[center][img]https://www.sneakandshow.com/images/article_lg/aleksi-briclot.jpg[/img] [h3][color=steelblue]R I S E A G A I N[/color][/h3] [img]http://orig11.deviantart.net/48f3/f/2011/208/a/b/divider_by_canzeda-d41w92p.png[/img] Erebus glared at the horizon with steely eyes, awaiting his opponent, with the blood of his blood waiting behind him, for his signal. He could feel the hum of power emanating from them as they took their positions, gathering their strength as he had instructed them to. His heart surged with pride at all those who had answered his call, though he had looked with some consternation on the youngest of those who had come. Twin boys, barely fledglings. His mouth twisted at the thought of them being put in such danger at so young an age, but it was necessary- if they did not stand now, Ophel would devour them all, down to the last man, woman, child, and hatchling. It was better that, should they die, they die standing proud, as dragon-kin should. He grinned as he heard Ronan just behind him, calling their people's courage to the fore, beseeching them to be strong against their enemy. All was going well. And then the first shuddering gust pounded across the plain. There was silence, bred by the fear that had now taken the congregation, as there was another shudder through the air. And another. And another. Rhythmic, measured. Like a drum. Or a wingbeat. A shriek tore across the sky, a tortured-sounding roar, rage mingled with anticipation, greed... and hunger. A hunting cry, in other words. Ophel had indeed chosen today to lay claim to his people. Doubtless he had taken yesterday's storm as some kind of sign, or signal, even if he did not understand what it meant. Erebus grinned in anticipation. He would learn soon enough. A spiked shape tore itself from the mountains on the horizon, the dragon himself. With his sharp eyes, Erebus could see the twisting of the once-proud brother's features, the corruption that stained his scales with black smoke, and warped his face into a horrific snarl. It was hideous, in more ways than just appearance. Killing Ophel would be a mercy at this point. Erebus felt the hum of power behind him increase- though he could smell the fear wafting from them, they stood their ground, backs straight and tall, willing to lay down their lives for their home and their people. He had never been more proud. [color=steelblue]"You are afraid,"[/color] he called back, eyes still trained on Ophel's approach. [color=steelblue]"I can smell it on the air. This is good- hold onto that fear. Let it sharpen your senses, steel your resolve. You fear for your loved ones- stand for them! You fear for your homes- protect them! You fear for your lives- refuse to be taken! We are dragon-kin! We are servants of none, feared and respected by all! The Diamond Dragon is no different! He rises against us? We will answer his challenge! AND WE WILL BE VICTORIOUS!"[/color] The dragon was almost here, now. His maw opened wide, and a rending torrent of diamond dust issued forth toward them. Just as planned. In a flash of blue, massive wings erupted from Erebus' back, before he leaped backward, flapping toward Ophel in the same rending gale that Ophel's wingbeats had caused just moments ago. It was not as strong, with Erebus not being in his true form- but it was enough. The cloud of diamond particles was slowed, just enough for Ophel to pass through his own attack. It would not harm him overmuch, being made of his own substance. But not everything on Ophel's body was armored- there were weaknesses, like his eyes, for example. Ophel flinched as he passed through the cutting cloud, like sand to man's eyes. He seemed to stumble in the air, his defiant roar now tinged with pain and confusion. Erebus smiled a feral grin, hovering above his congregation. [color=steelblue]"Here is your chance! ATTACK!!"[/color] The people of Thorn were all too willing to oblige. The air hummed briefly for a moment, and then the dam broke. A rain of lightning, channeled as though down a corridor, ripped out in front of the assembled storm-callers, searing its way toward Ophel, who screamed in agony as he entered the corridor of lightning, his strength failing him as he plowed into the ground amid the shocking rain. Erebus flapped hard, rising swiftly, before pulling his wings into a dive, streaking down toward Ophel like a silver-scaled comet. The dragon had barely started to recover from the lightning when he was struck on his flank by a pair of impossibly powerful fists, knocking him over and shoving him back and away from the village. Erebus kicked off of the dragon's body, landing some distance away, standing tall and proud between Ophel and Thorn, glaring defiantly. The dragon got shakily to its feet, casting an enraged glance about for who had humiliated him so, his eyes falling on Erebus. The dragon's eyes narrowed, as though recognizing something familiar in Erebus, before its twisted mental state cast it off. He was but a man wearing a false dragon skin- he was no compare to a true dragon. He lunged forth, jaws open wide to consume the pretender... And was surprised to find himself stopped in his tracks as the human [i]grabbed his jaws[/i] and held him fast. Erebus grunted from the strain, trying to hold on as Ophel tried to thrash, hoping to dislodge him. The dragon's breath came out hot and fast, the stale mineral tang on it indicating that Ophel was winding up for another diamond blast. [color=steelblue]"AGAIN!!"[/color] The people of Thorn answered again, a massive bolt of lightning lancing from the skies and striking Ophel between the shoulder blades, stunning him long enough for Erebus to get clear. [color=steelblue]"Keep at it!"[/color] cried Erebus, lightning sparks now flowing across his limbs like water, his bulk becoming heavier. [color=steelblue]"Show this cur no mercy!!"[/color] Another bolt caught Ophel as he was trying to take to the air, forcing him down once again. The diseased dragon attempted to retreat some distance, only to be intercepted by another flash of lightning striking in front of him, nearly blinding in its intensity. Erebus watched this with excitement as his blood began to boil, horns emerging from his scalp, his teeth and claws lengthening, sharpening. He knew his kin could not channel this storm for much longer- already some of the storm-callers had collapsed to their knees, their energies spent, and the lightning was becoming even more erratic, less controlled. That was fine- their part was almost finished. He grinned as he let the change take hold. [img]http://orig11.deviantart.net/48f3/f/2011/208/a/b/divider_by_canzeda-d41w92p.png[/img] Ophel thrashed about in wrath, the lightning raining down around him, confusing him, disorienting him. How dare these creatures defy him, a dragon, ancient beyond belief? How dare they deny him what was rightfully his? His eyes centered on Erebus, even his flickering mind registering that something had changed. [i]Him.[/i] This was all [i]his[/i] doing somehow. He had to stop him, kill him, tear him to shreds. If he did, his victory was assured. He charged forth, jaws open wide, aiming to end this pretender once and for all, when another bolt of damnable lightning crashed down just before his face, forcing him to retreat, his eyes dazzled. He roared in absolute, unstoppable rage, furious at the indignity, the very gall of these creatures to defy him! He was Ophel! Diamond Dragon! He would not be bested by the likes of-- And then his roaring tirade was cut short by a large form slamming into him, dragging him backward into the air, then back toward the ground, plowing him into the dirt once more. He quickly tore to his feet, forcing the assailant to retreat from his senseless thrashing. He picked himself up, regained his bearings, ready to tear into this interloper-- And immediately stopped dead as he saw what had attacked him. Another dragon, smaller than him, but only just, scales long and sharp like swords, blue eyes glowing bright as the sun, lightning pouring from him, jumping between sky, ground, and scale, wings wide enough to almost eclipse the horizon. And recognition finally ignited in the cold depths of Ophel's mind. And with recognition came fear. He knew this other dragon, millennia before. It was impossible for him to be standing here, for he had gone to his death almost five thousand winters before. Yet here he was, as proud as the day he'd seen him last, with such rage as Ophel had never seen before in his eyes. [i][color=gray]UN... UN... CROWNED...[/color][/i] [img]http://orig11.deviantart.net/48f3/f/2011/208/a/b/divider_by_canzeda-d41w92p.png[/img] Erebus exulted in his true form as he approached Ophel, the power surging through him, pouring off of him in waves. This was what he was, what he was always meant to be. He fixed his opponent with a burning glare, and saw the Diamond Dragon flinch back in terror. Good. He remembered something, at least. [color=steelblue][i]Traitor...[/i][/color] hissed Erebus. [color=steelblue][i]Oath-breaker... Murderer...[/i][/color] Ophel quailed in fear, his mind too far gone to actually answer back. [color=steelblue][i]You threaten my kin. You seek to take my home, my throne, from me. You seek to make yourself as King over my dominion. You have failed in that, Ophel. I remain. And now... you will die.[/i][/color] The Diamond Dragon took to the air, attempting to escape. He wouldn't get far. Erebus breathed in, feeling the power gather in his chest, before spewing a lance of light and lightning at his foe, striking him from the air, before leaping up himself, meeting the falling dragon in the air, slamming into him and bearing him to the ground once again. To the Diamond Dragon's credit, he recovered quickly this time, lashing out with his tail, striking Erebus across the face, before attempting to circle back and clamp his jaws around Erebus' neck. There was a pulse in the air, and lightning surged across Erebus' body, jumping to Ophel, stunning him once again, as Erebus then raked a claw across the Diamond Dragon's face. His claws didn't penetrate, of course, but the force of the blow sent Ophel reeling. Erebus pounced again, aiming for Ophel's chest with his tackle, the air shaking with the force of his blow. He attempted to stand again, only to be met with Erebus' tail, slamming into his head from above, then a kick from his hind leg. Ophel swayed, dazed by the assault, before he felt, with frightening clarity, a pair of jaws grip around his neck. With tremendous force, Ophel was pushed back, onto his hind legs, then past the tipping point, falling with a massive thud onto his back, borne to the ground yet again by the Uncrowned's assault. And then the jaws began to squeeze. Ophel panicked, trying to find some purchase. His wings were pinned below him, his limbs flailing uselessly in the air as Erebus slammed a claw onto his chest, pinning him to the ground. Blind panic and fear filled Ophel's mind as the jaws squeezed tighter, his scales starting to crack under the strain, his breathing getting shallower and shallower as his throat was forcibly closed. And still Erebus went further. He cared not for the diamond scales cutting the inside of his mouth, nor for the scratches and gashes he received from Ophel's thrashing and flailing- he kept squeezing. [color=steelblue][i]To the creature who once resided in this twisted form, I thank you. For protecting my kin for these long winters, may you find the peace in death that was denied you in life. To you, however,[/i][/color] Erebus said, making his rage known to the abomination residing in Ophel's body, [color=steelblue][i]I have no such thanks. You have sought my lands and the lives of my people. Most grievous crimes, indeed.[/i][/color] Ophel let out a choked whimper, his strength nearly failing him. [color=steelblue][i]You have betrayed me, your King. You have defied me, attempted to harm me through my blood. You are no dragon- you are but a snake, a serpent, a twisting, crawling little thing whose fangs could not hurt me. I judge you, Ophel. And you are found... wanting.[/i][/color] And with that, with a mighty sound of breaking glass, Erebus' teeth penetrated Ophel's hard scales, filling his mouth with boiling blood. Erebus heaved his body backward, pulling with tremendous force, tearing Ophel's head from his shoulders with one titanic pull, landing with a sickening thud of blood and bone. There was silence for a moment, before Erebus roared in triumph, an echoing call across the plains, heard even miles away. A trumpet call to herald the return of the Uncrowned to the world. Erebus began to walk back to the village, his body shifting back into his more human shape, his ears catching the sounds of cheering from his people, taking up a chant among them. [b]"UNCROWNED!! UNCROWNED!! UNCROWNED!!"[/b] He grinned as he returned fully to his human shape, his heart beaming with pride at his people's contribution. [color=steelblue]"Do you see?"[/color] he said, gesturing to Ophel's still-twitching corpse. [color=steelblue]"Do you see now what we can accomplish? There lies the Diamond Dragon, dead at our hands! There lies your tormentor, never again to darken your skies and hearts with fear! For what need have we to hide away? WE! ARE! DRAGON-KIN!!"[/color] His people cheered loudly at this. [color=steelblue]"The world has been cursed in my absence. Chaos reigns, lives are taken with no cause, the sun and moon and stars grow dim. They say the very world is at an end. I say otherwise! Those who threaten our blood will be punished! Those who attempt to steal from us will be dealt with! We bend knee to no king, no lord, no authority but our own! Let the call go up once more, let the banner fly, and let all who can hear know... "The time of chaos is at an end! I, Erebus the Dragon-Blooded, the King of Dragons, walks the earth once more!!"[/color] Another great cheer, almost as though to drown out his roar of triumph earlier, ripped out from the people of Thorn, the cry of Uncrowned once again rising from them. Erebus grinned a bloody grin, walking over to Ronan, who was currently seated on the ground, exhausted, but content. [color=steelblue]"Now. I fear it has been some time since I last traveled. Perhaps you could help me by pointing the way to Kolantis? I believe my next course of action lies there."[/color][/center]