Dark mist swirled around, dancing, concealing, but only remained limited within its designated vicinity. It twirled around in all directions until it reached the ceiling of the spacious, gloomy room. The walls were high, stretching endlessly. Yet, the place still felt suffocating. Sparkles kept flickering across the expanse of the big, black circle as the fire covering the lower half of the walls crackled every heartbeat.

A figure stood shrouded in darkness immobile like a statue, watching in anticipation.

Low scratches filled the air, slowly, incessantly then a loud crack reverberated around.

Translucent red rays seeped out of the black portal, twirling like long ribbons of mist. Long claws gripped the edges before a sneering face appeared. Crimson scales covered limited expanses of her pale cherry skin, dull irises turning to slits as her body emerged out. Her horns flashed against the flying sparkles. "It took you long enough to get me out, Veles."

The king barely flinched at her hostile snarl, arching a perfectly shaped eyebrow at her. "We couldn't find the child, Tiamat. Asgorath bested us in hiding them."

Tiamat growled, pulling her body backward before lunging at him and knocking him down to the ground. "Excuses, excuses," she tut-tutted at him in, her voice low and menacing. Baring her teeth, her tongue swept out, licking up his neck, her dark blue saliva trickling down the length of it. "You know how much I despise them. You failed me, Veles."

The king grunted, his face blank despite the disgust boiling inside him, before his hands struck her unsuspecting abdomen, sending her staggering to her feet. "I have sacrificed everything for you, Tiamat. I expected our reunion to be a lot more...sentimental." Dusting off his clothes, he pushed himself to his full height, towering over her. "Let's not forget who brought you back to life."

Tiamat cackled. "You're but a fool, Veles. I'm only here because Asgorath is finally gone from this world." Her back arched as she stretched her rusty muscles, a loud pop resonating followed by a satisfied moan. She crouched down, poking at her toes, forcing out words through gritted teeth. "I shall not rest until I wipe this world from everything related to Bahamut."

"You mean the throne was finally passed down to that abomination of a child?" His eyes widened in disbelief, the rest of his face still void of any emotion.

"At last! I am able to roam free again, Veles." Tiamat strutted around his erect body, her gaze taking in the full length of his new, mundane, and more human attire. She smirked, enjoying the fact that his eyes were shamelessly roaming her indecency. "I have waited for centuries! It can get pretty boring down there, dear, and I'm sure you were bored without me as well."

Veles finally let out a deep laugh, his black eyes twinkling as he enjoyed her twisted sense of humor and double meaning. The underworld could be dull at times, especially for a creature like her. "Perhaps."

Her lips stretched wider and she stalked toward him with a tantalizing sway in her hips. With her head craned back, her face was a breath away from his. Her tongue darted out again, leaving her lips moist and aching as she gazed at his, her hand moving down his chest. "We are here to cleanse the world of its sinners, to punish and eradicate." Tiamat murmured before her chest expanded with a roar. "I'm the only one fit to reign over these lands and I'll make sure to be the one to rip that child's heart out."

Her hands gripped the fur of his tunic and the collar of the black, heavy cloak swathing his tall form then slammed her lips to his. Guttural sounds rose from deep in her belly to her throat, echoing around in the empty space and resembling the ones that were surrounding the newly-exposed old mountain. The dragons extended their wings, flapping the rustiness away, before letting them carry their anticipating bodies up and higher into the sky, soaring through vast blues just like they used to do eons ago.

A mass of metallic beasts moved in unison, together in rising, united in dropping and following each other to the left, right, and all directions. They all shadowed their new leader as her platinum scales shimmered under the sun rays, glinting, reflecting the rise of their hopes that have been buried for so long.

Her mighty roar scared the clouds away, reverberating around the sky but never reaching the lands of Hothington where Tiamat let out her own set of pleasure-filled growls. Yet, both knew things weren't to remain the same for the new Goddess has risen and so did her sworn enemy.

An enemy she's had even before existing.

Conflicting emotions had a deathly grip around her swelling heart, tears slipping out as wind beat against her new, beastly body before solidifying to tiny crystals the moment they dropped down her hardened eyes. Her chest expanded, inhaling as much air as necessary for she was on the verge of exploding.

A mass of gold invaded her peripheral vision and Alyviah turned slightly to meet bright, ice-blue eyes. Blood rushed through her body, nearly knocking her down with how fast it moved. Thaddeus, she mused, no wonder. His soft gaze was enough to let her regain control over her slipping composure.

It wasn't the time for a breakdown.

Alyviah had new responsibilities now, ones she couldn't simply get rid of. She was, after all, predestined to take this position whether she wanted it or not. Anger trickled into her system, fueling another ferocious roar as her body dipped forward, heading down. 'Descend.'

It was surreal how she could communicate with the other dragons, her people, with simple commands through their minds without having to move her lips, the way Asgorath has been doing when talking to her...and them.

Letting the wind cool her skin, Alyviah enjoyed the peaceful moment for it wasn't going to last long, not with what was looming behind the mountains. Her wings flapped rapidly as she attempted to land without ending up in a messy bundle of tangled limbs, especially not before her people now that she was officially their leader. 'It's okay,' Thaddeus calmly assured her. 'Take it slow. We are all struggling.'

Looking around, his statement was confirmed when she noted how some were already grunting as they shook off the dirt covering their bodies after tumbling down, others still carefully trying to alight.

Relief washed over her and as soon as everyone was safe on the ground, her gaze flitted across them, making sure they were all unharmed. Then, with one final command, she turned to leave. 'Shift.'

MEANING OF THE WORDS USED:

Tenebrific: gloomy, causing/producing gloom or darkness.

NOW: What are your thoughts on Tiamat and Veles? Alyviah..?

Thank you for reading and staying this far with the story. It means a lot! ❤️

BTW, you can imagine Tiamat as the picture below but, uhm, with fewer scales covering her body. 🙄