Page 11 of World At War

A chill runs down my spine at his words, the implications sinking in. If they can control dragons, then we are facing an enemy unlike any we have encountered before. But we were prepared for such a possibility, thanks to Nikita’s foresight.

She produces a handful of bracelets from her pocket, each one glinting in the dim light. “This will protect your dragon,” she explains, her tone grave. “As long as you don’t shift. You can use your powers, but don’t even raise a single scale or talon.”

We nod solemnly as she passes out the bands, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon us. With these bracelets, we may have a chance against the enemy’s control, but it is a fragile hope at best.

As I slip the protective band onto my wrist, a surge of resistance courses through me, my dragon fighting against the foreign magic. I can feel her panic, her instinctive urge to break free and unleash her power upon our enemies. But I know we must remain calm, that we cannot afford to become puppets in the hands of the Drow.

Mentally, I reach out to my dragon, soothing her fears and explaining the necessity of our restraint. We must eliminate the threat first, I tell her, and then we can unleash our fury upon our enemies once more. After several tense moments, she calms and stills within my mind, her presence a comforting presence amidst the chaos that surrounds us.

Turning my attention back to the situation at hand, I find myself torn between uncertainty and determination. “So what’s next?” I ask, my gaze shifting between Nikita and Rex. For Nikita, theUnderdark is a part of the Hellscape that she controls, a realm of darkness and shadow that holds both danger and opportunity.

In response to my question, Nikita raises her hands, and the tar-like river beneath us begins to move and swirl. White orbs rise from its depths, swirling around us like a macabre dance. And then, one by one, the hollow eye sockets of skulls emerge from the darkness, their empty gazes fixed upon us with an eerie intensity.

I realize then that Nikita is raising a larger army, summoning the forces of the Underdark to aid us in our fight against the Drow. It’s a bold move, one that fills me with a sense of awe and trepidation. Shit, just got real. I realize, as the magnitude of what we are about to face sinks in. But with Nikita’s power at our side, I know we will face whatever challenges lie ahead, armed to the teeth.

As the skeleton horde rises around us, a sense of awe washes over me at the sight of their eerie assembly. Each skeletal figure stands tall and resolute, their bones gleaming in the dim light of the Underdark. With each movement, they reach down to the ground, pulling up weapons from the mud below.

Swords and axes emerge from the earth at their command, followed by shields and maces, each piece rising to meet them as if called forth by some unseen force. It’s a haunting sight, watching the army assemble before us, their forms clad in ancient armor and armed for battle.

Soon, the army is ready, a formidable force standing at the ready, their ranks bristling with weapons and armor. As I watch, Nikita shifts, her form transforming into Death Eternal, a fearsome sight to behold. She mounts her skeletal horse,Khloros, with an air of authority, her scythe gleaming in the darkness.

Beside her, Michael also shifts, his form becoming the embodiment of War itself. With a steady hand, he climbs onto his blood-red heavy draft horse, his presence commanding and imposing.

As Nikita raises her scythe, the army stands at attention, their skeletal forms rigid and unyielding. It’s a moment of eerie silence, the tension palpable in the air as we prepare to go to war against the forces of darkness.

And as the first rays of dawn break over the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the battlefield, I know we are ready. With Nikita and Michael leading the charge, and the larger skeleton horde at our side, we will face whatever challenges lie ahead with courage and determination.

Chapter 9

Tiamat

As we marchalongside the skeletal army, I can’t help but feel a sense of dissonance deep within me. The weight of the armor and the grip of the weapon in my hand feel foreign, a stark reminder of the life I was forced to lead in the shadows.

It goes against every fiber of my being to hide, to conceal the power that flows through my veins. For so long, I was kept hidden from the world, my abilities deemed too dangerous to be unleashed upon the unsuspecting masses. And yet, until now, I hadn’t realized the extent of the resentment that had festered within me.

Unlike my many siblings, I wasn’t allowed the simple pleasures of dating or socializing with others. Instead, I was destined for a life of solitude, groomed to one day take my place as a queen. But as I glance over at Aurora, my mother, I grapple with a newfound realization.

“Mom?” I say, my voice barely above a whisper as I bump shoulders with her, seeking solace in her presence.

“Yes, baby?” she responds, her voice gentle and reassuring as we march towards the distant spires looming on the horizon.

Exhaling loudly; the words tumbling from my lips before I can stop them. “I’ve been thinking. I forgive you and dad for hiding me like you did.” It’s a confession that weighs heavily on my heart, a release of the pent-up emotions that have plagued me for so long.

Aurora’s brow furrows in concern as she takes in the look on my face, her eyes searching mine for answers. “What’s wrong?” she asks, her voice soft and understanding.

I shake my head, forcing out a laugh that rings hollow in the battlefield's stillness. “Look what happened when everyone realized I existed,” I reply bitterly, my gaze sweeping across the army marching alongside us.

Because I breathe, we are at war. It’s a fucked-up correlation, one that fills me with a sense of bitterness and regret. But as we continue our march towards the spires in the distance, I know that there is no turning back now. We are bound by duty and destiny, united in our quest to defend our realm against the forces of darkness that threaten to consume us all.

As Aurora looks out over the surrounding skeletal army, a heavy sigh escapes her lips, carrying with it the weight of her worries and fears. “Your father and I were concerned this was a possibility,” she admits, her voice tinged with sadness. For a moment, she looks down, her gaze distant and troubled.

When she meets my eyes again, her expression softens, and she lets out another sigh. “I was almost killed twice,” she confesses, her voice barely above a whisper. “Once before you were born,and then once after. Gallus saved me and gifted me with his strength and powers.”

The revelation hits me like a physical blow, the weight of my mother’s plight settling heavily upon my shoulders. Without a second thought, I wrap my arms around her, drawing her close as we continue to walk. The warmth of her embrace is a comfort amidst the chaos that surrounds us, a reminder of the bond that binds us together as mother and daughter.

“When they took you, almost killed you,” she continues, her voice trembling with emotion. “I knew why I was given the power.” Her words send a shiver down my spine, the gravity of her sacrifice hitting me like a wave crashing against the shore.

Aurora’s smile is bright and unwavering as she touches my face, her touch gentle and reassuring. “I was given that power to hold for you, until you needed it,” she explains, her sense of purpose shining through in her eyes.

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