Beyond the Norm (Seraphiel & Spectators)

[David Draconis]

A crystal construct floating high above the planet below. Most likely unreachable by most creatures. A perfect location to observe what was going on below. Especially if those with the eyes of a hawk. Now several thousands of feet on ground level within the forest in a small clearing stood one man.

His deep calm blue eyes staring above as he softly whispered outloud. "That is the source?" The statement was questioningly and seemed to be directed towards no one in particular. However, there was one that had heard his statement. The dragon spirit that he had formed a bond with.

"The source is not the structure itself, but what is inside." the deep roaring voice of a dragon echoed in the dragoon's mind. The dragoon gave a small nod and blinked a few times. He let out a relaxing sigh as he looked straight ahead of him and slowly crouched down to begin a jump straight up.

He launched himself into the air and though normally an average being wouldn't go that high, he was going higher than that. Though before gravity could completely pull him to a temporary stop in which he would then begin to descend. A blinding light of a midnight blue emerged from his body. And as the light slowly faded there seemed to be a small missile being launched towards the structure.

The warrior now showing the armor of the dragoons and flying upwards with large wings that were folded back. Using a burst of magic to propel him forward at an accelerating rate. Eventually the effects wore off as he was nearer to the citadel and the rest would have to rely on wing work. With a few more large flaps with each launching him up higher and closer to the citadel, he eventually arrived above the lowest platform that he could land on.

The armor disengaged and the being was returned to the more common clothing that he wore. There was a door that he could take hopefully it would lead to the main floor of this place. He took it and began to walk up a flight of stairs which in turn eventually lead to another platform that was outside though this one was of a wide open space and of a higher elevation. With both swords at his sides, David Draconis stood there looking at the main enterance of the Seraphiel's Citadel.

[Seraphiel]

The master of the citadel sat upon a throne of pure crystal. His icey blue eyes may have been closed, but he was able to "see" far beyond the boundaries of the room he was located in. His senses enveloped the entirety of his fortress, and even beyond to the farthest reachest of Vaenon. He knew his followers were doing their assigned tasks, and were being for the most part, successful. All was falling into place, it would only be a matter of time before each and every capital in Vaenon was under his control. The world would no longer be ruled by beings with limited knowledge and a closed mind towards how things should be run. Under him, the world would gain wisdom, the power-hungry would find purpose, and none would have the power to oppose him and his ways. Suddenly, the eyes of Seraphiel opened, a smirk curling across his lips.

"It would appear I have a visitor..."

None besides his loyal followers had been able to reach his citadel yet, either because of its extreme altitude, or the fact that few knew of its existance. Now, here was someone to challenge that. It was a dragoon, and not an average one, that was for sure. Something about the power that radiated from this intruder made Seraphiel curious. Why did it seem so...familiar?

"Its only fair that I send a welcoming comittee, just to see if he's worthy of holding an audience with me.."

Sending a mental command, Seraphiel smirked and closed his eyes again, watching the scene unfold as though he were there himself. As the dragoon made his way through the crystal halls, several figures made their precense known, marching from the opposite direction of him. They were enourmous golems, made entirely of the mysterious crystal the citadel seemed made of. They carried large swords and shields, and they were headed right for the dragoon.

Lets just see what kind of power you hold...

[David Draconis]

As David moved forward, he came to a halt as golems made of the same material as the citadel came marching towards him. He slowly reached down to the hilt of one of his swords. "I will not let you block my path." he stated outloud. Whether the creatures would react to what he had said or not did not matter. As soon as they got into visible range they began to pick up speed and head towards him even faster.

The first one approached and launched one of it's massive fists at the dragoon. David jumped into the air to dodge the attack and the fist crashed into the floor. Though the dragoon would not allow this oppertunity to go by. He landed on the crystaline creature's arm and then ran up it. Leaping again as the creature went to make a grab at him with his other massive hand. David drew one of his blades that glowed with a red aura on one side and a blue aura on the other. He swung as he landed near the head. The blade made contact with the creatures neck and a small explosion was given off as the creature's head came off in defeat.

David jumped off as the first golem. As he landed he quickly turned to face the second, though while he looked at the creature, David was covered in a massive blue aura as if signalling that he was using a massive amount of energy. Though it was a side affect from the blade that allowed him to use magic spells without extinquishing his own energy supply. He pointed the blade at the crystal golem and as the creature was fixing to attack, the dragoon casted the spell known as Ray of Command. The creature halted and then stood straight up and perfectly still. As a third was approaching to attack the dragoon the second stepped in to defend in the fight both of them were destroyed by each others hand.

However, there were more than just those three. As another came forward to strike at David, he rolled out of the way to avoid the attack. He then gave another slash at the creature using the Sword of Fire and Ice. Though this time he hit the creature's arm while it was still in the ground. The small explosion took place adding extra damage. "I don't have time for this." David simply muttered as the blue aura engulfed him once more. "Plague Wind!" he shouted and raised his sword into the air. Though at first nothing seemed to happen and the air was still. However, suddenly a wind started to pick up blowing against the golems that were in David's way and one by one the creatures were blown away into death.

As the last one fell, David sheathed the Sword of Fire and Ice. His white cape returned to it's normal position as it was flapping forward from the gust of wind from the spell. His blue eyes looking forward. His target knew that he was approaching. He then slowly began to walk forward again. He wasn't in any hurry, but this being was not only watching him, but testing the dragoon warrior. I can't afford to use my dragoon form in combat...not now at least. Showing too much power will only give him a better idea of how to defeat me. David thought to himself as he made his way through the winding corridors of the citadel.

[Seraphiel]

Seraphiel watched as one by one his creations fell. The golems were no match for the seasoned warrior, but then again, they were only the front line of defense. He was not done testing this intruder, not by a longshot. The man had felled the golems without transforming, as Seraphiel knew him capable of doing so. It would appear that he would have to be a bit more forceful if he was going to see what he desired from the man.

Awaken, my felhounds...smell the magic in the air, and feast...

From the darkness, twelve pairs of glowing red eyes opened, growls that could freeze a man on the spot echoing throughout the citadel. Stepping forth from the shadows, massive beasts made their way towards the intruder. These were Seraphiel's "guard-dogs", magically-created creatures with canine-like features, yet covered in deadly spikes and two large demonic horns upon their forheads. They had an appetite for magic, and with each bite from their sharp fangs, they could draw forth the power from their victims. If left unchecked, they could sap the very life from a person. Another interesting feature about them was their resistance to magic of most elements. If they were attacked by magic, it usually would only make them stronger and more ferocious. While they were not impervious to all types, they would prove a formidable foe against the dragoon's magic.

With a bone-chilling howl, the fellhounds broke into a run, heading straight for the dragoon, hunger in their eyes. Seraphiel smirked as he sat calmly upon his throne, wondering how this little battle would unfold.

[David Draconis]

It didn't take that long for the dragoon to notice that something else was coming after him. Obivously more creatures from the being that was behind everything. At first, David simply thought that it would be nothing but a bunch of ravaging wolves. He was semi-correct. His eyes widened as the surface beneath his feet began to shake under enormous steps. He began to step back slowly and started to walk backwards. Until he saw the massive monsterous horned canines.

Quickly turning around and traveling at a full sprint from the monsters that were sent to hunt him down. The creatures much larger than the human sized dragoon were quickly gaining. In fact, one lunged forward as David made a quickly turn down another corridor. The beast toppled over itself though the other five did not follow suit. They slid and turned into the corridor chasing their prey.

Eventually the corridor emptied out into a much larger hall. David slid to a halt and turned around to face the corridor. He could sense that the hunters were slowing down as if to obeserve their prey as they slowly crept forward. Any help would be great, Bahamut. David spoke to the dragon spirit within his own mind.

These creatures aren't vunerable against magic. It's best to use brute force or to outsmart them. But these creatures are much more physically stronger than the average human warrior. Bahamut replied with the small amount of information. David let out a heavy sigh as the first felhound came out of the corridor. It lunged it's jaws forward to attempt to take a bite out of the dragoon.

A clash of metal on bone met. Both swords drawn and David was holding the creatures massive maw at bay. He was shaking from the beast pushing down on him. There was no escape from this as David was feeling helpless at the moment. He turned his gaze slightly to see another set of jaws coming towards him. It was a trap while the first one held the dragoon down the second one get the first successful bite. It was over in a quick instant a loud yelp and much dust clouded up into the air.

The two creatures began to growl at each other as if fixing to engage with one another. The dust cleared and no sign of David was to be seen. However, one of the massive canines was bleeding from a blade slicing through it's gum. But that same creature's muzzle was also bleeding from it's comrade biting it. A small portal opened above the bleading felhound and David reappeared. He had damaged the creature using the Sword of Fire and Ice. He had managed to use a spell at the last instance that allowed him to exit the physical plane into the spiritual plane and return stronger than before. Though not by much.

Using the velocity from the fall his two swords were pointing downward as he landed on the felhound's head. Both swords blunged inside and he only hoped that this would damage the creature's brain if that was so possible. The creature let out yelp of pain as the blade's magics took effect. David became healed slightly thanks to the Sword of Light and Shadow. As the one creature attempted to throw David off, the second struck to attempt to kill the one that was on the other. The blue aura that envloped the dragoon from using the other sword disapated as different spell was used.

The spell that was used was different. The dragoon jumped off removing his swords as magical wings were created from the spell. He would only have temporary flight. The attack of the second felhound had landed on the first yet again. Though this time the second didn't let go and held his hold until the first one was brought to death. The creature then became stronger than it was before by use of cannibalization. And that still wasn't all of them as they now all of them were inside of the same place. One down and eleven left to go.

David landed onto the ground. He didn't want to tap into the power of his dragoon spirit just yet as it would only make him more vunerable in the end. The powered up felhound launched an attack and David in response peformed a physical chain of quick attacks. The canine beast would wind up as dead and David would be reaping the benefits of several strikes from both of his blades. Using whatever spells that he had access to he laided several enchantments upon himself that would greatly boost his strength and defense. As the next one lunged directly at the dragoon, one enormous slash from both swords sent the creature to it's grave. Then two more came to do a joint strike. The dragoon sacrificed one of the enchantments that he was using the one that was increasing his strength the most and in response a wurm of massive size and strength was summoned.

It wrapped itself around both of canines and constricted them like a python would do to it's prey. Even though in the end the wurm and the felhounds would both end up dead. Five were now deceased and another seven still remained. The dragoon was running out of options as his resources were running low. They had him completely surrounded so that he didn't have anywhere to run. His swords were held firmly in his hands as the four auras glowed brightly on their respective blades. He was growing weary and would have to find away to escape from this. The remaining enchantments would not be enough to survive through all of them especially through joint attacks. David slowly closed his eyes there was little choice now of what to do. Even though the dragoon was partically unscathed from the battle so far. He doubted that the remaining beasts would fall for the same tactics twice.

[Seraphiel]

(hmm, I was impressed...until the wurm part. David sure has quite a few tricks up his sleeve doesnt he? )

The smirk upon Seraphiel's lips grew wider and wider as the battle unfolded. In the past, before his downfall, he had worked on perfecting the fellhounds by pitting them against the finest human warriors he could find. Back then, magic was much more common, and even the human race had its share of magic-wielders. The first few versions of the magical beasts were relatively even with whatever prey he set them upon. However, with modifications and a little added boost of power, they soon dominated against any foe. There were few that could match up against the magic-resistant, muscle-bound monsters, and this was why Seraphiel was becoming impressed with the current intruder. Seraphiel could feel the magic eminating from the weapons the dragoon was using. One eminated with obvious red and blue magics, adding power to each blow, and being the catalyst needed in many of the dragoon's observed spellcasting so far. The other intrigued Seraphiel even more. It eminated with white and black magic, an interesting combination. He could tell very little about what secrets it held, yet he had a hunch it held similar properties to the other sword. Indeed, these blades were what was keeping the man from having to transform, which was what Seraphiel wished to see more than anything else.

It is time to bring forth the reinforcements...Revenants, awaken from your slumber..."

Two pairs of glowing eyes snapped open as they heard the call of their master. From the darkness, two massive individuals stepped forth. Their skeletal hands eminated with arcane magics, their faces blank and bony, only giving the cold grin of an undead abomination. Frosty air swirled about one, while the other eminated with magic of pure darkness and chaos. They moved from their chamber towards the battle that was unfolding, obeying unquestioningly, ordered to destroy the intruder, at all costs.

Meanwhile, the remaining fellhounds had backed off from their assault. Now, they circled their prey hungrily, having not yet tasted his magic. They were aware of what had happened to the rest of them, which was why they were waiting for a proper time to strike. They also seemed to sense the fatigue their prey was starting to feel, which only fueled their carnal desire to feed even more. Suddenly, they recieved a telepathic order from their master. Growling, they backed off into the darkness for a moment, their glowing red eyes peering at the dragoon from the shadows. Within moments, another two pairs of eyes showed themselves. The whispers of the encantations to ancient, arcane magics was heard from the shadows. First, the chilling feeling of dark magic enveloped the air. The corpses of the fallen fellhounds began to stir and shudder with unlife. Blood still dripping from their form, they rose from their fallen state, their eyes now glowing with an undead savagery. However, instead of charging the dragoon, they too retreated into the darkness, their tainted growls mingling with the rest of their live kin.

The next whisperings caused the room to suddenly grow extremely cold in temperature. A chilling wind blew past the dragoon, signaling the arrival of sub-zero temperatures. From the crystalline ground, amazingly ice began to form. It grew and grew, wrapping its icey embrace around the crystal walls and floor. Yet this was not flat ice, it was growing into enourmous icicles, creating entire mini-mountains of pure ice. It began to surround the dragoon, closing in, picking up in pace. The deadly icicles shot upwards at an alarming rate, aiming to impale the dragoon where he stood. Throughout all of this, the numerous pairs of eyes watched from the shadows, waiting for the prey to weaken, so that they might be able to finally feed...

I know there is more to you...show me your power...

[David Draconis]

It didn't make any sense. The hounds were retracted as they were circling him instead of drawing closer. However, their growls were still very much audible and eyes visible. And as if that wasn't enough, the creatures that were downed earlier were starting to rise and breathe once again but as the undead. They to retracted to the shadows with growls of a hunger that couldn't be compared to anything except for something that was ancient and hadn't been able to feed for several thousands of years.

David kept his stance with his two swords in hand. The Sword of Fire and Ice provided him with protection from red and blue magics and then allowed him the benefits of dealing excessive damage and serving as a catalyst for casting spells. The Sword of Light and Shadow provided him with protection from white and black magics. The benefits of the second blade where that he healed by a minor amount and if he had any fallen comrades that he would be able to bring them back fully restored. The remaining enchantments that he had put upon himself. They basically boosted his own physical abilities.

However, despite the wards his swords provided and the enchantments that he casted upon himself, it wasn't enough for what was coming next. A different type of creature was coming towards him and it was two of them. Both undead as David was capable of feeling the temperature dropping by the seconds. His own breathe was giving off as steam in this now deathly chilled air.

It was within a matter of minutes that ice was starting to grow in the corridor. In self defense, David cut at the icicles that grew near him and moved out of the way whenever one was forming too close for destroying or underneath him. The rate at which this ice was growing was more than what he could take. If not for the dragon spirit whispering in his mind warnings of when arcane magics near him were concentrated near him, David would have already been impaled by one of them.

In the end, it had caught him. The cape that he had on was caught by one of the icicles and started to drag him up with it. However, the sharp point tore through and the dragoon was sent sliding down the mountain of ice only land onto the ground with a hard thud. Practically sprawled on the ice covered floor. He quickly rolled out of the way of another group of icicles that were forming. He got up and then rolled to where his two swords had went. He scooped them up and used them to stop one that was coming at him from an angle.

However, this time the ice formed around the blades. It seemed that all that was made was now ice that was closing in on him from all direction. Threatening to freeze the warrior in a ever lasting sleep to be unaffected by time and also vunerable against all sorts of attacks. He could feel his muscles stiffin as the air around him was cooling down to an even lower temperature. It was all lost.

A bright light and explosion of magical energies took place within the last few seconds. Clusters of ice shrapnel was sent through all of the hallways some ending up in the skin of felhounds as they gave up yelps of considerable pain. Before the light faded a large blast of neutral energies was sent towards the Revenants starting from the floor and going up in a growing radius. Even some of the crystaline structure was taken with it as it fell upon the creatures that used the arcane magic.

The felhounds were now no doubt growling and snarling louder and more anxiously than before. The amount of magics that was emitting from the intruder were increased by a very large quantity. The light faded revealing the same man holding the same swords. Though this time he was wearing armor. The armor itself looked ancient and royal in midnight blue. The chestplate contained a jewel that had the color of ruby red and then a slit in the center of an emerald green giving it the effect of an eye. To complete the ancient suit of armor were two large wings that were also armored. The material that this armor was made of was in fact mystical and harder than any form of metal that has been made by any of the races. This was the true form of a dragoon and David was the dragoon of Bahamut, the king of dragons.

[Seraphiel]

(forgive me if this isnt my usual length, I still have slight writer's block)


The master of the citadel watched as only he could as the following scene unfolded. The two revenants made their move from the shadows, one raising the fallen felhounds, bringing them back to the darkness to add to their defenses, while the other began an icy assault on the dragoon. Seraphiel almost lost his faith in the warrior as the ice began to overtake him, despite his agility and obvious awareness of the magic in the air. He was about to send the command to the felhounds to close back in and finish the disappointment when suddenly a gigantic surge of power began to emanate from the icy hallway. A slow smile began to curl its way up Seraphiel's lips as he realized that the man had finally transformed into his powered state. It was then that he felt the aura swirling about him, filling him with energy and strength. Seraphiel knew that aura from long, long ago. Back in the days of the dragon war, it was none other than....

"...Bahamut...So you have survived these long years as well. How interesting..."

Destroy the intruder...

With a howl, the remaining felhounds charged forth. The ice dispersed almost as quickly as it had arrived, allowing the beasts to close in on their prey. With teeth bared, they rushed towards the dragoon, driven mad with hunger upon the sensing of the man's enormous magical energies. Meanwhile, the revenants slowly began to fade into even more darkness, created by the same one that had brought the felhounds into unlife. More incantations were heard, ice now forming upon the ceiling. More and more began to form, until a single icicle began to take shape, growing in size rapidly. It hung directly above the dragoon. When an opening was seen, with a single syllable, the giant spear of ice, roughly ten times the size of the massive felhounds, fell towards the warrior, aiming to crush him to a pulp.

Meanwhile, Seraphiel slowly stood from his throne. Sticking his hands calmly into his pockets, he awaited for the arrival of his guest, knowing it would happen soon enough. He had seen what he had wanted to see, and now the only thing left would be for them to converse face to face.

"Come to me David Draconis...Let us have a little...chat"

[David Draconis]

The creatures backed away in alert and then quickly launched into an attacking frenzy. Though they would all find themselves dead within time. As the the felhounds made their attack, in an instantious flash of motion, they found themselves falling apart in and blood splattering all over the walls. The dragoon's movements faster than what anything that was there could keep up with despite any magical enhancements. In this form, true power was being shown...though certainly not the maximum amount that could be released.

It was after and when David's feet actually touched the ground that the revenants launched their attack with a large icicle. David's gaze quickly shifted to what was falling from above. A smirk on his face as a large aura quickly formed around him from his one sword's ability. Striking multiple times not using it right away only built up the very thing for what he was going to do next. Holding the Sword of Fire and Ice upwards as the large spike of ice was coming towards him. A large mass of magical power flashed out and engulfed the entire thing, but that wasn't all. As the spell was being countered the revenants that were envolved with this was taking in damage portional to the amount that their spell costed to use along with David's own combined. Resulting ultimately in their demise.

Now once he determined that it was over, the dragoon form was extinguished and the warrior stood there in his original garbs. Though this time he disposed of the cape and headpiece. This revealed his semi long black hair that was pulled back to a tail at the end though a few strands at the front were loose and formed his bangs. He sheathed his weapons and then moved forward through the citadel leaving the area of battle. He folllowed a trace of the arcane magics that were leaking from the being that he was determined to confront. Whether to the death or not, it meant no difference. The being threatened the world and that was something that David could simply not allow.

[Seraphiel]

A cold smile continued to play across Seraphiel's lips as he watched the end of his creations. The ravenous felhounds, no matter how large and ferocious they seemed, they were nothing compared to the dragoon's power. The same fate befell the revenants, their own magic used against them along with the dragoon's incredible energies. This was indeed the power of bahamut, first of the ancient race of dragons and by far their greatest asset against their long forgotten battle with the Creator race. It was this dragon that had betrayed it's Creator and destroyed Him when the being tried to control it's creation. It was a lesson learned far too late for Seraphiel's race, which was why he was one of the few who remained after the dragon race was supposedly wiped out. Seraphiel never realized that an entirely new race would surface, that the dragons had not dissapeared completely. Their spirits lived on in magical stones which held their massive power. This was the precursor to the dragoon race, those that would inherit the dragon's power.

Was he afraid? Not by a longshot. Fear of a single individual, despite his incredible power, was not something Seraphiel felt. He would by no means underestimate this man, he knew full well what he was dealing with. If battle was to occur (which Seraphiel knew just from reading the man's mind that it was practically inevitable), things would get quite interesting. He might even have to shed his human form and bring forth his full power...

It is too bad that Leon has not yet returned with my sword. It would have made this far simpler...

Standing in the middle of his "throne room", Seraphiel wove a spell amongst the space around the wandering dragoon. Before the man knew it, he was no longer moving aimlessly through corridor after corridor, but instead in the large room where Seraphiel himself stood. The cold smile still upon his lips, the master of the citadel looked calmly at the man who carried the spirit of the king of dragons.

"Welcome David Draconis. I apologize for putting you through a few of my little...tests. I just wanted to make sure I was truly in the presence of the dragon king himself. Hello Bahamut, its quite intriguing to know that you have survived all these years. Although I am not too surprised, it is difficult for beings with energies such as ours to completely fade away, eh? Now then, to what do I owe this 'great' honor?"

[David Draconis]

A tinge of shock came over David as arcane magics swirled around him. Carefully he stood there looking from direction to direction for a way to escape. However, something inside of him, more than likely Bahamut was telling him to be still. He wasn't sure though for some sort of natural instinct was telling him to find some way to get away from it. However, soon everything became dark for a brief fraction of a second almost unnoticable. For he was no longer in the corridor, but instead inside of a room that had the being sitting before him on a throne.

Hearing his name only made the dragoon return to a more natural pose of a warrior. His eyes narrowed as they were void of fear and he stared onward towards the being that was there. Someone that looked human, but his magical energies didn't fit the description. And as if on command once he was spoken of and without David pushing the spirit that resided in the gem that he carried came forth. Behind the warrior that was to serve as the king of dragon's vessel, a dragon that almost did not fit within the very room that they were in despite it's large size. Midnight blue scales covered it's hide as two large horns protruded from it's head. His massive wings folded close to the body and a tail that had curled around infront of David. The emerald eyes with a ruby slit pupil stared forward at the mocking creator.

"Save me your mockery!" Bahamut spoke before David could get a word edgewise out, "You creators were fought against and slaughtered for just reasons. Of course, you all made sure that our great race fell by using your own. Eventually to find that one by one the other races followed our very path, though it did take them much longer to achieve the goals that our mighty race managed. Yet, it took the humans the longest and it seems that their own sympathy couldn't completely destroy you like the others. I have no doubt that you are not the only survivor, however."

David interupted Bahamut before he could speak another word. Knowing that the dragon king would more than likely want to interject and launch an attack. However, the dragoon was still human besides the dragon spirit that he carried with him. "Not that I'm amused that you decided to show up now, but why?" he asked, "My question is why come now and why threaten the entire world? Instead of dealing your own creation, but then again your race is greatly known not only for being what it is now but also being the most diverse and engaging in mix breeding with other races. So I'm guessing that you are planning on eliminating all of them even those with a little trace of human blood. Thus you have a world of your own. What will you do with this? Tell me why? Tell us why?!"

[Seraphiel]

As soon as David had appeared in his throne room, Seraphiel's blue eyes were upon him, looking at the man who had become Bahamut's vessel. He raised an eyebrow in curiousity when the dragon suddenly manifested himself in the room, looking exactly as Seraphiel had remembered him. The Creator listened to the beast's words, his smirk growing steadily as the dragon continually lashed at him with angry statements. Ah yes, the dragon war. Seraphiel had little to do with it. He had only joined towards the end, and by then many dragons and even some of his fellow Creators were destroyed. It was a battle which shook the very foundations of the world. The Creator that had made the dragons had indeed made them quite a match against the seemingly all-powerful race-makers. It proved that they were mortal, just like anything else. Bahamut had fallen before the war had even begun, slain by his Creator, who was only able to do so at the cost of his own foolish life. It was a blessing, for Bahamut was undoubtably one of the most powerful dragons ever to exist, and if he had been in the war, the Creators might have lost. Nevertheless, what had transpired was what was, and now here both of them stood, relics of the past, facing one another for the first time.

Seraphiel looked from the mighty dragon king to David, who had begun to speak. Listening to his words, Seraphiel already knew his answer immediately, requiring little thought. He knew why he was doing this, and he was happy to enlighten the dragoon as to what his reasons were for conquering Vaenon.

"Ah David, although you may possess the power of Bahamut, there is still so much you do not know about the way of the world. I have existed for over a thousand years, and I know full well how much this land has changed, in more ways than one. It is true, my race, the humans, has spread themselves farther than any other race. They have managed to integrate themselves into nearly every other culture that can be found on Vaenon. I am quite proud to know that they have done so well for themselves in my absence. However, like you, they are oblivious as to what has become of the world. They have no idea how wrong they are in so many aspects. For instance, before I arrived, peace had swept the land, old feuds were forgotten, new alliances were formed, and to them, prosperity had been reached. But what they do not realize is that without battle, without conflict, they will soon become numerous, so numerous that the land will be unable to sustain them any longer. The world will die, and it will all be because of peace. Also, what of the warriors? The soldiers who knew nothing but fighting, what place do they have in this peaceful society? Is it not wrong to deprive them of the very way they knew how to live their lives?"

Seraphiel paused a moment, adjusting his glasses. He calmly placed his hands in his pockets and took a few steps towards David, not caring about the presence of Bahamut's ghost. He smiled and looked right into David's eyes, confident in his every word.

"My world will be a place where all can coexist. The strong will have their battles, the weak will have the knowledge of how to live and provide for themselves and the strong. All shall learn from me, and any that refuse, I feel no shame in striking them down. Those who do not follow, shall perish in the apocalypse. That is how it must be. So David, my question now becomes, what path will you choose. Will you join me, and gurantee yourself a chance to see my world, or will you refuse, and prove that a warrior truly can never stop fighting?"

[David Draconis]

"So the time of battle arises now. An everlasting war between men and the gods that they try to free themselves takes onto reality. How much can this world withstand before it crumbles? Will anybody be able to survive it's end? it's demise? The strong are still served by the weak. Though the ones that seek after battle constantly will never find a peace or a calm. Their battles must exist no matter what it's with. While they fight for their world, who will fight for the world that currently exists? Who will fight for balance? Who will fight to uphold what should be and protect those from what never should be discovered? We, the dragons, have found and swore to bring freedom to the races of the world. Freedom from the Creators and shall rule this world for ourselves. Tis a shame that the cycle will never and can never be broken, we as spirits had lend our power to the lesser mortals and transformed them into dragoons and have watched as it happened over and over again. History will always repeat itself, one way or another. It is, however, up to you to decide when you shall take up your burden and destiny and be able to forge it to protect the fragile plane of existence that you walk upon."

David opened his eyes from what seemed for a blink that had lasted forever. Taken back to the words of another dragon spirit that he was raised around. He could easily feel the power that was radiating off of Seraphiel. David found it slightly difficult to breath in such a place as of now and so close to the source of it as well. But there was no telling how much of it was being truly held back. True, David wasn't letting all of his own magical powers flow freely from him, but the power that came from the creator was almost suffocating. He slightly lowered his head as he let one more breath escape from his lungs. Rising his gaze back at the one that was in front of him. Eyes focused and hardened to prevail in what he was about to do, no matter what. He was going to stand by his own judgment and that was finding Seraphiel should be destroyed.

David drew the Sword of Fire and Ice into his right hand. "You know, it's true that the apocalypse will come." He then unsheathed the Sword of Light and Shadow. "But I don't believe that it should come from a single being." The dragoon made some fluid motions with the blades. "Thus it shall not come to pass." He placed the second blade across his shoulder while the other pointing toward Seraphiel. "What you are about to do is disrupt a balance that doesn't need to be harmed! The balance doesn't need to be thrown out the window by some sort of 'god'! I will stop you and your murderous ways, no matter the price!!!"

With the last words coming out as a declaration of his loyalty not to any one particular race or being, but to the very existence of the current world. Magical energies erupted from his very being showing his own strength without use of his dragon spirit. The swords aided in bringing this much power to the front in such a short period of time. Though the actual ritual would have taken hours to fulfill the process. The swords shortened it to a matter of minutes. Against Seraphiel's current state it really only gave David some breathing room. He was sure that the monster that was standing before had much much more than what was currently on display.

"Your story did not start here. Nor will it end here. You must go and find yourself. Find what is missing to your being and fulfill the void that exists. As it is the human portion of you that desires it so and only then will you have even more strength and power. However, while you are on your journey and spread your wings like every being must do eventually, never forget where you have been, where you have come from, or what you have learned. For if you do, you will only become an empty shell of yourself...just as the creators and the dragons have done to themselves."

[Seraphiel]

Seraphiel waited patiently for his 'guest' to reply. Truth be told, he wanted to avoid any further conflict with this man and his dragon. If a battle did ensue, not only would it be troublesome to his own plans, he was in no mood to humiliate such a fine...specimen. Unfortunately, the creator could see in the eyes of David that the dragoon was not too privy towards his offer. Such a shame, it would be such a better feeling if the man would join his cause willingly, instead of the alternative. One thing was for certain, Seraphiel had come too far in his plans to have it all end here. Even if he had to unleash his current full strength (which was still a fraction of the power he would regain if his sword was returned to his hands), he would stop any foolish attempts to deter him from his dreams.

Seraphiel watched with calm blue eyes as David drew his swords. Seraphiel raised an eyebrow as the mortal gave his speech, his words only causing the creator to pity him for such ignorance. He knew the dragon had most likely put such crazy thoughts into his host's head. Such a pity. Frowning, Seraphiel waited until the dragoon had finished his words. Sighing, he practically ignored the lightshow the man put on as he raised an unecessary amount of magical energies about himself. Closing his eyes, Seraphiel responded, taking a hand from his coat, raising it into the air.

"Very well, have it your way. I really wanted to avoid this but I can see there is only one way to get you to accept my will...But first, lets move from this place. Id rather not see my citadel come to any harm, as it took me quite alot of time and energy to make it..."

With that, Seraphiel snapped his fingers. Enormous magical energies swirled around the both of them, wrapping them in an arcane aura. Everything went black, and then as sudden as it had come, the blackness left them. This time, the two were no longer in the citadel. Instead, the stood upon a sandy beach, the wide azure ocean spreading out beyond them. Behind them, a dense jungle gave little noise, suggesting that they were quite alone out here in this unknown area. A smirk coming to his lips, Seraphiel looked to his opponent, his eyes shifting to a deep orange. His hands made twin swirling motions, more energy forming about them. In moments, two swords had materialized, one in each hand. The brown broadsword(which Seraphiel held in one hand with ease) seemed to move the very sandy earth around them as it rested in its master's hand. The other was a slim, sinister-looking short sword, its blade crackling with magical energies, ready to unleash whatever powerful its wielder commanded. Mimicking the dragoon's previous sword stand, he pointed one blade at his foe, still smirking.

"So, shall we begin?"

[David Draconis]

Time compressed, a moments pass, the beginning of a minute with Death. Was everything put into slow motion? Or was David just moving faster than everything around him? It was hard to tell. Just standing there seemed to give him more time than he ever desired. Yet he was broken from this timeless trance once the area around him changed once more.

They were no longer at the citadel. Instead at what seemed to be an open location....perfect for a battleground. No where to hide though one could certainly run. Though this dragoon had no intention of fleeing from this battle. "We shall." the words rolled of his tongue like water flowing calmly down a small brook.

Pulling the two swords to his side, David leaned forward and charged. Time seemed to stop again. The very sounds of footsteps being made seemed to be amplified and any motion seemed to be dramatically made. Though in reality nothing had really changed. Perhaps Death was simply knocking on his door. As fast as human speed could muster without the use of his dragon's power, he charged towards Seraphiel. Once within reach, he slashed forward with the Sword of Light and Shadow and followed through with another from his other weapon.

Fate. Revenge. Hate. Love. Anger. These and more where flowing through the very parts of this battle or would be. David knew that he was going to have to either end it quick or exhaust Seraphiel. However, instinct was telling him that this battle could and might be his very last...no matter what he did.