Love Conquers All Part 1
Perched on a russet point jutting out from the cliff's side, Ryuujin curiously observed the mortal's odd behavior. Did the human not know of his domain? But what to expect of a foolish woman. "So be it then," he growled, "if she has no more sense than to trespass into my forbidden territory then she deserves her fate."
The Dragon God smiled down wickedly at his anticipated victim. Licking his lips he relished the thought of rent flesh, savored the scent of fresh blood. Yes the hunting would be good tonight.
Another wave of expectation coursed through his body as the mortal undid her red hair, shook it loose and began to undress. Surely she didn't intend to bath in the icy river? But no matter she would not have time to become cold not before she surrendered her fragile life to Ryuujin's mighty power. Maybe he would spare her long enough to satisfy his mounting carnality. After a day or two, when he finally climaxed, she would be so close to death anyway that it would be a blessing to release her worthless soul.
Then something peculiar caused the Dragon to lean forward craning his neck over the point. A slight tilt of his head showed his confusion. Slowly he realized it was not a female he was watching but a male. A beautiful man-child was baring himself for full inspection. He straightened to his full height unfurling massive scaly wings.
"How delicious." The Dragon purred running his forked tongue back across his lips. "I have not had a male lover in months. Yes delicious indeed."
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Duo closed his eyes tightly as the water reached his chin. A few more steps then mercifully his pain would be gone. He did not see the broad shadow that enveloped the river. His hearing did not pick up the whine of rushing air, the whistling sound being muted by the rising water. As a pair of great wings whipped through the ebony sky, the black silhouette bore down at an incredible speed. It was not until the winged beast was directly overhead did Duo sense anything at all. By then it was too late.
Razor talons grabbed hold of the frightened boy's shoulders. Wailing out in searing pain and heart wrenching terror, Duo could do nothing more than flail arms and legs in a feeble attempt to escape the Dragon's unyielding grasp.
"HEERO!" he cried out even though he knew his lover could not hear.
Higher above the water Ryuujin and his captured prey soared. Nearer to the cliffs and the Dragon's hidden lair they rose on the narrow gorge's updraft. The shadowy outline that emerged along the sunset streaked horizon showed a large shape moving quickly under the power of board wings. Below the shape's long muscular legs a smaller form hung limply as if all breath was been expelled, all life extinguished by sheer shock. Duo's head tilted downwards, his chin rested on his chest. Arms and legs wobbled loosely in the battering wind. But despite looking like a puppet whose strings had been cut, there was a spark of lifeforce still beating in his chest. Duo was not dead, not yet.
With one last swish of webbed wings the Dragon God cleared the crest. Several more flaps carried the fearsome creature and his quarry towards a structure hidden by aged stone walls that kept their protective enfoldment so tightly not even the sunlight was permitted entrance. The remnants of an ancient castle loomed darkly against the inky sky.
Landing with surprising ease for his considerable bulk Ryuujin folded his wings against his back. Standing on one foot so not to crush his prize, the Dragon transferred Duo from his clawed talons to his arms. Duo's almost nude body was cold to the touch. His wet skin had taken on a bluish tint as the wind had chill him through and through. His lips were even more purple. Ryuujin knew that he had to warm his captive or he would be good for nothing but dinner.
Carefully carrying the rag doll bundle as Duo's head lopped to the side, Ryuujin stepped through a solid iron gate then closed it behind him letting its denseness shallow up all evidence of his presence.
With a stooped posture Ryuujin and his helpless victim traveled deeper into a natural catacomb that linked the outside courtyard and the castle. Bone chilling currents flowed harshly through the sunless hallway. Black eyes adjusted quickly although the Dragon could have easily found his way in total darkness. The old keep had been his home since before recorded time and he knew every inch of its interior like a familiar friend.
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Gradually a soft glow began to flicker along the walls. The smell of sulfur surged forth in a nostril stinging flow. Ahead a Great Room opened up with walls high enough to allow Ryuujin to stand upright.
The rectangular room was framed with massive timbers. The high ceiling was supported by gray stone columns carved from solid rock. The impressive space was lit at regular intervals by torches lining either wall. The same lifeless cold that had permeated every inch of the corridor was evident as the swirling flow battered the torch's flames. Even the heat from the mystical torches that burned day and night could not influence the death-chill that inundated The Dragon's Lair.
A fireplace tall enough for a man to stand inside was fashioned into the rear wall. It was dark with only cold ashes lying in the smudged hearth. Inside Ryuujin's stronghold it was as if any warmth was immediately swallowed up by a pervasive frost that diffused its icy shroud over everything. The room's left side was bare except for a stained wooden table and four dingy velvet-covered chairs.
To the right, through a crumbing archway, a smaller alcove served as Ryuujin's Incantation Chamber. From its center forward the dimly lit space was filled to overflow with spell books. Shelves held the attending jars and bottles containing all the elements needed to make the Dragon's every evil wish bear its rancid fruits. The contents of the jars were suspended in a soupy gray liquid. Many of the persevered items looked suspiciously like various animal parts. Others, more disturbingly, appeared to be human remains.
Along the Chamber's left wall a number of torturous apparatuses set in a haphazard arrangement. Several devices held a mystery as to their use but for most of the Dragon's "toys" their function was horribly apparent. There was no doubt that each of the wicked instruments could inflect a great amount of suffering and most certainly death if that was the Dragon God's desire. Bolted into the floor iron rings holding chains and shackles added to the tormenting assortment.
As a perfect finishing touch to the bizarre decor, death masks molded from Ryuujin's countless victims lined the wall's entire length. If the horrific display was intended to produce a spine-chilling, blood-curdling repulsiveness then it had accomplished its task. Each mask's facial features were frozen forever in a gruesome grimace. Their vacant stares and grotesquely twisted expressions gave mute testimony to the horrendous nature of each person's demise. The macabre collection, along with the implements of pain, offered clear evidence of the Dragon's vile brand of depravity.
But the oddest appointment included in the dark Lord's ghastly design was a five foot tall gold cross standing by itself in the corner. Its smooth polished surface shone brightly in shark contrast to the chamber's otherwise soot and smoke-tainted interior. It was apparent that the cross had been cared for in a manner quite contrary to the rest of the room's delinquent attention. Ryuujin and a cross that was indeed a mystery.
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The Lord of the Castle paused to tuck Duo's dangling arms up out of the way so they would not scrape along the rough-hewn hallway. Duo's partly damp hair hung in stringy strands. Its considerable length allowed the snarled ends to brush on the dirty floor. Ryuujin had to be careful not to step on the long tresses as he moved further into the castle's bowels.
Passing by the rectangular room Ryuujin went straightway to his bedchamber. A thick wooden door reinforced with iron plates was so heavy that only the Dragon's unnatural strength could push it open. Hinges groaned in protest grating in their rusty mountings. More eternal touches cast wavering shadows. Their flames danced in the constant gushes of air that seeped in through cracks in the loose-fitting window frames.
Centered against the opposite wall a large bed occupied most of the space. The headboard was decorated with carved dragon's heads and stalking lions. A silken canopy that once guarded the bed fluttered in tattered shreds from four carved bedposts. A down comforter, worn with age, lay in a crumpled heap in the middle. The crimson and gold embroidered cover was soot-soiled; the once vivid colors faded from neglect. The wrinkled sheets and sweat-stained pillows also showed the same unkempt dinginess.
Mounted above the high headboard a stuffed stag's head with wide spread antlers kept a glassy eyed vigil. Flanking either side of the room brass incense burners molded into the shape of dragon heads were suspended from long chains attached to the ceiling. Thin wisps of smoke curled through the burner's eyes and over the mouth's long metal fangs. The scented haze churned into clouds that wafted midway up the wall. Instead of adding freshness to the bedchamber, the sweet odor blended with the lingering smell of sulfur creating a choking, nauseating mixture.
On the far wall hung a huge roughly woven tapestry. Frayed around the edges its coarse threads were faded, yellowed by smoke and time. The tapestry depicted an unearthly battle between angels and devils with mankind trapped helplessly in between the two warring armies. Scenes of ravaging destruction and gory deaths played themselves out over the heavy wall covering's surface. Snarling, fire-belching dragons were entwined among the multitude of slain figures. Also scavenging demons of all hellish descriptions stood knee-deep in the blood as they picked the fallen warrior's bones clean.
Beside a scratched washstand cluttered with the Dragon's collection of keepsakes a brass brazier sat on a tri-legged stand. Ryuujin drew in a breath then blew a concentrated stream of fire over the dead coals. Soon whiffs of blue smoke funneled in the intermittent draft. Orange flames licking up from the steadily reddening coals could be seen just above the brazier's rim. Whether the fire could overcome the constant draft and warm the room to a temperature hot enough to save Duo remained to be seen.
Still cradling Duo's limp body the Dragon pushed aside the long mane clinging to Duo's toned chest for a better look at his delicious man-child. It was immediately clear that the boy was use to physical work, the defined contours of his body attested to that fact. Deep punctures made by the Dragon's claws during Duo's capture lined the back and front of both shoulders. The blood flow had begun to coagulate. It now oozed out thickly forming a matted black mass over each wound. The surrounding skin was bruised and swollen.
"I cannot have this." Ryuujin declared as he examined the bloodied, discolored skin, "You must be perfect for me."
Lowering his head the Dragon God ran his forked tongue over each wound leaving behind a slick coating of salvia. As soon as the glistening fluid touched the damage skin the holes began to close up. In a moment that was no hint that anything had ever been wrong. Duo's skin was smooth, unblemished...perfect.
The dark Lord looked lustfully on the youth. He raked back more interfering hair determined to see all of his prize. Something, however, prevented a good inspection. Further investigation revealed that a cord holding a cross had become entangled in the auburn tresses.
With a discussed snort Ryuujin examined his find more closely, "How curious." he stated lifting the cord with a single hooked talon. "Well my beautiful boy do you aspire to some beliefs? But will they save your soul, that is another question isn't it now?" he sneered as the cross swung back and forth.
Ryuujin straightened out the comforter and wrapped it around Duo before easing him onto the bed. A soft groan escaped over Duo's blue lips. "Let's see how strong you are. If you survive you might give me a challenge after all." the Dragon announced sitting back on his haunches, "Time will tell my Pretty One, time will tell."
TBC...
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