The sound of celebration and excitement was practically alive in the seashore air. The empire who had challenged them was gone. The ocean was theirs forever to do with as they pleased.
A collection of massive steel dreadnaughts and fleet carriers had come ashore and were now lined end to end along the crowded sandy banks comically dwarfing everyone and everything in sight below threatening to swallow them whole. Small everyday fishing canoes and local caravans passed by in silence underneath their collective shadows, all having to be extra careful not to intrude on their new larger brothers, now resting comfortably against the ramshackle docks. Enjoying their new unchallenged dominion over the high seas once again like sea kings of old.
It would be so easy to break away. Yet still, the colossal ships sat and waited patiently against the calm waves, not intruding upon their smaller wooden kin resting beside them. Loyal and utterly quiet, not making a sound. Waiting eagerly for their admirals to return in the morning, from their revelries and rest. Such occasions had been few and far between in recent times, but today an exception had been made. The returning soldiers had all certainly earned it. Machine and battered warship alike. The fighting had been long and difficult these past three years. Now was the time to celebrate their success once again before they all departed in the morning for home.
And what a celebration it was.
The multi-leveled wooden floorboards and driftwood walkways of Azure City now creaked and moaned from the sheer strain of the thousands of partygoers and heavy-footed drunken soldiers flooding its fragile rickety streets like a living breathing wave. The massive port city packed end to end with cramped multi-tired houses, gambling dens, fighting rings, and mouthwatering steaming cafes that were struggling to cater to all manner of life now teetered back and forth, swaying along with the subtle movements of the crowd-threatening to bring it all crashing down from their own revelries. Rickety establishments everywhere which were usually lucky enough to see a few coins from foreign visitors on an average slow day, were now being overwhelmed by the sudden influx of patrons roaming aimlessly and getting lost between the alleyways and numerous stalls struggling to keep up the soldier's requests and demands. With these honored victors from abroad infecting the city with new life and business. For better or worse. They owned this town tonight in the palm of their hands. And all knew what they wanted to do with it.
All that is. But two.
A pair of armored warriors walked side by side aimlessly and bored amidst a sea of smaller, vibrantly colored aquatic and tropical species struggling and failing to hold in their drinks. Weaving their way in and out of path of crowds and stalls on either side of them offering up their wares in hopeful view of their faces. They paid no attention and kept on walking. All of the bystanders huddled closer and closer as they approached, curious and tempted at the prospect of serving the arrival of the two imposing heavy footed paladins, completely armored from head to toe. Both obviously wealthy based one could tell just by looking at their extravagant armor. Good business indeed.
One in a simple rounded cobalt steel blue plating and warm sunset bronze for the deep inner workings. The other warrior, a more complex and aggressive looking display of shimmering shadow black as dark as the deepest depths' with a blood red copper laid in between the noisy interlocking joints, resembling flayed open flesh that shifted and moved like gaps of exposed muscular tendons. Many damselflies and exotic multicolored butterfly dancers cheered and signaled aloud at the sight of the two of them from high above through open ramshackle windows that smelt of eager sweat and drink, hoping to entice them, while other commoners tried to thank the two knight's in person as they passed by through the busy walkways, crowded with stalls and shops struggling to keep up with voraciously hungry guests, carnivore and herbivore alike.
The taller of these two off duty defenders completely covered in black hydraulic power armor began to embrace the attention he was getting immensely and decided to make a brief stop to further drink it in, for he was never one to deny any sense of recognition he felt he surely deserved. And besides. There was no escaping it. So why not embrace it?
Whelorm stop for a bit. The black night signaled to his comrade patting him on the shoulder.
Abruptly and without warning the black knight then stopped and removed his stuffy helm to see the many grateful citizens eye to eye. The restless crowd murmured out in combined gasps of awe and fear as they saw a handsome square jawed and frightening appearance of a species underneath the entire world knew and feared.
The great white shark grinned as he removed his elongated helmet shaped like a deadly knifehead. On it's black battered exterior it was adorned with a gruesome withered nose art of a toothy fanged white smile dripping with faded streaks of blood. Whether the red paint was fake or the real thing, no one dared ask. Though the imposing grin was frightening, it paled in comparison to that of it's real owner underneath. The great white's piercing dark eyes turned in every direction excitedly at numerous giggling women and grateful fishermen showering him with overwhelming affection's and appropriate respect he felt he was certainly due. He let out a silent eager growl of of pure enjoyment at the sounds as he eyed up the passerby's surrounding one at a time as if waiting intently for something. His comrade in blue walking beside him however. Was completely silent knowing what it was they wished to see.
Show us! Show us.!! A great many in the crowd chanted. Especially the children. All eager to see the weapon used by the famed bloody scourge of the Iceland's himself.
Dragadon smirked and nodded slowly, he was hoping someone would ask that. Now he had his chance. He gestured for everyone to step back and give him some much needed space. Whelorm stood behind in silence not liking what he was seeing. In an instant the great white removed his signature two handed sea saber named thirst from his back and raised it high in the air ignited for all to see. Some stared dumbstruck at it's crimson light in unease, others in frozen awe. Unlike other water weapons, which glowed bright blue when being manipulated into a shape. This one was blood red. Because that was exactly what liquid the blade was made of. The blood of hundreds of slain imperials. Kept as a trophy from the war whose vibrancy only deepened with each foe who had met their end against it. It was a dark, deep red. It had certainly had its fill.
"Dreagadon put that away." Whispered the blue paladin angrily in disgust. "There are children present."
Dreagadon shrugged his shoulders with a smirk and reluctantly complied, powering down the infamous weapon to the loud disappointed aww from the crowd before continuing to go about their business. The shark kept on walking through the streets, smiling all the way completely unaffected and without remorse.
"Is it going to be this way with you all night? The great white by the name of Dregadon Veso said aloud while waving to more of the passing crowd, noticing his friend's obvious dispirit. "Of all the days to grow a sense of humor, please make it this one. It's our only night on the town. We should enjoy ourselves as best we can.
I just wish you would just clean the blade for a fresh one. It's disgusting and completely horrid.
The shark simply smiled, patting an armored gauntlet on the hilt of his weapon proudly. "Oh come now. They love it! Besides I think it suits me. Shows how much you and I have accomplished. Some keep tally marks. Only tally I need is the one right here. He patted his hilt at his side proudly.
We don't need anymore reminders than we already have. Thought the blue knight, lowering his head back in front. His expressions and face completely hidden behind a simple rounded visor of cold teal sea glass. The blue knight then twisted and removed the helmet with a loud puff of misty air and a snap of the lid to reveal a bright red face underneath of a young handsome octopus. The man adjusted his long unkempt hair of tentacles held behind by a blue pony tail back into proper place as it dangled behind him. Letting out a long heavy sigh to take in the fresh night air. His vibrant red beard hung low as it coiled and flopped against his blue steel gorget battered in scars and dents from the arduous conflict that had just ended. Shamefully.
The Shark paladin soldier then laughed heartily at his comrades stubbornness and patted his armored backside with a hearty shove as a friendly gesture in a hopes to get him into a partying mood quickly. Come on whelorum." We did good. So take a load off and try to relax for once, Trust me. you'll thank me later. Folks like these love a hero. And tonight we get to be just that. Its not everyday you win a war after all.
The quiet man simply nodded his helmet downward, not bearing to look any in the eye.
"Did we?" Whelorum simply responded rubbing his tired yellow eyes. His voice refined and filled with sorrow and regrets. "Did we really do good? Look around."
The streets of Azure were littered with restless soldiers. Getting into bar fights with random citizens over the pettiest of issues, not paying for drinks or merchandise because they felt it was owed to them. And many were engaging in less than reputable activities behind closed doors. The illegal kind. The two passed by a stall where a group of soldiers were taking turns at snorting stashes of savanate orange sun powder lying across a wooden table. A deadly and prohibited substance in western ports. One that smugglers make a fortune in by bribing the authorities. In fact, they were some of their best customers. Azure cove was now a den of illegal happenings. And not a thing from the monarchy was ever done like always.
Is this is what victorious heroes looks like? We were peacekeepers once. Or at least we were. Not after today. Now look at us. Celebrating and acting like fools abroad at the demise of beautiful kingdom and it's people. How we managed to win is beyond me looking at the sorry state wave been reduced to from our own arrogance.
"Damm right we're victors!" The shark resounded with matching sheer arrogance for all to hear as if a challenge itself. He then raised his fist high in the air triumphantly. Now were heroes! Conquerors! Those imperials won't mess with our waters ever again after that wave of ours hit em! Am I right guys!!??" Dregadon swung his arms around and roared mightily to the combined cheers and enthusiastic laughter of the crowd all to eager to agree with him.
And what does it matter in the eye's of those we've conquered? Whlorum stated bluntly. No one in the crowd gave his question a single thought of mind however.
"Whelorum. Listen. Dregadon chuckled. You are a good man. But you'll forget about all this eventually. It'll pass given time. They are just blowing off some steam. Everyone needs an outlet from time to time. So why interfere with some soldiers just trying to relax. Gods know we all need it. All of these men are going home to their families thanks to us. We had an advantage. We simply used it to end the bloodshed quicker and save lives. Our lives. That's what I call the right path. I know you don't see it that way. But you will someday. Trust me.
I doubt it. Whelorum sighed.
Trust me. Using the bomb from that big brain of yours was the right decision in the long run. We would have lost far more invading their shores if we hadn't. Instead, We get to go home and bring this chapter of our lives to an end bloody finally. And tonight is the last page of that book. Now I don't know about you, but I for one am set on ending it on a high note..."
Dregadon walked over to the stall with the soldiers and grinned ecstatically as he was immediately welcomed with open arms. he took a quick sniff of the powder before bringing some back for his friend to try, laying and organizing the orange dust diagonally in a line to run alongside the top of his forearm gauntlet. His restless eyes now with a slight shade of glowing orange the color of the sun. He smiled eagerly and excitedly from the rush as he stared at his friend, honestly hoping he would accept his offer and come along to try and have what he viewed as fun for a change.
You gonna stand here all night in silence or are you gonna join in? Dregadon smiled.
Whelorum sighed aloud and leaned over to take in his share, coughing as he hunched over struggling to take it in. Dregadon patted his friend's backside at a job well done.
There ya go. Easy. You did good.
Now come on. We got a lot to get to tonight.
Whelourm was silent.
Dreg reached out his hand slowly to lead his oldest ally ready to walk with him any of hte dozens of cafe's with the strongest liquor. Shark and Octopus, mortal enemies in ancient times trekked on comrades in arms toward any place not currently crowded with hungry guests and offered a decent meal. Which was not many. After much wandering and getting lost amid crowds and ramshackle shacks and alleyways the multi levels, at last the two esteemed members of House Whelorm and House Veso came before a cheap looking shanty of a building at the very end of the walkway at the top of the tiered city called the juniper's dew.
This place looks decent enough. Next up, a drink to take your mind off your troubles my friend. Said Dregadon. And I owe you so it's my treat. So tonight just sit back, relax, and follow my lead like always. The shark then walked up the steps confidently and proudly, his heavy boots and hydraulic armor joints resonating loudly against the floorboard as he swung the wooden doors open with a mighty slam to make their presence immediately known. He was greeted with the applause and cheers of its many occupants that he was all too happy to receive.
Please Please. Dregadon bowed trying to act humbly by raising a hand in the air to stop, but really wanting more praise. "It was nothing." We're just happy to help! The two soldiers walked further into the room teeming with claps and chatter about them before going back to their own business.
The two war heroes not knowing what came next tomorrow, decided to take their chairs outside onto the open balcony for some fresh air in the present day, noticing the room was rather crowded with people still discussing their recent victory over the imperials in what was already being called the great northern war. It took a while before the discernable chatter of the patrons turned away from being about the two of them and back to each other. As they waited and talked among themselves. Whelorum and Dregadon set their chairs and helmets down beside each other on an empty round table to sit and relax for the first real time in years now that the world was at peace thanks to their actions.
There they sat for almost half an hour. Enjoy the incredible view of the ocean, exploding colorful fireworks in the distance, and the pleasant sound of palm trees swaying gently against the warm breeze. It was a while before they even noticed a waitress had been standing behind them for quite some time. She was a young, beautiful blue shark with sparkling bright blue eyes. She had come by to hastily apologize for the delay and take their orders. But to their surprise. Told them that they did not have to pay for it.
"It's on the house." The blue shark responded kindly toward them both. More so towards Dregadon. My bosses compliments."And mine as well for what you've done overseas. She smiled."
Dregadon immediately took notice of free drinks. But even more so with her. Especially in regards to her rather revealing attire which was not uncommon for a tropical climate. Her simple clothing was that of an interwoven green skirt made of long grass strands and a single pink waterlily pinned against her shoulderless and sleeveless red garment that wrapped around her upper torso. From then on Dregadon couldn't take his eyes off her. Though he probably should have knowing the consequences such trouble would bring him in future years.
So what'll it be gents? She said before taking out a stencil and paper. Any appetizers tonight?
Blood whiskey for me if you please. Strongest and freshest you have. And don't skimp on the blood. Dregadon said smirking, folding his arms coyly behind his head before leaning back in his tilted chair causing it to creak from the sheer strength and weight of his armor.
"Do you have any tea?" Whelorum asked after donning his bronze glasses and closely examining the menu from top to bottom, waiting patiently for his turn. The waitress in return nodded and wrote it down quickly. Dregadon rolled his eyes at his friend for his rather poor selection. "Aw come on man. he said. Live a little. Tonight's the night to be bold and try new things."
Whelorum simply shrugged and handed the waitress the menu camly. You have your preferences for doing things. And I have mine.
Dregadon gave a look and a tilt of his head clearly signifying 'your loss' before turning back with much attention to face the waitress standing behind them both.
Two drinks darling Dregadon said, raising two of his thick webbed fingers into the air after he slid off his black clawed gauntlets to carelessly set them aside. And make it quick if you please. Me and my friend have a lot of partying to get to tonight. And this is only the beginning.
The waitress nodded in a warm understanding and smiled at his words of flattery. Whelorum noticed Dregadon's intent almost instantly. Especially at seeing the great white shark watched her turn and walk away with a slight sway in her tail and hips. Dregadon smirked at the sight, even more so at noticing she had a gold ring piercing at the very end of her long smooth tail.
She's a beauty. Dreagadon said amused as he finished eyeing her up and down. Think I've got another admirer.
Carefll mate. Whelorum said cautiously and a bit humorously at seeing what was happening even if he couldn't. Not a good idea. Pairing with separate species. Never ends well.
"Well well Whelorum." Didn't take you for a bigot. Dregadon joked.
"I'm not." Whelorum replied, not taking any offence. I'm just stating the facts. Hybrid children don't usually live long and those that do are born sickly and sterile. So kindly Keep it in your pants so to not cause any unlucky child such trouble and pains after we leave.
"I know. I know." Dregadon rolled his eyes. "Sheesh. I was just having a go.
That looked more than just a go. In case you hadn't remembered. You're married and have got two children on the way as we speak back home. That a good enough incentive to keep in mind old friend? Whelorum reminded.
"Ugh Don't remind me." Dregadon chuckled at hearing his friends usual word's of dreaded good advice. He turned back to face him, a look of melancholy forming across his long pointed snout as the both of them looked out into the open view of the blue lagoon at night with colored lanterns and torches illumining's the town below them like stars.
"I'm really going to miss this place. Dregadon said with a sense of melancholy before leaning back in his chair and placing his feet up on the balcony in front of them both. Trying to get more comfortable and enjoy the sight for as long as he could.
How so? Whelorum asked curious. The food? The weather? He smirked at a thought and gave him a side eye. The people?
Yes the people. Dregadon responded truthfully and shoved him in the armored shoulder. She's a pretty one. But to be honest not nearly as beautiful as this place. I mean, just look at it. Sandy beaches. Palm trees. Beautiful women everywhere. It's paradise. I for one am not looking forward to cold waters, neverending rain and dreary skies when we get back home.
Beats fighting in more northern waters. Whelorum said. Shuddering at the mere thought. I have had enough of snow and ice to last a lifetime.
Understatement of the year my friend! Dregadon laughed wrapping his tail in between the bars of the railing to allow himself to rock back and forth. "Remember that time I tried to swim through that icy river to get around the enemy artillery during the battle of sunder heights.
How could I forget? Whelorum sighed. I had to dive in and chisel you out of a block of ice after. Your armor joints and jets froze together and you nearly sunk to the bottom of the stream you dammed fool. You never think. Only act. Whelorum patted the side of his red head with a finger gesturing for him to use his more carefully from this point on.
Never had to. Just had to keep pushing and fighting, cause I knew you would be there to pick up the slack for me. And I for you. Look where we are now! I knew we would win. And we did.
Whelorum shifted in place and faced back to look at the open calm sea. Now unnervingly quiet. "Aye. That we did.
After some time sitting in silence together admiring the view, listening to slow melodic plucking of a guitar from some nearby musician below. The waitress returned holding a mug of whiskey and a small plate and cup of black tea for them both. Dregadon snapped back to admiring a different view of equal interest and thanked her as she handed them each their drinks carefully.
Here. Dregadon said as he pulled out a few extra coins. Keep the drinks coming faster than we can chug them down and you my dear will be a very wealthy woman before the night is done. He tossed her the coins and she clutched them eagerly and coily in her fist accepting the challenge.
I'll be over here. Call out if you need me. Just be careful not to drown in the stuff. She smirked before walking away back to the open bar.
For our kind my dear! He called completely lovestruck. "That is physically impossible. But I appreciate your concern!!
Whelorum shook his head both embarrassed and struggling not to laugh at his friends bluntness and fearlessness. Dregadon had to snap his sharp gaze away from the shapley waitress with much difficulty in order to raise his glass and himself high and tall upwards to the sky.
"A toast! He cleared his throat and nodded downward to his friend. "To surviving three years of icy hell. We may not agree on how the war ended my friend. But i'm hoping we can at least celebrate it's end."
Whelorum hesitated for a moment before standing. But for the sake of the evening. He would agree to disagree and put aside their conflicting views on the matter. At least for tonight. He owed his friend that much after all they had been through together.
Very well then.., Whelorum said in a compromise. Clinking his drink against his. To the end of the war my friend. May we never see it's kind again for ourselves or our children in our lifetime.
Amen to that my friend! He grinned. We fight and suffer so they don't have to.
The two clinked.
An admirable cause. Whelorum raised his tea cup in approval before taking a sip with one finger raised off the glass in regards to formal etiquette. Dregadon chuckled at the civilized action in a an uncivilized place but didn't bring it up. He would let his friend be himself. His very polite and obnoxiously bookish self. If the two of them had met thousands of years ago. Dregadon's ancestors probably would have eaten whelorums. The fact that they were able to be friends in the first place Dregadon owed a great deal to the nation he loved and the order it provided through it's rule of the seas.
An ecstatic toothy smile formed across his face as he caught the thousand's of individual and unique scents of flowers, palm trees, and the peaceful coastal reef hitting his face. Whelorum could only imagine how the world must seem to a shark's incredible one of a kind senses. But his friend's constant sigh's aloud of bliss painted him a pretty good picture. He loved seeing him happy.
Aghh! This is the life right!? Dregadon said as he relaxed further, finishing off his entire mug in one swig. No worries. This great beautiful sea at last ours and no one else's to enjoy. I swear. If I didn't love the army so much, I'd have half a mind to stay here for good.
And half a mind to return home. Whelorum cautiously advised. I don't think your wife and pups would be to happy to hear their father to survive a war and mysteriously disappear at the very end of it.
I wouldn't disappear. I would be quite easy to find. Might build a little hut on the beach. Have a nice little hammock. Maybe ask that pretty little mako shark to move in with me. That would be the life fitting of a veteran. Don't you agree?
"Dregadon..."
Yeah yeah. I know. Dregadon grunted saddened with a slight growl in his heavy voice. Slowly placing his empty mug back down on the table and tilting his helmet back and forth with his finger, noticing the white paint on it had already begun to fade. Was fun while it lasted.
The waitress kept bringing drink after drink to refill Dregadon's rounds. But to her surprise and clear worry he was looking up at her less and less each time she returned. Only giving her a simple nod and thank you. Dregadon hardly ever acted this way. Whelorum knew something was clearly troubling him. He never was very good at hiding what he thought. Before he could even ask what worried him...
Whelorum? Dregadon asked in a more serious voice. What will you do? When we return home? For the first time in the entire night. Whelorum let go of his perfect sitting posture and slouched back in his chair to be more relaxed. Both in mind and in attitude. If his grandparents saw him acting this way they would have a filed day. But it was just the two of them. And no one else.
To be honest. I haven't given it much thought. I was so focussed on bringing it to an end I didn't plan on what came after. I don't know how peacetime will agree with me. But I have a strong feeling it will agree with me more than war ever did. I might return to my studies. I want to help others again like we did at the beginning. And yes I mean imperials included. What about you? How will peacetime agree with you?
To be honest... Dregadon looked solemnly into his glass, swinging the near empty red contents around aimlessly in a circle much like how he was feeling. "I'm terrified of it."
How so? Whelorum asked. Genuinely Surprised by the answer.
I loved the fighting. Said Dregadon. I loved the comradery. I loved serving my country. The thought of hanging up the armor to collect dust and lettings myself grow old and fat is something I'm not looking forward to and will do everything in my power to avoid. Just the thought of what's waiting for me back home makes me want to stay. Going to boring parties with my wife's boring friends. Sitting in a boring old house listening to boring talks i've heard a thousand times. I don't want to leave. I want to keep fighting beside you. It's what I'm good at. It's what I know. What I am. A hunter and a killer. It's in my blood. What do we do as soldiers when there is no one left to fight?
Isn't that a good thing? Whelorum responded. Our job is done. Now we simply purse something else to do. Something less...destructive.
But why waste such skill? Why put aside our talents? I've already heard rumors that the navy is going to disband our company soon. After all we've done. After how much of our friends were left frozen and dead in the north at the hands of those imperials!
The storm brigade had outlived it's usefulness. Whelorum said without a shred of fondness. It was unique to this war and if the reality is that it will not be needed again to fight another enemy. Than I am happy and proud to never put on the suit again after tonight. Besides. Maybe the reason why we're being disbanded in the first place is perhaps the very reason of all that we have done. You and I especially.
Oh don't give me that crap! Dregadon snapped, his voice sounding more slurred and hazzy from the drink. We did good. Reminding those imperials to not intrude on our waters and remain in that cold and shitty wasteland they belong to. They should never have outreached in the first place. If they had just surrendered it would have all been over quickly. But instead they had to make things difficult. Good riddance I say. They got what was coming to them.
They had no choice. Whelorum sighed. They were overpopulated. Not enough food south. They had to expand outward. They couldn't sustain themselves otherwise.
Are you trying to justify their actions!?? Dregadon snarled. Ironic coming from you.
I'm just stating the facts. Whelorum said cautiously. If I were in their shoes. I would have done the exact same thing. And if it were up to me. We would be staying behind to help them rebuild, not leaving them behind to scavenge the ruins of their homeland. There is no honor in this victory or what we have left them.
Dregadon smiled and raised his tankard to his friend. Good thing orders are orders then. Huh? It's not our problem anymore. Thanks to you. We couldn't have done it without you. And that bomb of yours.
Whelorum's eyes narrowed in anger.
Dregadon slowly sat back down. "Whelorum...He stuttered. I..I'm sorry. I didn't mean.
I'm going back to my cabin in Victory. Whelorum said with a saddened voice. Good evening. Hope you enjoy your own." He grabbed his helmet. "At least one of us has the stomach to."
Whelorum stood with his helmet under his arm and scraped his chair behind loudly. Quickly preparing to take his leave and not desiring to take part in the celebratory victories and feasting any longer when his nation was leaving another to starve. As he turned to enter back inside the blue shark waitress walked past him and over to Dregadon confused as to why the knight was leaving without hardly even touching his drink. Whelorum stopped briefly in place and glanced behind. Seeing that his friend was now in low spirits and that the waitress was gently caressing her hand across his for comfort and friendliness. And he was all to happy to accept it by asking her to sit beside him in the now empty chair.
Whelorum almost turned back. Wanting to remind his friend of his vows to another back home. To say he was sorry and to keep spending the night with him despite their differences. But he had to place trust in his friend. The war was over. And he could no longer watch his back every hour of every day.
What happened next was on him. And Whelorum would not lecture him again otherwise. Everyone's decisions was in their own hands and stayed with them forever. Whelorum knew that burden probably better than anyone. He hoped Dregadon would someday learn that to.
He never did.
.