Abad stared in disbelief at Donal. The King of Draconia rose slowly from his throne, his massive horns and wings sweeping upward to emphasize his height as he stood ten feet tall.
A black shoulder cape draped from beneath his sharp, golden pauldrons, swaying loosely behind him. With every movement, the two metal chains and moon sigil pendants hanging vertically from Abad's belt clinked rhythmically.
Donal kept his head lowered as the heavy thud of the King’s boots echoed down the steps of the dais.
“It has been over a century since a Planetary Mage has set foot in Draconia,” Abad stated, his voice thick with a sober awe.
He tilted his head, his golden eyes narrowing. “Though you are known as a destabilizer, you obeyed my command. Why?”
The throne room fell silent as Donal weighed his response.
“Your people love you, and they live in comfort under your rule. To me, that makes you worth respecting,” he replied gently. He shrugged, eyes still fixed on the floor in a mock show of humility.
“Besides, I had to step in. I wasn't going to let Malachite ruin your image like that.”
Abad’s head tilted further. His gaze scanned the small man before him. His sheer mass dwarfed Donal, making the Mage look like a child in the shadow of a titan.
“My son was taken from me while you stood there in that petty disguise,” Abad’s voice dropped an octave, vibrating with a hint of mounting fury.
Donal took a breath and finally raised his head, tilting it back as far as he could to meet the King's eyes.
“Because they dragged in their own downfall. To win, you must destroy them from the inside out,” Donal replied.
“Elaborate,” Abad commanded.
“Lionel is a Star Soul of the Saturn Mage, Falcifer. His glyph lit up because it reacted to my buddy Zorn over there,” Donal pointed a thumb over his shoulder.
Zorn looked on, his brow furrowed as he tried to piece the logic together. His eyes scanned the floor, slick with the blood of the fallen, wondering how he had missed so much.
Donal spread his arms wide.
“Hallow’s Gallows Prison is an abyss of darkness so dense it snuffs out the light from any prisoner. It feeds on misery. But not your son. He is darkness and his emotions are tough as stone,” Donal chuckled, a small, knowing sound. “Your son will only gain strength as he sits in that dark, awaiting trial. He will be a force to be reckoned with.”
Khor noticed the familiar spark of passion in Donal’s eyes.
I’m starting to think he likes watching people's power develop, he thought.
Donal placed a hand over his chest, his words quickening with excitement.
“This region usually puts your son at a disadvantage. His magic is exiled here because his star, Capricornus, finds no support from the Moon. But that prison? It is his strongest supporter.”
Abad’s eyes widened. A heavy sigh escaped him, and he pinched the bridge of his nose, the weight of guilt visible in his shoulders.
And I have been so hard on the boy for his delays, Abad realized. He wasn't weak; he was just hindered.
Zorn finally reached his breaking point. He shoved Khor aside and marched toward Donal, his boots splashing through the blood of the fallen, no longer shaken by the bodies lying around him.
“Don’t do anything stupid!” Khor shouted.
Zorn wasn’t listening. He was tired of the riddles. He reached out, grabbed Donal by his purple cloak, and yanked him forward. Abad’s eyes narrowed, watching the display with grim curiosity.
Donal didn't flinch. He looked back at Zorn, whose face was inches from his own.
“You are going to explain. Everything! No more games. No more ‘another time.’ Now!” Zorn thundered.
Donal stared into Zorn’s rage-filled eyes. Slowly, his shoulders relaxed, and a reassuring smile spread across his face.
He’s growing.
The sudden softening of Donal’s expression threw Zorn off. His grip faltered, his eyebrows shooting up in confusion.
What the hell is wrong with this guy?
“Fine. I’ll tell you everything you need to know,” Donal responded quietly.
“First: the deception! You told me you couldn't lie, yet you lied to Esma about Malachite betraying everyone!”
Donal shrugged. “I didn't lie.”
Zorn growled and yanked him closer again. “Yes, you did!”
Donal’s voice steadied, his tone sharpening like a blade.
“I didn't. When I showed her that pin, I didn't say it was a pin or that it was mine. I didn't say a word. I merely showed it to her. She drew her own conclusion… that I was one of her own.” He raised a finger, a playful glint in his eye. “I stay silent if I can't tell the truth. Remember?”
Zorn shook his head. “Then how did you convince her?”
“By sowing seeds of doubt. She never trusted Malachite to begin with.”
Zorn’s grip loosened. “Really?”
Donal stepped back, smoothing his cloak. He didn't seem the least bit offended by the manhandling.
“Really. After she gave me the rundown of the mission and who was leading it, I just asked her: ‘Don't you think something feels… off?’ She did the rest.
She over-analyzed the situation and picked Malachite as the target of her distrust. It isn't a lie if you're misunderstood.”
Zorn stared at him, stunned. “Wordplay…?”
Donal winked and snapped his fingers, pointing them at Zorn like a pair of pistols.
“You’re not off the hook yet, Don,” Khor added, joining them. “You told me you were a sidhe, not that you were also a Planetary Mage. Why hide that part? We are oath-bound.”
“Couldn't risk leaks,” Donal shrugged.
“That’s it? No elaboration?”
“No, seriously. That’s the reason.”
Khor groaned, dragging a hand down his face in frustration. Donal just chuckled.
Zorn wasn't finished. Anger still simmered beneath the surface.
“Donal, don’t lighten up yet. I have one more question.”
“Go ahead,” Donal said patiently.
“You let the E.F.C. take Cinco,” Zorn said darkly, his fist balling up.
“Cinco let them take him. Star Rangers don’t just get caught, Zorn. He has a plan, and he felt he needed to enter the abyssal maw to see it through. He’s counting on us to find him.”
Zorn stood there, silent as the pieces finally clicked into place.
“You mean to tell me you are all here… deliberately to find the Red Saints?” Abad breathed, awe and exhaustion mixing in his voice. “Either your group is very brave, or very stupid.”
“Well, yeah. Clearly you see they suck,” Zorn added, his voice regaining its edge.
Khor swung his leg, kicking the back of Zorn’s knees.
KICK!
“Agh!” Zorn yelped as his legs gave out.
SLAM!
“Not this guy, Zorn. Watch your attitude,” Khor growled as Zorn hit the floor.
Donal bit his lip, stifling a laugh.
“Then I could greatly use your help… erm…” Abad hesitated, looking down at the three men who stood barely a third of his height.
They don't look reliable at all, but their actions definitely prove otherwise.
Zorn spoke up confidently, hauling himself back to his feet.
“Fae Star Guild!”
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