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Scales and Honor: Darkened Skies

Chapter 32: Dread

Bells rang in Arcturus' ears, as a numbness set in about his chest. He stumbled backwards and over, his head crashing to the dirt, but he hardly felt a thing. He was left groaning and struggling to grasp what happened. He'd been shot with a stunning bolt.

His limbs trembled as he tried to pull himself off the ground to cover, already he could feel the bolt's effects strengthen. Like there were weights resting on every part of him, keeping him pinned. He gasped for breath, forced to stare up at the ceiling as the soft clinks of his once friend's armor ominously approached.

“I was almost expecting you to be elsewhere old friend. I'm so glad that you decided to stay put after all this time." Garroth's deep voice came like a mocking hiss as the door shut behind him. “How is your dragon master? Treating you well perhaps?" The man sneered, “Fucking you properly like nothing better than a slave?"

“What are you…Even doing here?" Arcturus struggled, hardly having the energy to form the words as Garroth appeared over him, like a demon as he held the crossbow trained on him. It's hum heavy in the ai, a promise of more to come. “Isn't it obvious traitor?" The warrior's voice was like steel. “There is a bounty on your head. So, I've come to collect it." The warrior's eyes traveled over the wounded princess and the unconscious dragon. They instantly widened, his lips curling into a sneer. “So, this is where the green dragon went to. I'd thought you'd only picked up one, but no. The red is sharing his lays now. How disappointing to see how you've fallen. Greatest dragon hunter of Lumara now a thrall to the scaled beasts." Garroth shifted his aim, his weapon trained on his friends and Arcturus' heart iced over. “And look who's beside him. The princess who stabs a gentleman in the gut."

“Look who it is." She groaned, eyes like needles. “Big ole ugly ass!" She started to squirm but Garroth raised a finger, wagging it back and forth with an amused chuckle.

“Uh, uh, uh." He wiggled the weapon gleaming in his hand. “You don't look so well princess. If you so much as move in my direction I might slip and repay you for stabbing me."

“Should have aimed for ya bleedin head. Then we wouldn't be having this focken conversation right now."

“And the dragon." The warrior ignored her words, “Looks like he's trying to get his beauty sleep. Emerald Ladies son if I heard correctly. What if he never woke?"

Arcturus' fingers dug through the dirt as his heart raced. Though he couldn't feel he had to do something, anything to help his friends. He couldn't just lay here while this man threatened his friends. He only rose a fraction of an inch until he found Garroth's boot planted on his chest and the cold steel of the crossbow pressed against his nose.

“Going somewhere friend? Keep that up and I won't be keeping my promise to my companions."

“And what would that be?"

“That you'd be alive rather dead for the return trip home_."_

“I guess it won't be a problem for you." Arcturus coughed, “When your morals have already fallen so low. Willing already to turn or kill a friend over coin."

“Oh, how self-righteous of you to be paladin." Garroth spit the last words. “I know where my loyalties lay."

The knight smirked, “What if I were to tell you we had the queen of Lumara with us? What then? Who's on the wrong side now?" He rose a brow, enjoying the look of confusion painted on Garroth's face.

“Lady Nivra?"

“Yes. She and her gryphon came with us to save our country. Not go about destroying it."

Garroth's fingers quivered as he ground his teeth. Arcturus could see the distain fighting the words in his mind. Then the mercenary pressed the crossbow down further, his answer coming almost in a snarl, his eyes almost brimming with flames. “Tis a lie you speak. You're cornered and beaten. You would say anything to distract me now."

“He speaks the bleedin truth you idiot. Or can't your brain form your own thoughts?" Lyndis laughed mockingly. “Truly Lumara's finest."

Garroth's hand nearly left fire in it's wake as he spun on his heels. His crossbow snapped to Lyndis, belching three rounds of brilliant red energy into the air. They flew like deadly crimson spears that set the stables aglow with an angry fire. They missed Lyndis by scant inches, scattering hay and burning the ground. “Keep your wagging tongue silent bitch. Otherwise my aim will improve and put an end to it for you. My business is with the traitor knight here. So just sit like a good dainty princess and you'll survive the night." When Lyndis' didn't reply he chuckled, thanking her for her silence.

This certainly wasn't good. Arcturus didn't want to admit as the dread sunk into his gut and coiled. It was getting harder to even move an inch, he doubted he could even call out for help. Even if he did would Veledar hear him? Spells came to mind, all pointless though if he couldn't move a muscle. Then there was Garroth's smirk, the one that told of victory. How he wanted to smack it right off his face.

“You…call this justice?" He nearly whispered. “Shooting a surprised man? Where's the honor in that?"

“Oh Arcturus." Garroth's tone took on a more honied sound. “Honor only gets you so far in life. Not all battles are stacked in your favor. Sometimes life just kicks you when you're down. You have to do what is required to survive_."_ The man rubbed his throat, his eyes as sharp as his sword. “Know what it's like to have your throat slit? Just be grateful that I stunned you into compliance."

“They'll follow you…" He spat, fighting back the imposing weight of his eyelids, a demand to let go. “Our dragon, the ranger. You won't get far before they have me back."

“Don't concern yourself with the logistics Arcturus. Your dragon master will be taken care of. I have a friend that will take care of him. I'd be more concerned with what's going to happen to you. Short rope I imagine."

He couldn't fight it any longer, his eye lids slammed shut. It felt like he was falling backwards, tossing head over feet. He'd failed. If only he'd been more prepared, ready for action. Now he was going to drift off while his enemy did who knows what to his body and that of his friends.

Some paladin huh? Can't even protect the ones I- His limbs suddenly felt very warm, any weight he had been trying to fight was gone. Relief coursed through him as his next breath came easier. Never had air tasted so sweet. He cracked an eye open, wondering which god he owed this miracle for. Garroth was hunched over, digging through his pack for some rope while the paladin wiggled a finger. He had all the feeling back in his body! But who could have done that? The only way you could remove the stun was by healing and he'd been-

Feku! He spied a little grey tail nearly submerged in brown hay and quivering. He saw her shift, purple eyes traveling between Garroth and himself like a game of catch. She was wiggling her claws, hissing something under her breath as the slits of her eyes widened. It hit Arcturus like cold water to the face. She was casting another spell.

Another one? He didn't know her plan, but he only had a second to react. Probably only had one shot if she was buying him some sort of distraction. He steeled his nerves, readying to spring. Hopefully whatever magic she was weaving would be as obvious as a flare in the dead of night. When she finished the words, the effect was almost literal.

Her claws flicked into the shape of an S, and in the span of one second Garroth was shouting. His armor that had been dark as onyx started to glow whitish orange. Soft at first, but then as bright as it had been placed within a forge. Garroth screamed in agony, whirling his crossbow towards the kobold's hiding spot and firing three rounds.

Feku screamed, crashing to the ground with quivering claws as Garroth fell to his knees gritting his teeth. The kobold coiled in on herself as the smell of burning leather filled the air.

That is what he needed. Arcturus lept to his feet as the spell faded clearly Feku's concenctration was gone. He punched out one hand, summoning up a shield of faith as Garroth leveled the weapon on him. Red bolts aimed for his chest washed off the shimmer blue field like water. He drew his sword with a hiss, “In Bahamut's name!" He roared, as the blackened blade wrapped itself in white, pulsating light. He sliced up, cutting the crossbow in two as Garroth stepped back and shielded himself.

“Gah!" Garroth shouted as a golden explosion rocked the area, knocking them both to the ground. “How many friends lurk under the woodwork?"

“Enough." Arcturus hissed back, practically leaping to his feet. He had to solve this quick. Feku needed him.

“I'm sort of glad it came to this."Garroth rose, unsheathing his weapon to meet Arcturus' own in a with a rattling clang. It hummed with a dark energy, still powered by the mana crystal in its hilt. “How I longed to see you battered and broken since our last meeting."

“Do you hear yourself? You sound like a blood thirsty maniac." Arcturus was pushed back, his heart racing as he blocked a savage strike meant to cut open his belly practically at the last moment.

“If it means taking down a traitor to our lands? Gladly." Garroth followed through, his weapon thirsting for Arcturus' blood as they danced across the floor. The warrior had the armor, the better skills, it was all the paladin could do to avoid, block, or parry. “You know why you won last time?" The wicked blade struck a beam, scattering chunks of wood to the floor. “You had all the dragon magic to help you. You were always a poor swordsman. Just look at you now. Can barely keep up."

“I used what I had." He blocked a quickened strike, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had seen Garroth before. He was faster now. Even with fullplate he was almost inhuman in his ferocity. Like he was fighting a different man entirely. Their struggles resounded through the small space, their clangs and grunts of effort setting a grim tune to the air. Arcturus got in a good strike, but the blade that could cut through most things was deflected by the warrior's armor. He'd have to try a different way, aim for a weak spot. The back of the leg, his head, maybe some spells to assist.

“That's right knight." The warrior sneered as they broke away, looking for the right angle to strike again. The dwindling fire flickered in his eyes, like a hunter on the prowl. “Your sword won't slash this armor to pieces."

Spells first. He went about trying to will in some more but Garroth was ahead of him. Before he could even preform a hand gesture or speak the words the warrior was on him with a flurry of steel.

“What's the matter? Can't get out the vile magic you have?" The warrior's blade nicked his side, drawing blood in its wake. “How unfortunate for you."

The paladin tried another smite, but Garroth avoided the glowing blade leaving it to slice empty air.

“Can you feel it? Your defeat close at hand?"

“Strength activate." Arcturus countered; the band would have to help. Anything to help him gain the advantage.

“Tagel stavore" Garroth snapped his fingers with a smirk, leaving Arcturus left with nothing happening. No burning flames within, no extra strength. It was if the magic item had not worked. Before he could even ponder further Garroth was upon him. Like a cheetah to a wounded prey. “No tricks this time friend. Today you lose to the better swordsman."

They exchanged blows with clangs, Garroth starting to push Arcturus closer and closer to the wall with savage slash. His gambeson was torn in a dozen places where blood trickled down. For all this trouble he hadn't even been able to injure the confident warrior. Then he saw an opening.Garroth swung wide, opening himself up. He took his chance. “Bahamut's name!" He roared, pulling his sword back for a stab towards his friend's armpit.

Garroth was quicker. Or he'd planned it. The warrior returned his sword with a mighty clang, batting Arcturus' sword away like a child's plaything before plunging his blade into the knight's gut. Together they slammed back against the wall, Arcturus' sword falling from his grasp. Garroth smiled, eyes gleaming with delight as the paladin squirmed. “Finally."

Blood pooled around the blade as Arcturus stood shocked, pain rippling through him with every sharp breath. Like a white-hot poker had been applied to his insides it twisted his features. Then there was Garroth, leaning into the wound and resting his hand on Arcturus' shoulder.

“You have no idea how long I wanted that." Garroth sighed as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. With a wet slorp he pulled the blade away, blood spilling like a burst dam. The paladin collapsed to the ground, holding the wound with his hands. Warm, crimson goo clung to his palms as he pressed down to staunch the flow.

“Best heal that up, or you'll die. You do want your friends to find you alive when they catch up to me right?" He mockingly smirked, waving his arm in a circle. “Well come on."

Closing his eyes Arcturus pushed the agony from his mind, replacing it with the soothing image of his platinum scaled goddess. He imagining her forepaws wrapping around him in a tender embrace, wings shielding them like a fortress wall. Warmth surged from his heart, raced through his arms and began to pool within his palms until they glowed with a divine white light. Cuts sealed themselves; damaged organs stitched together, blood was restored in an agony filled haze that struck the paladin to his core. His teeth grit as if a cat-o-nine-tails were striking his back repeatedly. He coiled on himself, gasping for air until it was over. The work of his dragoness had been done; his wounds were healed.

“But one last gift." Garroth shifted Arcturus upright and plunged his sword into the paladin's shoulder, pinning him to the wall. His eyes fluttered, his breaths seemed laced with sweetness as Arcturus squirms and painful groans caressed his ears. “What noises you make."

“You…bastard.." He spat, iron tasting blood drooling from his mouth. He glanced up with eyes sharp as a dragon's teeth. “How far will you get I wonder. Before my friends track you down." The pain in his shoulder quadrupled in a second as Garroth twisted. His fingers trembled, his arm quivered, his eyes clenched, it was all he could do to not scream.

“Don't worry. I'll let you heal this one too. Though…" The man smirked. “I think even with magic that isn't going to heal right. “And I'd mind the tongue before I bring you home dead."

“You-“

Garroth punched him in the chest with the force of a battering ram, knocking out what air he. “I said to be quiet you idiot!"

Stars burst in front of his eyes as his lungs burned. His muscles screamed with every gasp as each little movement felt like little daggers were being pushed against his insides. When breath came Garroth's have cupped his chin, forcefully drawing his attention to him.

“Do we understand each other?"

With a pained grunt the paladin nodded. He had no weapon; his sword arm was stabbed. His opponent now had every advantage.

“Good. Now don't go thinking you're going to heal that arm just now. We'll wait to do that after we leave. And remember." Garroth thrust a gloved finger to his nose. “Any funny business and I'll cut more of my issues out of you."

“And how about this?" Lyndis plunged a dagger straight down Garroth's neck and into his chest, avoiding his armor all together. “What do we get then?"

He gurgled, eyes wide as he clumsily pulled his sword from Arcturus, spinning around for a desperate attack. Lyndis tried to dodge, avoid the clumsy slash but her wounds slowed her down. The blade sliced right across her belly, one long slash from edge to edge. The rogue cried, crashing to the ground with her hands pressed tight to her midsection, trying to keep her insides from pouring out through tattered flesh and cloth.

“Got…you…Bitch.." Garroth wheezed, slumping almost in unison with Arcturus. “It wasn't…"it wasn't…" The man gasped, blood starting to drip from the blade's hilt and run down his sides. He dropped his sword with a clatter, his fingers cracking open his pouch to reach inside and fondle some unseen object. “Wasn't supposed…"

Fighting the terror in his heart the paladin rose through the aching pain in his shoulder, dragging himself to his wounded rogue. “Hang in their Lyndis." He only stopped before Garroth, kicking the man's sword with a curse. This is where their friendship had gone. Swords and blood. This was all they were now. Part of his soul weeped for such progress, but the other glared at the man. Hating the previous bit of his life. Even as the warrior gasped for what little air he could get through a mouth now pooled with blood.

Arcturus leaned in, wrapping his bloodied hands around the dagger's hilt, as the Garroth murmured words of a dying man. “I think you die here…friend." The paladin pulled free the blade with a terrible wet slurp as Garroth gasped, collapsing to the ground with a clatter of metal plates. Blood ran from him like a river, starting to pool around his armo, a lake of crimson water. What was left of Arcturus' old life started to flicker away. “What a shame." His brow furrowed as he tossed the blade to the far wall with a clang. Now he had Lyndis to attend to. He ignored the droplets of blood that coated the ground like a painting, looking more like darkened ink this far from the fire. His arm throbbed, and he felt the thin strands of blood trickle down his hand.

“Hang on Lyndis." He dropped to his knees as the rogue winced, holding tight her stomach with a scrunched up face. Desperation clung to her eyes as they met.

“Hes…Hes..Hes.." She was shivering, her skin cold. More in shock then anything else as she stared passed the paladin to the dying warrior.

“Shhh." He rested his hands on her as she grit her teeth. He hoped that he had enough magic to heal her, and then to seal the wound in his arm. “It's going to be alright." He closed his eyes as she trembled, focusing internally onto the dragoness he served. “You're going to be-“

“Not today I think paladin." Garroth roared, rising and leaping at the paladin like a crazy animal. His wounds were gone, his face scrunched up into nothing but hate and death, his eyes orange and glowing and slit like.

Orange? Arcturus was tackled over as the warrior's hands wrapped around his throat. They tightened like a snake coiling around its prey. Breath became a luxury as his hand shot up, trying to prevent the unrelenting squeezing sealing off his windpipe.

“You will both die Bahamut's champion. Slain by my mechanizations." Garroth rode him as Arcturus kicked, unable to free himself from the stronger man. Though the warrior taunted and pressed with the force of a giant Arcturus recognized the lingering hiss in his deep voice. Something he'd only remembered in his nightmares. “Do you remember me Arcturus? The screams of your family still are music to my ears."

His eyes widened as the man's lips curled into a sneer. Somehow it was no longer his friend over him, but the dragon Dreadflame. The one who'd taken everything from him. Panic coursed through him as he struggled to grasp what was going on. Though that hardly mattered as the possessed man gripped his throat like a vice.

“I'm almost insulted you don't recognize me Arcturus." The warrior sighed, his fingers tightening ever more. "Though it could be because this leather bag I'm wearing. Damned fool lacked the magical prowess to change me to my proper form. Though I suppose I'll have to settle for watching the life drain from your eyes with these. Sometimes we don't get what we want."

Arcturus kicked weakly, a futile effort in his weakened state. His lungs were aflame, begging for the air that wouldn't come. His strength began to wane with each passing moment. Thoughts of the future started to burst as darkness laced his vision. Things that would never be if this creature won.

“How you've struggled for naught. Such a fool you've been, thinking that you could be any importance. You couldn't even save that family of yours. Nor this new one you cobbled together. Humans and dragons?" The man's nose wrinkled as if assaulted by a foul wind.

“Chosen of Bahamut." The dragon human hissed in laughter, his eyes narrowing into pleased slits. “This look in your eyes now human. That fear and recognition of your better. How sweet it is to see it coming from you." He sighed, tightening his grip ever more. " I'll almost miss you when you're gone. How the thought of killing you warmed me every passing night since our departure."

Darkness grew from the edge of his eyes, covering everything in an inky black. Color started to drift as even the pain started to numb. The paladin could feel himself slipping, falling back into the void to which there was no end.

“Here we go…The final note of this elegant song. Farewell Arcturus Lund. Die knowing you couldn't even save your friends. But don't worry they will join you soon. This was always meant to b-“

Dreadflame was sent flying off of him, a green blur slamming into his chest. He crashed into the far wall, it exploded outwards, sending nails and chunks of wood flying bursting forth as the man clattered to the ground. Standing from his resting spot was Cordenth, panting heavily with yellow flames in his eyes.

“Get off our paladin." He snarled, tail flicking threateningly as the proud green dragon took a shaking step. “They are under my protection." His voice was deep and terrible, one that would make anyone flee upon hearing it. From his eyes flowed little strands of golden light, like a mist rising from a bubbling pot. “And you shall not harm them any longer."

Arcturus coughed for air, it was bitter and brought sparks of pain through his chest, but he didn't care in the slightest. He was alive. Even then, bleeding and gasping on the floor he thought to Lyndis, pounding at his chest to cease his lung's spasming.

“You…struck me!" Dreadflame screeched, his face twisted into an unbelieving stare. Blood dripped down cuts all over his features, like little rivers around his eyes. “You of all dragons defend the paladin of Bahamut? Son of the great dragoness Ossai?" His eyes narrowed. “You speak madness."

“Yes!" The green dragon roared, taking another powerful step as his tail curled protectively around the wheezing paladin. “Now begone from here before I decide to douse you with enough gas to end that miserable excuse of an existence. Or at least to return you to where you came from."

“Said the shaking dragon." Garroth's left arm was limp, possibly even broken as he eyed the green dragon's form. Those burning orange eyes weighed their options, a sneer coming to his lips. “And yet I don't wish to test that boast on the Emperor's blood. I won't be the one to slay you and risk his wrath."

Cordenth opened his maw, exhaling a cone of pea soup thick green gas through the stable's hole. It wrapped Garroth thick like a deadly coat, forcing the possessed merc to cover his nose and rush away with his tail between his legs. “Good." The green dragon gasped, his limbs all shaking as he eyed the broken hole and the gas that hung on the air like a fog. With a satisfied snort he spun around, nose instantly going to Lyndis.

“Arcturus!" He called as the paladin struggled to stand, the room spinning around his head. “Lyndis needs you!" His voice cracked, his green scales losing their color. “Now!"

Quick as his weary limbs could carry him the paladin collapsed to his blood covered friend. Terror tried to rake its icy claws against his heart as he met her near pale like face resting back against the hay. Her eyes were closed as if embracing the finality of death. “Just like the harpoon." He rested his hands against her near ice like stomach, closing his eyes and trying to focus everything out of his mind. Not the aching pain in his shoulder, nor the imminent death of his friend. He thought of his goddess and his need to heal this rogue in front of him. Silently he prayed he had enough to heal another grievous wound. “In Bahamut's name, by her glorious wings and platinum scales may she grant me the strength to heal these grievous wounds." Warmth spread from his heart the moment he finished, surging out like a tidal wave towards the shore. It wrapped around his arms, tingled about his fingers and flowed forth into his wounded friend. He gasped with her as the wound resealed itself. Organs that had been sliced in two wound together with her cry of pain. But she was alive.

“FOCKEN HELL!" She cried, spasming but Cordenth held her down with a paw. “Why didn't it hurt this bad last bloody time!" Her boots shook as the magic continued to work, returning the color to her cheeks.

“Not that grievous of a wound last time." The green dragon weakly licked her face.

“And…there." Arcturus sighed, as if he'd finally rested after running miles on end. He opened his eyes in satisfaction, praising Bahamut with each assault of Cordenth's muzzle that was nuzzled against he and the recovering rogue.

She laughed, not even trying to repel the green dragon's affection. With teary eyes she glanced up to Arcturus, warmth shining through despite the cold of the stable. “Arcturus."

“No need." He chuckled, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Just glad you're okay." Even though his arm stabbed at him to remember his wound he smiled, his friend's jubilant aura beating it back with each pleased warble from Cordenth's muzzle.

“You have my greatest thanks as well." Cordenth collapsed with his head in Lyndis' lap. His tail flopped, his wings drooped, even the rest of him looked sapped for strength. “Twice now you've done me a great service."

“Oh don't you start now to. It was a team effort. Without your tail I'd not be here."

“And what a tail it was. Swish and twack! Down went that armored buffoon." Lyndis' hugged him close, planting a kiss on his muzzle so deep his eyes closed, his pleased rumble radiating down his throat.

Despite this warmth filled relief something was missing, and it wasn't the ache still lingering in Arcturus' arm.

Feku! His mind screamed, the one who made this victory even possible! He hobbled to her, one arm limp at his side as he found the curled up little charcoal scaled kobold. Her claws were quivering just like her tail, her snout curled into a little smile as she hugged at her burned belly. It appeared as though she'd been fast enough to heal her wounds before she'd passed out from the pain.

“We win?" She asked, thumping her tail. “I change story. No one die."

“That you did." His hand went to his arm, finding that he had no more energy left to heal his bleeding wound. “Damn." He gasped, pulling away his blood covered fingers. He collapsed to the ground, rolling to his back and basking in the relief of their victory.

“And you're a bloody fool." Lyndis crawled to their bags, digging through the gathered potions until she'd found at least three of them with red liquid inside. “Lucky as hell too." She kneeled beside them both, uncorking the contents and forcing each to drink.

“Isn't that always the case. Twas not luck I think." He weakly smiled, trying to ignore the vile liquid that swished around his mouth. When his wound started to seal, he winced, “The gods were on our side this day."

“Same thing really. Can't believe ole spooky eyes was here. What magic goes about doing that?"

“Dreadflame." He frowned, setting the empty potion down with a clink. The glowing eyes coming to his fatigued mind like a chilling wind. That mocking voice like poison to his ears. Somehow, that bastard was alive. The murderer of his family still alive and kicking.

“Bloody hell, really?" Lyndis' eyes widened in disbelief, a silent horror about her open mouth. “The one that killed your family?"

“It would appear so." He growled, rubbing at the healed wound that itched like little bugs crawling around his skin. Part of him pulled his heart to leap out that gaping hole, take his sword and follow the shell of his former friend until he'd plunged his sword into his blackened heart. That was all dashed with a hardened look from his friends, as if they could see the thought painted on his face.

“You're not going to get him." Lyndis said flatly, resting a hand on his non injured shoulder. “Dragon says so too."

“I never-“ The green cocked his head, frills fluttering in and out.

“Side with me Cordy."

“Ah…Then I agree with the half-elf. You're staying put." The green dragon pulled himself closer, curling around the man with an all too tired growl. “I insist."

“Me too." Feku shifted, thumping a claw against his leg, holding him down with what strength she had. “We get later. Now heal. Be good human."

Damn them. They were right, of course they were. He spun to each of them as the bitter pill in his throat was swallowed down with each caring glance. “Fine." His head drooped, hands falling to his lap. Whatever vengeance he wanted would have to wait.

Then a metallic roar sounded through the night like thunder, shaking the stable as glass shattered in the distance. People's screams came next, drowned out with cries for the guards and clerics of all sorts. Then Veledar returned the sound, his challenging declaration of combat about to be had. And he was alone, without his paladin to aid him.

“Change of plans." He went to stand, nearly topping to the ground again as he looked for his armor. “Veledar needs me."

“He doesn't need you dead." Cordenth's tail blocked him.

“I couldn't live with myself." He glared at the green. Meeting his gaze with what strength he could muster. “Now hand me another potion and help find my armor. I'm going out there one way or another. I'd die before letting him perish."

“You're a daft fool you know that?" Lyndis rifled through the bag of potions, the clinks of glass on glass filling the air. “And you're going to get focken killed."

“Maybe." He pushed away Cordenth's tail and pulled himself to his scattered shin guard gleaming in the dwindling light. “But he's my mate, and we promised to die together."

“You better not." Cordenth growled. “Or we'll be very cross with you."

“Then may Bahamut further guide my hand this night."

_* * * * * * * * * *

Thanks for sticking around for this part of the story! Sorry for the delay, had some life stuff I was finishing up before working on this. Hope you enjoyed it, even if it was rather intense. if you end up reading it be sure to fav it. If you like it vote it up! If you feel like being awesome then leave a comment! I even enjoy reading some critiques of the chapter itself. Anything that can help me make this the best story it can be! Till next time my friends.