Dragonwatch, vol. 4: Champion of the Titan Games

by Brandon Mull

  “I considered the possibility,” Seth said. “None of the memories could hear me. They are sealed deep under this place. The entities down there can’t get out. Even if this is where Humbuggle stores the memories he steals, remember, the Diviner believed my memories had escaped.”

  “I’ll take that as positive news,” Serena said. “With hope that your memories are not among these entrapped wretches.”

  “Wraiths can be helpful when I’m looking for things,” Seth said. “Or in a fight.”

  “Any other hints?” Merek asked.

  “Supposedly the blade is above us,” Seth said. “We need to hunt for gaps or maybe try to climb. They didn’t give good instructions.”

  “Not much to climb in here,” Merek said, eyes roving the stony walls. “Could they have meant to climb the exterior?”

  “I felt like they meant to climb in here,” Seth said. Closing his eyes, he drew on his power and probed for locks. Anything to unlock. Anything to open.

  After a moment, he sensed a simple mechanism. A small mental effort released a catch, and what looked like a rectangular boulder slid slightly ajar, like a door.

  “Did you do that?” Merek asked, responding to the unexpected movement.

  “I try to make myself useful,” Seth said, jogging over to the rectangular rock. It pulled open smoothly on hidden hinges. Beyond, a crude stairway led upward. “Who wants to climb a pyramid?”

  Kendra, can you see?” Warren asked as they left the entrance behind.

  Kendra realized it must be getting dark for her companions. She could see just fine in any nonmagical darkness, and there was still some extra light from the open doorway behind them. They had tried to shut it to no avail. The heavy stone door had refused to budge.

  “We’re in a grand hall,” Kendra said. “There are four big dragon statues on each side.”

  “Let us know if they start to move,” Warren said. “Or breathe acid. Or even if they wink.”

  “We’ll have light shortly,” Tanu said, mixing two solutions into a clear container. A moment later the concoction shone like a lightbulb.

  “Yep,” Warren said, glancing around. “Dragon statues. She wasn’t bluffing about her night vision.”

  “I think they’re only decorative,” Vanessa said. “They look too primitive to come to life.”

  “But sometimes that’s exactly how they get you,” Warren said. “You let your guard down, and the crudely rendered dragons attack, all the scarier because they’re so unrefined.”

  “We could run into the first guardian at any moment,” Tanu said.

  “This hall is safe,” Raxtus said. “I would sense a dragon.”

  “Any idea who we’re up against?” Vanessa asked.

  “The guardians of the Dragon Temples were established long before I hatched,” Raxtus said. “Few dragons know who was selected. The guardians will possess uniquely challenging abilities.”

  “Can you help us survive?” Kendra asked.

  “I’ll do my best,” Raxtus said. “The only dragon I ever defeated was in human form at the time.”

  “That’s only because you’ve never fought a dragon in his natural shape,” Kendra said.

  “Is that anything to brag about?” Raxtus asked.

  “You’re undefeated,” Kendra encouraged.

  “Any living dragon you meet is undefeated against other dragons,” Raxtus explained. “My kind don’t give second chances.”

  “You’ll have backup,” Kendra said.

  “Having somebody to fight for is the only reason I’m here,” Raxtus said.

  “If this area is clear, let’s ready our equipment,” Tanu said. “May I take a moment to whip up an elixir or two using the ingredients Raxtus brought?”

  “By all means, if it will help us survive,” Warren said.

  “Don’t forget the entrance lies open behind us,” Vanessa warned. “We don’t want to be ambushed from the rear.”

  Raxtus took a few steps back toward the entrance. “In this weather, surrounded by such unwelcoming terrain, we probably won’t see more dragons until the storm clears.”

  “This is your dad we’re talking about,” Kendra said.

  “Where he’s involved, anything is possible,” Raxtus agreed. “I’ll watch our tails.”

  “I wish I had more equipment and time,” Tanu said. “It’s a shame to waste such fine ingredients on half-baked potions.”

  “If we don’t live, all of your ingredients will go to waste,” Warren said. “Anything that could provide an advantage is worth a try.”

  Tanu uncapped a flask, sniffed the contents, then poured some fluid into a little bowl. “Even under these conditions I can improvise some powerful defensive potions. Whether they help will depend on the kind of dragons we meet.”

  “Expect the unconventional,” Raxtus said. “They will be chosen from among the most feared dragons in history, seasoned veterans of extraordinary power.”

  “He’s unselling me,” Warren said. “Anyone want to throw in the towel? Go play in the nice rain? Jump in some puddles?”

  “Few attributes are as attractive as courage,” Vanessa said.

  Warren straightened and spoke in a grittier voice. “Those dragons better get ready for me to bring the thunder.”

  “Better,” Vanessa approved.

  Kendra checked her magical bow. Having not been shot recently, it should have three hundred arrows at the ready. Her sack of gales remained available and probably had three-quarters of its wind left, estimating based on how much she had used. She checked in her pocket for the ring Raxtus had just given her, relieved as her fingers curled around it.

  Minutes crawled by. Holding a bottle over a low flame, Tanu stirred in some powder. Kendra wondered if the first guardian could have overheard their conversations.

  “This will have to do,” Tanu said, repacking his ingredients. “I have a lotion to cure injuries, a salve to heal diseases, and a potion that bestows resistance to fire.”

  “Dragon fire?” Warren asked.

  “Probably not full immunity to a direct attack,” Tanu said. “It would be a close call.”

  “A close call beats charred to the core,” Warren said. “I want that gummy potion ready as well. After last time, I’m a believer.”

  “Several of those elixirs are ready to go,” Tanu said.

  “Listen to me,” Raxtus urged. “Huddle up. I’m going to let you in on a secret. Dragons are complicated creatures. Yes, they’re antisocial, but they also get lonely. These guardians have been isolated for long years. They may find conversation hard to resist. If you can, keep them chatting. Dragons love the cat and mouse of talking to their food. It could buy us time.”

  “Most of us will be paralyzed in their presence without courage potions,” Warren said. “Do we have any?”

  “For all of us except Kendra,” Tanu said. “She resists dragon fear without it. I dosed the courage potions so we should be able to take one other potion on top of them.”

  “Brave and gummy,” Warren said. “Sounds like a winning combo.”

  “Or maybe brave and fireproof,” Vanessa said.

  Tanu distributed courage potions and drank one himself. “Don’t forget, until we face a dragon to dampen the effect, courage potions can make you overenthusiastic.”

  “I feel fine,” Warren said. “Better than fine. I might take on this first dragon with my bare hands, you know, to keep it interesting.”

  Vanessa rolled her eyes. “I hope you’re kidding.”

  “I think so,” Warren said. “Mostly.”

  “I’m ready,” Kendra said.

  “Onward,” Tanu said, shouldering his pack.

  At the end of the great hall, they reached a long flight of red stairs as broad as bleachers. They started up, and Kendra eventually felt her legs become weary.

  “What if a dragon is hiding at the top?” Warren complained. “I’ll need a time-out to get my breath back. Isn’t there an escalator?”

 
“No dragon in this area,” Raxtus offered. “In case that helps.”

  At the top of the stairs, they found a splendid set of double doors designed in a distinctively Asian style. Beside the doors hung a round, golden gong with a mallet on a nearby stand.

  “Who wants to do the honors?” Tanu asked.

  “I guess a sneak attack is out?” Warren checked.

  “Should I?” Kendra asked.

  “No, let me,” Vanessa said. “In case there is a trap or magical penalty.”

  “In that case, allow me,” Warren said, cutting in front of Vanessa. “My main job on my basketball team was drawing fouls.”

  He picked up the mallet and smashed it against the gong, producing a long, shimmering reverberation. The double doors slid open of their own accord, revealing a pristine white floor, expertly painted with golden vines and leaves. A row of glossy black columns extended left to right beyond the doors, separating the entryway from the rest of the chamber. Beyond the columns gleamed an elaborate maze of spotless mirrors.

  As Kendra and the others came through the wide doorway, a long Chinese dragon swept into view, body undulating as it hovered, scales flashing like gilded coins. The brilliant creature had no wings, and little sets of pawed feet dangled along the serpentine body. The head resembled a fox with golden fur and eyes as bright as emeralds.

  “Welcome, doomed mortals who enter my chamber,” spoke a clear voice that seemed to come from all directions. “If you each leave your most valuable item on my doorstep, I will allow you to depart in peace.”

  “Jinzen,” Raxtus said. “A treasure dragon. I’ve heard of you. All dragons hoard. Your tastes are much more refined. A true collector.”

  “What misapprehension brings a dragon to my domain?” Jinzen asked, eyes flaring with anger. “Do you not know that I guard a talisman made to destroy all dragonkind? End this foul betrayal at once.”

  “I’ve been having trouble sleeping,” Raxtus said. “The Harp of Ages might be just the medicine I need.”

  “By all means, come inside, if you yearn for death,” Jinzen said brightly. “I can use the exercise.”

  The double doors slammed shut, cutting off escape. Corkscrewing like a twirled ribbon, Jinzen streaked away into the maze of mirrors. For a prolonged moment, multiple reflections of his glittering body stretched across dozens of surfaces, elongating the dragon to impossible dimensions, until he was no longer in view.

  “Let’s start by leveling the playing field,” Warren said, rushing past the columns to the nearest mirror, sword raised. At least a dozen reflections of Warren from various angles swung their swords in unison. The blade rebounded off the mirror with a clang.

  “Ow!” Warren cried, switching his sword to his less dominant hand so he could shake out his arm. He banged the mirror with the hilt of his sword, then rubbed his free hand against the reflective surface. “I can’t even leave a smudge.”

  Returning his sword to his dominant hand, Warren stabbed the mirror twice and slashed it once more without making a scratch. “It’s like steel.”

  “It’s probably enchanted glass,” Raxtus said. “Look out!”

  With a telltale whoosh, Jinzen arrowed back into view. Warren flattened himself against the mirror as Jinzen streamed by. The dragon’s laughter emanated from all directions.

  After the golden dragon zoomed out of view again, Warren staggered away from the mirror, blood spreading across his shoulder. “I feel like I picked up fifty deep paper cuts,” Warren said. “The worst one is on my shoulder.”

  “He’s playing with you,” Raxtus said. “Come away from there.”

  Warren ran back to the shelter of the colonnade.

  “I could use a hand, Kendra,” Raxtus said.

  Kendra placed her palm on the dragon’s neck, and prismatic radiance shone from his metallic scales as her power flowed into him. Raxtus breathed a minty mist onto Warren, who sank to his knees.

  “That feels good,” Warren said dreamily.

  “I’m especially adept with slits and scrapes,” Raxtus said.

  Vanessa slapped Warren. “Snap out of it,” she said. “We need you.”

  “Right,” Warren said, getting to his feet. He raised a bottle to his lips and upended it. His steps began to wobble, and the arm holding the sword stretched longer than his other one. “This dragon wants to play? I can play too.”

  “What do we do?” Kendra asked Raxtus.

  “The corners are too tight and the passages too narrow for me to fly in there,” Raxtus said. “Jinzen doesn’t have to worry about wings. Let me see what I can learn on foot. He’s scary fast, but not terribly huge. If I could just get a hold of him . . .”

  Wings tucked, Raxtus charged into the maze. Dozens of reflections of the silvery dragon dashed one way or another until Raxtus raced out of view. Fierce laughter resounded through the room, and Kendra heard the crunch of a big collision. A moment later, Raxtus came hurtling from the maze to slam against a nearby column.

  “Raxtus!” Kendra cried, running to where the dragon lay curled around the foot of the column. “Are you all right?”

  His head swiveled up, eyes not entirely focused. “Great, except for getting hit by a freight train. He has blazing speed and unearthly reflexes. I’m out of my depth. And he uses at least some of the mirrors as cross-dimensional portals.”

  “He flies into them?” Vanessa asked.

  “And comes out from other ones,” Raxtus said.

  “Can you do that?” Kendra asked.

  “Not in his playground,” Raxtus said. “He has a major home field advantage.”

  “Are you going to remain by the entrance?” Jinzen asked from all directions. “The way you’re currently grouped, I could dispatch all of you with one pass. Come, make a sport of it.”

  “What should we do?” Kendra asked.

  “Give him the best you have,” Raxtus said. “It’s now or never.”

  “If I mention fairy treasure, close your eyes,” Kendra whispered, displaying her ring.

  Warren charged into the maze on wobbly legs, sword gripped in two hands.

  “Speed potion,” Vanessa whispered.

  “I’ll try the same,” Tanu said.

  “Give me one too,” Kendra said.

  “Remember, after the burst of speed, this mixture will leave you depleted,” Tanu cautioned. He passed Vanessa a potion and handed Kendra one as well. Then he followed Vanessa into the maze, their many reflections overlapping before diverging and vanishing.

  Raxtus arched his neck as Kendra placed both hands on the flawless armor of his scales. With his entire body shedding light, his tail swished, and he stood up. “Wow, that’s potent energy. I’m back. What do you need?”

  “Can you get me to a spot in the maze with maximum reflections?” Kendra whispered.

  “He’s a dragon of light,” Raxtus cautioned. “It may not blind him.”

  “Raxtus, could you be blinded by too much light?” Kendra asked.

  “Probably, in enough excess,” Raxtus said. “I can’t look directly at the sun.”

  “You’re a dragon of light,” Kendra said. “This is the best idea I’ve got.”

  Kendra ran into the maze with Raxtus at her side. The strategically angled mirrors threw her reflections everywhere, along with duplicates of Raxtus. In some spots, repetitions of herself stretched outward toward infinity. Most of the mirrors showed true reflections, but occasionally Kendra found herself and Raxtus upside down, or magnified, or refracted into thousands of miniature likenesses.

  They reached a portion of the maze where the ceiling and floor were mirrored as well, extending space to forever in all directions. Endless rows of herself and Raxtus repeated outward along unexpected diagonals, and she began to blunder into mirrors.

  Kendra caught fleeting glimpses of Jinzen and Tanu at odd angles and from a distance. She reached a pocket of the maze where images of Warren repeated. The reflections of Warren multiplied until she found him on the ground. From the wai
st down Warren had been squished flat, and teeth had left deep, bloodless impressions in his chest.

  “Are you all right?” Kendra asked.

  “Fine,” Warren said. “Except I lost my sword, and it might take a minute for my legs to return to their proper shape.”

  As Kendra watched, the indentations decreased, and Warren’s legs regained more functional proportions. Raxtus brought a sword in his jaws and dropped it beside Warren.

  “Jinzen is unbelievably fast,” Warren said. “I thought I timed a perfect swing, but he dipped under it, mowed me down, and savaged me. Thanks to the potion, it didn’t break my skin.”

  “I’m using my speed potion!” Vanessa announced.

  “You call that speed?” Jinzen mocked. “Quick for a mortal, I suppose.”

  Body flexing as if he had joints in the wrong places, Warren swayed to his feet. Kendra heard rushing air, and the mirrors began to fill with an endlessly long golden body in rapid motion. Raxtus thrust Kendra to the floor and disappeared with a noisy crash as a shimmering stream of gold blurred by above her. Manic laughter bombarded her ears from all directions.

  When Kendra sat up, Warren and Raxtus were gone. She was alone with thousands of reflections of herself. She heard vicious snarls and claws ringing against hard surfaces.

  “This vase looks expensive,” Vanessa called, her voice off in the distance. The remark was followed by a shattering smash. “Whoops!”

  “No, no, no, no, no, no!” Jinzen shouted from all sides. “Why?”

  “I upgraded my speed,” Tanu announced from a different direction than Vanessa. “Check this out! Who would sculpt a bridge out of jade? The trees on the riverbank look so fragile!” What followed sounded like a baseball bat destroying a chandelier.

  “Noooooooo!” Jinzen howled in rage.

  Kendra heard a rush of wind and began to see golden flashes in the mirrors. Jinzen was flying her way.

  “Look at the fairy treasure I found!” Kendra hollered, raising her hand, closing her eyes, and putting on the ring.

  She could feel the light against her skin, and it flared unbelievably bright even with her eyes closed. She forced all the power she could muster into the ring and felt the glare intensify. Then, with a bursting sound, the ring went dark and no longer felt connected to her power.