Wayward Tail: The Mortal Realms Trilogy, Book 1

Forgotten Talon

At a distance Theradeax had the appearance of a full grown human man. However, up close, the trio noticed that the man had scaly skin and reptilian eyes like Artifax. He began to walk in a semicircle around the group. "This mountain... this lake... They are the dumping ground of our people Artifax. This is where they send the fallen soldiers of the Seven Mountains."

Artifax found it more and more difficult to breath. He was still doubled over, now on all fours on the rocky floor of the platform. "But... w...why were we sent here." He tried his best to get the words out. Ladon knelt beside him trying to attend to whatever unknown ailment beseiged the gnome's body.

Theradeax stopped and looked down on Artifax. "You don't remember? Most interesting... I suppose that by leaving this place, you have almost no connection to our former home. I, on the other hand, have never left this mountain. I can see clearly, my past, as well as yours. Would you like to know why we were abandoned to this mundane place?"

Throk studied the reptilian man, studying his movements and the environment. His eyes caught piles of bones laying strewn about. Ladon spoke when Artifax was unable. "What is happening to him?"

Theradeax looked blankly at the paladin, as if he had forgotten there were other men present. "Simple human... There is a dragon inside of Artifax that cannot be bound by his mortal flesh. Where as my body has had many years to slowly evolve into this hybrid form, Artifax's body is being asked to accelerate years of latent potential into only a few moments. If he stays in this space, his transformation will be magnificent, but unpredictable... and truly unbearable."

Artifax fell onto his back in the fetal position. His two companions could see sharp points that appeared to be pushing against his skin from the inside. Dark smoke began to escape his mouth and a low pitched growl emanated from inside him.

Throk wandered over to one of the pile of bones as Thereadeax continued. "I suppose I should thank you Artifax. You and I will be considered heroes when the war in the heavens is over. After all it was you and I that began the rebellion that is to come against our 'Lord Bahamut'." His voice took on a sarcastic tone mentioning the lord dragon.

Throk had reached a certain pile of bones not far from the group. He knelt down and picked up a familiar necklace. For the moment the Theradeax monologue had ceased. Throk stood up and addressed him. "You are a traitor among your kind, and a killer of mine." Throk began adjusting the object on the end of his severed arm. "These are the bones of Thera, my sister."

Ladon's eyes traveled from the convulsing body of Artifax to the half dragon man before him. Theradeax was smiling. Landon palmed the handle of his great sword. Theradeax continued. "That is correct mountain man. She, like all of these other mortals," he gestured to the other bones on the platform. "There lives were forfeit... The deaths served a much greater purpose... Me."

With that Ladon lept to his feet and swung his sword at Theradeax. The blade struck the unflinching man in the neck. The great force of the blow threw Ladon to the ground. Looking up he saw the edge of his blade had dulled. Theradeax was unmoved and uninjured.

Theradeax's eyes fell on Ladon and he extended his pointed finger. "You will be the next mortal to volunteer his blood to our cause." With that he opened his mouth and a great caustic stream of acid shot forth.

Before anyone knew what had happened, the incapacitated gnome had suddenly leapt to his feet and dived between Theradeax and Ladon. The full blast of the acid struck Artifax in the chest and blown him over Ladon's body and off the edge of the platform. There was a splash of magma, and Artifax's body disappeared into the liquid fire and rock.

Ladon had not had time to react to what had just happened before he saw a great talon plunge through Theradeax's chest from behind. Theradeax let forth a scream that echoed off the cavern walls and ceiling before collapsing at Ladon's feet.

Behind Theradeax, stood Throk, the barbarian, with a crazed look in his eyes. On his arm he wore the great dragon claw of Artifax's former self. It was fashioned into a replacement limb that could be used in battle. Throk had plunged that great talon into Theradeax's back, and though mortal metals could not penetrate those scales, it seemed that dragon claws could.

Throk looked down at the body, "She is redeemed," obviously referring to his sister.

Ladon's eyes moved from the dead body of Theradeax to the raging barbarian. "Artifax... is gone."