by Umut Ersezer
General Nanus looked to the ominous Pointed Forest ahead of him as Peritus circled above, ensuring no darkspawn would catch them off guard. It was nearly time, in a couple of days, the dragons would give the signal to attack, then there would be no turning back.
**
Volare was soaring high above the forest and could now see Peritus approaching to meet them. It was approaching dawn with the sun kissing the horizon as it rose, casting the skies into warm glows. All the armies had assembled around the forest, ready to begin the coordinated strike.
Volare’s stomach knotted with anticipation. He had grown accustomed to wearing his new plate armour, developing his skills using the powers of the gems. He finally felt like he had control over his life, he could make a difference and save those around him.
“It is time, we can begin,” boomed Peritus, overcoming the winds high above the ground.
The two dragons circled each other, looking downwards before releasing a massive stream of fire which formed into a ring above the forest. The ring of fire could be seen by all three armies from their respective positions, signalling to begin the advance into the forest. It was the lifelings that would need to fight within the forest, with the Peritus and Ferox providing cover against the absent darkspawn Zelogh.
It was concluded that spreading the darkspawn across three fronts would give them the best chance to reach the centre. The eshin, able to communicate with trees and sneak through the forest, were most likely to reach the centre before the others.
In the distance, the dwarves and humans launched massive boulders and rocks into the forest, in an attempt to not only displace and kill any hidden darkspawn but to also carve some space to march through. Meanwhile, Peritus and Ferox remained vigilant in the skies, to ward off any threats.
As the boulders ran out, the dwarves and humans marched into the forest itself, slowly advancing through the dense growth. The boulders had served their purpose, clearing some of the way, providing openings they could execute formations in while sending out scouts to provide reconnaissance.
**
“THEY COME!” shouted a scout who had climbed up a tall tree.
“HOLD! Shields up! Today men, WE TAKE THE FIGHT TO THEM!” shouted Trajan as a wave of darkspawn hurtled towards them. They danced around the trees, climbing and leaping off their trunks and branches.
They were deadly in the forest, in these tight and close quarters, they had the advantage. Trajan willed his firebrand sword to life, the other commanders and black plate wearers following.
Swords lit up all around Trajan as the few commanders who decided to join him led their soldiers and recruits into battle. Trajan’s heart raced with excitement, this is what he enjoyed most.
A darkspawn hound and humanoid sprinted towards him, only to be welcomed by the force of his strength and swipe of his deadly sword. Today, Trajan would get his revenge.
**
General Nanus roared as he led his dwarven army into the forest. The trees loomed high above the dwarves, but that didn’t stop them, their courage and resolve would overcome the darkspawn today.
They were spurred by their god returning, and they would not fail Peritus. They would fight for their very existence. The darkspawn would not relent; however, they would not give up, they would not leave the forest unless they were killed.
Darkspawn met the dwarves with a wave of fury, with charging hounds and dwarven darkspawn going to battle against the dwarven army.
Nanus screamed as he swung his battle-axe in wide arcs, cleaving multiple darkspawn at once. He could be reckless, he could be overly aggressive, for the darkspawn claws and teeth were little match for dwarven armour. Their fighting numbers matched the darkspawn, in this battle, there would be no retreat, only the relentless advance of the dwarves.
**
All three armies were doing well, advancing steadily into the heart of the Pointed Forest. It would take them until at least the morning to reach the inner sections. They would be stretched to the limit, but fresh supplies could be brought in from behind, feeding the march onwards. The eshin remained undetected, sneaking ever closer. The darkspawn were too occupied with the humans and dwarves to worry about their southern position, allowing the eshin an opportunity to launch a surprise attack.
Ferox and Peritus continued to patrol the skies with Volare also lending his eyes in trying to spot the darkspawn dragon. It would need to show itself eventually if it wanted to stem the advance of the lifelings.
The hours passed as the sun danced its way across the sky to finally bring an end to the day. The dwarves and humans were making camp for the night within the forest. It would present as the most dangerous time during the assault. The darkspawn behaved even more aggressively during nights, they showed increased speed and strength, as if the very light of the sun diminished their capabilities.
The lifelings had timed their assault to coincide with a double full moon, shining high above the ground. It cast a monochromatic glow over the forest as fog descended upon the camps in the still chilly night. Gloomy shadows filled every corner of the forest, unclear if it was cast by a harmless critter or awaiting darkspawn.
Sightings of wildlife all over Kragea had plummeted, suggesting that the darkspawn were feeding off them at an unsustainable rate. Even the top predators that roamed the lands hadn’t been sighted in months. Ferox and the eshin were most troubled by this, committing to investigate and correct the balance of life should they succeed in defeating the darkspawn.
“Volare, the hot updrafts have ceased, it is difficult to maintain this altitude much longer, Peritus and I will need a rest,” explained Ferox.
“I was thinking it was time we took some more direct action Ferox,” said Volare.
“You wish to set the central forest ablaze?”
“I do. I want to force their hand, tens of thousands of darkspawn have been slaughtered today. I don’t think we should give them time to recover through the night. Press our advantage, I say,” explained Volare.
Ferox released a grumble of satisfaction from his throat with Peritus mirroring the sound.
“Very well Volare, Peritus and I will let our children know to prepare for a potential wave. I will drop you off with the humans to communicate our plans.”
Ferox descended upon the northern regions of the forest, torchlight indicated the location of the human camp within the forest.
“They have done well securing this much land. Zelogh, would have been proud of them,” said Ferox.
The eshin dragon swooped low along the tree line, the humans rushing for cover fearing the darkspawn dragon had returned.
Volare leaped off the dragon, freefalling to the earth below. It rushed toward him at an exhilarating pace. He no longer feared the heights, the rush of wind, or the looming hard ground. Instead, he savoured in the rush of it.
With a boom, Volare landed hard upon the ground, cracking the earth around his feet. His plate, bracers and boots were glowing brilliantly as he harnessed their power to perform the superhuman feat. Soldiers gathered around him, gawking with awe. They couldn’t believe their eyes. Volare had grown much taller since leaving Vicus, he was no longer skinny but muscular, fit and trained in the ways of combat.
He stood as tall and nearly as broad as his father, commanding respect from the onlookers. He puffed his chest as he assessed the soldiers. He almost felt like he needed to take care of them, as if they were his children now in the absence of Zelogh and Koralinth.
“Who is in command here?” shouted Volare with a tone of authority.
“I am,” came another strong voice as Trajan stepped out from the shadows.
“You!” Volare shouted as he marched directly for Trajan.
Volare drew his sword, igniting its brilliant flame as Trajan also drew his sword. His fire burning not as brightly as Volare’s. The soldiers around him also drew their swords, with more of them rushing to the scene and enclosing around Volare, unsure what to do.
Tra
jan held his sword out, trying to maintain distance from his aggressor. Volare didn’t hesitate, he engaged with Trajan, disarming him almost instantly, sending his sword flying away. He swung his sword for Trajan’s neck, stopping his blade centimetres from making contact. Trajan stood frozen in place not daring to move, enduring the slight burn that Volare’s sword was causing to his neck.
“Do you remember me, Trajan?”
“No!” Remove your sword!”
“Where is my father!?” Volare demanded.
“I don’t know who your father is,” said Trajan taking a step away from the sword. Volare kept his sword pointing directly at Trajan.
“Calidum Fortem! Where is he!? You took him from me! From us!”
Trajan’s face grew pale as it dawned on him who Volare was.
“I’m sorry…I truly do not know where he is. I believe…he died during our first assault in the forest months ago,” said Trajan quietly.
Volare drew breath, his realisation that his entire family had been lost to the darkspawn dawning on him. He lowered his sword as his eyes began welling up with tears.
“Not you too,” he whispered to himself as he hung his head.
“Volare, I am with you, I feel your pain, but you must push it aside. Focus on the mission. We will deal with Trajan later. Peritus and I are in position,” said Ferox, his voice flowing through Volare’s mind.
“I will deal with you after this is done Trajan,” said Volare in a disturbingly calm voice. “The dragons are ready to set the forest ablaze, ready your men in case of a darkspawn retaliation.”
Trajan’s eyes widened as he began barking orders.
“Form up, men! Take your positions! Captain Vix, keep our flanks clear and our formation tight!”
The soldiers scrambled into their formations, instructions fanning out from Trajan and being relayed to the surrounding battalions.
“We are ready,” Volare sent a thought to Ferox.
The next moment Peritus and Ferox were launching massive streams of fire upon the forest, bringing a fiery glow from above the tree line. The blaze set the night sky itself alight, drowning out the stars, replaced with embers floating on the air currents.
Screeches of anguish could be heard from deep within the forest as the ground beneath Volare’s feet began to vibrate.
“They charge, be ready!” he shouted.
Volare and Trajan marched to the front of the formation to meet the wave of darkspawn head-on. Volare found it unnerving to be fighting beside the cruel man that broke apart his family. He hated him. Yet at this moment, as he held his firebrand sword beside him, powered by the gems and memories of Koralinth himself, he reflected on the fact that Trajan was responsible for Volare beginning his journey in the first place. It was almost fitting that the darkspawn war would come to a head with the two of them at the tip of the spear.
The darkspawn hounds and humanoids charged at the human army as they escaped the brutal flames, there would be no rest for the armies on this night. They were entrenched and well-fortified in their makeshift camps, they could not only hold off the darkspawn but slaughter them in their droves.
Volare fought with blistering ferocity, leaving no darkspawn creature alive in his wake. He spared nothing in his path, feeling only passion and thrilling excitement, bringing an end to the beasts. Trajan was equally possessed in the heat of the battle, fending off countless darkspawn.
Unfortunately, the soldiers were not faring as well, the darkspawn, although mostly attacked mindlessly, could over-power the armies with the sheer weight of numbers.
More creatures came at them, not only hounds, not only humanoids but the very predators that the forest hid. Massive licerta now rampaged toward them, toppling trees over as they swung horn covered heads. They were joined by the faster and more agile acinonyx, galloping and leaping its way into the fight. Even the birds now swooped down on them. The situation was degrading into mayhem.
“Keep it tight! Shields up! Don’t allow gaps! Archers release at will!” Trajan bellowed as he fought and commanded his army at the same time. They wouldn’t be able to hold them off much longer.
“There is no end to them!” shouted Trajan.
“We have no choice now! We must fight until the end!
An earth-shaking roar sounded from within the depths of the forest that was slowly being consumed with fire. A huge shadow leaped into the air, taking flight to escape the flames.
“The dragon!” a soldier cried out, pointing into the sky.
Ferox! Beware! Volare sent his thoughts to Ferox.
**
Ferox turned his head as Volare’s voice streamed through his consciousness. He could now see the darkspawn Zelogh take to the sky.
“Peritus! It’s time!”
The two dragons re-joined each other to fly in formation, they would meet Zelogh as a team, each attacking a flank. All three dragons roared as they circled the skies looking for an opportune moment to strike at each other. It would be Zelogh to launch the first attack, as the darkspawn beat its wings hard, surging towards Peritus who tried to hold Zelogh at bay with a fireball.
Zelogh was the largest, the most powerful of the three dragons, Peritus and Ferox would need to be exceptionally cautious in fighting him. If Zelogh were to grab hold of either one of them, either in his talons or mouth, it would spell disaster for them.
Peritus, being much smaller, was able to nimbly dart away from Zelogh’s reaching talon. Ferox took the opportunity to attack from the other side, looking to puncture Zelogh’s scales with his talons. He managed to only scratch the massive blackened beast, dislodging a scale to expose a patch of oily black skin. Zelogh turned away from Ferox, trying to protect its bare skin only to be met with a swooping Peritus breathing fire onto its exposed skin.
Zelogh let out a mighty roar of pain as he tried desperately to escape the stream of fire. Ferox following up by nosediving directly towards Zelogh, he would grab the darkspawn by the talons and throw him into the flames below.
Zelogh, turned at the last second swiping with a front leg to inflict a deep gash into Ferox’ side. The eshin dragon, reeling from pain fell from the sky, unable to collect his thoughts. It felt like the darkness itself was spreading within his blood, burning inside of his veins and arteries. The fires below, rushed upwards towards Ferox, threatening to swallow him up.
**
Volare fell to his knee as he felt a searing pain in his side.
“What is it!? Trajan called out mid decapitation of a darkspawn.
“I…I don’t know! My side!” cried out, Volare as he felt his armour. There was no cut.
Volare searched his mind for Ferox’ presence. The dragon’s consciousness was barely there. Volare realised he was injured.
“WAKE UP FEROX! It’s not over yet, we need you!” Volare urged. He closed his eyes, focusing the power of his Topaz, sending it to Ferox.
**
Ferox, spurred by Volare’s thoughts forced his eyes open. He spread his wings just in time to stop his descent into the flames. Ferox beat his wings hard, urgent in his efforts to return to the fight above. Peritus wouldn’t last long without his help.
Before ascending, however, Ferox noticed a dim and deep purple oval portal within the flames. The fires had swallowed the trees, exposing the portal!
A black hooded figure stood at its entrance, shielding the portal in a magical barrier against the fires. An endless stream of darkspawn poured from the portal, not caring about the flames, they threw themselves out and charged in the direction of the dwarven and human armies. There was no relenting in their stream.
The hooded figure looked up to Ferox, the dragon flames illuminating his veleon face.
It can’t be thought Ferox. “Volare! I have found the portal, can you follow my gaze?”
“Yes, I can see,” came Volare’s response.
“You must reach it, Volare! There’s no end to the darkspawn, our only hope is closing the portal. Be warned! There is a veleon
guarding it. It is the black hand of Mirardos himself.”
After a momentary pause came Volare’s response once more. “I will end this.”
Ferox beat his wings hard, rising above the smog of the flames to see Zelogh had Peritus in his talons, trying to tear her apart. Peritus’ blood was raining upon the forest.
Ferox launched himself at the darkspawn dragon, biting its neck hard and sinking his talons into its body. Zelogh let go of Peritus to send her crashing towards the flames below. It was now Ferox, and Zelogh entangled together, trying to land a finishing bite or slash on each other. Both dragons became bloodied, but Zelogh wasn’t fazed, the darkspawn did not care about its own life.
With a final effort, Ferox stabbed its talons into Zelogh’s neck that had its scales ripped off from Ferox’ earlier bite. The talons sunk in deep, severing several vessels. Zelogh fought on, it didn’t matter how much blood the darkspawn lost. Ferox knew he had to decapitate the dragon, so he bit once more, over and over until the eshin dragon had chewed his way through Zelogh’s neck, freeing his head to crash to the earth below.
Ferox threw Zelogh’s body to the side and nose-dived to the forest in an attempt to catch Peritus, but it was too late. Peritus lay motionless amongst a patch of burned and broken trees. To Ferox’ surprise, however, the eshin were now moving to surround the dragon, as they extinguished the flames around them. Ferox granted the eshin affinity to nature, which included limited control over fire. He felt a surge of pride from within him as he watched his children rush in to protect and heal Peritus.
Ferox circled above, maintaining a guard above Peritus and his children, looking out for any approaching darkspawn.
**
Coniun directed the eshin amongst the trees, urging them to provide a protective circle around the god dragon.
“Hold back the flames brothers and sisters! Healers, to the front! It is time to work your magics,” commanded Coniun.
The eshin worked feverishly trying to use magics that have been long lost to them in order to weave torn flesh back together.