Onyx Dragon (Book 1) by Shawn E. Crapo Page B

as its perfectly balanced blade reshaped itself into a curve. It now resembled Eamon’s own sword, but retained its intricate, dragon shaped handle. He could feel the blade’s power within him, as if it were an extension of his own soul. With the sword in his hand, he could feel the very life of the Earth empowering him, blending with his own newly acquired senses. He felt invincible.
    “The blade is unbreakable,” the Dragon added. “It was forged in the fires of the center of the Earth itself. It will resist magic used against you, and can wound any creature that it strikes. It will serve you well.”
    “Thank you, father,” Eamon said, staring at his own reflection in the blade. He looked different somehow, but he couldn’t tell why. He unstrapped his own blade, letting it fall to the floor, and strapped the Serpent’s Tongue to his belt.
    “I see that you do not understand everything as of yet,” the Dragon said. ”But you will, in time. Do not doubt this. All will be revealed to you when the time is right.”
    Eamon sighed. “Very well. But tell me, what is this presence that threatens the world? Maedoc says you are unsure.”
    “I do not reveal everything to human seers. I know what this menace is, and I fear that my power is not strong enough to defeat him again. It is pure darkness and death personified, a stark unbalance that threatens to bring chaos to all reality. I did battle with it eons ago, and cast it back into its own reality, closing the portal. But somehow it was able to open the portal again and come fully into this world, bringing with it others of its kind.”
    Eamon nodded, familiar with the story. “Why do the Jindala follow it?”
    “They believe it is the God Imbra, another of the Firstborn. But, it is not. Imbra is trapped in the Earth as well, and cannot return to his people unless he is freed. He can only communicate as I do, through dreams and prophecies. Were he here, and at my side, we could vanquish this foe easily.”
    “Surely the Jindala would know that their God is not the one who leads them,” Eamon suggested.
    “They do not know because they are blinded by its power. He has seduced them, making them believe that it is He, Imbra. But there are those among them who are losing faith, whose wills are strong enough to see through the disguise. Their loss of faith grows stronger as they travel farther from the Jindala’s homeland. Those resistant Jindala in our land have already begun to feel its influence fading. I have given them the strength to do so.”
    “I must find them,” Eamon said. “They may be of aid. They would know how to defeat their own armies.”
    “Now you are thinking like a King,” the Dragon said. “But be wary. The being’s servants walk this land as well. They are powerful monstrosities, known among the Jindala as Defilers. They are like the leader, feeding on the living energy around them. They grow stronger with every attack, and only killing them will return the Earth’s energy to its rightful place. But there is another among them in our lands that you must also consider. It is he who brought the Lifegiver into the world, and his power is great. Killing him will turn the tide in this battle.”
    “I understand,” Eamon said.
    “I have faith in you, my son,” The Dragon said, embracing Eamon one last time. “Now go. My power is fading, and I cannot maintain this form much longer. I will extend a small amount of my power to speed your way back to Morduin. Your horses will run tirelessly and with greater speed. You will arrive much sooner than you would have. There is no time to waste.”
    “Thank you, Father,” Eamon said. “I will not fail you.”
    “I know, my son. But you must be careful. The battles ahead will be unlike anything you have ever faced before.”
    The Dragon watched as Eamon faded from his sight. He smiled, knowing that Eamon would be the greatest King Eirenoch had ever known. His son would destroy the darkness and