Encounter

The flames had already died down in the village, the slowly dissipating smoke being the only lingering aspect. Some structures slowly lost the strength to remain standing, stirring the ashes on the ground. The unruly sight of dead bodies, blood staining some parts of the village made the atmosphere heavy. Despite this, some merry voices could be heard from the center of the village…………… drunk merry voices to be exact. The source of the inconsiderate emotions was the only place that was illuminated by flame torches. The laughter was a clear mockery of the dead around them.

Most wore chest plate armor with silver helmets that left their faces exposed. The rest decided on having no armor on. They were neither soldiers nor knights, so silver armor wasn’t a priority. A large number had swords sheathed, others with crossbows and bows while the mages stayed free of any luggage. The only uniform factor in the large group was their flushed faces caused by the quantity of ‘divinity’ as they chose to call it in their systems. Only one in the group was truly sober. Sitting alone on one of the barrels thinking to himself. His armor was unique crimson red in color and obviously more durable than the rest. The fearsome look was further complemented by the scar across the left side of his face.

“Why haven’t those three idiots returned?” he asked glaring at the rest.

The entire group went silent, careful not to anger the one they called ‘boss’. “No need to worry. They just went hunting for some chicks………plus Ren’s with them.” One of them answered all ecstatic, ignoring their boss’s personal space. Angry the large man swung his left arm sending the drunkard flying into the wooden debris. “You don’t need to be that close to me to answer!” he exclaimed as he got up walking towards the darker ends of the village.

“How did I end up with a bunch of useless drunkards under me? From being the candidate for the highest honors to the boss of a bandit group.” He scoffed seconds before the moon’s light was obscured by a large moving object in the sky for an instance.

It landed a short distance from the village, sending a large cloud of dust upward obscuring any view of its large form. Two eyes, bright purple like flames opened seeming as if they were staring down at the village. None of the bandits made a move, all silent and grounded in fear. A single movement from the beings wings sent a large gust blowing away the dust surrounding it, revealing its form.

Two large horns sprout upwards like branches with projections forming an arch above its head. Black scales flowing downwards covering its entire body to its tail, glistening in the moonlight. Its tail had its tip adorned by purple flames that appeared like purple transparent linen. The boss hurried back to the group lest they did something foolish.

“I came here thinking it was a large conflict only to find it confined to one small human settlement.” The dragon thought to himself, looking down at the petrified humans below him.

. . .

“What am I to do with a human child?” he sighed out loud as he walked towards her unconscious form on the ground. “She’s injured greatly. Killing her would easen my dilemma but that would earn me an earful from Hades.” A green aura enveloped her body, the scars slowly disappearing.

“Even with that she’ll still be unconscious for a while. The pendant and barriers should keep her safe but what then?” he groaned walking out of the cave and looking up at the sky.

“I wonder if this is something major. If so, there is bound to be someone I can force to take her from there.” He stated with a grin.

. . .

“At least that was what I had in mind but……the only humans left here are those that would most likely bring her suffering. I really need to stop making promises.” While still in thought, a large explosion brought him back to the situation at hand. Could be bravery but ultimately foolish. They finally found the strength to attack him. Despite the magnitude of the spells sent at him, they never reached his scales. They all ended up hitting barriers ahead of him.

“And here I thought humans couldn’t be anymore foolish.” He sighed in his thoughts, his eyes glowing a deeper and brighter shade of purple.

. . .

“I was hoping to get here sooner but……………..” The boss’ thoughts got interrupted by the large explosions from their spells making him to grit his teeth in anger. They’d limited themselves to long range spells, the melee fighters standing contemplating on what to do. If they hadn’t attacked they could have avoided any backlash, though this was only the boss’ thoughts. “If I survive this I swear I’m retiring to farming back in the sticks.” He sighed to himself

“What’s done is done and backing up now isn’t an option!” He shouted to the melee fighters, a large crimson battle axe appearing in his grip in a bid to try and motivate them.

His words worked and they all drew their weapons going in for close combat.

“I have no obligation to do anything and could as easily just leave right now but…………….this level of skill is intriguing. A few centuries ago, the humanoid races couldn’t even cast an illumination spell after the world’s reorganization but now ………..” A bright flash dropped from above crashing into the barrier causing it to crack. The boss pushed the battle axe, applying more force and the cracks began to spread.

The dragon didn’t flinch. His eyes glowed a darker shade seconds before a large wave of energy sent everything across the village along its occupants and the debris. Most of his men had few injuries but the same couldn’t be said for the rest. A sharp painful cry rang across the village from one of them. A sharp piece of charred wood held him suspended through his chest. The blood slowly flowing down, another was crushed under large debris and for others, their fates had already been sealed. The boss got up from the ground, barely bruised, looking around him. His grip on his battle axe tightened as he turned to face the large beast ahead of which gazed down at them, with no emotion.

As a final bid, he raised his axe, the linings of its design glowing a pure silver as a red aura enveloped him preparing for a final attack. Once again the dragon didn’t seem fazed as the purple flames converged forming a sphere ahead of it.

“God slash!” the boss exclaimed, swinging his axe and sending a large cutting wave coinciding with the purple sphere’s completion before it was shot towards the oncoming wave. The two forces met in a violent explosion that destroyed the entire village, eating away at all it touched.