“What did I do wrong?”

The question came to Arnel again as he sat in his cell. He had been thrown into the city dungeon since his capture the night before and this was one of many questions he had been asking himself since his capture. Was there something more he could have done? Should he had try escaping instead of going meekly with the Guardsmen?

A night sitting in a quiet cell gave the mutant nothing but time to brood and that was what he constantly did. He was the one who was supposed to make sure everything went accordingly to plan but now he was the one who was caught. The only consolation he had was the fact he had planned for this.

Arnel had went through the plans with the other mutants on what they were supposed to do if something happened to him. If they act according to the plan, the three of them would be on their way out of the city to inform the Kin of his failure. He just need to maintain his disguise as long as he could to give the Kin time to withdraw.

Arnel looked around and saw the other prisoners in his cell. As a suspected smuggler, Arnel had been thrown in with the normal prisoners. While this was good as it meant the city did not suspect him as anything more than a simple criminal, it also meant he couldn’t relax and must constantly maintain his disguise. The Alpha would probably be delighted and say it was a sign of progress that he was still able to maintain his disguise after a night but that was cold comfort right now. Sooner or later he will slip, and when that happen…

Screams!

The dungeon began stirring as many of the prisoners heard the screaming. All of them looked up at the ceiling as the faint sound was heard. Considering that they were underground, the screams must be loud to be heard by them. Arnel heard more than a few prisoners wondering what was going on above them. His stomach knotted in fear.

Did the mutants failed to escape the city and warned the Kin? Or worse; did the Kin heard the warning and decide to attack anyway! No, Arnel quickly dismissed the latter. Arnel looked at the end of the dungeon where the sole barred window let in the light of the sun. Even if the Kin wanted to attack, they would wait till the night where they had an advantage. They would not attack during the day.

The screams got louder and louder and by now all the prisoners had heard it. Even those prisoners kept in the furthest end of the dungeon knew something was going on above. Time went by and the screaming continued. Then Arnel could also hear running footsteps. People were running and since the prisoners were in their cells that meant the prison guards were the ones running. Things must really be bad for them to call out the prison guards.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Argh!”

The prisoners heard another scream; this one closer and louder than all the others. There was a moment of silence and then Arnel heard a new sound; the sound of fighting. The dungeon only had one entrance and Arnel heard sound of fighting from the direction of the entrance. Like many of the other prisoners, he went to the bars of his cell and look out at the entrance. The woman who ran down the steps was someone he never thought he would be glad to see.

“Over here!”

Meadow saw him immediately and shouted behind her. “Down here! He’s down here!”

Ransford and Jeffery ran down soon after and Ransford opened the open of his cell. Somehow, he had found a bunch of keys. His other prisoners immediately ran off and after a brief moment of thanks, Arnel did the same.

With Jeffery leading the way, the mutants ran up the steps stepping over several dead guards. Arnel barely gave them a glance. He was far more interested in knowing what’s going on outside.

“What’s happening outside?” He ask no one in particular. “What is all that screaming?”

Ransford was the one who replied. “You wouldn’t believe me even if I tell you. It’s something you have to see to believe.”

Arnel never thought Ransford as the cryptic kind so whatever was happening must be truly unbelievable. Running at almost full speed, the four of them quickly exited the dungeon. To Arnel’s amazement, they hadn’t met any resistance on their way out. Then the shadow flew over him.

He looked up instinctively and saw it.

The creature was high up in the air and the former Guardsman was a distance from it. The creature didn’t even notice him, more intend on someone or something out of view. None of that matter. His legs turned weak. His stomach turned. A scream threatened to escape his throat.

“Don’t look!”

An arm grab his head and pushed it down. Arnel immediately felt better. His legs felt stronger. His breath returned and his mind calmed.

“Don’t look at it directly!” Meadow shouted in his ear. “Looking at it do something to your mind.”

“No, it doesn’t.” Jeffery said. “It’s just fear. The natural fear you feel when looking at a predator.”

“This is much more than just fear!” Meadow argued.

“It is a great predator. We are but ants to it.”

Arnel looked at Jeffery and saw the big mutant looking at the great creature in the air with something akin to worship. Steeling himself, he looked up and saw the creature for the second time. It was only slightly better this time.

“What is it?” Ransford asked.

“The Unique!” Arnel whispered. “It must be the unique the Creator was making deep in the tunnels. The Creator must have released it for this attack.”

The four mutants looked up at the great creature above them and saw it shooting out green mist from it’s mouth. They were in awe. The power and magnificence of the creature was almost beyond comprehension.

“I heard some of the humans calling it a dragon.” Ransford finally said.

“So that’s the dragon. It’s no wonder The Grand was defeated then. What a creature!” Arnel smiled and quickly got back to work. “Come on, this is our chance.”

“Chance?” Arnel’s three rescuers looked at him with blank looks on their faces.

“The South Gate!” Arnel said. “The Guardsmen will be busy with the dragon. Probably all the Councils as well. If you three are here that means the Kin are still outside the gate right? A gate that will be lightly defended and one we just need to open.”