by SlyOkami
“And we, are the immortal brothers.” Dread coldly added, waving his hands apart as a mist of greenish smoke spread out from him and into the entire room. “Undeath School; Bone Abomination!” Dread chanted, as his skeletal jaw clattered as if chuckling.
As each wall within the room then crumbled, revealing twelve goliaths of bone rising from within.
Makaela though seemed unamused, she simply gestured forwards. “No, you’re not.” She said, as two figures rushed past her then.
Pyra charged forth, too fast to make out other than as a streak of golden light, she came to stand before Dread’s wide open arms.
Her right gauntlet held back, as she grinned widely. “Custom Cast; Thunderous Smite!” She chanted, her fist turning into a blur as it resonated with powerful sound. Punching forth, Pyra’s gauntlet smashed into Dread’s chest, barely a millisecond of collision before her fist’s trembling ceased.
Dread then felt a monstrous force fill him, his gaze rising to meet Pyra’s…right before his skeletal body suddenly exploded into thousands of shards. The force though continued onwards, sending Vein flying forward and smacking into the room’s wall. The mage groaned as he pulled himself out of the crumbled stone, having been sent flying with such force that his appearance had even been slightly flattened.
“Hemomancy; Flesh recovery!” Vein chanted, groaning in further pain as his body bulged up back into normal. Glancing about he watched his brother’s minions fall immobile to the ground, his own eyes widening as he turned, finding nothing more than a pile of white dust before him.
It was all that remained of Dread.
“No…Brother…You! You will pay-” He tried to shout in fury, but paused as a beauty suddenly appeared before him.
“Custom cast; Demon’s Gaze.” A whisper purred into his ears.
Zentha faded out of the shadows mere inches from Vein, her thin yet voluptuous body leaning against him as a toxic mist slowly flowed out of her very skin. Her eyes, shining a bright green, Vein found himself unable to look away.
“Custom cast; Medusa’s Scale.”
He shuddered at her touch, as her hand dragged along his chin, her breasts, stomach and legs pushing on his front…
Vein then shrieked in agony, as his pale skin began to turn green wherever she touched, filling him with pain beyond the norm. He fell to his knees yet tried to hold onto her, breathing heavily as he continued to scream, the patches of green slowly growing to cover his entire body.
Zentha leaned away, allowing him to fall fully to the ground, she simply watched coldly as the mage shrivelled up into a dry dead corpse.
“Ascal, reconnect the bitch.” Makaela said, moving to stand before the still beating heart of miasma.
“Ah…sure.” Ascal said with some discomfort, having been staring at the dying Vein before she spoke. He waved his hand at the same space as before, “Dark Arts; Static; Clear.” He chanted, and the space above the heart then shuddered, as Azkel’s form returned.
Standing with her back to them, they watched as the Deviless’ illusion turned around to face Makaela. Silently she glanced around, first at Vein and then at Dread’s collapsed minions. Anger filling her gaze as it settled on Makaela, opening her mouth to speak yet being cut off right then.
“You might ask, how did we find you?” Makaela spoke in an amused tone, smirking at the Deviless’s annoyance. “Master’s genius showed us the way. You collect energy through the deaths of others, through conflict and ruin. That energy collection is slow, but not because of the method of collection…We wondered, what would happen if a mass of beings were killed in battle within mere moments?”
Again, Azkel’s mouth opened to speak.
Yet again Makaela cut her off.
“It created a massive flow of negative spirit, a flow which led us here. Right. To. You.” Makaela said dramatically, waving her hands at the room around them. “I’m sorry honey but you’re really fucked up this time around~” Makaela chuckled.
And Azkel’s fury then peaked, “I will come to your little realm…Personally…I will capture you, your master and every other minion you both have…Watch…You will all watch as I torture then kill your families before you…” The Deviless hissed, as crimson energy boiled up around her.
“Hah!” Makaela though simply laughed, “I welcome you to come, I would…Love to tear your fucking heart out.” She exclaimed, her voice rumbling across the room as a golden glow now permeated her entire body. “But I must thank you…” She then said, her amusement returning as she laid her hand over the beating heart. “We will make good use of this, so go tell your father, just how much you’ve helped the enemy out. I’m sure, he will reward you appropriately. Won’t he?” Makaela asked, her gaze returning to Azkel…
As the Deviless’s eyes were no longer filled with rage, but instead terror.
“Ahah~” Makaela giggled, “Hit the nail right on the head haven’t I? Oh yes, I’m sure you’ll be able to come here once dear old daddy Kurzan finds out that you not only failed in your mission to summon the Arch-Devil, but handed us the very energy source you’ve been collecting all this time…My I wish I could be there to see the ensuing spanking~”
Azkel’s expression trembled now, her gaze seemingly staring off into nothingness as her lips pursed and quivered.
Makaela leaned onto the heart then, smiling widely with atrociously amused eyes, “You’re going to lose your riches. Your land. Your titles. Your very name…And if I’ve been paying attention enough…Kurzan might just kill you no?”
Azkel did not respond, she simply lay paling with every word, shock filling her mind at the thought.
“But there is a way out.” Makaela then said, fully regaining the Deviless’s attention…
“Wh-What?” Azkel asked shakily.
And Makaela’s smile then widened…
“Master offers you a deal, one which you simply cannot refuse.”
B2; Chaos - Ch 57; The Great War - Part 4; The Black Order
Makaela roamed the city streets, agitated as she searched for him. (“Damnit Erik…where are you?!”) She asked herself, having searched the entirety of the palace but found him nowhere. Pondering then for a moment, how would she explain the disappearance of their King, a procession of people going down one street then caught her attention.
Sighing in relief, Makaela leapt off the rooftop she stood upon, landing over the next from where she could now clearly make out the mass of people. Xilfir one and all, from young to old, they followed the adorned figure as he calmly walked down the city’s street.
Makaela watched as they sang praises, appreciation and adoration. A true King walking amongst his people. For he was after all the one who freed them, the one who fought for them and gave them a home.
He was in the end, the one who created them as well.
But Makaela couldn’t allow herself that moment of joy, only anxiety filled her mind as she looked over his current form, seemingly unchanged as he walked with bright white-gold wings spread wide.
Yet she saw through his illusion, she saw the two blackening wings dragging behind him, his changing hair and scales too.
(“Why?What is worth the risk of them knowing Erik? Why did you come out here without waiting for me or even telling me…”) Makaela wondered, dissipating then into a dash of shadow before reappearing alongside him, keeping pace with his steps. “Master…” She said in elven, but was unsure how to word her question among these many ears.
“Is it done?” Erik asked, continuing to walk.
“Yes, she accepted our deal. The…prize, was delivered here as well.” Makaela reported, stepping aside then as a bunch of Xilfir children ran up to them, slowing down to walk beside Erik, they gawked up at the Dragon.
“Good, I shall speak with her soon but first…Something else has come up.” Erik mused, as he glanced down at one child, his wide eyes widening further as he met the Dragon King’s gaze. Erik pointed his finger down nearby the child, the young Dark Elf paling at
the sight…
“Light School; Illusory Make.” Erik chanted, and out of his finger tip formed a droplet of liquid light. The drop of gold fell, hitting the ground it splashed into a small puddle which after a few moments then suddenly rose up and took a different shape.
A small, dog sized Dagon now walked with them, shining a dim golden light as it sniffed at a couple of the children. “Run along now.” Erik said, and the Dagon then leapt aside, playfully jumping around and fully catching the children’s attention. As they rushed after the ethereal beast.
Briefly Erik paused to watch them play with the illusory creature, a thin smile forming over his façade of cold.
(“You’ve made this possible.”) Makaela then spoke through their bond, and his smile widened.
(“It doesn’t end here.”) Erik said as he glanced around, the entirety of the crowd having stopped with them. He looked over them, their joyful expressions, their hopeful eyes. They gazed all at him. (“I’ll fix this world Makaela, I’ll fix it even if it kills me.”) He vowed, (“And be it Hell and its Devils, be it Heaven and its Gods and Angels. Be it the Avatar, I don’t care what they may think. None of them dare lift a finger for others, only for themselves. So I won’t be any different. I’m going to fix this world, I’m going to reshape it to my liking.”)
Makaela nodded as she too glanced over her people’s gazes of adoration, (“Yeah, we shall.”) She said, resting her hand over his shoulder as their gazes met. (“Damn be whoever blames you for our enslavement, that was our fault entirely. But dead is the voice who says you haven’t done anything. You have given my people more than we could have ever gained alone. Till the day I die Erik…I serve you wholly.”)
For the first time in weeks, she heard the sound, relief filling her then.
As Erik’s gaze turned to face forwards, she heard him chuckle, a weak laugh which escaped him.
(“Then onward we go, to see what the future holds…”) Erik mused, continuing to walk down the street.
(“And I’ll wait…I’ll wait for as long as you need me to wait…Master.”) She then thought to herself, a thin smile over her face as she continued to follow after him. Watching at his back as they walked down the busy street, as all turned to look at them.
Makaela noticing then, that the gazes of the citizens were turning from joy and adoration to expressions of anxiety followed by relief. (“Erik what is…”) She about asked, but stopped as they paused before one building’s open doors.
Before them stood a dozen or so Dragon Knights, six standing to either side of the doorway while two more stood within the wide frame, both wooden doors laying fully open. This was one of the many recreational places that had popped up as the city grew, a usually bustling tavern.
Yet, as they walked inside, most of the tables were empty.
All but the bar itself, where five figures sat drinking.
Walking inside after Erik, Makaela also noticed several more Dragon Knights standing on guard, up to three dozen covering the tavern.
Erik stopped midway through the tavern, and Makaela did too, the both of them now staring at the five cloaked figures who sat with their backs towards them.
“We’ve been waiting.” Spoke one male voice, a sudden rush of draconic filling Makaela’s ears, it startled her.
“Surely you noticed us entering the moment we came close.” Mused another, seemingly female.
“I did, I simply decided to take a nice slow walk through my beautiful city, and keep you invaders waiting.” Erik then said with a tone of annoyance.
Makaela felt her bones fill with ice, as she realised what sort of beings sat before her. Finding herself unable to move or speak, as silence briefly filled the room.
Erik gestured for the Dragon Knights to leave, and they did, taking the barmaid with them before closing the doors behind them. Leaving only Erik and Makaela alone with the five cloaked beings.
“I was wondering when you’d show yourselves.” Erik mused.
“Oh, so you knew we existed? Did Delirio perhaps mention us?” Asked a large burly male before gulping down an entire bottle of ale.
“If one survived then surely did others.” Erik said with a sigh, (“And if Grim lied to me on one thing then it surely lied on everything…”) He bitterly thought. “I figured you’d step out of your hiding when I began my siege on Abu Katra. What other place could possibly be more preferred for your kind to hide in? Where you can amass your hordes with ease, and fully within sight of the whole world.”
One then suddenly chuckled, a grating laughter which caused Makaela’s ears to twitch. “Aha! Yes, oh yes so right. Truly it is the best place for greed, gluttony and debauchery!” The tallest, yet also thinnest of them all exclaimed, as each of them then rose up and turned around.
Makaela watched, horrified, as black horns and black scaled tails appeared.
The one at the very centre catching most of her attention, as he reared his shoulders back, a pair of pitch black and silver netted wings then growing out from beneath his cloak.
Erik then dropped his illusion, revealing his dragging wings, at first seeming nowhere near as menacing as the other winged figure. But as he raised and spread them wide open, their white, black and crimson colouring alongside the vaster size…Erik was by far the most intimidating of them all.
He glanced over them, as the one at the centre chuckled in amusement. “Ah, your friend here seems a bit overwhelmed.” He mused, as indeed Makaela’s expression was entirely frozen in surprise and fright.
“Erik I-” Makaela tried to speak, but a shiver in her throat seemingly blocked her words.
“It is alright, I knew what they were and that they were coming.” Erik assured her, “For, there is no sane reason the Sinbeni council wouldn’t simply surrender, not with how terrified they seemed…Unless, there were others pulling their strings too. And not just Azkel and her Pact…”
The winged figure stepped forward, pulling his hood down and revealing a young man with long silver hair and bright silver draconic eyes. “And we never doubted Elder brother would know this, we did however doubt Elder brother could defeat Uncle…”
Erik growled, many of them stepping back at the aggressive gesture, as he himself stepped forwards. “And doubting me, was your first mistake.” He hissed in reply, as briefly the entire tavern shuddered. “Announce yourselves, you’re being impolite.” He then said, a lingering malevolence within his tone fully sensed by each of the five figures.
Erik was making it clear which of them was the senior here.
The one at the centre raised his hands forth, “Yes, apologies Elder brother, we mean no insult.” Then gesturing at himself as tendrils of silver energy formed around his body. “I am Xavrydar, Half Silver Black Dragon and leader of this comradery of surviving Dragons.” He gestured at the rest who sheepishly stepped forward.
“Tevrerth, Pure Black Drake.” Said the large burly male, having short black hair and dark brown eyes.
“Eoka…B-Blue Black Drake.” Stuttered the next, a short blonde-haired girl with dark blue eyes.
“Grylrag the mighty Green Black Drake! At your service.” Dramatically said another, the tall lean male with dark green eyes and long black hair tied back into a tail just as long as his actual.
Elbowed back into standing straight by the last, an almost as tall and lean female with the same features. “Vemmaninth, Green Black Drake and twin to this fool.” She said coldly.
Xavrydar then gestured at his comrades, “We, as we called ourselves, are The Black Order. And we, are the true rulers of Sinbeni. We come before you in peace, and to speak of such between our old nation and your newly revived kingdom.”
Erik though continued to gaze at Xavrydar with dreadfully narrowed eyes, “One untested Black, and four of his wingless cousins…Dare walk into the White’s Lair, thinking themselves equal.” He hissed in draconic, stepping forward to stand face to face with Xavrydar. “I should bite your throat out. Whilst, you should be on your knees begg
ing for mercy.”
Xavrydar felt the pressure Erik produced, having to do his best at remaining to stand and face him, his comrades though were not as fortunate.
As each of the four Drakes fell their knees, shivering.
“Only one of you is trained in our ways, only one of you can probably even fight. Yet you dare mingle about my children, you dare come here unannounced.” Erik continued to growl, as his bright golden eyes fiercely met Xavrydar’s trembling silver. “Cowards, the lot of you. Where were you when Hell invaded? Hiding, weren’t you? Where were you as the Pact and Delirio did as they pleased? Cowering beneath them I presume…Where were you when a young Green was taken captive by Delirio? You ignored it, didn’t you?…” Erik’s fury was unhinged, as tendrils of flame and lightning now frolicked about his person.
Joined by tendrils of black-red energy.
He then abruptly stepped back, “At first, when I sensed you, I expected more. I expected a coalition of proud black dragons coming here to warn me, warn me that I was stepping out of bounds. Yet…” Erik chuckled coldly, “Yet all I see is four snivelling pups and a premature fool at their lead.”
His right hand then rose forth, and within appeared a long ornate white staff. “Tell me…Why shouldn’t I kill you all here and now? I wouldn’t even have to lift a finger, after all my four guardians and my army of Dragon Knights would be far more than enough.”
“Well, that went bloody well didn’t it?” Grylrag mused anxiously, as his face now pressed against the floor.
To which his sister hissed back at him before turning to Erik, “We mean no harm Elder brother…Please, hear us out…”
“We are the last…There are no others!” Xavrydar exclaimed, “Would you really put our kind’s very future into jeopardy?”
Erik’s eyes though did not calm, his gaze continuing to glare down at them with severe scrutiny. “You misunderstand, I care not for our kind’s continuation. I only care about what is mine, and who deserves my protection. From my standing point, none of you have done anything to earn it. Hah…You even own the country who enslaved my people. So again I ask, why should I have mercy?”