FSE

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Chapter 21

Alex Runetide Farren and Serafin sat on the hill each dragon holding their respective human with Uriel now in her armour stilling on Runetide's shoulder, checking her weapon and making sure she had everything in her backpack as they all talked, the camp below them, of course, it was never quite there where patrols and technicians, but now everyone was up and getting ready. Thousands of people getting into their combat or battle armour, weapons were being checked and equipment tested, pilots where making pre-flight tests and APCs and tanks were having their final checks done, riflemen and soldiers in combat armour were mounting up.

Uriel looked up at the skies and checked her comms, 'I have nothing on Dante, Sol or Luna she sounded concerned 'there not here, and we would know if Arious was, actually last I heard he wasn't even coming.'

'I'm not surprised' Runetide said.

'I'm sorry' Serafin did sympathize with Uriel, 'but we can't wait for them that attack will have to happen anyway, we still have many lycanthropes thought they would be running point along with the APCs.'

Alex could see the Lycanthropes from here most with their helmets off, talking to each other or checking weapons, and some of them talking to humans all of them were getting ready all of them getting ready to fight knowing what was at stake.

With Runetide Alex and Farren briefed on the final plan they all waited for the diversion force to be ready all the tanks were armed, APCs were loaded up, air support was ready, the lycanthropes were all wearing their armour holding their guns, Runetide and Serafin stood ready then Serafin walked to the front of the assembled men and woman. She did not say anything instead she turned to face the city that they were all about to attack, she handed Farren to Runetide then the bone like armour began to spread covering Serafin's whole body until she was covered in rough bone armour only her eyes were visible she slowly descended and he feet touched the ground and last but not least a massive flail like Morningstar appeared in her hand. The spiked ball at the end of the chain lit up bathing the front line of APCs and Lycanthropes in its flickering glow she raised it up and bellowed, 'charge' as she swung the Morningstar overhead in a deadly parabola, she charged forward gunships rose up and shot forward. The APCs revved their engines and the tanks roared their own reply and they joined the charge, the lycanthropes howled and charged each one of them keeping up with Serafin and Runetide the sound was deafening.

I breathed in deep the rain from the storm had soaked into the soil, petrichor I thought and smiled to myself.

Over the comms came the voice of Marcius, 'all unit's weapons-free give our new friends a warm welcome.'

Then he broke off giving each squad team and division their separate orders, 'division one set up a perimeter, all pathfinders find, and mark priority targets destroy them if able don't go taking unnecessary risks. Combat groups four and five and division three and four back them up. Combat groups one to three push forward immediately, deviations two and five support then your first target is the plasma artillery, stationed near the outer defensive positions then push up division six get the civilians out of their tanks your on flanks gunships lycanthropes go were your needed your support ok let's get it done people.'

Serafin reached the walls fist with the gunships above her providing air support hosing down identified enemy positions, with the APCs and light tanks close behind, the defenders were far from ready already being hosed with fire from the gunships, they cowered in there positions so, Serafin's first objective was to make a hole in the wall she swung her blazing Morningstar Infront of her sweeping away the hastily erected wall in front of her, then using the momentum of the swing she bought her weapon up and down on a forward outpost. She charged in roaring with Runetide close behind her the enemy started actually firing at her, but they only had infantry here Runetide, Serafin and the Lycanthropes made short work of their positions hastily put together with the assistance of the gunships.

The enemy was taken by surprise somehow and was not ready for the assault. The wall defences were slaughtered as there the barricades and defensive positions near the breach.

After a quick confirmation that the four of the twelve dragons were heading there way, Serafin and Runetide set off, Runetide was still holding onto Alex and Farren they set off to intercept and divert the attention of the dragon's, the other eight were holding position near the portal they didn't take any of the lycanthropes with them except Uriel who ran alongside them. Gun up ready to fire she jumped over and dogged around cars that had been left in the street, the dragon's rampage did not seem to have reached here.

Mark Petrov and Zain were all in there APC as it charged across the plain towards the city it was a minute of tense silence as they approached all of them praying that they wouldn't get hit on the way in, fire team Charlie sat opposed them then the driver gave them the thirty-second warning and pathfinder team alfa slid on their armoured gas masks Mark nodded to Charlie one, the ramp dropped and they all dismounted weapons up however there was no resistance, Serafin, Runetide and the Lycanthropes had left noting there some of the Lycanthropes were still there securing a perimeter there APC one of the first through the breach, so without a word pathfinder team alfa began their job they took cover in a building alfa one Mark using his wrist utility to bring up a map with the proposed route on it. Their job was to find where the enemy was hiding and mark priority targets, alfa one signalled and the pathfinder team set out keeping to the shadows and inside buildings using real-time data from the gunships the assist them.

By now the APCs light and heavy tanks were pouring into the breach hundreds of soldiers clad in combat armour dismounted and began their advance through the city proper with the light tanks but after the initial attack of the area dominated by the two dragons. They met resistance and the enemy had started to push tanks up the road, their tanks were very jagged and pointy unlike the smooth armour plates used by the UEDF, lucky due to the pathfinders the heavy tanks knew where the enemy tanks where before they knew the UEDFs heavy tanks where. Double-barrelled tanks dealing out death, the fight the enemy was putting up disjointed and panicked at best as if they didn't expect us to attack.

Combat team three, made up of six soldiers in combat armour were advancing up the road, firing their assault rifles concentrating on the enemies who put their heads up the enemy soldiers fire was sporadic at best the combat team's leader's HUD lit up with a warning, a gunship screamed into above them firing at them.

'Move' she shouted to her team they all dived for cover

Green lines of energy shot out of the nose of the gunship blasting holes in the already destroyed road and pavement, three one looked around as the gunship came around for another pass, with her night vision she could see the chunks missing from buildings and the claw marks from the dragon's rampage. Then the green energy shot out of the gunship again this time they were not all so lucky three-five their medic took a hit to the chest, it went through his armour, like butter his organs boiled then flash vaporized it was messy, then there was a howl a lycanthrope came around the corner gun up it fired at the gunship the first volley missed but as the gunship turned to face the lycanthrope the second volley slammed into the cockpit, the mass reactive rounds penetrating then exploding the gunship fell out of the sky and collided with a building, the lycanthrope nodded to combat team three it ran forward taking the fire from the entrenched enemy soldiers.

They moved at once, combat group three was eager to get into CQC. Though their amour may not have provided the same level of protection the force multipliers in the amour made up for it, the barricade was made from doors chairs and even a shopping trolly. Combat group three smashed through the barricades there where fifteen enemy soldiers cowering behind it combat group three got to work eager to avenge there fallen comrade, the enemy were slain to a man.

A little further on the heavy tanks played a deadly game of cat and mouse weaving in and out of cover and firing at each other, the roar of their guns reverberated throughout the city the sleek and low profile of the UEDF heavy tanks bringing much harder to hit but the fighting was heaviest three kilometres down the road.

There where hundreds of men and women fighting on each side the air was heavy they sent of rain, gunpowder, burning of plasma, fire from the light tanks, blood, screams of the dying and injured and roars of aerial battles between gunships and the howling of lycanthropes. But the UEDF was slowly ever slowly advancing down the road through the enemy had better weapons but the UEDF had more men, and better support, Lycanthropes howled and tore into enemy lines or else used their guns to devastating effect, they could even be used as mobile cover. Many gunships had been shot down but there was still plenty that could lend support as they mowed down the more suburban enemy positions inside buildings. The pathfinders were almost two kilometres ahead of the heaviest fighting, there where lighter skirmishers happening all around the main fighting force but with every second, they grew closer the portal the gateway way that would enable more dragons to come through.

Savanna charged into the breach gun up and firing, the enemy soldiers disappeared in clouds of red and shattered armour she grinned inside her helmet as the two dragons' ran off. She was for lack of a better term a lone wolf, though she didn't like being called that but as soon as the battle started she was off on her own, she was here mostly to save civilians, she followed the set peace battles she even helped setting up barricades along some of the more embattled areas, she also threw several cars into enemy lines. Her gun was even effective against tanks she fought alone side the humans and other Lycanthropes and slowly they pushed back the beleaguered defenders. Reaching the first plasma artillery batteries faster than expected, one good shot at the barrel did the job then went out to find civilians to save with the sixth division.

Omega one AKA Kim sat in his gunship, so did the rest of his squad and two-door gunners the attack on the enemy-held city had begun. Omega-three Josh the heavy weapons guy, omega six Will or 'mad dog', the demolition expert and omega ten, Tayla there best shot, they the only survivors of their previous encounter with the enemy, and now they had taken a city. This was going to be one hell of an engagement, everyone else in the team was replacements made up of other teams or squads that had been wiped almost to a man they didn't know each other well at all.

Omegas two, four, five, seven, eight and nine were equipped with the basic equipment, two and five had assault rifles, as did eight who was there medic, nine, four and seven had DMRs Josh had his carbine and RPG, omega six, Will 'Mad Dog' had his six-packs of C-4 and his shotgun, omega ten Tayla had her custom modified DMR. And on the forehead part of her helmet she had painted what looked like a bullet hole and next to it, 'headshots half price' and omega one had an experimental weapon based on the enemies a handheld gauss cannon. Their objective was lending support so they would be no storming the walls with everyone else, as the doors of the gunship closed and omega one felt the jolt of lift-off, he felt like he had butterflies in his stomach. he had fought the enemy before and it had cost him good man and women and his arm, omega one looked down and his now robotic left hand he or rather the hand clenched its fist.

He looked up at the members of his combat group, there matt black armour and what seemed for outsiders to be impenetrable visors, but omega one could see them each and every one of his group not by their faces but how they acted. Even now with the tension mounting and their gunship sped towards the enemy-held city they had, had two days to prepare so what did they have in store for them?

No one broke the silence even when the anti-air fire started, they heard the near impacts and the sounds of enemy gunships but Tayla stayed sitting relaxed. Mad Dog sat up slightly, Josh was doing a weapon check, omega seven, nine and four griped their seats, two, and five had also sat up ready to fight.

'Alright boys and girls get ready, it's chaos down there, but the artillery is giving everyone grief, so how's about we take it out?'

'Ace plan Deanna' omega one said, 'punch it.'

Their gunship peeled off from the main assault and sped towards the artillery positions, they landed a little distance from the positions no need the telegraph their positions. The side doors opened and each of omega teams members stepped out their weapon of choice in a ready position, it was pitch black outside, luckily night vision was a thing, each on the members of omega team scanned the area as the exited slowly once the immediate area had the all clear they set off, omega one bought up a map on everyone's Hud and marked positions for everyone.

'Tayla up in that building give us cover, they have two batteries each with three artillery pieces I will take omega two, four, and Josh the rest of you go with Mad Dog to those batteries and cover him. We need it taken out two minutes ago,'

'Yes sir' they all replied.

The parking spaces in front of and behind a shopping centre and been used to set the battery up all six pieces were set up on the top level of the parking space the charges they had would not be enough to bring down the parking lot, and Josh only had three rockets for his RPG. So Mad Dog needed to get close and get C-4 on the firing platform, the only problem the enemy had them three to one and they had heavy three weapons, teams, as well, the solution Tayla and Josh one Omega ones command they would fire. Providing a distraction then omega one and his team would act as distraction two so Mad Dog could get close and plant the charges.

'GO' omega one shouted over comms.

He heard the report on Tayla's DMR and the smoke trail from Josh's RPG, the explosion then 'EKIA' from them both that was two heavy gunner teams down, omega one, two, four broke cover and omega four pulled out a portable zipline, and set it up he aimed it carefully and fired. Then he made sure the cable was secure he nodded at omega one the cable was embedded behind a concrete wall, which would provide cover, and so would the many cars abandoned there.

The enemy and started to return fire with the tell-tale cracks like whips from their guns were Tayla and Josh had fired from they had started to move as soon as they had fired omega hooked himself onto the zip line and suddenly and suspended three stories up with nothing but the sky above and concrete below then he was one the other side then the enemy was in disarray their heavy weapons teams have been taken out by Josh and Tayla and how their men were dropping omega one was joined by two one four and then they opened fire four held back behind a concrete wall while one and two advanced firing and taking cover behind abandoned cars, the only problem they now had twenty-four enemy soldiers advancing on them firing relentlessly.

'Two flanking each side' Tayla's voice came over comms.

Omega four ducked out of cover and fired three shots, they all hit their mark one of the enemy soldiers flanking left dropped his chest plate cracked and blood pooling around him. the second one fired his weapon punched through omega fours visor and them most on omega fours came out the back of his head, omega two charged out of cover and unloaded his magazine into the enemy, shoulder he dropped dead.

'Fuck you' omega two screamed.

He was torn apart by enemy fire, Tayla took out one of the right with two shots to the head and omega one fired, his shot hit the chest plate of the enemy soldier his chest was obliterated, the enemy soldier dropped trying to hold in his organs that had already been shredded by the gauss round and his own splendid rib cage, there was a vwomp and the artillery fired.

The buildings that Tayla and Josh were in melted.

Omega one crouched behind cover 'fuck' he shouted

Neither of them even had time the scream as the enemy soldiers advanced darting behind cover and firing, omega one fired back but was running low on ammo and the enemy was not running out low on craniums. All things considered so far so good, omega one was providing a good distraction but he was surrounded, he wanted to fall back but there was no way he could, rounds from the enemy weapons hit his car and the cars around him shattering windows and crumpling the places they him in the bodywork of the car. Each time they fired there was a resounding crack.

'Charges are set' came Mad Dog over comms.

Omega one heard firing he chanced a look under the cars, all of the enemy soldiers were falling back to defend the artillery.

Omega one heard firing he chanced a look under the cars, all of the enemy soldiers were falling back to defend the artillery.

'Detonate-' omega one was cut off, the butt of a gun slammed into his helmet and the last thing omega saw one was were glowing red eye lenses of the enemy soldiers helmet, there was a crack and a sickening crunch.

Mad Dog saw that Mike, Omega one was pinned 'alright' he said, 'fighting retreat let's lure those bastards under their own guns then blow them sky-high,' he said.

'Let's get it done' Omega seven said.

'That's my man' Mad Dog said clapping omega seven on the back, 'once I've planted the last charge, I'll signal then you open fire.'

Omegas seven, eight and nine nodded they all found positions while Mad Dog plated the last charge.

'Open fire' Mad Dog shouted out loud then over comms, 'charges are set.'

He got static he pulled out the detonator enemy soldiers were closing on their position then he heard the wine of VTOL engines he looked up they were not friendly there was no way they were getting out of this one, he pressed the button the artillery exploded killing everyone and taking out one of the enemy gunships

Up in his troop carrier Marcius marked down on the holo map, 'that's two positions destroyed.'

There was smoke and there was gunfire gamma three was almost choking on the smell of blood she raised her weapon and fired and the enemy troops who were attempting to hold their position she saw plasma artillery rounds fly overhead, but without there, tanks there main group of enemy soldiers was almost in danger of being surrounded, from the advancing troops of the UEDF. Gamma five stood from behind his cover holding his RPG he pulled the trigger as three of the enemy soldiers rounds impacted her body her, body armour stopped the first shot the other two entered her body the projectiles shattering, shredding his insides he was dead before she hit the ground. But gamma three saw the aftermath of the RPG explosion there was a small crater and scattered around it where bits of the soldiers and the ones that had been close were showered in blood and gore, then Gamma three felt the heat from behind him she muted his coms she didn't turn to look at the charred bodies.

then three gunships screamed overhead all of them firing one was taken out the by a heavy weapon building position the strange green energy beam sliding through the ship like it was nothing, the other two gunships door gunners concentrated on where the beam had come from while the pilot fire round after round into the enemy positions.

Gamma three shouted a war cry 'terra etenum' she charged from her cover firing as she went the rest of Gamma team followed she ran for cover closer two the enemy positions then he saw it the burning hall of white-hot hatred, one of the gunships swerved to avoid it one of the door gunners screamed as his flesh was cooked.

'Fall back gamma team' then the ball impacted, six were instantly vaporized there screams cut off and the rest of gamma team lay writhing on the ground dead or dying, their blood boiled, limbs turned into blacked huskies their eyes were just gone but just before gamma three died she heard loud bangs, the enemy soldiers exploded and something grabbed her he looked one of the lycanthropes had her in one hand, it wasn't a dragon but this one in its bulky armour was almost seven meters tall big even for a lycanthrope.

'Get behind me' it shouted firing one-handed into the line of enemy soldiers, the gun was loud and made a booming report, she watched as enemy soldiers came apart, and the shrapnel killed impaled more of them.

Another one of the Lycanthropes this one where the standard armour came around the corner firing, it kicked up an overturned bus and using its foot slid is over to were gamma three was taking cover behind the other Lycanthrope.

'Stop taking cover behind my girlfriend, use this instead'

'Will do' gamma three said ducking between the bulky armoured legs of the female Lycanthrope, 'thanks.'

'No problem little guy' the Lycanthrope said turning and firing at the enemy soldiers who were not falling back, despite horrendous casualties.

Eventually, though they started to push the enemy back with additional support, then they started moving around the city picking up survivors of the worst fighting, and helping out when able gamma three dubbed them the lupine angles as they swept through the city. They had picked up twenty-one UEDF soldiers and many civilians, who had taken cover one the fighting had started, they gave the civilians over to division six.

'Alfa one' Marcius said 'I'm sending you coordinance, I need the rest of that artillery destroyed we have lost three teams to concentrated bombardment, the screams' he trailed off for just a second, 'use c-4 on the firing platforms to take them out.'

'Yes sir' alfa one replied 'we will get it done.'

Explosions lit up around the city, the main push was making progress and tanks duelled on the flanks, Lycanthropes sowed devastation for the enemy wherever they were, and the strange glowing balls of plasma lit up around the city and up above a duel in the sky raged between gunships, when the sun began to rise the clouds were stained red.

There were four dragons each around the same height that was to say a head shorter than Serafin, more around Runetide's height, they squared off the one leading them had yellow scales with her piercing blue eyes, the other three where except the white one, built like the black dragon. Heavy with massive demon-like wings frills and spines where the females had hair, and those strange digitigrade legs they were grey and mud brown with red and green eyes respectively.

A field of cracking red electricity surrounded Farren, Alex had it sword out Serafin's amour was catching her early dawn light her Morningstar held in one hand her armour had changed some tanks found out the hard way that the armour was adaptive it changed and melded depending on Serafin's needs, and as she was squaring up the four dragons the armour changed, it extended over her claws making them longer then it moved covering her upper body over her legs, the helmet receded Serafin was growling low and menacing, her lips pulled back in a snarl.

Runetide was crouched low in a combat stance Alex on her shoulder, Uriel sanding in the top of a building, and Farren was hovering next to Serafin.

'Well, well, well' the yellow dragon said, 'this is an exciting situation we find our self's in, however, we have numerical superiority, so I would suggest you surrender now.'

Serafin didn't relax, 'your young' Serafin said, 'stand down now, and we will let you go.'

'Can you count?' Runetide said, 'there's five of us.'

All the dragons started laughing 'you mean' said the white dragon with a deep strange accent, 'those little runts? I'll pick my teeth with their bones.'

Both Serafin and Runetide roared and attacked charging in before the dragons could ready themselves. Serafin's Morningstar slammed into the white dragon's chest, there was a crunch of breaking bone they disappeared in a collapsing building.

I looked around suddenly the yellow dragon was there she reached out I dropped below her hand and a blade of energy stabbed through her armpit, the dragon let out a howl of pain and surprise as the dragon recoiled I smiled then something hit me, I smashed through a window and a desk I sprang to my feet the yellow dragon was grinding her right arm dangled uselessly and bleeding from the wound.

'Come at me' she said.

I was a little unsteady but then I just ran and jumped out the window, the dragon's fist came to meet me I grabbed the top of her knuckle and rolled bolts of lightning came out my hands and hit her jaw burning flesh beneath the scales, she howled I leapt of her arm. Her hand caught me for a second time. My shield saved me, I closed eyes for a second to calm myself I sopped spinning the yellow dragon was still grinning, I rose slightly and caught sight of Runetide, Alex and Uriel tag-teaming the mug brown and the grey dragon, I was distracted for a second that was all the dragon needed her elbow slammed into my shield, it flickered then her hand was around she closed her hand, I was trapped. I was starting to feel the stress of using magic, I calmed myself then the shield collapsed

Runetide charged at the mud-brown dragon Alex leapt of Runetide's shoulder at the grey dragon, he went in low.

The mud-brown dragon was taken by surprise and with almost nowhere to go, he fell into a building as be backpedalled Runetide leapt slamming onto him she briefly saw Alex as he sliced off the fingers on the grey dragon before she returned her attention to the mud-brown dragon. she grabbed his shoulders and shoved him deeper into the building, the dragon dropped Runetide take by surprise was not ready for the first smashed into her jaw. She fell back she deflected a chunk of a building he threw at her but was to slow to avoid the knee, she dropped then jumped forward grabbing his waste. '

Uriel locked her gun to her back and leapt onto the grey dragon, tag-teaming it with Alex.

Alex went straight at the grey dragon it reached out instinctively he paid the price as Alex landed on the dragon's hand, slicing of off his fingers it roared in pain and surprise it waved it's arm in panic. Alex dropped off the arm and using a lasso of energy grabbed onto the corner of a building roof and Uriel landed on the dragon's shoulder knife out, she swung down stabbing the knife into the dragon's armpit.

Runetide was currently fighting the brown dragon, but as grey dragons undamaged fist followed Alex into the building, she grabbed it and kneed the stunned grey dragon. Alex ran along Runetide's arm and fell on the brown dragon.

Runetide pulled the surprised grey dragon into her elbow and showed him back into a massive spike made out of twisted remains of the city. she slammed a foot into him forcing she grey dragon further into the spike, Uriel swing back up and buried her knife into the grey dragons spine, Runetide wiped around, snatched Alex mid-air and through him towards the grey dragon then she moved to re-engage the brown dragon. He was bleeding from many cuts and his wings there shredded by his impacts into the building, she leapt upon him tearing out his throat with her razor-sharp teeth.

Then there was an explosion of energy Runetide was thrown off her feet, she managed to grab Alex with her tail she looked over at where it had come from, she watched Farren as he was thrown to the ground by the yellow dragon whose hand was deformed, the scales had been melted away than the burned flesh revealing bone.

Uriel put down the grey dragon with one shot point-blank to the head, then turned her sights to the yellow dragon.

Serafin slammed into the white dragon the building as it collapsed around them, Serafin's amour protected her. The white dragon had no such protection lucky this building was only around Serafin's height they came out the other side the white dragon was covered in small cuts. Serves her right Serafin grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up, she was barely above a child, she saw fit to cause other pain and suffering and end lives because she was bigger. But now the white dragon had come face to face with a member of her own race someone who could actually fight back, and she struggled in Serafin's grip. But he couldn't penetrate Serafin's amour.

Serafin using her other hand sliced through the white dragon's stomach with her armoured claws then she jumped up and smashed the back of the dragon's head into the ground. There was a crunch of bone and a splatter of blood, but Serafin wanted more she needed more, blood excited her senses the smell of fear she revelled in it she walked over to the body she let the smell of the other dragons blood overwhelm. her she kneeled and grabbed the dragons upper and lower jaw and pulled, until the lower jaw, with the tearing of flesh and muscle was came free.

'Try picking your teeth now' Serafin hissed, the red cloud descended over her, she had killed so many people and then she had threatened Farren, now this dragon was going to pay the price.

Then a wave of energy hit her, it broke the cloud of battle and she heard Farren's cries for help, his strength was fading fast.

I hit the ground the yellow dragon stood over me, she smiled and raised her foot and then bought it crashing down. I shielded myself she raised he foot again this time I was ready a lance of energy shot through the dragon's knee she hissed in pain, 'why won't you die?'

She bought her foot down, again and again, each time I got weaker the dragon's knee began to heal then she let out a howl of pain. One bullet had penetrated and exploded in her healing leg two had hit her back, but her magic had saved her then there was a crunch she made a horrible gurgling sound.

Serafin's Morningstar was buried in the side of the dragon's head, 'you first' she hissed.

She pulled the Morningstar free the other dragon fell back dead, blood gushing from the side of its head Serafin knelt down her amour receding from her hands as she scooped me up.

He sat up 'I almost had her' he said I laughed to cover my worry then I stood holding Farren I parted my jaws slightly and licked Farren gently, 'don't die on me ok?'

'Ew' I said wiping Serafin's saliva off myself Serafin looked over at Runetide, Alex then to Uriel.

'Thank you' she said, and she meant it.

Uriel just nodded.

'Secondary objective complete' Serafin said, 'you guys ready, I do believe we can provide some support.'

'Yes,' Alex said, 'follow me and Farren could you stop having a near-death experience every time we have a scrap?'

I nodded, 'no promises.'

Alex took off leaping through buildings, leading the dragons to where the fighting was thickest, exactly half a klick from the portal location. The UEDFs heavy and light tanks had begun flanking the last bastion of enemy resistance. the light tanks napalm-like fire jelly was very effective versus entrenched enemies but could not take a lot of Anti-tank fire. But that was when the heavy thanks came it they covered the APCs who were dropping off combat armour teams to the flanks, ready to storm the building if the dragons took too long. there was a lot of fighting and dying but there was no gunship support, the AA fire was too heavy, the enemy was holding out in the collapsed skyscraper they had no amour and no backup and yet they didn't surrender.

Marcius looked at the holographic display, pathfinder team alfa had just finished putting charges on the enemy artillery_why are they still fighting_ he asked himself, they have nothing to fight for, all their tanks where gone. Marcius clicked a button, and their artillery positions destroyed, by all estimates we will reach the portal within the hour assuming that they could get through the skyscraper blocking there path quickly. And with draconic support that figure dropped drastically, sure they had no gunships but still- then he saw it they had reached a crossroad they were spread out trying to push into the building to reach to portal there victory was inevitable was it and then the seismic tremors Marcius flashed back the attack on the camp the nagas.

Over comms he said, 'all units fall back it's a trap, combat teams cover the rifleman's retreat bring the light tanks up for suppression, heavy tanks, Lycanthropes get there now cover the retreat.'

Dam Marcius thought, overconfidence the lead forces were now caught up in a trap.

All the Lycanthropes stopped and started at a run for the diversion forces position, they were surrounded, close combat time Savanna through eagerly. She handed over the civilians to division six and headed towards the diversion force.

The tank crews knew that it was almost suicide especially the heavy tanks, they were relatively slow but they could absorb fire for the units falling back. Then the nagas bust from the ground hissing madly, and then out of the ground burst abominations fifteen-meter tall piles of flesh and bone sculpted to look like humans but they were grotesque and wrong looking proportions were off and their faces sagging piles of meat the tanks fired but the abominations seemed to just absorb it.

The Lycanthropes and tanks already there fired at the large abominations seeing the new priority targets, and newly arrived lycanthropes engaged the nagas it was a bloodbath.

The two lycanthropes and the twenty-one humans following them received the new orders.

'Sounds fun babe' the one in the stranded armour said.

'What do you guys think?' The one in the bulky armour asked the humans.

A few of them reloaded dramatically.

The one in standard armour shrugged, 'let's go.'

'Let's move it Lupine Angles' Gamma three shouted.

The nagas charged straight as the now hurriedly regrouping UEDF forces, they were being covered by the Lycanthropes but they there being fired upon from one direction and surrounded in every other by very angry two and a half four-armed half-human snake people. thought the Lycanthropes were doing their best their opening volley was all they were able to get off against the opposing abominations before having to engage the nagas again. The abominations attacked the tanks that were bogged down by the nagas, seemingly absorbing them into their fleshy mass.

Alex stopped, 'there's been a development' he said hurriedly, 'the distraction force in trouble there surrounded with no support they have more dragons.'

Serafin stopped 'you help them take Farren I'll deal with the portal.'

Runetide looked concerned, 'are you sure?'

'Yes,' Serafin said 'I'll charge thought, you help them, Marcius will be there to help soon hitting the enemy soldiers.'

'We will deal with the overgrown snakes' Uriel said looking at Runetide, Farren and Alex then they nodded Farren hesitating for a second.

Serafin looked a Farren, 'it's ok I will be fine just go kill some nagas for me ok?' she nuzzled Farren then handed him to Runetide, 'take good care of him once the distraction force is out even with them, it doesn't take two dragons to disable a portal.'

Then they all stopped, everyone stopped they heard the voice Aborwrath's voice emanating from around them.

_Serafin come to me, I will order my forces to withdraw if I die came and face me, on your own and we will settle this one and for all. _

'No' I said, 'Serafin I know what you're thinking, no that is beyond an obvious trap, don't go this won't end well.

'Farren' she said, 'this is my chance to end this once and for all, if I kill Aborwrath then it's all over this madness this slaughter, I will end I have to take this chance, we go to plan A now, keep Farren safe let's go.'

'I will Runetide' said.

And they took off on their separate ways Runetide taking Farren, Alex and Uriel the battle was being fought Runetide ran as fast as she could grabbing onto the edges of buildings to swing around them they almost flew around a corner and as they got close to the fighting they could see more and more of the dragon's rampage. Cars lodged in buildings or squashed flat massive footprints in the roads and sidewalk there were also leftovers scattered everywhere, they reached the outskirts of the fighting it was complete chaos. The UEDF forces had tried to retreat but the nagas had been too quick, it had devolved into a vicious melee, the UEDF forces were scattered and surrounded, the tanks would not fire the risk of friendly fire was to grate. but they could fire on the abominations drawing their attention away from the infantry, but they just seemed to absorb the tank shells this was how it was this going to end would Serafin would win then Aborwrath's forces would withdraw.

Serafin ran into the flat plane smashing through then enemy's fortifications, she looked around her eyes wide this is where the dragons had taken the civilians. Aborwrath sat in the centre just in front of the portal holding three humans in one of her hands and two in the other.

'Aborwrath' Serafin shouted, 'leave them alone it's me you want me leave them out of this.'

Aborwrath looked up the three humans in one hand screamed as she crushed them, she stood popping the other two humans in her jaws.

'No' Serafin cried reaching out as if she could help them.

Aborwrath swallowed them whole one after the other.

'Disembowel me and maybe you can save them' she smiled.

'Gladly' Serafin said and 'then I will rip your arms and legs off slowly.'

'Your emotions make you weak Aborwrath said they make you predictable.'

'But my friends make me strong.'

'They do not matter to me you are the only one who matters besides there not here now take that armour off let's decide this.'

Serafin snarled 'I didn't say I needed them to beat you or my armour' Serafin swung her Morningstar above her head and charged at Aborwrath she just stood there, Serafin brought the Morningstar down at Aborwrath aiming for the head at the last moment Aborwrath dogged it and slammed a fist into Serafin's elbow Serafin howled in pain, her Morningstar flew out of her hand Aborwrath's knee impacted Serafin's gut she doubled over Aborwrath slapped her and Serafin fell to her knees.

'You are beaten and alone' Aborwrath hissed 'I win again now watch your friends die.'

Runetide roared the nagas all stopped and turned the UEDF took this advantage, bullets were fired the ceasefire didn't last long Alex leapt straight into the fray and started dismembering nagas making his way towards the quickly dwindling number of UEDF troops and Lycanthropes who were holding the line Runetide rushed into the fray crushing with her feet and using parts on nearby buildings and her magic to kill them by the score a distraction was what the distraction force needed they started to try and fallback then the Lycanthropes began to target the abominations as the attention was now directed at Runetide one of them fell to the lycanthrope's gun's

The humans around the two lycanthropes held off the nagas in a tight cercal one each time a member needed to reload he or she would fall back and the cercal would close formation and open up again when the solder was ready to fire again one was not too lucky he was grabbed and pulled into the crowd of nagas.

Gamma three was powerless to stop the naga dragging her he tried to fight back but it buried a knife in his chest well this is it she thought I had a nice run Gamma three felt strangely calm about the whole thing he heard a howl suddenly she was covered in naga blood and remains and a hand wrapped around her this one had thinner armour on its hands.

'For the love of god do you have a death wish?' the male lycanthrope said, but he could hear the smile.

He ran back crushing nagas in his wake as he fell back to the circle then he put gamma three on the female lycanthropes shoulder.

'Stay there don't die ok?'

Then there was a scream two more members holding the line fell, the Lycanthropes looked down for a second, nagas were coming in breaking their defensive line. The humans were getting torn apart gamma three started firing at the nagas, getting to close but there were too many the Female and male Lycanthrope dropped their guns and pulled out their knives, slashing the Nagas and crushing them with their feet, but they could only hold out for so long before they fell the female died one hand holding her partners and one curled protectively around the human.

'Pilot I want this transmitted to access the enter UEDF comms' Marcius said.

'Yes sir' the pitot said

They were all there and accounted for twelve massive low orbit dropships flying in arrowhead formation, massive metal boxes with wings two decks all able carry hold fifty men and woman plus tanks and act as field command.

'Ladies and gentlemen' Marcius shouted, 'today is the day we fight not just over borders or for someone else, today we fight for everyone we fight for every man woman and child on this here planet. we fight so that they can live.'

'Yes sir' came the reply from everyone.

'We won't stop fighting until every one of filthy scaled beasts is dead.'

'Sir yes sir.'

'And we are' Marcius said, kicking it up a notch.

'We are the united earth defence force' every single soldier yelled in reply.

'Well then get ready we drop in sixty.'

'Terra etunum' everyone yelled as they began their final checks. they were going to drop into the enemy, they had played their last card and now it was there turn. 'Pilot one I'm rerouting you for you tank drop off.'

The ramps doped open wind screamed in 'go, go, go' Marcius shouted over comms as one they all ran and jumped the light tanks followed them.

The wind screamed around them and the ground rose to meet them as what seemed like a million black dots starred towards the ground

Two of the three abominations fell to Lycanthropes four of them bringing it down by severing its tendons the removing its head the remaining abomination charged at Runetide she backed up trusting that Alex could handle himself the made sure the monster followed her till she reached a main square it was a wide-open space perfect she thought.

Runetide waited she had given Marcius the coordinance they should be here soon- spike hit the abomination in the chest it grunted then he screamed as his chest began to melt blood bone and flesh became one and the abomination folded in on itself Runetide. turned three heavy tanks came around the corner with experimental ammunition developed with the help of Serafin.

Runetide turned grinning, 'Marcius and Serafin my lord and saviour' she muttered to herself.

Then even more surprises a gunship came screaming out on the sky's and Runetide recognised it, it was large and boxy but it was deep to carry humans its belly opened the three lycanthropes dropped out Luna's her armour thin but allowing for increased mobility Sol her thick heavy armour weighing her down slightly but offering a lot of protection and Dante who sat in between each of them landed Sol's impact shook the ground there guns were up.

Alex's arms hurt put he kept going wade through the dead and dying, the only reason he was still alive was magic but his runes were running low.

'Get in here we need those gunner positions taken out.' he shouted over his commlink to the tanks.

The tanks revved their engines and with pre-allocated targeting solutions charged in and as they ended the centre of the crossroads fired and entrenched the nagas began to fall back there moral broken Runetide drenched in blood came around the corner with three very strange tanks behind her then ran straight at the enemy entrenched positions ripping away there cover and killing them mercilessly Alex helped finish off the last nagas with the Lycanthropes who had plenty of their own dead after that battle there massive bodies acting as landmarks even when bodies lay almost three meters tall in some areas being used as improvised defensive positions that doesn't matter now, Runetide was tearing the enemy apart the Lycanthropes took this reprieve to reload and rearm.

All Alex wanted to do was sit down he exhausted mentally and physically but then he saw Runetide and Farren still fighting 'Once more' Alex shouted charge the UEDF rallied around Alex the lycanthropes all of them rallied to him as Runetide smashed her way through the fallen skyscraper they charged combat armour at the front riflemen behind all though their humans here severely depleted and some here injured they charged they had been fighting for the last two hours and still they dug deep even though they had stood thousands strong and been reduced two a few hundred they should and charged.

yelling 'Terra eterum' and yet the scream died on their lips the as skyscraper remains disintegrated under Runetide's magical and physical attacks behind it was a firing line of enemy soldiers with eight dragons 'turn back now' one of the dragons said 'this fight is between Serafin and Aborwrath.'

'Nun my interrupt if Serafin wins we leave.'

The Lycanthrope's raised their weapons there were only twenty left now they were battered and bruised but still they would fight.

They all heard Serafin 'don't sacrifice yourself for me fall back, get reinforcements there need not be more blood spelt today don't die for me.'

Farren didn't move the dragons parted and he saw Serafin on her knees, 'go' she said.

'I told you it was a trap' I said.

'Well it's a bit late now' Serafin smiling, 'go now live to fight another day'

Farren didn't move then he felt a white-hot pain and then black.

'You are weak predictable' Aborwrath said lifting Serafin up by her throat, 'for someone how says their friends make you strong, you do seem to send them away when you need them the most. You even sent Farren away to save him, an adorable if pointless gesture as now I am going to kill you then your friends then this world.'

Aborwrath dropped Serafin 'but how to kill you? well, first things first' small blue lights came on around the cleared area 'no surprises we don't want to be interrupted now do we?'

Serafin was too busy choking to reply, Aborwrath dropped her.

Aborwrath hunkered down in front of Serafin 'well I bet that didn't go to plan' Aborwrath gloated 'you're here with me I'm going to kill you then.'

Serafin looked up at Aborwrath 'for someone who says they're going to kill me, you do seem to let go an awful lot.'

Aborwrath laughed, 'oh no, no, no not this time this time you die you have become boring and predictable.'

'let's just see about that' I said walking out from one of the buildings inside the rune shield.

Aborwrath looked surprised, 'wait you're not supposed to be here she sent you away.'

'humans are stubborn like that' Serafin said getting shakily to her feet.

'Also, I like super hate you' I said to Aborwrath.

'I worked it out' Serafin said, 'that's how you get me on my own, well this time I brought my friends and this time I'm going to fucking kill you.'

Aborwrath looked concerned it was an emotion she was not used to she didn't like it, she realized she was going to have to fight no bluffs with Farren there. She should have known as soon as Runetide showed up after Serafin told her not to, Aborwrath didn't make many mistakes this lead to her becoming overconfident.

Serafin smiled, 'you should have killed me when you hand the chance.'

Runetide materialized out of Serafin's shadow, she was bleeding from various cuts, and she had a bad gash on her shoulder she was exhausted, but she crouched low in a combat stance Uriel at her feet gun raised.

Aborwrath growled low, 'how did you get in here where are-'

'Well' Runetide said, 'it was like this.'

'Step aside' Runetide said.

'It's eight on one' the lead dragon said this one had light green scales. Then all hell broke loose hundreds of black armour clad figures dropped landing on the top of buildings in the streets, and they bought tanks, then Runetide heard a strange whistling sound.

'Wall' Marcius shouted at Runetide, Runetide raised a shield seconds before the missals impacted, there was a colossal explosion, debris flew out and hit the shield a cloud of dust billowed out. Runetide lowered the shield and waved her hand clearing the dust from the air.

'Unfortunate' she said six of the dragons made it out and Aborwrath and had raised a shield, also they wouldn't even know what had happened, the two abominations started towards Runetide the six dragons roared. Bullets fired as dragons tore into the humans and lycanthropes Runetide and Alex joined the fray.

Savanna leapt up straight at one of the dragons, he was distracted with two humans. She unloaded a clip of ammunition into his chest pulping his insides, she let out a howl, the remaining dragons were engaged Runetide, Uriel, Alex and the Lycanthropes nearest them, she watched as another dragon fell mass reactive tank shells from her fellow Lycanthropes impacted and obliterated its knees, then a third slit its throat, she left them to it she began he help with the evacuation helping move the more severely injured humans and rescue those who had become trapped.

'Hanging out on the moon' Runetide said, 'slash a very well timed ICBM and dead good job on jackal teams behalf and the Lycanthropes though most of them are dead and a very inventive Serafin nice rune now speaking of dead' she turned to Aborwrath.

She capped her hands the shield flickered and Dante Sol and Luna charged in guns up

'I'm ready how about you' Aborwrath said.

Three more dragons dropped out of the sky.

All ten of them attacked at once Runetide and from the front and Serafin and Farren from the right, Lycanthropes, Seri'es, Kira, Link, and Morgwath from behind.

Serafin leapt on Aborwrath pinning her to the ground, 'in you last few moments you will be begging for your pathetic life' Serafin spat.

A wall hit Serafin and she was thrown off golden lighting arched from my hands it hit Aborwrath as she tried to stand, she was off balance Runetide slammed into Aborwrath. but she managed to pull her feet in and rack her claws across Runetide's belly, she howled in pain.

Uriel fired at Aborwrath 'don't touch her you bitch' she yelled, but the bullets simply didn't hit their target they just stopped min air.

Then Seri'es cannoned into Aborwath as Serafin stood Kira and Link each grabbed an arm

I ran leaping surrounded by cracking energy distracted by Uriel's gun, two lances of energy pieced Aborwrath's body then Seri'es and co slammed the writhing Aborwrath into the ground pinning her there. Serafin smashed her foot down on Aborwrath's arm she screamed in pain but was pinned by my lances and four dragons. Ss Morgwath grabbed her legs, Uriel pointed her gun into Aborwrath's face then something hit me.

Dante couldn't get a good shot in 'combat knifes' he said they locked their guns to their backs and charged at the same time as Runetide, as everyone holding her was thrown off.

Runetide charged at Aborwrath as the got to her feet Runetide went for the head leaping up and summoning a pillar to slam into Aborwrath's head, but she saw the ploy she ducked under the pillar then Runetide mid-air slammed her foot into the pillar. Turning it into a thousand tiny shards that flew at Aborwrath, she summed a shield they impacted and disintegrated. Serafin slammed into her claws raked across Aborwrath's side and she roared in pain, Serafin tried to slam a foot down Aborwrath's knee but she was too quick she dodged it and her tailsmashed into Serafin's chest, Serafin went down Morgwath caught her before she hit the ground the other dragons were circling then the Lycanthropes leapt at Aborwath, Uriel among them Runetide tried to stand Aborwrath's slammed a foot into her ribs and whipped around and intercepted Dante and Sol, she caught Dante mid-air with her elbow, he went down Sol got her knife out and fired two shots from her sidearm as Uriel and Luna attacked, Aborwath's tail hit Luna her armour cracked then Aborwath grabbed Uriel out of the air she held her. Using her other hand she pinned all the dragons to dirt, ground except Kira and Link who both ran Aborwath she flicked her tail and they both dropped roaring in pain their knees broken.

Luna was not moving but she was alive, Sol and Dante were getting back to their feet and Aborwrath held Uriel smiling a cruel smile.

'Ah, ah, ah' Aborwrath said to the group at large, she let Alex work at the portal it was linked to a revers dead man's switch, after all, Uriel squirmed in Aborwrath's grip.

'Hey Runetide, you like this one, don't you? is she your favourite? aww, she is cute' Aborwrath said removing Uriel's helmet 'she will have to go sadly.'

Runetide hissed and spat, 'don't you fucking touch her.'

Everything came back into sharp relief I sat up and Aborwrath's hand closed around me and she lifted me up 'now Farren I do like you.'

Her eyes to me suggested otherwise she turned holding me and Uriel, Aborwath looked at Serafin and Runetide they were pinned to the ground she didn't even glance at the other dragons

'This is a familiar scene isn't it?' and I flashed back Aborwrath holding Anna, 'I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough.

Aborwrath shook me 'And now you're going to die'

She looked at me then back to Serafin, 'what was that about friends? even Alex over there won't be able to close the portal in time.' she took a step forward both the Dante and Sol looked ready to fight Aborwrath, waved a hand Sol was thrown back and Dante was forced to the ground, Aborwath pinned him beneath her foot.

'I just don't like you that much, you're the leader type.'

'NO' Serafin Runetide and Sol screamed.

Aborwrath crushed Dante we all herd the grown of his armour and his last agonized screams, Aborwrath grinned enjoying the pain that she was causing. Feeling the weak body give way beneath her, the look's on dragons faces, then her hand slowly began to crush the human and the lycanthrope she liked their pained cries, and the feeling of the Lycanthropes armour giving way.

Aborwrath grinned, I heard a snap and a thump, Runetide screeched, 'NO ABORWATH FUCK YOU.'

True strength comes from the inside I thought I searched for the want the need to protect the people I loved my mum, my sister, ghost, Maggi, Uriel, Luna, Dante, Sol, every one Serafin, Serafin golden light exploded around me. I remember only flashes Aborwrath's smug face widening with horror Serafin, Runetide Seri'es and Morgwath standing and despite their broken ribs, and the blood flowing from their wounds charging at Aborwrath. I felt Aborwrath's scales melt under my hands but were they my hands I was dimly aware of Aborwrath's screams then I woke up I was standing on the ground.

Aborwrath was staggering back screaming in pain, I had done that?

Then an unfamiliar dragon scooped me up as Serafin, Seri'es, and Sol advanced on Aborwath.

Seri'es jumped forward and struck Aborwath in the chest she grabbed his fist and retaliated sending Seri'es stumbling back, Serafin opened her jaws and fire washed over Aborwrath then Sol took aim and fired, Aborwath was torn apart there was a shout from Alex.

I could see why the portal had started glowing around the edges.

Aborwrath's last words choked out, 'I love you, Serafin.' Serafin stopped on her face.

'Fuck you,' she spat on Aborwrath's corps.

Sol fired a few more rounds into the body then Runetide collapsed to the ground moaning in pain looking at Uriel's broken armour, tears streaming down her face.

'They're coming through we need to delay them' Alex cried from the centre of the cleared ground, the edges and facets of the portal were glowing now.

Luna stood shaking her head her helmet had come off she was wounded clutching her chest, all her armour plates were scared and dented a chunk was missing from her chest plate.

'I'll do it' She said hefting her gun, Serafin nodded at the new black dragon he put me down.

Serafin shook her head 'I'm finally free' she said, 'Aborwrath is dead I get to do this one thing with my freedom or maybe not.' Serafin smiled sardonically then she looked at Farren, her eyes were sad but full of determination as she kneed down she gently caressed Farren's face with a finger.

'I'm sorry Farren' she said, she was still bleeding still in pain.

In that instant, I knew what she was going to do.

I could feel the tears in my eyes as I gently held her finger, 'don't go I almost cried.'

Slowly Serafin stood nursing her ribs 'there's no other way you, we need more time, I'll buy it for you ' she said haltingly.

'Serafin' I said, 'no.'

Serafin looked at me one last time, 'Farren' she said, 'I love you.'

Just for a moment, our minds met.

_Serafin, I have always I just didn't know how to say it. _

Serafin's eyes were brimming with tears,Farren we will see each other again in this world or the next but know this I will always love you.

Those words hit me like a sledgehammer I fell to my knees as Serafin turned and leapt into the portal roaring defiantly she changed straight into the hoard of screaming dragons. I screamed too the tears running down my face I stood and ran straight at the portal but Luna grabbed me.

'Don't be stupid' she said, her red eyes flashing.

I was beyond council there was a flash of golden light Luna dropped me howling in pain my new from grew around me and I charged straight at the portal. but I was to slow, just to slow Alex finished the counter runes and the portal winked out of existence. Aborwrath, she would never again darken this or any other plaint with her presents she was dead. Runetide was injured she would recover Alex Sol and the three new dragons would recover as well but Dante, Unirle, Serafin they were all gone, gone forever.

My avatar collapsed I was on the ground on my knees her pain, I cried tears streaming down my face 'they ripped her to pieces.'

Luna knelt beside me, 'she saved us, saved everyone here and countless trillions on other worlds.'

'But why did she have to die?'

Runetide sat up unsteadily she stepped over to where Luna and I were sitting, with Morgwaths help which she accepted it was only one step, but it was unsteady she hesitated, 'that was her choice.'

'But why she's gone now' I stood on shaky legs covered in dust dirt and blood, Luna supported me as we all walked towards a waiting gunship, with Sol carrying Dante Runetide held Uriel, Morgwath and Seri'es stayed behind to deal with their own injured.

Runetide's turned back to Uriel tears once again in her eyes she gently scooped Uriel up, the tears were now streaming down her face too, then Uriel coughed Runetide's eyes lit up, 'you're alive' she shouted holding Uriel to her chest.

'N-not if you crush me' Uriel managed.

Runetide laughed still crying, 'don't you ever scare me like that again.'

Uriel coughed 'now this armour off me, it hurts.'

Gamma three sat down he was exhausted she removed her helmet she, had survived somehow by some miracle. Those to Lycanthropes they had saved her but why? her that had been so many others.

Interlude 6

Dante's Funeral was held three days later, there had so many funerals, so many people had died too many people had died. Crying children, wives, husbands, brothers and sisters. They had all gathered as we had at Dante's funeral, all of them united in grief for loved ones. It was like Sol said no one wins in a war not people like her, certainly not the children who had lost fathers, mothers, older brothers and sisters. But hopefully, something would grow from this, the people on Archericon had always hated dragons and yet it had been a dragon who had saved them. and maybe Lycanthropes would be more included they all fought and died together, maybe out of all this grief something will grow, something beautiful.

I didn't recognise many people or Lycanthropes there but we were all untiled by one thing, grief I didn't know Dante that well and our first meeting could have gone better, but still, the way he had died. I could still see the triumphant grin on Aborwrath's face I stood next to Luna, she cried, I comforted her Runetide did the same for Uriel and Sol, after the funeral I went home that had taken the last of my emotions. After that just felt nothing inside, my mum and dad knew the cure for such a feeling just some TLC, Luna Runetide Uriel and Alex came over sometimes they, and my parents were basically the only people I would talk to. They all understood what I was feeling. We would talk to each other for long periods of time and sometimes we would sit in silence enjoying each other's company.