Orc leader's pov:
To think my life would end so easily. Hehe, I'm sorry elder brother it looks like I am a weakling after all. I doubt there was any purpose behind my death or any good reason in fact I had been left in the dark ever since he appeared.
I remember the day I first met him all too clearly. It was a cold rainy day. I and my allies were looking for a place to take shelter from the heavy rain.We were within the borders of the dwarven nation called the dwarven strongholds. During our search we spotted an empty cave that appeared to have been manually carved, likely the native cragmite mole monsters made it.
Since it was dark we decided to make a little campfire to see in the dark as we waited for the rain to settle down. To cure our boredom we all started about our goals, past,hobbies and the usual personal stuff. As expected from orcs they all wanted to become strong so they could become popular with women and marry an elf one day, one of them had the audacity to say that they wanted to overthrow the king, my brother right in front of me. I was disappointed that the people I entrusted with my life too had shallow aspirations but it was better than nothing.
The time we spent bonding in that cave was fun until he came.
???: You there orcs, are a group of mercenaries or bandits?
Standing in front of the entrance of the cave, stood a tall male figure adorned in a fancy dark blue uniform. My comrades scuffed at the man as they looked at his irritated expressions but something about him felt off to me.
One of me allies: and just who the f##k are you?
One of my comrades yelled at the man with clear irritation in his voice
???: That's not an answer, I asked you a question.
The man had a demanding tone behind his voice as if he was clearly stating that he was of a higher status than but that just irritated my comrades further prompting them to get up from the butts and approach the man with their weapons ready.
???: Are you sure about this?
The man asked
My comrade: Yeah as long as you keep your mouth shut and f##k off we won't hurt you.
???: And what if I decline?
It was at that moment I noticed what was bugging about this person. He had red eyes which means.
My comrades: THEN DIE!!
In a split second my comrades were torn to pieces by the man using his bare hands. I stood in disbelief of the scene before me, I was so afraid I couldn't help but watch, you allies get their limbs ripped apart, eyes gouged out and their skulls crushed like a soft squishy material.
The man's eyes had a menacing glow as he turned to face me and the remainder of my allies.
That was the very moment I vowed to never disobey him if I valued my life.
Narrator:
Orc bandits: BOSS!!
In a display of unwavering loyalty, the remaining orcs in the area dashed towards the dragon with lightning speed, positioning themselves in front of its menacing jaws. Their actions were a desperate attempt to shield their leader from the impending attack, demonstrating a fierce dedication even in the face of certain danger.
The dragon unleashed a torrent of swirling flames from its gaping maw, engulfing the orc bandits in searing heat, reducing them to mere ashes. With deadly precision, the inferno carved a gaping, scorched chasm through the orc leader's abdomen, cleaving him in two with devastating force.
The fiery beam erupted into a colossal explosion upon impact, sending shockwaves rippling through the earth with ferocious intensity. Its scorching heat disintegrated every nearby debris into fine particles, leaving nothing but a desolate aftermath in its wake.
Banko: NICO!!
With a scream echoing through the chaos, Banko raised his staff, directing its power toward Nico's prone form lying amidst the aftermath of the cataclysmic explosion.
A thick shroud of black smoke engulfed the entire area, veiling it in an ominous silence, devoid of any sign of life. Amidst the darkness, the menacing roar of the fearsome dragon reverberated through the air, casting a chilling aura over the desolate scene.
With a mighty flourish, the red dragon unfurled its colossal wings, unleashing a powerful shockwave that swept through the area, dispersing the thick black smoke in every direction, revealing the aftermath of its devastating display of power.
A massive ball constructed from layers of partially scorched wooden pillars tore open, revealing Banko and Elara sheltered within. They had sought refuge inside the makeshift structure to shield themselves from the potentially life-ending explosion, emerging unscathed from the chaos that had engulfed the area.
Banko and Elara's eyes widened in shock as they surveyed the aftermath of the red dragon's rampage. Around them lay nothing but scorched wooden debris and pitch-black grass, a testament to the ferocity of the dragon's fiery assault. At the epicentre of the devastation, a massive crater marked the spot where the dragon's beam had struck, with the lifeless, pitch-black corpse of the orc leader lying at its heart.
Banko: This is a guess but I assume that when a person transforms for the first time they have no control of their body?
Banko asked with his gaze completely fixed on the menacing figure of the colossal red dragon.
Elara: You really are the smart one in the group.
In a hushed tone, Elara spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, as she directed her attention to another partially scorched wooden layered ball where Nico's unconscious form lay.
Banko: Is it possible to get Rico back to normal?
Elara: Yes it is possible since passive skills drain the users magic power overtime to stay activated.
Banko: But I don't have any abilities that would allow me to drain magic power and weakening it is not an option now that Nico suddenly fell unconscious. Ugh, what do we do?
Banko's frustration boiled over as he slammed his head against his wooden staff, grappling with the weight of their dire situation, desperate to devise a solution.
With a reassuring touch, Elara placed her hand on Banko's shoulder, offering silent support, before she firmly gripped her vine-hilted sword.
Elara: Don't worry, I have a plan.
…
The dragon's gaze lingered on the scorched corpse of the orc leader, a haunting image that stirred memories of Gabriella's burnt corpse in its mind. Instinctively, the dragon recoiled, maintaining a cautious distance from the crater, the echoes of past tragedy influencing its actions.
The sound of a footstep emitted behind the dragon causing it to quickly turn its head as it gazed at Elara and Banko bolting towards it.
With a thunderous roar, the dragon surged forward, its massive form hurtling toward them with deadly intent, its horns poised to strike and penetrate their defences.
Elara:NOW!!
Banko and Elara immediately run in opposite directions. The dragon shook its head between Elara and Banko. Banko aimed his wooden staff at the dragon, summoning wooden pillars to entangle its limbs. The dragon tore through the pillars with ease and charged after Banko.
Banko: This is the Glacier bear fight all over again!
As the dragon trailed Banko from behind, its impatience mounting, it suddenly leaped into the air, landing forcefully in front of him with a powerful gust of wind that sent Banko hurtling into the air. With lightning-fast reflexes, Banko summoned a wall of wooden pillars to break his fall, narrowly avoiding disaster as he regained his footing.
The dragon bolted towards Banko, Banko quickly ducked beneath the dragon's body as he activated his 2nd skill.
Banko: 2ND SKILL: ELEMENTAL BLAST!!
"+30 damage"
Banko swung his wooden staff, creating a curved beam flying towards the dragon's stomach, dealing a significant amount of damage.
Banko: So that's its weak spot.
Banko stood back up on his feet preparing his wooden staff to launch another attack at the dragon from behind but without noticing it, the dragon swung the tip of its tail towards Banko slashing him on the chest.
Banko: AGH!?
Blood gushed from Banko's chest, a metallic tang filling the air as the searing pain scorched his skin. With a gasp, he sank to his knees, feeling the rough ground beneath him. His vision blurred momentarily, the world spinning as he dropped his staff with a clatter.
The dragon pivoted its massive body, fixing its gaze on Banko with a primal intensity. With a menacing snarl, it readied itself to charge, its massive horns poised to pierce through Banko with lethal force.
Just as the dragon prepared to lunge at Banko, a sudden flash of vibrant green light erupted atop its head, eliciting a deafening roar of agony as it thrashed violently, shaking its head in a futile attempt to rid itself of the searing pain.
Atop the dragon's head stood Elara, her vine-hilted sword driven deep into its skull, a determined glint in her eyes as she held her ground against the thrashing beast.
Banko: Master!
Chapter 16 ends.