He pushed in more energy till the conduit glowed brightly. He had linked his Mana into it and made a weapon. A signet only manifest when someone bonds. They can only do lesser magic once they channel their Mana into a conduit. Ashdod could see the golden hum around his Conduit. A satisfactory grin lit up on his face, unlike his friends who were still struggling. He was done. He sat up, brushing a sweat drop from his eyebrow. The lesson was over and they'd all be moving to the next class. He had survival lessons to learn too. He moved towards his bag. Professor calyne mervic moved to had m with a smile. '' you are doing great. Ashdod. The prophecy is right. You will save the world, you will save Audrigald.'' The professor sad. Her eyes on his perfect face. He knew it, had been taught since he was able to walk. The realm was in his command and he alone is able to command it. ' the next trial is a month away. And we will see that your unique dragon again.'' Professor calyne laughed.
'' I know professor I just hope everything goes well. '' he said. '' it should, it must and it will. But you must be wary, the forbidden will also bond on that day, the prophecy must come to pass. I'll the one with the heart of ivory and you will be Audrigald king.'' Professor calyne whispered. He gulped down. '' isn't murder a sin against the riders codex? '' he asked, she smiled tilting her head a bit, letting strands fly over her left ear.
'' killing an enemy, a threat isn't considered a sin. Ashdod, in fact it is highly recommended. '' professor calyne said. '' but she should be dead by now, she did not pass the trial? '' Ashdod asked. '' the elders said they saw her at the hall of survival. Her name is not on the death roll. '' professor calyne said. '' alright then. We will deal with her on bonding day. '' he said bowing. ''. Ashdod, do not feel pressurized, you will have more than enough opportunities to deal with her. '' professor calyne said. She moved out of the room, Ashdod following behind.
***
Thursday morning could not have been better. She sat up, still feeling a throbbing pain from her wound. She had been out listed, for the evening duel with an enemy. It was battle simulator class, except it was very much not a simulation. It was real. Every ounce of it. She was beaten by xaden's ally. Melgreen . Melgreen not only left a deep gash in her stomach, but materialized her pain in a fitting opportunity to kill her in a game of no rules. She inhaled sharply, her door opening as Jason and Relma came in.
'' how are you feeling? '' Relma asked helping her up. She rested on the he bed post had ng her chest rise and fall. Jason twisted his palms. '' I will kill him. '' he yelled. Relma turned to him with a hint of sarcasm in her throat. '' he is bonded to the most strongest dragon that could kill you in an accidental move. '' Relma laughed hysterically. Jason stood there parading the corners of the room in fury. '' I will try to change your matches next time.'' He said. '' it is virtually impossible. You can't. Only the commanders can! '' Elara said. Relma also turned astounded. '' you can know your match two weeks before the duel, allow ing you to prepare adequately. '' Jason said, he helped her put on her boots. She winced in pain as she moved.
'' sorry...you can't even skip classes because of this this. '' Jason said sadly. '' we will die before the next year. '' Relma said in optimism. Elara looked up not in the least flattered about Relma out show of happiness. Dying as a forbidden was something amusing for her, for Elara it was a disgrace on her. A stain as a princess, being cursed was the least of her troubles. For Relma, she was always so Optimistic about life, care free, and had a delusional blue print of life. Where as, Elara had a life of bitter pessimism, lackluster and painful experience, no sane human should experience. She moved to the mirror tightening her flight leathers and her breast armour and cringing back from the pain, she could feel the blood drip from her abdomen. Dark zone had no riders with healing abilities.
Healers were rare in the dark zone. Mostly because they often died or are killed mercilessly since they are considered as cheats who could heal wounds because of their abilities. Menders on the other hand were riders who could not heal but fix things to a certain degree. They do not promise a flawless healing but an imperfect redemption, fortifying pains to erase wounds, not a delightful experience but a painful one. She hated seeing one, having heard the horror stories that revolved around them. More was that her curse amplifies her pain.
They cold hear footsteps. Jason steeled. Turning to them in fear. '' professor halaworge is coming! '' he muttered and took the doorknob. It was too late, he was in the rooms hallway. Jason turned to them in fright, his eyes motioning to the balcony. '' no no! Jason we can't! '' Elara whispered. Her health could not sustain another injury. But Relma seemed rather optimistic about the jump from the balcony. She was visibly giggling in excitement. '' we have to Elara, if halaworge catches us we are toast! Torture is not something I enjoy '' Jason muttered pressing his back to the door. She did not enjoy it either. She just had to survive. She moved to the balcony, the memory of that night burning brightly in her mind. Sh killed someone this way, now she would commit suicide like this. The foot steps grew louder, and Jason rushed to join them. Holding their hands, the door knob twisted and gave way, they leaped.
Tears flew from her eyes as she lands on the jagged edge of some thing. Blood bursting from her he side of her lag, the dragon frenzied movements scared her. Relma held on, her hair danced in the wind and her lips Drew to an ecstatic laughter. '' no one is finding this as funny as you do. '' Elara reminded. She could feel a migraine swim happily in her head .Her leg exploding in massive pains. She felt her belly grumble annoyingly. Jason turned to look at her. Stunned. She emptied her stomach content down. On the head of whoever was unfortunate to be thee. The dragon continued landing in a with her balcony. Jason jumped down first. Helping her to his back. Relma following behind as they stealthily rushed to her class. It was just beginning. Every one was surprised to see the cursed princess and North bronze wing leader Jason lorke together. Snares blasted from different angles as she sat down. Jason brushed his hand lightly over hers and offered a reassuring smile. Every fibre in her body returning it with her best.
Melgreen and her clique walked in. A girl with black earthen hair and dark skinned skin. She had emerald eyes and wore thick leather. She was a second year and bonded already. To a black scaled iron head dragon one of the naughtiest dragon in the dark zone. It's name iron head was not just a fancy name. It had sledge hammer horn that could break through anything include the fibres of space. " You survived again." Melgreen said. She seemed satisfied that Elara was still alive. " Again?" Elara thought realization dawned on her. " She knew about the assassination." Elara thought in anger." That girl was sent by them to kill me. " She muttered under her breath. She swallowed the bitter taste of anger. " Watch where you go, you would not tell when, how or where you will be attacked. " Melgreen said sitting at a far end. " Xaden I am sure you are behind this!" Elara muttered under her breath.
*****
The library was cold, poorly lit and was covered with red tapestry. A row of shelves with mysterious looking books. She moved deeper turning to the library keeper. " I just want to check out the books." She said to the library keeper. A surprised shrug escaped the librarian's mouth. She took that as a yes, scurrying away quickly and hiding her tattoo desperately. The librarian looked as she walked off, shocked. It was not exam period yet. Besides riders barely visited the library for anything. They believed in war and survival not, history and knowledge.
She moved slowly till she saw books with different covers. She found one she was looking for. Curses of Audrigald. She pulled the book out moving to the 'd' section. Dark predators. She grabbed them both and began her journey back to the front desk, to meet the library keeper. His eyes grew as big as saucers " no one has ever come for those. " The librarian said. He pulled out a form. " Can I see a professor permit or an authorization code from our head master?" The librarian asked. She shrank back. " Is that necessary?" She asked.
" No..only for these books. These are dangerous books. " The librarian said. " Then why keep it here then?" Elara shrugged. " They were about to move it and some others before you came. " The librarian answered. She moved back to the last section returning the last book to the D section. She moved and stopped, opening the curses of Audrigald book. Knowledge began to flood into her brain, she moved into another page seeing a strange curse name. ' heart of Ivory.' she was lost in the words. " The dragon heart was a curse. " She muttered. She saw a rope tied down from the page into a spherical ball. It looked ominous and intriguing. She touched it and her body jolted, pain flooding her brain. Her breath caught and she began to writhe. She fall to the floor convulsing, her eyes spinning wildly.
Her hair sprawled on the floor as her body shook, rose and fell. Each movement was a new shot of pain. She bit her lip and scrambled for help. Her eyes bursted in tears and her mouth offered desperate pleas for help. But she was slowly sinking, her body melting into pain. Her sanity was slipping and fading. She reached up and drank in large pints of air. Her body falling mightily. She could hear running foot steps, but it was too late, her shadow friends had come to hug her, death at last. A metallic baritone boomed, melodramatically in her head.... " Welcome home..... My flesh. "