Chapter 37
I ran and ran. Everything else around me was a blur. I don't know how long I took to get there, but when I did, Strange enough, nobody was at the front of the gatehouse. I hurried past without getting checked over. Then, when I reached the entrance of the castle, a contingent of guards surrounding a noble-looking man in fine dark clothes with their spears pointed at him. The king was addressing him. As she neared, she could hear the king talking about putting the man away for treason.
"Before I sentence you… why, Draine, why?" asked the king sternly, "You are my closest advisor. What could make you do such a thing?"
The noble smirked and replied, "Simply said, I am not who I am to be… and I seek to take the throne for myself."
"If you are not Draine, then who are you," he continued.
"Oh, Draine Elrictus is simply one of my names," the noble stated as his robes started billowing without warning. He started enlarging and growing. Scales spreading over his skin. Large scythe-like horns growing out of his head. Large claws replacing nails. Dagger sharp teeth. Wing grew and burst out of his back. Neck lengthened. Draconic snout formed. As he transformed, the guard slowly stepped back, more out of fear than caution. The ancient black dragon loomed over the visibly scared terrified king, roared to the heavens, and declared, "I am Dorgriaz the Black-Hearted! Your throne is mine to take." He then stared at the monarch with eager eyes.
"Dorgriaz!" Subaru shouted loudly, hoping to distract the dragon and stop him from eating the king.
It worked a little too well as the dragon immediately turned its gaze to her, hunger transforming into rage. "Who dares… You! You were the one who traveled through the swamp, weren't you," he growled threateningly as his entire body moved to face her, "You killed my sons… The king can wait. You… you will die first..."
He beat his wings, sending the guards and the king flying back while helping him to hover a little, flapping a few more times helped him get airborne. At that moment, getting the feeling of extreme dread, she turned and started running.
"DIE!" he roared as he swooped down after her.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!" she shouted as she made her terrified run out of the castle, past the soon to be melted gatehouse and out into the street. She could almost feel the stream of acid trying to grab at her heels. As she continued her mad dash to escape, she hoped her friends were having an easier time.
Russia ran down the street, trying to figure out which road to take to get to Subaru. For the first time in many months, she didn't have the comforting feeling that her stepfather was watching over her. She didn't feel that her friends were around to back her up. She didn't feel that Subaru and Choco were around to help her. She was, as of this moment, alone. And she hated to admit it, she was also lost.
As she reached the end of the road and into a junction, she found another hole in the ground. The guardhouse that was at one of the corners was replaced with it. And there were many, many kobold bodies. She was a little puzzled, but she recalled something from her father's spellbook about teleportations going off course. She assumed this is what he meant and pictured it in her head. The group was teleported in around the same time the guardhouse was blown up. By magic or by mundane means, she couldn't tell, but the kobolds were also caught in the explosion. That being the case, who was leading them?
She got her answer when she heard the crackling of arcane energy exploding nearby. Running in the direction of the sound, she came to a dead half-black dragon. Standing over it was Towa. Her robes were torn in several places and some parts seemed to be bleeding.
The warlock caught sight of the young necromancer and said, "Well, if it isn't the little one. Tell me, what in the world is going on? All these explosions and kobolds and half-dragons are getting in the way."
"...The cult did it," she finally stated.
The half-devil just stared at her for a moment and replied in a sarcastic tone, "Well, that was quick. So, they have chosen death. Wonderful."
A loud groan suddenly echoed through the empty street. It sounded like it was coming from the blown street. Soon, a large, plant-like monstrosity appeared as it used its vines to latch on and pulled the dead kobolds over to stuff it into its body.
"Ah, stinky monster," muttered Rushia as she paused to glance at the warlock, only to find an empty space. It seemed that she had run off. Turning back to the junction, the sewer shambler was heading in her direction. Deciding that Towa had the right idea, she ran down the street as well, hoping to find a way to get to Subaru.
A loud roar drew her attention. Much to her astonishment, a black dragon flew through the air, spewing its acid breath at something. She smiled, finally getting an idea of where the fighter was. She picked up the pace, hoping to get to her in time.
Choco hurried down the street, trying to navigate the changed landscape. Finding most of the guardhouses blow-up was gut-wrenching. Those that weren't had been attacked by kobolds. Those were at the very least repelled. Even as she searched for a way to get to the castle, she also worried for Korone and Okayu. After being allowed to stay at their house for such a long time, the tiefling had come to care for them like long-time friends. Rounding a corner, she came across a despairing sight.
Bodies of several guards and many more kobolds lay strewn around the burning guardhouse. It didn't seem to be blown up in any way, one of the few that were directly assaulted, it seemed like. Only two were fighting back against the kobolds that remained and a half-black dragon. Korone and Okayu were busy engaging the kobolds in melee while trying their best to dodge the crossbow bolts being shot at them by the half-black dragon. They were already pretty injured but they seem to be holding on.
Unfurling her wings, she decided to help them. Getting some height, she glided over and crashed into the kobolds while swinging her mace.
"Woohoo! Choco!" exclaimed the dog girl happily.
"Phew, lucky!" joined in the cat girl with a tired grin.
"This isn't over just yet," stated the tiefling as she turned around to face the last enemy.
"Hmph, arrogant weaklings," it growled out as it pulled out its longsword while motioning at them, "Come at me if you dare."
"We'll take you down, then, we'll take back my city," stated Okayu as she and Korone charged at it.
"Wait!" shouted Choco, trying to get them to be careful.
The cat girl went in swinging her shortsword while the dog girl leaped in with a flying kick. With a roar, it suddenly shouted something while gesturing with its free hand. A loud boom threw them back. The tiefling was able to catch the city hunter but the monk crashed and skidded on the ground. She then was forced to lift her shield to block a wave of acid that washed over them. She wasn't able to fully shield them and parts of their bodies got burned by the acid regardless, but the worst of it was blocked off.
The half-black dragon laughed and stated, "Weaklings, all of you. Only fitting our glorious leader to take this continent from you. You are not worthy."
The city hunter hissed as she steadied herself with her shortsword. The monk groaned as she got up and dragged herself over. The tiefling grit her teeth and retorted, "A tyrant like your leader? You must be stuck on the Dream World to believe such nonsense."
"You… I will be your death!" it shouted as it charged straight at her.
She stood in front of Okayu and steeled herself for a fight when a flash of light suddenly slammed into its head. "Who dares!" it roared out as it looked around.
"Good day to you," a voice greeted from another road. Everyone turned to look and Choco recognized her at once.
"...Fubuki?" she muttered in surprise, "What..."
"You… you are dead," threatened the half-black dragon as it turned to face the fox girl.
The trickery cleric then pointed at it and stated, "I would beg to differ. Invaders of this lovely city should be thrown out with the trash."
"You dare!"
"And your next words would be, 'I will kill you and feast on your dead flesh', right?" she declared with a smug grin
"I will kill you and feast on your dead flesh!" it roared in indignation before being startled by the accuracy of her words.
"Gotcha!" she shouted as she ran straight at it without a care in the world, her mace ready.
"Doesn't matter if you can know my words!" it retorted angrily as it aimed its loaded crossbow at her, "I will kill you!"
"Fubuki, watch out!" warned the tiefling as the bolt was shot. Much to her surprise and everyone else, the bolt passed through her head harmlessly. She then stopped several feet before it as she motioned with her shield hand, gathering more light in her palm.
"Take this!" she yelled as she unleashed the blast of light in its eyes. As it roared in pain, another Fubuki appeared out of thin air and slammed her mace into its scaled throat. It fell over backward, the back of its head crashing to the ground with a loud crack.
"What..." it said hoarsely as it struggled to get up.
"This is the duplicate I made, a blessing of my goddess," stated the second Fubuki, crossing her arms in front as the first sauntered over and draped an arm around her shoulders, "Superstition is her name and she is a helpful one. Much more helpful than a simple mirror image. You never had a chance."
"You..."
"Oi, swamp breath."
The half-black dragon spun around, only to find a crossbow bolt burying itself in the back of its throat. Coughing and gagging, it collapsed to its knees and fell over. Okayu lowered her heavy crossbow and sighed in relief. "Well, I think we better evacuate," she stated as she slumped back on the ground.
"I doubt there will be relief so soon," stated the fox girl seriously, "I saw a black dragon flying in the distance using its acid breath on something."
"Ah, that might be Subaru," stated the tiefling. Getting shocked expressions, she explained, "We got separated… and she shouted about going to the palace alone to distract the cult leader."
"Ah... I wanna go..." moaned Korone in despair, "My dragon fingers..."
"You two are injured. If anything, I have to get you two out of here," stated Fubuki as she helped the cat girl up.
"Yeah… I wouldn't say no to healing," agreed the city hunter.
"Alright! I'll help you out then go look for Subaru and get my fingers!" declared the dog girl as she supported her best friend.
"I better get going," added Choco as she moved on, "Who knows what Subaru is getting into right now?"
"Incoming!"
Noel ducked behind the paparet again. She could hear the hissing of the acid as it ate through the stone. Peering around, she could hear more yipping and squealing of excitement from the kobolds. Three half-black dragons were directing them around. A yell. A pot crashed on the paparet, unleashing a swarm of rot grubs. One knight hurriedly dumped a bucket of pitch on them while another tossed a torch, lighting up the swarm. She grit her teeth as she replayed the events through her head. They appeared without warning, suddenly taking out the lookouts on the walls with pots of acid and rot grubs. It was quick thinking that successfully contained the spread of the swarms and the subsequent use of ladders but now they had to contend with the siege of acid, grubs, and the occasional bottle of alchemical fire.
"How in the world did these damn things get a hold of so much?" she wondered as a sudden fire of fire forced her to move and take cover in another spot. She then got out and kicked down another ladder that was set up, sending it crashing on another squad of kobolds.
Then, a familiar bird suddenly landed next to her cover. It was a robin. Thinking back all those days, she didn't need it to speak to know it was the same one that told her of the orc siege. She grinned eagerly, figuring out that help was going to come.
"Hold the line!" she yelled out, intent on lifting the hearts of her men, "Help is on the way!"
The black bear plodded behind Flare as she scanned the battlefield. The enemy hasn't seen them yet. Aki stepped to her side and said, "I believe she got the message."
"Thank you," the half-elf replied. Turning around, she addressed the hunters while raising her hand, "Draw!"
They nocked their arrows and pulled back.
"Fire!"
They released the arrows and holstered their bows over their shoulders as they pulled out their swords. Surprised snarls and yips were heard as many kobolds fell to the arrows. Flare then got on Kinpatsu and shouted, "Attack!" She led the charge, taking the besieging forces by surprise.
"What will you have us do, great druid," asked a group of elves that didn't join the charge.
Aki smiled before she spun her staff in a circle several times, chanting in a low voice. Slamming the butt of her focus on the ground, eight pixies materialized around them. She then asked, "My friends, could you please help us?"
"Sure, Aki!" spoke the fey at once and they tossed magical dust over the elves, polymorphing them into giant apes.
"Go, my friends. Lend aid to your allies," she declared as she gestured to the battlefield. The lead ape roared and all eight ran to help their friends and allies in the fight.
"This way!" shouted Haato as she directed rescue efforts, shepherding the women and children and the sickly to the docks. Her father and the veteran mercs were in the thick of it, fully committed to driving back the sudden invasion.
"They're breaking through- argh!"
Her breath got caught in her throat when one of the men got overwhelmed by a swarm of worms. The squad mage immediately cast Burning Hands to burn off the grubs and the squad cleric cast Restoration to take care of any infestation. The burnt merc was dragged away just as the barricade they set up exploded as several kobolds and a half-black dragon charged through.
"Repel invaders!" she shouted, getting several mercs to rally and charge.
At the same time, a commotion occurred behind the group of dragon-blooded attackers. A large minotaur was tossing kobolds aside as it charged through. Behind it was a fighter dressed in pink and an archer taking potshots at the kobolds as they went past. With the attackers pincered together, they were taken down quickly.
"Thanks for the assistance!" exclaimed Haato as she moved to shake their hands.
"You're welcome," said the archer as she took her hand, "I'm Matsuri and this is Princess Luna and her bodyguard."
"Ah, I'm sorry that you came at a bad time," apologized the merc noble, "Is your entourage safe, your majesty?"
"Ah, I do not mind times like these and my people are as safe as can be, Luna says," stated the princess with a curtsey.
"Umm, okay..." she muttered, wondering why the princess referred to herself in third person. A Loud roar broke through the air as an adult black dragon soared over the city.
"Fools! I shall claim the city in the name of Dorgriaz!" it roared as it stopped to hover over them, it's great wings flapping up a storm, "Now, what would happen if the young ones of the city should perish in the defense?"
"Come down here and try, dragon!" she shouted in retort while every able-bodied merc readied their weapons and magic.
It laughed and said, "Such foolish bravery, I-"
Several loud booms interrupted its declaration as several cannonballs slammed into its side.
"WHO DID THAT!" it roared as the hovering wavered, the pain disrupting its flying.
"AHOY! I WANT A DRAGON SKIN JACKET!"
Haato gaped and her eyes bulged in surprise. A ship was sailing around the harbor, its cannons aimed directly at the dragon. It flew a black flag at the mast. It had a black and white heart with white outlines with an arrow piercing it. And in front of the heart was a grinning skull. Pirates. But why would pirates help the port? Unless they wanted to raid the place and the dragon beat them to it… Well, she couldn't look a gift horse in the face now, could she?
"Shoot it down!" she ordered as she made the decision to fight back, consequences be damned. This was her city and she will do all she could to defend it.
AN: Hello, readers. Hmm, looks like Subaru's gamble worked. However, that means a very angry ancient black dragon is chasing after her. Well, good luck with that. Meanwhile, Rushia met with Towa, who had dismantled an attacking force by herself. Or so she thought. And we get the re-introduction of the shambling mound with the stench, with its own name 'sewer shambler'. As noted before, it's just a shambling mound with a Stench of a DC 12 Con save... maybe should increase the DC just because it survived.
Anyway, Choco encountered Okayu and Korone taking out another attacking force led by a half-black dragon with some spellcasting capability. And then, I finally figured out how to give Fubuki a Stand-like effect. I didn't use it before because... well, I figured it would last too long against acid breath in the swamp. Now? Heh, its time to be awesome. No battlecries or throwing punches. Just pure misdirection and predicting what the opponent is going to say.
Finally, big stuff that's happening elsewhere. Specifically, Fort Viridis and Port Huan Tuo.
Alright, this is it for this chapter. Faster than before but this time, I didn't have any battles to simulate. That may change though. Next chapter, we take a peek at... hmm... who else is still around... Pekora and Miko would have already left... Mio is on that island... eh, we'll see. Thank you for reading and have a good day, dear readers.