The waves rise higher as the storm rolls in. Lightning bolts streak across the sky and begin to slam down on the tallest buildings on Terre Goth. Thunder reverberates through the air. The wind howls through the city. All of the helicopters and drones take refuge on the ground. The sirens warn all the citizens to take cover inside.

The ferocious waves crash in further up the beach than ever before. The city begins to toss from side to side. Tin roofs are ripped free from the shanties in the valley. Windows break and shingles fly off in Middletown. Trees fall on expensive cars in Uptown Penn.

Below the city are billowing black waters. In the waters, enraged mermaids gather in the swirl of waves. They snatch at men and women exposed to the elements. A lucky swipe gathers in the occasional victim. The mermaids writhe against one another tearing their victim between them as the wave carries them back down from the peninsula’s edge.

Overhead in the flashes another form is seen by any daring to look up. Something with broad wings. Something as black as the night. Something with eyes as red as molten steel. A beast so fierce soldiers scream like women when it swoops down to grab them. It tosses a man in its fanged mouth like a piece of popcorn and takes refuge in the dark clouds above.

As Chaos ensues on the surface, beneath the city, the enraged mermaids persist in their relentless assault. Their haunting cries blend with the sound of the crashing waves, creating an eerie symphony of terror. With each passing moment, they grow bolder, their fury escalating.

People who were unfortunate enough to be caught outside become easy prey for the mermaids. Their clawed hands reach out from churning waters, snatching anyone they can grab. The victims struggle futilely, their terrified screams drowned out by the raging storm. The mermaids drag them below the surface, disappearing into the depths as quickly as they emerged.

Meanwhile, above the city, a dark and ominous presence circles in the tempestuous sky. Flashes of lightning briefly illuminate its immense form, revealing its massive wings and black scales. When the darkness envelopes it again only its piercing red eyes remain. It is a creature of pure darkness, instilling fear in the hearts of the bravest warriors. The ebony dragon.

The beast descends with a ferocious dive, swooping down upon unsuspecting soldiers who dared to face the storm. Its powerful jaws clamp around a man, tossing him aside like a mere plaything. The creature retreats to the safety of the clouds, its presence a constant reminder of the imminent danger that surrounds the city.

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Inside the city, the situation worsens. Buildings shake violently, their foundations tested by the relentless onslaught. The winds howl with an otherworldly force, tearing through the streets and alleyways. Debris becomes deadly projectiles, causing further destruction and chaos.

As the storm rages on, the city’s resilience is tested. People huddle together in makeshift shelters, seeking solace and safety amidst the turmoil. They pray to EverAm for the storm to pass, for the nightmare to end. But with each passing moment, it becomes clear that this is no ordinary storm.

The ebony dragon roars from the depth of a black cloud and dives toward Terre Goth. A black streak of shiny scales and glowing red eyes. High above a man sits upon the clouds and watches the serpentine beast. Lightning wraps around the creature yet doesn’t harm it. The man looks beyond the beast and sees the man it intends to devour.

A beaten man stumbles on the swaying street. He hasn’t noticed the predator about to snap him up. The man in torn clothes clutches an object to his chest. The unfortunate man looks as if he has been trampled by life continually. The man in the clouds looks down with pity.

Elias opens his fist and looks at the vial in his hand. The ivory vial glows slightly in the darkness. The EverAm stands suddenly upon the cloud. Elias looks up as the beast roars. The black dragon wrapped in a web of white-hot lightning careening down on him. Elias seems at peace. He closes his eyes.

The EverAm hears Elias’ heart resonating with gratitude and wonder. The pitiful man finds solace in memories of Barden dancing in his vibrant orange suit. EverAm smiles, he reminisces watching Barden dance and sing. With a wave of his hand, the dragon is tossed off course and nearly crashes to the ground.

The great dragon looks back over its shoulder bewildered and unable to comprehend the unseen force that intervened.

EverAm rises from the cloud and ascends up until he can see the sun far off. With a glance back he commands the storm to calm, and the winds respond. He rests his hand on the hilt of his great sword at his hip. It hums, its power eager to be released. EverAm pats the hilt acknowledging its yearning to be unleashed.

The ebony dragon rises up above the clouds very near to EverAm yet still does not see the man. The dragon rolls back into a dive. “You shall not see, smell or touch the man Elias this day,” EverAm speaks, and the dragon is selectively blinded.

EverAm returns to his throne above the horizon and his attendants gather around him. The darkness at Terre Goth persists. The rains soak and the winds blow. The mermaids screech and the dragon dives until it is full. Elias clings to a light pole to steady himself yet none of the terrors draw near to him. He is protected this night on command of the EverAm.

The EverAm’s command is unwavering. Though the city is tossed and rocked, and the beasts plunder, all is restrained.