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Tales of Heroes - The Dragon Tamer
Battlefield at the foot of Mount Errant
INTERACTING: Queen Eleanor @Force and Fury, Percy @YummyYummy, Caelum @RezonanceV, Camille @pirouette, Arsene @Th3King0fChaos, Hildr @jasbraq, Robért Bobignon @Suicharte, Sasha @YummyYummy
EVENT: Fields of Fire || LOCATION: Fields around Mount Errant
EVENT: Fields of Fire || LOCATION: Fields around Mount Errant
A newfound sense of determination settled deep within Maerec’s bones as he headed the group out onto the field just outside of the mountain cave. His plan was absolutely mad, but even still, he got the approval of his peers, including the once enemy Hildr. That was enough to fulfill his resolve. They were doing this.
“Prepare yourselves!” Maerec called, “Hold strong, and hold onto your faith–wherever it may lie. We can do this!” He pointed upwards as he crouched down, accumulating as much energy as he could to springboard himself up into the sky. He would use any energy given to him from the others to continue to launch himself up onto the dragon.
The dragon circled around upon seeing the group out in the open. “Steady!!” Maerec called out again, feeling unnerved energy swirl around him. “Almost…!!” His eyes remained locked on the dragon, watching those massive wings flap and carry it upwards before declining towards them. “Now!!” Like a slingshot, Maerec shot upwards and with every assist, he climbed higher and higher. He cut through the wind as if it was only there to guide him towards his goal. The dragon was fortunately so large, there was little chance of overestimating his trajectory. The dragon grew in his vision, and he realized the beast was so much larger than initially thought. The distance between land and sky did not do justice in just how massive and majestic it was. Even so, he did not waver as he grabbed gold off its leg and hoisted himself up onto it.
He could see all kinds of magic rise from below to assault the dragon as he climbed further onto it. With each strike, the dragon jerked and thrashed, forcing Maerec to try and hold onto the scales tightly. One attack from below seemed to be exceptionally effective though, and Maerec felt the dragon roar and shutter, causing his hand to slip. Time seemed to slow down for the knight as his heart pounded hard, eyes widened as he saw the space between his hand and the dragon grow.
He was free falling.
He couldn’t fail now. Maerec reached out again, feeling energy flow into him as the dragon flapped its wings. At the same time, a warmth came over Maerec, as if being comforted by loving arms. It was a blessing of some kind, no doubt. Camille’s prayers to Dami had reached him, and Maerec knew now that this wasn’t the end for him. As if launching himself off of a ledge, he narrowed himself until he shot through the sky towards the dragon. Feet touched first on its scales, and he rolled to soften the landing. As soon as he was right again, he held onto one of the dragon’s spines, securing himself back on it. A lesson would be learned–it was not going to be easy staying on this beast.
–
The fighting continued, and Maerec did what he could to attack the dragon from its back while attempting to stay on. He could see the familiar magics of his brother of Solenne, and it only encouraged him more. They were doing it! The arcs of thunder that struck the dragon were powerful and very effective. And there were several times where Maerec had been thrown off, only to return to his place upon it. The dragon was being worn down.
Several times the dragon swooped low in an attempt to attack those on the ground with its teeth and claws. It was then where Maerec was able to take glimpses of what was happening below. The ground party did not look well. There were scorch marks everywhere in long lines and bodies lay charred and lifeless. As the attempt to swallow his allies was avoided, he could hear screams flying passed him. They were losing so many… But he couldn’t give up now. Oraphe keep him.
An attack left the dragon thrashing in the sky once more. Maerec was able to hold on, but just barely. With fire in the pit of his own stomach, and energy coursing through his entire body, he forced his way towards the head of the dragon. He would see it in its eyes now. The dragon was enraged, in pain, angry, frustrated. He could sense it. But that didn’t make Maerec waver. Putting what energy he had stored in that moment, he struck down on the dragon’s neck, forcing it to let out a heavy roar. In that instance, the dragon flung the knight off as it whipped its mighty tail around, striking whoever it could. As Maerec fell, he was met with the mouth of the dragon and fire aimed directly at him. He was able to change the direction of his fall just in time, and grabbed hold of the dragon once more.
The ground party was getting worn down. He could hear and see more and more being taken down by the dragon, and he knew that they needed to end things quickly before their defenses would finally give out. The knight was exhausted, as were his allies. And yet they continued to fight on. His hand slipped and once again he began to separate from the dragon. But tiring of this, Maerec got back onto the dragon, near its head by now. “You’re mine!” He roared at it, voice raw from the ferocity of his words. It attacked, and thrashed, and yet Maerec held his ground. He could feel the effects of overdrawing coming into effect now. His arms were starting to weaken, and there was a brief moment where he felt as if he were going to slip into nothingness, but determination held him steady. “Calm yourself, beast!” He called out to it as Arsene made another mighty attack against it. “Or else our assault shall continue!” Surely the dragon was tired of being pestered by such small and insignificant creatures.
“We don’t want to kill you!” Sure, it would have been hard for the dragon to trust that. “But we need you to stop!” The dragon must have been tired… for it seemed to slow itself from its thrashing. It still fought, but with more fatigue this time. “We know you have protected the villagers in the area for a long time now. But look at what has happened now! That which you protected has been burned down. Those that revered you are either dead or dying. You were their protector!” Maerec felt different somehow as he spoke. As if he himself were just as large as the dragon. As if he could look into its eyes and make it understand. “You have every right to lay an assault on those that harmed you, but your rage has gone beyond your enemies! Be at peace, dragon, and spare those that do not deserve your ire!”
Hearing Maerec, the dragon crashed into the side of the mountain, revealing exactly where its nest was. Three large eggs rested in the nest, and the dragon painfully roared and curled itself around it. Beaten and bloodied, exhausted from the attacks, the dragon seemed to accept its defeat. Maerec had made it onto the dragon’s head and stood there, staring down into one of its eyes. Behind him, he could finally hear the sound of a music box. It was a strange sound, and not quite a song that would be expected. But he could see the change in the dragon’s eye as it listened to his words and the music box. As the others collected into the area, Maerec crouched down to pet the dragon on the stretch between its eyes. “Protect us, and we shall protect you. And what is yours.” He finally said, giving an exhausted smile to the dragon. He could feel the connection between them. He couldn’t tell if their goals would ever align, but for now, they had a bond, and the dragon was at peace.
The exhaustion took hold of the force knight, and Maerec collapsed onto the dragon’s snout. He rested there a moment as he heard his allies begin to rummage around the area. He heard claims laid to the eggs, and after a while he sat up and motioned over Hildr and Percy to come near. “I see Arsene has taken a liking to one day having a dragon of his own.” He laughed and held out a hand to help Percy up onto the dragon. “I could see what you two had done on the field, and I humbly thank you for your assistance. She calls to me…” He reached down to pet the dragon’s head once more. “And I believe she thinks she would be able to trust you two as well… if the need ever arises to request her aid in battle.” The chosen three, the first of their kind–dragon riders.
“Lady Hildr,” Maerec started, more quietly as he allowed Percy to go onto whatever boisterous rant he decided to in that moment. “I would like to personally thank you for deciding to help us. We lost a lot of good men today, but I feel their sacrifice was ultimately for the greater good. Our drive and determination has been rewarded today, and I hope you choose to continue your path on the same road with us.” He offered her a slanted smile. “I feel you may be able to find a place with us here.”
After a while, Maerec heard his name being called out and he turned his attention towards the inner parts of the cave. The others had found all kinds of treasures and were pulling them out, showing them off and divvying them out amongst one another. “Shall we see what’s left for us?” He called to Hilr and Percy before jumping off of the dragon.
As he landed, a knee gave out, sending the knight crumbling to the ground in a fit of laughter. How ridiculous he must have looked. “I must not have my land legs back yet.” He chuckled, rolling over to push himself up only to see a small ornate chest not too far from the dragon’s tail. Curiously drawn to it, Maerec stood and walked over to it. It must have been missed as the others rummaged through the treasures. He carefully opened it and looked inside.
A fruit?
The fruit was vibrant and beautiful. It looked almost as if it could have been made of glowing red gems. Something about it hummed with energy. It also looked incredibly delicious. There was a moment where Maerec did not have a hold of himself. It was as if he was in some kind of trance. The fruit was too tempting, and after all of that, he just had to eat it.
And so he did.
Visions flashed before his very eyes–things that he could not fully comprehend. But just as soon as they started, they stopped.
As Maerec seemed to come back to himself, he felt something very hard hit him square against the jaw and sent him flying back onto the ground. “What was that for?!” He yelled out, seeing that it was Caelum that sent him sprawling, and continued his assault. What had he done? No, really… Maerec, what have you done?!