Rebellion by J. D. Netto Read Free Book Online Page B

The beasts fluttered their wings, trying to break free from the silver chains that bound them to the walls. Men feebly waved their swords, struggling in their battle against the Capios. A round metal staircase led to the bottom of the crater, though the darkness below did not allow me to see far.
    Unexpectedly, a white dragon soared out of the bottom of the crater at great speed, letting out a mighty roar. Mounted on the beast was one of the tamers.
    I was alarmed when I heard Nathan’s harrowing groans. I looked over my shoulder and saw him lying on the ground with his hand pressed against his wound. Xylia stood beside him.
    I stomped in their direction.
    Sweat rolled down his forehead; his eyes glistened with tears. His breathing was rapid and shallow. Blood oozed from the wound in his arm, dripping between his fingers.
    “Xylia.” I bore my eyes into hers. “Watch Nathan.”
    Xylia furrowed her brows, looking in the direction of the crater.
    “You will try to free them by yourself?” Her eyebrows slanted upward as her eyes widened.
    “What other choice do I have?” I looked down at Nathan’s trembling body. “Those men need my help.”
    She grasped my hand. “Be careful.” Her face looked pinched as her eyes glistened.
    My feet left the ground above me as I plunged downward. I dodged flame and rock, trying to approach the white dragons. My body shivered at the sound of drums bellowing around me. I knew they were coming. My eyes absorbed the macabre sight of bodies hanging from rocks like ornaments. The round staircase was covered in blood.
    I landed next to one of the white dragons. The beast agitated its wings, trying to pull its neck free from the heavy chains. With great strength, the animal wagged its tail. I was discouraged when I realized the thickness of the chains.
    I cannot break this, I thought while watching the animal.
    I was alarmed when I heard ominous shrieks and growls around me. A strong force gripped my arm, pulling me to my knees. I waved my sword in the hopes that I would wound its unseen body. The dragon grew even more flustered; its breathing deepened while smoke billowed from its nostrils.
    The growls ceased as I felt the invisible creature release me. Relieved, I pulled my arm away.
    “Are you Isaac?” a reedy male voice asked. I turned my eyes to the man standing behind me.
    “Who are you?” I asked. “Where is the Capios that had ahold of me?” The middle-aged man had scruffs of hair on his chin and a scar across his nose. Whatever was left of his silver armor was covered in blood, which also flowed from a wound on the right side of his neck.
    “Othar, head of the Dragon Tamers,” he replied in a broken voice.
    “I am Isaac. I have come to help you.” I attempted to ignore the helpless screams that echoed throughout the cave. “Tell me what you need.”
    His eyes trailed across the blood-covered staircase.
    “Can you save all my men?” he asked, his voice filled with despair.
    “I am not sure if I can save them all.” I laid my hand on his shoulder. “But I give you my word that I will try.”
    “Help me free all the white dragons.” He circled the cave with his eyes. “I cannot leave my men to fight alone.”
    “What do I have to do?”
    “At the bottom of the cave is the Chamber of Bellator. Inside, you will find a lever amidst the spikes at the foot of a statue. Pull it and the chains will disintegrate. We built it as a defense mechanism in case an attack ever occurred.”
    “I am assuming that the bottom of the cave is overrun with Capios.”
    Sorrow overtook his face. “The men that were there never got out,” he said with glistening eyes.
    “My friends are here—one of them is badly wounded.” My chest tightened at the thought of my suffering companions.
    “The only way to save us is to release the dragons. Their flames can destroy Nephilins and Capios.”
    I looked at Othar, knowing that the chances I would meet him again were scarce.
    “It is a shame