Dusk Before the Dawn - Lady Adellandra Dratianos (highly recommended books txt) 📗

An All-Realm Chronicles Short Story:
Dusk Before the Dawn

Part One:
Destiny Borne


Brakkon Dratianos

It was war. The Dragon Nations were fighting the Demon Realms for the millionth time. This time, within the war was a male Draconian and his son, both chaotic and dangerous. The male Draconian was destroyed by his own son. Being a God within the Realms of All the Worlds, Brakkon was sent back with his fellow Gods. In a form not his own, an Immortal-male more Mortallan than Draconian, he plead for forgiveness.
“I know my deeds were many and the losses from them more.” Brakkon pleaded to the God Damascus. “I realize I have done wrong in the eyes of my people, but please, let me have the time to reform myself.”
“Why do you ask this of us, Death?” Damascus used his Elder God Name to remind him.
“I only wish to fix my wrongs.”
“They have already been done. There is no retraction.” Stated the voice of a Goddess, Tera. “Tell us why we should reincarnate you so quickly? It takes at least a regeneration of thirty years for a soul to be ready for its next incarnation.”
“One reason.” Brakkon-Named-Death supplied seriously. “My People need me, as I need them, and my family.”
“What do you know or care of family?” Damascus sneered. “Once your mate was sent to the Summerlands, you forgot all about family. No, family was not your priority, nor was it your Draconian people, Brakkon. Your mind was clouded with so much hate; I am surprised that Darkness kept his head so long before he destroyed you.”
“He went chaotic after I renamed myself Thorn.” Brakkon replied. “What was once a nickname between my son and I, it was now a totally different personality. I was not myself. If you look over your records and chronicles of my previous lifetime, it will tell you Draconis destroyed not me, his father Brakkon, but the soul of Thorn.”
“Was it not true you created him from your own soul with your blood and power?”
Brakkon looked down, ashamed. “Aye, Damascus, but I never meant for Thorn to go this far. Please, I beg of thee, reincarnate me now.”
“You know what it means should we do so?” Tera asked gently. “You will remember all of this lifetime and carry it with you in the next.”
“Why should we?” Damascus scolded her before Brakkon could answer. “It is clear to all he is not ready, nor is he sorry for his actions.”
“That is not true!” Brakkon stood and shouted. His eyes were black and his form changed. “I know I have a long way to go, but I am truly sorry for causing the destruction of my people and Realm! Please, you must grant me reincarnation now so I may redeem myself.”
Damascus was silenced, in thought. He studied Death’s eyes and heart. His eyes showed he was serious and sorry for his actions, and his heart wished to redemption. Even Tera was confused by her mate’s silence. Brakkon awaited his response.
Damascus spoke. “What would you sacrifice for reincarnation? Power? Wealth? Royalty?”
“I would do anything, Damascus, as you know.” Brakkon said roughly. “I would give up all rights as Lord Emperor of the Dragon Nations.” Damascus was impressed, so he went on. “I would give up all my power as a Dragon. I would become a mere peasant to retain my immortality. I care not for the flashy titles or the brilliant powers if all it does is corrupt and destroy me or those I love.”
Damascus smiled, and nodded. “Very well, Brakkon Dratianos named Lord Death, former Emperor of the Dragon Nations. I grant your reincarnation, but on the following terms.” He started. “Your memories and mind will be intact, your powers limited, your form to mere peasant, and your rebirth as a full adult.”
“What will my form be?”
Damascus smiled mischievously. “You will find that out for yourself.” With a place of a hand to his Immortal chest, a bright light appeared, blinding Brakkon. “Pleasant Journeys, Braken Hawk.”
That was Brakkon’s only clue. Companions used the blessing of “Pleasant Journeys” throughout the Realm of Dreams.
So he was reborn as the Companion, Braken Hawk.

Brakkon Dratianos, now named Braken Hawk, knew the rules of this particular realm. Once gathering himself, he searched his surroundings.
“Ah, the Province Wood.” Braken whispered aloud. “Not far, I believe. Not far to Lord O’Dell’s castle indeed.”
“Just who are you talking to, Companion?” He heard a female voice above him.
Looking up, he saw a large black falcon with shining silver eyes.
That’s odd, he thought to himself. A falcon with silver eyes?
“I am talking to myself, lady falcon.” He responded, heading away from it.
The lady falcon flew down, shifting form to an Immortal with long black hair and a flowing black gown. Braken stopped in his tracks and smiled, nodding.
“Where are you headed, Companion?” She asked him.
He started to walk again. “The name is Braken Hawk and I am headed to Lord Guardian’s castle.”
“May I join you?” She asked, smiling. Her silver eyes sparkled.
Braken looked at her. “Of course, dear lady.” He crooked his arm for her to take. Once she did, he continued. “May I ask your name?”
The lady hesitated, taking a deep breath and bowing her head. “My name does not matter, Braken.”
“There must be something I can call you.” Braken smiled, touching her chin so she met his eyes and smiled as well. “Besides ‘Beauty Beyond Compare’.”
The lady giggled, blushing. “Very well, you may call me Sibylline.”
Braken blinked. He covered his embarrassment by kissing her hand. “Pleasure is mine, lady Sibylline.”
With that, they continued on their way to Lord Guardian O’Dell’s castle.
When they arrived, Sibylline looked to the castle and sighed. “It has been a pleasure walking with you, Braken Hawk. I must be on my way.”
“As I said, my lady. The pleasure is mine.” Braken kissed her hand and cheek. “Here’s wishing you pleasant journeys.”
Sibylline curtseyed, hiding her blushing face as she shifted to her falcon form and disappeared.
Braken took a deep breath and walked in the doors. “O’Dell!” He called to the air, walking further into the building. “I need to speak with you! O’Dell! Are you around, old friend?”
O’Dell’s Immortal male form came from the corridor. “What is all this fuss about?” Once he saw who was there, he blinked. “May I help you, Companion?”
Braken sighed. Being called ‘Companion’ all the time would take some getting used to. “My Lord, may I introduce myself?” He bowed. “I am Braken Hawk, a new Companion to this Realm.”
O’Dell studied him. “I have never heard of the family name Hawk.”
Braken rose. “That is because I am the first. The name is, or should I say ‘was’ Lord Brakkon Dratianos.”
O’Dell blinked, searching his eyes. Sure enough, he was telling the truth. “How? You are a dragon! How did you become a feline Companion?”
Braken told his tale. O’Dell merely stared in wonder as he listened.
“Where is Thorn now? And Draconis?” O’Dell asked when Braken was finished.
“I know not, Lord.” Braken supplied. “The last I knew, Draconis destroyed me, sending me back to the Realm of the Gods. He raged war against the Demon Lord Archimond and the Nations were in ruins.”
“You say he went chaotic and destroyed the Dragon Nations?” O’Dell was in deep thought, rubbing his chin. His silver eyes were dark. “What of the Empress and your grandchildren?”
Braken didn’t know how to tell him. “My lady Locarra has passed to the Summerlands, O’Dell. Shortly afterward, I went chaotic.”
“I am sorry for your loss, Braken. I was asking about the Lady Adellandra and Draconis’ children.” O’Dell supplied. “Where are they while Draconis is chaotic?”
“Adellandra left him not long after Locarra died.” Braken said. “She took the children with her and has not been seen since.”
“What of your daughter Dracora?” O’Dell asked.
“She disappeared as well, on your insistence I am to understand.” Braken rushed. “Why all the questions, O’Dell?”
O’Dell smiled. “If I am to welcome you into this Realm as one of my own Companions, I need to know how you arrived.”
Braken slumped into the nearest chair and sulked.
“Now, now, Braken. Cheer up.” O’Dell supplied, clapping him on the back. “I will keep your identity a secret, if that is your wish. You may consider yourself home.”
“Home.” Braken remarked under his breath. “I am homeless. I cannot return to the Nations as I am now. There is still war and I will be the laughingstock of the entire Dragon Nations!”
“It is not all that bad, I assure you.” O’Dell said.
“I am made to be a feline Companion, a common housecat for Goddess’ sake.” Braken told him. “Stripped of all titles, status and honor as a dragon Lord. What am I to do?”
“Relax, for one.” O’Dell remarked. “For another, you could follow me. I have the perfect place for you in the Feline Village.”
Braken stood. “Perfect place, eh?”
“Aye.” O’Dell nodded, wrapping an arm around Braken’s shoulders. Braken looked at him suspiciously. “The Feline Palace, nestled in the—“
Braken interrupted. “Let me guess, the Feline Wood?”
O’Dell laughed. “Come, Braken.”
Rolling his eyes, Braken Hawk followed.
It took a few months for him to adjust to his new life in the Dream Realm. He wandered, found many things that interested him, and even made a few friends. Braken ever missed his beloved Dragon Nations, but that was the price that had to be paid for returning to the Inner Realms.
He kept to himself, mostly, finding how much of his power he had and using it in secret. No other Companion came by his new home of the Feline Palace. O’Dell visited, more friend than a Lord of the Mystic Realms. O’Dell even instated him as a Sergeant in the Mystic Army, which fought against O’Dell’s twin brother Orthos and the Dominionite Warriors.
On many of his walks through the Province Wood, he sensed someone watching him. At first, he ignored it, heading on his way. Soon, he knew who it was and smiled to himself. It was a female peregrine falcon. He used his telepathy and empathy many times, hoping to coax her into shifting and joining his side, but she never did.
Braken enjoyed his quiet life in the Realm of Dreams, but never forgot his main reason for being there. There was always some kind of fighting for him to do with the Army, and he soon became General of it. It kept him busy for a few years and earned him a certain respect from his peers, which included the Originators.
He