The Endless Forest

Twenty-one days remain…

Felix stared ahead in awe as the mountains towered over him and the others. He couldn't help but compare them to the ones from his memories, the ones that hid the Citadel.

Those mountains were nearly covered in pure snow, and jutted out of the ground like sharp teeth. These ones, however, were far more tame, only their tips had the lightest dusting of frost. They also were nowhere near as large. Tall, yes but not so imposing. There were plenty of natural paths that lead up and down them.

Including a few plateaus, he noted as they began to drift closer still. Immediately he saw the benefit of such a place. A more permanent home for dragons… He knew Yarnel lived here, of course, but his thoughts were more on future generations.

The Sanctuary would be good for younger ones and potentially egg laying, but this place offers breathing room. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. The only question now was: Would it work? He knew little about how dragons actually lived outside of the manor.

Another question to look into later. And thankfully, that wouldn't be an issue for a while. Not to mention I can ask Zeph or Lorenzen about it… He doubted Ithea or Yarnel would actually prove useful for answers to a question like that.

He pulled himself back to the present as Zira began to bank and turn, weaving between the mountains. Up in front was Zeph, slowly leading them through the zig-zagging maze.

Text appeared upon his messaging stone. Almost there. Take it slow. Narrow ledge.

He immediately passed the word to his family before responding. Okay.

Feeling lightheaded from the mana usage, Felix shook his head peering over Zira's shoulder. Zeph was braking with her wings, aiming for the ledge she'd warned about. It was only when she came to a near hover then she decided to change forms and drop to the ground.

Our turn, he said to his partner.

She gave him an anxious, mental nod. Hold on tight, this looks sketchy…

Hearing the nervousness in her voice, Felix wrapped his arms tightly around her neck and braced himself. They came down in much the same fashion as Zeph had, only much lower. A small gust gave them a bit of extra lift until Zira was ready to set down.

She quickly folded her wings and fell firmly to her feet and hands, letting out a shudder as she realized they had only mere inches from the edge. She carefully made her way up to the ruby-eyed woman…

Behind them, Kyrith came in for his landing. Only, for him, it was far more perilous. His left hand slipped and nearly sent him tumbling off. His only saving grace was his quick reaction. He dug his hand into the side of the mountain and used that as leverage to keep him steady.

For the second time this trip, Felix's heart was in his throat. Gods! Kyrith–

I-I'm fine, the ember-colored dragon whimpered out and cautiously shifted his weight, leaning against the wall of rock to his right. After a moment to calm down, he and Eri made an even slower climb to them.

That was terrifying, Eri muttered letting out a breath.

Yeah, remind me to never visit Yarnel ever again. If he wants to see me or you, he can come to us, Felix stated pointedly.

"Everyone alright?" Zeph asked aloud.

"We're good, but… Gods, this is dangerous," he responded, daring a peek over Zira's side. He immediately regretted it.

She gave a shrug. "It isn't all that bad once you get used to it–"

"We are not going to do this again," he said, cutting her off. "Anyway, how much further? We'd like to get off this damn cliff."

"Oh! Not far, just up there!" She pointed to a spot only about thirty or forty feet up. It didn't look far but if landing was any indication, this wasn't going to be easy.

And it wasn't…

It took them an additional ten minutes to clear the length, along with several close calls. The rocky path underneath them was unstable and clearly struggled to hold the weight of one dragon, let alone two. It was only due to their abundance of caution that no one fell.

"Praise the Gods!" Eri shouted out as they entered into a cave. It was large, large enough for each dragon to walk comfortably single file. The only problem now, though, was how dark it was.

A ball of light suddenly appeared above them as Zeph finished casting a spell. "There we go, should be enough to help you non-dragons see."

Felix grumbled his thanks and soon they continued their trek until the cave expanded well beyond their light…

"Oh Yarnel!" Zeph sang out, her voice echoing within the cavernous space. "I've brought Felix–"

Before she could finish, more lights filled the space and revealed just how truly massive the cave was.

"Enough of that!" a familiar voice shouted. The small dragon appeared directly in front of them. "I knew you were here the moment you entered the mountains!"

"Well… You could've lit up the place before now," she huffed.

"Bah! I was finishing up on an experiment." Yarnel turned his attention to Felix as he slid down Zira's side. "And you came just at the most opportune time."

"Really?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Indeed. Has she informed you of why I've called you out here?" the dragon asked, floating over to him.

Felix's expression became serious. "Only that you are holding the mastermind responsible for the attacks. And I hope they are still alive because I have a few words I'd like to say to them."

Yarnel nodded. "But you weren't told who it was?"

He narrowed his eyes and gave the dragon a suspicious look. "What do you mean by that?"

"I'll take that as a no." Yarnel turned around and began floating off, gesturing for him to follow.

"You make it sound like I should know them. Who is it?" he tried again, catching up. Meanwhile, the others quietly fell in line behind him.

The small dragon did not speak, only coming to a stop in front of a sheer wall, its surface carved smooth.

Felix paid it no mind, however, and kept his attention upon Yarnel.

Raising a small taloned hand, the dragon made the wall vanish. A new room revealed itself, nearly as large as the one they were in. And, inside, was Yarnel's workshop. Tables, devices, crystals, and tomes filled it. Yet, as Felix finally turned his attention, there was only one thing he focused on.

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There, in the very center, was a body. It floated within an invisible field as mana crystals circled around it while an enchantment embedded into the floor focused the mana.

Felix took one step in. "Who–"

The body twitched and a whisper carried across the distance. "Felix…"

A pit formed in the bottom of his stomach as his eyes widened in recognition. No… There's no way… It can't be… He took another step, then another… Slowly, he made his way to the body and gazed upon it.

The body had wild unkept hair and an equally wild beard. Scars, old wounds from previous battles, ran up and down the man. All of it made it difficult to tell who this was, and yet…

"O-Ovidius?"

Unfocused eyes focused onto him. "Felix…"

Felix's knees felt weak and before he knew it, he fell to them. This body, this man, they were his friend, his second in command during the battle for the Citadel.

But it can't be… He shook his head in denial. This couldn't be his friend, his brother in arms. Ovidius had died there. Died defending the throne-room. Died to buy Felix time to reach Fea.

The denial set in. How could someone who so valiantly sacrificed themselves, to sacrifice himself for the sake of others, be the root of both attacks upon the clearing?

This has to be an impostor! Some sick and twisted trick by the High Prophet! A demented joke! A… A… It can't be real! I will know the truth.

"Felix–"

He suddenly jumped to his feet, a righteous fury burning within. He would find out who this impostor really was.

"Who are you?" he asked, the air growing frigid around him.

The impostor could only gasp.

"Felix–"

"ANSWER ME! WHO ARE YOU?!" His rage was taking over, clouding his mind and judgement. An instant later, his hands shot out like a bolt and attempted to wrap around the impostor's neck.

"Felix!" A single shout from somewhere behind made him hesitate.

The impostor gave another gasp, the light flickering in their eyes.

Felix's hands trembled as they remained only a hair's breath away from the man's throat. Tears streamed down his face as reality began to set in. "Who… Who are you?" he hissed, his voice hitching.

A pair of arms wrapped around him then as Eri buried her face into his back. "Please, Felix… You're scaring me… Please, calm down."

Hearing his wife's pleading voice gave him pause. He stared down at his shaky hands, still close to the impostor's throat, and dropped them.

A whisper sounded out then as the body– His…friend tried to reach for him. "I've…failed…you… I'm sorry…"

Ovidius fell limp.

***

Felix found himself sitting in a chair, staring down at his hands. He found himself both contemplating and numb. He found himself drifting.

Where had he gone wrong? How could Ovidius betray him? Did Ovidius betray him? There were questions, many questions that needed answers. And yet, Felix feared them. He feared the truth, he feared the unknown.

Was this what the High Prophet wanted? Was this his whole plan? To sow doubt, confusion…fear? He let out a shudder. It's working…

The last two days of his life was nothing short of an emotional whiplash. First it was Fea and Watcher, then the marriage and coronation, and now this. How much more can I take?

He hadn't realized it, but he never fully processed the first two events. Watcher's death was devastating and that loss would be felt for the rest of his life. But then there was Fea. He could no longer feel her within his soul, despite being told a small shard of her was still there.

His only blessing between those two was he got to be there. He got to witness their final moments and to comfort them. Ovidius hadn't been so lucky.

Felix left him and the rest of his men to die in that throne room. He left them to join Fea, so that his sacrifice could prevent more deaths. But why does it feel like that? Why does it feel like I abandoned them?

He took a deep breath, a sign that he was coming back to the present. A hand, his wife's hand, squeezed his shoulder gently.

"Felix…"

With a shaky hand of his own, he reached up and squeezed hers. "What do I do?"

Faster than he could react, she sat upon his lap, cupped his head, and peered into his eyes. "We need answers. If… If you do not wish to know then I–"

"I want to know." His admission surprised himself, but now that he said it, he meant it. "I have to know."

"Then we shall go together." She leaned in and kissed him, her love pouring through the bond. It broke free the last remnants of numbness he had…

A few minutes later, they rejoined the others on the opposite side of the cave. There, Yarnel and the others quietly talked. Something about mana is all he was able to piece together. And, before he could learn more, the group fell silent as he and Eri joined them.

"Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?" Zeph asked, looking far more worried for him than he thought was necessary.

"I'm fine and no. What I want is to know what happened?" He gave Yarnel an expectant look.

The small dragon wasted no time.

"Ovidius was brought to me unconscious. His physical body suffered little injuries but… He was heavily corrupted. I believe he was subject to intense miasma, probably until he broke. And then, more until he was turned into some twisted, demonic creature."

"Oh! I believe Lorenzen said he was calling himself Karno," Zeph added, raising her hand like that of a child trying to get attention.

Felix looked between the two, confused. "Karno? Why did he call himself that?"

Zeph lowered her hand, clearly not knowing the answer. Thankfully, Yarnel spoke back up.

"From the description I received he was turned into something like a shade. Not a shade, but similar to one. If I'm being honest, I am not entirely sure what they did to him. This isn't something I've ever seen. But, I can confirm his soul was absolutely devastated. He is barely holding on as is and he doesn't have much time left."

Feeling the pit in his stomach once again, Felix subtly grasped Eri's hand and squeezed. "How long does he have?"

"With the field I've put him in? A few days at most, a few hours otherwise."

He peered down at the ground, furrowing his brow. "How was he defeated?"

"Ah yes! I forgot to mention that part… I had Lorenzen and Ithea set up a trap, one that would destroy the barrier, but purge the corruption. There was also another side-effect… One I wish to discuss later."

It took a moment for Felix to fully understand the small dragon's words, but when he did he peered up to him with shock. "What? The barrier is destroyed?"

"It is," Yarnel confirmed, acting as if that wasn't a big deal. "Anyway, I haven't had the chance to ask any questions of Ovidius. He only woke a few minutes before you arrived, which is why I could not greet you."

He stared at the dragon, still baffled by how unconcerned someone could be about that. He has to know how bad that is– Unless he already has something to deal with it? Thinking that might be the case, he slowly relaxed. "And… I take it, you want me to speak to him? Is that why you asked for me to come here?"

"Now that he is responsive, yes. Though, that was not the original intention. I merely thought it apt that you should know and decide what happens to him."

That… That's actually quite considerate of him. "I suppose what we do with him depends on what he has to tell us. If he was forced into all this, then I think I would like to save him. If not… Well, he will soon die either way."

Yarnel nodded, but it was Zeph who looked surprised. "Save him? His soul–"

"It's not the first time I've worked on a soul. Not even my second… My problem right now is that I'm recovering from my fight. Luckily, I think Yarnel has something that I think can help with that."

The small dragon perked up. "Ah, you wish to use the mana well?"

"I do, but I actually have another question about that. I might need several mana wells…"

Yarnel took on a devious smile. "Isn't that fascinating? It would seem that you and I had similar thoughts."

"Similar thoughts?" Felix asked, confused.

"Indeed. You see Felix, I haven't been idle since we last met… You know that side-effect I mentioned?"

He nodded hesitantly.

"I think I have something you'd like to see."