Disclaimer
SOME OF THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY BELONG TO THE AUTHOR, OTHERS WERE INCLUDED WITH THEIR OWNERS' PERMISSION, AND THE REST WERE CREATED SOLELY AS PART OF THE STORY. THE BEHAVIOR AND ORIGINAL PERSONALITY OF THESE CHARACTERS, AS WELL AS THEIR ORIGINAL OWNERS, MAY NOT BE FULLY REFLECTED IN THE WORK; THEY HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED TO FIT THEIR ROLES WITHIN THE NARRATIVE.
Prologue
The world we once knew and loved has fallen to pieces. That old order no longer exists. Chaos has taken control, and trust has faded into a distant memory. Now, the shadows rule the streets of Selyvosky, where betrayal and violence lurk around every corner. The struggle for power knows no mercy, and those who were once friends now stare each other down as enemies.
Political power flounders helplessly, incapable of bringing change. The keepers of order are nothing more than decoration on the city's streets. True power is concentrated in the hands of the gangs. Gangs that are driving everything deeper into darkness.
Is this the final state of things, where all is lost, or is there someone who will bring the winds of change not only to the streets of Selyvosky but to the future of all Sleazan? Only time can provide the answer.
Chapter 1: From the Summit to the Slope, From the Slope to the Summit
Tylbo Dergun High School. An elite high school in Selyvosky. It is attended by the children of wealthy parents and exceptionally talented students who caught the principal's attention. The bell had just rung for the fourth class. The 11-A class is having history class right now.
Lunaris, the history teacher, a green, winged, long dragon, had been in the classroom for some time, chatting with his favorite students during the break. Now everyone was seated, or at least it seemed so. Dhairthel and his group of four friends were late again. Lunaris was waiting impatiently for them. Suddenly, the door opened.
Lunaris: - Five minutes...
Rafel: - I'm sorry, sir, that we’re late again.
It was Rafel, a bespectacled, slightly timid student, who spoke. He clearly didn’t belong with the group but was always dragged into trouble by Dhairthel. He was the first to enter the room. Out of the gang, he was the only human, a bit scrawny, the typical nerd type.
Then the others came in. Dhairthel, a purple western dragon, was essentially the gang leader. They listened to him the most, even though he was the wildest among them. Melony, the white raven, was Dhairthel's closest friend in the group, the one he turned to first in times of trouble. Finally, there was John, a moose. Usually quiet, but when necessary, he could make himself heard.
Lunaris: - You know the consequence of being late, right?
Rafel nodded, but the others shrugged and went to their seats.
Lunaris: - Rafel, since you usually prepare well, you can take your oral test on an older topic. One you liked the most. As for the others… Since they immediately went to sit down, they will therefore receive a grade one.
Rafel: - I’ll choose Tylbo Dergun, after whom our school is named. He was born in Ancient Times and lived in the Middle Ages, around the 2000s, when only humans lived in houses, and dragons still in caves. He was the first dragon to say, ‘Enough is enough.’ With the help of his friends, Salty and Xuryxxor, he built the first house suitable for dragons to live in, thus providing a new, more comfortable home for his family.
Lunaris: - Thank you, that will be enough. You’ve earned a five.
Lunaris waited for Rafel to return to his seat and continued the lesson.
Lunaris: - In the previous lesson, we discussed the birth of magical forces and their origins. Let us now continue.
He paused briefly to check who was paying attention and then proceeded.
Lunaris: - The crystal discovered by Rethod Yerkovich in 3201 provided the power to seal away evil and calamity. It made life easier on the planet.
He heard some students talking, so he emphasized the start of his next sentence.
Lunaris: - Where Azaruth Xalun was sealed in 4359. Although he was also a guardian, the crystal's power drove him mad. His growing strength ultimately led to the crystal's destruction in 4452, setting him free.
The chatter among the students grew louder.
Dhairthel: - When’s the next party? Do you know?
Melony: - Not yet, Spino and his gang are still organizing it. Supposedly, we’re going to wreck the abandoned hospital this time...
Lunaris interrupted.
Lunaris: - Dhairthel, Melony, I’ll need your school logbooks at the end of class.
The chatter stopped, and the lesson continued.
Lunaris: - Azaruth was defeated five years later, in 4457, by Elaine Xalun, his only surviving family member and granddaughter. Her actions ended his reign and suffering in the world. Her petrified body and eternal resting place can still be visited. Friendship and the remnants of magic hold her and Natelien Zurwill’s resting places together. Natelien died as a result of the battle in 4458. Elaine, fearing the consequences, turned herself to stone thirty years after the final battle in 4487 at the gravestone of her old friend and fellow guardian. They were the last guardians. Since then, only at their resting place has magic been felt.
He waited for any questions, but none came.
Lunaris: - If there are no questions, class is over. You may go to lunch.
Everyone left the room, or so it seemed. Rafel was still seated and... raising his hand?
Lunaris: - Rafel? You never usually have questions. You always understand everything. Go ahead, what’s your question?
Rafel: - Um… If magic is no more, why do people still feel it near their graves?
Lunaris: - The power of friendship and love is strong enough to achieve that.
Rafel: - But then Elaine isn’t truly dead, right?
Lunaris: - It’s not certain. According to current understanding, and because her crystal is shattered, Elaine died as a result of her transformation into stone.
Rafel bowed his head. It seemed the topic of magic and Elaine’s fate had profoundly affected him. Meanwhile, Dhairthel and his friends were already outside in the yard by the fence. They didn’t wait for Rafel. They glanced around to see if anyone was watching, but the coast was clear. At the door, Rafel appeared, running toward them, his eyes slightly red. Had he been crying? Was history class really that emotional?
Dhairthel: - Finally, you’re here... We need your help. You’re on lookout until we get back. If everybody starts going in, call us on the phone. If someone asks why you’re here or not with us, make something up. Just don’t tell them we sneaked out.
Rafel: - Are you out of your mind?! What if someone notices you sneaking out?
Melony: - At worst, they'll write us up in our logbooks again. They can't do much else. This place stays open because of our parents. Don't worry, nothing will happen.
Rafel: - But…
John: - We told you to relax. It'll be fine.
Rafel: - Yeah, for you…
Dhairthel: - Shut it, okay?
With that, two of them flew over the fence, and the third climbed it. They were fast; no one noticed their disappearance. Rafel watched as they vanished behind the building and then turned away.
Rafel muttered nervously under his breath.
Rafel: - Calm down, Rafel... They’re just using you, but at least you're someone's friend…
The three friends headed toward an alley. A fence separated the alley from the street, but the gate's padlock had long since fallen off, leaving it open.
John: - Are you sure your contact will be here?
Dhairthel: - He’s not my friend, and I don’t even know his real name, at least I’m sure that’s not it. We won’t use our real names either, so he won’t snitch on us. And no, I’m not sure he’ll be here.
Melony: - And what does this 'Rick' sell?
Dhairthel: - It’s always different. But now, if he’s here at all, it’s black crystal. The most dangerous drug around. Supposedly, while under its influence, you can even perform magic. It’s incredibly strong. Even one gram is enough, but if you take more than that within ten hours, it’ll kill you.
Melony: - That’s intense…
Dhairthel: - It is. But enough talk. Let’s find our guy. Oh, one more thing: From now on, I’m Touzy, Mel is Aya, and John, you’re Ramund. Got it?
Both nodded. With that, they entered the alley, where a figure was already waiting for them in one of the dark corners. A sergal with antlers and a glowing tattoo, the only reason anyone could tell someone was even there.
Yunari: - You’re late. I was about to leave and find real customers. Who are they? I thought we agreed you wouldn’t bring others…
Dhairthel: - Sorry, 'Rick.' They wanted to come. Don’t worry, they’re no threat, they’re buyers too.
Yunari: - Good to hear.
Dhairthel: - How much for the stuff?
Yunari: - Ten grand for five grams.
Dhairthel: - Aya, Ramund? How much should we get?
Melony: - I’ll pitch in twenty.
John: - I’ve got ten.
Dhairthel: - Alright, thirty grams then, plus a test gram for each of us.
Yunari: - Only because you’re buying so much.
Yunari handed over the package and measured out one gram of black crystal for each of them. They all snorted it and began to feel its effects, perhaps too strongly. Dhairthel lost himself entirely, acting without thinking.
Dhairthel: - You know what, 'Rick'? We’ve changed our minds. Give back the money, and we’ll leave!
Yunari: - This isn’t a barter market; there are no refunds here.
Melony: - Come on, let’s go.
Dhairthel: - No! You idiot, you’re giving our money back, or this ends badly!
Yunari: - Ha! You think I’m afraid of you? You’re just kids. What are you, juniors? You haven’t even grown up yet!
Dhairthel had heard enough. He roared and charged at Yunari, slashing his throat with the spikes on his front paw. Blood splattered everywhere. Dhairthel was drenched in it. There was dead silence as John and Melony stared, mouths agape, at Dhairthel and the corpse.
Dhairthel: - Don’t just stand there! Grab the rest of the drugs and the money while I find something to clean myself up with.
Melony and John didn’t move. Dhairthel shouted.
Dhairthel: - Move!
The three friends ran back and were soon back on the school grounds.
Melony: - Phew… That was close…
Dhairthel: - Shut up! Don’t talk about this to anyone!
Rafel: - Where the hell were you?! You didn’t answer your phones! You missed three classes! And… Why are you covered in blood, Dhairthel?!
Dhairthel: - None of your business.
Rafel: - I have a right to know! I covered for you because I thought we were friends…
Dhairthel: - No, you don’t have the right to know. And for the record: we only befriended you so someone would cover for us and take the fall if needed.
Rafel ran off crying, disappearing into the school building.
Melony: - That was too harsh…
John: - Mel’s right.
Dhairthel: - … Let’s go find him.
They headed to the men’s restroom on the ground floor, where they heard crying.
Melony: - I’ll wait for you here; I can’t go in there.
Dhairthel: - Come on, don’t be a coward.
Melony: - Easy for you to say… You can go into either.
Dhairthel: - True, but this is different. We need to teach the kid a lesson. You need to see this too.
Melony shrugged and followed them in.
Dhairthel: - Rafel, are you here? I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t mean it seriously.
Rafel's tearful voice came from one of the stalls. He didn’t know what they were planning against him, unaware that his "friends" were still under the influence of drugs.
Rafel: - Leave me alone... I don’t want to talk to you.
Dhairthel knocked on the door and then forced it open. Rafel was just wiping his eyes.
Dhairthel: - Look, I’m sorry for offending you. Here, a peace offering.
He handed over a small amount of black crystal. At first, Rafel didn’t understand what it was, but Dhairthel explained that it was a drug that could even grant magical powers. Melony wanted to warn him not to take more than one gram, but the dragon nudged her side and winked, signaling her to stay silent.
Rafel inhaled all of it and quickly became hyperactive. The others watched him run around erratically before collapsing. Blood poured from his nose, and he wasn’t breathing. Melony started screaming.
Melony: - What’s wrong with him?! Is he breathing?!
Dhairthel: - Calm down! I’ll check... He’s not breathing. We need to resuscitate him.
Dhairthel looked around.
Dhairthel: - Where’s John?!
Melony: - I don’t know, I’ll find him.
Dhairthel: - Bring him back; he can’t snitch.
Melony ran out the door. When she got outside, she spotted John turning the corner, running and seemingly searching for someone. Melony chased after him.
John stopped in front of a teacher, panting as he spoke.
John: - Sir! Rafel... in the boys’ restroom... He’s unresponsive... Not breathing...
Lunaris: - Call an ambulance immediately! I’ll see what I can do!
Lunaris rushed to the restroom, where Dhairthel was attempting to resuscitate Rafel. He pushed the small dragon aside and began proper CPR, questioning him in the process.
Lunaris: - What happened?
Dhairthel: - I don’t know; we found him like this.
Lunaris: - Why is his nose bleeding?
Dhairthel: - He overdosed.
He slipped up, and Lunaris was stunned, momentarily stopping the CPR.
Lunaris: - You said you didn’t know what happened!
Dhairthel: - Damn it...
Lunaris refocused and continued the CPR.
The paramedics arrived shortly after. John directed them to the location and explained where to go. They burst through the door and took over from Lunaris.
Frederick: - What happened?
Lunaris: - He overdosed and isn’t breathing. That’s all I know. Dhairthel?
Dhairthel was no longer in the restroom or anywhere on the school grounds. He had run to his allies, and together they fled further. They ran all the way to Dhairthel’s home, where the police were already waiting for them. Along the way, they discarded all the drugs in a panic.
At the station, they were taken to separate interrogation rooms. They weren’t given enough time to coordinate their stories, and they were placed in separate cells.
Dhairthel was interrogated by Officer Xarox.
Xarox: - Please explain exactly what happened and why you fled the scene.
Dhairthel: - When we arrived at the restroom, he was already unconscious on the floor. We tried to resuscitate him but couldn’t. We ran because we were in shock.
Xarox: - How did you know he overdosed if you had just arrived?
Dhairthel: - I didn’t know.
Xarox: - If you didn’t know, then why did you tell Lunaris that Rafel overdosed?
Dhairthel: - I didn’t tell him that.
Xarox: - Your classmate just lost his life because of you! Stop lying to me! You’re only making it worse for yourself!
Dhairthel: - I’ve already told you, I don’t know anything.
Xarox: - We’re getting nowhere; you’re being stubborn.
Melony was questioned by Officer Zynd.
Zynd: - Why did you flee with the others to Dhairthel’s parents’ house?
Melony: - He told me to come with them.
Zynd: - Who told you?
Melony: - Dhairthel.
Zynd: - Do you know anything else?
Melony: - No.
Zynd: - Thank you. We’re done here.
In the third interrogation room, Rimbs was questioning John.
Rimbs: - We know you alerted Lunaris, who called the paramedics, albeit too late. That’s in your favor. If you tell us who gave Rafel the drugs and where they came from, you might get a lighter sentence. If you don’t, you’re in deep trouble. I’ll make sure you rot in jail for life.
John: - Dhairthel knew the dealer and killed him in an alley. He also gave Rafel the drugs.
Rimbs was surprised at how easily John confessed but didn’t let the opportunity slip.
Rimbs: - Which alley?
John: - The one to the right of 34 Paradise Street.
Rimbs: - Thank you. I’ll ensure you only get a year at most. Boys, let’s move!
Dhairthel was betrayed by both of his friends. They saved themselves. John got off with six months, and Melony didn’t face any jail time. Dhairthel received a ten-year prison sentence, from which he repeatedly escaped. However, each time he made a mistake that led to his capture. While inside, he formed the DDT gang, got tattoos, and began to undermine the prison from within. Not only prisoners but even guards and officers became members. It’s no surprise that by the time he was twenty, he was out of prison, despite originally being sentenced to stay until at least fifty. By then, he had built a well-organized crime syndicate.
Chapter 2: Wounds Heal, the Soul Does Not
TubeDog: - Here he is, Boss, the one you asked for.
TubeDog pushed a tied-up white raven to the ground, someone Dhairthel recognized. The female of course fell.
TubeDog: - Catching the little bird wasn’t as hard as we thought.
At the end of his sentence, he winked at the captive.
Dhairthel: - Well… We met again, my old friend.
Dhairthel cut the rope from her beak, then nodded at TubeDog, signaling that he could leave.
Melony: - When was the last time? Twenty years ago?
Dhairthel: - I don’t know. Who counts the days? When rage, the rage fueled by betrayal, lives within you, and you wait for the day when you can finally take revenge on the one who betrayed you.
Melony just stared at Dhairthel as he spoke. She didn’t scream, didn’t try to escape. She knew him well enough to understand that her old comrade wouldn’t harm her.
Dhairthel: - And now we’re here again. In my home, where those cops took us years ago. Sure, I’ve redecorated a bit since then, and expanded the territory. But who am I kidding? You know very well that this was a dusthole, small and insignificant. After all, this is West Selyvosky.
Melony: - You stayed here. I didn’t.
The trapped bird raised her voice.
Melony: - I got out of this filthy hole you call home! I made it! I achieved my dream!
Dhairthel slammed his hand on the table and roared.
Dhairthel: - Enough! Do you think you’re in control!? Do you think you’re anything more than a speck in the machine!? Look around! Whose domain are you in!? Who are you staring at!? WHO!?
He stopped shouting and fell silent. He looked deep into Melony’s eyes, but all he saw was emptiness. Then, he spoke again.
Dhairthel: - You don’t understand what’s happening… You don’t feel the weight of things, you don’t see their severity… You don’t deserve any more of my attention…
He pressed a button on his desk and spoke into the microphone.
Dhairthel: - Take her away.
Two gang members entered the room, grabbed Melony, who was still on the floor, lifted her up, and took her away. Her beak wasn’t tied again, so as she was being dragged out, she shouted.
Melony: - Dhairthel, you’ll regret this! You’ll regret this so much!
The door closed behind her, and she couldn’t say anything more.
Dhairthel pressed the button again to summon TubeDog back and assign him his next task. The mission seemed simple: get John drunk and kill him. Then, plant the murder weapon on him to make it look like he had killed Melony before taking his own life.
TubeDog: - That won’t be as easy as it sounds, Boss.
Dhairthel: - I know, but someone has to take the fall for Melony’s death. Someone close to her, someone from the Sky of the Moon.
TubeDog: - Except he’s the leader of the Scale team. He’s one of their best-trained members.
Dhairthel: - If things get tricky, the nearby Holy team will have your back.
Both nodded, and TubeDog left the room.
Dhairthel looked out the window, where Melony’s lifeless body greeted him.
Dhairthel: - Poor girl… I don’t understand what I ever saw in her…
TubeDog was already on the other side of the city, walking towards a house. He was dressed differently now, blending in with the local gang’s attire to avoid drawing attention.
He stopped in front of a door and knocked three times. A voice came from inside.
John: - Where does the snake go?
TubeDog: - High above, beside the moon.
The door swung open. Behind it was a vast open space. The house was just a facade, this was the main hideout of the Sky of the Moon gang. In the center stood a house that TubeDog didn’t have clearance to enter, at least not yet. It was Ke’ Frel’s residence, accessible only to team leaders and Melony.
He belonged to the Medress team and had nearly secured the rank of deputy leader when, unexpectedly, a rookie was chosen instead. He found it unfair, but he didn’t resist. He accepted it.
He found it strange that John had opened the door since that wasn’t his job. Maybe they had seen him leaving with Melony or noticed when he knocked her out and shoved her into a car. He was nervous inside, but on the outside, he remained calm.
John: - Good to see you, Ezekiel. I wish I could say the same for Mel.
John looked at him with concern. TubeDog tried to feign surprise, maybe he succeeded.
TubeDog: - She didn’t come home last night?
John: - No. I’ve searched the entire area, but there’s no trace of her. Maybe the snakes got her. If that’s the case, then Dhairthel has already executed her.
Poor John… If only he knew how close he was to the truth, that the DDT had already finished the job. If he only knew they were about to frame him for it.
TubeDog: - Have you told Ke’ Frel?
John: - Yeah, I’ve informed almost everyone. Only those who haven’t returned yet don’t know… Why do you ask?
John looked at TubeDog with suspicion, and he realized he shouldn’t have asked that.
TubeDog: - I was just curious if he knew or if I should tell him.
One hand rested near his weapon, ready if John made a move, but fortunately, he didn’t.
With that, TubeDog stepped inside, and the door closed behind him.
Ke’ Frel had been pacing back and forth in his room for some time. He was alone. When he passed by the door, there was a knock. He stopped.
Ke’ Frel: - Come in!
He continued walking.
John: - Sorry to bother you, sir.
Ke’ Frel: - No problem. Any news on Melony?
John: - Nothing yet, but that’s not why I came.
Ke’ Frel stopped in front of John, who hesitated for a moment, swallowed, and then continued.
John: - I have a feeling we have a rat among us.
Ke’ Frel didn’t react immediately. He turned around, went to his desk, sat down, and then suddenly grabbed the desk and threw it past John’s head. The desk shattered against the wall.
Ke’ Frel: - What do you mean we have a rat among us?!
John fell backward.
John: - Someone has infiltrated us… A spy… Otherwise, how else would Melony have disappeared? No one but our gang members knew she was one of us.
Ke’ Frel pondered for a moment.
Ke’ Frel: - Summon every new recruit from the past year to the front of the house. We’ll see which rat breaks first.
John: - Yes, sir. Understood.
Outside the house, twenty different creatures lined up. None of them knew why they were there. John stepped onto the stairs leading to the entrance and shouted to them.
John: - Who among you knows what the word ‘rat’ means?
A murmur spread through the crowd. Only one stepped forward, a cat.
Bajusz: - One of the species on our planet. Just kidding. It’s a person who infiltrates a group and leaks secrets for money or other benefits.
John: - Exactly. And we have one among us.
All the recruits were shocked. They couldn’t believe it.
TubeDog arrived at the scene, where the newcomers were surrounded. He looked around in confusion and then addressed one of the guards holding a weapon.
TubeDog: - What’s going on here, Bubaru?
Bubaru: - John thinks there’s a rat among the recruits. I don’t know what they plan to do, but if they kill someone, I’m out.
With that, TubeDog ran. Straight to the entrance where he had come in that morning. From there, he watched events unfold.
John: - You are all suspects of spying for someone else.
The crowd murmured. A spy? Here? They didn’t understand.
John: - Each of you will answer one simple question. If you get it wrong, you won’t see tomorrow!
Bajusz shouted.
Bajusz: - This is all because of Melony?!
John pulled a Desert Eagle from his pocket. He fired immediately. Blood splattered. His gun was gone in an instant. A recruit collapsed. Nineteen remained.
John: - Don’t speak her name!
The crowd panicked. Bajusz was no more.
Bubaru: - I’m out. Someone take my place.
John: - Don’t. Move.
Bubaru swallowed and stayed still.
John: - If you want to leave here, there’s only one place you can go. And you don’t want to end up there, do you?
One of the recruits spoke up.
Cuzar: - If this is about her disappearance… I might have new information.
The entire gang turned to him. Especially John, who immediately pointed his gun at him.
John: - Let’s hear it.
The recruit started sweating. He had never had a gun aimed at him before. He spoke in a trembling voice.
Cuzar: - L…Last time I saw her… she was with E…Ezekiel… going s…somewhere.
John and TubeDog needed no further prompting. TubeDog was almost out the door when John shot him in the shoulder. He screamed and slammed the door behind him. He ran as fast as he could, his life was at stake.
John: - After him!
The crowd didn’t move. John fired a shot into the air.
John: - That traitorous scum can’t get away with this! Get him!
The crowd rushed toward the door all at once, clogging it up. John held his head in frustration.
John: - How am I surrounded by such idiots?... One at a time!
The mob finally moved. Half went right, half went left. They didn’t know which way TubeDog had gone. They couldn’t have, he was already far away.
TubeDog reached a bus stop, where he paused to catch his breath. As he watched for pursuers, he checked his wound. Only then did he realize he wasn’t alone at the stop.
IceFlame: - Good afternoon! Nice day, isn’t it?
A police dragon. This was not his day… First, nearly shot, now a cop. What next? Wait… Did he just ask if it was a nice day? Had he not noticed the wound? Or what was happening? But he was a cop! He couldn’t be this blind.
TubeDog: - Good afternoon, officer! Oh yes, very…
His response was dripping with sarcasm.
The dragon smiled, waiting for his bus to take him to the police station. Today was his first real day as an officer. He had proven himself in training camp, but this was his first real test.
IceFlame: - Are you also taking the 205 bus?
TubeDog hesitated. He hadn’t even checked which bus to take yet. He hadn’t had time to think about it.
TubeDog: - I’m not sure. I haven’t checked yet…
For a moment, he paused as pain shot through his wound.
TubeDog: - … Which one I should take.
Bubaru: - I’ll help with that!
Bubaru appeared from behind the bus stop, pointing a gun at TubeDog.
Damn it! This can’t be the end! A bear is going to kill him in front of a clueless cop?! There had to be a way out! He reached toward his belt, where his gun was.
Bubaru: - I wouldn’t do that if I were you… You’re in no condition to use it.
He was right. TubeDog’s right arm was barely usable due to the gunshot wound. His left hand was supporting his weight on the ground.
TubeDog: - Just finish me! You won’t get anything out of me!
IceFlame just nodded along, as if he were listening to music, paying no attention to the situation.
Bubaru: - I didn’t come to kill you.
He put his gun away, showing he meant it.
Bubaru: - I want to join the DDT. I’m sick of innocent people dying. John and the rest of those scumbags have to pay for what they’ve done.
TubeDog stood up. He wasn’t surprised that Bubaru knew which gang he truly belonged to, only two gangs were big enough to infiltrate each other so effectively.
TubeDog: - And how do I know you’re telling the truth?
Bubaru: - You have every reason not to trust me. You can hold me as a prisoner, even kill me. That would still be better than going back there. All I ask is a chance.
TubeDog: - Give me your gun…
Bubaru handed it over without hesitation.
A bus pulled up. The 205. IceFlame waved to them and got on. The bus left, leaving the two alone.
TubeDog: - This is going to hurt.
With that, he knocked Bubaru out with the handle of the gun.
He pulled out his phone and called someone.
TubeDog: - The plan failed… Yes… They might suspect… A polar bear-tiger hybrid wants to join us from the other gang… I knocked him out. What should I do with him?... Understood.
A few hours later, Bubaru regained consciousness in a narrow, dark room. He was sitting on a chair, tied to it. In front of him was a table with a lamp that shone directly into his eyes. Someone was sitting behind the table, but due to the lighting, he couldn't make out who it was.
Tunguszka: - For what purpose did the Sky of the Moon send you?
Bubaru spoke calmly, knowing that no matter what happened, he would always tell the truth.
Bubaru: - They didn’t send me. I came on my own.
Tunguszka wasn’t surprised by this response, it was exactly what he expected.
Tunguszka: - You say you came here of your own will, betraying your own kind? You know we don’t need scum like that here? Such people can’t be trusted. The moment we get a chance, they should be eliminated!
Bubaru: - I know… If you want to, you’ll do it anyway…
The bear squinted but tried to look his interrogator in the eye.
Bubaru: - But then I won’t be able to share inside information.
Tunguszka left the room, leaving Bubaru alone. Bubaru sighed in relief. He knew that this was a step forward, a move that secured his life, at least for now.
As soon as Tunguszka stepped outside, a familiar figure was waiting for him.
Haf’ Nan: - What did you manage to get out of him?
Tunguszka: - He knows something about the other gang that we don’t.
Haf’ Nan: - He could just be bluffing.
Tunguszka: - He said it too confidently for that. He even tried to look me in the eye, as if to prove he wasn’t lying… What should we do, boss?
Haf’ Nan: - For now, keep him alive. Find out everything about him, get everything out of him. Focus especially on John. Once he’s told you everything, kill him.
With that, Haf’ Nan left Tunguszka, who had no chance to ask further questions. He had his orders. He returned to Bubaru’s room. As soon as he stepped in and closed the door, he got straight to the point.
Tunguszka: - I suggest you start singing, little bird, or this won’t end well for you…
Bubaru: - Where should I begin?
Tunguszka: - Let’s start from the beginning, when you became a leader. But most importantly, I want to hear everything about John.
Bubaru: - Why him?
Tunguszka: - Just know that it’s an order from above.
Bubaru: - Then I’ll start from the beginning…
Chapter 3: The Fugitive
Bubaru: - Guys, are you ready to catch this big fish?
He looked at his small gang with satisfaction. The group was only a handful of members, mostly consisting of Bubaru's close friends. Initially, they called themselves KnightVision as a joke, but after committing several thefts and crimes, the name stuck. Eventually, under Bubaru's leadership, the gang became official. As time passed, a few more members joined, allowing them to attempt even bigger heists.
Their current plan was the most ambitious yet. A contact had tipped them off that a shipment of black crystal had recently arrived at the home of John, a leader of one of the Sky of the Moon teams. It was set to be distributed in the coming days. The only problem? The loot was in the hands of one of the city's most powerful gangs.
Fred: - You know we're always with you, buddy… But…
He hesitated, clearly anxious about the upcoming operation. He wanted to finish his thought, but Dean interrupted.
Dean: - But you can't be serious, can you? This is way out of our league! They're way above us! If they find out we did it, they'll hunt us down one by one and…
Bubaru: - ENOUGH!
Bubaru cut him off. He wasn’t willing to listen to their whining any longer.
Bubaru: - If you're afraid of a gang that doesn’t even know we exist, if you're scared that they might snuff out your pathetic lives, then leave. Walk away… But if you do, don’t ever come looking for me again!
Everyone stared at Bubaru, but no one moved.
Bubaru: - Don’t you understand?! Get. Out. NOW!
A few minutes later, the room was empty. Bubaru remained alone, staring at the map, mentally revising his plan. He could do this alone. There was a lot of money at stake.
Night fell, the time they had originally planned for the heist. Bubaru waited outside John’s house, looking for the perfect moment. According to his intel, there was a weak spot in the security system, an area without surveillance cameras, the ventilation duct. It was small, but he had sent in a drone to locate the recording box and disconnect it. From that point on, the coast was clear.
The drone successfully executed its part of the plan, but Bubaru hadn’t accounted for an unexpected complication, his old friends had decided to go through with the heist after all. They waited outside while Bubaru disabled the motion-sensor laser alarm at the rear window. The alarms were discreetly hidden, but he managed to bypass them and open the window. He was inside, in the kitchen, close to the bedroom where the homeowner slept. Bubaru began searching for the loot, as his informant hadn't been able to pinpoint its exact location.
Meanwhile, his former comrades were struggling outside. They hadn’t anticipated the window alarm and clumsily tried to pry it open. It was almost comical, like amateurs attempting their first break-in. In a way, it was their first, as Bubaru had always handled the dirty work before.
The alarm triggered, but they didn’t hear it. It only set off a phone notification in the bedroom, soft enough to be inaudible from another room but loud enough to wake John. Additionally, as soon as the alarm activated, the cameras came back online, transmitting a live feed directly to Ke’ Frel. This ensured he was immediately alerted whenever something went wrong. This time was no different.
John’s bedroom door opened silently, but Bubaru noticed it immediately. There was no time to hide. A bullet struck his leg.
John: - I’ll deal with you later. First, I’ll handle your friends.
Bubaru lay on the floor in pain. He couldn’t understand how John had known he was there. He had disabled everything… And what friends? He had come alone… Unless… No, that couldn’t be… They were too cowardly for this, and they didn’t even know how to break in properly!
Outside, the others were still struggling with the window.
Fred: - That… What was that?!
Dean: - Ignore it! Just help Russel and me!
They continued trying. Or at least, they would have. Three gunshots rang out. Each found its target, a clean headshot for each of them. They never got back up.
John said nothing. He simply returned to the intruder.
He grabbed Bubaru and dragged him to the window, where three fresh bullet holes gaped. He knew there wouldn’t be any resistance, pain had drained all of Bubaru’s strength.
John: - Now that your amateur friends are gone, tell me, what the hell were you thinking, breaking in here?! Breaking into the home of the Scale team leader?! Are you that bold?! Or just that stupid?!
Bubaru was still adjusting to the pain, but instead of answering John’s questions, he looked at the bodies of those who had put him in this mess.
Bubaru: - Fools… I thought they understood…
John snapped. He pressed the gun to Bubaru’s head.
John: - I asked you a question! Time to answer!
A sudden ringing interrupted. John answered his phone. After a few moments of listening, he lowered his gun and ended the call.
John: - You got lucky… The boss wants you alive. But there’s a catch.
Bubaru: - Whatever it is, just kill me instead!
The moose ignored his plea and continued.
John: - You’re joining the gang. From now on, you serve us, no matter what it costs you.
A year later, Bubaru had not only fully recovered from his gunshot wound but had earned Ke’ Frel’s trust, or at least, Ke’ Frel wanted him close for some reason. He promoted Bubaru to leader of the Medress team and even put him in charge of a secret experiment.
John never liked him. He was always waiting for Bubaru to make a fatal mistake so he could kill him. But that moment never came.
The secret experiment involved the development of a robotic entity. The location was far from the gang’s main territory but remained well-hidden. It was an underground facility deep within the nearby forest. The site had been converted into an escape-proof lab. No security cameras or external power sources were installed to keep it hidden.
The prototype was almost complete. The scientists and engineers had already named it Gimward, but to make it official and indicate that it was the first version, they settled on Gimward-01.
After weeks of continuous work, Gimward-01 was finally ready for its first test. Upon activation, it demonstrated independent thought and emotions. From that point on, no one could shut it down or alter its consciousness or body.
Dr. Jore: - Welcome to our world.
dr. Urgs: - So far, so good.
Bubaru: - So this is what I’m here for. I have to keep an eye on it…
Dr. Jore: - Yes. Your task is to ensure that it never leaves this place until we fully understand it. Just because we programmed it with certain information doesn’t mean it’s truly on our side.
Gimward-01: - So that’s all I am to you? A miserable experiment?!
Bubaru glanced at the lead scientist. He didn’t like the idea of keeping a living being locked up, but he didn’t let his feelings show.
Bubaru: - Dr. Jore?
Dr. Jore: - If that’s how you want to see it, then yes. We brought you into this world. We gave you life. And we can take it away if you step out of line.
Gimward-01: - Like if I misuse the knowledge you implanted in me?
Dr. Jore: - Exactly. Though I don’t see how you could from inside this room. You’re locked up, with no way out.
Neither Bubaru nor Gimward-01 liked that word. Locked up… Like a wild animal that had to be kept behind bars, dangerous to others. The only difference between them was that Bubaru knew how to get him out of here.
He didn’t want to risk his life at all costs, but he also couldn’t let another life be trapped forever.
Days passed, but Gimward-01 still showed no sign of allegiance to the gang or opposition. He didn’t speak. He didn’t answer questions. He just sat in the corner where he had first settled after his initial conversation. Occasionally, he stood up to eat or drink when he needed to, but beyond that, he did nothing.
One evening, when due to some mistake Bubaru was the only one in the lab, he approached the cage, because, in truth, that’s what it was. A room with no windows, only one exit, locked from the outside. He opened the door and stepped inside to meet Gimward-01.
Bubaru: - It’s a nice evening, isn’t it?
How could he know if it was morning or evening? There wasn’t even a clock in the place holding him captive, so he didn’t react to the question at all. Not just because he knew his captor already knew the answer, but also because he had no interest in conversing. Bubaru, unfazed by the lack of response, continued trying to break the ice.
Bubaru: - I heard you were designed to be very flexible. Is that true?
Again, no response, or was there? One of Gimward-01’s fingers moved slightly.
Bubaru: - I know you’re not with them, just like me. But if I want to stay alive, I have to follow their orders.
Gimward-01 glanced at the polar bear-tiger hybrid with his eyes but didn’t turn his head toward him.
Bubaru: - I see I’ve caught your interest. I know what you’re thinking: Why would I help you if it would cost me my life? The answer is simple: I can’t let you suffer here, without a chance to experience what freedom is like. To choose your own path. To decide what you do.
Gimward-01 suddenly stood up and looked straight into Bubaru’s eyes. His gaze was full of fury.
Gimward-01: - And how would you know?! You just said you’re not with them, yet you follow their orders, you’re still by their side!
A silence followed. Neither spoke. Gimward-01 was still glaring at Bubaru, who calmly met the Synth’s gaze.
Bubaru: - I once knew what it was like to be free. My friends died because of the gang. They let me live. Why? I still don’t know. What I do know is that the boss wants to keep me close for some reason. Maybe he fears me, I don’t know.
Gimward-01: - If he fears you, then why are you still here? Why aren’t you already in charge?
Bubaru: - Because my life is more important. I’m too much of a coward to stand up to him alone. I’m waiting for the right moment to escape. I don’t want to die running, but I also won’t forget my revenge. Especially… John must die!
Gimward-01: - John…
Gimward-01 seemed lost in thought. Data was racing through his mind. He kept repeating John’s name at regular intervals, not too frequently, but not too rarely either.
Bubaru didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t sure if he could snap him out of this trance by shaking his shoulder or if their connection wasn’t strong enough yet for that.
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Tunguszka: - Stop, stop, stop!
Bubaru tried to look into the figure’s eyes, but the lighting still made it impossible.
Tunguszka: - Are you telling me that this Gimward-01 knows a lot about the Sky of the Moon gang and John?
Bubaru: - Well… Maybe, I can’t say for sure. He didn’t say anything after he regained consciousness.
Tunguszka: - Shame that our guarantee is somewhere deep in the forest, in the other gang’s hands…
Bubaru: - Shall I continue?
Tunguszka: - Yes, of course…
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Once Gimward-01 regained his senses, they continued their conversation.
Bubaru: - I have a plan to get you out of here. But you have to trust me and promise to wait for me at the designated location every day between 22:34 and 22:44.
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Tunguszka: - Where is the meeting point?!
Bubaru: - Patience! We’ll get there…
Bubaru didn’t plan on revealing the location just yet. He had to secure his life somehow, and this information was his leverage.
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Once the plan was set, all that was left was to execute it. After finishing their conversation, Bubaru left the room, but he didn’t lock the door, just closed it. That night, they couldn’t carry it out, as morning was approaching. They needed a day when Bubaru wasn’t on-site, so they couldn’t prove he was the one who let him out.
The fact that the door was merely closed and not locked wasn’t suspicious, as they only opened the small hatch in the door to pass Gimward-01 food and drink.
The right moment arrived. Bubaru was assigned a different task that day, so he wasn’t the one guarding the Synth. Instead, they sent Dhona.
She had never been sent on-site before, always handling paperwork. She was more of a secretary than someone who wielded a weapon. Her pen was her real weapon.
But now, they had given her a gun and sent her to the field. They didn’t tell her the exact task, only that she had to oversee and guard something.
She heard a door open. She immediately pulled the gun from her pocket, aiming in its direction. Her hands were trembling as if they were made of jelly.
Dhona: - Who… Who’s there?!… Show yourself… Now!… Hands… Hands up!…
She started shooting wildly. She emptied the entire magazine into nothingness. One bullet hit a gas pipe. A massive explosion shook the area, followed by silence.
Where once a hidden facility stood, now only ruins marked its former existence.
The next day, when the scientists arrived with John, who had come to check on the progress, there was nothing left but rubble.
John: - What the hell happened here?! Dr. Jore?! Dr. Jore, explain to me immediately what the hell happened here?!
Dr. Jore: - I… I…
He couldn’t say anything more. He collapsed to the ground, never to rise again.
John: - Anyone who runs won’t live to see tomorrow. Anyone who doesn’t know what happened here, kneel. Now!
All the scientists knelt. The moose pulled out his phone, dialed a number, and put it to his ear.
John: - Boss, we have a problem… The lab has been destroyed… Yes, everyone’s here… Understood, over.
John fired his gun repeatedly. Every shot hit a scientist’s head. The ones he hit dropped lifelessly to the ground. The gunfire didn’t last long, just a few seconds. When he was done, he left. He didn’t care about the bodies or the spent shell casings.
John returned to the gang’s main territory, where he tested the new recruits, among them TubeDog.
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Tunguszka: - That’s enough. We already know the rest… Except for one thing: Did the Synth survive, and where was your meeting point?
Bubaru: - I don’t know if he survived or died in the explosion. But I can show you the location. One thing’s for sure: I must go alone because Gimward trusts no one but me. Only me, because I helped him escape from that hellhole.
A familiar voice echoed from a speaker. One of the walls turned transparent, and the room’s light switched on. Behind it stood a dragon and a Hafolite.
Dhairthel: - Quite the story you have, Bubaru. We share the same goal, to kill John. At first, I planned to kill you after your little storytime, but I must admit, you could be an important asset to my gang. Even if Gimward-01 didn’t survive the explosion, and assuming you’re not lying, you still hold valuable information as a former team leader.
Bubaru calmly looked at the dragon. He recognized him, everyone knew who the two infamous gang leaders were.
Dhairthel: - Answer our questions, and one day you’ll be completely free. Until then, you’ll have at least one armed guard watching over you. If you try anything, he has the right to kill you, but also to protect you. Your fate is in your hands.
Bubaru: - Thank you for trusting me. I promise you won’t regret it.
Chapter 4: Crap in the soup
John didn’t know what to do. He was already standing in front of Ke' Frel’s door, ready to knock and enter, but he hesitated.
He thought about it. He knew this was going to be bad. He didn’t want to be the one to take the fall, but he also didn’t want to push it onto someone else.
Finally, he knocked and entered.
John: - Sir!
Ke' Frel: - John. I trust you’ve handled what I asked of you.
John swallowed. He knew Ke' Frel wasn’t going to like what he was about to say.
John: - Sir, I must report that our infiltrator, Ezekiel, has escaped…
Ke' Frel slammed his hand on the desk.
John took a step back, then continued.
John: - There’s more…
Ke' Frel looked at him.
Ke' Frel: - Go on…
John: - The leader of the Molly team, Bubaru, has disappeared.
John was instantly doomed. A table flew past his head, crashing into the door and shattering into pieces.
The next morning, as people arrived one by one at the gang’s main territory, they were shocked by what they saw on Ke' Frel’s door.
A moose’s head and antlers were mounted there, John’s. His head and antlers had been ripped off by hand. The blood had already dried overnight, leaving a dark stain.
Everyone, even the remaining leaders, stared at his remains in shock and fear.
Suddenly, Ke' Frel himself stepped out the door.
Ke' Frel: - Behold the fate of the infamous John! Look at what remains of him! Look! Suffer! Anyone who fails to do their job will meet the same fate! Now, get to work!
The crowd scattered, running to their tasks. They knew their boss wasn’t joking. They knew he was angrier than ever.
A few hours later, he summoned the remaining leaders to discuss who should fill the vacant positions and what they knew about the two fugitives.
The leaders didn’t know more than Ke' Frel already did. They couldn’t determine which gang had sent the infiltrator, but they had a guess: the DDT.
They were preparing for war, a campaign of vengeance. But it wasn’t time yet. First, they needed to gather allies, other gangs that also opposed the DDT. Whether by persuasion or by force, they would bring them to their side.
John had been the one maintaining contact with the police chief, along with Melony. But now that both of them were dead, Ke' Frel had to appoint someone new. He entrusted this important task to Takeo, the newly appointed leader of the Molly team.
Takeo had always preferred wielding a sword over using a gun. It wasn’t surprising, his cat genes gave him the agility of a ninja, while his rabbit genes allowed him to jump farther than most beings. This combination made him nearly unbeatable.
Swordsmanship came naturally to him, as if his spirit belonged to a Japanese warrior. Even the mark on his back resembled a broken katana.
After his appointment, Takeo’s first task was to visit the police chief, Geri. Geri already knew about Melony’s fate, but not about John’s. That’s why he was surprised when, instead of the moose, a rabbit-cat hybrid walked through the door at the usual time.
Geri: - Welcome, John!… Wait, you’re not who I was expecting. Who are you?
Takeo: - Greetings, though as you’ve noticed, I’m not John. The name’s Takeo. I’m John’s successor. Poor thing got a bit... torn apart.
Geri: - Ke' Frel?
The hybrid didn’t say a word. He simply nodded.
Geri: - Whatever that fool did, at least he’s in a better place now.
Takeo: - You could say that… if a better place means his head and antlers are now decorating the boss’s door.
Geri, the arctic fox, was disturbed by the news, though he wasn’t shocked by Ke' Frel’s brutality. He knew how insane and dangerous he was.
Takeo: - But that’s not why I’m here.
Geri knew this. He sensed something much bigger was going on.
Takeo: - I came to ask for your help in attacking, defeating, and ultimately destroying the Devil Dragon Tribe.
The police chief had heard similar requests before from John and Melony, but they had never been this direct or bloodthirsty. Something had changed. He didn’t know what, but he suspected it was tied to John’s fate.
Geri: - I can tell you the same thing I told John and Melony: I can’t directly help you. That could cost me my job, or worse. But I can provide weapons, ammunition, and protective gear. What I can’t do is order my officers to support any gang.
Takeo: - I understand… But this is different. It’s either them or us. There’s no other way. First, they infiltrated us, who knows how long ago. Then, they probably killed Melony. And now, Bubaru, one of our own leaders, has likely joined their side.
Geri: - Those are serious claims, I get it. But I still can’t do more than what I’ve already offered.
The conversation paused for a moment. They stared at each other until the arctic fox spoke again.
Geri: - There is one more thing I can do. I can provide you with the names and possible locations of gangs that I know are against the DDT. But I can’t guarantee that they’ll ally with you, some might even turn against you.
Takeo: - That’s enough. Thank you.
The rabbit-cat hybrid moved toward the door. Just as he grabbed the handle, he turned back to Geri.
Takeo: - We’ll meet again.
With that, he left. The door shut behind him.
As he approached the main entrance, a Hafolite entered the building. He wore no gang insignia, just like Takeo, who had come in disguise. Here, no one could tell who belonged to which gang.
As Haf' Nan passed Takeo, he nodded. Takeo returned the gesture before continuing on his way. Haf' Nan headed straight for the police chief’s office.
The moment he shut the door behind him, he spoke up.
Haf' Nan: - Good afternoon, Captain! I know you weren’t expecting me now, but we need to talk immediately.
Geri: - Go on, what’s the problem?
Haf' Nan: - A member of the Sky of the Moon gang has given us information that could finally lead to their destruction. But to confirm it, we need one of your teams to check the site for lab ruins and possible corpses.
Geri’s ears perked up. "A lab? Corpses? Why don’t I know anything about this?" he thought.
Geri: - Tell me everything you know.
Haf' Nan: - The gang was running a secret experiment in the nearby forest, but it went wrong, and John killed all the scientists. We don’t have the manpower to check the site ourselves, as we’re tied up with more pressing matters. That’s why I thought you could help.
Geri: - You know I can’t send my officers on gang-related missions. And how would I even explain this in my report?! That I got a tip from one of the DDT’s team leaders?! Are you out of your mind?!
Haf' Nan: - Fair point… Wait! Just write that the tip came from an anonymous source. Problem solved!
With that, the Hafolite turned to leave, but Geri stopped him.
Geri: - Hold on… I have a tip for you. The Sky of the Moon is gathering smaller gangs against you. You should do the same. I can’t offer much more than the usual supplies, but I can give you a list of smaller gangs that might join your side.
Haf' Nan: - Thanks for the help and the tip… But wait! How do you know this?!
Geri: - We intercepted one of their calls. Pure luck.
Haf' Nan: - I see. Thanks again, but I have to go. Goodbye.
He walked out, shutting the door behind him.
Geri waited until Haf' Nan was gone before muttering to himself.
Geri: - That was close… I need to be more careful. This is turning into a full-blown war. If they wipe each other out, I’ll take care of the rest. Then, finally, I’ll be in control.
Chapter 5: More Than Nothing
The day had finally arrived, the moment Bubaru and the initiated DDT gang members had been preparing for. While no major problems were expected at the meeting, they still took precautions.
Bubaru: - Alright, we leave at 21:30. One rule: he must see only me at first. He can only talk to me until he learns the truth about you all.
TubeDog: - We understand. Several gang members will watch from the background, including snipers. But as long as there’s no suspicious movement, there’s no need to worry about them.
Bubaru swallowed hard. Even though he knew there was nothing to fear, he still felt a little nervous.
Tunguszka: - Relax. As long as you tell the truth and don’t try anything, you have nothing to worry about.
Bubaru: - I know that… But still… They will point, who knows how many, guns at me… At us...
With that, they left the meeting room. However, they didn’t head directly to the meeting place, instead, they stopped at a pub.
The place used to be called the Old Dive, but it had since been renamed the Dragon Tavern. No surprise there, as Dhairthel had bought it and turned it into the DDT’s pub.
One of the regular performers, Claw Mc, was the gang’s protégé. The place often echoed with his rap lyrics, and tonight was no different. When they arrived, he was delivering another one of his signature tracks.
Claw Mc:
Think you can just take my life? You’re dead wrong.
DDT’s behind me, your corpse up front – or did I pull the trigger all along?
Tell me now, is it even worth wasting my words on you?
You’re just a rookie to me – chewed you up, spit you out like I always do.
...
Bubaru: - The kid's got talent.
Haf' Nan: - Dhairthel’s latest recruit, a Deathclaw rapper. Before this, no one even knew who he really was.
Tunguszka: - He’s not a real gang member, just some kid with a big mouth because of his looks. He couldn’t hurt a fly, he’s never even held a gun.
Bubaru: - Just another protégé who happens to be a Deathclaw…
Haf' Nan: - Yeah. The boss is trying to mentor him, but so far, all he’s picked up is gangster rap. Unlike most Deathclaws, he only pretends to be tough and hot-tempered, but he often fails.
TubeDog: - But we’re not here to listen to him. We just need to pass the time for an hour in peace.
Tunguszka: - Right, right… Bartender! A pint of puns, please!
Haf' Nan: - No! Anything but that!
Tunguszka: - Relax… It was just a joke. Four beers, please!
Zhong: - Coming right up, gentlemen!
Zhong, an Eastern dragon with spikes running from his head to his tail, and two under his chin, headed off to get their drinks. His parents had abandoned him, but they later tried to ask him for money since his bar was thriving.
Before long, the glasses were on the table.
Zhong: - Will you need anything else, gentlemen?
TubeDog: - Only when the mission is complete.
Zhong: - Understood. Let me know if you need anything.
Haf' Nan: - Thanks, Zhong!
With that, they drank their beers, chatted, and enjoyed the live music.
An hour passed quickly. They downed their last sips, gathered the team, and Bubaru led the way.
When they arrived, there was enough time for everyone to take their positions and prepare, but Bubaru didn’t go directly to the meeting point. He waited a little further away, allowing Gimward-01 to arrive first.
Tunguszka: - 22:40… Still nothing… Are you sure he’ll come? Does he even exist?
Bubaru: - He definitely existed. Whether he’s still alive… that’s another question.
Suddenly, a figure leaped between them.
Gimward-01: - Who are you waiting for, gentlemen?
Everyone turned their eyes to the new arrival.
Bubaru: - Gimward?!
Gimward-01: - In the flesh. I see you’re rolling with a new gang now. And if I’m right, you’re here because of me. Just one thing, why are there armed men everywhere?
Bubaru: - They don’t trust me enough yet to not be here… Wait… Why aren’t you afraid of them?
Gimward-01: - Simple: They’re not Sky of the Moon.
Tunguszka: - We’re their enemies, their rivals!
Gimward-01: - That’s good to hear! I suppose you want me to join you and tell you what I know.
Tunguszka: - Exactly. But let’s discuss the details at our base, where we’ll be truly secure.
Gimward-01: - Hold on, buddy! I never said I was joining! I’ve had enough of gangs. I owe them my life, but they also kept me in captivity!
At that moment, Haf' Nan and TubeDog joined them.
Haf' Nan: - Fair enough. But can you at least help us defeat the Sky of the Moon?
Gimward-01: - Unfortunately, when the bunker exploded, I lost most of my memories and the data stored in me… But just the other day, two members passed by my hideout talking about them.
TubeDog: - Even a little information could be useful if it’s relevant.
Tunguszka: - But first, tell us what you know about John.
Gimward-01: - That’s exactly who they were talking about, or at least what’s left of him.
The four men exchanged glances. "What’s left of him?! He’s dead?!" They couldn’t believe it. They knew how tough and dangerous John was.
Finally, Tunguszka broke the silence.
Tunguszka: - What happened to him?
Gimward-01: - Ke' Frel happened.
Again, they looked at each other. "Ke' Frel lost it over bad news?! He’s probably already chosen new leaders." One thing was certain, Dhairthel would have mixed feelings about the news. He wanted to witness John’s death himself, but at least he’d be pleased that he was finally gone. Also, they could expect an imminent attack, just as Geri had warned Haf' Nan.
Haf' Nan: - Thanks for the info. Know that you’ll have a safe haven with us. With free passage, of course.
Gimward-01: - Thank you.
Haf' Nan: - One more thing! Since we know you want revenge on the other gang, we’ll gladly accept any help you can offer.
Haf' Nan paused before continuing.
Haf' Nan: - For us, it’s not about revenge anymore, Dhairthel’s traitors are long gone.
Gimward-01: - Bubaru probably still carries that desire, if I’m right.
Bubaru: - You are right, but not as strongly anymore. John was the one who killed my old friends.
TubeDog: - Enough chit-chat. If you want to keep talking, do it somewhere safer.
Haf' Nan: - Agreed. Gimward, are you coming with us?
Instead of responding, he just nodded. With that, they headed back.
Their destination: the Dragon Tavern. They wanted to celebrate their mission’s success and talk with Gimward-01.
On their way, they ran into Claw Mc, who was arguing with two men. Of course, he was drunk.
Claw Mc: - Watch yourselves, or I and the DDT will show you who’s in charge here!
Haf' Nan: - What’s going on, gentlemen?
Claw Mc: - Nothing, buddy, just a couple of losers picking a fight with me.
Haf' Nan: - The ones who just ran around the corner?
Claw Mc: - Yeah, those guys.
Haf' Nan: - Then you’ve got no more problems. But don’t ever use the DDT’s name to save your skin again, not even when you’re drunk. Got it?
Claw Mc didn’t respond, as if his mind was wandering in another dimension.
Tunguszka: - Come on, let’s leave him. Let’s just move on. He’s probably taken something besides alcohol.
Haf' Nan: - Maybe, but we can’t just leave him here. If something happens to him, it’ll be on us, we were the last ones to see him.
TubeDog grabbed Claw Mc by the shoulder and started guiding him.
TubeDog: - Come on, buddy, let’s get you somewhere safer.
Claw Mc: - Whaa…
He stumbled slightly, then continued.
Claw Mc: - What the hell are you doing?! Watch out, the DDT is coming!
TubeDog: - Relax, man, I’m with them too.
Claw Mc: - Oh… Alright.
They took the deathclaw back to the base, leaving him under the watch of one of their men, then continued to the Dragon Tavern.
When they arrived, they noticed the place was in a much worse state than they remembered, almost empty and partially wrecked.
They took seats at one of the few intact tables, and soon Zhong approached them.
Zhong: - I’m sorry, gentlemen, but we’re closed.
Tunguszka: - What happened here, dear friend?!
Zhong: - Claw… He had too much to drink and stepped outside for some air. But when he came back, something changed in him. He started smashing everything, picking fights with everyone. And, well, this is the result…
Tunguszka: - I’m sorry this happened here.
TubeDog: - In that case, we need to hurry back to the base!
Everyone turned to TubeDog, confused at first.
TubeDog: - Right now, Claw is in this state at the base.
At that, everyone jumped up and started sprinting back, so fast, they didn’t even say goodbye to Zhong.
Zhong: - Goodbye to you too…
When they reached the base, specifically where they had left Claw Mc, everything seemed in order. Nothing was broken, nothing was out of place.
The person they had entrusted him to was snoring in a chair by the door.
Haf' Nan: - Wake up! Where’s Claw?!
Kewek, the basilisk, shook himself awake and looked groggily at his waker. No surprise, he had just been jolted from sleep.
Kewek: - Good eve…ning! Who’s where?
TubeDog: - Claw Mc, the deathclaw we left with you!
Kewek: - I locked him in my house. He said he was tired, so he lay down. I stayed by the door, but I guess I fell asleep…
They rushed into the house, searching every room. Suddenly, the Holy team’s deputy leader spoke up.
Tunguszka: - Found him! But I think we should just leave him. He won’t be causing any more trouble tonight…
The others joined him and saw Claw Mc in the bathroom, asleep with his head in the toilet. The stench of vomit and alcohol filled the air.
Gimward-01: - Does he always do this?
Haf' Nan: - The drugs were new, but the rest is familiar.
Gimward-01: - I see…
Tunguszka: - I think we’ve had enough for today.
Haf' Nan: - Agreed. Oh, one more thing, Gimward and Bubaru, you’ll share a room tonight. We’ll sort everything else out tomorrow.
Both nodded. Everyone knew and felt that this day had been long enough.
They said their goodbyes and headed to their respective lodgings.
When Bubaru and Gimward-01 arrived at their room, they exchanged a few words in the kitchen before bed.
Bubaru: - I’m glad you made it through all this.
Gimward-01: - So am I, though I didn’t appreciate you showing up with backup at our meeting spot.
Bubaru: - Sorry, I had to tell them. Otherwise, they would’ve killed me.
Gimward-01: - I’m not mad. Just saying that hurt.
Bubaru jumped up from his chair.
Bubaru: - I already said sorry! What more do you want from me to forgive me?!
Gimward-01: - Relax. I told you, I’m not mad.
Bubaru: - I’m going to bed. Good night.
With that, he stormed out of the kitchen and straight to his room. Gimward-01 watched him for a moment before heading to the living room and lying down on the couch to sleep.
Chapter 6: Chasing Shadows
Claw Mc regained consciousness in the bathroom. He had no idea where he was or what had happened. Everything was a blur from last night, he must have been completely wasted.
Claw Mc: - Ugh… Where am I? What time is it? My head hurts like hell…
Hearing the shouting, Kewek stepped through the door.
Kewek: - Good morning, Claw! I hope you slept well with your head in my toilet…
Claw Mc stared at the basilisk for a moment, then immediately jumped up and began washing his face.
Kewek: - I expected you to do more damage when I was ordered to bring you here, but luckily, you didn’t break anything else.
Claw Mc: - What do you mean 'here'?... Last night is really hazy…
Kewek: - I’m not surprised, a bit of booze and some drugs did the trick… To answer your question, you really messed up Zhong’s place. You trashed the tavern, as I heard from Tunguszka and the others.
Claw Mc: - W-w-wait a second! Drugs?! What drugs?! I didn’t take any drugs!
Kewek: - That’s what the others said…
Claw Mc: - I’d never touch that stuff! That’s too much, even for me.
Kewek: - Zhong said you changed when you stepped outside for air. What happened out there?
Claw Mc: - I don’t remember… Everything’s a blank from that moment on…
Kewek: - Did someone go out with you?
Claw Mc: - I don’t know…
Kewek: - Then let’s go ask Zhong. Maybe he knows more about your night than you do.
With that, they headed to the tavern. The walk there was uneventful, but when they stepped inside, they saw the full extent of the destruction. Cleanup had begun, but it was far from finished.
Zhong noticed them and rushed toward them without even greeting them.
Zhong: - Claw! Sorry, but you’re banned from here for a year…
Claw Mc: - I know I caused a lot of damage, and I’m sorry, but I can’t undo what I did.
Kewek: - Enough of that, Claw. That’s not why we’re here.
Claw Mc: - Right. Zhong, can you tell me, did I go outside alone, or did someone come with me?
Zhong: - Hmm… Let me think… Two strange figures ran off after you. Neither of them was a DDT member.
Kewek: - Did they have any distinguishing features?
Zhong: - They were both penguins… But there was something wrong with their eyes… They were black crystals.
Kewek and Claw Mc exchanged glances.
Claw Mc: - Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Kewek: - Yeah… You inhaled black crystal. But why weren’t they driven insane by it?!
Claw Mc: - Hmm…
Kewek: - This is too big for just the two of us. We need to tell Dhairthel. Thanks, Zhong, for the info, but we have to go! See you!
Claw Mc nodded once before they rushed out the door.
Dhairthel was in his office, discussing matters with Bubaru and Gimward-01, when the two of them burst in.
Dhairthel: - Thanks for the update… Who the hell is going to knock?!
He glared angrily at the unexpected guests.
Kewek: - Sorry for barging in, but we need to talk to you immediately.
He paused for a moment, catching his breath. Dhairthel impatiently waited for the basilisk to pull himself together.
Kewek: - Black crystal is being sold in our territory again! Despite your orders, it’s still being distributed here!
The dragon looked at Kewek calmly.
Dhairthel: - So… black crystal… It spread after Azaruth’s defeat. No surprise, he created it, after all. That’s why the eyes of its users turn into black crystals. I know this filth too well. It took one of my friends… It ruined my life!
He swiped his laptop off the table, sending it crashing into the wall, where it shattered. He stared at it for a moment before continuing.
Dhairthel: - But without that, I wouldn’t have become the founder and leader of the Devil Dragon Tribe! … What?
He turned to Claw Mc with a growl.
Claw Mc: - That’s not why we’re here, Dhairthel. We need your help. We have to wipe out this drug den!
Dhairthel: - What’s wrong, Claw? Did you get yourself banned from the pub over some drugs?
Dhairthel chuckled to himself, and Claw Mc stared at him in disbelief.
Dhairthel: - Alright, alright… I’ll help. What do we know about them?
Kewek: - According to Zhong, penguins are the dealers. Their eyes were already black crystals.
Dhairthel: - Then the legend is true… That some remained under Azaruth’s influence, hiding among us. They’re the main distributors of this poison. If we take them out, we eliminate the problem at its source.
They continued discussing the plan, deciding to set up undercover patrols across their territory to gather more information about the users, suppliers, and the location of the drug den.
Dhairthel: - Now, please, leave my office. Have a good day, everyone.
Everyone except the deathclaw turned to leave without hesitation.
Claw Mc: - But…
The dragon leader cut him off.
Dhairthel: - You’ve caused yourself enough trouble already, Claw. Don’t make it worse.
Claw wanted to argue further, but one look at Dhairthel’s face told him this wasn’t the time. If he didn’t leave now, he might end up like the dealer, Dhairthel had once killed.
Dhairthel rummaged through one of his drawers, searching for something. He pulled out a faded photograph from the bottom. As he stared at it, a tear rolled down his face and fell onto the scattered papers on the floor.
The picture showed four young kids. One of them was Dhairthel, before the tattoos, jewelry, and tattered wings. There was no sign of the power he would one day wield, no hint of the terrifying figure he would become. Here, he looked almost timid. His eyes didn’t gleam with ruthlessness yet, back then, kindness shone in them.
Beside him was Melony. Dhairthel had long since crossed out her face with a red X, but even she didn’t look like the person she had become. She, too, had once been filled with childlike innocence.
The third person in the photo was John, his face marked with another red X. He had always been stronger than the others, even back then. But that was no surprise, he had been the one to protect his friends.
The last member was Rafel. Back then, he had still been a part of their group. Dhairthel’s wings wrapped around them all as they laughed together, carefree. Unlike the others, Rafel’s name wasn’t crossed out. Instead, next to it, Dhairthel had written: R.I.P.
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Dhairthel: - At least tell me, you bastards, when Rafel's funeral will be!
Dhairthel clutched the bars, shouting into the corridor where the guards were patrolling up and down.
Dhairthel: - Why the fuck aren’t you saying anything, you dickheads?!
One of the guards, a human, happened to be right next to his cell when he finished his sentence, so he stopped.
Blizz: - Do you think we’d tell a little brat like you, who’s already killed two beings, anything at all?
Blizz leaned in closer, his face near Dhairthel’s, and reached into the cell to flick the dragon’s nose. But instead of letting it happen, Dhairthel bit down hard. The prison corridor echoed with a scream of agony.
Blizz: - You bitch! Fuck you! Aaaah, my finger!
Dhairthel spat out the severed finger, which left a bloodstain on the guard’s shirt before hitting the ground. He smirked and spoke again.
Dhairthel: - Next time, think twice before sticking your fingers where they don’t belong, dumbass.
Then, in a more serious, more chilling tone, he continued.
Dhairthel: - Now just tell me when Rafel’s funeral is.
A gryphon ran over to help his injured comrade and grabbed his radio.
Steve: - This is Guard 22, red alert! I repeat, red alert! Guard 16 has been injured… His finger has been bitten off… In front of prisoner 169.
Meanwhile, medics arrived to help stop Blizz’s bleeding and ease his pain.
Dhairthel: - You morons! Just tell me when Rafel’s funeral is!
Steve: - So that’s why you bit off poor Blizz’s finger? To get yourself to the funeral tomorrow, just so you can take one last look at your handiwork? Are you that insane?!
At Steve’s words, a single tear fell to the ground, but Dhairthel allowed no more to follow. He hoped the gryphon hadn’t noticed that fleeting moment of weakness.
Night fell, and several hours had passed since the incident. Dhairthel had been moved to another cell, one where the guards couldn’t reach inside and risk losing more fingers. But that was also their weakness, now they couldn’t see inside either. They didn’t see him testing the window bars throughout the night.
Suddenly, one of them came loose in his hand. Then another. And another.
"Heh. Looks like they haven’t renovated this in a while… Now I just have to squeeze through, and I’m out…" he thought.
The next morning, when Steve arrived at Dhairthel’s cell to deliver breakfast, he opened the door, only to find an empty room. The window’s bars had been pried open.
The gryphon guard immediately grabbed his radio.
Steve: - Uh… Boss… We have a little problem…
By then, Dhairthel was already at the cemetery, watching from afar as people gathered for the funeral. He observed the proceedings, his mind racing.
"So many people came. I never would’ve thought Rafel’s funeral would draw such a crowd. There’s Professor Lunaris. Even the principal is here. Shockingly, my parents showed up too… But I don’t see our old friends…”
As he pondered, tears streamed down his face, dripping onto the cold earth beneath him.
After the funeral, when the mourners had left and he had regained his composure, he approached the grave. The flowers decorating it were fresh, undisturbed. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice the approaching dragon officer.
Xarox: - I’m sorry for your loss. But you need to come with me now.
Surprisingly, Dhairthel didn’t resist. He had achieved his goal, he had seen the funeral, the reason he had escaped in the first place. Besides, this was only the first of many escapes to come.
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Dhairthel was shaken from his thoughts by a knock on the door.
Dhairthel: - Just a moment!
The boss quickly stuffed the picture back into the drawer, along with the papers, some of which were soaked with his tears, though he didn’t care. He wiped his eyes and spoke again.
Dhairthel: - Come in!
Haf’ Nan: - Sorry to interrupt, but the police chief wants to speak with you.
Dhairthel: - Now’s not a good time. I have something important to do that can't wait.
The dragon didn’t even wait for his right-hand man to continue; he was already rushing out the door, leaving his office open behind him.
His path led straight to Rafel Hikins’ grave.
At the grave, Dhairthel ignored everything around him and began speaking, as if addressing someone still alive.
Dhairthel: - Hey… It’s been a long time. How many years has it been since I was last here? Twenty years now… I know I wasn’t a good friend, none of us were. We became the 'cool' ones, and you… You stayed the same bookworm I knew as a kid. You stayed true to yourself, to our friendship, right up until the moment when…
A tear escaped the usually tough dragon’s eye.
Dhairthel: - But let’s not dwell on the past. That’s not why I’m here, or maybe it is, in part. It took me twenty years to find the courage inside of me, the founder and leader of the Devil Dragon Tribe, to come and ask for your forgiveness. For everything I did, for everything we did. You deserved better people than us… I’m sorry that because of me, your life was cut so short.
For a while, Dhairthel remained silent, as if hoping for a "I forgive you" from Rafel, but he knew that would never come. Rafel had been gone for twenty years.
Dhairthel: - Besides that, I came to tell you something else. That wretched thing that took your life, the black crystal, it’s back. But this time, I won’t be satisfied with just driving its dealers out of my territory. No. I won’t rest until it ceases to exist in this world. I won’t let it take anyone else from me. I won’t allow it ever again.
Dhairthel stood in silence, staring at the slightly crumbling grave, though Rafel Hikins’ name and death year were still visible.
Unbeknownst to him, Suth’an, a police officer, had been nearby the entire time, listening to everything he said. Dhairthel only noticed when Suth’an finally spoke up.
Suth’an: - Good day, citizen! I see you’ve finally come to visit an old friend.
Of course, Suth’an already knew exactly who Dhairthel had come to see. Thanks to his secret life, he knew many things about him, about the police chief, and even about Ke’ Frel.
Dhairthel: - Oh… Good day. Yes… I had a debt to settle. But now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Goodbye.
Dhairthel didn’t wait for Suth’an’s reply before walking away. His next destination was the graves of Elaine Xalun and Natelien Zurwill.
Dhairthel: - I never thought I’d come here… Originally, I never planned to visit you, but… Now I know the time has come for this moment.
The purple dragon paused briefly before continuing.
Dhairthel: - I remember how Rafel, my long-deceased friend, always believed in the story that magic could still be felt around your grave, Elaine, that you still weren’t truly dead.
For a moment, he stopped speaking, as if expecting an answer from Elaine’s petrified form. Finally, he shook his head and continued.
Dhairthel: - You know, Rafel died because of me. I was the one who got that damned black crystal, the one that those still under Azaruth’s influence are producing to this day. Back then, I swore to keep my territory free of that filth. I managed to keep them out for a while, but they returned a few days ago… And I need your help, Elaine. I promised Rafel that I wouldn’t rest until I destroyed every last piece of that poison that caused his death. I will avenge him at any cost.
Suth’an had heard enough. He stepped out from behind a nearby tree and approached the DDT founder just as he was finishing his thoughts.
Suth’an: - The infamous Devil Dragon Tribe founder fights for a noble cause. Who would have thought that beneath those steel-like scales lies a heart, not just any heart, but one heading in the right direction.
Dhairthel exhaled sharply, clearly irritated, but didn’t turn to face the familiar voice as he responded.
Dhairthel: - Why are you following me?
Suth’an: - I could say that my patrol just happened to lead me here again, but I know you well enough to know you wouldn’t believe that. And I certainly don’t want to end up on your bad side, like Melony and John did. Though, only Melony-
As soon as Dhairthel heard those familiar names, his eyes burned with fury. He interrupted the naga’s sentence immediately.
Dhairthel: - How the hell do you know about them?! And how the hell do you know what happened to Melony?! Even that bastard Ke’ Frel doesn’t know anything, he’s only attacking me because he suspects!
As he spoke, Dhairthel advanced toward the police officer. When he reached him, he grabbed the badge hanging around Suth’an’s neck and pulled it up close to his face, showing his strength and dominance.
But Suth’an remained calm. He changed the color of one of his eyes to the hue of the Guardian’s sight and illuminated it as he spoke.
Suth’an: - I know far more secrets than anyone in this city could imagine. But even I can't know everything, I can’t be everywhere at once. However, rest assured, as long as you stay on the right path, all your secrets are safe with me, Dhairthel.
The dragon released the naga but kept his gaze locked onto him. Suth’an returned his eye to its normal color.
Dhairthel: - What the hell do you mean by the ‘right path’?! I’ve always followed the wrong one.
Suth’an: - Not always, and you know it. Even today, you came here for a good reason. You swore to your dead friend that you wouldn’t stop until black crystal was eradicated from our world.
Dhairthel remained silent this time. Without another word, he took off from Elaine and Natelien’s graves, leaving Suth’an behind.
Suth’an shook his head. "I should have shown him more than just one of my eyes…" he thought as he walked away.
Chapter 7: Alliance, but at What Cost?
As usual, Ke’ Frel was working in his office when someone knocked on his door.
Ke’ Frel: - What is it?
Shortly after his question, Takeo stepped inside.
Takeo: - Boss, one of the distributors wants to speak with you. Shall I let him in?
Ke’ Frel nodded instead of responding.
A gryphon entered, his eyes shimmering with crystals instead of pupils.
Zicks: - There’s a small problem, Ke’ Frel…
Instead of reacting, Ke’ Frel simply stood up from his chair.
Zicks: - Two idiots, two penguins, gave black crystal to the DDT’s little protégé…
Ke’ Frel: - Send those two fools to me. I have something to discuss with them.
His voice was still calm, but everyone in the room knew that those two penguins were as good as dead.
Zicks: - They were new recruits. They didn’t know they weren’t supposed to deal in DDT territory, or at the very least, that they should be careful who they sell to.
Ke’ Frel: - If you still want my gang’s protection, I suggest you send those TWO IDIOTS here immediately!
A chair smashed against the wall, shattering into pieces. Ke’ Frel dusted off his hands and straightened his posture.
Ke’ Frel: - You had one damn job. ONE. To avoid drawing that damn dragon’s attention. And now, what news do you bring me today? Who found out that you’re back? The very one who asked us to protect you in the first place! I hope you realize that from now on, 45% won’t cut it anymore. Because from this moment forward, blood will be spilled.
Zicks: - I know. From now on, your gang can use our crystal for free.
Ke’ Frel: - Plus, I want 70% of the profits.
Zicks: - In return, you will receive a personal dose every day, and you must consume it.
Ke’ Frel: - I don’t take that shit.
Zicks: - We’ll bring you a special version, one that actually grants magical power.
Ke’ Frel: - Fine. But don’t forget about those two idiots, or else…
Ke’ Frel raised his right hand and dragged it across his throat, leaving only his thumb extended, signaling their imminent death.
Of course, Ke’ Frel didn’t know that every original black crystal, in the right dosage, was capable of granting magic power.
Zicks nodded and left the boss with his right-hand man.
Takeo: - I’ll inform the other team leaders to prepare for a possible major battle.
Meanwhile, Zicks had already flown far away. He soared for a while before suddenly approaching a small lake and waterfall, where he disappeared.
Jack: - Welcome home, brother. How did your meeting with the Sky of the Moon leader go?
Zicks: - Everything is going according to plan, brother. Soon, he will no longer be in control of his own body. But I also have bad news.
Jack: - So, we were right to send those two fools ahead.
The gryphon nodded as the eagle finished his sentence.
Zicks: - They said they were willing to sacrifice their lives to bring Azaruth back from the dead.
Not long after Takeo had gone to inform the other leaders, Ke’ Frel heard another knock at his door. Before he could respond, the door swung open, and two penguins stepped inside.
Ke’ Frel immediately stood up from his newly replaced chair.
Ke’ Frel: - I didn’t think they’d actually send these two idiots who apparently don’t even know the rules here.
Tom: - Yes, they sent us to let you do what must be done… But before you do, they sent the first dose. With this, you can gain a small amount of magical power before the effect wears off. Please, kill us using the energy you gain from it.
The boss granted their request, inhaling the first dose of customized black crystal. An odd sensation filled him, as if something else had entered into his body, into his subconscious. But he didn’t dwell on it.
Ke’ Frel: - Now then, who wants to go first?...
Chapter 8: Between Trust and Shadows
The police station was unusually quiet. Most officers were out patrolling the streets or resting at home, no one was slacking off. No one, except for the police chief, who was sitting in his office, playing solitaire on his computer. His desk was cluttered with stacks of papers, unsolved cases that still needed sorting to determine which should be investigated and which should be ignored. He was so absorbed in his game that he didn’t even hear the first knock on his door. When the second knock came, he jolted, quickly closed the game, opened a police document, and then spoke.
Geri: - Yes? Come in.
Suth’an stepped through the door.
Suth’an: - You called for me, boss.
Geri: - Yes, but that was an hour ago... Where have you been?
Suth’an: - I was doing my usual patrol. Why? Was it something urgent?
Geri: - No, I just don’t like to be kept waiting. Anyway, I called you because I heard you’ve been looking through our archives for information on the black crystal. Why does it interest you?
Suth’an: - I heard that it has resurfaced recently, and I want to gather all useful information from older records.
Geri: - There’s no need for that. Your colleagues have everything under control. Besides, you were assigned to patrol duty, not investigations.
Suth’an: - But...
The police chief slammed his hand on the desk, silencing the naga.
Geri: - No buts. What is your duty?
Suth’an lowered his head, his expression sombered.
Suth’an: - Patrol duty.
Geri: - And do you have any business in the archives?
Suth’an: - No...
Geri: - Then you may leave. Goodbye.
Suth’an: - Goodbye.
As the naga stepped out of his boss’ office, the fox shook his head. "As if one hero trying to uncover the dirty dealings here wasn’t enough, now I have to deal with this fool too..." he thought before reopening his solitaire game and continuing where he left off.
In the hallway, Suth’an ran into a couple of his colleagues, who, as usual, asked if he had gotten himself into trouble again. He simply walked past them without a word.
At the end of the hallway, a clock hung on the wall, mostly for the officers on duty to keep track of their shifts. Four o’clock... A figure appeared at the station’s entrance, it was Takeo. Suth’an was about to step outside when the door opened, and the cat-rabbit hybrid entered.
Suth’an: - Good afternoon! How can I help you?
Takeo: - Good afternoon. Nothing, really. Or actually, yes: Is the chief in?
Suth’an: - Yes, in his office.
Takeo: - Thanks.
With that, Takeo hurried off. He must have had something urgent to discuss with the boss. "Guess I’ll be crawling through the vents again..." thought the naga.
Takeo burst into Geri’s office without knocking.
Takeo: - Good afternoon! Sorry for barging in outside our usual time, but we need to talk...
Geri barely had time to close his solitaire game, where he could have set a new personal record, before the Sky of the Moon spokesman stormed into his office.
Geri: - Good afternoon to you too... I’m listening.
Takeo: - I need to review the black crystal files as soon as possible.
Geri: - You know very well that I can’t release police records, no matter what agreement we have.
Takeo: - This is different. The boss has accepted some sort of deal with the distributors, the ones we were already allied with.
Geri: - And?
Takeo: - And since then, he’s been changing. It’s like he’s not in control of his own body. He gives completely contradictory orders to his usual behavior, and at other times, he acts like nothing happened.
Geri: - That’s not my problem. As you can see, I’m very busy. Goodbye.
Meanwhile, Suth’an was spying on the office through the ventilation grate. He saw Geri’s monitor, where solitaire was running again, and heard the entire conversation. "So they’re allied with the black crystal dealers... They’re much stronger than I initially thought... Ke’ Frel has changed too... I need to ally with Dhairthel sooner than I originally planned... And if my instincts are right, I’ll need Elaine’s help as well." he thought, watching the police chief resume his game.
That evening, when Suth’an finished his shift, he dropped off his belongings at home. Then, as the city’s guardian, he visited Elaine’s grave. He waited there for a while, as he had for the past few days, and when he was sure there was no movement, he moved on. "I need to visit him and ask for his help. I can feel there’s still some goodness in him…”
Meanwhile, Dhairthel and Gimward-01 were becoming more in sync, their bond of trust growing stronger. However, Haf’ Nan didn’t look kindly on this. Until now, he had been the boss’s right-hand man. He had worked hard for years to earn that position. Ten years ago, he had joined the gang as a rookie, fighting through hardships and the loss of comrades. "I didn’t struggle all these years just for some newly built robot to take my place overnight! It doesn’t even feel, bleed, or live! It doesn’t even eat real food! It consumes metal like some freak! Why would any living being eat metal?!" he thought, though outwardly, he showed no sign of these emotions.
To anyone looking at him, he was just a dragon standing guard in front of Dhairthel’s office, staring blankly ahead.
Inside, Dhairthel was engaged in serious discussions.
Gimward-01: - I get that you want to wipe out both the Sky of the Moon and the black crystal distributors, but we don’t have enough people. We might manage against the Sky of the Moon, but some of the dealers have magic powers, we’re no match for them.
Dhairthel: - I know. That’s why I have a plan. And though I never thought I’d say this... we might just be able to shape a better world... But now that you’ve heard what you wanted, you can come out.
From the vents, a familiar voice spoke.
Suth’an: - Greetings... How did you know I was here?
Dhairthel: - Ever since Gimward arrived, handling electronic gadgets has been easier.
Gimward-01: - And an invisible detection grid over the vent entrances doesn’t hurt either.
The synth winked toward the vent.
Soon after, Suth’an was sitting in Dhairthel’s office instead of spying from the vents.
Dhairthel: - So the police chief wasn’t giving information just to us…
Suth’an: - No, in fact, he might be the most corrupt man in the system. And I’m certain the corruption doesn’t stop with our city.
Dhairthel: - But first, we need to clean up here.
Gimward-01: - That’s all well and good, but let’s be realistic. What are we? A gang leader, a self-proclaimed superhero, and a runaway experiment. We don’t stand much of a chance. We have no superpowers.
Dhairthel: - No, but I have my gang, who follow me anywhere. And besides that...
Suth’an: - Elaine, too.
The naga cut the dragon off before he could finish. Dhairthel initially shot him a sharp look but then let go of his anger and nodded.
Dhairthel: - But before we attempt to bring Elaine back, I need to speak with my gang... Haf’ Nan!
Dhairthel shouted through the closed door, and moments later, his right-hand man stepped inside.
Haf’ Nan: - Yes, boss?
Dhairthel: - Gather all the team leaders. Every member needs to hear something that could determine the fate of the DDT and our world.
Haf’ Nan wasted no time and informed the necessary people that Dhairthel was expecting everyone in his office. When everyone had arrived, Dhairthel explained to them the importance of their upcoming mission and that all help would be needed. That this was a pivotal decision for the DDT as well. And that he would not hold anyone back if they disagreed with the new direction. For once, he would not resent anyone who said the DDT was no longer their gang. After the meeting ended, he held Haf’ Nan back for a moment and handed him a technical device.
Dhairthel: - Take this. Gimward-01 developed it so we can maintain contact with the base. You are my right hand, the one I trust the most. I know that if anything were to happen to me… you would be the right successor.
Haf’ Nan: - But doesn’t your successor have to be a dragon? Like you used to say back when I was just a rookie?
Dhairthel: - Times change, and so do I. I never used to visit Rafel’s grave, I never forgave anyone before. I used to be more ruthless. But that Dhairthel is in the past. That Dhairthel died when those two penguins appeared… Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have to go.
Days passed. The DDT was continuously losing members, along with smaller and larger parts of its territory. But Dhairthel didn’t care. He was only interested in the strongest members of his gang, the team that gathered around him, whom he treated not as subordinates, but as comrades. They were all working to find a way to bring Elaine back to life.
Meanwhile, the Sky of the Moon was growing stronger. Not only were they acquiring more and more people and territory from the DDT, but smaller groups were either siding with them or becoming their prey. The number of black crystal users skyrocketed. More people on the streets had crystal eyes than those who didn’t.
And the police chief did nothing to stop it. In the system, he just reported that everything was fine, while things kept spiraling further and further down. Even some of his own officers were constantly high. But no one took enough of the drug to gain any powers, because everyone thought it was just a rumor, that taking that much would only lead to an overdose, like Rafel’s overdose back in the day. But what they didn’t know was that Rafel never got pure black crystal. They had no idea it was just a very high-quality imitation.
Meanwhile, whenever black crystal was brought up as a possible solution, Dhairthel always dismissed it, saying he refused to work with that filth. However, one day, Suth’an entered Dhairthel’s office.
Suth’an: - Greetings today as well. I have news that you might not like.
Dhairthel, who was absorbed in his computer, looked up at Suth’an.
Suth’an: - There might be a way to resurrect Elaine.
The dragon immediately jumped up from his chair.
Dhairthel: - Now that’s great news… But wait… You said I might not like it… Explain.
By then, Gimward-01 had also arrived.
Suth’an: - We need to get our hands on a batch of black crystal, specifically, the one given to Ke’ Frel.
Gimward-01: - Are you completely insane?! You want to steal Ke’ Frel’s black crystal?! He’s a psychotic beast! Haven’t you heard what he did to John, the best member of his gang?!
Suth’an: - I have. And right now, he’s even stronger than before. He already has some magical power without the crystal.
Dhairthel: - Then we’ll just have to be even more careful…
Chapter 9: Awakening Powers
Gimward-01 was already waiting on the rooftop for the signal, while Dhairthel soared through the night sky. Suth’an waited in the sewers. Each of them had a communicator, developed by the synth. It was small and easy to use, even for those with only an internal ear.
Gimward-01: - Are you sure they’re coming now? And here?
Suth’an: - Yes.
Dhairthel: - By the way, how exactly do you know this information?
Suth’an: - I happened to be in the area.
Gimward-01: - So, you were spying.
The naga said nothing, only letting out an awkward chuckle through the microphone.
Dhairthel: - I see them. They’re about to turn into the alley. Get ready.
A tiger appeared at one end of the alley, while a kobold stood at the other, holding a briefcase. The tiger seemed normal, except for the Sky of the Moon logo tattooed on his back. The kobold also appeared normal, but if one looked into his eyes, they would see crystal where his pupils should have been.
They stopped in the middle of the alley.
Chelby: - Did you bring the stuff for the boss?
Evun: - Yes, it’s right here in the bag.
Evun opened the briefcase, revealing the special black crystal for the Sky of the Moon member.
Suth’an: - Gimward! Now!
Suddenly, a blinding light engulfed the alley. Neither the tiger nor the kobold could see a thing. They didn’t notice the naga emerging from the sewers, grabbing the contents of the open briefcase, and vanishing back underground. Meanwhile, Dhairthel descended to pick up Gimward-01 as soon as Suth’an signaled that the mission was a success.
Suth’an: - Got it!
With that, Gimward-01 switched off the blinding floodlights, jumped onto Dhairthel’s back, and they escaped the scene.
Shortly after returning to one of Dhairthel’s remaining bases, the naga arrived as well, holding a bag full of black crystal.
Dhairthel: - You owe me a lot for letting you bring that filth into my base.
Suth’an: - Will bringing Elaine back be enough?
The dragon responded with a question.
Dhairthel: - Okay, we have this crap now, but how exactly do we bring back our last Guardian?
Suth’an was visibly hurt by the term "last Guardian," since he was also a Guardian, just not like Elaine.
Dhairthel: - Sorry.
Suth’an: - We go to her petrified body and sprinkle this on it…
Dhairthel: - And hope for a miracle?
Suth’an: - Exactly.
Dhairthel: - Sorry, but this is a joke. We went through all this trouble just to rely on hope?!
Gimward-01: - Dhairthel…
Dhairthel: - No. I swore I’d never have anything to do with that filth again, and now, for a bit of hope, I’ve broken my promise to Rafel! A fucking hope that might not even work!
Dhairthel could have breathed fire, engulfing the naga in flames, but instead, only smoke billowed from his nostrils.
Smoke from his nostrils?! No, that couldn’t be. Ever since the crystal was found, he hadn’t… But now… He didn’t understand what was happening.
Suth’an could only stare at the smoke pouring from Dhairthel’s nose.
Gimward-01: - Dhairthel… Do you smoke?
Dhairthel: - Uh… No?...
Suth’an: - Then why…
Dhairthel: - I thought the crystal they were guarding…
Gimward-01: - Are you trying to…?
Dhairthel didn’t wait for his synth friend to finish his sentence. He opened his mouth to try and produce a small flame. Nothing… But the smoke from his nostrils… He didn’t give up. After a brief pause, he opened his mouth again… A faint, weak flame flickered in the air between Gimward-01 and Suth’an.
The source was Dhairthel’s mouth.
The fire suppression system activated in the room as soon as the flames reached the sensors.
Dhairthel: - Damn it, this thing went off!
Only Dhairthel cared about the pouring water. The others just stared at the purple dragon, their mouths agape, ignoring how the water drenched them and flowed from everywhere.
Dhairthel: - Instead of staring, how about helping save the important documents while I shut this thing off?
Said the DDT founder before rushing out of the room toward the main switch.
When he returned, most of the documents were still on the table, but Suth’an was holding a familiar paper…
Dhairthel: - I said to save the documents.
He snatched the picture from Suth’an’s hands.
Dhairthel: - Not examine them!
Suth’an: - You seemed so much more carefree back then. Back then, none of you carried the burden that now rests solely on your shoulders.
After a brief pause, he continued, keeping his gaze fixed on Dhairthel.
Suth’an: - You’re doing all of this because of him, aren’t you? It all started with him.
Instead of retorting, the dragon turned away from the others and spoke softly, barely audible.
Dhairthel: - I don’t want to talk about it…
But Suth’an didn’t care and continued.
Suth’an: - He’s the reason there’s still goodness in you today. He is your driving force toward a better world.
Dhairthel: - Enough…
Suth’an: - Maybe you used him after a while, maybe you accidentally killed him, and that led you down a darker path, but that wasn’t what you truly wanted. You-
Dhairthel: - ENOUGH!
Dhairthel cut Suth’an off, tears welling in his eyes as he lunged at him. But the naga still finished his thought.
Suth’an: - You wanted to be with him and live happily.
Dhairthel looked straight at Suth’an, his tears falling onto the naga. He opened his mouth, ready to engulf him in flames. Suth’an could already see it in his mind’s eye, the fire consuming him… But the fire never came. Instead, Dhairthel let out a deep, painful roar.
The naga hesitated at first, looking at the broken gang leader towering over him, then embraced him. He silently held the usually strong dragon, from whom years of buried pain were now pouring out through his tears.
After things calmed down and Dhairthel was no longer in shambles, Gimward-01 finally spoke.
Gimward-01: - Dhairthel, I know you have to act tough for your gang, but with your friends, you can share everything. Right, Suth’an?
Suth’an: - Yes. It’s true that our relationships started because of a shared goal, but the strongest team can only be formed with friends. And I know what we can achieve together.
Chapter 10: Two Souls, One Body
Jack jumped up from his chair in frustration, knocking over the table in front of him.
Jack: - What do you mean, what happened?!
Evun: - Someone stole the crystal. I didn’t see anything. A huge, blinding light filled the space, and when it disappeared, the crystal was gone from the bag.
Hearing the story a second time, Jack still refused to believe Evun. He just held his head in disbelief.
Jack: - Zicks, do you believe this fool?
At that very moment, the gryphon entered the room.
Zicks: - We have no choice… Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here. He wouldn’t have returned. But you should know, Evun, that because Ke’ Frel missed his daily dose, our secret plan has now been delayed by several days, maybe even weeks.
Hearing this, Evun lowered his head.
Meanwhile, in the office of the Sky of the Moon gang leader, Ke’ Frel sat motionless in his chair with his eyes closed. Occasionally, he muttered softly to himself.
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The two villains stood facing each other. Azaruth was unscathed, looking calmly at his would-be victim, while Ke’ Frel clutched his right shoulder, panting.
Azaruth: - Ke’ Frel, how much longer do you want to delay the inevitable? You know very well that for a greater purpose, you must be willing to sacrifice anything.
Behind Azaruth, two bubbles appeared. The one over his right shoulder showed Azaruth as the long-destroyed crystal gradually reshaped his body and mind. Once all the goodness in him had vanished, it showed the devastation he left in his wake, the moment he bit his own daughter’s throat and killed her with a single motion.
Meanwhile, the bubble over Ke’ Frel’s left shoulder showed his past. Back then, Ei’ Hon was not yet a gang leader. He was a nobody, a street kid taken in by an old woman who took pity on him. For days, everything was fine.
Then, one day, a gang broke into their home, the Sky of the Moon gang. Their leader at the time, whose name had long faded into obscurity along with his body, thought it was a good idea to kill the old woman and steal everything. Ke’ Frel tried to attack one of the members, but another knocked him out. Back then, he wasn’t nearly as strong as he is now. Before they could shoot him, the boss stopped them, impressed by the kid’s stubbornness. Had he known this child would one day be his downfall, he surely wouldn’t have spared his life.
The next moment the bubble showed was Ke’ Frel holding his former leader’s severed head, directing the gang to relocate to their current base, the very place where he once lived with the old woman. The place where he had sworn vengeance on his caretaker’s killer. But by then, it was too late. His actions had permanently stained his soul, destroying even the last remnants of goodness left in him.
Ke’ Frel: - I won’t let you! This is my body!
With that, Ke’ Frel lunged at the dragon, who blocked the attack with a single arm.
Azaruth: - I see you still don’t understand. This is a small sacrifice for ultimate power.
Ke’ Frel: - I already have power! I am the strongest gang leader!
Ke’ Frel tried to sink his claws into Azaruth, but it was futile. The dragon’s scales felt like steel.
Azaruth: - Stronger than the Devil Dragon Tribe?
Azaruth suddenly vanished from Ke’ Frel’s grasp. His laughter echoed from all directions.
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A knock sounded at the door, followed by silence. No response came. A few minutes later, another knock. Still nothing. Finally, the door opened. Takeo stepped inside. "Asleep in his chair again?! He never used to do this… and now it’s the third time this week…" thought the cat-rabbit.
Suddenly, Ei’ Hon leaped from his chair, shouting.
Ke’ Frel: - Azaruth!
Takeo: - Sir? It’s Takeo, not Azaruth.
Ke’ Frel looked at his right hand, confused, then gathered himself.
Ke’ Frel: - Yes? Takeo, what do you want?
Takeo: - The other team leaders and I are increasingly worried about your condition, sir.
Ke’ Frel: - That is none of your concern. I am completely… ugh… fine.
Mid-sentence, Ke’ Frel clutched his chest as if something had just kicked him from the inside, then straightened again. Takeo watched his leader with concern for a moment but then acted as if nothing had happened.
Takeo: - Understood, sir. Goodbye.
The cat-rabbit placed a bag filled with black crystal on the table and left Ke’ Frel’s office.
Ke’ Frel: - Snort it… N-no… This will make us stronger… Y-you’re wrong. This will make YOU stronger!
But Ke’ Frel was already leaning over the table, his hand reaching into the now-open bag.
Ke’ Frel: - Don’t resist. Do as I say!
It was clear that he was trying to fight against himself, but it was in vain. In the end, the Azaruth still inside him won.
Ke’ Frel suddenly grabbed his eye.
Ke’ Frel: - Damn it! What the hell did you do to my eye?!
Azaruth: - I gave it a little makeover. Much more charming than before, don’t you think?
Ke’ Frel walked over to the mirror in his office, then let out another furious scream.
Ke’ Frel: - Give me back my damn eyes!
Azaruth: - These are your eyes now. Aren’t they beautiful?
Ke’ Frel: - You bastard, I’ll kill you!
Azaruth: - Then you’ll have to kill yourself!
For a moment, Ke’ Frel’s reflection in the mirror grinned wickedly. But the next moment, his expression changed completely. Clenching his fist, he shattered the mirror into countless shards that scattered across the room.
Chapter 11: The Alliance of Darkness
"He’s talking to that damn snake and robot again while I’m out here holding the front." Haf’ Nan fumed internally, barely acknowledging the people passing by. His mind was too preoccupied with figuring out how to get rid of this annoyingly virtuous guy… But how? He knew that if he laid a finger on Suth’an, Dhairthel would surely kill him too…
On the other hand, did he even want to belong to a gang that had veered onto the path of righteousness and was now doomed? The answer seemed obvious, yet he still pondered it deeply, after all, he was supposed to be the future leader of this gang. Suddenly, the door behind him opened, which he didn't notice, and so Suth’an accidentally knocked him over.
Haf’ Nan: - Hey! Watch where the hell you’re going, you idiot!
Suth’an: - Uh… Sorry, I didn’t know you were behind the door…
Haf’ Nan: - Yeah, sure… You’ve been strutting up and down like a prince, and I’ve been standing here the whole time. How the hell didn’t you notice?!
Suth’an: - Relax, I already said I was sorry…
With that, Suth’an walked away, leaving the fuming DDT member behind. At least, he thought he did. "Let’s see if you’re really as much of a good guy as you claim to be…" Haf’ Nan mused as he started following the naga.
For hours, he trailed him, but saw nothing suspicious. Just the usual things, sometimes he acted as the city’s guardian, other times as a police officer patrolling the streets.
When he finally abandoned the pursuit and returned to his post, he was met by a somewhat irritated Dhairthel.
Dhairthel: - I thought I could always count on my right-hand man… Where were you?
Haf’ Nan: - I-
Dhairthel: - You know what? Don’t even bother. I don’t care. Maybe you were right when you said I was too hasty in deciding you would be a worthy successor.
With that, the dragon turned and disappeared into his office, shutting the door behind him.
"That damn naga must’ve filled Dhairthel’s head with all sorts of crap! Because of that bastard, I might as well kiss my future goodbye! That’s it. He has to die, no matter what!" Haf’ Nan screamed in his thoughts. His hatred for Suth’an had grown so overwhelming that he blamed him for everything. Yet, in the past few days, Haf’ Nan had been the one making constant mistakes, not the naga he so despised.
Meanwhile, Geri sat in his usual chair, playing solitaire, when a familiar figure entered at the usual time. The fox barely looked up before continuing his game.
Geri: - Long time no see.
Haf’ Nan: - It’s been exactly a week. Just enough time to think things through.
Geri: - And what did you have to think about?
Haf’ Nan: - I could dance around the subject, but I’ll just say it straight.
Geri: - I’m listening.
Haf’ Nan: - They know you’re helping the other gang. One of the cops working with them has been spying on you.
Hearing this, Geri let go of his mouse and leaned back, slowly reaching for his gun.
Haf’ Nan: - But I didn’t come here to cut that tie, no. I came because I want to join your side.
The white fox gripped his pistol but then released it.
Geri: - And which side exactly would you like to join?
Haf’ Nan: - The police are too clean for my kind of life, so the Sky of the Moon. With their alliance, I can get my hands on black crystal, the kind that will let me take revenge on that damn naga who stole my place out of nowhere!
Of course, it wasn’t just Suth’an he thirsted for vengeance against, but he was the primary target. As for Gimward-01, he hadn’t yet figured out how to get even with him.
Geri: - A naga? You’ll have to be more specific than that if you want me to know who you mean…
There were several nagas working at the police station, though not many, since most preferred committing crimes rather than enforcing the law. And among those at the station, most were undercover rather than actual cops.
Haf’ Nan: - The gang only knows him as Suth’an.
Geri: - We don’t have a Suth’an here. That fool just roams the streets at night, calling himself the city’s guardian or whatever. He’s never worked here.
Haf’ Nan: - He can change his colors. So he’s obviously using a different name here. Makes sense…
Geri: - Then how do you know he works here at all? Did he tell you?
Haf’ Nan: - Not only did he tell me, but I’ve seen him walking around here in that fake green, blue, and purple coloring.
The captain pondered for a moment, staring into space, before suddenly jumping from his chair.
Geri: - Azy?! I knew something was off about him! He always wants to know too much, always asks too many questions.
Haf’ Nan: - So what’s the plan?
Geri: - After we speak with the Sky of the Moon, I’ll summon that snake here and confront him with the facts…
Haf’ Nan: - And then we kill him?
The police captain nodded.
Geri: - And then we kill him.
Chapter 12: In the Statue of Eternity
Elaine and Natelien’s resting place. It remained as beautiful as if their burial had just taken place yesterday, as if a thousand years hadn’t passed since Elaine had turned to stone.
Dhairthel and his allies came to disturb this peace, at least, if Suth’an’s plan worked.
Dhairthel: - We met again… Though at your resting place, that is no surprise. Since our last conversation, I’ve gathered new allies. They are not members of my gang but rather allies, friends.
Dhairthel glanced at Gimward-01 and Suth’an.
Dhairthel: - They fight for the same cause as I do. They also want to eradicate the black crystal. Or rather, that is no longer our only goal… The problem has grown much larger. Suth’an discovered that Azaruth’s followers are trying to bring him back… They want to cast the world into eternal darkness once again. But for that, we need your help. Of all the living, you knew Azaruth best. Only with your help can we stop him. Only with your help can we bring peace back to this world doomed to destruction.
The purple dragon paused, as if expecting a response from the statue, then continued.
Dhairthel: - Suth’an has an idea that might bring you back. We don’t know if it will work or if there will be any side effects. But believe me, we have to try. You are our last hope…
Dhairthel reached into a bag attached to the base of his tail and pulled out a box, removing its lid.
Dhairthel: - This box contains a special variation of black crystal. This is the black crystal they intend to use to resurrect your grandfather. This is the black crystal that truly grants magical power to its users.
He moved the box closer to Elaine’s statue and tilted it slightly.
Dhairthel: - In theory, if I pour this on you, you will return to the world of the living because you will feel Azaruth’s power.
The DDT leader poured the contents of the box onto the statue while everyone watched. Some of the dust slid off, while some remained. They waited… but nothing happened.
Suddenly, the purple dragon lunged at the naga.
Dhairthel: - You said it would work! You said this would bring her back!
Suth’an: - M-maybe she just needs a little help…
Gimward-01: - Dragonfire!
Both of them turned to the Synth.
Gimward-01: - Dragonfire is magical, isn’t it?
Dhairthel: - Yes, and?
Gimward-01: - Maybe she needs more than just the crystal. Maybe you need to ignite the crystal with your dragonfire.
Dhairthel said nothing. Though he doubted the idea, he shook his head. Still, he climbed off Suth’an and directed his mouth toward the slowly settling black crystal dust. As he opened his mouth, the air around him began to shimmer. A moment later, a massive stream of flames burst forth, engulfing Elaine. The black crystal darkened the fire’s hue, making the statue completely disappear within the flames.
For a while, the dragon’s fire grew darker and darker, but eventually, the black hue began to fade as the crystal dust was consumed. For a few more seconds, the purple dragon’s fire burned in its usual color, but then, suddenly, a much lighter, nearly white flame took over. From the pale fire, a white dragon emerged, soaring higher and higher into the sky.
Suth’an and Gimward-01 gaped up at the sky, while Dhairthel continued exhaling flames that weakened with each passing second. When the white dragon finally landed before him, the purple dragon ceased his fire-breathing, though his mouth remained open in shock.
Elaine: - I never thought I’d ever control my own body again…
The three of them were still frozen in disbelief.
Elaine: - Oh… Hello. Apologies for my rudeness.
The naga was the first to recover from the shock.
Suth’an: - I knew it would work!
The purple dragon followed Suth’an.
Dhairthel: - E-Elaine?
Elaine: - In the flesh.
Finally, Gimward-01 also snapped out of it.
Gimward-01: - Welcome back to the world of the living. Though I’m sure you would have preferred to continue your slumber, we had to wake you for an important reason.
Elaine: - I know. Azaruth…
Dhairthel: - So you heard.
Elaine: - Yes. And I felt his power the moment you brought me back to life.
Suth’an: - The world has changed a lot since then. But recently, magic has started reappearing. Dhairthel even regained his fire-breathing ability not long ago.
Elaine: - And that is why you were able to bring me back. Along with the power of true love, right, Dhairthel?
Dhairthel said nothing, just looked at Elaine.
Elaine: - Rafel sends his regards and wants you to know he doesn’t blame you.
Dhairthel: - R-Rafel…
A single tear rolled down the DDT leader’s face as he repeated his old friend’s name after the white dragon.
Elaine: - He also said you are on the right path, but you must move forward and let go of the past.
The purple dragon stared at Elaine for a while before finally speaking.
Dhairthel: - Thank you.
Elaine: - No, thank you for choosing the right path.
Gimward-01: - Now that the heartfelt reunion is over, it’s time to return to the base and discuss the next steps. Time is not on our side.
Suth’an: - Wise words, Gimward. Ladies and gentlemen, shall we depart?
No one was surprised by the naga’s phrasing, as Dhairthel, being a hermaphrodite, could be addressed with both terms, even if he preferred his masculine side.
After a short walk, they arrived at the main DDT territory, specifically at the purple dragon’s home.
Elaine: - The area has changed so much. This used to be just a small village, Brightfall. But as I see, nothing remains of that village anymore…
Gimward-01: - Now it’s a city, Selyvosky. As you can see, the area is quite run-down. But that’s normal nowadays. Ever since the crystal broke and all the evil inside it was unleashed, things have been steadily deteriorating.
Suth’an: - Even the police can’t be trusted most of the time, let alone the leadership. They just let the world fall apart while they enrich themselves.
Dhairthel: - But Suth’an, you’re a cop too when you’re not out playing hero.
Suth’an shot a sharp glare at the grinning dragon.
Suth’an: - I became a cop because of the original principles and not to get rich at the expense of others. If that were the case, I might as well have joined the Sky of the Moon.
At the mention of the rival gang, Dhairthel snorted out a small flame in anger. But instead of engaging in the banter, the white dragon spoke up.
Elaine: - So things are even worse than I imagined… Defeating Azaruth once and for all won’t be enough. We need to restore order to the world as well.
Gimward-01: - You’re right. But first, we need to eliminate the black crystal distributors.
Suth’an: - But we don’t know their hideout.
Dhairthel: - Wow, it's a wonder that our great spy doesn't know something.
The DDT leader’s words were dripping with sarcasm, his usual smirk firmly in place.
Suth’an: - Without that information, we can’t destroy the fanatics.
As the naga spoke, he stared at Dhairthel, whose smile slowly faded.
Before anything else could happen, Elaine stepped between them and spoke.
Elaine: - You know, since Dhairthel first spoke to me, I have also been active. I know where one of their hideouts is. They chose a place dear to both Nati and me…
Chapter 13: The Thread of Fate
Another empty bed found its owner at Dhairthel’s place. They couldn’t let anyone find out about Elaine’s return. Though the absence of her statue was already a rather telling sign.
The next morning, they resumed their meeting where they had left off. As usual, Dhairthel and Gimward-01 entered the room first, but this time, Elaine arrived before Suth’an.
When Suth’an arrived, Dhairthel was the first to speak.
Dhairthel: - Good morning to you too, Suth’an. So, can we continue where we left off?
Gimward-01 and Elaine nodded, but Suth’an shook his head.
Suth’an: - I’m sorry, Dhairthel, but we need to postpone our discussion… The captain summoned me.
Gimward-01: - Do we know why?
Suth’an: - No, he didn’t say… But I have to go.
Dhairthel: - I understand. Let us know when you’re done.
With that, Suth’an bid farewell to the team and headed to the station.
When he arrived at the building, he saw nothing unusual. He didn’t notice the shadow following him, it was Haf’ Nan.
The naga greeted his colleagues, but strangely, none of them greeted him back. It was as if they didn’t even recognize him, as if he didn’t exist. What he didn’t know was that everyone inside was affiliated with the Sky of the Moon and that they were aware of his alliances.
He knocked on the door before entering.
Suth’an: - You called for me, boss?
Geri: - Yes… By any chance, have you heard about someone spying on me within the station?
The naga shook his head.
Geri: - Interesting… Also, I heard that the city’s guardian helps people during the day too, just in a police uniform. What do you know about that?
Suth’an: - This is the first time I’m hearing of it.
Geri: - Are you sure about that, Suth’an?
The naga didn’t dare take his eyes off his boss, but in his mind, he was already reaching for the doorknob when he heard the door open and then shut behind him.
Haf’ Nan: - I hope this teaches you, you little bastard, never to push someone out of their place!
A loud bang shook the surroundings. Suth’an froze, looking down at his chest. But he saw nothing. He turned to the captain, who sat in his chair with his mouth agape, completely frozen. Then, slowly, Suth’an turned around. On the floor, in a massive pool of blood, lay Haf’ Nan’s lifeless body, his head almost completely gone. In his hand, he still clutched the Desert Eagle with which he had intended to execute Suth’an. Looking out the window, now missing a piece, he saw only a small flash of light from the rooftop of the neighboring building. But he knew immediately who his savior was.
Suth’an: - Uh… Boss? May I leave?
Geri was still in shock. The moment had overwhelmed him. He had never expected that instead of eliminating a potential enemy, he would lose a potential ally. The naga waited a little longer, then stepped out of the office.
All the officers outside had disappeared. They didn’t know if the building was surrounded or not, but their lives were too valuable to risk staying and finding out.
Of course, Suth’an didn’t concern himself with this. He went straight to the archives, grabbed every bit of information he could, and then left the station, perhaps forever. It was a
painful moment for him, but he knew it was no longer safe there. He knew Haf’ Nan had exposed his true identity.
Dhairthel: - I can’t believe that idiot betrayed me! He was my damn right hand, the leader of my best team! And I even planned for him to be my successor if something happened to me!
Suth’an entered the purple dragon’s office to the sound of similar furious outbursts.
Suth’an: - He thought you had replaced him with me, and he didn’t like that…
Dhairthel: - Who knows what that traitorous fool revealed!
Suth’an then looked at Gimward-01.
Suth’an: - Thanks.
Gimward-01: - For what?
The synth tried to act like he didn’t know what Suth’an meant, but he saw the naga’s piercing gaze, so he simply shrugged.
Gimward-01: - Oh, it was nothing. With these sensors, I could have taken his head off from even farther away with that .50 caliber.
Suth’an: - You should have seen the captain’s face. You gave ‘poor’ Geri quite a shock.
At this, Gimward-01 just smirked.
Dhairthel: - I wish I could have seen that bastard’s face, or what was left of it. But that’s enough talk about that traitorous scum. It’s time to revise our plan…
Chapter 14: Invisible Shackles
The captain had been staring ahead for a while, as if he were still staring Haf’ Nan’s lifeless body. In the meantime, Takeo had positioned himself between him and the corpse. Resting his katana on his shoulder, he patiently waited for the still-shocked Geri to come to his senses.
As Geri slowly registered Takeo’s presence and the blade in his hand, he reached for the pistol at his belt.
Takeo: - I wouldn’t do that. You know very well how fast I am with swords. By the time you unholster your gun, your head will already be on the ground.
Geri swallowed hard and lowered his hand.
Geri: - What do you want?...
Takeo: - What do I want? You were the one who broke the alliance with the Sky of the Moon when you decided to cooperate with the DDT as well. And you know what happens to traitors…
The rabbit-cat hybrid turned slightly so the police captain could see the corpse of the former DDT member. Geri’s expression revealed that he was considering reaching for his weapon again and making a desperate escape attempt, but Takeo interrupted his thoughts.
Takeo: - But you could be the one exception to that fate… If, from now on, you do exactly as we say.
Geri’s gaze returned to the Sky of the Moon member.
Geri: - And why would I be the only exception?
Takeo smirked and stepped closer to the police captain.
Takeo: - Because we know very well that you’d rather live than sleep with the fishes. And if you follow our orders precisely from now on, you could have a very comfortable life.
The arctic fox remained silent for a while, simply observing Takeo, searching for any telltale signs of deception.
Takeo: - So? Would you rather be dead, or actually work for us?
To emphasize his persuasion, the hybrid let his katana gleam in the sunlight streaming into the office.
Geri swallowed again. It was just a few seconds, but to the captain, it felt like years. No wonder, the weight of the final decision between life and death pressed down on him.
A sigh escaped the arctic fox’s lips.
Geri: - You really won’t kill me then?
Takeo nodded approvingly and smirked.
Takeo: - That’s right. A wise decision, Captain. I hope I won’t regret letting you live.
With those words, he left Geri’s office. The police captain’s eyes then fell upon a new piece of paper before him. A letter…
“Your assignments are as follows:
1. Hand over the DDT members within the police force to us.
2. Provide the Sky of the Moon with classified information from the archives.
3. Grand the gang unrestricted access to the police station.
4. If necessary, send your own men into battle to aid us.
These points may expand in the future. If you violate any of them, our alliance, and your life, will come to an end.”
The words seeped into Geri’s mind like a slow-acting poison. From this moment on, he could no longer shape his life as he pleased. From now on, the concept of freedom ceased to exist for him.
Geri: - For fuck’s sake!
His furious outburst echoed through his office. Suddenly, the door swung open. IceFlame stepped inside.
IceFlame: - What’s wrong, bo- ugh…
The dragon muttered as he entered, but the door hadn’t fully opened, causing him to collide with it. After shaking his head, he peeked behind the door to see what had blocked it.
IceFlame: - I-is that a c-corpse?! Captain, what the hell happened here?!
Geri: - The fact that we’re in deep shit, private…
IceFlame: - But… But why?!
Geri: - Tell everyone to gather in the courtyard…
Not much time had passed before all the officers were assembled in the station’s courtyard. None of them understood why the captain had called them together, especially through the newest recruit.
Suddenly, the arctic fox appeared at the entrance of the building. He could already see that not everyone was present. But he was certain that among those who had shown up, there were still DDT members. And he knew there were Sky of the Moon members as well, keeping watch over him.
Geri: - I called you here because I’ve learned that the DDT has infiltrated us… Therefore, everyone’s tattoos will be inspected. If we find tattoos linked to known gangs, the individuals in question will be dealt with accordingly…
Some among the crowd exchanged glances. Now they understood why their acquaintances hadn’t shown up. They knew that certain information had failed to reach them.
The tension in the courtyard grew more and more palpable. Anxiety, confusion, and uncertainty were evident on the officers’ faces. The captain’s gaze swept coolly over the beings under his command.
One officer nervously spoke up.
Kewek: - But Captain, I’m just a cop, I have nothing to do with the DDT!
Geri: - Then you have nothing to worry about regarding a simple inspection… We’ll start with the females, then move on to the males, and finally the hermaphrodites. Any questions?... No? Excellent. Then wait your turn, and afterward, you may return to work. Until then, no one goes in or out.
Kewek swallowed hard. He knew his cover was blown. He glanced at the other two DDT members present, whose faces were pale, at least, one of them was, as he was human. The other’s face was concealed by fur.
As the inspections progressed, they reached one of the DDT members. He didn’t come out. After they finished with the females, they moved on to the males. When Kewek’s turn came, he discovered where their human ally had gone. He too was handcuffed and locked in an office. Eventually, the third member was also thrown in with them.
Once the task was done, two nagas and a dog entered the room where the detained DDT members were held. The dog, leading the group, was the first to speak.
Vhick: - So the boss was right after all… Watching you suffer as Cuzar tortures you for extra information, and then seeing Takeo cut off your fucking heads, it’s going to be a delight.
Kewek: - What the hell are you talking about?!
Vhick: - Oh, you don’t know yet? Haf’ Nan betrayed you and leaked some intel to us. But not enough for us to wipe out your pathetic little gang. He said he’d tell us the rest after
getting his revenge on Suth’an. But the poor fool never made it that far, his brains ended up painting the captain’s walls and door.
The trapped DDT members now understood everything. They knew they were doomed no matter what.
Kewek: - Go fuck yourself and your damn gang!
Vhick grinned wickedly, laughed, and then lunged at the basilisk. He strangled him briefly before loosening his grip.
Vhick: - If you’re so eager, then I’ll personally take care of you. Let’s see how many minutes it takes before you wish someone else was the one torturing you.
Once only the captain remained outside, the Sky of the Moon members began making their way toward their base. One of the nagas carried documents that seemed particularly important.
Before they completely left Geri behind, the dog turned back to him.
Vhick: - You did well, fox. Don’t forget about the other points, or else…
The Sky of the Moon member let out a devilish laugh while dragging his thumb across his own throat. Then he left the police station.
Chapter 15: The Price of Trust
Vhick: - I’ll ask one last time…
The merciless dog paused for a moment. The sadistic pleasure of torture gleamed in his eyes. By now, extracting information was no longer his priority.
Vhick: - What is the weak point of your headquarters?
A loud crack echoed through the room where Kewek was being interrogated with brutal methods. The bound basilisk spat another broken, bloodied tooth onto the floor.
Kewek: - You want to know the weak point? I’ll tell you… Come closer…
The dog thought he had finally broken his victim, but as he leaned in, a thick glob of bloody spit landed on his face.
Kewek: - The weak point is our unity, you dog! Aaaah!
Kewek screamed as a knife lodged into his left hand.
Vhick: - You little piece of shit! You’re in no position to talk back! Do you even know where you are? You’re in Sky of the Moon territory! In our damn torture chamber!
Kewek: - Go to hell!... I’ll never betray my gang!
The dog turned away from his bound enemy for a moment. When he turned back, he was holding a pair of pliers.
Vhick: - Let’s see how big your mouth is without the rest of your teeth…
He nodded to his partner, who pried open the basilisk’s mouth.
For several minutes, the room and the hallway outside were filled with agonized screams. When Kewek’s last tooth had been pulled, Takeo stepped through the door.
Takeo: - You’ve had enough fun for today. We need this one alive.
Vhick: - What about the other two?
Takeo: - I got there too late. They were tortured too much.
Hearing this, the dog glanced at Kewek and smirked.
Vhick: - We wouldn’t want my little plaything to have an easy death, now would we?
Kewek: - Damn right, because then I wouldn’t have the chance to kick your fucking head off!
Takeo: - I thought you’d have broken him by now…
Vhick: - The little bastard is tougher than I thought. But I like it.
The barely-alive yet still defiant basilisk was taken back to his cell to rest. “So it’s just me now… Who knows what they got out of the others… But no matter. I’m still holding the line…” he thought before pain dragged him into unconsciousness.
The next day came. They dragged him to the same room again. Vhick was waiting with a wide grin.
Vhick: - Did you miss me, sweetheart?
Kewek: - Like a tick on your ass.
The dog’s smile froze.
Vhick: - Still not in a good mood, I see… No matter. All I need from you is to spill your gang’s little secrets.
Kewek was once again seated in the now-spotless chair. The room had been cleaned after he was taken away the day before.
Kewek: - Do you even hear yourself, you asshole? I will never betray the DDT. They will come for me, and then you’ll be begging for your worthless little life!
Vhick: - Oh? Didn’t I tell you? We received a letter from Dhairthel today saying they don’t give a shit about you. They gave us the go-ahead to execute you.
Kewek’s expression completely changed. "No, that’s impossible… The DDT would never abandon me… They never would… No… That can’t be…”
Vhick watched his captive’s shifting gaze, saw him breaking apart completely. Meanwhile, the dog’s expression grew ever more delighted, ever more sinister. "Gotcha.”
Kewek: - You’re lying! They will save me!
Vhick: - I figured you wouldn’t take my word for it, so I brought the letter for you to read yourself.
Tears began streaming down the broken basilisk’s face. As he read, his soul shattered further and further.
Vhick: - See? They don’t need you! You suffered for nothing. You can betray them freely now.
The once-loyal, now heartbroken captive spoke in a whisper.
Kewek: - No…
Vhick: - What was that?
Kewek: - No.
Vhick: - What? I think I misheard you.
Kewek: - I said NO!
Vhick: - Fine… That just makes my job all the more enjoyable.
The dog reached for his next tool to intensify the basilisk’s pain, but just then, Kewek saw the door open on its own, then slowly close again after a moment. When Vhick turned to check, the door was already shut.
Vhick: - What the hell was that?... Whatever. Where were we? Ah, yes… Yesterday, I took your teeth. Today, we move on to your nails.
He held the same pliers in his hand as the day before. But as he moved toward Kewek, the pliers suddenly froze in midair.
Vhick: - Who the fuck is messing around?! You want to be tortured too?!
When Vhick tried to grab the floating pliers, they moved away from him, then suddenly dropped to the ground.
Vhick: - What the fuck?! Who’s screwing with me?!
The guard next to Kewek did nothing, he was too busy stifling his laughter. When Vhick got back on his feet, he turned to glare at his partner.
Vhick: - Don’t just stand there, do someth-
A loud snap echoed through the room as, seemingly out of nowhere, Vhick’s head twisted sharply to the left, snapping his neck. He would never rise again.
At that moment, the remaining guard realized that something was seriously wrong. He reached for his radio, but it was already on the ground next to him. When he bent down to grab it, he noticed a small white speck on it. He tried to brush it off, but instead, it pierced his hand. He let out a scream of pain. Of course, no one came to check, such sounds were normal here.
He examined his hand, looking for the speck, but it was gone. Instead, it had reappeared on his radio. Then, suddenly, it floated in the air before him, drifting toward his hand. He screamed again as it landed. Did it pierce him? No… it felt like it had bitten him. He had no idea what was happening.
He blinked a few times, and the tiny white speck seemed to be growing. Yes, it was definitely growing. Not only growing, but taking shape. It was no longer a speck, it had become a dragon.
He stared in shock as the speck transformed. It was as if he were hallucinating, yet he felt completely lucid. How was this possible? Magic had not existed in their world for a very long time.
He was so lost in thought that he failed to notice the knife flying straight toward his throat.
By the time the small, now fully-formed dragon moved away, the blood had already begun to spray.
Kewek: - W-what the hell is going on?!
Suth’an: - A ‘thank you’ would have been nice.
The naga spoke as he appeared from thin air.
Kewek: - But… how?! Why? I thought… the letter…
Elaine: - Dhairthel needed a distraction to ensure your rescue.
Kewek: - Where is he?
Suth’an: - At the base. We couldn’t risk sending DDT members here.
Elaine: - They really did a number on you. Do you know where the others are being held?
Kewek lowered his head as Elaine and Suth’an began untying him. Once the ropes and cuffs were off, the naga spoke.
Suth’an: - I hope you can still climb in this condition…
He pointed toward the ventilation shaft. Kewek slowly looked up.
After a painful, arduous climb, they finally made it out and were airborne.
Kewek: - How did you find me?
Suth’an: - Remember the letter? It had a tracker on it, so we knew exactly where they were keeping you. The rest was just luck, that my magic activated the same day you were taken. Changing my scale colors was nothing compared to this. And since Elaine returned, it’s as if she’s regained all her former power.
After some time, due to the extra weight, Elaine landed with them, and they continued on foot.
At the base, they went straight to Dhairthel, who was waiting with a serious yet hopeful expression for the return of his team, his family.
When the basilisk stepped through the door, he immediately spoke.
Kewek: - I knew you wouldn’t abandon me! Thank you for not leaving me to die. If it weren’t for you and the DDT, that mutt would have killed me!
Dhairthel: - You know I’ve never abandoned my gang, and I never will… Weren’t there three of you captured?
Suth’an: - The others… didn’t make it.
Dhairthel: - Do we know if they said anything?
Kewek instinctively shook his head.
Kewek: - All I know is that their killer is still alive.
Dhairthel: - Their deaths will be avenged… But first, we have more pressing matters. We must destroy one of the black crystal dens, along with the dealers, to prevent Azaruth from being resurrected.
Chapter 16: The Claws of Darkness
"Another night since I was banned… And once again, I’m looking for that damn dealer…" Claw Mc grumbled to himself as he wandered the dark streets. These streets didn’t belong to Dhairthel’s territory, but the Sky of the Moon gang didn’t care where the deathclaw roamed. They knew he was just another victim of black crystal, that he wouldn’t harm a fly. They knew he was all talk and size.
"What the hell am I doing here again? I don’t need that crap!" But deep down, he knew he couldn’t resist. His body moved on its own.
As he turned into one of the alleys, he spotted a familiar figure.
Shade: - Always on time. I like that.
Claw Mc: - Not like I have a choice…
They both knew exactly what Claw Mc meant by that, but the human-dragon hybrid didn’t react, just grinned in the darkness.
Shade: - Here’s your new dose.
The deathclaw took the bag and started walking out of the alley, but Shade called after him.
Shade: - You’ve been getting your doses from us for a long time. How about you take this fresh batch now, and then I surprise you with something?
Claw Mc: - What kind of surprise?
Shade: - You’ll see after you take it.
The half-human winked, though his already dark body made it hard to see in the shadows.
Claw Mc didn’t want to react. He wanted to leave for home, but his body wouldn’t let him. It acted on its own. Like an outside observer, he watched as his hands opened the bag, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. Then everything went black.
Of course, Shade’s wide grin remained visible in the darkness as Claw Mc’s body obeyed his command. Another bag was already in Shade’s hand, which he extended toward Claw Mc.
Shade: - Take this one too.
Naturally, the deathclaw complied without a word. Shade had complete control over him under the influence of black crystal. When he consumed this dose as well, his eyes changed. Now, the black crystal ruled his gaze more than he did himself.
Shade: - Claw, welcome among the distributors.
Claw Mc: - Feels good to finally belong and serve Azaruth instead of Dhairthel.
Shade: - Come, let me show you your new home.
Shade and Claw Mc walked out of the city. The deathclaw had no wings, only his converter did. They stopped at a lake where a waterfall flowed into it.
Shade: - We’ve arrived.
Claw Mc: - Okay… And where’s the home?
The hybrid pointed directly at the waterfall, or rather, behind it.
Shade: - After you.
As Claw Mc stepped through the waterfall, he was utterly stunned. Instead of a cave, as it had appeared from the outside, he found himself in a surprisingly vast complex. Everything was fully developed, as if they weren’t inside a cave at all.
Shade: - This is just the entrance. Wait until you see the other levels.
Claw Mc: - Other levels?
Shade: - Oh. Perfect timing. Our elevator has arrived.
With that, Shade and Claw Mc stepped into the elevator, which took them straight to the highest level, the office floor. As the doors opened, the half-dragon was the first to speak.
Shade: - Good evening, my brothers.
Zicks: - Good evening. I see your mission was a success.
Jack: - Welcome, brother. And you as well, new brother.
The room was enormous, with its own entrance. The layout of the room suggested it wasn’t originally designed for an eagle and a gryphon but for a much larger being, a dragon. Azaruth himself.
Shade: - Claw, let me introduce you to Zicks and Jack. They currently lead us until Azaruth returns among us.
Zicks stood from his chair and stepped closer.
Zicks: - I’m glad to finally meet the rapper in person. We come from Azaruth’s era. He entrusted us with waiting for the right moment to bring him back from the world of spirits if anything happened to him. Of course, only our brother Jack can communicate with him, as our great lord blessed him with that ability.
Jack also stood up and stepped forward.
Jack: - Let’s not forget that you have an important role in our little society too. You maintain relationships with key gang leaders. And let’s not overlook the fact that thanks to you, our final plan could begin.
Zicks: - Though we have Ke’ Frel’s foolishness to thank for that as well.
When Claw Mc heard the somewhat familiar name, a flicker of his old consciousness surfaced. A memory flashed before him, one of his drunken nights drinking with Dhairthel, when the purple dragon ranted about how much he hated Ke’ Frel for protecting their two former friends, the two traitors.
But the memory faded as quickly as it came, just like his consciousness, suppressed once again by the black crystal.
Shade: - We won’t bother you further, my brothers, as I still need to show Claw the rest of the levels.
With that, they reentered the elevator and descended one level.
Shade: - This is the medical level. Our injured and sick are treated here.
They didn’t exit the elevator, as Shade didn’t deem it necessary to give Claw Mc a full tour.
The elevator continued to the next level, where Shade finally stepped out.
Shade: - This is the elite housing level. Here stay those followers we found worthy to begin preparing for Azaruth’s army.
Claw Mc: - And why did we step out here?
Shade: - To show you your new home.
The deathclaw didn’t quite understand why he was given a place among the elites but didn’t question it. He waited for Shade to lead him forward, but they stopped at the first door.
Shade: - Here we are.
The human-dragon hybrid opened the door for Claw Mc.
Claw Mc: - Uh… Am I the only elite here?
Shade: - Of course not. But your role is important enough that you deserve one of the rooms closest to the elevator.
They entered. It was a full apartment, complete with a living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and dining area. For one person, it was more than enough. In fact, it was twice the size of Claw Mc’s previous place.
Claw Mc: - Is this really mine?!
Shade nodded.
Claw Mc: - This is at least twice the size of my old place! Amazing! Fucking awesome! I love it!
Shade: - I’m glad. If you’re done celebrating, we can move on.
Claw Mc: - Do I get a key to my apartment?
Shade: - None of our homes have keys. Among our brothers, there are no secrets. Everyone is equal and respects one another.
The deathclaw was surprised but accepted this. As he stepped out, he noticed his name was already magically inscribed on his door. He smiled at the sight.
Shade followed him, and they stopped at the elevator, which soon arrived.
However, the elevator didn’t arrive alone, a deathclaw-dragon hybrid stepped out.
Knidus: - Greetings, my brothers.
Shade: - Welcome, brother.
Shade turned to Claw Mc and continued.
Shade: - This is Knidus, your new neighbor. He lives in apartment two. He receives black crystal infused with deathclaw genes, granting him not only deathclaw strength but additional abilities.
They didn’t get out on the next level either, as the communication level was not where Claw Mc would be performing his tasks.
The security level came next. Here, of course, they exited, as knowing the state of the world today, Claw Mc definitely needed to be familiar with the location of the armory.
Claw Mc: - And from here, I can really take any weapon I want?
Shade: - For the third time, yes, of course.
Claw Mc: - Even this M249?
Shade: - Yes, even that.
The deathclaw picked up the weapon and spoke.
Claw Mc: - May I?
Shade shook his head, rolling his eyes before responding.
Shade: - Take it…
With that, they headed back to the elevator.
They simply passed through the next three levels, as the first and last housed living quarters, while the middle one was just the entrance.
Shade: - We stopped here just to show you that non-elite followers get their food from here, and this is also where our water purification system operates.
As they entered the elevator and started moving again, Claw Mc spoke.
Claw Mc: - And how does a facility this large fit inside a small cave in the side of a hill?
Shade: - The answer is quite simple. Magic.
Now, the deathclaw understood everything. He had no more questions.
They passed through the next level as well since it was solely used for storing various types of black crystal. However, on the last level, they finally stepped out. Claw Mc found himself facing multiple laboratories. Shade stopped in front of the most recent one and addressed Claw Mc.
Shade: - By the way, I never asked you, nor did I mention, why we specifically chose you as our new member. Do you have any guesses?
Naturally, Claw Mc shook his head, how could he possibly know?
Shade: - Because you are the perfect candidate for this development our best experts are currently working on. That’s also why you were given the first room among the elites.
Claw Mc: - I am willing to sacrifice anything for Azaruth.
Shade: - I know. I felt the same way when I agreed to test KV7-TF0. That’s also why I live right next to you, in apartment number three. Ke’ Frel is currently receiving a more advanced version of it. And thanks to my sacrifice of my human nature, Azaruth will soon be among us once more.
Claw Mc: - But if Azaruth’s resurrection is already in progress, why do we need this other black crystal?
The human-dragon hybrid looked at Claw Mc before responding.
Shade: - It’s simple. This way our great lord will have a much stronger army at his disposal.
Chapter 17: The Defense of the Homeland
Gunfire shook the surroundings. Dhairthel immediately rushed out of his house to see what was happening.
TubeDog came sprinting straight from the gang's perimeter towards Dhairthel's house.
TubeDog: - Boss! Boss! We're in big trouble! The Sky of the Moon is here, they've attacked us!
Dhairthel: - We need to alert everyone! We must counterattack immediately! We have to protect our home at all costs!
With that, everyone hurried off to notify the inactive members.
Once the team was reunited and the DDT members were defending their home, Dhairthel realized he hadn't seen Claw. He quickly turned to TubeDog.
Dhairthel: - Have you seen Claw? I know he hasn't picked up a weapon yet, but we need all the help we can get.
TubeDog: - I haven't seen him in a while. Ever since Zhong banned him from his bar, it's like he disappeared...
Gimward-01: - We don't have time to worry about Claw right now. We're not just fighting the Sky of the Moon.
Dhairthel: - You're right. Wait... What do you mean, not just the Sky of the Moon?!
Gimward-01: - I mean, my sensors show that they got weapons from the police, and there are also a few smaller gangs here.
Dhairthel: - Then it's time to go all in. Are you ready, Elaine?
Elaine: - Yes.
Dhairthel: - Gimward?
Gimward-01: - Hell yeah!
Dhairthel: - Suth’an?
Suth’an nodded.
Suddenly, Bubaru appeared from behind one of the houses, running towards them.
Bubaru: - I'm ready to fight with you too!
Dhairthel acknowledged the non-DDT member’s declaration with a pleased nod.
Dhairthel: - Let's show those bastards what new tricks we’ve learned!
With that, they moved out. Bubaru and Gimward-01 stayed back, while the others flew straight out of the besieged base. Some enemies seemed to recognize Elaine, some hesitated, some outright fled. Of course, there were those who didn’t care that they were facing a famous dragon, long thought dead, known to be one of the good ones.
Dhairthel was the first to demonstrate his newfound power. The first wave of enemies was engulfed in dragon fire. Their weapons melted, their clothes ignited. They burned alive, screaming in agony.
Meanwhile, Takeo and Zicks observed the battle from afar.
Takeo: - So that's how they got in unnoticed… Magic… I thought they weren’t using black crystal.
Zicks: - They aren’t.
Takeo: - Interesting... Very interesting...
With that, Takeo and Zicks abandoned the dwindling enemy forces. Despite the DDT’s smaller numbers, they held off the attackers skillfully. They aimed better, they shot better. Gimward-01, in particular, was racking up kills, primarily among the Sky of the Moon members, against whom he harbored deep resentment.
In melee combat, Elaine, Suth’an, and Dhairthel fought equally well, though none saw it as a competition.
Occasionally, an enemy appeared who could use magic, but they were no match for Dhairthel’s group. Their power wasn’t innate, it came from the black crystal.
Suddenly, Elaine froze. A familiar voice echoed in her mind. Not from where she least wanted, but from where she never expected.
Azaruth: - Greetings, my granddaughter… We met again.
Elaine: - Azaruth!
Azaruth: - From your voice, I take it you weren’t expecting to hear from me again.
Elaine: - How?! I thought I killed you. I saw your body turn to dust.
Azaruth: - I was dead, just as you were. But I had my way of returning, just as you did. I assume Dhairthel has told you about the black crystal, which my loyal followers developed and spread.
Yes, he had. He had explained that the drug could grant magic. But no one had imagined it could also bring back the dead, even those whose bodies had been utterly destroyed.
He doesn’t have his original body… The realization struck Elaine.
Elaine: - Whose body did you take over?!
Azaruth: - Heh… You’re sharper than I thought, granddaughter. But that shall remain my secret. That’s not why I invaded your mind. Sit.
Elaine's body ignored her thoughts, and she sat down in the middle of the battle.
Dhairthel: - Elaine, what the hell are you doing?! Get up and fight!
But the white dragon didn’t move. In her head, she heard her grandfather’s voice laughing wickedly.
Elaine: - H-how?!
Azaruth: - Oh? Did Dhairthel not tell you everything?
Elaine didn’t understand what he meant but then whispered to herself.
Elaine: - The black crystal…
Azaruth’s sinister grin was audible in his voice.
Azaruth: - Exactly. I can partially control you. If I wanted you to attack your new friends, you would.
Elaine: - No!
Azaruth: - Did you say something, granddaughter?
Elaine: - I said NO!
Azaruth: - Oh, granddaughter… granddaughter… It doesn’t work that way… The black crystal has already become a part of you.
Elaine: - I still won’t let you control me!
Both Dhairthel and Suth’an turned their eyes to Elaine, who suddenly roared and, in that moment, annihilated all the enemies around her with a single strike.
Elaine: - Try controlling me now, Azaruth!
But there was no reply. His voice was gone from her mind.
Suddenly, one of Azaruth’s followers shouted for retreat, and like shadows, the survivors vanished while the bodies of the dead turned to dust. But neither Dhairthel nor Suth’an cared, they only stared at Elaine, who stood there panting, staring into the void.
After things calmed down and Dhairthel’s team returned to his office, Elaine finally spoke.
Elaine: - He’s here. He’s back! Azaruth has returned! I don’t know whose body he’s in, but we need to move quickly. We must destroy the black crystal and find the still-weak Azaruth before it’s too late.
Suth’an nodded.
Dhairthel: - Exactly. And that’s why it’s time to attack their secret base. Gimward, how’s our plan looking?
Gimward-01: - It couldn’t be better. We’re even prepared for surprises.
Dhairthel: - Glad to hear it. Kewek!
Immediately, Kewek entered the office at Dhairthel’s call.
Dhairthel: - While I’m gone, take care of the remaining DDT members. Also, appoint Bubaru as an official member, for not betraying us even when we were fighting his former gang.
Kewek nodded, then left them alone again.
Dhairthel: - Now that we have that, let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll get up early and we can go partying a bit.
Chapter 18: On the Threshold of a New World
The first rays of the sun had barely begun to illuminate the city, yet Dhairthel and his team were already watching the entrance to the secret base. Silence pervaded the surroundings, as if everyone knew that blood would be spilled here today. As if everyone knew that an important battle between good and evil was about to take place.
Minutes passed, but Dhairthel and his team remained still, silent.
Suth’an: - Are you sure this is the place?
The naga glanced questioningly at the white dragon.
Elaine: - Yes, I’m sure. This has to be it.
Suddenly, a figure shot out from behind the waterfall. They all recognized the look in the gryphon’s eyes.
Dhairthel: - An Azaruth follower…
Gimward-01: - Exactly.
Suth’an: - So we’re in the right place afterall.
Elaine: - Then, are you all ready to save the world from destruction?
Elaine ignored the demonic laughter echoing in her mind, focusing only on the reassuring gazes of her friends.
Suth’an: - Of course, but let’s go over the plan one more time.
Dhairthel: - Don’t tell me you forgot… Basically, we go in, wipe everyone out, destroy all the drugs, and come out. That’s all.
Suth’an: - Okay… But what if…
Dhairthel: - Suth’an… I appreciate your concern, but everything will be fine. Relax.
Suth’an: - Before we do anything, can we at least clarify the plan? Please?
Dhairthel sighed.
Dhairthel: - Fine… When the time is right, we enter through the waterfall.
Suth’an: - Prepared for every possibility.
Dhairthel: - Yes, ready for anything. Once inside, we deal with the guards first. Then everyone else in there. We move deeper in and finally take down Azaruth. Any questions?
Everyone shook their heads, even Suth’an, despite the worry in his eyes.
Dhairthel: - Then let’s rock this place!
With that, the team moved toward the waterfall and leaped through. Dhairthel led the way, followed by Suth’an, then Gimward-01 and Elaine.
As they passed through the waterfall, they found themselves in a peculiar place, if a magically constructed hidden structure could even be called that. But something was off…
Gimward-01: - Where’s Elaine?!
Dhairthel: - She’s right behind you, isn’t she?
Dhairthel turned around as he spoke.
Dhairthel: - Where is she?! Didn’t she come through after you?
Gimward-01: - When I passed through, I could still sense her behind me, but when she touched the water, she suddenly vanished… As if the waterfall transported her elsewhere…
Dhairthel: - The important thing is, she must be here somewhere…
Suth’an: - Okay, but where exactly?
Dhairthel: - We don’t know. But that’s just one more reason to carry out the plan.
The entrance was nearly empty. A wall sealed off the rest of the cave, with two elevator doors built into it. There was also a sign listing the floors.
Dhairthel: - Where’s the welcoming committee with our drinks?!
Even Dhairthel couldn’t hold back a chuckle at the end.
Dhairthel: - Seriously though. It’s strange that no one is here at the entrance.
Suth’an: - That’s because they assume they’ll never be found here.
Gimward-01: - Until now.
The team stepped closer to the elevators. Now they could read the floor labels. The base had seven levels above and four below. The highest was the leader’s floor, followed by the hospital, then the elite residences. Next was the recreation level, the communications level, the security level, and finally, another residential level. Below ground, there was another residential floor, the life support level, a storage level, and finally, the laboratories.
Dhairthel: - That’s quite a few floors… Where should we start?
At first, no one answered, as they hadn’t expected the cave base to be so intricate. They knew magic had always been involved, but even so, they hadn’t thought it could transform a cave so thoroughly.
Suth’an: - I think we should start with the lower levels first… There might be fewer people there.
Dhairthel: - Our serpent wants a little appetizer?
Suth’an: - Heh… You could say that. Plus, maybe we’ll find some clue as to why Elaine sometimes hears Azaruth’s voice…
Dhairthel: - Because that’s where the labs are, right?
Suth’an nodded, casting a glance at the synth. There was a hint of concern in his digital eyes.
Suth’an: - Don’t worry, no one’s going to experiment on you here. These aren’t that kind of labs.
Gimward-01: - I know, but the trauma lingers…
Dhairthel: - Think of Elaine, and how this will eliminate most of the black crystal in the world. Plus, we have three floors to clear first.
With that, they pressed the button for one of the elevators. It started descending.
Suth’an: - This elevator is taking a long time…
Dhairthel: - Must be coming from higher up.
Suth’an: - I just hope it’s not from the elite floor or higher… Those floors don’t sound promising…
Dhairthel: - If Azaruth himself comes down with it, that’ll be one less problem for us.
Gimward-01: - Get ready, the elevator’s here.
When the doors opened, two figures stood inside. A pair of soft thuds followed as the two bodies collapsed, lifeless, inside the elevator.
Dhairthel: - Well, that was fast.
Gimward-01: - Always be on alert. That’s what the streets taught me while I was hiding from the Sky of the Moon.
Dhairthel: - No wonder you spotted my people so quickly, even before we met. Thanks to you, we also caught that little spy in the vents who’s still here with us.
He winked at Suth’an before stepping into the elevator. The naga paused for a moment, a secret smile playing on his lips as he wondered if there was more to that wink, or if it was just the adrenaline talking. But he knew this wasn’t the time for such thoughts, so he followed Gimward-01 into the elevator.
Dhairthel: - Everyone ready for the first round?
They both nodded, and with a wide grin, Dhairthel pressed the button. The elevator doors slowly closed, and they began descending.
Chapter 19: Words and Blades
When the elevator doors opened, the corridor was empty. Everyone was either resting in their quarters, preparing for their night shift, working on their designated levels, or enjoying their leisure time in the recreation area. The purple dragon expected many things, just not this.
Dhairthel: - Damn! I really thought we’d get to beat up some jerks right away…
Just as he finished speaking, the other elevator doors opened as well. Two figures in scientist robes stepped out, clearly followers of Azaruth.
Dhairthel’s eyes lit up immediately upon seeing them.
Dhairthel: - So, fight time?~
Suth’an: - Fight time.
The two scientists only then realized that the three figures before them weren’t supposed to be there. But before they could react, the DDT leader launched his attack.
Since their strength lay in research rather than combat, they stood no chance against a fully powered dragon. Of course, the loud screams and dragon roars alerted the residents of the quarters. One after another, they rushed out, facing a naga, a synth, and a dragon.
The followers in this area were relatively easy to defeat, as most of them were scientists and engineers. There were a few exceptions, but none posed a significant threat. It was no surprise, each of the three friends was strong on their own, and together they were nearly unstoppable. With Elaine, they were even stronger, as she had the most experience with magic.
Gimward-01: - That’s the last one.
Dhairthel: - That’s it…?
Gimward-01: - On this level.
Suth’an: - Then let’s move to the next floor. After all, you have a vow to keep, don’t you, Dhairthel?
The purple dragon was about to respond angrily, but before he could, he took a deep breath and calmed himself. Then, he quietly spoke.
Dhairthel: - For Rafel.
As they approached the elevator again, the doors slid open. However, the two figures inside, staring at them and the blood-soaked scene around them, weren’t Azaruth’s followers. They were Sky of the Moon members.
As soon as they recognized their adversaries, they tried to retreat and ascend, but Dhairthel was faster. He flew straight at them, pinning both enemy gang members down.
Suth’an: - You caught the two little jumpers quickly.
Robin: - Hey! Who are you calling a little jumper?!
Snez: - Yeah! Who?!
The hobbit and kobold both protested under Dhairthel’s weight.
Suth’an: - Sorry… Dhairthel, what’s the plan for them?
Dhairthel: - I don’t know… I haven’t really avenged our tortured DDT members yet…
As he said this, his wide grin combined with his piercing gaze terrified the two captives.
Suth’an: - Dhairthel…
The purple dragon glanced at the naga for a moment, his expression softening slightly. He knew Suth’an was right.
Dhairthel: - Alright, alright… We don’t have time for this anyway.
He exhaled smoke and turned back to his prisoners.
Dhairthel: - Last words?
Snez: - I-I…
The kobold was too scared to speak.
Robin: - I-If you let us go-
Before the hobbit could finish, Dhairthel cut him off.
Dhairthel: - Then?
Robin: - T-Then we’ll tell you everything-
Dhairthel: - Everything?
Robin: - Everything we know…
Dhairthel bared his teeth once more before finally releasing them.
Dhairthel: - We’re listening…
Robin: - W-We’re only here because… because our boss told us to be! And when he says something, we don’t have a choice!
Dhairthel: - And what else?
Robin: - The third floor has their armory, but we’re not allowed access to it. We haven’t been in Sky of the Moon long enough…
Dhairthel: - And your friend, who seems to have passed out…?
Robin: - Y-Yeah, him too…
Gimward-01: - Let’s just let them go. They don’t know anything valuable.
Dhairthel: - Hmm… Maybe they do. Wake up your friend and get moving.
Robin: - B-But…
Dhairthel: - Or would you prefer a quick death?~
The hobbit swallowed hard before nudging the unconscious kobold awake.
Robin: - H-Hey, Snez… Wake up…
Snez: - Ugh… Is it morning already…?
As he slowly opened his eyes and looked around, his gaze landed on the purple dragon.
Snez: - T-That’s… Dhairthel!!!
The dragon simply nodded.
Dhairthel: - In scale and flame. Just don’t faint again. Why did you even join them?
Robin hesitated before responding.
Robin: - F-For the same reason I did… We thought it would make us braver…
Dhairthel, Suth’an, and Gimward-01 all held their heads at the hobbit’s innocent explanation.
Dhairthel: - You better head home… This ain’t for little ones…
Robin: - Hey! Who are you calling… l-little?...
One look from Dhairthel was enough to silence him.
Dhairthel: - Can you carry your friend?
The hobbit nodded timidly.
Dhairthel: - Good. Then pick him up and go home. Stay far away from the Sky of the Moon. You don’t want to die for a gang, do you? Let’s be honest, this life isn’t for you.
Without a word, Robin stood, lifted his unconscious friend, and stepped into the elevator, which Gimward-01 had summoned for them.
Robin: - T-Thanks…
With that, he pressed a button, and the doors closed.
As Dhairthel turned to his companions, his gaze lingered on Suth’an. The naga was smiling, clearly proud.
Suth’an: - I knew you could do it.
Dhairthel: - Hm… Being good isn’t so bad after all.
Suth’an: - Not at all!
Gimward-01: - Besides, we’re doing this for a better world, right?
Dhairthel rolled his eyes slightly but eventually nodded.
Dhairthel: - Yeah, I suppose.
The corridor filled with the sound of an elevator arriving.
Gimward-01: - Right on time! Our ride to the next level. Ready?
Dhairthel: - Always.
Suth’an: - Then let’s head to level minus two.
Gimward-01 nodded and pressed the button for the next floor.
Chapter 20: Trust in Darkness
As the elevator descended, Gimward-01 was the first to break the silence.
Gimward-01: - Life support level... We might expect heavier security here.
Dhairthel: - Maybe... But we're ready for anything.
Shortly after their exchange, the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open. The hallway before them looked entirely different from the previous ones. Pipes of various sizes ran along the walls and ceiling, and the doors were spaced much farther apart. Each was an automatic security door, visibly thicker than any they had encountered before. Additionally, every room had a window allowing a view inside.
Suth’an: - This looks like an industrial area.
Dhairthel: - Well, the name suggested that…
The dragon replied with a smirk at the naga’s comment.
Gimward-01: - But… why is it so… empty?
Everyone suddenly realized the eerie silence. Not a single soul was present in the corridor. As they proceeded, they peered into the windows of each room, but they found them all unoccupied.
Gimward-01: - No one here either…
Suth’an: - Same here…
Dhairthel: - How are we supposed to fight these bastards if there’s no one around?!
Gimward-01: - Relax, Dhairthel, there are still plenty of levels left for you to spill some blood.
Noticing Dhairthel heading toward one of the doors, Gimward-01 called after him.
Gimward-01: - Look, they might already know we’re here, but do you really want to give them undeniable proof just yet? We still have a lot of ground to cover.
The dragon stopped with a pout and muttered under his breath.
Dhairthel: - I wasn’t going to cause trouble… Just a little…
Although his voice was barely audible, Gimward-01 still heard him but simply shook his head instead of responding.
Suth’an: - It’s nighttime anyway, so at least we won’t be in plain sight while we rest.
The synth checked his energy levels and nodded.
Gimward-01: - Yeah, my battery needs charging. Even I can’t go without sleep forever.
They searched for the most suitable place to camp for the night. Eventually, they settled on a room next to the water supply system. Though this location provided the best vantage point for their enemies, it was also the most comfortable among their options.
Dhairthel: - I don’t trust that they won’t come here during the night, so we should take turns keeping watch. Especially since we haven’t found a better spot.
Suth’an: - You’re the boss.~
The naga teased, and the dragon smirked in response.
Gimward-01 was the first to break the silence again, yawning loudly.
Gimward-01: - If you don’t mind, I’ll lie down now while it’s not my turn to keep watch… I don’t have much battery left.
As he spoke, he gestured toward the LEDs on his chest, which were blinking red, indicating his low power. Dhairthel and Suth’an nodded, recognizing their companion’s exhaustion.
Dhairthel: - Go ahead…
The dragon yawned as well.
Dhairthel: - I’ll take the first watch.
But the naga didn’t move, shaking his head.
Suth’an: - You’re tired too. I’m used to sleeping less. Go rest.
Dhairthel stared at Suth’an for a moment before the naga spoke again.
Suth’an: - Yes, I’m sure. Sleep well.
The dragon barely managed a subtle smile before nodding.
Dhairthel: - Wake me when it’s my turn.
With that, he lay down. Gimward-01 had already plugged himself in to charge. Suth’an took his position, remaining vigilant over their surroundings and his sleeping companions, or rather, one of them. The other was tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
Suth’an: - Can’t sleep?
Dhairthel: - Not really… Too many thoughts in my head. Where is Elaine? What if we fail? What happens after we finally defeat Azaruth? What happens after we cleanse the world of the black crystal?...
“What happens to us?...”
He added this last question in his mind, turning away from the naga as he spoke. His body was as tense as his thoughts.
Suth’an: - I think about these things too. But as long as we follow the right path, everything will be fine.
Dhairthel: - But what if this isn’t the right path? What if we’re making everything worse?
The dragon’s unease grew, reflected in his voice and his increasingly rigid posture.
Suth’an: - There’s nothing we can ruin. You proved today that you’re following the right path. You showed those two that they had strayed, but instead of punishing them for their choices, you guided them back. You showed them your good side.
Though Suth’an’s words radiated reassurance and certainty, Dhairthel still felt an invisible weight pressing down on his shoulders, something he had to conceal so no one would notice. But Suth’an could sense it in his words and subtle physical signs.
Dhairthel: - I’ll really try to sleep now. My turn for watch will come soon enough…
Suth’an sensed the attempt to deflect, but he still added one last thought.
Suth’an: - Just know that you’re not alone in this. We’ll always be here for each other, no matter what the future holds.
Although Suth’an couldn’t see the dragon’s face, Dhairthel smiled as he drifted into sleep, whispering softly before he succumbed to his dreams.
Dhairthel: - Thank you.
Chapter 21: The Torn Grin
The next morning, when Dhairthel woke up on his own, the others were already awake. He didn't understand why everyone was up so early, especially since no one had woken him for his turn to keep watch.
Dhairthel: - Hey! Why didn’t anyone wake me up for my shift?!
Both the naga and the synth turned to look at him. They swallowed the last bite of their food before responding.
Suth’an: - Good morning, Dhairthel! How did you sleep?
Gimward-01: - Good morning!
Dhairthel: - Answer my question instead of exchanging pleasantries!
Suth’an: - When I woke up Gimward, I asked him to let you sleep and wake me instead. You needed the rest more.
Dhairthel glared at the naga but didn’t breathe smoke in frustration. In fact, when their eyes met, the little anger he had left disappeared.
Suth’an: - We already prepared breakfast for you if you’re hungry.
Dhairthel: - Thank you.
After breakfast, they moved toward the elevator, which, curiously, was already waiting for them with its doors open…
Dhairthel: - Did you use the elevator while I was sleeping?
Both of them shook their heads at the dragon’s question. Before they could reply, a deep, velvety voice spoke from behind them.
Knidus: - Welcome to the Sect of Eternal Night’s base. How may I assist you?
An unfamiliar voice rang out behind them. When they turned around, they found themselves face-to-face with a deathclaw-dragon hybrid. Though his voice was calm and elegant, his posture and muscular arms were a clear display of his strength. Instead of eyes, his sockets gleamed with black crystal.
Dhairthel: - We don’t need your help. Just let us cut through you, and everyone will be happy.
Knidus grinned widely.
Knidus: - Looking for some entertainment? Great, I was getting bored.
Dhairthel didn’t wait. He lunged forward with full force, but Knidus sidestepped effortlessly and countered with a powerful kick to Dhairthel’s stomach, sending him crashing into the wall, leaving a dent.
Suth’an: - Dhairthel! Are you okay?
Dhairthel gritted his teeth as he stood up, brushing debris off his shoulder.
Dhairthel: - Yeah… Just a little warm-up.
Knidus’s laughter echoed down the corridor, but before he could strike again, Gimward-01 stepped forward. Previously unknown weapons extended from his body, illuminating the area with energy beams.
Knidus: - Two against one? That’s not fair… for you.~
While the hybrid spoke, the three friends were more focused on what Gimward-01 was doing. None of them knew he was capable of such feats.
Dhairthel: - Where were you hiding that?!
Gimward-01: - I didn’t know I had it either!
Knidus looked at his bewildered opponents, then finally spoke.
Knidus: - Uh… I get that you’re in shock, but in case you forgot, we are in the middle of a fight…
Suth’an: - Right… My turn to attack.
With that, Suth’an vanished. He reappeared just in front of Knidus, striking with precision, but the hybrid merely flicked out his tongue for a moment before grabbing the naga’s neck.
Knidus: - Nice try, but useless against me.~
With that, he hurled Suth’an against the wall.
Knidus: - An invisible naga and an armed robot… Maybe you should bring a dragon too, just to make it really exciting, oh, wait, you have one!~
Dhairthel: - That’s all you’ve got? I’ll need more than that to stop me!
The dragon’s taunt made Knidus turn toward him, his grin widening.
Knidus: - We’ll get there eventually. No need to rush our little game, right?~
With a mocking smirk, Knidus took a step forward, his every movement exuding confidence.
Knidus: - You know why I love opponents like you? Because you always think you have a chance. That makes it all the more fun.
Dhairthel: - Fun? Let’s see how long you keep that smile when I rip it off your face!
Dhairthel charged again, this time with Suth’an and Gimward-01 moving in tandem. Gimward fired energy beams at Knidus while Suth’an disappeared, attempting another stealth attack.
Knidus, unfazed, dodged Gimward’s blasts and countered Suth’an’s attack with a swift strike of his claws. The naga recoiled but managed to avoid a direct hit.
Knidus: - Is this really your plan? Even together, you can’t hurt me! The crystal’s power makes me-
Dhairthel took advantage of the moment. He unleashed a fireball at close range, hitting Knidus squarely in the chest. Though the hybrid absorbed the impact, he staggered slightly.
Knidus: - Now that’s something! Thanks, Dhairthel… Now things are getting interesting-
An energy shot struck Knidus from behind, cutting him off mid-sentence. Furious, he turned toward Gimward-01.
Knidus: - What the hell do you think you’re doing, interrupting me with that damned blast?!
Seizing the moment, Suth’an coiled around Knidus in a constricting grip. For most, such a hold would be lethal, but not for Knidus.
Suth’an: - You told us to focus on the fight, didn’t you? Gimward! Give him another shot!
Before Gimward’s next blast could land, Knidus broke free, grabbed the startled naga, and hurled him into the synth.
Knidus: - Enough of this!
The dragon-deathclaw hybrid strode toward the fallen Suth’an and Gimward-01.
Knidus: - You ruined the fun! Now you’ll pay for it!
His muscles tensed, ready to strike, but before he could move, a powerful blow from the side sent him crashing into the wall like a ragdoll.
Dhairthel had tackled him with full force. His eyes blazed with a mix of fury and determination. Before Knidus could recover, Dhairthel let out a feral roar and sank his fangs into his side.
A scream of agony filled the corridor as Dhairthel not only bit down but tore a chunk of flesh from his enemy. The air seemed to freeze as the bloodied piece fell to the floor.
Knidus: - What the hell do you think you’re doing, you beast?! You’ll regret this!
Clutching his bleeding side, the hybrid glared in fury. Dhairthel spat out the flesh before replying.
Dhairthel: - No one gets to kill him!
Knidus: - Who?!
He never got an answer. Dhairthel lunged again, this time raking his claws across Knidus’s throat. Blood sprayed as the hybrid’s head slumped lifelessly to the floor.
Dhairthel stood over the body for a moment before turning toward his rising companions.
Gimward-01: - Why did that fight feel so much harder before?
Suth’an: - Because none of his loved ones were in danger before. Right, Dhairthel?~
The dragon snorted but eventually nodded.
Dhairthel: - I won’t let my friends die in front of me.
The naga’s gaze suggested a different question. “Just friends, huh?~" But Dhairthel only rolled his eyes.
Dhairthel: - Let’s keep moving… There’s still a long way to go.
As he spoke, the blood-covered dragon headed toward the elevator. His companions followed.
Dhairthel: - The sooner we clear these lower levels, the sooner we find Elaine again, and the sooner we save the world.
They took the same elevator Knidus had used to reach them and ascended to the next level. However, they did not spend much time there, as it was merely a storage area. The black crystal they found was set ablaze with dragon fire, ensuring its complete destruction.
With that, only the final negative level remained. Before stepping into the elevator, they devised a small strategy, uncertain of what awaited them in the various laboratories ahead.
Chapter 22: Between Fear and Desire
Dhairthel, Suth’an, and Gimward-01 had already formed a defensive stance, anticipating an ambush when the elevator stopped. But as the doors slid open, no one was waiting for them.
Dhairthel: - Gimward, do you detect anyone nearby?
The synth shook his head.
Gimward-01: - Clear area.
Suth’an: - Maybe they didn’t expect us to defeat that hybrid.
Dhairthel: - Then why is no one here?
Gimward-01: - They probably evacuated the place…
Dhairthel: - Damn! We shouldn’t have wasted time resting!
In his frustration, the dragon fired a fireball down the hallway.
Dhairthel: - Never mind… Let’s destroy everything in these rooms. We can’t leave behind anything they could use to manufacture more of that filth.
The trio split up to complete the destruction as quickly as possible. Dhairthel, Suth’an, and Gimward-01 each took different rooms, eliminating equipment and research materials. But when Gimward-01 entered the last lab, something caught his eye on a pristine white desk amid the sterile, organized equipment, a crumpled piece of paper.
He picked it up and immediately called out.
Gimward-01: - Dhairthel! Get over here! You need to see this!
The dragon dashed out from a half-destroyed room and into an untouched one where Gimward-01 stood, holding the note.
Dhairthel: - What is it, Gimward? Is something wrong?
Suth’an also entered the room, pausing at the doorway before stepping closer.
Gimward-01: - Read this. It’s about Elaine.
The dragon snatched the paper from the synth’s hands and read aloud.
Dhairthel: - We have Elaine. If you want to see her alive, come to the top floor, unarmed.
For a long moment, Dhairthel stared at the message. Elaine’s name echoed in his mind. They couldn’t leave her behind, not now, not when they were so close to their goal.
Dhairthel: - Those bastards have Elaine! We have to save her! Without her, we can’t complete our mission!
Suth’an: - But what if it’s a trap?
Gimward-01: - We already knew they had her. She was teleported somewhere else when we passed through the waterfall.
Suth’an: - True… But if we go unarmed, they can do whatever they want to us.
Dhairthel: - No. As long as we don’t give up on each other, we have a chance. Plus, we still have our magic.
Gimward-01: - And I have my hidden arsenal!
Suth’an: - But what if something goes wrong?
Dhairthel: - Then we die knowing we did everything for a better future.
Suth’an took a deep breath and locked eyes with Dhairthel. In that moment, all hesitation and suppressed emotions surfaced.
Suth’an: - Dhairthel…
Without warning, he stepped forward and pressed his lips against Dhairthel’s. The dragon’s eyes widened in shock, but he didn’t pull away. Time seemed to freeze, then ended just as abruptly as it began.
Dhairthel stared, speechless. There was no anger, no resentment in his eyes, only confusion, and something deeper.
Suth’an: - I needed to know how you felt before anything else happens.
A heavy silence settled between them until Gimward-01 cleared his throat awkwardly.
Gimward-01: - Ahem… So, uh… are we going now?
But neither of them responded.
Dhairthel: - Suth’an… Why did you do that?
Dhairthel’s question hung in the air like an unanswered verdict. The room’s silence swallowed the rest of the world. The tension thickened, every movement and breath magnified in the stillness.
Suth’an didn’t answer immediately. His eyes, which had avoided Dhairthel’s until now, finally met his. The words caught in his throat, but they carried the weight of everything left unsaid, everything avoided until now.
Suth’an: - I didn’t know how to say it… The feelings that have been building up in me… The signals I received from you…
He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. His voice barely rose above a whisper as he tried to form a truth too strong to keep hidden any longer.
Suth’an: - I felt that if I didn’t say it now, it might be too late.
Dhairthel studied Suth’an, processing the confession, the emotions finally given form. Alongside his surprise, something else surfaced, a feeling deeper than he knew how to handle. A strange unease coiled within him.
Dhairthel: - Suth’an… I don’t know what to say… This is all so sudden… I…
The words didn’t come. What could he even say? What if this ruined everything? What if…
The response caught in his throat, and for a moment, it felt like the world had truly stopped.
Suth’an: - You don’t have to answer. I know what you truly feel, and that’s enough for me.
Gimward-01 cleared his throat again, louder this time.
Gimward-01: - Ahem… Not to interrupt the grand confession, but if we don’t hurry, it might really be too late.
Dhairthel quickly pulled himself together and nodded at Gimward, acknowledging his point.
Dhairthel: - You’re right. We don’t have time. Let’s go.
The dragon glanced once more at Suth’an. His gaze was a mix of confusion and deep concern. He didn’t want to let this feeling take over, but it was there. The weight of the moment, the risks of what came next, loomed over them like a shadow they couldn’t avoid.
Dhairthel: - If we make a mistake now, we could ruin everything.
Suth’an, reluctant to leave this emotional moment behind, gave Dhairthel one last glance before following him.
As they reached the elevator, they saw its doors already open. But this time, unlike before, unlike when Knidus had ambushed them, it wasn’t empty. A crimson emergency light bathed the interior in a flashing glow.
They stopped in front of it. Of the three, Gimward-01 was the first to speak.
Gimward-01: - How do you feel about taking the stairs?
They all stared at the elevator, where the words “Enjoy your walk~” were written in yellow-green blood on the inside wall.
Chapter 23: Tranquility Amid the Fireline
With short breaks, they had already walked through ten floors, yet they encountered no one on their way, no traps, nothing. The day was nearing its end. Fortunately, the floor they stopped on for a longer rest was the relaxation area.
Gimward-01: - This place could be perfect for the night.
Dhairthel: - But what if Elaine is killed while we rest?
Gimward-01: - We've discussed this multiple times while climbing. We have to sleep. If we're exhausted, they’ll have a greater chance of defeating us.
The dragon growled in frustration before speaking again.
Dhairthel: - I hate that you're right… Let’s find a safe place in this glass jungle.
Dhairthel immediately pointed out why this place wasn’t entirely ideal for a secure rest, nearly all the walls were made of glass.
The naga stopped in front of a sign listing available relaxation facilities and their directions. His gaze locked onto one. He might have just found the perfect place to rest.
Suth’an: - I think I found the perfect spot.
A few minutes later, when they arrived at the saunas, they were relieved to see that Suth’an was right. The sauna walls were indeed made of wood instead of glass.
Everyone could see the exhaustion on the naga’s face, the toll of double shifts and minimal sleep from the previous night. So, when he mumbled something inaudibly while heading into one of the saunas, no one stopped him from staying behind.
As he entered, he immediately curled up on the floor like an actual snake. Though his eyes were closed, his breathing suggested he was still awake.
Dhairthel watched the sauna where Suth’an had disappeared for a moment, but a quiet sigh from Gimward-01 drew his attention away.
Gimward-01: - I’ll stay outside and take the first watch.
The synth hesitated briefly before adding with a smirk.
Gimward-01: - I wouldn’t want anything disturbing your… peace.
Dhairthel opened his mouth as if to respond, then closed it again. Finally, he nodded and headed after Suth’an.
When he entered the sauna, he paused in the doorway, watching the naga trying to sleep, as if weighing his options. Eventually, he slowly moved toward him, hesitated, then quietly spoke.
Dhairthel: - Is it alright if…
But he didn’t finish his sentence.
Suth’an didn’t answer, he was already on the verge of sleep. Even though the naga didn’t react, Dhairthel cautiously lay down beside him, wrapping himself around the softly breathing figure.
Only their quiet breathing filled the silence. Dhairthel lay motionless for a few minutes, lost in thought. But when he felt Suth’an’s hand rest on his front paw, he held his breath for a moment before smiling. Finally, he closed his eyes and, staying close to the naga, drifted off to sleep.
The night passed without incident. Gimward-01, Dhairthel, and Suth’an took turns keeping watch, ensuring nothing disrupted their rest. By morning, they were ready for the next step.
Dhairthel: - As we planned… We’ll leave our weapons on the hospital floor so we can retrieve them after the meeting.
With that, they moved toward the stairs.
Suth’an: - More stairs… How much I hate them…
Dhairthel cast a sidelong glance at the naga, suppressing a small chuckle. The stairs were designed so that nagas could use them, but he understood the frustration well.
The stairs were obviously built for those with legs.
As they reached the medical floor, Dhairthel took a moment to scan the various medical instruments, bandages, and medicines. Then he smirked quietly.
Dhairthel: - Of course, they placed all the healing equipment right before the boss’ floor… Just in case the players need to heal up before the big fight!
He couldn’t help but laugh at the end.
Suth’an: - In the end… It’s likely this will turn into a fight.
Dhairthel grinned at Suth’an.
Dhairthel: - Only likely? I’d say it’s a certainty.~
For a moment, everyone remained silent as they set aside their visible weapons. Then Dhairthel spoke again, laughing.
Dhairthel: - Don’t forget to pack some healing supplies in your inventory!
This time, the others couldn’t hold back their laughter either. Still chuckling, the three of them headed toward the door that would take them straight to the top floor.
Chapter 24: In the Shadow of Disillusionment
Dhairthel: - Are you ready?
Gimward-01: - Yes.
Suth’an: - Let’s save Elaine.
After the naga’s words, Dhairthel took a deep breath and decisively pushed the door open. At first, emptiness greeted them. A massive desk and a chair sat in the center of the room, surrounded by tall bookshelves filled with books and documents. The dimly lit lamps cast deep shadows, and the air was oppressively heavy, as if the room itself was watching them.
As they stepped further inside, their attention quickly turned to the figure lying in the middle of the room. Elaine was there, bound and unconscious.
Dhairthel: - Elaine!
The purple dragon’s eyes widened as he saw her. He shouted and rushed toward her without hesitation.
But then, from one of the darker corners, behind the group concerned for their comrade, another figure emerged. Much larger than Dhairthel and his team, the figure stood around five meters tall. In his hands, an M249 looked almost like a smaller rifle due to his sheer size.
Claw Mc: - Dhairthel… So, we met again.
His voice was dull and nearly emotionless, as if mere existence was foreign to him.
The familiar voice startled the purple dragon. He lifted his gaze from Elaine and turned his head.
Dhairthel: - Claw Mc… What happened to you?
His voice was filled with sadness and concern as he took in the changes in his former protégé. His eyes landed on the torn DDT sigil tattoo, a symbol of dead hopes that only deepened his emotions. With that, Dhairthel knew that the rapper, Claw Mc, was lost forever.
Claw Mc: - I found my true place.
Dhairthel’s eyes clouded over as if pain momentarily consumed him. The familiar face before him had long since faded, as if Claw Mc had truly become someone else entirely. His eyes narrowed, and his heart clenched painfully.
Dhairthel: - But at what cost? You sacrificed everything you believed in. All your dreams... What about the great rap career you once dreamed of?
His question lingered in the air, the words softly echoing in the room.
Claw Mc: - That Claw died when I found my true path, when I swore allegiance to Azaruth.
Dhairthel’s expression hardened. The pain he felt now was not just for losing a friend, it was something much worse: betrayal.
Dhairthel: - What happened to the rapper I once met on the streets? The one I took under my wing, the one I respected?
The words faded, as if the air itself had frozen. Claw Mc’s face became unreadable, his eyes betraying nothing. The deathclaw merely watched Dhairthel from the dark corner, as if he belonged to another world entirely.
Claw Mc: - You really want to know what happened to him?... The black crystal wiped him out completely. That weakling is the past! I am the future!
Claw Mc’s expression hardened, as if he belonged to an alien world rather than someone Dhairthel had once worked with. The dark room’s every shadow deepened the atmosphere, making the air seem heavier with the weight of the words spoken.
Claw Mc: - But we’re not here to talk about my past. We’re here for something else. Join us. Join Azaruth and rule the world alongside us!
The weight of his words filled the space, momentarily drowning everything in silence. Dhairthel remained motionless, carefully analyzing Claw Mc, as if trying to read every word and movement from his voice and body language. His gaze was cold and calm, but a deeper tension lurked within him.
Suth’an and Gimward-01 stood at Dhairthel’s sides, waiting for the next move. The air between the two opposing sides was practically crackling with energy. Finally, Dhairthel broke the silence.
Dhairthel: - No. The old Dhairthel might have joined you, but I’ve changed too. I can see the good in the world again.
He paused briefly. For a moment, his eyes flicked toward Suth’an. A small smile appeared on his face before he continued speaking.
Dhairthel: - I see the value in the right path again. But what you follow under Azaruth is the opposite of that.
His words were calm yet firm, and though he didn’t move forward, his gaze made it clear that he had said all that needed to be said.
For a moment, the deathclaw remained silent before finally speaking.
Claw Mc: - Shame… You could have been one of the elites… Perhaps Elaine will think differently when she wakes up and sees her comrades fall.
Dhairthel could wait no longer. Claw Mc’s words, mentioning Elaine, were the final drop. The pain and anger fused within him, as if the very air cracked around him. His gaze burned, and he charged toward Claw Mc.
Dhairthel: - ENOUGH!
As he approached, time seemed to freeze around him. Each step stretched into eternity. Rage and pain focused within him as he formed a fireball in his mouth. The energy scorched the air, growing stronger with each passing moment. It was as if he was a storm about to unleash all its power in a single, devastating strike.
But in the next moment, as he reached Claw Mc, time sped up again. The deathclaw’s massive claws slammed him into the wall, and Dhairthel’s power faded from the sudden impact.
Suth’an: - Dhairthel!
Ignoring everything else, Suth’an rushed in as well, only to be thrown against the wall like his comrade. The entire room echoed with the force of the impacts.
Claw Mc: - Heh… Now it’s my turn.
With that, the deathclaw readied his weapon and began firing at the only one still standing, Gimward-01. The steel bullets tore through the air, but the synth skillfully dodged them with quick reflexes. Each shot sent vibrations through the air as the bullets missed their mark until, finally, the sound of an empty magazine echoed in the room.
Upon hearing the click of an empty chamber, Gimward-01 smirked mischievously.
Gimward-01: - Reload quickly. I could use more target practice.
The deathclaw growled angrily, his eyes gleaming with hatred.
Claw Mc: - I’ll give you some practice!
With that, Claw Mc lunged at Gimward-01, his claws visibly heating up, ready to tear apart anything in his path. Gimward-01 swiftly dodged the first attack, but the next caught him off guard, slicing off the top of one of his antennas.
Gimward-01: - Hey! I still needed that!
The synth reacted quickly, launching an energy shot at Claw Mc’s abdomen, but the deathclaw barely flinched at the hit.
Claw Mc: - That tickles… Remember, we’re fighting here.~
He grinned mockingly, preparing another charge at Gimward-01. However, he was too focused on the synth and failed to notice that his other two opponents were back in action. A sudden roar of pain filled the room as a massive fireball struck his back.
Claw Mc: - You bastard! Don’t you know anything about honorable combat?! Fine. Let’s do it this way! Azaruth, help me now!
A violent gust of wind swept through the chamber. Papers scattered from the desk, books and documents shifted from the shelves. When the wind finally died down, Elaine stood before the desk.
But her eyes were no longer her own. Instead of their familiar warmth, the black crystal gleamed within them.
Chapter 25: Behind the Darkness
Time seemed to freeze in an instant. The sounds of battle faded, and all eyes were fixed on Elaine. The white dragon, once the embodiment of light and hope, now looked down at her former companions with a devilish smile.
The first to break the silence was the purple dragon. His voice was shattered and filled with despair.
Dhairthel: - No! This can't be! Elaine! No!
Elaine’s eyes glimmered as she spoke in a cold, sharp tone.
Elaine: - Oh, but it is possible. As you can see, I have joined them. I now serve Azaruth.
Dhairthel’s wings trembled as if the weight of those words had crushed him.
Dhairthel: - But… your past… your hatred for evil…
Elaine: - No longer exists.
Elaine’s icy words pierced the hearts of Dhairthel and his allies like bullets. The faith that had driven them up until now seemed to vanish completely.
Elaine: - One last time, I ask you: will you join us in exchange for power?~
The once-confident purple dragon now felt like the smallest creature in the world. The walls of the room seemed to close in, trapping him in the icy grip of doubt and fear. The fire of faith that once burned brightly within him now flickered as a mere ember in the darkness.
A voice broke the silence, one that resonated through every part of Dhairthel’s being. A voice he knew well, one he had turned to countless times over the past months for hope, for guidance. It was Suth’an, the naga whose words always carried determination and strength.
And so it was again. His words, like the brightest star in a dark sky, cut through the fog of despair.
Suth’an: - Elaine’s dark words do not signal the end, but a trial we must overcome! We can defeat evil without her! We can bring the winds of good even in her absence! We must endure, not just for ourselves, but for the world!
His voice rang like a bell in the midst of a storm, filling the air with power and conviction. His words echoed in the hearts of his comrades, like the first rays of dawn carrying the promise of a new day.
Dhairthel slowly lifted his head. His wings twitched as if he could feel the wind of hope filling him with new strength. He stood still for a moment, then rose into the air, not to flee, but to fight. As he ascended, the hope within his companions ignited, momentarily making them forget the weight of doubt and pain.
Dhairthel: - We may die today. But we will never betray what we have fought for! We will never betray each other! I will never betray… my love!
Suth’an felt Dhairthel’s gaze most strongly at that last word. Though he could not respond verbally, his stance conveyed that he was ready to fight.
Elaine also noticed this exchange, making her next move clear.
Elaine: - Perhaps you will feel differently when your naga falls. Claw… do your thing.
With that, the deathclaw, who had been patiently waiting for orders, charged toward Suth’an with enormous strides. His claws burned with energy as the distance between them closed rapidly.
As Claw Mc rushed forward, Suth’an’s eyes scanned his movements. The beast’s size, speed, and glowing claws were both terrifying and breathtaking, but Suth’an did not waver. Years of protecting the city had accustomed him to facing deadly threats.
As Claw’s massive claws slashed forward, Suth’an swiftly pulled back, dodging the attack. Using his lean build to his advantage, the naga’s movements were so fast and precise that he almost seemed to dance through the air, avoiding the massive beast’s attacks.
But Claw was relentless. He adjusted and attacked again, this time faster, aiming to catch the agile naga off guard.
And then, in a split second, he did. His grip closed around Suth’an, eliciting a cry of pain.
Dhairthel: - Suth’an!
Dhairthel turned sharply in the air, ready to break free and rescue his beloved, but something seized his tail and yanked him to the ground.
Elaine: - You worry about me instead!
A wave of pain shot through Dhairthel’s wings as Elaine’s claws raked through them. The unexpected attack sent searing agony through his body, but he did not falter. The white dragon loomed over him, but with a forceful shove, he threw her off and unleashed a precise fireball at her.
Elaine had not anticipated the attack, and it struck her directly. Though pain flickered across her face, she did not scream as the flames licked at her scales and skin.
Elaine: - Is that all? I expected more from you… Or is your great love holding you back?
Her words reminded him that Suth’an was still in danger. As he turned to move toward him, he saw a massive energy blast slicing through the air and striking Claw Mc, sending him hurtling into a nearby wall.
Gimward-01: - This was long overdue… Suth’an, are you alright?
The naga picked himself up from the ground, the pain still evident but no longer unbearable. After a brief pause, he nodded.
Suth’an: - Thanks.
The two turned their attention to Dhairthel as they heard him roar in pain. Elaine nearly twisted one of his wings out of place as she towered over him, her gaze sharp and burning with hatred. Her muscles tensed as she gathered her strength for another strike. The air crackled with tension, each movement filled with deadly intent.
But then, something unexpected happened. Elaine was suddenly sent flying backward, crashing into the desk behind her with enough force to shatter it into splinters. She lay motionless beneath the debris.
Suth’an: - Sorry for being late…
He said as he helped his injured love to his feet.
Dhairthel: - J-Just a scratch…
The dragon tried to muster strength as he glanced at his broken wing, where blood slowly trickled.
A tremendous roar echoed behind them, it was Claw Mc, regaining consciousness. Though a gaping wound marred his chest, he ignored the pain and stood tall. The crystals in his eyes pulsed with an unnatural glow, as if Azaruth himself was fueling his movements.
Claw Mc: - Hail Azaruth! The true ruler of this world!
Despite staggering, he charged toward them, each step thundering like a war drum, signaling one final, desperate assault. Though wounded, the three comrades gathered their remaining strength and prepared for the final battle.
Then, a sudden burst of power erupted from the wreckage. The white dragon rose, letting out a deafening cry that shook the room.
Elaine: - ENOUGH!
A blinding light exploded from her body, filling every corner of the space as if to banish all darkness. The brilliance was so intense that even Claw Mc recoiled, shielding his eyes and screaming in pain.
As the light faded, Dhairthel, Gimward-01, and Suth’an stood before Elaine, the Elaine they knew and loved. The black crystal was gone from her eyes, replaced with clarity, determination, and love.
The wounds of her allies, the battle scars they had accumulated, seemed to vanish. Dhairthel’s broken and battered wings were restored as if time itself had reversed.
The four friends stood alone in the chamber, the brilliant light having utterly consumed Claw Mc. Suth’an, Dhairthel, and Gimward-01 stared in awe at their fully restored companion. Elaine gazed back at them, her eyes filled with warmth as she spoke.
Elaine: - Azaruth no longer holds power over me. While you fought here, I fought within myself. Like you, I never lost hope. Your words weakened Azaruth’s hold and strengthened me. Thank you.
For a moment, silence filled the room as everyone processed what had happened. Dhairthel finally nodded with a small smile, while Suth’an and Gimward-01 let out relieved sighs, grateful to have their friend back and the battle won.
Then Suth’an turned to Dhairthel, his face glowing with joy.
Suth’an: - So, you finally said it.
Dhairthel smirked slightly, emotion deep in his eyes.
Dhairthel: - I guess I did… So what happens now?
Before anyone could answer, a deep, ominous voice rang out from the depths of the base.
System: - SELF-DESTRUCT SEQUENCE ACTIVATED. TEN MINUTES UNTIL DESTRUCTION.
Their faces froze. The weight of those words silenced the room. Tension instantly spiked, filling the air like static.
Gimward-01 finally broke the silence, his voice sharp and decisive.
Gimward-01: - We need to get out of here. Now!
Chapter 26: In the Shadow of Death
The harsh, mechanical voice echoed through the base once more as the countdown felt agonizingly slow yet ruthlessly fast.
Ten minutes… That was all they had to escape. Panic inevitably spread among everyone in the room.
Dhairthel: - The elevator! We have to call the elevator now!
The purple dragon rushed straight to the elevator doors and pressed the button. But the button didn’t light up, the elevator was still non-functional. He pressed it harder and harder, but still, nothing happened. In the end, he was slamming it with his fist. Sparks burst from the button as it jammed and shattered completely.
Dhairthel: - Damn it, this isn’t working!
After a brief pause, the mechanical voice spoke again, now sounding almost cynically merciless.
System: - WARNING! EIGHT MINUTES UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
The weight of the countdown’s words slammed into the room as if they could physically feel them. For a few heartbeats, the group stood motionless, then Dhairthel shouted, his voice carrying not just command but desperation as well.
Dhairthel: - We need to run! Everyone to the stairs!
But Suth’an shook his head, his gaze a mixture of calculation and hopelessness.
Suth’an: - The stairs won’t get us out in time… Do we have any other way to escape?
Everyone frantically paced around the room. Their thoughts scattered in all directions, some focused on escape, others on the significant moments of their lives. The mechanical voice continued its countdown, like a relentless fate.
System: - WARNING! FIVE MINUTES UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
Gimward-01 leaned against a wall, hugging his knees as he rocked back and forth. His eyes were tightly shut as if desperately searching for an answer in some unreachable place. Then, suddenly, he jumped up, his face glowing with excitement.
Gimward-01: - The waterfall!
His words struck like a lightning bolt, everyone’s gaze snapped to him. Of course, there was no waterfall in the room, as they were far from the base entrance. But ever since Elaine’s strange disappearance, they all knew that it was somehow connected to this level as well. The presence of magic could be felt in the air, and the hope of a hidden exit emerged as a faint but real possibility.
Dhairthel immediately turned to Elaine, his voice urgent and desperate.
Dhairthel: - Elaine! Do you know where the exit is, the one that brought you here? Do you remember anything?
Elaine slowly shook her head, then lowered it sadly, as if the weight of her helplessness pressed down on her shoulders. Meanwhile, the mechanical voice spoke again, now mercilessly urging them forward.
System: - WARNING! FOUR MINUTES UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
Elaine answered softly, almost whispering.
Elaine: - I’m sorry… When I was teleported here, I was unconscious. I remember nothing.
Dhairthel let out a wild roar of frustration before breathing a burst of fire into the air. The flash of flames briefly illuminated the dark corners of the room as Suth’an calmly placed a hand on his shoulder.
Suth’an: - Then we have no time to waste. We have to find that exit! Everyone, start searching!
As they searched, the mechanical voice sounded again, its cold and emotionless tone making the situation even more oppressive.
System: - WARNING! THREE MINUTES UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
Dhairthel: - We need to hurry, or we’ll die here! Gimward! Do you sense anything?
The synth closed his eyes for a moment, as if focusing his sensors, then shook his head.
Gimward-01: - It’s well hidden… My sensors can’t detect it…
The voice echoed again, the walls trembled, and the air grew heavier.
System: - WARNING! TWO MINUTES UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
The silence was shattered by Gimward-01’s sudden exclamation.
Gimward-01: - I found something!
He pointed to a dusty, long-forgotten book on the shelf. As he pulled it, the bookshelf shifted with a faint creak, revealing a hidden exit, a waterfall leading to the outside world.
System: - WARNING! ONE MINUTE UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
The air in the room seemed to freeze as everyone rushed toward the exit. The weight of fate bore down on their shoulders, time mercilessly running out, but the hidden exit still shimmered as a faint glimmer of hope.
Dhairthel: - Suth’an, you go first. I’ll stay behind to ensure our escape.
Suth’an: - No! You have to go first. Without you, we won’t defeat Azaruth.
Dhairthel hesitated, glancing at the naga. The conviction in his gaze was heavier than any argument. Finally, he nodded slowly, though worry was evident on his brow.
Dhairthel: - Fine… but if you die, I swear I’ll bring you back just so I can kill you myself!
Suth’an gave a faint smile for just a moment before they both turned toward the exit.
System: - WARNING! THIRTY SECONDS UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
The purple dragon reached out and touched the waterfall… But nothing happened. The tension crashed down upon the team again.
Dhairthel: - Damn it, this isn’t working either!
System: - WARNING! TWENTY SECONDS UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
Gimward-01: - Only a relative of Azaruth can pass through it…
System: - WARNING! FIFTEEN SECONDS UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
Dhairthel: - Then what the hell are we supposed to do?! Just wait here and die?!
Suth’an suddenly lifted his head, his eyes flashing with determination.
System: - WARNING! TEN SECONDS UNTIL SELF-DESTRUCTION.
Suth’an: - Everyone, grab Elaine! Maybe together, we can get through!
System: - NINE.
As the countdown continued, they all gathered around Elaine, grabbed hold of her, and charged at the waterfall together.
System: - FIVE… FOUR… THREE… TWO… ONE… GOODBYE, ELAINE, DHAIRTHEL, SUTH’AN, AND GIMWARD.
The hill concealing the base disappeared, leaving behind a massive crater. The nearby lake’s waters rushed in, completely erasing its presence. On the muddy ground of the former lakeshore, four figures lay exhausted, gasping for air, but alive.
As their breaths slowly steadied, two of the four survivors turned toward each other. The moment around them seemed to stand still as they stepped closer.
Dhairthel: - We made it…
Suth’an: - Yes… we did.
Dhairthel slowly leaned toward Suth’an. The naga was surprised at first but soon followed the movement. The two beings, leaving all danger behind, finally surrendered to their emotions and shared a deep kiss.
When they parted, Suth’an was the first to speak.
Suth’an: - Why did I get that?
Dhairthel: - Because you deserved it.
Chapter 27: The Final Breath
The Sky of the Moon base was suffocatingly crowded. Although the hallways contained little black crystal, every corner was occupied by Azaruth's followers, standing motionless as they observed the chaos around them. The air was unbearably heavy, as if the entire base was saturated with tension that no one dared to express, yet everyone could feel.
Takeo ran frantically through the base, counting the remaining members as he noted their presence. The tension in the air was almost tangible, and each step filled his heart with greater anxiety. Yet, without a word, he finally stormed into Ke' Frel's office.
Takeo: - Boss! The survivors of the Sect of Eternal Night have arrived. There are too many of them. We can’t fit them all!
Ke' Frel no longer seemed to recognize himself. He did not react to the sudden intrusion, did not raise his voice, and did not even seem to acknowledge that Takeo had burst in without warning. The tension grew even heavier.
Ke’ Frel: - I don’t care. They will stay.
Takeo: - But sir!
At that moment, Jack and Zicks stepped through the open door, two figures who had once been among the founders of the Sect of Eternal Night. They hesitated for a moment, as if everything was familiar yet undeniably different. The room that Ke' Frel once claimed as his own now felt like the domain of dark forces. Their gazes locked onto Ke' Frel’s face, which no longer resembled his former self. The eyes that once reflected emotion had transformed into crystals, mirroring Azaruth’s gaze.
Ke’ Frel: - Jack, Zicks. We met again. Hopefully, soon I will shine once more in my original body.~
Takeo: - Boss? What are you talking about?
The leader of the Sky of the Moon let out a roar instead of responding. Two dark wings burst from his back, and an oppressive, suffocating presence spread through the air as if Azaruth’s form had fully materialized.
Jack and Zicks: - Welcome back, great leader!
Takeo stared, mouth agape, at the transformation his boss had undergone. The power had taken complete control of the body. He muttered under his breath, barely loud enough to hear his own words.
Takeo: - Azaruth…
The former Ke’ Frel turned to the cat-rabbit hybrid with a wicked grin, the crystal eyes now unmistakably glowing with Azaruth’s power. As he spoke, his words confirmed what everyone already felt, as though Azaruth himself had claimed dominion over the room.
Azaruth: - In spirit and wrath.~
After addressing Takeo and waiting for him to leave the office, Azaruth spoke once more.
Azaruth: - Our plan failed. Worse still… my granddaughter has freed herself from my grasp. How much of the black crystal and how many of my followers were you able to salvage?
Jack stepped forward to answer.
Jack: - Unfortunately, not much of the black crystal, but we saved many followers. Moreover, those who had been consuming the crystals, well, we accelerated their transformation, thereby increasing your army.
Azaruth: - This pleases me. You may go.
Takeo went straight to the Sky of the Moon members who were not yet under the influence of the black crystal to inform them of the events. These individuals had always rejected the
drug, tolerating its presence only for the sake of their gang. But this… this was too much for them.
One night, when the moment seemed right, they fled the Sky of the Moon base, leaving it behind for good. Some scattered in entirely different directions, but others headed for the base of their former enemies, the DDT. They knew what Dhairthel was planning.
Of course, the Devil Dragon Tribe didn’t just welcome defectors. Among the new members were both noble and former villains, police officers, past gang members, and even individuals who had never before been involved in such organizations but felt that this was where they were meant to be. Dhairthel’s supporters grew in numbers rapidly, while the Sect of Eternal Night’s ranks remained stagnant.
Both sides were secretly preparing, each for their final move. While Azaruth and his followers focused on conquering the world and cementing their dominance, Dhairthel and his allies poured all their strength into preventing the world’s destruction and extinguishing Azaruth’s power once and for all.
The rising tension between the two forces, their stark opposition, foreshadowed the coming great battle. The scent of war grew stronger in the air with every passing moment.
Chapter 28: Heroes and Shadows
The morning had arrived, the day everyone had awaited with both hope and dread: the day of the siege.
Old and new members of the DDT, allies, and warriors gathered quietly before Dhairthel’s home. The morning mist barely softened the electric tension in the air, thick with anticipation of the coming battle. When the door creaked open, all eyes turned toward the figures appearing at the top of the steps. As Dhairthel and his small team stepped outside, the assembled warriors erupted into a unified cheer. This was the moment when hope took the form of heroes.
The once-heartless leader gazed down from the top of the entrance steps, a mixture of pride and emotion reflected in his eyes as he took in the hopeful crowd before him. Beside him stood his friends and his beloved, whose presence gave him strength and conviction. He knew that the moment they had all been preparing for had finally arrived.
The purple dragon took a deep breath, then stepped forward and spoke.
Dhairthel: - Good morning, everyone! I can hardly believe that many of you once stood as my enemies, yet today, we stand united to fight against the ancient evil, Azaruth. I cannot find the words to describe what this gathered force means to me. Each of you represents hope for our planet. The hope that there will be a tomorrow.
His gaze swept across the faces before him, pausing for a moment on each warrior prepared to sacrifice everything for their shared cause.
Dhairthel: - I cannot promise that we will all survive the battle ahead… But I can promise that each of us will leave this battlefield as a hero of Sleazan.
Following Dhairthel’s speech, the crowd roared in unison, chanting the name of their beloved homeworld, their voices rising as one.
Everyone:- For Sleazan!
After a short period of preparation and travel, the defenders arrived near the former Sky of the Moon base. At the front of their ranks stood Dhairthel, Suth’an, Gimward-01, Elaine, and Takeo.
Dhairthel: - Are you sure we’ll be able to get in?
He directed his question at Takeo, a former member of the base, as he eyed the structure before them.
Takeo: - Yes, I’m sure. I know this place like the back of my hand. This base has a weak point that Ke' Frel never bothered to fix… He had too much faith in his own strength.
Dhairthel nodded, then turned to the assembled warriors. His voice, though steady, was laced with tension.
Dhairthel: - Is everyone ready?
The crowd responded with a unified nod. No one shouted; all remained silent, preserving the element of surprise.
Dhairthel: - Attack!
At his command, the warriors surged forward like an uncoiled bowstring. Some took to the skies, while others charged on foot, all converging on the base.
The first fireball struck, and within moments, the blaring alarms of the base filled the air. The sirens’ eerie wail spread rapidly, a chilling warning of the impending assault. Takeo knew those alarms well, he had been present when they were installed to detect any threat.
Moments after the sirens blared, the first members of the Sect of Eternal Night emerged. They advanced without fear, with an unsettling indifference, as if nothing in the world
mattered to them anymore. Their only purpose: to follow Azaruth’s command, no matter the cost.
Smoke thickened over the battlefield, swallowing everything in its path. Only the sounds of weapons and the sharp cries of warriors pierced the haze. The members of the Sect of Eternal Night fought like madmen, with flaming arms and crystal eyes, beings that knew nothing but destruction.
Dhairthel and his team pressed forward, cutting their way through the battlefield, but each step met increasing resistance. Takeo, with his knowledge of the base’s hidden pathways, led them skillfully. As they neared the entrance, the air around them seemed to freeze, and a familiar voice rang out, halting them in their tracks.
Takeo: - Shade… So we met again… How’s Azaruth? Still tearing apart the boss’ body?
Shade: - Takeo!
The group froze as if time itself had slowed. Approaching the building, they all stopped, tension thick in the air as they awaited the next moment.
Takeo took a deep breath and glanced back for a second.
Takeo: - Go ahead! I have something to take care of.
Dhairthel hesitated for only a moment, but his gaze remained firm.
Dhairthel: - We don’t leave anyone behind!
But Takeo shook his head firmly, his eyes carrying a silent command.
Takeo: - No. The future of the world is more important. Don’t stop. I’ll catch up when I’m done.
Dhairthel gave a reluctant nod before signaling his small team to move forward.
As Dhairthel and his group crossed the threshold, Takeo turned. In the cat-rabbit hybrid's arms was his favorite weapon, a katana, gleaming in the dim light.
The dragon-human hybrid merely smirked, a mocking grin that only heightened the tension between the two warriors.
Shade: - If you had taken the black crystal, you might stand a chance against me. But as it is… Why not make things easy and show me your neck?~
Takeo pretended to consider Shade’s offer for a brief moment, then in the blink of an eye, he raised his katana for an attack.
Takeo: - How about… DIE!
He charged at Shade, who, anticipating the move, parried expertly.
Shade: - So you choose the hard way… No problem. A little fight always gets my blood pumping.~
Shade was the next to strike, his claws clashing against Takeo’s blade, sending sparks flying through the air.
Shade: - You can’t hide behind your sword forever. Just a few more strikes, and you’re dead!
Takeo: - Then I’ll just have to kill you first!
With a sudden twist, Takeo reversed his grip and drove his katana deep into Shade’s side. The dragon-man let out a furious roar, then, in a final act of defiance, hurled Takeo against the building, shattering the wall behind him.
Takeo lay on the ground, his katana still embedded in Shade’s body. As the hybrid staggered toward him, he reached down and yanked the sword from his wound, letting it fall to the floor. He leaned in close and sneered.
Shade: - Look at what you’ve done… You’ve ruined my fun!
Takeo, wracked with pain, could feel the end approaching. Yet, he still managed to catch sight of his katana lying beside him.
Takeo: - Ke’ Frel… I’ll see you soon.
Shade’s body tensed as the katana pierced his heart. His lifeless form fell forward, finally covering Takeo. In forever darkness.
Chapter 29: Shadows of the Past and the Fate of the World
Dhairthel, Suth’an, Elaine, and Gimward-01 rushed through the house until they reached a wide, closed door. Without hesitation, they broke through in a single, forceful motion.
The room was shrouded in dim light, the air thick with the scent of old parchment and dark magic. Bookshelves lined the walls, a massive desk stood at the center, and behind it loomed a grand, turned chair.
Slowly, the chair swiveled around. Outwardly, the figure seated there resembled Ke’ Frel, but the crystal eyes and outstretched wings gave him away.
Azaruth: - So we met again...
The villain spoke softly, yet his words echoed heavily through the room.
Elaine stepped forward, determination blazing in her eyes.
Elaine: - I defeated you once! Don’t think this time will be any different!
Azaruth smirked briefly, his smile bitter and menacing.
Azaruth: - Worry? Why would I? Even if I were to fall, I would return once more. Just as I have now.
Dhairthel: - Not if we have anything to say about it!
Dhairthel snapped, smoke curling from his nostrils.
Azaruth only chuckled quietly before lifting his gaze.
Azaruth: - I see you’ve gathered a new team. But don’t fool yourself, granddaughter. I will destroy them just as I did Natelien and your mother. Nothing will stop me from fulfilling my purpose!
Azaruth slowly stood from his chair, straightening his form. His wings spread wide, and the dark crystals in his eyes gleamed ominously in the dim light as he stepped forward with regal menace.
Azaruth: - But my words alone won’t convince you of my strength. It’s time you feel it!
With a single movement, he struck. The ground trembled, cracks racing across the floor and walls of the house. The building groaned under the strain before collapsing, leaving the team buried among the debris.
Azaruth: - You could have wielded such power if you had joined me. But to show you who you are truly facing, I will grant you one final chance. Join me.
Dhairthel stepped forward, wings flared wide, fury and resolve burning in his gaze.
Dhairthel: - I would rather die than ever serve you!
Azaruth’s smile was cold and full of contempt.
Azaruth: - So be it.~
Before the echoes of his words had even faded, a massive wave of energy burst forth, nearly knocking the team off their feet. The battle had begun.
Dhairthel charged at Azaruth, but the dark lord remained unfazed, rising into the air. A single beat of his wings sent debris swirling around him like a whirlwind of blades. Dhairthel dove aside, but the flying shards cut into his scales like razors.
Barely landing from his dodge, Dhairthel spewed flames toward Azaruth. However, the fire failed to strike directly, instead igniting the swirling tornado of destruction surrounding him. Rather than weakening his defense, the inferno enhanced his supernatural barrier, transforming it into an even more devastating force.
As Azaruth’s fiery tornado raged, Dhairthel sought openings, but the heat, debris, and wind held him back. Time was slipping away, and Azaruth’s power loomed like an insurmountable wall.
Then Gimward-01 stepped forward, mechanical arms raised, from which a glowing energy conduit extended.
Gimward-01: - Get back!
His shout echoed across the battlefield as his arms surged with threatening energy.
In the next instant, a blinding light engulfed the area as Gimward-01 unleashed his weapon’s full force on Azaruth. The tornado shattered, replaced by an eerie, chilling silence as the burning storm dissipated and the swirling debris settled.
As the light faded, the team could see clearly again.
Yet, Azaruth still hovered in the heart of the devastation, unscathed, a smug smile on his face. But something had changed. A long, draconic tail emerged, seamlessly fused with his body, further emphasizing the advanced state of his transformation.
Dhairthel: - If we don’t act now, he’ll complete his transformation and regain his true form!
Elaine: - We won’t let that happen! Give it everything you’ve got!
Azaruth descended menacingly before them, his enormous wings casting deep shadows with every motion. His gaze locked onto Elaine, and his words cut like a blade.
Azaruth: - Your so-called friends can’t make up for the power of your mother. You were saved by mere luck before. You’ve always been weak.
Elaine’s expression darkened, her body tensed. But before she could respond, Dhairthel seized the moment. He quickly scanned the battlefield, searching for Suth’an. For a moment, nothing, then, a glint behind Azaruth caught his eye.
Dhairthel instantly understood. He briefly met Elaine’s and Gimward-01’s eyes before shouting.
Dhairthel: - Suth’an! Now!
Like a lightning strike, the naga lunged from the shadows, wrapping himself around the dark lord from behind.
Azaruth: - What?! You wretched worm!
Azaruth tried to take flight to shake off his attacker, but at that moment, a massive fireball slammed into his chest. Some of his scales burned away, revealing darker, ancient ones beneath. The explosion staggered him, his first moment of vulnerability.
However, in the next instant, he flung Suth’an away with a single brutal kick, launching himself skyward in fury. His transformation continued: his legs now bore no resemblance to Ke’ Frel’s form but instead fully resembled the ancient Azaruth’s. His clawed limbs shimmered with dark energy, signaling the final stages of his return.
Yet, no one faltered. Instead, they redoubled their efforts.
Elaine soared after him, determination flaring in her eyes.
Elaine: - Maybe I no longer have my mother’s power, but I have my friends!
She opened her mouth, forming a glowing ice sphere that radiated light in the darkness. Azaruth, never losing sight of his granddaughter, instantly reacted. With a swift, calculated motion, he struck with his wing. Elaine dodged just in time to avoid a direct hit, but the powerful gust hurled her backward. Her ice sphere crashed to the ground, shattering into shards.
Azaruth’s voice rumbled through the battlefield, menacing and absolute.
Azaruth: - Your friends? They are nothing but obstacles, each will fall before my power!
Elaine steadied herself mid-air, undeterred. Her eyes burned with determination as she prepared another attack. But she was not alone. At that moment, Dhairthel leaped into the sky beside her.
Dhairthel: - If it’s up to us, it’ll be the other way around!
They exchanged a single, wordless glance before striking together. Ice and fire collided upon Azaruth, triggering a massive explosion. Fiery sparks and ice shards swirled chaotically, enveloping the dark lord.
Azaruth staggered back, wings trembling as the energy around him wavered for the first time.
Azaruth: - Fools! My power cannot be broken so easily!
With a single, mighty beat of his wings, he unleashed a storm that flung Elaine and Dhairthel to the ground. The air crackled with chaos as his form briefly blurred, the final stage of his transformation drawing near.
Gimward-01: - Hey Azaruth! Say cheese!
A brilliant light flooded the battlefield as Gimward-01 fired his weapon directly at Azaruth’s partially transformed head.
But as the light faded and the air cleared, the fully transformed Azaruth stood tall, unstoppable, magnificent, and terrifying.
The glimmer of hope still flickered in his enemies' eyes, but Azaruth’s expression showed no doubt.
Azaruth: - And now... the final act begins.~
Chapter 30: The Final Battle?
It was as if the world itself had fractured with Azaruth’s return. The ground rumbled deeply as the power of the black crystal took hold of the land. Purple lightning crackled across the horizon, as though time itself protested against the near-demonic presence.
Dhairthel and Elaine barely managed to get back on their feet when Azaruth’s final transformation was complete. The ancient evil, now fully manifested in his dragon form, hovered above the battlefield with a wicked grin, his wings sending shockwaves through the air. His massive figure cast a single, all-consuming shadow over the land, as if even the sun had bowed before him.
The energy field surrounding him pulsed violently, distorting the very fabric of reality. The world seemed to hold its breath as Azaruth’s deep, all-encompassing voice echoed.
Azaruth: - No one can stop me now. The fate of this world is sealed.
But his sinister laughter was suddenly cut short by a clear, resolute voice. A voice strong enough to shatter the smug grin of overwhelming darkness.
Dhairthel: - Then we are no one!
Azaruth growled, the meaning of the words sinking into his mind. He recognized that voice all too well, and now it was more infuriating than ever.
Azaruth: - Foolish mortal... Don’t you understand? Sleazan is no longer yours!
Neither Dhairthel nor his companions wavered. If anything, they stood even firmer than before, as if they had inherited the unyielding strength of stone itself. The fire of battle burned in Dhairthel’s eyes as he stood his ground against eternal darkness.
Dhairthel: - Darkness nearly consumed me once before, yet here I stand!
Elaine’s voice rang out, confident and unwavering.
Elaine: - Sleazan is not dead! And we will not let you decide our fate!
Their voices were strong, filled with conviction. The team stood tense, yet united, their every breath heavy like forged iron. And yet, they knew they fought side by side, even if it meant to their very last breath.
Azaruth’s eyes flickered, dark magic pulsing through the air, distorting the landscape around them. Energy crackled violently, scorching everything it touched.
Azaruth: - I have waited too long for this… Are you ready to be erased from existence? In the world to come, there is no place for such… insignificant creatures!
His gaze darkened further, and the very air trembled with his words. The ancient dragon’s deep, enraged growl sent shockwaves through the land. His black crystal eyes narrowed, and the tension in the air solidified.
A massive black sphere formed before Azaruth, dark flames dancing wildly around it, as though a portal to the abyss itself had opened. The sheer heat burned through the air before the sphere launched forward at terrifying speed, aimed directly at the team. But just as the attack reached them, each of them executed a swift evasive maneuver, dodging out of its path.
Rather than falling back, Dhairthel took to the skies, soaring straight toward Azaruth. Flames erupted from his maw as he prepared a concentrated fireball, not as massive as Azaruth’s attack, but powerful enough to shake the dark dragon’s defenses.
In the background, Gimward-01 was readying his own strike. His arms extended, revealing his familiar energy cannons, their glowing barrels pulsing with a battle-born rhythm, as if they had come alive in the heat of combat.
Elaine and Suth’an were far from idle. Suth’an moved unseen, his motions utterly silent as he approached Azaruth. Meanwhile, Elaine focused on the mysterious key around her neck,
whispering incantations under her breath. The air around her shimmered, as though something ancient and powerful was stirring to life.
Azaruth braced himself for Dhairthel’s attack, but before he could react, a beam of light struck his side. The dark lord roared in fury and retaliated with a smaller black fireball, aimed directly at Gimward-01. But this momentary distraction was all Dhairthel needed to unleash his attack.
The fireball struck Azaruth, eliciting a pained roar. The ancient dragon focused all his strength to deflect it, but before he could retaliate, Suth’an had already reached him. And before Azaruth could react, Dhairthel was upon him as well, both warriors launching their coordinated assault.
For a brief moment, Dhairthel locked eyes with Suth’an, who was now fully visible as they both grappled with the struggling Azaruth.
Dhairthel: - That was quite the jump!
Suth’an flashed a sharp grin before sinking his venomous fangs deep into Azaruth’s right wing membrane, aiming to weaken it permanently.
Suth’an: - Had to catch up to my flying partner somehow.~
Azaruth roared in pain, the venom surging through his system. Yet, the dark dragon did not falter. He bared his fangs, fury radiating from his massive form.
Azaruth: - You little worm! You will regret this!
With monstrous strength, Azaruth slammed both Dhairthel and Suth’an into the ground. A massive dust cloud erupted, obscuring the battlefield. And when it cleared, only Azaruth remained standing, radiating pure rage and unrelenting power, a demonic threat that nothing could seem to stop.
His gaze suddenly fixated on Elaine, who had yet to strike since reclaiming her true self. His crystal eyes narrowed, studying her every move, but something changed. A familiar, glowing sphere had appeared around her, as though time itself had momentarily halted. Within the light, his dead daughter’s face shone, a face from a long-forgotten memory, finally reaching the peace it deserved. Azaruth visibly hesitated.
Behind him, the dust cloud flickered again, concealing both Dhairthel and Suth’an. As the dust finally settled, a massive sphere had formed around them. On its surface, Suth’an saw an unfamiliar face, while for Dhairthel, the sight was all too familiar, Rafel’s face, someone he had not seen for years but had always carried in his heart.
As Azaruth turned back toward Elaine, another face appeared within the glowing sphere, Natelein, Elaine’s former guardian and dear friend. At the sight of it, a flicker of fear passed over Azaruth’s face, as he realized what this could mean… A new threat to his dominion.
"So this is his weakness…" Gimward-01 thought, carefully analyzing Azaruth’s reaction, while also glancing at his recovering comrades. The sphere was not only healing them, it was granting them the strength to continue the fight.
With unwavering determination, Gimward-01 stepped forward and spoke with absolute conviction.
Gimward-01: - There is no love in darkness. That is your weakness! Only love can defeat the darkness! And that is exactly why this team will be your downfall! And you have known it from the very beginning!
Azaruth let out a furious roar.
Azaruth: - No! You’re wrong! In the end, I will rule!
Dhairthel emerged from the sphere, his wounds healed, but more than that, his spirit restored.
Dhairthel: - Gimward is right! As long as we stand, you will never win!
Next, Suth’an stepped forward, his voice unwavering.
Suth’an: - Love’s power conquers all.
Azaruth snarled in rage.
Azaruth: - But I will always return!
Finally, Elaine spoke, her eyes burning with resolve.
Elaine: - Not if we have anything to say about it.
A brilliant light erupted across the battlefield, not from Gimward-01’s weapons, but from Elaine’s key. Their combined strength channeled into it, flooding the land with radiant energy. The darkness vanished, Azaruth and his minions dissolving into nothingness.
Dhairthel exhaled heavily.
Dhairthel: - It’s finally over…
But Elaine shook her head.
Elaine: - Not yet. We will have to face him one last time… And that won’t be so easy…
Chapter 31: The Voice of the Ancestors
The survivors of the great battle slowly gathered at the DDT base. Though the atmosphere resembled that of their pre-battle assembly, there was something undeniably different. The crowd was smaller. Many had fallen, others were gravely wounded, while some had escaped with only minor injuries.
Dhairthel and his companions once again stood at the top of the stairs, looking proudly down at those assembled below. Formerly rival gang members now stood together as one, supporting each other, side by side, as if they had always been part of the same team.
Dhairthel straightened up, and the murmurs of conversation gradually faded. His deep, resolute voice filled the space.
Dhairthel: - We did it! Azaruth is no more. At least, not in our world. Your battle ends here. None of this would have been possible without you. Thank you for fighting for Sleazan and for what we believed in. You are all heroes, no matter what anyone says.
His words were followed by a brief silence, then an overwhelming cheer erupted. The sound filled the entire base, drowning out everything else. The warriors laughed and embraced, celebrating as if, for just one moment, they could forget the looming shadows still ahead.
Elaine quietly stepped beside Dhairthel and spoke softly.
Elaine: - Let them celebrate. They deserve it. Meanwhile, let's retreat to your office and plan our next move.
Dhairthel nodded, and the four friends silently made their way to the office. Even the short walk to the door was enough to make them feel the strange mix of joy and sorrow that lingered in the air.
As they stepped inside, Dhairthel closed the door and immediately spoke.
Dhairthel: - Alright, Elaine, how do you propose we reach the spirit world?
Elaine: - With magic, of course.
She answered confidently, taking a seat at the desk.
Dhairthel: - Okay, but how? No one has ever attempted such a thing. It’s not something that can simply be done.
Elaine: - Except for one sect.
Dhairthel: - You don’t mean the lunatics I’m thinking of, do you?
Elaine: - The Voice of the Ancestors can help us.
Dhairthel’s eyes flashed with anger, his voice filled with frustration.
Dhairthel: - Those fools?! The ones who explain everything with spirits?! Don’t even try! They’re useless!
Gimward-01 interjected, his words coming fast and firm.
Gimward-01: - Dhairthel… We need help with the spirit world. There’s no one more skilled in this than them.
Elaine: - Besides, before you brought me back to life, I spoke with them often… And while I wouldn’t say they owe everything to the spirits, I’m certain they can help.
Dhairthel exhaled sharply, visibly relenting. He nodded begrudgingly, his voice calmer but still resolute.
Dhairthel: - Where do we find them?
Suth’an, already prepared with an answer, spoke decisively.
Suth’an: - In the old village. They are gathering there as we speak.
The weight of those words struck Dhairthel. His eyes flickered with determination. He paused for a brief moment, then took a deep breath.
Dhairthel: - Then we have no time to waste… Let’s go.
As they stepped out of the building, a drunken group greeted them. The weary but victorious survivors, trying to find joy after the war, were celebrating. Bubaru, noticing them mid-drink, called out.
Bubaru: - Where are you going? Come and drink with us!
From the visibly determined group, Dhairthel responded in a calm but firm voice.
Dhairthel: - We cannot. Our fight is not over yet.
Bubaru did not press the matter. He simply nodded and returned to the others. Without waiting for further conversation, Dhairthel and his team pressed on, heading straight for the ruins of old Brightfall.
As they neared the village’s ruins, Elaine spoke softly.
Elaine: - I never thought I’d see my old home in ruins again… The temple where we guarded the crystal is nearly destroyed…
Suth’an glanced at her and responded calmly.
Suth’an: - That’s exactly where we’re heading. The gathering place is right in front of it.
Elaine nodded, but her face betrayed the pain she felt.
Elaine: - I know. But it still hurts to see what’s left of my home…
Upon arrival, a raven-gryphon stepped forward from the gathered crowd in the square’s center.
Kazazhan: - Welcome. We have been expecting you.
Elaine respectfully bowed her head.
Elaine: - Greetings, Kaz. It’s good to finally meet in flesh.
Kazazhan: - Likewise.
Elaine: - Dhairthel, Suth’an, and Gimward, I introduce you to Kazazhan, the current leader of the Voice of the Ancestors.
Kazazhan: - Welcome to our circle. We have heard from Asithin, Natelien, and Rafel that you succeeded in defeating Azaruth’s physical form. But your battle against his spiritual essence still awaits.
Dhairthel looked at Kazazhan in shock as he continued.
Kazazhan: - You will need our help to cross over. Fortunately, we have recently developed a ritual that allows you to enter the spirit world. However, it requires individuals from both realms to keep the gateway open until everyone has passed through.
Dhairthel: - And who will hold the portal open on the other side?
Elaine: - Those you have already met today.
Dhairthel froze for a moment.
Dhairthel: - Rafel…
Elaine: - Yes, Rafel. But my mother will be there too. And Nati.
Kazazhan: - The three of them are strong enough to sustain the portal. And with our returned power, we are more than capable of making the passage a success.
Suth’an, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
Suth’an: - But I assume our time there won’t be so simple.
Kazazhan nodded.
Kazazhan: - You are correct. While your strength will be fulfilled in the spirit world, you will also be exposed to much greater dangers.
Gimward-01 joined the conversation.
Gimward-01: - If I understand correctly, if we die there, we suffer the same fate as Azaruth will if we succeed.
Kazazhan nodded once more.
Kazazhan: - Unfortunately, yes… If you die there, your soul will be lost forever. You will never return, nor experience the afterlife.
Dhairthel: - A great sacrifice for an even greater cause…
For a moment, silence engulfed them. Their goal was so close, yet still so far away. The weight of their decision had never been heavier.
The purple dragon gazed at his friends. Suth’an. Gimward-01. Elaine. They had fought alongside him until now. With unwavering resolve, they had stood against evil. This was the moment that would determine everything.
As Dhairthel turned back to Kazazhan, his confidence and determination returned.
Dhairthel: - Let’s end this monster. Once and for all.
Chapter 32: Alliance with the Past
Following their discussion, Dhairthel and his companions were offered shelter by Kazazhan’s people to ensure they could return without delay the next day. Time was pressing for everyone.
The next morning, when Kazazhan entered the room, everyone was already awake, having finished breakfast. Tension and excitement filled the air.
Kazazhan: - Good morning, everyone! The time has come. Natelien and the others are ready to open the portal on the other side.
Dhairthel: - Then there’s no reason to wait. Let’s go.
Upon reaching the square, they found members of the Voice of the Ancestors already waiting. They sat around symbols drawn on the ground, converging in a complex pattern at the center, an integral part of the ritual.
Kazazhan: - Please step into the circle, and we shall begin.
Dhairthel nodded and entered first, followed by the others.
Dhairthel: - See you on the other side.
The purple dragon added as they took their places.
The chanting of those seated around the circle grew louder, and the symbols began to glow with blinding light. The world around them gradually faded, shrouded in mist until everything disappeared from view.
Moments later, they found themselves standing in a vast field, greeted by familiar faces from their past.
Rafel: - Welcome to the spirit world, my old friend.
Rafel stepped forward, smiling at Dhairthel.
Dhairthel: - Ra... Rafel...
Dhairthel ignored everything else as if he were a child once more. Without hesitation, he ran to Rafel and embraced him tightly. Tears streamed down his face, falling silently to the ground.
Dhairthel: - I’m sorry… I should never have forced that… If I had known this would happen…
His words choked in his throat, overwhelmed by his sobs. He clung to his friend as if afraid of losing him again.
Rafel gently patted Dhairthel’s shoulder before speaking with a soft smile.
Rafel: - It’s alright, Dhairthel. That’s in the past now. What matters is that you are on the right path.
After a brief pause, he added.
Rafel: - I watched you losing yourself, but now you listen to your heart again. That is what’s most important.
As Dhairthel wept in Rafel’s arms, Elaine stepped closer and spoke softly.
Elaine: - Dhairthel, I know it hurts, but we need to focus. We are here to stop Azaruth. We must defeat him, not our past.
Her words carried both empathy and determination.
Dhairthel released Rafel and wiped his face.
Dhairthel: - You’re right…
Gimward-01 stepped forward, his voice calm.
Gimward-01: - Azaruth is far stronger here… Seven of us might not be enough to defeat him.
Natelien smiled and spoke up.
Natelien: - Who said there are only seven of us?
At Natelien’s words, fifteen spirits appeared. Some hovered in the air, while others stepped forward from the trees. One thing united them all: a glowing crystal upon their foreheads.
The living could barely hide their astonishment.
Dhairthel: - The Guardians of the Past…
Natelien nodded, her gaze passing over the gathered spirits.
Natelien: - The crystal may be gone, but yes. They once helped defeat Azaruth. But back then, they could only seal him away.
The spirits watched in silence, appearing in various forms and shapes. Among them were creatures of all kinds. Each had once been a guardian of the crystal, protectors of good, defenders against evil. Yet even death had not freed them; their fate held them bound until the darkness was finally vanquished.
One spirit stepped forward, exuding an aura of authority. His deep, resonant voice broke the tense silence.
Kamriath: - Our time is short, but our strength is yours. The journey is not yet over, and Azaruth is closer than you think…
At his words, silence hung over the gathering, but something in the air shifted. A subtle tremor seeped from the trees, a distant sign of looming danger.
Dhairthel’s gaze drifted toward the horizon. A chilling, familiar sensation coursed through him, difficult to define. He spoke no words, yet recognition flickered in his eyes. Taking a deep breath, his voice was steady and resolute.
Dhairthel: - So the final act truly begins…
Chapter 33: The Final Battle
Dark clouds began to gather in the distance, as if the sky itself had donned the shadow of the dark lord. The swirling mass of darkness crept ever closer, swallowing all light and hope in its path. A suffocating silence settled over the landscape, broken only by the howling wind growing stronger with every moment.
Dhairthel scanned the approaching darkness before his voice cut through the tension like a blade.
Dhairthel: - Prepare yourselves! He’s almost here...
All eyes turned to the sky, following the grim determination in the purple dragon's gaze. Within the shadows, a shape became increasingly distinct. Elaine narrowed her eyes, her lips barely forming the name, as if speaking it demanded all her strength.
Elaine: - Azaruth...
One of the guardians, Cyrgath, clenched his fists, trembling under the weight of the impending doom, as though the burden of the entire world rested upon him.
Cyrgath: - He has sensed your power… He arrived sooner than we anticipated.
The darkness finally reached them, and from within the mist, a colossal figure emerged. Azaruth descended with an unearthly presence, standing amidst his gathered enemies. It was as if the very world had bowed under his arrival. As the shadows receded, his form became a nightmare beyond imagination, an embodiment of eternal night itself.
Azaruth’s voice resonated like an earthquake, deep and ominous, shaking the very air around them.
Azaruth: - All of my enemies gathered in one place? How thoughtful of you. Now I won’t even have to hunt you down.
Before anyone could respond, a massive inferno erupted around him, so intense that the heroes were thrown back by the sheer force. The ground trembled, and the air became suffocatingly hot.
As the flames subsided, only Azaruth stood, unmoving, like a dark obelisk. Around him, the earth seethed with energy, raw power bleeding into the land.
Azaruth: - Surrender now, and I will grant you a merciful death. You are nothing against me! Even a hundred of you would not be enough to stand against my might!
As his gaze swept over them, expecting fear, he was met instead with defiance. One by one, they rose from the ground, their faces a mixture of pain, fury, and unwavering determination.
Dhairthel: - We did not cross into the spirit world to retreat! If you want to destroy us, you’ll have to fight for it!
With that, Dhairthel launched himself into the air, a purple streak of lightning racing toward Azaruth. The spikes on his wrists glowed with an intense, venomous green as the distance between them shrank rapidly.
At the same time, the guardians engaged. Though their weapons and magic could not deal significant damage, they skillfully diverted Azaruth’s attention. Cyrgath conjured a massive flash of light, momentarily blinding the dark lord while others struck from land and sky.
Azaruth: - Pitiful attempts! This is not a battle, it is desperation!
But before he could react further, Dhairthel was already too close. With a swift, arcing motion, his spikes slashed across Azaruth’s right side. The wound was shallow, but dark crimson blood mixed with a seeping green substance. The venom spread slowly, trying to infiltrate Azaruth’s body, but his supernatural aura immediately fought against its effects.
Azaruth stepped back, his furious gaze locking onto Dhairthel. Though the wound was not deep, and the venom could not fully take hold, the attack made it clear, Dhairthel would not hesitate to exploit any advantage.
As Dhairthel landed beside Suth’an, the naga smirked playfully.
Suth’an: - I thought poisoning enemies was my specialty!
Dhairthel grinned, the satisfaction evident on his face.
Dhairthel: - It was… until now.~
But the tension remained thick, nearly tangible. Azaruth’s gaze burned with anger, and his stance shifted, preparing for another attack.
Azaruth: - Now you will see what power you could have wielded if you had embraced the darkness!
Azaruth’s maw opened, releasing a massive wave of dark flames in all directions. The fire consumed everything, leaving no room for escape.
For a split second, Dhairthel hesitated, but before he could react, another figure leaped into the fire’s path.
Rafel: - Dhairthel! Look out!
Rafel’s spectral form expanded unnaturally, his spiritual energy stretching to shield Dhairthel. The dark flames engulfed him, the scorching heat nearly deafening.
Dhairthel: - Rafel! What are you doing?!
Rafel turned toward Dhairthel, pain and determination battling across his face.
Rafel: - S-saving you.
Dhairthel: - But why?! Why would you sacrifice yourself for me?!
Rafel: - Because you deserve it, Dhairthel... And I... I always believed in you.
As the flames died down, Rafel’s form began to dissolve, his glowing essence scattering like embers in the wind. Within moments, nothing remained, only a faint breeze carrying the last traces of his spirit.
Dhairthel: - Rafel! NO!
The purple dragon bowed his head, his body trembling with grief. His deep, anguished roar echoed across the battlefield, shaking the very fabric of the world.
Dhairthel: - You will pay for this, Azaruth! Do you hear me?! I will end you!
He lifted his head, pure fury in his eyes. His spikes flared with energy, and his wrath carried him skyward once more. Every attack he unleashed was fueled by vengeance, yet Azaruth dodged or blocked each one with ease.
Azaruth: - Yes! Give in to your rage! Feel how the darkness consumes you!
Dhairthel fought blindly, but Azaruth was toying with him, savoring his descent into fury.
His allies, still engaged in battle, called out to him, desperate to bring him back.
Suth’an: - Listen to me! If you let anger take hold, we’ve already lost! This is exactly what Azaruth wants! We must fight together, or we have no chance!
Elaine: - Hear Suth’an’s words! We can only win as one! If you give in to rage, Rafel’s sacrifice will have been in vain!
Gimward-01: - Dhairthel, don’t forget why we’re here! Rafel didn’t sacrifice himself for you to lose control. Your emotions are Azaruth’s weapon against you. Focus! We still have a chance!
But Dhairthel did not listen. His judgment clouded, his attacks grew wilder. Azaruth easily anticipated each move, dodging with the effortless grace of a predator toying with its prey.
Azaruth: - You cannot win. You will meet the same fate as Rafel!~
Hearing his friend’s name, Dhairthel’s rage flared again, unleashing flames unlike any before, hotter, wilder, nearly unstoppable. Azaruth’s once-impenetrable scales cracked, some melting under the intense heat. For the first time, pain flickered in his dark eyes.
And then, amid the fury, something shifted in Dhairthel’s gaze. Memories of his friends surfaced, Rafel’s sacrifice, the future they fought for.
Dhairthel: - You may have destroyed his body, but his memory lives on! That, Azaruth, is something you can never erase!
With that, Dhairthel’s flames roared forth once more. But this time, he was not alone.
Gimward-01 fired a beam of pure light, merging with Dhairthel’s fire.
Elaine channeled her magic, adding her own power.
Suth’an, his unique gift amplified by the spirit realm, released a green energy beam, his very venom turned into a weapon.
Natelien’s voice rang out.
Natelien: - Everyone! Attack Azaruth now! This is our chance to defeat him!
At Natelien’s command, everyone joined the assault. The flames burst into a thousand colors as their combined strength merged.
The flames shimmered in countless hues, their intensity nearly shattering the fabric of reality. Azaruth’s roar drowned out all other sounds as the fire slowly but surely consumed him. The ground trembled beneath the sheer force of the attack, as if the world itself had risen against Azaruth’s darkness.
When the flames finally subsided, Azaruth’s massive form collapsed onto the ground, gradually shrinking back to his original size. His body glowed faintly, as if the last remnants of darkness were being burned away by the light. His wings shriveled, his scales purified, and at last, he lay there, where once stood the ruler of darkness.
Weary, he lifted his head, his gaze first finding his daughter’s spirit, then his granddaughter, Elaine. A faint smile crossed his lips.
Azaruth: - Thank you.
With those words, his body slowly crumbled to dust, and the wind carried away his remains. The group stood in silent respect, paying tribute to Azaruth’s final moments and to Rafel’s sacrifice, without whom they would never have made it this far.
As the wind settled, dispersing the last of his remains, Dhairthel was the first to break the silence. His voice was filled with disbelief.
Dhairthel: - Is it really over? Has the fight... finally ended?
Meanwhile, Elaine stepped forward slowly, stopping at the spot where her grandfather had once stood. She carefully ran her paw over the ground where his body had turned to dust. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered almost inaudibly.
Elaine: - Was he... not completely lost after all? If we could have freed him from the darkness... maybe we could have brought him back...
The group exchanged silent glances. Azaruth’s final words and Rafel’s sacrifice echoed in their minds. Though the weight of loss pressed heavily on their hearts, they knew that the eternal darkness had finally come to an end.
Epilogue
The first rays of morning gently caressed the city of Selyvosky, which, for the first time in a long while, could finally breathe freely. Though the scars of battle still marked the walls, and some streets lay in ruins, signs of life had returned. Laughter of children filled the air, and beings who had once been enemies now greeted each other with warm smiles.
The DDT had united the city. No longer a symbol of crime and fear, it had become an emblem of hope and renewal. The name Dhairthel, once spoken in terror, had become synonymous with change. And now, he was no longer just a leader, he was the newly elected mayor of Selyvosky, guiding the city into a new era.
The team who had fought together to save the world now gathered in the base’s dining hall. They shared breakfast, their conversation no longer centered on the past, but on the future.
As Dhairthel swallowed a bite of food, he looked around. His friends’ faces bore the marks of their struggles, yet determination shone brightly in their eyes.
Dhairthel: - I know we’ve only just freed the world from Azaruth’s power, but…
Before he could finish, Suth’an, now the new chief of police, spoke in his place.
Suth’an: - But there are other evils we must face. Corruption and abuse of power are everywhere.
Dhairthel nodded, then turned his gaze to Elaine and Gimward-01.
Dhairthel: - If we don’t take action, no one else will. That’s why I ask you, Elaine, leader of the Voice of the Ancestors, and you, Gimward, the new Minister of City Defense: will you join us in this less thrilling, yet equally important battle?
Elaine, who had once mourned at her petrified friend’s grave, now stood tall with pride. Her eyes gleamed as she responded.
Elaine: - A leader’s title is only as meaningful as the deeds that accompany it. Of course, I’m with you.
Gimward-01, as respected by the team as Dhairthel himself, chuckled and clapped Suth’an on the shoulder.
Gimward-01: - We’re a team, a family. Forever.
Their words radiated hope and determination. Though Azaruth’s dark shadow had vanished from the world, they knew the battle was not yet over. But now, they were certain, together, they could face any challenge the future had in store.
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