25th day of season of the scythe 2448

Azena and Tyrath came out of the cave quietly without ever taking their eyes off the shaman. He had control over his henchmen, so one signal from him and Tyrath would attack. The young silver drake kept his fangs bared the entire way, growling faintly.

Everything was calm and silent until the very end, when Azena and Tyrath were getting ready to take off. A sylvan elf woman approached the shaman:

- Erurawin, where is he? Where is Umah? What has happened?

She looked sad, a tear in the corner of her eye and ignored everything else. She grabbed the black shaman named Erurawin by the sleeve. Erurawin answered only with a small smile. The elf woman's eyes widened a little and she stood away from him. She looked sternly at one of the guards who was blocking her way.

- Let me through, she grunted.

The tone of her voice was so firm that the barbarian backed away. Eruwarin nodded his approval. The woman rushed towards her son who had been released, but who was still being watched.

- Umah, she whined.

She took him in her arms and cradled him, not caring about those around her.

Azena straddled Tyrath, reassured that Umah's mother was present for him. She motioned for Tyrath to fly away, and he did so. Erurawin never took his eyes off them. Azena felt her stomach get knotted. She had the distinct impression that Erurawin wasn't finished with them or that his plan was going perfectly.

Turion's consciousness had been slowly awakening for a while. It was as if the dragon was trying to repress himself, but it was almost impossible not to live. How could a living being stop thinking? Azena felt the balance shift again.

- Turion, I know it's hard, but hold on. I'm going to get help from the masters before something terrible happens.

She gritted her teeth, her mental connection to the purple dragon more damning than ever. Her memories, her emotions, her identity were intertwined with those of Turion. She had to concentrate to remember which aspect of herself belonged to him.

- Hurry, Tyrath. I beg you, find a master as soon as possible. I need something done about Turion. His consciousness is too vast... I... I can't bear it.

Tyrath flapped his wings relentlessly. He flew, piercing the skies. Between wing flaps, he spoke in rage:

- I'm going to martyr them all, tear them to pieces, devour them all. Damned barbarians...

He stopped when he realized that his dragon rider did not respond. She was too busy fighting for the survival of her identity. On the way, a few air currents slowed him down, but he blew one gust after another to neutralize them. Finally, he spotted Nymia and her red dragon Tobalt patrolling on top of the outer wall of the academy. He gave one last wing flap and, exhausted, he failed to land properly. He almost fell on the other side of the wall, but Tobalt, who was much stronger and taller than he was, managed to grab him and pull him up.

- Azena, he gasped. Azena... ...help him... Turion's soul... merged...

- Relax, Nymia replied, running to his side. Just take a breath and explain to me.

She helped Azena get up and stand up straight. The half elf seemed lost, distracted. Her eyes were glazed, a dull blue-gray hue. Nymia examined her as Tyrath catched his breath. She touched her forehead, her arm, her chest and then took her pulse. What seemed to worry her most was when she tried to draw Azena's attention to her. She snapped her fingers, whispered her name, and then called out to her firmly. There was no answer. Azena could hear her and understood. She wanted to answer and screamed for help, but her body didn't cooperate. After her quick inspection, Nymia turned her attention to Tyrath:

- Explain to me, she ordered with a touch of severity and concern.

The young dragon quickly told her what had just happened. Nymia listened attentively, her eyes increasingly shocked.

- So Umah is still in danger, she concluded.

She cursed, cursing herself for her carelessness. She paused for a moment, but quickly pulled herself together.

- No time to think. The Grand Master will make a decision. We can do something about Azena in the meantime.

She picked up Azena in her arms and climbed Tobalt's back with impressive ease. She assumed a somewhat comfortable position, made sure she held on to Azena and then signaled Tyrath to follow her.

They flew to the top of the Mother Tower where the peak was rather slender, just big enough for a room. Azena guessed it must be Terenas'. As expected, the elf drew the curtains and his confusion turned to shock when he saw Azena. He moved his lips and the window opened by itself.

- I heard the flapping of Tobalt's wings, he said. How did Azena...? Never mind that. We have to take her to the Sages. I fear I don't have the ability to help her on my own.

He climbed up to the windowsill and took a moment to look at the half-elven more closely.

- Do you mind if I sit with you on Tobalt?

Nymia nodded. Terenas waited for Tobalt's approval and jumped on him. Tobalt waited until he was settled and descended to lower grounds, Tyrath behind him. The group stopped in front of a second window. This time it was Sage Wirus who answered the call:

- What's going on? he asked in a semi-angry tone.

- We need you, Saphia and Murun. It's an unfortunate emergency.

He pointed to Azena. The Sage looked puzzled, his eyes as big as diamonds.

- How did she...?

- Tyrath and Nymia will explain it to us. We don't have time for this. Summon the other Sages and meet us in the Ritual Room.

Azena felt panicked at the mention of the ritual room. She managed to get her head around it a little, just enough to drop a few words:

- No, no. Not magic, it's dangerous. You're going to kill me.

Terenas looked at her. His eyes glowed slightly with hope.

- Don't worry, he answered in a soft tone. We know what we're doing. Concentrate on holding on.

He led the group to a section of the academy that was sealed off. Tyrath searched for an entrance. Impatient, he shook his head and growled.

- What are we waiting for? Is this some kind of joke? Where's the entrance? There aren't even any windows!

- Patience young dragon, Terenas answered with a smile.

He raised his arms and ignored the glare of his interlocutor. He said a few words silently and a glow enveloped his body. It gradually increased in intensity and finally disappeared, giving way to a ghostly door on the stone wall of the academy. Terenas invited Tobalt to enter. The red dragon dove towards the magic door and disappeared inside.

- Wait a moment! Tyrath shouted from outside.

Terenas and Nymia hastened to lay Azena in the center of the circular hall. The imposing vaulted ceiling was so deep that all you could see was darkness. It reminded Azena of a face, a hungry emptiness. The splendour of the hall lay in the powerful walls, all of which were carved with bland runes and intricate images. Several columns supported the roof. Of these columns, eight supported the heart of the immense hall. They were animated by dragons, each with its own unique flight. At the top of each one, a life-size dragon statue was perched there, staring into the center of their empty eyes. They all looked rather serious with a unique touch that defined their personality. Azena wondered who they were. She turned her gaze to the animated column of purple dragons. The statue at the top was very familiar to her.

- Turion, she mumbled, still able to control her body to a minimum.

The great purple dragon in her was trying not to react to what he saw through her eyes. Bitterness threatened to grow, but he repressed it. Tyrath finally entered with the three Sages still in their chamber robes and their dragons.

- It wasn't that dangerous, Saphira's blue dragon laughed. I told you to trust me.

Tyrath growled and approached Azena. Terenas motioned for him to stay away. Tyrath insisted on staying and finally the grand master let him because time was running out. The three Sages stared at Azena with interest.

- Nymia and Tobalt, go get Reaginn and Sevia, Terenas ordered. Tell him to choose a few companions and go in search of Umah.

- Yes, Great Master, Nymia answered.

Tobalt took off and disappeared behind the magic door. Terenas turned to the three Sages and their dragons, all awake like perfect soldiers. Even Saphia, the joker of the group, had a grave look to her.

- Inspect her, Terenas ordered. Determine her mental state. You're more qualified for this kind of procedure than I am.

Procedure? Azena felt panic growing inside her. She almost jumped to her feet, but Turion regained control of her body and prevented her from escaping.

- Trust them, he begged. I'm giving you back control now. Promise me.

Azena had no choice but to accept his offer. Despite Turion's efforts to withdraw, he remained omnipresent in the mind of his dragon rider.

- Murun should do it, Saphia recommended. He's the calmest and most serene of us all. His concentration is absolute.

- So be it, Murun replied.

He knelt down near Azenah and began to chant. The moments that followed were long. Azena didn't feel any change and that stressed her. What was supposed to happen?

A few minutes later, Murun got up and folded his arms.

- I'm afraid only a powerful shaman can separate their souls, he explained. Anyway, she won't last long. Turion is an extremely powerful dragon and his consciousness is very vast. He will overwhelm Azena's consciousness sooner or later, probably sooner. This even though he is fighting against the inevitable.

- We are not shamans, Saphia said. It pains me not to be able to do anything for our protégée.

She turned to Terenas:

- Grand Master, there must be some way to help her. We have so many talents and powers around us.

All eyes turned to him. Tyrath appeared to be on the verge of tears. He let out a few whining growls, begging for mercy.

- What exactly happened? Wirus asked. It's a very peculiar situation. I don't practice shamanism, but I know enough about it to know the requirements for transferring such a soul.

- I don't know anything about shamanism, Saphia said. Who would have done this and why?

- The why is not hard to guess, Terenas said. Turion is the most powerful purple dragon, possibly from Aerinda at this time, and many would give anything to gain access to his power. His situation makes him vulnerable. He is sealed in another body, either object or living. In an object, he was probably impotent. Furthermore, since he is dead, to activate his power to a considerable extent, he would need a host to channel the energy. The perfect host would be bonded to him to maximize the compatibility of his consciousness with the body... It's very complex. Exactly how it would be done, I'm not sure.

- Who was present at the ritual? Wirus asked Tyrath.

- Barbarians, the shaman in question, Umah, his dragon, me and Azena, Tyrath replied.

- Umah... That would explain a lot. Umah's blood was used because he's still an innocent shaman. Basically, he has never killed, his development as a shaman would not be complete and he would still be a virgin.

The others nodded their heads.

- That would make a lot of sense, Terenas mumbled. Anyway, it's possible and it happened. I'll summon my old friend Rohokub.

- Rohokub! exclaimed Wirus. I don't advise it, Grand Master. He may be an excellent white shaman, but...

- He's a different being, very different, Terenas continued. I understand that. But every time we've met, he's stood out as a true ally and friend. He will be able to help Azena. Moreover, he is never far away.

- So many long years looking for her, waiting for her, Tyrath said. I don't want to lose her so soon. What do we do in the meantime?

Terenas offered him a warm smile.

- There is a way, he said.

- Really? Saphia cried out in a voice strangled with joy.

- We can delay the effects by temporarily numbing their consciousness, which essentially causes a mana-fueled coma.

- Who will be in charge of powering the mana crystal that will fuel this coma? Murun asked.

- I will, Terenas answered.

- I can help you, Saphia said enthusiastically. You're going to need a rest from time to time.

Tyrath, who had been listening intently from the beginning, broke down:

- What if she refuses?

- It's either that or she will die within the next few hours or days at the latest, said Wirus.

The drake looked down and almost seemed to regret his words. He gently brushed his snout against his dragon rider's head.

- I hope I'm doing the right thing by letting them do this ritual. I won't forgive myself if anything happens to you.

The three Sages and Terenas formed a circle around Azena. They stood between two of the eight columns and waited. Terenas signaled Tyrath to retreat and then, to the others to begin.

They stretched out their arms horizontally and began to mumble in a language that Azena did not understand. His expression as hard and impassive as a rock, reminded them of soulless henchmen. An energy came alive in their fingertips and they met halfway. When they were all connected and the flow stabilized, the runes lit up and connected their energy to the existing flow. The mana flow was now so powerful that the spellcasters began to shake slightly.

Terenas looked up with a quick glance and together he and the Sages pointed their hands at Azena. The mana floated to the young dragon rider and penetrated her skin. Again she panicked. She gritted her teeth and struggled against Turion who had to take control so that she would not ruin the enchantment. Tyrath almost ran to her aid.

- Stay calm, said the blue dragon beside him. Interrupting the enchantment would only make the situation worse. She'll be all right, I assure you.

- Now Melynas! roared the red dragon positioned behind Wirus.

The blue dragon closed his eyes for a brief moment. Whenshe opened them again, they glowed with a blinding turquoise. He roared, advanced a leg and a stream of mana from his open mouth flowed across the room to be absorbed by Azena. Droplets of water swirled around the mana giving it a small bluish tint.

The sensation of the droplets calmed Azena and a wave of fatigue overwhelmed her like a rocking ocean. In peace, she gave in, finally able to rest.