The entire enemy camp was in chaos. There were a few moments of shock and awe when the dragons first arrived, but once people began to process what was happening, things took a drastic turn.

The city’s defenders were the first to really react to what was happening; they were confused when Emery first stepped out on her sword, but as soon as it was clear that the dragons were here to defend the city, cheering swept across the gathered forces. There was still confusion, but the energy had entirely changed from one of anxiety and near despair to relief and hope, tinged with confusion - but no one was about to turn down help, even if they didn’t quite understand where it was coming from.

But when Eiry decided to lean down and blow a plume of hot breath into the enemy’s face things burst into action. Almost all of the Cultivators in front of her - most of whom were likely to be Sky Realm - turned tail and ran, forcefully shoving their way through the ranks of their fellows. Only a few stood their ground, but even they were clearly shaken.

As Eiry lifted her massive head back up to a resting position, she laughed. The sound was strange, coming from a dragon’s throat that wasn’t made to produce such a sound, but unmistakable. Whether it was performative or not, Emery wasn’t sure, but Lyn, Cyril, and Ray all joined in the ‘laughter’ while Vale and Vyne remained silently watching.

And it was the chorus of laughter that finally seemed to shock everyone into motion. Most of the first few ranks of the Deposits’ soldiers abandoned their posts and retreated. There was shouting from who Emery imagined was their leaders trying to reorganize the huge mass of people, but it was all getting lost in the chaos.

A few brave - or stupid - Cultivators did band together at the front of the enemy lines. Whether they were there to actively challenge the six dragons or make an attempt to defend their side was anyone guess, but for the moment they didn’t make any moves.

Emery, too, stood her ground on her flying sword above the gate. She was really hoping that they wouldn’t try anything stupid. Dragons were legendary creatures for a reason, and there was simply no way anyone short of at least the Heavenly Realm would be able to do anything against them. At least not without some serious extenuating circumstances. And even then, with six of them here…there was simply no way this went well for anyone if they attacked.

Then Emery noticed a few figures running through the enemy’s forces trying to regain control over the chaos. There were seven of them that she could pick out weaving through the crowds, all wearing similar cloaks to the four that had declared their intent earlier. The obvious conclusion here being that they were the leaders as well as at least some of the Heavenly Realm Cultivators among the enemy, Emery silently wished them luck in reorganizing their forces. It didn’t seem like they were planning on leading an attack, and for now that was enough.

But apparently a few of the more brazen Cultivators among them decided that dragons weren’t enough of a threat. Emery watched in near horror as several of them pulled on their Qi and prepared techniques, clearly aiming up at the dragons. Most of them aimed toward Eiry, who was the closest.

Emery could feel all of the dragons’ attention snap to the idiots about to attack. There was just a moment where all six of the dragons seemed to size up the threat, but they were dismissed with absolute apathy. All but Eiry resumed their vigil, clearly not concerned.

Eiry glanced at me briefly and I immediately moved aside to give her space. I took a deep breath and sighed, feeling Avuri do much the same elsewhere.

When the techniques all flew at the golden dragon, I winced. But not for her. All kinds of attacks hit their marks. Flying weapons bounced off her scales, ineffective. There were a few elemental attacks, including two blasts of flame, a bolt of lightning, and some manner of water attack. They also struck Eiry’s scales and dispersed.

The most numerous attacks were earth based ones. The types of Qi that Eiry was most adept with by a fair margin. The numerous blasts of stone and rock never even reached her. Eiry hadn’t really made any effort to extend her Domain, so it covered only several meters around her body. But when the attacks were launched at her, she flared her Domain wider, catching the attacks with it almost immediately after they were launched. Most of the earthen projectiles had barely made it ten meters from their source when they simply stopped in midair.

Many looked at their captured attacks, simply stunned at the apparent ease they were stopped. There were huge, sharp wedges and needles of stone just hanging there. Several twisters of dirt and stone had paused in midair, their twisting forms frozen in the shape of their vortex. There was even one attack that had been shaped like a massive paw made from dirt with sharpened stone claws.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Then the attacks began to grow. The needles and wedges began to expand. The tornados began to spin again, even faster than before, and gathered more debris. The claw was moved to the center of the whole mass of attacks, as more dirt and stone rose from the ground to meet it in midair. The additional earth packed in around it, reshaping it from something resembling the claw of a cat to that of a massive dragon claw.

Eiry’s distinct and slightly disturbing laugh echoed over the field again, drawing the eyes of most people, including those that had turned to run. The enemy leaders all snapped their heads up, too, watching as Eiry prepared to likely murder a large number of people.

Emery stood still on her sword, not sure what to do. It wasn’t like she could do anything to stop Eiry. And even if she could, Eiry was the one in charge here anyway. She could shout and yell, telling her to stop or hold back, but showing that she had no control here may backfire spectacularly. Not that letting her wipe out a huge swath of the enemy force would do the city any favors either.

In a last ditch effort, Emery did the only thing she could think of that might have any effect; she looked over at Vale with silent, pleading eyes. He met her eyes, took a deep breath, then let out a quick pulse of Qi. It was clearly a signal of some kind, but Emery wasn’t sure if it was something that dragons could understand on a deeper level.

There was only a momentary pause before Eiry struck. The techniques, all bolstered with her own Qi, were returned to the enemy. They struck the ground with such force that it kicked up a huge cloud of dust and debris. I heard Eiry give off a loud snort again, clearly full of derision, and the blast of air blew the cloud of dust away.

She had apparently deliberately struck the ground, because all of the enemy Cultivators were still standing there. Or, to be more accurate, they weren’t standing, but they still existed. Most were on their asses, staring up at Eiry in horror. The whole area was now pockmarked with small and large craters alike, and there was a huge set of four gouges that rent through the earth, probably left behind by the dragon claw technique.

As Eiry stared down at the enemies with a rather majestic level of disdain, Emery noticed the Deposits’ leaders running in a mad dash to the front lines. Several of them had their hands up, trying to forestall any sort of follow up attack that was coming. But Eiry thankfully looked disinterested and not likely to attack again.

Emery took that as a sign and decided she’d take a small gamble.

She crossed her arms, projecting as much annoyance as possible. “We were told,” she said, her voice booming over the field again, “we had an hour. And we were going to give you the same ‘courtesy’. Attack again, and our side will not hold back again.” She turned toward Eiry then, and addressed her directly. “If they attack again, wipe them out.”

Eiry grinned. The look was strange, similar to a dog showing their teeth, but there was a clear upward curve to her curled back lips, denoting the grin. It was…unnerving. And then she nodded toward Emery. Emery returned the nod, then turned back toward the Deposits’ army, arms still crossed imperiously.

Shortly thereafter, the first of the enemy leaders reached the frontline, the others not far behind them. The one in the lead threw their hood back as they began to step into the air. They looked as though they were quickly climbing up steps that weren’t there until they were about level with Emery - something like thirty or forty meters in the air.

When they got closer, Emery did her best to examine the person’s face. They appeared to be a man in his early thirties. As a Heavenly Realm Cultivator, it was hard to place an actual age, but he was likely at least a couple centuries old. The few techniques that she had seen him use also told her nothing about his capabilities. Things like voice amplification and air stepping were fairly universal things.

Avuri must have been able to feel her concern and nervousness through their link because sent some calming, supportive emotions through their link.

“Are you able to speak for the city?” He asked, folding his arms in a mimic of Emery’s stance. “Do you actually have that sort of authority?”

Emery smiled her best lopsided smile. “I do not. I am merely a defender, same as any other on the walls. If you want to speak to the Elders, I imagine they would be amenable to such a thing, though.”

The man narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “And you can contact them, then?”

“I can.” Emery said with a nod. “Though, to be fair, anyone can. They’re just within the city. Yell loud enough and they’ll hear you.” She shrugged. “Like I said. I’m no one special.”

The man snorted in disbelief. “Just a show-off with a flair for the dramatic, is that it?”

“Well…that, and six dragon friends.” Emery answered with a chuckle. “And we don’t appreciate people coming to wreck this city or the Peaks behind it.”

“Right…” He sounded unconvinced. “Fine then. Call your Elders. We will meet with them.”

Emery rolled her eyes, then reformed her voice amplification technique and angled her head vaguely back toward the city; she didn’t dare actually take her eyes from the man before her.

“Hey Elders!” She shouted. “The Deposits’ people want to talk. Peacefully, I hope.”

Then she reached out to Avuri through their connection and sent, “Your turn. Best of luck, my love.”