The only way Kihet knew it was dawn was from the activities of a species hunting whenever morning arrived. He was awoken by the sound of a wyvern spitting fire at the flock of noisy birds. After rubbing his tired eyes, he observed the winged lizard herding birds to its hunting grounds before its brethren ambushed and demolish their prey.
As usual, he stayed awake for most of the night. He attempted to understand the blank book he stole from the Dragonkins and tended to the campfire that kept his companions warm overnight. From night to dawn, where they were away from volcanic areas, temperatures dropped low enough for them to see their own breaths.
Aten, realizing Kihet grouchily let out a yawn, fetched his writing board and moved it in front of Kihet’s view.
[Rest well?]
“Ugh… Did I oversleep?”
[Others agreed, you rest longer.]
The Insectoid threw tinder into the campfire and hunkered down in his furred poncho. There was more force than usual in his throwing, knocking aside charred wood as ember spat onto the ceiling. His body language fell silent as he kept his face towards the flickering flames.
Was it the fact he just woke up or was the Insectoid bothered? Kihet though he must’ve been reading too much and was about to ask when he noticed it was too quiet.
“Where are the others?”
[Others scavenging.]
“No wonder it’s quiet.” Kihet’s eyes wandered around, finding himself underneath a wooden roof and looking out of an exposed opening from an abandoned hut. “Did they go far?”
[Within area.] Aten turned his head and he looked.
The Giant lifted heavy debris to let Lily and Tama access the ground crushed by it. They discovered bodies with equipment, if not rusted, still intact and in good condition. They bundled up what they could use and headed back.
“Did you get a good night sleep?” Lily asked. Her nose a bit reddened, but she was dress warmly with what she brought from her home country that had harsh winters.
“As much as I could.”
“Morning.” The Rozzalian next to her nodded.
“Are we ready to go?”
“Aye sa!” Tama readjusted her bag on her back. “Nyie got a good hull from this place. There was lots of decent weapons and armors laying around. From what I gathered, this place used to be a village before the Dragonkins burned everything down.”
“Nothing we can do for now. Let’s try and get to the Resistance earlier than the Dragonborn.”
“Fraid that’s impossible, Grumpy One.”
“Why?”
The Werecat gestured to Aten who proceeded pass along a stripped piece of tree bark to Kihet. It was a simple sketch of the mountain pass they were headed towards, but under where his thumb, it was scribbled in charcoal. That area belonged to the Towers.
[Another path further. Will delay.]
“How many days will that add?”
“At the pace we’re traveling, Nyie say we’ll nyeed six more days at least.”
“I see.”
Fortunately, he knew how fast Alc’Bruk’s forces moved. At their pace, they would travel for most of the day and make camp when night hits. With a large group of people, even if his soldiers were quick to get back on their feet, they couldn’t control mercenaries’ behavior when preparing to head out.
“And if we go through the area?”
“Wait a minute, through?!” The Rozzalian exclaimed. “I know we’re desperate to get to the Resistance, but that’s suicide!”
“I’m only exploring what options we have.” Kihet’s response was curt as he dismissed the Giant’s objection. “So?”
“We’d still be two days behind, nya. And that’s if we travel without rest.”
Upon hearing that, Kihet clicked his tongue. He turned his gaze towards Lily and found her to be in deep thought. Perhaps an idea had sprung up and she was calculating their success rate.
“Let’s continue moving for now. We’ll decide where to go when we reach the intersection.” Kihet grabbed Lily’s wrist, leading her towards her usual spot, beside him at the front.
The five of them resumed their journey. With the storm passed, and the gentle breeze brushing them, sunlight soon flooded the land enclosed by its mountains.
No matter how many times Kihet looked at the map, it didn’t change the fact they will be late to the battle no matter what. He grimaced at the thought of unable to help his friend set up defensive lines against Alc’Bruk’s wrath. All he could do was believe the Scalemen would hold out until they arrive.
It was then Lily rested her head on his shoulder, still thinking.
“Take your time.”
“Mhmm…”
Meanwhile, the Rozzalian at the front cleaved vines down, creating safe passage for the cart.
“I’ve always wanted to ask.” She whacked at the ivy. “Dragonkins are winning, and they are in thousands while there are only five of us-.”
“Four.” Tama corrected. “Nyi’m just a peddler.”
“Four of us. How’s a small group like us going to turn the tide?”
“You know, I’ve been through this situation before.” Kihet answered. “And I’ve learned the only advantage we have is that we’re outsiders.”
“You mean they won’t expect us.”
“They know we’re roaming around, but they won’t know what we could bring.” Lily commented. “Aten, do you remember how many Tower Creatures there were from where you saw them?”
[Swarm. Likely thousands.] The Dragonfly’s antennas stood up like he had an inkling of what Lily was implying. [Will scout path on other side.]
“Please do. If the ground on the other side is good, it means being a few days late can be good for us if we prepare properly.”
“I’ll need more details.” Puzzled, Kihet scratched his chin.
“Our success rate depends on how fast they move and our timing. If we look at the map, we can see we’ll exit into the middle of the battlefield if we take the shortest route. A perfect place for a third party to catch them by surprise.”
“That means not all of us should go?”
“En! We need speed, but we can’t go too fast. Otherwise, we'd be out of position to take the enemy by surprise."
“I’m a bit lost here. Can I get some context?” The Giant interrupted.
“It means you and Nyie can lay back and relax. We’re the slow ones and they need to move quick to do whatever they’re doing.”
“Not necessarily. One team is going to make contact with the Scalemen while the other disrupt the enemies’s siege.”
“But we’re not going through the tower’s territory. Right?”
“We are!”
Although expressionless behind her helmet, the Rozzalian’s silence could be taken as questioning her choice of following Kihet’s group.
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The Resistance was able to fend off the third day of being sieged. Their stone fortress burrowed in the mountain slowly crumbled as earthen magic used to repair damaged walls were showing signs of unable to make a full recovery.
Moreover, the Dragonkins sent messengers to intimidate the Scalemen. As the attackers, they could feign their assault and have the defenders stay on alert and mentally drain them.
Victory was close for the Dragonkins.
As soft light gradually filled the battlefield, the third wave was planned to start once the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds. However, the clouds hanging over them were thick and heavy.
Standing at the forefront, the crimson Dragonborn, Alc’Bruk took in the view of soon to be demolished Resistance’s last stronghold. Catapults lined behind him with piles of explosive kegs, now replaced with hellfire bombs, and boulders chipped from the mountains as ammunition.
His right-hand man, his blood related kin, Kaz’Bruk dropped from the air and stood next to Alc’Bruk. Like many others, Kaz’Bruk was eager to strike down the Resistance for the Dragon’s conquest.
“Eldest Brother, we have scouts searching for the troubling Devil Folk’s group and yet, no signs of them.”
“Recall all arms back to our position. The search for the divine tome can wait. We will have as much time as we need to find them after our conquest.”
“Our morale is high. We are prepared to act on your command.”
“As it should be.”
Behind him, thousands of warmongering Dragonkins anxiously waited for his command while Pamalyrian mercenaries gathered in their own division.
However, Kaz’Bruk noticed disappointment in Alc’Bruk’s voice. There was no joy in his words. It was perhaps everything about the plan went too smoothly the Dragonborn wished an error in his current strategy would occur.
“Eldest Brother, with the Oracle cleansing our lands in return for our aid in future battles, it won’t be long until all of Stusis rightfully belong to the Dragons.”
“And rightfully so.”
Alc’Bruk quickly reformed himself back to a leading role as he slammed his tail against the ground, spread his wings and with a stream of swirling embers, jumped into the skies. Once he had an eagle’s view of the battlefield, he unleashed the largest flaming breath anyone witnessed a Dragon kind breathed.
“Heretics, all of them! Their deaths are inevitable, yet they chose to prolong their suffering! They refused to draw their blades when the country came under sieged by the Towers and cowered behind us. It is us, the Dragon God’s chosen ones that fought till the end to ensure the land was preserved! It was us, our strength that saved the Heretics and they repaid our sacrifices by barring their fangs against us!”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
The cries of Dragonkins filled the air. The rage and thirst of vengeance further strengthened their resolve to destroy all other Scalemen tribes.
“Crimson’s blessing gave us power to endure and overcome years of hardships. Those who do not know the greatness of Crimson are not worthy to be on his land! Brothers, turn that hatred other tribes instilled us into power! Behold!”
His soldiers observed mana being condensed into a blazing orb in front of Alc’Bruk’s jaws. Once it grew in substantial size, a wave of scorching hot air brushed their scales as they watched the beam parted the clouds and arced down into the enemy fortress, carving a gap in its walls. Thankfully, the opening was quickly welded together by earth magic.
“They will regret betraying us! All Heretics shall die where they stand!”
On Alc’Bruk’s battle cry, mercenaries followed the first faction of Dragonkins downhill. Behind them, boulders pelted the stone fortress while Scalemen only had stones and poorly fletched arrows counterattacking the assault. Trebuchets hammered the walls with endless barrages, forcing the Resistance to send out sorties to dismantle them.
Lizardmen rode on bipedal, frilled lizards racing through the battlegrounds. They had incredible fire resistance, capable of sprinting over molten lava and hurled themselves across the field of hellfire with ease. They trample over foot soldiers who were slow to brace and redirect them away.
“They didn’t send out nearly as much as I’d liked.” Alc’Bruk snorted.
“Eldest brother, I believe many of their finest warriors have already perished. These must be the last of the veterans and a desperate last attempt. What’s left guarding their stronghold must only be untrained personnel.”
“Then I commend those who decide to fight, although the purpose behind their bravery have become meaningless. Do give them a warrior’s death.”
“Understood.”
Kaz’Bruk grasped his glaive and flew with his guards to intercept Lizardmen cavaliers.
“Come! Challenge the Dragons if you dare! I will see to it everyone of your group deserve a warrior’s death!”
He took a swinging stance, his feet firmly planted to the ground as he waited for his challengers to reel up their steel tipped wooden lances. Once the enemy came within slashing distance, Kaz’Bruk twisted his entire body, severing the running legs of the first two Giant Frilled Lizards and with another arc brandished around, cut down their unhorsed riders before they had a chance to reach for their weapons.
Another wave of cavaliers entered his attack range. He rushed towards the band of giant lizard, deflecting the first lance with minimal movement, aiming his attack to strike down its rider and another creature that was running behind it.
A few managed to slip by, but they were caught by his soldiers guarding his rear.
Alc’Bruk stomped next to him, holding a Lizardman up by the neck. His captive gnawed and clawed his wrist, but it didn’t leave a scratch against Alc’Bruk’s natural plated scales. The Dragonborn shook his head in disappointment as he tightened his grip and a crunch echoed through the air, leaving victim dangling in his hand.
“I’m glad you decided to save some fun for me.” He bellowed, examining the state of the enemy fortress. “I have given them enough time, but it seems to be all for naught.”
“Them?” Kaz’Bruk inquired.
Alc’Bruk chided his brother’s question. “The Resistance is now barely putting in the effort anymore. Perhaps it’s time the Dragons claim Stusis.”
The Dragonborn tossed the limped corpse aside and raised a fist in the air. Just as he was about to send everyone to charge the fortress, he noticed Kaz’Bruk’s expression paled. The air also changed as cold winds hauntingly howled from the mountain pass beside the battlefield.
Gradually, tremors shook the ground as pebbles around them began to dance. The sky towards the south grew dark and thick storm clouds rolled towards the battlefield. An unending sound of screeches made by the foulest evil could be heard from a distance.
The noise temporarily created a ceasefire agreement as both sides turn to look at a towering spire of silver flames suddenly erupt behind the mountains. The wall of fire crept closer until sightings of miasma were seen pouring downhill. An army of hideous shadowed monsters flood onto the battlefield. A streak of silver light cut through the darkness and began shepherding the mass of shadowed monsters on a collision course against the Dragonborn’s army.
Mercenaries were the first to face their dreaded frenzy as they quickly abandoned position and fled in terror. To their dismay, escape was impossible as Beastmen mercenaries were torn apart as soon as they got caught in a tsunami of Shadowed Creatures.
What had caused this stampede? What was with those colorless flames?
“What in the name… Eldest, brother! We must withdraw our soldiers at once!”
“I am taking my guards to the frontlines to deal with the Shadows and make time.”
Alc’Bruk gave his arms a great big stretch and called upon his elite warriors. He led the charge through the air, wreathing himself in fire as he dived at the mass of Shadows that engulfed a quarter of his forces. The mercenaries that joined him were annihilated, but their lives didn’t matter to him. They were expendable pawns and more could be hired so long as the Dragon’s treasury was filled with valuables.
Seeing how a large portion of his army were immediately decimated, Alc’Bruck was forced to act to keep his zealots alive.
“We will make our stand here until others have safely retreated. Brothers, stand strong and keep your flames burning!”
Alc’Bruk spearheaded alone within his allies’ flaming breath halted the Shadow’s advance. Knowing he was unable to destroy these foes, he was forced to push them back instead. With a great cleave, he hurled dozens of abominations at a time away from the perimeter. As many as he threw back, the swarm was too numerous for one warrior to hold off. They eventually broke past his line and washed him back into his allies’ flame breath.
“It seems I must ask for Crimson’s aid.”
Alc’Bruk’s muscles bulged threateningly, snapping off his lustrous onyx black armor. His sharp horns and spikes extend. His scales crystalized and became polished. A flickering core emerged at his chest and radiated heat around him.
“O’great Crimson. See the deeds of my greatness. Let the blood of my draconic ancestors flow through my veins, granting me great power to annihilate my enemies. I call upon the might of Crimson, blessing me with overwhelming strength and to be worthy to be bestowed the title of its wrath!”
His appearance took a more Draconic form after reciting his prayer.
As he unleashed a thundering war cry everything within the vicinity was hit by a wave of superheated air and burst into flames. The clouds were dyed in crimson red as the swarm of Shadows surround him continuously burned in agony. Their shapeless form was endlessly caught in the cycle of being scorched alive and regenerating all damage not caused by the Oracle’s light.
“Foul creatures and Heretics, witness the power Crimson bestowed onto me!”
A faint image of a dragon’s claw emerged above Alc’Bruk as he raised his half chakrams. When he plowed his fists into one Shadow, four large gashes suddenly carved everything behind his intended target and tore apart a cluster of Tower Creatures. Every swipe he took in the air, a set of four invisible slashes cut down more monsters.
His warriors watched his back in great awe after witnessing the Draconic transformation into the avatar of their deity. They were honored the Dragonborn displayed the Dragon God’s blessing in front, but at this close proximity, they were struck with fear as well.
“The Crimson’s wrath has-!”
“Don’t stand there gawking! We need to withdraw now!”
The Dragonborn with his new form paved his way into the middle of the Shadowed Creatures. Once his brethren were far enough, he fired off a deathly blast facing the ground. A visage of a dragon’s head materialized above him and opened its maw. Blinding light expanded in a radius and leveled the entire middle section of the battlefield. The draconic energy of burning crimson disintegrated even the finest of stone and fused grains of sand into glass.
The explosion temporarily stripped the Shadows of their physical bodies as he inspected the damage he inflicted.
Giving one last glance at the wall of silver flames behind the mountain, Alc’Bruk retreated with what remaining forces having to safely disengaged from the Shadow’s interference.
He knew the only power the Towers feared was the Oracle’s light. He met with the Oracle, witnessed his power and saw him head far north to challenge dungeons. There should be no one else with the power to drive the Shadows back other than the Oracle yet, evidence of another divine power was displayed in front of him.
The Dragonborn heard reports of the Devil Folk and his band of foreign companions stole a mysterious artifact the Oracle brought back from one of the dungeons. There was no one else that came to mind for executing this interference except him.
“Perhaps I’ve should’ve been more patient and tested that Devil Folk-, no, Enui a bit more. How very careless of me to be deceived by that female Devil Folk masking his scent. This is where the real battle begins.”
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The blast of intense heat had Kihet shaken, witnessing how much more raw power the Dragonborn revealed other than the abnormal brute strength it inherently possessed. In an instant, a large chunk of the Shadowed Creatures had their physical forms stripped as they slowly regenerated.
“Oh? Oh! They’re leaving! We did it!”
“We still have to clean the mess we made.”
The two of them rode through the land with Kihet drawing a line of silver flames beside him, herding the frenzied Shadowed Creatures towards the retreating enemy army.
Lily, holding a short bow, saddled on the same horse behind him. She picked off creatures that gained on them. Her arrows of light reaped the monsters like a scythe cutting through grass. They were like shooting stars piercing the mob of shadows creeping behind them.
“We’re almost at the other end. Hold on tightly.”
“En! Almost all of them have come out of the valley. Should I signal the others now?”
“They should be fine as long as they stay within the flames. Do it.”
“After so long, let’s give the Resistance some hope!”
Lily stuffed her hand inside the orb perched on her shoulder, drawing an oversized bolt of light. She fitted it on her shortbow and loosened it into the air. The bolt of pure light pierced the clouds seemingly to have disappeared for a moment before an enormous spear of light struck the ground, sending a wave of divine energy around its impact zone to eradicate most of the Shadows.
Realizing their numbers diminished, the Shadows pulled back. Their actions garnered the attention of survivors from the stronghold as its gate open with Aten leading two scalemen out to meet with Kihet.
[Tama speaking with leader. Giant with her.]
“I see.” Kihet watched his antennas then looked at the two figures behind the Dragonfly. “And you two are?”
There was a dulled green scaled Lizardman and a dusty brown scaled Naga. The Lizardman wore a darkened grey poncho with an insignia of a claw and was equipped with a shield and a stone hatchet at its side, a fighter. The Lamia was blindfolded, holding on a worn spear and carried a bag of few dimly lit magic crystals, a caster.
Lizardmen resemble Dragonkins in most ways, but Kihet distinguished unique traits that separated the two. For one, Lizardmen’s head were much stubbier and round. Their scales were smooth, darker and dull in color. They also did not have protruding horns but have fins instead.
Nagas were Lizardmen with lower bodies of a snake and very slender. Instead of jagged teeth, they have two long fangs visible even when their mouths were closed. Their claws were much longer, and their upper half was more humanoid. The way they moved was very similar to Queen Elarinya, minus the thousands of tiny legs she had.
Aside from Lizardmen, Nagas and Dragonkins, there were also Tortoise folk. Though their numbers greatly dwinded from the genocide.
The Lizardmen stepped forward and kneeled. “I am Yizdra, Holy one. On behalf of Scalemen, I offer you my greatest gratitude.”
“And I am Hilaqi. Holy one.” The Naga bowed. “We were prepared to make out final ssstand, but with your intervention, perhapsss not all is lost.”
“Casualties?”
“More than half are wounded. We don’t have enough medical suppliesss to help them all.”
“Who’s the leader of this place?”
“That would be your kin, Holy Draigh. However…”
“However?”
“It would bessst if you saw him yourself.” Hilaqi slithered backwards, gesturing him to enter the half standing fortress.
Walking through the gate, he noticed the number of grave markers exceeding the graveyard Kihet prepared for the people in his village. The entire right side of the fortress was planted with them and more were added from casualties of this battle.
Scalemen that were alive are seen malnourished and dehydrated. Every hour, at least two collapsed from hunger. Yizdra and Hilaqi didn’t look better, but they were putting their best effort to not show any signs of exhaustion in front of him.
“It doesn’t look like moving away from this fort is an option. Everyone’s too exhausted to move.” Lily whispered.
“But at least we opened a route for them to forage for food from the forest we came from. Aten, are you tired?”
[Need something?]
“I’m sorry for asking more favors from you but take Lily and the Rozzalian and stack some enemy bodies outside as bait. Take the cart too if it makes it easier. When I’m done here, I’ll come out and help. Be careful. There might be Shadows we haven’t taken out.”
[Will go.]
“En! Leave those to me! You go meet your friend.”
“I will. One last thing, Aten. You alright?”
The Dragonfly dipped his chin down for a momentary silence before scribbling on his slate. [Yes.]
“If you say so.”
Kihet watched Aten led Lily to find the Giant and to grab their cart. After he explained what he was doing to the two Scalemen to which Hilaqi offered assistance.
“Yizdra, right?”
“Yes, Holy one.”
“How many people know who I am?”
“As per the Werecat’s request, we haven’t announced your title to the public. Currently, only the leaders know, and others think of you as a powerful spellcaster.”
“Keep it that way.”
“We shall.”
“So, did something happen with Draigh?”
Yizdra slowed her pace climbing up the stairs and shook her head. “Holy Draigh has pushed his body too far for us Scalemen. Time and time, he fought for us, and we relied on him more. We were able to hold our ground because of him until the Dragonkins used cowardly tactics to starve us out. He neglected his own health, going so far to give his portions of food to children. Even now, he’s refused to eat.”
“So, he’s reached his limit.”
The Lizardman handed a parcel over to Kihet and stopped at the middle of the stairs. “Forgive me, Holy one. I too, have reached my limit. Perhaps you may convince Holy Draigh to eat what’s left of the rations we Scalemen are able to bring together. It would give us Scalemen hope to see him walking on his feet.”
Yizdra turned away and sat on the stairs, holding her growling stomach.
“What about you?”
“I shall humbly await for further instructions. I was prepared to fight to the death, but now, I need a moment to think what options we Scalemen have. Besides, there are others who have it worse than I. This minor inconvenience will not kill me. I assure you.”
Hearing it was the wishes of the Scalemen, there was no further need to ask again. Kihet held the parcel tightly and continued climbing to the top floor. There, he was faced with a hay curtain over the doorway. He brushed it aside finding a withering and scar faced man bedridden, sitting upright on his mat. His beard which he’d usually shave, its length down to his chest, his messy oily hair draped over his shoulders.
The man drowsily turned to his direction and blankly stared at him for a second. Color returned to his eyes as they widened.
With a faintest gasp, the man whispered. “Kihet…?”