The Devil's Cursed Witch

3 chapters <3<3

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“We will help; he only needs to open his mouth when,” he replied. He seemed to have recalled something. “The King of Megaris is not a fool. In his absence, he left a counter of his own and built a barrier between the borders of Megaris and Thevailes using his powers. His magic is of the darkness attribute no inferior in quality as mine, though the spell structure is a bit simple in my opinion.”

“Hah. You are an old Dragon. You should praise a youngling for doing a great job without as much experience as you do. Besides, is there a need to be surprised that you have similar kinds of powers? You are both Dragons.”

“It’s not like that. You and Aureus, the same blood flows between you, but your powers are merely similar but not the same. Even if you compare yourself to other gray eagles of your kind, do you feel that your essences are the same as theirs, as if you have been made from the same origins?”

Morpheus was staring at him as if he was looking at an idiot. “You know as well as I do that each being, each creature with magic, has a unique essence. Even the naive Ember should have learned this basic principle by now.  Well, I am not sure how things work for Dragons, but are you seriously asking me this?”

However, Morpheus could no longer make fun of Draven because the man had a serious no-nonsense expression on his face.

“Our dark energy feels as if they are crafted from the same origin but different in some ways. I could not put it well into words… but there is really something, as if I am connected to Drayce Ivanov in some way…

“It’s hard to say more when we are the only two Dragons in existence.”

Morpheus studied Draven’s grave expression; however, he pointed out one crucial fact.

“Root resonance,” the shapeshifter said. “You already said it: you and Drayce Ivanov are the only known living Dragons in the continent. Deeper than bloodline resonance ought to be the fact you have the same roots as members of the same race. If you believe your connection is deeper than simply being both dragonkin, then you should go meet that young Dragon and seek answers from him.”

Draven could only nod in response, but it was obvious he was lost in his own thoughts.

Silence embraced the cave tunnel as neither beast said another word. After some time, Morpheus let out a soft sigh before gesturing that they head back to the cliff at the peak. Draven turned away from the eagle, his eyes holding a strange flicker in them as he looked at the sky in a daze.

‘The same roots…’

After leaving the entrance of the cave, the two men sat side by side on the ridge, their movements easy and familiar, as if they had returned to the time back when they were still comrades.

“Let me guess,” Morpheus said, breaking the silence first. “You are curious about the existence of other Dragons.”

The Black Dragon did not deny the man’s guess.

“We know how Drayce Ivanov is born from a witch and a human–at least that’s who he acknowledged to be his parents are, but we both know bloodlines do not work that way. Beasts are born, not created out of nothing like spirits and fairies. One of his parents has to be a Dragon, that means Evanthe met a Dragon other than me….about me, I know nothing. I know no other Dragons. I only know I am a Black Dragon because I transformed into one in my beast form.”

“Your existence, origins, we sure know nothing about it. Have you not been searching for  thousands of years? Who knows when we can get answers to these questions. Think about how Evanthe seems to be connected to every puzzle we encounter–maybe she will help end all the misery you have been through for so long.”

“I have a gut feeling that this time everything will end for good.”

“I hope your feeling is right.”

They both continued to talk about their shared pasts, remembering the days when they fought battle after battle with their trustworthy companions to guard their backs. Draven the Black Dragon, Morpheus the Divine Eagle, Evanthe the White Witch, Aldis the Nine-Tailed Fox, Logan the White Tiger, Leeora the Wood Elf, together with the leaders of the various races who allied together to protect Agartha. For a moment, the pair forgot the bitterness between them.

After some time had passed, both looked at each other and found that there was nothing more to say. It was as if they had poured out all the words they kept hidden and buried throughout the years. After that tragic war from a century ago, It was the first conversation they had without resentment, without scorn and accusations, and it was equally uplifting as it was tragic.

Reality had made it that their past friendship would be impossible to return to its original state. Too many people had been hurt, too many lives had been ruined, and too many loved ones had been lost. The damage could not be undone, and whatever fond memories they shared would remain only as memories. They simply stared at the same dark sky.

“I smell a scent on you,” Draven spoke up after a while.

Morpheus understood what he meant even without context. “I had to carry her to protect her from orcs.”

“Hmm,” was all Draven said.

Morpheus picked up on his mood. “Don’t worry, I have no other intentions despite what I feel for her. She is and will always be a friend.”

“More than that will only lead you to death by my hand.”

Morpheus chuckled fearlessly. “As if I am scared of death. In that case, I will prefer to make her my mate first before  dying in your hands.  Makes it a worthy death, don’t you think?” A bitter laugh escaped his lips. “Lucky bastard. It’s a shame you found her first. With her mated to you, if I try to make a move, she will end up getting hurt. I don’t want to hurt her. She does not deserve that. That’s why you should thank your dastardly luck: she is yours and will always be yours only. She will never get to know what I feel for her.”