The Dragon Realms Saga

The cell where Elucard, Avalon, and Timber were being kept was silent, save for the pattering of the soft rain outside the cell window. Moisture drizzled down the rusty bars.

Lying on a damp pile of hay, Timber counted the many stones that tiled the ceiling. For each crack, she snapped her fingers. For each web she counted, she clapped her clawed hands. Avalon flinched in annoyance at Timber’s monotonous game.

“Will you quit that? I’m trying to think of a way out of here!” Avalon snapped.

Timber held still, then sat up, “It’s nearly dawn. Estinia will soon be marching to trample over Koda’s army. They’ll take the king prisoner, they’ll capture the northern beach camp, and then they’ll send a large army to take take over Long Whisper and burn Lost Dawns to the ground.” Her voice was thick with defeat.

Elucard stirred in his silent stupor, but said nothing.

Avalon shot an angry glare at Timber, “We haven’t failed our mission yet. We need to keep our senses sharp.”

“A blade is only as sharp as the Rabbit wielding it.” Legion appeared from the shadows of the cell, walking closer to the prison bars. His face had a grim look to it. He peered into the prison cell and examined Elucard and sighed greatly, “Elucard… I…” he began, but hesitated. He struggled with his words as if they were caught in this throat, “I wished you died when I threw you over that waterfall. The fate planned for you now will be far worse than death.”

Elucard slid his eyes to glance at his former Master.

Avalon stood from the stool she was sitting on and approached the bars, “I have traveled the world and killed many more after I left the clan, but even I eventually found peace. Peace in Jedeo. She is a merciful goddess, even to Rabbits like us. You can find peace in her as well. Serve a new clan, serve as a Silent One, old friend.”

Legion lowered his head and shakily rubbed his hands together, “No, I think mercy is out of my reach, Avalon.”

Elucard swiftly moved to the bars, gripping the black iron tightly in his hands, “You taught me nothing but lies! Twisted lies. Your philosophy, your way of life, it’s worthless!”

Legion stepped closer to his former student, “My lessons kept you alive in a world that would have otherwise swallowed a whelp like you whole.”

“I survived, but Jetta didn’t,” Elucard hissed in a raspy voice.

Legion lashed out and snatched Elucard by the throat, squeezing tightly, “You want to know who killed Jetta, Elucard?”

Elucard gasped out, “Tell me!”

“You did!”

Elucard screamed in anguish and struggled to grasp at Legion through the bars.

Legion pulled him into the bars and brought his face closer to Elucard’s ear, “That will be the closest you ever come to the truth. Now bury your hatred and move on with your life.”

Elucard quivered, clenching his teeth in frustration, “Why won’t you tell me? You were my father when I had none. I loved you and now you torture me by withholding from me what I need to know!”

Legion struggled to hold his cold demeanor and loosened his grip on Elucard’s throat, “I hold back the truth because I know it would ruin you as it has ruined me.”

Elucard peered into Legion’s sorrowful, crimson eyes. Legion took a hold of Elucard’s shoulder and raked his fingers downward, dragging his shaking hand down Elucard’s armor. He bowed his head and fell to his knees. The weight of the guilt was too much to bear, “Elucard, it was the only way to save you.”

Elucard stumbled backwards and slid down the prison wall, he stuttered as he began to bawl, “M-Master h-how could you?”

Legion grabbed the bars and rattled them. He knelt silently before glancing over his shoulder, “You know the truth, now do what you must.” He picked himself up and exited the prison.

Avalon knelt beside Elucard to comfort him, “You must forgive him now, Elucard. He has confessed his sins. For both of you to heal you must drop your vendetta.”

Elucard turned to face her, “He deserves no forgiveness, and I no peace.” Elucard squeezed his fist tightly, his leather glove cracked, “The only one who deserves peace is Jetta and she will have none until every Rabbit pays for it in blood!”

Avalon furrowed her brow, “I will pray for you.”

The clanking sound of keys brought the attention of the three prisoners to the cell door where they found Calsoon hastily opening it.

“Calsoon!” Timber exclaimed in surprise.

“Come quickly, we haven’t much time! I found your weapons, we must complete our mission before it is too late!”

Elucard nodded, “We’ve wasted too much time already, the fate of Koda’s army rests on our shoulders.”