The Crown's Fire - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: With you
Against Ezekiel’s will, Vulcan took control of his body to try and wreak havoc on any living being in sight. Immediately, he could tell that there was no mercy to be had with the dragon, and that he would have to do his best to regain control if he wanted to stop it from killing everything they came across.

“Your Highness, you have to regain control!” Tarah pleaded as she hung on the dragon’s back for dear life. “I… We’re going too fast!”

The prince inwardly cursed himself. Why was he so weak against this damn dragon? All he had to do was to keep it at bay long enough for Tarah to help him, so why couldn’t he do even that?!

[You’re too weak!] Vulcan taunted. [Now sit back and watch as I destroy everything you hold dear!]

[As if I’ve already given up!]

With a roar, Ezekiel did his best to regain control, using what meager control he had over his dragon form to try and stop Vulcan from doing as it pleased. There was no way that he would go down without a fight. Not until he was completely gone from this earth.

“Your Highness!”

Tarah screamed for his help as his dragon form flew at speeds far beyond what he wanted. He knew of the seer’s fear of heights, so them flying this fast would probably render her too helpless to try and aid him now. This was all on him to regain control of the situation.

Seeing through the dragon’s eyes, Ezekiel noted that they were now hovering above a small village full of innocent people. Immediately, Vulcan charged its fire breath, and the prince knew quickly that if he failed now, then this whole village full of innocents would die in his hands.

[You can’t stop me now!] the Dragon King menacingly taunted. [Let’s start cooking!]

[Not if I can help it.]

Mentally gritting his teeth, Ezekiel flexed his will onto the dragon, his mental prowess being pushed to the limit as he did his best to exert his control. He could feel the flames building up in his throat, and he did his all to stop it from going through.

[Here goes!]

Vulcan roared with glee as the dragon opened its mouth. However, much to its dismay, no flames shot out of its mouth. Ezekiel had managed to stop him from dealing damage, and it irked it to no end.

[How dare you!] Vulcan growled. [Those humans should be burning by now!]

[I’m not letting you kill those people,] Ezekiel firmly stated, his will slowly moving to the forefront of the dragon’s body. [They’re under my protection, and what I say, goes.]

With one last flex of his willpower, the prince managed to regain full control over his own body. It wasn’t completely under his control yet, but it was enough for him to change their course away from a place full of innocents.

“Y-Your Highness?” Tarah weakly asked on his back. “You’re back?”

[I’m here for now,] Ezekiel replied to her with a reassuring tone. [I’ve regained control, but I don’t know how long it will last.]

[It won’t last for long,] Vulcan grumbled. [I’ll be back shortly.]

“I’ll… see if I can cast a spell to keep you in control for longer,” Tarah quickly suggested. “Just keep this pace so that I can focus.”

Nodding, Ezekiel kept his wingflaps at a steady pace, allowing the seer to focus on her spells. In the meantime, he kept a close eye on the ground beneath him, trying to see where they were going. Even if he would ever lose control over the dragon, he wanted to at least cause chaos against the right enemies.

“I have it,” Tarah announced.

Ezekiel grunted in relief as the seer began chanting in draconic once more, and he instantly felt Vulcan’s presence quiet down for now. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for now.

[Thank you,] he sincerely stated.

“I did my best,” she smiled back. “Still, it won’t last for long, I think. And you still have a lot of flames within you that need to be let out.”

[Then I know just where to do it.]

With a mental grin, Ezekiel immediately went to the one place he wanted a dragon to provide support. Arriving above the battlefield, he prepared himself to help his men against Helion’s armies. The battle near Badian Gulf was one that they were losing at the moment, but that would all change once he wiped the enemy out.

“It’s a dragon!”

“Run!”

Both friend and foe screamed upon seeing his presence, something that Ezekiel couldn’t help but take pride in as he unleashed the dragon’s flames on his enemies. Both the enemy and his own men ran from his attacks, but he did his best to make sure that his flames didn’t hit all of the Ebodians beneath him.

[You’re boring! You should just let the flames consume everything in our path!] Vulcan roared from behind the spell. It was muted, but its mere power was giving it the ability to shout at him. [What use are these mortals to us?! You’re a dragon! Nothing can stop us!]

[I’m better than you,] Ezekiel firmly grunted. [There’s nothing you can do.]

“You can do this, Your Highness,” Tarah encouraged him. “You can fight the dragon off.”

[I’m doing all that I can,] he stated. [Your spell is doing wonders in keeping him back, thankfully.]

[You better make sure it holds,] Vulcan cackled. [I won’t be held back for long!]

Despite the foreboding tone of the dragon’s voice, Ezekiel paid no mind to it. All he had to do was to keep it at bay, and with Tarah by his side, he would be able to do so. Of that he was sure.

[Thank you, Tarah,] Ezekiel sincerely stated.

“I’m simply doing my duty, Your Highness,” she replied, a faint smile forming on her face. “So long as I am able, I will be with you every step of the way.”