Omega's Rebirth

Azkar lay down on the edge of a large fountain, the cold rocks that formed the ledge providing a much welcome cooling touch to his suffocated skin.

His left arm was rested over his forehead, also serving to shield his eyes from the streaks of lighting seeping into the cavern.

This was as close to the surface as one could get in the inner citadel without actually leaving the walls of the citadel and it was also the only place where the natural lighting still reached.

Azkar had come out here hoping for a moment of peace and quiet, without the echoes of burning embers and hammering of steel that was ever present in dwarven territory.

But Azkar now questioned the wisdom of his reasoning for allowing himself so close to a water body, providing a certain annoying woman a chance to reach him.

"Do you even hear my words? Azkar!" Celeste snarled, her voice projected from the pool where the tips of Azkar’s fingers rested.

The amount of times Azkar had heard his name screeched out by this grating voice was slowly exceeding the count he could allow.

Why did Azkar have to hear his name on the lips of this one when he would much rather hear it on the lips of another?

’There she goes again... waltzing through my mind.’ Azkar thought to himself, recognizing that unconscious thought for what it was.

Not that Azkar did mind it at all, he could even say he had grown accustomed to it and perhaps even favored it, that his mind could now do more than just swirl and churn in his darkness.

"I have heard you wish to know of my plans and that you do not trust in my judgement, I have heard it time without number and hearing it once again does not make much difference." Azkar murmured beneath his breath.

Azkar twirled his fingers slightly, sending ripples across the water and distorting Celeste’s image and voice for a moment.

"Azkar!" Celeste hissed again.

"I will only overlook it twice more...use the time wisely." Azkar chipped in.

Azkar knew he did not have to explain further, Celeste knew exactly what Azkar referred to and for a moment, she was quiet.

"Just tell me, what is your plan for the troll golem? The entire stronghold is caught off guard, it is the time for you to show your hand." Celeste reasoned in a much calmer tone.

Despite her efforts to sound calm, Celeste’s voice still sounded evidently forced through gritted teeth.

Azkar knew it well enough, that Celeste would always consider him beneath her but that was fine, since he felt the exact same way of her.

"I have gifted a beast of my blood to His lordship. His lordship in turn, gifted it to you...you have chosen this time to show your own hand, what has it to do with me?" Azkar asked in a bored tone.

"The troll golem will be at it’s strongest if you get involved... Azkar, you must know when to place aside our differences for our great cause." Celeste reasoned.

Azkar glanced over at the pool for a moment before he chuckled quietly.

"Why do you suppose I have helped you keep it hidden? But that is all I shall do, Celeste."

"I have offered Fort Blazed to His lordship, what can you offer him? The weapon is yours to wield...do what you will." Azkar replied blankly.

"Tell me at the least, how have you kept it hidden? If truly the weapon is mine, I should know all there is to it." Celeste asked.

Azkar hummed quietly, twirling his fingers in the pool and for a long moment, it did not seem he would respond but he did.

"What would you say is the greatest strength of the dragons?" Azkar asked leisurely.

"Their size, ferocity and armored hide that make them extremely difficult to kill." Celeste replied.

"I do not like you precisely for this...you act like you carry the world upon your shoulders, yet you think too simply... I do not ask for the obvious answers, Celeste." Azkar said, clicking his tongue in disapproval.

"I have lived enough centuries to know, the greatest strength of the dragons is neither their size nor their hides...it is infact their human side." Azkar murmured.

"The nature granted ability of camouflage, for a beast so great to conceal itself in a body that appears no different from a mortal... live and walk amongst the mundane unnoticed if they please."

"This human side that provides them the excellent perception and intellect that should rightly have been the shortcoming of a beast...a blend of such perfection, the greatest art." Azkar murmured.

"I do not believe I follow." Celeste replied uncertainly.

"This very same ability I speak of, I have granted to my gift to his lordship...how does one find a beast that does not always appear to be one?"

"The dragons track down a beast and truly it is...but not always. The masterpiece I have expended decades crafting, how could I have it so easily defeated?"

"The troll golem lurks in the body of a mortal, Celeste. Now how does one find one mortal in the midst of hundreds?"

"The greatest strength of the dragons already lies in my hands. Their nature granted ability is mine to wield now... I can afford to be calm, Celeste. It is you who must prove your worth before his lordship." Azkar pointed out.

"But fret not... I shall allow the use of my creation for your purpose. Only know this...it holds my blood, if it is harmed, you will pay dearly..." Azkar clarified before he waved a hand, severing the magical link that allowed the projection of Celeste’s presence.

Azkar heaved a quiet sigh, as much as it displeased him that Celeste had taken such a drastic step, he was willing to overlook it.

The troll golem would provide the perfect cover so Azkar could be rest assured to carry out his own plans in secret.