Curled up in a corner, Lily watched as Timur writhed in pain on the floor. She had done it. She had managed to defend herself against his attack.
His eyes glowed with a hateful energy as he extended his arm toward her, but nothing happened. He looked confused, clenching his fist again and aiming it at her, attempting to concentrate all of his powers.
Lily let out a piercing shriek that caused several of the priests to stagger with their hands over their ears. Timur squeezed her throat, but it felt solid as steel. She was in a trance.
A loud crashing sound echoed from below them, and the room shook as if struck by an earthquake. Lily screeched again, and a massive crater exploded out of the floor near the fireplace. A horrified look fell upon Timur’s face as he recognized the face of the beast that stood before them.
Lily could immediately sense the pure hatred in Tiamat’s eyes toward Timur. The dragon whipped her head forward and charged. Timur stood in place to face the threat, attempting to form a fist that no longer pulsed with energy.
The impact knocked the wind out of him. Blood spurting from his mouth, he stood just in time to receive another major blow from behind, throwing him across the room.
Lily knew this was her chance. She sprinted down the corridor and towards the massive doors of the temple. Once she made it outside, she scanned the fallen bodies to see if there was a weapon she could defend herself with.
The shattered remains of Allan’s mystical sword lay next to Allan's body, and she picked it up. She readied herself, knowing at any moment Timur would charge out the doors.
She looked over at Allan's corpse, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She couldn't believe that he had sacrificed himself for her sake. The guilt she felt was unbearable.
She turned to see Timur running toward her with his arms stretched out wide. With all her strength, she stabbed him through the chest.
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His breathing shallowed, and he wheezed for air as he staggered and fell down the steps. She turned to look at him as he struggled to breathe. He tried desperately to stand, but his limbs refused to move.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she knelt down beside Allan's body. Tears mingled with the pool of blood beneath him. The tears fell harder and faster as she looked up at Timur lying motionless on the ground.
Timur slowly opened his eyes and looked at her with a look of utter bewilderment. His lips parted, and his voice was hoarse.
“But… why, Master?”
Lily stared at him with confusion.
Who was he talking to?
Lily watched as he lay on his back, staring at the back of his hands in confusion. Veins were protruding from beneath the skin, and patches of melanoma were rapidly forming. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for him, but she also knew that he had brought this upon himself.
Tears began to stream down her cheeks as she dropped her head in despair. It was all too much. Her mind spun as she tried to process everything that had happened. Her betrayal to Allan, his loyalty, the loss, the pain, and the sense of helplessness consumed her thoughts.
She looked up to see Tiamat towering over her. Her wings flapped gently, and her tail swished in the air. She stared at her with a look of concern.
She waved her hand, and the memories of Timur's evil deeds flowed from her mind. Lily closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. She felt a sense of peace wash over her, and she knew that she had finally freed herself from the shackles Timur had placed around her soul.
Lily glanced over her shoulder and watched Timur take his final breath. She could hear his labored breathing as his heart stopped beating. She stood up and turned to the dragon.
Her gaze met Tiamat's, and she gave a slight nod.
Tiamat lowered her head and touched her shoulder. A warm glow spread throughout Lily's body, and she felt the tightness in her chest ease.
She looked up at the dragon, and smiled. "Thank you," she said.
Words formed inside Lily’s mind.
It is my honor to serve thee, my Queen.
She looked down at her hand holding the shattered mystical sword. She clenched it tightly as she ran her fingers along its blade, reliving the memory of Allan's final moments.
She moved her hand to the hilt and gripped it tight. The metal was cold, but she felt a warmth spreading through her entire arm. She looked up to see the dragon smiling down at her.
My Queen, you have my vow: I shall protect thee until the end of days.
She nodded, and wiped the tears from her face.
"I can't thank you enough, Tiamat."
Now let us go fulfill thy destiny.
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