There was a deep scar engraved in his mind and he despised it entirety. Never has he been dragged to its depths until now. His entire life was built on survival of the fittest, let the weak be preyed upon. Let none judge you.

Not even the ones who raised him could go against his ambitions. The only exceptions were Outer Beings influencing the world beyond the mortal world. He instilled fear in the very minds who antagonized him. However, news of his defeat quickly spread throughout his people and the authority he held over them gradually weakened.

“Eldest Brother, cease yourself this instant!”

Alc’Bruk’s fist was plunged deep in the side of a mountain. Inside that hole, he felt something mushy and wet. The Dragonborn slowly pulled his hand into the light to find it was slathered with pulverized goop of blood and innards.

The Dragonborn turned a ferocious glare to the way of his Blood Brother. Only Kaz’Bruk was able to compose himself while the others coward away from Alc’Bruk.

“There’s nothing left of him to destroy. You’ve proven your point.”

He faced the crater containing the remains of his victim caught bad mouthing him. The fool thought the Dragonborn had weakened and took the chance to usurp his title as Crimson’s Wrath. That Dragonkin was now nothing more than a useless mass of flesh and feces.

Unable to contain the rage welling within him, the Dragonborn rammed his fist into the small mountain standing in front of him. The wall was previously damaged with large cracks spanning across its face. With another strike, the side of the mountain collapsed leaving only a quarter of it intact.

“This is unacceptable!” Alc’Bruk burst out from debris piled atop of him. “I will instill fear into their very core as they speak my name! I will give them the most painful deaths they deserve for tainting my pride! It is undeniable I am the strongest, more so the Elder Dragons shall one day quiver in my presence!”

Alc’Bruk’s roar echoed throughout the canyon. Embers spat out of his every joint his plate scales rubbed against each other. His anger was accompanied by endless maddening flames spewing out between his maws.

He was beyond furious. His claw constantly opened and closed, as if searching for more victims to tear apart. One look from his piercing crimson eyes would paralyze anyone who met his threatening gaze. His expression was enough to stop a person’s breath, more so, several Dragonkins fell unconscious from overwhelming bloodlust Alc’Bruk exerted in physical pressure.

Though Kaz’Bruk had been standing alongside his Blood Brother since the time they were born, not even he had witnessed such anger. Time and time, he was able to calm Alc’Bruk, but all he could do now was pray for the tantrum to swiftly pass.

“Sei, Pik, Dejent, Brac, Bast, Jeltz!”

A firebolt appeared over Alc’Bruk and rained flaming projectiles at him. To the Dragonborn, it was barely any threat as tiny bolts if fire hit his body like rain splashing over his scales. Just annoyance. However, the surrounding boulders around him was reduced to mere pebbles.

Alc’Bruk located the caster approaching boldly his way and shot a glare at his challengers.

“Seems I was right to have more of us to check things here.”

The Dragonborn glared at an Enui with spectacles emerging from the smoke. He wore a white uniform of a religious order with runic characters drapes over its sleeves.

A Fairy and a Lycanthrope accompanied the Enui as they confronted Alc’Bruk.

“Sheesh. It smells really burnt here.” The Lycanthrope fanned the air away from his snout.

His fur was silver, and his body was cladded with studded leather. He had a greatsword sheathed on his back, but his current weapons were long steel claws on both hands.

The Fairy hovered above ground with a transparent forest green robe over her clergy uniform. Her wings were diamond shaped, materialized of magical light attached to her back. She carried no staff as a caster but had a mystical tome hanging on her side instead.

“Oh, you could tell?” The Fairy said in a sarcastic tone and played with her long wavy hair. “Seems like you weren’t as stupid as I thought you were, dog.”

“Shut it, bimbo. You wanna go?!”

“Do continue barking, you barbaric thing. That’s what your kind does best. Why must I work with the likes of you?”

“Lidian, don’t incite Rogus.” The Enui scolded the Fairy. “The Oracle included him because he’s capable. I also find him capable, or are you disappointed in my judgement?”

“Dear me. I mean no disrespect, Elius.”

In response, Elius silently fixed his glasses.

While Alc’Bruk understood their conversation in Pamarine, he did not learn how to speak it. Meanwhile Kaz’Bruk stood at the sidelines nervously as he powerlessly watched things unfold, praying his Blood Brother would not lash out against the Oracle’s companions.

“Looks like you bit more than you can chew, Alc’Bruk.”

“Are you here to forfeit your lives? You would very well be aware I show no mercy to those who dare mock me, the Crimson’s Wrath.”

“We’re here on behalf of the Oracle’s order to give assistance. We heard this other ‘Oracle’ has put a wrench in your plans.”

Alc’Bruk scowled. “I was so very close to conquer Stusis until that Faker appeared and took it away from me. I will not allow my incompetence to further degrade my pride. I swear on it.”

“That’s not for me to decide, but I will hold you to your word. For now, I suggest we exchange information. That would be in our best interest to wisely spend our time.”

The Dragonborn scoffed at the idea, but Kaz’Bruk stepped forward to accept Elius’ request before Alc’Bruk rejected it.

“Eldest Brother, I beseech you to take part in this exchange. As of now, the Heretics are doing the same to gather information to exploit our weaknesses. Perhaps the Oracle’s companions have useful knowledge strength and power cannot solve.”

Alc’Bruk fell into deep silence as he mulled over Kaz’Bruk’s plea. It was clear he was reluctant to listen, but luckily the words of his blood brother proved a point. In turn, he remembered a Stray he was once indebt of, passing on some wisdom onto him before he was selected as the Crimson’s Champion.

“A beast as great as it is could not hope to best even hunters who have knowledge of it. If however, the cunning beast acted knowing what the hunters are capable of, then it would find them at the most vulnerable moment and slaughter them.”

“We must acknowledge the Heretics have become the hunters and our goals as beasts are to change them back to the hunted.” Kaz’Bruk added.

The Dragonborn slammed his tail on the ground. “Brother, you were always the voice of reason.”

“And you, the pillar of strength to us Dragonkins.”

Sensing tension had lightened, the Dragonkins spectating the ordeal huffed a sigh of relief. Most seriously considered fleeing when Alc’Bruk threw a fit, but their legs wouldn’t budge.

On the other hand, the Oracle’s companions were unfazed. They remained indifferent under the presence of the Crimson’s Wrath turning to face them.

“We shall be the first to inquire of the Oracle’s progress.” Kaz’Bruk initiated with a demand. “Tell us the status of liberating Stusis from the Towers.”

“Stusis has a trove of Dungeons compared to Easul. We are unsure about the conditions for one to spawn, but at this rate, Stusis will be overwhelmed.”

“If it’s manpower, we’re never short on warriors eager to free our mountains from the Tower’s hold. Regretfully, we are currently unable to employ more sellswords to our cause as the Heretics have isolated us from the eastern borders. Our numbers have taken a toll from the last battle.”

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“To which I have a proposal to level the playing field.” The Enui drew a letter from his pouch. “The Oracle has approved of my idea, but it cannot proceed without your approval, Crimson’s Wrath.”

Alc’Bruk eyed the letter before running a claw along its contents thoroughly. After reading through every word, he shredded and tossed it at the Enui’s face.

“You expect me to surrender more lands to those Heretics?! Despicable!”

“It is not without reason.” Elius defiantly put on a front. Behind, Lidian and Rogus hovered their hands over weapons in anticipation of the Dragonborn’s attack.

It was explained the Dragonkins are threatened by low personnel and two forces who have no alignment to one another. Relinquishing plots of land heavily infested with Tower Monsters meant less lands needed to be protected. As the Scalemen move to occupy the abandoned lands, the other ‘Oracle’ would succumb to the same task as the Oracle and must clear dungeons as they proceed.

“Wouldn’t you agree this would be efficient to free Stusis of the Towers while both sides are recovering?”

“This speaks much of the Oracle’s abilities. Perhaps I made the wrong judgement to have allied myself with you incompetent fools.”

“Says the brute who ran with his tail between his legs.” Lidian giggled.

The Enui sighed. “I must add the Tower in Stusis splitting apart has been an irregularity. Rozzosea, Easul and Sanctuary’s Towers are not as active or split as the one here. Only after the battle at the great wall had the Tower mysteriously reconstructed itself and shows no more sign of its erratic behavior.”

Alc’Bruk and Elius engaged in a stare off when suddenly the Dragonborn let out a soft growl, looking at the Azure Tower.

“It’s true the Tower has returned to its original state after that battle. I will consider it.”

“One more thing. Lidian has learned of some critical knowledge to share with us.”

“Indeed. Based on my encounter, the Vivirian is dangerous, if not, more dangerous than the Goliath.”

“The insectoid? I am aware of its great speed.” Kaz’Bruk answered.

“As well as its immortality?”

The Dragonkin was obviously dumbfounded by her statement. He knew of beasts who had the sturdiest hides and shells still possible to be felled. There are those who can return from the brink of death but are not immune to it. These traits could only belong to beasts who lived in the harshest environments and not of anyone part of civilization. As such, true immortality is impossible and only those who far surpass the norm.

Among those selected, Kaz’Bruk only knew of one individual nearing such heights through the Crimson Dragon’s blessing.

“No matter how much my magic skewer and slice him, it does not bleed. Not even blades coated in poison affected it.”

Alc’Bruk whose interest piqued raised a brow. “That one is certainly unique among Vivirians. If memory serves correctly, the insectoid resembles his kind from an ancient era.”

“Insectoids do not live past fifty. Unless the whole of Vivrus decided to devolve its kind to their ancient ancestors, there is no other explanation of its appearance.” Kaz’Bruk argued. “And it does not bleed, you say?”

“When I severed its arm, it was quickly tethered back on. The black string resembles those of the miasma veiled the abominations.” Lidian reported as she thoroughly combed her hair, examining each lock of hair running through her slender fingers. “I’m afraid we were unable to learn of anything else of the other ‘Oracle’ as we were preoccupied against the Vivirian.”

“Alc’Bruk, you faced the fake. What is he capable of?”

Now shifting the questioning onto him, his blood boiled as he recalled moments before admitting defeat.

The Dragonborn clearly remembered the scene he decapitated the Faker. The sensation of his deer horned knives slit into his opponent’s throat and tore off his head was no illusion. Despite irrefutable evidence his body experienced, it was as if he was tricked when he saw the Heretic’s Oracle bend away.

It was as if the Faker’s death was rewritten by some outer force.

Alc’Bruk also recalled the Fake possessed no magical presence until the moment he defied death. He was sure he pushed the Faker to the limits when they were brawling in the great wall. It caught him off guard when spells with an unknown attribute warded his every attack.

“An unknown attribute?” Elius asked.

“It neither had color or the flare of spells a caster would have displayed. What he controlled was an invisible entity capable of repelling my attacks. I shall add his Oracle’s powers were able to dispel magic spells.”

“He’s able to use and dispel magic? Isn’t that cheating?” Lidian questioned. “I was hoping to snipe him from afar, but for him to stand against you, that might be impossible.”

“Impossible it may be, and you would find an arrow piercing through your skull.” Kaz’Bruk added. “Among his companions, he has a deadly archer at his disposal. That Devil Folk could pluck a wyvern off the skies from several mountains away and possess an unnatural ability to change trajectories of her projectile.”

“Is that from the other’s magic?”

“I believe it was hers. Whatever tricks she used, I could not see.”

“I see.” Elius scribbled into his notebook. “I will relay everything to the Oracle. Are there other matters to be addressed?”

“None requiring your involvement.” Alc’Bruk bellowed. He sent forth a powerful gust of wind with his wings as he jumped to the skies. “I will collect my thoughts and return an answer soon.”

“Eldest Brother, where are you going?”

The Dragonborn flew off before Kaz’Bruk could question his brother’s sudden departure. All he saw was his Blood Brother headed off to the direction of Stusis’ grand volcano.

“Hey, Elius.” Rogus looked around frantically. “I don’t smell Haku and Justiva anywhere. Where are they?”

“I’ve asked him to retrieve the book that Fake stole from us.” Elius pinched his temple. “Well, if Haku messes up, Justiva should be able to get him out of any trouble.”

----------------------------------------

Alc’Bruk dropped at the rim of the grand volcano staring into the spring of magma bubbling. Along the way he saw creatures in Stusis that could swim and jump around in lava. However, none dared inhabited in the volcano. None except one. Rivers flowing down from mountain slopes weren’t as scorching as the source it came from.

He dipped his foot and once he found his footing, pushed more of his weight downward and slowly sank into the magma.

He reflected upon the time he was a mere Dragonkin, helplessly screeching from the first time he allowed the magma of the grand volcano to swallow him. Anyone else but him would’ve forfeited their lives, but his duty to protect Stusis of foreign invaders had brought him a once noble cause to survive the ritual and gain the Crimson’s favor. Stusis needed a valiant warrior when they were overwhelmed, and it was none other than him at the time to unite his people to war against the invaders.

And now, his rage demanded the Scalemen’s lives who he once protected after their betrayal.

Alc’Bruk opened his eyes to find himself suddenly transported in a cavernous chamber. The exit was covered by a curtain of lava. The chamber was filled with shiny golden coins, beautiful gems and unusual trinkets. Sleeping atop of the hill of treasures was a massive phantom of a great beast with a deep red body.

He boldly stepped into the creature’s domain without hesitation and watched as it reacted to his approach.

“My champion. What brings you to my humble abode? Has your conquest of Stusis concluded?”

“I’ve come to renew your blessing, Crimson.”

The Elder Dragon’s eyelids slowly opened revealing large brilliant ruby eyes boring a look at Alc’Bruk. After examining the state its champion had become, the creature stuck out its long-coiled neck and displayed its magnificent crimson wings pointed at the root woven ceiling.

“Most peculiar. Never have my champions before you requested as you have. Pray tell, has the Herald of Pale Dragon caused you much trouble?”

“It was not Pale Dragon’s champion. I clashed against a Faker who holds the Oracle’s power. I was certain I had killed him, but it felt as if an unknown power had changed the outcome of his death. He was suddenly able to use an unknown attribute.”

“Hmm… I had never thought there would be two Wills of the Creator. Interesting.” Its tail swashed behind, playing with a large pile of coins and a claw stabbed into another in front inspecting the shine of its collection. “Does that mean your faction has lost?”

Sparks flashed and smog flooded between its fangs. The smell of sulfur filled the chamber as its chest expanded dramatically from taking one deep breath.

A Dragon’s breath was already dangerous, but an Elder Dragon’s was catastrophic. Since Alc’Bruk’s blessing derived from the Crimson Dragon, he was aware he would not emerge unscathed even if he was incredibly resistant to heat.

“It is merely a setback for my conquest. However, the Oracle’s companion requested the focus to be set on eliminating the dungeons as the two are capable of defeating its abominations.”

“How you choose to unify Stusis is none of my concern. As long you uphold the creed, I will assist however I may. Break the creed and your very existence shall perish. Do not think even the path to the Beyond will give you salvation.”

“With my stakes so high, I will not fail. The Dragonkins will claim Stusis! Mark my words!”

“And so, you declare. Though I have doubts of your blood kin of yours.”

“Doubts of Kaz’Bruk? As in, betrayal?”

“Nonsense. I see within your Blood kin he is loyal to the cause. I question if the Valiant of Azure has truly been fell?”

“Enough of this bout! I have witnessed his victory. He has slew the Azure’s Valiant!”

“That’s merely your perspective. I mean no offense O’ my champion. However, I sense the power of Azure persistently linger in this plane. Unless I’ve mistaken it, but who knows?”

A landslide of gold flowed down as the Elder Dragon posed triumphantly and exposed a pulsing red glow on its chest like a burning furnace. A claw stabbed into flames breathing out of its chest until it came out fiery orange.

“All in all, my goal depends on your success.”

That was when Alc’Bruk marched up the pile of treasure and presented a strange scale located on his chest. It pointed in a different direction unlike the others. Unlike the Elder Dragon’s its brightness had faded and became blood red. It absorbed the energy from the Elder Dragon’s claw and restored a brilliant crimson glow onto it.

“Without a doubt, you are my favorite of the champions I selected. The zeal and anger welling within you do remind me of my brash inexperienced moments. You are unlike those naïve paragons trying to appease others.”

“I do not have time to listen to your rabbling.”

“Oh, pardon me!” Crimson rolled its eyes and gave a gesture shooing Alc’Bruk off. “Yes, yes, you mortals have your curfews. Do be a good boy and not to worry your people for having to disappear for a few more mere moments.”

“That kind of speech is when you have something in mind. Speak.”

“Hmm… I don’t know. I had a moment of thought and believe the Oracle’s companion made an excellent judgment. I wholeheartedly agree to utilize the other Oracle assistance cleansing Stusis of the infestation of Dungeons. But rather than aiming to halt their numbers, I believe it would be much wiser to cut the root from its source.”

“Are you suggesting-.”

Crimson smirked, presenting its sharp fangs as its long neck stretched towards Alc’Bruk. “The Tower had finally reconstructed itself. Its entrance left unguarded. I believe it would be most fitting to conclude the battle for Stusis there. The World Tree above me yearns to be freed from its grasp, my Wrath.”