Elira exchanges a glance with Joran, one of concern and obligation. “We’re with you, Thaldiran,” she says, her voice firm. “But we’ll need a plan. Elandir is no ordinary foe, and this won’t be an ordinary battle.”
Thaldiran smiles faintly, grateful for their unwavering support. “I couldn’t agree more. Gather the council; we have much to discuss. The fate of Veridale hangs in the balance, and we must stand united against the darkness. Oh, and that creature saved our lives. He’s a friend and not one hair on his body is to be harmed.”
Joran nods, his posture straightening with determination. “Understood, Thaldiran. We’ll get the soldiers prepared and make sure they’re battle-ready.”
Thaldiran’s gaze lingers on Joran for a moment before turning to me. “Astryl, come with me.” His voice is low, carrying a weight that hints at the gravity of what’s to come.
I nod, my scales shimmering in the sunlight as I shift back into my human form. “Of course, Thaldiran.” I follow him, the tension palpable as we make our way to the battle arena situated behind his dwelling.
The arena is a large, circular structure with the ground paved with flagstones. Walls ring the perimeter, the smooth stonework rising up, at least three times the height of a man. A set of stairs, leading up to the viewing area, curves around the circumference. In the center stands the stone pedestal, a silent sentinel standing proud amidst the history that surrounds it.
Stone benches curve around the pedestal in a semi-circle, their surfaces smoothed by the passage of time and the touch of countless bodies. They stand ready, a place for warriors to sit and gather their thoughts, or for spectators to watch with bated breath as heroes rise and legends unfold.
“What are we doing here?” I ask, scanning the area.
“We’re here to fulfill a promise, Astryl. I told you when you agreed to help me that I would help you awaken your angelic powers, and I intend to keep that promise.”
“You’re serious? Here? Right now?”
“I’m always serious about keeping my word,” he replies, his expression solemn.
“I, uh... okay.”
Thaldiran walks up to the pedestal, his hand running over the stone surface. “I want you to think about the angel inside you. Not the dragon, but the angel.”
I do as he says, closing my eyes and concentrating on the being that lies dormant in the depths of my being. I try to reach out, to connect with the being I can barely sense, but I can’t seem to make the connection.
“Focus, Astryl,” Thaldiran urges, his voice gentle. “Focus on your angelic half and remember that your dragon is just as powerful. The two parts of you are not separate entities. They are two halves of a whole, each complementing the other in ways you’ve yet to discover.”
I take a deep breath, allowing Thaldiran’s words to sink in. I picture the angelic part of me, envisioning radiant wings and a halo of divine light. But alongside that image, the fierce, fiery form of my dragon self interweaves, filling the space around me with a burning light.
The energy, the light, the passion that is me.
“Good,” Thaldiran murmurs, sensing my growing connection to the angelic essence within me. “Now, try to channel that energy. Feel it flow through you, merging with your dragon’s strength.”
I focus, imagining a delicate balance between the celestial grace of my angelic side and the raw power of my dragon self. Slowly I begin to feel a subtle shift within me, a mingling ofenergies that resonates deep within my soul. But just as I think I’ve grasped it, the connection slips away, leaving me frustrated and disheartened.
“You’re doing really well,” he encourages, his hands on my shoulders.
“I don’t understand, Thaldiran. This feels right, but it’s like it’s not enough. Like there’s a block, a barrier, that prevents me from connecting with this power.”
“Don’t give up, Astryl. There’s a reason you’re not able to access this power. Trust the journey. Your angel will surface when she’s meant to.”
I sputter my lips and roll my eyes. “You sound like my guardian angel. Sometimes I wonder if I even know who I am,” I confess, the frustration bubbling over into a flood of emotion. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I speak. “I don’t even know where I come from, Thaldiran. A dragon and an angel? I feel like I’m torn between two worlds, but I don’t truly belong to either.”
Thaldiran’s hands tighten on my shoulders. “Astryl, you are more than your lineage or your powers. You’re strong, compassionate, and resilient. Those qualities define you more than any heritage ever could.”
“What if I’m not meant to wield that power? What if I’m just... stuck?”
He leans in, his eyes searching mine with a tenderness that soothes me in an instant. “Listen to me,” he whispers, brushing away the tears that have escaped onto my cheeks. “Everyone struggles with identity, Astryl. Even me. But it’s our choices, our actions that define us, not our lineage or our powers.”
Before I can respond, he closes the distance between us, his lips meeting mine in a gentle, reassuring kiss. It’s a spark, a connection that transcends words or powers. In that moment, I feel seen, understood, and most importantly, not alone.
“Thaldiran,” I whisper, holding his face in my hands.
He kisses me again, a soft peck on the lips, before resting his forehead against mine. “You’re beautiful, Astryl,” he murmurs, his eyes closed, his voice trembling with an emotion that threatens to consume me.
I kiss him, pouring all the longing and affection that’s built up inside me into it. Our tongues intertwine, a dance that conveys more than words ever could. I’m breathless, dizzy, and intoxicated. I need him more than I’ve ever needed anyone.
