Chapter 883: Echoed (Ch.884)
The air was different. And not in a subtle way. Not in a way that was easy to adjust to. The change was obvious and drastic.
Maybe it was being so far beyond the ocean, halfway across the known world. But sothing about the air tasted bitter... wrong.
It slled wrong too. Humid, dry air that brushed over Jian’s scales, leaving a coarse and unpleasant feeling in its wake.
The feeling was sothing he couldn’t quite explain or attach a na to, other than how wrong it was.
He’d always found sothing unsettling about this territory. Back then, and even now...
It was the sa strange feeling. Only this ti, it was so much more amplified. Perhaps fuelled by the rage burning in his veins, or the longing brimming in his heart.
Or perhaps it was the strength of the portal that had delivered them to this territory, with magic so potent it left his guts twisting.
Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. Because he was here now...he had finally arrived the Eclipse Domain.
Jian’s eyes scanned the vast forest below, the familiarity of it stung deep in his heart. Stirring a sense of foreboding he refused to acknowledge.
He didn’t think they’d ever have any reasons to be back here. He was certain the past had changed and fate would be kinder to them this ti.
Sowhere within the bounds of that forest, he’d lost her once...in a ti different from this.
But not today, not this ti.
’How much further?’ Kaideon’s voice echoed in his mind.
It was imperative to keep their departure from the stronghold under wraps, but Jian had not had the heart to keep it from him.
Kaideon had portaled to Dragon Keep as soon as he’d heard. He’d made it clear he would join the party...no one had dared protest. Not even Jian himself.
He was after all, Neveah’s only blood relative on their side of the world. Even with her mories gone... even if Jian’s own bond hadn’t blossod enough to leave an indelible mark,
Even if by so chance, even Xenon’s bond was lost to her mories. There was still the bond she shared with Kaideon...it had been strong enough for them to recognise each other even when neither had known of the other’s existence.
Jian hoped once again, this bond would serve to bridge the gap her mories had created. Perhaps Neveah would recognise her father. He dearly hoped for it.
Because if she refused to go back with them...
He couldn’t dare contemplate it.
Neveah was not a woman who could be taken against her will. They’d already done it once, he hoped this ti, it didn’t co to that.
But he’d made up his mind he would not return ho without her. Whatever that ant, he was willing to face it.
Jian didn’t need to respond. The forest terrain gave way, revealing the towering palace nestled in the heart of the forest, a great distance ahead.
Even from so far out, he could hear it. He’d seen one too many to fail to recognise it.
It was the unmistakable sounds of a battle.
Jian’s eyes caught Xenon’s, their gazes t just for a brief mont. But it was enough to leave behind a chill of apprehension shared by both dragon lords.
His muscles tensed, his agitation building alongside his unease. Flas churned within him, heating up in his lower belly, seeking an outlet.
He withheld it. Not now...not yet. Not until he knew she was safe and unhard.
Then, everything else could burn.
’But what if she wasn’t?’ A dark, dismaying thought crept into his mind.
Seven days. He was seven days late. All because of so tributary race that had never done him any favours.
The guilt that had long lingered in the pit of his mind, ate away at him. Cruelly... rcilessly.
What if she wasn’t safe and what if she wasn’t unhard? What if the days he’d wasted to aid the Sea Kingdom defeat the hydra and keep the stronghold safe ended up being the very reason he didn’t make it to her in ti?
He’d justified it by telling himself he would be bringing her back to a safer stronghold. If only by a asure.
He’d made himself believe leaving a hydra behind, was a recipe for trouble upon his return to the stronghold with Neveah. And it had been...it had been a terrifying thought to bring her to even more danger than she’d left behind.
He’d pictured the disappointnt in her eyes to find out another race had been wiped out...
The sorrow in her gaze at the sight of Ebonhollow still weighed heavily on his mind. She wasn’t one to be easily moved to emotions, but she’d reflected his deeply buried sorrow right back at him then.
Her heart ached and he’d seen it in her eyes as surely as he’d felt it. Not just for what was lost, but for the regrets he still carried long after the matter.
He knew then what to do. What she would have wanted him to do.
At least he’d thought he knew.
He sent scouts ahead to keep watch pending his arrival. Not just anyone...Kirgan.
With orders to protect Neveah at any cost should the situation demand it. But what if that wasn’t enough?
What if choosing his duty had dood her already?
What if after everything...he still failed her?
Once the thoughts began, they didn’t stop. Not until Xenon’s stern voice echoed in his mind,
’Enough of that. We’re here.’
The palace was in full view now. A hauntingly beautiful structure that covered a vast expanse, with towering spires.
And down below, a fierce, bloody battle ensued.
Shifter against shifter. Claw against claw. The courtyard was dyed red with blood and howls of the fallen echoed everywhere.
Whatever was the cause and effect, he feared Neveah could not be uninvolved or unaffected.
From their vantage point in the skies, they hadn’t yet been noticed. But if they descended any lower, they would be.
Jian’s eyes shifted quickly, seeking out the familiar silhouette that belonged to her...
’She’s not here...’ Xenon’s voice in his mind fed the already growing apprehension.
Just then, he heard it.
A pained scream echoed across the courtyard, in a voice that was far too familiar for comfort.
Jian’s heart sank to the pit of his stomach. He trailed the sound, zeroing his gaze on a partly opened window in the castle,
And there she was, the erald train of her dress swishing rapidly at her heels as she fled sothing... soone
The sides of the fabric were dimr in colour than the rest of it.
Blood...her blood.
It struck him instantly and his own blood ran cold.
She was hurt...badly. They had laid a hand on what was his, on the woman he cherished more than anything else...a woman that was more precious to him than his own life.
An earth shaking roar erupted from Jian’s throat, raw and guttural, echoed by a dozen Dragon Lords.
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