"Let's see now. One…two…three…four…and five." Dragon Executioner calmly sat upon the tree he had knocked down and counted the number of adventurers. "Only five of you? Oh there are those beasts with you, so seven altogether. Even the goblins numbered twenty and they fell before me like nothing."
"You're the Dragon Executioner, yes?" Half-Dragon Priestess tried to keep a strong expression but was afraid of this massive figure.
"My fame proceeds me."
"You're the one who killed those three adventurers in the ruins and the village of innocents…why?" Wolf Brawler found her nearly snarling at this imposing figure.
"Why? Because I can, and no one can stop me, that and I had quite the bit of fun with that female adventurer…until she broke." Dragon Executioner chuckled as he recalled all the faces of those he had slaughtered.
"For such a childish reason! You really think that justifies all the atrocities you have committed?" Harpy Scout was practically struggled to keep from firing off her arrow prematurely.
"Why hate me? I am like a force of nature, I simply walk forward, those in my path should be weary. When a great storm destroys a village, do you wish to destroy all storms? Do you hate nature for doing what it does?"
"Nature does not enjoy taking lives. As a former adventurer you fully know the difference between good and evil, but you choose to harm others, regardless of if they are your enemies or not." Padfoot Monk too was growling as he readied his staff to attack.
"That is true, I do enjoy seeing the sight of blood, but killing the weaklings does little to satisfy my hunger."
"Strong should protect weak not inflict pain on them. You kill young ones! Leave them to suffer! You must die!" Saber Rider readied his axe to fight as Fang stood by him.
"Oh? You mean to kill me?" Dragon Executioner laughed as he jumped off the fallen tree and raised his war hammer. "Many have tried and all have failed. I'm not about to stop until I find my dragons."
"Then your search is over. There's a dragon here ready to stop you!"
Dragon Executioner's smile faded as he stared at the young girl, his first impression was she was a lizardman but then he could notice the design of her scales, her horns and tail.
"You? You're a dragon? No, a Dragonborn or half-dragon." Dragon Executioner frowned as he looked at the tiny girl. "So this is that state of dragons in this age…pathetic. I would need to eat a thousand of you just to feel some form of enjoyment."
"You're not going to be eating anyone ever again! This half-dragon will stop you here and now!"
"Very well "tiny dragon", show me what you can do."
With blinding speed Dragon Execution raised his war hammer high and brought it crashing down to the ground. The party of adventurers quickly dispersed in opposite directions as the hammer cracked the ground in front of them.
"Stupid manbeast! You no scare me!"
Sabre Rider rushed forward only for Dragon Executioner's left hand to reach out and grab at his neck; the massive figure tossed aside Saber Rider like he was nothing, chuckling as he hit the dirt and rolled to the side.
"Insect."
Saber Rider quickly got back to his feet, shaking the dust off his pelt; he gave a quick spit out the side as the blood flew from his mouth.
"Rider you alright?" Harpy Scout let loose an arrow only for it to strike his bone armor. "You can't just rush in like that!"
"Stupid Manbeast! I show you!"
"Be cautious my friend! He is not one we can take on directly. Ngiphe umlilo, ukushisa ububi." Padfoot Monk finished his chant as both metal ends of his staff was ablaze with blue fire. "Goddess of the Hunt, guide me to strike this monster down."
"Let's lure him into the forest, can't give him too much room to use that hammer!" Half-Dragon Priestess took a couple steps towards Dragon Executioner as he raised his hammer and spewed forth a stream of fire.
"Ah, there's the fire. Perhaps there is a dragon in that tiny body." Dragon Executioner raised up a free arm to avoid the flames.
The party used this temporary distraction to rush into the thick forest, though Saber Rider needed to be pulled along by Harpy Scout who refused to flee. Dragon Executioner laughed as he chased after his prey, smashing each tree that stood in his way with his massive hammer. He could see the figure getting further away from him even as the trees fell around him.
"You fools can only delay your ends for so long!"
He continued to smash at the trees, wondering just what kind of plan these young adventurers had in store for him. He soon paused in his deforestation as he looked around the forest, he could see no sign of his prey when there came a shout.
"Over here you damn monster!"
He quickly turned his head to see the young half-dragon ready for him in the distance with weapon in hand.
"Ah so there you are, but where are your friends? Probably lying-in wait to ambush be from the front or back. Well, I don't want to disappoint you." Dragon Executioner smiled beneath his skull helmet as he charged forward. "Here I come puny dragon!"
Half-Dragon Priestess tensed her body as the Dragon Executioner drew closer and closer, every step he took seemed to shake the ground. The Dragon Executioner raised his war hammer high to strike the young girl when a figure leapt down from the trees above. Padfoot Monk struck at the skull helmet with his staff, knocking it from the giant's head, and burning the side of his face with the strike.
"Damn you, you little shit!" Dragon Executioner grunted and now focused his attention on the padfoot.
Before he could act though, the back of his legs were struck; Wolf Brawler and Saber Rider both rushed in and respectively struck and chopped at the back of his legs. He grunted as his legs gave out and he was forced to fall forward, extending his arms outward to keep from completely collapsing to the ground.
"Fang! Attack now!"
"Specter! Go for the arm!"
The saber cat and dire wolf rushed out of the woods and each animals went for the animals sank their fangs into the flesh of either arm. Dragon Executioner gasped as he looked at the beasts tearing at his arms and struggled to lift them up to throw the beasts aside.
"You damn animals, how dare y…GGAAAAAHHHHH!"
An arrow pierced into his left, he frantically looked around not seeing the archer until he heard the heavy flap of wings. He looked upward and could see the harpy flying overhead with another arrow ready, which she let loose, striking the left side of his chest. Half-Dragon Priestess used this opportunity to rush in, with swordclaw in hand she struck at his exposed neck. Her blade dug deeply into the left side of his neck much to the giant's surprise and using her strength, drug it across to the right side. The cut was deep, bone could be seen from his spinal column, as the blood spilled forward like a river. The Dragon Executioner gasped, partially gurgling on the blood in his mouth before finally fall forward, no one dared moved as they carefully watched his body.
"It's, it's over." Half-Dragon Priestess let out a heavy sigh as she took a couple steps back from the body.
The others also relaxed their bodies, Specter moving to rejoin Half-Dragon Priestess while Fang moved toward Saber Rider. Harpy Scout descended until she was back on the ground, rejoining her friend while still keeping an eye on the body.
"I would have hated to try and face that thing alone." Harpy Scout shuddered as she looked at the blood-stained war hammer still clutched in the giant's hand.
"I fear that we might have endured the same fate at that other archer in the ruins, given his vile nature." Half-Dragon Priestess thought back to the state of the female adventurer's body they found. "He would have been no different than a goblin, using use for his own pleasure."
"All the more reason we needed to kill him. No one else needs to suffer." Wolf Brawler breathed a sigh of relief, thankful their combined teamwork had been successful.
"Stupid manbeast!" Saber Rider gave the body a swift kick while looking over it. "I no like waiting. Should have attacked from very beginning."
"If I remember correctly, you were easily tossed aside. It was for the best to be patient and each of us contribute to the assault." Padfoot Monk smiled as he looked over toward his comrade. "It is good to practice patience."
"I no like being patient."
"It was a good effort…"
The adventurers tensed as they heard the voice, their attention drawn to the body of Dragon Executioner who suddenly began to twitch his fingers. They all moved back, shocked that he was still moving, as the massive man slowly got back to his hands and knees before rising to his feet.
"That's…that's not possible."
The Dragon Executioner sneered, blood still present in his smile, as she tore the arrow from his eye.
"Surely you saw the mural or read the runes in the ruins where I had been entombed. If you had, you would have read that I feasted upon the black heart of the dragon who devoured my comrades." As the Dragon Executioner spoke, the adventurers watched as the various wounds along his body began to heal. "I was not only cursed with long life, but a near invincible form…just like a dragon. No matter what you do to me, you can't kill me!"
Dragon Executioner took up his war hammer and began to swing it around him in a circular motion with ease, making the adventurers quickly back away to avoid being hit. Saber Rider was growing impatient, and once again foolishly rushed in to attack followed by Fang. The Dragon Executioner struck the barbarian with the back of his fist knocking him back to the ground then clipped the saber cat with part of his war hammer. The saber cat let out a growl of pain as it landed in the bushes, Saber Rider wiping the blood from his mouth before rushing to check on Fang.
"Stupid fools! Are you that eager to meet your end?"
The smile on the Dragon Executioner's face was short lived as padfoot monk moved in and struck his left arm with his flaming staff. The massive figure growled in anger as he looked toward the padfoot only to then have something leap at his left side and struck him. Dragon Executioner was surprised by the punch, he looked down to see Wolf Brawler standing beside Padfoot Monk, his surprise more about the audacity this small woman had to try and knock him down.
"How dare you."
Dragon Executioner readied to attack only to be struck by another arrow in his shoulder; Harpy Scout took to the air and fired off an arrow and quickly followed with another. He looked toward his right and watched Half-Dragon Priestess leapt towards him with blade in hand, before she could strike, he took hold of her hands with his free one.
"I'm going to crush that pathetic arm you…ahhhh, damn it!"
Fang and Specter leapt forward sinking their teeth into his left arm, the combined weight forcing him to take a knee. Saber Rider once again charged forward and too leapt onto the giant's back, using his clawed gauntlet to take hold of his flesh along the left side of his neck while taking his axe and chopping away at his right side.
"Damn bastard! You hurt Fang! I kill you!"
The others followed in with the attack, Half-Dragon Priestess managed to break free from his grasp and slashed at his body. Dragon Executioner was actually surprised by this combined effort, most who fought against him would run away in fear once they realized they could not defeat him, but these ones were different. He would show them the folly of their ways, they would soon come to regret having battled against him.
"Enough!"
With a mighty shout he stood up and tossed aside the two massive beasts that were biting down on his arm. With his right arm we raised his war hammer and once again swung it at those around him; most were quick enough to dodge, but Padfoot Monk had been just a bit too slow. The war hammer clipped the right side of his arm, the padfoot collapsed to the ground with a groan of pain, clutching at his injured arm, his staff having lost its flames and now off to the side.
"Monk!" Wolf Brawler looked on with a worried expression as she watched him struggle to move.
Before she could even take a step toward her comrade, she felt the vice-like grip around her throat and was then lifted effortlessly off the ground. Dragon Executioner brought her close to his face, a smirk present even as Saber Rider continued to attack in an effort to make him release her.
"I'd be more worried about myself than that blind weakling."
Dragon Executioner slowly moved his head back before rushing forward, smashing his forehead into hers. Wolf Brawler gasped, not even able to cry in pain, blood running down her face before being tossed aside. Dragon Executioner flung her with enough force that she hit a nearby tree and coughed up a bit of blood before falling forward, only to strike the side of her head against a large stone.
"Brawler!"
Half-Dragon Priestess and Harpy Scout rushed to the side of their injured friend, blood collecting around her, completely unresponsive to their calls. Dragon Executioner sneered at the sight of two of the downed adventurers until he felt another strike the from the barbarian's axe. He set his sights on another nearby tree and smiled as he maneuvered closer.
"Manbeast not get rid of me! You hurt others!"
"Let's test how determined you are boy."
Dragon Executioner suddenly slammed his back along the tree, crushing Saber Rider against it. Saber Rider grunted, the taste of blood present in his mouth but he would not let go, as he removed his axe from the giant's side and struck the right side of his neck. Dragon Executioner continued to slam his back against the tree three more time, each time he could feel the boy's blood hitting his skin. On the fifth blow, Saber Rider was finally forced to release his grip as he dropped to the ground, blood running down his chin onto his chest. He struggled to breathe then looked up to see the giant walking towards him, the wounds he dealt were already healing.
"D,damn…you…" Saber Rider coughed up a bit more blood as he struggled to get back on his feet, using the tree for support.
"Still some fight left in you…good."
Dragon Executioner set his hammer down and reached out to take hold of the barbarian's neck, lifting him off the ground as he did with Wolf Brawler. He pinned the young man to the tree, slowly applying pressure, ready to crush his skull.
"You're going to die boy. I'm going to use the women for my own fun, feast on those animals. All seven of you will die a painful death."
"N,not seven…eight…"
"What did you say boy?"
"You not count Talon." Saber Rider offered a weak smile.
Dragon Executioner was slightly confused until he heard the screech of a bird, he looked up to see a large brown hawk swoop in and begin clawing at his face. Dragon Executioner released Saber Rider as he furiously tried to get the hawk away from him; size and speed helped it avoid the giant's hands as it gouged out its eyes.
"Rider! You alright?" Half-Dragon Daughter finished placing the unconscious Wolf Brawler over Specter.
"Hurt but not dead. I fine. What about two dogs?" Saber Rider struggled to move away from the battle site as Fang came to his side. "You okay Fang?"
"They're injured. We got to get away from here." Half-Dragon Priestess looked to see the injured Padfoot Monk stumbling towards her, his right arm dangling from his side. "Your arm…"
"I'll manage. Please, let me accompany Huntress, I'll make sure she stays on the dire wolf."
"Of course, be careful." Half-Dragon Priestess aided the injured Monk onto Specter, where he made sure to keep his staff in his left hand.
"Get away you damn bird!" Dragon Executioner finally drove the hawk away, blood running down his face from his injured eyes.
"Priestess get them out of here! I'll hold this bastard back! Rider, go with them, keep them safe!" Harpy Scout let loose an arrow and then another.
"I not afraid! Can still fight!"
"Wait that's insane! You can't stand up to him alone!"
"If we stay, the others will die! Don't worry, I have my wings to keep me out of arms reach." Harpy Scout flexed her wing as she readied another arrow.
Half-Dragon Priestess was worried as she watched her friend take to the air to continue fighting, but one look back to Brawler made her realize it was the right decision.
"Rider! We have to keep the others safe! You know the forest, where can we go?"
Saber Rider grunted as he got on top of Fang, placing a hand over his bruised stomach, every breath was very painful for him.
"I know place! Follow me!"
Fang and Saber Rider took off away from the battle, Specter following behind with the two padfoots on its back. Half-Dragon Priestess spared one last glance back at her friend before taking to the air herself to follow the others.
"Okay, okay, okay…keep him busy! Get as high as you can!" Harpy Scout continued to flap her wings as she let loose another arrow.
Dragon Executioner growled as arrow after arrow kept hitting him, he held up his hand to keep any other arrows from hitting his face. He finally opened his eyes, they were now healed from the hawk's interference, and now he could focus on the archer. He looked from behind his hand to determine where the girl was while reaching for his war hammer with his right hand. Harpy Scout readied another arrow just as the Dragon Executioner flung the weapon upward with full force. The hammer struck her wing, the Harpy Scout screaming as she plummeted to the ground before hitting the forest floor with a thud.
"D, damn it…"
Harpy Scout could tell her wing was broken, but thankfully she still had use of her arms and legs. She grunted as she struggled to get back to her hand and knees, but before she could get her body off the ground, a massive boot came crashing down on her injured wing. Harpy Scout screamed before another boot was firmly placed on her behind to keep her planted on the ground.
"Poor little bird, looks like you can't fly any more. I'm going to pay you back for all the arrows you hit me with." Dragon Executioner removed his right boot from the harpy's wing then placed his hands towards the base of her wings. "I'm not going to pluck your feathers…I'll be taking both wings!"
Once again Harpy Scout screamed as she could feel him pulling on her wings, going as slowly as possible to tear them away from her body. Dragon Executioner laughed as he continued to pull, the harpy screaming as she clawed at the ground and kicked to break free.
"Get the hell away from her!"
Dragon Executioner turned to see the dragon girl fly towards him with blade, she raked the blade across his face forcing him to release the harpy and stumble backwards. The Dragon Executioner growled in annoyance, these puny weaklings had caused him so much grief and yet all of them were still alive. He looked toward his left, the half-dragon stood ready with her swordclaw, a stern look on her face as she stared him down.
"I thought you were after a dragon's heart? There's one beating in this chest! If you want it…try and take it!"
The Dragon Executioner paused as he looked at the small girl, it was clear she was frightened of him but continued to stand her ground. He began to chuckle as he moved past the wounded harpy toward his fallen skull helmet.
"I must admit, there have been many dragons who defiantly threatened me until the very end." Dragon Executioner calmly affixed the skull to his head, his blue eyes visible through the eye sockets. "You might be one of the few who might be able to make good on that threat. I'm going to enjoy feasting on your heart little girl."
Half-Dragon Priestess growled before rushing off towards her left, the Dragon Executioner laughing as he reached for his war hammer and chased after her. Harpy Scout groaned as she clawed at the dirt, looking up to see the massive figure chasing after her friend.
"N,no…run…don't…"
"You be okay Bird Girl. I help you."
She turned to see the injured Saber Rider groaning as he knelt down and slowly got her back to her feet. The moment they were standing, Saber Rider let out a painful grunt before clutching at his sides. Harpy Scout rushed to his side, her broken wing bothering her but clearly not as much as the barbarian's broken bones.
"You shouldn't be moving. I'm hurt but I…"
"No. I fine. Will make sure others are safe." Saber Rider grunted as he moved towards Fang and getting on. "Talon…will help her find us."
Harpy Scout frowned as she looked toward the injured Saber Rider, then back towards the woods where she heard the sounds of the giant hitting trees. She quickly recovered her bow and the arrows that he had torn out of his body and jumped onto the back of Fang behind Saber Rider.
"I don't suppose we can set a trap for this bastard?"
"Trap? Yes. We make trap. Manbeast die!" Saber Rider growled before giving Fang's side a few pats. "Fang. We go!"
xxxx
Half-Dragon Priestess struck at the war hammer with her swordclaw and instantly took three or four steps backwards. The force behind each blow was easily enough to make her stagger as the Dragon Executioner continued his attacks, smashing through the parts of the tress in his pursuit.
"You can't win by merely being on the defensive. Come on where is that spirit I saw a few moments ago? Should I go back and kill your friend to make you angry?"
Half-Dragon Priestess growled, but knew she had to keep a calm level head, the Dragon Executioner was merely trying to get her to charge at him where he could attack. With another pass of his hammer she spewed forth her fire, he raised his hands to avoid being blinded and she then moved in to cut his leg.
"Good! That's much better!"
Dragon Executioner then rushed in and slammed his shoulder into her body, forcing her to hit the nearest tree. Dragon Executioner tossed his hammer side and charged toward the girl, grabbing her neck his left hand and pinned her to the tree. From his side he took out his knife and stabbed it into her left leg, smiling as the little dragon screamed.
"You know, this knife is made from a dragon's tooth. You dragons are your own worst enemy." He continued to laughed while twisting the blade before leaning in and licked the side of her face. "Mmmm, you have a good taste little dragon. Your fear makes you that much more delicious."
"I…I may be afraid, but I'm far from helpless!"
Within her pouch, she reached for a vial and smashed it against his skull helmet, the giant growling in frustration as it strung his eyes.
"Damn you foolish girl, what is this?"
"Gasoline."
Half-Dragon Priestess once again spewed forth a stream of fire, smiling as the flames engulfed the skull forcing him to back away. She gritted her teeth as she tore the blade free from her leg, forced to staggered forward as the Dragon Executioner growled while stumbling around, his head still ablaze.
"Damn you!"
"Just…got to buy some more time…help the others…" She looked up to see Talon swooping in then circling around her. "Talon, what are you…wait, you want me to follow you right?"
The hawk began to screech before flying away from the battle, Half-Dragon Priestess understood and flapped her wings before taking to the sky. The Dragon Executioner looked through his skull, seeing the injured dragon flying away, his rage building at this bit of humiliation he suffered.
"You can't run from me!"
Dragon Executioner went for his knife then his war hammer before rushing after the fleeing dragon. She continued to follow the hawk, blood still running from her wound but now she could hear the heavy stomping from below. She spared a quick glance and saw the massive figure chasing after them, dragging the war hammer behind him as he continued his pursuit. She quickly looked back toward the hawk, worried about the Dragon Executioner catching up to her and what he would do to her. She could then see a wide, deep gorge below them, a large wooden bridge off to the side, on the other side of the gorge were her comrades.
"They're here!" Half-Dragon Priestess slowly descended to join them. "What are you doing? We need to get out of here, he's right behind me!"
"Good. Fall into trap!" Saber Rider smirked as he drew out his axe and walked toward the bridge.
They heard a murderous yell from the other side of the gorge, a look from the injured adventurers and they could see the giant figure looking at them. His breathing was deep as he looked at them, the only thing separating him from his prey was the bridge.
"I will kill every one of you."
The Dragon Executioner taking a step onto the bridge, the wood creaking under his massive weight as he marched forward.
"You die now Manbeast!" Saber Rider swung his axe at the ropes hearing the fibers snap.
The suspension bridge suddenly leaned towards one side as the Dragon Executioner gripped the rope with his free hand growling in frustration. He looked back toward the adventurers just as the barbarian moved to chop the other rope and then leapt towards them. The rope snapped and the bridge collapsed, swinging back and hitting the side of the gorge where it was still connected. The Dragon Executioner was nowhere to be seen, but the others could still hear him grunting.
"No, Ancestors no! He can't be climbing back up."
Those who could still move, cautiously inched their way over towards the ledge; below them was the Dragon Executioner clutching at the stone wall with his free hand, his war hammer dangling in his other hand. He growled as the weight of his hammer was keeping him from reaching his prey, just a few feet away, but that would mean losing his weapon. He looked up at the adventurers staring down at him, growling at first but then smirking as he began to chuckle.
"We have unfinished business!" He almost seemed to be singing as he stared up at the half-dragon. "I'll come back and find you and then, ah ha ha ha, I'll kill you and eat your heart!"
Dragon Executioner continued to laugh as his grip weakened until he finally plummeted into the darkness with a final yell. Half-Dragon Priestess continued to nervously look over the ledge before her legs finally gave out and she fell to her knees.
"Priestess?" Harpy Scout rushed to the side of her friend, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"We…we barely survived. Ancestors, what a monster." Half-Dragon Priestess took a few deep breaths to calm herself down before looking at the others around her. "This is no time to be feeling afraid, need to start healing those who are seriously injured."
xxxx
He wasn't sure how much time had passed, he slowly opened his eyes and found himself lying on the stone ground. He tried to move but found his body would not respond properly, he strained to turn his head and found his body impaled on several thick stones. The Dragon Executioner looked upward, not able to see daylight, perhaps it was night or he had fallen to far deep, over to the side he saw his war hammer and the now shattered skull helmet.
"Hmm. It's fine. This won't stop me for too long and I'll catch up with you soon enough little dragon." The Dragon Executioner smiled as he continued to try and move his body off the sharp rocks. "Enjoy your victory, for it will be short-lived…as will you and your friends."
