Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]

Chapter sixteen: Dragonslayer

My peaceful slumber was interrupted by Sean as he was shaking my shoulder. "Xabe, you have to wake up." He urged.

 

"Why does everyone keep on disturbing me?" I groaned. My energy had finally run out from many weeks of training. I just wanted more rest.

 

"You need to wake up, sleeping ugly. The commander is here and he wants to see you." Because of the word commander, I got up so quickly that I jumped to my closet.

 

"Wow, Xabe, look at you! Someone is improving!" Sean commented with a grin.

 

"Thanks, I trained." As Sean stood up from my bed, I once again saw him wearing his indigo glasses. Unlikely, he sported a violet robe with a blue rose on his left chest. His curly hair was up in a ponytail on the back of his neck.

 

"Come on, now. You have to dress yourself up. And why is your pajama pink?" Sean pointed at my sleeping attire.

 

I glanced down and turned back to him "Long story," I told Sean that instead of saying my sister's mistake. Sean waited for me to get ready. He told me that it's very important to see the commander. I took a short bath, tuck in my red uniform, black pants, and shoes, brushed my teeth, comb my hair, and wore my watch necklace. "Okay, Sean. I'm ready." I went outside the room.

 

"Great. Let's move out." We headed downstairs before seeing Commander Grayson ordering warriors in a big dome. Honestly, this room looked like the cathedral, from the pillars and curtains with the Flash warrior symbol on it. "Ah, good morning, kid." The commander smirked as he turned to me. Like Claes and the woman beside him, he wore his black uniform with a Flash warrior emblem on his chest pocket. His hair is combed back, well organized. His green and orange eyes were sharp and determined. "Morning," I replied. "I'm so glad to see you alive."

 

"And in one piece." He spread his arms while looking down.

 

"So what's the visit all about?" I asked.

 

"I came here to know how you are doing."

 

"I'm working great, thank you. Captain Claes is a great teacher. I hope you see him in action."

 

He smiled. "I wish I could, but he wouldn't be that confident when someone's watching."

 

Commander Grayson may be right. Sean cleared his throat."So commander, is there something you need to ask?"

 

Commander glanced at him before realizing. "Oh, right, how's your progress in training. Any idea what your magic is?"

 

"Well . . . as far as I can tell, I can run fast." I demonstrated my speed by running to my room to get some water and came back without a sweat. Commander whistled. "And I can produce deadly energy blast." I repulsively opened my palms as a bright red light shone.

 

Before I could fire the blast, the commander immediately blocked my hand down and said, "Not here."

 

Then I realized what I was doing and clenched my fist as if holding my magic into a lock. "Whoops, right. Sorry about that. Got a bit excited."

 

"I think we're getting closer to finding out what your magical abilities are."

 

"All I have to do is to keep using it."

 

"That's good, kid. Now come with me." He gestured me outside.

 

"Where to?" Commander Grayson went back and looked behind his shoulder. "To meet Giuseppe." I looked at Sean. He was certain about the commander as he nodded. And so I followed him.

 

"I don't want to believe in what Giuseppe said in the camp, but as the captain spread the prophecy from the Oracle of Prophethia, I am certain it is the truth." His eyes were full of concern. On each side of the exit, black and blue warriors aligned and form a salute every time we reached them.

 

"By the way commander, I have a question." I looked at him.

 

"Anything you ask, I can answer." He turned to me, willing to respond.

 

"They haven't explained to us why the Flash warriors are color-coded."

 

"Oh, you mean the five colors? There's a history behind that. You see, long ago there were five infamous Flash warriors; Phinika the seeker, represented by the color red, the explorer of never before seen from the eyes of the ordinary. Ricard the defender, everyone's favorite hero, was represented by the color blue, the one who fights for justice and balance. Jzhonn the wise, with violet as the color representation, was a royal sorcerer who learned the defensive arts of dark magic. Zewrath the brave, quite an unusual one, so unusual that even the toughest warriors wouldn't dare to look at him. With black as his color representation, he seeks to find challenges and never backs down from a fight, like a fearsome dragon to be reckoned with."

 

"That explains the symbol." I nodded.

 

"And then there's Farleanne, colored in white that made her look like an angel, but she's a fairy. She was the optimist of all the Flash warriors back in the day. Together, the five heroes formed a team. What they did was pure heroism. Despite their differences before, they worked together on stopping Dracula from summoning his undead army of hell. And boy, it's a long story as to why he wanted to conquer the world."

 

"Is it because of what happened to his wife?" I said. Commander raised his eyebrows and nodded his head.

 

"Well yes, that could be the main reason."

 

I've read about the history of Vladimir Dracula the forgotten. He was cursed with immortality thus gained immeasurable knowledge about the Enchanted world. He may sound scary and menacing, but he was a decent guy- until the people blamed his wife for witch crafting and got executed. Back in the day, witch crafting was considered dangerous and toxic, even though it could be a big help in improving our technology. Commander Grayson continued the history lesson. "The five Flash warriors discovered that only his wife would let him rest for good, but it wasn't easy, but they managed to succeed in their mission. They battled their way through monsters, discovering hidden passages, and inventing new spells and technology that we have today."

 

"Does being sucked into the light to be transported here count?"

 

"Our forefathers and mothers of the Flash warriors invented it," he replied.

 

We entered the academy's biggest garden, it's bigger than the town's park. The trees were gigantic to the point we couldn't see the sun's rays. The place was filled with butterflies and fairies. Colorful and animated flowers dancing with the gentleness of the wind, beautiful.

 

"Before the arrival of humanity's doom, the five Flash warriors did their best to stall Dracula longer enough for them to summon his dead wife. After that, they imprisoned him back in his coffin and finally forgets about his vengeful quest. Many years later after that event, they were known as the Master Flash warriors. They contributed so much in the academies, it makes everything easier." Commander gestured to the place around us. "And surprising for you, we are spending every July as the anniversary of their quest. We wear these color-coded uniforms in honor of their memory."

 

I looked at my red Flash warrior uniform. So this is an anniversary outfit? Every July, huh? There's nothing wrong with that. Now I know why there were five colors with symbols. Too bad we didn't have this history lesson.

 

"Also, does the color depend on a Flash warrior? Because I can't tell." I couldn't stop looking at my red uniform, thinking about Master Flash warrior Phinika (And come to think of it, the phoenix symbol made a lot of sense too because of her name).

 

"Well precisely . . . and not." He did his best to answer.

 

Minutes later, a big circle was carved with ancient symbols was displayed on the soil. "We stand here," he instructed.

 

I did what he said. Later, a flashing beam struck us. I witnessed how the galaxy, the real galaxy, looked like from our world. It's amazing and scary at the same time. Floating before us was a golden castle, it sparkled from the sun's powerful rays, showing its glory. I almost tripped as we landed on another big circle. "A magical teleporter, why am I not surprised?" I sighed.

 

A deep voice boomed behind the tall gates. "WHO DARES ENTER MY CASTLE?!?!"

 

"Gius, it's me," the commander yelled so his voice could reach behind the gate.

 

"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!!!!" The golden ground of the castle shook like an earthquake caused it.

 

"I suggest you should consult a psychiatrist for your anger management." The commander crossed his arms with a smirk.

 

"Oh . . . It is you." A calm voice echoed through the gates. It opened with a humming sound of a large tuba. A man in a violet coat appeared with his clenched hands touching every side of his hips. "What do you want?" He asked, quickly. Commander gestured his hand toward me. "I see." Giuseppe's deep voice almost made him like he wanted to kill both of us. "Come in."

 

***

 

"Is the boy well trained?" Giuseppe poured us hot chocolate on two mugs beneath two small plates. I had to comment that this place was cold- and huge. The inside of the castle was gold and reflected with rainbow colors. No chandeliers, because the castle was the light itself. All I'm seeing here were bookshelves conquering the walls. On the left corner was a staircase that led to the second floor of what I thought of as his study room, because it was blocked by railings. There was a big stack of books sitting on top of a table.

 

"Yes, indeed. Unfortunately, he still doesn't know what his magic is. Except maybe fire magic." The red couch I sitting on was soft as a pillow but cold as ice as if it was stored in a freezer for so long. "I can sense your aura, young boy." Giuseppe's blue eyes glared at me. "Here from the earth, I can feel your powerful energy. What's your name?"

 

"MaXabiere. MaXabiere Berrygrewd," I answered. His gaze is making me a bit uncomfortable.

 

"You're from the Berrygrewd family . . . ? Hmm, I don't know what to say." He looked down.

 

"Why?" The commander asked.

 

"He's far too different from his family." Giuseppe held a deep breath and looked at Commander Grayson. "May I have a word with you?" His killing face turned to the commander. "Now."

 

Commander sighed, "All right, all right. Let's have a-" Suddenly, Giuseppe pinched the commander's ear so fast like a snake snatching its prey. "Ow, ow, ow, ow, easy on the ear. You know this almost came off." They went into a faraway place. More like fifty feet away behind a bookshelf. I heard their mumbling words as if forming a plan for a birthday party, angrily. I waited for around ten minutes while still sitting on the couch, I almost fell asleep. By the time they're back, the commander rubbed his left ear. "Don't do that again." He winced.

 

"I will if I have to, commander."

 

"Oh really?"

 

"So anyway." Giuseppe changed the topic by clearing his throat. "You're far too different."

 

"Like how different?" I yawned. Must've been from the boredom of waiting. They argued that long. "Sorry, I . . . uh . . . had a short sleep."

 

"Like you're something very special. When I said very special, I mean, very special." I leaned back as his eyes widened.

 

"Okay . . ." I had nothing to say but okay.

 

"I even heard that you made a scratch on the three-headed dragon."

 

"Yeah, it's really difficult to fight it."

 

"I like it. No Flash warrior can even touch that scaly beast, except you." Giuseppe snapped and a huge ancient book appeared. "Then it is time."

 

"For what?" I asked. Commander snorted and turned to me and said, "Giuseppe and I now know why your magic is very unique. You see, the dragon has been active for a long time, however, there is a prophesied long researched and kept in our archives. You, despite your age, have the magic that is equal to the dragon." I watched Giuseppe as he flipped through the pages then stopped at where a man with a sword is ready to take down a dragon. He recited, "'He must go, to a place of hallow. He must choose, win or lose. He must find the destroyer, for it is hidden in a chamber. Life itself rests in his hands, or it will disintegrate where it lands.' That was the prophecy that Sibby the Oracle told me. You are destined to be the unexpected that no one believes in."

 

"What do you mean?" I was driven by my curiosity, but it was worth knowing what he meant.

 

"In every book from every library, people discovered what they called . . . a myth, but it's not. They're referring to the history, not stories of every hero who sacrifices him or herself for the world."

 

"So that's a story not for kids." After sipping his hot chocolate, the commander shook his head.

 

"They are known as Dragonslayers. They are much likely to be ancient, considering they existed before the origins of the Flash warriors. According to every detail and translation from founded ancient texts, 'A Dragonslayer has powers far beyond our imagination.' Sounds familiar? Of course, it does. 'Every Dragonslayer possess this rare, mystique, spiritual energy, in his body and soul, which made them likely to be the perfect weapon against the destroyer.'"

 

"But why don't people believe in Dragonslayers anymore?" I said after I took a sip from my hot chocolate.

 

"Because every event of these histories happens rarely. Do you expect people would still believe these?"

 

"Well . . . yes."

 

"Guess what? No. They. Don't. People keep telling themselves that these aren't real because you know why?" He glared at the commander.

 

"Why you're asking me for?" Commander Grayson was completely clueless.

 

"Because they're afraid, afraid of something that makes them so doubtful." Giuseppe faced me.

 

"That doesn't make any sense," the commander argued.

 

"Exactly." Giuseppe turned his big eyes to him. "Until you came along." He pointed a finger at me. "You're a Dragonslayer, the very first who is young and short."

 

"Short?" I frowned.

 

"Never mind that," the commander interrupted. "And he's not short. He's just getting . . . nervous from all of this." I like his defense. I am indeed having a meltdown because I'm not just one of the enchanted warriors, I'm also one of the legends. I don't know what to think right now. Of course, I'll risk my life. I just don't know what and how to do it. But I wanted this to end.

 

"According to the prophecy," said Guiseppe. "The monster is hiding, which is bad, very bad. Powerful dragons such as this have a healing ability when it remains to its chamber- its cave. When it heals, it becomes stronger and harder to defeat. So you have a quest to find this monster. Or else . . . you know what will happen."

 

"I'm not sure if I'm truly ready. I mean . . . I'm just-" The words coming out from my mouth began to stutter. Doubts suddenly began to sink in my mind.

 

"You can do this. You're the only person who has the gift of the Dragonslayer that can take down that dragon of monstrosity forever."

 

"But how will I . . . ?" I hesitated. I know that I have incredible power, but what if something horrible happened? What if our battle will cause more destruction? What if I become the new destruction of this world? The prophecy didn't mention my fate, it mentioned how I will make my choices so I could meet my consequences and my destiny.

 

There is also a way to defeat it aside from your magic." Giuseppe twisted the book, making it vanish with violet smoke that danced from his finger. "First, you must go to-" Suddenly, Giuseppe stopped, his face looked shocked. "What? What's wrong?" I asked.

 

Giuseppe quickly turned to the commander. "The village on the other side of the mountain of Sonata village is in danger. Iris valley." His eyes widened as I've never seen before.

 

He gasped, "It's back." Commander Grayson braced himself in action and so did I. By the heavens, it's back.