*thew-TINK-tak-taka*

*thew-THOP*

*thew-TINGgggggg*

I've been trying to psych out my enemy for several minutes, but they're experts in street warfare. They flushed ME out of that sturdy house and into what looks like an alcohol distillery. There's not even a table to hide behind. I've lost my close combat advantage— and I'm afraid they'll burn the place if they can't finish me off.

Where's our guards? Our military? The mercenaries? A random mage? Anyone?

The mercenary coordinator is down, and nobody seems to have batted an eye. Meanwhile, these damn bugs keep flitting around, trying to poke holes in my armor. Thank the gods I put an unsoiled set of full plate on just in case; I'd foolishly emptied my stomach in the other one. Thank my father for the fact I own multiple sets of armor, else I might still be wearing that other one. Except, I don't usually wear this set because it's so heavy.

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/014.png]

I look down at my right leg. There's an arrow straight through the thick shin armor, no doubt shattering the shin bone it was supposed to protect. One of these guys, mixed in with the rest, is an expert. Some of them occasionally come out to harass me, but he's remained hidden.

*cha-twang*

There! That's the unique sound of his bow.

I dodge swiftly down, then left.

*chk-chak-shht*

*thew-KRAK*

I see the damage of his shot and feel a creeping sensation.

That guy's arrow just split a freaking industrial support beam! If I wasn't wearing heavy armor, perhaps the same would've happened to my leg. The hell is he shooting with? A Dracorend Bow?

*thew-kun*

*thew-plit*

*thew-yeen*

My mind flits to Pure Evil. A name I'm sure is his since he didn't seem too happy about it. Could a Dracorend Bow hurt him? He doesn't appear to be a normal dragon, so... I'm not sure. However, I AM sure I'll die if I keep thinking about him in the middle of combat. I start repositioning myself to dodge to the right despite my crippled leg.

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*thew-PING*

*thew-thew-DUNNNnnnnnn*

*thew-ksssht*

*cha-twang*

FUCK! I'm not ready!

*thew-CRRNXXH*

My head's blown backward like it's been hit by a catapult round. My body goes limp, but the insane force behind that arrow throws my entire armored form against a nearby vat— head-first.

*KRSSSHT-thun-tink*

A massive wave of pain spreads throughout my body. I won't pass out. I CAN'T pass out. But I also don't see anything from my left eye.

Is it over? Is this it? Is this my life's—

*cha-twang*

Ah, shit.

*tink*

Silence.

What's—

I feel the ground tremble violently.

*KRASSSSHHH*

#THUD#

A loud explosion, then a blazing white light blankets the area.

#BOOM-VRRrrrn#

"AWWWHHHH!"

"AAAARG!"

"HOLY SH—"

*crnch*

The sound of what must be ten or more people... Being slaughtered blasts my bleary senses.

*FRRrk*

"GET IT! GET—"

*cha-twang*

*KF-FLEF*

*tink*

*KRUNCH*

"AUGGH—A!"

*thoo*

*Chu-NK*

What in the hell is going on out there?

*thk*

*KREEE-nch*

"EYES! SH—"

#THUNCH#

*krak*

*thorrr-KOT*

"Uh-KKH!"

*pok*

Another explosion alongside a blazing white light.

#BOOM-VRRrrrn#

What spell IS that?

*KRRNCH-krnch*

*pteh*

*splot*

Was that... Chewing?

...

I hear a sound like metal bending.

#SHREEE#

"GAHAI?!"

*krnch*

...

Deafening silence. Aside from a slight ringing noise left over from the various loud spells.

...

I try to move, but my body doesn't. It's saying: 'No, that's enough. Rest.'

But my mind is on fire; demanding that it move. If only one last time.

*thmp*

*thmp*

*thmp*

*thmp*

A sound like footsteps, but far heavier. The ground vibrates as the interloper approaches my stricken body. I've never heard him walk before— but I know that's him. Pure Evil. Did he decide to kill us after all? Well, it's fine, I guess.

I'm at death's door anyway.

*thmp*

*thmp*

*thmp*

I speak weakly.

"L... ord, Pure... Evil..."

The sound stops. An orange knee adorned with various rows of scales appears in my one good eye. I would recognize his leg anywhere; his whole form is permanently seared into my mind. He's bent down to look at me, I suppose.

"Wow, how are you alive? That thing's sticking all the way through from your eye socket."

I hear his terrifying voice mention the extent of my injuries. Is he mocking my weakness? Dragons like to do that. Though, they do so with rude behaviors, not— not with human speech.

He continues speaking.

"Hm. This is gonna hurt. A lot. But don't worry, it won't hurt when I'm done."

He pauses for a moment, then adds:

"One way or another."

Ah, right! I was worried there might be a worse ending than death if we provoked him. Hah, how ironic! I must've caught his interest since I'm immobilized.

I've met them often on the battlefield. Dragons? They... Play with their food.

I won't even try to imagine what horrors an intelligent dragon could conjure up. I only pray that I'll die quickly.

He places his huge hand over my entire head like a second helmet. My remaining vision goes dark.

Then. I feel the pain.

...

Oh, DEAR GODS!

THE PAIN!