The young warlock patted the scales of the dragon he was riding with a smile. "How long has it been since you gave me a lift?"
She was a graceful and beautiful dragon with bright red scales and orange streaks that glowed like lava. Her massive wings not only carried her huge body but also made her very fast. This was because dragon bone is extremely strong and lightweight.
The tips and edges of her wings are constantly on fire and smoldering such that a strong blast of hot wind is formed whenever she flaps her wings. A steady glow illuminated the tip of her long tail.
Her four legs are muscular with glinting black talons like an oversized eagle. Her mouth is lined with a lot of sharp teeth which are for some reason, really white and spotless. Her crimson eyes glinted with mischief not seen in many dragons.
"Indeed. It has been a long time. I even thought that you had forgotten me.", she answered telepathically.
The warlock laughed, "How can I ever forget you Flaria? You make sure that everyone you meet remembers you in any way possible, whether they like it or not."
"Hmph. You talk like you have been away for a long time.", Flaria said.
The young man smiled, "Of course, I was away for a long time. It's just that you dragons have ridiculous lifespans."
"Look who's talking.", Flaria snorted smoke out of her nostrils.
He laughed and then looked at the fog-covered island which grew closer with each flap of Flaria's wings. "How is she?", he asked Flaria.
"Still the same. She spends most of her time asleep and looking at the sky. You could say she's extremely bored so I and the others would visit her when we have free time. We would talk about different things but in the end, we have to leave her.", Flaria replied.
The warlock frowned, "So you are saying that the only productive things she does are looking at the sky and sleeping?"
Flaria nodded her huge head and turned her long neck to look at the warlock, "I bet she will be happy to see you again."
"Huh? And here I was hoping that she wouldn't bite upon seeing me.", the warlock chuckled nervously.
They reached the lone island and entered the fog. The warlock couldn't see anything in the dense fog.
When it seemed like they would crash against something the fog cleared and a majestic palace came into view. It had a gothic style to it and was made of white stone which had faded with time. Two towers towered over the rest of the palace and disappeared into the fog.
The palace was right in the middle of a plain surrounded by trees and gardens. Behind it was a huge lake that glinted in the sunlight.
Despite being deserted, the palace looked well kept. In the center of the biggest garden stood a solitary olive tree. Underneath the tree was a table and three chairs.
Flaria landed in front of the palace entrance. The surrounding trees shook with the force of the wind. The young man slid off her back and landed lightly on the ground.
"This is as far as I go. I have some stuff to do. Hopefully, you can tell her about the issue.", Flaria said. "What issue?", the young man asked.
The dragon sighed, "One of the main reasons you came here?"
"Ohhhhh. Yeah. I will tell her.", he replied. "I will drop by later. So be sure to stay here until then.", Flaria said and with a mighty flap of her wings, she rose into the sky and disappeared into the fog.
The young man watched the dragon's silhouette slowly fade into the fog. He turned around and approached the main doors of the palace.
He placed his hands on them and the doors swung open by themselves, revealing a grand hall with breathtaking furnishings and gilded designs. Huge crystal chandeliers ran the length of the hall with the last one right on top of two grand staircases that led to the upper floors.
A great number of paintings and sculptures lined both sides of the hall. Many doors and arches were put at regular intervals along the hall. The arches led to more halls and the doors led to many rooms.
He looked around. It had been some time since he came here. He thought about Oserion's palace as he looked at the ornate arches and sculptures.
He climbed the grand staircase to the third floor which contained a hall that ended in a balcony. On both sides of the hall were double doors that led to two huge rooms. He opened the door to the left.
It was a huge office and command room with a fireplace surrounded by comfortable couches. A big desk with a comfortable chair was in front of the big main window with red drapes.
The drapes were drawn back so the whole room was awash with sunlight. The desk was kept neatly, with a stack of one or two books along with some paperweights, quills, bottles of ink, and a vase containing purple roses.
One part of the room contained a long black table with runes engraved on its sides. A few chairs were kept near the table. The wall next to the table had a big cupboard filled with books, maps, markers, and other stuff. A map of Ascalon was on the wall.
The young man walked to the long table and touched the runes on its side. The runes glowed blue and the smooth black surface of the table lit up and revealed a map of the entire world, complete with the changing terrain and clouds moving in real-time.
He zoomed in on the continent of Arken and then to the island he was standing upon. He remembered the times this table was used. "Time does flow.", he sighed.
He stopped the magia flow and the map was slowly replaced by the black surface of the table. Suddenly he stopped as he realized something.
"Oh. I am in the wrong room. Old habits die hard.", he chuckled.
He turned around and exited the room. He closed the doors and walked to the opposite ones. He opened it and found himself in a bedroom about the size of the office.
The whole room was dark as the drapes were covering the huge main window. The room had a wardrobe, a screen for changing clothes, A small dining table with three chairs, a mirror, light stone lamps, another door leading to the bathroom, and a shelf that covered a whole wall filled with books.
At the corner near the main window was a four-poster bed with the curtains down. He walked to the bed and saw the figure sleeping peacefully underneath the blanket.
It was a young girl who looked about fourteen years of age. She had long straight platinum blonde hair, snow-white skin, long eyelashes, and was a literal sleeping beauty. She wore a simple nightgown and he could see a faint eyeshadow over her eyes.
"You do realize it is inappropriate for a man to enter a young maiden's bedroom and stare at her while she's asleep.", the girl said calmly and opened her eyes which were icy blue.
The young man smiled back, "Don't worry. I am not interested in fourteen-year-olds.", he went over to the windows and moved the drapes, flooding the room with sunlight.
"Why you.", the girl got up and stretched her petite body, her nightgown slipped off her left shoulder revealing a nasty scar between her collarbone and shoulder.
She looked at the young man and smiled, "Eravon Lock. It has been a long time since we saw each other. How are your travels?"
Eravon smiled back, "They're going well but I'm staying in this world for some time."
The girl tilted her head, "That's good. Otherwise, I would've thought that the only reason you came to this world was to just wake me up from a nice sleep as a prank."
"I wouldn't dare.", Eravon chuckled, "One has to be mental to disturb the sleep of Vanessa Dracule, the queen of vampires as a prank."
"Jeez I was just joking.", Vanessa slid off her bed and walked to Eravon, who looked at her scar, "It hasn't faded huh?"
She touched the scar softly, "A wound by a black magia spear always leaves its mark even if the black magia had faded a long time ago. Plus, this acts as a reminder of that time."
She then frowned at Eravon, "Have you grown taller?"
"I've heard that some vampires shrink over time.", Eravon answered. "Still having that smart mouth eh? You haven't changed.", Vanessa said with a smile.
She nodded at the door, "How about you wait in the office while I take a quick bath and change clothes?"
Eravon, "Very well, your majesty."
He walked outside of the room and entered the office. He started the fireplace and crashed onto one of the couches.
After a few minutes, the doors opened and Vanessa entered the room. She wore a gothic dress with white gloves and black socks and shoes. Her hair was adorned with three purple roses.
She looked so graceful and dignified that Eravon stood up and bowed, "You are as beautiful as always."
Vanessa smiled, "Thank you Eravon.", she turned to the door, "How about we go for a walk?"
"Good idea.", Eravon got up. He traced a finger in the air and a tear appeared in the space. He put his hand inside the tear and brought out an exquisite wine bottle, "I brought a gift for you."
Vanessa's eyes lit up, "I feel something familiar from that bottle. How about we stop by the garden table as we walk?"
Eravon smiled, "As you wish."
He followed the vampire queen out of the room and the two of them walked the halls of the great palace.