Page 4 of World At War

Before now, his age hadn’t even been a concern on my radar. Yes, he’s older than me by over seven hundred years plus, but he appears to be in his thirties. “Honestly?” His head lifts and nods before laying back down. “It’s a non-issue. Dragons live far longer than wolves do. My only concern is dying before you and leaving you alone. I just got you.” Tears fall down my cheeks as sobs wrack my body. My hands fly up and cover my face, trying to hide my fear and pain from him.

The next thing I know, his nose presses into my abdomen, and he’s nuzzling me.“It’s a non-issue Luna. You share in my long years with me. My scale extends your lifespan and slows down the aging process.”His wing extends, and the hooked claws at the tip gently wrap around my waist and lift me up. Carefully, he places me on his head, then releases his grip on me.

Just as Marco stands up, my brother’s howl rips me out of the happy bubble I was in. I look back towards the castle, and Tia and her mates are running out of the gates. “Get Luna out of here! The Drow are opening another portal! Fly, Marco!!” Tia’s scream morphs into the tone of her dragoness.

Without hesitation, Marco launches up into the air as my sister goes on the attack. Her breath weapon decimating anything and everything in her path. She roars loudly, and an entire swarm of dragons of all species converges on the point Tia called them to.

I don’t want to leave my sister, but even I know I’m not a warrior like she is. Marco turns northwest, flying us farther away. Safety first, I suppose I can feel his tension through the bond. He’s never run from a fight in his existence because of me; he is. “We have to help Tia! Turn around, you big lug!” I’m practically crying as I scream at him; I can’t leave my sister to fight alone.

“Forgive me, my precious mate. I cannot disobey an Alpha Wyrm’s command. My dragon will not allow it.”Marco’s tone is resolute. There’s a tinge of sadness in his tone, matching his determination. Tia was his charge for many years. Her favorite bodyguard. He must feel as lost as I do, leaving her behind.

“So an Alpha Wyrm Is like an Alpha Wolf? They give an order, and we must obey without question.” He confirms my suspicion and relaxes. I guess dragons and wolves have more in common than I initially thought. “Is this our mating flight? Tia told me about the mating flight. I feel safe up here with you.”

Marco’s chuckle echoes through the bond as he flies.“Yes, my love, this is the mating flight. What’s supposed to happen after can happen whenever you’re ready. No rush or pressure.” Marco rushes out the last part, making sure to keep mecomfortable.“You can take a nap if you want. The flight to my nest will take a while.”He says softly as his flight path evens out.

At Marco’s behest, I lay down behind a boney ridge, wedging myself into a curved area, so I won’t slide out. I wrap my arm around a small raised bone plate and close my eyes. I’m excited that Marco is taking me to his actual home, even though I know why we are there. Sleep comes easily as I listen to the soft rumblings of Marco’s dragon. I can’t wait to see where we end up.

Chapter 3

Tiamat

The battlefield stretches before me,a desolate canvas painted in hues of charred gray and ominous black. Winds carry the acrid scent of burned earth, mingling with the lingering residue of dragon fire. The ground beneath my boots is uneven, scattered with the remains of the Drow, their twisted forms protruding from the ash like grotesque sculptures, frozen in agony.

As I stand amidst the wreckage, my gaze fixates on a poignant tableau unfolding before me. Luna, my dearest sister, walks away with the steadfast Marco, her mate and my most trusted guard. Their figures become indistinct against the backdrop of destruction, blending into the ashen horizon. I watch them depart, the outline of Marco’s dragon visible in the distance, a dark silhouette against the smoky sky. They’re moving away, seeking refuge far from the peril that haunts this forsaken battlefield.

The concern etched on Luna’s face is mirrored in the furrowed brow of Marco. The gravity of the situation hangs between them, a silent understanding of the danger that lingers in the air.My father’s ire simmers in the background, a storm waiting to unleash its fury upon me. He disapproves of Luna and Marcus’s union, deeming it premature, but in this moment, I find myself apathetic to his anger. My focus is singular, my purpose unwavering — ensuring my sister’s safety and distancing her from the brutal chaos that engulfs us.

The afternoon sun casts long shadows over the battlefield, intensifying the stark contrast of destruction against the vibrant hues of the sky. The air is heavy with tension, each breath tainted with the taste of ash. I clench my jaw, suppressing the turmoil within, and turn my attention back to the retreating figures of Luna and Marcus. In this desolate landscape, where the echoes of battle still linger, I can only hope that they find sanctuary beyond the smoky horizon.

The battlefield is not the only theater of chaos; several ominous Drow portals rip open, not just here but in multiple dragon courts across the land. The air quivers with an otherworldly energy as the portals pulsate, emanating an eerie glow that casts unsettling shadows on the scorched landscape. The very fabric of time and space seems to warp around these apertures. An icy shiver runs down my spine as I witness the unfolding of an unforeseen threat.

Harnessing the powerful connection of the dragon bond, I channel my thoughts to all the smaller dragon clutches scattered across the realm. An urgent warning reverberates through the minds of my dragon kin, a telepathic alarm that cuts through the tumult of battle. I feel the collective unease of the dragons as they register the impending danger, their instincts on high alert.

Amidst the chaos, I decide to deviate from Marco’s original plans. If the Drow are orchestrating a widespread assault, it’s crucial to safeguard not only Luna but also Marcus’s clan. Mymind races as I communicate the need for a change of course, a deviation from his original laid-out strategy. Marco’s dragon rumbles, the change in plans displeases him, and I sense his irritation through the dragon bond. However, he sees the value in my warning and he yields to the necessity of protecting his mate.

As Marco’s dragon changes direction, a ripple of relief courses through me. The tension that gripped my chest eases, and I can now redirect my focus to the imminent threat. My eyes scan the battlefield, lingering on the shimmering portals that await the next onslaught. The air crackles with anticipation, and the portals pulse like sinister heartbeats. Their appearance is a stark reminder of the impending danger lurking just beyond the veil.

The landscape is fraught with uncertainty, the scorched earth beneath my feet bearing witness to the clash of dragons and Drow forces. I stand resolute, my senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere, awaiting the next wave of malevolent intruders. The portals shimmer ominously, and I brace myself for the impending storm that threatens to engulf the dragon courts in its shadow.

The golden field of wheat quivers beneath the force of our landing. My dragon brings me down in the heart of the trio of portals that have torn through the fabric of reality. The wheat stalks bow and sway in the gusts stirred by the dragon wings, whispering secrets to the wind. The earth beneath my boots feels alive with energy, a pulsating anticipation that matches the rhythm of my pounding heart.

Facing the portals head-on, I stand in the center of this expansive field, flanked by my mates and a legion of dragons. The air is charged with a blend of dragon breath and the sweet scent of the golden wheat, a surreal juxtaposition of nature andimpending battle. The dragons land en masse around us, their colossal forms casting shadows on the sunlit landscape.

All eyes are vigilant, scanning every direction, wary of a potential sneak attack. The tension in the air is palpable, a tangible current that electrifies the atmosphere. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm glow upon the scene. But the serenity is shattered by the looming threat of the portals.

My instincts, honed by memories of battles and challenges gifted to me by my dragon, serve me well. Just as I prepare to address the imminent danger from the three portals before us, a shiver runs down my spine. A fourth portal tears open behind the bulk of our forces, a treacherous surprise orchestrated by the cunning Drow. The quiet rustling of wheat is replaced by the hurried footsteps of the approaching enemy.

Drow spills out of the portals in all directions, a dark tide threatening to overwhelm us. The golden field is suddenly a battleground, and the air is filled with the clash of steel against scales. Dragons of various shapes and sizes take to the air, wings slicing through the sky as they ascend. Once high enough, they prepare to rain their breath weapons down upon the Drow before the invaders can fully deploy their war machines from the portals.

The cacophony of battle reverberates through the field, blending with the roar of dragons and the cries of the Drow. Fire and magic intertwine in a dance of destruction. The wheat field is now a war zone where the fate of dragon kind hangs in the balance.

Draven and Knox, my powerful mates, move with an uncanny synchronicity, a deadly dance born from years of shared battles. Positioned strategically, they unleash their individual breathweapons in tandem, a torrent of searing flames and scalding energy that engulfs the oncoming Drow invaders. The air becomes a furnace, the scent of burned flesh hanging heavy and acrid, a testament to the ferocity of our defense.

The once vibrant wheat field, now a battleground, is ablaze. The flames dance with a malevolent glee. Tendrils of fire reaching high into the sky, casting an infernal glow across the battlefield. The air is thick with the heat of the crackling of flames, blending with the distant roars of dragons and the clash of weaponry.

Guiding my dragon into a controlled descent, I land amidst the scorched wheat, my human form replacing the formidable scales and wings. The transition is marked by a surge of coolness as I draw upon my ice dragon heritage.

I reach deep within, tapping into the wellspring of icy power that courses through my veins. The temperature drops sharply as I channel the essence of frost and cold. The air around me shimmers with an ethereal chill as I extend my arms in a wide, arching flourish.

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