Page 17 of World At War

But even as my army lays waste to everything in their path, I cannot afford to let my guard down. The Drow are cunning and resourceful foes, and they will stop at nothing to thwart our plans.

As we press forward, I can see the castle looming before us, its dark spires reaching up towards the sky like jagged claws. It is a fortress of darkness, a bastion of evil that must be destroyed.

With a silent command, I urge my skeletal minions onward, leading them into battle with grim determination. The Drow may outnumber us, but they will soon learn that they are no match for the might of the undead.

As we draw closer to the castle, I can feel the tension in the air mounting. The time for subtlety has passed; now is the time for action. With a fierce battle cry, I charge forward, my scythe raised high as I prepare to face whatever lies ahead.

The fate of our world hangs in the balance, and I will not rest until the Drow are vanquished and the dead king’s skull is in our hands. Victory is within our grasp, but only if we fight with all our strength and cunning.

The courtyard is a scene of utter devastation as Tiamat and her two mates land amidst the rubble, shifting back to their human forms with practiced ease. Aurora, her face alight with a fiercegrin, surveys the surrounding destruction with satisfaction evident in her eyes.

“Send the skeletons to break down the main door. If there is a trap, it will be there,” Aurora commands. Her voice ringing out with authority. She raises her taloned gauntleted hand in the direction of the large wooden double doors that stand ominously before us.

I follow Aurora’s gaze, studying the imposing doors with a sense of apprehension. The Drow are known for their cunning and deceit, and it is entirely possible that they have laid traps to defend their stronghold. But Aurora’s assessment is sound, and I find myself nodding in agreement.

With a silent command, I direct my skeletal minions forward, their bone-clad forms marching steadily towards the doors with a relentless determination. Each step they take sends reverberations through the ground, their skeletal hands gripping their weapons tightly as they prepare to carry out their task.

As they reach the doors, they bang their weapons against the sturdy wood. Their movements slow and deliberate as they methodically work to break them down. The sound echoes through the courtyard, a cacophony of clashing metal and splintering wood that reverberates off the stone walls surrounding us.

I watch with bated breath as the doors begin to splinter and crack under the relentless assault of my skeletal minions. With each blow, they draw closer to breaching the stronghold’s defenses, their determination unwavering as they press forward.

But even as they continue their assault, I cannot shake the feeling of unease that gnaws at the pit of my stomach. The Droware cunning adversaries, and I know all too well that they will not go down without a fight.

As the doors finally give way, crashing to the ground with a resounding thud, a sense of anticipation fills the air. We stand on the threshold of victory, but the true battle has only just begun.

With a silent command, I urge my skeletal minions forward, leading them into the darkness beyond the shattered doors. The air is thick with tension as they step into the unknown, our senses alert for any sign of danger.

But even as we advance, I cannot shake the feeling of foreboding that hangs heavy in the air. The Drow are masters of deception, and I know they will stop at nothing to defend their stronghold.

As my family moves forward, anticipation coursing through their veins, I am suddenly overcome by a sense of unease. Instinctively, I extend my arms and halt our progress, the cold metal of my scythe gleaming in the dim light of the courtyard.

Shifting back into my human form, I turn to face my mates, the weight of my concern evident in my gaze. “Something isn’t right,” I murmur, my voice low but firm. I then glance over at the rest of my extended family, my eyes scanning their faces for any signs of doubt or hesitation.

“Let the skeletons explore first,” I continue, my tone leaving no room for argument. My skeletal minions are expendable, their purpose to scout ahead and uncover any hidden dangers that may lie in wait. It is a precautionary measure, but one that could mean the difference between life and death.

No sooner have the words left my lips than a deafening roar echoes through the castle, followed by a cascade of fire that rainsdown from above. The courtyard erupts into chaos as flames consume everything in their path, engulfing my skeletal minions in a torrent of heat and destruction.

I watch helplessly as dozens of my skeletons are incinerated in an instant, their brittle bones reduced to ash by the searing inferno. Anguish washes over me as I witness their demise, knowing that their sacrifice was not in vain.

But even as the flames rage around us, Tiamat steps forward, her presence commanding and powerful. With a gesture, she unleashes a blast of arctic wind that cuts through the fire like a knife through butter. She extinguishes the flames, leaving behind nothing but smoldering embers in their wake.

The courtyard falls silent once more, the only sound the crackling of dying flames and the labored breaths of my family as they reel from the sudden attack. I turn to Tiamat, gratitude shining in my eyes as I nod in acknowledgment of her quick thinking and decisive action.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. Tiamat nods in response, her expression grave as she surveys the aftermath of the attack.

“We must proceed with caution,” she warns, her tone tinged with urgency. “The Drow are sneaky bastards, and they will not hesitate to use every trick in their arsenal to defend their stronghold.”

I nod in agreement, my mind racing as I contemplate our next move. The attack was a clear sign that we are walking into a trap. We must tread carefully if we are to emerge victorious.

With a silent command, I direct my remaining skeletal minions to fan out and continue their exploration of the castle. Theymove cautiously, their hollow eye sockets scanning the shadows for any sign of danger as they navigate the labyrinthine corridors and darkened chambers.

Meanwhile, I turn to my mates and the rest of my family, determination burning in my veins. “We press on,” I declare, my voice steady despite the lingering sense of unease that gnaws at my insides. “But we must remain vigilant. The Drow will stop at nothing to defend their stronghold, and we cannot afford to underestimate them.”

With that, we resume our advance, our footsteps echoing through the silent halls as we inch ever closer to our goal. The fate of our world hangs in the balance, and I know we must succeed at all costs.

Chapter 13

Tiamat

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