(William)

William leaned over the embrasure.

The dragon is dead… He stared in disbelief.

His brother had somehow killed it…

Soldiers along the wall cheered wildly.

I can’t believe he did that. William gaped. That was so reckless… and impulsive…

A vortex engulfed the injured Stone Giant, and the summoned sentinel was whisked away in a flash of golden sand.

Ivan still crouched on the ground.

What’s he doing? William narrowed his eyes.

His aunt grabbed his arm. “What do you see?” Her voice was laced with worry.

“Arrgh, his skin is blistering, and his body is…”

“I can see that,” his aunt interrupted. “Use your magical sight.”

“Oh, yeah, yeah.”

William’s eyes widened as he saw what was happening. Fiery tendrils of crimson magic spewed out of the fallen dragon and surged into his brother.

His aunt tapped him on the shoulder. “Well, what’s happening?”

“Magic is streaming out of the dragon,” he paused, “and it looks like Ivan is absorbing it.”

“What?” His aunt looked like she was about to vault over the wall and rush to Ivan.

“Look!” William pointed. “His skin is turning back to normal. His body is pulsing with magic… Scraps, that’s dragon magic!”

Lisa’s hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “Oh, William,” she whispered. “This is how he gets his magic…”

“Right, the future portal in the Temple of Cea’Nia.” William nodded. “I remember now.” He recalled the story of Jane and Ivan going through the labyrinth on Eel Island. In the future portal, his brother had wielded some kind of fire magic.

As the last tendrils of magical essence left the dragon, the body of the ancient beast disintegrated into smoke and ash. Spiraling gusts of wind picked up its smoldering remains and funneled them into the collapsing abyssal portal.

William watched Ivan. His brother stood up and examined his hands, as though seeing them for the first time. He wondered if Ivan could see the red vines of magic that coiled and slithered around his body.

Ivan has dragon magic…

(Ivan)

Ivan felt like he had been plunged into a blazing furnace. An overpowering force was leaving the dragon and burrowing into him. He clenched his jaw and stifled a scream. The pain was excruciating. His arms trembled.

What’s happening? He convulsed as more dragon magic poured into him.

As the pain abated, he took a shuddering breath. He tilted his head. A familiar feeling coursed through him. This was the magic that he had used to save Jane when they had entered the fiery abyss in the future portal.

Ivan picked up a rock and crushed it between his fingers.

So much power!

The mystery of his fire magic was finally revealed. It was dragon magic.

He tilted his head as he recalled Jane’s words when she had given him the sword of Alaras – “I’m not sure when and I’m not sure how, but I know that you’re going to need it. I know that your life will depend on it.”

She had been right. Without the Giant Steel blade, he would have died in his reckless attempt to slay the dragon. Even though its scale had been cracked, a normal sword would have surely failed to pierce the thick skull of the beast.

He stood up. Color and movement caught his attention. He looked down at his arms. His veins glowed like fire. He slowly curled and uncurled his fingers.

He looked up and surveyed the battlefield. The eastern gate was broken. The moat was flattened. He clenched his jaw and growled.

Even though the dragon had been defeated, Stoneridge was wide open for the enemy’s ground offensive.

(Rob Stone)

A messenger raced inside the command center. “Lord Commander, the dragon and the giant demolished the southern gate and flattened the moat,” she blurted. “Even the wall was cracked.”

Rob’s jaw clenched. Rot and ruin, he cursed. Our southern defenses are compromised.

He turned to one of the other runners. “Deliver a message to Lord Tinbury with the latest developments. Let him know that I’ll lead the reserves to the southern gate. Clay has the command center.”

“Right away.” The runner saluted and raced out of the hall.

He glanced at Clay, who was scrutinizing the battle map.

“Reposition the archers from the Lynx division to the top of the Alcove Sunstone Garden,” Clay commanded as he moved one of the markers toward a large building near the southern gate. “Dispatch Hark Bolt and his soldiers to the southern wall.” He moved another marker on the map.

“Get my cavalry unit ready,” Rob bellowed.

“As you will, Lord Commander.” Another messenger saluted and sprinted toward the flagbearers on the balcony to transmit the latest orders.

Rob turned toward Commander Clay. “Keep an eye on the eastern wall and send all available soldiers to the south.”

“Agreed. I’ll get you more shifters. We need a bottleneck. I’ll mobilize the civilians and dispatch the guilders to the southern gate.”

“It’s a good day to make history.” Rob and the Old Fox clasped forearms.

“Unleash retribution!” Commander Clay gave him a toothy grin. “Show them why they should fear the Swiftblade of Scar.”

Another messenger dashed into the great hall. “Lord Commander, the dragon is dead… The dragon is dead!” The runner tried to catch her breath.

“The giant was losing the fight, but then one of our soldiers jumped over the wall and plunged a sword into the dragon’s head. It’s pandemonium. Our soldiers on the southern wall are in an uproar.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Rob’s jaw dropped. The dragon is dead? His mouth twitched, he took in a sharp breath, and grinned. “What happened to the giant?”

“It was badly injured but survived. After the fight, it disappeared into a sand portal.”

“The turning point of the war is at hand.” Rob looked at Clay as he tightened the straps of his armor.

Commander Clay saluted and raised his fist. “Hold the gate. I’ve got the helm.”

“As long as we live and breathe, we won’t let them pass old friend.” Rob nodded and rushed out of the command center.

The time had finally arrived for Rob to do what he was born to do. He was a warrior. He was a leader. His people needed him, and he was going to answer the call.

He ran onto the street. His cavalry unit was ready for action. He hustled to the front, where his horse, Nightmane, was already saddled. Rob vaulted onto the horse and turned around.

“The southern gate has been breached, yet our resolve remains unbroken,” Rob bellowed. “Today, an Infernal Dragon was slain by one of our own soldiers. One man defeated the most ferocious beast from the abyss. Imagine what we can do together. We will crush the invaders and bring freedom to the Nature Kingdom!”

The cavalry raised their shields and cheered.

Rob raised his sword, Final Discord, and charged ahead.

(William)

William had never wanted to hurt anyone in his life until today. His favorite quote, “Live and let live,” no longer applied to drummers. The booming sounds of the Shadow Lands war drums had continuously reverberated in his skull for the last few hours. He nursed a splitting headache from his overuse of magic, and the pounding of those drums was not helping.

“We need more boulders,” his aunt cried out. The pile of stone ammunition behind them was nearly gone.

Rose, Lisa, and William had moved to one of the towers next to the smashed gate. Drake, Yana, and Lin had taken over the opposite tower. The bulk of the Nature casters had been reassigned to the breach.

They had been Levitating stone blocks since the collapse of the southern gate. Their barrage had been devastating. It had crippled the Shadow Lands attempts to secure a firm foothold within the city.

“William, take a break,” Lisa yelled above the din of the battle. She Levitated a large rock and hurled it over the wall. She crouched down, reached inside her enchanted bag, and snagged a couple of items. “Here’s a booster bar, some dried meat, cheese, and a bottle of milk.”

“Aunt Lisa, you’re the best.” William slumped behind the battlement. “I’m totally starving.” He devoured a booster bar. “We need more flavors for these things. I’d love something that tastes like cocoa-butter truffles or cherry berry pie.” His aunt was either too busy to respond or she had not heard him. He shrugged.

Hmm, I’d make a great baker one day, William mused as he gulped some milk. Scraps, I could be as famous as Flossy Breadcrumb. He grinned and licked his lips.

An old man trudged behind them with a buggy. He and several others started to unload rocks and boulders.

“The stone supply is running low,” the old man grumbled. “Some of the lads have been tasked with breaking down some of the nearby buildings. We’ll keep bringing rocks until we run out. So, make them count. You hear me?” he barked. “I ain’t breaking my back for nothing.”

William nodded to the old man and watched him work. He greedily scarfed down the dried meat. The food was the perfect cure for his headache.

I’m not sure why, but that grouchy old man is kind of endearing. William grinned as the old man glared.

“I got another ladder unit,” Rose boasted. A Lightning Strike hit the wall next to her and she ducked. “I’ve taken down nine so far. What about you two?”

“I haven’t been keeping count, Rose,” Lisa replied.

“Pfft!” Rose huffed. “You’re no fun. How about you, William?”

“I only have five, but I’ll pass you as soon as I’m done eating.”

“Keep dreaming. By the time you’re done snacking, I’ll add a few more to my count.”

William harrumphed.

The shifters stationed in the two towers above the gate had continuously bombarded the enemy forces. They had crushed dozens of siege engines and broken every organized shield formation that had stormed the city. The battered enemy units that had made it through the gate had been easy pickings for the Nature Kingdom’s forces in the courtyard.

Yet, more kept coming. In the last hour, the fight had slowly spilled into the courtyard behind them, but they were still holding.

William’s eyes widened as black magical threads appeared at the top of the staircase. He saw a crouching invisible figure and yelled, “Rose, behind you!”

Rose ducked, narrowly avoiding a Lightning Strike. William’s Light-bolt missed the enemy caster who dashed toward his aunt.

Swish! Thwack!

A long root pierced the Shadow caster in the throat like a wooden spear. The woman collapsed onto the ground and her Invisibility winked out. She tried to speak but only made gurgling sounds.

“No hurt my lady,” Sapple rumbled.

“Thank you, Sapple.” Lisa smiled gratefully at the little tree and tossed him a sugar cube.

“I serve my lady,” Sapple hummed and disappeared before their eyes.

Rose prowled to the fallen Shadow caster and stabbed her for good measure. “I’ll take out the garbage.” She Levitated the limp body and threw it over the wall.

William paled. Sometimes, Rose is really scary. I’m glad that we’re on the same side.

“William, I’m not sure how the Shadow caster got through the tower sentries, but great job on spotting her.” Lisa gave him a tired smile. “She could’ve easily killed all of us. Keep using your magical sight.”

“Yes, Aunt Lisa.”

William glanced over the backwall. The Shadowcloaks that stormed past the gate were met with rows of shields and spears. The defensive crescent formation had endured the enemy onslaught, but it was slowly being pushed back. The whistling of arrows intermixed with the screams of battle.

Behind the crescent formation, Rob and his cavalry crushed any enemies that broke through the frontline. William had noticed that Ivan and his Wolf division had joined the battle in the courtyard earlier. His brother and his men supported the left flank. Commander Craw and the Fox division covered the right flank.

William had no trouble finding Ivan with his magical sight. The crimson tendrils of Ivan’s new dragon magic were easy to spot.

He watched as a group of Shadowcloaks broke through the left flank. Ivan rushed ahead of the Wolf division to intercept them. His brother decapitated one of the men and brutally kicked the headless body out of his way. He wildly mowed down the rest of the group.

William frowned. He had never seen his brother act that way before. He was reckless and bloodthirsty.

Ivan is never reckless. He frowned. For crying-out-loud, his favorite word is “strategy”. Scraps, he even plans when he’s going to plan.

William narrowed his eyes. I wonder if the dragon magic is affecting his emotions. His frown deepened.

As the hours passed, the Shadow Lands’ soldiers continued to push back the Nature Kingdom’s vanguard. Every inch of gained ground cost them a score of dead men.

William’s head snaped around as the invaders cheered. He saw a hulking man enter the fray. The steel-clad soldier towered above the sea of Shadowcloaks. The brute raised a Dragon Steel sword and bellowed.

Even though the hulking soldier was fully armored, and his face was covered, William knew exactly who he was. He did not need to see the golden dragon sigil on his chest to recognize Rock Stump.

The Mad General.

With every swing, Rock sliced through shields and gutted defenders. Singlehandedly, he collapsed a section of the defensive formation. Rock and his elite warriors pushed deeper into the courtyard and bodies piled up behind them.

William’s eyes widened when Rock and Rob, collided at the back of the courtyard.

Anyone that got too close to their fight was slaughtered. The soldiers around them kept their distance as the duel between the two intensified. A few arrows bounced harmlessly off Rock’s armor as he continued to swing his Dragon Steel blade with savage bloodlust.

William was mesmerized by their battle. The Mad General used brute strength. The Lord Commander countered with speed and agility.

The Dragon Steel blade struck the Giant Steel blade. Their swords glowed brighter as they clashed.

William’s remaining dried meat and cheese were forgotten as he stared, spellbound by the deadly clash. He recognized some of the sword fighting techniques from Ivan’s training. Rob glided side-to-side using the Flying Leaf. Rock advanced with the aggressive Lumberjack.

Maybe I can use a Lightning Strike? William considered the idea but then dismissed it. He saw a lot of friendly soldiers nearby and it was too risky.

I might hit Rob…

William gasped as Rob narrowly evaded an overhead swing. The Mad General followed it with a thrust that the Lord Commander deflected. Rob deftly countered and sliced his opponent across the chest. The lamellar armor absorbed the hit, but it came at a price. Several of the armor’s steel plates were damaged.

Rock bellowed as he staggered backwards. A nearby Nature Kingdom solider charged at him.

“For my sister!” the woman cried out as she leveled her spear. A Shadowcloak moved to intercept her, but he was too late.

The spear collided with Rock’s shoulder.

BANG!

The spear shattered and the Mad General stumbled.

Rob took advantage of the opening. The Lord Commander lunged forward and stabbed Rock. His blade pierced the damaged armor plates. The Rock howled and he seized Rob’s sword hand. He snarled and wrenched Rob toward him, the Giant Steel blade plunged deeper into his own chest. The Lord Commander jerked his blade to the right and slammed his palm under the Mad General’s chin, dislodging his helmet. Rock Stump grunted in pain. He punched Rob, knocking off his visor, and followed with a swift jab.

Rob’s eyes widened and blood gushed from his neck.

Rock sneered.

What? William was stunned. He focused on Rock’s hand and saw a retractable dagger under his bracer.

Rob grabbed his neck and kicked the Mad General, who faltered and fell to his knees. Rob kicked him again and Rock fell backwards.

The Mad General’s eyes were defiant even as he took his last breath.