FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Scales and Honor: City of Light

Chapter 15: Battle above Entis

"TURN THE SHIP! GIVE THEM A SMALLER TARGET TO FIRE AT!" Arcturus head captain Striker shout to the minotaur helmsman currently spinning a large wooden wheel just like the ships of the sea. He felt the ship turn with each quick rotation of the wheel.

"RETURN FIRE WHILE YOUR AT IT!"

Arcturus lurched forward as the ship once again with the sound of thunder and crackling wood, as struck by yet another lance of magical energy. The explosion made his ears ring, as he fell into Veledar's claws. Why can't we just get away?

"Careful now, lest you fall deeper for me." Veledar muttered, as the dragon braced himself as another rock of the ship threatened to knock them both over.

"HIT THE BOOSTER MISTER WARF!" Captain Striker screamed over the sound of the destinies own cannons opening up to return fire.

Arcturus turned his head to see twin bolts of brilliant blue energy fly out across the dark sky towards the towering form of the Indomitus, the ship he had been on to hunt Veledar. The lances went wide, and missed the other ship completely instead lighting up the billowing clouds. It would have been a beautiful sight to behold if not for the menacing ship heading towards them.

"LETS SHOW THEM WHY WE ARE THE FASTEST SHIP IN THE FLEET!"

The minotaur called mister Warf gave a quick nod, "Aye Aye captain!" he shouted out, his large brown hands going to a bright red rune located on a wooden pedestal next to the wheel. "EVERYONE HOLD ONTO SOMETHING!"

Gladly. Arcturus tightened his hold on his warm dragon. Somehow being in his arms made him believe everything was going to be alright. He felt the dragon tense up and pull him tightly against his chest as Warf hovered his hand over the rune.

"HERE WE GO!" Warf pushed down onto the rune, and nothing happened. There was no roar of the engine, no sudden lurch forward, no increase in speed, absolutely nothing happened.

Uh-oh

"We need me ta go out an push?" Merlia laughed nervously.

Striker hit the rune located on the same pedestal, this one a soft white. "What's the matter down there Dotty? How come my ship does not have the boost working?"

"WE GOT HIT HARD IN DA ENGINE CAPTAIN!" came the voice of a female dwarf emanating from the pedestal. "Were lucky ta be holdin together as we is! I'm given her all she's got captain just ta keep her in da air now!"

Arcturus reluctantly let go of Veledar, and glanced to the worried looks of the crew and his gathered friends on the deck. The area lit up as the cannons around them opened up once again, covering them in a flash of blue light. Can we really get away?

"Crimson Sky!" Striker's face darkened as he placed a hand to his bearded chin. "I need you to-"

"I don't take orders from mortals...or at least not ones I do not know." The dragon snarled.

"Ah....Very well." He turned almost instantly to Arcturus instead, his eyes not wavering in the slightest at their current predicament. "Arcturus I need you to board the other vessel and disable it somehow. Shut off the engines, disable the cannons, blow up the blasted whole ship if you get the chance." He glanced over his shoulder to the other ship still pursuing them as if connected to them by an invisible tether. "We don't have the firepower to stop that monster...And without the boost and the damaged engines...We cannot out run them."

Arcturus gave the captain a quick nod as he retrieved his helmet from the deck floor.

"What about me Striker? I was in charge of the operation on the ground." Shandalar spoke up, crossing her arms and standing straight.

"Excellent point miss Shandalar, however I need you for something else." He gestured to the deck below their feet with a casual wave of his hand. "If they damaged the engine with their shot, I need you down there to throw up one of your magical barriers to protect it. If the engine pops we will drop faster than a gryphon making a pass at you."

Shandalar nodded. "I agree with the assessment Captain, and Arcturus here is a fine choice to lead this counter assault."

"My thoughts exactly miss Shandalar."

"Crimson Sky, will you com-" he began to ask before Veledar interrupted him.

"You do not need to ask Arcturus...If you're going than I am going. Nothing will happen to you under my watchful eyes." the dragon snorted, resettling his wings against his back.

"Good." Arcturus replied, but he could sense the irritation within his friend's words. When he thought deeper he could also sense a simmering anger lingering within as well. What's wrong with him? "Come on you lot." He turned to the others, "Let's go take down a ship."

His friends all nodded quickly without a word, including Swiftwing and Elizabeth. Whose eyes he saw had the very anger and thirst for vengeance that was present in Krotos very own.

"We will provide a lifeboat of course for the mission!" Striker held up a finger, "Some soldiers of our own..." He gestured to the four figures from Shandalar's lab as they strolled up towards them, stopping, and standing at attention. "Take these as well, I imagine we will need every advantage we can muster if we stand a chance of making it out of here alive."

"Ya can count on us captain." Merlia replied, "We may be down a bunch of our spells, but thanks ta da tender care of Asterion here we got our energy back. We won't be lettin ya down."

"See to it you do not...otherwise we may not be making it out of here." Striker pressed a different rune on the pedestal, and with a quick order he had four soldiers standing before them in chainmail, with energy crossbows slung over their shoulders, shields on their backs, and swords in their scabbards.

"Havoc team ready for the ship boarding!" came the loud voice of a well built woman among the group. By the way she carried herself Arcturus figured she was their leader.

"Very well commander Gribsy. Follow Arcturus' orders while on the mission like they were my very own." The captain crossed his arms, his eyes going to the skies behind them and the cannons. "May the gods watch over us this day."

The woman named Gribsy nodded, and turned to give Arcturus a quick and a practiced crisp salute. "Ready for orders sir."

"Very well, head to the nearest lifeboat and double check your gear." He gestured to the elemental warriors who had not budged in the slightest. "Take them with you....They give me a chill up my spine."

"Very well sir." commander Gribsy replied, then quickly collecting the warriors with a brief exchange of words. If they minded they showed no emotion on their collective faces as the commander led them away as if they were on a leash.

"Okay are we all set?" He turned to Lyndis, who was checking her pouches with one of her fingers.

"I think so..Don't have all my spells of course...." Her voice trailed off as she glanced towards the lifeboat the soldiers had gathered around. Her eyes briefly had worry shine through them. "I think we can pull this off together."

"I tink so too lad." Merlia slung a quiver of arrows over her back, then started shoving two more of them roughly into her pack. "Lucky they just have all these arrows around." Her eyes glanced to the brown feathers on them. "Rather have dem in green dough...Although I just can't wait to smack some Lumarian soldiers around right now." Her eyes narrowed, and slung the pack over her shoulder. "Dose spirit snatchin bastards will never know what hit em."

"Wait they stole Ulga?" Arcturus looked suddenly around, not spotting the animal or glowing ball of light. He had figured she was just hiding within the dwarves clothes, or pockets, or something.

"We can be chit chatin about it later.." Merlia held up a hand to silence him. "Wounds a wee bit fresh at the moment." She turned to Krotos and patted his flank. "Ya be the one flying me over dere ya handsome ting?"

"Yes." Krotos snarled back, ruffling his feathers as he looked towards the enemy ship.

Do we all have a reason for revenge? His eyes narrowed as he thought to the screams of his friend. He pushed it quickly from his mind by grasping the hilt of his sword tightly. Let us get to the combat part...that way I do not have to think about it...

The blue gryphon lowered himself slightly and let Merlia climb up onto his back. He strode towards the decks railing and unfurled his wings wide, letting out an angered chirp.

"Ta tink dis be out first ride together.....Well besides da other ting." Merlia laughed, and patting his neck. However the usual cheerful gryphon did not respond at first.

"Merlia....another time please..." Krotos grumbled, "Too much has happened tonight already."

"Well tell me about it later ya? We can be swappen stories, and be embracing one another if we need a cry." The dwarf wiped one of her eyes. "Especially if one of us be a dwarf dat needs ta."

"I'd be up to that." Krotos replied, thrusting his chest outward.

"Come on Feku." Matila finally spoke up, grabbing the little kobold by her shoulder. "We have an engine to help fix."

"But captain did not order!" Feku replied, her scales changing a slight yellow.

"Ah, but I am a genius when it comes to these things." Matilda gave her a wink. "So come bring your music and we can really repair this tub." Matilda rose her head to glance in Arcturus direction. She gave him a soft smile as he felt his heart grow warm.

It is good that you survived the night good friend.

"Now you be keeping yourself safe Arcturus...I have a reputation to keep." She laughed with a smile before thrusting a finger towards Veledar. "That goes triple for you dragon. If I found out you let him die." She smacked the palm of her other hand. "I will be taking it out on your scales."

"Like you could possibly hu-" The dragon went to snarl, but a quick glare from her made him shut his snout. "Okay, I understand the sentiment. I will of course bring MY human back safe and sound.

"How sweet you sound like lovers now." Matila smiled, and led Feku away towards the stairs heading below deck. "Remember now lads....Keep each other safe."

"YOU KEEP CRIMSON SKY SAFE!" Feku shouted out before she ducked away below deck.

"Ok that just leaves you Veledar." Arcturus whispered to his dragon that he felt brush up against his side gently.

"Come on up." Veledar hissed, "The sooner we dispatch that airship of yours the sooner we can leave this horrid city behind us."

You can say that again. His thoughts threatened to stray back to the throne room, the red flowing....He shook his head and focused on his friends beautiful scales instead. "What happened Veledar?" He found himself asking as he slung himself up and onto his dragon's saddle, and quickly fastening himself within it. "I can feel your irritation, and out right anger within your words."

"We can discuss the particulars of what transpired when we return from this." Veledar strolled to the side of the ship, holding his snout high. "When things are not so....hectic.." He gave a snarl followed by a snort from his snout that let out a small plume of black smoke that scattered away in the air. "How poetic...It is only fitting that the ship you brought to capture me...is now the one beset to try and take us both from this earth." He bared his teeth, "With it's destruction we will both be free....And it will be an excellent way to let out all this fury...." Veledar tensed all his muscles, and kneaded his claws on the wooden deck.

Arcturus could feel the anger that he had sensed grow in intensity as Veledar seemed to stare down the ship heading towards them. It was a heavy feeling that clung to his bones, he almost found himself snarling his own teeth at the ship. What had happened while we were separated? The thought repeated itself as Veledar spread his mighty and glorious wings. "Are we ready?" Arcturus shouted out, briefly turning his head to all his gathered friends and comrades. He saw their faces look to him expectantly, their eyes filled with uncertainty of what would transpire in the next few minutes.

"I see now the looks within your eyes that I have seen all too many times before." He began, gesturing to the enemy ship. "However we cannot falter in our purpose...there are too many people counting on us in this moment. That ship might be a force to reckoned with...but so are we.."

"This will certainly be a story worthy of focken song!" Lyndis cheered out, pumping one of her fists into the air.

"OR THREE!" Merlia cheered out, holding her bow high.

"So come on lads!" Arcturus cheered out, patting Veledar on his scales. "Follow Crimson Sky here, and let him lead us to victory!"

Veledar roared his approval as he flapped his wings, and bounded over the railing of the ship. They dove into the night sky, his wings carrying them upwards against the battering winds of the night sky. The dragon was silent except for his wing beats, and the wind that whistled over them. The cold that washed over him, and the underlying joy of the flight thankfully pulled his mind from any lingering thoughts of those they had lost. Azzik, Gus, Ulga. They were cast away with another beat of Veledar's wings.

He fought the smirk trying to form its way onto his face, his mind trying to remind him that he should not be happy right now. Not with everything that had happened...Not with the indomitus threatening to kill all those on the destiny. He frowned instead, finding that the trip to Entis had somewhat dampened the joy of the wings beneath the dragon's wings. Hopefully the feeling fades away He thought as the familiar winds brushed his face as Veledar twisted and turned through the air. His body tingled from head to foot, betraying the feelings of sadness that were dampening his spirits. It spread in every direction inside of him, shattering his frown in another instant. Nothing could truly ruin this forever. His grinned as he looked past the vast shining city below, past the beautiful dragon beneath him, and towards the intimidating indomitus that was gaining on the destiny.

Arcturus glanced back towards the vessel that contained their means of escape, his other companions, and Gus' family. The once pristine ship's hull that had been a great relief to see land and save them from death, was now smoking, burned, and blackened from the cannons that had struck her side. Holes were left within her hull, large gaping things. It was hard to not think the ship would not be making it home tonight, but the girl persisted and limped onwards.

The destiny let loose another volley of cannon fire of her own. Several brilliant almost blinding lights of concentrated magical energy flew across the sky like great bolts of lighting. They lit up all the surrounding clouds before exploded uselessly against a shining, shimmering, golden forcefield that wrapped around the indomitus like a giant bubble. They let loose a crack that sounded like the dull thunder, that echoed through the night sky.

"By Thor's beard what in bonnie blazes was dat?!" Merlia shouted out over the wind, and the collective gasps of the others.

"It's some sort of magical barrier!" Lyndis replied, hands cupped over her mouth. "Will we be able to get through it?"

Arcturus did not know, and wrinkled his brow as he looked to the now dull looking ship, that had just shone so brightly. It would certainly put a stop to the play they were making right now. If that was the case, it would be better to just try and flee in all directions. Figures we make it this far to be stopped yet again. Lumara it seems like you have been several steps ahead of us at every turn....Think Arcturus there must be away to win here. He closed his eyes trying to imagine the weakness that he simply hoped was there. He focused on the steady wing beats of Veledar. He shuttered as the images of Geoffery, Selina, and Gus stared back at him from the darkness. Their eyes full of accusations, as guilt began to swirl within his mind.

"I know it!" Veledar roared out, snapping Arcturus thankfully from his thoughts. "The field looks exactly like my own protection spell! It may be a tad bigger, but it would work along the same lines of thought!" Veledar arced his neck back to peak at him. "We should be able to pass through it, while the magic won't be able to. The dragon turned back and began to swerve more as he continued flying. Arcturus figured it was to make themselves much harder to hit. "It would even block the shots from your energy weapons you possess!"

"INCOMING!" Shouted Asterion, as a shining blue lance fired not towards the destiny, but towards them instead.

Arcturus felt his heart skip a beat as the projectile of magical death rapidly approached he and Veledar. Arcturus took a deep breath as his thighs gripped the dragon tighter. His nerves steeled as he remembered who he was with. And he was glorious. The dragon did not disappoint. With another flap of wings and a quick dip of his membranes he barrel rolled out of the way of the lance, without even losing speed. He could not help the rising excitement in his chest, although he had to admit it could very well be the dragon's emotions leaking through again to him. But he knew better, he loved to fly as well. So when the dragon did another maneuver to dodge yet another magical beam he found himself cheering for his friend. "Thats right Veledar show them how flying is done!" he hugged the dragon tighter as Veledar swerved yet again.

"Oh come on now!" Veledar shouted, "You can certainly aim better than that!"

"Is it wise to taunt them?" He asked, lowering himself further against the dragon's scales.

"Why not? They can't seem to hit us anyway!" Veledar dodged yet another attack with a cackle of joyous glee. Arcturus could have swore the dragon had been waiting for it, as this beam came within inches of his red scales.

"Come on Veledar, no showing off! We have a job to do!"

"Oh Arcturus, sometimes you are no fun at all." The dragon dove downward, heading towards the vast underbelly of the ship. The next lance that was fired from the enemy vessel did not fly towards them, but instead headed towards the lifeboat behind them.

"Watch out!" Arcturus shouted, his head turning against his will to see the outcome. Please be okay. To his relief his worry that had spiked was misplaced.

The blue lance exploded moments before striking the little wooden boat that contained the rest of the boarding party. Standing at the front of the small craft was the air elemental warrior, her hands held aloft, with swirling vortexes of wind held within her hands. When a second lance flew towards them, she let one loose in a single punching motion in the air. From that arm came a cone of intense winds, that struck the energy lance. It diverted course for a moment before exploding below the ship harmlessly.

"Yea take that!" Lyndis cheered, as the boat chased Veledar downward flanked on either side by a gryphon and their respective rider. She pumped her fist downward as the gryphons let out loud squawks. "Lead the way Crimson Sky!"

"Oh I certainly shall." Veledar growled, pounding his wings against the air once again. "Look Arcturus..we have company!" He added with a snarl, drawing Arcturus' attention back to the ship.

From the indomitus came the forms of gryphons pouncing into the air with their wings spread wide. There were eight in total, of all assorted colors with brown leather armor covering their feathers. There is an entire wing of them. Arcturus moved his hand towards the golden rod that Veledar had given to him, and tightened his grip around the smooth surface. His eyes spied that on all of the winged beasts backs were their riders, clad in the same leather armor as their gryphons, sporting small tabards with the symbol of lumara painted in gold. They brandished hand energy crossbows in one hand, while keeping the other firmly on their saddle. On their backs were spears, whose metallic heads glittered with the next wave of cannon fire being directed towards the destiny.

The gryphons all moved in unison as they dove towards them. It was almost as if all their wing beats were in tandem as they dipped their feathers and dove right towards them.

Arcturus pulled the rod from his belt, his thumb tracing over the small button on its surface. He pressed it, and the rod suddenly grew to six feet in length, with a blade made completely of fire at the top that ran down three feet in length. He swung it smiling as it was practically weightless within his grasp.

"That is certainly a lot of kittybirds...but we have done this before...and will end the same for them." The dragon slowed his speed, and changed direction so he was heading right for them. "This time however we are not ambushed...and we fight as one!'

"Lyndis keep going!" Arcturus shouted out as the lifeboat sailed passed them. "Veledar and I got this!"

"Like hell ya do!" Merlia shouted as Krotos brought her flying close to the dragon. She had her bow already knocked and at the ready. "We'll cover ya wit some arrows o course, while Krotos here acts as me beautiful mount."

"I can do more..." Krotos grumbled, matching the dragon's pace as they neared the enemy.

"Aye but dey out number ya lad...an we dun hav da spells ta spare. So just keep dem out of reach, and I'll make sure dey not touch a pretty feather on yer handsome head."

Krotos gave her a nod before suddenly slowing to let Veledar bound towards them. Merlia let fly some arrows towards the gryphons, who managed to avoid them with a mere twist of their wings.

"Ready Arcturus!?" Veledar roared, as they were practically on top of them now. The dragon ignored the energy bolts flying towards him, impacting uselessly against his scales.

Arcturus tightened his grip on the weapon as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. They are just combatants now..We need to escape..They are in the way.. "I am ready! Lets show them what it means to face a dragon!"

"And a paladin of Bahamut!"

Arcturus pressed touched his shield with his hand as he focused on the protection spell he had done countless times before. The blue field springing forth around him, this time also spreading to Veledar. Causing the dragon's scales to shimmer, and cast them in a blue glow.

Veledar took a deep breath, opened his maw, and let loose a torrent of bright crimson. The flames billowed out towards the gryphons as they quickly darted away from the rolling fire. Their riders letting our curses as their energy weapons were having no effect on the them.

"We have to get close!"

"Use your claws!"

"Stop the lifeboat!"

Veledar dove through the middle of their wide ring of their formation. His eyes sparking with electricity as three gryphons broke off to pursue their friends. "I don't think so!" the dragon hurled a bolt of white lightning that crackled and sparked along it's path. It struck the lead gryphon and his rider, than exploded outwards into a web of smaller bolts. They all let out loud cries of pain as the electricity danced between them, but only the lead gryphon suddenly went limp, and started to plummet to the ground below. The other two although smoking from the attack continued on.

"We'll get them!" Merlia cried, as Krotos sped after them with his next wingbeats. She let out another volley of arrows towards them. "Ya won't be getting away!"

The other gryphons were not idle while this was going on. They descended onto the dragon in force with their sharp claws. Arcturus punished those that got within his range, his flaming blade easily searing their flesh with pained squawks. He even managed to bisect one of the riders with one of his slashes. The leather armor and his flesh no match for the magical blade as it passed through them both like they had not been there.

The paladin hugged his dragon as he began to spin, no doubt trying to rid himself of their sharp claws scraping against his scales. He heard a gryphon screech in pain as he saw Veledar had one's neck firmly within his snout. It was the gryphon of the rider Arcturus had just slain. With a sudden twist and loud crack the gryphon held within his maw neck snapped. Arcturus lashed out at yet another gryphon as Veledar tossed that one aside. His blade struck one of the beasts in the wing joint. With a mere thought to the great platinum dragoness the flames exploded in white magic. The wing fell loose from the gryphon as he let out a surprised yelp. His rider gave a scream as both started to spiral downwards to the ground oh so far below.

Arcturus witness two of the gryphons enter a dive towards the spiraling pair of gryphon and rider. He held back his attack as they passed him, their backs easily exposed. No let them pass....they are done with this fight it they have to rescue them. He felt Veledar break away from the other gryphons as he quickened his wing beats, taking them above the ship.

The deck of the indomitus was in chaos it seemed. The lifeboat had landed nearly dead center of the ship, with some soldiers still within it taking cover while shooting their own shots to the collection of Lumarian soldiers still present. The elemental warriors were moving from soldier to soldier, making short work of the distracted men and woman. Those that were not crushed, sliced in half by fire, or shot with energy bolts, were instead thrown over the side of the ship by the water and air elemental warrior. It took only a brief moment before Lyndis was standing proudly on the top of the deck cleared of enemies.

"Landing zone is clear!" She shouted out, giving Arcturus a wave as Veledar raced overhead with four gryphons behind him. The half-elf pointed towards them, "Come on help the dragon out!"

From their allies came a volley of energy bolts, while most ended up missing their targets one gryphon had it's chest seared by several of them striking dead center of it's body. Without healing magic to tend to the wound the bird fell like a brick.

Arcturus readied himself as Veledar spun back around to face the remaining gryphons. The human spied Krotos chasing after one such gryphon in the distance while Merlia was pelting it with arrows.

"Oh it's no fun ta pick on da dwarf now is it!?"

The last three gryphons let out a cry of battle. Maybe they want to fight to the death....for all their fallen? Their riders rose spears above their heads, joining in on the sentiment it seemed.

"Poor choice you have made." Veledar snarled, flying them straight towards them.

Arcturus could not believe what transpired in the next few minutes. The gryphons dove towards them like birds possessed. They would duck and dodge the slashes from his dragon, his talons only catching their feathers. The riders would jab their spears when they could, finding purchase in Veledar's hide.

Veledar let out a roar as he thrashed his body, and let out another breath of flame that failed to catch anyone as the gryphons easily darted away.

Arcturus lashed out in a whirlwind of attacks as Veledar suddenly seemed to know how to maneuver so that he was landing all his hits perfectly on his target. He found himself moving with the dragon as Veledar flew them around the gryphons.

"Together." Veledar growled, slashing out at another of the enraged gryphons. His talons tasting the birds blood for the first time as he tore through him. The others tried to help but Arcturus stopped them with a slash of his weapon, and a pained squawks.

They continued on with this dangerous game of cat and mouse as the gryphon's and their riders would not relent in their attack on the crimson dragon. Arcturus had his blade slice so many times into the gryphons as Veledar once again seemed to predict his attacks. If the gryphons were not being so careful to avoid being hit they would be dead now by the amount of times he was merely grazing them. He pushed another gryphon away, letting Veledar finish off the other unhindered. The dragon's claws found the wing joint on the gryphon and easily broke the thing within his talons.

The last gryphon and his rider dived down towards the falling gryphon, cries of desperation in their throats. Arcturus felt Veledar start to dip his wings, and go to head into a dive. "Let them go, Veledar. I think they are done with this fight."

"They are still alive Arcturus. I must finish them off!" Veledar started to dive downwards towards them with his teeth bared as the wind howled against the human's face.

"They are done Veledar! Show mercy!" He screamed out as his dragon closed in on the gryphon trying to save the other.

"They show'd you none!"

"For me than!"

Veledar broke off his dive, and brought them upwards back towards the ship in a single graceful motion of his wings. "Than it is done for you Arcturus." Veledar spat out, "I hope you chose correctly then."

"Thank you my great dragon." He patted Veledar's scales. "They will speak of your mercy this day...About how you could have finished them...but instead let them gather their wounded and flee before your glory."

"Our glory Arcturus." Veledar's wings carried them back towards the ship's deck. "We are a team now you and I."He tilted his wings and started to circle the ship, like a great predator on the hunt.

Well that is because he is. Arcturus smirked, looking out to the ship they currently had in their mercy. He noticed that all the soldiers, Lyndis, and Asterion were all missing. Most likely below deck now and getting to work on the engine. They will only need a few minutes after all. He pushed the worry from his mind with the next flap of Veledar's wings. His eyes did find the only two figures left on the top of the ship however. The stoic visage of the flame and wind elemental warriors. Perfectly still they stood, eyes darting every which way as if looking for their next targets.

Arcturus saw a flash of light from one of the many portholes lining the outside hull of the ship, a sign that his friends had encountered a bit of resistance inside the ship. "No surprise." he mumbled, turning his attention from that to his dragon's scales, than to the cloudy star filled sky. He told himself they were going to be fine, the engine room was quite easy to find on their vessels after all. He imagined even without his knowledge of the ship they would do great, they had Asterion and Lyndis after all.

Krotos and Swiftwing darted around Veledar, easily catching the red dragon as he continued to circle the vessel. They passed him with pleased chirps, before breaking off and starting their own pattern of circles.

The air around Arcturus was silent now save for the wind whistling through Veledar's wings. The cannon fire that had been filling the night air with thunderous explosions of their exchanges were now gone. Truthfully he wished the cannon fire was still going on. The quite and unspeaking dragon below him made him uneasy. "Veledar?....Are you ok?" he asked as the dragon just gave a snort in response.

"I am fine Arcturus." He snapped back . "Do best to not worry about my well being and stay focused on the skies."

Something bad happened to you in the city as well didn't it?.....Or are you still upset I agreed and went with Shandalar instead of you? "Veledar...I.." He started to offer an apology but a door from the deck below slammed open and cut him off mid sentence.

The form of three knights clad in bright silver full plate,with flowing brown tabards emerged onto the deck of the indomitus from a door typically leading towards the captain's quarters. He wondered now if there was a hidden door that these three knights had come up from, since he did not think Lyndis would have left hostiles up on deck that could threaten her escape.

Unless she was too rushed to do a thorough sweep?

Two of the knights wielded greatswords, with the metal of the blades sparking little specks of golden electricity in their silver gauntlet clad hands. The last knight that emerged behind them had his sword secured in his leather scabbard, but wielded a different weapon in his hands. For he held one of the heavy energy crossbows seen at the fort. He held the grip that was placed above the thing, as the tube used to vent heat swayed with his movements.

"Let's take the ship back lads!" roared the knight with the crossbow, his weapon screaming into the night air like a banshee as energy bolts poured from its front in a constant stream of glowing crimson.

The air elemental warrior barely got out a surprised gasp as her torso was greeted to the numerous bolts that impacted upon her. In a matter of moments she was tossed backwards as her body was shredded in an instant.

"Come on they need us!" Arcturus shouted to Veledar, who as if reading his mind had already started to swooping forward.

The dragon's wings made almost no noise as Veledar neared the form of the knight. He extended his forelimbs, and outstretched his talons. With a dull thud the dragon had landed on the the man, crushing him into the deck below. The knights shots suddenly went wild as he screamed in pain, some of them striking the dragon's red scales uselessly.

Arcturus swung his own weapon before the others could react to the sudden appearance of Veledar on their commander. His weapon met the glowing blade of the knight however, as sparks exploded from the contact were the weapons met. Arcturus tried again to strike the man, but he parried the blow, than tried to follow through towards the dragon's scales.

As if sensing what had just happened Veledar recoiled away, denying the man's blade his strike. He stumbled forward as his blade only tasted the empty air.

Seizing the opportunity Arcturus swung the flame blade once more, quicker the man could recover from his stumble. The flames struck right towards his collar, and finding purchase in his flesh there. The paladin pressed further, the smell of burning flesh filling his nose as the man let out brief scream inside his helmet, until the blade sliced deep enough into lung, the blade having fused some of his breastplate to the man's skin.

The last knight did not respond to this as she was too busy dodging strikes from the flame elemental warrior, whose hands were glowing with the intensity of the sun. Each time the knight managed to dodge one of the warriors attacks there was a sudden burst of flame outwards in a thin stream from his fists. She dodged one such attack, and sliced through the wrist of the warrior easily with her own magical blade. "Take that ya monster!" She shouted out, her face clearly bearing a smile. "How's it going sir? You're certainly taking your...." She turned her head slight and let out a surprised yell.

The elemental warrior took advantage of her momentary surprise, and thrust his glowing hot fist right through her chestplate. His fist went clean through her side, melting the metal as it went as though it were molten lava. The knight let out a scream into the night air, only to be silenced as the warrior brought his arm up to her heart. She collapsed with a dull thud, and smoke rising from her corpse.

There Arcturus hit the button on the golden rod he carried, retracting the entire thing and shutting off the flames.

"That was actually fairly gruesome." Veledar hissed, sticking his tongue out as the elemental warrior, that seemed to not care in the slightest it was missing a hand. "They truly are just weapons after all."

"Your one to talk Veledar..I saw what you did to the gryphons."

"Ah yes...But I snapped their necks or gave them quick deaths...Not melting their torso to their metal."

"You do however burn them alive from time to time."

"Well.....that can't be helped...Dragon after all." Veledar grumbled. "And sometimes they deserve to be burned.....But I still don't melt out their hearts."

"Lads!" Merlia screamed out, as Krotos suddenly sailed overhead, his eyes wide in fear, his wings beating furiously as he flew by. "DERES SOMETHIN OUT DERE!"

Arcturus felt his hair suddenly stand on edge, as a shiver ran down his spine. His eyes frantically went to the cloudy sky, desperately looking for what had his friends so spooked. "What was it Merlia?" He shouted back.

"SOMETHING BIGGER DEN CRIMSON SKIES EGO!"

Wow that certainly is big...

"METAL!" Krotos squawked, dipping his wing and circling back when he was safely a good distance behind them. "EYES LIKE FIRE!"

"Hmmph." Veledar rose his head and gave off a quick snort. "It sounds like you ran into one of their pathetic constructs." He rose a paw and waved it dismissively. "Although maybe they slapped wings onto it..My dearest Krotos you will find that I am more than a match for it."

I would LOVE to have your confidence Veledar Arcturus reached for the golden rod once again, his hand curling around it like before. Come on construct show yourself...Gods I hope Veledar is right....Otherwise....what else have you cooked up Lumara?

There was a gurgled cry as the flame elemental warrior suddenly had large holes emerge on his body. With his legs kicking he was risen several feet off of the deck as the wood groaned as if being stressed by a great weight. Than with a sudden snap of bone, his lower body went limp and plopped onto the deck, followed by the splattering of his blood in big drops on the wood. Suddenly the form of a great silver armored dragon emerged before them all. Its' metal teeth looking every so menacing as blood continued to drip from them.

The construct dragon's armored scaled hide was covered from head to snout in various golden glowing runes of all different shapes and sizes. It rose it's maw, glared down at Arcturus with its bright, glowing orange eyes that seemed to pierce right through him, and spread it's vast metallic wings easily dwarfing Veledar in size. They sprung to life with runes all over their surface as well, it looked more like a work of art than a flying war machine of death.

Arcturus stared the creature down as Veledar stepped back from it, spreading his own wings. He could sense the uncertainty flowing off the dragon in waves as the construct took what looked to be a giant breath. Wait....they don't have to breath..."MOVE!" He shouted out, recognizing a dragon's breath when he saw it.

Veledar seemed to be thinking the same thing as he bounded over the edge of the indomitus before Arcturus could finish uttering move. He dove down, seconds before a loud whistle echoed into the night sky, followed by the loud crack of wood. The dragon arced his head back for a moment, and dipped a wing membrane and entered into a sharp turn that had Arcturus struggling to stay upright.

Over the human's shoulder came a massive golden beam of pure magical energy that sparked and flowed across the night sky lighting up everything in it's brilliant majesty. He could feel the heat flowing off the thing, as even though they were at least twelve feet away it felt like a hot summer's day. Gods above what have they created. He looked back to the indomitus, which was now sporting a massive gaping hole in the ship's hull. Please let there have been anyone caught in that beam.

From the ship came the great metallic beast once again as it soared towards them, its giant wings beating against the air. It's spiked tail swished in the air, as it's eyes focused solely on them.

Arcturus shivered as he felt a strange sense of familiarity to the creature pursuing the fleeing red dragon. "Are we not going to face it?" He shouted over the wind.

"J-Just trying to figure out a way to attack it!" Veledar roared, turning around mid flight to head back towards the thing. "Maybe a fireball?" He flicked a claw to send out a projectile of flame that exploded against the thing's metal scales. The dragon frowned as the construct emerged from the cloud of black smoke, without even so much as a scratch on it's perfectly smooth hide. "Ok figure out a new plan than!"

"Can I help!?" Krotos screamed out, as he took flight beside Veledar. Merlia had turned herself around in the saddle so she was facing backwards, and loosing arrow after arrow towards the construct.

"ONLY MAGICAL WEAPONS CAN HURT IT KROTOS! YA BEST JUST WORRY ABOUT US NOT GITTIN HIT!"

The gryphon nodded as swiftwing took a place beside them, Elizabeth fired off several rounds from her crossbow. They impacted the great silver dragon but had the same result as the fireball had done. Impacting without a trace. "Gods that didn't do anything either!" She shouted, her voice cracking.

"Just get out of here Elizabeth, you're no good to us out here!" Arcturus shouted out, his thoughts going to Azzik, and how the little Kobold had been put in a far more dangerous position that what he had been ready for. "I don't want to lose you two as well tonight!"

The two gave him a quick nod as swift wing turned on dime and flew away back towards the destiny, leaving the dragon and his paladin to stare down the metallic monster that was ever closing in on Veledar's tail. He felt the dragon duck down as his heart pounded in his chest. You can't hide your fear from me dearest dragon. "Maybe if we hit it in a weak spot? Like perhaps the wings or the eyes? Although probably not the eyes...it's not really alive after all.

"Well we have not tried it!" Veledar shouted, dodging the creature as it closed in with a mighty snap of its razor sharp teeth. He turned to slice at it with his claws, but they of course did nothing to it's magically reinforced shell.

With his dragon dodging and weaving away from the metallic monstrosity ARcturus felt his mind wander as he tried to toss eldritch blasts at it, sadly having little to no effect on the creature. Everything Veledar was doing, the snapping of the jaws. The desperation building in both of their chests, it all felt familiar. Where have I seen this before? He screamed mentally to himself as the creature struck down again, and he just managed to brush it aside with his shield. His arm aching from the sheer effort it took. His eyes widened just as Veledar suddenly dove, and the metallic dragon soared over them. Of course I have seen this before....the movements....the horns....the bites....the eyes... He felt dread build in his chest as the creature wheeled around like a serpent, and locking its fiery gaze upon him. The construct looked and moved exactly like Dread Flame from his nightmares.

The construct let out a horrid metallic roar in the night sky, that radiated out with an ear splitting cry. It sounded like metal scraping against itself, and send shivers down anyone's spine that heard it. It then took yet another deep breath, it's runes all lighting up the night sky, making it almost look like it was the day. Arcturus was pulled to the moments above entis just like this as he fought the beast within the lifeboat. The struggle, the pain, the burning buildings. He shook his head as he pictured his house in flames, the monstrous chuckling laugh as Dread Flame grabbed hold of his boot.

Veledar turned, diving away from the giant monster as it threw it's head back, and let loose another devastating wave of golden energy. It sailed across the sky crackling, and sparking with pure fury. Veledar beat his wings, and performed a sharp turn. However the beam began to follow him as he moved. Each time he moved the beam moved along with him, if he rose it rose, if he dove it dove. "Arcturus!" The dragon roared out, as the beam closed even closer. "I don't think I can...."

I got this. "Don't Worry!" Arcturus shouted as his heart pounded in his chest. This was crazy...how could this work...it's like three times Veledar's size. "I have the shield you gave me!"

"I believe I lent it to you!" Veledar shouted, stretching his head back.His eyes glaring at the glowing golden energy closing in. "And It's far too big....It....it will kill you!" his voice cracked, his frills twitching.

"Turn us around, position me right!" He gulped holding up his shield. "Otherwise it will overtake us anyway....I have to try!" He cried out, as he stashed the golden rod back onto his belt. "Trust me Veledar! I can do this!" Can I though? He narrowed his eyes and tried to push the worry from the dragon beneath him.

"Ok." Veledar snarled, then let out with a great roar. WIth a slight dip of his wings he brought them swiftly around until they were heading straight for the force of death heading towards them. "You best know what your doing my paladin! Cause I will haunt you to the end of time if you're wrong!"

"I'd have it no other way!" Arcturus cheered as the dragon brought them ever closer to the magical energy. He held his shield aloft as he felt Veledar begin to dip and duck his wings. He focused on redirecting the magic that towered over him.No different then the little lance shots. He told himself as he punched his shield out. Please let this work. He closed his eyes and focused on last time in silent prayer. Please.

He felt his shield vibrate as the magical energy struck the shield. The imposing sea of gold striking the sturdy rock of his shield. He could feel the heat radiating off the shield, making him sweat within his armor. The shield began to vibrate intensely as he grit his teeth and gripped the handle tighter. "Aaaaaaaaaaaah." he shouted as he started to feel little spikes of pain flow through his arm,like little needles as the magic started to wrap around the shield, the heat making his hands uncomfortable. HOLD ONTO IT ARCTURUS! He screamed to himself as this was all happened in the blink of an eye. With all the willpower he could muster he pushed outwards with his shield in one final effort, and letting out a shout to the heavens.

The energy cascaded, formed, swirled, and howled around him. His cape flapped in the mighty gust of the beam. He tried to focus on sending it back as the shield vibrated harder than it had ever done before. He grit his teeth harder as he struggled to hold his shield there. There was a sudden explosion that shone for miles in all directions. The roar of it made his ears ache, and he fought the urge to cover them incase this was all that was protecting them. With another explosion he felt Veledar and himself be thrown back violently, tumbling into the night sky. Thankfully the beam was nowhere to be seen as Veledar tried to reorient themselves, as the construct continued its relentless pursuit.

I did it......

"YOU DID IT!" Veledar roared, spinning through the air, then wheeling around. "YOU DID IT!" His voice cracked, the shock and sure joy shining through brighter than even the cannon fire they had just seen. It did last as his face soon had a frown as he glared at the towering monstrous form of the construct closing in on him. "Although it appears we have bigger concerns...No rest for heros eh?"

Dread flame closed in on Veledar, easily overtaking the dragon in a few beats of his wings. His neck coming down to snap at the fleeing red dragon before him. However with a few arrows to the snout, that exploded in brilliant red lights the beast recoiled. Enough so for Veledar to twist away, and throw a bolt of lightning straight up into it's chest, where it sparked and flowed off the metallic surface. If Dreadflame was injured the creature did not show it, as with a twist of its form it was soon right after them. ARcturus saw were the lightning hit there was now a blackened spot on the pristine metal.

"It can be hurt!" Arcturus shouted, "We just need more powerful spells!" His eyes looked around

"YA TAKE THAT YA BIG TIN CAN!" Merlia let out a loud belly laugh as Krotos zoomed by Veledar with the dwarf shooting arrow after arrow into the closing metal dragon. "YA CAN'T HIT LITTLE O US CAN YA!" She looked back to Krotos for a moment. "KEEP FLYING YA HANDSOME TING YOU, WE DUN WANNA GET CAUGHT BY HIM!"

The gryphon nodded, turning his wings and easily darting away from Dread Flames claws. However the beast lashed out again, and this time it's sharp claw sliced into Krotos' side with enough strength to bat him from the sky downward with a squawk of surprise and pain.

"HANG ON!" Merlia shouted out as the gryphon tumbled and fell through the air, he had apparently gone limp beneath her. "KROTOS WAKE UP!" She screamed.

NO! Arcturus shouted internally as he grit his teeth. He pulled out the golden lance and lashed up at Dread flame as they passed beneath the distracted construct. The flame blade scratched across the armored hide of the thing, and leaving a thin long scratch. GODS DAMNT! "Veledar!" He shouted, pointing to Krotos, and hugging his dragon tight.

The dragon nodded as he dove downwards towards the falling gryphon. His wings folded as he entered a dive. "Come on you stupid Kitty bird!" Veledar roared out, as they fell towards the tumbling gryphon.

However after a few moments it was no longer needed. Merlia had apparently had used a cure spell on the gryphon as he was soon spreading his wings and catching himself mid fall. "THANK YOU MERLIA!" Krotos shouted, and turned himself away from Veledar with another pounding of his wings.

Veledar growled and got out of the dive as he spread his wings, and just barely avoided another lash from Dread Flame's claws. His sharp metal talons scraping against his crimson scales, drawing blood. "We need a better plan!" The dragon shouted, his voice cracking. Arcturus could feel the panic rising in him with every dodge, every tilting of his membrane, and every turn of his wings.

We need a way to win...NOW He looked towards the two ships suspended in the night sky. The indomitus was quiet at the moment as his forces no doubt were taking care of the problems within. If they only knew what was going on out here. He glanced back at the approaching dragon. They would have stood with us to take this thing down...I don't think anything can beat us when we work together. He shook his head with the next desperate beat of Veledar's wings. But we don't have them right now. All we have is a creature that is stronger than us, better protected, immune to lesser items and spells. How do we win? He stared out to the destiny as Veledar swerved them again.

"Hold on!" the dragon bellowed. "I will lead him under the ship!"

The ship! Arcturus' eyes widened, as his heart beat faster. How could I have forgotten something like that....stupid...stupid..stupid.. He wanted to smack himself in the head at the moment. "THE SHIP!" he pointed to the destiny. "THE SHIP! WE USE THE SHIP'S CANNONS WHILE IT"S FOCUSED ON US!"

Veledar just nodded as he brought them around towards the ship trying to desperately away. "Are sure we can't just use the other ships cannons?"

"We don't know who's up there...at least we know these ones are manned!" He shouted back as they were almost passed the ship now. "FIRE MEN.....FIRE AT THE METAL DRAGON!" He screamed out, as Veledar passed right over a collection of deckhand's heads.

"Yes before he comes to incinerate your frail mortal bodies!"

There was a collection of shouts as Dread Flame closed in on them. Energy lances flew out from their cannons, battering it's silver armored body with brilliant blue death. The metal buckled, glew hot, and pieces were literally blasted from the scaled bastard. The creature let out a twisted shriek as it passed by. It's tail catching one of the cannons, and ripping it from the wood with a loud crack. The gunner screamed as he was dragged with his weapon towards the ground oh so far below.

Arcturus hugged Veleda tightly as the dragon spun around the destiny. With each wing beat he could feel the dragon breath heavily. He did not look back even once as his snout was firmly focused on what lay ahead. Arcturus knew he was trying to give the canons as much time as they needed to recharge. Sure enough as Dread flame closed in to yet again snap at them the cannons sounded off again. They struck the dragon in several places, burning large gaping holes into it's armored frame. The beast snarled, breaking away from Veledar to head straight for the ship instead.

Guess it is not entirely stupid. "Veledar!" He shouted out, "We have to stop it!"

"You state the obvious Arcturus!" The dragon snarled, turning tail to chase after the machine. "Honestly the times I stick my neck out for you!"

"Just focus!"

Veledar nodded, his words easily silenced as he closed in on Dread Flame. The beast had currently ripped one cannon right from the ship with it's large claws. Men were firing into it's torso with energy crossbows to no avail. With a slight breath, any of the collected soldiers on the deck were reduced to fine golden piles of ash in a mere instant. Dread Flame threw back it's head as it breathed in again once more, just like it had done before.

Arcturus felt his body turn to ice, as he pictured Matilda, Feku, Mary, and Gwen huddled inside the hull. "VELEDAR!" He screamed out in desperation, his voice nearly cracking.

"I KNOW!" Veledar roared, flying straight into Dread Flame, knocking the large beast onto his back with a loud slam. He pushed the neck of the creature back, as it's maw let loose another large beam of golden energy away from the ship, and towards the mountains in the distance. There was a brief explosion far away, that lit up the mountain.

"YOU DID IT!" Arcturus screamed in joy, striking Dread Flame with the flame blade.

"Did.....You.....Doubt me?" Veledar struggled with the creature. His muscles tensed, as his claws dug into the wood beneath him. "Ahhhhhh"

Dread flame tossed them off with a great snarl, its claw slicing into Veledar's scales, and ripping the leather strap securing Arcturus into the saddle. Both he and Veledar were send tumbling to the deck as the creature thrashed it's body. Arcturus smacked hard against the deck, his head following soon after only for his world to be a spiraling mess as he tumbled to a stop.

Arcturus rose to stand, but found himself smacked aside with Dread Flames tail stealing his breath and sending him flying backwards crashing into the captain's quarter's wall. He grit his teeth as his back lit up in pain, the wood cracking behind him. Stars danced around his vision as he slumped to the ground and fell over. He could see Veledar and the construct lashing out at one another.

"Vel......e.......dar!" The construct suddenly shrieked, as one of its claws grabbed hold of his dragon's wings. Then with a roar of agony from Veledar the construct snapped it in half like a twig. It grabbed hold of the snarling red dragon, and with a great force slammed his head into the ship's deck with a dull thud. Than he did it again, and again, and again. Each slam of his head on the deck Veledar's whole body twitched, and his fighting died down.

No... Arcturus tried to pick himself up as Dread Flame tossed his dragon around like he was a rag doll. His arms wobbled beneath him and he collapsed onto the deck, coughing and spitting up some blood. Come on........ His eyes found Veledar, hardly able to stand, blood dripping down his scales as he snarled defiance to the creature that was tearing him apart. He slipped away but Dread Flame was back on top of him, pulling him by the tail and ripping deep into his flesh.

STAND UP! ARcturus mentally screamed as he struggled to pull himself up again. His entire body aching in pain. HE'S GOING TO DO IT AGAIN....STAND UP! He spit out more blood as he dragged himself forward.

"VEL......E......DAR" Dreadflame hissed again, as he moved in and with his blood drenched claws, snapped the dragon's other wing. Veledar released another roar of pain, but it was far weaker than the last one. It slowly faded away to a whimper as the dragon's movements started to dull, and he weakly defended himself. "VEL.......E.....DAR!" it hissed one last time as it pinned Veledar to the deck, its claws diving down into the dragon's frame.

NO....PLEASE.....NOT AGAIN..... His eyes widened in fear, as his entire body felt numb. He could feel the tears already starting to well up in his eyes with each pained gasp as Dread Flame continued to tear into Veledar, splattering the dragon's blood over the wood. STAND UP! He gasped out, than screaming into the night air. However he could not find the strength to stand. THE DRAGON YOU LOVE IS GOING TO DIE YOU, USELESS IDIOT! The tears began to flow as Dread Flame tossed Veledar against the deck one more time, cracking it upon impact.

The creature from his nightmares bounded again to the dragon he loved. Teeth shining in the night, clear what it was going to do. Dread Flame was going to take yet another life this evening. His claws dug in, starting to pull Veledar closer towards him. "VEL......E......DAR!" the thing shrieked into the night air.

"Father?" Came an almost quiet small voice from his left. That made everything fade away.

Arcturus looked up to his side, to see the form of his son crouched over him. His eyes full of happiness as he looked over his form. "Veledar..." He grumbled, spitting out more blood.

""You're not going to let the nice dragon die, are you?"

Guilt struck his heart as he saw Geoffery look towards the pair of dragons. He tried to stand once again. "Veledar..." He gasped out, his arms shaking as he pushed himself up.

Geoffery placed his hands on him, along with a pair of more slender ones. Arcturus glanced to see Selina there as well. She was smiling at him without a word as her eyes looked to Veledar, and she gave him a knowing nod.

"I know you can do it, dad." Geoffery whispered, helping Arcturus raise his onyx sword from his sheath. He held it aloft in his hands, flanked on either side by his loved ones. The black blade lit up with a brilliant white as he felt the warmth of Bahamut fill his heart.

Veledar let out one last pained roar, as Dread Flame ripped into him.

Arcturus narrowed his eyes as he took the first boot step towards his dragon. His son and wife fading away into the night but not forgotten. He remembered all the long nights he had spend with them. The look of joy on their faces as they had spent the years together. The laughter they shared, and the love that he knew they had. His next step brought the journey he had taken thus far. The stargazing with the dragon currently dying within Dreadflames grip. The cuddling, the pain they had shared together. They warmness in his heart every time he looked on the glorious red dragon. He rose his sword back, speaking the words that would sheath his onyx blade with a dripping green acid as he picked up the pace.

He pictured his family getting torn from him by the monster in front of him. The pain it had caused him, and how it had tortured him for so long. Dread Flame you took my WIFE from me! You took my SON! You made me HATE dragons!" He quickened his pace towards the dragons. Veledar you brought light back into my life.....You made my days more beautiful....happy....I was lost....I will repay you for that....for the rest of my life.....you deserve to be happy! He let out a great roar as he closed the distance, it echoed into the night, sounding like it more belonged to a dragon than a man. "STRENGTH ACTIVATE!" He shouted out as his blade swung towards the great beasts armored forearm. He could feel the strength of a flame giant spring forth into his finger tips like a raging fire beneath his skin.

The green dripping blade sliced clean through the thing, than exploded with holy magic. He moved to the side with a strength he knew not he possessed, as the dragon missed him with a snap of it's metallic jaws. He swung his viridian sword again, this time it's blade cutting into the horrid thing's neck with a sizzling hiss. He tightened his grip as he focused on his dragon, now bleeding and broken before the metal monster. Today I cast you down. The blade exploded as holy energy ripped apart the shining armored beast. With a great crack it's neck was shattered in two. The large metal tube collapsed onto the deck with a thud, before falling over the edge of the ship. Arcturus breathed a sigh of relief for a moment, glancing down to his dragon.

Veledar was gasping for air, his chest hardly moving up and down. His head was sprawled backwards with his tan underscales painted in layers of dried blood. His eyes were closed, as his frills twitched weakly.

Suddenly the paladin was drawn back to the body of Dread Flame, as it stumbled backwards. THe metal creaked as cracks spread forth from the holes already blown into it. With a cracking of wood the deck below the thing gave way, and it tipped over backwards and tumbled towards the earth below.

Veledar! He practically threw his sword as he rushed to his dragons side. His hand already glowing from his magic.Please let my lay on hands be enough....please be enough. He placed his hand on the still gasping for air dragon's scales. The magic slowly flowing into him for only a few seconds, before the light faded. Arcturus looked up to find all the wounds still dripping blood, and Veledar still gasping for breath.

The dragon twitched weakly, and with a great cough spat up blood onto the deck. His frills all shuttered as his snout laid back down against the wood without a word.

Come on that cannot be it! He closed his eyes and focused, with all his might. His body started to feel heavy as the adrenaline was starting to wear off. His limbs felt sore, as tiny needles seemed to be poking every inch of his body. He focused on Bahamut, her mighty platinum scales. Just a little bit more....Just need to seal the wounds. He performed a cross pattern quickly with his left hand, uttering "Vokras ahran" as he did so. That's my last spell...let the cure be all that is required...otherwise.... He shook his head as the small amount of white glow radiated around Veledar, little bright sparks starting to heal some of his wounds closed. That the gods. He sighed, collapsing to his knees as the weariness of the battle washed over him.

It looked like all the wounds on the dragon had not entirely healed. However the blood was no longer dripping out of them, and Veledar's chest was rising and falling at a steady pace. Arcturus collapsed next to his dragon, taking a deep breath as he stared out into the cloud filled night sky. I did it. He did not try to fight the smile that had sprung to his face. He will live long enough...at least until Asterion gets here to heal him proper. He let out a loud relieved laugh, than grabbing his side as he felt a jab of pain. Worth it.

"You have saved me again." Veledar responded weakly, his tail thumping the wood below them. The dragon scooched closer until Arcturus was pressed against his frame. "Thank you, Arcturus."

"Shut your snout about that." Arcturus laughed,turning over and looking right at the dragon's cerulean eyes. He crawled in and planted a firm kiss right on his maw. His heart fluttering in his chest, like a thousand dragon's beating their wings. "I would do it a thousand times over if it meant to see you right here alive and well."

Veledar repositioned himself with a groan until he was curled up into a ball. His forepaw easily wrapping around the human with little resistance as the dragon pulled him into a cuddle. "And now we wait for the others." He sighed, closing his eyes.

"I am sure it won't be-"

There was a sound of an explosion, that roared out into the night air. Arcturus turned to see the form of the indomitus cracking in two before starting to drop to the ground below.

"I don't think they will be long." He sighed,removing his helmet, and resting his head on the dragon's scales. "We did it, Veledar..." he said softly.

"You certainly did it, my little human."