**********
Damion fearlessly strode into the dragon's lair, the blazing Dragon Sword held before him as he carefully made his way through the cavern's opening. To his surprise, he found Kaviel casually lounging against the enormous scarlet dragon that was stretched out across the cavern floor.
“I was wondering when you'd join us.” The scar-faced man sneered. He held the pulsating Dragon Gem in one hand as he stared at Damion with hatred. “I was beginning to think that one of my creatures might have gotten lucky and finished you off!”
“You wish.” He snarled at the man, noticing with satisfaction that Kaviel looked as though he was in a great deal of pain. His nose was mangled horribly, and there were large black rings beneath his eyes. What was visible of his body had been badly burned, and he was oozing blood and puss from dozens of blisters that had burst. He was leaning heavily on one leg, and he winced and grabbed his ribs with every breath he took.
Damion glanced at the unmoving dragon, who was watching him with expectant eyes. “Greetings, Tempest.” He addressed the massive beast in a grave voice.
“Greetings, Dragonkin.” Tempest replied, her deep voice rumbling through the cavern. “I have looked forward to this meeting.”
Kaviel laughed a gravelly laugh. “It seems as though you have accomplished something that I was never able. You've won the respect of this overgrown lizard.” The dragon snarled at him menacingly, but the man ignored her. “That is quite an accomplishment.”
“I’m not surprised that a murderous pile of goblin dung couldn't gain the respect of a dragon.” Damion spat scathingly. His mind was going a mile-a-minute trying to discern what his father's murderer was planning. Every nerve in his body was screaming that it was a trap, but he saw no other way to confront Kaviel.
“You have proven to be quite a nuisance!” The man continued casually, sounding much like he was speaking to an old friend. “You and your friends have thwarted my every attempt to recover my sword. It has been quite vexing at times.”
“Glad we could help.” Damion growled, slowly taking a step closer towards the injured man. “Now maybe I can help relieve you of that ugly lump of scarred flesh atop your shoulders.”
“My, my!” Kaviel exclaimed in mock surprise. “Is that any way to treat an old friend?”
“You are no friend of mine!” Damion snarled, his anger getting the better of him. “You killed my father!”
“Ah, yes, your father.” The man mocked heartlessly. “I know you probably won't believe me when I tell you that it wasn't my intent to kill your father. I was actually aiming for your friend, Gabriel Quickhand.”
“Sly?”
Kaviel snarled furiously, his eyes bulging insanely. “Yes, Sly! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him battling my creatures back in the Godstear Mountains! The man that had marked my face so many years ago once again stood in my path!” He smiled sadistically. “I finally had my chance to have my revenge!” He suddenly frowned. “Unfortunately, my aim was off and your father was killed instead.” He shrugged, then laughed. “Oh well!"
This news startled Damion, but he brushed his surprise aside and remained focused on the task at hand. “It's time that you pay for your crimes!” He took another step closer.
“Come, now. Won't you even hear me out?” The scar-faced man asked in an infuriatingly tone. “I have a proposition for you.”
Damion sneered at the man, not trusting him for even a second. “What could you possibly say that would keep me from strangling you with your own intestines?”
This obviously didn't sit well with Kaviel. He turned pale, and backed a little farther away. “J-Just hear m-me out!” He stammered frantically. “I want you to join with me! With you by my side, and the gem and sword reunited, there will be nothing to stop us from conquering the entire world!”
Damion laughed out loud. “You actually think I would join with you?” He shook his head and took another step closer. “Nay. I think I'd rather feed you your own heart!”
“That’s unfortunate!” Kaviel snarled, raising the pulsating Dragon Gem. “I was hoping that you would be wise enough to accept my offer! Now I'll just have to kill you!”
Tempest roared furiously, then inhaled a deep gurgling breath and released an enormous blast of fire that completely engulfed the huge warrior. Damion had been expecting this, and calmly stood his ground, allowing the flames to crackle around him harmlessly. The flames suddenly died out and he remained standing before them, his armor glowing red from the inferno.
Kaviel's jaw dropped open in shock. He had clearly expected Damion to be roasted alive, but he remained untouched, save for the clothes beneath his armor, which had been burned almost completely away. “Kill him!” He shrieked in terror, scrambling behind the massive dragon. “Kill him now!”
The scarlet beast roared its protest, but lashed out with her whip-like tail, forcing Damion to leap aside, narrowly managing to avoid the blow. He drew in his magic and sent a bolt of energy streaking towards Kaviel's head, which had popped up from behind the dragon to watch the fight. The bolt of energy struck the wall behind the scar-faced man and exploded, pelting him with sharp stones.
The man cursed loudly, then dove for safety. “Kill him!” He screeched, ordering the dragon to strike again. She lashed out with her razor-sharp talons, driving Damion back as he tried to draw closer to his father's murderer.
Damion didn't wish to hurt the ancient beast, but it looked as though he may not have any choice in the matter. He had to get that gem away from Kaviel by any means necessary! He waited until the scarlet dragon drew back to strike again, then raised the Dragon Sword high above his head where it instantly flashed with a searing light that lit the entire cavern.
Tempest recoiled trying to shield her eyes, and let out a tortured wail of pain, then fell back against the cavern wall, nearly crushing Kaviel beneath her immense weight. He screamed at her furiously to continue her attack, then snarled in frustration and withdrew a dagger from his belt and sent it whistling at Damion's chest.
The huge warrior batted it away effortlessly, then slowly began to advance on the cringing man, his eyes flashing red with fury.
Kaviel cursed vehemently, then scrambled atop the dragon's back, still clutching the Dragon Gem in one hand. “Go! Go! Go!”
Flames suddenly filled the cavern once more, obscuring everything from sight, and Damion was forced back to avoid a set of slashing claws that raked through the flames.
The massive scarlet serpent lurched passed the huge warrior and out of the cavern's entrance, then threw herself into the air, propelling herself with powerful beats of her mighty wings.
Damion cursed furiously, then raced after them, his anger and frustration building to a crescendo. He watched momentarily as the dragon rose higher into the air, then drew his magic about him and shifted into the form of a snow owl.
Launching himself into the air, he followed them high above the forest, driving himself as hard as his body would allow in pursuit of his father’s killer. He was going to put an end to this nightmare, even if it took every ounce of strength and power that he possessed.