Chapter 38 “End Game”

Brandon leaned back in his chair and shook his head. Akira and Seth sat from across him and Redemption was present through Akira’s mind, listening and partaking in the previous conversation during which they had filled Brandon in on all that had happened.

They had arrived back in the past a only a little while back and now Brandon had Akira and Seth sitting with him, telling him everything they remembered of the past events.

“So Steeson is dead but Deception is still somewhere out there?” Brandon asked.

Akira and Seth nodded.

“I still can’t quite understand how you broke free from Steeson’s control all by yourself when you tell me he told you that he had found a way to make it permanent,” Brandon continued, his eyes boring into Akira as though he were searching for something more.

Akira shrugged. “Honestly, everything is such a blur. I can just about remember what happened before he controlled me, then there’s a big blank and then the next thing I remember is Redemption. I don’t even remember killing Steeson and all that.”

While she was telling the truth to Brandon she was leaving out one small detail. The one thing Redemption had told her once they arrived back at the Academy in her time, a detail that Akira had pushed aside.

For Redemption had told her that there was a point where Akira was not being controlled and where she was not herself either, and that it was in that moment that she killed Steeson. It was what Redemption had told Akira about her seeming to be like Haiden for a moment that had scared her.

In the end both she and her dragon had decided that they should just forget it. They didn’t want to worry the others and it was all in the past now anyway.

“So, did you take care of everything in the future?” Brandon asked.

“I talked to the people of the city. I just told them I wanted to remind them that Argos was in charge of the Academy and that I had come to check up on his progress. They seemed pretty happy with that. As for the Night Riders and Watchers, they listened to Argos when he told them to stand down. Half of them had no idea what was going on anyway. Argos was still somewhat at loss himself when we left,” Akira shrugged.

“Yes, I’m sure he was,” Brandon murmured.

“Other than that, everything is back to normal in the future,” Akira shrugged.

“Except that they have a black dragon and a very bad man running around somewhere,” Brandon sighed.

“We’ll find them,” Akira and Seth said at the same time.

“Look,” Brandon shook his head. “I think it for the best that we let those in the future deal with their own…”

“We’re going to help them track down Deception,” Akira told Brandon in a voice that told him there was no arguing. “We started this and we’re going to finish it.”

“You tell him kiddo,” Redemption’s voice added.

A smile tugged at Brandon’s lips at the comment. “I guess you wouldn’t listen if I told you otherwise.” He let out a defeated sigh, “fine then. We shall help those in the future out one more time.”

Akira smiled.

“But,” Brandon held up a finger, “once Deception has been dealt with everyone will go back to their own time where they belong and all ties between our times will be cut once and for all, do you understand?” he asked.

Both Akira and Seth nodded, though Akira felt misery at the thought.

“Also, I want the students from the future to go back to their own Academy. There is no point in them studying here when they could be doing so in their own time,” Brandon added.

“You know he has a point kiddo, it’s for the best,” Redemption told Akira before she could argue. “Besides, they can still visit until we find Deception.”

Akira smiled at the thought.

“As for you,” Brandon told Akira with a twinkle in his eyes. “I believe this is the point where I get to say ‘I told you so’:”

Akira met his eyes evenly. “I’m sorry Brandon. I should have listened to you,” she told sincerely while Seth held back a grin. Yet suddenly Akira’s face seemed to cloud.

“What is it?” Brandon prompted, leaning forward as he realized that something seemed to trouble Akira.

Akira looked up at him and bit her lip, seeming to hesitate, yet then she went ahead. “I’ve been thinking about it and come to realize that Steeson had a point, even Haiden did. If the Lands were ruled by only one person there would be a whole lot less trouble.”

“Would there?” Brandon asked softly while Seth just sat back to listen. “Akira, may I remind you that once two dragons ruled the Lands with their riders. Yet even with only two, the power and unlimited control that they had could not be handled by one who soon turned more than greedy and killed the other.”

Akira resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She had heard the story of the first two white dragons and riders so many times. The story of how the first black dragon, Fury, and his rider Haiden, came to be.

“The power drove Haiden to madness and gave him the craving of wanting more. It was a craving that could not be fulfilled in any way. Even if he had ultimately conquered the Lands Akira, I doubt that would have been enough to satisfy him.”

“Yes, but would only one person rule the Lands then we wouldn’t have all these others rising up to do so, others who would do more damage than anything…” Akira began to argue.

“No,” Brandon shook his head, “there will always be those who will try to take over or challenge a person in charge. You challenged Haiden as did many others, the council that ruled the future was defied by some of its own people and even Steeson was challenged before you jumped in. With or without one leader, the Lands will always be in a conflict. There will always be something brewing on the edge. I am afraid that peace will not be something the Lands will endure forever but something that they must strive to win again and again. It is what will keep us united, what will make us appreciate the peaceful times that we live through and not take them for granted.”

“But the Legend says…” Akira began to argue.

“Words have an interesting way of making people believe one thing when they could mean another. Everyone interprets them in their own way. The thing to remember is that you did bring peace and prosperity Akira, to more than just one time. But how long that peace will last, no one can say. I am afraid that there always will be someone to challenge that peace. Which is why while you are still around, you must set an example to everyone in the Lands, both now and in the future, of how to fight these people. It is why it is of grave importance that you don’t rush into things blindly and out of anger. You have to be the rider every looks up to Akira, you and Redemption will be the symbol of hope every time something dark comes our way. Do you understand?”

Akira looked at Brandon solemnly and Seth took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I think so,” Akira murmured. “It just seems like such…a burden. I mean, it sounds like you’re saying that Redemption and I can never be normal. That we cannot show our weakness but must stand strong at all times.”

Brandon nodded. “It is a hard burden to bear Akira, which is why not everyone can be the Rider of Legend.”

Akira frowned, pondering on these new thoughts.

“Now, you’ve taken up enough of my time,” Brandon spoke cheerfully. “It’s good to have you all back in one piece,” his gaze softened as it met Akira’s. “You had us worried for some time back there,” he told her honestly. Suddenly his smile was back. “If I remember correctly Gina dragged the rest of the group up to the roof to watch the sunset. She said it would be a perfect end to the day and demanded that I send you two up there once I was done with you, so shoo. You can go now.”

Akira grinned and both she and Seth got up. Without another word they left the room.

Brandon watched them go, a smile on his face, yet as soon as they were gone from the room it dropped a notch. Something just didn’t feel right. He had felt it the moment Akira had gotten back. It was almost as though she had changed.

Shaking his head he reprimanded himself. There was nothing different, he was just imagining things. Still, somehow he felt like the storm had not calmed but had only just begun.

Seth put a hand on Akira’s shoulder and turned her to face him as soon as they left Brandon’s room.

“You okay?” he asked her softly.

Akira nodded. She knew what Seth was referring to. Her hand went to her chest where she had found the metal object Steeson had jammed into her.

“The healers took it out,” she murmured. “But they did say it seems like it left behind a small piece. It’s too deep in for them to reach.”

“Hey,” Seth lifted her chin. “You’re going to be alright. We’ll find Deception and end this soon, okay?”

Akira nodded, wondering at how Seth could know what she was worrying about without her telling him.

“But for now, how about we go and watch a sunset with the others?” Seth asked.

“Yeah, it’s actually quite a sight, though Gina’s chatting is not at all making it any better,” Redemption, who was already on the roof, thought.

Akira smiled as Seth slung his arm around her shoulder and began to lead her to the roof.

“You know,” Seth told her as they walked. “It’s still going to take some time for me to get used to the new look,” he tugged playfully at Akira’s shorter hair.

“Me to,” Akira agreed with a grin. “Though you know. Steeson actually helped me realize one thing,” she added.

“What?” Seth asked curiously.

“I can now see why you always had your swords strapped to your back,” she grinned, “It’s so much easier to carry around, so much quicker to draw. I think I’ll keep mine like that.”

“The whip and Shocker to?” Seth teased,

“Nah,” Akira shook her head. “Who needs those when you can shoot fire?”

Seth shook his head with a grin.

“Thanks for coming for me,” Akira whispered.

“Hey,” Seth told her gently. “Even a hero needs to be saved at some point,” he smiled. “Besides, as long as I’m around I’ll always be on standby to get you out of trouble.”

“Huh,” Akira snorted, “like you expect me to get into any soon?”

Seth just grinned.

It wasn’t long before the two scaled the ladder up to the roof.

“Akira!” Gina squeeled as she caught sight of her. Ignoring Seth altogether she grabbed Akira’s hand and pulled her over to the edge of the roof. “You almost missed it!” she scolded.

Akira smiled. Ever since they had gotten back Gina had been her old hyper self. Having been reunited with her dragon, Sky, had contributed to the mood all the more. Even Dominique seemed somewhat his old self after he and Gina had found their dragons locked away within the Academy, unharmed.

 With a satisfied sigh Akira turned her attention to the sun that was slowly setting. Its colors lit up the horizon as it displayed one last wondrous act before the dark would take over for another night.

While Gina stared at the setting sun, Akira took the opportunity to glance around.

Tresus, Kirk, Isaac and Jeremiah stood in a group, talking with Drake and Will. Seth walked over to join them, seeming more interested in their conversation than in the setting sun.

Liam stood to one side with his arm around a happy Lindsy who seemed to have completely forgotten that Dominique existed. Akira smiled as she remembered that she was to take the girl back home the next morning. Glee filled her at the thought of seeing her dragon Daffodil again.

“Oh no, we’re dropping her off and leaving straight away!” Redemption spoke in her mind, shooting her a glare from across the roof where he sat beside Destiny who was curled up and looked fast asleep.

Akira ignored Redemption and shot the Destiny an affectionate look. She sure saw less and less of her old dragon.

“That’s because I’m always asleep,” she heard Destiny murmur in her mind. “Besides, I’m preparing you for the day you won’t see me at all anymore.”

Akira frowned.

“Death is inevitable Akira. I should know. I’m approaching the end fast now.”

Akira opened her mouth to protest yet her dragon never gave her the chance.

“Everyone has to die at one point. It’s a part of life. Death is always there and will always be, even for you kiddo, it is inevitable. The question is, are you ready for it and what comes after?”

Akira stared Destiny to see that her eyes were still closed. Her dragon accepted the fact that she was going to die so naturally, so…peacefully.

“Because I know it will be time to go soon, and I know that you two kids will be just fine without me,” Destiny thought.

Redemption shot Akira a comforting look that told her he knew how she felt. They waited for Destiny to perhaps say something else, yet the elder dragon was once more fast asleep.

“Oh, there’s Anita!” Gina exclaimed and then hurried away to greet her.

Akira turned to see Anita had just appeared on the roof. With a smile she turned her attention back to the setting sun.

“Hey,” a voice said beside her.

Akira nodded in reply, easily recognizing Dominique’s voice. The two stood beside each other in silence and Akira couldn’t help but wonder what Dominique would say once she told him that Brandon had decided that the group from the future should attend the Academy in their own time. She was sure Dominique wouldn’t be thrilled, but she also had a feeling that as long as he knew that they would stay in contact for the time being, he wouldn’t disagree.

Yet still, at the moment Akira did not want to ruin the happy mood by bringing the topic up. For now, she just wanted to live in the moment. She would tell him later.

“You know,” Akira suddenly began after a moment. “I never got to ask you,” she turned to face Dominique. “Whatever happened to Strider? You know, you were kind of a legend yourself?”

Dominique smiled. “I guess when the Rider of Legend appeared he was kind of forgotten. Though there are still a few who whisper his name,” he grinned.

With a smile Akira turned her attention back to the setting sun.

Dominique shifted, making Akira aware of how close to her he was actually standing. She frowned as a picture of Seth and Dominique fighting flashed through her mind. Even after everything that had happened with Steeson, she still felt a degree of hostility between the two boys. Why couldn’t they just get along?

“Does it really take that much to put two and two together?” Redemption’s voice sighed in Akira’s head. “Dominique likes you.”

“I like him to,” Akira thought agitated.

“Yeah, but not as much as he likes you,” Redemption responded.

“Why does everyone think that?” Akira thought annoyed. “I told him already before that it wouldn’t work out between us. He heard me, he knows.”

“Maybe he needs a reminder,” Redemption thought dryly.

Akira let out a frustrated sigh.

“What?” Dominique asked, turning to stare at her intently.

“It’s nothing,” Akira began before she paused. “Dominique,” she began as she turned her attention from the sunset to look at him. “You do remember what I told you when I left you behind in the future…about how it wouldn’t work out, right?”

There was a moment’s silence.

“Yeah,” Dominique finally replied cautiously.

“That hasn’t changed.”

Dominique didn’t reply as he turned his head to stare back at the sun.

“Seth and I…” Akira began, “We have something good going. Nothing is going to change that.”

“Says who?” Dominique muttered.

Akira shook her head. “Look Dominique. It just would never work…”

“Would you at least give it a try?” Dominique asked as he turned to look at her, his eyes hopeful.

Akira stared at him. Could she? But she knew deep down that she couldn’t. No, it wouldn’t be fair, not on Seth and especially not on Dominique, not when she had already given her heart away to someone else.

“You know what, don’t answer that,” Dominique spoke before Akira could. He turned back to stare at the sun, a frown on his face. “I can still get you to change your mind,” Akira thought she heard him mutter. She opened her mouth to say something and yet Redemption stopped her.

“Don’t bother wasting your breath kiddo. He doesn’t want to listen. Let him find out the hard way if he has to.”

Akira shook her head unhappily when a laugh from the end of the roof caught her attention. It seemed that everyone had gathered together and were making their way over to Dominique and Akira.

“Finally!” Gina who was ushering them over exclaimed in exasperation. “It took ages to persuade them that they could talk and look at the sunset at the same time!”

Seth came up to Akira and slung an arm around her.

Dominique’s jaw clenched somewhat, yet no one saw it as he was facing the sunset.

“Well, now that we’re altogether,” Gina chirped happily, “how about Drake and I finally make our announcement?”

All eyes turned on Gina who grabbed Drake’s hand, her eyes sparkling.

“We’re getting married!” she squealed.

No one responded and when Gina didn’t follow the announcement up with anything everyone shot each other looks.

“Uh, Gina,” Seth began kindly, “we kind of already know about you two being engaged and all…”

“Oh!” Gina exclaimed hitting her forehead. “Of course, that came out all wrong! What I meant to say is that we’re getting married next full moon!”

There was a moment of stunned silence.

“You finally set a date?” Will asked.

“So soon?” Akira asked

“Okay,” Kirk shrugged, seeming uninterested.

Gina frowned as their reaction.

“Congratulations!” it was Anita who said it.

“Thank you!” Gina exclaimed in exasperation, “at least someone with the right reaction!”

“But Gina, you wanted to wait!” Akira told her.

“Yeah, well with Drake’s near death experience and mine we decided that maybe it’s better we got married before one or the other got killed,” she shrugged.

“Hey, I never said that!” Drake protested while Lindsy giggled, seeming highly amused.

“Anyway,” Gina ignored him. “We’ll be having the wedding at the Academy and want everyone, including you guys from the future to be present,” she beamed.

Again there was silence

“Um…thanks?” Isaac attempted.

Gina rolled her eyes. “Could you guys be any more enthusiastic?” she asked.

“A wedding!” Lindsy squealed, the information seeming to only just sink in. “Oh my, there is so much we need to do!” she began to babble.

Gina grinned and Akira only shook her head with a smile.

“Wait,” Lindsy paused, a frown coming to her face. “If you guys are getting married and all, don’t you need to get engaged first?”

Gina rolled her eyes. “Honey, we are already engaged.”

Lindsy raised an eyebrow. “Then where’s your engagement ring?” she pointed at Gina’s finger which lacked a ring.

Drake grabbed Gina’s hand and stared in horror. “You lost the ring?” he asked.

“Of course I didn’t!” Gina snapped. “I just can’t remember where I put it!”

Drake looked like he was about to faint.

“I mean I’m sure I took it off before going into battle because I didn’t want to lose it during a fight…” she murmured while everyone else looked on in amusement. “I had it with me in my room but then thought if I left it on my bed a bird could come in a swoop away with it…”

Anita suppressed a snort.

“And then…” Gina’s eyes widened. “That’s it! I put it in a pouch in the stables!”

Akira and Seth exchanged and grin while Dominique looked at Gina with a somewhat scared expression on his face.

“I seriously hope I did not inherit any of that,” he murmured.

“I’ll get it…” Gina began yet trailed off. “Scales, I wanted to watch the sunset,” she muttered.

“I’ll get it, you stay,” Akira volunteered.

“Really?” Gina asked looking more than relieved.

“Yup, I could use the walk to clear my head,” Akira grinned. “I’ll be right back,” she promised before she gave Seth a peck on the cheek and then headed for the trap door.

“You don’t want a ride?” Redemption asked in surprise.

“Nah, like I said, the walk will help me clear my head,” Akira thought in reply.

“Top shelf at the end wall!” Gina called the instructions after her.

Akira raised a hand to let her know she had heard. As she walked away Dominique turned and watched her.

“Dominique,” Gina came up beside him as the other guys all began to talk amongst themselves again. “Let it go. Akira is out of your reach,” she laid an arm of Dominique’s shoulder. “Besides,” she added as she shot a look in Anita’s direction to see the girl watching Dominique. “You’re so busy looking in another direction that you don’t see what’s right in front of you,” she chided him.

“I do see what’s right in front of me,” Dominique replied as he watched Akira disappear. “The only problem is she doesn’t.”

“You didn’t hear a word I said,” Gina sighed. “Oh well,” she shrugged as she turned her attention back to the sun which had disappeared behind the horizon, “You can only try so hard to make someone see the error of their ways and you Dominique,” she told him, “one day you’re going to wake up and realize that what was right in front of you got away.”

A good distance away from the Academy, out near a rocky range filled with caves, a small fire was visible in the night. It came from one of the caves which it lit up, showing the silhouette of a man who stood at the entrance who was staring out into the night.

“So, it really did work? We are five hundred years in the past now?” the man turned to stare into the shadows of the cave.

“Yes we are five hundred years in the past, Nemis” a voice spoke in Nemis’ mind, making him smile.

“I’m guessing that our dear Akira is back at her Academy now,” Nemis spoke with dislike in his voice. “Too bad Steeson’s plan…died in the end,” he chuckled at his personal joke.

“Steeson was a fool to think that he could so control the Rider of Legend through a simple device,” the voice snorted.

“But you the one who told him to do it,” Nemis argued feeling somewhat confused.

“Perhaps,” the voice replied.

Nemis frowned as he stared at the shadows. “I am your new rider. You should feel obligated to tell me everything.”

His reply was a snort.

“It does not matter. We shall now begin a new age. There are bound to still be some of Haiden’s old forces around here that the Rider of Legend overlooked,” Nemis spoke as he turned to stare back outside of the cave.

“Yes,” Deception agreed, “there may still be a few out there.”

“Perfect,” Nemis smiled. “The time has come. It is my turn now. Akira will soon learn to fear the name Nemis. She will regret the day she decided to spare my life.”

“Who says it’s your turn?” the voice asked curiously.

Nemis frowned. “I say so and you are my dragon, I am your rider, you must do as I say.”

“Really?” the voice sounded amused. “Have you never considered that Steeson thought the same thing? Yet somehow he ended up dead.”

“Yes, and you showed little emotion. It makes me wonder why,” Nemis began.

“He served his purpose, as have you,” the voice spoke.

“What…!” Nemis never got to finish as he felt something seem to slam into his back. Pain exploded throughout his chest and he glanced down to see the tip of a dragon’s tail sticking through his midriff.

“You got me to this time, now you have outlived your usefulness,” the voice said.

“W…” Nemis began, a trickle of blood coming from his mouth. No dragon could kill their own rider, it was impossible! That was the last thought that flashed through his mind before he went limp.

The tail disappeared from his chest and he fell to the ground like a rag doll. There was a thump of feet and a moment later the outline of a pitch black dragon became visible.

She stepped out of the cave, lifting her head to look up at moonless night above. Even the stars seemed to be shining darker than usual as they peaked out between the clouds.

“Just as planned,” the dragon hissed in satisfaction, her yellow eyes glistening. “Soon,” she turned her head, as though looking at something. “I'll have you, soon.”

Akira stood on her tiptoes, stretching her arm to reach the top shelf before. Why Gina had decided to put the pouch with the ring so far up she didn’t know.

 The musty smell of the stables was somewhat comforting, making her feel right at home. As she grabbed the pouch with the ring in it she let herself relax.

Shaking her head she was about to turn around when suddenly she felt an odd dizziness wash over her. Gasping she reached up a hand to her suddenly pounding head. What was going on? She swayed for a moment before she suddenly stood rock solid. Moving her hand from her head she held it as a fist before her, staring at it was though seeing it for the first time.

Slowly her fist opened and a flame danced on her palm. She snapped it closed and the flame was immediately extinguished, only to re-appear as she opened her fist again. A smile came to her face, a smile that would send shivers down anyone's spine.

“Akira?” at the sound of her name she frowned.

Behind her Redemption walked in, his eyes filled with worry, even suspicion as he saw Akira tense at her name.

“Kiddo?” he asked. “You were taking so long I thought I would check in…”

As his rider whirled around the white dragon felt shock course through him. Her blue eyes were darker than ever before. He felt her emotions rush through him, emotions of anger, of a thirst for power, of a cocky assurance that she knew she could gain whatever she wanted. Yet through it all he saw the terminal that was going on inside her, as though she were fighting. Fighting with herself.

“Akira?” he whispered. As he said her name again her eyes suddenly flashed a shade darker before suddenly, they were the beautiful light blue they had always been.

Akira stood, staring at Redemption with a shocked expression on her face. “R...Ree?” she asked, seeming confused. “What...” she trailed off, her mind seeming to try and figure out what was going on. “I had a black out,” her eyes widened, “It was just like when Steeson took control of me...” emotions ran through her face. “Ree,” she whispered brokenly, “what’s happening to me?”

Redemption’s heart broke at the fear that was in his rider's eyes. “I don't know,” he told her truthfully, feeling a twinge of fear himself. “But whatever it is kiddo, we'll get through it, together,” he assured her as he walked softly towards her.

Akira stared at her dragon. “It was just like at Steeson’s, wasn’t it?” she whispered. “Like what you told me before? When I wasn’t being controlled but wasn’t myself?”

Redemption stared at her and Akira easily read the answer in his eyes.

“Why? I thought it was over?” she whispered as she stared down at her hand. “What’s wrong with me?”

“Akira, look at me,” Redemption told her softly.

Akira slowly looked up to meet her dragon’s yellow eyes. “It’s going to be alright,” the sincerity written there helped her calm down somewhat.

“Okay,” Akira nodded her head as she took a deep breath and put on a brave smile. “Gina must be worried. We should probably get back to her and the others,” she quickly added. She placed a hand on Redemption’s head and Redemption softly blew on her face through his nostrils.

“Will you give me a ride?” she asked with a smile.

Redemption nodded and Akira began to walk from the stable, the roof being too low for her to mount her dragon in it.

Redemption turned his head and for a moment only watched her go. He felt like a burden had suddenly fallen back down in his shoulders. He knew that something was wrong with Akira from the moment she had first experienced these new feelings and her eyes had turned dark blue in the future and yet he had hoped that it was a onetime thing only. Yet her having just experienced it again worried him.

Something was terribly wrong with his rider, and it scared him that he had no idea what it was.

With a sigh he slowly followed Akira from the stable. He paused in the courtyard and while his rider clambered onto his back Redemption looked up at the moonless sky only to see that the stars seemed somewhat dimmer than they had before.

Little did he know that somewhere out there, a black dragon was watching that exact same sky in the exact same time.

Things were far from over. Things had only just begun.

Thanks once again first and foremost to God who gave me the ability to write and the imagination to continue on with this series.

Deception is followed by a fourth and final book called "Dragon of Legend: Fate," so if you would like to continue the story go ahead and check it out.

I hope you enjoyed reading DOL: Deception.

voif1d