The meeting between the two Generals has not stopped and merely expanded with now more NCOs and COs inside the meeting room. Putting in their own opinions and ideas on the war table. With those being updated with the latest reports having to clash with ones with older intelligence. This then culminated with a pile up of things on their map. Having now an endless stream of things to take into consideration and on top of that, the Downtown Area wasn’t as well fortified compared to the rest and the Trench Lines on the map doesn’t even reach half of the city and only spans the empty concrete river that ran along Uptown and half the Commercial District.
Buried underneath the documents and files, trampled on by the hands of the officers, Jackson could no longer see the permits he had been given on the private properties for the lower part of town.
“Okay okay, everyone. Calm the fuck down. This is what we’ll do. I want the Engineering Brigades to cut up the work. Fifty on the bridges, another fifty on the trench lines.”
“S-”
“Shhhh… let me finish. An additional fifty percent will be filled by civilian contractors for the repair of the bridges. Don’t worry too much about it. What we need to focus on are the trench lines and the Downtown.”
“Sir! May I ask about the traffic?”
“Traffic won’t be a problem soon. Me and Yamaoka had made the choice for a General evacuation to be enacted. This is why I want this finished so that we can set up a tent city five kilometers from the outskirts of Zavalda.”
Everyone in the room went noisy once again, talking to each other and whispering amongst themselves upon hearing the order. Yamaoka was also thinking to himself then put his hand up. Silencing everyone.
“On my side, I want extra troops to be placed on the Downtown and Central. Most of all the main outpost in the Central district amongst the skyscrapers. I need ATGMs, heavy machine guns and minefields when the city is empty of people.”
“Sir!”
“Speak.”
“What about those who won’t leave?”
“Let them stay. Jackson, you’ll allow that right?”
“Whatever floats your boat Yamaoka.”
“Thank you. You heard him, we’ll leave them be. It's their right anyways if they don’t want to be evacuated. As long as they aren’t getting in the way, let them be. That’s extra troops that we can use.”
“Sir!”
“Yes, speak.”
“What about riots? We’re sure that people will go into haywire if they find out… the Hell right? The aftermath of this could spell trouble to us. We’re outnumbered by a few million sir.”
“It’s not just Hell. It's the armies of Hell. Anyone here that has been in any of the Mana Core Corruption incidents? Raise your hands.”
No one raised their hands. Making him sigh.
“What will happen is that the Demons of Hell will start appearing from the ground, the skies will turn red and literally speaking, all Hell will break loose. The Mana Core will be corrupted, the sky will turn red and any robots we have will go rogue.”
Another officer then raises his hand. But he gets shot down by Yamaoka who stares at him with a smile.
“Chotto matte. So I need everyone to be serious here. In terms of the riots… hmmm…”
“I suggest we’ll call it an exercise. I know that won’t sit well with you, but that’s the only case I can think of where people would be willing to exit the city and then atleast they know what it was for their safety..”
“And then call the News and Local Government and make it seem official?”
“Exactly.”
“Haaaaa… I don’t feel right about this.”
“I’ll take responsibility if people want to sue… It's not like they can anyways. Heh.”
“Alright… regardless. That answers you, Lieutenant?”
“Sir, yes sir.”
“Now back to me. Yamaoka and I will be placing ourselves in the Downtown Police Station. The one that’s still under repairs. Still its furniture is not yet fully installed, we can quickly turn it into a bunker and a proper command building with long range radios. I need sandbags and lots of it all over the roads and walls when the city is fully evacuated.”
“Sir!”
“Speak.”
“In terms of the problem about the rebellion, that’s done for, sir? When I came here I thought we were supposed to quell a potential uprising.”
“Didn’t you get the memo?”
“No sir, I’ve been busy clearing the Downtown for our fortifications and the communications antennas the Apache destroyed made it hard for us to get information quickly.”
“The rebellion was a road bump for us. The Organization wasn’t actually after the city, their main plan was to destroy twenty five percent of our production without wasting a single soldier or armor. It's the Industrial Sector, they’ve always been after our major production sites. Now we can no longer get our quadrupedal robots that help greatly in maintaining cities, next one was the Victorian city that produced a lot of the potions needed for enchantments.”
“So sir, they're basically breaking down our power one by one?”
“Exactly. These bastards are far more smarter than any of you could think. If we’re chasing after them, they're already five steps ahead of us. It's only thanks to the efforts of our non-human companions that we managed to close that in. They are now only one step ahead of us.”
The room then once again bursts into talking and whispering. A loud thud was then heard and everyone turned to the table, where Jacksons palm had landed violently. Making a loud noise to detract everyone’s attention.
“Shut up everyone. I need your heads in here. Now that everyone is refreshed with what’s happened, we’ll make sure their plans don’t succeed. We now know and we can prepare. This is why I’ve been fortifying the city, what was meant against rebels has now come to serve us another purpose. But let me remind all of you that this information is strictly classified. No one must know and don’t try digging any further, StateSec will eat you if you dare get more answers. Capiche?!”
“SIR, YES SIR!
Jackson then starts drawing on the main map of the city. The trenchline that was on there, he continued to draw towards the end of the city’s length and then he circled three large places.
“Alright, now that everyone is fully notified. I’ll be doing a classic tactic known since the beginning of time. It's going to be a Defense in Depth with the major Government structures and civilian attractions as the main fortifications. The Museum of Zavalda History for example which is right next to the park will the one in control of Central.”
He then draws two dividing vertical borders on the city. “Yamaoka, take it away. I need a drink.” The 4 Star General then takes the helm, taking the red marker and circling the Downtown Police Station, The Museum, and finally the City Hall.
“Min’na! Kudasai! We will be dividing it into three main sectors. Each having their own layers of defenses with the core being the three ones I’ve circled. Since my time in the city, I’ve noticed that the layout of the roads have been very symmetrical. Making it ideal for fatal funnels and killing floors. So most of our firepower will be concentrated on the main four lane road that runs from Downtown to Uptown.”
Yamaoka with a way better and smoother drawing style than Jackson and starts making points on the map. “The main sustainment and logistics units will be based on the National Park in the middle. It's relatively flat and all we need is to cut down the trees. But in hopes of preserving its natural beauty and its history, I’ve opted to only cut down the ones that are needed. The helicopters will also be protected by the treeline.” he then draws a red line over the river.
“No one is to cross Zavalda’s artificial river. We will be extending the trenchline along it to prevent any spillage that might reach the Evacuation Center far away and the Airbase. Most of all, the River line that divides Central and the Industrial Sector. We will use the section of the river that’s now filled with ocean water there as a natural barrier. The repair of the bridges must continue as our avenue of collapse will run through there. At least get one bridge up and running. AT LEAST.”
With arrows, he pointed them all entering the four lane road and into the three bridges that heads to the Industrial Sector. He then writes “IN CASE OF RETREAT. BE ORDERLY PLEASE!” Everyone then nodded at the plan. Colonel Henry who was standing next to Paul then reaches his hand out and starts looking at the entire plan.
“Hm, hm. This is good. I think this is viable. A basic Defense in Depth, nothing too complex since there’s so many guilds involved in this Op and then if we get overrun, we’ll use the natural river to defend us as we won’t have any more time after that to set up new positions.”
General Paul then lowers his bottle of water and blurbs.
“Ah, that’s good. So, I don’t want anyone talking about the upcoming thing that will come upon this city… Yamaoka, are you sure you want that?”
“Hm. It is for the better.”
“Alright. If we retreat, I want a reserve squad to help evacuate the players that stayed behind. If they don’t or are being morons, leave them be. They’ll only have one chance and once chance only.”
The room was quiet, with many of the officers there just looking down on the map, some with their hands up their chins and others taking a closer look at the lines and arrows pointed. Many fingers were skimming the map, observing it closely.
“Sir, what about reinforcements?”
“It will come in the form of three major armies. But don’t expect much from them. Big arrow offensives are one in a million and if it fails, don’t hold them up to it. They are doing their best.”
“What do you mean by that sir?”
“Large movements of offensive forces are usually extremely hard to pull off unless you have everything down to the molecular thing understood. I myself have participated in one and it's not even because it was planned. We were all just seemingly heading in one direction and it just kinda happened. Even then, I didn’t have communications with the other commanders, we were all doing our own independent thing albeit very close to one another.”
“I see sir, then we just have to hold out right?”
“Hm. I know you're all green soldiers except for the ones Yamaoka brought. Raise your hands.”
Four officers in the corner raised their hands. All of them were wearing blue Multicam uniforms.
“What combat scenarios have you been in Tur?”
“Sir! We were posted in the Dark Continent. We are the frontline officers responsible for keeping the supply route between Harakana and Tulia fully clear of Demonic Forces. We’ve been posted there for two years with General Yamaoka.”
“Ah I see, I haven’t thanked you yet for doing such a great job. Me and Bahamut would’ve had ten times a harder experience if it weren’t from you. You're all already proven and chosen by Thomas. Good. Good. Yamaoka, you truly vouch for these folks?”
“Hm, they're good men and I know they’ll do just as well here.”
“Alright. Now, to the other issue. Everyone, dismissed except the Colonels. I’ll report to the Higher Command and get this all sorted out and then…” the two Generals looked at each other and to the door. “Talk to Bahamut.” was the last words Jackson uttered before he turned to face the flatscreens on the wall.
As General Paul gets the General Evacuation in order in place and the UN Officials all approving of it, he orders his Colonels to begin the mass exodus. On one of the screens, a familiar face pops up.
“Ah, if it isn’t the Fed woman. I thought you’ll be busy?”
“General, I suppose the evacuation order means it's near?”
“Not yet but I need the city cleared up to put up defenses around the roads and important locations. How’s the interrogation going?”
“I got the Mayor and the CEO. But both of them aren’t talking. Not even with magic, they’ve only sung things we already know.”
“Well, if you're looking for help. I cannot do that. I am far too busy right now, including my Colonels.”
“I just need a helicopter. At least one.”
“Can’t you use the local Police one? I’m all tied up here and my Aviation units has to do a lot of heavy carrying to the park.”
“No, I need one with more range. Remember the train ticket the Vampire found?”
Morgan puts up a train ticket up the screen as Agents behind her collect what they could inside the grimy apartment they’ve been using as Headquarters.
“Ah, the ticket for the Shinkansen. What about it?”
“His train was supposed to leave by this hour and I need transport for me and my agents. We have all the cameras ready, but the train that was supposed to stop never arrived. We’ll need to scour the entire mainline.”
“Haaaaa… I’ll send a helicopter then for your transport. But this will be the last time. I need these choppers. I have so many things to unpack right now as the situation further evolves.” The General then walks out of the room and sees the two Dragon Gods still facing off against each other while in the back where the two Vampires elegantly sat down on the hallway bench. “Elizabeth, I got the all green for the Administrative Hall. Can you get there and collect the suits?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“Alana, you stay with me as I’ll be needing you for something special. For now, just go inside the war room. Bahamut!”
“Yes Master!”
“Follow me.”
He then takes her to the other end of the Air Control Station, leaving Yamaoka with Alana and Mars as their Colonels continue to chat about the overall plan they have in place.
“BIG BIG Favor.”
“Hm?”
The man put his palms together in prayer and bowed his head.
“Can you return Mars’ Godhood status?”
“Hmmmm… maybe.”
“We need two Gods for these. Didn’t you say something that the Gods that reached out to the Mana Core were Outer Gods? That means this is way more than for you to handle.”
“Haaaaaa… but next time Master, be sure to give me a heads up.”
“I apologize. But I knew you wouldn’t say yes if I tried.”
“I know, I know. I am stubborn but if the situation calls for it. I am more than willing to let go of my pride and do what is needed.”
“Phew, thank you! Oh my. This was the biggest thing that has kept me up. Phew.”
“But!”
“B-B-B-But what?”
“For payment and tribute. Give me a kiss.”
“Bahamut, I am in uniform right now and we’re inside-”
“Kiss or I won’t do it.”
Reluctantly looking around, Jackson blushes all of the sudden. He breathes in and lifts her veil up and gives her a quick peck at the cheek.
“No, I want it in the lips.”
“Bahamut…”
“Tribute Kiss on the lips or no return of Godhood for Mars.”
“Ahhhhh… damn it. Remove your heels.”
Without question, the Dragon threw her shoes off to the sides. She then extends her arms out, like an inviting warm morning breakfast for a man who had just a long hard day. His face showed the tension and stress, as his eyes were about to water from the weight of the situation. Jackson immediately threw himself to take her arms, letting the ancient being take him away. Bahamut’s eyes then widened as the tall man with wide broad shoulders wrapped his arms around her soft body and his face, dug deep into her chest.
He was shaking, trembling, and his eyes wouldn’t open. Closed shut, he was breathing in long intervals. Like a child afraid to get his first injection from the Doctor. The man was completely left open, a different image from the hardened and stoic commander that he was just a minute ago.
“Hm. In the end, this is who you are, Master.”
“I’m scared… I'm so scared. When we first fought the Demons of Hell. It was through rogue robots and we had the full backing of the UN behind us… now what we have are homefront soldiers never meant to see the frontlines and whatever equipment we have here…”
She then removed his cap and lightly stroked his head. Making sure not to ruin his well parted hairstyle befit of a professional with a high stature and name like him. After stroking his hair a few times, the man stopped trembling and calmed down. Bahamut then pulled his head away from her chest and he went for the kill. Kissing the Dragon with a gentle and soft touch.
He didn’t push or force anything, but just gently held her in his arms as the two shared a moment together. After a while, the man puts his cap back on and tips its visor down to cover his face.
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to do it. Don’t be afraid, Master. This isn’t the first time you pulled the impossible.”
“You say that but this is entirely different. This isn’t just the impossible we're facing, but literal creatures that are beyond human comprehension. At least you and the Vampires, we humans can attach ourselves to. But to actually meet and fight the Demons head on. I-i-i don’t know what to do. What if our weapons aren’t even effective against them? What if our bullets would just ping off their skin or armor? What if they bring about horrors no modern weapon could kill?”
Bahamut then held his hands and stopped it from shaking once again.
“Master, be not afraid. The impossible is only impossible because you think it is. Be like a Dragon, nothing is impossible as long as you fight hard enough for it. I am proof of that, not once did I think of something as unreachable and beyond me. I got beaten, almost killed so many times I couldn’t even remember a fraction of those moments. But now look at me, a God. Humanity can also do the same, you’ve already shown that to me and together with the many other people we’ve met along the way.”
“Damn it. To think this isn’t even the prophesied End Times and here I am already… already having such a problem with it.”
“You can do it, Master. Be the man who you have always been. A commander who will say yes to any objective.”
“Haaaah… You really outdone yourself, Bahamut. I don’t think I’ll be able to thank you enough for helping me. From the start to the end, I wouldn’t have done all of it without you by my side.”
“Heh, I could say the same, Master.”
General Paul then straightens his jacket and fixes his cap. Standing with a straight back and with a serious expression back to his face. The man nods with a big wide smile on him.
“Get going with Mars and settle whatever disagreements you two have and get it done. I need both of you in game mode when it kicks off.”
“I’m on it Master!”
“Hm, and thank you again.”
“Heh.”
Bahamut quickly leaves and General Jackson returns to the Meeting Room where Yamaoka and Alana were.
“M’Lord?”
“Stay with me. I need your organizational skills in getting this whole shablam going. In particular, the Downtown Area since that’s the least defended of all the Sectors. Central and Uptown are already fortified well enough, but the traffic as people start leaving is going to be a headache for us.”
“What about Bach, M’Lord?”
“Ludwig? I think he should also be evacuating. Unless he wants to stay.”
“Shouldn’t we check on him first, M’Lord? Maybe give him a heads up?”
“After this, we’ll have to head back home anyways. For now, help Colonel Cresco and arrange a Logistical line and back up paths just in case. Yamaoka! ETA on the relief convoy!”
“Nine o clock by tonight!”
“Alright, have Mars go with Bahamut and help in repairing the rail bridge. We cannot let the arms supply stop any further. Those trains need to get back to their daily routes.”
Yamaoka then exits out of the Meeting Room and gestures for Mars who's been busy taste testing the plant outside the meeting office.
“Go with Bahamut will you?”
“Eh? Really?”
“Hm. We need the both of you down there. Repair the bridge and then help in the General Evacuation alright? It’s about to get announced, so people will be busy moving about. Keep the peace and make sure no one creates chaos. Don’t leave Bahamut alone. Wakarimashita?”
“Grrrrrrr….. Haaaa… sure. Oy! Black Dragon! We might have to reschedule our Makeup session!”
“Call me Goddess Bahamut or I’ll have you grounded!”
“Mars, please do your best to get along with her alright?”
“Haaaahhh… Thomas, you know what she had done to me. To force a Dragon to not fly is the same way as to kill it. She took my pride and ego and let me rot in a dusty Labyrinth. These Black Dragons live near the volcanoes for a reason. Because they fight and kill everything that dares move.”
“But at the same time, she spared you didn’t she? Meeting her now. She’s not one to leave behind any enemies, like a Black Dragon. The fact that she didn’t do anything to you means she holds you to some regard. Do you know why?”
“I have an idea… but it's so long ago. Could she still remember it?”
“Whatever it is, she’s here now and the fact alone that she isn’t attacking you and making sure she finishes what she started means she’s not here for a fight. Alright?”
“Grrrrr… sure. I’ll go.”
“Good. Thank you very much.”
The two reluctantly join forces and exit the ATC where they fly to the direction of the destroyed steel truss railway bridge.
Heading there, they could see a commotion occurring at one of the areas in Downtown. A bunch of heavily armed soldiers were stacked up on the door to a wooden house. Mars veered off from their course, making Bahamut follow her as the two Humvees with them rams into the sickly fences, driving above the cracked sidewalk and ill maintained asphalt road and to the weed stricken front porch of the dusty house that has been heavily damaged by the weather.
“SIR! COME OUT THE DOOR NOW!”
“Hell naw! This is our barrio man! Where the cops at?! Why is the army here?!”
“We have a warrant!”
“THE ARMY HAS A WARRANT?!”
“Sir! Just come out now with your hands up and weapons down!”
“As if! Ya’ll gonna send me to the big house in a coffin!”
One of the squad leaders posted on the stairs nods and one of the players posted on the door uses the butt of his rifle to break the window on the front door and proceeds to throw in a flashbang. The soldiers quickly rush in as a bunch of players wearing shirts and shorts and some in leather armor run in panic into cover. The ones with wands were quickly dispatched as the soldiers opened fire at the first sight of trouble. “HOLD YOUR GODDAM FIRE! SURRENDER NOW OR-” before the Team Leader could continue his speech, a ball of ice flew right beside his ear.
The one in the shirt and shorts runs to the chimney and picks up the rusty display sword and hastily positions himself in a combat stance.
“EY YO HOMIE! THAT’S AN ENCHANTED BLADE!”
“WHAT?”
As he grips it and tightens his hands, the sword sucks in his mana and it sparks into a fire. The blade glowing a bright orange as the soldiers rushing in quickly dropped on the ground and made a run to the outside. “FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!” One of the Humvee gunner’s hears this and opens up with his .50 Caliber machine gun, tearing up the living room like a tsunami of splinters and debris coming in from outside and inside. The fire only spreads and one of the officers on the scene runs to the nearest phone booth for the fire department as the Squad Leader tells the two gunners on the Humvees to stop firing. Screaming from the top of his head as the roof for the front porch falls down and catches fire.
The soldiers just stared at the huge mess they made and soon, small explosions could be heard coming from the small second floor.
“Are you done spectating?”
“Hm. Let’s get this done.”
Bahamut and Mars then continued to fly to the Industrial Sector where construction workers below looked up as they could hear the flapping of a huge bird and their eyes widened at the sight of the two ethereal women with Dragon-like wings descending upon them. The two then change form right before their eyes into two True Dragons, the four legged ancient beasts from the back when time in Tur, the days when the land was nothing but war and violence, when the Dragons might was in full display day by day. Hovering over the water, the duo could see the cranes trying to fish out the sunken cars in a certain location.
Bahamut merely roared loudly, shaking the windows and rocking the sedans parked by the road and Mars nodded. The Black Dragon then dives into the river. After a few seconds of silence, she reappears once again with a boxcar on her mouth. Mars then takes it with her own mouth and spits it at the intersection near to them. The two worked together efficiently, fishing out fifty cars out of the river that led to the ocean. The Red Dragon then does an extremely low fly-by on the affected area and the fallen lead bullets all get magnetized to her wings. Though it affected her flapping, she used her made up energy to return to the collection area and it rained used casing shells of multiple calibers for a half a second and then landed next to the other Dragon.
“Good work Mars. If you were only this helpful back then, maybe the great flying cities of our Ancestors would have never fallen and buried under the soil.”
“Don’t start with me now, Bahamut. You know I had no involvement with the Kingdom after what happened to me.”
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Still, it was-”
“My job? Duty? What have the Elders in the Congress and Senate ever did for me? What had they ever done for you? We have no obligation to them. We are above them, Gods. Living celestial beings that have reached the true apex of our soul and bodies as Dragons. Why must we subject ourselves to them and their rules anymore?”
“Because we are Dragons, Mars. We live and abide by the way of our species. You should’ve never ran away. Many… many would still be alive if you were with the Kingdom in its tumultuous times. You are the Goddess of War, Victory, Conquest and Fighting after all.”
“That is merely my titles. Even my presence cannot bring victory. Victory varies, and in the end. Victory is up to those who behold it to their heart. If Defeat is there Victory, then no Defeat occurred. To this day, the Kingdom has not seen Defeat. Only Victory. War is war, I have no say in what happens to it. My name may come from it and I may have attained Godhood over it, but I have no control over war as war is in nature of itself and I do not have control over the very foundations of nature that makes up this concept of war.”
“But you know yourself, we’ve been defeated. The primordial civilization we’ve been born from has run its course and our flying cities razed to the ground as nothing but ruins and monuments to a once great species of perfect creatures. Unlike here, it is said the Dragons here still live in flying cities and castles… if only. Even though I never agreed to the Kingdom and its shift to more human forms. I never left it, and I always visited it. If only you could’ve seen it grow, grow into something magnificent. Before the lesser creatures from the swamplands dared to bring down the Flying Isles with their burning jealousy.”
“Bahamut, are you going to run your mouth all day long?”
“I haven’t talked to another Dragon God for eons. I apologize, I just miss having the ability to relate to another Dragon and know of my regrets from that time. That sad time in our species history.”
“The Zaratus… I also hadn’t forgiven. I was born in one of those flying cities that they destroyed. If that helps you in any way.”
“... … It does.” the Black Dragon seemingly breathes a long hard sigh of relief. “Why couldn’t you be there? Out of all the times. I know you’ve always preferred meditating in your labyrinth. But if you arrived… just maybe. Things would have turned out differently. At least some of our cities were saved from the ravishing fangs of war. My power of the Void could only do so much against the Lizardmen.”
“Even if I arrived, our civilization has already been marked. You’ve said it yourself, the Dragons in Tur have run their course. Our end was imminent no matter how many Dragon Gods were to appear and help us. Even if Albion himself was to awaken from his sickly bed, he wouldn’t be able to save us. Conquest, as much as it is for the strong to take over the weak. The weak can also be strong in their own ways. Do not think that I don’t share the humiliation of being defeated by the Lizard people. I am also part of the Dragon Kingdom.”
“Haaaaaaa… I’m surprised you're too lazy to even be angry at me for defeating you.”
“I am still a Dragon pfft. I know defeat is part of our culture as much as victory, domination, and fighting. That is why I chose to defeat those Gods and represent those concepts. I might’ve not been there, but I truly loved our species and in my last breath. I will thank Albion for giving me this body and strength. For giving me this soul that reached Godhood.”
“The Elders… They've long been slain by the Chosen Ones after the Laratuss scattered everyone from beyond the land of Italus. Their carcasses are now used as the foundation to the Twelve Pillars. Will you return?”
“Have you? And why do you keep calling it the Twelve Pillars? The Chosen Ones in their arrogance destroyed five for their weapons.”
“After coming to this strange world with strange people and strange things with my Master. I felt the need to return home. Even just once to visit its streets. I… miss it… And the Pillars can never be truly destroyed. It will be rebuilt in no time, I have no doubt about it.”
“How much of the Capital remained anyways?”
“One third. The rest fell apart on the way down. I was too busy fighting the Cosmic Angels to save much of the city, Haresh and I were overwhelmed and Tyuphathona was sadly speared by a weapon from the Void wielded by a great Lizard Warrior. He didn’t live to see his offspring thrive.”
“And Haresh? Did he live?”
“He ascended just as I did. Left the mortal plane. I do not know where he is now.”
“Are we… the only Dragon Gods left?”
“I do think so. Unless Orthoxiatha and Garthinious decide to live in the Material Plane like you and are in hibernation… but I doubt it. We have no place in Tur, our lands are no longer what they used to be and the Dragons, different from how they were thousands of years ago. Many choose to succumb to being mere pets for the sake of survival.”
“I see…” Mars then looks upward into the clear sunny sky that was inviting everyone to have a great day. One wouldn’t even have such a bad train of thought if they were to awaken to see the bright blue umbrella above them, with little to no cloud to shield you from the hug of the foreign star. Inhaling and exhaling, the Red Dragon looks at her fellow kin. “You’ve changed Bahamut.”
“What about you? I thought it was “game on” as my Master would say when we meet once again.”
“I have a human with me now. I cannot be as violent as I was before. Though the same could be said to you oh Dragon God of the Void. I am surprised you can control your urges, Black Dragons tend to want to fight and be more violent than all the other colors.”
“Master… Master taught me a lot of lessons, being a Dragon never showed me. And what about you? You're a Red Dragon, where is that high and mighty aura of yours? Had you meditated so much you became the opposite of holy?”
“There is more than to the culture we have and being with a human taught me some things about my natural urges.”
“I see where you are going with this. Yes. Being with a human proved to me there is more to being a Dragon fighting and being victorious in battles.”
“I could never imagine the old you saying such a thing. Well, wanna go and repair the bridge?”
“Hm.”
The two dragons turn back to their human forms and walk to the fallen rail bridge. The soldiers were already notified of them and let the two do their own thing. Stepping aside to Bahamut as she looked down on the water, she raised her hand and gestured like she was grabbing something forcefully and lifting it up while Mars got both of her hands out and swung them left and right. In front of them, the railway tracks and the asphalt road was rebuilding and reassembling itself and soon after, the fallen steel truss section of the bridge lifts from the depths and then welds itself securely.
Dwarven city railway workers look in awe of the magnificent work. The bridge was then immediately tested. First with some workers and then a Shunter locomotive that’s pulling two flatcars and a crane. Soon after, everyone thanked the two Dragons for their work and they headed on to check the supports and the situation underwater. Having finished their job fast, Mars and Bahamut strolls through the riverside park. Enjoying a bit of sightseeing as players got all of their stuff outside, many with boxes and carts while some had their cars with them. Though many shops were still open, they both could see they were also just waiting for the signal to evacuate. With many of their products already strapped together if not, stacked outside.
“Tell me Bahamut.”
“Finally, you called me by my name.”
“What… What was the moment you cherished most with your human?”
“With Master?”
The two then walk towards the same old Dragon shop she passed by a few days ago. “Oh! Mars! Come with me!” She takes Mars by the hand and drags her inside. The two then get crowded by the infant Dragons. “Everyone, line up.” By the order of Bahamut, the baby Wyverns got into a line like a formation of soldiers ready to deploy.
“Wow, I never knew you could command the youngins.”
“Heheheheh…”
Mars then squats in front of the baby Wyverns. Letting her long slender finger to caress a blue one as the Shop Owner opens the door to the storage room behind the counter. Carrying with him a large box.
“Bahamut! Glad to see you again! I see you’ve bought yourself a friend!”
“Hm. Meet Mars, the Goddess of Conquest, Fighting, and Victory.”
“Oh Lord! Another Dragon God?! Wait! Let me get the camera!”
“Heheheheh.”
“Hmmmmm… you’ve really improved in the socializing department.”
“Of course. Master taught me.”
“I can see why you're willing to call that human Master.”
The Shop Owner then returns with a high definition camera on hand and a tripod on his back. After a quick photo session with the two Godly looking women whose beauty could surpass anything on Earth, Tur or Threa. The man could just bow in thanks. “Please, take what you need. I’m heading to the evacuation site anyway.”
“Hm. Everyone, help your caretaker.”
The baby Wyverns then started to take off. Grabbing the various items on the shelves and dropping them into the opened boxes. “Thank you Bahamut!” she just smiles at him as Mars was left impressed by everything.
“Where did you learn to control them?”
“I think it was back in Eldwood. I was wounded after a big fight. Master was so worried about me that he didn’t let me come to his aid in another fight.”
“Ehhhh… you know how to take care of them yet you can’t get a better outfit for your human form?”
“I… I am still trying to understand the complexities of the human female. I may not be able to replicate it one to one, but I am trying.”
“Bahamut, it's not in the replication. Human females come in all types. But what you must get down is their instinct nature. Just like us Dragon females. Wearing a dark gown everywhere won’t help you in making first impressions, you know?”
“Instinct nature? Human females I know show their affection with many different social cues that the males are mostly ignorant of.”
“That is one of them. But what about the style? Do you know why I want you to put more effort into your makeup?”
“Because it would make Master happier?”
“Not only that. Putting on makeup for human females is a sign of their attraction. If human females put effort into their makeup. It's because they want their male to be proud of them and in how they look.”
“Pfft. That’s stupid. Master always compliments me on how I look. I don’t need it.”
“But you want to make a better impression right?”
“Where are you going with this, Mars?”
“That you suck in trying to be a human female.”
“I don’t!... Okay, maybe a bit. But I know it's not that much!”
“It's only because your looks do most of the heavy lifting… and I guess that weird motherly aura coming from you. I am guessing this stems from your days of taking care of the youngins.”
“I think… but Master always said I had a motherly voice. One that soothes his soul.”
“Where did you even manage to care for infants? Did you take one by chance as it had a strong soul? Or a rare one?”
“Uhm…”
Sleeping on the entrance of a large Castle in the middle of a forest. The Black Dragon snored loudly. Her long upward horns were then disturbed by the noise of horses. Lifting its head, the Dragon looks to the North and sees Twelve Death Knights riding their darkly armored war horses back to base. Battered and dented, the men looked as if they rode through a hurricane and came back alive.
The gates of the castle walls then open, with players inside cheering them on. “YEAH! YOU KICKED THEIR ASSES!” One by one, the Knights head in. But two stop next to the Dragon. “Master!” The one wearing more Gothic Death Armor removed his helmet and smiled at her.
“Hey Bahamut! How’s your wound?”
“I told you! I am fine! I am a Dragon!”
“Heh. I’ve heard that before.” Paul came up to her and started patting her chin as the other Knight with a large Bow and Longsword on his pack removed his helmet.
“Paul! Should I do it?”
“Hell yeah, John!”
He then flaps his cape to reveal a bunch of infant Wyverns. They all instantly fly to the large head of Bahamut. Latching onto her scaly face and holding on tight.
“Eh? EHHH?!”
“You are our first female Dragon. So John thought this could be his chance to finally have a homegrown Air Corps.”
“But-but Master, I never had an offspring before.”
Even though her vision was clouded by the Wyverns sleeping on top of her long snout. Bahamut merely ignored them and kept on going as if nothing was latching onto her or hindering her sight..
“R-Really?! Aren’t you a female Dragon God?”
“Y-Yes. I am picky with my mates. No Patriarch has ever impressed me enough.”
“Oh man… uhm John.”
“N-no. But I will do my best. I am a female Dragon after all. This is hotwired into my very being.”
She then roars and the Wyverns let go from their grip and land right below her. Bahamut then started to sniff each and every one of them.
“Uhm… Paul, what is she doing?”
“She's, I think, looking for any defects. Dragons usually kill any defective offspring in their womb. So it's impossible to find a mutated Dragon unless tainted by the corruption. Bahamut, are you gonna reject any of them?”
“... Nnnno…”
“Phew.”
One by one, the True Dragon then started to lick the baby Wyverns.
“Wow, see. Looks like you already know this stuff.”
“I… I don’t actually know. I am just following my instincts, Master.”
“No one trained you or anything?”
“No, Master. This is just coming to me by feeling.”
Paul then walks up to her and then sits together with the baby saliva covered Wyverns. He then pops open his player menu and goes to his inventory tab and removes his Knight armor. Revealing his heavily bruised and damaged body.
“Master! Just what were you up to?”
“Hehehehehe… well. Hassan was pretty adamant in saving the Wyverns. I kinda had to tank some shots from invading Keyneth players. Those Elves and their natural buff in shooting projectiles hurt.”
The Black Dragon then suddenly sprung into action and started to lick him multiple times. Healing him of his bruises and damage.
“Bahamut! Can you help me too?”
Out of nowhere, the large Dragon spits at John who then makes a thumbs up as he is fully healed by her. “Nice! Well, I’m heading in to log off for the day. Thanks for the adventure PilotMan! Bwahahaha!” heading in, the two were left with the baby Wyverns. Paul immediately took a green one and lifted it up under the shadow of Bahamut.
“Aren’t you a cute one. Awwww…”
“Master, I wouldn’t touch that one if I were you.”
“Eh, why?”
“That’s a Swamp Dragon. She spits out acid that could burn metal but heal the soil.”
“Oh Lord.” he then gently lowered the Wyvern and fetched another one that’s blue.
“Man, how come all of their sails aren’t spiky like yours? I would’ve been hugging you more.”
“Black Dragons are known for their spikes, Master. That is due to our harsh environment in the mountains and our natural duty to fight and become stronger.” Bahamut then lowers her head gown to the grass and lets Paul lean on her chin. Even though her size was only as big as a highway coach bus, a far cry from her true size. The Dragon was still mighty in her lesser form. The infant Wyverns then bunched up underneath her wing and started sleeping.
“Seems like they’ve had a long day, Master.”
“Believe me. They did.”
“Hahahahaha. I never knew the day could come where I will be taking care of youngins. Have they been fed, Master?”
“Ahhh… no.”
“Master, care to bring me some meat? Ones with bones on them still and lots of fat.”
“Oh sure, we have a Cow farm underground anyways.”
He soon returns with a bunch of recruits. Ordering them to pile up the slaughtered parts of the Cow in front of Bahamut. The Black Dragon then lifted her head up and started munching on them. After a few minutes, the meat was completely turned into corned beef with bits and pieces of bone shards inside it. She then performs a low growl, awakening the litter of Wyverns and they all huddled up below her.
She then started to drip the meat down to each one of them. Many of the recruits vomiting out of disgust and the smell while Paul walks up to her and starts stroking her scales around her snout. “Good job, Bahamut. Good job.” the man would only see her golden eyes looking at him and then blinking slowly. “Is that a show of intimate trust or love? Ahahahahah.'' He continued to gently pet the Black Dragon as she continued to feed the babies below her. Even though the smell of the meat was intense, that of a burnt rotten steak that was left in the sun for an entire day.
He didn’t shy away from it and stayed by her side. “You can all return to the Barracks. Practice your sword fighting alright? You don’t want Hassan to scold you guys again. We have a strict recruiting process because we want only the best. Go on now.” the players walk back inside, leaving the door open.
After a few days, Death Knight Paul would always log in and he’d never tend to his duties around the Eldwood Castle. Always going straight to the Dragon stables to go for Bahamut and check on her. Many times, the Black Dragon would chuckle upon seeing him as he’d always bring food or trinkets for the baby Wyverns to play around with. One day, he came visibly tired and not having a good day. But he still went ahead and stayed with the Wyverns and their adopted Mother.
Seeing his sad expression, the Dragon quickly went and started licking his face.
“Oh, that’s not necessary, Bahamut. Thank you though.”
“Why? What happened Master?”
“Just had a long day at the office. You wouldn’t get it, but lets just say someone fucked up in the factories and I had to go around apologizing to everyone…” he then puts his hand over his eyes, completely hiding it. “It was so… embarrassing. Humiliating. For someone like me to do that… I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”
“Ohhhh… is that so. But were they all happy with your words, Master?”
“I am sorry. I know you're already stressed so much from taking care of the infants.”
“No, it's fine. I want to hear about your troubles and things you want to speak about. Master, you may not know it. But you being here is already helping me.”
“Okay… but get ready. This is going to be a long annoying and boring story and I may curse a bit because of those mother fucking Managers and there lying ass! Telling me they can produce these rims but in the end, they can’t and the workers all started getting overworked and fuuccck! It shouldn’t be like this! Those people have families to return to and here I was unknowingly overworking them!”
Bahamut just lowered her head and started to eagerly listen to the man whose hand gestures were everywhere. He then started walking around to even going over the fences in the stables just to continue his train of thought as he incessantly complained about his day to the Dragon.
Walking by the riverside. Down below on a lower ground sidewalk that goes under the bridges. Bahamut sighs at remembering such a memory. Looking over the Industrial Sector and the exhaust stacks of the factories long behind the brick shops and restaurants by the waterfront.
“Ahahahahaha! Oh I get that. Thomas would usually speak his native language when he gets angry.”
“Oh my, I can only imagine that. Master always speaks in Vitz. So I don’t have a hard time understanding him.”
“Thomas speaks a sort of strange mixture of Leash and Yurianto… or a jumbled version of it.”
“How long does he usually complain?”
“About an hour max. It's mostly when he fails to save or help someone. Thomas is like that. He never shies away from helping anyone in need. He said that is one of the main qualities needed if you want to be a General of the Shine Guards.”
“Master only helps those who he sees are in true need of it. But I know deep inside his soul. He wants to help everyone out regardless of who they are, I’ve been in situations with him where he just randomly helped people. Master usually just thinks that you are better off learning by fighting and surviving. He was a soldier after all but his innate kindness comes out every now and then.”
“We’ve both changed haven’t we?”
“Hm. We have. I thought eternity would make me the same till the end. I guess the touch of the chaotic humans was all it took.”
“But taking care of offsprings huh… I wonder if I have it too. I am now curious about taking care of youngins.”
“You do. Mars. All females have it. Even for me who had always been fighting, never mated nor touched snouts with males. I somehow have it in me. It just came. When I smelled them, a feeling just came from deep within me and before I knew it, I was doing the same thing my Mother would when I was also an infant.”
“I do wonder sometimes… what it could be to take care of human children.”
“I do too. Such is it when you find an attractable male. Ahahahahaha.”
“Oh, indeed. I actually couldn’t believe myself when I started thinking of such a thing. The Elders would have been screaming to find out there beautiful Dragon Gods ended with humans/”
“I guess that’s what it means to be a human female. We are in this body, so our instincts aren’t only that of a Dragon but also of a human. The feeling is not far off from what I felt, but I do have more openness in me. As if, I wouldn’t be able to remove my child even if it was to be defective.”
“Ah, I get that too! Ever since I’ve been in this form so long, I do notice myself being more kind to things than I usually do and when meditating, I find myself to roam in my mind more than before.”
“Right? Ahhhhhh… human bodies are so different yet the same.”
The two then walked up the stairs and back to the main road, once again passing the busy shops that were trying to sell the last of their wares. Some stores go as far as having ninety percent off in their products.
“Do you have any other outfit other than that?”
“What do you mean? Like a suit? Yes I do. I have many, but none of them could compare to the advantages my gown gives.”
“But a suit? Really? Hmmmm… I’m sure a turtleneck would work on you and some slim jeans.”
“I already have modern clothing. I usually wear a t-shirt around the apartment and some shorts.”
“And when you go outside?”
“Either this or the black uniform I have.”
“You mean THAT uniform? That won’t do. We Dragon Gods have such amazing bodies, more so yours. I’m actually a bit jealous at how your body is built like that. It's obvious you took your time in making it… and the bones you inherited have some primal feeling to it.”
Mars looks at Bahamut in her gothic gown and veil, the hourglass figure and the S line apparent from a side view radiating while hers is more conserved with a white blouse and long red skirt. But even then, she herself doesn’t see that her body was also just as nice as Bahamut’s and the well shaped chest of hers was neatly being showcased by the open sun.
“I took advice from the best. Master being human has taught me alot about certain things and adventuring with him has shown me how actual female human bodies look and which is pretty and good looking. I had adjusted it a bit, my older form would’ve been more Godlike than this… but seeing how I still get caught so fast. I believe it's not sufficient enough of a change.”
“Hmmmmm… I can see why. But your outfit also doesn’t help your situation. Don’t you think you might be strong enough to not need the advantages of your gown? I’ve long parted with mine. I’d only wear it if the situation truly deems it.”
“Then where did your ceremonial robes go? Wasn’t it made by Quadrax himself? He would be fuming to know you aren’t wearing it day and night.”
“I still have it. I just prefer not to wear it anymore. I find this new modern ensemble far more comfy and…” she then does a little twirl, exposing her boots as she flicks her long red hair with a crown braid stylishly. “I look cuter in this don’t I?”
“You do.”
“What a boring answer. No wonder you still wear a funeral gown of all things. Oh! Is Tyuphathona still alive? She might be able to give you some tips in looking good. She’s the one who spent the most time in a human form out of all of us.”
“She’s dead.”
“Eh? The Mighty Stone Dragon has been bested? By whom?”
“A Cosmic Angel got to her… I saw her head get removed from her neck myself. Her skin wasn’t enough to stop a blade from the stars.”
“That’s… sad. She was the one that taught me how to cook with human hands.”
Seeing Mars look down and her face gone away with its usual annoying smile. Bahamut sighs.
“What would you suggest then?”
“As I said, a Turtleneck or maybe… hmmm… a blouse is already my style. But what about a floral dress of sorts? Or! Or! A Sailor uniform!”
“Sailor uniform? Doesn’t that only work for teenagers? My human body is around the age of twenty five. A sailor uniform would not work on me.”
“You don’t get it don’t you? Humans love uniforms and Yamaoka told me even adults would wear Sailor uniforms in his country. They call it cosplay.”
“Hmmm… Master did say he thinks a High School uniform would look good on me. Where do you expect us to find one?’
“We’re with the Chosen Ones. I’m sure we are bound to find one soon.”
As they continue their stroll, the two women soon find a shop with all sorts of famous anime school uniforms on display at its front window. Without even asking a question, Mars takes Bahamut by the hand and leads her inside. The small shop was filled to the brim with school uniforms used for famous shows and replicas of them for women. The player on the counter perks up seeing the customers and shows them both a big smile.
“Hello! Oh wow! Miss Bahamut! How may I help you?”
“Human, can you show my friend here a style that’d fit her?”
“Oh, and who is this? and will I?!” The man then goes over the counter like a trained spec ops operator and carefully inspects Bahamut. “Uhm… can you remove your veil?” She then removes her crown, showing her doll-like face and pale features. “WOAH! YOU'RE SO PRETTY! WAY PRETTIER THAN IN THE VIDEOS OF THE EVENT!” her face was like porcelain, skin so white and clean you’d think it hadn’t made contact with bacteria since its birth.
“Th-thank you.”
“I already know! Ohhh look at that! You have a hime cut! I’ve always wondered what hairstyle you had. Long side bangs that reach your chest and a hime cut that’s only nearly above your thin and well trimmed eyebrows! That’s perfect for maybe this!”
He then shows her a black sailor uniform with white trims with an armband in Kanji for “Class Rep”.
“Hmmmmm… I like it but… do you have any more?”
“Ah! I got another one here.”
He then presents her another black sailor uniform, this time with a more 80s appeal to it and a big red bowtie and blood red trims on its collar and skirt.
“Ohhhhh! Now that I prefer.”
“Ehhhhh… you look like you’d crawl out of the school’s vent and haunt someone if you were to wear that.”
The man then looks over to Mars with a dejected face.
“Oh please, even if she was to look haunting. She’d still look super cute and hot, Miss?”
“Mars.”
“Call me Oshii. I am the local sailor uniform connoisseur and let me tell you, this outfit is perfect for Bahamut’s pale skin and her lanky features.”
“I was actually looking for something more appealing… but if this has its own appeal then.” Mars then takes the uniform and brings Bahamut to the changing room next to the counter. “Just call for me if you need help.” She then leaves the Dragon God of the Void to her own devices as she changes to it. She on the other hand guarded the blue sheet that divides the world and the naked Dragon.
“Bahamut huh… I need to get my camera.”
“We’ll be paying with gold by the way, Mister Oshii.”
“No worries Miss Mars.” The player with his casual outfit and Elven features goes into the back of the shop and grabs a camera. He then waits in anticipation as Bahamut changes into the sailor outfit he gave her. Mars checks on her and nods. “She said she wants something for her legs.” The man then goes under the counter and hands her a pair of stockings. Mars then returns to Bahamut and hands it to her. She then gets her shoulder tapped after a few seconds.
“Uhm… she said the Silk ones are too tight.”
“Oh wait, I should have some Nylon ones here.”
He then catches the ones Bahamut tested and then throws in the Nylon ones. After a few minutes of waiting, the Red Dragon grew tired of standing around and checked once again. “You're already done!” he could hear faint whispers as the Black Dragon replies. “C’mon! And why do you have your sword out? Come on already! Don’t be shy!” preparing the camera, Mars slides the curtain back and it reveals Bahamut cutely hugging her scabbard and she uses her left leg to cover her right. The sword being firmly hugged by her. The shop owner on the other hand just holds down the photograph button. Letting the two women hear the clicks of the device as it took photos of Bahamut at machine gun speed.
Her long slender legs were completely covered by the long black nylon stockings but it only made things more erotic in terms of her looks as her skirt was above her knee and only stopped at her thighs.
“See! You look wonderful!”
Even with Mars' compliment, Bahamut tightly hugged her Claymore Core and even showed a bit of a blush through her pale cheeks. “I- I feel naked having my legs so exposed. Does this skirt have to be on the length of my thighs?! Ugh… I need my veil back.”
“That’s part of the appeal, Miss Bahamut. As a connoisseur, let me assure you. You have it to the tee! A perfect score!”
“Ahhhhh I am not used to this!”
“But still Bahamut! You look absolutely gorgeous! You’ve heard Mister Oshii. He gives you a perfect score!”
“I agree with Miss Mars. Hm. Hm.” The man then adjusted his imaginary glasses as he breathed in upon laying his eyes on Bahamut’s new look. “You look stunning, Miss Bahamut. Your light makeup really helps too… hm. Hm. The thin eyeliner around your eyes to show your golden sparkle really makes it better even more! Like the smart and upstanding Class Rep of sorts from a rich family who can do everything! Or-or that weird but pretty and beautiful mysterious girl from the class who likes occult and supernatural stuff and always sits in the back of the room muttering about her favorite horror movie! Hm! Hm!”
“Oshii, I’ll pay for it personally!”
“I’ll punch in a fifty percent discount if I can get Bahamut to do some poses for me!”
“Bahamut! Please!”
“Ohhhhh… I cannot believe this!”
With her metallic high heels on. Bahamut steps out and uses her sword as a crutch. Still trying to hide her thin thighs from the world. “Nice! Super nice!” After some unintentionally cute and lewd poses, Mars buys Bahamut the outfit. As Oshii gets the payment through, he turns on the radio. “Want me to throw in an extra set? My outfits are made from special fibers meant to be used in tandem with magical weapons as most players who buy my stuff usually have the Mage Profession.
But I don’t have the extra means to make custom orders right now as I am in the process of moving since the Evacuation has been announced. Oh I wish they could get this thing done. I hate having to practice moving quickly away.” The radio then cuts and an alarm comes.
“Citizens living around the river, please get your belongings together. You will be met with the Third Transport Brigade with the Ninth Infantry Regiment from the Sixth Mechanized Battalion. They’ll be collecting everyone and transporting them to the evacuation point. Please be sure to have everything together. This is a practice run for when you’ll be returning to the Portals to head back home.” The man then grabs a small box and runs to the middle of the small shop and places it on the floor.
He then places his hand above it and the small blue gem on it sparkles alongside the ones glued to the mannequins and the platforms. It soon opens and it sucks in all of the outfits and materials to even the ones still in the back and just like that. His shop was empty and clean, nothing remained but the small box and bags of his belongings. “Sorry ladies, shops’ closed. I want to get this done. Practice time always means traffic!”
“Practice huh.”
“Yeah. We already did this six months ago. In case the Portal back home was to be found. Strangely, they said the next one will still be in two months. Guess that means the Portal might actually be opened already and we can head home and there just making sure everyone knows what to do! Ahhh, I’d love to be able to get back home before the End Times the natives of this place are so afraid of.”
The two Dragons looked at each other and soon left. Everyone was neatly lined outside, waiting for the military to arrive as the police slowly trickled in. Many of the officers ask people what they bought and assure them that they will be safe.
“It seems that we must get to the Main Street immediately.”
“Hm. I am sure Master will be there by now.”
“I hope it isn’t as many as this. We’re Dragons after all, what will we do with a crowd?”
“No idea but Master’s orders.”
“Alright. Let us go then.”
Before Mars could fly away. Bahamut held her arms.
“I’ll only be doing this once. Be sure to thank me later.”
She then wraps her fingers around hers. “What are you doing?” Bahamut closed her eyes and started muttering something in their language. Mars' eyes then widened and her gaze suddenly changed from red to a sparkling gold, her pupils seemingly holding the galaxy and the stars itself. “I am only doing this because we must protect those we love and the things they hold precious. But don’t think I am giving this for free. I permanently took your title of war.”
Mars just nodded and then hugged Bahamut with a big smile on her face. Wrapping her arms tightly around her fellow Dragon. “Thank you, don’t worry. This time, I won’t be away. I’ll be here. With you, we shall fight together as you wanted.” the Black Dragon hugged her back.
“We are the last of our kind… We must do this if not… what was it all for?”
“Hm.”
“I didn’t finish you off because I still want to thank you for taking care of Vayke. I couldn’t do anything as she spent the rest of her life tending to the Temple to the Volcanic Dragon God in pain from losing her human lover… I couldn’t connect to such pain.”
“Vayke was a good Dragon. She showed us that we were more than fighting and rising to Godhood. Let us make sure to not feel her pain, her pain of losing a mortal mate. I do not want to imagine myself living without Thomas.”
“Same could be said with me. But I am sure Master wouldn’t allow it. He’d probably scold me from his grave if I was to be sad after he passed.”
“Thomas would probably just to tell me to not be sad, to go and help people just as he did. That’s who he is after all. A man tainted by war yet he wouldn’t let go of his human kindness.”
“Come Mars.” She then pushes the Red Dragon away from her and looks at her eyes as she gripped her shoulders. “You are once again a God. Spread your ethereal wings with me, and let us do the impossible. Do what our Ancestors have always done time and time again. The very essence of a Dragon. To defy Nature itself and be worthy to rule over it. May Albion watch us with glee.”
They both then opened their wings, one of sparkling gleaming red and another of a shiny black, the two Dragons took off and quickly arrived at Main Street and the lines were as far the eye could see. People with their own vehicles were being taught the right way to go, creating long lines on the main roads as large oversized military trucks continued to pour into the city. Bringing Dozers and other heavy equipment into the frey as areas are depopulated completely.
Almost immediately construction began on building outposts situated in guarding chokepoints and killing zones. Sandbags being put up on the main roads and mounted weapons were being set up by squads while trucks began unloading stockpiles of ammo. Some enough to last for months of non stop fighting.
In the Administrative Sector, Elizabeth is getting all of the City Officials together and the soldiers get them inside their respective buses. She could clearly see as the civilians left. What space they opened is taken up by skeletons and military equipment. With the city hall seeing the most change as most everything is packed up and moved to a safe location. No one was panicking nor in a hurry and the people in the area were neatly following the orders of the soldiers as they got inside their vehicles.
The Queen then walks into the Mayor’s office now having been gutted from top to bottom. No more flags or even the furniture, she could smell the aroma of a certain familiar woman who her Lord doesn’t trust very much. All that was left is the ancient red carpet that hid the bland gray concrete floor underneath it. She then skims the walls of the office and soon, just randomly walks around the room. She then breathes a sigh and exits out and heads to the other doors. Checking each and every room for anything particular or out of place. Soon, a helicopter landed outside as she continued checking every part of the building. Having found nothing, the woman then walks to the front courtyard and the Officer in charge salutes to her.
“Ma’am.”
“At ease Lieutenant.”
“Evacuation is at seventy percent overall. The city was as prepared as they told us. They all think this is a practice like last year.”
“Hmmmm… it's a bit surprising that things are going smoothly for once. Are all the patrols checked in?”
She elegantly puts her hands together as she walks to the edge of the concrete flight of stairs. Oozing with royalty, the Vampire naturally looked as good as ever.
“Yes ma’am. All patrols checked in and everything is still on schedule.”
“Good. At least My Lord can finally breathe easily knowing people are safe. He longer has to worry so much about the citizens. Strange lot you people, to care so much for your peasants and commoners. I never would’ve imagined such a place to exist.”
The Lieutenant then gets a call from his radio and he looks up to her with a serious face.
“Ah, problems. What is it now?”
“Ma’am, we got a call for a civilian woman having requests for the Commander’s presence.”
“Hm? Is this her Right or can I simply just order the troops to forcefully move her?”
“Yes ma’am, that is her right but we can overturn her Right though if you want ma’am. We are under direct order from the Council of the UN. We can easily just say that it's the city’s ordnance and not only ours.”
Elizabeth raises her right hand and the Lieutenant softly holds it as she elegantly goes down the stairs and to the courtyard where a Humvee takes her to the opposing block where a woman in a business suit is having an altercation with some soldiers. Even pushing one of the skeletons away. “I need ALL of my bags! Do you know what level I am? I can easily kill all of you and spawn kill you at the Altars!” The soldiers stayed silent as the Humvee arrived and disembarking from it was a magnificently beautiful blonde woman in a frilly purple gown.
“Ahem. I heard you requested the presence of the Commander?’
“Hah? Who are you? Where is Captain Cosmos?”
“Captain Cosmos has been sent to Main Street and is tasked to help the Colonels and Generals in getting the entire evacuation process to move accordingly.”
Elizabeth looked as elegant and aristocratic as possible while having the most nonchalant demeanor. A true show of her attitude when she's in power, not caring at all for the meager Government Official below her. With a strong posture, and nonstop eye contact with the woman. She backs off a bit as the Queen’s overwhelming presence slowly takes over the entire street. As she naturally breathed, she exuded pure royalty and extravagance no human could ever reach.
“W-who are you? Did you know those gowns are six hundred years out of style?”
“Now, May I query what might your complaint be? My time would be better used leading the entire operation right now and getting your colleagues safely evacuated and subsequent transport to the temporary shelters. Do I need to make myself more clear about that or should I needlessly perform you some task?”
“I need my bags moved.”
Hearing the authoritative voice of the woman. She then looks down and sees six large expensive bags around her.
“The Government has placed the warning, yes? Only two bags per person. Anymore and you’ll have to carry them yourself.”
“But those were for the people. I am a city councilor.”
“Doesn’t matter. Same rules apply to you. The UN has already sent the mandate, please do not waste anymore of my time. I am not here to serve you. You are here to follow what thine’st ordereth. Dost not hear with thou’s ears? Has one’s power clouded thee’s ability to think?”
The woman just crossed her arms and looked Elizabeth right in the eyes.
“Ah, leave her be. Come, we cannot waste time on those who wish to be left behind.”
Elizabeth then turns around leaving the woman fuming as she takes off in the Humvee being brought back to the city hall where she checks up on the large convoy of buses. After a while, everyone was loaded into them and the Lieutenant signals the all go the large convoy of military and civilian vehicles were then led out of the city. Seeing the mission accomplished, she parts ways with the Officer and flies to Main Street. Getting there, she notices a player pulled over by the police. Tilting her head, the Vampire then landed near them and listened in.
“Sir, listen to me.”
“NEINDETH THE IMMORTAL WIZARD DO NOT HAIL THOSE DRACONIAN SPEED LIMITS!”
“Sir… please.”
“MY TWO-THOUSAND-FIVE NISSAN SILVIA IS TOTALLY REGISTERED AND NOT OF YOUR CONCERN OFFICER!”
“Sir… the speed limit here is still fourty.”
“NNOO… I WON’T HEAR IT. BEGONE AGENT OF THE GOVERNMENT! I AM A GRAND WIZARD AND I DO NOT HAIL WITH YOUR MODERN RULES!”
The bearded player with a pointy wizard hat and robes in the color of purple and blue with the design of the stars and the flying isles continued to scream at the officer who was visibly tired from dealing with the man. Elizabeth on the other hand just stepped away from the scene and flew away leaving the two to themselves.
In the main collection point at Main Street, two large Dragons have planted themselves on the sides of the massive skyscrapers and are looking down on everyone as they get into the military transport vehicles.
Flying about more, she finds the tents for the Commanders of the operation in the Main Street, large and small trucks with antennas and radars were present there. Defended by tanks and other heavy weaponry as skeletons and players patrol every nook and cranny of the perimeter. Landing on the sidewalk, she nonchalantly intrudes inside the tent and finds Colonel Cresco with other Eldwood players aiding in the movement of the vehicles. The tent was full of maps and radio comms and people constantly talking and tracking and writing things down.
“Ah, Miss Bartley!”
“Cresco. How may I be of service?”
“You can help by being present on landing pod twenty. The General’s helicopter is about to arrive. I’m sure he wants to see you there.”
“Oh, My Lord is about to arrive?’
“Hm. With Miss Minuit.”
“And the other one?”
“General Yamaoka is already in the scene. He's a bit up north getting defenses set up on the largest park of the city while answering any questions people would have.”
“I see. When will My Lord arrive?”
“Within the next few minutes. The Landing Pad is located on Main Street, on the oncoming lane with the tank guarding it.” She elegantly bows and exits out the busy tent. Flicking her hair, the woman walks into the large four lane city road and reaches the edge of the lines and lines of people. She merely teleports to the other side of the steel wired fence and into the helicopters parked quietly. Facing different directions as a lone tank facing the crowd guards the choppers. She immediately finds #20 which was one of the nearest helipads to the people.
The hastily built pads had Ground Power Units and Fuel Bladders placed in between them and soon, a Blackhawk sneaks through the city and to the Main Street. It then lands on the exact landing spot and the Queen personally opens the door and the General walks out with Alana.
“Looks like things are moving along well. Evacuation is already at Eighty Percent.”
“An hour left then My Lord.”
“Hm. But I fear that we’re cutting it super close. Bahamut!”
The Black Dragon then lets go of its grip on the sides of the skyscraper and transforms into her human form. Landing infront of the General.
“Bahamut…?”
“Yes Master?”
“You look… super nice.”
“Hm?”
She looks down and could see she’s still in her Sailor uniform. Without even talking, she immediately covers her chest and legs.
“Oya. You look cute Bahamut. Don’t be ashamed of your beauty.”
“Shush it Bloodsucker! I am not used to this clothing!”
“Ahahahahha, but it does look nice on you. Good to see you getting into the more younger and comfy clothing.”
“I-I-I guess if Master likes it. It isn’t that bad…”
“Hm. Keep it up, and it feels nice to see you wear something like that and have your face exposed. I can see you are more expressive than before. Ahahahahah. I guess you and Mars finally made up.”
“Th-thank you Master. Now what is it?’
She remained squatted hugging herself as the General walks down the Helipad and looks around for a bit.
“Can you tell when it will happen?”
“I can Master. But only a few minutes before. I am sure the Spiral Distortion in the air will go haywire as a portal to another realm is opened right before us. Me and Mars should detect it but we cannot tell by the hour.”
“Hm. A a few minutes of warning is all I need. Alana!”
“Yes M’Lord?”
“Let’s go. We need to get supplies down to the Downtown Police Station and Bahamut, stay with Mars and Elizabeth, continue monitoring the situation here. I want you to get everyone off by the hour.”
“As you wish, My Lord.”
“For now, let’s all group together. I wanna see the groundwork myself. But so far, seeing there’s no explosions or magic being used. Things are going pretty smoothly!”
“For now, M’Lord. But I fear that we might be taken off of our footing when it arrives.”
“We’ll see. Come on everyone, I wanna check on the civilians. Yamaoka might be in there trying to answer and help every last one of them.”