The Titans were laid side by side several meters away from the riverbank and Zeeq sat up while munching down a ration pack (“tastes like chocolate and chicken!” he said). As Gunther opened a book and began scribbling in it, Darius tried to sit up but his body now ached in every muscle. When he tried to stretch his arm, the pain alone made him scream.
“Easy, son, don’t forget you are still Fleshborne. Everything you do has limits including your healing abilities. Don’t force yourself.” Gunther said as he gently placed his hand on Darius’s shoulder to ease him back to a laid position.
“You guys could’ve warned me a little before letting me bump heads with that crazy woman,” Darius said. Everyone chuckled at his words but held back a little because of the pain from laughing.
“I would have if I had known earlier,” Igniz said grouchily as he slowly regained consciousness.
“Well, look who came back from the dead? How are you feeling, buddy?” Duke said when he turned to face Igniz. All of them shared a weak laugh.
“Always wanted to fight them properly,” Raizo said whilst his eyes stare straight to the skies, “thought I could have better justice but now that I have, it doesn’t feel as great,” he then turned to Darius, “But thanks for coming to get me... You saved my ass today.”
“I know you’d do the same for me,” Darius returned, “but Duke pulled you away from Lithia, not me.”
“No way, that psycho-bitch has a name?” Raizo said. All of them laughed at that, Duke included but stopped themselves again from abdominal pains.
“But seriously, you did pull off the distraction that could make Duke move to get me... That douchebag ain’t the only one getting credit.” Raizo said (“Hey!” Duke retorted with a chuckle).
“I gotta thank you guys too. If it weren’t for you guys helping the fight, I’m pretty sure not only me but all of us would be dead by now.” Darius said.
Gunther said nothing but simply smiled at the sight of what his newest students are doing. How long has it been since he’s seen such positive spirits between young men after a battle? Decades? Centuries? He never counted but he knew that whatever bonds these boys together, it was something special, and not even a Catalyst or a Psyon could give such a gift.
“This is the moment, guys! This is our debut when we tell the world that the Titans have arrived to save the world from evil!” Zeeq said as he waved his ration pack like it was a flag.
“Hell, yeah! This is how we rock! Well, you know, minus all the bad injuries and epic tales on getting beat but here we are!” Raizo exclaimed as loud as he could.
“Indeed!” Igniz as he raised his right arm to the sky, “to the Titans, the newest and mightiest protectors of Gaia!” Igniz said with his right arm raised to the sky.
“TO THE TITANS!” the rest cheered as well with their arms out but quickly pulled them back in after instant muscle strain. Gunther couldn’t help himself but laugh.
“This truly is an occasion to commemorate,” Gunther said, “perhaps we can toast properly in Altaria’s capital once you have all healed and raise your heads high as Psyons.”
“By the way, what did we save, Gunther?” Duke asked, “As far as I know, nobody lives within a hundred-mile radius, and the old mines in these parts are abandoned.” Duke asked.
“Gentlemen, about fifty feet beneath all of that rock and rubble,” Gunther said as he gestured towards the former avalanche, “lies a magical gateway to the other side. The main function of the gateway is to simply keep intruders at bay. If anyone were to, say, traditionally dig through, they would simply be led astray or back from whence they came.”
“But if you blast it with dark energy, that gateway would be smashed, right?” Darius said.
“Well, it would take much more than that but it’s not impossible.”
“Gunther, you said the gateway is magical in nature,” Igniz said, “but the practice of magic has been outlawed since before the time of Psyons. Does this mean the gateway has been functional since then?”
“Correct, my prince. The seal has been placed there for nearly fifteen hundred years and is functional to this day. Altaria has agreed to steward its integrity whilst it is still within our border.” Gunther said.
Everyone fell silent. Even Zeeq ate his third ration pack quietly. A magical spell in place for nearly a millennium and a half and still working is a lot of thought process for the young Psyons. Their silence was broken when a knight came and announced the dragon flights have arrived. With a mighty roar from the skies, red-scaled rulers of the skies descended upon them.
“What the hell?” Duke shouted out. From above, Darius could see half a dozen red dragons with winged arms spread out like bats while they are geared in golden armor and helms of their own. They landed nearby after leaving a gust of wind and the soldiers hurried to remove their bindings and ease their anxiety. The dragon riders wore black leathered uniforms with a V-shaped stripe on their shoulders and a D mark on their helmets. Their face was fully covered like all the other soldiers except for the eyes where it is covered with goggles instead of slant eye covers.
“Something is scaring those guys,” Zeeq said after he swallowed a bite whole, “you can feel it, right? Something is here that is scaring them.
Darius felt it too. There were certain presences here other than themselves that are off-putting and it’s making even him feel uneasy. The creepiest part is that this ethereal presence has been here since before their own arrival.
“It’s the Darkmatter residue. This is quite natural; animals anywhere would feel it and they’d freak out at it too.” Duke said as he slowly sat up.
“If that were true, shouldn’t we stay away from you, then?” Raizo said but he was slapped by Igniz on the shoulder (“What?” Raizo said with a shrug).
“Who knows? When I was first Chosen, I had an extremely bitter taste in my mouth and I puked every hour that night. Went into a coma for two weeks and thanks to the smell of the prison, a lot of the guards thought I was dead... Even now, when I use Darkmatter, it leaves me with goosebumps.” Duke said.
“Lord Gunther, the transports are ready. Preparing to evacuate the Psyons now.” a knight said as he approached Gunther and saluted with his right hand to his helmet.
“Very good, you may proceed,” he replied.
“Sir, yes, sir!” the soldier said and saluted again.
“Lord Gunther?” Darius asked with an eyebrow raised.
“Well, being Psyon does have its perks especially in this country,” Gunther replied with a smile. The knight signaled the others and several of them came and picked up the stretchers and moved them to the dragons. Each one of them was assigned to one dragon and Duke’s carrier was hesitant and anxious to allow her cargo strapped on her back.
“You’re alright, Duke,” Raizo called out, “just don’t try to bug it.”
“Shut up, Rai.” Duke returned. Raizo responded lightly with a chuckle.
“Why can’t we just travel with portals or teleportation instead?” Darius asked as he was being levitated on top of his dragon’s back.
“That method for travel puts too much strain on your bodies. It was alright before because you were at your physical peak but as of right now, even if you were to teleport to the Pantheon, the pressure from the energy flowing through would rip your bodies to pieces. That is why Mortals don’t use teleportation methods. You seem to be constantly forgetting that you are still Fleshborne.” Gunther replied (“except the Dakrie, apparently.” Igniz whispered).
“I have never ridden a dragon before. This is gonna be so cool!” Zeeq cried out as he decided to sit right behind the dragon rider and hold on tightly to avoid falling off.
“I’ll see you at the city, boys. Enjoy the ride!” Gunther said finally and waved farewell as the dragons took off and flew straight towards the sky.
“How far is this ride, sir?” Darius asked the rider.
“It’s a three-day flight, Master Psyon. Best to rest yourself while on this trip. Don’t worry, my beast is gentle. She’s used to carrying the wounded all the time.” the rider replied.
***
For two days, they rode out in the sky. Darius tried to look out for the Pantheon maybe just floating by but it’s nowhere to be seen, most likely on the other side of the world for all he knows. But time flies by slowly as they flew on these winged reptiles including their healing abilities. Darius was quite slow on the uptake as he is still confined to this stretcher and it sometimes pains him to try and sit up whereby Duke, Igniz, Raizo, and Zeeq have already started to fly their own dragons manually with the consent of their riders.
“You have got to try this!” Duke yelled as his dragon flew up and down around the cloud lines. Raizo and Igniz had their own fun as seeing they would never pass an opportunity like this, after all, not the everyday person could ride a dragon; even for Psyons. This, like the rest, was the first dragon flight Darius has ever had, and yet he can’t enjoy the full spectrum of such a flight because he is still wounded. Something in the Darkmatter Lithia used on him left a certain poison behind and it’s causing his lower body to go numb. Pretty much like how a real huntress would do to weaken a tough prey and if there wasn’t any protection from the dragons or the knights earlier, Darius was certain he would be captured or dead.
Nighttime on a dragon flight was much different in comparison to nights on the Pantheon. The stars could barely be seen, the wind rushing through his hair felt different and the warmth of what he’s lying on is most obvious. During the flight, Darius could see the full beauty of Altaria and all of the wonders come true from the stories he heard from his childhood. Mountains of beautiful grey stones and green trees that etched for miles and miles; plain lands that stretched on with little rivers and grass so green that you could sleep on it. The countryside of Altaria has never looked more beautiful.
But regardless if this was seen through his normal eyes or his Psyon Eyes, he knew that this is a sight to behold and blends perfectly well with the streams of flying colors in the sky; rivers of colorful energy running through the heavens like auroras in the Tundra Spear.
One night, when Darius could finally sit up properly, he tried to communicate telepathically with Duke like how the others did it before. He closed his eyes and focused, he could feel Igniz’s presence along with Raizo and Zeeq but Duke’s appeared to be blocked until a voice shook Darius in his seat.
“Trying to get in my head, man?” Duke asked in his thoughts.
“Sorry… just thought to ask you a question. I didn’t wanna mention it to the other guys if you don’t mind me asking.” Darius replied.
“You’re lucky this is a secured channel. But alright, fire away.” Duke said.

“Lithia said that you were her boyfriend or something… is that really true? I saw you hide a necklace with her picture on it once during Aunt Joe’s Fenix… just thought to clarify.” Darius asked. He gulped with a little fear that he might have gone too far.
“Heh, I thought you’d ask something like that… yeah, she’s my girl. Or rather, was. She was really sweet but she chose the wrong way of life. I tried to get her out but she refused and believed that I was in the wrong… too bad for her.” Duke said. Darius could make out that Duke is making a rather displeasing look, it would either mean that Duke is regretting his decision or is sick of the very thought about taking her with him in the first place.
“She said you’re one of the Dakrie, one of their finest... Is that really true?” Darius asked.
“Not exactly. I developed the idea of having an elite task force, consisting of ten captains out of the Darkai’s finest. As I was the one who came up with it under my father’s command, I had a default seat in the Dakrie but I was never the fighting type until you guys came along.” He answered. Darius pondered on how all of this could be connected and since he’s made light of what really happened, it just created more questions than there are answers.
“Now that you mention it, just how did all these guys get together? All of them seem to know you better than each other.” Darius asked. Duke didn’t answer at first; Darius looked over to Duke and wondered what might be going through his head this night. One thing was for certain, Duke was in serious deep thoughts and is in somewhat of a struggle if he wants to keep it to himself or not. Igniz, Raizo, and Zeeq seem to converse amongst themselves which made Darius glad that they didn’t hear this secret chat between him and Duke.
“I have never really fought or gained strength in combat like most of the Dakrie have,” Duke said in his mind, “The only training I had before all of this is was in the Spawn pens and combat simulations. The Spawns are experimental beasts in that troll hole of a fortress... They were practically made for either live battle or target practice for us, those were my fighting experiences; fighting nothing but soulless and mindless creatures simply because they were defective... Darkai played God a lot, mixing living things with Darkmatter and creating twisted creatures of shadow. I hated every minute of it.” Darius didn’t answer for a while after hearing all that, one was due to the dragons suddenly dropping several meters to fly through a cave in the mountain and one was due to Darius didn’t know how else to respond.
“I gained my first live combat experience the hard way when I was sent out on a reconnaissance mission for Psyonic energy signatures,” Duke continued, “It was supposed to be a tracking mission, basic S.O.P since the energies were scattered all across the planet. The first one I found was in a traveling caravan in Iceria.” and it struck Darius of how Igniz once made mention on where he met Duke in the Atlas chamber but he never mentioned how. The cave they flew in wasn’t dark but it was filled with blue light from glowing crystals on the walls.
“The caravan bore Iceria’s royal seal but I had orders to follow so I took a small contingent of my men and attacked. I met Igniz for the first time there and naturally we fought but I was still surprised that the energy signature came from a living person. I failed my first mission when Igniz beat me and ran off but his bodyguards were all killed and that sight of frozen death sickened me...” it’s as if Darius could feel the disgust that Duke is feeling when he stopped his last sentence.
The flight exited the cave and Darius covered his eyes with his hand when the light of the twin moons suddenly shone like sunlight and at that moment, Darius saw it, a secret form of Duke although he swore that it was an illusion: one massive wing over his right shoulder. The wing itself was like those of the dragons’ but it was black and glittered violet in the reflection of the moonlight but Duke’s wing had some rips in them as if torn off by force. But just like how it suddenly appeared, the wing dispersed into dust and disappeared from sight completely.
“It’s called Primae Noctis... This is the mark of a Dakrie. No mark is the same but it’s there. They call it the mark of a true Darkai but I call it the ugliest scar I’ll ever have to carry. Strange thing is that the mark is only visible under moonlight but I can make it invisible if I want and you are the first to see it, not even Lithia has seen that before... When I failed my first mission, my father saw fit to enhance me the hard way because he believed that with more power, I can get the job done. That’s when I got this wing... I don’t know how many times I cursed that old bastard that day.” Duke continued.
“After that, I was sent off on another mission but this time it was to collect another energy signature but already I started to question the orders I keep getting for regarding these so-called signatures. It was now absolutely certain that everything my father told me was a lie when I found Raizo.”
Zeeq was happily cheering about when he saw the twin moons so bright and full and Raizo began to explain the difference in the size and argued with Igniz that they are not the same. Darius could feel it, Duke’s hatred and disgust against what he witnessed and it’s a wonder why the others didn’t sense this killing intent from Duke.
“I tried to get Raizo away from his Troupe, at least that way, I could at least capture the guy without getting other people killed but after a while, I found out that I was merely blading fodder and his Troupe was attacked anyway.” Duke went on as the dragon ascended back above the clouds, “I was taken prisoner because of punching the then captain for killing civilians that had nothing to with the mission. When I was locked up in the very dungeons I helped design, I kind of had an epiphany and I decided I didn’t want to be in that hellhole anymore... I was Chosen a short time later and then I busted out. I was hell-bent on saving the next Psyon that I read on the reports earlier before they could find it.” Darius could see images from Duke’s mind as he shared what he saw. Hundreds of bodies everywhere be it old or young, no one and nothing was spared during the Troupe assault. He saw dark caverns so deep and large that it was a massive labyrinth of tunnels and cells and although pitch black, Darius could still see the outlines of the walls and what kind of prison Duke was trapped in. To think, Duke was imprisoned in a place like this... I guess it really was a hellhole.
“You don’t have to force yourself to tell me all this. If it hurts too much, you don’t have to say anything.” Darius said as he tried to sound more assuring of secrecy but he himself isn’t sure how else to say comforting words. The flight now dropped lower beneath extremely tall trees that resemble umbrellas for treetops. The night view of these trees made them appear much more exotic than it would appear in the day, either that or Darius is seeing this with his Psyon Eyes again.
“It’s alright... It’s about time I get this off my chest... Thanks for listening.” Duke said finally and Darius could see that Duke etched a small smile on his face.
“And thanks for telling me, Duke... But do you mind me asking about Zeeq? I mean how did a kid like him get mixed up in all this?” Darius asked.
“He was Chosen like the rest of us but he was Chosen with extremely terrible timing,” Duke replied, “You can consider him being forced to grow up because he saw so many deaths on the outskirts of the Neutral State where he and his dad, the so-called governor, lived. That old bastard wasn’t even around to comfort the kid. It was pretty chaotic when I went to get him but that time; I had helped from both Raizo and Igniz to ward off Darkai assaults. When those two ran away from me the first time, they winded up at the Pantheon and eventually teleported to the city... Let’s just say we became inseparable after that.”
Darius saw the images in his mind: the battles Duke had to go through, the sacrifices he made when he escaped from the dark prison, the deaths of his close comrades being forced to watch from afar, and the first union of the Titans. Darius felt a sense of ease from Duke as the channel between them severed and it made him feel more secure that the trust of these boys is now embedded in him as well. All he has to do now is do the same with them.
The flight reached the end of the forest and immediately shot straight upwards once they are cleared of the trees. They reached a mountainous pass where they climbed upwards following closely by the mountainside which made Darius curious about something.
“Master Rider, why are we flying in between trees and mountain ranges instead of just flying straight to the capital?” Darius asked his rider.
“Forgive me, Master Psyon, but I have yet to reach the rank of ‘Master Rider’ just yet. This is the official flight path in Altarian airspace. Even If I wanted to fly my own way, my little darling here won’t stray the course.” The rider said.
“So, I guess I should call you Mister Rider, then? What’s your name?” Darius asked.
“It’s Omarion, sir. Omarion Roebuck at your service.” Omarion said as he saluted once. Darius returned the salute and Omarion returned his focus to the flight. Darius laid back down in his harness and tried to get himself some sleep as he feels exhausted beyond relief. Perhaps his new Psyon body hasn’t adjusted to fast-paced action like this yet. He could see the others trying to get their own way of resting as well: Duke was in deep conversation with his own rider but his expression showed his brain is about to shut down soon; Igniz was scribbling in his private journal whilst laying down thanks to the moonlight which made Darius wonder what he’s writing in there; Raizo was sitting upright and reading a leather-covered book while Zeeq was sleeping peacefully in his harness (Raizo waved once to Darius when he looked up and Darius returned in-kind).
Darius tucked himself in and closed his eyes as the dragon steadied herself in a smooth glide. Omarion made mentioned that they will be arriving in the capital by dawn and it's a few hours away. Some good shut-eye before getting there would be of great relief.
***
“Was it really necessary to let them go, my Lord General?” Lithia asked as she kneeled on one knee in front of her mentor.
“Yes… to catch a much larger fish, one must release the smaller ones… it’s a metaphor that has developed much of what we are standing on today.” General Tyrell replied. He was pacing slowly around in his study, the personal library that was filled with rows and rows of old and forbidden books. A collection he himself has gone to extreme lengths to achieve.

“I have already placed Denethil in the Psyon’s blood. He won’t be going back to that flying fortress anytime soon.” Lithia said.

“Very good, captain. You always know how to make me proud… however…” General Tyrell said and he stopped his pace to turn to look at a Dakrie that is laced in Darkmatter chains and his mouth bound by black liquid. Varian is bleeding heavily from his head but it doesn’t seem to stop him from kneeling properly like his partner is doing.

“What shall I do with a rebel and a failure?” the general said. Varian looked as if he wants to speak but even if he could, the bindings restricted his very movements and his will to break them; a token of the Shadow Huntress for failing her command.
“He has been given one too many chances for success, my Lord. Perhaps time in the Pits would do him good? It did Duke some benefit, to say the least.” Lithia said.

“No… I have a better idea. Since you mentioned how Duke benefited from the Pits, perhaps young Varian could benefit from another way.” The general said with a nasty grin. Already in his mind, there is a scheme on how to improve young Varian and perhaps even enhance this Dakrie captain. After all, no Dakrie should be seated or crowned if they have no real power to prove it.

“Lithia, take him to the Dökkálfr Chamber.” General Tyrell said and he turned away to search for a book. But despite his efforts to ignore the rampart scuffed screams and resistance of the prisoner in chains, he still found it heavy to simply ignore a certain female protest.

“My Lord, is that really necessary? That place is nothing but one gigantic surgical tool to cut us open. We are strong, my Lord, but not invincible to such torture.” Lithia said with a tremble in her voice.

“Duke survived the chambers for seven days… who knows, Varian could survive longer.” The general said and opened a book to read. He waved once and a shadow took both Lithia and Varian away, one who bowed graciously to her Lord General and the other silently screaming for his life as he struggled against the chains.

The Dökkálfr Chamber is by far the most gruesome laboratory the Darkai had the nerve to create. However, a soldier only does his duty as ordered from his commanders, and even as a Lord General himself, he, too, answers to a higher calling.

Dr. Mark Teat, a name that the world would know him by, is a simple physician by expertise but in secret, this doctrine is what founded and raised the Darkai into ultimate supremacy against all other life forms and it is due to this doctor that they have mastered Darkmatter perfectly up to a point where the poisonous fumes of this negative energy are absolutely nothing but air to the physical body.

Ever grateful for this achievement, Shawlong Tyrell was the first to enter and volunteer into service and brought his sons along for the ride… but now, as he read page after page of the book on Catalyst studies, he began to wonder if he may have made mistake bringing in one of his children.
***
Technically, the sun didn’t rise because it was already early morning in the city. The streets are already lit with carriers both on the ground and in the air, the towering buildings of white marble tore through the skies with as much grace as they were designed and built. The First Level of the city is bursting with life and merriment that has kept its people to endure and flourish through hard times.
The Second Level has buildings of a similar trait but much smaller in comparison and unlike the First, they have more space between each other and they are all made of white marble and scripture glass. The Second Level houses the homes of the lords and nobles of all Altaria from governors to mayors, to lesser nobles and direct servitude of the Royal Palace; this is where the elite remain for leisure time.

But of course, although the housing arrangements are different compared to the outer cities, the classes of such populations are not so different. In fact, nobles, high lords, and even members of the Royal Family themselves go and mingle in the lower levels as if they are close neighbors. No soul is left ignored should they be broke, homeless, or starving for it falls under the belief that every soul in Altaria, be it a man on two legs or creatures of four, are all equal. No one man or woman is higher than the other, not even the ruling Queen is higher than her people but the Queen is the only one who is obliged to stand above the rest for she is the figure all will turn to for power, help, and protection. There is no fairer kingdom in Gaia than that of the Blazing Kingdom… until the law of Pyro was conceived.

Pyro, the title bestowed upon the greatest warrior in the kingdom, is one of rank, status, and power above almost anyone else. Once, three were chosen to be Pyro as there was never one warrior who stood greatest but now, after one hundred years of political and internal strife, there is only one. The reigning Pyro for the past five decades is Lord Vulkan but he is far beyond his prime. A rather old man, he detests all ideas of retirement and would not trade his title for any other skilled fighter out there unless he is killed for it. Naturally, no fighter would fight an old man for a title especially since he’s no longer fit for a duel so, in retrospect, no one has ever contested for the seat simply out of pure respect.
Although the sun as has been up and shining for an hour or so, a flight of four dragons appeared from above the horizon as they sped their way towards the city. Their respective riders sat on the back and observed as four Psyons piloted their dragons... And one particular pubescent teenager who is sitting on top of the head of his dragon. Fortunately, the particular dragon seems to enjoy his company.
“THIS IS SO AWESOME! YOU GUYS SHOULD TRY THIS!” Zeeq shrieked as he opened his mouth and let the wind blow in as his dragon swerved in circles around the flight.
“Just don’t fall off or else I won’t catch you, you moron!” Raizo screamed but Zeeq’s roar of excitement seems to deafen the words.
“Let him have his fun,” Igniz said, “as soon as we land, he will be basically grounded.” Duke and Raizo laughed but Darius has a deeper intent as he mopped the ground with his eyes.
“Searching for something, man?” Raizo asked as he noticed Darius’s death stare to the ground far below.
“Brazen hill...” Darius replied. The three looked at each other nervously and they were hoping that Darius could at least learn to let go of his former home.
“We’re approaching from the south,” Duke said, “I don’t think we’ll be seeing the Hill from this direction.”
“Yeah... You’re probably right...” Darius said with a sullen face. Igniz tried to think of something to say to lighten the mood but the rider seems to be able to read the situation and broke the silence.
“My Lords, we are approaching the capital city. Please, return us the reins so that we may fly through military airspace.” Omarion said. Everyone save Zeeq returned to their original seating arrangements but Zeeq moved from on top of the dragon’s head to sitting in her leg’s claw.
“Put your poker face on, boys! We are about to enter Arcadia!” Raizo said with his arms spread wide as the flight soared past the outer walls of the city.