Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

T he dead Vralgari soldier’s body was a stark reminder of the fragile balance between immortality and the deadly magic of Celestial dragons and their Crelentian dragon riders. A power that allowed Crelentians to hold dominion over realms for far too long, making them legendary even when so few remained.

“I want Warlord Jaxxon’s head!” Prince Aeralis looked again at the body of the fallen soldier, then at his troops. “How could a warlord, with little more than the clothes on his filthy tatted body, best me and my army?”

“We don’t know, Prince Aeralis. But we confirmed with the colonists that shadow masters were on the mining colony. They reported seeing a group of female humans boarding a giant spaceship that uncloaked at the end of the docks,” said one of his lieutenants.

“And the ship was named ‘Destiny’s Hammer,’” said another man.

Prince Aeralis laughed maddeningly, shaking his head and catching Vesmona’s eye. “It’s as if the Light Queens sent their sons to avenge them.” He took to the sky, his giant wings creating a powerful gust of wind as he rose above his army. They looked up at him .

Rallying his forces, he yelled, “Destiny is not left to fate. It is taken!”

His army cheered, and the demons howled. He dropped to the ground, landing with a resounding thud that rocked the nearby statues. He stood tall, his fists curled, and his crown blazed with red flames. His tribal markings glowed bloodred with his Fae magic. His usual golden eyes were now red as he looked upon his army, assessing them and the demons.

“How did Warlord Jaxxon Hammer learn about my plans?” He barked at his men and then at the horde. No one had any answers. “Until now, his petty attempts to stop my rule were an annoyance at best. But this time...he’s gone too far!”

His men agreed, murmuring among themselves. Vesmona came to his side while the horde remained fixed in their place, waiting for further instruction.

“What is the connection between Jaxxon and this group of humans? Why was Jaxxon on the mining colony?” he said quietly as Vesmona shook her head. “How did Jaxxon get tipped off that I was after a powerful artifact?”

“We’ve been asking many questions about the source of the powerful energy burst on the mining colony. He must have gotten wind of it,” said Vesmona. “Jaxxon and his men are nothing but common thieves and warmongers. Perhaps he thought taking it would bring him wealth.”

“No, Vesmona. Warlord Jaxxon is a lot of things, but he’s not reckless. He wouldn’t take this risk for mere wealth.”

His adrenaline pulsed. He’d only left Jaxxon and his men alive as a reminder of the Vralgari’s strength. He enjoyed knowing Jaxxon was tormented by the memories of the savagery in which the Vralgari had killed his people.

Initially, after the culling, he didn’t know Jaxxon and some of the Crelentian boys had survived. But when he realized they were alive, it brought him joy that they suffered from knowing their legacy was almost over. And that they were the last of their kind .

“In the past, Jaxxon’s futile attempts to stop me were laughable—petty skirmishes that made him nothing more than an annoying gnat bothering a war horse!” Prince Aeralis shook his fists, walking back and forth around the front of the courtyard where the Vralgari soldier’s body lay just a few feet away.

“I savored knowing Jaxxon was relegated to warlord when he should have been more. That his lands were lost to him along with his legacy. But this time, Jaxxon landed a blow. A big vrexing blow!”

His eyes darkened as his brow furrowed. Lowering his voice, he said, “If my father learns I left Jaxxon and Zade alive, sons of the former Shadow Kings, he’ll have my head for sure this time.” He swallowed, his hands shaking uncontrollably until he stuffed them in his pockets. Vesmona’s eyes widened as she knew what would happen to her and her demons if Prince Aeralis fell.

“If Jaxxon controls a powerful amulet, along with his shadow magic and dragons, he could become a formidable opponent in the Vralgari’s efforts to ascend to godhood in this galaxy! It’s why my father destroyed the Crelentians as his first strike here!”

“Calm down, my Prince,” Vesmona whispered, her voice soothing. “Your men are watching.” He nodded, getting himself together.

“We’ll find Warlord Jaxxon Hammer and any who have aided him,” Vesmona yelled as she turned to look at her demon horde, who stomped their clawed feet in unison, letting Prince Aeralis know they were ready to do Vesmona’s bidding.

“Crelentian shadow masters and their Celestial dragons are formidable in great numbers. It’s why the House of Vralgari attacked them without warning. It was the greatest defeat in history, a story still untold. We cannot let them rise again!” Prince Aeralis yelled to his troops, lifting his hands and wings in a show of force.

“We cannot let heathens stop us from rising to godhood!” he shouted.

“Death to Warlord Jaxxon,” yelled the Vralgari soldiers.

“Death is too good for him! I want him to suffer. I’ll wear his dragon’s teeth around my neck and make a coat from its hide!” His men laughed.

“Jaxxon will wither away in my cell, wallowing in defeat as he listens to me tear his dragons and his cousin Zade apart, limb by limb!”

The horde pounded on their chests, the scent of madness filling the air.

“Filthy magic runs through the blood of Crelentians and their abominable dragons! Ancient magic, the Vralgari King outlawed.” Prince Aeralis smiled.

Rising once again over his army, he riled them up, assuring them they would defeat the Crelentians before they could use any weapon against them.

“As gods, the Vralgari have decried Warlord Jaxxon and his Celestial dragons as vile creatures who don’t deserve salvation. They should be sent directly to hell on an express train!”

His rhetoric was a rallying cry for his army, disciples of the House of Vralgari. They would bring their rule to this galaxy.

“All will bend a knee or fall before the House of Vralgari, the vampiric Red Fae, descendants of gods.” His men chanted their motto repeatedly, reminding them all why they were here. And why the Red Death—the divine Vralgari galaxian army was on its way.

Warlord Jaxxon Hammer, you made your worst move when you interfered with my plans to get in my father’s good graces. I’m coming for you! Prince Aeralis knelt, kissing the Crelentian ground where Jaxxon’s people died, hoping his message would meet Jaxxon’s ears.

“But how do we snuff them out?” asked Vesmona, always strategizing. It was another reason he kept her close. She was cunning and intelligent. It was a shame his father discounted the demons, believing them as little more than beasts. But she was so much more, and her magic was growing in power—power he was glad he controlled.

Prince Aeralis thought it over, letting his men and the horde talk before answering her question .

“Jaxxon is a shadow raider. Why? Because he needs supplies to stay alive.” He paced, thinking of a plan before returning to Vesmona and his men. “We’re going to make it difficult for him to stay held up in the many places he’s known to hide.”

Vesmona clapped her claws together as she smiled. “Yes, if we cut off his supplies, he will have to come out, and we will be waiting.”

“And we will capture Jaxxon and his dragons!”

Prince Aeralis basked in the glory of his men and the horde as they shouted and cheered for him. My army will do anything for me! Though they worship the Vralgari King, my father, they also worship me, their Prince! For I am the one they’ve spent their entire lives with. He raised his wings over his head as they continued to cheer for him.

Over the next several hours, the Vralgari brought out tables and chairs. Platters of food were delivered, and bottles of wine arranged nearby. It was a celebratory feast in the massive courtyard where a beautiful, towering fountain sat. The fountain, which rose high into the sky, was adorned with statues of a long line of Light Queens.

Prince Aeralis stood near the head table, his eyes gleaming with ancient malice. “My army! Behold the seat of those who once thought themselves invincible. See how their light has dimmed under our crimson powers?” He loved mocking the Crelentians and their former worship of shadows and light. The shadows and light that he had snuffed out.

“Their fountain, rumored to touch the Crelentian twin moons, was once their symbol of invincibility. It is now our symbol of triumph, a reminder that we are the gods who rule this galaxy!”

Servers filled their glasses with Vrall Firebrew, a reddish-gold liquor brewed from the fermented Vrall fruit—a mystical plant the Vralgari brought to Crelentia. The native magic gave the Vrall Firebrew its distinctive bloodred glow and enhanced its potency.

Prince Aeralis raised his glass as his men and demons did the same. “Drink! May you find strength in our fellowship.”

He savored the taste of their ritual drink. The alcohol began with a sweet taste that ended with a fiery kick, immediately sharpening the senses. It was intoxicating and euphoric.

“Bring in our guests,” he called to the horde as they opened the grand doors that led to the courtyard.

The guards from the Picard mine and their families looked well in their clean clothes. Their magic filled the air with a rich fragrance, adding to the sweet smells of the candy and treats spread out before them.

“Come, we’ve prepared a feast to commemorate the deal we struck!” said Prince Aeralis, showing the captain of the guards around the courtyard.

“You have a fine family, Captain!” he said honestly. “Eat and celebrate before we send you back to where you belong.”

The captain and the two other guards thanked Prince Aeralis and introduced everyone to their wives and children. They filled their plates high and poured wine into their waiting goblets.

“Are you going to eat?” asked the captain, looking up between bites as he feasted.

“Yes, but after you,” said Prince Aeralis, watching as the captain and his men devoured the food, then returned for seconds. The more the men ate, the more their magic was nourished—the smell scenting the courtyard like an addictive concoction.

The twin ice moons of Crelentia broke across the skyline as the guards and their families marveled.

Prince Aeralis’s crown glowed brightly, the color of blood, and he spread his wings, looking at his army and the horde as they stood around the courtyard. Their fangs dropped, and their claws clicked. Vesmona shifted into her demoness form, taking his side.

He looked at his army. “I promised you vast feeding grounds and wealth. Today, I have prepared a special treat for you! A reward for your undying loyalty.”

Then he turned to the guards and their families, who were gorging themselves on the food. They looked up from their plates and he saw their smiles fade as they watched his golden eyes turn red with hunger.

“Did you not think we would eat?” Prince Aeralis shrieked.

Unrelenting, panicked screams broke out across the courtyard. And one by one, they were snuffed out.