The mountain range loomed ahead, its jagged peaks cutting into the dark, stormy sky. Lightning flashed intermittently, illuminating the dense forest at the foot of the mountains. The air was thick with tension, the kind that came before a battle—or a slaughter.
A column of knights marched steadily along the narrow mountain path, their silver armor gleaming faintly even under the overcast sky. Their blue capes, emblazoned with the crest of their order, fluttered in the wind. Beside them, a ragtag group of mercenaries and adventurers moved with less discipline but no less determination. They were a motley crew: warriors in heavy armor, archers with bows slung over their shoulders, mages clutching staves, and assassins cloaked in shadows. Each of them carried the weight of their own ambitions, their eyes fixed on the mountain and the beast that awaited them.
"You think we'll actually slay the dragon?" one of the mercenaries, a burly man with a spiked mace resting on his shoulder, asked his companion. His voice was loud, almost drowned out by the distant rumble of thunder. "If we do, I'm drowning myself in gold. Literally. I'll fill a bathtub with coins and just sit in it."
His companion, a wiry archer with a quiver full of arrows, snorted. "You'd need to survive first, Garrick. And from what I've heard, Lermullo doesn't take kindly to visitors."
Garrick grinned, his teeth flashing in the dim light. "Then I'll just have to introduce myself properly. With this." He hefted his mace, the spikes glinting ominously.
Nearby, an A-rank assassin, clad in dark leather armor and a hood that obscured his face, scoffed. "You lot are wasting your breath. Knights, mercenaries, adventurers—none of you are needed. I could take down that damn lizard myself if they'd let me."
A mage, her robes embroidered with intricate runes, rolled her eyes. "Spare us the bravado, Dax. We all know you're just here for the glory. And the gold."
Dax smirked, his voice dripping with confidence. "Glory, gold, call it what you want. At the end of the day, I'll be the one walking away with both."
The knights, meanwhile, remained silent, their expressions grim. They had no time for the mercenaries' banter. Their mission was clear: slay the dragon Lermullo and secure the mountain pass. The mercenaries and adventurers were a necessary distraction, but the knights knew the real work would fall on their shoulders.
One of the knights, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, turned to his commander. "Do you think they'll hold up in a fight, sir? Or will they just get in the way?"
The commander, an older man with a weathered face and eyes that had seen too much, didn't answer immediately. He glanced at the mercenaries, his gaze lingering on the assassin and the mage. "They're expendable. If they distract the dragon long enough for us to strike, they'll have served their purpose."
The knight nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "Understood, sir."
As the group continued their march, the forest began to thin, giving way to rocky terrain. The mountain path grew steeper, the air colder. Somewhere above, hidden by the storm clouds, Lermullo waited. The dragon's presence was palpable, a heavy weight pressing down on everyone's shoulders. Even the most boastful of the mercenaries fell silent as they drew closer, their bravado replaced by a nervous energy.
The storm above crackled with lightning, and for a moment, the mountain was illuminated in stark relief. At its peak, a dark shape moved—a massive, coiled form that shifted slightly before disappearing into the shadows.
The assassin, Dax, was the first to break the silence. "Well," he said, his voice quieter now, "this just got real."
No one argued with him.
The higher they climbed, the more intense the storm became. Lightning streaked across the sky, striking the rocky path with deafening cracks. Each flash illuminated the mountain in stark relief, casting long shadows that seemed to dance like specters. The mercenaries and adventurers, once boastful and loud, now moved with cautious steps, their eyes darting to the sky with every rumble of thunder.
The knight commander, a grizzled veteran with a voice that carried over the storm, shouted to the group. "We're near the top, lads! Ready your gear—incantations, spells, potions! Remember the plan!"
The adventurers nodded, their earlier bravado replaced by grim determination. The mercenaries checked their weapons, muttering prayers or curses under their breath. The knights, meanwhile, formed a tight defensive line, their shields raised and their eyes fixed on the cave entrance ahead.
The commander leaned in close to one of his captains, a tall knight with a scar running down his cheek. "Grab the spear. Quick. Don't let the dragon see you."
The captain nodded, his expression serious. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately crafted necklace. The pendant glowed faintly as he slipped it over his head. In an instant, his form shimmered and disappeared, invisible to the naked eye. The captain moved silently toward the cave, his mission clear.
As the assault party reached the summit, a vast, rocky clearing came into view. The ground was scorched and cracked, as if the very earth had been ravaged by fire. At the far end of the clearing loomed the entrance to the dragon's lair—a massive cave that seemed to swallow the light. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and ash, and the oppressive weight of the dragon's presence made it hard to breathe.
"Where the hell is that dragon?" one of the mercenaries muttered, his voice barely audible over the storm. His grip tightened on his weapon as he scanned the sky.
The knights formed a defensive line, their shields interlocking to create a wall of steel. Behind them, the adventurers prepared their spells and incantations, their hands glowing with magical energy. The A-rank tanks stepped forward, their massive energy shields flickering to life, ready to absorb whatever the dragon threw at them.
Then, with a deafening roar that shook the mountain, the dragon appeared.
From above, hidden by the storm clouds, Lermullo descended. His massive form was silhouetted against the lightning-streaked sky, his dark scales glistening like polished obsidian. His blue eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, and the purple spikes along his back pulsed with energy. As he landed on the rocky ground, the impact sent tremors through the mountain, nearly knocking the assault party off their feet.
The dragon's wings spread wide, each flap sending gusts of wind that threatened to blow the knights and adventurers off the cliff. His spine began to glow, the purple light traveling from the base of his tail to the tip of his head. With a roar that echoed across the mountains, Lermullo unleashed a torrent of purple fire, laced with crackling lightning, directly at the assault party.
"Tanks!" the commander shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Hold the line!"
The knights at the front raised their shields, their energy-infused barriers flaring to life as they absorbed the brunt of the dragon's attack. Behind them, the A-rank tanks reinforced the defense, their massive energy shields forming a protective dome over the group. The purple fire and lightning crashed against the shields, the force of the impact sending sparks flying in all directions.
For a moment, it seemed like the shields would hold. But the dragon's power was immense, and the strain on the tanks was evident. Sweat dripped down their faces as they struggled to maintain the barrier.
"We can't hold this forever!" one of the tanks shouted, his voice strained.
The commander gritted his teeth, his eyes darting toward the cave entrance. "Hold it as long as you can!"
When the dragon's fiery onslaught finally ceased, the assault party seized the moment. The adventurer mages, their hands glowing with arcane energy, unleashed a barrage of spells. Bolts of fire, ice, and lightning streaked through the air, crashing against Lermullo's dark scales in a dazzling display of power. But the dragon barely flinched, his massive form shrugging off the attacks as if they were nothing more than a nuisance.
At the rear of the group, an A-rank mage hovered above the ground, her robes billowing in the wind. Her eyes glowed with an intense light as she chanted the final words of her incantation. The air around her crackled with energy, and when she thrust her hand forward, a massive stream of pure energy erupted from her palm, hurtling toward the dragon.
The A-rank warrior, seeing the opening, bellowed to the melee fighters. "Charge! Now!"
The warriors surged forward, their weapons raised and their battle cries echoing across the mountaintop. Swords, axes, and hammers swung at the dragon's legs and tail, but Lermullo's scales were like impenetrable armor. The blades bounced off harmlessly, and the dragon retaliated with a swipe of his massive claws. Warriors were sent flying, their bodies crashing against the rocky walls. Some were less fortunate, their shoulders or limbs severed by the dragon's razor-sharp talons.
The mages continued their assault, their spells lighting up the battlefield in a chaotic storm of energy and light. But despite their efforts, the dragon remained unharmed. His scales absorbed the magic, and his glowing blue eyes seemed almost amused by their futile attempts.
The knight commander, standing at the center of the defensive line, watched the chaos unfold with a grim expression. He reached over his shoulder and unsheathed the massive sword strapped to his back. The blade gleamed with a faint, otherworldly light as he focused his energy into it. The air around him seemed to hum with power, and the other knights followed his lead, their own swords glowing as they channeled their strength.
Lermullo's eyes narrowed as he sensed the buildup of energy. His deep, rumbling voice echoed across the mountaintop, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. "Oh, no. We have a strong one here."
The knight commander didn't respond. Instead, he raised his sword high, the energy coalescing into a blinding light. With a roar, he brought the blade down, unleashing a devastating wave of energy toward the dragon. The knights followed suit, their combined attack creating a massive surge of power that tore through the air, aimed directly at Lermullo.
The dragon spread his wings, his spines glowing brighter as he prepared to counter. But even he seemed to hesitate for a moment, his glowing blue eyes narrowing as the knights' attack closed in.
The energy wave struck with a deafening explosion, sending shockwaves rippling through the mountain. Rocks and debris flew in all directions, and the assault party was forced to shield their eyes from the blinding light. When the dust settled, Lermullo stood unharmed, though his scales now bore faint scorch marks.
The dragon let out a low, rumbling laugh. "Impressive. But not enough."
The knight commander gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on his sword. "We're not done yet."