BDS: Chapter Twenty-Six

"What or who is Drasúl exactly, Sir Malik?" Faelán asked. "Please explain to everyone how this being was created."

The light warriors were once again gathered around the large oval table in the headquarters's Thesarei, staring at Malik with expectant gazes.

"Drasúl is a Javen, who is a being that is created from dark magic forbidden by the Mysteis elders. Nemerus discovered this magic and voluntarily had the spell performed on himself in the belief that it would make him indestructible."

"But, it doesn't, right—" Jarek asked, "—make you indestructible I mean?"

"Correct, Master Jarek," Malik replied, "but the side effects of the spell make the Javen believe that they are. However, the dark being possesses the same power as a Mysteis as well as access to the power of the dragons, making them close to being so."

"Is there a specific way to kill a Javen other than the normal way a Mysteis dies?" Gyan asked.

"They must die by moonfire entering the bloodstream as with all Mysteis unless their departure is in natural alignment with their will to return to the stars. I captured Nemerus by igniting the power of the Magic of Seven—the ancestors of my people—within me. It isn't the only way to capture a Javen and takes a large amount of star energy but is effective in caging the Javen until they are killed."

"Do you have enough star energy left to perform such a spell?" Master Asia asked softly.

"I do, but I am afraid I would be of little use after for some time."

"You said they have access to the power of the dragons?" Valora asked. "How so, Sir Malik?"

"I will tell you exactly how a Javen is created so that you all understand it more clearly." Malik cleared his throat. "First, there must be a body to inhabit the energy. In this case, it was Mordán's. Akila must have discovered his body at his home in Sulta. The body is then merged with the spirit of the black dragon to reawaken. However, this is not done without a price. The black dragon is a creature not only of great power but of pride. When the energy carried within its spirit is summoned without permission, as is done when a Javen is created, the dragon rages. As a result, it will constantly search for a way to abandon the Javen. Until then, it is bound to the Javen."

"But, Akila fights with the spirit of the dragon once she initiates the Magic of Seven," Jarek stated.

"That is different, Master Jarek," Malik replied. "The Magic of Seven ignites the form of a Mysteis's peak power. The form it takes is unique to each wizard who has mastered the magic. Mine takes on the form of the light wizard guardians and Akila's uses the spirit of the violet dragon. The dragon spirit grants permission to be used within the Magic of Seven, so it is not the same as what occurs when a Javen enslaves it.

"Along with black dragon energy, Mysteis blood is also needed for the transformation to be successful. Otherwise, the vessel would not be able to withstand the transition. If a Mysteis is performing the spell on their own body, then of course there is no need to source an outside supply. However, for Drasúl to awaken, Akila had to supply an outside source of Mysteis blood to Mordán's body. In this case, it was from my cousin, Sinial. Sinial, who was one of Nemerus's followers, was just as brutal as Nemerus. Before the end of the Elsarian Wars, Nemerus killed Sinial during a dispute." Malik sighed. "I'm afraid there may be more to Drasúl, however, than just the blood of my cousin and the dragon energy."

"He claims that he carries light warrior blood," Jabari stated.

"What do you mean?" Gyan asked in surprise. "I thought you destroyed all Akila's stores of Master Valora's blood."

"I did," Malik replied. "However, it is not Master Valora's blood she used, Master Gyan."

Gyan tightened his hands into a fist as he met Malik's eye.

"Drasúl mentally shared an image of Master Aderes with me when he spoke of mixing light warrior and Mysteis energy."

"They kept Aderes's blood?" asked Hoshi with a shocked look.

Gyan reddened. "What is this power—where one can disrespect the spirit of others and use them as pawns to suit their own needs?"

"Such is the possibility with any power, Master Gyan," Syam said gently.

"Could Drasúl be lying about Master Aderes, Sir Malik?" asked Brogan.

He shook his head. "I would know if he was. However, there is a way to gather proof that Master Aderes has altered his light energy from the state it was currently in. A part of their spirit always remains readily available for connection to those they are closest to. You speak to him often, do you not, Master Gyan?"

"Yes. With everything going on though, I haven't tried to communicate lately."

"Please try now."

Gyan closed his eyes. Aderes. Everyone is curious about what's going on with you. After several moments, he opened his eyes and shook his head. "There is nothing."

"No movement or stirring of energy through you when you call for him, either?" Malik asked.

Gyan shook his head.

"This means he has altered his state and is currently focused once more within a body."

"So, you feel that Master Aderes is a part of Drasúl?" Valora asked. "Is that even possible just through using his blood to reawaken a Javen?"

"If a light warrior dies in a way other than returning to the core of their Reserve, there is a portion of spirit that remains inside a vessel it was attached to during incarnation. This is why a warrior's body disintegrates into light energy upon death. It is the same process for the Mysteis. However, I believe that Akila preserved Master Aderes's body by using a spell that prevented him from fading into light. In order to ensure that Drasúl inherited a light warrior's cell memory and strength, I think she used both Aderes's body and blood so that she could merge Mysteis and Light Warrior energy to create a new type of Javen."

"So, Aderes is conscious once more inside of Drasúl?" asked Lorcan.

"It is possible, but I'm not entirely certain, Master Lorcan. I do not believe any of this has ever been attempted before. If a part or all of his incarnated energy has now merged with Drasúl's, it was done so through dark magic. What you know of Aderes during his lifetime on Elsaria, he may or may not be now. I do not know what his energy will become after being tied to a dark Mysteis."

"Isn't there a possibility that this can work to our advantage?" asked Jarek. "I mean, could Aderes have re-entered his body willingly to stop Drasúl from the inside?"

"The Mysteis's power may be blocking him," said Hoshi.

"Yes, but Master Jarek may have a point," Malik said. Under the assumption that Master Aderes is operating in the perspective of his light energy, he may not be able to overpower Drasúl, but he could very well provide some sort of prevention to Drasúl's actions. That will be up to Master Aderes and what he has become."

Gyan closed his eyes and tried to control his emotions. "Please tell me there is a way to set him free."

"We will do our best to learn how to do so, Master Gyan," Syam answered.

"Becoming the aggressor will create the best avenue for success now," Zareb stated. "Our spies report that the Androsan and Nardan armies are moving back into Uthar with the Black Sector Vaznaun. Master Cahira, Elder Master Nyhra, and I will work with the Uthar forest tribes and Spear warriors to drive them out."

Malik nodded. "We will begin here by establishing a plan to trap Akila," Malik stated. "I cannot leave this planet knowing her presence will still haunt these lands. I may not have enough magic to kill Akila if I use my power to bring forth Mersán, but I think what I have in mind will suffice."

He turned to Jalena. "Drasúl will need to be separated from Akila. Master Jalena, I will need you to work with Sir Kesól to form a team to ensure they remain separate. The Tridaun warriors will assist you both from the air and on the ground."

Garsaun, who stood with Tikana at the front of the room, smiled and nodded encouragingly at Jalena.

"The rest of us will have to battle any of the Black Sector or Avehkal that may show to assist Akila and Drasúl," announced Jabari.

Malik continued. "Master Brogan, I will need the use of your charisma to battle Akila. The frequency that a Mysteis uses to teleport is higher than that of the warriors. A warrior can detect the beginning energy of teleportation through Relasu, but Relasu alone is not as effective in predicting one's destination. However, with your skill, I believe there is another way to detect where she will reappear." He turned to Tarak. "Master Tarak, I will need you as well, but first I wish for you to journey to Feyla Forest and retrieve a particular Soma. Her skills will also be of great use to us."

Tarak nodded.

"Have the Mandopa been summoned?" Syam asked.

"After I learned of what Drasúl was, I sent for them immediately," Malik replied. "Lord Aeolus and his guard are on their way."

Members of the Council took a short break before breaking into teams to discuss their roles in the upcoming mission. Tarak, accompanied by Shamira, departed for Feyla Forest.

Kesól approached Gyan. "Have your Shanlo urges subsided?"

Gyan nodded. "I still feel the need to protect her, but it has not peaked since the incident with Mordán."

"It sounds as if you are instinctively balancing it now, which means the toughest part has passed."

Gyan observed Tikana speaking with Jalena. "Is she the one you were assigned to protect?"

"Yes. I would not wish her to come to battle, but I can't deny that having her near me isn't what I want more. Besides, the Alpherians train their royalty as protectors of their people. They do not consider their lives more valuable than those they lead. She is qualified as much to fight as those in the Tridaun armies."

Gyan nodded. "Do you believe that we have a chance to defeat him—Drasúl I mean?"

"Yes, if we work together. The abilities of the Avehkal will be challenging to face, but we maintain the power to overcome any obstacle that arrives before us, otherwise—"

"—it would not appear," Gyan finished with him.

Kesól smiled. "Indeed." He put a hand on Gyan's shoulder. "Let's see what clever strategy this wizard and Master Jalena have for us."

Gyan nodded and rejoined his team.