69. Abraxas

The sky was clear; I made sure of it. The clouds had always been my allies, but today, they would only have served Hadeon and his lightning.

Istood before my troops at the entrance to the city. TheGoldenArmy stretched back along the streets inside the outer wall. The fight faltered when we took the gate, and neither side could gain ground. Bodies littered the ground, both dark and golden alike. There would be time later to honor their sacrifice; for now, the crows could have them. I gave one last look at the palace that my companions infiltrated. I had a distraction to cause, alone.

Istood before them, a king. A god. A general stepped forward to meet me.

"Where is Hadeon? My quarrel is with him, not you."

Thegeneral laughed. "OurDivineEmperor does not need to sully himself with the likes of you—"

Theman was cut off when a great clap of thunder rolled through the empty sky. My hand flew to my sword as the skies darkened, clouds rolling in at an unnatural pace. They swirled and merged over the GoldenPalace, dark and filled with power. Purple lightning flashed as they crashed into each other; the sound was monstrous. I called to the wind, trying to disturb them, but it wouldn't listen. I fought, trying to get it under my control, but I wasn't rewarded. The sky belonged to him, at least for now.

Agreat bolt of lightning struck the palace and then shot straight to where we stood. The ground erupted with flashes of violet light, and stones flew about faster than if launched by a trebuchet. I threw up a wall of flames to block them, but a few of my surrounding soldiers weren't so lucky; the small stones passed straight through their armor.

Thedust cleared, and there he stood. His hair floated out as if caught on an invisible wind, and his whole body shimmered with power. He walked out of the crater towards me. "My oldest friend, at last, we face each other as we have always desired."

AsI faced Hadeon, a storm brewed between us, crackling with energy. His eyes, dark pools of malice, met mine.

"Surrender, Hadeon. Your forces are no match for mine, as you are no match for me. Surrender and be spared." He never would, and I would never let him, but all of this bought me time.

"Surrender? To you? You're weak, Abraxas; you have always been weak. How quickly you bent the knee to me and my army outside your own home. How very willing you were to please me, to bow to me. How you obeyed my every command like the obedient dog you are, and how I enjoyed holding your leash. Come, beg my forgiveness, and maybe I will let you live."

Thebeast inside me clawed to come out, to destroy him for that insult. I took a deep breath and fought the urge to give in more than anything. Time, I needed to buy Tori time. I tightened my grip on my sword's hilt, pulling it from its scabbard and holding it aloft between us.

Lightningwreathed his arms as it gathered in his palms, crackling and deadly. "You dare challenge me, Abraxas?" Hadeon"s voice echoed across the open space. "You and your pathetic magic are no match for my power."

Whowould win this, the fae with the heart of a dragon or a dragon with the heart of a fae?

Iran my hand along the blade of my sword, and viridian flames erupted along its surface. "Once, perhaps. But now… now you will be annihilated." We were surrounded by soldiers on all sides, but there was no one on this earth but him and I.

"That's no way to talk to the GreatHero!" He shaped his power into a blade and launched at me.

Idug my heels into the ground and readied myself. As lightning crashed towards me, I called upon the ancient magic coursing through my veins.

Theemerald flames surged around me, forming a protective barrier against the oncoming storm. The clash of elements filled the air with a deafening roar, and sparks flew everywhere.

Witha swift movement, I lunged forward, my sword ablaze. Hadeon dodged with a mocking grin; his movements were as swift as the wind. I was relentless, pressing the attack.

Ourblades clashed in a symphony of steel; each strike fueled by centuries of animosity. Sparks flew, and the meeting of our power pushed us back repeatedly as it erupted into a miniature supernova.

Hadeon"schilling and manic laughter rang in my ears. His mad grin spread over his face, indicating his ecstasy.

"This world is mine, Abraxas! Magic belongs to me and me alone. I am a god, and no one can stand against me. Not even you."

Maybeonce, I had believed that. I had let myself be subjugated, fearing my own weakness, but no more. My mate had saved me, and I was more powerful than I had ever been.

"No." I spun around him, fueled by centuries of rage. "You are a false god, a thief. I am the last dragon, the last veritable god. You will kneel before me and beg for your life."

Hewas skilled, but I had always been the better swordsman. My sword cut through the armor at his waist, my strength enhanced by the magic that flowed through me. His screams of agony fueled my magic. My flames erupted from the sword, engulfing Hadeon in a blazing inferno.

Yet, even as the flames consumed him, Hadeon"s power remained undiminished. With a roar of defiance, he unleashed another barrage of purple lightning, the crackling bolts searing through the air with lethal precision. They cut open my skin, and blood ran down my face, obstructing my vision.

Idanced through the storm, my sword weaving a deadly path as I deflected each bolt with precise skill. The ground trembled beneath us, the very earth groaning in protest at the intensity of our clash.

Hadeonthrew me back with a burst of power. I gathered dragonfire in my hands and launched a barrage of projectiles at him. He slashed through each one with his sword of lightning, deflecting them past him.

Ipulled the flames back to me, and they arched in the air, returning to their maker. They hit him, one after the other, building until they erupted in a percussive explosion. A flash of lightning flew at me as he cut through the fireball and leaped toward me.

Imet his assault head-on, our blades colliding with explosive force. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, knocking everyone around us down with raw power.

"I killed him. I will kill you, too, Abraxas!"

Hewas desperate now, unable to overcome me with raw power. I struck again and again. Hadeon"s parries slowed as he was forced back. He stumbled, and I kicked him. He flew back, crashing into the city wall so hard it cracked.

Ilet the tip of my sword slide along the ground as I approached. The metallic screech caused his eyes to widen as blood leaked from his mouth.

Thenhe threw himself off the wall with his power, launching himself into the air. He careened across the sky, trying to escape. Fool. The sky was mine. I called down my bond to Tori, but a magical barrier separated us. No matter. I reached into that knot of mana she had stored in my heart. I felt her there with it; it was all her strength, the only strength I needed. Flames pumped from my mouth as I grew, fragile fae skin giving way to impenetrable scales.

Iflew after him. He sensed my pursuit and threw his magic back at me. The wind shifted as his power reflected off harmlessly. Two more pumps of my wings, and I was on him. I drank in how his eyes grew wide with fear as I towered over him.

Hisface was ugly with rage as he continually threw bolts at me. They stung, some even ripped off scales, but the taste of his fear drove away any pain.

Isee you, Hadeon, the little boy that you have always been. I see your fears. Deep in the night, when you would call out in terror, it was always me who was watching you from the darkness.

Hisentire being glowed an erratic violet as his rage consumed him. "This world belongs to me!"

Not while I still breathe.I lunged, ready to swallow him whole. He threw his power wide, holding my jaws open, each of his hands pressed into a fang on opposite sides. He groaned, and his blood ran onto my tongue. Before this moment I'd never wounded him like this, and his blood fueled the revenge that I no longer repressed in my heart.

Ichuckled darkly. You taste delicious, old friend.His fear spiked, and he threw me back with an outpouring of power.

"Enough! I'm the GreatHero! I'm what the prophecy foretold! You are nothing! NOTHING!" Dark storm clouds swirled between us, and lightning struck me from every direction at once until all I saw was blinding violet light.