Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 641: Vulnerable ()

’He does hear us, does he not?’ A first voice of the ethereal murmured, soft as the sigh of the midnight breeze wafting down the hollow halls of the Shadow Tower.

’It must be so! He proclaimed it himself. Surely, his ears are attuned to our spectral utterances!’ The second voice echoed with fervor, its tone unwavering.

’Yet perchance his reply was just a happenstance? It seems most improbable that a dragon would possess the finesse to discern the whispers of spirits.’ The third voice pondered skeptically.

’What manner of happenstance could it truly be? He answered our call, and we all did hear him!’ The second voice pressed on, insistent on its opinion.

’But look how he traverses these hallowed halls, blissfully unaware for many days past. Have we not exhausted every means to seize his attention?’ The third voice pointed out with an air of exasperation.

’Two paths lie before us: either it was mere coincidence or indeed he hears us still yet feigns ignorance.’ The first voice mused thoughtfully, lost in contemplation.

’How might we discern which truth holds sway?’ The third voice inquired, boredom creeping into its tone.

’A bait must we set. We possess just the right lure for this endeavor, do we not?’ The first voice reminded them with a glimmer of hope.

’Aye, indeed we do!’ The second voice chimed in excitement, anticipation igniting their spectral essence.

’If the fire drake of obsidian scales can hear us, he would surely be drawn to the knowledge that many restless ones do yearn to commune with him, as he hath sought to reach out to others through the ethereal threads that bind his kind...but a tragic failure it has been, a tragic one.’ The first voice murmured.

’Indeed, the arcane wards that encircle the tower of darkness grants no such boon for the weaving of bonds and mind whispers. How could one expect anything but despair?’ The second voice echoed, resonating with a spectral chill.

’Yet it would intrigue him to learn that we possess a means. Aye! We hold within our grasp a path to circumvent these wards! A secret known only unto us! Just one singular way there is!’ The second voice continued,

Xenon paused in his step, his brows twitched slightly. And then he continued on his way.

’Wards...’ Xenon thought to himself.

It now made sense. It was the only reasonable explanation for why he just could not reach Jian through their bond, or Cassian or any of the other King’s guard despite attempting to on multiple occasions.

But even so, even if he was out of options on his own, Xenon was unwilling to fall to the lure.

Xenon had only gone down the hallway for a short distance before he stopped once again.

’Verothrax’s magic must have left a great destruction. To what extent was it? And how could he be certain that everyone was safe?’ A thought crept into Xenon’s mind.

With no means of communication, he still was not certain what fate Dune City, Neveah or Jian had met and Xenon could not rest easy.

’There now... come to us and you will have your answers...’ One of the spectral voices hissed.

Xenon continued on his way, his hands clenched into fists at his side as the whispers continued.

It seemed to be coming from the walls itself so it did not matter where Xenon was, he could still hear them.

After a short time of walking, Xenon glanced up and found himself staring directly at one of the gates sealing a level of the dark tower.

It was the same level Xenon always found himself drawn to despite resisting the urge on every occasion.

The gates were crafted from the strongest metal ores and melted together by dragon fire, there was also a spell cast on it, nothing, neither mortal nor otherwise could go through the gates.

It was intended to keep in all dark forces left behind after the uprising as well as keep out anyone who intended to snoop around.

Though no one could open these gates at will, and not many dragons could too,

But Xenon could...if he chose to do so, he knew his flame could melt through the locks if he used it in the right way.

What Xenon could not account for was what was sealed away in all the levels of the dark tower. There was surely a reason High King Agardan had taken these measures, what would Xenon unleash into the world if he chose to go through the gate? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

’Firedrake of Obsidian Scales...’

’Lord Dragon of Black Scales...’

’The great and terrible Black Fiend...’

’Just a few steps further...do you not wish to hear your loved ones and know that they are safe? Do not hesitate...’ Three spectral voices whispered in unison.

Xenon grunted beneath his breath, forcing down the strong urge to reach for the gate but his mind was torn, undecided...if Xenon could make sure Neveah was safe, was there anything he was not willing to do?

Xenon’s hand reached for the lock sealing the gates.

’Yes...muster your strength, break the seal...’ A spectral voice hissed in encouragement.

"Xenon!" Verothrax’s snarl drew Xenon out of his reverie.

Xenon glanced over his shoulder, his hand dropping to his side.

"What do you think you are doing?! You know as well as I do that we are duty bound to leave these halls untouched!" Verothrax hissed.

Xenon pursed his lips, for a moment, his mind and conviction had been fuzzy and unclear, all he could think about was Neveah... and Xenon knew just why.

Xenon stormed past Verothrax, heading back the way he had come without a word.

’The wild haze is gone, but my mind barrier is weakened by it and the effects have begun to show, I am more susceptible to dark magic manipulation than I have ever been, than any other dragon lord...but she laid first claim to my mind, with her mark.’

’Right here in the dark tower where dark forces prowl, my vulnerability might leave me compromised...if I did not have that...but will it be enough to keep my mind from falling to these dark forces?’ Xenon thought, his hand unconsciously moving up to his neck where Neveah’s mark was nestled.