FSE

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chapter 9

Serafin frowned down at me,

'what?' I asked.

'Well, I have magic detecting runes all around this state to make sure that if anything happens I know about it and about five days ago I got a small blip and I went to investigate, whilst you were at school and there was nothing there but I had my suspicions.'

She breathed in deep her belly rising and falling, 'well something tells me the preverbal faecal matter is about to hit the preverbal fan and I think I know who just came Ito visit, but back to telling you why I'm here where was I?'

'The dragons dominus I say,'

'Yes right' Serafin said 'so they decided that they wanted to rule their own world as well as others so after the initial attack everyone who wasn't insane stated a resistance and our world became a battleground, we fought for a long time I couldn't tell you how long it all just blurred, but one day stands out the day Aborwrath destroyed' Serafin stopped.

I sat there in awe 'how are you alive? what happened on the other worlds? did she destroyed them to?'

'I survived because of these' Serafin taped her shoulder, I saw blue shimmering marks.

'what are' those I asked.

'Trans-location runes, they allow for instantaneous transport anywhere on the planet they where use early in the war for surprise attacks Aborwrath, she wised up fairly quickly but they also work as a last resort these runes moving you to a randomized location, I'm here because the magic released from destroying my homeward boosted the effectiveness by at least ten thousand to the power of ten.'

'Cool, I said perplexed.'

'That's ten with ten thousand zeros after it and I have the commander Rune, which means everyone else inscribed with these specific runes will follow me all the different teams had their own.'

'Huh,' I said, 'that's interesting but also, ten thousand zeros that's a lot.'

'It is' Serafin said, 'however it transports you somewhere random which means-'

'Oh no,' I interrupted 'that means that' I stopped horrified.

'Thousands of us' Serafin finished, 'killed by Aborwrath in a moment of insanity and most of us didn't even get the chance to die on our home planet, transported into the black void.'

'Isn't there a chance that there are others that are still alive' I said, desperately trying to find a positive.

Serafin shook her head sadly, 'even if they did which I doubt they did how would we contact them? how would I even know where they are? where to look? No, I think they're all gone excepting the ones on this planet but they betrayed us to Aborwrath, I don't know when but there going to come through and don't know if I'm even ready to try to stop her and her army again I haven't even tried to gather up a resistance' Serafin sighed, the only reason the I and my friends are able to survive is because Runetide refined the runes so they only transport you to inhabitable planets, it was a just in case thing that she did none of us actually thought that she would do it.

Serafin sighed again I rubbed her belly 'its ok Serafin I say.'

'Well, that depends on who you ask' she said, 'I always figured that I would have at least the other three dragons to help but have thrown in there lot with Aborwrath and there is another, but we haven't spoken in a long time and now the other three, they will be busy setting up a portal to bring her to hear they think they're helping the fools and after that, we get to fight back.'

'How' I ask intrigued.

'The same way I always do ill show up tell the people with the big guns here to point them, then I and my well' she paused 'group part take in guerrilla warfare, shock and awe attacks against the other army, the assassination of human and draconic targets raids and the like.'

'Sounds like a sound plan.'

'You would think that, but the problem is that Aborwrath has humans and others at her disposal to, very rarely are we evenly matched, slowly she will grind us down adding to her army's.'

'army's?' I asked.

'She has Amy's at her disposal of human and others, she will send them in waves than when were exhausted she will send in the dragons, guerrilla warfare does work so well on dragons unless there on their own.'

'why not?' I ask.

'It's very hard to ambush a dragon, besides there are a lot of them'

'How many?' I ask.

'A few hundred' Serafin said

'And what' I ask, 'we try to hold but, in the end, we have to abandon the fight and find another planet, fuck that's depressing.'

'its sure is' Serafin said smiling.

'What if we shut down the portal?' I asked, 'like before she comes through?'

'Well,' Serafin said that could work but-' then there was a splash and some cursing Serafin's head wiped around she grabbed me rolled over and crouched down.

'hay. -'

Serafin raised a finger to her lips she gently lowered me to the ground she listened intently for almost a minute.

'human' she whispered.

'Should I go and deter then?'

Serafin nodded

I walked around the corner, 'you ok there?' I asked.

The human was just a bit older than me and he had fallen over into the water, then I recognised him

He looked over towards me 'yep I'm Fine' he said he was soaking wet his sandy hair plastered to his head

'You lost?' I asked him, keeping my distance

'Quite actually yes, my friend said this was a short cut.'

'Look I know I'm a bit of a dick to you but I'm a little lost could you please help me?'

'Well I hate to break it to you, but this is a dead end.'

Fins face fell 'are kidding me?'

'No.'

'Dam' he said, 'do you know a way out from here?'

'I do' I said 'let me show you the way'

'Thanks,' Fin said, 'look again I'm so sorry I just hope you don't hate me.'

'Ok,' I said I did hate him, but there was no way I could let him see Serafin.

I took the lead and Fin followed me, back then a blue rune appeared on his throat.

Time slowed I tried to turn to run I tried to call Serafin's name, but it was two late he clamped a hand around my mouth.

'Stop moving' Fin hissed in my ear, 'also my names Alex, I just wanted to apologise for being a dick.'

It was not much consolation because it seemed like he was trying to kidnap me, so I slammed my foot onto his foot he yelled in surprise and pain, Serafin chose this moment to appear stepping out from around to corner at her full height towing over both of us casting a shadow.

She growled deep in her throat 'what is the meaning of this human.'

Alex looked perfectly charm, 'Serafin' he said, 'I did always want to meet you.'.

Serafin was taken aback, 'what?'

'I know who you are, and you should know my friend too.'

Serafin had just enough time to growl, 'Runetide'

Out of the water another dragon burst to grab Serafin from behind this one though had a blue-grey skin like a dolphin this was about as much as I could register before Serafin wiped around and let out an ear-splitting raw of pure rage, she grabbed the other dragons shoulder her claws went through her skin like butter dawning pained cries from the other dragon Serafin slammed the other dragon viciously into the cliff.

'Traitor' she cried

A rock twice the size of me hit the ground next to me, I realized I was in genuine danger I turned to run but the Alex was there I tried to punch him but he just grabbed my hand then pushed me back I staggered and he leapt back Serafin's foot hit the ground where I had been seconds ago.

Serafin felt Runetide's grip loosen and Runetide kneed Serafin in the ribs she staggered back, looked down there was Farren she had almost crushed him she should have known better than to Runetide's fist impacted her jaw and she was falling she saw Farren, she twisted to avoid falling on him the world came back into sharp relief, she had landed directly on her shoulder the pain was excruciating Runetide was standing over Serafin, she lashed out with her legs and hit Runetide in the knee, she roared in pain staggering back Serafin got to her knees hissing at the pain in her shoulder but the blond kid had Farren she wiped her tail around the question was who would stop first? would the blond kid drop Farren? or would she kill them both? it was a calculated risk.

Alex had Farren in a chokehold, he had expected Serafin so stop once she saw that her pet was in danger however they had to comply underestimated her for the second time in under a minute Alex shoved Farren away and dropped to avoided being pulverized he saw Serafin grab Farren with her good arm.

Serafin was in pain she was bleeding from several cuts, that last punch had knocked out some teeth and her left arm dangled uselessly, she held Farren protectively to her chest she could feel his heartbeat it was fast she looked left and right Runetide was leaning on the cliff for support her hair matted with blood and large gashes in her skin where she had cut her, Alex was mostly un-hurt but he didn't look like he was going to start another fight but Serafin didn't go for the kill.

'Tend to Runetide I'm not going to but I can't just kill her' she said to Alex, trying to dismiss the pain she was in.

Runetide slid down into a sitting position and looked up at Serafin she coughed up blood, Alex Started to walk hesitantly.

'Go!' Serafin said fiercely.

Alex started to run towards Runetide, Serafin and Runetide shared one last look

'Follow me' she said, 'when you're ready.'

Then Serafin put Farren on her shoulder, she hoisted herself up the cliff using her good arm, Serafin was tired all she wanted to do was sit down but she needed to shut down the portal.

She blinked and they were there the twins and the big black dragon himself, she grabbed Farren again.

I was shiting myself 'how did they do that?' I asked Serafin.

She didn't answer she just seemed to sag she put me down and wiped the blood from her jaw, she was still bleeding from cuts to her chest and back and ruined shoulder she looked up at the three dragons that had just materialized out of nowhere the twin azure blue scales with golden eyes only just taller than Runetide and the massive black dragon, his wings unfurled blocking out the sun he was taller than Serafin by ahead and he would have been even taller but his legs were digitigrade, but that mattered not he was just standing there he didn't say anything neither did the twins, Serafin spoke first.

'Just let him go' she said quietly.

The black dragon shook his head, 'what was that?' he asked sarcastically

Serafin was shaking, 'just let him go, kill me just don't hurt him.'

As I heard this my stomach dropped, 'Serafin no' I said desperately she looked down at me.

'Farren you need to go' she said sadly.

I didn't move I gently touched her finger, 'Serafin' I said, 'I don't want to go' she pulled her hand away.

'Just go' she shouted as she started to stand.

I was shocked, Serafin stood there her left arm hanging uselessly and her scales dulled by congealing and drying blood.

I almost turned, I almost left Serafin there to die, almost but instead I shouted up and the dragon, 'they fuck you.'

He looked at me amused, 'what was that supposed to do? both I and Serafin know neither of you is leaving alive.'

I felt a stinging behind my eyes, I clenched my fists.

'We were originally going to just kidnap Farren, but' he shrugged 'since Runetide failed it was almost too easy to trick her and all four of you are here, might at will kill four birds with three stones'

Serafin stepped in front of me, 'if you want Farren you will have to go through me.'

The black dragon a full head taller than her he rolled his shoulders, 'shouldn't be too hard'

Alex stopped and looked up at Runetide 'did you hear that? did he just say four birds? And that he tricked us?' Runetide nodded 'ok' Alex said 'I will fix you up then we go while big black over there is occupied'

'Farren' Serafin said trying to repress tears, 'you need to go I will buy you time'

'No, I said besides where would I go, I'm not leaving you here to die alone' I shouted the last words.

The black dragon laughed 'I like this one' he said, starting to walk towards Serafin she adopted a combat stance dried blood flaking of her.

The black dragon slapped away Serafin's feeble attempt at a punch and grabbed her shoulder, she screamed and I stood there helpless as Serafin was forced to one knee, then dropped and the black dragon laid an elbow into Serafin's face, I felt rage I couldn't help her, I couldn't do anything, I wanted to but a couldn't, Serafin tried to turn over tried to reach out to protect me I could see the pain in her eyes, I could see the smile on the black dragons face as he stomped down on her chest.

I felt it deep down I click my rage flowed threw me and my will, I will so save Serafin I screamed my rage the was an explosion of red energy it flowed around me I was lifted and then I was the same height as the dragon, I flexed my new mussels looked down at my hands.

The black dragon had stopped smiling Serafin had her good arm over her ribs, some were unmistakably broken, and she was coughing up blood, but she still managed a smile.

'you are fucked' she said to the black dragon, he lashed a kick into her side she screamed in pain.

I thought what I had reached my limit, but that move it pushed me to a whole new level of I'm going to tear your fuck'en arms from your sockets that I had never expensed, I screamed no, I roared my anger the area around me distorted in heatwaves the black dragon took the step back I smiled wider I took a step ford.

Alex felt the heat wash over him, Runetide felt it too Alex's hand stopped glowing.

'I can't concentrate' Alex said, frustrated

'It's ok' Runetide said, 'you can go I will tend to my wounds just make sure I'm not interrupted.'

'I will do my best' Alex said 'also, Mind helping me up?' he asked.

Runetide lifted Alex to the top of the hill just in time to see Farren explode in ball of red energy and then it reformed around him into a shell of crackling energy the black dragon looked concerned, Alex probably would be in his position the avatar created by Farren was human-shaped but it was hard to tell it was almost transparent, with a blank face and two massive horns that pointed up it also looked like it had claws.

Alex looked down at Runetide, 'that settles I don't know what just happened but I think we just stay here we don't want to get in the way of that, I don't think it will take to kindly to us being anywhere near Serafin.'

The avatar flexed it Fingers looking down at them then it looked at the black dragon and let out a piercing shriek and it charged, the black dragon lashed out punching the avatar in the gut and it stopped moving, Alex was conflicted he didn't know was to do should he try and save the black dragon? No.

The avatar's claws then set on fire and raked across the black dragon's chest they cut in deep leaving behind charred flesh, the black dragon reeled back as the avatar charged him again the black dragon tried to duck but was to slow the avatar grabbed the side of his neck and laid into his gut the black dragon doubled over retching and roaring in agony and anger at the same time.

'Farren' Serafin said, 'we need to go we need to stop the portal opening' her voice was weak.

The avatar ignored her as it lashed another kick into the black dragon's side he grunted and fell the avatar crouched next to him the black dragon was wheezing, and blood was Starting to leek threw the charred gashes.

'not many things that go cut through dragon scale like that' he said he coughed, 'however while you have been distracted the twins have gone off to Finish the ritual.'

He smiled as the avatar wrapped its hand around his throat and lifted him up black dragon stopped smiling.

'what are you doing' he choked, 'aren't you going to stop the portal being opened? I'm letting Aborwrath through.'

Clearly, the black dragon had thought that leveraging knowledge would save his life and the avatar of Farren would go and stop the dragon's arrival, he was however mistaken the avatar slid its hand into his chest he started to thrash wildly trying to escape and the avatar slashed down blood exploded out coating the avatar in the black dragons blood and a second later his internal organs spilled out the avatar dropped the deflated body, blood running out in rivers and streaming off the avatar's body and slowly the avatar started to collapse, folding in on its self.

Alex crouched down and vomited

'There, there' Runetide said

They had stayed out of the fight Runetide was still recovering from her last fight less than two minutes ago, and Alex didn't want to get involved with that flaming construct but then it started to flicker and fold in on its self, after a minute it disappeared totally Runetide wincing from the pain stood up to observe the mess, she gaged oh she shivered that's not good.

Serafin was trying to sit up wincing and coughing up blood, Runetide offered her a hand and she took it and Serafin stood nursing her ribs she nodded, 'thanks.'

'That's what friends are for' Runetide said.

'Weren't we just trying to cores each other bodily harm?'

'Yes, but we have known each other a long time I figured that you would understand also they lied to me quite a bit.'

'Hay' Alex said, 'shouting up at the two dragons can you guys do a catch up later we have a situation' he was standing ankle-deep congealed blood and was supporting Farren who could barely stand.

'We have another' Runetide said she looked at Serafin, 'it's Started.'

'You do deal with it' Serafin said wincing at she crouched down to retrieve Farren, who had passed out.

'What' Runetide said, outraged.

'I have someone to look after and if you haven't noticed I only have one useful arm.'

'I've seen you fight with injuries worse than a shattered shoulder bone and broke ribs' Runetide said aggressively.

'Yes, know that but now I have someone to look after' Serafin said patently.

'Because that went so well last time.'

Serafin stopped she breathed deeply and growled deep in her throat she narrowed her eyes.

Runetide looked sorry, 'I'm sorry' she said genuinely regretting what she had said, 'I shouldn't have said that I'm sorry I am truly I am.'

Serafin stopped growling 'your right there are more important things but' she looked pointedly at Runetide, 'you and I are going to be having words later.'

'K' Runetide said.

'Can you help me with my shoulder?'

Runetide looked concerned, 'that might be a drain.'

'I know, but I'm going to need both arms' Serafin placed Farren gently on the ground.

'Alex' Runetide said, 'I'm going to need your help with this.'

'Right' Alex said.

He ran over Runetide scooped him up then she gently put her hand on Serafin's shoulder.

'Ok' she closed her eyes and willed the shoulder to be healed.

Runetide felt the bones moving beneath the skin, putting themselves back into their proper positions Serafin hissed in pain.

'Stay still' Runetide said calmly.

She felt her mental clarity waver as she channelled her magic into Serafin, it was doing what she willed it to do nothing more or less, it was starting to become fuzzy hard to think straight and she was done.

Runetide experienced a moment of vertigo she shook her head this time it was Serafin putting a reassuring hand on Runetide's shoulder

'you good?'

'yep,' Runetide said 'Alex, your turn.'

'Also,' Serafin said, 'your babysitting Farren if he dies whilst I'm gone ill tear you limb from limb' she said cheerily.

'Ok' Alex said Then Alex touched Runetide's cheek 'come back alive won't you.'

Runetide nodded 'alright.'

there was a spark the passed between them like static electricity Runetide scooped Alex up and put him on the ground 'you're the best human battery a dragon could wish for.'

Alex smiled 'and you wouldn't let Serafin tear me apart, would you?'

Runetide just shrugged, 'don't fuck up.'