I stood there. In the midst of all the carnage. Human blood on my claws and scales. Frozen like a statue. I wasn't sure what Hickory would think of me after all of this. I was scared.

“Lost, you don't need to look so scared.” Hickory said, as he walked over in my direction.

“I don't think I want to fight anymore.” I said, just barely getting the words out of my mouth.

I saw Hickory smile, a warm one. He knew how I was feeling and what was going through my mind. He could tell how bothered I was. I know that I, a dragon, and he, a mortal, will live many different lifes, but even if for now, having him here makes things just a little easier.

I smiled at him, and walked over to meet him where he stood. He still seemed so small, so weak, and fragile. Yet he was running inside of the enemies, and risked his life to gain any advantage. I wondered if it was something I could do. I felt selfish around these mortals. This weapon, which was supposed to be a dragon killer, I had destroyed.

“Maybe I should clean all of this up.” I mumbled a bit embarrassed.

“Well not today, Lost.” Hickory said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

Hickory sighed, and rubbed his face, before walking closer. He got right up in front me and looked me in the eyes. I could tell he was a bit frustrated at me, but I couldn't understand why.

“Look how dirty and tired you are! You may be some big great dragon, but you hardly take care of yourself. When was the last time you cleaned your scales? You're soaked in blood and dirt right now. You need to go clean yourself up, and get some rest.” He explained, to me.

I backpedaled a few steps feeling my head lower a bit. I was rather embarrassed about how dirty I was. I did feel rather gross and could feel how much is caked onto my scales with each movement I make. I couldn't argue with him.

“Ya, I will go clean up. Thank you Hickory.” I said to him, as I jumped and took to the sky heading to the lake, to wash up.

***

“So, you sent her away knowing what's coming?” Aiko asked.

“Ya. You said your army would meet us there right?” I asked her.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Yes, they will meet us on the ridge.” She replied.

“Good, we have work to do.” I said.

We both turned and left. Our destination was where the true dragon slayer weapon was coming from. From what akio told me, was that the dragon slayer was not an individual tool. It was an army. These automated soldiers, which have these mana absorbing stones in their chest. Making them much stronger than the normal mortal. It was also followed by an army of mages, which use similar stones to cast spells. I guess some of those were here, which stopped her storm.

I could feel the fire mana around me dance happily. It was eager for action. I hope they gathered the spears for me. I continued my pace, getting to the soldiers just as night had arrived. The half star filled sky, something which I had grown accustomed to all my life, Lost made it sound like there is life out there near those lights of hope. I can only hope if I don't make it out that Lost can see her family again.

“Are you sure you're ready to do this?” Aiko asked me.

I nodded. I had next to me a large pile of hardened reinforced metal spears. I had learned that wooden ones would burn apart at distance, but if they were metal then they would fly much further. I picked up the first spear checking for the center of gravity and getting into a good position to throw it.

Just as I saw the last of the army enter the narrow passage, through the hills, we set the trap in motion, as the soldiers rolled the trees and rocks into the entrance of the passage blocking them from leaving. Once they had started, I hurled my spear, while using my fire explosive mana, to rocket my spear into the wall ahead of the army causing lots of rubble and debris to fall from the wall into the path.

At this point the soldiers with me all started throwing all we had down at the soldiers below. I tried picking out the ones which proved to be the most difficult to hit, or the most protected. My large metal spears acting like rods of destruction. After sending so many spears down into the passage my body started to protest as I tried picking up another spear.

When I turned to look down again, I saw a bright light, as fire filled the volley and rushed up, causing me and all the soldiers to back away from the heat. The rush of the heat blinded us to the huge rocks which followed up behind it and started raining down around us. Everyone scrambled as the rocks started hitting the ground, wounding several on the first volley of them.

I took a spear and ran further down from the main gathering, as I looked over the edge and spotted the one which was directing the mages. I heaved up my spear, and the fire mana was all too eager to kill this human who was wrongfully manipulating the mana. The spear soared through the air in a glint of light it flashed then suddenly the leader was pinned to the ground with the spear standing out of his skull. When the leader died, all hell broke loose. The soldiers scrambled, the automated soldiers froze, as they needed a new leader.