3. Tiamat

Chapter 3

Tiamat

The battlefield stretches before me, a desolate canvas painted in hues of charred gray and ominous black. Winds carry the acrid scent of burned earth, mingling with the lingering residue of dragon fire. The ground beneath my boots is uneven, scattered with the remains of the Drow, their twisted forms protruding from the ash like grotesque sculptures, frozen in agony.

As I stand amidst the wreckage, my gaze fixates on a poignant tableau unfolding before me. Luna, my dearest sister, walks away with the steadfast Marco, her mate and my most trusted guard. Their figures become indistinct against the backdrop of destruction, blending into the ashen horizon. I watch them depart, the outline of Marco's dragon visible in the distance, a dark silhouette against the smoky sky. They're moving away, seeking refuge far from the peril that haunts this forsaken battlefield.

The concern etched on Luna's face is mirrored in the furrowed brow of Marco. The gravity of the situation hangs between them, a silent understanding of the danger that lingers in the air. My father's ire simmers in the background, a storm waiting to unleash its fury upon me. He disapproves of Luna and Marcus's union, deeming it premature, but in this moment, I find myself apathetic to his anger. My focus is singular, my purpose unwavering — ensuring my sister's safety and distancing her from the brutal chaos that engulfs us.

The afternoon sun casts long shadows over the battlefield, intensifying the stark contrast of destruction against the vibrant hues of the sky. The air is heavy with tension, each breath tainted with the taste of ash. I clench my jaw, suppressing the turmoil within, and turn my attention back to the retreating figures of Luna and Marcus. In this desolate landscape, where the echoes of battle still linger, I can only hope that they find sanctuary beyond the smoky horizon.

The battlefield is not the only theater of chaos; several ominous Drow portals rip open, not just here but in multiple dragon courts across the land. The air quivers with an otherworldly energy as the portals pulsate, emanating an eerie glow that casts unsettling shadows on the scorched landscape. The very fabric of time and space seems to warp around these apertures. An icy shiver runs down my spine as I witness the unfolding of an unforeseen threat.

Harnessing the powerful connection of the dragon bond, I channel my thoughts to all the smaller dragon clutches scattered across the realm. An urgent warning reverberates through the minds of my dragon kin, a telepathic alarm that cuts through the tumult of battle. I feel the collective unease of the dragons as they register the impending danger, their instincts on high alert.

Amidst the chaos, I decide to deviate from Marco's original plans. If the Drow are orchestrating a widespread assault, it's crucial to safeguard not only Luna but also Marcus's clan. My mind races as I communicate the need for a change of course, a deviation from his original laid-out strategy. Marco's dragon rumbles, the change in plans displeases him, and I sense his irritation through the dragon bond. However, he sees the value in my warning and he yields to the necessity of protecting his mate.

As Marco's dragon changes direction, a ripple of relief courses through me. The tension that gripped my chest eases, and I can now redirect my focus to the imminent threat. My eyes scan the battlefield, lingering on the shimmering portals that await the next onslaught. The air crackles with anticipation, and the portals pulse like sinister heartbeats. Their appearance is a stark reminder of the impending danger lurking just beyond the veil.

The landscape is fraught with uncertainty, the scorched earth beneath my feet bearing witness to the clash of dragons and Drow forces. I stand resolute, my senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere, awaiting the next wave of malevolent intruders. The portals shimmer ominously, and I brace myself for the impending storm that threatens to engulf the dragon courts in its shadow.

The golden field of wheat quivers beneath the force of our landing. My dragon brings me down in the heart of the trio of portals that have torn through the fabric of reality. The wheat stalks bow and sway in the gusts stirred by the dragon wings, whispering secrets to the wind. The earth beneath my boots feels alive with energy, a pulsating anticipation that matches the rhythm of my pounding heart.

Facing the portals head-on, I stand in the center of this expansive field, flanked by my mates and a legion of dragons. The air is charged with a blend of dragon breath and the sweet scent of the golden wheat, a surreal juxtaposition of nature and impending battle. The dragons land en masse around us, their colossal forms casting shadows on the sunlit landscape.

All eyes are vigilant, scanning every direction, wary of a potential sneak attack. The tension in the air is palpable, a tangible current that electrifies the atmosphere. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm glow upon the scene. But the serenity is shattered by the looming threat of the portals.

My instincts, honed by memories of battles and challenges gifted to me by my dragon, serve me well. Just as I prepare to address the imminent danger from the three portals before us, a shiver runs down my spine. A fourth portal tears open behind the bulk of our forces, a treacherous surprise orchestrated by the cunning Drow. The quiet rustling of wheat is replaced by the hurried footsteps of the approaching enemy.

Drow spills out of the portals in all directions, a dark tide threatening to overwhelm us. The golden field is suddenly a battleground, and the air is filled with the clash of steel against scales. Dragons of various shapes and sizes take to the air, wings slicing through the sky as they ascend. Once high enough, they prepare to rain their breath weapons down upon the Drow before the invaders can fully deploy their war machines from the portals.

The cacophony of battle reverberates through the field, blending with the roar of dragons and the cries of the Drow. Fire and magic intertwine in a dance of destruction. The wheat field is now a war zone where the fate of dragon kind hangs in the balance.

Draven and Knox, my powerful mates, move with an uncanny synchronicity, a deadly dance born from years of shared battles. Positioned strategically, they unleash their individual breath weapons in tandem, a torrent of searing flames and scalding energy that engulfs the oncoming Drow invaders. The air becomes a furnace, the scent of burned flesh hanging heavy and acrid, a testament to the ferocity of our defense.

The once vibrant wheat field, now a battleground, is ablaze. The flames dance with a malevolent glee. Tendrils of fire reaching high into the sky, casting an infernal glow across the battlefield. The air is thick with the heat of the crackling of flames, blending with the distant roars of dragons and the clash of weaponry.

Guiding my dragon into a controlled descent, I land amidst the scorched wheat, my human form replacing the formidable scales and wings. The transition is marked by a surge of coolness as I draw upon my ice dragon heritage.

I reach deep within, tapping into the wellspring of icy power that courses through my veins. The temperature drops sharply as I channel the essence of frost and cold. The air around me shimmers with an ethereal chill as I extend my arms in a wide, arching flourish.

A burst of frost erupts from me, a crystalline wave that unfurls across the field. Ice crystals form on the smoldering wheat, extinguishing the flames in a dramatic display of elemental mastery. The sudden transition from fire to frost leaves a surreal tableau in its wake. Steam rises from the extinguished embers, creating an ephemeral fog that drifts through the now-charred field.

The scent of burned flesh is replaced by a brisk, clean freshness as the temperature continues to plummet. The field, once a chaotic battleground, is now a frozen landscape, the remnants of the inferno encased in a delicate layer of frost. Crackling of flames is replaced by the hushed whispers of the wind as it weaves through the crystalline aftermath, leaving behind a momentary calm in the eye of the storm.

Out of nowhere, an unseen force tackles me to the ground, and I find myself rolling down the hill, the world spinning in a disorienting whirlwind. Panic claws at my chest as I grapple against an unknown assailant, struggling to maintain my footing.

I gasp for air as powerful hands wrap tightly around my throat, the vise-like grip making each breath a desperate battle. The scent of burned earth mingles with the metallic tang of fear, and the rapid thud of my heartbeat reverberates in my ears. The world becomes a blurred panorama, and spots form before my eyes, threatening to plunge me into darkness. Why can't I call on my dragon or ice?

Amid my struggle, I catch a glimpse of salvation. The dragons of my mates, colossal and swift, streak through the sky towards me. Their majestic forms become a beacon of hope in the tumultuous landscape. Yet, the relentless grip on my throat persists, and I feel the life force within me waning.

A second Drow figure approaches, their malicious intent palpable. With a cruel efficiency, they jab a needle filled with some ominous blackish fluid into my thigh. Agony courses through my veins like fire, the toxic liquid spreading like a malevolent serpent through my body. The world blurs further, and my vision dims, the edges of my consciousness fraying.

Just as oblivion threatens to claim me, Draven's dragon, a guardian in the storm, lands with thunderous authority. In a swift and savage motion, the dragon tears the Drow assailant in front of me in half, a gory spectacle that sends a chilling shock through my weakening body. The hands that had constricted around my throat release their grip just before the final descent into unconsciousness.

As my world teeters on the precipice, the surrounding chaos momentarily subsides. The scent of blood and the metallic tinge of the blackish fluid linger in the air, a stark reminder of the perilous dance between life and death. The world dims, the sounds of battle fading, and I surrender to the impending darkness.