by LJ Davies
Omisha smirked.
"We'll see about that, little one."
Lunging forward, she spread her wing blades, and my heart stopped as I saw them closing down on my closest friend. Risha was far from defenceless, and focusing all of her elemental magic, she spread her wings, instantly forging the rain pouring around her into a wall of ice. Her attacker hesitated, beating her injured wings in an attempt to back away. Two blasts of flame and a pair of sharp stones hit her from behind, along with a hybrid torrent of grey and red fire, sending her crashing through the ice wall.
Recovering, she rose up, only to have her wings pierced by another pair of sharp ice spears. It all happened so fast, and my instinct urged me to join my friends, but as I staggered, Balgore’s hammer caught my shoulder.
"I's not going down so easy!" the warlord growled.
Keen to avoid him I jumped back, avoiding another wild swing, leaving it to smash a hole in the floor where my head had just been. Struggling to free the blunt weapon, the dismounted warlord threw a stone fist my way, punching another hole in the wood as I rolled away.
My crackling blades hissed in the rain as it became a torrent, water dripping from my armour, turning to steam as it touched my blazing scales. I could see Risha's battle continuing in the corner of my eye as I leapt at Balgore. He didn't hesitate and I met the golden shaft of his hammer with my crossed wing blades. The weapons sparking like freshly forged steel as I held back the hulking brute.
Balgore laughed as he pulled back, only to hesitate in anticipation of me releasing a bolt of fire. In that moment, I turned on the spot, slicing my tail blade across his knees and dropping him to the floor. I didn't give him another opportunity to strike as I sliced his left arm clean off.
He bellowed a mixture of pain and anger as the limb fell to the rain-drenched platform, his etherium hammer slipping from his limp grip. His cries turned to a booming sound of pure rage as he tried to bludgeon me with his remaining fist. Grabbing it with my claws, I twisted hard; the rock cracking to splinters as I looked straight into his fiery green eyes.
"Is that all you've got?" I challenged, abruptly cutting off his bellowing roar when both of my wings surged forward like blazing scissors, slicing his head from his shoulders.
The cold rain hit his face as he fell silent and his head rolled down his spiny back onto the soaked platform. All that remained was a cauterised stump, still whistling with his last violent breath, before his body dropped to the floor. I drooped, panting hard as the nervous twitching of his remains faded, and I realised I'd done it. There was no more Brazen Warlord, Balgore was dead.
Before I could contemplate my victory, the tower heaved. I sank my claws into the moist wood and forced my wings closed, battling the wind as it clawed at the structure. The beating of battling wings drew my attention toward Risha and the others still locked in combat.
"We have to get off, this whole place is about to come down!" I cried out, trying not to think about the sky-bound onslaught into which we would have to fly.
They all looked reluctant, but as I charged at the throne, Boltock and Ember joined Neera in the sky. I didn't care what Risha told me, or what we were to one another as I barrelled horns first towards her ebon-scaled attacker. Omisha leaned back to strike the blue dragoness with her tail, but Risha jumped aside, the wind dragging her down the stairs before she could steady herself. Omisha smiled at the opportunity for a swift blow, but as she stalked her adversary, I knew she'd caught a glimpse of me.
Her wing opened like a flash of dark lightning, striking me in the face with incredible force. Blood filled my mouth followed by sharp pain as I staggered.
"I don't see why you are so prized, you're no better than a hatchling," she sneered, swatting Risha aside with her tail and rounding on me.
She swiped her foreclaws and I ducked, her bladed gauntlet scraping at the armour over my back as I pressed to the floor, desperately clinging to the slippery surface as it shifted further.
Meanwhile, she landed and spun, moving to grab Risha before my friend could counter. I took the opportunity to sink my claws deep into her scales. The ebon wing howled and kicked me aside, giving Risha time to jump up from the stairs and wrap her claws over the dragonesse’s back before biting down on her armour. Pulling back with all of her strength, and several heavy wing beats, she ripped one of the protective plates from Omisha's neck. All the while, the ebon wing kicked and bucked, but Risha remained unfazed as she sent a sharp spear of steaming-cold ice right through the back of our opponent's neck and out of the other side, purple dust and dark magic glistening in a faint spray.
Omisha gasped, fire surging from her muzzle as her last breath escaped and she fell to the floor with a heavy thud, before rolling off the tower's slanted surface. Risha gasped as she fell upon the throne, and I rushed over holding her up as she panted.
"Thanks," was all I could offer through my exhaustion.
She gave a weak smile.
"What are friends for?" she questioned as the ice she'd conjured dissolved into the rain.
Unfortunately, the tower didn't intend to allow us the luxury of recovering, and with another mighty heave, the whole thing was ripped from its foundations in a cacophony of groaning steel, crumbling stone and splintering wood.
"You two, get off that thing now!" three voices called in unison as the tower toppled toward the temple ceiling.
We both leapt up, just as the floor fell away, throwing us into a frantic swarm of beating wings as orkin, dragons and griffins scattered like insects from the falling structure's path. Even the horrifying Basilisk gave a deep wail as the vast wooden frame crash through the roof, exploding with a resounding boom and blowing the whole temple apart.
Let's see that monster survive that! I thought triumphantly as the bright glow of the explosion consumed the battlefield and the shockwave tore through the rain-strewn sky.
Then, for a brief moment silence fell over the scene. Nothing but the sound of the storm filled the air as the echoing blast faded. Then the din of battle gradually resumed and we steadied ourselves into a hover above the smoking wreckage.
"Did you get him?" Boltock asked eagerly.
"Yes, Balgore's gone," I confirmed.
"And the black dragoness, who was she?" Ember asked.
I shook my head.
"A lackey to ensure Balgore carried out his orders."
"She certainly made a mistake messing with you, Sis," Boltock added admirably, glancing to his sister,
"She made the mistake of messing with all of us," Risha responded, glancing at me.
She's not proud of it, is she? I understood how she felt, that dragoness had been like her once, no matter how dark she'd become. They all know at least one other ebon wing's still out there.
"Come on, this isn't over yet, we still need to get to the temple," I urged, motioning to the swarming mass on the horizon.
No sooner had I mentioned it, than a large wing of dragons and griffins flew up to us from the ruins. Although I was pleased to see Zephyra, Soaren and Apollo still among them, I also noticed that they were more than a few short. The Elders no longer looked so unscathed, nor had the horror of battle spared the radiant grace of the hippogriff queen, as the black marks of orkin blood tarnished her snow-white feathers.
Even Halfbeak bore several new scars as he and a wing of talon guard emerged from the midst of the battle. I felt a wave of relief to see Tarwin and several other humans still riding the survivors.
"Good work, I doubt he'll be causing us any more trouble," Zephyra observed, glancing down at the smoking ruins.
I nodded, but could tell that beneath her beaten armour, wounds and firm expression, the dragoness I'd met back in the archive was smiling.
"Now, we must rally what we can of Dardien's guard. We still need to deal with my father," she commanded.
"We should make for the temple. I fear it will take more than simple strength of wings to repel what is coming," Vulkaine added, glancing up to the gathering storm.
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br /> Hovering at his side, the Cartographer's expression was halfway between anger and fear, and even Apollo looked more concerned than usual.
"Very well, we make for the palace, and then you are to escort the Guardian to the temple. Let us pray that your elemental pillar is as strong as we all hope it is," Zephyra responded.
All of her wing shadowed her as she took off, followed by the Elders, the griffins and their king. I gained an impressed expression from Tarwin as she and the griffin she rode vanished into the great fissure, and without further hesitation, we followed.
Zephyra's not the only one hoping the Elders’ proclaimed salvation is right. I thought, knowing what Mordrakk could do, and the swarm of dark beasts amassing in the sky could only be the beginning.
*
The darkness of the great lake looked especially foreboding, as did the silent city that hung above its deceptively tranquil surface. Except for the dimly glowing mosses and scattered braziers, the many looming stalactites were devoid of light. Occasionally, a muzzle or two would emerge from a nest, sinking back into the protection of their cave at the sight of the battle raging in the stormy sky.
Can't blame any reasonable dragon for staying in their home. I summarised, strangely relieved by the fact.
Nevertheless, even if one wished to fly, the air was still, the wind-written currents that had once flowed through the city were non-existent. Dardien's beating heart was dead and blood ceased to flow through its veins, and if not for Zephyra and the other wind elementals, it may have been impossible for us to fly down here.
Nevertheless, banking around one great stalactite, the palace’s dimmed cliffside entrance came into view. The four flaming braziers at its front still burned with their elemental fire, as did the great order banners hang down from their grand pillars.
"Set down before the walls, let’s hope my father's stupidity does not grip him still," Zephyra called, before swooping down toward the large plaza before the palace steps.
We all followed, and with a light clatter, the princess landed first. I noticed her eyes linger over the unlit brazier directly before the palace's main doors as I landed. I knew what she was thinking. If the dragon to light the fire of unity was worthy, the brazier should hold a flame comprising all four elements.
I know how she feels, expected to live up to something.
The remainder of the armoured wing and the Elders landed just behind the princess. Halfbeak and several talon guard swooping in beside them. I couldn't help but notice the bewildered look on Tarwin’s face as she saw Dardien for the first time, and despite everything, a smile broke across my muzzle.
That's a feeling I certainly know. I thought, recalling the stunned vertigo I'd once felt.
"The throne room is sealed, as always," Vulkaine observed, peering up into the shaded depths of the palace.
"Then let us see that my father's precious privacy is interrupted," Zephyra responded firmly, stepping up next to the Elder.
Despite her response, the doubt and reluctance in the princess’s expression was clear to see as she stepped forward. I, on the other paw, had no problem with overthrowing the snake that had betrayed me, and eagerly ascended toward the steps.
Unfortunately, not all shared in our intentions, the clattering of armour and metal-clad paws signalling the emergence of guards from the palace pillars. Vulkaine took a step back as they surrounded us, leaving only the cliff edge at our backs.
"Stop, in the name of the great Sovereign!" the lead guard commanded as the armoured group parted, allowing a tall, blue-scaled dragon to stride forward.
At first glance, I recognised him as the water dragon that had been beside Aries in the throne room, the one who had led me out of my cell. I also guessed he was the type of dragon who, without all of the soldiers, wouldn't even think about doing what he was about to.
"How dare you come back here and bring this war with you," he spat, his tone sharp and fluent, as if he wished to simply say the words and move on before anyone could challenge them.
"Tell your soldiers to stand down Irving, and step aside," Vulkaine requested, putting a name to the dragon with an almost tiresome expression.
"And who are you to order me, Elder?" he responded with a dismissive flick of his foreclaw. "You rallied this traitorous band and fled the city like cowards!"
"You may dismiss his instructions, steward, yet you are sworn to mine," Zephyra interrupted.
Stepping up to face him, it seemed she came too close for his comfort, and he snaked back like a snail into its shell. Some bolder guards edged forward, but most were hesitant and failed to confront or even hinder their princess as she pressed.
"Your forces within Andruid are rallied by my side. The orkin warlord is dead and his army scatters as we speak. Yet the day is not yet ours. I must speak with my father." There was a tense moment, until, without hesitation, she swept through the guards.
"Your father will not agree to anything you have to offer; besides, if the warlord is dead, there is no reason for you to remain here," Irving answered, cautiously eyeing her armoured talons.
"The orkin are the least of our concerns, have you not looked to the sky?" she asked sternly, waving a wing in the direction of the battle.
Irving didn't say a word, while the guards exchanged glances with growing unease. The silence endured, until something unexpected shattered it.
"Did you not hear your princess? There is an enemy out there that won't hesitate to cast this city into oblivion if you don’t listen," one of Zephyra's armoured wing suddenly spoke up, and we all looked as Soaren stepped up beside his leader.
"Don't tell me that you've never doubted Aries during your time in the order, don't tell me that you can sit by and let this city fall because of his blindness. Would you not see the restoration of what we once were and fight for what you all know is right?" An uneasy wave of chatter spread amongst the armoured dragons.
"Bold words from a simple soldier," Irving muttered.
"I could say the same of your words, simple steward," Soaren countered sharply, causing Irving to flinch.
"If that’s what you think of any dragon, you’re no better than my father. Those who stand with me are not just soldiers; they’re friends, all of them!" Zephyra urged sternly.
Irving's gaze lingered on her as he struggled for words.
"The princess is right!" a voice called from the crowd.
"No more hiding!" another shouted.
"No more dead dragons!" others added, and before long they were all turned against their orders and rallied behind Zephyra.
"This is outrageous, you will all be charged with treason!" Irving threatened.
"Perhaps, but you fail to notice that the world is falling apart," Zephyra countered, moving up next to him unhindered. "You will take me to my father, now," she added with a slight growl.
He frowned and reluctantly turned, trudging back up the stairs with his tail between his legs. Most of us were ready to follow until a vulpomancer’s horrifying shriek drew our attention to the tattered beating of black wings and shrill cries echoing through the city. Several swarms descended from the sky, spiralling toward us like living swathes of shadow.
Irving took one look at them and bolted into the palace, while I spun around as a wave of fear washed over all who remained.
"Fly steady warriors of Dardien! Defend our home to the last," Zephyra roared from the stairs.
Spreading my wings brought my blades crackling to life, and I glanced at my friends, knowing there was no way I'd let those things anywhere near the palace while I still had them to protect. Regardless, the vulpomancers’ deadly claws struck, cutting away armour and flesh like paper from a book as they plummeted into our closed ranks. I leapt up as blasts of dragonfire erupted around me, wing blades flashing as I carved several monsters into shadow.
Arcs of electrical magic engulfed many, but those that broke through the elemental barrage landed amidst the crowd in plumes of choking shadow, cutting down any
one within their reach with swift strikes of their claws and tails. Beating my wings to hover, one of the creatures tore me from the air and dragged me up, its claws like ice upon my scales as its mere presence caused my scars to burn.
"Guardian, we meet again. What a pleasssant sssurprissse," it hissed as the pair of us fought in the air.
It slashed at my eyes, but my helmet stood firm against its grim talons. In response, I twisted, cutting a deep, glowing wound in its underside with my wing, forcing my release. The sudden pain didn't stop its eagerness to strike me again, so much so, that it was reasonable to assume it had only let me go to have the pleasure of chasing me.
By the creators, I really hate these cursed things!
A piercing arrow struck its eyeless head, and it howled as it grabbed the wooden shaft, turning it to dust. Seizing the moment of distraction, I flicked it aside with my tail, sending it tumbling into the midst of combat below. The force was also enough to knock me off balance, my armour hardening against the unplanned impact, as I crashed and rolled to a halt.
"Blaze!" I heard Tarwin cry.
I snapped round to see her sat atop Meadow Hide's back, sending arrow after arrow into the swarm. Almost all were clean hits, but the mortal weapon was no match for the harbingers of death. I backed up as close as I could to the pair, my wings spread and weapons battle-ready as I focused.
"Steel yourself, leatherwing," the griffiness warned as several more vulpomancers plummeted toward us.
I twisted back, sending blast after blast as more and more joined the surge. Bursts of blazing fire reduced them to shadowy residue before fading into oblivion, but upon vanquishing the first wave, more took their place, their claws outstretched and fanged jaws open wide.
I continued fighting, cutting them down as if they were nothing more than meddlesome flies. Despite my efforts, several managed to land around us, and I was hopeless to stop a pair of dragon soldiers being cut down before my eyes.
"This is starting to turn into a really bad day!" Meadow Hide called in frustration as she batted one of the beasts away with a sweep of her talons.