The Orb of Azcera

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

© 2010 Tony Van Sant. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/13/2010

ISBN: 978-1-4490-6637-6 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-6635-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4490-6636-9 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010902797

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

Chapter 63

Chapter 64

Chapter 65

Chapter 66

Chapter 67

Chapter 68

Epilogue

Part 1

Origins

Chapter 1

The great beast approached from the distant sky. Eleven men stood at the mouth of the dragon’s cave, waiting for the battle that would soon ensue. Only a small silhouette of the giant winged creature could be seen against the backdrop of the afternoon sun, but soon enough it would be upon them. Sensing the nervousness of his men, Agostine Brynn, Captain of the small band of the King’s knights, quickly turned the men’s attention back to the task at hand.

Let’s go over this one more time to make sure we are all clear, Agostine began with an authoritative voice.

As he spoke, Agostine stood from a crouched position, his face bearing a look of determination. His men stood at attention almost instinctively as they heard their leader addressing them. Agostine was a man of his early thirties, tall in stature, and in peak physical condition. He wore his sandy brown hair at shoulder length, and bore a clean-cut beard and mustache. His face carried the scars of battle, which made him appear older than he actually was. Despite that, Agostine was considered a handsome man. His face was stern and rugged in appearance, yet his deep blue eyes somehow seemed to soften his face just enough to give him what could be described as an approachable quality. As he adjusted the metal breastplate that was strapped over his shoulders, he continued his instruction.

The corridor just inside the entrance to the cave will provide us the best means of attack. Everyone will file in, hide in the crevices along the walls of the long narrow passageway, and wait. Do nothing to give up the element of surprise, or we will quickly lose our advantage.

The men encircled their leader as he went over the plan one last time. Agostine clearly saw the fatigue on the men’s faces as he spoke, but he did not waiver. The King’s knights were weary from the long journey that brought them to this point. It was Agostine’s task to ensure that the soldiers stayed focused, and were ready for what was about to transpire.

As the dragon enters, Agostine said, pointing to the cave entrance in front of the men, and it makes its way down the path to its lair, we will strike from both sides. Wait until its head is past you and you have a clear shot at its underbelly. The narrow pathway will not allow it to turn its head to strike, so it will only be able to back up or charge forward.

The men listened intently as Agostine spoke. Faces that previously appeared tired and battered began to show signs of energy and confidence.

Group two! Agostine pointed toward four of the men circled around him. Since you are in the middle of the corridor, you will strike first. If it backs up, then group one… he paused briefly, pointing to four different men, …will strike next trying to keep it from returning to the outside. If it moves forward, my group, group three, will strike, hopefully finishing it before it can enter its lair and have room to maneuver. Are we all clear so far?

Agostine paused to ensure understanding. The men all nodded and responded in the affirmative.

Good. If it gets to its lair, or back to the outside, we lose the advantage, but we must continue. The creature will be wounded regardless, so this will still be our best chance to finish it off. If our attacks in the corridor don’t kill it, at least do whatever you can to force it to move forward into its lair instead of backwards to the outside. We don’t want it to be able to fly if it reaches the open air.

Agostine looked up to monitor the dragon’s approach. There was still a little time left before they would be visible to the beast.

He continued, Now, if we have to fight in the open, do not try to take it head on. Its mouth is its strongest weapon. Keep spread out and continue to flank to either side of the creature. Its jaws are incredibly powerful and could easily snap you in two. It can also shoot a venom from its mouth that will burn your skin like acid. We would be best to keep it disoriented by attacking from as many angles as possible. Just stay away from its front.

The command in his voice was clear. There was no room for error. No hesitation allowed. The men gathered in every word. While fear was still prevalent, the clarity that Agostine provided them seemed to help the men overcome any of their previous apprehensions.

Agostine’s voice shifted. He spoke a little softer and more empathetic, but still clearly maintained his authority. Remember what you volunteered for here. This creature has caused enough destruction and loss for us already. Our friends, our families, and our Kingdom are all counting on us. I know you are tired. I know you are nervous. You would be foolish not to be. We need to stay clear-headed on what we must do however. This creature will continue to reign havoc on our Kingdom if we don’t destroy it. Let’s get this done, and we can all go home as heroes.

The men filed into the cave to take their positions. The pathway was dark, only slightly illuminated from the sunlight shining in through the cave opening, and from a dim light at the end of the path coming from the dragon’s lair. The rock walls offered many crevices to hide within, and stalagmites to hide behind. Agostine observed as each of the men readied weapons for the sneak attack. Swords and spears were drawn, and the men, one by one, crouched and hid in the darkness. Once he was confident that all were in position, Agostine slid into a crack in the wall near the doorway to the dragon’s lair. There he would wait until the beast’s arrival.

From his position, he could see clear to the bright light shining through from the outside. He would have an excellent vantage point to see all that was about to transpire. He found himself trying intently to control his breathing. The anticipation was wearisome. He was as nervous as anyone else in his regime, though he dared not show it. They looked to him for confidence. Now, as he sat seemingly alone in the dark, he feared his breathing would give him away. He tried to calm himself with deeper, longer breaths. In the passing minutes, which seemed like an eternity, Agostine reflected back on what brought him to this dreadful place.

Not long ago, on a seemingly average summer afternoon, Agostine went about his rounds on guard patrol at the castle of King Gamaeon in the Kingdom of Aadanea. Agostine was a Patrol Captain, a mid-level title of authority within the King’s army, but was highly regarded and even on a first name basis with the King himself. Agostine was respected and feared for his abilities with a sword, but even more impressive was his natural born leadership ability, something that his superiors quickly took notice of. Agostine could read his men better than most, and understood what to say, when to say it, and most importantly how to say it, almost instinctively. His leadership style was poetic. He had a rare ability to display authority and demand respect while also gaining complete and undeniable admiration from his men. Agostine carried the confidence of a man who was being groomed for bigger and better things. He knew in his heart and mind that he would lead this army one day.

As Agostine checked in on one of the guard posts atop the castle wall, shouting and screams could be heard on the other side of the castle. Agostine, reacting quickly, instructed the guards before him.

Stay at your post unless I call for you. I will check it out.

Agostine rushed along the walkway atop the castle wall until he reached the opposite side. As he rounded the corner, he stopped abruptly for just a second, completely unprepared for what he would witness. Hovering just over the village homes outside the castle was a dragon like none Agostine had ever seen. In fact, he had never actually seen one in person in his life, only pictures in storybooks or descriptions from the tales of travelers who passed through. Neither did justice to the sight of the magnificent creature before him. The beast was clearly aggressive, so Agostine had little time to gather his senses before moving into action.

The dragon began to rise higher into the sky. Its shimmering green and red scales looked almost metallic in the hot summer sun. As it circled around, its attention turned downward towards the men on the ground. The soldiers below moved in with bows and crossbows drawn, clearly ready to fight. The dragon leveled its flight, hovering almost even with the top of the castle wall. It flapped its wings slightly to keep a stationary position in the sky, and then reared its head back as though ready to strike. Agostine moved toward the closest guard post, and drew a loaded crossbow from the weapons rack.

All together men, fire on my mark!

As the dragon’s head surged forward, Agostine shouted.

FIRE!

Arrows launched from both the castle wall and from the courtyard. The dragon spit venom from its mouth, mortally wounding several of the men on the ground below. It shrieked from the piercing of the oncoming arrows as they struck. The creature was only disoriented for a moment however. Appearing angered by the attack, the dragon lunged toward the soldiers in the courtyard as they readied their weapons for the next strike. Agostine could only watch as the beast swooped down and clamped its mouth shut on one of the men in its path, and then quickly fled away, carrying the arrow from Agostine’s crossbow in its left eye. In just a short moment, nearly as quickly as it had started, the conflict was already over.

The brazen dragon would return again and again. It had discovered a feeding ground, and it would continue to be drawn to it. The Kingdom grew more and more prepared for its attacks, watching the skies and sounding alarms so bystanders could seek shelter, but their attempts to take the beast down were meek at best. The creature was too powerful and too agile to be significantly hurt by the attacks of the soldiers. Occasionally it would be discouraged and leave before getting its fill, but it would inevitably return. Even attempts to sacrifice livestock by leaving unattended cattle tied up outside the village limits would work at times, but at other times would be disregarded by the dragon. Many men lost their lives to the appetite of the great beast. It was on the occasion of the King’s darkest day that Agostine would be called to speak with him personally about what would happen next.

King Gamaeon normally exuded a powerful presence, one that could intimidate even the most confident man, as Agostine could attest. At this moment however, the tall thick-statured man sat sloped over on a wooden bench in the corner of his throne room, far away from the majestic seat he usually occupied. His right elbow rested on his knee as his hand covered his eyes. His jet-black hair wore no crown. His bearded mouth quivered. Agostine approached.

Ah, you are here. Thank you for coming so quickly, Gamaeon remarked, attempting to sound more enthusiastic than he actually was.

Fearful of breaking protocol, but clearly understanding that something was wrong, Agostine replied, I am always at your service sir. Why do you despair?

My son is dead, Gamaeon answered in a cold monotone voice. We were attacked again. It took my son. He paused. IT TOOK MY SON!!!! he shouted in anger. The echo reverberated in the large empty room.

Agostine waited a moment while Gamaeon sat quietly, clearly shaken and on the verge of tears.

What would you have me do, my king? Agostine said softly. Whatever you ask, I will do it for you.

Gamaeon paused for a moment longer, and gathered himself to speak. He drew closer to Agostine, and quietly began, As you know, we have attempted to track the origin of that ‘thing’ and I feel we have a good idea of where it nests. His voice began to rise. I need you to gather some men, track it down, and kill it! He sighed, seeming to realize how futile it was to get angry, and calmly continued. Sir Bleidyn will provide you the information we have so far on its whereabouts. I fear now that we did not put enough effort forward, or this catastrophe could have been avoided. I will not make the same mistake again. I trust in you Agostine. You are the best man for this job, and I know that under your command success will be achieved. I need your full attention on this. Once you have met with Sir Bleidyn, gather what you need and leave as quickly as you are able. Return only when you have killed that beast.

Agostine simply replied, It will be done, and began to head toward the door to exit. Gamaeon stopped him.

I need something else from you. When you have slain the dragon, sever off one of its feet, and bring it to me. A front claw will do just fine. It will be a trophy to celebrate our conquest. I want to ensure that the entire Kingdom has the peace of mind of knowing that beast is dead.

As you wish my King.

As Agostine again turned to depart, another figure entered the room. This was someone Agostine had no familiarity with. He was tall and thin, wearing a long black beard that was groomed to a fine point some six inches or so below his chin, and no moustache. His eyes were dark, almost black in appearance. His long, dark blue robe touched the floor as he walked, and he wore a hood that covered his hair and ears. The man exchanged glances with Agostine as he entered, but no words were spoken. His gaze gave Agostine an uneasy feeling. As the stranger approached the King, Agostine could clearly see that Gamaeon was expecting him, and sensed that it was time to depart.

The King stopped Agostine once more as he attempted to leave. Don’t forget. I need that dragon’s claw. I am counting on you.

With that, Agostine departed to meet with Sir Bleidyn, the High Commander of the King’s army.

Need? Agostine thought.

The King seemed very purposeful in using that word. It gave Agostine pause, but he soon dismissed it as the King simply wanting closure to help him deal with his grief.

Like King Gamaeon, Agostine and Sir Bleidyn had interacted on several occasions in the past, but this was clearly a different circumstance. Bleidyn was extremely serious as he provided Agostine instruction.

I have sent several parties out to track the beast as long as they could after each encounter. Based on the reports I have received, we have narrowed its origin to somewhere in the Blackmar Hills.

Bleidyn pulled a large map and unrolled it on the table in front of them.

Your journey will take you several days. You will cross through the dense forests here on your way to the mountain range.

Bleidyn pointed to a position on the map where the forest was represented, and then slid his finger to the mountain range positioned to the west of the forest. He circled a small section of the mountains with his finger.

We have gathered that somewhere amongst this grouping of mountains is the dragon’s lair. Our scouts have only been able to narrow it down this much so far. You will need to complete the search to find exactly where it comes from so you can set up your attack. The element of surprise will probably be your only hope of killing it, so scouting the best scenario possible is imperative. You have seen firsthand how difficult this creature is to stop. Patience will be key. You will have to be strategic and deliberate in setting up the strike so that it is effective. You may only get one chance at this. The dragon has demonstrated it is very intelligent, and I suspect will not be fooled twice.

How many men do I have at my disposal, Agostine inquired.

Only fifteen. I would send more, but we dare not spare them. We need all the men we can muster to defend our walls should the dragon return, or should the Morroks decide to advance on us.

The Morroks?

Yes. We have word that they may be preparing to take up arms against us. They have coveted our land for some time, and in our weakened state since this dragon began its assaults on us, the rumors are circling that they feel the time is right to make war. They have never truly respected our claim on this land; however they have tolerated us thus far as they have had no distinct advantage over us. Now, we are weakened just enough to give them an edge, and I’m afraid they know it.

The Morroks occupied Cuhlich, the neighboring country just north of Aadenea. They were quite well known for their impressive army and for their desire to expand their occupied lands by force. King Gamaeon ensured his Kingdom was prepared to stand up against the Morroks by building a strong army of his own. In a straight fight, the Morrok hoard would be a tough opponent for Gamaeon’s knights. With the multitude of dead and wounded from the dragon’s onslaughts, Gamaeon’s army would be hard pressed to defend their walls should a full assault come on now.

Agostine concluded his meeting with Sir Bleidyn. He would be responsible for recruiting his fifteen men and setting off as quickly as they were ready. Gathering the recruits was relatively easy for Agostine, as many of the men who knew him or knew of him were ready to fight to the death at his side. Agostine pulled in two of the men involved in the previous scouting efforts to track the dragon, along with some of the best and bravest fighters in the Kingdom. They packed their horses with camping gear, rations, and an assortment of weapons, and set off early the next morning.

The journey took them into the dense woods along the route Sir Bleidyn and Agostine had plotted. Following the map, the men traveled for two days on horseback, journeying without pause from the early morning until nightfall. They would set up camp each evening, and were moving again at daybreak. A few hours into their travels on the third day, their destination came into clear view, the Blackmar Hills. Agostine, along with his scouts, narrowed their search to a section of the mountain range that spanned about two miles in diameter. As they continued their advance, their eyes were continuously pointed toward the sky for signs of the dragon. It was on the afternoon of the third day that something caught the attention of one of the men.

I think I see it! he called to the rest of the troops.

In the distance, the dragon was headed their way.

Mark the map, Agostine called to one of the scouts. That mountain… there!

He pointed up at what appeared to be the origin point of the dragon. As the beast grew closer, Agostine then shifted his attention.

Quickly! Take cover! We do not want to confront it just yet.

The men ducked down and hid in the vegetation surrounding them. A moment later, the dragon passed overhead. Despite his previous encounters with it, Agostine was still impressed by the majesty of the beast. It spanned the length of about ten men from head to tail. It bore green scales across most of its body, with red stripes that went down its back and its stomach. Its front feet and legs were red as well, with stripes extending along its side and into the underside of its wings. Its head was long and narrow, with razor sharp teeth protruding from its jaws. Its muscle tone showed through its scales, highlighting the sheer power of the beast. While locating the dragon this quickly was fortunate, Agostine also realized that the sight of the beast turned many of the men uneasy. He knew he needed to keep them focused.

Once assured that the dragon was safely past, Agostine addressed his men, Let’s move. We need to see what we can find while the dragon is gone.

The men continued along their path. They were still a good hour’s journey from the mountain they needed to explore. Further, they would have to navigate their way up the rocky terrain, which would not be an easy task. They prompted their horses to move forward.

As some time passed, the mountain was almost upon them, and so was a stealthy predator.

From the trees above, a lycor sprung, viciously attacking one of the men and fatally wounding him with a tear of its teeth at his neck. The horse was toppled as the man was pulled down to the ground by the giant cat. Releasing its grip, the lycor stood in attack position, pacing sideways and appearing ready to strike at another of the soldiers. The men quickly drew their weapons, some dismounting to come at the lycor head on.

Lycor were well known as fierce fighters, often able to take down prey significantly larger than them. This did not bear well for Agostine and his men, who were equal in size to the large cat before them. The lycor wore tan fur over most of its body, and bore its signature black stripes, three in total, extending from its nose to the end of its back.

As one of the men advanced on the cat, sword drawn, a second lycor lunged out of the trees just above him, quickly disabling him with its sharp teeth and claws. Another of the knights, seeing his comrade being assailed, rushed at the second lycor, only to be attacked by yet another of the cats as it pounced from the bushes. As the men surveyed their surroundings, more of the lycor appeared, both in the tree branches above, and from behind the trees and bushes on the ground. The knights suddenly found themselves to be surrounded. Although none had time to count, there had to be at least fifty of the cats now coming at them from all angles.

Agostine stayed atop his horse, working to keep it steady as the hunters slowly circled and edged forward.

Pull together! he shouted. We’re getting out of here. We need to move quickly as a pack. Stampede over anything in your way.

Those who had dismounted now carefully returned to their horses. The men had to look on helplessly at their three brethren who had fallen prey to the lycor attacks. A couple of the cats began to tear pieces of flesh to feast upon right from the bones of the dead knights. The surviving men pulled their steeds together, moving the now vacant horses to the outside.

On my mark, charge ahead toward the mountains, Agostine commanded. Do not stop or stray. Our best hope is to move quickly and stay together.

As the lycor carefully inched forward, clearly ready to pounce at any second, Agostine signaled his team to move.

Ready……Hee-yah!!!!

Agostine’s horse quickly sprung into action, followed by the rest of the party. The horses trampled forward while the lycor charged from all directions. Some of the predators that blocked the horses’ path quickly moved aside, while others were trampled as they attempted to attack. The men, shields and weapons drawn, feverishly knocked the aggressors away that lunged at them from the sides. The pack of horses rode tightly together, giving the lycor only the outside of the grouping to attack, and allowing the men to concentrate their defenses in one direction as opposed to having to cover all angles.

The next victim would fall, one of the horses without a rider. Then a scream came as one of the men’s defenses was breached, and he and his horse were taken to the ground. The knights dared not stop for him, as much as they wanted to. He wouldn’t last long enough for a rescue effort to be successful.

The trees grew more and more dense, and the pursuers did not appear to be letting up. Soon, the horses began to split off due to the sheer lack of space to maneuver amongst all the foliage. Their pack had now been sectioned off into several smaller groups. The cats split their efforts as well, breaking off to chase each.

Agostine led as two of his men followed tightly along. The cats were amazingly fast through the rough terrain, and despite the speed of the horses, the men could not seem to gain any ground. Another of the cats sprung at Agostine from his right. As he pierced it with his sword, a second lycor attacked him on his left, sinking its claws into his leg. The pain was intense as it shot throughout his entire body. Quickly Agostine swung his sword and severed the front leg of the cat. The attacker tumbled away as Agostine rode on. He then pulled the dismembered paw away from his leg, removing the sharp claws from his thigh, and discarded it.

The trees began to lessen, and Agostine could now see a clearing not far ahead. His plan to outrun the lycor did not seem to be working. Realizing he underestimated how persistent the cats would be, he quickly focused his attention on a new plan of action. His men were all still within a visible distance. They seemed to realize as well that the trees would soon clear. The knights began to move their group back together again.

Should we stop and make a stand? one of the men shouted.

The soldiers continued to cut and slash at the cats as they pounced.

Let’s get into the open and see if we can find a high ground. Agostine called out.

As the horses broke through the trees, Agostine could see they had a short span of open land before they would reach the base of the mountains. The lycor tailed off just a bit now as the horses were able to take full speed. There was not enough distance however for the men to gain considerable ground before they would reach rough terrain again. Agostine spotted a section of rock that the horses would be able to climb.

There! he shouted.

The party pushed forward. They rose up a straight slope of rock at the base of the mountain. The horses stalled a little as they navigated the rocky terrain. The lycor were not slowed as much, and at their current pace would catch up quickly. At about forty feet above ground level, the men stopped and quickly dismounted. Without hesitation, they turned to face their predators. Bows and crossbows were drawn out, and the men fired rapidly at the oncoming cats, just ten feet below and quickly moving forward. The pursuit through the woods seemed to reduce the number of lycor to the knights’ good fortune. There were now about twenty of the cats as opposed to the overwhelming number that the men had started off against. The soldiers had established the higher ground, and their pursuers were now all in front of them, giving the men a clear advantage. Several of the cats fell under the bombardment of arrows. A few broke through and had to be taken down by sword. After a few minutes of battle, the remaining lycor retreated back into the woods, realizing they had little chance in capturing their prey now.

Eleven of the original sixteen men, including Agostine, remained. Agostine saw four of the men fall. He was informed that another was overtaken when they were split apart. The men stopped only briefly to rest and mourn their fallen brothers. They were still in a race against time to find the dragon’s lair before it returned.

The next leg of their journey would be difficult, and the horses would not be able to make the pass up. They would have to navigate rock walls and narrow paths to continue upwards, and there was no guarantee that they would find what they were looking for. Tired and weary, the men pressed on; stopping only briefly for rests when they found a place that could provide them some shelter should the dragon fly overhead again. The pain in Agostine’s leg throbbed, but he, like all the others, did not have time for pain. He had wrapped his thigh tightly where the lycor’s claws cut into him, and now could do nothing more than try to ignore his discomfort.

Agostine’s party would try to reach the approximate altitude where they saw the dragon first come out. From there, they would search for openings in the mountain walls that could house a creature of that size. For two hours they climbed and searched, until one of the men spotted an opening just above them.

Let’s try up there. It looks like a cave.

Nice work. Agostine replied. Let’s go.

The men climbed up until they reached a flat platform of rock just outside the cave entrance. They quickly filed into the dark cave to look around, while one of the men stayed outside to keep watch on the skies. From this distance up, one could see for miles across the countryside. The woods below were a menacing reminder of the battle they had just encountered.

Inside the cave, the men found the dragon’s lair. It was unmistakable, as several pieces of armor bearing the crest of Aadanea were cast among the skeletal remains of the dragon’s victims. The area was quite large in comparison to the narrow pathway that led into it. The space easily gave the large dragon plenty of room to maneuver. The rock ceiling above them stood about thirty feet high. The cavern was illuminated slightly by small breaks in the ceiling, no more than a couple of feet wide, where a little sunlight was able to shine through.

The men scouted their surroundings thoroughly, formulating their plan of attack. Once confident that the plan was solid, Agostine broke off from the rest of the group, and walked outside. He crouched down for a moment to rest as the pain in his leg continued to pulse. His break would quickly be interrupted however.

As the soldiers inside the cave hall continued to look around, a call came from the outside. Incoming!!!

The men rushed out.

The great beast approached from the distant sky.

Agostine was startled as a thunderous pounding shook through the cave corridor. The dragon set down just outside the cave. Agostine’s blood rushed, and he felt the pounding of pain in his thigh. A moment later, the dragon began its advance toward its lair. Agostine gripped his sword tightly, waiting for his moment to strike.

As it moved forward, almost halfway down the narrow path now, the dragon stopped. It sniffed at the air, as if sensing something was amiss. Agostine now wondered if its sense of smell was so acute that the men would be given away. As the dragon began to scan the rock walls on each side of the cave, Agostine felt helpless. He feared his men would be discovered.

The dragon lowered its head and began to breathe in more intensely as it smelled along the walls. One of the knights was nearly face to face with the beast. Fearful that he had been discovered, the soldier thrust his spear forward and stuck it right into the snout of the creature before him. The dragon reared its head back, startled from the pain. The man ran out of his hiding spot and sprinted forward, desperate to escape. As he came toward Agostine, the dragon quickly spotted him and lunged ahead. Its jaw snapped down on the soldier, cutting his torso from his lower body.

The knights hiding in the middle of the cave corridor now had a clear shot at the dragon, and from both sides they attacked with spears and swords at its mid-section, causing the dragon to erupt in a screeching bellow from the pain. As the beast began to back up to strike back at its attackers, the knights closest to the cave opening charged out, piercing the dragon several times from behind. The dragon quickly stopped and began to move forward again in reaction to the assault.

The men in the middle of the corridor again struck at the underbelly of the beast as it passed. Now the dragon was almost upon Agostine. Sensing more attackers could be lurking, the mighty reptile fired its venom at the rock walls opposite Agostine. There were cries of pain from the two knights hiding in the darkness. Agostine drew his shield as the dragon turned to spit towards him this time. He would only be able to duck behind his shield to fend off the attack. He would be unable to strike as the creature passed.

The dragon thundered into its lair while the soldiers raced out of their hiding spots and down the corridor to continue their assault. Agostine looked up, and was happy to see one of the knights that hid across from him emerging. The man’s face and arms were severely burned, but he was not mortally wounded. The other of the soldiers that had been hiding there did not come out.

The remaining nine charged into the dragon’s lair. As they entered, the creature had already turned to face them, ready to fend off their attacks. It quickly fired its venom again, causing the men to scatter to both sides. Two of the knights were overzealous as they raced forward, and were quickly overcome.

Agostine circled to his right. He could now clearly see the glassy left eye of the dragon, wounded from his arrow in their first meeting. The dragon swung its body back and forth in an attempt to stave off its attackers. The men continued to circle around, trying to stay to the dragon’s sides as they looked for an opening to attack. With great speed, the beast swung its powerful tail with tremendous force, knocking three of the soldiers into the nearby rock wall. Two did not stand back up, either knocked unconscious or killed instantly. The third was shaken and struggled to regain his feet.

It can’t see out of his left eye! Agostine called out. Stay to its left!

The men immediately responded, and moved toward the beast’s weak side. The dragon continued to swing around as the men jockeyed to stay to its left and away from its jaw. For just a brief moment, the dragon paused to catch its breath, and was quickly struck by three blades. Again, it emitted an agonizing screech. The beast was dazed, but mustered enough strength to shift its weight and swing its tail again in defense of the attack. The pure force of the dragon’s swinging body caused Agostine to lose the grip on his sword as he attempted to pull it from the dragon’s ribs. He looked up as the tail of the dragon closed on him, and he knew he would not avoid the blow.

In an instant, everything went black.

Chapter 2

The eruption of gunfire and explosions was deafening. Ages after the time of Agostine Brynn, Lieutenant Cale Tanner of the Allied Territory Army led his troops into the city of Yhamahn, determined to take back the city from the invading Kahlmorien militants.

Get ready to move on my mark! Cale shouted to his unit. The front line is retreating! Move in on the Kahlmorien base, and take out the cannon pods to open up the ground assault for the rest of the troops! This is what you do best boys!

I take offense to that, Sergeant Loxzana Terrey responded in a sarcastic manner, as she was often known to do.

Loxzana enjoyed the banter that came with being the only female in her unit. She was a stout, muscular black woman, early thirties, with mid-length black hair that extended out under her black helmet. As the second in command of her unit, she often took pleasure in giving the boys a hard time, and even more pleasure in beating them at whatever the objective was at hand.

I’m sorry, this is what you do best MEN! Cale retorted with a glint of a smile on his face.

That’s better! Let’s go baby! Let’s kick some ass! Loxzana called out.

She rose up from behind the bunker where her battalion was positioned, and began to trot out in a crouched position toward the enemy stronghold. Three other soldiers followed close behind, all dressed in black uniforms and headgear.

The Allied Territory Army, or ATA as it was commonly referred to, surrounded the military compound set deep in the battle-fatigued city of Yhamahn, capital city of the planet Azcera. Hundreds of the black uniformed soldiers, with full armament at their disposal, were called upon by the Allied Government to take back the city from its oppressors. The Kahlmoriens were unwelcome guests in Yhamahn, having set up their stronghold there after brutally attacking and overthrowing the previous inhabitants.

The city was empty now, except for the two armies at war. Once a vibrant metropolis, the buildings now showed the fatigue of massive firefights, with piles of twisted metal and rubble scattering the streets. The ground was littered with the remains of those who had previously fought and lost in their effort to protect their homeland. The massacre brought on this peaceful land by the Kahlmoriens was evident all around.

The Kahlmoriens were outcasts of the Allied Territories. They touted a highly powerful, underground military force that was fixated on seceding from the governing power. The Kahlmoriens were a race of men from the city of Kahlmor, a mid-sized metropolis located on the planet Bynzarac. Bynzarac was one of the eleven affiliated planets of the Allied Territories. The Allied planets were bound together by a collaborative treaty, governed independently, but aligned under one holistic leadership council, which was led by the Grand Minister, an elected official. While Bynzarac was in full allegiance with the Allied Government, the Kahlmoriens grew tired of governing laws and looked to branch out on their own.

The attack on Azcera’s capital city, while not part of the Allied Territories, was a bold move that required immediate response according to the head of the Allied Government, Grand Minister Hilliam Tyber. The ATA was the response. Their mission was to return Yhamahn to its rightful citizens, and in doing so, send a message to the Kahlmoriens, as well as to any others who might attempt an illegal invasion on the outlying planets, that the Allied Government would not stand by idly.

The Kahlmoriens had fallen back to the Yhamahn Government Center, a walled-in community of buildings that normally housed the governing officials. The complex was filled with government offices, courthouses, law enforcement bases, and other assorted public buildings. The Government Center had now become the Kahlmoriens’ military base of operations. It was the only refuge the Kahlmoriens had left in Yhamahn, having been pushed back aggressively by the ATA.

As the Kahlmoriens on the front line finalized their retreat back into their base, overwhelmed by the ATA’s firepower, Loxzana and her three compatriots slipped into position. Amongst the commotion, the small band was able to quickly race forward and position themselves against the outer wall of the enemy compound without being seen. Although the ground troops had retreated, the Kahlmoriens had outfitted the outer wall of the base with eight very powerful cannons. The mounted turrets continued to fire rapidly at the Allied army that surrounded the compound. Two cannons were set against each of the four outer walls of the large fortress. The guns were elevated about six feet off the ground, held up by four thick metal legs extending from the bottom. Circular pods made of thick metal covered each of the cannons, protecting them from harm. The barrels of the cannons projected out through small vertical slits on the front of the pods. The slim openings extended above and below the barrels, and were protected by bulletproof glass. Gunfire and missiles ricocheted off the glass and metal casings, causing no damage. With the cannons in place, an all-on assault on the base would result in serious casualties for the ATA soldiers. Loxzana and her band would need to take out the cannons at close range to allow for the rest of the troops to safely advance.

Alright boys, get your drill-bombs ready, Loxzana called out as she pulled two rectangular capsules from her belt.

Oooh, can I have that one?!? I’ll trade you, Operative Bodie Atterly requested of one of the other men, his red eyebrows raised wide with excitement.

What is wrong with the ones you have? Dabernius Troch responded in his deep voice, sounding slightly annoyed.

You know he won’t be happy until you give it to him. It’s better not to ask. Just trade him, the third man, Lekais Malkin, interjected.

Dabernius stared down at Bodie with a scowl on his face. The dark-skinned black man was impressively large, both very tall and very muscular. He bore no hair on his head or face. The mere sight of him could easily intimidate the average man. He towered over the small-statured redhead; however Bodie did not seem at all phased. Bodie was simply fixated on the bomb capsule in Dabernius’ hand, bearing a look of gleeful anticipation. Finally, Dabernius extended his hand and offered up his drill bomb as requested.

Thanks Daber! I will name her Myrtle. Bodie completed the trade and then directed his attention towards his new acquisition. Now Myrtle, I need a big explosion out of you, he said, as though talking to a child.

As Bodie focused on the drill-bomb capsule in his hand, Dabernius directed his attention towards Lekais and Loxzana. Does that idiot actually believe all these inanimate objects he names can hear him? he inquired.

I don’t care what goes on in that boy’s head, Loxzana responded. As long as he keeps blowin’ stuff up when I need him to, he can talk to whatever he wants. And speaking of blowin’ stuff up, let’s get to it.

The four crawled, two in each direction, while the cannons continued to fire rapidly. The ATA shooting ceased, allowing Loxzana and her men time to plant their bombs safely. It would not take long for the Kahlmorien forces to realize that something was amiss, so the four Operatives had to act quickly. Lekais crawled under the closest cannon pod to the left, careful not to be seen, and then rounded the corner. Loxzana and Bodie went right, mirroring Lekais’ actions. Dabernius stayed against the wall they began with. They would synchronize their attack on all four sides of the complex.

After a short period, Loxzana reached the furthest wall on the other side of the compound. She signaled the others with a push of a button located on her armband. The other three sent their transmissions, and felt the vibration of the return signals on their own bands, indicating all were now in position. Loxzana carefully reached up and placed the capsule on the bottom of the cannon pod where the glass slit came to a point, careful not to be seen by the gunner on the inside. As the capsule affixed to the pod, it opened up to reveal a tiny round drill, which began to quietly cut through the glass. Once both capsules were affixed, Loxzana centered herself between the two cannons, ducking down upon the ground and covering her head. The first drill bomb broke through, the bit having burrowed until the small explosive device carried with it was able to drop on the inside of the glass.

The explosion erupted on the inside of the pod. The metal and glass shields remained intact, containing the blast on the inside. More explosions followed on all sides of the compound. The four signaled each other again to confirm all was clear. Upon receiving the verification, Loxzana sent the code ahead to Lieutenant Tanner.

All clear! Cale called out to the rest of his Special Ops team. Let’s move in!

Cale was leader of the Special Operations unit of the ATA. A man of his mid-forties, he was the oldest of his unit by at least a decade. His black hair was speckled with touches of gray, which would often incite jokes from the rest of his team. They loved to make ‘old man’ jokes at this expense. He took it all in stride. He enjoyed the banter as much as the rest of them, and could dish it out pretty well himself.

Cale and his unit were considered amongst the most skilled and deadliest combatants the military had to offer, and were generally the first ones into battle. They were experts in high-powered weapons, explosives, and hand-to-hand combat. They would engage both in large battles such as this, as well as covert missions that required stealth and secrecy.

While their official title was the Special Ops Force, they affectionately referred to themselves as the Dregmols, a long since extinct reptilian creature that roamed the planet Azcera thousands of years before. Many in the group joked as they traveled to this mission that this was their homecoming celebration, as Azcera was the only known planet where the fossils of dregmols were ever found.

According to the prehistorians and scientists, the dregmol stood about ten feet tall, and walked upright on powerful hind legs. It was a fierce hunter with razor sharp teeth, and it bore long arms with sharp claws. The dregmol was believed to be cunning and intelligent, as well as relentless in its pursuit of its prey. While one could only see the remains of a dregmol in a museum in the current day and age, the dregmol had gained a legendary reputation as one of the most vicious creatures to have ever existed. The name was a fitting homage for the military unit that prided themselves on living up to the same reputation.

Using his headset, Cale radioed ahead to the rest of the ATA units surrounding the compound. He signaled the collective forces to hold their positions while he and his unit completed their next objective. Cale, along with the five other members of his Special Ops team who waited with him in the bunker, joined up with Dabernius as they pushed ahead toward the entrance.

Nice work Daber! Cale called out as they moved in on the front gate.

My pleasure sir! Dabernius responded with a smile.

The men examined the thick metal doorway that led into the compound while Loxzana, Lekais, and Bodie rejoined their regime. The air was cautiously quiet now. The mass of gunfire that was almost deafening not long before now echoed in Cale’s ears. It was a rare silence in the midst of heavy battle, and one that would soon be broken.

Blow it! Cale called out.

His men pulled additional explosives out, and placed them strategically around the doorway to blow the hinges and locks. The heavy gate would require a powerful blast, so the soldiers quickly fled for cover back behind their bunker as the bombs were set.

The explosion erupted, sending the door slamming outward to the ground with a metallic thud. As the pathway inside opened, heavy gunfire came from within. The ATA forces returned fire immediately upon the enemy troops. The Dregmols lined up in a single row along the edge of the sloped ground they used for cover, and joined the rest of their ATA comrades by rapidly firing shots at the enemy.

Lekais, prepare the pulse mortar cannon! Cale called out.

Lekais slid down deeper into the dug out earth. He wiped the sweat from his olive-skinned brow, and removed his black helmet, revealing his thick, wavy black hair. He then pulled heavy goggles from his pocket, and placed them over his dark brown eyes. As the loud gunfire continued just above him, Lekais pulled a large case out from the stacks of supplies and ammunition that was readied at the back of the bunker. He placed the crate flat on the ground, flipped open the two heavy latches on each side, and swung open the hinged top. Efficiently, he assembled the weapon housed inside, affixing a long metal tube onto its stand. Once the assembly was complete and the cannon was in place, Lekais began calculating measurements for his shot.

Here you go, Operative Shanjei Dowmo grunted to Lekais as he pulled out the heavy ammunition crate containing the pulse mortar rounds.

Shanjei, nicknamed Shadow by his fellow Dregmols, was a pale-skinned man of medium height. He was thin and sleek, and well toned. A highly trained martial artist, Shanjei was one of the fiercest hand-to-hand combatants in the entire Allied army. He earned the name Shadow because of his incredible skills at stealth and camouflage. He could get in and out of most locations, even those heavily guarded, without anyone ever knowing he was there. It was a fitting nickname, although not a difficult one to come up with, as the name Shadow was made up the first three letters of his first and last names.

Shanjei placed the ammunition case on the ground, and removed his helmet, revealing his short, spiked black hair. He popped open the crate as Lekais steadied the mortar gun. Shanjei pulled out his goggles and placed them over his dark brown, almond shaped eyes. Seeing that Lekais was done with his set up, Shanjei readied the first shell. Both placed their helmets back on as they prepared to launch the first shot.

Fire in the hole! Lekais called out.

Shanjei released the shell. A thunderous cloud of smoke erupted from the tube, sending the shell skyrocketing upwards. As the projectile hit the ground inside the enemy compound, an echoing electric pulse exploded outward in all directions from the impact point. The circular shockwave was so intense that it tore the flesh right from the bones of those unfortunate enough to be caught in its path.

Several more pulse mortars made contact inside enemy lines, along with a multitude of missiles fired from the ATA soldiers. The Kahlmorien troops were sent reeling in retreat once again.

The Dregmols would be the first to move in, followed by a small band of ATA infantrymen. The remaining army would maintain a perimeter around the compound for any unexpected attacks or escape attempts. Cale led the way as his unit followed. He made a few hand signals, and the soldiers dispersed in several directions, checking for hidden enemy survivors that might pose a threat. Bodies were strewn about, charred and broken from the onslaught of explosions. Those that avoided the attacks looked to have successfully drawn back.

There was a vast multitude of buildings on the inside of the compound, as well as what appeared to be several large hangars. The Allied troops separated, carefully checking the numerous buildings for any threats. Cale gathered that the hangars were likely used to store law enforcement vehicles and aircraft, and motioned for some of the infantrymen to inspect them more closely. Though the Kahlmoriens continued to be driven back, Cale was certain they were not going to give up just yet. As the ATA troops ventured further inside, another wave of soldiers entered the compound, intent to provide back-up for the invaders on the front line.

The Dregmols were deep inside the compound when finally the enemy reemerged. His team had just crossed into the open from a nearby alleyway when suddenly a barrage of shots was fired upon them.

Duck for cover! Cale shouted. Snipers overhead!

The soldiers scattered for shelter as Cale called out the warning. He, along with Dabernius, Bodie, Lekais, and Shanjei, rushed ahead and ducked behind the base of a large statue that stood in the courtyard of what appeared to be a judicial building of some sort. The statue was that of a woman, appearing to be a Queen judging by the crown atop her head. None were familiar with the history of the Yhamahn city or whom the statue depicted, nor did they have time for idle curiosity at this moment. They continued to take on heavy fire. Cale and his small band were now on the opposite side of the street from where they began when the shots were first fired upon them. They were now separated from the rest of their unit, who were still positioned in the alleyway. At the far end of the street stood a large building with two watchtowers, one on each top corner. The shots came from both towers, steadily raining down upon the Special Ops Force to hold them at bay.

Head back down the way we came in and circle around to see if we can get a clearer shot at them, Loxzana called to the band of ATA infantrymen following behind her.

Dregmols! she commanded.

The remaining four members of her group stepped forward.

Our boys are pinned down over there. While the infantry flanks around for a better shot, I need you to go up. Get to the rooftops and take them suckers out!

The four men readied their rifles and filed into the building just next to them.

Hang tight Lieutenant! Loxzana called out to Cale. We’ll spring you.

Cale signaled a thumbs up, and then quickly covered his head again as a rapid succession of bullets whizzed overhead.

As the four Dregmols reached the rooftop, they ducked down to remain out of sight of the towers. From their position, they had a clear vantage point. The tower snipers were too focused on those down below to realize yet that the ATA infantry had spread-out for a counter attack. Loxzana remained on the ground, occasionally firing rounds around the corner of the building wall, and then ducking back. It was primarily a diversion, intended only to keep the snipers focused on those on the ground in front of them. Cale and his band would pop up on occasion to fire a couple of cursory shots as well.

Operative Salroy Karamas readied his rifle. Peering through the scope, he centered his shot on the eastern tower.

I’ve got three in the east, and four in the west, Salroy whispered to the other men. Kali and I will take the east tower. Palmer! Martel! You take out the west tower. On my mark.

The four positioned their guns, each lying flat on their stomachs, their eyes pressed to their scopes.

Ready. Fire…

As Salroy gave the order, a massive explosion shook the rooftop. The fire overcame him and the others faster than they could react to it.

On the ground below, the crumbling top floors of the building came crashing down, toppling Loxzana in their wake.

Cale and his men were caught completely off-guard by the attack. Hovering overhead, a Kahlmorien battle cruiser now moved into view. Outfitted with four helicopter blades centered in each of the four wings of the cross-like ship, the Kahlmorien battle cruiser appeared not to have a front or back. It could turn in any direction, firing weapons from all four sides. The cockpit sat in the middle of the ship, and could swivel in any direction needed. Cale could see the craft had its sights focused on the rooftop as it came into sight, and knew right away that they had all been duped.

We walked right into an ambush! Dabernius shouted, still disgusted at what he had just witnessed.

He stood up and raised his rifle, focusing on the watchtowers ahead through the scope. The snipers were no longer paying attention to what was happening on the ground. They appeared to be celebrating the successful attack of the Kahlmorien cruiser. Dabernius rattled off six quick shots, paused for a couple of seconds, and then fired one more. None missed.

Several more of the battle cruisers now emerged, honing in and firing on the ATA soldiers inside the compound walls.

We’re under heavy attack! Cale shouted into his headset. We need immediate air support in here! Our men are pinned down inside the compound!

With the snipers now eliminated, Cale’s small band was unnoticed for the moment. He rushed over to check on Loxzana, followed closely behind by the rest of his Special Ops team. The men sifted through the rubble, hoping to find Loxzana with some sign of life still in her.

Chapter 3

Agostine awoke, his head pounding in pain. His vision was blurred as he opened his eyes. Immediately his heart began to race as he realized the perilous situation that he might be in. He squinted and blinked his eyes feverishly to try to regain his sight so he would be aware of any impending danger that might lurk.

On the other side of the dragon’s lair, the great beast laid, feasting on what was undoubtedly one of Agostine’s former comrades.

We failed.

As the thought crossed Agostine’s mind, a feeling of dread overcame him. Should he attempt to escape, or endeavor to take the creature by surprise in one last effort to end this? He was brave, but not foolish. If eleven men could not defeat the dragon, how could one expect to?

Agostine quietly attempted to stand. His body ached with every movement. Slowly he moved toward the corridor through which he had previously entered. The dragon was distracted by its kill, and Agostine winced as he recognized that it was in fact one of his men. Carefully he stepped, stopping a couple of times when the beast quieted. Luckily for Agostine, it did not peer up. He was almost out.

Another of the men stirred, one who had been previously struck by the tail of the dragon. The knight began to awaken, unfortunately far less quietly than Agostine had. As the soldier groaned and sat up, barely conscious, the dragon took notice