Emblazon

Thank you for the reviews! They are much appreciated.

I believe your questions are answered somewhat in this chapter Jotaku ^_^ Thanks for that awesome review!

And holy cow, I was just reading your werewolf fanfic breathless_bliss, You're doing a great job on that fic, I guess I should've left you a review lol.



Chapter 2



The world was trembling. Serpentine tendrils of sanity lightly twisted around the fraying edges of unsuspecting minds. Eventually thoughts were as twisted as the dying magic, though The elders and the more powerful eldritch did not succumb to the whispers, the soft breathe of uncertainty tainted their eyes and actions. And then darkness started permeating the landscape, night stretched through the hours when our sun should have rose, light faded too quickly, even those reveling in the darkness knew. Knew that what was natural, what was normal, would never exist in our world again.

Our world trembled, pulses emitted from it’s very ancient core signaled the steady halt of life.

There would be no more, no more young born, seeds spread across fertile fields would not take root. No more growth. Life would halt on all four planes of existence. –







Strife paused and furrowed blond eyebrows. He unfurled the leather scroll further and shifted in the pile of furs he was sitting cross legged on. He continued to read despite the dimming light.







-The plane of existence housing entities recognized as gods was the first to become silent. Temples darkened; priests went mad with the abrupt loss of a connection as ancient as the core. Then the djinn’s, the melding present and past and future that interwove two whole planes of existence slowly melted away. Memories become muddled, hope faded from everything. Darkness rooted quicker with the lessening of light in creature’s hearts. Wishes, for what is a wish but a hope for the future, failed.



And that was when we started creating the gate. Not guided by hope, because we that were still sane did not trust hope as the frail beings that had wasted away months before had. The creatures that moved now were the ones bred in darkness, brought forth from dark flames and trained to survive against all odds and prejudice.

Not all evil, just dark.



And when the forbidden gate was finally created and the two worlds connected, we unhurriedly and quietly fled through. Some waited till the final plane of existence started to fade away before they left the dark shaded fading world through the unorthodox forbidden gate.



We became refugees in a world that did not want to acknowledge us.



Despite this, we settled in, trying to adapt. But this new world is oh so young and bright and different. The creatures pre inhabiting this young world are primitive, yet advanced, and numerous. It’s almost intimidating how many of the same species there are spread out over this world. But they’re small and weak, these earthlings, most hold no power at all. Bright little pinpricks so easily extinguished, it makes sense that there would be so many, their existences are useless and short. –







Strife bit his lip, glancing quickly up at the circular opening emitting yellow fading light from the setting sun, sapphire eyes worried and slightly fearful mirrored the darkening blue sky. He could see no signs of danger though, and the light was fading fast. He turned his head back to the scroll, blond strands curtaining the vibrant fearful eyes.







-It came as a surprise, when the first pre inhabitant, first human melded with latent magic emanating from the gate. It created a bright flare, a pulse, not unlike the dying of our Otherworld, which attracted many creatures to the little human. The human was taken from it’s home by a curious eldritch of medium power, and it eventually learned to co inhabit with the eldritch. It was whispered that they bonded on an intimate level.



This was just the start, flares started pulsing from all over the world; Humans started melding with the magic invading their world. The joining sometimes instilled the feeling of completion, like it was needed to feel alive; others rebelled against the unfamiliar merge, hating the subtle change and tried to end their lives.

With every new flare, a fragile bond, a dormant connection was found. Every flare in existence had an other, from our dead world, to put it brusquely, a mate.



The more powerful eldritch were drawn to the more unique flares, flares who had a recessive power before they melded unconsciously with magic from our Otherworld, these flares where dubbed ‘flamers’, and were hunted even by those from the Otherworld who did not feel the dormant connection.

It became obvious, soon, that the new world would have to adapt to it’s new inhabitants, so the human government sought out the more powerful eldritch to bring some kind of order to the chaos initiated by co inhabitance and eventually laws were laid against and for the flamers and flares.



Flamers were not allowed to be unrecognized. They had special identification and were protected by both eldritch and humans.

Flares that were recognized had special identification and were protected only by humans and their eldritch bonded.

In some regions the prejudice and fear spurred complete bans against flamers, while flares had to pay a fine for passing through. Because where there were flamers and flares, there were undoubtedly mid level and higher powered eldritch.

Dragons, dragons are untouched and unconcerned with the laws or any form of control. Dragons have always been recognized as a source of raw magic, unbridled existences.

The human government tried very hard to negotiate a way to control dragons with the eldritch, but the eldritch have no more control over the dragons than is allowed by the dragons.

As it had been in our Otherworld, so it is here. –







He winced, took a shaky breath and leaned over the scroll, it was talking of dragons now, and he’d learn anything he could since he was currently the captive of one. And flamers, hadn’t the dragon called him that? If he was a flamer, he’d broken some law unknowingly by not being recognized by the state...Strife bit his lip and scowled.



“I didn’t freakin’ know, why should I get punished for not knowing?” He muttered. Then his scowl lightened, he chuckled and bit back a sob as fear laced consternation threatened to engulf him.

The dragon, that’s right, he wouldn’t need to worry about punishment, because the dragon would likely kill him when it returned. He bit his lower lip and focused on the black ink words written across the scroll.







-Dragons are not infallible, despite being nigh immortal, it was discovered that with this world’s weaponry dragons can be killed slightly easier than in our Otherworld.

When a dragon is spotted, it is marked. Whether for death or for capture is determined on the eldritch that tries to negotiate with it.

The gate has been open for almost two years, the UN has surreptitiously enforced laws to gain control over flamers, and by default, flamer’s bonded. As flamer’s bonded are all very powerful eldritch it’s understandable the benefits of this to the UN. But eldritch are not naïve dull creatures to be controlled easily, we are currently trying for an official eldritch representative in the UN and possible control over territory. –







“That’s it?” Strife whispered between gritted teeth. Eyes widened in the dark, he stared helplessly down at the scroll. He slumped back against the massive mound of furs and blinked back frustrated tears.



Of course’ he thought, ‘it wouldn’t leave information on a dragon’s weaknesses out in the open, would it?’ Strife pursed his lips and stared up at the stalagmite riddled ceiling.



He’d awoken in a natural cave, one furnished like a house in certain areas, the sole inhabitants were Strife, and the random twinkling Willow wisp that blinkered in the softening light.



No way out but to fly, he’d spent his first two hours conscious searching for an exit to no avail. There was no food and the dwelling smelled like earth. A crystalline pool of freezing spring water rippled in the corner, pale milky eyed fish floated and swayed under the surface. The spring was fed from underground and was likely to never run dry.



Strife didn’t believe he could hold his breath long enough to explore the underwater dark ominous openings deeper into the earth for a possible exit. Besides, the thought of dying underwater trapped under the earth scared him more than his impending dinner date with the dragon.



He didn’t realize he’d closed his eyes till a wave of air tossed his hair around his face. He bolted to his feet before his eyes had opened fully and sprinted halfway across the cave when the black dragon swooped gracefully through the opening in the roof and landed on the cavern’s floor. Dust and dirt rose on the disturbed air around the dragon and it slowly bent it’s scaly neck to examine Strife.



Strife leaned against the opposite wall and watched the dragon with wide eyes.

The dragon lowered it’s head slowly to the ground and deposited the mangled corpse of a deer onto the dirt. Strife frowned, how much do dragons eat? He thought. Me and a deer? Strife looked down at his chest and blinked.



Ah, I’m sorta, thinner now than I when I was at the orphanage huh... ruefully he half smiled, then his eyes widened at the realization that he was worried about his weight in front of a dragon that was about to eat him.



Stress, it’s getting to me. This would be a lot less frightening if the stupid large thing would just eat me already...

He scowled and looked up at the black dragon furling its wings against its body across the floor. The dragon cocked it’s head at Strife’s glare and a rumbling chuckle filled the cavern. Strife flinched back at the noise.



“Stop pouting little one. If you’re hungry come and eat.” The voice was a low velvet growl.

The dragon lowered its head till it was coal eye to sapphire eye with Strife and huffed out a short warm breath that washed over the petite blond haired teen. Strife shrunk as far back into the cave wall as he could.



“I forget, you frail humans won’t eat uncooked meat, will you.” The Dragon slowly inched forward and gently nudged Strife away from the wall. It curled its neck around Strife and forced him towards the bleeding carcass.

Strife was bewildered for all of two minutes. Why did the dragon want him to eat? Why was it being so careful with him? Then the only appropriate answer hit him and left him slightly dizzy with horror.



Oh, right, I’m malnourished, he wants me nice and well fed and..not bruised? Bruised fruit doesn’t taste good, is it the same with humans?



This thought caused a hiccuping laugh to bubble up alongside the panic in Strife’s chest which upon reaching his throat he promptly choked on. The smell wafting off the carcass didn’t help to calm his stuttered breathing; he retched a few times before he was lifted off the ground and dropped into the furs.



“You, you’re a helpless little thing aren’t you.” The dragon’s warm breath hovered over the light headed teen and Strife giggled drunkenly.



“No, no, just kinda wishing you’d hurry up and eat me.” He muttered out loud, clearly not thinking straight. The dragon’s deep coal eyes went half mast above him, and the air slowly started heating up.



“Ah, little one, you shouldn’t say such things. Although cute, You’re naivety and ignorance causes unnecessary fear on your part.” Strife was finding it hard to breath. The warmth emanating from the dragon and it’s large toothy head drifting above him was enough incentive for him to fall into blessed unconsciousness.



Unfortunately, unconsciousness would not take the initiative and claim him, he was left in a near panic state, awake, and worst of all, the dragon was now gnawing absently on the deer carcass.



“I assume you read the scroll I left down for you?” Strife gulped, still high on fear. He nodded mutely at the dragon’s calm gaze.



“Then, you have a slight understanding of this world’s current political state. You are a flamer, more precisely, My flamer, My little bonded.” The dragon trailed off, and blinked contemplatively at the deer carcass. Then he lifted his head and stared at Strife.



“I have no intentions of becoming the only dragon held in the UN’s control through you, little one. I also, have no intentions of giving you up.” The dragon seemed to somehow arrange his scaly face into a smirk.



“A bond with such a lovely Flamer, I’m rather pleased. You’re not as I’d feared you’d be when I felt the undercurrent of the bond tugging at my core.” Strife gaped at the dragon. Bonded... does that mean, I’m not getting eaten? He slowly closed his lips, blinked and frowned.



“Uh, dragon guy...” the dragon cut him off with a look.



“Citadel. Strife, I have already told you my name. It is Citadel.” Strife chuckled nervously and shifted on the furs.



“Y-yeah, C-ci...uhm. Anyways... what exactly, does bonded mean?” Citadel scrutinized him searchingly.



“How old are you?” Strife blinked at the short question.



“Nineteen.” he answered with a frown.



“What does my age have to do-“ Without warning Citadel snapped his neck forward and pushed Strife onto his back with his snout. Strife let out a slight yip upon contact and hit the furs behind him with a grunt.



Citadel nosed Strife snuffling slightly, his angular snout moved across Strife’s chest and drifted lower, Strifes’s face flamed as Citadel paused over his groin and nipped considering over his zipper.



“C-cut it out! Citadel! What the hell are you doing?”

Citadel grunted softly and brought his snout up to Strife’s face,



“You’re innocence, it’s still intact.” Citadel’s voice was smug and a little awed, Strifes’s blush intensified and he squawked indignantly



“That’s none of your business bastard!” The dragon chuckled and nudged Strifes’s chin up slightly to nibble lightly at his collarbone.



“What the fuck?” Strife yelped and struggled away from the warm breath hitting his neck. Citadel just laid a clawed hand against Strife’s chest and held him in place. Strife bit his lower lip, his vision seemed to go hazy- the outline of the dragon above him was blurred and appeared to be shrinking. Strife blinked uncertainly, the light was so very dim now and he couldn’t really make out much in the dark cave.



Silky strands spread against his neck and Strife flinched at the contact. Something warm and wet worked over the small junction where his neck and shoulder met. Strife gulped at the odd sensation and whimpered when a clawed hand ghosted over his exposed midriff. Strife’s hands hesitantly rose from his sides to meet the sudden weight pressing down on him; Citadel wasn’t going to lay on him was he? That would crush me! Strife yelped when something clamped down on the skin just over his jugular.



“C-citadel, you want the bed, I’ll move, just don’t crush me ok! And stop doing whatever it is that you’re doing! I said I’ll move bastard!” hahahaha I’m mouthing off to a dragon. Strife giddily thought before another involuntary whimper was spurred from his lips by the weight shifting to fully encompass him.



“Hm, little one, I think I like you right where I have you.” Strife grit his teeth, a flame of rebellion kindled by the dragons lazy dismissal and he bucked against the weight.



“Well I really don’t like it! Citadel you’ll freaking crush me!” Citadel chuckled and something nuzzled the side of Strife’s neck. Strife winced at the thought of those razor sharp teeth being so close to such a vulnerable part of his body and tried to shift away.

Citadel suddenly sighed, a deep whispery sound that tossed Strife’s bangs around his forehead. Then the weight was gone and Strife’s heated chest met cool air. He immediately pushed himself up on his elbows and scrambled backwards causing him to tumble off the side of the furs into the ground.



“Bonded, little one, means I have no intention to hurt you, so relax.” Strife frowned and closed his eyes briefly. It was almost completely dark in the cave and he couldn’t see where the dragon was, which caused him no small amount of stress. A sudden billow of flame lit up the darkness and shadows furled and dance across the walls. Strife balked and covered his eyes, squinting past his fingers he blinked black dots from his vision.



There was no large pitch black dragon in the cave.



Strife’s breath caught when the revelation registered. He rubbed his eyes with his knuckles before jerking to his knees and glancing around wildly, completely disregarding the tall figure standing before the crackling fire. The figure tilted it’s head and an amused chuckle reverberated around the cave.

“Little one.” Strife twisted around to face the source of the condescending voice so fast he almost toppled over. The fire light reflected in deep black orbs observing him caused an almost demonic glint and strife’s sapphire eyes widened. strife blinked somewhat self consciously and uncertainly raised a hand in a short wave.



“Oh, uh, hi?”

That chuckle again.... and the figure turned a broad shouldered back to Strife and walked to the side of the cave that the spring pool bubbled in.



“Unfortunately, you’re going to have to settle for unseasoned fish tonight Strife.” Strife blinked at the silky low voice that sounded so like the dragons.

The male was unclothed. Strife furrowed his brows and stretched his lips against his teeth displaying an uncertain worried frown.



“Uhm, you. You are Citadel, right? I- had no idea dragons could transform into uhm... well that.” The dragon-human turned his ebony haired head slightly and a feral grin lifted pale lips from curled ivory canines. Strife gulped and shrank from the red tinted eyes dragging their coal pupil gaze appraisingly down his body.



“There are quite a few misconceptions about dragons, we like our privacy.” Citadel blinked contemplatively and turned to face Strife fully.



“I suppose for now, I should hold you under oath; you are to withhold all information that could harm dragons if spoken to the wrong ears, at least until I’m certain you understand your unique circumstances.” Citadel fixed a firmly expectant look on Strife and the teen bit his lower lip and warbled



“I- you... what?” Citadel lowered his eyelids in a completely patronizing stare and sighed.



“Alas, your Natural beauty only barely distracts from your unsurprisingly low mental capacity.” Strife bared his teeth at the obvious jab and snarled across the room at the amused dragon.



“Stop fucking insulting me, I’m not an idiot and I’m not a moron! If you were in my place you’d be a little confused too goddammit!”



“I doubt it, little Strife, Now swear the oath. It’s simple, all you have to do is say ‘I swear’ and you will be bound to obey only this order. It is not a way to control your will little one, just a simple precaution.” Strife scowled at Citadel and clamped his lips shut. Citadel’s dark eyes narrowed and he turned without a word to the spring. He bent over and gracefully pulled a large white fish from the water. He idly broke it’s back and flicked it over to the fire. Turning back to Strife’s stiff form Citadel frowned at the blondes tenacity.



“Strife. You will swear the oath. It is necessary.” Strife sucked his teeth in a purely rebellious gesture and ignored Citadel in favor of examining the fish lying limply in the dirt in front of the fire.



“Strife, I do not want to do this as I desire your trust as your bonded, but if you force me I will force you.” Citadel’s tone was blunt, Strife turned his eyes briefly to meet Citadel’s, then gasped and stepped back completely unable to look away.



Where Citadel’s eyes were previously blacker than the midnight sky, now a fiery red pulsed with every word Citadel spoke into the cave.



“You, Strife, will swear not to speak of anything you learn about dragons to anyone deemed unfit by me, your bonded, your eternal mate.” The fiery eyes narrowed and Citadel spoke with a tone of voice devoid of emotion but echoing complete authority.



“Now, Swear.”

Strife tried to resist, to the point where his eyes watered and frustrated tears ran down his cheeks, but he could not look away. When he felt his mouth open and his voice rising unbidden to speak he bit down hard on his tongue and tasted blood. Then Citadel was standing in front of him with nothing but tenderness reflected in those dark eyes and brought his pale lips to Strife’s smudged cheeks, he kissed down the tear trails and murmured into Strife’s ear while enfolding his trembling frame into his arms. Strife brought his shaking hands up to hit ineffectively against Citadel’s firm chest once or twice before he settled for dripping the tears running out of his nose onto Citadel’s skin.



“Little beloved, just speak the words. Stop hurting yourself.” Strife forced a choking breath through gritted teeth.



“I- s-swear.” He coughed and buried his face miserably against Citadel’s warm shoulder feeling immediate release.



“Y-you bastard.” Strife hiccupped, sagging against Citadel. He sighed when warm hands rubbed his back.

Citadel tucked Strife’s head under his chin and massaged the back of Strife’s neck.



“Find a less repetitive insult.” Citadel muttered amused. Strife barked a short bitter laugh.



“Now, that’s over, sit down, I’ll feed you.” Citadel said, and pushed Strife backwards so that he fell into the furs.

“Oof-“ Strife yelped upon impact, then bounced back up immediately and glared at Citadel’s back.



More than a little disorientated; Strife was in a situation where he had no knowledge as to what to expect and he barely had a hold on the fact that he was somehow irrevocably bonded to a dragon. All he really had the presence of mind to decide at the moment was that he did not like Citadel pushing him around.

The smell of cooking meat dispelled any further mutinous thoughts and Strife almost drooled when Citadel walked over to him, hands full of steaming flaky white meat. This would be his first meal in almost two days. Strife’s stomach complained fiercely at the realization and Strife diligently ignored Citadel’s raised eyebrow.



Citadel wordlessly crouched before Strife and offered his cupped hands as a plate. Strife had no real complaints, he was too hungry to care, and devoured the proffered meat. He wondered with a light blush if Citadel would take it the wrong way if he licked the hands turned plate clean... but before he worked up the courage to ask Citadel was half way across the cave, back towards the pool of water. When he returned his hands were housing cold water this time. Strife blinked up at Citadel’s expectant face and sighed.



“I can get my own ya know.” Citadel just raised an eyebrow, tilted his head and kept his cupped hands in front of Strife. Strife snorted and brought Citadel’s hands to his lips then slurped up the water.

Citadel watched intently, when Strife’s lips briefly touched his fingers his coal eyes narrowed into an intensely concentrated stare and he froze in place until sated Strife leaned back.



“Ah, thanks.” Strife muttered without looking up. Citadel quirked a small smile.



“Of course.” Was all he said.