Chapter 26: Conflict

Erik: 

The meeting with the nymph unnerved me. Yet, I don't let it get to me. Whatever the nymph wants from me, surely, she can't expect for me to do it at the age of 10. With the wraith made, I go back to Zachary's house. 

As soon as Givontair sees me, he rushes to me. 

"What took you so long? What is with this mana that is clutching at you?" The dragon shifter places a hand on my shoulder, and lets his healing mana scan me. 

"A nymph came, and said I am now the champion of the Elder Dryad," I tell him. He seems to pale at that. 

"We will find a way to break you out of that contract," Givontair promises me. I wonder what is he speaking about? I didn't sign anything, much less a contract. "Nathaniel needs to know about this." 

Givontair takes me by my hand, and then all but marches me to where Nathaniel is digging the graves. I wonder why Givontair is not helping him. When we reach the necromancer, he is already in a hole in the earth. Throwing lumps of soil out. 

"Erik got a contract with the Elder Dryad," Givontair says. Nathaniel stops his digging. 

"He did what? How did that happen? We just send him for some flowers," Nathaniel doesn't sound pleased. I still don't get what the big deal is. 

"What is so horrible about this?" I ask. Givontair gives my hand a light squeeze. 

"The Dryad and its servants are not what they used to be. There is a prophecy concerning them," the dragon sucks in a deep breath, and continues. "A prophecy, which states that once the Elder Dryad names a champion, he will be the one to destroy the humans, and other races. So that nature can rule again." 

I gulp at that. I don't want to be the champion of a being hell-bent on world domination. 

"How do I end the contract?" I ask them. 

"There must be another champion named. But don't get your hopes up. There can be only one champion at a time. The office passes with the death of the champion before the new one," Nathaniel's words sent a cold shiver down my spine. 

I have to die, so I won't kill? To be as pale as mother, for my eyes to get just as glassy. To be laid down in the earth, for the worms to feast on my flesh. 

"You can always learn a better way of self-control. If you start hearing voices, we will give you injections," Givontair says. I blink at him. 

"Is it really so easy to avoid death?" What sort of injections does he have in mind? He nods then. 

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"There are as many lesser deities as there are prophecies. All of them want the end of humanity. What the champions who have a good head on their shoulders do, is to silence the voices of their patrons. Don't you worry. I know a Naga by the name of Damien, who can make a medicine for your case," Givontair then looks at my wraith. 

"Purple flowers? No wonder the messenger of the Elder Dryad got you. Purple is the royal color," Givontair says. I clutch at the wraith all the harder. If I had known that this will happen, I would have tried to make something out of the roses that grew in the meadow. 

"What happened can't be reversed," Givontair says. "You will be the second person in the family, who has a prophecy hanging on their heads." 

"You have one for yourself?" I ask. 

"Yes, apparently, I am supposed to go off the deep end and then begin to eat souls, finishing with eating the core of our world, and flying off into the nothingness," I drop the wraith. Just when was this prophecy made? I ask Givontair that. "About 100,000 years ago. I was just a hatchling, when a witch decided to play with fate. Still, with the right medication, the voices that are supposed to send me on this path are as silent as can be." 

Nathaniel makes his way out of the hole, and he stands before Givontair. 

"You are the Bringer of the End?" There is a deep sadness in Nate's eyes. Givontair nods. 

"Does it change anything? I know the trigger that will see me snap at the world. It has to do with the loss of those I hold dear. That is why I didn't let anyone near me, before Erik and you," Nathaniel looks conflicted. I don't like the fact that he is even mulling over these words. 

"Giv will never destroy the world," I say, going before the dragon. I know that Nathaniel is a dragon slayer. If he is willing to slay dragons who have done nothing to him, then, what about one who can destroy the world? 

"I want for you to enter a contract with me," Nathaniel says. I look at Givontair's face. It is a grim mask, half-hidden in shadows. 

"Don't you trust Giv?" I ask, my voice rising. Just why does Nate have to be like this? The two of them are soulmates. So, shouldn't they love each other unconditionally? 

"There is too much at stake, for me to just trust him, or you. Both of you can destroy the world. It is by far more likely that Givontair does it, seeing as he is stronger than you," Nathaniel closes the distance between us, and takes a hold of Givontair's hand. "You can't be allowed to go on the mad road. A dragon that eats souls can destroy everything. Have you ever eaten a soul?" 

"Do I look like a Lich to you?" Givontair sounds positively insulted. I am also full of indignation. Why can't Nathaniel simply trust us? And, what sort of a contract is he going to saddle us with? 

"Answer the question," there is something dangerous in Nate's voice. Something that makes me uneasy. 

"No, nor will I. Just like how Erik will never exterminate the other races," I am glad that Giv trusts in me. Yet, Nathaniel is unmovable. 

"For my peace of mind, just take the contract," I watch, as Nathaniel gathers mana into his arms. It is a sickly green color. I don't want for it to enter my skin. I turn around, and run. 

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