Wake the Dragon Lord

Author's note: the words in < and > are the thoughts of the Dragon lord. words in ~ and ~ are the thoughts of Gwendel or respective characters.
PS: The bits contained within the asterix * and * are spirit world battles/action.
PSS: Edited to add in a special scene to clear up some information later in the story.

Chapter three: Awake! Lord of Dragons!

Anissina frowned and looked over the notes that Gunther had given her. It didn’t bode well. She worried her lip and sat down heavily at her laboratory table.

“I don’t know if I can do anything Gunther; I’ve never dealt with possessions of this magnitude before,” she sighed and played with a lock of her hair. It pained her to see her childhood friend in such danger. Deep in her heart she cared for Gwendel like a sister would her brother. Not knowing if she could help made it all the worse.

“I know you can invent something, Miss Anissina. I have faith in you. You were the one who figured out how to get the crown off of my head. I know you can help. I may not have known Gwendel for as long as you have, but...” Gunther paused and blushed brightly before sitting down across from her at the table.

“But what?” Anissina perked up a bit, curious as to the demon’s confession.

“But I care for him. More than one should care for a friend. I feel helpless. I know of dragon lore and such but...I’ve never seen a demon of high will power like Gwendel become possessed by a soul. I’ve only heard of it in stories... Besides what could I do to help? I specialize in the wind, it’s not anything I would dare use to draw a spirit out.” Gunther blinked and looked up as Anissina came around and put a hand on his shoulder. She had a power about her that while it made Gwendel sick to his stomach, knowing that when she was around it meant exhaustion for him; to Gunther and many other demons it was soothing and strengthening.

“I’ll do my best Gunther, but I think you’re underestimating your own abilities. I don’t know much about dragons; so I’ll need your help. If you could do some research on anything that could provide an answer to past exorcisms of dragons from demons or anything of the lot that would help tremendously!” Her bright smile radiated the warmth and strength of will that Gunther needed. Getting up he smiled at the shorter woman and nodded.

“I’ll do my best Miss Anissina.”

“In the mean time, I’ll pay Gwendel a visit. Possibly I can learn something from him as well. Now get to it!” With the clap of her hands, Gunther was sent on his mission.

/////////////////////////////

Gwendel sat in his room rubbing his head and clipping the claws from his hands. He frowned and sat heavily upon his bed and ran his fingers through his raven black hair. Now that he had possibly identified the being that was slowly taking over his body he tried so hard to remain in control. Yet the harder he tried, the more he felt himself slipping away, and needing to sleep.

“Gwendel? May I come in?” Gwendel smiled slightly at the voice of his friend and winched sitting up.

“Come in Anissina...” The red haired demon came in with a smile and a worried look in her eye. Gwendel had a feeling who had told her about his condition.

“How are you doing?” Anissina sat down next to her friend and looked him over. His hair was still tussled and his eyes were slightly ringed from lack of sleep. He sighed and looked at her.

“Well, all things considered. I just feel like I’m still being controlled. I’m worried what will happen when I loose what little power I have against this beast,” he said with worry before blinking as Anissina’s hand was placed on his own. He looked up and saw the hopeful eyes of his best friend.

“Don’t worry, Gwendie,” she said, using his pet name from childhood. “I promise I will do all I can to get this monster out of you and back where it belongs in the spirit realm. Gunther’s helping and you know he cares about you.” Gwendel blinked and snorted just a bit coldly.

“He cares, I know...but he cares more for Yuri. I know he’ll help but, for what reason? To protect the Maou from me?”Anissina frowned at her friend’s attitude and smacked him upside the head firmly.

“Gwendel! Don’t you ever let me hear you say that again! He really cares about you, even loves you! He’s really torn but he’ll get his ass in gear if I have anything to do with it.” Anissina glared crossing her arms over her chest watching as Gwendel rubbed his smarting head.

“Ow...okay, okay, fine. But I’m not waiting forever for him...but I would if he would just tell me himself...” Anissina frowned and pulled her childhood friend into a crushing hug.

“Just relax. Give him a little time and he’ll come around. Well I think I’ve rattled your cage enough for today...oh! Wait I did come here for a reason though.” Gwendel paled and swallowed hard. “Don’t worry, I was just wondering if there was anything you could remember about your dreams in specifics, like when they started what happened that day, if you had any contact with anything weird...that sort of thing.” Gwendel breathed a sigh of relief and frowned slightly.

“I...I don’t recall anything at the moment, but I’ll see you if I remember anything.” Anissina smiled and nodded her hands on her hips.

“All right, that’ll do. And do try and get some sleep, you look horrid. I’ll talk to you later Gwendel, I’m going to hit the library to see if Gunther has found anything.”

“Take care Anny, and I will try to get some shut eye.”

“Good.” With a smile Anissina left, ignoring the pet name. As the door closed Gwendel frowned and sighed deeply, hoping that it would all be over soon.

/////////////////////////

Two guards were stationed out side of Gwendel’s chambers on his orders that night. Yuri frowned and looked at the general.

“You don’t have to station guards at your room door y’know. You aren’t a criminal!” Yuri frowned and watched as the man gave him a hard look.

“Your majesty, please. I know what I’m doing now, but I don’t know what I will be doing during my sleep. I feel that tonight is going to be worse than the night before. I’m taking precautions as I see need to them. Now please, return to your chambers and lock your doors.” Yuri felt powerless to wave the man’s will and nodded slowly.

“Okay Gwendel, you win. But you’ll get through the night without any problems, who knows you may wake up and be completely free of this dragon thingy possessing you!” The young man’s hope caused a pain in Gwendel’s heart. He knew this night was going to be hell. He wasn’t sure he was going to wake up at all.

“Please, just return to your chambers, Yuri. Conrad will be posted outside of your door along with Gunther. Please, go now,” Gwendel said softly. Yuri frowned and nodded leaving the general and closing the door behind him. The young Maou sighed and left for his chambers thinking over what had transpired.

Gunther took his place as a guard to Yuri and Wolfram’s bed chambers. He smiled nervously at Conrad who was sitting in a chair nearest to the door handle.

“So far so good, Gunther. I think Gwendel is just a bit afraid and maybe paranoid. I’m sure once this night is over he’ll be more confident.” Gunther nodded and sighed.

“I hope so, I spent most of today in the library with Anissina looking up anything I could find on Dragon possessions. Tomorrow will probably be the same.”

“Don’t worry, Anissina will get Gwendel back to normal no matter what. My brother may be stubborn, but at least I think it will help him in this battle,” Conrad said assuring the demon. Gunther nodded and glanced to the door besides him longing to be inside with the Maou and sighed.

“I hope so.” With that the night began to drag on.

////////////////////////

Gwendel groaned and twisted in his bed claws once again adorning his hands. In another world, he battled with the dragon inside of him

* Gwendel glared and panted watching as the mammoth dragon’s spirit battled him for control.

the voice of the dragon echoed in the spirit realm’s empty expanses. Gwendel glared and tried to dodge a massive claw adorned paw that swiped at him.

~ That’s what you think...I’m not giving up to let you ruin my life and the life of the Demon Kingdom! ~ Gathering a strong amount of spiritual magic he blasted the red clay colored dragon. Gwendel gaped as the spirit absorbed it and cursed himself for not realizing that two earth spirits would absorb each other’s powers.

The great dragon gave a burst of speed and wrapped his massive whip like tail around the spirit of the demon general. He began to crush Gwendel’s spirit with his sheer strength. < I WILL destroy you and the demon spawn that trapped my minions. You miserable creations have no chance...> With a swipe of his claw, Gwendel’s spirit connection with his body was broken he was now in all senses dead, and no longer had control over any magic that his body contained. The dragon smiled darkly and established his own connection.

The battle was over....*

He arched and growled deep in his throat, finally losing control to the dragon lord. The Dragon lord opened his new eyes, burning a red overshadowing the blue that they had once been.

Standing up and moving to the wardrobe the Dragon lord dressed in Gwendel’s uniform. He chuckled darkly and reached behind his head snapping the bond that held the silky black hair back. He moved to the mirror and laughed as fangs finally adorned his smile. He heard the guards stir and knock upon the door.

“Gwendel, sir! Are you all right?” one guard said from outside the door.

“I’m fine, I think it’s finally over, actually...” said Gwendel’s voice. The guards smiled and relaxed but paused as the door opened and Gwendel emerged. “Yes it’s finally over.” the voice changed into a deep rumble with a dark growl. His eyes snapped open and shown in red, just as the blood on his hands. The two guards fell to the ground their necks ripped open. Marching off the Dragon lord headed for the southern most exit and paused seeing Gunther and Conrad at the door to the Maou’s chambers.

“Gwendel? Is that you?” Conrad stood his hand moving towards his sword nervously.

“Don’t bother now brother, it won’t do you any good!” Conrad went flying his head hitting the floor hard from the force of the punch.

“Conrad!” Gunther startled from sleep at the roar went to Conrad’s side. He looked up and paled.

“Oh he won’t be getting up any time soon, Gunther... so don’t bother.” Gunther gaged as he was slammed into the wall next to the door. He tried hard to get the clawed fingers off of his neck but with little success. He felt his consciousness starting to slip away as he stared into the fang lined grin of his once friend.

“Let...go...” Gwendel laughed darkly and lifted up the demon above his head.

“As you wish, demon!” with a roar he grabbed his cape and swung him into the heavy wooden door, shattering it and causing both Yuri and Wolfram to jump from their bed their swords drawn. “I am Lord Yama, Commander of the Dragon Hordes, you would do well not to get in my way, children.”

“Get out of my brother you beast!” Wolfram charged the larger demon and swung his sword. Yama smiled darkly and caught the sword with one hand and smacked the younger demon with the hilt of the sword. His blood began to drip down his arm into the dark green fabric.

“Wolfram!” Yuri went to Wolfram’s side as he sat up holding his head.

“I’m okay...” Wolfram looked up and glared as Yama through the sword to the side and licked the blood off of his hand.

“You monster...” Yuri glared darkly and stood up tensing, his overprotectiveness for his fiancee and his kingdom turning him once again into the Demon King. Yama snorted and smacked the boy hard across the head with his bloodied hand.

“I have no time for you. But your time will come, Child. Just as it will come for everyone who defies me.” Yama spun around and glared as more guards came. Smirking darkly he ran for the double glass windows and broke through, jumping off the balcony to the street two levels below. Yuri groaned and held his head looking up as Wolfram held him close. The guards came in and tended to a groaning Gunther laying in the splinters of the door.

“Gunther will be all right my lord. Conrad is going to need medical attention though...” Yuri nodded and watched as Gunther was helped up.

“My lord, forgive me...I-I couldn’t stop him. I failed...” Gunther winched as a nurse hurried in and removed the splinters and put antiseptic upon the cuts on his head.

“It’s not your fault, Gunther...” there was a sudden terrifying whinny from below in the stables as a black horse was forced into a gallop with Yama upon him, his shadow great under the full moon.

“He’s heading for the Dragon Sanctuary...” muttered Gunther with a frown. The guards and everyone looked up. “He’s preparing to end the war that he started....”