The Pale Dragon’s two dimensional painting form rested on a wooden stud while watching others struggled to contain Ainig.

Ainig dropped on all fours and reared up facing towards Kihet. The pain stricken Tortoise Folk overflowed with power he didn’t know how to control. After transforming as the Pale Dragon’s avatar, he went berserk.

Ainig charged at Kihet’s group and raised a heavy claw into the air.

It was an obvious telegraphed attack. Being more agile than the Tortoise, they were able dodge it, but unable to land counterattacks due to debris flying at them.

“Kihet, there’s a strange veil over him. What should we do?” Lily pointed.

“We’ll probe to see what powers Ainig has before we try to knock him out. I need you two to make an opening for me.”

“En! You got it!”

Lily and Aten specialized in piercing attacks which wouldn’t be effective against Ainig’s tough scales.

If Ainig received the same resistances as Alc’Bruk under an Elder Dragon’s blessing, bludgeoning attacks would be a better option of dealing meaningful damage overall. However, a Tortoise Folk’s natural plating made them extremely durable, more so than the Dragonborn.

Aten pounced at Ainig from behind and jammed his spear. The moment the tip reached Ainig’s carapace, a screen of white light intercepted the attack and snapped Aten’s weapon. Lily loosened a flurry of arrows to draw Ainig’s attention to the front and was blocked in the same manner.

It was a barrier on demand. While Alc’Bruk’s mere prescience scorched the air to exhaust his opponents, Ainig had a constant magic ward protecting him.

“Kihet, did you see that?”

“Good job spotting it. Guess I’m forced to use the Oracle’s flames to take them down. Aten, I need you to help me out again.”

Suddenly, Ainig was blinded by a jet of silver flames. The Tortoise felt an impact on his chest bypassing the automatic barrier. He felt floaty and his center of gravity shifted back as an invisible force gradually applied more power, tipping him.

Aten charged head on and dropped kicked Ainig’s face to make the Tortoise to fall backwards.

A Tortoise Folk’s imbalanced proportions meant if they were flipped on its back, they would become helpless. The Pale Dragon was impressed two small critters were able to topple a heavyweight Scalemen but thought if only it were that easy.

“No! I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Ainig flailed around recklessly. Every time he kicked the air, drummed his limbs on the ground, he bowled around like a spinning disc.

It was dangerous to get close, but they didn’t want to give Ainig a chance to get back up. Perhaps inflicting an aliment may yield a better result. Kihet dug into his satchel to feel for his choices. He carried several blinding bombs, a vial of strong adhesive mix, paper cartridges and hellfire bombs.

“Stand clear!” He splashed the solution of strong adhesive at Ainig. The yellowish fungus grew rapidly and soon produced mucus that held down Ainig’s shell. “That’s not enough. Krullu, load this firelance!”

“Are you kidding me?! I can’t hurt Ainig!”

“I’m not saying you have to, but you’ll have to use it if there’s no choice.”

Krullu’s heart sank to be suddenly handed a weapon only to be pointed at his best friend. If only he didn’t ask to tag with the Oracle, Ainig wouldn’t have to suffer. But he didn’t know. No one could’ve known.

“Dammit!” Krullu grimaced. “Ainig, you hear me?! Get ahold of yourself! I don’t want to hurt you!”

“NOOO! I’m sorry! Please don’t hurt me!” Ainig thrashed more violently. “I’m scared! Stop, please! It’s so dark! Why are all of you attacking me?!”

With all this commotion, it was strange Yizdra or Hilaqi from outside didn’t come check on them.

Just as Kihet gave an order for someone to check the door, a semi transparent image of the Pale Dragon’s bust formed over Ainig’s head. Brilliant white light slipped through the gap between its fangs and was aimed upwards.

“It’s a breath attack!” Lily warned.

“The ward I set is not strong enough to absorb a breath attack of that caliber! Find cover!”

Everyone dived behind solid objects as a flash of bright light filled the gathering hall. The ceiling was completely obliterated. The sky was cleared of dark clouds built up of ashes spewed from the grand volcano. Small stray debris and rubble rained down.

From that spectacle alone, Kihet judged it held the same power as Alc’Bruk’s Crimson breath.

“It’s dark! It’s so dark! Why am I here?!” Ainig wailed. “I don’t want to be alone!”

Emerging from a pile of debris, Ainig took on a different form. A spectral armor of the Pale Dragon’s visage formed over his body. Kihet suddenly realized Ainig skipped the second stage and transitioned to the blessing’s final form.

Aten unleashed a flurry of thrusts, each bounced from a barrier over Ainig. While the Dragonfly had his attention, Yizdra and Hilaqi raced towards Kihet.

“Oracle!” Yizdra shouted. “What has happened to the Herald?!”

“I don’t know, but he’s rampaging. Get everyone back! Hilaqi, can you use earth magic to trap Ainig in place?”

“I ssshall begin casting!” The blindfolded Naga held out its spear, supporting one end with a magic crystal. “Gurd, Maksss, Ulosss, Cirl, Dejent, Nalusss!”

A pit hole opened below Ainig and swallowed his lower half. He scratched the ground in hopes to pull himself free, but with his large stature it was impossible. The Tortoise continued to wail and panic.

“Ainig, forgive me. This will sting.” Yizdra squeezed her hand into a fist and a strange purplish liquid dripped on her blade.

The Lizardman rushed Ainig and skittered away from an arm arcing down at her. She slashed at the Tortoise’s biceps only to be blocked by a screen of light. Her sword brushed against one of the barriers and blew her arm back like she struck a hard wall.

“Unbelievable…! It’s as if I clashed blades against the immovable mountain!” Yizdra leapt back next to Aten. “Brave Vivirian, I cannot pierce through the Herald’s defenses. I request your assistance.”

[What do?]

“My body can secrete powerful paralysis toxins. I don’t know how potent it is to the Herald, but creating too much will exhaust me. Might you and the first hero have your weapons coated in poison and inflict a small cut on the Herald?”

[Need Ora-, Kihet take down barrier.]

While everyone kept their distance, a phantom of the Pale Dragon’s head suddenly materialized overhead.

It roared as its shape widened and stretched. Two heads, three, no, four split from the main visage. Everyone’s faces paled as five dragon heads struck out randomly in all directions and simultaneously charged up their individual breath attacks.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Kihet shouted. “Anyone close, get behind me! Everyone else run as far as you can!”

A repelling shockwave blew everyone back and a dazzling light show flashed before them. Pure white beams scorched the ground and buildings, even carving into the plains that surround the village.

Small areas remain untouched, but almost all buildings and facilities in the village were reduced to mere rubble. Kihet’s group were unscathed under his protection. The other Scalemen were protected by magic screen the Pale Dragon generously materialized.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“T-the Pale Dragon!”

“No way! It really is!”

Standing above the ruined grounds, a gargantuan apparition of a creature loomed above everyone. It had five heads instead of six, all staring at Ainig. Its glistening white body sparkled like stars at night and black light radiated around its chest. The Pale Dragon was vaguely transparent, and its posture was that of a hunter lying in wait.

“Hey, you!” Kihet shouted at the Elder Dragon. “Isn’t it about time to stop Ainig?”

“I would first require my Herald to be incapacitated.”

Kihet clicked his tongue at the Dragon’s useless response then saw Lily running up to him.

“Kihet, Yizdra might have something to stop Ainig. We need the barriers gone.”

“That means I have to get close to take them down all at once.”

“Oracle, I can ssstop the Herald momentarily and provide an opening.” Hilaqi gripped his blindfold. “I require a clear line of sight to meet the Herald’s eyesss.”

“You sure you can?”

“With absssolute certainty.”

“Alright. I’ll hold him steady.” Kihet pulled his sleeves back, revealing his pinkish burned scars. The neon red sigil of the Oracle’s mark glowed, and a burning sensation rushed up his arms. The numerous times this energy coursed through his body he felt as if his insides boiled.

But now, that feeling was completely tame.

The Acolyte of Defiance previously removed the limiter on his seal back at the realm. Though Kihet wasn’t sure how much of a boost it now provided, his body felt refreshed and light. He felt as if he could move a mountain, figuratively.

“Aten, use this.” Kihet tossed his mithril kukri into the insectoid’s hands. “Your spears won’t be able to hurt Ainig. Wait for my signal.”

Aten nodded in response, working to coat the leaf shaped blade in Yizdra’s poison.

Kihet followed the continuous jet of silver flames rushing down at Ainig. The moment the Oracle’s flames hit the barriers, Lily blindly loosened an arrow in hopes being able to thread a poison arrow to help Kihet, but failed to penetrate Ainig’s tough scales.

The Ikaga fletched arrows were not an option to use on friendlies. They were her best arrows, and she didn’t have many left. The arrows were kept to dispatch high valued, armored foes.

Kihet met Ainig head on. With the surge of power provided by the Oracle’s seal, he successfully stopped Ainig’s backhand albeit pushing him back a few steps. His heels dug into the ground, unable to counter as their strength evenly matched.

Kihet regretted not bringing Draigh, but there was no use to fret over it.

“Oracle, the Herald isss moving too much!” Hilaqi hissed.

“It’s not easy! I need a few more seconds or an extra hand!”

“I-I’ll help!”

A short figure dashed past the Naga and bravely charged into the fray. He sprinted forward holding a firelance as if he was holding a spear. The chameleon’s face was filled with sweat, mucus and tears. He screamed at the top of his shaky voice that was filled to the brim with fear as he stuffed a burning matchstick into the firelance.

Three shots cracked the air but only one of the three chipped a tiny fragment off Ainig’s shell. The grieving Tortoise raised his crystal covered arm into the air and swung down at Krullu.

“Krullu!” Yizdra gasped. “Watch out!”

With Ainig’s attention fully focused at the Chameleon, Hilaqi pounced at the chance to swap places. The Naga’s long tail yanked Krullu to safety while pulling himself forward. He tore off the ragged blindfold over his eyes.

“Herald, gaze into my eyesss and witness the Azure Dragon’s fearful glare!”

Kihet heard an angry violent note drummed the air after Hilaqi revealed his eyes under his blindfold. The Naga possessed an ability similar to the Immortal’s petrifying eyes, but a less lethal version of it. It did not petrify but seized his target in place as long as they maintained eye contact.

“A-ah…” Ainig uttered a noise, but no words came out as he remained under the effect of Hilaqi’s gaze.

“You have five secondsss!” Hilaqi’s eyes bled.

Kihet immediately reached for Ainig’s neck and used his entire weight to drag the Tortoise onto his back. He held the Tortoise down in a chokehold. “Lily, Aten!”

Projectiles were rendered useless, but Lily still had her special sword from Xu. Its sharpness was maintained incredibly well by Kihet’s handiwork. After slathering the edge with Yizdra’s paralyzing toxin, Lily was able to surgically cut and avoid Ainig’s vital.

The Kukri knife lent to Aten was forged of mithril, a material well known to sap and reject magic. The blade could bypass Alc’Bruk’s defenses and should for Ainig’s as well. Aten found a vulnerable spot and inflicted a shallow gash enough for Yizdra poison to seep through.

“Did we get him?” Everyone prayed Yizdra’s toxin was the antidote to stop Ainig’s rampage.

The Tortoise’s expression contorted with pain as he tried to wriggle out of Kihet’s headlock. His flailing was becoming slowed and panted, fighting against the poison coursing through him. As last ditch effort to stop his attackers, white light flashed from his beak.

A shadow loomed over them. The Pale Dragon’s large claw hovered above and before it crushed Ainig, Kihet jumped away. Underneath the Pale Dragon’s foot, Ainig’s whole body spasmed as finally Yizdra’s poison took ahold of him.

“That is enough, Herald.” It bellowed. “You have proved you are not prepared to receive my blessing. I shall once again seal your memories.”

“Hold it right there!” Krullu protested. “Who in the Creator gave you the right to mess with my bud’s mind?!”

“You are aware if my Herald reawakens, he may rampage again. Besides, you are a faithless devotee. You have no say in this affair.”

“On the contrary, I have a lot to say! I’m Ainig’s best friend!”

“And so? What meaning has it to me as this fledgling’s deity? The very one he worships.”

“I spent much more time with him than you did! I know what he laughs at and what he hates! You deities just play God treating everyone as playthings!”

One of the Pale Dragon’s head narrowed its eyes. Another frowned. The one speaking to Krullu exploded in an angry voice. “And what does a faithless one such as yourself know?”

“That’s something I should be asking you! What do you know about AInig? You turned his village against him just so you can create a ‘Story’ from tragedy! If you are the Dragon of light, take your friggin light with you and leave! Elder Dragons only cause misery!”

All the while Krullu screamed at the Elder Dragon in anger, his legs shook like a newborn fawn with only enough strength to keep him barely standing. Whereas he immediately apologized after challenging the Dragonkins who aimed to demolish his creations, Krullu bravely met the gaze of the five headed Dragon for the sake of his best friend.

“I am the light. I am the Dawn, the Zenith, the Dusk and of Twilight. Faithless one, you hold no authority over me. The Herald is my follower. Perhaps you suggest I plunge Stusis whole into darkness and spread more despair onto you Scalemen?”

“You aren’t the only one who can provide the light.” Kihet patted the dirt off his jacket and glared daggers at the Elder Dragon. “Look, Stusis is already as bad as it is. We have the Dragonkins and the Towers to deal with. I’m not going to take any shit from you.”

“Oracle...” While four heads studied Kihet, the remaining one stretched out its coiled neck to face the tower. “You are the Creator’s last will.”

“Everyone knows that.” His reply earned a scowl from one of the heads. “Earlier you asked what I am. Let me add something. Before I am the Oracle, I am me. The role of the Oracle was forced onto me just like you forced Ainig to be your Herald.”

“I argue I granted my Herald a second chance in life.”

“That’s where you’re wrong!” Krullu objected. “You traumatized him!”

“Krullu, shut up for a moment.” Kihet put his hand out to stop Krullu and faced the Pale Dragon. “If you said you gave him a second chance, then whether that chance matters or not should be up to his own actions.”

“You suggest I allow my Herald to run amok with powers he is unable to contain? What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Since you crave stories, I have an offer. I plan to make Ainig a Hero and join me to defeat the Towers.”

There was silence all around but the first to break it was Krullu’s screeching, followed by Lil’s shocking gasp. It wasn’t as everyone stood up and clapped as many of them showed unrest for the rampage they witnessed. Yizdra appeared to recognize Ainig as a great candidate, but other Lizardmen did not seem to share the same sentiments.

Whether they agree or disagreed with Kihet’s decision, it was already decided.

“You can imagine it, can you? The brimming confidence that will be on your Champion’s face as he bravely faces the very things threatening the world under your blessing. The stories of your previous champions pale in comparison.”

All five heads threateningly closed towards Kihet, each staring intently at him as if trying their hardest to read his mind. One slithered close enough for Kihet to see the colorful glare encased in its Opal eyes.

“An enticing offer. Before I’ve come to my decision, Oracle. I must know. You, who carries the responsibility to illuminate this world inflicted by the blight of Towers. What do you wish to seek after your light radiates the ends of the world?”

Glory, peace, riches, fame, freedom, to continue to protect, to employ justice, were commonly given answers. However, the Pale Dragon found those answers to be overused and boring.

The Pale Dragon earnestly waited for Kihet’s reply, but a minute had passed, and it received none. There were also those who were unable to provide a response.

However, it was confident Kihet would find one.

“For what I want, it’s happiness.” Kihet looked at the palm of his hand and grasped the empty air. “I’ve only been able to briefly experience it once in my whole life. I never asked for any of this to happen. I just want those around and me to be happy.”

It was not an interesting answer per say, but the Pale Dragon could not disregard it. The sincerity in Kihet’s words and expression made it the best answer it thought for someone whose ‘history’ the Dragon caught a glimpse of.

“Too simplistic, nonetheless it is the most fitting reply I agree for your case.” It spread its wings wide apart. “Very well! I shall adhere to your demands and witness how you will nurture the power welling within my Herald. If however, I come to be dissatisfied of the results, the blessing I bestowed upon my Herald shall be revoked and more.”

The Pale Dragon began to fade.

“It appears my magic reserves have depleted. I bear two messages. One, a warning and the other, your task in Stusis.”

“You’re giving me work?”

“It is the duty of the Oracle. The task which I am to hand to you requires the Tower to be conquered by your faction. Failure, and the Scalemen will be stripped of their rights to live in Stusis.” The second head spoke as it faded.

“What?”

“I shall now part with a word of warning, Oracle. In the far future, all believers shall lose sight of where their hearts lie. A new era shall stale the world of black and white soon after good and evil are reversed.” The farthest head said as it vanished.

“What do those words mean?”

“I know not. This is a divine message the Dragon God has entrusted me to pass onto those I deem worthy to hear. I hope you are able to decipher it before it is too late.”

The Pale Dragon’s words trailed off as the rest of it vanished, leaving Kihet to ponder about the words he was left with. The obvious action was to report it to Elenora, but he wouldn’t be able to contact her within these two months.

He could only jot it down for later, but the phrase ‘A new era shall stale the world of black and white soon after good and evil are reversed’ remained unsettling in his mind.