Page 27 of World At War

I can only watch in awe as Tia’s dragon form becomes a herald of destruction, her power unmatched and her fury unrelenting. In that moment, she is a force of nature, a harbinger of doom for any who dare to oppose her.

But amidst the chaos and devastation, there is a sense of grim satisfaction, knowing that we have struck a decisive blow against our enemies. The fire fae lie vanquished at our feet, their once formidable ranks reduced to nothing more than ashes and embers.

Yet, even as victory hangs heavy in the air, I cannot shake the feeling of unease that gnaws at the edges of my consciousness. For I know our enemies will not rest until they have been avenged, and that our battle is far from over.

But for now, as Tia’s dragon form looms overhead, a towering beacon of strength and defiance. She shifts back to her human form and looks around the battlefield. “I hate killing this much…” Tia growls out as she looks at the sheer level of destruction she caused.

The weight of vengeance hangs heavy in the air as I survey the desolation that stretches out before us. The damage we’ve caused is a testament to the carnage we’ve wrought upon our enemies. Yet, even amidst the ruins, there remains a sense of determination. There’s still a burning desire to see justice served and retribution exacted upon those who have wronged us.

“I know, hatchling,” I murmur, my voice heavy with the weight of centuries of suffering and loss. “There’s only two more houses of Elves left—the moon and wood elves.”

As I gaze out over the decimated landscape. Memories of the past flood my mind, each one a painful reminder of the atrocities committed by Oberon and his ilk. Losing my beloved Anca, the mother of my daughter Aurora, still cuts deep. It’s a wound that refuses to heal, even after all these years. And now, to see the blood of my descendants spilled in the name of his twisted ambitions, it fills me with a righteous fury unlike anything I’ve ever known.

With a grim determination, I steel myself for the battles that lie ahead, knowing that each step brings us closer to our goal: the downfall of Oberon and the liberation of our people. For too long have we suffered under his tyranny, too long have we borne the weight of his cruelty and oppression. It is time to reclaim what is rightfully ours, to cast off the chains of our oppressors and forge our own destiny.

But even as we march forward, the echoes of our past still haunt us, the specter of our fallen comrades urging us ever onward in our quest for vengeance. And though the road ahead may be fraught with peril and uncertainty, I know we cannot falter, cannot relent, until justice has been served and Oberon lies broken at our feet.

With a steely resolve, I turn to face the path that lies before us, my heart heavy with the burden of our quest, but my spirit unyielding in its determination. For I know that so long as we stand together, united in purpose and unwavering in our resolve, there is nothing that can stand in our way. And with Tia leading the charge, her dragoness form a symbol of strength. I know that victory will soon be ours.

But until then, we must press on, must continue to fight, to struggle, until the day when Oberon’s reign of terror is nothingmore than a distant memory, and our people are free to live in peace once more.

As the battle rages on around me, I can’t help but reflect on the countless conflicts I’ve endured over the course of my long life. But none has weighed as heavily on my heart as the memory of that fateful night—the night I fought tooth and claw to reach my beloved Anca, only to arrive too late to save her.

The pain of that loss still lingers, a shadow that haunts my every waking moment. But even amidst the sorrow, there is a glimmer of hope—a beacon of light that shines brightly against the darkness. And that beacon is my granddaughter, Tiamat.

I watch her now, a fierce warrior bathed in the glow of the setting sun, and I can’t help but feel a swell of pride in my chest. She carries herself with the same fiery determination as her grandmother, her spirit unyielding in the face of adversity. And as I look upon her, I see echoes of Anca in every line of her face, every flicker of her gaze.

But where Anca’s flame was extinguished too soon, Tiamat’s burns brighter than ever—a testament to her strength, her resilience, her unwavering commitment to protecting her people. And though the weight of our past hangs heavy upon her shoulders, she bears it with a grace and dignity far beyond her years.

As the battle rages on, I find myself drawn to her side, a silent guardian watching over her from the shadows. And though my body may be weary from the countless years of conflict, my spirit burns with a fierce determination to see her triumph—to see her emerge victorious against all odds.

For she is more than just my granddaughter—she is the hope of our people, the embodiment of everything we stand for. And as long as she stands tall, her spirit unbroken, I know we will overcome whatever challenges lie ahead.

But for now, I can do nothing but watch and wait, my heart heavy with the weight of our shared history, but my spirit buoyed by the knowledge that together, we will endure, we will persevere, and we will emerge victorious in the end.

Chapter 19

Tiamat

The night isheavy with anticipation as my grandfather and I take turns keeping watch over our camp. The distant silhouette of Oberon’s castle looms against the horizon, its towering spires piercing the night sky like jagged spears. In the moonlight, the castle appears both majestic and foreboding, a stark reminder of the power that lies within.

As I gaze upon the castle, a shiver runs down my spine, and I can’t help but feel a sense of unease settle over me. My mother’s words echo in my mind, reminding me that the most beautiful things are often the most deadly. And Oberon’s castle is a testament to that truth—its beauty masking the danger that lurks within its walls.

I know that within those walls, the strongest and most cunning fae warriors await their skills honed over centuries of battle and bloodshed. They are the architects of my existence, the ones who engineered my birth and that of my mother before me. And I have no doubt that they possess the knowledge and the means to strike me down with a single blow.

But I cannot afford to dwell on my fears—not now, when the lives of my mates and hatchlings depend on my strength and determination. With a steely resolve, I push aside the tendrils of doubt that threaten to ensnare me, focusing instead on the task at hand.

As the first light of dawn breaks over the horizon, my grandfather and I prepare to make our move. With a silent nod, we gather our belongings and set out towards Oberon’s castle, our footsteps steady. The journey ahead will be perilous, but I am determined to see it through to the end.

The path to the castle is fraught with danger, every step a testament to the peril that awaits us. We encounter patrols of fae warriors along the way, their keen eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of intruders. But we move with the stealth of shadows, slipping past their watchful gaze unnoticed.

As we draw closer to the castle, the air grows thick with tension, the weight of our mission pressing down upon us like a suffocating blanket. We press on, our determination unwavering in the face of adversity.

The forest surrounds us like a verdant embrace, its beauty a stark contrast to the dangers that lie hidden within its depths. Every rustle of leaves, every whisper of the wind, sets my nerves on edge, reminding me of the peril that lurks just beyond our sight. Despite that, I press on, my senses sharp and alert as I follow my grandfather through the tangled undergrowth.

As we walk, my thoughts drift back to Oberon, the fae king who once masqueraded as our ally. I can feel the anger simmering beneath the surface, the memory of his betrayal burning like a hot coal in the pit of my stomach. My dragoness snarls inresponse, her fury echoing my own as we remember the pain and suffering he has caused.

“Easy, hatchling,” my grandfather says, his voice a comforting presence amidst the turmoil of my emotions. He reaches out and clasps my hand, the touch grounding me in the present moment. I take a deep breath, willing myself to calm the storm raging within me.

---