Part 4
Xilro was in the middle of a lecture when he suddenly stopped speaking. He looked up and flicked his tongue several times. His eyes grew wide.
“Class dismissed!” he yelled. “Big problem coming, return dorm!”
“But-” one student began.
“Problem is God!” Xilro yelled back. “God coming University! Return dorm!” he opened one of the windows of his lecture hall and jumped out as his students began running from the class, returning to his dragon form mid-fall. He could feel the presence coming up the pass. It wasn’t heading for them yet, but a primal fear in his brain was screaming at him to flee. He flew up to the top of the tallest building on the campus and landed, remaining in dragon form. He was soon joined by the Headmaster.
“Xilro, what is that?” the man asked, his voice shaking.
“Taste it.” Xilro replied. “Old and powerful. Perhaps oldest.”
Several minutes passed as the Headmaster and Xilro meditated on the roof of the building, trying to think of what to do. In that time, the terrifying presence reduced.
“I can still feel it gnawing at the corners of my mind, Xilro, can you?” he asked, opening his eyes.
“Yes. Perhaps was deliberate. Announce it was here, then fade.” Xilro guessed. “Coming for us now though. Left garrison.”
As Xilro finished speaking, a cold chill was felt, and a grey-robed woman floated up the staircase to the roof. She stopped in front of Xilro and looked at him for a full minute before speaking.
“Vordea will not understand. She will have been here in all her power. She is and will be too powerful.” Eigengrau monotoned, looking directly into Xilro’s eyes. “I will know this happened, but Vordea will not have listened.”
“Lady Eigengrau, did you just say Vordea was here?” the Headmaster said, rising to his feet. “The Goddess of Change herself?”
“Both of you came with me to have met her at the gates.” Eigengrau continued, ignoring the Headmaster. “We will be on-time.” Eigengrau floated away back down the staircase.
Xilro took off and flew down to the gates of the University, changing back to his human form as he did so, leaving the Headmaster to run after Eigengrau as she swiftly made her way to the gates. As he arrived, he could see the figure in the distance approaching, and his brain was screaming at him to flee.
“Lady Eigengrau, why are my instincts telling me to run from her approach?” he asked, sweat beading down his face. “It’s like I’m facing down a monstrous beast.”
Eigengrau said nothing as she watched Vordea approach. As she came closer, Eigengrau set her feet down on the ground, covering the entire courtyard in thick frost. She then walked up to Vordea and punched her directly in the face, causing her to stumble back in surprise.
“Xilro, did you just see what I did?” the Headmaster asked, keeping his distance from the 2 arguing Goddesses. “Did Lady Eigengrau really just punch Lady Vordea in the face?”
“Better her than us.” Xilro replied. “Lady Eigengrau acting strange. Never see her talk so much.”
“Now that you mention it yes. How often do you see her talk to begin with?” the Headmaster asked thoughtfully. “Constantly see her yes, but hear her? Very rarely.”
After a few minutes, Eigengrau walked over to Xilro and the Headmaster.
“It seems she cannot suppress her power any more than it already is. Swallow your fear and talk to her.” Eigengrau said, her voice as monotone as ever. “I am done here.” as she finished speaking, she vanished mid-step and the frost in the courtyard melted.
“Let’s not keep her waiting.” the Headmaster said, beginning to walk over nervously.