The Test, The Egg, and The Counsel
(Graphic Content)
William's Perspective
I followed the knight, who I found out to be Lord Kevlar, one of the so-called Dragon Lords. He is high on the ranking system within the Order, not as high as Knight Commander, but close enough to be a commander.
Lord Kevlar led me down several alleyways, leading me to the mountain wall. Sketchy as it appears, leading a young man down alleyways, I only trusted Lord Kevlar because if anything happened, all the Dragons Riders would hear me. Or I hoped.
Before I knew it, we were approaching one of the pillars that held up the mountain. It was huge. Many people, nobles and riders alike, walk in and out of the base of the spiral.
On the spiral itself were engravings of Dragon Riders and Knights battling the horde of the Blight; even pictures of Titan Riders were one of them.
Titan Riders.
The peak of the Order of Drake. Nothing can go higher than them. The apex of dragons. Out of the whole Order, there were only, like, what, ten or fifteen Titan Riders. Only the best knights can become a Titan Rider, and that's rare. According to urban legends that Aunt Silfe told me, Titan's are supposed to be god-like creatures.
"Never been to one of the Spirals?" I turn my head to Lord Kevlar, staring at me, his eyes glaring right at me.
"No, I haven't, my lord," I responded quickly, running back up to him as he led us into the spiral.
The base door was almost five times my size, nearly twenty-eight feet. Passed the doors, there was a stairway that everyone, even dragons, could use. The staircase was long and cracked, ruined by all the dragons that walk up and down the spiral occasionally. The stairs circled upward around the spiral walls, leaving a hole in the center for dragons to fly up and down from.
"Or if someone wanted to take a leap of faith." I couldn't help but smile at my thoughts, remembering that Barren used to say he would jump off the top and land at the bottom occasionally.
Luckily, there are railings, just in case. The walls were thick enough to keep riders and dragons inside them like a small house if I recall Barren correctly. Heck, I could see one now.
I saw a young woman in a yellow dress riding on a wingless dragon; both legs were on the same side. She looked incredibly tacky sitting like that. It is as if she is trying to establish something to others beneath her.
Her dragon was just as on board with the tackiness. Its brown, thick scales withered by age but still had a spark to its elegance.
But now is not the time to be distracted.
"Where we going, my lord?"
"Just keep quiet and follow." Lord Kevlar was blunt, his words punching me in the gut as I stepped back from him.
Following him up the staircase, many dragons and their riders, along with some fancy nobles, all dressed up in armor and fancy silk cloths, walked up and down the stairs. They were carrying goods and weapons along the way.
I lost track of how long I'd been walking, but my legs throbbed.
"Dang, lots of steps," I spoke out loud, my legs beginning to cramp up. Sure, I can almost run down a raptor, but stairs are killers, especially when it's been like, what? Ten minutes. I almost stumbled as a dragon landed right outside the spiral wall.
At some point, I grabbed the railing because hell. Walking up massive staircases that can fit dragons the size of buildings is challenging. Even if my father said I was stronger than the average person. Stairs are still stairs. Lord Kevlar doesn't even look tired.
At some point, a large passageway appeared up a few more steps. I suppose this would be the first floor if it were like any other building.
"Welcome to the Bridge Level One." Lord Kevlar spoke as he walked by the open passageway.
"Bridge?"
I was stunned by what I saw. The bridge was humongous, like an underground fortress, fortified by both man and dragon. Riders rode on their dragons as they either marched or flew over. Armed soldiers guarded every door that didn't have a rider and their dragon.
Not only that, but the design was. Well. Ancient from what I guess. Like something you see in a ruined castle. Support pillars lined up throughout the cavern, with each pillar at a clear frame wrapping around the top and bottom, where they connected to the ceiling in a symmetrical display, like a flower. I couldn't tell if the walkway was ancient, as it looked darker than any other cobblestone path but simple, probably due to all the scratches and cracks and the need to replace them.
"Don't enjoy it too much; we got ten more bridges to go up." Lord Kevlar spoke out as I turned to see him walk up the stairs.
Ten more! Is Kevlar insane? I'm already tired.
"Where are you taking me?"
"You find out soon enough."
I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
I continue to follow Lord Kevlar up the stairs. Minutes go by, and I eventually lose track of time.
Lord Kevlar eventually walked into what I assumed to be our intended bridge. I was climbing the stairs with my arms and feet, almost like a dog. I was just tired. However, Lord Kevlar didn't seem to care as he walked onto our target bridge.
I stood up and began to stretch out my aching arms and legs. A few bones popped in a glorious, ow, that hurt but also felt good kinda way.
The bridge was somewhat empty, not many riders were up here. A few guards were standing at their post. As Lord Kevlar walked by the guards, they stood straight up, arms to their sides and feet together, bringing their right hand to their chest where their heart would be, as they gestured a salute—putting three fingers out and connecting the pinkie and the thumb over the heart.
Lord Kevlar didn't seem to care much for them as he marched past them. His face was cold and distant like they weren't worthy of being recognized by him. "Keep quiet from here on out." He didn't even turn to speak to me, keeping his attention ahead.
I nodded quietly, walking past the guards, not wanting to displease him. Continuing down the bridge for what appeared to be hours to me, the interior slowly turned into a rocky cavern. The once so walkway that we followed vanished, along with the fortress design architecture.
Tripping over a few rocks, Lord Kevlar somehow lit a torch and tossed it into the cave. There, I realized we were in a massive catacombs-like cave. I couldn't see the walls of this cave. But I could make out what was near the torch that Lord Kevlar threw. There laid a foundation of giant stones. Each stone had its color and pattern that separated one from another. That's when it hit me.
"This is a Dragon's Nest," I said out loud, completely forgetting what Lord Kevlar told me.
But who cares? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Only riders got to see a Dragon's nest, as dragons are very protective with their eggs. Very understanding, knowing the power that dragons hold.
"Yes. Here is where all new riders come for their eggs."
Really? This is it. This is what I have been waiting for. Every step I took, every punch I threw. Every kick, every swing I did, everything.
Wait? Wasn't there supposed to be a test?
I slowly approached the eggs as I heard the sound of a fire being started, turning around to see Lord Kevlar lighting up a torch on the wall. Turning back to the eggs, I approach them cautiously, considering where my foot is going.
Each egg was up to my knees and was as wide as my chest. I slowly walked around them, not wanting to hit any of them accidentally. Not when this could be part of the test. As much as I want to run over and look at the eggs, I must control myself.
"Most nobles would be ecstatic, overbearing, or extremely arrogant." I turn my head to Lord Kevlar as he lights up another torch.
It wasn't man-made, that's for sure.
"But not you, Mister Hunter. That's good. It means you have a sense of self-control. But to what end?"
I hear a loud screeching sound, like metal rubbing against metal. But before I could answer, something drew my attention. It was strange. It was like I was feeling a heartbeat. It was weak but faint. I look at one of the eggs, at the very far end of all the others. I could barely see it, but it felt like it was calling out to me. I took one step forward, ensuring I didn't bump any eggs. Then, another step, as the heartbeat grows.
Thump-Thump Thump-Thump
Each step I took felt long and tense. My body shivered as goosebumps formed across my skin. But each step closer to this one egg felt lighter, like my body was losing its weight. I took another step closer, and it felt like a layer of my skin that I never knew I had was being pulled toward it. There was no pain. The only thing I could feel was this one pull.
Thump-Thump Thump-Thump
The heartbeat was clear but was still weak, like hitting a drum softly. As I got closer, I noticed the torch Lord Kevlar threw was now at my feet, so I picked it up and aimed it towards the direction. There, the cause of this pull was in plain sight. What appeared to me was an egg. Its shell was like that of a dragon scale, but its color was a deep, faded brown. It's as if someone has been tossing it in the dirt. Its brown was so offputting that I thought it might be rotten or slowly dying. Whatever this egg was, I couldn't pull myself away.
Why was I drawn to this?
"Well, that makes my job easier."
"What?" I turned my head as Lord Kevlar approached me with a hammer.
"One of the tests to prove one's will is the willingness to destroy defective eggs. Dragons draw their power from the Dragon Force. It is what grants them their power. An egg becomes defective when it doesn't tap into the Dragon Force. These defects later on become Wyrms, Drakes, or whatever reptile that flies."
I then realized that Lord Kevlar was looking at the egg at my feet. He proceeds to snatch the torch out of my hand.
"This egg is defected?" I stumbled back as I recoiled my arm back to me.
"Look at it. The shell is worn and filthy like a rotten egg. And no sense of Dragon Force is coursing through it. Destroy it"
Before I could say anything, Lord Kevlar shoves the hammer into my arms. "What?"
"Prove to me you have what it takes to be a rider. Dragons don't tolerate weakness. If you can't destroy a defective egg, how can the Dragons or the Order trust you to fight the Blight?"
I stared at him and then looked back at the egg as my heart raced. My palms started to sweat as I tried to speak. I gazed intensely at the egg, feeling its heartbeat.
Thump-Thump Thump-Thump Thump-Thump
I looked back at Lord Kevlar. "You can't be serious. You want me to take a life that hasn't been born yet."
"It doesn't matter if It hasn't been born yet. What matters is that it's either a dragon or not, and you being able to do what is needed." Lord Kevlar grabbed my shirt and shoved me towards the egg.
Being closer to the egg felt like it was prying pieces of my body toward it. I could feel my body getting weaker, and all that strength was being sapped away into the egg, like how you would get fatigued when you're sick.
My thoughts were racing. I couldn't just kill the egg or whatever lies in it. The Order was supposed to fight the Blight, so all life could flourish. And the Blight has driven back for now, so there is no need to do such things. But I must become a Dragon Rider. If I can smash this egg with this hammer, I can join the Order and fight the Blight. I can avenge my mother, who was taken from me. From us. Me and my father.
I remember my father showing me a photo of himself alongside my mother and me. I could clearly see the stains of tears left on that photo. I don't know how much it hurt, but I knew it tore him apart. He tried to cover up the tear stains, but he failed.
I grip the handle of the hammer tightly, ensuring it won't slip out, as I take a step forward. My legs were shaky.
What is this? Why am I shaking?
I started feeling nauseous as my breathing became heavy, almost labored, like someone was pressing against my stomach. Looking down at my arm, I could see my hand trembling.
Am I doubting now? Here? After everything I have seen and done? This is the final step. The whole point of everything. Right there. All I have to do is raise and drop this hammer.
I force my body to comply as the heartbeat continues to beat. I was feeling my arms protest as sweat dripped down my forehead. Hesitating, I slowly brought the hammer up. I then swung my arms forward. I was clutching my eyes tight, unable to bear the sight of what I was doing and taking the life of an unborn creature. But I didn't hear anything.
Realizing that I haven't moved. I grit my teeth and tried to move my arms to swing the hammer forward but couldn't.
I then realized that my heart was pounding in my chest. I started breathing rapidly. Despite the pounding in my chest, my heart ached.
I couldn't. I can't just take this poor creature's life. It's just not fair, just like how my mother was taken from me by the Blight. I couldn't bring myself to be something like that. This egg was no threat to me or anyone, either.
I brought the hammer to my front, stepping away from the egg. Turning to Lord Kevlar, I shook my head. "I can't, my Lord." My voice cracked with doubt. But I knew better. My father always preached that life should never be taken for cruel or selfish reasons. After hunting with him for the first time when I was younger and seeing an animal howling in pain, I agreed. Sure, we kill monsters and animals in the forest where we hunt. But we kill them for the money to afford for ourselves.
I also remembered my father spouting about how Dragon Riders are easily influenced by their dragon. Were the riders cold-blooded and took life without questioning it, and did the dragons make them worse? I knew better than just mindlessly to take a life for selfish reasons.
"I won't take a life so selfishly or blindly," I spoke out almost louder, but my voice was hoarse, so I probably sounded maybe ruder than I wanted to express.
Lord Kevlar snatched the hammer out of my hand and just stared at me. His black eyes stared daggers into me, almost unreadable for a moment. It was as if everything froze as silence took hold of the room. He then let out a loud sigh.
Before I could say anything, Lord Kevlar turned towards the egg with a ferocious look as he swung the hammer above his head. I tried to shout, but it was already too late. The hammer flew down towards the egg. I watched slowly as the hammer got closer like time had slowed down. I turned and closed my eyes as I heard the egg cracking and shattering loudly. The heartbeat stopped.
I started to breathe rapidly from the shock as I opened my eyes to see the egg shattered on the floor. What I guess was the york of the egg spilled all over the ground. The egg was destroyed.
I stepped back away from Lord Kevlar as he turned to me to speak. "Mister Hunter, you cannot be a Rider due to your inability to follow through with the test Rider. Your softness, kindness, and lack of a spine are your weaknesses; the dragons know that. You will never be a Rider."
I stood there in shock, unable to speak. It felt like my whole world was crumbling. My dream. It. I can't even say.
"You can let yourself out."
I didn't even bother to look at him. He just killed some poor infant dragon or wyrm or whatever. He didn't even hesitate. My breathing was even more hoarse than usual.
I failed. My one thing, my one purpose, to avenge my mother, is unreachable. Everything I was trying for was just out the window.
I stood there, silent, feeling empty. My mind was void of emotion. Like a hole that only grew bigger with each second. As I just stare at that puddle and broken shell pieces.
I can feel the weight of it all on me, making it hard for me to breathe. I can already see my father being disappointed and wasting all of his time. He could done something better than training me for this. I bet Mother is cursing at me from the grave as well. I don't even want to think about her. Aunt Silfe, too; she always said I should leave Drakelene and become an adventurer instead of being a Rider. Then there's also Barren. I can see Barren looking down at me in shame, struck by heartache for putting too much trust in someone like me—a filthy, worthless nobody.
My chest started to feel like a knife had sunken into it. The knife turns each time my heart aches with guilt. The pain felt like it was crushing me with each breath I took, suffocating me.
I can even feel the tears beginning to swell up in my eyes. I clenched my fist, digging my nails into my palm as I tried to turn the pain into anger, gritting my teeth as I fought back the tears. I was trying to keep a semblance of myself from crashing down, especially where I'm at right now.
But it was pointless as my breath became ragged, and my vision started to get watery, warped, and distorted as I dropped to my knees. Feeling the rough texture of the ground as I hold myself up, tears falling as I try to fight it.
I wanted to punch the ground—something, anything, to push away what I was feeling. But I knew better. I wasn't in the place to do such rash things.
As I opened my eyes, I realized I punched the ground anyway, leaving a decent crack in the ground.
Thump-Thump Thump-Thump
What?
Thump-Thump Thump-Thump
I looked down and saw a piece of an eggshell. I was dumbstruck. I could feel its heartbeat again as I looked closer to see that the once brown shell was now gold.
Thump-Thump Thump-Thump
The once so-called pull I felt returned as I reached toward the eggshell. The shell was hard but smooth with a bit of weight to it despite it being a piece of an egg. I brought the shell closer to me; something came over me. It was an odd, foreign feeling like someone else was in my head.
Contentment. Safe.
Safe?
I look back at where the exit was and down at the shell. The idea of taking it with me, donning it on me until a familiar blue orb appeared from the ground.
Father was searching for me.
Barren Perspective
I yawn as I walk through the castle walls. The walls were adorned with paintings depicting noble riders who lived for many years. All are part of the royal bloodline. Sure, Riders are considered nobles, but royalty is different.
Continuing to walk down on a red silk carpet, I was heading to a meeting.
Goddess, I hate these meetings.
Looking at the cobblestone walls, I felt small shakes and tremors send dust crumbling. Approaching double doors, I pushed one open to reveal the war room.
There sat a massive obsidian table with eight obsidian chairs. Behind the chairs was an enormous opening that allowed dragons to enter. They were just as crucial to the meeting as their rider.
I saw six individuals sitting down, waiting for me, Kevlar, wherever he was.
"We have been waiting for you, Lord Commander." A woman in a dark black dress. The dress reached down to the floor, but the pale skin of her leg was exposed. Her long, silky black hair half covered her face, and her eyes were sharply shaped.
Her dragon was just as massive as mine; it extended its neck so its head was by her side, and its horns protruded down its jaw. Its black scales were riddled with battle scars as a single gash went down one of its eyes, leaving a lifeless pale eye in its socket.
"Lady Talia." I bowed politely, knowing her reputation within the Order. "Arne, Guimar, Evette, Dimmon, Joce. Sorry, it took me so long. Had to make sure the Princess was sent on her mission." I stood back up, approached one of the empty chairs, and sat down.
My dragon, Eldrid, found the hole behind my chair as she climbed inside. Her white scales sparkled from all the light within the war room.
"Now all we need is Lord Kevlar," Guimar thundered and was impatient.
Guimar's right arm was mechanical, as his original was lost in an attack from Asgard a few years ago. He managed to find an Asgard convoy outside one of their strongholds and assaulted it. It was a massacre for our forces.
Guimar's arm, however, was unique. The arm was designed to allow the Dragon Force to flow freely through it. Custom made at Drakelene City.
Guimar's rough complexion gave him an intimidating presence, especially when he was almost seven feet tall. His dark skin matched his fiery passion along with his dragon. He wore an armored robe known as a chlamy. It was red, but the armor plating around his shoulder was burnt silver. His grey beard was messy and unorthodox.
I look up to see Guimar's dragon, Firewing, standing tall as horns protrude from its noise and above its eye, almost like an eyebrow stretching back from its head. A nice little horn spike down from its chin matches its age, as massive spikes trend down its four-limbed body. It was just as big as Eldrid.
"Last time I saw him, he was getting a recruit to take one of the evaluations to join the order." Lady Evette's voice was young and almost that of a child. She is the youngest of us.
Her hair was brown and long, wrapped up in 2 pony-tails. She was incredibly short, as she donned tiny blue scale armor. The armor was almost basic.
Her dragon, Rod, layed jagged behind her. One horn pointed forward toward the table. Its wings were slightly cut in a lightning shape, but its body was smaller due to its age. But Evette's magical abilities and Sigil make up for that.
"Do we know who was the recruit?" I asked, hoping it was William. Despite being older, that brat has the potential to outlast us with proper training. Training that I would be so glad to give.
"Some peasant child he found at the festival below," Lady Talia waved her hand, signaling that it wasn't necessary to dwell on such a topic. "What matters are the issues at hand."
"You can say that right," the blind man Joce, known for his Sigil for being the "6 Sense." His red hair covered his eyes as he wore green leather armor. Scrawny he is, but I know no one will ever find him off guard. "The Blight has been reported to be growing in strength once more."
"The Blight always returns after every invasion. But that's not the issue; the issue is that every new attempt, they are stronger than before and with twice the force." Lord Dimmon is a quiet man but known to be well respected by the common folk. Except for his son, from what I heard.
"Then we increase the number of recruits and enhance the training as we always do before. I don't mind wiping the newbies into fighting shape."
"Look how well we did last time we did that, Guimar. Without a way to progress Dragon Riders to Dragon Knights within days or weeks, the number of new riders does not matter, especially if they are slain and turned into Blight Riders."
"And you expect us to do what!?! Do nothing?"
Talia and Guimar yelled at each other until Evette voiced her own words. "While arguing brings forth nothing, we all know we need more Titan Riders."
"Titan Rider's is the highest level of any rider can achieve. If it weren't for the King himself, none of us would be here in charge." I spoke up. It was the truth, even if they all hated it. None of us can compete against a Titan.
Firewing starts to speak to Guimar. Guimar is then reminded of something as his face furrows in rage.
"And the worst of it all is that we still haven't found a way to make a dent into Asgard's forces!" Guimar yelled out, holding a grudge against Asgard.
Before we know everything, Kevlar opens the door, and it slams into the wall.
"Apologies."
"You can apologize by telling me about the recruit you evaluated," I said.
"William Hunter? Failed"
"Failed?"
"Ha," Talia cracked out, unable to keep her cocky laughter in check. "Fitting for commoners to know their place."
Evette sighs out loud. "Nobility isn't the only source of strength, Talia. If a commoner is born with a Sigil, then it's only right for them to join us."
"Sigils are different, my dear. If you have a sense of... Oh dear."
I stood up and approached Kevlar aggressively. "What do you mean fail? I have seen how he has progressed without being in the Order, and I know that he would make a fine addition to us."
"Ha, Fight, fight, fight!" Guimar sanged out.
Kevlar stood his ground, his face glaring at me with annoyance and disappointment. "It matters not their ability outside the Order; what matters is what is inside the individual. William lacks the spine to do what is needed. We are all here 'cause we know what the stakes are and we know what loss is."
"I do agree somewhat with Lord Commander, Kevlar," Dimmon rebuttal. "you have a bad reputation for having the highest number of failed recruits. Should we question your ability to judge an individual if so many cannot pass you but can pass by Lord Commanders?"
"Lord Kevlar has also recruited the most dedicated riders out of all everyone else. But I do say his recruits are stubborn as hell. Not afraid of anything, and do heartless." Evette's point is correct.
Every rider that Kevlar has found has always been excellent. But they do tend to be exceptionally cruel and heartless. I should question him now, especially what happened back then.
"It matters not what happens to the recruits; what matters is that I have news from the king." Everyone looks at Kevlar; the atmosphere is now tense. No one likes it when he has news. But this is from the King himself. "Titan Rider Narric is arriving here in a few short weeks. Lord Barren, you are requested to return to Drakelene City to ready the troops for another assault mission against Asgard. immediatly."
Crap.
Don't you worry, William. I'm not giving up on you yet. I have seen and felt what you can do.
Literally.
If you don't join the Order, it would be our greatest disgrace.