elemental dragonfyre & brimstone; first four chapters

7/28/2019 Elemental Dragonfyre & Brimstone; First Four Chapters

1/51

ELEMENTAL

Dragonfyre&

Brimstone

By Stephen John Walton


2/51

1

For my sister Christina,


3/51

2

Prologue

The Brimstone, a being created long ago to protect the

world of Bacrana from the invasion of Vulrintutakons

demonic armada who had come to subjugate or destroy all

life in their path. With every element of the known universe

as his ally, Brimstone fought against the force furiously

until the demon god had been destroyed. But with such

power and no one to fight, Brimstone became restless.He turned on his masters, craving power and control

over all. The Titan of home world laid waste to all about

him with ease. Only one force was able to quell this great

power in the universe. Once again the legendary

Dragonfyre made a stand against the impossible.


4/51

3


5/51

4

Chapter one

North America, 878 B.C.

Great billowing clouds rolled overhead which seemed

perfectly fitting to the Dark Lord given the current

situation. The long black hood of his cloak fell down

behind his pale head as intense gusts blew freely through

his long graying hair. He looked ahead with glaring eyes atthe almost impossible task before him. The lines of many

stressful centuries ran down from his mouth coming to rest

almost faithfully at his sharp silver go-tee. With ancient

orbs he looked up before the looming mountain just before

him where his son was now kept prisoner by a being even

more powerful and terrifying than he.

Xavian Vortex took in a deep breath almost gagging

as a rush of wind flew into his face filling his throat with

foul alien air. As he released the stink from his genetically

superior lungs, a certain worry passed through him that the

father of the Elemental race had not felt in many long

centuries. As he remembered it correctly, it was this very

being that had caused him such worry. For the foe he was

about to once again face had been built to defeat and

capture the Dark Lord in the Bacraniese civil war so longago.

With unsure steps made only in pure faith of his

innate strengths, Vortex began his trek into the only

entrance into the mountain fortress. His only hope at this

point was that his very new and most definitely tentative

alliance would hold long enough to defeat this adversary,

for the Brimstone was the most powerful Elemental ever

fashioned. His power stretched to all points five of thesacred star and every place in-between. As it stood, only

two Elementals had ever faced the great beast of petrified


6/51

5

Elemental heart and survived. Albeit the two other most

powerful of their race, both were in many ways inferior to

the absolute strength of this Titan.

Yanpre Vear looked over the sight of his surroundings for

the first time as the fog of delirium passed from his mind.

His dark eyes flickered to life as his irises began to jump

about with small electric arcs. The dwarfs face was young

and smooth, his jet black hair hung straggly about his small

shoulders, with a seldom few strands sticking to the slight

dark stubble growing about his jawline.Yanpre had been taken just hours ago by a small

army of Darkstones, the rocky undead, the unbreakably

loyal henchmen of the Brimstone. He did not remember

how he had gotten chained to the wall behind him, and felt

the strange metals weight upon his skin. The stuff seemed

to leach the very strength from his dark elemental heart,

leaving him unable to summon any of his innate powers to

save himself. Understanding this, the dark prince of theVulrana turned to the second of his powerful strengths, his

intellect.

Yanpre scanned the area with precise vision. The

chamber he was now in was wide and smooth with a kind

of red finish about the rocky walls that gave off a strange

rose-colored glow. It was as tall as it was wide, the space

needed to hold the gigantic Darkstone creatures towering at

almost forty feet and constantly watching the place for any

sign of intrusion. Massive holes within boulder like heads

were aglow with an orange hue mocking true elemental

eyes. In morbid fashion the Darkstones continued to scan

over the smooth cavern sometimes laying their vision upon

the dark prince himself with an eerie and sinister glare.

Looking down at the area before him, Yanpre could

not help but scowl at the sight of the being that hadcaptured both him and the first earthly son of the

Dragonfyre, Tor Rah. Yanpre had been engaged in a battle


7/51

6

with Tor when the Darkstones burst up from the very

ground in a surprise attack, apparently taking them both as

hostages of war. For what purpose Yanpre would soon tryto goat into discovery.

The Dwarf turned his head to the Elemental chained

upon the wall beside him. Tors long red hair hung down

off of his limp head showing that he had still not awaked

from whatever magick had been used to subdue them both.

Yanpre couldnt help a slight smirk at the thought that he

had been powerful enough to awaken before the son of

Rah. Another thing to keep in mind when fighting theseweaker half-bred Bacrana, though he was a half-breed

himself, he was Vulrana and undoubtedly superior.

Turning his attention back to their captor, he again

found a scowl return upon his young impish face.

Brimstone stood at the center of a raised platform

surrounded by standing urns emitting vaporous purple

flames. The Ancient wore a sleeveless dark-purple robe

atop his rock-like frame, with dark purple armor about hisforearms, chest and legs that glowed with a lighter purple

hue. The Titan looked about stoically before hearing

Yanpre scoff aloud. Yanpre noticed Brimstone slightly turn

his deep reddish stony head. Yanpre stared hard at the beast

as if he could simply throw bolts from his irises even in his

weakened state. Brimstone must have felt this emotion, and

with slow deliberate care turned to face the young imp.

Do you like my Quaniron young prince?

Brimstones slow deep syllables cast out into the chamber

with echo resonating around them all. It is the same alloy I

created to capture your father many years ago. It is the only

substance known that can interrupt the energy of an

Elementals heart.

Brimstone came round to face Yanpre fully, letting

the powerful appearance of his hardened form speak foritself. Had he been of soft flesh his form would have been

muscled, stocky, and massive. But instead of a soft living


8/51

7

shell, Brimstones skin was armored as though it were

crimson red rock. His entire body was jagged and bulky

from feet that would need no boots to cover them, to histhick coarse fingers and up to his flat faced block like head.

He looked over Yanpre with almost human like eyes, his

only soft feature, dark brown with a gold halo around each

iris.

I think you will find that I, like my father, do not

fear anything you may bring to bear against us. Yanpre

spat curling his upper lip showing hateful white teeth.

I will! Brimstone let out with what could beconsidered a hardy laugh from the near emotionless

creature. Perhaps you do not know your father as I do

young half-breed. Many times have I seen fear escape your

fathers eyes in my presence. Brimstone informed the

short lord leaning down toward his face giving the honest

comment a touch more discomfort.

Perhaps you mistake fear for astonishment

Alexander? A hollow voice came from the open chamberbehind the beast. It was not I that fashioned your perverse

heart.

Brimstone stood straight, his eyes never leaving the

locked stare with his captive before turning fully back

round. There he spotted one of his objectives within this

personal matter. Stepping out across the raised stone

platform, passing the urns and letting his power reach out

to the purple flames whipping them to burn higher,

Brimstone gave out what could be called a slight smile at

Xavian Vortex. His prey had finally come to the slaughter.

I feel that they are one and the same my old prey.

Many terms are used to hide the true nature of fear,

astonishment being one I do favor however. As for my

heart, you have only yourself to blame. Had you not been

the most powerful being to threaten the empire, the empirewould not have been so blind as to create something even

more powerful than you. Brimstone looked down the


9/51

8

several feet below him at the robbed Elemental looking up.

He could not hide it; he was both intimidated and afraid.

Brimstone had been only one of two beings ever take thefather of the Elemental race down in defeat, but he had

done it first. Brimstone held no fear for he was designed

unable to feel such a thing. His Elemental heart was unlike

any others, made of stone, unbreakable, and as unyielding

as the most hardened warrior.

I thought we had an arrangement Brimstone? You

stay to your part of this world, and we to ours. Xavian

asked stalling for time; his ally seemed to be running late.I figured that if I were stuck on this Stone Aged

backwater rock, I may as well rule it. Besides who can

really stop me? Brimstone lauded his own unbeatable

strength.

Let us find out then, shall we? Xavian posed

attempting to sound completely confidant. In truth, this had

been only one of two beings to ever cause him worry. The

father of the Elemental race feared little, yet one of thosefears now held his only son. It was for this reason alone

that Xavian had dared enter the den of this near Godlike

beast.

Brimstone peered over the dark layered man below

him nodding slightly at the scenario he had created. Then

without another moments notice leapt from his great

platform as Vortex took to the air. Brimstones rocky red

feet slammed onto the solid floor with a booming force that

would have off-balanced Vortex had he not moved.

Brimstone clenched his fists, flexing his coarse muscles as

he rose slowly back upright. As his eyes looked about he

spied his old foe above him, sputtering around in a non-

corporeal form like a black mist attempting to dodge the

several bouldered fists as the Darkstones swatting from all

directions.Brimstones eyes shifted from brown to blue as he

took flight after his prey. He did not bother with a war-cry


10/51

9

for there was no point in announcing his approach, Vortex

would know of it soon enough. He flew about Xavians

dodging form for several seconds before using his innatestrength, grasping the Dark Lord by the back of his neck

and forcing him back into a corporeal form. Once held

within his rocky grasp, Brimstone threw the Vulrana

spiraling brutally to the floor.

Like a feline the Dark Lord landed with limbs

outstretched, his white palms held aloft by thin fingers.

Xavian craned his neck in a supernatural fashion back up at

Brimstone. The rock man aimed the his feet at theElemental of Void as he fell. Xavian wasted no time in

thrusting his body forward into a floating launch, turning

about before casting a flurry of red electric tendrils from

outstretched hands.

Brimstones heavy feet slammed upon the solid

cavern floor as his glowing eyes shifted from blue to

yellowish green earth, causing cracks in the ground that

jutted and swerved their way to Xavian. The sudden changein footing causing the Vulrana to become quickly

unbalanced, the Dark Lord abandoned his current attack as

his tendrils deflected harmlessly across Brimstones red

armored body.

Xavian quickly glanced about coming to realize that

several Darkstones were closing in upon his location; their

great rocky bodies weighing upon the very air as they

moved. The Titans clumsy bouldered feet cast dust and

small bits of rock to cascade from the cavern walls as they

ran. The Dark Lord had no option but to retreat out of the

cave, but before he would leave

Xavian reached up with all haste summoning the

power of the void from deep within his elemental heart. His

mind reached up into the smooth rock ceiling just a few

feet, then opened up a series of singularities that swallowedrandom hunks of solid rock sending them onto oblivion. An

instant later he shifted his innate strength closing the


11/51

10

fissures of time and space, and tugged with all his mental

strength upon the honeycomb of rock he had created.

Slowly, at least slowly with in the panic driven pace ofthings within his mind, parts of the ceiling began to give

way until great cracks of once solid rock came crashing

down upon the incoming aggressors.

Xavian wanted to have worry for his only son but

found no time to dwell upon it. His basic survival instinct

took hold shifting his body into incorporeal form avoiding

a falling stone slab and retreating out of the entrance of the

large cavern. The black misty cloud coalesced back tocorporeal form as Xavian landed on both feet just outside

the cavern. Sunlight poured over him from the midday star

causing the Vulrana to cover his eyes with one hand and

quickly bringing about his hood for protection.

He could hear the deep booming cracks of solid

rock splitting into pieces behind him. He could hear the

mutated screams of Darkstones being temporarily buried

within the cave. As eyes adjusted and his vision slowlyreturned he could feel the thrust of Brimstones fist

slamming home upon the side of his face.

The Dark Lord flew into the air over twenty feet

from the violent strike, tumbling through a series of bushes

that lined the entrance to Brimstones lair. As he tumbled

and tossed Xavian tried to change again into incorporeal

form to gain his footing, but the attempt was only met by a

grasp of red rocky hands.

Brimstone lifted the father of the elemental race

with ease, punching him several times in the gut until it was

certain that all air had escaped his ancient lungs. Xavian

coughed as speckles of slightly glowing red blood flew

from his thin lips. The ancient could take no more at the

moment lest he pass out, and from the look upon

Brimstones glowing yellow eyes the titan knew this as well.


12/51

11

Xavian Vortex, do you desire true immortality?

Brimstone asked as he held the black robbed man aloft with

one arm.To be an immortal slave like your Darkstones?

Xavian replied between panted breaths. My brothers may

have feared you enough to take this false promise, but I will

not!

With those words, Xavian grabbed Brimstones

coarse rocky head and shoved his thumbs into his eyes. A

burst of white energy flared from Xavians thumbs causing

Brimstone great pain, enough for the emotionlessjuggernaut to cry dropping the Dark Lord before reaching

to protect his eyes. Xavian wasted not a moment.

Summoning all he had, Xavian cast out again with

his red tendrils wrapping around Brimstone in a frenzied

dance of light. Xavian screamed as his eyes blazed a wild

sapphire blue, the lines of his face bunched in exasperated

fury. The tendrils surrounded Brimstone faster and faster

into a red electric cocoon, soon cycling so fast that it allbecame a lit blur. Faster and faster the energy churned until

only a faint outline of Brimstone could be seen, and within

moments the power faded.

Xavian collapsed to his knees yet keeping his eyes

upon what he had done, managing a hint of a smile. His

eyes looked over his work with some unbelievable pride.

Before him was a large ruby colored encasement that

resembled a natural grown crystal. Within its center was

Brimstone, frozen and apparently in a forced hibernation of

sorts.

Well my friend, Xavian spoke to the frozen figure

as he rose to his feet standing tall. Seems I did not need

anyone to assist me after all.

Xavian stood there for several seconds, before he

spied something odd, something he did not think he wouldapprove of. He watched as the sunlight streaming down

over the ruby encasement began to bend, warping the field


13/51

12

of vision around the shifting beams. It took the figure

trapped within the crystal just moments to shift his eyes

into a bright red before casting off the living tomb in agreat explosion of power the leveled everything around it in

a hail of ruby shards.

Brimstone reached up with his right hand pulling in

the energy of the sun about it. Wild blazing red eyes looked

about for Xavian finally settling upon the figure trying to

recover from the explosion. He looked over his enemy with

what could be called hate filled eyes above snarling rocky

lips. After gathering enough solar energy, the Brimstoneshot forward his mighty left arm casting a brilliant blaze of

fire energy that not only consumed the Dark Lord but

carried him in a violent loft that tossed him far off of the

cliff face and down across the lush valley below.

It took Vortex several moments to realize he was

airborne, several more to regain his bearings within the

tornado of great flames. Just as he had regained his senses,

Xavian slammed hard into the valley floor below. Grass,trees, dirt and rock flew in all directions as the Dark Lord

tumbled helplessly across the earth in several ferocious

flips. The Vulrana was so weakened, beaten, and in pain

that he could not even try to rise to his feet. His once

beautiful dark robes were tattered and ripped, his pristine

pearl colored skin bruised, burned, and bleeding. Xavian

could not even tell that another blast of fire energy was

upon him further shedding his clothes and widening his

wounds. All he could do was let out cries of pain and

writhe in the moment of certain death.

Brimstone leapt through the air from the cliff above

continuing his relentless assault. If Xavian would not

submit, then the father of his race would die a slow and

pain filled death. As Brimstone came crashing down upon

mighty rough legs he ceased the energy coming from hisarms. He stalked slowly to look upon his prey. He surveyed

with some delight as Xavian shook with bated breaths,


14/51

13

unable to move his broken form with any real definite

movement.

Xavian lay in a smoking crater of burned earth andblasted glass, his senses absent for the most part. He

wanted to shift into his other form but found that his

elemental heart was too weak to support this as it channeled

all of his energy into healing his torn body. Still, Xavian

instincts would not let him roll over into death. The

bleeding man turning to his stomach trying to claw his was

out of the steep side of the newly formed crater. He mostly

found that his limbs were too weak to pull him up, but stillhe tried with a survivalists abandon.

My dear Xavian, I admire your thirst to live.

However, todays thirst shall not be quenched. You will fall

as did your Demon God, and when you go to hell you may

tell him it was I that sent his loyal servant to the grave.

Brimstone informed raising his right hand with an open

palm at the back of the Dark Lord. Tell him, Alexander

the Brimstone sends his regards.A bright light as if from the heavens itself showed

in the distance behind the large rocky man. Closer and

closer it came, speeding through the air at the two with

uncanny speed. Brimstone did not see this, but felt

impending danger and turned lowering his hand in mild

confusion.

As Brimstones eyes fell upon the terrible yellow

ball of fire coming closer, they widened slightly in

curiosity. Turning round as fast as he could Brimstone tried

to meet this new foe on even keel but to no avail. The ball

of bright yellow fire slammed home into the juggernaut

sending him far over the crater, yet not off balancing him.

Brimstone landed square upon his feet some thirty feet

away, his eyes never left his attacker. There he watched as

the fire receded only to show another old ally and enemy,the Dragonfyre Liam Rah.


15/51

14

Liams crimson lit eyes stayed steady upon

Brimstone, watching him with carful judgment. Liam knew

well the strength of Brimstone; he had battled him manytimes never truly ever able to claim a victory. He knew this

opponent well enough to know not to take any single action

for granted. So as Brimstone approached by flanking the

crater to his left, Liams strong willed orbs watched

intently.

Liam Rah! Brimstone stated the obvious in a

great booming voice across the open air.

Alexander. Liam replied in kind as if a fatherwould to scold a child.

I see you got my message. Brimstone confirmed

coming to stop at a point between Liam and the now rising

Xavian Vortex, who was crawling out of the shallow side

of the crater beside them.

Where is my son Alexander? Liam asked sternly,

yet allowing his eyes to temporarily cool to their mortal

hazel. The ancient Elemental of fire did not let his eyesleave his enemy even as he felt Vortex approach from his

right.

About to join my ranks. Brimstone replied with a

tone of arrogance placing his hands behind his back.

Brimstone felt very comfortable that he could defeat both

of these men with ease as he had done many times before.

Im sure not willingly old friend. Liam said half

turning his back to the left in order to keep both Brimstone

and Xavian in view.

It matters not Liam Rah, Brimstones deep voice

let out matter of factly. Soon all shall be under the yoke

my power.

We had an agreement Alexander, each of us took a

third of the world as our new home. The war is over; we

live in peace, which was our arrangement.Look at the three of us! Brimstone began waving

his hands out at them all. The fathers of the Bacranian


16/51

15

Wars! Only one of us is missing to complete this quartet,

though I am sure Leriz Nijimo is someplace near and

watching us from safe distance.Agreed, the coward. Xavian added in a low tone

finally having the strength to rise to his feet just steps from

Liams right.

The war is never over Salamander, you should

know this well. I believe before it begins again I shall be

prepared, and if I am to be trapped upon this backwater

world for the next three thousand years, then it shall be I

who rules it! Brimstone announced with pure confidenceand guile.

The war is over, and as long as I live you will not

enslave what is left of our people, Bacrana or Vulrana.

Liam shot back readying his mind for the inevitable

encounter to come.

Then your life old friend has become forfeit.

Brimstone let not a second pass from his last word before

his eyes shifted color again, this time into a bright blue.Quickly and in a single motion the juggernaut called upon

the element of air casting a brutal gale upon his adversaries

that lifted them from the ground and cast them far into the

dense green forest behind them.

Both Liam and Xavian tumbled uncontrollably

through bushes at times half slamming into the thick bark

of ancient trees before finally catching respite far from the

source of the gale. Torrential rain began to pour all about

them accompanied by the sounds of heavy thunder as

flashes from bolts shot across the now blackening sky

above.

Xavian lifted his head from the wet earth glancing

over at his temporary partner, who was shaking off the

effects of the last tree he had crashed upon. Couldnt have

gotten here a bit sooner hero? Xavian spat out from behindbleeding lips.


17/51

16

Be pleased that I agreed to this at all Xavian.

Liam replied after craning his neck to the side cracking the

top of his spine. How are we to proceed?His chest cannot be run through. We must weaken

him enough so that I can trap him, and then keep him as far

from any available element so he cannot rejuvenate his

strength. Xavian informed as the two got back to their

feet.

Oh that sounds easy. Liam sarcastically let out.

Just use the mask. Xavian implored, knowing full

well what powers the relic would bestow upon hisadversary turned temporary collaborator.

I will never use the relic of Kon again. We do this

the old fashioned way. Liam replied leveling his eyes at

his old nemesis.

Xavian shook his head at Liam. Getting our asses

handed to us does not have the nostalgic appeal of being

old-fashioned. With that the Dark Lord took to

flight up through the dense foliage. The father of theElemental race would assist as much as he could, knowing

well that if he were to fall dead then there would be no way

to encase Brimstone at all within his power. It would have

to be the Dragonfyre that did the grunt work here,

something that Xavian did not mind at all for several

reasons.

Liam Rah started his march back to Brimstone,

jogging through the forest and having to dodge several

times over bolts of lightning sent ricocheting all throughout

the trees to end his progress. The Salamander waited until

he was just within view of the large red behemoth before

shifting his form into that of a living body of orange and

red flames. A final bolt of lightning came directly at him

yet he did not swerve, letting the bolt tear harmlessly

through his elemental form slowing him not a fraction. AsLiam came out of the tree line he lunged directly at

Brimstone with uncanny speed, grabbing the red terror in


18/51

17

an attempt to knock him from his feet. This did not have his

desired effect.

Brimstones eyes shifted quickly to a deep green ashis feet flattened out seeming to meld with the ground

beneath him and forming the area into solid stone. He then

attempted to head-butt Liams flaming face, but the Fire

Elemental flew back out of range in a fluidic swerve of

arcing immolation.

Liam shifted back into solid form. He came in at

Brimstone with flaming fists striking him several times

about his head and torso. Brimstone laughed joyfully at thefeeble attempt.

The juggernaut came round with his right hand

clasping the top of Liams head and lifting him from the

ground. A red left fist came about to strike Liams face, but

the Salamander shifted again into flames escaping

Brimstones punch and falling again to his feet.

Liam again began his assault with all haste,

punching Brimstone several times about his large coarsehead. The hits appeared to do little damage, only enraging

the titan with each passing blow. Liam threw everything he

had into those hits hoping the next one would do something

more than be met by mere annoyance.

Brimstone shifted his eyes to into a dark orange as

his feet reformed into their natural state. With little effort,

Brimstone changed his body into a large cone of fire that

extended out engulfing Liam and reaching up high into the

air. Faster and faster the cone spun until it became a

tornado of fire, lifting Liam from his feet and tossing him

helplessly round and round within the blazing torrent.

Liam could not find his bearings within the

firestorm, nor could he take control of his own power,

finding that for the first time in ages he was being seared

with heat. Trapped and now gritting his teeth in pain whilebeing stirred within the ever growing spinning inferno,

Brimstones voice could be heard from all directions.


19/51

18

From out of the spinning fire wall the giant face of

Brimstone formed from the living flames, his eyes engulfed

in a power filled deep orange hue. I am the master of allthe elements! Break in fear and pain as I use your very

strength to destroy you! You may have banished a God

Dragonfyre, but my worth shall prove more powerful than

even the Demon Kon itself! Brimstones voice thundered

out in all directions around him deafening Liams ears.

It was then a powerful blast of lighting came

crashing through the blazed face of Brimstone causing the

mammoth to lose his concentration, but only fromconfusion. Another blast wracked his flaming appearance

before he left his attention from Liam to look for his latest

combatant.

The fire cone shifted directions leaving Liam to

crash in hellholes upon the ground behind it. As

Brimstones inferno form turned to glace about, he spied

Yanpre Vear suspended in the air some fifty feet away

sacking a constant barrage of lightning energy at him.Yanpre Vear! Brimstone cried an agitated roar,

shifting his form from a cone of excitement into a giant

body of flames and coming round to the small upstart.

Yanpre kept up the strongest attack he could

muster. But the bolts seemed to do little to Brimstones

titanic form hardly slowing him as he brought his arm

round through the rain soaked air and swatting the dwarf

from the sky with great ease.

Liam caught sight of young Yanpre crashing to the

ground. He knew well the young Elemental would not

stand a single skirmish with the mammoth. So he mustered

all his strength unbto himself, centered his mind and shot

up directly at the giants head with a trail of fire sprawling

behind him.

As Brimstone prepared to shoot a massive flame atthe young Vulrana barely stirring upon the rain soaked

ground, Liam Rah blasted through his jaw coming out


20/51

19

violently about the left side of his forehead. Liam turned

shooting out a stream of pinpoint crimson flames back at

the opening he had made, but it did little to no damage tothe titan.

Come on Alex! Come get me you ugly bastard!

Liam cried out as Vortex finally made his way to his side in

midair.

Brimstone just roared as his giant eyes once again

changed, this time into a deep blue. With that his body

seemed to shake off the flames as if shedding old skin, and

as it did was replaced with a towering body of water buildin massive drops from the surrounding rain. As he

reformed, both Liam and Xavian fired all they had at him

while retreating away from the fallen youngster.

Both the streams of fire and the red bolts of

Xavians lighting did little to slow the Titan. Brimstones

massive watery legs tromped in wide strides across the

ground causing small quakes as he stepped. Trees toppled

as in his wake leaving a scar of destruction amidst theraging deluge. The very air itself felt charged with

elemental energy that Brimstone himself had set into place.

As the titan perused his prey in wide swooshing steps the

air around him seemed to become energized even further

still.

Liam motioned for Xavian to keep up his assault

before diving straight down to the forest floor below.

Brimstone seemed not to notice his him as the water

mammoth kept up charging at Xavian who remained

overhead. Liam watched with blazing red eyes as

Brimstones form came closer to where he stood.

Come on Alex you titanic shit. Liam spat as he

gathered his strength around him.

Closing his eyes to thin red slits, Liams body

created a mist of ethereal red about his body. Flames shotout of his back in thin rods that soon flattened into wings of

excited fire. As Brimstone took a wide stride above him


21/51

20

Liam Rah shot up with all the strength and speed he could

muster.

His wings outstretched, his fists flung forward inballs of fire, and with a terrible growl he entered

Brimstones form between his legs rising up with a cascade

of hellholes blasting out in chaotic directions. As Liam

exited the great watery head Brimstone cried out in pain.

The Titans form lost cohesion and fell to the earth in

swoons of water that hit the ground below like a great

wave.

Seconds later as the water washed in severaldirections Brimstone emerged once again in his red rocky

form. The beast had little time to find his bearings or shift

his power before Liam again came at him. Swooping down

from the sky Liam struck hard into his coarse head leaving

a blaze of red energy in its wake. Liam stumbled but

quickly regained his footing and turned to strike Brimstone

again.

Brimstone tried to steel himself but found no respiteamong the constant barrage of punches and kicks, blasts of

fire, and several random objects that Liam hit him with

from all about in a desperate attempt to weaken the

Elemental master. Over and over Brimstone attempted to

strike back, constantly being defeated with every attempt.

The Mammoth tried to shift his power but was unable

without a moments peace, his eyes slightly shifting into

another elemental color for just a moments time but never

taking hold.

Move! Xavians voice cried out at his ally, and

within seconds Liam did as he was bade.

Xavian Vortex shot fourth his red lighting with

every last bit of fight he had in him. Faster and faster the

red tendrils wrapped around the Brimstone until they

seemed to be a blur of red energy that soon became acocoon that took hold even as Brimstones voice could be

heard in booming echoes promising vengeance.


22/51

21

Soon after, Xavian fell limply to the ground, his

energy nearly spend and reflected this in his almost grey

like orbs that managed to still look upon his work. As therain began to subside enough for the Vulrana to see, he

spied again the giant ruby red encasement about his old

nemesis.

Liam rose to unsteady feet slowly making his way

to the giant red crystal. He could not take his eyes from the

thing as he too once was incased in this very power. The

thought of it made him look over at Xavian still lying upon

the muddy earth in such a weakened state. If he was evergoing to kill his ancient adversary, now would be the time.

So slowly he stalked over to the exposed and drained father

of the Elemental race.

Liams muddy boots stopped just short of Xavian.

The Vulrana looked up at the Salamander with questioning

eyes as the two stayed locked for several moments. Again

surprised by the Fire Elemental, he watched as Liams hand

lowered with an offer to help him up. Xavian thought aboutthe gesture for a moment, before clasping it with his own

pearly white hand. In a single motion, Liam brought

Xavian up to his feet.

I thought you would have taken the opportunity to

finish us once and for all. Xavian almost spat.

The thought had weighed upon me. Liam

responded without missing a beat.

The two did not let the honest words take time to sit

in the air as they turned and walked up to Brimstones cage

side by side. They could vaguely spot the nearly enraged

Brimstone frozen solid in place, his eyes motionless yet

seeming to stare at them nonetheless.

What now? Liam asked unable to take his eyes

from the sight of it.

As Vortex thought on the matter, the rain suddenlystopped all together. Within moments the dark clouds

above gave way with cracks of sunshine beaming down


23/51

22

from the once complete ceiling. The sunlight grew and

grew around them until finally it came to where they stood.

As the light touched the crystal it seemed to bend throughit, coming to rest upon the coarse skin of the titan. A slight

crack formed upon the ruby surface, and as it did this

Xavian hurryingly removed his cloak as fast as he could

and covered as much of the encasement as the fabric would

allow.

What? Liam asked watching the frantic

movement.

He is separated from many of the elements in thechrysalis, but sunlight can still give him power. We must

place him carefully Liam Rah, far from anyone or any

place that might release him, lest we endure his wraith.

Xavian replied within several huffs obviously still wounded

and weak.

What about us? Liam asked arching his right

eyebrow and glancing over at the pale man.

We stay to our agreement. The Vulrana will keepto our territory, and the Bacrana to yours. Xavian replied.

Then lets get our boys and go home. Liam

suggested turning to Brimstones lair far behind them. As he

did, he observed as several Darkstones enclosed upon them

seemingly lost without their masters will to guide them.

Liam thought for a moment that they were going to attack,

but the giant rocky creatures just mulled about aimlessly

without purpose.

What about them? Liam asked after the shock of

their presence had passed.

I will take them. They were once Vulrana, they

should be with their people. Xavian let out with an honest

sigh. He did in his dark heart feel sympathy for these

creatures. After all they were his former soldiers, and some

valued friends.Agreed. Liam conceded as he turned and offered

Xavian a hand. Xavian reluctantly took it, and was slightly


24/51

23

shocked when Liam quickly jerked him closer squeezing

the appendage as he locked eyes with the Vulrana. Never

come after my kin, my clan, or my people, and ye shallnever have to see my eyes this close again. Liam promised

with great ire.

Of course. Was all the Dark Lord needed, or

wanted, to say.


25/51

24

Chapter Two

2,800 Years Later

Rah Family Home

June, 1987

John Llue Rah strode happily to the welcome front door of

his Grandfathers home. The space had been converted

from an old barn that had been reconstructed into a singlestory living space with a huge attic. Liam enjoyed his time

alone and away from the daily noise and clutter of raising

children. He left that honor to his son Trevor and his

daughter in law Linda.

Johnny enjoyed his visits to his Grandfathers home;

he would come there many nights along with his twin

brother Stephen and listen to the elder recount tales of

faraway worlds and the creatures that lived upon them.

Such stories sparked his imagination and would put him to

sleep with images of these mystical places with living

dragons and other strange beings. He also enjoyed the

attention he got from the strong old man; he always had a

way of making the twins feel special. On this night both

Johnny and Stephen had been allowed to come see their

Grandpa shortly before bed time with explicit instructionsto come home in a half hours time.

The first to enter the old wooden place was John

Llue Rah. The nine year old was a bit smaller than other

boys his age, but hardy none the less. He wore his G.I JOE

pajamas with a background of light blues with various

characters set about the cloth. The boys hair was a short

light brown, atop an innocent peach colored face set with

amber hazel eyes. As he passed through the old door heheld it open for his twin brother Stephen.


26/51

25

Stephen Janus Rah followed in a moment after

wearing similar pajamas as his brother, his with the

character He-Man with a background of blue. His hair waslighter than his brothers as was his skin tone and his eyes

were a dark shade of reddish hazel. Stephen passed by his

brother in a mad rush into the wide open space, going

straight for Liam who was tending the fire place at the

other end of the large living room.

Grandpa! Stephen yelled catching the Ancient

almost off guard and setting him off balance.

Slow down now boy. The Salamander warned.You cant burn but your new pajamas can, and that would

set your Mama right off. Liam scolded lightly holding the

boy in a warm embrace.

Setting the boy at arms length he noticed Johnny

coming up slowly behind his brother. The Twin nodded at

his energetic sibling, hearing his parents many times over

the years telling Stephen to slow himself. But the other Rah

son never took this advice and just kept being the energizedrascal that he naturally was.

Hello Johnny, come to get your story this evening I

see? Liam spoke through his white beard ending the

question with a smile.

We only have a half hour. Johnny replied, always

the informant.

Mom wont notice. Stephen said looking back at

his brother and rolling his eyes at the other boy.

Oh yes she would, and you know it. Liam looked

directly into Stephens eyes, still holding a smile about his

face. Lets get comfortable shall we? The Ancient moved

the twins over to a long red couch that looked very fluffy

and perfect for long winded tales.

The boys moved as they were directed by the elder,

rushing to the couch and sitting upon both endsrespectively. But before the old man could sit between


27/51

26

them Stephen got up and went for the kitchen in a mad

dash.

What are you doing Stevie? Liam called out tothe boy as he heard him going into the refrigerator.

Something to drink. The energetic lad replied.

No soda! Liam barked. Gods know you dont

need it. The Ancient grumbled under his breath catching a

giggle and a sideways glance from Johnny.

As Stephen came back to the couch with a juice box

he sat on the opposite end from Johnny and started to open

the plastic straw with great enthusiasm. Liam knew betterthan to ask the boy if he needed help, for Stephen was a

very independent young man and insisted on doing

everything on his own.

What do you want to hear about tonight boys? The

old Bacrana Empire, the Dragons of Toath, the fields of

Tergal, whats your pleasure? Liam asked setting back in

the couch as the boys nestled closer.

Something different Grandpa, a new story.Johnny asked looking up at his Grandfather from under his

right arm.

Like what? Liam asked lovingly.

Something dark, Im tired of stories where the

good guys always win. Stephen insisted looking up from

Liams left side taking in his first sips from the small

yellow box.

Really, you want a scary story before bed? Liam

asked never surprised by the words that could come out of

his Grandsons mouth. Because I know a few very scary

stories.

Yeah something good! But something real and not

fake. Stephen said excitedly receiving rolling eyes from

his twin.

Well, what do you think Johnny? The old manasked looking to down to his right.


28/51

27

Tell us about the mask. Johnny asked

remembering once long ago finding the leather sack that

held a nasty old brown mask. When he had asked about ithis Grandfather had insisted that it was a story for a later

time.

Yeah the mask we found last year in the attic!

Stephen said hopping with excitement.

I found it. Johnny corrected.

Whatever, I was there too. Stephen replied

shaking his head.

Liam took in a gust of air and then let it out in ahuff. He had wanted to recant this tale when the boys were

much older but now seemed as good a time as any. Soon he

would begin their training in the Elemental art of the sacred

flame and they would learn of these things anyway. He

knew their future would be tied to this history, and perhaps

one day it would become one of their destinies.

Well, alright then. Get settled in and Ill start.

Liam said bringing up a pair of blankets from behind thecouch and putting one over both of them. As the boys

adjusted the small pillows be each arm rest behind their

heads, Liam began the tale.

Thousands of years ago, well before our people

came to this world there was a great war in our home

galaxy. A Demon by the name of Vulrintutakon had come

into our realm and cast many of the Ancient Gods into the

abyss. He took the advanced worlds of the galaxy one by

one, creating a vast armada that would convert or kill all in

their path.

Soon the great Demon God had a host of worlds

under his yoke, consolidating their technologies and

summoning beasts of untold power from his home

dimension. Entire galactic civilizations fell beneath the

weight of his religion, becoming something more andsomething dark. And as each one took up the banner of

their new Lord, Vulrintutakon grew in power for he knew


29/51

28

the truth of worship, and the reasons of why we pray and

believe in beings of greater power.

You see, we are creatures of intention and willpower; we are a part of a collective energy that binds and

threads the whole of creation. A persons view of the

world, its imagination, its collective unconscious creates as

much as it destroys. If a being is able to harness these

intentions, it gains power and control from it. Who is to say

that one mans God, is not a being from a higher realm

looking down at our third dimensional comings and goings

and simply playing as does a cat with a mouse?Vulrintutakon knew this truth, and set out upon our

universe with intentions to be a wolf.

Eventually the Gods of this realm began to take

notice of this massive dark force creeping its way across

the cosmos. They knew that eventually the Demon God

would come knocking at their doors, and that perhaps by

that time he would be too powerful for any of them to stop.

So in a great haste, or a hasteful as near immortals couldbe, they summoned together a council unlike any that had

ever been seen before.

Gods and Goddesses from all over the realm came

together and choose one of their own to be their champion.

When the decision was handed down, it was a Warrior God

by the name of Zyto chosen to do battle with

Vulrintutakon. He was given the knowledge of every tome,

spell, and artifact from a hundred different worlds, making

him the most powerful being ever to walk among the stars

within our reality. Soon Zyto left to meet with the Demon

God and deliver unto him his celestial fate. Vulrintutakon

did not wavier, and met him between the worlds in a fight

to the death.

It is said that for six days and seven nights the two

Gods did battle among the stars, ruining entire worlds inthe wake of their duel. Crashing into stars and casting

planets into rouge orbits around galactic central point.


30/51

29

When the last blow finally came, it was the Demon God

who was left standing over the beaten warrior with blade in

hand.As he watched Zyto take his heaving last breaths,

the Demon knelt over his body and bellowed a mighty roar.

Then brought the blade down to Zytos head, and carved

his living face off his very skull. From that point forward,

Vulrintutakon wore the leathery thing into battle as a

warning to all other Gods of the realm. 'This is what shall

become of you should you not choose to flee and recognize

my power.' And for several generations afterward, thiswarning did its master well.

That mask I found was the face of a God? Johnny

asked wide eyed and half hiding under his blanket.

Cool! Stephen nearly shouted.

It is called the Zyton, after the God from whom it

was fashioned. And it holds untold power, but with it also

unforgivable evil. Liam mentioned after Stephens

apparent interest.Did you ever use it Grandpa? Johnny asked

looking worried at the prospect.

I had to once, maybe more than once. You see dear

boy, it is a part of the Demon God. And only something

connected to him can destroy his mortal form. Liam

recanted carefully trying not to delve too deep into his

connection with the ancient relic.

You killed a God Grandpa? Tell us THAT story!

Stephen asked shooting up in his seat after the shock of his

tale had passed.

Not tonight young ones. Now it is time for you to

go home and get in bed. Liam ordered standing up and

making his grandsons follow suit.

The boys resisted, Stephen more than Johnny, but

both did not want to leave. As they were herded to the frontdoor the boys gave their Grandfather a hug and started off

into the night back up to the main house. Liam watched the


31/51

30

duo cross the grass and dirt yard only thirty feet or so to

their house, and tried to remember what it was like when he

was that young. But time it seemed had taken thosememories from him, only able to summon feelings for his

elders on Bacrana. With a loving nod and a smile, Liam

Rah closed the door and made ready for bed.


32/51

31

Chapter Three

The house shook as if a great gale blew outside waking

Stephen Janus Rah from his deep slumber. The small dirty

blond haired boy shot up out of bed hearing violent screams

from the down stairs. He looked all about his shadowy

room, whose only light came from shinning moonlight

through a window by his bed. Stephen whipped his head

over looking for his twin brother, but found that his bedwas empty. Without dwelling on it and in sudden fear, the

boy quickly realized that his brother had most likely gone

over to his grandfathers as he sometimes did preferring to

sleep there than in his own room.

Stephen heard another loud crash from the first

floor. This time, accompanied by what sounded like the

suction of fire and wind twisting together. As he moved to

his bedroom door he could hear his father yelling loudly,

telling his mother to get the boys and their sisters and run.

Then in what could only be described as a wet sloshing

chop, he no longer heard his fathers voice.

Stephen opened his bedroom door just a crack to

see out into the hallway. As his left eye passed the meridian

of light and spied his mother crawling up the steps. The

sight of his mother appearing weak and severely hurt madehis small reddish hazel eyes open wide. He watched as

blood began to spread all about her midsection seeping

through her pale nightgown. His mother looked up at the

door noticing Stephen, at which point he could see her

mouth the words run without hardly an accompanied

sound.

The young boy stood paralyzed in place, watching

as a man in a black uniform stalked up the steps behind her.His face was very pale, with menacing eyes that looked as

if they had captured lighting within each iris. The figure


33/51

32

looked down upon his mother with a troubling grin as he

removed a lone dagger from its sheath at his side. He stood

there for moments, taking in the victory of the event withsadistic joy. The bleeding woman whimpered as she

attempted with her last pulses of life to get to her children.

Stephen watched the form above his mother reach

down grasping a handful of her long dark hair and

wrenching her neck up. Cyclone Memnon brought up a

blade before his mothers windpipe. She managed to look

up at the crack in the door to her son, with one last

unspoken plea for the boy to run. The figure struck at thatmoment, slicing across her neck, leaving a spray of blood

ejecting across the open air and all over the floor. His

mother's eyes rolled back in her skull as she emitted her last

sounds upon this world, a horrible wet gurgle that was

music to her murders ears.

The young Rah boy backed away from the door

slowly with his mouth agape at the horror of what he had

just witnessed. His head moved back and forth as his smallhands shook, unsure of what he should do. He stopped,

hitting the edge of his bed, as he heard his Grandfathers

voice from outside. The sound of the old man caused the

murderer still in the hallway to hurry down the steps with

several loud rushing thuds. Stephen ran to the window

trying to see what was going on, but as he got to the clear

barrier all he could spy was several beings in tight fitting

black armor running or gliding into the nearby tree line in a

swarm of evil.

With wet eyes, the boy thought of trying to open the

window for escape, but looking down realized he would not

survive the fall. Reluctantly, he looked back to the bedroom

door. He did not want to have to see the gruesome display

held beyond the portal, but slowly he approached the once

safe entrance taking every step with careful worry.Opening the door with caution he looked upon the

sight of his dead mother lying in a pool of blood splatter


34/51

33

that lingered all about with dots and streaks upon the

carpet. The white walls beside her stood in stark contrast to

the rich red fluid now gathering below. Stephen walked bitby bit stepping around the wet floor not wanting to get any

of it on his bare feet. When he had gotten around the

woman, he found that he could get no further, as another

man with a pale face stared at him from the bottom of the

stairs.

Stephen wanted to cry but the boy was in such

shock that no emotion could escape his fear stricken face.

He watched as the man smiled, unhurriedly approachinghim bearing a dagger in his left hand, his eyes flaring with

yellow hue. Stephen could do nothing but stand frozen in

place beside his dead mother, completely unnerved and

waiting to join her fate. The pale man approached up the

stairs closer and closer stalking his prey, a deadly precision

upon his mind and taking in the drama of the moment with

a sick enjoyment.

The Assassin brought up his blade readying it forthe killing blow and letting out low blood thirsty growl.

Stephen watched as the man pulled back for a thrusting

strike, but was stopped instantly by a blades edge

protruding from the center of his chest. The pale man

looked down wide eyed at the point jutting out from his

body; as blood began escape his mouth in a steady thick

stream. Within a moment his body jerked upright in a

spasm as yellow colored quantum energy ripped from his

heart and eyes bending backwards behind him. The

transference brought with it a sizzle in the air around the

enclosed area as did a rush of sudden wind as if they were

standing outdoors. When the mighty torrent of energy had

subsided, the mans head fell forward; his eyes devoid of

color and life, the smoking orbs looked down upon the

steps to where it would fall. The dead man slumpedforward crashing upon the staircase as his murderer

retrieved the blade to hold it at his own side.


35/51

34

Stephen barely managed to bring his eyes up at his

savior after the dead man toppled to the floor atop his

mothers motionless legs. When he gazed wide eyed uponthe apparent hero, he was stunned to find that the man was

also bearing the same black uniform as did the men who

had been killing his family. He was tall and his face was

nowhere as pale as the other men, his hair was long and

brown and tied back into a ponytail. His face was chiseled

with a well set jaw and a strong brow that sat atop glowing

orange eyes staring back at the youngling with a strength

Stephen had never before seen.Are you hurt? The man asked quietly before

looking over his shoulder and down the stairs to his back.

Stephen could do nothing but shake his head, still

paralyzed from recent events. He did not know what to

think or what to do; he was truly lost for the first time in his

young life. The child remained motionless as the man

climbed closer.

Come. The man said grabbing the young boy andhastily running down the staircase. As they got to the lower

floor Stephen could not help but take notice of his Father

spread across the living room in several pieces. His fathers

once mighty and proud form dismembered, what was left of

his chest still smoking. He didnt take his eyes from the

sight of it for some reason unknown to him, and watched in

horror as they passed the kitchen where his older sisters had

apparently been violently slain as well. The girls propped

up over the dining room table with thick slices of meat

taken from across their necks. Blood seemed to be the color

of the night, and both his sisters were dressed for the

occasion in their own dark fluids.

The man carried Stephen out into the night keeping

to the shadows as they did, running straight for the forest

beyond in the opposite direction where the others had fledmoments before. Stephen watched from over the mans

shoulder as his home grew further and further away before


36/51

35

being completely hidden by the foliage of the thick wood.

He remembered in that moment never to feel safe no matter

where he was, or who he was with.

Valkira Surface Camp

The next morning

Know that if I could have warned your family of their

impending doom I would have done so. The man stated

looking out at the rising sun, his strong arms held behind

his back at the hands. He stood atop a large flat area highabove the trees of a mountain range. Around him were

several tents surrounding what looked like an open chow

hall. From the looks of the surroundings the place was very

remote and far from anything civilized. Not even a road led

to the camp which gave credence to the idea that this was a

very solitary place.

But I do not believe my warning would have been

met with open arms even if I had been able to do so. YourGrandfather would have most likely killed me on sight, and

I would not have blamed him for doing so. The man

continued finally turning to Stephen who crouched

immobile next to a large boulder behind them. The boy

couldnt bring his eyes to look at the man, as images of the

night before still kept him in a constant state of shock.

I too lost my family in a brutal way, having to

endure their deaths while being trained by the ones who

had murdered them. I understand your frustration and

feeling of loss at the moment, but I promise you these

things will pass. The man continued as he walked up to

Stephen, kneeling down to meet the scared young boy at

eye level. And I can teach you how to avenge their

memory.

Stephen looked up at the man for the first time sincethe night before, and for the first time he could feel tears

forming within his orbs, the warm liquid running down the


37/51

36

sides of his cold cheeks. It took the boy several moments to

form sound from his throat, but as he did those sounds

formed into questioning words.Wheres my brother? Stephen asked through

saliva thick lips.

Everyone in your family is dead. I got the report

not long ago from Valkira Prime itself. There were no

survivors, save you. And no one knows you are here. The

man replied morbidly not withholding a single piece of

known information from the child.

Who are you? Stephen asked as he began tolightly sob.

My name is Valtor TZan; I am a Surfacelord

within the Valkirium. He responded looking over the

boys face with concern.

If youre a bad guy, then why did you save me?

Stephen asked still unsure of his safety.

Valtor arose and walked back to the edge of the

camp overlooking the forest below. He placed his handsback behind him again forming his thoughts so that the

child could at least somewhat understand his intentions.

There are some of us within the Valkirium who do

not agree with the current religious philosophy of our

people. We find that to embrace the same belief that caused

the downfall of our common ancestors, will have the same

effect when our Demon God arrives on Earth. The Valkira

people need to be free of this evil as does our cousins the

Bacrana. And as fable tells us, this can only be

accomplished by a child of the Dragonfyre line. As you are

the last son of Rah, this task now falls to you. Valtor

turned back to the young boy now entranced by his words

and continued forward coming to stand before him, looking

down at the frightened child as he walked. What is your

name? The Valkira Surfacelord asked folding his handsbehind his back once again.


38/51

37

Stephen Rah. The boy replied looking up at the

tall man.

Your full name. Valtor reiterated.Stephen Janus Rah. The child complied with the

older mans request.

From this point forward you are to abandon the

name of Rah. This will only serve to make you a target of

certain death and an enemy of countless numbers. You will

now be called Stephen Janus. Do you understand? Valtor

asked reaching down and offering the boy a hand to help

him rise.Yes sir. Stephen obeyed allowing Valtor to help

him to his feet. He walked with Valtor TZan to the outcrop

overlooking the open green valley below.

I can promise you this Stephen Janus; I will teach

you to turn your fear into a mighty weapon. To take from

the horror of your familys demise which images are surly

burned within your fragile mind, and use them to build up

within you a mighty force of power that will strike terrorinto all those who oppose you. I will shape you into a

slayer of Gods, and to fulfill your birthright. I will give you

the knowledge and training you will need to take

vengeance upon all those who deserve it free from mercy,

pity or fear. This is my oath and promise to you Stephen

Janus. All you but need to do is swear to be my apprentice,

and follow my every command and every word. Valtor

looked down at the boy beside him awaiting the response of

his offer.

Yes sir, I will obey you. I just want one thing.

Stephen requested as his face moved from sorrow to

something more sinister.

What would that be young Salamander? Valtor

asked still looking down at the boy.

Revenge. Stephen said flatly as his the tears in hiseyes evaporated with the coming of crimson light.


39/51

38

That my boy, I promise in abundance. Valtor

assured placing his arm around the small lad and looking

back out at the dawning sun.

Four Years Later

Stephen Janus fended off a wide arcing blow to his left by

Valtors sword with his own. The crash of metal causing

sparks to fly between the blades before they separated.

Stephen, now thirteen, and well build from years of

constant training, backed off a few steps waiting for hisMasters next thrust. His trained eyes watching every

twitch of muscle from the larger man knowing from years

of work what to look for in a coming advance.

A Valkira does not fear death! Valtor exclaimed

coming in at Stephens right side with an over hand chop.

The Apprentice blocked out with a tight arc and fled

to his left but staying within the training circle carved out

within the dirt. He kept his eyes steady upon his Masterknowing that at any time the man could overtake him as he

had done many times before.

A Valkira knows when to force his way through

the pain, he embraces rage as his ally and strikes with terror

at the heart of fear! Valtor came round with several

forward thrusts forcing his apprentice to dance around his

blade in a fluid motion before being sliced across his ribs.

The stings of it making Stephen lower his guard to protect

the wound but staying attentive and alert to Valtors

position.

Allow the pain to quicken your senses my young

apprentice. For it is in those times that the test of a true

warrior is made. Valtor taught watching his words hit

home. Stephen abandoned protecting the wound and came

to a frontal stance, a crazed look of aggression upon hisyoung face.


40/51

39

Three more years later

Stephens hands were held out before him spraying aconcentrated stream of fire up a downhill slope. His target

was a large tan boulder rolling slowly down to where he

stood, the mass of the giant rock being pushed down by

gravity. Stephen stayed in place gritting his teeth with wild

flaring eyes. The fire elementals muscles contracting

instinctively while pushing out with every last effort from

his straining elemental heart.

You must push yourself past the limits of yourhearts power. It is like a muscle that needs to be

strengthened and toned. The more you strain this muscle,

the larger it will grow! Valtor informed walking round the

hurting young man, his arms held behind his own back in

his usual instructive pose. He watched as the rock crept

closer down the steep slope threatening to roll over his

apprentice. But Valtor would not assist, Stephen must learn

his lessons or be hurt upon the failure of it. This was theValkira way.

Remember your family Stephen! Remember their

slaughter, your anguish, the sight of your mother crawling

helplessly to save you before she was cut down like an

animal for slaughter! Valtor cried out to the boy watching

him become revitalized with the memory of his fallen clan.

The horrible pain of everything he had witnessed vaulted

to the forefront of his mind.

Stephen Janus Rah emitted a war cry that resounded

all of the agony within his elemental heart. His gaping maw

flew free with spittle as his eyes began to show evaporating

tears from the sides of his crimson bright eyes. With

renewed energy the Salamander pushed out with a larger

stream of what looked like liquid fire not only pushing the

boulder back up the hill but turning the large thing red withmolten heat. Soon after, Stephens power cracked the stone

apart into several large exploding fragments that rolled


41/51

40

down the remainder of the slope, coming to a hault as they

passed harmlessly round the two warriors.

The Salamander ceased his assault soon after theexplosion, falling on all fours and taking in deep breaths in

an attempt to calm his exasperated heart and eyes still

aglow with elemental power. As he did this, he could

barely sense his Master walking up beside him, a look of

pride upon his chiseled face.

In the end my boy, we are just the sum of all our

experiences. We are creatures of our past, and make believe

that we march forward into the future so we can rewrite ourown histories. But it is precisely the pain of our personal

failures that drives us to overcome our enemys strengths.

Ten Years after the death of Liam Rah

Stephen knelt before his master wearing the black robes of

a Valkira Warlord. His features matched his bother Johns

somewhat but surely not entirely the same. His hair waslong and dark brown almost covering his reddish hazel

eyes, at the left side of his face was a long scar from near

his eye to down over his cheek. The light from a nearby

campfire danced about the shadows of his frame and gave

him an ominous presence in the black of night. With pursed

lips he recited the oath to the Valkirium, every word

hammered into his head over years of service to his

Surfacelord master. When he was finished, Valtor

presented himself before the newly ordained Valkira

Warlord.

For ten years I have taken you under my wing.

Your promise to me had never wavered, and in return I

have fulfilled my promise to train you, and mold from your

despair the finest example of a Valkira I have ever seen.

Now comes the second part of your training my apprentice.Soon we shall descend into Valkira Prime itself, where


42/51

41

your initiation into the Valkirium shall be cemented.

Valtor commanded nodding his head in approval.

I welcome any challenge milord, and with greatanticipation shall strike down any who stand in my way to

ascension. The Valkira Warlord Stephen Janus accepted

looking up into his masters eyes with eyes of crimson, and

a heart of fire.

I know you will my young apprentice. But beware,

the Valkira below will hate you. Because you are of the

surface born, and because you are a salamander they will

both fear and hate you. The road before you is not withoutmortal danger. But I am sure of your prowess, your powers,

and your elemental heart, and know that whatever

challenges are presented before you, you shall overcome

them. Rise my apprentice, and surrogate son, from this day

fourth, you are a Valkira Surfacelord. And I can nigh

remember being more proud of a young warrior, as I am of

you.


43/51

42

Chapter Four

Seaside Maryland

3 Days after the death of Anton Torel

Joseph Force stared out of the open back doorway at the

beach house in the early hours of morning holding a hot

cup of coffee. His brown eyes looking over the three tents

that had been erected in his back yard the night before,wondering what the implications of the familys new

visitors might be. In just less than a month after moving to

Seaside, he and his brothers had managed not only to use

their powers in public but also to have a full on fight with a

surface clan of Valkira Elementals. The city was still in a

state of martial law under the National Guards protection,

even as new police officers poured into the resort town

from all over Maryland.

Joseph had to make some calls in the last few days

that he had never wanted to make. Some of them had put

his orphan brothers in grave danger and that bothered him

greatly. Their surrogate mother and Priestess of the

Goddess Luna Elainia had entrusted Joseph with looking

after the group because she relied heavily on his

unwavering common sense and safe protective nature.Though he felt that her belief in him was valid, he

questioned himself as a leader for the band of young

Elementals. Joseph was very careful about everything, and

in situations where events called for warfare, he was unsure

of himself in every measure. Soon after sipping the first

taste of the morning brew in his hand, a familiar voice

softly greeted him from the other side of the kitchen.

Good morning brother. Robert Hamlin spoke inhis British accent, still a bit groggy from his nights

slumber. The tall young man stepped over to the long


44/51

43

counter at the far side of the kitchen. He meandered slightly

unbalanced showing his need for morning refreshments in

earnest.Morning Robert, sleep well? Joseph asked his

eyes unmoving from out of the back door as the sky was

beginning to gray.

As well as can be expected in such troubling

times. Robert replied removing a blue cup from the

cupboard above the counter top, glancing over at his

troubled older brother. Have you managed to get any sleep

at all? Robert asked turning back to prepare his morningelixir.

Enough, I still dont like the idea of being so

exposed. Did Mathew take care of getting the last of the

girls to the proper authorities? Joseph pondered still

staring out into the yard. His mind had been stuck on a

swoon of implications in as far as their new visitors.

I believe so. The only mortals still under our roof

are Samantha and Rebecca. Robert said pouring his drinkfrom the coffee pot into his blue cup on the counter top, the

steam tickling his nose just a bit.

Well need to figure out that situation soon as

well. Joseph replied waiting for the occupants inside the

makeshift homes outside to stir.

Well its not like anyone is looking for them. Both

of their families are dead; as if we dont know the feeling

being orphans ourselves. Robert replied giving his opinion

on the matter and coming over to stand beside Joseph.

And I dont see the problem in adding a few more bodies

to our growing clan.

Ill concern myself with debating you on that point

later. For now I have our visitors to occupy my mind.

Joseph stated still unable to move his eyes from the tents

outside.Well as far at this Lightmare is concerned, aside

from having a mildly terrifying name he has shown no


45/51

44

aggression since his arrival. If his claim to know our

mother shows itself to be true, we may find him to be a

valuable ally and resource for that matter. I personally lookforward to finding out what he has to say. Robert

opinionated, shifting his glasses with his free hand before

taking a sip of his coffee.

Thats the only thing about you that scares me

Robert. Youre always more interested in expanding your

knowledge rather than how you garner it. Joseph said

turning his head and looking into his brothers eyes to

accentuate the point.My dear brother, knowledge is power. Robert

added mater of factly.

Be careful how you gain such power. Joseph

warned.

John Llue Rah kissed the lightly freckled face of his lover

sleeping beside him. He looked over her defined features

and highlighted dirty blond hair with an affection he hadnever felt before. The light breathing of his lover laying on

her side and hugging the pillow under her head was the

most beautiful music ever to find its way into his ears. He

looked over the light blue spaghetti strapped shirt she had

worn to bed as it hung over her ribs and large breasts like a

barrier between his hands and her sensual body. The young

man could not help but smile at every part of her, all in the

knowing that soon he would look into her beautiful blue

eyes and see the light shining back from them. All he could

ever want in life was held within those blue orbs lightly

surrounded by a thin line of black mascara, held in place by

those wonderful sharp features of her face.

Again he kissed her lightly on her freckled

forehead, taking extra care to sample the oils of her skin.

The young woman began to stir and then opened her eyeslooking up at her lover. Slowly a crooked smile began to

appear on her face as she stretched up her arms pushing her


46/51

45

marvelous breasts forward. When she had finished the

stretch, she again looked back at Johnny with her patented

smile and gleaming eyes.Good morning baby. Samantha Jennifer Lee

greeted with a mischievous grin.

Good morning baby girl. Johnny replied smiling

from ear to ear.

Youre not allowed to touch me this morning.

Samantha ordered bunching up her lips as if she had just

eaten a piece of lemon.

Really? Why not kitten? Johnny asked unable tostop from looking as happy as he had ever been.

Because you hurt her last night, and you need to

give her a rest. Samantha played using the cutest voice she

could muster followed by expressions just as juvenile and

playful as possible.

Oh Im sorry baby its just hard not to please you.

Youre the most beautiful thing in the entire world.

Johnny replied trying to match her playfulness with hisown.

Well you need to back off mister! Samantha

ordered wiggling out of the bed and going for a towel

hanging on a hook at the door. Your baby girl needs a

shower.

Need help washing your back? Johnny asked

intending just to get a reaction out of the cute blond.

No! Daddy can wash his own back today. The girl

said walking out of the room in just her shirt and a pair of

blue panties that did nothing to cover the beautiful curves

of her backside.

Johnny watched as the girl left taking in every

shape of her from her hips down to sexy curved legs, all the

way down to her long feet. How he was so in lust with the

girl as he was in love with her, and never before in his lifehad he been so blessed as to have such a wonderful woman

to call his own. He knew he would never find her equal,


47/51

46

and never planned to do so. She was the Goddess Venus in

mortal form upon this Earth, and he was as a devout

worshipper to her with every fiber of his being.As the door closed behind the sexy teen, Johnny

stood up out of bed and gave himself a stretch. His

muscular arms reached up as high as they could, stretching

every bump and curve over his back. He had noticed that

since taking the heart of Anton Torel just a few says before,

his body had developed some slight changes. The

toughness of his skin had hardened, his chest, back, arms

and legs had slightly grown muscularly in size. It had howhowever seemed to accentuate his stomach, giving him a

six pack the young man didnt remember having a week

before.

He looked over himself, clad in only a pair of blue

boxers, flexing his more muscular legs with a smile.

Johnny never considered himself conceded in any way,

leaving that trait to his brother Mathew. But he had to

admit silently to himself, that these new physical traits werequite appealing and welcomed ones. With a nod at the sight

of it, he looked up at the gray morning sky outside.

A slight huff left his lips; he brought up his hands

and mentally commanded them to come alive with an aura

of fire. He looked over them as the flames hugged his skin,

and then played with the energy tossing small flairs of the

stuff from palm to palm.

I love being an Elemental. He nodded in

approval.

Rebecca Green shot up out of bed covered in a thick layer

of sweat that glistened off of her face and chest. Her brown

eyes as open as they could strain to be and looking about

the room as if searching for any reminisce of her

nightmare. It took the girl several moments to realize thatshe was in Mathew Hunters bedroom, with the boy

sleeping on the floor beside the bed upon a camping bag.


48/51

47

The young woman rocked back and forth, tucking

her dark hair behind her ears with thin white fingers and

bringing her short curvy legs up about her T-shirt coveredbreasts. She wrapped her arms about her knees, breathing

heavily and going over the images that stayed trapped

within her waking mind. Images of Dirichter Vear, and the

terrible violations he had subjected her to several times less

than a week before. There had been no escape from those

events. Even the small comfort of beating him to death held

no real solace for the young woman. He had taken more

than her flesh in those few weeks; he had taken every senseof personal security she had ever felt.

After several moments of those violations going

over and over again in her mind Rebecca began to weep

quietly. The girl tucked her head in-between her knees as

she continued to rock herself uncontrollably. As the crying

continued to grow louder, motion stirred from the floor

beside the bed.

Mathew sat up still in a morning haze. But as hisbrown eyes began to match up with what his waking ears

had heard, his senses snapped into awareness. The shirtless

young man reached up and put a muscled arm about the

bed reaching for Rebeccas leg for reassurance. But as the

young woman felt the contact, she jumped slightly away

from his touch hysterically.

Becca calm down its just me. Mathew said

removing his hand quickly and backing away just a bit.

Rebecca stopped moving by the other edge of the

bed still curled up, looking back at the young man almost

confused. Her mind started to calm, her bloodshot wet eyes

looking back at Mathew as if she were still within a

nightmare. But as she recognized her childhood friend, her

wet maw mouthed the words Im sorry back to him.

Mathew shook his head and climbed slowly up ontothe bed beside her, wrapping his arms about the girl as she

leaned into his tight chest. He let her continue to cry,


49/51

48

cradling his once boisterous and energetic friend as if she

were the only thing that mattered to him. And since

Dirichter Vear, she was the most important thing to him.Youre safe sweetheart. No one is going to get you

here, I promise. Mathew tried to sooth his frightened

friend as much as he could. He knew Carl would have been

here to do this, but after the events of the past week his

parents had forced him to quickly move without any

warning. So without her old love interest to be there for

her, Mathew had taken it upon himself to look after his old

friend. He preferred it this way after all. There was a deepseeded level of guilt within him about not being able to

save her as he had done once before very long ago.

I can still see him in my dreams. Rebecca sobbed

clutching onto the white sheets she held between her hands,

her head resting on the warmth of Mathews bare chest. I

can still feel him all over me.

Hes dead Becca, we killed him. Theres nothing

to be scared of anymore. Mathew tried to consul theyoung woman. We got him.

Then why does it feel like hes going to come

back? She asked. I dont think I could deal with that

again Matt, I just couldnt. I would just die.

As the clouds over head began to stir awakening with

sounds of thunder shooting across the sky, Dirichter Vear

sat hunched under a tree overlooking a cliff nearby. The

beaten and insulted Valkira Warlord still showed the marks

upon his head handed to him by the mortal girl Rebecca

Green just a few days before. His thick long black hair was

matted and uncombed about his head from days on end of

lack of care. The stubble on his face began to grow dark

around his pointed go tee hiding the thin line of his jaw.

His days upon the open surface had also begun to do awaywith the natural pale features of his face leaving him with a

strange red tan that lo

elemental dragonfyre & brimstone; first four chapters

Documents