chapter 30 Ancient Carving

The door to the cave-like slide opens. Ethan effortlessly carried Calista inside the room and placed her on a chair. 

" Stay still," he warned.

He walked towards Alexander, " oh damn it!" he uttered beneath his breath.

"What is going on?" Calista asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

" didn't I ask you to stay still?" Ethan yelled, momentarily losing control. 

Calista's breath hitched, " you brought me here, to figure out how we can cure him right?" she asked, with a shaking lips.

Ethan didn't want to admit that fact.

" you brought me here, because you don't trust others with this information, right?" she asked again, her voice slightly bolder.

"f**k" he cussed under his breath.

" So what if it's true" he asked, his veins popping, he didn't like the fact that he was at the end of the rope. If the news gets out that he has become feral, it will give enemies a chance to strike, even the allies.

Although Alexander will be as powerful, he will not be able to differentiate between friends and foes.

" I can't help you," she blatantly replied. " Even if I have the power, I wouldn't be foolish to help that demon," she said inwardly.

Ethan took a deep breath, " two heads is better than one, right" a devilish smirk formed on his lips.

Hearing his words, a spasm of worry crossed Calista´s face " what do you mean?".

" If I were you I wouldn't have asked that question" he smiled showing his fangs " if we can't find a way to cure him, then i will have to fight him" his smile turned cold.

" the problem is, i can't beat him in a fight, that is where you come in".

" But I can't fight," she cried out. 

Calista´s eyes widened in fear when she realised, what he meant " you are going to use me as bait" her voice barely audible.

" Smart, very smart" Ethan clapped for her, his eyes far from humor.

Meanwhile, in reality, Alexander's body went unnaturally still. Black veins slithered beneath his skin, pulsing as if something dark and ancient was awakening inside him. His breath hitched. The scent of her blood flooded his senses-rich, intoxicating. His fangs ached with hunger.

Unconsciously, his tongue flicked over his lips, craving more.

But deep inside his mind, a battle raged.

~~~~~~~

A shadow loomed over him-a beast of midnight scales and fire-forged power. The dragon's massive wings stretched, its glowing golden eyes piercing through the abyss like twin suns.

"Why did you abandon me?" the dragon's voice rumbled, laced with ancient sorrow and anger.

Alexander stood fame, his own hellfire blazing around him, yet the flames barely flickered against the beast's overwhelming presence.

His jaw clenched. "How can I abandon you... if I don't even know you?" His voice was sharp, but doubt crept into his mind.

The dragon's fury exploded. A torrent of fire erupted from its maw, roaring toward him like a living storm. Instinctively, Alexander raised his hand, summoning his own hellfire to shield himself. But the moment their flames clashed, a cold wave of realization crashed over him.

His fire-his power-wasn't enough.

"This beast..." His mind raced, a foreign sensation clawing at his thoughts. "Why does it feel like—"

The dragon let out a thunderous snarl, cutting off his thoughts. "You have forgotten" he growled. "But I have not".

Out of the dragon's mouth came fire, but it was not just any fire, it was Hell Fire. The fire engulfed Alexander. He knew if he only defended against the beast, he would soon be in a sorry state.

Alexander conjured his sword, burning with hell fire flame. He began to attack the beast furiously.

" Let me out" Alexander commanded the beast, he knew this wasn't real.

" No, since you have abandoned me, and you can´t remember me, I will do my best to keep you here" the dragon snarled, he paced around him like a predator he was.

The dragon flew up, throwing fire at Alexander, he effortlessly blocked his flames with his sword, before jumping up, aiming at the dragon's heart. The dragon swiftly manoeuvred away from his attack.

After hours of fighting and clashing, Alexander came down, panting. He stared at the dragon, " how could this beast predict all my moves, it's like….. He knows me even more than I do" he muttered under his breath.

He jumped back to the sky, leaving dust in his wake, " I am great lord Alexander, a mere Dragon can not stop me" he fought furiously.

~~~~

Meanwhile in reality " it hasn't come to that yet, we can figure it out.. Together, two heads are better than one right?" Calista asked, her hands clam with sweat.

Ethan stared at her, rolling his eyes inwardly at her attempt to escape.

Calista's eyes noticed the carvings on the wall, she walked towards " The cursed of the heart, a curse woken by betrayal...." she read as if entrance by its words.

Ethan held her, stopping her in her tracks " you can read the ancient language?" he asked, baffled.

Calista's eyes widened in surprise " can I read it?", she asked, her voice slightly louder.

." I mean I can" she looked amazed.

"No one has been able to read the ancient language, except…" his eyes stared at her with pure amazement " the ancient gods".

Her jaws wide open " you mean i can read the language of the gods" she pointed to herself " me?" she asked.

" Yes, enough of wasting precious time, alexander´s heart will soon be corrupt, read, maybe we can find a solution from the text" he blatantly stated, his voice laced with impatience.

" woken by betrayal and broken vows….." she was interrupted again " a broken vow, betrayal? Why? He only drank from your blood" Ethan voiced echoed in her ear.

A look of irritation flashes through her eyes " will you let me read?" she asked.

"Okay" he closed his eyes, to hide his anger. He is a dragon prince, how dare she talk to him in that manner.

" The curse can only be cured by drawing the blood from the betrayed heart…."

The words barely left her lips before cold steel pressed against her chest.