An hour hadn’t even passed and yet nearly all the Legionnaires were dead. There were around twenty survivors and they took no comfort in the fact that they survived up to that point. The one who caused the most deaths, surprisingly enough, was Avery. Once the first unlucky soul approached her, she decided to pick a few dozen more. After that, she continued selecting them until their number dwindled into double digits. With that being so, no one had selected Ira which left him a little surprised.

“I have to say you guys hurt my feelings,” Ira spoke to the last few Legionnaires.

They trembled in response and avoided his gaze in hopes of surviving, if even just a little longer.

“You can go,” Ira said with a sigh.

Before they could celebrate he snapped his fingers and they disappeared along with all of the human and non-human spectators.

“That’s oddly merciful of you,” Avery commented while making sure no blood was left on her sword.

“Not really.” Ira stretched his body before pointing to the distant horizon. “They finally came.”

Avery touched the black pendant and the set of glossy black armor covered her body. She tightened her grip on her sword and raised her shield.

Beyond the ring of fire, the silhouettes of seven dragons became visible. Each motion of their wings created a loud and distinct sound that swept over the city.

“Only seven?” Ira’s disappointment reached its peak. He lowered his body and gathered wind beneath his feet.

Avery was about to take a step forward but Ira spoke first, “You had your fun, now you can watch Ravi.”

He didn’t wait for a response and just launched himself into the air while leaving a loud shockwave behind. Avery stabbed her sword into the ground and sighed audibly.

“Watch closely, Raveira,” Avery said.

“Ok.” Raveria nodded and opened her eyes wide as if to take in every little detail.

The dragons moved closer to the city but they saw a figure dressed in black flying toward them at an incomparable speed. The dragon in the lead opened it’s mouth and roared a breath of fire.

Suddenly, a short burst of black mist obstructed the view until a beast covered in black tendrils appeared. It was small when compared to the dragons but that was only for a moment. Its body swelled and it grew until it was half the size of the dragons who normally could measure up to hundreds of feet tall.

“Avoid it!” A dragon growled to the others but they were late in their reaction.

The beast crashed into an unlucky dragon and tore into its throat causing blood to spray wildly. The first victim wailed in pain as the two plummeted toward the ground. Just as the remaining six thought the beast was restrained, it vanished from sight while leaving a puff of black mist.

“Above!”

The cry once again came too late as the beast opened its mouth and a destructive tempest scattered them. They found that they couldn’t struggle against the wind even when they put strength into their wings. The beast fell toward the closest one and grabbed its wings.

“Release me!” The dragon gave a low roar.

What it received in response was the agonizing sensation of its wings being torn off but that was only for a moment, he tore its head off immediately after. From there on, Ira quickly dealt with the rest. It was a one-sided fight and the only reason they lasted so long was due to him holding back. Ira undid his transformation and landed on the ground. He gathered up the bodies and returned to Avery and Raveria.

Ira looked around and saw that he had spectators. Civilians were hidden, at least they thought they were, inside of their homes and watched through small openings in their windows. Ira turned to one building in particular and waved. As a result, there was a sound of someone scurrying away as if they were in immediate danger.

Ira waved his hand and corpses of the dragons filled up the road. “...Should we make them into skeletons or keep them intact?”

Avery showed a contemplative look before answering, “Keep them intact.”

“You sure? I think it’d be way worse for someone to see a dragon’s skeleton. The first thing they’ll think of is, ‘Oh, what happened to all their flesh? Hope that doesn’t happen to me.’ Next thing you know, there isn’t any morale left.” Ira presented his well-thought out and completely reasonable explanation.

“I doubt it, I would just assume you were holding on to those skeletons for a while if I didn’t know any better. If you preserve them not only can you let the Dark Elves harvest the material but it would send a more impactful message. I’m sure that it would enrage them more once they see the state their fellow dragons were left in,” Avery replied.

“I get what you’re saying but…” Just as Ira sought to continue his debate his ears twitched. “Well, I guess you win this time.”

The sound of dozens of overlapping wing beats echoed in his ears. It seemed that someone, somewhere, realized that Ira wouldn’t be stopped by a few dragons so they went all out. It was likely that all the dragons in the province were being called to stop him. As they came into view, Ira could see that there were some Valkyries among them.

“Raveria, you’ll have to sit this one out, ok?” Ira raised his hand toward Raveria who looked shocked.

“I don’t want to!” Raveria stomped her foot down and tried to run away but Ira bent the space around her.

“Please?” Ira asked as the swarm of dragons moved closer.

“No!” Raveria pouted. “I’m strong enough!”

“Quite arrogant, Raveria...What thoughts have you put in her head to spoil her so much, Ira?” Avery questioned.

“Let’s talk about it later.” Ira closed his eyes before his bloodline resonance surged. “Raveria, go to your grandmother or to Harper and wait for us at home.”

Raveria jumped in surprise at the feeling emanating from Ira and could only nod her head meekly.

“Good,” Ira said with a happy smile. He snapped his fingers and Raveria disappeared from sight.

“Ira…” Avery began to speak but she shook his head.

“I already know what you’re going to say.” Ira sighed.

“Oh? I don’t think you do.” Avery sported a faint grin.

“Something about more discipline and letting her see the limits of her own abilities. I get it, but it’s harder than you think. Have you seen her smile? Better yet, her laugh. It’s just the best sound in the world.” Ira became distracted as he went on about Raveria.

Avery shook her head before replying, “I was going to say watch out.”

Ira furrowed his brows in confusion while speaking, “What–”

Before he could finish a giant boulder slammed into his body. Avery quietly laughed to herself before the pendant armor covered her entire body.

Ira lifted the boulder and dropped it to his side before narrowing his eyes at Avery. “Really funny, Avery.”

Avery shrugged before fiery wings appeared behind her and she took to the sky.

“...Really funny,” Ira grumbled before he leaped into the air behind her.

…

Elsewhere on Yeramesh, a beautiful man with white hair and purple eyes sat on a giant golden throne. He was the strongest dragon on Yeramesh for his incredible control over space. During the time dragons established themselves as Gods, he personally traveled across the continent and dealt with those who sought to go against him. As it was now, the races who didn’t agree kept to themselves for the most part, while the races who wanted to be worshipped as Gods gathered around the center of the continent.

Ironically, the leaders and important figures for the group that wanted to be worshipped gathered around the white-haired man in the throne room. Naiads, Valkyries, Dragons, Lares, and even a few Sidera.

“Altharth,” An old Lares greeted with a polite bow. “Why is it that you gathered us?”

Altharth, the man with a youthful appearance but white hair, sat on the throne with slight annoyance on his face. In his eyes, it seemed like just yesterday when everyone approached him with caution out of fear and respect. Now it seemed like they performed polite gestures because they had become accustomed to it.

Altharth decided to deal with them later and put on a stoic expression. “The one who has been causing trouble is here in the Dragon’s Heart Province.”

The Lares and Valkyries nodded as if they had expected it while the rest of the room reacted with surprise, but strangely enough, none of them panicked.

“The one they call a Dragon Slayer?” A Lares asked tauntingly. “If he’s only slaying dragons then we don’t have much to fear.”

The others in the room agreed and looked at Altharth for a response.

“I’ve become too lazy these past one hundred or so years…” He mused to himself before he raised his hand and performed a slashing gesture.

The Lares who trembled slightly and then his head was separated from his shoulders.

“What did he do?!” The older Lares asked with clear outrage.

Altharth raised his hand again and the old Lares retreated.

“I will only say it once so listen well. I want to see his body in front of me, I don’t care whether or not it still has life in it. Destroy the entire city if you have to, those mortals have already witnessed one of my kin being killed by him so they’re better off dead. Even if the so-called Great Sea Serpent needs to be released to ensure it, then so be it.” Altharth slammed his fist into the armrest of the throne and the palace shook.

At the mention of the Sea Serpent, a certain Naiad turned pale. It wasn't known but he provided information to the Uprising but after the Dragons retaliated, he had to be careful. If the Dragon Slayer died then all hope for the Uprising died with him. The Naiad chose to try and stall for time so he could send word to whatever remained of the Uprising.

“What kind of message does it send if we destroy cities? Do we really need to release the Sea Serpent? After all the sacrifices we made to subdue it?” The Naiad questioned in an attempt to sway Altharth’s opinion.

“We already discussed using the Sea Serpent to get rid of that growing annoyance. I can’t understand your hesitation at this moment.” Altharth answered with growing suspicion.

“There is no hesitation. The Sea Serpent will be released at your order.” Another Naiad answered while sending a reprimanding glance to his companion.

“Good. There is already a large group of Dragons accompanied by a few Valkyries who have been sent to deal with it. I expect the Lares to teleport as many Sidera as we can spare to join in. In addition, my son will be present to oversee everything and provide assistance. If that threat proves to be too strong, I’ll go myself.”

Everyone in the room nodded and the Lares soon opened up a doorway before disappearing. A young man with white hair and purple eyes moved toward the throne and knelt down.

“I won’t disappoint you, Father.” The young man said.

“I’d hope not, Ulthar.” Altharth smiled. “Now go and get rid of that disturbance.”