The Ever War: Chapter 1.6

Sarah stared out the window. After leaving the hotel, they had driven on, always going in the direction they felt pulled. "Beware, Sarah. Danger lies ahead." the whispered warning confirmed her feelings. "Josh, something's wrong."

He glanced at her just as a large mass slammed into the car. Sarah screamed as the car rolled over and over. Josh kicked his door open and pulled Sarah out. She moaned and put a hand to her head, blood running from a large cut. Josh ripped a strip off of his shirt and wrapped it around her head to stop the bleeding. "Josh! Look out!" She shouted. He dodged the large tail.

A roar filled the air as a massive creature hovered above them. It resembled a large skeletal monster; black ooze dripping from its maw. Instinctively, Josh summoned Solaris. The Sacred Blade flashed as he held it before him. A figure leapt from the Dark creature's back. The Waith glared down at him, its red eyes flashing. "Give me the Sage, boy. A newborn such as you is no match for a Dark Dragon." the Waith hissed.

"You will never have her!" Josh yelled. Fire flared from Solaris, startling the Waith. The Dark being glared at him.

"You may have grown stronger, but you are still no match for me!" it hissed, leaping back onto the Dark dragon. The tail whipped down at Josh, but he leaped to the side. Without hesitation, he sliced down; the blade cut deeply into the flesh, black ooze gushing out. Solaris sizzled as the ooze was burned from its blade. The Dark creature roared in pain and fury. It threw its head forward, maw gaping. A foul smell filled the air, as toxic fumes poured from the open mouth. Josh dodged to the left, swinging Solaris. The fire twirled about the blade and shot through the dark fumes, scorching its face.

With another roar, it soared up into the air, far out of his reach. Josh gritted his teeth and waited for the attack he knew was coming. Dark fire fell at him, the balls exploding in bursts of dark energy. He cried out as his left arm was grazed. Blood oozed from the wound, but he could still use his arm. "The wings, Josh. Summon the wings." the whisper came to him. He closed his eyes. His palmed felt like it was burning, and to his great concern, the sensation traveled to his back. Two great wings burst out of his back in a flurry of red feathers. He fell to his knees in pain, but the whisper returned to him, "Fly Josh. Reclaim the air from this abomination. Sarah's magic is too weak to be of help right now. Protect her, Josh."

The Dark Dragon circled back for another volley, but Josh was ready this time. He jumped, his new wings spreading to catch the wind. With a roar, he flew straight at the beast, Solaris blazing with pure fire. The dragon growled with surprise, and flew to the left. Josh slashed out as he shot past, the firey blade slicing through its armored scales. The Waith hissed in rage and raised its palm towards the new Wanderer. Murmuring a dark curse, dark energy swirled within its hand. The Waith threw the ball at him, but Josh blocked it with Solaris. The blast still nocked him back a few feet, but he remained airborne. Again, he felt something stirring within the newly awakened part of him. A power he never knew he had surged up within him. The feather of his wings began to crackle like fire, and an orange glow and heat began to swirl about him.

The Waith shrieked out its rage at this new show of power. The Dark Dragon roared and lunged at Josh. Josh's eyes narrowed. He stared both creatures in the eyes as he spoke with a new authority. "For the crimes you have committed, begone!!" Fire flared about him and swirled about Solaris. Raising the sword high above his head, he swung down. Pure fire and light surged from the tip, piercing through both dragon and Waith. The Waith shrieked in agony as it dissolved. With one last roar, the dragon fell from the sky. It slammed into into the ground with a force that sent out a small shockwave. The body smoked and melted into a large pool of foul smelling black ooze.

Josh landed next to Sarah. The whisper spoke up. "You must purify this area. If you don't, the Dark Beast will only return. Raise up the Sacred Blade and vanquish this taint." Josh did as he told, light shining from Solaris. With a cry that was heard a mile away, he sliced the blade down into the ooze. Light blazed throughout the area, blinding Sarah and him.

The light faded to reveal no trace of the ooze. The area had been barren even before his fight, but now, grass and flowers bloomed all around them. Pain coursed through him as he felt the wings leave his back, and both they and the sword returned to his palm. He turned and knelt next to Sarah. "Can you walk?" he asked gently. She shook her head, and before she could protest, he scooped her up into his arms. "We need to keep moving. The cops will be looking for us, and I have a feeling that they'll be here soon." Without another word, Josh carried her off, leaving behind a wreck car, and a beautiful field that would baffle people for years. Years later, Sarah would say that that was the day that she truly fell in love with Josh, but Josh would claim that they had always been in love.