Ahri Arete

The wind howled in my ears, as I rose from the deck of the dwarven ship, a golden, overgrown lizard on my tails, a winged vampire at my side and the scent of burning wood and hot metal in my nose. Our deliberations hadn’t taken overly long and had basically boiled down to: there’s the enemy, make them regret the day they had set sails for Free Land. We had managed to muster a surprisingly strong force, between the vampires, the dwarfs and the mercenaries, Vanya and her group had persuaded to help, we counted almost 100 heads and most of those were either battle hardened warriors or powerful mages. Even without the guards we had sent to accompany and protect the kids, who’d be retreating to Alassara’s home, our numbers were nothing to sneeze at. Still…

I was anxious. Something just seemed off. As far as I was aware Amon knew exactly where we were and what we were capable of. Why would he launch an open assault? 40 ships, as impressive as they might seem, weren’t possibly able to stand up to an enraged dragon and myself, never mind the vampires and our friends. What did he hope to achieve? I couldn’t figure it out and that made me nervous, as it had always meant I had overlooked something important. The last time, he had sent us running in circles while his curse had taken effect.

If something similar was going on, I just didn’t know whom we were supposed to be fighting. The force, Captain Nightshade and his church, led through the streets came to mind but ever since Alassara and her children had heeded Aurelia’s call we had lost sight of them and even from high above, I just couldn’t spot anything out of the ordinary. Except for the smouldering ruins, several blocks had become and the distinct lack of people on the streets. Even the markets were empty.

“Don’t fret,” Aurelia said. Viyara had, once again, linked our minds, a colossal advantage, as we could communicate without delay. “I thought you’d be happy to finally have a target for your anger. Ever since Cassandra vanished, you’ve become more…”

“Moody,” Viyara chimed in. “It’s almost as if you’re trying to fill her shoes…”

“Am not,” I insisted, but quickly added: “but I miss her and I catch myself, more often than not, wondering what she’d do if she was here, instead of making up my own mind. I’ve never… it’s always been her call, whatever we’ve done. She has either forced my hand by making a decision or we didn’t have much of a choice to begin with. I’ve never wanted anything else… ever since I can remember, and that’s longer than even you are alive, Aurelia, it has always been like this. What she is… can you imagine, why I’ve never really questioned her? Sure, I might complain but ultimately, I always do as she asks.” They remained silent but I felt Helena’s attention turn to our conversation, as she was prowling the deck of the ship, already far below us. I scanned the streets until I saw the hooded silhouettes of our people, quietly rushing towards the ransacked tavern. They had nearly made it and my tension eased, at least a little bit. I continued:

“Because she’s the only person I know who actually owns up to her mistakes. She’s the one who bleeds, in case she fucks up. Every time I try to share in her burdens I first have to convince her… just remember how she acted in Shassa’s tomb. Even though she was hurt and couldn’t be healed, I had to force her to allow me to accept her injuries. She would have doomed us all, simply because she didn’t want anyone else to suffer for, what she thought, was her responsibility. I’ve never really understood why she’s that stubborn, but I’m starting to get there. I haven’t accepted Amon’s proposal and now it will be my doing, if you get harmed…” I was interrupted, a veritable flood of denial surging through their minds, but I still pressed on:

“Maybe it isn’t, but it sure feels this way. You asked why I’m fretting? I’m afraid, truly and utterly scared. Because I’m leading my friends into a battle I could have prevented. Whatever happens to you, any of you, that’s on me, only because I didn’t have the courage to ignore your advice… the longer I think about it the more convinced I am that I should have. Cassandra wouldn’t have hesitated and I’m beginning to understand why. Even if I had… died, it would still have been so much easier than watching my friends and family get hurt.” They didn’t respond, digesting my words, as we soared higher and higher, until we were far above the approaching fleet. We’d wait, until the ships, the vampires had taken over, left the harbour and then attack from above and below, hopefully destroying most of their vessels before they even knew what hit them. We still had a few minutes, until the allotted time was up, after all. Maybe I was worrying over nothing but I still couldn’t shake my anxiety. Something was wrong.

“If I were up there, I’d rip your ears off cleanly,” Helena suddenly exploded. “Is that really what she thinks and what you feel? Gods above, save us from the arrogance of immortals. Neither is it your responsibility nor is it your right to make decisions for us. We aren’t children, who need your protection. Damn it, Ahri, get your head out of your arse! We’re all in this together and I swear if you, both of you, don’t start treating us as as equals, I really am going to sneak into your room one night and shear your fur! Your life isn’t worth more than ours but it sure as all hells isn’t worth less either simply because you’re more powerful. And throwing it away to prevent us from getting injured is more than disrespectful, it’s downright insulting. Now, could you please stop acting like a teen with fantasies of omnipotence and focus? We have more than enough real problems without your lunacy.” She was spiting mad and even though I couldn’t see her I was convinced she was snarling. A small smiled tugged on the corners of my mouth when I realised that she was honestly worried about me. Not about how her daughter might react, should something happen to me, but simply about me and my problems. She truly was family… and she was right.

“Thank you, I guess I needed that,” I admitted.

“Don’t mention it,” she replied, much more calmly. “I’ve gotten used to boxing immortal ears over the last years and you’re still a far cry less infuriating than Cassandra. Now, could we get back to the matter at hand? Time’s almost up and you should give him your answer.”

I took a deep breath, my flames, which had only been dancing among my feathers, grew until my wings seemed to be twice their normal size. Fires ignited in my eyes and my vision became painfully sharp as energy coursed through my veins, an irresistible stream of glowing embers that drowned out my fear and hardened it into a spear of fury. With a thought I summoned my favourite sword from the stamp Mephisto had fashioned, a gleaming katana, almost as long as me. Ever since my transformations had begun my strength had grown and by now I could easily wield the two handed sword with a single arm. It felt nimble and deadly.

Dwarven steel with a coat of mithril reflected the rays of the setting sun and a crimson spark travelled along the blade. The edges became blurry in its wake until roaring fires erupted and turned the weapon into a lance of heat and light. A short dagger appeared in my other hand, a black, razor sharp core amidst a wave of flames, curved and deadly like a dragon’s fang. The song of battle set my blood ablaze and the fires grew. I had turned into a small sun, even brighter than the golden dragoness at my side and when I saw thick, curling clouds of smoke spill from the ships below, I turned eastward to face the oncoming storm.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

“I’ve heard you, puppet king, and here’s my answer!” I thundered and closed my eyes. The streams of power in my body flowed to my weapons and the blades vanished behind an explosion of crimson light. I brought the tips together and a heartbeat later, an enormous, crimson ball of fire grew where they touched. First, it was the size of a boulder, then a cart and finally, when it had reached the dimensions of a small house, I hurled it towards our enemies.

Steam exploded around the missile, its heat evaporating the moisture in the air as it made its way across the sky like a crimson, unstoppable avalanche. And still it grew, absorbing heat and energy as it travelled. Ice crystals appeared in its wake, falling gently like actual snow, while the winds picked up to fill the void my spell had created.

Like a catastrophe in the making, it drew everyone’s gaze as it approached the foremost ship, becoming faster and faster the further it got. 500 metres, 300, 100… frantic activity broke out on deck, tiny figures running hither and tither, but their doom was inevitable. My enhanced vision showed me every detail, their terrified faces, their numb limbs, as they realised that there was no escape. A few men raised their eyes to the heavens, whispering a silent prayer and then, hell was upon them.

From one moment to the next they vanished, their bodies utterly annihilated in an explosion of transcendent flames that was palpable, even where we hovered. I had to shield my eyes, the brightness too much for me. My hair was blown back as a raging storm, accompanied by a thunderclap the likes of which I had never heard in this life, slammed into me, almost strong enough to blow me away. I heard Viyara’s curses and her frantic movement to keep her balance, Aurelia’s surprised gasp and the rusting of her wings and then silence returned. The wave had passed us and in its aftermath I finally saw what I had done.

The ship was gone. No debris, no corpses, not even a soft rain of ash, there was simply nothing left. The only evidence of my attack were the vessels close by, the immense heat of the explosion had set their sails ablaze and the shockwave had utterly destroyed their riggings. Seamen desperately tried to righten their ships and put out the ravenous fires, but the ones who had been closest to my blast were fighting a losing battle. Even from far away my heightened senses picked up the creaking and groaning of tormented wood and the scent of burning cloth. If the fires wouldn’t get them, their mast would break sooner or later, rendering them helpless.

A grim smiled spread across my face and I shouted: “I will not come alone but here we are, ready to put your men to the test. Another day of blood and violence, another feast for the crows. Are you prepared to face us, mortals? Has he even told you what we are?” Viyara had been listening intently and reacting to my thoughts, she curled around me, a golden armour protecting a crimson flower of flames. She opened her maw wide, her fangs shimmering, and roared. A gold and silver tongue of fire shot towards the ships, hungrily devouring the distance between us and even though a dragon’s breath shouldn’t have reached that far, another one of the ship was engulfed.

Burning wood crackled, metal melted and the water barrels exploded as a wave of liquid light spread over the deck. This time the sailors had time to scream, even though it didn’t last long. An agonising moment of shock and pain and then they were just as silent as their fallen comrades. In a rush of flaming glory they and their ship fell past the cliffs and towards the ocean. We didn’t see them hit the water since we were finally flying, flying towards another battle and another day of death and destruction. I would probably never get used to the accompanying feeling but I couldn’t deny that an ancient, scary part of me rejoiced at the chance to prove my strength.

Gold and crimson thundered through the air, the dragoness’ scales reflecting my flames with an overwhelming intensity bright enough to turn us into an unfathomable display of supernatural strength. And we weren’t alone. To my left, a piercing cry shattered the sky as Aurelia’s outline blurred and shifted, her elegant, beautiful face elongating while a sharp, deadly beak tore through her skin. Her wings grew until they were at least as large as my own and her body transformed. The skin on her long legs vanished, replaced by scales and her feet turned into three razor sharp claws. Feathers appeared all over her body and from one moment to the next, she turned into a magnificent bird with smouldering red eyes. She shrieked, the power of her voice unleashed raging torrents of air towards our enemies, a destructive wave of force that blew the ships apart.

Reeling from our attacks the captains scrambled to return order to their crews, shouting commands while sailors frantically climbed over the felled bodies of their comrades, blood oozing from eyes and ears. Up the masts they went to save their damaged sails. While they were still trying to overcome their shock, our ships rose from the harbour. 10 small, crooked things struggled into the air, an almost pitiful sight but each and every single one had 10 vampires onboard, their fangs bared as their blood red gazes pierced their prey with an unearthly intensity.

Faster than the others the armoured hull of the dwarven vessel shot out from underneath the harbour construction, sparks and smoke spilling from its furnace. On deck, three rows of crossbow men, protected by a walking wall of mithril, covered two ballistas, the tips of the lodged spears gleaming. Near the prow, the spell casters were already creating huge formations, the arcane patterns swelling with each passing second. As if to challenge the very storm behind the fleet they marshalled their power and released their first attack. Howling winds erupted behind the ships and propelled them forwards. Fast like an arrow they closed the gap and just when we crashed into the foremost vessel, wings, fangs, fire and claw against wood and metal, were they in range to shoot. Two massive, metal bolts soared through the air and when I saw Viyara open her maw to release another wall of flames they struck.

But… there was nothing to hit. The outlines of the ships in front of us became hazy and blurred until the sun broke through the weakening constructs. Illusions, we had been charging towards illusions for the most part and now they were vanishing. First one, then a second and finally almost all remaining ships became insubstantial. We were alone, surrounded by the smoking carcasses of the few vessels we had actually butchered, no more than 3, and for a second, I was starting to doubt my sanity. How? Why?

A moment later, a claw of ice cold panic gripped my heart and I frantically whirled around, scanning the distant streets of Free Land. In our rush to confront the Emperor, we had stripped the city of practically everyone, who might have been able to stand up to him and his minions. We had been lured into a futile fight against mirrors and puppets, all the while…

“Reia,” I screamed, my wings unfurling to their fullest. Faster than a thought I streaked across the sky. No one could keep up, their anxious question a constant thrum in my mind, but I didn’t slow down, on the contrary, I pushed even more power from my core until I resembled nothing more than a crimson flash of light. Still, despite my desperate charge, I was too late.

The air over Free Land flickered and from one moment to the next, the actual fleet appeared. It had been hidden behind a veil of magic and we hadn’t even bothered looking for it. As I watched, my heart beating faster than the wings of a hummingbird, trapdoors opened and I saw a fiery rain of burning tar descend in excruciating detail. It hit houses, their roofs catching on fire like tinder, the markets, temples, guilds…but it wasn’t only the infrastructure that went up in smoke. For a few, breathless seconds I didn’t understand what was going on until the pattern emerged.

The ships were also targeting the streets and dwellings between the still smoking craters the previous explosions had left behind. Fiery lines connected them now and I realised that they formed the points and angles of a flaming pentagram, at the very centre of which Alassara’s mansion stood. The very place, where we had ignorantly sent Erya, Morgan and the children.