3. Chapter Three

Zalaria was a magnificent creature. From head to tail her long, sinuous body shimmered with gemlike white and cerulean scales. Between a pair of crescent-shaped horns was a mane of flowing sapphire hair that traveled down her back, ending in a large tuft on her tail. Most striking were her enormous wings, their crystal membranes like gossamer. With those massive sails she danced and whirled across the skies almost as if she were swimming through the air. But most mysterious, were the rows of sapphire gemstones embedded along her body, each one glowing with its own inner light.

The Juggernauts almost couldn’t believe their eyes, but at the same time they couldn’t help but marvel at Zalaria’s presence. She was so beautiful.

“The Guardian Spirit, at long last she’s returned!” Eridor cried with joy.

Shadowflare chuckled under his breath. “Zalaria, I knew you’d show up. Now, finish off these fools.”
Zalaria perched herself atop an earthen spire. Ziggurat smiled. “Heh, well Shadowflare, looks like this battle’s all over.”

The black dragon smirked once more. “We’ll soon see.”

The grueling battle raged on. Steel and fire clashed. Cries of death filled the air as the Juggernauts’ numbers were decreasing drastically. Ziggurat noticed Zalaria hadn’t moved from her perch; in fact she seemed to be staring right at him. She flew down and suddenly started homing in on the Juggernauts. Catching Ziggurat off guard, she then snatched him in her claws and soared high into the clouds.

“Zal, what are you doing?!” Ziggurat shouted, trying to pry himself from her grasp. Zalaria ignored his cries as her claws dug deeper into his skin. She then tossed him head over shoulders into the ground.

“What the hell?!” Sieg exclaimed.

“Commander Ziggurat!” Eridor called out as he ran towards him. “Are you alright?” He then turned sharply towards the white dragon. “Zal, what has gotten into you?!”

“Don’t waste your breath. Zalaria can’t hear you,” Shadowflare replied with a most sinister grin on his face.

“What do you mean? What have you done to her?!” Ziggurat roared. His eyes met with Zalaria’s. In contrast with her scales, Zalaria’s eyes were a stunningly deep shade of gold. Those eyes once so captivating, yet so profound and mysterious. But now, they were nothing but an emotionless void.

“Zal…” Ziggurat whispered, now realizing the terrible truth.

Tiny ice crystals fell from Zalaria’s wings. With a violent flutter, she turned them into sharpened ice crystals as they pinned Ziggurat to the ground. Shadowflare slowly crept over him, eyes eager for the final tantilizing assault. Ziggurat roared, pounding and thrashing against the ground as he struggled desperately to break free, but to no avail. He was trapped. His immobilized comrades could only watch in horror as his life was about to abruptly come to an end; all of them, but Sieg.

His hands shook with rage. He refused to let Ziggurat die in vain, and as his anger overcame him he rushed at Shadowflare with his twin axes ready.

“YOU BASTARD!” he roared.

His efforts were cut short however. A long black tail lashed out, slamming Sieg in the chest and knocking him down hard. At the instance he collided with the ground, blood splashed into the air. Sieg screamed.

One of his battleaxes had buried itself deep into his left arm, nearly severing it completely.

“Sieg!” the others cried out.

“Pathetic,” the black dragon mocked. As he turned back towards Ziggurat, a terrible grin crept on his face. He lifted a black claw with a cruel, sadistic glee in his eyes. Ziggurat stared at Shadowflare as if he were staring death in the face. A single tear fell from his eyes.

“Forgive me, my son. I’m sorry…”

It was with those final words that Ziggurat gave his last breath; a dark claw had ripped his chest open and rendered his beating heart to shreds. Crimson blood pooled beneath his prone and now lifeless body as he lay before his comrades, their faces pale as they drew away in horror.

“Oh my god…” Eridor whispered.

“Come on, let’s get outta here before he decides to kill us too,” Sieg said, almost unable to look away from the sight. A hard lump formed in his throat and he swallowed. “How are we gonna tell the kid…”

They started to limp away, overwhelmed that they managed to escape with their lives. As they left, they could still hear the ominous laugh of the black dragon in the distance.

Meanwhile, Zalaria was hovering over the battlefield. Her eyes held no remorse, until suddenly…

They widened, and absolute horror was stilled upon her face. Everywhere she saw, fallen soldiers and their mounts, their bodies mercillessly ripped apart. Refusing to witness the horrendous sight any longer, she brought her hands to her face, only to see that her claws were also covered in blood. Shadowflare however relished at the sight.

“Well done Zalaria,” he grinned. “Now no one is left to save them from their most, inglorious fate…”