Darius sighed a little as he carried John on his back as he and Cerin made their way through the forest, slowly reaching the exit as everything that had happened up until now was echoing in their minds. The trio needed to rest up after that battle, Darius feeling the fatigue finally catching up to him as he walked. They soon make it out and look around in the daylight, relieved to finally see the sun after battling and straining their eyes on the darkness of the woods. Cerin looked around for a moment before looking off in the distance and seeing a shine, which he believed was a reflection of light off of the castle pillar, a beacon of sorts that they used to show people a safe haven. Cerin nudged Darius gently as he pointed and made a few motions with his claws, speaking to the older dragon ‘I believe that is Elderitch. I remember reading it had a beacon of light that led travelers to a safe haven.’ Cerin signed out carefully as Darius watched him, nodding gently as the boy did his best to communicate. “You may be right, let us head there for now, since John still needs to rest. Poor kid.” He sighed as he gently rubbed John’s head as the boy shifted and moved a little and got comfy with his head resting on the man's shoulder, John felt safe despite the scary situation he was in.
The trio made a quick walk towards the pillar, and looked in awe as they approached the gate of what was the biggest kingdom on the continent. Elderitch, ruled by King Inferno and his spouse Kenta. The guard at the gate, a black wolf with red streaks around him stopped them, noticing the child, but keeping his words to himself. “State your names and purpose for visiting.” He said as if on protocol. Darius nodded respectfully as he spoke. “My name is Darius, and this is Cerin, he’s mute. And the sleeping child, well…” He took a moment to think knowing the wolf had a questioning look to him. “His name is John.” Darius said as the wolf gave a quizzical look, but he went into his post and spoke to someone for a moment, before returning. “Okay, checks out. Welcome to Elderitch, don’t cause trouble.” He said and messed with a lever, the gate slowly opening, leading into a beautiful city, the citizens walking around at ease, as if there wasn’t a care in the world.
Darius thanked the guard and walked in with Cerin, who remained close to Darius, his eyes wandering at all there was. Just from the entrance they were greeted by a series of houses, buildings and such. They didn’t waste much time as they made their way towards city square, the center of town, which had a huge fountain in the center, the shot water out from the top and it landed back into the pool below. Cerin looked at it and smiled a little as he was intrigued and entranced by it, his mind being put at ease at how gentle and seamless the water was flowing. Darius looked around the fountain and saw it split into four paths, like a crossroads of sorts. “This place is so massive it even has its own crossroads and paths. How do people get around so easily?” He wondered as he looked up and saw the castle nicely on a hill, his mind wandering as he had a feeling someone was watching them specifically from the castle but he couldn’t figure out why. He gently rubbed Cerin’s head and motioned him to follow as he made his way to the inn, which was near the fountain, which Darius was just relieved about as he walked in and approached the counter and greeted the keeper. “Good day, I would like to request an inn room. We are travelers and need a place of rest.” He explained, as the man examined him, noticing the boy on his back as he didn’t question it. “It is a few pieces of gold a night.” He simply said, which Darius nodded and made the exchange, enough for a couple of days.
The man thanked him and handed him a key, telling him where to go. Darius took the key and made the way to the room, entering with a gentle sigh as he walked to one of the beds and gently placed John into the covers so he could rest, the gator curling up a little and sleeping the time away. Darius thought for a moment as he sighed, still wondering how so much wrong can happen to such a child, finding the world's treatment to him unfair. “The world is a cruel place, it is a miracle such things can happen when people state our world is a kind one.” Darius said to himself, Cerin listening as one of his ears twitched and he sighed and looked down at the floor, not wanting to say anything about the matter. Darius nodded and looked to Cerin. “I will be back soon, I am going to the king myself.” He told the purple dragon, Cerin nodding as Darius made his way out of the inn and locked his room, walking back to the fountain where the wolf guard was waiting for him. “Halt.” He ordered, but gently.
Darius was a bit nervous hearing that as he cautiously approached him, wondering what he needed. The wolf nodded and spoke. “You are the one the king foretold would be showing up. It is no coincidence you would have business with us after his majesty felt the strange anomaly. That boy isn’t from here, is he?” He said, Darius was a bit surprised as he knew the king was powerful and had powers, but the powers of a seer was not what he had expected as he stumbled his words for a second before recomposing himself. “Well, He is not from here. He is actually from another dimension I believe, and I was wanting to come gain audience with the king thinking he might have an answer, since that boy just so happens to have the same name as his late son John. Would you be willing to take me to the castle to gain audience with the king?” Darius asked, the wolf thinking before nodding, knowing Inferno would want to meet him at some point. He motioned the man to follow, the black dragon watching him take point and walking towards the castle, following behind him carefully, keeping his eyes on him so as to not lose him in the crowds. People gave Darius looks, unsure of how to feel about an outside being escorted by the knight, despite its cheerful appearance, Elderitch’s citizens were always wary of newcomers as they were unsure of how they would act. “Mind the looks, these people are a judgemental people, they don’t even accept some of us knights.” The wolf said as they got to the castle steps, where another guard was stationed.
“Captain Alex!” He saluted, he was a green dragon in full armor, he was noticeably on the bigger side, but Darius wasn’t one to comment or judge another being. “At ease, Marik, we are going to the castle, anything to report?” He asked him curiously as the dragon shook his head and was at ease now, turning his attention back out to the groups of people, while Alex started ascending the steps, Darius surprised how simple their interaction was as he started walking up the steps with Alex. “Your name is Alex?” Darius asked to make conversation, the wolf nodding as he was at least polite to Darius for the time being. “Yes, close friend of the king and the head knight of Elderitch. I lead all these soldiers.” He explained as Darius listened intently. “I will say this, don’t expect immediate help from the king, he is a very stern man.” He warned as they got to the entrance of the castle, the duo stopped by a knight. Alex looked and handed his identification, explaining the situation, in which the guard bowed and backed away. Alex nodded to his soldier as he walked in, heading to the throne room.
Darius breathed heavily for a minute as he was led through the halls towards two towering doors, this was clearly the king's chamber. Alex thought for a second before he turned attention to the guest. “Listen. Ever since the death of their child, the royals haven’t been the most… kind people. I will do what I can to get you help, but be ready to be turned away without a second thought. I will do all in my power to get you answers for that kid.” Alex said, showing he had already deduced what Darius was wanting, which shocked the man. “I knew that the earthquake wasn’t just a random chance. The boy is not from this dimension, and I know that.” Alex said simply before entering the throne room, and looking ahead the duo would see a hybrid sitting on a throne, stern, sitting back with one leg placed upon his other thigh, his top half leaning to the left, his left hand under his chin holding it up as he stared at the duo. “Who enters?” Inferno asked as Alex walked over and bowed to the king. “Your majesty, I bring a visitor who wishes an audience with you in regards to the anomaly you mentioned.” Alex said respectfully as he stood and walked down, the man was intimidating, stern, and had a very scary demeanor to him, it would scare even most braver men.
“What brings this visitor by?” Inferno asked, looking to Darius as the dragon nervously bowed and adjusted himself as he began to speak. “Your majesty, my name is Darius. I come from a small house in the forest. We are here in regards to asking you about other dimensions, and the possibility of traveling between such. In the inn, we have a young prince from another world who was randomly sent here, and we are unsure how to send him back and we wish to ask you for your kind help, hoping you will give us the way to send this poor lad home. He is scared, worried, and I know he has a family waiting for him. Please, help us.” Darius bowed as Inferno listened, a small grimace of annoyance on his face, but not for the reason, just the idea of the other realms worries him. “A family you say.” He thought with a sigh as he went back to his throne and went right back to his old idle position.
“I would love to help, but I am a busy man. Such things are only known by high skill dark mages and I am not sure how we would be able to send a child between realms without consequences. Unfortunately, that boy may be stuck here forever.” Inferno sighed as he watched Darius standing up straight and look in shock hearing such cold words from the king. “Your majesty…” Alex said before Darius stopped him and walked up a bit, standing before the throne. “This boy is John Adams.” Darius said, getting a furious look from Inferno, who stood up and sneered. “How dare you use such lies to anger me!” he shouted as that name struck a nerve, as he reeled back a little and thought. “My son… taken too soon. You dare use his name to get under my skin?” Inferno asked furiously, as Darius sighed. “He isn’t the same John. He is the son of another version of you. That is why I asked.” He said, Inferno looking at him, his fury slowly subsiding but he was pained. “Show me.” He said simply, shakily.
Inferno_the_dragon_wolf
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