!”
“You assume too much,” said Drake. “The whelp does not even begin to fathom the true power he commands. Soon, he will-”
“Enough of this, Drake,” said the figure. “My employer promised you a mountain of treasure in exchange for your services. And so far, you have nearly bungled our operation!”
“Tell your master I-”
“Expect payment? No, your job is not done. Bahamut Xero still lives, the ninjas failed to kill Gemini, Galloway and Weiila, and my EMPLOYER, not master, is getting impatient!” An aura of blue energy began to appear around the figure’s right hand, his arm trembling terribly. For a brief moment, fear entered Drake’s eyes. “Ah…you recognize this power, don’t you?”
“Stop this!” said Drake. “What does your…employer desire now?”
The energy dissipated as the figure continued. “If Xero survives his journey, he will no doubt return here with new information, new doubts, new desires for revenge. When he does so, you are to delay him long enough for me to finish him. UNDERSTOOD?!”
Drake nodded, and the figure vanished. “We will see, human,” the dragon said. “We will see…”
(to be continued)
Next time: Galloway gets trapped in a cornucopia of bad memories! Plus, the RPGC Task Force vs. two ninjas and a guy named Fred!
