The scattered metal across the black, scorched earth… the ash drifting down from the scarlet-black sky like corrupted snow.. the corpses laden across the ground, spilling a river of blood through the land… the buildings torn away to the ground, holding semblance to the village they'd once been..
And then the image of the four dragons came through Dagon's mind. The image of his father being consumed in darkness and shadows… his words echoing in his mind..
"Grow strong…"
Dagon's eyes snapped open as the drake's jaws hung over his head, slobber and drool dribbling down.
He suddenly felt a burst of energy rush through his body, as though he had boundless powers and abilities. His horn, eyes and Drakeagen stone began to glow, and as they did a spike of mercury burst from the ground, piercing the drake's shoulder, causing it to yelp and jump away.
Dagon slowly rose to his feet, blood soaking his skin and tattered clothes.
The ground at his feet began to tremble. Luminescent green eyes glared down at the drake as liquid mercury rose from the ground, swirling around his body. His eyes were cold and dead, rage filling his heart.
The mercury began to condense, clinging to his body and forming a set of spiked, silver armor. A mask coiled around his head, his horn growing double in size as spikes grew on the opposite side. Spikes extended from his back and a single slit left his eyes exposed. The mercury moved to his missing arm and extended down, forming a long, sharp blade that glistened in the snow.
The Drake began to cower, backing away and growling, it's hackles rose. Dagon took a step towards it, and as he did the ground began to melt at his feet, the snow turning to acid.
The Drake suddenly leapt at him, an attack made out of fear and instinct, knowing it was cornered. The beast made no dent in the armor, which simply shifted in a liquid like motion, wrapping about its talons and jaws before pushing it back, sending it sprawling across the snow.
If it had been any other creature, the poison from the mercury would have caused it to begin convulsing and whimpering in pain until it died. But drakes are immune to such deaths.
Dagon raised the blade upon his arm, and in one swift motion, brought it down on the creature like a guillotine. The drake's body was severed in half and it dropped to the ground, dead.
— — —
A spike of mercury shot from the ground and ran straight through the King Drake's back leg, holding it in place as it let out a roar.
Sephtis raked his claws across the drake's head, knocking it back. He then rolled aside and began circling the creature.
*Mercury? I thought I told Dagon not to…* Sephtis thought, but then silvery liquid substance rose from the ground and enveloped him, creating a layer of spiked, sleek mercury armor.
*Wait… there's no way.. is this.. Escalation..?*
The mercury began to extend from his wings, almost doubling their length as it created massive blades. Green luminescent spikes grew along his shoulders, side, tail, and horns, poisonous gas oozing from them, turning the air heavy with clouds of green.
"Sephtis… is that..?" Gena's voice came.
"Go check on Dagon! Now! Something must have happened to trigger the Escalation!" Sephtis roared as his armor became solid.
The King Drake managed to free itself from the spike, then turned to face Sephtis, growling and hissing with rage.
The beast rushed forward like a charging bull, sweeping the earth with its talons. Sephtis leapt aside, then one of its tails came rushing at him like a spear, but he flicked his wing through the air and severed it, as well as leaving a deep, hissing gash across the drake's side.
Barash roared, swiveling its head around to ram into Sephtis, who lifted onto his hind legs and caught the drake's head as it pushed him back, his back talons raking across the ice trying to catch traction.
Sephtis felt a wave of strength run through him and he began lifting the Drake off its feet into the air before spinning and throwing it through the air towards where the cave had been. The beast crashed into the rocks, a spike of mercury plunging through its back and protruding through its chest.
Barash let out growls and roars of agony, rage and frustration as it clawed at the spike, trying desperately to free itself. But it was no use.
Sephtis strode up to the beast, staring it down with cold eyes. He held no pity for the beast. Whether it had been enslaved or not, it would've attacked them either way had they crossed paths.
Sephtis opened his wings wide, then swept one through the air, decapitating the King Drake.
— — —
Gena flew clear over the jagged rocks to the other side where she found Dagon standing motionless over the corpse of a Drake. He was covered in mercury armor just as Sephtis had been.
Gena landed upon the blood soaked snow beside Dagon, approaching him wearily. She was unsure of whether or not the magic had taken complete control of him or not.
"Dagon…? Are you alright..?" She asked as she approached him.
He gave no response. He didn't even show any sign of recognition. It was as if he didn't even know she was there.
As Gena drew closer, the mercury about his body began to shift and churn violently, and when she was about to reach out a talon to touch him, he suddenly turned cold green eyes to her and swept his sword through the air. Gena leapt up into the air as massive spikes of mercury exploded out of the ground in a line towards the rocks which were torn asunder.
"Dagon! Stop! It's me, Gena!" She roared.
Dagon slowly lowered his sword, again becoming absolutely still.
Sephtis then came over the wall of stone as well, hovering beside Gena.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"He has lost control, the magic has take full residence over his body and actions."
"What?!"
"I tried to approach him, but he attacked me, resulting in that." She nodded at the line of spikes jutting out of the earth.
"Will it wear off…?" Sephtis asked, having no experience in Escalation.
"In theory.. yes, but how long it lasts is all based on how much magic he has. And when in Escalation, you generate magic through emotions." Gena spoke.
"I have a feeling I know what is driving him.."