Excerpt from Book Two, Moon Goddess

More than fifty cave trolls, each almost as large as a Kojin and magically altered to endure sunlight, pushed and pulled a massive stone platform that rolled on iron wheels. Imprisoned on its flat surface was Bhayatupa, his head, neck, torso, and tail pinned to the stone by dozens of magical chains. The dragon’s wings, which extended more than one hundred and fifty cubits from tip to tip, were lashed against his sides. Large golden spheres were stuffed into his nostrils. The beast could barely breathe, hissing through the tiny gaps between his fangs.

Without warning a voice exploded from above, and all heads turned toward the looming malice of Uccheda. Invictus stood on the balcony, his robes swirling in the early afternoon breeze. When he spoke, all could hear.

“There are traitors among us,” he said.

“Yes!” the throng shouted in unison.

Bhayatupa growled.

“The dragon has conspired against my realm.”

“Yes!”

“He attempted to free one of my prisoners. But of course, he failed.”

“Yes! YES!”

“I say to you, my loyal subjects, any who stand with me will thrive!”

“YES!”

“And any who stand against me will perish!”

“Yes! YES!”

“Behold, Bhayatupa! All have trembled before him. Until now.”

“YES! YES!! YES!!!”

With all his ancient might, Bhayatupa fought against his restraints. But the power of Invictus was too great even for the dragon, who had bowed to no one in eighty thousand years. The bonds that ensnared Bhayatupa were the same that had held The Torgon, only larger. The dragon, for the first time in his existence, was helpless.

Mala laughed. “Our king has spoken,” the Chain Man said, in a voice that also boomed throughout the valley. “Bhayatupa is a traitor. Of that, there is no doubt. But there is more.”

All went silent.

Invictus chuckled. “Yes, General Mala, there is more.”

Two figures — mere specks in comparison to the dragon — were dragged to the front of the platform, wrapped in chains. They struggled mightily, but their efforts were futile. Lucius and Izumo were put on display next to the dragon. Laylah collapsed, but Urbana caught her with steely arms.

“You won’t want to miss this, little one,” the vampire said.

Bhayatupa heaved against the chains like a mountain trying to tear itself from the ground. But the more the dragon struggled, the tighter the restraints became. Watching all this, Laylah became convinced that she was doomed. Vedana had been lying the entire time. Nothing could free her from this nightmare. But just then, the most peculiar thing occurred. Invictus, always in command, always in control, let out a yelp, and his magically amplified voice leapt across the valley, suddenly high-pitched and frightened.

“What is it?” he screeched. “What is happening to the sun? Someone ... help ... IT HURTS!”

All eyes looked toward the sky. A shadow had emerged over the western edge of the round yellow orb. Few would have noticed this unusual event — at least at this early stage — if the sorcerer had not reacted so intensely. To Laylah’s surprise, her brother turned and fled through a doorway into the tower, trailing fire and smoke.

The momentary silence that followed was as profound as death — then came hysteria, as if acid were raining from the skies. But above the tumult thundered an even greater sound — an enraged growl that swept over the valley like a tidal wave.

Snap. Snap! SNAP! One by one, the chains that held Bhayatupa fell away.