Ragnarok: The Fate of Gods (22 page)

             
The sigil that appeared above Rome.  That destroyed the city.

             
Light radiates from Metatron.  A glowing sphere surrounds him.  It doesn’t last long.  The malak begins to disappear.

             
And in his place, a dragon materialized. 

             
The group of humans huddles together in fear.  An unearthly fear that they can’t explain.  The dragon is big, but not as large as legends tell.  It’s thin, covered in green scales except for a dark mane of hair running partway down its neck. 

             
Nothing to be too frightened about.  After all, Daniel and Zeke have fought monsters before.  Ariel was in the war.  Jack has his crow bar. 

             
But they just can’t bring themselves to attack.  They fear this thing instinctually.  The terror permeates their beings.  It emanates from inside of them instead of the monster in front of them. 

             
It is unnatural.  Instinctive, but unnatural. 

             
They slowly back away.  Jack stammers.  “So . . . am I just seeing things, or is that a  . . .”

             
“Dragon?” says Daniel, finishing his sentence.

             
“Sure looks like one to me,” says Zeke.  He pushes Ariel behind him. 

             
“Well I’m glad.  I thought I was going crazy.”  Jack’s usual care-free voice was riddled with nervousness.

             
The dragon cocks its head to one side, looking at them playfully.  It steps forward and crouches down.  Its movements resemble a cat.

             
A gigantic, scaly cat with teeth twelve centimeters long.

             
“So,” begins Ariel.  “Now that we’re all in consensus about what we’re seeing, does anyone have a plan?” 

             
“Uh, I got a question,” says Jack, raising his hand.  The dragon’s neck jerks up, reacting to the sudden movement. 

             
“Is it relevant?” asks Zeke, not in the mood for being aloof.

             
“Do dragons breathe fire?” 

             
“What say we all decide to live our lives without ever answering that question?” suggests Daniel. 

             
“I’m with you on that,” seconds Zeke.

             
The dragon stops moving, but still stares them down, making a strange half-purr, half-growling sound. 

             
“He hasn’t attacked yet,” Ariel observes.  “Maybe it’s not interested?” 

             
“So what’s our plan?” 

             
Zeke whispers furiously.  “Run!” 

             
The four humans turn and dash away on his command.  The dragon pounces.  It bounds once then leaps up in the air.  With a single flap of its wings, it soars over their heads, lands in front of them, turns, and resumes staring at them. 

             
They turn and run the other way. 

             
The dragon, leaps over them and bars their path again.  “It’s playing with us,” Ariel states.

             
Zeke looks at her.  She’s out of breath.  Even if they could run, she wouldn’t get far.  He draws his sword and ignores his fear.  “Good.  Then there’s a chance we can get out of this.” 

             
But Jack attacks first.  “I’ll scare it away!”  He jumps closer to the dragon and swings the crow bar awkwardly.  “You guys run.”

“
Jack, no!” shouts Daniel. 

The crow bar clangs against the dragons scales.  The beast lowers its neck to examine its attacker.  It isn
’t hurt.  It isn’t even angry.  Jack freezes.  The dragon gently knocks him to the ground and pins him under its front leg. 

“
Not much choice at this point.”  Zeke draws his sword. 

“
I’m with you,” says Daniel, holding his shotgun. 

“
Remember Grendel?  Let’s try the same tactic.  You distract it while I get close.” 

“
Got it.”  Daniel aims his gun as Zeke darts off quietly to one side.  The dragon ignores them both.  It sniffs Jack curiously. 

The shotgun booms.  Some of the dragon
’s scales turn black.  The large beast snaps its neck up to growl at him.  It snarls.  Smoke begins to pour out of its mouth.  Daniel suddenly realizes how alone he is.  “Anyone have a new plan?”  He’s nervous.  He stops everything.  Attacking, moving, and defending.  He freezes to the ground.

Jack wrests his arm out from the dragon
’s foot and swings the crow bar at the monster’s leg again.  The dragon’s attention returns to his captive.  This time the pilot faces a mouth spewing smoke and ash.  “New plan.  Good idea,” he says, entranced by the growling beast. 

Then it comes to him.  He places the crow bar between the dragon
’s toes and twists.  One of the toes lifts slightly off the ground.  Jack sees his opening.  He shoves the bar under the raised toe and pushes back hard. 

Crack!

The dragon rears back on its hind legs.  It roars in pain.  Flame spews into the sky.  Jack rolls away.

Zeke attacks.  His sword cuts across the scaly neck.  A gash forms, but no blood is drawn.  The pained monster swipes at him.  He avoids the brunt of the blow, but is grazed by the claw and falls.

Ariel grabs the shotgun from a fear-frozen Daniel.  “Need some help?  Just have to find this boy’s soft spot.”

She blasts the dragon in the face.  Its eyes pinch shut and it roars again in pain.  Defensive flame spits forward, forcing her back.  She pulls Daniel with her, to safety, but falls from the strain.

Jack sneaks up behind the dragon and swings his crow bar again.  It connects with a wing.  There is a low tearing sound.  The dragon bellows louder.  Leathery skin hangs, ripped. 

It flails its arms frantically, hitting Jack.  He hits the ground and doesn
’t move. 

The dragon opens its eyes.  Ariel looks up.  They stare at each other for a moment.  The monster growls.  She stands and tries to run, but trips and falls.  The monster closes in.  She shuts her eyes and waits for the end. 

A sword sings.

She opens her eyes.  Zeke stands in front of her, his sword stuck in the ground.  The dragon
’s claw is blocked by the blade.  He pulls the sword out and slices the beast hard across the face. 

A thin line of blood seeps out.  The dragon rears back, bellowing.

“Time to go,” he says, pulling Ariel to her feet.  Daniel helps Jack up.  They start running.

The wounded dragon quickly recovers.  It squints through stinging eyes.  It sees its prey escaping.  Unable to fly, it runs after them, belching fire. 

They run, but the dragon closes in. 

Poof
. 

There is the sound of escaping gas.  There
’s a dull thud as something hits the ground behind them.  Then it hisses.  As they run, the unearthly fear recedes.  They realize the dragon isn’t chasing them anymore. 

Weapons fire.  The group turns.  A small canister of tear gas billows at the dragon
’s feet.  Three or four vehicles, outfitted for battle, buzz around the agitated monster.  They resemble large dune buggies.  Skeletons of cars, mounted with weapons. 

A woman in the lead attack vehicle fires a large weapon.  It shoots out a net that tangles on the dragon.  The creature struggles against the gas and the net.  The vehicle pulls up to Zeke
’s group.  “Get on,” commands the woman. 

Jack leaps on the vehicle immediately. 
“I won’t argue with anyone stronger than a dragon.”

Zeke quickly pulls himself up. 
“For once, I’m with you.”  He turns to help the others climb on board.

“
You’re very kind.  Thank you,” Ariel says to the woman.  Glancing down, she notices a belt of green scales around the girl’s waist.  “Is that . . .” 

Her question is cut off as the girl turns to her driver and says,
“Get us out of here now!”  The small fleet of vehicles speeds away just as the dragon throws off the net.  A man in another vehicle launches a grenade from the mounted gun.  Flames engulf the dragon. 

“
You killed it!” shouted Daniel, impressed.

The woman turned to him with a foul look. 
“You some kind of idiot?  Dragons don’t go down that easily.” 

He sat down, deflated. 
“I’m sorry, but we’ve never actually seen one before.” 

“
You expect me to buy that?” she snapped.  “The Karellan’s got some morons working these parts these days.  Just sit down and stay quiet.” 

Ariel, not wanting to be bullied by this strange woman, demanded answers. 
“Where are you taking us?” 

The woman ignored her question, but it was answered soon enough.  The cars raced straight for a hillside.  But, instead of driving over the hill, a trap door gave way and the fleet sped into it.  In a moment, they were in a long, torch-lit tunnel.  They drove deeper and deeper into this tunnel until it gave way to a large cavern.  Other attack vehicles were parked around the perimeter of this cavern, and the drivers soon took their place beside them. 

No sooner had the engine stopped than the woman grabbed Zeke and threw him out of the car.  She was strong, and he wasn’t expecting it.  He fell to the stone floor.  “What was that for?”

Next she did the same to Daniel.  He put up more resistance and landed on his feet.
“Funny sort of hospitality you have.  Save us from the dragon to beat us up yourself?” 

“
Silence,” she bellowed.  Still confused by the harsh treatment, the group obeyed. Ariel and Jack hurried out of the car before they were thrown out.  “You’re going to Lord Gabriel.  He’ll know what to do with you.” 

The woman led them through the caves, followed by a platoon of soldiers with spears.  She had taken their weapons.  They were prisoners.  Now they were tied and being pushed into another large cavern.  This one was not used for parking.  It was ornate.  Well carved and decorated.  A thick carpet covered the floor. 

This was a throne room. 

Ornate though it was, it showed signs of wear.  The carpet was discolored in the center.  The torches burned weak.  The throne was poorly carved from stone.  On it sat a burly, barrel-chested man with wild hair and a thick beard.  When he stood up, Zeke saw his cloak was made from the same green material as the woman’s belt. 

Dragon hide. 

This was their king, Lord Gabriel.  And he had slain dragons. 

“
Muriel!”  he said warmly, opening his arms to their captor.  “You’ve returned.”  He caught her in a strong embrace then looked suspiciously at the small group of prisoners.  “Who are they?”

“
Father, we’ve captured the Karellan’s dragon trainers!” 

Ariel was outraged at the sudden accusation. 
“What?”

Zeke leaned in and whispered,
“Have you been moonlighting at the zoo?” 

“
Wonderful,” laughed Gabriel.  “How did you do it?” 

“
It was easy, once their dragon turned on them.” 

Gabriel paced slowly, examining the prisoners.  He laughed. 
“The tide is turning!” 

Jack stepped forward.  Spears shot up around him. 
“Excuse me, sir.  I think there’s been a mistake.  We aren’t dragon trainers, and we certainly don’t work for the Karellan.” 

“
Silence!”  Gabriel bellowed.  Jack jumped back, pricking himself on a spear point.  “You will speak when I address you.”

“
Then address us already so we can speak!” shouted Ariel furiously. 

Gabriel glared at her in silence for a long time, then spoke intensely. 
“I should have expected such impertinence from a servant of the Karellan.”  He paused.  “So speak, then.  What is your business in this region?”

“
We’re headed to Rome,” Daniel blurted. 

“
No one goes there except the Karellan and his monsters,” Muriel answered quickly. 

“
We’re trying to stop him,” Zeke explained. 

Ariel added,
“We were
attacked
by the monster.” 

“
They’re lying.  I saw them summon it,” Muriel told her father. 

“
You’re kidding, right?”  Zeke said, astounded by the accusation.

The woman turned to face them.  She stood tall. 
“We saw a fifth member of your party.  He summoned the dragon.”

Daniel laughed. 
“You think he was with us?” 

Zeke was growing impatient, despite the troop of lancers at his back. 
“If you had bothered to
watch
what was happening, you would have noticed that he was no friend of ours.  He wasn’t even human.  That
malak
summoned the damned dragon to kill us!”