Chapter 74: Father and son

Nathaniel: 

Ajax is calm, but I wonder just how long it is going to last. As Givontair enters the room, Ajax shifts to his true form. The two dragons stare at each other for a moment, until Givontair turns his gaze at me. 

"What did he do?" He asks. Sorix is quick to answer. 

"He let the Dread take control of him," Ajax narrows his eyes at Sorix.

"I did no such thing. I can assure you, that I am in full control of myself," Ajax says. Givontair turns towards him, and folds his arms over his chest. 

"I won't heal you," Giv's words make me blink. Does he want for Ajax to die?

"I didn't come in here for you, son. The Dread Lord has to take back his parasite," Ajax looks pained, when he utters the last word. I wonder if he is going to have trouble with the Dread. 

"I won't let the Dread back in my head," Sorix snaps at Ajax. I feel better, knowing he won't be falling back into old habits. Yet, I wonder, if Ajax can live with the deity of necromancy until the rest of his life. "Giv, I know you have all the right in the world to be angry. If I had a father like Ajax, I would have sent assassins after him." 

"So, if you do know, then why are you looking at me like that?" Givontair asks. 

"Because the ritual to extract the Dread, is not something that can be done, without outside help," Sorix says. 

"You can't just risk Givontair," I say. Sorix comes to me, and takes a hold of my hand. His thumbs make calming circles over my skin. That doesn't serve to calm me down. "Sorix, I will assist in the ritual." 

He looks between Ajax and me, and bites his lower lip. 

"You are a new at the whole necromancy thing, so you must not know," Sorix begins, looking like he wants to keep quiet. "But just about any necromancer can become a Dread Lord. More than that, you'd be a prime target, since your potential is untapped." 

"I rather live with a being in my head, than to see something like that take over Givontair. If the Dread latches on him, he'll lose the ability to heal. I know for a fact, that he will fall in depression, if that happens," Givontair is made to heal people.

His massive mana pool can bring even those who are at death's door back to life. As for me? Well, the Dread won't hinder me, in my quest to kill Ajax. More than that, it might help me. 

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"Let me help," I add, when Sorix just keeps on staring at me. 

Ajax clears his throat, then. 

"Perhaps, before you try to kill me, I can have a couple of words with my son? I don't care, if you stay in here. Just let me speak," I don't want for the black dragon to hurt Giv with his words. Yet, he might die after the ritual. It doesn't matter what someone did in the past. Everyone has the right to speak their mind for the last time. 

"Giv," Ajax says. Givontair stubbornly shows him his back. "At least look at me, when I am talking to you." 

"Why should I? You nearly died, and I am supposed to think that you changed your mind?" Givontair huffs, and tries to leave the room. He must have forgotten about the barrier because he stubs his toe on it. "Ah, shit." 

"Watch your language," Ajax scolds. Givontair finally looks at him. He seems startled, by what he sees. Is this not the normal look of the black dragon? I mean, he is old. Surely, the bags under his eyes, and the wrinkles are normal? 

"You aged," Givontair whispers. 

"Well, that is what happens when the Dread comes inside your mind. It sucks out all the life out of you. Chances are, I won't survive this ritual. So, I want to tell you what I came to terms with, back when I laid on the forest floor, as my body succumbed to the sickness," Ajax's words seem so sincere, that Givontair nods. "I have always looked after you, even when I hid myself from you. But I know now why there is a prophecy hanging on your head. The Dread can hide many things, but not while inside someone's head." 

"Are you going to blame the Dread, for all the times I had to run from you?" Givontair snaps. Ajax shakes his head. 

"The Dread is the one who is in charge of prophecies. The other deities just pick whatever they like from his collection, and call it destiny. Yet, it was me, who choose to believe in this nonsense. It is through this belief, that the Dread managed to latch on me. Still, I know I am to blame for all of this," Ajax bows his head. "If you can find it in yourself to forgive an old fool, then I promise, that I will try to be there for you." 

"That ship has sailed, Ajax," I can see, from the broken look in Ajax's eyes, that his heart just broke. A part of me thinks he deserves it. Another part thinks that this is not healthy for Givontair. I am allowed to hate the black dragon, but Giv should have a proper parent figure in his life. 

"If this is what you think, then so be it," Ajax then looks at Sorix and me. "Come now, necromancers. Get the Dread out of my head, so I can die with pride." 

This is it. The moment I have been working towards. Ajax, finally facing justice. Yet, I feel as if this triumph tastes like ash in my mouth. Am I ready to kill the one who turned my home into a ruin?

 Have I forgotten the blisters, which I got from digging the graves? Is this really the justice that has to be served? Am I better than Ajax, if I think his death is the answer to all the questions which swim in my head? 

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