Page 13 of World At War

“How are we going to proceed?” Draven’s voice breaks through my thoughts, his arm wrapping around me as he pulls me close. I lean into his embrace, seeking comfort and reassurance in his presence. Slowly, I lift my gaze to meet his, drawing in a deep breath.

“That’s a loaded question,” I reply with a forced smile, burying my face against his throat and pressing my forehead against his neck. “I’m torn. I can’t decide if the dragons are a distraction or a threat. Part of me, I want to save them, but I also want to keep us safe.”

I hold on to him tightly, hoping that somehow he might have the answers I seek. That Draven might be able to provide the clarity and guidance I so desperately need in this moment of uncertainty.

Draven’s fingers weave through the thick strands of my hair, each gentle tug sending a shiver down my spine. His touch is like a soothing balm, his warmth seeping into my very core as I lean into him, seeking solace and strength in his embrace. The love I feel for him swells within me, filling every corner of my being.

“War is never easy,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple in a tender kiss. The deep resonance of his voice washes over me, calming the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. “They may be dragon kin, but if they turn against us, we must see them as the enemy. They become a threat that we cannot afford to ignore.”

Another kiss is pressed to my temple, his arms tightening around me in a protective embrace. “I understand,” I whisper. His words were a balm to my troubled soul. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”

As much as Draven’s words soothe me, a pang of guilt gnaws at my insides. The weight of responsibility hangs heavy on my shoulders, knowing that I may soon be forced to confront my own kind in battle. Yet, despite the turmoil within me, I draw strength from Draven’s unwavering support. I know that together, we will face whatever challenges lie ahead.

“I know, baby,” Draven murmurs, planting a kiss on my temple before guiding me to join the others. As we approach, I find my mother and Nikita engrossed in a heated debate over the optimal line of attack. With a shake of my head, I glance at the hastilydrawn plans before lifting my gaze to the imposing mountain ahead.

“Divide and conquer,” I propose, my voice firm as I lay out my plan. “I’ll shift and fly up to draw everyone’s attention to me. Draven will hold my bracelet, and if the mages attempt to take control of me, he’ll slap it on one of my horns.”

I meet each of their gazes with unwavering determination. “You know the Drow want to capture you,” my mother interjects, her voice tinged with concern.

“I know they do,” I reply, my tone resolute. “That’s why Draven is coming with me to keep me safe. The Drow will focus their attention on me, giving you all the diversion you need to launch a three-front attack.”

As I speak, the voice of Gallus, an ancient presence I’ve come to rely on, resonates in my mind, offering guidance and strategy. With his wisdom at my side, I feel more confident than ever in our ability to overcome whatever challenges lie ahead.

The weight of my decision settles heavily in the air, palpable in the tension that grips us all. I see the resignation in my mother’s eyes, her acceptance of the harsh reality we face. Her sigh carries the weight of countless battles fought and lost.

“Sadly, Tia’s plan is the most sound we’ve come up with,” she concedes, her voice heavy with frustration. The deep growl of her beast echoes her sentiments, a testament to our shared determination.

Knox’s plea cuts through the air, his desperation clear in every word. “You can’t be serious, we have babies,” he implores, his hand trembling as it runs through his hair.

I meet his gaze, my heart aching with the knowledge of what I must do. “I know,” I whisper, my voice trembling with emotion. “And that’s exactly why I have to do this. I need to make this world safe for them, with or without me in it.”

As the truth of my words settles over us, a sense of resolve washes over me. Deep down, I know I’m willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of my children. They will know the love of their mother, even if it means facing death.

The tension in the air crackles as Nikita steps forward, her crimson lips curved in a smirk. Her presence commands attention, and for a moment, I’m reminded of the fierce rivalry we once shared. “The only one of us that messes with life or death is me,” she declares, her words carrying the weight of her authority.

A wry smile tugs at my lips. “You’ve got me there,” I concede, acknowledging her unique expertise in matters of life and death.

But beneath the banter, there’s a solemnity to our conversation. I turn to Nikita, meeting her gaze with a sense of mutual understanding. “In all seriousness, what I’m offering to do is extremely dangerous,” I admit, my tone grave. “But looking at our suggestion objectively, it’s our best course of action.”

For once, Nikita agrees with me, and her rare acquiescence lends weight to our decision. She turns to my mother, her expression softened with empathy. “I’m sorry, Auntie, but she’s right,” she says gently. “They will focus on her, so we can get in there and take them out.” Nikita’s hand reaches out to stroke my mother’s arm, offering what comfort she can in the face of uncertainty.

Mom’s response is resolute, her concern for our safety clear in every word. “I’ll agree on one condition,” she declares, her voiceunwavering. “I go with you, Tia. We can’t risk losing the mother and father of the hatchlings.”

I nod in agreement, grateful for her steadfast support. With my mother by my side, I know we’ll face whatever dangers lie ahead together.

One hour later…

As I stand at the precipice, gazing up at the towering cliffs before us, a sense of urgency pulses through my veins. Time is of the essence, and every passing moment brings us closer to the looming threat of the Drow.

With a deep breath, I turn to my mother, passing her the bracelet that, in theory, should protect my dragon form. In theory, I am defenseless against the sinister machinations of the Drow mages. My dragoness roars within me, her fierce presence surging to the forefront of my consciousness. In an instant, she seizes control, her power coursing through my body as she takes shape.

The transformation is swift and undeniable. My colossal dragoness emerges, her scales gleaming in the sunlight as she shakes out her mighty wings. I lower my head, offering my mother a perch between my horns, and with four powerful beats of my wings, we ascend into the sky.

From my elevated vantage point, I behold the courtyard below, where the captive dragons languish in chains, their primal roars echoing in the air. The Drow mages turn their attention toward us, their malevolent intent palpable even from this distance.

In the depths of my mind, the voice of Gallus resonates with unwavering authority.“Your fire will not harm the dragons,”he assures me, his words a beacon of guidance in the midst ofuncertainty. With a resolute nod, I heed his counsel, unleashing a torrent of flames upon the earth below. As the inferno consumes the courtyard, I can only pray that Gallus’s wisdom holds true, and that our daring gambit will tip the scales in our favor.

As my flames roar to life, a deafening cacophony fills the air, drowning out all other sounds. The courtyard is bathed in an infernal glow as my fiery breath blankets the landscape from end to end. I watch with grim satisfaction as the captive dragons break free from their chains, their primal roars mingling with the crackle of the flames.

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