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Nexian dragons are said to have gained their human forms from elves long ago. Whether or not this tale is fabricated or truth, none can rightly say. It is only certain that Nexian dragons only had two forms millions of years ago; the full dragon, and the warrior dragon.
Through millennia of changes and crossbreeds, the planet Nexus has filled with a wide array of creatures, and new species are created with every new day. Like the Nexian dragon�s human form, the origination of the firegryph is foggy. What little has been written regarding the firebird gryphon is extremely contradictory. For instance, a tale told by storytellers across Nexus carries the word that this creature is dangerous, and goes on to tell about brave warriors vying to impress a princess by killing it. None succeed, however; the monstrous firegryph is said to burst into flame and roast the offender. On the other paw, minstrels sing of the creature�s amazing healing abilities. It is said that a single feather from its pelt can heal one no matter the illness, no matter how near death.
Of course, none claim to actually have seen the firegryph, leaving Nexus with naught but legend.
- Ero Reides; white lion morph, �Legends of Nexus�
The table was made of the smoothest black stone in Nexus; so smooth, in fact, that it could be mistaken for glass. When Corey flattened his marred left hand on it, the black scales that slipped between the first two fingers seemed to melt into the glossy surface. The nasty scar had healed, starting between those fingers and ending just below the wrist, scales growing in its wake. The two affected fingers were only slightly changed; claws grew were nails once were, a few scales at the base of each. Trimming the white claws and wearing a glove was a small price to pay for the secrecy of a human form.
As king, the common folk rarely saw Corey in any form other than his warrior or full dragon forms. He would be unnoticed in this form. Unfortunately, it was also his weakest form. He had the feeling that any form would be weak, while the virus infected his blood.
He heard the sound of bare talon on pebbled path, his thoughts prematurely closing. The lightning warrior stepped into view and took a seat across the table. His solemn gaze did naught for Corey�s dreary mood.
�It has been announced,� Exarious said gently, glancing to his talons on the table to avoid his king�s steady eyes. �Ravens have been sent to every edge of Nexus telling all we know of young Suderi�s death.� The last words hung in the air uncomfortably. The dragon raised his head and noticed that Corey was watching the stars.
�When is the festival?� the young king asked, eyes closing as though he could still see the speckled space above him with his mind.
�In a moon�s turn,� came the reply, the dragon leaning back in his seat and placing his talons in his lap, idly fidgeting with the white loincloth tied about his waist. �There will be a tournament, and minstrels and fools are coming from all over Nexus. The city will be very crowded; the inns will not suffice. I wrote in the letters to bring accommodations in the event that there will be no space to lend. We will certainly not be lacking in entertainment. We are expecting merchants to come, of course, from the far reaches our ravens have gone.� He paused, sighing heavily. �The townsfolk will send his soul to the stars, where he can dance with the phoenixes for all eternity. Naught can do him harm now, my king.�
�I know that, Exarious,� Corey responded absent-mindedly. �Would that I could soar with him, to feel the feathers of those who were born of the stars.� He lowered his gaze, meeting that of the lightning dragon. �It is only a dream, old friend. My son is dead. Gone from me and this world. He is in the earth now, not dancing in the night. He will not see nor hear his celebration.� His words were strangely cold, empty.
�You and I both know that you don�t mean what you just said,� Exarious muttered. �Don�t think such distressing things about your son. I feel your pain through those walls you�ve put up about you, my king; don�t think I can�t. And I, too, am saddened at this loss. But losing hope�nay, losing faith�this will not make your son warm in your arms again.� The dragon stretched his leathery wings behind him, closing his brilliantly yellow eyes. �All we can do is hope, Corey,� he sighed. �For Suderi�s sake, we must hope. And you must not let this plague drag you down with it. I simply won�t allow it.�
The king�s eyes raised as the dragon spoke, a wry smile snaking across his lips. �Of course,� he said, �you know me all too well, old friend.� Corey rose, pulling his black cloak closely about his form. He smiled. �Sleep well tonight, for I have the suspicion that tomorrow will be a day to remember.�
The glove was tailored to fit snugly on Corey�s mutated hand. The soft leather felt odd against his scales as he pulled it tight, wriggling his fingers. The eye patch was equally uncomfortable as the glove was snug. It itched, and often put him at odds with his own clumsiness. It usually took him a few hours to get used to not being able to see through one eye.
As unpleasant as they were, the glove and patch were necessary adornments. Corey did not wish to be seen and recognized outside of the castle, much less outside of Nexus City.
Corey�s recollection of the past night�of his conversation with Exarious about the celebration�was strangely muzzy. His mind was elsewhere. Today, the King in Nexus was leaving.
He dressed as plainly as he could. A black cloth shirt covered with a black leather vest, soft leather breeches and black boots to match. He wore a hard leather belt, from which hung a mythril-bladed long sword in its scabbard. After long contemplation, he slung the sheathed spirit sword over his shoulder. Spirit swords could slice any other weapon in two, and would come in handy if he had to fight some of the dark dragons� stronger forces. The blade, however, could not be drawn in haste. He would have to be careful who saw him with the sword.
He did not take any money with him. His plan was to pose as a traveler coming to Nexus for the tournament and celebration. Participating in the tournament itself would help him get back in shape with a sword. He just hoped that Exarious would not be there, as well. The lightning dragon knew his human form all too well.
It was still early; the great star had not climbed over the hills quite yet, and it was all Corey could do to hope that the only people awake in the castle were the cooks. The smell of the morning�s bread made his stomach complain, but he did his best to ignore it. The halls were empty as he walked through the eerily quiet castle grounds, struggling to keep even his thoughts silent.
He halted abruptly as he turned the corner. Exarious was standing with his talons on the balcony, looking over it into the grand hall below. Corey realized that he wasn�t going to make it down those stairs without the dragon spying him. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.
�You�re up early, old friend,� the king said, coming to a stop a few feet from the top of the stairs. He placed his gloved hand on the banister, leaning slightly.
Exarious turned his head, blinking his yellow eyes. �As are you, my king.�
Corey nodded, glancing to the ground. �I�m leaving,� he said simply.
�I thought you would.�
The king raised his gaze. �You knew?�
The dragon nodded, leaving his place to come closer to Corey. �It makes sense,� he explained. �Though, I admit I hadn�t expected you to leave this soon.� Exarious sighed resignedly, crossing his arms behind his back. �You want answers, my king. Litas, gone without a trace. And the cure for Draksylrosis has to be out there somewhere, yes?�
�You know me far too well,� Corey said, smiling softly.
�You�ve said that before.�
The morning air was thick with fog, warm yet crisp all at once.
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