Shadow Play (Closed)

[JadeKnight]

Deep in a Laboratory located in North Africa, 3400 AD

It is often believed that time was the fourth dimension, and time itself is often unstable. Living in a timeline where magic and science co-existed side by side, a group of scientists tried to play God and the results were...unthinkable. A complex had been built deep underground, most of it's projects kept top secret from the world in which they were done.

Their latest experiment was to create a new human, a meta-human. The human DNA would be fused with DNA of a Black dragon. Yes, such a thing existed in other parts of the world, and the race of dragons stayed away from humans for the most part. The two DNAs were able to successfully fuse together and create a meta-human. The meta-human was male and took upon new powers with the creation. Even the scientists were not sure of what his new powers would be, but they would be a sight to behold.

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Zion's first moment's of waking were to see fluid all around him. He was suspended in the middle of a tank in greenish fluid. A mask was over his face so that he was able to breathe in the strange substance. As he managed to focus more, he noticed several white faces peering at him. Images and knowledge flowed through his mind. Where did this come from? How did he know how to use weapons? He wasn't sure, but he didn't like where he was.

The fusion had an unexpected side-effect where his heart was turned dark. His mind was filled with anger and hate, hate for those around him. He growled for a moment as he tried to hit the glass with his fist, but the fluid only served to slow him down. He wanted out, needed out. This desire was enough to trigger his magic. A dark surge of energy exploded from him, shattering glass in all directions. Blood-curdling screams filled the air as chunks of glass sliced into the scientists, leaving them fatally wounded.

A strange glowing object that was being studied by one of the scientists was struck by one of the pieces of glass. It's origins and exact purpose was unknown, but the hit was enough to activate it. Zion tilted his head as it began pulsating a soft white glow before he was suddenly hit by lightning, his vision going dark.

Zion had disappeared, thrown in a time vortex. He was soon dumped on the ground in a heap, in the middle of a forest. He laid on his back, completely nude. His body was well-toned and muscular, all six foot of him. His hair was a jet black, and his eyes were a deep black as well. He laid unconscious, completely unaware of his surroundings.

After a short while he began to wake up and sit up slowly. He frowned down at his nakedness and looked around for a few moments. He really need some sort of protection. It was a few moments, but he picked up the sounds of a fire crackling with his increased hearing, and could smell the smoke as well. Taking his time in sneaking towards the direction of the fire, he soon came upon a lone male sleeping beneath a tree.

Zion wondered why a fire was needed during the day before the chillness of the air hit his naked skin. He growled softly at the coolness before taking a closer look at the sleeping male. The guy seemed to be about the same build, so his outfit might work. Zion walked over to the guy bend reaching his hands down towards the man's neck. The sudden touch woke the man up, but all he could do was struggle beneath the iron grip. The man tried to pry Zion's hands away, but he was soon dead in a matter of seconds.

The dead corpse was quickly stripped and the Zion began to try the leather pants, tunic, and boots on. The items were a bit snug against his muscular build, but they would do for the time being. He pulled on the chainmail shirt the guy was wearing before kicking the body into the fire. It wouldn't do for him to be discovered just yet for killing. He chuckled and picked up the dead man's backpack and sword, strapping them on before begin a leisurely stroll through the forest.

 

[Vailyn]

Haliegh Danielle Theo'Doras

The vast kingdom of Meabh'shibon has been ruled by the royal Doras family for centuries beyond count. Many of the old warrior ways have been kept alive as magic and science evolved. Holding onto the histories that make the country great and a reminder of how the people of Meabh began.

To keep the peace and power balance, the warrior Princess Haliegh Danielle Theo'Doras has been engaged to be married to King Kassandros Brantson Carndak of Aedh'shibon. It will be the first time the two ruling powers will be united by marriage. There are whispers of the an Empire being born and this royal pairing will give birth to it.

***​

"I fail to understand why I have to be dressed to the nines for a carriage ride. We're going to be on the road for twelve days if the weather stays fair. I am not actually going to travel in this ridiculously ornate ensemble!" ranted the royal Princess Haliegh.

Teo grinned with sly amusement. He arched a brow in her direction and drawled, "You have to make appearances, sister. You have to show the people a beautiful vision that will be a part of creating the most powerful marriage in the kingdoms.

Haliegh frowned at her image in the mirror. A lone painted nail poked at the silver curls piled high on her head and held in place by a jeweled head piece. A silver and gold ethereal gown flowed around her svelte body. A jewel encrusted, gold dragon embroidered corset emphasized her tiny waist and lifted her lush curves. Silver laced sandals completed the ensemble.

She sighed. "I wouldn't mind dressing up the day I meet him. I don't understand why I have to dress up for leaving here."

"'Tis the price of fame and one you have no choice over. Come. We're expected. At least I can be a good little brother and accompany you to the exterior gates." Teo stood with a comedic leap, bowed gallantly before Haleigh and propped his arm for her use. She smiled fondly at her only and favorite little brother, her twin and male version of herself with silver hair brushed with hints of blue and the famous Doras eyes.

No matter how many other bloodlines are united into the Doras family, the signature mood changing eyes are always dominant. Silver eyes become blue with extreme emotions. An effect that can only be controlled by having iron discipline over one's feelings.

While making small talk and laughing at the gossip that Teo loved to share, Haliegh's mind drifted over the past few weeks. The days were filled with plans, packing, meetings, tests, goodbyes and training until her body strained for rest. The marriage is a vital step towards a goal that many have dreamed of. An Empire to rule over all.

Meabh'shibon is a kingdom made up of vast plains, mountains, lakes and rivers. The people are natural warriors and their strengths lie in the merit based system that draws those with the will, intelligence and strength to rise to the fore. Aedh'shibon is well known coastal and sea islands kingdom. An adventure seeking people that love to travel to the ends of the world. A kingdom of commerce, exotic people, far off goods and a strict hierarchy that determines a man's worth. When these two powerful kingdoms unite, there will be little that can stand before them.

She has given her word to honor the marriage. Her only concerns lie in the differences of the two kingdoms and how they shall be met. She's never seen the King of Aedh'shibon but they have exchanged letters over the past few years. The tales of bards, emissaries, gossip and the letters give her a vague vision of the man who is to be her husband. In the letters, she gained a picture of a man of knowledge and some humor. The stories vary and it is hard to note if he is a ravaging tyrant or a stern ruler with particular tastes. He is twice her age. Though that is not as much of a concern with the long lives that their people live.

Soon, the royal twins were caught up in the royal procession to mark the historical moment. An open carriage allowed the people to see her as the honor parade slowly swept through the city. At the main exterior gates, Haliegh and her guards will form a discrete caravan to travel with speed to Aedh'shibon.

It has been decided that the princess will travel to her betrothed's kingdom and live there for a year to become accustomed to the land and cultures. Their royal marriage will be bond at the end of the year and consummated. For a year, Haleigh will only have her guards as a link to Meabh'shibon. A handful of men and women she has sweated blood and fought with in combat. Though widely traveled, the princess has not had to go anywhere without a contingent of people from her own lands. Will it be strange? Or will it be an adventure to mark a turning point in my life?

Teo hugged her fiercely. His eyes glowed a stark blue and held the promise of his words. "Be safe. Send for me if you need me. I will come no matter the time or danger, sister."

Haliegh let out a laughing cry. She hugged him back just as fiercely. "I can take care of myself, bratling prince! Take care of yourself and Father. I'll send word by our link and birds. It's only a year, Teo! I'm sure it shall fly."

With a few last words with other friends and court members, Princess Haliegh and her guard set off to the coasts and the Kingdom of Aebh'shibon.

 

[JadeKnight]

Zion's little stroll through the forest soon dumped him out onto an obviously well-traveled dirt road. He paused at the edge of the road, looking at it with a tilt of his head. It bothered him for a moment to see the dirt road. In his mind, for such a thing to exist meant that the war had been lost, with a terrible cost. However it took a moment to remember the type of attire he was wearing. Things were not quite adding up for him, but he was sure that would be corrected soon enough.

Glancing both ways down the road, he smiled for a moment when he noticed what appeared to be a town in the distance. Figuring he could get the information that he needed there, he set his destination in that direction. During his walk, he was passed by several horse-drawn carts, but he kept his head down to keep from drawing attention to himself.

It was nearly dark by the time he reached the town, where he stopped at the entrance to take in the sight. The buildings were mostly made of wood, only a few actually built of brick. The main street, at least what Zion determined to be main street, had signs hanging from several of the buildings with different symbols. He closed his eyes for a few moments, trying to sort through the knowledge in his mind, forced in during his creation. The closet he could place was some sort of dark age or medieval era that he had dropped into.

Picking the most likely symbol for a hotel, Zion foundt himself in a bar like atmosphere. Though the place with crowded with rowdy males and females, his presence seemed to make everything quiet. He figured mostly likely it was the form of his eyes. They were pure red, with a vertical iris like that of a dragon. Hell, he wasn't even sure if dragons existed in this place. He ignored the stares of awe and the silence, making his way to the bar.

"Gimme a room."

It took a moment to have the innkeeper regain his composure when he realized he was being addressed by the stranger.

"Uh..ten gold sir. "

He chuckled for a moment at his luck of being able to understand the language of this new place. He patted himself down till he foundt the pouch of coin he had taken from the dead traveler. It seemed he had acquired quite the amount of coin, causing it to jingle loudly in the still quiet room. It took a moment to count out the required coin before taking the offered room key.

Taking one last look around the room, his eyes challenging those to approach him, he turned and headed to bed for the night. A sudden exhaustion came over him as he laid in the bed, going into a deep sleep quickly.

 

[Vailyn]

Haliegh Danielle Theo'Doras

As soon as the castle was out of sight, Haliegh gave orders for the caravan to pull off the main road. She changed out of the ridiculously fancy gown and changed into comfortable traveling gear. A short white cotton chemise, long sleeved blue linen blouse, dark leather pants, cured leather vest armor and dark hunter boots. Her hair was much too complicated to undo without eating up more time. She threw a short dark blue cape over her shoulders and whistled for her horse, Dancer. She laughed as Dancer pounded her way over to her and pranced before settling down to be petted and loved before Haliegh jumped astride and gave orders for them to ride out.

"Seba, I wish we could lose that bloody awful carriage! We could travel so much faster without it. I haven't had to follow royal trappings for most of my life, why do I have to start now?" complained Haliegh. It didn't matter that she's been making the same complaints ever since the princess found out the travel arrangements. The Guards who heard her just laughed and called out ribald suggestions that only made others call for even more unlikely solutions. They're good humor lifted Haliegh's spirit and she laughed along with her closest friends.

The Honor Guard are made up of the best warrior cadets to have trained with Haliegh. They have all suffered the same conditions as they struggled to learn the warrior path. None of them were given extra privileges regardless of rank or royal blood. The bonds formed while they all trained and worked are stronger than blood. These men and woman have seen Haliegh at her worst and her best. They would battle to their last breath to keep her safe and she would do the same for them. Of all of those who trained in their year, these eighteen men and women are the very best.

Though Haliegh has learned to command and rule from the royal court function to the field of battle, she is most comfortable when she can let down her position and just be herself. The weight of being a worthy ruler is heavier than the thoughtlessly power hungry would know. It is much easier to let down her hair, wear common attire, hold a plain steel in her hand and walk like a common warrior. The cost is less than that which can be lost when one is princess to a kingdom or one who will become queen of another land. The whispers of Empire are not wholly unfounded but she does not feel the zeal to take over kingdoms beyond those she has seen. Yet, she knows that her true wishes are not to be held to light. There were too many others counting on her whether she willed it or no.

When the troublemaker Allont started to sing a bawdy song in his bright bass voice, it wasn't long before the party filled the road with their boisterous harmony. Belting out the sweet charms of a village lass and the wicked thief who stole her charms. Yet the lass had the last say when she stole his treasured gems!

For a little while, the weight of rule has been put aside and Haliegh determined to enjoy the last days of the final travel she shall have as the Princess Haliegh Danielle Theo'Doras and not the whispered Empress to be.

 

[JadeKnight]

The first night of sleep was more than just sleep for Zion. It was the equivalent of an explosion within his mind. Images of human history flashed through his mind at a rapid pace, from the beginning of recorded history till he awoke in the tank. Various other amount of knowledge passed through his mind, peace, war, torture, pleasure, pain, weaponry, and various other forms of knowledge. Magic symbols raced through among these images, burning paths at times. This cycle continued through out his sleep until they were all replaced abruptly with a large image of a dragon's head speaking in a dark voice for him to awaken.

Zion jerked up in the bed, stopping in an upright position. The sun was shining brightly through the window, casting short shadows along the floor. It was nearly noon, but that didn't bother him. It took him a short while to clean himself and head downstairs, dressed for the road once more. The tavern was empty expect for the innkeeper behind the bar doing dishes. The innkeeper stopped for a moment and disappeared into the back. The old man returned a few moments later with a large bowl of stew which he placed in front of Zion.

He ate the stew quietly before speaking to the innkeeper as he laid his bag of gold on the counter. He didn't care that he was giving everything over, since he figured that he would get more in a very short time.

"Give me the fastest mode of transportation to the city which serves as your capital."

The innkeeper blinked for a moment as he looked at the offered coin. He had thought he luck has turned bad when this stranger stepped in last night, scaring just about everyone away after he went upstairs. Now it seemed his luck was changing as he was getting all this money for giving the stranger a cart ride to Aedh'shibon.

"To Aedh'shibon, m'lord? That will be no problem m'lord."

The journey to Aedh'shibon took four days, during which time Zion pimped the cart's driver for all the information about this new land he was in. When asked where he came from, Zion merely replied "The South." The driver was shaken by the response as the Southern lands had been marked as unsafe, with tales of strange creatures living there. Out of curiosity Zion asked about the possible existence of dragons. The driver went ashen at the question, explaining the creatures lived beyond the mountainous norther border and rarely came south.

 

[Vailyn]

Haliegh Danielle Theo'Doras

"Calla! You owe me 10 silvers you misbegotten child of a whore! I told you it would rain within the hour." Allont called out triumphantly as the first fat drops of rain pattered down.

Calla's sensual red lips parted as she laughed teasingly back. "Your mind must be failing in your old age, Allont! It's rain AND lightning that you bet your silvers on and it looks like I'll be getting it from you soon enough!"

Haliegh's laughter joined the rest as the air filled with increasingly unlikely actions and prospects. In a lull between insults, she called out,"Honors! You know what the rain means, yes?" She gave only a moment for the words to sink in before she released the little pockets of trapped rain water and flung them her targets! She brought her control of air into a deadly fun game of Targets. A free for all magical tag game where the last one standing wins.

As young trainees, various challenge games were encouraged to be played to keep their minds, bodies and abilities sharp. Now that they were older, wiser, more experienced, the games took on a more dangerous bent but were an adrenaline drenched past time to have fun.

"Who needs a bucketful of rain?" Haliegh called out as she manipulated air to gather water in a large amount and she set her eyes on red headed Seba. "I think I see a target of red!" She laughed as she tried to drenched the dodging warrior.

Though unsettled about the future and what will be expected of her, Haliegh felt at peace and happy to be traveling the roads with her Honor Guards, those men and women who are also her best of friends. Wistfully, she wished that the journey took longer than a mere handfuls of days. Yet, she is not one to dodge responsibility. If she were, would she be where she is now? Shaking her head at her own thoughts, she kept a sharp eye out for her comrades' wicked ambushes that would knock her out of the game.

 

[JadeKnight]

Zion wasn't quite certain what to expect once the cart reached the capital. When the cart arrived at the main gate to the walled city, the driver motioned for one of the gate guards towards him. Zion raised an eyebrow for a moment as he watched the driver and guard whispering for several moments. He wasn't certain what they were talking about, he was certain to find out as he watched the guard disappear into one of the doorways just inside the gate.

The driver made no comment as Zion stepped down from the cart, but the second guard stepped forward to block his path. He narrowed his eyes at the young soldier, causing him to him to shrink a little but remained at his position. Zion opened his mouth to speak just as the other soldier came back out, followed by another soldier. Unlike the guards, this soldier wore no helmet and looked very battle-worn. Several scars marked the older soldiers face, striking blue eyes looking Zion over carefully.

"I am Captain Kanto, of the Aedh'shibon guard. And I was told you come from the southern lands, correct?"

Zion nodded for a moment, not yet speaking.

"If that's so, then the King will want to meet you. I will send a messenger to the King, but it may be a day or two before he sees you. In the meantime, I will have to ask you to say in the guard's barracks here...for your safety."

Zion almost chuckled at the statement of keeping him safe. He thought it was more that the Captain didn't want to have him cause any trouble.

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Zion learned a bit more about the inner working of the current system of government during his three day wait to see the King. The only one who created the system of laws was the King himself. Sometimes the edicts that were set down were questioned, but they were never challenged. He understood the King had no heir, so if something happened to his majesty, chaos would most likely cause problems for the kingdom.

It was the afternoon of the third day when a page was sent to guide the stranger to the castle. The capital city was beautiful and bustling. Though Zion didn't pay much attention to the busyness around him, he knew he would have plenty of time to explore later. A plan to move up in the world had started to form when he woke up and was completed by the time they reached the castle.

King Kassandros was waiting for Zion in his study. The private meeting seemed a bit of overconfidence on the King's part that Zion wouldn't do anything to harm him. Zion had to chuckle as it was going to make things much easier to carry out his plan. The King took a seat at his desk as Zion entered, motioning for him to seat at a chair placed in front of the desk.

"Please have a seat Southern stranger. Please tell me about your travels."

Zion took a deep breathe for a moment as he took a moment to think about the question. He launched into an elaborate tale of an adventure based mostly on the information he had gotten from the driver. He did such a great job that the king applauded him at the end of it. Zion grinned for a moment as he stood up and looked down at the King from the front of his desk.

"Now, your majesty, since I granted your request, you are going to grant me one."

The young king blinked for a moment, staring up into Zion's red, almost mesmerizing eyes. His fingers gripped the arms of his chair as he spoke through clenched teeth.

"Who do you think you are to question me? GU-"

It took only an instant, but Zion's right hand was clenched around the King's throat, cutting off his voice. His arm had transformed into that of a black dragon, the three talon hand completely engulfing the small throat. He pulled the king from his seat till their faces were only a few inches from each other. He grinned evilly as he spoke.

"I am your death if you don't comply with my request, your majesty. Now nod yes or no if you are going to do as I ask. Otherwise my grip tightens."

The King was visibly trying to get breath as he tried to pry away Zion's claws from around his throat. He gasped for a moment before nodding quickly. Zion loosen the grip enough so the King could breathe, keeping him held up. He walked carefully around the desk so that he could lower the king back into his seat, while keeping a hold around his throat.

"Now my request is simple. You will make an official edict or decree that I will be king in your place should something happen."

The king opened his mouth to protest, but Zion wiggled a finger on his other hand in the air.

"No, no speaking. Besides, I will make sure nothing happens to you. After you write it up, I will be on my way. Does that sound good?"

Zion chuckled as he watched the king mulled over his offer. Of course Zion never planned to follow through on things, but the king wouldn't be around long enough to find out. The king quickly nodded his head and went about writing up an official decree to make him king if King Kassandros died.

The clawed arm released the King's neck before he picked up the document before reading it. Unbeknownst to the King, Zion guided a small round shadow into his ear and down into his heart. The small orb remained inactive inside the King's heart as he handed it to the king.

"Now seal it with your signet ring."

The king did as Zion requested, leaving it in an envelope on the desk. As soon as the letter was sealed, the shadow ball inside the King's heart exploded like a grenade. Shadow shards shredded the King's heart, killing him instantly. Zion picked up the letter and placed it in the King's clenched hands before moving to knock back his seat.

"Guards! Something happened to the king!"

 

[Vailyn]

Haliegh Danielle Theo'Doras

The rain lost it's appeal as it continued to drizzle and pour for the past few days as the caravan drew closer to the coast. The carriage became a useful depo for their clothing and gear. There was no point in trying to remain dry. Nothing remained untouched as the miles past.

A faint noise grew louder as Allont thundered back to the group at full speed. A limp form huddled in from of him. Dark fierce eyes full of worry dominated his pale face. "Haliegh! Haliegh, Calla is injured!" He yanked his steed to a full stop and pulled the motionless body of his blonde lover to the ground.

"What happened?" Haliegh demanded as she dropped beside Calla and started to check her injuries with sure fingers and keen eyes. There was blood splattered all over the hard leather tunic. A faint pulse beating at her neck. Slashes marked her jaw, nicked her neck and lined her right arm. The danger came from the deep bite and claw marks in her upper thigh. "Get a large tent setup, a fire, hot water and gruel. We're stopping here for the night."

Allont's body gently rocked as he cradled her still form in his lap. "We were chasing down a stag that I hit when a leonfyr caught scent of the stag's blood. Calla plunged a short spear into it's side but it only enraged it. It managed to strike in and bite her before I killed it. I brought her back as fast as I could. Save her, Haliegh. You must save her." His broken voice full of the fear he could finally express.

"Help me take off the tunic and cut away these bandages. I need to be able to touch it." She gritted her teeth and bite the inside of her mouth to hold back a cry when the full extent of the damages came out to light. The bite was deep, it tore the muscles, parts of Calla's flesh was chewed away and she could see the white of bone. Her hand shook before she forced it to be still. "I'll do what I can. Be ready. This will be hard. I probably won't be able to stay awake after."

Calla's breathing was thin and raspy. Blood tinged spittle trailed out of the corner of her lush lips. It was washed away by the indifferent drops of rain. Haliegh trained her gift into her touch and felt how Calla's heart beat rapidly and then stutter a moment before continuing to pound harder than it should. She took several deep breathes of moist air, closed her eyes and let her senses fall into her gift. She didn't know how long she sat still in the rain as she worked to knit torn vessels, encouraged tissues to grow, chased out infection and gave of herself for the body to heal into a whole. She knew that it would be alright when Calla's breathing eased into drowsy pulls and her heart beat pulsed sedately.

All the colors that shaped the way her gift allowed her to see in a healing trance began to leech away as a grasping void clawed painfully deep into her mind. She fought it, screaming to deny it's hold. Defiant to the very end as it swallowed her whole. Not knowing that she was too weak to do more than give out a stuttered denial, Haliegh collapsed across Calla's fully healed and resting form.

 

[JadeKnight]

The uproar the death of the King caused, and then to have Zion named as his successor kept the castle busy for the next two days. Till everything was sorted out, the captain of the royal guard asked Zion to stay confined within the castle. The decree should have raised a few questions, in Zion's opinion, but it didn't. Zion was more than willing to stay in the castle, since it gave him time to explore what would be his new command post.

Though he had no decision in matters at this point, a closed meeting was held by the royal advisers on what to do. Several decisions were finally made on how to proceed without Zion. The first was to squelch the death of the King's death from passing beyond the borders of the country. It was going to be hard, but rumors were made to state the King was ill and another had been named to take his place. In order to keep things looking strong, the coronation of Zion as new king would be done the day before Haliegh would arrive. There was no time to break off the wedding, and it would only serve to weaken the country if the wedding didn't take place.

A short funeral was held within the castle for the townspeople to pay their respects to the former king. The coronation went off without any problems, nearly all of the town in attendance. More would have attended, but the need to keep things on the down low kept the number down.

 

[Vailyn]

Haliegh Danielle Theo'Doras

The Princess of Meabh'shibon's caravan arrived at the capital almost a week late. Somber Honor Guards held constant vigilance as they guarded the slowly rolling carriage. Each of them showed signs of worry, loss of sleep and dispirit. The fate of their charge and friend was precarious at best. They spent two hellacious days and nights trying to bring Haliegh's raging fever under control. The fever still seethed insidiously. One of them had to remain at her side at all times and wring cool water over her skin. Despite all efforts to feed her rich broths and honeyed water for nourishment, it's become clear that Haliegh's healing and iillness was eating away from her. The vivacious, well formed form was visibly losing musculature and massive weight. Skin pulled tightly around increasingly fragile looking bones.

The healers and earth witches that they have found for assistance on the road were of little help. They all proclaimed that illness caused by talent use can only be ridden out. Only Haliegh's strength can determine if she will come out of illness intact or not. Though they did not say the words, the Honors feared that they may lose the heart of their service. Their Princess may die.

Nightfall has long since covered the land and stars shone faintly in the skies. Seba's harsh voice announce the Princess and commanded that the gates be opened. Time was wasted as their credentials were checked and approved. Allont made sure to get the names of the guards on duty and swore that they will pay for making them lose precious time.

Worry, anger, self incrimination seared each of the Honor Guards. Their fear made them brutal, caustic and more likely to lash out at anyone who kept them from doing whatever they can to keep their Lady safe. There must be something that can be done at the capital. Healers, scholars or talented who can tend to the ailing Princess.

 

[JadeKnight]

When the princess didn't show up at the appointed time, Zion sent a pair of scouts to attempt to find her. After all, his plans would be ruined if there was no way to united the two kingdoms easily before he could move on with the other countries. However some of the council tried to plot against him by giving the scouts instructions to wander aimlessly for a few days before returning to the castle. A couple of the advisers had gotten the idea that without the union, making the could take things for themselves.

While waiting for any news of the princess Haliegh, Zion spent his free time exploring the castle. He made relatively few decisions pertaining to royal duties, instead leaving things as the previous king had left them. During his exploration, he had find two of the previous king's secret rooms. Both held magical treasures of many kinds, a small book with details on what each treasure did, located on a small pedestal in the rooms. The treasures including various kinds of jewelry, weapons, dishes, and decorative items. These would definitely be using in some form to him.

Zion was examining some rings when he received news the princess had arrived in the late evening hours. Pocketing the rings, he moved out onto the balcony overlooking the courtyard as the caravan rolling into the courtyard slowly. A maid ran up behind him, out of breathe as the carriage was the last to roll in.

"Majesty, the princess has arrived but there is a problem. Come quickly."

He didn't say anything as he turned and followed after the young maid. The courtyard was crowded and noisy as the stable hands, royal guards, Honor guards, servants, and horses attempted to make sense of the chaos. The young maid yelled to make room for the king, getting a path cleared to the carriage where Princess Haliegh was being carried out of. Some of the Honor guards stepped in to bar Zion from getting closer, but the young maid yelled at them to move. Confused at the sight of Zion, after all they were expecting a much older guy, they stepped aside none the less.

Zion frowned for a moment as he looked at the frail condition of the princess, pulling out one of the rings. He didn't know what put her in the condition, but losing her would but so much in jeopardy. He called the maid back to him, pressing the ring into her hand. The ring was a simple gold ring, with a set of four rubies on the top of it. The ring had been described as one which could heal lost limbs and any wounds, restoring energy back to the wearer.

He gave the maid instructions to move the princess to the infirmary and to put the ring on the princess's finger. He would check on the princess in the morning.

 

[Vailyn]

Haliegh Danielle Theo'Doras

"Hali! Hali! Wait up! You're going too fast!" called Aerio from the topmost deck in the tree bowers.

Haliegh's tinkling laughter swirled up the bowers of the twilight forest and teased Aerio's ears. The sensation shivering down his body and settling low in his groin. She pulled her wings close and dove down with frightening speed. Laughing with glee, Hali released her elegant dove grey wings to cup the airflow, veer slightly to curve around a tree and spiraled back up the truck, dodging branches and whipped to a halt in front of Aerio. She wrapped her arms around her beloved's neck and kissed him passionately.

"That was so much fun! I never knew how amazing flying could be! Why in the world did I take so long to try it?" she exclaimed with childlike joy. Aerio kissed the tip of her nose, stroked her excitement flushed cheek and wished that she could stay with him forever.

Stepping back to the edge of the deck, Hali crooked her finger at her beloved golden haired Angel, gave a sassy wink and dropped backwards to fall shouting aloud in glee that transformed into a scream when her wings failed!

"HAAAALLLLLLLLLLI-------" Aerio's cries called out to her.

"Haliegh. Please, Haliegh, you have to wake up. You've been sleeping for nigh on two weeks and that is more than enough! Come back to us, Haliegh. Come back please..." pleaded a familiar voice.

She tried to open her eyes but she felt too weak. Just rolling her eyes behind her eyelids seemed to take far more effort than it should. Her body felt oddly weighted and pain shrilled from every part of it. A memory of falling and her wings--

"Aerio!" Haliegh gasped intelligibly. The sound bringing a rush of bodies to her side. Voices shouted for her attention but she did not hear for she has fallen back into the suffocating darkness. She needed to run away from the pain in her heart. The pain in her body.

***​

Over the next week, Haliegh grew gradually stronger and able to hold short conversations. She was glad to see that Calla was doing well and up to her old self. Not even a scar to show for the danger she had experienced. She was happy to assure everyone that she was doing well and healing. She did not want to worry them unnecessarily. It did not really dawn on her that she was not in the castle of her birth but the one of the man she was to marry. She did not wonder why her healing abilities were regaining its strength. Why though her body grew stronger day by day, that her spirit seemed to weaken.

Haliegh only knew that she sought the oblivion of sleep and the vivid dreams she has within that shelter. She longed fervently to return to the twilight bowers, the ability to fly and to the heated embrace of the Angel she loved.

A month slowly past since her drastic arrival at the gates of Aedh'shibon and the Princess grew stronger in body and more listless in spirit. The light in her eyes have become a brittle glitter that seem to look far away. Sometimes she would talk about a land that no one has ever seen and only heard of in children's tales as though she has been there. Each of her Honors have caught her calling for a stranger named Aerio. When they asked her who that was, Haliegh would fall silent, sorrowful and withdraw. Gradually, the princess spent more time abed and sleeping than she did awake.

Something was wrong with the princess and a sense of terrible urgency befell the Honors. Their royal charge and friend fell into a danger that none of them could have predicted. An insidious malady that wrapped its foul hands around her while they all watched unsuspecting. How did she turn from the talent burn into an enchantment? One of them have always been with her and no one has passed their regard without clearance.

The princess was in a new danger. Allont sent Seba to alert the King of Aedh'shibon and seek his help to save her.

 

[JadeKnight]

Though Zion kept tabs on the princess's health, there was nothing he could do himself. He had no powers to heal, only those geared towards destruction. During the month he ordered no new decrees, as he did not feel his power base was solid yet. No, that's what the princess was for, a solid power base to launch from.

He was fitfully sleeping the first two weeks, his dreams getting interrupted by strange images of a black dragon's head. It was at the end of the first two weeks that the image became more.

Zion foundt himself standing on a rocky ledge, overlooking a blacken desolate wasteland. Across a small chasm was another ledge to his right. Stretched out on the hot rock, basking in the hot rays of a red sun, was a fully grown black dragon. The scales on the dragon's body shimmered with the light as he lifted his head at Zion's presence. The dragon opened his mouth, speaking with a deep rumble.

"It was about time you came to me. You may call me Draco, Zion."

Zion raised an eyebrow at the dragon's words, his right hand going for a sword that wasn't there. He lifted his right hand up, attempting to transform. He didn't even feel a tingle of power, not a hair on his muscular forearm even twitching. Defeated, only for the time being, he lowered his arm to his side before speaking.

"Who are you Draco and why are you haunting me?"

The dragon shook his head for a moment.

"I am not haunting you. I am you, and you are me. If you don't understand, looking at your left hand."

Zion lifting his left arm slowly, holding his left hand out in front of him. A large chunk of the strange object he had glimpsed upon his awakening was lodged into his hand. Draco continued to speak as Zion studied the crystal.

"That object which was destroyed when the explosion occurred holds more power than anyone knows. It has awakened and strengthen your power and mine beyond their original limits. It gave me life within you and awoke my dragon ancestry. And given the current situation, we need to work together. However, I shall only give my power if you agree to my terms."

Zion smirked for a moment as he dropped his arm back to his side, figuring there was going to be a catch.

"What terms would those be?"

"You merely have to allow me to stretch my wings and carve out a little death and destruction."

Zion chuckled and laughed.

"Deal. Now what shall we do to handle our princess's ailing problem?"

"Give me time to think. In the meantime, make sure none of our subjects are frightened by my appearance."

The dream faded away, Zion opening his eyes as the sun began peeking through the window of his bedroom. The king actually felt refreshed and renewed, ready to do what he must to help the princess recover. He issued a new decree that if any black creatures appeared within the castle grounds, they would not be disturbed anyone, despite their appearance. Many thought he had lost his mind, but his delivery of the decree showed he had not lost his mind.

Though Zion himself had not been near the princess, the maid he had given to the ring was constantly near her. He understood fully the stages the princess was going through, so he was not surprised when one of Haliegh's guard, Seba, came to seek his help. He kept a straight face as he listened to the man's plea before speaking.

"I will see what I can do. Now go back to her and wait."

It is time for my work to start. Go to the highest tower.

Zion watched Seba leave the throne room before waving away everyone else who was left. It took him half an hour to get to the highest tower of the castle. The high perch gave an excellent view of the night sky, the lights of the city, and the surrounding countryside for many miles.

Zion took a few deep breathes for a moment before he began shifting into the Black dragon Draco. Draco's body was massive, thirty five feet long from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. He gave a roar as he raised his head, the sound rolling through the air for miles. He stretched his black wings to their full twenty foot length, moonlight shining through the membrane of his wings. His wings settled back against his bod as he curled his massive bulk around the tower.

Silence fell over the area as he closed his eyes. His entire frame pulsated for a moment, a wave of blackness rolling outward in a massive sphere. It passed through every person within the castle, causing them to feel a pulse within themselves before they passed out. A moment later, the dragon vanished from sight.

The weakened state of Haliegh's mind gave little resistance to the dragon's powers, allowing him to appear within her fevered reality.

-----------------------------------------------------

Draco snorted for a moment as he hovered above the twilight forest she had created. Only someone who wanted to withdraw from reality would create such a paradise. His red eyes scanned the horizon for any sign of her, not entirely sure what he was looking for.

"Such a disgusting place I've found myself. Perhaps a little wake-up call would be need."

One moment there was only one Draco, the next fifteen of him. All of them inhaled deeply for a moment before releasing intense gouts of flame. The fire caught the trees quickly and the flames spread quickly. Fourteen of the dragons dove into the forest, chasing after anything that moved from the dancing flames. Draco roared as his words echoed.

"You are a coward to hide Princess Haliegh! Your body has the strength to continue, yet it contains a feeble mind like yours. You are nothing if this is what you have dreamed up. Look how easily it is being destroyed. You are a fool to stay here, letting your mind wither away. If you are a warrior, then fight. Fight this..this blasphemy. It is but an illusion in your mind. Do not let it control you!"

Draco stayed in flight for a few moments longer before disappearing. The rest of the dragons stayed, but they would disappear once she broke from her reverie.

 

[Vailyn]

Haliegh felt as though she was bound by some invisible force and she could not move against the dragons that roared fire upon the twilight forest. She cried wrenching tears as flames consumed much of the woods of the place she has come to love with all her heart.

Fourteen black dragons flew and wrought unforgivable destruction to her beloved sanctuary. They screamed as they spewed streams of flames onto everything in their paths.

"HALI! HALI! WHERE ARE YOU, MY LOVE?!?!"

"Here, Aerio! I'm here!" she called hoarsely as smoke fogged the forest floor.

Aerio dropped from the skies and landed with bruising force. His majestic wings spread wide to land and snapping to buffet the smoke away. "I'm here, my love. I'm here. I'll take care of you. No one will ever take you from me."

He drew close to Haliegh and stroked his hands over her sides. She felt the bonds that held her vanish at his touch. Trembling in angry fear, she sobbed out loud as she threw herself into her lover's arms.

Aerio gathered her close and rocked her gently. Making hushing noises into her silver-blue hair, he promised her that he would make everything alright.

"Hali, you are mine. My love, no one will ever take you from me." he promised.

The one Haliegh called her beloved angel looked around the burning twilight forest one last time before covering Hali in the cradle of his wings. Aerio's blue eyes flashed an eerie gold and the world disappeared.

Everything vanished.

***​

"Princess! Princess Haliegh! You must wake up, Princess!" called the healer, Desmond.

Allont rushed into the room. "What! What has happened? I thought she was recovering!"

Desmond's fear filled eyes drowned in a stricken white face. "I'm not sure. I found her like this. She's usually awake by the time I come to check her in the morning but this morning she was still abed. I tried to wake her up but she won't respond. I've tried to wake her with salts and waking tea but nothing works." He paused, fighting to decide what he should say. "This... this is not normal. Whatever is wrong with the Princess is magical in nature. I fear... I fear she may be cursed or worse."

Allont tried to wake Haliegh and pleaded for her to open her eyes. In the end, there was nothing he could do except but rush to the King Zion and report the current crisis. The image of Haliegh lying in the bed and completely unresponsive haunted his mind. When he shook her, Haliegh had moved like a broken doll. Overnight, her body seemed to have sunken into itself. There deep purple-blue shadows beneath her eyes, her cheeks were sharp and too well defined. The Princess' heartbeat was so faint, that they were almost afraid that she had already died. Her breathing was so light that her chest did not seem to move at all.

If they did not find the cause, the Princess may be lost to all without knowing how or why. For she looked as though she has been kissed by death and only waited to fall beneath its blade.

 

[JadeKnight]

Zion was on the balcony of his bedchamber, overlooking the countryside when Allont came rushing in to tell him the news. The King said nothing as he was quiet for several minutes in thought. He didn't even bother to turn around as he spoke his thought.

"Bring the princess here and lay her on the bed. If any of her guards say anything, they are free to wait outside. I will give further instructions after she is here."

The healer started to protest, but Zion threw a hand up without turning around.

"Now!"

It took awhile, while Zion stood looking out over the countryside. He wasn't completely sure what was wrong, but he would figure things out. Losing the princess at this stage of the game would not help him at all. He turned at the sound of the bedroom door opening.

The healer carried in the princess's limp, pale form, standing in the middle of the bedroom. Two of the honor guard flanked either side of them, scowls on their faces. Zion almost felt pity, seeing they didn't want to leave the princess by herself with him.

"Place her on the bed and leave. All of you. Stand at the door and listen, if you are so inclined to protect her."

It took a few moments for everyone to clear out and the door closed behind them. Zion moved to stand beside the bed, looking down at the limp, deathly pale form of Haliegh. Her body was perfect, not a blemish on what skin she had showing. He reached down and lifted the hand she had the reg ring on, feeling the near death chill in her.

She is fully healed and rejuvenated. We don't know enough of their magic to understand how things interact here. She no longer needs the ring.

Zion smirked for a moment before he pulled the ring off, examining it for a moment. Magic worked very differently from the knowledge he had, but he would soon master that knowledge. He placed the ring on the nightstand beside his bed, looking back at her.

 

[Vailyn]

From nothing and darkness, a voice called.

"Hali. Hali, love, can you hear me?"

A feeling of warmth ebbed into her awareness.

"Hali? Please, love, answer me." a man pleaded.

The warmth became a comforting heat and she felt herself being held in a familiar embrace. The arms holding her close against a chest she somehow knew.

"Beloved? Hali, please answer me." She felt his face rest against the side of her head. Everything, all of it felt like something she should know and remember but it slipped away between her grasping mind like the untouchable winds.

"Hali, you're all I have now. You're all of my world. Without you, I would be lost. I need to know you'll stay with me forever. You'll stay here in my arms forever, will you not, Hali?"

Rustle of delicate feathers filled her ears with a subtle vibrations as they gathered her closer to the warm body of a man holding her close.

"With the ring gone, all I have is you. As long as I have your love, we shall survive any obstacle or hell that may cross us." He kissed the side of her forehead.

She heard his words but they made little impression. Thoughts, emotions and feelings barely imprinted on her mind before sinking away into the nothingness.

There's only darkness.

Nothing.​

Darkness.​

 

[JadeKnight]

Zion stayed by the bed, watching the comatose princess for nearly a day after the ring was removed. He didn't leave the room, eating his meals there. He let the healers in to check on her, but gave them no new information on her condition. He racked his brain for anything that would help her, pull her out. It was nearly midnight when Draco interrupted his thoughts.

System Shock.

"Hmmm? Explain."

She needs CPR, of sorts. Something to snap her mind and body together.

"Yes. I think I understand. CPR would jumpstart the human heart, but her body and heart are going perfectly well. Her mind is lost."

The best way to restart the brain is to make it release chemicals to restart it. Pleasure would be the best way to bring her mind and body together.

Zion took a deep breathe for a moment, looking down at the princess. If this method did work, she would probably wake up. If he was above her and in her when she did wake up, she would mostly try to fight him. Fighting her this way would not be the best way to start his path to bend her to his will. No, a more subtle method was required.

He lifted up his left hand for a moment, studying the crystal in his hand. The white crystal caught the moonlight, creating a rainbow effect. He reached out and placed the cool jewel against the princess's lightly golden-colored forehead. The white crystal glowed a bright silver as Draco began to apply his mind power to her.

Draco's magic foundt it's way into his mind, centering on her nervous system. He amped her sensitivity to five fold beyond her normal body functions.

The shadows all over the room slid their way towards the princess, encasing her from the neck down in a black cocoon. Zion added a bit of heat to the shadows as they began to pulsate over her body. Soon small circles were massaging into every inch of her soft skin. Her nipples were pinch and pulled in slowly, steady rhythm as the same motion was applied to her clit. Over the next hour, he varied the pulses and manipulation of her sweet, young body.

Draco allowed Zion to speak within the darkness of Haliegh's mind during the entire process.

"Princess Haliegh, this is your king speaking. I have come to bring you back to me. I am lost without you by my side. I am here to bring you back into the world you so love and desire. I want to protect you from any danger that may come, any danger that may harm you. I wish to hold you in my arms and give you the love you so desire. Nothing would please me more to see your silvery eyes filled with happiness and love."

Zion was silent for a short time, trying to think of what to say. The words made his skin crawl for some reason, but he had to say them, just to fill his need to increase his power.

"Your place is by my side, supporting as we rule together. You will do nothing, except support and love. Come back to my side."

He continued to talk to her about anything he could think of, that he was able to somewhat relate. He didn't know much about her, but he tried to use what he did know in the short time he had been in this world.

 

[Vailyn]

Princess Haliegh, this is your king speaking. I have come to bring you back to me. I am lost without you by my side.

Within the all encompassing darkness, awareness of her body returned as each part of her was touched, teased, caressed, fondled, rubbed, pinched, stroked or squeezed bit by bit until every inch of her was shimmering in acute arousal.

I am here to bring you back into the world you so love and desire.

She tried to find the source of the sensations and almost wailed in frustration as she found nothing. Her hands restlessly roamed over her body as her legs rubbed together fruitlessly. Quiet grunting coughs puffed up from her throat as her body became overtly sensitive and incapable of finding any release.

I want to protect you from any danger that may come, any danger that may harm you.

"Hali, my love. I'm here, Halie." Aerio crooned into her ear. She could feel the tips of wings gliding over her needy flesh. Her womb weeping a growing flood of tangy hunger. "Shhh, my love. I'm here with you. I'll take care of you."

I wish to hold you in my arms and give you the love you so desire.

She grasped his face and ardently kissed him. Her trimly muscled legs wrapping around him. Gladly meeting his thrust as he shoved his randy cock harshly inside her soaking wet and hungry passage.

Nothing would please me more to see your silvery eyes filled with happiness and love.

"Hali, I love you. All I ever desired is you. You are my heart and life." Aerio fiercely declared as his hands controlled her wild hips and held her still to take his punishing upward thrusts.

Your place is by my side, supporting as we rule together.

The first sign of colors exploded behind her tightly closed eyes. Blazing white, startling golds and radiant oranges burst and flared in partnered intensity to the raging climaxes that smacked her senses. Her body shook uncontrollably as each chaotic wave of intense pleasure battled over her body.

You will do nothing, except support and love.

At the insane peak of the thunderous roll of sensory overload, Haliegh's eyes popped open and she gave voice to her shattering releases. A vaguely familiar room and a stranger met her glazed silver eyes as she shook her head from side to side. The overwhelming climaxes loosened their hold upon her body in leaps and she sighed her relief as her body continued to tremble from the aftershocks. With a grateful whisper, Haleigh slipped back into the darkness.

Come back to my side.

Colors and feelings faded into nothing as the darkness returned.

Only a vague echo called and tried to catch her attention.

"Come back to me, my love."

Come back to my side.

"Come back to me, Hali."

Come back to my side.

 

[JadeKnight]

Zion gave a little bit of a smirk at the effects his method was having. It felt, well something of a relief to see the reaction of color return back to her eyes as she climaxed from the shadow play upon her body. The words he had spoken had their effect as well it seemed. However, it wasn't enough at this point.

He retreated from her mind for a few moments, thinking over his next plan of action. Though he had an idea of what to do, there was a major chance of it backfiring. If things went wrong, then the guards would come running in, possibly attacking. He grinned for a moment as he gathered up the remaining shadows, layering them over the walls, door, doorway, and balcony opening. He had told the others to stay out, which they had done for the screams of pleasure she had shouted out. Now they wouldn't hear anything.

The shadows around the princess's slender body stopped pulsating for a few moments before bursting outward, shredding all the garments she wore. The king smiled for a moment as he looked down at the smooth, supple Haliegh laying on the bed. She was still dripping from her recent orgasm, the sheets stained below.

Pulling his gaze from the wonderful view, Zion looked at his crystal-embedded hand for a moment. In order to use the dual powers, he would need to keep content contact at all times. Thinking for a moment, he gathered up a small batch of shadows into a knife, making it sharp enough to cut a small chunk from the crystal. Palming the crystal, he rummaged through the bedside nightstand before pulling out a makeshift crown. He stripped the crown's jewel from it's center, putting the rainbow jewel in it's place. The new crown was placed carefully on the princess's forehead, skin to jewel contact complete.

As he disrobed, Draco placed the king's presence into the princess's mind once more.

Your king has come for you, princess Haliegh. I have come to show you my need and love for you.

The shadows enveloped her supple, sweet body once more. They continued their intense pulsate, pinching, squeezing and rolling of her various sweet spots. Zion pushed her long legs apart before settling over the top of her, not yet touching her. He continued to talk about needing her back, wanting to give her the freedom she craved.

Feeling enough time had passed, he lowered his hips towards her, the tip of his shaft pressing apart her slick nether lips. The pain she was going to feel as her virginity was probably going to be beyond words with the heightened sensitivity, but it was all part of the process. He groaned deeply as her virgin tunnel clasped tightly around him as he pushed further until he hit the fleshy barrier. Pausing for a moment, he counted to three before plunging hard and deep into the princess. He gritted his teeth at the intensity, remaining deep within her before thrusting in and out of her with slow, deep strokes.

Though he had the sexual knowledge, Zion was technically a virgin. It didn't take long for him to climax, his hot seed bursting into the comatose Haliegh.

 

[Vailyn]

The nothingness receded as countless hands and mouths played freely with her hypersensitive body. Pulling each string tied to her pleasure centers and plucking her like an instrument made for inundating, hedonist desires.

Aerio groaned into her ear as his thick staff pierced her heated mound and began a slow grinding flirtation with her clinging warmth. He's low, deep voice whispered an endless vow of love and devotion and how much she meant to him. How much he needed her. That he would be nothing without her.

His deep thrusts grew stronger and more forceful. Yet it did not seem to touch or affect the level of shimmering ravenous hunger that gnawed from within. She could feel the embrace of his wings wrapped around them. The way his fingers bruised her hips with the harshness of his grasp. Only the invisible caress of lips, teasing touches, flicking tongues and pinching fingertips that touched her everywhere seemed real.

Within the darkness, the shelter of her lover's wings, she couldn't remember who she was or her name. Even when they called it out, the name seemed to slip beyond reach as all her attentions were drawn to the sensory overload of painfully sharp desire.

A frantic need to reach that amazing peak of release clawed her center. Her heart pounding as she tried her best to meet his upward thrusts. Frustrated mewls mixed with moans of need parted the air between them.

Your king has come for you, princess Haliegh. I have come to show you my need and love for you.

She felt something tease the entrance to her womb. How Aerio could be flushed against her and have another tease the puffy wet lips to her passage she did not know. Yet there it was. A firm heat that rested against her even as Aerio lunged frantically within her rippling center. Just as she bore down to press closer to Aerio and the other, it felt as though another demanding, conquering sword stabbed into her with one unrelenting burst.

I have come to show you my need and love for you.

Haliegh's glazed silver eyes burst open and found a stranger looming over her. The harsh stinging pain merged with the undulating waves of exquisite shocks of intense craving. Her fingernails sank into the strangers skin as her body unwittingly drove up to meet his deep strokes.

She could feel Aerio hammering inside her from the darkness.
She felt overwhelmed by the stranger's slow, even thrusts before her.
She could feel herself rising to that everlastingly high peak of release.

She cried out, her voice broken, as she fell!

The man gave a loud grunt as he sent bursts of his hot release to soak the smallest spaces left untouched by his invading member. The princess gave a hiccuping gasp as each blast soaked her within. Silver glazed eyes grew heavy and hazed as she returned to the sheltering darkness.

Aerio continued to lovingly pump slow strokes nto her convulsing vessel. Crooning his love and devotion.

Yet his form did not feel as strong as the jerking semi-erect column of flesh that she could still feel inside her. Separate from Aerio's hardness. The two sensations overriding the other.

A fog of confusion tried to lure her into questions but she left them all. She left it all as nothing enveloped her once more.

 

[JadeKnight]

Zion lifted up from the bed, taking a few deep breathes as his lips turned up into a scowl.

Don't worry your majesty. Your actions were sound and have worked. However, it's my turn once more.

Zion shook his head for a moment, easily detecting the sarcasm in Draco's voice at calling him majesty. He looked at the limp form of the princess for a moment, trying to determine the next course of action. He knew he was now playing a game of tug o'war with some presence that had decided to lodge within the princess. However, he had other steps to take before letting Draco have his way.

After redressing himself, he moved towards the bedroom door as the shadows moved aside for him. He stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind him so those gathered outside couldn't see in yet. The princess's honor guard had swelled to ten, all eyes looking towards him for any news, filled with dread. He grinned for a moment.

"You can wipe that fear from your eyes. The princess is not lost, due to some.."

Zion paused for a moment as he thought of the best way to phrase what he had done.

"..Unorthodox methods I had to take. It will only take a bit longer. Rosalina, come here."

The maid he had assigned to watch over Haliegh was further down the hallway, but she came forward quickly, bowing her head.

"Your Majesty, what would you like?"

"Go and get a bath prepared for the princess. Once everything is ready, bring a robe or something for her to wear."

The maid didn't question his orders, bowing once more in acknowledgement before hurrying off. Zion turned to head in, only to find his path blocked by Allont. Zion figured his words probably sparked a question about the princess's current state, probably about the clothing request.

"Don't worry about her. No harm came to her, but her clothing is not in a state that would befitting for her to be seen in by others."

He laid a hand on the man's shoulder, pushing past him into the bedroom once more. The shadows moved down into place once more as Zion moved to sit on the edge of the bed. He closed his eyes as he took a few deep breathes, disappearing from the room.

Draco was once more inside Haliegh's head, engulfed in the darkness. His red eyes blinked for a few times, moving to adjust to the darkness. It took a few moments before he saw the princess a few feet away, embraced by a strange winged humanoid. It could have been an angel, but he had no knowledge of the creature. He snorted in disgust, his stomach growling at the same time.

As Draco floated there in the darkness above the two, a wicked idea form in his mind. He flexed his front talons for a moment before spreading his wings wide, gliding closer. He came up short from the angelic creature's back, three feet from Aerio and Haliegh. He leaned forward and growled softly into Aerio's ear, licking his lips at the same time.

"You have crossed the wrong person, at exactly the wrong time. It's dinner time."

The words had their desired effect, making Aerio stopped for a moment. Draco's right hand shot out, talons shredding the angelic wings from Aerio's back. His large claws wrapped around the angel's head, pulling him from the grasp of Haliegh. With a flap of his wings, he darted backwards as he grasped Aerio's body with his other set of claws. With a roar, Draco took a large bite out of Aerio, ripping a large chunk from his midsection. Swallowed the chunk whole, he soon had the angel devoured in only a few bites. Satisfied, Draco disappeared from the princess's mind.

The king shivered as he reappeared on the bed, glancing towards the princess for a moment. He stood up, redressing himself in a few moments as he tried to think of what to do next. She had been responsive to his attempts, enough to actually have life in the princess's eyes once more.

With the intruder gone, he didn't believe it would be anymore of a problem with the tug o'war. He rubbed his hands together for a little bit as he sorted out the current situation. He figured that her mind and body weren't quite in sync, but it was possible to do so. Maybe she needed the right kind of signal to be led in the right direction.

Rummaging through the nightstand for a few moments, Zion soon pulled out a small metronome. He placed the small instrument on the nightstand, carefully releasing the timing arm. He set the timing mechanism to one beat every two seconds, letting it go. The soft, steady ticking soon filled the room.

He sat down next to the comatose princess once more, placing his warm hands on either side of her face. He leaned down and began whispering softly.

"Come to your king, princess. Your freedom lies with me. Follow the sounds of my voice and the beat."

His fingers massaged lightly circles against her soft cheeks, continuing to speak in the low tone for as long as he could.

 

[Vailyn]

The nothingness faded into layered shadowed darkness that remained the same whether her eyes were open or closed. There were shapes in the darkness but none of it held its form beneath her seeking hands. She couldn't feel her own body and her mind swam in a murky dense mud-water that made it difficult to think. Reasoning came down to basic cause and effect. Initial thought and causal actions. Pushing to gather information with her senses and yet finding them all muted.

Various and unrelated temperature changes caused her to turn towards the alterations but she found nothing. Sounds came and went in a drifting manner of waves pulling and pushing from the sea.

The sea... have I ever seen the sea?

A steady patterned beat walked hand in hand beside her until it beat twice for each one of her heart's. An invisible friend to journey with in the beyond.

Friendship. I remember friendship.

Sounding in odd bounding echoes, a masculine voice called to her. Something about duty. Something about ruling. A plea to return. Coaxing to leave the layers of shadow that made the whole of her world.

This is my world.

 

[JadeKnight]

Zion continued to call for Haliegh, but it didn't seem to work. He stopped a few hours after midnight, his mind and body tired from the work. It was also getting to him that although the methods were slowly working on bringing the princess back, he felt like he ran into another dead end. Angrily he picked up a vase that was sitting on the nightstand, throwing it against the far wall. The vase just bounced off the shadows, hitting the ground with a loud crash. The pure white pieces scattered all over the marble floor.

You need sleep, your majesty.

Zion growled for a moment in response, but knew Draco was right. He didn't even bother to undress, pushing the comatose princess over a little on the bed. It took only a few moments before he was in a deep sleep, facing away from Haliegh.

Draco used the time while Zion sleep to place himself once more within the princess's mind. This time he had expanded himself to a massive size, over one hundred feet long from muzzle to tail. His head was as tall as the princess herself. He parted the shadows of the princess's mind till he found her, making his way to her. He lowered his head till his red eyes were looking into her silvery-blue ones.

"Come little one. This place of darkness is not for you to dwell within. You belong in the light. Now come on, climb up."

He turned his head slightly, motioning to the area at the base of his neck. The ridges between his shoulder blades have plenty of space for her sit.

"I will be your guide."

 

[Vailyn]

Combined Writing - Vailyn & JadeKnight

Within the layered shadows of the fathomless space, a voice thundered and two huge red orbs blinked into existence in front of her. She could spread her arms out wide and it still wouldn't be enough to bridge the distance from one orb to the other.

Those red orbs continued to look at the princess for several moments as the dragon in front of her waited for her to move. He turned his body slowly around in the darkness so that the offered shoulder was in front of her. Draco lifted his head back and and around so that he was looked towards where he wanted the princess to sit. His voice boomed once more in the darkness.

"Climb up here."

She stared at the immense, darker shadowed form before her. "Why?"

Until she spoke, she didn't realize that she could talk but it felt right and a part of her. Though her voice sounded dry and hoarse.

The shadow dragon snorted for a moment, the warm of his breathe enveloping the princess for a moment before disappearing. "This darkness is only a part of you, but it has swallowed you whole. This is not the place for any living mortal to stay. Either get on or be lost forever. The shadows are not the place for you."

"This is all I know and all I am." she said after a long, drawn out pause. The appearance of this loud being held her attention only as long as she looked in its direction. A feeling of warmth turned her towards her right. She followed it.

The answer didn't satisfy the dragon, making him shake his head for a moment. It was clear to him that she was in of guidance, and she wasn't willing to move on her own. If she wasn't going to climb, he would carry her in his claws. However he gave her one last chance. "Climb up. I'm only a short distance on front of you."

His voice roared from all around her but she has already traveled beyond the entity. The warmth has drifted away to join the shadows and she sank into it as well.

The Dragon gave another snort, deciding that the princess was being very stubborn at this point. Moving soundlessly through the darkness, a large four-fingered talon enveloped the princess. The grip was tight and warm, but not tight enough to be painfully. Heat radiated from the scaled grip while he held the lost princess for several more seconds before placing her up on his shoulders.

"Now is not the time for stubbornness. Why did you choose the shadows? Do you not want to feel the warmth of others?" With a sharp flap of his wings, they were moving through the shadows.

"The shadows are me and it is all I am. Warmth comes and it goes. The shadows are here before the warmth, during the time of it being felt and long past the moment it is gone. The shadows are all around me and I am it." The words drew out in a halting fashion and took time to utter aloud. Once the explanation was stated, she fell into the movement and prickly heat of the entity.

Though he was of the darkness, even he knew the light would drive away such things. The dragon had to expel this creature of the light back into it, or he wouldn't be able to enjoy more of his dark deeds. A chuckle rumbled in his throat for a moment at the thought.

"Fleeting as they maybe, they are what make you. Find a time of warmth and concentrate on it." He growled and bellowed a stream of fire in front of him, keeping it up as he flew. The heat of from the fire created a funnel over the two as they flew.

"I am warm now. You are warm." she replied. She watched the flames that the entity blew before them and wondered at the sight of color in the darkness.

The flames stopped as Draco spoke once more. "No, not the warmth of touch. The warmth you get from a memory. Tell me of a time you felt warm and with another, beside me." Draco was beginning to think the princess was gonig to be a stubborn one to be working with.

"What is memory?" she inquired.

"Memory..." Draco growled as he attempted to figure out that explanation himself. "A remembrance of a time or place in which something happened to you. It can be brought about by anything, really." The dragon was silent for several more moments before speaking again. "Place your hands on my back, feel my heartbeat and remember."

She placed her hands down on his back and felt the beat that rumbled beneath her with her hands. They traveled thus for a while. She simply existed in the moment.

Draco was silent as he continued to fly through the darkness. He did not know what happened to her, but thought the intruder would have something to do with it. He didn't know the intruders name, but took on another line of question.

"Your name. Do you remember it? I want you to think long and hard for it or anything else which comes to mind."

The words the entity said did not mean anything to her. She could only tell that it asked her a question. Questions usually lead to answers. But she had no answer to give.

Draco was silent as he continued to fly through the darkness. He didn't understand it, why his method wasn't working. True, he had no experience in this, but neither had Zion. However he had gotten a reaction that pulled the princess out of her coma when...well the could try that method now. After all, he could use the same knowledge as Zion.

He closed his eyes for a moment, his dragon body shrinking slowly. His transformation left him a few feet below and behind the princess. After a few seconds he was a man-sized humanoid shaped dragon. His body retained it's scaly feeling, his wings protruding from his back. His four fingered hands ended in small talons, jet black like the rest of his body. His head was more fully human, but his ears were thin, and double-point. Draco's tail was much smaller, three feet long and ended in a triangular point. His human-like phallus was twelve inches from tip to groin, tiny scales covering from his groin to the bulbous head.

She drifted on the creature for a while until it began to diminish and fade away from beneath her. The change was not expected but it was not unlike the land of layered shadows. Things came and went. The only certainty lay in the land itself and her place within it. It was not like the nothingness. It was the shadows.

Draco moved up behind the princess, wrapping his arms around her waist to hold her against his newly form human body. His voice was like a low growl as he whispered in her ear. "Let' see what sort of sensations can bring you out of your coma."

She felt the creature's body next to hers. Even as a smaller figure, it still towered over her and her soft flesh warmed his oddly smooth, chill scales.

As Draco held the princess against him, it was a new sensation all together. He really couldn't find the words to describe how this all was making him feel, it was only his second day of awakening afterall. He cold feel his inner temperature rise along with a needing for her. It was like a hunger, but not for food. The sharp claws on his talons glazed over her creamy skin, but not with enough force to cut her open. This was the dream state after all, but he didn't have experience of what to compare it to, only the knowledge. The talons stroked beneath her supple breasts, tracing lightly over her sensitive nubs as his tail flexed around to wrap along her left thigh.

The pull of talons scrapping along her skin made her feel warm inside. A light shiver scattered along her nerves as the deadly nails caressed her skin. She felt her pulse ripen as the manlike one explored her chest and gasped when her nipples were played. Her body automatically arched into the touch and the bulbous length rested between her round cheeks and bumped demandingly into her lower back.

His talons plucked at her sensative nipples for a few moments before gently twisting them between their cool touch. His breathe was hot against her cheek as he spoke softly with a low growling to his voice."I am Draco. You will be the mate of Draco the Great."

She laid her head back against his chest and moaned as he played with her sensitive tips. She moved into his talons and whimpered his name. "Draco...yes, Draco."

He turned her around in front of him, so they could face one another. His red serpent eyes blinked for a moment as he looked at her, sliding a couple of talons along the right cheek for a moment. His serpent-like tongue flickered out, twice as long as a human tingue and forked at the end. He flicked his tongue against her soft cheek, tasting of her. He grasped a supple breast between his other hand, squeezing and kneading the soft flesh beneath it. His wings wrapped around her, encapsuling the warm of their bodies.

The strange red eyes seem to glow with their own light and she couldn't help but gaze into them. The feel of his talons felt hard and yet so smooth against her skin. Harder than the drag of human nails and yet not uncomfortable for it. A light wetness marked her soft cheek where he had tasted her. The feel of his tongue rough. She found herself arching into his hand as he fondled her. The scent of his growing arousal and smoky fire encompassed her as his wings sheltered her in his embrace.

His split tongue flicker across her soft cheek once more, taking in more of her sweet taste. He pressed his mouth against hers, wanting to have more. His split tongue found it's way between her lips, entwining with hers as it danced around. Her sweetness was one he enjoyed and never wanted to forget. One hand stayed one her supple breast, squeezing and kneading it a little harder. His other hand slid down along her slender curves to her backside, squeezing the firm flesh. His hips ground against hers, rubbing his length against her soft nether lips and clit. The cool scales a deep contrast against the heat coming from her. He moaned as the new waves of pleasure ran through his body.

The kiss felt oddly familiar but not as his strong tongue twined itself around hers and urged her to play with him. It tickled and caressed. Drew her out to taste him. His mouth was demanding and playful. Tasting of cool waters and some spice. A gush of warm desire dripped down from her hidden valley and coated her swollen lips and vales. The insistent pulse of his large length pushed against her wet mound. Her hands rested on his shoulders. Fingernails digging into his scales as cresting burst of need clenched inside.

His tongue continued to play with hers for several more moments, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the sweetness she gave to him. He broke the kiss after a little longer, flickering along her soft lips, chin and down to her slender neck. His teeth had remained dragon-like, small but pointed like his talons. Those same teeth bit lightly on her soft flesh of her neck, gnawing lightly as his tongue flickered to taste more of her. His talons moved from her breast down along her slender curves to rest on her shapely backside. He could feel her warm desire coat along a portion of his length, a signal to him to proceed further.

Draco lifted her up a little higher in front of him, spreading her thighs further apart. He moaned against her neck as his bulbous tip pressed against her heated entrance for a moment before he plunged her down deeply. He moaned deeply at the feeling of the heated muscles encompassing his length, the warmth sending waves of pleasure through him. His hands tighten in anticipation of more, his scaly length scraping lightly along her inner tunnel.

A startled scream tripped out of her as he thrust his long, wide length into her. The pull of her muscles in her thighs only fanned the heat that grew in her womb. Her eyes shut as her sense spiraled to the point of their union. She could feel him push far into her depths and her curious wetness gushed over him. Casting the creamy wetness all over their groins. She instinctively tensed and gyrated her hips in small circles. Feeling the small scales rub pleasurably against her inner walls.

The dragon loosed a growling moan as he tilted his head back at the wash of sensations through him. The feeling of her juices coat over him as he pushed into her tightness, urged him onward. Though she was tight around his large size, he slowly worked into her, feeling her slowly adjust to his length. His talons dug into her soft flesh as he pushed as deep as he could into her tight, heated tunnel. Letting her take a few moments to adjust, he grasped her slender waist as he moved her up and down his length with long, slow strokes. The scales rubbed pleasurably along her inner walls with each stroke as he moaned in deep pleasure.

Long silver locks slid against the dragon man's strong wings as he bounced her petite form up and down his massive erection. Her hands searched for a place to settle and landed on her own firm breasts to fondle and pinch as he thrust his entire burgeoning length into her. Each time she pinched her tense nipples, she could feel herself clench harder around him. Causing him to growl and push into her faster. Puffs of air twined with halting moans as the air heated and steamed beneath his dark wings

He could feel the peak of pleasure building within him with each passing moment. He growl-moaned louder as he gnashed at the heated air with his panting mouth. His talons clasp tighter into her soft flesh, drawing a bit of blood beneath his hand. A few more moments and the intense pleasure within him peaks, throwing his head back. He roared with the pleasure as his wings spread wide behind him, plunging his new mate down on his thick shaft as he releases his hot seed into her hot tunnel and womb. He gasps and breathes hotly as he tries to catch his breathe as he rides the waves of pleasure with the princess.

The sharp sting of his talons cutting into her skin made her body shudder and her stomach clenched hard as wild pleasure pulsed and dance out from within her. Crying out in gasping screams, her hands dropped to his hands and held on tight as his wings fell away to spread out. She could feel him swell and held on tight to his hands as he thrust into her savagely. With one last strong thrust into her, his searing climax only stroked her own higher and the wails of pleasure followed his thundering roars.

The dragon man pulled her into his arms, his scaled cock rooted inside her still, and she cuddled against his hard scaled chest. Wrapping her legs and arms around him. She felt safe. Instinctively, she knew this was where she was meant to be. She kissed his chest.

She whispered sweetly, "I am yours, Draco."

 

[JadeKnight]

Draco growled with pleasure as he heard those words leave the princess's mouth, his wings wrapping around her once more. The warmth and the aftermath of the mixture of sensations was something he hadn't quite expected when trying the same method as the king. It worked better than he thought, and hoped the results he had achieved did remain. He didn't believe he had done enough, driven on by his more basic urges.

He lifted her face up after she speaks, looking into her eyes. Draco embraces her mouth with his once more, their tongue entwining hotly. He growl-moaned in the kiss as his buried shaft within the princess is given life once more. His scaled shaft is fully hugged by his mate's warm tunnel rippling around it. The combination of pleasure and warmth overwhelms him, sending him over the height of pleasure. He breaks the kiss to roar once more as he climaxes with her once again.

The act of mating was good in the mind of the princess, but it brought things only to a head so far. The act would most likely be even better outside the mind. There was only one way for him to find out.

In the bed, Draco began to change Zion's body into the same image as he had in Haliegh's mind. He was a man-sized humanoid shaped dragon. His body retained it's scaly feeling, his wings protruding three feet from his back. His four fingered hands ended in small talons, jet black like the rest of his body. His head was more fully human, but his ears were thin, and double-point. His face was squared, giving him a muzzle-like mouth and nose. Draco's tail was much smaller, three feet long and ended in a triangular point. His human-like phallus was nine inches from tip to groin, tiny scales covering from his groin to the bulbous head.

Draco sat up on the bed slowly, taking a few moments to get used to the new sensations as the smaller humanoid form than the larger dragon form. He licked his lips for a moment with his split tongue as he looked down at the comatose princess. He leaned closer, flicking his tongue along her soft skin as he tasted her again for the first time. He takes her nip in his mouth, rolling and biting gently on it. His talons stroke lightly over her slender body, explore every inch carefully. His talons flicker softly on her clit, rubbing between them as the princess's body shifts and moans in pleasure. He lifts his head as he watches the beautiful body writhe beneath him on the bed. A talon moves down along her wet nether lips, tracing lightly before he plunges it into her warm passage. He grins as the sudden intrusion between pain and pleasure sends her over, her warm cream splashing over his hand.

Waiting till the princess's body quits quivering, Draco overs over her for a moment. He places his tip against her spread opening, groaning at the intense heat from it.

"And what do you feel like here?"

He growls as he begins to slowly push into her tight passage, his talons digging into the sheets and mattress. The warm of her walls wrapped around his scaly member was a hot contrast to his cool body. It was a wonderful sensation to him as he pushed further into her, sliding as deep as he could. Draco wasn't quite certain how long he would hold out, feeling her muscles ripple around him. He growled with pleasure as he began to thrust into her, his scales digging lightly into her inner walls. He is nearing his climax when he speaks into her mind, his wings spread wing.

Wake my mate. Wake so we can climax together!"