You were wrong, I said. I’m seeing you in your natural form, and I have yet to run screaming for the hills.
He snorted, and my awe increased when I saw actual smoke coming from his nostrils.
I am far larger than this. I suspect I am allowed to be only a fraction of my natural size for your benefit.
I know. But remember, I’ve seen your natural size before.
He snorted again. This time, several sparks accompanied the smoke.
I couldn’t help but laugh a bit. You’re that determined not to give me any credit, are you?
WOOOOOSSSHHHH!
The wind that accompanied the sound nearly lifted me off my feet. Tarasque growled, on instant alert, and I couldn’t help but feel touched when he raised his tail above me, ready to shield me if necessary. But he instantly lowered it when he saw the dragon that landed beside us. I could tell that he was considerably older than Tarasque. His scales looked harder and his spikes more lethal. He also possessed a far different aura than Tarasque. It was ruthless and unforgiving. This was the kind of dragon that would make me want to run screaming for the hills.
Father…Tarasque’s hushed, awed voice sounded in my mind.
I stared at the other dragon. He had Tarasque’s red-orange eyes, only his contained not only vast intelligence but a hideous greed and sense of entitlement that reminded me of several psychopathic serial killers I had researched who would do anything for money and power.
Judging from what Tarasque had told me of him so far, I wasn’t surprised that this was his father.
I was right. He’s going to show Tarasque a lie about his father as he did mine.
But as that thought flitted through my mind, I found myself biting my lip. A creature like Tarasque’s father seemed like he was capable of anything. But Tezcatlipoca builds his best lies on facts, I reminded myself. I needed to be strong and unwavering for Tarasque as much as myself.
Tarasque’s father approached the statues, but he seemed to be deliberately ignoring them all. He settled himself in the middle, and I shuddered with relief when he closed those horrible eyes of his. Unfortunately, it was only momentary relief. He opened them again just as a swirl of dark smoke began to expand in front of him. Within seconds, the smoke had solidified into an enormous round mirror, whose frame was decorated with ancient Aztec symbols carved into the blackest of obsidian. When the dark, demonic visage of a jaguar manifested inside the glass, Tarasque’s father bowed his head.
“My lord.”
***************
Chapter 15
Little key you face your darkest hour
Hope will curdle and go sour
Bring it back oh nameless wind
The angel's heart is pierced with sin
Mercedes
Tarasque’s head drew back as if he had been struck with a boulder. I wanted to remind him that what we were seeing was a lie constructed by Tezcatlipoca, but as I watched the scene unfold before me, I found that my ability to speak had vanished.
Raise your head, my loyal servant, Tezcatlipoca instructed.
Tarasque’s father obeyed, and I saw something else in his eyes that turned my stomach: reverence. Fanatical reverence.
“What does my lord wish of me?”
What I always wish after I fatten your horde, King Etrigar, Tezcatlipoca said. My payment.
Etrigar’s wings swept down. They lifted up again to reveal two piles of huge black spheres. Each one was as tall as me.
“They will hatch in two weeks’ time,” Etrigar said.
I care far more for their durability than I do for their date of birth, Tezcatlipoca said icily. Will they be strong?
“They were sired by my most talented, ruthless soldiers,” Etrigar assured him. “They will be strong.”
Tezcatlipoca regarded him. Your soldiers will not miss them?
“They already do,” Etrigar replied with a callous snort. “But they will never know. Nor will they ever suspect me.”
So they are not giving you problems?
“They are searching for spawn they will never recover when they could be searching for treasure,” Etrigar growled. “It is…frustrating. Immensely frustrating. But I cannot stop them, else they will suspect.”
And even you are no match for a horde of angry mothers and fathers, Tezcatlipoca chuckled. That is highly unfortunate.
“What do you mean?” Etrigar asked suspiciously.
My price for the location of the ancient mermaid king’s horde will be twice the amount.
“WHAT!?” Etrigar bellowed.
The smoke in the mirror flared. You dare…?
The dark god’s icy hiss penetrated Etrigar’s rage. He forced himself to relax, but he was still seething.
“If twice the amount of my soldiers’ eggs goes missing, they will not stop badgering me until they receive the culprit’s head on a pike. They are already presenting suspicions that the sirens could be responsible.”
An alliance you cannot afford to break, Tezcatlipoca finished. Well then, perhaps you should tone that ravenous greed down, King Etrigar.
Etrigar appeared to be gathering his nerve. “One could say the same for you, my lord. Why would you require such a large amount of dragon eggs?”
Since you asked so politely, the vampires have been a bit…reckless in their experimentations. They have been disciplined, but they will need a fresh batch of healthy dragon hatchlings.
“How long did the last batch last?”
Three months. But I did not discipline them too harshly. They are very close to regaining what my wretched brother stole from them. And when they do, they shall return the favor.
“On my brothers?”
Don’t take that dull done with me, Your Highness. Serve me well and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams.
Etrigar bowed once more. “I live to serve, my lord.”
That you do.
The mirror vanished in a cloud of dark smoke. Etrigar remained still until the smoke completely dissipated. Then he turned and flew away.
When he was gone, a growling noise of pain and hate that vibrated off the very walls knocked me back to my senses.
“Tarasque…” Desperately, I put my hand on him. Tarasque, calm down. It’s a lie. Do you hear me? He’s lying to you. You can’t give in! Don’t give him what he wants!
His massive head turned sharply to look at me. Stiletto-like teeth bared, fire and smoke emitting from his nostrils, I had little doubt his rage was potent enough to destroy the entire mountain and then some. Underneath those blazing eyes that appeared to have darkened to a livid scarlet, I felt like I was being slowly cooked. But I kept my hand on him, and I never stopped telling him to fight. It seemed to take hours, but he eventually calmed down.
Tarasque?
He stared at me, breathing still coming out in deep growls. Then with a vicious snarl, he turned away. The ground vibrated beneath my feet as he headed for the entrance. I saw him disappear outside.
When he was gone, I collapsed to my knees and buried my face on them, shielding my head with my hands. So much fear. So overwhelming. It made me want to die. I didn’t want to be here. I wanted to be home with my family and friends. I wanted to forget this all ever happened.
What selfish thoughts, little key. Natural, but selfish. Then again, selfishness is natural in all races, especially yours.
I wanted to grip my head even harder. Instead, I slowly sat up. I made sure my back was straight and my voice was clear when I spoke.
“Then maybe you chose the wrong tool. Maybe I’m not as selfless and giving as you thought I was.”
Now, little key, surely you haven’t forgotten the definition of courage? You will battle on and you will continue to give despite your selfish thoughts. And even your ‘selfish’ thoughts are those of a saint compared to other humans.
“What do you want, Tezcatlipoca?”
To ensure you are becoming aware of certain revelations.
“You’re
a liar. And Tarasque knows you’re a liar, too. He’s angry, but he’s strong. He will fight you.”
Not those revelations, little key. Though they are true, very true. And eventually you will realize it. Until then, I wish to ensure you are becoming aware of other revelations. The revelations of a hero.
I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
You feel lonely right now, little key. Very lonely. Have you ever experienced such loneliness before?
I wanted to block him out, to pretend that he wasn’t getting to me. My mind had other plans. It took me back to that awful memory of Xavier, when his soldiers ripped me away from Shadow. When he was about to rape me, and I thought no one would come for me. I had thought I was going to die.
Tezcatlipoca saw those thoughts of course, and he chuckled.
The same kind of loneliness, yes, but this time it is far more potent. Don’t deny it.
I couldn’t. What was worse, I didn’t know why I felt so lonely. Not then and not now. Much as I feared for mine and Shadow’s well-being, I knew I had already doomed Xavier before he captured us. I knew I was succeeding in helping Tarasque battle against Tezcatlipoca’s lies. So why didn’t I feel satisfaction? Why didn’t I feel contentment? Why was loneliness the only thing I felt? I had done what my nature had always driven me to do: help those in need.
Welcome to the world of the hero, little key, and what a dark, bleak world it is. Instead of praise and gratitude, those who benefit from your help spit in your face, kick you in the stomach, and worse, turn their backs on you. They take what they receive from you, and then they run away. You don’t live on in them. Your memory dissipates. They forget you ever existed.
That’s not to say you aren’t noble, little key. You are incredibly noble and oh so pure. You chose to use your talents to help others despite having all the physical comforts you could ever ask for. You were noble, but you did not choose the life of the hero. You aided those in need from the safety of your room. Those who choose the life of the hero risk all of their personal comforts as well as their lives in order to aid others. And forget about living happily ever after. The hero dies alone, little key.
“The wicked die alone, too,” I said softly.
Only the mortal wicked.
“What about living?” I asked. “Do the wicked live fuller lives than the hero?”
Is that even a question? Don't disappoint me, little key. You know very well that a life based solely on self-preservation will eventually bring self-fulfillment. Look at your dear father. He back-stabbed, bribed, and battled his way through the ranks and look what he received in return: an empire of untold power and wealth. But perhaps that is not the best example. After all, you are not ready to believe the truth. So I will just substitute your father for any of the corporate fat cats who laze about on their thrones and do naught but pull the strings that will enhance the power that has already made them untouchable.
"But they're still alone," I said, keeping my voice calm despite his lies about my father. "They have power and wealth, but they're not happy. What's the point of having power and wealth if you have no one to share with it?"
They are incapable of sharing their power with another due to their inflated egos and selfishness. But they will live long, unpunished, and fulfilled, while the hero's bones turn to dust in a wasteland that bears no name.
I forced my mind to go as blank as possible.
"Are you wicked, Tezcatlipoca?"
He laughed. Little key, I am wicked incarnate.
"So if fulfillment for the wicked is gained solely through the acclamation of personal power," I said slowly, "then how come everything you've done over the past several months, all your manipulations, all your plans, have been for the benefit of the vampires and not yourself?"
They are my children, little key. They are the most superior creation in the universe. They are my power.
"That's all you see them as? An extension of your power?"
Were you expecting something else? He laughed again. Were you expecting me to say that I feel affection for them, that I care for them?
"I heard you Tezcatlipoca," I whispered. The consequences of what I was getting at could be fatal to me, but I was unable to stop. "I remember your reaction when I mentioned Quetzalcoatl to you for the first time. You were hateful, vengeful…but you were also betrayed. Upset."
Little key, his hiss cut into my mind like a laser, I will make this suggestion to you for the last time: do not speak of that you don't understand.
"You are evil," I continued. "You've done great evil to everyone, including the vampires. You wanted ten thousand as a sacrifice so they could remind you how much they revere you. And I don't even know what role you played in the jihad—"
THAT WAS MY PRETENTIOUS, SELF-RIGHTEOUS BROTHER! Tezcatlipoca shrieked. EVERYTHING MY CHILDREN HAVE EVER SUFFERED IS HIS—FAULT! EVER SINCE I CREATED THEM HE HAS MADE IT HIS MISSION TO TORTURE ME THROUGH THEM! HE CURSED THEM! HE CORRUPTED THEM! HE POISONED SO MANY OF THEM AGAINST ME! ALL BECAUSE HE COULDN'T STAND IT THAT I SIRED A RACE MORE SUPERIOR THAN ANYTHING HE EVER CREATED! HE WANTED THE VAMPIRES FOR HIMSELF! HE WANTED TO RIP AWAY WHAT HAS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE MINE!!!!!
"And that's why you twisted the Evanescence," I said in a hushed voice. "You wanted him to know what it felt like to lose his children. You wanted him to know what it felt like to be utterly alone.
"You wanted him to know your pain."
Just as the last word escaped my lips, its very meaning exploded in my body and mind.
***
Tarasque
I was relieved that Mercedes did not follow me. Perhaps I had frightened her into leaving me be. I did not care. I just wished to be alone. To think. To brood. To release my hatred on the reality Necoc Yaotl created since I could not release it on him. Logic and reason barely held me together. If I vented on the mountains, I would only amuse him. But those lies, those hideous lies…
Based on facts you cannot deny. Many eggs sired and mothered by Father's soldiers had vanished during that time. The eggs were never recovered and no culprit had ever been caught. And Father had unnatural luck in discovering the location of various treasures, including one once possessed by an ancient mermaid king.
Right after thirty soldiers lost over one-hundred eggs.
Fire churned in my belly. Billows of smoke streamed from my nostrils. My muscles still contained a vast amount of power. I could do untold damage to these mountains, this lie. I growled and flared my wings. But before I could take flight, a scream tore through the entire cave.
Mercedes.
I ran for her, all the while keeping my eyes peeled so I wouldn't crush her frail body. I found her in the exact same spot I had left her. But she was not standing. She was writhing on the floor, screaming in agony.
I touched her with the tip of my tail, attempting to form a mental link. But all I received was pain. Pain I could not take away. Pain I could not even ease. But I knew the origin of her pain.
Stop it! I bellowed. Stop it, you sadistic monster, STOP!
To my great shock, he did, but he did not speak to me. I was not ungrateful. Below me, Mercedes had stopped screaming, but she made no move to get up. She just lay there, gasping and broken.
Without even thinking, I changed into my human form and knelt beside her. I lifted her upper body in my arms so she could breathe more easily. Knowing I could do nothing else to help her, I simply waited. Fortunately, the evil god hadn't done permanent damage. After several minutes, she blinked rapidly, breathing deep but controlled, and looked up at me.
"Tarasque?" she rasped.
"Are you all right?"
She blinked again, this time slowly, took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah."
"What did he do?" I demanded.
She looked down, biting her lip. Then in a very quiet voice, she told me everything. When she was finished, she rubbed her forehead wearily.
"It was stupid to provoke him like that. But I never expected?
??" She trailed off.
"I do remember one particular encounter when he informed me of what his brother had done to his children," I said. "He was…enraged. More than enraged. And I could detect no small amount of pain beneath all of that anger."
She shook her head, apparently still struggling to comprehend what she had just discovered. "I want to tell myself that he was just acting, that it's all just another game. But I can't. He'll never win father of the year, of course, but I think he feels love and protectiveness for the vampires and can't stand the thought of them being stolen from him."
"If you feel sympathy for that demon, I'll kill you here and now," I said harshly.
She looked at me, cool and unafraid. "I know what he is, Tarasque. He is the embodiment of evil, and we need to stop him no matter what. If we don't, he will destroy everything we love without a shred of remorse."
I relaxed. "That he will."
She put a hand on my arm. "Are you okay, Tarasque?"
My lips parted, but I could not speak. I had briefly forgotten my own rage. Now it was back.
"He is a liar," I hissed.
"Yes, he is. But can you tell me what facts he used to strengthen his lies?" I told her. When I was finished, I saw something in those vivid blue eyes. Something that angered me even further.
"You believe he could be telling that truth," I growled. "That my father gave his soldiers' children to those blood drinking abominations to experiment on in exchange for treasure. That he bargained with that demon during his time as king."
"I want to," she admitted. "Just like you told me Tezcatlipoca's story about my father was too coincidental in order to be false. But I'm not going to. I'm not going to give in. Nothing he shows us matters, Tarasque. It's all a lie. All of it."
Before I could voice my agreement, reality shifted, this time in a very violent manner. I was in my true body, but I could not move it. I was utterly helpless and in a terrible, familiar agony.
It is not a lie, king of the dragons, Necoc Yaotl rumbled in my mind while his dark creatures consumed my scales. Your father made a bargain with me. He sold out innocent hatchlings for his own gain. Would you like me to show you what the vampires did to those poor, helpless children?