Chapter 48: Another method
Daeranyx POV
As I completed the chant, the energies prepared for use were unleashed and began to flow towards Anarion's rune-etched chest. Gradually, the runes vanished one after another, and the amassed energy I sensed surged into Anarion's form. He had risen on his hind legs from his resting stance as the ritual commenced, but as the energy filled him, he collapsed onto the ground, and the sound of bones cracking echoed throughout the caves. I am certain it could even be heard outside the cave where we were. The sound of bones cracking is also accompanied by Anarion's painful growls.
Just as in Laena's case, I was unable to intervene despite hearing Anarion's growls. Minutes passed, and the bone-cracking sessions persisted, with Anarion's scales occasionally shifting outward as if something stirred within him. Though the entire scene appeared somewhat grotesque, my attention was solely on Anarion's agonized growling rather than the spectacle unfolding before me. A few minutes later, the bone-cracking sounds ceased, and with them, Anarion's painful growls.
Just as I began to think I had made a mistake because I realized that Anarion hadn't received the vitality or energy necessary to fuel his growth during the ritual. Without it, the ritual could do more harm than good. As lacking any external force to provide the much-needed energy to fuel his growth, the ritual would consume Anarion's own life-force, potentially shortening his lifespan. I had the option to use a sacrifice instead of relying on the island's and atmosphere's magic. Nut in the end I preferred to risk slower and lesser growth, which I was expecting not this, rather than confront the repercussions of blood magic. As it could impact Anarion's psyche, and although I could mitigate this with various rare ingredients, I couldn't gamble with his mental state, especially since he is wilder than most dragons.
I started to think of a way to handle the blunder that will be happening. After several minutes, I found many ways that I could use to save Anarion's lifespan from being used as energy for his growth. While I was in deep thought, out of nowhere the whole island shook. I immediately steadied myself with a spell. After more small tremors, the island stopped shaking. I looked toward Anarion to see what condition he was in. For the first time since I've come here in this world, I got the privilege to see weak and helpless expression on Anarion's face. I was torn between laughing at Anarion or going to console him. When he saw me looking at him, his eyes met mine. I couldn't help but laugh when he glared at me.
As I was about to approach Anarion with phoenix tears to heal him and infuse the ritual with just enough energy to buy a day to devise a solution to our predicament, all the torches I had enchanted with magical fire began to blaze more intensely. Their combined light even illuminated the corridor from which Anarion and I had arrived. Then, an energy denser than my magic started to coalesce around Anarion in substantial amounts, and a familiar trill echoed from the corridor, now clearly visible should anyone approach. Vezofina drew near to Anarion, and her blue flames enveloped him, allowing the waiting energy to begin seeping into Anarion's body in small increments.
I waited for several minutes, as I mentioned earlier, while a substantial amount of energy slowly seeped into Anarion's body. As the last drop of energy was absorbed, Vezofina ceased her magic and flew to Anarion's snout, where she settled down and fell asleep. Approaching them, I sensed the lifeforce radiating from Anarion and could affirm that the ritual was successfully completed. Indeed, the growth Anarion would experience might be less than if human sacrifices had been used, but that was of little concern to me. What mattered was that my two companions were in a vulnerable state and required all the help they could get.
I poured a few phoenix tears on Anarion's maw, careful not to use too many due to the immense lifeforce he was emanating; adding more could lead to unpredictable outcomes. I stroked Vezofina and urged Anarion to rest, as he was in no condition to carry me through the skies. He responded with a defiant growl and glared at Vezofina, who perched atop his head. I reassured him with a smile, promising that we would soar the skies once he had rested. He answered with a low growl and shut his eyes. Gently, I touched his snout and made my way towards the cave I had fashioned for myself within this volcano.
Although many wards protecting the volcano are present, I would not be content with them regarding Anarion's safety. I plan to ward the entire island with numerous wards to ensure that no one can find or approach the island without my consent and that of the natives of Skagos. On my way to my cave chambers, I noticed that the lava level has risen from what it was when I performed the ritual on Anarion. It seems I could activate this volcano without performing any specific ritual. I would simply need to harness the island's magic, which would inherently force the volcano to become active to producing the magic that has been utilized.
I turned my attention to the ward stone, which holds the wards I've crafted as an experiment to prevent Skagosi from meddling in my work. It includes anti-spying measures, though at the time, I was unaware of the candles. I implemented it due to the Wargs who might use their magic to spy on me. However, I've recently learned that Dragons can counteract or repel anyone using Valyrian candles to spy on them or their riders. As for how I acquired this knowledge, it was during a fortnight's wait for ingredients, after a dragon ride with Laena and Vhagar.
***Flashback***
I alighted on the beach's sand from Anarion's back and instantly cast Protego around myself as Vhagar landed beside me with a thud. After Anarion shook off the sand, I lowered my shield and turned to Laena, who was dismounting. In her eyes, I saw a hint of sadness and a yearning for the sky, which made me sigh. We had been flying since breakfast, and it was already time for our midday meal. I had even postponed my swordsmanship training for her, hoping she would be content, but it seemed she could spend the entire day in the air and still feel a touch of dissatisfaction after dismounting Vhagar. I relied on comfort spells and numerous enchantments to ease my ride on Anarion's saddle, which was often uncomfortable. It was hard to believe that she, without such aids, could fly for so long and still feel sorrow upon descent. It appears her love for the sky and dragon-riding knows no bounds.
I made my way toward the Velaryon guards, who were waiting with horses for us to ride to the Red Keep. Laena joined me as I was making my way to the horses. I said, "You're still not satisfied even after spending so much time in the sky." Before she could say anything, I asked her, "It seems that you love dragon-riding and flying so much. Should I be worried that you would leave me if I ever told you not to fly with Vhagar?" I asked with a mischievous smile on my face.
"You would do no such thing..." Laena had barely begun to speak when I, with my magical senses, detected the Dragon Lords of Volantis spying on us. I recognized the sensation from my first midday meal with the Targaryens. My face remained calm, but inside, I seethed with rage at their intrusion during a private moment with my betrothed. Before I could devise a countermeasure, Anarion, sensing my anger, unleashed a roar, and his magic surged forth. The spying magic resisted momentarily but was no match for Anarion's power and was violently repelled. The Valyrian candle, an imperfect tool for magic, coupled with Anarion's raw dragon magic, suggested we would be free from surveillance for some time. The ferocity of Anarion's counterattack likely caused a significant mental backlash to the intruder, given the destructive and formidable nature of dragon magic.
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