cmdrnemo

Chapter 10:

Shruikan emperor’s bonded black dragon

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Bound in castle of glass atop a thousand of tons of dragon in the heart of a hostile emperor’s fortress home Mellie stood. Small form swayed by dragon spike near manifest speaker. Mounted boxes glasswork magical machines ready to amplify. Behind her towers stood. Concentric rings of complex form hovered, slowly spinning, above the centre of it all. Controlled by the dialing device before her. The appearance of a cylindrical piano. Unpowered, disconnected from herself. Separation maintained by internal firewalls. Mages to bring their own power.

Effort spent focusing on surroundings. Wind whispered warnings distracted. Whirls spun sweet calls off midnight scales. Air beyond fought to evade. Subtle effect. No more than whispers. A hidden sound. Once heard difficult to ignore.

Eyes darting about she watched mages mount the stage. “Emperor Galbatorix your chariot awaits.” Her bow excessive in flourish and depth.

He glared. “Grab your instruments and put your heart in it. For tonight we play in hell.” Long strides carried him center stage. Radiated power lit circuitry embedded in glass.

Under his breath Zari whispered. “Don’t fear the reaper.” Imogen smiled. “I see the story in your eyes.”

Magus Khan glanced at partner. Met by knowing smile. Granted greater confidence she grasped the bass. Optic cables snaked. Imogen gasped. Lines twisted around head, arms. She jerked back on instincts instrument released. Bounced from glossy white floor with considerable noise. Others stared. Her hand reached to retrieve.

“Apologies, I should have warned you about those. Don’t worry. The instruments aren’t that easy to break.” Mellie was rapidly becoming ensconced.

“I’m glad it was you, instead of me.” Zari whispered walking by Genie.

“Jerk” She replied.

“Your face is a jerk.”

“Your mom’s face is a face.”

“In front of the emperor!?” whispered the drummer.

“Are you ready Zari?” The emperor asked.

“Uh huh.” Zari played a few notes.

“Genie?”

“Oh yeah.” Genie joined the tune.

“Mick?”

Was already beating on the drums. “Okay.”

“All right Mellie. Let’s go” Galbatorix picked up glittering black guitar from the stand near center stage. Then he started to play.

The dragon unfurled his wings. Mellie’s voice briefly interrupted the music. Filling headphones with calm monotone. “Activating.” Behind them the innermost ring began to spin. Soon it locked upright. Dragon heart stone struggled against cage. Sheet music appeared on glass displays floating before each mage. The music began proper. The emperor began to sing. Lightning leapt from the gem. Twisted back in. Smoke began to spill from the edges. Electricity channeled through the ring. The heart stopped fighting. Around it runes protruded, spelling a true name. Then the disk began to spin again. “Chevron one encoded.” Mellie said. The dragon roared.

The song was familiar. They’d all played it a thousand times before. As often together as apart. Soon another dragon heart joined the rotation. When it did a quiet “Chevron two encoded” interrupted the song. With it a beam of white light shot forward. Seeming to bore through the stone wall without harming it. The players averted their eyes. The dragon did not.

“Chevron three encoded. Passageway will form in 3...2...1...let’s jam.” On go the wall exploded into a plume of white water. Which then rushed back. Covering the stone in a pale blue liquid. Dragon charged, roaring, into the unknown.

All emerged within an expanse between quartz. City unending above and below. Crystal spires merged with rotten dragon corpses. Fetid air filled the mile between. Shruiken the emperor’s bonded black dragon flew into this space through liquid portal. Music and black smoke poured from the stage. Gasps of wonder, or perhaps horror, disrupted the song. Emperor Galbatorix powered through with a chord.

The dragon’s head swung about. Eyes misting at the sight of his ruined kin. Amalgamations of crystal and flesh, exposed bones, writhing meat, fused scales cracking as they broke free. Mountainous beings through to mere man sized youths. Shruiken’s mind searched back. Calling within glass controls. What are they?

In his ear, on private channel. Mellie said “all dragons who cheat death live here.”

I was going to join them, kill you.

“You were.” Mellie sounded slightly bored.

I’d rather die.

“Not today I hope.”

Today is not a good day to die.

“Welcome to the land of the living Shruiken. I am delighted you decided to join us.” She sounded sincere, if distracted. Around them a tunnel of light formed. Locking in the smoke. Even those few seconds enough for ancient undead to break free. On open channel Mellie continued “Chevron four engaged.”