Solar Infanticide. [Closed RP: Smaug/Elric]

[smaug-thegolden.livejournal.com]

Their dragonflight lessons over the last few days had gone surprisingly well, even despite Smaug 'accidentally' losing Elric in the lake a couple times—the Melnibonean had still seemed willing to trust Smaug afterward, each time, to the dragon's great amusement. Elric's dedication and perseverance were eventually rewarded, and he was allowed to enjoy the skies as the dragonrider he'd been prior to appearing at Hogwarts, free of the fear of being bucked off or Smaug flipping upside down at an inopportune moment in midair.

Stormbringer's incessant howling as it burned with an unnatural fire served as a good reminder that this was not an exercise without purpose. It was time to put their practise to good use, and end the foul infant sun's reign of terror and extinguish Stormbringer in the same stroke.

Smaug lay on the ground within his lairing territory in the Forbidden Forest, watching on as Elric readied himself for the task ahead. It was a simple enough thing, in theory; flying close enough to the false sun that Elric and his blade could feast on its soul. Smaug had managed to get closer with each experimental attempt before the overpowering feeling of sickness took hold and forced him back. He was hardly inured against the effects of the false sun, and knew that he might never be—but was nonetheless prepared to make their final attempt, this time carrying Stormbringer with them. Apparently no one else was capable or willing to do anything about the shrieking menace in the sky, and so it fell to them.

"Are you ready?"

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[blood-and-souls.livejournal.com]

Despite the plunges into the lake containing the many-tentacled 'Lord Pyaray', Elric had thoroughly enjoyed the dragonflying practice. It was slightly uncomfortable being tied to Smaug's spines, but as the days had progressed, he'd tied himself much more loosely. He'd kept the rope bound to his waist for the sake of sensibility, as well as a looped coil that he occasionally used to assist in balance, but mostly, he had learned to keep his footing on the dragon's back by learning his motion and how to compensate for it. He was feeling quite confident now, and, was ready to put their days of practice towards a worthwhile effort. Not that dragonflight in itself wasn't worthwhile- it was about the only thing that made the Melnibonean feel any trace of happiness- but, he liked having a goal.

Elric's preparations were relatively simple- he strapped on his armor, and which included a magnificent black helm, crested with a dragon, wings unfurled, and a long, cruel spike. This was the Dragon Helm of Melnibone, an heirloom worn by many ages worth of Melnibonean emperors. Lastly, he strapped on Stormbringer's empty scabbard, and pulled the howling, blazing sword from the pile of rocks where he had stowed it. He was grateful that only the blade was on fire, as, he was still able to grip the hilt with surprising comfort- he did not notice even a trace of heat, despite the weird flames that burned without consuming the weapon.

Even though they were about to go and confront an infant-faced horror in the sky, Elric smiled at Smaug with actual warmth as he approached. Not only did he enjoy the dragon's company, he looked forward to their adventure together, even though it was likely to be a brief one- Elric had not noted any specific way for 'Chekalakh' to attack them, aside from heat and the unpleasant feeling of its aura. He still had the berry Sunflora had given him tucked safely in a belt pouch, and hoped it would assist in healing any burns he might obtain- he knew that heat was not likely to damage Smaug at all He held his coil of rope in hand, and climbed easy atop Smaug's back, having gotten plenty of practice lately, and when he felt sufficiently secured, announced, "I am ready, Brother Smaug- let us teach Lord Chekalakh who he is dealing with! I doubt that he expects to be confronted with the might of Smaug the Magnificent and Elric of Melnibone!"

[smaug-thegolden.livejournal.com]

Smaug had been learning the subtle nuances in humanoid expressions, and was thus able to recognise and appreciate the change in Elric's smile, which he inwardly returned while his outward expression remained passively alert. For once he felt no need to boast of his own magnificence, since Elric had done a fine job of it, and so simply offered a rumbling growl of agreement as he again made his way to the nearby clearing.

Once he was in the air, he took the most direct route to the false sun, not dallying along the way as he had on every previous trip. The only pleasure to be had with this flight would come once his and Elric's task was fulfilled, and no sooner, at least for him. It was good for the dragon to maintain this mindset, for it motivated him and he loves being motivated, he LOVES BEING MOTIV—oh, wrong character to fly as swiftly as he could while still being mindful of his rider's safety. That they lacked a telepathic link might not have been obvious to any onlookers that day—they'd become very efficiently coordinated with one another already, thanks in large part to Elric's patient efforts; Smaug merely did his best not to get the Melnibonean killed.

The wretched infant sun was rapidly drawing closer, its usual aura of sickness and fatigue growing stronger by the moment. The dragon would not be so easily stymied on this their final attempt, and pressed on, a rolling snarl of discomfort building in his throat, nearly drowned out by the giggling thing before him. His present course meant that they would soon pass directly beneath the false sun, a position which Smaug deemed best for their purposes. If Elric missed his mark or found himself otherwise unable to slay the creature, it was unlikely that Smaug would be capable of doubling back immediately; he already felt alarmingly weakened by the proximity of the false sun...

[blood-and-souls.livejournal.com]

As Smaug took flight, Elric watched the forest dropping beneath him, keeping his footing easily for now. Stormbringer still howled in his grasp, but, its anguish was now mingled with a distinct tone of anticipation, as if the sword also understood that their undertaking was for the purpose of extinguishing the unnatural fire. As Smaug flew swiftly towards 'Chekalakh', Elric raised his voice in Melnibonean dragon song, this time a song of battle, intended to fire the spirit of both dragon and rider. Few things pleased Elric so much as throwing himself almost mindlessly into a dangerous situation, and so he was enjoying himself in a distinctly Melnibonean way as the Sun drew nearer. Even the sense of sickness phased him little at first, for this was the first time since he'd arrived at Hogwarts that he'd found an apparently worthy foe.

The sense of sickness increased as they approached the Baby Sun, as well as the heat, and an edge of discomfort damped Elric's spirit somewhat, but, he had an aim, and as if to emphasize it, he sang all the louder, his eerie notes mingling with the horrible giggles of the infant-faced 'Chaos Lord'. The singing did nothing to disrupt the Melnibonean's focus- it in fact only improved it, and he eyed his foe with the intent to make his single stroke count. As long as he was able to plunge the sword into the Sun for a moment, the Black Sword would be able to drink its soul, and presumably end it.

The Baby Sun was painful to stare at, nearly blinding, but Elric remained fixed on his goal, and both he and Stormbringer began to howl their battle fury in strangely harmonic tones. The albino ignored the searing heat, which caused his clothing and hair to begin smoldering, and his exposed skin to burn and blister. Even the robe held in his left hand began to burn, and he was left gripping one of Smaug's spines as he poised himself for the strike- a strike which Stormbringer lept to without hesitation. As if pulling Elric's limb of its own accord- which it in fact was- the sword struck upward and plunged deep into the stuff of the Baby Sun, nearly to the hilt, rending a deep gouge as it was pulled along by Smaug's motion. Immediately, Elric felt the life-stuff of the thing pouring into him through the sword. And he screamed in agony. This thing was clearly not Chekalakh, unless its soul felt entirely different this time. There was the exhilarating rush of energy, but, it was combined with a horrible sensation, sicking and painful. But still, the sword drank, until nothing more could be drawn from the Baby Sun.

Which was still giggling. Only now, the sound had changed to something slower and deeper, as if a record were slowed down, and its radiance was somehow inverted, and the sky had turned a horrible shade of sickly yellow. A chill began to emanate from the Baby Sun as the sword finally released its grip after what felt like an aeon, but was in reality only a few seconds, and Elric slumped to his knees, still clinging one-handedly to one of his spines. Never had the experience of drinking a soul been so physically terrible, and although he was filled with a copious amount of life essence, he felt none of the usual ecstasy. After the initial wave of pain swept away, he was left feeling a deep sickness, and Stormbringer's low moans indicated it was feeling similar. The unnatural flames along its blade were extinguished, thankfully.

But, the Baby Sun was not. Somehow, against all explanation, it continued to exist without a soul, transformed into a zombie-like infant monstrosity that gibbered and giggled in mockery, and now shone cold and inverted against a hideous sky.