Prince Vitar's Point of View

Capital of Vithari - Dwardew

Unknown Time

They said at the same time. “What’s happened?” I immediately inquired as I stood back upright.

My soldier bowed. “There is a creature in the sky with the enemy forces gathering under it!” He reported.

The Druid turned to Lady Turiel. “It’s the same creature from before.”

All of us rushed towards the gates. The entire city was sealed inside a cave with openings placed in specific locations. All of which were sealed with runes so nothing could get in. The gates also had lookouts along the wall above them. Windows to see who was approaching, or in this case, the enemy’s movements.

When we finally made our way to the top of the gates, whatever hope I had about winning the coming battle quickly diminished. Before us was a horde of masked combatants with black cloaks. They stood out in the sand with the sun beating down on them. The desert was a guardian for us, and why attacking us was so foolhardy.

“Look!” Dwar shouted and pointed up in the sky.

And then came the problem. The creature Lady Turiel spoke of was wearing a black cloak that had seen better days. It had no features that could distinguish it from others, except it had no face and no mask. Magic ignited in its hands, and a red hue washed over the area.

A moment later, mist began to pour from the being and block out the sun. Soon, the mist fell to the ground and surrounded us like a dome. At least, I assumed as much. Like a curtain being drawn, there was no seeing through the mist. It went overhead, but I had a feeling they wouldn’t let us escape in any direction. We were trapped, and from the little to no movement from our adversaries, I gathered that this is exactly what they were aiming for.

“Send a few from our elite squad to investigate our surroundings.” I ordered Dwar. “See if they truly have just cut us off from the rest of the world because that is my best guess for that mist.” My gaze then shifted to Lady Turiel, who was focused on the creature. “We’re in this together now, my Lady.”

She turned to me. “It would seem so. What do you propose?”

“Make sure everyone knows that we have been surrounded. I want both our people to know what’s at stake. It isn’t our lives we’ll be fighting for, but for the survival of our races. If Dwardew falls, the rest of our Dwarven kin won’t be far behind.”

Arthur's Point of View

Over the Middle Ocean

I watched as Ty and Elincia worked on magic. Orbs of magic floated from Elincia to her fellow student. Typhon’s own magic came to life and danced in-between his hands. The largest smile came to his face, and it truly was a sight worth seeing. Elincia looked so proud of him.

“That is your magic and yours alone.” Elincia told him with a smile. “We know very little about your kind, but I have never seen a Dragon use magic like you are now. It might be the standard. It might not.” She watched as the flames flickered in the wind. “Regardless, I know that there is strength in learning. If you keep this up, you may one day surpass even me.”

“That’s the plan.” I interrupted with a smirk as Elincia rolled her eyes at me. “You’re a very instinctual individual, Ty. As such, your training is going to be a little different. Now that you know how to access that magic, even if it’s only slightly, I want to begin the next phase.”

He looked at me determinedly. “I’m ready.”

“Good.” Turning around the deck, I spoke. “I need someone to train with my student!” I called out. “Any volunteers?”

To my surprise, there was an immediate answer. “I’ll do it.”

My gaze locked on the voice. “General Kheri.” I replied evenly. “Are you sure you want to participate? You don’t even know what it is you’ll be doing.”

She smirked and removed her armor along with her weapons. “I’ll be helping Lord Typhon Delmaris. Meaning,” Rolling her shoulders and limbering up, she continued. “I’m going to perform what is expected of me.”

I looked to Elincia, who had a smug look on her face as she looked back at me, and I finally shrugged in response. “Then let’s get started.”

“So,” Ty began as he moved next to Kheri. “What’re we going to be doing?”

“Spar.” I said simply, and both seemed a little disappointed at that. “Under a few Gravity Pillars.” Without warning, the two toppled to the deck from the unexpected and unseen force. “Kheri, yours will be a little stronger to make things fairer. Have fun trying to beat the shit out of each other.”