“Stand your ground!” Wildeye shouted out desperately. Even with all their guilds combined, they had been pushed back as a whole to the fortress in the Blade Heights. Their sea-faring forces had been forced to retreat as well; Fènghuáng and the Guardians had devastated half their fleets with the Phoenix at her command in retaliation for her humiliation a few weeks ago. Dracuoatlax flew around, delightedly setting the area ablaze so that their enemies would think twice. Lysandra, Sky Belle, and Elizasmith had just joined them to help as well.
Before the gates, the King-Priests of the Demon Sands were arrayed, and with them was their totem ally, Djaziim the Unholy. Dracuoatlax came back to the fortress, spraying a wreath of fire around the area before setting down on the sward before them.
“Djaziim! By the ancient stones you once defiled, tonight is your last night of freedom, my old enemy!” the dragon said with confidence.
“Dracuoatlax, you fiendish conspirator! My time has only just begun! Fly back to your mountain, as you did once before, and watch the ages turn to a world of my making!” said the demon in reply. But Dracuoatlax laughed.
“Fool! I am not the one you should have watched!” the mighty beast said with a great chuckle. “My dear masters are even now in the Profane Temple, putting an end to your brief resurgence of terror!”
“Lies!” Rama shouted up. “Our own allies will have stopped them!”
That's... not impossible... but it is improbable, I have to say, Wildeye said with an uncertain grin.
“Nothing will stop Lana. Not even Venomheart.” Lysandra softly growled, her fist clenching almost audibly.
“You underestimate my masters, foolish mortal,” Dracuoatlax replied.
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“Rama!” one of the enemy guild-members said. “Venomheart has been driven away from the Profane Temple!”
“What?! After even interrogating Jackal and leaving him in a room of poison to find out where it is, they have failed to keep the Silvernight Queens away from it?!” Rama said in a shriek.
At that moment, Wildeye saw the eyes of Djaziim twitch. He came to attention, and Jannie clasped his hand tightly.
“You saw it, too?” she said, and he nodded.
“I did,” he told her.
“What, what is this?” the demon suddenly said. “No! No, no, no! Not the summoner! You have failed me, despicable mortal! My binding is undone!! No! No!! Nooooo!!!” he wailed with fury, evaporating into nothingness with a great explosion.
“Whoo!” Lizzy called out with a renewed energy.
“Way to go, Lana!” Belle cheered.
“I knew it!” the werewolf girl grinned, shifting back to human form.
At that moment, Dracuoatlax set the King-Priests on fire with a massive attack, killing Rama and Hathisis -- as well as several others -- immediately. Those who did not die instantly ran off screaming like human torches, and those not affected by the blast ran off as well, beginning a great confusion among the opposing enemy forces. The dragon then turned to the fortress, espying his master's allies.
“Come, come at once! Let us hurry to Lady Lana!” the dragon called to them, and the three Silvernight Queens, with a nod from Wildeye, hopped on to the dragon's back. The elated Dracuoatlax flew off with his passengers, leaving the alliance to rally in the wake of Djaziim's defeat.
“Eothane and the others managed to push back their enemies -- they're on their way, along with Kiana and Reginleif!” Magisteria reported.
“Phew!” Jannie sighed in relief.
“Looks like it's our turn for a rampage!” Humphrey grinned.
“Looks like!” Wildeye agreed with a bright smile, watching until the dragon faded into the distance. Good job, Lana! “Let's get reorganized, and then we'll head out!”