Vlad's mind came to a screeching halt.
When those two words came out of Lumera's mouth, a sudden surge of dread overcame him. He couldn't believe that he would get to experience this feeling again after so long.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but it didn't help. He was out of his element, and that scared him.
Stay calm.
"Fell Dragons!?" Ethelwulf parroted, making Vlad wince. "But why would they attack now of all times!? With you here no less!"
Lumera clicked her tongue. "Ethelwulf, there are three Emblem Rings here. I expected them to come here eventually, but not so soon."
"Wait, three?" he exclaimed. "I know of two, but a third?"
Lumera glanced in Vlad's direction. "I had one stored in the Somniel. It was about time I gave it to someone."
Ethelwulf followed Lumera's gaze before he crossed his arms. "And you chose him."
A quick nod was her answer. "We have the power, Ethelwulf. Now, we just need to reach Selenit as soon as possible. There—in the mountains—we can find a safer place for your people than these plains."
He hissed, jolting his head away. "You know how much I don't like this."
"Yes, painfully so," she admitted. "But we don't have time anymore. Rally your—"
"Sir Ethelwulf!" somebody shouted, interrupting Lumera before a guard entered the house. He struck a pose. "Corrupted are gathering around our walls in the hundreds! They aren't attacking yet but seem to be planning something!"
"Shit."
"Ethelwulf," Lumera called out, a determined frown on her face. "It's now or never."
A groan escaped his lips before he raised his head. "Tell every man, woman, and child to start taking their tents down and pack as many things as they can carry. We're leaving."
"E-excuse me, sir?"
"There's no time! Those Corrupted would have been nothing if it weren't for a greater threat to come!"
The guard stood still in front of him, stupefied, and a vein popped on Ethelwulf's head. "You have your orders, soldier! Spread the word!"
The guard hesitantly saluted, uttering, "Y-yes, sir!" before storming outside. A sigh escaped Ethelwulf's lips before he switched his attention back to Lumera.
"Take to the skies and see how far they are," he said. "If they are too close for comfort, stall them until everyone is evacuated."
"It will be done," she affirmed and headed for the exit, only to be stopped by Alear when she took her arm.
"Mother," she exclaimed with a worried tone, but Lumera patted her head and gave her a serene smile.
"Don't worry about me, my dear. I'll be back before you know it."
Alear didn't want to let go. She still hadn't had as much to spend with Lumera as she wanted to.
Her face darkened and she refused to release her. Not until Vlad grabbed Alear's shoulder.
She whipped her head in his direction, and she was surprised by the frown on his face. It wasn't usually this deep, and Vlad wordlessly shook his head.
Easing her grip, Lumera discreetly rubbed her wrist and gave Ethelwulf a nod before exiting the house. Soon, a loud roar resonated in the encampment before a strong updraft knocked the fabric from the house, revealing coordinated chaos.
People were taking down tent after tent while orders to store cloths and sticks into caravans were being shouted. The torches that illuminated the place and the groups of soldiers stampeding around gave a sense of claustrophobia. Vlad could even hear children crying under all that racket.
It made his stomach lurch.
"Scouts!" Ethelwulf suddenly shouted, and before he could blink, three lightly equipped men appeared in front of him. They all bowed.
"What is the meaning of this, sir Ethelwulf?" the one in the middle asked, not meeting him eye to eye.
"Fell Dragons are coming," he said curtly, and they all collectively gasped. "I need you to go north and scout the path leading to the mountains. Pick off any stragglers if you have to, but we must ensure the road is safe enough for our people to traverse once we escape."
"But sir, we've built these walls for this purpose—to defend against any threat. You even have the Emblem Ring" the scout countered. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
Ethelwulf gritted his teeth. "Because this is the first step to end this war. Now, go!"
They didn't move out immediately. They reluctantly lifted their heads and the leading scout gave him a slow nod before disappearing into the crowds, aiming for the north gate.
Ethelwulf balled up his fist before slamming the table. "Damn it."
He let out a groan before opening up a drawer with a book inside. Taking a deep breath, he slotted it into a holder next to his hip before turning to Vlad and Alear, who were silently watching everything unfold.
"You two, come with me," he said, leaving the house as well.
Snapping out of his trance, Vlad followed Ethelwulf while making sure Alear at least tailed them. Hoof, waiting outside, also took notice and trotted his way next to Vlad as well.
"Where are we going?" he asked, masking his fear behind a levelled tone.
"You'll know soon enough."
Briskly walking towards the north gate, Ethelwulf turned to a ladder and climbed a few steps towards a watchtower before beckoning Vlad and Alear to follow him. Once he was inside, Ethelwulf looked down into the woods and spotted dozens of red eyes piercing through the darkness, making him click his tongue.
"Calling this worrisome would be an understatement," he said out loud.
Vlad soon reached his side and the sight inside the forest made a lump form in his throat. "There're so many…"
"Trust me when I say that I've seen worse," Ethelwulf remarked. "But this is probably the largest assault on this settlement so far."
"And the last one too," He added with a growl.
"But why aren't they attacking yet?" Vlad asked, putting a hand to his shin while Alear finally climbed the ladder. "Are they waiting for the Fell Dragons to come?"
"Wouldn't surprise me," he agreed before looking back to see Alear taking careful steps inside the watchtower. "Good, now that we're all here, this is going to be the plan."
"You already thought of something?" Vlad said, his eyes widening ever-so-slightly and Ethelwulf nodded.
"Hmm. You two are going to guard both the rear and the side gate."
Alear's brows furrowed before crossing her arms. "But why?"
"It's nothing more than a safety measure, but if there are more Fell Dragons than Lumera can handle, then I need you on standby," he explained before pointing at each gate individually. "Vladimir, you take the rear gate while you, Alear, will take the side gate. Keep an eye out and help my people get their things straight. If push comes to shove and any gate falls, defend it as long as you can."
"You're serious?" Vlad said in disbelief and the look Ethelwulf gave made him snarl. "You think I can handle dozens of Corrupted alone if they breach the gate!?"
He raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think so? Vladimir, don't forget you bear an Emblem Ring now. Something a regular mortal would think impossible becomes possible."
"Then what are the rest of the soldiers for then!?"
"They are going to stay with my people to defend them once we open the north gate to escape!" he shouted back. "You two will allow not only my people to escape but my soldiers too. Do not think of them as cannon fodder."
Alear narrowed her look. "Then what are we to you?"
"You two are as strong as a battalion. You will beable to defend it for long enough," he said breathlessly. "I'll give you a signal when everybody gets out. You can make your escape then, but don't you dare fall on the field. Those rings are priceless."
"With what?"
Ethelwulf brushed his fingers against the book he had. Sparks began to gather around his hand before lighting up and creating a round ball of fire floating in his hand. "With this."
Vlad's breath hitched at the sight, but he was expecting more of a reaction from himself. Maybe that immunity has finally come into play.
He frowned before looking down into the forest. "I never thought things would get this insane."
Ethelwulf nodded. "You and me both, friend."
{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}
Flying through the skies, Lumera beat her large wings to meet the Fell Dragons across the ocean as soon as possible. It still amazed her how Alear could pick up on her own siblings this quickly but from so far away as well?
She didn't know if she was meant to feel prideful or concerned.
A jolt at the back of her head alerted her of the Fell Dragons' presence. She raised her head and spotted three red dots in the distance getting more prominent with each passing second.
Halting her momentum entirely, she reeled back and took a deep breath. Liquid blue brimstone poured out of her mouth before a large blue hunk of condensed lava shot out of her maw.
As the ball sailed through the air towards the Fell Dragons, it exploded with an audible bang, almost blinding Lumera in the process. She squinted her eyes, but before she knew it, those three dots now had visible outlines. Soon enough, they came into full view.
However, to her surprise, those weren't ordinary Fell Dragons. They had their usual characteristics. Red and black scales, long necks with the head of a snake and each had their own dark-hued glow.
However, they were small compared to her. Too small in fact. The height of two horses would be pushing it.
Did Sombron let out a few—
"Well well well," the first of the dragons said in an ethereal voice, despite its mouth not moving. "If it isn't the queen of no one herself. Why, are you trying to defend something precious?"
The second giggled uncontrollably. "She probably already knows, you dimwit. She wouldn't be here otherwise."
Lumera's eyebrows furrowed as much as they could when in her dragon form. "This is your only warning. Turn back, for your own sake. I don't care if Sombron sent you, don't waste your lives like this."
"Oh, you'd think that, wouldn't you?" the third one chimed in. "Actually, no. We felt a pretty big surge of power coming from that place and thought we might as well nab the rings for Father. Get that praise from him and all that."
Her breath hitched. "Wait, so you're here of your own volition?"
The second dragon clawed at the third one, making it lose balance for a moment. "Don't tell her everything outright for Father's sake, brother!"
"Ow! That hurt, sister!"
"Serves you right."
The first dragon rolled his eyes before staring back at Lumera. "On that note, as much as the head of the queen of no Divine Dragons would please Father, those Emblem Rings are more prized than you. Sorry to disappoint you."
Quickly beating their wings, they flew right past Lumera towards Ethelwulf's encampment. Lumera let out a long sigh.
I hope you'll forgive me.
Her large wings sprawled to a ridiculous size and with a flap, she sailed past the trio of dragons in a flash before stopping right in front of them.
"What the—?" the leading dragon exclaimed, halting his flight and almost a breath away from Lumera's snout. She brought her claws down against him, but he was able to dodge the sharp ends in the nick of time.
He created some distance and huffed. "Alright, I was starting to think that was too easy."
"You will not get past me," Lumera declared and let out a loud roar towards them. "Turn back, or perish!"
"As if! Get her!"
"Righto!" The third dragon sailed towards her, baring his fangs. Lumera dodged to the side, but before she could retaliate, the second dragon began spitting hot fireballs at her. She didn't have time to evade them, but once they hit their mark, it was nothing more than getting bitten by a mosquito to her.
Lumera gritted her teeth and breathed in, readying a fire breath of her own. Right when she was about to let loose, the leading dragon landed on top of her, kicking her at the back of her head and making her launch the breath down towards the ocean.
The attack ruptured the still ocean and created a geyser that completely blocked Lumera's vision. With a strong beat of her wings, she swept the water away, only for the trio of dragons to continue their coordinated assault.
She couldn't find an opening. They weren't going to win the battle itself, she knew that. Blowing them away into smithereens was an easy task, she was just not given the opportunity yet.
Amidst the chaos, the first dragon backed away, watching his siblings fight the Divine Dragon before a smirk formed on his features. That should do for a distraction.
Instead of following up with an attack, he zeroed in towards Ethelwulf's camp. Lumera took notice and tried to follow him, but she was stopped by the two other dragons.
"Where do you think you're going, huh?" the second one said. "We're just getting started."
The third dragon eagerly nodded. "Yeah!"
Lumera couldn't help but breathe a sigh before her eyes lit up in blue colour. "I'm done playing games."
"Oooh, scary. Honestly, I'd up your game to look a little more threatening if I were you." Fire began spewing out of the second dragon's mouth before she released another ball of flames. "Because you wouldn't even scare a bunny!"
Lumera's eyebrows knitted together and instead of dodging the attack, she plunged into the fireball. It stung a little, but that still didn't stop her from reaching the second dragon with her claws bared.
The third dragon flew towards Lumera, trying to stop her. Once he was about to bite into her hand, Lumera snapped her head and grabbed the third dragon's neck with a strong grip. He tried to wriggle his way out of her grip, but no amount of flailing helped.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing!? Let my brother go!" the second dragon bellowed, launching another attack, but Lumera simply waved her hand and brushed it off like a candlelight.
She grabbed one of the third dragon's wings and ripped it off his back. Blood started to gush out of the wound, and the dragon screamed before Lumera threw him and his wing down into the ocean. He didn't even try to fly back up, too in pain to do so, and sank with a wet splash.
A look at the ripples made by the body allowed Lumera to spot only a small speck among the blue waves. She was too high up to see anything else.
Despite ridding the world of another Fell Dragon, she was anything but proud of herself.
As she tilted her head in the second dragon's direction, she was met by a deep scowl.
"You…" she snarled. "I'll make you pay for this!"
The dragon's scales began shining an ominous purple glow. Specks of light gathered inside her body before they became one gleaming orb in her neck. It moved to her mouth and the dragon struggled to contain it before shouting, "Die!"
A beam of blazing fire shot out of her jaws and Lumera gritted her teeth before spewing her own fire to match the attack. The breaths collided with an audible bang, creating a wall of purple and blue flame that hid both dragons from each other's view, but neither relented.
The second dragon's teeth started to grow red from the heat. The scales on her neck began to peel away from her skin, and she struggled to keep her breath from sizzling away.
Lumera wasn't affected at all. In fact, she didn't even break a sweat. This was nothing more than child's play to her.
I… I can't—
The second dragon choked under the heat. Smoke escaped her mouth and the breath disappeared in an instant, engulfed by the royal Divine Dragon's flames. Staring at the incoming blue doom in front of her, her eyes widened in terror and she tried to back away, but wasn't quick enough.
Lumera's breath engulfed the second dragon completely. Once she saw the floating body inside the blue hellscape, she momentarily increased the intensity to make the death as painless as it could be, turning her fire into a solid beam of light. She breathed a large sigh when she saw nothing left but the ashes of the dragon falling into the ocean as well, ending the ordeal.
Her head sagged and she closed her eyes. I hope you two find peace.
She snapped her body back toward Ethelwulf's camp, but she couldn't see the first dragon nor the camp from so far away. She clicked her tongue.
Damn it, I took too much time.
Her wings propelled her forward. Please be careful.
{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}{*}
Vlad quickly put a tent flap into the carriage before jolting his head back at the family he was helping. "Get to the front gate, quickly!"
He got a set of collective nods before the family walked in said direction. Once he packed the last few sticks, he gave a short salute to the soldier handling the carriage and they drove away as well.
He dusted his hands before he looked around. "That should be everyone from here."
The settlement that was once filled with people was now completely void. With all the tents down and everyone gathered north, it didn't come as a surprise.
It only made Vlad unsettled. It was like when he moved his entire office to accommodate all the new employees he recruited.
The main difference was too obvious to even mention.
"Vlad," Alear exclaimed, snapping Vlad out of his thoughts. "Are you done here as well?"
He nodded. "Yeah, everyone should be at the front gate." His eyes glanced at the watch tower where Ethelwulf was still standing. A scowl formed on his features before looking back at Alear. "Let's go to our posts."
She hummed, and the two separated, Alear jogging on foot while Vlad mounted Hoof and quickly reached his gate. Lifting his head at the towering logs blocking the way in, he couldn't help but click his tongue.
"Do not fret, Vladimir. You're not alone," Sigurd suddenly said, appearing next to him. Vlad instinctively tilted his head before letting out a surprised hum. Instead of Sigurd floating beside him, he was on a horse of his own. A white mare adorned with silver armour and a horned helmet, like a unicorn.
"Since when do you have a horse?" Vlad asked.
A chuckle escaped Sigurd's lips. "He is always with me. It's only in battle that I call for his help."
"Wait, you're going to fight on horseback?"
"That I will, and I'll do whatever I can to aid you. We'll plough through the Corrupted together if we have to," the knight said with a determined frown.
Vlad didn't answer at first and gazed in Ethelwulf's direction. "I still don't know how much I can trust him. It feels like he was goating me into agreeing."
"No, what he said was true. However…" Sigurd let out a sigh. "The way he was gratifying our power might be a bit of an exaggeration. Even if he didn't truly mean it."
"So you doubt him too."
The knight shook his head. "Not to the extent you'd think. We can be powerful, but only when both the holder and the Emblem are in sync. I would even go as far as to say you're going to get a demonstration."
Vlad raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think so?"
Sigurd followed his gaze towards the watchtower. "You'll spot it immediately once it happens."
AN: Um... hi?
Yeah, sorry for the slight delay. I completely forgot to post a chapter last Saturday, so... better late than never, I guess?
But again, I don't have much to add to this chapter either. Although, I can promise you things are going to get quite spicy.
I'd like to thank Cavik for proofreading the chapter. Be sure to check out his work as well, he is a talented writer.
Thank you for bearing with me.
God's speed.