“Stand your ground!” a Demi-God roared and golden kite shields materialised. They printed walls of glittery crystal bricks and slammed them together. The seams disappeared, the sparkly yellow crystal glowed and the shield wall tilted.
The rain of purple spheres collided with the colossal shield wall and detonated on impact. The Demi-Gods stopped running and turned around. Their morale rose and they let out delighted cheers.
General Illumoon smirked. She let go of her omni-gun and it dematerialised. Her Dragon bone plated eye drones vanished and appeared behind the crystal wall. Khanyi clapped her hands and they fired another barrage of glittery purple spheres. The eye drones locked onto another target. Their eyes flashed and they fired again.
“Enough!” Neith shouted and glittery crystal pyramids encapsulated the Dragon bone plated drones. The Egyptian Demi-God waved her hand and bright white hieroglyphs appeared on the pyramids. “Oh?” Khanyi whispered and she stared at the blank monitors. Her Astral body approached the control panel and she initiated the self-destruct function. The nano-portals imploded and the magical cells in each drone were destroyed.
“Retreat. Now!” Neith commanded and the remaining Demi-Gods nodded. General Illumoon let out a high-pitched laugh and her crystal scales sparkled. She swallowed her head and her crystal helmet blinked erratically. Khanyi’s golden beak extended, her neck grew longer and her wings opened slowly. The Crystal Swan Dragon glittered beautifully, her gold-plated Dragon bone armour sparkled and her indigo robes fluttered in the wind.
“It is far too late for that now. Capture them, if you can, and kill the rest.” General Illumoon rumbled menacingly. Eight Hundred and ninety-nine Mother Ships appeared suddenly. They had surrounded the giant men and women in the blink of an eye. The Egyptian Demi-Goddess looked up at the sun.
“And to think, you warned me of this.” Neith said to the sun. She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply and grew steadily. The Egyptian Demi-Goddess vibrated and her eyes shone like floodlights. She scanned the battlefield and the nine hundred enormous whales with cities on their backs.
Neith materialised an Ankh shaped sceptre and clutched it tightly. She flicked her wrist and the Shield God was sucked backwards through an Astral tunnel. The tube of glittery inter-dimensional energy collapsed and the confused giant looked around frantically. He dashed to the side and narrowly dodged the Minotaur Dragon’s axe. Domanique chuckled, flapped her bat-like wings and drove her shoulder into his chest. She vanished, appeared beside her opponent and swung at his legs.
Khanyi appeared before the Egyptian Demi-Goddess, with her right arm raised. She tore out Neith’s throat and vanished quickly. The Crystal Swan Dragon circled her opponent, before she appeared behind the Egyptian Demi-Goddess and gouged out her spine. Neith screamed and the shockwave knocked everyone back.
Khanyi appeared a hundred metres above her. She vanished, dodged the violent vibrations in the air and reappeared in the same place. The Crystal Swan Dragon wagged her finger and shook her head. She inhaled sharply, opened her mouth and opened a portal to her hearth. Khanyi’s Astral bodies pushed and the glittery fire balls, floating in the deep dark recesses of space, rocketed towards the Astral tunnel.
The Crystal Swan Dragon delayed her attack. She watched the giant woman and smiled. A sparkly light filled her wounds and replaced the damaged or missing cells. However, Neith’s energy output remained the same. Khanyi vanished and the giant woman summoned a sphinx, with a flash of light.
The Crystal Swan Dragon appeared below, beside and above the creature. She opened her mouth, revealed a sphere of inter-dimensional energy and exhaled sharply three times. The Mana infused spheres of star fire burst out, crashed into the sphinx and incinerated it.
Khanyi let out a disappointed sigh. She transformed and returned to her humanoid form. The Crystal Dragon’s beak shrunk. She opened her mouth wider and closed her eyes. General Illumoon removed the pearly white mask on her face. The light bounced off the Dragon bone face plate and Neith was captivated by its iridescent sheen.
“Strange. You cannot keep up, can you? So, much energy and yet you do not know what to do with it. You are like children that do not know the strength of their own bodies. How much do you know about the worlds and the machines in our cells? How much do you truly know about nano-technology?” Khanyi asked and a cold shiver ran down the Demi-Gods' spines. The Egyptian Demi-Goddess’ golden trinkets and armour sparkled. Her ankh grew into a staff and she materialised a shield, shaped like a scarab, onto her left forearm.
“Oh? Fine. We have our ways of extracting information.” General Illumoon said with a sinister smile and Neith clenched her teeth. She swung her staff and her right arm was severed. The Egyptian Demi-Goddess’ eyes bulged. She looked over her left shoulder and Khanyi tossed her arm back at her. Neith reached out and the severed limb shrunk mysteriously, before it disappeared.
“Whoops.” General Illumoon said playfully. She vanished and dismembered the giant woman. The Egyptian Demi-Goddess inhaled sharply and Khanyi crushed her throat. She gripped the giant woman’s neck and she shrunk involuntarily.
“Oh? It seems your stature is affected by your mental state. Are you afraid, Goddess?” General Illumoon asked with a sinister giggle. Neith nodded and Khanyi’s mask materialised onto her face. “Good. That will keep you alive.” She replied and the giant woman shrunk mysteriously as well. She disappeared and General Illumoon scanned the battlefield. Her fleet had captured hundreds of Demi-Gods and slaughtered thousands more. One Mother Ship stood out from the rest.
Sergeant BladeClaw had broke foramtion. He drew his katana and slashed at the air. The fleeing Dem-Gods looked over their shoulders and their arms and legs were severed by invisible forces. Kenpachi stood on the nose of his ship. He sheathed his blade and exhaled slowly. The slack jawed Salamander Dragon tapped his right foot and his Mother Ship opened her mouth. She scooped up the falling giants, while he stared at the dark grey clouds over the horizon.
The Minotaur Dragon bound her captives in a leathery rope and the knots tied themselves tightly. She nodded, scanned the vast seas and marveled at the planet’s beauty.
“Tis a shame, ma’am.” Sergeant Walter said and Khanyi glanced at her. “What is, Sergeant?” she asked curiously. “That such a beautiful world will be plunged into the fires of war.” The Minotaur Dragon said somberly.
“And reclaim the ashes when we are done? No, thank you. I prefer quick and precise strikes on highly valuable targets. The Gods we have captured will guide our blades directly to their necks. Remember this, Sergeant; a swift victory was sealed the moment I was assigned to this fleet.” General Illumoon rumbled confidently and the Southern Fleet roared triumphantly.
*
Khanyi stared at the blizzard. She turned around and noticed the relived expressions on everyone but Domanique's and Kenpachi’s faces. General Illumoon turned around again. She glared at the vast snow dunes and the faint blue mountains through the blistering winds.
“We have reached the south pole, Major, and there is still no sign of The Prince.” Khanyi said without taking her eyes off the icy wasteland. “Aye, he misled us. The continent to the northeast appears to have been his destination.” The Sloth Dragon replied with an embarrassed chuckle. General Illumoon sighed.
“And how long will it take to build the pyramid?” Khanyi asked in a monotone voice. “Three months…after we have finished investigating the area. The poles are the homes of the Cosmic Trees and yet I do not feel its awe-inspiring presence anywhere nearby.” The old Dragon rumbled worryingly.
Stolen novel; please report.
“Aye. Then I suppose our next course of action has been decided for us. I want a ringed formation with our most formidable combatants posted near the outer rim. Fan out and scan everything. The rest of us will begin working on the pyramid. The sooner we find out what happened here the sooner I can go see The Prince. He and I have much to discuss.” General Illumoon said with an eager grin.
*
Kenpachi strode across the snow. He held onto his cloak and it staved off the blistering winds. The Salamander Dragon walked for hours before he stopped and scanned his surroundings once more.
Kenpachi strode across the snow. He inspected the warp gate embedded in the centre of a stone podium. The Salamander Dragon raised his hood and walked down the stone steps. He held onto his cloak, crossed the dimensional barrier and ventured out into the blizzard again.
Kenpachi strode across the snow. He spotted the mountain in the distance and raised his head when the winds had died down. The sun shone through the clouds and the dark blue sky came into view. The Salamander Dragon inhaled deeply and the ice-cold air stung his lungs. He continued walking and spotted a glowing crevice several kilometres away.
“I have found something.” Kenachi reported and he shared images of the glowing crack in the ice. The Salamander Dragon knelt and peered through the it. He noted the pale blue light and continued walking. “It grows wider the closer I get to the mountain.” Kenpachi reported. “Proceed with caution, sergeant.” Major Jabba replied. “Roger that.” The Salamander Dragon said and he left the Khanyi's observation tower.
Kenpachi walked until he came across a colossal chasm. The Salamander Dragon gripped the sword at his hip, leaned over the edge and peered down. He stared at the darkness until he made out the faint blue glow at the very bottom. Kenpachi looked up and he tracked the deep crack in the ice to the mountains in the distance.
“I do not believe the mountain can be reached from the surface. I am descending to investigate.” The Salamander Dragon reported. “Wait for reinforcements, Sergeant. It could be a trap.” Major Jabba replied warily. “Sergeant? Why is it that the youngest of us are also the most impatient?” he wondered and General Illumoon giggled. “Because we have all the time in the world and we do not want to waste a second of it.” she replied happily and the Sloth Dragon sighed. “Clan heads should not be so reckless with their lives. House BladeClaw can be rebuilt.” He rumbled hopefully.
“I will be fine, Major. I do not detect any lifeforms. And I refuse to rebuild my Clan upon a foundation of rage and vengeance.” Kenpachi rumbled and the image of Clyde feasting on corpses flashed before Major Jabba. “I see. Then do not lose sight of what is most important. You are the only Dragon currently in the field without a people to aid you. May the Universe be with you.” The Sloth Dragon rumbled empathetically and the Salamander Dragon’s Astral body disappeared.
“Apologies, ma’am, but you consider yourself-”“-careful, sergeant. Do not let my accomplishments fool you. I am young enough to be your older sister.” Khanyi rumbled proudly. Domanique scanned the medals and badges on the Crystal Swan Dragon’s left breast plate and smiled. “Yes, ma’am.” She replied.
*
The Salamander Dragon fell like a feather. He kept his left hand on his sword’s hilt and descended steadily into the darkness. Twenty minutes passed before Kenpachi found something. He spotted a glittery granite bridge and torches that burned bright blue in the abyss.
The Salamander Dragon recognized the sparkly blue flames immediately. He scanned the strange bridge, the surrounding darkness and the stone tunnels at the very end. Kenpachi landed softly on the granite bricks and the torches flared. He tilted his head to the side and checked the scan results once more.
“Nothing. No, there is something or someone deeper. What is this place? There is sound, so it cannot be the void. However, I feel a similar chill in the air. This place is either dead or occupied by them?” Kenpachi wondered. He crossed the bridge, entered the dark tunnel and many more torches ignited. They emitted a pale blue glow that illuminated the glittery granite bricks.
The Salamander Dragon steeled himself, before he ventured deeper into the tunnel. He walked for an hour and was surprised to find a colossal cavern at the end. The torches along the four bridges, the street lamps, the torches on the walls as well as the granite cauldron on top of the tallest tower ignited. The blue flames flared and bright white glow illuminated the underground city. Kenpachi scanned the glittery cavern walls, the stalactites and the stalagmites. His eyes fell on the western and eastern bridges and he scanned them as well.
The Salamander Dragon took off and spread his wings. He circled the city and noticed the tiny stone structures on the southern most bridge. Kenpachi scanned the stone buildings and he spotted a tiny energy signature.
“A child? Here? People live this far below the surface? How?” the Salamander Dragon wondered and the child heard the flapping of colossal wings. The tiny heat signature turned to face the source of the sound, before it collapsed.
“Damn it.” Kenpachi thought. He pulled back, lowered his energy output and an Astral body knelt beside the little girl. Her skin was a light shade of blue and her hair was snow white. She wore tattered robes made from animal fur, boots made from animal leather as well as a dagger and a canteen tied to her belt.
“What are you doing here?” Sergeant BladeClaw asked and the child opened her eyes. The little girl blinked erratically and gasped, when she noticed his crimson skin. “Tel’iah kral’u’ik, lo’rk do’ka’un! Dr’K! Dr’K!” the little girl said with excitement and she giggled happily.
“I have never heard this language before. Does Dr’K mean Dragon or Drakk’N?” Kenpachi wondered and the child pointed at the city. She ran ahead, turned around and beckoned the eight-metre-tall crimson skinned man. He followed her to the city gates and his seven hundred and fifty metre tall body watched from the ceiling.
The little girl ran ahead and stopped again. She giggled with her hands behind her back, backed up to the edge and fell backwards. Sergeant BladeClaw gasped and his DragonHeart appeared at the edge. He looked down and watched the little girl land on a rickety wooden scaffold.
Kenpachi vanished and appeared on the wooden boards, before they collapsed. He caught the girl and stepped onto the ledge. The girl giggled and ran towards the two-kilometre-tall stone double doors. She slid down the sloped path with an excited smile and the crimson skinned man slid down after her.
Sergeant BladClaw and the girl stopped in front of the doors. They approached carefully and he placed his hand on the stone. Kenpachi looked up and spotted a balcony in front of the keyhole. He pointed to it and then pointed at the girl. She nodded and he knelt. The little girl hopped into his arms and Sergeant BladeClaw rose slowly.
“Her body is surprisingly cold. She appears to be a human child. Who are her people? Have they always lived here? And what do they know of this place? I won’t learn anything until I learn her language. Which, depending on her proficiency, could take time. I could steal the information from her mind…no, my presence alone nearly rendered her unconscious. Exerting my influence on her mind might kill her. I have to wait until she has said enough or until she has grown strong enough. It seems I will be playing the part of archaeologist, caretaker and teacher for a while.” Kenpachi thought as he entered the keyhole tunnel.
“My name…Ken. Pa. Chi. Kenpachi. Dragon.” Sergeant BladeClaw said and he pointed at himself. “Tel’iah! Tel’iah!” the little girl shouted happily and she pointed at herself. Her stomach grumbled and she wobbled in the crimson skinned man’s arms. “Tel’iah, eat. Hungry.” Kenpachi said and he placed Tel’iah on the floor.
Sergeant BladeClaw reached into his cloak and produced a bento box. He waved his hand and a small campfire ignited beside him. Kenpachi took off his cloak and draped it around her shoulders, before he placed the lunchbox in her hands and sat down. The little girl looked up at him with teary eyes. The delicious aromas wafted up her nostrils and she sniffed.
“Dr’K…Ken’Pachi…do’rah.” Tel’iah said and she bowed humbly. “You are most welcome. Now eat.” Sergeant BladeClaw replied and he sat in front of the fire. The little girl sat next to him. She opened the bento box slowly and wept with each bite.
Tel’iah burped and giggled. She looked down at the box and nodded at what remained. The little girl stared at the food for a few seconds, before she shook her head and made up her mind. Tel’iah closed the bento box and looked up at the crimson skinned man, when another thought occurred. Kenpachi stared at her for a while, before he understood what was worrying her. He produced several more bento boxes and the little girl’s eyes twinkled. She then turned back, looked ahead and steeled herself.
“Pachi’La, do’rah.” Tel’iah said thankfully and she held the cloak up. “Keep it. You will need it to protect yourself.” Sergeant BladeClaw said and he shone a hologram of the pale little girl in the palm of his left hand. She gripped the cloak tightly and it projected a crystal dome shaped shield. Tel’iah gasped and marveled at the image.
“Do’rah!” the little girl shouted and she hugged the crimson skinned man’s leg. “Let us proceed with our search.” Kenpachi said quickly and he scanned the rest of the tunnel. The duo walked quietly. They approached the other side of the keyhole tunnel and their eyes adjusted to the light quickly.
“By the Universe.” Sergeant BladeClaw muttered when he saw the throne room. He picked Tel’iah up and dropped like feather. The little girl closed her eyes and looked around. “Dr’K! Dr’K!” She shouted and pointed to the corner. Kenpachi looked up at the skull protruding from the wall. He scanned it and followed the shape of its body. He turned around, backed away and stared at the Dragon bone skeleton embedded in the ceiling.
“Major, permission to speak privately?” Sergeant BladeClaw requested and he placed Tel'iah down gently. The Sloth Dragon turned to Khanyi. “Dismissed.” She ordered and the hundreds of Draconic Astral bodies present left her observation tower. “Granted. What is it…sergeant?” Major Jabba asked and the images flooded in as soon as he spoke. General Illumoon looked over her shoulder and the Sloth Dragon’s jaw dropped. She waved her hand and brought up the image of a stone seat, large enough for a Dragon.
“The Prince’s throne. Then who are they?” Khanyi wondered out loud. “We need a sample of their cells. We won’t have any way of knowing who they are without taking a sample.” The Sloth Dragon said softly. “Good work keeping this quiet. The last thing we need is to tempt any thievery.” General Illumoon rumbled calmly.
“Especially if two of our kind are working against us. We do not know their locations, how many legitimate and illegitimate Dragons there were on this world, whether the Council sent any expeditions since this world was created nor what became of them. Yes, there are far too many unknowns.” Major Jabba deduced as he paced back and forth.
“I found a human girl wandering around. I believe she may hold some answers. I am still learning her language.” Kenpachi reported and Khanyi nodded. “Then again, it seems the decision has been made for us. Continue to watch over the girl. We need you to establish a good rapport with her people. Learn all you can and report back periodically.” She ordered with a curious smile.
General Illumoon’s Astral bodies scoured the tomes, scrolls and hard drives in her private library. They gathered anything that mentioned the Land of Iron Mountains and she stared at the image of a marble seat at the very end of the throne room. The King’s Flame burned bright blue and its bright glow illuminated the colossal chamber.