The Aureate

The black dragon's massive face peered through the shattered roof. Rubble tinked down where its bulk had destroyed the store's back wall. Faced with overwhelming force, one could only fight or flee—and I was fresh out of escape routes.

It towered three stories high, scales like armored plates covering its mass. Wings blocked the sun as they balanced its bulk. A tail half again as long as its body whipped debris aside while stubby legs braced for attack. Its breath reeked of decay and rotting meat.

As I stared, the dragon's movements slowed until the scene froze like winter ice. Pain erupted in my temples. Blood leaked from my eyes and nose as darkness claimed my vision.

"Why do you taunt those you do not understand, Daywalker?" A voice pierced the void. "You are but a raindrop to my storm."

I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

"You lack even will to contest my gaze. Speak, and I may spare your worthless existence."

A massive eye opened in the darkness—one I recognized. Golden iris swirling with black hurricane shadows, a single red flower near the white's edge. This was no simple manifestation like the goblins. This dragon existed in heart, body, and soul.

"Well? You disturb my slumber and lure me from my territory. For what? My patience thins."

My plan to use the dragon to clear lesser threats seemed idiotic now. This was an ancient entity demanding respect.

I channeled everything into my Forsworn Ideal. Sensation returned with splitting pain, as if my mind were overfilling.

"Please..." I croaked.

"Impressive. You brought this on yourself. Release your sight, Lord of the Gate, if you cannot handle its consequence."

I focused on my Job's trigger, remembering Norma's flames, the terror-beasts' time-slow. Something clicked.

Golden light replaced darkness as memory consumed me:

A boy clutched his dead friend, uncomprehending. "Why won't he wake up?"

"Because you killed him, honey." His mother's crystalline blue eyes held only contempt. "He'll never wake again."

"Can you help him, momma?"

"No, Jason. No one can help him now."

The scene shifted:

"Daddy! Look!" A boy showed his father a drawing—not of the man before him, but one with flowing crimson hair and brilliant green eyes. Not quite human, crowned in gold, smile too wide.

The father remembered old rules: Speak no lies. Hold true to bargains. Avoid cold iron.

"It's amazing, Jace. Never lose that discerning eye. It will keep you safe."

Another memory:

A boy huddled, bruised, as his mother's fists fell.

"Catherine," a strong voice commanded. "Stop."

Two men overlapped—one human, one wild with fiery hair and emerald eyes. Both caught the woman's wrist.

"Jason. Close your eyes. I'm sorry it took so long to do what needed done."

Her manic laughter continued even as life left her eyes.

Finally:

"Thank you, Julia." A man left his son with his aunt—Catherine's opposite, tanned and kind where she was pale and cruel.

"Never tell him about Catherine. Let him hate me instead. Tell him I left." A tear fell. "You're his mother now. Raise him well."

I emerged gasping. These memories couldn't be true. My father was a deadbeat who'd abandoned us—wasn't he?

"The spawn of vampire and Summer Court fae." The dragon's voice pulled me back. "That explains your resilience to my will."

"Who are you?"

"A name freely given holds power. Call me Xay'Roxiz if you must."

"That's not helpful... How about Xay?"

"Acceptable."

"Why help me?"

"You have a choice to make. I am the nearest Azor to keep you sane through it. You must choose one bloodline—vampire or fae. You cannot be both."

But that felt wrong. Why couldn't the bloodlines merge, as human and vampire created dhampyr? Night balancing day, death balancing life—the idea resonated.

Power surged through me. "You're wrong, Dragon of the Violent End." Reality trembled at the name. "I forsake them both. My power is my own."

Golden light rippled from my heart, threading down my right arm as darkness claimed my left. The powers settled into my skin as my own words came:

"My name is Asphodel, Aureate of Elysium. I am not my father nor my mother. I will embrace both life and death, day and night, and not even you will determine my path."

My Domain expanded with each word, gold and black cobblestones spreading as far as sight reached.

Xay inclined his head. "Very well. I cannot remain without permission. Be warned—the Queen comes, and you are not prepared."

With one wingbeat, he vanished. The power left me sprawled in the ruined store, watching a solar eclipse claim the sky—sun and moon sharing the same space in the endless expanse.