Several long silhouettes slithered along the walls between tight corridors. They travelled in a pack, hiding amidst the shadows casted by tall buildings surrounding them.

Lizardmen often filled the role of scouts, archers and the majority of soldiers, Tortoise Folk made themselves to become Defenders and Heavy warriors. Nagas were slippery folks who leaned towards casting spells, archery and skirmishes. Their serpentine bodies enabled them to have longer reach than any other races.

And they were also lethal ambushers.

A long tail extended from the corridor and fished a Shadow from its group before it made a noise. Once the creature entered the mouth of darkness, it was impaled by a spear of burning silver light while slithering back into the dark.

Hilaqi, flicked his spear tipped staff free of the residual black ichor left by the Shadow and turned his blindfolded face towards Kihet. “Oracle, this route hasss been cleansed of those foul creaturesss. Oracle?”

The Naga studied Kihet’s stoic face. His eyes were locked on a book radiating with pulses of mysterious magical power. Kihet studied it a few more seconds before tucking it away.

“Okay. It seems the enemy is driving the monsters towards us.”

“Ssshall we continue?”

Picking them off one by one was only wasting precious time. However, rushing would alert the creatures and result them being swarmed. The Oracle’s flames could easily wipe out the horde of Shadows, but it was his priority to preserve his strength for the fight against the Acolyte and Irvan.

“Change of plans. Ainig, you’re up.”

Which was why Kihet brought the cowardly Tortoise.

Ainig nervously stepped forward, hiding half his body behind his greatshield. Others including Hilaqi wondered why a Tortoise Folk accompanied them on a supposed stealth operation. Their large frames weren’t known to move quietly and quickly.

From rumors spread among the camp, it appeared as though Ainig gained some control of the Pale Dragon’s blessing. Although there were remnants of his mind fading away after using it, there hasn’t been any major issues.

“Hilaqi, we’re going back to the main street. I then need you and other casters to raise as many walls to block off side paths.”

“Oracle, might I assssk, what would the Herald be doing?”

“Using the Pale Dragon’s breath. I’ll give the signal, you can use it, right Ainig?”

“I-I… I’ll do my best…! But…”

“But?”

“I need some time.”

“That’s fine. We’ll hold them back until you’re done. I should also let the others know what’s happening.”

Kihet dug into his satchel, revealing a bamboo canister. He pulled the pin in it and a bright orange flame sparked from the tip. Kihet waved towards the direction of a designated building his guardian angel watched them from.

Standing atop the tall structure, Lily kept tabs on Kihet’s group while a larger Scalemen force from below prepared to advance on the Tower.

Right before Kihet left, he informed Lily of the contents of the book and the Acolyte lurking at the base of the Tower. She thought it sounded too good to be true to have the information readily available to them. After determining the accuracy of the book provided and with Salith’s testimony, they chose to rely on it.

It was a powerful tool to know where the monsters moved and spawned from. Kihet and the Nagas were able to maneuver safely through the Tower’s territory because of it.

“Tomoe, what’s Kihet’s status?” Draigh asked.

“Kihet and the Nagas are moving towards the main road. I saw him plant a marker where we can move to.” She shouted back.

“Alright, let’s get moving!”

On Draigh’s order, a convoy protecting Krullu’s siege weaponry was wheeled off. A Chameleon skittered around his designs one last time as he nervously prayed his fruits of labor would not be sullied on the way to the main battle.

“W-wait! I haven’t had the time to check them one last time!”

“No can do, Krullu. We gotta move now. I’m sure they’re fine. You did a great job on them.”

“If you say so… Please don’t let them be destroyed like the last batch.”

“I’ll do my best. Tomoe, we’re moving out!”

“En!”

Lily nimbly leapt down from the building and onto the roofs, meeting up with Tama and Yizdra waiting for her. She handed back Tama’s telescope.

“First Hero,” Yizdra greeted. “My group of Lizard folks are under your command.”

“Okay. We keep move. Eyes peeled enemy.” Lily answered.

“As you command.” Yizdra tossed a side glance at her group, and they scattered. “What of the Oracle? Has the plan changed?”

Lily looked off to a distance, finding Kihet leaping above the roofs with a blotch of darkened mass chasing after him. His tethered his [Chain] onto buildings, swinging and leading the accumulating mess pursuing him. She moved her eyes to another marker, finding earthen walls being erected.

“I see Kihet luring monsters while the others are fortifying their position on the main street. I think he plans to have Ainig to open a path.”

“So that’s why the grumpy one took the Tortoise with him.” Tama muttered, crossing her arms. “Hmm… Nyi’m a bit worried.”

“May I inquire the reason?” Yizdra asked.

“Alc’Bruk. I knyow that Winged Crocodile holds grudges like a prey and never lets go. The grumpy one might get unwanted guests.”

“I think not.” Lily wagged her finger. “Kihet’s plan is to separate Alc’Bruk from the other Oracle. If he takes the bait, that’s good. We won’t be able to fight the other Oracle and the Dragonborn at once.”

“In the event the Crimson’s Wrath does not emerge…” Yizdra commented.

“Then we proceed as planned. The Acolyte is a bigger threat. If not, Kihet’s already has something in mind, I think.” Lily swapped to her bow. “If not, he’ll think of something. First, we need to get into position.”

She drew an arrow pointed at a screecher being merged from the wave of shadows chasing Kihet. She saw a glint for moment, recognizing it was the core of the monster.

Lily took a deep breath to steady her aim then loosened. A bolt of light pierced through the orb the instant the arrow was released and downed the shrilling beast.

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

Noticing this, Kihet found the opportunity to distance himself by waving the Oracle’s silver flames behind him. He counted the enemies pursuing him and studied the preparations Hilaqi and others set up. Seeing how their preparation were almost complete, Kihet began making his way back.

“Hilaqi, get a group to me and hold position here!”

“Underssstood!”

An army of Tower Creatures waited behind the veil of silver flames to die down before advancing onto the magical walls raised from the earth.

“Gurd, O’earth elemental! The spirit of foundation where all creatures set foot upon, I call upon the creation of which your soil takes form. Be it a spear, be it a wall. Mold what will help me against this peril of mine! Gurd, Ulos, Ashent, Bast Brac, Exles, Dupil, Jeltz!”

Hilaqi thrust the bottom of his staff onto the wall as his other hand raised a magic crystal glowing bright orange. Long branches of earthen spears twisted down the street. There were roughly twenty that sprouted out and they carved through sides of buildings while impaling as many enemies as they could before Hilaqi forcibly stunted their wild growth.

The other Nagas slithered through crevices, using the earthen structure as cover like snakes lurking in trees. Their long tails allowed them to stretch to great lengths and strike the Shadows without putting oneself in danger.

Those who wove past the maze were immediately stopped by Kihet anticipating their presence. As soon as a Shadow emerged before the earthen wall, Kihet hurled a javelin at it and retrieved his weapon using his [Chain].

They were holding, but soon the enemy regrouped and attack with greater numbers. By then, Ainig should have invoked the Pale Dragon’s blessing.

“Oracle, the Herald has finished his transssformation.” Hilaqi hissed.

“I’ll use a spell to throw them back. Everyone, start making your way back!”

At his order, the Nagas woven back to their designated spot. While they retreated, Kihet casted [Quagmire Field] with extra catalysts at the Shadows moving to him.

An expanding dome of light stretched to both sides of the street and upon completing his incantation, the spell started to slow everything within it. Debris and fragments started to float upwards, the Tower monsters caught within it flailed randomly. Some were able to use the twisting branches to continue forward, but their actions eventually came to a halt like the air turned incredibly viscous around them.

Buying enough time for him to turn tail and leave, Kihet pulled himself to safety and hanged off a nearby roof to spectate the Pale Dragon’s Herald.

Ainig exploded with light as the visage of the Pale Dragon’s three heads sprouted from the back of his darkened shell. Extremely dense magic gathered in each of the five maws before a radiant blast of white light engulfed the area, shaking the foundation of the city.

A path directly to the base of the Tower was opened up to them. Ainig’s dragon breath flattened structures in its trajectory and blasted away the Shadows intercepting them.

While the white light continued emitting from Ainig, a crimson glow casted a red hue in their surroundings.

Kihet snapped his head towards the Tower to find a meteor headed directly at them. Behind the meteor was a flock of Dragonkins following it closely.

“The Crimssson’sss wrath!”

“Did they send him? Or did he send himself?” Kihet swung next to Ainig and knocked the Tortoise’s arm. “You did it. Now wake up.”

“H-huh? Oh… sorry. W-was I daydreaming again?”

“Get your shield up. We have company.”

“A-Ah! We’re under attack!”

The meteor was much slower than Kihet remembered. Nonetheless, he couldn’t dare to act reckless or else this would surely be the end.

The meteor swooped in and slashed one of Ainig’s auto manifesting barrier. It then shot up into the air and dived back down at them. Seeing how the first barrier shattered, the second strike would pierce through. Kihet struck the tip away before it reached Ainig.

Once the enemy was close up, it’s form was clear. This wasn’t Alc’Bruk. It was his blood brother, Kaz’Bruk. Cloaked in wrathful flames, the Dragonkin lunged forward with its glaive and took a swing at Kihet.

Kihet slipped away with [Crescent Moon Dance] then emerging behind his opponent. The Dragonkins reactively swiped its claws and threw a puff of embers to drive him back.

Kaz’Bruk twisted his neck and aimed his snout at Kihet with an orangey glow at the back of his throat. Just as the flame breath engulf the Dragonkin’s view, it saw Kihet fly away. Kihet’s [Chain] latched onto a nearby building to pull himself safely out of range.

“They’re sending hit squads now?”

“Faker. You have done as predicted and brought the Herald of the pale dragon.” Kaz’Bruk growled.

Kihet immediately controlled his [Chain] holding the mithril knife to try to take Kaz’Bruk by surprise, but the Dragonkin performed a familiar footwork, [Crescent Moon Dance], that allowed him to duck away. Realizing this, Kihet held up his firelance to catch an overhead slash.

“Tch. You know it too?”

“I have studied the Ogre as he fought. What I lack in power, I shall find strength elsewhere. I may be less of a monster than Eldest Brother, but I am a formidable warrior in my own way.”

“KAZSSSS’BRUK!”

A vengeful hissed sounded the air as the earth beneath Kaz’Bruk was hit by a violent tremor. The Dragonkin took to the skies right before a forest of stalagmites sprouted dangerously close to Kihet.

“Hey, watch it! You almost got me caught in it!”

Kihet’s words failed to reach the enraged Naga.

Hilaqi coiled his body and sprung into the air with his weapon in tow. The Naga ripped off the blindfold and glared at Kaz’Bruk. The usually calm and composed Hilaqi hurled himself like a feral creature. He pierced his spear into Kaz’Bruk’s shoulder, pushing them both down.

Kaz’Bruk felt the paralyzing effect of Hilaqi’s cursed eyes take ahold of his body. Even when being seared alive by the Dragonkin’s immolation, Hilaqi disregarded the burns his serpentine body suffered and instead focused to inflict as much pain as he could onto Kaz’Bruk.

“I will have you perisssh here for Nala!”

“You accursed snake, unhand me!”

Hilaqi’s gaze only briefly stopped Kaz’Bruk. The Dragonkin landed punches to separate him from the Naga. He brandished his glaive and chopped off one of the Naga’s arm before gravity pulled them onto the ground.

Kaz’Bruk was the first to recover from such a fall. Knowing he previously missed to claim his opponent’s life, he dashed forward and aimed the blade at the Naga’s neck.

A stack of barriers materialized over Hilaqi’s neck, then he was pulled away by an invisible force.

“Hilaqi, that was too reckless! I almost got caught in your spell!” Kihet roared. “I need someone to treat him right now!”

“No, Oracle! Kaz’Bruk mussst die!”

“You’re out of line. Did you forget about our agreement? You stay put. I’m going to have to clean up Ainig’s mess afterwards.”

Kaz’Bruk found himself standing next to the Pale Dragon’s Herald. Ainig stared down at the Dragonkin with a blank expression, not of a timid one he saw moments ago. A cluster of minerals grew over the Tortoise’s forearms.

Something was off with the Herald, and yet, Kaz’Bruk stood in awe of the first transformation of the Pale Dragon’s Blessing. He immediately noticed Ainig brandished his armored arm and attempted to catch it, not knowing the strength Ainig possessed. He was hit by such force he flew off and smashed right through the building.

The other Dragonkins witnessed their leader easily tossed aside and charged at Ainig. Numerous barriers automatically materialized around the Herald, preventing his enemies from swarming him.

One thought he was clever to avoid the barriers as he weaved in for an attack. Ainig stretched his claws towards his direction and slammed his entire weight down. The caught Dragonkin’s flesh popped, and bones snapped under Ainig’s heavy frame.

“Oracle!” Hilaqi cried. “Now’sss an opportunity to kill Kaz’Bruk!”

“If only the opportunity comes. Ainig can recognize us as an enemy in his current state.” Kihet flung his knife across the street.

Kaz’Bruk rushed out of the crumbled buildings, but before the Dragonkin closed for an attack, a semi transparent [Chain] intercepted him. He slashed at it to find an invisible force repelling his blade.

The [Chain] tethered across to him tightened. Kaz’Bruk discovered Kihet zeroing at him. The Oracle carried a bludgeoning staff with a pinned quickly pulled out of it.

The instant the Dragonkin looked down the bore of the firelance, he swept the floor. The enchanted glaive cut into the cobblestone tiles and kicked up a curtain of smoke to hide behind before Kihet’s grapeshot struck him.

“I will retreat for now as I have completed my assessment. Vile snake. I was certain I had slain the Azure Dragon’s Champion. Why do you possess the Valiant’s eyes?”

“Why elssse? Show yourself and die by my fangsss!” Hilaqi roared.

“Hmph. Pitiful response for such a whelp wielding the cursed eyes. I am not to waste my time on low lives like you.”

“Gurd, Ulos, Foram, Ashent-.”

Silver flames suddenly rushed at the Naga to prevent the spell from taking flight. “Hilaqi, stop. He left.”

“We could have taken his head! If you hadn’t stopped me, I could’ve claimed his life!”

“We’re you trying to die?”

“I will kill Kaz’Bruk. I will sink my Fangsss into that brute if it demandsss my life!”

“Alright. I’ve heard enough. Right now, you’re nothing but a hinderance.”

Hilaqi saw Kihet’s arm blur. He received an impact below his jaws. The blow itself wasn’t strong, but his brain felt scattered as his body went limp and collapsed onto the ground.

This was the best decision that came to Kihet’s mind. Anyone acting out of rage or grief would certainly disrupt the flow the Scalemen militia had.

“The others are nearby. You two, carry him to the healers.” Kihet directed two soldiers to carry Hilaqi and scribbled something on a piece of paper. “When he wakes up, have him read this.”

As for the enemy, all Dragonkins withdrew as they noticed Kaz’Bruk making his retreat.

Ainig stood motionlessly, staring at the direction of where the enemy fled. He turned around to face Kihet once he heard footsteps approaching him.

Ainig dragged his arm along the tiles but halfway before flinging debris, he stopped.

“H-huh? What was I- Hiee! Hilaqi lost an arm!”

“Things happened but you weren’t the cause. He acted out of line and this was his consequence.” Kihet reassured Ainig. “You protected everything here well, but I need you to continue showing the same results. The hardest part is just about to come. Can I count on you?”

“I-I’ll do my best!”