Aaravos' Return

On a cloudy, moonlit night, Claudia stood on a rocky terrain, gazing desperately up at the sky. She was choosing which Star she thought would illuminate in the sky when he finally would return. She sighed at the lack of movement, the waiting, the anticipation that gave way to lacking. Her green eyes scanning in-between the clouds, afraid she had already missed it. “This is the right day, I’m sure of it,” She turned and started pacing. “I know it is, I checked the days, ‘Seven years and nineteen days.’ That’s what he said.” She stopped and turned her gaze back up to the sky. “But where is he?”

Her short, white hair blew in the breeze, almost as if it was trying to distract her from her concentration. She moved her dark, twisty staff from one hand to the other and had shifted her feet at least a thousand times. She had no idea how long she had been out here waiting for him and not knowing the time lapse was working on her anxiety. She stopped pacing, took a deep breath to steady her breathing and then she sat down on the cool ground. She closed her eyes and let the held breath out, then started chanting, “There’s no synonym for cinnamon.” Her voice echoed through the empty terrain around her, she tried to ignore how that amplified her loneliness. She chanted this phrase many times until her body started to feel calmer again.

While her eyes were closed, the clouds moved and a Star twinkled in the sky almost as if smiling at her chant. The breeze picked up a bit and Claudia opened her eyes looking around. She saw nothing different and no one around her. She groaned loudly and quickly stood up on her feet again. “This is stupid! I should have seen something by now. Stupid clouds. What if I’m in the wrong location?” She glanced around and spied a mountain scape in the distance. Her cloak danced in the breeze as she walked toward it with her staff in hand, aiding her walk.

As Claudia was focused on the mountain range, she noticed a flash of light go through the sky in her peripheral vision. She stopped in her tracks and looked up just in time to see a Star glowing brightly, it was growing bigger and bigger by the second. Then, as if it exploded into movement, it streamed across the sky. Forcing the clouds to part from its path, it descended closer to her. Her eyes widened in shock as it seemed to be coming straight for her. Her heart racing, she lifted her hands to shield herself out of instinct. At the last moment, it veered to the left and out of her path. It touched down on the ground, and the figure of Aaravos walked out of the brilliant light. The light itself seemed to be being absorbed into the Star on his chest. He took a few steps toward her, his feet bare against the ground. Silver, viney ankle bracers made of metal, seemed to be growing up his shins. Matching pairs adorned his forearms. Wispy, purple cloth draped around his body, varying in different shades and lengths. His long silvery white hair, moved in the slight breeze around them. His eyes glowing a brilliant, pink magenta with radiant suns for irises. His eyes faded to a dull pink and his yellow irises lost their glow. The Star on his chest ebbed into a translucent gray that seemed to be hiding its own brilliance.

“AARAVOS!!!” Claudia shouted with astonished joy. She ran toward him wanting to close the distance that had been plaguing them both for seven years. His eyes widened at the speed in which she was full on running at him and his mouth curved up into a grin. He opened his arms, already welcoming her into a hug. Aaravos spread his feet into a wider stance and leaned down a bit ready to catch her. Claudia crashed into him full force, he chuckled and bear hugged her, picking her up and spun her around to take some of the momentum away. Claudia laughed at his playfulness as her face lit up with the movement of being spun around.

When the spinning stopped, he set her back down on the ground. A wide smile on his face as their eyes were locked. He lifted his elven fingers to her cheek and rubbed a tear off with his thumb. “Claudia.” he said, his voice reverberated around her. Dark, mysterious, and full of affection. Just the way she had remembered it. Light goosebumps trailed up her arms at the sound of his voice. “Your hair is even shorter now.” He commented, as his yellow eyes shifted to her stark-white hair.

“You came back,” she said through exasperated breathing. “I knew you would, but I’m still so amazed by it all.”

“Of course, I came back,” he said, his voice low, gaze never breaking. “Did you doubt me?” Laughter bubbled up in his words.

“What?” Claudia gasped and feigned offense, she placed her hand on her chest playfully indignant, but a smile crept upon her lips. “Never.”

Aaravos and Claudia share a wide smile and laughter for a moment. She twirled her staff and then turned and continued to walk toward the mountain scape in the distance. Aaravos leaned his head away nearly dodging her staff and then smiled mischievously but followed after her.

“Oh, my god, there’s so much I have to tell you!” Claudia blurted out as she grabbed his arm close to the elbow.

Aaravos raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his yellow eyes. “Oh, do you now? I’m intrigued. Do tell, Claudia.”

“Well, there’s this new place called Everkynd.”

He chuckled, his yellow eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Everkynd?”

“I know the names is kinda tacky, right?” She giggled almost breathlessly.

“It sounds... ambitious. What’s this place about, exactly?” He leaned closer to her.

“Well, I haven’t really been there myself, because they are from there, but it’s a place where everyone can live together without fighting, or hatred.”

Aaravos’ expression turned thoughtful. “Sounds like a dream, Claudia. Who’s ‘they’?” His smiled softened as she started talking over him slightly out of excitement. He knew she sometimes became easily excited.

“But it isn’t really working, everyone there is...” She stopped mid-sentence and looked over at him confused. “Umm, you know, Callum and the gang.”

Aaravos’ face lit up with recognition, and a hint of warmth. “Ah, yes, the young ones. I remember them.”

Claudia leaned her head back and laughed, a snort erupted from her nose. “Well, they aren’t so young anymore, and neither am I.”

Aaravos’ gaze lingered on Claudia’s feathered cloak, his voice low and sincere. “I can see that, Claudia. You have changed so much. You really have grown into a striking and beautiful Dark Mage.” His smile returned. “One of the most powerful Dark Mages in all of Xadia.”

Claudia smiled and brought her finger to his nose and tapped it, playfully, “Actually, I’m not so sure about that statement anymore.” She wiggled with excitement as if she was holding on to a secret.

“Do I detect a hint of mischief in those green eyes?” Aaravos smiled. It faded slightly. “You’re not going to make me guess, are you?”

She smirked. “Tempting, but no.” She turned toward him. “I have found and been teaching Dark mages all around Xadia!” She clapped her hand in front of her, bursting with pride.

His eyes widened with surprise, as a look of Pride seem to melt into them. “Have you?! You’ve been quite busy. I knew you had it in you, just as much ambition and leadership as your father.”

Her green eyes misted at the mention of her father, she tried to keep a wistful smile on her face, even though her heart ached. “He’d probably be so proud to see me now.”

Aaravos placed his hands gently on her shoulders and leaned in meeting her eyes. “Yes, Claudia. He would be. We both are very proud of you.” He opened his arms and wrapped them around her. “So proud.”

She held him for a moment and when she pulled away, she sniffled and wiped a tear away. “Would you like to see the camp where I am training the Dark mages?”

As he pulled away, his eyes light up with excitement. “Yes! I’d love to see this camp of yours. By all means, lead the way.”

Claudia tightened the grip on her dark, twisty staff that held a glowing purple orb. She started walking toward the Mountain in the distance once more. “But it’s so far from here,” she said as she came to another stop. “It’s quite a walk.”

Aaravos smiled. “Say no more, I can get us anywhere you need and fast.” His hands came out of the midnight cloak he was wearing, swiftly he started drawing a draconic rune in the air. Claudia’s eyes went wide with slight fear and her hands darted out, grabbing his hands in mid cast. The glow of magic faded from his hands and the air he started drawing. As his hands were captured, his eyes went wide in shock and his lips parted slightly.

“Claudia....what?”

“No, no magic. Not tonight, not here,” she hissed near his ear.

“Why-?” Aaravos started but Claudia’s head snapped toward the sky, soon a dark shadow covered them as Callum and Erzan soared overhead riding a rather large and grown Ayzmodias, also known as Zym, the last Archdragon. Callum glanced down at them for a split second, and his eyes went wide in recognition.

Callum squinted his eyes with a feeling of determination as the figures of Claudia and Aaravos disappeared behind a rock as they flew over. “Bring us down Zym,” Callum said in his own dark, yet mature voice. Azymodias, flapped his wings and veered to the right to circle around. Wind gusts from his large wingspan blew small rocks and leaves on the trees as he landed on the ground. Callum and Ezran were taller now, strongly built adults. Callum with his brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, his face showing a bit of stubble. He reached into his bag and pulled a piece of rolled up paper out. Ezran’s dread locks pulled into a similar ponytail, a dark brown beard that grew along his jawline, the sword of his father shaped like a crown upon his brow. Ezran and Callum leapt off the back of the Arch Stormdragon and Ezran pulled out the Novablade from the sheath at his side, ready for a fight.

“Put that away,” Callum called over his shoulder as he was searching the map against the area they were. “I told you not to bring it.”

“Why?” Ezran flipped the blade over his hand, then tightened his grip on the hilt. “Are we not here to kill him again?”

“No, we are not going to use that because of what it is, Ez.” Callum explained. He glanced at the boulder and tree that were in the way when they were in the sky, he tilted his head slightly intrigued by it.

“Well, what is the point of having this to fight a Star-touched being, if I can’t use it?”

“Do you not remember what happened last time?” Callum asked. “Last time, an Archdragon bit Aaravos and he exploded and - and killed the other dragons.” Ezran frowned and lowered the sword but did not put it away.

“Well, then what is the plan?” Ezran asked. “Do you think you can actually find another way?”

“Find him, and trap him again, of course,” Callum glanced around. “Speaking of that, I know I saw them. Where are they?” Callum surveyed the mostly empty terrain, with a mountain scape in the background, but his eyes kept coming back to the boulder and the tree almost a whole foot in front of them.

Claudia’s heart was beating fast, she wasn’t sure if the spell she used to disguise them as nature would hold or not. Callum was staring right at her, and it was making her very nervous. She held her breath, afraid that one tiny twitch could cause the illusion to fade. She could feel her lungs starting to burn until she was sure she’d pass out from the lack of air. Every second that passed felt like an eternity.

He knows! There’s no way he doesn’t know. He’s just messing with me, right? Can he see through the illusion? Claudia thought as she felt cold sweat bead at her temples. Her body felt hard like stone. She couldn’t move, couldn’t wipe it away. She knew this was part of the illusion. Stupid, stupid, stupid, we should have left sooner. How long has it been, seconds, minutes?

Claudia, relax. Callum cannot see you, you are safe for the time being. Listen to my voice, all you need to focus on is your breathing. Let out your breath slowly and then take in air slowly. Aaravos’ dark voice echoed directly into her head without moving his mouth. Claudia’s eyes widened at the sound of his voice resounding in her head, she shifted her green eyes over to him standing next to her. It had been seven years, and she had almost forgotten what it felt like when he used telepathy.

But, what if Callum hears my breath? What if he finds us? I can’t lose you again, not again! Claudia’s mind echoed back with panic wrapped in every word. Aaravos’ mind chuckled in response as if her fears were the most untrue thing he’d ever heard.

That will not happen. Just breathe. His voice held a level of certainty that she could not fathom how he had, but she slowly let out the held breath.

Callum leaned closer to the rock and the tree inspecting them with curiosity, he had a hunch but didn’t want to act without some sort of proof. As he leaned in, he noticed that the Key of Aaravos in his satchel started glowing. He glanced down at it and saw the symbol of Moon primal glowing a bright white. He moved away and then back to make sure, and it reacted the same. Then, he walked over to the tree, and he noticed it also glowed on the symbol for Moon. Hmmm, fascinating. He thought. What sort of tree and rock would be emitting Moon magic? Then, he noticed the cube flicker with another light, a sparkling purple. His eyes widened as his heart rate spiked at the implications already running through his head.

Azymodias moved his rather large head and sniffed the air. He growled lightly, his body producing electric ripples all around him. “I smell.....moon and rot, like death.” His piercing blue eyes turned into slits as he regarded the tree and rock.

Callum felt the fear running through him. Even though he’d trained for seven years for this very day. He was terrified. He tried not to let the fear show on his face, but his body language was rigid and told on him. “Welp, I don’t really see anything over here other than a tree and a rock. Maybe we should spread out and search the area.” Callum turned away and purposely pretending to be searching a different area. He was muttering incoherently to himself for effect, while Ezran and Azymodias watched him with confusion on their faces. Ezran and Azymodias gave each other a quizzical glance.

Is he getting cold feet, already? Azymodias mused in his mental link with Ezran.

Ezran chuckled lightly. “That’s not very nice, Zym.”

Ezran turned and walked after Callum, but Azymodias stayed by the tree and the rock, still staring it down, unblinking, before finally turning his head. Then, suddenly, they all stopped in their tracks as they heard a very loud, comical sneeze come from the rock. Azymodias was the first to react, he whipped his head back around. He knew he was right about the tree and the rock. He started to growl at it again, a low guttural sound revibrated from his throat. The stone started to ripple, and the illusion gave way. Ezran turned looking over his shoulder just in time to see Aaravos and Claudia appear out of the illusion. The rock and tree completely gone. Callum stopped dead and sighed, his head bowed and shoulders slumped forward. He knew what that was. He’d been quietly letting them escape out of fear and now it was not possible.

Claudia gasped and covered her mouth, mortified. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t hold it.” She whispered to Aaravos. He smiled with a gleam of interest in his yellow eyes.

“Don’t worry, this was inevitable.” He lifted his elven hand and held it toward Azymodias. With a strong flick of his wrist, Azymodias was thrown out of the way by his telekinesis. The Archdragon’s eyes widened as he was involuntarily thrown through the air. He opened his large wings and flapped hard, arresting his fall before he hit the ground. He hovered, lightning crawling over his teeth, staring down his targets.

Ezran’s grip tightened on the Novablade still in his hands, anger flooding through him. How dare he touch Zym!His blue eyes locked on his targets. His feet moved before he had time to plan, he had to put himself in the way. To stop them.

“Ezran! No - you can’t beat him like that,” Callum called from a distance behind him.

“It’s nice to see you again, King Ezran,” Aaravos’ smile never faded as he took a step forward, he gave the royal a small head bow out of respect. His eyes shift to the Novablade he was wielding. “If I were you, I would listen to your brother. He seemed to be the only smart one in your group.”

Ezran stopped in front of Aaravos and Claudia, he saw the insult wrapped in mock respect, and his brow furrowed further. He stared at Aaravos, he had made his move and put himself between a Star-touched elf and his friends. He knew he couldn’t win, but he refused to back down. “I’m not afraid of you, you will never win.”

Aaravos’ smiled widened, as delight gleamed in his yellow eyes. “Well, then, by all means...” His eyes shifted to the Novablade. “DO IT! Show me you’re not afraid, young king. After all, a sword drawn is a sword in use.” His eyes darted back to Ezran’s face. “It will only kill you and your friends if you do.”

Ezran’s hand was shaking, not out of fear, out of raw fury. He knew in his bones the Star-touched elf was right. The tip of the Novablade dipped down, the point coming to a stop on the ground. His hand still wrapped around the hilt, knuckles growing white. He bowed his head and clenched his fist, not in surrender, in rage. A single tear hit the blade. Claudia’s green eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth in shock. He broke him? Just like that? She thought. How could it be that easy?

Aaravos’ smirked as his eyes squinted lightly. He had seen this a thousand times. The moment that hope died. He titled his head slightly. “Wise move, your majesty. Mercy suits you.” He took a step toward Ezran, his voice dropped to a purr in his throat. “You see fear can be usef---” Aaravos didn’t get to finish, his head snapped over at lightening cracked the atmosphere.