Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1513 - 112 : Fateful Sanctuary

*Axureon*

The wind roared around me, only interrupted by the temporary relief of flapping my wings. It was so loud that you would think I wouldn’t be able to even hear myself think.

Alas, that was not the case.

In fact, my mind, like the wind, would not quiet. My wings beat extra hard as if they could lift the heaviness plaguing me.

As soon as I got back to the sanctuary, announced my plans, and gathered some backup supplies, I would be on my way to meet with Pyroth.

A chill ran over me at the thought of his name, making my inner flame surge in response.

Never in all my imaginings had I ever expected to be in this situation when Pyroth reemerged. I expected him to come in, battle blazing, and take out anything and everything in his path. At least, that was the Pyroth that I knew.

Rhys was right. If Pyroth was giving us the opportunity to make a deal, we had to at least consider it. At least, it gave us more time to prepare and ready ourselves for the inevitable war that was coming to my new homeland.

This meeting was a crucial turning point in the fate of both Egoren and the Dragon Realm. As much as I disliked it, and the idea of appeasing Pyroth, I was determined to do everything in my power to ensure a peaceful outcome.

I hoped it could be the final encounter between Pyroth and myself.

Those thoughts helped make the trip to the sanctuary pass much faster than normal. Before I knew it, I was gliding into land.

Another shiver passed over me as a sense of unease and tension rippled through the air. My dragon eyes were good enough to quickly focus on the scene in front of me.

Multiple dragons, in their dragon forms, were perched on the sides of the moment. When they had seen me enough to recognize me, they visibly relaxed. Before that, their scales were raised in a similar manner to how a cat’s fur rose when it was spooked.

Their scales still rippled after the tension had left. The leftover agitation and anxiety were palpable. I knew they were feeling Pyroth’s presence in this realm just as much as I was.

I turned my direction and instead flew around the area, making sure I passed by every dragon that was unknowingly on watch and leaving words of support and encouragement. I couldn’t have my people falling apart, or we would never make it to the end of whatever was to come.

I tried to hide my feelings and tension from them, even as I considered the best ways to fight. I was keeping a mental tally of who was out now, unafraid and ready to protect our home and people.

The people, as always, believed everything I told them. Little did they know that behind my words, my doubts and fears were growing as they gnawed and feasted on my mind.

Finally, I was able to turn and head back to my own space. As soon as I landed, I shifted into my human form and began to bustle about, finding and packing everything I thought might be useful or necessary while talking to my ex-leader.

I was so focused that I didn’t notice the young dragon, Saphira, until she spoke aloud.

"What are you doing with that?" she asked.

I glanced at her, acknowledging that I heard her, and looked down at the object I had in my hands.

It was the dragon staff.

"I’m not sure," I answered honestly.

Leaving it behind just hadn’t seemed right. Out of all my objects, it was one of the most powerful, and one I valued the most.

Saphira’s voice became low and urgent, forcing me to focus more on her and her eyes, which were filled with concern.

"Axureon, I have seen the power of the dragon staff, and I know that it may be our only hope against Pyroth’s might." She paused as if unsure if she wanted to say the next sentence. Eventually, the drive to say it won, and she continued. "But I fear for Saoirse and the fate of Egoren. I know the toll the staff took on Saoirse and the risks she might face if she were to wield it again. That is not something we can ask of her."

I wanted to smile at the young dragon defending Saoirse so hard even when she wasn’t here, but her words were serious. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Seeing how close the two women were and how they treated each other as confidantes made me happy.

They both needed that support in their lives, especially in situations full of gravity.

"You are right to be concerned, Saphira," I admonished as I twirled the staff and looked at her thoughtfully. "The dragon staff is a powerful and unpredictable weapon, and it is not to be wielded lightly..."

"But?" Saphira asked, noting the hesitation in my voice.

"But I fear that we may have no choice except to turn to its power if we are to have any hope of defeating Pyroth and his armies."

Saphira had a dejected and devastated look on her face, and I couldn’t even blame her.

"And you know Saoirse just as well as I do," I continued. "You know that she would risk anything for her land and people, and there is nothing that we can do to stop her. I am honestly more surprised that she hasn’t asked for it already and am practically waiting for it any minute now."

Saphira nodded at me in agreement. "I know you are right, but I can’t help but worry."

"I understand."

Saphira straightened her posture. Her look of determination overwhelmed every other emotion flashing on her face.

"If that is how it will be, I will do whatever I can to help Saoirse," she said, her voice clear and strong, an obvious display of loyalty. "She is my friend, and I will not let her face this danger alone."

I walked up to the girl, noticing how she was shaking. I wondered if it was out of fear for Saoirse or herself or just from the anxiety of the entire situation. She was too young to remember much about Pyroth, but nobody who lived in the sanctuary thought he was a good man.

"You are a true friend, Saphira," I told her. I was glad to hear the warmth and admiration that transferred through my voice. "Saoirse is lucky to have you by her side. I know your strength and courage will be a great asset in the battles to come."

I released her shoulder and walked back to my pile of goods, throwing them all in a bag while Saphira processed my words. Once everything was situated, I stacked it all in front of me so that it would be easy to grab once I shifted.

Saphira continued to watch. I stopped and looked out of the entrance of my place and out to my people’s home.

I was ready to go. All I had to do was shift and be on my way, but now it seemed to be me who was frozen.

The foreboding sense and apprehensiveness I felt made my body reluctant to put ourselves in a potentially dangerous situation. After centuries of running from this man, I was now going to be heading right to him.

Surprisingly, I was meeting him with the hope of brokering peace of all things.

I tried to push down the plaguing thoughts that again passed through my brain reminding me of who Pyroth was and how he behaved. It was unbelievable that he would somehow be a generous and merciful leader, but it had been hundreds of years. Maybe he had finally matured.

I clenched my fists next to me, trying to force my body to obey.

Rhys had asked this of me, and I would not let him down. Saoirse was the one I shared the bond with, but I knew how Rhys made her happy. I would do anything to help them both, especially since what they wanted was usually what was best for us all.

I took a deep breath, regaining my resolve.

This meeting would be a crucial test of my strength and wisdom. Even my vast experience had small holes in it, and I feared that my opinion and thoughts might not be enough to sway the dragon lord who had a destructive past.

It was a double-edged sword. I knew Pyroth the best and would be able to read him, but we also shared a personal history that might affect his opinion and responses.

There was only one way to know for sure.

A flash of light was the only indication that I had shifted. Once in my dragon form, I spread my wings. As was common in this shape, I felt power overwhelm me.

I knew I could do it. I was strong enough to do it.

The fate of the two realms was hanging in the balance of this conversation, and I was ready to do whatever it took to ensure that peace and justice prevailed, even if that meant swallowing my pride.

My claws grabbed my small pile of supplies, and I gave a small nod of farewell to Saphira, who was still standing and watching me. With a final powerful beat of my wings, I took to the skies. My heart felt lighter as it was set on the task before me, no matter the cost.

Despite the lightness in my heart, my mind and body still remained heavy as the weight of history and destiny pressed down on me. This meeting was fate. I was sure of it, but that didn’t mean I knew the result of the fateful meeting.

The choices I made in the coming hours would shape the future of both dragons and humans alike. I was determined to do everything in my power to ensure that the balance of power was maintained and the innocent were protected from the ravages of war and destruction.

With a final, silent prayer to the gods of my ancestors, I prepared myself for the confrontation that lay ahead.

I was ready to face whatever challenges came for the sake of all those I held dear.

Saoirse’s face flashed among others, and my wings beat faster.