Drefan was not having a good day. It took only 2 hours, and now he was surrounded, trapped on the ground, blasting acidic magic on top of hopeless rat like humans in an attempt half desperation, and half anger, simply to stay alive. Today was not a good day in his eyes. But right now? This one moment? This moment was the most satisfying moment he had ever had, in a long time.
“This! This is my might! Do you see the folly of your ways, puny humans!?” he roared through the thick, green acidic fog. His breath caused the fog to push away from him, tiny eddies forming from the force. Tucking his tail arrogantly, Drefan snorted. Now all he had to do was wait. He waited, for what seemed like entirely too long, before he stood in frustration.
There were no screams of melting humans, no pleas to their long dead gods. It was… wrong. Could it be possible he just didn't hear? Forcing his wings to unfurl he blasted off, taking to the sky. Up here the air was still clear, and he could see the sun disappearing over the horizon. Looking down- wait, what was that?
As Drefan rose, he saw the humans running around like chickens, preparing something on the other side of a seemingly invisible wall of magic. Yes, Drefan could see it now, they had erected a magical barrier. And then, in the dark of night, Drafen found the barrier for himself. Crashing into the top of said barrier.he shrieked, the magic searing against his skin, one wing buckling and snapping from the force of an instant stop. Then the barrier of magic shattered, magic shards piercing his body. Drefan shrieked some more and for the second time in his life, he fell.
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“Hold soldiers, HOLD!” The generals booming voice.quieted the troops, the rattle of metal on metal and uneven steppe stopping in a moment. The cloud of gas seemed to hit a barrier that lit up like the sun as it absorbed the energy of a dragon's magic.
“It's an acid dragon sir, do we bring the igniters?” Looking over at his lieutenant the general tilted his head, turning back to the dragon. His sword hummed at his side, hand squeezing the hilt so tight his palm was raw. Soon he would have his fight. Soon he would protect the kingdom. Soon he would have his blood.
*”General Kaleth, the seventh igniters brigade is reporting, where do you need us.” Snapped from his thoughts the general's hand left his blade, sinister thoughts quieting. Turning to his right he saw thirteen men, strapped with magical weapons that could breathe fire from nothing.
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“I need you positioned here,” he pointed a few feet ahead of him, “and there, by each shield wall. When the barrier comes down you are to ignite the gas, and retreat behind the walls, the corrosive fire will harm everything, even a dragon.” fist slamming to his opposite shoulder the sergeant began shouting orders to his men, the general watching them deploy. His hand almost grabbed for the sword yet again, an instinctive reaction he had yet to get checked by healers and a saint back in the capitol. Now was not the time for thoughts, now was the time for action. Steeling his resolve, the general prepared for the final battle.
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Drefan was feeling fear for the first time. As hatching fighting for his life against his siblings, he didn't feel this close to death. Against his lone surviving brother for his magic, with scales torn asunder and both eyes missing, he didn't feel truly afraid. Only sadness, and rage. Now? He couldn't even feel rage.
Even a dragon, as haughty as any, knows when to admit they've been bested, and Drefan knew he had been. Though his heart was gilded gold and more confident than any, he knew the odds were not in his favor. These soldiers had silver alloy piercing weapons, a mage of a level he thought didn't exist anymore, and magical gear down below that could harm a dragon. Put it together? Drefan would still win, but he had a newfound respect for humans. Perhaps they weren't as weak as he thought.
As he fell into his cloud of poisonous gas he snarled, the magic even capable of burning the burning cuts caused by magic, once it left him it was no longer his, and had a mind of its own. Then the magic lit and changed to fire, a Drefan roared a new pain. He was going to slaughter them all.
As the fire cleared, Drefan stood before an army of men, burnt, scarred, one wing broken. He wished he could smile properly, for it looked like he was snarling. He supposed both would do in the end.
“Well? Come on then, I'll give you your fight.” The men roared in response, and charged. Balls of magical fire flew over their backs, arcing through the twilight like comets, splashing across Drefans scales harmlessly, until they found the cuts and gashes he had been given. It was no matter, just a sting, and Drefan retaliated instantly, tail sweeping up like a scorpion’s. Dragons fire bellowed in his chest, coursing through his veins like a serpent, collecting in his tail like a ball of death, and liquid acid shot, his own volley of magic crashing across the human magic users.
Drefan loved the smell of their death. At the same time he swept around with his wings, collecting stab wounds across his wings from spear and sword, ignoring the pain in favor of throwing a dozen men every which way. Roaring he strode forward, crashing through their shield wall wings in front, the screams of men crushed and splattered like paintballs, a symphony in his ears. Oh how he missed this! The carnal battle, no planning, just one against another in a battle to the death. Drefan almost didn't want it to end.
Almost.
So when he saw the general atop his brilliant white steed, cursed sword drawn, Drefan howled in delight. Here was a fight worthy of his sole attention. Every fighter could feel it, and they backed off, warily stumbling about, tired. Bodies littered the ground, helmets crushed, shields torn through, a mix of metal and flesh on Drefans claws.
“Any last words, beast?” The general charged, his horse fearless in his control.
“They aren't yours to hear, human!” roaring, claws sunk into the ground, and Drefan Charged back.