The Madness of Malefor

Arc 2: Pariah

Chapter 7

Like how a tree starts from a humble seed and soon grows into a strong tree, so too did Qafiel grow stronger. In just a decade, the once timid adolescent had ripened into a brave and inspiring young adult. His transformation had started after he'd been moved to Warfang from the temple and began his rigorous training with the Guardians as time permitted. It started with just Ygraine, in showing Qafiel the ways of Fire. However, as their training continued, it became clear that something was different about Qafiel that the Guardian hadn't seen before. Not just in the sense that he could channel the energy of Convexity, but his power seemed more expansive. On a hunch, Mistral came forth to Warfang Temple and gave Ygraine a second opinion on the situation, only to discover that Qafiel wasn't just able to channel Convexity, but also breathe Ice. Upon further investigation, and with further training, Qafiel discovered that with guidance, he was able to breathe not just two kinds of elements, but all of them. Word of this phenomena spread like wildfire across the realm, and Guardians from all over the land congregated in Warfang to witness this discovery with their own eyes. For days on end following this find, Qafiel was dazzling dignitary after dignitary with this array of breaths, ranging from Fire, all the way to Wind. The excitement and wonder brimming in the land's Guardians was overflowing, and his status as not just a purple dragon, but the purple dragon was quick established. As foretold, he'd become an icon, a symbol.

It was jointly decided that after he was finished training in the ways of Fire with Ygraine, that he ought to master the element of Ice with his mentor Mistral next. After that, he would learn Wind, and then Electricity, and he'd conclude with Earth. For years this continued; the purple dragon, whose raw power was unlike anything the world had ever seen, constantly learned and mastered each new element that was prompted to him. And his prowess didn't end there. After he'd honed his abilities with Earth, he began showing the potential to manipulate other elements that none had otherwise thought possible. It started with Poison, and then Water, and even Sound. Qafiel's power seemed limitless, knowing no boundary. His progress made the Guardians ecstatic. Qafiel's comprehension of the basic had been taken and transmitted in combat proficiency unlike anything the realm had seen before. Wasting no time, the Guardians across the realm began teaching Qafiel the secrets of elemental mastery, encouraging him to grow his power and control it. In time, that strength became his dominance, and it was after those ten long years that Qafiel's training was on the verge of completion, and his life on the verge of descent.

Qafiel's friends, Ellevyn and Desma, had long since completed their training alongside their friend, and they were his frequent sparring partners. Their constant exposure to his abilities and talents gave them a bit of an edge, allowing them to anticipate some of the purple dragon's movements. This aiding them in pushing Qafiel to his limit, and in exchange, fighting such a tough opponent gave the dragons a chance to hone their own skills as well. Undoubtedly, the three were the best of their class, shining brightly above all the others that had come from the same generation. Not long after their training finished, Ellevyn and Desma both permanently relocated to Warfang. Qafiel's pool of sparring partners soon dwindled, as many possible opponents were deterred by the mere notion of fighting the purple dragon. But Ellevyn and Desma, especially Desma, welcomed the challenge to spar with their old friend, and in just few short months the friendship the three once had was reignited to its former glory.

Ellevyn had grown much taller, taller than Desma, but about the same height as Qafiel. Desma had become more slender, and grew to be a very stunning Earth dragoness. However, she never once expressed interest in any romantic pursuits, and instead dedicated herself entirely to helping Qafiel train. Ellevyn had not only mastered his element, but also became a scholar, officially. There wasn't a single subject in which he wasn't proficient, and it made his fights with Qafiel all the more interesting. Qafiel himself had built up far more muscle than his companions, and it turned him into a target for many eager young dragonesses. However, Qafiel knew what he was fighting for, and disregarded all such attention. His horns had also sprouted, making way for a second and even a third set to grow from his head. In total, he had started with only two and ended with six. His wings had grown wider, and the gales they produced could blow down trees if he gave it enough power. Qafiel's voice, while initially the highest of the three friends, had deepened. It made him sound not like an adolescent, but like a mature drake. That voice coupled with his toned bulk and winning smile made him not just an impossible ideal for which to strive, but also a paragon of excellence. He had become unstoppable, and he'd had his friends and mentors to thank for it.

Since Qafiel had moved to Warfang to continue his training, the city had grown with him. When he'd first arrived it had a homely feel with a number of blocks composing of dragons as well as moles. By the time the decade had passed, the city had germinated into a fabulous metropolis, filled with creatures of all kinds and sprawling with skyscrapers and roadways. The citizens claimed that it was Qafiel that had brought so many people to the city, thus turning it into the capital that it had become. The idea that the city had flourished because of his presence was a flattering thought to Qafiel, and he accepted it humbly. With the power in his grasp, and the wind at his back, Qafiel was ready to complete his training. He was finally ready to master the power of Convexity.

Within the halls of the temple near the center of the city, the sounds of clashing claws rung through the empty hall. Inside the training room, Qafiel flapped his wings gallantly and rose into the air just in time to dodge a blast of wind sent at him by Ellevyn. The ensuing blast forced the doors to the room to open, and the bang that followed reverberated through the building. Desma sat on the side of the ring and watched the friends spar, impressed by each of their techniques.

Ellevyn hopped against the wall and narrowed his wings. He grasped onto the stone and prepared to leap from it and give direct force to his next blast. Qafiel turned from a previous roll and saw his friend mounted on the wall. Without notice, Ellevyn whipped up a spiraling gale and thrust it at Qafiel. Years ago, this would have been Ellevyn's endgame, but Qafiel was stronger, faster, and far more skilled than he had once been. Where once he would've been shaking in anticipating of the oncoming blow, he now saw an opportunity to turn the enemy's strike against them. Qafiel formed a sleek grin, and was careful to hide it from his foe. With the onrushing wind hurdling towards him, Qafiel let his wings fly open and let it blow him back. He was forced to the corner of the ring. All the way there, his claws were digging through the stone flooring, causing a pierce shriek to squeal through the room. Desma winced at the acute sound. After he'd been bluffed, Qafiel watched Ellevyn run along the wall with folded wings; the kind of wings most ideal for aerodynamic maneuvers. Ellevyn broadened his chest with confidence, but Qafiel was already a step ahead.

Using the leftover gusts from Ellevyn's last attack, Qafiel locked his wings in a peacock-like display. From there he flapped and made the wind start to spiral around him. A small twister appeared at the base of his tail, and it slowly engulfed him. Ellevyn continued to run, unfazed. Desma watched eagerly. Inside the whirlwind, Qafiel felt his throat chill, and from his mouth poured a glaze of ice that coated the wind. The windstorm became a blizzard, and with an extra push given to it by Qafiel's strong wings it rose into the air above the ground. It carried Qafiel with it. With a quick burst, and a howling roar, the icy gale had spilt, revealing dozens of icicles bulleting from within the cyclone. Qafiel had frozen the air, and then turned it into projectile shards. Ellevyn heard the icy daggers flying at him before he saw them, but his balance was disrupted as the fifth one to cross his path snared his foot. Ellevyn stumbled over his own speed and tumbled onto the stone floor. Above him, as he tried to recovered, the purple dragon had summoned another gale and circulated it. With an elegant spin, Qafiel thrust downwards and hurled himself like ammunition in an accumulative display of speed and grit. The Wind dragon tried to block the wind with his wings, but the blast came down like an asteroid. His wings were torn about in the whirlwind, and he was tossed across the room. The dragon hit the wall, bruising his white-scaled back. He'd become disoriented. Not that it mattered anyhow, the fight had concluded.

As Ellevyn's vision cleared, he saw two distinct figures approaching him. One was purple and bulky, the other green and visually grumpy. When his sight returned to normal, that was when the pain of his back settled in. He turned to look at it, to see if there was permanent damage, but to his relief it was just a brown spot from the muck on the temple walls. Ellevyn turned to his friends, and then he smiled at Qafiel. "Is that a new one?"

"Actually, yes," said the triumphant dragon. Qafiel was proud of his victory; each and every single one meant that he was improving. "Mistral showed it to me. He calls it the Icestorm. A simple name I know, but the name is trivial. The power of the move is something that took me a long time to control. But having been on the receiving end of it, I'm sure you've already guessed that."

"Yes…quite." Ellevyn shook his wings, as that last blast had made them sore. He was sure that wings were never intended to bend that way. Desma looked at the defeated dragon and giggled.

"That was a sorry ass display on your part, Ellevyn. I could've lasted longer than that." The Earth dragoness was prudent as ever, but the intellectual amongst them had more than a few witty comebacks prepared for such instances.

"Your last attempt says otherwise. After all, you were decimated in what…was it fifteen seconds?" Desma looked confused, and the vain dragon played his trademark. "Decimated: it means,"

"I know what it means! Ancestors Ellevyn! Are you ever going to stop that?!" She lowered her wings and snorted. The loose pebbles on the ground the dragons' match were kicked up, and Qafiel couldn't help but stand in-between them and laugh. He was glad that nothing had changed.

"Alright you two, that's enough. If I want to stand around and listen to bantering dragons I'll sit through another meeting with our northern dignitaries. Believe me, save yourselves the trouble." Ellevyn nodded, but Desma scoffed.

"Tch, whatever." Her abrasive nature made the dynamic between the three friends very well rounded, but everyone present knew she meant well. They liked her, more than they led her to believe.

"Ellevyn," said Qafiel. "Is that bruise going to impede your ability to fly?"

"I should think not. I promised Theos and the others I wouldd be there by midday, and so help me I will be there. I am nothing if not punctual," the confident dragon replied.

"Good, make sure to give them my love, remember?"

"Qafiel, this is a serious matter about which I must meet with the Guardians." The Wind dragon and purple dragon shared a nostalgic stare. "Of course I will tell them. I am not entirely sure why you need me to, though. Ygraine will be back in Warfang tomorrow."

"Oh, I can't help it, Ellevyn. It's been months since she was last here. I just get antsy when she's not around. She's the closest thing I have to a real parent, you know. I guess I just feel safer when she's in the city." From the unwise corner of their trio came a satirical laugh, and the dragoness from whence it came had a penny of wisdom for her purple friend.

"Safer?" Boasted Desma. "Dude, you're the purple dragon! Everyone in the realm knows not to screw with you. What could possibly make you feel threatened?" Though Desma's questioning was a little harsh, she had stumbled upon a very interesting discovery.

For some odd reason, Qafiel had been feeling a bit insecure about his position in the city. He'd known perfectly well that with the end of his training fast approaching, he'd soon be able to go out into the realms and provide a face to the name that the citizens had heard. It was a heavy burden, but he treated it like an honor. All the same he was beginning to feel worried that instead of respect, the people he sought to protect would shun him out of fear of his power. Naturally, he'd never tell his friends this. Each one had enough to worry about, he didn't want to bore them with his insecurities.

"It's nothing, Des. She makes me feel more confident, is all." Qafiel lied, but neither of his friends saw it.

"Well doesn't that make us feel loved?" Desma swayed her tail in a manner that matched her tone. She was cleared irked, but all the same Qafiel smiled.

"I know you guys love me, and I love you too. What I meant was," but Ellevyn interrupted him.

"Save the assimilations for another, preferably riper time friend." Both dragons looked his way. "Well anyhow, I must make haste. I vowed that I would not be late for our meeting."

Ellevyn and the other dragons with him walked out of the training room and made their way down the hall. Since Qafiel had moved in and began his training there, many eager onlookers scurrying to gain his favor had gifted him with paintings and decorative ornaments. Hundreds of these lined the walls, and the purple recipient was always casually glancing at them as he passed through the halls. It reminded him of his purpose, and despite his growing uncertainty, the memories created by looking their way always kept his spark alight. As the three walked, Qafiel hid a smile.

Once they arrived outside, the cool air from the early morning still clung onto the atmosphere. The small crisp molecules refreshed the air as Ellevyn turned around to his friends and spread his wings. Bidding them a proper farewell, along with vows to return post haste, he beat his wings and ascended into the air. Both Qafiel and Desma watched him fly off into the blue distance, and Qafiel sighed with distress. The Earth dragoness at his side wanted to speak, but instead she nudged her counterpart's shoulder and smiled once he turned to her. "Cheer up, Qaf. He'll only be a few days. Besides, this means we'll have more time to ourselves. I know that you never pass up a chance at solitude." Truth rung clearly in her words, for the purple dragon had taken an unhealthy liking to being left alone. To Qafiel, it was just relief from the constant publicity, and those fan-girling dragonesses.

"Actually, Desma, I needed to head over to the library before Ygraine and the others arrive. Since Ellevyn's already left, why don't we go together?" He was sincere, but he should have known that a building full of books was the last thing that Desma wanted to waltz into.

"Fat chance, bub. I'm gonna head over to the training hall and get some more practice in. If you wanna join me later, feel free." Desma turned her shoulder and walked back up the stairs. Qafiel watched her tail swish from side to side like a watch. It was mesmerizing. Desma sensed the glare, and she turned back around to find her friend scrambling to pretend he hadn't been staring. "Qafiel? Something you want to tell me?"

"No. Nothing. I might see you in the training hall later." Without another word, Qafiel climbed the air and was halfway across Warfang.

He set down on the steps leading into the library. It was a very large building. The structure had pillars coating its front entry way, and the entirety of it reeked of mole-like inspiration. Then again, most of the buildings in Warfang had drawn on their design from blueprints drafted by the moles. The purple dragon had always been humbled whenever he looked upon the mole's architecture, and the library was no exception. Walking into the front door, Qafiel did his best to quickly hide in the aisles of books, as not to draw any unnecessary attention to himself. Slinking through the books, he worked his way to the back corner of the library. It was dark back there, and he could hardly see in the dim light reflected off the shelves. Not that the lighting mattered, for Qafiel knew exact for what book he was looking. Coming to a golden plaque on the wooden aisle, Qafiel had located the right set of shelves, and scanned the spines of the books. On the third shelf up, he found it. Pulling it off the shelf with his fore-claw, he walked over to an open area and set it down on a table and flipped open the first page.

"Ah, Tales & Legends of Convexity. My favorite." He excitedly whispered.

Indeed, the encyclopedia had shown Qafiel many things about the mysterious airlock called Convexity, but because he'd yet to master all the other elements he was never taught just what it was. This book which he'd found though contained many speculative tales from over the years about the presence of Convexity and just from what it may have been protecting the realms. Something of notes that Qafiel found humorous was that it was a very old book. So old in fact that Qafiel couldn't turn any of its pages without fear of tearing them. He was gentle, as can be anyhow, when he flipped through the book the dozens of times that he had, and he'd at last gotten to the final chapter. As Qafiel read, he got visions of his own outburst a decade prior. Never once since that incident had the power of Convexity flown through him again, as if he'd expended all his might on that single blow. However, this conclusion was deemed illogical by the other Guardians. They thought for sure that it was no fluke. The young drake remained hopeful as the waning hours of the day slipped by in his black corner of the library. Page after page he anticipated the ending of this tale that he'd been invested in for so long, but the night grew too heavy. Qafiel's eyelid became like iron, weighing him down. He needed rest.

Qafiel closed the book and hobbled over to the shelf on which he'd found the read and returned it. From the depths of the library he emerged into the night, only to find a dimly lit sky. The stars glistened overhead, but it only encouraged weariness. Drowsy, Qafiel decided to walk back to the temple, despite that he nearly collapsed on the way there. Once inside he drudged up to his room and plopped onto his bed, thinking intently on his latest read from the book on Convexity. While unsure of what the power he wielded was truly capable, he knew that so long as he had the Guardians to train him and keep a watchful eye on his progress, only good would come. With this blissful thought, the drake drifted off into a much needed rest. And thereafter he dreamt; he dreamt of purple mist, and a distinct sound like hissing. He couldn't place it, but it persisted until knives of light cut through his window.

His eyes pulled open, and his head pulsed with blood. It was the first morning of his enlightenment.

Thrilled, Qafiel sprung from his sheets. They drifted onto the stone floor as he raced out of his room on the upper level of the temple and scrambled down the stairs. In his haste, he hadn't even noticed his stomach yowling with hunger. A hunger-deaf Qafiel burst into the main training room, and inside sat a grown dragoness. She was red, and had clearly aged gracefully. There were a few wrinkles present in her face, and her wings had become a bit tattered over the years, but she was the very same dragoness at heart. Her crimson scales had changed into more of a rose color, but all the same Qafiel knew her.

"Mother." Qafiel muttered as an elated breath danced from his lips. It'd been far too long since they'd seen one another. The purple dragon trembled as he stepped toward her, but the Fire Guardian's ever radiant smile beckoned him to run. Thusly, he did. He hurled himself across the training hall and threw himself into Ygraine's wings, embracing her like one embraces an old friend. The warmth spreading between them was instantaneous, and Ygraine developed a motherly smile.

"Hello, Qafiel. My son." Her head was tucked firmly into his shoulder, and he felt her breathing down his spine. Her breath was warm, like her smile, and he only returned the compassion. Ygraine separated herself from Qafiel, ending the loving entanglement. "I'm sorry I haven't made much time for you these last few months. Things have been senseless at the temple. We just got our newest wave of adolescents, and they're more of a handful than you and your friends ever were. Granted, I never thought that to be possible. But still anyhow, how has your training progressed?"

Qafiel tilted his head to the right in an adorable fashion. He wore a bewildered expression, and began his reply with a question. "You haven't heard?" he said. "My training is all but complete. I've mastered all the known elements, even Wind, and Sound if you can believe it. All that's left is for me to put it all to use. Mother, it's time I learned how to control the power of Convexity."

"So it appears," the dragoness acknowledged her son's position. His prowess had shown him through many a lonely night. But still he was brave enough to face it all without fear. In Ygraine's eyes, he'd nothing left to master. He was indeed ready. "Qafiel, we've spent much time over this past decade creating your final curriculum. Truthfully, I'm concerned that it won't be enough." Qafiel softly nudged her with his head, bobbing her to the right.

"I heavily doubt that, Mother. If you and the others made it just for me, I can master it, and I will use it to make you and everyone else proud."

"I've every confidence you will," encouraged Ygraine. "Shall we be off then?"

"Off?" asked the confounded dragon. "Off where? I'm not scheduled to be anywhere today."

"No, which is why you have the leisure to come with me. There's something I think you'll want to see." There was no arguing with his mother, and thusly he complied.

They flew across the city to the far edge of the town, and there they landed. Before them was a giant golden door embroidered with metal insignias. It appeared to go underground.

"Ygraine, what's this place?"

"Your new training grounds, Qafiel…the Gauntlet of Warfang."