understanding of the Dragon only goes as far as tomes and observations.”
Grimbald took advantage of the empty space and started practicing with his axe. He took wide and vicious swings at his imaginary targets. Walter knew he never wanted to be on the receiving end those chops. I’m glad he’s on our side. I wonder —
“Now,” Malek interrupted Walter’s thoughts. “You must learn to become adaptive, not just resilient or robust. Even the most flexible tree and strongest stone can break under enough stress. You have to adapt to the stress and become more powerful, more adaptive. Be like water, flowing around the petty obstacles you encounter and a tidal wave against your enemies, dissolving into air to fight another day.”
“Like water!” Grimbald growled as he swung. “Like a frozen axe! Hah!”
Malek glanced over his shoulder at Grimbald and sighed. “There’s no hope for that one,” he whispered. Malek looked from Walter to Nyset, seemingly waiting for a response. “Right,” Malek crossed his arms when there was none. “Let’s put it all together. Remember, you must work as a team to wield your different powers and abilities for maximum effect.”
“You need a haircut!” Grimbald yelled with an axe swing.
You need a haircut? Walter chuckled.
“Yes, you said the Dragon and Phoenix are complimentary, each enhancing the other when used together.”
“Very good, Nyset,” Malek nodded. “At least one of you has been listening to me. Prepare yourselves,” he said sharply.
Malek turned away from them, looking towards Grimbald. He spread his arms wide, one up and the other down in a sinuous shape. A ring of blue fire suddenly scorched the roof beside Grimbald. He leaped away from the flames, gaping at the ring and then to Walter and Nyset. He raised his weapon defensively across his body. A strange human-like figure materialized behind the circular column of flame and Walter jerked his head back, breath catching.
“What is this Malek?” Nyset asked slowly. Walter looked where Malek had been and found him missing. He scanned the roof. Gone. Wiggles barked and ran to the edge of the roof, ears pressed back. The burning column dissipated, leaving hot air and a smoldering, black ring around an armored figure.
“Dragon!” Walter blurted, taking a step back. That bastard. No, this is just a test, right?
It had all the trappings of a man, except the mouth was all wrong. Its lips split in four directions, revealing an empty cavern where teeth should have been. Its armor was a deep gold color, long waving plates overlapping and jutting from its elbows, knees, and shoulders in sharp angles. It had two massive horns emerging from its helm that spanned the width of its shoulders. Cut into its rounded, smooth helm were two large black ovals, presumably where its eyes might be. In each hand was a sword. One almost the length of its body and curved; the other short and straight.
The creature snapped its blades across its body, resting on either side. Walter’s muscles tensed and he fought to summon Stormcaller, the tails of the Dragon, to break this monster. Malek can’t know, this must be a test. It stood motionless except for its head, which seemed to be measuring them one by one. Its mouth flared in all directions, wildly sucking air.
It stood mere feet from Grimbald. Beads of sweat poured from his brow. His knuckles were white against the axe haft and his arms vibrated with tremors. The creature slowly turned its face toward Grimbald, inhaling and exhaling with increased intensity, as if it wasn’t getting enough air. In that moment, all was quiet except for the beast’s breath.
Walter inhaled deeply, allowing the air from the warm breeze to coat his throat and lungs. He heard Nyset’s foot scrape against the wood beside him as she prepared herself for embracing the Dragon. A drop of sweat rolled from his brow and hit the ground, echoing like a thunderclap. The creature didn’t just wield
Grimbald took advantage of the empty space and started practicing with his axe. He took wide and vicious swings at his imaginary targets. Walter knew he never wanted to be on the receiving end those chops. I’m glad he’s on our side. I wonder —
“Now,” Malek interrupted Walter’s thoughts. “You must learn to become adaptive, not just resilient or robust. Even the most flexible tree and strongest stone can break under enough stress. You have to adapt to the stress and become more powerful, more adaptive. Be like water, flowing around the petty obstacles you encounter and a tidal wave against your enemies, dissolving into air to fight another day.”
“Like water!” Grimbald growled as he swung. “Like a frozen axe! Hah!”
Malek glanced over his shoulder at Grimbald and sighed. “There’s no hope for that one,” he whispered. Malek looked from Walter to Nyset, seemingly waiting for a response. “Right,” Malek crossed his arms when there was none. “Let’s put it all together. Remember, you must work as a team to wield your different powers and abilities for maximum effect.”
“You need a haircut!” Grimbald yelled with an axe swing.
You need a haircut? Walter chuckled.
“Yes, you said the Dragon and Phoenix are complimentary, each enhancing the other when used together.”
“Very good, Nyset,” Malek nodded. “At least one of you has been listening to me. Prepare yourselves,” he said sharply.
Malek turned away from them, looking towards Grimbald. He spread his arms wide, one up and the other down in a sinuous shape. A ring of blue fire suddenly scorched the roof beside Grimbald. He leaped away from the flames, gaping at the ring and then to Walter and Nyset. He raised his weapon defensively across his body. A strange human-like figure materialized behind the circular column of flame and Walter jerked his head back, breath catching.
“What is this Malek?” Nyset asked slowly. Walter looked where Malek had been and found him missing. He scanned the roof. Gone. Wiggles barked and ran to the edge of the roof, ears pressed back. The burning column dissipated, leaving hot air and a smoldering, black ring around an armored figure.
“Dragon!” Walter blurted, taking a step back. That bastard. No, this is just a test, right?
It had all the trappings of a man, except the mouth was all wrong. Its lips split in four directions, revealing an empty cavern where teeth should have been. Its armor was a deep gold color, long waving plates overlapping and jutting from its elbows, knees, and shoulders in sharp angles. It had two massive horns emerging from its helm that spanned the width of its shoulders. Cut into its rounded, smooth helm were two large black ovals, presumably where its eyes might be. In each hand was a sword. One almost the length of its body and curved; the other short and straight.
The creature snapped its blades across its body, resting on either side. Walter’s muscles tensed and he fought to summon Stormcaller, the tails of the Dragon, to break this monster. Malek can’t know, this must be a test. It stood motionless except for its head, which seemed to be measuring them one by one. Its mouth flared in all directions, wildly sucking air.
It stood mere feet from Grimbald. Beads of sweat poured from his brow. His knuckles were white against the axe haft and his arms vibrated with tremors. The creature slowly turned its face toward Grimbald, inhaling and exhaling with increased intensity, as if it wasn’t getting enough air. In that moment, all was quiet except for the beast’s breath.
Walter inhaled deeply, allowing the air from the warm breeze to coat his throat and lungs. He heard Nyset’s foot scrape against the wood beside him as she prepared herself for embracing the Dragon. A drop of sweat rolled from his brow and hit the ground, echoing like a thunderclap. The creature didn’t just wield
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