Tonrack activated the remote which brought the fighter to them and they were about to board, when he stopped them. Zeus said gently, a statement more than a question, “there is another.” Tonrack nodded, there must be, he said, “Those we killed were undoubtedly magicians and adepts, but none of them had the power to erect those psychic barriers we met when coming down through the atmosphere.”
He led them into the fighter and told them first to search the craft to make sure no-one had concealed themselves aboard, that done, he lay down on his bed, and told them, as soon as he had left his body, they were to leave the planet and maintain a safe orbit for two hours, if he had not returned by then, they were to call in the fleet, and turn the planet into charred rock. He held Tersova for a moment, reached out and briefly grasped the hands of both Zeus and Athena, then cast himself into a self-induced trance. He had to do this quickly. Because he was facing a deadly enemy, far stronger than those before, and he would try to get an advantage before Tonrack could get his bearings. Rather than waiting until he had become the usual replica of himself, he assumed the form of the Dragon. The only difference this time was, the dragon form he assumed was that of his mentor, and as he did so, he knew the Dragon was there with him. He literally leapt out of his body as the fighter lifted off and soared high into the atmosphere. He had been right, the mage had as much power as he had, and had been waiting for him. As he emerged a dark shape passed him. Had he been slower, he would have been dealt a devastating blow. The magician had also assumed the form of a dragon. A huge black beast with two massively muscled hind legs and its arms were its wings; the ends of each of its elongated fingers were vicious claws. The speed of his exit, not only protected him, it also put him above his foe. This dragon was an ice dragon, and its icy breath could neutralize his fire. They soared higher, each trying to get an advantage.
They swooped and turned each countering the other, calling on psychic powers which flashed across the heavens lighting them with incandescent flashes. This was the battle of the titans, and it was also the battle to decide the fate of the universe. It was this final realization which caused Tonrack to redouble his efforts and to change his tactics. The Black magician may be his equal in the spirit world, but Tonrack was a pilot, his training and years of practice had given him lightening reflexes and a sixth sense about what his opponent was going to do. Now cold and calculating he began to exert his control over the battle. He moved swiftly and easily maneuvering and outmaneuvering until he began to feel his enemy losing his self-control. Then as if he had been injured in one of the violent clashes he started to glide away. The Black dragon thinking he had gained the advantage swooped to deliver the death blow. He extended his talons and too late realized he had been duped Tonrack rolled upside down and with all four legs slashed the black dragon’s belly out. Mortally wounded, it tried to retaliate, but Tonrack had wheeled over above him, and had clenched his claws into his opponent’s neck in a death grip. Descending at almost terminal velocity, Tonrack extended his wings to their full stretch then flicked over again. The sudden reversal of force snapped the defeated creature’s neck.
Without a sound the lifeless body smashed into the ground and in the distance Tonrack heard an anguished maniacal scream. Circling back over the ancient keep, he saw a wrinkled body lying on the top of a tower writhing in a final death agony. This had been his deadly adversary, he was of a forgotten time, but even in his last moments, his eyes burned up at the dragon above him. As only a master of the psychic world was capable of, Tonrack exerted his influence crossing over both dimensions, and sent a plume of purging fire onto the surface of the tower. A magician who had lived more than a hundred million years was consumed screaming curses at an oblivious Tonrack. First his clothes disappeared in a puff of smoke and flame, his flesh melted from his bones. So intense was the heat that twisted bones burned and became dust. It was finished; Tonrack soared up into the atmosphere looking for the fighter. It was also looking for him for although in the conscious form they were unable to see him. The bond of love between Tonrack and Tersova it guided her to him. Exhausted, he re-entered his body and as his awareness returned, he could feel two warm arms wrapped around him. Zeus told him later, that Tersova had been holding his body like that blending her spirit with his, all the time he was away.
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